I Did A Home Exchange Like ​"The Holiday​" And Here’s How It Went

home exchangehome exchange

Last Thanksgiving I decided to try my first home swap on the site HomeExchange. This is different from home rental places like Airbnb or VRBO, as there is no money exchanged. You either decide to do a reciprocal exchange, home for home, or offer guest points, which you earn along the way and they can use toward another home. There is a $150 annual fee, and you automatically score points toward a free stay when you sign up.

When Kathleen from Los Angeles reached out to me about Thanksgiving week, I instantly replied yes. She’d get my home in the country (Sonoma, CA) and I’d get her city digs, which looked beautiful from her profile, making me the Kate Winslet character in this The Holiday-style home swap.

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We chatted over the phone to a) make sure we were not insane, b) “meet” each other, and c) talk logistics, like the cleaning plan, garbage day protocol, bringing our dogs, etc. We both have 8-year-olds, which was perfect because there would be plenty of new toys to keep them entertained on our respective trips.

The Pre-Host Prep

My living room, post-cleanup

Before the trip, I started to panic: Prepping my home for stranger-guests was an added stress to my already busy life. I’m pretty sure it was the first time I ever deep-cleaned my fridge, all the bedding needed to be washed and beds made, and I had to face my daughter’s room, which looked like a toy tornado had struck. Was this all going to be worth the effort? (Spoiler: YES).

I also decided not to bring my dog, who’s prone to carsickness. Kathleen offered to watch our dog (so nice!), but I didn't want to add the extra burden of puppy watching. But that was one difference between home swapping vs. home rental — it all felt more personal, casual, and friendly.

I chatted with Kathleen one more time to talk logistics, like where she left the key and what time we were both planning to arrive. I dropped off my pup at her hotel (feeling major dog-mom guilt) and we hit the road for L.A., car fully packed.

The Arrival

Photo courtesy of Kathleen Shannon

We finally arrived at Kathleen’s Brentwood home and I literally did a Winslet-style happy dance just like in the movie.

Her arrival text: We made it to your house! It is perfect! SO cute!!!

My arrival text: We just arrived! OMG, your house is amazing!

It was basically a home exchange lovefest. What I didn’t see from her HomeExchange listing was the cool courtyard entry, the views out back, the modern architecture, long hallways and beautiful natural light flooding in. It felt like a spa - and I wanted the source for all her art, furniture and textiles, not to mention the perfectly curated coffee table books. She was also incredibly organized and labeled *everything*. I started to think back to my messy drawers and linen closet... sigh.

The Welcome Treats

Kathleen left us a bottle of wine, healthy snacks, a dog toy for our pup, a puzzle for my kiddo, and beautiful handmade soaps for my mom and me. I left them a bottle of wine, a bag of Atlas coffee, some soap, and free rein of what was left in the fridge. Clearly, she won the welcome treats game.

The Week

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We had shared our favorite restaurants and things to do in our respective 'hoods. It was so nice to return to warm weather (70s to 80s in late November!) and experience a change of scenery. We drove to the beach 15 mins away, discovered new restaurants like The Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker(their colorful lattes are so pretty!), visited the Getty Center, and I got to meet Brit + Co’s VP of Content, Ali Ives, IN PERSON for the first time after countless Zoom calls!

Ali Ives, Brit + Co's VP of Content (left) and me

And every night we got to come back to our cozy home, lounge outside with a glass of wine, play charades, and relish in the fact that we were saving a ton of money on lodging. We even had a Santa Ana storm like in the movie, firmly cementing my Winslet role.

Kathleen’s husband (who come to think of it had a Jude Law vibe in photos) fixed my fridge and they found my bike lock (cue prayer hands), we brought in each other’s packages, and shared local babysitter info. It was a match made in house-swap heaven.

The End

Jump for joy: My daughter in Marina Del Rey, Thanksgiving Day

In the end, we had probably the best Thanksgiving ever - the day was warm and the beach was empty. We made lasagna in lieu of the traditional meal to satisfy vegetarian preferences, shared what we were thankful for and announced our “word” for 2023 (mine: adventure).

