I've always been a busy-body, a planner and a bit of a workaholic, and then a couple years ago, Chris pulled me aside and said, "We never do anything spontaneous!" Guilty. I'm the person that doesn't like surprises or straying from the plan. But at that moment, I looked at the calendar and said, "How about we do something spontaneous every Wednesday!?" We stared at each other for a silent 3 seconds and then burst into laughter when I realized how ridiculous that sounded. I wish I could say I've gotten better--I'm still the same ol' scheduling queen. But this week, sandwiched between our water main breaking, our deck starting (heard it here first!), Chris leaving for back-to-back conferences, and finalizing the details of another huge project across the country (I'll spill next week, I promise), I decided we needed a BREAK, exclamation point! and I booked a little retreat for our whole family up in Jackson Hole this weekend. How's THAT for spontaneous, Chris Marcum!
Other fun things this week:
Our sectional arrived!! I posted the above photo on Instagram and got so many questions right off the bat so I'm working on a thorough, detailed post all about it in the coming weeks (and a massive giveaway with Interior Define). But to tide you over, this is their Ainsley sectional we customized to fit this space. You can read the post about that process here.
Turns out, you don't need 100K+ followers on Instagram to be taken seriously by serious brands. In fact, you might not even want that many; micro-influencers are crucial!
Young House Love came out with an interiors coloring book and I already have visions of comparing whose pg 19 has the best color scheme. Can we?! Pre-order yours here.
Emily's post had me nodding the whole time. Yes! That's exactly what goes into every blog post. And then I got irrationally annoyed for 2 days because she has an entire team to conceptualize, carry out, photograph, write, edit and share. Working on a day-in-the-life to share how I squeeze it all in with 2 kids!
If you only had two things in your make-up bag, what would they be? Mine would be my favorite brow pencil and this drug store concealer (I use as a highlighter). It's practically all I use anyway. Plus, chapstick.
Ikea starts rolling out solar panels in the UK this month! US next?
I'm trying to figure out curtains for the family room and I came across these (in navy and white) and I love them so much, but are they a little bad 90s, Full House? (I can take it.) These striped + pom pom ones might be the ones.
Note to self: Being tired isn't a badge of honor.
It seems you all are catching on to my sneaker style on Instagram! My friends and family know they can find me in athletic shoes at any time. I dress them up, I wear them to the gym, they go with everything in my book. Comfortable, supportive shoes are my secret ingredient to a successful day, so I've been rocking them day in and day out for over 4 years now. And since I get questions about my tennis shoes every single day on social media, here are my current favorites in a variety of price points (some I have, some are on my Mother's Day wish list!):
1. Nike Tanjun $65 | 2. Nike Pre Montreal Racer $49 | 3. Nike Air Pegasus 83 $120 | 4. New Balance 696 $80 | 5. Nike Kaishi Run $64
Lastly, remember that thing I told you a couple weeks ago that we're working on that's going to change everything? That announcement is coming MONDAY! Can't wait! Have a great weekend.
Love those pom pom curtains! Also, amen to the sneakers every day! I wear them all day every day and I'll probably never change.
Love the pom pom curtains! I've been dying to get them but didn't want to shell out $200 for them. If you get them then I can live vicariously through you with them in your movie room/basement/kids area.
I'll probably DIY something similar. Stay tuned!
Hi Julia.
I love DIY posts but these are also so great. Especially since it's not just a bunch of links but something to read right here as well.
I am a bit confused about the brow pencil though.
After this post
https://chrislovesjulia.com/2013/02/off-topic-my-brows.html
I bought the silas (and love it, thanks sooooo much), so what made you switch?
Greetings from Germany
Jenn(ifer)
lol I'm such a planner too but I love a good surprize trip! Have a great weekend :) Always in my makeup bag? MAC mineralize powder and a good black mascara!
I definitely struggle with spontaneity too. I prefer to have as much scheduled beforehand as possible. My husband is definitely better at it and helps keep things exciting around here!
Evelina @ Fortunate House
Really enjoying your casual Friday posts Julia. I'm a virgo, so I like to be organized as well. Have fun with your family this weekend. Also congrats on working with Minted, great work from one fellow artist to another!
Team Pom Pom over here too.
I love your blog, your casual Fridays, and your style. Those pompom curtains are the bomb. You and Chris are a perfect team!
My husband and I died over your planned Wednesday spontaneity idea. So something I would say.
Soo the first thing I thought of when I saw the navy and white squares curtains was the kitchen countertops in Home Alone HAH!
Oh NOOOO Julia, I am NOT A FAN of the clicking to READ MORE on your blog posts. I along with a few of my associates have discontinued reading blogs due to this after a bit-too time consuming when wanting to read new and older posts- Just a heads up. Really enjoyed how it was before, super fast and efficient, unlike now. Xo
Thanks for your input, Chels! We've had a few readers say the site wasn't loading as fast for them so we're trying this to see if we could get it up faster. Open to all feedback! :)
I love your couch! And everything else about your house! Maybe someday you should do a post about everything you would choose if you were building a home from scratch. Like the styles for house, siding, exterior lights, windows, doors, etc. You know, for all of us planning on building new homes and asking ourselves "What Would Julia Do?" But seriously, out of the whole wide Internet, there is no place I find more home inspiration than here! Thanks for blogging!!
Laura! Thanks for such a heart-warming comment. And I love that idea!
I have been looking for curtains forever!! I can't come up with a plan for my living room that has a ton of windows. Hardly anyone carries curtains for 9 foot ceilings. Any ideas besides west elm, RH and PB?
Check out curtainworks.com! Really affordable and super long. Also, Ikea goes up to 118" if you have one of those nearby.
LOVE the sectional! Oh, and I'm team Pom Pom curtains.
I love your Casual Friday posts!!!!
I vote for the striped pom pom curtains. I love the light color and the easy breezy way about them. The navy ones feel too dark and heavy, imo (but I'm no professional). Good luck!
Random comment/question here, but who do you use to host your blog? I am thinking of making a change (I am on wordpress and godaddy) and am just wondering if you are happy.
We're on WordPress, hosted through Bluehost. It's fine for the time being. :)
Hi Julia! I've never commented before, but I'm a long time reader. I just love your blog and look forward to everything you and Chris do.... such hard workers! Just thought I'd let you know that Kelly at The Lilypad Cottage used the plaid curtains in her playroom. Maybe it will give you and idea of how they look in real life. http://www.thelilypadcottage.com/2016/02/playroom-decor-take-432.html
Ahhh! Thank you!!!! Going to check it out right now.
Loving these Casual Friday posts! As for the curtains....go for the navy and white ones. They are more classic and your décor would nicely modernize them. The pompom ones are nice but a little cutsie for the living room....unless it is for the basement then I think they would be great as that space incorporates the play room area.
It IS for the playroom area. Hmm, maybe a dose of whimsy would be good?
MONDAYMONDAYMONDAY! Lot's of great links, thanks for taking the time to share. I have only just found your blog and look forward to adding it to my regular weekly reading.
Welcome aboard, Kristin! It's fun here.
Anastaisa Brow Wiz would be in one of the two things in my make-up bag too. The 2nd, Maybelline Great Lash Mascara.