tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37051210055446352152024-03-13T20:36:39.839-07:00Home Serene Home Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07689610336827299672noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705121005544635215.post-58559619362272462522014-10-22T14:29:00.000-07:002014-10-22T14:39:14.418-07:00Polka dots decals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Over the weekend I added these gold dot decals to the far wall in the TV Room. Again, the walls could really use a coat of paint but that's just not something I am going to attempt right now and so I wanted to jazz it up quickly and cheaply. These decals totally fit the bill! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVt5HEA-8Ccg3MN2-px-FpaAK3cucqtZ4KI15X_f6zAnEDRnJV2yw_4oK4eMJnLY2A3zkdMdWAN9A939cw7EuwZwC0UxtdpQF5Sn1pM2oyDrI60Kg48vcHMrOSVkQTP0vYnOvYDR0pRRq/s1600/TV_room_golddots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVt5HEA-8Ccg3MN2-px-FpaAK3cucqtZ4KI15X_f6zAnEDRnJV2yw_4oK4eMJnLY2A3zkdMdWAN9A939cw7EuwZwC0UxtdpQF5Sn1pM2oyDrI60Kg48vcHMrOSVkQTP0vYnOvYDR0pRRq/s1600/TV_room_golddots.jpg" height="588" width="640" /></a></div>
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They were a great price, are so easy to apply AND reapply if you need to change their placement. They also stick well and aren't going to fall off. I love how they add a little something special to this room and are the perfect thing for a busy mom. Now I'm trying to decide what other rooms in my house I could add decals to :)</div>
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Side story, I had my 2.5 & 4.5 year old help me with this thinking they would really enjoy putting "stickers" on the wall. I also thought it would help the dots look haphazard and not too planned out. Yeah, it was one of those times where you mean well and it just doesn't really work. It was too frustrating trying to explain to the kids the general area where to place the stickers with a baby crying in my arms. It ended up fine but I did have to move some at the end. Especially Haven's because she was determined to make a smiley face with her dots. Ha ha. </div>
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Rachel</div>
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P.S. I'm having a hard time getting the website to load but the decals are from <a href="http://wallsneedlove.com/">WallsNeedLove.com</a>. I purchased them through <a href="http://jossandmain.com/" target="_blank">Joss & Main</a> as the 3" dots. I have only seen the 2" inch dots on the Walls Need Love website which I think would be even better. </div>
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07689610336827299672noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705121005544635215.post-25191211838285627802014-10-16T07:00:00.000-07:002014-10-16T07:00:01.103-07:00TV Room Upgrade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just days before my baby was due last month, I got a wild hair, took a break from the nursery (which I still haven't put all the finishing touches on) and decided to do a quick redo to our TV room. We spend a lot of time in there in the evenings. It's upstairs near all of our bedrooms and tends to be a room we relax in after the kids go to bed. </div>
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I knew I would probably end up in that room a lot with the baby... nursing her, watching the kids play, resting, reading, watching TV, eating Second Dessert with my hubby (this is where we sneak sweets after the kids go to bed, haha) etc. It was my least favorite room in the house and I seriously dreaded going in it or taking people to it. The room tends to feel dingy because it's in desperate need of new paint and carpet, has only one small window and low attic ceilings. Until I got my creative juices flowing, it was just a mish-mash of colors in the random lamps, pillows, and blankets that somehow ended up in that room. I cringe just thinking about it again.</div>
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I knew I couldn't tackle the paint or carpet at the tail-end of my pregnancy but I wanted to do SOMETHING to this room I spent so much time in. </div>
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I had bought a <a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/olin-black-rug/f43644" target="_blank">striped rug at Crate and Barrel</a> majorly on sale back in February. During that time, I intended to paint the room but ended up being waaaaay too sick to do more than watch cartoons with my kiddos and eat oranges. I kept the rug rolled up and never even opened it to take a peak until last month. I'm weird when I am pregnant. </div>
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Come September, I thought at the very least, I could lay the rug down and maybe change a few pillows. So, that's essentially what I did, but I was inspired to do a little more after I saw how much the beautiful rug changed the room and livened up the space (and my attitude!). </div>
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Here was my original idea for the room <a href="http://homeserenehome.blogspot.com/2014/02/tv-room-redesign.html" target="_blank">that I posted way back then</a>:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGCrikjyMvPtdQJ8d-XEqEoPwzh3AX4h5LDQSUvyP0ilxpGXLzOjQWb2P-dt0M5KIVROvFNrAGt3mA-mdGLpTwHBK1eH9yr9UApF1w2dShOksKrTMZRbIn3kG_txmXm5UTysGnT27lxLn/s1600/OB-TV+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGCrikjyMvPtdQJ8d-XEqEoPwzh3AX4h5LDQSUvyP0ilxpGXLzOjQWb2P-dt0M5KIVROvFNrAGt3mA-mdGLpTwHBK1eH9yr9UApF1w2dShOksKrTMZRbIn3kG_txmXm5UTysGnT27lxLn/s1600/OB-TV+Room.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's what I ended up with after some small and very inexpensive upgrades. I wish I had a before picture! Just imagine no rug, torn up carpet, random coral and blue pillows, two old lamps from IKEA and no decorations or cohesion. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9r-TxaBqr7gnotIs55c2xacmjUvxnNrGJNn-Ee_YtAAWsJiM3k8h0Mdzz3tpf4v5nWZPN3dKU5t_R-__zs5MRnQU4-1hpH3EFOFUxcqo0hv3xuvapTr72qVeS8Red4RFxNV1L6ikYhnaD/s1600/TV_room3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9r-TxaBqr7gnotIs55c2xacmjUvxnNrGJNn-Ee_YtAAWsJiM3k8h0Mdzz3tpf4v5nWZPN3dKU5t_R-__zs5MRnQU4-1hpH3EFOFUxcqo0hv3xuvapTr72qVeS8Red4RFxNV1L6ikYhnaD/s1600/TV_room3.jpg" height="404" width="640" /></a></div>
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I (finally) put down the beautiful rug and that made the room feel so much bigger. I had bought a gold pillow from TJ Maxx back when I originally started thinking about this room and set it out on the chair. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh923EyF78pUeeUPYT4yCw75jEpj6CQL6T_nGQLbpo9zsGSlMvquDk2FPvNeMjCnk3x-uOAMCmWcWIgN7iMf19ItfcjTa1vwRJmOuoNlWOkCX5r4qcLsk4SLfj3WF10Y7flelrOwh4C2dsz/s1600/TV_room4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh923EyF78pUeeUPYT4yCw75jEpj6CQL6T_nGQLbpo9zsGSlMvquDk2FPvNeMjCnk3x-uOAMCmWcWIgN7iMf19ItfcjTa1vwRJmOuoNlWOkCX5r4qcLsk4SLfj3WF10Y7flelrOwh4C2dsz/s1600/TV_room4.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then I bought two more gold pillows for the couch for Target. They have a great texture to them and I really love them! </div>
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In a desperate attempt to get her daughter to quit whining about her decorating issues, my mom gave me two black square pillows because she had them at her house and wasn't using them. </div>
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I dug the long black leather pillow and chunky knit throw out of storage and threw them on the couch as well. Just those few upgrades made a world of difference. It's amazing what a little but of direction can do for an otherwise chaotic room. </div>
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Perhaps the most exciting part for me were the lamps on either end of the couch. I had found them at the junk shop my mom and I frequent about a month before this. They were a great shape and a steal of a price so I bought them without knowing where I would use them. </div>
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Since they were a shiny brown color, my mom spray painted them with a can of black paint I had in the garage. The shades were something I picked up at a garage sale earlier in the summer and also didn't know exactly where I would use them. The bases and shades look perfect together and probably cost me only $15 total. That's amazing for a pair of lamps. I guess the lesson there is when you find something beautiful, classic and dirt cheap, buy it and save it because you never know when it will be useful in your space.</div>
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The acrylic table was already in the room (something I bought on Overstock.com 5 years ago). While looking for a couple accessories around my house that I could use, I found this black drawer I had put away and got it out again. It was a perfect & fun detail. <br />
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The lidded jar was also something I had bought back when I was thinking of re-doing the room. I set it in the drawer and now put our remotes in it. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMp_A9C4yVQEhRRNPJi6oyzB7RxRd8Of__y3euiybtKXvqNybGnG4HkG4yaBwLZTLaPUti1nDaa7L3butJWon-8jQWkYinJWJd0rTrvLdQkBbwx3rscWWNe0UJPaumY-qeYThuLWygifLb/s1600/TV_Room5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMp_A9C4yVQEhRRNPJi6oyzB7RxRd8Of__y3euiybtKXvqNybGnG4HkG4yaBwLZTLaPUti1nDaa7L3butJWon-8jQWkYinJWJd0rTrvLdQkBbwx3rscWWNe0UJPaumY-qeYThuLWygifLb/s1600/TV_Room5.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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After awhile, I was on a roll and wanted to make a few fun accessories. I picked up some feathers and glitter at Michael's. I simply used glue and a paint brush to adhere the glitter in the pattern I wanted for each feather. SO easy and fun. </div>
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Second, I attempted a yarn tapestry (back wall) which was A LOT harder than I thought it was going to be. It took me 3 hours and still never looked as nice and uniform as I wanted. The yarn kept not being the right length once it was tied to the dowel. I had to iron it because it was kinky in a lot of places. I wanted to make a few different ones for the wall but after one I. was. done. Pay someone on Etsy to make yours;)</div>
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I used some old side tables we bought at a garage sale 5 years ago to place the lamps on. They had been in our bedroom but I figured something else out for that room (something I actually like more; I love when that happens). The tables have a gold intricate base and a classic marble top. I liked the symmetry of the matching lamps and so the matching tables worked great with them. Another "buy for now, use later" inexpensive find. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4qubkezqVvy3hcN0ybMGlwSgeMGeGJ4017-FTYSZ7Z8v6cU7xsXkbaD6c4qPaetukUszEhdI68FoTva22LUpNswqLlNl2smnCzNxttfiAH84b_tSNO6Nncqi-TkeDgReDA1G0lITgPSv/s1600/TV_Room6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4qubkezqVvy3hcN0ybMGlwSgeMGeGJ4017-FTYSZ7Z8v6cU7xsXkbaD6c4qPaetukUszEhdI68FoTva22LUpNswqLlNl2smnCzNxttfiAH84b_tSNO6Nncqi-TkeDgReDA1G0lITgPSv/s1600/TV_Room6.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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I also made some curtains for the little doorways to the "hideouts" on either side of the room. We use one for storage and one for a play space for the kids but they have no doors and are something I would rather hide. I used iron-on hem tape and rods I already had to make and hang the curtains. It took about an hour to make two curtains and no sewing was required! <br />
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I hope to make this play corner a fun space with colorful art and toys for the kiddos. That will come eventually.<br />
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In the original moodboard I planned to put wallpaper up on the window wall but will be using less-expensive gold dot decals instead. I intended to buy the <a href="http://www.landofnod.com/gold-lottie-dots-decal-set/s597686" target="_blank">Lottie Dots</a> from The Land of Nod but found some for half the price on <a href="https://www.jossandmain.com/" target="_blank">Joss and Main</a> the other day and purchased those. They are on their way to me and I will post when I get them up in the room. </div>
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Some day (let's be real here), I want a whole entertainment unit that span the length of the wall to store our DVDs, electronic equipment, board games and toys. We need more enclosed storage in our house. <br />
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I have some other fun ideas up my sleeve that I would love to get to in the next few months, and if I do, I will post about them here and on IG. I work at a real-life-on-a-budget-with-three-kids-and-priorities pace so things can be slow around here. Eventually I will paint the room and we will replace the carpet but for now it feels so much more inviting. The gold really does wonders to make a dingy room feel luxe and happy. I highly recommend a few pops in any room you feel less-than-enthused in. <br />
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XOXO,<br />
RachelRachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07689610336827299672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705121005544635215.post-11275232272459637722014-10-13T07:00:00.000-07:002014-10-13T19:27:52.342-07:00Wendi's Rustic + Vintage + Fabulous KitchenWendi is a fun friend that I met about 8 years ago when we lived in another nearby town. We both volunteered with the high school youth at our church and I remember some of the girls talking about how her house was so cool and different. "Like, she has an old pink door hanging on the wall!". I remember being intrigued by what I knew of Wendi's decorating style but wasn't really into the vintage/salvaged look myself yet. Wendi was totally cool before vintage was cool. <br />
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Wendi, her husband and their three kids live in a 1000 sq foot 1950's ranch. They have considered moving somewhere bigger but instead Wendi has decided to love where she lives and is making it her mission to add a dash of cottage style and loads of character to their abode.<br />
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Check out the exterior before Wendi did her magic:<br />
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After a little redo it's so adorable and unique <3 I love the teal shakes. <br />
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Recently, Wendi's kitchen was completely gutted and renovated in an effort to make the space more functional for their family. I seriously adore what she did in the space. When she posted photos of the new kitchen on facebook, I died. You will too.</div>
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This gives you an idea of the style of her kitchen BEFORE the reno:</div>
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Here's Wendi's inspiration:</div>
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I LOVE white subway tile. It's so classic. I also love the warm woods mixed in with the whites and grays. It's so inviting.</div>
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Here's her kitchen after the remodel: </div>
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{Can we get an audible applause?!!!}</div>
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If I was designing a new kitchen, this is exactly what it would look like. And can you believe the counters are laminate?!<br />
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Wendi said her inspiration is just what she is drawn to. From Wendi:<br />
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"Growing up my mom owned a cleaning and decorating business. So changing things up, painting a room a new color or rearranging was common place. Since she was a single mom without much cash flow, rearranging gave us a chance to create a fresh new space without breaking the bank. I've carried that philosophy into my home."<br />
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She goes with what she loves; simple as that.<br />
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Things I adore in this kitchen:<br />
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<li>The open shelving</li>
<li>The lighting (and the ambiance the can-lights bring to the room)</li>
<li>The counters</li>
<li>The sink</li>
<li>The cabinets</li>
<li>The range hood</li>
<li>OK, everything!! (Especially Wendi's styling)</li>
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Here's a source list for ya:<br />
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Cabinets: Paramount Kitchens (White shaker)<br />
Knobs & Pulls: Rejuvenation<br />
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Countertop: Wilsonart HD Laminate in Calcutta Marble with Marbella edge<br />
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Open shelving: reclaimed wood (made by a local business, <a href="http://www.rescuedjunk.com/">Rescued Junk</a>)<br />
Brackets on open shelving: West Elm<br />
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Slim Line fridge: Home Depot<br />
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Breakfast bar and above sink lights: Restoration Hardware<br />
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Stools: Iowa State University surplus sale at only $10 each!<br />
(just like Restoration Hardware and Schoolhouse Electric's $200-300 version!)<br />
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White dishes from a mix of places: <br />
Grandma's<br />
Target<br />
TJ Maxx<br />
Goodwill<br />
Garage sales<br />
Anthro<br />
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Range hood: IKEA<br />
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Sink: Kohler (she couldn't do a farmhouse sink because of lack of space but this gives a similar feel because of the white cast iron)<br />
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Faucet: Home Depot<br />
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Pantry door: reclaimed door painted matte black with old white porcelain knob (also from <a href="http://www.rescuedjunk.com/">Rescued Junk</a>)<br />
Frosted glass: done by local glass company<br />
Interior shelves: <a href="http://www.rescuedjunk.com/">Rescued Junk</a></div>
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All the construction was done by a company from Norwalk, Iowa: Juergen's Property Development (Wendi said they were great to work with and totally got her vision, by the way!)<br />
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Isn't it beautiful? Thanks for sharing with us Wendi. Now we will all go and cry over our boring kitchens ;)</div>
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Rachel</div>
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Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07689610336827299672noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705121005544635215.post-29298925900857262552014-09-14T21:14:00.003-07:002014-09-14T21:19:32.514-07:00Introducing: The Nar(wall) I have been a little MIA over the past several weeks. It may have a little something to do with a growing business and a baby arriving sometime very soon (as I write, I am due in 7 days). I have been at the phase of my pregnancy for awhile now where my body is so physically exhausted that it's a good day if I get a load of laundry done, breakfast and lunch made and my son off to preschool for the afternoon. Forget bending over to pick up, clean floors, etc. You get the picture.<br />
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But like any true pregnant woman, I still have the urge to nest and have been doing *some* things little by little (oh, how I wish I was able to get more done before this baby was born). We have been working on the nursery since April and it's slowly coming together. With my last two kiddos their rooms were done months before they were born. With this baby, I know it won't be done completely until after he/she is born and I've come to terms with that. I have to choose my battles :) </div>
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The first thing we did for the room <a href="http://homeserenehome.blogspot.com/2014/06/baby-room-progress-and-inspiration.html" target="_blank">was paint the walls gray and hang charcoal gray curtains</a>. Then we painted the crib kelly green. I had grand ideas for us to create a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narwhal" target="_blank">narwhal </a> for above the crib out of scraps of wood we already had. After several tweaks, it turned out pretty cute. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0rJwfYsXzdGuC2NASXWFxzpDuB1xAEknZFphhJ5RIyD5JB3xUTQvPEHq22-MO2IiAZUBSStbO_ptUAIkzGak-ASfWQlELSzU2x8byryPI9ymKuUtVR0qtZIAmdqqun5MI0LxkxuOW74U/s1600/Nautical_Nursery3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0rJwfYsXzdGuC2NASXWFxzpDuB1xAEknZFphhJ5RIyD5JB3xUTQvPEHq22-MO2IiAZUBSStbO_ptUAIkzGak-ASfWQlELSzU2x8byryPI9ymKuUtVR0qtZIAmdqqun5MI0LxkxuOW74U/s1600/Nautical_Nursery3.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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I drew the narwhal onto some kraft paper to create a template. Jared, my husband, screwed together strips of plywood we had lying around and then I traced the narwhal shape onto what was now a large surface. Days later (this is real life, people), he cut out the narwhal using a jig saw. Several more days after that, we used some stain we already to cover the piece and then distressed it vertically with sandpaper and a hand sander. I wanted it to look older, like it was found in an old shipping vessel. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-eMnP7dYqvH0sB_ZwI1sABuZlxo5cb89Z9jHfn3oEOjgsHBIwhVdRbTM2TaOyuE49YBcjBRz0tMqPiRvj7mCA5XmPVY-9drKUq_Wr11mFrgkP6MAJTKxYJx7yaV_LR5kHe0rD9PZJs3j/s1600/Nautical_Nursery4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-eMnP7dYqvH0sB_ZwI1sABuZlxo5cb89Z9jHfn3oEOjgsHBIwhVdRbTM2TaOyuE49YBcjBRz0tMqPiRvj7mCA5XmPVY-9drKUq_Wr11mFrgkP6MAJTKxYJx7yaV_LR5kHe0rD9PZJs3j/s1600/Nautical_Nursery4.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></div>
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We hung it using a very lightweight and <a href="http://www.zoro.com/i/G3736887/?utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google_Shopping_Feed&gclid=Cj0KEQjw-dSgBRDb0oOl9MzxqMEBEiQAkHqy-TNkmzX-vgP498RYHgA9Kf5oN3qmD6Jsbkk3F2GJW20aAsIw8P8HAQ" target="_blank">inexpensive picture cleat</a> we found at the Home Depot. I plan to eventually put Velcro between the cleat pieces because I know how rowdy kids can be in their cribs and don't want this thing coming down to be used as a sword! </div>
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For now, I have a button taped to the head for an eye. For the longest time I couldn't decide on eye placement and kept moving it around. Depending on the photograph or image, a narwhal's eyes are pretty low on their heads so I think I will keep it where it's at and glue it down soon (again, this will probably take me months to get to-ha!). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNNacwynFUyR7Cnw9vGCy73kArue-TpEB8nPGMkcPi14_J2hHBUPGjVuVYxaquMXNEcheg8Vuh2iXhVD_O5F1GnVA7tAwpYv1BtUS9JAQlBnaMwTZjO1bNgWV28M8MiqhyaIyoVm73KHM/s1600/Nautical_Nursery2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNNacwynFUyR7Cnw9vGCy73kArue-TpEB8nPGMkcPi14_J2hHBUPGjVuVYxaquMXNEcheg8Vuh2iXhVD_O5F1GnVA7tAwpYv1BtUS9JAQlBnaMwTZjO1bNgWV28M8MiqhyaIyoVm73KHM/s1600/Nautical_Nursery2.jpg" height="640" width="450" /></a></div>
