Author: Joy

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How Minimalism Proves Lasting Change is Possible

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Do you believe people can change? I’ve always struggled with making lasting changes in my life. Sometimes I feel like I was born with a brain that is hard-wired with traits, habits, and behaviors that can’t be re-programmed. It’s tempting to live on autopilot – doing things the way we’ve always done them. We might get inspired and change our methods for a while, but it’s easy to revert to old habits. Change can look like a mountain that just won’t move. A few years ago, I felt like I needed a major change. With my youngest son headed to Read more…

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Tween Boy Bedroom Update

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When you’re updating a house one room at a time, finishing a project is so satisfying! Our house has a lot of work in progress right now, but I’m happy to report that my tween son’s bedroom is finished. Fortunately, we didn’t have to do any construction in this room. It just needed some paint, furniture, and accessories. Here’s how it looked when we moved in:   We started by painting the walls with Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter, which seemed appropriate since my son requested an Americana theme. Once I had a fresh “canvas” to work with, I decorated with Read more…

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Decluttering Layer by Layer

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If you’ve resolved to declutter your home this year, this post is for you. I’m going to share how I decluttered my home and reduced the stress that “stuff” was adding to my life. About five years ago, I began a journey into minimalism. I walked the path slowly, reducing the clutter in my home and my life gradually. I read several books about how to declutter, but none of their methods met my need to minimize in a slow, cyclical manner that would produce new habits and lasting results. To borrow some weight-loss terminology: Fad diets didn’t work for Read more…

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Tween Boy Gift Guide

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Do you have a tween boy on your holiday gift list? Buying gifts for boys can be a challenge, especially when they’re in the tween category. They are between (hence the label “tween”) childhood and the teenage years, so they are too old for childish toys but too young for grown-up gifts. Also, at this stage in their lives, they have been collecting stuff over many holidays and birthdays, so their rooms may be getting cluttered. As the mom of an 11-year-old boy, I try to select practical gifts for him that will encourage meaningful activities, learning, and creativity. I’ve Read more…

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Trader Joe’s Products for Chocolate Lovers

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Trader Joe’s sells thousands of amazing products, but my favorite things to buy there are sweet treats. They have an abundance of goodies for chocolate lovers, including cookies, candies, frozen treats, and more!  I’ve rounded up a list of my favorite Trader Joe’s chocolate treats to share with you today. Way More Chocolate Chips Cookies – These crunchy, bite-sized cookies are so yummy and addictive, they’re likely to cause a snack-cident. You’ve been warned. Chocolatey Coated Chocolate Chip Dunkers – If you love to dunk cookies in milk, coffee, or hot chocolate, these are for you!   Milk Chocolate S’mashing S’mores Read more…

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Charleston Visitors Guide

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Welcome to Charleston, South Carolina! Here in the lowcountry, we truly have something for everyone. In my family, we have four distinct viewpoints on what vacation should look like, but we all enjoy the Charleston area (so much that we choose to call it home). When I’m in a new city, I like to hit the streets, see the sights, and take in the culture. My oldest son likes to learn about the area’s history, while my youngest enjoys kid-friendly outdoor activities. My husband just wants directions to the nearest golf course! Below is a list of our favorite lowcountry Read more…

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The Minimalist Challenge

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I participated in a minimalist challenge in September. Every month, The Minimalists invite their followers to play the 30-Day Minimalism Game. On the first day of the month, you get rid of one thing. On the second day, two things. This continues day after day, and becomes more difficult when you’re releasing 15 items, then 16, then 17…you get the idea. The goal is to remove 465 items from your home in 30 days. I’ve considered accepting this challenge in the past, but I didn’t think I could do it. “This is for hard-core minimalists,” I thought, “not someone like Read more…

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Seeing My Infertility in the Rear View Mirror

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My husband, Derek, and I struggled with infertility for about two years before our first child was conceived. The journey began after we’d been married for three years, when a death in our family gave us the desire to see a new life beginning. I started seeking medical advice, knowing that I likely had Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and would have difficulty conceiving. After two years of various treatments and nine months of joyful anticipation, we welcomed our son in June 2007. That season of our lives was challenging, but I’m grateful for the experience because I learned valuable lessons Read more…

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Book Review: Let it Go by Peter Walsh

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Let it Go by Peter Walsh is a valuable resource for anyone who needs to downsize. Whether you are moving to a smaller home or trying to declutter your current home, Walsh offers a step-by-step plan that frames downsizing as a positive change rather than a difficult chore. He also gives helpful advice for those who are downsizing their parents’ home. You may remember Peter Walsh as the professional organizer on the TLC show, Clean Sweep. In his charming Australian accent, he challenged homeowners to empty a room onto the front lawn, separating their belongings into piles labeled KEEP, SELL, Read more…

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Adirondack Vacation: The Wild Center

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Every summer, our family vacations in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. We enjoy hiking, kayaking, and exploring quiet towns nestled around cool, blue lakes that reflect the splendor of the mountains. This year, we ventured from our home base for a few day trips, including whitewater rafting, the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, and The Wild Center in Tupper Lake. The Wild Center is a museum with both indoor and outdoor exhibits, including their famous Wild Walk, an elevated trail among the treetops. The trail allows you to see nature from a new perspective as if you were Read more…