There is nothing more I love than looking at a boldly colored bedroom. But for myself, I want calm, I want soft neutrals, I want lightness. I need to rest in there after all! However, I don’t want only soft neutrals. I’ve been jokingly referring to my bedroom in its current state as the “50 shades of beige” room because of what I already owned/what I’ve brought in, baby, it’s A LOT of beige and cream. I knew I would never keep it like that, but figuring out the best way to add in color and pattern has been a journey (with an Italian MCM vibe, no less). Now, a very simple way that I want to add in some variety is through a “bed blanket”. Now, using a bed blanket on the bottom half of a bed isn’t a new trend. But what has gotten more popular recently are boldly patterned ones that almost have a vintage feel to them. So I’m going to take you on a little journey on what I think my best options are to create a calm but “eclectic” bedding combo, which is heavily dependent on my end-of-bed blanket (Oh, and you also get to see my new rug!!!). Then I’ll take you through some more options in case you are in the market too, but we have different styles. But first, let’s get clear on the sizing of a bed blanket:

• Twin: 65″ x 90″ 
• Full/Queen: 90″ x 90″ +
• King: 108″ x 90″ +
• California King: 108″ x 92″

Or if you want just a larger than average throw blanket it should be around:

• 50″ x 70″ or 60″ x 80″

Now, onto what I’m considering. But first, here is a little peek of my bed for more context.

left: velvet is clarke & clarke in “honey” and linen is kravet basics x thom filicia in sweeting – ivory | right: farren bench, green check fabric is gaston y daniela, and linen is kravet basics

I love both my bed and bench so freaking much. Buildlane and Kravet have truly made my dreams come true with this bed. And I am still pinching myself that I have a Katy Skelton piece of furniture.

Ok, now let’s really make these pieces shine together with some proper bedding…

Green Pillow | Shearling Lumbar Pillow | Striped Duvet (similar + similar) | Sheet Set | Rug (vintage) | Velvet Quilt

First off, THAT’S MY “NEW” VINTAGE RUG! I originally was using one of our Rugs USA rugs (Starke in Beige). I loved the rug in general, but it never felt perfect. Then, for our third drop, that never happened (see here for the story), we were designing this incredible blue one that I was hoping would get to me in time for the shoot. That rug clearly never came to fruition, but my obsession with a blue rug remained. So when I found it light gray blue beauty with the rust border and tassels, it had to be mine. As you can see this color palette is expanding, and it all needs to be balanced. Not a problem, right??

In my possession, I have the rug (clearly), that perfect green patterned pillow, the striped duvet, and light mint colored sheets (I had to buy 3 versions to find the right tone). I wanted mint sheets because mint is used in the chicest way in French and Italian designs. And remember, I’m going for eclectic/slightly unexpected. I like that the linen duvet cover breaks up the color on either end of the bed but still has those thin rusty stripes to talk to the rug’s border color, the gold velvet on the bed, and in the green pillow. Speaking of the end of the bed, I really love this velvet quilt from Lulu and Georgia. The color is rich, the texture is interesting, and it’s a big pop. Also, it’s large, it can drape over the end of the bed enough to put a break in between the cream linen bedding/bed frame and the cream linen bench seat.

Green Pillow | Shearling Lumbar Pillow | Striped Duvet (similar + similar) | Sheet Set | Rug (vintage) | Large Throw Blanket

But is that blue velvet “too much”? Will it draw all the attention to that end of the bed? Well, this unbelievably beautiful large throw could be another option. The colors are stunning and obviously work with the rug and duvet (and potential lumbar pillow), and I love the print. I just don’t think it’s as big as I want it to be on its own. Maybe as an accent throw?? It’s not exactly an affordable piece, so I’d have to be VERY sure.

Green Pillow | Shearling Lumbar Pillow | Striped Duvet (similar + similar) | Sheet Set | Rug (vintage) | Oversized Throw Blanket

Here’s a totally different vibe that’s gives me a more airy look and feel. That big blanket is currently on clearance and $50 which is also very tempting. It’s warm without being bold, and works with the lumbar pillow. I’m just not sure about the stripes on stripes with the duvet. I think they are different enough in scale and would have a different orientation. So maaaybe.

Green Pillow | Shearling Lumbar Pillow | Striped Duvet (similar + similar) | Sheet Set | Rug (vintage) | Velvet Quilt | Bedspread

Here can you see me emptying out my life savings. I brought back the L&G quilt and for some dimension and the Soho Home bedspread for pattern. Honestly, this is all too expensive (and maybe too much heavy bedding for Los Angeles), but I had to add it because it was too pretty not to. Moving on…

Green Pillow | Shearling Lumbar Pillow | Striped Duvet (similar + similar) | Sheet Set | Rug (vintage) | Velvet Quilt | Large Throw Blanket

Now this feels like a real contender. I definitely love the velvet and how it will break up the creams, but I also love the idea of adding a patterned throw on top of it for more interest (or having the throw over the bench). I just may need to find a throw with more green in it though:) A lot is going on with this, but knowing how simple the walls and curtains will be, I’m pretty here for it. 

Now let’s get into some patterned, bed blanket/throw options for all of you!

1. Check Wool Blanket | 2. Chipperfield Lambswool Block Throw | 3. Coastal Plaid Alpaca Throw

Here we have a variety of sizes based on the look you’re going for. The Zara Home one is a little larger than a standard throw and the pattern is so good. The stunner in the middle is from the same brand as the one on Emily bed in the mountain house and definitely big enough to be a full bed blanket. Then the Anthropologie blanket is a standard throw size and would be so pretty as an accent.

1. Claudius Throw | 2. <a href="http

Welcome to my living room!! This is my 1950s apartment in Los Feliz, and I moved here because it’s A. Super affordable B. In a fantastic location and C. Has a ton of charm and potential. At its current state, this living room is underwhelming at best, but we’re going to make it so sick, I promise. Perhaps a pretty fun living room DIY?? Some of the big issues we’re having with the space as it is:

It’s the first thing you see when you walk in, and it’s currently not a looker. I got a white rug when I first moved in because I didn’t know what design direction/color palette I would want to do (and I thought I could eventually layer it), but now it’s looking rough, and also I think it’s slightly too big for the space. We have a lot of hand-me-down pieces we’ve been living with (except for that awesome vintage piano), so it needs an intentional design plan.

In case you were wondering, I also tried flipping the living room to see what that layout would feel like, but ultimately we decided we wanted it how we already had it. Who doesn’t love lugging large pieces of furniture back and forth? 🙂

It’s a rental, so this space feels really blank and boring at the moment, so I want to make it feel homey. We need a lot of seating since we regularly host movie nights and such. So those are the problems at hand, now I’m going to walk you through some solutions!! Like I said, we’ve been living with some “works for now” pieces, so we’re in need of a lot of the major players: new rug, chair, sofa, art, lamps…the works. I want to make the space have that vintage charm while still being modern, fresh, and new. I call it “grandma style, except she’s single and ready to mingle.” You get the vision, right?

So my current plan is to do a media center DIY on the TV wall to cross off the “make it feel homey” box (plus it will give grandma a spot for all the trinkets she’s been collecting over time) and then for the rest of the room we picked out some AWESOME pieces from AllModern you’re going to love and literally all of my living room dreams are coming true!! Let me show you them now…

Kelly Marble Coffee Table

Coffee Table: This was my jumping-off piece for the entire living room. My marble obsession seems to get stronger every day, so when I found this GORGEOUS maroon stone coffee table with this cream veining, I knew our only choice was to snag it and build the rest of the room around it. In the corner of my living room is my viral closet speakeasy, which is a deep maroon red “lacquer” (aka patent leather fabric on the walls), so I knew this table would be the perfect way to bring some of that color into the space without going overboard.

