• I literally can’t remember the last time I poured myself a glass of wine, put on some good music and read a book snuggled under my fur with my puppy. So this past weekend, in between all the crazy, I did just that, and man oh man, was it just what I needed. I’ve been working myself ragged lately and basically every evening is spent with my computer on my lap while we watch our shows. I’ve not stopped for months and I’m tired. I’m terrible about self care and just keep my head town and trucking along holding out for the respite that will surely come eventually. Problem is: it still hasn’t come and things have yet to slow down. Like it’s madness around here, and I literally just realized that if I hold out, I may not make it. So I’m trying to take mini-respites here or there so I might be able to — ya know — survive this madness without becoming a shell of a human. Actually, if I’m honest, that’s kinda where I’m at right now. So really in an effort to NOT be a shell of a human any longer, I’m readying “Keep Going” (and yes I know that’s not AP style book correct but it’s all I got Insta) by Austin Kleon and basically it’s just what I need to be reading right now. Like hello divine intervention. Annnnd, I’m starting with some micro adjustments to my life to see if I can restore some level of balance, joy, peace, hope and patience haha - basically give me the fruits of the spirit, Lord! I need all of them. “You must to retreat from the world long enough to think, practice your art, and bring forth something worth sharing with others. You must play a little hide-and-seek in order to produce something worth being found.” Preach Austin, Preach! Tell me: how do you keep going when all you want to do is run and hide from your massive to do list? I’ve been trying to take it one task and one day at a time but sweet Lord do I still get I to a state of panic basically 12 times a day.
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    I literally can’t remember the last time I poured myself a glass of wine, put on some good music and read a book snuggled under my fur with my puppy. So this past weekend, in between all the crazy, I did just that, and man oh man, was it just what I needed. I’ve been working myself ragged lately and basically every evening is spent with my computer on my lap while we watch our shows. I’ve not stopped for months and I’m tired. I’m terrible about self care and just keep my head town and trucking along holding out for the respite that will surely come eventually. Problem is: it still hasn’t come and things have yet to slow down. Like it’s madness around here, and I literally just realized that if I hold out, I may not make it. So I’m trying to take mini-respites here or there so I might be able to — ya know — survive this madness without becoming a shell of a human. Actually, if I’m honest, that’s kinda where I’m at right now. So really in an effort to NOT be a shell of a human any longer, I’m readying “Keep Going” (and yes I know that’s not AP style book correct but it’s all I got Insta) by Austin Kleon and basically it’s just what I need to be reading right now. Like hello divine intervention. Annnnd, I’m starting with some micro adjustments to my life to see if I can restore some level of balance, joy, peace, hope and patience haha - basically give me the fruits of the spirit, Lord! I need all of them. “You must to retreat from the world long enough to think, practice your art, and bring forth something worth sharing with others. You must play a little hide-and-seek in order to produce something worth being found.” Preach Austin, Preach! Tell me: how do you keep going when all you want to do is run and hide from your massive to do list? I’ve been trying to take it one task and one day at a time but sweet Lord do I still get I to a state of panic basically 12 times a day.
  • I’m utterly heartbroken about the fire at Notre Dame and feel a deep sadness that such a sacred and beloved space was so badly damaged. Darren and I spent six weeks in Paris six years ago and Notre Damn was one of our favorite places. I vividly remember the poignant spiritual experience of praying in that beautiful cathedral — a place where millions had prayed before for hundreds of years. It was like nothing I’d ever experienced and something I will never forget. My heart is with your Paris as I know this place is even more dear to your hearts. #notredame
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    I’m utterly heartbroken about the fire at Notre Dame and feel a deep sadness that such a sacred and beloved space was so badly damaged. Darren and I spent six weeks in Paris six years ago and Notre Damn was one of our favorite places. I vividly remember the poignant spiritual experience of praying in that beautiful cathedral — a place where millions had prayed before for hundreds of years. It was like nothing I’d ever experienced and something I will never forget. My heart is with your Paris as I know this place is even more dear to your hearts. #notredame
