Sharing My Secrets

How’s that for a blog post title?  Yes, I’m sharing my secrets.  Does that sound exciting?

My good friend, Kelly at My Soulful Home (who has the most beautiful garden, home and soul) asked me to take part in a Blogland tour where we introduce other bloggers and share some of our secrets — just a little behind the scenes of our blogs and who we are as bloggers.

Last week, Kelly shared some of her secrets, and today it’s my turn.  I’m answering four fun questions so you can get to know me a little better.  At the end of the post, I’ll introduce you to two bloggers and you can visit their blogs and get to know them.   They’ll be answering the same questions next week and introducing more bloggers.  It’s a fun way to get to know and visit more blogs.

Here we go!

1.  What am I working on right now?

I’m actually working on several things.  One, I’m re-styling the living room coffee table.  I’m playing around with different knick knacks and some new stuff we found during our summer travels.  (I’ll be sharing that update soon.)

 

I’m also re-arranging decorative things in the kitchen…the top of the cabinets, the counter tops, etc — trying to get used to the new look of my kitchen.  

In addition, I just spent several hours organizing our “everything” room.  It’s an exercise room, a sometimes guest room, a craft room and a computer room for the kids and me.  It’s been a disaster most of the summer because it’s where we put everything that needed to be out of the way during the kitchen remodel.  Today I sifted through papers that got stacked on my desk, old magazines, stuff from the end of the school year and other odds and ends and it’s finally feeling organized and clutter-free!  Hooray!

2.  How does my work differ from others in my genre?

Everything that I do reflects not only my taste, but that of my family.  I feel like my decor style is one big compromise — in a good way!  I like traditional, farmhouse, rustic, and casual, functional decor.  I love beautiful fabrics, buffalo checks, painted furniture, plates on the wall and a cottage-y feel.

My husband likes leather, cowhide, ranch style, clean lines (almost modern sometimes!) and stained wood.  

Our home is a reflection of that blend of styles and tastes.  I love how it’s come together and I hope that I convey that in my blog posts.  My hope is to give others faced with designing for two (those like me who are married to men who care about the decor) some hope that it is possible to combine your own style with his.

3.  Why do I write/create what I do?

I enjoy writing and have been doing it for fun or work ever since I can remember.  When I’m sewing a pillow or re-arranging my decorations I’m always thinking about how I might be able to share what I’ve learned.  I enjoy helping others when I’ve learned something new or discovered a valuable lesson.  It’s just how I’m wired.

4.  How does your writing/creating process work?

Sometimes it’s very planned and organized, and other times it’s spur of the moment and chaotic.  For example, while we were working on the kitchen, I came up with a lot of ideas for blog posts that I could write about the remodel (yes, there are more posts to come!).

Then there are times when I just start working on a project on a whim and then decide that it might make a good blog post later.  The idea might be solving a problem I have or I was inspired by something I saw in a magazine, on another blog or on Pinterest.  I also get questions from readers that prompt a post or a project I never thought of.   No matter how an idea strikes, I always think of how I can visually tell the story on my blog.  After that, it’s about the writing.  

 

Now, it’s time to introduce you to my two very sweet and talented blog friends, both of whom I have met in person and can say that they are the real deal.   I hope you love them as much as I do!

In alphabetical order:

Andrea from the Opulent Cottage:

I met Andrea when I discovered her blog and then was introduced to her through a mutual local blogger friend.  We got to meet in the lovely town of McKinney, TX for a girl’s afternoon of  lunch and shopping.  Andrea’s home was recently featured in a magazine and she has the cutest red cabinets in her kitchen.  You will love Andrea!

 

Lauren from The Endearing Home

I had admired Lauren’s style from the very first time I landed on her blog but we somehow never connected in the online world.  Maybe she commented here and I commented there, but it was all in just passing.   Then, this summer, we met at the Haven Conference in Atlanta.  When she gave me her card and told me her blog name I immediately remembered the images of her lovely home and blog.  We became fast friends and I’m so happy to have met her personally!  I know you will love her welcoming style and wait until you see her big backyard project.  It is amazing!

I hope you’ll visit these two special ladies and tell them that I sent you!

Have a wonderful day!

 

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Savvy Southern Style