Welcome Home

DISCLAIMER:  Today's episode is intended for adult audiences only. Please listen on headphones or wait till the kiddos aren't around.  On today’s episode, we’re stepping out of our comfort zone and talking about sex!  How to love it and why it’s so important to date your husband again! We can't wait to introduce you to Brooke Christian, from Flirty Girl Guide, the website where sex and motherhood collide! Brooke shares her thoughts on why it's so important to make good sex a priority and how exactly we can turn our boring mom sex lives into ecstasy.   Plus, why silicone isn’t just for baking sheets, art gallery level sex toys, and why that necklace and bracelet you’re wearing for date night might not be what it appears to be All that and more on this week’s episode of Welcome Home.   SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: Buffy makes comforters that are better for you and the earth, using skin-friendly eucalyptus fabric and fluffy fill made from 100% recycled water bottles. The Buffy comforter has over 11,000 reviews

Today's episode is all about content! we’re talking about what we’re reading, watching, listening too, and currently enjoying.   Join hosts Kirsten and Graham as we dig into our favorite books, podcasts, magazines, and  television shows. We'll also be discussing  why the way in which we consume content seems to be just as important as what content we’re actually consuming. PLUS, Why a 2011 suburban is considered an “old fashion car”, how to study Spanish in the shower to maximize every moment, and why Kirsten is listening to audio books, EVEN when she’s podcasting… All that and more on this week’s episode of Welcome Home!   Sponsor Spotlight: Zola, the wedding company that will do anything for love, is reinventing the wedding planning and registry experience to make the happiest moment in couples' lives even happier. Create a FREE wedding website at Zola in minutes. You can add photos, stories about how you two met, travel and accommodations info, and even recommend things to do for your guests while th

On today’s episode we’re talking about health and wellness as it relates to our houses.  We’re getting all science-y, and not trying to get too freaked out about all the gross stuff lurking in our homes.  Dive in with us, to learn some easy cleaning hacks to make our homes safer. We're talking with Courtney Lebedzinski from Wholesome Houses Wholesome Houses  is where Courtney distills the best research, strategies, and technologies from the experts in the building biology, indoor air quality, environmental medicine, functional medicine, building science, and holistic health professions. She'll give us some simple strategies and solution to create our own wholesome houses!   Plus... LINT: the silent killer, the resurgence of the famous horsehair mattress, and enough vodka to kill… well, pretty much everything!  All that and more on this week’s episode of Welcome Home!   Sponsor Spotlight: Green Chef Green Chef is a USDA certified organic company that includes everything you need to easily cook delici

On today’s episode, we’re now accepting membership applications!  Kidding! But we are talking all about clubs. Whether it's moms' clubs, dads' clubs or just any way for like minded people to come together to create community around shared interests, we're ready to chat! Join hosts Kirsten and Graham as we talk about what clubs we’ve enjoyed being part of and what actually makes a good club work well. Plus, how Kirsten was really the brain child behind Blockbuster Video, a club where hamburger consumption is  not required--- but STRONGLY ENCOURAGED, and guess which host once had an entire organization created just to bring her down? All that and more, on today’s episode of Welcome Home.

On today’s episode, we’re talking about style... and our admitted lack thereof! Join hosts Kirsten and Graham on our first episode about fashion. We’re bringing in style expert, Jennifer Mackey-Mary, the creator of Apple & Pear Wardrobe Design.  Can getting ourselves dressed in the morning really ever be fun and easy? Jennifer says YES! We'll learn about the four main body types (and how to dress them!) what items we should stop spending money on, where we should actually splurge, and what the heck a capsule wardrobe is anyway. Plus, we chat about Kirsten’s favorite Old Navy Running Shorts, Graham’s one woman’s quest to bring back pedal pushers, and what on Earth to wear on days that include neighborhood parks, yard work, and a ladies luncheon!

