From Wicker Park to the suburbs
Until recently, home was Wicker Park in Chicago. Then we traded the city for the suburbs, and we're still adjusting: more space, a yard, a garage, and a whole new rhythm to our days. A lot of what we write about comes straight out of that change, from setting up a home gym to figuring out how a suburban house actually works for a family of four.
We both work full-time, and with two kids under 5, most of our day belongs to our jobs and our kids. What's left is short windows: early mornings, nap times, and the hour after bedtime. This site is about making the most of those windows without giving up the things we care about.
What we write about
- Home: Rooms that look good and survive two kids. Decor, storage, and the buys we'd make again.
- Fitness: Lifting plans and home-gym setups that fit before the house wakes up.
- Family: Routines, gear, and weekend plans that make the busy years easier.
- Golf: Practice at home, play when you can, and the equipment that's worth it.
Who we are
Patrick is a longtime lifter who trains four or five days a week, at the gym for the heavy days and in our home gym the rest of the time. He also golfs a lot, and his putting mat at home gets plenty of use between rounds. He's a die-hard Chicago Bears fan.
Stephanie also works full-time, and she shares Patrick's love of staying active and making our home feel like ours.
Together we care about our family, staying active, and a home that looks good and still works with two little kids in it. Those four things are what this site is about.
How we recommend things
Some of our links are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you buy through them. That never changes what we recommend. When we've used something ourselves, we say so. When a pick is based on research instead, we say that too. You can read more on ouraffiliate disclosure page.
Say hello
Questions, ideas for posts, or a product you think we should try? Email us athello@denandiron.com.