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It’s Time For Warmer, Pastel Inspired Gatherings with Target’s New Spring Collection

February – It’s the time of year, for most of you, where the romance of winter has waned (hard), and the holidays are over. So what’s next? Only the fantasy of spring, of course. I’m from Oregon (rains from November to April), lived in New York for 10 years (freezing from November ’til March) so despite living in LA (I don’t want to tell you what it’s like here), I still get it. This post is for those of you who:

A. Are ready to fantasize about your life in brighter, warmer days.

B. Are just realizing that the reason they call it a “spring break” is because if you don’t go on vacation to somewhere that resembles “spring” soon, you are going to break down and light your puffy, once-cozy sleeping bag coat on fire hoping that it provides much-needed heat. Or maybe…

C. Like easy styling hacks and entertaining tips, that involve (faux) flowers, wine, bright colors and a lot of affordable (and durable) Target pieces.

Or if you just like staring at pretty, inappropriately early seasonal photos, keep scrolling – we are here for that, too. Whatever your reason, we’re gonna tackle all of the above:

Embrace the Pastels and Flowers

It’s a simple theme that is highly effective at getting the message across. Just when I think I’m too cool for pastels (January Emily), I remember that there is truly so much happiness provoked by blues and pinks. Color makes me happy, it just does and often when I try to go ‘chic’ and too neutral I don’t feel the same level of positive energy (but that’s just me).

Let’s also not forgot the years of my blue and blush craze because it’s at least temporarily back for spring. There is no shame in my blue and pink game, and we used these colors all over the table, including textiles, plates, flowers.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE those melamine floral plates (yes, they are unbreakable!), and plan on snagging the small and large for backyard parties all spring and summer. Plus the contrast of the gingham patterned plates under them is almost too good.

Don’t Be Afraid of the Faux Flowers

Here’s my advice when it comes to choosing between real and faux flowers (plants or trees) – Faux is ultimately less expensive, less mess and lasts longer – It’s like choosing engineered stone over marble. Sure, we all love the real deal more but real marble is vigilant upkeep.  In the end, it’s a lifestyle choice.

I was hesitant before I saw these blossoms in person because I generally prefer real. I thought we’d style them in the background, opting for real on the table. But when no one was looking I put them on the table and we were like “oh shoooooot” because they looked so pretty. So here’s my case for them:

Spring blossoms are hard to come by, even in March or April, in a lot of the country. We are lucky here in LA, but I realize not everyone wants to go to the flower market at 5am (and they can be really expensive). THESE ARE SO EASY (and look so real).
They were tall which added drama without taking up much space, but the glass was simple and let table conversations easily happen, not blocking the eye-line.
They looked really real, were in a soft pretty color palette and their shape was manipulatable. We shaped them into really pretty sculptures on the table.

Stylists are generally against faux anything, but after the ease of faux garland and tree up at the mountain house over the holidays (versus the mess and expense of real), I’m going to the dark side when it makes sense for my lifestyle.

They also come on those wreaths, which we simply hung with command strips and made us look like we were professionals (fine we are, but it was easy).

Layering and Mixing Patterns is the Key to Life (and Style)

Most of you who are here are less interested in the “fussy” and “formal,” so assuming you are aligned here is what I like to do:

Start with your tablecloth or runner. And here’s a good styling hack: We used what you might have thought is a “too small” tablecloth and put it on an angle, thus exposing the pretty wood underneath (adding texture, warmth, and depth), and showing off the pretty fringe of the tablecloth. I think this is a much more fresh, casual and “daytime” way to style a cloth and is one of my “go-to moves.”

Once you have the table cloth set, layer different patterned plates in the same color palette and theme. Or you can simply layer more “spring” plates on your basic whites for something easy that makes it feel special.

HOT TIP: Layer your napkin in between your plates and let it hang off the table. I realize that there are a million different ways to “style the napkin” but this is our favorite because it breaks up the line of the table, and doesn’t take up more room on the surface.

For the maximum amount of texture and style, bring any pillows outside (or to your dining room table) and pepper them on the chairs. This adds so much warmth, interest, texture, pattern and says “we are cozy, casual and fun people who aren’t afraid to rebel.” They do NOT need to match (see below). Just have them be within a cohesive color palette. And don’t be afraid to bring in a throw, too. We used square, rectangular, and round pillows and made sure that the patterns didn’t compete too much (i.e. putting the large floral near the busier stripe is good).

Honestly, the more the merrier because nothing gets you out of the winter blues faster than brunch food, wine, happy pillows, and throws. That’s why I also love having a “seating area zone” when I have a gathering. It’s another place for your friends to relax instead of clumping in one area (usually the kitchen, am I right?). Plus it’s another great excuse to bring in more pattern and texture to your overall space. Can I also just give a shout out to those awesome lanterns?? They are so good and the dark color also helps to ground the flowery, pastel textiles.

