Emily Henderson's Blog, page 233

Last-Minute Ways to Serve & Ideas for Acts of Kindness

We are seven days out from Christmas. I was beating myself up and feeling so guilty for not doing more to help this month. Remember that service advent calendar I was going to create with daily doable ways to serve or be kind? Fail. I did have a big conversation with the kids to get their ideas on what they think they could do to help others, and their main suggestion was to “make cookies for the firemen.” And guys, we almost did. So that’s where I’m at. We missed the wrapping event from Planet Hope that I had planned. We didn’t do a Feel Good Makeover this year (but we do have one in the works for January, which I’m so excited about). BUT. instead of sitting in my guilt, I’m officially reminding myself that it’s not too late. It never is (because helping is really a year-round thing). So with your help from this post, we’ve created a list of different ways we can all still give back, serve or just generally be kind. Some are so easy and take no time. Some are virtually free. Some are perfect for kids. All will make the world (and you) feel good.

Real quick: We all know how we should help others and lord knows the socioeconomic disparity is worse than ever so yes, people who can help should be giving back more, full stop. It cultivates empathy. It gets us out of our bubbles. It opens our eyes to the actual world.

But there is more to it; there are reasons in addition to being a decent human and helping others, some side effects or benefits that I often remind myself of. Here goes…

Doing it now, with my kids, helps them understand early on why it’s important to give back and even starts forming a long-term habit. My parents raised us doing a lot of service. It was part of our lives consistently thus creating a habit or urge in me, almost like a sense of duty. It’s like teaching them a sport or a foreign language, if you learn when you are young, you will always have that muscle memory. It just comes easier. It’s truly the best form of conditioning you can do. Knowing this first-hand is a massive motivation, I don’t want my inability to prioritize time for this to ultimately rob my kids of this good habit (our future world needs them to).

Helping people makes you feel really really good. It’s like a burst of serotonin, not only in the moment but every time you look at a photo or memento from that day. Feeling sad? You won’t after seeing how you lit up someone else’s day—it’s almost impossible. It’s a real antidote. Sometimes, late at night when I’m feeling sorry for myself for whatever stupid reason, I watch Sylvia’s makeover or last year’s Feel Good flash makeover and I feel better about myself. It makes ME happy. I have GOT to do more. Listen, making yourself feel good isn’t the reason you should do it, but it is a bi-product of helping others.

There is a trickle-down effect: hopefully, someone who receives the help will pay it forward and help someone else however they can, knowing what it is like to be on that side of things. So it’s not just a one-time helping, it can effect more people than you know.

It’s been scientifically proven to create and improve healthy self esteem, self-worth and confidence. It’s literally in every parenting book I read on how to cultivate a healthy self esteem in your kids. An added bonus of helping others is that it actually helps YOU feel like you have a purpose, that you are needed, that you make a difference in this world regardless of your status in other ways. Helping others fills you up and makes you feel proud of yourself, and you bring that to the rest of your day to day life, including your relationships and your career. And everyone on this planet should feel that they can make a difference in this world to someone, even if it’s just one person.

I struggle with my privilege, which is likely the most privileged thing you can say. There is this sense of “why do I get to have this life?” that pops into my head frequently. So instead of going around apologizing for my success, I’ve tried to put a lot of my time and resources (and influence) into feel-good projects like redoing the family shelter, the rummage sale or our Feel Good flash makeover. The more successful my business is, the more I have the ability to dedicate resources (like furniture, or my team’s time) to things like these. It helps me feel proud of my success rather than embarrassed by it.

So yes, I want to help others, and deeply believe it’s the only way to create a better world. Hopefully, framing it like that can help motivate someone out there who can relate in some way. That’s more of a larger personal thing for me, something that I’m working on, but these ideas don’t require you quit your job and work for a non-profit just yet, they are SO EASY.

5 Fun, Simple Things Anyone Can Do to Make Someone Else’s Day:

Overtip a server. This would have made my DAY when I was a server or bartender and it’s something I seriously love to do when I connect to the right person. If you can afford to leave a 50% tip, I promise it’s all they’ll talk or think about that day/week. Just make sure to write “Merry Christmas” or something like that so they realize this isn’t a mistake and it’s an intentional act of kindness (not for your sake, but literally so they know they can actually submit the sum).

Bring a treat to flight attendants on a plane. Erik from my team taught us to do this and GOODNESS is it the easiest thing to do to make someone smile (and yes, he gets a free drink now and then. But that might have more to do with the fact that he is the NICEST person in the world than anything else).

Make cookies for firemen or policemen. Mostly kids just want to go to the firehouse but once they see those smiles, they’ll feel the impact of their kindness.

Bake (or buy) and leave cookies/snacks for UPS person and mail carrier. We are going to leave out a basket of treats with a big MERRY CHRISTMAS and THANK YOU sign on it and we’ll see how the kids do with that temptation.

Donate books to the public library (or public school). We do this year-round to purge, but it’s so easy to do during holidays and kids can pick out the books thus involving them.
A Few Things That Take a Bit Of Time/Effort or Resources:

Drop off Christmas cookies (and even sing carols, they LOVE that) at a local nursing home. I worked as a waitress in high school for the dinner service at a nursing home and I just have such a soft spot to those who have lived through so much more and are nearing the end of their lives. When carolers came, they were just DELIGHTED. 

Buy and donate non-perishables to food banks. Our preschool and our public elementary school are both doing this, and with one trip to the grocery store, we can help. This is simple but takes a Google search to find one near you. I’ve even heard of being able to place online grocery store orders to food banks, so if you’re slammed this holiday season, you don’t even have to take a trip out of your way.

Sponsor a family and encourage kids to pick out what they think the children would like. We are doing one through a friend of mine who organizes this every year with her children’s school that has a lot of families that need help. I’m excited to have the kids help pick out toys for the 3-year-old and help wrap the rest of the gifts for the siblings and parents.

Sponsor gifts/essentials for a family/child. Unless you know a family personally, this typically has to be more locally done and likely organized by a non-profit or church. We are working with Baby2Baby to buy gifts and essentials for a 12-year-old boy. My friend brought this to me so we split it as the ask was $500 and it was a heavy lift for her. I tried to find a way to do this on their site, but couldn’t. Baby2Baby provides drop off locations and lists of what they need so you can involve your kids and not just donate money (which is obviously appreciated, as well). You can shop their wishlist here.

Shop and donate kids toys for toy drive. Again, has to be kinda organized. Our local church organized this and on Saturday morning, we are taking the kids to drop off at the police station, which they are VERY excited about. Shopping with the kids is not easy as obviously they just want everything for themselves, but I think it’s an important part of the process. You can also just open a toy catalog, have them circle some ideas and order online, then they can help wrap.

So yeah, that’s just a sliver of the things that can be done. I’d love to hear anything you’ve done this year or in years past that you think made an impact on you or others.

The post Last-Minute Ways to Serve & Ideas for Acts of Kindness appeared first on Emily Henderson.

How To Have Great Holiday Cocktail Party In A Tiny Apartment (All the Hacks You Need to Know)

Welcome back, guys! (If you missed my first post yesterday, head here). Okay, so I did the impossible and had more than two people in my apartment at one time. It was thrilling, fun and most importantly full of holiday cheer (the extent of which might have been aided by the multiple servings of holiday adult beverages). Like I said, fun day. But let’s back up for a sec. When Emily asked if I wanted (in addition) to shooting my apartment for the holidays, throw a little party, my initial thought was, “Sure, I have missed having an annual holiday party.” But then I stopped and asked myself, “can I comfortably fit enough people to have a real ‘party’??” I decided that I wouldn’t let the space restrictions of my home restrict my inner holiday party animal. So now without further ado, welcome to Bunge’s Banging Holiday Bash (working title).

I know I talked about our fun with the cocktail portion of this event (which I will get to in a minute), but first, I want to discuss the other very important part of a small gathering…the food. Aside from that stunning cake Julie made herself (and yes Sara conducted an official British Bake Off review in which Julie received a handshake; I have never seen the show but I am told that is the response you want), everything was purchased from my favorite grocer, Trader Joe’s. Maybe you’ve heard of it??

