Five Things on a Friday – 1/23/26

Happy Friday, friends! We made it through the week that is traditionally known as the most depressing week of the year, and honestly, I think it’s been a doozy for all of us. I think that calls for a quiet weekend of rest and maybe a little treat or two, too. Please enjoy this photo of the almond flour mug cake that I’ve been making for myself on repeat, as needed. Will be sharing the recipe ASAP!

Pictured above: Pretty mini bands | Aesthetically pleasing resistance bands 10-50 lbs | Rug

I’m trying something different this year in an effort to look and feel my best. I was dealing with a few different minor health issues last year, and ended up going on a super strict diet to try to get to the bottom of what was going on, which was actually really wonderful, but didn’t magically solve everything. Well, after a year of tests and specialist appointments, it looks like what’s really going on is just everyday, run-of-the-mill stress. I’ve always been a stressed-out, type A person right from the start, but it seems that maybe it’s starting to catch up with me a little bit. So, this year, I’m going to be working with a personal trainer from Oakman Coaching in the UK, and I’m really excited about it. My goal isn’t to lose weight, but I’m hoping to build strength and find a new routine that helps me actively manage stress in my body on a daily basis. I’ve already started sharing my daily workouts, attempts at getting more protein, and progress with increasing my step count in my Instagram stories, so join me over there if you’d like to keep up with my little health journey this year.

Can we please just normalize regular home updates? Like the real ones that we all do during the normal course of living in our homes for maintenance and to keep things feeling comfortable and up-to-date? I keep seeing people apologizing for sharing little home projects that aren’t full, gut-job renovations, and kind of justifying why they didn’t completely rip the room out and start from scratch, as if that’s what they really should have done. Real people aren’t just throwing out entire rooms of their home every year and replacing them with all-new everything, and I think it’s kind of irresponsible to suggest that that’s what we should be doing. What most people do is keep what works for them and find creative, cost-effective ways of changing what doesn’t, and that’s the way it should be. It’s better for our environment, it’s better for our wallets, and it’s honestly better for our stress levels as well, and that should be celebrated. A coat of paint, a new light fixture that changes the feel of a space, a new piece of furniture mixed in with what you already have: these are the kinds of practical, real-life updates that I want to see. It’s those personal, creative ideas that are most inspiring to me, not those big renovations where you end up with a room that looks exactly the same as everyone else’s.

Our front hall project is coming along, and honestly, it’s giving me life. I originally only wanted to add wallpaper and a few little finishing touches, but Chris insisted that we needed to complete the wainscotting from the lower part of the hall all the way up the stairs. I didn’t think that was totally necessary, but I let him take the lead on that, and he was right, it really does look so much better. It’s funny how when you’re working on a design project in someone else’s house, you can see exactly what needs to be done, but when it comes to your own home, you can never see things as clearly. We all seem to go a little “house blind” from looking at things the same way, day in and day out. Anyway, happy to report that things are progressing, and the new trim is looking amazing. I insisted that we use the same basic, inexpensive trim that we first used over 10 years ago when we did the wainscotting instead of upgrading to something more expensive, and it still looks great. Even a little bit of simple trim can make such a difference in any room, and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for an instant mood boost. 🙂

Views from a little over a week ago before we were completely enveloped in snow. 🙂

I am so relieved to be back to our regularly scheduled program. Life is so busy, but there are so many benefits to early nights and early mornings, structured days, and regular routines. Although the holiday break was much-needed after such a busy fall and lead-up to Christmas, things just work so much better when we’re in “normal mode,” and everyday tasks are just so much easier to get done. I ended up getting a bit rundown this year on New Year’s Day and felt like I was coming down with a cold, and luckily that went away pretty quickly as soon as our days started to normalize a bit again. I really am such a creature of habit. I am missing the Christmas twinkle lights, though!

