We first want to say how unbelievably proud and grateful we are to the people of Minnesota. What is happening in their communities, and many others across this country we love, is devastating, terrifying, and un-American. Just like these brave Minnesotans, we have to stay loud, we HAVE to call our representatives (202-224-3121) and demand this to stop. We are unstoppable when we work together.

From Emily: Charlie is what we call “our cozy king” in the house (I’m the cozy queen) and we both lay in our “cozy nest” (two accidentally too big dog pillows turned into floor pillows on the ground in front of the fireplace) to watch whatever we are binging as a family at night (still barreling through 18 years of Survivor, LOL). Let’s just say snuggling and being warm is one of our shared interests (and he’s a 12-year-old boy, so I’ll take ANY way to connect in a special way). Anyway, Elliot, knowing this interest in all things cozy, got him this heated blanket for Christmas, and we’ve been snuggled underneath it every night. It’s a whole ritual where he “readies the nest,” and then we put one of our Anthro faux fur blankets over top of it to seal in the heat. The blanket has four different heat settings and shuts off automatically. It’s VERY dreamy and soft.

Also From Emily: Thanks so much to all of you who subscribed to Brian and my personal Substack. If you missed it, check out his first post here (first two weeks are free), and yesterday I published a post called “My Daughter Wants to Be a YouTuber. Here’s What We Told Her”. It’s more complicated than you think….

Here’s this week’s Instagram highlights:

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Did anyone else indulge in the “We heard 2026 is the new 2016” trend? Well, we did, and man, do we miss it.

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Emily had the honor of being chosen as one of Country Living’s Country Design 100!!

From Arlyn: I’m back this week with some more got-this-for-Christmas recommendations. If you’re looking for modern jewelry that doesn’t have you choosing between groceries and accessorizing (obviously, please pick food over necklaces), I’m here to give a shout-out to Gorjana. I have a handful of pieces from the brand, and even after years of wear, they are still pristine. Mind you, they are not solid gold but perform like they are as long as you take care of them…and even sometimes when you don’t (just avoid any alcohol-based sanitizers, etc.). While they do have fine jewelry, my picks are their fashion pieces that are mostly all under $100—I got this bracelet and this necklace recently, and they look like a million bucks.

From Jess: I know that most of us are likely pretty over talking about protein intake, but in case you aren’t, this is the protein shake that my and Arlyn’s dietitian recommended to me. It’s 30g per can and only 1g of sugar. I found that some of the powders make me a little nauseous, but not this one. I actually get the strawberry flavor (very unlike me), but it’s great, especially over ice. It’s been a huge help (that’s so easy) to reach my daily goals.

From Marlee: This just leveled up my sleep game, and I can’t shut up about it. I’m really bad about consistently taking supplements – I’m subconsciously a very “out of sight out of mind” person, so if I don’t feel immediate results from something, I don’t prioritize it (something I’m working on this year!). But I have been consistently taking the CALM Magnesium powder every night for the past 6 weeks, and I’m kicking myself for not trying this sooner. I struggle on and off with sleep, and for the majority of my adult life, I’ve taken melatonin every night (and if not, special gummies), but I’ve opted out of those things since I started on the CALM and have been sleeping so much better. I wake up feeling rested and not drowsy, and I feel like I’m KNOCKED out and not tossing and turning the way I usually do. Every night, I knock back a glass of magnesium powder and sip on a cup of the Trader Joe’s sleepy time tea about 90 minutes before bed, and together they’re working really well. It’s $20 for the container, which seems like it will last me for months, if not, a year+, but I’ve seen sample-size packs at Whole Foods and other stores if you want to give it a sample. I personally recommend it, but I do feel like I had to take it consistently for it to help, and I know it can cause stomach problems for some folks (not me), so start with a small dose and work your way up. It’s definitely not a miracle drug by any means, but even the act of drinking it as my nightly ritual helps me wind down a ton.

From Gretchen: In keeping with my yoga theme from last week…I decided to treat myself to a couple of pieces from Lululemon. Even when I’m feeling in a spendy sort of mood, I still can’t justify their pricing. Instead, my favorite section to hit up on their site is the “We Made Too Much” tab, where they discount tons of overstock products. Now, as long as you have a physical Lululemon store in your town AND a simple online account with them (free, as far as I know), do not be discouraged by the “final sale” marker. I recently bought a pair of WMTM leggings that I thought would be perfect for hot yoga, but when they arrived, I felt like I’d been punk’d. They were made out of a compression material so robust it would’ve cut me in half the second I went into downward dog. BUT I was able to exchange them in store for a pair I did love, no problem. My order wasn’t all unlucky. Thankfully, I scored a new favorite item from the sale section – this super cute patterned onesie. This one is actually perfect for the hot room. It’s soooo buttery soft, hugs in all the right places, and lets most of my body breathe. So if you’re in the market for some new workout clothes, definitely check out this section before paying full price!

From Mallory: I’ve been seeing all the girlies at my gym wearing cool silver asics and I’ve been influenced!! I tried on these and immediately fell in love. Super comfy, goes with everything, and they make me feel like a 90s mom living her best life in the greatest way.

From Caitlin: Mark your calendars: I will be GLUED to my sofa next Sunday for Netflix’s new series, Glitter & Gold, which follows the world’s 3 premier ice dancing teams on their journey to the Olympics. I don’t talk about it much here, but I was a competitive figure skater for over 20 years – so believe me when I tell you that this will be JUICY (like, we’re talking more drama than Real Housewives – the 3 teams they follow are truly lightning rods in the sport). Everyone is GORGEOUS (I performed in a Stars on Ice show with the American team about 10 years ago, and they physically took my breath away – you have never seen a more beautiful married couple!), the athleticism is astounding, and the competition is so, so, so unbelievably close. The Olympics will be an absolute NAIL-BITER (I’m rooting for Canada, but I have my money on France to win). Binge with me next week so you, too, can fully enjoy the competition with all the context! 

Thank you for spending some time with us, call your reps, and see y’all tomorrow. xx

Opening Image Credits: Design by Caitlin Higgins | Styled by Emily Bowser | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: The Reveal We’ve All Been Waiting For! Caitlin’s Mostly Thrifted, Postmodern Regency Deco Living Room

Hope everyone is having a good Sunday. We will always do our best to bring you great design and lifestyle content every day, but please know that in weeks like these and in the many before, we are all deeply affected by what’s going on here and abroad. If you feel the same, we are with you. Be safe, and let us all take action in any way we can. Ok, here are this week’s links for a little needed lightness<3

From Emily: I am IN LOVE with this drawer and car vacuum. I honestly didn’t know that I needed it. I thought it would be another appliance that I’d buy and store, but I’m stress cleaning my house this January – every drawer, every cupboard, and I’m using it all night and through the whole weekend. I even used it in my freezer – to get into the corners where little bits of breaded chicken nuggets got, and I can’t get out with a rag. I used it in my vanity, and it picked up all my rogue hairs and tiny bits of who knows what in my deeper drawers or in the back of the cabinet. It is rechargeable and has only 2 parts. Don’t get me started on my spice drawer!! Now the suction isn’t so high that I’d recommend it JUST for cars, but certainly works (but if you are a consistent car detailer, then you might want something stronger). IT also engaged my kids a lot as they helped with the “great January re-org” at the Henderson house. I read a lot of reviews, and there were many that were much more expensive or some that were oddly cheap, but at $38, it felt like the right amount for an investment. Now I just need to invent an apron that has a pocket big enough that I can keep it on my person all weekend long (think like a pistol holder, but for a small vacuum).

On that note, if you are purging and in Portland, I have a FANTASTIC new place for you to give your used home goods to (and not just gently used – they’ll take most things!). Community Warehouse is a massive bank of home goods that serves people transitioning out of homelessness. They work with their caseworker to come in and shop (for free), and they need everything- yes, used mattresses, used Tupperware, dishware, sheets, towels, furniture (obviously), art, lamps, working coffee makers – all the things that you might donate to Goodwill. But don’t donate there (Goodwill is fine, but its for profit). This serves our local community, and they make it SO EASY. There are three locations – NE Portland, Tigard, and Gresham- and you don’t need to make an appointment. AND some of the better stuff (vintage or just new and nice) goes to their estate retail thrift store, and it’s LEGIT good. The profits from that go to support the massive overhead they have. I’m so grateful to know about them. OH, and they’ll pick up larger pieces of furniture for $50, which is WAY less than even going to the dump. Community Warehouse, folks. It’s where it’s at (and hopefully more to come with them this year – we are trying to figure out the right way to collaborate to help these families outside of just donating all our leftover goods from shoots).

