Hey-yo! So, its Monday and I said I’d only be posting on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays this summer, but I sort of…well…left you hanging almost 2 weeks ago. Right?
So, where have I been? Well, to back up a bit…July sped right on past us while we celebrated the 4th of July at my in-laws with both of our families, the biggest’s 4th birthday on 24th and then our fifth anniversary on the 30th. From there? Well, let me try to sum it up for you! In a nutshell, I’ve been…
…to Iowa visiting my parent’s at their new house and saying goodbye to my childhood home. Yep. It was a tough one. I got to town on Sunday and didn’t go to the old house until Tuesday, fully knowing and expecting a breakdown. I could feel the tears welling up inside on the short few minute drive over, but didn’t lose it until I made my way in through the garage, stepped into the kitchen and down the few steps into the family room. It was totally empty except for the window treatments they were leaving behind. I did a quick goodbye walk-through of the main floor and of course, my old bedroom. It was the strangest feeling. Although the house looks quite a bit different now than it did when I last lived there 13 years ago and of course, my room looks nothing like it did during my pre-adolescent and teenage years spent there, but it was so incredibly easy to see that old version in my mind. I was in and out pretty quickly, but wow. Seeing the house you knew for over 25 years of your life sitting empty, just waiting for the new owners to move in (who happen to be a young couple expecting their first child) evoked a crazy intense whirlwind of emotions and instantly produced a movie reel of memories. It was hard, but I am genuinely happy for my parents. They ultimately decided it was time to move on, simplify life and settle in somewhere new. They winter in Arizona, so the new house is perfect for them – easier upkeep while they are away, no stairs to climb to go to bed (for them and the dog!) and it sits on the golf course, providing easy access to the pool, clubhouse, friends and a game they both love, not to mention the view from the backyard is pretty great. Now that my parents have a new house to settle into themselves, the ideas, projects and to-do lists have piled up on me x 2! I’m of course happy to help, as my parents have helped me through far many more moves since leaving for college. I mean, I moved almost every year back then! At least now, its only every 2 -4 😉
…to Atlanta where I attended my 2nd Haven conference! Looking back, I realized I didn’t even tell you guys I was prepping to go again this year! I won’t go into too much detail because I am going to post a full Haven recap sometime in the next week, so be on the lookout. I can tell you it was just as amazing as last year, actually, probably even more-so. Incredibly inspiring women, fabulous brands and sponsors, late nights, lots of laughs and tons of tips, tricks, ideas and motivation to bring home to put to use here on the blog for all of you! 3 full days of awesome 😉 [You can read my Haven 2015 recap here!]
…and then to Charleston, where T and I headed on Sunday afternoon just after the closing ceremony at Haven ended. We spent 2 days and 3 nights in this charming city celebrating our 5th anniversary and I fell in love. again. with another southern spot. If you remember last year, we drove to Savannah after Haven and I said the same thing! This place is my FAVORITE! I definitely have a soft spot in my heart for the south and making another trip down did not disappoint. Charleston was beautiful, hot, but beautiful. We started our days off with breakfast, then spent the mornings walking around the city exploring and taking in the history and fabulous architecture…stopped for lunch, more walking and gawking, then ended the day relaxing by the pool before heading out again for dinner and a night on the town. We did so much in such a short time! While I would’ve loved to have had more time there, the time we did spend was perfect. I’ll be recapping our Charleston trip soon, too!
After being away for almost 2 weeks, I took several days to snuggle up with the littles and now Monday is here. I’m trying to muster up the energy to get crackin’ on the house again, dig my way through paperwork, mail, bills, etc., unpack from the trip AND keep unpacking from the move. I know. It probably seems like that’s all I’ve been talking about since June! But we have a ton of stuff!! My new theory is if everything I don’t want to do / unpack / look at gets moved to the basement, then it will go away. Until we want to clear the basement and use the space for play and hanging out, that is. Oh well, at least it’ll be out of my way for the time being. Outta sight, outta mind. You get it, don’t you?! Please tell me I’m not the only one!
In other blog news, our Inspired by DIY series is getting pushed back a week, so I won’t be posting tomorrow, but next Tuesday, 8.23 instead. I forgot to mention that our “It’s so Ugly, It’s Cool” Thrift challenge group decided to take the summer off, so hopefully we’ll be back in September with another installment. However, I always share my thrifted finds with you guys in random posts, so I promise I’m not holding out on any amazingness. I really need to get out and explore our new area to hunt for some gems. I love working old, second-hand, loved-on pieces into a styled vignette or room. It always gives it that little something special. And lastly, we have decided to put a hold on our monthly Pretty Project Party for a little while. With so many varying commitments and schedules, we are taking some time off until we figure out what will work best for the group. I’ll be sure to keep you posted.
And for blog posts right here on the homefront, well, this is what I’m working on right now:
Big Boy Room Design Board
Big Boy Room Checklist
Update on our white walls
Thoughts & ideas for the upcoming Fall 2016 One Room Challenge
Kitchen ideas
Bar shelf styling
Haven conference Recap
Our Trip to Charleston
And before long…
Fall crafts & DIY’s
+ a Fall Home Tour
And after that…I can’t even say it! #christmascountdownisalmoston
I know I don’t have to give you a play-by-play of my life and that you certainly don’t expect one, but it does feel like a weight was lifted off my shoulders after letting it all out today. When certain things happen in my day-to-day and I’m either super excited and motivated to create and share and post, that’s fantastic. But when things are busy or hard and it’s crickets on the blog, then I feel like I fall behind. My burning ideas and creative juices get pushed aside, I don’t feel like creating, decorating or writing and I do nothing. When I get the urge to get caught up on all the things – in life and on the blog, then I like to bring you along for the ride. You guys are so much of the reason I do what I do and I hope you’ll stick around to see what’s to come! I’ve missed you!
Oh! And I recently created a new logo / header image for the blog – what do you think?
