Here's Where to Find My Published Work
Freelance writing is one of my favorite things to do, and I'm lucky enough to have a few regular gigs. I'm always available for more.
Need an editor for your own work? I'm a stickler for clean copy and an organized essay, and I'd love to help.
Graceful Day Drinking in Southern Living
“Graceful Vacation Day Drinking” is how Southern Living describes my non-patented method for enjoying a cocktail (or several) on vacation without cutting your day short. They included that method as one of 50 Reasons to Love Summer in the South, and I agree! Southern Living, June 2019
This Knife is a Game Changer. No, Really.
I can’t get down with the whole clothes rental thing, because I’m shaped funny and would always rather pull an old favorite from the closet than buy something new. (See also: I’m cheap.) But getting a perfectly sharpened chef’s knife in the mail every three months and returning the old one with a flick of the wrist and the provided box and tape? HEAVEN. This is everything I love about EVR Sharp. Cool Mom Eats, June 2019
Perfectly Capable: Taking Up Golf
If we’ve talked recently, you know I’ve become somewhat obsessed with golf, which I took up late last year. And I’m not good! But this is what I love about it, and also why you should start (and how it’s not as expensive or difficult as you thought). Wilmington Magazine/Columbia Living, July 2019
Mix metaphors and get...free ricotta!
When life gives you spoiled milk…make ricotta. This is one of my favorite ways not to waste milk that’s gone slightly off, because it’s easy and leads to delicious lasagne. Good Life Blog, June 2019
Less Choices, More Chill. This is How I Meditate.
This is hardly an original thought, but Edisto Island really is the most relaxing place, even when there’s a lot of work involved. Even if the work involves ladders and clippers and industrial cleaners. (Full disclosure: it helps when the work is occasionally interrupted by golf.) Still, faced with limited choices, I can finally relax. Good Life Blog, May, 2019
Got an hour? You can be a volunteer!
It was a pleasure to research and write this short piece about fitting volunteer work into a busy schedule. I enjoyed hearing from several people about the creative ways they volunteer. United Way of the Midlands is trying to make it easy for anyone to be a volunteer! Free Times, April, 2019
Folk Rebellion: You Don't Have to Cook
This one is personal. I love to cook and my time in the kitchen is peaceful and centering. But that’s me. My mother, had she been less frugal, would have hired a private chef and never set foot in a kitchen again. And she was awesome. Cooking isn’t for everyone, and I think we’re putting a little too much pressure on ourselves. Learn more about my mom and why she (and I) fully support your desire to stay as far away from the kitchen as possible. Folk Rebellion, March 2018
Tips for Healthy Holiday Eating from Patricia Moore-Pastides (Plus a Recipe!)
Patricia Moore-Pastides, first lady of the University of South Carolina, has figured out a thing or two about staying healthy and throwing a heck of a party. After a visit with her at home, I shared Moore-Pastides’ tips for staying healthy during the holidays — and she gave us a recipe to include, which I’ve made and eaten three times since getting it. Free Times, December 2018
Perfectly Capable: You can manage your holiday party schedule without losing yourself.
Do you like to party? I like to party. But this time of year, it can be hard to keep up. It can feel like you need a filing cabinet (or at least more than that one side of your fridge) to keep up with all the invitations. Here’s how to manage your schedule so you can actually enjoy it! Columbia Living, Charleston Living, and Wilmington Magazine, December 2018
Perfectly Capable: Figuring Out the Whole Wine Thing
I may not know much about wine (or maybe I do, or maybe I’m somewhere in between), but this is how I learned to order something I’ll like, wherever I am. Columbia Living/Charleston Living/Wilmington Magazine, May 2018
Yes, you can revive stale bread. Seriously.
I didn’t believe it either, but I tried it, wrote about it, and ate the results! Cool Mom Eats, April 2018
5 easy kitchen habits to help save the environment.
Happy Earth Day, y’all! Here are a few tips for lazy people who want to do the right thing. Cool Mom Eats, April 2018
Grain of Salt: Boyfriends, and Mortgages, and Coworkers... Oh, My!
In the latest installment of Grain of Salt, I weigh in on whether one letter writer should help her boyfriend pay his mortgage and what on earth another one should do about this super annoying coworker. Full disclosure: I HAVE BEEN the annoying voice-to-text coworker. But my phone screen was broken, and I tried to be quiet. It didn't work, so seriously, I'm the worst. Photo by Alice Pasqual on Unsplash Free Times, April 2018
Grain of Salt: Advice on Being a Bridesmaid and Masturbation
Other than airplanes, there are two places you should take care of yourself first: in your wallet and in bed (or wherever you like to get it on). This is the advice I gave to two letter writers this week. Photo by Melody Jacob. Free Times, February 2018
How a Trip to Italy Inspired My Family to Tackle Food Waste at Home
Spoiler alert: One way we cut down on food waste is by making the kids compost, but we make it easy. You can read all about how we do our best to keep our trashcan always half-empty on The Kitchn. The Kitchn, February 2018
Know when to walk away. Know when to run.