Ground the Pastels with Wood and Gold

Listen, if everything were white, pink and blue on your table it might be too much (and just not necessary). Use your normal flatware (could be silver, don’t worry), and cutting boards to bring in some wood to ground all the colors and pattern. Even a basket of bread would work, and would be more delicious.

Another great way to bring in some “wood warmth” is a bar cart (which also provides ample wine storage). It’s visually awesome, contrasts with the pastel party, and is crazy functional.

As a hardcore fan of the outdoor bar cart, this one from Opalhouse is great and says spring with its woven rattan details. Also, (as I spoke about just a second ago) you want “zones” so people don’t cluster in one area. This bar cart is a perfect “zone” for your friends to pour themselves a glass of wine. SO functional.

Add a Personalized Moment That Says “I Care Even Though It Only Took 2 Minutes”

Isn’t this “name card” so cute? And trust me when I say it was so incredibly easy that even Birdie could do it. Except for the fact that her penmanship is terrible and not photoshoot acceptable. Also, this is a great close up of my new favorite plates. This year may be dubbed “The Year Emily Henderson Used Floral Prints On Everything” because I am into them hard. But back to our little, easy DIY…

Here’s how we made the name cards:

We took the dried flowers from Target (yes, at many Targets they sell these!).
We wrote the name on a real leaf with a white sharpie.
Tied a flat and simple leaf from the yard to the flower with twine – and that’s it!

I really want to start doing things like this more when I have small parties because nothing (style-wise) puts a smile on my face faster than thoughtful little details. Plus with this little leaf DIY, it adds an additional texture and pop of color that livens it up even more. Win-win.

What is also a win is when your best friend’s dog comes over to crash your photoshoot because dogs are truly the best models and everyone loves dogs. Thanks, Boris.

So there you have it. Hopefully, this has taken you out of the winter slump and catapulted you right into spring planning. Cheers to warmer days, outdoor meals, and constant laughter about those freezing temperatures when your sleeping bag coat ruined any outfit you tried to put together. Target has once again nailed it with this spring line and seeing all of these amazing new products makes me a stupid amount of happy. So happy (almost) spring everyone. We are so close. xx

1. Cherry Blossom Wreath | 2. Ceramic Serving Bowl | 3. Oblong Serving Bowl | 4. Traditional White Wine Glasses (set of 4) | 5. Glass Clarte Tumblers (set of 4) | 6. Gingham Dinner Plate | 7. Floral Melamine Large Plate | 8. Globe String Lights | 9. Square Solid Pillow With Fringe | 10. Round Floral Pillow | 11. Compacta Pink Dry Stems | 12. 5pc Stainless Steel Izon Mirror Flatware Set Gold | 13. Wood Round Serving Board | 14. 20 pc Unscented Candle Set | 15. Check Table Throw | 16. 11″ Stoneware Floral Cake Stand | 17. Flower Petal Bowl | 18. 4pk Napkins Stripe Sour Cream Multi Stripe | 19. 4pk Hearth & Hand Cloth Napkins | 20. Mulberry 2pk Patio Chair | 21. Modern Wood Dining Table | 22. Modern Wood Dining Chair | 23. Cherry Blossom Arrangement | 24. Cylinder Glass Vase | 25. 6oz Porcelain Stripe Ramekin White | 26.Woven Stripe Pillow | 27. Outdoor Lumbar Pillow | 28. Chunky Knit Throw Blanket | 29. Floral Lumbar Pillow | 30. Floral Embroidered Square Pillow | 31. Faux Concrete Indoor/Outdoor Accent Table | 32. Britanna Patio Bar Cart Natural | 33. Small Metal Outdoor Lantern | 34. Metal Outdoor Lantern | 35. Fernhill Metal Patio Loveseat Linen

The post It’s Time For Warmer, Pastel Inspired Gatherings with Target’s New Spring Collection appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Our First 2020 Feel Good Makeover Could Be You – Let’s Make Your Life Much Brighter

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: reveal: how we brightened up a room (and some deserving lives) with velux skylights

Today we are announcing our first Feel Good makeover of 2020, and guess what? It’s a contest – the Brighten Up Any Room Design Giveaway – in partnership with Velux Skylights that YOU can win. We do these Feel Good Makeovers throughout the year for a variety of families (some with partnerships, some not), and I’m not sure I want to be doing anything else in my career other than these. Our goal is to find someone (one of you) who could use some brightening up, both in your physical space as well as emotionally/mentally. 

It’s no surprise that I LOVE my natural light and fresh air, so I’ll be transforming one room in one of your homes with a custom design refresh from me, including the installation of up to two VELUX No Leak Solar Powered “Fresh Air” Skylights with solar-powered blinds. So maybe your bathroom needs some love, or your living room is in need of some new furniture (and natural light). Have a dark, dreary room in your home that you avoid? If you win, YOU CAN STOP IGNORING IT. 

I’ll be here (along with my wonderful team) to help realize the potential of one of your spaces… and whatever we come up with will be awash in sweet, sweet sunlight from overhead. If you’re already chomping at the bit to win your own set of skylights and a flash makeover, you can enter here. (And then come back and read on for some design inspiration.) 

