This DIY bookshelf holds more than books—it holds a story. Made from five glued boards my late grandfather left behind, I built this piece for my son using screws, stain, beadboard, and hairpin legs. It’s sturdy, sentimental, and a sweet example of repurposing with purpose.

This pallet shelf was my first-ever DIY project, built out of pure storage desperation in a tiny kitchen with barely any cabinets. Made from a repurposed pallet and stained naturally with coffee and steel wool, it started as a functional fix and now lives on as a character-filled decorative shelf in our living room.

My laundry routine is all about the balance between minimalism, sustainability, and real-life logistics. I line dry most of our clothes, stagger loads throughout the week, and rely on clever space-saving drying solutions in a small laundry area. Whether it’s for the environment, your budget, or your clothes, there are lots of reasons to rethink the dryer-everything approach.

When a windstorm took out our backyard gate, we finally tackled the rebuild—and it’s better than ever. This gate has served our family well since 2019, and while it’s back in action now, it may have a second life soon as we plan a permanent garden where it stands. Fence repair meets future garden dreams in this PNW home project.

This DIY fireplace bench cushion came to life when our son started crawling and we needed a safer option for our brick hearth. With help from my mother-in-law, we used plywood, foam, and fabric to create a cozy, kid-friendly bench that we still use daily—especially on chilly winter days by the fire.

After an unexpected bathtub overflow and a failed seal caused water to flood our laundry room, we jumped into DIY mode. From removing insulation and damaged drywall to repainting and wrapping the furnace, this project tested our patience but turned out beautifully—and even saved us money thanks to insurance.

After years of trying, we finally escaped to a Getaway cabin for our 8th anniversary—and it was pure magic. With snow falling outside and cozy comforts inside, we slowed down, read books, played games, and soaked up the minimalist, intentional design that made this cabin feel like a dream.

After staring down an awkward kitchen cabinet for years, I woke up one morning and decided it was demo day. With some spontaneous energy and help from my husband, we built new open shelves (plus a lazy Susan!) to finally make this beast of a cabinet functional—and it looks so much better now.

This space is an every changing room based on what we need in the moment. It’s been a cat home, play zone, gear closet, and now it’s a pantry.

Vegan thanksgiving dinner, what I ate, where I got it, and the mind shift change eating this way on a holiday required.

Garden space over the years, from an in the ground small garden to 5 raised beds in two different locations and a lot of pots.

Finding minimalism and starting my journey towards owning less stuff, embracing the white empty space, and living in the moment more.

Getting to live out a little of my dream career while throwing my sister a bridal shower. Spring decor with fresh flowers and transforming this old park shelter into a whimsical space!

From scoffing at reusing ziplock bags and often using paper plates to not a disposable tissue, ziplock, napkin, or plate in sight.

Turning an unused top of staircase landing that was too small and awkward to be helpful into a home office.

My journey from eating some form of meat twice a day to being vegetarian for a few years and then finally my switch to being plant based/vegan.

Three years after building our swing set, we finally gave it the upgrade it deserved—with a tall slide, mini fort, and fun accessories like a telescope and steering wheel. Here’s how we pulled it all together (with product links) to create a play space our kids can grow into.

We took our first big family road trip to Utah in 2022 to explore the desert landscapes of Arches, Capitol Reef, and Canyonlands. With unpredictable weather, last-minute changes, and a crash course in desert camping, we learned a lot—especially about what gear makes all the difference when traveling with kids.