Cedar House Living -- Botanica, Books, Travel

Today I’m sharing five of my favorite independent bookshops in Seattle—places filled with thoughtful shelves, quiet corners, and that unmistakable feeling...

I'm back with PART II of this three-part series of historical fiction novels that shed light on the human experiences of World War II:

In a time when the world can feel uncertain and the headlines feel both extremely unnerving and, at times, even surreal, returning to World War II historical fiction offers a meaningful way to reflect on resilience, courage, and the importance of remembering the stories that shaped our world.

There are some places in the world that feel almost otherworldly—and Iceland is one of them. With its dramatic waterfalls, black sand beaches, steaming geothermal pools...

A little piece of Spain came home with us from Barcelona. We stumbled upon these beautiful traditional Spanish grater plates from

Raima 1986, the largest stationery shop in Europe, is the kind of place that stirs the soul—a six-story celebration of paper, artistry, and timeless beauty, where every corner feels designed to awaken creativity, and that it did! 

Il dolce far niente is an Italian phrase that translates to “the sweetness of doing nothing”. Rooted in the rhythms of life in Italy, il dolce far niente is not about laziness or idleness.

Hús Máls og Menningar in Reykjavík, often referred to by locals as the "Old Bookshop", is one of those places that I remember so fondly from our trips to Iceland—a warm, soulful gathering spot where books line the walls, music drifts through the air, and the spirit of Icelandic storytelling feels wonderfully alive.

I'm absolutely captivated by these vintage-inspired bearded irises we planted a couple of years ago. Truth be told, I'd never been particularly drawn to this flower until I discovered these stunning varieties.

I love to discover a city through its bookstores—the ones tucked-away in corners and the stories waiting on their shelves. In Barcelona, e

One of my favorite places in Dublin is Ulysses Rare Books—a cozy, long-running antiquarian bookshop in the heart of the city with a focus on rare editions of 20th-c. Irish literature.