Lindsaycdavison

Adulting is hard work. Cleaning, entertaining, packing a week's wardrobe into a carry-on...it's not for the faint of heart. Make it easier for your grown-up loved one by gifting them with home goods that are more 2.0 than oh-so-sophomoric.

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From Kitchn → The 10 Cookbooks I Gave My Kids When They Left Home

(Image credit: Netflix)

Have you already burned through the four episodes of Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life? Well, here's a reason to do it all over: Netflix created a "binge candle" that smells different during each episode.

When you become a parent, the focus of the holidays understandably shifts to your child. If you have a mission to bring some holiday cheer to a Modern Parent in your life, here are some creative ideas to bring fun, style or convenience to the family amidst the happy chaos.

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Just as, after wearing comfy maternity pants during two pregnancies, I now believe all pants would be better with elastic waistbands, after seeing this table in all its glory, I think all dining tables should have this wonderful feature...

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After six crazy weeks of sanding, painting, sewing and so on; it's now time for the reveal!

Après six semaines folles de ponçage, peinture couture et j'en passe, c'est maintenant l'heure du dévoilement !

I thought I would never survive to all this work and stress because a whole room makeover in only six weeks is exhausting! But I am now proud to say that I made it! I have to admit I really doubted I could make it because with a little baby at home everything is more complicated and takes more time. Yesterday I spent the morning sewing (still) for a last DIY. Then the rest of the day was finishing decorating the room, hanging things around and finally taking pictures. That is to say that the room has literally been complete at the last minute! And after all this I didn't sleep yet as I am still awake to write this post because today is the big day for the reveal of my nursery!
In case you are joining now, I took part in the One Room Challenge Guest Participants organised by Linda of Calling it Home. It was a 6 weeks room makeover challenge and I chose to do my little baby's nursery. If you want to catch up and see what happened along this adventure you can do it here:
Week 1 "Project Nursery"
Week 2 "Nursery Plan"
Week 3 "Nursery Progress & Doubts"
Week 4 "Slowly but Surely"
Week 5 "DIY Time"

J'ai cru que je n'allais jamais survivre à tout ce travail et ce stress parce que la transformation totale d'une pièce en seulement six semaines c'est éreintant ! Mais je suis aujourd'hui fière de dire que j'y suis arrivée ! Je dois admettre que j'ai vraiment douté pouvoir y arriver car avec un petit bébé à la maison tout est plus compliqué et prend plus de temps. Hier j'ai passé la matinée à coudre pour un DIY de dernière minute. J'ai ensuite passé le reste de la journée à finir de décorer la pièce, accrocher des choses aux murs pour enfin pouvoir prendre les photos. Autant dire que la pièce a vraiment été terminée à la dernière minute ! Et après tout ça je n'ai pas dormi et je suis toujours réveillée pour écrire cet article car c'est aujourd'hui le grand jour pour vous montrer ma chambre de bébé !
Au cas où vous nous rejoigniez maintenant, j'ai participé au One Room Challenge Guest Participants organisé par Linda de Calling it Home. C'était un challenge de 6 semaines pour transformer une pièce et j'ai choisi de faire la chambre de mon petit bébé. Si vous voulez lire les précédents posts et voir ce qui s'est passé tout au long de cette aventure c'est juste ici :
Week 1 "Project Nursery"
Week 2 "Nursery Plan"
Week 3 "Nursery Progress & Doubts"
Week 4 "Slowly but Surely"
Week 5 "DIY Time"

So, if you don't remember here is what the room looked like six weeks ago.

Alors, si vous vous souvenez voilà à quoi ressemblait la pièce six semaines en arrière.

And here it is today.

Et la voici aujourd'hui.

I have to say that I am really happy with the result. It was a huge amount of work, but it was worth it!

Je dois dire que je suis ravie du résultat. C'était vraiment beaucoup de boulot, mais cela en valait vraiment la peine !

The wooden beads shelves above is a DIY that I will share with you soon on the blog.

L'étagère avec les perles en bois et un DIY que je partagerai bientôt avec vous sur le blog.

The same for this grey ombre abacus that I made and I will show you the how to in the next weeks.

