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[contact-form] Merry Chrismukkuh! Christmas is days away. Hanukkah just ended. But whatever you’re celebrating this time of year, if you like delicious food then this is the episode for you! Join hosts Kirsten & Graham as they chat with chef, author, blogger, and curator of all things Jewish and awesome; Amy Kritzer. Amy Kritzer is the creator of the witty and deliciously tempting Jewish food blog and Instagram account, “What Jew Wanna Eat?” and the author of Sweet Noshings Cookbook.  Amy also runs the online store “Modern Tribe” On this episode of The Home Hour, we chat with Amy about how her love of Jewish food began and how she turned it into a career. We also talk about the deeper meaning behind food, using cooking to share your personal traditions with others, and awesome 90’s Bat Mitzvah invitations! The post Merry Chrismukkah! The Home Hour, Episode 101 appeared first on Life, Listened..

Woohoo! It’s the 100th Episode of The Home Hour!!!  Well, 100-ish…. On this episode of The Home Hour we’re celebrating a real “team effort” on reaching the triple digits! We’re also thinking this is the perfect milestone moment to take a look back at the hottest trends of 2017 and a look forward to what might be the next big things coming in 2018. Join hosts Kirsten and Graham as we revisit this time last year and remember what was predicted to be the hottest fads in food, fashions, and home decor. Was our 2017 was as trendy as we thought or did we miss the boat?  We also dig into what are expected to be the emerging crazes for 2018 and decide whether we are on board or staging a boycott! Articles we mentioned on the show: 2017 General Trends according to Popsugar: https://www.popsugar.com/home/Biggest-Trends-2017-43169937 Food Trends: https://www.bonappetit.com/story/whole-foods-2018-food-trends Design Trends:  http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/trends/ Wabi Sabi http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorat

We’re really getting into the spirits of the season…it’s the Holiday Cocktail Episode of the Home Hour! This episode is a beginner’s guide to mixing drinks and a look into how festive seasonal cocktails can help make your holiday merry and bright!  Join hosts Kirsten and Graham we chat with the amazing Hannah Chamberlain of Spirited LA about all things cocktails. This episode is full of fantastic tips from Hannah on how handcrafting cocktails can be a fun and creative addition to your entertaining. She shares some great tips about what makes an amazing drink, how to jazz up some traditional holiday favorites, and where to begin if you’ve never stepped behind a bar before.  And,  just in case you enjoyed your cocktails a little too much, Hannah also reveals some tried and true hangover cures from LA’s best bartenders. We also tried a delicious holiday drink created by Hannah herself! “Blitzen Sour” (A Christmas-y version of a Whiskey Sour) 1.5 oz bourbon .75 oz rosemary syrup (I’ll give you instructions on thi

What does “Graciousness” mean anyway? Would someone describe you as gracious? Maybe you already show graciousness when things are going well, but what does it look like to have “Grace under Fire”? Join us today as we take adulting to a whole new level and learn how to get gracious! On this episode of the Home Hour, we’re discovering what it takes not just to navigate the world as a grown-up, but to navigate with style! Join hosts Kirsten & Graham for an entertaining yet equally inspiring conversation as we chat with New York Times Best-Selling Author, and overall genuinely lovely person, Kelly Williams Brown. In her first book, Adulting: How to become a Grow-up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps, Kelly taught us what it means to really be a grown-up in today’s world. In her latest book, Graciousness: A Practical Primer on Charm, Tact, and Unsinkable Strength, we learn how it’s not just important to live as an adult, but to live as an adult who makes life better for those around her! Links We Mentioned on this Episode: No

This episode of the Home Hour is airing on Thanksgiving Day and we’re suddenly feeling all excited for Christmas! Join hosts Kirsten & Graham as they share some of their favorite Christmas traditions. And of course, given the date, it all starts with Black Friday! From real versus fake, to coordinated versus hodgepodge, to what on earth to put on top; we take at in depth look at all things having to do with Christmas trees! We also spend some time talking about how much we love receiving all those Christmas cards but what on earth can we do with them after the holiday season? We also chat about our go-to Christmas movies, our standard Christmas meals, why inviting random guests to Christmas dinner is our favorite act of hospitality, and what time our kids actually wake us up to start opening presents!   The post Our Favorite Christmas Traditions: The Home Hour, Episode 97 appeared first on Life, Listened..

