i have too much to do before tomorrow. when i am stressed about getting stuff done….my natural instinct is…..to do something unrelated. like sew four pillows for my couch.
i just HAD too.
is that circley colorful fabric not THE most amazing?!! i bought a ton of it because i love it so much! (it's by alexander henry…it's called Boule.)
i have issues.
i am sure it has a name and a therapist or a doctor could talk to me about it….prescribe me something perhaps?
so many things to get done but instead i take pictures of my coffee cup.
isn't it fun?
so graphic.
instead of using my time while annie is playing….i stop and take pictures of her playing! this is definitely a problem.
just a quick lamp makeover with spray paint and a vintage tablecloth and hot glue. you know….cause i don't have a page long to-do list.
oh wait….i DO!
I.S.S.U.E.S.
ok….i have to get stuff done today.
things like……pack for my trip. feed my family. clothe my family. clean my home. make cupcakes. put clothes away. make arrangements. fill in schedules. make phone calls. watch parenthood. sew four more pillows…..just kidding.
if you have emailed me….i hope to get back to you. i am super behind on email response. because i am very busy.
Lisa Palmese-Love the Pillows But I adore that lamp.
It is Gorgeous
thanks Lisa
Luciane-Hi Karin,I wish I could splurge on cutosm Alluminaire lighting and matching throw pillows (which I love)! I happen to have a “Heartfelt Award” for you at my blog, since you were one of the blogs that inspired me to start my own. You can pick it up .
Shahd-Oh wow, that would be awesome if you were on the hunt for sotnehimg you’ve already got pictured in your mind.But then again, this is why I wouldn’t want a custom house built. What if they build/make it EXACTLY like I asked and then I hate it?! Ack. I am much better at tweaking and remodeling. :)Can’t wait to see what you come up with though!
Naomy-spa owner, did you know that there are so many different and fun gadgtes you can get to compliment your spa experience? did you know that there are many little gadgtes out there on the pool and spa market that make your soak a little more excellent? not
Vanessa-your business opoitaren hours by using productive use of your order-taking answering services. while you and your own employees are still asleep, your answering service staff can still be taking orders-getting more sales and boosting your earnings! your order-taking answering service would give you th
Muhazi-it be the gas heating units. their fuel tanks are alctaluy placed on their bases so despite the strong wind, they remain steady. start looking for the right gas heaters now and feel free to get portable types.these gas patio heaters are really efficient during winter. they help
Ruth Baumgartner -I L.O.V.E. this, because when the pressure is on this is exactly how I roll. I could have authored this post. So glad to know I am in WONDERFUL company.
Stacey-You are too funny! I just have to follow you! Love your style and your humor! Have a blessed day!
Stacey of Embracing Change
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andiejaye-i love love love the idea of arranging books by color!!! i tried it and loved it!!! thanks for sharing the idea with us! i put 4 links of your picture and blog on my blog post about it. (it’s little i have 8 followers) i hope that’s ok. if not, let me know and i’ll remove them. i just think you’re fabulous! blessings, andie
Lisa Currie-Gurney-I TEND TO DO THE SAME THING… I’VE REALIZED IT HELPS ME TO FOCUS ON WHAT I NEEDED TO DO IN THE FIRST PLACE.
HUGS FROM MY HEART
Sarah-I am also a crazy color junkie and I love love love those color-coordinated kids books!
Heather aka moreygirl-I’m the same way about not doing what’s on my list and sewing something fun instead! Love this blog!
Kristin S-Annie’s facial expressions are absolutely classic. You’ll be so glad someday when that sweet baby face morphs to teenager that you have so many great photos.
Lolli -wait, can you paint brass?
amy jupin-the lamps look FAB.
all capitals.
the pillows are so you.
love them.
i suffer from the same problem–procrastination!
hate it.
one more thing, i hope you have a great time on your trip!
🙂
Lorie S. -You seriously just made me laugh out loud. Such is my day, everyday. The list of things I need to do and the list of things that I want to do. Feel so much better on the days that I do the things I want to do. So since today is a rainy day, I think I will read, sew, play, and make cupcakes!!! =)
Kat -Meg, you are SOOOO inspiring! Thank you! LOVE the lamp and the pillows. Okay, i am a beginning sew-er, seamstress, whatever…i know this is a DUMB question. But would you mind telling me…do you use pillow inserts for your pillows, or just stuffing?
Would you mind telling me what size you make them (20×20?)…i love the size of yours? I am DYING to sew but FEAR is overwhelming me…fear of messing up. But you have inspired me. Thank you! 🙂
Katie -I would buy a print copy of the orange photo! Just saying!
Leah-Those are great photos. I don’t think you’re wasting any time. By the way, do you really arrange your books in the order of rainbow colors? I’m impressed!
Katy Frame-Because I am very busy.
(Taking pictures of oranges)
LOL! You are hilarious, Meg! 🙂 I hope you have a fun time on your trip! You so deserve it. And for me complimenting you I deserve a cupcake, right?? It was worth a shot! But seriously, have fun!
Crystal Swoverland -I can’t find Alexander Henry anywhere in my area! I LOVE that fabric! I need some of those pillows, no, not want…NEED!!! I am remodeling and those are my colors!!! HOW can I get this fabric??? THanks for the wonderful post, you always brighten my day!
Flower Patch Farmgirl-1. Hey – is today Annie’s birthday? 😉
2. Did I miss the part where you told us where on earth you’re headed?
3. I have the very same affliction.
4. Must know how you did that tablecloth lampshade thing. I’m way impressed.
Tracy Fisher -fabulous fabric… and great use of time… i think many of us relate… i was outside today taking photos of my kids snowboarding (because it snowed today… and my son insisted on wearing his creapy hat he got in Mexico… that scares the neighborhood little kids)… all the while avoiding the same list as you have apparently.. minus the cupcakes..hehe.
Tracy Fisher
Marcella-I so know the feeling!
And there must be a lot of people like me commenting on this post! Which it is a relief that I’m not the only one out there that operates like this.
I bet it does have something to do with being a creative person….
Nicole-I am the SAME exact way! The longer my list is, the more I can find to do that is NOT on the list it seems. Procrastination is my forte!
And I LOVE your new pillows! Color Color COLOR! Happy 🙂
Good Luck with your list!
Lin -Haha. I feel so much better about myself after reading this post and the comments. I am NOT alone. Yay! I will go so far out of my to avoid “chores” it’s crazy. When I run out of time to get things done, and am tired I tell myself I’ll get up early and do it in the morning. I even go so far as to set my alarm early, but then the snooze button always win.
Lisa -I want one of your pillows! I need someone to teach me to sew. I’m so lame when it comes to that stuff. Love that you were avoiding your long to do list. I do that occasionally too! 🙂
Penny-I am glad Parenthood is on your list. I love that show, I always feel a little let down when it ends though. I also love your blog and get excited when you have a new post. Makes my day! Love the photos. One Easter I was having 25 family members for dinner and I sat down with my girls and colored 2 hours before dinner. It relaxed me and everything turned out fine!
Tanya H-that’s what I’m doing reading your blog right now. Ignoring my enormous list. drat.
jenna -I couldn’t help notice the bicycle runner on the table.
I have to have that fabric! Or I would love a pillow!
Where did you find it?
Jen -You DO have to watch Parenthood! Whew… it’s loaded.
shauna reed-lampshade=ahhhhmazing.
email me if you need anything in socal.
i will be like 45 min away if you need anything 😉
like a bell or some marshmallow milk….whateves
ps i am gonna be shopping with julie while you are soaking up photography brilliance on sat.
if you get mad at the class and ditch (ha ha) you can come with us…..
xoxox
FeFe -I hope you moved watching Parenthood to the top. It was good!
Tanya-I just showed my sister this post and said “See, there ARE people like us”. Then I asked her “And who looks at a white lampshade and SEES THAT final outcome?” To which she responded “I do”. And I said “Oh yah”. It’s me who sucks.
I love your pillows.
Georgia-The first photo makes me so happy, them pillows are so bright and cheery, so summertime! woo love them!! 🙂
When i need to be busy i just cant do it. i read somewhere once that if you dont feel like doing something then DONT, only do it when you feel like it…
Happy middle of the week day!
Kelley-Excellent pillows! They absolutely needed to be made. Needed.
Safe travels tomorrow
Vanessa at He Gives Hope-have you done a post on your coffee table? did you make it? b/c i am in LOVE.
Keli Cook -I love your new pillows and the makeover of your new lamp!
Anna-I love that picture of Annie and the pets. Super cute.
becky@oursweetpeas-Ahh, I think we are long lost sisters. I am blog reading instead of: cleaning my house, unloading the dishwasher, etc., etc., I did take all 3 kids to the dr.’s and McD’s AND library today so I think I’ve earned a little Parenthood on Hulu too. 🙂 Thanks for the idea.
yeah, I have a problem too.
Stefanie Arnold-someday I hope to say I was so distracted because I was sewing new pillows for my couch. Someday… for now, my creativity is confined to drawing stick figures and cutting out snow flakes 🙂
Shana-I have diagnosed you with ‘Procrastination’ – not otherwise specified.
I would give you therapeutic advice but I have blogs to stare at, books to read, and coffee to drink.
Sorry.
Cute mug.
Kari-You are hilarious.
Seriously.
My in-laws are scheduled to be here in less than two hours for the weekend and I have a HUGE list of things to do, girls are both napping soundly… but instead I updated my facebook status (is says: “Please keep me in your thoughts … I have lost my TO DO LIST!”) and decided it was imperative I check your blog before getting back to looking for my to do list.
Michelle-haha, this is awesome. i so feel ya! i have a super long to-do list as well, and i’m sooo procrastinating! you’ve inspired me! maybe i will go take pictures of oranges too! ha! by the way, i LOVE those pillows! where do you get the fabric???
Karina -Lovely lamp, lovely kitchen, lovely bathroom, lovely pictures…
At least you are not eating to make up for the stress…you are taking pictures instead and that HAS to be less fattening than what I usually do when I feel paralyzed by my to-do list…I have been known to eat sweetened condensed milk from the can…and finish the can in one sitting!! Maybe I should buy myself a camera…
julie h -this made me laugh, that is so very much myself…can you explain that i am not the only one that does this to my hub?
Jenny B. -OH WOW!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the new couch pillows!!! And the little chairs at the coffee table!? AWESOME!!! Those may have been there the whole time, and I just now noticed them, but still… SO cute! Thank you for helping me get over my fear of decorating my home with primary colors. I’m serious. For the past 11 years, I have looked longingly at deocrative items with lots of bright colors, and thought, “oh, I like that, but it just wouldn’t go in my house.” Now, I have a brightly painted alphabet canvas that was destined to be on the wall of a little boy’s room as the centerpiece on my mantel, and it’s my favorite thing to look at every day. I can’t wait to do more! Whee!! 🙂 You inspire me!
Aimee-Oh my, I think I have the same syndrome. Miles-long to do list = do something nowhere near ANYthing on said list.
I like to call it Head-In-the-Sand-itis.
Kori-apparently your condition is a nation-wide epidemic! i have it too and i’m in washington.
love the pillows (more for the pom-poms than the fabric, although it is great!) and the lamp…too cute!
Dawn-Love the pillows and the prints are awesome. Your rooms are so colorful I love it.
Kirsten P -I love how the aqua in the’circley colorful fabric’ makes the aqua mirror just pop!
I love the children’s books arranged by color!
Parenthood was great last night. And the previews for next week – can’t wait.
Will you get a chance to go to the ocean and listen to the music of the waves? Enjoy it for me, too.(if you do)
Esther Dee -don’t know about your to-do-list but I do know that those pillows are to-die-for!!!! so pretty and happy 😉
Mrs. Wonder-I do the same thing! Therefore, I’m several days behind on my list. LOVE the lamp, marking this for ideas, we’re house hunting and I’m excited to decorate!
wendy, NJ -OMG! I love you! You are so funny and such an inspiration! Whenever I’m feeling a bit blue I look to your blog as I know it will always be colorful (literally) and in content!
And can I just say I love the fact that you are able to leave markers out in an open bin on your white table…My 3 yo would have a field day if I do that!
Thanks again for such inspiration! Keep it coming!
Kara-love it all but especially your lamp makeover! if you are still wanting to put off your to-do list you should post a tutorial 🙂 lamp shades scare me a little bit, yours looks awesome!
Rach-Yeah. I do the same thing. I’ll find myself mid project and be like “how did I get here? wasn’t I supposed to be doing something else. Must stop…. can’t stop.” But hey, life’s short right!
gina f. -fun photos! Now that you have a happy heart i am sure you will fly thru your to do list! love how your books are arranged in rainbow order and the lamp makeover is super!! have a great trip!
Courtney Walsh-Good lord, I am sooo behind too and yet here I sit doing important things like reading blogs!!! lol
I agree with the person above me. soooo many houses are showing a neutral palette these days, but COLOR is soooo inspiring. Love that you arranged your dang books in rainbow form!! lol awesome.
Elizabeth Walters-I LOVE how colorful your house is! I always stick with neutral… b/c I am boring like that. 🙂
Anne @ Baking Me-I love that lamp, very cute. I have issues with lamps. I am always on the hunt for a great lamp at a great price, no such luck yet but I keep trying 🙂
Trina McNeilly-Love this… love all the pictures. The lamp and pillows are fab. sometimes distractions are good 🙂
xo
Jen Brandt -You rock.
jennifer-Oh good! I thought I was the only one with this issue. So glad to know I’m not alone!
Ana-Meg, I can totally relate. I have like 20 things to do and yet I get into a catatonic state of denial hoping they will all go away. However, that strategy never works out… 🙁
Leah -How did you make that lamp shade?!? Please share! It looks amazing!
blu -…or if you are me you are in front of the computer while the laundry, children, dishes, and bathrooms are calling for you 🙂 I’ll get to all of them immediately, just let me post a comment first…Meg you are way cool please keep doing ALL that you do!!
Jessica Johnson-the colors in this post? FAB to the ULOUS. seriously. the books? arranged by color??! genius.
asnipofgoodness-I soooooo get this, I do the very same exact thing, for some reason the need to get something done, causes me to get other things done….I just don’t get it! I mean I get that you do it, cuz I do too, but I don’t get the why, cuz it just never makes much sense!
I LOVE the pillows, and the lamp, OMGoodness, so extraespecially colorful!I just LOVE the glimpses of your style that turn up on your blog!
I have a HUGE lamp shade that I picked up at restore, and that is just the perfect solution to a less than desirable funky stained cover! Now I need an oversized lamp base to hold it up!
Oh, and I read “your story” just the other day, and I really loved your unapologetic honesty! What a wonderful picture of God’s redemption! Thank you for that!
I almost never comment, but I ALWAYS read, thanks!
Joy-You and I, we were seperated at birth. I call it piddling…and I love that the books on the bookshelf are arranged by color. It made my heart smile.
Lindsey-Alexander Henry has some of the most amazing fabrics ever!
Maeva -Where can I find the bicycle fabric in the last photo?!
Mindy Harris-your pillows and buntings are going to sell out on etsy in 5 seconds. i can’t get anyone to even LOOK at my stuff. hehe. i’m not complaining, i promise. etsy’s FUN! i hope you get everything done you need to. it’s okay to take photo or craft breaks. i do all the time.
and, safe travels!
Andrea -Just read comment above mine. Yea, I was intrigued by the color coordinated bookshelf too. Made me smile – was totally you.
Andrea -LOL!! I do that too. My husband says I only operate on crisis mode! Have many, many projects that need finished – need to set my own deadline.
ajdked -Ehh, I have a huge to do list today. Instead I’m still in my pj’s drinking coffee, blog hopping, totally intrigued by your color coordinated book shelf. I have a pile of laundry looming over me. I think I will stay in my pj’s for a half hour longer, then get moving!
Shannon-it’s okay to waste time taking pictures because we all love coming to your blog to see them so really you are just doing it for us which makes you so thoughtful 🙂
deborah@applesinwonderland-i have no idea what you are talking about here. how can you not make pillows with that kind of *look at me* fabric poking at you? and how can you not take adorable pictures of annie in the tub? i say, you have to do those things. xoxo–a partner in crime:)
Trish-ha 🙂 my list is a mile long too, but here I am reading your blog about the stuff you are doing… i believe we have what is called a mix between procrastination and ADD 🙂
can’t wait to meet you tomorrow 🙂
purejoy-dude. if you have issues, i have I.S.S.U.E.S!!
love the fabric. the cup. love bathtime fun. great coffee mug. love your kid’s books are arranged by color.
you complete me.
lists be damned!
Sara @ Happy Brown House-I just love how bright and happy your house is! I love that you embrace color!
Kelly -Did you put the tablecloth over the existing shade? Love the lamp and pillow fabric!
Cory-I have a TON to do today as well. Clearly I’m just reading your blog instead. Thanks for the distraction! Love all your pretty pics 🙂
Jenn Shock-I should be studying for my first Survey of Fashion test that is tonight, yet somehow I ended up here. When I stress about getting something done, I always tend to find something else to do, even if it means cleaning! Weird.
Michelle Whitlow-oh my gosh, I’m the EXACT same way!!! hehe We’re moving from GA to WA in just a couple months. There is SO much around the house to do. Oh, and did I mention that I’m 5 mos pregnant?? Yeah, I have a list a mile long. And what am I doing?? Reading blogs…and maybe I’ll go scrapbook something after that 🙂
Courtney Henson-I have the same affliction! It is hard, very hard for me to do something like clean the house for company or a party when I have a chalkboard wall to paint in my kitchen or pillows to sew for my couch! (All this I did last week getting ready for family to come stay for a few days..!) Oh, how I relate! But I love your pillows and really love, love that lamp makeover! And you rainbow hued kid’s books all organized by color! So, so pretty!
