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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!
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Thou Shall Not Try Me. Mom: 24:7
OMG, would you look at ALL those dam wine corks! Somebody's thirsty!!!
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.
Hello Fall
Family. A Little Bit Of Crazy, A Little Bit Of Loud And A Whole Lot Of Love
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.
Every Family Has A Story. Welcome To Ours
This Is Us. Our Life. Our Story. Our Home
Forever Grateful
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."
What I Love Most About My Home Is Who I Share It With
Gather Here With Grateful Hearts
Drop Anchor With The One You Love
Live More Worry Less
worry less, live more, dont let them know what you're against or what you're for
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.
Fall Sweet Fall
Faith Hope Love
Choose Joy
As For Me And My House We Will Serve Wine. Sip 24:7
Together We Make Family
Bless Our Home
Recipe For Love - A Spoonful Of Smiles, A Pinch Of Laughter, A Jarful Of Joy, 1 Cup Of Kisses, A Handful Of Hugs
Just Livin' Our Best Life
Let Our Lives Be Full Of Both Thanks And Giving
Every Love Story Is Beautiful But Ours Is My Favorite
Give Thanks
This Kitchen Is For Dancing
Grateful. Thankful. Blessed
This woman's single-handedly keeping a Chinese novelty sign manufacturer in business.
Family
Nothing says love like the word family with a friggin arow shot straight through it amiright
In This House: We Do Laughter. We Do Hugs. We Forgive. We Dream Big. We Do Loud. We Do Love. We Do Family
In Our Home Let Love Abide And Bless Those Who Step Inside
Family Gathers Here
Love More Worry Less
I Love You To The Moon And Back
Spread Love Wherever You Go
Every Love Story Is Beautiful But Ours Is My Favorite
Um, she has two different designs with the same phrase? I'm pretty sure you're lost in a TJ Maxx warehouse.
Wine Is To Women As Duct Tape Is To Men... It Fixes Everything
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.
If I had that many signs in my house, I'd have to drink that much wine, too!
you laugh, but this s**t with sayings act like some kind of mantras and works :)
Happiness Is Homemade
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
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 :)
Yes, the overall vibe is one of happiness and gratitude (obviously), and ain't nothing wrong about that!!
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Exactly my thought process. Daaannng…. Biiiiig house.
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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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Just what is it with all these weird race based stereotypes they have in the US?
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?
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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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."
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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Good for her honestly. Whatever makes you happy. Don't be scared to do something just because it might seem silly to other people. :)
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... 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.
He talks a lot of s**t about his sister with him having "fearless" tattooed on his arm!
It's not my taste but I see no reason for putting people down for having different tastes. It seems rather unkind of her brother to do this.
Honestly I know most of its very cliché but if it makes her happy, than good on her! It's all so positive and I think that in itself is special. People are all about manifesting these days, she's choosing to surround herself with positivity and happiness and that's a beautiful thing!
Maybe she needs all the positivity reminders to exist in a world that will slam you for what you enjoy. Let's keep the glares on cruelty
all the decor clutter in thst house gives me anxiety. way too busy
I don't even have that much wall space, let alone that much crap to cover it. And where does all the seasonal stuff got the rest of the yr? Is there a whole room for off season holiday decor?
I know someone who decorates seasonally… keeps it all stored in an attic… whatever makes them happy I guess (but it’s a lot of mass produced crap the planet could do without encouraging IMO!).
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I hate inspirational signs. This house is giving me anxiety from just looking at this photos.
"Here, a cheesy sentence incorrectly attributed to a celebrity. Now, you have no excuse to fail or to be sad."
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I'm glad she's happy. We disagree a LOT on home decor choices (all those signs! all those wine/booze related stuff! all that tan! color, please!!! too many tchatchkes) but i like it when people like their house. that being said, her house looks like the home of a family in a Disney channel teen drama.
A couple of those, ok, but good lord, between the tacky signs and WAY too many pics on the wall everything is just cluttered.