We cleaned up, packed up, and decided to stop in Santa Barbara on the way home, not ready to end our holiday adventure.

When we finally arrived home, we found our linens washed, beds made, and my linen closet fully organized! Kathleen left us another dog toy, a bottle of wine, more coffee, and a note thanking us for a wonderful stay. I left fresh flowers and a charades game while my daughter left a note for their son, thanking him for letting her play with all his toys.

I’m so glad I didn’t give in to my initial anxiety that planning this trip away from home was a mistake. I immediately came home and said yes to a Barcelona swap for my birthday next summer and reached out to a few exchangers for spring break next year. It was all the perfect ending to a perfect stay.

Have you tried a home swap? Sign up for the B+C newsletter for more travel and holiday tips!

Social image: Samson Katt; Main image courtesy of Kathleen Shannon

Now that the holiday chaos is long gone and the warmer months are right around the corner, countless people are currently planning their summer vacations. Yet, before you book any airfare or travel accommodations, you may want to consult Expedia's 2025 Air Hacks Report for the cheapest day to buy flights — you may be surprised to find out what day (and what time) it actually is!

Scroll to find out the cheapest day to buy a flight!

Uliana Novitskaia

The report's findings have shown that Sunday is actually the cheapest day to book flights, with travelers saving an average of 6% on domestic flights and as much as 17% on international flights compared to Mondays or Fridays.

Why exactly Sunday offers the most affordable airfare options could be due to two factors. First, recreational travel is typically booked on Fridays; meanwhile, travel for work is more popular on Mondays. These two days represent the most expensive days of the week to book a flight.

Sunday tends to be viewed as a day reserved for catching up on rest and gearing up for the week ahead. Perhaps that's why fewer people decide to fly on Sunday, and the lower demand leads to cheaper ticket prices.

emilie faraut

However, it's important to note that the day of your actual flight departure also matters. Those flying domestically could save as much as 17% if they head out on a Saturday; meanwhile, international vacationers may save up to 15% if they leave on a Thursday.

And even though booking on a Sunday may be the most budget-friendly, departing on a Sunday is actually the most expensive.

Aside from what days to book and fly, Expedia's 2025 Air Hacks Report also debunked plenty of popular travel myths to help better inform passengers.

Sweet July

First, it's long been thought that summer is the most expensive season to travel, given the warmer weather. Contrary to popular belief, August is the cheapest month of the year to jet set. The chillier months of February and March turn out to be the most costly, possibly because people like to escape cold weather over mid-winter and spring break.

Grace Brown

Next, many people think that booking flights as far in advance as possible is the best way to save on airfare costs. This isn't always the case, with the "sweet spot" for ticket-buying differing depending on whether you plan to travel within the States or abroad.

For instance, domestic travelers can save 25% when they book their flights from one to three months in advance as opposed to people who wait until the last minute. International travelers, on the other hand, may save up to 17% if they wait to book until 18 to 29 days before their intended departure, compared to three months or more in advance.

Sydney Savage

Finally, if you hate encountering delays or cancellations, you may want to book a morning flight, as the report suggests these departures are much less likely to be canceled.

After 9:00 p.m., the risk of flight cancellation is 57% higher, with flights between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. experiencing the lowest cancellation rate. Time of year may impact cancellation chances, too, as the months of August and September have just 1.2% cancellation rates.

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It's out with the old, in with the new at Walt Disney World this year! After expanding EPCOT to include Remy's Ratatouille Adventure and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, as well as adding Tiana's Bayou Adventure to the Magic Kingdom, the next park to get a refresh is Animal Kingdom.

The last time Disney's Animal Kingdom got an exciting refresh was with the addition of Pandora, AKA the world of Avatar, in 2017. So, let's find out what's leaving — and what's coming next — at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom in 2025!

Scroll to find out which Walt Disney World attraction is closing in March 2025!

