Final week Gretchen and I flew all the way down to LA to go to the LA EHD staff (after my household celebrated Charlie’s tenth birthday at Common Studios). In an ideal world, we wouldn’t be so lengthy distance however we’re making it work so long as we attempt to see one another each few months (and now that Mal might be in New York we’ll be heading there in spring for our subsequent retreat!). We went over to Jess’ (which is wanting SO CUTE) and chatted for a couple of hours about technique, scheduling and, positively caught up so much. We then went to lunch at a brand new spot referred to as Extremely Possible and cruised round Highland Park for a bit till 4 pm once we cut up as much as have a break earlier than dinner.
4 out of the 5 of us received BLTAs (bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado as a result of it’s California:)) and clearly, we would have liked some lunch wine.
Round 7 pm we met up for dinner and did our decoration change which was SO MUCH FUN. We ate at Bacari in Silver Lake which is a extremely fairly and scrumptious restaurant with an enormous tree within the massive outdoors patio. What I didn’t know was that my youngsters (who left that morning again to Portland) had the flu and it was inside me, ready to burst out which it did round midnight that evening. So sadly we weren’t in a position to meet up the following day (I had already given it to Jess) and I used to be DOWN FOR THE COUNT. I haven’t had the flu in years and now I do know why individuals discuss it a lot (and get vaccinated). However the spotlight of the journey was our decoration change which was unusually SO a lot enjoyable.
The entire decoration change was my thought (stunning) and I really like that it was a low elevate for everybody (ornaments may be low-cost and you possibly can DIY) and but nonetheless private. And the expectation is low – nobody would really feel like they had been getting somebody one thing that was higher or worse than another person – they’re all simply ornaments. So we figured we’d present you what we made/purchased for one another. And pay attention, this isn’t for each firm – we’re small and know one another actually very well. Now wouldn’t it be bizarre for Dale from Accounting to purchase you an decoration if you happen to by no means had a dialog with them? Perhaps! Or perhaps it’s the proper workplace reward for anybody and everybody (that’s IF they rejoice Christmas).
I, after all, was racked with indecision as a result of I would like this decoration to say A LOT about them and me and my emotions for them in 2023. So I went to love 4 completely different shops to provide you with what I received beneath. Take pleasure in!
NOTE FROM GRETCHEN ABOUT HER UNREAL HANDMADE ORNAMENTS: Because it’s my first yr on the EHD staff, I needed to go large and reward the staff ornaments that had been oddly particular (positively dorky) and most significantly, it gave me an excuse to make use of glitter pens. Duh. So I opted to make everybody an decoration that’d ideally seize their work essence. Every decoration began with these ready-made wooden cutouts. I glued two collectively as a result of they got here like 60 to a pack, plus I believed it’d make them really feel a bit of extra substantial. Then I designed one aspect to appear like a gap picture from this yr’s assortment of reward guides. (Shock! That’s me drawing vacation hats on each little one, boomer, and Brian possible. The EHD staff merely can’t escape my Apple Pencil!) The “reward information” aspect of the decoration form of declares every individual’s theme, and the other aspect drives residence the purpose:)
Caitlin’s (Genuis) Decoration For Everybody
Anthropologie Mirror for everybody: True to Libra kind, I picked the identical decoration for everybody – it’s a miniature model of the long-lasting Anthropologie mirror! We’ve been so lucky to companion with Anthro SO many occasions this yr (together with on a marketing campaign for this very mirror – it’s been a dream!) and none of these initiatives would have come to fruition with out the dedication of each beautiful gal on this staff. I hope that Em, Jess, Gretch, and Mal all bear in mind each the laborious work and the enjoyment we’ve skilled collectively at EHD after they pull these out yearly:)
Ornaments For Emily
Starburst Decoration from Jess: The native store that I went to had these wonderful classic Starburst ornaments that I couldn’t resist. It was enjoyable, playful, and in two of Emily’s favourite colours. I knew it might look good on her tree:)
Handmade Material Scraps Decoration from Mallory: In the event you’ve been following the farmhouse design progress for a when you find out about Emily’s obsession with fairly Japanese Boro Material – it’s that classic patchwork plaid and it often is available in a variation of indigos. Properly, we’ve a working joke about one of many feedback about how Emily likes to play along with her “ratty cloth” so after I was brainstorming which decoration to get Emily I figured why not try and make a ratty cloth decoration?? In order that’s precisely what I did:)
Handmade Ornaments from Gretchen: The pinnacle honcho herself, our visionary, and the unimaginable lady who occurs to signal my paycheck, Emily Henderson! I promise I’m not ass-kissing (now) after I say that working for Em is essentially the most enjoyable job I’ve had, in all probability ever. For me, this yr really has been one to remEmber so I needed to make her one thing that basically highlighted that! The other aspect of Em’s decoration has a collage of virtually the entire areas within the farmhouse we’ve revealed in 2023. To be sincere, I ought to’ve made Em like 15 further ornaments to recollect the multitude of initiatives we’ve labored on this yr–I began to checklist them right here however there’s simply too many. This choice of 9 felt a bit of extra manageable! I printed every thing out, Mod Podged every of them to the wood items back and front, coated that sh*t in glitter, then seemed on with nerdy glee, as every individual opened theirs up. Was all of it price it? No. Subsequent yr I’m shopping for them from Passion Foyer. Kidding. That is my bread and butter.