I have a feeling I know people who would do this to their siblings.
Spoiler alert: that guy is Pugsly Addams all grown up and that's Wednesday Addam's house where she never quite got past her teenage rebellious stage against the parents who raised her.
Looks like a really cozy house with a very warm and wholesome theme. The owner could be a Martian and live on Mars and it wouldn't make any difference who lives in the house. Shameless description used only to attract clicks.
Honestly and for real I don't think I could spend 5 minutes in this home without a blindfold
I thought it was cute the first couple I saw, but then this post kept going. My initial feeling of "this is cute" slowly evolved to "Please make it stop!!"
Is this woman a Purchaser for Hobby Lobby & gets to take home all of the samples?
Ok, lots of word art isn't really my taste, but it seems kinda mean to make fun of her home and the things she treasures. I mean, I guess if his sister gave him permission, she's kinda laughing at herself, too, but still. A lot of people like this aesthetic and it seems kinda mean.
Are people REALLY becoming THIS thin-skinned? YES, she is laughing at herself as well (she is very aware of what her brother is doing and follows his channel) and NO, a bit of good natured ribbing about her home decor is far from being "mean"...if you all think THIS is "mean"...I would hate for you to be around actual bullies...
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This c**p is the equivalent of a velvet painting: cheap, ugly, and devoid of meaning. Although if you can find this dreck on clearance it's a good way to acquire frames for things that actually would look good on someone's wall. I put this woman's mental age and decorating sensibility at around 70. She must be customer number one at her local Hobby Lobby.
Work in retail where we sell most, if not all, of the signs seen in the post. I hate it. It's so generic and it all looks the same.
Hate it all personally - luckily I don't live there. I'm sure a lot of people would hate the gothy/weird/eclectic mish-mash of stuff I have all over my home 🤷🏻♀️ How dull life would be if we were all carbon copies of one another
This is the first time that I could NOT get through an entire post. I viewed 10 and scrolled to the comments.Overkill.
Ok, so she's 'basic', or normal and uninspired. But what's his problem? He can't handle 'normal'? Probably not, since he's trying to stand out so much in every photo. He's not much better off. He is trying so hard not to be 'basic', that he has become a cliché himself (wearing something funny oh your head to stand out). I'm more annoyed by him and his attitude, to be honest.
Who is this dude that is politely invited into someone's house to make them a joke? F that guy. It's HER house. Decorate away, woman!!!
Someone who needs that many cliche, happy quotes has some serious insecurities or depression.
Personal taste and preference. Maybe she simply enjoys having them around, and is genuinely a happy, positive person who's nature is reflected in the slightly cliche signs? I doesn't have to be that
Load More Replies... Anyone who feels the need to surround themselves with THAT many affirmations has to have some EXTREME level of insecurity.
probably because that's what bored panda is about.
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everything I hate in one place! A whole bunch of made in china crap in one place. Boring and no imagination.
See your point. Anyone could basically make these for themselves, just a little paint and wood, maybe stencils too.
Load More Replies... 
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 :)
Yes, the overall vibe is one of happiness and gratitude (obviously), and ain't nothing wrong about that!!
Load More Replies... Exactly my thought process. Daaannng…. Biiiiig house.
Load More Replies... 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... Just what is it with all these weird race based stereotypes they have in the US?
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?
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... 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."
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... Good for her honestly. Whatever makes you happy. Don't be scared to do something just because it might seem silly to other people. :)
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... 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.
He talks a lot of s**t about his sister with him having "fearless" tattooed on his arm!
It's not my taste but I see no reason for putting people down for having different tastes. It seems rather unkind of her brother to do this.
Honestly I know most of its very cliché but if it makes her happy, than good on her! It's all so positive and I think that in itself is special. People are all about manifesting these days, she's choosing to surround herself with positivity and happiness and that's a beautiful thing!
