When trying to decide what to post on new year’s eve, we thought a good ole fashion “how-to” beauty post would do the trick. Hopefully, this will come in handy tonight so that you can ring in the new year with a perfectly blown out do (if that’s the look you’re going for;)) Turns out, I’ve been blowdrying my hair all wrong—and not only does it not look as good as it could, but I’ve been damaging it. I was recently at my friend Janine Jarman’s salon (Hairroin Los Angeles), complaining about how I can never make my hair look good on my own, and convinced that I’ll never learn, when she handed me the blow dryer and a brush and said “show me how you do it.” I did and she, horrified, said “I see…yeah. That is all wrong and now I understand why your hair is so damaged.” She was actually relieved because this is a problem that we can solve. To be fair my hair is a challenge and even she admits that. I used to have great long, natural-looking blonde hair. Then I had two kids and proceeded to bleach and chop it and it’s never been the same. It’s curly (therefore frizzy and fuzzy) and broken (so I have to be gentle with it) and it’s actually only shoulder length so while I try to grow it out, I have extensions. It’s also naturally blonde, therefore fine. All of this makes it VERY hard for me to blow it out. The extensions are long and straight, my hair is short and curly. It’s awesome. So to be clear, yes, I was doing it all wrong, but my hair is absolutely a challenge. Here’s what I was doing wrong:
Here’s what it looked like “before” when I was done. I mean, I don’t think it looks that bad, honestly, but does it look like I just stepped out of a salon? Uh, no. It was still a little wavy, a little frizzy, not that shiny. Good enough for everyday life, but yeah, nowhere near what a pro could do. So yeah, the finished product, as you can see, is not great. Let’s move on to how you are SUPPOSED to do it: 1. First, towel dry as much as possible. There is no reason to damage your hair by going straight to the blow dryer with soaking wet hair. I hear that this hair towel is great and apparently reduces drying time 50%. (When Arlyn was reading through, she said she actually had that towel, and it indeed made her hair dry faster…though she said maybe by like 30% but she liked it because it was felt light and not like a big lumpy heavy towel that was always flopping around on the top of her head). 2. Next, you want to protect your hair with a product. It’s not like I haven’t tried this but I honestly didn’t know what do use for my hair, how much of it to use and at what point to put it in??? Janine gave me just a few sprays of invisible oil primer and told me to work it all throughout the hair, evenly, while it is still damp. If you have hair like mine, using something that is heat-protective is key. It will act as an SPF for your hair, and protect it from the sun and heat (and reduce frizz). I hate my hair feeling product heavy so at first, I resisted, but using this stuff really made a difference and my hair did not feel weighed down by product at all. 3. Use a gentle wet brush to brush out your hair. I was just using my other bristle brush and not being NEARLY as gentle as I should be. She recommended this one. 4. Then we added a quarter-sized amount of conditioning straightening balm and applied it evenly throughout my hair (avoiding the scalp, because it will get greasy). 5. First big thing I learned: You HAVE to start with bangs. Why? Because they are the most important part and it’s best to do them at the beginning before your arms are tired, while you still have the patience and before they get too dry and frizzy. She recommended using this brush, then pull the bangs to one side and blow-dry pointing the blow dryer down. Repeat the same motion on the other side. 6. For my hair, Janine told me to do a flat wrap where you use the forehead to help shape and bend bangs. When bangs are almost dry, use a large metal brush, which acts as a curling tool, and pull bangs forward in a circular motion for volume. 7. Before going into sections, rake through hair using hands and blow-dry (always pointing downward) to help get rid of some more moisture so you are not spending a million years drying each section. 8. Then move to the crown using a bristle brush and roll the hair under and back using SO MUCH TENSION while pointing the blow dryer downwards and towards the back of your head. HOT TIP: Tension is the key to shiny and frizz-free hair. 9. As you go along, clip sections to cool. Janine told me to clip it like there is a pretend roller in there. This allows your hair to cool down in that smooth shape. To be honest this is where I started to get REALLY ready for this to be over. It’s so much work and as Janine kept telling me “it’s not a race,” but I just wanted to be done. My arms were tired. I was tired. But I get it. If I take the time, a blowout can last 3 to 4 days so that 1/2 hour to 40 minutes it takes to do it properly is WORTH IT. 10. Once you give yourself a pep talk to keep going (you’ve got this), move to the side sections of your hair, making your way from front to back. We used the big boar bristle roller brush for smoothness, and then moved to the metal brush to add more style, curl, and movement. Angle the brush tool the direction you want your hair to go (if you want your hair down and smooth, the brush will need to be curled under your hair, as opposed to just lose like in the top right photo above). 11. Repeat for the rest of the sections of your hair. HOT TIP: the sections you work with should not be bigger than the tool you are using. To give my hair a little movement, my normal routine is to add some curl with a curling iron until it looks nice and voluminous (I did this even when I was doing everything else so. wrong.) so that’s what we did here at the end. The finished product is a lot shinier, smoother, and healthier looking. And look, NO FRIZZ. You may notice the exhaustion behind my eyes from the effort, but okay fine, it was worth it. In case you forgot what MY technique looks like next to Janine’s expert advice, here’s a side by side of the first finished job next to the new and improved blowout: I kept saying to everyone in the office “are you sure the before is bad enough?” and they all would politely just laugh and say “yeah, it’s convincing.” So, what do you guys think? Did I succeed? Have I just become a woman who knows how to blow out her hair? I think so. We just put up a video of the process, so go check it out if the photos aren’t doing it for you. A HUGE thank you to Janine for taking the time to show me the tricks of the trade. She is the best and you can check out her salon here. Happy Saturday and happy new year, folks. xx Photos by Veronica Crawford for EHD The post Turns Out I’ve Been Blow Drying My Hair All Wrong—Here’s How To Get It Right appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/3mLSHx8
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Hey everyone! Mal here, ready to bring you the top 10 most viewed pins on the internet. Well, OUR most viewed pins on the internet. These roundup posts are so fun for us because it’s like looking back through everything you’ve put your blood sweat and tears into the past year and then focusing on the POSITIVE (aka what did very WELL). Hopefully, it’s fun for you guys to see, too, and we’re so excited to walk down memory lane with you. Now let’s get goin’. 10. PORTLAND MEDIA ROOM GIFAh, the Portland Media room wet bar. What a star…I haven’t seen this gif in a MINUTE (and it was before I started working at EHD so that’s seriously saying how old it is). How exciting that something from the 2017 archives is coming in hot on this list!! The team did such a good job with this gif, I’ve watched it for hours now and it’s making me want a glass of wine. Please hold. 9. BLUE & RED IN BEDOkay, wine’s in hand and we’re ready for super fine number 9. Our very own Caitlin wrote a post on how much she loves blue and red bedrooms and gave SUCH solid inspiration photos. This one being a crowd favorite, clearly. I love that floral pillow breaking up the solid colors, but man that color palette is seriously slaying. 8. THE ‘AESTHETIC’ ROOMI cannot stop laughing at this one. You may remember the post I wrote on what Gen-Z’s design style is and clearly it must’ve had some truth because this photo from the post got repinned A BUNCH of times. The records, the butterflies, the polaroids. It’s SO ‘aesthetic’ (you’ll get what I mean if you read the post) and it did WELL. 7. OUR DENIM ROUNDUP1. Premium Cigarette Jeans | 2. Classic Straight Jeans | 3. Stella Skinny Jeans | 4. High Rise Skinny Jeans | 5.Levi’s Wedgie High Rise Jeans | 6. Maggie Mid-Rise Straight Leg Jeans | 7. Ripped Ankle Straight Leg Jeans | 8. GRLFRND Distressed Jeans | 9. Curvy High Rise Skinny Crop Jeans | 10. Vintage 505 Distressed Levi’s (size 32) | 11. Ribcage Straight Jeans | 12. Vintage 716 Levi’s (size 28) | 13. Rag & Bone Low Rise Jeans (size 23) | 14. Levi’s 501 Taper Jeans | 15. Vintage Levi’s 501 (size 32) | 16. Vintage Levi’s 501 (size 29) | 17. Rag & Bone Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans (size 23) | 18. Vintage Levi’s 501 (size 27) Ah hello, little roundup. We started repinning these roundups a while back and we’re learning that people really like seeing everything in one spot like this. Denim is HARD to find so I get it, this really breaks it up visually and lets you really see the jeans (from a lot of different places at once). This was from a few months back, so I included the links but be forewarned that some of them may be out of stock or may not exist anymore (sad day). 