Emily Henderson's Blog, page 11

The Link Up: Our New Comment Policy (It’s So Cool!), Mal’s Super Affordable Summer Set, And How To Smell Like Summer

Happy Sunday, everyone. In case you missed it, the PDX gals made another incredibly fun and entertaining YouTube video about the garage’s storage plan (PS IKEA was the star. Please check it out, and if you aren’t subscribed, we’d really appreciate it if you clicked that button too:) Ok, let’s get to the links.

This week’s house tour is from the incredible mind of design studio Claves. It’s a newly rentable townhouse where “where surrealism meets art deco splendour”. You just have to go take a look:)

From Emily: I think the most important link this week is a huge shout-out to Gretchen and Marlee – my PDX DREAM TEAM, who are tag-teaming our YouTube series (amongst so many other jobs). I was nervous to add another platform to my workload, but they are making it so easy, so organic, just like following along with what we are doing, and yet shooting and cutting it in a way that is genuinely entertaining and funny. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, if you are a long-time reader (thank you!) or just landing for the day, watch episode 1 and episode 2 of the carriage house re-org (and yes, you’ll get a tour soon, I promise). And then for the love of the algorithm gods, like and subscribe if you are into it, heck, comment and share, too! (it makes a massive difference on how YouTube shares it with others). We are having so much fun, and they are working so hard on it despite both just learning on the job, so give them some love – they deserve it!

Also From Emily: Shout out to our new AI comment tech (thank you, Caitlin!) – We now have AI that can detect when a comment is negative and filters it out for human approval, while all the other comments get auto-published immediately. This is extra exciting because even though we’ve monitored comments for years I had to still see them as “pending” if I wanted to go into the backend and comment back to people (you have to be signed in to comment back as me, and once signed in you see all the pending in the same feed). While 95% of the comments are lovely, supportive, or even constructive (which we generally find helpful), the typical few meant to ruin our day made it hard to go into the backend, so I would often avoid it. While I have thick skin, the distraction and derailment was damaging and even worse, they could made me more cynical about the world at large – so bummed that people found such pleasure in saying intentionally mean things, happily ruining the day of me and my team that work so hard to put good things into the world. My anxiety would spike, and then dark thoughts about my career/future would spiral (helpful to literally no one, including and especially my wonderful team). So this tech is FANTASTIC because I can go in and engage immediately with your non-negative published comments, then someone on my team will also read through the suspicious comments and publish those later in the day, should they be appropriate. That’s all to say that if you don’t see your comment published immediately, it’s because the AI has found something in it that it thinks is negative. This has happened to me twice – I wrote “shoot” in one, and then “I hate…” in another, and it held those two for approval. So essentially, the AI tech can filter out what it deems “negative” and then a human goes in and publishes or not, but meanwhile, I don’t see any of them, and all the positive comments or questions get published immediately. Take my Belize post (the first post we tried this with), I was able to go in and with confidence answer all the questions, knowing that it was safe (and I wasn’t going to read a bunch of hateful things about my family, etc). This won’t be perfect, by any means, but it’s only been a week, and it’s been really fun to engage in the comments in a way that feels totally healthy and safe. Three cheers for using AI for good and EHD.

Also Also From Emily: Attn Portland folks (and anyone else who needs encouragement to be a tourist in your own state). We’ve lived here for 4 years now and I couldn’t love the nature of the PNW more (sure, Nov – Feb can be rough, but once we started skiing it got a lot better- rain here means snow up there). I’ve become quite nature-obsessed (it’s the main reason to live here, IMHO), but like the Virgo + Enneagram 7 that I am, I want a really fun weekend agenda. So I have four books that I reference ALL THE TIME. I know that you can get a lot of info on the internet, but I don’t love being on the internet all the time, so I have my own little library that I reference on Saturday morning while I plan out how I’m going to torture my family through waterfall hikes. 1. Oregon and Washington 50 Hikes with Kids by Wendy Gorton. The kids will thumb through this and help pick, too. 2. Portland Family Adventures by Jen Stevenson. A fantastic, thorough city guide of all the best things to do with different aged kids (inside activities included – and day trips). 3. The Portland Book of Dates by Eden Dawn and Ashod Simonian. I LOVE this one – yes, more for grownup dates, but gives you a lot of good ideas of really unique things you can do, odd sites to see, not just restaurants or more predictable date night stuff. 4. Citi x 60: Portland (60 local creatives bring you the best of the city). This one is more about cool design, art, and creatives – so less family stuff, but if you have friends in town, a great insiders perspective of inspiring stuff. Also please let me know in the comments if you want my guide of “what do do while visiting Portland” – I’m not an expert (again, only 4 years back here) but I have my favorite SOLID hikes that please every Californian that visits us, the restaurants that hit every time, the bike rides that avoid cars, the parks that wow even in the crappier months, etc. I love an insider’s itinerary, so just ask and I’ll write it all up:) Obviously buy local when possible (Powells!) but I linked up for convenience.

From Gretchen: If you’re like me and love the smell of sunscreen or just wish you could bottle up and wear the scent of a sunny beach day, you absolutely can. And don’t be surprised if people compliment you on it! Anthropologie’s “Beach Trip” perfume has been my go-to smell this summer. It’s light and airy, slightly floral, a little coconut-y, and neither is too intense. It smells perfectly sunscreen-y to me, and I just can’t stop spraying it. Perfumes normally cost a pretty penny, but Anthro’s line is only $24 for a full-size bottle. A few of the reviews mention the smell subsides after a while, which I haven’t really noticed, because I have a little trick for that; When I rub a light layer of vaseline on my skin first and then spray, the smell stays on me wayyy longer. But beware, you will get complimented when going in for a hug!

From Marlee: I’m always looking for shirts that are a step up from a t-shirt or tank top, but nothing too complicated – this shirt from Madewell is exactly that – I grabbed it in white, but I might have to go back for the striped one. It’s a super simple loose fit, but I love how it has a little cinch in the waist and drapes over the sides. It falls right above my hips (I would say I have a somewhat shorter torso, so it might be more cropped for someone with a longer torso), but I like that I can make it more cropped if I’m wearing it with something more high-waisted. It’s a super soft fabric, not see-through, and super breezy/airy. I got a size XS because they were OOS of S at the time, and it definitely fits fine, but I would size up next time for an even looser, drapier fit. I can’t stop wearing it – I’ve repeated the same outfit 4 times in the last week:)

From Arlyn: As I was running out of my giant Costco moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, I wanted something lighter, fresher, and easier to travel with. Years ago, on my old personal blog, I did a review of shampoo bars, and the one from The Earthling Co. was by far my favorite, so I tapped back into that this time around, and I’m so happy I did. My hair is clean, feels bouncy and not weighed down, and I don’t have two enormous plastic bottles taking up room on my shower caddy. WIN WIN! I also picked up the conditioner bar and this silicone storage/travel case, which I keep right in my shower to stash my bars. Oh, and the best part? Everything is 20% off all month for their Plastic Free July Sale, so stock up!

From Mallory: Have you ever packed a suitcase for a trip and forgotten something critical?! Well, I packed for Hawaii and forgot bathing suits (cool!), so I had to do that classic “SOS, I need to go get a bathing suit or two right now” shopping trip. I then stumbled upon the most affordable and SUPER cute swimsuit!! It was $20 for the bottoms and $25 for the top, and has the cutest little ball details on the tie, plus the fabric looks expensive. They have it in white and red, and when I tell you…this is now one of my favorite suits ever.

Also from Mallory: I snagged this cover up set (top and bottom) from H&M when I was there too…it fits great and the stripes are so adorbs.

From Jess: I was bopping around with my cousin on Sunday, and we stopped into RG, a small, woman-founded, affordable jewelry shop, in Atwater Village. While there are some pieces that are a little more expensive, most of what I saw (and bought) was so reasonable. I got these thin, everyday gold hoops and these sweet little tri-crystal cluster studs for my new second hole. Both were under $50 and I love how special…but simple they are:)

Also From Jess: I finally invested in a couple of new bras that I LOVE. I’ve tried Third Love, Negative Underwear, etc., and was never all that impressed. I really dislike any added padding, so I’d been wearing inexpensive mesh cup ones that were on their last leg. Then, when one of my best friends was visiting last month, she was raving about her Fleur du Mal bra. I tried it on and immediately ordered it. I first ordered the lace one in black because their “t-shirt bra” was out of stock. Once I got it, it was the only bra I wanted to wear because it was comfortable but still a little sexy. When the t-shirt bra came back in stock, I hit add to cart and got it a few days ago. The cup is soft (not padded!) and so smooth under tops. It’s also just so freaking flattering. I feel incredible in both of them, which is such a good feeling. No more kinda sad bras that fit “good enough”.

From Caitlin: I was lucky enough to spend this weekend with my mom, and she treated me to the cutest pair of summer pajamas! They’re from Jockey (!!!), they’re super budget-friendly, and the top and bottom can be purchased separately to best fit your sizing. I LOVE THEM – the photos don’t do them justice! I’m obsessed with the piping detailing on the cami and around the legs; I can’t get enough of the ribbon tie on the bottom; and they’re SO COMFORTABLE to sleep in. I got an XL on top (though I could have sized down here, and I’m a 36F!) and an XL on bottom, which feels great on me. They’re so cute that I feel excited to change out of my daytime lounge clothes and into my nighttime lounge clothes! Highly recommend for any summer vacations, slumber parties, or just as a general pick-me-up. I slept in them every night this week and am so pleased by the price:value ratio on them – they feel like a splurgy pair of Printfresh PJs at a fraction of the cost. Thanks Brenda!!!

We also wanted to give our love and support to those affected by the Texas flood. More than ever, it feels as though there is a never-ending occurrence of unbelievable harm and devastation happening, whether it be by man or by nature, and it’s especially heartbreaking when children are involved. We are so grateful for all of the people who are on the ground helping.

Thank you so spending a little time with us today and see you tomorrow for a really great reveal/tour. xx

Opening Image Credits: Photos by Kaitlin Green

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks (And Some Favorite Non-Sale Pieces On My Body)

I tried to sneak into the Nordstroms Anniversary sale before I was allowed to try things on to show you, but it was a mad house and I didn’t have a card (and then ran into The Daily Tay – I HAD NO IDEA SHE LIVED IN THE PNW!!) and got distracted. So I looked for stuff on sale, but honestly, what I was into was the expensive stuff that was now just less expensive, so I didn’t buy anything on sale. Instead, opting for some pretty dang cute, and mostly affordable pieces. Here are a few if you want to see (and then I rounded up some of the sale items I really liked, too). Also, you are about to see a lot of scarves on my head, it’s a thing for me right now…

Dress | Flats

This dress is a solid 9/10. It’s so comfortable, so drapey, so easy to wear – and for virtually every occasion (work, happy hour, grocery shopping, date night, even a walk and chat – just so easy). It has pockets and a loose waist that is still flattering because the sleeves are big. It’s a cute pattern, but not too loud. My only issue with it is that you need a bra that has straps that are pretty wide (or don’t mind showing off your bra strap – but maybe it’s a sign for me to get some new bras, good lord I go a LOOOONNNG time one the same three super supportive but not terribly beautiful bras). They didn’t have my size in stock, so I bought a size 6, but I think if I had sized down, it would have fit in an unflattering way because my boobs would have pulled up the waist, and it might have hugged or poofed in the wrong places. I think if you are smaller on top, then order your size, but for me, sizing up really worked here as it just drapes really nicely. It’s such an incredibly easy dress to wear, and I hope they make it in a lot of other subtle patterns.