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I searched high and low for some fabric for a crib sheet that mimicked waves but felt somewhat sophisticated. I had seen Japanese fabrics that looked like handrawn waves but at $17.99 a yard, I knew I could buy a much cheaper sheet than have one made from fabric that expensive. After almost giving up and then deciding to look at Pottery Barn Kids <i>one more time</i>, I stumbled upon THE PERFECT SHEET on sale for $10 (I had looked at their website a million times and never seen it). I mean. I couldn't even buy 2.5yards of fabric for $10 and this was the whole shebang! That was a happy day. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN640MZWaGowH2CH3_CSTZDooWUb78y_S6bXSYzac30C-qxrjDENIyTUic8mpzUMRn2lVjcqtgLQBbL_O0hfbQPvvRcbez-6iPjMq1Wf9kyy_gnFQxIk2ZCzI9DFdP1VXYIyGzj-vazSQ0/s1600/Nautical_Nursery5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN640MZWaGowH2CH3_CSTZDooWUb78y_S6bXSYzac30C-qxrjDENIyTUic8mpzUMRn2lVjcqtgLQBbL_O0hfbQPvvRcbez-6iPjMq1Wf9kyy_gnFQxIk2ZCzI9DFdP1VXYIyGzj-vazSQ0/s1600/Nautical_Nursery5.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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The whales even matched the crib color!</div>
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I didn't start out to do a nautical nursery. I really just wanted something that was gender-neutral but still felt like it had personality with some fun quirks. I planned to combine a little preppiness with some rustic woods and industrial elements to hopefully get something suitable for either a boy or girl. I think that's happening so far, but after the narwhal went up and the sheet was purchased, it started leaning nautical and I decided to go with it. I bought some accessories for the room that feel coastal but hopefully aren't too theme-y (more photos to come!).</div>
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I will do a whole write-up on the room and show you the rest of the space when it's done... we still have to add a couple of pieces of artwork and hang a different light fixture. For now, however, this is one of my favorite corners of the room and since it's complete, I thought I would share! </div>
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I wish this were my room now!</div>
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xoxo,</div>
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Rachel</div>
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07689610336827299672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705121005544635215.post-85900586526788642672014-07-15T19:35:00.001-07:002014-07-15T19:35:20.641-07:00Upcoming Shows + New Products <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have two shows coming up in the very near future. I'd love to see you or meet you and share my work with you in person!</div>
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<b>Saturday, July 26th 10-5 (Historic Valley Junction)</b></div>
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This will be a smaller show behind Vintage No. 35 in Valley Junction. There will be a mix of "junk" and handmade goods. I went last year and am looking forward to being a vendor this year! </div>
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The following weekend, I will be at my first Market Day! If you are already going to be at the Downtown Farmer's Market, please come visit me at Market Day in the Kirkwood Hotel lobby (just down the street from Java Joe's)</div>
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<b>Saturday, August 2nd, 8-1 (Downtown Des Moines)</b></div>
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<img height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/s960x960/1618388_10101918288381670_13379650496254821_o.jpg" width="494" /></div>
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Alright, now that we have your calendar filled out for the next few weekends, I wanted to show you my latest creations. I'm really excited about both of these! As an artist, it's so neat to grow and evolve over time. I love thinking about what I was designing a year ago vs. what I am doing now. I hope I am always getting better! </div>
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First up, I was inspired to do some more chalkboard lettering. I wanted to create a "Give Thanks" print that was versatile for all year round. I always want to be someone who is thankful, no matter what my circumstances are. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYMwpTBgEyjzb_aS7inRB93xVatQCqymJwUugTPU4Z7czj_Eq8mi2fEzL3ksHsRFsB5hVjZniQJVRohCCxG7TbttAA5wYN0HyJsBulQEVqY5ZxfdGglQ5nahFOfXEcN78lCUVFAY9cVIo/s1600/Give_Thanks_Photo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYMwpTBgEyjzb_aS7inRB93xVatQCqymJwUugTPU4Z7czj_Eq8mi2fEzL3ksHsRFsB5hVjZniQJVRohCCxG7TbttAA5wYN0HyJsBulQEVqY5ZxfdGglQ5nahFOfXEcN78lCUVFAY9cVIo/s1600/Give_Thanks_Photo1.jpg" height="502" width="640" /></a></div>
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Located in my shop <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/195961424/chalkboard-scripture-art-print-give?ref=shop_home_active_6" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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I have been wanting to do watercolor designs for months now. I tried it one day, wasn't feeling in the groove, and didn't go back to it for months. This time, I was determined to make it work! </div>
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I painted two watercolor backgrounds with this exact brush and paint palette. I also drew the "Be Still" phrase with sharpie and scanned them both. In the computer, I put the files together and voila! </div>
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I printed them for the first time today and am so encouraged by how they turned out. The peacefulness speaks to my soul. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcigbCbuW1a_2ArPNWR7xj74A72G0W3pb7Wz8uRy9sMjbg-yX5p-uqhgkW6wvON8_Ds735eqlhx8JeYjohbuqQeyI64KSr5V3KtoPGF-SOIhj5X1uzVMbCxHRZ8zrabM73zxh9BVKEC9zQ/s1600/Be_Still2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcigbCbuW1a_2ArPNWR7xj74A72G0W3pb7Wz8uRy9sMjbg-yX5p-uqhgkW6wvON8_Ds735eqlhx8JeYjohbuqQeyI64KSr5V3KtoPGF-SOIhj5X1uzVMbCxHRZ8zrabM73zxh9BVKEC9zQ/s1600/Be_Still2.jpg" height="562" width="640" /></a></div>
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These prints can be found in my shop <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/196511080/be-still-2-colors-watercolor-print-psalm?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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I'm now brainstorming other words I could do with a watercolor background. "Abide", "Rest" & "You are Loved" come to mind. What would you want to see in watercolor?</div>
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Xoxo,</div>
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Rachel</div>
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07689610336827299672noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705121005544635215.post-77914069758505855382014-07-14T12:36:00.001-07:002014-07-14T12:45:33.344-07:00An awesome lunch recipe from my neighbor<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://homeserenehome.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-joys-and-realities-of-living-in.html" target="_blank">As I posted recently</a>, moving to the country has provided us some bumps in the road (literally!) but has also been a huge blessing and rest for our souls. One of our favorite things about where we live is who we live near. We have the sweetest neighbors "across the pond" that are so generous and loving.<br /><br />They are also some of the most interesting and fun to chat with people I have ever met. We have lots of laughs together. Who knew the country is where all the cool people hide? :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last Friday, my neighbor Siobhan, came over to bring me lunch and we chatted for awhile. It was a nice time, as usual. She always comes bearing gifts whether it's goodies from the garden, farm fresh eggs, flowers when it's been a rough week (like the time Jared drove his car into the ditch) or chicken soup when I was nauseous and couldn't keep anything down. I'm constantly amazed by our neighbor's giving hearts. I thought I was a giver until I met them ;) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But Friday. Siobhan brought over the best thing she's ever brought. And I'm pretty sure she just made up the recipe and threw it on a tray to bring to me (she's that awesome!). She made a sandwich that I couldn't stop thinking about and decided to recreate again today for lunch. Not only is it SO yummy and healthy but it's beautiful too! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's different than most of the boring sandwiches I make, and not being a huge tomato lover, I was surprised by how much I liked it. It was so good and fun to eat that I had to share it with you here: </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMl9CA-fS8org9grnxRCzcTXt-28ZnX-F60MUOfaPDfGj1dtiDxbsXFak3tciaH3i_7osnHcJyIf8BysdXTJegEBweqRmeuM_4juqP4Vr63FHUGQpcZksi3iQNnYVJFb4DRxImTzqCTEy/s1600/Tomato_sandwich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMl9CA-fS8org9grnxRCzcTXt-28ZnX-F60MUOfaPDfGj1dtiDxbsXFak3tciaH3i_7osnHcJyIf8BysdXTJegEBweqRmeuM_4juqP4Vr63FHUGQpcZksi3iQNnYVJFb4DRxImTzqCTEy/s1600/Tomato_sandwich.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Open-Faced Tomato and Avocado Sandwich </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">(Or as I will call it, <i>The Siobhan</i>)</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ingredients: </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sliced bread </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dijon mustard </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sliced deli meat (turkey, ham, whatever you like)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ricotta cheese</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sliced avocado</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sliced tomato</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Salt and pepper </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dill or chives </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Directions:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Toast the bread and spread on the Dijon (I used my favorite kind, the White Wine Dijon by Grey Poupon). Layer on the meat, avocado, ricotta and tomato (I didn't have ricotta so I left it off and still thought it was awesome). Season liberally with salt and pepper and add your herbs (Siobhan had dill but I used chives-- both are great!). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Make a gluten-free version by simply using GF bread. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This sandwich is super simple to put together-- which is the honest truth because I am pregnant and exhausted and don't make anything that takes over 15 minutes right now ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I sort of want to recreate this recipe a lot of different ways. Mozzarella, tomatoes and basil with balsamic? Feta and kalamata olives? I'll let you know if I do and if it turns out! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Try this recipe, you won't be sorry! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Enjoy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Rachel</span></div>
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Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07689610336827299672noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705121005544635215.post-64992141034945766362014-07-11T14:54:00.001-07:002014-07-11T14:54:28.926-07:00The joys and realities of living in the countryIf you would have told me two years ago that I would be living in the country and loving it, I would have no other choice but to assume that you had me confused with someone else. I grew up with a single mom. I was spoiled to the hilt. I was fifteen the first time I went camping and that was only because my two best friends were going. My mom and I's idea of "roughing it" was shopping at the sub-par mall on the other side of town. We didn't go outside a ton, except for the years we lived in Florida. Those were always the best years of my childhood which I attributed to the sunshine and beach within walking distance. And like a lot of our culture, I'm also a convenience girl and have never lived more than five minutes from multiple restaurants, grocery stores and shopping opportunities. <br />
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Fast forward to two years ago. My husband and I know it's time to move on from our little brick bungalow in the city, but we don't know where we are headed or what's next. We know we want something that suits us. Meaning something with character, a nice neighborhood, fun architecture, more square footage for a growing family and after lots of work in our old house, not a fixer-upper. <br />
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One day we were traveling back from my in-laws and I got a wild hair (I'm the wild one in the relationship, hubs is the safe and steady one). "What if we moved to the country? What if we bought an acreage?" Jared had lived part of his growing up years on an acreage and I knew those years were special to him. But I think what really inspired my idea that day was the beautiful view from my car window of the Iowa countryside and the desire to have more space to breath. We talked for awhile about what country living would look like and what part of Iowa we would choose. We weren't wanting to uproot our whole lives and move from friends, family, our church, his job etc. We wanted a country feel but not too far of a drive to town.<br />
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Let's get real here, a girl CANNOT live more than 15 minutes from Target. Cannot. <br />
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That conversation opened the door to our living in the country. And our search began not long after. It wouldn't be for another year that we would move but it was an idea that stayed in our hearts and minds until we felt God calling us to the home we believed to be ours, the home we now live in. <br />
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I still remember the first week we moved into our special house in the Iowa-not-so-far-from-town-countryside. It was magical. Like a fairy-tale. I woke up each morning in awe of my surroundings. I'd look out the window at the lake shimmering like diamonds and be so moved by God's beauty. We would find secret rooms to play in around the house and I felt like a child again. My kids and I laughed and played and rolled on the floor. We went on walks and made new discoveries. I saw animals I had never seen in town, just a short commute from here. I could walk to the top of the hill and see countryside for miles. I remember being overwhelmed by God's blessings. Even the noises were breathtaking.<br />
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All I know is that week was confirmation of a very complicated moving process that required a big leap of faith on our part (I promise I will share this with you eventually). I felt we were now in a sacred place but we also knew there were complications and struggles ahead. I love this quote from Beth Moore because I have learned it to be true in this phase of our lives, [When facing a challenge] "To the extent that it is hard, it will be good". <br />
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We absolutely love it out here. I have realized that those special years in Florida were so magical because I am a nature girl at heart. I connect with God when I see His creation. The way He paints the sky & grows flowers just for His children's enjoyment. Every day I see something that reminds me of His sovereignty or grace. Just today, in a rainstorm, I looked out to see a small fawn curled up under a tree in our yard and I thought of Psalm 91, "He who dwells in the shelter of the most high, will be safe in the shadow of the Almighty". I feel God speaks to me through what I see out my porch door.<br />
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So, I can honestly say, there is something beautiful out here, something sacred, something that fills my soul like never before and I do believe it's because we are right where God wants us to be in a space He designed uniquely for our family, because He is awesome and loves each one of His children enough to care about the details.<br />
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We really do have nights that embody exactly what this photograph looks like: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLuLX5lmo6KVn11PzFGiouwQ-i4Iml7QYgFQmhMZJV0EyZg7HTMSgooW4z14UgNmYozBLNS7gpFXL2vw8TmWEWnXnhWc88myb9bm5B3qneQ1Vdnff06h-spUtKskiIXcgJpKb9pFG8TsLv/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLuLX5lmo6KVn11PzFGiouwQ-i4Iml7QYgFQmhMZJV0EyZg7HTMSgooW4z14UgNmYozBLNS7gpFXL2vw8TmWEWnXnhWc88myb9bm5B3qneQ1Vdnff06h-spUtKskiIXcgJpKb9pFG8TsLv/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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We have had special moments with many people we love. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglF3_0TmwpSVyXD4h0iEjF1OpXLTxtR8lo86-ZfrNxauGeZj_jvG9FSdgtEfUG5lXHU0jEWSD6M9J_CxDp0XIqVn5KAHwn_jpS3tdQx2OgScEnxuLBvCoXrDKCdl3WoMC_LXxqJdarZyWS/s1600/DSC_0153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglF3_0TmwpSVyXD4h0iEjF1OpXLTxtR8lo86-ZfrNxauGeZj_jvG9FSdgtEfUG5lXHU0jEWSD6M9J_CxDp0XIqVn5KAHwn_jpS3tdQx2OgScEnxuLBvCoXrDKCdl3WoMC_LXxqJdarZyWS/s1600/DSC_0153.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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We have embraced joy and nature.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSup75C0AVolqfLxD71X9qjm0u7UEiroVtCFjpIXz88BosTrJE75ymtHawaEF6elmsG4qwNa0MH2fikFVs1etHy1_KFH0XXuD02jvuGMGF3kH6gtTmiCsF092wTRZEJWCy5VLPyL9OzVx8/s1600/IMG_5821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSup75C0AVolqfLxD71X9qjm0u7UEiroVtCFjpIXz88BosTrJE75ymtHawaEF6elmsG4qwNa0MH2fikFVs1etHy1_KFH0XXuD02jvuGMGF3kH6gtTmiCsF092wTRZEJWCy5VLPyL9OzVx8/s1600/IMG_5821.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Learned to slow down and rest more.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UvV99CXvPmml1F0m8Udv9gk_5C51fhvK1xWbT9jGvDmq2HOEQfBoWQtzfwb8GfHe2QgXGUEYoSsQ4ay0uUSlR5sxtpMNianYy3gnIk2UGHEAcRFC9k88gW7ko7FZZfA_tfzW6CKF-uqh/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UvV99CXvPmml1F0m8Udv9gk_5C51fhvK1xWbT9jGvDmq2HOEQfBoWQtzfwb8GfHe2QgXGUEYoSsQ4ay0uUSlR5sxtpMNianYy3gnIk2UGHEAcRFC9k88gW7ko7FZZfA_tfzW6CKF-uqh/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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And have had a special time getting to know our neighbors. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV74ZU9pLDSPBfNGXh3iPyphhmMDopvmrXYDNCkpdHSjTj6MNN3kKbcpvjDIvDcJqrjZBwiWc3PA8C1j_3D8eXCO0Je5VZ3MAKC3YfLdToCE9q0iJRLg02SzoVBiJmDYprJLV79feQksgW/s1600/IMG_6047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV74ZU9pLDSPBfNGXh3iPyphhmMDopvmrXYDNCkpdHSjTj6MNN3kKbcpvjDIvDcJqrjZBwiWc3PA8C1j_3D8eXCO0Je5VZ3MAKC3YfLdToCE9q0iJRLg02SzoVBiJmDYprJLV79feQksgW/s1600/IMG_6047.JPG" height="258" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's almost a spiritual experience for me out here. <br />
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But if I ended this post there, that would not be the whole story. Like I quoted before, "To the extent that it is hard, it will be good". It has been good, so very very good but also equally very difficult. <br />
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The past year that we have lived out in the country has brought on more anxiety, stress, hardship and fear than I could have ever imagined. We have had so many random and strange things happen to us in just a year that it's now becoming a joke among friends who know us. Besides the huge leap of faith I referenced earlier that has become a burden I <u>constantly</u> have to lay down, we have had numerous other difficulties along the way. <br />
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Shortly after moving here, I hit a deer with our van and totaled it. Jared did a complete roll into a ditch and totaled his (brand new-to-us) car. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4xyHluujZC6ZiUyw2ZyssstZ_-S6-W-oUK9Gn4oejWHPFzq7sa_2v8Z0ojNzZWOwE2x8cR-mjUEVLudJt8wr-vJ9u_lwbCCEBNK4egPs3rdPK3eswHH5iv8zJwmeVdtnrr3TCC1nhLiV/s1600/IMG_6396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4xyHluujZC6ZiUyw2ZyssstZ_-S6-W-oUK9Gn4oejWHPFzq7sa_2v8Z0ojNzZWOwE2x8cR-mjUEVLudJt8wr-vJ9u_lwbCCEBNK4egPs3rdPK3eswHH5iv8zJwmeVdtnrr3TCC1nhLiV/s1600/IMG_6396.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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We had the coldest winter in years and, coupled with a propane shortage, have a very very high propane bill at the moment. I had multiple scares with people coming up to our property and even had a young man flag me down on the road with a white kerchief, roll up his window as soon as I slowed my vehicle, waited a minute for me to approach (which I didn't) and drove off in reverse when he suspected that <i>I suspected</i> something. I know he was up to no good and shudder to think of what his plans were if I were to have gotten out of my car.<br />
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We've had a pipe burst in our garage, tornado warning with no basement, and a bat infestation earlier in the spring. One morning I was backing out my car, felt a nudge in my soul to stop, and got out to see my precious daughter two feet behind our van. Recently, I was riding our mower and it fell down a set of landscaping stairs, I was thrown off onto the ground. It was super scary as I am pregnant and could have really gotten myself or the baby hurt. <br />
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And none of this even begins to mention the incredibly difficult pregnancy I have had this go-around.</div>
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So a lot has happened. And those are just the big things. I have to be honest with you, there are times it's really hard to not live in fear-- fear of my kids falling into the nearby pond, fear of what looms next, fear for my safety, the baby's safety, fear of the unknown, fear of failure,<i> fear that we didn't really hear God right and we aren't supposed to be here at all</i>. Hence, why there has been a lot of anxiety even in this peaceful country place. <br />
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However, (and this is completely honest and not me trying to wrap it up in a pretty bow) each time something "bad" happens, I sense God telling me not to focus on the "what-if's" but instead the fact that He rescued us each and every time. <b>I sense Him allowing us to see a little danger so that He can get the chance to prove His protection </b>during this unsure season of our lives<b>.</b> At this point, when something bad happens, I have started to go "OK, God, what are you out to prove now? How will you turn this into something good?". Because He has. Each and every time.<br />
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He's growing our trust in Him and I have a feeling we will need that trust when the time comes.<br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We are never promised an easy life but we are always promised a Jesus who loves us and walks beside us in the dark times. I'm starting to understand that more and more out here. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">So it's a mixed bag. It's incredible and </span><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">gorgeous,</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> a true oasis. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't feel thankful for my surroundings, which I know God created on purpose. He painted a view, just for me, out my window, to remind me of His peace in the storm. There are days I don't know how I would make it out here without these special reminders of His love and plan for us. Because similarly, not a day goes by that there isn't fear of what's ahead or stress from a new way of living. I know that this is a season and eventually won't be as extreme on either end of things but because of our life out here, I am seeing beauty in the pain and learning how to give over my fears completely to Him. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;"><i>A Tale of Two Cities</i> simply states, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times", but there is no place I would rather be than here and I haven't ever regretted our crazy country life for one moment. Grieved the simplicity of the past? Yes. But adored where I am and what I have learned along the way? Completely. I've just had to come to the decision to put on my helmet and continuously trust Whose in the driver's seat. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">Xoxo,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">Rachel</span></span></div>
