Repurposed Gift Wrap with a Story
We haven’t bought wrapping paper or gift bags in years. Even though we live in a small space and don’t have many spare supplies of any sort sitting around, it’s still surprisingly easy to shop our own home for items that can be repurposed as playful packaging.
While the end result is rarely perfect, there’s so much to love— it’s original, it’s free, and it generates less waste. (Related post: Playful Low Waste Gift Wrap)
These handmade bars of soap were wrapped with completed pages from one of West’s work booklets, and topped with salvaged ribbon and tree clippings.
What I enjoy just as much as the searching and wrapping is passing along the stories behind each repurposed ribbon, book jacket, muslin bag, or fabric scrap.
Dust jackets remain my go-to for wrapping presents for kids. (We store most of these paper covers beneath our mattress throughout the year to flatten out the lines, and then grab one whenever we need some colorful packaging.)
While the illustration art is the attraction for the recipient, there’s usually a tale behind the rest of the bundle for the parents / guardians to share.
This method of wrapping is also friendly for folks who aren’t hugely into DIYs (that’s me). Plus it’s also safer this year than going to the store, as we’re meant to shelter at home whenever possible.
Below are a few glimpses of this year’s very quickly completed wrappings, as well as cleverly designed bundles that needed no wrapping whatsoever.
Above: Brown paper biodegradable tape from Net Zero Co.
Almost everything used above has a story to tell— a ribbon that has been passed down through multiple generations and households. A remnant that once held a stone that traveled the country. A string that once wrapped the weighted blanket that helped improve my sleep habits. A spare/unused shoelace from a pair of sneakers designed by a well-known creative and dear friend.
(And, of course, customized boxes of dog treats that shows the sweet faces of our pups— why would we want to cover those up?!)
Housing Transition-Age Foster Youth in the New Year
Thank you to everyone who contributed to The RightWay Foundation’s 2020 holiday campaign! With your help, this marvelous non-profit reached their goal for the season, and even did so ahead of schedule. RightWay will now be able to safely house three additional transition-age foster youth at the start of the new year.
I want to say a special thank you to our friends at Vintner’s Daughter— especially founder, April Gargiulo, who made a particularly generous donation to advance RightWay’s efforts. (Vintner’s Daughter is my absolute personal favorite self care / skincare product, and their environmental + social impact philosophy and stats are very much worth exploring.) While the gift from Vintner’s Daughter helps RightWay in many capacities, it will be focused largely towards the non-profit’s expansion into a second, smaller office in LA that provides services for the survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
For readers of this blog who have the means and feel so inclined, please consider giving to help RightWay’s youth continue forward in the months ahead— particularly as this population has been hit hard by the impacts of the pandemic. Every dollar goes to ensuring each youth has food, mental health care, essential supplies, utilities, transportation, and shelter throughout the year.
Related: Franco Vega, Founder and Director of The RightWay Foundation, and Amber Baker, a long-term RightWay youth, were recently interviewed on “Our America” with Julián Castro. The episode is 25 minutes, and offers compelling stories and examples of why the tough work being tackled by this LA-based non-profit is so essential, and has ripple effects that impact generations.
Thank you, and RightWay wishes you warmth and safety for the holidays.
Learning about Regenerative Landscaping for the Home
Back in February, I wrote a post entitled Regenerative Small Space Living, in which I shared that I eagerly wanted to see what folks in small urban spaces such as ours can do to take less, give more, and create a future we choose.
At the same time, the pandemic began to spread across the globe, reaching the States just days later.
Above photo from the Cottage taken by Hilton Carter for WILD INTERIORS
In the entry, I shared the intended trajectory for our home and company: “I will continue to center my business upon sharing stories and solutions pertaining to living comfortably and contentedly in small spaces. After all, as humanity adapts to the necessary changes required to combat the climate crisis, we will need to learn how to better share, and live with less stuff (yet with no less abundance). Additionally, Adam and I are also diving headlong into learning about regenerative gardening and practices for small urban spaces. We want to be more than just a resource for comfortable and adaptable small space living. We’re also striving to be a resource for those who are interested in self-sufficient and restorative small space living, requiring less of the Earth, while also giving back to it.”
While we’ve certainly plunged ourselves into this work, the realities of the pandemic shuffled our plans for (re)educating ourselves, as well as our intentions to enroll our son in pre-school. As such, the back-to-school mentality that we’d embraced for all three of us went out the door, as we instead attempted to save whatever money possible, and explore the next steps we'll take as a family in terms of our living situation.
Related posts from 2020: Before & After: Turning our 8’ porch into a grow zone / Before & After: Creating an overhead canopy of vines
Of course as we scramble to reshape our lives (independently and collectively), the impacts of climate crisis remain, and the threats will only continue to increase exponentially in this crucial decade we’ve all now entered.
According to The Future We Choose, one of the steps we must take for survival is to create a greener planet in every space possible. Cities can become exceptional, with more trees, more parks for our children and wildlife, fewer cars, and plenty of urban agriculture. And every town -- no matter the size -- can look to Indigenous practices and wisdom, and embrace land care methods that give back to the Earth rather than poisoning and depleting it.
