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8 Loungewear Brands I’ve Lived in During Quarantine

Nowandgen Author — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 21:03:31 +0000

Whether we’re at home or out on the road, I am not taking off my comfy clothes anytime soon. There isn’t really a good reason to dress up right now, other than remembering what it’s like to wear heels, makeup, or even a pair of denim. Maybe I’m just speaking for myself, but I’ve definitely been living in loungewear on repeat. And even though part of me is excited to feel more human again (one day!), it’s safe to say that I’ve become a big fan of comfortable clothing. Here are 8 loungewear brands I’ve lived in during quarantine over the past four months. What about you? Have you found comfy pieces that you don’t want to take off? Please share in the comments! Mate I am obsessed with this brand. They make pieces that are eco-friendly and so incredibly comfortable. I love that they are basic staples—no crazy patterns, no wild colors, just great basics. My pants in the picture for this post are sadly sold out, but these pants are another great option. This top is also super cozy. Eddie Bauer I love a piece that is casual and can be worn outside and in. Eddie Bauer creates […]

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How to Start Your Own Garden

Nowandgen Author — Wed, 06 May 2020 14:00:14 +0000

Four years ago, I was a girl on a quest to create a garden I could eat from. It started with a chicken coop, then we added three garden beds. Fast forward to today, and we now have eight garden beds, a vertical garden from Lettuce Grow, and too many (are there ever too many?) potted plants, including lemon trees, a peach tree, and blackberry bushes. Our garden keeps growing and growing. Currently, I am scheming to buy a DIY greenhouse, so I can grow all the things I love to eat year-round. Here’s hoping! I didn’t start out knowing how to garden. In fact, it was the exact opposite. I’ve killed more plants than I’ve actually harvested, I’m sure. But working with an awesome gardener named Stevie Schultz of Resolution Gardens, as well as trial and error and lots of patience, has got me to where I am today. Since Stevie has taught me so much, I asked her to share her expert tips on how to start your own garden. Keep scrolling for her awesome insider info. And then let me know in the comments: Do you have a garden? If yes, what are you planting and growing […]

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12.19: What’s On My Nightstand

Heather Catania — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 14:00:58 +0000

As I mentioned last month, I’ve noticed that what’s on my nightstand is a perfect reflection of how I’m feeling and what I’m focusing on. This month, it’s all about reflection and self-care. The holidays always get me a little frazzled. I want to savor the last days of the year, but between all the shopping, holiday functions, the kids’ breaks from school, and trying to manage the blog, I often feel like my head isn’t on straight. So, the items on my bedside table this month are a mix of things that make me slow down and help soothe my mind and body. What’s On My Nightstand Pretty flowers Flowers always make me happy. They also make a room feel brighter, cleaner, and prettier, which is why you’ll often find a gorgeous floral arrangement on my nightstand. I like to switch between the sculpture-like bouquets created by Antonio Bond at Transplant Floral Design and the bright and cheery floral and succulent arrangements found at King Florist of Austin. Waking up to fresh flowers every morning is my sure-fire way to start the day off with a smile. Reset drink My friend Sandy is taking a holistic nutrition class, and she […]

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Creating a Tablecloth of Gratitude

Heather Catania — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 23:22:54 +0000

No matter how planned the day is, Thanksgiving always feels so frantic. This year, I wanted to create a personal touch that could be a conversation starter and sweet contribution to our Thanksgiving and allow our family some time to reflect on the year. Since I love home decor and tablescapes centered around fall and family, I had the idea to make a gratitude tablecloth. It’s easy to lose sight of our memories and what we are thankful for, so it was wonderful to all gather together to artistically illustrate our favorite moments from the year. I also love that the gratitude tablecloth is not too precious. I want it to live under our plates and trays and for every wine ring and gravy stain to add to the decor and the memories. It’s messy, just like we are! I have to admit, it didn’t come out exactly as I was envisioning—it’s not quite as bright and full as I thought it would be, though I realize that will take time and memories. But it did its job to get the kids thinking about all the wonderful things they have in their lives, from family and friends to toys and […]

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9 Ways to Reduce Holiday Hosting Stress

Heather Catania — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 17:39:48 +0000

