The Link Up: Em’s New Favorite Tool That Helps With Kids’ Confidence, Gretchen’s Comfy PJs, And A Happy Announcement

It’s been a few days now that we found out who the next President of the United States is going to be and as we’ve expressed, we did not get the candidate we so deeply wanted. We’ve been experiencing a range of emotions but at the end of the day we have accepted the results and will continue to do what we can to unite and promote love and inclusivity. It bears repeating that the work doesn’t stop now but only continues. Ok, let’s talk about some links and an exciting announcement.

This week’s house tour is just happiness in design form. Colors, patterns, vintage, new, it has it all. Go check it up for a boost<3

From Emily: A new tool to help our kids build confidence that our whole family loves. Ok, this is going to sound weird but I’ve told almost everyone I know about this app since we started using it two weeks ago. It’s called Legends and it’s an interactive game/exercise that is promoting some really great confidence-building skills and making space for a lot of connection and conversation in our home. The kids look forward to doing it before bed (only 5 minutes) and so do we. We get to tell them really amazing things about them and they have to also say great things about themselves. You start by identifying the issues (negative self-talk, negative self-image, anxiety, depression – a ton more, but those are off the top of my head) and then each exercise gives a great example of someone great, who overcame some sort of adversity – even mentally (famous people like Muhammad Ali, Lizzo, and Taylor Swift). Then it walks you through identifying some of your core values, creates mantras, and you even name your inner critic. It’s all the positive skill-building that grownups tend to do (likely when we are struggling) so we think it’s pretty awesome that there is something really fun for kids to learn this early on. It’s not free (I think $6 a month, a 3-month program I THINK) but we can’t stop raving about it. It does NOT feel like homework because it’s super fun and interactive (not a video game, but just not boring). It’s not an app yet but we do it on our phone. Again, it’s called Legends and we give it a 10/10.

Ok, y’all. The EHD Portland crew is looking for some help (i.e. hiring). We need a local, full-time social media person with experience making reels and editing video – of course, a lot of other skills are GREAT, but really just an obsession with social media, real comfort and knowledge of the platform, and a love of design are the main “requirements” 🙂 We also are looking for a Portland graphic designer to re-brand and re-design our site (we have a web builder). The graphic designer does not HAVE to be local, but it’s always nice to work with people in our community. I’ll do more outreach in January, but wanted to throw it out there. If you want to apply to the social media position send through a design reel and anything else you want to like a resume to gretchen@emilyhendersondesign.com.

From Jess: I got to spend a couple of days with my dad earlier this week. It was extremely needed and we even got to vote together which felt really special despite the candidate we so desperately wanted not winning. After voting, we did a little father-daughter retail therapy at Everlane where I got a new pair of my favorite jeans (he got some great stuff too but I’ll let him tell you all about it in his upcoming gift guide:)). I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I am an Everlane jeans convert. The vintage mid-blue wash is my personal favorite and I feel like the sizing with these are true to size unless you want a looser fit. Hot tip: Go try on or buy a pair online to see what your size is then wait for Black Friday because last year the jeans were 50% off (an actual amazing discount) but the sales were final. Get ahead of it if you are interested. Sending all my love on this week that is really hard for so many of us.

From Gretchen: So let’s just be real. This has not been the best of weeks for many of us. Personally, I’m feeling defeated, disappointed and disconnected, searching for a way to feel a little lighter. A few of my friends bought festive pjs as a means to cope–so that’s what I’m doing. My cute pj pick? Hanna Anderson adult-sized jammies that I can only hope contain some sort of magic, enough to help me embody the spirit of Junie B. Jones during these trying times. Can’t speak to the fit yet, but banking on this new flannel nightshirt to provide me some sort of superficial comfort. If it arrives in time, I think I’ll wear it to the town hall meeting that Caitlin suggested! Also on my pj-wearing agenda is an hours long re-watch of Severance on Apple TV. Season two finally comes out in January. But if you’d rather pair your pj’s with something a little lighter, I highly recommend English Teacher on Hulu. It’s sweet, funny and progressive.

From Mallory: I popped into a coffee shop last weekend and saw a girl wearing the CUTEST workout set. I complimented her on it and her response was “It’s target!!” It truly looked like an Alo or Lululemon set so I was so surprised and then immediately went to Target and was once again thrilled about the price. The sports bra is only $20 and the leggings are $28 which is so much better than anything out on the market right now. The expensive athleisure brands are like $150 for leggings and $70 for the matching sports bra (which is WILD). All in all, this is an amazing set for less than $50 (and it comes in 3 cute colorways!)

From Arlyn: This past Wednesday, I was in deep grief and mourning over the state of this country. It took a few days, but I realized I needed to claw my way out of the dark place I was in mentally and find the light again, if only for my daughter and her future. I saw someone on the Pantsuit Nation group I’ve been a part of on Facebook since 2016 share the app Goods Unite Us, where you can see what retailers and brands support what politicians and PACs, so I can be sure that my dollar is aligning consciously with my values because sadly, our wallets seem to talk louder than almost anything else these days. I downloaded it to my phone and it’s been helpful to explore and understand what I might have been blind to previously. We have a voice, and I’ll continue to use mine in whatever way I can.

From Caitlin: Today feels like a great time to plug my favorite non-partisan organization, She Should Run! It’s a nonprofit group that helps women – from either side of the aisle – run for all types of political office, from the school board to the mayor’s office (and beyond). If nothing else, the last few years have proven that there is definitely space for you at the table – you are qualified enough, you are connected enough, you are (definitely) smart enough, and you would likely make an incredible addition to the political fabric of our country. If you’re interested in running (or if you’d just like to volunteer, like me!), please come check out this 30-minute town hall meeting next Wednesday, 11/13, at noon Eastern. You’ll learn how to get involved locally, how to channel your feelings into positive change, and how to encourage more women to get involved (my new dream? A presidential election with 2 women at the top of the ticket!). As Shania would say: let’s go girls.

See y’all tomorrow. xx

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kailtin Green | From: A Quick And Casual “Thanksgiving To Christmas Tablescape” (With Only A Couple Swaps)