Emily Henderson's Blog, page 142

The Link Up: Ryann’s $30 Sweatsuit, The Ring Caitlin Gets SO Many Compliments On (Even On Zoom) and A Skincare Product Recommended By a Facialist

Hello all! Happy Sunday and welcome to another EHD link up. Are y’all ready for a busy holiday week? It’s truly all ramping up which can be super stressful, so hopefully you can take some time for you today (and btw we’re here to help). Now it’s time to be maxin’ relaxin and all cool…we’ve prepped some fun stuff for you this Sunday so hold onto your butts, and let’s dive in:

This week’s home tour is a STUNNING London terrace that has just the right of contemporary edge meets English charm. The space is filled with beautiful, sculptural furniture (those chairs in the kitchen) and insanely cool millwork with an EASY paint hack (that bedroom wall). Don’t skip this one…it’s SO inspirational.

From Mallory: I put this pan on my Christmas list but then I bought it for someone (not gonna say who in case they read it) for Christmas and got jealous, so I ended up adding it into my cart for me too and I do not regret a THING. It is the best nonstick pan I have ever used…like eggs ACTUALLY slide around on it, plus it’s deep enough to steam veggies and boil water. When I posted a video about it on my story all of my friends started DMing me about how much they love theirs too. I have never loved a nonstick so much and it is so exciting to finally have one of quality (my last nonstick pans smelled like burning plastic every single time I cooked something so I knew it was time for a new one). 10/10 recommend…I am SO impressed.

From Jess: As a gift to myself I decided to sign up for a once-a-month facial membership at Heyday. If you are in LA, Ava is WONDERFUL (but there are in a few other cities too). And when I told Ava that dry skin was a big pain point of mine (not that she couldn’t immediately tell) she recommended this magical face balm. It’s full of antioxidants, can easily remove makeup, be used as a mask, and/or just be a super-rich moisturizer! It also smells great, is organic, and makes your skin glow. So ya, it’s magical. (Caitlin even pointed out my glowy-ness on our last Zoom which is the greatest compliment:)) I’ve truly loved using it and a little goes a long way which is nice since it isn’t the most affordable.

From Ryann: As much as I want to put on real clothes every day, I find myself gravitating towards sweats and a sweatshirt almost daily. My theory is if you are wearing matching sweats then it’s still considered an outfit! Lately, I just want to be comfortable but to feel put together I’ll add big hoop earrings and some lipstick and bonus points when I put on a pair of sneakers. Anywho, this sweatshirt and these sweats are my go-to and I am so impressed by how well they hold up. I love them so much I am ready to purchase a new color to add to the rotation.

From Caitlin: I just got this gumball pearl ring from Catbird and OH MY GOSH, I LOVE IT. It’s simultaneously playful and tasteful, which is SUCH a hard balance to strike. It’s elegant enough that I could imagine my grandma wearing it but bold enough that it feels like it can stand its own against my (very bright, very loud) wardrobe. It’s garnered so many compliments on Zoom and I just love looking at it every day!! (Added bonus: it spins, so it’s AWESOME for fidgeters.)

Also from Caitlin: It’s my favorite time of year – new pen and planner season!!! I’m a long-time Papier loyalist so this year (read: this month – I’m about a week in), I decided to try out one of their Gratitude Journals and I’m really excited about it already. They structured it in a really nice, twice daily way with “today I look forward to” and “today I am grateful for” and it’s a really simple and quick way to get your head in the right place. Out of all the products I’ve tried from them, this one is by far my favorite. (I got this print and paid extra for the foil because if I’m gonna look at it twice a day, I wanted it to be fun!!! I also got these list notepads which I customized with lyrics from my favorite band, because I’m neurotic about cute paper goods.)

That’s all we got this week. We love you, have a very Merry Christmas if you celebrate and we will see you next week!

Opening Image Credit: Design by Sophie Davies | Photo by Alex Reinders | via The Design Files

The post The Link Up: Ryann’s $30 Sweatsuit, The Ring Caitlin Gets SO Many Compliments On (Even On Zoom) and A Skincare Product Recommended By a Facialist appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Sequins! AKA The One Thing We All Want To Wear To All Our Holiday Gatherings

There’s really nothing like this time of year. The fact that we can get away with wearing sequins might be one of my favorite things about the holidays. I am not a flashy dresser per se but there is something about dressing like a sparkly ornament that just feels right. This is something Team EHD all agree on and when we were brainstorming a holiday fashion post, a roundup of sequin party looks was the obvious answer. So whether you want to dress head to toe in sparkles or throw on a few sequin accessories, we have you covered.

1. Let Me Be Sequined Shift Mini Dress | 2. Alisha Dress | 3. Nova Convertible Sequin Mini| 4. So Fine Sequin Jumpsuit | 5. Shimmer Striped Mini Dress | 6. Frances Sequins Dress | 7. Sequin Maxi Dress | 8. Fitted Sequin Mini Dress | 9. Ana Sequin Mini Dress | 10. Lucy Longsleeve Dress | 11. Lilian Maxi Dress | 12. Sequin Romper

For a simple yet showstopping party look, any sequin dress will hit that mark. I am really into the drape of #3. If you follow Em on Instagram (and you should) you might recognize #6. She has had the same dress in silver for years and looooves it. It’s by a small woman-owned brand called Emerson Fry so it’s splurgy but VERY good and worth it if you know you’ll rock it for years.

1. Gold Rush Long Sleeve | 2. Printed Sequin Tank Top | 3. Sequin Shirt with Balloon Sleeves | 4. Shimmer & Shine Thong Bodysuit | 5. Anita Tunic | 6. Sequined V-Neck Tank | 7. Sequin Tube Top | 8. Lost In Your Light Reversible Top | 9. Big Night Sequin Crop

All of these tops are too good. Pair any of these with jeans and boots or heels and you have a perfect outfit. #8 is probably my favorite (and it’s reversible!) but you really can’t go wrong with any of these picks.

1. Dance Again Sequin Straight-Leg Pants | 2. Check Me Out Black and Gold Sequin Mini Skirt | 3. Disco Flare Pants | 4. Sian Sequin Skirt | 5. Sequin Embellished Jeans | 6. Sequin Skirt | 7. Calf-length Sequin Skirt | 8. The Joni Sequined Flare Pants | 9. Ariana Sequin Skirt | 10. Wide Leg Pant | 11. Sequin-embellished pencil midi skirt | 12. Disco Sequin Shorts

Sign me up for #5 immediately. Jeans covered in sequins might just be my new party look. Then again, I am never opposed to a disco pant like #8 and sequin hot shorts are always cool. If you really want to step up your game, #3 is really awesome and has a matching top if you want to go all out. Any of these will definitely stand out at any party.

1. Puff Sleeve Sequin Blazer | 2. Open Front Sequin Jacket | 3. Suit Blazer | 4. Sequins Jacket | 5. Camilla Sequin Feather Jacket | 6. Sequin Jacket

I am really not a pink person but #5 has all my attention. I love the mix of faux fur and sparkles. #6 is from the same small business that Em loves and would be a perfect addition to any party outfit. Really, any of these picks will make a simple outfit feel exciting and fresh.

1. Sequin Embellished Sneakers | 2. High Heels with Sequins | 3. Stars In Your Eyes Black Beaded Rhinestone Clutch | 4. Blue Floral Sequin Box Clutch | 5. House Party Sequin Slippers | 6. Sequin-embellished pumps | 7. Studio Sequin Beret | 8. ZX Sequined Sneakers | 9. Vera Turban | 10. Sequin Ankle Boots | 11. Sequin Headband | 12. Sequin Shoulder Bag | 13. Vans Slip-On sequin sneakers | 14. Bryant Sequin Pumps | 15. Sculpted Sequin Face Mask 

3 words. SEQUIN COWBOY BOOTS. Also, not gonna lie, I think going to a holiday party wearing sequin slippers sounds like an amazing idea. Or if you want to be comfy but a little more presentable may I introduce you to sequin sneakers? You really can’t go wrong here, but if you want just a hint of a sparkly element a headband like #11 is a great choice.

I hope you feel ready for the holidays sweet friends. Stay safe and have a great weekend. xx

Opener Image Credit: Photo by Veronica Crawford | From: NYE Party Outfit Hacks That I Tried (and Maybe Pulled Off?)

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The Feel-Good Modern Romantic Bedroom Makeover Jess Did For Her Dear Friend (All Thanks To The Company Store)

Franchesca and I go back many years. Technically we were a part of the same sorority in college but she dropped out right before I joined. I don’t disclose to people I was in a sorority unless I know them really well. But we’ve all been friends for a while so it’s time:) Anyway despite having lots of mutual friends in school, we didn’t meet until we were both in line waiting to get into a random club in Los Angeles once I was already living in New York. I think that was 2010?! So while I was cursing the existence of the LA nightclub scene, swearing that waiting like this in NY would never be a thing, I did have a very sweet meet-cute with a person that would become a dear friend. Fast forward to her moving to NY a few years later, us becoming friends, and then 3-ish years after that both ending up in LA again, but this time both living here (with a zero-tolerance policy for club lines… if we ever go to one again:)). 

This is also the same friend that introduced me to my current dream apartment! And if you know that story from this post, you know that she and her husband are my upstairs neighbors. It’s an actual dream for me! A beautiful home next to wonderful friends. And wonderful they truly are. Both Franchesca and Ben are the kindest, most generous, fun people around. It’s just impossible not to love them individually and as a couple. I’ll give you the highlight version of their love story because it’s pretty darn sweet. 8 years ago they met at Coachella. Ben is Australian and was on a US trip with his friends probably not intending to meet the love of his life. But after one weekend together he made a point to fly and see her one more time before heading back down under. Despite Franchesca’s hesitation of starting up a VERY long-distance relationship, they were able to make it work with phone calls, long visits, and eventually (through an insane amount of visa stress) Ben was able to stay full time. Actually, he was able to get his visa just in time for their wedding. And speaking of their wedding, talk about a showing of how loved these two are. It was such a special weekend.

But just as life gives us these incredible highs, it also serves us intense lows and a few months ago Franchesca lost her mom unexpectedly. As most of you know I lost my mom about 10 years ago and while all of our experiences are unique to us, I knew what she was and is still going through. As the next few weeks passed, I realized that it wasn’t an accident that we were living in the same building. I was meant to be here for Franchesca (and Ben). Grief is a roller coaster. Some days you are fine, some days you can’t get out of bed, some days you want to talk about it and others you just need someone to sit with and not talk at all. But one thing that is universally hard, especially in the early days, are the evenings… and especially bedtime. So when Caitlin asked if any of us had someone in our lives that could use a little cheering up by way of a bedroom makeover from The Company Store, I raised my hand.  

the frog’s name is luke and was given to franchesca by her mom when she was 18 before she left for college<3

You should know that Franchesca has a deeeeep love for all things vintage (just wait until you see her closet). And like most normal people she has been taking her time decorating her home. Had we not destroyed her living room with stacks of boxes and props for the shoot I would have had Sara take a photo of it to show you all. It’s inviting and cozy, full of jewel tones and vintage accents (plus a few LA Dodgers bobbleheads because they are both die-hard fans). Because of this, I was a little nervous to ask if she’d want this makeover having me take the reigns on the design.

She happily agreed since she was feeling a little overwhelmed with taking on this project even though it was next on her list. I of course assured her that I would get her approval on everything so it would be a place both her and Ben could really feel happy in. Cue slight panic since this would be my first “client project”!

This was the inspiration that she pinned:

What I took from this was that she wanted romantic floral patterns, vintage or vintage-inspired lighting, fringe if possible (duh), and mostly green and blue tones.

This is what the first mood board that I put together looked like:

To my relief she loved it! Aside from not being sure about the art and table lamp, we were set to start ordering. Once the wallpaper was locked in (which I’ll talk about later) I wanted to get the bed and bedding all set since a bed is kinda the whole base of a bedroom… and needs to be the most inviting.

Quilt (in Buff) | Duvet Cover (in White) | Flat Sheet | Fitted Sheet | Pillowcases | Pillow Inserts | Shams (in Buff) | Lumbar Pillow (14″x40″ in White) | Throw Blanket (in Navy)

I really loved and was pumped by the number of options The Company Store had. But as soon as I saw those striped sheets I knew those were the jumping-off piece I would build the rest of the bedscape around. I actually asked them if I could “over order” since I hadn’t had a chance to see their products in person. They graciously said yes and let me tell you I was impressed with everything. I kinda wish we could have done more looks to show it all off! But with the guidance of stylist extraordinaire, Emily Bowser, we decided this was the best combo for this room. Neutral, textured, and classic.

I love the bold yet simple pattern of the navy striped sheets and how the scale is perfectly sized in between the pattern scales of the wallpaper (large) and the blue throw blanket (small).

Then you have those cream shams and quilt for added texture and warmth. Always important for optimal visual coziness. Lastly, Bowser chose to add some contrast with that white linen duvet cover and super soft velvet lumbar pillow.

It all feels very “modern vintage” which was my goal. Oh and all of the pillow inserts are from The Company Store too. A one-stop bedding shop.

Bed | Rug | Chandelier | Curtain Panel (in Blue Sea) | Drink Table

Yikes, I love this shot and that bed. Speaking of that bed, I can’t believe I found it because it’s almost exactly what Franchesca and Ben wanted – green velvet, channel-tufted, and not too tall so it wouldn’t block the light (aka that bed/window design agony, woof). Oh, and the best part is that it’s super affordable and gives off some serious Brady DIY headboard vibes (but less labor:)).

