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The Link Up: Emily’s Favorite Chocolate Bar (With No Refined Sugar), Mallory’s Favorite J-Crew Denim, And Anti-Anxiety Dog Treats That ACTUALLY Work
Hi all! Welcome to this week’s link up. We’re happy to have ya here, and we hope you’re excited to be here. So let’s start the engine and get this thing going.
This week’s home tour is the home tour shown round the world, it’s Gwyneth Paltrow’s home! Designed by the INCREDIBLE Romanek Design Studio and architecture firm Roman and Williams, plus styled by powerhouse Colin King, this home was destined for greatness. It’s insanely beautiful and peaceful. Looks like a hotel and spa and BOY are we down to check-in!
Target is celebrating Black History Month with these awesome small business collabs! Check it out and go support the incredible brands.
From Emily: I FOUND THE BEST CHOCOLATE EVER (and a great V-day gift for literally anyone – friends, too). During my attempt to stay away from refined sugar (and all wine/alcohol) in January yet wanting something sweet at night one of my best friends said, “Oh, you have to try Honey Mama’s”. It’s Portland-made, vegan chocolate that is INSANELY GOOD. I have never in my life freaked out over chocolate and I’ve been evangelizing about it ever since – telling everyone I know. I buy it locally (in the fridge department of New Seasons or Basics) but they will ship to you. And not only are they supporting a small local business, but it’s dairy-free, gluten-free, no refined sugar, and yet CRAZY delicious and full of flavor. Ok, that is all. Get the 8 pack and give them to all your friends or coworkers for V day.
From Mallory: I’ve never had jeans this color and now I’m SO GLAD I DO. I bought these j-crew jeans on sale when I was at their store and boy are they so good (and still on sale FYI!) I wear them every day with this sweater and some people may be tired of it but I do not care!
From Jess: As a BIG card lover, I love this card for Valentines Day<3
Also From Jess: I love this brand and I LOVE LOVE LOVE these shoes (in chrome) and everyone should know they exist.
From Ryann: My son (aka my 60 lb American Bulldog/Boxer mix) is not what you would consider a chill dog. He’s lucky he is so handsome because he’s never on his best behavior. He loves to jump on any human he sees and loses his mind anytime he sees another dog. It’s fun. He also has separation anxiety (likely from being abandoned before we adopted him) so I wanted to get him some natural relaxing dog treats to see if that will calm his nerves a bit. I am absolutely shocked to say that I have noticed a considerable difference since giving him these treats! They don’t cure his bad behavior (only divine intervention could do that!!) but he is 10x more relaxed on a daily basis. I’ll say this: on Christmas, there were about 20 people at my parent’s house and two children under 2 years old. I was freaking out not knowing how our dog would act but he was, for once, a very good boy! These treats, it seems, just make him less anxious and less starved for attention. I don’t know the science behind it but I sure am happy I tried them out.
From Caitlin: Really going out on a limb here, but is there anyone in the Lancaster, PA area (really, anyone stretching from South Jersey – Maryland) interested in adopting a cat? Trying to re-home two cuties directly after their owner passed away – both are spayed indoor/outdoor cats, but lately they prefer just hanging inside with someone who loves them. If this rings a bell (or if you can recommend an awesome no-kill shelter in the area!), please drop me a note in the comments or shoot me an email to caitlin@emilyhendersondesign.com.
Thanks, everyone for tuning in!!! ALL OUR LOVE TO YOU AND YOURS!
Opening Image Credit: Design by Roman and Williams and Romanek Design Studio | Styled by Colin King | Photo by Yoshihiro Makino | via Architectural Digest
I don’t think the link to the dog treats was included. I would VERY MUCH love to try whatever product has worked for Ryann because my 8 month old pup has zero chill and it’s not working for me (like, I was driven to tears over it yesterday). Or maybe I’m the one that needs to anti-anxiety treats… :) In any event, do tell!
Agree. Need dog treats link!! My dog is insane. Send help!
Yes please – the parents of anxious dogs everywhere near that link.
Not a parent, a dog owner
Hi Jeanne! Not sure why the treats got unlinked when it was published but it’s in there now!
Am I the only one who doesn’t love Gwyneth Paltrow’s house, because, aside from the kitchen, I really don’t…
Same. Same.