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07689610336827299672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705121005544635215.post-7038311485435878622014-06-26T10:41:00.001-07:002014-06-26T11:16:24.236-07:005 keys to a successful Etsy shopIt's taken awhile but slowly over time I have learned some important aspects to having a successful Etsy shop. I am continually learning, but wanted to share with those of you interested in starting a shop or newer to the Etsy community, what I have come to know along the way in hopes it helps you in your business endeavors. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Er2H5pr245T8wKDCjCIIQjJHKOP8fNrRXUQNC4WOurHtzveIrZ62x-Z4oHDhS2YrzMBBhaftDvLWNOagCwqdqqFGT8EoSDt6KrL6iW2HIILmt8tWjjrMbJyr7xlR9UUH2V32kr5YNCqo/s1600/5_KeysToASuccessfulEtsyShop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Er2H5pr245T8wKDCjCIIQjJHKOP8fNrRXUQNC4WOurHtzveIrZ62x-Z4oHDhS2YrzMBBhaftDvLWNOagCwqdqqFGT8EoSDt6KrL6iW2HIILmt8tWjjrMbJyr7xlR9UUH2V32kr5YNCqo/s1600/5_KeysToASuccessfulEtsyShop.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>#1 Have good, clean photographs with natural lighting</b>-- </span><br />
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Having good photographs of your product is the most important thing you can do for your Etsy shop. People have no way of seeing your product in real life so this is your only opportunity to show them how good it looks. I don't know about you, but if a shop doesn't have good photography or if I can't really see what I am buying, I won't. I can't stress to you how important this is. <br />
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If you don't have a digital SLR just take the best photos you can with the best camera you have. Even if it's an iphone. You'd be amazed at what you can get from an iphone with just a little editing. Always place products near a window or in a room with good natural light. <u>Never ever</u> use a flash when photographing and never take photos after the sun goes down. I use <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/2009/08/pioneer-woman-action-sets-1-and-2-updated/" target="_blank">Pioneer Woman's Photoshop Action set</a> to help me edit my photos-- I only ever use the boost and slight lighten actions. If you have Photoshop Elements, she also has an <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/2010/03/pioneer-woman-actions-for-photoshop-elements/" target="_blank">elements version available</a>. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzwpeqA08gDgtCq6Jq914E8iwdlbzLHIXp036jT-MAVNCxyiQe-ggoBjdF95Z1wvzvOAP0ui5u0mqfABamEBQGH_8TvmdPn024enDAA57i6UeGvhL0hwaFBPY5stNKPA79Gv2KQOt766L/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+6252014+50647+PM.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzwpeqA08gDgtCq6Jq914E8iwdlbzLHIXp036jT-MAVNCxyiQe-ggoBjdF95Z1wvzvOAP0ui5u0mqfABamEBQGH_8TvmdPn024enDAA57i6UeGvhL0hwaFBPY5stNKPA79Gv2KQOt766L/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+6252014+50647+PM.bmp.jpg" height="414" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://etsy.com/" target="_blank">Etsy</a>'s front page</div>
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Keeping it simple is a good rule of thumb. Taking photos on a plain white background is completely acceptable and can even be a good thing. One of the best ways to get recognized on Etsy is by making it to the front page in a treasury... look closely and you'll notice what ends up on the front page are products with good lighting, simple backgrounds and little to no props. Also, if it's something wearable, a model is important too. <br />
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IF you do use props in your photos, make sure you are intentional about what you place in them. They need to make sense and fit with the image or brand of your shop. They can help you if you do them right but if you are nervous about this, just start out with a simple backdrop. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHG4qdAPI8i7dAIV1ZLhigjQpomALjehXGrHj44cVBvztVQ4SCSTPS6-Xb7UadCITKxFCHn3tdmaET-RdexvIS2ACctcjdjSDQFng06HQz9aeBAGC0vplYJa8T8o4g3tYyKlGlsneDTFjg/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+6252014+50755+PM.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHG4qdAPI8i7dAIV1ZLhigjQpomALjehXGrHj44cVBvztVQ4SCSTPS6-Xb7UadCITKxFCHn3tdmaET-RdexvIS2ACctcjdjSDQFng06HQz9aeBAGC0vplYJa8T8o4g3tYyKlGlsneDTFjg/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+6252014+50755+PM.bmp.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a><br />
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I love the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/thebeeskneesshoppe" target="_blank">Bees Knees Shoppe</a> design (I also think her products are so adorable!). Everything in her shop is cohesive from her colors, to her products to her logo and even the custom listing images. Her shop makes me want to buy something from her because it looks put together. She does a great job using props that help highlight her products without taking away from them. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBfKY_xSRLFCGKekiPf1xNP7P5rfMLRvo4EBsSHxEG7tAGV6-dVETGUubsIFlubI7yfMY1yxdYjvuBBS3RuC96ZoB3YcSJVvkwbtOmmg18hcmoNQsokq18lkVQ650zQNdKGLLThFERd1H/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+6252014+50904+PM.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBfKY_xSRLFCGKekiPf1xNP7P5rfMLRvo4EBsSHxEG7tAGV6-dVETGUubsIFlubI7yfMY1yxdYjvuBBS3RuC96ZoB3YcSJVvkwbtOmmg18hcmoNQsokq18lkVQ650zQNdKGLLThFERd1H/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+6252014+50904+PM.bmp.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/minthome" target="_blank">Mint Home</a> has fabulous furniture pieces that stand on their own. I like the simplicity of their listing photos with just a simple or white background. This method really makes each piece pop because there are no competing elements.</div>
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Finally, don't fret if your photographs aren't coming out the way you'd like. You will learn as your shop grows and as long as the photos are decent, you will get sales. Take a <a href="http://www.skillshare.com/" target="_blank">Skillshare</a> class to help you tighten up your photography skills if need be. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">#2 You need a clear style--</span></b><br />
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Equally as important to good photos is having a vision and brand for your shop. If you don't know what you're selling or how you want it to look to others, they won't know either. Is your shop whimsical? Vintage? Industrial? Preppy? A mix of things? Whatever it is, make sure it's reflected in a nice logo and any other branding you have in your shop. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90qXC-PoeV2wEBe61gzuDNPCT3iANPjwiuSIu0kd-KrgDo2FlphNjvg4rVDkp9FYNABmqp5c3x0AySiLhJUVfCy54Qx7T1cdZvVTsYmWetwiPKu74vU6z8JDT0dhN7Lohbt8CxFf81W26/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+6252014+51216+PM.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90qXC-PoeV2wEBe61gzuDNPCT3iANPjwiuSIu0kd-KrgDo2FlphNjvg4rVDkp9FYNABmqp5c3x0AySiLhJUVfCy54Qx7T1cdZvVTsYmWetwiPKu74vU6z8JDT0dhN7Lohbt8CxFf81W26/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+6252014+51216+PM.bmp.jpg" height="390" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PHFm5YVq7UEzbvI3jI5QIf84ZvJwMgbV4C-NcM6MCmY4A52-TTY-2xmcYjr4Vu7BD7gLD_dtMg054WQHnBSCgUYARECfb7D4oesVvMDd2CrjWys6VAzCObuYz3A_60PEQ3Lzclud8V_V/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+6252014+51159+PM.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PHFm5YVq7UEzbvI3jI5QIf84ZvJwMgbV4C-NcM6MCmY4A52-TTY-2xmcYjr4Vu7BD7gLD_dtMg054WQHnBSCgUYARECfb7D4oesVvMDd2CrjWys6VAzCObuYz3A_60PEQ3Lzclud8V_V/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+6252014+51159+PM.bmp.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PencilShavingsStudio" target="_blank">Pencil Shavings Studio</a> has some of the best branding out there. You know exactly what they are about just by looking at their shop banner and a few listings. Everything works together and speaks to their preppy/colorful/whimsical style. </div>
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If you sell multiple types of things in your shop, make sure they make sense together (like the shop above!). You can sell clothes and photographs in one place but they should somehow be connected. If you owned a brick and mortar shop, you would have a concept of who you were selling to and the look you wanted for your shop in it's decor, branding, style and feel, products etc. Keep that in mind with your Etsy shop too. Make sure your shop styling makes sense and that the items you are selling fit together. I wouldn't sell vintage records and handmade soap in one shop but that's just me. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">#3 Choose awesome tags and titles-- </span></b><br />
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When choosing a title for your listing, make sure you are using search terms that people are looking for. If you are posting a handmade bib for a boy-- "baby boy bib" would be a great starting point. Don't make up a cute nickname for it like "Oliver's Favorite Bib" because no one is looking that up on Etsy, and search is the primary way people will find your items there. <b> </b>It seems bland and boring but this is all about SEO and SEO brings buyers and buyers bring sales. <br />
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From there, use as many words in your title as you can to describe your piece. For example you may continue with "Guitar Print Fabric, Baby Shower Gift, Gift Set" and therefore your whole title could be "Baby Boy Bib, Guitar Print Fabric, Blue and Green, Hipster Boy, Baby Shower Gift, Gift Set, New Baby Gift". It's long but it works. <br />
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To know what people are searching for, simply start typing a term into the Etsy search bar. For this example, you could type "bib" and see what other's are pairing with the word "bib" when they are searching. <b>Put those items in your titles with the most important words at the front of your titles</b>. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AGZnD_IrbEk-WPoI8C0L8wehe2eOfEFBOWoeNQJhbDsUj-DlfO9TVKx5hZRAwr3pOlZORlkmJf-aabCShHKUQYVGWuYTP6yuf86caVCjt8uwUM-LJSpijBtVScZBL_14l4GQyi_4WMd6/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+6262014+123056+PM.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AGZnD_IrbEk-WPoI8C0L8wehe2eOfEFBOWoeNQJhbDsUj-DlfO9TVKx5hZRAwr3pOlZORlkmJf-aabCShHKUQYVGWuYTP6yuf86caVCjt8uwUM-LJSpijBtVScZBL_14l4GQyi_4WMd6/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+6262014+123056+PM.bmp.jpg" height="566" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/littlelow" target="_blank">Little Low Studio</a> is a shop with good titles on their listings that are sure to be directing buyers to them (I also love their shop styling and photography too).</div>
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In addition to good titles, it is key to make sure all the important words in your title are also in your tags. This gives each word more weight when Etsy is searching how relevant your items are to the person looking. So for my imaginary listing I would tag: baby boy bib, baby boy, blue, baby shower, gift, handmade, etc. I would keep going until I had used up all 13 tags. <br />
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Over time you can watch your shop stats and see what people are searching to find you and then edit your listing accordingly. Try new words and phrases on a couple listings once in awhile, you never know what will be popular!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>#4 Make sure to market outside of Etsy</b>--</span><br />
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If you are doing your tags and titles well, Etsy search will drive a majority of your traffic. But Etsy alone is not enough to have a thriving shop. <br />
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<b>Pinterest</b> is an awesome way to get your product beyond Etsy's walls. It's OK to pin your own designs. I have some prints that friends have pinned to their Pinterest boards that have brought in a lot of hits and sales. So far with my business, Pinterest has always brought in the most traffic aside from Etsy.<br />
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<b>Facebook</b> is fine but it used to be better. I would continue to market on Facebook but I wouldn't put all my effort there. In the last several months Facebook has limited who can see your shop's business page. It can be very difficult to get your "likers" to see your stuff on a regular basis unless you are willing to pay to "boost" your post. I've never done this but I have heard it's completely not worth it. Your personal page will have better luck reaching others but if you use it too much, you can get busted by Facebook. <br />
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Nonetheless, Facebook is still a great way to tell people about what you are doing. Try a variety of post types from links to status updates to photos-- some are more popular than others. I often find that Facebook tends to bring in sales from friends and family that might not otherwise know what I was up to. <br />
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<b>Instagram</b> is a really fun way to show others what you are making, it's like a mini-blog and is quick and simple. I find it's so much more rewarding than Facebook when trying reach my followers. It's a great way to interact with others, there's a lot of creative people and it's a super encouraging environment. Others find me and the pictures I post by searching different hashtags (#etsy, #etsyshop, #handlettering) and then can head to my Etsy store because of the link I have in my profile. MAKE SURE to have good and styled photos on IG, similar to what I said about your Etsy shop photos, people here expect things to look nice. (Natural lighting!!!!)<br />
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I find IG is really good for networking and getting to know other designers/crafters/creatives out there too. It's inspiring and is by far my favorite social media platform. <br />
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Follow me @SereneDesign ;)<br />
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<b>Markets and Shows</b> are super fun and can be a huge boost to your business. Besides selling your product, you can make new customers, meet existing ones, make new friends with other small business owners and possibly get invited to other shows.<br />
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I'm new to shows myself but for now I would simply say, get yourself out there and be intentional. Research the shows you sign up for and make sure your items fit in with the feel of the show. Also make sure the show is well marketed and the people running it seem to know what they are doing. There's nothing worse than doing a show and losing money in the end because no one shows up or the attenders are not searching for the types of items you are selling. Sad day. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">#5 Keep it fresh-- </span></b><br />
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There's discrepancy out there as to whether or not you need to re-list items on Etsy or post new ones to get more hits to your shop. It used to be that was entirely how you drove traffic to your shop-- with people re-listing their items multiple times a day. However, since each time you list something it's 20 cents, the shops with small budgets complained. Now search is based on relevancy, not recency, so re-listing has little to no effect on people finding your items. Which is another reason why good tags and titles are now so important. <br />
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All that to say, I do think it's important to keep adding things to your shop. The more you have the more likely people will find you (there's simply more out there to be found) and it keeps your shop looking new and fresh. People like to see that you have new products in the works and are continually creating. Give them something new to buy-- you never know when you will land on a new design idea that propels your business forward. <br />
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I hope this helps and is informative for those newer to Etsy. It sure makes me want to redesign my shop some, which I plan to do in the coming months. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to leave a comment or email me!<br />
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Good luck,<br />
Rachel<br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07689610336827299672noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705121005544635215.post-54726617349623593522014-06-19T08:11:00.001-07:002014-06-19T08:13:18.554-07:00New in Shop: Fourth of July Banners<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have loved the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/192443790/customizable-paper-garland-chalkboard?ref=shop_home_active_8" target="_blank">new customizable</a> pennant garlands in my Etsy shop so much that I decided to do some Fourth of July themed ones. These make me smile. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifexhg7TmL2I8hezLqbKcCbV8tZm6UcwstmYQ00h88e-oK-ef4KJqtIZLQxTjBduZqbG28BOLAjoPJ_FygaE2GwYzhINretXQY9bRVeNupCIQKvcHbORpK3rG9dz_7h7xcwEAlCZ09YpBp/s1600/Fourth_Banners1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifexhg7TmL2I8hezLqbKcCbV8tZm6UcwstmYQ00h88e-oK-ef4KJqtIZLQxTjBduZqbG28BOLAjoPJ_FygaE2GwYzhINretXQY9bRVeNupCIQKvcHbORpK3rG9dz_7h7xcwEAlCZ09YpBp/s1600/Fourth_Banners1.jpg" height="472" width="640" /></a></div>
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Right now I am offering these 3 pre-made styles, but you can really choose whatever patriotic phrase you want. For example: "Stars and Stripes", "Old Glory", "USA" etc.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATbxjE_wNg5MQl4kBkd4wvumeLh7WdhmUxaB9G6SvtkBkrbQKb4aeTDnwjBmUHo9rqweuYc1zowL2lok7A4axWsTh-tHfYoKn4oqMKw6Ih6vrTYn7_Ra_gk7IPPZJs0t8H6Z-nEoFzGrV/s1600/Fourth_Banners2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATbxjE_wNg5MQl4kBkd4wvumeLh7WdhmUxaB9G6SvtkBkrbQKb4aeTDnwjBmUHo9rqweuYc1zowL2lok7A4axWsTh-tHfYoKn4oqMKw6Ih6vrTYn7_Ra_gk7IPPZJs0t8H6Z-nEoFzGrV/s1600/Fourth_Banners2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/193530355/fourth-of-july-decor-fourth-of-july?ref=shop_home_active_3" target="_blank">"Freedom"</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7L_ZqSbKZkMfRkYJfXKAKbhHZnlvPXnrH9QN_t_Z7pWQcyZuDzXvvJfb5OLCqpi8lJ8McfxaQtyc47Md27LbOGlh3cdNJjD3LipING0H7kKhcjlvJ1oFGRdaUQfyTAm-ozNopaG3enYPO/s1600/Fourth_Banners3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7L_ZqSbKZkMfRkYJfXKAKbhHZnlvPXnrH9QN_t_Z7pWQcyZuDzXvvJfb5OLCqpi8lJ8McfxaQtyc47Md27LbOGlh3cdNJjD3LipING0H7kKhcjlvJ1oFGRdaUQfyTAm-ozNopaG3enYPO/s1600/Fourth_Banners3.jpg" height="410" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/193559196/fourth-of-july-decor-happy-fourth-of?ref=shop_home_active_2" target="_blank">"Happy Fourth" </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdzfHmLdh4oG6ZxXGyD-EaUdOC1tqiGN7AUwV35viy587QGhx-JBGgkxGIY2Fwa2ySHppsK-C0vtu7Yn6PmMJJjhsE8gThfvgxwLiH8mdI_oFXgCYJCd_ijyWnlbzgQk40_3DW2svL8Pw/s1600/Fourth_Banners4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdzfHmLdh4oG6ZxXGyD-EaUdOC1tqiGN7AUwV35viy587QGhx-JBGgkxGIY2Fwa2ySHppsK-C0vtu7Yn6PmMJJjhsE8gThfvgxwLiH8mdI_oFXgCYJCd_ijyWnlbzgQk40_3DW2svL8Pw/s1600/Fourth_Banners4.jpg" height="448" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/193570147/fourth-of-july-decor-america-fourth-of?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">"America"</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jJCv2kzNFmHTsGp242Rb_3ec6FmYswggZbdJ4oC-pCk06TVsmwJ3QyqPNGR2v3nJvcA8Fcnp2OBAqznsE_8hfif-6WdFAG_3FplicMOZ2JJmUlxKcI0YtbfcRPVkQWSbv7j3flqxAG5Q/s1600/Fourth_Banners5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jJCv2kzNFmHTsGp242Rb_3ec6FmYswggZbdJ4oC-pCk06TVsmwJ3QyqPNGR2v3nJvcA8Fcnp2OBAqznsE_8hfif-6WdFAG_3FplicMOZ2JJmUlxKcI0YtbfcRPVkQWSbv7j3flqxAG5Q/s1600/Fourth_Banners5.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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Stripes, dots and stars.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirc5Lo4_brW7_cz2dD11G7xnNL-057syyV2Kugfu4wA_pKf0BQp9EEQOm011-i0NXhZIZ7Wouo2ULfnwBFSQU7uAI8oeI0pkF6JQ27o3F1drlIm3P5N80Padv9qfYkd8HLXLKmoB7TuWcu/s1600/Fourth_Banners6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirc5Lo4_brW7_cz2dD11G7xnNL-057syyV2Kugfu4wA_pKf0BQp9EEQOm011-i0NXhZIZ7Wouo2ULfnwBFSQU7uAI8oeI0pkF6JQ27o3F1drlIm3P5N80Padv9qfYkd8HLXLKmoB7TuWcu/s1600/Fourth_Banners6.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Stripes, dots and canvas.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaVy-NtiREqVLOgcyU1JpcddQ0i_yZvKVH4UBjkOHJIh21cs9TziwlGM1_zaQUvA5dqy-WqFShfca_T7Hs0XV4oKLc48knDzhtnRAgWgVKBu46cakAjS08rbIfoBgaCs-9aBYH6q2r5tF/s1600/Fourth_Banners7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaVy-NtiREqVLOgcyU1JpcddQ0i_yZvKVH4UBjkOHJIh21cs9TziwlGM1_zaQUvA5dqy-WqFShfca_T7Hs0XV4oKLc48knDzhtnRAgWgVKBu46cakAjS08rbIfoBgaCs-9aBYH6q2r5tF/s1600/Fourth_Banners7.jpg" height="640" width="390" /></a></div>
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Just stripes and dots.</div>
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Want more star strips or more canvas? Just convo me on Etsy and I can basically put it together the way you want it using the materials shown. </div>
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These are so fun and festive! I want one in every room of my house.</div>
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What do you think? Do you decorate for the Fourth? Well if not, now you should ;)</div>
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Xoxo,<br />
RachelRachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07689610336827299672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705121005544635215.post-83067274445598250162014-06-17T14:25:00.000-07:002014-06-17T14:30:47.014-07:00Baby Room Progress and Inspiration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
These days my life has to be planned out really well and I have to stick to that plan. I have two preschool-aged kids with a baby on the way, a house in the country that's always covered in dirt, a husband to take care of, a business that takes somewhere from 10-15 hours a week and a wild social life to manage. OK, that last part isn't really true but I do have friends that I want to connect with once in awhile! Because of all of this though, I am really starting to learn how important it is that I set goals, plan ahead and am focused each day so that I can stay on top of my life and not let it get on top of me. It's a very interesting balancing act but I do enjoy it. </div>
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Why am I telling you all this? Mainly because in a long-winded way, it relates to how I make time for special projects around the house. We have several projects we are trying to tackle slowly but simultaneously so that by the time the baby gets here in the end of September, we are mostly settled and ready for his or her arrival. Starting in September and lasting until January, also happens to be the busiest time of year for my business. So don't be surprised if you see my listening to Christmas Carols and drawing Christmas designs in mid-July. I want to be ready for the fall retail boom long before baby comes.</div>
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That being said, for this baby, I decided to start getting the nursery ready waaaay early in an effort to not have it be a rush at the end when my business is also taking a lot more of my time than usual. You may have seen on <a href="http://instagram.com/serenedesign" target="_blank">Instagram</a> that I painted the baby's room in April. </div>