P.S. If you are wondering why there is only one single curtain panel it’s because I don’t know how to read. I thought I was getting two panels in one order (palm to face) and didn’t open the package until it was too late to request more before the shoot. But don’t worry I am getting them a few more panels so they can have their privacy back. These are from The Company Store too!

light off | light on

But now please move your eyes up to that glorious chandelier. When I showed Franchesca this chandelier from Mitzi as a lighting option, she was instantly in love. It was like no other chandelier had or could exist again. I think it’s incredible in the space, the quality is so good, and when it’s on, it gives off the prettiest filtered soft light. Plus yours truly installed it with little to no hassle. Those theatre tech classes are still paying off. And having dad on facetime to ask questions doesn’t hurt either.

Table Lamp | Nightstand (vintage) | Clock (Vintage) | Shell Paper Mache Tray | Vase (unavailable) | Flowers (Chocolate Comos)

As I said before, Franchesca is a true vintage lover. From her dishes to her clothes to her decor. However, she is more antique vintage (but not too decorative) whereas I am more post-modern vintage. This is where I was a little nervous about finding pieces that we would both be super psyched about because like I said, I’ve never really designed for anyone but for myself. So when I tell you I hit Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace hard, I went deep. Then on hour 20 (just kidding) of clicking “next page” I saw this little nightstand beauty for $75. It had just enough romance and whimsy with the shape and scallop top but clean enough lines to not be too much. We both loved it.

Brass Coaster

Since we were just talking about the nightstand, let’s talk about that fringe lamp shade. I searched and searched Etsy for a pretty fringed lampshade that could get here in time (we only had 7 weeks to get this whole thing done and with these lead times…not as easy as you might think). Unfortunately, all of them seemed to be from England and the delivery times were too close to take a chance. But then the stars aligned when I went to pick up that nightstand because it was actually next to a huge antique warehouse in Whittier called King Richards. I clearly had to check it out and there she was, just waiting for me to buy her. The original base was ummm, not great, so back to the internet I went. When I found that base above, I wasn’t sure if it was going to get here on time. But we both loved it because THAT SHAPE. So we ordered it and crossed our fingers. Now online it wasn’t so “psychedelic” looking so we are trying to get another one to see if it’s less “groovy”. But honesty the more I look at these photos the more it’s growing on me.

In terms of decor, I knew I wanted to keep it simple but special:) Those brass dome lamps were SUCH an awesome and last-minute find at World Market. That clock was one that Franchesca already used and that paper mache shell tray, that I had been eyeing from Jayson Home for a hot minute, added the perfect amount of fun and texture. Thank you Jayson Home for sending it! I now might need to buy one for myself.

Wallpaper | Art (vintage) | Table Lamp | Nightstand (vintage) | Clock | Glass (unavailable) | Brass Coaster | Candle and Candle Holder (unavailable)

Before I get into this wallpaper (!), let’s talk about mismatched nightstands.

It’s not always easy to find matching nightstands (that function well) when you want to go vintage and don’t want all your money to vanish. As you know we loved that first nightstand, but I wasn’t sure how I was going to get another one that worked well with it. But then Craigslist came through again with this beauty. The wood tones work well together, the scalloping on the bottom of this one speaks to the scallop detail on the other one, the heights are similar, and they both have clean lines. Bonus that the key for that drawer actually works! A functional nightstand was one of Ben’s only requests so I needed to make it happen for him.

Hot Tip

If your nightstands are mismatched, choose matching bedside table lamps or scones. If your bedside table lamps or scones are mismatched, then choose matching nightstands. That way it can look eclectic without looking too all over the place.

Ok, THAT WALLPAPER! I honestly just can’t stop staring at it and I’ve considered asking for visitation rights. After the one and only Mark (the wallpaper installer that also did Caitlin’s home and a bunch of other famous designer’s projects including Emily and Amber Lewis), it made the room feel simultaneously larger and cozier. It was such a huge risk since I’d never had a room wallpapered like this before. But holy cow did it pay off. Rebel Walls was kind enough to gift it to us and I was so impressed with them. Both the sample and rolls each came within three business days and the quality was stunning. Mark actually told me that their wallpapers are one of his favorites to install and that this mural looked just as good as others that are waaay more expensive. That was really cool to hear that from such a pro. I also asked him, if need be, how “easy” would it be to take down this wallpaper since this is a rental. Just what he wanted to hear I’m sure. But he said it would stay on for 50 years and still come off super easy. Sold. However, Franchesca and I have decided to tell our landlord that keeping this wallpaper up is mandatory for all future renters. We think it’s super reasonable. I mean it looks like it was always meant to be there. But I also think I bought a few more years of us being neighbors since Franchecsa said she never wants to leave this wallpaper. Glad that my secret reason for making over this room worked like a charm;)

Bins (vintage Target) | Hangers (vintage Target)

I told you I would let you see her closet. My gal loves a vintage dress and a bold print. Oh and not to mention extremely cute shoes. Bowser took out a bunch of her clothes so you could admire them a little easier in this shot. So just know there’s a lot more where that came from and they are all equally amazing.

Sconce | Mirror (vintage) | Outlet Cover | Shoes (vintage) | Chair (vintage) | Pitcher (unavailable) | Flowers (Queen Anne’s Lace)

I get giddy when I see this shot. First off, that sconce from Katy Skelton is what my dreams are made of. But before the sconce could happen we needed a mirror. Franchesca really wanted a mirror so she could see and choose her very cute outfits. Makes sense. This mirror was actually being sold by a neighbor who was moving and she got it for only $15!! But as you can see it’s not huge and it needed a buddy to fill up more of that wall. I knew that sconce would be the perfect addition to really make that side of the room sing with some modern contrast. This was the only piece I had to push for a little with Franchesca. She of course thought it was beautiful but didn’t know if it was too modern for the space. I convinced her to give it a go and now she is over the moon about it. Katy is such a talent and her pieces are sooo special. Em has been working with her for years for a reason.

Please note Bowser’s masterful styling of that beautiful chair, vase, Franchesca’s incredible heels.

Oh and if you are wondering if I was nervous to make holes/mistakes in the wallpaper the answer is YES. But luckily, it all turned out ok and all first trys were sucessful.

Dresser | Shower Curtain (in Clay)

Welcome to the dresser that saved the day. Originally, I had sourced this dresser from Wayfair but there was a little shipping complication (not normal for them), and it wasn’t going to be able to get here in time for the shoot (it’s actually arriving today!). I was sweatin’ since I found this out a week before the shoot. But then I found this incredibly beautiful dresser at HD Buttercup who had a floor model I could borrow. I love the little drawers and how it could easily work with a ton of different styles. It has a slight vintage feel but also looks modern. I highly recommend and y’all it’s solid metal so it’s extremely sturdy and high quality.

If you are curious if we have the same bedroom layout, not exactly but our bathrooms are both located in the same area… however they are the lucky ones with that clawfoot tub. We chose that happy light terracotta shower curtain to bring in a little warmth. It’s from Target and so cute in this shot and in person.

Lampshade (unavailable) | Lamp Base | Art | Frame | Candlestick (unavailable) | Candleholder (vintage) | Match Cloche | Vase (unavailable)

See what I mean by “psychedelic”?? But again the more I look, the more I like.

In an effort to not put a ton of holes in this wallpaper, I took one of my framed prints and leaned it again the wall. I think it gives it a more relaxed feel which I love and I wanted a more modern print to contrast the wallpaper. Then what 2021 EHD room would be complete without a lit taper candle? That’s a vintage holder but you are in luck because that match cloche isn’t vintage and was sent by Jayson Home too. It’s just so cute and elegant. It looks like super sophisticated adults live here!

franchesca would like it on the record that the hamper mess is all ben:)

O hey, it’s me! This was such a whirlwind project that I couldn’t have been more grateful to do. When Franchesca told me that she now really sees the value in investing in a rental home, even though you know it’s temporary, because of what a difference this makeover made her feel, my heart could’ve exploded. That’s all I want for everyone and especially my dear friends who I love so much. A huge thanks to all of the companies that gifted, Ben for all of his lifting and building, and of course The Company Store who actually made this whole makeover possible.

Franchesca and Ben, I love you and hope you feel amazing in your new room. Now I’m off to finish my living room:)

Love you, mean it.

*Design by Jess Bunge
**Styled by Emily Bowser
***Photos by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

The post The Feel-Good Modern Romantic Bedroom Makeover Jess Did For Her Dear Friend (All Thanks To The Company Store) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Someone At EHD Got Their Own TV Show! (And It Airs TOMORROW) Find Out Who And How:)

KEY HAS A TV SHOW!!!! I wish I deserved to feel the pride that I feel currently, but I had nothing to do with this beyond a lot of know-it-all production and life advice:) That’s right, Keyanna Bowen (aka East & Lane) – my first official mentee, an EHD contributor, a stellar designer, self-taught photographer, and on-camera wonder, has booked and shot a pilot for Magnolia Network that starts streaming tomorrow on Discovery+. I’m going to let her tell you what she did to lead up to this outrageous opportunity (spoiler – years of hard work), but before I turn it over to her I want to emphasize how important it is that you tune in over the weekend. TV pilots often don’t get picked up to actually create a series if the viewership numbers aren’t high and I know that this weekend will be a busy one with the holidays. But PLEASE, put it on in the background if you don’t have time to watch it till next week, every view counts and share it on social, even if you have a tiny following. Not only do I want this for Key because she deserves it, but because we need more representation, faces of color in the design world and in design TV. She’s incredible, full of so much talent and grace – in a really down-to-earth and humble way. These are the people we need as examples on TV.

via deadline

OK real quick – it’s called Rental Redo, on Magnolia Network on Discovery+. I asked Key a few burning questions. Take it away, Key.

Q: How did you book your own TV show? Walk us through the steps that made this possible.

Having a design tv show has been a lifelong dream of mine, and my journey to get here has been a thoughtfully planned, yet serendipitous course of events that started back in 2016. Well, actually, 2009–when I graduated college with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and dreams of becoming the next Genevieve Gorder (then later, Joanna Gaines). But no need to recap my post-grad days when I lived with my parents and had no real responsibilities, or direction in life…those were fun years. Oh! to be young with no bills, again…

 For the sake of time, let’s start in 2016. 

Wait, wait! Actually, we need to start in 2012. That’s when I really set the goal to be on TV and started my “FIRST” blog…

2012: Set Goal – Living on the eastern shore of Maryland, I quickly realized the lack of creative opportunities in my small town. I had two options: move to a big city with more opportunities, or create my own. I chose the latter and started a blog, as jobless creatives do. Not East & Lane. It was called “The Blend TV” ::cringe:: I don’t talk about it much. It was short-lived, with mostly fashion and DIY videos, because I still lived with my parents and didn’t have a home of my own to decorate. But, I knew if I wanted to be on TV one day, I needed to start practicing. And boy did I need practice…

DIY Watercolor Table Coasters with The Blend TV

I found some circa 2013 “Blend TV” videos over on YouTube. I’m 100% going to regret resurfacing these, but my embarrassment is your enjoyment…cheers! 

Shout out to my hubs (then boyfriend) Daniel, who filmed all these videos (and still shoots all my videos to this day… started from the bottom, now we’re here! And by here, I mean 2014, our wedding year!

design and photo by keyanna bowen | from: blue walls be gone! key’s totally transformed office reveal – maybe the most dramatic before & after ever (?)

2014: Bloom Where You Are Planted – I married Daniel, obviously for his skillsets ( j/k ;-)) and we move into our first rental home together. A small, 2 bedroom, builder-grade condo. It was my first time having a place of my own to decorate. My passion for design grew even deeper and I wanted to showcase my love for all things home. So in 2015, I taught myself how to use a DSLR camera, rebranded The Blend to East & Lane, and started positioning myself as a design enthusiast. The only problem was/is, design isn’t really a thing when you live in a small, rural town. Farming is…punkin chunkin is… spending thousands of dollars on design services, not so much. And a lot of people (especially Black people) simply can’t afford it where I live. And that bothered me. So my mission was to have East & Lane be a resource that could inspire people to create a home and a life they love no matter where they live, or economic status. Hence my motto, “bloom where you are planted.”

2016: Never Stop Believing – This is where serendipity comes in… I’m sure you all are familiar with Erin & Ben Napier. They are stars of the show Home Town on HGTV. Well, prior to them having a show and becoming big-time celebrities, we were following each other on social. I don’t even really recall seeing their posts much, but somehow I saw their post about the premiere of their show, Home Town. I commented with congratulations and how excited I was about the show, since I also lived in a small town. And went back to scrolling… 

The next day, I received an email from the production company that made their show. Apparently, their executive producer saw my comment, checked out my blog, and wanted to know if I had any interest in making an HGTV show. I could not believe it! I was for sure this was my “big break”. 

Spoiler alert: It wasn’t. 

design and photo by keyanna bowen | from: my long-awaited living room reveal

The production company asked us (Daniel & I) to send some iPhone videos. At that time, husband and wife renovation/flipper shows were very popular, and that’s what Network’s wanted. But my husband and I were not home flippers…we were renters. And the network was not interested in rental shows (at that time), so they turned us down.

But even after hearing “no thanks” from the network, I never stopped believing…for the most part  

2017: Create Your Own Thing – I became tired of renters being a forgotten population on design TV, and the blogosphere, so I took matters into my own hands and instead of waiting for a network to give me a show, I would create my own renter-centered content. At that time, the lease to our condo was ending and we needed to find another rental. You guys may have read a little bit of this backstory on my office makeover post, but as a refresher, I searched for what I called a “fixer-upper” rental. Similar to how people buy and makeover an old home, I would rent and makeover a dated rental and document the whole process on my blog and YouTube. My hope was that it would allow me to flex my design muscle and inspire renters that we too can have beautiful homes… and show these tv networks that #RentersLivesMatter!  

Our Rental Kitchen Makeover (Part 3) – The Big Reveal

I found this adorable 1950s cape cod, in a great neighborhood, but super dated inside, and the landlord agreed to let me make updates (which he would pay for). I made a 3-part kitchen makeover video series for my YouTube/blog. Little did I know that this video series would catch the eye of a Magnolia Network Executive 4 years later…yet at the same time it’s exactly what I had hoped would happen.

