Bonjour! As we slide into autumn, I’m always ready to refresh and reorganize the house, from the closets to the pantry to my wardrobe. I can't wait to get out fall decorations after months of waiting out the holiday lull after St. Patrick’s Day and spring. Today’s post shares my new approach to fall decorating… Continue reading Toddler-Proof Decorations for Fall
Bonjour! Welcome to the third installment of my ruminations on my personal mission statement, where I explore the meaning of sustainability. Today's post shares tips for embracing sustainability. I recently shared my approach to embracing authenticity and embracing joy. A late-summer visit to an Illinois sunflower farm 🍃 What Is Sustainable Living? Sustainability focuses on… Continue reading Embracing Sustainability
Bonjour! As I wrote recently, I've spent some time lately pondering my personal mission statement and the meaning of joy. I much prefer life when it feels natural, not forced; when it feels serendipitous, not overengineered. Today's post shares tips for embracing joy in everyday life. I recently shared my approach to embracing authenticity and… Continue reading Embracing Joy
Bonjour! Being pregnant was weird and amazing. Mostly, I was in awe of the magic + science taking place inside my body that creates another actual tiny human person. But I also was - am am still - amazed whenever I read any of the current Big Maternity propaganda online about what pregnant people should… Continue reading My Pregnancy Portrait
Bonjour! I've spent some time lately pondering my personal mission statement and the meaning of authenticity. I much prefer life when it feels natural, not forced; when it feels serendipitous, not overengineered. Embracing authenticity helps me remember to follow my heart, march to the beat of my own drummer, and any other number of appropriate… Continue reading Embracing Authenticity
Bonjour! Dear reader, I am excited to share my blog's new name and look with you. After months of pondering and weeks of tinkering (why is the internet so hard? le sigh), I finally landed on a new design and esthétique for Joyful Living. I've wanted to update my blog for a long time and… Continue reading Joyful Living Has a New Look!
Just a sampling of the baby toys and gear for our two-day road trip to Wisconsin! Bonjour! As I wrote recently, L'Husband and I finally took our first family trip with Le Bébé. We rented a house and spent two whole nights in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Find my tips and gentle suggestions for traveling with… Continue reading Road Trip with Baby – Packing List
Bonjour! I recently spent a weekend in Chicago at the American Library Association Annual Conference. June in Chicago is busy and warm, bustling and dynamic. It was fun to be back in the Loop after so many years away (with a quick holiday visit with L’Husband two Christmases ago). This post shares photographs of my… Continue reading 48 Hours in Chicago in Pictures
Bonjour! I love music. Mes Parents got me hooked on music from a tender age, whether it was jamming to oldies and classic rock with my mother in the car on the way to school or playing Guess the Classical Composer with my father after dinner (I’d get an M&M for each correct answer!). Photo… Continue reading My Favorite Music Streaming Channels
Bonjour! I love to cook and entertain at home and enjoy trying out new recipes (and making them up too!). L'Husband has a Greek family and grew up in the restaurant business surrounded by yiayias who cooked and baked, so we eat a lot of Mediterranean food like Greek green beans chez nous. (I always… Continue reading Greek Whipped Feta Dip
Joyful Living with Katie Kritikos 