Last year, my team brightened up the bedroom of our winners, Kristen and Raeann. Kristen was battling a rare form of genetic cancer and was spending a lot of time in bed, recovering from aggressive chemo. They were both long-time readers and the entire design and installation process with them was so touching and fulfilling. This was their space before and after. It was a transformation, to say the least.

reveal photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: reveal: how we brightened up a room (and some deserving lives) with velux skylights

Myself and the design team, led by Julie and assisted by Emily B., transformed their bedroom by bringing in natural light and sky views, which made it the most comfortable bedroom for healing. (You can see the full reveal here.) Helping another family no matter what they need is the next goal, and we can’t wait to do it again.

Now for my thoughts and feelings on skylights in general, why I am a fan and where the heck you can put them. (There are more options than you’d think!)

I learned very early in my career as a prop stylist that for photography, natural light is truly the #1 element you need for a room (or shot) to look alive. But what happens if your house has a huge overhang that blocks sunlight? What if your window opens straight into another building? What if your windows only face north and you are in dire need of bringing some sweet, sweet sunlight inside? What if you’re in an interior room that doesn’t even have a window to begin with? Skylights to the rescue…

Skylights in a Bathroom
photos by sara ligorria-tramp |from: portland reveal: creating the dreamiest of master bathrooms

One of the most ideal places to use a skylight is in the bathroom. I love that you can put them in places where traditional windows can’t (or shouldn’t) go, like in showers. Showering with a skylight overhead is MAGIC. Velux’s skylights can also be opened via remote control to let out warm air (it rises, remember?), which prevents lingering humidity and brings in clean, fresh air. Plus, it’s great to have even more light throughout the day if you’re the type of person who applies makeup in your bathroom.

Skylights in a Kitchen
photos by sara ligorria-tramp | from: the reveal of the mountain house kitchen

Guys, you don’t have to sacrifice cabinet space for windows. Skylights are a no brainer for spaces where you desperately need wall space for functionality but don’t want to give up natural light. And just like in a bathroom, smells and moisture need to go somewhere, so a quick open of the skylight is ideal for releasing odors, steam, and sometimes, accidental smoke

Our First Feel Good Makeover Could Be You And Make Your Life Much Brighter

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: reveal: how we brightened up a room (and some deserving lives) with velux skylights

Today we are announcing our first Feel Good makeover of 2020, and guess what? It’s a contest – the Brighten Up Any Room Design Giveaway – in partnership with Velux Skylights that YOU can win. We do these Feel Good Makeovers throughout the year for a variety of families (some with partnerships, some not), and I’m not sure I want to be doing anything else in my career other than these. Our goal is to find someone (one of you) who could use some brightening up, both in your physical space as well as emotionally/mentally. 

It’s no surprise that I LOVE my natural light and fresh air, so I’ll be transforming one room in one of your homes with a custom design refresh from me, including the installation of up to two VELUX No Leak Solar Powered “Fresh Air” Skylights with solar-powered blinds. So maybe your bathroom needs some love, or your living room is in need of some new furniture (and natural light). Have a dark, dreary room in your home that you avoid? If you win, YOU CAN STOP IGNORING IT. 

I’ll be here (along with my wonderful team) to help realize the potential of one of your spaces… and whatever we come up with will be awash in sweet, sweet sunlight from overhead. If you’re already chomping at the bit to win your own set of skylights and a flash makeover, you can enter here. (And then come back and read on for some design inspiration.) 

Last year, my team brightened up the bedroom of our winners, Kristen and Raeann. Kristen was battling a rare form of genetic cancer and was spending a lot of time in bed, recovering from aggressive chemo. They were both long-time readers and the entire design and installation process with them was so touching and fulfilling. This was their space before and after. It was a transformation, to say the least.

reveal photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: reveal: how we brightened up a room (and some deserving lives) with velux skylights

Myself and the design team, led by Julie and assisted by Emily B., transformed their bedroom by bringing in natural light and sky views, which made it the most comfortable bedroom for healing. (You can see the full reveal here.) Helping another family no matter what they need is the next goal, and we can’t wait to do it again.

Now for my thoughts and feelings on skylights in general, why I am a fan and where the heck you can put them. (There are more options than you’d think!)

I learned very early in my career as a prop stylist that for photography, natural light is truly the #1 element you need for a room (or shot) to look alive. But what happens if your house has a huge overhang that blocks sunlight? What if your window opens straight into another building? What if your windows only face north and you are in dire need of bringing some sweet, sweet sunlight inside? What if you’re in an interior room that doesn’t even have a window to begin with? Skylights to the rescue…

Skylights in a Bathroom
photos by sara ligorria-tramp |from: portland reveal: creating the dreamiest of master bathrooms

One of the most ideal places to use a skylight is in the bathroom. I love that you can put them in places where traditional windows can’t (or shouldn’t) go, like in showers. Showering with a skylight overhead is MAGIC. Velux’s skylights can also be opened via remote control to let out warm air (it rises, remember?), which prevents lingering humidity and brings in clean, fresh air. Plus, it’s great to have even more light throughout the day if you’re the type of person who applies makeup in your bathroom.

