I just got back inside from our usual Saturday morning walk through the park (Colbie loves the off-leash hours before 9am) and it’s the first morning where it felt like summer was actually gone. I looked at the weather forecast and I only see highs in the 60’s and 70’s so I think it’s safe to say that summer is behind us (although, I know! It’s officially summer until the 21st). Around this time every year, I like to add in some touches of fall around the home… small neutral pumpkins, floral arrangements, a cozy chunky throw blanket, and swap out a few pillows here and there. I have been absolutely loving Target’s latest fall decor this year and I picked up some decor pieces that I know I’ll use year after year.
The first place I always look is, of course, Target… they’re always very on trend but the prices are also very reasonable compared to some places and, for items that you’ll only have out for a season or two, I think it’s the perfect value! They’ve also been impressing me a lot with their latest Magnolia Hearth and Hand collections andddd Studio McGee collaborations which, if you haven’t seen their September 13th arrivals yet, it’s probably the prettiest collection I’ve ever seen at Target. I picked up some ottomans yesterday downtown and, while it was an adventure taking them back on the subway, it was SO worth it!
I figured I would round up a few of my favorite Target fall decor finds below before they’re all sold out! You can pretty much find a pumpkin in every corner of our apartment but I love how subtle they are and how they flow so easily with my normal everyday decor.
Incase you didn’t know, back in January I started an Etsy shop for fun just as a way to share some of my favorite photos that can easily be incorporated into a home. I’ve always LOVED creating gallery walls and my hope is that you’ll find something that speaks to you that you can bring into your home to help add some extra inspiration and adventure into a space.
What started as just selling digital files quickly turned into a full on printing operation out of my dad’s office down in North Carolina and, since he retired in June, he’s been printing and shipping out prints every day. It’s definitely a team effort that takes a lot of communication and learning but, it’s been so fun to have this fun project with him and he has really enjoyed the change of pace since leaving the corporate life.
Anyways, I’m excited to share a new August collection of prints that can be mixed and matched in any space in your home! Lots of moody tones, deep burgundy florals, muted hunter green… colors that reflect my mood in August- soaking up the last of summer days but looking forward to a new season just around the corner. Since we can’t travel too much these days, I’ve been fortunate to have just moved to a city that offers endless inspiration on each street.
I’ve included a couple of digital downloads as well this month… a burgundy hydrangea Samsung Frame TV download as well as a textured line art print that can be downloaded in any size you need.
If you’re in need of some frames, I included a list of frames here and here.
For the last two years or so, I’ve been wanting to try something to help with my eyes looking tired 24/7… specifically, under-eye or “tear trough” filler. My genes are not on my side when it comes to undereye bags and, no matter how much sleep I’d get, I always had bags that concealer would only make more prominent. I had never had any filler before (or botox) so I didn’t know anything about the process and the thought of someone injecting something near my eye was terrifying, until I found the perfect person to do it!
As soon as I moved to NYC, I immediately found a dermatologist because I have suspicious moles pop up on the reg. I knew I needed someone here in the city because I go get skin exams at least 2-3x a year. Once I met my dermatologist (best derm I’ve found in my life, I might add), I asked her about my under-eye bags too. She said that the filler was a trick that could work while I’m younger but, eventually, the bags will just increase and there will be a time when the “filler trick” will no longer make a significant difference. At that point (when I’m much, much older), surgery will likely be the only option to make a significant improvement. But, for now, I am pretty young and, with the right doctor, I would feel comfortable with trying tear trough filler. As soon as she left the room, her assistant said that she had it done and that Dr. Nazarian was the BEST at it. After hearing her own employees rave about her (behind her back), I knew I had found the right person. She has also removed multiple moles on my back and it was painless. I had a consultation with another doctor a few months back and it just didn’t feel right. You just have to find the right place and make sure you’re seeing a qualified medical expert because there are risks involved with there being so many blood vessels around that area. If you’re curious as to who I went to, I saw Dr. Nazarian at Schweiger Dermatology and would highly recommend her for ALL of your skin needs.
