My Kids Are Minimalist Talkers
My kids (as toddlers) sure make full use of just a few sounds to mean many different words — they are the ultimate minimalists in this regard!
Our Spring "Micro Trips" This Year
My son got two weeks off school this spring, so we took “micro trips” to Monterey and Paso Robles. The partial babysitting from grandma was a big plus too!
Mix and Match Recipes: Sausage White Bean Soup
This is one of my go-to soups because it’s so simple yet flavorful, and I can throw in whatever I happen to have on hand in my capsule pantry.
Making the Cut: Rug in Kids Room
I am unsurprisingly not much of an impulse-buyer, but it worked out for me (and the kids) on this occasion — I swapped out our old rug in the kids’ room for a “play town” rug that my 5yo can drive his cars on. Multipurpose items have a special place in my minimalist heart and home!
Toys That Earn Their Keep in Our Small Space
We are as careful and particular about toys as we are about any other item that takes up space in our small home. We only keep the kids’ favorites, which I’m happy to share, because it can be really hard to predict what kids will like!
How a Minimalist Makes Her Bed
In my search for an aesthetically pleasing but minimalist “bedscape,” I’ve tried various configurations of bedding over the years, always striving to find a smart, simple, and stylish solution with staying power.
Micro Trips with Micro Humans
We’ve had to drastically change the way we travel with babies/toddlers/young children in tow. Gone are the globetrotting vacations of our childfree years; now we take “micro trips” that are short in both time and distance while adhering to our “micro humans’” schedules and routines (and demands). Traveling is one facet of my life I don’t seek to minimize, but the kids have involuntarily forced minimalism on me in this regard too!
Creating a Cozy Closery (Closet Nursery)
When we were expecting baby girl 1.5 years ago, I looked for a space in our home for her to sleep away from big brother in the bedroom so that she wouldn’t disturb him every two hours overnight with her crying. I went into maximal minimalist mode and transformed our tiny hallway closet into a nursery nook. Behold, the closery!
I Like to KISS … My Finances, That Is
I live my life by the KISS (keep it super simple) philosophy, and that applies just as much to my financial life. Plus, personal finance FTW!
It's the Most Wonderful (Smelling) Time of the Year, Savory Edition
“Decembake” is not just about the sweets – the savory dishes arguably create even more cozy (and lingering) scents that I am reveling in this holiday season.
It's the Most Wonderful (Smelling) Time of the Year, Sweets Edition
This “Decembake,” I’ve been seized by the holiday spirit to fill our home with heavenly scents of goodies baking in the oven (or simmering on the stove), and I’ve found a way to expand my repertoire that’s consistent with my minimalist principles.
Our Approach to (Holiday) Gifting – We’re Not Total Gift Grinches!
While my husband and I don’t engage in gift giving for each other, we use a wishlist for others in our lives who do like to give gifts, and we often default to consumable items rather than durable goods to keep the clutter (and stress!) under control.
How This Minimalist Manages Thanksgiving Dinner
I’ve largely managed to avoid hosting for Thanksgiving, but when I do, I keep it as simple and casual as possible because spending days prepping in the kitchen is not how I want to spend my holiday!
Making the Cut: Bench and Kids Table
I was always nervous about the placement of my favorite bench in the hallway, but now I’ve finally figured out a better place for it, and solved another “problem” in the process.
How to Handle the Hauls of Halloween
I love Halloween for so many reasons, but I need a system to deal with the attendant plastic junk and overflowing candy stash in a way that avoids meltdowns (either mine or the kids’).
Making the Cut: Swedish Dishcloths
I’ve ditched the plastic sponge in favor of the Swedish dishcloth and have (largely) been won over.
Holler if You Hate Hosting at Home
Even if you don’t like to (or can’t) invite people into your home, you can still have company – just take it outside! Whether indoors or outdoors, shared/public spaces may be the answer to your hosting woes.
The (Never-Ending) Evolution of Our Dining Room
I’ve spent years trying to discern my dining room decor style, and I’ve finally found something I’m happy with (for now, at least).
34 Years, 34 Countries and Counting
My husband and I were bitten by the travel bug during my MBA, and are eagerly anticipating the day when we might resume globetrotting (assuming we can figure out some childcare plan for the kids … that’s the catch!)
Capsule Pantry for the Minimalist Cook
Just like how a “capsule wardrobe” enables you to mix and match clothing to create different outfits, I have a “capsule pantry” of ingredients that we mix and match in various combinations to create dozens of recipes.