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I was really really pleased with how it turned out and still smile every time I step foot in the room. I used Bedford Gray by Martha Stewart (in Home Depot's Glidden Duo brand) and I absolutely adored the paint and color. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyoLOB3gJw4lQi5rjnfmwK8ngck6Ox3uIqBsiQ3uZWoQMeiQhf_ty_ig1rn4KKjOiD34XxL_AP6cHvUlk2m78rxJIxYdi6P6E6iAWezOaGqk7H-dYBZ_rkvwzu9JkAQXCsRo6UTsVKioq/s1600/Gray_paint_gray_curtains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyoLOB3gJw4lQi5rjnfmwK8ngck6Ox3uIqBsiQ3uZWoQMeiQhf_ty_ig1rn4KKjOiD34XxL_AP6cHvUlk2m78rxJIxYdi6P6E6iAWezOaGqk7H-dYBZ_rkvwzu9JkAQXCsRo6UTsVKioq/s1600/Gray_paint_gray_curtains.jpg" height="640" width="410" /></a></div>
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Choosing a gray paint for a room can turn into a really tricky task pretty quickly which is why I wrote the post <i><a href="http://moxiedesignstudio.wordpress.com/2014/06/06/feature-friday-gray-matters-with-rachel/" target="_blank">Gray Matters</a></i> for my friend Lindsay over at Moxie Design Studio. I've linked to it here in case you want to pop over and glean some tips from some of my gray-painting experiences. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rxE_7agSmtAq3nAmP-CS3WtvYY67Eybzw7N17NYB0EQ93Sz6cIdkrFxMdsgVKgNZZOkAsQRF_9za1i3eRAwd1LFjqUiclmFb-Q16ftsThI2XOT3aTdx6YttYrqS4dMrGHkTSzeOo5OzR/s1600/Gray_paint_white_trim2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rxE_7agSmtAq3nAmP-CS3WtvYY67Eybzw7N17NYB0EQ93Sz6cIdkrFxMdsgVKgNZZOkAsQRF_9za1i3eRAwd1LFjqUiclmFb-Q16ftsThI2XOT3aTdx6YttYrqS4dMrGHkTSzeOo5OzR/s1600/Gray_paint_white_trim2.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's a close-up so you can see how the colors plays with the gray-toned floors, white trim and dark gray curtains. It's a lot of gray right now but that will be changing soon enough. </div>
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Next on my agenda is to paint our Jenny Lind (think curvy spindles) style bed Kelly Green. I love a pop of color and I love green so this will be a fun project. The rest of the room will stay neutral but definitely NOT boring. My goal is to make it feel sophisticated with a touch of whimsy. I will use industrial elements (like a sweet bronze and black light fixture), some fun art (I'm loving Narwhals for this room-- do you know they are <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narwhal" target="_blank">real creatures</a>?) and some modern & vintage furniture pieces that we already own. I have a couple other fun ideas up my sleeve as well. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZYgEXDs-Wv3APB5UenOrIwE-UMe7sMyMbR3nv6YzUFZ9zzFm728sw-LPdZOwLSyOy3twNomhXsSohL_F18JNyaan4ySakNO_BCZF_lniMMcaJxRmTM6Iqwfym0nFESc6uP7GjRbo53Vb/s1600/Nursery_Oliboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZYgEXDs-Wv3APB5UenOrIwE-UMe7sMyMbR3nv6YzUFZ9zzFm728sw-LPdZOwLSyOy3twNomhXsSohL_F18JNyaan4ySakNO_BCZF_lniMMcaJxRmTM6Iqwfym0nFESc6uP7GjRbo53Vb/s1600/Nursery_Oliboard.jpg" height="350" width="640" /></a></div>
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It should come together nicely and hopefully inexpensively as well. Looking at the Olioboard I designed, I'm thinking my main expenses for this room will be the paint, lighting and artwork. Not too shabby. <br />
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What's your style when you are painting or decorating a room? Get it all done in a weekend or slowly over time? Goodwill and junk finds or Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel? I'm usually a mix myself. <br />
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I'll keep you posted,<br />
Rachel<br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07689610336827299672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705121005544635215.post-91127530191596343312014-06-11T14:01:00.002-07:002014-06-11T14:26:06.615-07:00The Vintage and Made Fair -- My First Show!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I started getting serious about my Etsy business last fall. I designed several things for the 2013 holiday season and it was going pretty well; I loved designing and being able to make some money at the same time. In January, I found out I was pregnant with our third and spent several months completely sick and exhausted but still so motivated to see my business grow. During that time, my good friend <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vintage-No-35/137637466289757" target="_blank">Tricia</a>, and some of her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rescuedjunkbyocf" target="_blank">junkin' friends</a>, announced that they were going to be putting on a "fair" in June showcasing junkers, crafters and handmade artisans from all around the area. I was super excited and signed up anyway, fully knowing I would be sick for awhile and would really have to pull it together to be ready in time. </div>
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Slowly but surely, I found the time to work on my drawings and grow my inventory for the show. At first, there were many mornings where I laid on the couch and drew because I couldn't muster up the energy to do much else. Then, over time, I started to feel better and was able to send my kids to a sitter one day a week so I could focus, focus, focus. </div>
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It's been a labor of love and last weekend was the first time showing off all my hard work in person. The show was so rewarding, encouraging, exciting, draining and just plain FUN. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTrcGZtiQjst5X-y7IxYHlzpUOmgGbSAvaNyEsuMiN4nCyeX5q19gn89OoscYW4B3AIigiZ2i_2Nq6S50yaTazwE9He25SHUtfET3JYqtIHl43DhIT6LouvbCtrWxZplLooSILYHpS2yl/s1600/Tent1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTrcGZtiQjst5X-y7IxYHlzpUOmgGbSAvaNyEsuMiN4nCyeX5q19gn89OoscYW4B3AIigiZ2i_2Nq6S50yaTazwE9He25SHUtfET3JYqtIHl43DhIT6LouvbCtrWxZplLooSILYHpS2yl/s1600/Tent1.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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Here I am with all my work!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_9PFkS3XNWNf5CS4Z40aFuZuSYI_ZL2pzuPxwjw4dEteNYZ6bbujymhszPh_Ru60H49n0T_bkoyF7Q3Kn5rwCgkf12_QR-NohyAHYZ6Y46h1p8K6HF6qFWB-bZnc8fIkOvwUegglWY5u/s1600/Tent2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_9PFkS3XNWNf5CS4Z40aFuZuSYI_ZL2pzuPxwjw4dEteNYZ6bbujymhszPh_Ru60H49n0T_bkoyF7Q3Kn5rwCgkf12_QR-NohyAHYZ6Y46h1p8K6HF6qFWB-bZnc8fIkOvwUegglWY5u/s1600/Tent2.jpg" height="640" width="433" /></a></div>
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I used things from around my house to prop up my prints. I think it gives you an idea of my personal style and makes the tent feel warm and inviting. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1y_ZnJsjA0uSVKAIaXoEle2gtwbsKaNbNtCkbZO0UvH8rOk4KjhQp2prCbB1nr_gPhsITyRczT2UkWTUINyeftbJFYiWmtgpiKi1A8JOdV6oPA60KESDevLU2j5f3rdAPfFry8agnsps/s1600/Tent3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1y_ZnJsjA0uSVKAIaXoEle2gtwbsKaNbNtCkbZO0UvH8rOk4KjhQp2prCbB1nr_gPhsITyRczT2UkWTUINyeftbJFYiWmtgpiKi1A8JOdV6oPA60KESDevLU2j5f3rdAPfFry8agnsps/s1600/Tent3.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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See the drop cloth walls? Yeah, we had to DIY those in just a couple hours and on a budget so that the wind and rain wouldn't get to my work and ruin it over the weekend. I'm so glad we did because it POURED for 6 hours STRAIGHT on Saturday. Oi.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkn_2R_6-r896_XJk3oJkv3aPvJUqhw2MyVNnpr-XsmBtNDPE7NaujacJWwQfckEImLXrF5TsTgKAk5-MnJVAMTZBzgjC8uIRrHwxJtC2dYLAeBNT6fAVoZCxWdSBkSt0vhrrTKdJgrbHy/s1600/Tent4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkn_2R_6-r896_XJk3oJkv3aPvJUqhw2MyVNnpr-XsmBtNDPE7NaujacJWwQfckEImLXrF5TsTgKAk5-MnJVAMTZBzgjC8uIRrHwxJtC2dYLAeBNT6fAVoZCxWdSBkSt0vhrrTKdJgrbHy/s1600/Tent4.jpg" height="452" width="640" /></a></div>
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I unveiled a new product at the show-- DIY pennant banners (see them in my Etsy Store <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/192443790/customizable-paper-garland-chalkboard?ref=shop_home_active_2" target="_blank">here</a>). Customers could come up, choose the letters for anything they wanted to spell, string them on some twine and tie on some vintage fabric tassels. I was nervous people would think it was too much work to do at a show but it went off without a hitch!</div>
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I was SO exhausted after this show. Obviously, three days of this was a lot of work but additionally, I had such a hard time sleeping each night for various reasons, mostly unrelated to the show. When it was over on Sunday, I just wanted to crawl into my bed but I also had this overwhelming feeling that I couldn't wait until I could do it again. There are few things more rewarding than rising to the occasion during a difficult season in your life and meeting your goals. This business, and all the creating that comes with it, has become one of the greatest joys so far in my life. </div>
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My show was everything I hoped it could be and in so many ways I have to thank my husband. He has supported my creativity from day one... always allowing me the time to make room for my talent. He's been my listening ear and helped me with marketing decisions and other shop-related decisions. He's stayed up late packaging prints with me and learning how to cut dowels perfectly straight to hang canvas prints. During the show, he was right there beside me the whole time, being fun with the customers, doing a lot of leg work and at the beginning and end, handling a majority of the grunt work to set-up and tear-down. This is such an image of the man he is... always giving to me, always sacrificing over and over. I adore him. </div>
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Also, I wouldn't be doing this business if I didn't feel like my Creator had set me on this path. Being a creative visionary type, I have started and stopped so many things but this feels more meant to be with each day. I have gone to God over and over for vision and discernment with this business. There were months things weren't jiving and then I would sense Him calling me to focus on a different area of the business and BOOM it was back again. I can see His hand clearly over this and that has been such an encouragement to me. </div>
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In the night when I wasn't able to sleep on Saturday, I got up and paced the halls of my house for over 45 minutes. I was feeling sick and just praying and praying I would be well enough to do the show on Sunday. It was then that I had this overwhelming sense that He was saying He was my Jehovah Jireh or God My Provider. I walked around in the dark thinking of all the ways He has provided for us in the last year (I'll share more about that sometime) and how this instance wouldn't be any different. And it wasn't. Things don't always work out like that, but that night, and in that circumstance, I knew He was about to show me something awesome. That something awesome being all the joy and pay off of the show.</div>
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So, I'll cut the sappy stuff now :) I just wanted to close by saying I may be addicted to shows after this! In fact, if you missed this one, I just signed up for my second show on Saturday, July 26th in Valley Junction (Des Moines, IA). There are more details to come so stay tuned! </div>
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Thanks for all your love and support,</div>
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Rachel</div>
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07689610336827299672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705121005544635215.post-7565490294479111502014-06-05T21:35:00.002-07:002014-10-16T18:57:59.349-07:00A fresh coat of paint + a headboard facelift<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
With a baby on the way at the end of September, we've had to do some switcher-roos around the house. The guest room will be transforming into the baby's room and my daughter Haven's room now has the "old" guest bed. </div>
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Just a few years ago my husband made that bed for our room. We lived in a small bungalow at the time and our bedroom was literally not much bigger than the size of a bed. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g_LpEDnHmHs/Twt9BXVgt9I/AAAAAAAAcdE/fWlvbZyB7vE/s1600/DSC_0294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g_LpEDnHmHs/Twt9BXVgt9I/AAAAAAAAcdE/fWlvbZyB7vE/s1600/DSC_0294.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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We had no room for a dresser so he made this bed for storage. We used <a href="http://ana-white.com/2009/11/queen-sized-storage-bed" target="_blank">this</a> plan from Ana-White.com and it served us well for a few years. Originally, we made it with drawers but they were cumbersome and never really worked that well. So this time around, I decided to pitch the never-completely-finished drawers and have some open storage for baskets and toys for my daughter's room. I also thought they would be a fun opportunity for a pop of color. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LXHrSBGlbBrodDyn_O7gQtoEiFT9H8cciPhUFeJzBZivJThXp6KHSjedyYPPvnH0JPE-DssrBYFUjARgh28Ol3mxxYc8oGcSHzyOLVdagmNJ_JF6xHSegtPakiUNZHEiJX_zLZYFaMyB/s1600/Upholstered_headboard1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LXHrSBGlbBrodDyn_O7gQtoEiFT9H8cciPhUFeJzBZivJThXp6KHSjedyYPPvnH0JPE-DssrBYFUjARgh28Ol3mxxYc8oGcSHzyOLVdagmNJ_JF6xHSegtPakiUNZHEiJX_zLZYFaMyB/s1600/Upholstered_headboard1.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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I decided to paint the cubbies Kelly green and just love how this touch adds some fun in a Kate Spade type of way. It's happy without being too in-your-face. Plus, I love green. All the shades. All the time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyM7zn70t4cHqeLv6ROKN8g6P5S3pXT9z_quEpJbgd1H6Mq8-p_iWQvVYmnmQwDFNO2fjccpeXk0MhN2E5YXkmEJiJK7bw2QReP9nbgNaMy1On0lNqxkRrVE_bbXrDmLYanZ9wWF3l8kcb/s1600/Painted_bed3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyM7zn70t4cHqeLv6ROKN8g6P5S3pXT9z_quEpJbgd1H6Mq8-p_iWQvVYmnmQwDFNO2fjccpeXk0MhN2E5YXkmEJiJK7bw2QReP9nbgNaMy1On0lNqxkRrVE_bbXrDmLYanZ9wWF3l8kcb/s1600/Painted_bed3.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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We made the original headboard and covered it in a gray and yellow damask but wanted to liven it up a little bit for a child. I like to balance sophisticated with kid-friendly when doing a child's room and was inspired by the <a href="http://www.joann.com/upholstery-fabric-hgtv-home-flower-fest-fruit-punch/12765202.html" target="_blank">Floral Fest fabric</a> from HGTV. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RhAaGeo4y_4/Twt9LJYV7ZI/AAAAAAAAcc0/nNqBjJvQMmc/s1600/DSC_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RhAaGeo4y_4/Twt9LJYV7ZI/AAAAAAAAcc0/nNqBjJvQMmc/s1600/DSC_0371.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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(Before)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZ3JF5p8gIZPljbxFa5Pm4_4fQkHmGCslNVijL5eCl8AabkTjLiebqkkVwp1xlTHysrI7qBHIjGpVVNvvqviSmDfKUmErPAiiIlu9SarhDrlOaM5gWJxu_Rcw-LuofQOHbKC45yJ3AMOX/s1600/Upholstered_Headboard4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZ3JF5p8gIZPljbxFa5Pm4_4fQkHmGCslNVijL5eCl8AabkTjLiebqkkVwp1xlTHysrI7qBHIjGpVVNvvqviSmDfKUmErPAiiIlu9SarhDrlOaM5gWJxu_Rcw-LuofQOHbKC45yJ3AMOX/s1600/Upholstered_Headboard4.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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(After redo)</div>
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To make the headboard, we simply cut a template out of cardboard and laid it over a sheet of plywood. My husband used a jigsaw to cut the curves around the template and onto the plywood. And to be honest, the curves were not even on both sides the first time we did it. I can't remember if we completely started over or just trimmed them a little. I think if we would have taken our time a little more, it would have come out perfect the first time. Oh well. </div>
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But I love how it looks now.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1InzuZa0NIkRBJsWB1EGY4KjcdiW7qR6EDQ7Yf4733dTxtW_4AKjt3xaK_-8Ny7buONWHx43rVnZ9MEQvtJCkf-KA7Qknii9gV-sH8Da2Zpo9sO-ZzmwZeXlyRbMPvXGC265RmTERc2f8/s1600/Upholstered_Headboard5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1InzuZa0NIkRBJsWB1EGY4KjcdiW7qR6EDQ7Yf4733dTxtW_4AKjt3xaK_-8Ny7buONWHx43rVnZ9MEQvtJCkf-KA7Qknii9gV-sH8Da2Zpo9sO-ZzmwZeXlyRbMPvXGC265RmTERc2f8/s1600/Upholstered_Headboard5.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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Also, this headboard has a funny story with it from when I was covering it in the gray and yellow damask oringally. That fabric had a repeat that could only go in one direction. Meaning the 54" width of the fabric was just slightly too narrow to cover the 60" wide piece of plywood. I couldn't use the length of the bolt because the birds on the fabric ran in a certain direction and they would be sideways if I did. So I had to use an old white curtain to cover the edges and create a border so the fabric could go the way I needed it to. It turned out fine but this time around I made sure to grab a fabric that could look right in any direction! </div>
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After my fabric fiasco back in the day, I got the brilliant idea to use nail head trim around the edges of the headboard. It turned out to be a nightmare because I could not, for the life of me, get the silly nail heads hammered in. It was maddening and they were getting all bent and ruined. </div>
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So I did what normal people do, I sat on the floor and cried. </div>
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And then I thought to myself, "Rachel, you never cry over decorating dilemmas, maybe you are pregnant". Two minutes later, I popped into the bathroom, took a test, and much to my surprise, I WAS! </div>
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So it's only fitting Haven would get to sleep near this headboard after all the trauma it caused me three years ago. :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoP2f82Zzx0fKpGUzPfkBM9QfFH1psDq7SkQ5g8gclXZ5_oWIzezx_RBYz_2grbDqrAUlxO8GYgMUHFtLUqL22dFQLoznY_IP59pupM1KB2WJ7s7Qow9RmlddWpY-cWc3QonOfDXf-j-e/s1600/Upholstered_Headboard6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoP2f82Zzx0fKpGUzPfkBM9QfFH1psDq7SkQ5g8gclXZ5_oWIzezx_RBYz_2grbDqrAUlxO8GYgMUHFtLUqL22dFQLoznY_IP59pupM1KB2WJ7s7Qow9RmlddWpY-cWc3QonOfDXf-j-e/s1600/Upholstered_Headboard6.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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This time around, covering the headboard literally took me 20 minutes. I had learned from my mistakes, bought a fabric that was easy to manage and didn't try to do any fancy trim. I simply used a staple-gun to staple the fabric over the existing fabric and batting. It's just like recovering the cushion on a chair. Simple. </div>
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I'm pleased with how it all turned out, but honestly, I'm still not totally settled on the headboard fabric. It's a little crazier than I wanted for her room, but it had the colors I hoped for (kelly green and coral) and it fit my other fabric requirements. Plus, with two kids and one on the way, I don't have the time or energy to go all over town or scour the internet for "the perfect thing", which I usually find out doesn't exist anyway.</div>
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There's no such thing as perfection, right? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2USiNWJO6eWX3Lf-siA_hPH_mmXdZGQ2YPNoMUCmy3og0KMYz5maM70hv-_vFYCLvw7CoCBTFRLX7481zf6dW2SHM1SDNbKi4hE9mzvtXURPx1_sOUJmYBme0DfflMzqCluE_d9VVIUg/s1600/Upholstered_Headboard3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2USiNWJO6eWX3Lf-siA_hPH_mmXdZGQ2YPNoMUCmy3og0KMYz5maM70hv-_vFYCLvw7CoCBTFRLX7481zf6dW2SHM1SDNbKi4hE9mzvtXURPx1_sOUJmYBme0DfflMzqCluE_d9VVIUg/s1600/Upholstered_Headboard3.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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I want to paint the walls a light coral and add a chair, accessories, and wall art to her room. We bought a used dresser a few weeks ago that needs new knobs... I'm excited to share that with you too. </div>
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It's probably going to take me awhile to get this room finished. I'm trying to get creative budget-wise and I also have a baby room to work on at the same time. But as I work, I will show you what I do. Fingers crossed it's done by September! </div>
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Until next time,</div>
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Rachel</div>
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Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07689610336827299672noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705121005544635215.post-21754732756124633562014-06-04T08:00:00.000-07:002014-06-04T12:37:27.691-07:00Busy Bee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have been working working working for the last several months getting ready for the <a href="http://www.vintageandmadefair.com/" target="_blank">Vintage and Made Fair</a> coming up this weekend. It's been fun and I am so excited to do my first show. It's the inaugural year of the VAMF, a show that combines "junk" and crafty goodness along with good eats and live music. I think it will be a hit in the Des Moines area. </div>
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<a href="http://www.vintageandmadefair.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPFD7qsu2eD1kT6JARAi24GY7xn6VP2H0_JOuCZJXIPYTGa0KlG_Ibtio1H2fSUPFI0d7DT0lbvkmizlAvNWaQxXtIMobfywhidajjH_UqUh0c5nSiVKwTaGopbLWFiiypXoYsZH_KRiU/s1600/postcard+size.jpg" height="400" width="306" /></a></div>
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I signed up in February and one day a week while the kiddos are at the sitters, I've been brainstorming, drawing, digitizing, printing, and packaging. It's been such a blessing to be able to devote that time to strengthening my business, dreaming up new products and envisioning the future. </div>
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Here's a glimpse to some of the items I've been working on and what I will be taking to the show. This is just a small fraction of everything I have. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_8itTJ0jqJaGlVaH79RcChaRER5GikYlsbHMY4vJi4d-v4BN2KNMqczBaryZaGoKJAcm1i3q9cBxaPsBcR8Fv7ByMzMkkkUvHUa8iSQUd-jrYRgEuHCHBBryA6TrJZYA-WC5ubdgqaHy/s1600/VAMF_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_8itTJ0jqJaGlVaH79RcChaRER5GikYlsbHMY4vJi4d-v4BN2KNMqczBaryZaGoKJAcm1i3q9cBxaPsBcR8Fv7ByMzMkkkUvHUa8iSQUd-jrYRgEuHCHBBryA6TrJZYA-WC5ubdgqaHy/s1600/VAMF_4.jpg" height="308" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAOVV864QcQawLfztb37xqFtTwEwejtLR_JsgRadwaZfXW4FGLeb2jBnncVyWqIUPgUVeLDbBWTB1J3qyaJG1P98r9mMkI7DVwgQS6OSaTY3HkKJ5PazsRsNmYgnLLg9UsdC9AW7iKBrv/s1600/VAMF_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAOVV864QcQawLfztb37xqFtTwEwejtLR_JsgRadwaZfXW4FGLeb2jBnncVyWqIUPgUVeLDbBWTB1J3qyaJG1P98r9mMkI7DVwgQS6OSaTY3HkKJ5PazsRsNmYgnLLg9UsdC9AW7iKBrv/s1600/VAMF_1.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTee_36WmbxJiylFoipRDM_lrkcLNtX9mKxJ2tofzu8neBVWa9qzUCrqCxARMK0KiZrOPMkU5aNmS0VcxIdUwv8jkSHu1hHPTOcF4pAevHk_qnZSyBbsHT6BIEeNwxanRybs3jiYAGebVq/s1600/VAMF_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTee_36WmbxJiylFoipRDM_lrkcLNtX9mKxJ2tofzu8neBVWa9qzUCrqCxARMK0KiZrOPMkU5aNmS0VcxIdUwv8jkSHu1hHPTOcF4pAevHk_qnZSyBbsHT6BIEeNwxanRybs3jiYAGebVq/s1600/VAMF_3.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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I'm also introducing a few new products at the show (not pictured here). If you are in the area, I'd love to see you there, and if you aren't able to come, everything new will be up in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheBurlapBungalow" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a> immediately following the weekend. </div>
