three things to do with instant film!

My kids love using instant film cameras. However, the film isn't cheap so I try and save it for special occasions and trips where they can take a bunch all at one place. We recently went to The Flower Fields at Carlsbad and I thought it would be the perfect time to let them get snap happy, and the results were incredible! I've always wanted to turn my kids' photos into art, so we did, and today we're showing you how you can do the same. Here are three cool ways that go beyond sticking instant film on the fridge...

from print to room...

Happy Tuesday! I hope you had a nice long weekend! We've shown you how to go from Painting To Room before, and now we're back with a slight variation...from PRINT to room! See how we took a floral print from the Oh Joy! shop and used it to inspire a cozy seating area...

let's discuss: dinner for one...

Last month, I took a quick 36-hour work trip to New York. I had a packed schedule and didn't make any plans to see friends because I didn't know how my days would go and how tired I would be after my day-long meetings. So, one night I needed to eat and went to a nice restaurant for dinner...by myself. I used to dread eating by myself in public and would opt to just stay home instead. I worried people would think I was on a blind date that never showed. Or that I wouldn't know what to do with myself with no one to talk to. But after 39 years on this planet, I just didn't care anymore. I had a lovely dinner out by myself. I people watched...I thought about life. It gave me a chance to really savor the food and know that I didn't have to stay in my hotel room just because I didn't have any social plans with others. And it felt great.

Do you guys go out to dinner by yourself? Would you?

Oh, and PS. Have a great long weekend! We'll see you back here on Tuesday!

{Photo by Lily Glass}

Q&A: Oh Joy! x Erin Condren

Thank you SO MUCH for your support and excitement for our Oh Joy! x Erin Condren LifePlanner™ cover designs! I've loved reading your comments and seeing all your photos on social media since our launch last week. These planners are AMAZING and are so customizable, so read below and then let me know if you have any other questions in the comments! We've gotten a few questions about them, so today, I wanted to dive deep into all the details...

a painted spot to sit...

Seating is often something we're lacking when guests come over...especially in smaller spaces. So today, we're making a perfect little seat that's great to have on hand for when guests stop by. We used simple, abstract brush strokes that are super easy and impossible to mess up that were inspired by the Gray Malin painting shown above...

Pattern Adventures: Oh Joy Wears Floral!

I love floral prints, so I was extra excited about this month's pattern adventures...all dressed in florals! Here are a few easy ways to rock both bold and more subtle floral prints that are all perfect for spring and summer...

pinterest 101...

Raise your hand if you LOVE Pinterest! Back in 2010, I was one of the first people to try out the then new site before it was available to the public. Since then, it's been a go-to tool for me both as a designer and content creator. My team and I use it daily to seek inspiration and to share ideas and images with one another. Now, more than 200M people use the platform every month find and save recipes to cook, products to buy, home decor and other ideas they want to try. As a business owner, I use Pinterest not only to find new ideas but also to share the images and products we create with 5 million Pinners each month. Since I always get a lot of questions about the platform, I thought it would be fun to share some tips with you for using Pinterest to build your brand and grow your business. 

People on Pinterest are actively looking for ideas to try tomorrow or someday—whether that’s a fresh recipe or a twist on an outfit. That makes them the perfect audience for whatever new ideas you’re cooking up. And Pinterest can help you grow your business because it works differently from other sites...

1. More traffic for you—When people find an idea they want to try, they can click through to the specific page on your site to learn how to make, do, or buy it. 
2. Reach beyond your followers—On Pinterest, your followers are the first to see your ideas. And the more they engage with your content, the more it gets shown in other places on Pinterest—like search results, feeds, and recommendations—for hundreds of millions of Pinners to discover.
3. Your ideas live on and on—People can discover your ideas the moment you post them or months from now. It all depends on what they’re looking for and when they post them. People can discover your ideas the moment you post them or months from now. It all depends on what they’re looking for and when they need it. Your Pins keep delivering value for years to come—not just the first day you post them.

If you're looking for a deeper dive into the nuances of Pinterest, here are some common questions I often get asked...

this is 39!

OMG. I am 39 today! I'm not writing this post just so you'll wish me a Happy Birthday (although I am okay with that, too). But I am writing because I'm sitting here thinking...holy crap, I have one more year to go before 40. My 30's have been the decade that really cemented who I have become as a person and who I want to be in the future. I took my business to the next level, became a mother, and I've become much more confident of myself and less worried about what other people think (my 20's were filled with WAY too much of that!). I've done so much in this past decade, and I have a bunch more things I want to do before I finish it out. While this could become a super long post, I'll keep it short and sweet and just tell you that I really do appreciate those of you who have been following this site for a while. Loyalty is everything to me, and for you to still tune in and care what we have to say and what we're creating over here really does mean so much.

Anyway, without spilling the beans too much...I have some exciting personal projects in the works that I can't wait to share with you. They are really going to be a great way to round out my 30's this upcoming year...and I can't wait to take you along for the ride!

Have a great weekend, all...

{Photo by Morgan Pansing.}

Introducing: Oh Joy! for DockATot...

Sweet dreams are made of our newest collaboration...Oh Joy for DockATot! As a mother of two, I've always been in search of pieces that make those early newborn days easier and more comfortable for the whole family. DockATots are so cozy, and together we’re bringing you their quality and comfort with our signature whimsical colors and prints. We've partnered with DockATot to bring you TWO limited-edition cover styles for their multi-functional lounging docks. They're perfect for babies (ages 0-8 months old or 5-22lbs) to rest, play, cuddle, get diaper changes, and practice tummy time. They make a functional and beautiful addition to your new baby’s home! Come see them all...

Our "Petal Party" print is light and lovely, inspired by a spring day and flowers blowing in the breeze.

Our "Block Party" style is bold, fun, and is inspired by all the shapes that fill your babe's imagination. 

We hope you love them! You can shop them for a limited time online right now!

{Photos by Morgan Pansing, styling by Julia Wester, and styling assistance by Jess Hong. Special thanks to our models Chelsea and Arden, Sherye and Amelie, and Natalie and Oakley!}

Pattern Adventures: A Floral Dining Room!

You know what they say...April showers bring May flowers, so for this month's Pattern Adventures, we're going floral with this perfect-for-spring dining room! We've brought in florals in different ways, but kept everything in a similar color scheme to stay cohesive. Here are a few key elements that made all the difference in creating this happy dining space...