Head Scarf (similar) | Top | Skirt | Flats | Purse (unavailable)

This is a “new to me” look that I know is trendy (and admittedly cute). A linen set that is pretty affordable (skirt is $55 and top is $75, sold separately). As you know, I’m stupidly self-conscious about my arms/shoulders, so you may have never seen me in a tank top, but this cut (where it comes really close to the armpits) felt more flattering than most, de-emphasizing the areas that I have dumb sensitivities to. Preppy and cute, fun to wear, and comes in black and white, too. I can’t tell if I really will wear this enough to warrant keeping it, but if I had a job where I needed to be in an office or meetings with clients, this is perfect in the summer. The linen is thick, but not wrinkly AT ALL, and the skirt is flattering on its own. I’m wearing a small in both. OBSESSED with these jellies. They are so flattering (elongates my feet and legs) and extremely comfortable (feels like I’m wearing nothing). SIZE UP – I’m a solid size 7 shoe, but wearing an 8 here and can’t imagine going any smaller.

Head Scarf (similar) | Sunglasses (similar) | Top | Shorts | Flats

Ok, I was on the fence about keeping this (again, unsure I would wear enough to warrant adding it to my already full closet), but after seeing these photos, I’m pretty dang into the outfit. The top is super drapey and I felt flattering for how easy it is to wear, the shorts are tailored but still comfortable. I should have shown you the back because it is more open, which is my only issue. I asked my team what I was supposed to do here, and they said not to wear a bra and try those bra “cakes” instead. So now I want to do a roundup/review of bra “cakes” for larger ladies (and yet, how would we show them on the internet???). Again, the jellies are rad and I think the scarf and aviators are really working with the outfit, if I do say so myself (also trying to not damage my hair as much by styling it so thus the head scarves).

Head Scarf (similar) | Top | Shorts | Flats

This blouse is a solid 10/10 if you don’t mind showing a bit of bra in the middle of the ties. For $65, I think it has a lot of detail (think Doen, but 1/10th the price) and is extremely easy to wear, without being too “pirate-y,” i.e., too much fabric. The longer Bermuda shorts were all I saw in New York (can’t say they are the most flattering – I’m a short-short lady, but I’m embracing the trend and starting to love them, although I love my Gap ones just as much as they are almost 1/3 the price). I think the trend with the bigger Bermuda shorts you are supposed to wear a tiny top (crop, tank, or square neck) and either flip flops, ballet flats, or Hokas, FYI. I don’t know – I want to write a whole post about how fashion is wack right now (New York was extremely uninspiring, TBH. I don’t know what is happening, but I felt like a tourist by just wearing an outfit.)

Head Scarf (similar) | Sweater | Shorts | Sandals (affordable option)

This looks boring, but these are two excellent staples. I was looking for a mid-weight cardigan to layer. Most are either too thin (won’t layer easily over my tops, which are admittedly voluminous) or too thick (too hot). This one is fantastic on its own, but has enough structure, weight, and room to layer on top. SIZE UP if you want to layer (I’m wearing a medium). The shorts are pull-on, drawstring, patterned, and perfect for all your daytime occasions (I think you could even pair them with a t-shirt and blazer for casual Friday office days since they read trouser shorts, not pajamas). I’m wearing a medium, FYI.

Hat (similar) | Top | Skirt | Denim Shirt (similar) | Sandals

A cute scarf-style shirt that has a great structure (not flowy, more A-line) with a nice waistline that doesn’t cut in but stays put. I’m wearing a small. Then shout out to Emerson Fry for sending me that cute shirt. I dressed the skirt down with that graphic T, denim around my waist, and classic nude Havianas (which are having a moment, again – flip flops are just everywhere right now).

So that’s what I picked up in store and below are the pieces I really want from the actual sale:)

1. Crop Denim Jacket | 2. Textured V-Neck Cardigan | 3. Cable Pullover Sweater | 4. Plaid Double Breasted Coat | 5. Harmon High Waist Shorts | 6. The Darted Barrel Leg Jeans: Raw Hem Edition | 7. The Square Mary Jane | 8. San Sebastian Water Resistant Boot | 9. Killshot 2 TXT Sneaker

1. Pop Quiz Recycled Polyester Backpack | 2. Chenille Throw | 3. Chapter Dopp Kit | 4. Hydrocotton Stripe Bath Towel | 5. Novel Duffle Bag | 6. Woven Fringe Throw Blanket

*Photos by Kaitlin Green

Our Secret Source For Affordable Extra-Long Curtains (+ 27 Of Our Readymade Faves Under $100 Including The Pair Arlyn’s Eyeing For Her Living Room)

Two years ago, I explored the idea of doing a DIY blockprinting treatment on the existing curtains in my living room (below). I’m here to confess that two Julys later, they still look exactly the same. I could never commit to a pattern or color, let alone the time and effort it was going to take. But also, I knew in my heart that I actually needed taller curtains. These were 95 inches (possibly 98 but I can’t recall and I’m not going to dig out my tape measure).

this photo is from two years ago. that junk in the corner is thankfully gone, the art on the left is different with a wood chair under it, and considerably more kid art taped to the window (hence, why i didn’t retake this photo). but the curtains are still a bunch of varied lengths and hung too low).

I purchased them nearly seven years ago for another home with much lower ceilings than I have now. They worked great then, but are basically just a bandaid in this home that has roughly 12-foot ceilings. In my original post where I shared this image, a handful of readers suggested I needed longer curtains hung higher and TBH, at first I was miffed. “No, I don’t! Leave me be,” I thought. But that’s just my typical knee-jerk reaction for most things; I don’t like being told what to do.

When I stepped away from my temporary ego, I, of course, agreed with them. While I’m not a stickler for how high to hang your curtains as long as there is some distance between the top of your windows and your curtain rod—about 10-ish inches—in this instance, I was just barely clearing the sliding glass door and making it look out of scale to the room and ceiling height.

Not to mention, some of my panels were hovering above the floor a few inches while others kissed it. That’s kind of the name of the game with cheapy panels from big box store (these are from IKEA).

design by emily henderson | photo by kaitlin green | from: my best friend robyn’s living room reveal – we added so much color, charm, coziness (and a lot of heirloom quality pieces)

All in all, my living room curtain situation could use a serious upgrade. Truly, I need 108-inches (or higher) curtain panels but WOOF! They are EXPENSIVE. I’ve explored custom options for a high-end look since this is the main room in my home and very stately as the full expanse is about the full width of the space. But you guys, buying six to eight custom panels of at least 108 inches is wildly cost prohibitive for me at this moment. I’d be willing to invest in that if this were my permanent home, but it’s just a rental so it’s a no-go.

My budget restrictions are your gain, as I’ve decided to put my research hat on and see what’s out there. My mission? Extra-long readymade curtain panels of at least 108 inches that come in under $100 each (so under $200 for a pair). This was not an easy feat by any means, especially mostly trying to avoid some retailers I’m not currently shopping from. You can see all my 27 picks if you keep reading, broken up into solid neutral—what most people buy—solid color, and patterned (my heart’s favorite).

design by emily henderson | photo by photo by kaitlin green | from: another design box checked – the kids’ bath wallpaper reveal!

Before window shopping (ha), let me break down a few facts about what can affect the cost of drapery as prices vary wildly. You might find a cream linen-looking curtain on Wayfair for $60 a pair just as a cream linen-looking curtain on Nordic Knots for $600. What’s the difference? Let’s break it down:

What Affects The Cost Of Curtains

Just like with anything else in our homes and, essentially, the world, quality is the top driver of price tags (well, and branding but that’s very subjective so I’ll leave that out). Here are TKTKTKTK aspects that will drive the price of curtains up:

Fabric type: Natural fibers are typically going to come at a premium when it comes to window coverings. If you look at the product description between curtains from Amazon and those from even a place like West Elm, polyester is most common on low priced curtains while mid-range to higher-end readymade curtains will be cotton or linen. Fabric weight: This is by far the hardest thing to tell about curtains when you’re shopping online. You may think you scored big with $50 100% linen curtains from Zara Home only to find they are incredibly lightweight. This can be totally fine if you want light-filtering curtains, but not so much if you need extra privacy for your bedroom, for instance. Fabric weight can also affect how a curtain drapes (or falls), with wispier fabric weights looking kind of dinky and messy when opened up. Lining: The nicer the curtain, the higher the likelihood that it has a lining. While that’s not always true, you’ll probably at least get the choice by the retailer for no lining, light-filtering lining or blackout (even sometimes varying degrees of blackout). The strength of the lining will typically drive up the price. Width: Readymade curtains are often between 48 inches and 54 inches wide, and the wider the panel, the wider your wallet has to be to afford them. Keep a lookout for double-wide curtains of 100 inches or so, as well (I have some below). Remember, a good formula to follow for how much width you need is 1.5x the width of your window for a standard look, or 2x for a plush look. General quality: Something to keep in mind with cheaper options on the market are the less expensive they are, the higher your chances of lengths not being exact across the board. Quality control is simply not as high on a mass-produced item then something either custom-made or made to a higher standard (a.k.a. more expensive). Length consistency is one of the most common problems with lower quality curtains, which can be SUPER frustrating if you’re trying to cover a large expanse of windows or doors. It’s less obvious if you’re just using two panels, but when you have six or more, it’s a nightmare and looks awful. Though more expensive, a good way to combat this is to get one size more than you need, and get them hemmed all to the same length. This, of course, is tricky when you need 108-inch curtains or more, because many retailers stop at 95/98 inches. If they offer 108, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything higher. 120-inch curtains do exist, and are available on some of the curtains I selected below, but it’s not common. Solid Neutral Extra-Long Curtain Options We Recommend

If you’re a neutral curtain lover, I have to tell you about Half Price Drapes, where some of the below were plucked from. It’s hard to beat their pricing or value. You may have seem the name pop up if you’ve ever searched from curtains on Amazon, but they have their own proper website, which I much prefer. Their selection of ready-to-ship curtains under $100 a panel is awesome, especially if you’re after linen-look curtains. Definitely a designer “secret source” if you will. Other stores to peruse include H&M Home (though their curtains are a bit on the thin side), Quince, and IKEA, though many of their curtains don’t go as high as 108 inches.

