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This year has been all about self-care for me, in many different shapes and forms. One way I like to practice self care is to elevate some of my basics or everyday items with versions that feel more special or luxurious. With the end of the year and holiday season coming up rapidly I wanted to share some of my favorite everyday luxuries that I’ve found to really elevate my daily life. These are some (small) ways I’ve made everyday rituals and activities feel more luxe, wherever I am in the world.

Elevated Versions of Products I Love

Candles

Might be the most basic and obvious thing. However, I love a bougie candle to instantly brighten up any room (and my mood). Candles make great gifts, for friends & family or even for yourself. I really don’t think you can ever have too many. My favorites are by Voluspa. They have so many scent options and have a clean coconut wax blend I’m obsessed with and love burning in my own. I have so many scents and sizes scattered throughout my own. However, my current favorite is the Hearth Size (makes such a fantastic holiday gift!) which is a decorative statement piece on its own.

Flowers – Products I Love

I started buying fresh flowers from the farmer’s market this year. I do this whenever I could make the weekly market, and needless to say. I’m now obsessed with having fresh florals in the house. On the weeks I can’t get to a farmer’s market, I also love having “eternity” florals from Venus et Fleur in my home. These not only look and smell incredible, they are also a gorgeous decorative centerpiece that can be used anywhere in your home. The craziest part is these flowers stay pristine for a year (and with proper care, even longer). I get so many compliments on my arrangements . They are pricey, but really so worth it when you factor in how long they last for. They have an instant WOW factor that elevate any room instantly.

Pajamas

This past year is the first time I truly invested in quality pajamas. By that I mean cute matching sets that I wanted to wear to bed instead of a ratty mismatched t-shirt and short combo. Nothing wrong with this at all, but I figured my 30’s were a good time to find some appropriate sleepwear. I love how luxurious washable silk feels and how easy it is to care for. And, for printed matching sets you can’t go wrong with Show Me Your Mumu.

Cozy throw blankets

A cozy throw blanket makes your home feel so much more luxurious. My favorites are by Barefoot Dreams. I have several and love having them in all of the different rooms in the house. I have them when I want to watch TV, lay on the couch, or even travel with them or take them outside. They’re machine washable which makes them really easy to clean and I don’t feel guilty bringing them out with me. If the price tag feels a bit steep, keep an eye out on Nordstrom Rack. I’ve scored several for 50% there! Also, I have an Apparis faux fur throw I’m obsessed with. It feels so incredibly soft and thick, and looks gorgeous wherever you put it.

Glassware – if you’re like me and have to be drinking a minimum of 3 different beverages at any given time, updating your glassware at home is the easiest way to feel ~fancy~ without spending too much at once. I love these clear mugs for my coffee and tea, and while these ripple glasses are a little pricey, I love the aesthetic they bring to any home. Also a big fan of collecting glassware at flea markets or when you travel, whatever your vibe is you’ll be able to find glassware that fits.

What are your favorite products to elevate your everyday life? xx

It’s been a while since my last post, between COVID, work, and a big move last month there has been a lot going on! In case you missed it, we moved last month to a new neighborhood. We’re still in LA, but living in a different part of town. So far we are loving it and taking every chance we have to walk around our new hood and explore everything this part of town has to offer. Because we are staying home more than ever, we knew we wanted a space that would be large enough for AJ and me to have our own space to work from home. (The competing Zoom calls at the same time got to be a bit much.) And after living in Hollywood/West Hollywood since I moved to LA six years ago, it was time for a change.

I thought finding a new spot to rent would be easy with the pandemic. But the housing market is surprisingly competitive for renting and owning! As much as we were hoping we’d find a great deal, we focused instead on the neighborhood and fell in love with our current spot. Since we rarely leave the house anymore, I’ve shifted all of my attention to home goods and making our new place feel like home as much as possible. Decorating is a process and takes a lot of time – and money – hence why I’ve been a little MIA! Ever since COVID hit I really haven’t been in the mood to shop for clothes. So home goods and furniture have filled the shopping void for me – from little pieces such as serving trays and throw blankets, all the way to outdoor furniture!

Where to Buy Affordable Outdoor Furniture

The best part of our new place is the private rooftop with incredible views of the city stretching from Century City to DTLA and beyond. Shopping for outdoor furniture was surprisingly difficult because we weren’t the only ones looking for it! Outdoor furniture is one of the winning categories during COVID (along with at-home fitness equipment, gardening supplies, and toilet paper) which makes it tough to get your hands on at times. We finally got our outdoor couch (which is unfortunately sold out now) but are still waiting on our outdoor rug and some additional seating, which was all back-ordered.

I’ve gotten a lot of questions about my outdoor furniture so I wanted to share where we’ve been shopping for outdoor furniture and how you can furnish an outdoor space without breaking the bank. Outdoor furniture can be tough. If you go too cheap it will break easily. But price is not always indicative of quality, and higher-priced pieces can still be ruined by Mother Nature.

Where to shop for affordable outdoor furniture

+ Target

I’ve been really pleasantly surprised by Target’s home decor. They have a great variety of home items at great prices and their patio furniture has rave reviews. The set we wanted was sold out when we were shopping for our outdoor furniture (to be honest, a LOT of their furniture is sold out) but it came highly recommended by several people. This egg chair seems to be a crowd favorite, although I really love their conversation sets and sofas as well. If you’re looking for outdoor decor as well (think throw pillows, blankets, rugs, etc.) I highly recommend Target.

+ Wayfair

Wayfair has great prices, although the quality can be hit or miss. Be sure to read the reviews and take measurements before ordering anything. We ordered this couch and despite some so-so reviews we really love it! I would also suggest getting a cover or treatment for your outdoor furniture in the event of bad weather.

+ Ikea

I say this somewhat cautiously because a few weekends ago we tried to go to Ikea. And the line to get into the store was an hour long. And we had gotten to the store 30 minutes before it opened. I don’t recommend Ikea for most things. But they do have some items that are great. If this were pre-COVID times and you could walk in and leisurely stroll through the store, I would say it might be worth it. We specifically had our eye on these stools and chairs. But decided they weren’t waiting in line for almost 2 hours to buy. You really can’t beat Ikea prices. But chances of their outdoor furniture lasting longer than a couple of years is probably slim.

+ Resale

If you need something sooner, it’s always worth checking out a resale app or site. I’ve found great items on Craigslist, OfferUp, and Facebook Marketplace. It’s worth checking all of those sites and putting up alerts if there is anything you want in particular. You can find great items from Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, West Elm, and even Restoration Hardware at a steep discount if you’re patient and willing to take a drive. Always negotiate, but know that popular items will go quickly!

+ Vintage Stores & Flea Markets

This takes a bit more effort and time, but it can be oh so worth it. I’m not the best at thrifting, but now that the flea markets are open again I want to swing by to find a bistro set for the patio and some other pieces for indoor as well. Vintage is the way to go when you want something unique that will make your place stand out. Flea markets also often have local furniture makers that will build things custom for you – another great option if you want something a little different. Personally, I like to mix some big box store pieces with more unique finds.

Where do you like to buy affordable outdoor furniture?