Rug | Sofa | Art | Pouf | Wall Color: Pine Grove by Clark+Kensington
Fall arrived in Idaho this week, with cooler temperatures (in the 50s-60s), crisp mornings and lots of rain. It has me lighting all the candles (this Fig one is a new favorite!), and assessing my wardrobe because "I haven't worn that all summer, I'll probably never wear it again" and layering on my snuggly long lost cardigans. But, as silly as it sounds, one of my favorite things about the sun going down earlier (and earlier!) is that I get to enjoy our evening lighting a little longer. I love to switch on all of our lamps as the sun is setting--you know I'm a lamp lover!--and enjoy that warm glow throughout the house all evening. Especially with our new entry lamps--everything feels cozier with a lamp on.
Other fun things this week!
• Last weekend we shot a promo video for HP's Envy printer (this one in particular) that involved re-styling the reading room in the photo above. It was a long 2 days but everyone is enjoying the refresh--apparently especially Charly. I'll spill more details on the room and project soon!
• This coat looks way more expensive than $79.
• Vertical paneling is ready for its come back!
• We got this beautiful park bench for the side yard playground (more to come on that next week!) and I adore it. Polly and I spend many hours sitting on it watching the girls play.
• Everyone needs a hug. 4 hugs a day for survival, 8 hugs a day for maintenance and 12 hugs a day for growth.
• Things to Consider when Choosing a Front Door Color
• It's not officially Fall until I buy a black turtleneck, right? (Purchased this one for 40% off yesterday!)
• Jerry Before Seinfeld comes out next week (the 19th!) and I've only watched the trailer 7 times. Can't wait!
• We had an interesting comment come in on our How to Grow Your Instagram Account Organically post, saying that it was worth it to them to buy Instagram followers. I could not disagree more, really! (And I told them that.) But the comment really stuck with me this week. How much of our self-worth do we put on a number that we are willing to pay to increase that number to reflect a false sense of influence to others (followers and brands, I assume) and, in-turn, a false sense of self-worth? It's mind-boggling! If you have thoughts on the subject, I'd love to hear it.
WEEKEND SALES
Take an extra 15% off Pottery Barn's Outdoor selection with code EXTRA15. Many of the items are already marked down 40-60%, so there are definitely A LOT of steals! Like, Ikea prices!
Extra 25% off all of Anthropologie's sale items! (My favorite kinds of sales are sales on sale items. Truly.)
Serena & Lily: 20% off all bedding, beds and upholstery with code GETCOMFY.
West Elm: 20% off all bedroom furniture (including the bed we have!)
Hope you all have a happy Fall weekend! We updated the Shop Our House page this week, if you're ever curious where something in our home is from. :)
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Can you please please share the amazing looking stew recipe? (The one from your insta stories)
It's = it is, so your sentence technically reads as, "Vertical paneling is ready for it is comeback." I think you meant to use "its" which is the possessive form. Sorry to point your grammar out, but I get so distracted when I'm reading! I really do read it as "it is" and so am hoping that educating people on correct use will lead to less distraction for me :) Thanks Julia!
????
Was that really necessary, though? I'll give you the answer: no.
OMG that looks like the Alcott sofa from Article I've been eyeing for daysssss- can't wait to hear if you like it! It looks real good against the green walls.
So this might be slightly off topic but I figure it goes along with the sale stuff! West Elm is clearing the furniture out of their LA warehouse and they are having pop up shops in and around LA. In case there are any other socal readers like me that want to check it out! They have a ton of furniture at 50-70% off; we got a $700 king size headboard for $240 after tax! Slightly random but thought I'd pass it on!
Lucky!!!
I'm excited to hear that verticle paneling is on the comeback! We currently live in a brick ranch built in 1957 and when we moved in, there were 2 rooms with knotty pine paneling (real wood, not the vinyl stuff of the 70s) sporting an orangey hue and it all felt so dark. So I *gasp* painted it (one a light gray and one a pale cream) and they have become my favorite rooms in the house. The texture is just spot on and it feels very different from all the shiplap that's so popular right now (not that I have anything against shiplap, but I love a little change). I've said many times that when we move, I want to do verticle paneling again... there's something so cottagey about it that I find so peaceful.
I wish the comment about buying followers was still there so I could understand their rationale. I know plenty of companies who have bought followers to get that initial 10k followers. Sometimes it seems like you need to appear to be popular for people to follow you. I personally am 100% with you- buying followers doesn't add to your engagement and I think it is so obvious when people do it. It does make for an interesting conversation though.
I just checked--it IS still there. She was very polite and gave good insight to the opposing point of view.