1. Mink Textured Faux Linen Room Darkening Curtain – 50″x108″ | 2. 2-Pack Long Blackout Curtain Panels – 55″x118″ | 3. Barley Heavy Faux Linen Curtain – 50″x108″ | 4. Single-Pack Long Wide Blackout Curtain Panel – 98″x118″ | 5. Organic Cotton Natural Taupe Window Curtain Panel 52″x108″ | 6. Ritva Curtains 1 Pair – 57″x118″ | 7. Luster Velvet Room Darkening Curtain – 48″x108″ | 8. Safaa Cotton Sheer Curtain, Natural Linen Cotton Curtain – 52″x108″ | 9. Sun Zero Amherst Velvet Thermal Extreme Back Tab 100% Blackout Single Curtain Panel – 50″x108″

With neutral curtains, be sure to study the product description to make sure they are what you want. Lined? Linen? Faux-linen? Pleating? Pre-trained? Of course, this applies to all the other curtains on this list, but specifically here because the online options can seem endless and indistinguishable. See if you can find a close-up detail of the texture, too. As I already mentioned, the Half Price Drape options are great (#1 and #3), and have subtle differences you can read more about on their site. Also, #1 is the same one that Caitlin has in her living room (just a different color). She RAVES about them and everyone assumes they are really expensive when they see them.

The Ritva curtains from IKEA are one of the rare panels in this size range but have a nice texture, as does #8 from Etsy (almost like a honeycomb). And don’t overlook JCPenney for super affordable curtains, either, though you’ll have to dig a bit. These thermal velvet panels (#9) are under $100 for TWO. Wow.

Solid Color Extra-Long Curtain Options We Like

Love the drama and interest of pattern but need to pull it back a bit? Solid color is your jam. I LOVE a solid color curtain, especially in velvet (in the right room). While something that visually weighted wouldn’t work in my own living room, a fresh color in a lighter linen just might. Let’s explore what I found.

1. Khaki Green Faux Linen Extrawide Room Darkening Curtain – 100″x108″ | 2. Velvet Room Darkening Curtain Pair – 52″x108″ | 3. Dusty Blue Linen Curtains Pair – 52″x108″ | 4. Olivia Signature Thermal Lined 100% Blackout Velvet Curtain – 50″x108″ | 5. Wild Rose Velvet Rod Pocket Room Darkening Curtain – 50″x108″ | 6. European Linen Curtain Cotton Light Filtering – 48″x108″ | 7. Broadway Curtain – Set of 2 – 50″x108″ | 8. Linen Cotton Fringed Stripe Trim Curtain, Peach – 50″x108″ | 9. Vision Home Chambray Blue Pinch Pleated Full Blackout Curtains, Set of 2 – 40″x108″

My heart belongs to olive green or Swedish blue curtains for my own home, but they’re also just so stately without being overbearing that they’d work almost anywhere. The khaki-colored ones from The Home Depot are great because they are extra-wide at 100 inches wide, so you only need one panel for each side for a larger window or sliding door. Something like this is also great if your curtain rod doesn’t need a center support and you want to have your drawn panels only off to one side (a good look). The blue on the Quince panels (#6) is so nice. I actually just saw a panel of theirs at Jess’ who was testing out a color. They are lined and she was impressed with the quality. Those terra-cotta velvet panels from Wayfair (#2) are an incredible price and well-reviewed, so def check them out if you’re into earthy neutrals. And #9 is another pair for under $100, though note the narrow width of 40 inches due to being pinch pleated.

Extra-Long Readymade Curtains With Pattern

As I mentioned early on in this post, I have dreams of patterned curtains in my living room (the ones I think might be able to work are below…keep reading). The only issue is that I need six to eight panels of 108-inch height to cover my large sliding glass door. That’s A LOT. It could end up feeling too visually heavy. Perhaps a subtle stripe or windowpane check would be best, but the heart wants what it wants. Got a window or two to cover in the same room? Go for it! Let me live vicarious through you, please.

1. Cotton Woven Stripe Curtain – 50″x108″ | 2. Batik Scallop Edge Curtain, Set of 2 – 48″x108″ | 3. Pierce & Ward Foliage Stripe Curtain – 48″x108″ | 4. Kyle Cotton Blend Room Darkening Curtain Panel Pair, Set of 2 – 50″x108″ | 5. Mist Blue & Crisp White Linen Double Pinstripe Blackout Window Curtain Panel – 52″x108″ | 6. Iluka Cotton Lemons Curtain – 50″x108″ | 7. Hyacinth Semi-Sheer Printed Curtain – 50″x108″ | 8. Cotton Printed Tiger Curtain – 50″x108″ | 9. Pierce & Ward Floral Lattice Curtain – 48″x108″

With the patterns on readymade curtains, I most often found petite florals, stripes, or small-scale block-print-like prints, all of which I love and would work great across many styles of rooms. Anthropologie and West Elm lead the pack on offerings in this category, and at this size for the price point we’re looking to stay under, especially when you find them on sale. These stores are going to have more of a curated selection, which I think can be really important for patterns. Shops like Wayfair will have a TON of things, and you’ll have to weed through a lot of not-so-optimal looking prints.

If you can stretch your wallet a bit, Etsy is one of my favorite places to find curtains made from patterned fabric, but they’ll cost you at least twice what you see here (still a huge deal when compared to other custom retailers). Lemons (#6) would be adorable in a breakfast nook or sunroom, and those neutral tigers (#8) are edgy without being flashy. Love them.

It’s hard to beat the charm of that rippled edge on #2 (which always sell so well when I include them in a roundup). Two more Pierce & Ward favorites from West Elm right now are #3 and #9, the latter of which could be a strong contender for my own home. The tones are neutral and the pattern might read as a stripe when all together, which I think might be palatable at this much coverage. What do you think?!?

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Thanks for reading, friends. I know how paralyzing choosing curtains can be, especially if it’s a big investment due to the size you need, or if you’re trying something a little different. But the right curtains can and will transform your room, that I can promise you.

Opening Image Credits: Design & Styling by Lea Johnson of Creekwood Hill | Photo by Sage E Imagery | From: Lea’s Living Room Reveal: Her Pet And Family-Friendly Open Concept Design Agony SOLVED

Can You Use The IKEA PAX Closet In Your Garage? (Look…We Are!)

They did a study once where they scanned customers brains before entering The Container Store and then again leaving (with all the organizational goods) and found that dopamine levels had spiked – and not just because of shopping (which as we all know, does give you a high) but they concluded it was due to the hope/prospect of a more organized version of yourself is just so thrilling. Now, that might be an urban legend, but it rings true to me. Take this, for example – we have the most rundown garage ever (close to 200 years old and not maintained) and then a “hoarding house” next to it full of so much stuff (the goods and bads) that it can’t possibly stay organized. So while this garage rehab was quite the business investment, the value that I’m getting out of it is not just good for business, but incredible for my emotional inner world. I’M SO EXCITED. If you want to be a gold star reader, you could watch the Youtube that we made (Gretch and Marlee are killing it at this!!) and please, please, please like and subscribe (it’s so good for the algorithm which helps other people see the video – it’s rough out there!).

Where We Came From… The Before

The befores are pretty spectacular – “rundown” being a wild understatement. So my brother’s company (Afore Construction) set off to restore it, using the same footprint, the same structure, most of the original wood and posts (shout out to old growth wood – while some were too rotten from rain and had to be replaced or scissored, a lot were solid and remained in tact). It took a few months and cost far more than I want to publish on the internet (over six figures), but she is incredible now. She is weatherproof, with functional electricity, a new concrete floor (in one bay), new doors (on all), cadet heating for winter, and super sealed up. Spider proof!! (We hope… those harmless yet terrifying wolf spiders are INSANE).

We ended up cladding all walls and ceilings with pine tongue and groove to ensure that it’s a finished out space that allowed for the most flexibility, while being obviously really pretty. The end use is definitely prop/tool storage, but it’s pretty big, so in the summer, the team might work out here and certainly do DIY projects.

So, essentially, we have three walls that we could put storage on. But what kind of storage? Deep Shelves? Cabinets? Drawers? Bins? Peg Wall? So I made a list of what we really needed to store and what would be the best way to keep them organized long term, while being easy to access.

Need to be in drawers/easy access but closed:Everyday tools for easy access nails, screws, command strips, batteries, zip ties, glues, tapes, sharpies, crafting tools (but not supplies – are those in bins?)Design materials: fabric samples, wood samples, wallpaper samples, paint (Samplize and paint decks), hardware samplesBath props and office props – pretty soaps, scrubbers, bath oils, pens/pads, small traysIn bins or drawers: Specialty tools: drills, paint sprayer, small saws Table linens, napkins, placemats, (could be in cabinets: flatware, dishware, glassware, prop mugs)Large art:Need good solution – rolling rack? Small art or uframed art – lay flat in drawers? Pretty things for shallow shelves (too deep makes it hard to reach): All vases, vessels, sculptures, cute small things, vintage collections by colorBig things for large shelving (need to be deep to stack two rows):LampsLarge vasesPillows?Bins of vintage fabric (so many)Bins of Fresh towels, bathmatsPlanters/potsMedium art?

In the big storage unit (not in this garage, the next garage): furniture – vintage and furniture line samples, rugs – big and small, camping stuff + sports stuff, all holiday, bins of memorabilia, vintage stuff that I can’t seem to quit.

IKEA To The Rescue

So I set off to shop for storage furniture that would provide both cabinets, drawers, deep shelving, and more shallow shelving, closed and open, AND ALSO LOOK GOOD. I knew that a whole room of open shelving would look busy and messy (and I’m not great at say, putting things back in bins on a daily basis), so a combination of open, closed and some with drawers was the goal – some easier access, some labeled for more specific use. I know that our needs are specific – most people just want shelving and maybe a tool drawer in their garage. I landed solidly at IKEA due to price, availability, design, and a lot of options that looked good together (non-spon or traded). But I still had to check dimensions, lay it out, price it out, and triple-check my work. I came up with the plan:

This felt like a solid plan that checked all my functional boxes while still being aesthetically pleasing. This wouldn’t be a garage with 80s Porsche posters over bins of screws – she would be as pretty as she was functional.

The Back Wall – The Prettiest Focal Point

Due to the depth possibility and the shorter ceiling, I thought this would be the best place for a wall of streamlined cabinetry. I chose the IKEA PAX closet system, but designed for shelving and drawers, not closet rods. The kicker here? The green door fronts are so pretty, and I knew they would look good with the below shelving and pop off the pine so nicely. Their online design program was an excellent user experience, and everything was added to cart, including every hinge, shelf, bits, and bobs. Incredibly easy.