De même que cet abacus en dégradé de gris que j'ai fabriqué et je vous montrerai également comment dans les prochaines semaines.

Can you believe this brass chain mirror is also a DIY!

Est-ce que vous pouvez imaginer que ce miroir doré avec chaîne est aussi un DIY !

And look what is hiding in the corner...

Et regardez ce qui se cache dans le coin...

A little fairy door! A whole world of imagination and dreams for little ones!

Une petite porte de fée ! Tout un monde d'imagination et de rêverie pour les tous petits !

This wall mounted bunny head was my last minute DIY. It was the first time I made something like that so it's not perfect but I like it with those long ears.

Cette tête de lapin murale était mon DIY de dernière minute. C'est la première fois que je faisais cela alors il n'est pas parfait mais je l'aime bien avec ses longues oreilles.

Well, that's it! I really hope you like my little angel's nursery and enjoyed following this makeover week after week. I will share all my DIY very soon and I will also make a post to source all the items I used here. Because I have to be honest right now my bed is calling me... It's weird because I am so tired and so excited at the same time. It was great to take part in this amazing challenge because it forces you to actually finish completely a room. And even if it was stressful it may sounds crazy but I loved it! So I really would like to thank Linda for organising the ORC and for giving us the opportunity to share our makeovers. I also would like to thank my friends and family for helping me. A very special thanks to my dear neighbours for being so patient! (Because sanding and spray painting makes noise and they never complained about it. So a big thank you for that!) And obviously a huge thank you to all of you for reading and following me during those six weeks! (And sorry if I didn't replied to your comments last week but honestly it was a crazy week and it was hard to find even the time to sleep...!)

Et bien voilà ! J'espère que vous aimez la chambre de mon petit ange et que vous avez également aimé suivre cette transformation semaine après semaine. Je partagerai tous mes DIY très prochainement et je ferai également un article pour vous dire où trouver les objets que j'ai utilisé. Parce que pour être honnête là tout de suite mon lit m'appelle... C'est bizarre parce que je suis si fatiguée et si excitée à la fois. C'était vraiment super de participer à cet incroyable challenge car cela vous oblige à vraiment finir complètement une pièce. Et même si c'était stressant ça peut sembler fou mais j'ai adoré ! Alors je voudrais sincèrement remercier Linda pour organiser l'ORC et pour nous donner l'opportunité de partager nos transformations de pièces. J'aimerais également remercier ma famille et mes amis pour leur aide. Un remerciement spécial à mes voisins pour avoir été si patients ! (Parce que la ponçage et le pistolet à peinture ça fait du bruit et ils ne sont jamais plaints. Alors un grand merci !) Et bien évidemment un énorme merci à vous pour me lire et m'avoir suivi pendant ces six semaines! (Désolé si je n'ai pas répondu à vos commentaires de la semaine dernière mais ça a vraiment été une semaine de folie et il était difficile de trouver ne serait-ce que le temps de dormir... !)

Now don't forget to have a look at the reveal of the other projects of the ORC Designers and the ORC Guest Participants right here.
XO

Maintenant n'oubliez pas de jeter un coup d'oeil aux autre projets de l'ORC Designers et de l'ORC Guest Participants juste ici.
Biz

(Image credit: Harlow and Grey)

Disposable dishware isn't known for being well-liked—it's typically not super attractive and it certainly isn't green—but if you're hosting Thanksgiving for 30 and you currently have place settings for five, it just makes sense. Even if you buy more cheap white plates, do you have the cabinet space to store them when the party's over? Here are some beautiful options and eco-friendly picks that may make you rethink what disposable dishware is capable of—then take the poll and sound off in the comments.

(Image credit: Becoration)

Sometimes, more is more. For many, one of those times is Christmas, and all the decorating opportunities the holiday brings with it. If you're more of a maximalist than a minimalist when it comes to decking your halls, feast your eyes on the following ideas— they're a little OTT, but in the best way possible.

(Image credit: My Scandinavian Home)

"Decorating for the holidays" often feels like an expensive and time-consuming undertaking, but there's another way to do Christmas: embracing the Danish concept of hygge (simple, cozy and comforting). Often nature-inspired and monochrome in look, check out these ideas for a Scandi-inspired, minimal holiday at home.

