Happy Friday | 06.12.20

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Hello hello! Another week of working towards police reform and anti-racism ✊🏼

We watched If Beale Street Could Talk and 13th this week and I started reading Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. It’s just the beginning and we are listening and absorbing as much as possible.

I know I’ve been quiet on my design insta, but that’s because I’m putting my energy into my personal page, sharing as much as I can there (in stories). Do you have anything you could share with me? What resources have you been finding helpful? Below are a few articles and videos that caught my attention this week.

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// Ugh, it’s tough to read, but I think people really need to hear it. Confessions of a Former Bastard Cop by Officer A. Cab.

// Digging up the history of Seneca Village, a settlement of Black families in NYC, the location of which Central Park was built on- The lost neighborhood under New York's Central Park

// The City that Really Did Abolish the Police

// Police: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

// I’ve started following a ton of amazing Black artists recently, and I fell in love with Élan Byrd’s collage pieces! I also found out that she did a studio tour with DesignSponge that you can see here.

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Happy Friday | 06.05.20

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A few resources I thought I would share:

• Hartford, CT - Black & POC Owned Restaurants

• and more food…Black Owned Restaurants in Connecticut

• Don’t know where to start? Start here.

• Anti-Racism Resources, Content To Diversify Your Feed, & More Ways To Support The Black Community Right Now

• —> and I’d like to add a few of my favorite books, podcast and shows by black artists to add to the list as well (that weren’t already listed in the site above):

  • TV shows: Insecure; Books: Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson; Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson; The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead; An American Marriage by Tayari Jones; Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah; and Becoming by Michelle Obama. Podcasts: 2 Dope Queens; Won't You Date Me? by Nicole Byer; and I haven’t listened to it yet, but I’ve heard great things about The Nod. Instagram: @latonyayvette, @kailah.king, @librarianbae, @anaiseprince, @legendarysuperc, @vaughfender, @mo.marvelous, @twentysomethingplus, @lorenzohall, @loveiswiseillu, @noneesworld, @nifmuhammad, @nnekaj, @alaysiadid, @hannahbronfman, @33mmskin, @iamronnicole, @andreportee, @norah_yarah_rosa, @eggyboom, @monicaahanonu, @jadepurplebrown, @elanbyrd, @reynaoriega, @morelaand, @noadenmon, @solacilike, @rachel.cargle, @hiltoncarter, and so, so many more.

• Raising Race-Conscious Children

• Foodie accounts from Black creators from Pinch of Yum

• Books, books, and more books.

• I want to be an ally but I don’t know what to do

• Black Activists to Follow

• Powerful image #blacktranslivesmatter

I’m still learning as well, so I apologize if this list isn’t as robust as it should be. I hope some of these resources can be of use to any and all people looking to get involved. #blacklivesmatter

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Happy Friday | 05.29.20

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Happy sticky, humid Friday! What a gross day it is haha what can you do, classic New England summer! How has your week been? I’m ready for some down time! We don’t have much planned but I think I want to make brownies, yum. What are you up to?

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// Ugh that one piece is perfection, but out of my price range! I did buy this cute number though! I’m normally a two piece gal myself, but I wanted to give the one piece life a try!

// Very relevant right now! Leandra & Harling Debate: Is Getting Dressed Only Satisfying If Other People See It?

// I was out of Worcestershire Sauce and this list of 34 Smart Substitutes for Worcestershire Sauce from Food52 is great! So thorough! I went with fish sauce because we were having salmon cakes :)

// I finally took the time to take an Enneagram test, have you done it? I’m a 3 (Type Three is adaptable, excelling, driven, and image-conscious). I still want to dive into everything a bit more, but this page was very helpful in case you are interested as well

// I am eating up all of Kate from Wit & Delight's new home content! Do you follow her on instagram? She shares daily stories about her home plans that are so fun!