Althena Wool Area Rug

Rug: Originally, I was thinking of doing a more mauve/lighter colored rug, but then I remembered the state that my current rug is in, and I said nay nay – we must go darker or more textured. When I rendered this deep brown red rug into the space, I knew it would be absolutely perfect, and the tonal vibe with the coffee table had me shaking in my boots. I know darker rugs can also get dirty quickly, but I vacuum regularly, and at least it won’t get shoe/dirt stains on it like a white colored rug will.

Isles 113” Upholstered Sofa

Sofa: Finding a sofa that’s perfect for your space can be such a challenge, but when I found this one, it was truly a scroll stopper for me. I need a modular sofa because a longer, single-piece sofa won’t fit through my front door (cool!), so thank god the modular sofa options are getting GOOD these days. I love the rounded edges and the arms on this piece – plus the reviews are fabulous!!

Jemma Metal Table Lamp | Deckard Ceramic Table Lamp

Table Lamps: We have zero overhead lighting in our living room, which I think is generally a good thing, except for that moment you move in and realize it’s pitch black in your house at night. SO we’re in need of some lamps and some cute ones at that!! I’m planning on putting this black metal one on a side table by the sofa and then this smaller lamp over on the bookcase on the TV wall to spread some light and love around the room.

Glenbrook Genuine Leather Accent Chair

Accent Chair: This chair gives the “grandma is single and ready to mingle” part of the design vision. It is black, it is leather, it has that sexy wood grain. IT IS THE MOMENT. And it will contrast perfectly with the lighter colored sofa and darker red coffee table/rug. EEK I’M EXCITED!

Okay, that’s all I have to say…until next time (which will likely be the reveal because this is happening ASAP!) Thanks for tuning in to this episode, MLRM (Mallory’s Living Room Makeover). I’m scared some of these pieces will be out of stock (specifically the sofa I’m nervous about), so hopefully they place the order before this post goes live!! Oh, and I hope youre as excited as I am for my media center DIY:)

I could debate the “timeless versus trend” pursuit for hours in home design. But where I almost always land is this philosophy: keep hard finishes (flooring, windows, tile) high quality and simple/special, and then layer on the wild style/trends (to make sure it’s not boring). This is not everyone’s pursuit, nor am I saying it’s the right/only way to go, but I don’t ever want to renovate the same house twice in one lifetime. (P.S. I love being inside a hyper on-trend time capsule of a home/restaurant when it’s well done, so if that’s you, go for it). More on that below, but to kick us off here, my brother’s house has a hilarious amount of built-in bench seats, which means as their ad hoc decorator, who is heavily invested in making this house look incredible (not just “done”), that I needed to design a lot of bench cushions. Anne Usher, the architect, designed said benches while laying out the house to add elevated architectural interest and make sure that this new build didn’t look too cheap and contractor grade, not just square rooms with four walls. Plus, all the benches have storage drawers, so they serve multiple functions. Selfishly, I just love that they give me an opportunity to add color, pattern, texture, and softness. For a big house with a lot of glass and wood, textiles become your best friend and add an incredible amount of warmth, something this house needed. Now, I could have piecemealed it together, buying fabric from a lot of different sources, which was the plan. But while at our upholsterer’s shop, picking up a piece of furniture, I saw a lot of rich cut velvety patterned samples that I LOVED. When I realized they were all from the same company, Pollack, I decided to reach out and see if we could swing a trade. This blog post wasn’t even part of the deal; I just love the fabric that much and love the female-led design-forward company even more. Such an incredible patterned fabric resource! I was so excited because, selfishly, again, it meant that I could make these rooms look even better, spread any remaining budget further, and get my hands on these truly stunning fabrics. Good design elements make me look good 🙂

Why The Odd Amount Of Excitement For Patterned Fabric?

We needed some pattern in this house. If you think I’m trend/risk adverse (which I am), you should meet my brother and SIL. To avoid “trendy hard finish regret” in 15 years, this house has a lot of pared-back elements, intentionally. All the flooring, tile, and windows are simple and high quality, which I think is a fantastic foundation for a contemporary house like theirs. This was always the plan – to layer on all the color, pattern, current style, and warmth through furniture, wallpaper, textiles, and decor. But I had a pretty strong feeling that patterned sofas or even patterned window treatments were going to be too risky for them. So what would be left? Cue the BENCH SEATS. These seats act visually as furniture (because they are big and obviously can be sat on), but they are far less risky (a few hundred dollars for a new slip cover should they really not like my choices). So I begged them for free rein here, and they let me have it, while definitely doubting some of my choices along the way. But I felt so strongly about some of the bolder ones and kept pushing and pushing, with a lot of “trust me’s!!”

I Was Greedy With Samples

I had to request the samples, and I got so greedy. There simply aren’t that many great, weighted, patterned velvety upholstery options on the market (lots of solids, but like I said, this house needed some texture and patterns). Some of these patterns are so not typical for me, but I LOVE them. After paring them down, I took them over, and room by room we chose what would work (over time).

Phantom | Embellushed Plush

Phantom | After Hours | Ankara

Primary Bedroom – ‘Boxing Day’ In Field

from: river house primary bedroom reveal

This is where it all started, what I was looking for the day at the upholstery shop. Boxing Day was the pattern that I thought would be perfect in their bedroom (and was the first room with benches that we completed). I loved the linear but still interesting pattern, the textural difference (cut chenille, not printed obviously), and the color palettes. I would put this on a sofa in a second – it feels both safe and special. Originally, I wanted the black taupe color-way, but they were out of stock of it, so I chose this as a backup. Turns out this one was my brother’s favorite anyway, and it’s absolutely perfect in here.

Guest Bedroom – ‘Phantom’ In Midnight

I designed the guest bedroom really fast (goodness, I love a guest bedroom), with the wall color and the bench seat being the two driving design elements. I love a warm pink with a blue (as you know), and this royal blue is so punchy and vibrant. The pattern itself has some late 80s, early 90s vibes, which scared Ken and Katie when looking at the sample. But the quality of the velvet with the raised texture and the richness of the blue makes it feel really contemporary and design-forward in the best way (they love it). It’s not risky in a big, bold, high contrast way, but it’s high impact and unexpected. They also have it in a few different colors (one chosen for the dining below, as you’ll see).

Living Room – ‘Moderne’ In Reflecting Pool

The living room fabric was the one I was going to die on the sword for. I felt with 99% assurance that it was PERFECT for this room and I wanted it so badly for them (and me). It would tie together all of the colors and tones, without being too busy, but with being unexpected and rich. All parties (even Gretchen!) besides me were doubtful and unsure it was right. I usually acquiesce to such doubt (because I usually have a lot inside me as well) and choose something everyone feels good about, but not this time. I swung this partnership; if they didn’t like it, there was no financial risk to them – just let me do it! As you know, I lik

So so so many of you have DM’d or commented asking a lot of questions about what happened to our rug line – why am I not on the site anymore, and do some of our rugs have a new name? It’s been confusing, and until now I wasn’t able to share (and hoped to not need to) but here goes.

Why Aren’t You On The Website Anymore?

Well, I’m no longer collaborating with them – they cancelled the line, mid-contract. After 2 lines with Rugs USA (2 years), the second one in particular selling very well, they made the decision to break it off.

