We have no words of wisdom at the moment. Like many of you, Steph and I are both struggling with a mix of emotions. We are trying to embrace this enforced slow but anxiety and uncertainty creep in and derail us, and that’s okay. It’s okay to feel all the things right now, but we … Continue reading Be Gentle, Be Kind
It has changed us. It’s been a little over a week and yet it has changed us forever. I was going to tell you all about my joys and horrors of this past week. And before that I was going to share a spring vacation playlist. But today I bring you this. I have little … Continue reading Come Home
Deb Walters is a spiritual director and Enneagram facilitator who also just so happens to be a dear friend of ours. When Steph and I thought about people we wanted to interview for the Collective Series, Deb’s name came to mind right away. She is both wise and thoughtful especially when it comes to her … Continue reading The Collective Series: Deb Walters
I learned about Sashiko in Katrina Rodabaugh’s book Mending Matters: Stitch, Patch, and Repair Your Favorite Denim & More where she teaches the art of visible mending and explains how mending leads to a more mindful relationship with fashion. I was captivated by the beautiful patches on her jeans using only denim and white thread. … Continue reading Slow Stitches
Ida Karelsen grew up in Lambton County and spent a lot of time in her parents’ greenhouses. Her love of plants and design led her to landscape design. Ida worked as a landscape designer until the birth of her first daughter. Fast forward a few years, she is now the mom of four children all … Continue reading The Collective Series: Ida Karelsen
Last week Alison talked about purging our stuff and it got me thinking about this whole other world online. I thought I would share some thoughts on purging relationships. I’m talking about those relationships we’ve built online that are fake, stagnant, unhealthy, or just too many. There is a reason that people fall out of … Continue reading How many friends is too many on Instagram?
This week I’m sharing a wonderful poem by one of my favorite writers. Storage written by Mary Oliver When I moved from one house to another there were many things I had no room for. What does one do? I rented a storage space. And filled it. Years passed. Occasionally I went there and looked … Continue reading The Reason They Can Fly
I’ve heard a lot of talk recently about the exact date people give up on their new year’s resolutions. It’s sometime between January 12th and the 18th. Already?! It hasn’t even been a month. Why do we make these grand plans to change and yet we can’t even carry through for a couple weeks? I … Continue reading Our Habits and Simple Living
Stephanie Ouellette loves thought provoking design, cooking for people with allergies or food aversions. She lives in Sarnia, Ontario with her husband and two busy little boys. She is a photographer and Made Collective’s creative visionary. What started you on a simple and thoughtful journey? My journey started at a very young age and was … Continue reading The Collective Series: Stephanie Ouellette
My daughters each had a friend sleepover last Saturday night. It was a last minute decision, so there weren’t any grand plans. I bought snacks, inflated air mattresses and then left four girls, ages eleven to thirteen, to their own devices. For over an hour I heard chatting, giggling, and squealing before knocking my eldest … Continue reading Sleepover