Last year, at about this time, I started working with more brands. Sharing home products that I love has always been a natural fit for my business, and since I get requests for links to things I’ve used in my home all the time, I’m always happy to share things that I come across and think you’ll enjoy. I only ever agree to work with brands whose products I truly think are helpful, useful, or beautiful, and that’s mostly because once I install them in my home, I have to live with them.:) This is really true of all home creators, so you know we’re a bunch you can trust.  I follow a lot of other bloggers and content creators, and I often find them apologizing for doing a lot of sponsored content, especially over the holiday season. My first thought is usually “I actually didn’t even notice that it was sponsored.” I follow them to see what their ideas are and how they like to use different things in their daily life, and honestly, it makes no difference to me whether they actually bought that product or not. I just love to be inspired by their creativity either way, and I don’t think there’s any need to apologize for contributing to a part of the economy that brings beauty and light into people’s lives and onto their screens.

Anyway, this is just to say thank you for supporting my little business and all the other little content creators who make the internet such a fun and inspiring place we all have access to for free. Whether you read my posts here on my blog, purchase my recommended products through the links I share, or support the businesses that I recommend (many of them are small businesses, too), it all goes to help support me and other small businesses like mine, and it all helps keep these little corners of the internet as bright spots of beauty, joy, and creativity.

NEWS AND FINDS

-City Rug on Etsy is having a sale, and I just thought you should know. They have the most beautiful, curated collection of authentic vintage wool Oushak rugs, and right now, everything is 45%. Such a perfect time to find your dream rug if you’ve been dreaming of an authentic vintage piece for your home. This runner is similar to the one I have, I love this piece with an on-trend touch of faded red, and this is the rug that I just can’t get out of my mind.

-Did you see the vacuum seal bags I shared on Instagram last week? They’re honestly so addictive and save so much space. I just wanted to share a little deal that they sent over to me if you’re in the mood for some January organizing too. This 18-pack of vacuum bags is the same set I have. It comes with the rechargeable MiniVac pump, and everything you need to organize a home full of sweaters, blankets, extra pillows, and just about anything you can think of. It’s currently on promo through this link! Happy organizing!

-Do you remember the Farmer’s Defense protective sleeves I shared in the summer for gardening? Those truly saved my arms last year through all kinds of pruning, garden clean-up, and weeding. This year, Farmer’s Defense has launched winter products as well, and they sent me a couple of pieces to try out. One of the things I really love about this outdoor brand is that their sizing actually makes sense for the real world. Their extra small size in the protective sleeves really is an extra small, and when they sent me the winter work gloves in the small size, they were actually small. I think this might be the first time I’ve ever had garden gloves that truly fit. Their winter gloves are tough enough to handle all your winter outdoor tasks, with unstoppable wet-or-dry grip, a thermal layer, and touchscreen-friendly fingertips, and I wish I would have had them when I was outside collecting greenery every day for Christmas. They also sent me their wool beanie, which I absolutely love. It has an invisible waterproof coating so snow and rain bead off and don’t soak in, and it’s actually cute. I have such a hard time finding winter hats that actually look good on me, and this one is just an instant favorite. I’ll definitely be wearing it for soccer games, winter walks, and every day, not just for working outside. I’m just such a big fan of this brand. You can use my code CREEKLINEHOUSE for 10% off your entire order!

-I was recently sent the most beautiful little art print from Bahar Art Creations, and I just had to show you. Bahar is an artist from Vancouver, and her original paintings and texturized matte prints are available on her website. This one, pictured above, is called “The Guest.” I just need to find the perfect frame, and then I can start thinking about where to hang it!

–This sink cover! Such a simple and smart way of expanding counter space in a tiny bathroom.

-I keep seeing these affordable stacking rattan baskets everywhere, and honestly, they’re so good for shelf decor. I should probably order a set for shoot styling.

-I get so many compliments on my Athleta puffer coat, but unfortunately, it’s sold out. I saw this affordable option from Quince, and it’s almost identical. Love that it comes in so many colors too! Great option if you’re looking for something really warm to get you through the winter.

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