2018-2019: Grow While You Wait – During these interim years, my interior photography business was really taking off, but I tried to find as many ways as I could to grow in design. Again, living in rural America, there aren’t hundreds of people knocking down your door for design services, but I wanted to have as much experience under my belt as possible so I could be a resource for others and if/when a design show dropped in my lap. I started working as an assistant project manager for a high-end design + build firm, located over an hour away from my house. The commute was dreadful, but I knew it was the best way for me to really learn all the facets of construction and renovations. And then, in 2019, I went to carpentry training school. The training was a two-semester course offered at my local community college. The final project was to build a shed (which teaches you the basics of home building). Unfortunately, our class didn’t get to finish because of covid shutdowns, but they still let us graduate. Again, it was all about finding ways to grow while I waited for my dream to manifest.

2020: When One Door Closes Another Will Open – I think it goes without saying that 2020 is a year that most people don’t wish to recall, but for me, it will go down as one of the most memorable years of my life. Despite the tragedies, so many businesses and people were looking for diversity. My photography and design business blew up. I had the honor of being selected as the EHD mentee (and my goodness, Em could not have come into my life at a more perfect time because not only has she been able to mentor me on my blog, but she’s been an absolute godsend in helping me navigate the tv biz). 

In the Fall of 2020, a production company that makes digital content for Lowes hired me to host a rental makeover show for Lowe’s YouTube Channel. This was my first official hosting gig! And even though it was only for YouTube and not actual television, I felt like it was the universe preparing me for the real thing. I was also ecstatic that brands were FINALLY interested in the renter space. We filmed and aired one episode (here). It got great reviews and we had plans to film more. But then, sadly I received news that Lowe’s had decided to shelf the series due to covid shutdowns/concerns ::ughhh:: Needless to say, I was super bummed. 

design and photo by keyanna bowen | from: our rental kitchen makeover: the big reveal

And then, here comes serendipity again…

Within this same timeframe, I received an email, but this time it wasn’t from a production company, but rather an executive from an actual tv network. Magnolia Network. He had seen my kitchen makeover video series (from 4 years ago) on YouTube, and loved the idea about making a show for renters! Funny how all of a sudden everyone was interested in renter content…

From there, things moved super fast. I guess because I was dealing directly with a network exec, versus a production company. Typically it can take months and even years for a show to be greenlit. But I received that email in November 2020, had a few zoom calls in December, and by February the show was greenlit. 

2021: Manifestation – Magnolia officially greenlit the pilot on February 16th, which also happens to be my husband’s birthday. We joke that it was his gift for all the years he put in being my videographer. There were several months of legal stuff, and pre-production, and then we finally started filming the pilot end of August through mid-September. 

bts

For the sake of time, I’ll leave all the nitty-gritty details for another post, but let’s just say filming a tv show is NOT glamorous, AT ALL. There were several times my sister (who helped me on the show) asked me why anyone would ever want to be a design tv host –the days are extremely long, stressful, and production budgets for the design/renovation are in no way sufficient, and you definitely can’t survive off the talent rate… and yet, call me crazy, but I still loved doing it and so grateful for the opportunity, and know it is what I’m meant to do in life.

Sheesh! I know that was an earful, or should I say eyeful ! But what may seem like overnight success has been almost 10 years in the making. Which is why you should never give up on your dream(s). Delay is not denial! 

more bts!

2. Why did you want to have a show? We all know that it’s a lot of work and tv shows don’t pay nearly as much as people assume that they do, so why was it something you wanted to do?

Ha! You are absolutely right, there is very little money to be made from TV. Especially when you are “new talent”… let’s just say I won’t be quitting photography anytime soon lol. But for me, it was never about the money, but rather the desire to be a hope and inspiration for all, but especially my community. It’s no secret of the lack of Black representation on design tv, and I want to be a part of that change so black girls (young and old alike) know that they are talented enough, beautiful enough, smart enough to achieve the same opportunities as their White counterparts. 

my show!!

Here’s the trailer! just wait for the ad to play:)

3. What next? 

Welllll, I hope more episodes! This is just a pilot, so ratings will determine whether the Network orders a full season. Which is why I would love (read: NEED!!) for you all to tune in tomorrow…and the next day…and the next day. I’ve been told that ratings from the first 3-7 days are the most important! That’s one good thing about it streaming on Discovery+, it will be available for your viewing pleasure 24/7, so you can’t miss it! So please tune in at your convenience (but preferably between tomorrow and Monday :-))

Watch Here!!

Opening Photo Credits: Design and Photo by Keyanna Bowen

The post Someone At EHD Got Their Own TV Show! (And It Airs TOMORROW) Find Out Who And How:) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Here Are The Most BINGE-ABLE And GRIPPING Podcasts, Movies, TV Shows, And Books To Enjoy While You’re Traveling (Or Just Hanging Out)

If you are traveling for the holidays this year it’s probably safe to say you are experiencing some pre-holiday stress. With travel restrictions, perhaps seeing family for the first time in a while, and you know, the NORMAL holiday traveling frenzy, it can be a lot. So we wanted to share our recommendations for binge-able escapist entertainment in hopes that it’ll be one less thing you need to think about this year. These are the movies, tv shows, podcasts, and books that we’ve devoured this year (and from years past) and we hope they entertain you and might give you something to talk about with family besides politics ;). Here we go:

Moviesphoto by sara ligorria-tramp | from: ryann’s moto reveal: a moody multifunctional living and dining room From Ryann:

The Guilty (Netflix): I watched this randomly having no idea what it was about but as soon as I turned it on it I was hooked. A police dispatcher (Jake Gyllenhaal) gets a disturbing 911 call and does all he can to save the parties involved and there’s a great twist at the end. It’s a short little movie but very suspenseful.

The Devil All The Time (Netflix): OHH this one is good. It’s dark and creepy and extremely well done plus it’s based on a book so you know the story is good. Tom Holland is one of the main characters and he’s so good in it and Robert Pattison plays a creepy pastor VERY well. Almost too well.

Army Of The Dead (Netflix): For fans of Ocean’s 11 and zombies this is for you. It’s a zombie heist movie! It’s based in Las Vegas, gory but not too gory, and it has a very sad ending so I obviously cried.

Booksmart (Hulu): Two best friends graduating high school realize they’ve spent their entire high school focusing on school so they decide to have one wild party night before their graduation. Classic story. Beanie Feldstein is a gem and it’s such a funny little flick about friendship and life after high school. Also directed by Olivia Wilde!

From Jess:

The Spy Who Dumped Me (Netflix): I never thought I would have any interest in this movie but my cousin wanted to watch it so I agreed. Let me tell you I was falling off the sofa, the action was so riveting! Plus it’s obviously funny given that Kate McKinnon and Mila Kunis are the leads. A solid good time that will have your heart racing. 

Ricky Valez: Here’s Everything (HBO MAX): Outside of seeing him in The King of Staten Island, I didn’t know anything about comedian, Ricky Valez. But when he was the guest on some of the podcasts I listen to, promoting this special, I quickly knew I wanted to watch. This special made me laugh out loud multiple times and I highly recommend it! 

Promising Young Woman (HBO MAX): OOF this was SO GOOD. It’s suspenseful, at times hopeful but also super devastating. Oh and stunningly shot. If you haven’t seen it it’s a must-watch in my opinion. 

Unpregnant (HBO MAX): I’m sensing a theme here. Two young girls (friends when they were younger but once they got older, stopped), drive across the country for one of them to get an abortion. It’s somehow extremely fun, earnest, and even suspenseful at times but also shines a HUGE light on the complete horror show that is women’s rights. I think everyone should watch this movie because it’s just good and important.

From Mallory:

500 Days of Summer: Chase and I agree that watching RomComs is even better when you’re on a plane. If you just watched Zoey Deschanel in Elf then now’s the time to watch her in this (it’s the best).

When Harry Met Sally (Hulu): Just rewatched this, it’s still SO SO GOOD.

TV Showsphoto by sara ligorria-tramp | from: mountain house reveal: how we designed our super kid-friendly family room From Emily:

For heavier shows, we loved Scenes From A Marriage (Trigger warning – don’t watch it with your partner if you aren’t in a great place right now – it’s VERY REALISTIC). Succession (duh), and White Lotus (obviously). For the lighter, bing-able I super enjoyed Virgin River (like a Hallmark movie, but a series), Sweet Magnolias (Southern sweetness), Outerbanks (townies versus rich kids trope that I love), and Bridgerton (maybe not while on a plane where people can see your screen).  

From Jess:

Insecure (HBO MAX): Probably my favorite show. It’s creative, funny, heart-wrenching, heart-warming, and THE FASHION. There’s nothing not to love and right now they are two episodes away from the series finale (this season is the best one), so you can binge it from start to actual finish.

Sex Lives of College Girls (HBO MAX): Brand new and great! So fun to be taken back into college but with a focus on female power, ownership, friendships. and mistakes. Ok, I want to sell it better but I promise it’s awesome and has that Mindy Kaling genius and humor all over the place.

Full Bloom (HBO MAX): Non-stop feast for the eyes with THE BEST group of contestants and judges on television. The number of happy tears I cried and inspiration/solid flower tips can’t be counted. If you even just “like” flowers this is a MUST-WATCH.

Glow Up (Netflix): I’m not a makeup person but I LOVE this show. The creativity is off the charts, the hosts are great, and each final challenge ends in a “face-off” and it’s perfectly intense.

Love Life (HBO MAX): Two seasons. Two different people’s love life stories (you are taken through years of their journeys). Both are riveting yet so freaking relatable. I can’t decide which season I love more so you should just watch both.

My Unorthodox Life (Netflix): Honestly I don’t know how exactly to feel about this show because it’s textbook “crazy reality tv” BUT the story of the mom (Julia Haart) leaving her Orthodox Jewish community the day after her eldest daughter got married to then build a modeling agency and fashion company is so inspiring. The show is all about her and her kids continuing to adjust to living outside of most everything they were taught growing up. She is nothing if not a force!

On The Verge (Netflix): People did not talk enough about this show when it came out this year! It’s about four 40-something female friends living in LA, all going through different “mid-life” struggles. It’s warm, funny, maddening, and just so good! I really love and am grateful for these kinds of shows. I want to see interesting, complex stories about women beyond 35 because women don’t just stop being amazing at a certain age:)

Pretend It’s a City (Netflix): My god I loved this. Sure, my love for New York is still as strong as ever, but Fran Leibowitz is the New Yorker, is an incredible storyteller, and her dry, matter-of-fact humor is all I want. I wish there were more! Come on Scorsese, are we getting another season??

Reno My Rental (Discovery+): Even though I hope all of you have seen Carmeon’s show, I had to add it. Her transformations are so creative, beautiful, and are super budget-conscious. Plus she’s just so fun to watch!

The Bold Type (Hulu): Julie must have told me to watch this show for a year before I finally gave it a shot. Of course I was in it quick! It’s basically like a new, younger version of Sex and the City. Highly recommend it for fun, easy watching that also touches on some really important topics.

From Ryann:

Reservation Dogs (Hulu): This is the best show of 2021 in my opinion. It’s about 4 indigenous teenagers who live on a res who are hustling to get money so they can move to California. You fall in love with the characters and their lives instantly. It’s not necessarily ha ha funny but it’s witty and very smart.

Hacks (HBO MAX): I started watching this show because Megan Stalter plays a small part in it (and she’s hilarious btw) but I kept watching because Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder are an incredible duo. The writing is fantastic and it’s a great depiction of what it’s like being a woman in comedy.

Gentefied (Netflix): We need more shows like this one. It’s about a Mexican-American family chasing the American dream while also just trying to be there for one another and keep their family-owned taco shop from going under. It’s wholesome, lighthearted, funny, and heartwarming. It’s also the only show I’ve personally seen that is actually bilingual and I would love to see more of that.

Superstore (Hulu): This is a great throw-it-on show if you just want to escape. It’s really funny, all the characters are lovable and weird, and if you’ve ever worked at a store like Costco or Walmart (I worked at Costco for two years whoop whoop) you will love how relatable it is. Oh and America Ferrera is fantastic as per usual.

Unbelievable (Netflix): This is based on a true story (trigger warning it is about sexual assault) and it’s very well done. It’s one of those shows you just can’t stop watching and wish there were more episodes. I am pretty sure I watched it in one day and I’ve even rewatched since then. Merritt Wever plays one of the lead detectives and is such a badass.

From Mallory:

Mad Men (Netflix): Nothing new here, but this is MY FAVORITE SHOW EVER. It took me a few times to get REALLY into it, but once I did, I could not stop. It transports you to such a fun world & I cannot recommend it enough if you haven’t seen it or it’s been a while.

From Caitlin:

Succession (HBO Max): BRB, can’t write a description, must rewatch the whole thing after that season 3 finale!!! I know this can be a hard show to start – they have to lay a lot of groundwork and every character is awful – but my personal turning point was Greg’s ‘California Pizza Kitchen’ talk with Tom in episode 6. Stick it out, it’s worth it!!!

Dave (Hulu): So underrated!!! It’s laugh out loud funny and tender and real (like, this is an accurate portrayal of working in music in LA). You can fly through both seasons in a day and both season finale episodes are absolute slam dunks. PLEASE WATCH.

Ted Lasso (Apple TV+): I mean…what can I say about Ted Lasso that hasn’t already been said? (Or that I haven’t already, like, typed – probably in all caps – in a link up?) Put this on and the world will be a little brighter for 35 minutes. 

Shrill (Hulu): Three seasons of bingeworthy goodness, baby!!! It’s fun to see the self-actualization of someone whose life looks so similar to mine. The casting is incredible and Aidy Bryant’s wardrobe stylist deserves a medal. I’m devastated that it’s over!!