“Every vacant lot, every grimy unused alley, has been repurposed and turned into a shady grove. Every rooftop has been converted to either a vegetable or floral garden. Windowless buildings that were once scrawled with graffiti are instead carpeted with verdant vines… Things that used to be done individually are now done communally— growing vegetables, capturing rainwater, and composting… In community gardens, on rooftops, at schools, and even hanging from vertical gardens on balconies, food sometimes seems to be growing everywhere.” - The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis
As we’re still unable to visit our libraries here in Los Angeles and cannot go back to school as planned, and since we’re navigating the realities of being home together 24/7 for the even-longer run, we’re figuring out other ways to further our education.
Above photo from the Cottage by Lucia Doynel
Shades of Green Permaculture is opening up a new online masterclass that we aim to take in January. Shades of Green is a regenerative landscape design, build and education firm in Atlanta, GA, and is Woman-Owned, a Certified B Corporation and member of the Sustainable Sites Initiative. For over 10 years, Shades of Green has designed and installed regenerative outdoor spaces for commercial, residential and municipal clients that contribute to protecting biodiversity, growing food, medicine, and pollinator habitat, building soil, and restoring the water cycle.
The course, The Regenerative Backyard Blueprint, is a 13-week step-by-step guide to transform participants’ yard into an eco-friendly paradise. The course is designed for those with a residential urban or suburban outdoor space who are looking to gain practical skills in permaculture, resilience, nature connection, and ecology.
The course is intended for folks who:
live in an urban or suburban setting and want a sustainable outdoor space but aren't sure where to begin.
want to grow food, including fruit trees, berries, nut trees, vegetables, culinary and medicinal herbs.
want to help conserve and bolster our pollinator and songbird populations.
want their garden to contribute to the climate solution, and are ready for their landscape to reflect such values.
are ready to plan their outdoor space, no matter how small, so time in the garden can be enjoyed with the knowledge that it’s a healthy and organic environment.
are parents who want their children to know where their food comes from and feel connected to the environment.
are capable of doing some or all of the work, but need direction and help figuring out what actually applies to your a residential-scale project of their size.
Beginning January 4, 2021, participants can expect seven immersive course modules, how-to videos, construction diagrams, implementation tools, virtual site visits, and weekly live Q&As with Shades of Green Founder and Managing Director, Brandy Hall.
For those interested in learning more about the course prior to signing up, Shades of Green is releasing The 3 Pillars of a Regenerative Landscape, a free webinar series starting December 8th.
“Green space is beneficial for community health, happiness and overall success. However, there is significantly less public green space in low-income and BIPOC communities.” - @intersectionalenvironmentalist
I look forward to learning how to improve our own backyard, and I harbor the hope that one day — sooner than later — we’ll all better understand how to transform our towns into places where everyone has access to green spaces and green foods.
Give the Gift of Mental Health Support
Post Summary: This winter, be a part of giving transition-age foster youth a safe place to live, work, grow, and heal.
Unresolved trauma leaves former foster youth at a greater risk of experiencing substance abuse, unemployment, homelessness, incarceration, and poverty. For Giving Tuesday during this difficult year, please consider giving the gift of mental health support to help foster youth become the adults they deserve to be.
This week, I’m focusing on how contributions of varying sizes can give Youth from The RightWay Foundation the gift of access to professional mental health care.
Your donation of $35 can provide mental health care for one Youth for one day.
Your donation of $245 can provide mental health care for one Youth for one week.
Your donation of $980 can provide mental health care for one Youth for one month.
RightWay has been working towards securing safe, dedicated apartments for unhoused transition-age foster Youth in LA, while also providing them with mental health care, access to essential services, job placement, a supportive community, and trauma-informed training for employers.
Other giving options:
$32 provides one day of rent / $240 provides one week of rent / $960 provides one month of rent
$63 provides one week of food / $250 provides one month of food
$60 provides one month of Internet Connectivity
$50 provides one month of Health & Wellness Supplies
$200 provides one month of Home Essentials & Laundry
$100 provides one month of Heat, Gas, Water, and Electricity
$35 provides one day of mental health services / $195 provides one week of mental health services / $770 provides one month of mental health services
Pregnancy Month 5 / Sheltering at Home Month 9
As we close out November, I’m in month 5 of my pregnancy, and we’re nearly at month 9 of sheltering at home.
We’ve embraced the earlier nights, filling them with glittering lights and fragrant garlands and greenery throughout the Cottage.
Above: A curtain of twinkling lights. (Click here to shop the strands.)
We’ve slowly started decorating for the season. This year, it’s more for something joyful and different to do than anything else, I think…
Above: West wearing his new “Grow With Me” clothes (which last for years and through growth spurts) from Caribou Kids Clothing.
West has picked some of his own ornaments, like a little bird’s nest made of vines, and a bundle of acorns he keeps in an repurposed box on the vintage coffee table.
Our neighbors are still sharing their amazing food with us, while Adam bakes us all sourdough bread to share a few times per month.
This miraculous bump is growing, which is heartening and helps calm my nerves about my “high-risk” pregnancy.
Above: Much-appreciated maternity leggings from Boob Design.
I’m living almost entirely in leggings (pictured above), a loungewear set (pictured below), and a stretchy “Nap Dress” that I suspect will be particularly helpful when nursing in the months to come.
The baby’s first present arrived via a socially-distanced drop-off: a vintage set of handmade crochet booties. Holding them made me process the pregnancy in a way I realized I’d not yet permitted myself to experience.
Our son has grown substantially in recent months, so we ordered him a batch of long-lasting, “grow with me” bamboo clothes, including a holiday set that he’ll undoubtedly wear year-round. (His current grow with me clothes still fit, as they have for years. It’s everything else that he’s outgrown.)