Vicki-Loved this! Those pillows are to-die-for! And your happy, colorful pictures are the best. Good luck with that to-do list!
Molly-I have things to do too….but you know what I am doing tonight…re-arranging the books in the bookshelf so they make a rainbow! Love that!
Jessica -I’m new to your blog… so I’m not really sure of your kids ages but I have a 4 yr old and there is NO way I could have a white table, an white-ish sofa, and a JAR OF MARKERS all within arm distance of each other! How do you keep those from getting marker on them?
I’m asking bc I’m jealous :/
Dana @ Bungalow'56-Megan,
I am in complete denial…absolute denial, that I will be on a plane tomorrow. Nothing packed, nothing ready. It’s how I deal with stress, ignore the situation. Which of course leads to copious amounts of stress over a very short few hours when I have to do whatever I’ve been putting off.
There will be lot’s of excitement at our house this evening. It makes for an roller coaster life : )
Dana
Amanda -I love how “watch parenthood” is on your to-do list. It’s on mine too!
AshleyAnn-I love that lamp so much!!!
Have fun on your trip…
Carrie -I am like you, except I start the to do list but on the way to the bedroom to put away laundry I stop in the kitchen to put dishes and then end up in the living dusting. So while it may seem productive, everything ends up only half finished. Ugh!
Have fun this weekend. I am JEALOUS!!! (in a nice healthy way though. lol)
Kathi -LOL! This is why I check in everyday, love your attitude! Have a great day.
Keri-If I were to be a stay at home wife and we had our own house, I’m sure I would be the exact same way… Do everything else that is not on the list…Those are great pics though!
Heather-i have that same disorder! and lamp envy. that lamp and lampshade you worked your magic on are a-mazing!
Sarah @ Handbags*N*Pigtails-Oh my gosh you’re not the only one! Whenever I have custom orders to get done, I end up “rebelling” and making a different bag for no one in particular. Its almost like I cant do the things I need to until I do something I dont need to. Maybe its something about being creative. Yes, we’ll blame it on that.
BTW, when will your shop open? (No pressure, Im just curious)
XO,
Sarah
Janie Fox -Love your pics … mine are so bad I should just post stick figures with my text. Blathering is my claim to fame. Picture taking I want to learn, but I am too busy talking! Safe travels!! xoxo
Laura Phelps-you need TISSUES for parenthood. I cried for HOURS.
I LOVE YOU
I LOVE this post
the colors
and sunshine
and brightness
and all of it…
it makes me HAPPY
so if you put “make Laure happy” on your list,
it is like you DID do something you were supposed to do
and now, even better, you can cross it off of your list!
see how much you got done today?
happygirl-I LOVE your pictures. PLEASE don’t change. Then your blog will be boring, like mine. (my blog isn’t really boring, I just don’t have all the beautiful pictures) Your children won’t go to college and your daughters will be single the rest of their lives. PLEASE don’t change. I think the circle fabric is GORGEOUS. Have a GREAT trip.
candace-watch parenthood first. and don’t stop taking pictures – looking at them is MY distraction from the impending “get-to-do” list! ha!
Sugar Mama-When I have a long to do list I get anxious. First, I’ll bite my fingernails. Then I’ll have a panic feeling wash over me. Then I distract myself with something completely unrelated (usually that involves eating)…. and ONLY then do I try to work on the list.
Those pillows I must have.
Stephanie@Geezees-OMG! All of that color is making me giddy 🙂 Love those throw pillows.
Hope you have a good day Meg 🙂
Kimberly Dial -If I took pictures as lovely as yours, I’d have a hard time stopping too! Your pillows are ‘fantabulous’! You never fail to make me smile — thank you! Now …. get busy girl 😉
Kimberly Dial -If I took pictures as lovely as yours, I’d have a hard time stopping too! Your pillows are ‘fantabulous’! You never fail to make me smile — thank you! Now …. get busy girl 😉
Heather -There is nothing that paralyzes me like a long to-do list. What is up with that?
Gemma @ Musings of a gem-Heehee! Loving your cushions : )
The sight of your kitchen makes me giddy…so jealous!
Gemma x
rachel / cr.e.at.e-i just laughed out loud with each new funny close up photo & your coordinating comment. AND THE LAMP! 😀 absolutely hysterical [but it looks awesome, i’m not laughing at IT]. we have the exact same ‘problem’ so if you get help, a diagnosis or some meds, just let me know so i can help myself. randomness & procrastination central, here [going 34 years strong]. hopefully now that you got ‘other things’ out of the way, you can be productive! [that’s always my hope at least] 🙂 GOOD LUCK!
Katy-I love your house! That first picture of your beautiful pillows in your living room with your kitchen in the background, perfection!
PS – Oh, and I am the same way. My eldest is at preschool, my youngest is napping, my bed is unmade, my kitchen is a mess, and I have a ton of laundry. What am I doing? Checking your blog while waiting for the pictures that I just edited to upload for my blog. I am losing it…
Jen W. -Laughing so hard! I love that you are busy taking pictures of oranges. That’s awesome!
Candy-we were just talking at MOPS yesterday about how important it is to take pictures, even of the normal everyday life, because you can’t get those years back when life was hectic and your kids were little, but at least you will have the pictures!
Ana M -love ya….
your posts make me happy…
Kim -I do the exact same thing. I had a giant list of things to do yesterday-but not before I decoupaged book pages to the top of my coffee table. That is a must-do before preparing dinner and getting ready for a gathering at my home last night-don’t you think! I think it’s called “avoidance”.
Beth-GREAT lamp! good luck getting stuff done today!
Nicole Q.-That is exactly how I handle my to do list!!! LOVE those pillows!!! Have a great trip!
tracy dickinson-ha! i just finished watching parenthood this morning! i have a TON of things to do, but couldn’t wait any longer. it was SO good. good luck getting everything done!
alyssa-that’s hilarious. I do the same exact thing when I’m busy. I have a long to-do list and I just keep finding other things to do! I feel your pain.
katie-i am exactly the same way. i drive myself crazy like that: when i’m stressed about things to be done, i always catch myself doing other things that don’t need to be done…creative or fun things alot of the time. as i’m doing the not-necessary, probably fun thing, i’m thinking: “what the heck am i doing right now?!”
Tracy-LOL I LOVE LOVE LOVE your pillows AND the graphics on your coffee cup – TOO CUTE! I love all things circles and polkadot type stuff anyway! 🙂 Good luck with your to do list and have fun on your trip! Thanks for sharing your goodies today. Also, one more thing – could you add to the “bottom” of your to do list perhaps – to do a tutorial for your fabulous lamp makeover (not the spray paint part obviously), but the fabric part with the hot glue – I have a lamp in my daughter’s room that I want to do the same thing to. You’re so awesome and I always love coming to see what you and the family are up to each day. Have a great day, Meg! xoxoxo
Miranda-hahaha funny stuff – I get most of my list done when I am in a time crunch then run around like a mad woman!
ashley jensen-Ha! My daugter does the same thing with her little toys, takes them into the bath tub and lines them up. But there is nothing wrong with getting distracted with the things that make you happy!
Shivaun -If you’re crazy, then I’m crazy! That’s helpful now, isn’t it?
You make me laugh…and I need to because my 2-yr.old has the stomach flu and I have 6 others who I know will start any second. Laughter is good 😉
I’m busy, too. Reading blogs.
i have this pressure that i put on myself that YOU think i have a really organized, pretty-to-look-at craft cupboard. well…this is it. what do you think?
i texted my friend and said "i'm cleaning my craft cabinet!" she wrote back "i haven't seen your craft room" me: "no…the kids' craft cuboard…not my crafts" she: "you have a whole cupboard?! i have a shoebox"
that cracked me up. yes….i tend to be a bit on the hoarder side when it comes to craft supplies.
i couldn't stand that cupboard one more day.
i emptied it completely on the day we had the snow day….with NO snow.
remember i did have a whole pot of coffee myself…. (call me Magda….at least i wasn't vacuuming under the couch!)
i found places for everything….put everything together that belonged together….made labels!
top shelf: ALL the stuff i have been collecting for a year for our junk sculpture….coming soon. third shelf: ribbons/styrofoam stuff/crayons/beads/yarn/clothes pins/old christmas cards second shelf: paint/glitter/glue bottles/tape/glue sticks/hot glue guns/ watercolor paint/feathers/pipe cleaners first shelf: construction paper/white paper/pencils/pens/scissors/paintbrushes/rolls of white paper
the cans are recycled….peaches or tomatoes
i found two packs of pencils from school supply shopping….i sat and sharpened them all!
craft thursday just got better!
and the best part…..i did it all for free! no fancy organizers. no running to the store. just used what i had.
crystal beutler-Man . . . can you come over and fix me. I soooo need to do this. You are going to laugh when you read my post tomomorrow. These pictures and your words today inspire me. My whole craft room looks worse than your first picture. And it plagues me.
Quinn -I am obsessed with clean, and this post made me feel so happy. And I mean I cringed at the first picture, and got progressively happier hahahah. Very impressed!
Tara-so impressed.
no money spent…makes the whole thing more impressive.
Andrea T -super insiring post. especially the part where you did it all for free, no running to the store. i am not that strong!!
Stefanie Shultz -Not sure how to get this to you, please check out this blog and pray for this family. I do not know them personally, but I’m touched by their story and I’m sure you will be too. Thanks~ http://lukesmoment.squarespace.com/
julia-I’m feeling pretty inadequate that my kid just uses a pen and computer paper. I’ve got to find my “A” game.
Katie -I have a free standing craft cupboard…it used to be in my husband’s room growing up. My MIL gave it to me this summer and I painted it white and have lots of craft supplies in it. I use left over canning jars or any glass jars to put supplies in…can you believe I do that with 4 small kids?!
I did see a blog that wrapped twine around old formula jars and then added a ribbon on the top and bottom and then tied labels on…cute but more work:) I am saving all the formula cans, baby food jars, and pasta sauce jars for something yet to be determined.
Have fun creating!
Leah-You know what’s funny about this? You say you’re not an organized person. But looking at what you accomplished totally inspires me to organize all my craft supplies too. I’m ready to put on a pot of coffee and get started!
Amy jupin-“If I knew you in real life I would send you a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils…”
Now I wanna watch ‘you’ve got mail’
And ‘something about mary’
🙂
Kristin S-Your built ins are glorious!
Isn’t sharpening a pack of pencils so satisfying? I can smell them from here in NC…
nic-this makes me want to come over and play.
we have a craft box…and then the rest of the house, which is scattered willy-nilly with mislaid supplies. so really, we have like a whole craft HOUSE.
which needs to be purged and straightened and herded. oh bother.
Vera-I am so jealous that you have all that STUFF. I used to be a splendid craft hoarder, but now my kids just use it all up pretty much the minute it comes into our house. I filled a HUGE cookie jar full of crayons (like 4 of those giant Crayola boxes full) and they were all gone (used, lost, who knows!) within a month. Glue? FORGET IT. It makes me crazy. Maybe I’ll re-stock and then put a LOCK on it!
Victoria-Looks great and might just motivate me to do my own….
Stephanie-Wonder if we could start a hoarder of craft supplies support group, I’d be a lifetime member! I think we have a million pencils lying around our house and I would love to sharpen every one of them! My rule is they must have a sharp pencil to start their homework, weird I know!
Michelle-Love, love, love! Now I’m wondering if you printed the labels off your Mac and if so, what font did you use?
Londen @ Sixty-Fifth Avenue-wow! that was a lot of work! it looks fantastic! your craft room inspires me to make something!
kat-How fun!!! It looks amazing and now you can see exactly what you have to work with. Awesome job Meg!!!
Brittany -This post makes me so happy…I love seeing things get organized! It give me the itch to start some organizing of my own!! Very nice!!
Jessie-I love your closet! This makes me think of my favorite cabinet when I was teaching. I had it labeled with all of my favorite craft items. I would open and just feel happy! I brought it all home with me but need a nice big closet like this that is organized to keep it. The bins and tubs I have get messy way too fast. I love all the fun colors and craft items. Makes me want to do something fun with my boys today!
sarah -this is the sort of thing that i would add to my daily to-do list just to be able to check it off.
well done, my friend. you’ve inspired us all.
and what lucky kiddos to have such a crafty mama!
Rach-I hope to have a closet like this for my kids when they are older and I am personally attached to my P-Touch labeler and repurposing tins so hopefully it will look like this. Oh, and if I could lift my couch, I would TOTALLY vacuum under it!
jenn-It looks wonderful! And that gum-ball container!!! Mmmm…I’d be tempted to chomp into one of those beads. 🙂
Kate -I sharpened a whole box of pencils on Saturday night. My husband could hear it going and going and going. . . he finally came to check on me! (I like the old fashioned sharpeners.) It’s such a relief to find a project that you can actually start and finish. Great job!
Courtney Walsh-I would so love to have a craft cupboard. And a new house. 🙂 Looks pretty dern awesome!
Laura Phelps-I have a craft shelf
and a craft bin
and a CANDY CUPBOARD
a baking shelf
and a sprinkles lazy susan
and they are ALL a complete mess
when I lose this cold and feel better, the pot of coffee is going on and I am getting to work
maybe
probably not
but I will make that pot of coffee at least
🙂
Dana @ Bungalow'56-Hmm? Just as I figured, now that the kids are all in school your inner Martha is emerging. I’m not sure if we can be friends now, as I don’t know how to get over this closet envy I’m experiencing?
Dana: )
Shannon-That seriously looks like all of my closets. It’s embarrassing whenever someone comes over and opens a closet, like Monica’s closet from Friends 🙂
I don’t have that many craft things but then again I only have 2 kids. Good job taking the time and organizing all of that. I hope your kids are back in school so you have some you time again!
Sharry-This is the “same” mess I’ve been tackling for a month and I don’t have kids – just too much fabric and all its accessories!
Dani-I actually started doing this the other day. My husband built some shelves in the hall closet for my craft supplies. I didn’t realize how many I had! I had supplies all over the place. Under the bed, top of closets, in kitchen drawers…. EVERYWHERE! So glad I have most of it organized and in the same place!
Kerri-I find there is something very therapeutic in sharpening pencils. Why is that? I also like the way they smell – LOL! Of course I am a teacher, but still…
Great job on the cabinet!
kbonikowsky-“i sat and sharpened them all!” Too funny.
Diane -Now could you come and do my Quilt Room?
Shoppin4sophia -Thanks for showing a re-do that costs no money! You know, sometimes all of these blogs make me depressed with their major overhauls. They say, “this only cost me $$$blah, blah.” Well, do you know how long it takes to save extra $$$$???? Anyways, thanks for that. I appreciate it.
Marie-Oh man I need to organize so bad! Thanks for the idea on using cans! I mean i know its nothing new but it was like a “oh yeah” kinda moment lol!
Kristin Hayne-This post just made my heart soooooo happy. I LIVE for organizing…. if you lived in Colorado, I would’ve done this for you for FREE!!! Good job. Makes everything easy to get to and the kids can find things without making a GINORMOUS mess…. LOVE it!!
Beth-Looks amazing! My craft cabinet could use some more shelves, love how yours are spaced. So…..question: how do you use the tin cans when they have the sharp edge around the top?
Carly Winborne-oh, i am in absolute heaven. the labels make my heart beat fast. love.
Aneta Kudasik-You are such a fun mom! I don’t know anyone who is like this for their children! Good job on the cupboard!!!
ashley jensen-Ah the joy of organizing. I recently organized my craft cabinet and no longer dread looking it it. It looked like yours but smaller.
Beth-I love your craft cupboard! I am going to have to fix one for Lexi…All her stuff is everywhere from bedroom to living room and where ever else she leaves her stuff.
Cathy -Love it! Of course, for me….the hardest part would be keeping it that way! 🙂
Rachel / cREaTe-AWESOME. the before pic looks just like nearly every cabinet & closet in my house. and other areas where things get stashed. this past weekend, we had an impromptu party. 16 people showed up at my house before i even got 2 minutes to do a tornado sweep through the house. it was so embarrassing & totally has me wanting to set the bar a little higher on how i keep my house on normal days. 😛 blech.
Jodi-I did that just before Christmas… My craft closet…
I need to reorganize it again… :o)
Amanda-Your before pic looks like my craft supply areas…I think they are split into 3 different spots 🙁
Makes me want a label maker once again…lol. Looks great! Feels good, doesn’t it?
heidi @ wonder woman wannabe-well done!!!
we’ve got a craft closet that stays pretty well stocked thanks so a certain grandmother who’s also a preschool director. 🙂
one of my favorite parts of my job as a Professional Organizer is finding clever and creative ways to store items with what you already have. though it is fun to purchase pretty color coordinating (and functional) storage boxes, bins, and/or baskets it’s not a NEED to simply get things in order. your cupboard looks great!
Bobbie-You should see my craft shelves in our garage. Two huge industrial sized shelves that look like a little hurricane went off in my garage. Maybe you’ll inspire me to clean them soon but only after a pot of coffee
deborah@applesinwonderland-spectacular!!!!! my craft cupboard, sets of drawers and large portion of the basement may require my own barista and an IV set-up. good to know it can be done. 🙂
Candy-Looks awesome! You totally crack me up, at my prayer group the other night we had a Magda reference! Too funny.
jenni@talkinghairdryer-You can do anything as long as you have a pot of coffee and a box of cupcakes! Love your clean, usable space.
