With My Own Two Hands w/ XO MaCenna
by Cloud10
What do you see when you look around your house, your apartment, that room or space that has never quite lived up to its full potential? We hope you see possibility, excitement, and your dream home coming to life. XO MaCenna (MaCenna Lee) has been disassembling and reassembling everything she can get her hands on since she was a little girl. After years of trial and error, she’s built a successful YouTube channel where she takes her viewers along for the journey of the do-it-yourself lifestyle. From renovating her 111-year-old home in Texas, to figuring out the perfect design for a coffee nook, she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty. She’s not afraid to try, try, and try again. Part of the process is learning as you go. Never stopping til you see your vision in front of you. In this podcast, she’s breaking it down, step by step, story by story, of how she manages to do it all, with her own two hands. Every episode of With My Own Two Hands will be an inside look into the
Episodes
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Host Like a Pro: Guide to Unforgettable Gatherings
I’ve officially entered my hosting era so In today’s episode, i’m spilling all my tips on how to elevate your next gathering from ordinary to unforgettable. Whether it’s an Italian soirée or a festive holiday gathering, get ready to master the art of planning, prepping & decorating on theme, so…
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2025 HOME DESIGN TRENDS (love or hate?)
In today’s episode, we are exploring the predicted home trends for 2025, exploring what’s in and what’s out in the world of interior design. I’m sharing my candid opinions on everything from color palettes to furniture styles, weighing in on what I love, what I can live without, and what might…
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Balancing Work & Life As A New Mom
In today’s episode, I’m answering your most asked question - How I've been able to balance work and life as a new mom. Becoming a mom is a transformative experience, and juggling the demands of a career with the joys and challenges of having a newborn can feel overwhelming. Today I’m sharing our...
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How To Work With Contractors To Get Your Dream Home
In today’s episode, we are celebrating the completion of our kitchen and I am sharing all the things I’ve learned from our 5 month renovation. Answering your questions about how to get started with your own renovation AND how to work with contractors to get your dream home design. Watch the…
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How To Make Temporary Spaces Feel like Home
In today’s episode, I’m chatting about how to make those temporary living spaces—like dorms, apartments, or short-term houses —actually feel like home. If you’ve ever moved into a new place and felt like you dont know how to decorate or where to get started, don’t worry—I’m going to give you easy...
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10 THINGS I Wish I Knew BEFORE RENOVATING MY HOME
In today’s episode, I’m share the top 10 things I wish I knew before diving into my home renovation. Discover why costs often exceed initial quotes, how compromises in design are inevitable, and why clear communication is key—don't assume contractors understand your vision! Whether you're gearing...
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How To Select Materials & Decor For Any Room Makeover
In today’s episode, we’re talking all about how to select materials and decor elements for your home that match your style and lifestyle needs. A single material choice can completely transform how a room feels and functions so whether you're planning a major renovation or a simple refresh, I’m...
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How To Learn The Skills To Tackle Any Home Project
In today’s episode, I’m sharing my personal journey of learning new skills in order to tackle any project I set my mind to AND how you can do it too, no matter where you’re starting from. Whether it’s a remodeling project in your home or exploring a new creative hobby, I’ve earned that patience…
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Power of Planning: How to Tackle Any Home Project
In today’s episode, we are diving into project planning, from those big dreamy goals of renovating an entire home to the smaller, but equally rewarding projects like a furniture flip. I’m sharing my practical tips and tricks to kick procrastination to the curb and crush the overwhelm of a big...
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Blending Decor Styles & Navigating Renovation Disruptions (A Must-Listen for You & Your Partner)
In today’s episode, we’re exploring the art of blending decor styles with your partner and how to navigate the disruptions a renovation can have on your life and relationship. Whether you're embarking on a home makeover journey or simply seeking to harmonize your design tastes with your partner,...
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Transforming New Builds into Warm Homes
In today’s episode, we're taking a deep dive into the world of new home builds, transforming sterile spaces into inviting homes with style. Whether you're navigating how to decorate a new build yourself or simply looking for inspiration to elevate your home's style and flow. This episode is…
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Renovating The Heart of the Home…the Kitchen! (Balancing Design, Dilemmas & Deadlines)
In today’s episode, we’re talking about renovating the heart of the home - the kitchen! Kitchen renovations can be costly, but with careful planning and thoughtful design, they can also add immense value to your home and enhance daily living. Join me as we discuss budget-friendly tips, creative...
