My appreciation letter to Caroline: When I found your content a year ago, it was so refreshing and fun. As a new home owner who had never decorated a thing in her life, I found myself suddenly overwhelmed with design choices. You reminded me that it’s okay to try, play, fail, rearrange and try again. Not just in design but in life too. You have such a unique perspective on life to share with the world. Thank you for bringing real life to the internet and for being your honest self!
im glad! it's a balance! finding that space in the venn diagram of what people want to see, and what is naturally happening in life. it's a funny thing with vlogging
@@Caroline_Winkler On the other hand, I was a little surprised that you spent so much time looking for the "right" stoop and then photoshopped a different one in! That poor stoop thought it had made it to the big leagues only to be replaced by AI.
Also I can’t not make this comment, but your energy and giddiness would mesh so well with Jennifer Laurence, I think you’d be the best of friends and hilarious together!!!!
A friend of mine had an unmarried aunt who had always encouraged him in art and music. When she was in her 70s, he wrote her a letter to tell her how much her constant encouragement had always meant to him. After she read the letter, she put it in her purse and kept it there for the rest of her life.
I love the idea of doing Christmas/holiday stuff geared more towards "winter" so that it doesn't all have to go back in the plastic bins right away. The removal of all the Christmas bling sets me up for a depressed start to the new year....
If it were me, I'd keep my Christmas decorations up all january. Lights and pretty things really help lift my mood when everything is grey and cold outside!
I have winter and Christmas decor. I put the Christmas decor away on January 6th. The winter decor stays until the beginning of February. I love to put away all the decor for the month of February. It has become a tradition. I usually start with spring cleaning in February, so I can start with a clean slate in March.
Yes, after putting away Christmas, all that we were left with was bleak January. A couple of years ago, I started making a few adjustments after Christmas so that my Christmas decor became more generic winter decor. I found that putting white fairy string lights everywhere really helped with my seasonal affective disorder. So yeah, in January, I shift from Christmas to the cozy concept of hygge.
I love that you share your REAL life, Caroline. You are incredibly relatable and the truth of it shines through. Too many people only post “perfect” content and it feels fake.
This was so beautiful. Caroline is such a skilled storyteller, and her videos never feel like "content" to me, but a shared perspective. So she's nailing her own brief !
I love the way you manage to keep your videos both light-hearted and deep. Your honesty is a great mark of respect and care for your viewers. I wish you all the best in life
Caroline years ago I trashed picked a beautiful wooden folding backgammon board. I removed the hinges, and added brass handles that matched the inlaid brass markings on the board which made two small trays just big enough for a cup of tea and a small plate with cookies on it. I've had them now for probably 15 years and I love them and I do NOT regret turning that game board into a tray.
I could understand making videos that are not 'true' to you if you needed that privacy or emotional distance almost, and I hate the idea of people on YT feeling they 'owe' viewers anything... However I am forever grateful you make the videos YOU want to make. Your authenticity, intensity, persistence, compassion and humour are what I keep coming back for.
came out wonderfully! the tiles on the fireplace was the missing puzzle piece that just brings everything together perfectly. Great taste! you are truly talented.
i remember when i was like 10 years old i saw these colorful little bricks in a fancy stationery store and my mom told me it was sealing wax and thought she meant it was like, a crayon that was meant for coloring on the ceiling lol. Anyway, she got me a really pretty gold stick of wax and a beautiful sealing stamp which was way too nice but also a pretty simple little gift for a kid. And i must have sent like 50 letters that year. i burnt that wax down to a little black stump but i LIVED for sending letters and sealing them with a custom little smudge like that. A year later, we got a family computer and I was posting cryptic song lyrics on my AIM away message. Not so elegant. Thank you Caroline for getting me all fired up to grab some wax and get back to sending cute letters again!! Tis the season!!
This brought back such a wonderful memory for me. ❤I had a similar wax brick and sealing stamp when I was around 10, too, and I loved it. Mine was purple because it was my favorite color and I used to write letters to all my relatives just so I could use it. I felt very grown up and fancy. I wish I still had my sealing stamp but I lost it years ago. Also, I laughed when you said you thought the sealing wax was used to color on the ceiling
Not to be dramatic or anything but I'm severely depressed and haven't gotten out of bed in 3 days. I'm on sick leave due to a surgery from last month (3 uterine fibroids removed yay) so I have the perfect excuse to not get my ass up, even around the house. Anyway, your videos bring me some comfort and inspire me, even make me feel a little less alone which is pretty cool and I just wanted to tell you. Cheers from the undecorated appartment of a design enthusiast- pathological perfectionist in Spain. Analysis paralysis is definitely a thing, damn. 🖤
@@Caroline_Winkler That is such a sweet comment, thank you Caroline, it really means a lot. I hope you have the best time this holiday season with your family and bf. By the way I ordered your sister's book because I'm a history buff and it is such an interesting topic, you guys are the best! Big hugs.