So, I ended up having it done yesterday, and am already blown away at the results. I thought I’d share a Q&A post for those interested in my experience. These were questions I was sent in my DM’s on IG:
What is the treatment called and the product used? She used Juvederm XC for “tear trough filler”. This article does a better job at explaining it than I do.
How long does it last? My doctor said it could last up to a year or longer. She has it done herself and hers has lasted even longer than a year. I’ve never had any sort of filler before yesterday but apparently since the undereye area is pretty still for the most part, it can last much longer than other areas that move more, such as the lips.
Did it hurt? Not at all! In fact, next time I wouldn’t even have any numbing cream beforehand. They numbed the area using a cream about 30 minutes before starting. If they didn’t, the appointment would have been super quick (15 mins or so).
How much was it? Apparently you have to pay for the entire syringe, even if they do not use the entire syringe – so I paid $895 total.
Do you like it? YES. The results are insane to me. I can’t believe I don’t have any bags under my eyes all day long that I usually do.
Before & After photos? I wish I had taken a photo the day of (the doctor has some better ones) but here is a decent comparison:
The photo above was taken the day after. I didn’t experience any bruising or any negative side effects, thankfully.
If you have any other questions, let me know! And if you need any recs for NYC doctors, I’d be happy to help provide some!
We’ve have a lot of empty wall space in one specific room in our apartment and, for months, I’ve been thinking about how I can add more character while keeping it reversible and something I can potentially take with us whenever we decide to no longer rent. We wanted to do something that would make a statement, but also be budget and renter friendly. First, since this is multi-purpose room/office, we set up some desks from CB2 on one side of the room. This has been TJ’s office for the past couple of months and I finally got my matching desk a couple weeks ago. We have been able to work here together during the day, but also not impose too much on each other’s work space. Now we are just waiting on the desk chairs we ordered back during a big sale a couple of months ago.
To center and ground the room, I ordered this beautiful stone mantle that would be the statement piece of the room. I ordered the mantle from Houzz and it’s pretty dreamy; however, if you’re looking for something less expensive, I would 100% search on Facebook marketplace for a vintage one. Ours will be a piece that we will keep forever. With the desks and mantel secured on the wall, we felt the room was still missing something. As soon as we started apartment hunting here late last year, I became very inspired by the interior details commonly seen in the older apartments including all of the gorgeous picture frame moulding, which is also called “boiserie” paneling. While our apartment does have some pretty stunning trim detailing throughout, the walls in this room needed a bit more texture.
As most projects start, I find some inspirational images on the interwebs:
We wanted to keep this as simple and budget friendly as possible, so we picked up some trim from our local hardware store – Mike’s Lumber Store, if you’re in the Upper West Side. In case you’re wondering, there are Home Depot locations in Manhattan (I haven’t seen any Lowe’s locations here) but, with everything going on, we’ve been trying to be way more intentional about shopping at local businesses in our neighborhood when we can. Anyways, the first step of the process was knowing how much trim we would need and figuring out where we wanted to the trim to go. I started creating a layout with blue painter’s tape to give us a preview of our options. We ultimately decided to put the trim over the mantle in a large rectangle, to the right of the mantle in an even larger rectangle, and then 2 rectangles that outline where the desks are right now.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Trim/moulding (ours was a little under 1.5 in) Mitre box/saw Double-sided mounting tape Painters Tape Paint Tape Measurer Level
Our measurements broke down like this but every room will look totally different and there are so many directions you can take this!
Over mantle: 48in x 64in
To the right of the mantle: 60in x 90in
Around the desks: 38in x 90in
These dimensions kept the top and bottom horizontal trim pieces at the same height (except the horizontal bottom piece above the mantle).