Why Was It Cancelled?

Leadership change and financial shifts. They rehired their former CEO (who sat on the board while I was there), and collaborations weren’t part of his vision for the company before or now. Different CEOs get to change the direction of the company under their watch to meet their goals (usually under pressure from their board of directors, debtors, and investors). Essentially, financial shifts changed their marketing budgets, and collaborations are always part of the marketing budget, so we are always vulnerable to this when there are large leadership changes. Pretty standard business, honestly. The line was doing very well, but Rugs USA needed to make some changes, and so I’m sure a lot was on the chopping block, including their influencer/designer collaborations.

Did You See It Coming?

Kinda. Again, when we heard about the changes at the top, you have to wonder if they’ll retain the relationship. Our line was doing so well that I thought at worst we would just renegotiate the profit share for the third line. At first, we were told about the marketing personnel changes (always a warning), then bigger marketing shifts, and then a lot of stalls on the samples, as well as the potential shoot dates of the next line. So I knew something was up. Sure enough, a week later, they/we were all cancelled, “effective immediately”. Drama! lol.

Are You Bummed?

Sure. We worked really hard on these, and the revenue was great for EHD – myself and the team. We were really proud of them, and the entire process was a super positive experience. Had it been fraught, we would likely have had a different reaction, but it was really great, so we are sad to not work with them anymore. But I also know that businesses have to be healthy in order to stay alive, and sometimes you have to make hard decisions. Zero hard feelings – it’s just business.

Was It Because They Didn’t Sell?

Nope. The sales were high. In fact, I think because they were so high that they made the decision to take them in-house, which was their right. Listen, Rugs USA brought a lot to the table, including a massive population of people who shop from them regardless of them knowing me or not, and it was great marketing for us. I get the need to cut costs in hopes of retaining more of the profit. I’ve done similar moves in the past when I was in financial stress – misguided calculations based out of fear and skyrocketing overhead – you think you can do the same volume with fewer people (and sometimes you can). I have no insight into their business beyond what I read in a Wall Street Journal article. When companies aren’t healthy, everyone is vulnerable and hard decisions have to be made, so I really do understand the reaction, and only time will tell if that was the right thing to do.

Do You Regret Doing It?

No! We learned so much, met such awesome people (their marketing team was so incredible – totally changed the brand to be way more design forward, cool, stylish), and my team got to develop and flex different muscles. Plus, we made money, which is the whole point of running a business, so it really was a win, regardless of how it turned out.

Are You Looking For Another Rug Partner?

Yes!… As of today. We couldn’t until now due to some contract stuff, but because it was such a success, we feel confident that we can work with another company we love and produce as good, if not better, rugs for us and you. We have a lot of revenue streams, thank goodness, so this is just one that is down for a bit, but we are genuinely excited to find the right partner and give it another go.

The Biggest Bummer…

I designed (and already shot) my brother’s river house to sell these rugs. It’s going to be in a big magazine spread (with rooms you haven’t seen yet), so not making any money off of that design and marketing work on our end is a huge bummer. Sure, we can link to them and make a tiny affiliate commission (usually 3-5% of the retail cost, depending), so we’ll still link to them (I think). But when you literally design a house based around your own line, excited to show people how good it looks in this home that you’ve spent 4 years working on, and then it’s not your line anymore…well, yeah, that’s a bummer. I still stand by the rugs – they look so good in my brother’s house, and I’m not changing them out.

Can They Still Use Your Photos And The Names Of The Rugs?

Yep. If they paid for the shoot and the production of the rugs, they get usage (even if it’s in my home and named after my kids or my maiden name – Starke!). So if you see photos of them at the mountain house or our house, it’s all legal and on the up and up.

If We Buy Them Does EHD Benefit?

Not really. We can still use affiliate links when we feature the rugs here or on social (links that pay out the influencer a tiny percentage of the sale price from the retailer, at no cost to the consumer). So we’d be dumb not to link to the rugs when we feature them on past or my brother’s project, but it’s not the royalty that we used to get, and it’s very minimal. I still think they are great rugs, and right now they are on a massive sale (they might be discontinuing them, which is why they are on such a huge 40% off sale).

Man, it’s fun to see them all together like this.

I’m seriously so proud of my team for their hard work on this, especially Jess, who helped lead the design process. The line did really well, we had a ton of best sellers that we loved, and again, we learned so much about the design and manufacturing process. And listen, running a business, especially a business rooted in digital marketing, we have to be fluid and willing to pivot pretty quickly (lord, we know how much TikTok and AI are disrupting otherwise historically solid platforms – ha, I use the word “historically” very loosely). It requires us to be nimble and also to have a lot of different revenue streams, so if a solid one (like this) gets cut in one day, we are totally fine. It’s always a great reminder to stick to our core values and audience, and while growing forward is great, growing bigger comes with its own risks. A huge thanks to all of you who bought the rugs, love them, and cared enough to ask.

We’ll keep shopping from Rugs USA when we need an affordable rug, that is until we have a new rug line and then, you know, we will support our own line. 🙂 Onward and Upwards!!

Unless Otherwise Noted:
*Styled by Getteline Rene
**Photos by Mark Weinberg

Happy Sunday, everyone. If you had Friday off, we hope it was a good one that you got to spend with loved ones. We have another YouTube video coming out this week about the garage process that we can’t wait to show you! The PDX gals are really knocking it out of the park. Aside from that, we have a much-anticipated post going up tomorrow, so get ready for some tea. Ok, onto the links.

This week’s house tour belongs to Domino’s Design Director, Brit Ashcraft and her husband. It’s a 1887 Victorian house that was supposed to be a vacation home that turned into their full-time residence. It’s such a special, and thoughtfully designed space. Go check it out!

From Emily: Two Portland design favorites have collaborated, and we are all thrilled. Nik Nik Studio is an artist and ceramicist (and stylist who I’ve worked with – she’s so rad), and she has collaborated with Annie from Wilma, who is rather famous in town for her incredible eye in both vintage and with really interesting local and small makers. Not sure what I’m going to get my hands on, but just want to bring more awareness of two local creatives hustling hard to make the home and design world better and more interesting.

Also From Emily: I have consumed some pretty compelling media lately that I haven’t stopped talking about with my friends – 1. The Justin Willman magic show (Magic Lover) is out on Netflix, and it is an hour of so much fun and FANTASTIC with kids. We went to the live show and loved every single second of it (funny, heartfelt, mind-blowing), and the special is a shortened version of it. A great Sunday night viewing with literally anyone. 2. I also listened to the Diary Of A CEO podcast with three different feminists discussing whether or not the sexual revolution was great for feminism and women at large. FASCINATING. I couldn’t stop talking about it to Brian or literally any woman in my life. They don’t agree, although all are pro-choice and consider themselves feminists, it’s just whether certain things (like the pressure to work outside the home, capitalism, daycare, our political system (including liberalism), patriarchy and yes, the idea of casual sex) has truly benefited women…or perhaps just benefited men and capitalism. If you like a heated educated debate by experts in that field then give this a listen (be prepared to likely not agree with one or more of them and possibly find yourself shaking your head in the middle of walking your dogs but I personally think these types of discussions are the only way towards actual progress). I listened to it on Spotify, but here it is on YouTube.