I want to make it clear that I am NOT a cook or someone who even enjoys cooking. So back when I lived in New York, my roommate and I threw an annual “Classy Holiday Party” (which ironically usually never ended up very classy. I blame her grandmother’s fisherman’s punch). She was in charge of food and drink and I was in charge of decor. A true dream for me. However, I live alone now and had to do it all (okay Julie really helped but I had to think everything through). My initial stress luckily lessened the closer I got to the freezer section of TJ’s and the goat cheese-stuffed bacon-wrapped dates and brie-en-croute entered my cart. I then wanted to make a small cheese board. We picked out two kinds of cheese (one soft and one hard), an assortment of sliced meats (came in a variety pack), salami, rosemary nuts, seasoned olives, honey and my favorite rosemary raisin crackers. I really like rosemary. Lastly, to make sure we had a least one veggie, I made my favorite brussels sprout saute kit. All easy and affordable.

HOT DECOR TIP: Vary the heights, materials and colors of your serving platters and bowls. The marble stand and marble lazy susan were perfect because the material spoke to each other but the heights were difference. Then the gold bowl picked up the gold in the marble stand and the black two-tiered stand (no longer available) added some much-needed height and contrast to the whole look.

Are you ready for a drink yet?

Unless you have a straight-up “wine only” gang of friends then do yourself a favor and batch at least one cocktail. Trust me when I say it’s a huge space and time saver during a party. For my shindig, in particular, I was pretty darn excited when I found the perfectly sized beverage dispenser for my open bottom shelf. Small spaces are always a challenge, so really try and look at your space and think creatively. Maybe there is a surface (like in mine) that you might not have previously realized is a great opportunity for a “party station.”

In case any of you are wondering what that delightful cocktail is, it’s called Jingle Bell Cranberry Paloma by the ever-talented Tieghan of Half Baked Harvest. It was super easy to make but I do want to disclose that to get the dispenser that full (with no ice) requires a lot of servings…like upwards of 24. But her site is insanely useful and you just put in the servings you want and the recipe automatically adjusts. No math required.

Also in memory of my old holiday parties, I made mulled wine. Again, seriously so easy to make and also very affordable. Thank you cheap red wine. Here is the recipe I used from Gimme Some Oven. Guys, it’s foolproof and makes the whole space smell amazing. What is also amazing is that beautiful and super affordable cast iron dutch oven.

But now let’s get to the party and a fun game if you are into that sorta thing…

There’s my normal face! (You’ll get that if you read yesterday’s post). Now, I just want to be clear that I have no favorites when it comes to my wonderful coworkers, I just literally couldn’t fit all of us in the space and have enough room for Sara to work her camera magic. Also, the rest of the crew came over after work so no food or drink was wasted in the making of this blog post.

Recently, while listening to Whitney Cummings’ new podcast, Good For You, she talked about the Freudian Subconscious Test (I don’t think that’s the official name) that her therapist told her to do with her dates. It’s incredibly fun, usually very accurate and probably best played with a close group of friends…or I guess a date to get some eye-opening intel. We played it and couldn’t stop laughing. Guess who said a monkey?? Ha, I’ll NEVER tell. What happens at a Bunge Bash, stays at a Bunge Bash. It’s also why I have a notepad. I don’t take random notes during parties, I promise. Here are the three questions:

1. Favorite animal (not your family pet)?

– List three reasons/adjectives why.

2. Favorite article of clothing?

– List three reasons/adjectives why.

3. Favorite body of water?

– List three reasons/adjectives why.

The animal is supposed to represent how you see yourself, the article of clothing is supposed to represent how others see you and the body of water is supposed to represent how you view sex. Spicy, I know. Again, best with a small group of friends and will likely tell you what you already know but hey why not have a fun conversation starter?! It’s a party, after all.

In case you are in need of some entertaining tools and a little decor, here is what I used:

1. Glass Modern Beverage Dispenser | 2. Serving Spoon | 3. 2pk 10″ Taper Set of Candles | 4. Stoneware Salad Plates | 5. Marble Serving Stand | 6. 5qt Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven | 7. Rough Aluminum Bowl | 8. Marble Lazy Susan | 9. 5pc Flatware Set | 10. Ladle | 11. Natural Acacia Dip Bowls | 12. Copper LED String Fairy Lights

A party like this is an easy and great way to spend a little more quality time with the people in your life that you care about. So hop on over to Trader Joe’s, stock up on those brie en croute, grab a bottle (or two…or three) of cheap red wine and talk about your innermost selves. It will be a blast and likely no one will get emotional…unless I’m there because I sort of have a reputation for being sentimental. It’s a genetic issue I’m working through. Anyway, I hope you have learned some party tips or were reminded that throwing a small party can be easy and most importantly fun. If you have any great tips or tricks you’ve learned over the years, please leave them in the comments. And once I live in a non-city-sized home, I will have you all over for round two. Shall we call it Bunge’s Banging Holiday Blowout? Title recs are also welcome. Happy holidays everyone.

Jess’ Bold Berry-Infused, Cozy Modern Holiday Apartment

I take decorating for the holiday seriously (as shown in that very, “don’t mess with me and my holiday spirit” look on my face in the photo at the end of the post). Why, you might ask? Well, remember when I shamefully admitted to literally only having a bed (cough I mean mattress on the floor) in my apartment for the first five months of living here because someone (points at self) had some intense design paralysis? Sadly the holidays were within those five months and I decided I didn’t feel like decorating. That was a mistake. I could not get into the holiday spirit last year for the life of me and I ended up in a funk all of December. Yes, this sounds dramatic but it’s yet another example of the positive effect of home decor. It’s important. So when Emily asked if I would be interested in shooting some holiday content in my apartment, I jumped at the opportunity and ran to Target with the speed of a thousand reindeer. Please come on into my cozy, modern (fully decorated) holiday home. No Scrooges, Grinches or Oogie Boogies allowed. Please and thank you.

As you know, if you live in a small space, decorating on top of your year-round decor can be tricky because things can look crowded and crazy, fast. I originally was going to go super neutral with the color palette because neutral tones help keep the crazies away. However, I then very quickly fell hard for that almost Dr. Seuss-esque berry-colored sisal tree figurine at Target hiding at the end of my bench. I actually bought one before I even knew I was going to get to do this shoot. So neutral was out and I leaned into the saturated berries, blues (since I already had the blue velvet pouf) and golds.

HOT TIP: Changing out curtains (even a “door” curtain) may seem a dramatic choice but it’s really easy and impactful to bring in color.

Okay cool, color is fun BUT I wanted to be very conscious of the fact that I live in a small space and an explosion of colorful holiday decor was going to probably make me and any potential guests feel overwhelmed. Trust me, I know it’s tempting to full-blown cover your home in holiday happiness (heck, it only comes ’round once a year!). But especially when using bold colors, you want to make sure you are strategic.

HOT TIP: Pick your moments and make sure there is some visual neutral space between them (aka your eye feels like it can rest).

Woo wee, I did not appreciate the power of the faux candle until now. I was afraid at first it was going to be too much having that many but I was wrong. They make a place feel cozy and moody (the good kind) all without any fear something will catch on fire. True bliss if you ask me. HOT TIP: Ornaments aren’t just for trees. Use them on shelves and surfaces for a little holiday pop.

FUN FACT: There may be a ghost in my apartment because the first night I put them up there, I woke up in the morning and they had ALL fallen into my bed nook (behind that wall) around my head! There wasn’t an earthquake, it’s a decently deep ledge and they are NOT on the edge…which Ghost of Christmas was it, guys?!

Aside from my beloved berry and gold tree figurines, velvet ribbon was the big MVP this year. I used it in my entry and kitchen (which you will see this afternoon). It’s such an easy, visually impactful (is that my new favorite term??) way to add “holiday” in a modern way. I also wanted to really mix it up in the greenery department so I used all the different kinds I could get my hands on and strategically spaced them around the apartment. But in the entry, I made a little holiday greenery bouquet by throwing four different kinds together. My most successful floral arrangement yet! Historically, I not only have a black thumb but also a black eye? Well, that’s not right. Basically I have zero talent for floral arrangements. But maybe wreaths are my new thing…or not?? See below.

Welcome to my five-minute (or less) modern holiday wreath. When I first decided to make a “modern wreath” to add another holiday moment in my home I thought, “Hey, this is cute and easy. I think people will appreciate a very doable DIY.” But then we leaked the IGTV last week and now I know that A LOT of people have a problem with very minimal wreaths. There was a lot of love too but if you are equally offended then I am sorry but I still love her. I also love her because she is slender/visually light which is needed in a small space like mine. So if you are on team “minimal and harmless wreath DIY” then here is my little tutorial but you can also go to the IGTV if you are a visual learner like me. Plus, the comment section is nothing but hysterical.