6. #SHOWEMYOURDIY CHALLENGE: ACCEPTEDThis is BACK with a vengeance!! This DIY by Sarah from Room For Tuesday has absolutely killed the Pinterest game for a few years now. It’s a step-by-step, idea-based graphic that seems to really get the concept across quickly and is a total scroll stopper. We updated the #ShowEmYourDIY backyard post earlier this year with some more awesome ideas, so in case you missed it, click here. 5. THE 2017 CALIFORNIA CASUAL ROUNDUP1 Wayfair Side Table | 2. Jayson Side Table | 3. West Elm Side Table | 4. Anthropologie Side Table | 5. Urban Outfitters Side Table | 6. CB2 Side Table | 7. Jayson Home Side Table | 8. Urban Outfitters Side Table | 9. West Elm Side Table | 10. Ikea Side Table | 11. Wayfair Side Table | 12. Neustadt Studio Side Table | 13. Viva Terra Side Tables | 14. Shop Horne Side Table | 15. Wayfair Side Table | 16. Wayfair Side Table | 17. Shop Horne Side Table | 18. Rejuvenation Side Table Another roundup for the win! This was from a post about getting that ‘effortless expensive’ look in your home. AKA organic, California, kind of transitional thing that is STILL very hot right now. Again, this graphic has a lot of inactive links since it was from a few months ago, but the important thing is that that side table from Jayson Home is still available (#2). 4. The Portland KitchenWow, two Portland Project photos made it wahoo! This house was so pretty, and the kitchen was a TOTAL star so I completely get it. Also how about that insanely beautiful paint color?? (It’s Sherwin-Williams Pewter Green btw) 3. THE CROWD-FAVORITE READING NOOKOkay, how meta is this…a top pin from a past post about TOP PINS??? EHD alum Sam Gluck KILLED this nook. It’s constantly one of our top-performing photos – from Pinterest to Instagram this thing has GOT IT GOING ON. I mean a giant build-in bed with a bookshelf?? It’s the ultimate. 2. THE SHOWER NICHEAh, the shower niche strikes again too! This post did shockingly well a while back, and it’s no surprise that the beautiful bathrooms to go along with it are also performing insanely well. How pretty is a clean & fresh bath with that GORGEOUS shower door? Might get a bit cold since you can’t shut it all the way, but hey we aren’t super opposed to fashion over function if it brings you joy. 1. CAITLIN’S HALLWAY MAKEOVER IDEA PINAnd in number one we have Caitlin’s hallway idea pin!!! We actually did this in partnership with Sherwin-Williams (for their 2022 color of the year, Evergreen Fog) The hallway was in need of something colorful enough to stand up to 3 busy wallpapers, but also muted enough to go with all the colors…Caitlin made this transition space so beautiful (we were all SO impressed) and the before and after was just so good. Check it out if you haven’t seen it…it’s SO FUN. So that’s all…thanks for reading and tuning in. See ya in the mornin!! Opening Image Credits: Photo by Tessa Neustadt | From: The Griffith Park Master Bedroom Reveal The post Our Most Viewed Pins On The Internet In 2021 appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/3Hmr3yx The Results Are In: Here Are The Top 25 Most Purchased Items Of 2021 (And We Were Shocked)12/29/2021 HELLO, THERE. Welcome to Oz. I’m your friend, the business wizard, here to lift the curtain a little bit. Today, we’re taking a sneak peek into a topic near and dear to my heart: our top-selling items of 2021. I track this data like it’s my job (mainly because, you know, it is actually my job) and every month, I share this intel with the editorial team to help inform our content. And let me tell you: this year, you all threw me for a loop. I think you’ll see what I mean as you scroll through the list. “I thought this was an interior design blog,” you’ll think. “Who the heck is coming here to read about living rooms and leaving with a Theragun,” you’ll proclaim. Well, friend…SAME HERE. (I’m the one who recommended the Theragun and I’m STILL surprised.) For the first time ever, my left-brained self could find no rhyme, or reason, or any type of consistency at all when it came to the millions of clicks or to the 200,000 purchases made through our EHD links. It’s not a complaint, though – you made it a fun and surprising and dynamic year and for that, I thank you. But now, I gotta know…did you bring home any of these pieces in 2021? 25. A Budget-Friendly Fall FrockI’M SORRY. Give me one magazine-style alliteration! I’ll type like a normal person after this!! Now, let me be clear right up top: this year, our fashion guru Mal baaaaasically ran the show. You LOVED her recommendations, including this plaid fall dress that I described in our Slack convo as “like Reformation, but cheap and festive.” What could be better? 24. These Wicker Platform SandalsHA. I wasn’t kidding, guys!!! Here, we have another Mallory recommendation. This one surprised me a little – they do feel a bit, uh, specific? – but I do love thinking about all of you out there, stomping around and ruling the world in your wicker picnic basket shoes. (Added bonus: they’re currently on sale!) 23. This Timeless Rattan and Brass ChestAh, this one is from me. I’m so partial to this chest from Serena & Lily that I include it in almost every holiday sale roundup I compile. It’s so versatile – you can imagine it in a California casual or in a grandmillennial room, which is a near-impossible balance to strike. (If you’re going to splurge on a storage piece, it should absolutely be one that’ll work as your style evolves and changes, you know?) 22. An On-Trend Statement LampMal isn’t just an EHD fashion icon – turn’s out that girlfriend’s also got a killer taste in home decor, too. (Wait til you see her apartment!) This lamp is graphic and bold but it gives off such a warm, cozy glow. We love when form meets function!!! 21. This Theragun BundleHOORAY. I’ll keep it brief: the Theragun is one of the few exercise-tech things out there that lives up to the hype. This bundle was a slamming deal. I hope that it’s helped a few of you as much as it helped me. 20. Some Easy-to-Store Holiday DecorA nice little case of #emfluencing here – Jess recommended these paper trees earlier this winter after being inspired by Em’s decor in years past. They’re handcrafted, compact, and will probably be on super sale this time next week if you’d be interested in adding them to your holiday 2022 plans. 19. An Affordable End TableSometimes we just love a simple, budget-friendly table in a classic shape. Need a stool? You have one. Wanna put a drink somewhere? Use this! Trying to elevate a plant off the ground? I think you get where I’m headed with this. 18. A Well-Tested Travel BackpackThis is my all-time favorite piece of luggage and I will sing its praises on the blog, year after year, for as long as I work here. It’s my Mary Poppins bag – the capacity is almost unbelievable – and it still looks like new, despite taking a beating on ~100 flights over the past 3 years. I’m writing this post from the sofa at my mom’s house (hi, Brenda) and naturally, this is the bag upstairs in my room. A MILLION STARS. 17. The Chore Coat Em Owns and LovesEm debuted this chore coat in her fall uniform basics post. She wrote, “This chore coat is excellent – stiff cut (which is what you want), but soft and easy to layer. I have a couple vintage versions of these which I love but they are wider (likely because they were mens) and this is just a very slimming cut (if you are into that).” 16. And The More Affordable OptionBut I had to laugh, because it turns out that we’re all a bunch of bargain hunters here. Ryann sourced this Madewell chore coat for the aforementioned fall uniform post and, well, y’all loved it a lot. My question (if any purchasers are here): did you fall for the olive color or were you swayed by the price? 