Flower Power & Other Friday Finds

Business of blogging

This year I (along with most of the internet it seems) have been focusing on self-improvement. The words wellness and self-care are getting thrown around so much that they’ve almost lost their meaning, but I think the idea is a good one. I’m all for using serums, taking restorative baths and meditating, but I’m more interested in ditching bad habits like negative self-talk, reactionary defensiveness, insecurity, and fear. Easy-peasy right? Obviously, not so much, but a little self-awareness and intention can go a long way.

Another great way to do a little self-improvement is to learn a new skill – like flower arranging! My beautiful friend Natalie Brookshire has teamed up with the Bay Area entrepreneurial mothers’ conference In Good Company to teach a floral workshop in San Francisco on April 14. You can learn to make something like the stunner above!

But this class is a bit different than the standard fare. You get to be in a truly gorgeous space in San Francisco’s quaint, Jackson Square neighborhood. You get to enjoy some rurl tasty food. True Botanicals will be on hand offering personalized skincare consultations. And, most importantly, this is a giveback workshop. Every single dollar made goes to two incredible organizations helping mamas in need: On Your Feet Foundation assists birth mothers with practical help after they have chosen adoption for their child; and Homeless Prenatal Program helps provide for poor and homeless families, with the end goal of ending childhood poverty.

If you ever wanted to invest in yourself this is your triple whammy. You get some self-care, a new skill and get to help two amazing organizations. For all my Bay Area readers, please consider buying a ticket right here.

And apparently, podcasts work for self-improvement too.

I recently listened to the Goop podcast with Oprah, which I loved. It’s like a beginners guide to self-awareness.

And then the Oprah podcast with Brene Brown which I really loved. This is like a master class in recognizing your own issues.

5 tips on how to stop being defensive. Yes pls.

I’m very into horoscopes and particularly excited about my opportunities for growth this month (fellow Scorpios take note). Do you get into your horoscope?

How to own your shit according to Ellen Pompeo. I stopped watching Greys Anatomy years ago, but I still love her and this video is spot on.

And for the ladies, have you heard about the describe yourself like a male author challenge on Twitter? It’s a little lighter fare in the #metoo theme but it’s pretty dang hilarious. And sometimes the best way to improve is to just laugh.

Oh and if you just need some good ole fashioned design inspiration (which is why probably come here right?!) how about:

A key tool you need in your styling arsenal.

My favorite kitchen design of all time.

What to hang on your walls that isn’t art. I particularly love this idea.

Interesting places to hang art, if that’s what you’re into.

My favorite spring color palette.

It’s spring break and while I’m not going anywhere, this home is giving me island fever.

And if you didn’t catch it, here’s the room I’m redoing for the One Room Challenge. You’ll be getting updates on the progress every Wednesday.

Happy weekend friends!

image by natalie bowen designs

A Major Milestone & Other Friday Finds

Business of blogging

So today is an interesting day in Apt34 history. Today this little ole’ site turns 10 YEARS OLD. Yup. That’s right. I’ve spent an entire decade talkin’ about design ideas, fashion inspirations, travel hotspots, recipes, weddings, trends and more random musings than I care to count. (But if I were to count turns out it is 3,255 posts!) And it appears at least one or two of you have stuck around for most of them. I am forever humbled by that. I’ve been ruminating on these last 10 years and what this milestone means. While I’ll save you that diatribe for another day (coming soon), Apt34 is really three key things – a place to share the amazing work of people I admire from around the world, an occasional personal outlet and most importantly, a community of folks who appreciate an intentional approach to modern living.

Whether you found this corner of the internet due to its aesthetic, or perhaps a cocktail recipe you pinned or maybe just via google, I’m hoping you went away with an idea, inspiration, new info or simply good vibes. That’s the most I can hope for. Well that, and that you come back to check in now and again.

It’s never really certain what the future holds, but for now, I’ll be holding down the Apt34 fort, desperately trying to finish my house and occasionally remembering to shower (TMI??).

And now I give you Friday Finds:

Spring is here – regardless of what the weather is doing. At least this playlist by Glitter Guide is getting me in a spring mood.

