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This Guy Documents His “Basic White Sister’s” House, And It Keeps Hitting Every Checkmark Of That ‘Live Laugh Love’ Life
If you enjoyed Bo Burnham's song 'White Woman's Instagram,' this TikTok series will probably strike a chord with you as well. It's like a sequel to the hit from 'Inside' and explores the same theme — the life of a modern (American) white woman — only from a different perspective. Her personal space.
Makeup artist and internet personality John Michael Baker has been releasing videos where he invites people to take a tour of his "basic white sister's" home. The walls in her cozy place are covered with pretty much every variation of the "live, laugh, love" sign you can imagine, and John is ready to introduce every last one of them. Continue scrolling and step inside!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Thou Shall Not Try Me. Mom: 24:7
Ann Coffman 4 years ago
OMG, would you look at ALL those dam wine corks! Somebody's thirsty!!!
Adrienne Kushner 4 years ago
I really, really dislike words on walls and pillows and other stuff. The only sign you could possible need is an EXIT sign. And then only in a public building. People, stop!
molly cathline 4 years ago
How does his sister keep allowing him to come inside her home? She must feel really comfortable with her cutsieness. Good for her!
julie son 4 years ago (edited)
Her décor choices would not be mine, but in the end I prefer her quotes and choices to the endless exercise of judgements, put downs, and thinly veiled expressions of "I'm so superior in my taste" that most everybody here seems the need to exercise. Amazing how just her living brings the nasty and unkind out in so many people! After all she is not doing anything hurtful to anybody, and I doubt that many people's personal décor would get universal approval. You can be amused without being unkind.
So when did the "live, laugh, love" thing actually begin? While the phrase has often been misattributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, the words were first linked together in a poem called "Success" by Iowan writer Bessie Anderson Stanley in 1904.
The opening line of the poem says: "He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much." It was originally written as the winning entry in an essay contest run by Brown Book Magazine, for which Bessie won a cash prize of $250. The money paid off the mortgage on her house, among other things. When she died in 1952 at the age of 73, the verse was inscribed on her gravestone in Lincoln Cemetery, Kansas.
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#2
Hello Fall
Gabby M 4 years ago
How much you want to bet it's foliage belongs to Sis?
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GoddessOdd 4 years ago
Out back, there must be a barn, stocked with seasonal cringe decor items... I can't even begin to imagine what Christmas looks like ...
#3
Family. A Little Bit Of Crazy, A Little Bit Of Loud And A Whole Lot Of Love
13 4 years ago
Who says it's the livingroom? Could just aa well be the kitchen.
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#4
Hello Sweet Cheeks
The words appeared again in James Joyce's 1939 novel Finnegans Wake. "They lived and laughed and loved and left," Joyce writes.
Fast-forward to present days, and you can even be buried in a "live, laugh, love." C.J Boots casket company in Anderson, Indiana, offers a shabby chic-styled coffin with the words on the inside.
#5
Every Family Has A Story. Welcome To Ours
RandomBeing 4 years ago (edited)
I'd knock stuff over accidentally so often
Load More Replies... #6
This Is Us. Our Life. Our Story. Our Home
13 4 years ago
Hurl. There's just... too many. And this isn't even ON something. Overkill. Making me nauseous.
Ann Coffman 4 years ago
I like this one. Very lovely and sentimental to go with the group wedding photo.
Anita Pickle 4 years ago (edited)
Maybe they get a sign with every 10th bottle of wine purchased
Diane Phillips-Herman 4 years ago
Now we know where all the corks come from in the other picture!
Pudgy Panda 4 years ago
As long as she is happy with her home decor, no one else’s opinion matters.
#7
Forever Grateful
Roman Hans 4 years ago (edited)
This whole post is making fun of upper-middle-class white women who buy these home decor items with inspirational sayings on them. Maybe the critics are saying: if you’re spending money saying how spiritual you are, are you really spiritual? Me, I see people who are trying but are on a different path, so I see this as mean.
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Raven DeathShade 4 years ago
Then you're not as basic as you thought honey ;). Either try harder or find another label XD.
Load More Replies...Owner Chris Boots says that in the three years since they came up with the design, it has become one of their most popular. "We've found that our customers really like the option of this casket, it’s a more of a whitewashed look which is a popular style; but the quote is extremely popular too," Boots tells Refinery29, adding that he has never seen anything similar on the market.
"We’re pretty creative here, they’re very bespoke: they sell for around $1,500-$2,500."
