Ruger

Words & Photography
by Kelsie Stevens



Childhood magic gets even better
when your best bud is a dog.
Ruger was my first baby, and I’ve loved
growing our family with him by my side.
The kids dress him up, attempt to ride him
and secretly share their snacks.
Sweet ol’ boy will be 11 the end of this year
and I’m praying we have a handful more years with him.

Styling Children's Rooms

Words & Photography
by Kristen Lopez



Amongst a few others, if I had a second job it would be styling children’s rooms on a budget. I find so much joy in the challenge of finding affordable, functional pieces that will grow with my kids, as well as incorporating their wishes.

I always start with a good neutral base with different textures. I know over time the kids will add touches of their own personality to their space.

I always start with a good neutral base with different textures. I know over time the kids will add touches of their own personality to their space. Estelle asked for lots of pillows, plants, a bed lamp like her sister’s, and a sprinkle of blue (luckily we already had several items)!

Make A Mess

Words & Photography
by Shai Hodgins



Unplug and go make something today.
Bake, cook, draw, paint, garden, sew, knit...
do something to exercise the creative side of your brain.
Make a mess. It’s okay.
You’ll thank yourself later.

This Little House

Words & Photography
by Megan Alexandra



We renovated basically every single surface of this house completely by ourselves using creativity, thrifted sinks, budget DIYs, and coupon and discount flooring. It took me a few years to sell or give away our old furniture and to carefully thrift the antique furniture we wanted. We built our fireplace mantle ourselves. I spent hours painting literally every wall, trim, cabinet, door, and ceiling in the entire house. We made our concrete kitchen counters ourselves, and I washed dishes in our bathtub for 10 days last year when we tore apart our kitchen.

This house has been a labor of love, and it didn’t happen overnight! We all know that Instagram usually only tells part of the story with the pretty pictures, but I hope that I can encourage you today, wherever you are, that the home renovations and decor that you dream of don’t need to cost you an arm and a leg. Some thrifty thinking, patience, research, and a whole lot of elbow grease can truly go a long way. (I use the twinkle emoji, but just know I didn’t feel too twinkly while on my hands and knees grouting tile in our humid bathroom in almost 100 degree summer heat, hahaaa. Totally worth the non-twinkly feeling, though.)

I sound like a broken record, but this little house has been one of my favorite projects. The memories Clayton and I have made while pulling it apart and putting it back together will always be some of my favorite memories from my early twenties.

I sound like a broken record, but this little house has been one of my favorite projects. The memories Clayton and I have made while pulling it apart and putting it back together will always be some of my favorite memories from my early twenties. To make a house a home, you know?

I'm A Badass

Words & Photography
by Laura Chancey



That time I was making a mountain of french toast
with one hand while holding a feverish baby with the other,
after sleeplessly solo parenting five kids
for the weekend and feeling unphased-
then I stepped back and realized...I’m a badass.