  • Ok so here’s the thing. Lately—ehhh like for the past year—I’ve gotten all in my head and weird about social. Like what do I share? What do I not share? How often? Why? What’s it all for? What does it all mean? Haha. Drama! — I don’t want my feed to be just another me-centric place like so many out there because that’s just annoying, and I’m personally tiring of all the accounts that just post photos of themselves again and again (because those posts “do best” and probably because it feels good to the old ego ... yes I’m being totally judgey because girl, it’s getting to be a lot) Annnnnyways, I want this to be a place to share my life and my perspective and what inspires me and what I’m creating, but also for it to be a place to appreciate good design and yummy food, to have great conversation, to be vulnerable and honest, to inspire and learn together along the way. — So that’s what I intend for my little corner of Insta to be and yet I realize I’ve not held or enacted that mindset fully because I’m overwhelmed or don’t know how to pivot it or I question all the things and and and. Hence that whole, “I’ve gotten weird about it” thing. And I keep wandering through my online life aimlessly (which is find hilarious considering I do internet “for a looooooving” ... name that movie reference and I’ll love you forever) and often just throw up my hands and wait until I have time to figure it all out, damnit. — Well as you might have guessed, that time hasn’t come, and I’ve come to accept that the learning and the conversation and the beauty is most often found in the process. I’m such a results and end product driven guy (especially right now in life because I have a bazillion things in process and I just need doneness) and often that gets in the way of me sharing (or enjoying for that matter) the in-between. Sooooo, I’m gonna just start. And see how it goes and learn along the way. With you. Because like my friend @michelemollkoy once said “this is a collaborative expedition” ... Anyone feel me on this one? What do you struggle with when it comes to sharing on social? How have you overcome those things? Halp! — 📸 by @melissa_kilner_photo styling by @thebrazenmae
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    Ok so here’s the thing. Lately—ehhh like for the past year—I’ve gotten all in my head and weird about social. Like what do I share? What do I not share? How often? Why? What’s it all for? What does it all mean? Haha. Drama! — I don’t want my feed to be just another me-centric place like so many out there because that’s just annoying, and I’m personally tiring of all the accounts that just post photos of themselves again and again (because those posts “do best” and probably because it feels good to the old ego ... yes I’m being totally judgey because girl, it’s getting to be a lot) Annnnnyways, I want this to be a place to share my life and my perspective and what inspires me and what I’m creating, but also for it to be a place to appreciate good design and yummy food, to have great conversation, to be vulnerable and honest, to inspire and learn together along the way. — So that’s what I intend for my little corner of Insta to be and yet I realize I’ve not held or enacted that mindset fully because I’m overwhelmed or don’t know how to pivot it or I question all the things and and and. Hence that whole, “I’ve gotten weird about it” thing. And I keep wandering through my online life aimlessly (which is find hilarious considering I do internet “for a looooooving” ... name that movie reference and I’ll love you forever) and often just throw up my hands and wait until I have time to figure it all out, damnit. — Well as you might have guessed, that time hasn’t come, and I’ve come to accept that the learning and the conversation and the beauty is most often found in the process. I’m such a results and end product driven guy (especially right now in life because I have a bazillion things in process and I just need doneness) and often that gets in the way of me sharing (or enjoying for that matter) the in-between. Sooooo, I’m gonna just start. And see how it goes and learn along the way. With you. Because like my friend @michelemollkoy once said “this is a collaborative expedition” ... Anyone feel me on this one? What do you struggle with when it comes to sharing on social? How have you overcome those things? Halp! — 📸 by @melissa_kilner_photo styling by @thebrazenmae
  • HBD to my favorite guy @darrenhansen. He’s kinda the best, takes cares of me and Andie so well and brings so much joy to my life. So here’s to you, babe. I love doing all the things with you even when they are too many but I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else. Let’s make this year our best one yet. 😘
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    HBD to my favorite guy @darrenhansen. He’s kinda the best, takes cares of me and Andie so well and brings so much joy to my life. So here’s to you, babe. I love doing all the things with you even when they are too many but I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else. Let’s make this year our best one yet. 😘
  • This winter I got to write a piece for @thorindustries as part of their new website launch and it was kinda the coolest thing ever. It’s the story of our first road trip as RV owners and it’s a full of all the drama you’d expect from one of the many #adventuresofdarrenandjeff. “I sure wasn’t going to man the helm under those circumstances. So I co-piloted like a champ and provided snacks. Snacks and directions are vital to a road trip. Vital....” For the rest of the story and to see @darrenhansen and #AndieLea ‘s cameos, follow the link in my profile and have a read. #thorpartner #thorfirsts #windowtotheworld
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    This winter I got to write a piece for @thorindustries as part of their new website launch and it was kinda the coolest thing ever. It’s the story of our first road trip as RV owners and it’s a full of all the drama you’d expect from one of the many #adventuresofdarrenandjeff. “I sure wasn’t going to man the helm under those circumstances. So I co-piloted like a champ and provided snacks. Snacks and directions are vital to a road trip. Vital....” For the rest of the story and to see @darrenhansen and #AndieLea ‘s cameos, follow the link in my profile and have a read. #thorpartner #thorfirsts #windowtotheworld