Walt Disney World

"It's Tough to Be a Bug!" will officially close "permanently" on March 17, 2025, according to Walt Disney World. The iconic attraction is leaving after nearly three decades and is set to be replaced by a new 3D show, "Zootopia: Better Zoogether!" in the winter.

Situated in the Tree of Life Theater, located in Animal Kingdom, "It's Tough to Be a Bug!" first opened on April 22, 1998. Inspired by A Bug's Life, the animated Pixar film, this attraction is a 4D experience that has received mixed reviews.

One TripAdvisor review says, "Not really worth the wait for how short the show is. A little scary, but some cute effects with the steam and water. A couple kids were crying." However, another review called the attraction "brilliant" with "totally unexpected laughs."

Parkgoers wear bug-eye glasses and watch as Flik navigates bug life in 4D. You'll sense creepy crawlies on the ground, you'll smell a stink bug, and watch as the bugs prove how tough it is to be — you guessed it — a bug!

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Jeremiah Brent has an amazing knack for making spaces feel luxe but also totally livable. His modern-vintage aesthetic creates really timeless, soulful spaces I love. One of my favorite reality shows, Queer Eye, is lucky to have him as their newest member and interior designer. I chatted with Jeremiah this week about all things design, reality TV, his life with partner Nate Berkus (plus a few lovely wedding design tips), and his pantry organization hacks.

Also, you can score a pantry makeover with Jeremiah, thanks to Almond Breeze. Find the sweepstakes details below!

Here's what Jeremiah Brent shared with us about decor, Queer Eye, and life with Nate Berkus in an exclusive interview!

Jeremiah Brent

Your aesthetic is known for being sophisticated yet warm. What’s your best piece of advice for someone looking to make their home feel more personal?

Jeremiah: Theresa, that's my life mission with design. It’s become super-prescriptive design. The most memorable rooms and homes I've ever been in had nothing to do with how much money they spent or if it was from Architectural Digest, it just looked like them.

My biggest piece of advice would be: Really think about the moments in your day that matter most to you. Are you an early morning person who needs coffee? Are you an evening person who wants to lie down and watch TV, or are you somebody who's very ceremonial?

Do you have a spot to read a book and have a glass of wine at night? If you start creating your space for your moments instead of for other people, it just changes the way you move through your own house.

Nate & Jeremiah by Design gave viewers a glimpse into your life with Nate and your family — what was it like working so closely with your partner on screen?

Jeremiah: He's my favorite person in the world. I mean, it's not easy to work with a spouse. It can really make or break you, but my husband has always believed in my talent and my perspective creatively and we have a lot of respect for each other. What it represented was us being able to show a family like ours to the world that maybe they didn't have access to, and it was really important and I'm really proud of it. It's also this beautiful timeline of the first 10 years of our lives as a family.

Netflix

Now you’re joining Queer Eye. What’s something about working on reality TV home makeovers that people might not realize?

Jeremiah: This is going to be a weird thing to say, but I don't think people realize how real Queer Eye is. I've worked on a lot of reality television, which is aging me tremendously. [laughs] Queer Eye is different. I mean, I sat there every week watching people walk into new versions of themselves. It's an interesting thing when you see somebody the way they want to be seen and then you watch them change the way they see themselves. I got to watch my dearest friends do what they do and it was just wild. You can't produce that kind of energy.

What's one of your favorite moments on the show?

Jeremiah: There was a woman named Jen'ya who is a single mother and I was raised by a single mother, and it was particularly impactful for me because it's everything you wish you could have done for your mother growing up. To be able to have that full circle moment and say, "I know exactly what you're going through" and every chance you just can't seem to get, that felt really good.

Netflix

Let’s talk weddings. What’s one design element from Say I Do that you’d love to see more couples incorporate into their own celebrations?

Jeremiah: The people that they love, which is a weird thing to say, but I think so much about weddings becomes about the conventional, like flowers and this and that. That personalized component makes it just this really beautiful, holistic, important thing. In our wedding we tried to incorporate the people that were really part of the fabric of our lives because we wouldn't have been there without them.