Staci -WAY TO GO GIRL!!!!!! Looks awesome!!!!
Penny-Wonderful Meg. It looks great. You have inspired me to tackle my craft room. I am having our next Craft Club at my house and I know the ladies will need something from that room and it scares me! You have inspried me to get it done. Thanks! And what a great place to hide the cupcakes! 🙂
Shairee -oops – meant only if it could stay that WAY!!
Shairee -Oh, if it could only STAY that why!!
Elissa-ok, so what **I** want to know is…. can you come to MY house? 😉
Barbara-awesome job! what I would give for an awesome cupboard like that…. so would my daughter!
what really intrigues me is how you plan on using the hostess cupcakes in the junk sculpture 😉 teeheee
Kimberlee J.-Yay for you! Exhale…I love a space cleaned out and organized–Even if it is a shoebox. 😉
Shayne-I love what you said about Craig being proud because you didn’t run to the store for anything to help you organize! So tempting, isn’t it, to go buy matching containers? But you did a lovely job and avoided that extra expense!
Carol S. -That’s a million dollar makeover! Bet that felt great. I keep looking at that empty space above the construction paper trying to figure out how you can get a second or third level for different paper types above it…there are organizers like that but hmmmm….for free…. Anyway, IF we get a snow day, I’m doing something similar to a junk closet or room. Have a wonderful week Meg.
Julie -Looks great! I did the same thing with our “kid’s cabinet” in the kitchen. What a disaster. Now I just need to find the tape for the label maker…it’s here somewhere! I’m digging myself out of my house one inch at a time now that my babies are all in school!
Amy Lynne-Love it! I especially love that you didn’t buy anything to make it more organized! I am all about re-purposing these days, so it’s nice to see when other folks are doing it too! Great job!
Lorie-Once again you inspire me. I need a snow day without any snow to get my pantry done!
se7en-We are in our last week of school and I am just dying to do our annual sort… of the craft/school/puzzle/games dresser (http://www.se7en.org.za/2010/02/25/se7en-organize-school-starting-with-the-dresser). I love yours!!! And I could look at close up pictures of crayons and markers and beads all day… everyday!! EVERYDAY!!! Thanks for the happy post!!!
Katy-I can’t help but disagree with the previous comment made by “Georgia Rowe”.. Doesn’t she know that you are never too old to craft?? 🙂
Great job organizing, Meg! You have inspired me (what’s new?).
Jen-I love anything with a label!
Looks great. There is nothing like a clean cupboard to make you feel good – at least I’m a bit on the sad side like that.
x
Heather -looks great! I could stare into that huge jar of beads forever… 🙂
Gemma-You did a great job – I love label makers!!!
Gemma x
georgia rowe-I want to come to your house!!!!!!!!
I love crafts, but being 23 i dont have much to craft, i need to borrow some children to do craft time with i think :o)
I cant wait to have kids so i can draw and make things with them.
Well done on the ‘free’ organising!!! i always keep old food tins, and Sauce jars to store things in. Douer egberts coffee has the best jars, there so posh! – its worth buying their coffee just to keep the Jar ! haha
xxx
Simone -ahhh sweet organisation 🙂
sue -You are a clever girl.That looks very organised.I cleaned my scrapbook/craft area too this last week and now i stand and admire it also ,ha ha.
Keri ~ Forever Folding Laundry-Nice!
I know you guys will make some great stuff.
I love a freshly cleaned-out cupboard.
Mine never seem to stay that way.
How does everything seem to migrate out of place so quickly?
I wish you no craft cupboard migration.
Ha.
Lisa -My first thought when I saw the picture of your cupboard messy was “At least she has a craft cupboard!” I’m not crafty so the extent of my crafts is crayons and coloring books. They all fit in one small bin! 🙂 Your clean and organized cupboards make me want to organize my whole house! 🙂
Amber-Holy Cannoli!
Just kidding. 🙂 My whole house is an unorganized mess. 🙂
apparently the awesome quote came from the show How I Met Your Mother. i have only seen that show twice so i googled it. here it is.
i want to say that i know OF COURSE it's not easy to just overcome being sad. and i wasn't sad. just feeling BLAH.
it's january. that is what i do.
but i do really like the idea of BEING AWESOME. 🙂 i mean just say it out loud "today i will be awesome" you will feel it. it's helpful. i dare you to try it.
OK. great questions girls…i love to answer questions.
question one: what is your favorite NON-disney movie?
i have a bunch. i will share by category:
suspense – Signs The Fugitive
drama – i can't think of any!!! i am blank.
chick flick – Julie & Julia.
i love so much about this movie. i love the blogging. i love the acting….meryl streep is just….amazing. what i love the most….the love between paul and julia. it's beautiful. "it was julia. it was julia all along" makes me tear up.
i also love...You've Got Mail Sleepless in Seattle
romance – The Holiday The Family Man anything where i get to look at Mr. Clooney
comedy – Parenthood is a CLASSIC. The Money Pit also a CLASSIC. and to me….anything with Vince Vaughn or Will Ferrell…
action – Bourne Identity…Bourne Supremecy….Bourne Ultimatum Mr and Mrs. smith….they are both just so easy on the EYES!!!
question two: what's going on in the dining room?!!
well whenever i take pictures i don't like them much….so i have been waiting. but i am just going to show you. the light is funky until like 20 minutes before sunset and then i'm making dinner. so these are from this morning.
print is from the wheat field….matte is micheal miller fabric.
all my frames are from the thrift shop or antique store….i have been collecting for years. the yellow lamps were silver from a garage sale 10 years ago.
now the red box is across the room and i asked sean to display his lego space shuttle in that space. :) it's perfect size and pretty safe from being knocked over and it's in view instead of in a box.
pool table….from a friend's garage. foos ball table…from a friend. and now a ping pong (dining room) table for $10.
dining room twice a year….game room the other 363 days.
that caricature is of lauren when she was little made at Six Flags. i found it again…i love it. also her octopus art made in first grade.
the chandelier is from the kane county flea market in may of 2010.
bird canvas is from Pier One….in a antique store frame. craig's chairs are from craigslist. now his friends can sit down inbetween turns playing pool. :)
my sister painted this for me for my birthday. SIGH. i told you i love cow paintings…..and this…..i LOVE. also in an identical frame from the antique store.
the paint color on the walls is antique white. the trim is done in Kilz primer first then Ultra Bright Behr semi-gloss paint.
question three: does your hairstyle have a name for me to tell my stylist?
i am pretty sure it's called a wedge haircut….amy please speak up if i am wrong.
question four: where in the world would you like to visit?
i think anywhere tropical is where i would want to spend time with craig…all alone for a long time. this was in google images….don't you just feel GOOD when you look at it? i can practically smell the ocean. mr. duerksen…..are you looking? can you feel it???
but i also really want to see more of Africa. all over Africa. i want to see it…experience it….meet people….open my eyes…help where i can….love who i can…. ALL OF IT.
i want to have africa in my heart forever.
question five: when did you decide to start charging for photography? when people started asking me to take their family pictures. they encouraged me and built up my confidence with compliments and telling their friends about me. i charged a small amount at first so i could get experience and decide if i even enjoyed it as work. when i realized i did then i just went for it. it was scary. and vulnerable. but worth it.
question six: what do you do all day with the kids in school? enjoy a quiet house. i spend a lot of time on the computer….blogging, answering email and reading blogs. i do laundry, i pick up the house (a little), i go to the grocery store (UGH…this is so old to me….i am over it). i workout a few times a week. i edit photos from may – november and then hopefully sew from january – april for my etsy shop. i read my bible study stuff or a book to help me cope for that given day (Crazy Love….Praying the Sriptures for your Children…Love and Logic…5 Love Languages….) i make dinner. if i am tired i take a nap. this next few weeks i will be purging all the closets and rooms of all the JUNK. bags and bags i am sure. i am not a schedule kind of girl. i am the opposite. so i just do what i need to for that day…and what i feel like doing….schedules make me crazy. and i like to go to lunch if my friend asks or run to target in wichita on a whim.
question seven: where do you find inspriation? blogs. blogs are so cool. anything you could want….it's there!
occasionally i go to B&N and get a BIG pile of books and magazines i want to look at…a coffee…and i sit.
but knowing i will sound like an old lady…. it's usually too loud in there. the music is ok but someone is ALWAYS blabbing away on their cell phone. i cannot stand that. and with my ADD brain i can't focus on anything but that person on the phone…driving me crazy. i bring my iPod now and try my very best to tune them out.
question eight: how do you take indoor pictures with out a flash?
i usually shoot in P because years ago Karen Russell said that is what she shoots in (or did at the time). and i change my ISO to a higher number because you need more light in when you're inside. i also change my White Balance to whichever setting we are using….Sun symbol if it's lit well from the windows… or AWB it's just overheard lighting. i honestly do not like my inside photos…but if you do….that is how i get them. i feel i need to learn a LOT about my camera still….every day. indoor pictures are hard for everyone….i think.
our house has lots of big windows so in the day we have good light but i think you were asking about at night?
this is at night. all the lights are on…chandliers and recessed lighting…brightly lit…my ISO was probably 1600…on AWB. did i answer your question?
question nine: what do you use to edit your pictures?
every photo that has been on this blog has been edited in iPhoto or Picnik. i did buy Photoshop but STILL haven't loaded it. who has time for this?!! i need to do it but i just feel overwhelmed and don't want to fail. soon. soon. soon.
question ten: what kind of make-up do you use? in june 2010 my friend Kimberlee took me for a MAC-over. it was fabulous. i was hooked. i love using grown up make-up….i feel pretty (oh so pretty…i feel pretty and witty and…ok i will stop now). i want to do a whole post about it sometime….with video. :) would you like that? but my mascara that was asked about specifically….Maybeline Great Lash. cheapy in the green and pink package. love it. use it everyday. *************************************************************************************************
ok…more questions to be answered tomorrow. THANKS for asking. now i will return to my cleaning binge.
Cliff Spears -Watching “How I Met Your Mother” makes me laugh a lot, due to their approach on making people laugh, especially whenever Barney’s there to entertain. Even his words of wisdom apply in the real world, just like taking negativity away, and being awesome instead. I dunno if this is just me, but every time I suit up and pick between purple ties or my red tie, I always remember him doing his pose, like it was etched in my brain.
Michelle-I have a question and a suggestion:
Question- What was it like for you being a young mom? I had my first child when I was 20 and my biggest challenge was probably connecting to the other moms of kids in his class because they were all at least 15 years older than me. He’s almost 16 and sometimes I still feel a little out of the loop with his friends’ parents. I’ve found everything to be easier this time around (my second child is 6).
Suggestion- You are already obviously a talented photographer, but to take it to the next level, I would really look into the workshops over at clickinmoms.com . I was able to start shooting solely in manual mode (and trust me, that was a miracle!) and they also have Photoshop classes. Their classes run for a month and they have weekly assignments and tons of feedback from the instructor. They’re not cheap, but worth every penny. I’m not affiliated with them at all, but I just could not believe how much I learned from their “Rock Your Camera” class.
Love your blog! We made your snowman ornaments over Christmas vacation and I will treasure those messy little handprints forever.
A -CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME Where your family picture canvas is from, the one on your mantle?
Thanks!
Emily -This is a little off subject but I know Africa has a place in your heart. http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/ it is a blog of a woman who is in her early 20 who moved to africa a adopted 14 girls who were abandoned and uncared for. Her jurney speaks of Gods will and it a true testiment to what he can do in times of need. Whenever I need hope I turn to her blog.
dotsie (aka podso)-You know, there is a saying that says something like this, “Once you have drunk from the rivers of Africa you must return to drink again.”
jennibell-My MIL had the pool table in her dining room for YEARS and hated it. . .but we all loved not having to go into the basement to play pool and “be away” from everyone else. It’s since been moved back down and it’s too bad. . .I know the kids don’t play nearly as much now.
I’m always inspired by your house and style. And honesty. I would have a hard time listing the things you do each day when the kids are at school and not feeling guilty about it. I always feel I should be “doing” something — although, yes, I know laundry and grocery shopping and making dinner are important – ha! Maybe I’ll just keep coming to you for counseling 🙂
We don’t have television service and rely on videos for our entertainment — How I Met Your Mother is one of the few series we DO watch — you should take Mel up on her offer to borrow them. . .and thanks, too, for all the movie suggestions from you and other readers — I’m making a list!!! We watched Shrek Ever After yesterday and I was surprised how much I liked it — great family message!!
Mary-Thanks for the insight into your “hectic” and “adventurous” life!
Tara M.-My living room USED to have a pool table, life sized Chewbacha cutout, and a huge American flag on the wall. I like your dining room so much more! I loved Julie and Julia. I need to watch it again!
emily-You are fun. Thanks for being honest and just yourself. You are delightful.
asibtroy-reset my camera and am trying out with the ISO and AWB! THX!
My husband challenged me to do the picture a day thing on my blog this year and I find I’m taking most of the photos in the dark…
Meredith -I’d love to see a list of what blogs you read regularly too! Love this post 🙂
Kari-Fun post! ‘How I Met Your Mother’ is one of my very favorite shows. I love your Dining/Game Room, especially the vintage maps. Very cool thanks for sharing!
Holly-The haircut is called an inverted bob….atleast that’s what my stylist (and bff) calls it. I had that cut for years! I’m growing it out now!
Crystal Paine-Have you ever posted a list of all the blogs you read? I know on some blogs it will show who they are following, but I haven’t been able to find that on yours, maybe because it’s in typepad? Anyway, I’d love to see what blogs you read cause I’m sure I’d love them! This was a great post, would love to see the MAC video, I wear MAC too, my friend & I had the Mac-over done in November, although I’d already been wearing it for a few years, but it was fun! I love your house, and the pictures that you post. You take great pictures & I’d love to see photography tips. I made the snowman handprint ornaments with my kids, those were fun & turned out super cute! My daughter got a purse for Christmas from her grandparents, it says Whatever on it & has little rainbows & other lil’ pics. I thought of you when I saw it! I’ll try to send you a pic of it someday! Do you watch Big Bang Theory? My husband & I love it, it’s my favorite “funny” show!
DaisyDuke -Question 3, Inverted Bob or Pob (Posh Bob)
Devremülk-Nice post. I love it. Waiting your new posts. Thank you…
Dana@Bungalow'56-Hey Megan,
I too only use my iPhoto and Picnik, and while that works fine, sometimes I want to be able to do so much more. Just thought I would let you know there is a free mini e-course for photoshop. I haven’t even bought photoshop yet and will just download the free trial for the course, to see if it’s worth it for me. It starts tomorrow and lasts until the 21st~ I think. I found out about it on a blog where the edits are just beautiful. I asked the blogger how she had learned to use photoshop and she sent me to KimKlassenCafe. I’m really excited to see what she has to offer, and since it’s free I figure I have nothing to lose.
Dana
Jenna -I don’t know if your question about the makeup was rhetorical or not, but yes, I would love it!
Laura-Wow.. it’s crazy how much we have in common!!! But the thing that stood out the most was the “add brain” inside of bookstores. I am very much the same and can not concentrate with all of the people milling about.
And the Bourne movies…. my family has seen each of them at LEAST 10 times. I want to see a face off between Jason Bourne and Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie’s character in the movie “Salt”)
I adore your house even more now that I know you have your dining/living space as a game room. Awesome.
Gemma-I really enjoy these posts!! Loving the dinning room : )
Gemma x
Jen@thecottagenest-Meg, I absolutely *LOVE* what you have done with your dining room. I love not using a room as it is intended but instead using it in a way that works for your family. Bold and inspiring. That’s what you are.
elisa-Holy crap I love that cow painting!!! Will she sell me one??
mandy falgout-wow, love this post. thanks for being you and being real. i just got a friend to try mac makeup and she loves it. i have heaps of it, but don’t wear anything at the moment since moving to phnom penh, cambodia. i sweat so much here it seems like a waste, so i go au natural all the time. kind of liberating. weird. i seriously think we could be twins from different mommas. you and i have many similar tastes, likes and loves of things.
keep rockin’ it!
Steffie -Would love to know where you got the map art above the buffet and the collection of globes? I’m sure you’ll saying something fun like thrift stores or a flea market…. I wish our little island had the same offerings as the mainland, sigh! Have a great weekend Meg!
Miss Tiff -Hi Meg. I’m new here. I read two posts in the past month that linked here and now I’m stuck on u too.
A few things, you are not afraid to use to color. I’m a wimp. 90% of my closet is solids, but I’m turning it up a notch, yo. The spare room is my inspiration.
Fav Movie. I like a few of your choices, but you have to promise to try and watch WAITRESS. It is my new favorite. It’s definitely a chic flic but u will laugh and maybe cry a tear too. My new fav, I watch it whenever I feel blue.
Last thing, Your blog is an awesome read, it has a tone of wit, reality and luv. Best Reality blog award goes to you. Happy New Year!!
angela-Sitting here this Saturday morning in front of my gas logs reminds me of a cold Saturday a year ago when I found your blog. I never took my pj’s off that day. i read EVERY SINGLE entry of yours….and was hooked! I love that Lauren is a normal teenager with trials and an attitude! I love the name Talby. I love that you have a craft day for your kids. I adore your craft room and your big, old house. I love that you went down the slip and slide and even showed us! I love the rainbow cake and the shots of your mudroom and that you show us mountains of laundry. Yours remains one of my favorite *real* blogs! Thanks for sharing! Happy 2011. This is going to be a great year! God bless you and your family!