Yes…I want to like it, and I like individual rooms, but as a whole find it disjointed. Though I wouldn’t mind a spa day in that spa :)
Yes, it seemed to be random rooms crammed together in one house — there was no sense of cohesion.
I thought it was just me being too critical about her home. I didn’t understand the entry and nothing seemed to connect from one room to another. It was very disjointed. I understand that she incorporated everything that she liked in design, but it certainly didn’t flow very well.
Agreed! And was totally freaked out by the price of everything. Like, everything in the house looked pretty normal (minus the modern elements) but had price tags like $68,752. Whoa!!! I like that she is enjoying her earned money, but something about it didn’t sit comfortably to me? Maybe all the drama about her goop tours, etc..
wait me too…. and i am fairly fancy and don’t usually feel that icky about these things. but i did with this house and the insanely expensive items in it! I’m sure I need to check myself, since there are ALSO men spending way more than she is on their homes with their entrepreneurial money. BUT this house just kept making me think about people needing 2.5 minimum wage jobs to cover just the cost of rent. i know, not gwyneth’s fault. I’ll keep exploring these feelings.
Yes, so disjointed! Maybe they just decided not to feature any exterior areas but it doesn’t look like the house was designed for indoor-outdoor living which is a huge benefit of that area. Just a glimpse of some seating outside the living room with doorways blocked by that hanging swing. I’d much rather relax in an outdoor spa than be cooped up in that marble palace, stunning as it is!
The editing on the AD photos is odd and makes the rooms look disjointed; the pics don’t look anything like the home in the video tour. (Who is this fabulous Bridget friend, and can we see HER home?) The spa photo looks a bit like a fall out shelter but the video of it is sublime. The house is beautiful, but is the living room missing a traditional element to tie it into the rest of the home? Maybe a traditional vintage rug? Although the living room on it’s own is fabulous, just doesn’t seem to flow with the other rooms we saw. It’s a little odd to see someone who claims to be super into health using wood-burning fireplaces. I’m sure they are well-ventilated and hopefully used rarely.
I totally agree. Despite all the words and descriptions indicating the intent was to make a peaceful space, it felt cold and disjointed to me. Not cozy… and I hate to say it, but it felt super pretentious.
Nothing about it I particularly liked. Saw the wire sculpture and thought it must be Ruth Asawa, but it wasn’t.
I also immediately thought of Ruth!
No link for the dog treats??
Not sure why the treats got unlinked when it was published but it’s in there now!
In terms of rescues, I don’t know if this is close enough, but this is where I got my pandemic kitten and they might be good:
Ryann … there’s no link to the dog calm treats?!? ? What are they???
I tried Rosie on Blackmores Complete Calm Chews, but I’m not convinced they do that much. She loves them tjpigh and they’re a multivitamin too.
Caitlin, good on you for putting it out there to help those two sweet kitties.?
I appreciate the style of the house tour, but it doesn’t really jingle for me. A bit light on in the soul and personality areas, although I do like the kitchen.
Not sure why the treats got unlinked when it was published but it’s in there now!
Thanks for fixing the link.
Can’t get them in Australia anyway.
Emailed you, Caitlin, with some recommendations for the kitties. I’m an hour from Lancaster (grew up very close to it) if I can help in any way.
The chocolates look fabulous but if they have honey as an ingredient they aren’t vegan.
And they’re not chocolate either. If I’m going to indulge, I’ll take real chocolate over that coconut oil concoction!
Yeah, I’m confused about why they’re made from cocoa powder. Also, honey may not technically be a refined sugar, but it’s still basically sugar to our bodies with some very minimal health benefits.
Hi Lauren, this is not entirely correct. Honey does not cause the wild blood sugar fluctuations like processed (particularly sugar beets) sugars which can be a big deal for anyone with diabetes or prediabetes and is great for people looking to avoid many gross processed foods. I have been eating Honey Mama’s for years and can promise that if you have any food restrictions or are just eating healthy, the Oregon Mint bars are so good you will never even miss a Girl Scout Thin Mint again-promise! Also you should read up on the MANY incredible health benefits from raw local honey and Manuka honey. Heck, even the National Institute of Health has written up many, many clinical research reviews that note the loooong list of pros for raw honey. Learn for yourself:
cocoa and cacao are from the same plant, the cacao tree, cocoa is just heavily processed with heat and usually has added ingredients like milk or milk products and sweeteners. so cacao is a true purist chocolate.