From Caitlin: Gals, you’ll never believe it: this week, my 38-year-old boyfriend asked ME if I wanted to watch a new Sarah Jessica Parker interview with HIM. I couldn’t sprint to the couch fast enough!!! She was interviewed by Adam Friedland, one of his favorite podcasters-turned-YouTube personalities, and we had a BLAST watching it together. You can skip the first few minutes (TLDR: a booger appeared in his nose during the interview, he’s embarrassed but had to keep the footage in, yada yada yada), but the interview with SJP is SO GOOD! She’s so charming, they have great chemistry (we learn that she’s a fan of Adam’s!), and we laughed out loud more than once. If you’re looking for a fun watch that both you and your partner might enjoy, this interview is the ticket! It’d make a great light watch post-beach or barbecue this holiday weekend. (PS. It was filmed on the day that the new Pope was announced, so there’s a chaotic, frenetic, fun energy throughout as they receive real-time updates. It’s really fun!)

In case you wanted to do some sale shopping, here is our 4th of July sale post that Caitlin has been tirelessly updating all week!

From Jess: Here are my two skincare moisturizer restocks! This week, I of course ran out of like 5 different products. For a couple, I wanted to try something new (mostly for fun, not because I didn’t like them), but two products needed to be reordered – Dieux’s Air Angel Collagen & Peptide Hydrating Gel Cream and Peter Thomas Roth’s Peptide Skinjection Fill + Fix Under Eye Cream. The heat is here, so I don’t want a heavy face cream, but your girl Jess still needs moisture for her dry skin. Dieux is my answer. It’s light, noncomedogenic, and feels so good. It’s my second reorder. Then for my under eyes, I really loved this Peter Thomas Roth one. It’s also noncomedogenic, which is what I look for, given how milia-prone I am. Also, as a lifetime member of the genetic dark circle club, I do truly feel that this cream has brightened them. I suspect this will be reordered many times over in the future:)

From Mallory: I’ve never been one to purchase expensive sunglasses, but I feel like I just became a real adult woman because I finally got my first really nice pair. The brand is called A.P.C., and my boyfriend turned me onto it (their stores are AWESOME), and all of their pieces are super high quality and unique. They do the “simple but cool” thing really really well (and bonus points because right now they’re having a big summer sale yay!) Check them out if you want unique, high-quality items

From Alryn: Here’s something you’ll never hear a large-chested person say: I found a new wireless bra I love. Listen, when you’re in E, F, and G+ territory, especially after feeding a baby with your own body, gravity is NOT on your side, so support is of utmost importance. I used to be a solely underwire girl for this very reason, but I simply cannot stand the feeling of a wired bra anymore. Unless I’m in a “going out” outfit or dress, chances are, I’m in a wireless bra, and I just found my new favorite one. In fact, I bought two and within a week of receiving them, I bought two more. This Soma bra is so comfortable, supportive, and pretty affordable. Yes, I wrote a post about wireless bras for large chests a while back, and this one was middle of the road for me, but since then, my breast size has decreased, and my shape has changed, and it’s wonderful now. The silhouette is a touch pointed, but I don’t mind; plus it has side support panels that do a good job. Looks great under T-shirts, feels so comfy, and lifts. What else do you want, huh?!?

From Gretch: Months ago, I was enamored by a super budget-friendly home makeover I saw on TikTok. I was desperate to share her page back then, but sadly, I couldn’t track down the creator. That is, until she (thankfully) came across my For You Page the other day with ANOTHER fantastic budget makeover. Her name is Kiki Tolles (or @roomsbykiki on TikTok and Instagram) and she is awesome. She’s a small-ish creator who, I think, deserves a way bigger following! Her work reminds me so much of the type of projects I worked on before I started at EHD – helping people design/style their homes on an extreme budget, scouring Facebook Marketplace for eclectic goodies, slowly building a room by collecting only the most perfect pieces for that person. But let’s not mince words, she does it way better than I ever could. Her content is so legitimately interesting and her designs are so thoughtful, I find myself watching her content like a really good movie – no speeding through, absorbing every second of her story. The effort she puts into all of her budgeting spreadsheets, documenting her process, and just the clear and simple way she tells the whole story – it deserves to be recognized! She realllllly prioritizes designing with secondhand pieces, which I love, and her reveals are truly jaw-dropping (especially for the price). Check out her other projects and give her a follow. I have a feeling she’s one to watch!

Also From Gretch: I had to return a few things to Nordstrom the other day and had no choice but to pass by the shoe section on my way out. When I did, these cute new Birkenstocks caught my eye right away, and I just couldn’t say no. Whoops! They’re similar to a pair Em loves, but in a lighter tan, more similar to MY favorite pair of Birks. I absolutely LIVE in my Bostons (ask anyone who knows me – they are on my feet every. single. day.) but sometimes a clog is just too hot to handle in the summertime. I’ve had many a great pair of sandal Birks over the years, but have been in the market for a new set ever since last summer, when I wore them while chopping wood (yes, stupid) and accidentally cut my foot. The strap somehow stayed intact and saved me from losing a toe, but the leather just couldn’t recover from the bloodstains. I figured it was time for a fresh pair. So I picked them up in Sandcastle, mostly because it’s a similar color to my clogs, so I know I’ll wear them to death, but also because I love that the gold buckles are slightly matte. Really cute in person, obviously crazy comfortable, and perfect for the hotter weather!

From Marlee: I’ve never been a body oil person because I always find them to be greasy, but I just tried out this oil from Saltair, and I’m definitely going to be wearing it all summer. It’s a little thick at first, but absorbs super nicely (esp when your skin is wet) and doesn’t leave a greasy feeling – it feels so moisturizing after a day in the sun and it leaves a nice little glow:) I got the salt water vanilla scent, which is a pretty classic, summery, bright vanilla, and it smells soooo yummy. There are a few other scents to choose from, too. I’ve been pretty impressed with the Saltair products I’ve tried!

As always, thank you for stopping by and hanging out with us. See y’all tomorrow. xx

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Tessa Neustadt | From: The Finished Patio (with the tile!)

As a “romper” expert, I have had a lot over the years and liked many for different reasons. But once I bought my first Pistola, it quickly became the one I reached for. It’s flattering, while being roomy. Cute while having big pockets for a phone, etc. For us, our job being relatively physical, so having an easy-to-move-in “outfit” that is cool in the summer, always comfortable, and cute (for camera) is a Venn diagram miracle. I find myself telling any stranger who flatters me in it that it’s the best comfortable romper on the market, so I figured I’d see if my team agrees. So today you’ll see their new summer line on a few bodies (yes, I reached out and they sent them to me and my team with no obligation to say anything at all, let alone something positive). Here is what we think:

Emily

Meg Zip Front Romper | Sandals

Archie Pleated Romper | Sandals

Size: Small (I’m between 4-6 (so I guess a 5, lol)
Height: 5’4″ with a short-ish torso
True to Size?: I love how it fits and wouldn’t want smaller or bigger, but admittedly I want it to not be tight AT ALL. No body-con rompers for me, thank you. Size down if you are in between, like me.
Official Review: MASSIVE fan. They have some structure while being lightweight (some other brands that are canvas are great, but too hot for most months). The cotton is thin enough to be cool, but thick enough not to be cheap poplin that doesn’t keep its shape. It gives more “utilitarian,” which I also want (and is the whole point). The huge pockets are fantastic for work or just for weekend cleaning, so I can keep my phone/podcast on my person as I run around the house.

The red one – I’ve worn the red one almost every day since I got it – oh, and it washes great, too. I don’t need to steam it, and they don’t wrinkle up in an annoying way. I have the denim version that drapes/falls really well, too.