Podcastsphoto by veronica crawford | from: the 7 ways I use social media to help my career while doing less harm to my mental health From Emily:

I BINGED so many podcasts this year walking the dogs two sometimes three hours a day, with some standout favorites

Just Enough Family: This documents the rise and fall of a New York family, told through Liz Lange’s perspective (an heir to the now non-fortune). This is one of my favorite subjects – the behind-the-scenes lives/crimes of the hyper-wealthy – it’s never how it all seems. I’m hoping for a second season. 

I’m a massive Armchair-y and don’t miss an episode, so it was hard for me to name my favorites of 2021, but the following all absolutely stood out, either educational/inspirational or just pure entertaining: Prince Harry, Amy Poehler, Van Jones, Drew Barrymore (this surprised me), Stanley Tucci, Nick Offerman, Matt Daman, Sanjay Gupta, Khalil Gibran Muhammed, Andrew Huberman, and Chad Sanders. 

I loved The Shrink Next Door (starting the HBO series this weekend) and Suspect, as well as the Elizabeth Smart mystery, Your Own Backyard.

From Ryann:

Morbid: For big fans of true crime I recommend Morbid. Hosted by a niece and aunt duo, they recount the most disturbing serial killer cases, survivor stories, and listener tales. I’ve listened to a lot of true crime podcasts and this one might be my favorite (way better than Sword and Scale IMO).

To Live And Die In LA: I binged the entire season on Adea Shabani’s disappearance in like a day. So good and well told.

The Rewatchables: If you love movies and more importantly rewatching your favorite movies over and over, you will enjoy this podcast. They did an episode on my favorite movie (Good Fellas) and it’s ALMOST as good as watching the movie itself.

My Brother My Brother And Me: This is my go-to feel-good comedy podcast. It’s three brothers who give readers “advice” but it’s mostly an hour of hilarious banter and sarcasm. I love these boys so much.

From Mallory:

Armchair Expert: THIS IS MY FAVORITE PODCAST AND I NEVER SHUT UP ABOUT IT. If you’re just starting to listen, I recommend the Mila Kunis episode, Alison Brie, and Andrew Huberman. Oh also Bradley Cooper’s just came out and it’s fantastic.

How I Built This by Guy Raz: This podcast is SO good if you love learning about businesses and how they are built. It’s super interesting to listen to & I’ve been into it for YEARS and it doesn’t get boring

From Jess:

The Deep Dive: To be honest this one took me a hot sec to get into but now I can’t wait until Wednesdays. I’m pretty obsessed with June Diane Raphael and her and Jessica St. Clair’s banter is incredibly fun. It’s a show for women, by women so definitely check it out!

Busy Philipps Is Doing Her Best: The Stacy London Episode: I listened to this episode on a flight a few months ago and let me tell you I could have listened to this interview all day long. Stacy London (yes, the Stacey from What Not to Wear) started a company that focuses on Menopause called State Of. Menopause isn’t something I’ve taken more than five minutes to think about up until now. A real “I’ll deal with it once I get closer” kinda mindset. But once I finished this episode, I wanted to scream from the rooftops, “WHY AREN’T WE TALKING ABOUT MENOPAUSE ALL OF THE TIME?!” It’s a MUST-listen I promise.

From Caitlin:

Reply All: This is my desert island podcast – it’s kind of like This American Life meets the internet. Every episode is funny and warm and human and timeless. If you’re looking for an entry point, this 2019 episode about a mild-mannered guy who decides to become a real-life supervillain is UNREAL. 

Why Won’t You Date Me: Oh baby!!! Listening to this is the audio-equivalent of a boozy brunch with friends. Like, yes, tell me about all the weirdos on dating apps! Tell me about your breakup! Tell me how you met your partner! If you’re the booker for this podcast, please reach out to me. I will overshare. 

2 Black Girls, 1 Rose: THE. BEST. BACHELOR. NATION. PODCAST. I pay $10 for this every month (though I think they have cheaper tiers) and it’s worth every penny. At this point, I’m mainly watching the franchise just so I can laugh along with Natasha and Justine the next day. It’s smart and sharp and witty, which are words I don’t normally associate with reality TV. 10/10.

Sway: Kara Swisher is terrifying, in the best way. She’s a no-nonsense interviewer with an incredible BS detector and listening to her eviscerate tech CEOs is one of the few things that brings me joy. (Check out this recent interview with Andrew Yang, who cannot seem to charm Kara despite his many attempts. It’s awesome AND informative.) 

Booksphoto by sara ligorria-tramp | from: how to make your smallest room the coziest room in your homeFrom Emily:

Admittedly I’m flying through either contemporary or Victorian-era romance novels every night and they are bringing me so much comfort (I’ve read probably 75 since the pandemic started). Some are like watching a Hallmark or Christmas movie (bad but so comforting) and others are more fun, steamy and you just can’t put them down (Beach Read, Hating Game, and The Roommate). If you really want to take it up a notch (and can handle explicit details) I LOVED Bombshell and flew through it in 2 days (would have been one if I hadn’t needed to “work” and “feed children”). The Evie Dunsmore series has an awesome feminist bent (set during the suffrage movement in England). But probably my favorite novel since Covid is Station Eleven (and I’m so excited about the series launching this week on HBO). As far as non-romance page-turners go I loved The Last Flight (thriller), Dark Matter (fantasy thriller), and don’t forget The Vanishing Half (social thriller). Also A Good Marriage and Such a Fun Age. If you haven’t read the Wedding Date series it’s so fun and you get into it by page one – it’s a great vacation series. Also, if you want me to do a whole post dedicated to romance novels, my favorites, and what they add to my life JUST ASK  

From Ryann:

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah: France during World War II. Two Sisters are separated and both end up helping the Nazi resistance in their own ways. I don’t even want to give more away but before this book, I’ve always said we need more stories about women during wartime and specifically how women fought however they could. This book is that (but fiction). Also, I balled hysterically at the end. Just read it and you won’t be sorry.
The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd: This is the fictional story of Jesus’s (yes that Jesus) wife named Ana. I know what you are thinking but stay with me. It’s a great love story by a fantastic writer and it offers a feminine perspective on religion and humanity. I read it with an open mind and really loved it.
The Secret History by Donna Tart: My all-time favorite book. If you know you know, but Donna Tart is a wizard when it comes to story-telling. You are not ready for the wild ride she takes you on and I guarantee you’ve never read a story like this. This book has been around for a while so if you’ve heard it but haven’t read it, THIS IS YOUR SIGN. You’ll be so happy you did.
You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me by Sherman Alexie: Part memoir part poetry part epitaph to his deceased mother. This is Sherman Alexie’s latest book and it’s beautiful and tragic. It’s about grief but it’s also about life, identity, and family and the mixed genre makes it very easy and exciting to read.
Emma In The Night by Wendy Walker: File this under I read it in less than a day. It’s not the best writing but it is a real page-turner and if you want to get lost in a wild story you should try it out. It’s a thriller about two missing sisters who disappeared one night until one sister suddenly returns with no explanation. It’s twisted and a fun quick read that you can easily finish on a plane or car ride.

From Mallory:

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey: I’m in the process of reading this currently and it’s INCREDIBLE. I love Matthew McConaughey so much more after reading this. It’s full of humor, motivation, and gripping stories from his life. His perspective on the world is so interesting and makes you absolutely fall in love with living life.
My Body by Emily Ratajkowski: This book is next on my list to read FOR SURE. I’ve read this excerpt on The Cut and thought it was fantastic, so if you like it too then I recommend you read the book!

From Jess:

Normal People by Sally Rooney: Largely due to my need for visual stimulation, I just don’t read a ton of books. God I hate admitting that! But the last book I couldn’t put down was Normal People by Sally Rooney (I know this was crazy popular so not new news). It’s very sexy, dark, and intoxicating. I also FINALLY watched the show on Hulu last week and absolutely loved it! Highly recommend both but definitely don’t watch the show with family… 

From Caitlin:

Algorithms to Live By: The Computer Science of Human Decisions by Brian Christian and Tom Griffiths: I’m reading this right now and I knew I had picked the right book when it described my current dating strategy – which I picked for its mathematical correctness – as the optimal dating strategy. Basically, if you want to let data run your life (I do) so you can make the right choice most of the time (oh, gosh, please), this is the book for you. It’s an easy read, too – not nearly as technical as the title makes it sound. 

No One Is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood: Full disclosure – this is very cerebral and weird and it’s not a traditional narrative structure, so this may not be for everyone…but I read this back in February and haven’t stopped thinking about it since. It’s about the internet and family and a bunch of other things told with prose that kinda kicks (/body slams) you right in the gut. 

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell: What do QAnon and Heaven’s Gate and the Peloton Leaderboard have in common? Well, first is that I know a lot more about all 3 after SAILING through this book in a day…but second is that they all use language in the same way and it’s FASCINATING. I love non-fiction but hate being bored and that can be a tough niche to enjoy, but this book has nailed the funny:educational ratio. 

The Collected Poems and Drawings of Stevie Smith by Stevie Smith: Smith’s been my favorite poet since high school. This is my go-to book when I’m feeling sad and want to feel sadder. (Sometimes you really just gotta lean into your misery for a day, you know???)

Alright sweet friends, those are our recs but as always we want to know what you all loved this year. Drop them below and safe travels! xx

Opener Image Credit: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | Designed and Styled with Velinda Hellen and Erik Staalberg for EHD | From: Reveal Alert: The Color Trend We’re VERY Into (That You’ll Love, Too)

The post Here Are The Most BINGE-ABLE And GRIPPING Podcasts, Movies, TV Shows, And Books To Enjoy While You’re Traveling (Or Just Hanging Out) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

What I Did Right And WRONG In My First Year Of Owning A Home (Albie Has 4 Important Tips)

A little over a year ago, my husband and I took on our third biggest journey together – buying a home! And in case you’re wondering what the first two were: having a baby and moving cross country. Because homeownership was something that we never imagined to be a reality, by the time it happened for us last year we realized there’s a lot we just didn’t know. As the saying goes, “you don’t know what you don’t know”. That said, in the past year since becoming homeowners, everything has basically felt like baptism by fire. We’ve learned a lot about a lot in such a short amount of time… and yes, we’ve been able to ask a few people questions here and there. Truth is though, there’s just a lot that we had to go through & experience firsthand to really get it. Like I said… baptism by fire. 

While I won’t go so far as to say we’ve done anything “wrong” in our first year of homeownership, there’s definitely been a lot of hindsight thinking going on – what we would’ve done differently, what we would’ve kept the same, and everything in between. Personally, as I’ve been thinking about this, it’s been not just as the homeowner, but also as a content creator who happens to create content around said home. Those personal lessons and shoulda-woulda-couldas are intrinsically linked to my professional life… for better or for worse. 

So in looking back on our past year of projects, improvements, renovations, and blunders, here’s what we did right, what we would do differently, and what we learned. 

Projectsphoto by ellie lillstrom | design by albie k. buabeng | from: reveal alert: how albie designed the hygge inspired luxe kitchen

Remember last year when I talked about saying “no” to project pressure? All things considered, we did a pretty good job at resisting the urge to do all the things all at once. From the very beginning, we promised ourselves we weren’t gonna be “house rich and money poor” so keeping that in mind def tempered us. From the outside looking in, it may now look this way, especially since in our first 60 days of homeownership we furnished the living & dining rooms, replaced all the carpet in the bedrooms with new flooring, began our DIY laundry room renovation, removed popcorn ceiling in one of the rooms, and redesigned (and relocated) our new media room. 

As I am sitting here writing this, we’ve actually managed to cross almost everything off of our 2021 home goals list… and did so without any project pressure…

renovate kitchenupgrade pantry systemupgrade hall closet systemconvert guest bonus room closet to shoe closetcomplete said bonus roomfurnish back yardfurnish balconyupgrade the mini’s closet systemrenovate laundry roomremove carpet throughout the houseupgrade hvac system to ductlessswitch out storm doorswitch out patio & balcony doorsnew window treatments throughout the houseremove popcorn ceiling throughout the houseupgrade the interior & exterior lightingcomplete garage insulation & drywallclean out & repair garden bedphoto by ellie lillstrom | design by albie buabeng | via albie knows

So what’s the problem? We did A LOT in such a small amount a time, and we didn’t always check in with our original priorities list. As a result, we sometimes went rogue, taking on projects that could’ve waited. On the other side of that, we realized our priorities list wasn’t very good to begin with! We prioritized, for example, furnishing our back yard yet didn’t account for the fact that we needed to replace our back fence… with the latter being the last project we’ve done for 2021. It wasn’t on the list, and it should’ve been on the list. Going into 2022, we’re going to take an honest & intense assessment of the condition of our home… thinking about what we need to do in our home versus what we want to do in our home, and what that’ll all look like realistically. 

Financesphoto by ellie lillstrom | design by albie k. buabeng | from: a total diy laundry room transformation

Speaking of realistic expectations…

Can I just go on record and say that no one talks about what things cost… and it sucks! We were hit with, not necessarily “sticker shock” but something like it because every time we got a bid for a job we were like “is this what it’s supposed to cost… this feels high… maybe that’s too low… how are we supposed to know!?” I am so thankful for my realtor turned friend, and friends like Sherry (@younghouselove), Rashida (@rashida.banks), and Shavonda (@sgardnerstyle) because I could text them and ask “does this make sense?” As a content creator, there might be an assumption that when we’re working with brands, we collect a check & spend nothing. Nope. No ma’am. We still pay for labor – at the bare minimum – and that still doesn’t account for work that isn’t sponsored. That said, every project we took on came with a price tag. Because we’d never done anything like this before – renovate a laundry room, get a new HVAC system, rip out carpeting, build a new fence – we didn’t know what these things would cost to DIY and/or hire out. The problem this presented for us was an inability to budget accordingly. For future projects, we are already doing so much research to quantify every detail – sponsored or otherwise – so that (a) we can budget accordingly and (b) I can charge accordingly should it be something that’s part of a campaign. 