When to run away from over-zealous experimental dishes that are the result of trying to clean out your fridge, that is. I like to avoid waste by using what I have on hand, but sometimes we take it too far. Good Life Blog, February 2018
Grain of Salt: Bad Boyfriend Edition
The latest Grain of Salt: The ex-boyfriend who doesn't think he's all that bad. (Spoiler alert: He is.) Plus: What does one do about all these rumors? Free Times, February 2018
Grain of Salt: Should I Make My Kid Call Me Ma’am? Plus, A Racist Pet
The title says it all. And, yes, someone asked me a kink question. Hope they liked the answer! Free Times, January 2018
Perfectly Capable: You Can Work Exercise into Your Life
I mean, if I can, you can. Spoiler alert: My exercise involves plenty of Law and Order. Read the latest installment of "Perfectly Capable." Columbia Living, Charleston Living, and Wilmington Magazine, January 2018
Perfectly Capable: How to Host a Dinner Party, Any Night of the Week
I'm super excited about my new column, "Perfectly Capable," because you are. I'll be sharing tips on how to do things that seem harder than they are, starting with how to host a fun dinner party without Pinterest. Columbia Living, Charleston Living, Wilmington Magazine, November, 2017
The Most Helpful Thing You Can Do at Your Family Thanksgiving
It's time to step up. And I don't want to hear any complaining about how your parents always re-load the dishwasher after you do it anyway. Nope. Do it their way. You grew up here; you know the drill. It's time to show your appreciation! The Kitchn, November, 2017
How Grocery Shopping as a Couple Makes My Marriage Stronger
Do you shop alone or with your spouse? It may be harder to schedule, but we like shopping together and helps us connect. The Kitchn, November, 2017
The Unexpected Way Going Back to Work Improved My Marriage
Are you married to someone who pretends to know less than they do about basic household and cooking tasks? Introduce them to Google. The Kitchn, November, 2017
5 Things First-Time Thanksgiving Hosts Should Never Buy
It's tempting to rush out and get everything you need, or Amazon Prime it, which you can do in your pajamas. But don't clutter your home with these 5 things. The Kitchn, November, 2017
5 Ways to Make Your Guests Wash Their Hands
Sometimes you write something you know will be controversial, but every now and then readers take you by surprise. Apparently not everyone agrees that hand washing is important. The Kitchn, October, 2017
It's Not Your Fault! Parents Aren't (Always) to Blame for Picky Eaters.
Almost any parent will you tell you that kids will be kids, and eat what they want to eat. Now there's some science to back it up. The Kitchn, September, 2017
So You Forgot to Defrost the Chicken. Here's How to Save Dinner.
Spoiler alert: it doesn't involve a hair dryer. Here are some tips for safer, quicker chicken thawing. The Kitchn, August, 2017
5 Tips to Help Your Kids Pack Their Own School Lunches
Because I don't like to get up early in the morning, or stay up late, or pack school lunches. Time to DIY, kids! The Kitchn, September, 2017
Your Guide to Navigating the Farmers Market with Kids
The farmers market is a great place for kids, full of fresh produce, friendly faces, and life lessons. Here's how you can make it fun and productive for everyone. The Kitchn, July, 2017
This Beachy Cocktail Was Made for Responsible Day Drinking
You know what's a lot of fun? A fruity spritzer on vacation. You know what's no fun at all? Ruining your own vacation or someone else's by overindulging. Southern Living, June, 2017
The Best Thing You Can Do Before Going to the Farmers Market
It's a huge secret! You should read this now! Kidding. The secret is "make a budget," but this was fun to write. The Kitchn, July, 2017
Pet Packing Prep
Headed to the beach? The mountains? Or anywhere else with a dog? Me, too. Make sure you have everything on this list. Columbia Metropolitan, July, 2017
Mason Jars Are Literally the Best
Kidding. They aren't. And I hate Pinterest, but here's why I love mason jars. The Good Life Blog, July, 2017
Let Us Help You Find the Right Kind of Camp
Not sure what kind of camp you should pick for the kids this summer? This non-scientific quiz I wrote will help (maybe). Free Times, April, 2017
When Should You Try a DIY Appliance Repair?
Those of you who know me know how much I love trying to fix things myself, even though I probably have more losses than wins. So, how do you know? When is it okay to try to fix it yourself? The Kitchn, February, 2017.
Black Friday? Take it. It's all yours.
This is why I never go out shopping on Black Friday. Moral superiority aside, I spent way too much at Net-a-Porter this Black Friday, but that doesn't count, because I didn't have to go anywhere. The Kitchn, November, 2016.