Swedish Death Cleaning With My Mother-in-Law: No, It’s Not Morbid
I’ve been doing Swedish death cleaning with my mom-in-law for the past few years. It's not morbid. In fact, it's downright fun and life-affirming.
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Stories
Mar Yvette’s personal essays, reviews, interviews, and latest articles.
My Husband and I Live With His Mom for Months at a Time: It Actually Works Well
My husband and I have spent several months each year living with his 85-year-old mom. It works better than most people might imagine.
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The “Secrets of Success” I’ve Learned From My 84-Year-Old Mother-in-Law
Here are some of the “secrets of success” that my 84-year-old mother-in-law has taught me about living life to the fullest.
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Spending Holidays Without Family: Why We Love Our New Tradition
It's not a tradition we planned on, but as fully remote workers with no kids or pets, we're loving the spontaneity of going wherever our mood takes us.
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We Bought Delta One First-Class Tickets from LA to London: So Worth It!
I'm a nervous flyer and my husband's big and tall, so on this long-haul flight, we splurged. And oh, how we loved being first class all the way.
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From CA to MI: Our Annual Cross-Country Road Trips Are Full of Surprises
Going on a yearly cross-country road trip to live with my mom-in-law has become a favorite tradition for me and my husband.
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We Planned a 30-Day Trip to San Sebastian, Spain, But Left After 10 Days
We planned a month in San Sebastian, Spain, drawn by its food scene, Basque culture, and seaside charm. Instead, we cut our trip short and packed up.
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Here’s What 7 National Park Trips With My Father-in-Law Have Taught Me About Life
These trips with my father-in-law have taken us across breathtaking landscapes, but their real impact has been on our relationship.
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My Husband and I Take Cemetery Walks and It Has Changed Our Lives
My husband and I often walk through cemeteries. Some people think it's morbid, but we don't. Here's why we love our cemetery walks.
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First Impressions: My Travel Journey From Paris to Bordeaux
I've just taken the train from Paris to Bordeaux. It’s the first time in a month that I'm not in the City of Light. Here's why I'm both elated and deflated.
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Toulouse Named Best City to Visit in 2025, But I’m Not Rushing to Go Back
During our adventures in France, my husband and I visited the "Pink City." Even though I enjoyed its rosy-colored buildings and youthful vibrancy along the Garonne River, I'm in no rush to go back.
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My Husband and I Are the Original “Love Is Blind” Couple Going Strong After 20+ Years
Is love blind? In a world that emphasizes physical appearance, it's not common for people to fall in love (and get engaged) without seeing each other. But that's exactly what my husband and I did.
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How the Death of a Loved One Changes You
Years after my Dad died, I still find it impossible to grasp the permanence of this reality. When you experience the death of a loved one, you not only lose the person, but you also lose a piece of who you were before the loss.
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My Dad Died: A Daughter’s Reflections Nearly Two Years Later
It's hard to believe my Dad died. The initial shock and emotional fog of my Dad's death have subsided, but grieving is a journey that I'm continually working my way through — and there is no finish line.
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Vegan Dining: Plant Power Fast Food Restaurant in California
You don't have to be vegan to enjoy burgers, fries, and shakes at Plant Power Fast Food. This small SoCal chain is where you can get some meat-free fast food that won't break the bank or your animal-loving conscience.
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Vegan Dining: Donna Jean in San Diego
When you're looking for a comforting homemade meal that you don't have to cook yourself, Donna Jean is just the place to go. This San Diego spot is a great choice for plant-based eats in a charming, cute indoor/outdoor space.
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Vegan Dining: Double Zero Venice (Closed)
If the thought of artisanal-style, plant-based, wood-fired pizza makes you giddy with glee, then you'll understand the excitement my husband and I felt when we headed over to Double Zero in Venice on opening night.
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The Beauty of Equity: Lancome’s #WriteHerFuture Campaign
Lancome's #WriteHerFuture campaign is proving that true beauty goes well beyond the surface. I spent an afternoon learning about the brand's new partnership to raise awareness about female illiteracy.
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Black-ish Wardrobe Stylist Stanley Hudson Gets Real About Success & Tragedy
Fashion designer and "Project Runway" star Stanley Hudson has lived a life that is as real as it gets. As he told me, making one's dreams come true can come at a serious price.
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Godfather of Street Art Ron English on His Surreal New Creations
I'm taking you behind the scenes with Ron English, the godfather of street art and a trailblazer of pop surrealism who paved the way for the likes of Banksy and Shepard Fairey.
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A Night at Lisa Vanderpump’s Tom Tom Restaurant & Bar in WeHo
Even if you don't obsess over the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," you probably still know Lisa Vanderpump. I attended her Friends & Family Night for the opening of Tom Tom in West Hollywood.
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Disrupt Aging: Why Getting Older Doesn’t Suck
Whether you’re in your teens, 20s, 30s, 40s or beyond, the reality is that we all are getting older. I think the real question is: Are we getting old? Here's why getting older is not what you think.
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I Love You, Dad: A Tribute to My Father
My Dad passed away. I knew it would come one day, just not so soon. But rather than focus on the pain and the profound void, I choose to celebrate my father and what he meant to me and all those who met him.
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The Henry in West Hollywood Opens
It looks like Robertson Boulevard is finally getting some life back! The Henry is a welcome (and welcoming) all-day addition to the famed shopping stretch. Located on the ground floor of the Robertson Building across the street from The Ivy (remember that place?), The Henry is luxe yet laidback, lush and absolutely lovely. Oh, and it's huge! Do yourself a favor and go check this place out for yourself. But first, read on for a sneak peek...
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