#8
What I Love Most About My Home Is Who I Share It With
Milla Leino 4 years ago
I'm willing to bet that the lady has "grateful" tattooed on her lol
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Contrariwise 4 years ago
Based on that "Fearless" tattoo, her taste must have rubbed off on him
Luchian Alex 4 years ago
Seeing a pattern in the family though. That fearless tattoo is something.
#9
Gather Here With Grateful Hearts
GoddessOdd 4 years ago
I have a friend who has a similar addiction. She's a stay at home mom. While the kids are in school, she visits Home Goods
Patrik Litauszky 4 years ago
Is it just me, or that "gr" is kinda looks like a capital "H"? At first, i read "gather here with Hateful hearts.
#10
Drop Anchor With The One You Love
Thorfin Wolfsbane 4 years ago
I don't want to nit-pick here but his shirt is of Scream. I'm pretty sure The Scream is a famous painting. (Just kidding, I totally want to nit-pick :)
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#11
Live More Worry Less
SeaMonster 4 years ago
worry less, live more, dont let them know what you're against or what you're for
GoddessOdd 4 years ago
Yeah. I was really worried, but one look at this, and I'm just going to live now. I need to find a "Just Get A House" for my friends facing eviction...
Panda Kicki 4 years ago
In Sweden the style in this post is called "White witch", saying if you dont watch out the WW will replace your stuff with cheesy nonsense qoutes and a lot of candles :D
While some people roll their eyes at the idea of decorating coffins with inspirational quotes, many, like John's sister, are perfectly okay with putting them all over their homes.
Online home store Wayfair, for example, stocks over 56K "live, laugh, love" products.
A representative for the company revealed that wall stickers are selling the best. "It’s a fun, affordable, and flexible temporary alternative to wallpaper," they said.
#12
Fall Sweet Fall
Pamela Scott 4 years ago
Wonder if she has crates stored that have spring, summer and winter waiting for there turn?
Naomi Cline 4 years ago
All this decor changing for the seasons is exhausting! Who has time for that?? 2-3x/yr tops!!! Not every month!!!
#13
Faith Hope Love
Thorfin Wolfsbane 4 years ago
Naw, evangelicals only need faith alone. Hope and love be damned.
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#14
Choose Joy
RandomBeing 4 years ago
I'm afraid to ask how many white teachers ur school had
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#15
As For Me And My House We Will Serve Wine. Sip 24:7
Thorfin Wolfsbane 4 years ago
I imagine by the 24th chapter of the Book of Sip, it starts to just sound like slurred nonsense.
Shelley DuVal 4 years ago
yup, me too, thought it was a picture of corks.
Load More Replies... #16
Together We Make Family
#17
Bless Our Home
Thorfin Wolfsbane 4 years ago (edited)
how could it possibly be a Basic White Woman style without random baskets!?
Load More Replies... GoddessOdd 4 years ago
I have to admit I am a tiny bit disappointed that there is no "Bless this Mess" sign. Maybe that is part of the spring line...
#18
Recipe For Love - A Spoonful Of Smiles, A Pinch Of Laughter, A Jarful Of Joy, 1 Cup Of Kisses, A Handful Of Hugs
-cipher_the_dream_demon- 4 years ago (edited)
Actually, the best recipe is three spleens, five eyeballs, a pinch of salt, and a cup of blood. Heat on the stove at 65 degrees Celsius, and stir well.
Orion C. 4 years ago
Recipe for Love: A spoonful of smiles, a pinch of LA, a jarful of JU, 1 cup of KISSE, and a handful of hugs. I don't know what LA tastes like.
Joann Casey 4 years ago
on the evidence presented a cellar full of wine is all that is needed.
#19
Just Livin' Our Best Life
#20
Let Our Lives Be Full Of Both Thanks And Giving
#21
Every Love Story Is Beautiful But Ours Is My Favorite
Gabby M 4 years ago
That needs to go ALL of that floor stuff ...I will not pick all that up every time I need to vacuum!!!
Something Different 4 years ago
Bet she doesn't think ALL love stories are beautiful. *glances at my fellow gays*
Will Cipher 4 years ago
Tammy and Chris. Wow. Those aren't overused names at all. (Sorry to anyone who is named Tammy and/or Chris!)
Jo87 4 years ago (edited)
Spoiler Alert: the husband pays hookers to whip him and the kids are in juvie
#22
Give Thanks
#23
This Kitchen Is For Dancing
#24
Let's Stay Home
#25
Grateful. Thankful. Blessed
Mike Stavola 4 years ago
This woman's single-handedly keeping a Chinese novelty sign manufacturer in business.
GoddessOdd 4 years ago
I am going to have "inspiration overload". That must be what all the wine is for.