What you need:

Gold hoop (they come in many sizes and you can get them online or in a craft store like Michael’s)

3, 4″ Pieces Green Floral Wire

Greenery branch (I used real cedar but this faux one from Target will last you forever)

Ribbon

Nail (to hang the hoop on) and hammer (to nail the nail into the wall)

How-To:

1. Place the bottom end of the branch onto the hoop and wrap the first piece of wire around the hoop and greenery.

2. Continue to the center of the branch and repeat wire wrapping (leave out pieces for an organic look).

3. Finally, take the end of the branch and use the last piece of wire to wrap it to the hoop (again, leave out pieces for an organic look).

4. Hammer nail into the desired location and place hoop onto the nail.

5. Adjust hoop so your greenery is in the desired spot (I wanted mine more asymmetrical)

6. Lay cut ribbon over the bottom center of the wreath.

7. ENJOY your “hard” work.

The Link Up: A Bold New Reveal, Sara & Julie’s Favorite (Cooking) YouTube Channel & A Great Holiday Jumpsuit

image via Clever by Jenna Peffley | design by Dani Nagel, home of Dani Nagel & Phillip Butler

We know that holiday shopping is on everyone’s minds and screens this time of year, but the constant BUY THIS talk can be overwhelming. This week, we thought we’d lighten the product load and give you more of a “this is what we are reading/watching/enjoying this week” type of link up. That said, if you have some people still on your list left unaccounted for gift-wise (because who doesn’t), you can head over to our gift guide page and catch up on all the gift ideas we are loving this year. Now, let’s get to those EHD approved links:

We talk a LOT about gallery walls in the office and on the blog, so today’s home tour (via Clever) is a no brainer.

From Emily: “I want to call Studio DIY out for being bold and brave again in their house. They really went for it, and I absolutely appreciate it.”

Since we’ve been chatting about holiday party looks lately, here’s another one Mallory is a major fan of. Jumpsuit people, this one’s for you.

From Julie: “Bon Appétit’s Test Kitchen’s channel on YouTube is like the culinary version of The Office. All of the editors are so entertaining, they definitely know what they are doing to get you hooked because I watched over 3 hours straight of them making the perfect pizza. Another series that I became enthralled with was Claire’s ‘Makes Gourmet.’“

Speaking of the BA Test Kitchen, Sara’s favorite series is “From The Test Kitchen” where they have all BA chefs showing recipes made step by step, which really breaks them down and makes the recipes feel super approachable. Plus they’re hilarious. I pretend all the BA chefs are my friends regularly.

From Veronica: “Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally aka Ron Swanson and Tammy 2 from Parks and Rec have a new podcast In Bed with Nick and Megan where they cozy up in their bed and talk to their famous friends. It’s so funny and entertaining and a great take on doing an intimate podcast”

From Velinda: “If you read Emily’s living room holiday reveal, you might have noticed the new secretary/hutch in her entry and it had me itching to find my own. You’ll find me scrolling through Chairish this weekend on the hunt.”

Need a beautiful book recommendation?? Then take a peek at Jess’ new favorite, Weekends by Kara Rosenlund. It’s an instant vacation that takes you on a visual getaway along with decor tips and what she has named the best prawn sandwich recipe. Since the author is Australian, Jess has no doubt it is just that.

Julie was Ryann’s secret Santa this year and she killed it by giving her the book Digital Minimalism. It is all about learning how to live positively and minimally (duh) in this age of technology full of constant distractions and social media. Ryann can’t put it down!

From Caitlin: “Fun fact: in a past life, I was a recording studio manager I have THE BEST GIFT SUGGESTION: an Orangewood guitar. They are SUPER WELL PRICED (like, truly, under $200 and PRO QUALITY) and if you’re a parent, friend, or family member who is like ‘yo, I have no idea what to scoop for my music loving child/friend/family member’, then please know that this one has a former music pro’s stamp of approval. (Also a bunch of famous rappers use Orangewood ukeleles which is super neat.)”

From Arlyn: “I’ve had a second earring hole for a while, abandoned, but I’m back into the whole multi-earring thing, and I recently got these huggies and I’m very very into them (the 9mm ones). They look and feel really high quality and I haven’t taken them off since they came in the mail.”

Well, there you have it. Same place and time tomorrow? Great, see you then. xx

The post The Link Up: A Bold New Reveal, Sara & Julie’s Favorite (Cooking) YouTube Channel & A Great Holiday Jumpsuit appeared first on Emily Henderson.

A Robe Review: In Pursuit of the Perfect Winter Robe (and a Great Gift)

Despite being someone with a strong robe philosophy, I’ve been without a good one for too long. Shopping for robes feels daunting (there isn’t exactly a robe store), so in the name of “good robes for all,” I took this opportunity to shop and try on around 30 different robes. I narrowed it down to 10 that I love and think would be great gifts for yourself or anyone else still on your list. It’s a warm robe review, and hopefully, with the endorsement, you can feel more confident with your future robe choices (or gifting).

We’ll break in down into three categories: the “doubles as a towel” style (usually terrycloth or cotton fabric so it’s easy to dry off in), cozy blanket style (you still need to dry off) and “all day” style (more of a mid-weight). One doesn’t need three robes, but as I was test-robe-ing them around my house, I realized not all robes are good for all tasks, although there are some below that do double duty. Here goes.

The Cuddly Cozy/Blanket Style Robe

Sure you are dry now, but what if you want to wear a literal blanket and cozy up at night or weekend mornings and watch tv with two cuddly kids? You need that blanket robe. These are CRAZY soft and comfortable, but you must be fully dry before putting them on or it gets kinda sticky. Also the cozier they are the more cumbersome they are and thus aren’t great at doing some activities like cooking breakfast, picking up the house or putting on makeup.

Frosted Plush Robe, $79: Oh dear this robe is so warm, it’s truly like wearing a blanket. I like the color; that gray reflects light in a great way. The only thing is I worry about the material of the cuff and collar. I wonder if that texture is going to attract lint. Verdict: On the scale of warmth, this is a 10—definitely cold cozy winter nights on top of pajamas instead of a blanket.

Margot Faux Fur Slippers, $38: These feel like a luxurious gift that I would like in a spa package. You feel very special and taken care of, like somebody really loves you if you received them as a gift. Yes, they are comfortable and they have a hard sole, but I worry about white slippers with my kids. Verdict: A GREAT gift (and affordable at $38).

Stars Above Cozy Robe, $30: Now this is the one that I kept. It’s EXTREMELY cozy, but not as warm as the first one which is good because I don’t need it that warm. The color makes me happy and it falls/drapes well. It doesn’t feel as bulky and cumbersome as others. Like I might be able to make pancakes in it.

UGG Scuffette II Slipper, $85: This is my first pair of Uggs if you can believe it (my second is below). I’m a convert. They are good, stylish and I can pop out for the paper in them (true story).

Mariposa Robe, $128: This robe is so pretty and of course cozy. I think it’s a hit especially if you want to feel a bit sexy, while still wearing a fluffy robe. The color, texture and length lend themselves to more of that vibe. It is more on the expensive side but would be a great gift to someone who loves comfort and luxury.

Faux Shearling Trim Velous Caftan, $130: Okay. Hear me out. My best friend, Suzanne whose fashion advice I trust, is a robe connoisseur. She got the caftan robe idea from her grandma (not shocking) and finds her self wearing this style all weekend. There are no ties so once you zip it up, you feel like you can just float around the house unencumbered, but still so warm and cozy. The question is: does the embarrassment of its granniness trump its ease and comfort?

I felt very good wearing it as we were shooting and it showed. As Mallory put it: “If the ghost of Emily Henderson was haunting your house, this is what she would appear in.”

The “Doubles As a Towel” Robe

The benefit of this type of robe is that it’s made out of towel fabric (usually terrycloth or 100% cotton). I like it straight out of the shower. I usually towel off quickly, then use that towel for my hair while the robe does the rest of the job. I wear one while I pick out my outfit, and hang it up right after.

Classic Bathrobe, $99: Some of these types of robes can be super oversized and bulky (I think it’s a thing that some people do like) but this one still drapes really well and is rather slimming. I also like the color—it is a cute pink not your average white towel robe.