(Image credit: Comedy Central)

Yaasss kween! Broad City's Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson have teamed up with the folks at Fab to launch a collection of fashion and home accessories that's full of high class shit, perfect for gifting to your frond to the ond.

Did you know that IKEA builds refugee shelters? The Swedish giant's Better Shelter was designed in 2013 as a longer lasting and more secure alternative to tents. Since then, thousands have been put to use globally. Right now, there's one on display in London.

From Kitchn → A Stranger Things Thanksgiving from the Upside Down

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Most step ladders on the market these days are pretty unattractive as they look like they’re made for a construction site instead of inside your house. Jeeyoung Yang put a stop to that with the Triangle Step Ladder. Knowing everyone needs a little extra height from time to time, Yang designed one with design lovers in mind.

Inspired by wire models in minimal 2D forms that transform into 3D structures with a rotational point, the triangular ladder features simple mechanisms that take it from flat to functional in seconds. It’s made of 1/2″ steel tubing and walnut making it durable and strong for regular use. Flattened, the ladder is 1/2″ thick and can be hung on the wall to store it.

The step ladder features two steps to give you a 7″ or 12″ lift off of the ground.

Paris is the third most visited city in the world, but it’s also one of the hardest to figure out. “The hype [about Paris] is so big, but when you get here and are confronted with the complexity of everything, it can be difficult,” says Benjamin Forlani, co-founder of Insidr, a new service for travelers to Paris.

Sixth-generation Parisians, Benjamin and his sister Nina love this city, but after years spent living and working in over ten countries, both realized that there is room for improvement. “We are deeply in love with our home city, but at the same time we look at it from an outsider’s perspective and it’s not the best city to travel to,” says Benjamin.

In 2014, both Forlanis were ready for a career change. Together, they landed on the idea of Insidr, a device that combines digital and analog features to offer travelers to Paris an easier and more welcoming experience than what which the city is known for. “We hope that we will contribute to the evolution of Paris as a welcoming city with friendly people, seamless navigation, and good service,” says Benjamin.

As vacation rental hosts, the Forlanis noticed that travelers’ biggest challenges were connectivity and figuring out how to get off the tourist-trodden path. International phone plans are pricey and according to Benjamin, “Despite staying in the Marais, [our] guests were having the same mass tourism experience and not the Parisian experience we wanted them to have.”

“We like technology, but we really want Insidr to be human,” says Nina. That’s where the Community comes in. Currently made up of 60 Parisians enthusiastic about sharing their city, the Insidr Community is accessible via WhatsApp on every Insidr phone. Travelers can ask questions to groups organized into categories – like Food, What’s Up, or All About Paris – and real live Parisians respond in real time. It’s a little like having an extended family in France.

In addition to having actual Parisians answer their queries, travelers have access to a selection of pre-loaded maps organized by neighborhood, traveler profile, and the Insidr team’s top recommendations across the city. There’s even a map that caters to vegetarians.

“We also put together digital guides to tourist areas,” says Benjamin. Although Insidr users are thrilled to discover destinations popular with locals, they still want to hit up the classic sights. “Rather than a guide, we just provide practical advice from Parisians, like how to avoid crowds and have a nicer experience,” says Benjamin. “These things are easy to find if you speak French or live here, but can be difficult for visitors to figure out.”

Benjamin likens Insidr to a Swiss Army knife, equipped with everything a traveler needs. A currency convertor and social apps provide the comfort of home, while featured partners – like childcare and food delivery services – offer unexpected convenience. After all, it’s often the details, like misunderstanding opening times or not being able to find a babysitter, that can dampen an otherwise enjoyable vacation. “We try to think of the small stuff that really matters,” says Nina.

Insidr is available from 29 euros for three days. Visit their website to learn more and do let them know HiP sent you their way.

Related Links:

• Craving a real Parisian experience? Check out the personalized tours and experiences organized by Sacrebleu Paris.
• Download these apps to your phone for the best restaurant and food recommendations in Paris.
• Check out this cool video on the Insidr Paris experience!

