Next up in my little series of makers is the delightful Canadian ceramicist Cathy Terepocki. She appeared on my radar with her lovely Ontario line at Anthropologie, and now I can’t get enough of her beautiful Instagram images and down-to-earth ethos. (Yes, I may have a set of plates from her line that were more of a want than a need. #sorrynotsorry)
Visit Anthropologie if you’d like a piece (or eight) from her Ontario line, or visit her website for some beautiful videos, photos of her work, and of course, the opportunity to shop her wares. Or if you need a semi-regular dose of her style like I seem to, you can follow her on Instagram.
I’ve been gravitating towards clean lines and simple ceramics of late, and these dishes are just about perfect. I love the shapes, the soft pink hue combined with graphic neutrals, and their conscious and creative business model. Really the only question now is what combination of colors and shapes I’ll be buying to create my own set!
My dad is back home after dealing with some medical issues, and I wanted to make his apartment a bit cheerier as well as better equipped to handle his mobility accommodations. Enter: the budget-friendly apartment refresh! I thought an upholstered headboard would be more comfortable than his old wood one, for starters. A new bedside lamp made things feel cozy, as did a bit of (faux) greenery and a tasseled throw for the bed. I also added a sweet macrame basket — it was just right to wrangle coils of oxygen tubing, and the soft cotton won’t scratch or snag the tubes like wicker could. A new lower media console helped to open up the space and make it feel bigger. And lastly, I hung up a cork board to help him corral doctor appointment reminders, stray sheets of stamps, and important phone numbers. My dad seemed happy with his fresh space, and I was incredibly gratified that I could help with his transition back home. Success!
As if it wasn’t hard enough to get out of the store with out purchasing EXTRA STUFF, Target has been killing it with their home decor lately. Between their Project 62 and new Opalhouse lines, I can’t get enough. After mulling over wallpaper options here, I finally decided to go with the pretty floral with birds, above. Paired with a new tasseled bathmat and some greenery, our bathroom is looking 100% better. And candle snuffer, where have you been all my life? We may or may not have a couple new pillows in the living room, too, because give me all the pillows.
One week ago, I tried a new cake recipe for a Friday night dinner with friends. Spoiler alert: it is amazing and I will be making this one again and again. Behold: Maialino’s Olive Oil Cake. I served it topped with dollops of the strawberry black pepper jam I made several weeks ago, and it was perfection. Not too sweet, perfectly moist, easily mixed, and the most delightful hint of citrus. Make it for yourself or someone you love this weekend — you won’t be sorry! Sharing is entirely optional.
Bailey has self-care down pat. Naps every day with zero guilt.
With Earth Day freshly come and gone, I took the plunge and made a tweak to our routine that feels really good. I ordered a big pack of microfiber cloths, a new lidded trashcan, and a reusable liner in a quest to wean us off of paper towels. We are only a few days into this, but so far I am actually quite pleased! Our new cloths are not only reusable, but are more absorbent and efficient at cleaning up messes. Now I just need to work them into the laundry routine, and we’re set. It has been easier than I anticipated so far, I must admit — and now our household is that much more eco-friendly.
There is something uniquely satisfying about seeing a problem and then finding just the right solution. Maybe this might feel like a stretch to some, but I think that sense of satisfaction can be an important part of self-care. Large milestones and big accomplishments don’t have to be the only things we celebrate. Sometimes smaller achievements and personal satisfactions are even more important, because they keep us going and keep us smiling.
The other small thing I did for myself was entirely un-revolutionary, but equally satisfying: I gave myself the night off last night. I have had very little downtime of late, but I’ve been proud that I’ve managed to keep getting everything done, even with extra trips to visit an ailing parent. Well, last night I took the whole evening off instead of trying to cram the laundry into an already-busy weekend, and I am so glad I did. I had time for a much needed nap, I got to bed on time, and I was up early enough that I added yet one more small tweak to my day: I took five minutes to read before making the bed and leaving for work. It is amazing how much less rushed and stressful that five minutes made my morning feel. I wasn’t mindlessly scrolling on my phone while I blended a smoothie — I was sitting down, with a book in hand. It felt great.
So, with three small tweaks under my belt, this week’s little self-care realization is that even a small change can still be a significant one. And that is satisfying in and of itself — to know that even five minutes in the morning, or three new items in my routine, can make a world of difference.
I’ve been considering wallpaper as an accent wall in our bathroom on and off for a while, but I have been hesitant since we are renters. It seems like the options for removable wallpaper are getting ever more stylish, though, so I’m pondering it all over again. Here are some of my favorites — I think maybe some samples swatches are in order!
As spring gets underway, I’m really feeling these lovely shades of goldenrod/mustard/yellow. Something about these sunshine-y hues makes me smile every time. Just the thing to brighten a Monday!
Next in my little series on makers I love and support, allow me to introduce Block Shop textiles. I love their products, and love their company ethos. Their Oxbow scarf is draped around my neck as I type this!
Block Shop is a textile studio run by two sisters based in Los Angeles and Jaipur. They design on paper, print with wooden blocks, and dye in small batches. And the best part? Not only do they employ local artisans and use vegetable and mineral dyes in keeping with local textile traditions, they invest 5% of annual profits in their Bagru women’s empowerment program.
Their website and Instagram have photos and videos that highlight the hand block printing process, which fascinated and delighted me. It is so easy to buy things with a click these days that I think our curiosity about making and creating has fallen by the wayside. Block Shop is doing a great job reawakening inquisitiveness.
Hand block printing processDyed textiles drying in the sun
Block Shop’s textiles are simple and beautiful, and I covet the serene simplicity of their woodblock prints. This bright and cozy corner designed by Emily Henderson is everything I want in a room. And I would fill my entire house with their pillows and quilts if I could!
Sunwave and Sidewinder printsRipple pillowAcadia kantha quilt
With Block Shop textiles, I love that I can feel good about the products they offer. I can purchase a well-considered item to have and use forever, created by hand with time-honored methods. I hope you find a little inspiration in what they do, and perhaps something beautiful for your own home as well!
Today I’m swooning over pink and green interiors, specifically the richness that emerald can bring to a space. (I suppose it is no small surprise that I have an emerald velvet couch in my living room!) These spaces, with their warm woods and pretty blush accents, are a delight and an inspiration.
Pink&GreenMusings 