Friday Favorites starts with Most asked Questions Lately

I thought it would be fun to answer some of the most asked questions today on my Friday Favorites. I get asked a lot of the same questions over on Instagram, because that is where I share the most “behind the scenes” on Instagram Stories. I have to say the that Instagram Stories is one of my new favorite things. But I have learned a big lesson.

If something scares you that means you should do it! I really don’t know if that goes for everything in life. I guess if it is “good” then it does.

At first I was like “nope” not going to use it. I didn’t like the idea of another social media platform to distract me. I also wasn’t ready to chat into my phone with people who might do judge me. I really didn’t want another way to be critiqued. So I dabbled in it slowly and now I share on their daily. I learn a lot about myself. I also try to share what I am interested in seeing others share. But it does not come easily and or without the up’s and down’s.

You don’t know how many times I think, I am going to quit Instagram after I receive a weird comment. I just think people forget that if you are not directly asked- shouldn’t tell someone what they should do with their makeup (yes, that was a message from someone). I also had someone say I had some sort to speech impediment (I have never heard that before). Or that they think I should change something in my home. I also get men wanting to have a conversation (make sure your kids who have an Instagram account are private!). And daily companies wanting to send me a new product to “try and share on Instagram” without payment, even though it clearly is not my style or my readers and because you know it requires no extra time and effort on my part.

Anyways. I will stop there, I could go on. Out of all the bad there is way more positive.

At the end of the day I think we all have to ask ourself- Are WE  happy with what we are doing in life then that is all that should matter. Let all critiques roll off our backs.

I have loved getting to know all of my readers SO much. I get messages daily from all of you of sharing a picture of something you tried in your home because I inspired you. Or a picture of a recipe you tried of mine. It honestly gives me such a boost. I also get a lot of questions. And some I notice keep coming up. So I thought I would answer those today as part of my Favorite Things, because they actually are!

One question I received the other day after sharing my Favorite new Fiddle Leaf Fig (I found at Home Depot for $18!).

Q- Will a plant in a basket ruin my basket? Or do I take the plant outside to water it? 

A- Those are really good questions actually! So I put a large black garbage sack inside the basket around the plastic bucket the plant came in. I don’t water a lot at one time. I water most all my houseplants once a week- depending on the size of the plant, but it is not more than a cup of water.

I did get several people asking where I got my new baskets from. I actually ordered a couple for an idea for my Christmas trees- so wait to see what I do with them next!

You can find my new basket here- white HERE, black HERE and blush HERE.

A reader told me that you can use Coconut Oil on the leaves of your houseplants to give them a shine! I had just bought “leaf shine” and now I wish I had thought of that before!

This little fiddle leaf fig mini tree gets a lot of questions too. Yes, it is real. I got it at a local wholesale floral shop, I think it was around $35. It is pretty short. So I have it on top of a little fur stool right now. It totally works and looks like a big tree!

If you missed it you can read all about my houseplants HERE, how I care for them and what they are called.

Here are a couple other questions I received lately and some over and over!

Q- Where is your EYELINER from?

A-  I found THIS liquid eyeliner a couple years ago and have not turned back. At first it was tricky to use, but just like anything after some practice I got the hang of it. You can find it HERE and the brush I use with it HERE. I can’t remember when I bought it last, it lasts forever! Make sure to clean your brush with water and a wet cloth after using it. (see some people like my eyeliner :)).

Q- How do you get your hair to part so far over and have volume?

A- I totally laugh at this one, I really get this question on my Instagram Stories A LOT! I honestly wash my hair once a week. I have extremely thick, coarse horse hair! But I do use THIS dry shampoo, it does help to give my hair some texture and create some volume as the week goes on. I also go to bed with my hair wet then I just curl a few pieces with the flat iron when I wake up (it is naturally wavy in spots). One tip I do is I part it down the middle after I wash it then let it dry, THEN I flip it over to that dramatic part and it has more volume! (For those local I go to Sara at  David Mac in Fairfield, if you go tell her I sent you!! She is so sweet).

Q- Do you like your Butcher Block Counter Top? Did you seal your Butcher Block?

A- A LOT of questions on our countertops. In a nut shell- yes we do love our countertops. They were pre-sealed, so no we have not had to do anything to them yet. Water can be left on them overnight and there will not be a water ring. We have had Ikea butcher block countertops before and that was not the case. I did actually write a whole blog post about our countertops HERE.

Q- How big is your front room and sofa?

A- Our front room is about 11′ x 13′. Our rug is 5’6″x8’6″ and my sofa almost 8′. If you asked this question out of curiosity or out of wanting to know what to do in your home…I suggest tapping off the area with blue painters tape so you can see what it would actually feel like! You can find my exact sofa HERE and shop our home HERE.

Q- When do you decide if you should get a new chair or sofa versus recovering it?

A- This is a good question! And one I would answer ALL the time when I worked in a design store. Most of the time it costs at least $600 to have a sofa recovered. Plus you have to buy the fabric and that requires at least 10 yards of fabric and nice upholstery grade fabric is over $50 a yard.  Unless your sofa is brand new you most likely need the cushions replaced and that is more money too. The life of a sofa is about 7 years I have always heard. So with all of that in mind unless your sofa or chair is an antique or vintage or really amazing style that you LOVE then it typically isn’t the most cost effective to recover or the smartest. Especially in this day and age with access to SO much online you can find great deals on new upholstery.

And a couple more of my favorite things from the week-

• I stopped at Old Navy the other day because Finn needed some pajamas ASAP. Of course I went to my section! I picked up another one of THESE that I wore three days in a row, I got it in black this time (I already have it in THIS green). I LOVE that it has pockets! Use Code ALLGOOD for extra savings.

• Also THIS little bomber is the probably the cutest thing- for sure a needed addition to Fall wardrobe.

• I am already thinking about Christmas because I have a couple of blog posts coming up with some other bloggers. First I will be sharing Christmas in our kitchen. I just ordered THIS wreath and I am so excited to get it! I think it will be perfect in our kitchen.

• I also just got THIS mirror to hang over our bed in our master! It is a really cute mirror in person, looks like a window.

• Really nice faux garland with twinkle lights are a must- THESE just arrived and I have several spots in mind!

• Also I was spotlighted over on Rank and Style, you can read the entire article HERE.

Hope you have a great Halloween weekend!

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