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Excited and nervous at the same time,</div>
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Rachel</div>
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07689610336827299672noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705121005544635215.post-45261518415915962462014-04-29T13:17:00.001-07:002014-04-29T13:30:49.103-07:00A pantry makeover in progessOne of my least favorite areas in our entire house has been our pantry. It's awkwardly shaped, the shelving is exposed to the kitchen (so I see our mess all the time), it's where our back door is located so people often find themselves in this messy room upon entering our home, and despite being a walk-in room it doesn't provide for a lot of storage.<br />
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I've been staring at it every day since we moved to our house last summer at a loss for what to do with the room. I've even debated if I should nix the whole pantry idea all together, buy an armoire for food storage and make the room a little office nook. But alas, we really just need it to be a pantry and I was finally motivated after months of simmering on my ideas to do something about it. </div>
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We've made a noticeable change and it's still a work in progress, but here are/were my goals for this space:</div>
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<li>Organize and display food in an attractive way.</li>
<li>Hide the area underneath the microwave that tends to collect random things. </li>
<li>Make or purchase some sort of cafe door to visually separate the room from the kitchen.</li>
<li>Make it cute.</li>
<li>Stick to a minimal budget. </li>
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I feel really good about my goals but I'm not done with the project yet. Let's move to the before and after photos so you can see why the room had me pulling out my hair and how it looks now. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMQ2r8F4sSz921zyPw4NC51DPVEzQ_g_Td0yrb13XDSJWTGYi93BuzcgxDtuJX1ylKT8immuijQkYzAuCuCu8kjyl5MRROSkSXhQoeXHuEWPprT0Xkam-F7wc9K-7IBsDIwaZ8wOxWDao/s1600/Pantry15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMQ2r8F4sSz921zyPw4NC51DPVEzQ_g_Td0yrb13XDSJWTGYi93BuzcgxDtuJX1ylKT8immuijQkYzAuCuCu8kjyl5MRROSkSXhQoeXHuEWPprT0Xkam-F7wc9K-7IBsDIwaZ8wOxWDao/s1600/Pantry15.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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This was the view from my kitchen. As you can see, things were just stuffed wherever, with bread and snacks kept in the wicker drawers and our microwave on the top shelf (there isn’t one in our kitchen), it was pretty much a disheveled mess.<br />
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Here it is now: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ityf_9LX0Df-Jff-oQRm3Ir_8D3kAH96GN7xhHBRW5vq1k67SWNOFDhtH-PES8Q2AD7pIXHJ_ohc_0QIdPW-9ZKuTC1p5OAl04ZhJQ-QB2kmh5c3ivfsMX3XQufn_mRZVwv4InwgDq07/s1600/Pantry13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ityf_9LX0Df-Jff-oQRm3Ir_8D3kAH96GN7xhHBRW5vq1k67SWNOFDhtH-PES8Q2AD7pIXHJ_ohc_0QIdPW-9ZKuTC1p5OAl04ZhJQ-QB2kmh5c3ivfsMX3XQufn_mRZVwv4InwgDq07/s1600/Pantry13.jpg" height="400" width="233" /></a></div>
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I cleared the clutter, got rid of old items and sewed a curtain to hide the random things underneath the shelf. I put fruits and vegetables in these cute metal baskets from Gordman's. They were inexpensive and a good size for the area. I picked up a soda dispenser for my La Croix, too. I wanted the space to have a grocery market type feel and I think these items help accomplish that.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZjgGvST4Te76zHmqM932TVUXT2xDM1pfBAU5HwdnUaLZBbnCo5_SdG0KWeFgPdG3U6WrvIhxTczRgvBcrdedXmID_e-c0z_c8nbWIPvyMUfwUaw_fD5xSCILvTR1xaHIOZ2F3DRprETw/s1600/Pantry11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZjgGvST4Te76zHmqM932TVUXT2xDM1pfBAU5HwdnUaLZBbnCo5_SdG0KWeFgPdG3U6WrvIhxTczRgvBcrdedXmID_e-c0z_c8nbWIPvyMUfwUaw_fD5xSCILvTR1xaHIOZ2F3DRprETw/s1600/Pantry11.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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I pulled out my sewing machine for the first time in two years. Be proud people. The curtain is even the same length all the way across :) You can't tell very well but this is just the sweetest fabric that I found at Hobby Lobby. It's cream with little black polka-dots and I love it so much! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPcouVxfU_Tzz6yLceuOPYBcRlCun6kienzopEol2KlN0KsHMxl1ZSnW_d0sPkjbYoZYm5-FEPy5n3SFJsl4ZBJDVEriwxE0pdyvyVoyecCsmn2iUxqrOARSGBiic5B3TWA6TUK7LVRt-/s1600/Pantry12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPcouVxfU_Tzz6yLceuOPYBcRlCun6kienzopEol2KlN0KsHMxl1ZSnW_d0sPkjbYoZYm5-FEPy5n3SFJsl4ZBJDVEriwxE0pdyvyVoyecCsmn2iUxqrOARSGBiic5B3TWA6TUK7LVRt-/s1600/Pantry12.jpg" height="277" width="400" /></a></div>
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The orange extension cord plugs our microwave into an outlet in a nearby closet. Not my first choice but it was what we had to do with no outlet in the pantry. I don't want to have to hire an electrician to change this and my husband knows a little about wiring so I'm hoping we can get rid of the large orange cord soon! </div>
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Next up is the wall of doom. This area bugged me so much-- shallow shelves spilling over with boxes. Can I emphasize how people are regularly coming and going right past this? Not my idea of a nice welcome. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwe2ltE3IBMdfQcsaBn7X6a_CpC137YlRttAwmIOe5tNjZcEqg0z4pMWf6gWq6AYP9DJV_aKtFksRpKabEVlJgex_94qUX4aRueiDeDrcw0h2_Hcxw2NB3sgyh9GubQUz77PZVIKEkJQIm/s1600/Pantry17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwe2ltE3IBMdfQcsaBn7X6a_CpC137YlRttAwmIOe5tNjZcEqg0z4pMWf6gWq6AYP9DJV_aKtFksRpKabEVlJgex_94qUX4aRueiDeDrcw0h2_Hcxw2NB3sgyh9GubQUz77PZVIKEkJQIm/s1600/Pantry17.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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Because I disliked this area so much, it ended up being one of my favorite areas after it was all organized and pretty-fied. </div>
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So, goal number one, <i>organizing and display food in an attractive way</i>, was achieved a few ways. I knew I wanted to use clear plastic storage containers for our frequently-used boxed and bagged items (think cereal, pancake mix, rice, flour) but those puppies can be really expensive ($11-$20 each) when you want to outfit a whole pantry. I had seen some at TJ Maxx and went back to hopefully find several in different sizes. Nope. Not TJ Maxx, or Marshall's or Gordman’s or the second TJ Maxx I went to. The options were slim and just weren’t gonna cut it. </div>
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I wasn’t about to go to Kohl’s or Bed Bath and Beyond and spend $200 on a set or two. So, as a last-ditch effort, I went to my <strike>least</strike> new favorite store, Wal Mart, to see if they would have anything. I think I heard angels singing in aisle 22 (I actually have no idea what aisle it was) when I found the <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-and-Gardens-Flip-Tite-Containers-6-Piece/31956416" target="_blank">Better Homes and Gardens version</a> of the <a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/oxo-good-grips-reg-square-food-storage-pop-containers/112110?Keyword=oxo+food+storage" target="_blank">Oxo storage containers</a> for a much cheaper price. Glory!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFO8tmHK7n3-2lRDVS9st4MFszcoVwHIBBLvy3rwXSm9ZmmBTdtlcHAXSHZr5wo9d-M4_Unq5X_kAr_Apy8Lgc9y5D_BBngzbnKqNPD4F3MpYNb8U875_Kr37r24TjgwJztTlecunGNK3/s1600/Pantry9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFO8tmHK7n3-2lRDVS9st4MFszcoVwHIBBLvy3rwXSm9ZmmBTdtlcHAXSHZr5wo9d-M4_Unq5X_kAr_Apy8Lgc9y5D_BBngzbnKqNPD4F3MpYNb8U875_Kr37r24TjgwJztTlecunGNK3/s1600/Pantry9.jpg" height="400" width="252" /></a></div>
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I had so much fun putting my food in these containers. For a visual person, it was such a treat! So shiny, so lovely. I still ooh and ahh when I go in the room-- food never looked so good ;) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4fSVmSXeB2JeQGAZknJ6XrI-wbAUcaCeqB-aPLp5PR8fiWgnXCN6yXNaT3LgbCa4oUl64N_13p3o29iprNZu7hUuYW9TyoKR0eMrqWB6j5fS6oiQzg1Uhbh-Gs1wQOBubm8NX72J4ulB/s1600/Pantry8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4fSVmSXeB2JeQGAZknJ6XrI-wbAUcaCeqB-aPLp5PR8fiWgnXCN6yXNaT3LgbCa4oUl64N_13p3o29iprNZu7hUuYW9TyoKR0eMrqWB6j5fS6oiQzg1Uhbh-Gs1wQOBubm8NX72J4ulB/s1600/Pantry8.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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We had jars on our counter for flour, sugar and brown sugar, but they weren't sealed on the rim and the sugar was getting hard. I decided I would put those things in the new BH&G containers and use the jars elsewhere. I slipped fruit snacks in one and tea in another-- perfect for something you want to grab quick. These jars were originally purchased at Target for around $5 each, by the way.</div>
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Also, for this area, I purchased a few Fridge Binz at TJMaxx to hold things like popcorn, granola bars and oatmeal. It keeps those items easily accessible in the mornings. I'd also like something similar for paper napkins. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYf1QMSeseHb7zykP6Oi5SIY-0pIyIfV4F22vgCewBxiIp8UKSGOReLQzdF6KlH5JsrxJ1BOeJ29nr2Nd-H7CinSoCqfLxfTa1pMyMEoOmRPQ8sckYsHs2DHnwAAItbAC8p8ygm7pk0n5X/s1600/Pantry7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYf1QMSeseHb7zykP6Oi5SIY-0pIyIfV4F22vgCewBxiIp8UKSGOReLQzdF6KlH5JsrxJ1BOeJ29nr2Nd-H7CinSoCqfLxfTa1pMyMEoOmRPQ8sckYsHs2DHnwAAItbAC8p8ygm7pk0n5X/s1600/Pantry7.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lastly, in the other corner of the room, behind the purposefully placed blue curtain, was this messy area:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3cIEPmA1k2rcH4h7GfRiTWb4j_xOaRJUGazYYEJ_tCBhhR9Y9i1FeYJSUbzxopPJDeKcWvZB4Kt9wHYxtN5K6sAOOOlWodjRJtRvNrKixxQc2s3DHUxAiS_eAHQisBoAqHfKNWEzILE8/s1600/Pantry16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3cIEPmA1k2rcH4h7GfRiTWb4j_xOaRJUGazYYEJ_tCBhhR9Y9i1FeYJSUbzxopPJDeKcWvZB4Kt9wHYxtN5K6sAOOOlWodjRJtRvNrKixxQc2s3DHUxAiS_eAHQisBoAqHfKNWEzILE8/s1600/Pantry16.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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It was a nine-foot-high mess. Deep, narrow shelves make it difficult for me to see what food we have in there. The main thing I did here was take every single food item out and place it on the counter to decide what we needed to keep or toss. Some items were expired, some were just never going to get eaten. </div>
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Once the amount of food was under control, it was much easier for me to organize well. A metal shelf on the bottom allows me to put in extra boxed items. A tiered organizer on the next shelf up is now organized and helps me see my canned goods easier. On the top shelf, I used baskets for packets (marinades, powdered ranch) and larger bagged items that don't get used enough to warrant their own clear container. I already had all these baskets and organizers on hand so this was just about consolidating what I needed and putting it back in an orderly fashion. </div>
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This room makes me so much happier now. I don't know if it's because I am pregnant or what, but it really seriously made me feel sick when I looked at it! I know, I'm weird. Now, however, I actually like looking into this room from my kitchen. So much so, that when we tried to put up the cafe doors, I wasn't sure I wanted them there anymore (we will see!).</div>
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I smile when I look in this room now and that's a good thing when it comes to a space in your home that you are in multiple times a day. </div>
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I would consider this room 80% finished. There are still a few things I would like to get to eventually: </div>
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<li>Get rid of the orange extension cord</li>
<li>Hang some art</li>
<li>De-clutter the bin on top of the microwave and hang a storage piece with hooks for Jared's keys and things</li>
<li>Possibly hang the cafe doors (unless I just decide I like seeing this room after all)</li>
<li>Purchase a rolling cart of some sort for paper towels and other paper products behind the cream curtain</li>
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Well, if you are still with me, then you are a trooper! I hope this was useful for you. What is your pantry like? Is it organized or in need of a little TLC? </div>
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Until next time,</div>
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Rachel</div>
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Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07689610336827299672noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705121005544635215.post-79682129261659437822014-04-02T14:31:00.004-07:002014-04-03T13:11:19.982-07:00An eclectic bathroom collage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One of the things I had on my to-do list before my pregnancy went into full-swing-sick-mode was putting up some fun art in our downstairs bathroom. I picked out what I wanted to hang, set it in the bathroom corner and there it sat for close to 3 months while it waited for me to get off the couch and hang some nails. Well this weekend came and I was ready to hang those babies! </div>
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I was inspired by <a href="http://jeanneoliverdesigns.com/blog/2013/09/16/finding-fall-home-tours-2013-decorating-for-fall/" target="_blank">the bathroom collage</a> in Jeanne Oliver's main floor bath (halfway through her post). Her style is just slightly more rustic than mine but in a lot of ways her house reminds me of mine or ideas I've had for mine. It was funny because my bathroom was already painted the same color and the tall ceilings are perfect for some art. I felt like we had the same bathroom!</div>
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In our house, this is the bathroom most people use when they come over. It was already a fun room due to the adorable bowl sink placed on an old sewing table and the unique industrial faucet put in by the previous owner but I wanted to add some of my own touch. It feels eclectic and old and I hoped to reflect that in the art I hung. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguC_ddEiQ_41SPuGx3GxFkPeRlFUTPKJJO05QbGBFmBCQ4LZIN2tly17nXfKq6PaotOJW7eLhxMybb8EqaoNHzburojaUeC6_KMSZU9jF70BHdJiuwY9cgCnaS9eCQTTR5HY3QaBu6VMID/s1600/Bathroom_Collage1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguC_ddEiQ_41SPuGx3GxFkPeRlFUTPKJJO05QbGBFmBCQ4LZIN2tly17nXfKq6PaotOJW7eLhxMybb8EqaoNHzburojaUeC6_KMSZU9jF70BHdJiuwY9cgCnaS9eCQTTR5HY3QaBu6VMID/s1600/Bathroom_Collage1.jpg" height="400" width="233"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZ1xslHLxKCIVlakne9_E4fr78I-dhdk9hWn8sVrkbSFGMsmf2a6LeSC2Exco_bGiBP-JgEQ4qU5DEPdT7sld2lcCAvY93ghlgkN8K4Ph0AxScdTkrhXPFi-m9HxLnSpYpRBMGzq0ZEYN/s1600/Bathroom_collage3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZ1xslHLxKCIVlakne9_E4fr78I-dhdk9hWn8sVrkbSFGMsmf2a6LeSC2Exco_bGiBP-JgEQ4qU5DEPdT7sld2lcCAvY93ghlgkN8K4Ph0AxScdTkrhXPFi-m9HxLnSpYpRBMGzq0ZEYN/s1600/Bathroom_collage3.jpg" height="400" width="266"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ujf7cXe7N_StMIhCYGX_2sdl3xQjNLqZXErwsHvCod5H6DOoL47yf7f2Jc_lrbC5NFt4DzjDSD9fwtjJ5hxynLRCgGCbcE6J4w9RPGUS-Q19_Mky5CiCbSn7JMA056lYAwwDrJWTvPb3/s1600/Bathroom_collage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ujf7cXe7N_StMIhCYGX_2sdl3xQjNLqZXErwsHvCod5H6DOoL47yf7f2Jc_lrbC5NFt4DzjDSD9fwtjJ5hxynLRCgGCbcE6J4w9RPGUS-Q19_Mky5CiCbSn7JMA056lYAwwDrJWTvPb3/s1600/Bathroom_collage2.jpg" height="266" width="400"></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I chose a mix of textures, colors, shapes and images. I didn't want it to look matchy-matchy but like it had evolved over time. Most of the prints and frames I already had. A few things I was given recently and the mint metal medallion and old wooden clipboard are from my favorite vintage shop in town-- </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vintage-No-35/137637466289757" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Vintage No. 35</a><span style="text-align: left;"> (though I might be a little biased on this). </span></div>
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The bathroom is teeny-tiny so it was super hard to get in a place where I could take photos. I think I was curled up on the sink at this point. But I contorted my body in an effort to be able to show you the corner half of the room.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFR9SYnBJus9lBd2Wm6SW_Ctq6VnVDa7Qrt8hucxBpj6bR9CGCzTTYsxcKg1zVS7JQ58ASFDIZOa0lEjFTEFREy11JR60XXCEEfrd-rD8NiB42aVGwT3W-EKbUjZZNaQ6nnjpKEN1DWjCP/s1600/Spring_decor9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFR9SYnBJus9lBd2Wm6SW_Ctq6VnVDa7Qrt8hucxBpj6bR9CGCzTTYsxcKg1zVS7JQ58ASFDIZOa0lEjFTEFREy11JR60XXCEEfrd-rD8NiB42aVGwT3W-EKbUjZZNaQ6nnjpKEN1DWjCP/s1600/Spring_decor9.jpg" height="266" width="400"></a></div>
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There's a floral tapestry I bought at Goodwill, a photo of a French garden found in a recent issue of Southern Living Magazine, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/182784269/spring-chalkboard-art-printable-vintage?ref=shop_home_active_3">a spring bike printable</a> from my Etsy shop and a jar of button flowers I placed inside a blue shadow box and secured with a dab of glue from my glue gun. <br><br>The little shelf is from a friend and is a cute fit for the room and my mini-succulent. The butterfly print was a gift from Jared and is just sitting there until I find a frame for it.<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I wanted one more thing and ran to my art room for some ideas. I ended up framing some vintage key burlap in a mint hoop I bought at Goodwill last year.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div>
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The egg print is a reprint from a vintage textbook and the frame is one I found at Goodwill and painted. The wooden "JOY" sign I have had for awhile and next to that is a little stitching that says "Bless your Heart" done by my friend Jayme's mom. The white frame on top is from IKEA and has a photograph of a potting station from a recent Better Homes and Gardens issue. </div>
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My friend Maggie (made?) the chalkboard tags and mailed them to me in a pretty package with a bunch of other adorable things while I was sick. I liked the idea of something in the bathroom other than frames and this was the perfect "something". </div>
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I'm still looking for something cute to hang on the clipboard. Maybe something with writing. Not sure. </div>
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I hope to add to this wall over time. There's a lot more space I could hang things on. But for now, it looks fine and as I see things that will go, I may hang them. I also love that I can change out some of the art for the different seasons. I had a whole different set of prints and photographs to hang when I thought I was going to be doing this in the winter. Oh well, winter will always come again! <br>
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Until next time,<br>
Rachel<br>
<br>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07689610336827299672noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705121005544635215.post-64134205117143024702014-03-31T19:45:00.001-07:002014-03-31T20:07:53.801-07:00Spring has arrived.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been in hiding lately and am finally re-emerging. Kind of like the grass around here, I'm coming alive again. In early January, we found out we were pregnant with No.3. As with my other pregnancies, it wasn't long before I was sick, sick, sick. I think I probably logged more time on the couch and in front of the TV in the last two months than in the last two years combined. </div>
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Let's just say, I'm extremely thankful to be feeling like myself (mostly) again. Here I am these days:</div>
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15 week bump</div>
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Obviously, when life gets hard and you enter survival mode, decorating is not a huge priority. Just having clean clothes and dinner on the table becomes a very difficult goal. In fact, one of our Christmas trees didn't even come down until around spring break. Life. It happens. </div>
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Needless to say, my house was in constant disarray for quite awhile and that's just the way it had to be. But boy, have I been eager to put my touch on our home again. Spring always invigorates me and makes me want to break out color and fresh flowers and birds. </div>
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So, that's exactly what I did this past weekend. The decorations are nothing crazy and in fact, almost embarrassingly simple. But it's spring at the Serene house and life feels fresh and new again, in more ways than one. </div>
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Praise God for new beginnings and fresh starts! </div>
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Does spring have you wanting to break out some new decorations? Paint your toe nails? Set a new goal? What's new in your life today?</div>
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Rachel</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07689610336827299672noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705121005544635215.post-2966675232728350462014-02-11T14:05:00.000-08:002014-02-11T14:14:24.381-08:00GOLD Love: TV Room RedesignWe have a finished attic space in our house that I'm really looking forward to decorating. It's very plain right now, with carpet that needs a little love and walls that could definitely use another coat of paint. It's a tricky room because it's got the slanted ceiling that a lot of attics have and it also lacks light. There's only one small window at the end of the long room. Someday, I would love to add large dormer windows to open the space and add light but we shall see if that ever becomes a priority on our to-do list. <br />
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In the meantime, I know I could paint, add more storage and some decorative accessories and the room would be a lot more welcoming. It's the room we have our only TV in, so I'd love to hang out in there and feel like it suits me. Though we are often in this room, it is my least favorite in the house. I would love to have it reflect the design sensibility of the rest of our home but have it's own unique style since it's set-apart from a lot of the rest of our home. </div>
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This is where I'm hoping to take the room: </div>
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I want to paint the walls a bright white to keep what little light there is in the room. My friend Susan came over a few weeks ago and she had the idea to keep the walls white and paint the baseboards, door and window trim black. As soon as she said it, I knew that's what I would do. I LOVE black and white. It can make a room feel modern OR vintage and never goes out of style. The rest of my house has white trim but this room is sort of in the corner of the house and something different would be a lot of fun!</div>
