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I’m so excited to share our very first before/after reveal with you today! This post is sponsored by Kichler, who makes beautiful and affordable lighting that is also energy efficient. In December, we closed on this home and the first thing we wanted to take care of was updating the flooring. The upstairs came with original hardwoods that we decided to match in the basement as well as the stairway, creating a pretty dramatic before and after (cue the dramatic music!). Isn’t that SO MUCH BETTER?? Here’s a view looking down (sorry, the angle isn’t exactly the same but you...

It’s now coming on two months since the 60-day visa extension policy was announced, which allowed foreigners to stick it out in China rather than return home during the COVID-19 crisis. That also means the initial automatic extension is due to expire soon for many, leading to confusion and anxiety as visa holders scramble to secure flights out of China before the expiration date. Though it might not be as simple as an automatic extension, there may be a solution for foreigners stuck in such a predicament. Below, we answer your questions about extending your stay in China during this special period. What...

A young child stands outside the entrance to a playground in Montréal on May 3, 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada and around the world. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham HughesThe world is enmeshed in a significant health crisis that stretches to all levels of society. Containing, controlling and remedying COVID-19 will require concerted efforts, and, importantly, significant social solidarity. The daily briefings, quantitative graphs, projections, regulations, guidelines, datasets and profiles of those on the front lines, fighting the metaphorical “enemy,” implore us to consider what we might do after the coronavirus. Although we’re still trying to make it through...

Have you considered setting up an exercise desk at home? If so, you’re not alone. With so many of us not working in traditional offices, we are finding ourselves having to set up workable office spaces at home. At the same time, if you exercise regularly, you may have to learn how to balance that workout time with working time. Perhaps part of your workout routine was walking to/from your office each day. I know that for my daughter, who is sheltering in place with us since graduate school closed for face-to-face instruction, walking 20-minutes each way to her graduate...

Whether you’re a parent, a teacher or a hometown hero, receiving a gesture of gratitude is always an “awww” inspiring moment. Right now it’s even more important than ever to remember to give thanks to all those everyday heroes all around us like teachers, healthcare workers, emergency responders and frontline employees. Read on for nine simple but meaningful gestures for showing your appreciation. photo: Pexels 1. Movie Magic With a smartphone always at the ready it’s easy to create a personal video to make someone's day. Capture the moment your little ones open up that present from the grandparents or...