Five Things I'm Reading This Weekend

5 things that are inspiring me this week:

1. Designer Erin Fetherston's airy Los Angeles home (seen above) featured on Rip and Tan is giving me major interior envy.

2. What happens when you stop using skincare? One writer discovers the wonders of minimizing your routine.

3. Looking for an affordable kitchen upgrade for Spring? Swap out your drawer pulls! I'm loving these Hexagonal Bin Pulls in Oil Rubbed Bronze.

4. I've been wearing a light layer of Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint all week and my skin has never looked better. (Save 20% on your order when you shop through my link.)

5. Have you made your own almond or cashew milk before? I'm flirting with the idea and this recipe from Oh She Glows sounds amazing.

—Olivia

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Good Clean Kitchen: The Original GreenPan Venice Pro Cookware

I’m so excited to share a brand that I’ve been using for a few months now that has completely changed my cooking game—meet GreenPan. You might have seen this beautiful cookware make an appearance quite a few times on my Instagram and Stories if you’ve been following along with my quarantine cooking adventures. But I assure you, these beautiful pots and pans are as easy to use as they are on the eyes.

I had been looking for a really great cookware set to add to our wedding registry for quite some time and had a long list of musts. Non-stick (for easy cleanup), Teflon-free (because traditional non-stick cookware is bad for you and the environment), and of course, aesthetically pleasing.

This beautiful set from GreenPan fit the bill. It’s coated in a durable ceramic that won’t deposit harmful chemicals like lead, cadmium, nickel, or toxic metals in your food. And they are truly non-stick! Cleanup has been an absolute breeze with these pans, whether I’m cooking a lemon roasted chicken on Sunday nights or a light and healthy soup to enjoy throughout week.

Another great thing I love about the GreenPan Venice Pro Set is that it includes all of the essentials you could need—a frying pan, a sauté pan, a steamer pan and more. Unless you are a professional chef or entertain often, the chances that you will need more pans than this is slim. As someone who mostly cooks for two (three if you count Teddy), these pans are absolutely perfect for our small city kitchen. They also stack easily and tuck neatly away in my cabinets. You know how much I love to stay organized and declutter!

GreenPan has so many beautiful sets, so you can mix and match your favorites. I especially love this pink set and this modern black set. If you’re looking for something to brighten up your kitchen, these certainly fit the bill.

With that in mind, I’ve rounded up my favorite pieces from the GreenPan collection below!

SimmerLite Dutch Oven

A true kitchen workhorse! I use it for everything from pastas and stew to roasting a whole chicken.

Venice Pro Set

The complete collection—everything you need to cook great meals at home. (And beautiful to boot!)

Venice Pro Sauté Pan

Aromatic stir-fries and slow-simmering sauces clean up easily in this perfectly-sized pan.

Padova Frypan Set

Eggs! Stir-fry! The perfect go-to, everyday set. A versatile, functional set of pans.

How to Care for Your Succulents

Plants are the easiest way to make a house feel like home. But caring for them can be harder than it looks.

I love succulents and cacti because they are all so unique. There are so many different variations and they add a really cool and curated look to your home. They also make for a great gift!

While they are known for being low-maintenance plants, there's definitely a science to keeping succulents alive. I've owned my fair share of cacti and succulents over the years and have learned a few tricks to keep them healthy and fresh all season long.

Start with the green

Caring for succulents starts with choosing the right one. The more lush and green your plant, the greater the chances of it surviving and living a longer life. Any plants with a gray, purple or blue tint may take some extra TLC to survive indoors.

Let the Light in

First things first: Succulents will not stay alive in dark spaces nor should they be kept in direct sunlight. Even though they originate from the desert, your plants can actually burn in the midday sun. Keep your plants on a windowsill or side table in your home to ensure that your plant gets just enough light to stay healthy. If you're really dedicated, you can buy a grow light!

Water

How much water to give your plants depends on the season. In the warmer months, your plants are growing and will need more water and nutrients in order to flourish. But when it's colder, your succulents will go into a dormant phase and need a lot less water. You should water your succulents once a week with about a cup of water, making sure the soil is moist throughout. Be careful not to overwater your plants, as too much water can be bad for them. I like to keep a plant mister around so I can give them a little spritz during the week. This brass option makes for pretty decor, too!

Pots + Planters

Your pot can also have a big impact on how much your succulent grows. Make sure to plant your succulents and cacti in a pot with a drainage hole in the bottom. While it might be in style to use a tea cup, mason jar or other DIY planter, it's not the best for keeping your plant alive. It's also important to re-pot your succulents once they start getting a little too big for their planter. They need room to grow!

personal Space

Just like people, plants need their breathing room. Give them enough space to flourish and grow. Succulents can grow well in a more compact space when outdoors, but when indoors, it's best to keep them a little further apart so they can get the most sunlight.

