Lifestyle & Family
Everyday moments from our Miami home
Cristy and Michael share the rhythms of daily life — from backyard gardening projects and party planning to raising their beloved chihuahuas. It's a candid look at the balance between creativity, home, and family.
Gardening & DIY Projects
As self-taught DIYers, Cristy and Michael love getting their hands dirty. Their Miami garden is a constant experiment — herbs for the kitchen, flowering plants for the table, and the occasional weekend build. They believe a home should grow with you, one project at a time.
From container gardening on a sunny patio to small woodworking fixes, the couple finds joy in making things themselves. It's not about perfection — it's about the satisfaction of nurturing something from seed to harvest.
Chihuahua Parents & Family Life
No portrait of the Paez household is complete without their chihuahuas. The dogs are woven into daily routines — morning walks, kitchen supervision during recipe testing, and cozy evenings on the couch. Cristy and Michael often share the small, funny moments that come with being devoted pet parents.
Family also means celebrating milestones together. Whether it's a birthday dinner at home or a casual weekend gathering, the couple brings the same warmth and attention to detail that defines their blog.
There is something special about gathering in the kitchen with the ones you love, especially when the goal is to create something both delicious and nourishing. From lean turkey bowls to hearty chili on a cool evening, the recipes shared here focus on fresh ingredients and simple preparation. Whether you are baking cookies with a touch of vanilla and chocolate chips, or assembling a light salad for a quick lunch, the emphasis is always on food that feels good to eat. Measuring cups and teaspoons come out, the oven warms up, and the whole family joins in. It is about enjoying the process as much as the final dish.
Living a balanced lifestyle means finding joy in the everyday moments, from morning coffee to weekend projects around the house. The garden becomes a place of quiet experiment, where herbs for cooking and flowers for the table grow side by side. There is a rhythm to tending plants, mixing soil, and watching things bloom under the warm sun. Evenings might be spent wrapping up in a cozy blanket with a bowl of something sweet, or sharing a dessert made with fresh fruit and a light touch of cream. It is about creating a home that feels both lived-in and loved.
Family life is full of small celebrations, and the best ones often happen around the dinner table. Whether it is a special Sunday lunch or a casual weeknight meal, the focus is on connection and good food. Stuffed peppers, cheesy dips, and crunchy pretzels make appearances alongside healthier options like fresh salads and lean proteins. The kitchen becomes the heart of the home, where ingredients are chopped, dough is rolled, and laughter fills the air. It is a reminder that the simplest recipes, made with care and shared with loved ones, are often the most memorable.
Party Planning
From intimate dinner parties to holiday gatherings, Cristy and Michael love setting a beautiful table. Their approach mixes homemade touches with easy, unfussy elegance — think fresh flowers from the garden and handwritten place cards.
Local Miami Activities
Living in Miami means year-round access to farmers' markets, outdoor festivals, and beachside weekends. In October 2010, the couple spent a day at a pumpkin patch before strolling the Coconut Grove Farmer's Market — a snapshot of their local rhythm.
Balanced Living
For Cristy and Michael, balance isn't about rigid schedules. It's about making space for what matters: cooking together, tending the garden, walking the dogs, and saying yes to midweek date nights when the moment calls for it.
The Daily Rhythm
Since starting their blog in 2010 — one year after their wedding — Cristy and Michael have documented the ebb and flow of married life in Miami. Some days are about testing a new chili recipe; others are about photographing a full-moon dinner by the water. The common thread is a genuine love for the life they're building together.
Their story has resonated beyond the blog: they've been featured on a local NBC affiliate, appeared on Univision's Delicioso cooking show, and contributed as the couple's section writers for Unique Me Magazine. Through it all, they remain grounded in the simple pleasures of home.