15. The Sweetest Mini LampOne of my favorite memories from this year was watching Jess get SO JAZZED about this 3″ tall lamp. If you think we ever tire of talking home decor, think again – Bungo discovered this piece and then FaceTimed me to gush about its aesthetics, which is SUCH A TREAT. I’ve since been to her house (because we are all obsessed with each other, on AND offline) and can confirm that it looks awesome – I can’t wait for you to see it in her space! The lamp’s sold out at Nordstrom right now, but you can grab it here, too. 14. Em’s Favorite Rash GuardOh hey, my fellow sun-fearing friends! As someone who is still battling an embarrassing tan line on my hands from MAY (yes, that May, the one that was SEVEN MONTHS AGO), I’m thrilled to learn that I’m not the only one out there who needs a little extra layer before stepping outside. (It helps that this one is so cute.) 13. Elastic-Waist Shorts That Actually Look ProfessionalDid anyone else here go through a HUGE Soffee shorts phase from ~2003-2006? (For those unfamiliar, Soffees were brightly colored shorts with an elastic waist and you’d roll them up til your bits were basically visible. This, to us, was the height of ~fashion~.) These Madewell shorts, recommended by yours truly – a former Soffee addict-turned-mortified adult – are the grown-up version of that. They’re a comfortable length, they feel great on, they look put together, and they don’t ride up in the middle. Arlyn actually recommended them to me in 2019 and I’ve been trying to spread the word ever since. Bookmark now and return when the spring arrives – they’re under $30 bucks and worth every penny. 12. An Ultra-Glam Dining TableIn case you were looking for a reason to check the Link Up every Sunday, this is it. This now-discontinued dining table, which had traditionally retailed for like, $2,000, was selling for PEANUTS. I don’t remember the exact number, but it was 75-80% off. As a lover of all things brass and lucite (wait til you see my apartment in 2022!), I was (and am) SO EXCITED that we were able to help you guys take advantage of such a great closeout deal. 11. The Ultimate White Popover ShirtLOL. Hello from my third recommendation in a row to make the list!!! I feel like I should be giving an acceptance speech at the Oscars, TBH. If I was forced to wear one shirt for the rest of my life, this Madewell popover would be it. Hands down. No question. It’s clean, it can go casual or professional, and it looks great tucked in whatever style of tuck is currently on-trend. 10. A Chic Sweater JumpsuitAnnnnd we’re back to the big boss’ recommendations. All is well! Em introduced me – and maybe you? – to Alex Mill this year and it’s quickly become one of my favorite destinations for classic, elevated basics. Case in point: this jumpsuit, which is essentially the equivalent of chic pajamas. Comfy AND stylish. INCREDIBLE. 9. A Well-Tested Running JacketEm said it best, so I’m going to quote her here: “Three years. THREE YEARS of wearing the same running/hiking/biking jacket year-round. The other day Caitlin pitched a post called ‘What Clothes Make Me Feel Really Good Right Now’ and while I didn’t verbalize it on the call I was internally thinking ‘uh, my running jacket?’ You’ve seen me wear it FOR YEARS and the reason it’s more superior to others is A. it’s warm (puffy vest) but still really flattering (fitted but not tight arms), B. it has zippered pockets, and C. since it’s only puffy on the front I can layer it under all my coats without adding armpit bulk (you know what I mean). I have a couple of other summer jackets but to wear the same piece of clothing for three years, 3-4 times a week, and have it still be in great condition is pretty remarkable. So while I’ve linked it up a lot over the years, I wanted to give it more love right now. And yes it’s expensive for a running jacket, but if you are into sustainable purchases then know that this one lasts and gets true use.” 8. A Scandi-Inspired Target OttomanThis ottoman is SO good and elevated for the price (just under $100). Mal threw this on our radar when she grabbed it for her studio apartment and let me tell you…IT’S CUTER IN PERSON. The lines, the quality of the upholstered seat, the tiny leather accents – the whole thing is so luxe and considered. This piece would look right at home in an upscale spot like Nickey Kehoe or Lawson-Fenning, don’t you think? 7. Caitlin’s Favorite OverallsI LOVE OVERALLS. I have the long version of these for fall and this version for summer. I can best describe these as like, comfy Spanx, in that I feel really supported and held in but still really flexible and agile when I’m wearing them. This is another one to bookmark – they’ll come back in stock this spring and I love them very, very much. 6. Some Badass Lug Sole BootsMal gal knows her footwear (you guys should see her when we have team meetings – she has SUCH great style) so it’s really no surprise to see her how much y’all loved her boot recommendation. Lug soles were very cool this year and this modern take on a Chelsea boot was fun and on-trend without being overwhelming. (They’re on sale now, too, if you’re still in the market for some winter footwear!) 5. A Flirty, Modest Winter DressLast year, Mal’s winter dress recommendation took home the top honor as our #1 bestselling item of 2020. This year, her updated pick made top 5. HOW DOES SHE DO IT??? This green dress is flirty and sweet (with a ton of room to account for any holiday bloat – you know, in case you’re like me, a person who lives solely to eat everything on the holiday table) without feeling like it’s too much. You can dress it up, dress it down, and it’s super wearable for most of the year – I’m glad so many of you brought it home! 4. Em’s Travel ClogsFASCINATING. This was actually the first time ever where something that we linked in stories made it onto this list. (From a business perspective, an overwhelming majority of sales come from the static links on the blog vs. social – I know that’s different from a lot of other influencers, but it’s what makes our IG feed special, I think!) ANYWAY. Em shared a photo of herself wearing these with the PDX airport carpet in the background and we were off to the races. SO MANY CLICKS. So many sales! Did you grab a pair? 3. A Polo Cardigan SweaterThe final fashion recommendation from our sweet Mal gal: this charming, 90s-inspired polo-style cardigan. Very Cher from Clueless, no??? It makes my heart happy to see such a great keep-forever basic topping the fashion list – you all have some fun, special taste. 2. The Sauna BlanketHot diggity dog. (Literally, though.) After a year of use, Em took to the blog to review one of her personal favorite relaxation tools – this heated sleeping bag, AKA the infrared sauna blanket. Not going to lie – I was floored after seeing this in the top 2, mainly because it’s a little bit of a splurge. If you grabbed one, I’d love to hear about your experiences!!! Do you feel awesome when you’re all finished? 1. Em’s Go-To SwimsuitUNPRECEDENTED. Back in May, Em grabbed a handful of swimsuits, took a bunch of mirror selfies, and published a full review for all our benefit. I expected that this post would, you know, help folks find a swimsuit they feel good about wearing. I did not expect that this swimsuit, in particular, would become our #1 seller of the year by a landslide; nor did I anticipate the frenzy of other swimsuit purchases which would lead to May 1st becoming our third biggest sales day of 2021 (Cyber Monday and Black Friday were #1 and #2, respectively). And with that, we have wrapped my final post of 2021. WHAT A YEAR, RIGHT? Thank you for your time, your commentary, and your clicks. I know I say it in almost every post, but I still can’t believe that this is a job that an actual person gets to do…and truly, it’s all because of you. THANK YOU. (I typed that in my “PBS viewers like you” voice, but I’m not sure it came across.) To that end, I must know: what the heck do you think is going on here??? LET’S TALK ABOUT IT. xx Opening Photo Credits: Design by Jess Bunge | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Makeover Takeover: Jess’ Long Awaited (Small Space) Living Room Reveal The post The Results Are In: Here Are The Top 25 Most Purchased Items Of 2021 (And We Were Shocked) appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/3evqLcj I’m likely biased but this is my favorite roundup of the year. And as someone with an increasingly shrinking attention span, I LOVE getting to see what you all are into, like really into, and will spend a lot of time taking in. Like Emily said last week, traffic is obviously important to us because we want people to be interested in at least the topic we are chatting about. But what is the most important to us is how long you stay on a post. We feel it’s fair to say that the longer you stay in a post the more you like it or are interested in it and THAT’S really what we want – Meaningful and/or fun posts for you to fully enjoy every inch of it. So we thought counting down the Top 10 Longest Read posts would be really fun and to see if they are what you thought they’d be. Let’s see what we’ve got… 10. My Infrared Sauna Blanket Review – One Year Later. Is It Actually A Weight Management And Mood Boosting Tool Or A Really, Really Hot Sleeping Bag?How could you not want to read every word of this post?? It’s both wild and completely intriguing and did I say wild? Plus how can you now just love that Em really shows you the real…sweat. I know I want to see a real-life review of a product I’m considering and because of Em’s description, these sauna blankets are pretty darn compelling. Did any of you buy one?? 9. Just A Couple Of EHD Gals Back At The Rose Bowl (A Real Flea Market Diary With Some Very Helpful Tips)This one makes me so happy because it was a joy to shop, I mean write:) Actually, both parts were awesome and Caitlin did most of the writing (and the woman is compelling). I think most of y’all are flea market lovers like all of us and after a year of not getting to go to one, you were ready to read about our fun and extremely fruitful day (#friendshipfurniture). Plus Caitlin is a true flea market pro so her tips are SUPER valuable. This was a real good ole fashion diary-style post and I am so glad you all really dove into it. More next year??? 8. Ask The Audience: How Do You Design A House For Rainy Weather?While the post itself isn’t long there are 486 comments! That’s is 486 pieces of golden info and recommendations. Especially when it comes to a problem that everyone is trying to solve…like designing in a rainy climate… we all want the things that work. So like the others who have come before you, head to the comments if you are also in need of rain advice! 