Stephanie Marie Seferian's Blog, page 31

Love Languages, Defined

The Love Languages, Defined

The holidays are here, and the season is about relationships first and foremost. And while we may understand intuitively that gift giving is just one way in which we can show love, our days leading up to Christmas will likely be filled with chasing sales, navigating crowded shopping malls, and wrapping piles of gifts.

I believe that if we can show deep, meaningful love in many ways. But if we don’t? We as a culture will always revert to consumerism’s default of giving...

How To Live Happier

Capitalism has coerced us into thinking about contentment in terms of possessions, and many of us accumulate both stuff and money in hopes of living happier.  But time and time again research finds that happiness is actually found in places that are notoriously free: in getting good sleep, in nurturing quality relationships, and in giving, to name a few.

Today I bring you an interview with podcaster Julia Szpor. Julia and I discuss the latest science-backed findings into how each of us can live ...

Should I Keep Clothes That Don’t Fit?

“I have a number of clothing items that don’t fit in boxes on the top of my cupboard. My weight fluctuates so frequently (and I have a newborn) that it seems irresponsible to get rid of things that don’t fit, yet I hate having clutter! Should I keep clothes that don’t currently fit? When do I just let it go?”

 

Keeping clothes that don’t fit prevents you from accepting your body as it is today. Still, we all do it, as our “skinny” clothes encourage us to hold onto past glories of thinness and yo...

Reclaiming Movement Opportunities

There’s no way around it: more stuff means more sedentarism.

Products of convenience move on our behalf, and our kids are moving their bodies less than any other generation in human history. Our culture–and the items the market produces to support our ways of life—dissuade self-sufficiency, and so creating a movement-rich life for our health and for the planet’s may often feel like an uphill battle.

This week I speak with author and biomechanist Katy Bowman. Katy offers tangible ways to reclaim ...

Leather Versus Faux Leather

Got yourself some leather boots? How about a faux leather handbag? The fashion industry relies heavily on both the durability and aesthetic of leather and, these days, vegan leather is rapidly rising in popularity as an ethical alternative to animal-based hides. But what is vegan leather, exactly, and does it stand up to the hype?

On this episode, I’m answering a listener’s question about the environmental and ethical considerations associated with all-things leather and leather alternatives.

He...

Conscious Nursery and Kids’ Room Design

Fairy lights for our little girl? A dinosaur theme for our baby boy? When designing our children’s nurseries and, later, their big kid rooms, it’s natural for parents to get caught up in the aesthetics. After all, designing is fun; researching ethical and eco-friendly products is decidedly not.

But sustainable interior design is more accessible today than it has ever been before and with a bit of forethought it’s entirely possible to curate beautiful spaces for our children that use lower impact...

All-Things Bidets & Bidet For Toilet Attachments

“I’d love to hear a podcast episode about a bidet for toilet attachment … Our family recently got one, and we love it but I know a lot of people have questions about them, including myself.”

 

I did it. I bought a bidet attachment, installed it myself and, on this short and sweet episode, I’m answering a listener’s question all about whether bidets have a place in a modern family home (and if yes, how).

Here’s a preview:

[2:15] Sleek and (kinda) sexy? The features and benefits of today’s bidet f...

Pushing Back Against Convenience Eating

Cooking takes time, and few of us have time to spare. Convenient food options—like processed snacks, meal subscriptions, and even takeout—solve problems for busy adults who feel the pull towards what’s quick and easy; those with disabilities view such options as daily necessities. But for those of us who are able and do indeed have a bit of time? Convenient alternatives have disconnected us from our food. Worse, such options have pushed us farther from cooking, an essential self-sufficient skill...

What Are Green Cleaners (& Where Do I Find Them)?

Non-toxic, eco-friendly living is rapidly growing in popularity, and many corporations that sell home cleansers are modifying their marketing (not their products!) to garner more sales. We may not have the time or energy to DIY our own cleaning products, and rampant greenwashing muddles our best attempts at finding the products aligned with our values. What are green cleaners, exactly, and where can they be found?

On this episode Megan Mikkelson and I outline tried-and-true ways for finding safe...

Organized Entryway Ideas

Excessive amounts of shoes. Keys that are somehow always lost. We feel it when our entryways *don’t* flow, sure. But in what ways can we elevate an entryway’s function while also ensuring that it remains aesthetically pleasing?

My guest today believes that tidy homes elevate personal style. This week I’m speaking with globally recognized home organizing expert Shira Gill who’s here to offer up her best organized entryway ideas for creating spaces that both function and flow.

 

Here’s a preview:

...