Best Of
A Recap of May + Some Favorites From the Month
Best Of
May 31, 2023
A Recap of May + Some Favorites From the Month
We started this month off with the greatly anticipated launch of our Pottery Barn Kids collection, which felt so monumental, and we're grateful you could all be a part of it. I'm so excited to include some selections from the collection in Faye's room, and although we shared three layout options for her room, we're […]
May 31, 2023
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North Carolina Home
Put a Fork in it: The Study is Officially Finished!
North Carolina Home
May 30, 2023
Put a Fork in it: The Study is Officially Finished!
Only two weeks have passed since I wrote this cautionary tale on using high-gloss paint. Which means just two weeks ago, I was in total agony, feeling defeated with the vision I had for the study. The study and I have been on quite the rollercoaster, but I'm beyond pleased and utterly relieved to say […]
May 30, 2023
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Chris Cooks
How to Make the Tastiest Smash Burgers on a Teppanyaki Flat Top Grill | Chris Cooks
Chris Cooks
May 28, 2023
How to Make the Tastiest Smash Burgers on a Teppanyaki Flat Top Grill | Chris Cooks
Once upon a time, I made an ebook called "Chris Loves Burgers" because it's true – I do! You can find a link for it, along with 3 of my favorite burger recipes, in this post here, but one thing the eBook fails to have a recipe for is smash burgers. The smash burger is […]
May 28, 2023
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Product Tests
The Ultimate Test: Finding the Best Nugget Ice Maker
Product Tests
May 25, 2023
The Ultimate Test: Finding the Best Nugget Ice Maker
During all three of my pregnancies, I would drive to Sonic and purchase their perfectly-sized, crunchy ice because I had to have it! Whether you prefer to call them pebble ice, nugget ice, or even the infamous "sonic ice," there's something so satisfying about those crunchy little ice pellets. In our quest to satisfy the […]
May 25, 2023
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North Carolina Home
Our Complete Exterior Renovation: The Final Reveal and Cost Breakdown
North Carolina Home
May 24, 2023
Our Complete Exterior Renovation: The Final Reveal and Cost Breakdown
In the past two homes we've lived in, we prioritized renovating the inside of the house before the outside. So when we made the move to North Carolina, where the outdoor living is outstandingly better than Idaho, we wanted to focus on the outside first. And I'm so glad we did it right from the […]
May 24, 2023
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North Carolina Home
Reflecting on Our Home Renovation after Two Years and Planning for the Future
North Carolina Home
May 22, 2023
Reflecting on Our Home Renovation after Two Years and Planning for the Future
It’s been two years since we traded our black Modern Cottage in Idaho for this North Carolinian Red Brick Modern Colonial. Two years in, and I'm amazed at how much we've accomplished. Renovating a home top to bottom takes time, and we're enjoying the process as much as we can. So, in honor of our […]
May 22, 2023
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Chris Cooks
Mango Coconut-Glazed Chicken Wings | Chris Cooks
Chris Cooks
May 21, 2023
Mango Coconut-Glazed Chicken Wings | Chris Cooks
The best flavors are the ones on sale, and yellow mangos are everywhere right now. I'm a big fan of chicken wings so this week I went a little tropical for Chris Cooks and it paid off in a big way. Because these wings are incredible. Blender | Tongs | Cutting Board | Lantern Pendants […]
May 21, 2023
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Fashion
16 of the Best Men's T-Shirts
Fashion
May 19, 2023
16 of the Best Men's T-Shirts
Chris is a t-shirt guy through and through, but more than that, Chris is a guy who prioritizes quality and comfort when it comes to everything in his wardrobe. So since I shared my favorite women's t-shirts, it only made sense to pass the baton to the collector himself and spotlight some of the best […]
May 19, 2023
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North Carolina Home
The Gradual Two-Year Transformation of the Living Room
North Carolina Home
May 18, 2023
The Gradual Two-Year Transformation of the Living Room
Sometimes room renovations happen over the span of a few months, and sometimes they take time. Ever since painting the living room, we have been slowly making tweaks and adjustments to the layout and furnishings. The living room started off as a conglomeration of furniture and decor from our last house. But over the last […]
May 18, 2023
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Renovations
Before You Paint a Room with High-Gloss Paint, Read This Cautionary Tale
Renovations
May 17, 2023
Before You Paint a Room with High-Gloss Paint, Read This Cautionary Tale
You may have noticed (maybe not) that I've been dancing around a somewhat sore subject: the study. I've been sharing updates on Instagram, but it's time I hop over here and fill in some of the gaps with a good old-fashioned long-format blog post. For over 14 years I've been documenting and sharing our home […]