// This is kind of amazing - How to Make Anything Taste Gourmet (Yes, Even Frozen Burritos and Boxed Mac & Cheese) - and not to toot my own horn, but I’ve been jazzing up Annie’s White Cheddar Mac & Cheese for years! My go-to is chicken sausage and broccoli with a little hot sauce #thebest

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Happy Friday | 05.22.20

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Happy Friday and long weekend! How is it already Memorial Day?! This day off is very much appreciated, especially with some great weather in the forecast :) We’re not going anywhere, but being at home with no plans or responsibilities will be pretty lovely. Enjoy your weekend, friends xo

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// We’re not big pasta people at home (I know, I know..) but I can’t stop making these recipes: Fusilli alla Vodka with Basil and Parmesan & Creamy Pasta with Crispy Mushrooms

// My friend Lindsey is a painter and did a wonderful video with the Hartford Public Library where she painted lemons - check it out!

// What are everyones thoughts on tie dye? I think I’m into it! Maybe I’ll start small with some fun socks :)

// Haha, just some mindless celeb pics that made my day as a tall girl - 6 Photo That Prove Karlie Kloss Really Is The Tallest Supermodel

// Wowwowwow! This French Artist Is Painting Her Home Full of Flowers to Pass the Time

// I just finished this wonderful book, and it was great to hear from the author! Book Club: Red at the Bone

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Happy Friday | 05.15.20

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Happy Friday :) I thought today was going to be rainy, so this sunshine is a real treat! We are looking forward to more sunshine this weekend and a few outdoor projects. We have a chef friend who is out of work who is slingin’ saturtday sandwiches and we are looking forward to another batch tomorrow! #sneakyrichards :) What are you up to this weekend? xo

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// Although I can’t afford the umbrella from my last etsy round up, I might be able to settle for cute patio pillows that are pretty similar!

// Well this look entertaining - Ethan Hawke is out for blood as abolitionist John Brown in Good Lord Bird trailer

// Two house tours that I’m super into! House 1 & house 2 :)

// I can’t stop listening to this song, and the video is super fun too!

// Kind of love this idea: Micro Life Upgrade: Have a Candle-Lit Dinner Every Single Night

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Etsy Round Up // May 14

Some goodies to daydream about buying :) xo

Garden Umbrella

Leather Pulls

Girl Power Print

Weekly Notepad

Floral Bow Scrunchies

Ripple Incense Holder

Happy Friday | 05.08.20

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Hey hey, Happy Friday! This week flew by for me - not sure why, but I’ll take it? I’m looking forward to a video chat tonight with friends, take-out at some point this weekend, some yard work (if it doesn’t snow, ugh) and some social distancing to celebrate our Moms for Mothers Day! <3 What are you up to?

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// "If you want to make God laugh, tell her your plans." - An honest piece about what happens next

// Fun! The Airy Studio Where Windy Chien Makes Her Giant Knot Art

// What 3pm looks like all over the world - 29 photographers capture the moment

// What Living Alone, Not Hugging Anyone for 53 Days and A LOT of Self Reflection Looks Like

// Very cute haha I Styled My Brother for a Week, Via FaceTime

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Happy Friday | 05.01.20

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Happy May, friends! Wow, another month down. Wild, huh? Things are feeling weirdly normal at home now - our routine has fallen into place, we get far too excited about weekend takeout and a crappy movie, we love grabbing a 4 pack from our local brewery weekly, and we are making some yard work plans for the weekend. Not too shabby :) What are you up to? xo

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// Love this - The Unexpected Reason So Many Hollywood Apartments Have Built-In Vanities

// These cups are SO cute!

// Might have to make this sammie soon, yum.

// I started noticing some of my favorite brands are making masks! Baggu has some fun ones, and The Reformation has a pattern that is almost the same as the one my mom made me!

