Here on the Outer Banks our kiddos are gifted with a full two weeks off of school for their Winter holiday break. Don't get me wrong, I really do love having the kids home for a long break and I really love getting to stay in cozy sweatpants a little bit longer each morning but with limited indoor activities here on the beach going stir-crazy is a given. Insert crafting. My little Penny is super creative and she honestly is happier and better behaved when she has a creative o

When my husband and I first moved here we found the cutest little 3 bedroom house. It was an adorable blue single family on a one way street and of course, it was close to the right school. We loved the space, had plenty of storage and at 1200 square feet we felt like we had more than enough room for our family of three. Then we had Penelope. Somehow within the first year of her life we felt like that house was closing in on us. With the addition of one more child in the hous

If you happened to catch my husband and I on HGTV last Summer then you heard me say, "The kitchen is the heart of our home" like ten thousand and fourteen times. Honestly, I said it so often during our filming process that I was basically terrified to see our episode for fear that someone was going to make one of those remix videos of me talking about the Heart-Heart-Heart of our Ho Ho Home. But honestly, our kitchen is the heart of our home. We cook, eat and hang out in the

I don’t know about you guys but I have been in the mood to break out my Christmas decor since we walked in the door from Trick or Treating on Halloween. I’m just ready! Usually I don’t even think about Christmas decorations until Thanksgiving passes but I am seeing so many more friends and family members decorating early this year so I know I'm not alone in this! I’m feeling like maybe it’s the current state of the universe that has made us all so ready for the joy that the h

True to form, the National Hurricane Center starts naming storms and I start cleaning my house. So naturally when Hurricane Irma started looming weeks ago I cleaned the toilets and scrubbed the showers. I went through the pantry and the coat closet. I’ve even put two large baskets aside for our local Hotline thrift store. Considering I live most of my days in a house that is in complete disarray with messes made by the tiny gang of humans that I made myself, I don’t know what

It's winter on the Outer Banks and y'all.. I am bored! There, I said it. Usually, I love snuggling in and enjoying the downtime with my family. This year is no different in that regard. I love the quietness that takes over the beach and the crisp air that smells like a bonfire. I love love love having extra time to snuggle our littlest baby and having plenty of time to train our puppy to be the best dog ever. I love winter here. But I am desperate for a creative outlet! This

If You Want to Hear God Laugh, Tell Him Your (Birth)Plan. I love birth stories. I mean, I really really love birth stories and I don’t think that they are told nearly often enough. So, in honor of our sweet Eloise Rose turning 1 month old, I’ve decided to pen her’s here. It was absolutely my most whirlwind, miraculous, humbling birth and journey and I think it needs to be told. I’ll just say right here that if you are squeamish in the least or don’t find childbirth to be tot