Moments in Real Life {Using Photography to Find Beauty in the Every Day}

Sometimes I think there is just too much "put together perfectness" on the internet. And then we can start believing our messy, real life lives are less than. Not as good. Just don't measure up. I do this. Often. Too often.

I remember telling my sister-in-law awhile back that when I look at my stove and it's dirty, all that I hear inside my mind is "Failure!" As if it were a measure of judgment on my character. I feel that way when I see laundry piled up, toys strewn all over the living room, dishes overflowing in the sink, etc. A failure because every moment of my life doesn't look picture perfect like the photos I scroll through on Pinterest and Instagram and blogs.

Her response to my messy stove, "I think it means you're normal."

Don't get me wrong. I love those pictures. Heck, I even share those pictures. I am often very inspired by seeing those pictures. But after awhile…something else happens. I get off of my phone or computer, look around and feel disappointment. That this life I have here isn't "all together" like it appears to be for others through those images. Those seconds when, an often staged, photograph was taken. Not real life.

This has inspired me to try something different. Something real.

Taking Great Vacation Photos with an iPhone

Vacation season is upon us! And if you are like me, no doubt you will want to capture some great shots to remember your trip. But what if you don't want to lug around your DSLR or other camera the whole time? Can you really capture quality memories with just a phone camera?

Last month, my family and I went on vacation to Myrtle Beach. I shared some photos taken with my DSLR here, but the majority of the time, I just kept my phone handy, so I didn't have to be bogged down by stuff while we were out having fun. I currently have an iPhone 4S (*affiliate link), which is not even that great as far as quality, graininess and megapixels, yet I still managed to preserve our vacation memories and document our trip without having to get my camera gear out all the time.

Inspire Me DIY Instagram Challenge {and a stairway wall update}

Today, I am participating in an Instagram challenge, hosted by Kennesha of Restoration House Interiors, called Inspire Me DIY. The point being to choose a project that has long been on our list of "to dos" or "to trys" and get it done, while inspiring others to do the same. We shared our 'befores' and progress photos throughout the week on Instagram and are sharing our 'after' reveals today!

I know I could have chosen one of the more fun things on my list of to dos, like a cool DIY craft, but I decided to do something (or at least begin to finish something) that I have been putting off for awhile. A home improvement project.

DIY Yarn Art

For quite some time now, I have been enamored with the art of weaving. I even started my first project on a diy cardboard loom (you can see my start here on Instagram) and then I just recently purchased my first wooden loom (This one– *affiliate link). I can't wait to dive in and try it. Even though the skill of weaving is time consuming, I find it relaxing and very enjoyable.

But…I also love instant gratification, so today, I have an easy project that takes all of fifteen minutes or so and gives the look and feel of textile art without all of the work.

Boho Chic Thrift Store Placemat Throw Pillow

Last February, I had the privilege of guest posting for me sweet friend Amy of Delineate Your Dwelling. I shared a simple DIY tutorial on how I turned some dated, thrift store placemats into a cute, boho style throw pillow. Since, I am still just getting back into the swing of things since the death of my grandfather, I am resharing this post with you today. I hope to have some new posts for you next week!

Here is the original post:

Thrift Store Swap Makeover – #SwapItLikeItsHot 3

When I was invited to another round of Ciburbanity's #SWAPITLIKEITSHOT blog hop, I jumped at the chance. If there is one thing I love, it is the challenge of making over other people's unwanted stuff ;). Thirty-three bloggers went out and purchased items at thrift stores, flea markets, etc. for under $15 and sent them to another who then had the chance to give the item(s) a makeover or decorate with in some way. This round was especially fun, because I received my items from my friend Jennifer of Town and Country Living. I couldn't wait to see what she was going to send me!

If you are visiting from Jennifer's blog, welcome! Be sure to head back and visit her if you haven't! Today, is day four, so if you have missed any of the other bloggers' posts, you will find their links at the end. Loads of makeover goodness awaits you!