Also From Emily: In case you missed it, yesterday we soft-launched a more personal newsletter that Brian and I are co-writing (separate posts, but doing it together). While some personal stuff will always live here (highlights, struggles, AMAs), if you want to get even more personal, that would be the place. You can sign up for free for a week to get the first two posts to make sure it’s something you want to spend your $5/month on. Head over there to check it out if you are interested. xx

From Cailtin: Are you freaking out? Does everything feel terrible? TRUST ME, I GET IT. And I have a nice, accessible, quick read to recommend: the aptly-titled Reasons Not to Worry: How to Be Stoic in Chaotic Times. I’m a big philosophy dork, albeit not usually too into the Stoics (I’m more of a Platonist fan – this one from Boethius is my all-time favorite!), but the title jumped out at me at the bookstore for obvious reasons. It’s relatively breezy, it’s very easy to read – I was able to focus on it, even in the chaos of a hospital! – and it made me feel a little better (or, honestly, maybe even a lot better?) about the world spinning out of control around me. You’ll fly through it in an afternoon or two – think of it like a beach read, but a beach read that might prevent you from having a mental breakdown. I think we could all use a little wisdom from the Stoics right about now, don’t you think? (And thank you all for the kind words last week. They warmed my heart more than you’ll ever know. I’m so grateful to have “met” all of you over the past 6.5 years!)

We thought, since there are a fair number of you that aren’t on Instagram, that we’d start embedding some of our favorite posts we created here! Our social team works so hard to also create helpful, fun, and interesting content, and we don’t want you to miss it either. Enjoy!

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All of our jaws DROPPED when Emily unveiled this incredible new piece of art she recently got. We all want it!

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Remember Robyn’s beautiful living room and dining room reveals? Well, this is a little “start to finish” carousel of photos of those projects:)

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Finally, a little celebration of the blog’s 16-year anniversary, here’s a great reel about the wild and wonderful journey<3

From Mallory: I find that large coffee table books are some of the most necessary items in a home, but are also the most annoying to buy. So I was absolutely THRILLED when I received 3 amazing books as gifts!! The Studio Shamshiri book, the Pierce and Ward book, and this AD book are now my favorite books on my coffee table. They’re all substantial (which is oftentimes the hardest to find) and are filled with the most amazing photos and stories. I highly recommend these if you’re in need of some big styling books! And PS – you can also buy them “new and used” on Amazon!!

From Gretchen: One of my goals for the new year is to get my headstand back. I’ve been practicing yoga on and off for years. Pre-pandemic, I was a yoga fiend. I was so dedicated to an almost daily practice, but when all of my favorite studios fell off as the world shut down, I lost a ton of progress. In the last year, I’ve really re-committed. I’ve been going back to my favorite hot yoga studio roughly 3 times a week. I feel like I’m almost back to where I was…except for my headstand. So to practice at home, I went ahead and invested in a headstand chair. It’s not the most beautiful piece of functional furniture, but I do like that the cushions come apart and back together again to make it a regular stool, should you happen to need an extra seat for a guest or meditation or whatever. But it works as advertised, is quite comfortable, and feels very durable! And it’s nice to feel safe while I practice going upside down again. Another funny plus is that the box it came in ended up being the perfect weird skinny size to store my large wooden snowflake decorations. If you caught my post on Tuesday about DIY storage ideas, I ended up decorating the box this arrived in and now use it to store some of my Christmas stuff. I painted it baby blue with a red snowflake, and while it’s a little dumb, it makes me happy to reuse something I would’ve otherwise thrown away:)

One more thing! I want to give a big THANK YOU to all who shared such helpful comments on last week’s link up in regards to my morning headaches. Not sure if my upside-down chair is going to help or hurt my progress with this, but it’s great to have a bunch of your helpful suggestions in my back pocket the next time I have a flare-up. You guys are the best!

From Marlee: I’ve never been real big into setting spray when I do my makeup – to be honest, I was skeptical of it and felt like I didn’t do anything that would require me to use it. In my head, it was only for celebrities on red carpet events when there’s hot lights melting the makeup off their face. After buying the milk hydro-grip primer spray, I get it now. I’ve been using this on nights out, basically anytime I’m applying blush, concealer, and any bronzer, etc, this stuff is amazing. Not only does my makeup actually last the entire night (normally I feel like my blush has disappeared after a few hours), but it also leaves me with such a nice dewy glow. It doesn’t feel sticky or stiff at all; it just sort of seals everything in. I’m a fan! You can use this both before and after putting on your makeup – I love the Saie dewy gel as a primer, so I’ve just been using this as a setting spray.

From Jess: In case you’ve been waiting for a sign to start a retinol or just don’t know where to start, I have used and love Shani Darden’s Retinol Reform. Here’s a video podcast of Shani being interviewed about all things skincare and her award-winning retinol. I used her orgininal formual for since 2020, then took a little break after I had finished my last bottle to try the awesome Allies of Skin Multi Peptide Growth Serum. I really love them both, and since Shani changed her retinol formula to make it even better, I’m just going to trade off days between the two. Or once I build up my retinol tolerance after a few weeks, use the growth serum in the morning and the retinol at night. We’ll see what works best! PSA – If you use retinol, you HAVE to wear sunscreen. Sara Tramp told me before I originally started that if I didn’t wear sunscreen, I was going to cause way more harm, and it would be pointless. Just so you know<3

Also From Jess: In a time that feels and is extremely scary, donating to organizations like this one is so important and does make a difference. If you already donate but can afford to tack on a little more, now is the time. That’s what I did. It’s not all we can do, but it’s something, and it helps.

From Arlyn: For day-to-day stuff, I still very much find my Lululemon Everywhere bag incredibly useful. Except that sometimes, I just need more space to carry things like stacks of my daughter’s library books, my actual full wallet, snacks, etc. So for Christmas, I asked Santa for a large canvas tote bag. I had had my eye on the famous L.L. Bean tote, but it was backordered in the color and size I wanted. After some research, I found that Land’s End had a very similar tote, so I added that one to my list in the zip-top design and large size. Um, I LOVED it. It ended up being so much better than L.L. Bean’s because that one doesn’t have any interior pockets, while this one has great organization. The zip-top prevents things from falling out when I inevitably have to bend over to pick something up while carrying three other bags (#momlife), and it’s so well made. TBH, I loved it so much, I immediately ordered one in a different color (olive) in the medium size for more everyday carrying, because the large is VERY large and better for traveling. It’s on sale right now for under $40. HURRY!

Thanks for spending this time with us. Hopefully, most of us get the holiday off tomorrow, but let it be a time for some reflection, given the man we are honoring. Peace, equality, and everything else we hold dear as a country doesn’t happen without action. We will see you back on Tuesday. xx

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: A Beautiful Bedroom Makeover Reveal For My Friend, With Some Of My Favorite Bedding

Happy Sunday, everyone. While this is technically the second Sunday of 2026, it really feels like the first since we have officially completed our first week back at work! Our annual kitchen trends post went up, Mal let us into her wonderful 1950s kitchen refresh, and we, of course, talked about organizing (is it January if we don’t??). We are so grateful to be back with all of you. This week, though, was yet another devastating one in our country, and while simply stating that doesn’t create any tangible change, it is important to continue to remind ourselves that THIS IS NOT NORMAL and to find ways to help move us in a safer direction. Regardless of differing personal views, we believe that the majority of us don’t want to live in a place that treats people this way. That’s all we’ll say on that today. For 2026 (and beyond), let us all try to find as many opportunities to be kind and loving while holding each other accountable. Ok, now for the inevitable tone shift jolt… here are this week’s links (they are positive, we promise:))

From Emily: While in Montana over break, failing to learn to ski AGAIN, I was relegated to the hotel lodge by myself (and spa, which was GREAT) and was able to binge a few things. Y’all, I finally finished Verity (by Colleen Hoover, of course). I had started it years ago, but it was so unsettling (I can’t really read much about kids’ deaths without high levels of anxiety), so I put it down and opted for four other Colleen Hoover novels instead (that I subsequently flew through). They are all unsettling, TBH. But over break, I had just finished The Housemaid by Freida McFadden (which I flew through in 2 days) and loved the movie (such a campy blast, but lower your expectations if you haven’t read the book), and I was reminded how engrossing a thriller is on vacation. Then I saw that Verity is coming out next year as a movie with Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett (I’m really enjoying his comeback – he’s so much better than he used to be!). So I dove back into it and, of course, couldn’t put it down. It still IS unsettling, but man, it’s engrossing, and so so good.