I chose the 39″ cabinets (wider than the slimmer ones) and, as you can see, chose shelving on top and drawers on the bottom. I winged it a bit, opting for mesh drawers on the bottom, not really knowing why, but figured maybe something would be good to put in those (paint materials? dirty drills? prop slippers?).

Once installed, you can see how it worked IRL, which is exactly like the design. And yes, we hired IKEA Task Rabbits to put everything together (took one day, although we put on the doors later so that we could shoot it open like this at first and waited on the shelves to plan out what height we needed with specific props).

The West Wall

For whatever reason, this was the wall that I dedicated to deep shelving – not 12″ or 18″ but tall, wide, and deep for big bins and lamps. Obviously, there is a lot of flexibility here, and it’s not like I measured every lamp or pillow. I love the green and black design of this BROR unit (thank you, IKEA, for caring about aesthetics).

The East Wall

This wall is shorter, having the door to the other garage along this wall. This seemed like a great place to have a combination wall – shelving on top, cabinets on bottom. And here is where I wanted slightly more shallow shelves because I have found that trying to reach back really deep to grab a vase can be annoying (or things can break easily). So here we chose the BROR line as well, in green. I definitely considered the rolling cart/table, hanging cabinets, peg wall – all the other options in the line, but I knew that we would have a huge worktable in the middle, and I’ve had peg walls before with less success. We needed pretty open storage for my pretty things, and the BROR shelves created that.

Once installed, we spent 2 days bringing over everything we needed (and purging). I gave so much stuff away to neighbors/friends, Aurora Mills (OG architectural elements – doors, bathtub, original built-ins), Rebuilding Center (random lighting, pedestal sink, bathtub), and then a decent amount of just gross spider covered pillows or random junk had to be donated or thrown away. We stored all our backup tile, paint, and window screens in our basement since we really will only need those in an emergency. I’m VERY excited to show you the results in a couple of weeks. I find myself going into the garage in the morning with my coffee and just tinkering, rearranging, admiring – it’s such a dream and will be so good for shoots, as well as my mental health (LOL).

Again, don’t forget to watch our Youtube video all about it. It’s so fun, I promise:)

*Prettier Photos by Kaitlin Green

The New Bedding Trend (+ Jess’ Current Picks For Her Own Bed)

There is nothing more I love than looking at a boldly colored bedroom. But for myself, I want calm, I want soft neutrals, I want lightness. I need to rest in there after all! However, I don’t want only soft neutrals. I’ve been jokingly referring to my bedroom in its current state as the “50 shades of beige” room because of what I already owned/what I’ve brought in, baby, it’s A LOT of beige and cream. I knew I would never keep it like that, but figuring out the best way to add in color and pattern has been a journey (with an Italian MCM vibe, no less). Now, a very simple way that I want to add in some variety is through a “bed blanket”. Now, using a bed blanket on the bottom half of a bed isn’t a new trend. But what has gotten more popular recently are boldly patterned ones that almost have a vintage feel to them. So I’m going to take you on a little journey on what I think my best options are to create a calm but “eclectic” bedding combo, which is heavily dependent on my end-of-bed blanket (Oh, and you also get to see my new rug!!!). Then I’ll take you through some more options in case you are in the market too, but we have different styles. But first, let’s get clear on the sizing of a bed blanket:

Twin: 65″ x 90″ Full/Queen: 90″ x 90″ +King: 108″ x 90″ +California King: 108″ x 92″

Or if you want just a larger than average throw blanket it should be around:

50″ x 70″ or 60″ x 80″

Now, onto what I’m considering. But first, here is a little peek of my bed for more context.

left: velvet is  and linen is  | right: farren bench, green check fabric is, and linen is kravet basics

I love both my bed and bench so freaking much. Buildlane and Kravet have truly made my dreams come true with this bed. And I am still pinching myself that I have a Katy Skelton piece of furniture.

Ok, now let’s really make these pieces shine together with some proper bedding…

Green Pillow | Shearling Lumbar Pillow | Striped Duvet (similar + similar) | Sheet Set | Rug (vintage) | Velvet Quilt

First off, THAT’S MY “NEW” VINTAGE RUG! I originally was using one of our Rugs USA rugs (Starke in Beige). I loved the rug in general, but it never felt perfect. Then, for our third drop, that never happened (see here for the story), we were designing this incredible blue one that I was hoping would get to me in time for the shoot. That rug clearly never came to fruition, but my obsession with a blue rug remained. So when I found it light gray blue beauty with the rust border and tassels, it had to be mine. As you can see this color palette is expanding, and it all needs to be balanced. Not a problem, right??

In my possession, I have the rug (clearly), that perfect green patterned pillow, the striped duvet, and light mint colored sheets (I had to buy 3 versions to find the right tone). I wanted mint sheets because mint is used in the chicest way in French and Italian designs. And remember, I’m going for eclectic/slightly unexpected. I like that the linen duvet cover breaks up the color on either end of the bed but still has those thin rusty stripes to talk to the rug’s border color, the gold velvet on the bed, and in the green pillow. Speaking of the end of the bed, I really love this velvet quilt from Lulu and Georgia. The color is rich, the texture is interesting, and it’s a big pop. Also, it’s large, it can drape over the end of the bed enough to put a break in between the cream linen bedding/bed frame and the cream linen bench seat.

Green Pillow | Shearling Lumbar Pillow | Striped Duvet (similar + similar) | Sheet Set | Rug (vintage) | Large Throw Blanket

But is that blue velvet “too much”? Will it draw all the attention to that end of the bed? Well, this unbelievably beautiful large throw could be another option. The colors are stunning and obviously work with the rug and duvet (and potential lumbar pillow), and I love the print. I just don’t think it’s as big as I want it to be on its own. Maybe as an accent throw?? It’s not exactly an affordable piece, so I’d have to be VERY sure.

Green Pillow | Shearling Lumbar Pillow | Striped Duvet (similar + similar) | Sheet Set | Rug (vintage) | Oversized Throw Blanket

Here’s a totally different vibe that’s gives me a more airy look and feel. That big blanket is currently on clearance and $50 which is also very tempting. It’s warm without being bold, and works with the lumbar pillow. I’m just not sure about the stripes on stripes with the duvet. I think they are different enough in scale and would have a different orientation. So maaaybe.

Green Pillow | Shearling Lumbar Pillow | Striped Duvet (similar + similar) | Sheet Set | Rug (vintage) | Velvet Quilt | Bedspread

Here can you see me emptying out my life savings. I brought back the L&G quilt and for some dimension and the Soho Home bedspread for pattern. Honestly, this is all too expensive (and maybe too much heavy bedding for Los Angeles), but I had to add it because it was too pretty not to. Moving on…

Green Pillow | Shearling Lumbar Pillow | Striped Duvet (similar + similar) | Sheet Set | Rug (vintage) | Velvet Quilt | Large Throw Blanket

Now this feels like a real contender. I definitely love the velvet and how it will break up the creams, but I also love the idea of adding a patterned throw on top of it for more interest (or having the throw over the bench). I just may need to find a throw with more green in it though:) A lot is going on with this, but knowing how simple the walls and curtains will be, I’m pretty here for it. 

Now let’s get into some patterned, bed blanket/throw options for all of you!

1. Check Wool Blanket | 2. Chipperfield Lambswool Block Throw | 3. Coastal Plaid Alpaca Throw

Here we have a variety of sizes based on the look you’re going for. The Zara Home one is a little larger than a standard throw and the pattern is so good. The stunner in the middle is from the same brand as the one on Emily bed in the mountain house and definitely big enough to be a full bed blanket. Then the Anthropologie blanket is a standard throw size and would be so pretty as an accent.

1. Claudius Throw | 2. Apex Throw | 3. Camila Throw

I wish Soho Home was more affordable because what they sell is SO GOOD. The colors of #1 are awesome. The other two are also larger throws. I love the tonal blue pattern because it’s both fun and quiet. The rust one is also so pretty and really versatile style-wise.

1. Pattern #2 Throw in Greens | 2. Khasa Throw | 3. Tatami Throw in Navy Blue

If you want a great throw blanket, Happy Habitat is such a great place to start. The patterns are bold, and the colors are awesome. These are standard throw sizes, but wow, do they pack a punch. The beautiful Bole Road blanket is an actual bed blanket, and I can’t get over how stunning it is. Maybe I should actually consider it for my bed!

1. Isadora Cotton Woven Throw Blanket | 2. Suzani Cotton Handmade Floral Bedspread | 3. Stillwater Floral Quilt

This is where “the trend of it all” is really popping off – vintage-inspired florals. The Anthro blanket is a standard throw, but my god, those colors are so pretty. I really think we are going to be seeing a huge resurgence of Suzani fabrics (embroidered textiles from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and other Central Asian countries) in 2025. They are so beautiful, and you can find bedspreads like #2 on Etsy from the actual makers. Then lastly, I’m sure you recognize the Schoolhouse quilt on the right. Emily has it in the green and blue colorway (among other quilts of theirs) and raves about it.

1. Olmo Alpaca Bed Blanket | 2. Kori Brown Wool and Silk Throw Blanket

I know bright colors aren’t easy for everyone, so here are two really great blankets – the one on the left is a large bed blanket in almost a modern plaid, and the cute throw on the right is a standard size. 

1. Cotton Velvet Quilt | 2. Velvet Quilt

I’ve kinda become obsessed with the idea of a velvet end-of-bed quilt (in case you couldn’t tell from my options above). But finding ones that look like they don’t look cheap but are still affordable isn’t easy. This one from Quince looks great. If they had a blue, I would probably choose this one. I was really impressed with the curtain panel I tried (the color didn’t end up working), so it gave me trust in their other home products. If you have more of a budget, I love love love Citta. I am kicking myself that I didn’t buy the color I was looking at because now it’s no longer available. The quality is so good.

1. Classic Cotton Velvet Tack Stitch Quilt | 2. Shadow Toffee Velvet Full/Queen Quilt

If you want a warmer-toned velvet, how pretty are these? That one from West Elm is the prettiest color (very similar to the velvet on my headboard) and a nice mid-range price. The one from CB2 is also awesome, and the simple, lined texture is a little unique for velvet quilts. Either of these are perfect if you want a super soft but warm bedroom with a little more color than beige.

1. Pine Green Pembroke Stripe Wool Throw | 2. Dreamweave Waffle Bed Blanket

Had to end with a simple stripe. If patterns overwhelm you, but you want color, #1 is a standard size throw that comes in more than this green (even though I love the green, a lot:)). The Brooklinen blanket comes in a couple of bed sizes, and that stripe is a perfect subtle nod to a little pattern. This blanket also comes in fun, solid colors.

