Happy Sunday everyone. We have been trying our hardest to get some very exciting design content made for you and that includes three reveals within the next two weeks! And it starts tomorrow with our photographer’s beautiful living room. Hope they bring a smile to your face. Ok, let’s get to this week’s links.
This week’s house tour is in the running for our favorite home tour of the year. Do yourself a favor and step inside SNL’s Heidi Gardner’s Kansas City dream home. It’s a midcentury modern heaven complete with a disco ball range hood. We think enough said:)
From Emily: The universe is finally answering all my “plaid coat” dreams. If you have been following closely (thank you) I’ve been wearing the same plaid wool coat for easily 8-9 years and while it’s still in OK shape (the lining is ripped) I was always in the market for an additional one, based on how often I wanted to wear it. Sure, others have tempted me and I’ve liked some enough, but I recently found two that check the box, unlike most others. This plaid coat (with the pops of cobalt) hangs really well, feels tailored around the shoulders, comes in slightly, and then just drapes. It’s very flattering and so easy to throw on, which is the point! It should easily dress up an outfit but still be comfortable. I really don’t like when they try to make a body-con shape with it or have lots of ties – I want to be able to layer underneath it without it looking shlubby!! For that coat, I’m wearing an XS (I’m not an XS) because they were out of smalls and I love the fit but it’s too small to button. I was going to exchange it, but I’ve found that the cut/fit besides that is so good and I don’t really need to button it (if it were much colder I’d wear more of a parka). But point is, I think it’s perfectly sized. Now, this other one is also SO GOOD – nice structure in the shoulders, easy to button (wearing small) then open. This one is even easier to layer over a sweatshirt or thin sweater and immediately makes a basic outfit look cool, young, and stylish. I almost consider it like a thicker, longer blazer – because they are so comfortable and are medium weight – you don’t get hot when you go inside the grocery store or on the subway.
From Caitlin: This week, Den and I scored invites to the premiere of a FABULOUS new documentary, The World According to Allee Willis. Allee was a prolific female songwriter – she penned September, Boogie Wonderland, the Friends theme song, and the entire Broadway soundtrack of The Color Purple, to name a few – but she also struggled to square her massive ambition with the limited opportunities available to her as a woman. (Prescient, huh?) I laughed out loud (the celebrity interviews are incredible – everyone from Mark Cuban to Patti Labelle!), I cried (darn you, tender Paul Feig!!!), and it was a total visual treat. (The ultra-talented director, Alexis Spraic, invited us to take a tour of Allee’s 1930s Moderne home a few days before we saw the film – more on that here – and it was EXTRAORDINARY. If the story doesn’t leave you inspired, Allee’s interiors absolutely will.) The documentary was just the pick-me-up I needed – so bright! So human! So loving! – and I have the feeling that you’ll love it, too. See it in theaters this week or stream it next weekend – it’s worth the 90 minutes, I PROMISE!
Also From Caitlin: Here’s an unsexy reminder to use your FSA/HSA funds before the end of the year! ICYMI, you can use your funds on certain Amazon purchases. We just bought this Theragun (incredible – the app makes it so easy), a seemingly neverending supply of tampons, and enough Supergoop sunscreen to stock a medium-to-large size storefront. Look for the FSA/HSA labels on the right side of each page (or just pop it into search) to find all eligible products.
Bath Mat | Super Plush Robe and Towels Bundle | Terry Slippers
Brooklinen’s extremely fun collab with KULE was such a fun surprise when we saw it! If you love a classic stripe and a playful aesthetic then this collab might be perfect for you (or someone on your list:)) Go check out all the towels, robes, mats, and accessories!
From Arlyn: I had to read The Anxious Generation for a book club I was leading at my daughter’s preschool, and I think it’s a wildly important read for all parents. Some of the participants in our book club didn’t really like the author’s voice or approach, but by the end, we all agreed it was crucial to look past any issues with the person delivering the news and digest the news for what it’s worth. The book is all about the mental health crisis our adolescents are facing, and why research shows that a shift from a play-based childhood into a phone-based childhood (heavily in part due to social media) is the culprit. It’s not all doom and gloom, as the book ends with lots of really great actionable takeaways and recommendations based on the age of your child. It’s all fairly hard to swallow and frankly, quite scary at times, but overall, I highly recommend this for anyone with young and pre-teen/teen children.
Blithe Bookends (Set of 2) | Noor Chandelier | Cascading Serving Bowl
Another incredibly exciting collaboration that was just announced is the Lolly Lolly Ceramics collab with Lulu and Georgia. Lalese Stamps, founder and owner of Lolly Lolly Ceramics, is an insane talent who mugs we’re sure you’ve seen. So to get to see more of what she can do is pretty awesome. We’re pretty obsessed with the lighting but you have to see it all.
