I regret last summer. I always start the short-Chicago summer season with great anticipation. Finally, warm weather! We’ll go to outdoor concerts, do some hiking, maybe even go on a picnic or two. I’ll take some time to do some organizing projects and read a…

I used to be a slave to perfectionism. But my friend Nina changed my life. Nina is the mother of six beautiful children. Back when we were both homeschooling our kids, we sometimes got our families together at field trips, at picnics, or at play…

My friend Gail recently called to tell me the news. She had just accepted a fabulous new position. Her voice bubbled in excitement as she explained that she and her husband had just been chosen to head a national ministry. I gave a little squeal …

A while back I needed a new pair of black pants. This simple wardrobe item should have been easy to find but I needed to visit four of my favorite stores and try on at least 15 pairs of slacks before I found a pair…

  Some things get better with age. Quality wine improves over the years. Some varieties of cheeses need time to age. Clothes generally do not improve with age. Cotton t-shirts fade. Shoes get worn out. Wool sweaters get moth holes. Another thing that does not…

    Last week we had dinner with some friends who told us about their philosophy of buying souvenirs while on a trip: “If you think you really want the item, get it. If you think you might regret it if you don’t get it,…

  When I’m cleaning out my closet, the hardest things for me to throw out are the items I feel guilty about not wearing. I see the gray slacks I bought at one of my favorite stores–slacks I paid a lot of money for–slacks that…

  Expectations. I have a bunch of clothes in my closet that I should throw out because they have failed to live up to my expectations. the “slim-secret” jeans that actually reveal every secret of my figure the jacket that I thought would coordinate with…