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When I clear the room of all the stuffed animals, cushions, random kid-related objects and other miscellany it's hoarding, I will take a photo and show you the bones I am working with :)</div>
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I LOVE LOVE the wallpaper in my moodboard and planned to use it at each end of the room, but I think I've decided to go with a less expensive and easier-to-apply material. <a href="http://www.landofnod.com/lottie-dots-decal-gold/f12055" target="_blank">These gold dot decals</a> from The Land of Nod: </div>
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<img alt="DIY CONFETTI WALL with decals – D, some more gold polka dot walls for the girls room. This blog tells you how to DIY. The cascading effect is nice, maybe makes it a little more mature since you were worried the other one might look too young." src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/f0/92/09/f092094ebb6a9390efc4a204bb30448b.jpg" /></div>
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{<a href="http://aplaceforusblog.com/" target="_blank">A Place For Us</a>}</div>
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This photo won me over. They don't have to just look good in a kids' room. They are very Kate Spade-y and I love them! Plus, who wants to put wallpaper on slanted walls? </div>
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Other than that, I plan to get a black and white striped rug to cover the carpet and add pattern to the room. I'm leaning toward <a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/decorating-and-accessories/all-rugs/olin-black-rug/f43644" target="_blank">this one</a> from Crate and Barrel right now. It's a great price for a large rug. </div>
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We will keep our current couch and chair-and-a-half in the room, which look similar to the ones on the moodboard. I'm thinking of ordering several shelves from IKEA to create a low and enclosed storage unit for toys and to keep our TV on. And of course, there will be lighting and accessories. I'll keep you updated on the progress. I'm hoping to paint soon!</div>
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Happy Day!</div>
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Rachel</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07689610336827299672noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705121005544635215.post-42695028482800888942014-01-16T12:13:00.002-08:002014-01-16T12:18:00.101-08:00A wreath + a fun tutorialI love black and white stripes. Probably a little too much.<br />
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As I thought about it, there are a lot of black and white stripes in my house:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMPIxKyaBoQHllkYFnOSenu-pO5qg8UlOY-jPv5zJO9xpEgtiKe4C_dLCBaqrr8Yxfz-f3tvtzC4mQz25bH3AwfT-McR90Kexs1NWXOwZFPxVvt8awPDWbcOin3L5jQ9mhOSXZ3sswMxy/s1600/Striped_blanket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMPIxKyaBoQHllkYFnOSenu-pO5qg8UlOY-jPv5zJO9xpEgtiKe4C_dLCBaqrr8Yxfz-f3tvtzC4mQz25bH3AwfT-McR90Kexs1NWXOwZFPxVvt8awPDWbcOin3L5jQ9mhOSXZ3sswMxy/s1600/Striped_blanket.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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{<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10212129/" target="_blank">Ikea throw</a>}</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVKWcON1NcNZeUIaRhwRIRAmWVJeBLkEzM_1yvqoa1FVR6fcL3eSCsbq92xMB73cqGGwXHkApch5lTl39OmfgxeYhX6MWXhCPrkGAMliAyhG-pesQK0m8siwfMTZbT0zhx1sBnCKML3wl/s1600/striped_bowls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVKWcON1NcNZeUIaRhwRIRAmWVJeBLkEzM_1yvqoa1FVR6fcL3eSCsbq92xMB73cqGGwXHkApch5lTl39OmfgxeYhX6MWXhCPrkGAMliAyhG-pesQK0m8siwfMTZbT0zhx1sBnCKML3wl/s1600/striped_bowls.jpg" height="242" width="400" /></a></div>
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{<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90251013/" target="_blank">Ikea bowls</a>}</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XeFdqUBmOPDNdvHCtZQmcGX6iM_Xo2sHqX_Az8xYrGUhPTTMMINeSEJYkG8FNjGUmbNzf3ipxKO9eavPcKUr6b3iKZh1vtghvRp1_G_hT3svHilR0DTORPp8bhBGms6__Omvd9ygb7q0/s1600/striped_crock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XeFdqUBmOPDNdvHCtZQmcGX6iM_Xo2sHqX_Az8xYrGUhPTTMMINeSEJYkG8FNjGUmbNzf3ipxKO9eavPcKUr6b3iKZh1vtghvRp1_G_hT3svHilR0DTORPp8bhBGms6__Omvd9ygb7q0/s1600/striped_crock.jpg" height="400" width="268" /></a></div>
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{Target crock, from two years ago}</div>
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And I just bought eight knobs for an armoire that are black and white striped. I love how classic they feel and how they go with anything. They are charming and a little vintage but bold and modern. Basically everything I love together in one stripey-adorable-contrasty-way. <br />
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I made a wreath for our kitchen. And of course, it was black and white stripes. It actually took me awhile to come to this conclusion but once I did, it was like the seas parted and I knew it would be *perfect* in the space I had planned.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjonJy9Mt1VWRihJXR-dd-2J8qMF2a9x8415IsXXPk05TCiP1lzJURgbE2zsYFlSeNyafBJQfDu1DFb7FlWJo9EQBkBZnTTNlLOsQgE90_fGWdgfHT08ZgsIdFSaRTTU7gMqQCRCBBLiF9/s1600/Striped_wreath2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjonJy9Mt1VWRihJXR-dd-2J8qMF2a9x8415IsXXPk05TCiP1lzJURgbE2zsYFlSeNyafBJQfDu1DFb7FlWJo9EQBkBZnTTNlLOsQgE90_fGWdgfHT08ZgsIdFSaRTTU7gMqQCRCBBLiF9/s1600/Striped_wreath2.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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So, I wrapped some yarn around a straw wreath form. For hours & hours. It took me longer than expected. But it's easy, inexpensive and striking-- so hey, it's a win! I didn't include a tutorial for this part because it's basically holding and wrapping and most people have made a yarn wreath by now and know the jist of it. <br />
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But I did try something new this time. I figured out how to make pom poms and stuck a bunch in the middle. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyssRPISuGNk025UAYWxqnK1t8t8CUagr0y70hl9hCzjFXSNmmUNkiYaIpqyHlqask4k9qzGjktNiiP6SYKjJP-y1l_u8T3OpLdHb8m_JDfgCBZJF_RsQmpjeXpgcsslquvZ9Gn479fFC/s1600/Wreath1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyssRPISuGNk025UAYWxqnK1t8t8CUagr0y70hl9hCzjFXSNmmUNkiYaIpqyHlqask4k9qzGjktNiiP6SYKjJP-y1l_u8T3OpLdHb8m_JDfgCBZJF_RsQmpjeXpgcsslquvZ9Gn479fFC/s1600/Wreath1.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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I adore the whimsy of the poms. They are so fun and cute, and again, easy and inexpensive. <br />
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I made a quick video tutorial for you to see:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy5nZTnzcoUKGQFUWIt844GDE6p7K4a6zMoZmU8uCnPw69-GYdvgF3wnBj-PApBvaOYf-7VIQNsuZ0tlug5Kg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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They take about 3 minutes to make. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSNwClos0Sz6mweyB-dTT7AH006H2G1hyM4_UKek2Ji0AiY8PIdA181Wz7hLgZoqWTKlnrT6pGIuNvzXRMvtNE0ipiF07IifFVaXniXG93Ru99_6Q40IwfwFFgzY_a89bYUzAEozUPYG5/s1600/Striped_wreath3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSNwClos0Sz6mweyB-dTT7AH006H2G1hyM4_UKek2Ji0AiY8PIdA181Wz7hLgZoqWTKlnrT6pGIuNvzXRMvtNE0ipiF07IifFVaXniXG93Ru99_6Q40IwfwFFgzY_a89bYUzAEozUPYG5/s1600/Striped_wreath3.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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If you need more details, this is <a href="http://annikalikes.blogspot.com/2013/03/yarn-pom-pom-tutorial.html" target="_blank">an awesome and very detailed tutorial</a> on pom poms. The only thing I do differently is use my fingers instead of the cardboard. I like them this way because you don't need any fancy equipment. Just your hand, scissors and yarn. The poms I made come out to about 1.5" in diameter. But wrap the yarn around more or less fingers for a bigger or smaller pom. <br />
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Also, if you want a long string to hang them by, just make sure the string you use to tie the middle is long (you can always cut it off later if you change your mind or need it shorter). <br />
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I ended up having so much fun with pom poms that I added them to many Christmas gifts this year instead of bows. I found that they looked good on the men's gifts with the cabin-ey wrap I had.<br />
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But there is all sorts of uses for poms (garland, anyone?). So give it a whirl and see what you come up with. If you are on Instagram, tag me in your pom posts :)<br />
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With love and poms,<br />
RachelRachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07689610336827299672noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705121005544635215.post-40263499143786627662014-01-07T08:50:00.001-08:002014-01-07T09:05:59.239-08:00Pursuing PeacePea<span style="font-family: inherit;">ce.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I need more of it in my life. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2013 was one of the most magical and exciting years of our lives but also one of the most stressful and chaotic. We lived in the city until June, when we moved out to the country. Still close to the city but out far enough that we have our own oasis. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We had searched and searched and knew in our heart of hearts what we wanted in a house but honestly, we knew what we wanted just didn't exist. Turns out though, sometimes God gives you dreams just to prove that HE CAN. It's a loooong wonderful story of God's BIG plan and a giant leap of faith; someday I will share it here. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ever since I've moved to my house in the country, I have understood a new kind of peace. A peace in the quiet. A peace in nature. A peace in not coming and going so much. A peace in living more simply. BUT nothing is ever EVER perfect this side of Heaven. And that has also become so evident to me this past year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">With great blessing comes great responsibility. And sometimes, the burden of responsibility can zap the joy out of a wonderful blessing <u>if you let it</u>. Take children for example, no one would deny that children are a beautiful blessing. But I don't think there's a mom in the world that hasn't felt the strain, the tug, the grief, the hardship, the responsibility that is children. And more often than not, it can be easy to let the responsibility of children cloud the joy that you have for them. So we must fight against this. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I adore our house and the adventure God has us on. I look out my window every. single. day simply amazed. God is sooo good and He is SO good to give us more than we could have ever asked or imagined. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Problem is, as much as the country scenery reminds me of God's blessing everyday, I still struggle with peace in a big way. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have a million and one thoughts going through my mind each hour. Mostly negative, sometimes neutral, rarely lovely. Can you relate?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I also struggle with anxiety. Ever since my daughter, Haven, was born my anxiety has been an ever-present burden each day. It doesn't keep me from living my life. But it keeps me from enjoying it too many days than I would like. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, when you combine a "constant thinker" with anxiety and with the responsibility of a whole new life in the country... there are many days I wonder if I made the right choice. Or if my husband and I were crazy and read God's cues wrong in every way. In other words: I feel the need for peace. To rest and know that God is God and that I am NOT. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">That is why my word for 2014 is</span><b style="font-family: inherit;"> peace</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">. Last year, my word was abide and I believe I learned a lot about coming close to God and letting Him abide in me for change in my life. This year, I still want to abide but I want to focus on peace. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Bible says that, as believers, God freely offers us peace. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white;">Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1 </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">If we have accepted Jesus, we can experience a peace that nothing else in this world can offer.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">However, the Bible doesn't say we will never have trouble. In fact, Jesus himself says we will. BUT the amazing and wonderful and crazy thing about God is that He ALWAYS. Every single time. Offers us His peace. That's a promise.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Problem is? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> have to accept His peace to know it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">That means, laying down my burdens and picking up His peace. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It means going to the Word instead of my friends for approval. For peace. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It means, in faith, taking my thoughts captive and throwing out the record player of negativity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It means when my day has fallen apart and I'm sitting on the floor sobbing, that God is there in that moment, hand extended, offering His peace. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What do I have to do then? Grab it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It doesn't mean God will change all of my problems right in that moment (if ever). It doesn't mean I won't ever fear, mourn or feel pain, these things are natural and good at times. But it does mean I have His power from the holy spirit to have a direction-change. To see things from a different set of eyes. To move forward in trust and with the peace that offers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This weekend, I sat and pondered God's sovereignty in my life. Have I experienced hardship? You bet. Have I had days I thought I would never recover from? Yes, many.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But God has always brought good from those problems. He has always loved me through it, pushed me through it, and yes, even carried me through it. Peace. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It may have been years later, or in some cases, it won't be until Heaven when I experience the understanding of WHY He allowed some things in my life or the lives of other's I love. But He has been faithful, over and over, and so I can know I can trust Him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Though I know this, there have been days that I have done it all on my own and didn't go to Him for peace. I later blamed Him for not bringing me the peace He says He will. But it was only recently that I realized peace is a two-way street. The Word says to "seek peace and pursue it" (1 Peter 3:11). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">How can I do that? By guarding my thoughts, my heart. By knowing scripture so I have something to think on when the enemy strikes. I can't just sit around expecting God to bestow peace upon me. He *might* do that. But more often than not, He asks us to seek Him and His peace. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." Matthew 6:25-34</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">God's love for us should bring us peace. When we know He loves us and is always caring for us, there isn't more that we really have to know to be comforted. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">And when you know that peace, there is a supernatural comfort despite the chaos around you. I have experienced this on days when I have <i>continually</i> allowed God to take my problems instead of holding onto them for dear life trying to "work them out" or "fix them" or just not letting go because I'm scared to death that they are teaching me something and if I let go I will cease to learn. It doesn't mean I never work through negative things in my life, it means there's a mental decision to let God be in control of them, and that I will trust whatever comes of them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Last week, I spent awhile searching for verses about peace. I had a lovely hour finding verses and writing them down. My kids weren't napping like I thought they would but I plugged through anyway while they played in their rooms. All was well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And then, all at once, my kids were melting down, I got a huge headache, Judah gave Haven a fat lip, Haven hit the off button on my computer right when I was in the middle of something and I was really starting to feel frustration and exasperation rear their ugly heads. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">That was the turning point. Would I choose the feelings and frustrations arising in me. Or would I turn from them and pursue peace?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then my son came over to me crying. He was sad because I had to take away something he was <i>really</i> looking forward to because of the two blocks he purposely threw at his sister's face. I held him while he cried about it and I said, "Let's take a deep breath together". And over and over we sat there taking deep breaths. Eventually, Haven joined in too. I was holding both kids. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Peace was starting to come over me. Then I said, "I know you are sad about not being able to have the hot cocoa party this afternoon, but the way you treated your sister was unkind and hurtful and we can't do that. However, let's not let that ruin our day. God offers us peace in each moment. Let's try to find it this afternoon instead of dwelling on not getting cocoa today." He calmed down after awhile. And then we talked about what we could do to make our day the best it could be without the cocoa. We went and did a large floor puzzle together for quite awhile and really enjoyed it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And you know what? That hard several minutes turned into the best part of my day. Because God clearly gave me an opportunity to practice what I had learned. To step out of the moment, take a deep breath, meditate on God's peace, and <b>walk in it</b>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The walking in it part is where faith comes in. We can "know" all about God's peace and never experience it, if in the moment when it's hardest, we don't push out our thoughts/troubles/fear and usher in the peace only Christ can offer. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I want to get better at this, but I have learned the best way to combat constant negative thoughts or a plaguing fear, is to, right in the moment, speak a scripture verse (out loud if I can). There is extra power in our spoken word because of the faith it takes to speak (we often only speak what we truly believe). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3 </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">"</span><span style="background-color: white;">For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8:6</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I may have learned some tools for peace along the way but I am sure I will write this post and then go blow it in this area. I don't know everything there is to know about holding onto God's peace. It takes time to understand God's offer of peace and to turn to it in times of trouble. It's something I want to always seek to grow in but will probably never master in this life. Regardless, I want this year to be marked by a growth in peace. Not because "good" things happened to us (though I pray they do!) but because through whatever comes in 2014, I sought God, His love, His word, and His peace. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">For encouragement, I wanted to share this amazing example of peace. I've really been reminded how far reaching and abundant God's peace is lately. I follow a mom on Instagram (@cpray) who lost her husband in 2012. She has three little kids. You would never know by her posts that she is a young widow. She SHINES brightly for Jesus and is always giving Him the glory. It's truly amazing. Go find her and see what I mean. It's heart-wrenching, but in the ashes, God has done marvelous things including bringing her a supernatural peace. I'm sure there are days God's grace indwelled this peace within her and I'm also sure there are days she must fight for peace. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So how about you? Has there every been an event or season in your life when you have sought and </span>received<span style="font-family: inherit;"> God's peace in a huge way? Have you ever had a time where you just couldn't seem to find God's peace?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
In peace,<br />
Rachel</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07689610336827299672noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705121005544635215.post-92191523759418414822013-12-19T13:32:00.000-08:002013-12-19T13:32:02.229-08:00An easy way to spiff up any winter party<div class="MsoNormal">
I hosted a Christmas party for my family this past
weekend. I love to bust out my
creativity when I am having people over but with two littles, I have to be
realistic. Usually my method these days is to go
simple on most everything and then choose one thing to make extra special. I don’t want to be stressed and tense when
people arrive (that’s hard to do!), therefore, I try to pick a menu that I can
easily accomplish, then I give myself the
freedom to “go all out” in one area for a special memory at my house. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxVhvyFcCRJmQeVBxxDvCpJJdL3L07qUHYAWFIKdRokpn-3wWEpyKpvG7F5_3MfEPW-SHBTk_P_a1xpO5ctLMlF_ymr920axXR5vf8mDqRc7cQx-5s2V-F1uvmKPaq_5OmZMUx6hI_74F/s1600/Cocoa_Bar2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxVhvyFcCRJmQeVBxxDvCpJJdL3L07qUHYAWFIKdRokpn-3wWEpyKpvG7F5_3MfEPW-SHBTk_P_a1xpO5ctLMlF_ymr920axXR5vf8mDqRc7cQx-5s2V-F1uvmKPaq_5OmZMUx6hI_74F/s400/Cocoa_Bar2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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I like to choose something that people can get involved in when
they arrive. When you welcome people
into your home and give them the option of a destination to visit during the
party, along with something to do with their hands, even if they don’t know
another soul, it helps them to feel welcome and at ease. It’s also fun and shows the thoughtfulness
you put into your guest’s experience in a tangible way (this is a great way to show love and hospitality!).</div>
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Because it was a winter event, this time around I chose to go with a hot cocoa bar!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ng_9wc3W6KhAAnyaZmEO1P01r1WZKinJGzm5HBzXCkV7MVP6QuRNtW8RyiR3Lwkbg1zvBF397UPvSIHUm7bSu7nrKP0omgFi5DMe1eZxQdkwxWZHuhyphenhyphenX1pPemlSR3EVtIsfzHaRYs-pJ/s1600/Cocoa_Bar4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ng_9wc3W6KhAAnyaZmEO1P01r1WZKinJGzm5HBzXCkV7MVP6QuRNtW8RyiR3Lwkbg1zvBF397UPvSIHUm7bSu7nrKP0omgFi5DMe1eZxQdkwxWZHuhyphenhyphenX1pPemlSR3EVtIsfzHaRYs-pJ/s400/Cocoa_Bar4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was suuuuper simple thanks to the help of
Sam’s Club. The whole idea was built
around the concept of being able to DIY one’s own personalized cup of hot
chocolate. I purchased a large variety
pack of some of the. best. cocoa. ever.
