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Moving In Together: What Do You Do With The Ex-Boyfriend/Girlfriend Box?

I was first introduced to the concept of the ex-boyfriend (or girlfriend) box by the one and only Lorelai Gilmore. She advised her daughter Rory to throw all the mementos from her just-ended relationship into a box. That way, Rory wouldn't have to look at them, but someday, when she was old and grey, she could go through all her old boyfriend boxes and think, "My, what an interesting life I've had." Does that work in real-life, or just in Stars Hollow?

Solo Life at Home: Using TV Shows for a Little Bit of Background Noise

Even when I was little, I was flummoxed by friends and relatives that would keep the TV on in the background: are you watching or not? Why add noise to the world? I held onto that point of view for decades, but now, after three years of living alone, I find myself soothed by the sounds of Liz Lemon's misadventures unfolding in the next room...

Saying Goodbye to a Home-Away-From-Home

For the last 4 years, I've house-sat and dog-sat for my friends whenever they travel. I love their home (and the dogs, of course) dearly, and am going to miss it so much when I move away next month. This is their home, but a little part of my heart will stay here...

Things Fall Apart: Living Alone in a Space After a Breakup

Last year, one of my good friends found a new job, packed up his belongings, and moved hundreds of miles away, for love. He was even talking of proposing this spring. Fast-forward to the present, and instead of planning a wedding, my friend and his (now) ex-girlfriend are going their separate ways. He is now living alone in the apartment they had picked out together, the space they chose to start their life together.

Who's The Photographer In Your House?

My dad is an amazing photographer, and thanks to him there are decades' worth of gorgeous, priceless photos of my extended family.. but only a few of him. I seem to be repeating that pattern: I'm thrilled with the hundreds of shots I get of our holiday celebrations and vacations, but you would never know I'd actually attended the festivities. How do you thoroughly document your home life?

How Many Pillows is Too Many?

I love bedrooms that are well-styled, but I also love the clean simplicity of a bed that looks like it's seriously meant for sleeping in, with cloud-like crisp white bedding and a few downy pillows.

Dedicated Friend-Shelf: A Reminder You Are Loved

In a little studio apartment like mine, it seems absurd to waste perfectly good shelf space on frivolities and fripperies, and yet that's exactly what I've done...and it makes me happy every day.

Birth Tree: Would You Plant One?

When a friend told me he was considering planting two trees to celebrate the birth of his friends' new baby twins, I must admit I swooned. Birth-trees! Such a sweet idea, but there are a few things to consider...

Tell Us: What's Your Biggest DIY Disaster?

There was the time I decided to make my own mosaic mirror, and broke enough mirrors to guarantee bad luck for life. Or the time I decided to tackle the small task of repainting my bathroom and ended up peeling off the bubbling, existing paint in huge sheets for days before I could even get started.

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Last night I was lucky enough to attend a remarkable event — a warm, festive, stimulating gathering in which a family opened their home to over 60 people, some friends, some friends-of-friends, and some several more steps removed (like me). The friend I went with said something like, "With everything going on in the world, this openness and trust is all the more amazing. And encouraging."