DIY Abstract Art “Masterpieces” on Canvas {Crafting with Your Kids No. 2}

Well, it's no secret I love art. All kinds of art. And I love sharing this passion with my children. Today, I have a simple and fun project that my two littles ones (Hazel & Owen) worked on with a little bit of help from me. We collaborated on these pieces to make abstract art masterpieces (in our humble opinion) to decorate our home.

I love coming up with projects or artwork that both parents and children can work on together, to create new decor for the home. This is one such project and is the second "official" post in my Crafting with Your Kids Series. This has been a long time coming, as my kids and I made these at the end of the summer. I used them in our decor in late September as part of a mantel vignette. They have moved around our home since then, but are special pieces that I love displaying.

Thrift Store Etc. Sign Makeover

Last year, I shared a quirky sign during my fall living room tour that I had picked up from a thrift store and made over. I wanted to get this before and after post up much sooner, but you know how it goes. This transformation was so easy and was the first time that I used black spray paint for a decor piece. And I love it! It was the perfect choice. I have really grown to love adding black accent pieces throughout my home.

Five to ten years ago, I would not have considered painting this sign anything other than white (or maybe pink when I went through that phase for a couple of years). But now, I am always considering the piece itself and what it speaks to me.

DIY Tribal Inspired Wall Hanging {acrylic paint stamped on drop cloth}

Even though I have been hit with the winter blues, I am forcing myself to try and get creative every day, hoping it might pull me out of my rut. We are buried deep in snow in my neck of the woods, and it is freezing outside, so between the lack of sunshine and being cooped up for months on end, I am not at the top of my game.  Life has been rough. I am working my way through it by decluttering, redecorating certain areas around the house and making some new decor pieces like the one I am going to share today: a bohemian style wall hanging painted on drop cloth fabric.

This piece was sort of a happy accident that started out as practice stamping on canvas drop cloth. I have lots of drop cloths around this place (you might have seen this post where I turned them into curtains). I was thinking of painting triangles on it, to see if I could make throw pillows, but then I just started playing around with stamps and paint and ended up with this "tribal inspired" wall hanging.

Top Ten Posts of 2014

Today I am giving you a recap of my top ten posts from 2014! Last year around this time, I shared my personal favorite top ten posts from 2013, since I hadn't done much blogging that year. This past year was a lot different as I blogged regularly and turned my blog into a small creative career. So today I am sharing my top posts determined by you the readers (based on pageviews).

I hope you enjoy these posts if you haven't yet seen them!

10 Creative Ideas for Valentine’s Day

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and I have a romantic round-up for you today of crafts, recipes and decor to inspire you during these dreary winter months. Christmas is packed away by now, and the days can be quite bleak (at least around my neck of the woods). Valentine's Day always feels like the first excuse to cheer things up with some pretty colors and sweet treats. Enjoy!

Whimsical Thread Spool Garland

After a long, much needed blogging break I am back! A lot happened over the holiday. Some glad, but there was a tone of sadness over it when we found out my uncle was diagnosed with cancer the day before Christmas Eve and he doesn't have much time left. And then we lost my grandmother on January 6th. She was not in great health, but it was very quick and unexpected just the same. It has been a rough few weeks for my entire extended family…prayers are welcomed!

I am now easing back into blogging and wanted to start with a post that I worked on before my break but never got around to sharing. I am looking forward to getting back into the swing of things this new year, but with more balance and less pressure than I felt near the end of last year.

Today, I have an easy and whimsical diy project for you: a thread spool garland that I made with my children in mind. Originally, I had planned to use it for a small Christmas tree in the playroom, but ended up preferring it on its own. I simply hung it from a peg rack on my daughter Hazel's side of the bedroom mixed with a few Christmas touches.

Vintage Stacked Book Christmas Tree {inside our mantel}

Last month, I shared a project over on Jennifer Rizzo's blog for an unconventional Christmas tree that I set up inside our mantel. I literally thought this up on a whim one afternoon while the little ones were napping. I had no idea how much it would inspire people. The images of my vintage book stack Christmas tree are some of my most popular on Instagram, and I am constantly hearing people say how much they love it. This was even featured on Country Living's Facebook page and one morning I saw that the Junk Gypsies shared the image on Instagram (with credit to their Pinterest boards <—insert my sad face here).