I’m finally feeling ready to invest in art for our house, but these crazy cool portraits of her kids cost Liz only $4!! Sold.

Am I the only one who did not realize Easter is in a week?! Whoops. At least I have lots of easter egg ideas here.

If you followed my trips to NYFW back in the day, then you’re likely to know about Bill Cunningham. Did you hear he wrote a secret memoir?! I cannot wait to read it.

Are you into astrology? I’m a Scorpio through and through and super interested to know what Saturn’s return means for me.

Apparently social posts going viral is still very much a thing and two caught my eye this week. The first is my friend Brian Patrick Flynn. You might know him cuz he’s TV famous and the designer of the HGTV dream house. Well, he recently wed his partner Hollis IN ANTARCTICA and the photos are ah-mazing and everyone from HGTV to Harpers Bazaar to People Magazine shared the stunning story and the backlash has been – disturbing, to say the least. It’s 2018 people. Why must we continue to insist on denying people their right to joy and love. Anywho – give Brian a follow – @bpatrickflynn on Instagram – not because of the controversy but because he is hilarious (seriously, you’ll laugh SO hard) and because he’s an extremely talented designer. Who had the coolest wedding of all time.

And then there’s Jenna Kutcher who I only just started following a few months ago. She’s one of those motivational Instagrammers and social media experts, but she gained over 100,000 new followers this week because she posted a pic of herself with her husband. You’d think no biggie right? Well her husband happens to be a personal trainer crossfit fanatic fitness coach guy and Jenna happens to weigh more than 100lbs so the internet went nuts asking how she, a curvy girl, could bag a “hot guy.” The fact that these stereotypes still exist is SO GROSS you guys. Anyway, follow her too – @jennakkutcher – because she’s pretty rad and deserves followers who will check out what she has to say – not follow because of what she looks like.

Enough personal diatribes for you?? Thought so. Well here’s what you might have missed around here this week:

My style ethos for spring.

A spicy spring cocktail to wake up your senses.

My new favorite home tour, maybe ever.

I pin a lot. Like a lot a lot. Do you pin too? Let’s pin together!

A couple of Easter recipes here and here (if you’re a procrastinator like me – eek!)

A favorite spring-inspired interior.

And finally, did you know Apt34 has a newsletter?! That’s right! It’s not spammy or anything. I send it out seasonally (although I’m thinking about going to 1x a month cadence to round up the best posts, blasts from the past and maybe some exclusive content too). You can sneak peek the new edition and subscribe RIGHT HERE.

happy weekend my friends. I truly appreciate each and every one of you.

image via justynaniko

Follow Friday

Business of blogging

Friends, can we have a chat? A little heart to heart? You see, lately I’ve been reflecting a lot about this space and the entire blogging/social media world in general. A two-week road trip will do that to ya. And I find myself perturbed. The world of blogging has changed so much in the nearly 10 years I’ve been at this gig. When this little ole site started it was never intended to be about me. I was 27. What the hell did I know about anything?! It was intended to share discoveries, crowdsource ideas and miraculously turned into quite a vibrant community.

But today the blog world feels solely focused on “the me.” Look at me, I’m the most clever on Instagram stories. Look at me – I travel to the most enviable destinations. Look at me – I build the most fabulous wardrobes, design the most amazing homes, throw the most epic parties. I’m exhausted by it. Are you exhausted? Truth be told, I’m not comfortable with that vibe. Never have been. Sure, I’ve gained a little knowledge over the years and I certainly have many an opinion (do you follow me on Twitter?!) – but there is much more out there than my little slice of the world. And I want to get back to what I loved about blogging in the beginning – curating all of the goodness into a nice, neat little package for you.

That’s why this crazy journey called to me in the first place. Discovery. Creativity. Beauty. All at the click of a mouse and with the unique ability to broadcast it to whoever might be listening. So I’m working on a lot of different ways to weave this perspective back into Apartment 34, but one small gesture is to resurrect my Friday Links (which have had many iterations in the past – like this and this and this).

