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WALL MOULDING KITS
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I’m all about comfort and coziness right now, but who isn’t these days? My favorite go-to’s right now are a combination of old favorites and new finds. For me, it’s become all about morning and evening rituals that give comfort and structure to the beginning and end of my day + comfortable clothes to help me navigate what the day throws my way!
Coffee is my morning ritual, and I love a great coffee sale! I’ve been a fan of Peet’s Coffee for a while, and now they have an organic option! When I find a new favorite, I get pretty excited, and when it’s at Costco AND on sale, well, it’s a good day! Peet’s Organic French Roast 2 - 2 LB bags are on sale at Costco for $30.99 through January 23rd.
A few years ago, I started adding coconut oil and a little MCT oil to my coffee and whipping it in the blender into a frothy “latte,” I recently discovered this whole kernel coconut oil. It’s fair trade, organic, grown with regenerative practices, and so healthy! The healthy fats from coconut oil are great for the brain, and I really need that! 😉 The healthy fats also keep me from getting the jitters and crashing afterward. Dr. Bonner’s Regenerative Organic Coconut Oil $11.99 for 14 oz
If you have dry hands, I’ve got the hand cream for you! I discovered this years ago when I was starting the business; in the winter, my hands would get so very dry from hand finishing the frames. (yes, I actually made the moulding kits myself in the early days!) Now, every year, I buy it for everyone in the company, and I keep a tube on my desk throughout the winter months. It’s a lifesaver! Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve 5 oz $24.00
I had been on the lookout for long-length sweaters to wear over leggings with room for added layers underneath, and the Coaster Luxe Sweatshirt by Athleta fits the bill + it’s soft and cozy too! I’m not the only one who loves this sweater; it has over 5,000 five-star reviews! It’s available in 17 colors, and although I’m petite, I opted for the XS Tall for a little more length. It’s my new go-to sweater! $79.99.
If you’re looking for a soft and cozy cashmere sweater without the big-ticket price, I found this by Halogen online at Nordstrom a couple of years ago, and it’s now available on NordstromRack.com in 9 colors for $59.97. It says dry clean only, but I wash it in cold water on the handwash cycle, low spin, with gentle detergent, and lay flat to dry…so far, so good!
I know, you either love them or you hate them. I resisted for a long while, but I gave in and got my first pair in pink years ago, and now I’m on my second pair. They are just so warm, cozy, and comfortable! This time I opted for the Classic UGGs® in grey. Be sure to spray them with a waterproofing protector such as this UGG Protector Shoe Spray; it really helps to keep them looking new. UGGs® $170 Protecting Spray $9.95.
I like to sip on Matcha green tea throughout the day not only for the warmth but also for the health benefits and a natural energy boost. I’ve tried a lot of brands, and this is my favorite. It’s made with pure Japanese matcha mixed with Japanese konacha. The teabag sachets are made from organic, plant-based materials specifically designed to release the fullest flavor and aromatics. I like to get a couple of uses out of each bag, so I steep for about 2 minutes for a soft, smooth flavor and save the bag. Rishi Matcha Super Green Tea is available at Whole Foods for $9.69 and is on sale through January 18th for $6.29 with Prime Membership.
To help me unwind before bed, I turn to a warm mug of hot chocolate, and this may sound crazy to some of you, but the organic cacao mix also contains Reishi mushrooms. This type of mushroom is supposed to help support sleep quality, stress management, and calmness. It really helps me! Four Sigmatic Mushroom Cacao with Reishi 10 packets for $7.38 on Amazon.
I hope you found at least one new product here that will become a go-to favorite for you too!
Stay well and take good care of yourselves,
Esther :)
P.S Shout-out to Steph over at @happy_baes on Instagram for this awesome before and after using our Brooklyn Wall Moulding Kit!
I'm excited to announce that we now have stain grade hardwood Poplar mouldings available!
For all of us, the pandemic has been challenging in one way or another, to say the least. When the lumber industry hit bumps in the road this year, we pivoted! And I'm super excited about the new addition to our moulding family…
Our premium clear (no knots) Poplar hardwood moulding is domestically grown and custom milled for us in Southern California. Since it's custom-milled to our specifications, the profile matches the profile of our other finish options, so if you're placing a re-order; no problem!