Who knew? I certainly didn't when I set it up. I am resharing that post here today in case you missed it!

I am currently on a blogging break and will return in the new year!  I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

Here is the original post:

Vintage Inspired Hot Chocolate Station

If you recently came to take my holiday home tour, you would have seen the hot chocolate station I set up in the kitchen. If not, I am sharing the full details of it here today! I went with a vintage inspired theme and my whole family loves it. Although, I keep catching my kids stealing the marshmallows 🙂

This was the first year I set up a hot chocolate bar, but I think it will become a holiday tradition now.

DIY Rustic Boho Twig Arrow Ornaments

A few weeks ago, I shared a tutorial for my rustic twig arrow ornaments over at Yellow Bliss Road. They ended up being quite a hit and were even featured on Country Living's website recently! Today, I am reposting them here in case you might have missed it. These ornaments were the beginning inspiration for our Christmas tree this year. I hope you enjoy this tutorial!

Here is the original post:

20 Creative Ideas for Christmas {Sundays at Home No. 40 Link Party & Features}

Welcome to Sundays at Home No. 40! Today, I am excited to share an awesome round-up from last week's link ups: 20 Creative Ideas for Christmas. I think you are going to love all of these projects, decorating ideas, and recipes as much as I do.

At the bottom, please link up your latest home decor, DIY and craft projects, recipes and more that you have recently shared on your own blog as well as items offered for sale in your own online shops! I am looking forward to your inspiration!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram or Facebook to get tidbits of my life throughout the week. And to see what is inspiring me, you can follow my Pinterest boards :)

Boho Chic Jewelry Trays from Thrift Store Finds

Way back in August, I shared a fun tutorial on Jennifer Rizzo's blog on how to transform otherwise overlooked thrift store trays into chic jewelry storage solutions. I love finding inexpensive and creative ways to get things organized in our home. These trays were perfect for my go-to pieces of jewelry that I had strewn about on my dresser. They would also make cute gifts this time of year for anyone who loves jewelry or bohemian style. You could also attach hooks on the back to hang them on the wall as unique works of art. I hope you enjoy the original post:

Creating your own chic jewelry storage can be easy by upcycling some inexpensive thrift store finds.  I have a fun tutorial for you today on how to make these bohemian style trays!

Have you ever run across these wooden leaves and bowls at garage sales or thrift shops?

Golden Fall Leaves Wreath

Several weeks ago, I shared an easy wreath tutorial over at Jennifer Rizzo's blog. I am reposting it here today! If you are buried in snow, like me right now, you would need to use faux leaves for this project, but it is still easy and festive. You could also change out the acorns and feathers for berries and pinecones to make it Christmasy if you like!

Here is the original post:

Glam Christmas Throw Pillows {Holiday Thrift Store Challenge}

A few weeks ago, I invited several of my blogging friends to participate with me in a challenge: spend under $25 at a thrift store to create unique Christmas decor, either by giving the items purchased a makeover or including them in a creative vignette. I was thrilled when 29 lovely bloggers got on board with me and am so excited for the inspiration we have to share today! You will find all of their projects listed at the end of this post and are going to love the creative ideas these ladies came up with!

I came up with this challenge after a trip to the Salvation Army, when I found two gaudy, black Christmas sweaters. Even though I wouldn't wear them as is, I was drawn to their glitz and glam, which is when I decided they would make the perfect throw pillows for my holiday decor this season. 

 I am going for a sort of "eclectic boho glam cabin" look this year <—-if that could even be considered a style? Well anyhoo…

DIY Printable Christmas Village {Anthropologie Inspired}

Today, I am thrilled to be participating with several other talented bloggers to bring you tons of early Christmas inspiration and free printables! I created a diy holiday village for our mantel and for you! Simply print it off, cut it out, and voila…instant Christmas town for you to display with your festive decor.

A few weeks ago, I saw this gorgeous ceramic village set from Anthropologie, and I fell in love with it. It is by a very talented artist and has a charming, illustrated style which I love…