My list today is nothing fancy – just a list of links – cuz who has the time for crazy fancy graphics anymore. I just want to share bloggers who are kicking ass. Articles that made me think. Pictures that grabbed my attention. Instagrammers whose feeds give me life. It’s because of everything else out there that I’ve stuck around this long. And sharing the love just makes everyone feel better.

With that, here is my Follow Friday roundup for this week!

My bestie is the queen of tabletop design. All hail.

Camille took a dream trip to Italy and created an entire site about it. I’m freakishly jealous and learning to live with the envy.

Apparently, I’m not the only one to share today’s post’s sentiment. Jacquelyn’s list of must-read blogs is quite similar to my own.

One of my favorite writers (and occasional Apt34 contributor) wrote a lovely travel guide to Amsterdam, one of my all-time favorite cities.

Modern gorgeousness on MyDomaine.

I constantly pretend that I’m going to find more time in my world to read. Like a whole book. I keep saying it out loud. I even tried to start a book club once and I was the one who never finished the book. But despite all of that – I’m bookmarking Jen’s summer reading list.

I had an amazing experience in Napa last month and California Weekend captured it masterfully.

Serious backyard goals on Almost Makes Perfect.

If you love color (which you probably don’t because you read this blog, but just in case…) this pool party by Studio DIY is epic. Epic I tell you!

There’s a new generation in town and it makes SO much sense.

I’m going to New York in a few weeks and want to look endlessly stylish. These pants are either a really good or a really terrible idea.

And now for those Instagrammers

Meg Cassidy because goals

Kimberley Hasselbrink cuz I’m always hungry

Ann Street Studio cuz she’s taking Instagram art next level

Happy weekend friends!

image via here

My Friday Five 6.24

Business of blogging

Summer is officially here and man oh man do I feel it. All I’m in the mood for is long lazy afternoons, copious amounts of rosé and doing very little. Sadly, life is quite cooperating. I’ve actually been frantically running around all week – hence the light blog posts. Can you tell I feel guilty about that? But there are some exciting projects in the works. I can’t quite spill the beans yet, but if you check out Snapchat you might get a hint or two.

And if you checked out Snapchat you may have caught we did a break for it and are in wine country for the weekend. Sonoma is officially my happy place. I’ll be sharing sneak peeks on the Instagram all weekend – and while I’m reluctant to give up my hidden gems, I’ll be recapping this spot on the blog because it is just too good.

So I’m off to actually enjoy a little wine and pool time, but I didn’t want to leave you empty handed. I did manage to find five fabulous things you should check out this week.

My girl Cassandra launched her all-new site design and let me just say I’m suffering from some serious site envy! Congrats chica.

The off the shoulder trend. I’m this close to buying in. This top, this top, this top and this top are all calling to me. Do I do it??

Since I’m likely to indulge in too much wine this weekend, I will make up for by drinking these awesome veggie based…cocktails! Talk about having your (liquid) cake and eating it too!

If you didn’t spot our weekend house’s kitchen on Instagram today, then you might not understand why all I want to do is cook this weekend. But all I want to do is cook! I’m going to hit every wine country farmer’s market and I can and feast away on all of these recipes. You can drink more rosé that way.

Speaking of food, here’s a foodie’s guide to Seattle, my hometown (which I popped into for 24 hours this week and it did make me rather nostalgic.) I’m excited to be back up there for a week later this summer. I need a good dose of Northwesty-ness.

Next week I’ll be recapping my most recent foodie experience – my time at the Aspen Food & Wine Classic!

image via here

Friday Five 6.17

Business of blogging

Hi friends – sorry I’ve been a little MIA this week. There’s been a lot of commotion – in the world, in my personal life. I needed a hot second to regroup. But this weekend I’m taking a 48 hour reprieve into a dream world – a world of food and wine – at the Aspen Food & Wine festival! After my first year of motherhood where I lived off of Munchery (and left over Munchery), and had a tiny human glued to me most hours of the day, I’m excited to partake in a little something for myself. And there’s little I love more than really good food and wine. When you put in a gorgeous setting like Aspen it is the ultimate trifecta. I’ll be snapping and grammin’ my entire experience so be sure to follow along with all the delicious fun.