Above: West’s height progression since COVID.
We’ve been attempting our first gingerbread man (borderline inedible) and gingerbread houses (which collapsed within minutes) with West. The excitement of the activity itself is what our four year old clearly relishes the most.
We’re still attempting to be as low waste as possible, using items such as our water carbonator 5-6 times per day, and relying exclusively on things like our bidet attachment. (We’ve bought just one 4-pack of toilet paper in 2020.) I
It’s admittedly more challenging to stay low waste at the grocery store since reusables aren’t permitted in Los Angeles during the pandemic. But we’re still sticking to all the reusables we can, such as our washable face masks and washable un-paper towels, cotton wipes, and so forth.
Above: A face mask made with deadstock fabric from SUAY. This mask is a buy-1-donate-1, with the donations going directly from the maker to Indigenous youth, and the leftover dollars going Seeding Sovereignty.
It’s still a rocky season of life for us, as it is for most. But I’m filled with gratitude for our health and home, and for all the medical and essential workers out there who’ve been working relentlessly in order to keep us all safer.
Low Waste, Small Space Holiday Wall Decor
Not enough room for a tree in your small space? (Same here, although our 4 year old might wear me down with his requests to get a tabletop version this year.) Either way, here’s one easy way to use fresh greenery to create space savvy holiday decor for a small home. (View the 30-second video here.)
List of supplies:
Live branches
A bit of rope
A nail or damage-free Command strip
Battery-operated twinkle lights (we use rechargables)
A zip tie (to attach the battery pack to the back of the branch)
Clippers
I simply wrapped the twinkle lights around the branch, tied the rope to either end, suspended the entire piece from a sturdy wall hook, and then added small florals and twigs throughout the branch for a pop of color and variation in texture. I carefully spritz the branch with a bit of water every few days, and replace the bright floral clippings as needed after they’ve fully dried up.
The final result is simple yet striking. And, best of all, at the end of the season the rope, hook and twinkle lights can be reused, and the greenery can go in the compost.
P.S. Here’s an alternative for folks who prefer an artificial, ready-made version.
A List of What I’m Gifting (and Why) - 2020 Edition
Post Summary: My 2020 personal gift guide featuring low waste goods and/or products from independent makers. (Note: None of the items on this list are sponsored, though I have worked with some of these products or brands in the past. This is my own roundup. )
The following is what we’re considering gifting to our close family and friends. Some of these items overlap with my 2019 gifting list, because the point isn’t finding the best “new” thing— it’s finding goods that serve a practical purpose with unique style while bringing joy.
Reusable Ear Swabs
Because LastSwab replaces up to 1000 single-use cotton swabs. Their standard swab and their makeup swab both have a soft-feel tip and are easy to clean.
Click here (and get 10% off with the code: tinycanalcottage)
Herbs for Home & Healing in the Anthropocene
Because our bodies and this one shared planet are our true homes, so we need to listen to and care for them. And I have personally come to regularly rely on these Earth Star Herbals by Alyson Morgan.
Click here
Water Carbonator
Because bottle waste — yes, even glass bottles — must become a thing of the past. These Aarke water carbonators are slim and stylish. Our helps us save between 4-6 bottles of bubbly water per day.
Click here
Children’s Audio App Subscription
Because Pinna Audio has been the single most used tool in our bag while sheltering at home with a four year old. This app / audio subscription service has a diverse selection of programming for kids of all ages.
Click here (and use the promo code PINNA3MONTHS for a free 3-month trial)
Plant Keeper Apron
Because I got Adam this apron for his birthday, and he uses it constantly. Designed by the brilliant stylist, author, designer, photographer, and plant-expert Hilton Carter, this unique apron is a valuable accessory for Spring and Summer gardening in particular.
Click here
All of Us Skin Tone Crayons
Handcrafted in the USA without any paraffin or fillers, these crayons are crafted with beeswax, carnauba wax and earth pigments.
Click here
The Naked Stone
Because these low waste moisturizing stones are for the whole body, and are a made-from-scratch revolution against plastics, pumps, and chemicals, and come in a refillable bamboo canister.
Click here
Extra Bright Portable Projector
Because we don’t have a TV or large monitor in our home, but we can watch movies and shows in an oversized format projected on our walls and slanted ceiling thanks to our little Cinemood. (Their newest model is extra bright, which is even better for daytime viewing.) We discovered first-hand what a great gift this is for parents of little ones— particularly during the isolation of the pandemic.
Click here
Planetbox
Because this stainless steel lunchbox (which comes in a few sizes/styles) is one of the most-used items in our home, and eliminates the need for baggies and multiple containers for meals on-the-go. (Our 4 year old enjoys using his daily for meals and picnics at home, too.)
Click here
Hidden Pictures Sticker Booklets (ages 3-6)
Because my 4 year old has been obsessed with these books for an entire year and is still excited to do one or two pages per day.
Click here
Safety Razor
Because we can prevent millions of plastic, disposable razors and razor heads from entering landfills and oceans with safety razors. Oui the People makes beautiful safety razors to last a lifetime, and also sells blade refills.
Click here
Steamline Luggage
Because even though we're not traveling this holiday season, these bags, which have been favorites of mine for years, are so stylish that they can be reused for a myriad of purposes and for storage around the home.
