We always get emails about magazines or websites wanting permission to use photos of our home, and needing a high res version. Which means, I often get to revisit “older” versions of spaces in our home. Sometimes, I show them a more finished version of the room and they want that photo instead, but every once in awhile, I see an old photo that–dare I say–looks better than it’s current state? This happened this week when I got an email from Lonny mag wanting to use the photo below of our entry.

While I was digging up the high res image, I realized, while this version of the entry wasn’t perfect, I missed the simplicity of it. Maybe it’s the beginning of the year talking, but I’m ready to strip down a few spaces in our home and really take stock of what’s there because I liked a certain element (whether that be a rug, or mirror, or art, or wallpaper or calendar) and what’s there because it is actually adding to the overall room. Because that’s what it’s about. The room or space as a whole. Do you ever get caught up or blinded by certain elements of a room instead of focusing on the room as a whole? Time to reset.

More fun things this week!

Speaking of the entry, I could see this modern black windsor bench (that’s a steal!) in ours.

Cool idea to conceal your breaker box!

As someone who embraces a casual look in nearly every aspect of my life!, I am always on the lookout for a way to still be comfortable while maybe looking like I took it up a notch in my wardrobe. And then I discovered these sweet ruffle sweatshirts. I ordered the gray jersey one (comes in petite, regular and maternity!), which looks fancy but feels…exactly like a sweatshirt! I also love this one.

How your neighbors are judging how much money you make—Hilarious!

This exterior before and after from this week’s Fixer Upper made my jaw drop. How inspiring!

I can’t resist heart-patched tights on my girls this time of year.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend! We’re starting to rebuild the shelves in the storage room and will have a big update for you on that next week!