Joanna, Author at jojotastic

The Friday Edit

October 18, 2019October 17, 2019By JoannaPosted in the friday edit

Happy Friday! My energy levels are getting closer and closer to normal since I’m officially 4 weeks out from surgery… which means I’ve been doing some really fun fall photoshoots to share here on the blog. Personally, I think fall is the best season. I love all the hygge vibes, the cozy recipes, and layering clothing. Even though it’s been super-grey and rainy here in Seattle, I’m not mad at it (yet). The rain sets the perfect mood for reading a good book and sipping coffee. On that note, if you’re looking for something good to read, I’m currently enjoying American Royals by Katharine McGee.

Keep reading for my must-reads of the week & a recap of anything you might have missed here on the blog — plus don’t forget to sign up to find out FIRST when my social media class launches!

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The Best Flush Mount Lighting

October 17, 2019October 18, 2019By JoannaPosted in home decor + interiors

Warning: this is a looooong post with SO MANY sources. I’ve been asked a lot for flush mount lighting suggestions. Probably because as a small space dweller, we don’t have the ceiling height needed for a big, dramatic chandelier or pendant! There are so many options out there, but on the flip side, there are some terrible options, too (hello, boob light). Because I can’t be in your home picking out the perfect fixture for your space (totally wish I could though), this is a list organized by finish. And every flush mount listed in this post is one that I’d put in my home in a heartbeat!

Source: Hudson Valley aged brass ceiling light c/o Lamps Plus

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How to Make Stovetop Potpourri

October 16, 2019October 14, 2019By JoannaPosted in DIY

Personally, I feel like there is a lot of stigma around the idea of ‘potpourri.’ I am immediately reminded of dusty bowls of weird dried things that smell like really bad perfume. No, thank you. Recently, I stumbled upon the idea of a stovetop potpourri (thanks, Pinterest) and was intrigued. I love the idea of using fresh, natural ingredients from my pantry to make my home smell amazing. Plus, it’s yet another excuse to use our freshly renovated kitchen! I experimented a bit and came up with 3 go-to stovetop potpourri recipes that are perfect for fall and the holiday season — especially with the potential for houseguests.

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Rustic Sausage, Potato & Kale Soup Recipe

October 14, 2019October 14, 2019By JoannaPosted in recipes

Hello, it is soup season!! And I am here for it!!! All. Of. The. Exclamation. Points. All joking aside, I am really excited to start making my weekly soup in our new kitchen. It’s part of my meal planning each week to make a big batch of soup so that we have it for a quick weeknight dinner or to go with a salad for lunch. The first one I made this fall is a real winner and I knew I had to share it with you: rustic sausage, potato & kale soup. It’s really easy, really filling, and sooooo dang good.

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My Recipe for a Cozy Date Night In

October 11, 2019October 9, 2019By JoannaPosted in wellness, entertaining

Sean and I have been newlyweds for just over a month now and we’re still glowing from our special day (more about that here!). A big chunk of that time was spent either in the hospital or recovering from surgery, so I can’t say we’ve had exactly the most… normal newlywed period. But we still try to make our time together special, so we’ve embraced staying in and having a date night at home. This post isn’t exactly like… earth shattering with suggestions, but I thought you guys might still appreciate knowing what we do to make the night special. I also love this entire idea because it’s budget-friendly and easy to put together at the last minute.

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Small Space Squad Home Tour: The Gold Hive

October 10, 2019October 9, 2019By JoannaPosted in home decor + interiors, small spaces, Small Space Squad

Owning an old home takes a very specific type of personality. You’ve got to have a certain amount if tenacity and patience to tackle alll of the myriad situations that old home life equals. And no one is a better example of this than Ashley Goldman of The Gold Hive. Her home is truly so beautiful and soooo lovingly renovated and refreshed. She’s literally the first person I text when I’m about to just torch my bungalow out of frustration because she’s been there, done that. Get ready for a gorgeous home tour, full of historic details and so much charm!

P.S. Usually for my Small Space Squad Home Tours series, I keep it under 1,000 sqft. However, Ashley’s home is so truly special and she is an outspoken sharer of living a more eco-friendly, reduced waste lifestyle that her home felt like the perfect fit for this series.

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Q&A: Wedding Venues, Planning, Photography & More

October 9, 2019October 9, 2019By JoannaPosted in our wedding

Now that I’m on the other side of our wedding, I am able to say it was alllll worth it. As stressful and time consuming as the process was, our wedding day was truly wonderful. So I’m here today to tell you that if you’re going down that path instead of eloping (which we definitely considered!), it will get better! I also want to be a resource for you if you’re planning a wedding, so I asked my Instagram followers what I could answer about this process. This list covers wedding venues, what I’d do differently, how to start the process, whether you need a videographer and MORE.

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