#26
Family
RandomBeing 4 years ago
Nothing says love like the word family with a friggin arow shot straight through it amiright
#27
In This House: We Do Laughter. We Do Hugs. We Forgive. We Dream Big. We Do Loud. We Do Love. We Do Family
RandomBeing 4 years ago
The fact that not every statement begins with "we do" is the worst part for me
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helen anderson 4 years ago
It's a sign nightmare!!! Way tooo many and exhausting! It's the same words just put in different order!
Ann Coffman 4 years ago
So's the dictionary, but I see what you mean. It's kinda monotone too. WAY too much beige!
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#28
In Our Home Let Love Abide And Bless Those Who Step Inside
RandomBeing 4 years ago
All these signs start to scare me kind of like how the south does. Its very friendly and I'm suspicious of whats underneath.
J.A. Rogers 4 years ago
You mean I've spent decades wracking my brain for ideas and painstakingly designing *good* signs and T-shirts and stuff, and this crap is what sells? I don't know if I should quit, or just make stupid, throwaway garbage like this.
GoddessOdd 4 years ago
Am I the only one who thinks it's funny that he has "fearless" on his arm? I hope it's not the beginning of hundreds and hundreds of motivational tattoos.
#29
Family Gathers Here
Hermione 4 years ago
Doesn’t every family gather round the microwave? Isn’t it just the natural place?
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#30
Love More Worry Less
Lydia Thurber 4 years ago
Probably himself. It said at the beginning he's a make up artist.
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#31
I Love You To The Moon And Back
Isabel Care 4 years ago
Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder. Not drunk enough to like you yet. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, please leave and don't return
Tenacious Squirrel 4 years ago
I see this phrase SO often, it’s usually people saying it about their kids.
#32
Spread Love Wherever You Go
Scagsy 4 years ago
I think she likes them and totally lacks any sense of self-awareness. Sadly, there are people like that out there. One day, perhaps there will be a cure but for now, thoughts and prayers, people. Thoughts and prayers.
Load More Replies... Isabel Care 4 years ago
I'll spread havoc and a little giggling. Imagine Tigger in a powered wheelchair
Naomi Cline 4 years ago
That message can be taken in very different ways. Love and penicillin!
#33
Every Love Story Is Beautiful But Ours Is My Favorite
Dan Buczynski 4 years ago
Um, she has two different designs with the same phrase? I'm pretty sure you're lost in a TJ Maxx warehouse.
Ann Coffman 4 years ago
Pretty close, but not exactly the same. I'd be on my way to snoozeville by now.
Load More Replies... Scagsy 4 years ago
She has to keep reminding herself that she loves her spouse. Must be written in the stars.
Load More Replies... #34
Wine Is To Women As Duct Tape Is To Men... It Fixes Everything
Linda 4 years ago
Maybe she'd buy less signs, if she cut back on the booze. There's also no shame in putting half of these in your attic and switching them out seasonally instead of putting everything you've ever seen on your wall at the same time. One plus though. When she goes to downsize to a smaller home, she can sell 1/3 of her signs and use the money as a down payment on a new house.
Mary Tonningsen 4 years ago
If I had that many signs in my house, I'd have to drink that much wine, too!
#35
Happiness Is Homemade
Joanna Werman 4 years ago
Well, either your sister feels like her life needs captioning, or the family having seen one or two in these home have been gifting them creating this monstrosity
Alessandra McIntosh 4 years ago
I just keep thinking of having to dust/clean this place...like...how? It would take all day!
Erika Jones 4 years ago
What that house needs is a good goth-wearing anarchy-loving rebellious teen.
GoddessOdd 4 years ago
apparently, happiness is mostly purchased on sale at Home Goods, TJ Maxx . . .
So far, the series has at least 5 videos
@johnmichaelbaker Welcome to my basic white sister’s home. #whitegirl #whitehouse #basic #farmhousedecor #inspirationalquotes #funny #lol #viral #fyp
♬ original sound - John Michael Baker
@johnmichaelbakerWelcome to my basic white sister’s home: Part 2! #whitegirl #whitehouse #basic #farmhousedecor #inspirationalquotes #funny #lol #viral #fyp♬ original sound - John Michael Baker
@johnmichaelbakerWelcome to my basic white sister’s home: Part 3! #whitegirl #whitehouse #basic #farmhousedecor #inspirationalquotes #funny #lol #viral #fyp♬ original sound - John Michael Baker
And over 14 million combined views
@johnmichaelbakerWelcome to my basic white sister’s home: Part 4! #whitegirl #whitehouse #basic #farmhousedecor #inspirationalquotes #funny #lol #viral #fyp♬ original sound - John Michael Baker
@johnmichaelbakerWelcome to my basic white sister’s home: Part 5! FALL EDITION! 🍁🎃🍂 #basic #whitegirl #fall #pumpkinspice #farmhousedecor #funny #lol #viral♬ original sound - John Michael Baker
Here's what John's followers have been saying about them
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What do you think ?