Click here (use the promo code HOLIDAY25 for 25% off* through December 31st, 2020. *Promo can't be combined with any other sales and excludes the Mini.
2021 Smells Better Candle
Because this handmade, 100% soy wax candle makes me laugh every time I see it, and it was created by a female owned small business based here in Venice, CA.
Click here
Toothpaste Bits
Because the hardest part about changing a habit is taking that first step, and 1 billion toothpaste tubes are thrown away every year. Bite bottles are refillable, and make great stocking stuffers.
Click here
Handmade Mixed-Media Mask Holder
Because this 4-in-1 handcrafted mask holder / necklace / bracelet is ever-useful as we keep our communities safer by masking up. The holders are made with repurposed/reclaimed brass and silk by Maddalena Bearzi, an Italian jewelry artist, marine biologist and writer.
Click here
Collapsible Water Bottle
Because reusable bottles have never been easier to tote. These collapsible, pocket-sized Stojo bottles even loop over a bike/stroller handlebar or around a backpack with ease.
Click here
Homemade Grape Jam & Bread
Because it’s a delicious, homemade, zero waste treat made right here by our extraordinary next door neighbors and by Adam.
Rechargeable Lighter
Because there are more than 300 uses per charge in this stylish lighter, and it’s rechargeable, eliminating the need for refills or disposables. Plus it has a safety mechanism for homes with little ones.
Click here
Plant-Based Milk Maker
Because the Almond Cow turns any nut, seed, or grain into homemade plant-based milk in moments. We use ours multiple times per week, and haven’t purchased substitute-milk in over a year.
Click here
Vintner's Daughter
Because this company’s skincare philosophy centers on offering multi-correctional performance and the belief that if one product delivers a myriad of benefits, fewer products are needed, fewer are produced, and less natural resources are utilized. Even better, the ingredients are sourced from responsible producers, many of which have used the same sustainable, organic farming practices for generations. It’s not cheap, but for the quality and all the products it replaces, Active Botanical Serum is totally worth it, in my opinion. (This company is also a generous donor to The RightWay Foundation.)
Click here
Play Silks
Because Sarah’s Silks is a family owned company specializing in Waldorf inspired sustainable toys for children. Their silks are simple and versatile, and dyed with non-toxic, eco-friendly dyes.
Click here
Braiding Sweetgrass
Because everyone could do with putting down the phone and picking up a book. In Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer shows that, “the awakening of a wider ecological consciousness requires the acknowledgment and celebration of our reciprocal relationship with the rest of the living world.”
Click here
Eco-Friendly Weighted Blanket
Because many of us could use some help with anxiety and sleep these days. These Bearaby weighted blankets use zero plastic in composition and packaging. They’re GOTS, BCI, OEKO-Tex 100 and Fair Trade-certified, made of organic cotton that’s naturally breathable, 100% biodegradable, and uses 85% less water than conventional farming methods, while being free from harmful chemicals, pesticides, synthetics, or artificial softeners.
Click here
OddBird Robes
Sustainably robes made in small-batches, using 100% natural fibers and woven by artisans on century-old semi-automatic looms.
Click here
Late Sunday Afternoon Ascots
Because these responsibly-made ascots can be worn in a myriad of ways— around your neck, on your wrist, in your hair, on your bag/pack/basket, and around the brim of your hat. Our friends at Late Sunday Afternoon use locally sourced deadstock fabrics to create their ascots in-house. Any scraps are used to stuff handmade dog beds that they then donate to animal shelters.
Click here
Give a Gift to Help Address Internet Access Inequality
Post Summary: GIVE A GIFT THAT HELPS ADDRESS INTERNET INEQUALITY
Countless Americans, particularly underserved and underrepresented populations, are facing substantial educational, professional and social barriers because of their limited access to the internet and technology during the COVID crisis.
This week, I’m focusing on how contributions of varying sizes can go directly towards providing internet connectivity (assisting with online education, communication and a decrease of social isolation) to the Youth at The RightWay Foundation.
$2 provides 1 day of connectivity
$14 provides 1 week of connectivity
$60 provides 1 month of connectivity
For those who are newer here, RightWay has been working towards securing safe, dedicated apartments for unhoused transition-age foster Youth in LA, while also providing them with mental health care, access to essential services, job placement, a supportive community, and trauma-informed training for employers.
For anyone wanting to make a contribution of ANY amount, a donation link is in here via the RightWay website. THANK YOU.
An Earth-Minded Weighted Blanket for Anxiety & Sleep Troubles
Post Summary: Using eco-friendly, anxiety-soothing weighted blankets in three different environments around the Cottage.
I’ve grappled with anxiety and sleep for years. In February, I unexpectedly had a breakthrough with both struggles and enjoyed a blissful month or so of healthier sleep and manageable stress. But shortly thereafter came the global and national upheavals that our society continues to navigate together (albeit disturbingly divided), and my short-lived nightly progress evaporated. (I should note here that I’m not complaining— merely sharing. There are countless front-line and essential workers who are feeling depleted, and most families are beyond the point of exhaustion as we roll through months 8-9 of this pandemic.)
I’m back to being up most of the night, wading through individual and worldly issues in my mind. But now I’m also trying to be mindful of the sleep positions recommended during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. To keep a baby safer in the womb, it’s advised that the mother sleep on her left side as much as possible. Unfortunately, due to some long-standing injuries, I can’t quite hold that position for too long, which then sparks my concern for the wellbeing of my baby.