On today’s episode of Welcome Home, we’re saying goodbye to 2018 and making our predictions about 2019.  Join hosts Kirsten & Graham as we talk about all the trends we see coming in food, fashion, and home decor.  We think this is  pretty funny because we are the last to ever embrace a trend!  We'll also discuss refrigerators made with too much technology, which colors Graham looks amazing wearing, and what to do when you suspect someone has poisoned your Fettuccine Alfredo! SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: AURA FRAMES Aura makes gorgeous, living room-worthy frames and was picked as one of Oprah’s Favorite Things of 2018, which is 2nd time on the list (2016)! The frames feature ultra high definition display; it's the best screen resolution on the market! You'll also receive unlimited free photo storage, so you never run out of space. The frame utilizes a free, easy-to-use app. Simply choose your photos and they'll appear on your frame like magic, wherever it is in the world. No memory cards required. We've got a grea

On today’s episode, we’re elevating our etiquette game... and just in time for the holidays! We’re breaking out the linens, the china, and our warmest smiles and chatting with the Grande Dame of Interior design, Holly Holden!  From presenting the little league team snacks on a silver platter, to turning dinner place cards into a party game, we're talking about how to elevate our everyday happenings into magical moments. Plus, we once again discover that the TRUE secret to entertaining involves always making your guests feel at home. All that and more  on this week’s episode of  Welcome Home! More about our Guest: Holly Holden is an interior designer based in Farmington, Connecticut. She loves to teach others about the touches that make an interior elegant, comfortable, and timeless. She is thrilled to introduce you to her new channel, Holly Holden on YouTube! Look for a new episode EVERY THURSDAY! She is delighted to be sharing her experience and timeless advice on interior design, elegant entertaining, and

On today’s episode of Welcome Home, we’re solving all your gift giving problems with "The Ultimate Santa Wish List!"  From what to buy for your nearest and dearest to what to get those hard to shop for people in your life, this episode is a long one, but worth every minute.  Join hosts Kirsten & Graham as they chat with Welcome Home Favorite, Rachel Gerli about how to fill that space under the Christmas tree with gifts everyone will adore! This episode will make your holiday shopping list a breeze! Keep Reading.... SHOPPING GUIDE BELOW: SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: AURA FRAMES Aura makes gorgeous, living room-worthy frames and was picked as one of Oprah’s Favorite Things of 2018, which is 2nd time on the list (2016)! The frames feature ultra high definition display; it's the best screen resolution on the market! You'll also receive unlimited free photo storage, so you never run out of space. The frame utilizes a free, easy-to-use app. Simply choose your photos and they'll appear on your frame like magic, wherever

On today’s episode, we’re thinking about how to create a smooth and simplified holiday season by getting a jump start on the planning now. We promise that a thoughtful November will lead to a peaceful December! Join hosts Kirsten & Graham as we share our ideas and strategies for the best holiday season ever. We'll talk about everything from grocery store turkey dinners, simple Costco hams, the Christmas decorations we secretly hate, and why the heck is everyone so scared to throw a holiday party on a Saturday.   AND.... we've got a BIG SURPRISE! The Home Hour has a brand new name and we can’t wait to Welcome YOU Home to our brand new show!  All that and more, on this week’s inaugural episode of Welcome Home! Sponsor Spotlight: Holly & Tanager: Stylish Leather Bags & Wallets Holly & Tanager  handbags were born to keep up with your busy schedule while taking organization to the next level. Without ever sacrificing fashion for function, their timeless designs display a bold desire to accommodate a woman’

On today’s spooky scary episode of the Home Hour, we’re talking about what you need to know if you think your house is haunted!  No, for reals, this is important! Or maybe not? This episode is all about the serious, the scary, and the silly of spirit life.  Join hosts Kirsten & Graham as they chat with fellow mom and real life ghostbuster, Kim Johnston to learn the  ins and outs of graciously welcoming a ghost to your home. (Yes, even ghosts need a little “Welcome Home” every now and then!) Plus, toilet seat ground rules when sharing your bathroom with a ghost, why you should never buy a house painted blue, and what to do when the baby sleeps through the night, but the ghosts still need sleep training! Links We Mentioned on the Show: SCARE of Alabama Large California White Sage Frankincense and Myrrh Essential Oil Combo Pack  Copaiba (Copal) 100% Pure, Best Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil  Sponsor Spotlight: Bark Box: Monthly Dog Joy just a click away! Established in 2011, BarkBox is the dog-cr