Timelinesphoto by ellie lillstrom | design by albie k. buabeng | from: reveal alert: how albie designed the hygge inspired luxe kitchen

Being that I do what I do, whilst my husband works a more “traditional” job outside of the home, not like the money, we didn’t do a very good job at budgeting our time. One project that’s not on the priorities list, yet was part of our 2021 calendar, was our powder room. The materials have been in our garage for the better part of a year. So why didn’t it get done? Time. Every single time we thought we had a window to tackle the project, another project either got derailed (taking up our time) or we were burnt out from putting out fires elsewhere and needed time to recharge our batteries. Trust me when I say, had we done that powder room this year, it would not have been good… like at all. Not giving ourselves realistic timelines – at least to the best of our ability – really set us up for failure. To be honest, it’s an absolute miracle we got anything done at all this year (and we sometimes sit and wonder to ourselves how we did it because we don’t know). 

Every day this year has felt like it had something for us to do – big & small – which kind of started to drive us to a place of resentment & discouragement. I remember saying to my husband, “I just want to enjoy the house!” and ever since making that declaration, we promised ourselves to never do this again! In 2022, we plan to set designated windows for tackling projects with breaks in between… at least for the projects we can control. 

Expectationsphoto by ellie lillstrom | design by albie k. buabeng | from: bringing the movie theater home with your family in mind (it’s a reveal y’all!)

…and speaking of control. On more than one occasion we’ve had to remind ourselves “we bought an old house” and with that comes some good and some bad… we just need a reminder from time to time. While working on different improvements – from simple maintenance tasks to larger projects – we would need to remember that some of this stuff is just par for the course… it’s normal… and we did nothing wrong. This being such a huge accomplishment for us, there was a lot of self-imposed pressure to do it “right” – whatever that means… as though the home we bought was some precious/fragile object that could easily shatter. We bought a house. Like we bought a frigging house! And in a year managed to furnish every single room (some are still “works in process” but furnished nonetheless) and renovate two major areas. A lot of this is partly due to what I do for a living, however, taking the time to actually say “wow we did this!” made us realize we set some WILD expectations for ourselves if we still don’t think we did enough. It still amazes me when I see people react to our home. Their reactions are always a gentle reminder of what we’ve accomplished and how we’ve earned the ability to just sit down somewhere to enjoy what we’ve created. 

I am giving myself – especially as a creative, as the least designer of our home, and a recovering perfectionist – perfection to chill out in the new year. My husband, on the other hand, is constantly on the lookout for something to fix, so I’m also going to be encouraging him to just sit down somewhere because the house is fine… we’re fine… everything’s fine. 

photo by ellie lillstrom | design by albie k. buabeng | from: reveal alert: how albie designed the hygge inspired luxe kitchen

Having just crossed off the very project we’ll be doing this year mere days ago feels surreal… namely because it’s one of the first things we thought we were going to do a year ago. LOL. If that’s not a clear indication that we need a better way to manage our projects, finances, timelines, and expectations… then what is? I am thankful for every high & low this past year of homeownership placed before us. We were able to increase our equity, refinance our home, tackle both cosmetic & safety upgrades, and somehow come out on the other side of it all not hating homeownership. Now the goal is to build on what we’ve learned…

(1) setting realistic & attainable project goals, with bite-sized tasks outlined for each so necessary steps aren’t being overlooked 

(2) establishing an overall home improvement budget in addition to separate budgets per project

(3) creating a calendar of work with intentional breaks between major projects to allow time for recovery & stillness

(4) granting ourselves the gift of grace, not as an alternative for accountability (because things do need to get done) but as a reward for progress

I don’t know that there’s much I “wish” I knew before buying a home – and I think my husband would agree – however I do wish we were exposed to more conversations about what it really means to be a homeowner. After purchasing your home, did you find yourself wishing you knew more or do you think you were pretty well prepared for your homeownership journey? And feel free to share any sage words of advice for us as we enter year two.

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Ellie Lillstrom | Design by Albie K. Buabeng | From: What Happens When You Design Your Living Room and Then MOVE?? You Make It Work… Albie’s New Living Room Round One!

The post What I Did Right And WRONG In My First Year Of Owning A Home (Albie Has 4 Important Tips) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Julie’s First Lead Design With VHD – A Primary Bath Reveal + Tips On How To Easily Blend Classic & Contemporary Styles

Hi EHD friends! Julie here & I am back with another exciting room reveal but this time from Team VHD. If you haven’t heard the news already, the EHD Design Alum team (Velinda, Grace, & myself!) are reunited again under the helm of Velinda Hellen Design. It’s been a little over a year since I joined forces with that incredible duo for all things ‘Full-Service Clients’ in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Grace is masterfully juggling the ‘E-Design Clients’, with the help of Marlene, Brittany & Trina, all over the Globe. And Velinda (our trusty leader) bounces back and forth like a Wimbledon tennis match between the two design worlds. 

Today, I am excited to share my first VHD project as Lead Designer & this time we have a bathroom to reveal. Yes, we do more than just kitchens. And if you’ve missed those reveals you can check out our most recent green and tambour cladded kitchen & Velinda’s first freelance client with some clever storage solutions.

Now to meet our lovely clients & take a peek at the ‘straight-out-of-the-early-2000s’ bathroom before photos…

We didn’t get a proper portrait of the pair but nonetheless, we still wanted to introduce the most spectacularly self-sufficient clients, Gloria & Marc. We were beyond lucky to have them as our client during these unprecedented times of design meeting Zoom calls, installs over FaceTime & endless emails finalizing every detail big or small.

Here she is in all her former glory & while the bathroom wasn’t unusable it definitely needed some upgraded functionality that was more practical for our client’s needs. Ultimately, the bathroom just lacked the soul of this classic Craftsman-style home. Downstairs is filled with walnut built-ins and detailed paneling that is original to the home and upstairs, a beautifully curved banister with a matching curved skylight above. Our end goal was to take this bath from a beige Wonder Bread sandwich back to the original charm of the Craftsman home but with modern sensibilities.

BUT the challenge was doing so while also incorporating our clients’ desire for a ‘modern spa’ feel. Clients frequently ask, ‘How can I stay true to my clean/minimalist/modern aesthetic when I live in a traditional home?” (i.e. victorian, craftsman, colonial, etc., etc.). While each case is different, the solution we seem to find comes in being INSPIRED by traditional elements that remain true to the architectural style (here they are: color, wood tones, tile usage, & plumbing finishes) while allowing for an updated take on the aesthetic. Being too ‘true to the era’ may end up feeling too dated, but a modern room in an architecturally-aged home can feel out of place. We aimed to dance in the world between.

Here are some inspiration photos for the overall look & feel of the space:

Green handmade tiles, darker wood tones, curved detailing (mimicking their banister in the hallway just outside their bedroom), clean lines yet traditional aesthetics in fixtures & custom cabinetry that feels a part of the home’s history were the main takeaways from our inspiration phase of the design process.

Over the course of designing, the construction phase & the shoot, we were physically in the space a total of 3 times. Gloria (thankfully) stepped up & in as our acting project manager and was so on top of things that we jokingly told her we wanted to hire her (but seriously, Gloria, the offer is still on the table). She and our GC were amazing at communicating all the changes with our team because, as most of you know, when it comes to construction you can plan to the last ⅛” detail but something will always arise to put a twist into the final design. 

Speaking of…

renderings of the space

Above are the renders of the final design we presented to Gloria during our second time in the space. As you’ll see in the reveal photos, not much changed between this and the ‘final result’… just a detail here or there, which was a big digital design sigh of relief.

And now…Welcome to our “Autumnal Craftsman-Meets Contemporary Spa Bathroom”, it’s like a PSL… but a bathroom.

Light Green Tile | Dark Green Tile

On our first visit, Gloria mentioned that she loved the original green handmade tile on the fireplace surround downstairs so we instantly knew this green tone (plus a walnut wood) should be included in the final design. The fireplace tile became our jumping-off point. The idea was to take the classic craftsman aesthetic but update it to suit their more contemporary taste. And so the balance of ‘two, varying design styles’ began & it all came down to the details. 

As you walk into the room your eye is instantly drawn to the two tones of the handmade green tiles from Fireclay Tile. They had the perfect shades of green to give a nod to the craftsman style while keeping it feeling up to date & slightly trendy with the color block design we implemented. 

The idea was to use a slightly darker 3” square tile in Peabody on the bottom portion that was closer in color to the tile downstairs, but then create a stopping point at the top of the tub to keep the room from leaning too dark overall. The darker tile also helped to balance out the custom walnut vanity that runs the length of the space & prevented it from feeling too heavy/overwhelming for this more narrow bath footprint. Then the lighter 3” x 6” tile in Rosemary is in a vertical stacked pattern on top & as the shower surround which gives a light & airy spa-like balance while still bringing more color into the space.

DESIGN DETAIL TIP | Tile

Classic Element: the colors of the tile & handmade quality
Contemporary Element: the vertical stacked pattern & use of the trendy color block design

THE VANITY – STORAGE

The original vanity in this room came with a lot of storage but most of it wasn’t quite functional. As you can see in the “Before Photos” from earlier in the post, the drawers were long and narrow. This made it difficult to store some things easily… a blow dryer would surely get lost in the cabinets below. The deeper drawers were off to the left side which was out of arm’s reach & the limited vanity area on the right side was never fully utilized. 

Since we were starting from scratch with the vanity design, we asked them our typical questions when it comes to custom cabinetry:

What do you plan to store?Do you prefer drawers vs cabinets?Are there any specialty items to include in the design?

Drawer Pulls | Drawer Knobs | Towel Ring

Here is where we landed. As you can see above we started by creating a deeper cabinet in the middle, which provides more counter space for getting ready. The two sides are a bit more shallow to prevent the space from feeling too narrow. It also helped to avoid overlapping the door frame to their bedroom (their previous vanity was a culprit of this design faux pas).

The middle section is a little shy of 60” wide and includes 6 drawers (4 that are more shallow /narrow for storing make-up, etc. & 2 that are deeper for brushes, a blow dryer, etc.). A 36”W under-sink cabinet provides storage for the bulkier items like toilet paper and cleaning supplies. A lot of storage potential for this new vanity already!

The left side hides two specialty item requests from our clients:

A small folding ironing board in the top right drawer  Two laundry basket inserts in the large drawer below

The opposite side has a wide deep drawer to store additional toiletries with an open shelf below for extra linens & provides access/space for the air vent. All the drawers & cabinet doors are adorned with brass hardware from Rejuvenation that warms up the darker walnut wood. The plumbing fixtures, pulls & knobs, towel ring & hooks, & toilet paper holder are all from the West Slope Collection creating a uniform and more classic look.

DESIGN DETAIL TIP | Custom Vanity

Classic Element: walnut wood & brass metal combination
Contemporary Element: slab fronts & minimal style hardware

THE SINK DILEMMA

The windows in the space created a design dilemma. Our client’s original goal was to install double sinks. Due to their desire not to replace/change the windows (and the resulting limited space allotted for a mirror), our solution was to install a 30”W trough style sink. This was a major upgrade from their previous small, round vessel one. The new sink is wide enough for them to share at the same time. This is also a budget-friendly option since you don’t have to buy two of everything + double installation costs.

Body Lotion | Body Oil | Faucet

We also saved dollars by keeping the wall-mounted sink faucet in place and swapped out the fixture for one that seamlessly blends the classic and contemporary worlds. The overall clean lines & trendier cross handles of the West Slope Faucet from Rejuvenation feel fresh yet the brass tone and curve to the design give it a touch of classic style.

THE STONE DETAILS

The other vanity dilemma was how to make the wider, middle section feel purposeful since it overlapped with the two flanking windows. The solution was to create a beautiful two-tiered, curved backsplash moment using the Sereno Bianco from Vadara. This quartz stone is not only very user-friendly, it also has the most beautiful veining pattern in person making it one of our go-to quartz for our clients. Which created plenty of movement & ‘texture’ without looking too bold/cramped under the window sill. Speaking of, can we just take a second to appreciate the precision of the stone fabricator and how perfectly that piece fits under the trim. 

DESIGN DETAIL TIP | Stone Countertop

Classic Element: the curved backsplash design & veining pattern with a slight polished finish
Contemporary Element: keeping the edge profile a simple miter instead of an Ogee curved profile

ADDITIONAL STORAGE & LIGHTING

Medicine Cabinet | Sconce

There was one final request for storage and that was of the vertical kind. We were pretty limited on wall space so a medicine cabinet mirror was a great option. It looks like any other mirror when closed… but it has ample storage. When I opened the mirrored door slightly for the shot, Emily Bowser, our stylist queen who expertly made this room feel so special with the final touches. (LOOK. AT. THOSE. FLOWERS. Perfection!) was actually shocked by the fact this was a medicine cabinet (which TBH are often kinda meh). This one though… so pretty!

The cherry on top is that Rigdon Wall Sconce from Rejuvenation. It provides plenty of ambient vanity lighting & is such a classic design yet with clean lines. Since we crammed so much between the two windows we wanted something that was functional, beautiful & a little more understated since the opal glass helps it disappear on the white wall. 

DESIGN DETAIL TIP | Mirror

Classic Element: brass finish & curved edges
Contemporary Element: clean linear lines & thin minimal frame (if it was oval or had a thicker more decorative frame it would read more classic)

THE ‘WC NICHE’

Art | Shelf

Since we decided to install a full height dividing wall between the shower and toilet area we wanted to keep things simple over here & it wasn’t a high priority place to spend money. Savings came through keeping the toilet in its original location. There was, however, an amazing opportunity to add open shelving for some personal styling touches/storage (with a ledge on the back wall topped with the same quartz material used throughout for ease when cleaning). 

