Casual Friday 011

Chris comes from a large family (he's the youngest of 8 kids) and last weekend we had them all over for a BBQ. Everyone was there but one of his brothers who lives across the country and it was almost emotional for me to see our home and deck filled to the brim with family. It's everything we imagined and hoped for the space. I feel like I brought every chair in the house outside and Chris made the most tender, juicy, smoked pulled pork sandwiches. There was also a spread of all different kinds of specialty chips; the Island Lemon chips were amazing and the Mango Habanero, we ended up having to write a disclaimer on--"very, very VERY hot" with flames under the name. When the sun went down, we made a little fire and talked some more. The kids played badminton and chased each other and jumped on the trampoline in the side yard, and then slept in the next day (that never happens!). I am so happy we have a space for our large families to gather. And I am really grateful the deck didn't collapse under all 37 of us. Haha!

Other fun things this week!

We've been looking at adding a swing set to our yard since last summer ended. They all kind of terrify me, especially the ones where there'a a big gap between the top platform and a pole or climbing wall...basically any other way to get down besides a slide. Then last week, our neighbors got one of these web swings and our girls have been watching longingly over the fence ever since. Turns out, I don't actually think we need a whole swing set--just one of these swings and the spinner attachment. It has all 5 star reviews, can hold up to 600 pounds and takes up a whole lot less space! (They like the swing part the most anyway).

This week I had an interesting scenario happen when a couch company on Instagram used one of the photos of our family room downstairs to sell their own sofa--which we ordered from Interior Define. It was brought to my attention by one of our awesome followers. The funny thing is, sharing someone's photo on Instagram is such a nice thing to do. It's the biggest compliment and always makes me feel so flattered. It's a great way to spread the love and boost someone's day (or even following count) when properly credited. When it's used without proper credit, or in a dishonest way, it has the complete opposite effect. My own instagram has grown leaps and bounds this year because of people, brands and companies sharing and crediting my images and I appreciate it so, so much. Let's all do more of that. Justina wrote such a great post on using other people's images last week right here. It's an excellent read that lays out a lot of great etiquette tips for crediting photos.

Remember the Lowe's Spring Makeover we did in Long Island? Well, Daniel just shared the before and afters from the outdoor makeover he did in DC and my jaw is on the floor. It's the urban backyard makeover we all needed. You knocked it out of the park, Daniel!

A London artist painted a bunch of iconic 90's TV living rooms  and I couldn't identify any of them until I read what they were. And then I knew them all. (Isn't that always the way?)

These are my sunglasses I'm always wearing on Snapchat, btw. (Also, thank you for making me feel so great about $14 sunglasses)

My EcoDeer I ordered a few weeks ago, arrived while we were in Pittsburgh! I hung it in the hall bath (with a few faux branches from the craft store, although you definitely could add water to the glass pockets and place something real in there) and it adds so much to that little nook of our house. I'm obsessed with it. Every room needs something green and I just love this unique way of adding that.

Hope you all have the best weekend!