From Mallory: I was in desperate need of some everyday placemats (which is also good timing because Thanksgiving is in fact around the corner!) so I snagged these in black when I was at Anthropologie and I am obsessed party people!! My friend who was with me when I grabbed them was apparently “very skeptical” and thought I was making a weird choice. But then once I put them on the table and styled it out a bit he said he’s never been more wrong about something lol…they look AMAZING when they’re all together because the shape is so unique and fun. Plus, they come in a ton of colors (I love the black because it’s so forgiving) and they can go from holiday to holiday. Highly recommend!
VELUX (our favorite skylight resource) is having their Autumn Glow Giveaway where you can win two solar-powered Fresh Air skylights – that’s the kind you’ve seen in our projects over the past few years – plus shades and installation. We promise they will transform wherever you choose. You have til 11/30 to apply so go now!
From Gretchen: If you’ve been looking for an affordable but expensive-looking sphere-shaped pillow, this one from World Market is a stunner! We shot Kaitlin’s living room this week (the reveal is live tomorrow and it’s one of my absolute FAVES). She bought a bunch of new pillows to style out her space and they were all so cute! A few didn’t make the cut picture-wise (too many good ones to choose from) but I walked away really wanting this little ball pillow for my own home! It’s perfectly nubby and the taupe color is a refreshing take on boucle.
From Jess: I happened to mention to my dad that I really hated my tiny freezer/lack of ice cube situation. He then went on to mention how he had this great counter ice maker for his Airstream. He loved that it was pretty quiet and the design was nice/simple. I responded with, “O that’s great, I’ll have to check it out.” Well, I didn’t even get a chance before it was at my doorstep on Monday. I am extremely lucky to have him as my dad:) I’ve now been using it for a few days and it’s great! Having ice on demand is pretty incredible lol. It’s smaller so is perfect for a single person (maybe two) who loves ice. Plus it’s under $100.
Thanks for stopping by as always and see you tomorrow for the big reveal. xx
Opening Image Credits: Design and Photos by Hilton Carter | From: Bring The Light In! Hilton Carter Totally Transformed His Attic Into Bright, Plant-Friendly, Guestroom
Arlyn, I would recommend checking out the If Books Could Kill podcast episode on The Anxious Generation – it speaks to some of the shoddy research in the book, and might help ease your mind *a bit* (“a bit” being key, because I work in education and I agree that phones/social media are impacting our children in so, so many ways!). Just something to consider 🙂 And for anyone else reading, it’s a great podcast in general (along with Maintenance Phase – it’s one of the same hosts).
I will not be talked out of my dislike of Michael Hobbes. I have listened to him extensively and I consider him the leftist version of the right wing anti-vaxxers. A lot of twisting of research to make you question the facts. Don’t fall for it. Go to the sources yourself – if you are skeptical of Haidt I understand – but then just as (if not more) skeptical of If Books Could Kill and other Hobbes products. (And I am about as left-wing as they come!)
And if anyone wants to see rebuttals/responses to questions of the research being used in the book, check out this page on Haidt’s Substack: https://www.afterbabel.com/t/responses-to-skeptics.
Kids should be outside more and on screens less. That is the entire crux of the book. It is hard to argue with that premise.
Every parent should read the Anxious Generation. It is probably one of the most important books of our century if there is any hope in turning the tide in childhood and teenage anxiety and depression. Not only that, but young adult anxiety and depression. Anyone can fall victim to the loneliness caused by tech addiction.
This description on the ice machine made me laugh: “ The ice maker is inlaid with grey, a symbol of dignity. Fast ice making, large capacity to meet your midsummer carnival.”
Enjoying these links before the kids get up. Two things: FSA funds can rollover, HSA can’t just in case someone panicked reading that. But now I want a theragun.
If The Anxious Generation gave everyone anxiety, may I recommend the podcast episode If Books Could Kill, The Anxious Generation. They do a great job providing a lot of context that left me feeling more assured that The Kids are going to be alright. <3
I think you have that backwards: FSA use it or lose it. HSA keep it for life.
Face plant. Yes that’s what I meant
Face plant right back at ME because I haven’t had an FSA in a loooong time and didn’t realize some FSAs now allow small rollovers at year-end.
Actually, some FSAs roll over (depends on your plan). All HSAs roll over. HRAs do not roll over.
Highly recommend folks look into their individual plan before draining their account.
