Top 10 Posts of 2016, All-Time Reader Faves and A Peek at 2017
Posted on January 9, 2017
I’m ba-ack! Happy New Year, guys! While I missed being here with you all over the holidays, I truly needed that nearly 3 week break to step away from projects, posting, etc. and just BE. We enjoyed an awesome holiday season with our friends and family and I hope you did the same! 8 days away split between my in-laws’ and my parents’ home was a nice getaway, but unfortunately we were still in the Midwest with freezing temps. Maybe next year we get smart and actually get AWAY from the cold! We arrived back home before New Year’s so we were able to spend a nice long weekend at home unpacking, relaxing and cooking a yummy NYE dinner IN! The boys were off all last week AND sick, so by the return of school today, you can bet this mama was READY for it! Here’s to hoping those nasty coughs and colds stay away for awhile, right?!
Before I jump right in to 2017 plans and project chatter, I thought it would be fun to do a quick recap of the year highlighting some of your favorite posts and projects and a bit on what all went down in 2016. You might remember some of these and may have missed others. Let’s take a peek at some of the projects I checked off the list!
TOP POSTS OF 2016
These were the top 10 most popular posts of last year counting down from the 10th biggest hit all the way to the number one reader favorite! To read the full blog post, click on the title or image below.
The biggest turned 4 last summer and after our move just a month before his birthday, we decided the crib had to go and a big boy bed needed to come in. This jumpstarted a full-on room makeover in the fall, but I was still able to incorporate pieces from his nursery, like his curtains and dresser. Yay for reusing and re-purposing!
I can’t tell you how SIMPLE this project was! I love how the black poms really pop off the edge of the white curtains and create movement and texture when the sun shines in the window. Mini pom-pom trim can be used in so many different ways in kid or adult spaces!
This was the first time ever incorporating wallpaper into a room design in our home and I’m happy to report that I’m still as googly-eyed in love with it as I was the moment I first saw it up on the wall. You might be seeing wallpaper creep up in a few more rooms later this year 😉
This piece was not only a reader favorite, but it actually inspired you guys to create one of your own!! I can’t tell you how many messages, emails and photos I received showing me your version of this. I don’t think this project could be any less expensive either!
I have to say that I am so incredibly happy with my decision to jump on-board the One Room Challenge train this past fall. It was a whirldwind creating a brand new dining space in a short 6 weeks, but I couldn’t be happier with the end-result. The ceiling, the curtains, the thrifted hutch and the lighting. Oh the lighting! Check out the post for a full reveal and sources for so many goodies! Here’s to being able to sit down and enjoy more meals in here in 2017!
This tour was actually from our last house and it was the very last photos taken before we moved out in June. I’m so happy to have this blog to be able to document and share my hobbies as well as capture the work and heart I pour into creating spaces for our family to live in and enjoy.
You guys! I was so anxious after committing to participate in a blog hop with other bloggers featuring our fall home! I felt like I had JUST shared our empty house tour and then bam! It was time to unveil a couple spaces spiffed up for fall. I’m thrilled you all liked what you saw!!
This post was written out of sheer love for bold pattern and the classic combo of black and white! You’ll see both elements throughout our home, so it was fun to pull together a round-up of my favorite rugs to help you all find one to put in your home!
Christmas is such a magical time of the year and the task of decorating our home for the holidays is no exception. I love to zhush up each room, amp up the glam and enjoy this special time of the year spending cozy nights in by the fire as a family and entertaining friends on the weekend. This post was your favorite of the entire year, so if you’re already missing the holidays or missed this post the first time, head over and check it out!!
The nursery has continued to be a big hit although it was published in 2014. Right along with the nursery, is the posts I wrote detailing out our DIY nursery closet and how we organized it.
Pegboards have been all the rage for a few years now, but putting one in Simon’s nursery back in ’14 was still a great decision and obviously you all thought so too!
Truth be told, neither boy’s birthday party last year made the blog because well, I didn’t do a whole lot of decorating or styling worth showing and THAT’S OK! However, Simon’s Safari-Style Soiree 1st Birthday DID make the blog and is the 5th most popular post of all-time!
Looking to makeover one of your builder grade bedroom closets? I can help! This tutorial helped a number of people create a more stylish and functional closet space for their little ones or themselves. I saw awesome photos to prove it!
The funniest thing about this post…I almost didn’t even write it! It’s not an amazing idea or full of glamorous photos, but apparently it has helped some of you with your basement finishes!
My number one most popular blog post of ALL-TIME! Creating vignettes and styling spaces throughout the house has always been something I enjoy doing, so by detailing out how I do it in different areas or on different surfaces seems to be worthwhile. I’ll be looking to add more styling tips and tricks post to the line-up in 2017!
WHAT’S COMING TO THE BLOG IN 2017?
Phew! Are you still with me?! Now that we’ve covered so much of This is our Bliss’s past, it’s time to chat for a second about what’s to come. I can start out by saying there will be more room reveals, DIY projects and styling guides, but you probably knew that already! Let’s take a further look at the deets, shall we?
First up, actually…tomorrow, I’m going to be participating in the New Year, New Room Refresh Challenge for the 2nd year [see last year’s Master Bedroom Refresh here]. Any guesses on which room I’m tackling?! It actually might be tough to guess because I literally haven’t shared one ounce of info on this space since we moved in. It’s just sort of been there and we’ve continued to let stuff pile up and overflow the space. I’m excited to take back control and make it work for us a little bit better! Come back tomorrow to see which room I’m talking about…or you might be able to figure it out from the list below!
Room Makeovers on deck…
Main floor Powder Room
Back entryway / Mudroom
Playroom
Kitchen
Basement [uggghhh this one is going to be a undertaking!!]
Rooms that need finishing…
Master Bedroom
The Littlest’s Room
Guestroom / Office
___________
___________
I don’t have all the groundwork laid out for this year’s projects, but I can tell you there is still a ton left to attack here in the new house! I am still working out the details for my posting schedule this year [I’ve had a hard time sticking to one in the past!] and determining what type of content I will share. I have a few ideas for new series in the works and I will also be making some tweaks to a couple of existing ones or ones I’m going to try to revive from the past. Know that I’m going to be putting a focus on fun and frugal projects and especially ones that aren’t very time consuming. We’re all busy, right?! I also plan to start sharing a little bit more about me. Other interests of mine and additional creative areas that pertain to my life, such as quick and easy entertaining ideas, appetizer and cocktail recipes, as well as some lifestyle posts featuring outfit and accessory details and other things that pertain to my day-to-day life as a mom of 2 littles!
I’m not going to try to take it ALL on and totally revamp this blog, so I will continue to remain primarily focused on home decor, DIY and interior styling, but thought I might let you take a few *new* peeks inside my real life! It could be as simple as sharing some of my fave pieces in my wardrobe, new accessories I find and add to my collection, as well as sales and specials going on that I simply can’t resist!
If I’m online shopping and discover an amazing find, I want to be able to share it with you whether it be home decor items, a cute scarf or fab pair of shoes. What do you think?
Would you be interested?!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on anything I shared today! Your favorites from the year, ideas you have for me, things you’d like to see more of, things you like to see less of?! Please share it all!
From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you for spending time with me here and I hope you’ll continue to do so in 2017. I promise to have tons of fun, new ideas and things to share with you! Happy New Year, everyone! Cheers to us all and tackling those to-do lists! I’ll see you back here tomorrow for Week 1 of the New Year, New Room Refresh Challenge.