Skylights in a Kitchen
photos by sara ligorria-tramp | from: the reveal of the mountain house kitchen

Guys, you don’t have to sacrifice cabinet space for windows. Skylights are a no brainer for spaces where you desperately need wall space for functionality but don’t want to give up natural light. And just like in a bathroom, smells and moisture need to go somewhere, so a quick open of the skylight is ideal for releasing odors, steam, and sometimes, accidental smoke

The Link Up: A Soulful Home Tour Emily Loves, Jess’ Perfect $3 Planner & Caitlin’s New Favorite Grocery Delivery

home of keith mcnally, styled by sebastian sergeant | photo by paul raeside | via: architectural digest

Sundays are for sleeping in, time to binge a new show and of course, The Link Up. We hope the universe grants you all those things, and great news! You are a third of the way there. Let’s get to it:

Today’s home tour has Emily’s (and our) hearts pumping and it’s not just because it is dripping with “Eccentric English Grandma” vibes (see that lamp in the corner??). It is also the serene getaway home we all deserve, so if you want to fantasize about living on a farm in the lush English countryside, go check it out.

Recently, Julie had to give up her one cup of coffee for the day so to get her excited about drinking tea only, she has been looking into getting a stovetop kettle. This one from Food52 is not only beautiful and functional but on their site they say, “When your water comes to a boil, its melodic two-tone harmonic whistle is a far cry from the ear-splitting whine of a traditional kettle”. You bet she was sold on a well thought out design.

From Mallory: “I recently read this article and it shook me. Our generation is MUCH more inclusive and men are embracing gender equality a lot more which rocks, but why aren’t we all evenly sharing home tasks? Just some food for thought this Sunday :)”

From Veronica: “I went to a fitness expo over the weekend (I know, super LA), but I found this peanut butter powder that is now my new bff. I use it in my smoothies, or to dip apples in, and I feel healthier because it doesn’t have all the fat and oils that regular peanut butter has, yet it is still made from real peanuts.”

From Ryann: “When it isn’t summer I am in a constant state of wishing it was summer, so I always find myself shopping for clothes that are more appropriate for the warmer months. A few weeks ago I bought these shorts and I am SO happy I did. I never get tired of denim cutoffs (for example, before these I had the same ones for 5 years) so I felt these were a great purchase. They are also on sale (only $40!), made sustainably, and great quality. I cannot recommend them enough.”

From Sara: “I don’t have this, but I WANT THIS. I cook a lot (like almost every day I make dinner), and this thing looks like it could be a one-stop pan shop. It’s next up for fulfillment on my wishlist.”

Anyone else late to the 2020 planner game? Cool, so was Jess. She also finds that she never uses the daily section and just likes the month overview. So this year instead of spending at least $20 on a fancy planner, she went for this simple but cool monthly little fella. Guys, it’s $3!

From Caitlin: “I handle our partnerships here and am totally drinking MY OWN Kool-Aid. I was #EMfluenced (should I make that a thing?) to try out Imperfect Foods after hearing how much Em ACTUALLY liked it and I AM HOOKED. I like getting produce (I got avocados for like, THIRTY-FIVE CENTS EACH, Y’ALL) but I am also newly addicted to their house brand dried pineapple (the pineapples were rejects because they were too dark to sell in stores!) and Love Crunch in Dark Chocolate and Peanut Butter flavor. Plus, you can customize your box to fit your own budget AND you can pick a delivery time that works for you. I REALLY REALLY LIKE IT. #notsponsored”

There you have it, folks. Same place and time tomorrow? Great, we’ll see you then xx

The post The Link Up: A Soulful Home Tour Emily Loves, Jess’ Perfect $3 Planner & Caitlin’s New Favorite Grocery Delivery appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Link Up: Sara’s Favorite $17 Vegan Cookbook, The Color Julie & Jess Can’t Stop Buying and Caitlin’s Dream Netflix Show

design by athena calderone | styled by colin king | photo by nicole franzen | via architectural digest

A short and sweet week it was (and for us, PACKED with shoots). But now that we are all about to embark on a full 5-day work week together let’s make that transition a little easier with this week’s link up…

From Emily: If you are a fan of Armchair Expert like all of us here, you know Monica Padman and Dax Shepard. Well Monica, and their other best friend, Jess, have a new podcast of their own about their love lives (well it’s a short series). It’s literally like sitting in the car with two good friends who are as willing to share as I am about all the juicy private stuff. For example: I was at a good part of an episode when I pulled up to Target, but I waited for the story to be over. I could have just pressed “paused” (it’s a podcast, not a radio show), but I was so riveted that I had to wait ’til that segment was over. And a quick vouch for Monica, we recently hung out and I can say that she (and her mom KB) are as lovely, normal, warm, funny and down to earth as they seem. I’m always interested in hearing about how “real” someone actually is, but I’m happy to report they are exactly who they seem (i.e. GREAT).