On today’s episode we’re asking the question: Can a home be minimalistic and yet cozy? Hosts Kirsten and Graham welcome their wonderful guest, Myquillyn Smith to get some very practical advice about how to create houses that are warm and welcoming, yet functional and uncluttered. We’ll learn how to have “More Style AND Less Stuff! Myquillyn is the creator of the popular blog, “Nesting Place” and the author of the new book Cozy, Minimalist Home. Plus, we’ll chat about the trifecta of decorating, why everyone is hanging art all wrong, the prettiest pool in North Carolina, and how we finally found a festival we’re excited to attend! SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: Holly & Tanager  handbags were born to keep up with your busy schedule while taking organization to the next level. Without ever sacrificing fashion for function, their timeless designs display a bold desire to accommodate a woman’s lifestyle effortlessly, day after day. Check out one of our favorite products: “The Professional Backpack Tote”, which effortle

On today’s episode we’re answering your questions… and we’re asking a few ourselves! Join hosts Kirsten and Graham as we share all the best, worst, and most stressful things about our own homes! We’re also crowd-sourcing our listeners to hear their answers to the same questions. We’ll talk about everything from the brick-a- brack that fills our homes to our favorite go-to-hostess gifts. Plus, we’ll chat about Kirsten’s houseplant graveyard, Graham’s DIY trendy pink pants, flaming British deserts, and the heated debate over Google vs. a set of encyclopedias. SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: Green Chef:  Let Green Chef do the meal planning, grocery shopping, and most of the prep for you week after week! With Green Chef’s wide variety of organic ingredients, you can feel great about what you’re eating and how it got to your table. Green Chef is a USDA certified organic company that includes everything you need to easily cook delicious meals that you can feel good about. Meals plans include: Paleo, Vegan, Vegetarian, Ke

On today’s episode we’re digging into home life in a whole new way! We’re talking about houses and lifestyles in terms of our finances and we’re doing with the Queen of Money herself: Suze Orman.  Join hosts Kirsten and Graham as we chat with Suze about what we’re doing right and what we’re doing wrong when it comes to how we handle money and the financial choices we should be making.  Plus, find out why Graham gets APPROVED for travel, why Kirsten’s dream of a second home gets DENIED. And you won’t believe the Home Hour exclusive scoop on those famous gold earrings! Sponsor Spotlight: Epic Screen time that’s not really screen time? Yes PLEASE!  Back to School Season is in full swing and Kirsten and Graham (and our kids!) are loving their subscriptions to Epic! Epic! has a huge library of more than 25,000 high-quality, popular children’s books, videos, quizzes and more — for kids in grades preschool to 6th grade.   Epic! is personalized for each child based on reading level and interests. If you have mu

It’s the happiest place on Earth… and at Sea!  Join hosts Graham and Kirsten as we discuss life with everyone’s favorite mouse! It’s the Disney Episode of the Home Hour! From Kirsten’s love of the Disney Cruise, to Graham’s Magic Kingdom Birthday tradition, we’re sharing our Disney experiences and our favorite ways to “Do Disney”   We also chat about finding Main Street USA in the heart of France, a steamer trunk full of glittery Halloween princess costumes, why you may want to think twice about Space Mountain with a 5 year old, and the extreme controversy of adults visiting Disney sans kiddos! Sponsor Spotlight: Aura Frames Aura’s WiFi smart frame is the easiest way to display photos in your home. It’s phone to frame instantly…and all in a gorgeous frame! FROM APP TO FRAME, INSTANTLY: An iPhone/Android app allows anyone in your family to share photos via WiFi.  UNLIMITED PHOTO SHARING : You and your family can share unlimited photos to the frame without subscription fees. STUNNING CLEAR DISPLAY: 

On today’s special bonus episode of The Home Hour, we’re talking to Michelle & Jim Bob Duggar from TLC’s hit show, “19 Kids and Counting”  Join hosts Kirsten & Graham as we visit with the patriarch and matriarch of the large family we’ve all watched for years!  We talk about how they stick to a schedule while still remaining flexible, live on a budget and avoid taking on debt, keep a positive attitude while focusing on character, and of course, their strong Christian faith that rests at the center of  it all. Resources the Duggars Mentioned: Intended for Pleasure by Ed Wheat Financial Freedom Course Managers of the Home by Teri Maxwell Cozi Calendar  Family Conferences 49 Character Traits Sponsor Spotlight: Epic Screen time that’s not really screen time?  Sign me up! It’s the height of the Back to School Season and Kirsten and Graham (and our kids!) are loving their subscriptions to Epic! Epic! has a huge library of more than 25,000 high-quality, popular children’s books, videos, quizzes and mor

