Long time no see, friends! No time like mid-February for my first blog post of the year, huh? After spending a little too much time putting together gift guides for the holidays, I decided it was time for a break – but we’re a month and a half into 2024 and I’m ready to flex my creative muscles again. I’ve still got lots to catch you up on (including a big bedroom refresh update and a sneak peek at our pantry makeover plans), but I thought it would be fun to start the year with a glimpse of what’s been on my mind lately.
I started following Zena from @styleitprettyhome on Instagram in December and proceeded to spend the month glued to her Instagram stories as she redid her guest room. The end result was stunning and she’s become one of my favorite follows! She’s currently building a primary suite from scratch and I’m seriously amazed and inspired at what she can do – so far she’s installed drywall, painted, built a fireplace from scratch, primed, and now she’s about to install new floors. I can’t get enough of her updates!
This year’s Super Bowl commercials were a mixed bag IMO, but there were definitely some gems. My top three were Dunkin’ (I absolutely cackled at Matt Damon saying “I’m so sorry”), BMW (we love a celebrity who can poke fun at themselves and I loved that Ashley Park made an appearance!), and Mountain Dew (I squealed when Nick Offerman showed up).
For my fellow NYT Game lovers – add Letter Boxed to your rotation! I find it easier than Wordle and Connections but it’s equally satisfying.
I’ve historically had the hardest time finding a red lipstick that doesn’t bleed and stays on all day. A couple of months ago I asked my best friend (aka my personal beauty guru) for a recommendation and she pointed me toward Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink in the shade Pioneer. Of course as usual, she was right. It’s by far the best red lipstick I’ve ever owned – it doesn’t bleed at all and stays on all day, even through meals and multiple beverages.
Speaking of red – in my last Just For Fun Friday post, I mentioned that I’ve been feeling really drawn to burgundy interiors lately. After realizing that about half of the inspiring interiors I’ve saved over the last few months are some sort of deep red, I decided to change directions with our pantry design and I’m officially going bold! I tested a few colors and I’m currently leaning toward Twinberry by Behr. More to come on this one!
My favorite podcaster, Kate Kennedy of Be There in Five, released a book last month and I think it should be required reading for every millennial woman. It’s the perfect mix of nostalgic and thoughtful and it made me so grateful for the female friendships throughout every stage of life that have given my life so much joy. I’ve truly never felt so seen by a book and I couldn’t have loved it more.
Thrilled to share that I’m officially in my Noah Kahan era and honestly, what took me so long?! For the first time since Lord of the Rings I’m ready to declare my love for someone with a man bun. I’m obsessed.
I recently started listening to Bad on Paper podcast again after a long hiatus and in the process I discovered Olivia Meunter’s Substack. It’s become one of my favorite Substacks and this post in particular resonated with me deep in my soul. I’m a big believer in romanticizing the little moments in life and loved Olivia’s take on the concept. PS, in case you’re wondering, the root of my romanticizing tendencies is also a movie – It’s Complicated. If only I could spend the rest of my life baking chocolate croissants from scratch with Steve Martin, amirite?
We installed these sconces on either side of the gallery wall in our bedroom last month and they’re absolute perfection. Love the texture of the rattan – they make the room feel so cozy!
At any given time in the day over the last few months you could probably find me consuming Taylor + Travis content. I don’t want to be dramatic but my mental health depends on them staying together forever. Simply could not love them more.
I’m still swooning over Amber Interiors’ lake house reveal. She’s one of my favorite interior designers and I’m constantly wowed by her attention to detail and talent for mixing patterns and textures.