This past Friday morning felt like a bonus Christmas because right there on ArchitecturalDigest.com was Athena Calderone’s newly renovated Hamptons home. And just like her Brooklyn home, it’s stunning and we suggest you look at it ASAP. Also, can we talk about that rope ceiling???

In case you missed it, Emily wants everyone to stop what they are doing immediately and go look at Leanne Ford’s insanely cool new collection at Crate & Barrel. Emily and the entire team want basically everything. Congrats Leanne!

Since we are talking about all things design, Emily got to be a part of helping Apartment Therapy decide on their pattern of the year. Check it out!

From Sara: I recently got this cookbook in an effort to eat less animal products, while also making easy meals during our renovation. Last night I made the ratatouille and it was KILLER. We ate spread on thick slices of crusty toasted bread and I was in heaven. Tonight I’m going to be tossing the leftovers with pasta. Guys, this might be the best vegan cookbook I’ve come across.

From Mallory: Jess showed me this more affordable line by Jonathan Adler and it’s literally become the inspiration for my entire apartment. Plus it’s one of the only furniture brands my boyfriend and I both love everything about.

From Ryann: I’ve been spending my nights scouring the internet for really COOL vintage dining chairs. My goal is to mix and match and currently have my eyes set on this beauty for my first pick.

Julie got pretty inspired by Jess’ color trend post the other week and bought this cool mint jacket to put on her body.

Speaking of cool mint, Jess and her cousin were shopping last weekend and they both fell head over heels for this jumpsuit. It’s so freaking cute, flattering and perfect for spring with its short sleeves and pastel color.

Veronica stumbled upon this Instagram account and just… wowowowow

From Caitlin: YOU NEED TO WATCH LOVE IS BLIND ON NETFLIX RIGHT NOW and then CAN WE PLEASE TALK ABOUT IT IN THE COMMENTS??? (Yes, the all caps are necessary because this is the best/worst show I have EVER seen. The Bachelor meets 90 Day Fiance meets Married at First Sight meets Bachelor in Paradise? ARE YOU KIDDING? PS. I wrote this link 8 DAYS early after watching just two episodes because I was so excited about what a good/bad mess this show is.)

Ok, happy Sunday everyone and see you tomorrow.

P.S. Don’t be too sad the weekend is almost over because we have a BIG and very EXCITING surprise for you bright and early;) 

The post The Link Up: Sara’s Favorite $17 Vegan Cookbook, The Color Julie & Jess Can’t Stop Buying and Caitlin’s Dream Netflix Show appeared first on Emily Henderson.

All The Questions Answered About How I Get My “Natural” Looking Spray Tan …

My team has heard me reference spray tanning for years and when we were brainstorming our lifestyle content for February, they all begged me to do a post about it because they are all curious and want try, but they are scared. So today I’m answering all their questions about how I get my “natural” spray tan in the middle of winter, for under 4 minutes and around $16. I’m not saying you should do this, nor encouraging the idea that tan skin is better than pale – no weird skin shaming here. But, like covering grays or straightening hair, it is something that some people do and even more people are curious about. And while it’s innately driven in a superficial (literally skin deep) way, I think most of us can relate to the confidence boost we get when we are looking healthy and pulled together – whatever that looks like to you. I’m an expert in it (the spray tan, not the “pulled together” look), so get ready because I’m about to drop some spray tan knowledge.

Let me walk you through it all …

WHAT IS A SPRAY TAN?

A spray-tan is a liquid formula with DHA that when sprayed evenly makes you look like you’ve been in the sun and you feel all glowy. There are many levels and tones and indeed you might want to experiment before say, your red carpet walk or your wedding. The same formula can also be in a lot of tanning lotions (we’ll get to that later).

There are two types of spray tans: “airbrush” and “booth”.

Airbrush means a real live person actually sprays you *naked* either in a pop-up booth in your home ($50 – $100 depending on where you live and level of experience) or at a salon ($60 – $80). It’s highly embarrassing but you will get a much longer-lasting tan that might look more natural and it’s, ahem, thorough. If you are in LA, I recommend Brittany from Be Bronze Studio.

A “booth” is literally a vertical booth that you stand in and nozzles go up and down and spray you evenly on your front and back. It is faster and more affordable – I have a $60/month membership at a non-fancy place and I go once a week (thus the $16 – it’s likely around $30 if you just buy one). It takes me between 4 – 7 minutes from start to finish (I know because I’ve timed myself SO MANY TIMES while I’ve made Brian wait in the car). There are two major brands of booths – Versa and Mystic. As I’m writing this I literally had no idea how much of an expert I am. I much prefer Versa because it’s more natural and much faster. There are typically 3 different levels of Versa that differ in intensity (and differ from booth to booth). I typically do level #2 bronze (the difference between bronze and clear is that they both give you a tan but ‘bronze’ gives you an immediate glow that will yes, get on your clothes and sheets, and clear doesn’t show up for 8 hours, but since I like instant gratification I get bronze).