Ornaments For Jess
Spaceship Decoration from Emily: I owe her 6 years of again ornaments, however for 2023 I used to be so excited to search out this one as a result of I needed one thing to characterize our first product LAUNCH that Jess co-designed with me. It actually has helped our enterprise “take off” (LOL) and simply felt so enjoyable, particular, and acceptable for 2023. Yay to future collaborations and extra tacky ornaments to rejoice:)
Energy Drill from Mallory: Jess is a type of fearless DIY girlies and her creativity is aware of no bounds. From the banquette she DIY’d final yr to the bench she DIY’d this yr…this woman is aware of her means round an influence drill (and we are able to’t overlook that her wonderful dad Les might be the explanation why). But additionally in a much less literal sense, Jess is likely one of the hardest working individuals I’ve ever recognized, so I needed to get her this to commemorate the wonderful DIYs she’s accomplished, but in addition to acknowledge how she’s the true powerhouse of this staff:)
Handmade Ornaments from Gretchen: Jess 4 Prez on one aspect and a close-up of the Rowena rug on the opposite, in honor of all of the work she did with Em to launch her Rugs USA line (get it?) and since I’d vote for her within the subsequent election.
Ornaments For Caitlin
Slot Machine Decoration from Emily: With Caitlin (as with all my staff members) I actually received the lottery and really feel so fortunate to have her. Her experience and keenness is all concerning the numbers and he or she loves to speak analytics and knowledge. She’ll inform us what’s performing effectively and determine why. So this lotto machine felt actually acceptable for her and my appreciation for her:) CHA-CHING!!
Starburst Decoration from Jess: OK I do know it’s the identical as Em’s however it was too fairly, classic, AND the colours had been prefect for her. I remorse nothing:)
CBD Gummy Decoration From Mallory: HA I didn’t suppose I must write about this on the weblog however right here we’re lol. This was the primary decoration I discovered…I stumbled upon this cute bookstore on the Sundown Strip and noticed this and instantly knew Caitlin wanted it. Look it’s no secret that Caitlin loves a CBD gummy (each for enjoyable and power again ache!) so I believed this decoration was a hilarious one to present her. Caitlin, I really like you and I can’t cease laughing that I simply needed to write a blurb explaining why I received you a CBD gummy decoration for Christmas on this weblog!
Handmade Decoration from Gretchen: Caitlin is our Fee Queen, managing partnerships like a bo$$, so the bottom sample references her primary area, in Christmas colours after all!
Ornaments For Mallory
Suitcase Decoration from Emily: Mal is taking off this yr to New York for fairly the journey. As I lived in NYC all by way of my 20s and it was simply such a formative time to be in the perfect metropolis on this planet. So this was for her journey, but in addition to characterize how she’s already traveled to date in her profession at EHD. It’s an actual Bon Voyage second for us and I’ve nothing however hope and effectively needs for this new metropolis for her.
NYC Espresso Cup Decoration from Jess: Since our candy Mal is headed to the Huge Apple, after I noticed this decoration I knew I needed to get it to mark this thrilling event! Plus it’s handpainted and so cute:)
Handmade Decoration from Gretchen: Mal-A-Million made a very viral video this yr, and the again of her decoration shows a screenshot from it–a close-up of Em’s completely festive plaid shirt.
Ornaments For Gretchen
Glass Ball Decoration from Emily: Gretch is new to the staff and I thought of so many ornaments for her (1st anniversary? Child’s first Christmas? And even a firefighter decoration as a result of she has saved my life, LOL). However when I discovered this one it felt acceptable as a result of her inventive intuition is so well-honed and her use of colour is soooo significantly better than mine is. She has taught me so much about undertones and has such a watch that I’ve come to depend on. So this decoration felt actually actually painterly, inventive, and exquisite like Gretch (and I do know she loves these earthier colours).
Mushroom Decoration from Jess: Our Gretch is a gal concerning the indoors and nice open air so this candy little mushroom that clamps onto a department was the proper match in my head. It’s as sparkly and magical as she is;)
Boat Decoration from Mallory: The primary time we actually received to hold with our candy Gretchen was an actual epic day. The LA staff got here as much as Portland for a retreat over the summer time and Em booked us a Pontoon boat down the river. Properly, we received essentially the most EPIC tour information (shoutout to Shane), consumed a considerable amount of wine, and instantly clicked as if we’d recognized one another our complete lives. The remaining is historical past however I needed to present Gretch an decoration of the place the place all of it started :’)
Emily once more! So like I stated, our retreat was reduce brief by the flu however Mal and Gretch hit Hollywood for evening two! I’m so blissful Gretchen received to have a bit of extra enjoyable so thanks Mal for exhibiting her the best way:)
I’m so grateful for these girls and might’t watch for subsequent yr’s ornaments. 10/10 advocate!