I’d love to understand what you’re calling real chocolate? I don’t know what you mean.
We are vegan plus my husband has a nut allergy. I make my own chocolate from organic cacao, organic coconut oil, and organic maple syrup. As a chocolate snob (joking, but I’m from the Netherlands which has THE best chocolates) these chocolates are very delicious. I double the recipe:
Love this, sounds so good!
That’s correct. Honey is an animal product, and vegans don’t eat animal products. It looks like they don’t claim to be vegan on their packaging.
You know those small things in your house that annoy you every time you see them but then you promptly forget about as you get on with your life? Anyone??? Been trying to fix those.
-Switched the sink flange of our garbage disposal so we could have a REMOVABLE splash guard that is so much easier to clean. Life changing in 30 minutes (…of hubby’s time), and no more putting my hand in that slimy hole to clean. Used this one, but get the one that fits your model:
-Swapped the drawer slides on the kitchen spice drawer to a full extension one and installed it 1/4 inch lower. Now “off the shelf” spice bottles fit! I don’t have to decant the spices to shorter bottles.
The jeans are intriguing but due to my figure quirks I have a very hard time ordering pants online…How do the jeans fit? For an hourglass, apple, triangle? Do you recommend sizing up or down? Do they get baggy as you wear them? How often do you wash them? The Jcrew model is tall and slim and I am neither – It would be very helpful to have pics of YOU in the jeans- AND BTW very helpful to have pics of the cats for adoption!
Gwyneth – I’m an enviromentalist. I needed a house here in happy place, so I built a house. Did I tell you it uses solar power? I put a huge natural gas stove in my brand new kitchen, which will have a fossil fuel flame burning 24/7 for as long as it’s here. Sure, the state i built my home in is phasing gas stoves and furnaces out in new builds because they are huge contributors to greenhouse gas emissions causing the climate emergency, but did I mention I’m a wellness expert? The measurable air quality issues caused by my stove inside my house are definitely mitigated by the movement and emotion in the decor.
Lol. Such great points. I try not to hate on her, but man she makes it hard. Also Does anyone NEED a giant fireplace in their kitchen in calif? I mean. It just seems like overheating? Because she misses London? I LOVE Roman and Williams, and the home certainly presents as, well, expensive. But true sophistication to me is architecture that celebrates and enhances its location. Not so much as a glimpse of that California vibe here… and the bathroom made me laugh out loud. THREE robes!!! Risque! Who actually wants a home to feel like a commercial space? But it would make a lovely Hotel…. In London. She proves consistently that you can’t buy authenticity, no matter how much talent you throw money at and say “do whatever”. (Totally excepting that outstanding lighting in the living room. That I saluted.)
” I try not to hate on her, but man she makes it hard.”….perfectly said.
Haha, if that’s trying NOT to hate on her, I’d hate to see you really let loose :) Personally, her home (and GOOP) are not at all my taste…and definitely don’t fit my budget or lifestyle. But I disagree about the authenticity. When building from the ground up, is it more important to reflect & celebrate the home’s location than the people that live there? I appreciate that she combined elements from her childhood vacations, former homes, favorite spa, etc. to create a forever home that is meaningful & unique to her… and spent 6 years doing so. To me, that is thoughtful design- whether it’s my style or not.
That room is ultra dreamy!
And New Seasons has the best treats and snacks ever. I’ll have to grab some of that chocolate. When I was pregnant with my first I used to hit up the Beaverton-Hillsdale location and pile up the ingredients in their wok bowls (this was when you could do it yourself. Remember life before Covid?) to the very top. Good times. I also almost ran over the feet of a lady with my grocery cart when the baby was very hungry. ?
More important, I appreciate that New Seasons was kind of at the forefront of taking care of the employees in the grocery industry by providing health insurance and other benefits. It’s really a win/win.