7. We Bought A (Mini) Farm!!!! Introducing Our New/Old Oregon HomeIs anyone surprised?! The only thing that is surprising to me about this is that it was announced this year. Wow, time has flown by. But in all seriousness, this was such an exciting one to get to post and it’s not even my house! We had a feeling you all might feel the same way;) I know you are all excited about more farmhouse content and I promise you are going to get it in 2022. 6. Emily’s Bon Voyage But Not Before A LOT Of Vintage Shopping – Wanna See What Caught Our Eyes… And Wallets??This was another EXTREMELY fun and slightly bittersweet day/two days of vintage shopping in Long Beach before Em bid us adieu. We again are SO HAPPY that you are very much our people and will read the heck out of a post like this. Who wouldn’t love looking at 4 EHD gals’ vintage finds?! Emily was the real vintage winner of this trip though. You gotta see what she got (and what she wishes we would have shown her:)) 5. What Do You Wish Someone Had Told You Before Renovating Or Designing Your Home???This post was a genius Emily idea. We know that you all have so many great tips, tricks, and ideas when it comes to design and renovation. So it only made sense to ask for your advice before Emily was too knee-deep in renovations to backtrack if she wanted to change something. And let me be clear, the reason this post was so engaging was because of you all! Again there are 468 comments FILLED with amazing, useful information. We even took your awesome advice and made them into two posts! One for kitchens and one for bathrooms if don’t want to have to read them all to find what you are looking for. 4. A Tale Of A Girl In Search Of The Perfect 48″ Induction Range And The 6 Different Options I’m Considering (Along With A Rant, Of Course)We clearly need more of this kind of content on the internet! You all were so on board with learning about the ways Emily is trying to be sustainable in the farmhouse and relieved that it was laid out in a digestible way. The problem actually isn’t that the info isn’t out there, it’s that it’s SO OVERWHELMING and hard to understand. So Emily took you through her whole thought process about induction ranges but don’t worry there’s more to come. 3. Emily Bowser’s BEAUTIFUL Hardworking, Multipurpose Room Reveal (+ Get Ready For Her DIYS)Emily E. Bowser knows how to take you on a wild journey and then show you a stunning room. This post was all that and more. If you haven’t had a chance to read it you must! It’s personal, hilarious, mind-boggling and of course beautiful. If you can’t wait for her next post, neither can we. 2. You Guys Hated 5 Things About The Farmhouse First Floor Floor Plan – We Changed Some Of ThemThis was another really cool post that was all thanks to you (and also probably why you so carefully read it:)) Emily (and Brian in this case) truly take your suggestions to heart. So when a bunch of you had some really great floorplan suggestions/really didn’t like what they were planning, it was back to the drawing board. Luckily ARCIFORM was down to switch it up. Go check out what they changed! 1. A Huge LA House Hunt Update: Caitlin’s Entered The “Making Offers Sight Unseen & Over Asking” PhaseAnother no-brainer because Caitlin Higgins is a storytelling magician. Her posts take you for a ride you DO NOT want to get off of and this one was a FUN ONE. I think anyone attempting to buy a house in the past year and a half could highly relate to this post. It’s got drama, comedy, tears, educational housing info, etc etc. While I’m happy for Caitlin’s sanity in choosing to pause the house hunt, I am sad to not have more of these posts! But who knows what 2022 will bring;) Ok, that’s the list! Do you agree with how gripping these were? Is there another post that you are shocked isn’t on here? Let’s talk. Love you, mean it. Opening Image Credits: Design and Styled by Emily Bowser | Photo by Sara Ligorria–Tramp | Emily Bowser’s BEAUTIFUL Hardworking, Multipurpose Room Reveal (+ Get Ready For Her DIYS) The post The Top 10 Posts You Couldn’t Turn Your Eyeballs From appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/3z8ajIG There few things we love more than a room reveal. If we could reveal one every day of the year rest assured we absolutely would, but what we love most about the reveals is the effort and thoughtfulness that goes into them. So if you ask us, they are well worth the wait. This year our internal EHD team revealed 6 rooms and with a small team of 4 (excluding Emily) who’s main duties are running this blog, social media, and partnerships, that’s pretty impressive. We also have an incredible team of contributors to thank for sharing their homes, designs, and thoughts with us and you. And without you, our lovely readers, we wouldn’t have a space to share these designs so THANK YOU! We appreciate you more than you know. Now, before I get too sappy and emotional, we have a lot of fun reveals to reminisce on so let’s get into it: Ajai’s Neutral Living Room Refresh + How Her Design Choices Parallel Her Journey Becoming A Black Interior DesignerAjai kicked us off this year with her neutral living room makeover. If you follow Ajai (and you should!) then you know her designs are often calming, organic, and whimsical and yet she always nails practicality as well. It’s also an amazing read so I very much insist heading over and reading about this design and her journey being a Black interior designer. How To Create A Home Gym (Or Nook) You Will Actually Enjoy UsingNext up we have Orlando’s bright and playful home gym. I always love Orlando’s use of paint to create architectural interest and as you can see he does it again here and it’s SO fun. I love everything about this design from the colors to the art to the awesome DIY bulb pendant. This is definitely a gym I’d work out in and he also wrote a beautiful and thoughtful post about body image that is so worth the read! Emily Bowser’s BEAUTIFUL Hardworking, Multipurpose Room Reveal (+ Get Ready For Her DIYS)This reveal has everything. Dark moody walls! DIYs galore! A Peloton! Cats! Storage! I can’t get enough of it. Emily Bowser is a star as we all know and she killed this room reveal (you definitely want to see the hilarious before). How Does E-Design Even Work?? Velinda Shows Off Three Client Reveals She Never Saw In-PersonThis is technically 3 reveals in one but it is also a lesson in E-Design. As the title suggests, the VHD team designed these 3 client homes without ever seeing them in person! In case you don’t know, EHD alum Velinda Hellen started her own design company in January of 2020. And we all know how 2020 went… SO she and her team had to adapt fast to stay-at-home orders and ended up doing all E-design for these clients. They are so impressive and it’s no secret we have mad love for the entire Velinda Hellen Design team :). Lea’s Living Room Reveal: Her Pet And Family-Friendly Open Concept Design Agony SOLVEDLea’s living room reveal is one I go back to again and again for inspiration. Even though her living room and mine are vastly different, I take a lot of styling notes from Lea. I relate to her designs a lot because we both have big dogs that we need to design for because they are our children ;). This room is functional, pet-friendly, and beautiful (obviously). A Total DIY Laundry Room Transformation (AKA Peak Adulting)Albie’s laundry room makeover is peak adulting. This is one of those projects where the before and after side by sides are sooo satisfying. This reveal is also full of fun easy DIYs that you must check out if you missed it. How Ajai Added A Lot Of Character To Her (*Cough* Her Husband’s) Builder Grade BathroomI have major envy over this apartment-friendly bathroom refresh. Adding charm and character to a builder-grade bathroom is not easy but Ajai nailed this one. I love her use of a Persian rug instead of a bath mat and she manages to bring in a ton of texture and intrigue with art and decor. Need Some At-Home Easter Brunch Inspo?? Our Never Before Seen Easter Shoot From Last Year Has You CoveredWe actually shot this easter brunch story in December of 2019 to be published on