Happy List: #378

Hello! Happy Valentine’s Day. I LOVE that you’re here for this week’s Happy List. (Sorry, I couldn’t help myself with the love reference.)

This week on the blog was a fun one! I shared the mini makeover I gave the desks in our office. It felt good to clean those things up and even add a little shine to them. I also shared the hilarious way I have been saved forever on the internet. Ah, good times!

The Happy List is one of the ways I try to focus on the beautiful and inspirational things in the world. It’s better for my mental health than doomscrolling. Funny how that works! I enjoy sharing what creatively inspires me and/or what made me smile this week. I also appreciate the opportunity to connect with you and hear what you’re up to. If you want to reach out, you can always comment on this blog post or email me here. You can also reach out on Instagram or Facebook.

Here’s the Happy List!

GARDEN GATE

We’re planning on rebuilding the gate by our mailbox and I knew exactly how I wanted the gate to look until I saw this picture.

Ignore the color. Just look at the design. It’s pretty sweet. I’d also be thrilled if the gate to our pool was built in this style. Handy Husband said to let him know when I decide. Ha!

More outdoor ideas from Australia can by found at Homes To Love.

(image: Martina Gemmola for Homes To Love)

TONGUE TWISTER

According to researchers at MIT, the hardest tongue twister in the world is as follows:

“Pad kid poured curd pulled cod.”

If you even got through that sentence, you’re doing better than most of the people in the researchers’ study. Ha!

More tongue twisters can be found over at Reader’s Digest.

(image: Emma Kumer for Reader’s Digest)

P.S. This one made me laugh because I’m THAT immature.

(image: Emma Kumer for Reader’s Digest)

WILLIAM MORRIS PILLOW COVERS

When I installed the wallpaper in our attic stairwell, I received so many comments about the wallpaper being in the style of William Morris. Morris was, among other things, an English textile designer whose designs were hugely influential during the Victorian period of the 1800s.

On one of my jaunts through the inter webs this week, I discovered an Etsy shop selling William Morris pillow covers. It was a delight for my eyeballs.

Sure beats the beige pillow covers that came with my couch.

(image: Etsy)

SILICONE SNOW SCRAPER

I’d like to tell you I’m done talking about the new silicone snow scraper we got for our cars this week, but I don’t want to make a promise I can’t keep. We’re obsessed!

Why has this not always been a thing? It works a million times better than the ones with the brush and can extend across the top of the car.

(image: Home Depot)

P.S. Please note that if it’s straight ice on your car, you’re probably going to have to use the actual scraper end of this contraption and not the squeegee part. Sad, I know.

BORDER

What caught my eye in the photo of this staircase was not the brass handrail or the wood floors, but the burgundy border around the trim.

I can’t tell exactly how they did it, but I like it!

It’s worth checking out all the photos of this Philadelphia home if you need a dose of “elevated granny chic” inspiration. I’m always down for that. Don’t miss the other photo of this wallpaper that shows a secret door!

(image: Designed by Studio Dorion. Photos: Ethan Herrington. via Desire to Inspire)

BREAKTHROUGH

Eyeglasses that double as hearing aids will be available this year in the U.S. and parts of Europe. WOW! This is a huge tech advancement.

Nuance Audio just received FDA approval for their hearing eyeglasses and according to a press release will be available this quarter for U.S. consumers.

I don’t know where you can get them or how much they will cost, but you can sign up for the Nuance Audio newsletter to be kept up-to-date.

(image: Nuance Audio)

FOR A LAUGH

If you need a laugh today, watch this blooper reel from 1991 with Robin Williams and Elmo. I miss Robin Williams.

If the video doesn’t load, watch it here on YouTube.

RED VELVET PANCAKES

I plan to make TidyMom’s Red Velvet Cookies today for Valentine’s Day. Of all the cookies I make, these cake mix cookies are probably my family’s favorite. They are also easy to make!

Then I saw TidyMom has a Red Velvet Pancake recipe and I’m considering spoiling the family by making it this weekend. These look decadent.

(image: TidyMom)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

“Our velocity through life is always relative. The pace of our career advancement, the expectations we have for change, the number of followers we have online–none of them are absolute.

You win a track meet by running faster than the other runners, not by breaking the world record.

The question, then, is, “compared to what?” Does this race deserve what you’re putting into it?

Choosing well can shift our expectations, our effort and whether or not we’ll even get to where we hope to go.” – Seth Godin

Thank you for reading today’s Happy List.

Be good to yourself and others this weekend.

I’ll see you back here on Monday.

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