The green one – This one is new to me and I really like it for a dressier version (great for summer office) but l’ll likely wear it less since it does cinch at the waist (I might have sensory issues, guys!). But it’s really flattering and cute for a slightly dressier/less utilitarian vibe.

Jess

Parker Romper in Fade to Black

Size: Small
Height: 5’4″
True to Size?: I think so but only if you like a looser fit, otherwise consider sizing down.
Official Review: Needless to say, I was so so excited to get a Pistola romper. Em has been wearing them for a while now, and every time I think how cute they are. When I first put it on, I immediately felt the quality and loved all the details. But after staring at myself for a minute, I was afraid it might be slightly too big. I even panic messaged Caitlin, who was the one in contact with Pistola, that I might need to swap. I then adjusted the waist to cinch it in, and I was so much happier! As you can see, I went vintage shopping (with Caitlin) and felt great the whole day…although we both forgot to get any good front shots of me in it in the wild, lol. I will mention two things that I think are worth considering. I think the top is a little roomy, in general. Great for maybe tall, longer-torsoed, or bustier people (plus, I do think it’s also just the look). However, with the adjustable waist, it fixes that problem for us shorties. But if you like a more fitted look, I would size down (maybe even 2 sizes). Also, there are snaps AND buttons going down the front! Which is great because you are secure. I just wouldn’t wait too long to go to the bathroom because it’s a 2-step “undoing” process:) Overall, I really love it and will absolutely be wearing it all summer. Recommend!

Arlyn

Parker Romper in Fade to Black

Size: Extra-Large
Height: 5’3″
True to Size?: Totally. I followed the measurements on the online sizing guide, which led me to an XL, which is typically what I am with pieces like this. (For reference, I waver between a large and XL in tops because I’m very busty, and wear XL bottoms or anywhere between a 14 or 16, depending on the brand.)
Official Review: I have a complicated relationship with rompers in general. I always love them on other people, but because I’m petite, on the rounder side, and, again, chesty, it’s very hard for me to ever get a comfortable fit. Either the crotch is too low and rubs in weird places, the shorts ride up, the top is too small for dem boobies, or it has way too much fabric everywhere for the size I need. BUT, I have to say, I did think this was a good fit. However, as Jess mentioned, my goodness, you’re caged up in this thing! There’s an internal layer of snaps and a top layer of buttons. Secure? Yes. Overkill? Perhaps. The fabric is thick and sturdy, so it’ll likely wash really well and last a long time, but it does feel a bit stiff at first, FYI. I may need to break it in a bit to feel more comfortable, but it sure is cute.

Caitlin

The Vance Romper in Vivid White

Size: Large
Height: 5’8″
True to Size?: True to their size chart? Yes. True to my understanding of my size? No! I almost grabbed an XL here – it’s my go-to size when ordering from any new brand – and am so glad I checked the chart before adding to cart. (I technically could have fit into a medium!) I have a super long torso and normally need to size up, so I was pleasantly surprised by how comfy and roomy the large fits me.
Official Review: I LOVE THIS ROMPER. (I love it so much that when it was delivered at my house, I took to Slack and proclaimed “just got my romper and I LOVE IT,” followed by “taking all my restraint not to throw it in the link up this week lol.”) I love that it’s loose and breezy around the legs, a little more formal up top, and that I can tie it as tight or as loose as I’d like. It’s a total blank canvas – easy to dress up, easy to dress down – and it’s one of those rare pieces of clothing that you could wear both to the grocery store and to like, any conservative church on your summer European vacation travels. The fabric is weighty and luxe – I’m just blown away by the quality. Pistola, I see you!!! You have a new fan 🙂 (PS. I was shocked to read the other gals’ commentary on the buttons. This one just hag regular ol’ buttons. I can pee without issue!)

Mallory

Parker Romper in Fade to Black

Size: Small
Height: 5’7″
True to Size?: Yes!
Official Review: This is a solid piece – the quality is great and the fabric is thick. The fit definitely works for a longer torso because the crotch is a bit lower. It also has double-layered buttons so skin doesn’t peek through when you sit down, which I think is a really smart design (but know it will take you a bit to take off during bathroom trips). I also really love the white version of this romper, which I was initially nervous about getting (and ultimately went with the black) because I thought it might be see-through. But now that I know how thick and high quality the material is on the black one, I think the white would be SUPER cute and easy to style too:)

Gretchen

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Hello there! Welcome to the best-curated sales guide on the internet. (I’m only a little biased.) If you’d like to celebrate this holiday weekend with some savings, you’re in the right place – the team at EHD has curated a selection of the best July 4th deals on everything from furniture and lighting to dresses and sunscreen. (And there are no “fake” deals here – if the discount isn’t better than the deal you’d get by signing up for the email list, it didn’t make our cut. REAL SALES ONLY!)

We’ve spent the last week with our heads down, scanning the internet for the actual best deals out there this weekend – we’re talking high-quality furniture under $400, sustainable decor from $5, and breezy linen sets that won’t break the bank. If you’re on the hunt for, well, anything, you’ll likely find it at one of the tried-and-true retailers on this list. We’ve highlighted our favorite pieces below, but there’s way more where that came from – we love the selection at each and every brand on this list. I’ll be here, updating all weekend – let me know if you’re looking for anything in particular! I’m happy to advise. (I’ve done A LOT of internet window shopping this week. And a little bit of real shopping, too, if I’m being honest.) Ready to dive in?

Last Updated: 7/4, 9:25 AM EDT

Furniture & Home Décor

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Umbrella | Upholstered Chair | Outdoor Sofa | Coffee Table | Mirror | Ottoman | Sofa | Blue Lumbar Pillow | Pink Ruffle Pillow | Quilt

AllModern

Deal: Up to 60% off furniture, decor, and more.
Our Picks: The modernist, Calder-inspired floor lamp from the art barn; Polywood Adirondack chairs, guaranteed to stand the test of time; Em’s outdoor living room loveseat.

Annie Selke

Deal: 25% off site-wide.
Our Picks: The bestselling textured blue rug, now in a washable format; a colorful indoor/outdoor rug (imagine with a Haight Blue porch for instant summer!); a handwoven jute rug in a fresh quilted pattern.

Anthropologie

Deal: Up to 40% off furniture, decor, candles, and more; plus an additional 50% off sale styles.
Our Picks: The iconic live-edge coffee table (you know the one); the painfully charming collection of summer serve- and table-ware; Em’s graphic and punchy indoor/outdoor pillows.

Article

Deal: Up to 40% off hundreds of styles for outdoor, bedroom, living room, and more.
Our Picks: An outdoor sectional set so nice we used it twice (at Bowser’s and the River House); a simple oak bed frame for only $239; the classic Sven sofa, now in a rich, chocolatey performance velvet.

Brooklinen

Deal: 20% off site-wide; plus up to 50% off special bundles.
Our Picks: My favorite linen sheet set; the percale sheet set Em ordered this week (in Pebble, for her primary bedroom); the dream weave waffle towels – they’re both plush and quick drying.

CB2

Deal: Up to 50% off furniture, outdoor, decor, rugs, and more.
Our Picks: Em’s graphic, modernist-meets-classic table lamp; designers’ favorite thin-walled glassware (we use these all the time!); a sculptural, textured, elevated terracotta vase.

The Citizenry

Deal: 20% off site-wide.
Our Picks: $55 hand-stitched leather catch-alls, perfect for your entry or dresser; a simple, petite side table crafted from Hinoki wood; the classic, quilted, easy-to-layer organic cotton bed blanket.

