Making Unicorns

Once upon a time, there was a little girl who was obsessed with unicorns. She wanted to wear unicorn clothes. She wanted to color unicorn pictures. She wanted to make up unicorn stories. She want to play unicorn games. She wanted to BE a unicorn. And through the magic of some leftover craft supplies and … More Making Unicorns

Tradition

What tradition marks the beginning of the holiday season for you? In our house (and now our friends’) it’s coffee. And surprisingly, this tradition has nothing to do with Seattle, but rather Minnesota… by way of Chicago…

Sevilla

On a dreary Seattle day, I escape to memories of Sevilla. Watercolor corridors, geometric plazas, the smell of orange trees, hamhocks in windows, the distant clap-clack of the Flamenco … Never been? I have one word for you: GO. Here’s what you need to know.

Two to Tango

We had one date in college, and it was a disaster. That was 17 years ago. After college, Chicago kept putting us in each other’s paths. Eventually, mutual friends had a party, and I decided to give him another chance. Plus, he said he was up for trying tango lessons with me—and he actually followed … More Two to Tango

DIY Pedicure

Yep, it’s not what you usually see on here, but I think you need a break. And how often do you have an hour or two to make a appointment, drive to the spa, wait, be pampered, wait some more, and drive back home? Did I hear a “NEVER”? Good news! All you need is … More DIY Pedicure

Birthday Song

I heard a song on the radio the other day and remembered singing it to Szaba during the wee morning hours when she was a baby. Now my “baby” is three, and though I’m not particularly a Bruno Mars fan, I still take this song’s message to heart. It’s up to me to keep Szaba believing she’s nothing … More Birthday Song

Inspiring Minds: Ed Emberley

I first heard about Ed Emberley at a Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators conference. Ed has been making kids’ books since 1961, when his first book was declared an ALA winner. Since then, he’s illustrated more than 50 (!) children’s books, including Caldecott winners. But that wasn’t what caught my attention about Ed.

Innovation

We had boxes of these in my house growing up. Do you know what it is? It’s a toothpaste tube roller. My Great Uncle Albert made them—hundreds of them actually. He invented them. I remember going to Uncle Charlie’s inventors’ shop once when I was little. My eyes were just high enough to peer down … More Innovation