I couldn't find the original comment in the post either, but I was just doing a quick once over. I think the true heart of the issue is equating followers with worth in the first place. Purchasing followers to gain a certain level of visibility might just be a calculated business move for some, and have nothing to do with their self esteem. Organic growth tends to garner more authenticity and "stickiness" in those who follow, so I agree that it is preferable. Look at it this way; if you lost a bunch of your organic followers all at once, would you objectively think "this is a business metric that is telling me I need to course correct", or would it injure your self worth? I am not a blogger, but I run a business, and believe me, I can and do get my feelings hurt when someone doesn't love me...but ultimately it informs my business practices and not how I feel about myself.
I know there are definitely people out there who live and die by likes and followers, but I hope that isn't the case for you. The fact that you jumped to the conclusion that buying followers can only be some cheap way of making "friends" kind of points out that maybe your organic followers might mean too much to you... (and on the other hand they should because they are your customers in a sense and we should all care about our customers!) Bottom line, I don't mean any of this to be snarky at all and hope it doesn't come off that way. I struggle with not making business personal because IT IS! It is my livelihood and where I spend the bulk of my time, etc. My business (or followers or engagement)is a huge part of me. I work with fantastic small businesses every day and I have seen outstanding humans fail miserably. Some rebound and some don't and it is all a measure of whether they tied acclaim, fame or dollars to their own value as a person.
Good morning! What are your favorite light bulbs for your lamps? I want some cozy light for this Fall too.
Thanks!
I really like 2700-3000 Kelvin. (This bulb is one my favorites!) If it's an open bulb light, I lower the wattage.
I went to see the comment you mentioned and it seems to be gone. Not sure who deleted it (you or them) but I can understand that they may receive a lot of backlash, which is unfortunate. I think it's pretty brave to write an opposing opinion so openly. (Again, I can't see the original comment and I'm assuming they were polite and respectful.)
I can definitely understand your sentiment and while I personally would never buy followers I do wonder about that point of view. I wonder if the benefits are more than just the validation of followers?
The thing most people don't talk about in situations like these are the unfair biases and luck. Of course you are primarily a successful blogger because of talent and effort, but you also have to admit there are other factors at work with popularity on-line.
Just a few thoughts, from someone who really isn't an authority on the matter.
I definitely hate the thought of any of our readers or commenters being attacked. I didn't delete the comment, but it does seem to be gone--and we were having a respectful discussion. I truly want to hear both sides which is why I brought it up here and you make some valid points!
I just saw the comment. I think you have to go to page 2 of the comment section.
Thanks you! I just found the comment. After reading the original comment I actually feel differently. THey don't really give logical reasoning and it kinda sounds like a planted advertisement for that service.
Thanks for being so open minded Julia, I find these conversations so interesting. I guess I was just expecting the original comment to have more concrete reasoning on how it was actually good. I can also see how you jumped to her tying the numbers to self-worth. That's really all she talked about.
I agree that buying followers is not a business model that I want to follow either. My whole personal and business life is relationship-driven. I want to be able to interact with and help a legitimate audience. How that looks will have to change as my following grows. Blogging is a niche market, and big business marketing tactics are not always a good fit.
Obtaining and maintaining authentic Instagram grown has been a lot slower than buying followers, but it is right for me. To feel good, I do not need a million followers to pat me on the back every day. My desire is to create a bright spot in the days of my followers, not the other way around. The rest of the details will fall into place.
I totally love and agree with what you are saying and your business method. The only thing I want to point out is the assumption that those who are seeking a million followers are doing so because they need back pats and to feel good. It may just be a calculated business model they are seeking - a completely different type of business model than you. Just because it is different doesn't necessarily mean that you have your head screwed on straight (sounds like you do), and they do not.
Actually, you are totally right! I left out that key bit of info, and that made my response sound judgy, which was not my intent. I'll gladly take the million followers. ???? I just don't need the back pats they would bring to fulfill my needs. That's what I meant. I'll never turn down an authentic follower or back pat. I'm grateful for all. Thank you for responding to my comment and giving me the chance to explain. I did not want to come across as being on my high horse. ???? Different business strategies are valid.
Having a million followers would definitely impact my ability to have a personal relationship with everyone. I'll have to address that in my business plan.
I added a comment in your instagram post but will also note here that Instagram are now shutting down accounts that have seen massive spikes in followers. No questions asked, and no way to get you account back.
Also often the 'followers' are actually a bunch of phones (10,000) in a room in China that someone is using. Google 'Instagram Click Farm' to see the pictures! A few of my clients have lost their accounts recently because they bought followers.