the blog in March 2020. But we all know what happened in March of 2020 and the content just felt wrong. Fast forward to 2021 and we realized we had this beautifully styled shoot that we never showed you guys so we finally posted it in hopes it would give you (and us) some Easter inspiration. Sara’s Kitchen – An Updated Sneak Peek (It’s Functional, But Still Not “Finished”…)Sara’s luxe modern traditional kitchen update has me swooning to this day. I love the green cabinets that are very reminiscent of the Portland kitchen, the marble backsplash, her oven, and all the brass finishes are *chef’s kiss*. I can’t wait to see her “final” reveal although this iteration is pretty dang perfect in my eyes. Blue Walls Be GONE! Key’s Totally Transformed Office Reveal – Maybe The Most Dramatic Before & After Ever (?)Okay folks, Key REALLY transformed this space and it was her first EHD mentee makeover! (the one she applied to the program with). If you missed it or need a refresher, I suggest heading over now to see the stunning before and afters that she executed in just two months. She made a dark and uninspiring room feel fresh, bright, and multifunctional. I could easily spend all my time in here! The Relaunch Of Target’s Pillowfort Collection Is SO GOOD (And No, It’s Not Just For Kids)Target’s Pillowfort collection knocks it out of the park once again (and so does Emily’s art direction and Emily Bowser’s styling). This reveal is full of tons of great kids room ideas and obviously, the rooms are adorable but what really impressed us was the furniture that isn’t just for kids. The rattan side table and ball floor lamp for example are so good and could be cute in any modern boho room. Bringing The Movie Theater Home With Your Family In Mind (It’s A REVEAL Y’all!)Again, Albie reminds me what peak adulting looks like. Who wouldn’t want their own media room for family movie and game nights? I love the design risk she chose by going super bold with the black walls which makes the metallic sofa really stand out. It’s like being in space and I loveee it. Malcolm’s Bedroom Reveal Is Here… How He Found Healing Through Design + The Incredible DIYs That Transformed The SpaceThis is easily one of my favorite reveals of the year. That gorgeous headboard is a DIY and truly everything in this room is executed beautifully by Malcolm. If you click over to the reveal, you’ll see how intricate every detail is which goes to show how Malcolm designs with so much intention and grace. After Three Years We Can Actually Use Our Upper Deck (Because We Finally Have The Right Outdoor Furniture…And Fabric)Can you believe this is another mountain house reveal? Just like everything in the mountain house, the design is beautiful and functional thanks to the Sunbrella fabric and Blu Dot furniture. Orlando’s Primary Bedroom Reveal!! (And His Super Simple Paint Trick That Will Add “Architecture” To Any Space)We love this version of Orlando’s primary bedroom but if you follow his blog or Instagram you know that it looks a little different than this now. Like I said before, Orlando is the king of paint hacks and here he showed us how to use paint to add “architecture” to space. Genius! Rashida’s Totally Transformed Kitchen Reveal (That Includes One Of Our Favorite “New Classic” Kitchen Trends)Oh how I love this kitchen reveal. This is actually Rashida’s debut room reveal on the blog! There is so much to love here but to get the full effect you must go to the post to see the mind-blowing before and afters. They are SO satisfying. Reveal Alert: How Albie Designed The Hygge Inspired Luxe Kitchen Of Her Dreams (+ What She Learned Along The Way)Albie’s hygge inspired kitchen renovation does not miss. She created a space that is full of warmth, function, and of course a ton of style. Plus she writes honestly about what she learned so it really is a 10/10 post. How To Throw An Elevated Garden Party with PRESS Premium Seltzer + Sustainable Outdoor Party Styling TipsI have this post bookmarked for any future outdoor parties I may be throwing. It’s full of practical and sustainable outdoor styling tips + the best charcuterie board inspo (we call them Boards by Bowser and we all think she should start her own charcuterie board styling company). Londo Lodge Guest Bedroom: Creating a Space That Is Wild Without Going Overboard… + The 3 Decor Elements That Can Make A Space POP!Another Orlando bedroom reveal! Again, paint makes a huge impact here but what I am really interested in is that amazing Japanese screen that he used as the room’s focal point. The mixture of color, texture, and style here is really impressive and so exciting. Jess’ Long And Skinny Balcony Reveal!! + The DIY IKEA Floor Tile Hack That Was WELL WORTH The Blood, Sweat, And 2-6 TearsJess kicked off the MOTO’s with her balcony reveal and it is SO damn dreamy. Her flooring DIY is so simple yet impactful and the bistro set adds just the right amount of vintage charm. I would gladly sip prosecco here any day of the week. Malcolm’s Bathroom Reveal – The Power Of Pivoting, Intentional Design, And A DIY That Will Have You Digging Into Your WallsMalcolm does it again. He always manages to create thoughtful, inspiring designs and include DIYs that will blow your socks off. Can you guess what the DIY in here is??! It’s that subtle but super impactful wall nook! I know, I would have never thought to do that either but it is so cool. New Reveal: ALL The Details Of The Primary Suite At The Real Simple HomeThis was a fun reveal because it was the first-ever Emily Henderson and Keyanna Bowen collab! Emily took the lead on the overall look and feel (much inspired by the farmhouse) and then Key took over on accessorizing and styling. How good is that wallpaper?? See How Ajai TRANSFORMED Her Client’s Builder Grade Guest Room -Get Ready For A Ton Of Cozy Design Ideas & Working-Mom Real TalkI am so into this guest room designed by Ajai for one of her clients. The wallpaper is stunning, the paneling adds so much charm, and that bedframe is perfection. Everything here is 10/10. Fall 2021 Is All About Comfort, Ease, Affordability, And Gathering Again In Target’s New Big LaunchThis fall Target collection may be my favorite one ever. Everything from the coffee table to the bookcase to the lighting is exceptional but probably my favorite detail here is the headboard that Bowser DIY’d by covering it with a tufted quilt. Genius! The Only Outdoor Halloween Entertaining Idea Post You May Ever Need: Emily “BOOswer” Does It AgainEmily Bowser blew us away once again with her incredible outdoor Halloween styling tips. This is a Halloween gathering that will give anyone FOMO. Caitlin’s First MOTO Reveal – A Vintage Bathroom Gets A Modern UpdateAH Caitlin’s first MOTO! She is the queen of choosing the perfect wallpaper for any space as you can see. She really transformed her dated vintage bathroom into something magical. It has also been decided that we all need a bath giraffe. Caitlin’s Long, Dark Hallway Makeover (And The Perfect Paint Color That Worked With All 3 Of Her Bold Wallpapers)Only Caitlin could manage to reveal two rooms in a row while also overseeing all of our partnerships. She is a gem as is this long hallway that she designed! The wall color may be my favorite thing but the gallery wall is a close second. You should definitely check this one out if you missed it. Another Feel Good Flash Makeover Has Wrapped – Here’s How Lowe Transformed This Empty 2 Bedroom Apartment Into A Cozy, Kid-Friendly OasisFeel good flash makeovers are back! We definitely hope to do more of these in 2022 with our lovely friends over at Pen + Napkin. Our team was able to assist with this one and it was so fun to see Lowe do her thing and make this empty apartment a home for a beautiful family. The 3 Best Ways To SAVE $$$ On Your Kitchen Reno (+ Our EHD Alumns’ First Reveal As a New Boutique Team)This kitchen had me at hello. The Velinda Hellen Design team (with so many EHD alums which is so fun) nailed this kitchen and did so with budget in mind. I could pour over every detail of this reveal for hours. It’s too good. Caitlin’s Hard-To-Design Balcony Gets A Palm Beach Regency Refresh (+ Her #1 Balcony Must-Have Rec)Another Caitlin reveal! I told you this woman is a rockstar. We love how she mixed styles and textures and just had fun with this balcony reveal. The curtain hack is hands down my favorite detail and is such a smart way to hide ugly railings. Target’s Holiday Assortment Is Here To Make All Our Gatherings Look And Feel Extra Special This YearI am not gonna lie, this reveal really got me into the holiday spirit and that is a lot coming from me. The team did an insane job showcasing target’s holiday assortment. I could stare at these photos all day long! Ryann’s MOTO Reveal: A Moody Multi-Functional Living And Dining Room With A Lot Of SoulHEY, THAT’S MY HOME. This design really does feel like a reflection of my soul and it’s still so surreal that I got to share it here with you all. These photos still make my heart soar! The Reveal You Didn’t Know You Were Waiting For – EHD Alum