> As I mentioned I’m snapping. Or at least attempting to. This New York Times article really inspired me to fully embrace the Snap.

> My friend Eric has created this amazing magazine and podcast, Together, all about the real behind the scenes nitty gritty of relationships. As a former divorce lawyer, Eric knows of which he speaks. His recent interviews with my other dear friends Kelly and Tim (part 1 & part 2) are a spectacular listen.

> If you’ve got the itch to add yummy smells to your house and create beautiful bottles in the process, you’ve got to check out this DIY.

> I’ve been coveted a white shirt with show-stopping sleeves but if they’re as easy to make at home as this DIY purports, maybe I’ll forgo the purchase.

> I’m so excited to hold more outdoor parties this summer. This set up is pitch perfect.

image via here

Friday Five 4.29

Business of blogging

Phew – we made it to Friday! With a babe who insists on waking up at 5:30am right now, my brain has slowly but surely been turning into mush as the week wore on. I’m shocked I can type coherent sentences right now. I apologize in advance for any forth-coming gibberish.

We’re still digging out from under piles and piles of boxes in our house, but I’m excited to turn my sights on actually designing each room. Sneak peeks will continue to pop up on Instagram (and now on Snapchat too @apartment34!).

But I’m excited to bring my Friday Five back – and this week I’m focused on new discoveries. Designers, destinations and treats. Because we all deserve a little something special now and again! (sorry I didn’t do pics this week – sometimes you just gotta cut your losses).

Smelling chic. I had the pleasure of visiting San Francisco’s brand new Jo Malone boutique on Union Street to test out their new Rare Teas perfume line. Infused with actual rare tea the scents are earthy, complex and sophisticated. Aka right up my alley. The glamorous fragrances come in their own specially designed bottle with a matte black magnetic top! No detail was spared in the design of this debut. I was truly impressed. And obsessed with the Oolong Tea fragrance that I took home. It has smokey tobacco notes that are delicious.

Sophisticated Shopping. I’m dying to check out this new Mission boutique

Dining al Fresco. Even though I love being in our house I’ve been dying to get outside. This post is inspiring me – and it’s a good thing because I’m shooting a little outdoor inspiration for you tomorrow – it’ll debut on Monday!

Wanderlusting. I haven’t traveled further than wine country in ages and I’ve got the travel bug something fierce. This post isn’t helping.

Simply Lusting. I’m getting really anxious to get our house “done.” I know I have to desperately resist the urge, but this home tour as well as this one have me so inspired. You can check out all of my design inspiration right here.

Happy weekend friends!

Friday Five 4.1 + Thoughts on the Instagram Panic

Business of blogging

I hope you don’t mind, but before we get to our top 5 links of the week, I wanted to get into the business of blogging a bit. It can be a complicated thing. I mean, there’s now an entire cottage industry teaching people how to figure this blogging stuff out. It’s hard because the landscape is constantly changing. Case in point, the Insta-drama that went down this week. Can we have a little chat about it?

In case you missed the hoopla, let me quickly catch you up. Instagram – like Facebook and Pinterest before it – has announced it is going to move to an algorithmic feed, aka rather than publish an organic chronological feed, soon Instagram is going to serve you what the platform “thinks” you’d like to see based on your engagement patterns, any other data it collects on you and let’s be real – its advertising interests.

What does this really mean?

It means Instagram – like Facebook and Pinterest before it – is trying to implement a way to make money that will make shareholders happy. Over the weekend rumors swirled that this change was imminent, so on Monday feeds were blown up by brands and Instagrammers alike who were suggesting to turn on notifications to be alerted when someone they follow posts. Full disclosure, I was one of those bloggers who told my Instagram followers about the option of turning on notifications. Others got real feisty in their rejection of the turn on notifications idea.

But in reality, we have no idea how the change to the Instagram feed is going to affect anyone who uses the platform for their business – like many bloggers do – or anyone who just really loves Instagram. I think it might be an excellent idea to turn on notifications for the 10 or 20 accounts that you want to make sure you see but might not otherwise remember to check. I mean, I barely see my BFF’s posts on Facebook. And perhaps we’ll be pleasantly surprised when Instagram does change and we love every single thing in our feeds. If past experience with Facebook and Pinterest are any indication, somehow I doubt it, but we can hold out hope.