Women’s Dezo Slippers, $23: These ladies look really expensive and chic, they are kind of perfect for popping over to the grocery store and not look like you are wearing slippers. And the felt is a nice non-traditional slipper material that I really like.

Super Plush Robe, $98: This robe is more of your oversized hotel style and is really nice for someone who loves a spa day. It’s great quality and is still very cozy, because it is made from 100% Turkish cotton so it feels very luxurious while still being practical.

Terry Velour Robe, $89: This is a top pick because check this out—it’s a very soft terrycloth on the inside so it can still dry you off, and yet soft on the outside…you could skip the towel after the shower if you wanted. I love how it drapes and doesn’t feel that bulky.

The Sherpa Bootie Slipper, $60: I wore these all weekend, they have a sole on the bottom so you could wear inside and out. They are way less bulky than Uggs (and more affordable) and like a bit stylish and intentional, yet classic.

The Everyday Robe

I didn’t realize that I needed a mid-weight for the over-the-jammies, easy to wear all day robe. It seems weird to cook pancakes in a big fluffy robe, like surely the batter will get all over that fur. So I need one that has slimmer arms, sleeves that don’t feel like an obstacle,  and with a heavier drape so it stays out of the way (and keeps you warm).

Sierra Brushed Terry Robe, $78: This robe seems boring, but so far it’s my go-to every weekend look. It fits the bill of ‘easy to throw on’, you can definitely make pancakes in it, but its still warm (but not bulky). We live in La, it’s not that cold here so this is the perfect amount of comfort that I need.

UGG Classic Short Boot, $170: I finally got some Ugg boots, which I had to quickly take off, put in box and wrap for under the tree as per Brian’s demands. I’m very excited to debut them on Christmas for two weeks up at the cabin.

Honeycomb Bathrobe, $98: This one is a little more lightweight, and does double duty as being waffle material (not terrycloth, but absorbent and can dry you) and is easy/lightweight. I like the texture a lot. We decided that people who like linen sheets would love this robe. It’s chic and a bit fashionable and looks like it’s been washed a million times, in a good way. You would look pretty cool with a little jammie set underneath. It’s California sexy.

Duffield II Robe, $130: This is the single most recommended robe from you guys in my DMs. I do really like it. It’s a mid-weight, everyday robe with cozy fabric inside and this flannel material outside. My only beef with it is that where the pockets are adds volume to my hips, so it doesn’t feel as flattering as some of the others. I just wish they rotated those pockets to the front.

Here they all are, guys. And if you have any others to suggest, please do so in the comments. May the world be a warmer, cozier place now …

PSA: Things We Love (and Bought for Ourselves) That Are Currently On Sale

Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Arlyn’s Bright & Happy Rental Living Room Makeover

Happy Friday, folks. If you didn’t see yesterday’s team holiday outfit party post, check it out because we’re STILL coming down from our holiday celebration high. And while you’re there, check out the last photo in the blog post because I swear I’ve never seen so much love and Christmas cheer in one picture. 

But I need to remind myself: you guys are here for SALES today, not here for me to talk about how great the holidays are for the 1,000th time (which is a lot considering this is only the fourth time we’ve done this post). So, I’m glad you’re here just in time to meet this week’s smoking hot deals: 

DEALS OF THE WEEK

One of our favorite shoe brands, Nisolo is having a 15% off SITEWIDE sale when you buy from their ethical marketplace (use code GOODTIDINGS). Their 2-day shipping rate is also discounted (only $6.95). It all lasts through Sunday. 

The young, trendy store (you may have heard of before) Urban Outfitters, is having some really great “deals of the day” this entire month. Today’s super hot steal is 40% off dresses and rompers. Here is my personal favorite. Make sure to check back through the weekend/month for more savings.

I’m a bootie lover (I’m talking short BOOTS people, don’t be gross), so I’m a firm believer that everyone should probably have a black, white and red pair. If you’re into that concept, these booties are $41 off and they come in black, white, and red, so you can choose the color of your liking.

The oil diffuser Arlyn uses every day (and is in the photo above) is 40% off (use code YULELOVEIT). And we appreciate the clever name for that online code.

Jess’ “life-changing fancy” (she said it, not me) “PJ” shirt from the link-up is also 40% off right now with code YULELOVEIT. (Sorry there are only minimal sizes available). She also loves this very similar one. But everything at Madewell is 25% off and holiday favorites are 40% off. 

I’m a HUGE proponent for giving pajamas as gifts because it’s one of those things you don’t buy for yourself that often. These PJ shorts were originally $25 but now they’re only $9 AND THEY’RE SO CUTE. Pair this with a cute, comfy sleepy time T-shirt and you’ve got yourself the perfect gift. 

Emily’s favorite Spanx undies are on sale for 10% off. I know it’s not a  huge discount but when it comes to quality shapewear during the holiday season, we’ll take what we can get. Plus, these are perfect for a classic NYE little black dress situation. It’s coming up faster than you think, guys.

Emily’s everyday snakeskin boots are on sale for 40% off (yup, these are the ones she wore in the holiday post + many, many other posts). Emily would like you to know that she is bummed that she paid full price, but happy for you. 

Anthro is having a 30% off EVERYTHING sale –– this weekend only. GEEZ. For homewares, we love this trinket box, this throw and THIS cool totem. 

In the market for a new bed frame? Veronica just bought this one, which unfortunately for her went on sale for 55% off 2 days after she bought it. I’m sorry, V, but at least we get to share this $134 bed frame with all of you now.

NEW BRANDS 2 KNOW

Tommy: EHD alum, photographer and now jewelry designer, Tessa Neustadt just launched her brand new sustainable jewelry line YESTERDAY. Check it out and be literally one of the first ones to know and love this brand like we do. We are so proud of her and can’t wait to get our hands on it.

Winky Lux: The name might sound a little closer to a sex toy than a makeup brand, BUT I found this AMAZING lipstick which I wore in yesterday’s holiday look post (this is the last time I’ll talk about yesterday’s post – I promise). It’s completely clear – which really bamboozled the office ladies – because when you put it on, it changes the PH balance in your lip to bring out your spicy natural lip color. PRO TIP: If you have lips that are particularly prone to being chapped, hydrate before you put this bad boy on. 

 

That’s all for this week, we’ll see you back here next Friday for more deals and steals. Happy holidays, everybody. Xoxo, Mallory

The post PSA: Things We Love (and Bought for Ourselves) That Are Currently On Sale appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Surprising Lessons I Learned About Design (& Business) from a Mazda Influencer Event

Despite having a business, I don’t identify as an “entrepreneur.” Despite having a following, I flinch when people call me an “influencer.” And despite living in the most “car culture” city of the world, I’m certainly not a “car person.” So when Mazda invited me to an “Entrepreneurial Influencer immersion trip” to launch their new CX-30, it was a quick but polite “no.” While I knew it would be fun, it didn’t feel like the right fit for this lady. It would be like inviting The Rock to a hair and beauty influencer event. Sure, I drive a car and I want it to work for my family but the level of torque in a car’s flux capacitor doesn’t hold my interest. Wherein lies the twist?

I finally (and enthusiastically) said yes because A. They told me that my job would simply be to “cover the event” in whatever way I wanted to, not try to sell you their new car. And B. It was two nights in Montecito the Rosewood Miramar Beach, with a resort full of “Entrepreneurial Influencers.” Your damn right I was curious how this was going to go down and wanted to know who the heck these people were.

Cut to, it was incredibly fun and extremely worthwhile. I met a “beard influencer” and did yoga on the beach with dolphins jumping (literally). But little did I know that I would come away with something that will heavily influence me, my company, my design and my team in 2020. It’s not a car. No. Somehow, I turned what could have been a random “gig” with a car partner into my own personal self-improvement weekend.

But first, I’m sure you are wondering…what happens at a sponsored “Influencer trip?” Well, they are all different, I’m sure, but the goal for these types of experiences is for the attendees to be immersed in the brand in a more impactful, meaningful way. Some pay influencers, some just comp their trip. Some require specific deliverables, some just trust that you will tell whatever story to your audience that you feel is right (if any). Most let you have creative freedom on how you cover it, because they understand the extreme importance of our authentic voice for our audiences, on different platforms.

