Happy Monday! I’m excited about a fresh week and the possibilities ahead. My mind is buzzing with projects and small joys, so here are 25 things currently floating around in my head.
1. I’ve been diving into online learning lately. I signed up for Emily’s Simple Graphic Design Course and have been enjoying it—it’s practical, inspiring, and refreshing for anyone wanting to improve everyday design skills.
2. Last Friday I also enrolled in a Photoshop Room Makeover course to learn more about visual staging and photo editing for interiors—perfect timing while we’re renovating.
3. These classes come from the same instructors who taught an online photography course I took earlier and loved. They celebrated an anniversary recently and were offering 40% off several courses, which made joining even easier.
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4. At home, we’ve been steadily working on our bathroom renovation. Small projects like this add up quickly and keep the whole house feeling refreshed.
5. One task I was trying desperately to avoid was painting the ceiling.
6. Unfortunately, it couldn’t be avoided—painting ceilings is one of those inevitable renovation steps. Even so, having a crisp white ceiling against the new wall color looks lovely and makes the space feel brighter.
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7. In January my husband and I received a gift certificate to a swanky restaurant.
8. We finally used it last week for a date night, which felt like a real treat in the middle of renovation chaos.
9. The restaurant had a beautiful ambiance and delicious food—an experience that reminded us to slow down and enjoy good company.
10. We savored every moment and bite, then came home and put our bathroom back together again, which felt oddly domestic and satisfying.
11. Aren’t we just so romantic?
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12. I’m having a surprisingly hard time finding the perfect mirror for the vanity; the current black one is only a temporary stand-in.
13. I found a mirror I adore—ornate and characterful—and I still think it’s beautiful, but it doesn’t quite fit this particular bathroom.
14. I’ve realized I need to see items in the actual space before deciding. That inevitability slows down the renovation process, but it helps avoid choices that look wrong once installed.
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15. Yesterday we stopped by Home Depot to get advice about installing tile. A kindly, experienced gentleman walked us through the steps with patience, describing how to prepare the surface and lay tile properly. He joked it would be “the hot damn,” which I took as a sign to be excited about the finished look.
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16. At this stage I’m grateful to have a handy husband who can handle the more technical parts of the job—things like attaching a heavy window securely to the wall and pre-drilling properly to avoid splitting the frame.
17. A fun aside: he’s left-handed, and neither of us can resist a little family trivia about genetics and quirks. My sister’s husband is a lefty too, so we jokingly equate it with cleverness.
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18. I’ve been thinking through window covering solutions for oddly sized, older windows. It’s a common challenge in older homes: balancing natural light, privacy, and aesthetics.
19. For now, flour sack towels are doing a charming job: they let light in while preserving privacy. I’ll replace the thumbtacks with a more polished solution, but the towels are a surprisingly practical, budget-friendly option.
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20. I’ve always been curious about bathtub trays—those wooden or metal trays that sit across the tub. They look lovely staged with candles and a book.
21. Realistically, I’m not sure how often I’d use one practically, but I enjoy arranging pretty items on it for photos and for the feeling it adds to the bathroom décor.
22. Small moments like a good meal, a helpful instructor at the store, or a clever idea for window treatments bring big joy during a renovation. They remind me why we invest time and energy into making our home feel like us.
23. I’m looking forward to tackling tile installation, finalizing the mirror choice, and finding a permanent, beautiful solution for the windows. Each completed detail makes the space more functional and more enjoyable.
24. If you’re renovating, taking time to learn—whether through online courses or hands-on advice—can make a real difference in the result and the experience.
25. Have a great week—may it be productive, creative, and filled with small victories.
***The “shoot fly shoot” link is an affiliate link. If you choose to click on it and sign up for the course, I will receive a percentage of the sale.