Omg. Today is the first day in 4 that I actually got dressed! Every day I'd put out my clothes but just didn't get dressed! Then I noticed my neighbor doing the same! I just figured great minds think alike. Today I went shopping and actually put some makeup on! So when you're ready you will be yourself again. Don't beat yourself up. Peace and love.
@@missl.3343 I had the same surgery a while ago. Of course you are depressed your hormones are all over the place. That’s why you need to get out of your bed , because you are at great risk of a deep vein thrombosis. Be kind to yourself , you will be able to do it, just get up out of bed and move around your house then when you are ready get dressed go for a walk. You will be able to do it , because the fact you are here shows you are strong and tough. This too will pass and one day you will be able to look back on this and it will just be a part of your life not the all important thing it is now. I think Caroline had an excellent idea , get a letter writing set , write a short loving letter to family and friends if you need to find a formula so you don’t need to think , then write one letter every day and so you can walk to post them. Just a little task to do daily will get you going. If I could do it so can you, I know it seems so daunting now. I set little tasks and I got going slowly but I did and I feel so much better, get counselling if you need, but above all don’t stay in your bed with your raging hormones a deep vein thrombosis is a very real danger. Take care of your self.
I love how during or after watching your videos I go around my house thinking hmm, what can I add or change here? There's just so much design inspo and especially enthusiasm in your content, I am even thinking of painting my bedroom walls (what! I've never painted a thing in my life before!), suddenly there's so much more joy in being in my own space. So thank you, more than a silly old comment can convey, please continue!!
I'm a big fan of the chessboard tray - don't let the haters get you down. I also bought wax stamps with my kids' initials to use instead of gift tags this year, and I love the way the coloured wax seals look on the presents under the tree! Also... Carter could be your stunt double - I thought she was you for a second.
@@Caroline_Winkler You can heat the wax bits over a candle instead of using your lighter. Have been enjoying your posts lately, and this one is my favorite. Your authentic self is captivating and quirky and fun to watch. Loved the shot glasses, btw.
Wow great idea will look into that for next year 🤔 currently fraudulently writing From Santa” in fancy very believable (according to my 8 year old) swirly handwriting 😆 But was stamp initials 😮
Your videos feel like "aliveness", like life itself, they are full of colours, light and just enough greys, feelings and reality to make it FEEL real, beautiful, moving, and so so TRUE. I love your personality and I think you're making a lot of people feel understood, just the way I feel when I watch these videos, just by being you! I found you a couple of weeks ago or so and I've been loving this channel, the design, the "people" stuff, the vlogs, your family, the stories, the music, the endings, the fucking poetry you seem to add into many videos that gives us a "moment" to share with you!! Hope you have a peaceful Christmas with some good vibes, hope and laughter. Love from Spain :) PS: Sorry if I made any mistake with my English!
The bacteria and human body wrapping definitely need to go in the bathroom. I don't know why I think that's funny, but I do. bacteria and bodies and bathrooms make sense. The gallery wall around the TV is fab. I just did something similar and I love it. Also, candles.
Gosh, yes I know what you mean and I follow you for this. Especially about the being a content creator vs turning your life into something thats for content. I found you through searching about adult friendships, then I binged your entire channel. You are definitley my virtual friend.
That was such a sincere video (they always are) but I felt like this was an early Christmas present! I got out my envelopes and wax seal and wrote a letter! You are such a beautiful soul and I am so happy to watch every video, hear every word. You are an inspiration to me daily and you somehow time every video just right. YOU helped me find my dream apartment with your video, helped me decorate with integrity and style...and I can't thank you enough!!! Happiest of Holidays and a beautiful celebration of the year into the next!
Caroline, please heed this dire warning: you do NOT want to draw the ire of the International Chess Community. They're far too powerful. It'll be "checkmate." (That's where you do the thing with the pieces so the King is, like--never mind.)