One soothing technique I’d never tried until recently was using a weighted blanket. Weighted blankets have been medically proven to aid naturally deeper sleep cycles, as the blanket’s evenly-dispersed weight over the body stimulates the production of serotonin, reduces cortisol, and increases melatonin. All of this can help with falling asleep, and staying asleep. (The falling asleep is no problem for me— it’s the staying asleep that’s the real hurdle.)
We try to be mindful of everything we bring into our home, so I was pleased to discover these “Nappers,” which use zero plastic in composition and packaging. They’re GOTS, BCI, OEKO-Tex 100 and Fair Trade-certified, made of organic cotton that’s naturally breathable, 100% biodegradable, and uses 85% less water than conventional farming methods, while being free from harmful chemicals, pesticides, synthetics, or artificial softeners.
The Nappers live up to their name, as they’ve certainly helped me catch up on sleep for an hour here and there throughout the day. At night, Sophee somehow manages to drag the blanket off of me so she can cocoon herself within it— an impressive feat, as it’s 15 pounds.
We’ve yet to experience any snagging or warping of the hand-knitted material, which doesn’t seem to cling to dog hair the way many other fibers do. (I’ve noticed the same thing with my clothing made of TENCEL. While it doesn’t entirely repel pet hair, it is much more forgiving.)
More photos are below.
To the readers who are wrestling with anxiety and sleep, I hope this helps!
Note: This post was not sponsored, but the two blankets pictured were gifted as part of a paid IGTV collaboration with Bearaby.
Space-Saving Helmet for Safer Cycling
Post Summary: A simple step towards saving our heads, saving some space, and saving the planet.
More than 1/3 of all car trips in America are within 2 miles. If folks who are able to do so opt to walk, use public transportation, and/or bike instead, this 10% decrease in driving would prevent about 110 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering our atmosphere. (Source: NY Times)
Since finding my confidence in my 30s (especially since becoming a parent), I’m happy to be that person who is always showing up (online and in person) wearing her bike helmet. So much so that I reached out to Closca to ask if they’d be interested in working with me to spread the word about their space-saving + head-saving “foldable” helmet.
In my book, Small Space Style, there’s an entire section about ways to conserve space when storing sporting equipment. Needless to say I wish I’d known about the Closca when writing it.
As someone who gets around almost exclusively by bike (and as someone who has been struck by cars while doing so), here’s why I like the Closca helmet and wanted to share it:
Its unique, collapsible design reduces its size by 55% in mere seconds, making it easy to tote AND easy to store in a small home or apartment.
It offers essential protection and won’t fold while being worn, and it complies with the strict safety standards in Europe, Asia, USA & Canada.
It’s designed to work with Interchangeable visors, so you can swap between a reflective band for increased visibility, or a knit visor in cold weather.
It has a subtle ventilation system, which I appreciate because biking with this messy mane of mine gets hot in the SoCal sun.
Here’s to taking smart, simple steps to save our heads, save some space, and save the planet.
Note: This blog post was not sponsored, but the corresponding Instagram post was a paid partnership.
UPDATE: Repurposing & Recycling Leftover Paint
PSA Time: If you have leftover cans of paint sitting around after buying too much for a project (like we did after repainting our interior 2 years ago), you can take them to be safely and responsibly recycled for free.
Our house is almost 100 years old, so every now and then it needs a bit of a touch up. I try to use any leftover paint we have on-hand to brighten interior and exterior spots when needed. Since America Recycles Day is in mid-November,, it’s a good time to remind folks that leftover paint can be safely and responsibly recycled for free via the non-profit PaintCare.
In parts of the United States where the non profit PaintCare operates, households, businesses, and individuals can take their unwanted, leftover paint to a drop-off site. From there it is sorted and managed for reuse, recycling, energy recovery, or safe disposal. (There’s even information regarding their protocol for managing their services during the COVID-19 outbreak on their site.)
Visit PaintCare.org to learn how to:
Estimate and buy the right amount of paint for future projects
Store your paint wisely to extend its lifespan
Discover fun projects for using up leftover paint
Donate your paint to organizations that might need it
Recycle your leftover paint
Note: This blog post was not sponsored, but the corresponding Instagram post was paid for by PaintCare.
A Socially Distanced Family Picnic on the Beach
While “Pandemic Fatigue” is clearly spreading through the country, I refuse to let it lure our family into relaxing the precautions we take to protect ourselves and our community from the spread of COVID-19.
We plan to stay home for the holidays. However, we set aside one evening in November to safely celebrate numerous special occasions with my closest friend and her four year old. Due to the pandemic, coupled with varying schedules and stringent safety protocols, our families hadn’t seen each other for nearly a year, despite the fact that we both live in LA. So we got COVID tests + results, and then meet up on the beach here in Venice/Santa Monica for a picnic— just the 5 of us. (We wore our masks except for when eating— click here to see my favorite masks and how I increase their longevity.)
The cozy, beautiful picnic setup— along with the delicious provisions included— were all supplied by Santa Monica Picnic Co. (Website / Instagram.)
Their service provided us with the table, rug and cushions, battery-operated lighting, a lovely tablescape, food and beverage, and even details like to-go boxes, a bluetooth speaker, a polaroid camera, incense, warm blankets, and an umbrella. (Textiles by Fragments Identity for Santa Monica Picnic Co.)
