As the new year approaches, my table is buried in papers and calendars. I’m eager to plan fun home and blog projects for the coming year! Before I get carried away setting goals, though, I thought it would be nice to look back on the past twelve months first.
Welcome, newcomers! If you haven’t been reading along all year, here are the highlights in one place.
My Favorites from 2018
Favorite “Feel Good” Home Activity
After moving into a much smaller home a few years ago, I kept wishing for better organization. I was always hunting for things, and it was maddening! To kick off the year, I took on an 8 week organization challenge and tidied every room in our house.
By the final week I was a little worn out on organizing, but I was thrilled to have it finished! Now, at the start of this year, I’ll be revisiting those same spaces to tidy them up again. If organizing is calling your name this time of year, come join me on Instagram. We’ll tackle it together! (We’re starting with our #worstfirst project, since my mom always said it’s best to get the “worst” job over with first!;))
Favorite Purchase
After weighing our options for more than a year, we finally went ahead and bought a new couch. It has been sitting in our living room for over six months now, and I can honestly say ~ I love it!!
If you’re going through that tough shopping process yourself, here are my top things to consider when purchasing a couch.
Favorite New Business Venture
I’ve always dreamed of owning a home decor shop someday. Since a real brick-and-mortar store is a long shot, I decided to open an online one instead. Joining the Amazon affiliate program has let me put together some fun collections.
Recently I finally set up an Amazon Bildirimlerim Shop in one convenient spot! (Yippee!) It includes gift guides for women, men, and young adult boys, along with my favorite photography gear. I’m excited to keep building out that online space in the coming year.
Favorite Trip
Travel was a dream come true for me in 2018. I flew to Charleston, South Carolina to attend my very first Haven blogging conference.
Those days were packed with wonderful memories, and I look back on them with joy and gratitude. I learned so much and made many new friends. Several of them continue to inspire and encourage me in my blogging and personal journey. A few are pictured above, from left to right: Sonya Burgess, Yvonne, Jen, Jenny, and Julie.
Favorite projects
I couldn’t stop at just one, since I have more than one favorite! The first has to be our Shiplap Wall Media center.
We had been living with a Billy Bookcase wall that worked fine but wasn’t quite finished. It was so satisfying to complete it with a simple DIY shiplap feature and custom craftsman style trim. It’s one of my favorite features in our home now.
My other favorite project was the Farmhouse Shelves in the dining room.
They were quick and easy to install and gave our main living space so much character. They really help this townhouse feel like home to us!
Favorite new series
I wrapped up the year with my A Home-made Christmas series. I had a blast putting together posts with guest interviews, DIY projects, and recipes, all built around the Christmas theme.
Most exciting day for my Blog Business
…was November 18th.
That was the Sunday afternoon I shared a goofy Instagram story about Dollar Store Christmas decor.
…Which led to features from Amy @the_fetching_farmhouse, Natalie from @vintageporch, and Layla from @letteredcottage.
Those three lovely ladies, without even realizing it, helped grow my Instagram account by thousands in just a few days. It was hands down the most dramatic event in my years of blogging.
So, if you haven’t joined us on Instagram yet, please do! (Click HERE and then hit the “follow” button.) I spend lots of time there on stories, and I absolutely love how easy it is to “chat” with you. I feel like I have a whole community of friends encouraging and blessing one another… and there are usually plenty of laughs, too.
Looking forward to new favorites
Now that we’ve looked back at the favorites of the past, I’m excited for new ones in the coming year! There’s a whole list of fun DIYs and room makeovers on the calendar, and I’m working on some new things for the blog, too.
The first one is coming up later this month. I’ve wanted to do this for YEARS, and I’m finally launching a link party!
Kim from Serving Up Southern and Julie from My Wee Abode will be co-hosting this weekly event with me. I was too nervous to start a party all by myself!
Julie and Kim are fellow coastal farmhouse bloggers who are guiding me through the details of this new adventure. I’m so excited!
Every Tuesday, bloggers can link up their latest projects. I’m looking forward to meeting new bloggers and being inspired by one another. More details are coming, but until then, mark your calendars and get ready to party!
Would you like an email reminder of the party dates and times? If so, just fill out the quick little form below and you’ll get a reminder when the party goes live.