1. Wool-Blend Bedspread | 2. Aleah Stripe Throw

Finally, our warm-toned stripes. Well, H&M really showed up with this $75 “bedspread”. I think it’s probably going to work best with a twin or full-sized bed, but could be a nice accent blanket for a queen or king. And for even more color and fun, I LOVE the mustard and pink combo on the right. It’s a large throw and would add a lot of fun as an accent to your bed.

This is where I leave you. Caitlin and I WILL be done with our rooms in a matter of weeks. We know it’s taken forever, but since they aren’t heavily gifted, these things unfortunately take more time. But get excited because we are in the home stretch!

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Mountain House Primary Bedroom

I Pushed My Brother Into Buying Very “Non-Ken” Contemporary Fabric – Another River House Sneak Peek

I could debate the “timeless versus trend” pursuit for hours in home design. But where I almost always land is this philosophy: keep hard finishes (flooring, windows, tile) high quality and simple/special, and then layer on the wild style/trends (to make sure it’s not boring). This is not everyone’s pursuit, nor am I saying it’s the right/only way to go, but I don’t ever want to renovate the same house twice in one lifetime. (P.S. I love being inside a hyper on-trend time capsule of a home/restaurant when it’s well done, so if that’s you, go for it). More on that below, but to kick us off here, my brother’s house has a hilarious amount of built-in bench seats, which means as their ad hoc decorator, who is heavily invested in making this house look incredible (not just “done”), that I needed to design a lot of bench cushions. Anne Usher, the architect, designed said benches while laying out the house to add elevated architectural interest and make sure that this new build didn’t look too cheap and contractor grade, not just square rooms with four walls. Plus, all the benches have storage drawers, so they serve multiple functions. Selfishly, I just love that they give me an opportunity to add color, pattern, texture, and softness. For a big house with a lot of glass and wood, textiles become your best friend and add an incredible amount of warmth, something this house needed. Now, I could have piecemealed it together, buying fabric from a lot of different sources, which was the plan. But while at our upholsterer’s shop, picking up a piece of furniture, I saw a lot of rich cut velvety patterned samples that I LOVED. When I realized they were all from the same company, Pollack, I decided to reach out and see if we could swing a trade. This blog post wasn’t even part of the deal; I just love the fabric that much and love the female-led design-forward company even more. Such an incredible patterned fabric resource! I was so excited because, selfishly, again, it meant that I could make these rooms look even better, spread any remaining budget further, and get my hands on these truly stunning fabrics. Good design elements make me look good :)

Why The Odd Amount Of Excitement For Patterned Fabric?

We needed some pattern in this house. If you think I’m trend/risk adverse (which I am), you should meet my brother and SIL. To avoid “trendy hard finish regret” in 15 years, this house has a lot of pared-back elements, intentionally. All the flooring, tile, and windows are simple and high quality, which I think is a fantastic foundation for a contemporary house like theirs. This was always the plan – to layer on all the color, pattern, current style, and warmth through furniture, wallpaper, textiles, and decor. But I had a pretty strong feeling that patterned sofas or even patterned window treatments were going to be too risky for them. So what would be left? Cue the BENCH SEATS. These seats act visually as furniture (because they are big and obviously can be sat on), but they are far less risky (a few hundred dollars for a new slip cover should they really not like my choices). So I begged them for free rein here, and they let me have it, while definitely doubting some of my choices along the way. But I felt so strongly about some of the bolder ones and kept pushing and pushing, with a lot of “trust me’s!!”

I Was Greedy With Samples

I had to request the samples, and I got so greedy. There simply aren’t that many great, weighted, patterned velvety upholstery options on the market (lots of solids, but like I said, this house needed some texture and patterns). Some of these patterns are so not typical for me, but I LOVE them. After paring them down, I took them over, and room by room we chose what would work (over time).

Phantom | Embellushed Plush

Phantom | After Hours | Ankara

Primary Bedroom – ‘Boxing Day’ In Fieldfrom: river house primary bedroom reveal

from: river house primary bedroom reveal

This is where it all started, what I was looking for the day at the upholstery shop. Boxing Day was the pattern that I thought would be perfect in their bedroom (and was the first room with benches that we completed). I loved the linear but still interesting pattern, the textural difference (cut chenille, not printed obviously), and the color palettes. I would put this on a sofa in a second – it feels both safe and special. Originally, I wanted the black taupe color-way, but they were out of stock of it, so I chose this as a backup. Turns out this one was my brother’s favorite anyway, and it’s absolutely perfect in here.

Guest Bedroom – ‘Phantom’ In Midnightfrom: river house guest bedroom reveal

I designed the guest bedroom really fast (goodness, I love a guest bedroom), with the wall color and the bench seat being the two driving design elements. I love a warm pink with a blue (as you know), and this royal blue is so punchy and vibrant. The pattern itself has some late 80s, early 90s vibes, which scared Ken and Katie when looking at the sample. But the quality of the velvet with the raised texture and the richness of the blue makes it feel really contemporary and design-forward in the best way (they love it). It’s not risky in a big, bold, high contrast way, but it’s high impact and unexpected. They also have it in a few different colors (one chosen for the dining below, as you’ll see).

Living Room – ‘Moderne’ In Reflecting Pool

The living room fabric was the one I was going to die on the sword for. I felt with 99% assurance that it was PERFECT for this room and I wanted it so badly for them (and me). It would tie together all of the colors and tones, without being too busy, but with being unexpected and rich. All parties (even Gretchen!) besides me were doubtful and unsure it was right. I usually acquiesce to such doubt (because I usually have a lot inside me as well) and choose something everyone feels good about, but not this time. I swung this partnership; if they didn’t like it, there was no financial risk to them – just let me do it! As you know, I like a curated color palette, which is not for everyone (you do you). Because with life mess on top of everything already in a room, I find that keeping the color palette tighter makes your eyes/brain/life less chaotic. This fabric had every single color in it!! So I bullied them into letting me do it. And you guys, once you see the whole room come together, I have to hope you’ll agree with me (they do now – they LOVE it and even Gretch was like, “ok, I was wrong”). Let’s just say I made a lot of snarky, “Well, which one of us won Design Star, again?” jokes (as if that gave any sort of actual expert credentials, lol).

Now this pattern is definitely 80s leaning and contemporary, and again, in a low-quality weave, printed weirdly or in bad colors, the pattern itself could be very, very cheesy (thus the risk). But Pollack does it so perfectly, with such rich colors, high-quality velvet weaving, and with a slight shine that is anything but gaudy. It’s so beautiful, warm, and soft.

Dining Room – ‘Phantom’ In Mystic

For the dining room, which you can see from the living room, of course, I wanted a color to pull your eye over there, but not to compete with the view or the fireplace. And since it’s next to the fireplace, I didn’t want anything too linear (like a stripe). So I chose the green version of the guest bedroom pattern. Again, it’s a pattern and texture (the white part is raised) while not being busy or loud. Once layered with pillows, it’s just so warm and inviting. I also wanted something not too light in here (and the whole house really) since kids live here and I don’t trust their marinara-covered fingers ;)

Family Room – ‘Brussels’ In Aubergine

In the family room, I introduced a different color that works holistically in the house and contrasts with all the blues and greens so well – this “aubergine” which could also be called burgundy or wine. The wall color is that incredible Evergreen Fog, and the sofa is in a mink velvet, part of our upcoming collection (ahem… if you are reading this super closely you deserve an easter egg :)) I wanted to shake it up and not just do another neutral or blue/green and the pops of this rich warm tone is incredible in here. It really goes to show that sometimes it’s not the color, it’s the quality of the piece and the richness of the color that makes something. What I mean by that is I wouldn’t have chosen any burgundy cotton or linen in here, but this burgundy with the cream contrasting weave added the perfect darkness with hits of lightness. It’s linear, but again not just a stripe. This allowed us to really expand our color palette in here, and I’m pretty dang obsessed with how it turned out.

Now, Pollack is “trade only”, which means that consumers can’t go to JoAnnes (RIP) to buy it. It is mostly for custom furniture pieces, so if you are in Portland, you can go to Alexander Matthews. I don’t even have a resale license anymore (because I don’t have typical paying “clients”), so if you don’t have a designer, I found a few websites that carry them. They are a boutique design company that’s known for its wide-ranging textile collection that is marked by sophisticated design, intricate construction, and nuanced color palettes so they do have a higher price point ($100 – $300/yard). But of course high-quality design and construction simply cost more, and the knock-offs of these patterns are not going to have the same appeal. They also use the top weaving mills in the world which we can see and feel. So if you are looking for incredibly special fabrics, I can’t recommend Pollack enough. Can’t wait to show you the rest of the house! xx

*Photos by Kaitlin Green

Why We Don’t Have Our Rugs USA Line Anymore

So so so many of you have DM’d or commented asking a lot of questions about what happened to our rug line – why am I not on the site anymore, and do some of our rugs have a new name? It’s been confusing, and until now I wasn’t able to share (and hoped to not need to) but here goes.

Why Aren’t You On The Website Anymore?

Well, I’m no longer collaborating with them – they cancelled the line, mid-contract. After 2 lines with Rugs USA (2 years), the second one in particular selling very well, they made the decision to break it off.

Why Was It Cancelled?

Leadership change and financial shifts. They rehired their former CEO (who sat on the board while I was there), and collaborations weren’t part of his vision for the company before or now. Different CEOs get to change the direction of the company under their watch to meet their goals (usually under pressure from their board of directors, debtors, and investors). Essentially, financial shifts changed their marketing budgets, and collaborations are always part of the marketing budget, so we are always vulnerable to this when there are large leadership changes. Pretty standard business, honestly. The line was doing very well, but Rugs USA needed to make some changes, and so I’m sure a lot was on the chopping block, including their influencer/designer collaborations.

Did You See It Coming?

Kinda. Again, when we heard about the changes at the top, you have to wonder if they’ll retain the relationship. Our line was doing so well that I thought at worst we would just renegotiate the profit share for the third line. At first, we were told about the marketing personnel changes (always a warning), then bigger marketing shifts, and then a lot of stalls on the samples, as well as the potential shoot dates of the next line. So I knew something was up. Sure enough, a week later, they/we were all cancelled, “effective immediately”. Drama! lol.

Are You Bummed?

Sure. We worked really hard on these, and the revenue was great for EHD – myself and the team. We were really proud of them, and the entire process was a super positive experience. Had it been fraught, we would likely have had a different reaction, but it was really great, so we are sad to not work with them anymore. But I also know that businesses have to be healthy in order to stay alive, and sometimes you have to make hard decisions. Zero hard feelings – it’s just business.

Was It Because They Didn’t Sell?

