Making Your Apartment a Home
Published December 2011: eHow Home
Making Your Apartment a Home
Just Because You’re Renting Doesn’t Mean You Should Sacrifice Style
Article Excerpt:
Moving into a new apartment can be an adventure, but it can also feel limiting, as most leases bar any big design changes. Even though you don’t own the property and can’t make drastic renovations, that doesn’t mean you can’t make it feel like home — and you don’t need drills, bits and hammers in order to make it happen. Read more »
When Grown Kids Return to the Nest …
Published December 2011: eHow Home
When Grown Kids Return to the Nest
Keeping Your Space – And Your Cool
Article Excerpt:
After your children leave home, it’s likely that you’ve packed up the trophies and posters on the wall and converted their bedrooms into an office, sewing room or even a guest bedroom. Read more »
The Christmas Balancing Act
Published December 2011: eHow Home
The Christmas Balancing Act
How to Spruce Up and Stress Down Your Holiday Cheer
Article Excerpt:
Even though Christmas cards and family portraits portray an image of a season of joy, the holidays often lead many on an emotional roller coaster ride that can easily run off course. From the hustle and bustle of shopping to preparations for family get-togethers, the spirit of the season can dwindle without the opportunity to recoup. Read more »
Classy Christmas Dining Decor
Published December 2011: eHow Home
Classy Christmas Dining Decor
Make the Feast Festive and Toast Your Family
Article Excerpt:
When it comes to Christmas gatherings, the tree may be the focus of the room, but the food is the center of the action. The table is where friends and families come together to celebrate the festivities of the season. Read more »
Homemade Christmas Decorations: A Family Affair
Published November 2011: eHow Home
Homemade Christmas Decorations: A Family Affair
Getting Crafty for the Holidays
Article Excerpt:
People who purchase Christmas décor each year can add quite a bit of expense to an already expensive tradition. Rather than buying yet another string of lights — possibly pushing the electric bill higher — or paying for pricey, mass-produced decorations that you are likely to encounter in as many homes as you visit during the holidays, this year make your own. You may or may not save money, but you will certainly provide a project that the family can share. Read more »
Picking a Christmas Tree
Published November 2011: eHow Home
Picking a Christmas Tree
Finding the Perfect Fit for the Festivities
Article Excerpt:
The Christmas tree is, quite literally, the centerpiece of Christmas for many who celebrate the holiday. But choosing the tree that best fits your family’s logistical and personal tastes can be a challenge, given the seemingly unlimited options filling store windows. Read more »
Put a Stop to Bedtime Tantrums
Published November 2011: eHow Family
Put a Stop to Bedtime Tantrums
Going from Struggles to Sweet Dreams
Article Excerpt:
You know the scenario. It’s time to go to sleep, but your toddler wants you to read just one more book or sing yet another lullaby. And once you’re done with that, she needs a drink of water, but then still refuses to settle down. Before you know it, she’s overtired and unhappy, which results in a bedtime tantrum — and one exhausted parent. Read more »
Bountiful Thanksgiving on a Budget
Published November 2011: eHow Food
Bountiful Thanksgiving on a Budget
Prepare a Delicious Dinner, Give Thanks and Spend Less
Article Excerpt:
Thanksgiving is about giving thanks. It’s about family and friends. But it’s equally, if not mostly, about food. Besides, thankfulness and loved ones tend to be free. Food isn’t. From birds the size of small children to complicated side dishes, the grocery bill for such a meal can become too much to bear. And as soon as you try to cut corners with cost, you probably worry that you’re cutting corners on quality, as well. Read more »
Elegance on a Budget
Published October 2011: eHow Home
Elegance on a Budget
How to Pull Off an Elegant Celebration Without Breaking the Bank
Article Excerpt:
Times are tough — but just because your budget is a little tight, it doesn’t mean your feast has to suffer. “Thanksgiving is about abundance, so an abundance of holiday items makes a simple but beautiful accent,” said Jeanette Chasworth, certified interior designer and owner of Chasworth Place. Read more »
Fool-Proof Holiday Entertaining
Published October 2011: eHow Home
Fool-Proof Holiday Entertaining
Simple Tricks to Successfully Pull Off a Thanksgiving Feast
Article Excerpt:
Whether you are a rookie or a veteran at hosting Thanksgiving, making the most of space and seating while doting over décor can send even the most organized planner into a frenzy. Read more »
About Me
Three words to describe me? Passionate. Motivated. Curious. These traits help me as a college media adviser and instructor, freelance writer, and mom. This site, focused on writing, reflecting, and teaching, strives to tell the stories of the “average” person. From student journalism and higher education to parenting and freelance writing, you’ll find a mix of blogs with a hint of humor, sarcasm, and inspiration.
Feel free to browse my sample works including feature news, magazine, and web copywriting pieces from the past and present. Check back often for daily updates, blog entries, and additional stories. Feel free to contact me directly at shphilpott@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter. Comments are welcome!
