About Me

Hi, I’m Caitlan.

Welcome to my little nook of the internet.

I was born and raised in small-town rural Ontario. I spent some time living in larger towns and cities, but eventually found my way back home, where I built my career, settled down and started a family.

Simply Rural started as a creative outlet — somewhere I could share the projects I was working on, things I was making and ideas I thought might be useful to someone else. Years later, that’s still exactly what I want it to be.

Living in a small town makes you resourceful. You can’t always run out to a dozen different stores to find exactly what you’re looking for, so sometimes you make it, improvise or figure it out yourself. Other times, you find the perfect thing online and wait for it to show up on your doorstep. I’m equally happy doing both.

Around here you’ll find home projects and DIYs, things I’ve made, books I’m reading, good finds, creative gift ideas and whatever else feels worth sharing. I love figuring out where to save, when something is actually worth the splurge, and how to make a space feel like home without filling it with things just for the sake of having them.

A few things you should probably know about me: I’m almost always reading something — usually romance. I love a good project, an organized space and a before-and-after. I’m a planner, an overthinker and perpetually prepared for the “what if.” I love reality TV, online shopping, good food and a great margarita. My TBR is permanently out of control, and there is a very good chance I’m already thinking about my next house project before the current one is finished.

Simply Rural is a little glimpse into small town living — the home projects, creativity, good books, great finds and whatever I happen to be working on next.

I’m glad you’re here.