Home in motion: the idea that you can make a place for yourself no matter where you are–and no matter where you’re going.
As we walk through our everyday lives, there are days when it feels like we’ve taken a million steps and days when it feels like we’ve gone nowhere at all. Days when we hop on the bus and go somewhere entirely new, and days when we curl up on the couch and write ourselves into the past. Nights of red-eye travel and mornings of steaming hot coffee.
Jaybird is a collection of stories of these everydays: keep reading and you’ll find warm words of inspiration, meditations on fennel and interviews with world travelers. There will always be something delicious coming out of the oven, and when you feel like getting crafty, you’ll find doable DIY projects–no fancy gizmos or bric-a-brac needed.
When it comes down to it, Jaybird is a lifestyle blog about making your own home in motion. It’s about throwing caution to the wind (or not because planning is cool too) and embracing your boldest, bravest plan for the future. And thanks to a strong community of intelligent + supportive readers, Jaybird is a reminder that we’re all figuring it out together.
I’m Alicia, a writer, radical homemaker and nonprofit jill-of-all-trades based in Chicago, IL…with regular sojourns in northern VA and occasional jaunts around the rest of the US.
I started Jaybird in 2013 as a lifestyle blog with a focus on personal essays, positive affirmation, and yes, new recipes. When I’m not dishing up the love right here, I write the monthly Read//Eat series on Yes & Yes and contribute to The Karina Chronicles Blog.
If you’ve made it all this way, let’s stay in touch. Dive into the Love Your Body Resolution series, ask me a question about a recipe and, if you find something you like, shoot me an email.
One of my fondest memories of my Grandma J. was her love of birds. Her home was the place to find bright red hummingbird feeders, suet cakes, those 90s sweatshirts with pictures of animals (birds) on them, letters on bird-themed stationery. A jaybird, or blue jay, seemed like the perfect representation of two seemingly opposing ideas: migration and nesting. Both take you somewhere–deeper into connection with a place or person, or farther into exploration of the unknown–and the jaybird brings them together as home in motion.
Jaybird is a growing community of friends online and off, and that has made all the time and energy spent blogging so very worth it.
My goal is to keep this space friendly and open: certainly no random pop ups and none of those skeevy ads for “one trick to lose inches off your waist!” But it does cost money to host this site, and for that reason, I accept advertising and sometimes use affiliate links on the site. These links take you to sites (like Amazon) which offer me some form of compensation for the referral. It does not affect your price at all, so if you like reading Jaybird, it’s a great way to benefit us both!
Like all of us, I value my integrity and independence. I will always disclose any compensation received for writing about a product or service, and I will only endorse products or services I truly believe in. All opinions on this blog are purely my own unless otherwise stated (e.g. a guest post). Feel free to contact me with any questions. You can read the full privacy policy here.
The Journey So Far: How Jaybird Grew
When I first hit publish on Jaybird back in 2013, I had no idea where this little corner of the internet would take me. It began as a simple blog to share recipes and personal reflections, a way to document my own experiments with home and travel. Over the years, it has blossomed into a full-fledged community—a place where stories of everyday motion find a home. The blog has evolved alongside my own life: through moves, job changes, and countless loaves of bread baked in the oven. What hasn't changed is the core belief that home is something you carry with you, not a fixed address.
One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been hearing from readers who tell me that a particular essay or recipe helped them through a tough week or inspired them to try something new. That connection is why I keep writing, even on days when the words don't flow easily. Jaybird has become more than a blog; it's a shared diary of sorts, and I'm endlessly grateful for everyone who stops by.
As the site has grown, I've had the chance to collaborate with other writers and creators, to feature guest posts from voices I admire, and to build a library of content that spans everything from the meditative act of making fennel tea to the chaos of last-minute travel planning. Each piece is a snapshot of a moment, and together they form a mosaic of what it means to make a home in motion.
A Tour of Jaybird: What You'll Find Here
If you're new to Jaybird, you might be wondering where to start. The blog is organized into a few main areas, each reflecting a different facet of the home-in-motion philosophy. Whether you're here for a comforting recipe, a dose of inspiration, or a step-by-step DIY project, there's something for every kind of day.
Here's a quick guide to the corners of Jaybird you can explore:
- Recipes & Food: From weeknight dinners to slow Sunday bakes, these posts celebrate the joy of cooking as an act of self-care and connection. Expect plenty of seasonal produce, cozy soups, and the occasional fennel-forward dish (yes, fennel deserves more love).
- Personal Essays & Reflections: These are the heart of the blog—raw, honest pieces about navigating life's transitions, finding gratitude in the ordinary, and sometimes just surviving a Tuesday. They're written to remind you that you're not alone in the mess.
- DIY & Crafting: Simple projects that don't require a workshop full of tools. Think handmade gifts, small home improvements, and ways to infuse your space with personality without breaking the bank.
- Travel & Exploration: Stories from the road, whether it's a cross-country trip or a local neighborhood walk. Plus interviews with fellow travelers who share their own wisdom on living a life in motion.
Each category is a doorway into a different way of thinking about home. You might come for the recipes and stay for the essays, or vice versa. The beauty of a blog like this is that there's no wrong path—just wander wherever your curiosity leads.
Behind the Scenes: How I Create Content
One question I get often is how I actually run Jaybird while balancing a full-time job and the general chaos of life. The truth is, it's a constant juggling act. I don't have a magic formula, but I've developed a rhythm that works for me—mostly. I keep a running list of ideas in a notebook (and several apps), and I try to write in batches when inspiration strikes. Some posts come together in an hour; others simmer for weeks before they're ready.
My process usually starts with a feeling or a question that I can't shake—something like, "Why does a certain smell instantly make me feel at home?" or "Can I really make that DIY project without a trip to the hardware store?" From there, I experiment, photograph, and write until the story finds its shape. The photos are all taken by me, often in less-than-ideal lighting, because real life doesn't always happen in a studio. That imperfection is part of the charm, I hope.
I also spend a lot of time reading and responding to comments and emails. The community is a huge part of what shapes the content here. Many of my favorite posts have come from reader suggestions or questions. So if there's something you'd like to see more of, don't hesitate to reach out—this blog is as much yours as it is mine.
Join the Conversation
Jaybird is more than just a one-way street; it's a conversation. Whether you found your way here through a random Google search or a friend's recommendation, I want you to feel like you belong. The comment section on each post is open for your thoughts, stories, and even gentle disagreements. I read every single comment, and I do my best to reply when I can. You can also connect with me on social media (I'm most active on Instagram, where I share behind-the-scenes peeks and daily snippets) or by sending an email through the contact page.
If you have a story of your own that you'd like to share, I occasionally feature guest posts from readers and fellow writers. It's a beautiful thing to see the blog become a platform for voices beyond my own, and I'm always open to hearing what you'd like to contribute. Head over to the contact page and tell me what's on your mind.
Above all, thank you for being here. Whether this is your first visit or your hundredth, I'm glad you've found a little corner of the internet that feels like home—even if that home is always on the move. Let's keep figuring it out together.