The collage piece is from an amazing artist on Etsy, Artistic Side of Life, located in the UK. Maya’s pieces evoke the whole concept of the design by using classic elements with a new contemporary spin. To top things off, we added a walnut shelf with brass brackets from Rejuvenation. This was a great way to add in a smaller dose of the darker wood tone which helped balance out the vanity.

DESIGN DETAIL TIP | Art

Classic Element: subject matter – vintage photos & classic buildings
Contemporary Element: collage media – makes for a quirky & fresh piece of art

THE SHOWER AREA

Towel Hooks | Waffle Towels

Moving to the shower area, you get a close-up view of the two green tile tones from Fireclay paired with the rust–colored towels Emily B. pulled in. The contrast makes each of the colors really pop. Quick Question: Are you ‘Team Towel Bar’ or ‘Team Towel Hooks’? Curious minds would like to know, so leave a comment below!

The extra-large tub we chose was ideal since Gloria and Marc plan to bathe their two small kids mainly in this bathroom. The tub measures 76” long, so we created a 48″ wide double glass door opening to serve as the shower enclosure. This allows them more room when bathing their two kids at the same time. We also installed the same Vadara quartz for the tub deck & added a small overhang to the front of the tub for water spills. This is a great tip if you plan to use a material that isn’t fully waterproof… plus it makes for easier clean up.

Shower Fixtures

The shower fixtures are also the West Slope line from Rejuvenation and add so much warmth against the tile. In the earlier phase of the design, we were toying with the idea of putting the tub spout centered along the back wall but opted to keep them all on the same wall which helped to cut some costs from the final budget.

HOT TIP: Always try to match the plumbing fixtures in a space (which often means using the same brand/vendor). Not only is the finish more likely to match, but it also makes it easy for your crew to install or repair down the line since they most likely have similar parts. If you’re blending design styles, it’s not a design mistake to mix-and-match contemporary and classic styles, as long as the finishes match. This can enhance an eclectic look.

The new, full-height wall was the perfect spot for a large quartz-lined shower niche. We opted to create two tall openings for family-sized bottles, freeing up the tub deck space for toys to entertain the kids during bath time.

PSA *Pretty vase not included during aforementioned bath time*

Rug

The large-format floor tiles used were pretty simple in design & very budget-friendly. So to add a ‘special vintage moment’ we sourced this amazing worn Caucasus rug from Blue Parakeet Rugs, an EHD & VHD vintage-rug-favorite.

The colors of the rug’s design worked so well with the green tile & rust styling accents. Plus, the design has a geometric/contemporary feel, but is so classic & is a true vintage piece. Every room deserves to have at least one ‘antiqued/used’ item for some added soul. Sheba, the owner of Blue Parakeet Rugs, is so knowledgeable in her field and if you live in the LA area she does a “Rug & Roll” bringing tons of options to her clients’ homes to see which is the right fit for each room. Her process is so fun to watch on IG stories!

Last but not least (and some of you sleuths may have caught this from the ‘before photos’)… we removed the painted shutters & swapped them with linen roman shades. We were torn on whether or not to do this since there are shutters in some other rooms of the house. But even when open the original shutters didn’t let in a ton of natural light and proved to be ‘in the way’ when in this position. Roman shades not only were more considerate of the limited space, but also added a bit of warmth. Softness/color provided by fabric always makes a bath feel cozier… and that was the goal.

The final touch for a bit of subtle contrast (and a hint toward Craftsman) was a very, very light green paint for the window trim. We were all already fans of this idea, especially after Sara wrote a post on the trend & implemented it into her own home. This detail added a bit more color onto the other side of the space opposite of the tiled area to once again balance it all out.

And as always to conclude, here’s the obligatory, “What do I do with my hands, Sara?” photo to wrap up today’s reveal. But in all seriousness, it was truly such a pleasure to work with our client’s Gloria & Marc, and our wonderful GC whom we are so excited to be working with on future projects. A special thanks to all of our amazing vendors (Rejuvenation, Fireclay Tile, Vadara, & Blue Parakeet Rugs) for helping to make this room design a reality. 

I feel immensely lucky to be working with our dream design team again, all thanks to Velinda who bravely started a company in the midst of a pandemic. If you have a space that is ready for a revamp & live in the Los Angeles area (or surrounding areas, we have an amazing client in Ojai!). We are wrapping up a few more Full-Service projects & would love to work with you! Also, if you live literally anywhere else in the world (or LA but don’t need Full-Service for your project) we offer E-Design packages for any room size. The E-team is incredible at creating beautiful spaces from afar & each project comes with a “To-Go Box” that includes every last detail you’ll need to implement the design on your own.

We are so thankful to Em & the EHD team whom we love immensely, to be able to keep sharing our ideas & room reveals with you all. We’ve missed you so let’s chat & catch up on all things design in the comments below, see you there!

*Design by Julie Rose for Velinda Hellen Design
**Styling by Emily Edith Bowser
***Photos by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

The post Julie’s First Lead Design With VHD – A Primary Bath Reveal + Tips On How To Easily Blend Classic & Contemporary Styles appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Link Up: Emily’s $1 Last-Minute Kid-Friendly (& Approved) Gift, Mallory’s Sleep Mask, and An Article That Broke The Internet

Good day and welcome in!!! It’s the most wonderful time of the year y’all and we can’t wait for Santa to come to town. Hopefully you’re looking forward to a ‘stress-free’ holiday (well as stress-free as it can be). Today we have some gift ideas to help you, articles to transport you, and a home tour to inspire you. With that, let’s jump on in.

Finding this week’s home tour was insanely easy thanks to Domino…have you ever seen anything more beautiful than a sink wrapped in TILE? Me neither, honestly. Founders of Kalon Studios built an office that you won’t believe isn’t a full-time home. While everyone was (and still is) transitioning from office to WFH, they did the opposite and built an insanely beautiful, cozy office space for their entire team. The space is a Japandi-esque style with loads of natural light and we’re obsessed. Check this one out because it’s sure pretty.

From Emily: My kids got this $1 crystal ($14 for a big pack) from one of their classmates and they are obsessed with it. They love it SO much that we are now giving them to all their friends for Christmas, too. If you need a bulk gift last minute, this is the one!

From Mallory: Need a quick gift idea? This is a MOVE. I don’t know about you guys, but my hair is getting messed in the back from me sleeping on a non-silky pillowcase and it’s time for a change. I love this brand Slip and actually got their sleep mask as a gift once and I am obsessed (btw also a great gift idea!!). Their stuff is soooo soft & the packaging is super cute, plus if you order now it should arrive before Christmas OR you could do an order pickup at a Nordstrom near you if you need it asap…

Also from Mallory: Do ya like shopping for vintage?? Then ya need to check out the hottest shop on the market, Guest House SF! I love looking at the pieces they curate (and they deliver to SF and LA btw) + if you are in need of making your home smell awesome then check out their new candle…I just got one and I cannot believe how delicious my home smells after burning it for less than 2 minutes. Also, be sure to follow them on the gram

Also ALSO from Mallory: Emily made me obsessed with getting personalized ornaments from Etsy every year (it’s for the mems, guys), so last year I ordered these cute walk of fame Hollywood star ornaments (because we live in Hollywood) which turned out SO CUTE. This year I wanted to get something new to remember our year. For Chase, I customized a Pete Sampras ornament that sort of looks like this (I just messaged the seller and he made it for me) because he played Pete Sampras in the movie King Richard that just came out (watch it in theaters now and on HBO Max!) Also, if you’re into MMA or boxing at all, I think this Conor Mcgregor ornament is hilarious. And then for me, I got this cute door ornament and personalized it with our apartment number because we are SO close to being done with the MOTO!

From Ryann: If you in any way shape or form like poetry or spoken word I highly recommend you listen to Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude by Ross Gay featuring Bon Iver. Listening to it is like meditating with a wise, honest, spiritual mentor. I have generalized anxiety disorder and one morning when I was having particularly bad anxiety I put this on and definitely helped me ground myself.

From Caitlin: There were TWO slam dunk articles in the New Yorker this week that left me screaming (one metaphorically, one literally). First: this story about a guy fighting to excavate his local landfill after tossing a hard drive containing the 64-character code needed to access his HALF-BILLION Bitcoin fortune. Second: this profile of Jeremy Strong basically broke the internet this week and it is one of the most unintentionally hilarious thing I have ever read. Highlights: several of his Succession co-stars talking smack on the record; a story of how he bankrupted Yale’s drama club; a deep look into the mind of someone who probably couldn’t function in any role other than “character actor.” Weirdly, I somehow love him even more now that I know that he seems to be a bit of a terror. (It’s worth reading even if you don’t watch the show, I promise.)

Also From Caitlin: OK, OK…one more article. Food writing or restaurant reviews aren’t normally on my to-read list, but this whole piece had me laughing (guffawing, even) from start to finish. My favorite part: “There is something to be said about a truly disastrous meal, a meal forever indelible in your memory because it’s so uniquely bad, it can only be deemed an achievement…the sort of meals that make you feel as though the fabric of reality is unraveling. The ones that cause you to reassess the fundamentals of capitalism, and whether or not you’re living in a simulation in which someone failed to properly program this particular restaurant.”

From Jess: I just got back from my first actual vacation since the before times. I went to see my best friends in New York and while it was the freaking best, my bag was a bit all over their rooms while I stay with them. I wanted to buy these super cute packing cubes but at the time thought they were probably unnecessary. Well, I regretted it because I would have been able to stay way more organized. Don’t be me and get some cubes if you need them.

Opening Image Credit: Design by Kalon Studios | Photography by Laure Joliet| via Domino

The post The Link Up: Emily’s $1 Last-Minute Kid-Friendly (& Approved) Gift, Mallory’s Sleep Mask, and An Article That Broke The Internet appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Netflix Holiday Movies Reviewed And Ranked By Someone Who Has Actually Watched Them All

Hey there, HI, hello. It’s time for the most anticipated release of the year: my official review of all the Netflix holiday original films. I know Saturday’s normally the fashion/beauty/lifestyle day…but, well, this is more fun and festive than talking about last-minute gifts and ordering deadlines and the imminent collapse of the supply chain. This year Netflix dropped a whole slew of new programming, including the worst holiday movie I’ve ever seen and a film that made me feel like I’m actually in a coma and someone is trying to talk me awake by reminding me of all my favorite things, so we have LOTS of ground to cover. Scroll to the end for all the 2021 reviews…but maybe do a quick refresh with me, first?

Guys, my mind is a steel trap of Netflix Christmas original movies. And, well, usually all the knowledge about fake countries that sound like supplements and or Vanessa Hudgens’ rise as *the* holiday rom-com star of the decade is pretty much worthless…but not today.

For one day only, this knowledge is relevant and useful and I am READY to help you pick the films that will set the scene for the next three days. Now, this is a personal film ranking, so here are the parameters:

It’s a Netflix original. Yes, other places have made incredible holiday films, but Netflix is pretty ubiquitous and on-demand so we’re sticking with it. Adults can watch. There are a few animated or family-friendly picks on here – I’ve made sure to highlight them – but there’s no Storybots or Captain Underpants here, sorry!! It’s an actual movie. Netflix does have a surprising number of holiday TV series (Dash & Lily is not their first Christmas show, which is mind-boggling) and shorts but this is FILM TIME, baby. Give me some grace on this ranking!!! As I’ve realized, Netflix are “good/good” movies (timeless films – there’s even an Oscar nominee here!), “good/bad” movies (Hallmark-style – stereotypical and fun to watch) and “bad/bad” films (usually a gratuitous sequel).

In any case, I’ve done my best and I’d love to hear your picks, too. Let us begin…

The OG Power Ranking22. A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby

Vibe: Straight-to-VHS sequel of 90s smash hit movie
Family Friendly?: Yeah, but I think it’s probably only interesting to kids 8+.
The Verdict: First off: Aldovia sounds like the name a muscle ointment and Penglia sounds like the name of an as-seen-on-TV medication and NO ONE CAN CONVINCE ME OTHERWISE. Also, how is the queen of a country allowed to blog? And it’s just called “Amber’s Blog?” What is even going ON in Aldovia??? (PS. Andy looks like a knock-off Brendan from this season of the Bachelorette. Let’s talk about it).

ANYWAY, I will tell you that it’s about a pair of royals who have to renew a truce, but the document is stolen, the thief is trapped inside the palace after a snowstorm, and then a curse threatens their baby, but that actually kind of makes it sound interesting. Overall, it’s fine. If you’re looking to binge something for a few hours, you could do worse than the 3 films that encapsulate this nice little royal romance, but it’s not really a must-see.

21. The Princess Switch: Switched Again

Vibe: “Oh no, there’s too much going on here”
Family Friendly?: There’s a scene with kidnapping, so skip this if that would frighten anyone in your household.
The Verdict: WOOF. Would really only recommend this if 1. you have a lot of wine and 2. you have someone to scream at the TV with. Vanessa Hudgens is doing THE MOST – playing 3 different characters with 2 rough accents – and you just want her to slow down.

There are just so many weird things not addressed in this sequel. Like, your best friend is in love with your doppelganger and it doesn’t affect your relationship at all? You have marriage troubles that get cleared up in 30 seconds? Folks go on ONE date and then get married? The fact that THREE WOMEN look exactly the same despite not really being related and everyone in this country is just like, “ah yes, totally normal, of course that happens all the time.” All this being said: this is fun to chirp at with friends and family, but you’re not going to walk away being like, “WOW WHAT AN INCREDIBLE HOLIDAY FILM!”

20. Operation Christmas Drop

Vibe: “Military history in gentle romance” – Common Sense Media
Family Friendly?: Yeah, this is pretty safe for all.
The Verdict: So apparently “Operation Christmas Drop” is a real thing – it’s a training mission for the Air Force where they drop toys over remote Pacific islands – and I guess it’s interesting to have a holiday rom-com based on a real life scenario, but this one just didn’t hit for me.