@Caroline_Winkler That's JUST the reply I was looking for. It means you take this situation seriously. (That and I'm needy.) So here's what you do: 1.) tile your floor with black-and-white flooring. That way, you can anticipate the way your enemies will move. 2.) Don't let any horses in your apartment. They can jump, and you have nice furniture. 3.) Always remember: the Queen is the most powerful piece on the board!
Random comment here. 🤓 The lighting when you were talking about stationery and writing your letter just looked incredibly warm, cozy, and so inviting 🕯️ So lovely and lightly golden. ✨
Hi Caroline I would like to tell you how I feel about you. You are by far my favourite RU-vidr….. you keep it all so real and where others change over the years with their content and unreal lifestyles you don’t do this. Please never change….. I am a 66 year old mother and grandmother and can’t help worrying about you sometimes. But with your authenticity and caring nature I think and hope you’re doing great. Lots of love to you Caroline and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family. By the way I love your subtle way of enjoying it…. my style too. Take care with love from Helen….Devon England ❤
I'm from New England. All 4th graders had to memorize "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost. 40 years later.....I can still recite it! Love.
This comment inspired me to learn the poem by heart over the last two days. Thank you :) it’s so fun and calming to have it live in my head now and internally reciting it every now and then.
Ya know I love everything you design…but subtle Winter is pretty dang subtle. 😝 But your space, your rules, my friend. That Amsterdam snow image though…I could stare at that all day. I do get not wanting to go too intense with holiday decor…and I didn’t start getting more serious about a tree and such until I had kiddos of my own. And I adore your letter writing impulses. Never stop loving people with your words. ❤
I was a little bit saddened by your violin story. Maybe you'll pick it up again at some point. I didn't play as a kid, but started when I was in my 40s. I'm 71 now so I've been playing for a while. I find it meditative and calming to play. It takes me out of myself for a little bit. I'm sure your teacher will be thrilled to hear from you. I taught at one point and would love to know how some of my students are doing. It's very thoughtful of you to write to her.
aw i get this! it's a beautiful instrument and i truly wish i had real talent for it. however for me, it was a matter of having to choose where i put my energy. with limited hours in the day, i put all that time into soccer and theater - my two talents and passions (at the time). not enough hours in the day! but i do absolutely love the violin
I just want to shout out how genuinely hilarious Caroline is. The amount of times I laughed out loud from this video is one of the many reasons why I keep coming back.
lmaoooo i am the kinda person that will get really excited if a building was something else. "wow this nightclub used to be a train station... that's crazy" "wow this hotel used to be a prison" "wow this high school used to be the dumpster of the town" (ok that last one is actually pretty fuckin crazy. look into the history of ur cities' most dangerous/sketchy areas, there's patterns sometimes that click into place). something about stuff "having history" and me being part of a wider network across "the fourth" dimension is kinda cool to me
Your thoughts about influencing are why I stopped blogging. I started blogging in 2010 before it took off as a major way to earn money. Then, it professionalized. I found to compete, I imagined projects for the "audience" and might make good Pinterest pins. But I didn't want to live with these things! Many of them were tossed in the garbage, or they're in boxes in the basement, or they were gifted to others who probably didn't want them either! I got pictures on vacations for the blog and the Instagram "audience" but not for ME. I started thinking about home projects, clothes, more trips, etc. not for ME but what I think an audience wants to see. I decided to go back to LIVING LIFE FOR MYSELF. I mean, I was never even a person who needed friends to go in dressing rooms with me! I never asked what people thought. I did what I liked. But online influencing changed my brain. It was a slow creep and at some point I crossed a line to worrying too much about what others thought.
I really appreciate your style of production ❤ Please don't feel like you have to do something just for a video, many people love the natural everyday stuff you show ❤
That is the only poem I know by heart, didn’t even memorize it intentionally, it just stuck with me and is repeated, mostly silently and has kept me good company over my 67 years. 💜
Probably heard it said... but it's easier if you melt your wax over a candle! And you'll stamp will come out cleaner if your seal is cold before you use it!
The fact that you showed us so many candles around your immediate proximity and then proceeded to use a lighter is just the most Caroline energy and I live for it
Loved the ending! It shows that you don't need a special Christmas themed video to get in a festive / sentimental mood 🌲❄ Nothing wrong with staying authentic 🫶
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy evening by Robert Frost is one of my all time favorite poems. It has an endearing place in my childhood because I carefully chose then memorized and recited this poem to my 4th grade class for extra credit. You mentioning it here brought a flood of happy memories of things I loved then and actually still love today. (I'm 61yrs. now) Thank you for always sharing who you really are. It's your warm heart and authentic self that connects with us.❤️
Letter writing and the accoutrements used to be quite a thing. And people started to learn the art/skill in early childhood. I think it's a worthwhile thing, really. I admire this about you, keep it up! And absolutely those you love will make keepsakes of it all. Maybe some great great grandchild of yours will frame and hang it on the wall. Plus it's just cool, really really cool!