It started on night one with what we would have predicted to be a very boring and standard brand presentation. Instead, we were enthralled by a very compelling French artist that is now the head of design at Mazda. It was less about tech and car innovation and more about the creative process and their larger philosophy on people and business. Thank god.

We learned of Mazda’s mantra—what everyone on the team values and brings to their daily work:

Performance, positivity and humility.

On each person’s desk, they have this simple sculpture of three entangled wire triangles that represent the three pillars of what they deem is good success both in business AND creativity.

The fact that humility was in there struck me. HUMILITY???? It’s definitely something I feel I don’t see valued as much these days and certainly not something I would have touted as a common theme at an “entrepreneur influencer car event.” It’s laughable, actually. The oft-correct stereotype of “influencers” and “entrepreneurs” is literally anything but humble. It wasn’t intentional “brand messaging” by Mazda. Humility wasn’t written on a brochure. It was simply what I took away from it and maybe it’s what I needed to hear or is what I’m looking for right now, both in business, my personal growth and in my creative projects. I turned 40 this year and the blog turns 10 in January, so the level of self-reflection is HIGH right now.

Projecting a successful image, “knowing it all” and having a large and respected sense of self are what we are taught make a great CEO. The world is full of “fake it ‘til you make it” idioms, which I have always abhorred. Instead, let people ask the perceived dumb questions without shame. Lord knows I do.

This obsession with ego is probably why I never identified with being a CEO or entrepreneur (have you seen Succession yet??). Am I creatively driven and hardworking? Sure. But the word entrepreneur has always implied valuing “business,” which I link too closely to valuing money and not valuing people. It feels false to me, which is where my imposter syndrome kicks in. But being confident in fact that you don’t know everything, and being willing to fail, say it, adjust, ask questions and try again is crucial to truly creating anything new and meaningful. Whether you are creating a sculpture, climbing a cliff or running a digital media company. So many of our projects would have turned out badly had we not stood back and admitted something that I did wasn’t working. It’s not ideal when you have a client involved, but it strangely gives you even more credit with them as they likely were thinking the same thing.

photo by mikey schaefer via national geographic

This was echoed the next night by the very inspiring filmmaker Jimmy Chin (shown above), both about the importance of optimism and humility when building a team. He had to find the impossible—a group of world-class rock climbers that were also videographers to film Alex Honnold attempting the death-defying free solo climb up Yosemite’s El Capitan…no ropes, nearly 4 hours of climbing with just a handful of videographers who had agree to do this 3-year project and climb without spooking him). They could have no one with ego on the team, they were there for him, or it could literally have led to death. If you haven’t seen the documentary Free Solo, please do, it’s incredible and beautiful and certainly not just a documentary about rock climbing.

To have two highly successful men in widely different industries touting the importance of “humility” in 2020 was insanely refreshing and was something that I actually DID identify with, despite my missteps in this category, as well. After 10 years in the public eye, you bet that my humility has been challenged.

But yes, this was an event through by a car company, so…how did they bring this unpredictable value into the design of a car?

Here’s what the Mazda team did:

When Julien Montousse became Senior Director of Design at Mazda North American Operations, with the intent (5 years ago) of creating the CX-30 that launches today, he took the entire design team on a two-week retreat full of meditation and bonding. The intent was to come together to attach one singular emotion to the design and experience of this car. A car.

When we design a room/house, we always put adjectives to it, caring more about how it feels than looks, but not homing in on or naming emotions other than my usual “happy.” I certainly wouldn’t have thought that a car company would care so much about emotion.

What they came up with, the intent of this car, was the feeling of “restrained allure.”

I identified with this immediately, although we at EHD often say “quiet impact” or “simple but special.” It’s a bit sexier, for sure, but I think a lot of people want to feel a bit of sexiness when driving their car. It also, again, hits on this humility point. It doesn’t scream “I’M FANCY’ or “I’M RICH’. It’s quiet but attractive.

So how the hell do you make A CAR have “restrained allure”? How does that actually translate into the shape, style or finish of a steel vehicle?

Here’s what they did (which blew me away):

1. In the design process, they got rid of all the hard lines in the body of the car, so that nothing stopped your eye and instead it flowed beautifully, but it’s not flat. They actually created a water-like and subtle S shape on the side that when moving, gets hit by the natural light in a really pretty way. Yes, it was strangely alluring (check my stories).

2. Check this out: they took a painter and hooked his arms up to nodules to track his exact painterly technique and motion, so they could create robots/machines that painted like him. WHAT. They successfully replicated a painting technique that makes it look and feel more hand-painted, with more depth and movement.

I don’t know how most cars are conceived and designed, honestly, but this seemed so thoughtful and impressive to all of us.

I loved the spirit of the design and my wheels were turning fast for what that means in design, in digital media?

In a town that highly (and mistakenly) values how fancy your car is, Brian and I have always tried to reject this. I drove a 2005 crossover until 2017 and only upgraded because it seemed crazy not to have any sort of ability to voice call while driving, especially with kids. My hesitation was out of laziness, but I also liked rejecting a culture that judges your success on what you drive.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand that there are “car people” that value innovation and tech, who notice and care about engines and torch and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I obsess over the finishes of wood and the tuft of a sofa to a shockingly and seemingly superficial degree. We all value different things and driving a really high-end car certainly doesn’t mean you aren’t humble.

So I drove it around because what car partnership wouldn’t let you actually test it for a day. We cruised around Montecito in the CX-30 and checked out all their design stores. I liked it, guys, a lot. It was smooth and easy and super intuitive; all the necessary bells and whistles are right there and simply laid out and I really did like how fluid the body was. It’s unpretentious, functional and pretty.

Beyond the features of the car, I more identified with the notion of its “restrained allure” and the philosophy behind the company. But that’s likely because I’m, again, “not a car person.” What “I am” is a person (influencer or not, entrepreneur or not) who, 10 years into running a business, is seriously searching for growth in design, personal connections and business, but in ways that feel intuitive and right to me. Mistakes have been made this year, bad ones, and oh have the lessons been learned but coming out of this event where I was reminded of the importance of humility in all of these processes, I felt strangely so much better about myself. Empowered even. Of all the things I maybe can’t tap into as a business owner, humility is one that I think I can—both in design and business.

The sharp, wonderful and humble entrepreneurs who joined, from left to right: Natalie Elizabeth Ellis of BossBabe, Evelyn Torres of Brickellista, Amy Landino who authored Good Morning Good Life, Tara [TBD LAST NAME] of Rad and Happy, ME, Sarah Faherty who was runner-up on Masterchef Season 10, Erika De La Cruz from Passion to Paycheck, and Caileen Kehayas Holden of Career Contessa.

Of course, the irony didn’t escape me. I was staying at the beautiful Rosewood Miramar Beach resort on the beach, wearing snakeskin knee-high boots, being followed by my own personal paparazzi (Mallory and Sara shooting and banking my insta-stories and photo assets for the partnership) while eating $28 breakfast from Malibu Farms. I definitely wouldn’t say this event was setting the landscape for an article about humility. This wasn’t the intended take away.

And yet if what they are saying is true, that humility is one of the keys to success and greatness in business, then, guys, there is even more hope for me and this business that I’ve proudly (if not accidentally) created. I’m looking at you 2020, we got this.

I left with some great connections with entrepreneurs that are indeed very humble, thus shaking my judgment/fear of that word a bit. I went in intimated by their business prowess, but by day three, they were telling me all of their failings and mistakes (of course, I shared mine on night one RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE). It was such a great reminder that we all FAIL, because running an actual business that was born out of creativity is hard as the two are innately at odds. It’s the subject of my third book and no I’m not joking. There was a ton of great advice exchanged and a lot more of it coming from me than I thought possible. Turns out, I’ve learned a thing or two.

If you want to see who all was there over the 3-week period (they had a creative/influencer group and a more outdoorsy/influencer group), head over to the hashtag on Instagram. The car launched today as did all of our different stories on different platforms and I for one am excited to see how each “influencer” told their story of this trip to their following. Turns out, that while I may have a big following, I for one was highly influenced by what I learned.

Thank you, Mazda, for a lovely few days. And thanks to all who I met for your generous advice. Head to stories to see what we did and come back later today for a “design store tour in Montecito” post.