It’s a beautiful location, it features a powerful woman in a lead role (she’s in charge of deciding whether or not this project gets shut down!), and it’s nice to see a ton of people trying to help others, buuuuuuut…something about it really rubs me the wrong way and I’m still having trouble putting my finger on it. Maybe it just feels a little savior complex-y? Anyone else?

19. Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square

Vibe: Kind of like if Dolly Parton made the Muppets Christmas Carol on the Wizard of Oz set.
Family Friendly?: It’s not overtly “adult,” but there are some grown-up themes like teen pregnancy, the death of a parent, and a scary car accident.
The Verdict: DOLLY, I’M SO SORRY. I KNOW. I know. She gave us a vaccine and she deserves better!!! But hear me out. Y’all, I have tried to watch this THREE TIMES and I have fallen asleep every single time (not before crying, though, so I know it’s at least kind of good?). I’m kind of weirded out by Dolly parading as a homeless person at the beginning of the film (I know, she’s an angel, it’s a whole Scrooge and the ghosts thing, I get it) and beyond that, the earnestness of all these people singing so close to each other’s faces just gives me the heebie-jeebies. I’m always hyper-aware that this is some soundstage and I’m never really able to settle in.

All that said, I feel like Dolly may have made a classic – it’s just not one for me right now. Like, maybe I just needed something hopeful and was not expecting her to star in a film about a woman evicting everyone from their home as the country faces an enormous eviction crisis? I could probably see this sitting alongside the Muppets Christmas Carol – it has that same sort of campy spirit – but I’ll actually need to stay awake through it to confirm. WOOPS.

18. Free Rein: 12 Neighs of Christmas

Vibe: If you were REALLY into the Babysitter’s Club, you’d probably like this.
Family Friendly?: Almost exclusively for kids and teens.
The Verdict: This is really only this high in the ratings because apparently, the kids LOVE THIS. Free Rein is a Netflix series – I wasn’t familiar until seeing the film – and from what I can gather, it checks the Hannah Montana safe pre-teen drama-shaped box.

Should you actually watch this one if you’re an adult and alone? Eh. But if you have a child or pre-teen who’s looking for their very own Christmas movie, this may check the box. I leave you with my favorite review from Google, which made me snort from laughing so hard: “AMAZING MOVIE IT WAS HORSEOME”

17. Christmas Inheritance

Vibe: HALLMARK. CLASSIC.
Family Friendly?: Nah, and depending on your parents, you may want to watch this alone (though siblings or friends would be fine!).
The Verdict: OH LORD. A high-powered executive needs to deliver Christmas letters to a town called SNOW FALLS so she can be named CEO of her father’s company. (Take a second, tap into your cheesy holiday film brain and predict what will happen next – I’ll wait.) TO LITERALLY NO ONE’S SURPRISE, she gets snowed in and learns a lot of life lessons from some handsome small town innkeeper.

But wait: GIRLFRIEND IS ALREADY ENGAGED. And for some reason, despite this being a feel-good movie, we like…never really address that she’s kind of flirting with the idea of cheating on her fiance within HOURS of meeting the hot innkeeper. (Of course, it wraps itself up in a neat little bow). I guess there’s a little more spice here than the normal holiday movie, so it’s pretty fun – worth a watch if you have some time this year.

16. El Camino Christmas

Vibe: For some reason, I am convinced that dads will LOVE this – it’s not overtly Christmas.
Family Friendly?: Adults only, but you could watch this with family if they’re okay with swearing, some violence, drug references.
The Verdict: SO FUN. Dax Shepard, Tim Allen, the dad from That 70s Show…the cast here is a real treat. There are guns, there’s a hostage situation on Christmas Eve (really, the only holiday tie-in here), and it’s definitely has the most action/buddy comedy spirit out of everything on this list.

This is a classic for me – it fills a pretty special niche, so I’ve enjoyed bringing it back year after year – but it’s definitely not for everyone. #16 on the list, #2 in my heart of hearts.

15. Let It Snow

Vibe: 90s teen movie about high school seniors ~living life~
Family Friendly?: Ehhh, watch this one on your own.
The Verdict: What a teen ensemble. There are truly like, one million child actors in this movie. So many threads and romances, so many seemingly-enormous life decisions (will he tell his best friend that he loves her? Where will she go to college?) all wrapped up in a Christmas bow and generally centered around a local establishment called Waffle Town.

It’s sweet, basic, escapist teen love with a surprisingly diverse cast (like, dang, well done Netflix) and I’m actually pretty sure that Em would enjoy this as a guilty pleasure. EMILY, PLEASE WATCH AND RELAY YOUR THOUGHTS, YEAH?

14. Klaus

Vibe: High-brow cartoons (like, it was nominated for an Oscar – it’s legit).
Family Friendly?: Sure is! Fun for everyone!
The Verdict: OH MY. So tender and beautiful. A reject postman from the self-proclaimed “unhappiest town on earth” meets a reclusive guy in the woods and is like, “hey buddy, you have a gift – you make toys and I’ll deliver!”
2021 Update: Should this actually be a lot higher? I’m starting to think so.

There are a ton of great one-liners about the meaning of friendship and the value of selfless acts and obviously it’s all combined together in this surreally animated package. (As a side note, the animation kinda reminds me of Anastasia except BETTER, which is really saying something. Watch with your whole family!).

13. A Very Murray Christmas

Vibe: INDIE INDIE INDIE. If you are (or know) a hipster, this is the movie for you.
Family Friendly?: Keep this for the teens and adults, but it’s okay to watch together.
The Verdict: OH MAN. I worked on the vinyl rollout for the Phoenix single from this movie – it’s actually a SUPER good standalone Christmas song – so I feel like the preeminent expert on this film. (The fact that Phoenix recorded a special Christmas single really does tell you everything you need to know, though).

That said, the cast and crew speak for themselves: Sofia Coppola directed, Bill Murray stars, and there’s a who’s who of celebrity appearances – George Clooney, Amy Pohler, Michael Cera, Chris Rock, Miley Cyrus, Jason Schwartzman…GOOD LORD. I could go on but there are literally too many celebrities to mention. It’s simple (there’s a snowstorm in NYC and Bill Murray is worried no one will make it to his TV show in time) and short (under an hour) but it’s a fun watch and you can tell that it was made with love by folks who genuinely enjoy each other’s company. I do not know why this isn’t more famous.

12. The Christmas Chronicles

Vibe: The Santa Clause but 2020 and with a better Santa.
Family Friendly?: YEAH. Super.
The Verdict: First off, I love Kurt Russell SO MUCH as Santa. Miracle is one of my all-time favorite movies and I thought I was going to have problems seeing him as anyone other than Herb Brooks and I’ve never been more thrilled to be wrong!

But truly, what a sweet story. A “true believer” gets to meet the actual Santa (she ends up climbing into his sleigh with her older brother) and they end up having to save Christmas. (As one would expect. As a spoiler, they also get to save Christmas in the sequel. The elves are SO CUTE, the story is full of heart, and just to reiterate: Kurt Russell is AWESOME and brings enough adult humor to make it fun for the whole family).

11. A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding

Vibe: The Prince and Me, cold feet and all.
Family Friendly?: There is discussion of financial fraud, so maybe it’s a little grown up content-wise.
The Verdict: Again, WHY is this woman allowed to have a blog? It ends up being a sticking point in this movie, but can you imagine if Kate Middleton or Megan Markle just got to BLOG about their romances? Like, I know she’s a writer, and maybe it’s anti-feminist of me to be like, “girl NO you can’t keep that job,” but it’s hard for me to empathize.

ANYWAY. Amber gets cold feet and worries that she’s not ready to be queen of a small country. Fair enough! Will she make it through to the wedding? OF COURSE. It’s formulaic and comforting and a decent sequel.

10. A California Christmas

Vibe: The classic Christmas rom-com with a twist (that’s an alcohol joke, because wine country).
Family Friendly?: There’s definitely a lot of chemistry between the leads, so watch it on your own.
The Verdict: Uh, Christmas in wine country? I’ll take it. Plus, there’s a fun take on the old trope: it’s a business-focused man who heads to the country and meets a hardworking female ranch owner who shows HIM the meaning of the holiday. (It’s a little more complicated than that – there’s a case of mistaken identity, and his true intent was to buy the land for a corporation by Christmas, but that’s basically the gist).

Also, I just learned that this is a real-life couple, so they actually do have great chemistry. A nice, classic holiday rom-com with a not-cliche farm background – I’ll take it.

8. Holiday in the Wild

Vibe: Charlotte (of SATC fame) does Eat, Pray, Love.
Family Friendly?: Best for teens (though it be a little “mature”), or adults, and honestly, the animals are distracting enough that you can enjoy with parents.
The Verdict: Robe Lowe and Kristin Davis are so cute together and this is the escapist fantasy we all need in 2020!!! Kate gets divorced, goes on a trip to Africa to ~find herself~, meets Derek, a pilot, and ends up falling in love on an animal sanctuary.

There’s a little bit of tension (who is this mysterious blonde woman competing for Derek’s heart?!?) but it’s a slow build peppered with SO MANY very, very, very cute baby elephant shots and scenes. Will they end up together? Will they save the elephants? I’m sure you can guess!!!

9. The Holiday Calendar

Vibe: Kinda like About Time, in that there’s some magic and love going on.
Family Friendly?: This one is okay for teens/adults to watch with parents, but probably best for kids like, 10+?
The Verdict: OH, I LOVE. The woo-woo side of me went “WOO, WOO” while watching this one, which follows a woman who inherits an advent calendar that predicts her future. I AM INTO THIS PLOT – it’s special and original, but we still know what’s going to happen. (Like, it is clear 3 minutes into the movie – the second you see the way her “best friend” looks at her, we know how this is going to end).

Ron Cephas Jones is SUCH a star (you may recognize him from his role on This Is Us). You will leave this film WISHING that you had a wise grandfather who could give you magic stuff and guide you to the right partner for Christmas.

7. A Christmas Prince

Vibe: The Princess Diaries 2. Like, beat for beat.
Family Friendly?: If you’d show your kid The Princess Diaries, you can show them this one.
The Verdict: VERY schmaltzy, not even a little bit plausible, and THE DREAM MOVIE to enjoy with a big glass of wine. There’s every trope in the book here: a journalist digging for a scoop! Mistaken identity! Deep family secrets! A misunderstood prince! A woman who finally gets him!

Watching critically, I love imagining what an absolutely BAD king Richard would be. He spent a year shirking his responsibilities, he blows his only two major commitments, and he ends the week by (spoiler!) proposing to a women he’s barely known for SEVEN DAYS. But hey, it’s Christmas, and it’s cheesy, and it’s the film that really LAUNCHED the holiday rom-com on Netflix, so…it gets a pass. I love it despite the flaws.

6. The Christmas Chronicles 2

Vibe: Like kids get thrown into Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, except Willy Wonka is nice and not murderous.
Family Friendly?: AFFIRMATIVE. Fun for all!
The Verdict: THE TEARS THAT CAME DOWN MY FACE. Y’ALL. My mom and I threw this on on a whim and we were not prepared!!! It’s a pretty decent standalone film – you can generally pick up on the story without watching the first one – and it’s just a sweet, well-produced, fun Christmas movie.

We see Belsnickel – in this film, he’s a former elf that is more “disgruntled teen” than “Dwight Schrute in rags” – attempt to hijack Christmas as his own holiday; we see a kid grappling with her dad’s passing while saving Christmas; we see an anxious little boy learning to be courageous; and maybe most importantly, we see SO MUCH sweet love between Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn as Mr. and Mrs. Claus! Please cast them in these roles in every Christmas movie moving forward, THANKS.

5. The Princess Switch

Vibe: A little Parent Trap, a lot of Prince and the Pauper, plus holiday
Family Friendly?: You’re probably in the clear for 7+, but this is also easy to watch with adult family.
The Verdict: YES, I know it’s controversial to throw this above A Christmas Prince. Hear me out: this movie actually looks like it’s shot in a castle – it has the little bit of extravagant swagger we expect from Christmas royalty films. Meanwhile, A Christmas Prince looks like it was shot in a ski resort. This one wins on aesthetics alone.

But also, who hasn’t dreamed of swapping places with someone for a while? And like, hey, it’s a bonus if the person with whom you swap 1. is royal and 2. leads you to meet a handsome prince. Cheesy, formulaic, and basic shenanigans ensue – it’s the exact kind of comforting and predictable film we NEED during crazy holiday seasons. 10/10!

Okay now that we’ve made it to the final four, I am giving you trailers so you are even more enchanted to watch…

4. Holidate

Vibe: A traditional rom-com where Christmas is a side-note.
Family Friendly?: HARD PASS. Watch this on your own time; would not recommend viewing with parents.
The Verdict: Stick with me, we’re about to get a little convoluted: Holidate is less about Christmas than the movie Valentine’s Day is about Valentine’s Day. (If you’ve seen both of those movies, I know you’ll agree. If not, we’ll proceed.)

Two people agree to be each other’s dates for a whole year. We see Christmas. We see New Years. We see St. Patrick’s and 4th of July and all the other ones, too. And of course…they come full-circle and they fall in love, because DUH. In a year without cheesy rom-coms, this scratched an itch. Does it really deserve to be #4, or am I just in lust with the novelty? We’ll find out next year, I guess. (Although this does have some good staying power for future holidays – any thoughts on whether or not Netflix will re-promote this around Valentine’s Day? Let’s take bets).

3. The Knight Before Christmas

Vibe: Like if Kate and Leopold was a Hallmark special.
Family Friendly?: It’s rated PG, but safe for kids – you won’t feel awkward watching this with parents, either.
The Verdict: OH MY GOSH. THE ULTIMATE GOOD/BAD MOVIE. It was so hard for me not to put this in the #1 slot. This woman meets a time traveling knight, HITS HIM WITH HER CAR, and then lets him move in with her. He’s a complete stranger!!! He has a weapon!!! He sets fire to her yard at one point!!!

