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What’s going on with you? No really, what’s up?

Today on The Home Hour we’re talking about what’s happening RIGHT NOW in our world, our country, our states, our cities and towns, our neighborhoods,…and of course, in our own homes.

Join hosts Kirsten and Graham as we chat about everything from world events like the drought in Cape Town to what’s being served up at our neighborhood restaurants. We start big then go small, and really dive in to what’s going on in our world.

Plus, why Kirsten’s town in littered with lime colored bicycles, why Graham’s city is litter free thanks to the mysterious CLAW, and why Graham thinks Bridge may be making a comeback. (Yes – the card game!) 

Sponsor Spotlight:

Princeton Review!

In our house, evenings can be crazy and homework can be a big source of stress for our family! 

While we both want to be “that mom” who is always available for homework help, the reality is that we’re often not available to help or we’re just not the ones who our kids are willing to learn from. 

Enter Homework Help from The Princeton Review on-demand tutoring that matches kids with a tutor in under a minute. This is a lifesaver for busy parents!

AND… Princeton Review has an amazing deal going. Home Hour listeners are able to try their tutoring service AT ZERO COST!!!

Just click here to learn more: http://princetonreview.com/thehomehour. 

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:

KIND Snack Club!

The Home Hour runs on KIND snacks! They are our favorite! They make delicious, healthy snacks using whole ingredients you can recognize and pronounce!

If you’ve never tried these tasty AND healthy snacks, then get ready because we’ve got a special deal for you! Home Hour listeners, can try 10 KIND Bars for free, all you have to pay is shipping! 

When you order the sample box, you’ll also get to try KIND’s Snack Club, where you’ll receive monthly snacks at a discount and get members only bonuses.

To access this great deal visit KindSnacks.com/thehomehour.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today’s episode, we’re getting back to the heart of our show and focusing on creating beautiful spaces. Join hosts Kirsten and Graham as we chat with One King Lane senior buyer, Rachel Gerli, about online shopping for all things home! 

We’re talking about how to create your own signature look in your home, which trends to be on the lookout for, and how to get the most bang for your buck when shopping for your house! Plus a spirited conversation about houseplants, an unedited look at Graham’s favorite coffee table accessories, and Kirsten’s continued devotion to all things brass. 

Links we mentioned on the show:

One Kings Lane

Aquazzura for De Gournay

Sponsor Spotlight:

As busy parents, Kirsten & Graham are always looking for ways kids can use their creativity and their own two hands — without needing our direct supervision or help!

Annie’s Kit Clubs are a great solution for sick days, snow days, or when it’s time to shut down the devices!  

These high quality kits arrive every 4-6 weeks with the materials kids need to make a beautiful craft or woodworking project completely on their own.

Choose from the Creative Girls Club craft projects or the Young Woodworkers kits. Both come with complete materials, illustrated step-by-step instructions, and the materials needed to create a finished project! Our kids were so proud of all their hard work!

Graham got to try the Young Woodworkers kit and her little boys had a great experience. Meanwhile, Kirsten’s daughter had a lovely afternoon painting thanks to the Creative Girls Club kit she got to try!

AND… Annie’s Kits is offering a GREAT DEAL for our listeners:

For 50% off the Young Woodworkers Club or 80% off the Creative Girls Club, visit annieskitclubs.com/life.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we’re talking birth trauma and gardening… we know it sounds crazy, but stick with us, it will all become clear. On this episode, we’re introducing you to a very special friend of the Home Hour, Caroline Malatesta, whose lawsuit made national headlines and is changing the way we look at childbirth.

Join hosts Kirsten & Graham as we dig into Caroline’s incredible story of pain, fighting for justice, and how her decision to start a garden not only changed her yard, but her entire outlook on life!

We hope that this episode inspires our listeners and reminds us all that healing can be found in all different places.

Read more about Caroline’s Story on Birth Monopoly.

 Sponsor Spotlight: Annie’s Kit Clubs!

As busy parents, Kirsten & Graham are always looking for ways kids can use their creativity and their own two hands — without needing our direct supervision or help. Annie’s Kit Clubs are a great solution for stuck-inside winter days, sick days, or when it’s time to shut off the screens. 

Kits arrive every 4-6 weeks with the materials kids need to make a beautiful craft or woodworking project completely on their own.

Choose from the Creative Girls Club craft projects or the Young Woodworkers kits. Both come with complete materials, illustrated step-by-step instructions, and the materials needed to create a finished project kids will feel proud of

AND… Annie’s Kits is offering a GREAT DEAL for our listeners:

For 50% off the Young Woodworkers Club or 80% off the Creative Girls Club, visit annieskitclubs.com/life.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It may be the day after Valentine’s Day but love is still in the air on The Home Hour! We’re wrapping up our Valentines month series with a frank conversation about why one of the least discussed elements of a happy home is also one of the most important.