Happy_Pandalover 4 years ago
The photos are funny. But there‘s nothing wrong with her „being a basic girl“. Her Home looks clean and nice. Obviously she likes to take care of it and decoration. If she actually means what is written in the decoration, she must be a happy person. Good for her :)
Ann Coffman 4 years ago
Yes, the overall vibe is one of happiness and gratitude (obviously), and ain't nothing wrong about that!!
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Cayna Louise 4 years ago
Exactly my thought process. Daaannng…. Biiiiig house.
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Aliquid 4 years ago
I think it is very safe to say that 90% of people who buy those products are white women. Why do mostly white women buy these things? Good question. But what art people like is very much an expression of their culture.
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William Teach 4 years ago
First, how appropriate is it to put this out on the web, subjecting the woman to ridicule? Second, some in the comments seem to be shaming her for the messages, rather than showing tolerance. What the woman does in her home is her business, and isn't hurting anyone. Third, just image this was a "basic black woman's" home: imagine the cries of racism. Is it appropriate to demean this woman in this way?
Kari Panda 4 years ago
Completely agree with you. I would absolutely not want my home to be cluttered with this stuff, but who are we to judge her? She‘s not hurting anyone, it’s her home, she can decorate it in whichever way she enjoys.
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Martha Meyer 4 years ago
Just what is it with all these weird race based stereotypes they have in the US?
lara 4 years ago
I think this whole idea of making fun of "basic white woman's decorations" is as racist as making fun of a "basic black woman's decorations" or a "basic Asian woman's decorations."
Ozacoter 4 years ago
It is and its really unhealthy for our society. Nobody should be made fun of because of their looks no matter if their skin is dark or pale.
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banana 4 years ago
Good for her honestly. Whatever makes you happy. Don't be scared to do something just because it might seem silly to other people. :)
Beans 4 years ago
This should be upvoted more. Stuff like this ridicule makes people afraid to get out there and be themselves and like what they like. Honestly it's wrong.
Load More Replies... ThoughtsAreNotFacts 4 years ago
Definitely a theme here. It's all positive, which I like... There are a LOT of signs and plaques, but I like her messaging in her home.
Happy_Pandalover 4 years ago
The photos are funny. But there‘s nothing wrong with her „being a basic girl“. Her Home looks clean and nice. Obviously she likes to take care of it and decoration. If she actually means what is written in the decoration, she must be a happy person. Good for her :)
Ann Coffman 4 years ago
Yes, the overall vibe is one of happiness and gratitude (obviously), and ain't nothing wrong about that!!
Load More Replies... Cayna Louise 4 years ago
Exactly my thought process. Daaannng…. Biiiiig house.
Load More Replies... Aliquid 4 years ago
I think it is very safe to say that 90% of people who buy those products are white women. Why do mostly white women buy these things? Good question. But what art people like is very much an expression of their culture.
Load More Replies... William Teach 4 years ago
First, how appropriate is it to put this out on the web, subjecting the woman to ridicule? Second, some in the comments seem to be shaming her for the messages, rather than showing tolerance. What the woman does in her home is her business, and isn't hurting anyone. Third, just image this was a "basic black woman's" home: imagine the cries of racism. Is it appropriate to demean this woman in this way?
Kari Panda 4 years ago
Completely agree with you. I would absolutely not want my home to be cluttered with this stuff, but who are we to judge her? She‘s not hurting anyone, it’s her home, she can decorate it in whichever way she enjoys.
Load More Replies... Martha Meyer 4 years ago
Just what is it with all these weird race based stereotypes they have in the US?
lara 4 years ago
I think this whole idea of making fun of "basic white woman's decorations" is as racist as making fun of a "basic black woman's decorations" or a "basic Asian woman's decorations."
Ozacoter 4 years ago
It is and its really unhealthy for our society. Nobody should be made fun of because of their looks no matter if their skin is dark or pale.
Load More Replies... banana 4 years ago
Good for her honestly. Whatever makes you happy. Don't be scared to do something just because it might seem silly to other people. :)
Beans 4 years ago
This should be upvoted more. Stuff like this ridicule makes people afraid to get out there and be themselves and like what they like. Honestly it's wrong.
Load More Replies... ThoughtsAreNotFacts 4 years ago
Definitely a theme here. It's all positive, which I like... There are a LOT of signs and plaques, but I like her messaging in her home.
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