LouBoo-Hello…I haven’t stopped by for a while (do you ever get that where you end up following so many blogs that it becomes impossible to look at all of them and then I have guilt about unfollowing people to make life simpler – that is sooo not what blogging is all about!). Anyway – reading this reminded me why I like your blog. Utter honesty! And your movie pics – like me you sound like a girl who has a soft spot for the 80s but doesn’t mind when it’s up to date either! Lots of my faves are on your list. Plus I like the description of your day at home. I do the same…and taking a nap – I do that too although I probably would not admit it to everyone! But honestly – what better thing is there than taking a nap in the daytime? That so reminds me of pre-children life. Anyway – I am glad I popped by and had this ‘chat’!! Lou xx
meghan-the globes and canvas are my favs. love your blog. always will. tgif!
Kendra-You could totally have Africa in your heart forever if you adopted….just sayin 🙂 🙂 🙂
Megan-I used to use Picnik also and when I finally got around to using PS it went SO MUCH faster when editing pics. You will wish you would have done way sooner! BTW Kimberlee and friends introduced me to MAC as well…I’ll come video for you guys! 🙂
sara@augustfields-you’re a doll. love your candidness….so refreshing 🙂 cute setup on the dresser!
Kristin S-I think these posts are some of my favorite. When I saw you ask for any questions I was exhausted reading through all the questions. Well done responding/answering.
Very, very fun.
I wonder why we are so intrigued by everyone’s normal lives. It is refreshing to know that we all do laundry. Grocery shop. Normal stuff.
Thanks for sharing!
Rachel / cREaTe-i love it when you do this smorgasbord of question answering. 🙂 so fun & i get new ideas … and reminded of things like that i need to rent julie & julia! forgot that was on my “list”. love your theory on why you have a game room instead of just a dining room. that’s our theory on why we’ve never really had a guest room … and instead do an office or craft studio – with a lil’ futon over on the side [sorry guests]. 🙂
shannon-I LOVE this post! LOVE LOVE LOVE! I also LOVE the collection of cameras….where did they all come from? Yes MAC video would be awesome!
Elizabeth-What program/how did you nake your 35 before 35 list?
Karla -I too have to ask – Kane County, IL?!?!? The county in which I live? And I missed your coming?? Drat.
elma riedstra -Oh I love your dinning room:) Oh I would love your sister to paint me a cow:) Love this post!!
hannah -Please do a makeup video 😀 You’re totally awesome!
And I LOVE your house! Seriously, I want it. Have you seen a tumblr blog called this pretty space? Lots of awesome pictures in your kind of style 😀
Amber -I have really enjoyed reading your blog for a while now and agree with you that blog surfing is fantastic! : ) My husband thinks I am crazy for looking in on people I dont even know, but the blogs I follow, I follow for a reason. I feel that if I actually met any of these people, we would be great friends! Also, just want to say I love the Julia and Julia movie too! Have you listened to My Life In France? It’s a memoir of Julia Childs’ life. Great Book! God Bless you, and keep typing hon, as you are a virtual friend and I love hearing about what you do!
se7en-Ooooh So much to love here… love the window into your life… Come over and visit Cape Town – it’s in Africa after all and we would love to meet you all!!!
Tiffany-Oh.My.Word – that dining room is AWESOME!!! Love it!
I am still reading the archives and perhaps you have covered it – but I would like to know if you are planning on doing a little photography workshop. You take great pics – and I always love to learn new tips and tricks from others.
BTW…in my mind I always hear “whatever” in that “80’s valley girl” style… Do you do that? 😀
Jenny B.-Fun! I had to chuckle when I read this: “craig’s chairs are from craigslist.” Hee-hee. 🙂
Oh, and if you love cow paintings, you should check out the new shop a couple of my friends just opened: Red Hill Gallery in Fayetteville, AR. If you live in/near Wichita, it would only be about a 4-hr. drive (I think). Weekend getaway? Anywho… here is their new blog: http://www.redhillgallery.blogspot.com/
And their individual etsy shops:
Shannon’s: http://www.etsy.com/shop/donkeysandturkeys
and Cari’s: http://www.carihumphry.com/
I love all your photos. I think my favorite thing about your house is that it looks fresh and modern (well, because vintage is the new modern? maybe? yes?). Anyway, it’s “in style,” yet colorful (not all white and neutrals). 🙂
happygirl-Loved this post. LOVED IT! I’m new to blogging and so happy if I have 1/2 an hour to blog. I don’t take pictures, but I’d love to learn. Love the movie Julie and Julia too. LOVE IT! I can watch the movie Mother with Debbie Reynolds and Albert Brooks over and over (my husband HATES it) And, I think I’d love the beach more if I didn’t look so horrible in a bathing suit.
Katie Adams-I love you. Your blog is so fun to read. Check out my recent cow purchase on my blog. I love her, too. Have you named your cow? I think they need names.
Cari -Fun post! I’m sitting in my living room and it opens up to my kitchen and dining room. And compared to what I just saw of your dining room… it is so BLAH!!! Note to self… never let my girls see your house. They’ll totally give you cool mom of the year award. 😉 Oh, and the links for the wheat field and studio mela both route back to studio mela. Just thought you’d like to know! Have a great, blah-free weekend! 🙂
heidi @ wonder woman wannabe-i think that cut is also called an angled bob – i’ve sported one on and off since college and am back with it now-a-days, only with a new color:
take a peek, if you like… http://www.wonderwomanwannabe.com/2011/01/lately.html
your dining room looks great to me!!
and, I’d join you for a movie night anytime – i can’t claim a favorite either – but love all the ones you listed. have you seen ‘the curious case of benjamin button’? that’s one of my favorite dramas.
Nancy from the Chicago 'burbs -Kane County Flea Market? The one in Illinois, 20 minutes from my door? If so, I LOVE that place. I love spending the morning there with my girlfriends. So many great treasures.
Becky @ Farmgirl Paints-Love most all of your movies. The firm is a good drama. Salt and Bourne for action. The Holiday, 50 first dates, You’ve Got Mail for romance. I use MAC too and believe it or not Maybeline Great Lash for mascara. It’s creepy how much we have in common. Cute cow;)
Georgia-Thanks for the indoor w/out flash lighting tip!! i didnt think to do that with my Canon. Im practising now indoors! :o)
I would love to see more videos of your family and you doing general ‘Meg’ stuff.
I Love the way you have put together the dining room, its fab.
Also… one place in Africa i would 100% recommend is Egypt, its totally amazing, seriously i was so over whelmed at the amazing places there i wanted to cry. My boyfriend thought i was crazy… we did a cruise down the Nile and i stayed in the cabin and just watched people from the window, swimming, playing and washing in it… it was a moving experience 🙂
xxx
Amanda-ThriceBlessed-I love the posts when you show your house the best! Your dining room looks great! Love all the white, globes, and family photos. Very much my style too!
Beth-love these type post…heck i enjoy all your post
hey i would love to get some tips on makeup and what to do
live in small town with no makeup artist around to share the true aspects of makeup do’s and don’t
crystal beutler-Love all your answers !! We are so kindred spirits. If you come to So. Cal this year, you have to call me!!!!!!!! You do.
Glad to see you got your cow picture. If you haven’t learned photo shop yet I am so impressed that you get such great photographs!!! I rely heavily on photo shop. Go to Lynda.com if you want to learn how to use it. I’ve loved that site. And I’ve loved using the Actions created by the Pioneer Woman. You will understand more about actions when you take the Photo shop tutorials 🙂
I love your house. It’s just way too cool. I need to come shopping in your neck of the woods, and you need to come shopping in mine. We have some junk/antique stores here.
P.S. Let me know when you want to do a giveaway. 🙂
pam-We just discovered How I Met Your Mother….my husband still can’t believe that I love it. We need to start over from the beginning. I’m with you on a tropical location…blue water….someday.
Toni :O) -You are beautiful inside and out…thanks for sharing all the tidbits…your blog is definitely one of my FAVORITES!!! So, here’s my question…what do you love MOST about your hubby? Have a fabulous weekend!!!
Heather-Howdy! Just wanted to pass along a great resource for learning photoshop — because you’re right, who has time?! 🙂 Lynda.com has great video tutorials and in a matter of a few hours, you’ll feel like a pro. You pay a monthly fee but could learn all you really want to in a weekend or two.
love your blog. A regular stop each morning with my coffee:)
Dayna -The haircuts that you featured on this post are usually called an inverted bob. A wedge shares a lot of the same characteristics but if you’re specifically looking for the stacked back and longer sides, you’ll want to ask your stylist for an inverted bob and then have a very specific conversation about lengths and the grade of that stacking because it varies pretty wildly.
sarah -thank you for letting us pick your brain! and YES to the mac video! i loved the video of craft day with the kids…it felt like an insider’s scoop. :]
Kristen @ JLS-How fun to read this post!! Do you ever watch the television show Parenthood, on NBC Tues. It’s great, I recommend tuning in for sure!
shauna reed-you are so generous with yourself meg.
i love the way you displayed your family photo shoot!
i have been trying to figure out how to use a bunch of the ones we had done, this is INSPIRING!
you are awesome!
mel-This was SO fun to read! I love learning about you, we would have fun if we ever met 🙂
How I met your Mother is one of our favorite shows! We own all the seasons on DVD…you can borrow them if you want. Let me know & I can mail them to you 🙂
Have a great weekend, Meg!
Shana-“How I Met Your Mother” just took my top spot for funny TV – beating out The Office & Will and Grace.
I love every character – except Robin, I find her boring.
Barnie is the best – and I’m not talkin’ bout no dinosaur.
Laura -My mom sent me this when I needed a pick me up! I am a mom of 3 little ones all under the age of 3 so I watch this ALOT! Hope you enjoy it! 🙂
I’d like you to meet your new life coach: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR3rK0kZFkg
Sonia-If you haven’t already, you should watch Date Night!! We are going to watch Dinner For Schmucks tonight! I love Steve Carell!!
Do all the cameras on your shelf work?
Trina McNeilly-Fun post. I love the cow painting you’re sister did…..soo cool. I love the Kane County Flea Market. I was just thinking of how I ned to go soon!
x Trina
sandy toe-Great movies…have you seen “while You were Sleeping”…love that movie!
sandy toe
virginia -i love that cow painting!
Ali -Wait! I didn’t get my question in!
I love the name Talby and I wanted to know how you came up with it considering your four other children all have traditional names. (have you answered this question already?)
the santa mugs hanging out in the dining room this year.
a corner of the dining room….
🙂
i know i was supposed to show you craft day. BUT we ended up with part one of two crafts. so tomorrow i will have at least one finished one to show you. AND we had less than one hour before we had to go to scott's basketball game.
and some of you were asking about my frame with words…..
the words are from Carrie Craft??? i think. i can't find her anywhere. if you know her shop please link it in the comments! thanks. i just hung them from wire on an empty old frame.
————————————————————————————————————–
WATER4CHRISTMAS. the entire shop is 25% now. we have made over $3000 selling the crafts YOU made. we can get one well before christmas! a gift that would give someone CLEAN WATER.
i bought tye dye dish towels, the double hand oven mitt, some messy flowers, and jammies. it was so cool to open that package.
so happy that everyone took their precious time to craft for WATER.
samantha-Hi! I just found your blog today and have pinned your picture of the frame with words/flashcards onto one of my Pinterest boards. Such a great idea – I love it! I hope that’s OK with you?
Sam
Geoffrey-Hi guys I believe this is a great post I will deetenifly keep up reading your works, congratulations. It is crucial to have quality contents on the web, we can rely on them like a reliable source for our projects.Ive see clearly with enjoyment and I know Im gonna study the rest of the stuff you may write, great job guy!.
Deniki-That is awsome that you guys have arleady had your first snow! My kids have been praying for snow, but still nothing yet. Not a big suprise here in Texas tho.Send some our way 🙂
Rorsidioday-Эээ, а объясните, пожалуйста, а то я что то не совсем в тему въехал, это как?
Betsy Cain -You have such a knack for design. Just to add to all the gushing of compliments, your home could be featured in a magazine (has it been already?!?) Can’t wait to see your (complete) dining room! Love your style and creativity and photography. Love your writing style too. So inspiring and cheerful and stunning!
amy jupin-did i comment on this post already? i can’t remember!
but i just have to say that i am LOVING all your decorations.
so simple and colorful and happy!
Cherish Stockdale-Oh my your house looks soo good! I love all of it. really! ALL OF IT!
Kelly-I have been saving this eye candy post to read when I had a quiet moment. LOVE it! So happy to see your globes sitting up there and one can never, ever have enough glass ball ornaments, huh? I have some more squirreled away that I want to get out. Little by little. I still have ten days to decorate, right? 😉 I like your stockings all different yet unified and the little initial tags. Have a lovely day and I am so, so sorry about your interruption last night! 🙁 Kelly
Melissa-Your photography is amazing and your house has to be the happiest place on earth. I would love to pull a stool up to your island and chat and eat cake together.
Thanks for the amazing pictures!
Katie -Love Love Love the sparkle! I am loving silver more and more…getting it at the goodwill! Is that crazy? Thanks for the awesome inspiration.
Sara-Looks awesome!!! I love the dining room corner photo!!!!!! Actually I LOVE everything!!!!!! Sara
Ali Richardson-I am IN LOVE with all of your decorations. Actually, IN LOVE with your decorating style in general. Those ornaments in that gumball machine made my day. Just awesome!!! I’m thinking I need to start collecting Santa mugs! Happy holidays :O)
Christina-Gor. Geous.
Also? So Fun!
Those lampshades are amazing, and I LOVE the map on your wall!!!
Beth-So. Disappointed. I was so excited to see CRAFT DAY!!! I was looking through your pretty pictures (which, by the way, are very pretty and very festive, but not what I was looking for 🙂 and my mind was going . . . “CRAFT DAY, CRAFT DAY, WHERE IS CRAFT DAY!?!?!?!” Well, you can tell I’m looking forward to it. Maybe because I am living what seems like a 24 hour craft day at school right now (ok, I’m exaggerating a bit). And I’m loving it, most of the time, but it’s been intense. Very intense! I’m so looking forward to the fun you are having with yours!
Kristin S-All your color is so inspiring. My former home had color overload so my new one feels SO blah as I tried to “grow up”. Soon to add back in more color as I’m going batty with blah.
Morgan-I am absolutely GAH GAH for this (especially that top photo, Meg!)
xoxo
CarrieBeth-i adore posts like this with all the pictures. they’re just so satisfying 🙂
Rhonda Roo-LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE.
EVERY SINGLE PHOTO>AWESOMENESS.
Forgive my yelling, i am a little ecstatic. 🙂
You’re billiant and i couldn’t be forced to pick a favorite vignette even if jack frost was threatening to nip my nose.
BRILLIANT i say. End of story.
🙂
Melanie-I absolutely love those lampshades. Delish!
the whyte house-this made me laugh…i was looking for christmas posts from blogs that i follow to make a collection of links on my blog today. this was perfect…and then i went to the archives. look at dec. 14, 2009. perfect. 🙂 as always, the house is decorated beautifully!!
Georgia-Why oh whhhyyyyy havent we seen the whole dining room yet?
I am squinting trying to make it out the in the last pic of a bauble.. haha!
Love the lamps on the side board, the Yellow is like ‘POW in ya face’
Love it! ♥
xx
Courtney Walsh-Gosh i wish we didn’t live in this rental.
sigh.
Jeannine -Your house is so inspiring!
Julie-I am loving that gumball machine. Why didn’t I think of that? And your canvas looks great in your dining room. 🙂
elz-LOVE , love, love your decorations. Why didn’t I think of some of those tricks? Next year! Thanks for sharing your cheery home with us.
Joanna Murray -Meg you are such an inspiring, creative Mum! I have so many ideas from your blog, am thinking I will only be able to fit in one or two before Christmas this year.
Michelle-love seeing pictures of your house at Christmas. . .it’s the best.
Lane-okay….i looooove your style! i see a new career path for you…interior design! i’d hire you!
Regina-Ahhhhhh…I was *so* waiting on your Christmas photos post! Now Christmas can officially begin for me. Why can’t I have a gal like you as a next-door neighbor? 🙂
amber-i love your house! Can you come and decorate mine?!?!
bobbie-I wish I had that many antique ornaments but it wouldn’t really matter since my kids are so little that I try not to put out too many breakables. Your house is decorated beautifully!
ingrid-me 3 ….thought the mugs were in the photo. house looks great! love that you have the swedish star from ikea hung in your window. it all looks so nice and inviting. i bet the kids love it.
Trina McNeilly-I love your house and I love it even more at Christmas… I want to rip my house apart and just copy yours.. hahaha.
I still adore those stockings…. next year I’m taking the plunge for some new stockings.
Hope your day is super happy!
xo
SJ-Can I move into your house? It’s so full of colors; I just love it!
Tanya @ Life in 3D-I’m in love forever…with your photography, your style and your unique artistic eye! LOVE!
Lora-This post made me smile…
AshleyAnn (above post)… I did the same thing. Ha!
AshleyAnn-Want to know how smart I am? I saw the family pictures with the Santa mugs and thought “Wow they took all those mugs on their photo shoot?!” I had to stare at it before I realized they weren’t in the photo.
Yes, I am a genius.
Becky @ Farmgirl Paints-oh i love it all. your house is my favorite meg! you’ve got a gift of putting stuff together. just LOVE all that color:)
BriBedell -Love your house! I wish I had a mantle 🙁 LOL
Lindsay-Where are those awesome red and white lamps from?!
