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Friday, February 20, 2015

FRIDAY FAVORITES


Once upon a time, long long ago, I did a Friday Favorites series.  It consisted of projects and links around the web that I enjoyed.  I've decided to revive that series, but I'm switching it up a little.  I'll still include amazing projects and beautiful rooms that I come across, but I also plan to throw in some of my favorite products, ideas, or anything random on my mind that I'd like to share with you.  The Best of the Nest link party will still post two Fridays each month, but on the open Fridays I hope you'll enjoy revisiting this series.

I'm fairly sure we're all dreaming of sunny, warm days!  We have plans for a major backyard/patio overhaul this spring.  Carmel from Our Fifth House created a screened-in porch haven that is giving me major motivation and inspiration!




I started following Tiffani Thiessen (of Saved by the Bell and White Collar fame) on Instagram a while back.  Did you know that she loves to cook and decorate?  She just started a food, home, and lifestyle blog.  The photos are gorgeous and I'm looking forward to seeing what ideas she has to offer, plus her little family is just too cute!



I love to visit Nell Hill's when we're in Kansas City, and even gave you a tour of all the goodness from a trip there last Spring.  This post from Mary Carol gives excellent suggestions for mixing and matching patterns if you need some guidelines.  She's a pro, I love every single combo in the store!



I recently had a reader ask how I approach cleaning out and getting rid of things I don't want or use any more.  I told her that was the million dollar question... so hard to do!  We have a garage sale about once a year (even though each time I declare I'll never have another!), donate througout the year, and sell things on Craigslist.  Claire just wrote a timely post with some great tips about how to sell things on Craigslist.   The only thing I would add to her list would be to post the best photos of your items that you can (not a dark, fuzzy photo of the item in a corner of your garage, especially covered up with stuff! Or with your pets on the item. You think they're cute, but no one else will want animals on the merchandise!).  I take photos for CL like I photograph things for the blog, and they usually sell the same day!  Oh, and ALWAYS include the measurements of the item.  


Claire Brody Designs

Lastly, my friend posted this item from her Craigslist last night, half way across the country.  I've wanted a coffee table like this for over two years, but it's my furniture unicorn.  I have friends in Maryland and Denver that have found them, but I've never seen one for sale in my area.   Anyone in Oklahoma have one you want to get rid of (second-hand and reasonable)?  Or even Dallas?  I can do a road trip!  ;)   Do you have a piece that you've always got an eye out for?



I hope you have a fantastic weekend, friends, and that it goes by SLOWLY and you enjoy every minute!


Would you like to comment?

  1. Julia @cuckoo4designFebruary 20, 2015 at 6:31 AM

    I adore Carmel's screened-in porch. So pretty! I want to hang out and have a glass of wine

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  2. happy friday! i wish you a happy weekend and i wish you that amazing table one day!

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  3. I subscribe to Mary Carol's blog and am planning a road trip to KC in May for some Nell Hill's shopping time!! Woot! Love all of your great tips and info on interesting blogs :)

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  4. Gari-Ann Scott LenoreFebruary 20, 2015 at 9:34 AM

    I live in the Dallas area. The Craigslist items here are crap. If you do happen to find anything halfway decent, they have priced it so high that you need a second job to afford it. Seriously, most of it is junk (not good junk) that they posted on CL rather than hauling it to the dump where it belongs. :(

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  5. I live in the Dallas area (one of the suburbs). The Craigslist items here are crap. If you do happen to find anything halfway decent, they have priced it so high that you need a second job to afford it. Seriously, most of it is junk (not good junk) that they posted on CL rather than hauling it to the dump where it belongs. :(

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  6. Well, ours certainly has a tendency to lean that way also, but the occasional diamond in the rough keeps me coming back! I have another friend in Dallas who has mentioned how ridiculously overpriced things are there, too. Bummer!

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  7. Alicia@ eco friendly homemakinFebruary 20, 2015 at 11:30 AM

    That screened in porch looks amazing! Hope that you find that table you are looking for very soon!

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  8. This made my day, Jennifer! Thanks for including my Craigslist tips! When I was brainstorming the post (ya know, over the course of a week while I was doing other things) I thought about including good photography but then I forgot when I sat down to write it!! You are so right though!! I shoot things like I shoot for the blog as well. I just told my husband this morning that it makes such a huge difference! I'm going back to edit the post!!! oxoxo

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  9. Lisa @ Shine Your LightFebruary 21, 2015 at 8:20 AM

    I love this Friday roundup, it's perfect for those of us who like lazy Saturday mornings with coffee and blog reading!! Thank you - so many lovely inspirations!

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  10. Hey, Jennifer! I LOVE all of these! One of your suggestions though for selling on Craigslist just made me cringe. Totally not your fault!! But I am completely frustrated at where to begin taking beautiful photographs of my home or the objects in them. :) I purchased a DSLR camera right after Thanksgiving - and there it sits. I've watched videos, etc. but it's just sinking in. Any suggestions? And what is a reasonable timeframe to finally "get it?" :)) Thank you!

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  11. I found your coffee table (identical) here in (near) Atlanta. Please let me know if you're still interested...I can send you the info. :)

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  12. You are so sweet! I'm sure shipping would be ridiculous, so I'm hoping to find one close to home. Hmmm, my hubby will be in Atlanta in a few weeks on business, think he could smuggle it in his carry-on? ;) Thank you so much for thinking of me!

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  13. Hi Betsy, It's such a process, I'm still learning! I think trial and error, and lots of practice is the best thing you can do. My sister had a boyfriend who was a photographer at the time we first starting learning about our DSLR. It was invaluable to stand right with him as he explained the settings and what to use in different lighting situations. Other than that mini-lesson, all of my learning has just been from practicing. And, lots of editing comes in handy! Have you heard of the online class Shoot Fly Shoot? I've heard wonderful things about it and would like to try it myself some day.

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  14. Thank you for the encouragement! Yes, I have the Shoot Fly Shoot videos - just the first set. I probably need to get their second series since I think it has more "hands on" of getting what you want out of it. I also got their photoshop online class. Made the purchases...now just have to DO it. ;) Your photography is absolutely beautiful by the way!!

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  15. I loved the pictures from that store when you posted them, so much inspiration! I would love to just wander in there and look around! And I love Carmel's outdoor area, definitely has me dreaming of spring!

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  16. Love this! Thanks for sharing Jenn! Hope you've had a great week so far!

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  17. Love Carmel's screened in porch! And I am super excited to check out Tiffany's site...I was a huge Saved By the Bell fan too!

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  18. Crossing my fingers, toes, arms, legs, and eyes for you to find a baker table sweet friend.

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