Anyone else super happy it’s Friday?? After an extra busy few weeks I’m reaalllyyy looking forward to a very low key weekend. Do you find it is really hard these days to feel deserving of down time? I certainly do. In fact, I was just reading about the importance of play for adults. Something to to seriously consider. This weekend I am escaping the city (and even my kid) for a little R&R in wine country. It’s been a really long time since we’ve been up there – even though it’s one of my favorite places on earth. Despite the devastating wild fires last fall, wine country is very open for business. I cannot wait to spend a little time in my happy place, curled up with a good book – or if I’m being realistic, a magazine – and indulge in a little me time (you can see why I love wine country so much HERE).

I hope you’re able to relax, unwind and maybe even unplug(!) this weekend. Right after you check out our top links of the week of course.

I recently shared a stunning dream kitchen. Well, another one debuted this week and I can personally attest to its gorgeousness because I’ve been in it! If you haven’t seen coco+kelley’s kitchen you must check it out.

Victoria shared one of my favorite photographers. If you don’t know her work now you know.

I’ve definitely got some wanderlust and thank’s to Erica’s amazing recap I’ve added Hong Kong to my travel wishlist.

Since wellness is basically a state of being right now I’m always intrigued by the latest fad. I just read about activated charcoal pills. Have you tried them? Are you into them?

Similarly, “lattes” that don’t actually have coffee in them are now a thing. This pink rose latte sounds interesting. Would you give it a go?

Earlier this week, I shared something a tad personal on Instagram and to my surprise it seemed to resonate quite a bit. If you missed it you can see it right here.

Did you catch the One Room Challenge update this week? I’ve set my design direction, now it’s off to the races!

I haven’t had the shopping bug in a long time, but I’m feeling very ready to shake off the winter doldrums with a few fresh threads. Of course there are the pieces I’m coveting in my April edit, but ShopBop is having on of their mega sales right now. You can save up to $500 off! I’ve been pinning all of my faves, but I’ve got my eye on a light spring jacket, some fresh kicks and some cute jeans. Hurry hurry cuz this sale ends tomorrow.

If that’s not enough, Loeffler Randall is also having their Friends & Family sale. I’ve got this bag in my cart.

And if you’d rather dress your house than your body, One Kings Lane is have a moving sale with some incredible deals. Like this stunning four-poster bed. A sweet set of dishes. Or a cutie little pendant light.

If you’re looking for even more spring finds I’ve been pinning all my faves like mad.

Happy Weekend!

image via that kind of woman 

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

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