Friday Five

Happy Friday! This week’s Friday Five will share some favorites and answer some of your questions submitted via Instagram. Here we go!

What paint color did Harper end up choosing for her room?
Harper decided pink was it – so I ended up getting Benjamin Moore Melted Ice Cream at 10% lighter (several of y’all recommended getting it tinted slightly lighter). It’s getting painted today and I can’t wait to see the final result! Melted Ice Cream is more of a true blush pink with a beige-y undertone, which makes it look not too pastel/saccharine. I was inspired by the way Studio McGee used the color in this space. By the way, her new home is amazing.

Do you recommend painting or wallpapering a living room, bedroom or kitchen and why?
I would probably wallpaper most rooms of my house if it was economical, LOL. That’s quite a #grandmillenial thing to say, but the wallpapers of today are so different than wallpapers of the past.

Wallpaper is a huge investment (both the paper itself and a professional installation, which I highly recommend), so it can be a cost-prohibitive option. That’s why I recommend using wallpaper in a space you use a lot and will see/enjoy every day. I chose to wallpaper my master bathroom because it’s where we get ready every morning and where we get ready for bed every night. I spend enough time in there that I feel like I get to enjoy it (plus, a bathroom is smaller than a bedroom, so a lower cost to wallpaper it). Powder rooms, bathrooms, children’s bedrooms and small offices are great spaces to wallpaper.

We are about to wallpaper our very small entryway with this beautiful paper – I chose that as my second wallpaper location because the entryway can be seen from the living room and kitchen and looked really dull. Now, we will be able to see and enjoy the wallpaper no matter where we are standing on the first floor of our home, so it felt like the right place to invest. Plus, the rest of our first floor is totally open-concept, so wallpapering any other areas isn’t the best fit.

In terms of painting – I believe every room in your home should make you happy and painting a room can be totally transformational. Painting is also much more economical than wallpapering (and you can DIY!) I recommend trying samples of colors before you commit – you really need to see the color in your own space, with the lighting that it gets throughout the day.

Did you buy a case or sleeve for your iPad or does the keyboard cover protect it?
The iPad snaps into the keyboard case, so no other protective case is required. Read more about my iPad and case here.

How do you manage sibling rivalry and jealousy and cultivate sibling relationships?I’m an only child, so sibling relationships are a new thing for me. I’ve come to realize via my family and friends that magical sibling relationships in adulthood are not all that common, which is kind of heartbreaking. I always imagined that if I had a sibling, we would be best friends, even as adults and spend time together constantly. The real world reality is that siblings sometimes aren’t close at all and/or barely see one another. My hope is that my children will be close as they continue to grow together, but, no matter how you parent, there are no guarantees. Siblings can be so different and if I knew the magical formula to make them stay close, I’d share it! If y’all have any book recommendations or tips, please share them in the comments!

A few things I focus on: when one child has hurt the other – always apologizing, cheering one another on (like at each other’s various sporting events) and doing things as a family and focusing on the fun we have as a group. Harper also reads to Lincoln every night at bedtime and I really cherish that. If I’m being honest, I’m not sure I have the right approach or answer to any of this and I probably make mistakes all the time. One of my fears is my children not being close as adults – if you are close with your siblings, I’d love to know what about your childhood or upbringing contributed to that.

Best racer back bra to wear with sleeveless tops?
I would say a convertible bra is the most versatile – I’ve linked some great options below!

What’s the best gift to give a friend who has everything?

• A custom address stamp
• Custom cocktail napkins
• A monogrammed makeup bag
• A gift card to her favorite workout studio
• An experience gift – see a show together (theater, ballet) or take a cool class together (painting, aerial acrobatics)
• A framed art print that has meaning to her or your friendship – lots of great options here.

How did the Rothy’s with the bows work out? I’m worried the bow will keep untying?
You can read a full review of the shoes here. After wearing them for a couple of weeks I can say that the only time I really re-tie the bows are in the morning when I put them on so they’re fresh. They loosen a tiny bit during the day if you’re walking a lot, but if you tie them securely, they don’t just untie all day long.

LINKS + THINGS I LOVE

• This Something Navy article with Melissa Wood
• This brass and acrylic shelf
• I got this dress in two colors recently and adore it
• Colorful glassware makes me smile
• Love these patio chairs

Have a great weekend!