Written by Kate Robinson for the HiP Paris Blog. All images by Jean-Marie Heidinger. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, London, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

(Image credit: via MindBodyGreen)

One Canadian couple has spent the last 25 years building their home as a floating sustainable island in British Columbia. See how it's grown and changed over the years.

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(Image credit: Adam Stewart)

Name: Drew
Location: Platinum Corridor — Addison, Texas
Size: 650 square feet
Years lived in: Renting 1.5 years

Though Drew works in the medical device industry, he has a deep love for interior design, and his loft studio in Addison, Texas (north of Dallas) showcases that love. Mainly inspired by the mid-century modern era and the Bauhaus movement, one of Drew's favorite items is the Nelson Platform Bench that he uses as a coffee table; Drew's minimal style is a smart mix of both aesthetics and function. Though he hasn't lived in the space long, he's proud of how far it's come so far, and is excited to see how it might continue to evolve in the future!

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(Image credit: pio3/Shutterstock)

The bane of every urban renter's search: You found the perfect apartment, but it's a trek to the nearest subway. Today, Trulia announced a new feature that lets you filter rentals by proximity to public transportation.

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(Image credit: Poppytalk)

'Tis the season for entertaining outside. Thinking of having a dinner party in the great outdoors? Let these nine events inspire you to create an experience that you and your friends won't soon forget.

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Daisy de Plume

Apart from being romantic, Paris is also marvelously family-oriented. Despite this, it can be tiring traveling en famille. My son, Storsh, is far more tourist-tolerant if he knows some “kid time” is just around the corner. So instead of making the whole day about the kids, why not plan your days with several bursts of kid-time in between what you want to see? I’ll even give Storsh a few city facts, explaining that I’m going to quiz him on them before his next “kid-time,” and watch his ears perk up a bit. Here are some of my favorite kid-friendly activities, all of which are free or cost less than 5€.

Daisy de Plume

What’s better than free fun? Smack dab in the middle of town is the gorgeous Palais Royal, with Daniel Buren’s stripy stumps that any Parisian kid has raced through. Or there’s always the forest of columns at either end of the enclosed gardens, once Cardinal Richelieu’s residence, where my family and I play a quick game of hide-and-seek when passing through.

Make the outside of the Louvre your playground (before making the inside their treasure hunting ground with a THATLou!). The Louvre’s fountains have wonderful iron fish faces and countless soaring lights, so have the kids count how many they can find across the Cour Napoleon, the courtyard with I.M. Pei’s pyramid, whilst sharing the story of how it housed dynasties of French monarchs before becoming a museum in 1793 under Napoleon. The stunning Cour Carrée, the center of the Sully Wing, is also a go-to for hide-and-seek.

Place Georges Pompidou, TWINKA

The slanted place facing Paris’ modern art museum, the Centre Georges Pompidou, has been a magnet for street entertainers since built in the 70s by architects Rogers & Piano. Let the kids run free as you sit alongside Parisians taking in the inside-out architectural façade. Pigeon- and bubble-chasing is Storsh’s favorite Pompidou activity, but there are also buskers, mimes, and jugglers who’ve kept him entertained for long stretches. Incidentally, the Pompidou also has the best atelier des enfants on the lobby’s raised mezzanine, as well as phenomenal views from the top floor, though they aren’t under 5 euros.

Stravinsky Fountain, Panoramas

While in the area, don’t miss the whimsical Stravinsky Fountain by Swiss partners Tinguely and de Saint Phalle, where each family member can choose their favorite creature and pose for a photo impersonating these swiveling, water-spouting figures.

If your children are happy to sit still for half and hour and zone out (or tune in!) to some lovely free classical music, there are a few wonderful options in the area. The neighboring 17th-century Church of Saint-Merry has an afternoon series every other Sunday at 5:30pm and the 16th-century Saint-Roch (296 rue St-Honoré) also has a free classical music series on Tuesdays (12:30-1:45pm). If your children are music-oriented (and you’re willing to dish out more than 5 euros), Jean Nouvel’s Philharmonie de Paris offers a weekend kiddie music program.