The Container Store

Deal: 25% off site-wide.
Our Picks: Under bed storage that’s actually easy to access; stackable (and sustainable!) drawer organizers for every room; the clear closet shelf dividers we swear by.

Crate & Barrel

Deal: Up to 40% off bestselling furniture (!!!); up to 50% off outdoor; up to 60% off decor, entertaining, rugs, and more.
Our Picks: A sweet, vintage-inspired writing desk under $400; this deeply-discounted burl mirror by Athena Calderone; the no-fail selection of indoor/outdoor planters – there’s a pot for every style.

Design Within Reach

Deal: 20% off in-stock lighting, furniture, and decor; plus free shipping on orders over $2,000 with code FREESHIP.
Our Picks: HAY’s colorful, recycled crates (especially if you’re shopping for a dorm or first apartment!); a fresh, feminine, stainless steel tray to anchor your vignettes; my friendly, cheery, chunky dinner plates.

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Lamp | Lounge Chair | Textural Rug | Turkish Cotton Towels | Bar Cabinet | Pretty Quilt | Media Unit | Jute & Wool Rug

H&M

Deal: Up to 60% off decor, textiles, tabletop, and more.
Our Picks: The sub-$15 stoneware vase that makes Ikebana floral arrangements easy; an old-meets-new, trend forward fabric globe pendant; come for the scented candle, stay for the modernist ceramic jar.

Interior Define

Deal: 20% off site-wide; 25% off orders over $2,999.
Our Picks: The twin-size sleeper sofa, perfect for hosting in small spaces; an elevated storage ottoman with custom piping; the beautifully-proportioned upholstered bed that feels like a hug.

Jayson Home

Deal: Up to 50% off favorite selects.
Our Picks: My dream Windsor-style entryway bench; the coolest stoneware candelabra – it looks like it costs way more than $29!; a chic sling chair that will bring a modern edge to any interior.

Leesa

Deal: 30% off mattresses.
Our Picks: Em swears by the Sapira Hybrid Chill mattress – she tested it in Birdie’s room at the farm and loved it so much that she got a second for her primary bedroom.

Living Spaces

Deal: Up to 60% off July clearance deals.
Our Picks: This round, black oak coffee table for only $296; a budget-friendly end table with storage AND a shelf, perfect for stashing your essentials; this $450 dining table that extends to 90″ (!!!).

Lulu and Georgia

Deal: Up to 30% off site-wide, plus an extra 20% off markdowns.
Our Picks: Drop everything and RUN to the sale section. This vessel! Nightstands! Ginny’s dining table! Em’s pedestals! A craftsman console! The pillows! It’s too much!!! Don’t make me choose!!!

McGee & Co.

Deal: Up to 70% off furniture, decor, lighting, rugs, and more.
Our Picks: A deeply-discounted Loeffler Randall vase (under $20!); a sweet, works-anywhere stool with timeless bobbin legs; $1,500 off (!!!) this streamlined, organic modern coffee table.

Pottery Barn

Deal: Up to 60% off decor, outdoor, and more; up to 50% off furniture; plus an extra 20% off select clearance styles.
Our Picks: This outdoor movie screen, because it’s never too late to make summer memories; a simple clamshell catchall for a tiny nautical touch; a contract-grade swivel chair from $649.

<a href="https://rstyle.me/+ng2shmBIT7dAiyvOiblB1Q&quot; target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener

Hello there! Welcome to the best-curated sales guide on the internet. (I’m only a little biased.) If you’d like to celebrate this holiday weekend with some savings, you’re in the right place – the team at EHD has curated a selection of the best July 4th deals on everything from furniture and lighting to dresses and sunscreen. (And there are no “fake” deals here – if the discount isn’t better than the deal you’d get by signing up for the email list, it didn’t make our cut. REAL SALES ONLY!)

We’ve spent the last week with our heads down, scanning the internet for the actual best deals out there this weekend – we’re talking high-quality furniture under $400, sustainable decor from $5, and breezy linen sets that won’t break the bank. If you’re on the hunt for, well, anything, you’ll likely find it at one of the tried-and-true retailers on this list. We’ve highlighted our favorite pieces below, but there’s way more where that came from – we love the selection at each and every brand on this list. I’ll be here, updating all weekend – let me know if you’re looking for anything in particular! I’m happy to advise. (I’ve done A LOT of internet window shopping this week. And a little bit of real shopping, too, if I’m being honest.) Ready to dive in?

Last Updated: 7/3, 6:00 AM EDT

Furniture & Home Décor

AllModern

Deal: Up to 60% off furniture, decor, and more.
Our Picks: The modernist, Calder-inspired floor lamp from the art barn; Polywood Adirondack chairs, guaranteed to stand the test of time; Em’s outdoor living room loveseat.

Annie Selke

Deal: 25% off site-wide.
Our Picks: The bestselling textured blue rug, now in a washable format; a colorful indoor/outdoor rug (imagine with a Haight Blue porch for instant summer!); a handwoven jute rug in a fresh quilted pattern.

Anthropologie

EHD Exclusive Deal: 20% off regular-priced items with code EMILYH20 through 6/30. (This isn’t part of their July 4th promotion – it’s a special early access deal just for our readers!)
Our Picks: The iconic live-edge coffee table (you know the one); the painfully charming collection of summer serve- and table-ware; Em’s graphic and punchy indoor/outdoor pillows.

Article

Deal: Up to 40% off hundreds of styles for outdoor, bedroom, living room, and more.
Our Picks: An outdoor sectional set so nice we used it twice (at Bowser’s and the River House); a simple oak bed frame for only $239; the classic Sven sofa, now in a rich, chocolatey performance velvet.

Brooklinen

Deal: 20% off site-wide; plus up to 50% off special bundles.
Our Picks: My favorite linen sheet set; the percale sheet set Em ordered this week (in Pebble, for her primary bedroom); the dream weave waffle towels – they’re both plush and quick drying.

Umbrella | Upholstered Chair | Outdoor Sofa | Coffee Table | Mirror | Ottoman | Sofa | Blue Lumbar Pillow | Pink Ruffle Pillow | Quilt

CB2

Deal: Up to 50% off furniture, outdoor, decor, rugs, and more.
Our Picks: Em’s graphic, modernist-meets-classic table lamp; designers’ favorite thin-walled glassware (we use these all the time!); a sculptural, textured, elevated terracotta vase.

The Citizenry

Deal: 20% off site-wide.
Our Picks: $55 hand-stitched leather catch-alls, perfect for your entry or dresser; a simple, petite side table crafted from Hinoki wood; the classic, quilted, easy-to-layer organic cotton bed blanket.

The Container Store

Deal: 25% off site-wide.
Our Picks: Under bed storage that’s actually easy to access; stackable (and sustainable!) drawer organizers for every room; the clear closet shelf dividers we swear by.

Crate & Barrel

Deal: Up to 40% off bestselling furniture (!!!); up to 50% off outdoor; up to 60% off decor, entertaining, rugs, and more.
Our Picks: A sweet, vintage-inspired writing desk under $400; this deeply-discounted burl mirror by Athena Calderone; the no-fail selection of indoor/outdoor planters – there’s a pot for every style.

Design Within Reach

Deal: 20% off in-stock lighting, furniture, and decor; plus free shipping on orders over $2,000 with code FREESHIP.
Our Picks: HAY’s colorful, recycled crates (especially if you’re shopping for a dorm or first apartment!); a fresh, feminine, stainless steel tray to anchor your vignettes; my friendly, cheery, chunky dinner plates.