Nothing says the holidays are here quite like the smells and sights of fresh-baked cookies! On today’s episode we’re diving into baking cookies and chatting with chef, food stylist, author, and mom Elisabet der Nederlanden about her new book Holiday Cookies: Showstopping Recipes to Sweeten the Season Whether it’s classic Christmas favorites, exotic sounding international recipes, or the best cookie recipes for kids, we cover it all on this edition of the Home Hour. We’ll also talk about how to host a cookie exchange, how to prepare and package cookies to give as gifts, and creative ways to turn cookies into edible holiday decorations! Happy Baking! The post Holiday Cookies! The Home Hour, Episode 96 appeared first on Life, Listened..

Lay out the welcome mats! This week’s episode is all about how we tackle one of the trickiest areas of hospitality and gracious living: Houseguests! Joins hosts Kirsten and Graham as we explore the do’s and don’ts of hosting houseguests and we share some great tips we’ve used to make these guests feel at home. We discuss what it’s like to host friends in small homes with no guest rooms versus large homes with designated guest rooms, our favorite memories of staying with others, and what happens when you’re suddenly the guest in the home where you grew up? Plus, we chat about the worst hostess gift we’ve ever received, whether you should ditch your dining room table in favor of a pool table, and why Murphy Beds are our new guest room obsession! Real Life Remodel! We also get a chance to check in with our real life listener remodeler, Jen and hear how she’s doing. She’s got lots to say about how to salvage cheap kitchen cabinets and how removable wallpaper is her new favorite. She recommends Spoonflower as one

Can you believe your family wants to eat dinner… again? Does this really have to happen every night? On today’s episode we’re talking about the reality of cooking for a family and offering simple ways to make that sometimes overwhelming process into an easier endeavor. Join hosts Kirsten and Graham as they talk to chef, author, and fellow mother, Katie Workman about how she get’s dinner on the table and why it’s completely okay to sometimes just call for a pizza. Katie Workman is the author of the Mom 100 Cookbook and Dinner Solved! She is also a mom who knows that the fantasy of a perfect family meal around the table every night truly is just a fantasy. We also discuss strategies for picky eaters, how to handle desert-demanders, and why some kids really do love salad! Plus, we show you how making some slight alterations to recipes can lead to a meal that will be liked by all -without turning you into a short-order cook! The post Dinner AGAIN? Mom Meals with Katie Workman: The Home Hour, Episode 94 appeared f

Trick or Treat! Today on the Home Hour, we’re talking about all things Halloween!   Join hosts Kirsten & Graham as we take a look at one of our favorite holidays. We’ll talk about how much Halloween has changed since we were kids, how we decorate our own homes for the holiday, what costumes our children are wearing this year, and which moms we think are hitting it out of the park with Halloween!  We also share a few personal stories about Graham’s ability to turn Halloween into a 72 -hour endurance event and how Kirsten managed to put herself in the most unattractive costume possible.   And move over Monster Mash! We talk about why Werewolf Bar Mitzah is our favorite Halloween Song! Links we mentioned on the show: The Switch Witch! The Switch Witch and the Magic of Switchcraft! Switch Witch and her friends are here to bring their magic and fun to all good boys & girls! Switch Witches need your candy to heat their homes and make their Witchy World go round! Buy a Switch Witch book & toy and begin this new Fall

Dating and marriage. Divorce and remarriage. Online matchmaking and keeping your marriage exciting. This episode is all about relationships! Today on the Home Hour Kirsten and Graham are joined by Sherrie Schneider, co-author of the best-selling book series “The Rules” to talk about The Rules for Marriage. Since the publication of their first book in 1995, The Rules for Dating, Sherrie and her co-author Ellen Fein have sold millions of copies of their books to women all over the world. Today Sherrie chats with Kirsten and Graham about some how to create and maintain a happily married life. We also talk about how to divorce with class and approach a new future with optimism. Also on the episode, how much botox is too much botox, why Graham would help her husband bury a body, and dating advice for Lady Gaga….assuming she’s a fan of the show. Sponsor Spotlight: Modsy Design Thinking about a home makeover? Ready for a new look? Dying to redecorate a room but have no idea where to start? Design before you buy with