On today’s episode, hosts Kirsten and Graham are joined by licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Megan Fleming to discuss what it takes to have a happy sex life and why it’s so important. Dr. Megan Fleming has been practicing sex therapy and marriage counseling in New York City for 15 years.

To learn more about Dr. Megan Flemming and the many wonderful resources she offers, please visit her website Great Life; Great Sex.

Sponsor Spotlight: KIND Bars!

Hey Home Hour listeners, have you ever tried a KIND Bar? (or are you already HUGE FANS like we are?) They make delicious, healthy snacks using whole ingredients you can recognize and pronounce.

Well, if you’re ready to try some tasty AND healthy snacks, we’ve got a special deal for you! Home Hour listeners, can try 10 KIND Bars for free, all you have to pay is shipping!

When you order the sample box, you’ll also get to try KIND’s Snack Club, where you’ll receive monthly snacks at a discount and get members only bonuses.

To access this great deal visit KindSnacks.com/thehomehour.

Plus…as Graham wisely pointed out— who doesn’t want to be in a club?!

We are also SO EXCITED to introduce our partnership with LIzzie Post and Dan Senning Post, of Awesome Etiquette. Kirsten & Graham are thrilled to announce that the Home Hour will be featured on one of our favorite podcasts: Awesome Etiquette. As our listeners know, we love etiquette, kindness, and graciousness…but sometimes we need some extra help tackling these issues; that’s where Lizzie & Dan come in!

Lizzie Post and Daniel Post Senning, cousins and co-presidents of the Emily Post Institute answer your questions about etiquette in the 21st century in this weekly hour long podcast. With advice based on consideration, respect, and honesty, Awesome Etiquette guides listeners through everything from traditional etiquette quandaries to everyday and emerging issues in today’s world. If you haven’t yet listened to this wonderful podcast, we can’t recommend it enough!

Check out the episode featuring our question HERE!

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It’s February! Love is in the air and we’re continuing our Valentine’s series by asking “What do MEN really want when it comes to their homes?” We’ve enlisted the help of friends all over the country to do some research for the Home Hour by taking our questions home to their husbands. Now, we’re here to report what the other sex is thinking when it comes to real estate, home decor, chores around the house, and entertaining at home!  From garages to man caves, grills to walking trails, superbowl parties to piano-side karaoke, we give you the scoop on all things domestic from a male perspective! 

…And in case you wanted to ask your own husband what he’s thinking, here are the questions we asked:

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What do you envision coming home to when you walk in the door at the end of the day?

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What is your expectation/picture of the “perfect” home?

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What kind of parties do guys like to throw at their houses? What does your ideal party/event look like?

*

What are the things you most wish you had in your home?

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What is your favorite/least favorite household chore?

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If you could change one thing about your house, what would it be?

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It’s February and we’re celebrating Valentines Day all month long with a special three-part Valentine’s series all about, love, sex, relationships and trying to understand what men want anyway?

On today’s episode we’re taking the bedroom into the kitchen with a chat about Aphrodisiac Cooking.

Kirsten and Graham are joined by author and aphrodisiac food expert, Amy Reiley to discuss how we can heat up our cooking and our love lives! This episode is full of practical ways to include libido-enhancing foods in your meal planning and a historical explanation of how certain foods came to be thought of as aphrodisiacs.

Amy Reiley is the author of several books including Fork Me, Spoon Me,Romancing the Stove, and Eat Cake Naked.

Recipes we mentioned on this show:

Chocolate Smothered Brie from Fork Me, Spoon Me: the sensual cookbook by Amy Reiley

* 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 

* 1 1/2 t butter 

* 1 1/2 c dark chocolate chips 

* 1/2 c heavy cream 

* 6 oz wedge of ripe brie 

* 1 pint strawberries, washed with stems on 

* 1/2 French baguette 

Put garlic on a baking tray and sprinkle chunks of butter on top. Toast under the broiler until just brown. (Adult supervision recommended.) Remove from broiler and toss the hard, golden chips in the melted butter and set aside to rest. 

Arrange the brie and strawberries on a serving platter. 

In a double boiler or a metal mixing bowl fitted onto a small pot of simmering water, gently melt the chocolate chips with the cream over low heat, stirring steadily with a gentle motion. (Note: You can melt chocolate in the microwave, but it burns very easily this way. Only try this method if you feel sure of your technique.) 

When chocolate reaches a smooth, creamy texture, remove from heat and fold in the hard garlic chips. Smother the cheese with the hot chocolate and allow the sweet topping to drench a few berries.  Serve immediately with a hunk of French bread and a total lack of inhibition.

SURVEY SAYS…..

Hey Home Hour listeners, we would LOVE your feedback to make the Home Hour even better! Please Click HERE to take our short survey! Thanks so much!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We talk a lot on the Home Hour about organizing and decluttering and we agree that purging our homes is HARD! What if we need it someday? What if we regret getting rid of it? It cost so much to purchase! What if? What if? What if? But if we think it’s hard to part with our own stuff, how much harder is it to discard other people’s stuff?