What do I do before a spray tan? Any prep?

You want to be clean, but not crazy exfoliated because it won’t stick as well. Around the ankles and wrists it will stick more because those areas are less smooth for whatever reason. Ideally you shave the day before but I’ve shaven the day of one million times.
Don’t spray tan and then mani/pedi or get a blowout, or do anything that has to do with water or it will take the color off your hands/feet/calves and neck…
Do NOT get your first spray tan before an important event like a wedding. They can be uneven, too orange or too dark so test it out, go on yelp, ask for recommendations. For any special occasion, I get a custom airbrush done to guarantee that it’s a natural tone and it’s even (again, you have to make an appointment, it takes at least 20 minutes and costs about 4 times the cost of a booth in LA, otherwise I would do it all the time). They can even vary from booth to booth within the same brand so test out that particular booth first.
You need to wear a loose-fitting dress afterwards so it doesn’t stick to your body and rub off your tan (it also feels incredibly gross to put on tight skinny jeans after this – you are sticky and damp for hours). No combat boots either. Think flip flops or loose sneakers.

There I am the day before the shoot, consider this a “before”. Those are the four poses that you are supposed to do in the booth, and no I’m not psyched that I had to publish those on the internet. I also waited until my last spray tan was totally gone as you can see to do this post, which was QUITE the sacrifice.

What happens once in the spray tan room?

Put on your barrier cream on hands and feet (see IGTV on Instagram). Apply liberally, but if you want to do it perfectly google some videos. I’m not the best at it.
Put on your hairnet and make sure it’s not too far onto your forehead (true story – I had like a full 1/2 inch tan near my hairline on my whole face once for an entire day). In the winter, I usually put a hairnet on my face too, so that only a bit of it gets on my face. This can make it pretty uneven between my face and my chest, but I don’t love a super tan face in winter (or ever on me). I really just want a tan body, not an orange face.
Take off jewelry, at least your necklaces and bracelets (I leave my rings because I always have those on so those tan lines don’t matter).
Step on a towel or buy the little foam things to stand on or else the bottom of your feet will be orange for weeks.
Get into the booth – NAKED or with whatever clothes you want (but you’ll have SEVERE “tan” lines) .
Press button and wait for robot lady to tell you to move into the above four poses as the sprayer goes up and down 4 times. It then dries you on both sides.


What are the DOs and DONT’s after getting a spray tan?

You can’t take a shower for 8 hours – that’s the minimum amount of time for it to “activate”.
If you see it looking REALLY DARK then wash your face and chest. I think it sticks faster there and it can look dark and really unnatural. I usually don’t shower the next day because I like it to keep activating and get even darker, but you kinda stink and it’s pretty gross.
Most people shower the next morning but don’t scrub and don’t use a rag. Just let the water run and you’ll see the brown water of the bronzer go down the drain.
You should be careful about having sex for 8 hours, too. I’ve NEVER been in this situation before but I’ve heard from an airbrush person that if “certain liquids” get on it it will indeed take it off if under the 8 hours within that region. That “tan line” is harder to explain in a bathing suit the next day at the pool…
You should expect that it will get on your sheets, jammies, pillowcases, and towels. Mine always comes out, but I can’t vouch for your spray tan (it’s the same with most tanning lotions). I will say that if you like your sheets crisp white then you should likely need to bleach them, but again it’s not a huge problem for me.
You can go swimming, get a massage, sit in a hot tub, steam room, sauna but all those things will reduce how long it lasts. I tell you this because usually people spray tan before vacation, so just know the consequences of your fun

Trend Alert (?) Is The Accent Ceiling The New Accent Wall? + 5 Easy (and Budget-Friendly) Ways To Take Your Room To The Next Level

photo by richard powers | design by nikos moustroufis and isabel lopez-quesada | via architectural digest

There’s one particular design topic that has been pretty top of mind (pun accidentally intended) amongst Emily and the staff… and that topic is the accent ceiling. Is it a brand new idea? No. But why don’t we take advantage of them more? They are right there, above our little heads undervalued and underused. We are pretty passionate about putting a stop to this in 2020. To prove it, Julie has convinced Caitlin her dining room must have a wallpapered ceiling, Emily has been cooking up some great ceiling ideas for her kid’s shared room, and I am also thinking an accent ceiling wall would be killer way to make a design slash in my bed nook that wouldn’t dry up my funds. Guys, it’s a win-win-win!