In case you missed my confession last year, I’m known as The Grinch of Thanksgiving dinner. I love the actual holiday—having the whole family together and reflecting on what we’re grateful for. The rest of it, not so much. All of the planning, cleaning, and cooking (especially making sure the turkey and all the other dishes are done at the same time) stresses me out! I’m in awe of people who are able to throw parties with such ease. So I asked the hostess with the mostess, Gina Whittington, to share some of her secrets to reduce holiday hosting stress. She’s an event planner here in Austin who not only effortlessly hosts the holidays every year, but routinely throws exquisite events from intimate dinners to parties for over 200 people (and that’s just at her own house!). Read on to find Gina’s strategies for stress-free entertaining. And then let me know: Do you host the holidays for your family? If yes, what are your tricks to reduce party-hosting anxiety? Divide the labor Just because you’re the host, doesn’t mean you have to shoulder everything yourself. Communicate with your partner and see what they can do to help you out. My husband, for instance, […]

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Fall Recipe: Pickled Apples and Pears

Heather Catania — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 16:33:13 +0000

I've been trying to limit our food waste. So, when we recently had an abundance of apples and pears that I didn’t know what to do with, I reached out to my chef friend Brock Lane for ideas. His suggestion: PICKLE them. Say what? I'd never thought to pickle fruit, but I did it and I have to say, the results were delicious and gorgeous.

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What’s On My Nightstand

Heather Catania — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 18:13:45 +0000

Your bedroom should be a relaxing sanctuary. Here are seven items I keep on my nightstand to promote a good night's sleep.

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How to Make Beeswax Reusable Food Wraps

Heather Catania — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 16:04:48 +0000

You guys know I’m having a love affair with our bees. We’re still feasting on the delicious honey we harvested a few months ago, and I’m creating care packages with honey and beeswax items for my friends and family for the holidays (shhh!). One of my favorite items we’ve DIYed is beeswax reusable food wraps. They’re the perfect green alternative to plastic, and so easy to make! We use the wraps to cover sandwiches and leftovers and we even made some snack bags. Here’s a step-by-step guide to make your own beeswax reusable food wraps. Try it out and let me know what you think! What You’ll Need beeswax pellets (You can find at Michael’s or Amazon) cotton fabric (I got mine at Joann) scissors paintbrush parchment paper baking pan hanger Step 1 Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Line baking pan with parchment paper. Cut cotton fabric to the size you like. (I used a 7 inch x 14 inch piece for snack bags and 14 inch x 14 inch for sandwich wraps.) Sprinkle beeswax pellets evenly over fabric, making sure to get pellets as close to the edges as you can. Step 2 Place the baking sheet in the oven […]

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Simple Ways to Practice Gratitude

Heather Catania — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 06:00:34 +0000

Thanksgiving gives us the opportunity to pause, sit down, and reflect on what we are thankful for. Every Thanksgiving, like many of you, my family has a tradition of going around the table to say what we’re grateful for. (Me? I’m most thankful when someone else does the cooking.) I know it’s a little cliché, but it’s a sweet ritual and I look forward to hearing what the boys come up with each year. It also reminds me that I should be practicing gratitude more often—not just when I’m shoveling another bite of stuffing into my mouth. Because between diaper changes and shuttling the boys to school and sports practices, the days can feel like a blur. And I’m not exactly thinking,” I am so grateful for this moment.” No. I’m usually thinking, “Oh crap—I’m late, I suck at this mom thing, or what time exactly is too early for a glass of wine?” Gratitude really is good for us, though. Research shows that it can lower blood pressure, improve sleep, boost our immune function and reduce our risk for depression. In a recent study, they even found that the simple act of writing gratitude letters—regardless of whether they’re sent—can […]

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Quick Family Meals for Busy Parents: Blue Apron’s Meal Delivery Service to Save the Day!

Heather Catania — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 00:05:03 +0000

Listen up, busy bees… I’m partnering up with Blue Apron to give your kitchens something exciting! When you are as busy as I am, sometimes the simplest tasks can be difficult to do. (There are days when I forget to wash my face…yes, it happens!). The hardest part of being on-the-go? Skimping on dinner. I truly love to cook, and being able to make a healthy meal brings me such joy, but lately, it has been hard to dine “homemade.” Spending time at the grocery store and scouring mouthwatering recipes online are often out of the reach of my schedule. So, cue Blue Apron, the meal delivery service that has absolutely, 100% saved my dinner game. I first heard about this service through friends who’ve been on their Blue Apron kicks for several years now, and all they’ve ever done is rave about it. How does it work? Every week, Blue Apron sends a box of fresh ingredients and recipe cards to make a delicious meal for two or four people in under an hour. The days of crumpled grocery lists and endless market lines are no longer! Blue Apron means no more takeout–a blessing for our tummies and our […]

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