The extras

Your succulents need love and attention in order to grow to their full potential. Pay attention to how they are growing and tend to them all differently. Some succulents are low-maintenance and might not need as much light or water, while others will require a bit more TLC. 

What tips do you have for growing indoor plants? 

My Favorite Cookbooks

I love to cook and create new recipes, but there's always been something I admired about cookbooks. The glossy photos, chef's notes and inspiration that comes from that connection to food. Sometimes I'll add my own spin to the recipe, which makes it even better.

I've owned and started to collect countless cookbooks over the years. Whenever I travel, I love to pick one up that features recipes that originated from the location. It's a cool way to take a bit of the culture home with me. 

Here are the seven that I turn to time and again for countless recipe ideas:

1. The Kinfolk Table—This cookbook puts the emphasis on the relationships that surround eating, rather than focusing on the food itself. It's filled with the gorgeous, magazine-like photography you're used to seeing in a Kinfolk publication. It's an eclectic mix of recipes and stories collected from around the world.

2. Tacos: Recipes and Provocations—I adore Mexican food and tacos are one of the most quick and easy things to make for a weeknight dinner. This cookbook takes the art of the taco one step deeper. Highlighting innovative ways to create the perfect tortilla, how to master the perfect salsa and eclectic flavor profiles, this cookbook proves that tacos can be more versatile than you think.

3. It's All Good—This happens to be my favorite of the list. Every recipe is filled with good-for-you ingredients and is so simple to make. I absolutely love everything I've made from this book. It's perfect if you're looking for healthier alternatives to your favorites, without sacrificing flavor. (And it's Gwyneth-approved, naturally.)

4. Twenty Dinners—This cookbook is all about gathering at the table with friends and family. (Are you noticing a trend here?) I love the family-style portions, crisp photography and how every recipe is divided into seasons so you can make the most of what's fresh.

5. Mexico from the Inside Out—A sophisticated take on traditional Mexican recipes, this cookbook is fueled by the country's culture and history. It has over 65 recipes from easy to more advanced and is perfect for people who enjoy cooking and consuming Mexican cuisine. 

6. Hartwood—Another Mexican-inspired favorite, Hartwood takes recipes from the famed Tulum restaurant and brings them into your home. It's perfect for those who are gluten- and dairy-free, as the recipes don't rely heavily on those ingredients but are still full of flavor. 

7. Everything I Want to Eat: Squirl and the New California Cooking—Squirl's Jessica Koslow is another restauranteur turned author. Her famous Southern California spot is the best place to grab a healthy meal with exciting flavor combinations. She only uses real food, nothing processed, to make her vibrant creations. This cookbook is quirky, unique and bold—just like Squirl.

Shop more of my favorite cookbooks and tools:

The Best Minimalist Pet Accessories

Dogs are simple creatures. They don't need stuff. 

Yet there are so many pet products out there that with poor designs and loud colors.

I try to live as minimalist a life as is realistic. I'm not a fan of excess stuff and try to make considered choices as often as I can. Eliminating the excess means less time spent cleaning and organizing and more time on the important things, like spending time with our dog.

My philosophy is to spend on quality items that I know will last. We choose toys and accessories that feel considered and collected—I don't mind seeing a few ropes or antlers laying around because every choice was intentional. And he loves them!

When it comes to choosing items for our pet, there are a few things I try to keep in mind:

Muted colors—I'm drawn to pieces that are neutral. Whites, tans, browns and blacks are all great options because they blend in with the home. It's easier to keep the home looking clean when everything feels like it belongs. That's not to say everything has to be neutral. Teddy has a big pink ball that he adores and we wouldn't take that away from him.

Natural fabrics—Wovens, woods, bone and even denim are all great for dogs. Not only are these materials you would find in nature, but they're safer for your pet, too. Traditional pet toys are often made with synthetic dyes, silicone, and other materials that might not be so healthy for your pet. 

Embrace the idea of one—It's easy to go crazy and come home with a shopping bag full of pet toys. But how many of those pieces does your pet already have? Pets are not multitaskers—they are content playing with one thing at a time. If you bring any new toys into the home, how many can you take away? Anything tattered or torn should be disposed of.

Here are a few pet accessories that fit perfectly in the minimalist home:

Dog Bed—JAX & BONES / Honeycomb Treat Jar—Olive Green Dog / Natural Rope Collar—Found My Dog / Striped Dog Bowl—btw Ceramics / Paw Balm—Whiskey Whiskers / Peace Sign Rope—JAX & BONES

The Best Camera and Gear For Getting Started

Buying a new camera is exciting! But it can also be a little intimidating. There are so many options available and if you’re just starting out, you might not know what to look for.

A camera is not an impulse buy—you have to really understand what you’re working with. As you continue to practice, you learn a lot about your camera and the accessories that you need to make the most out of your photos.

So whether you’re just starting out or looking to update your gear, I put together this handy guide of commonly asked questions, so you can find the right camera and equipment for you.

