Since Toby and I are visiting my sister this week, I figured it might be enjoyable to share a previous put up. Right here is one from June 2023 that I take into consideration generally. xoxo
We’ve answered reader questions previously, and as we speak we’d like to do it once more. Listed below are three extra, together with how you can refresh your own home on a price range and be a great listener…
Q. “What are you sporting this summer season? I appreciated final summer season’s post about what the CoJ team was into and need to know what everybody’s sporting this yr, too.” — Ursula
A. We’d like to do an up to date model of that put up! However in the meantime, whereas trying by means of previous pictures (why does iPhoto at all times serve up essentially the most heart-tugging recollections?), I spotted that each summer season I’ve one MVP informal black costume that I put on time and again — to dinner with associates, on bike rides, on the playground, throughout journeys, in every single place. I keep in mind, in England final summer season, I felt sloppy and jet-lagged, and I turned into a black denim dress, and my elegant aunt stated, “Jo, you’re all of a sudden trying fairly stylish!” Proof {that a} LBD at all times saves the day. Listed below are 4 that might really feel nice this summer season: midi, mini, V-neck, linen.
Q. “I really like Cup of Jo house tours and need our house to really feel vibrant, however we don’t have an enormous price range. What are design concepts on a budget that we are able to use to make our home really feel extra like ‘us’? I’d be without end grateful.” — Z.
A. Expensive Z., enable me to re-introduce the fakeover, aka a makeover you do just by transferring round stuff you already personal. Contemplate turning your couch to face a brand new path, or swap paintings between rooms. I’ve been amazed by what an enormous distinction somewhat futzing could make. One other approach to make a house really feel such as you is to hang family photos. They’ll make you smile, they usually’re principally free!
Or, if you happen to’d like to vary colours or textures, go for brand spanking new accents as a substitute of recent furnishings. Within the pictures above, I took our gray couch and added 4 pillows from Article. Growth! The nook now feels tremendous inviting for curling up with a guide or having an extended gossipy chat with a good friend. Such a simple and pleasant approach to swap issues up.Good luck!
Q. A few of my associates have gone by means of exhausting instances not too long ago (being pregnant loss, divorce…), and whereas I need to be there for them, I don’t know what to say and find yourself performing awkward. One other good friend advised me previously that I generally focus an excessive amount of on the constructive aspect throughout exhausting conversations. The very last thing I need to do is make a good friend really feel unheard or unloved. Any ideas for being a protected place could be drastically appreciated.” — Beena
A. Oh, Beena, that is such a great query! And I’d love to listen to from the CoJ hive thoughts on what has labored for others. I might say that three phrases that at all times really feel good to listen to are: “Thanks for telling me” and “That sounds actually exhausting” and “Inform me extra.” Usually you merely need to share your ideas and really feel understood, and a listening ear is a present. Once I referred to as my dad after my stepfather died final December, and I burst into tears, he stated, “I perceive” in a mild voice a number of instances whereas I talked and cried. I truthfully will always remember that decision and the way a lot it meant to me. Issues doesn’t need to be sophisticated to be significant. You sound like a great good friend for simply asking this query.
A lot of like to everybody, and please weigh in beneath! Additionally, be at liberty to go away questions within the feedback for future columns, if you happen to’d like. xoxo
P.S. More reader questions, and five ways to be a good listener.
(Lounge pictures by Christine Han.)
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