Today’s episode will appeal to the young at heart and the old lady in all of us! Join hosts Graham and Kirsten as we talk frankly about some of the things we’ve “aged out of”, other things that we definitely haven’t, what we probably should age out of, and what we haven’t quite aged into. We may have been best friends since college, but we’re not the same women we were when we met in our teens. Today we’re chatting about how we’ve grown out of some of our old ways, what we’re still clinging to, and the old lady things we see (often excitedly!) coming on the horizon! Plus, Graham’s love of arthritis creams, Kirstens fear of frozen yogurt toppings, and what constitutes a classy scarf vs. a trashy scarf! Also… this episode had TONS of great deals for our listeners so be sure to check the sponsor spotlight for coupon codes! SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: O’verlays®: Transform Your Furniture and Your Home! O’verlays® are decorative fretwork panels that come in several patterns and sizes. They are lightweight, paint-able an

On today’s episode of The Home Hour we’re learning how to mother… LIKE A BOSS! Join hosts Graham & Kirsten as we push aside the old notions of Martha Stewart-perfection and talk to Kendra Hennessy of Mother Like a Boss! about real life homemaking. We’re walking that fine line between running an organized home but realizing that freedom is found in embracing imperfection! We’ll learn why it’s important that your family to do their part around the house and why homemaking is less about scrubbing and folding and more about creating the home life you envision. Plus, Graham’s little boy handwriting, the one word that made Kirsten’s heart skip a beat, and how we stumbled into the new slogan for motherhood… “Mom: Wiper of all the things!”    The post How To Be Homemaker-ish: The Home Hour, Episode 125 appeared first on Life, Listened..

Lazy summer living is in full swing, but we’re talking about why summer may just be the perfect time to get a jump on designing some morning routines so we’re ready to go when Fall rolls around. From morning exercise to what we make for breakfast to what major CEO’s do for their morning routines, join hosts Kirsten & Graham as we chat all about our morning rituals and why we think having a solid plan to attack the morning will make it a great day.  Plus, a historical look at why mornings may really starts at night, celebrating “Chicken & Biscuit Friday”, and the special moment when Graham realized Kirsten wasn’t actually a terrible mother. Sponsor Spotlight: Young Woodworkers As busy parents we’re always looking for ways kids can create with their own two hands — without needing our direct supervision or help. Young Woodworkers subscription kits are a great solution for stuck-inside rainy days, too-hot-to-play-outside days, or when it’s time to shut off the screens.  Young Woodworkers makes it easy for you

Do you feel stressed? Lonely? Tired of the seemingly endless loads of laundry & dishes? Or perhaps you’re even sick of this same old conversation!  On today’s episode we’re not just talking about “mommy burnout” but we’re figuring out how to conquer it and make our lives richer and happier!  Join hosts Kirsten & Graham as we speak with Dr. Sheryl Ziegler, author, parenting guru, and psychotherapist about how to circumnavigate the guilt and stress that comes from trying to do it all. From diagnosis, to real life remedies we’ll dig into why more moms than ever are feeling so sad, alone, and anxious. We’ll also chat about what happens when kickball goes corporate, why a can of rusty nails and an old mattress are better than an i-pad, and why putting yourself first may be the best thing you can do for your family! Sponsor Spotlight: Young Woodworkers As busy parents we’re always looking for ways kids can create with their own two hands — without needing our direct supervision or help. Young Woodworkers subsc

On today’s episode we’re tackling one of the most challenging and complex issues we all have to face (are we overstating it just a tad?) It’s the Grocery Store Showdown! Things get pretty intense as we chat about about where we grocery shop, what we buy at each store, why we feel the need to go to 6 different stores to get the supplies our families need… and of course which grocery store takes the CROWN in each of our books!  We’ll also chat about frozen food aisle thieves, Walmart nostalgia, and what the heck is ALDI anyway? SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: PEACOCK ALLEY   Hey Home Hour Listeners! If you are in the market for a little upgrade to your linen closet, then you must visit  Peacock Alley! Peacock Alley is our go-to site for gorgeous luxury bedding, bath basics, and fine linens. We love the that you can layer different styles to create your own unique bedroom oasis and that the sheets get softer with every wash!  We also love that many of their products can be personalized with beautiful, simple-to-order monogra