There are a handful of ways you can approach this. You want to decide what is going to work best for you: Wallpaper or paint? Solid color or patterned? Applied moulding or plain and smooth? Overwhelmed? Relax, because today I am going to take you through all of your options, give you A TON of inspiration, and some extra little things to think about. Things are really looking up

Don’t Neglect Your Ceiling – 5 Easy (and Budget-Friendly) Ways To Take Your Room To The Next Level

photo by richard powers | design by nikos moustroufis and isabel lopez-quesada | via architectural digest

There’s one particular design topic that has been pretty top of mind (pun accidentally intended) amongst Emily and the staff… and that topic is the accent ceiling. Is it a brand new idea? No. But why don’t we take advantage of them more? They are right there, above our little heads undervalued and underused. We are pretty passionate about putting a stop to this in 2020. To prove it, Julie has convinced Caitlin her dining room must have a wallpapered ceiling, Emily has been cooking up some great ceiling ideas for her kid’s shared room, and I am also thinking an accent ceiling wall would be killer way to make a design slash in my bed nook that wouldn’t dry up my funds. Guys, it’s a win-win-win!

There are a handful of ways you can approach this. You want to decide what is going to work best for you: Wallpaper or paint? Solid color or patterned? Applied moulding or plain and smooth? Overwhelmed? Relax, because today I am going to take you through all of your options, give you A TON of inspiration, and some extra little things to think about. Things are really looking up

The 7 Ways I Use Social Media to Help My Career While Doing Less Harm To My Depression & Anxiety

I am an editor of a blog run by a social media influencer, which may be the most LA career choice there is. If you’ve been around here for a while (and if not – welcome!) you know that my boss is not just an influencer. No. She also happens to be a super talented interior designer, writer, and CEO. But because of the wild west world that is digital media, “influencer” is a new word that can also accurately describe what Emily does.

In case you are wondering, being an editor of a blog that is run by an influencer means that my job is often social media focused, even though I don’t work on the social media team directly. We’re a small business and that means everyone wears multiple hats, so social media is on everyone’s brains. It is a marketing tool that is highly important and effective for our business. So, my job and career as a whole benefit from being on social media and understanding how to capitalize on its potential.

But it’s not that simple. As someone who suffers from depression and anxiety, I am hyper-aware of how social media affects my mental health. At its worse, it promotes junk values and blind consumerism, as well as perpetuates a facade of authenticity that leads to unrealistic comparisons and severe loneliness. At its best, it’s an outlet for connection, creativity, and self-expression (though probably not connection, creativity, or self-expression in their most pure, honest form). It is hard to find the sweet spot between enjoying social media and avoiding its harmful effects.

So, back in October, I decided to take a break. Or more accurately, I needed to take a break. I’d heard and read about people doing 30-day social fasts and they all preached how life-changing it is. In general, I find that kind of hyperbolic language annoying but I knew I needed to get out of this constant rut of self-loathing. I was starting to get exhausted by my relationship with these apps and was generally just feeling really bad a lot of the time, so instead of rolling my eyes at the notion, I decided to try it. I imagined quitting social media for a month would be hard, something similar to quitting caffeine or going on a diet-things I’ve tried to do in the past but failed considerably fast. Due to the addictive nature of social media, I thought I might fail at this too. 

But I didn’t. I stayed off the apps for 30 days (actually, 32 to be exact), just like I promised I would. I haven’t received my award yet, but I am sure it’ll be coming in the mail any day now. Honestly, I was surprised by how easy it was (besides being out of the loop as it relates to my job). It turns out the “out of sight out of mind” concept really does work. Once I deleted the apps off my phone, a week into my little hiatus the mindless impulse to grab my phone and open an app nearly disappeared. If I did grab my phone out of habit, it would only take a few seconds to realize that there was nothing to look at, so I’d put the phone down and continue with whatever I was doing. Not surprisingly, by the second week, my screen time went from an average of 4.5 hours a day to less than 2 hours. By the third week, my screen time was down to an hour a day, sometimes less. I don’t have to tell you that my productivity increased significantly. 

Overall the experience was more constructive and illuminating than I thought it would be, but a permanent social media fast is not a cure nor is it realistic for the world I work in. So what now? Well, if it’s alright with you I’d like to share what has worked for me in terms of enjoying and gaining something positive from these apps now that I am back in this wild social media world. Let’s get to it.

Be Mindful of Who You Follow

I have found so much relief when I unfollow people whose content does not serve me in a positive way. If I am going to be on social media, it only makes sense to create a space where I’ll see the things I want/care to see – things that will educate me, inspire me, or give me joy. Good people to unfollow are models that contribute to a negative personal body image, people you no longer talk to or haven’t seen in over 10 years, and anyone/account that makes you feel less than in any way. Another helpful way to sensor your feed is by using the mute feature. Maybe someone you know posts a little too much about their vacations and overall “perfect” life, but you don’t want to or feel like you can unfollow. They won’t know you muted their posts and you will not miss their content. Everybody wins.

Set Boundaries

When I returned to social I made a rule to set alarms when I do go on it, so I don’t get lost in a mindless scroll. I also promised to not check my phone when I am eating dinner or watching TV or movies. And lastly, as a good rule of thumb, I don’t allow social media to be the last thing I see before I fall asleep or the first thing I put in front of my face when I wake up. But I will be honest. I am a flawed human being and have not been great at sticking to these boundaries. I sometimes forget and sometimes ignore the rules knowingly. But I am trying! And when I do adhere to these rules I feel better. 