What are some ways that you and Nate incorporated your closest people?

Jeremiah: My mother's recipes for our desserts, certain flowers from my grandparents, certain smells. We incorporated photos in different areas. My sister sang at our wedding, which was super special. Tons of different little things, like little nods to people we love.

What’s one design trend that makes you cringe?

Jeremiah: Acrylic furniture because of fingerprints and dust. But I support people who have it, it’s just not for me.

Enter To Win A Pantry Makeover From Jeremiah!

Jeremiah Brent

  • About Sweeps:Almond Breeze is teaming up with Jeremiah Brent to highlight the brand’s shelf-stable Almondmilk varieties as pantry staples, Unsweetened Vanilla and Unsweetened Original. The brand is offering a pantry makeover with Jeremiah for one lucky winner!
  • Entry Period: The sweepstakes kicks off on 2/18/25 and ends on 2/25/25.
  • How To Enter: You can enter the sweeps by visiting: https://enterpromo.com/almondbreeze. Simply fill out your name, email, phone, home address and DOB, and you’re in the running to win!
  • Terms & Conditions: Must be 18 or older to enter. Must be U.S.-based, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.

Given this sweepstakes, what are your best organizational hacks for the pantry?

Jeremiah: I think the pantry becomes kind of a catch-all for everything. And the next thing you know, half of it's expired. It kind of becomes like a pit where things go to die. In our own house, I'm constantly editing, even if it's just changing where things are spatially in the pantry, moving them around a little bit forces you to go through things and reassess them. And lighting. Buy simple, really inexpensive LED strip lighting that you can attach to the top of your pantry inside and light. It makes a world of a difference.

Netflix

Why you decided to partner with Almond Breeze. Do you have a go-to recipe or favorite beverage?

Jeremiah: We're really aligned for a lot of different reasons. They are crafted obviously from the best Blue Diamond almonds. They're all about sustainability. The fact that it's this wholesome plant-based almondmilk. We use it in smoothies, cereals, Poppy [my daughter] just used it in her cereal this morning. You know, life is crazy and busy and I'm traveling all the time and I love that I don't have to worry in two weeks if I need to get rid of it because it’s shelf stable. It's just a matter of aligning with a company that their priorities are in the same place as mine, as a father and as a husband.

Do you like to cook?

Jeremiah: Love to cook. It's my favorite. I love the ceremony of it, preparing something and then people coming together and then watching them eat it. It's the best.

What's your go-to recipe that's not a beverage?

Jeremiah: I'll give you two. I make a weeknight bolognese, but I actually think the recipe is from Ina Garten because I'm obsessed with her. And then I do a jalapeño pomegranate glazed ham for the holidays, which sounds like a lot of flavor and very fancy, but it's really easy and it's so good.

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1923 season 2 premieres on Paramount+ February 23, and Michelle Randolph (who plays Elizabeth Dutton in the cast) is "so excited" for you to watch the new episodes — and she's been keeping up with all your fan theories!

"There are some crazy ones. I feel like the biggest fan theory thing is the family tree," she tells Brit + Co exclusively. "I've seen many different family trees and so it's like, 'OK, which one's accurate?' I actually drew my own at one point."

Here's what Michelle Randolph had to say about 1923 season 2, and the Dutton family tree, in Brit + Co's exclusive 1923 interview.

Michelle Randolph teases '1923' season 2 finally gives us answers to the Dutton family tree.

By the end of season 2, Michelle Randolph says "we might be able to fill in some blanks" in the Dutton family tree, which is a very hot topic for internet users! "I had to make my own [family tree] because all of the ones I saw on the internet were like — every single one was different. I was like 'I'm confused.'"

The Dutton family is made up of incredible cast members like Brandon Sklenar, Harrison Ford, and Helen Mirren, and Michelle reveals that the cast are just as close as their characters.