Nope. The sales were high. In fact, I think because they were so high that they made the decision to take them in-house, which was their right. Listen, Rugs USA brought a lot to the table, including a massive population of people who shop from them regardless of them knowing me or not, and it was great marketing for us. I get the need to cut costs in hopes of retaining more of the profit. I’ve done similar moves in the past when I was in financial stress – misguided calculations based out of fear and skyrocketing overhead – you think you can do the same volume with fewer people (and sometimes you can). I have no insight into their business beyond what I read in a Wall Street Journal article. When companies aren’t healthy, everyone is vulnerable and hard decisions have to be made, so I really do understand the reaction, and only time will tell if that was the right thing to do.

Do You Regret Doing It?

No! We learned so much, met such awesome people (their marketing team was so incredible – totally changed the brand to be way more design forward, cool, stylish), and my team got to develop and flex different muscles. Plus, we made money, which is the whole point of running a business, so it really was a win, regardless of how it turned out.

Are You Looking For Another Rug Partner?

Yes!… As of today. We couldn’t until now due to some contract stuff, but because it was such a success, we feel confident that we can work with another company we love and produce as good, if not better, rugs for us and you. We have a lot of revenue streams, thank goodness, so this is just one that is down for a bit, but we are genuinely excited to find the right partner and give it another go.

photo by kaitlin green | from: river house primary bedroom revealThe Biggest Bummer…

I designed (and already shot) my brother’s river house to sell these rugs. It’s going to be in a big magazine spread (with rooms you haven’t seen yet), so not making any money off of that design and marketing work on our end is a huge bummer. Sure, we can link to them and make a tiny affiliate commission (usually 3-5% of the retail cost, depending), so we’ll still link to them (I think). But when you literally design a house based around your own line, excited to show people how good it looks in this home that you’ve spent 4 years working on, and then it’s not your line anymore…well, yeah, that’s a bummer. I still stand by the rugs – they look so good in my brother’s house, and I’m not changing them out.

Can They Still Use Your Photos And The Names Of The Rugs?

Yep. If they paid for the shoot and the production of the rugs, they get usage (even if it’s in my home and named after my kids or my maiden name – Starke!). So if you see photos of them at the mountain house or our house, it’s all legal and on the up and up.

If We Buy Them Does EHD Benefit?

Not really. We can still use affiliate links when we feature the rugs here or on social (links that pay out the influencer a tiny percentage of the sale price from the retailer, at no cost to the consumer). So we’d be dumb not to link to the rugs when we feature them on past or my brother’s project, but it’s not the royalty that we used to get, and it’s very minimal. I still think they are great rugs, and right now they are on a massive sale (they might be discontinuing them, which is why they are on such a huge 40% off sale).

Man, it’s fun to see them all together like this.

I’m seriously so proud of my team for their hard work on this, especially Jess, who helped lead the design process. The line did really well, we had a ton of best sellers that we loved, and again, we learned so much about the design and manufacturing process. And listen, running a business, especially a business rooted in digital marketing, we have to be fluid and willing to pivot pretty quickly (lord, we know how much TikTok and AI are disrupting otherwise historically solid platforms – ha, I use the word “historically” very loosely). It requires us to be nimble and also to have a lot of different revenue streams, so if a solid one (like this) gets cut in one day, we are totally fine. It’s always a great reminder to stick to our core values and audience, and while growing forward is great, growing bigger comes with its own risks. A huge thanks to all of you who bought the rugs, love them, and cared enough to ask.

We’ll keep shopping from Rugs USA when we need an affordable rug, that is until we have a new rug line and then, you know, we will support our own line. :) Onward and Upwards!!

Unless Otherwise Noted:
*Styled by Getteline Rene
**Photos by Mark Weinberg

The Link Up: A Collab Emily Is Excited For, Arlyn’s Favorite Wireless Bra For Large Chests, And 2 Favorite Summertime Moisturizers

Happy Sunday, everyone. If you had Friday off, we hope it was a good one that you got to spend with loved ones. We have another YouTube video coming out this week about the garage process that we can’t wait to show you! The PDX gals are really knocking it out of the park. Aside from that, we have a much-anticipated post going up tomorrow, so get ready for some tea. Ok, onto the links.

This week’s house tour belongs to Domino’s Design Director, Brit Ashcraft and her husband. It’s a 1887 Victorian house that was supposed to be a vacation home that turned into their full-time residence. It’s such a special, and thoughtfully designed space. Go check it out!

From Emily: Two Portland design favorites have collaborated, and we are all thrilled. Nik Nik Studio is an artist and ceramicist (and stylist who I’ve worked with – she’s so rad), and she has collaborated with Annie from Wilma, who is rather famous in town for her incredible eye in both vintage and with really interesting local and small makers. Not sure what I’m going to get my hands on, but just want to bring more awareness of two local creatives hustling hard to make the home and design world better and more interesting.

Also From Emily: I have consumed some pretty compelling media lately that I haven’t stopped talking about with my friends – 1. The Justin Willman magic show (Magic Lover) is out on Netflix, and it is an hour of so much fun and FANTASTIC with kids. We went to the live show and loved every single second of it (funny, heartfelt, mind-blowing), and the special is a shortened version of it. A great Sunday night viewing with literally anyone. 2. I also listened to the Diary Of A CEO podcast with three different feminists discussing whether or not the sexual revolution was great for feminism and women at large. FASCINATING. I couldn’t stop talking about it to Brian or literally any woman in my life. They don’t agree, although all are pro-choice and consider themselves feminists, it’s just whether certain things (like the pressure to work outside the home, capitalism, daycare, our political system (including liberalism), patriarchy and yes, the idea of casual sex) has truly benefited women…or perhaps just benefited men and capitalism. If you like a heated educated debate by experts in that field then give this a listen (be prepared to likely not agree with one or more of them and possibly find yourself shaking your head in the middle of walking your dogs but I personally think these types of discussions are the only way towards actual progress). I listened to it on Spotify, but here it is on YouTube.

From Caitlin: Gals, you’ll never believe it: this week, my 38-year-old boyfriend asked ME if I wanted to watch a new Sarah Jessica Parker interview with HIM. I couldn’t sprint to the couch fast enough!!! She was interviewed by Adam Friedland, one of his favorite podcasters-turned-YouTube personalities, and we had a BLAST watching it together. You can skip the first few minutes (TLDR: a booger appeared in his nose during the interview, he’s embarrassed but had to keep the footage in, yada yada yada), but the interview with SJP is SO GOOD! She’s so charming, they have great chemistry (we learn that she’s a fan of Adam’s!), and we laughed out loud more than once. If you’re looking for a fun watch that both you and your partner might enjoy, this interview is the ticket! It’d make a great light watch post-beach or barbecue this holiday weekend. (PS. It was filmed on the day that the new Pope was announced, so there’s a chaotic, frenetic, fun energy throughout as they receive real-time updates. It’s really fun!)

In case you wanted to do some sale shopping, here is our 4th of July sale post that Caitlin has been tirelessly updating all week!

From Jess: Here are my two skincare moisturizer restocks! This week, I of course ran out of like 5 different products. For a couple, I wanted to try something new (mostly for fun, not because I didn’t like them), but two products needed to be reordered – Dieux’s Air Angel Collagen & Peptide Hydrating Gel Cream and Peter Thomas Roth’s Peptide Skinjection Fill + Fix Under Eye Cream. The heat is here, so I don’t want a heavy face cream, but your girl Jess still needs moisture for her dry skin. Dieux is my answer. It’s light, noncomedogenic, and feels so good. It’s my second reorder. Then for my under eyes, I really loved this Peter Thomas Roth one. It’s also noncomedogenic, which is what I look for, given how milia-prone I am. Also, as a lifetime member of the genetic dark circle club, I do truly feel that this cream has brightened them. I suspect this will be reordered many times over in the future:)

From Mallory: I’ve never been one to purchase expensive sunglasses, but I feel like I just became a real adult woman because I finally got my first really nice pair. The brand is called A.P.C., and my boyfriend turned me onto it (their stores are AWESOME), and all of their pieces are super high quality and unique. They do the “simple but cool” thing really really well (and bonus points because right now they’re having a big summer sale yay!) Check them out if you want unique, high-quality items

From Alryn: Here’s something you’ll never hear a large-chested person say: I found a new wireless bra I love. Listen, when you’re in E, F, and G+ territory, especially after feeding a baby with your own body, gravity is NOT on your side, so support is of utmost importance. I used to be a solely underwire girl for this very reason, but I simply cannot stand the feeling of a wired bra anymore. Unless I’m in a “going out” outfit or dress, chances are, I’m in a wireless bra, and I just found my new favorite one. In fact, I bought two and within a week of receiving them, I bought two more. This Soma bra is so comfortable, supportive, and pretty affordable. Yes, I wrote a post about wireless bras for large chests a while back, and this one was middle of the road for me, but since then, my breast size has decreased, and my shape has changed, and it’s wonderful now. The silhouette is a touch pointed, but I don’t mind; plus it has side support panels that do a good job. Looks great under T-shirts, feels so comfy, and lifts. What else do you want, huh?!?

From Gretch: Months ago, I was enamored by a super budget-friendly home makeover I saw on TikTok. I was desperate to share her page back then, but sadly, I couldn’t track down the creator. That is, until she (thankfully) came across my For You Page the other day with ANOTHER fantastic budget makeover. Her name is Kiki Tolles (or @roomsbykiki on TikTok and Instagram) and she is awesome. She’s a small-ish creator who, I think, deserves a way bigger following! Her work reminds me so much of the type of projects I worked on before I started at EHD – helping people design/style their homes on an extreme budget, scouring Facebook Marketplace for eclectic goodies, slowly building a room by collecting only the most perfect pieces for that person. But let’s not mince words, she does it way better than I ever could. Her content is so legitimately interesting and her designs are so thoughtful, I find myself watching her content like a really good movie – no speeding through, absorbing every second of her story. The effort she puts into all of her budgeting spreadsheets, documenting her process, and just the clear and simple way she tells the whole story – it deserves to be recognized! She realllllly prioritizes designing with secondhand pieces, which I love, and her reveals are truly jaw-dropping (especially for the price). Check out her other projects and give her a follow. I have a feeling she’s one to watch!

Also From Gretch: I had to return a few things to Nordstrom the other day and had no choice but to pass by the shoe section on my way out. When I did, these cute new Birkenstocks caught my eye right away, and I just couldn’t say no. Whoops! They’re similar to a pair Em loves, but in a lighter tan, more similar to MY favorite pair of Birks. I absolutely LIVE in my Bostons (ask anyone who knows me – they are on my feet every. single. day.) but sometimes a clog is just too hot to handle in the summertime. I’ve had many a great pair of sandal Birks over the years, but have been in the market for a new set ever since last summer, when I wore them while chopping wood (yes, stupid) and accidentally cut my foot. The strap somehow stayed intact and saved me from losing a toe, but the leather just couldn’t recover from the bloodstains. I figured it was time for a fresh pair. So I picked them up in Sandcastle, mostly because it’s a similar color to my clogs, so I know I’ll wear them to death, but also because I love that the gold buckles are slightly matte. Really cute in person, obviously crazy comfortable, and perfect for the hotter weather!

From Marlee: I’ve never been a body oil person because I always find them to be greasy, but I just tried out this oil from Saltair, and I’m definitely going to be wearing it all summer. It’s a little thick at first, but absorbs super nicely (esp when your skin is wet) and doesn’t leave a greasy feeling – it feels so moisturizing after a day in the sun and it leaves a nice little glow:) I got the salt water vanilla scent, which is a pretty classic, summery, bright vanilla, and it smells soooo yummy. There are a few other scents to choose from, too. I’ve been pretty impressed with the Saltair products I’ve tried!

As always, thank you for stopping by and hanging out with us. See y’all tomorrow. xx

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Tessa Neustadt | From: The Finished Patio (with the tile!)

Could These Be The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Comfortable Rompers?? 7 Women Give Their Honest Reviews

As a “romper” expert, I have had a lot over the years and liked many for different reasons. But once I bought my first Pistola, it quickly became the one I reached for. It’s flattering, while being roomy. Cute while having big pockets for a phone, etc. For us, our job being relatively physical, so having an easy-to-move-in “outfit” that is cool in the summer, always comfortable, and cute (for camera) is a Venn diagram miracle. I find myself telling any stranger who flatters me in it that it’s the best comfortable romper on the market, so I figured I’d see if my team agrees. So today you’ll see their new summer line on a few bodies (yes, I reached out and they sent them to me and my team with no obligation to say anything at all, let alone something positive). Here is what we think:

Emily

Meg Zip Front Romper | Sandals

Archie Pleated Romper | Sandals

Size: Small (I’m between 4-6 (so I guess a 5, lol)
Height: 5’4″ with a short-ish torso
True to Size?: I love how it fits and wouldn’t want smaller or bigger, but admittedly I want it to not be tight AT ALL. No body-con rompers for me, thank you. Size down if you are in between, like me.
Official Review: MASSIVE fan. They have some structure while being lightweight (some other brands that are canvas are great, but too hot for most months). The cotton is thin enough to be cool, but thick enough not to be cheap poplin that doesn’t keep its shape. It gives more “utilitarian,” which I also want (and is the whole point). The huge pockets are fantastic for work or just for weekend cleaning, so I can keep my phone/podcast on my person as I run around the house.

The red one – I’ve worn the red one almost every day since I got it – oh, and it washes great, too. I don’t need to steam it, and they don’t wrinkle up in an annoying way. I have the denim version that drapes/falls really well, too.

The green one – This one is new to me and I really like it for a dressier version (great for summer office) but l’ll likely wear it less since it does cinch at the waist (I might have sensory issues, guys!). But it’s really flattering and cute for a slightly dressier/less utilitarian vibe.

Jess

Parker Romper in Fade to Black

Size: Small
Height: 5’4″
True to Size?: I think so but only if you like a looser fit, otherwise consider sizing down.
Official Review: Needless to say, I was so so excited to get a Pistola romper. Em has been wearing them for a while now, and every time I think how cute they are. When I first put it on, I immediately felt the quality and loved all the details. But after staring at myself for a minute, I was afraid it might be slightly too big. I even panic messaged Caitlin, who was the one in contact with Pistola, that I might need to swap. I then adjusted the waist to cinch it in, and I was so much happier! As you can see, I went vintage shopping (with Caitlin) and felt great the whole day…although we both forgot to get any good front shots of me in it in the wild, lol. I will mention two things that I think are worth considering. I think the top is a little roomy, in general. Great for maybe tall, longer-torsoed, or bustier people (plus, I do think it’s also just the look). However, with the adjustable waist, it fixes that problem for us shorties. But if you like a more fitted look, I would size down (maybe even 2 sizes). Also, there are snaps AND buttons going down the front! Which is great because you are secure. I just wouldn’t wait too long to go to the bathroom because it’s a 2-step “undoing” process:) Overall, I really love it and will absolutely be wearing it all summer. Recommend!

Arlyn

Parker Romper in Fade to Black

Size: Extra-Large
Height: 5’3″
True to Size?: Totally. I followed the measurements on the online sizing guide, which led me to an XL, which is typically what I am with pieces like this. (For reference, I waver between a large and XL in tops because I’m very busty, and wear XL bottoms or anywhere between a 14 or 16, depending on the brand.)
Official Review: I have a complicated relationship with rompers in general. I always love them on other people, but because I’m petite, on the rounder side, and, again, chesty, it’s very hard for me to ever get a comfortable fit. Either the crotch is too low and rubs in weird places, the shorts ride up, the top is too small for dem boobies, or it has way too much fabric everywhere for the size I need. BUT, I have to say, I did think this was a good fit. However, as Jess mentioned, my goodness, you’re caged up in this thing! There’s an internal layer of snaps and a top layer of buttons. Secure? Yes. Overkill? Perhaps. The fabric is thick and sturdy, so it’ll likely wash really well and last a long time, but it does feel a bit stiff at first, FYI. I may need to break it in a bit to feel more comfortable, but it sure is cute.

Caitlin

The Vance Romper in Vivid White

Size: Large
Height: 5’8″
True to Size?: True to their size chart? Yes. True to my understanding of my size? No! I almost grabbed an XL here – it’s my go-to size when ordering from any new brand – and am so glad I checked the chart before adding to cart. (I technically could have fit into a medium!) I have a super long torso and normally need to size up, so I was pleasantly surprised by how comfy and roomy the large fits me.
Official Review: I LOVE THIS ROMPER. (I love it so much that when it was delivered at my house, I took to Slack and proclaimed “just got my romper and I LOVE IT,” followed by “taking all my restraint not to throw it in the link up this week lol.”) I love that it’s loose and breezy around the legs, a little more formal up top, and that I can tie it as tight or as loose as I’d like. It’s a total blank canvas – easy to dress up, easy to dress down – and it’s one of those rare pieces of clothing that you could wear both to the grocery store and to like, any conservative church on your summer European vacation travels. The fabric is weighty and luxe – I’m just blown away by the quality. Pistola, I see you!!! You have a new fan :) (PS. I was shocked to read the other gals’ commentary on the buttons. This one just hag regular ol’ buttons. I can pee without issue!)

Mallory

Parker Romper in Fade to Black

Size: Small
Height: 5’7″
True to Size?: Yes!
Official Review: This is a solid piece – the quality is great and the fabric is thick. The fit definitely works for a longer torso because the crotch is a bit lower. It also has double-layered buttons so skin doesn’t peek through when you sit down, which I think is a really smart design (but know it will take you a bit to take off during bathroom trips). I also really love the white version of this romper, which I was initially nervous about getting (and ultimately went with the black) because I thought it might be see-through. But now that I know how thick and high quality the material is on the black one, I think the white would be SUPER cute and easy to style too:)

Gretchen

Meg Zip Front Romper in Fade to Black

Size: Large, fits me perfectly
Height: 5’9″
True to Size?: I am normally a size L/XL and debated about ordering a size up, but I am super glad I didn’t. While I’d say this romper is true to size, make sure to check your measurements with theirs. Mine lined up best with a size large. But when I first tried the romper on, I was a bit worried it was maybe too loose, wondering if I could’ve maybe squeezed into a medium. I wasn’t totally swimming in it, but I’d wanted it to feel just a tad more fitted in places. HOWEVER, mine now fits perfectly after a wash. The group shot with Marlee, Em, and me was taken pre-wash, and my selfie is the romper straight out of a cycle. I don’t feel like it necessarily shrank per se, but just that it tightened up in all the places I wanted it to, while still feeling plenty comfortable and roomy. Added bonus–these are a breeze to wash!
Official Review: I’m absolutely in love with this romper and heading back to buy it in another color–I’m serious. I love just how unbelievably easy, cute, and comfortable it is. Like, it’s so simple to throw on and run around in–a full outfit in one–but more than that, I just look so dang cute and put together wearing it (that, yes, it makes me want to toot my own horn!). I love what the zip front does style-wise, but it also makes it very quick to slip in and out of (for bathroom breaks, etc). The waist tie situation is great to cinch you in, and the material is casual, breathable, and hangs so nicely. I also like that you can roll and snap the sleeves up or leave them down. I’m partial to the latter. This piece is very much “ME” and I know I’ll be reaching for it all summer long–heck, I’m wearing it as I type this. I’ll be watching Pistola closely to see if they release it in more colors!

Marlee

Parker Romper in Fade to Black

Size: Small
Height: 5’8″
True to Size?: Yes!
Official Review: I am not typically a romper girl, but I was pleasantly surprised about this one – I feel like my biggest issue with rompers is typically the fact that they “ride up” if you know what I mean… but this one, I did not have to worry about! The length of the shorts was great and was roomy enough in the leg that I didn’t feel constricted, and long enough that I didn’t feel “exposed” (but not too long that it’s an awkward length). The shorts part also has a little cuff with a button holding it in place, so if you wanted them to be longer, there’s some flexibility there. I really like the buttons on the side – it fits true to size in the waist and was perfectly roomy, but if you wanted it to be a little more snatched, you have the option to take it in a little bit. I love the look of the pockets and the utilitarian vibe, but the highlight for me was how soft the fabric was. It’s so cute with sneakers for a casual look, but I think the way I’ll wear this the most is dressed up with some tall boots and a cute purse:)

I think it’s fair to say that we all very much approve of these very cute rompers. So if you are in the market, we recommend Pistola hard:)

*Pretty Photos by Kaitlin Green

Our 10-Day Family Trip To Belize – Highlights, Good To Knows, And Why I’d Choose Belize Over Hawaii

This trip to Belize felt like our first entry into traveling with the kids, not vacation. We didn’t “backpack” (only carry-ons, though), we stayed in nicer hotels (not bunk room hostels), and we had a fully planned agenda (by yours truly), but the spirit of “travel” was there. We moved around, saw so much of the country, and my god, we came back with stories and a lot of hard-wired family connections. Fifteen years ago, Brian and I, broke and depressed during the recession, backpacked around Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand for 9 weeks. We saw couples traveling with their babies/toddlers, shirking all normal expectations, bedtimes, or routines in exchange for experiencing the world. We naively promised that would be us. And then…we went back to life in LA, circa 2009 – I started the blog, won a reality show, had two kids, bought a house (or two), had a couple mental breakdowns, pandemic, and landed in a farm outside of Portland. Needless to say, we are not those people. But this trip felt so educational, cultural, and adventurous (which I think is my vacation happy place now that the kids aren’t toddlers – see more on that below).

Why Belize?