May 17, 2023
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Design
Top Sources For Traditional Wallpaper
Design
May 15, 2023
Top Sources For Traditional Wallpaper
My 9-year-old daughter Faye and I have been hunting and hunting for the perfect traditional wallpaper for her room. When I shared the initial mood board, I included a potential wallpaper that I was really drawn to, but as more and more wallpaper samples have arrived (spoiler alert, many samples are free), the direction has […]
May 15, 2023
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Chris Cooks
Recipes You Can Make For Mom On Mother's Day | Chris Cooks
Chris Cooks
May 13, 2023
Recipes You Can Make For Mom On Mother's Day | Chris Cooks
This year for Mother's Day, I wanted to share with you some delicious dishes you can make for your mom, your wife, or any mother figure in your life to show some love and gratitude. Now, since I do 90% of the cooking in our house, Mother's Day is just a regular day of cooking, […]
May 13, 2023
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Fashion
The Best Classic and Graphic Tees
Fashion
May 12, 2023
The Best Classic and Graphic Tees
I don't know about your local climate, but North Carolina is warming up!! And as the weather is shifting, my wardrobe is following suit. Enter in all of the classic and graphic tees! I've collected a few favorites over the years, but I think my tried and true is something loose, boxy, and always a […]
May 12, 2023
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Decor
Instant Home Upgrade: Swap Out Your Switch Plates
Decor
May 11, 2023
Instant Home Upgrade: Swap Out Your Switch Plates
It's been over a month since I shared an update on the study, and I might have mentioned that it's been needing some paint touch-ups, so although it's been in use, we've been anxiously awaiting everything to be finally "done, done." Well, the good news is that it's being touched up as we speak, and […]
May 11, 2023
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Decor
My Favorite Spring Faux Trees
Decor
May 10, 2023
My Favorite Spring Faux Trees
Years ago, I accepted that I'm not a "real plant" kind of girl, and I'm happy with that life. Sure, sometimes I get a bit of plant envy when I see other people with thriving houseplants, but it's not my specialty nor my passion. Plus, I love shuffling around my favorite faux trees from room […]
May 10, 2023
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Design
Mood Board Monday: Baby Boy Nursery & Little Girl Bedroom
Design
May 8, 2023
Mood Board Monday: Baby Boy Nursery & Little Girl Bedroom
We're still riding the high from the recent launch of our Pottery Barn Kids collection, thanks to all of you, of course. Seeing our vision come to life and receiving so much support has warmed our hearts, and we're just so grateful. We designed this kids' collection to be versatile across age and gender, and […]
May 8, 2023
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Chris Cooks
Cambodian Spicy Lime Table Sauce | Chris Cooks
Chris Cooks
May 7, 2023
Cambodian Spicy Lime Table Sauce | Chris Cooks
I'm going to make a claim right now. And it's a claim you hear over and over from food bloggers. So much so, that it feels trite and meaningless, so I hesitate to say it. But please, read these words with the same spirit that I write them: this is my favorite recipe ever. glass […]
May 7, 2023
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product lines
Introducing the CLJxPottery Barn Kids Collection!
product lines
May 5, 2023
Introducing the CLJxPottery Barn Kids Collection!
I remember in February of 2021, we had just finished renovating Faye's Real-Life Princess Room when we got an email from Pottery Barn initiating a CLJxPottery Barn Kids collection. It was the fastest, easiest, yes. They mentioned that they had been following our renovations for a few years and loved our take on kids' spaces, […]
May 5, 2023
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Design
Three Layout Options for Faye's Room
Design
May 4, 2023
Three Layout Options for Faye's Room
The study project is almost a wrap, and we're itching to get another project going–something that's a bit of a lighter lift and possibly more in our hands. So we referred to our 2023 project list, and we're excited to get started on Faye's room next! Shop Faye's Bedroom We've spent some time in both […]
May 4, 2023
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North Carolina Home
5 Things to Consider Before Installing a Pool
North Carolina Home
May 3, 2023
5 Things to Consider Before Installing a Pool
This post is sponsored by Anthony & Sylvan. We haven't even hit the year mark of our finished pool installation, but as the weather's been warming up, the girls have been enjoying weekend swims in our heated pool, and I've been reflecting on our new life as pool owners. I never had dreams of having […]
May 3, 2023
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