We picked up the trim pieces from Mike’s Lumber Store in fourteen 8 foot sections. This allowed us to keep our longest pieces as one, minimizing the cuts. I’ve been told that they will also cut them for you there but, because this was our first time doing this, we wanted to be sure our measurements that we planned would actually work. Plus, it gave us the opportunity to put this handy miter box and saw set to the test! When it came to selecting the trim, we didn’t want anything too ornate, but something that would also suit the mantel’’s design. We also picked up some double sided mounting tape because we wanted to attempt a reversible/temporary solution. This tape would allow us to keep this a renter friendly project and limit any nail holes needed. If we owned this place we would have definitely used a nail gun and brads. For the mounting tape, we used a couple of different brands: this one and another one that I cannot find online anywhere but the brand is Tuff Stuff (found it at the hardware store). There are SO many options out there though, some are just stronger than others. You also want to be super careful when you remove it so it doesn’t take the paint off your walls.
Once we got back with the trim and tape, we began to cut the boards. TJ is a fan of measuring and cutting all pieces at once, so that you can keep the mounting going and not need to stop to cut more wood. We used this mitre box which we got off of Amazon to make the mitre cuts. It came with a saw and everything and it ended up being very easy to use. Each cut we needed was at a 45 degree angle.
With our measurements, TJ cut each piece to the length we needed and we began to mount them to the wall using a level to make sure they were straight. We mounted the trim using the double sided tape, putting a piece at each end and a couple in the middle for the longer trim pieces. To make sure we put them in the right places, we held up the trim on the wall where the painter’s tape was, made sure it was level, and put a tiny mark where each end would be. This allowed us to take the tape off the remaining covered side and put the board exactly where it needed to be with the markings. We repeated the steps for each piece of trim. Once adhered to the wall, we made sure everything was level again.
One challenge we had was with the desks. We did need to move one desk over a small bit to make sure the trim was evenly spaced on the wall and there was room for the trim to go vertically between the desk. We also had to reinforce a couple pieces of trim with screws since our walls were not completely flat. There are still a couple gaps that we will fill with removable caulk. The final step before painting was to add some wood filler in the corners where the trim meets at right angles. This gave the trim a polished and complete look.
We decided to paint the trim the exact same color as the wall, Jogging Path, that we got from Sherwin Williams. Now that all of the paneling is up, the room has major Parisian vibes and I am here for it. The biggest thing is we will be able to remove all of this when we move out!
If you have any other questions about the process, let me know! Overall, it was pretty simple and straightforward once all of the measurements were planned.
I’ve purchased 3 different couches total in my life (two this year) and each one has had it’s own pros and cons. A sofa can be one of the larger investments for a home so I thought I’d share my thoughts about each one incase you’re also on the hunt for a new sofa. I’ll also highlight a few more budget-friendly online options down below.
As soon as we moved to New York, we knew we needed to get a sofa but I was honestly shocked when I started looking and realized how LONG it took for one to actually arrive. Most sofas I was looking at took at least 2-3 months and we knew we didn’t want to go that long without one. So, I found that West Elm has “quick ship” fabrics in specific sofa styles and that is how I decided on this Andes Sofa (76.5″) in the fabric Twill: Stone. Pros? It’s very, very comfortable and it came very quickly (within 3-5 days). It is also VERY deep (I didn’t even order the extra deep one) and, if you remove the back cushions, it almost feels like a twin bed so it could be handy for guests. Cons? The fabric started pilling within weeks and I had to get a fabric shaver to smooth it all out again. For the cost, I was somewhat disappointed. The back cushions also don’t like to stay in place so I’m usually repositioning them and making sure they keep their shape. However, I do have to say that many others told me they ordered this sofa in the other quick-ship fabric option (Distressed Velvet) and they LOVE IT. So, overall, it’s super comfortable and cozy, wide and deep, but the twill:stone fabric does pill and the cushions tend to move out of place (and it’s not necessarily inexpensive).
Interior Define Gray Sectional
I’ve been eyeing Interior Define sofas for years and I finally took the plunge and ordered their Gray Sectional in Crossweave, Wheat. What I loved about this style was that it was a very modern, laidback design and, while it was much more costly than the West Elm sofa, I feel like we’ll have it for a very long time. Pros? It’s beautiful, and very customizable (you can order swatches beforehand and they have endless styles and sizes to choose from). I can also just tell that it is very well made for the most part. It feels very sturdy and long-lasting. Cons? It look 3 months to make (not bad if you’re patient and already have a sofa) and there are actually little feathers that have been poking out of the fabric. It’s also MUCH more firm than the West Elm sofa I mentioned earlier. The cost is also much higher than any sofa I’ve ever purchased (but I also think it’s the highest quality I’ve had).
While we gave away this sofa before we moved (it’s massive and probably wouldn’t fit in our current place), I thought it was worth sharing because I really did love it. While it’s not the most modern and stylish sofa, it was one that we found for a great price during a huge sale and it held up great for the 4ish years that we had it, especially with dogs! It never had any pilling or fabric issues and it was a great “first couch” purchase! It was very traditional but I always styled it with cute throws and pillows to make it seem a bit more modern than it was.
So hopefully this info was helpful and, as promised, I rounded up a few other budget-friendly sofa options below incase you’re on the hunt!
Last week, I made a vlog of a week in our life here in NYC. It’s been a long 4 months but things are slowly starting to open up (outdoor dining, retail, hair salons, etc.) so I thought it would be a good time to take you along for the week! If you want to see more city life or apartment videos, subscribe to the channel here!
One of the most common questions I get is “where do you find your picture frames?”. The brands that come to mind first are H&M, IKEA, and Target. I’ve included some frame options below categorized by small, medium, and large to help narrow down your search! You can also shop each photo below using the link below each.
We recently added a couple of shelves to our main living space and I added these frames to the top shelf and filled them with some of my favorite 8×12 prints of our walks around the city.
one (personal favorite, 12×16 frame matted to fit a 8×12 photo) // two (10×10) // three (favorite large amazon frame, 18×24)// four (16×20, matted to fit a 8×10 print) // five (oversized, multiple sizes) // six (16×20 frame, 5×7 opening) // seven (IKEA, 9×9 frame with 5×5 opening) // eight (IKEA, 16×20 frame with 12×16 opening) // nine (etsy, multiple sizes) // ten // eleven (note: ivory mat) // twelve // thirteen // fourteen // fifteen // sixteen
I’ve talked about Daily Harvest several times in the past few months but I wanted to compile a list of the most frequent flavors we order. If you’re unfamiliar with Daily Harvest, they offer smoothies, soups, harvest bowls, flatbreads, oat bowls, and so much more and they deliver them right to your door. I love it because they make it feel quick and easy to ensure we’re eating nutritious meals throughout the day plus they save major time. I usually order smoothies and harvest bowls but I’ve also tried their oat bowls and soups and I’m such a fan. It’s a nice lunch or afternoon pick-me-up and takes no time at all to make since all of the ingredients are already chopped up and frozen. If you’re wanting to try it out, you can get $25 off your first box with the code PINES25. My most frequently ordered ones are below (in no particular order!). I’ll definitely be ordering one of their brand new “scoops” in my next box for a sweet treat!
Bananas + Greens, Acai + Cherry, Tart Cherry + Raspberry, Cherry + Almond, Sweet Potato + Wild Rice Hash, Broccoli + Cheeze, Cauliflower Rice + Pesto, Tomato + Zucchini Minestrone, Butternut Squash + Rosemary It all depends on what I’m in the mood for but, usually, if we just got back from a long walk outside, we’ll always make a refreshing smoothie (Banana and Greens is my ultimate favorite but they’re ALL so tasty and have the most unique ingredient combinations). It’s so nice not having to get out all of the typical smoothie ingredients and simply fill the cup with milk, add it to a blender, and have a quick and nutritious smoothie in just a few minutes. My latest favorite oat bowl that I’d probably eat every morning for breakfast if I could is the Mulberry and Dragon Fruit oat bowl. You can make overnight oats with your choice of milk or you can put it in the microwave or stovetop with milk like I prefer. In 3-6 minutes, you have this delicious bowl full of berries and oats that somehow is the perfect amount of sweetness. The berries burst in my mouth and it’s the most delicious combination ever. When it comes to the harvest bowls and soups, you really can’t go wrong with any of them but some that I always include in my box are: Sweet Potato and Wild Rice Hash and Zucchini Minestrone. A lot of these harvest bowls and soups take me back to autumn days with all of the nutritious vegetables they include. They combine ingredients that are so unique yet so perfect, you just have to try for yourself.
Don’t forget to use the code PINES25 for $25 off your first box. You can easily schedule or pause any boxes once you’re in your account and it’s super simple to use. These will seriously take your snacks to the next level. Have you tried Daily Harvest? I’d love to know which ones your box typically includes! I have a goal to try every single one at some point so I’ll keep you updated on if my list of favorites change!
Thank you to Daily Harvest for sponsoring this post!
This post is sponsored by Babblebox on behalf of Midea. Not everyone will relate to this post but chances are, if you live in an older city apartment, you’ll have to install a window AC unit or two by the summertime. When we were searching for a place to live here, I knew I wanted to live in a ‘pre-war’ apartment with a little extra space (and a lot of character) even if that meant we wouldn’t have central AC. The window units honestly don’t bother me (kindof reminds me of Friends or an old 90’s movie), especially when we discovered Midea’s new U-shaped AC. These days, you can find some really great modern looking ones that are just as quiet as they are sleek. We just installed a couple of different brands of AC units in our home but we definitely prefer one over the other and today I’m going to chat about our favorite! It’s the perfect time to chat about this too in case you’re also in the market for one before it gets too hot. I love Midea’s newest u-shaped air conditioner for several reasons. First and foremost, it’s way more modern looking than what you typically think of for window AC units. Not only is it modern looking, but the design is so innovative. It allows you to be able to slide the window down in between the unit rather than having it sit underneath your window, which also helps a lot with sunlight and sound. Because we’re new to these and we live on a fairly high-up floor, we hired someone our building recommended to install ours; however, if you live in a home and you feel good about installing it yourself, this one is supposedly extremely easy to install.
Another thing I LOVE about this unit is that it’s extremely quiet. Aside from helping block out outside noise, it’s operating sounds are super quiet when it’s turned on. Because the cooling system is on the other side of the window, it helps a lot with sound. It’s also wifi enabled and you can hook it up to your Alexa or Google assistant. I hope all of this info helps if you’re in the market for a new window AC unit. We have another brand and that one doesn’t compare to this one. We’ll likely end up getting one for our 2nd bedroom since the sun blazes into that room in the afternoons and our living room air doesn’t flow that far. It’s safe to say it’ll be this one.
When you’re living in the city, “comfortable shoes” takes on a whole new meaning.
In the winter, if you had asked me what my go-to shoe brand was, I’d 100% include Sorel at the top of that list. While we didn’t get too much snow living in North Carolina, I owned these boots and these and made sure to bring them along with me to every cold weather trip we took. The quality of Sorel is something I definitely appreciate in cold weather but it wasn’t until we moved to the city and started looking for comfortable spring/summer shoes when I realized, “Sorel has sandals?!”. Yep! They also have some really cute sneakers that I have on my wishlist. While browsing Shoes.com the other day, I came across so many cute Sorel sandals that I could definitely see myself wearing, especially as someone living in a city. Earlier in the week I actually took Colbie on a walk in these wedges and I was shocked to come home to no blisters. Comfortable wedges that I can wear around the city? Yes please!
It might be a while until we can go out to eat and meet friends for dinner at a local restaurant but I’ve still been enjoying getting dressed most days and planning ahead for the future. If there is anything I’ve learned in our 3 months of living in NY, it’s that comfortable shoes are crucial.
I recently put together a couple of ways I can wear these black wedges and I can’t tell you how fun it was to dress up and break these in. I actually hadn’t owned a pair of black wedges ever until these and I was surprised with how many outfits they went with!
If you’re in the market for some sandals but want to keep them comfy and suitable for places like NYC, you can browse Sorel’s spring collection here:
