Articles by Laura Gaskill

As an introvert, I know that playing host can be exhausting — but I also love it! How is this possible? It’s all about having the right game plan. Read on for a dozen ways to cope — even enjoy yourself — when you have people over, even if your ideal night usually involves a good book and a comfy…

Summer is here and the weekend’s on its way. Whether you’re hanging flags in celebration of Independence Day on July 4, stopping by a roadside farm stand for in-season fruit or simply relaxing…

Shiplap has surged in popularity in recent years, thanks in large part to Joanna Gaines and her well-documented love of farmhouse style. But shiplap — a board milled with…

Glossy purple eggplants, fragrant lavender, colorful Swiss chard — even if you don’t have a dedicated vegetable garden, these beauties are lovely enough to hold their own alongside ornamentals. Here are 10 beautiful edible plants to incorporate into your garden, whether it’s a true veggie plot or a suburban…

From horror stories of lost, stolen and broken items to surprise charges tacked on to an already high bill, moving is not for the faint of heart. And after recently pitching in to help my mom through a downsizing and a big move, I’ve learned a few things about working with professional movers.…

From horror stories of lost, stolen and broken items to surprise charges tacked on to an already high bill, moving is not for the faint of heart. And after recently pitching in to help my mom through a downsizing and a big move, I’ve learned a few things about working with professional movers.…

After waiting for summer all year, it’s finally time to fire up the grill, cold drink in hand, and savor a slower pace. Make the most of the season by adopting a few (or all eight) of these rules of summer that put the good stuff at the top of your to-do list.

When you’re a kid, there’s nothing quite as thrilling as the first day of summer vacation: three whole months (give or take) of white space on the calendar sprawled out ahead, and no school, homework or teachers in sight. Vow to make the most of these fleeting months with your kids by adopting a few…

There’s usually one on any given block — you can spot it by the kids doing chalk art and eating Popsicles in the driveway, and the parents chatting on the porch or around the fire bowl (which seems to be on just about every night). It’s the neighborhood hangout house, and it’s where all of the kids (and…

The scent of dinner sizzling on the grill and the joy of eating in the open air — cooking and dining outdoors are simple summer pleasures that deserve to be enjoyed more often. Here are 10 reasons to bring your crew outside for dinner (or breakfast or lunch) more often this season and beyond.