But meanwhile, I beg of you to pick up People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry RIGHT NOW if you haven’t already read it (you’ll fly through it, although Beach Read is still my favorite of hers). By the time this link is published, I will have watched the much-awaited movie with Emily Bader and Tom Blyth. I “met” Emily in the show My Lady Jane (RIP), which was an incredible show that got cancelled far too young (it was such BS, people LOVED that show and it was so good – I’m blaming it on male executives at Amazon Prime who didn’t get it). But Emily was incredible, and I became an instant fan of her acting. Anyway, thank the media gods that all our favorite books are being turned into movies or TV shows (Every Summer After is also going to be a TV show by Carley Fortune, which I’m so excited about). If you are looking for good recs, head over to Beach Reads & Bubbles, whose taste I trust when it comes to highly entertaining novels (romance, thrillers, and even more literary novels when I dabble in those). Speaking of which – I started The Correspondent and need encouragement to finish (everyone raves, but oof, I was bored so quickly). And then I made it a solid 60% through The Death of Us, which was just so depressing (but so good!) that I put it down because it was bumming me out and opted for Mate by Ali Hazelwood instead. It reminded me of The Wedding People – Deeply dark, but with a lot of levity to it, and such strong storytelling, but ultimately, I didn’t want to live in that world for much longer. LASTLY, OH MY GOSH I CAN’T STOP – I finally finished All Her Fault and WAHOO, the ending was worth the terrible writing of the first few episodes (I still highly recommend it for a binge watch) and I finished The Hunting Wives on New Years Day (well, I picked it back up on the plane back home the day before which I do NOT recommend, lol – the cowboy sitting behind me was either thrilled or wanted to put me in a convent). SO GOOD, but be prepared for some hot lady sex. Speaking of, I’m going to dive into Heated Rivalry this weekend – I’m so excited. January is my month, y’all. Zero social engagements and so much rain, so every excuse to hibernate with good books, TV, and soup.

From Jess: I’m a fairly simple makeup person. I like a warm “natural” look on average with just a few products. But every once in a while, I get really curious about a new product, and Victoria Beckman’s Satin Kajal Liner was at the top of the list. So when I was browsing through the newish French department store Printemps (a MUST SEE if you love design, I left SO inspired) in New York City over the holidays, I noticed that they sold her line. Naturally, I took the opportunity to try out the liner before buying, and my god, it glides on like a dream, with a lot of pigment! And smudges beautifully (my preferred look:)) I bought the Terracotta and Bordeaux colors and have loved them so far. Apparently, getting the VB sharpener is kinda important, which I didn’t buy in the moment, so I just grabbed one of those:)

From Arlyn: My favorite purchases are inexpensive, incredibly useful, and effective. Which is why I’m starting off the year by recommending a pumice toilet bowl wand. I’m certain Jess shared one similar nearly a year ago, but it’s likely time to bubble back up again. When we moved in, I noticed some rings in the toilet, specifically in the downstairs powder bathroom. Assuming it was just a result of sitting vacant for a few months, I assumed a simple bleach scrub was all it needed. I was wrong. Almost three years later, those same rings still exist, no matter how often I clean my bathroom, thanks to hard and high-mineral water. Frustrated and finally wanting to take some real action, I remembered Jess’ pitch to me about it from the past, and I’m so happy to report that I now have ring-free bowls without having to use any harsh chemicals or get my hands dirty. WHAT A RELIEF! If you have stubborn hardwater stains that you’re dealing with, please don’t wait as long as I did to try this solution.

From Gretchen: I’m not sure why, but every so often, I will wake up with an excruciating headache. And no, it’s not the hangover kind (although I’m no stranger to those). But these weird headaches I tend to feel coming on at night, knowing that by morning I’ll wake to a throbbing pain. It sucks. I haven’t found the perfect cure yet (or prevention, obviously), but I have tried all the meds, weighted eye masks, essential oils, caffeine, hydrotherapy–you name it! A combination of these tools usually tends to help, but I’m always on the hunt for a better solution. As I was trying to fall asleep last night, knowing a morning migraine was on the way, I looked for a new fix and stumbled upon this acupressure mat. I’ve heard great things about them and the concept made enough sense to me: a bed full of tiny plastic spikes meant to stimulate pressure points on your body, similar to acupuncture, just without all the needles. It’s supposed to help with relaxation, muscle tension, and, for many, chronic headaches. And for just $18 with a 7 am arrival the next day, I thought it was worth a shot. And guess what? It totally helped! Or at least, it worked very well in combination with a few of my other headache hacks. But once my body settled into the spikes (yes, it’s a little jarring at first), everything unclenched, and I could actually feel my headache slipping away. I really felt a difference when I lightly rolled the head pillow around on my forehead. Something about a bunch of tiny, sharp spikes just seemed to do the trick. I laid on the mat for about 10 minutes and genuinely felt rejuvenated afterwards. I’m going to keep using the mat, headache or not, because I for sure noticed a difference in overall body tension, and the sensation just felt so relaxing.

From Marlee: If you’re looking for ways to get off your screens this year, I highly recommend Puzzlemania – we had this in our gift guide, but I was gifted it for Christmas, and it’s SO fun. I love love love puzzles and look forward to my minis and Wordle every day, so I was so excited to receive this book. It’s essentially just a puzzle workbook that contains a ton of crosswords (all with fun twists), little Wordle puzzles, word hunts, Sudoku variations, and a ton of other mini games that would be fun to work on solo or try doing with your partner or a friend! There’s also a massive unfolding crossword puzzle in the middle that I think I’m going to tear out and hang on our kitchen wall so that guests can try to help us solve it when we have people over. I’m really excited to reach for this and work on it while I drink my coffee or when I’m bored. Happy solving!! <3

From Mallory: I had seen a few people sporting this baseball cap around town and thought it was SO adorable…so I was THRILLED when I opened up a Christmas gift and inside the box was this!! I’ve been wearing it all the time – I absolutely LOVE it.

From Caitlin: I’m here to end the link up on a bit of a sad note: my mom, Brenda, passed away the day after Christmas following a 10 year battle with Renal Cell Carcinoma. (Now you know why we were knocking out those bucket list trips with fervor – remember Antarctica and Australia?) Sharing her with you all was the honor of my life. And I can’t thank Emily and the EHD team enough – they allowed me to step into a full-time caregiver role in Delaware at the top of 2025 without a second thought. (And thank you to Dennis, partner of the millennia, who moved into my childhood home and helped keep the world running.) I don’t think I’ll ever be able to articulate how grateful I’ve been for all of their support – they gave me the gift of quality time spent with the most important woman in my life. You can check out her obituary here (and check out the fawning from her former colleagues and employees here – their words put the biggest smile on my face!). Everything I did was in an attempt to make her proud. I was so, so, so lucky to be her daughter.

That’s it for this week. Thank you for spending this little bit of time with us, and see you tomorrow<3

Opening Image Credits: Design by Mallory Wackerman | Photo by Lyle Nelson | From: Mallory’s 1950s DIY Kitchen Makeover (You Won’t Believe This Before and After)

Y’all, we actually made it, ha. HAPPY NEW YEAR!! It’s 2026!!! We still aren’t quite back, but don’t worry, we’ll be at our computers tomorrow morning:) We have a lot of hope (the kind that usually comes with the beginning of a new year) that 2026 will likely not be easy, but will come with us demanding positive change, with more love and acceptance. Isn’t that ultimately what we all want? Today, we have a slight January “wellness” theme with our links, since we are all feeling ready to start the year off right. Here they are!

This week’s house tour is so joyful and colorful! The perfect way to start a new year, no? It’s modern but collected and filled with so much inspiration. Go check it out!