H&M

Deal: Up to 60% off decor, textiles, tabletop, and more.
Our Picks: The sub-$15 stoneware vase that makes Ikebana floral arrangements easy; an old-meets-new, trend forward fabric globe pendant; come for the scented candle, stay for the modernist ceramic jar.

Interior Define

Deal: 20% off site-wide; 25% off orders over $2,999.
Our Picks: The twin-size sleeper sofa, perfect for hosting in small spaces; an elevated storage ottoman with custom piping; the beautifully-proportioned upholstered bed that feels like a hug.

Jayson Home

Deal: Up to 50% off favorite selects.
Our Picks: My dream Windsor-style entryway bench; the coolest stoneware candelabra – it looks like it costs way more than $29!; a chic sling chair that will bring a modern edge to any interior.

Leesa

Deal: 30% off mattresses.
Our Picks: Em swears by the Sapira Hybrid Chill mattress – she tested it in Birdie’s room at the farm and loved it so much that she got a second for her primary bedroom.

Living Spaces

Deal: Up to 60% off July clearance deals.
Our Picks: This round, black oak coffee table for only $296; a budget-friendly end table with storage AND a shelf, perfect for stashing your essentials; this $450 dining table that extends to 90″ (!!!).

Lulu and Georgia

Deal: Up to 30% off site-wide, plus an extra 20% off markdowns.
Our Picks: Drop everything and RUN to the sale section. This vessel! Nightstands! Ginny’s dining table! Em’s pedestals! A craftsman console! The pillows! It’s too much!!! Don’t make me choose!!!

McGee & Co.

Deal: Up to 70% off furniture, decor, lighting, rugs, and more.
Our Picks: A deeply-discounted Loeffler Randall vase (under $20!); a sweet, works-anywhere stool with timeless bobbin legs; $1,500 off (!!!) this streamlined, organic modern coffee table.

Pottery Barn

Deal: Up to 60% off decor, outdoor, and more; up to 50% off furniture; plus an extra 20% off select clearance styles.
Our Picks: This outdoor movie screen, because it’s never too late to make summer memories; a simple clamshell catchall for a tiny nautical touch; a contract-grade swivel chair from $649.

Rejuvenation

Deal: Up to 60% off, plus an extra 20% off clearance styles.
Our Picks: Em’s keep-forever rolling canvas laundry cart (it’s finally on sale!); 90% off timeless house numbers (spoiler: they’re under $5!); a deeply-discounted ceramic lamp with mid-century lines.

Rugs USA

Deal: Up to 75% off site-wide.
Our Picks: A solid, Nordic Knots-esque rug at a fraction of the price; the dupe for my living room rug; an unbelievably charming folk-art inspired rug (last year’s Swedish trend prediction is coming to bear!).

Schoolhouse

Deal: 15% off site-wide with code DOGDAYS.
Our Picks: The chic round pillow from the Clare V. collection, now 40% off; an art deco-inspired bistro table, especially in the cheery blue hue; EHD’s eternal go-to winter/summer cotton bed coverlet.

Hello, friend! You’ve stumbled on a little test – we’re building our July 4th sales guide in public this year! Normally, we spend the week leading up to any major sale with our heads down – we’re analyzing prices, products, and trying to find the best deals for you. We release this information to you in one fell swoop – one huge, massive, enormous sales guide, usually published during the holiday weekend. (PS. If you’re new here, hello! We publish the best-curated sales guides on the internet.)

But this year, I want to try something – I want to assemble our sales guide in public! These deals are pre-vetted by the EHD team and available now – why shouldn’t you know about them before everyone else? Every day, I’ll be adding more retailers, products, and images to break up all the walls of text. You’ll even be able to see us play around with formatting, new tools, and all that jazz! It’s a quiet launch for our most eagle-eyed readers (however you got here, thank you for coming!) and I’d more than welcome any feedback or ideas as we flesh this guide out for it’s full publication in July. And in the meantime…happy savings, gang. 🙂

Last Updated: 7/2, 12:50 PM EDT

Furniture & Home Décor

AllModern

Deal: Up to 60% off furniture, decor, and more.
Our Picks: The modernist, Calder-inspired floor lamp from the art barn; Polywood Adirondack chairs, guaranteed to stand the test of time; Em’s outdoor living room loveseat.

Annie Selke

Deal: 25% off site-wide.
Our Picks: The bestselling textured blue rug, now in a washable format; a colorful indoor/outdoor rug (imagine with a Haight Blue porch for instant summer!); a handwoven jute rug in a fresh quilted pattern.

Anthropologie

EHD Exclusive Deal: 20% off regular-priced items with code EMILYH20 through 6/30. (This isn’t part of their July 4th promotion – it’s a special early access deal just for our readers!)
Our Picks: The iconic live-edge coffee table (you know the one); the painfully charming collection of summer serve- and table-ware; Em’s graphic and punchy indoor/outdoor pillows.

Article

Deal: Up to 40% off hundreds of styles for outdoor, bedroom, living room, and more.
Our Picks: An outdoor sectional set so nice we used it twice (at Bowser’s and the River House); a simple oak bed frame for only $239; the classic Sven sofa, now in a rich, chocolatey performance velvet.

Brooklinen

Deal: 20% off site-wide; plus up to 50% off special bundles.
Our Picks: My favorite linen sheet set; the percale sheet set Em ordered this week (in Pebble, for her primary bedroom); the dream weave waffle towels – they’re both plush and quick drying.

CB2

Deal: Up to 50% off furniture, outdoor, decor, rugs, and more.
Our Picks: Em’s graphic, modernist-meets-classic table lamp; designers’ favorite thin-walled glassware (we use these all the time!); a sculptural, textured, elevated terracotta vase.

The Citizenry

Deal: 20% off site-wide.
Our Picks: $55 hand-stitched leather catch-alls, perfect for your entry or dresser; a simple, petite side table crafted from Hinoki wood; the classic, quilted, easy-to-layer organic cotton bed blanket.

The Container Store

Deal: 25% off site-wide.
Our Picks: Under bed storage that’s actually easy to access; stackable (and sustainable!) drawer organizers for every room; the clear closet shelf dividers we swear by.

Crate & Barrel

Deal: Up to 40% off bestselling furniture (!!!); up to 50% off outdoor; up to 60% off decor, entertaining, rugs, and more.
Our Picks: A sweet, vintage-inspired writing desk under $400; this deeply-discounted burl mirror by Athena Calderone; the no-fail selection of indoor/outdoor planters – there’s a pot for every style.

Design Within Reach

Deal: 20% off in-stock lighting, furniture, and decor; plus free shipping on orders over $2,000 with code FREESHIP.
Our Picks: HAY’s colorful, recycled crates (especially if you’re shopping for a dorm or first apartment!); a fresh, feminine, stainless steel tray to anchor your vignettes; my friendly, cheery, chunky dinner plates.

H&M

Deal: Up to 60% off decor, textiles, tabletop, and more.
Our Picks: The sub-$15 stoneware vase that makes Ikebana floral arrangements easy; an old-meets-new, trend forward fabric globe pendant; come for the scented candle, stay for the modernist ceramic jar.

Interior Define

Deal: 20% off site-wide; 25% off orders over $2,999.
Our Picks: The twin-size sleeper sofa, perfect for hosting in small spaces; an elevated storage ottoman with custom piping; the beautifully-proportioned upholstered bed that feels like a hug.

Leesa

Deal: 30% off mattresses.
Our Picks: Em swears by the Sapira Hybrid Chill mattress – she tested it in Birdie’s room at the farm and loved it so much that she got a second for her primary bedroom.

