It's been 2.5 years since our last reader survey and did you know we actually need to know the demographics of our audience?! Almost every giveaway we're faced with or project we want to take on, we're asked "Who's your audience?" Although we have a pretty good idea of who you are--we talk about you all the time (all good things, all good things)--we would love if you would take 2 minutes and answer this super short survey right here. It's a great way for us to know who you are, what you are enjoying and how we can improve. Will you?
Outdoor Rug / Sofa / Pouf / Umbrella / Lights
Besides that, summer is in full swing over here and we're soaking up every ounce. Are you watching the opening ceremonies tonight? Growing up, the Olympics--especially the summer olympics--were a really big deal in my family. We would watch it constantly and on Saturdays we would house hop between all of my aunts and uncles and each house would hold an Olympic event. Of course they were silly things like watermelon seed-spitting contests and croquet--except you had to choose a card that explained how to hit the ball (i.e. between legs backwards!). There were teams and a torch and so many memories. I still love the Olympics so much, even though I'm the farthest thing from an athlete, I can't wait to follow the games over the next couple weeks.
Other fun things this week!
West Elm is having a massive seating sale! All sofas, sectionals and chairs are 20-30% off. Our Graham Glider that we love so much (we have the Dove Gray) is $200 off. There are also sofas marked down to just $599. It's a good time to pounce!
Greta is starting first grade in just a few weeks. It's a big deal around here because Kindergarten was just 2 hours a day and now she'll be EATING LUNCH AT SCHOOL! She couldn't be more excited about this detail. She's already planning her outfits. Last night, we were at the pool, and she looked at me with panic in her eyes and said, "Mom! I don't even have a lunch box yet!" So we spent some time to look at a few options. She loves this cute Skip Hop backpack that comes with a matching lunch sack. But, she also likes this backpack.
If Instagram existed in the 18th century.
A beautiful rattan Anthropologie chair for under $100?! (I'm eyeing it for our bedroom.)
Whelp, no, I have not been pronouncing "wainscot" wane-skit and a bunch of other decor words I've been saying wrong.
I talked a little bit about the update to Instagram on our podcast for next week, you know, the part of Instagram that's now basically Snapchat--Chris calls it Instasnapchatagram--while I'll reserve my true feelings for the podcast (like, why am I suddenly seeing Alton Brown's favorite suit when I follow him on Instagram for his food?), just know I am still going to be snapping as usual (at juliamarcum) and I'll reserve more curated, planned, house-only things for Instagram Stories. What are your thoughts on it?
Hope you all have a great weekend! We're finishing up the trim in the home office/studio and it's looking go-od!
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We have a toddler REI pack that we love (and they make bigger kid sizes too). It was a great value and is a really high quality little backpack. Growing up we always had LL Bean packs. Classic for a reason. :)
I don't have a great lunch box recommendation, but we swore by Sigg water bottles with the kid's flip top. The bottles themselves are practically indestructible, and the best part about the lids is that they stay attached to the bottle (no loose parts to lose in the cafeteria). My boys each had one, which lasted their five years in elementary school. We replaced the lids maybe twice because they got a little chewed. Highly, highly recommend.
As others have said, those SkipHop lunchboxes/backpacks are adorable but tiny. They are sized for preschoolers- no way will it fit a standard-sized folder. We've tried a few systems now and have settled on a Yumbox inside a Land's End lunch box. We try to hand wash to increase its longevity, but the Yumbox is top-rack dishwasher safe, which is super convenient when crunched for time in the evenings. What I love even more is that the Land's End lunch box keeps everything cold. My kids' ice packs come home still frozen at the end of the day. That was not the case when they had cheap-o Target lunch boxes. I love their Land's End backpacks as well- they are several years old and still going strong with a lifetime warranty if anything ever happens to a zipper, etc. I've heard good things about Pottery Barn as well, but we ultimately went with Land's End because there was a better coupon code available at the time.
EE-KAY-UH? Whuuuuut? Sorry. No way. Never. No can do. EYE-KEY-UH all day ever day.
P.S. -- Love, love, love your blog! Discovered you guys via YellowBrickHome and am full on obsessed.
I never downloaded snap chat because I'm always out of space on my phone. So I like the new Instagram stories.
Also re: lunch we just got a yumbox and it is awesome. I paired it with their bag and some ice packs and prepping lunch is so easy - no baggies or buying expensive pre portioned stuff. I highly reccomend it.
I just ordered a Yumbox for my daughter who starts school this year. I'm so excited to try it out. Glad to hear you like it!
That Anthropologie chair!! Swoon
I went to do your survey but it's saying I need to log in to a Google account. I know you meant for it to be anonymous but if a Google account is required that's not really the case?
It's a Google form, and for data purposes (to ensure each person is only filling out the form once) it requires login. But your identity is not revealed with your responses.
I just ran into the same problem, and suspect that setup might skew your results. Spending the time filling in a survey is fine to support a site I visit regularly, but I won't create a new email account just to be able to participate.
Just a tip about backpacks, those Skiphop backpacks are pretty small. I got Brinley a pottery barn backpack last year and it has been awesome. It fits everything she needs and after a year, it has held up almost without any wear and tear. BUT I can see us getting a bigger size when she gets to maybe 4-5th grade when she has more to tote back and forth.
It doesn't look like the survey link is working. I'm getting a "you need permission" message (at 7:30 mountain time).
Working now!
Yay for Greta!!!!! My kiddos start 2nd and K this month!!!!!!! I LOVE Pottery Barn Mackenzie backpacks! They are th bomb! Super durable! We use the "large" size for school. It fits my kiddos large folder, lunch box, boots, snowpants and take home papers! I bought a "small" 5 years ago that we still use on car trips!!!!!