It's been no secret that I've had a hard time keeping the blog updated and current with all of our house projects these last few months. It feels like I blinked, and the last blog post I published is now over two months old! That honestly wasn't my intention, and I've been trying to make my way back to blogging. Remodeling the house has come to a pretty slow roll as we've both been overwhelmed with a very busy and demanding work schedule. When I moved out of my home last year, the blog was forced to take a back seat, and I started a full time job that left little to no time for writing new blog posts. Like anything, blogging takes time, energy and creativity. All of those things ...
Blogging
Moving Forward
I'm always amazed at how much things change... a year ago I was so unsure of what my future would look like, I could hardly move. For the longest time I sat there, frozen in fear... afraid to make a move, and worried that whatever step I took next, would be the wrong one. Fear nearly ate me alive. Today though, I'm looking back at last year in disbelief of how much everything has changed. In my last post I shared why I've been silent for so long, and all the hardship I've been through. And it was hard... the hardest time of my life. I didn't have a clue what was going to come from it, or how God could possibly bring me out of it and into a fresh new start, but He did. He's truly in the ...
Creating Our New Home Office
Happy New Year! I didn't intend to take last week off, but we've been so very busy working on new projects, I didn't want to over extend myself by trying to get the blog caught up with new posts. Slacker blogger, I know. Lots of new stuff to come though, I can promise you that! I have big plans for the new year. I have high expectations. 2016... wasn't great. It was tough in several ways and I very much was looking forward to a fresh, clean slate. Anthony and I have been prioritizing several areas in our home that need to function and work better for us. At the top of the list, our home office. If you're a long time reader, you know I've been working on our office, or trying to work on it ...
A Touch Of Farmhouse Charm
Blogging often has a way of bringing the most unexpected things to life. Things we never imagine happening, can, and often do happen. There's the opportunity of being published in magazines, being recognized by companies, launching product lines, writing books, etc., etc., etc. They all start out as dreams... as something we love to think about happening, but never think it actually will. Blogging has a funny way of making those things possible. Today, I want to share one of my sweetest friends and her new book, A Touch Of Farmhouse Charm with you. Please note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which allows us to make a small commission from your purchase, but your ...
A Very Heavy Heart
Life often throws obstacles our way... and in those moments of severe sadness, anger and uncertainty, we'll find things we never expected. Today, I come to you with a very heavy heart... a heart that breaks with sadness. A very dear friend of mine (one of my best friends), and the sweet heart behind all of our wonderful sewing projects, and pillows, is going through a very hard time. Her husband has recently been diagnosed with cancer. He's 27 years old. They have a sweet, sweet two year old boy, and have known their fair share of grief as they've over come numerous miscarriages, with the most recent being right before Christmas of last year. Their sadness broke my heart then, but it ...
It’s Makeover Week!
I have something fun in store for you this week. :) I've been working on a fun makeover for my mom, and we finally got it finished! She and my dad went on a vacation right in the middle of working on her office, and I decided to finish the room for them. My dad knew what was going on, but my mom didn't! She was fully expecting to get back from vacation and come home to a mess, not just in one room, but several others because of the overflow from her office. When she left, we had a few projects finished, but there were twice that many to finish while she was gone. She had no idea what hit her when she got home! First, let's go over the back story of this room. It used to be ...
Husband VS Wife Styling Competition
If you enjoyed our post on Wednesday, you're going to love this one! After I asked Anthony all of those questions, I knew I wanted to put him to the ultimate blogging test... styling something. I mean, that's one thing us bloggers know how to do best. We style stuff. So, that's what he did, and we have a little Husband VS Wife Styling competition going on... And I have to say he did absolutely amazing! If you remember right, the last question of our q&a was all about him defining his own style... What would you say your style is, and how does it differ from Shayna’s style? My style is rustic, and I like stained wood. Shayna likes to paint everything when it ...
Blogging From My Better Half: His Perspective
Oh man, today's post is a fun one! If you've ever wondered what Anthony thinks about the blog, this one is for you! :) A while back I thought it would be really fun to ask Anthony about his thoughts on this whole blogging thing. Some of them are maybe even questions you would like to ask him, if given the opportunity. And because we live on a real farm, I thought it would be awesome to include my fellow farm blogging friend, Liz from Love Grows Wild. You probably know exactly who she is, because she totally rocks at blogging, but if you don't, you are absolutely missing out on her amazing blog. We have so much in common, and I cherish her friendship, so what better way ...
Your Questions, Answered!
Thank you all so very much for adding your questions to our Q & A post. I loved reading your questions, and I have listed my answers below. :) There were several similar questions, so I bundled them together in one big answer. Question: How do you decide what materials and/or colors to use in your home? Do you just try to picture it in your head, or do you sketch it out? Answer: This is such a great question! I know how hard it can be to decide on a color scheme, or a flow of items throughout your home. I think my best answer, would be to follow your gut and to use colors, furniture, etc. that you love. No matter what anyone else says, your home is yours. Fill it ...
A Little Q&A, Today! :)
My post title rhymes... A little Q&A, today! :) A while back (years ago...), I opened up the blog to take your questions. I thought today it would be fun to let you ask away again! If you've had any questions about Anthony and I, the blog, the business, our house/ DIY stages or projects, paint colors, food, family, the farm, design, etc., leave them in the comment section below, or send me an e-mail. Next Friday I'll share the questions and answers on the blog. Looking forward to reading your questions! :) ...