I haven’t written a handwritten letter in decades, but there was something satisfying in taking pains to write neatly on pretty stationery. And I remember when those wax seals were all the rage.
The cricut and letter writing segments were the hygge I needed tonight. Glad you made yourself one of those gorgeous amber glasses, and the instrumental christmas music was totally subtle winter!
So beautiful, Caroline. I hope all my students see this and understand how cool a poem can be. And that one -- so life affirming -- in the darkest hours, we have promises to keep -- a connection with someone else, or a promise to ourselves -- and these promises keep us going in those dark hours. (Of course, I just wrecked it by analyzing. Those darn teachers...!) But I also need to say that writing a note of gratitude to someone -- an author whose book you cried over, or a teacher who didn't realize the affect they had -- it's one of those promises we should keep. And so life affirming. Happy holidays, Caroline, and thank you for being here.
I don't watch a lot of content because I need to spend my time wisely and be uplifted. Your content Has Lifted my spirits today. You are rare as you cannot be defined into decorating content only. You have a personality of someone I'd want to be friends with. Thank you, the poem brought tears to my eyes as I was planning on looking it up after the video
You appeared for so such long time on my youtube list and I chose to ignore. Now I am so sorry. You are the best Caroline. love your advise on the necessary and unnecessary things in life. :*
Caroline, don't change! Being authentic is what we love about you! Being single, I hate decorating for the holidays mostly because I hate to take it down when they are done. I like simple items I can put up that have meaning to me. The elegant touches in your home and life show who you are. People don't take the time any more to do things like write a letter or use a wax seal. In our fast fashion consumption world, these refined touches are classy and remembered for years to come. I love the thought of speaking a different language if caught on the stoop! Some days I can't stand to watch another makeup video but I watch any way but that is mindless viewing. Your videos are thought provoking and show your emotion intelligence.
Bah I’m glad u relate, I get soooo depressed taking the decor down after new years! I mean, I’m still gonna do it one of these days, but dang what a guaranteed depression 😅
Keep sharing your real life!! I’d much rather watch sporadic videos that still feel authentic to you rather than more content. Appreciate you and your honesty!
I’ve been feeling down and lonely for the past couple of weeks, as I’ve had very little social interactions outside of online meetings (WFH). I’ve found myself enjoying these cosy, realistic videos even more than usual. They’re just so comforting. I hope you keep enjoying and posting these as long as possible, but I’ll stay around whatever you post since everything you do is always on point and inspiring haha Coucou from France 🧡
I also just bought a red frame, influenced by one of your design videos where the red frame was seemingly random but worked so well! My frame is for an art print of a raccoon rubbing his hands together with the text "Please wash your hands" above it, and naturally it hangs in my guest bathroom.
This might just be one of my favourite videos of yours you’ve ever made. Loved the different “chapters”, the arts and crafts, your typical realness and humour, and loooooved the poem reading at the end. ❤
I live in the southern hemisphere where Christmas is in the summer, so "subtle winter" works just as well for me as any other influencer xmas inspo! 😂 It's reassuring that you're wise to the personal peril of influencer culture, feeling like you're contributing to a problem isn't very fun at all! So thanks for the guilt-free viewing 😁❤
The peel & stick looks great but if you're going to use the fireplace, you'll have to remove it because these things are not heatproof. The glue will melt and permanently damage whatever material is underneath it.
Stay authentic! Fabricated content is everywhere. Certainly allowing input from viewers of aspects of your life they'd like to see is helpful. But, there's only one you & that's what your increasing number of subscribers are interested in. You have a refreshing perspective with great delivery. You're intelligent, talented, beautiful & humorous!
This video made me feel very cozy. Then you went and added the montage accompanied by your lovely voice reading that beautiful poem, so now I'm also a little emotional. (But still in a cozy way.)
The comment section here blows my mind. I love reading people’s stories and there is so much heart. The internet has been very good to me and it is a huge gift to comment back
2:15 I love the peel-and-stick around the fireplace! The colors and pattern are so good. I noticed how nice it looked during the intro, and I’m super impressed that you did it yourself
My niece always called me Lala when she was little. My name is Nila, so that makes sense. More confusing is why on the phone people think they hear my name as Marilyn. It's easier to just go with it, so Marilyn is my phone name.