Amanda-ThriceBlessed-Beautiful! We love so many of the same things. I have bowls of Shiny Brites all over my house, the Santa mugs, and instead of #5s, I have #3s to represent my 3 girls.
Kim Barlow -Pretty!
Juli -I love looking at your house.
Jerusalem Greer-oh i love these pictures! so happy!
do you just have the most amazing natural light in your home or do you actually know how to really use your camera?? I think I need a lesson!
Jenny Joy -Truth be told, I’m having a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit this year, but this is helping. Thank you!!! I heart ALL your beautiful holiday decorations! 🙂
Katie-Your house and photos make me happy! Thanks for sharing!
Hollie -Here is the Etsy shop for the cards – I know because I saw your frame with words and was determined to copy it 🙂 http://www.etsy.com/shop/CariKraft
michelle-That map corner of your dining room is fantastic!!! The yellow lamps are a perfect touch!!
Ashleigh Marshall -Megan, I love your blog! So bright, cheery, and real! I follow you everyday! I am a Mom of three young children, so I very rarely have time to read your blog, let alone leave a comment! I truly appreciate your attitude about life and your willingness to keep it real! I love your Christmas decor, so very happy! Merry Christmas!
Dana D@BoysMyJoys-If you go to GA next year for Thanksgiving, please plan to stay an extra day!
I’ll come pick you up and drive you back to my house in SC and treat you to as much coffee, margaritas, and meals out that you can handle… in exchange for you showing me how to make my house sparkle for Christmas!
Everything looks so beautiful!!!
Especially love the ornaments in the gumball machine!
You are so stinkin’ creative! 🙂
melissa*320 sycamore-goodness gracious, I love it all. Pure gorgeousness! That 5 by your family picture made my heart do a little flip flop though. I love the colors in your ornament wreath too!
Janelle-You really should be an interior designer. I swear, your house makes me want to move to Kansas and just follow you around when you shop.
Kimberlee J.-Oh tidings of comfort and joy!
The house is beautiful. 🙂
Elizabeth Gleason-Ohhh you gave me an idea… I make little circle initials made out of porcelain. I’m putting them on our stockings right now! Yeah, I never would have thought of it.
Julie-I love all of your sparkle! We had santa cups when I was a child ~ I miss those! Can’t wait to see more of your dinning room!
Brianna-If only my home looked like yours this time of year! Meg, how beautiful!!
Peggyrice@gmail.com-OHHH, I love the corner of the dining room. Great Map!!! These photos are just one of the reasons I love the USA! Merry Christmas!
Jill-Hi! LOVE your photos! And it is fun to see my pal Cari’s words. Her blog is http://www.carikraft.typepad.com/
You have inspired me to update my own blog…. golly, sometimes I just can’t get it all done!!!
Have a wonderful day!
Leah-Love, love, LOVE the photos! And you’ve inspired me! I have an unopened box of Crate and Barrel 12 days of Christmas ornaments that I want to display, but I don’t have a tree. I was obsessing over finding a basket for them. Then I saw your glass vases! Perfect for the ornaments. It’s nearly midnight and I’m going to do it right now. Thank you!!
Jack-Meg, your house looks fantastic! I always get such good ideas from your blog – thanks for the inspiration.
elma riedstra -Love love your mantel!! I found some old big retro christmas tree bulbs and put them in a jar:) Did you put ornaments in your bubble gum machine?? Love the santa mugs to. Your home is so cozy!! Thanks for sharing oh I also loved your ornament wreath you made to. I have so many ornaments but don’t know how to make a wreath!!
it's a real beauty. it's freezing. it's small. it's ridiculous.
so i day dream….about pretty rooms like these.
of course the last one is my favorite…with the map. i found all of these through google images so if one is your laundry room….then you are a lucky lady.
my dream laundry room would have a table for folding, a sink, a convenient place for soap that didn't require bending over twice per load, heat, AC, windows that opened, room to move around and bigger than a closet.
craig just said to me "people in africa would love to have your laundry room"
plastic laundry hampers-I think you can make your own little space at home. I have tried making my own after all the chaotic clothes I have.
Mister Steamy-Interesting post regarding the laundry room. Even though it may be difficult to keep it clutter-free, the examples given would give any stay-at-home mother the willingness to strive towards that level of neatness.
Yaz -I drean of those too! just found your blog. its fantastic 😉
Christa aka the BabbyMama-Hee, at least you have a laundry room! Our laundry area is a corner of the unfinished half of a my basement, a bit too close to the catbox corner for my particular tastes.
Christine-Another one here with a laundry room looking more like yours than the photos…..a girl can dream. Thank you so much for being REAL. I will never forget the picture you posted of the laundry piled high on your couch. It helps me to know I am not alone in my laundry battle! I forwarded the link to this post to my husband in defense of our own laundry room! 😉
kristin -Um, I live in AZ and our laundry room is in our garage. boo.. there’s no way it will ever look pretty! But love the inspiration you posted!!
Vanessa -I firmly believe that those photos belong to people who don’t do laundry.. There’s no way. I think most of our laundry rooms look like yours. I know mine does!
Sheryl-Man! I was agreeing with all of things you are wishing for…then I had to agree with Craig! Men….
Tanya @ LIfe in 3D-I dream of laundry rooms too.
Mine = dungeon.
The End.
P.S. As if one of those pics has A CHANDELIER in their laundry room!
Oh..the lives people lead. 🙂
Natalie Anthony-I only have 2 kids so far – one on the way- but laundry is a bad bad situation at my house. I’ve decided the only way I’d ever be on top of laundry is if I had a washer/dryer right next to where we spend most of our time- the kitchen, or living room? one day…
Courtney Walsh-The only people who have clean laundry rooms are either a) kid-less or b) nudists.
susan-drool worthy! but at least we have a laundry room, right?
julia-Meg!
Call the cops – you house has been vandalized!
deborah@applesinwonderland-those are almost too lovely to do laundry in….maybe a little chaise for napping and reading instead. i might forget about the grass stains and wet stinky towels with a room like that. aw….if it makes you feel any better i have a craig too. i call him big red. 🙂
Georgia-I think Craigs comment is just a cop out of helping you make a better laundry room!! 🙂
Although i think you could put a splash or bright paint in there, or cover the walls in interesting photos, quotes, jokes, OR
Get your readers to send post cards and pictures, etc then you will always have interesting things to look at in your laundry room!!! 🙂
xxx
Janelle-I too dream of such a lovely laundry room. My washer & dryer are in our garage – where the ceiling is starting to crumble, so sometimes we have rusty re-bar (sp??) and concrete fall on top of them. And during heavy rains? It pours in from the ceiling and leaves huge puddles we have to wade through – and if we don’t get it shopvac’d up quick enough, mosquitoes lay eggs in the water and we get to wade through that too. Again, still better than most people around the world. I’m going on a trip to Haiti next month, so I’m sure my perspective will be put in check on quite a few of these things!!
Sam -I have a small washer, no dryer and live in a small house in england. No space whatsoever for a dryer and I’m kind of glad because they use a lot of electricity! (We don’t have a dishwasher either for the same reasons!) So most of the year, my washing hangs up on the curtain rails in the living room and on all the radiators in the house. It looks like a chinese laundry:-) I guess its the difference between living in a real home as opposed to a show home, like those photos;-)
Shelley-Oh my… I dream of those same rooms… and maybe a maid to keep feeding the washer dirty clothes. (-:
emily carmack -…on the bright side, i see some awesome hardwood floor peeking out from under there!!!
total plus!
Jess-I totally feel your pain! I love my home but for whatever reason my laundry room is LITERALLY the hallway! I don’t know what they were thinking when they built the house and more importantly, I don’t know what I was thinking when we bought the house!
Who knew a laundry room would be the object of all of my affection?!
Phoenix_Rising-You are a better woman that me. I’d have let Craig have it and sent HIM straight to do the laundry!!
Lisa -I’m only able to drop by here on occasion as life with 5 children ages 5 and under keeps me running – but this post brought much needed smiles today! I think I have just about every one of the images you posted saved on my computer – I saved them all earlier in the week as I had 20 loads of laundry due to a leaking washer! I wasn’t about to take a 5 week old to the laundromat – let alone all the others! I was just so giddy that someone else is dreaming of a laundry room… I even drew mine out and asked my husband if we could put our house on the market soon – so we could have a huge laundry room and a “family closet” … Read the Duggar book to find out more on their family closet – you’ll be inspired…
Love this! Thanks so much! One day I’ll get myself one of those cute hats from a post a couple days back… That would help the laundry room woes, right? 🙂 Smiles to you!
linda@limein the coconut-Um…I’ve seen your laundry. You, Girl…need a laundry Mansion.
Just sayin’.
So do I. So do I
Stephanie-I love that you posted a “real” picture of your laundry room. Sometimes people post pictures of rooms in their house that look as if they were arranged for the picture so they would look messy-neat. I actually believe that your laundry room looks like the picture and I love it! It makes me feel normal. So thanks. 🙂
kristy -You know you have a sizable laundry room when you are able to put decorations in the room. I’m lucky to be able to fit the detergent on a shelf.
That said, when I had my first kid and she was a baby, the apartments laundry room was down 4 flights of stairs (no elevator) and across the parking lot. That was quite the trek!
jennifer delossantos -I dream of having a laundry room too. One where we could just put dressers and clothes racks and just keep everything in there even after it was clean. Reality is our laundry room is a closet. It was either that or put it in the basement which is really more of a cellar. When the drier door is down, it is touching the wall. That’s how tight it is in there. But I guess we are lucky just to have one at all!
tasha roe-the last one with the map is my favorite!! my laundry is in the basement. ugh. so u-g-l-y!
Robin -Thanks for sharing your pic of your laundry room! It sooo made me laugh! You are very brave for sharing that photo…mine looks exactly the same and I wouldn’t dream of letting people see it! HaHa!!! I am fortunate enough to have a laundry room…one that I decorated when we loved in to our home…one that used to be a porch and is enclosed with all windows with lots of natural light…one that is fairly large with room to move around…and one that STILL LOOKS LIKE YOURS! There is just more room to throw clothes around and leave piles in baskets! I HATE LAUNDRY..but I am thankful for my room, my machines and the clothing which piles up!!!
Lori-Gorgeous! And he’s just cruel. A girl’s gotta dream and if it’s about a dang laundry room, well, then in my book it’s okay. 🙂
Jodi -I began cleaning my laundry room today… didn’t get very far…
merlin -You can still dream while you give thanks that, in fact, you do have a laundry room, thank you very much Craig!
Nice that he decided not to point out that the Queen has someone do her laundry…..perspective is amazing isn’t it?!!!
Sugar Mama-No matter how many coordinating bins, beautiful shelves, or freshly painted cabinets I had… my laundry room would still have mounds of clothing, tacky detergent stains, and lint dust.
It’s not a place I every plan to spend tons of time. I get in and out as quickly as possible.
Tracy-I dream of laundry rooms too…some day…one day….sigh.
amy nicholl -I am drooling. My laundry room is in the basement and I just explained to my husband how we are going to tackle the area to make it beautiful…he agreed after seeing the pics you posted. 🙂
Becca Rojo -Meg,
As a mother of six, (seven in January) heed this advice(if you haven’t already started this). Teach your children to do the laundry. This has been the singlemost freeing chore that I have assigned out to-date. I do all the grown-up laundry, mine and my husband’s) and twice a week my son (11) gathers up all the kids’ laundry, splits lights and darks, and washes and dries. The other kids fold and put everything away. Seriously. It will give you great relief!
nora -Jeez, Craig is such a Debbie Downer! 🙂
Suzanne -Yeah, with my family if I had one of those bigger laundry rooms, it would just mean more room for more diry clothes.
Off to do laundry too! Have a good weekend!
visart-dali.com-My laundry room looks just like yours! I would love a new and bigger one too please
Shivaun -I love your blog!!!!!!!
This made me laugh out loud!!!!!! The conversation is so real. I could relate! I’m off to do laundry for my family of 9…
Julia-I’ve got the laundry in garage thing going on. The saving grace is that he machines are right below a window that looks out onto the backyard.
But it’s still the garage. I hate it when I drop a just cleaned shirt on the floor – ick. I’ve put a rug down….but it’s still the garage.
jennifer-I dream about them too! Mine is so small! We’re hoping to buy a front loader washer and dryer to stack on top to clear up some more necessary space. I can’t wait until that day! (Can I still want/ dream of that space and feel bad for Africa at the same time? I really know I am blessed… just want a neat laundry room really bad! :o) )
sarah-I’d kinda like your room too. Mine are shoved out in the garage. I wedge myself between the car and machines. Summer laundry here in AZ is brutal out there. I think I just figured out why I never have the laundry done. Do you think people with those swanky rooms always do their laundry. And does the room stay that pretty?
But, I’m still blessed. Running water and a machine that I load and leave. Plus, I have clothes to put in it. Very, very blessed.
karen -I love the second one!!
Your so cool for showing us your laundry room!! Mine looks like that with 2 adults a toddler a baby and a weimaraner…so you are doing great!!!
eryn-I looove that last one, too! I do have laundry room, I’ll admit, a little nicer than yours, but no dream laundry room. It also has no heat 🙂 I have a lovely bucket of robin’s egg blue paint, even, waiting to cover it’s walls. but, I have not done it.
I was getting ready to dive into my day of laundry, when I saw your post on FB. It helped me get ready to dive in, at least we can dream of lovely laundry rooms (that are empty of laundry) while we heft our loads off the floor today!
TRACI -Craig is a wise man!!! I don’t even live in Africa and I would take your laundry room. I should send you one of mine and you would give yours a hug. Mine is in the garage with BUGS, toads and whatever finds its way in….most of the time it’s so cold we are having to put a little heater out there just so we CAN do laundry and not freeze to death. Be grateful Meg, you have MUCH!!!
Tiffany-Well Craig did put it in perspective!! I’ve been drooling over everyone’s laundry rooms too…and mine is GAGOLA! Guess I’ll be grateful now that I have one!! Thanks for sharing!! Suddenly my “pit of mess & clutter” seems like a blessing now!♥
Penny-When our dryer broke and we had to run five loads of clothes to the laundromat I really appreciated my basement laundry “area”. While at the laundromat I did not think ahead and loaded all the dryers up (five of them) and put in my money and sat to read my book. Well, they all stopped within a minute. I felt like Lucille Ball on the candy assembly line. How do you fold five loads at the same time! So I loaded another quarter in each a couple minutes apart, so they wouldn’t get wrinkled! Live and learn. This made me really appreciate what I have at home. But we can dream!
CAROL B-Craig is so right…makes me put it in perspective! I was going to say at least you have a room.. 🙂 mine is stuck in a closet! But those other pic’s of laundry rooms makes me swoon!! Love them!
Rebekah-My laundry “room” is a 3×5′ closet in our downstairs bathroom. Laundry day (or, ahem, DAYS) means piles of dirty clothes lining the wall in our foyer. The mythical dream house my husband and I sometimes talk about has a gorgeous, sun-washed laundry room with a designated crafting space. Someday, maybe. Until then, I’m thankful not to have to wash our clothes on a rock down by the river.
Katy-I too dream about laundry rooms. *sigh* Pretty sure I would dread doing laundry MUCH less if I had a room like that to do it in.. PS: Glad I’m not the only one with a mountain of clothes on the floor. 😉
Dawn G-Wow. Those laundry rooms are nicer than my living room! I too love looking at laundry rooms – mine is the washer and dryer in the basement. The end!
It’s fun to dream!
Julie Campbell-Oooh! I SOOO empathize with you! My laundry room is terrible! We live in an old farmhouse, where I’m sure laundry was originally done with a washboard & tub. So… our ‘modern’ laundry room is in an area that use to be a porch. It’s SUPER tiny & unheated. For some reason, no one ever uses our front door. They all come to the side of the house where the laundry room is & get to gaze at my dirty clothes as they enter my house. Your pictures make me almost giddy. Wish one of the rooms could be mine one day! 🙂
Sonia-my laundry room is small. but i did paint it purple! that makes me happy.
elma riedstra -Love all the pictures!! I hope someday to have a dreamy place as I have so much wash to do with eight kids:) Mine is smaller than a closet and I can’t even open the cupbord under the sink as the dryer is in front of it. Oh well my Al won’t let me complain. Some times I have to remind myself that others have it far worse than me.Have a wonderful weekend!!!
carols -All gorgeous pics, but none of them have any LAUNDRY in them!? Wow, with five kids it really does multiply, doesn’t it? I picked up more hours working part-time and hubby agreed to takeover the laundry. We have baskets of clean clothes all over since he doesn’t put away (and our boys haven’t figured that out yet), but gotta say, in the big scheme of things, we are not slaves to laundry and can’t be judged by our piles! Have a glorious weekend and Happy Thanksgiving!
Pamela M -If Craig ever complains about your cooking, you could tell him the same…ha ha!
It’s good to have dreams.
Sandy -Do people really have laundry rooms like that?! Mine looks like yours.
When I saw that last picture I thought maybe you were going to tell us you did remodel because it looked so much like you with the map and floral curtain under the cabinet (or is it a sink?). 🙂 You’ll get to remodel and then you can donate your leftovers for crafts in Africa.
Shann-Craig is probably right…although it is not fun to hear when one is dreaming. 🙂 I am fond of the first one. One thing about my laundry room that is nice is that it is upstairs. That is where all the bedrooms and showers are. I bet a woman designed this house. A man would simply not understand that concept. 🙂
PaisleyJade-haha – sounds like exactly what my husband would tell me! Our laundry is in our kitchen (and both are old and need to be renovated). It’s especially cool when the dryer is going and I use the microwave and then the power overloads and shuts off!