The View From Our Home
First, I want to thank you all for the amazing comments about my goals for 2016. Your support is such a wonderful, powerful, and beautiful thing. From the bottom of my heart, thank you! Today, I wanted to share the view from our home. The other night, I walked out of my office from a long day of work, and froze at the view from our breakfast nook window. The sun was setting, the cows were grazing, and in that moment, an incredible peace washed over me. And then I grabbed my camera to capture it. :) I am constantly amazed at how incredibly beautiful our surroundings are. In the summer, I love to take long walks just soaking in the beauty of it all. Some love the scenes of a ...
My Goals For 2016
Hi friends! :) I know it's been a bit quiet around here. With The Vintage Whites Market at the beginning of the new year, I always turn my full attention to the market... and then when we get home, I am exhausted. I've taken the past few days/ week off, and it's been amazing. You can only do so many things before the tank runs low. That was my case... My tank was lowwww. Today, I wanted to talk about my goals for 2016. I have a few things I would like to spend more time focusing on, and things I would like to change. I'm not a person who makes "resolutions", but instead, a list of things I would like to improve on. And since we're still in January (this month has ...
Magazine Feature!
I have some very exciting news today... Our home has been featured in a magazine! :) Oh my gosh... Our home can be found in the January 2016 edition of Romantic Homes! There are parts of the blogging world that still blow me away. I have made some amazing friends I talk to on a weekly basis, if not more, I've worked with brands I love, and I've seen my home and projects in print. It's an amazing journey. There's something powerful about seeing your home in a magazine. It warms your heart, swallows you with pride... and seems a bit surreal. For years I have read home decor magazines. At night, I like to curl up and browse through the glossy pages, dreaming as I go. To see ...
New Blog Pictures
I'm sharing more of our new blog pictures today. It was time for an update and refresh, and I couldn't be happier with our new images! With the new site design, and our online shop coming in just a few weeks (whoa!!) :) , I decided we definitely needed some new images of me, and Anthony and I. My old head shot was a bit dated, and I know that image is what you know of me. It's really the only "picture" you see of me, and I'd like it to be a real representation. Even though, taking pictures isn't really my favorite thing to do... I get a bit awkward. :) For our new images, I asked a very dear friend, (and someone who is ridiculously talented) Patrice from Patrice Neil Photography. I ...
Online Shop Update
I know you’ve probably been wondering about the online shop, and what the latest is with everything. First, let me apologize for not mentioning it, or sharing any recent updates. Today, that changes. I am happy to report, we are still opening the shop. I have received so many questions, comments and concerns regarding the status, and timing, and I want to alleviate any concerns about the online shop. It is definitely happening! In fact, the first stage of getting the website ready, was a new site design. It's here! Our new branding, new pictures, new everything! :) This blogging journey has been completely unexpected in the most wonderful ways. I have experienced accomplishments I ...
Natural Accents
I am so very excited to share one of my sweet friends today. Stacy from Not Just A Housewife is a super sweetie. Having actually met her in person, I was instantly drawn to her happy and welcoming spirit. AND, she just wrote and launched the sale of her very own hard, real, and very amazing book, Natural Accents. Among other things, Stacy and I share a really solid core in decorating: using natural and outdoor elements. It's no secret I love to create a new project for the house, and Stacy has filled her book with original, one of a kind ideas. I absolutely loved looking through her book. So many things caught my eye, and I was instantly thinking of how I could put my own spin on ...
How To Start A Blog
There are several questions I receive frequently, and one of those is, "How do I start a blog?". I totally get it. It's such an amazing way to share your creativity, whether that be cooking, crafting, DIY projects, kid crafts, etc., blogging is a fabulous outlet to share those ideas that start to boil over. It's also an amazing way to document your journey, be it your new home, first time apartment, or your marriage. The topics for blogging are endless. When I first started blogging 3 years ago, I wasn't sure exactly what it was. I had a general idea, but there were so many details that I had no idea even existed. I started the blog as a way to share the journey of building our home with ...
Joss & Main Home Tour And Sale!
I have some very exciting news I've been keeping quiet for a few months... Joss & Main is sharing my home tour & sale on their website! :-D A while back I sent them pictures of our home all dolled up for spring... And they based an entire sale, with my help, off of our home! You can shop the look on their site starting tonight! Just click here to sign up, view the sale, and purchase some of your own home goodies! Here's a little sneak peek at a few of my favorites... There are plenty of cozy textures, warm & crisp neutrals, perfect touches of pattern, and pops of spring color! I can't wait for you to see the full sale! It's lovely and full of things ...
Reader Survey- Your answers needed!
I can't even begin to tell you all just how much Anthony and I appreciate your positive feedback and lovely comments from our Vintage Whites Market recap. Throughout so much of this journey, we've really had no idea what to expect. Blogging is such an interesting business, and it's hard to know just how much you're impacting those who stop by to read your words and share a part of their day. It's an honor for each of you to care so much about Anthony and I, and our future. So many of you have asked that we start an online shop & keep growing. And, I can honestly say, we are in the beginning process of this! I'll be sharing more soon! When I started this journey a few years ago, I ...
Merry Christmas!
Hi friends! Sorry for my absence this last week. I wasn't intending on it, but one thing led to another, and each day seemed to fly by faster than the previous one! Plus, I figured I should probably do some Christmas shopping since I had done absolutely zero. Whew! I hope you're doing fabulous and enjoying this amazing Holiday season. Between getting ready for the Vintage Whites Market, which is January 9th & 10th (Yikes), finishing projects, and enjoying all the Christmas traditions that we do as a family, this has been a busy time of year for us. And, I had to make time to decorate cookies... Especially little stockings for Anthony and I... And, other than Christmas ...
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Hi there friends! :-D I wanted to stop by and wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! Anthony and I will be spending the day, and the rest of the week with family! Sending lots of love your way! THANK YOU for reading! :-D ...