I’m just getting started—what should I look for in a camera?

I highly recommend starting out with a beginner DSLR like the Nikon D3400. This is a fantastic camera if you’re a traveler and want to capture stunning photos of your adventures, or someone who wants to create high-resolution images for a website or blog.

This camera takes great photos. It's as simple as that. You could buy a more expensive model, but all you would get is a fancier camera. The Nikon D3400 has all of the functionality that someone who is new to photography or doesn't need advanced features could want (and for a much lower price).

It’s a super lightweight design, which is perfect for taking on-the-go. However, it still packs more megapixels than the Nikon D5, the brand's most expensive professional-grade camera. It can also record up to 20 minutes of HD video.

I love this camera because it gives a professional and polished look to my landscapes and portraits. I’m able to choose an ideal depth of field and feature my subjects more prominently than if I had used my iPhone camera. The latest versions even feature Bluetooth capabilities, so you can transfer images right to your phone.

This system puts aside all technical verbiage or need to learn complex controls and settings. If you’re just starting out with photography, the Guide Mode is a great feature of this camera. It walks you through several image options in order to get the control and effect that you want over the final image.

Whether I’m shooting on automatic or tweaking the manual settings, I can always trust this camera to take a great photo.

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Nikon D3400 / Canon EOS Rebel T5 / Sony DSC-RX10M II

Are there any must-have camera accessories you recommend?

Tripod

A tripod is a must if you’re looking to take long exposures and night photography. It’s also nice to have if you’re taking a trip and don’t have anyone else to take photos of you. Make sure you find one that's sturdy and reliable—there are some great, affordable options on Amazon.

Pro Tip: Getting a lens or a camera body with vibration reduction built-in allows you to handhold your camera at a slower shutter speed without the use of a tripod.

Memory Card

You can’t shoot without a memory card, so this is a definite must. We also like to keep a backup memory card on us, especially when traveling because you might not have access to your computer to transfer over any photos.

Backup Hard Drive

Depending on the image format that you shoot in, your files can take up a lot of space on your hard drive. The higher the image quality, the larger the file size. A backup hard drive is nice to have so that you can store your photos without taking up much room on your computer's hard drive.

Plus, it’s nice to have backup storage for your photos—memories last forever, computers don't.

Camera Bag

I use a North Face backpack as my camera bag. Traditional camera bags aren’t really my style and this backpack is a lot more functional. The exterior is weather proof, so my equipment is protected inside. I also like that there’s a strap on the front to keep it secure when I’m hiking and to evenly distribute the weight.

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The North Face Borealis Backpack / Seagate Portable Hard Drive / Amazon Basics 50" Tripod

What camera do you use for the blog?

We both use a Nikon D7100. It gives us all the functionality of a pro-style camera, but it’s a lot more affordable.

Because it’s a crop-sensor camera, there’s a wide variety of lenses (which I’ll go into later) and they tend to cost a lot less, too.

What camera lenses do I need?

For most people, the standard all-in-one zoom lens will work perfectly. This is a versatile lens that allows you to capture whatever scene you’re working with. It often comes standard on your new camera.

If you’re looking to improve your photos and upgrade your lenses, here are a few more options and when you would use them:

Wide Angle Lens

A good range is a lens that falls anywhere from 10 to 35mm. This gives you a wider angle of view and is best for landscapes and group photos. We also like to use it for some of our videos.

Prime Lens

This is a lens with a fixed focal length. It can’t be adjusted like a zoom lens, but you can shoot at larger apertures and quicker shutter speeds. The picture quality is generally better because any distortion or vignetting in your photos will be less visible. I recommend going for a 35mm or 50mm 1.8 lens— the former is best for versatile use, while the latter is best for portraiture.

Macro Lens

A macro lens allows you to get closer to your subject and gives you a 1:1 magnification. I like to use this for taking pictures of small objects like insects, flowers and even some portraiture. This lens can tend to be a bit more expensive, but it takes beautiful photos.

Telephoto Lens

This is a great lens for taking pictures from a distance or objects in motion, like nature and sports. Most kit telephoto lenses work perfectly fine when used in the daytime, however, you will need a tripod for shooting with this lens at night.

From L to R: Wide Angle, Telephoto, Macro, Prime

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Nikon NIKKOR 28mm f/1.8 Wide-Angle Lens / Nikon NIKKOR 10-24mm Zoom Lens / Nikon NIKKOR 55-200mm Vibration Reduction Zoom Lens

I have a small budget, what do you recommend?

If your budget is small, that’s ok! Regardless of your body and lens, ultimately your technique and composition are what really matters. 

The Nikon D3400 or the Canon Rebel T5 is a great place to start and the lens it comes with is a great option for transitioning to a DSLR camera.

If you’re not quite ready to invest, the cameras on the latest iPhones are really powerful and just keep improving with each new release.

An added bonus? You’ll always have your camera within reach.