Hello! Today I thought it would be fun to chat about my personal Favorite Things right now. From Favorite TV Series to a Favorite Conversation I had recently.
Design Trend- I don’t think it is a trend but a pattern I notice myself leaning towards- a piece of black in every room. I look at photos online and think- that room just needs some depth or a tiny bit of contrast. Amazing what you see when you take a picture. Also a touch of pink in every room- why not have a feminine and a masculine touch in every space.
Four Things I find myself saying when talking about homes- “Do you LOVE it? Then do it!” “Hide the Cords” “Get a real plant” and “Lower your TV”
TV Series- Right now I am enjoying “Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee” with Jerry Sienfield. I just love how he asks questions and creates such great conversations. And he is hilarious with his guests. Great series on Netflix!
Clothes- Still loving THIS black overall dress and THIS Check Top. Still dressing like my house. (Took a new profile pic…good old self timer!).
Food- I am pretty basic- yet I would say I am high-maintance in the way that I want good healthy food. Doesn’t have to be fancy. Just some veggies and protein. Favorite thing I could eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner is a Frittata. (Find the recipe HERE).
Quote- “We aren’t promised tomorrow” I don’t know who originally said it but a reader shared it with my on THIS Instagram Post. I was talking about balancing home choices with our preference and also considering resale. And she said “We aren’t promised tomorrow.” Basically, enjoy your home today. And I agree with that 100%. So I don’t know why I was getting hung up on the bathroom! Really we could base a lot of our daily choices off of that one saying.
Accessories- I am just a lover of accessories and little things. I try to simplify but I really enjoy creating little vignettes and taking photos. So here are my new favorite things- PINK CUPS from Ikea CLEAR GLASS CUPS from Target. We love this little station because our 7 year old, Lola can easily reach the cups. Also I did get the new GOLD LETTERS for our Letterboard. Kind of fun to mix them in.
Conversation- My sister Brittany visited us two weeks ago and it was a blessing. Finn caught an ear infection and Kevin was out of town- I really needed her. Anyways I was asked to talk in church to a group of young women about how I recently dealt with losing a loved one (my friend who took her life). She and I had lost touch about 6 years ago, but she was my best friend all through High School, our lives just took different paths and interests. I thought my sister might have more experience with this question because she lost a baby after only 14 hours of life (he was born with a heart condition). I asked her how she was able to get back into life? She said that she clearly remembers being very sad, staying inside for a week with the blinds pulled tightly closed. Then one day she had an impression- it is time. Time to open the blinds and literally and figuratively let the light in. Her neighbor called her and said “Your blinds are open! So happy to see you!” She allowed God’s light and love to come in and heal and help her cope. I think of this daily- letting the light in.
Inspiration- I get a lot of inspiration by popping into Anthropolgie or Shop Terrain. I might not buy anything but I leave feeling excited about design and creating a home for my family. We stopped in the other night to Anthropolgie I can’t stop thinking about THESE PILLOWS. I did come home and order THIS book below off of Amazon for less. We are about an hour and 20 minute drive to New York so we love books about New York and especially desserts!
Favorite Three Questions-
I saw on Cup of Joe ask 5 Questions and 564 people answered them (and counting). I took three of them-
What do you look forward to each day? Me: Working Out. I honestly love it that much. I will hire a babysitter just so I can workout then I will stay up until 1 in the morning to finish a blog post or work. Beauty of getting to choose how we spend our time.
What is worrying you? Me: My time management (funny from my last answer)
Where do you want to travel to? Africa- to an African Safari
Doris O'Meara says
Such a cute post!
What do I look forward too each day: when my kids wake up. I just love their little smiles, smells and personalities first thing in the morning.
what is worrying me: decorating my home. I’ve lost too much sleep due to my indecisiveness!
where do I want to travel: Italy and Ireland.
[email protected] says
Thanks Doris! Love your answers! I do love when my kids wake up- but not Finn’s 5:21 every morning wake up call!
And noooooo dont loose sleep over it!!
Lisa Lorkowski says
What a great post! Brooke, your blog is by far my favorite. Also, I really enjoy how you incorporate your design questions and answers with each post. Thank you !!
[email protected] says
Thank you Lisa! I appreciate you!
Cindy says
Just read this entry this morning. Were you seriously thinking about selling you house? I love that you have learned to love your small house so I’m hoping it wasn’t because you miss having a larger home? I have a small home too and always wondered why we never bought a bigger one as the kids got bigger.
[email protected] says
Oh no- we love a smaller home. My husbands office changed and is further into NYC- so just deciding if we want to make a move.
Clarissa says
Ok, that is THE cutest outfit I’ve seen in a long time!!! I love the idea of pink and black pieces in every room, I’ve always loved that color combo. It works so well in your home too. I just love everything you do. 🙂
[email protected] says
Thank you Clarissa- you are the greatest~
Susie says
Brooke I just love your blog! It is such a blessing!
[email protected] says
Oh thank you so much Susie!
Deborah says
I fell into some of these Blog s a few months ago,at the wee hours of the morning . Not sleeping after my 28 yr old son ( went to work Aug 23 th in a shirt and tie ,camr Home not feeling His arm ) Glioblastoma enter into our Lives ,So your Blog Dragged me away from my real World that seems so unreal ,Today as you shared Letting the Light in Somday ,reminds me that at So point I have to Walk Forward ……But today I sit as a Mother blessed with a house full of Family and Friends ,as we Help our Son Prepare for His Journey ,So thank you for this Blog
[email protected] says
oh Deborah, thank you for sharing this. I just stopped and said a prayer for you and your son. Yes, you will have comfort and light and thank goodness for support.
Donna says
Love those glasses and pillow too! I like to look at certain stores and get ideas to use without actually buying sometimes. That book looks good. I get a lot of books on EBay. It’s so much cheaper. Enjoy your weekend. Gotta go workout.
[email protected] says
yay! Thanks Donna!!
Sara B. says
Brooke…question for you…along the lines of black in every room…could the same be said of dark navy?? I’m starting to gravitate to adding bits of that in my home. I go back and forth with navy and with black. I love both. Was curious to what you thought on navy pops of color?? Thanks sweets!!!❤️❤️❤️ Sara
[email protected] says
Hi Sara! YES! I should say just some contrast to add some depth! Thanks!!
Tarra says
Awe Brooke I’m sorry you lost your friend. I lost my mom that way too. When I was 5 months pregnant with her first grandchild. I was devastated. I think one reason I love watching your blog so much is the filling of love in your home. And the one thing I finally had to learn after 3-4 years of grief was, I am still here. WE are all still here. She is in the better place, heaven, and we are all still here doing this tough life together. So focus on the ones still here. I think I wrote a comment that said glad you are still here with us. I guess this is more of the reasoning behind it. IThe post didn’t say exactly so I didn’t want to assume. It is the worst scenario for death because we can’t explain it. I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s each of our own responsibility to find our happiness. I just finished the Mastery of Love by the same author as the 4 Agreements and it was pretty insightful. Thanks again for your posts and blogs and just being you!
[email protected] says
Oh I am sorry Tara. You are so right. I just feel so sad for her, sad that she didn’t think this life was awesome anymore and that drugs took ahold of her. Because that is a real painful thing.
I appreciate your comment and support here.
Christina says
Thank you so much for inspiring me! Your positivity shines through in everything you do! I too live in a small cape in New England with my two little kids. I find myself trying to create a space that is warm and unique for my family💕 Although sometimes my husband thinks I’m crazy with all the little tweaks I make, but he sees that it makes me happy. I found a quote on Instagram from Glennon Doyle “The sun will rise and we will try again.” She’s got so many great ones though. Anyways, my thanks to you. You’ve created a nice little community on Facebook and I truly appreciate it.
-Christina
[email protected] says
I absolutely love that quote. Thank you for sharing it with me. You are a giving your family a gift, and don’t forget it!
Vilja says
I love your instagram, instagram stories and your blog! You seem so sweet and real! I also love Ina small home and you are such an inspiration to me!
[email protected] says
Thank you very much!!
Dana Dion says
Brooke,
Thank you for your blog and taking the time to keep it updated. I follow you on Instagram and love your design ideas. I am a busy mom of three with one off in college but I love all things home. I live in Texas and when I moved here from NC ten years ago I felt like I needed to decorate my home in Texas style. Boy was I wrong, now I am slowly getting it in the things that I love and that represent me and my family. I love the classic design and advice that you give. Especially with lowering the TV’s and I like the black in every room. And your girls room is adorable and it’s sweet to see you cooking with them. It reminds me of me and my girls in the kitchen together which is quite often!
[email protected] says
Oh this is a wonderful comment.Thank you very much Dana. I want to bake with my girls tomorrow now! xxxxx
Jessica Cornman says
Your blog is my absolute favorite and I love reading new posts and following you on Instagram! To answer the three questions:
-Everyday I look forward to that moment when my family is all home at the end of the day and settled in for the night. We like to be cozy and watch a show together. I like to think it keeps us all connected as my children are getting older.
-I am worried about school violence. My husband and I are both teachers and our 3 children are in different schools. This is something that worries me daily.
-I would love to travel to Denmark. My beloved grandfather passed away last year and Denmark was his favorite place on earth.
[email protected] says
Thanks Jessica! I love your answers.I would love Denmark too. And I am sure with you being a school teacher you have a lot more worries than I am even aware of!
Jacqueline Miller says
Hello,
I love reading your blog. I even went out and purchased the HGTV magazine that features your house. I even brought a little “Nesting with Grace” to my home when I ordered the mailbox from Pottery Barn and the gold silver pineapple door knocker. I love them both. Keep on bloggin’! It gives me something to look forward to each week.
[email protected] says
Oh thank you Jacqueline! I appreciate that and you!!
shawnna griffin says
hey girl- love the post! have a great day!