From Emily: I went to a “favorite things” holiday party a couple of weeks ago, and one of my best friends, who has a massive job and has to stay healthy, brought SaladPower, which is a pouch full of vegetables (like a smoothie). She said she hasn’t gotten sick in 2 years and gives this pouch the credit. It has 16 spinach leaves, 12 kale leaves, 5 carrots, 4 broccoli heads, and 1/2 lemon and apple. That’s it. I know a lot of people who enjoy making smoothies, but I’m not one of them, and I mostly just want the nutrition from the vegetables (including the fiber that is hardest to get). Does it taste good? Nope. But it’s fine, and if it’s cold, it’s over pretty fast.

From Mallory: I don’t talk about it a ton on here, but over the last 5-6 years, I’ve really dialled in a wellness routine that works wonders for me. My whole life, I never really had a great fitness routine – I danced for hours every day in high school, but once I went to college, I had no idea how to be active anymore. I had never set foot in a gym (we literally didn’t have one at my arts high school), and so I just didn’t know how to get started. Then post-college, the pandemic hit, and I got super into these 30-minute shadow boxing classes that my friend did on Instagram live, which helped me build consistency and made me really motivated to start working out. Once gyms opened up again, I started going to the one in my apartment complex for 30 minutes each day and did the exercises that Whitney Simmons would post. She posts a ton of great workout ideas (go to her YouTube where she talks you through them!) like these dumbbell-only workouts, which are basically workouts that are super effective without having to use any barbells or machines – so that’s a great place to start. If you’ve already been strength training for a while, she also has workout split videos and more intermediate/advanced workout videos (I used to follow almost her exact split, but I recently modified it even more to work better for me and to include pilates once a week!). I love following her because she promotes being strong over being skinny, is super body positive, and keeps it real. If you’re looking for somewhere to start or just some new workout inspo – check her out!

From Marlee: Okay, I’ve been doing so much crafting, which has been so so fun – but since I have roommates, I don’t really have a designated crafting area OR good crafting storage. Which means that relocating my projects from my bedroom desk to the dining room and vice versa gets really messy and unorganized. I just got this craft storage bin, which is essentially a plastic tacklebox, haha. It’s been a game-changer for all my smaller crafting objects – scissors, threads, needles, pins, paint brushes, etc. Eventually, I would love to have a designated area and storage system, but for now, this makes it really easy to throw all my stuff in one bin (in an organized way) and also transport everything if I want to watch a movie in the living room while I work on stuff. Also, I was looking at the reviews and saw someone call it their “snacklebox,” which they use to transport on-the-go charcuterie!

From Gretchen: I don’t know about you, but in this time after the holidays, I really just feel like hunkering down. Right now, I’m spending my time with a book that so far has me hooked, Project Hail Mary (the Ryan Gosling movie adaptation comes out in March!), and a really cool YouTube series I can’t stop watching. I’m not far enough into the book yet to give you my take, but I CAN tell you that I am absolutely OBSESSED with this family and their 110-year-old Schoolhouse to Homestead transformation. There’s a solid chance you’ve seen their project floating around the internet over the last few years (I had seen some clips when they first bought it, but had totally forgotten to check up on their progress. There’s since been a TON!) Stacie (homeowner/remodeler) is SUCH a great storyteller, and I just find her videos to be totally captivating. She and her husband moved from NYC to a small town in Indiana (where they both grew up) and made the crazy (but totally rewarding) decision to fix up the old schoolhouse to be their forever home. The amount of blood, sweat, and LOVE that they’ve both put into this special space clearly shows, and I love how much care and time Stacie puts into honouring the school and its history as she furnishes the space. It’s an honest series filled with so many fun anecdotes, project process, and unbelievable transformation. I’m really enjoying working my way back through her older videos and cannot wait to see what’s next!

From Arlyn: Finding a sports bra when you have a very large chest is not for the faint of heart. For high-impact workouts, I typically end up wearing TWO bras for support, but I was pounding with ads by the brand Shefit for months on end. All the reviews made me confident in believing their “Ultimate” sports bra might just be enough to keep the girls in place during combo moves, etc., and it didn’t disappoint. I had to get used to putting it on (the front zip wasn’t easy for me), and it felt a bit like a cage at first, but wearing it a few times made it fit more comfortably. I can jump, run, and dance in this thing, and there isn’t anything flopping around or plopping out. Their on-site quiz led me a bit astray (it said I was a 2Luxe for my 38H chest, but I ended up needing one size up from that to fully accommodate everything, FYI).

From Jess: Last month, I lost one of my AirPod Pros in a parking lot. I was SO bummed, but if I’m honest, it was just a matter of time. They just never stayed in my ears well, and it was a constant struggle. One of my best friends said how much they loved their Beats Powerbeats Fit – Wireless Noise Cancelling Workout Earbuds with Secure-Fit Wingtips because that never happened to them. I decided to slightly let go of Apple AirPod loyalty and give these new ones a go, and man, am I glad. They are great because it’s not the full wrap around the ear, but a little extra arm that fits on the inside of your ear. They aren’t cheap, but they are going to make walks, working out, cleaning the house, etc, so much better.

We’re so excited to get to spend another year with all of you, so cheers to that and see you tomorrow for our annual kitchen trends post!!

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: River House Primary Bathroom Reveal

Happy Sunday, y’all! Hope everyone had a really wonderful week. We are currently OOO, getting to spend some quality time with loved ones, which we feel so freaking grateful for. No other EHD updates, so please enjoy this week’s links.

This week’s house tour is so stunning! Mallory put it in our “watercooler” Slack channel. We were all gushing over it. Oh, and the amazing Commune Design is behind it, so no wonder we were all in love. Enjoy!

From Emily: Cathy and Gartett (The Grit and Polish) revealed their Poplar Cottage kitchen, which they have been working on for over 5 years (the project took many turns). As you know, I love a long-form blog post and appreciate the hard work that goes into this job more than most, so in case you missed it, head over and see their kitchen reveal. It’s sweet, warm, thoughtful, and hardworking (just like them). It’s meant to be a rental, so they made a lot of choices with that in mind, and it turned out so high quality, inviting, and just really “them”. Great job, guys!

Also From Emily: Just want to give my slippers a shout out since they are my new favorite toy. Since I work from home, I wear slippers every day and take them very seriously. I like the easy-to-slip-on ones, the moccasins, and the tall Uggs. I wish they weren’t so expensive, but the last time I had them, they lasted 3 years (in Arrowhead and Oregon).

From Jess: In another effort to stay warm on the East Coast, I bought this incredibly cute striped knitted scarf neckerchief. What’s even better is that it’s also delicate enough to wear on a chilly night in LA. I bought the blue and brown striped one, but there are so many color options. I want more! It’s that perfect accessory that makes a simple outfit really cool and elevated.

From Arlyn: This time of year, you’re either strapped for cash or feeling like you’re ready to get your hands into something new…or both. So I’ve got something for either of these types. My daughter had a craft fair at school to wrap up the semester, and we made worry stones. What I thought would be great for kids ended up being even better for adults! We love having one around to rub; it really calms the nervous system down to fidget with something, and the gentle swirling of the thumb does just the trick. I followed this tutorial (sort of); we skipped all the fancy extras, but liked how the creator explained smoothing the edges and forming the shape. I had some glossy Modge Podge sitting around, so we sealed ours with that since the matte clay out of the oven didn’t feel great.

From Gretchen: I was really inspired by Marlee’s DIY gift post from a couple of weeks ago and couldn’t help but make one of her craft ideas for my parents. My family isn’t huge on gift giving at this stage in our lives (the STUFF of it all just gets a bit overwhelming, and as cliche as it sounds, all we really need is each other’s good company to celebrate); however, a small, sentimental, and functional DIY gift totally flies! Using Mar’s recommended Sculpey and mini magnets, plus these stamp letters and cookie (clay) cutters I found, I made some pretty cute mini magnet photo frames. I painted the borders, stamped them 2025, and sealed my creations with glossy spray paint, like she suggested, then attached magnets on the back with Gorilla glue. I have this super awesome Liene photo-sticker printer (it’s so easy and fast to use and really comes in handy for a number of crafts) and printed out some photos we took together when my parents were out here for Thanksgiving. Both of them loved it (I loved making it), and each little frame found a spot on their fridge right away. So fun!

From Mallory: If you’re reading this, I’m likely already in Los Alamos on a little weekend getaway with my boyfriend, Austin! Last year, around this time, we last minute went up to Paso Robles with my parents, and my mom had the idea to stop in this tiny, adorable little town for some BBQ on the way (and Austin loves BBQ, so it was an easy sell). You guys, the town is ADORABLE and only 2 hours from LA. I’ve been to Solvang and Los Olivos a ton, but never popped into this area – it feels like a mini town in Texas but with a very California flair (read: natural wine is present). The whole town it’s one street basically, so it’s super quaint, but it’s full of cute antique shops, insane BBQ, coffee/pastry shops, and the most iconic billiards dive bar. We booked a reservation super far in advance for Bells (yup – there’s one Michelin star restaurant and it’s supposed to be AMAZING). When we left last year, we knew we needed to come back and spend more time – so that’s exactly what we’re doing, and if you’re in the LA area (or really anywhere) it’s such a fun getaway that’s so underrated IMHO.

From Marlee: I have pretty dry skin in the winter (which a ton of folks can relate to), but holy $%#& my forehead specifically gets SO dry and itchy. I’ll put a thick layer of moisturizer on, and within 10 minutes, it’s screaming for more, and I’ll end up carrying lotion around to reapply just on my forehead every hour. About a month ago, I could feel the dryness coming on, so I started researching new moisturizers to try and ended up getting the Instant-Angel Firming Moisturizer by Dieux. I’ve been using it for about 3 weeks now, and I’m obsessed. It’s SO rich and soft, and I love that it literally smells like nothing (sometimes lotions will say “unscented,” but it still has that sort of clinical smell IYKWIM). My forehead is feeling really happy, and my entire face feels so soft. I also get really dry under eyes and started to notice a lot of redness and irritation, so I got up the Dieux Reviving Eye Gel as well, and it’s amazing. A little goes a long way, and I’ve noticed a lot less redness around my eyes since I started using it. This part is totally optional, but I’ve been applying it and then wearing the undereye patches for 20-30 mins, which apparently helps lock the moisture in. I can’t tell if they do anything for sure because I started using both products at the same time, but overall, this routine has helped immensely (I also love that the eye patches are reusable). My friend had recommended these products to me a long, long time ago, so I’m so happy I finally tried them! I have a feeling they’ll be in my routine for a while.

We so appreciate you and see you tomorrow for a fun one. xx

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: Dressing Up Holiday Sweaters For A Party (While Still Being Comfortable)

Happy Sunday, everyone. Last weekend was devastating, as so many seem to be. While we spent the week getting ready for our big break (and making sure you all still were getting fun content), it was hard for us not to feel the weight. If anything, really hold your loved ones tight, but also, we so desperately need gun reform. It feels beyond cruel that nothing has changed in the US, and on top of actual reform, we need our leaders to promote true anti-discrimination in all forms and for all people, especially our marginalized communities and neighbors. Hate only ever begets hate. It’s the only way forward with any sense of safety and hope. The least we can all do is to spread as much love and community as we can right now. Alright, here are our links for this week.

This week’s house tour is one we’re sure you’ve seen, but given its beauty and the designer is a favorite of ours, Heidi Caillier, we think it deserves to be celebrated more! This mountain home owned by Kendall Jenner is full of pattern, color, deep wood tones, and a lot of soul. Check it out here!

From Emily: Two MUST-WATCH shows to binge. I know you are all in the middle of holiday movies (Elliot and I are barreling through the Christmas switch currently), but Brian and I also binged a couple of grown-up shows. Y’all, if you didn’t watch Normal People (on Hulu) when it came out a few years ago, you MUST. This is Brian and I’s second time through because we loved it so much. It’s a romance series with Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones based on Sally Rooney’s best-selling novel. It follows them as high school students through college and a lot of heavy life stuff, and it’s a 10/10 in acting, directing, writing, and chemistry. If you liked One Day, you’ll LOVE this (I think it’s better). But if you want a domestic thriller, then check out The Beast In Me (on Netflix) with Claire Danes and Michael Rhys. OMG. It’s so thrilling with exceptional performances. It is in the domestic thriller realm, with wealthy people acting badly, but the twists and turns are exceptional. We watched it while on our little getaway a few weeks ago, and I’m sad it’s over.

From Marlee: Ok, this is one of the best inventions ever – in the past, I thought that these were gimmicky and maybe didn’t work, but after trying one, it has quickly become a must-have. It’s one of those headache caps that you keep in the freezer and can pull down all the way over your eyes. Last year, I bought one to gift in a white elephant (kind of as a joke?), but it was fought over, and my friend who ended up with it LOVES it. Since then, my roommate has one that she lets me use, and it truly is life-changing. Any time I have a headache, I pop this on, and it’s instant relief. 10/10 invention. This would make a great stocking stuffer:)

From Gretchen: I didn’t do a ton of Black Friday shopping this year, but I did take advantage of the sale at Levi’s and bought myself 4 pairs of jeans–knowing I’d likely return at least two. Well, unfortunately, three out of four pairs were a hell no (only because they were too small. When I go to return them, I’m going to size up and see how I like the fit). But the fourth pair might just be my new go-to pant! They’re a light-weight leopard print jean in the “baggy dad” style, but look more how I’d like a barrel style jean to look on me. They run a little big (I think in Levi’s I’m likely a 31, but I tried these in a 30 and they were perfect). They have a 30″ inseam and hit perfectly at my ankles. I love the baggy look paired with this more stylish print. It makes me look like I’m trying with my outfit, without giving up on comfort. At the time of writing this, they’re on sale again, too!

From Mallory: If you didn’t know already, I REALLY love Christmas, and like Emily, I have a bit of an ornament obsession. I love to gift personalized ornaments to family and friends too so this year I gifted this one to my roommate, Jade (which I changed the wording on a bit bc it’s not our first christmas as roommates lol) and then I got this custom pet embroidery ornament for my sister and her husband Tom (who got a new pup this year) and then that spiraled into getting one for my parents dogs and my boyfriends parents dog too. I know it’s after Christmas, but I honestly recommend ordering these in advance so you can give them out earlier this year 🙂

From Jess: Last week I talked about my perfect sweater, and this week it’s all about my new boots🙂 I was Christmas shopping last weekend and decided to pop into one of my favorite little new shops in Highland Park, When Two Become One: Intentionally Blank x Ririku. I’ve talked about Intentionally Blank a ton because they are one of my favorite shoe brands. Anyway, I’ll be in NYC for the holidays and thought, as long as it’s not snowing, I could easily wear these incredible burgundy cowboots since my only other walking boot is basically a rain boot. My puffer coat might be from 2013, but my boots are full on 2025! They make me feel very, very cool.

From Arlyn: I have been eyeing a pair of Rothy’s for quite a while, but the price tag always felt a little too steep for a ballet flat. So when I saw the pair I loved (these in burgundy with little brass studs) was on sale for $89, I scooped them up faster than toast burns in the air fryer with your back turned. I had a bit of a sizing issue on my first go; the description says true to size, but I found that to not be accurate for me. I’m a solid 8, but the 8 in the square Mary Janes was way too tight. Maybe if my foot were narrower. The exchange process was super easy and quick, and the 8.5 ended up being perfect for me. Since they arrived on Thursday, I’ve worn them every day, and they just make all my lazy mom clothes look so much more elevated! Some colors are still on sale, so RUN!

Thank you for hanging out a little with us, and for those of you celebrating Christmas, we hope you have a very merry Christmas. But also see you tomorrow xx

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kailtin Green | From: Christmas In Our Home 2025 – Whimsy, Color, And Non-Traditional In A Really Cozy Way

Happy Sunday and happy first night of Hanukkah, everyone! We are in the process of wrapping up the year before we head out for the last bit of the month and soaking in as much holiday spirit as we can. Hope you are too:) With that said, let’s just jump right into this week’s links.

This week’s house tour is one that we might have linked before, but we didn’t realize that Emily actually got to see this home before it was shot! She just sent through the link this past week and said this, “Every room was just so weird and exciting.” Reath is just one of our favorite design firms, and we highly suggest you check it out even if it’s for the second time.

From Emily: I’m putting together a hot chocolate bar for our three holiday parties (a huge request from the kids and a new tradition). I already had some mugs from Anthro and Target, but then I thrifted more to make sure that we had enough (14 kids). If this is interesting to you, I snagged these peppermint spoons for stirring, this is supposed to be the best hot chocolate, this huge hot dispenser (it’s $100 but figured for three parties and a tradition it woudl be worth it, plus I can control the temperature so it’s not too hot AND the kids can do it themselves unlike a pitcher thermos). If you can support a local baker, grab all the toppings there. Obviously, whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles, caramel sauce, crushed peppermint puffs, and even these sweet little gingerbread men toppings could be cute. I’m VERY excited (and hoping this means I don’t need dessert?).

From Arlyn: If you’re anything like me, you’ve bought fewer gifts this year so far than fingers on your hand. I’m definitely lagging, BUT I’ve got an under $20 gift that’s the kind of thing no one knows they need until they have it and don’t know what they did before they had it. If you have someone practical in your life, or a friend who already has everything, or have some white elephants or office parties to attend, you’re going to want to pick up an Open It. I wrote about this a year ago when I bought it for my husband-slash-our household, and we LOVE this thing. We use it for everything. Breaking down boxes, opening packages, cutting heavy-duty things, replacing batteries on kids’ toys with that tiny screw…it’s like a Swiss army knife for your kitchen drawer.

From Jess: I have found my perfect sweater! It’s this slightly slouchy rollneck that I put on and knew it had to be mine. I got the Tea color, but they come in so many other options. I wore it on my friend’s and my annual Christmas tree day, and she immediately said “OH I LOVE your sweater!!” Very validating:) I bought my normal size, but if you want to layer anything under that’s not super thin, I might size up.

From Mallory: I practically live in black ankle boots during the colder months – but I’ve never owned a pair that’s built to really last (mainly because boots are EXPENSIVE!) So this year, my booties were looking a bit worn down & the faux leather was peeling off – so I just got these incredibly high-quality ones from Sezane. They’re simple, classic, and go with literally everything. Plus, they’re super comfortable – I haven’t gotten any blisters breaking them in, which is not always the case.

Also From Mallory: The incredible upholstery company that did my dining nook cushions in my last apartment, Stitchroom, opened up a pillow shop so their fancy designer fabric remnants wouldn’t go to waste (genius). They’re doing a pop up in NYC that ends soon but if you’re in the area check it out!

From Gretchen: Em recently shared about her family’s Christmas traditions, and it made me think about my own. Truth be told, my family doesn’t have many, especially now that I’m no longer a kid. But every year we do love to do a puzzle! It’s an easy, cozy activity that brings us all together around a table and off of our phones for a few hours. My mom is pretty good about thrifting puzzles each year, but I also just love to keep a few fun puzzles at my own house. The only problem is, I’m a little more particular about how they look stacked on my shelf. That’s why I love these puzzles from Cloudberries. They have a ton of fun variety when it comes to puzzle design, but their box designs are very modern and streamlined, and look nice and simple stacked on a shelf. Seems silly, but I really appreciate how visually quiet these are on the outside, yet so fun and colorful once you dig in. I recently did the Fauna design with a friend, and we loved it! I think I’ll bring it with me to Christmas this year.

From Marlee: Sharing a couple of makeup items I’ve been loving: this Merit highlighter in champagne gives off such a nice glow without being too glittery. I love using it on my cheekbones and inner corners, and it layers really well with my fave Saie blush. I’ve been really into color analysis, and after determining that I’m a soft summer, I decided to try the blush in the “chilly” color, which is more cool-toned, rather than the warmer-toned “rosy” I was using. Both are pretty, but the cool-tone ones look way more harmonious! Also, one of the products I empty the most is the Saie Glowy Super Gel – I’ve shared it before, I usually use “starglow” in the winter and “sunglow” in the summer… but I just tried out the “warmglow” color, and it’s a really nice in-between.

Thank you for spending a little bit of your day with us, and see you tomorrow. xx

Opening Image Credits: Styled by Emily Bowser and Erik Kenneth Staalberg | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: How Sara Created Her First Traditional But Youthful Christmas

Happy First Sunday of DECEMBER! We first want to commemorate this past Monday, which was World AIDS Day. Making sure we never forget such a devastating time when no one had answers, and we lost so many beautiful lives, is so important. So is continuing to have awareness, as well as continuing to fund research. Health is such a precious gift and is not guaranteed to any of us. So with that said, hug your loved ones and enjoy what will hopefully be a beautiful holiday season. Ok, here are today’s links:)

This week’s house tour is what they are calling a blue box! It’s an 800 sq ft Berlin apartment that is modern and extremely cool, but also cozy and warm. You just have to see it.

From Emily: Ok, four cute stocking stuffer ideas for those of us who are stumped:
– Laser pointer pen (yes, like what you use for a cat). Charlie saved his allowance for this and loves it. Makes all different shapes and can go really far.
– Glow-in-the-dark tape. Here me out on this – we love Mission Impossible style stunts in our house (usually with blue masking tape), so I was thinking that this would be so fun for a family obstacle course night (or heck, maybe just with their friends in their rooms).
– Whoopee Cushion or any sort of prank gift (hand buzzer is also a great one). THESE NEVER GET OLD.
– I doubt it’s too late to add these adorable cat scratching nail files to your cart (you file your nails down while scratching their tummy!!!).
– Elliot also loves Posca paint markers and cute scrunchies. If anyone else has great teen/tween stocking stuffer ideas, let me know in the comments!

From Caitlin: I used Cyber Weekend as an excuse to stock up on my all-time favorite tights. And by “stock up,” I mean “I bought two pairs” – they’re made from proprietary, rip-resistant fabric, so a single pair lasts all year! They’re sized by weight (from 79 pounds in the XXS to 340 pounds in the 4XL), so it’s easy to find the best fit for you; I grabbed a large, my daily-wear size, and an XL for any bloated days where the idea of a waistband cutting into my body is too terrible to imagine. After years of finding myself near-tears when a ripped stocking ruins an outfit minutes before a holiday party, these have been a welcome addition to my closet! (Next time, I’ll buy faster – my favorite sheers with sweet little polka dots sold out in my sizes before I could grab! If you’re not a M, L, or XL, take a peek. Let me live vicariously through you!)

From Marlee: A new deodorant recommendation – in an AMAZING new scent. I’ve been using Salt & Stone deodorant for 3+ years at this point, and I just love it so much – and that is because it smells. so. good. First, I went for the Santal scent. Fantastic. Then I moved on to the Bergamot Hinoki (I got this in the gel deodorant – wouldn’t recommend you need to get the solids. The gel doesn’t really stay on, but I loved the scent so much I got it in the body wash). I also LOVE the Rose + Oud, it’s way more floral/perfume-y but not overpowering – now they have this really amazing neroli basil scent, and it might be my new favorite. I really love salt and stone products, and any time I tell someone that, they usually say, “Oh, their deodorant doesn’t work for me”. To which I say: first of all, you’re not using enough. You can’t just hit your armpit with a quick swipe swipe like you do with some heavy-duty aluminum dove. It’s more of a swipe swipe, swipe swipe. And maybe a couple more for good measure. More is more! Second of all, I really don’t use it when I anticipate doing anything that imposes a level 7/10 or more sweat risk. THAT’S what the dove is for. It still totally works – but if you’re doing something really sweaty, you might just smell like Black Rose + Oud PLUS body odor. Overall, to me it’s the equivalent of why I like to have one bottle of really nice lotion in addition to my everyday CeraVe… or why it’s fun to treat yourself to a latte on a Saturday after a week of making black coffee at home every morning. It’s just a small, simple, everyday luxury that makes me happy and smells amazing and creates a sense of “put togetherness.” It’s not a replacement, it’s supplemental – who knew deodorant could evoke such strong feelings of joy and splendor!

Also From Marlee: There is nothing I love more than receiving a stocking full of consumable goods – if you have a foodie in your life, I would recommend all of the following of my personal faves as stocking stuffers (look for these in your local grocery store too!): a box of Maldon Salt, 3 pack of Momofuku seasoned salt (makes a great salmon or chicken rub!), this not-that-spicy garlic chili crisp, the BEST nut butters (IFKYK, also hello rebrand!), I LOVE Fishwife tinned fish (if you bought me the big variety pack I would love you forever!), a lil bag of coffee (life hack, buy a sample pack and split it up as stocking stuffers!), Jacobsen salty caramels, the best teeny popcorn, a fancy bottle of cherries for cocktails, I could go on!!!

From Gretchen: First, let me follow up on my link from last week to say, I’m still reallyyy loving my new vacuum! Sure, it’s only been a week, meaning I still can’t give you a true “how it’s holding up” review, but genuinely, I love using this vac. Having it in my life has made it so much easier (and more fun) to keep up with cleaning, and I just wanted to share that so far it’s not a fluke!

Now onto the real link. Let’s talk stocking stuffers! Even though I’m 31, my sweet mother still fills my stocking every Christmas. The inventory changes slightly each year, but there is one gift that has become tradition in our family–a Toblerone chocolate bar. It’s the perfect shape to tuck into a stocking and slightly more special than a pack of Reese’s. Other staple items are a really great pair of socks. Mom, I know you’re reading this….My favorite pairs are the Girlfriend socks from Le Bon Shoppe. Sometimes she’ll also throw in silly little knick-knacks or art supplies (we’re both pretty crafty). If you’re looking for ideas, I’ve recently fallen in love with these oil-based paint pens. They are super easy to use, don’t smell, and have decent longevity. They come in a ton of colors, but I really love using the metallic ones. I made some fun DIY Christmas decorations this year, and they really came in handy!

From Mallory: One of my favorite gifts to give (and receive) for the holidays is anything by Staub – I am absolutely obsessed with their cookware, but the best thing they have by far is the Dutch oven. They can be pricey but often go on sale (especially the smaller sizes – call your local Williams Sonoma or Sur La Table to see if they have sale ones in store!) I just bought this one for a present in the prettiest basil green for $150, and I bought my mom a cast-iron a few years ago, also. If they’re more into baking or already have these items in their kitchen, might I suggest the mini Staubs?? I bought those for myself in yellow, and I’m obsessed.

From Jess: There are two things I re-ordered for Black Friday because they are simply the best. First up are the Classic Aviator Ray-Bans. While I like to try other styles, I just love these aviators the most, and really feel like me. However, it’s been a few years since my last pair went missing. I think I was subconsciously punishing myself for losing the last pair, but then spending money on less expensive options that I just didn’t love as much. So I decided to just grab them, and I can’t freaking wait to feel like “Jess” again:) The second item I repurchased was my face moisturizer – Air Angel Peptide Plumping Gel Cream by Dieux Skin. I’m almost out, so I decided to buy 2 since they were on sale! It just feels so good on, makes my skin look great, and doesn’t clog my pores (which is important since I’m very milia-prone).

From Arlyn: I am simply not a person who looks good in a pair of sweatpants. They are perfectly fine for puttering around the house, but I feel like I look so sloppy if I leave the house in them. Mostly because I’ve never found the right fit for my petite but curvy frame (or what to wear as a top that isn’t a baggy T-shirt). But I took a chance on these “bounce fleece” sweatpants from Old Navy in a petite length, and they are so great! I wore them for school drop off recently on a cold morning, and I was so comfortable, mostly warm—they could probably be warmer, FYI, but good for a 50-degree morning—and felt moderately pulled together with cool socks and sneakers and a matching pullover. I’m thinking of grabbing them in another color or two.

Thank you for stopping by and see ya’ll tomorrow!! xx

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kailtin Green | From: Christmas In Our Home 2025 – Whimsy, Color, And Non-Traditional In A Really Cozy Way

Happy Sunday, everyone! We hope that everyone got some time to spend with their families and friends, and everything went 100% smoothly:) While still making sure we are updating you on all of the best Black Friday Sales (HUGE thanks to Caitlin for that), we were very grateful for that little time off. Q4 is truly no joke, ha. But don’t worry, we haven’t actually stopped working and have a really special post for you tomorrow. Until then, here are this week’s links…

This week’s house tour is happy, modern, fresh, with a heavy dose of charming quirk! It’s so fun to see the creativity of this space. Go check it out!

From Emily: The true crime podcast (but not too creepy) I BINGED. Monica Padman (of Armchair Expert fame) created this wild podcast, Beth’s Dead, that explored after her favorite podcasters (Andy and Elizabeth from Nobody’s Listening, Right?) abruptly stopped publishing. Eight years later, she found out why, which was due to a really upsetting parasocial relationship gone awry. I paid to join Patreon so I could binge the entire thing (I HAD to find out what happened), but there are 5 episodes out now and 5 more you can listen to for free anywhere you get your podcasts. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. There are twists and turns, and the ending, well, I don’t want to give it away, but you leave feeling way better than you thought you would. If you are driving or flying or just need to take a long walk during Thanksgiving break, binge Beth’s Dead.

From Arlyn: With the exception of the Hoka running shoes I bought a few years back (and still use), I really try not to spend more than $60 or $70 on sneakers. I always see influencers sharing ridiculously cute sneakers, but as soon as I see the price has three numbers behind the dollar sign, I click away. Nope. It’s one thing if I’m buying true performance sneakers for running or tennis, etc., but I mostly stick to fashion versions. Which is why I was so stoked when I came across these red Nike Cortez for about $58! They’re lightweight, comfortable for hours of walking, and get tons of compliments. Not to mention, they seriously jazz up my predominantly black, navy, and burgundy wardrobe.

From Jess: I don’t know about y’all, but I was being advertised HARD the ROZ Haircare line. And with bleaching my very grown-out roots a month-ish ago, my hair felt like it lost a lot of the health I’d been working on this prior year. So I thought, why not, and so far I LOVE how my hair feels. I had the pre-shower oil, shampoo, and conditioner. My hair feels and looks so soft and smells really great. Once I run out of the one I already have, I’m going to get their Milk Hydrating Leave-In Conditioner Hair Serum. On their site, they do have a 2-week “try before you buy” option, or if you want those Sephora points, they carry their line too!

From Mallory: I stumbled upon the BEST sample sale last weekend and found the cutest wool pants – Em first introduced me to Trovata a few years ago, and I’ve always really loved their pieces (it’s a super small brand, the guy working there said there were only 7 people in the whole company!!). The quality of their products is really impressive, so when I bumped into their store, which had a massive sample sale, I knew I had to snag some items – like these great pants. A lot of the sale is still happening online (or if you live close to Newport Beach, that’s where their flagship store was!) Definitely check it out – these pieces would also make great gifts! 

From Gretchen: I’ve been in desperate need of a new vacuum and have been weighing my options for a while now. My parents were coming up to stay with me for the holiday, so I needed to bite the bullet and purchase one finally so I could banish the dust bunnies before they’d have to face family judgment. All vacuums I’ve owned previously have been cordless, and for various reasons (battery strength, suck-ability, and a constant need to cut my long hair free from the roller mechanism), I’ve never been super happy with the ones I bought (admittedly, they were cheap and under-researched choices). So I took to the internet to find a corded option that was easy to maneuver (like my previous cordless vacs) in hopes that it would be more reliable. And the one I found has so far been awesome! It’s the Shark Detect Ultralight Corded Stick Vacuum. Unfortunately, I can’t give you a months-long-use review, but in the few times I’ve used it, I’ve already fallen in love! It’s got the size, shape, and bagless features of the cordless machines that came before, but it does plug in, meaning I never have to worry about the battery dying on me. Plus, the cord is long enough to reach most spots in my apartment without the need to re-plug. The main reason I went for it is that it boasts automatic hair removal, which has so far been true—none of my long, loose hairs stand a chance getting stuck on the roller. I also love that it has just two simple suck modes–hardwood or carpet–and comes with a bunch of attachments. It glides super easily, isn’t heavy, and can break down to be used handheld, with a long-wand or standard push-along. The price tag was just right (I bought it on Amazon for under $200 two weeks ago, but annoyingly, it looks like they’ve since raised the price. But actually, it’s on sale on Shark’s website for less than what I paid for a BF sale). It has a nice “dust light” so you can really see what gunk needs sucking up and if it’s working (it does). I had literally been on my hands and knees using a shop vac to clean my place before, so this is leaps and bounds better. So happy I can check “quality, easy, inexpensive vacuum” off my list!

From Marlee: I really love a low-profile shoe. I have a pair of vintage Onitsuka Tigers that I thrifted in high school that I have worn into the ground – the soles are completely falling off, even though I’ve super-glued them multiple times. I love them so much and would wear them forever if I could. I definitely want to pick up another pair at some point, but I found this pair of Adidas at Nordstrom, and they have a similar vibe/silhouette. I love that they give a sporty look without being actual walking/running shoes – but still so comfy. I got the yellow color because it was on sale, but I also loved this brown color, the silver, and this maroon is so fun too. Adidas definitely runs big – I’m normally between a 9 and a 9.5, and I comfortably fit into an 8.5 in these.

From Caitlin: If you’re a long-time reader, I’ll likely sound like a broken record here…but my all-time favorite LL Bean slippers are on finally on sale! My mom gets me a pair every year for Christmas, and sinking my cold lil’ toes into the plush shearling is my favorite part of every holiday season. They’re warm without getting sweaty, they totally mold to your feet over time, and I really think that they’re the perfect gift for any of those hard-to-shop-for folks (my boyfriend also got a pair from Brenda last year, and he loves them just as much as I do!). They’re my favorite holiday tradition – anyone else partake? 🙂

Thanks for spending a little bit of time with us today, and see y’all back here tomorrow. xx

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: My Favorite Places To Shop Small In Portland – Design Forward Gifts, Furniture, And Home Decor

Happy Sunday, everyone! The weather’s already been cool in Portland, but the temperatures in LA are finally making it feel like the beginning of the holidays. We are all pretty excited to get to spend time with our families this week for Thanksgiving, and maybe check off some holiday gifts during Black Friday. We hope y’all are looking forward to it too. Ok, links?

This week’s house tour is a VERY cool story of how an Austin couple promised the owners of a 100-year-old home, they wouldn’t tear it down if they sold it to them. They kept their promise, but you have to see what they did!

From Emily: Our family has been BINGING a show that I missed altogether, but I must tell my generation, as I know I’m not alone in my former snobbery. Brian and I were in our 20s in New York when Survivor debuted. I had never seen a frame of it, but then Marlee and Gretchen were saying they watched it with their parents in high school, so out of desperation (we finished Modern Family), we gave it a go. We are officially addicted. Marlee gave me a list of the best seasons (there are over 40 now), so we started with season 20, then 28, then 32, 34, and now we are so into it that we are ok watching the less all-star seasons. Our kids (10 and 12) love it, and we talk a lot about psychology, risk-taking, lying, adventure, etc. We watch 1-2 episodes a night after dinner (or their sports/play activities), and it’s become such a lovely way to spend time together with zero effort and full snuggles. Charlie and I sit on floor pillows in front of the fire together and snuggle, which I treasure so much since he’s entering his teen years, like now. So shout out to Jeff Probst and the Mark Burnett crew (who produced my season of Design Star, which I do NOT recommend, LOL.

From Gretchen: After so long hearing Em rave about her favorite percale sheets from Brooklinen, I finally caved and tried them out for myself. And YUP, she’s absolutely right! They are simply the BEST. I knew how soft they were from shooting with them, making the bed, and whatnot, but actually sleeping on them? That’s an entirely different story. It’s almost hard to describe how cozy and comforting they feel. It’s a wildly noticeable difference from sleeping on my run-of-the-mill IKEA sheets, and for that reason, I truly don’t think I’ll ever go back. A great gift for yourself to amp up your sleep game or for any holiday guests if you want to really show off your hosting skills!

From Marlee: I recently got a new pair of jeans that I am really loving. They’re the low loose from Levi’s- low/mid rise (just below the belly button), they sit right at my hips, and are very straight leg. This is my dream fit for jeans – for context, I have a shorter torso with long legs, and feel very awkward in high-waisted jeans. I got them in this really nice dark wash and have already gotten SO many compliments on them in the first week of wearing them. Definitely going to grab them in one more wash! On their website, they recommend sizing up; however, I am usually between a 26 and 27, and I ordered a 26, and they fit perfect. (I also ordered the 27 and they still fit, but just didn’t like the looser look.) My friends who also have them agreed that sizing down is the move because they stretch out a bit after a few wears. I’m 5’8” and got them in the 32” length, and they fall right below my ankle. I like the length of them and think they look great with a boot or clogs, but a 30” length probably would have been a good cropped look too!

Also From Marlee: Also, if you’re reading this on Sunday, we’ve got a 30% off Anthro code for y’all! It’s EMILYH30, and it works on home decor, clothes, you name it. A few of our recent Anthro faves: Em’s favorite new fuzzy blanket, these really solid flameless pillar candles, this super cute trench Em has been wearing this fall, and this puff sleeve sweater:) Today is the last day to use the code!

From Mallory: I’ve been loving a little patterned jacket lately, and this one is SO good for only $55!! How cute is that brown houndstooth?? It’s so perfect for fall.

From Caitlin: I’m a little embarrassed to admit this, but I could run a Theragun store out of my apartment. (We have the old school standard Theragun, the mini, the roller, the one that wraps around your back…it’s a lot.) But this year, my boyfriend Dennis brought home the crowning jewel of our collection: The Prime Plus Theragun. I want to kiss whoever invented this thing RIGHT ON THE MOUTH. Unlike the Theraguns of yore, this one offers heated attachments, cooling attachments, and a few new shapes (the wedge!) that offer a premium massage experience from the comfort of your home. (Don’t even get me started on the red light functionality – it feels like I’m in a spa whenever I’m using it. And the guided treatments in the Theragun app really work – I can fix my tight hips or back in a matter of minutes!) If you’re looking at a Theragun this holiday season, this is the one worth buying – don’t waste your time on the others. Added bonus: you can buy it with your HSA/FSA funds! Keep your eyes peeled for great deals this week.

From Jess: A brand I’ve loved from afar is Simon Miller. Their clothes are fun, bold, and yet sophisticated. The dream! Well, last week they had a sample sale and let’s just say I am now the proud owner of high-quality sequined pants (plus a handful of other pieces I’m very excited to wear). This sale was also next to their regular store (dangerous), so my friend and I popped in. I then found this knit top. It’s so chic, you can wear a normal bra, and it lies so nicely on. I’m tempted to buy the matching pants on Black Friday, but we’ll see!

From Arlyn: Looking for the gift that *truly* no one knows they needed? A gift that could work for a preschooler or a 40+-year-old? Something small enough to fit in a stocking that everyone will be fighting over using? Well, I’ve got you! The Nee Doh cube is the best $7 you will spend this season, I promise. I first discovered these in the “calm corner” of my daughter’s preschool classroom and couldn’t put it down. Then my husband experienced it one weekend when volunteering in said classroom on clean-up duty, and came home transfixed by it. So, I grabbed one for his recent birthday, and we’re all addicted to its firm, squishy squeeze. Just…trust me on this one!

From EHD: Since Black Friday sales are very much already here, we wanted to highlight our beloved long-term partner AllModern with some gift ideas for a loved one (or just you;)). Let’s get into!

Vases That Will Make You Look Chic

VENTINA HANDMADE CERAMIC VASE $129

BLACK CERAMIC VASE $65

A cool vase is never not an awesome gift because it’s usually not something we prioritize buying for ourselves. We love both of these a lot! The painted one is a slightly different version of the one Jess has on her living room mantel. It’s bold without being loud. Then the shape of the black one is so good. It’s modern, cool, and so versatile.

Great Lamps

RIALTA FLOOR LAMP $239

EDWARDS TABLE LAMP $159

Need a great lamp that’s a very good deal? These two fit the bill. Both are timeless with a Midcentury Modern feel and just look very sophisticated, but not over the top or cold. Either of these would elevate any room.

Cool Geometric Decor

MONTICELLO CHAMPAGNE FLUTES $79

GEOMETRIC STORAGE BOXES $42

Ok, here are some great gift ideas! So often with champagne glassware, we head straight for a classic flute. And while there’s nothing wrong with that, wouldn’t drinking out of one of these be so fun and so great to display? Functional art, if you will:) Then, a little decorative storage box is another thing we typically don’t feel is a decor “necessity,” but it can add just a great punch of pattern, color, and/or texture! This green color palette is awesome and would work with a lot of other colors in a room.

For the Gardener

PRESTON WATERING CAN $49

CORTEN STEEL SERIES PLANTER $133

A great watering can is an excellent gift for anyone with a plant, and this one is cool, fun, and modern! Then, if you were in love with Bower’s back house backyard makeover, you might remember these planters. They looked so good in her space and probably would in yours too;)

The Bestsellers

AICHA COFFEE TABLE $429

ACCORDIAN CHRISTMAS TREES $76

Our final little duo is two of our current best sellers that are also on sale! That coffee table is so awesome, and we love that many of you now have it in your homes. Chic, cool, simple. Then, if you’ve been paying attention, we LOVE accordian Christmas trees and this set of 6 was used in The Carly Christmas shoot, so you can see for yourself how great they are:)

Head here for more great deals!

Thanks for stopping by, and see ya tomorrow. xx

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: Farmhouse Update: Testing Out The Barb Sofas In Our Living Room (Game Changing)