Any parent with a beating heart cannot look at the images and hear the stories of the scared, small children being torn apart from their parents on our border and not give a shit. Pardon my language, but this, along with our ridiculous stance on guns, that makes me want to flip a dumpster and light it on fire. This is not a time for polite political discourse (or posting about outdoor furniture as was my plan for today), this is a time to speak up and take action.  Our government is making despicable policies in our name, and it must be stopped (and before anyone tries to say these policies aren’t Trump’s, check your facts, there are no laws stating that children MUST be separated from their parents).  We can care about our country and our needs AND OTHER PEOPLE AT THE SAME TIME.  We don’t have to pick one or the other exclusively.  We want to remain the most powerful country in the world, but with that power comes responsibility to help others.

The issue is confusing and complicated. Joanna at Cup of Jo did a brilliant article that really breaks down who these people are, why they are trying to come to this country, and what you can do to help. Go read it. Also, The Cut did a great round up of what you can do from attending protests to how to contact your representatives.  Here is a short list of great places to put your dollars, if you have any to spare, that can help these innocent kids stuck in limbo–

PLACES TO DONATE:

ActBlue Charities: Your donation to this charity will be spread across several groups working to protect kids from being separated from their parents.

KIND (Kids In Need of Defense): This group is focused on protecting the legal rights of children seeking asylum- including providing lawyers for immigration court.

RAICES Leaf Fund and Bond Fund: Helping those detained post bond or find legal services.

We Belong Together:  Women for common sense immigration law that will keep families together and empower women trying to find a safer country for their children.

I also got an e-mail in my inbox this morning that St. Frank, a great source for home decor I love that works with artisans from low income countries around the world in an effort to empower them. Now through Saturday they will donate 10-20% of all purchases to KIND (one of the charities listed above)- so you can pick up something unique for your home (or a great gift)  AND support this cause at the same time:

1. Give 10% to KIND, get 10% off with code GIVE10GET10
2. Give the full 20% to KIND with code GIVE20

I look at my sweet boy and I cannot FATHOM the pain of knowing he was somewhere alone, scared, without me.  My body literally wretches when I imagine it. I also can’t imagine living in a country so dangerous or poverty-stricken that the risk of putting him through that pain is a better option than staying put.  Think about that.  And then DO SOMETHING.

This weekend I’ll be heading down to Atlanta (praise be- warmer temps!) to participate on this panel with a couple other bloggers you might know (duh!) regarding what’s trending in our respective areas of the country as well as projects we are all working on.  For those who love the design blogging community or want to become a part of it and may have questions for us, you should certainly come by if you are attending Market!  It should be a lively and interesting discussion for sure!

I’ll be down there not only to be on this panel, but also to show my upcoming rug collection again (they will be available to purchase in March!)  Here is the lookbook that was just released that show all the sizes of each rug that will be available.  I cannot wait for them to FINALLY come out! I’d love to know which ones you guys love most!
Lookbook 2017 1.9.18

I like to think about my rugs in context of an actual space– and so I pulled together this little board showing a boys room using one of my favorite rugs from the line– totally a potential option for Mr. Henry’s big boy room!

lamp // framed art // custom roman shades // vinyl grasscloth // star wallpaper // bookshelf // sheets // quilt // custom daybed // dresser // swing arm sconces

I realized this week while I was on vacation that I have not taken a full week off in ten years.  And while I missed you guys, and working, I really did enjoy my time off. I felt no guilt, little pressure and just enjoyed spending quality time with Henry and Andrew.  This is a HUGE step for me, as I typically have a lot of trouble not only being still, but letting myself enjoy it.  Perhaps I’m becoming a well- balanced adult? :)

However, I am SO glad to be back and feeling refreshed and inspired.  As I do every year, I like to take stock of what’s gone right and wrong in the past year and create some goals for myself for the year ahead (not so much “resolutions” as just ways in which I’d like to do better or change things).  I try not to set any crazy or unrealistic expectations for myself (i.e. setting myself up for failure) but also push myself to truly make positive change at the same time.  Here’s whats on my list this morning:

1. Have Another Baby– Ok, so this might be creeping into the “crazy expectations” category as pregnancy, especially for me, is not a given at all and not something I have control over– but we feel very ready for second child.  This past year was a heartbreaking challenge as we lost two pregnancies, but I remain hopeful that it will happen one way or another.  We absolutely adore Henry and he’s changed our lives in the best of ways, so one more really would round out our family.  And then I can celebrate the freedom that will come with not wanting any more children or dealing with infertility. I cannot imagine the weight that will be lifted when I get to that step in my life.
2. Get More Financially Savvy–  Even though I’ve been successful and made a good living the past five years, I still act like I need to be fiscally liquid at all times “just in case of disaster”.  I am the flesh and bone human equivalent of Chicken Little. Time to shelve that fear and really make smart investment decisions with my money that will (literally) pay off.  And I want to pay closer attention to the details involved in those decisions.  Money has always been such an uncomfortable topic for me for some reason, and I need to face that head on and deal with it this year! Big girl panties, on.
3. Finish My House- Now that our final addition is done- it’s time to figure out all the last remaining details and be done with it for a while!  We will probably move in the next 3-4 years, but in the meantime I’d like to wrap things up.  Given what I do, I will always be tweaking things, but I can make it so it feels “finished”. And of course, share that process here!
4. Make Time For Me– I work a lot, and when I’m not working I want to be with Henry as much as possible- so I let taking care of myself fall by the wayside.  I don’t go to the gym much, or take time to relax.  I know that taking care of myself makes me a better mother, so I need the shelve the guilt of taking the time to go to the gym and take a couple classes and get back into a yoga practice of some sort.  I’m going to commit to twice per week to start, and if I get three times in, great, if not- so be it.
5. FINISH MY BOOK– I had to push the deadline for my book again, but I will complete it this year (by spring to be exact)- which means it’ll come out Spring 2019.  I know it’s been a long time since the first book came out, but it’s been MUCH harder to write a book with a child (and a busy design business, product lines, this blog, etc.)  So it’s been slow but steady going, but it’s coming.  I want it to be awesome, and something I am super proud of , like the first book- so it’ll be worth the wait.
6. Be Thoughtful About Where My Business Is Going–  I’ve had so many wonderful opportunities come my way in the past year, but it’s been overwhelming and left me a bit confused about where I want my business to be and what I want it to be.  There is so much opportunity in the social media side of it alone, never mind the actual design work and products.  So I need to have a good, long pow wow with myself, advisors and my employees about where this is going and how to make it better.  There more I want to do, but in order to do more I need more people.  So in 2018 I expect to add at least one more person to my team.
7. EDIT EDIT EDIT–  I felt a surge of disgust this weekend when looking around at all the clutter in our house. Every year I say I’m going to be more careful and thoughtful in my purchasing, but I somehow end up at the same place every year– with numerous trash bags filled with clothes and stuff to donate or throw out and mumbling things to myself like “if all my coffee mugs matched I’d be a better person”.  This year, less but better.  I feel less compelled to follow trends as I did when I was younger (OMG AM I THIS OLD?), so I think I’ll be better equipped to stick to buying less of the better quality things in life.
8. Be Present– Less staring at my phone, more staring at my beautiful little boy (and getting him to want to stare at my phone less too for that matter!)

What about you? What’s on your list this year to work on?  I always love hearing what other people’s goals are because it can help define and enhance my own.

As always, thanks for being here. And here’s to a great year ahead!

XO,

Erin

Today i thought I’d take a break from all things holiday and talk some decor!

Recently the New York Times showcased Jenna Lyons new SoHo loft. After having one of the most Pinned/shared spaces of all time previously (which still looks beautiful and stands the test of time even though it launched 1,000,000 copycat designs, by the way!)  Her new space, designed by the Myers Davis firm,  has a similar feel to her old one, and uses a couple items from it too, but overall feels more modern and eclectic I think.

The living room is a palette of icy blue and coral with lots of brass accents. I think I spy the Moroccan rug from her last living room in use (or at least a similar one) and another bold sofa choice in coral velvet.   Also there is a mix of traditional antiques and mid-century styles, which I love.