Photographer, Tessa, Shows Us Her FINALLY Updated Kitchen (Including A Classic New Trend)I loved this surprise reveal. In case you don’t know, Tessa is another EHD alum (she was the photographer before Sara) and we feature her work on the blog all the time. This kitchen is one of those reveals that just looks and feels effortless and cool even though you know a lot of work was put into it. The before and afters are nuts! Lea’s Seasonal Dining Room Decorating Ideas That You Won’t Have To Swap Out Once The Holidays Are OverLea’s seasonal tablescape ideas left me breathless. She really nailed how to decorate for the holiday season so that you don’t feel like you need to redecorate as soon as the holidays are over. I am definitely stealing a lot of these ideas for next year! Julie’s First Lead Design With VHD – A Primary Bath Reveal + Tips On How To Easily Blend Classic & Contemporary StylesAnother EHD alum, miss Julie Rose, graced us with this gorgeous bathroom makeover. There is so much to love here but I am really attracted to the tile and cabinet finish combination. There is something about it that feels vintage but in a very fresh modern way. I am head over heels for this bathroom. The Feel-Good Modern Romantic Bedroom Makeover Jess Did For Her Dear Friend (All Thanks To The Company Store)We ended our year of reveals with this utterly romantic bedroom by our very own Jess Bunge. She designed it for one of her dear friends who lost a loved one this year so it is both a beautiful design and a heartwarming story. None of us can get over that wallpaper and all of the vintage accents are truly stunning. Well, there you have it! That is every single room we revealed this year. I don’t know about you, but that just made me so excited to see what’s to come in 2022. Cheers! xx The post Every 2021 Room Reveal: Including 5 Kitchen Renos, 10 Bedrooms, And So Much More appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/32CzW86 Welcome to the final link up of 2021. This time between Christmas and the new year often feels like a time warp (what day is it again??) so we hope you find some peace and relaxation before the new year. In the meantime, please enjoy this week’s links from team EHD: Today’s home tour via Architectural Digest is a Park City, UT winter oasis that we would personally love to hole up in until the new year. The ski-lodge meets western Americana vibes are immaculate but the real star is clearly the all wood kitchen that is made out of reclaimed white and red oak. We are smitten. From Emily: The Non-cheesy Christmas Rom-Com that you likely missed but can watch over break, that Brian and I BOTH enjoyed. So here’s what happened – “Last Christmas” came out only in theaters in December 2019 and they didn’t release it streaming til AFTER Christmas in 2020 (which was weird). And while I LOVE starting Christmas early, I don’t like watching holiday movies in March – so we kinda forgot about it. So Brian brought it up a couple of nights ago, that we had missed it (we both really like Emilia Clark and I have a solid crush on Henry Golding) and while it wasn’t ‘Love Actually’ quality it was leagues above The Christmas Switch 3, if you know what I mean. From Ryann: I loved this little article via Cup of Jo that posed the question “How would you describe yourself in 5 words?“. After reading all the comments it made me feel strangely seen and then I asked my fiancé to tell me his 5 words and it’s a really fun little exercise. I think it would be really interesting to do it once a month and then see how the 5 words change over the year. Right now my 5 words are earnest, hopeful, grieving, self-aware, anxious. What are yours?? From Jess: These might be the coolest shoes I own and they are so comfortable! When I saw my friend wearing them I immediately needed to know where from and how long ago she got them (crossing my fingers they were still available). Luckily they were and I’m pretty freaking into them. The photo on the site does not do them justice. The neon orange strip is my favorite part but basically, they just make me feel real stylish. O and they are true to size (at least for me at a 7) From Mallory: I accidentally found the best sweater deal on the internet and added it to cart so fast…this $120 waffle knit is now $47 (add it to cart and you’ll get the 50% off). I’m SUPER into this color green right now, but they also have it in a cream and black if you’re more into neutrals. The reviews say it’s ‘extremely soft and good quality’ so I’m excited to see it and wear it!! From Caitlin: Coming in hot with a story of hope – in 2016, a guy from Massachusetts bought a piece of art at a yard sale for 30 bucks. 5 years later, a bunch of art experts realized that it was a previously unknown original drawing by the Renaissance master Dürer (from 1503, can you believe???) and that it’s actually worth a paltry FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS. The whole story of how it was found and how the piece was verified is a fun, escapist read. (Let this be a lesson to us all that we should ALWAYS attend the estate sales of prestigious architects.) That’s all from us. Have a happy happy new year and please stay safe. See you for the next link up in 2022! xx Opener Image Credit: Design by Cristof Eigelberger | Photo by Douglas Friedman | via The Killers Frontman Brandon Flowers’ Home Is a Desertscape Retreat in the Snowy Slopes of Park City, Utah The post The Link Up: A Christmas Rom-Com That Emily AND Brian Enjoyed, Jess’ Super Cool Sneakers & A Sweater That’s 50% Off appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/3sAcaVs The EHD team is off for a long holiday break (with fun pre-planned content next week) and I just wanted to pop in real quick to say thank you for another year of support – especially those of you who come daily, and even more to you long time readers. THANK YOU. This next year we’ll be in growth mode over here – with a lot of exciting things happening. Running a digital media business remains to be endlessly challenging – in both the good and bad ways. Turns out “simplifying my life” is harder than it sounds if you want to continue challenging yourself and innovating. And while I remain off the hamster wheel, I’m not ready to retire anytime soon. So I’ve been thinking a LOT about how to move the business forward, on the other side of lockdown, with my team in another state, and without falling into the same self-made traps that I have in the past. I’m so grateful for my team who is always here navigating it with me. And if it goes forward like it is in my head, 2022 is a year of really purposeful, educational, and inspirational content from myself, my team, and all of our awesome contributors (and hoping for more). I wrote a super long-winded self-indulgent post that I might publish on Jan 1 for those of you interested Let’s just say I found a new inspiration, a muse, an “expander”, that I’m channeling for the blog. But more on that later… Isn’t mid-life so fun? Where you just think about large life stuff, purpose, how to find and create meaning ALL THE TIME? I actually do enjoy it and the changes we’ve made have brought more intention and purpose to our day-to-day, but at times I wish I could just go through the motions of life and blogging without so much self-reflection and analysis. That shouldn’t scare you that we won’t have more hair posts in 2022 because I already have a “how to make my curly hair look ‘cool'” post with a tutorial planned, alongside the most common electrical mistakes to avoid. Like most of you, I’m excited to unplug a bit, play Yahtzee with my kids, try out a new breakfast casserole for Christmas morning, and plow through the holiday movies and some novels. I’m soaking up every single second of being in this house as I’ve missed it so much (especially the bathtub – we don’t have one in our rental house and I had NO idea the level of “bath person” I was). So thank you all again SO MUCH. I can’t wait to start another exciting year with you all. Until then enjoy the rest of this crazy year, maybe take a bath if possible, and stay safe. xx Opening Photo Credit: Photo by Suraya Barbee The post Happy Holidays From Our Family To Yours + THANK YOU appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/3qpScd0 Our hope is that every post we publish will be loved by you, but 12 years into this crazy world of digital content creation, we still get shocked by what the Google Gods decide to “pickup” and give an extra boost of traffic to, or not. Here’s how it works – we get daily traffic from you lovely readers and then of course Instagram followers who come over for a particular post. And it all stays relatively consistent unless the Google crawlers, that comb through and analyze that day’s post, ping the Google gods to say “this one – make everyone on the internet see this one right now”. This isn’t something we actively chase but we certainly hope for a Google pickup and we do try to customize every post’s SEO to be “Google-friendly” in addition to being inspirational, educational, and personal. When we get a Google pickup (which we can watch in our second by second analytics) we all slack each other with a “Congrats ________ you got a Google pick up!!” and it’s VERY fun. Before I tell you the hits and “flops”, high traffic isn’t always the goal for us. It’s this mix of traffic AND engagement that we strive for. For instance, I know that my personal posts won’t get a lot of Google hits (unless I put “dead cats” or ‘”vasectomy” in the title – true story). “Engagement” is actually more important to us because it means that you really read it, were invested in it, and that keeps us caring more. It means all of us are more connected – which like most relationships is far more meaningful. But Google traffic can introduce new people to the blog thus growing the daily readership to have even more meaningful connections. I sound like a marketing strategist right now doing some weird PR speech but you get it – we don’t just want anonymous randos every day that will never come back because that feels soulless to us as human ladies who care so much about this site. But we also want new people to find value here, stay a while and yes, come back. So while some of these are “surprise hits” it doesn’t mean that we necessarily value them higher just because they got a lot of Google traffic (although we very much appreciate it). THE SURPRISE HITSOh and real quick – these weren’t the most popular posts of the year in traffic or engagement, just the ones that we stood out shockingly high traffic due to Google pickups. They were the ones really didn’t predict. What Do You Do With That Awkward Space Above Your Kitchen Cabinets?Why did this crash our site that day? Well, it’s simple solutions to a problem that PLAGUES so many of us. Good job, Mal for asking the question and giving some pretty solid solutions for this annoying and awkward problem area. How To Make Your Living Room Look Better (The 7 Dos and Don’ts)This was inspired by me, Googling “how to be a better mom” after a bout of frustration with myself (and the kids). I forget what article I read, but it wasn’t anything NEW. I “intellectually KNOW” what it means to be a good parent, but reading another article by a parenting expert, simplifying what I already knew, was somehow still super helpful and comforting. So I wondered what is our version of that – and thus spawned the series that has been a pretty big hit (don’t steal the idea, it will be obvious you got it here). I think we all just love the simplicity – it makes us feel safe, comforted. Reminds us we aren’t alone in our problems and wants, and empowers us that we can do this. The One “Entire House” Paint Trick That Stole Our Hearts (+ A Bunch Other Ideas To Feast Your Eyes On)Oh, I get it – I knew what it was and even I want to click on that title again because I love a “paint trick” that someone with a lot of experience will recommend. Jess and Ryann great job on this one. Two Simple (But VERY PRETTY) Bathroom DIYs That Lea Johnson Executed In One WeekendWe love Lea – her posts are always awesome, but again – this one surpassed normal expectations. I think it was the words “bathroom” “DIY” and “weekend”. Jess is great at entering in what are called “slugs” to try to stand out when Google crawls over our posts. So great job Lea, Ryann, and Jess on that one. Is Cord Swagging Back?? And Are They Part Of The Sculpture (+ It Can Actually Be A Really Affordable Trend)I pitched this idea with little fanfare from my team, but they helped me publish it regardless (likely because I’m their boss), so imagine my excitement when the numbers were off the charts! I think it hit because of the word “trend” (yes, it works) and “affordable”. I gloated a tiny bit, but don’t worry – some of my other “slam dunks” below were total air balls. Thus the addiction… The Posts We Thought Would Be Off The Charts, But Were Just NormalI’m not going to pretend that we don’t get disappointed when we really put a lot of time/effort or thought into a post and it just does normal traffic (again, not bad traffic, but just didn’t meet our excitement and expectation). We do. But we are also used to it – and when you publish 365 posts a year you just move on VERY QUICKLY. Plus you get to learn something. Kid Mask Review – Our Kid’s Three Favorites (And 20 That We Crowdsourced From Real Parents That Fit Well And Their Kids Actually Wear)In retrospect, this post didn’t take off as I predicted because I think most parents already had a ton of masks for their kids when we published. Well, that and I think we posted it after a lot of kids were already back in school (late August). My family was so isolated for so long that we honestly didn’t think about kids masks until a couple of weeks before school in September. I wasn’t reading the general temperature well – most of y’all already had your kid’s masks and didn’t care about the post (or maybe it was boring). Farmhouse Update: How To Design A Kitchen With A Load Bearing Post And Beam In The Middle + 4 Unique OptionsI still have NO idea why this didn’t do better. I know it seems kinda specific but I also know that so many people want to open up the kitchen in their old house to make it bigger, but they have a load-bearing post right in the middle. This could have been due to timing, bad SEO words, or maybe I needed to simplify the title – “how to open up a kitchen without removing a post”. It didn’t take a ton of time as I had already pinned the solutions when we thought we couldn’t move our post so that’s ok. In Search Of The Best Rugs For Kids And Pets That Are Still Actually Cozy – And The 4 Rugs We Keep Coming Back To (Guess What They Have In Common???)Again, I thought that this would totally hit and don’t get me wrong – it was normal traffic, but with “kids” “pet” and “rugs” and “cozy” I just thought it would do really well. I have NO IDEA why it didn’t. I would read that post over and over. The Shorts We Bought That Made Us Feel Really Good (And The Ones We Would Skip) – AKA A Very Honest Review PostThis post did fine, but we were expecting a lot of people to be excited about a shorts review since it did SO WELL a couple of years before. I think that fashion reviews might be hard because so much of the fit is based on your body type, not necessarily the piece itself. But most of my team loved the same pair of shorts which is pretty darn compelling. I also think when we style out an outfit it helps give it more context? So You Want To Put An Arch In Your House? Read This FirstAnother one of my pitches that I thought FOR SURE would be HUGE and it was just normal. I mean, arches are on year 4 of being incredibly popular in homes, social media, etc. Maybe if I had put “DIY arch” or “Design Mistake – The Insta-famous Arch Can’t Go in Every Style of House” that might have helped. Hate Your Popcorn Ceilings? Albie Is Giving Us A Popcorn Ceiling Removal 101 (Plus A GREAT DIY Option)I was so excited to read this post when Albie pitched it and we said yes immediately. It got normal traffic (and longer engagement – so those who came stayed for a while) but popcorn ceilings are such a menace that I thought Google would pick it up for sure. Another fun year of trying to predict the internet. It’s like we are seasoned gamblers at this point – we are better at poker than most, but we are frequently reminded that it’s still a crapshoot. I am super proud of my team for enthusiastically playing this game by reinventing posts, taking risks, and really using our IT experience behind the scenes to get Google crawlers to pick it up. So much of it is about timing, too. For instance, the first time we posted “how to choose the right rug size for your living room” was March 14th, 2020 – the week everyone was glued to the news, not reading design blogs or red dawning it out of their offices. I remember obtusely being like “what? this is such a good post?”, not totally understanding what was about to happen two days later (lockdown, pandemic, nothing rug-related AT ALL). So 3 months later when everyone was redecorating we reposted it, realizing that none of you really saw it in the first place and boom it hit then and continues to be a big traffic driver. So there are lots of factors and again it doesn’t dictate the posts, but it’s something we think about in hopes that Google will help the post do even better. Curious about the #1 post of the year in engagement? We’ll have that coming up for you next week – along with what you pinned the most (so interesting), what you bought the most (always fascinating), and a roundup of all of our makeovers from 2021 (it was a slightly slower year than most, but still so much!!). Thanks to my wonderful team for another great year of navigating the unpredictable waters of the internet and thanks to you all for coming back and giving us a semblance of consistency and hope that many people actually care about our posts, regardless of “Google pickups”. xx Opening Image Credits: Design by Reath Design | Architecture by Bestor Architecture | Photo by Laure Joliet The post Our Biggest 2021 Surprise Blog Post “HITS” And “MISSES” appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/3H6Oqfv I needed help and you seriously delivered. I’m book-marking this page forever. I shopped exclusively from Trader Joe’s in my 20’s (in New York) then in my 30’s in LA until we moved back to Los Feliz and I couldn’t handle the 15 minutes it took to wait for parking not to mention the line to check out. But now that I’m back in Portland, where running mom errands is a JOY, I literally didn’t know what to bring to a pre-omicron appetizer/crafting get-together a couple of weeks ago. So we put it out there on social media and y’all seriously hooked us up. What we loved so much was how consistent you were – there are CLEAR favorites and not only that but so many of you recommended a combination of two apps that we would have never done (see below). So whether you are hoping for some easy cozy snacks while playing games or serving others this year, here are some appetizer recommendations from Trader Joe’s (unsponsored obviously). 1. Spanakopita: So many of you recommended this. Everyone swears it’s a party hit and is great to have in a pinch. 1. Fried Stuffed Olives: I can’t wait to try these. They are breaded fried olives with cream cheese so I can imagine they would be gone very quickly at any gathering. 1. Buffalo Chicken Dip: This buffalo chicken dip is another clear winner. Y’all suggest pairing with bread or crackers and I imagine there are some great recipes you can use this in too. 1. Baked Brie: This baked brie en croûte looks delicious. It looks and tastes fancy and everyone loves bread and cheese, right? 1. Cooked Lentils + Crumbled Feta + Bruschetta Sauce: We were all blown away by how many of your recommended this combination. You guys suggest putting the mixture on a crostini, crackers, or just serving as a salad. I can’t wait to try. 1. Roll Goat Cheese in Everything But The Bagel Seasoning and Serve with Crackers: I knew Everything But The Bagel Seasoning was popular and now I am so excited to try it with goat cheese the next time we do a charcuterie board. Big thanks to everyone who sent us their recs and please if you have more drop them in the comments. xx Opening Image Credit: Design and Styled by Jess Bunge | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: How To Have Great Holiday Cocktail Party In A Tiny Apartment (All the Hacks You Need to Know) The post We Asked And You Delivered – Here Are The Best Trader Joe’s Appetizers, Dips, and Food Hacks appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/3qc506O We didn’t wrap presents growing up – and looking back I’m glad for it. My parents would hate me saying this publicly but they would often tape the Fred Meyers shopping bag shut and write a name on it with a sharpie. With six kids to shop/wrap for, I can’t imagine how laborious and expensive it might have been. They were wise. Sure that Christmas morning reveal wasn’t “Pinterest worthy” (are we still saying that?), but it made more sense for their lives, sanity, and wallet. I don’t want to totally decimate the wrapping paper industry right now or make ANYONE feel bad for their wrapping paper love, fetish, or addiction. But it’s increasingly not making sense to me either – both for sustainability reasons and cost. It’s very single use, often dramatically ripped open and thrown away, rarely recyclable, and for what? Minutes of viewing pleasure under the tree by children before their little monster hands can destroy it? And don’t get me started on the cost of non-bulk ribbon – sometimes there is only enough ribbon on a roll for one present – ONE and it’s like $7. NO. No. No. So here is what I’m doing this year. Hack #1 – Newspaper As Wrapping PaperWe get the Sunday Times and while a lot of the news headlines or photos aren’t something you want on your kid’s presents, there are a lot of pages that can be used and I think it looks cool. So we’ve been collecting it all fall, and hoarding it to take down to the mountain house. Not only is it recyclable but it does add some nice texture and pattern underneath the tree. It costs nothing (if you are already getting it). Hack #2 – Bulk Brown Craft PaperIf you aren’t hoarding newspaper, then bulk craft paper is highly recyclable and super affordable. You’ve seen it for years in shoots for Martha Stewart, with pretty sprigs and bakers twine. Will the kids freak out about it? Nope. But they are more concerned with what’s inside, plus they’ll get used to it. IF you want something fancier, these are pretty cute, too. Elliot LOVES to help me wrap and I know that she won’t be as excited about the neutral, so I found green recyclable bulk paper. But also if you are bored and feeling crafty, plain craft paper is perfect for decorating (just don’t put anything on it that prevents it from being recyclable). Need some inspiration? Here you go: On the far right is VERY cute handmade wrapping paper using potato stamps via a site called Coffee & Vanilla. I know my kids would love using food to create something really cool. Then in the middle, Molly from Almost Makes Perfect made some super cute options with different-sized paint brushes which I’m sure a lot of us have just laying around the house. Lastly, on the far right, Rachel from DIY in PDX decided that using ready-made stamps was the way to go which you can obviously use for many years. All awesome and pretty doable. DIY queen, Brittni Mehlhoff of Paper and Stitch, went the paint route but instead of carving a potato or buying stamps, she just found items around her house to make really fun patterns. These next two ideas are slightly more involved but could be really fun with kids or if you are a crafter. That bear idea via Chic Pursuit is pretty darn sweet and I know Birdie would have so much fun making it. Then look how awesome that recyclable star straw is from A Splash of Something. So many great ideas with a quick search. Hack #3 – Bulk Recyclable and Reusable Gift BagsWant to save even more time and never buy wrapping paper again? Go for reusable gift bags and for extra credit make sure that they are recyclable. Nothing new here to report, but I just want to remind myself and others that it’s ok to not individually wrap presents and to just throw them in a bag. Heck, you could use the newspaper as the tissue paper. I bought these bags because they are cute, simple, and most importantly recyclable if they get a little too messed up to use for another year. But these paper bags are also super cute and I love these little drawstring guys because they can be used as produce bags, or used to store shoes, purses, whatever you want. AND they come in multiple sizes! Left: Santa Sack | Right: Santa Sack Jess found these and I thought they were a sweet idea. It’s a customizable “Santa Sack” that you can just reuse every year like a stocking (I don’t know why we didn’t do this but now that the kids are 6 and 8 – close to the age of truth, it might be too late. Pretty cute. Hack #4 -Bulk Quality Ribbon, Bakers Twine, And StringLeft to Right: Red Grosgrain Ribbon | Striped Red Ribbon | Satin Red Ribbon I LOVE this ribbon. I’m a ribbon hoarder from my Martha Stewart days. I have boxes of beautiful ribbons and after Christmas, I salvage what I can and keep them for the next year. I usually buy bulk ribbon (double-sided satin or grosgrain) at the flower market but you can get them online so easily these days. Quality ribbon like this becomes slightly more of an investment because the cheaper stuff doesn’t save well, plus buying this in bulk is still way more affordable than buying a small roll in a store. I collect white, red, black, plaids, and stripes in grosgrain or double-sided satin in a variety of widths then snatch them and throw them back into your ribbon box once undone. Just make sure you get at least 25 yards so it can amply wrap multiple presents. Bakers twine is an affordable sweet option (add a candy cane or a sprig of evergreen/eucalyptus) and heck, even yarn can look really cute. Again, no judgment if you guys have a whole wrapping station room stocked and ready to go – don’t throw anything out, but if you/we want to reduce our pre and post-consumer waste this feels like a pretty easy way to do it while saving time, money, making our life easier and still looking like you care. Our kids might notice it at first, but a quick conversation about mother earth should solve that, plus obviously they are more focused on the likely non-sustainable “stuff” inside:) Listen, we aren’t going to be perfect and the holidays are a huge time of pre and post-consumer waste, so if there are obvious ways to conserve and make a better choice, then I figured it was worth talking about. End of rant xx Opening Image Credits: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: How We Decked Our Halls for Christmas The post Personal Feelings About Wrapping Paper + How To Wrap Presents More Sustainably, Affordably, And Still Stylish appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/3pokxkZ |
Author Kimberly ReedDesign Consultant at Furnishing Knowledge:KI Archives
April 2023
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