Weekly Roundup

Are you ready for Mother's Day? If not, I've rounded up a few gifts that are sure to delight the moms in your life!

Remember all of that art that I raved about last week? Well, with this link, you can get 20% off your Society6 order plus free shipping through May 6th! Find a design mom will like, then have it printed as a mug, pillow, framed print, tote bag, or whatever she fancies! Click here to get the promo and browse my favorite pieces. For even more art prints options, I'm sure you can find something she'd enjoy at Minted. If not, get something custom made or commissioned!

Maybe in lieu of a tangible item, she would like her gift to empower women and girls in need. International Rescue Committee has some wonderful gift options including a safe birth kit, a year of school, and small business training. These options range from $21-$192 and make a major impact.

Might mom need some new frames? I highly recommend these $95 glasses (frames and lenses!). Both my prescription eyeglasses and prescription sunglasses are from Warby Parker. I wear these every day but I'm planning on getting these to switch up the look every once in awhile.

Is mom into DIY? Perhaps you can interest her in some woodworking supplies and hardware from Rockler? A pressure washer that I love because my neighbors think I'm playing with a robot? Classes and supplies for making her own goodies at Craftsy? The miter saw we used to install picture rail molding?

For moms with a great sense of humor, illustrator Chipper Things makes adorable flow charts, and this one all about mom makes for a great card.

For the literary mom, In The Company of Women is a must have and will keep her inspired as she continues her passions.

Is she a gardening mom? I have this elevated garden wedge and love how easy it is to harvest without kneeling on the ground, and it just looks pretty.

Is mom tricky to shop for? Gift her Amazon Prime so she can buy what she wants with free (and fast!) shipping. Plus she can stream her favorite movies and TV shows.

I hope these ideas give you procrastinators some inspiration!

Weekly Roundup

Happy Friday!

Earlier this week, I played tourist in my hometown and explored the Hotel Del Coronado. The rambling 1888 Victorian beach resort is quite the looker. Since beaches aren't my thing, I enjoyed hanging out in the lobby checkin' out the woodwork.

It isn't even May yet, but Domino is listing the best design blogs of the year. Which are your favorites? Are any missing from the list?

Before we got rid of cable, I used to have HGTV or DIY network playing in the background while I cleaned the house or did projects. The voices kept me company, and I'd find inspiration during periodic glances at the screen. Without the comfort of Rehab Addict marathons, I don't have a show to keep me company that I can tune in and out of as I putter around. Until now. Grand Designs is finally on Netflix and I'm so into it. Each episode covers the build of unique houses from start to finish. This home in the middle of the countryside built from shipping containers and clad in rusty panels is a stunner.

Speaking of TV shows, are you watching The Handmaid's Tale? I remember how gripping the novel was when I read it years ago, and the TV show is just as moving. In addition to a marvelously chilling plot, the sets are beautiful. That paint color looks pretty close to Salamander, eh?

Luxury designer brand Balenciaga designed a $2,145 purse that looks nearly identical to the $0.99 IKEA bag that many of us have in our closets. IKEA's reaction is on point.

Does this mean I shouldn't pull out all the weeds?

Have a great weekend!

Weekly Roundup

This beautiful restaurant used to be a pharmacy built in 1914. What a stunner!

The only bummer about working on the One Room Challenge is it cuts into my TV viewing time. There are so many HBO shows on this top 25 list that I haven't event started. How ever will I catch up??

Did you see Orlando's new kitchen reveal? Hubba hubba.

Does anyone else get HomeGoods paralysis? Real Simple has some tips.

Our new rug for the One Room Challenge arrived last week from eCarpetGallery and I'm totally crushing. It has me considering laying rugs everywhere.

Did you see my Instagram Story over the weekend? I went looking for an open house and had a hard time finding it. Not enough signage.

Hope you have a great weekend! I'll be reupholstering a chair. Or, sourcing artwork, or touching up paint, or pulling weeds. Or, all of the above. I truly can't wait!

Weekly Roundup

Did you see the incredible kitchen transformation that Julia, Chris, Kim, Scott, and Daniel (from the respective blogs Chris Loves Julia, Yellow Brick Home, and Manhattan Nest) accomplished? Talk about dream team! These folks completely gutted and rebuilt a kitchen in three days. Yes, three DAYS. Oh, and for a mere $4,500. Click the links above to see how these insanely talented people did it.

I mentioned the other day that I'm loving the podcast S-Town - and I'm not even that far into it! NYT rounded up 9 podcast episodes that are worth discussing, and I can't wait to tune in to each one. The article fails to mention Radiolab's episode Playing God which totally moved me when I heard it last summer, and I still can't get over it. Seriously, it was so thought-provoking and emotional. I do not cry easily yet I was a mess listening to those stories. That episode will stick with me forever, just like each episode of the show Black Mirror surely will. What do you recommend I watch/listen to when I want to be an emotional wreck?

Hunting for new artwork to use in the One Room Challenge has been all-consuming. I spent some time exploring historic photos in Google's LIFE free image archive. But I took a pause when I learned that The Library of Congress recently digitized rare 19th-century photographs of black women activists. They are gorgeous and rich in remarkable history.

If you're looking for Museum artwork images that have been made available for free, click here for several resources.

Happy Friday! See you next week with more progress on the One Room Challenge!

Weekly Roundup

Who finished Big Little Lies? That show was so good. The apartment featured in the final episodes is on the market! The seashells lined up on the end of the bed isn't my fave design element, but the Monterey setting is so pretty.

Speaking of that show, Laura Dern's home was featured on Architectural Digest. Is it any surprise that the black exterior and the greenery has me all heart eyes? Did you see Laura's show Enlightened? I love/hated her character in that series. It's well worth a watch.

If you aren't interested in buying an apartment on the beach in California, how about a 10-foot-wide house in Boston? The Skinny House (aka Spite House) is for sale for $895k.

I can't wait to tune into this new show hosted by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman! They are actively casting, so apply now if you're a crafter.

This week, the One Room Challenge is on my mind. I'm participating, but I've also been sucked into exploring all of the transformations-to-be. Have you checked out the featured and guest participants in this season's challenge? There are nearly 300 bloggers participating - wowza! 

This weekend I'll be doing lots of painting for the One Room Challenge. Hope your weekend is just as thrilling!

Weekly Roundup

I've already mentioned that I love touring houses, but I also just love looking at listings online. While scanning listings just outside of the San Diego area (I have dreams of owning a cabin in the woods) I found this cute a-frame and so desperately want to buy it just so I can paint it black!

So many fresh blossoms are coming out with the new spring air. Here are a few books to get you in the floral mood if your neighborhood isn't seeing the wildflower super bloom like Southern California is experiencing.

One of my favorite shows of yesteryear is coming back! TLC's Trading Spaces had its fair share of wacky room renovations, but I adored every second of it. I tried so hard to convince my mom to let us go on the show but she was smart to steer clear of Hildi and her living room filled with sand.

I couldn't agree more with the slow decorating method. Although I get antsy when corners of the house aren't put together and want to buy all the things, I'm glad to have the space (in the house and the wallet) to pick treasures up as I find them.

I wish I loved my water heater as much as this little girl!

Cheers to the weekend! What do you have planned? I have the spring cleaning fever and want to get rid of everything I don't love (à la Marie Kondo). Next week on the blog: the bathroom!

Weekly Roundup

Domino compiled a collection of some gorgeous wallpapers for spring and I think this floral one from Sandberg Wallpaper's Brunnsnäs Collection is my favorite. 

On Wednesday, I shared the story of our floor refinishing. We hired the job out, but it's totally DIY-able. Cathy and Garrett of The Grit and Polish did it by themselves and boy, do those floors shine!

Last week, I asked you to weigh in on whether or not I should re-paint the kitchen cabinets a deep green. The votes are split, so I don't know what my plan is, yet. With color on my mind, I was taken aback by this house in a nearby neighborhood that hit the MLS this week. Wowza!

Michaels is having a killer sale on frames right now, including online. Alternatively, if you need custom framing, here's $10 off your first order at Framebridge.

I've watched every.single.one of Casey Neistat's videos, so I've developed a crush on his wife and her entrepreneurial, no-nonsense, sarcastic spirit. Resource Magazine featured her so I can't wait to get my hands on a copy. I searched all around town for the latest edition but couldn't find one, so I read the preview online. Candice and Casey are each highly driven makers - truly inspiring for this couch potato.

I'm not a big clothing shopper, but I did get some new shoes this week. I've been wearing Birkenstock clogs for ages so these are a major upgrade in the style department. And yes, those are technically men's shoes, but so what - plus, my feet are too big for lady shoes. 

We went to the movies for the first time in probably two years (I've mentioned I'm a homebody, right?) to see Get Out. It was exceptional. I can't stop thinking about it, and I can't stop listening to this Childish Gambino song that was featured in the film. Speaking of songs in movies, I'm also digging this song by Michael Kiwanuka which plays during the opening of the show Big Little Lies.

Spring has sprung so the front yard is gaining new blooms. San Diego is still getting much-needed rain which is making the fresh plantings very happy. The Arabian lilac is one of my favorite new plantings with its half-purple and half-green leaves.

Happy Friday!

Weekly Roundup

Happy St. Patrick's Day! In the spirt of the holiday, I want to paint the kitchen green. We've enjoyed the pale teal cabinets for a couple of years, but I'm itching for a more moody color like these kitchens.

Sources 1/2/3/4/5/6

What do you think? Green uppers or white uppers? Super dark green or blueish green? Should I even repaint again?

Speaking of moody, I'm swooning over this foyer designed by Casework and hand painted by Michael Paulus.

I'm thinking of scheduling future vacations around these notable museum openings around the country. If you're in Washington, please go to Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirror Rooms on my behalf.

A friend is designing a new construction house for a client and while she was out of town I went to the job site as her stand-in and to photograph the space. I may love old houses, but I think this new one is pretty spiffy too.

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I'm far from perfect at grammar, but I have a pretty strong opinion about the Oxford comma - I love it. I feel validated knowing that a lack of a comma can lose court cases. 

A few of my favorite TV shows came back recently so I'm binging on Love and anxiously awaiting more of The Americans. What else should I be watching?

As a lover of eating and making pies, I'm disappointed that I forgot about Pi Day on Wednesday! Luckily, Jeran of Oleander and Palm reminded me of her peach thyme hand pies so I can't wait to celebrate a belated Pi Day over the weekend with this recipe.

Did you see my post earlier this week on refinishing plaster walls and what I think sloths have to do with old walls? Here's another adorable sloth video - the guy in the hanging chair is my spirit animal.

Happy Friday!