  • Man things on steel shelves. Gimme. 🤗 can’t stop thinking about the @hewinghotel ! Everything was totally on point and certainly very #shipleystyle ... I think I need another work trip to the Midwest so I can camp out here again. 🙃
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    Man things on steel shelves. Gimme. 🤗 can’t stop thinking about the @hewinghotel ! Everything was totally on point and certainly very #shipleystyle ... I think I need another work trip to the Midwest so I can camp out here again. 🙃
  • My bess fran (and stylist) @thebrazenmae has been making me wear real clothes lately because “they make you FEEL better” and well, she’s right damnit. Haha. I’ve been rocking actual outfits / looks recently that she’s been helping me pull together so I’m not some sweatpants wearing slob from the burbs who talks to his dog EVERY day of the week, and man does it feel good. Also, this is not my overcoat. It’s @brandonknapp ‘s and I not so secretly wear it when he’s traveling and I’m house / cat sitting. Oh heyyyyyy! Ok so do you agree with Melissa too? That wearing beautiful clothes make you FEEL beautiful? Because I think I feel pretty today. 💁🏻‍♀️
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    My bess fran (and stylist) @thebrazenmae has been making me wear real clothes lately because “they make you FEEL better” and well, she’s right damnit. Haha. I’ve been rocking actual outfits / looks recently that she’s been helping me pull together so I’m not some sweatpants wearing slob from the burbs who talks to his dog EVERY day of the week, and man does it feel good. Also, this is not my overcoat. It’s @brandonknapp ‘s and I not so secretly wear it when he’s traveling and I’m house / cat sitting. Oh heyyyyyy! Ok so do you agree with Melissa too? That wearing beautiful clothes make you FEEL beautiful? Because I think I feel pretty today. 💁🏻‍♀️
  • I’m more of a #neutralsforever guy, but man oh man when @chefreneeerickson does pops of color, I’m sure into it and start thinking maybe I really do like color. Haha. @barmelusine is definitely a go-to #shipleystyle approved spot of dinner and weekend brunch, buuuuut if I have the time and freedom to go reservation-less, I’ll make my way to Ballard for @thewalrusbar because it’s still my number one pick. Sorry not sorry.
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    I’m more of a #neutralsforever guy, but man oh man when @chefreneeerickson does pops of color, I’m sure into it and start thinking maybe I really do like color. Haha. @barmelusine is definitely a go-to #shipleystyle approved spot of dinner and weekend brunch, buuuuut if I have the time and freedom to go reservation-less, I’ll make my way to Ballard for @thewalrusbar because it’s still my number one pick. Sorry not sorry.
  • The best part of last month’s overnight camping trip? Watching Andie look out the various windows all day, and seeing her little wispy ears flop as her head swiveled to glimpse everything happening outside. @ThorIndustries #ThorPartner #WindowToTheWorld That, and eating fresh oysters at Hama Hama Oyster Farm. Man oh man, did I need to get out of the house and change the scenery after too many days in the Design Cave. We loaded up “The Dutchess” and headed out to the Olympic Peninsula for a little adventuring and exploring. Camping in the Pacific Northwest during the winter is not ideal, because hello, rain. All day. Every day. But as it turns out, it’s still fun and quite lovely. We played games, we slept in and we made healthy stovetop meals despite really craving camp junk food. We relaxed, right in the middle of the week. Can you believe? Tell me: what’s your go-to for a quick reset?
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    The best part of last month’s overnight camping trip? Watching Andie look out the various windows all day, and seeing her little wispy ears flop as her head swiveled to glimpse everything happening outside. @ThorIndustries #ThorPartner #WindowToTheWorld That, and eating fresh oysters at Hama Hama Oyster Farm. Man oh man, did I need to get out of the house and change the scenery after too many days in the Design Cave. We loaded up “The Dutchess” and headed out to the Olympic Peninsula for a little adventuring and exploring. Camping in the Pacific Northwest during the winter is not ideal, because hello, rain. All day. Every day. But as it turns out, it’s still fun and quite lovely. We played games, we slept in and we made healthy stovetop meals despite really craving camp junk food. We relaxed, right in the middle of the week. Can you believe? Tell me: what’s your go-to for a quick reset?
  • We’ve been eating super healthy around here annnnnnd maybe having some sweet treats on occasion when it’s absolutely worth it ( i.e. @generalporpoisedoughnuts ). I mean hello pillows from heaven filled with the nectar of the gods! Man, I want one so bad but instead I’ll have a carrot. Yuuuuuuum! 🥕
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    We’ve been eating super healthy around here annnnnnd maybe having some sweet treats on occasion when it’s absolutely worth it ( i.e. @generalporpoisedoughnuts ). I mean hello pillows from heaven filled with the nectar of the gods! Man, I want one so bad but instead I’ll have a carrot. Yuuuuuuum! 🥕