pretty typography from Kim Smith

Have you noticed I’ve been a little more wordy lately? I don’t know what sparked this, maybe all of my long afternoons staring blankly out the window while it rains and listening to James Blunt songs. Just kidding, that didn’t happen. If you’re just here for the pretty pictures, I’ll post something later. This one is for people in it for the long haul. And the topic? Combatting blogger jealousy.

So, much to my dismay, I have not been my best self lately. I’ve been searching for the answer of why this has been the case. My conclusion is a little bit winter madness (I loathe this season) but mostly it’s been a personal matter (that I have not control over) and sometimes it takes over. It takes over and then I just feel really sad and that translates into me not liking myself and that translates into being annoyed by other people because they’re clearly screwing up my life.

I’m not writing this now so you’ll take pity on me and fill my comment section with reasons why I am clearly awesome, I’m writing it to come clean. Contrary to the vibe my blog gives off, I’m not 100% sunny all of the time. I like to believe I’m generally an optimistic person but I have my down time. I’m human. I like to keep my blog sunny and not a chronicle of every bad thing that happens to me because you read blogs to lift you not drag you down.

In my moments of not being my best self lately, jealousy has reared it’s ugly head and the source has been blogs. This is a reflection of my generally negative attitude I’ve had lately and not on the actual bloggers themselves. I fully admit that the feelings are ridiculous but sometimes it’s hard to kick.

Since Twitter has seemed to become a hub for my complaints (sorry followers) I posed the question, “How do you combat blogger jealousy?” I got some fantastic advice and thought that you might benefit from it too. That’s assuming that you’ve felt like this at least once.

“I realized for me it’s usually because I’m not stoked about what’s on my blog. So I put my head down and work. If I have my own cool projects I’m working on, I don’t feel jealous. It’s worked for me every time.”
- Jordan

“I like to unplug and step away for a few days, helps me keep my perspective.”
- Whitney

“Just try to convince yourself that you’re happy with the success that others are having – because nothing good comes from being jealous.”
- Molly

“I give props to blogs that I’m secretly jealous of.”
- Ana

“I try to focus on what I like about my life or things that make me different. You can’t let others miss out on all your amazing qualities because you are too focused on someone else’s life.”
- Chelsea

“Making sure I’m true to myself helps me rise above it.”
- Stephanie

“I try and take a big dosage of you’re awesome.”
- Brittany

“Internet breaks work wonders for me.”
- Danyelle

“I just try to ignore it and focus on what I’m doing and what I’m good at and just don’t look at those blogs for a while – focus on yo’self girl!”
- Jena

“Don’t compare yourself to others, blog what is you and what you believe in.”
- Sandy

Pretty smart, right? Thank you ladies for the constant source of inspiration you create, for being part of this community and for being a friend. I’m listening and working on it.

Do you have any additional advice to share? It’s like self help day. Or help Melanie get out of her slump because we’re tired of her whining day.

PS Marta had some wise words to share about this same topic.

I love the simple loveliness of these linen market bags from Studio Patro. Make anything with good linen and it will instantly become my best friend. I would feel like a chic shopper carrying one of these around.

Studio Patro goods are going to be a featured campaign on Design Story next week! If you haven’t already, go sign up so you can access the deal.

Just a little note – I’ve started posting a couple times a week over at Hip Hip Hooray. You might die when you see the push cakes I wrote about today. Pure awesome.

A sweet valentine stuffed inside a book compartment spotted on Jones

I’m going to consider the entire spring collection from Milly as quality over quantity spotted on Ali Loves Curtis

A $2.66 map (perfect for pinning) spotted on Wit and Whistle

A calligraphy and watercolor collaboration spotted on Sunday Evening

A sweet post on the joys of motherhood (including living room dance parties) spotted on Rockstar Diaries

Ryan and I have both decided it’s time to make changes in our diet. Not that we eat all that bad (compared to a college student, let’s say) but we could improve. I’m motivated by Angela (total crush) who changed her diet to50% raw foods each day. Of course her gorgeous documentation makes it look easier than it probably is but I’d like to give it a shot.

Getting rid of some cardigans and giving up dessert for breakfast?! It’s new year resolutions come a month and a half late.

All photos by Angela Hardison

The prettiest the top of my table has ever looked.

What I learned from being in charge of decorating fifteen tables in a not so attractive setting on a small budget – or – a list of why sometimes simple party decor is best.

1. Most guests aren’t going to appreciate the intricate details and handmade decorations as much as you do – unless it’s a meeting for party planners or design bloggers. Don’t be offended by this. Assess the party, if it’s not worth your time to go crazy haul (a phrase I just invented) with the details, don’t waste your time. Save it for your fan club party. They love everything you do.
2. Most of your guests won’t be in the party industry or regular visitors of blogs. If you come across an idea that you love (like using mason jars for vases) but feel like you see it way too much – realize that it will come across as fresh to a majority of your guests. They’re not seeing it everyday.
3. Not to keep on dissing on your guests – but remember when you’re stressed because your 100 layer rainbow cake is crumbling that their wow factor is lower.
4. Stick with the basics. Fresh flower arrangements always look nice, just don’t throw in baby’s breath or neon dyed daisies. If you’re trying to save pennies, buy your own flowers. I like to get mine at Whole Foods. I’m not a florist by any means but I find that if you stick with vases with smaller openings and put only one type of flower in each one, it looks like you kind of know what you’re doing.
5. Don’t let a party intimidate you. Just bake a cake (or buy one from DQ), scatter some confetti and have a good mix of friends and you’re golden.

Of course it is fun to go slightly over the top now and again. Just don’t believe that you always have to throw an Amy Atlas styled event for it to be successful.

Here’s a quick Valentine’s Day treat idea. I like to call them choco bowls of love.

What you’ll need:
heart shaped baking cups
chocolate (I used about half a bag of good quality chocolate chips)
ice cream and jimmies

Lightly coat your baking cups with non-stick spray – the chocolate will come out easier this way. Melt the chocolate however you please (I used the microwave, so yeah, I’m a real culinary genius). Pour the melted chocolate to coat the bottom and sides of the baking cups, using a spoon to get it all covered. Stick in the freezer for ten minutes.

Gently peel away the baking cups and you got yourself a little choco bowl that will look a little like the above photo.

Scoop something delicious inside and sprinkle with something festive like heart shaped jimmies. It’s like a dipped ice cream cone but more lovey.

The prettiest the top of my table has ever looked.

What I learned from being in charge of decorating fifteen tables in a not so attractive setting on a small budget – or – a list of why sometimes simple party decor is best.

1. Most guests aren’t going to appreciate the intricate details and handmade decorations as much as you do – unless it’s a meeting for party planners or design bloggers. Don’t be offended by this. Assess the party, if it’s not worth your time to go crazy haul (a phrase I just invented) with the details, don’t waste your time. Save it for your fan club party. They love everything you do.
2. Most of your guests won’t be in the party industry or regular visitors of blogs. If you come across an idea that you love (like using mason jars for vases) but feel like you see it way too much – realize that it will come across as fresh to a majority of your guests. They’re not seeing it everyday.
3. Not to keep on dissing on your guests – but remember when you’re stressed because your 100 layer rainbow cake is crumbling that their wow factor is lower.
4. Stick with the basics. Fresh flower arrangements always look nice, just don’t throw in baby’s breath or neon dyed daisies. If you’re trying to save pennies, buy your own flowers. I like to get mine at Whole Foods. I’m not a florist by any means but I find that if you stick with vases with smaller openings and put only one type of flower in each one, it looks like you kind of know what you’re doing.
5. Don’t let a party intimidate you. Just bake a cake (or buy one from DQ), scatter some confetti and have a good mix of friends and you’re golden.

Of course it is fun to go slightly over the top now and again. Just don’t believe that you always have to throw an Amy Atlas styled event for it to be successful.

Twenty-eight days of cardigans is still going strong although it’s making me a tad self conscious (take another one, I look bulky) and I’m realizing just how many stripes I wear.

Personalized flower wrap spotted on It’s Mary Ruffle

A breakfast birthday bash spotted on Cakies

Abbey is doing 20 days of (exceptionally rad) valentines spotted on Freshly Blended

Meet Stella, another recent style crush spotted by Chelsea

Fresh floral design from Poppies and Posies spotted on Simplesong

Remember this chic girl whose style we all envied? Thanks to Mado, I found out her name is Nine d’Urso, the fabulous daughter of famous French model and designer, Ines de la Fressange. Of course those of you who are fashion world knowledgable (more than just a fan of Project Runway) probably already know of her but she’s my new style crush. She’s the perfect example of mixing key classic pieces to always look pulled together. Blazer? Check. Striped shirt? Check. Trench coat? Check.

Plus, isn’t her bob so perfect? For those of us whose hair won’t cooperate to give us long beachy waves, I like this alternative.

photos by Benoit Peverelli

Since Better Homes and Gardens and colorful stripes have been recent faves, I couldn’t resist but post thesepainted stripe floors from the February issue. I adore the color combo she chose but unless my wood floors were thrashed, I don’t think I would have the heart to paint them.

Thanks Katie and Melissa for both pointing this feature out to me.