It was deeply therapeutic to reconnect in person with my best friend. And it was downright magical to do so as we watched our children play against the backdrop of crashing waves and the setting sun.
Thank you, Santa Monica Picnic Co. for the most memorable setting for our mini-gathering. I’ve lived by the beach here in West LA for 13 years, and this will forever be one of the happiest and brightest memories from my time living on the Pacific coast.
Learn about everything that’s included in the picnics here, as well as explore optional add-ons.
Note: This post was not sponsored, but the picnic was generously gifted by our new friends at Santa Monica Picnic Co, whose service we genuinely recommend.
A Traditional-Meets-Informal Holiday Table
As a way of showcasing some informal-meets-traditional tablescape ideas for this holiday season during which we’ll be sheltering-in-place, Food52 invited me to do LIVE broadcast in which I styled this lil’ vintage garden table at the cottage for their online community. Photos below:
(Click here to view the IGTV LIVE video via Food52.)
The Gift of Safe Shelter
This community continues to show up for The RightWay Foundation in meaningful ways— THANK YOU. As such, I’ll be providing updates regarding their 2020 holiday giving initiative throughout the season .
First, for readers who are newer here, RightWay has been working towards securing safe, dedicated apartments for unhoused transition-age foster Youth in LA, while also providing them with mental health care, job placement, a supportive community, and trauma-informed training for employers.
This week, I’m focusing on how contributions to RightWay can provide the holiday gift of safe, dedicated shelter in Los Angeles for their Youth:
To house 1 Youth per day costs $32
Per week, it’s $224
Per month, it’s $960
Further breakdowns can be explored via the graphic below:
For anyone wanting to make a contribution (of any amount), please click here to visit RightWay’s donation page.
Recent Features Roundup
SecondAct Podcast
Click here to listen via itunes
A conversation with actor Bonnie Somerville covering topics ranging from the evolution of my work, brand partnerships, exes, sustainability, imperfection + compromising, The RightWay Foundation, and the direction in which my business and family are likely headed in the near future. (Behind-the-scenes note: I recorded this interview on the same morning I discovered I was pregnant. I hadn’t slept a moment and was still in a bit of shock…)
Food52 + Home52
View the replay of the LIVE segment here.
A LIVE video in which Food52 asked me to merge traditional and casual dining styles for to create a fall-to-winter tablescape for special dining over the holidays during the pandemic.
OddbirdCo
An IG Stories feature/interview on sustainable small space living.
MyBearaby
Click here to view.
A brief video about styling a weighted blanket in three separate small spaces.
Pregnancy After Trying to Conceive for Nearly 2 Years
Content alert: This post contains frank and personal stories concerning the process of trying to conceive and stay pregnant. (Related post: My Fertility Journey)
When I was pregnant with West (who is now 4 years old), I couldn’t wait to share the news with our friends, family and online community. This time around has been quite different— just like the pregnancy itself.
I tried to conceive for nearly two years. I’m sure that there were a few months along the way during which Adam and I missed my ovulation window, but there were also months when we saw signs of early pregnancies that didn’t last. I had negative and positive pregnancy tests. I experienced a few instances of bleeding that nurses and I suspected were implantation bleeding (which I had with West). There were months with no periods, months with weeks-long bleeding, and the corresponding hormonal & physical fluctuations.
I had normal FSH levels / test results for my age, and my incredible doctor informed me that there was no discernible reason that I couldn’t conceive. I had anxiety of course— who hasn’t this year? I was 38… then I turned 39… and the months kept rolling by.
During this time, many women kindly reached out to me with stories of what worked for them when they were trying to conceive. Some individuals encouraged me to change my diet (we’re vegetarians), others suggested particular vitamins, and some recommended hormone creams. I appreciated the intention and time behind each and every message. But I made the personal decision to simply listen to my body and let it guide the way.
Eventually, I felt like perhaps I should interpret my body’s signals as a sign for me to fully accept second infertility.
Above: Details from the Cottage nursery in 2016, photographed by Kat Borchart.
I stopped wearing my ovulation tracking bracelet. I enjoyed learning from the insights it provided, and am glad I used it as long as I did. But eventually the act of putting on / taking off the bracelet began to feel hopeless, so I thanked it for what it taught me— particularly about my sleep habits — and tucked the bracelet away in my dopp kit.
In August, we decided to take a quiet, very COVID-cautious, week-long road trip to visit my sister’s family in Boise. We packed up our little old Honda Fit, buckled in West and the pups, and drove 800+ miles in the blazing sun in order to get out of our bubble for the first time since February. (I didn’t mention the trip on Instagram. I wanted it to be all about family— not work. And I didn’t want to contribute to normalizing travel during the pandemic.)
We believe it was on this trip that I got pregnant with the new life that’s now inside of me.
I hadn’t stopped eating a vegetarian diet, nor did I add any supplements to my routine (beyond continuing my prenatals). I didn’t take any hormones either. I experienced no implantation bleeding this time. Instead, my first signs were the common symptoms felt around week 6, such as fatigue, tenderness, nausea.
Above: The Cottage closet nursery in 2016.
Weirdly enough, it was a random symptom — congestion — that nudged me out of bed at 1 o’clock at night while my family slept, and prompted me to go buy a pregnancy test at a 24-hour pharmacy. While I was at the store, I made an atypical purchase; a tiny toy construction set for West. I had a feeling that Adam and I would be distracted by the test results in the morning, and I didn’t want our then-3 year old, who’d fallen asleep between us in the “family bed” that night, feeling overlooked.
The moment I returned home, I took the test.
When the “YES +” appeared, I felt a wave of enormous joy. Then, moments later, I experienced a crash of fears. I decided to sit in those feelings by myself until Adam awoke 5 hours later.
When West began to stir, I decided to activate the camera on my phone and let it run, thinking it might be delightful to catch Adam’s reaction to the test. More than twenty minutes passed, and by then I forgot that the camera was running. When Adam opened his eyes, I handed the test to West and asked him if he wouldn’t mind passing it along to his father. When Adam realized what he was looking it, his eyes went wide and his mouth dropped open in disbelief. (It had been about a year since we’d last seen a positive test.) Despite the worry pressing in on me, I couldn’t help but laugh. And, since I’d forgotten about the camera, I promptly sat up right in front of it.
Turns out that the miniature construction set was a good call. West was thrilled with that surprise, as Adam and I were thrilled with the other.
I’m now well into my second trimester— a welcome relief after the first, which was unforgiving. Not only is my pregnancy labeled as a Geriatric (as it was with West), but it’s also now labeled as Elderly Multigravida.
So far, all medical tests indicate that the baby is healthy and on track. But every time I feel round ligament pain, I desperately hope that’s all it is. Every time I use the restroom, I hold my breath and check for signs of disruption. Every time an unpleasant pregnancy symptom vanishes, relief is accompanied by a parallel panic.
To the women out there who are trying to conceive and/or who have suffered loss - I am holding you with me tightly, every day.
*A note on privilege: During my pregnancy and birth with West and now, I’ve have the privilege of safe and respectful maternity care. Access, along with the opportunity and space be heard in order to best achieve a healthy outcome for mother and child is by no means a given for every woman in America.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that “Black mothers in the U.S. die at three to four times the rate of white mothers, one of the widest of all racial disparities in women's health.” (NPR)
According to Every Mother Counts: “Chronic stress and systemic and interpersonal racism contribute to a higher risk of complications and death for women of color. The number of women who die giving birth in America each year has nearly doubled in the last two decades, and over half of all maternal deaths in the U.S. can be prevented.“
My journey will always include working towards dismantling the systemic racism that robs Black women and women of color from potentially having the same wonderful experience with their baby/babies as I had with West.
While We Wait
While we’ve been awaiting election results, America officially left the The Paris Climate Agreement. (Click here to read about 72 ways the current president has made America dirtier and the planet warmer.) Considering all that teeters on the brink— particularly for disenfranchised communities and the health of our one mighty, shared home— more than 72 million folks in the United States (my family included) are holding our breath for the election to be fairly and lawfully called for the candidate who has a viable plan for a clean energy revolution and environmental justice.*
I’ve been actively fighting the urge to continually refresh the NPR app, and have instead kept my hands busy with work (a foggy version of it, at least). I’ve also thrown myself into chores and family activities that leave little to no opportunity to obsessively check my phone. I’ve found that having control over something— even something insignificant like setting up a different workspace every day— has temporarily kept me from focusing solely on that which is beyond my control.
I believe that this has helped me preserve some energy to check in with loved ones, collaborate further with The RightWay Foundation, entertain and educate our 4 year old (alongside Adam, who is our son’s primary caregiver during the day), keep our small business quietly humming, and hopefully nurture the little life growing inside me.
As we nervously putter through the days, particular articles and comments concerning the environment, social + environmental justice, and what’s at stake keep resurfacing in my mind. I’m sharing some of those words below.
“The climate crisis is a leadership crisis. For far too long, too many leaders have focused on profit, power, and prestige; and many of those committed to change have been ineffective. The climate crisis is the result of social, political, and economic systems that are wildly skewed to benefit those who already have so much. To transform society this decade— the clear task science has set before us— we need transformational leadership. We need feminine and feminist climate leadership, which is wide open to people of any gender. This is where possibility lives— possibility that we can turn away from the brink and move toward a life-giving future for all.” - All We Can Save, edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson & Katherine K. Wilkinson
“Environmental justice embraces the principle that all people and communities are entitled to equal protection of environmental, housing, economic, transportation, energy, and civil rights — including voting rights.” - Robert Bullard to Rolling Stone (From the article “Another Reason We Can’t Breathe”)
“… administration after administration has failed to sufficiently act on or even acknowledge environmental racism, and the toll it’s taken has been undeniable. Meeting the challenges of this moment — with the intersection of so many crises coming to a boiling point — will require thinking beyond the outdated notions of what qualifies as a climate policy.” - Jamil Smith
“To meet the challenges of the climate crisis and preserve all that we hold dear; to retain democracy, social justice, human rights, and other hard-won freedoms in the future, we must part ways with that which threatens to destroy them. Now is the time to make profound shifts in how we live, work, and relate to each other.” - The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis
“So, to white people who care about maintaining a habitable planet, I need you to become actively anti-racist. I need you to understand that our racial inequality crisis is intertwined with our climate crisis. If we don’t work on both, we will succeed at neither.” - Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson
"A democracy cannot thrive where power remains unchecked and justice is reserved for a select few. Ignoring these cries and failing to respond to this movement is simply not an option — for peace cannot exist where justice is not served." - Rep. John Lewis
“Efforts to discourage and disenfranchise voters—in voter registration, ballot access, or counting of votes—have a catastrophic effect on our democracy and our communities.” - Fair Fight by Stacey Abrams
“Americans are deeply divided—and we’re deeply divided over why we’re deeply divided. To be antiracist is to recognize and challenge racism as the source of the racial divide. To be racist is to deny racism and frame those challenging racism as the source of the racial divide.” - Ibram X. Kendi
“Resist the urge to quit.” - Heather McGhee
“Release the need to hate, to harbor division, and the enticement of revenge. Release all bitterness. Hold only love, only peace in your heart, knowing that the battle of good to overcome evil is already won." - John Lewis
*”On the environment and climate change, [Joe] Biden wants to spend $2 trillion on an emissions-free power sector by 2035, build energy-efficient structures and vehicles, push solar and wind power, establish research agencies to develop safe nuclear power and carbon capture technologies, and more. The investment will produce two million jobs for U.S. workers, his campaign claims, and the climate plan will be partly paid by eliminating Trump's corporate tax cuts. Historically disadvantaged communities in the U.S. will receive 40 percent of these energy and infrastructure benefits.” - Scientific American
Growing Our Family
We’d begun to settle into the belief that another pregnancy wouldn’t happen for us... and now here we are. I’m in my second trimester— guarded, bewildered, and steeped in gratitude.