It had at least six packages of eight flavors (oatmeal cookie, caramel, raspberry, s’more
etc.) so guests could choose their own special one. The variety of different hot chocolates is a
must-have and is what makes it so fun. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_axHqcUv6KY51K1X_u5j7pZYGr0SOnGYFbr_KHcHl_3ABY60a1gvMLNCYe8PpfXjEt0LwqPX-eVggE-IqRzWXEyZeNdqegI8IWrrvNHZBaYGWUMqGOnn18rQD7O2D8_iAGbF72r7nuNw/s1600/Cocoa_Bar8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_axHqcUv6KY51K1X_u5j7pZYGr0SOnGYFbr_KHcHl_3ABY60a1gvMLNCYe8PpfXjEt0LwqPX-eVggE-IqRzWXEyZeNdqegI8IWrrvNHZBaYGWUMqGOnn18rQD7O2D8_iAGbF72r7nuNw/s400/Cocoa_Bar8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0q2AGpFsCM9I4iHIeR1KjzP2M-qJo0f-f1O98WYOhWQhz0kTIB2DmGJzXPedatuBmJeJr5jGtrPhCkZKD-D1Tt-J_Bd0rICHaEe-BRbgXhUHp1dN9qZwJFS48iz8PCdaARBn666BYkKSD/s1600/Cocoa_Bar5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0q2AGpFsCM9I4iHIeR1KjzP2M-qJo0f-f1O98WYOhWQhz0kTIB2DmGJzXPedatuBmJeJr5jGtrPhCkZKD-D1Tt-J_Bd0rICHaEe-BRbgXhUHp1dN9qZwJFS48iz8PCdaARBn666BYkKSD/s400/Cocoa_Bar5.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Other than that, the special goodies to put in the cocoa are
up to you. I purchased some yummy biscottis from Sam's and they were a hit. I think
they make the cocoa even more fun because it gives you something to bite into
and easily elevates the drink to something more gourmet. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUngP-Ma9GR5ipED78lCNDvav4aBb5lT79mdwWIdGnlFYXnUrqE79HQN5RPlB0YRcW9OYMx6a0yS_W9eWJtLJEUzXc62orNE6BnIHtbCVTdFe3hL1NbCBXkHJQ8zzEzTn8ZvFyCl5u_1x/s1600/Cocoa_Bar9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUngP-Ma9GR5ipED78lCNDvav4aBb5lT79mdwWIdGnlFYXnUrqE79HQN5RPlB0YRcW9OYMx6a0yS_W9eWJtLJEUzXc62orNE6BnIHtbCVTdFe3hL1NbCBXkHJQ8zzEzTn8ZvFyCl5u_1x/s400/Cocoa_Bar9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I also had peppermint and regular whipped cream (not
pictured) and gingerbread and French vanilla marshmallows. I hunted high and low for the gourmet marshmallows you see at some specialty or confectionery stores but didn't find them the day I was shopping. Usually they are square-shaped and uniquely flavored, oftentimes even dipped or
dusted in chocolate or other sweet things. However, when all else
fails, your kids are crying, and you just need to buy something to <strike>plop</strike> place on the table, holiday ‘mallows from Jet Puff are great too <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div>
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Add some fun mini cookies or things for guests to nibble on and there you go! </div>
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You can use paper cups, Styrofoam cups, or mugs from your cupboard. I put some colorful paper straws in a glass for guests to use as stir-sticks. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABDGeRSvFEozDDU3OdsxDKL14gKXndvrjwAEzsAm1NzHbxz1KCjAvTQi7cRfmLV6EI81LzdaUmckskqW49pram5FoviJBcBmpH5BqWDO0kbimdmF5A0rFN-pszTPGHDEChktokGsTc87X/s1600/Cocoa_Bar6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABDGeRSvFEozDDU3OdsxDKL14gKXndvrjwAEzsAm1NzHbxz1KCjAvTQi7cRfmLV6EI81LzdaUmckskqW49pram5FoviJBcBmpH5BqWDO0kbimdmF5A0rFN-pszTPGHDEChktokGsTc87X/s400/Cocoa_Bar6.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0GfrCZ_U6wQfpqu6NuifmuRYdIyVpx33xybtgUC4_x9qmw2KsrvHVeRZCVW2N8fkJU_e-dYSXo1d3l_qfOukHQJ59scOYwLlq876LykcVjS2Fwpba1u3lAA_ADuMCQk3Qmk21sCR0XN_/s1600/Cocoa_Bar7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0GfrCZ_U6wQfpqu6NuifmuRYdIyVpx33xybtgUC4_x9qmw2KsrvHVeRZCVW2N8fkJU_e-dYSXo1d3l_qfOukHQJ59scOYwLlq876LykcVjS2Fwpba1u3lAA_ADuMCQk3Qmk21sCR0XN_/s400/Cocoa_Bar7.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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The other thing I had was an electric kettle. My cocoa bar was set up upstairs, far away
from my kitchen, so this was the best way to have hot water available to
people. For bigger gatherings I would recommend
something like this as it heats itself up real quick (<a href="http://www.target.com/p/aroma-hot-h20-x-press-7-cup-stainless-steel-electric-kettle/-/A-13795316#prodSlot=medium_1_23&term=electric+kettle" target="_blank">mine was from Target</a>) . If it’s just a few
friends, a kettle on the stove is fine.
I wouldn’t send people to the microwave as it would get congested and
take too much time.</div>
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Here are some more ideas you could add to your Cocoa Bar:</div>
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<ul>
<li>A chalkboard sign with something to incorporate the theme</li>
<li>A cute garland or bunting, tablecloths and platters. </li>
<li>A paper tablecloth you can write on, pointing to different ingredients on the
table and labeling them</li>
<li>Crushed peppermints or dark cocoa powder for dusting on hot chocolate</li>
<li>Andes mints for sprinkling on top—hey, even sprinkles for that matter!</li>
<li>A variety of syrups people could add into their cocoa</li>
</ul>
I set this whole thing up in about 15 minutes. You can have it be simple and casual (more like mine) or go all out with apothecary jars filled with goodies and a lot more décor. Whatever you have time for and whatever you want to do. Have fun and let me know if you try this at your next event. It won’t disappoint your guests on a cold winter day!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LVhXBNEUY-_sOoc_dv6Oud8tQWzgNW9V5k__BvEjx33Jhl3IC5t-TiYWTaZz_-1QXW5uUGs3xDCMnAN1AftKIHBQ5XSRp3olKOW_LPZ_DN1rCdOgck2KqrLNUghgY-h2bxR6FAw4S_Fq/s1600/Cocoa_Bar3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LVhXBNEUY-_sOoc_dv6Oud8tQWzgNW9V5k__BvEjx33Jhl3IC5t-TiYWTaZz_-1QXW5uUGs3xDCMnAN1AftKIHBQ5XSRp3olKOW_LPZ_DN1rCdOgck2KqrLNUghgY-h2bxR6FAw4S_Fq/s400/Cocoa_Bar3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEU6CNSw_JDbSCyuVaomGy92SMqu1j5XPTAgQlIxVBWBsmI0glNKSDoko1saCYyxalbSGmW3IjDd4we6bvVLr5vIrrLATC9ScAFHlgV66eysFlf_ZNROSmakm7YzroRHirz09chTvgpxmG/s1600/Cocoa_Bar1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEU6CNSw_JDbSCyuVaomGy92SMqu1j5XPTAgQlIxVBWBsmI0glNKSDoko1saCYyxalbSGmW3IjDd4we6bvVLr5vIrrLATC9ScAFHlgV66eysFlf_ZNROSmakm7YzroRHirz09chTvgpxmG/s400/Cocoa_Bar1.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Cheers!<br />Rachel</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07689610336827299672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705121005544635215.post-44578201516325647922013-12-13T11:37:00.001-08:002013-12-13T11:44:46.219-08:00Olioboard + a beautiful post on Christmas decoratingToday I wanted to share with you a little something I thought you might find useful. Maybe you have heard of it but if you haven't and you like to decorate, then you probably need to know about it. When I first heard of it 6 months ago, I said to my husband, "How did I not know about this until now?!". <br />
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Introducing <a href="http://www.olioboard.com/" target="_blank">Olioboard</a>...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6Gnkz1UpEykol8tXWl8QI9fwcmQYY-86qWrGAp8tdkDx9lH27YHo3mdvbkTHDgk5hweGawutg3kAL7NyUga6JU4kVeEGQ1IYigB-amjH98ZlLoNva2gsKliquJAh7_dFzGqPJQ7MG2Ge/s1600/Olioboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6Gnkz1UpEykol8tXWl8QI9fwcmQYY-86qWrGAp8tdkDx9lH27YHo3mdvbkTHDgk5hweGawutg3kAL7NyUga6JU4kVeEGQ1IYigB-amjH98ZlLoNva2gsKliquJAh7_dFzGqPJQ7MG2Ge/s1600/Olioboard.jpg" height="193" width="400" /></a></div>
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This amazing website allows you to create "mood boards" for rooms in your house. Mood boards help you to see everything together in one place to know how colors, textures, patterns and different furniture will all play off of each other. </div>
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Sure, you can make something like this in Photoshop or PS Elements (if you have those programs) but it could literally take you hours and hours finding and cropping all the photos you need for your design board. Olioboard saves you the hassle and crops the backgrounds out of the images for you and even has a library of products to search that can easily be added to your board. Also, you can have an "add to Oliboard" button on your browser's bookmark bar so when you find something at Anthropolgie.com that you want to incorporate into your mood board, you can click the add button, and voila, it's added to your account on Oliboard! LOVE!</div>
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Here is a board I made for our art room:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTYeKIP4EXABzBfOcOV2utv3dhXx-R5826Xkccj-uMQBup-mepUfWjqD6vvm2UVqPQ5n7NzEWP1c7o0bS0rqItXOifP3dk5yY9JHYK4zSwAj7Aw9TiuIIuTmZL7iROooZoDIuJoFLSONc/s1600/OB-Art+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTYeKIP4EXABzBfOcOV2utv3dhXx-R5826Xkccj-uMQBup-mepUfWjqD6vvm2UVqPQ5n7NzEWP1c7o0bS0rqItXOifP3dk5yY9JHYK4zSwAj7Aw9TiuIIuTmZL7iROooZoDIuJoFLSONc/s1600/OB-Art+Room.jpg" height="241" width="400" /></a></div>
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If I showed you pictures of our art room I think you could see how this references the board. That room isn't 100% finished but someday I will photograph it and show you!</div>
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This is a board I made for our master bedroom:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfljEeFiI8T9RVaLzqVJlnSmXL0aWsOd48Nt71JC0cW_IeX7_8Xt60P8vyZZH16v5DFA2OlzKTFz8w47rtbQf5m0WS1fpWArcXDEth_sqpQKB9ps3MjP0CuNV6cQbcmgrhlH7Ti0O_gYn/s1600/OB-Master.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfljEeFiI8T9RVaLzqVJlnSmXL0aWsOd48Nt71JC0cW_IeX7_8Xt60P8vyZZH16v5DFA2OlzKTFz8w47rtbQf5m0WS1fpWArcXDEth_sqpQKB9ps3MjP0CuNV6cQbcmgrhlH7Ti0O_gYn/s1600/OB-Master.jpg" height="256" width="400" /></a></div>
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We haven't started in on that room yet (who knows when we will!) and my design may change along the way but I like what I have so far.<br />
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Next, I will probably do a board for our TV room. It's dark and has low ceilings, I REALLY need to work some magic in there! I might even solicit your help for that :)<br />
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So, check out Olioboard. It's simple and easy to use. I promise you will love it! <br />
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I also wanted to share with you <a href="http://www.thenester.com/2013/12/christmas-decorating-2013.html" target="_blank">this beautiful post</a> from The Nester. Sure the photos of her home are gorgeous but the heart behind the photographs is what I really love. Nothing is ever perfect and neither are our homes. None of us have it all together and in the adjacent room to something beautifully decorated, might be spilled cheerios on the floor that I have been stepping around for two days. <br />
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I have a deep desire to be authentic in my life. I love sharing my heart; probably to a fault. So I hope this blog will be apart of my heart as you journey through my home. You may see my tree that I lovingly decorated but you don't see how my kids broke an ornament the night we decorated it, I yelled and they went up to bed crying. Sigh.<br />
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Life happens here. Joy, sorrow, strife, peace, stress, tears... it's all here, it just might have a pretty bow on it. So let's be real together. <br />
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See you real soon!<br />
Rachel<br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07689610336827299672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705121005544635215.post-29703503332469749912013-12-09T13:46:00.002-08:002013-12-09T19:47:16.494-08:00These are a few of my (new) favorite things!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our family went to Florida over Thanksgiving this year and I
came home with a few goodies. After unpacking for <i>at least</i> an hour, I
got into full Christmas-decoration-mode and bought a few more items. It seems every year I <i>need </i>to buy a few things in order to get my house fully fluffed and
feathered for Christmas. But, like I mentioned
in my last post, I like to use what I have on hand or make something as often
as I can. </div>
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I just don’t make clocks very well. Or mirrors.
Or blankets… </div>
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Anyway, it’s on to the list of my (new) favorite things:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-MRZIz8za5ff-XQNpoy2TeWArFjSL3IjuUFRltq0oreodEtthu8WnzdXT5vxn1ni1lNTOJVeI8cSGCr8F6K4FRGVAAS-AbzhsgKYQSCzyR1xJiYMKTA6JUpA5BhjEPKASzuQltOSYswy/s1600/birch_candles1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-MRZIz8za5ff-XQNpoy2TeWArFjSL3IjuUFRltq0oreodEtthu8WnzdXT5vxn1ni1lNTOJVeI8cSGCr8F6K4FRGVAAS-AbzhsgKYQSCzyR1xJiYMKTA6JUpA5BhjEPKASzuQltOSYswy/s400/birch_candles1.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlFNicp4DBc_K7EYmjWX9zlWoF1etd5ipZvQlnKadqjH-sTkD3djVAWERB50mGsXHv6XcDkElNNnH3K6kJU3Auxo7zGerhQplBbs-hWpWe1145u1pJqMUX6Vo5I25omweJqEa6_5kAgx-/s1600/birch_candles2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlFNicp4DBc_K7EYmjWX9zlWoF1etd5ipZvQlnKadqjH-sTkD3djVAWERB50mGsXHv6XcDkElNNnH3K6kJU3Auxo7zGerhQplBbs-hWpWe1145u1pJqMUX6Vo5I25omweJqEa6_5kAgx-/s400/birch_candles2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.worldmarket.com/product/birch+candles.do?&from=Search" target="_blank">Birch candles</a> | World Market | $6.99 // $9.99</div>
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These look very real.