Loving those photos – inspiring!
Brittany -You know what’s funny? Just last night I was thinking about your laundry room…I was wondering where it was in your house because I had never seen a picture of it (and now I have) 🙂 Then I started daydreaming about laundry rooms too! Our washer and dryer is in the garage *sigh* But, we should take Craig’s advice and think on the bright side…at least we have a washer and dryer. Thanks for sharing!!
Jess Mead-Yay! Now I don’t feel so bad. Mine looks the same. Laundry is one thing that never ever ever ever ends! Thank goodness for a door to hide the mess!
Dana@Bungalow'56-Thank you for showing me your laundry room. I appreciated it. Mine looks pretty much the same. But now I know I’m not alone. I feel lighter, happier, less guilty.
Dana
se7en-People in Africa may love your laundry room, I wouldn’t – just saying!!!… but no one in Africa would like your laundry pile, well unless what you wash you can keep… but otherwise it’s all yours!!! Have a fun weekend!!!!
Christina-I hear you…and husbands have a way of inserting reality into our day dreams, huh? 🙂
Our laundry room is just the back of my kitchen. Lovely. It’s always awful looking, and I can’t hide it! It’s a good thing I don’t have people over. Blech.
Those laundry rooms are BEAUTIFUL!
McCall-I don’t have a laundry room. We have stacked machines in a closet. Even a hamper on the floor means you can’t shut the door. When I’m trying to make the house clean but the laundry is over-due (which is always,) I throw all the dirties in the guest bathroom’s tub. I call it “the tub of denial.” It’s pretty much ALWAYS full. I would love one of those big beautiful rooms too… And then a maid to do the laundry anyway. =)
christy-i’m right there with ya! i think because laundry is such a dull chore, a beautiful laundry room would just make it so much more fun.
Kori-Ugh. The laundry room. Mine is in the kitchen, behind doors and off to the side, but still. When I sort everything, I end up with dirty clothes what feels like everywhere. It feels unsanitary to have dirty undies in such close vicinity to the kitchen, you know?? 😉 I grumble more than once when I have to traverse Mount Laundry to get to the pantry or the back door, but I know I shouldn’t complain though because Craig is right on.
sara @ it's good to be queen-oh i hear you. i have the tiniest little laundry room and i’ve dreamed of a window & a sink and room to stinkin turn around. sheesh! and now we are moving in 3 weeks to a rent house that has the washer and dryer in a closet behind by-fold doors. ….sigh. reminding myself of the people in africa….. 😉
Kristin-Oh I love them all, but the last one is my favorite too. 🙂 I feel you, we remodeled the main part of our basement this summer and the last part is the super dingy laundry/utility room. I am hoping my Hubby gives the go ahead next spring for that to happen too. 🙂
Holly-Oh Meg! Your laundry room looks familiar…I mean with all the laundry, Ha! I am fortunate to have a decent laundry room although those you pictured were amazing but even cooler mine has a laundry shute so the kids can toss their clothes down from upstairs each day! We just put it in a few months ago!
Melissa's Heart and Home-Hello! Oh what a fun post. I just did a laundry room post as well. It is a blessing to have aa nice one for sure. Your images are gorgeous!
It’s nice to meet you! Found you at Melanie’s.
Warmly, ~Melissa 🙂
Melanie-I love my laundry room. I linked it up at Kellys Korner. 🙂
Stacia-I love your laundry room picture.
It is so amazing to see that other people are like me…I am not alone!
Nicole Q.-Now you have me dreaming of an amazing laundry room . . . one thing was missing in all those pictures . . . clothes all over the floor!! Those fresh flowers would SO be in the way. They’d be knocked over for sure.
nicole i-i would love to have A laundry room and i live in california…i have a laundry closet in my kitchen!!!
Maria-ok, who let you in my laundry room (that first pic!)…glad I’m not the only one…although I have a laundry GARAGE which is not good at all…way to much room for stuff to pile up!
Someday…
tara pollard pakosta -I am happy to have a laundry room after not having had one for 5-6 years and going into a dark icky basement! mine has a sink and shelves and cabinets, but doesn’t look as nice as these ones! I think perhaps a coat of paint and a map would help mine look “almost” as nice! BUT, you are right, women in africa would like your laundry room just to live in! I bet doing laundry in one of those rooms, would make you even HAPPY to do laundry! I love doing laundry myself, if I lived close, I would come over and heLP!
tara
Angie Parks -My laundry room looks just like yours.seems like i will never get done. Those rooms are beautiful. I would love one of those.
Rach-Our laundry room is in our living room so when the old as crap washer hits the spin cycle, you have to turn up the TV, so I am with you in wishing for a fabulously “Real Simple” or “Martha Stewart” laundry room too.
Courtney-I take that back – I think all of those are bigger than my kitchen. lol
I day dream about bathrooms if it makes you feel any better. 😉
Courtney-Craig is right, but that doesn’t mean you can’t day dream either. And oh holy cow, some of those are bigger than my kitchen (although that’s not saying much lol!)
Grandma Jacque -It really is hard to keep one’s perspective. Without my husband to remind me now, I framed two pictures a friend took in Africa of women washing in a stream and drying clothes on bushes – plus a minature washboard that says “give thanks” and hung them in my laundry room. I once had five children too and laundry that looked just like yours. Now they are grown and I have to scrounge to get a load together. (: Hang in there.
Debbie Smallie-When my husband says things like that, I call him a “dream killer”. Two washers and two dryers…can you even imagine?! If we ever build a house, I’m definitely designing it around a laundry room because it’s where I spend most of my time!
Lori -aack! I’ve been on the edge of my seat since TUESDAY waiting to hear more about being whisked off to Atlanta. And now you’re talking about laundry??? Although I have to admit, I’m drooling over those laundry rooms too…
Carrie -I would just love a laundry room that is heated so I don’t have to use my hair dryer to thaw out the pipes every.single.morning during the winter.
Tanya-Craig is so wise but seriously, those laundry rooms are just photos. No room is that clean.
melissa @ the inspired room-I dream of them too and now I have a new favorite inspiration photo. Thanks. I think.
apirl-husbands are great that way huh….always bursting the bubble..lols…thats funny!!!
carissa... brown eyed fox-{ sigh }
those ARE dreamy!
the best most beautiful kind!
:O)
just threw in a load myself.
thankful too for that running water… for our machines!
Lisa-I dream of laundry rooms too, my house now doesn’t even have one, they are in the garage. My last house had a huge one, but that was the only thing that it really had going for it, so I sacrificed the laundry room for a bigger house w/ more character. The pictures you posted are gorgeous!!
mandy friend-um, ya. just be glad you have one. we’re a family of 6 with no laundry room at all, just a washer and dryer hid behind a curtain in the kitchen. People in Africa would be grateful for just that too though*sigh*
melissa-ok…seriously…i’ve come back everyday waiting for your big reveal…PLEASE TELL US!!!!! or not. i love reading your blog!
melissa
i am sorry. this post has nothing to do with that show. but i started typing the title and Solid Gold came to my mind. then i googled it. OH MY. i spent the next ten minutes laughing so hard i was crying. that is the funniest thing i ever seen. it didn't seem that funny in 1981.
Latoya Jackson comes in at 4:45. the Rocky theme song is at 8:00…..YOU HAVE GOT TO WATCH THAT.
then it loses sound after rocky.
wasn't that a good way to start your saturday?! craaaazy.
anyway….. this post was supposed be about my gold mirror i found at the antique store last week.
it was $9.10 and it said FIRM. cracked me up. "i won't take a dime less for it!"
while the kids did rainbow wind catchers….i painted my mirror. and then i hung it up!
now our kitchen has a turquoise mirror for checking your hair before school.. seeing if you have syrup on your chin… mom having eyes in the back of her head….
Valerie Page -Where did you find that cute red purse? I am looking for one just like that:)
Jennifer-Your mirror is a shocking pop of color! I love it but I completely lack the creativity to come up with stuff like that. 🙁 It looks great.
I loved me some Solid Gold. The costumes are so revealing and their moves look like stripping moves. Those poor women in those heels! I really didn’t think the first clip was too bad until the Rocky part. ????????? What the hell was that all about? I always thought Marily McCoo was beautiful. Do you remember that she’d get to feature one of the top 10s of the week? She alwayas slaughtered it! hah! And where did that Steve Perry/Kenny Loggins song come from??? And Oxo? Or even that Paul McCartney song. I must not have been into music that year.
Heather R. -Solid Gold Dancers…ha! I love the mirror. Pretty. I have a hall mirror with book pages decoupaged on it. 🙂
julia-thought I should come clean…the pics of your kitchen are in my “fantasy kitchen” folder on my computer….
jtbuggster -luv luv the mirror!
pam-you look gorgeous in the ikea cupcake apron!! 🙂 love it.
melanie-i cant believe my mom let me watch this! hahahahahahha!
the whyte house-is it from the antique store just passed the train tracks?? if so, that’s cheap for that place! 🙂 the mirror looks great and really pops in the kitchen. nice find!
Katie -Just wondering what kind of paint you used on the mirror?
Dee-My favorite on Solid Gold was the muppet, Madame. Hehe. Love that mirror. I’m going to paint a chair that color today.
jeanne-The mirror is perfect! We were not allowed to watch Solid Gold..unless mom wasn’t around and then dad would turn it on:-) HAHAHAH……now I understand why. My sister and I would go out in the garage and make up our own Solid Gold moves…I am sure you want to see them right now!!!!
amy jupin-i used to watch this show religiously but i totally must have blocked it all out of my memory. was every episode this bad? surely. but how could i not remember just how bad it was????!!
when that girl dancing to duran duran started doing the worm i spit out my coffee! actually, i need to show that to john…
p.s. love the mirror!
love the turquoise!
Krista -I forgot about that show completely until you showed it today. I watched it every week, like one of the other posters I too was from a 4-channel no cable household. I remember the really thin dancer with the black hair down to her waist, she always got the solo dances, I guess she was their “best”. Funny, if it was on today, I think my girls would love it, and I’d be worried that the dancers didn’t have enough clothes on!
Katy Stone-i love the color!!
on a completely random, unrelated note, I made your meatball recipe (in Africa!) this week for my hubby and his pathetic-starving-bachelor-best-friend and it was such. a. hit. (ok, so they’ll eat anything, but they’re still raving over them!) consider your recipes now international. 🙂
Susan -I noticed your counter tops in the kitchen are always shiny and have alot of reflection.Could I ask you what you spray on them to keep them that way.
Jennifer -Evidently I told my kindergarten teacher that all I needed in life was my parents and Solid Gold. My babysitter loved it. ahahha!
heather-love the mirror AND love the solid gold flashbacks! who didn’t watch that show? how the heck else were we supposed to know how to dance to The Reflex? LOL! That was too funny!
Farmers Wifey-Oh THAT show..we got it here too in Australia…words really fail me except to say, I love Latoyas glittery headband…..
Ashley -Ah, nevermind. I see now… Waffle treats. 😀
Ashley -I love your kitchen and I adore the mirror! Ok, I have to ask… is that a huge jar full of gummy worms? Awesome.
Christina-It’s amazing what your eyes can see!! No pun intended. 😉 I don’t have the gift of looking at something as it is, and seeing it as it could be.
Including myself. hmmm.
You are a wonder! I love the wind catcher, too.
Juie-Meg, I love the turquoise color. Oh, and your leopard cane back chair. And that red purse. And the subway tile & black granite countertops with the white cabinets. Ok, it’s just weird how much we have in common.
And by the way, thanks for linking to my knock-off PB USA Chalkboard in your sidebar!
Prudence-loved solid gold, sister and I would gather round and watch it weekly! the spandex body suits, the dance moves, it was fabulous!
Dandy-I would totally have passed over that frame and though ugh, who wants that? But then you painted it turquoise and its gorgeous! I love the color scheme in your kitchen, the pops of red and turquoise are perfect.
Lorie-I LOVED that show!!! My sister and I would LEAP off the footstools in our living room. I also love the mirror, by the way….you always have such good taste!
Mandi -Love the turquoise mirror with the red EAT…they are my wedding colors!
j-I love, love, love your mirror.
And I used to watch Solid Gold (we didn’t have cable).
Tracy-that mirror is not only magic it is perfect! Nice touch.
Valerie-Oh my goodness love your mirror. I’m really into decorating with grey and white right now, but I love how you use color in your home. Such a fun post!
Peggyrice@gmail.com-And I thought Beyonce was an original, turns out the leotard and booty, hip shake have been done before;-)
Kristin-Love the mirror – very fun! Now I am going to be looking for one I can paint orange and hang in our kitchen.
Denissa -HAHAHA!! I LOVED that show when I was 7, thats what I wanted to be was a SOlid Gold dancer…nice! And yep now it does seem really dirty, especially for the time.
The mirror is perfect! I’ve been on the hunt for something w/ a frame like that, no luck yet..love the turquoise! 🙂
Ronda -Great project! What color and type of paint did you use?
Ali-I love that mirror!!! Ugh! At your antiques store, it says $9.10 FIRM. At mine, it would have said $29.10 FIRM. Antiques in CA are so $$$! My sis bought that same mirror at a flea market already painted turquoise and it was $40. Ah well, I guess it’s marked up to make up for the ocean view 🙂
jennifer-That is SO awesome! The mirror… I haven’t watched the video yet.
What color and kind of paint did you use? I’ve got a mirror that could really use some help.
alaina -LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the frame! Whoda thunk it?!!! Your
Be filled with Joy” or the other one you bought would also be cute in that mirror frame. Thanks Meg! I just might have to try my “uncrafty” hand at this…now to find a mirror! Happy weekend!
Keli Cook -Nice score, Meg! I’m off to do some garage sale-in’ myself!
Jen R -This is why I LOVE visiting your blog….a darling turquoise mirror re-do AND Solid Gold…all in one post! Thanks for a laugh this morning!! 🙂
Lisa-We used to tell our daughter (who is now 28) that she could be anything she wanted when she grew up EXCEPT a Solid Gold dancer.
Karen Lehmann-whoa. there was a whole lotta shakin going on there. and I’m not sure it was good. 🙂
Kirsten J-Oh my – yes! I wanted to be a Solid Gold Dancer, doncha know. And we were just trying to explain to the kids the other day about American Bandstand…..they didn’t get it.
Kori -The mirror turned out great, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the videos! I watched that show every weekend and loved every minute of it…apparently I still do. 🙂 Your blog is awesome and I can’t wait for every new post. I have one question that maybe didn’t make your list, or maybe I missed it…is Talby a family name, or just something unique that you and hubby came up with? I’ve never heard it before (my son’s name is Guerin-sounds like Darren-so I hear that all the time), but I love it!
beth -LOVE your painting apron! I need one… Love you posts. You are an inspiration and you always put a smile on my face.
the domestic fringe-The mirror is great and I LOVE your kitchen!
-FringeGirl
Meg -oh meg! every time i see your kitchen, i literally swoon. and of course, i love the mirror!
kristine-1. do you think solid gold is a clash of american idol/so you think you can dance 80s style?!
2. “you can’t get what you want if you don’t know what you want” YOU WANT TO DO A BACKBEND AND KICKOVER IN A RAINBOW STRIPED LEOTARD! haaaaaaaa hahahahahaaha
3. rocky-whoa!!
4. wish i could hear the music for “let’s hear it for the boy” – guy looks like a great dancer!!!
5. the mirror looks awesome! love the splash of turq!
Daniele Valois-LOve the turquoise with the red letters and red purse! Yay!
alamama-hahahahahaha! i used to want to be a solid gold dancer! ugh! they are dirty! love your mirror!
Flower Patch Farmgirl-I kind of hope the $9.10 seller happens upon this post and sees that you “ruined” her fancy gold mirror by PAINTING it TURQUOISE! Can’t you just imagine that she found the goldness and the glitziness to be the very best part? “This mirror is GOLD! I won’t take a dime less than $9.00. No, $9.10!”
I love your turquoise mirror. It looks tres West Elm. It’s a perfect fit.
Danielle -WOW! Love it!!!!! Awesome mirror, great color choice! Looks fantastic!
patti -I have that same mirror, sadly it’s gold but it’s been by the front door for years now and it’s what we use for that last minute check your teeth/hair/whatever before you leave. I like your color better.
Lorie-The mirror looks great! I love your kitchen! The video…not so much! ;D
Charlene@Adventures-In-Mommy-Land-LOL Love the videos, Solid Gold was a must watch back then…what were we thinking??
Love the mirror and your apron is So Cute, where did you get it?
Marla-Clara saw some of the first song on the Solid Gold clip and said very seriously “That’s ridiculous! Look at their clothes!” I especially liked Latoya’s one black glove, but was bummed I couldn’t hear “Let’s Hear it for the Boys”.
Love the turquoise!
Jill -Great mirror! I love turquoise and red together.
Solid gold… I LOVED that show as a young girl. I didn’t remember it being so risque. I’m gay (of course I didn’t know that at age 9), and now in retrospect I think I understand why I loved that show so much! Ha!
Jessica Hoffman-I still love all those songs on Solid Gold… is that bad!? Love the POP of the mirror!
Jessica Kujawa -awesome! i love the mirror, and the EAT letters, and that chair…swoon!
Edie Wadsworth-Hi-Larry-Us! And love the mirror. It’s perfect right there. And it happens to be my favorite color. Very awesome tribute to you on Farmgirl Paints. She’s right ya know, you’re pretty awesome!
Happy Weekend!