"There's a giant group chat called Giddy Up, which started during cowboy camp of season one," she says. "A cute little name, and I think I mean we all were on location in Montana and all in the same hotel, and we would get dinners after [filming], so I think even though our characters are very different and in different story lines like we all really did bond, which was really helpful to have each other throughout the chaos of of shooting a show."

The actress also says Elizabeth would connect with her 'Landman' character Ainsley.

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

And if you're a tried and true Taylor Sheridan fan, you've probably picked up on the fact that Michelle isn't just in 1923 — she also has a starring role as Ainsley Norris in Landman! But would Elizabeth and Ainsley get along if they met in an alternate universe?

"That would be a fun thing to witness. I think they would," she says. "They're very different, but the similarities between them is they're both young women who are finding their place in this world and I think that they both actually look at the world through very bright eyes and have a lot of hope, which is an interesting correlation between the two of them. I think Elizabeth has gone through so much more than Ainsley obviously, so there might be a difference there, but I think they would get along."

Check out the 8 Compelling Historical Fiction Books To Read While You Wait For 1923 Season 2 and read our interview with Julia Schlaepfer where she teases the Spencer and Alex's future.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

You could be secretly — an unintentionally — self-sabotaging in your day-to-day life in more ways than you know. From your job to your friendships, there are probably a few ways that you're counting yourself out and putting yourself last when you don't have to. And that kind of self-sabotaging behavior? It's seriously bringing you down.

Rest assured that this isn't another article meant to make you feel bad about yourself though. It's more of a friendly nudge for all of us to stop being so mean to ourselves because self-sabotaging isn't exactly rooted in self-love. It's like setting small parts of ourselves on fire...then complaining about how much it hurts. That doesn't sound fun, does it?

If you're vigorously nodding your head, let's make a vow to do things a little differently. But first, we have to face the subtle signs of self-sabotaging we just can't seem to stop doing.

Buckle up because we're exposing 10 signs you're actually self-sabotaging!

Mikhail Nilov

1. Treating Procrastination Like It's The Love Of Your Life

We see you snickering to yourself, but it's time to evaluate your relationship with procrastination. Whenever you do it, does it make you feel better about yourself or do you rush to complete whatever you were supposed to do? If you've noticed your habit is a daily part of your life, chances are other people know about it too.

One study found that "1 in 4 Americans say their friends expect them to procrastinate on takes" while "1 in 12 say even their employer expects" late tasks. It may elicit a few jokes, but we wouldn't be surprised if you told us people are starting to rely on you less because you're not starting things when you said you would.

We know it's familiar to reach for procrastination, but it's not helping you in the long run.

Polina Tankilevitch

2. Critiquing Your Appearance Like You Have A Built-In Bully In Your Ear

We couldn't decide if this should be the first self-sabotaging thing we covered, but we know it's serious enough to talk about early on. The Florida House Experience discovered almost 50% of women begin questioning their body as they age which is scary to think about. But what if you're doing that now?

It's easy; we know. Still, there's no reason to repeat negative things about yourself like you're an annoying internet bully who likes to pick fights with everyone. It's soul-crushing and puts you in a position to find new things to critique no matter how many times you swear you'll stop.

Find ways to counter whatever negative thing you're thinking. Here's a few of our tips:

  1. Instead of saying "My body doesn't look like the girls on social media," say "My body's been keeping me healthy so far and I love it for that."
  2. Instead of saying "My face is terrible because I have so much acne," say "My face is doing it's best to signal that I need to take care of something."
  3. Instead of saying, "I hate that I have to wear glasses," say "How cool is it that I get to wear something stylish that also helps me see?"

Anastasia Shuraeva

3. Treating Yourself Because "You Can't Spend It When You're Gone"

We're not financial experts whatsoever, and we honestly don't believe in restricting yourself to the point you can't ever enjoy your money. It's just you shouldn't carry recurring debt so you can have the fun you want. You could be an emotional shopper or have a huge FOMO; two things we know a lot about. Usually we'd say it doesn't matter, but your underlying why absolutely does.