“Like” More.

I consider it extending a “thank you” to the person who posted. It gives them acknowledgment and support and makes me feel good, too. In the past, I had this awful habit before where I would bookmark a post but not actually “like” it. At one point I realized I was doing that as if I was hoarding my likes and it felt so gross. Why shouldn’t I give that person credit if I am enjoying their posts? They likely put a good amount of thought and effort into it, so giving them that “hey, I see you and I like what you’ve done here” is just good social media ethics. I also engage in general more, in ways that feel positive. I comment and respond to IG stories even to people I don’t know personally and this has helped me make connections with people I would otherwise never speak to. One time I responded to a girl who works at Manrepeller and we had such a nice little convo AND she followed me back. It was great.

An Emotional Check-In with Yourself Yields The Best Results

I suffer from depression and anxiety, but I know that even those who don’t also have a hard time navigating the negativity that circles around social media. I have found that when I feeling particularly down or out of sorts, going on social media is like jumping in shark-infested waters with a gaping bloody wound. It feels like I am drowning whilst being attacked by happy people clinking glasses and enjoying a life that is WAY more fulfilled that my own. That is generally the story we tell ourselves when we are not at our best, but it is widely inaccurate and harmful. Just allowing yourself to step away when harmful thoughts creep in is majorly effective.

Pay Attention to Your Intentions

Before this experiment, I was not in control of my impulses. There was an impulse to both mindlessly consume content and post the “best” aspects of my life. Not only was I not sure why I was engaging on it so much, but I also was unsure what my motives were for posting. Was I posting for me or was I posting to show some version of myself that I think others will like? Most often it was the latter.

Using and posting anything on social media is going to come with a sliver of vanity because it is designed to make us crave more entertainment and seek out validation. I believe it is completely acceptable to post a great photo of yourself just because you like the way you look, and it is also completely acceptable not to post photos of yourself at all. Knowing that you can post what you want but not allowing other’s opinions to be the reason you post is extremely valuable. Now, when I simply ask myself why I am posting just to check in with my emotions and intentions, it makes all the difference. In short, when I am more mindful I am less of a millenial-social-media-fueled-robot. I am more me.

Make Social Media Work For You

There is a reason being an influencer can be a fulltime job. Whether we agree with it or not, social media is a part of our lives and for a lot of people, it is a part of our careers. I like writing and telling stories and sharing my human experience. I’d love this to be what I do forever, and social media can help me continue doing so even if it isn’t my career. It’s a creative outlet and also, a great place to network. It is not unusual or strange to slide into your hero’s DM’s or hit that follow button and who knows, in doing so you may end up working with that person someday. You can think of your profile as if it is a portfolio you’d present at a job interview if that suits you. It is your profile, make it work for you.

Create Your Own Narrative

I believe that social media is what you make it. Why should we willingly give a non-sentient networking platform so much power that it invades our psyche and harms our point of view? It isn’t always easy, but it is something we can strive towards. With mindfulness and exercising general kindness to ourselves and others, I think it is possible for social media to be educational, fun, illuminating, thoughtful, hilarious, inspiring, and good. For me, social media now more than ever reminds me of the world I want to help create and be apart of, who I want to be, and what art I want to create. It is what I make it. 

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts on all of this and if you have any helpful tips for creating a positive digital world, please do tell. xx

The post The 7 Ways I Use Social Media to Help My Career While Doing Less Harm To My Depression & Anxiety appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Our Bedroom Update (Also How I Feel About Having A TV In The Bedroom)

It’s been 3 years since we moved into this room and of all the rooms in the house, this one has changed the least. Same bed, nightstands, lighting, dresser, rug, and window treatments. But as we were shooting an IGTV on how to make a bed, we realized that there were enough changes to shoot a little update post (plus there is one new friend in the room that a lot of you have been asking about).

That’s right, we put a TV in the bedroom. We know that the bedroom should be for sleep and sex, as told to us by many a self-help article. But here’s the deal, we don’t really have a TV in the house besides the projection screen in the living room and while it’s easier than you’d think to operate, sometimes it just feels super weird to be by yourself in a room at night with a massive projection of say, Chris Harrison. What must the neighbors think? Brian is gone a lot at night performing in plays and I just want to be able to put the kids to bed, cozy up, write and pin while watching something meaningless. FYI that’s literally how I started this blog and truly how I work best – it makes it feel like fun to be able to do it while watching something with a glass of wine. So not having a TV was truly affecting my career (which was my plea to Brian).

After much convincing (and a heated debate on social media) I convinced Brian to let me do it. Let me be very clear, if we had a TV room or literally any other room or wall that we could put a TV in the house we would have done that instead. But we don’t, and I’m alone 3-4 nights a week when Brian is in a play so it only seemed fair to have some company.

We bought The Frame because a couple of years ago I worked as its spokesperson, and I kinda can’t go back to a normal TV (it’s that good). No, I didn’t get it for free (although I tried). I have yet to download/purchase some of my favorite art so you are getting some Gustav Klimt