Gwyn Rosser-I LOVE that color. I have several cans of a beautiful turqoise that I’m having t restrain myself from using….everywhere. Great look for that mirror. It just fits perfectly with your absolutely delightful kitchen. I love the colors in your house — very energizing.
Also, cuuuuuute purse! 🙂 on a very cute chair !
Gwynie Pie
@ The Pink Tractor http://www.gwynrosser.blogspot.com
Janie Fox -I loved the video… I was a newly-wed so I could watch if I wanted and I did!! I was a fresh college grad but secretly wanted to be one of those dancers… skanky dancing!haha Thanks for the re-live I loved it. Love the mirror too. One of my favorite colors, just below my fav PINK.
Amy Lynne-You are too funny! I remember Solid Gold being so cool when I was a little kid! Your mirror turned out beautifully! It always amazes me what a can of paint can do. Have a great weekend!
Amanda-Ok, thanks for the morning laugh!!! 1981…I would have been 8 yrs old and when someone asked me what I wanted to be it was “a solid gold dancer!” Now I see why I had to fight with mom to watch that show-lol. They do seem a little risque’ now, eh? The risers they used to dance on look like the old planters from our mall we used to sit on before they remodeled in the 90’s-lollllll.
I love the mirror btw, adds a great little pop of color in there! Great idea! (and looks like the same robin’s egg blue I used on my daughter’s desk :))
Kristi-That is so cute! I love, love, love the punches of aqua and red. It is such a fun retro color combo!!! Now I just have to hunt down a fun mirror to paint!!
Megan-Oh man, those gals can move! The Adam Ant one cracked me up. I remember watching this all the time, we loved it!
Loving the color you chose. The mirror looks fabulous in the kitchen!
Megan
Jill -love the mirror! maybe new baby and i need to go thrifting today and leave the big kids home with dad. 🙂
Jessica -ditto Tara!! Thanks for the laugh!! Awesome mirror!! What color paint is that?
Tara-and this is why i come to your blog every.single.day.
you are hilarious.
and real.
i love that you didn’t move the window cleaner off your kitchen countertops when you took the picture of your kitchen with the new mirror in all its awesomeness.
you inspire me to LOOSEN UP.
Michelle-I loved the solid gold dancers when I was a kid! In fifth grade, when hair bows on a clip were popular in my school, I got a bright gold one just so I could pretend I was a solid gold dancer. Ahhhh good times.
Thanks for the laugh this morning Meg!
Cori-Love the mirror in your pretty and clean kitchen! Loved the video! Sometimes I like to blare reruns of Casey Kassum shows(Sp?) in my kitchen on Saturdays, (They play it on the 70’s channel on xm) I am totally dating myself!! I love to hear him say “Now here’s a new song from a young man, Mr. Bruce Springsteen” I close my eyes and I am young again too!! Until I hear Mommy, Mommy, Mom Mama Ma Mommy and I am Back!
Enjoy you weekend, Happy Anniversary.
paige-great redo! looks super duper cute in your already super duper cute kitchen
Kat -Will check out the video’s later, as I do remember Solid Gold, lol.
Just had to say the mirror looks fab. A real pop of colour.
I already love the red in the EAT letters and love, love your red handbag!!
Those rainbow sun catchers are gorgeous.
I must do those with my kids, seeing it is holidays here in little o’l Tasmania, Australia.
Red Nomad OZ-Your mirror is fab. But Solid Gold? Now THAT brought back some even more fabulous but embarrassing memories. What were we thinking back then?!?!?!
Happy travels!
Sophie -What a gorgeous mirror! I LOVE how it looks in your kitchen (:
And those videos are hilarious! I live in England so it was never on here, but I feel like I need to watch me some more of that.
Dana D@BoysMyJoys-Oh, my!
When I read ‘Solid Gold’, Soul Train popped into my mind.
Sooooooouuuuul Train!
Oops, wrong show, right decade!
🙂
LOVE this mirror!
Lisa-Cute cute cute. Love the colour, love the idea.
Dana@Bungalow'56-Just curious what kind of paint you are using. I have some gold gilt frames I want to paint but wasn’t sure if a regular can of leftover paint would do the job?
Dana
this is my dining room. yes….that is original woodwork. now what do you feel? are you screaming at your screen? are you applauding? don't show your husband….he will most likely have a fit. what IS the deal with MEN and unpainted wood? why do they care so much? why do they think it looks so good? my man completes gets the white. he likes it. we have looked at hundreds of homes over the years and there is NO DOUBT that white is "US". it's bright and happy and crisp. it shows so much more detail in the woodwork when it IS white. as of now the dining room is all primed. mostly by craig…i did a little…he did 90%. but i did the laundry mountain. and fed the tribe. and bought the groceries. so we are even.
Sarah @ Handbags*N*Pigtails-Hey Meg,
WOW this has been a huge debate! I live in an 1860s home full of the original woodwork and Im dying to paint it but hubby has told me no. Id love to see an update of this post. Am I just missing it somewhere?
XO,
Sarah
Kat-Agh! No, stop! The wood is/was beautiful! It looks vintage and not crappy 1980’s vintage. It sounds like you will be very happy with your white. And our spaces should always make us happy. But I’ll be crying a little for the natural woodwork.
Karen-Screech! That’s how it makes me feel. My hubby and I both LOVE wood and hate how the trends change over time, and before too long, SOMEONE has to undo it. But for you….it’s all good as long as I never have to strip it all again! 😉
Heather -I love old houses…especially ones with all white painted trim! I got giddy for you. It will look fabulous.
Elizabeth-It makes me feel JEALOUSSSS!!!! I have SO MUCH WOOD TRIM in my house. Overwhelmed. Renting from my dad, scared to paint it, but if we buy it, I think I will…
katie-the same theory applies to painting brick and neutering dogs.
the inadvertent farmer-Ok,I know this is overreacting but that actually brought tears to my eyes. Quarter sawn oak? Do you know how rare that is to have in a house? Do you know how many windows I have had to strip and sand to get down to wood…and never wood as lovely as that.
I’m off to find a tissue…Kim
Kim -I forgot to say that all the doors in the house are oak as well. Truly just depressing how much oak there is in my house.
Kim -Jealous. I do not like the house we live in and one of the reasons is all the oak. The floors, the stairs, the woodwork, the fireplace, the cabinets, the countertops in the masterbath. Everywhere you look! Ugh. My husband loves it. When I ask to paint it his response is “It’s oak!” and I say “EXACTLY!” It makes it very hard to decorate the way I like. Nothing turns out. So, paint away and enjoy for the those of us who are not allowed to paint the wood.
ashley-I immediately laughed at the screen when I saw what you were doing. I was like, “Yeah, let’s hope the hubby doesn’t walk behind and see THIS one.” I wish we were “white paint” people, too.
Vera-Oh my gosh this cracks me up – if I suggest painting something wood (trim, paneling, furniture) he acts like I’m wanting to murder someone.
thepaper-rose -LOVE IT! We live in a house that is about 100 years old…..had beautiful woodwork and lots of it. Lots of built ins….about 5 years ago I decided to paint all of it…..you are right…..all of our male friends about had heart attacks…I have never, ever regretted it. It lightened everything…whenever I look at old pictures I cannot believe that I waited so long. It was very overwhelming when I started. I focused on one wall at a time instead of rooms…..only way I could do it! So, you go girl!!!
Lisa Currie-Gurney-LOVE THE WHITE… BUT YOUR RIGHT, MY HUSBAND WOULD FREAK !
HUGS FROM MAINE
tasha roe-love painted wood! and it is so true with me and natural wood. i think its only for floors but that’s me. i got all excited when i saw that paint brush. hope the dining room is coming a long nicely!! cant wait to see photos.
Stephanie -Love the white. We have gallons and gallons of oil base white paint in our 100 year old house!
nope -i can tell most of the posters here are ladies…boooo! down with the white!
i felt like i had a little heart attack with that photo
Karina -I completely agree with you, white painted woodwork is better. I am not at all about the dark, gloomy wood, it does nothing to lift my spirits. I can’t wait to see your finished room!
Christa-We could have original wood window frames (they’re there under the paint), but they don’t work with anything in my house. If you have really traditional decor/archit./colors it’s great, but if your stuff is at all modern or cute, the bare wood looks pretty weird.
Cheryl-I know – my husband would freak out and so would my mother. And I think I would just a little – right before I painted it! Good job, I hope you enjoy it 🙂
stljoie -We have all the original wood downstairs, including the kitchen which I love….upstairs we have walnut veneer doors with the frames painted white….That was original to the house and that’s the way I’ve kept it. An addition is completely painted in 3 shades of a very light green/aqua…like copper patina. Enjoy your adventure, I’m sure you will love it.
Jesse @ Good Girl Gone Glad-I LOVE the crisp clean look of white painted wood work! Can’t wait to see a bit more!
Staci Danford-Yes.. my husband would die.. BUT he fusses while I too paint all my woodwork white.. I just can hardly look at it any other color.. Can’t wait to see it finished..
Staci
kristi rediske -I live in a house that was built in 1900 and I have wanted to paint the woodwork so bad-but everyone thought it would be terrible to do that – BUT-if we stay in this house much longer it is getting painted! I just need to do it-I agree-it just brightens it up and makes it cheerier(is that a word?) anyway-thanks for the inspiration.
Jenn-ha ha! I did cringe! But only because I knew that if I even attempted something like that I would be banned from my own home. I think it will look gorgeous – I LOVE white trim 🙂
Suzanne -Just because it’s wood, doesn’t mean it’s good.
Love painting wood. Hub hates it. I win.
jody-love it! white trim reflects natural light so much better. yes, the wood is lovely, like the original oak in our home…but I continue to paint it. so much brighter and happier.
jasonhuebner -This is wrong.
Allison -oh honey, the sight of white paint sliding over ANY color makes me feel soooo happy. I too am obsessed with white. For years my husband made fun of me. Now, he too totally gets that white makes a home feel cheerful..and a great backdrop to COLORS!!
Rachel / cREaTe-how do those photos make me feel? happy. that you don’t feel like a prisoner or a visitor in your own HOME. 🙂 it’s not a museum, it’s your home & every square inch of your home should make you feel welcome there & be a reflection of you. so i’m extremely happy for you. don’t get me wrong – i love wood & original state, too … but not WHEN IT’S NOT WORKING FOR YOU. 😀 you’re not in the preservation business – you’re a mother & creative girl making your home a cheery, warm, inspiring place; a place where your 5 children can grow & want to be. and you do it SO WELL! can’t WAIT to see it.
Leigh-I confess: painted wood makes me cringe. But then, I’m a carpenter’s daughter.
DreamGirlLisa-I am applauding you 🙂 I will always choose white over wood tone, I agree with you 100%! Can’t wait to see the finished room.
Cori-I wish seeing that picture would make me want to paint. I need to paint almost every inch of my house. Sadly, it just makes me want to see more pictures of your house!
Michelle-It freaked me out to see that. . . but now i kinda want to do it at my house! We live in an old home too and all the woodwork in the house except for the living room and dinning room was painted before we moved in and I love those rooms. . . but i don’t think this is a battle i will win with the mister. . . . i will just live through you!
kristine -i’m with you. i love wood. but i love love the white fresh, bright, crispness just like you said! i can’t wait to see what you do!!
jeanne-You are a brave girl. I like white too…but I would have a hard time actually painting over that beautiful wood. I will just buy your house when you have done all the work.
Jules -LOVE IT! My husband refuses to paint our banister (which is a cheesy golden colour). Bring it ooo-un! Woo!
Lindsay -while i also think that painted wood can bring out the best in SOME wood, when I saw that brush near those beautiful windows I gave a brief scream too! And I couldn’t show my husband- he feels the same. We can totally agree to paint certain woods, manufactured wood, etc., when it comes to original hardwood we can’t do it! Fortunately we live in a 60s house with NO character :), so we have been able to do what we please and not have to ‘ruin’ anything. Though I do ADORE your house so much anyway.
Janie Fox -Love it! I did it and have never regretted it! Can’t wait to see the finished project.
Samantha -Paint it, paint it all I say! I love a room full of crisp white woodwork! and those leaded glass windows are gonna shine like nobody’s business when framed in white!
Jennifer-I had no idea! Thought it was just my husband. There is dark wood molding around two sliding glass doors that he refuses to let me touch. IT’S WOOD! I did get him to paint some old doors in the basement white and the improvement is alarming-hasn’t changed his mind overall.
sixty fifth avenue-Yes!!! I love old houses with big juicy white trim! Nothing better! If we were friends, I would be there helping…so fun.
Nikki-You go girl! I love painted wood. But am scared myself to do it.
Heather -I love it!! I know what you mean about the paint-or-no-paint gender divide though. My husband is strangely okay with painting wood, but my dad is adamantly against it, even if it’s dark and grainy and terrible. 🙂
Melissa-I am screaming no only becuase it is such gorgeous woodwork! But I realize its a personal prefrence. I am currently stripp away paint from my old house woodwork. Good luck
Lanny Stanard-I love it… paint it girl frieeeend !
hugs!
Sandy -I love the white look too, but after scraping & sanding for days and days and days at our first house I don’t know if I could paint wood. And I’m a female. 🙂
Whitney R -Will you bring that paint brush to my house? Please! I live in a 1930s home that had most of its trim painted when we moved in with crisp lovely white, but my Living Room my sweet hubbie won’t let me touch, “Sigh”
I can’t wait to see your results! Maybe it will help convincing my man!
Whitney R.
Trish-Love painted wood!!! Our house has all wood and I HATE it!!! I would paint it, but our doors are the cheapy kind that would look bad painted, so therefore that project would morph into getting all new doors, which I would love, but the wallet wouldn’t!
Alan Handley -You are making a huge mistake! Natural wood rocks! Painted wood screams fad! Turn back turn back now!!!!!
ann-I just painted my dining room table (which was ruined from water damage)and my husband is freaking out about that! I think the white will look great in your house with all the pretty colors you decorate with! Can’t wait to ooh and aaah at your dining room when you’re finished!
kat-Love it! We recently painted the kitchen cabinets and all the trimwork and doors downstairs, and it looks a million times better! We love it! Now, if we can just decide what to do with our playroom/library… it is ALL wood.
Brenna -Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, but whatever. 🙂
rosemarie -i grew up in a home that was over 100 years old and yes the wood work and molding(trim) was painted. the wood work in the home was beautiful and painting the molding white or off white (tasteful) always made the house look elegant and current. not painting some old houses make them old and drab..you are right. paint makes molding cheery and new.
Kristi-oh- I love it! I so want to paint our kitchen cabinets, but my husband is so opposed to painting over the wood. I so want to do it! I think I am wearing him down, but not quite yet. can’t wait to see what it looks like!
Lisa -I’m going to have to go lay down now to lower my blood pressure 😉 Actually the woodwork in our house is painted white (because it had already been painted when we bought it, we just freshened it up) and I really love it. You’re right, it looks clean and crisp. That said, if it hadn’t already been painted, I would NEVER have painted it. I have serious wood envy when I go to an old bungalow that has the original woodwork. My dad is a woodworker and I have just always loved natural finish. To each his own! Can’t wait to see pictures!
Tegan and Tage-Seriously! What IS it with men and unpainted wood? That is a constant battle in our house…
Jessica from Stars and Clouds-Definitely have to agree with you, white is the way to go! And your house speaks volumes of your great taste!
Jessica -I think it depends on the house, you and Craig are the ones who live in that house, you two know the feel of the house and you two already have done a fabulous job with the kitchen. I believe you two will do a fabulous job painting the woodwork white.
Some houses have gorgeous woodwork that should stay brown, others you can get away with painting the woodwork white.
Have fun painting!
Michelle Whitlow-I agree with you, I don’t like wood trim. And by that I mean “wood colored” trim. I looove white trim!!
Micah-We’re all about white in our house too. Go for it! Brighter is ALWAYS better.
annalea @ our hartbeat-ha! just painted our woodwork white in our dining room last month. my husband and i are totally on the white is just us bandwagon as well. the living room is up this month. i will posting photos soon (but it is funny how i tense up a bit when i tell someone just waiting for them to scold me. . .)
grey umbrella-it makes my heart go pitter patter … i LOVE white and love when the grain shows through a little. that old/new look. can’t wait to see it all done!
citymouse-I’ve been trying to get my courage up to paint the natural beadboard and vanity in our upstairs bathroom. It isn’t original but probably the most recent renovation prior to us buying the house. I think it’ll look so much better white. Now I’m one step closer.
Flower Patch Farmgirl-LOVE!!! You will never regret it. I don’t get the whole “natural wood” allure. No one screams about painting a “natural wall”!
Staci -Cannot WAIT to see the end product!!!! Love it that you are so sure and brave 🙂 I need a little of that 😉
katy-Funny that you posted this today, as that is what I did last night (primed our wood trim in the stairwell) and I plan on adding the coat of paint today while my daughter naps… and likely again when she goes to bed because I doubt I will finish it while she is napping.
I love the white trim, and my hubs likes it too, but he WILL NOT let me paint our kitchen cabinets white. I have let that battle go for now… but I shall resume the cause again at a later date. 🙂
Sarah@Clover Lane-I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!
I could never live in a house without white woodwork.
Can’t wait to see it.
Andrea from O-H-I-O -UGH! Am currently stripping paint off my kitchen woodwork that some old owner did not paint correctly!
Laura Phelps-I do that too.
The “we are even”
But most days, I think we are not even.
I think I win.
Or is it that I lose?