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The Best Moments from Season One: 2023 Recap
In this special episode of "With My Own Two Hands," I'm sharing the most cherished moments from our inaugural season. I've carefully selected and woven together the highlights that made season one truly special. From the behind-the-scenes lessons I learned from renovating our first home to…
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MY BIGGEST SURPRISE YET (and New Year’s goals)
Last year I set a goal to really listen to my body and trust my gut when it told me that I needed to focus more on my relationship and life and take a step back from renovating our cottage in Texas. I am very excited to report that my gut was right and I have a big surprise. In today's episode…
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Finding & Defining YOUR DECOR STYLE (how my style evolved through the years)
In this episode, we dive into the journey of discovering and defining your decor style. Discovering your style can feel overwhelming and ever-changing so whether you’re a seasoned design enthusiast or just starting to explore your own decor style, this episode will give you inspiration to guide…
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Navigating the Holidays: Christmas Decor & Family Tradition
In this festive episode, come along with me as we unwrap the ups and downs of the holiday season. We'll dive into the quest for that ideal festive vibe, balancing the excitement with the reality of creating perfect decor moments. Let's share our cherished family traditions, painting a picture of...
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I’ve been keeping a HUGE SECRET (finally talking about it)
I’ve spent the last five years working on something I’d hoped one day would come to life. All the hard work, love and detail that has gone into this project is paying off in the most beautiful, fulfilling way. I’m excited to announce my candle collection, Auden Lueur, to the world and I hope you...
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How I'm Redefining Success and Self-Worth for Myself
Today’s episode dives into the American mentality of "work, work, work" and the pervasive habit of placing one's entire sense of success and self-worth squarely on the shoulders of their job and work ethic. It also explores the cultural factors and societal pressures that contribute to this…
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Haunted Homes Stories (listeners’ spooky encounters)
Prepare to be thoroughly spooked as we dive into the realm of hair-raising tales of haunted homes in this episode. These firsthand accounts, submitted by YOU, our listeners, will send shivers down your spine as we explore the mysterious and the paranormal that have unfolded within the walls of...
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How Traveling & Change is Great for LIFE & CREATIVITY
I recently had the chance to visit France! There, I roamed the bustling Paris flea markets in search of vintage home decor and explored the Provence region in the south of France. In today’s episode, I wanted to share how taking a trip, big or small, can have an impact on your life and get your...
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MY BEST ADVICE (for first time HOME BUYERS)
After going through the process of purchasing a home myself, and now most of our friends are buying their first homes, I have put together my best advice for you guys! In today's episode, I’m sharing how to find a good realtor, what to look for when touring a home and what to do when you find the...
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Decorating For Seasons With PURPOSE (& without breaking the BANK)
The Fall season is HERE and I was so excited to decorate, so it got me thinking of ways to decorate without breaking the bank. In today’s episode I'm sharing the ways I find seasonal decor on a budget, decorating with purpose and how to make each season feel new and inspired. If you want to take...
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HOME TO NEIGHBORHOOD: How Where We Live Shapes Who We Are and How We Create
In today’s episode, we are diving into how the places we call home, our work nooks and even the neighborhoods we reside in can work their magic in our lives and creativity. Plus, diving into the questions you've sent, unpacking the similarities and differences of Texas and California and how they...
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Renovating A Home: Design For You & Increase Property Value
I’ve spent almost 3 years renovating our home so I’ve learned a few things about balancing the design and functionality that I want in a home while also making the right decisions during renovation that are going to increase the property value. In today’s episode, I’m sharing things I did “wrong”...
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How I learned to LOVE BEING ALONE (& maximize my creativity)
Most of us go through life surrounded by others, from school to working in offices, there's always people around. It wasn’t until I left my corporate job that I realized I needed to “detox” from being around people all the time. I had to adjust to a life where I spent more time ALONE. In today’s...
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How I’ve AVOIDED BURNOUT Through Home Renovations & Life
I was on the verge of burnout this past week and over the years I’ve learned the signs that my body or mind give me when it’s trying to tell me that I’m burning out and I need to slow down! In today’s episode, we are diving into how I’ve avoided burnout over the years with work, home renovations,...
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Building a Home as WOMEN IN A MALE DOMINATED INDUSTRY
If you have ever been overwhelmingly helped by men in a hardware store and looked at like you must be lost and in the wrong store … you know exactly what this episode is going to be about! If you’ve ever been dismissed by contractors because you aren’t going to know what they're talking about and...
