Ikea Gingham Bedding / Serena & Lily Blue Pillow / Similar Rattan Chair and Cushion / Brooke & Lou Wallpaper and Pillow / Serena & Lily Trunk / Pottery Barn Elephant (Newer here.) / Jellycat Ballerina Bunny / Similar Plush Mermaid / PBK Bow Curtains in Blush / Older Pottery Barn Rug (Newer here.) / Amazon Sheets / Canopy Bed / Chandelier / Euro Shams / Children’s Place Outfit
Oh my goodness.
Day Designer / More affordable option: Day Designer for Blue Sky
Let’s talk planners!
For a few years, I used Emily Ley’s Simplified Planner for an agenda, and it was pretty good. Last year, I was a total mess and used scraps of paper and toilet paper for my to-do lists. (Jokes. But no planner.) For 2020? I’m using the Day Designer, because my good friend Blair (from the Fox & She!) recommended it and I need all the help. 🙈
J.Crew Factory Cozy Jeans (Under $40 and AMAZING. So soft and warm! TTS.) / Laney Pumps / Madewell Texture & Thread Top / Tde. Phone Case / Master Bedroom Details Here
Three things:
Okay! On to this week’s Recent Finds:
Inglesina Fast Table Chair / Also available via Amazon with the tray and without the tray / With Emma, we had the Phil & Ted Lobster Chair / You can buy the tray separately for $15 here
My next-door neighbor recently passed down her Inglesina Fast Table Chair to us because her girls had outgrown it. And it’s changed our lives. Thank you, Nicki!
Sorel Puffy *Waterproof* Snow Boots (SO GOOD. Here is the sneaker version. And, of course, I highly recommend my beloved classic short UGG boots. And this classic mini pair and this fluffy pair, one of which I’m thinking about getting as house shoes. I’m old.) / Patagonia Radalie Jacket / Madewell Jeans (LOVE these, too. Read the reviews! Amazing.) / Free People Top / Newer Ugg Gloves / Similar Pearl Headband Here and Here
Aaaaand we’re back with an outfit post!
Update: The big J.Crew sale is still on–at least the “sale on sale” part is!–so wanted to highlight a few awesome products you can get for a steal on this snowy Thursday morning. :) Right now, outerwear is up to 50 percent off, cashmere is up to 50 percent off, and you can take an extra 60 percent off the sale section—which makes for some hard-to-believe prices.
Featured coffee machines: Breville Oracle Touch + Breville Precision Brewer
Mitch here!
In the past year, I’ve become obsessed with coffee. I watch YouTube videos about it in the middle of the night and recently, I invited a pro to the house to teach me new stuff because I’m really into it. At one point, I owned seven coffee machines and three grinders. (I’ve since come to my senses and gave a good number of them to friends and family.)
South Seas Bar Cart (Large) c/o / South Seas Side Cart (Small) / South Seas Console Table
Last year, during our KonMari challenge, we learned that we are personally happier, more productive and more clear-minded in spaces that are inviting yet uncluttered. And over the last nine months in our new house, we’ve worked hard to create a home that embraces those two attributes.
I lost the SD card with these images for the longest time… and then I found it… and then I lost it again. But lo! It’s been recovered, and I’m living for the photos. And considering how much snow Chicago’s experienced over the last few days, what better time to share them? Never mind the fact that they’re from Halloween. 😜
Dudley Stephens Camel Fleece (The camel color is sold out, but I also own the blush color–which is fully in stock–and LOVE IT. It’s very similar; just a little lighter.) / Hudson Jeans (On major sale!) / Rothy’s Sneakers / Tde. Phone Case / Master Bedroom Details Here
And we’re back! Emma has been really sick; we pulled her out of school on Friday, and today was a little rough, too. (Though her fever broke and she’s definitely on the mend!) But yeah: Apologies for all the mirror selfies as of late. 😂 While this month is almost always like this for us–battling illnesses, juggling travel, and trying to recover from the holidays–I’m excited to try to get back in the swing of things after the long weekend.