We’re talking about one area of hospitality we just can’t get away from… no matter how hard we may try! You guessed it, today on The Home Hour it’s all about children’s birthday parties.  Whether it’s parties at home, parties at venues, parties with family or parties for itty-bitties, we’re tackling all your burning questions about how to celebrate your children’s special day. Join Graham and Kirsten as they re-live their favorite childhood birthday memories and share what’s worked and what’s failed when trying to recreate the joy for their kids!  We also talk about the pressure to create amazing birthday parties, whether goody-bags should be a thing, and why there are some children birthday parties that just shouldn’t include children. Plus, silly string woes, the world’s oldest birthday party magician, and why a table full of flames never disappoints. SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: Sudio Sweeden The Home Hour is excited to partner with these top-quality gorgeous earphones and to offer to a special discount to our liste

Is etiquette an outdated idea? Or is it an important skill in our current climate? This episode is all about tackling the daily challenges of what to do, what to say, and how to act when situations aren’t always crystal clear. We’re talking to one of our new favorite friends, Lizzie Post from The Emily Post Institute, about why manners still matter. Lizzie is the great-great-granddaughter of Emily Post and the co-host of the fantastic podcast Awesome Etiquette. Join Kirsten, Graham, and Lizzie as we tackle everything from how to thoughtfully handle the dietary restrictions of others to one simple etiquette trick that may help you land that dream job. To hear more from Lizzie, be sure to check out her show, the Awesome Etiquette Podcast! Sponsor Spotlight: Kind Snack Club Kirsten & Graham (and all our kids!) can’t get enough of KIND Snacks! We don’t think you should have to choose between your health and taste when it comes to snacking. That’s why award winning chefs, nutritionists and fabulous podcast hosts l

We’re going GREEN! Well, at least we’re trying! Join hosts Kirsten & Graham as we discuss what we do and don’t do in our own homes and what tricks and hacks we’ve learned to make going green easier.   While we readily acknowledge that we all share the earth and should be striving to keep it in the best shape possible, we also know that it can be easier said than done. One of our listeners recently wrote in asking about what we were doing to try to be green in our own homes and that really got us thinking. Here’s what she said: Hi! I am really enjoying The Home Hour and my favorite episodes are the ones where you both simply chat and share ideas with each other. My husband and I are in the process of trying to reduce waste, live less “consumable” lives, and improve our eco-friendly habits (such as moving toward no paper towels, no ziplocs, etc.). I would love to hear if you two have thought about this and whether you do anything in your homes to try to live more “green.” Thanks! Today is the moderate’s guide t

On today’s episode we’re chatting with blogger, podcaster, YouTube star, author, and mother… the one and only Clutterbug herself: Cas Aarssen!  Join hosts Kirsten & Graham as they talk with Cas about about realistic ways to organize kids’ toys and how to create special, beautiful spaces for your children without having to spend a fortune. Cas gives us all a great wake-up call about how and why our kids need more chores. She also introduces us to what may be The Home Hour’s new favorite motto: “If you can build a castle in Minecraft, you can do your own laundry!” From her experiences in running a busy daycare out of her house, to her daily life of raising three children while running her successful website, Clutterbug, Cas shares some great strategies, stories, and tips for our listeners.  We also get to hear all about dollar store decorating, the “Lonely Sock Matching Game”, and her new bestselling book: Real Life Organizing!  Also, don’t miss this amazing video of her daughter’s inexpensive bedroom makeover

Today on the Home Hour, we’re celebrating the little things. And by little, we mean TINY! We’re learning about living the good life in small spaces with Joshua and Shelley Engberg from Tiny House Basics! Join Kirsten and Graham as we hear all about the Enberg’s journey to a tiny house and how trading square footage for acreage may have been one of the best decisions they’ve ever made. We discuss how they organize, entertain friends at home, and live daily life as a married couple with two pet dogs… all in under 400 square feet. We also get into the economics of drastically downsizing and learn how much they’re saving by making a tiny house into a home! SPONSOR HIGHLIGHT: Opinion Outpost Want to earn extra money just by sharing your opinion? Yeah- we thought so! Opinion Outpost connects companies with people like you through online surveys that give you the chance to tell companies how you think and feel about virtually everything–from new products and advertising to social issues and more. And here’s the best