Caitlin I hope you find a new home for the cat. That’s how we found our dog! And we’re crazy about her. ❤️
The jeans color looks like… the color of jeans… Am I really old? They look like what I wore when I was young
I’m afraid we may be… had the same reaction. Guess if you remember the Brook Sheilds Calvin jeans ad it’s hard to relate to this. But hey, everything is new to someone.
I actually hope these questions get answered, but I didn’t think I was old?! Jokes on me, I guess! But, serious question … What color jeans are the kids wearing? Maybe the uniqueness of the j crew jeans are the grain/movement – which does seem very 8/s to me? Or is it the color? I’m confused. Someone break it down for me!
I think it’s the grsin of the weave.
I definiately remember (had) Calvin. It’s hilarious that after years of dissing “mom jeans” that high waists are back in style.
O.k. Gynneth Paltrow makes me roll my eyes so hard it gives me a bad headache. But I adore Roman and Williams, so I’ll check out this house tour that I’ve been avoiding all week.
I’m also checking out those dog chews. Our Max, unlike every other dachshund we’ve had in our lives, hates to ride in the car. It’s extremely stressful for him. Even the under ten minute drive to the vet gets him panting and shaking like crazy. If they work for Max, I’ll come back and praise them to the skies!
Try Bach flower essences Rescue Remedy – an all natural herbal tincture that works on humans and animals to calm them in stressful situations. A couple of drops under the pet’s tongue is all you need. We have used it on our previous Great Dane and our Ridgeback mix who both didn’t like riding in the car. It definitely takes the edge off for them, and you can give more as needed.
I’ve used that for Rosie when she was a puppy. It doesn’t do much now she’s almost 11.
Ergh. Max is nearly 12. I wonder if that means it won’t work for him?
Thanks!
Caitlin, there is a glorious cat rescue in Philadelphia who might be able to help. If they don’t have room, I’m sure they would know of other resources (and perhaps ones closer to you). Charlie’s Army, charliesarmy.com, @charlies_army. Plus, she responds quickly!
Hi Caitlin,
You could try furverhomeadoptioncenter.com or Columbiaanminalshelter.com. Both of these shelters are no kill and are for cats only. If I think of any other ones I’ll send you an email.
Honey Mama’s is neither vegan nor chocolate.
how is it not chocolate? there are differing opinions among vegans if honey is vegan or not.
They do not advertise it as a vegan product & state on their website that it is not chocolate.
Hi – I’m not sure why that chocolate is identified as vegan in the post when it contains honey. Also, unrefined sugars (like honey) and refined sugars (like white sugar) have the same effect in the body. One is not healthier than the other.
Today is Day 1,134 without sugar and the Honey Mama’s recommendation is THE NICEST THING YOU’VE EVER POSTED. I gave up sugar for New Year’s a few years ago. I had tried it previously and made it through January one year; even through Memorial Day another. The year that I tried it again I just kept going. So, this is me on Day 1,134. I don’t miss sugar and I do not miss the voices in my head telling me how many miles an ice cream equals, but I do miss the flavor of good chocolate. A lot. After a few years of this, I was starting to think that maybe I was missing out on some of life’s simple pleasures. But then this recommendation popped up and maybe there’s a way to have a simple pleasure without all the yuck (literally and figuratively). Thank you.
Honey is sugar. And this product self-identifies as “not chocolate”.
Caitlin, if you find a rescue to take the kitty that’s not in your area (CA and TX are both states where I live and have the highest kill rates in the nation), DART (Delta Animal Rescue Transport) flies individual cats and small dogs in cabin. It’s comprised of airline employees, dependents and retirees who use their passes to relocate animals for adoption. There’s no cost for approved rescues. I volunteer for them, and am doing a run from Houston to Boston next week. Good luck!
Another to try local to Oregon.
Sugar is sugar. Unless you are diabetic, whether the sugar is refined or not doesn’t matter to your body.
From Harvard Health Publishing: “Whether an added sugar contains more or less fructose versus glucose has little impact on health. (An exception may be people with diabetes who need to control their blood glucose, in which case a higher-fructose, lower-glucose sugar may be preferable.) Some types of added sugar — honey, for example — may also contain micronutrients or other bioactive compounds. But these properties have little benefit when it comes to metabolic health. In short, it’s best to limit all sources of added sugar to within the recommended intake level. For most people, one type of sugar isn’t better than another.”