More real than the Pottery Barn ones I saw at the mall on Saturday and
probably cheaper. I will never burn
these babies. They will live eternally
on pretty pedestal candlesticks. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUffDMa2-MHBrq5ovabLeqzEQ3cxNcl3wUSawe1njLrbI13lE2xzbGJ-TefNrQjdrksw2G4It5ICMv0gKimufvLZXz-WxeoIr_xVLdobgX10-p0lM9jcpw7BWRo9hbzRLE21QZPFU2ueGq/s1600/IKEA_Clock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUffDMa2-MHBrq5ovabLeqzEQ3cxNcl3wUSawe1njLrbI13lE2xzbGJ-TefNrQjdrksw2G4It5ICMv0gKimufvLZXz-WxeoIr_xVLdobgX10-p0lM9jcpw7BWRo9hbzRLE21QZPFU2ueGq/s400/IKEA_Clock.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50187566/" target="_blank">Vintage clock</a> | IKEA | $5.99</div>
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My son wanted to buy this clock when we went to IKEA over
vacation. I took one look at it and
said, “YES!” It’s not super heavy but it
looks awesome and at less than $6, I love it even more! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1nW8B30Yp75iDW3fqMb9VY_O80p6jWEzDH_3U6G3Hw80Bt8xbw-DM24rxavF-5s4YNCv6ZBR-ZiE9-mY5naXpa98T3QFDs22HIqOUxRfvB33ikaz9Eu0MBK9FDe_ZeD07or3R08XF_z9/s1600/mirror2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1nW8B30Yp75iDW3fqMb9VY_O80p6jWEzDH_3U6G3Hw80Bt8xbw-DM24rxavF-5s4YNCv6ZBR-ZiE9-mY5naXpa98T3QFDs22HIqOUxRfvB33ikaz9Eu0MBK9FDe_ZeD07or3R08XF_z9/s400/mirror2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.kirklands.com/product/Silver-Grid-Mirror-22x28/168443.uts" target="_blank">Silver Mirror</a> | Kirkland’s | $29.98</div>
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I wanted a mirror for over our fireplace to make our living
room feel larger, and since we have tall-ish ceilings, I needed a mirror that
wouldn't look dinky. I am sort of a
cheap-skate so any item over $40 is really painful for me to buy. Most mirrors I had seen this size (about 2.5’
x 3’) were at least $60, if not $100.
Ah, I mean a mirror is nice and all but I’d rather spend $100 on new
shoes or a cleaning lady ;) That being
said, I LOVED this when I saw it. It was
on sale for $20 off and had the touch of bling I was looking to add to my
rustic living room. </div>
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*I bought this for $40 and now it's on sale for $30. That's an AWESOME deal if you need a good-sized mirror! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5121H6Ejjg1rJDefC0nTKLabyZ3U6iTUi0Lq6jJb30Br-x6J6ssAe2PSfyWBv3ObOb0ijPafwvUdOeWEaYM7miRTQGa1DBvO8AyC_OrL2iLzwVREtjM8cEryui4gJfEac5kukjqwvW9Ky/s1600/Ikea_throw_etsy_pillow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5121H6Ejjg1rJDefC0nTKLabyZ3U6iTUi0Lq6jJb30Br-x6J6ssAe2PSfyWBv3ObOb0ijPafwvUdOeWEaYM7miRTQGa1DBvO8AyC_OrL2iLzwVREtjM8cEryui4gJfEac5kukjqwvW9Ky/s400/Ikea_throw_etsy_pillow2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDiZv7-lwolFULEeYdHg7AArH5ozaBK02-uE__XrnMT7sdYAUyrNvCeDfXTUFoNcgSfsMWDtfQGubUR6IebI1SNrUvJ7EzbH0uvGOJfjVdima8OlU4gcxkEswv5diEyyfdo1rlSPTusgdN/s1600/Ikea_throw_etsy_pillow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDiZv7-lwolFULEeYdHg7AArH5ozaBK02-uE__XrnMT7sdYAUyrNvCeDfXTUFoNcgSfsMWDtfQGubUR6IebI1SNrUvJ7EzbH0uvGOJfjVdima8OlU4gcxkEswv5diEyyfdo1rlSPTusgdN/s400/Ikea_throw_etsy_pillow.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70254507/" target="_blank">Annbritt Throw</a> // <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/170649564/plaid-pillow-cover-flannel-pillow-cover?ref=favs_view_8" target="_blank">Red Plaid Pillow Cover</a> | IKEA // <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/KAListDesign?ref=l2-shopheader-name" target="_blank">KA List Design</a> | $29.99 // $29</div>
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I wanted to add some knitted pillows to my couch for the
winter but I wasn't finding what I wanted
in my price-range so I hadn't bought anything.
When we went to IKEA I found some beautiful cable-knit throws and
decided to just get a throw instead. The one I originally saw was out of
stock so I had to get this one.
And I am SO glad I did. It’s so
luxurious and soft. I adore it. </div>
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In keeping with my cabin-chic theme for my décor right now, I
also wanted to add some touches of plaid to my house. I had looked and looked
for plaid pillows on Etsy and finally found this gem. I love it because it’s got Sherpa on the
other side. I also love supporting
handmade because I know how much every sale means to those small
businesses! </div>
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And that’s that! What
have you found out and about this season that you’ve taken home with you? </div>
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Come back soon,</div>
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Rachel</div>
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<br /></div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07689610336827299672noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705121005544635215.post-70666165512308842312013-12-05T13:00:00.002-08:002013-12-05T14:36:12.353-08:00O Tannenbaum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We recently moved to the country and so this year I wanted
my Christmas décor, and especially my tree, to reflect the feel of our new house
and surroundings. I went with what I
call a “cabin chic” theme. It’s a little
rustic, a little vintage, a little sparkly—red, green, metallics, book pages,
plaid, burlap. It’s a lumberjack’s beautiful
wife, all dolled-up and ready for a night on the town with her man.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We went to the tree lot for the first time in four years to
pick out a tree. Now that we are out in
the “boonies” (not really), the Christmas tree farm is just a hop, skip, and a
jump away. Which is nice, since most
everything else <i>isn’t </i>anymore. All
that to say, when something is close-by us out here, we get
pretty excited. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So we picked out a tree, all 9 ½ feet of her and brought her
home to find that she was too tall. Our
ceilings are about 9 feet tall and so we had to chop<i> a little off the top</i>, or
so to speak. We also turned her so the
big gaping hole was at the back and facing the corner (the lot was pretty picked over
this year!) ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here she is: </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTx0djsTe1W-MXBlJvH2RpncCkzJM7WcxaeBseo5TT9PUnKfuqZtkEvvyUCy7cJPmbAmYjE4Gu0R-j90IdlEk_2AUbV0cSL9521YhBnuuKJWYKEdv-Vxw-n1B1Wghel5ucDwLIonxc2kv/s1600/Tree3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTx0djsTe1W-MXBlJvH2RpncCkzJM7WcxaeBseo5TT9PUnKfuqZtkEvvyUCy7cJPmbAmYjE4Gu0R-j90IdlEk_2AUbV0cSL9521YhBnuuKJWYKEdv-Vxw-n1B1Wghel5ucDwLIonxc2kv/s640/Tree3.jpg" width="424" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So
in keeping with my theme, I trimmed her in all sorts of cabin-in-the-woods type
things. White lights and burlap garland (Michael’s
has it) made a great base and then the rest of the stuff went on.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFMyDg59n6NbSwu-cdLIIcDH27YhRSB5HB21jYeCxcPu1K-TU3rf6JDCIYcBPfV5DbYKkv8ua1hgA7Ytx80gdhN7eujt_2NpiYTdlqqXBwsejG6GXZnXELAKafQJtN774PE8iQOPJwh8N/s1600/Tree13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFMyDg59n6NbSwu-cdLIIcDH27YhRSB5HB21jYeCxcPu1K-TU3rf6JDCIYcBPfV5DbYKkv8ua1hgA7Ytx80gdhN7eujt_2NpiYTdlqqXBwsejG6GXZnXELAKafQJtN774PE8iQOPJwh8N/s400/Tree13.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Big puffy snow-flakes that have a hint of sparkle filled in
larger gaps and gave the tree focal point areas. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-jGgqDKchCzs1pjglu65Ln-yPwrglNXJmW1DXDh0KtUOTSpfXRdCrUjU2U8Yg7k1JIeGADXs5I2zunx7F9A0ZIStb1wzefiLijAFF6KQnwTIlua2TaK9XUWAd583oiuXZ1QUq_2pQ79u/s1600/Tree12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-jGgqDKchCzs1pjglu65Ln-yPwrglNXJmW1DXDh0KtUOTSpfXRdCrUjU2U8Yg7k1JIeGADXs5I2zunx7F9A0ZIStb1wzefiLijAFF6KQnwTIlua2TaK9XUWAd583oiuXZ1QUq_2pQ79u/s400/Tree12.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I stuck in sprigs of white glittery stems and red sequined
ones too. It’s a little something
unexpected here and there. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtJTXCw89a7KPCEphWtEtAvabwGCMnXWHpXE_fGnG5gcbTXSrZMZO2uojEgvsg6K2SJJ1hf5UpwhLkJ452dN85LCP9gUV31sI9Hb0uTif8HdmtCV4dftRNdFAPYjjNmGRRrj7kM2dLVrm/s1600/Tree6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtJTXCw89a7KPCEphWtEtAvabwGCMnXWHpXE_fGnG5gcbTXSrZMZO2uojEgvsg6K2SJJ1hf5UpwhLkJ452dN85LCP9gUV31sI9Hb0uTif8HdmtCV4dftRNdFAPYjjNmGRRrj7kM2dLVrm/s400/Tree6.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3K8xEgOIOL6q6GKG_rQcK_3NnPicgEk4xY8sUoEHCIY_gQB8MgWw1CR6L3PC4ziNiLlGFx8R5wnND-ewMMa2qShB08olCcl0U2dh2AKLs5nqgEDJaUA_B6gLyHzfDMwCtzwaFp1x0wNos/s1600/Tree11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3K8xEgOIOL6q6GKG_rQcK_3NnPicgEk4xY8sUoEHCIY_gQB8MgWw1CR6L3PC4ziNiLlGFx8R5wnND-ewMMa2qShB08olCcl0U2dh2AKLs5nqgEDJaUA_B6gLyHzfDMwCtzwaFp1x0wNos/s400/Tree11.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love vintage ornaments- especially these balls that are a little worn but still beautiful. I used the red, green and silver ones I already had. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-H7HzDHV2HmPMNo1WOYtFIt1Yq0k2AM0tkd2dbCtpaUn0xeLM7LYeKQpCoQtPUI9GvDOXlGWb-VkHr_ix-gcSKv6f2QlIOMbwLEljfJ0AbEj60Q-FpBDMlGuX-dmMbLfGOyZUaMbyjWXM/s1600/Tree8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-H7HzDHV2HmPMNo1WOYtFIt1Yq0k2AM0tkd2dbCtpaUn0xeLM7LYeKQpCoQtPUI9GvDOXlGWb-VkHr_ix-gcSKv6f2QlIOMbwLEljfJ0AbEj60Q-FpBDMlGuX-dmMbLfGOyZUaMbyjWXM/s400/Tree8.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Vintage” keys adorn
her with a little something different and in a contrasting material than most
items I chose.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYuktANqSDq9zAZ2BErlPST7slh5f7vjvdYcw_VGIyOLhyphenhyphen0ji5VYupSKX7k5WTB8eVhgEkIfgUl_KE4boLFceQUOftzIF5sv8YKEQRJCToCg2uMpGdC8qn61ixZbYKo-rnnrrlODnmUC3/s1600/Tree114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYuktANqSDq9zAZ2BErlPST7slh5f7vjvdYcw_VGIyOLhyphenhyphen0ji5VYupSKX7k5WTB8eVhgEkIfgUl_KE4boLFceQUOftzIF5sv8YKEQRJCToCg2uMpGdC8qn61ixZbYKo-rnnrrlODnmUC3/s400/Tree114.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My favorite project were these tree slices that I hand
stamped with common Christmas phrases and song lyrics. The stamped slices were
inspired by <a href="http://www.jonesdesigncompany.com/" target="_blank">Jones Design Company</a> where she cut a large slice, stamped a quote,
and hung it on the wall in her boys' room.
My husband used his table saw to slice these pretties and then drilled a
hole for a strand of hemp. I used a
cheap-o stamp set that I bought at Michael’s in the dollar section and a
regular black ink pad for stamping. To finish them
off and add a pop of color- I tied on red ribbon. I love projects where I use what I have (or
in this case, find outside) because they don’t cost me any extra money and
oftentimes, it really gets my creativity flowing!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGpFNqf9EpzU0yIv2lPmDAubhOUXqpK1M7K4a6p4DU2N0MiYYBNrOFA9NGrZ4rnaOgn3xeY2ChnWxkwIcFxVZccwgLZfMxAixgU_J4W7kbNtqKo9Bx8XjXi7p8ZYQPnx2o5RvHI5RfROR/s1600/Tree16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGpFNqf9EpzU0yIv2lPmDAubhOUXqpK1M7K4a6p4DU2N0MiYYBNrOFA9NGrZ4rnaOgn3xeY2ChnWxkwIcFxVZccwgLZfMxAixgU_J4W7kbNtqKo9Bx8XjXi7p8ZYQPnx2o5RvHI5RfROR/s400/Tree16.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Red glitter snowflakes to add to the "chic" side of things. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoNGwGXPO_xZLT9JpqXWvzOnkoJv_HcXx68fZPQF7s2TbNjXzbR_E2XAoWIlm8JK9Pqkp2XvWzVB04UZ-mazroHWt8IJfIULHvotfBehMncc45KOUslSC9YkNbgrLA7IQba-0QWVpeaKH/s1600/Tree7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoNGwGXPO_xZLT9JpqXWvzOnkoJv_HcXx68fZPQF7s2TbNjXzbR_E2XAoWIlm8JK9Pqkp2XvWzVB04UZ-mazroHWt8IJfIULHvotfBehMncc45KOUslSC9YkNbgrLA7IQba-0QWVpeaKH/s400/Tree7.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A couple years ago I made these book page ornaments by simply slicing up vintage book pages and sticking them in glass balls. They always work with whatever I am doing because they are neutral. So easy and pretty.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYGd8karkGCSETtZ53B981F1n3cJksBpqhGkA-3nR_QR0XoytjBjMadCCibmADivFQ11SrA1NCSeRJ90ncBjxdf18da14Gju6tJxdaXYN4fR5rCUyukHm1NTohn_ok_Zf1sv1WPJpgZ0E/s1600/Tree15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYGd8karkGCSETtZ53B981F1n3cJksBpqhGkA-3nR_QR0XoytjBjMadCCibmADivFQ11SrA1NCSeRJ90ncBjxdf18da14Gju6tJxdaXYN4fR5rCUyukHm1NTohn_ok_Zf1sv1WPJpgZ0E/s400/Tree15.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I had a craft night a few months ago and my friend Annie cut
a pattern from this adorable fabric. She
left the scraps in my “scrap jar” and I had the idea to tie them to my
tree. Yep, just find some fabric that
speaks to you and literally tie it to your tree. Ragged edges are a plus J Scraps are free and this was so simple and cute! Just the perfect touch of “cabin”.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkruu1CML07cIXUSPfSZAkXr2F0Sqlxo1Zj-hJEl_k5qnmpKXQhoPePqOjHbIKLh8eWQ06u_5g2svCTMWf6A3-E2B3bSec-WaFF9SU6HUiZjH1MEknuaQLXSXHSod_wTPMFlJAbTji-C7T/s1600/Tree9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkruu1CML07cIXUSPfSZAkXr2F0Sqlxo1Zj-hJEl_k5qnmpKXQhoPePqOjHbIKLh8eWQ06u_5g2svCTMWf6A3-E2B3bSec-WaFF9SU6HUiZjH1MEknuaQLXSXHSod_wTPMFlJAbTji-C7T/s400/Tree9.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lastly, I put on our stash of family ornaments-- at least the ones that weren't purple or bright yellow :) My mom has always given me a Christmas ornament every year-- now she gives to my kids as well. This one was from last year & it's one of my favorites. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAaqOag90mhoyijcO9_7KqKcpC4TsFz5sNYpy-N-XgbSvAzq9OSpSG6gu79_syR6aVs_fbDqGUJY__uEddv_kdN8eXPGX_I5cykDBlo2pBR2BPvDFLecO30XWDirc9K2TxSJncp9zRIVxg/s1600/Tree14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAaqOag90mhoyijcO9_7KqKcpC4TsFz5sNYpy-N-XgbSvAzq9OSpSG6gu79_syR6aVs_fbDqGUJY__uEddv_kdN8eXPGX_I5cykDBlo2pBR2BPvDFLecO30XWDirc9K2TxSJncp9zRIVxg/s400/Tree14.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I bought these burlap potato sacks at a junk show a couple years ago. They are my go-to tree skirt now. I <3 them. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPp4OC_hVATDqMU3tSMxYemXI0ROR44pmrsr9tt6p8HnRo_Gy2uDQ4YNMr3J5NtYLImF1C5zSyyp9noVp5ZRAWBO8RNsib-F8dnXuu-2a0wPdA8Jhp8rVEvw7yhPVHN7G3tdsvJaVGS9cl/s1600/Tree5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPp4OC_hVATDqMU3tSMxYemXI0ROR44pmrsr9tt6p8HnRo_Gy2uDQ4YNMr3J5NtYLImF1C5zSyyp9noVp5ZRAWBO8RNsib-F8dnXuu-2a0wPdA8Jhp8rVEvw7yhPVHN7G3tdsvJaVGS9cl/s400/Tree5.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And we topped her off with a red glitter star. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AjrOGcoCfePOJCkZGeIc-Pt5TE_RrdWPrIjeCn07MJIW7Z-dWOiTuFJKVazOGh29x_4oXg2JetD37fCYsKbdiPpoE7XXze8Qfg3v9QXjx308SVkHd33Wxq7nomURehLnUv2c8I46ZsFz/s1600/Tree4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AjrOGcoCfePOJCkZGeIc-Pt5TE_RrdWPrIjeCn07MJIW7Z-dWOiTuFJKVazOGh29x_4oXg2JetD37fCYsKbdiPpoE7XXze8Qfg3v9QXjx308SVkHd33Wxq7nomURehLnUv2c8I46ZsFz/s400/Tree4.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZ20ps6Vrlllcen5KB7Ze22xue8xLEh0CoY1a3EH0Ze2Uqe8GqpvBE_IqnMAEkS-37zN_M8IIlEh-hcHpuaPIRyzs9sz6bQp8Gv1Kv6Fc84npcPr1kEf11sEfVmDTkZ_g1gJRKyJPui0c/s1600/Tree10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZ20ps6Vrlllcen5KB7Ze22xue8xLEh0CoY1a3EH0Ze2Uqe8GqpvBE_IqnMAEkS-37zN_M8IIlEh-hcHpuaPIRyzs9sz6bQp8Gv1Kv6Fc84npcPr1kEf11sEfVmDTkZ_g1gJRKyJPui0c/s400/Tree10.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fPAAyDjwbgdRHrP_0b3iVmW3tOojGhYn-KUs7RBUtI7NujrtoXs9FvtfQoFnXozlWLps17lKxW1EJoF5961Dfvr5Au4QpKjVOMx3JWyTlo_6wPDh9n-eOgJU1raoKS0POO3r1AGyLBdo/s1600/Tree2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fPAAyDjwbgdRHrP_0b3iVmW3tOojGhYn-KUs7RBUtI7NujrtoXs9FvtfQoFnXozlWLps17lKxW1EJoF5961Dfvr5Au4QpKjVOMx3JWyTlo_6wPDh9n-eOgJU1raoKS0POO3r1AGyLBdo/s400/Tree2.jpg" width="255" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So that is that! I love it because it feels so cozy and welcoming. She looks put together but unpretentious. My kind of girl!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm a big fan of using what I have when I decorate. Mainly because I change things up a lot and it would cost me a fortune to always be buying new. I DO buy new things (the silver sprigs were new) but everything else were things I already had on hand. I tend to buy items that fit the same genre so I can reuse them for different moods or seasons. I added pops of red and sparkles to neutrals and it instantly became "holiday". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nature is also a great place to find decor. Got some old branches? Spray paint them and put them in a jar, hang ornaments (or envelopes for an advent calendar) and you have huge impact at little cost. Be careful not to spray paint branches infested with bugs! I did that one year, it was NOT fun to find teeny tiny crawly things on my dining room table ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So do you have a theme when you decorate for Christmas? What is your theme this year?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Come back soon,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Rachel</span></div>
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07689610336827299672noreply@blogger.com2