Daisy de Plume

One of Storsh’s favorite activities– and probably any boy of a certain age whose favorite word in English is “gross”– is window gazing at any one of the city’s fascinating taxidermy shops. Deyrolle, located on rue du Bac, is the most famous. Another gorgeous option, often with a stuffed polar bear (which does make me wonder), is Design et Nature in the 2nd arrondissement. But if you want to get authentic – especially if your kids saw the film Ratatouille – there’s also the gruesomely gross Julien Aurouze pest control shop, whose storefront is filled with dangling dead rats in all sorts of contraption traps; its perfectly aged façade reads “Destruction des Animaux Nuisibles” (Destruction of Harmful Animals).

Eduard Diaz i Puig

There are carrousels all across town, but I recommend heading to the oldest in Paris, designed by Opéra architect Charles Garnier and located in the Jardin du Luxembourg. Another 19th-century number, which is especially fancy, is the double-decker carrousel – the largest in Paris – at Hôtel de Ville. Alternately, you can find more modern rides, like those at the Villiers metro station near Parc Monceau, or artier carrousels, like the one located near Gare Montparnasse, where Impressionist paintings by Monet, Renoir, and Manet lining the center panels.

Finally, for scaled-down versions in practical locations, there are also plenty of siren-ringing, traffic-shaking firetrucks or motorcycles that rattle around most covered markets and run one euro/ride.

Deyrolle, 46 rue du Bac, 75007; Métro: Rue du Bac; Tel: +33 (0)1 42 22 30 07

Design et Nature, 4 rue d’Aboukir, 75002, Métro: Sentier; Tel: +33 (0)1 43 06 86 98

Church of Saint-Merry, 76 rue de la Verrerie, 75004, Métro: Châtelet; Tel: +33 (0)1 42 71 93 93

Church of Saint-Roch, 296 rue St Honoré, 75001, Métro: Tuileries; Tel: +33 (0)1 42 44 13 20

Philharmonie de Paris, 221 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 75019, Métro: Porte de Pantin; Tel: +33 (0)1 44 84 44 84

Julien Arouze, 8 rue des Halles, 75001, Métro: Châtelet; Tel: +33 (0)1 40 41 08 98

Villiers, Boulevard de Courcelles, 75017, Métro: Villiers

Gare Montparnasse, 17 Boulevard de Vaugirard, 75741, Métro: Gare Montparnasse or Montparnasse Bienvenue

Related Links

• Need tips for where to eat with kids in Paris? Have a look at this useful guide from Paige Bradley Frost.
• The Jardin du Luxembourg is a great kid-friendly zone. Discover all that it has to offer here.
• For more kid-friendly activities in Paris, check out this article from The New York Times.

Written by Daisy de Plume for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

Ahoy! There's a pirate ship museum anchoring on Cape Cod this summer, and it sounds utterly swashbuckling.

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We spend a lot of time talking about color, often in the context of how to pick a paint hue or how it can make you happier. But one research firm discovered what they're calling the world's ugliest color, which has been described as "dirty" and "death."

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The Queen loves corgis. Her 90th birthday celebration is on Saturday. What better way to mark the the occasion than with... 90 corgi pillows?

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XYZ no more: The next revolution in wearable tech helps prevent one of the more embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions, the unzipped fly.

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Ever wish you can camp with everyone you know, under one giant polyester roof? Well, one Japanese company has made your tent dreams come true.

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The wedding of Melissa Green & Josh Marshall profiled on June Bug Weddings | Jamie Jones Photography

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Julia Child said it best: “People who love to eat are always the best people.” If you and your significant other share a fond appreciation for all things food, why not let the culinary arts inspire your wedding day? From trendy desserts to edible decor accents, there’s no shortage of foodie wedding fun to be had.

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(Image credit: Make:)

Most sofas are well-behaved. They have a back and a seat and legs and maybe arms, and they look, well, like a sofa. These are not those sofas. These sofas (if you can even call a giant cat a sofa) dare to reimagine the very idea of the sofa, pushing ordinary furniture to weird and wild and even wonderful extremes.

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Alright, emoji addicts, you'll soon have new ways to express yourselves. Unicode recently approved 72 new pictograms for release this month.

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