Quirks. Habits. Things we know shouldn’t bother us but drive us crazy anyway. This is the episode where we bring all our strangest behaviors out in the open and ask if anyone else can relate! Join Kirsten and Graham as they share the things they think may be weird and *hopefully* ask if any listeners are doing the same things? Links we mentioned in this show: Articles about weird habits: 17 Weird Habits we all have but won’t admit it. Weird Habits How normal are your weird habits? Also, on this episode, Graham shared some weird elements of her dishwashing behaviors and it led us to ask: Should you put crystal in the dishwasher? It turns out the answer is … yes and no. In the end, it depends on the type of crystal. This helpful guide on the Waterford website explains the issue really well! Also, if your crystal is dishwasher safe, then here is another guide about which detergents to use. The post Do you think it’s weird that I…….? The Home Hour, Episode 86 appeared first on Life, Listened..

Today, we’re getting back to basics and talking about how to simply make a home pretty! On this episode, Graham and Kirsten chat with professional stylist, tastemaker, and busy mom of two, Steele Marcoux about simple and affordable ways to make a typical home feel photo shoot worthy. We also get a fun look behind the scenes at what goes into creating some of those beautiful shots we all see in magazines, how to spot which trends are worth emulating and which ones to skip, and how to balance a desire for a beautiful home with the realities of sticking to a budget and living with children. Photo Courtesy of Coastal Living Photo Courtesy of Coastal Living Steele is the current editor of Coastal Living Magazine, a former editor of Southern Living Magazine and Country Living Magazine, and a freelance contributor to such publications as HGTV Magazine and Better Homes and Gardens. She’s also one of Graham’s besties! Links we mentioned on the show: My O’verlays Coastal Living Natural Area Rugs  Photo courtesy of Coas

What’s for dinner?  Kirsten has no idea what she’s making tonight, but her co-host Graham never has to ask this question! For almost a decade Graham has been using the same special menu-planning system to get dinner on the table. On this episode of The Home Hour we take a deep dive into Graham’s tried and true method for how she feeds her family. She swears this system has helped her to not only save time thinking about what meals to cook and what groceries to buy, but has also helped her to avoid waste and save money.  By using a special binder of her own design, Graham has been collecting recipes and assigning them to designated weeks. In a separate section of the binder, she lists every ingredient of each recipe needed for the week. These pre-printed sheets serve as a guide for checking her kitchen inventory and as the basis for her weekly shopping list. To learn more about the details of this system, how to stay flexible when plans change, and how she adds new recipes to the mix, be sure to listen to this

What if it turns out that all those old clothes you’ve been holding onto may actually be holding you back? You probably don’t even realize how much time and energy you spend in your closet… and you probably own way more clothing than you really need. Today on The Home Hour, Kirsten & Graham team up with professional organizer Rachel Rosenthal to tackle some of our greatest decluttering challenges: our closets!  Rachel Rosenthal is the founder of Rachel and Company, one of the most well regarded home organization firms in the country. Her work has been featured in Martha Stewart, Good Housekeeping, and House Beautiful, just to name a few. She has been helping overwhelmed moms like us cut through the excess and figure out how to spend less time looking for our stuff and more time doing what really matters.  On this episode we talk about what clothes we actually wear, which pieces are worth saving, and what items just need to go! We also discuss linen closet overhauls, the challenging task of giving up the baby-

Summer is over and we’re feeling very much in that Back-to-School mode! On this episode of The Home Hour, we’re talking about everything that goes into getting our families out of the home! Join hosts Kirsten and Graham as we chat about our a.m. routines, night before to-do lists, and the first day of school traditions in our homes. We also share our lists of must-do’s to prep for a new school year, what we buy new and what we make work from the year before, and why nothing beats the intoxicating smell of fresh Subway bread baking in the oven! Sponsor Spotlight: KIND Bar Snack Club! Hey Home Hour listeners, have you ever tried a KIND Bar? You might have seen them in your local grocery store, coffee shop or gym.  They make delicious, healthy snacks using whole ingredients you can recognize and pronounce. Well, if you’re ready to try some tasty AND healthy snacks, we’ve got a special deal for you! Home Hour listeners, can try 10 KIND Bars for free, all you have to pay is shipping!  When you order the sample box