Anyway, on the wardrobe front, I normally find myself drawn to staples in January; a return to basics and what’s easy. Curate a closet of classic and practical pieces and you’ll never have trouble getting dressed in the morning! Of course, you’ll find a few staple pieces below… but here’s what I have my eye on:
Velvet Leggings (Use code “LONGWKND” to get them for $20! Best price I’ve ever seen for ’em!) / Chambray Shirt (Unbelievably soft.) / Camel Cardigan (Use code “LONGWKND” for 30 percent off! Factory Version Here) / Rothy’s Loafers / Tde. Phone Case / Master Bedroom Details Here
Quick little post this morning, as I wanted to highlight that J.Crew is currently having a BIG sale, and so many of my tried-and-true staples are included! Use code “LONGWKND” to take 30 percent off nearly all full-priced products, 40 percent off the sale section, and 60 percent off select sale styles. Here’s what I have my eye on:
Diamond Jute Rug / Harbor Cane Coffee Table / Jetty Pillow Covers
This is Mitch’s last takeover post of the week, and I really don’t want to completely hijack it. 😜 But he’s talking about our favorite products from Serena & Lily, and I couldn’t help but jump in to talk about my top 10. So in no particular order…
J.Crew Factory Super Soft Sweater Dress (Size down. Here’s J.Crew’s Version! Similar fit; more billowy sleeves.) / 3 for $12 pearl headbands / Similar Over-the-Knee Boots
This is what I like to call on-the-fly blogging. Didn’t really intend on shooting or posting this outfit (hence the random canned wine 🙈), but it was so amazingly cozy for last night’s dinner in Charlotte that I wanted to highlight some fantastic pieces!
Note: I’m typing this on my phone in the car, so please excuse… everything. 😂
Mitch here!
I proposed this column idea as a way to nudge myself toward taking more interesting photographs as I go about my life. And nearly every photo I’ve taken since becoming a dad is of my kids. But the snaps tell an interesting story and give a unique perspective on the Larkin Family so, like any good dad, I’m going to show you a bunch of photos of my kids right now and even one of my dog. Thanks for indulging me.
Planter Set / Large Tree / Holly Tree / Tiered Tree
Mitch here!
I’m taking over the blog for the next couple of days because we’re traveling–we’re on a press trip in Charlotte with P&G!–and Kelly’s behind on some projects.
So let’s talk plants! I’ve murdered every plant I’ve ever owned, and I’ve owned a whole bunch of plants. Even worse, I come from a long line of plant survivalists. My father and brother are farmers, for god’s sake. They grow hundreds of thousands of new plants from seed each and every year. And my mom? She’s literally a Master Gardener. (It’s a thing.) But it’s not like I hate plants or something. I’m actually pro leaf, but I try and they die.
Chef Mitch here!
I love a recipe that has all the ingredients right in the title. This soup hasn’t yet had its Cobb Salad, Italian Wedding or Reuben sandwich moment but it’s on it’s way. In our house we just call it “Gammie’s Soup” and it is the absolute perfect meal for a chilly winter day…and as a family in the middle of a Chicago winter you’d better bet we’re souping this soup on the reg. SOUP!
Ryder Denim Rug / Balboa Trunk / Westport Duvet Cover and Shams / Sutton Quilt and Shams / Costa Floor Mirror
Mitch and my father-in-law have a running joke about my mother-in-law and me: If they so much as blink, there’s a new rug in the house. We can’t help it. 😂 We both agree that rugs make a space! A room can feel like an entirely different one when a new rug introduced, and a room that had little character beforehand can scream character when after right rug is laid down. Rug fanatics, that’s us.
Come to think of it, I really need to have my mother-in-law “guest blog” at some point! Or I should at least feature her gorgeous home and interview her about her design process. She’s so good. And every time I visit, she’s introduced a new rug or moved around some older ones so there’s a familiar yet fluid feel to her home. I love it!
New year, new “Recent Finds” post! I normally publish this little series on Fridays, but I have another post going live then, so today it is. :)
OKAY. Question: Are Uggs back? I’m really hoping so. And if not, I’m going to try really hard to make the comeback happen. Maybe it’s because it was 10 degrees when I left the house yesterday morning; I don’t know. But I feel compelled to own a pair again, if not just to make those chilly mornings a little nicer. (And easier! Nothing like a pair of slip-on boots when you’re trying to get out the door with two little kids.)
Anyway, I’m all in. And I saw a really cute woman walking around the neighborhood in them yesterday, and I was like, “You know what? Let’s do this.” Tell me your thoughts! Would you wear them?! Or did the Abercrombie skirt/Ugg boots college look scar you for life? 😜
Brooke & Lou Lemon Wallpaper c/o / Pottery Barn Desk and Sconces / Serena & Lily Chair, Diamond Jute Rug and (old) Lamp c/o / Caitlin Wilson Mouse Pad / Gray Malin Artwork c/o / Ballard Designs Chippendale Chair / iMac
As far as I’m concerned, today is the first day of 2020. :) Over the last week, we put away Christmas decor, cleaned up the mess from the New Year’s party, unpacked from our holiday travels, did a month’s worth of laundry, transitioned Emma back into her school routine, put out a few work-related fires, and covered the Lilly sale. But today marks the beginning of my fresh start! And I’m sitting here in a coffee shop, feeling motivated and inspired and alive, but also mindful of the fact that these feelings are usually short-lived for me. 😉
Zazie Top / Originally $138 / Sale price: $49
The Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale ends tonight at midnight, so I thought I’d feature some of my favorites that are in my closet. So many are included, and the savings are unreal!