The only person who can get to the root of what's causing you to spend excessively is you, though we'd also argue that a therapist and financial expert can help you even more.

cottonbro studio

4. Not Cleaning Up After Yourself Regularly

The thing about cleaning is that you don't have to love it to do it. It's more about making sure you respect and value the space you're in more than making sure your inner child is appeasing your parents. Leave them and anyone else out of the equation for once.

Wash your dirty dishes with old food stuck to them because you want to have something clean to put your new meals on. Wash, dry, and put away your clothes because not seeing a huge pile makes you less anxious. Put your shoes in a safe space so that you stop spraining your pinky toe.

See how that works?

Liza Summer

5. Being Scared To Set Boundaries Because You Don't Want To Be "Mean"

People pleasers to the front! You're still putting everyone else's needs and emotions before your own, aren't you? We see you and think you have a beautiful heart. We also think it's time for you to stop willingly allowing yourself to shrink or feel uncomfortable because you don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

A hard fact it's time to understand is that you're never going to please everyone nor should you willingly accept toxic behavior. Your best friend or sister doesn't get a pass for making passive-aggressive comments if you wouldn't let a stranger do it.

Mikhail Nilov

6. Ignoring What You've Accomplished Because You Think You Can Do Better

What are you in a rush to prove Ms. Perfectionist? That you can make your boss regret passing you over for a promotion? Maybe you think you can make your ex regret mistreating you because you've gone on to accomplish everything they said you wouldn't.

Whatever your reason for chasing the next thing is, we want you slow down and look around you. If you're able to afford your rent or mortgage, have a car to get you from point A to B, or have received work accolades, you're not failing. You are doing so much better than you give yourself credit for and it's time to recognize that.

Every time you feel like you have to chase the next big thing, you're signaling to yourself that what you have done is insignificant and it's not. The fact you get up every day to try counts so it's time to give yourself more credit!

cottonbro studio

7. Pushing Your Partner Away Because You're Afraid Of Being Hurt

Eh, we're calling ourselves out big time here. Sadly, we're guilty of being mean to our partners because we've kissed a few snakes in the past and found ourselves nursing broken hearts after getting wounded. Unfortunately, this made us carry fear from past situations into our current relationships.

If this tune sounds familiar then you're probably guilty of starting drama with your partner before they can even think about playing with your feelings. But, what if they're a genuine person who cares about you and you're just being mean? Does that seem fair? Chances are you don't even realize you're doing it which makes this one of the trickier self-sabotaging things you've been doing.

We're not here to berate you for it though because —like we said — we've been there. If you want a shot at having the healthy relationship you want, you have to put down your proverbial fists though — trust us.

Christina Morillo

8. Being Afraid To Speak Up Work Because You Think Your Ideas Are "Stupid"

Hey, Ms. "I Want A Successful Career!" You're not going to get there if you bite your tongue whenever your boss asks if anyone has fresh ideas to share. We're guilty of sitting on things too because we've been overlooked in the past, but all jobs aren't like that.

If you work with a collaborative team where people genuinely care about your input, don't be afraid to speak up. Even if all your ideas don't come to fruition, it still helps when you actively bounce ideas off your co-workers.

This is the only time you'll hear us say this, but teamwork really does make the dream work.

Vlada Karpovich

9. Turning Down Event Invites Because You're Nervous To Be Yourself

Who made you feel like you have to hide from the world when you have so much greatness inside of you? Point them out so we can have a word with them. Just kidding, sort of.

Really, we're more concerned about how many opportunities you're letting pass by because it means you'll have to actually talk to people and let them see you. It's obvious someone wants to see you if you're receiving invitations to pop-up shops, NYFW shows, and even just a friend's birthday dinner!

If you've been dreaming about rubbing shoulders with certain people in the industry you work in, put your best foot forward and show up! You've been doing the work to get to this point so don't hold back.

We promise you've got this!

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