Honor Roll

Think of Twitter five years ago, vs. today. Facebook before, during, and after the presidential election. The sense of community I once felt on those platforms has shifted dramatically over the years, and I felt myself pulling back. I still love Instagram. I still love Pinterest. I still love visiting and reading my favorite blogs. And I’m still on Twitter and Facebook and there is love for them too, but I’m not doing the mindless scroll thing I have in the past. I’m not looking to be provoked, outraged, and angered.

In making that switch though, visiting those platforms less, I’ve not come across as many interesting articles. I found myself replacing mindless Twitter and Facebook checkins with Quora scrolling (people are nice! People are thoughtful! People have interesting questions and answers!). Same behavior, better psychological state (less anxiety and anger), but it’s equally bad for productivity.

I realized that as my experience with online consumption changed, so did my publishing output. I overcompensated. I went somewhat quiet here in favor of spending time elsewhere, and that translated to offline too. Plenty of time working behind the scenes and and on big projects, but not sharing enough of the in-between. This space is not and has never been just for the big before and afters. It’s all about the process! And along the way, I’ve loved sharing fun and inspirational things I’ve found in my Friday Honor Roll posts. So let’s get back to those, starting today. And moving forward? Let’s get back to more fun and less waiting for the big reveals.

Back to Honor Roll roundups! More sharing of the steps in between the big milestones! More fun, more fashion, and just a bit more me. I’ve kind of missed you guys. Hi.

• Local lovely lady Marianne of The Savoy Flea has a home as wonderful as you would expect. “Eclectic Parisian Bordello” — is that the most evocative, most wonderful description of a home or what? And her framed photo of the Contessa di Castiglione (above) is perfection.

• Plus-sized models for straight-sized brands.
  “…it’s still open season for discriminating against and marginalizing fat female consumers, even as more brands jump on the body-positivity bandwagon in acts of what could only be deemed size appropriation.”

• Parents: Are you a carpenter or a gardener?

• De Beers basically sets diamond prices. So why would they undercut the market by offering cheap lab-grown diamonds? The better to drown out their competitors, my dear.
  The article had me wondering about the differences between real and fake diamonds, and this was a helpful guide: What’s the difference between Swarovski Crystal, Diamonds and Cubic Zirconia?

• Obsessed with this Heron Wallpaper from Gucci. Pink background! Menacingly beautiful birds!

• Chicago got a Serena & Lily store and I was able to check it out at the preview yesterday! So pretty, and so distinctly on brand (photo below). I’ve recommended so many of their pieces throughout the years — it was great to see everything in person.

IMAGES: The Savoy Flea’s Apartment Therapy Home Tour photographed by Emilia Jane • Serena & Lily store photographed by Dustin Halleck