Highly recommended by a few school friends, Belize was described as a “Better Costa Rica” (Impossible! I take offense!). Why? Well, it has the tropical weather and rain forest, but in addition, the Caribbean waters + Belize Barrier Reef + caves, and Mayan ruins. I’m listening. Essentially, just so much to do, learn, and see, but small enough that we could really see the whole country in 10 days. What we didn’t know til we arrived was that English is the official language (it was The British Honduras til the 1980s) and they take American dollars. It’s way more African/Caribbean than it was Spanish, which we didn’t know (despite Mexico being its neighboring country). It’s incredibly easy to travel and felt really safe. That’s all to say if you are thinking about going to Hawaii because you don’t want to deal with a language barrier, currency exchange, then Belize could be for you. It wasn’t as affordable as some countries in Central America, but certainly more affordable than Hawaii, and if you’re in Texas or Georgia/Florida, it takes less than 4 hours to fly direct.

caye caulker | so much hammock time

I did a ton of research, read so many reviews on Reddit and Trip Advisor, and I planned the hell out of this trip (and did a fantastic job if I do say so myself). In fact, a couple of the local guides asked me how we were able to find the 3 best places to visit in Belize. Answer: hours of Saturday morning research. I wanted three distinct towns/experiences. And boy, did we get them. So let’s get into the highlights.

Caye Caulker – A Tiny Island, Ambergris Caye’s Little Sister

We landed in Belize City and took a jumper flight to Caye Caulker (10 minutes, 10 people), which is a tiny island near the reef. No cars, just golf carts, bare feet, sand, and a lot of backpackers and warm locals. We opted for Caye Caulker over Ambergris Caye because it was the smaller, less touristy route, and frankly, I try my absolute best to avoid crowds/traffic on vacation, so I was nervous about that (but turns out Ambergris Caye is not that crowded either, just more established and higher end + cars).

IT WAS RAD. While it’s “touristy”, sure, we met so many guides that lived there from birth, and nary a McDonald’s in sight. Just a lot of backpackers and families like ours who are down for adventure. It’s 3 miles long and you can eat your dinner in a swing that sits in the warm Caribbean water while later feeding/petting sting rays at sunset (not to mention the tarpon feeding). We stayed at El Ben, which was great, but too far away from town for us (across The Split, which required a 10-minute walk and a tiny 3-minute boat ride). Next time we will stay in town. (El Ben was very peaceful and quiet, great thatched style rooms, AC with good bedding – it was great, just further than we wanted to be – awesome honeymoon spot).

family henna tattoos! | caye caulkerel ben room | outside el ben roomThe Snorkeling – Out Of This World

One of the best places in the world to snorkel, along a great barrier reef. We booked a full day with Caveman (fantastic and run by locals). The highlight was the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, which is a break in the reef where all the marine life comes in from the ocean to feed on the bay life – we saw dolphins, families of manatees, sting rays, huge schools of fish, nurse sharks – it was WILD. We just looked down and saw them all crossing the “street” right below us, coming in to feed. BLOWN AWAY.

surrounded by nursing sharks – shark alley | so many sweets :)

Shark Alley is also a must.  If you are doing a more private group tour I think you can skip some of the other locations for those two (also we got burnt out after 5 hours – our PNW skin is very sensitive and I felt like it was my full time job to put on sunscreen which then we had to wait to get into the water for eco purposes, etc). Oh, but afterwards we sat in swings in the teal Caribbean water and sipped on drinks.

the split | ferry to the north side of the split

The Split is a dope place to hang. You don’t need more than 2 full days/nights in Caye Caulker, but if you stay longer, there are a lot of boat excursions to other islands. Oh, and the Great Blue Hole (a famous heritage site) is more for diving than snorkeling, and is a 2-hour ride out to it, so what we were told is that skip it unless you are diving.

petting/feeding sting rays | sunset inswingsSan Ignacio – The Rain Forestthe entrance to the atm cave | mayan ruins

The Caribbean beach is GREAT, but if you can stay longer in Belize, you have to get to the rain forest – and Belize is famous for its caves and Mayan ruins. YOU CANNOT MISS THE ATM CAVE. It’s basically a 4 mile long cave re-discovered in the 80s that houses centuries, millennial! of Mayan sacrifices that are well preserved – real Indiana Jones shit.

human sacrifices – not my photo! | incredible atm cave

It’s challenging (7 hours including the drive, hike, and cave, many cave swims up to your neck, squeezing between rocks all miles inside the earth) and yet the payoff is so WORTH IT. You can’t watch videos online or even see good photos because they aren’t allowed inside, so we almost skipped it (it’s also expensive, like $70 per person). I don’t want to spoil what you’ll see, and I’m sure your experience will rely on how good your guide is – ours was great.  It has to be guided, BTW, and only 70 tours a day – and it’s likely going to close to the public in the next 10 years due to wear and tear on the artifacts. I rank it 15/10. We learned so much fascinating history about the Mayan culture, and seeing it with your own eyes really imprints. Since there were no photos or videos, we had the kids make a video describing it, and they retained so much insane information about Mayan religion, shape of heads, etc. Oh, and I think the youngest you could be is 7/8 – Elliot was by FAR the youngest at 9 years old, and she was great, but much younger, we would have been nervous. Def not for everyone.

us after the atm cave – feeling very accomplished. kids couldn’t stop talking/thinking about it.cave tubing | ….also went zip lining

We stayed at Chaa Creek resort, which is one of the first rainforest resorts (30 years old) and it’s fantastically run. I was afraid it would be a little basic, tired, old, but it was wonderful. Delicious food, great service, and a billion guided tours (so no need to rent a car – but the guided tours aren’t cheap). Wildly family-friendly and for all ages. Pool, spa, horseback riding, butterfly farm, and wonderful thatched roof style rooms that are quiet and clean. Not cheap but not crazy luxury – properly priced for how good it was IMHO. We did a 5-mile canoe trip to town, hiked the ruins (you don’t need to see more than one IMHO), and one afternoon we gave the kids back their precious devices so we could get massages. ABSOLUTE HEAVEN. Live music, delicious N/A and happy hour drinks. 10/10.

chaa creek horseback riding | room at chaa creekHopkins Village

To round out our tour, I booked us a beachside room in Hopkins Village, a fishing village that is quaint, quiet, and very special, full of Guanaese African influences (who were exiled and settled here). This came at the end of a lot of physical adventure and felt like a true VACATION. The beach is teal and clean, and the sand is bright white. And it has a very low population. Not a lot of big action, so expect to take day trips, chill, or just hang out on their incredibly memorable dock bar with hammocks. We had a big “down day” here – biked to lunch, read together on hammocks, watched a movie – just ate and drank and chilled. The beach was incredible (but windy, not sure how normal that is).

beach vibes | so much hammock reading time

We stayed at The Lodge at Jaguar Reef, which was great and on the more luxurious side, but not pretentious. Felt a bit honey-moony but pretty darn great for families, too. We didn’t get in the water much (there were a lot of jellyfish and again the wind was high), and I felt that the restaurant was a bit too fancy for the vibe, but this is the resort that the kids loved the most (I think because it gave “fancy”). We liked it and would go back, but 8/10 because of the wind and the oddness of the restaurant (seating times, expensive, and oddly far apart tables). The dock bar/restaurant was a 20/10 and likely one of the more memorable places of our lives (thus why we would go back). We spent hours out there all reading together in the hammocks and jumping off the top (not me, did it once and was TERRIFIED).

ella’s at hopkins beach | famous fish dish at ella’sEnded With The Best Hikeantelope falls hike – difficult but paid off

We forced the kids out on a big hike on our second-to-last day (like I said, Hopkins is pretty slow), it was intense and paid off. We did the Antelope Falls hike in Mayflower Bocawina National Park. It was pretty difficult (needed ropes a lot, very vertical, often rock climbing, kids would have complained the whole time had we not bribed them). But they were totally able to do it, and the payoff was this incredible waterfall swimming hole at the top that felt secret (and no one else was there). We asked them at the top if it was worth it, and they both reluctantly said, YES. So special. Bring a ton of water and snacks – it took us 3-4 hours.

outside chaa creekGood To Knows: Like Disneyland/World, if you are only going to Belize once in your kids’ childhood, you should wait til they are 8, the age they can happily snorkel and do the ATM cave and understand the ruin stories. It’s totally toddler-friendly, but you will be missing out on some of the best “rides”. Our food at Chaa Creek was awesome because they have their own farm, but the rest of the trip was rice and meat-friendly. Good for sure, we were never bummed, but don’t expect organic or a large variety (Costa Rica food impressed us greatly – couldn’t get a bad meal). Embrace the Creole culture (fried whole fish) and tropical drinks :)There are a lot more affordable family-friendly resorts than where we went – more rustic and totally fun. Brian and I can be bougie, so we wanted nicer places to stay to ensure we slept well and could walk places since we didn’t have a car, but if you are on more of a budget, this resort and others were highly recommended and probably more charming. The Jaguar Reef is admittedly on the more expensive side (although a beachside 2-bedroom condo with a big kitchen and tiny plunge pool for $600 felt totally reasonable to us).We hired the hotels to transfer us (a service they advertise as easy, and it really was), which was awesome, but it added up for sure. The country is set up for tourism, so it’s easy. The guides are great, and we learned so much from these long drives with the drivers. I asked them all my burning questions, “What is elementary school like? Can gay people get married here? How do they feel about Americans retiring here? Why are there so many Mennonites and Amish here? Do you watch American news? What do people here think of Trump?, etc. I was met with such openness, and they were all so grateful for my curiosity (thus me continuing to ask…I read the room). Listen, I’m not going to another country without my kids understanding the actual culture and finding out that the perception of America is always fascinating and mind-expanding. We learned so much about Mayan culture and even the challenging history of Guatemala (bordering country). The guides in the tourism industry take a lot of pride in their knowledge, and we were so grateful for it.Bring American cash (in 5’s, 10’s, and 20’s). Which brings me to tipping – As a water/bartender from the ages of 15 – 25, I am a massive believer in the power of tipping. That bump from 15 – 25% simply makes your day/life/rent. If you can, tip a lot (20-30%), it can really make such a huge difference for people.

We truly loved Belize and would absolutely go back – A solid 10/10 for an adventure, nature-based vacation (and also GREAT for groups of friends and couples – you can also just lie out and drink all day in the water should that please you). People ask all the time which country/trip we liked more, Costa Rica or Belize, and I’d say we loved them equally for different reasons. A bit more adventure/history in Belize, but we preferred the food and eco-friendly culture in Costa Rica. Both are very nature-based and extremely friendly to tourists. We feel so so so grateful to be able to do this with our kids and came back with incredible family memories that are now part of our shared history. Y’all Central American, FTW :) Ask questions in the comments, and I’ll do my best to answer! (P.S. I used Reddit and TripAdvisor a ton, too.)

the split

Also, I’m a TERRIBLE travel blogger, with just janky, totally unedited iPhone shots, but hopefully it helps you if you are ever thinking of going there. I can’t recommend this family-friendly Belize vacation enough! :)