Lulu and Georgia

Deal: Up to 30% off site-wide, plus an extra 20% off markdowns.
Our Picks: Drop everything and RUN to the sale section. This vessel! Nightstands! Ginny’s dining table! Em’s pedestals! A craftsman console! The pillows! It’s too much!!! Don’t make me choose!!!

McGee & Co.

Deal: Up to 70% off furniture, decor, lighting, rugs, and more.
Our Picks: A deeply-discounted Loeffler Randall vase (under $20!); a sweet, works-anywhere stool with timeless bobbin legs; $1,500 off (!!!) this streamlined, organic modern coffee table.

Pottery Barn

Deal: Up to 60% off decor, outdoor, and more; up to 50% off furniture; plus an extra 20% off select clearance styles.
Our Picks: This outdoor movie screen, because it’s never too late to make summer memories; a simple clamshell catchall for a tiny nautical touch; a contract-grade swivel chair from $649.

Rejuvenation

Deal: Up to 60% off, plus an extra 20% off clearance styles.
Our Picks: Em’s keep-forever rolling canvas laundry cart (it’s finally on sale!); 90% off timeless house numbers (spoiler: they’re under $5!); a deeply-discounted ceramic lamp with mid-century lines.

Rugs USA

Deal: Up to 75% off site-wide.
Our Picks: A solid, Nordic Knots-esque rug at a fraction of the price; the dupe for my living room rug; an unbelievably charming folk-art inspired rug (last year’s Swedish trend prediction is coming to bear!).

Serena & Lily

Deal: Up to 40% off site-wide; free shipping on orders over $2,500.
Our Picks: The sun-bleached pine breakfast table you’ll be able to pass down; a modern Windsor dining chair (especially in that sweet duck egg blue); a solid, tiered cerused oak side table under $300.

Terrain

Deal: Up to 25% off select garden, outdoor, furniture, decor, and more.
Our Picks: The bestselling cotton sunhat, vetted (and loved) by gardeners; a pretty, lightweight hose in rainbow sherbet hues; preserved bouquets for beautiful flowers sans-maintenance.

Tuft & Needle

Deal: Up to 25% off select mattresses, bedding, and pillows.
Our Picks: The Mint Hybrid mattress – Jess and I both own one and love it. (I’ve literally broken my back, and sleeping on this mattress leaves me pain-free by morning – it’s what I miss most while traveling.)

TwoPages Curtains

Deal: 18% off site-wide; 20% off for VIPs with code VIP20.
Our Picks: I bought these custom Roman shades in a huge size (~4’x6′) during the Memorial Day sale – I couldn’t be happier with the result. I would 100% vouch for any of the shades or drapery!

Visual Comfort

Deal: 20% off site-wide plus free shipping.
Our Picks: A sophisticated Kelly Wearstler floor lamp under $400; on-trend flush mount spotlights that won’t break the bank; this classic, storybook-esque lantern pendant.

World Market

Deal: Up to 50% off outdoor furniture; an extra 50% off clearance items; plus deep discounts on indoor furniture.
Our Picks: Block-printed cloth napkins that only look expensive; an extendable farmhouse dining table under $800 (it can seat 8!); the punchy, modernist $64 steel end table I just bought for my balcony.

Fashion, Beauty, & Everyday

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This trip to Belize felt like our first entry into traveling with the kids, not vacation. We didn’t “backpack” (only carry-ons, though), we stayed in nicer hotels (not bunk room hostels), and we had a fully planned agenda (by yours truly), but the spirit of “travel” was there. We moved around, saw so much of the country, and my god, we came back with stories and a lot of hard-wired family connections. Fifteen years ago, Brian and I, broke and depressed during the recession, backpacked around Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand for 9 weeks. We saw couples traveling with their babies/toddlers, shirking all normal expectations, bedtimes, or routines in exchange for experiencing the world. We naively promised that would be us. And then…we went back to life in LA, circa 2009 – I started the blog, won a reality show, had two kids, bought a house (or two), had a couple mental breakdowns, pandemic, and landed in a farm outside of Portland. Needless to say, we are not those people. But this trip felt so educational, cultural, and adventurous (which I think is my vacation happy place now that the kids aren’t toddlers – see more on that below).

Why Belize?

Highly recommended by a few school friends, Belize was described as a “Better Costa Rica” (Impossible! I take offense!). Why? Well, it has the tropical weather and rain forest, but in addition, the Caribbean waters + Belize Barrier Reef + caves, and Mayan ruins. I’m listening. Essentially, just so much to do, learn, and see, but small enough that we could really see the whole country in 10 days. What we didn’t know til we arrived was that English is the official language (it was The British Honduras til the 1980s) and they take American dollars. It’s way more African/Caribbean than it was Spanish, which we didn’t know (despite Mexico being its neighboring country). It’s incredibly easy to travel and felt really safe. That’s all to say if you are thinking about going to Hawaii because you don’t want to deal with a language barrier, currency exchange, then Belize could be for you. It wasn’t as affordable as some countries in Central America, but certainly more affordable than Hawaii, and if you’re in Texas or Georgia/Florida, it takes less than 4 hours to fly direct.

I did a ton of research, read so many reviews on Reddit and Trip Advisor, and I planned the hell out of this trip (and did a fantastic job if I do say so myself). In fact, a couple of the local guides asked me how we were able to find the 3 best places to visit in Belize. Answer: hours of Saturday morning research. I wanted three distinct towns/experiences. And boy, did we get them. So let’s get into the highlights.

Caye Caulker – A Tiny Island, Ambergris Caye’s Little Sister

We landed in Belize City and took a jumper flight to Caye Caulker (10 minutes, 10 people), which is a tiny island near the reef. No cars, just golf carts, bare feet, sand, and a lot of backpackers and warm locals. We opted for Caye Caulker over Ambergris Caye because it was the smaller, less touristy route, and frankly, I try my absolute best to avoid crowds/traffic on vacation, so I was nervous about that (but turns out Ambergris Caye is not that crowded either, just more established and higher end + cars).

IT WAS RAD. While it’s “touristy”, sure, we met so many guides that lived there from birth, and nary a McDonald’s in sight. Just a lot of backpackers and families like ours who are down for adventure. It’s 3 miles long and you can eat your dinner in a swing that sits in the warm Caribbean water while later feeding/petting sting rays at sunset (not to mention the tarpon feeding). We stayed at El Ben, which was great, but too far away from town for us (across The Split, which required a 10-minute walk and a tiny 3-minute boat ride). Next time we will stay in town. (El Ben was very peaceful and quiet, great thatched style rooms, AC with good bedding – it was great, just further than we wanted to be – awesome honeymoon spot).

The Snorkeling – Out Of This World

One of the best places in the world to snorkel, along a great barrier reef. We booked a full day with Caveman (fantastic and run by locals). The highlight was the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, which is a break in the reef where all the marine life comes in from the ocean to feed on the bay life – we saw dolphins, families of manatees, sting rays, huge schools of fish, nurse sharks – it was WILD. We just looked down and saw them all crossing the “street” right below us, coming in to feed. BLOWN AWAY.

Shark Alley is also a must.  If you are doing a more private group tour I think you can skip some of the other locations for those two (also we got burnt out after 5 hours – our PNW skin is very sensitive and I felt like it was my full time job to put on sunscreen which then we had to wait to get into the water for eco purposes, etc). Oh, but afterwards we sat in swings in the teal Caribbean water and sipped on drinks.