The natural world offers so many ways to decorate our homes this time of year, from fresh greenery and vibrant fruits to warm spices and rustic pine cones. You don't have to spend a lot of money or time either. Sometimes the best ideas are also the simplest ideas. More

This week I've planned a much needed trip away from my home town of Ottawa down to Toronto, Canada's metropolitan hub. My train just departed and thankfully the in car wi-fi is working, because even though I'm traveling, I still have a busy week of work ahead. More

There's something about the spirit of the holidays that inspires even the least domestic of us to strap on an apron and bake cookies. If you're giving baked goods as presents this year, check out this roundup of containers. We've got disposable options, like take out containers and paper boxes, as well as reusable picks, like Weck jars and bento boxes, that are gifts in themselves. More

I love giving and recieving cards, and putting them on display for a bit. But then there's always the struggle of what to do with them: keep or toss? This past year my husband and I found ourselves with a heap of greeting cards that we just couldn't bear to part with. But we also don't know what to do with them in our small home with scant storage space. After a little digging, we came up with some good ideas that will work for our sentimental selves: More

Now that winter's here, my reluctance to get out of bed in the morning has mounted exponentially. It's much easier to snuggle deep into the covers when my alarm goes off, and I'm constantly oversleeping when I know that I should get up. In an attempt to curb this bad habit, I've compiled some tips for making waking up a bit more manageable. More

Holidays are that time of the year when you traditionally gather with your beloved friends and family to celebrate. If they live far away, it might be the only time all year you see each other face to face. Some people cherish this time, while others dread it. What I'm wondering is, do any of you just skip it altogether? More

The holidays are approaching, and I want to do it all! Make wrapping paper, make and send cards, bake treats for work friends/faraway friends/family/parties I'm attending, find the perfect gift for everyone I love, and so much more. But December has arrived, and I'm slowly admitting to myself that I can't do it all. Someone has to put her foot down and cross — not check — things off her to-do list, and I guess that someone is me. More

When I think of society dinner parties, I think of nights filled with good food, interesting people and fascinating conversation. And I think of the host and hostesses of these parties as the masterminds that set the stage and allow the evening's events to unfold. More

One of the biggest mistakes I see in home decorating and decluttering is that people often make purchasing and design decisions based on aspirations (the kind of life you want to lead; the kind of person you aspire to be) — not reality. So, before you spend a ton of money and time decorating, face the facts. Distinguish between who you are — your real life habits, your idiosyncrasies — vs. who you WANT to be. When decluttering and organizing, work with your habits, not in denial of them!

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With so many holidays smashed together so closely during this season, it's really easy to get swept away with all the lists, organizing, cooking, and shopping. But don't forget to take time for the most important part of the equation… you! More