This episode is all about what to do with the hand-me-downs currently in your home and through it all we’re going to be looking at our things knowing that one day “our stuff” may become someone else’s “other people’s stuff”. Do we care if people keep it? Do we have things we really want others to have? We also talk about what to do, in very practical ways, to deal with the “stuff” left behind when a loved one passes

Plus, family drama over mattresses, Graham’s distrust of her future daughters- in-law, and how we plan to recreate the Golden Girls in our real life retirements!

* Here’s a great article from Houzz on cleaning vs reupholstering vs replacing old furniture:

 Sponsor Spotlight: KIND Snack Club!

The Home Hour runs on KIND snacks! They are our favorite! They make delicious, healthy snacks using whole ingredients you can recognize and pronounce!

If you’ve never tried these tasty AND healthy snacks, then get ready because we’ve got a special deal for you! Home Hour listeners, can try 10 KIND Bars for free, all you have to pay is shipping! 

When you order the sample box, you’ll also get to try KIND’s Snack Club, where you’ll receive monthly snacks at a discount and get members only bonuses.

To access this great deal visit KindSnacks.com/thehomehour.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Hey Beautiful!” Yeah, we’re talking to you!

We spend a lot of time discussing how to take care of our homes and make them look their best, but today we’re putting all that aside and focusing on the lady who actually lives there! On this episode of the Home Hour, we’re getting real about beauty and what it takes to keep looking good as aging, busy moms— and we get very honest!

Join hosts Kirsten and Graham as we chat with beauty expert Kathleen Jennings about her favorite products and devices to get gorgeous! We’ll hear what products are worth the splurge and where she saves money; as well as what are the best med-spa treatments and what we can do ourselves at home for less.

Plus, The Great Botox Confession, the fear of developing Real-Housewife-Plastic-Surgery-Face, life-changing sheet masks under $2, and why no one “just woke up like this!”

Keep Reading for all her favorite product recommendations and be sure to follow her on Instagram for more great advice!

Links We Mentioned on the Show:

Kathleen Jennings Beauty

Kathleen Jenning Beauty on Instagram

Kathleen’s Favorite Sheet Mask SK2

Kathleen’s Favorite Budget Sheet Mask My Beauty Diary

Kathleen’s Favorite “Morning After Drinking” Mask Clarin’s V Facial Intensive Mask

Skin Pen Treatment also called a “Silk Peel”

Kathleen’s at home MicroNeedling: The Glow Pro 

Kathleen pairs the Glow Pro with her favorite serum Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair

Kathleen’s favorite way to brighten under her eyes: Me Bright 

Best Vitamin C Serums to keep Melasma under control:

Drunk Elephant’s C-Firma and Skin-Cueticals CE Ferulic

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Do you ever look back at your week and wonder how it shaped up the way it did? Does your calendar schedule send you into a tailspin? This week on the Home Hour, we’re continuing our quest to make 2018 our best year yet and we’re sharing our tips and tricks for maintaining order in the busy world of home management.

We’ve found that a carefully planned day puts us on a path to sanity and a more cohesive week. Join hosts Kirsten and Graham as we discuss what strategies are working for us, where we’re falling behind, and our time management goals for the new year! 

Plus we debate over paper vs electronic calendar, how we coordinate our to-do lists and calendars with our husbands, and Kirsten’s love for systems and white boards!

Links We Mentioned in The Show:

The Miracle Morning Book by Hal Elrod

Make Your Bed Book  by Admiral William McRaven

Trello Boards for Moms – Great Article! 

SURVEY SAYS…..

Hey Home Hour listeners, we would LOVE your feedback to make the Home Hour even better! Please Click HERE to take our short survey! Thanks so much!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s a new year at the Life Listened Network and we’re trying to make 2018 the best year ever! Join hosts Kirsten and Graham as we devote the entire month to improving our lives, our homes, and ourselves… one week at a time.

On this episode of the Home Hour, we dive right into a topic that touches every area of our lives and our families: BUDGETING!!! We sit down with America’s Cheapest Family, The Economides, to talk about why a budget is so important, how get ourselves in the right place mentally to plan a budget, practical ways to execute your budget, and how to keep life fun without breaking your budget.

Steve & Annette Economides are NY Times Best Selling Authors, parents of five grown children, and Family Finance Experts. They are passionate about living the frugal lifestyle and sharing the fun, laughter, and freedom they’ve experienced. This has led them to write three books: America’s Cheapest Family gets You Right on the Money; Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half; The MoneySmart Family System – Teaching Financial Independence to Children of Every Age.

Steve & Annette’s enthusiasm about household finances has earned them appearances on Good Morning America, Today Show, Dr. Phil, CNN, Fox News, 20/20, Nightline, Yahoo Finance, People Magazine and many more.

SURVEY SAYS…..

Hey Home Hour listeners, we would LOVE your feedback to make the Home Hour even better! Please Click HERE to take our short survey! Thanks so much!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices