Slowly But Surely
I had planned on this being a more robust post for you today, with additional photos of loft bed progress and close-ups of installed outlets inside the bed! Unfortunately, the pandemic rages on, and the second half of this week got away from us when Lucy’s pre-K closed down (again) due to a positive case. I had a bit of (ahem, a lot of) a meltdown when we got the news, because it continues to feel so isolating for parents with kids under 5, parents who live by a different set of rules. Where we live, things are very, very different for the vaccinated vs. those that aren’t, and so we continue to pivot – and pivot again and again – when life continues to throw us for a loop.
So instead, we spent the morning playing on the loft with Lucy, rather than working on it. She had a blast, of course! We did, however, get a coat of mud on all the exploratory electrical holes, bought some new bulbs for the sconces (not the ones seen here), and shopped around for ladder ideas (can’t wait to share that with you!). Here’s hoping we can find some time today to sand, paint and at least get rid of all the wall warts. The fan was in place to help the mud dry quickly, but it also made for the perfect microphone!
Other Things This Week:
I stumbled across this Latina owned jewelry shop and fell in love! Can. You. Even?!
Just ordered my third tube of Revitalash! I receive a lot of questions about my Asian lashes, which are typically very thin and sparse. Revitalash doesn’t give them volume, but wow, the length! I bought my first tube almost 2 years ago, use it once a day, and not only does the product last much longer than their estimate, it works.
Erin @francois_et_moi is, IMO, the queen of attainable DIYs and Reels that make me feel like I can do it, too! This recent tutorial has me wondering if there are any dim nooks left in our home…
Are you watching Daniel Kanter’s new web series, About the Folks? Cool homes, cool homeowners, the cutest Daniel I ever did see. What’s not to love?
Mariah Carey sings to a dolphin, and the reaction is priceless. (Thank you to everyone who sent that to me!)
Amber Lewis’ spring collection at Anthropologie recently launched! Sharing my favorites below. Click on any thumbnail to take you to the item.
Weekend Sales
- Anthropologie: Up to 30% off furniture and decor
- Boutique Rugs: 60% off President’s Day sale with code PRES65
- CB2: Up to 60% off clearance items
- Crate & Barrel: Earn 10% back in rewards dollars + up to 60% off clearance
- The Company Store: 15% off semi-annual sale with code FRESH22
- Equilibria CBD: 15% off first time customers with code YELLOWBRICKHOME
- Everlane: Sale items up to 60% off
- Gap: 50% off jeans, tees and sweats
- J. Crew: 25% off full-price and 50% off sale items with code WARMUP
- J. Crew Factory: 30-50% off site wide, no code needed
- Lowe’s: Savings now on these site wide deals
- Madewell: Spend $125 and get $25 off with code SPREETIME
- Old Navy: Up to 60% off kids and baby
- Pottery Barn: free shipping on bedding, pillows and throws
- Rugs USA: Up to 75% off President’s Day preview
- Unison Home: 25% off select bed + bath items
- Urban Outfitters: Extra 30% off all sale items
- West Elm: Up to 60% off warehouse sale
- Williams-Sonoma Home: Up to 70% off President’s Day sale
Have a Happy Weekend
Do you have anything fun planned for the weekend? Yesterday, all the snow melted away in Chicago during a 40-degree spring-like day (haha), and by the afternoon, the weather shifted and now we’re under several inches of snow again. Eek! All that to say, you’ll find us tucked under blankets and building pillow forts inside, while we daydream of warmer days ahead.
Love the lamp! Same here in MI, yesterday I walked dog in 35 degree weather with hardly any snow left, by this morning another 6 inches blanketing the area. Lovely, but hoping spring is right around the corner. I feel ya about the Covid cases, I am a nurse…so ready for this to end!
So wild! This weather can’t make up its mind, but it’s that time of year…
Parent of kids who caught Covid at school 2x, September last year and January this year. :-( The quarantine requirements from our kids school threw our plans and work life into chaos. Hang in there.
It never ends. Thank you, you too.
Hang in there! Where I live, most people are pretending that there isn’t a pandemic at all, and it’s hard sometimes being one of the few people who still wears a mask in public – to the point that I question my own reality sometimes. I just have to remind myself that I have a family to protect, and we will get through this.
On a lighter note, Olaf is three weeks in to his advanced obedience class, and he’s doing really well! We’re working on emergency stops and backing up right now, so there will be lots of practice and treats this weekend. Have a good one, Vargo fam!
Aw, way to go, Olaf!! You’re putting in all the good work for a lifetime bond with that cutie. Thank you for rescuing!
As a parent of an under 5 year old old, I can so relate to the pivot. And pivot. And again. Okay ONE MORE PIVOT. ;)Lucy’s joy in that photo shows you the journey can be just as wonderful as the finished product. Our weekend fun is replacing the soffit vent covers on our 1960’s block home here in Florida, where spring has thankfully already arrived.
Aaah, have the most lovely ‘spring’ weekend!
Curious about where Lucy is sleeping while you work on the room? We are planning a room re-design for our 1.5 year old, and I’m trying to sort through timing in my head so that he isn’t out of the room for very long!
We clean up at the end of every day and move her bed away from the mess. She still sleeps in her room! If there’s a mess too big or we need to keep working late or during a nap, she sleeps in the guest room.
I get so much anxiety any time we get a message from our Pre-K. Always worrying it’s another 2 week closure. January has been a blur.
It’s such a horrible feeling. Surprise! Cancel any and all plans (even tho you and your child do not have Covid)! There’s no such thing as getting excited for even the smallest thing, because it can be taken away in a moment.
One of my closest friends move away last year, so we found cheap flights and are meeting up in Chicago next week! We got theater week tickets to Second City but I’d love some recs for two moms who have forgotten what to do without kids! :)
Hi! We love the Chicago Athletic Association if you’re downtown. The options are endless! Yelp is a great resource as well. We generally won’t even consider a place with less than 4 stars since there are so many incredible options. Enjoy your trip!
Ah, Selena at Lunar Studios Clay Co. is an amazing person! And can confirm, her earrings are amazing quality and so cute!
It’s so hard on families. My Fella’s great nephew is 6 and hasn’t been to kindergarten for months. I feel like he’ll be 8 before he’s in first grade! You’re right there are a lot of people who are tired of this and just give up; hang in there. The vaccines are making thing better. This too shall pass……
No kids, but I have an underlying health condition that has kept me cautious even after vaccination. It can definitely be isolating. I think it’s important to keep remembering we are in the middle of a major historical event that is extremely stressful. Millions dead (worldwide), hospitals overrun, etc. This should not feel normal to anyone right now.
I’m so excited for the tutorial run through of Lucy’s loft bed, as we’ll be doing the same with our boys room (where they share a 8’x 11′ room <–TINY and cozy!) – curious how you approached it compared to YHL with their pink house room.