This is just a great reminder that you social media platforms are tools at a blogger’s disposal and it’s part of the job to learn how to adapt when they suddenly change on us. Those who do it well, succeed. For example, I don’t use Pinterest the way I used to because it’s no longer a place to discover inspiring things organically. But I’ve learned to adapt to make Pinterest useful for me personally and for Apartment 34. Once Instagram flips we’ll have to make similar adjustments. The same thing is eventually going to happen to the new bandwagon Snapchat. Is it a bummer? yes. But it’s one of the reasons I think this world of creating and sharing content (and ultimately ideas & a distinct point of view) never gets boring.

So that’s my two cents. Now back to our regularly scheduled Friday Five.

Our endless move has me dreaming of an escape. Cassandra’s guide to Marrakech has me seriously considering plane tickets!

Wedding season is around the corner and Kimberly’s insanely gorgeous Hawaiian wedding has me dreaming of getting married all over again. I mean, serious dress goals.

I’m counting down the seconds until I can cook in my new kitchen. I never thought I’d tire of Thai takeout, but oh have I ever. The first thing I’m going to do is whip up all the recipes in Camille’s spring cleanse. It’s high time I say so long to all those carbs!

Trying to handle a move with one kid is daunting. I can’t imagine running a household with five children. But this stylish mama is doing it gracefully and I’m equally intrigued by her perspective on decorating and parenting.

If only I could do my makeup with a baby sitting on my lap as well as this beauty blogger. Maybe if I watch her awesome tutorial 10 more times, I’ll finally get it. I’m certainly going to try.

Happy freakin’ weekend lovelies.

image via

Friday Five 3.25

Business of blogging

This scene is idyllic. And nothing like my current reality which is why I love it. Someday I will get to lounge around doing nothing again. Someday.

In the meantime, here are the five links you can’t miss this week.

1.This cocktail is going to help me survive our move. And this cake.

2. Staying organized with kids. Everything she says.

3.This home tour is giving me all the feels.

4. Some serious bar cart and photoshoot goals over here. Bravo to my girl.

5. With our move imminent, I haven’t shopped in ages but right now I’m wanting all the things (cuz they’re 25% off!). And these things, especially these (cuz they’re 60% off). And while we’re at it, these are pretty great too. The sales are crazy!

Happy weekend friends. May the packing gods be on my side.

image via design chaser

Friday Five 1.29.16

Business of blogging

Does anyone else feel like January was the longest month ever? I usually love the fresh start of a new year, but right now it feels like the holidays were ages and ages ago. This month was just so intense! I’m hoping February is going to offer the reprieve January usually brings. But I’m not counting on it!

While I try to gather my wits this weekend (I’m making a quick jaunt up to Seattle so be sure to follow the fun on Snapchat: apartment34), here are my Friday Five must-click links of the week. I promise they’re super good.

As we all know, the East Coast got pounded by a major snowstorm this week and I was a tad jealous – especially after seeing my friend Will’s amazing photos of New York City. Someday I want our kiddo to experience snow like that – there’s nothing more magical! Click here to see more.

I am chomping at the bit to host my first dinner party in our new house – especially after seeing this one. It’s proof positive that just a few simple place-settings and delicious food enjoyed with friends is going to officially turn the house into our home. Click here to check out this sweet tablescape.

If you want to stop feeling lazy – read this. It’ll motivate you to get off your butt and do something!

My appetite for stunning interiors is getting more voracious by the day. I think the husband is getting worried. This home tour is currently on the tippy top of my favorite things list. Click here to begin to drool.

Now that my babe is 9 months old, I feel like I’m starting to get a hang of this motherhood thing. Not to get ahead of myself or anything, I’m now having visions of becoming a domestic goddess! I have the cooking thing down pretty well, but cleaning isn’t usually my jam. But these five things you didn’t know you could do with vinegar are pretty cool. They’ve got me wondering what other ingenious hacks are out there that I should know about!

Till Monday friends!

leadnimage via here

Gimme More

Subscribe via Email