Gretchen Bossio

I counted.
Our family has lost five family members and friends unexpectedly in the past decade. These aren’t just people we heard of or knew online, these were dear friends we grew up with, went to college with, and were related to.
Heart conditions, rare cancers, tragic accidents. It takes my breath away to recall each of their stories — their lives cut much too short. And, in the wake of their death, they left families. Husbands, wives, and children. It’s sobering to be on the sidelines of ...

“Who’s ready to hit the road?”
While the kids cheer with excitement, I’d guess most parents have a more reserved level of thrill. I mean, family road trips can be fun, but parents know there can be whining, dead technology, sibling bickering, and a hefty dose of “Are we there yet?”
I wouldn't yet call myself a road trip expert, but I have traveled a fair amount by car with five kids. Lots of five-hour trips, a few 10ish hour ones, and one epic 35-hour trek over the course of four days. On tho...

Whether you’re building your baby registry with postpartum in mind or running to the store on your due date for last-minute essentials, this ultimate postpartum checklist includes all the important things for those initial days at home after your baby is born.
And, trust me, the hospital might have everything you need on hand for a successful delivery, but you are in charge of being prepared once you leave. Thankfully, in the days of Amazon Prime, everything you need can be at your doorstep l...

It has been a year now since I discovered my first grey hair. I probably had some before then, but I told myself they were simply a light blonde in contrast to my brunette locks, definitely not grey. Not yet. Surely, not yet.
But then another, and another. They seemed to pop up and become more noticeable every time I completed my morning routine – silver highlights in my long, dark hair.
I pulled a few. Cursing their appearance. Why me? Why now? My own mother hardly had greys. Was this real l...

It all started when my parents divorced. They departed from their family size home and shuffled years of memories to my sisters and I in the form of totes and tubs. We were all adults, with homes of our own, and we welcomed this tangible way of helping them transition by accepting our childhood keepsakes.
For a few years, my husband and I moved with all those keepsakes in tow. I didn’t have time, nor energy, to dive into all the … stuff, let alone the emotional capacity to relive memory upon ...

Not once in my life have I considered myself an athlete.
In high school I played volleyball merely for the social aspect of participating in an extracurricular activity with friends. In college I joined intramurals upon the invitation of a cute boy (who later became my husband!).
A couple of times, I’ve joined a gym: Once, in an attempt to tone my arms before my wedding and a few years later to try out a prenatal yoga class. Neither exercise routine lasted long. I just didn’t care enough.
But...

“I think we are going to sell our house … get something smaller.”
It caught me off guard, hearing this news from my best friend. She and her husband purchased their home just a few years ago and it has so many features they had dreamed of in a home. With a giant backyard and space for guests all in the perfect proximity to school and work, their home purchase made so much sense. In fact, I remember the conversations before they bought it. I cheered them on. They deserved it. They could afford...

Editor’s Note: If you’ve ever met anyone who wears Rothy’s, you’ve probably met someone obsessed with their shoe. So we sought out an enthusiast to explain why. I’m still not sure about the price tag for recycled plastic, but we’ll let you be the judge.
My sisters and I just bought our mom another pair of Rothy’s for her birthday, a pair of spotted loafers. They are darling. The perfect pop to her neutral and jewel-toned wardrobe. Does she need more shoes? Surely not. Will she be thrilled whe...

One of a kind shops are few and far between these days. Sadly, they’ve fallen to big box entities and online shopping. So when one remains, it’s apparent that they’re something extra special.
Such is the case with Drees in Olympia.
Drees, a boutique style shop focusing on fine gifts and home decor, recently celebrated their 90th anniversary. And what a celebration it was! With entertainment, refreshments, and a gathering of beloved customers, Drees toasted the holidays and their longstanding ...

Have you ever dreamed of building a successful business with your sibling by your side?
Well, that’s exactly what Lyndsay Lamb and Leslie Davis have been doing in the Pacific Northwest since 2009. And not only are they sisters, they’re twins!
Davis and Lamb are top-selling real estate agents in the Pacific Northwest and soon-to-be stars of HGTV’s new series, "Unsellable Houses". On the show, the twins attack homes that have been sitting on the market.
Literally - with sledgehammers and paint ...

About a year ago I started hearing about a new hair dryer on the block. A futuristic looking one from none other than Dyson. Dyson, you say? Yes, the same Dyson that is well known for their vacuums. Apparently they have big plans to move into the hair care market.
I did a halfhearted search to read a little more about the Dyson Supersonic™ hair dryer and found that this beauty appliance held a hefty price tag - $400.
That ended my interest.
I mean, just imagine what you can buy with $400!
Mon...

Live Butterfly Kit ($36.66) Kids are so often inundated with gifts at Christmas so it makes sense to surprise them with something they can enjoy later in the spring. Enter the butterfly kit from Insect Lore. Or ladybugs if you prefer something a little different. (Image: Amazon)

Last fall I needed to get away. Some nature. Some reprieve from technology. A moment to breathe deep and stand in awe. But, where to go? I didn’t want to fly. I didn’t want an overnight. That limited my travel radius, but it also opened the door to find something practically in my back door
Giant trees.
Truly, a “forest of giants”. Nestled in the Olympic National Park just a few hours from my home there are monstrous beauties, and I was eager to see them up close and in person.
I wove out Hig...

The infant market is filled with all kinds of must-haves when it comes to baby bath time—from things like colorful tubs, sweet and safe bubbles, fun water toys, and cute towels, where is a parent to begin?
If you’re looking for a quick registry add or an option that you can have delivered ASAP, our recap of Truly Mama’s best baby bath time essentials can help. But, be sure to keep reading on the nitty gritty of each of the products we tested, as well as a special starred budget pick since bab...

All right, first things first—the experts are clear on the rules of screen time for toddlers: no screens before the age of two, per the American Academy of Pediatrics.
And while we strongly urge you to follow guidelines set out by the experts and avoid screens for your under-two tot, we also know that sometimes, screens = survival. So, if your toddler’s favorite toys just aren’t cutting it and you’re tuning into a television break for your little one, you can at least make sure it’s one of th...