**NOW PUT DOWN YOUR LAPTOP AND GET YOURSELF A MAZDA, CX-30, TODAY! For this weekend only, head down to your local Mazda dealer and quietly whisper the name Emily Henderson into the ear of your salesmen, to receive exactly ZERO% off. (I’m joking, dear god, I’m joking).

*This post is in partnership with Mazda but all words and feelings are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help support us. 

**photography by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

The post The Surprising Lessons I Learned About Design (& Business) from a Mazda Influencer Event appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Best Candles To Gift This Season (And A Passionate Argument For Gifting Candles)

I’m about to drop a hot take, and I need you all to stay with me. Candles ARE NOT A BORING GIFT. I get it, they get a bad rap for being the easy-out hostess gift. And sure, not everyone enjoys a scented candle. But these wax wonders can be complex, elevated, and intense. They can transform the way you feel in a space. The first thing I do in the mornings (when I don’t wake up too late and have to fly out the door) is light a candle in the bathroom and a candle or stick of incense in the living room. It’s a form of meditation for me, and I just really enjoy the warmth a candle gives a room. And you can bet there is always a candle lit in my office here at work. Plus, I’m an olfactory obsessee, if it smells good I want it. Candles, soaps, incense, perfume, GIMME. And I’m here to (hopefully) change your perspective on candle giving this season.

Over the years, I’ve bought and burned many a candle, some have topped the list and others were forgettable. Remember, not all candles have to smell like cloying sugar cookie dough or detergent. There are a lot of really cool makers out there producing really interesting scents in truly beautiful containers. Not only are these guaranteed to smell amazing, but they’re also gonna look great sitting on a desk, nightstand, or credenza. HAVE I PROVEN MY LOVE FOR CANDLES YET? They can get to be pricey, but there’re also a lot of great budget options out there (perfect for a co-worker, or white elephant gift). So without further ado, here’s a list of my 16 favorite candles across all price points.

1. Hearth & Hand – Sugared Birch: This candle smells like a fresh snowy forest, on a brisk winter day. It’s clean and surprisingly refined for a $5 candle. I’ve been keeping this tiny candle on a little tray in my bathroom for the past few weeks. It’s minimal, small, but throws a great scent.

2. Mrs. Meyers – Lemon Verbena: I once interned at a very well-known production company for a year and this was the signature scent for the entire building. It was the dish soap, hand soap, and the candles burning in the waiting room and every bathroom. So whenever I get a whiff of this, it takes me way back. But it’s a very nice scent, and I had a great time interning so all good memories. No one would be disappointed to have this burning on their desk (or in their home).

3. Voluspa – French Cade & Lavender: This isn’t actually a candle I’ve burned myself, but it’s Arlyn’s absolute non-seasonal favorite. Here’s what she has to say: “It has a crisp clean floral, and throws scent INCREDIBLY well (a little guy can fill a room with a soft scent that isn’t suffocating). If I burn this candle with guests around, they no-fail ask me what it is, plus it also mixes really well with other scents if I light numerous candles. I like to burn it with Capri Blue Volcano (Anthropologie’s signature scent). Anthropologie actually tends to burn both of these together as well, which gives you that ‘I never want to leave this place, I’m moving in’ feeling.”

4. Opalhouse – Juniper & Red Ginger: This little candle is perfect for stocking stuffing, gift bags, or multiple co-worker gifts. It packs a great punch for its size in both the smell and burn time departments. Juniper & Red Ginger is my favorite holiday-themed scent, without being overwhelmingly HOLIDAY. It’s warm, spicy, and very cozy. This scent also comes in a pretty glass version, if you want to up the glam factor for a few dollars.

5. Hearth & Hand – Cardamom & Vetiver: When I first sniffed this candle straight from the jar, I didn’t get much, but as soon as it started burning, the scent comes through. This is currently the candle burning in the office Arlyn and I share (there’s always at least one thing burning in there). It’s a warm, subtle scent that’s not overpowering but just whimsical enough that it’s perfect for a cozy winter night or a relaxing summer afternoon. Cardamom has a slightly floral scent while vetiver brings a sharper green scent that balances the sweeter tones of the cardamom really well. Plus the pretty label and brown jar make it easy to style in any home.

1. Rx Candle – White Sandalwood: I love a local candle maker, and Rx Candles checks that box along with making beautifully scented candles at a great price. White Sandalwood smells to me like a sweet incense and vanilla, minus the smoke. It almost has a nostalgic smell for me, like a perfume my mom might have bought me as a kid that was scented like gummy bears…but elevated and more complex. It’s a weird way to describe it, but it’s the description I keep going back to. IN A GOOD WAY. I burn this candle all the time, and I have the room spray, too.

2. P.F. Candle Co. – Patchouli Sweetgrass: I’m going to hit on two P.F. Candle Co. scents in this post, but they have SO MANY GOOD ONES. I haven’t really come across a P.F. Candle Co. candle I didn’t like. They come in their iconic brown jar container and are sold all over. So many small boutique shops here in LA stock them, and they come in various sizes to hit different price points. Recently one of my favorite scents has been Patchouli Sweetgrass. It’s an earthy, light, and natural smelling candle. This is actually a fairly neutral scent, so if you’re thinking of getting a candle for someone who might be strong-scent adverse, this is a nice option. The closest thing I can compare it to is hay (in a very GOOD way), and it makes me think of warm summer days.

3. P.F. Candle Co. – Night-Blooming Jasmine: Another favorite P.F. Candle Co. scent is their Night-Blooming Jasmine. While Patchouli Sweetgrass has me thinking about warm summer days, Night-Blooming Jasmine makes me think of warm summer nights. With it’s heady, deep floral scent, this is a moody candle. But unlike Patchouli Sweetgrass, Night-Blooming Jasmine comes in a beautiful terra-cotta jar perfect for a casual California home.

4. Thymes – Frasier Fir: If you’re looking for the perfect holiday candle, THIS is the one. There are a lot of “Frasier Fir” candles out there this time of year, but for me, none have compared to Thyme’s timeless scent. Brady had this burning in his apartment one year while we shot Christmas content. He’s always burning a good candle, but this one really got my attention. It’s fresh and the perfect replica of a woodsy Christmas tree covered in crisp snow, without being overpowering. Hot Tip: Get the white wax version, I’ve found that the colored wax versions don’t throw the scent as well.

1. Spitfire Girl Goddess Candle – Cassiopeia: This might be the prettiest candle in the bunch, and I’ll gladly display this on my shelf any day. It’s from a collection of candles from Spitfire Girl all based on constellations. This one is based on the vain queen Cassiopeia, and has very royal notes of mandarin zest, bergamot, and vanilla. If anyone wants to get me another one, I’m happy to send you my address.

2. Otherland – Chandelier: Sophisticated and clean are the two words I would use to describe this candle. Saffron, champagne, and leather are the three notes here and they make this candle smell much more expensive than it is (though sure, it’s pricey). If someone’s coming over and I want to impress them, this is what I’m burning. They’ve just dropped a new line of holiday scents that I’m DYING to get my hands on (especially Silk Pajamas, Sacred Dusk, and Black Velvet)

3. Maison Louis – Neige de Printemps: The candle for the minimalist in your life. Everything from the beautifully designed type on the box to the clean and complex scent of citrus it has wafting through the air. It almost smells like the green part of a citrus tree. I also want to throw out an honorable mention for their spicy scent Aboukir, which almost took the spot on this list.

4. PLTNC – Forest Floor: This candle is made by a friend of Mac’s and we buy one every December to slowly burn throughout the year. It’s scent is mossy and dark, and comes in a very cool minimal jar (which is 100% guy approved by Mac). This is premium lifestyle-mafia-gift material, here. And I know for a fact that this candle is poured with love by a very cool dude who is probably the president of his local lifestyle mafia chapter.

5. D.S. & Durgas – Concrete After Lightning: Described as “Electric crackle, downpour, panic grass, sizzling asphalt steam. Respite on muggy summer days.” And THAT was intriguing, so I, of course, had to have it. I’m not sure if I get “panic grass” but I do love a high concept candle. It smells like what I would want a cologne to smell like if I made colognes, and the more I sniff it the more I think it does smell like wet concrete. The design and presentation get an A+ as well. Side note, their perfume “Cowboy Grass” is a favorite and I’m happily accepting donations of it to last me through the year.