I’ve read The Anxious Generation (as well as a ton of research on this topic over the last 15 years as it was the topic of my MEd thesis), I’ve listened to the Hobbes take down and I’ve also read Gabby’s new book which you are slyly referencing. And I recently retired from 30 years of teaching high school. Thirty years of watching 13-17 year olds before smart phones and after smart phones. I am glad for the push to restrict access to kids and I think we will look back on this like we do smoking. I think Arlyn’s approach is healthy – be cautious of the delivery and source but take the research seriously. Jonathan Haidt is a serious researcher, Michael Hobbes is not. He feeds on being a contrarian and dislikes the author of The Anxious Generation because he isn’t as progressive as Hobbes is. So consume his material with caution, as well.* I like Gabby, but her book is based on her family of 5 kids – which is fine, but it’s a pretty narrow slice. The best message in her book is actually unspoken: believe in yourself as a parent. An anxious parent only makes… Read more »
The Kids Are Alright is a Who song (that Gabby Blair was likely referencing)…doubtful that was a sly reference to her by the commenter.
And I didn’t get “what you’re nervous about is wrong!” in any of these comments, or in the Michael Hobbes podcast. More like, “You have reason to be worried, but let’s get all the facts first.” It’s just a call for informed nuance, which agreed, this country isn’t great at receiving.
oops – my mistake if she was referencing the song and not the book! Thanks for the clarification. I made an assumption based on Gabby being very vocal about not liking The Anxious Generation. (and for the I meant slyly with a wink – like it was clever, not nefarious)
Lol, no I was referencing the book by Gabby!
Peter Gray makes a similar argument on his substack about The Anxious Generation that Hobbes does. It is not a “take down” (I believe he is friendly with Haidt) but the book’s conclusions and inferences are just not supported by the data.
Thank you for the thoughtful response. I disagree with your thoughts on Hobbes. He goes straight to the sources and does a good job of demonstrating exactly what you’re talking about: splicing and dicing data to make your point. Additionally, he kicks off the Anxious Generation episode with asking the question, “what do I know or think on this topic?” The context in that every critical change in technology triggers paranoia. I never get the impression from Hobbes that he is saying that this stuff isn’t happening? Nor was I. Just helpful in saying that some of the sound bites related to social media and anxiety echo changes past. What else can we do? Where can social media be good for kids? i.e. as Hobbes points out LGBTQ+ kids have really found online community? The world isn’t split into black and white. Context helps us make sense of things. And people have the responsibility to explain it.
Spot on about democrats ever winning again!
I second the recommendation to listen to If Books Could Kill. I’m a school counselor and agree that phones and digital communication can have a harmful impacts on kids, but also that particular book doesn’t really have the research or data to give us better tools as parents and educators. Also, that podcast is very funny and makes me a more critical reader!
Also, once you reach a certain dollar amount, you can invest some of the money in your HSA! It’ll never be taxed, no matter how much money it earns, and you can withdraw it when you’re at a certain age and use it for anything (again, without paying taxes on it). Honestly, it’s one of the best investment tools out there.
Yeah, I believe $640 of your FSA can rollover but no more. Also, check your individual insurance plan because they don’t all end in December! My FSA “year” runs from June-June so nothing is ending in December with mine. Also FSAstore.com is easy to look through for eligible products.
I am a hard no on The Anxious Generation. I am a parent of 3 (7, 10, 13), consider myself a parenting book aficionado and work in public policy. My experience with it was as fear-mongering, reductive, parent shaming piece of published pseudo psychology, resting on questionable data and an immense amount of privilege, that is capitalizing on collective pearl clutching.
Are kids/adolescents suffering from a mental health crisis? Yes. Are social media and smart phones causing problems heretofore unseen by previous generations? Undoubtedly. But this book is not the exploration anyone should take. I agree with the commenter recommending the If Books Could Kill podcast episode. Design Mom also shares my perspective on this, and has published some criticism as well (as have many others).
Agree. I just feel compelled to drop this here. As mom of 3 (olders – 22, 18, 15) and attorney, my unsolicited advice to parents of younger kids is to wait as long as possible to give your kids any screens (video games, ipad, personal laptop, etc.) – but most particularly a smartphone and social media. There is no going back. There is good, yes. It is fun to have a family text chain with teens, it is fun to share IG posts, kids want to connect with friends. And there are inherent risks which make them incredibly dangerous to young people on many levels. It is possible to manage kids safely and they don’t have to go through life anxious but it takes a lot of consistency and education and your energy.
Love the ice cube maker. I entered the Velux free contest. If I win, you MUST come photograph my laundry/mud room. It will be LIT (pun intended). When we built our home eight years ago, I could NOT convince our builder to put in a skylight for me and despite under cabinet and ceiling lights, it simply is not bright and light enough.