Food Security Without the Bunker Mentality A gentle approach to preparedness that honors both practicality and aesthetics If you’ve ever scrolled through “emergency preparedness” content and felt overwhelmed by talk of bunkers, bulk buying, and doomsday scenarios, you’re not alone. I used to think being prepared meant choosing between a beautiful home and a…
A calm, beautiful way to build real-world readiness—one mindful step at a time. You’ve embraced the philosophy of “The Gentle Art of Soft Prepping,” understanding that preparedness can feel like lighting a candle rather than sounding an alarm. Now comes the natural next question: “This resonates with me—but where exactly do I begin?” Below…
Live beautifully. Be ready for anything. Picture this: It’s 8:30 PM. I’ve finally gotten my 4-year-old and twin 2-year-olds into bed after what felt like an Olympic event involving three to five different bedtime stories, two diaper changes, and at least four requests for water (then ice as I’m leaving the room). My husband…
Living by the Seasons: My Equinox Reset Ritual How I mark the shifting light with rhythm, rest, and beautiful intention Every equinox, my son comes home from school buzzing with excitement about their seasonal celebration—stories of balance experiments, nature crafts, and the magic of equal day and night. As I listen to his animated…
When most people think about emergency preparedness, they immediately envision stockpiles: rows of water bottles, shelves lined with canned goods, flashlights tucked into every corner. But here’s what I’ve learned through years in emergency medicine and my own journey through unexpected disruptions—your relationships are more valuable than any supply kit. This is the heart…
Why Your Emergency Preparedness Should Spark Joy, Not Anxiety When I first heard about 72-hour kits, the advice was always the same: grab a duffel bag, stuff it with survival basics, and shove it in a closet. But with a family of five, the reality quickly became apparent – packing 15 gallons of water…
Have you ever noticed how traditional emergency food storage always looks so… well, emergency-like? Stacks of identical cans. Plastic buckets labeled with permanent marker. Military-style MREs. Everything screaming “DISASTER PREP” instead of “welcome home.” I’ve always found it strange that we’re told to prepare for emergencies in ways that make our homes feel less…
The Power Went Out. Then Everything Changed. It was a planned winter power outage in Santa Barbara. My twins were just 2 months old, my toddler was 2, and I was about to learn one of the most important lessons of my parenting journey. I had received a notification some days before about a…
What Is Soft Prepping? And Why I’m Not a Doomsday Prepper Hello lovely! I’m Carri, creator of Ready Pretty Living, where beautiful design meets practical preparedness. My journey to Soft Prepping began in the emergency room. As a nurse practitioner with years of experience as an ER nurse and EMT, I’ve spent my career…