Happy Sunday everyone. We have been trying our hardest to get some very exciting design content made for you and that includes three reveals within the next two weeks! And it starts tomorrow with our photographer’s beautiful living room. Hope they bring a smile to your face. Ok, let’s get to this week’s links.
This week’s house tour is in the running for our favorite home tour of the year. Do yourself a favor and step inside SNL’s Heidi Gardner’s Kansas City dream home. It’s a midcentury modern heaven complete with a disco ball range hood. We think enough said:)
From Emily: The universe is finally answering all my “plaid coat” dreams. If you have been following closely (thank you) I’ve been wearing the same plaid wool coat for easily 8-9 years and while it’s still in OK shape (the lining is ripped) I was always in the market for an additional one, based on how often I wanted to wear it. Sure, others have tempted me and I’ve liked some enough, but I recently found two that check the box, unlike most others. This plaid coat (with the pops of cobalt) hangs really well, feels tailored around the shoulders, comes in slightly, and then just drapes. It’s very flattering and so easy to throw on, which is the point! It should easily dress up an outfit but still be comfortable. I really don’t like when they try to make a body-con shape with it or have lots of ties – I want to be able to layer underneath it without it looking shlubby!! For that coat, I’m wearing an XS (I’m not an XS) because they were out of smalls and I love the fit but it’s too small to button. I was going to exchange it, but I’ve found that the cut/fit besides that is so good and I don’t really need to button it (if it were much colder I’d wear more of a parka). But point is, I think it’s perfectly sized. Now, this other one is also SO GOOD – nice structure in the shoulders, easy to button (wearing small) then open. This one is even easier to layer over a sweatshirt or thin sweater and immediately makes a basic outfit look cool, young, and stylish. I almost consider it like a thicker, longer blazer – because they are so comfortable and are medium weight – you don’t get hot when you go inside the grocery store or on the subway.
From Caitlin: This week, Den and I scored invites to the premiere of a FABULOUS new documentary, The World According to Allee Willis. Allee was a prolific female songwriter – she penned September, Boogie Wonderland, the Friends theme song, and the entire Broadway soundtrack of The Color Purple, to name a few – but she also struggled to square her massive ambition with the limited opportunities available to her as a woman. (Prescient, huh?) I laughed out loud (the celebrity interviews are incredible – everyone from Mark Cuban to Patti Labelle!), I cried (darn you, tender Paul Feig!!!), and it was a total visual treat. (The ultra-talented director, Alexis Spraic, invited us to take a tour of Allee’s 1930s Moderne home a few days before we saw the film – more on that here – and it was EXTRAORDINARY. If the story doesn’t leave you inspired, Allee’s interiors absolutely will.) The documentary was just the pick-me-up I needed – so bright! So human! So loving! – and I have the feeling that you’ll love it, too. See it in theaters this week or stream it next weekend – it’s worth the 90 minutes, I PROMISE!
Also From Caitlin: Here’s an unsexy reminder to use your FSA/HSA funds before the end of the year! ICYMI, you can use your funds on certain Amazon purchases. We just bought this Theragun (incredible – the app makes it so easy), a seemingly neverending supply of tampons, and enough Supergoop sunscreen to stock a medium-to-large size storefront. Look for the FSA/HSA labels on the right side of each page (or just pop it into search) to find all eligible products.
Bath Mat | Super Plush Robe and Towels Bundle | Terry Slippers
Brooklinen’s extremely fun collab with KULE was such a fun surprise when we saw it! If you love a classic stripe and a playful aesthetic then this collab might be perfect for you (or someone on your list:)) Go check out all the towels, robes, mats, and accessories!
From Arlyn: I had to read The Anxious Generation for a book club I was leading at my daughter’s preschool, and I think it’s a wildly important read for all parents. Some of the participants in our book club didn’t really like the author’s voice or approach, but by the end, we all agreed it was crucial to look past any issues with the person delivering the news and digest the news for what it’s worth. The book is all about the mental health crisis our adolescents are facing, and why research shows that a shift from a play-based childhood into a phone-based childhood (heavily in part due to social media) is the culprit. It’s not all doom and gloom, as the book ends with lots of really great actionable takeaways and recommendations based on the age of your child. It’s all fairly hard to swallow and frankly, quite scary at times, but overall, I highly recommend this for anyone with young and pre-teen/teen children.
Blithe Bookends (Set of 2) | Noor Chandelier | Cascading Serving Bowl
Another incredibly exciting collaboration that was just announced is the Lolly Lolly Ceramics collab with Lulu and Georgia. Lalese Stamps, founder and owner of Lolly Lolly Ceramics, is an insane talent who mugs we’re sure you’ve seen. So to get to see more of what she can do is pretty awesome. We’re pretty obsessed with the lighting but you have to see it all.
From Mallory: I was in desperate need of some everyday placemats (which is also good timing because Thanksgiving is in fact around the corner!) so I snagged these in black when I was at Anthropologie and I am obsessed party people!! My friend who was with me when I grabbed them was apparently “very skeptical” and thought I was making a weird choice. But then once I put them on the table and styled it out a bit he said he’s never been more wrong about something lol…they look AMAZING when they’re all together because the shape is so unique and fun. Plus, they come in a ton of colors (I love the black because it’s so forgiving) and they can go from holiday to holiday. Highly recommend!
VELUX (our favorite skylight resource) is having their Autumn Glow Giveaway where you can win two solar-powered Fresh Air skylights – that’s the kind you’ve seen in our projects over the past few years – plus shades and installation. We promise they will transform wherever you choose. You have til 11/30 to apply so go now!
From Gretchen: If you’ve been looking for an affordable but expensive-looking sphere-shaped pillow, this one from World Market is a stunner! We shot Kaitlin’s living room this week (the reveal is live tomorrow and it’s one of my absolute FAVES). She bought a bunch of new pillows to style out her space and they were all so cute! A few didn’t make the cut picture-wise (too many good ones to choose from) but I walked away really wanting this little ball pillow for my own home! It’s perfectly nubby and the taupe color is a refreshing take on boucle.
From Jess: I happened to mention to my dad that I really hated my tiny freezer/lack of ice cube situation. He then went on to mention how he had this great counter ice maker for his Airstream. He loved that it was pretty quiet and the design was nice/simple. I responded with, “O that’s great, I’ll have to check it out.” Well, I didn’t even get a chance before it was at my doorstep on Monday. I am extremely lucky to have him as my dad:) I’ve now been using it for a few days and it’s great! Having ice on demand is pretty incredible lol. It’s smaller so is perfect for a single person (maybe two) who loves ice. Plus it’s under $100.
Thanks for stopping by as always and see you tomorrow for the big reveal. xx
Opening Image Credits: Design and Photos by Hilton Carter | From: Bring The Light In! Hilton Carter Totally Transformed His Attic Into Bright, Plant-Friendly, Guestroom