Homegrown Tales 2025 (on Substack)
Subscribe to this Substack column for $5 per month or $50 per year. For $80 as a founder, get full access to “Black Girl In a Doggone World™,” “Homegrown Tales,” "One Black Woman's Vote" and “Window Shopping” too.
This is a place for (new) homeowners, condominium owners, condo board members and people thinking about home repairs/upgrades.
Also, check out a few episodes from "Homegrown: An Ode to Sugarbowl Sam" podcast.
(Looking for Homegrown Tales 2019-21? Click here. 2022? Click here. 2023? Click here. 2024? Click here.)
This is a place for (new) homeowners, condominium owners, condo board members and people thinking about home repairs/upgrades.
Also, check out a few episodes from "Homegrown: An Ode to Sugarbowl Sam" podcast.
(Looking for Homegrown Tales 2019-21? Click here. 2022? Click here. 2023? Click here. 2024? Click here.)
31. Six tips to protect your glass furniture from breaks and explosions ~ Before you buy glass for your home, know what you should look for in the store
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As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a percentage from purchases with my referral links. I know some consumers are choosing to boycott Amazon for its DEI removal. However, after thinking about this thoroughly, I choose to continue promoting intriguing products from small businesses, women-owned businesses and (specifically) Black-owned businesses who still feature their items on Amazon. All five of my Substack publications now include a MINIMUM of one product sold by a Black-owned business. (I have visited the seller’s official site, not just the Amazon Black-owned logo, to verify this.) If you still choose to boycott, I 100% respect that decision.
MiMcCoy Filtered Shower Head with Handheld 5-Mode Sprayer with 24-Stage Hard Water Filter Chlorine Remove Extend to 70-Inch Long Hose & Holder Soft Water
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KitchenMuh Higher Torque Electric Jar Opener for Seniors with Arthritis, Fits Almost All Jar Sizes, Hands Free, Battery-Operated
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Compac Plink Garbage Disposal Cleaner and Deodorizer, Air Fresheners for Garbage Disposal
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30. Boring as it may be, light bulb inventory can save homeowners time and money ~ 5 tips to make sure your lighting is safe, clean, corrosion-free and lasts a long time
29. Who's financially responsible for installing a boundary fence? ~ When the neighbor's do-it-yourself fence installation didn't work out as intended
28. Can mirrors become wall decor? Absolutely ~ Top 21 mirrors that will wow houseguests and add style to your home
27. Is a white noise machine worth buying for light sleepers? ~ Getting a good night's sleep in a multi-unit building will require a few electronics and tough conversations with early birds
26. Biophilic design for beginners: Step 1, don't kill your first houseplant ~ Creating a nature-themed look that's doable for newbies with green thumbs
25. DIY pest traps may help you skip the expensive extermination bill ~ From mice to roaches to ants and bed bugs, these homemade rodent and bug traps can keep your home pest-free
24. When overnight guests become insurance risks ~ Why condo owners and condo tenants should carefully read the rental part of their bylaws and leases
23. Nailing 'Unexpected Red Theory' without your home looking too much like Christmas ~ Red Light Therapy and red light accessories have differing outcomes
22. Are closing cost credits the best resolution for buying a home 'as is'? ~ Post-home inspection, know when it's time to buy or walk away
21. Soundproof your home to block out noisy neighbors upstairs ~ Get a good night's sleep by soundproofing your condo or apartment
29. Who's financially responsible for installing a boundary fence? ~ When the neighbor's do-it-yourself fence installation didn't work out as intended
28. Can mirrors become wall decor? Absolutely ~ Top 21 mirrors that will wow houseguests and add style to your home
27. Is a white noise machine worth buying for light sleepers? ~ Getting a good night's sleep in a multi-unit building will require a few electronics and tough conversations with early birds
26. Biophilic design for beginners: Step 1, don't kill your first houseplant ~ Creating a nature-themed look that's doable for newbies with green thumbs
25. DIY pest traps may help you skip the expensive extermination bill ~ From mice to roaches to ants and bed bugs, these homemade rodent and bug traps can keep your home pest-free
24. When overnight guests become insurance risks ~ Why condo owners and condo tenants should carefully read the rental part of their bylaws and leases
23. Nailing 'Unexpected Red Theory' without your home looking too much like Christmas ~ Red Light Therapy and red light accessories have differing outcomes
22. Are closing cost credits the best resolution for buying a home 'as is'? ~ Post-home inspection, know when it's time to buy or walk away
21. Soundproof your home to block out noisy neighbors upstairs ~ Get a good night's sleep by soundproofing your condo or apartment
Advertisements ~ Amazon
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Tropical Holistic ~ Vanilla Cone, 3-Wick Scented Candle, 14oz Soy Blend Wax, Lead-Free Cotton Wicks
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20. Why a broken light switch made me prefer mood lighting ~ I'm not surprised by the lamp bathroom light trend on TikTok