The Best Budget Candle: Threshold – Coconut & Honey Crackling Wick

I was NOT expecting to enjoy this candle as much as I did. I picked it up at Target one night on a whim and haven’t looked back since. (I’ll admit, I really don’t ever leave Target without at least ONE candle, and I don’t think it’s a problem). This unassuming brown jar candle has a wood wick, which I feel really slows the burning time making your candle last longer. This isn’t proven science, just something I’ve observed. That wood wick also creates an amazing flicker and every now and then you get a great crackling wood sound effect. Best of all, these candles really throw. They quickly fill a room with their scent and warm burning wood vibe. There are several scents in this line, but my favorite so far has been Coconut & Honey. I don’t want to be gender assuming here, BUT I could easily see this non-decorative candle sitting happily in any dude’s space. Guys like their spaces to smell good too, right?

The Overall Favorite: Tatine – Garden Mint

But the spot for absolute favorite candle goes to Tatine’s “Garden Mint.” It’s herby, dark, mysterious, and extremely sensual. Once upon a time, I was shooting a home where the owner was burning this beautiful candle and I found a store that carried it THAT DAY and picked one up before heading home. I haven’t smelled anything like it since. I literally have my nose in this candle right now, as I try and decide how to best describe its complex notes. It’s certainly herby, but not floral. It’s minty, but not like a pack of gum. It’s like mint mixed with soil wet from a summer rain, and old bookstore on a crisp overcast fall day, AND I JUST WANT TO BURN THIS CANDLE ALL THE TIME. Plus it has the one characteristic that I think truly defines a good candle – you don’t have to be burning it for the scent to reach your nose. In fact, often just by setting out this candle, it does a great job of scenting the room without a match in sight (saving you some serious cash). For $40 you are getting a high quality, long-lasting, and beautifully crafted candle.

So, there it is. My magnum opus to candles, and why people shouldn’t be so bored of gifting them (or receiving them, you grinch). And if you’ve never been a candle person before, and you have a collection of gifted yet unused candles just…try it out. Really.

But before I leave you…a few last-minute tips: If you really want to round out a candle gift, try adding a set of cute matches, a ceramic match holder, or a wick trimmer along with your candle. What are wick trimmers and why are they important? Well, their name is pretty self-explanatory: they trim a candle’s wick. But their shape allows you to get into a deep candle jar to trim a wick in way that scissors can’t. And you should be trimming your candle wicks before lighting each and every time (even when they’re brand new). A short wick means a smaller flame, which distributes heat more evenly and prevents tunneling. Thus extending the life of your candle.

This year, give the gift of scent! It’s not weird or boring, I promise.

***photography by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

The post The Best Candles To Gift This Season (And A Passionate Argument For Gifting Candles) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Affordable Party Outfit Ideas + The EHD Holiday Party

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We take any excuse to get dressed up, leave work early and hang out as friends (fine… I’m more like “the mom”, but I swear I‘m a super cool mom). Thus is the benefit/burden of working for someone who values the importance of happy hour and fashion. We always have a holiday dinner (secret Santa, awkward speech by me, inevitable tears) so we figured we’d multi-task our life and make it a fashion post. Like the “super cool” mom that I am, I gave everyone an allowance of $75 to pull together a holiday party look, and while most went over budget a bit (grounded) or used some pieces they already had (cheaters), these outfits are affordable and available if you like them. We make a small affiliate commission (more on that in the new year) from any sales of these pieces if you use the link, so I figured/hoped it would pay for itself. Win. Win. Win?

But first, like a mom, I’m endlessly sincerely touched by how good of friends everyone is here. They love each other, support each other so much, and they hang out together outside of work ALL THE TIME. They invite me sometimes, (thanks, guys) and if kids/life permit I go but I know it’s different when I’m there, despite how cool and “one of them” I think I still am. I imagine it’s a percentage of how I’ll feel if/when Charlie and Birdie hang out as adults, share a group of friends and travel together —we won’t be bummed that we aren’t invited, because there is this relief that you aren’t all they need anymore. Their relationship doesn’t hinge on you, and that through all your failings, you’ve helped create and foster friendships that will outlast you (or your company). I’m not dying. Just sentimental. They are all so amazing, every single one of them and I could cry because I feel so lucky to have them.

Knowing we were going to be all gussied up, we headed to a spot that matched our gussied-up-ness to celebrate: Five Leaves. It’s VERY pretty/”designer-y” and delicious restaurant, near our office building. If you’re in LA and haven’t been (there’s always one in NY), I recommend it, both design-wise, and food/drink wise. The team goes often after work because the atmosphere is awesome, everything is good, and the staff is so friendly. We are big fans of this place. If you come and happen to see any of those faces above, feel free to say hi (we like meeting readers more than anybody else, i promise).

But first, let’s talk about our outfits:

I wore the same red dress that you may have seen on social last week because IT’S VERY VERY GOOD. Literally everyone—in elevators, on the street, my babysitter—compliments me on it. When I tell them it’s from Target, their eyes light up, out of both shock and happiness that it can be theirs as well. It’s lined (who has time for slips?), falls/drapes really well and has that prairie vibe in the most holiday kind of way. I paired it with some snakeskin cowboy boots to dress down the “gown” a bit and embrace my inner badass. And then I added my red belt bag (which sadly doesn’t look like is available anymore but linking to something similar) to enhance and cinch the waist and edge it up.

Shop the Look: Dress | Boots | Bag (similar)

Now for the rest of the team’s party looks, starting with Veronica, Sara and Arlyn.

Shop the Look: Dress | Earrings | Shoes | Eyeshadow | Lipstick

From Arlyn: “Makeup notwithstanding, I got this whole outfit, head to toe, for under $80 (thank goodness for Black Friday, but still, super affordable). I tried this dress on weeks ago before I knew we were going to be having a shoot and loved that it was covered up but playful with some ruffly moments. It’s a nice sharp bright red which I think works on just about everyone and at 5’3″ it hits me right above the knee. It runs a little big (I got a Large but in retrospect should have gotten a Medium), but I can see myself wearing this throughout the year to come. I pulled the black out of the pattern for my accessories. Any excuse I get to wear a big statement earring, I’ll take, plus a tassel is just too much fun to not opt for in a holiday ‘look.’ As for the shoes, the second I saw these bow babies on ASOS, I knew they’d be just the thing to wrap up (ha) my serious festive vibes.”

Shop the Look: Jeans | Shirt | Blazer | Shoes | Headband (similar)

From Sara: “My #1 inspiration for this is the classic cinematic triumph, Clueless. Enter this amazing oversized blazer in festive green and red. I went for a velvet camisole underneath to keep things subtle but cocktail appropriate, then I dressed it down with ripped skinnies (because sometimes the holidays get crazy and you just haven’t shaved your legs…or it’s just cold). Next, I accented the hits of red in the blazer with bold red shoes and lipstick. And lastly, I added a bunch of gold jewelry as my “tinsel.”

Shop the Look: Dress | Shoes | Eyeshadow | Lipstick | Eyeliner

From Veronica: “I saw this dress at Nordstrom and thought it was really beautiful, but wasn’t sure how it was going to fit. Fast forward to trying it on and me falling in love! It falls really nicely thus shaping your body very well. It’s also super comfy. Those shoes are comfy enough to wear all day and are a great price + come in lots of colors.”

Next up is Jess, Ryann and Julie…

Shop the Look: Dress | Necklace | Shoes | Lipstick | Nail Polish

From Jess: “I love this dress. It’s classy, fun, feels holiday-y without screaming “Christmas” and has the right amount of sexy for any holiday party. And woo wee does the slit make the dress. I know this dress is $$$ (I got it 30% off on Black Friday) BUT Reformation is an awesome and sustainable company that I am happy to throw my dollars at because I will keep those pieces forever. I also wanted to mix up the classic “red and green look,” so I threw on my favorite (super comfortable) brick-colored suede pumps I already had.”

Shop the Look: Dress | Lipstick | Shoes | Wallet

From Ryann: “I felt like a prince in this dress in the best way possible. I literally walked in the office and exclaimed “The Prince is here!” as a true Gemini would. I love the puff sleeves and the length is perfect for my 5’8″ frame, plus the two slits in the front make the dress feel less matronly and sexier. In retrospect, I wish I would have worn higher heels, but those boots are REALLY good and I wear them all the time. They are a great everyday boot but a little more elevated because of the block heel, so you can easily wear with dresses and look pulled together. A dark red lip is my staple for any party look, but especially for the holidays, that NARS Velvet Matte Lipstick in Endangered Red is the perfect shade. Oh, and the wallet (from ABLE) became a clutch when I realized I didn’t have any accessories, but it worked out because I even fit my phone in it so I didn’t have to lug around my purse.”

