SARAH AND MICAH'S WEDDING

My friends that have been around for a while might remember that my youngest sister got married last Fall.  I've been anxious to share the photos with you, and my sis finally shared them on her blog, so it's my turn!  I'll share several with you here, but if you're planning a wedding and would like some great ideas, please head over to her blog, First Time Home Byers , for the full round-up. And, for the record, this wedding was 100% Sarah's plan...we just followed her inspiration and directions to make her dream wedding happen!  Everyone pitched in and it was done on a thrifty budget. I did not take ONE single photo myself.  These were all from her talented photographer,  Rhiannon Whinery-Oakes.   From the the decorations to the food to the service to the wedding coordination this was a complete family and friend affair, and we were so busy scurrying around that I didn't have time to breathe!  That was my one regret...I wish I could have ......

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QUIET

For the past few days since I've packed up the Christmas decorations I've had most of my surfaces completely cleaned off. This concept is so foreign and unnatural to me, but it's actually felt like we have room to breathe.  No scooting lamps over each time we need a coaster, propping feet on the two available inches of coffee table, or shuffling things on and off of the kitchen table at every meal time. I think I've enjoyed it the most in the kitchen.  I only have a few things on the counters rather than all of the accessories that are usually there too.  I've actually had lots of room to work...what a concept! Over the next few days I'll be putting things back, but I think I'll be very selective and intentional with what I put on our most used surfaces. I think completely clearing a space provides a great blank slate for a fresh start in your decorating too, allowing you to consider options you may not have realized before. How d......

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CLEAN LIGHT FIXTURES {JUST ONE THING}

I'm enjoying sharing little things that are fast and easy to improve the space around you in my periodic "Just One Thing" series.  You can see a few other installments from the series here and here . If you follow me on Instagram , you caught a little glimpse of the cleaning rampage I was on yesterday.  It doesn't happen often enough, but when it does, watch out!  I focused on the kitchen and sprayed, wiped, vacuumed, and shined every inch!  Which leads us to my "Just One Thing" for this week... Clean your light fixtures! They're hard to get to and easy to overlook, but don't forget that they need a cleaning periodically too.  Yesterday I focused on the kitchen lanterns and the chandy in the breakfast nook.  I wiped them down with a swiffer cloth first to remove the dust and spiderwebs.  If your light has cloth shades, be sure to give them a good vacuuming off.  Then, if you have a fixture with prisms, there's not much more satisfying tha......

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2014 - A LOOK AHEAD

I'm not very good at making goals.  I always have a list in my head of what I want to accomplish, and slowly but surely chip away at that.  However, nothing is ever official because surprise projects pop up and my plans change often! So, here are four biggies that are on my radar this year. 1) My Master Bedroom Makeover.  This is the third year that I've had this on the list.  I've got the plan all designed (in my head!) and we've made an ever so slow start by painting the room and selling old furniture.  I've even got a pretty good stash accumulated of new things I want to use, now it's just a matter of getting busy with the sewing, painting, and arranging!  I'll share the plan with you sometime soon. (a little peek of the paint...everything else needs some attention!)  2) My Son's Room.  Another oh-so-slow work in progress.  It needs a major clean-out, organizing session, and new paint.  I also have an upholstered head......

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2013 - A LOOK BACK

Hi everybody!  Welcome back from a few weeks of holiday celebrations!  Other than the regular family get-togethers, we spent lots of time together doing not much of anything, and we loved it! While most shared their reflections from 2013 last week, I enjoyed a few more days off and am back today with some of my favorite projects and posts from last year. Painted Back Bookshelves Gold  Dipped Legged and Numbered Barstools  (& they're holding up very well!) Craigslist China Cabinet Makeover How to Paint Ceramics Thrift Store Lamp Makeover New Front Yard Landscaping Peacock Tail Blue Dresser Emily's Cake & Movie Birthday Party Habitat Restore Lantern Makeover for the Kitchen My first real upholstery project and our finally finished Dining Room ! I was shocked and beyond excited to be featured in two magazines last year, Ladies' Home Journal and Good Housekeeping! A Simple Summer Tablesc......

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