We’d begun to settle into the belief that it wouldn’t happen... and now here we are— guarded, bewildered, and steeped in gratitude.
Our four year old knows that sometime in spring he’ll become a big brother. To our relief and delight, he’s jubilant, though he has also confessed to being “a little nervous.” (So are we, sweet one. So are we.)
I have much more to write about this experience thus far, along with our plans and my thoughts on fear, loss and privilege... but I’ll save all that for after the election. Our vote is our voice— let’s be heard, loud and clear.
Related posts:
My Fertility Journey
My Voting Plan
Dreamy, Uniquely Designed Homes I’m Hoping to Visit
Note: This post was created in collaboration with Airbnb.
I’m hugely grateful to be here in our little home + garden during this bizarre time of social distancing. Still — like most folks, I’m guessing — I increasingly find myself thinking back on past vacations, and envisioning various future getaways to uniquely designed homes nestled within entirely different environments.
Above: A roadside photo I captured on our most recent visit to the Aveyron region of France.
I’ve discovered that a bright side of staying in place during the present is that it has allowed me a bit more time to plan for the future.
Above: From a sunset walk through Peyrusse-le-Roc in 2017.
I began gathering a dream list of small, delightfully unusual Airbnbs that I’m eager to visit on our next visit to our home away from home: rural France.
Above: Photograph taken during a stroll on our most recent visit to the Aveyron region of France.
Each home offers something out-of-the-ordinary. One property is nestled at the foot of a medieval castle, one is a treehouse, another is a dome, there’s a cottage that pretty much looks like it’s straight out of the Shire, and obviously a few homes have pools… because a girl can dream within her dreams, right?
Stone Apartment with Pool - This property looks like a practical and interesting blend of styles— new but traditionally-inspired, streamlined but rustic, simple but luxurious. A studio for resting and working, and a pool and outdoor zones for relaxing and revitalizing make it seem like a smart live/work retreat.
Windowed Dome - I’ve never stayed in a dome before! I like that this one is both beautiful wilderness retreat for adults and a suitable set-up for kids.
Medieval Home at the Foot of a Chateau - This small, rustic, eco-friendly home is situated a the foot of a 14th century castle, tucked within an old village surrounded by rolling hills and gorges. Between the views, the features and the unique design, it’s a place I could envision staying for a longer stretch of time for work or play.
Treehouse in Nature, but Close to a City - Nestled in old growth trees but near to the town of Millau, this small treehouse has extraordinary arching windows and cleverly designed interior features.
Vine-Covered Home and Garden with Pool Access - This 18th century converted barn in the Lot Valley with a vine and flower covered terrace and private garden offers easy access to hiking, canoeing, and the extraordinary village of Conques.
Hobbit Home - This is a modest, happy looking home with a round front door out of a fairy tale, rustic wooden interior features, and windows framed with brick overlooking a wild garden and sprawling valley.
Outdoor Oasis with Pool and Views - Adam and I never had a honeymoon. If we could do it over, I’d certainly want to make a multi-night stop here— an isolated, refined stone home with epic views, sunbaked terraces, and a modern but beautifully integrated pool.
10 Year Anniversary
10 years ago today, this little family of mine began to take shape.
I biked to a beachside restaurant with my friend and told her about someone named Adam with whom I’d been chatting online. While at the restaurant, I received a text from Adam saying he was thinking about me, as he was randomly on the Westside for brunch. (He lived in Silverlake at the time, and I lived on the beach here in Venice. We’d not yet met in person.) We soon realized that we were sitting in the same restaurant.
I will never, ever forget seeing Adam for the first time as he approached our table. I can still remember the way he made me feel. I’m no romantic, but I knew immediately that he was it for me. (On our next encounter, StanLee met Adam and agreed, which made everything official.)
A decade later, we have more grays, are softer around the edges, and take a bit longer to wake up in the morning, but still experience all of those extraordinary feelings and more.
Adam: Sleepy cheers to our 10th anniversary, my love.
Photo no.1 by Lucia Doynel, photo no.2 by Hilton Carter for his beautiful book, Wild Interiors.