19. 11 eco-friendly ways to clean popular household items ~ Getting ready to make your home a vacation rental? These cleaning hacks keep it clean for walk-throughs
18. Creating stress-free, dopamine-causing, DIY wall art ~ Try these eight ideas to upgrade your wall decor space
17. The next party location is your new bar at home ~ Learning what you can legally install in your basement and kitchen bar
16. Spring is here, and the homemade humidifier should follow ~ Humidifiers can help maintain the new look of your wooden furniture
15. Got a home library? Beware of silverfish ~ Before you pack up a moving truck or unpack your belongings, here's the reason you should investigate for pests
14. Organizing the chaos of an Everything Closet ~ When a closet makes more sense than drawers, but it needs re-organizing
13. Meghan Markle's Focaccia bread versus Nard Dog Cooks' vegan rolls: Which is better? ~ Testing whether six-ingredient rosemary bread outranks seven-ingredient, plant-based rolls
12. After eating Meghan Markle's popcorn corn on the cob, use remaining cobs for plants ~ Don't throw away corn on the cob if you have a garden
11. Top 10 condo myths debunked ~ Before buying a condominium, know your rights as a new homeowner
19. 11 eco-friendly ways to clean popular household items ~ Getting ready to make your home a vacation rental? These cleaning hacks keep it clean for walk-throughs
18. Creating stress-free, dopamine-causing, DIY wall art ~ Try these eight ideas to upgrade your wall decor space
17. The next party location is your new bar at home ~ Learning what you can legally install in your basement and kitchen bar
16. Spring is here, and the homemade humidifier should follow ~ Humidifiers can help maintain the new look of your wooden furniture
15. Got a home library? Beware of silverfish ~ Before you pack up a moving truck or unpack your belongings, here's the reason you should investigate for pests
14. Organizing the chaos of an Everything Closet ~ When a closet makes more sense than drawers, but it needs re-organizing
13. Meghan Markle's Focaccia bread versus Nard Dog Cooks' vegan rolls: Which is better? ~ Testing whether six-ingredient rosemary bread outranks seven-ingredient, plant-based rolls
12. After eating Meghan Markle's popcorn corn on the cob, use remaining cobs for plants ~ Don't throw away corn on the cob if you have a garden
11. Top 10 condo myths debunked ~ Before buying a condominium, know your rights as a new homeowner
Advertisements ~ Amazon
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Artanis Home Store Glass Bottles With Black Satin Stainless Steel Pumps and Customized Waterproof Labels, 16 oz, Amber
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10. 10 food hacks that made gross foods into delicious meals ~ Parents, here are tips that can help you get your picky kids to eat healthier
9. Are you wasting money in the air freshener aisle? ~ Creating DIY dog barriers for your homemade essential oils, humidifiers, furniture cleaning
8. 10 facts you should know about your water (before RFK Jr. ruins it) ~ From shopping for water filters to making distilled water, get familiar with your home (and travel) water supply
7. Take a minute to stop doomscrolling and create your own spa ~ Even without the big bucks, you can make your own home a vibe for under $35 (each)
6. Oprah Winfrey impressed Michael B. Jordan with reusable straws, and I copied her ~ Trump's rambling about single-use plastic straws does not help the economy or environment
5. Need interior design ideas? Look at tiny homes ~ 6 lessons I learned from watching tiny home creators
4. Maintaining hanging plants during the winter months ~ The best place to install ceiling plant hooks for a Monstera Swiss Cheese plant
3. 3 ways to keep bathroom tiles clean and rust-free ~ Even a renovated bathroom won't stop the rust from trying to invade
2. Why a legal retainer should be in condo assessment budgets ~ From owed fees to rogue members, here's why attorney fees are necessary for COAs and HOAs
1. Skip the book wallpaper, create your own home library ~ From book nook to full library, here are 10 supplies you'll need
9. Are you wasting money in the air freshener aisle? ~ Creating DIY dog barriers for your homemade essential oils, humidifiers, furniture cleaning
8. 10 facts you should know about your water (before RFK Jr. ruins it) ~ From shopping for water filters to making distilled water, get familiar with your home (and travel) water supply
7. Take a minute to stop doomscrolling and create your own spa ~ Even without the big bucks, you can make your own home a vibe for under $35 (each)
6. Oprah Winfrey impressed Michael B. Jordan with reusable straws, and I copied her ~ Trump's rambling about single-use plastic straws does not help the economy or environment
5. Need interior design ideas? Look at tiny homes ~ 6 lessons I learned from watching tiny home creators
4. Maintaining hanging plants during the winter months ~ The best place to install ceiling plant hooks for a Monstera Swiss Cheese plant
3. 3 ways to keep bathroom tiles clean and rust-free ~ Even a renovated bathroom won't stop the rust from trying to invade
2. Why a legal retainer should be in condo assessment budgets ~ From owed fees to rogue members, here's why attorney fees are necessary for COAs and HOAs
1. Skip the book wallpaper, create your own home library ~ From book nook to full library, here are 10 supplies you'll need