I took the day on Wednesday to get out of the house and go on a hike with my girlfriends. We left early in the morning, before the sun came up, and got home after the kids were in bed. We hiked up the side of a mountain where there were a series of hot springs and then spent hours hopping from one to another. There were several times that I started slipping into a feeling of guilt–who am I that I get a day off to just be an individual, with no responsibilities?–but Chris has been urging me to get out and do something for months now.  I’m not really a fun seeker and often times I feel like I find the most satisfaction in life checking things off my list. But Wednesday taught me, there is more inspiration–for inside my home and my mind–found in doing than looking at a computer screen. After a few weeks of feeling uninspired and in a rut, I feel energized and excited. Don’t get me wrong though, I’m still a homebody through and through. ;)
Other fun things this week!
How moody and beautiful is this “Dreams” piece by Jonathan Brooks? I’m trying to find the perfect place for it in my home before I order it–it would be just as beautiful in a nursery as the living room. (I added it and two other new favorites to my Minted Shop.)
Speaking of moody and beautiful, this nursery is so inspiring.
I love this accent wall Mandi did and am seriously thinking about incorporating something similar in our living room where our credenza used to be.
Did you catch Young House Love Has A Podcast this week? Episode 8 is all about sponsored posts in blogging. It was an excellent start to a conversation that has to be had without shame or awkwardness. I think it’s a great episode for readers and bloggers alike. I learned so much and found myself nodding my head the whole time I was mowing the lawn.
Slow clap for literally, LITERALLY, the cutest kitchen sponge holder I’ve ever seen.
We’re finishing our outdoor fireplace today and tomorrow–it’s coming along amazingly! We’re doing the project in partnership with Homes.com for their blog, so I’m not exactly sure when we’ll be able to share the afters here. If you want to watch the process and results in real time, follow along on snapchat at juliamarcum.
This faceted coffee table is ridiculous (good ridiculous) and looks way more expensive than $200. I’m wondering how it would do outside.
Lastly, 6 steps to survive Facebook during Election Season. (We’re Americans. We’re adults. We can do this.)
Don’t shiplap anything else! Start a new trend! You did a bit of that treatment already in your house. Shiplap is this year’s chevron – which back-when people said “oh, this will never get old,” but it did. We have to admit it got old. Resist! One of the reasons I love your living/dining/kitchen space is that it seems relatively trend free (or something you could do hints-of-trend in through accessories or punching up one color or another). So please. The Gaineses are superfun and I watch the heck out of them, too. But they are one-note. Don’t be like them! #stoptheshiplaptrain
Good for you for taking a day off. Congrats on the article. No offense meant, but sponges are germ ridden. We use dish cloths and dish brushes and sos pads, sponges have been banned. Here is an article you might find interesting. http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/germs-in-kitchen
Just a quick thank you – I love your blog and podcast!
Thanks, Carol!
Hi Julia & Chris,
I listened to YHL’s podcast about sponsors. I don’t understand why so many folks don’t like sponsored posts. Let’s be honest…most home & DIY blogs are written & read by women. So I don’t get why we aren’t supporting & encouraging each other. Aren’t these writers allowed to make a living & support their families?
Oh well…this is probably not the place to go on about my feelings on the subject.
I hope you & yours are having a great weekend on your new deck. It’s fabulous!
Thank you for sharing the link to the article on Facebook and politics. That is excellent advice! We absolutely should be able to have good relationships with people even if we have very different perspectives on politics and morality.
Also can’t wait to see the full reveal of your family room! (Or did I miss it?) Love the shot with the piano.
It’s coming!