// Brooklinen is having a sale and that striped linen duvet is calling my name *heart eyes*

// With Senior Year In Disarray, Teens And Young Adults Feel Lost. Here's How To Help

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Happy Friday | 04.24.20

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Hello hello! How has your week been? Sorry I just kind of bolted last Friday - just needed to step away! This week has been a bit more relaxed and I was able to start a project I’ve had on my mind for awhile…starting a Society6 page to sell photos of my flowers! I named my shop, Blumenladen, which is German for flower shop :) I’m not sure what I was more excited about, finally getting the page up, or creating the logo! I also created a graphic for Earth Day that made me very happy. Overall, design inspiration hit hard this week and it felt good to work on some side projects. What are you up to this weekend? xo

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// Super interesting! This Is What the Rest of the World Is #QuarantineBaking

// The Inside Story of NASA’s “Worm” Logo

// Did you guys know that the film studio A24 holds prop auctions? They’re auctioning off some crazy stuff in the next few weeks to benefit a some NYC charities. I wish I could afford some of these wild items! The Midsommar flower dress……..

// My Mom's Pot Brownies Were Legendary During the AIDS Epidemic. This Is Her Recipe.

// Wonderful tips and a beautiful apartment! We love our “small” house and feel like it’s perfect for us :) 15 Tips for Living in a Small Space

// I’ve been looking for some adhesive privacy film and the home tour above recommended a company with tons of options and I think I just found the one! SO excited about this!

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Happy Friday | 04.17.20

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Hi! Honestly, I am looking to step away from the computer and have a virtual happy hour with some friends! Have a great weekend friends xo

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// YUM - I looooove churros :) Disney Shared Its Famous Churros Recipe—and You Probably Have All the Ingredients

// Did you know that Brussels Sprouts have actually gotten better over the last 30 years? It’s not just that our taste buds have matured or we cook them differently now. Very cool!

// This backsplash behind the sink is *gorgeous*

// I finally got back into the reading game! There was about a month there - right at the beginning of quarantining where reading just wasn’t happening for me. Luckily I had some Libby holds from the library that came through that I couldn’t pass up! I just finished Ask Again, Yes which was great, and I’m starting Such a Fun Age which I’ve heard great things about. What are you reading?

// Have any of you sold anything on Society6? I’ve been debating starting a store dedicated to my flower photos. I just can’t stop taking them and I thought it would be fun to share :)

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Happy (Good) Friday | 04.10.20

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Happy Friday :) It’s been a tough week for me, losing my Opa yesterday. He was 90 and we knew it was inevidable, but he’s the first grandparents I’ve lost and he was pretty darn cool. You can see some photos of him here. I have the day off, so I’m resting, baking, walking, reflecting, vegging - all of the things haha.

It’s weird not spending Easter with my extended family, but Curtis and I are going to try to continue some of the traditions. Enjoy your weekend xo

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// I loooooove seeing the transformation of the Chris Loves Julia house and they just did a wonderful side-by-side of basically all of the rooms in their house! Fun read :)

// Have you made Dalgona coffee yet? Food blogger Hummingbird High did a great post about it. I also made her small batch Levain copy-cat blueberry muffins recently that were killer!

// Very cool - Neon Museum offering Facebook Live tour of Tim Burton exhibit

// Of ‘Covidivorces’ and ‘Coronababies’: Life During a Lockdown

// What Are You Wearing at Home? 11 Cup of Jo Readers Share Their Real-Life Looks…

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Etsy Round Up // April 7

Some fun Etsy items to peruse while you’re still stuck at home <3 A card to send a friend or family member you’re missing, a few items to jumpstart some home decorating, a pair of earrings to up your video chat look and a poster to help you daydream for future traveling <3

Miss Your Face Card

Leather Pulls

Gold Star Huggies

Vintage Kilim Rug

The Desert Print

Rattan Pendant Light

Happy Friday | 04.03.20

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And here we are, in April! The end of week 3 working from home…and what a week it’s been. This week felt different than the rest, and not in a good way. But onward and upward - it’s almost the weekend and that’s exciting! We have a happy hour video date with friends, plans to make cookies, and a few small home projects to knock out - all in all, not bad! What are you up to this weekend? xo

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// Loving these DIYs from HonestlyWTF - Embroidery Doodles & Perler Bead Jewelry

// This video is thoroughly enjoyable

// I bought this print this week and can’t wait to frame it and get it up on the wall!