Aw, it’s such a sweet nickname. I’m honored to share it. We always thought it was very sweet and funny that both my younger siblings landed on it, even 6 years apart ❤
P.S. Geez - I'm only at 3:43 minutes in (and can't shut up 🤐!) --- but I'm just imagining the fabulous holiday season Justin is going to have with you, and, your warm, fun & witty family members! Okay - back to the show 👏
how do you feel about not owning a couch? For me personally I feel it takes up too much space and when I have a couch I forget to use my bed. I can fall asleep anywhere. My favorite living room solution in place of a couch or chair was a bean bag. Is this a design "no no" ?
Your viewpoint on decorating really resonates with me this year..idk i'm just not into the consumption and glitz and color this year? I usually watch a lot of christmas content and content of people decorating and none of those resonate with me this year. it just feels excessive and wasteful. what has really been resonating with me is the core feeling of this time of year? like the smell of christmas trees and wreaths, candlelight, hot tea, cocoa, wood and cozy blankets. i just want to knit by the fire while drinking a yummy cup of tea ;) also your cheeks in this video have the most perfect dewy glow. ok that's all.
Hi Caroline! The algorithm Gods brought you to me a few weeks ago because of my love of interior design. Clever buggers they are but I don’t think they knew that I also have a love for humor, laughing, being inspired and moved. A love for DC, fine art, and for beautiful, smart, incredibly talented “kids” like you , cause I have 3 of my own. I have literally stopped watching all other channels so that I could just sit with your company and endlessly enjoy all of those things that bring me joy that you have now brought to me. I’m 58 years old, went through a break-up last year also from a six year relationship and lost my career along with it (we owned restaurants together) I’ve been relating to you on all of those difficult things as well…including dating (golden bachelorette that I am) Your videos have given me the motivation and much needed inspiration to move further from that pain and closer to all that energizes me in life. I can’t thank you enough. Happy Happy New Year. You are a gem and I so look forward to seeing more from you in ‘24.
I don’t understand how we could be so much alike. You say what I’m thinking all the time. The way we decorate and dress is so similar and it’s just bizarre. My sense of humor is exactly the same, like the wife life sweater 😂 exactly the shit I would do. Any way. I am so happy for you with your new Bo! Happy Holidays, Caroline!!
Thank you for all the care you put into this Caroline (and Paige). Great story arc, with honest vulnerability, and girrrl you looked great doing it. The glowing holiday fire is you.
I moved (big down-size) in October and decided not to decorate for Christmas because I just cannot because of this clutter of boxes and stuff looking for places to go. I, just today, received a box of gifts from my son and was arguing with myself about setting up a tree just to put the gifts under them. I decided to just unpack my stocking and be satisfied with that (it’s a sizable stocking). Now that I’ve seen your video (never miss even one) I have to thank you for some more subtle decorations that I think will do the trick. Like putting berries and evergreen stems in the vases I already have on the table and changing the candles to a darker color. THANKS!!
Did I cry when you were writing the note to your violin teacher. Yes. Did I cry again when you dropped it in the mailbox? Also, yes. Do I know why? Not really. Perhaps thinking about how much it will mean to her, and wondering who needs a note from me. Originally, I was here for the design content, and snark, but your brutal honesty is why I stay. I am not your target audience, but your content speaks to me. Thank you.
Thank you for this video! I really love that you talked more about the thumbnails and the RU-vid marketing. ❤ I'm a fellow content creator (although in a completely different niche), I'm super into branding, marketing etc., and I look up to you! Would love to see more content like this on your channel. Happy holidays, A loyal viewer and NFE kook
"...your life can become content...doesn't belong to you anymore...." Glad to see you living your life from the inside out, not turning it into a commodity. Hard to resist that pressure but you're doing it, Caroline! This one felt a bit surprising to me, and touching. Felt in sync with your instincts, inclinations and sensibilities. Good influences. Happy holidays to you.
As somebody who has been thinking a lot lately about how I've been failing on youtube for over 8 years now, this video made me emotional haha. Thank you for being you, Caroline. Your relatability hits on a deep level.
Ahh THANK YOU I’m so excited to share them with the fam. We’re doing secret Santa this year, so I only wanted to do a little mini gift for everyone outside of secret Santa and I think this one will be perfffff