Shop the Look: Dress | Bag | Shoes (similar) | Lipstick | Necklace

From Julie: “When it comes to dresses, I either like to be covered up top and show a little leg or vice versa. This dress definitely meets the criteria and I love the crushed velvet fabric because I am a big fan of anything that doesn’t need to be steamed. The little detail of the puff sleeve makes me feel like a fancy and trendy lady! I really wanted a mustard-colored purse to contrast with the deep blue color of my dress, so like a normal person, I went to eight different stores looking for one and at the last one, I found the perfect purse. This purse from Anthropologie is amazing and will be my new everyday bag, it’s a great size with two compartments to make me ‘organized.’ It also comes with three different straps, you can wear it as a belt bag, a crossbody or with the gold chain link for a night out. This is the first official lipstick I have bought for myself so I am taking baby steps into this makeup land with a lip color that just enhances my natural lip color by a shade or two. Maybe one day I will rock the bold red lip like many of my coworkers pull off on the daily.”

Velinda, Mallory and Caitlin, you’re up”

Shop the Look: Dress | Shoes

From Velinda: “I love that this dress is both fitted and flowy. The embroidered detail and design of the back sold me! It’s got a modern flair with just enough hippie vibes to be my cup of tea.”

Shop the Look: Dress | Shoes | Lipstick | Necklace

From Mallory: “When I first showed my boyfriend this outfit, his first reaction was ‘that’s a spring dress!’ I guess to his point, it technically could work year-round, but when I tried it on with these white boots and a lil’ red lip, we both agreed it’s the ultimate holiday look. It’s perfect for a Christmas Eve dinner or even church service! Okay, okay, I’m kidding. This is probably not the tamest look for church, especially since my dress is clearly the ‘nightclub’ version of Jess’ dress. But let me tell you, it’s now my new go-to holiday party look and the shoes have become my favorite way to dress up any everyday outfit. Lastly, since we all know how much I love a deal (pop back here tomorrow afternoon for my weekly sales post to see what I mean) I should share that this dress is only $30 and the shoes were $48. How’s that for some Christmas magic??”

Shop the Look: Dress | Shoes | Lipstick

From Caitlin: “Confession time: despite having 2.5 weeks to figure out what I was gonna wear for this shoot (and like, the holidays in general, ya know), I waited until THE NIGHT BEFORE to go find something. I went to The Grove in December (not recommended) and walked straight into Madewell (highly recommended). This is the only dress I tried on and I was in and out in under 20 minutes. It’s comfortable, it fits my boobs, and you can’t really tell that I ate a ton of tacos right before we took this picture. If you’re in a pinch and you’re like, ‘hey, I NEED A DRESS RIGHT NOW BUT I DON’T HAVE TIME TO TRY ON A TON OF THINGS,’ then BOY OH BOY IS THIS THE PICK FOR YOU!”

Et voila, our holiday lewks. It’s party time.

As I said before, myself and the team frequent Five Leaves and one of the things we always get there is their El Rey cocktail. If you are a fan of Palomas, this is the drink for you. Hot tip: if you are dining with four or more people, we recommend getting a pitcher because it just economically makes sense if you will all be having one cocktail a piece.

See, here we are happily sipping on our El Rey cocktails.

Pantone Announced Its Color of the Year and Here Is How We Feel About It

Styled by Bree Leech | Photo by Lisa Cohen | via The Design Files

Every year, the world awaits the Pantone “color of the year” announcement, despite it actually affecting zero percent of our lives. Ever since I’ve been in design, I’ve scratched my head not knowing WHY they chose what they did and rarely thinking it will work in interiors. BUT like most things controversial, I enjoy the discourse around it. As a recap, here are the colors of the last 10 years.

Image via brandchannel

If you are thinking “I don’t get it,” you aren’t alone. Those particular tones are shocking and random, but if they chose something so on the nose (millennial pink 3 years ago, dark green last year, etc) we’d all probably roll our collective eyes.

All of the controversies aside, our burning question is: HOW do they choose the color of the year??

Image via Forbes

Well, I did what any private investigator would do and Googled that question, and read exactly one article from the Miami Herald on it, here. The gist is that it’s a general trend for-casting, zeitgeist thing that doesn’t necessarily have to do with interiors specifically, but more an answer to what’s happening in the world (design-wise but also life-wise).

For “Classic Blue,” this year’s color, here is the reason they chose it:

“The Pantone Color Institute said it recognized similar feelings of instability gripping the world today, from the United States to the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Syria and across the globe. It settled on a shade that offers the reassurance, confidence and connection that people may be searching for in an uncertain global milieu.”

We love assigning feelings to colors for sure, and nobody can attest to the reassurance, confidence and serenity that blue brings to my house and life more than me… Exhibit A:

Photo by Ryan Liebe | From: Our Updated Living Room

So we thought we’d poll the designers and editors in the EHD office, and see how we feel about “Classic Blue” having its year in the spotlight.

Emily (me): “I usually can’t wait to kind of be shocked by the color, and my reaction has historically not been ‘oh that makes sense.’ I think that’s because traditionally, these colors don’t translate as well into designing the home as they do into art and fashion. For things, spaces and mediums that are more temporary, risk is more welcome and thus they shift more often. Sure, I like tones of purple a lot right now in the home, but not Ultraviolet (last year’s color of the year). And yes, we are VERY into green over here, but not necessarily Greenery (2017 color of the year). They don’t seem as pigmented and full of nuance as the colors that we usually like.

But Classic Blue, while perhaps a bit more primary than I usually opt for, is indeed a color that we can use, or at least a very close shade. I’m not opposed to cobalt right now and shove that shade a bit darker and it’s a great navy that I love. All in all, I’m not NOT into it. I’m pleasantly surprised that I do indeed like it and will try to experiment with it this year. Below, for example, I think it is used well.”

Julie: “Blue has and always will be a crowd-pleaser and while this particular shade of blue is much brighter I am a fan of it in small doses for interiors. I can’t say for sure that I would put it on my body but I thought the same of Ultra Violet last year and then the other day I caught myself almost ‘adding to cart’ &Other Stories new color block sweater…so only time will tell.”

Velinda: “Color of the year, brought to you by Papa Smurf.”

Design by Laura Fulmine | Photo by Michael Sinclain and The Modern House | via The Nord Room

Arlyn: “Okay, while a far cry from International Klein Blue, i.e. my favorite color on earth, it’s closer, and that makes me happy. Blue is always ‘safe’ especially this particular shade so I agree with Emily that I wish it were a bit more daring in terms of using it in design. I get the more “worldly” zeitgeist leanings of the COTY choice, too, and I mean, I guess I get it.”

Jess: “I’m pretty underwhelmed. It’s not bad but I’m bored. But then again almost anything can be cool if it’s in the hands of the right designer. I prefer the electricity of say a cobalt which is super close to Classic Blue but better and cooler. Maybe next year, Pantone.”

Ryann: “I might be the only person who is neither shocked or disappointed with Pantone’s decision to declare Classic Blue the reigning color in the year 2020. Maybe this is because historically I have never paid attention to Pantone’s color of the year so my expectations were extremely low. Look, I like blue and I especially like a bold color moment in the home (see photo below) and in fashion, it can be really fun and exciting to see bright colors played around with. I am not running out and painting my walls Classic Blue but the color does make me happy and I wouldn’t object to a classic blue lamp or art piece in my home. I am just happy it’s not maroon or magenta because those are the two worst colors (sorry I don’t make the rules).”

Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Arlyn’s Bright & Happy Rental Living Room Makeover

Despite some of our feelings about this year’s chosen hue, if you brighten it and put it in a luxe fabric like Arlyn did in her living room Makeover Takeover then I think everyone can get on serious board. As Arlyn beautifully put it in a Slack message this morning, “Blue can both be safe and bold.”

Okay now it’s your turn. How do you all feel about Classic Blue reigning in this new decade? Are you someone who lives by the Pantone rule or are you as underwhelmed as most of the staff? Let’s chat folks.

The post Pantone Announced Its Color of the Year and Here Is How We Feel About It appeared first on Emily Henderson.