Happy Sunday and happy almost Christmas and Hanukkah! We are technically out of office but there will be posts (most of the days up until New Year’s:))! We hope everyone has as wonderful a week as possible, filled with love in whatever form that takes. The holidays mean different things to different people but we want you to know how truly grateful we are to have you as readers. So without further ado, this week’s link up…
This week’s house tour is SUCH a gem. If you’d like (and you should) you get to peek inside the legendary, Gloria Steinem’s NYC home. When she called up designer, Jane Hallworth (remember her work with Kirsten Dunst??), Jane almost didn’t want to touch it because as she says in AD, “‘To be honest, when I walked in, my first thought was, What are we doing even touching this?’ she admits. ‘Shouldn’t we just be getting out some quick-dry glue? Because it just felt so personal, and aged to perfection. But the reality was that the infrastructure needed fixing.'” Needless to say, this home is collected, warm, colorful, and must be seen. Enjoy!
From Emily: If you are looking to give this year (and happen to live in Portland, too) then Family Promise, the family shelter (that houses 72 families and helps them transition out of homelessness) is such a wonderful organization. We will be decorating many of the spaces next year (1/2 of the renovation is done, phase 2 just began) but for now, they still need funds to help support these families (especially during the holidays). If you have some extra budget and want to know for sure that it is going to a great organization that is affecting so many lives (and therefore future generations) then might I suggest donating to Family Promise. They are incredible people serving families with kids in the most traumatic time of their lives.
Also From Emily: If you are in the market for a new mattress I have an excellent one for you. We partnered with Leesa on a social campaign and I ordered the Sapira Chill Hybrid with the quilted pillow top. MY GOODNESS ITS SOFT. Now I know that not all like soft, cloud-like mattresses like we do but goodness if you do, this one is incredible. I’m sure their firmer ones are good too, but I haven’t tried them. Currently, they are 20% off and an extra $50 off with code Emily50. We love this one A LOT.
From Caitlin: Help! I’ve developed a codependent relationship with this plumping lip gloss. I bought the clear formula on Halloween after noticing that the display at Sephora was nearly empty (“must be fine,” I thought), but OH MAN – this might be my all-time favorite. I love the way it feels (peppermint oil and chili pepper extract, for the plumping fans) but I really love that it contains hyaluronic acid, which leaves my lips moisturized for hours. I haven’t clocked any shimmer or sparkle in it (thankfully – some of the reviews seem to think that’s a flaw!) and I love the simple, glossy finish. (PS. Anyone have any lip gloss recs that don’t come in a plastic tube? It’s the only drawback here!)
From Arlyn: Please, someone out there give me recommendations for their favorite press-on nails. As much as I’d like to say I could be a “nail girl,” I’m just not in that phase of my life right now where it’s sensible or feasible. But I’ve heard press-on nails have come a really long way, and I’d love to try some out for the upcoming holiday festivities. I keep seeing Glamnetic nail kits but the reviews are hit or miss. Target sells Olive & June, whose nail polish I love. Does anyone have experience with these or have others to share with me? Thank you in advance!
From Mallory: A splurgy but AWESOME sweater rec – I snagged the last one of these on a Black Friday sale (they’re VERY popular and I can’t even believe I found it in stock since it’s out of stock at 3 other stores!) I’ve been seeing the “apres ski” trend everywhere and this sweater is now back in stock, super high quality, has a vintage vibe, and is SO WARM it’s crazy. Highly recommend – it would be super cute on a little ski trip or lodge experience:)
From Jess: There is an artist I’ve been obsessed with, Sandrine Torredemer. Her embroidery scenes are nothing like I’ve ever seen and I love each one more than the last. How does she do it?! I think I probably discovered her through the art newsletter I subscribe to. But regardless of how I found her work, I’m so grateful I did. I know you’ll love it as much as I do.
From Gretchen: Happy holidays everyone!! I’m in Bend staying with my parents for Christmas and it is much colder here than it is in Portland. Luckily, I packed all of my cozy essentials: thick but squishy socks that keep my toes nice and warm, my favorite Columbia beanies I have in just about every color, and my ridiculously puffy winter jacket from Quince. The last two are both items I’ve linked up before but are FOR SURE worth mentioning again because they’ve held up so well! The jacket is like a walking sleeping bag in the best way and keeps me perfectly toasty, and the beanies I wear literallyyyy every day in the fall/winter—I cannot recommend them enough! But the socks were a new addition to the cold weather arsenal from Old Navy’s Black Friday sale. I love them so much that (spoiler alert, mom) I bought a pair for both of my parents for Christmas. They are super inexpensive but don’t feel like it on your feet!
Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas to all who are celebrating this week and see you all tomorrow! xx
Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: The OFFICIAL First Farmhouse Christmas! (+ A Great Ribbon Hack And My Dream Color Palette)
Family Promise is a national organization, so even if you aren’t in Portland you can find and support your local affiliate—or simply give to the parent organization!
Just want to pop in to say “thank you” … the content all of you produce is quite remarkable! I don’t go “long” back with EHD (I think my “first” was a post that included a long covered walkway??? or did I just imagine that?) and was spoiled by the many, many reveals in the first while but the daily posts are a real feat: interesting topics, well-written, just solid, solid original content. My style (and our house and our home situation) are much different but EHD really helps me think through and feel confident in decisions and maybe most of all, non-decisions. Seriously, your work is amazing. So thank you!!
I just bought the cutest (but very heavy/warm) jacket from Nordstrom Rack: the Safara Mixed Media Jacket by Noize. It runs a little big.
Wouldn’t it be fun if people posted pics of their holiday decorations in the comments?
Family Promise is awesome. We have volunteered with them here in West Michigan.
Arlyn, I’ve got a recommendation for press on nails via Pretty on Friday’s IG account. She says they last 2 weeks for her. It’s the KISS imPRESS No Glue Mani Press On Nails and her preference is the “Short Size, Squoval Shape”. They have other shapes and also various lengths/sizes. I’ve never been able to have nails bc of work but I’m tempted to try these. Good luck. Happy Holidays, Emie
I highly recommend these! Mine usually last a week and they are so easy and fun! I order from their website where they have a really big selection and free shipping. Definitely wait for a sale, they have them frequently. Nail salon fake nails were too expensive and time consuming for me, manicures never lasted long or were really hard on my nails. The Impress press-ons are so much better and cheaper! I get compliments all the time.
Re: Press on nails. I’ve found your nail shape to be really key for which brand works. I love O&J polish, but their press-ons don’t fit very well for me. Glamnetics fit PERFECTLY on me.
Arlyn, Olive and June has a wonderful consultant, who will meet with you on Zoom, and talk you through exactly which product to use, and how to use it. Absolutely free and fun!
Caitlin,
I have the lip plumping gloss from Freshly. I bought it when I was in Spain last summer, and they ship here. It comes in a glass container. https://www.freshlycosmetics.com/en/shop/lip-plumper
Late to this post (holidays) but huge fun of Olive & June press-ons. If you have curved nails the Insta manis are best but a flatter nail is great for Super stick manis which uses tabs – best part is you can use the tabs with the instant line as well. Purchase from the site and you can get extras of the tabs.