// Speaking of prints…love this bathroom art! :)

// Daydreaming of when we can travel again…

// We have been making this soup a lot since being home…it’s just so good!!

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Happy Friday | 03.27.20

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How are you doing, friends? I know life is basically all covid-19 all the time, but at least there are some sweet things happening on the internet :) In case you haven’t seen some of them, I’m linking to a few below. I’ve also been trying to send positive vibes out to my friends with two graphics I made this week for my instagram - “it’s okay to not be okay” and “we’re in this together”. Any plans to video chat with family and friends this weekend? We have a “fancy happy hour” after work today with my brother and his gf to dress up and catch up! xo

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// Too cute - Cowboy Museum Puts Their Head Of Security In Charge Of Their Twitter, And His Tweets Are Hilariously Wholesome

// One of my favorite instagram follows - Why Scrolling Through Cheap Old Houses on Instagram Is So Soothing

// Trying to embrace dolce far niente, “the sweetness of doing nothing” - When in Quarantine, Do As the Italians Do

// While trying to support small and local businesses, I purchased a fun patch from Juniper Vintage. It is a patch from The American Museum of Natural History - where my great grandfather Ernst Mayr worked for 22 years! And while confirming this fact with wikipedia, I found an interesting fact that was fun to do a little digging on. “In 1931 he (Ernst) accepted a curatorial position at the AMNH, where he played the important role of brokering and acquiring the Walter Rothschild collection of bird skins, which was being sold in order to pay off a blackmailer.” I was like wait what?! So I found a little article about it here!  Very cool :)

// Loving this house tour!

// Might have to do this! COVID-19 Outdoor Activity Of The Day: Plant A Veggie Garden

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Happy Friday | 03.20.20

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Well, we’re through week 1 of WFH! It wasn’t too bad, and since we’re here for the foreseeable future, it’ll have to do! Curtis and I decided to do one lunch and one dinner take out meal this week to help support local restaurants and we will continue as long as we can. We’re also going to facetime and “virtually" see as many friends and family as we can while we’re away from them. Our main source of entertainment has been our bird feeder and suet feeder! We’ve seen so many fun birds: carolina wrens, red wing black birds, northern flickers, downey woodpeckers, red bellied woodpeckers, house finches, grackles, starlings, mockingbirds, titmouses (titmice?), chickadees and more! What have you been doing to keep busy?

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// 43 Ways to Cook With Canned Tomatoes, Your Pantry Hero

// My friend at CT Eats Out created an extensive list of CT restaurants, breweries and coffee shops affected by COVID-19 with updated schedules, menus, deals, etc. Check it out here.

// A bunch of musicians are playing and streaming their music for free - which is amazing! We watched a few Ben Gibbard sets, here’s one of them.

// Interesting take on Gourmet Makes!

// Are you guys watching Little Fires Everywhere? I read the book a few years ago and started the show last night! I’m excited to remember the storyline as I watch :)

// I might need to do some baking soon - this recipe looks delicious!

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Happy Friday | 03.13.20

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Hi! It’s our first week out of retrograde and although it was still a bit chaotic, I could feel the change *hallelujah*. Obviously COVID-19 is still causing some real problems and tension around the country/world but I’m trying to be as chill as I can…not “fly all over the country because of cheap flights” chill (ugh that sounds so good tho), but trying to not let it get to me mentally and wash my damn hands as much as possible! Hand cream sales must be going through the roof - I didn’t think these old things could get any drier!

We did get news late this week that our office will be working from home until April 6th, so things will be very different for me day to day! Curtis will also be working from home as well which will be a nice change of pace :) Trying to think on the brighter side these days! Have a great weekend xo

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// I don’t need this in any way, shape or form, but it’s SO fun! I always want weird camping gear haha

// We just bought a Boos cutting board that we’re super into, but I’ve been hearing good things about the reBoard, made from recycled plastic and renewable sugarcane - interesting!