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How I Designed My DREAM LIFE (doing what I love)
I’ve been reflecting a lot recently with my 35th birthday coming up and thinking about how I got to this place in life of pure happiness and peace. Let me tell you, it wasn’t an easy road to get here! I don’t talk about my past and jobs/careers that lead me to the life I have now, but it truly…
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BEST & WORST Decisions We’ve Made (when building homes)
After renovating our 112-year-old cottage and building a 1000 sq ft NEW addition onto it, I’ve realized I made some great decisions and other not-so-great ones while building. In today’s episode I’m sitting down with my mom, who has built over 8 homes, to chat about the BEST & WORST decisions…
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Vintage & Antique Decor (finding, buying & decorating)
I come from a long line of women that love shopping for antiques and remember traveling to flea markets as a little girl (and hating it). NOW I love shopping and searching for vintage and antique decor for my home. In today’s episode mom and I chat about what vintage and antique decor we look…
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Up-cycling Decor & Materials (to create a unique home)
I started up-cycling decor I would find at thrift shops years ago and was motivated by saving money. Shopping at thrift stores was much cheaper than buying new so I would browse the decor aisles to see what I could up-cycle to fit our home and style. Although I started up-cycling to save money, I...
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What It’s REALLY Like Renovating Our First Homes (with Drew from Lone Fox)
My long time friend Drew Michael Scott from Lone Fox and I chat about our experiences buying and renovating our first homes. Everything from things that surprised us during a home renovation to how we’ve grown as designers through the process. Follow MaCenna: @XOMaCenna To listen to the podcast…
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Budgets & Costs (Of Our Home Renovation)
When we bought the cottage in 2021 we knew it needed A LOT of work and that everyone else would have torn it down, but we saw potential and I love to save and salvage. We didn’t realize the pandemic and location of the cottage would have a huge impact on how much it cost to renovate. In today’s...
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To DIY or NOT To DIY (when renovating a home)
I’ve spent the last two years DIY renovating our home - everything from demo & floor restoration to tile & cabinetry. Today I wanted to dive into what I would DIY and would NOT DIY if I had the opportunity to renovate a home again. What was worth the sweat & tears and what I would never do again...
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The UGLY SIDE of Home Building (Our Horror Stories)
After years of renovations and working with MANY contractors, as a family, on different homes, mom and I sit down to share our HORROR STORIES and the ups & downs of working with them. We also share our tips to finding quality contractors so hopefully what happened to us doesn’t happen to you!...
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Buying A Home CASH vs. LOAN (we’ve done both)
We purchased our first home in 2021 and our second in 2023 … and the experience was completely DIFFERENT! In this episode, I’m sharing what it was like buying our first home with CASH and our second with a LOAN, in different states and at different price points. Follow MaCenna: @XOMaCenna To…
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Our EVER-CHANGING Decor Styles (AND why we don’t follow trends)
I don’t think I really figured out what my Interior design style was until I was about 25 … and moms style changes every few years! In this episode we take a look back at the MANY styles both mom and I have had throughout the years, why we think our style changes and what decor trends are going…
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Why I DIY (and love it)
You could say DIY is in my blood! With my first words being “me do it” and growing up to renovate our first home with my own two hands, I’m definitely a DIYer to my core! In today’s episode we are starting from the beginning - growing up in a creative household and heading off the college to my...
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Introducing: With My Own Two Hands w/ XO MaCenna
What do you see when you look around your house, your apartment, that room or space that has never quite lived up to its full potential? We hope you see possibility, excitement, and your dream home coming to life. XO MaCenna (MaCenna Lee) has been disassembling and reassembling everything she can...
About this show
What do you see when you look around your house, your apartment, that room or space that has never quite lived up to its full potential? We hope you see possibility, excitement, and your dream home coming to life. XO MaCenna (MaCenna Lee) has been disassembling and reassembling everything she can get her hands on since she was a little girl. After years of trial and error, she’s built a successful YouTube channel where she takes her viewers along for the journey of the do-it-yourself lifestyle.
From renovating her 111-year-old home in Texas, to figuring out the perfect design for a coffee nook, she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty. She’s not afraid to try, try, and try again. Part of the process is learning as you go. Never stopping til you see your vision in front of you.
In this podcast, she’s breaking it down, step by step, story by story, of how she manages to do it all, with her own two hands. Every episode of With My Own Two Hands will be an inside look into the
Hosted by
Cloud10