Poplar stains beautifully! I've been so excited to experiment with various stains in light grey, medium grey, espresso, and black. Staining allows a light natural graining to show through, adding beautiful dimension and texture to a room. Not to mention how easy it is to stain; no paintbrush required! Simply wipe it on with a sponge or rag! (more tips and recommendations in future blog posts). I've loved experimenting with General Finishes water-based low odor, low VOC wood stain, and Old Masters wipe on stain gel.
Poplar paints beautifully! Prime the mouldings with a good quality primer. I like Kilz Brand, which is available in low VOC in both an oil-base and water-base. After the primer has completely dried, lightly sand with fine-grit sandpaper or a sanding block such as the 3M Pro Grade Sanding Block Sponge. Use painters tack cloth to remove any sanding dust. Your mouldings are now ready for paint! (Side Note: I've received feedback from customers that they have used a good quality 2-in-1 paint + primer and only had to do one coat of paint and then minor touch-up sanding and touch-up paint.)
Since it's unfinished hardwood, it has less off-gassing than finger-joint products, which is important if you have environmental sensitivities.
Like any other fast-growing species, Poplar can purify the air, taking 70 to 140 liters of carbonic anhydrase from the atmosphere every hour and giving back the same quantity of oxygen to the atmosphere. The storage function of carbon (Carbon sink) is also performed after the transformation of the wood into a finished product.
As I mentioned at the outset, I am excited about our new Poplar mouldings, and I hope you are too! Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have about our new moulding option! 😊
My whole family is in LOVE with these yummy Sea Salt Corn Dippers by Pipcorn. There are only three ingredients: 100% whole grain heirloom corn (sustainably grown), sunflower oil and sea salt. It’s a “treat” you don’t need to feel guilty about! They taste amazingly buttery (but there’s no butter), light and crispy! Available online at and at Whole Foods for about $3
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Give your documents a happy home! From eye-catching cabinets to sleek file boxes and file folders, staying organized has never looked so good.
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If you're looking for an acrylic file box, this is very stylish, and the handles make it easy to tote around. I use this beautiful acrylic file box to display all of my moulding samples! Russell+Hazel.
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These are my go-to white file folders and they’re super high-quality! I’ve had mine for a few years now, and I haven’t had any tearing or signs of wear. Made by Russell+Hazel and available from Amazon.com. |
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This is a functional piece of art! Beautifully crafted, it can serve as a decorative piece of art, bookend, or collator. It’s a beautiful and functional addition to any desk! Acrylic Desk Organizer, Russell+Hazel $28.00 |
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A label maker is a must-have for any home or office! Tidy up like a pro and take the guesswork out of organization with labels. I use the Brother P-touch, available at Staples.com. |
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A magnetic board is like a mood board, calendar, and art piece all in one. Years ago, I purchased a stainless steel magnetic board and hadn’t regretted that purchase for a second! I love the look of a clean, contemporary aesthetic mixed with traditional wall mouldings. This one looks really similar to the one I have, available from the Container Store. |
Set the scene with scents that bring a touch of tranquility and focus to your daily routine.
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Fresh flowers or a beautiful plant make a big difference! Lately, I've been getting bright, fresh flowers from Trader Joe's, but my usual go-to is a Trader Joe's Orchid, Cyclamen in the colder months, or a large Hydrangea plant during the summer months. |
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I’ve always loved beautifully scented candles. I often have one on my desk; there is just something so calming and soothing about the soft glow of a burning candle. If you’ve followed my blog posts over the last couple of years, you know that I’m a big fan of Illume candles. Nest and Trader Joe’s have been upping their candle game the last year or so with high-quality candles that rival the much more expensive ones. |
I hope I've been able to provide some inspiration! Oh, and don’t forget the soft background music! (We’ve been using Pandora to listen to soft jazz or a little Diana Krall during the workday.)
Please take good care of yourself and stay safe and well!
Esther
Winter is officially here! I've recently discovered some amazing products that bring a little indulgence and comfort to these shorter, colder days. Hey, whatever it takes to get through winter! ;)
Let's start with wine . . .
Yay, spring! I know that spring is here when I start to catch the faint scent of flower blossoms in the air. Here are a few of my new go-to products that I'm lovin' right now!
Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the sunny yet cool, crisp mornings and the vibrant foliage. It reminds me of my childhood growing up in the country surrounded by our animals on 48 acres outside of Toronto, Canada.
I love this file cabinet! It’s powder-coated steel, locks, and is available in different drawer configurations, with or without casters. Plus, there are many colors/color combinations to choose from! (yes, I am excited about a file cabinet!) Choose white and other select colors at the 