// Bold statement, ha — The Best Brownies Come From a Box and I Will Not Apologize

// I am feeling these outfits so much! I tend to love simplified, but unique looks. I think I might need some Vans :)

// When in Germany a few years ago, we saw (and ate) spargel everywhere! I had no idea it was so special - Why Germany Calls This Vegetable 'White Gold'

// How To Gently Clean Vintage Brass With Two Household Ingredients

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Etsy Round Up // Mar 9

Embracing this warm weather and extended sunlight! Now, how about some fun Etsy finds…

Rising Sun/Bad Moon Rising Bath Soak

Linen Tea Towel

Danish Jar

Wall Sconce

Women March On Print

OLA Mug

Happy Friday | 03.06.20

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Hello, hello! How fun is this magazine cover? I stumbled upon a few cute ones on Pinterest and ended up finding an archive of all of their covers - I’m in love with all of them! Now I just need to learn Japanese really quick…haha. Anyway, I have a packed weekend full of fun stuff - a massage, a baby shower, a gathering with some friends to swap skincare/makeup products, dog sitting, a bluegrass show, and a soccer game! What are you up to this weekend? xo

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// I’m usually a white wall gal, but I am loving all of these paint colors!

// From someone living in China…Personal Essay: Coronavirus Lockdown Is A 'Living Hell'

// Haha this is great - Everybody Hates Boob Lamps, But They’re Actually Great

// Have you been seeing these gorgeous focaccias around instagram?

// DEAD - 25 Outfits From Teen Dramas That Are So 2000s It Hurts

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Happy Friday | 02.28.20

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HI! TGIF! I’m feeling like a free agent because the magazine is officially DONE. Mailed, live, the whole thing :) You can see the cover here and here! And check out the online version here :) This weekend we are bopping around with errands, visiting with family and tackling some house projects (classic adult stuff haha) but I couldn’t be more excited. I’m just hoping we have enough willpower to break away from Love Island Season 3 to get everything done LOL. What a beautiful piece of trash that show is haha HIGHLY recommend! Have a great weekend, friends xo

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// Wow, this is so powerful — The Neighbors’ Window

// I am loving this rustic Argentinian home tour! That kitchen *heart eyes!* AND they made the sink countertop area out of an old desk!

// lol - Self-Care Tips for Toddler

// Totally agree with this! Why Grocery Stores Are Must-Visit Travel Destinations — So much tasty stuff to discover! And I love looking back at my phone after traveling to rediscover photos I took of unfamiliar and funny products!

// I hadn’t seen this trick before - and honestly whatever way you get the labels off is great, because being able to reuse glass jars for whatever you want is the way to go :) How to Remove Labels From Jars (and Turn Jars Into Glassware). I recently figured out that oreos fit extremely well in small jelly jars haha ;)

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Happy Friday | 02.21.20

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Happy Friday :) This week has been all over place! The most recent UConn Magazine was on press on Monday and Tuesday and I started off this morning with a handyman in my bathroom installing a vent, ha. I’m looking forward to a chill weekend - a walk with a friend, some errands and not much else! What are you up to? xo

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// Interesting read! Garbage Language: Why do corporations speak the way they do?

// We’ve been playing an awesome new board game recently, Wingspan! It’s beautiful and fun, and we amended a playlist we found online into our own bird-themed game playing soundtrack which has made the experience even more fun :)

// A very powerful and real about the ups and downs of providing end-of-life care in the home - Are We Failing Families at the End of Life?

// This is very cute - Watch Scarlett Johansson, Taika Waititi lose it in Jojo Rabbit bloopers

// LOVE all of Midge’s outfits - Meet The Designer Who Makes 'Mrs. Maisel' Look So Marvelous

// Wow, a very specific and interesting experience — How to Parent an Olympic Athlete

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