Maybe she needs all the positivity reminders to exist in a world that will slam you for what you enjoy. Let's keep the glares on cruelty
all the decor clutter in thst house gives me anxiety. way too busy
I don't even have that much wall space, let alone that much crap to cover it. And where does all the seasonal stuff got the rest of the yr? Is there a whole room for off season holiday decor?
I know someone who decorates seasonally… keeps it all stored in an attic… whatever makes them happy I guess (but it’s a lot of mass produced crap the planet could do without encouraging IMO!).
Load More Replies... I hate inspirational signs. This house is giving me anxiety from just looking at this photos.
"Here, a cheesy sentence incorrectly attributed to a celebrity. Now, you have no excuse to fail or to be sad."
Load More Replies... I'm glad she's happy. We disagree a LOT on home decor choices (all those signs! all those wine/booze related stuff! all that tan! color, please!!! too many tchatchkes) but i like it when people like their house. that being said, her house looks like the home of a family in a Disney channel teen drama.
A couple of those, ok, but good lord, between the tacky signs and WAY too many pics on the wall everything is just cluttered.
I have a feeling I know people who would do this to their siblings.
Spoiler alert: that guy is Pugsly Addams all grown up and that's Wednesday Addam's house where she never quite got past her teenage rebellious stage against the parents who raised her.
Looks like a really cozy house with a very warm and wholesome theme. The owner could be a Martian and live on Mars and it wouldn't make any difference who lives in the house. Shameless description used only to attract clicks.
Honestly and for real I don't think I could spend 5 minutes in this home without a blindfold
I thought it was cute the first couple I saw, but then this post kept going. My initial feeling of "this is cute" slowly evolved to "Please make it stop!!"
Is this woman a Purchaser for Hobby Lobby & gets to take home all of the samples?
Ok, lots of word art isn't really my taste, but it seems kinda mean to make fun of her home and the things she treasures. I mean, I guess if his sister gave him permission, she's kinda laughing at herself, too, but still. A lot of people like this aesthetic and it seems kinda mean.
Are people REALLY becoming THIS thin-skinned? YES, she is laughing at herself as well (she is very aware of what her brother is doing and follows his channel) and NO, a bit of good natured ribbing about her home decor is far from being "mean"...if you all think THIS is "mean"...I would hate for you to be around actual bullies...
Load More Replies... This c**p is the equivalent of a velvet painting: cheap, ugly, and devoid of meaning. Although if you can find this dreck on clearance it's a good way to acquire frames for things that actually would look good on someone's wall. I put this woman's mental age and decorating sensibility at around 70. She must be customer number one at her local Hobby Lobby.
Work in retail where we sell most, if not all, of the signs seen in the post. I hate it. It's so generic and it all looks the same.
Hate it all personally - luckily I don't live there. I'm sure a lot of people would hate the gothy/weird/eclectic mish-mash of stuff I have all over my home 🤷🏻♀️ How dull life would be if we were all carbon copies of one another
This is the first time that I could NOT get through an entire post. I viewed 10 and scrolled to the comments.Overkill.
Ok, so she's 'basic', or normal and uninspired. But what's his problem? He can't handle 'normal'? Probably not, since he's trying to stand out so much in every photo. He's not much better off. He is trying so hard not to be 'basic', that he has become a cliché himself (wearing something funny oh your head to stand out). I'm more annoyed by him and his attitude, to be honest.
Who is this dude that is politely invited into someone's house to make them a joke? F that guy. It's HER house. Decorate away, woman!!!
Someone who needs that many cliche, happy quotes has some serious insecurities or depression.
Personal taste and preference. Maybe she simply enjoys having them around, and is genuinely a happy, positive person who's nature is reflected in the slightly cliche signs? I doesn't have to be that
Load More Replies... Anyone who feels the need to surround themselves with THAT many affirmations has to have some EXTREME level of insecurity.
probably because that's what bored panda is about.
Load More Replies... everything I hate in one place! A whole bunch of made in china crap in one place. Boring and no imagination.
See your point. Anyone could basically make these for themselves, just a little paint and wood, maybe stencils too.
Load More Replies... 