My mom and I had to pause the movie on our first watch as we laughed so hard we were crying. Where are this woman’s friends?! Instead of being like, “girl, no, that dude needs professional assistance,” they’re like, “WOW, he’s perfect, his only flaw is that he thinks he’s a time-traveling knight!” AS IF THAT ISN’T AN ENORMOUS DEALBREAKER. It’s so good, and so bad, and so funny, and my personal favorite Christmas classic. Give Vanessa Hudgens an Oscar for this. She is the Mariah Carey of holiday originals.

2. Jingle Jangle

Vibe: Greatest Showman meets Christmas meets Wall-E.
Family Friendly?: YES YES YES!
The Verdict: There’s something deeply hilarious about going from a Hallmark-style rom-com at #3 to this absolute blowout at #2, but we’re going to roll with it. If movie theaters had been open, Jingle Jangle would have been *THE* biggest Christmas movie of the year. (TBH I thought this was better than The Greatest Showman, which is REALLY saying something.)

I’m assuming you’re a fan of interiors, so you’re in for a treat – the set design on this film is EXTRAORDINARY. Actually, the whole thing is stunning – the costumes, the makeup, the choreography, the soundtrack…SO GOOD. It’s also super empowering for kids (they save the day!) and Keegan-Michael Key is so fun to watch as a Jafar-style villain. LOVE.

1. Alien Xmas

Vibe: Classic claymation goes 2020.
Family Friendly?: YUP – even for really young kids!
The Verdict: This was a huge shock for me. When I first pitched this post, I did not anticipate that a stop-motion film about a tiny kleptomaniac alien would end up taking the top slot. But then…Alien Xmas won me over. It’s produced by Jon Favreau, the guy behind Elf (HA, amongst other things), so it has the same sweet heart, sweeping score, and you may even recognize a few of the animals from Buddy the Elf’s neck of the woods

It’s silly, fun, a quick watch, and good for the whole family – I can see folks coming back to this one year after year. Despite my initial impressions, Alien Xmas has longevity – maybe consider swapping out one of the classic Rankin/Bass films for this Netflix original this year.

2021 ReviewsRobin Robin

Vibe: Imminent future Oscar nominee for animated short – beautiful and heartfelt and simple
Family Friendly?: YUP. Rated G, musical, and 30 minutes long.
The Verdict: A robin is raised by a family of mice after her egg rolls into a dumpster and she ends up making a wish on a Christmas star. IS THIS NOT THE SWEETEST THING YOU’VE EVER HEARD? (It gets cuter, too: the animals call people “who-mans” and they’re basically like, “who-mans take the spikiest tree in the forest and put a magic star on top, they make a wish, and in the morning, they get anything they want!”)

It’s tender and soft and easy viewing. Kids will LOVE IT. It’ll be one of those things where your dad is like, “I’m not watching,” while he stands, unmoving and near a chair/sofa, for the entirety of the short. BILLION STARS.

Love Hard

Vibe: Did I manifest this film????
Family Friendly?: Teens and up, yes. I watched this with my mom and didn’t feel awkward at all.
The Verdict: OK, here’s the thing. I’ve never felt like I’ve lived MORE in a simulation than I did while watching this. We see Natalie, a full-time bad date blogger (something I have joked about doing many times!) leave her apartment in LA (complete with the green version of my own bathroom!) to meet a guy in Lake Placid, NY (the place I spent every summer from 2005-now, basically) where she discovers she’s been catfished (my last date stole my credit card, so…I get it).

So maybe I’m kind of biased, but like, THIS IS THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIE. It’s funny and sweet and the casting of Josh’s family is SO SPOT ON. I want to live with the Lin family. To speak more bluntly, it’s also always nice to see a holiday movie that isn’t just about a white lady executive who meets a white blue collar guy who shows her the meaning of Christmas. Watch this one!!!

The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star

Vibe: Like, the film version of watching a sad balloon slowly deflate and fall to the ground.
Family Friendly?: If your goal is to put everyone to sleep, this is the movie that’ll do it for ya.
The Verdict: I don’t understand how Vanessa Hudgens can get it SO RIGHT (The Knight Before Christmas) and SO WRONG (2/3 of this series). I watched this movie TWICE because I retained nothing on the first go and I still can’t even tell you what happened. There’s a Catholic relic; there’s thievery; there’s Vanessa Hudgens playing 3 different people with bizarre accents; there’s literally no reason to ever put this on again.

Home Sweet Home Alone

Is it a Netflix movie? Technically no (it’s on HBO Max). But when Emily says that it’s good enough to share, a girl makes an exception. I’ll hand it off to the boss real quick…

Vibe: Feel good (duh) wack with a lot of clumsy SNL comedians that made our entire family LOL.
Family Friendly?: YES. the only part that scared my kids was the dream sequence with the old ladies taking out their teeth, but once we explained to them all thing dentures they weren’t scared (and they were more committed to teeth brushing). We’ve already watched it 3 times and Brian and I enjoy it as much if not more than the kids (mostly because of the actors and the comedic dialogue).
The Verdict: I was SHOCKED when Rotten Tomatoes scored it so low. I legit loved it and even storied about it after we watched it the first time. Again, it’s mostly about the hilarious comedic acting, but I think also nostalgia for the first one (there are a lot of fun references) with a much better messaging and a great ending. As you can tell it was at least an 8.5/10 for the Hendersons.

Single All The Way

As it turns out, it’s kind of hard to find time to watch every movie, so Jess did the hard work of tuning in to this one for me. Her take:

Vibe: An actually good, sweet, and funny Christmas rom-com that you can easily get behind… Also, two words: Jennifer Coolidge.
Family Friendly?:  I think it’s great for the whole family! Granted I watched it by myself but would easily watch it with my family.
The Verdict: Honestly this is THE BEST Christmas movie (Sorry Caitlin). They cast seasoned actors (Michael Urie is going to make you fall in love with him so hard), the writing isn’t cringey and you can actually feel the chemistry between the characters. 10/10!!

A Castle for Christmas

Vibe: Low-stakes, turn-of-your-brain, Lifetime-quality fun
Family Friendly?: I doubt that kids would WANT to watch.
The Verdict: Ah, yes, whom amongst us ISN’T a best-selling author trying to buy a castle in Scotland? Brooke Shields’ character gets canceled after she kills off a character in one of her books (seriously). She heads overseas ASAP and she and Cary Elwes, a cranky duke and owner of the castle she wants to buy, are basically embracing like, 15? 20? minutes into the movie. I’m going to let you put all those hard-earned lifelong deductive reasoning skills to work and guess where this ends up.

It’s an easy watch. I will say that I’ve recently been thinking a lot about the representation of ~50-year-old women in media after reading this piece about the SATC reboot, subtitled “Where Are All The Other Shows About Middle-Aged Women?” So I will concede that it’s really encouraging to see Netflix dropping another rom-com that isn’t just about, you know, 20-something bloggers or 20-something princesses or 20-something executives. If you have time to kill, this one’s worth a watch.

OKAY, PLEASE TELL ME YOUR FAVORITES. I know this is a long one – thank you for meeting me down here – but I have so many of these thoughts floating around in my head and this is truly the ONLY TIME of year that I can finally talk about them!!!

Have you watched Alien Xmas? Did I do Dolly dirty by throwing her so high in the list? Anyone have another take on one of these? Bueller?!?!? In any case, I hope you have a WONDERFUL holiday, no matter what films you end up watching. xx

Opener Image Credit: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Emily’s “Messy” But FULL Of Memories Christmas Family Room

The post Netflix Holiday Movies Reviewed And Ranked By Someone Who Has Actually Watched Them All appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Lea’s Seasonal Dining Room Decorating Ideas That You Won’t Have To Swap Out Once The Holidays Are Over

Hey friends! Lea here. If you’ve been following my dining room design agony (open concept design challenges are real) then you know I haven’t gotten very far. I take that back, considering supply chain issues and the whole trucking driver shortage we’ve come leaps and bounds. But…I don’t want to come on here and sound like a whiny baby over first-world problems. I also don’t want to take for granted how grateful I am to even have a roof over our head while considering myself immersed in a design agony.

But that’s not to say I don’t suffer from self-comparison and surfing around the interwebs with too much time on my hands can do real damage to my psyche.

Wow, did I just hit you with a dose of heaviness right off the bat? 

Okay, let’s get back on track. Dining room update: we did receive our beautiful curio cabinets and they could not have come at a more perfect time since all of the things were spread out over our dining room table until then.

Curio Cabinets | Dining Chairs 

You also can see a glimpse of the dining chairs we switched to because cushioned seats are the best. Especially since our dining room is often an office and/or study space and craft table.

I really love open shelving but I also don’t like to dust all the things so having cabinets with doors on them but glass to see through was a great solution for us. So I bet by now you’re wondering so… how does cabinet styling relate to this post? Hang in there with me, it does. Here’s why – during the holiday season (or any season for that matter) surrounding yourself with pieces you love or that spark a little happiness when you look at them, it matters more than you think. Styling your shelves or curio cabinets (in my case) allows me to take inventory of what I have and therefore, avoid what I don’t need to go out and buy. Gone are the days where digging through storage closets or the basement for those special serving pieces that you have to dust off or fight to find or if you’re like me, fight to even remember you have. Displaying and arranging the pieces that you love in a meaningful and useful way also helps add layers of interest to a space. I’m naturally a neutral lover here (big shocker, I know) but I know myself and my comfort zone so I embrace it. I tend to buy and collect pieces that fall into these color categories and when grouped together look pretty dang good in my honest opinion.

Top Middle Ceramic Vase | Ceramic Bowl – Top Right | Wood Serving Board    Ceramic vase – Top Left (Lulu & Georgia discontinued) | Marble Tray (No longer available – similar) | Glassware (vintage) | Framed art (vintage) | Blue and white serving dish (vintage)

Also, not cramming your shelves or cabinets to maximum weight capacity allows your dinnerware, glassware, and serving pieces to display in a more presentable and artful way. 

HOT TIP: Add in a dried bouquet, lean art for a more effortless ‘it just happened’ look, weave in utilitarian pieces that share the same color pallet and leave negative space for ample breathing room – this keeps your pieces looking well balanced and creates a little movement and the spacing helps to allow your eye to rest.

The holiday season is busy and stressful enough, so creating beautiful storage to allow you to see and grab what you need (or better yet, allows your guests to help grab serving pieces when you’re still in the kitchen silently freaking out if the turkey will actually be done in time) will make your life better. Staying well organized can look beautiful too.

Pottery top shelf (thrifted) | Glassware | Dinnerware | Flatware | Stashpot | Rock Match Holder

When styling our dining table, I like to lean more into the season than the actual holiday because I like to keep the table set up (mostly). That way when the holiday is over for the day, there’s no real rush to take it down and swap in something new. This year I was feeling quite moody – could you tell by my intro to this post? I also am learning to be ok with that and to stop forcing myself into feeling something else because toxic positivity is also real. Especially this time of year. So bah humbug. Just kidding. Back to the table: I don’t like to store a lot of things (also just kidding, but we just talked about creating a beautiful and practical solution for that) so I turn to nature. Friends! Mother Nature leaves us little gifts all year round to use as decor in our homes even if they are also found at the grocery store instead of out frolicking through a woody forest foraging nature’s bounty.

Instead of using our tablecloth the traditional way, I wanted to create a little bit of drama by swagging it down the middle of the table (sort of like a table runner but more billowy). 

Then I just used what my mama gave me (as in Mother Nature) and sprinkled in pinecones purchased from an arts and crafts store, because bugs – that’s a story for another day and a fast lesson learned in foraging. I also picked up citrus (grapefruit, lemons, and oranges) from Trader Joe’s and dried them out.

Bonus: Use dried fruit slices to garnish your cocktails for a pretty impressive presentation. Dried dragon fruit slices are hands down my fave.

Again, I just sort of peppered the dried citrus down the table weaving in some candlesticks because is any holiday table really ready without candlesticks?

Also, this botanical arrangement, amirite? My friend made it and I love its movement while also remaining low so that as we sit at the table and across from one another we aren’t stretching our necks to talk and to see one another.

Are you feeling the mood yet?

Dinnerware | Linen Napkins | Tallowberries 

Lulu & Georgia recently launched a new dinnerware line and I was lucky enough to try it out, they are so pretty and truly give that handcrafted, irregular and organic feel I love so much.

I love adding in little personalized touches that just make table styling that much more inviting. Table topics will be sure to keep the conversation flowing and if you have a family like mine, it will help direct conversations in a non-controversial way. But then again, is it ever really a family gathering if someone’s not getting fired up? Just kidding. 

Dress

This dress is technically a ‘nightdress’ but I love it and it’s so comfortable and feels good so it’s my day dress too. When styling for the holiday or season I like to add greenery to the chandelier too for added ambiance. Our light bulbs are LED so they don’t get hot but also these dried ferns are preserved so they’re not crispy and brittle which I wouldn’t recommend keeping near a hot light bulb.  A little goes a long way and you can get as creative as you want. This would be fun to do for a garden party as well. Hmmm…maybe you’ll see it hanging around (no pun intended) for spring.

Call me nuts but I love drippy candles. The dripless are nice but those drippy candles sure can look dramatic.

Are you team dripless or bring on the drips?

Wineglass

I’m not a wine aficionado by any means but this Cocobon red California blend wine is probably my favorite (thank you TikTok – it’s where I get most of my useful information these days). It’s not too dry and it’s not sweet but has a really smooth flavor.

I hope this post helps inspire you with a few new styling ideas and if anything, a good new wine to try out!

Cheers!

Lea

*Design and styling by Lea Johnson of Creekwood Hill
**Photo by Chelsie Lopez

The post Lea’s Seasonal Dining Room Decorating Ideas That You Won’t Have To Swap Out Once The Holidays Are Over appeared first on Emily Henderson.