Can’t wait to see your dining room…to REALLY SEE IT..AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
(Belle is excited to meet Waffle….)
suzanne pignato-Hey girl… love your blog just found it..via my sweet savannah ….i’m with you…. don’t understand why men get so upset over painting wood it’s like a club or something…i just wait til my hubby goes out of town and paint away…then he loves it..lol suzanne
Nina Diane-I can’t wait to see the finished room. Are you using high gloss or semi? I want to paint our wood but am afraid….
Susan-I love white…especially on old woodwork…it just seems to add space as well as dimension and I hate dark spaces. Our house had paneling in the entry and den and we had planned to paint but now we are removing it totally (it is cheap paneling not the pretty kind). We are not using white because we fell in love with an off white color called Manchester tan by Benjamin Moore…it seems to soothe me and we both agree on it so.
Annie-I’m a white trim girl all the way! Love the windows in your home! Gorgeous!
Cheryl @ a pretty cool life.-My husband embraces my love of white, high gloss paint, too. Maybe I brainwashed him.
Our house was built in the 40s and we did the same thing when we moved in…my mother in law is probably still crying over us “ruining” it. Too bad I don’t care!
Tonya @ More Than Enough-You go girl!!! I’ve got beautiful wood cabinets in my new kitchen that I’m wanting to paint white (or possibly black on the lowers) and my parents are aghast at the thought of me painting these beautiful cabinets! 😉
I love how white trim makes whatever wall color just pop! Can’t wait to see your finished room.
Sara @ It's Good to be Queen-love it. I can’t wait to see it all done! I just painted an antique wardrobe and i think I gave my mom a heart attack. But seriously, it’s just stuff!
jennifer -Love the white! Wouldn’t have my trim any other way…
And yeah for husbands that do the painting! Not that I have one, but mine’s a keeper anyway. 🙂
heidi -This cracks me up. I sell real estate in Cottonwood Falls. Every time I show a house with painted woodwork people say, “oh I wish they hadn’t painted it” and I’m thinking, sure hope they don’t come to my house! I painted mine and it looks so sharp and tailored. LOVE IT. anyone who has a problem with it can pay your mortgage, otherwise they can just not worry about it!
Julie-White woodwork: my fave.
Painting woodwork white: not my fave.
It is going to be gorgeous!!!
The wood lovers can deal.
They can go hug trees and get over it.
Lori Danelle-I love wood. I have to. I’m my father’s daughter and he is a wood worker & built our entire house.
HOWEVER!! I don’t think the love of wood should morph into some insane reverence where it’s next to sacrilege to even think about painting wood.
I fully believe you have to do what’s right for each space. Sometimes that’s bare wood. Sometimes, that means painting your beautiful wood kitchen cabinets. If the room isn’t making you happy with bare wood, then pull out the paintbrush!!! 🙂
Esther Harper -Sorry Meg…big no,no. This wood if you were to give a light sand and put some light sealer it would have looked amazing. Its kind of like discovering you have beautiful hardwood floors under a ragy carpet and re-carperting it. But again we are high end custom home builders and our customers pay us alot of $$$$ to get the look of natural wood. Enough said but if you like it go for it.
sarah-Excited to see the finished work.
I love the white.
Jen Joy -I’m totally applauding over here! 😀 Long live white painted trim!
Julie-I LOVE it. My hubby would be the same. I threaten to paint things and he just can’t “see” it. It’s definitely a man thing.
Ana -Meg, it makes me feel like “YAAAAAY!!!!” Seriously, every time I walk into a house with natural wood trim I always think “why aren’t these people painting all this WHITE??”. I think white with a nice contrasting wall color just looks so SHARP! Congratulations on such a wise decision. LOVE IT!
Tere -I cringe just a little, but do LOVE it.
Keep the pics coming, can’t wait for the finished project.
Also, have you redone the attic/upstairs.
Deputy's Wife-I am lucky. My house has a combination of white and stained woodwork. A good thing, because I love them both. Our downstairs is all stained original woodwork. The upstairs was painted when we moved in, so I repainted it all white.
While I do love the white trim (I think it is going to look fabulous) I don’t think I can bring myself to paint stained wood. I think it is because my dad restored antique furniture for a living. I would be afraid what he would do if he saw me paint wood!
Can’t wait to see it!
Jeannine -I’m sure your room will end up looking absolutely wonderful, but I totally cringed when the pictures loaded. Mind you, this is probably only because I spent tons of time stripping paint off of original woodwork when restoring my uncles house.
Tara @ the cinnamon post-ooohhh…i’m going to be doing the same thing soon in my living/dining room. bring it on. the only thing keeping me from painting all our trim is time and money!!
~
Tara
patti-i love white trim too. we have a room in our house that is still the original knotty pine wood paneling when we moved in, that room was floor to ceiling (literally on the ceiling) wood. the room connects with the kitchen via a counter and it was our dining room prior to kids. i used to call it the cigar lounge. once we had our first daughter, we painted, and painted and painted (took a lot to cover) – and now it’s a lovely airy playroom for my girls. several of our friends and family gasped when we said we were painting, but i love it and it looks like a beach cottage. here’s a link to the before/after http://www.flickr.com/photos/8833324@N04/4618384205/
Ally-White is timeless. It’ll never go out. I fully intend to do this in our next house, which we will hopefully settle down in. I can’t bring myself to do all that work here, when we’ll be moving in a few years. Hope you share the results!
Rebecca -Ok, I first thought “OMG!!!” but then I wondered what kind of wood it is and maybe it darkens to the room up too much or maybe it has damage. I used to be a decorative painter and I had to paint a lot of woodwork. It often looked much better with the paint especially if they were cabinets from the 1980’s!
Julie K.-I support painted woodwork! Sadly, hubby does not. So the kitchen cabinets remain wood, forever. I got the trim in the rest of the house though. 🙂
Steph -I spent many summers stripping paint off… getting down to the “real” wood… and so I’m sorry, but I disagree! I was screaming at the computer screen, I couldn’t believe what was going on… I’m a “real wood” “keep it natural” kinda girl! So yes, painting over that fabulous wood… saddens me. 🙁
Liz jensen -I always say “its still the original woodwork, even painted white”! It is going to look lovely I am sure!
Thanks for your post yesterday…I too am finishing out the last year of preschool before my 3rd heads off to the big school with her brothers. I loved our little preschool. My boys started going there when I was still pregnant with my daughter. I have however felt completely out of place this year trudging in with all the “younger” moms that have a 2 year old, 4 year old and a new baby in a carrier or are pregnant. I think its time, but sad none the less!
Have a great day!
Liz
Mary Beth-YOU GAVE BIRTH.
You will NEVER be even.
You WIN!!!
heeeeheaaaaaaa
Suzanne Gallagher -White is so fresh and clean. I have white beadboard in almost all my main floor rooms. I’m a believer in doing what makes you happy! Can’t wait to see the results!
Kristin-Oh I love the white! I have and will paint any wood trim white. 😉
Melanie-I would not flinch while painting the wood. I think the white will look great!
Alyssa -Just wanted to send you some LOVE this morning….Love you Meg!!
I know I am a random stranger but I love your blog, your family, your wood being painted white…..
Love ya!
Alyssa
RLG-White is fresh and modern. In an older home –LOVE it!
Cannot wait to see the finished product. xoxo
Logan -I totally agree with your decision to paint the wood. I bought a home many years ago that had one bedroom that was solid pine paneling. It was SO dark and I really, really wanted to bleach it or paint it, but my dad, whose opinion I really respected, asked me not to. He kept reminding me how valuable that was and since it was the guest room where he and my mom stayed when they visted, he said “please don’t paint my room”. So I didn’t ever paint it. But I met the current owner of my old home a few months ago and she admitted to me that they painted the paneling since their daughter now lives in that room! LOL!! I didn’t have the heart to tell my dad.
chris-It makes me so excited , it will brighten up and liven up the room , so looking forward to seeing it ,
BTW my husband and got a real kick out of those picture Annie drew , they are technically good too and funny.
Angel/TaDa!Creations-I love this post!!! My husband would be groaning if he saw it, but I think deep down he understands how important white woodwork is, he just doesn’t want to know it ever started out as brown. It really makes any wall color so much more beautiful. I can’t wait to see your finished dining room. And I would say your workload was definitely evenly split. 😉
Anna Marie-You are SOOOO very right! My husband would have a conniption fit if I even suggested painting wood trim white. But I adore it and love it. It makes the room so much prettier and happier. You RARELY see unpainted wood in PB magazines 😉
Tess S.-LOOOOOOOVE the white. my husband would yell at you. how about painting wood cabinets white…. now that would make him FLIP out! ha!
jody -Meg…I’m dying!! I had a good laugh at your post. We just bought a ranch w dark trim & we’ve painted the house white now I want white trim EVERYWHERE!!
The battle continues between hub & I….of course, he wants to keep it dark! (or not do the work??…)
Convincing continues on….
elma -Oh I LOVE your home!! I can’t wait to seethis room done!!
Courtney Walsh-I would LOVE to have all white wood. I don’t paint it because it’s so much work. Will you do all your rooms this way (or are they already all white? I forget…)
AshleyAnn-Yeah for the white…cheery and bright.
No yeah for all the work it takes to get it so cheery and bright! Wouldn’t a magic painting wand be nice!
Lacy Brauner -the wood was good in the ’70’s!! haha! Fed the tribe? Love that, I call mine monkeys or crazy people..but tribe is so much more polite! haha I think men see the carpentry and think the wood in its original state is artistic or something..but that just wrong!
Elisa -* Crying *
But, that is just me! I always say do whatever YOU like when it comes to decorating!
As long as it’s not hot pink… 😉
donna-I love it , not screaming at all but cheering you on. I also redid all the moulding in my house last year! Think it was the most maddening job of all. So time consuming but well worth it. I only wish that I could have replaced it all with new instead of paint but the money tree said No! <3 Donna
Tam-I LOVE white trim! My husband has finally decided he will just trust my instincts because he says it always turns out good 😉 (’bout time!) I can’t wait to see the finished room!
dori -yes, everything white! cant wait to see the finish results!
Jenn-Go for it…wood is over rated 🙂 I love white woodwork. Heck, I paint anything that stands still!
Jenn
Nicole Q.-No doubt it will look awesome!!! I think you got the hard part of the job!!
erin-love it! white is such a clean look, so crisp. i’ve painted an entire house worth of trim and cabinets white and then our current house already had everything white. it is no small task, but one that is much worth the work! can’t wait to see the “after” shots!
Kasey-I love white trim and white wood. It makes the room brighter, crisp and ‘summery’.
Erin from Skoots and Cuddles-my husband and i are in agreement with you. we’re looking for a new home now and everytime we step into a house, dan will say… i see a lot of white paint in my future!
Cassie-i will admit it, my heart stopped for a moment. i might have screamed “NOOOOOOO!!!!”, too.
i think it’s because i have stripped more woodwork in my life than i care to remember and it was awful.
but i am certain the white will look fabulous! 🙂
The Countess of Nassau County-Go for it. We waited about three years to do it when we moved into our house and immediately realized we should have done it on day one.
Give Craig a hug, he’ll be fine.
Beth-white, white, white! makes everything feel clean & fresh. i painted over our solid oak cabinets 5 years ago,and was met with much disdain. even from women. they were meant to be white. god sent me a man who agrees. yipee! it will loook fantastic when it’s done!
rachel -Your VERY brave but I completely agree as I love white too. Can’t wait to see the final result, I know it will be fabulous 😀 XXX
Michelle-Ha! Dave and I argue about this and painting the fireplace bricks more than anything! Why is that such a guy thing?
Jill -Love the white! I can’t wait to see the finished product.
Lisa Palmese - Love the Pillows But I adore that lamp.
It is Gorgeous
thanks Lisa
Luciane - Hi Karin,I wish I could splurge on cutosm Alluminaire lighting and matching throw pillows (which I love)! I happen to have a “Heartfelt Award” for you at my blog, since you were one of the blogs that inspired me to start my own. You can pick it up .
Shahd - Oh wow, that would be awesome if you were on the hunt for sotnehimg you’ve already got pictured in your mind.But then again, this is why I wouldn’t want a custom house built. What if they build/make it EXACTLY like I asked and then I hate it?! Ack. I am much better at tweaking and remodeling. :)Can’t wait to see what you come up with though!
Naomy - spa owner, did you know that there are so many different and fun gadgtes you can get to compliment your spa experience? did you know that there are many little gadgtes out there on the pool and spa market that make your soak a little more excellent? not
Vanessa - your business opoitaren hours by using productive use of your order-taking answering services. while you and your own employees are still asleep, your answering service staff can still be taking orders-getting more sales and boosting your earnings! your order-taking answering service would give you th
Muhazi - it be the gas heating units. their fuel tanks are alctaluy placed on their bases so despite the strong wind, they remain steady. start looking for the right gas heaters now and feel free to get portable types.these gas patio heaters are really efficient during winter. they help
Ruth Baumgartner - I L.O.V.E. this, because when the pressure is on this is exactly how I roll. I could have authored this post. So glad to know I am in WONDERFUL company.
Stacey - You are too funny! I just have to follow you! Love your style and your humor! Have a blessed day!
Stacey of Embracing Change
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andiejaye - i love love love the idea of arranging books by color!!! i tried it and loved it!!! thanks for sharing the idea with us! i put 4 links of your picture and blog on my blog post about it. (it’s little i have 8 followers) i hope that’s ok. if not, let me know and i’ll remove them. i just think you’re fabulous! blessings, andie
Lisa Currie-Gurney - I TEND TO DO THE SAME THING… I’VE REALIZED IT HELPS ME TO FOCUS ON WHAT I NEEDED TO DO IN THE FIRST PLACE.
HUGS FROM MY HEART
Sarah - I am also a crazy color junkie and I love love love those color-coordinated kids books!
Heather aka moreygirl - I’m the same way about not doing what’s on my list and sewing something fun instead! Love this blog!
Kristin S - Annie’s facial expressions are absolutely classic. You’ll be so glad someday when that sweet baby face morphs to teenager that you have so many great photos.
Lolli - wait, can you paint brass?
amy jupin - the lamps look FAB.
all capitals.
the pillows are so you.
love them.
i suffer from the same problem–procrastination!
hate it.
one more thing, i hope you have a great time on your trip!
🙂
Lorie S. - You seriously just made me laugh out loud. Such is my day, everyday. The list of things I need to do and the list of things that I want to do. Feel so much better on the days that I do the things I want to do. So since today is a rainy day, I think I will read, sew, play, and make cupcakes!!! =)
Kat - Meg, you are SOOOO inspiring! Thank you! LOVE the lamp and the pillows. Okay, i am a beginning sew-er, seamstress, whatever…i know this is a DUMB question. But would you mind telling me…do you use pillow inserts for your pillows, or just stuffing?
Would you mind telling me what size you make them (20×20?)…i love the size of yours? I am DYING to sew but FEAR is overwhelming me…fear of messing up. But you have inspired me. Thank you! 🙂
Katie - I would buy a print copy of the orange photo! Just saying!
Corinne - Love the pillows, love your blog, love your spirit.
I was on another site http://www.designmom.com/
and saw these http://www.designmom.com/2011/02/a-few-things-51/
and thought of you…thought you might enjoy.
Have a great day!
Leah - Those are great photos. I don’t think you’re wasting any time. By the way, do you really arrange your books in the order of rainbow colors? I’m impressed!
Katy Frame - Because I am very busy.
(Taking pictures of oranges)
LOL! You are hilarious, Meg! 🙂 I hope you have a fun time on your trip! You so deserve it. And for me complimenting you I deserve a cupcake, right?? It was worth a shot! But seriously, have fun!
Crystal Swoverland - I can’t find Alexander Henry anywhere in my area! I LOVE that fabric! I need some of those pillows, no, not want…NEED!!! I am remodeling and those are my colors!!! HOW can I get this fabric??? THanks for the wonderful post, you always brighten my day!
Flower Patch Farmgirl - 1. Hey – is today Annie’s birthday? 😉
2. Did I miss the part where you told us where on earth you’re headed?
3. I have the very same affliction.
4. Must know how you did that tablecloth lampshade thing. I’m way impressed.
Tracy Fisher - fabulous fabric… and great use of time… i think many of us relate… i was outside today taking photos of my kids snowboarding (because it snowed today… and my son insisted on wearing his creapy hat he got in Mexico… that scares the neighborhood little kids)… all the while avoiding the same list as you have apparently.. minus the cupcakes..hehe.
Tracy Fisher
Marcella - I so know the feeling!
And there must be a lot of people like me commenting on this post! Which it is a relief that I’m not the only one out there that operates like this.
I bet it does have something to do with being a creative person….
Nicole - I am the SAME exact way! The longer my list is, the more I can find to do that is NOT on the list it seems. Procrastination is my forte!
And I LOVE your new pillows! Color Color COLOR! Happy 🙂
Good Luck with your list!
Lin - Haha. I feel so much better about myself after reading this post and the comments. I am NOT alone. Yay! I will go so far out of my to avoid “chores” it’s crazy. When I run out of time to get things done, and am tired I tell myself I’ll get up early and do it in the morning. I even go so far as to set my alarm early, but then the snooze button always win.
Lisa - I want one of your pillows! I need someone to teach me to sew. I’m so lame when it comes to that stuff. Love that you were avoiding your long to do list. I do that occasionally too! 🙂
Penny - I am glad Parenthood is on your list. I love that show, I always feel a little let down when it ends though. I also love your blog and get excited when you have a new post. Makes my day! Love the photos. One Easter I was having 25 family members for dinner and I sat down with my girls and colored 2 hours before dinner. It relaxed me and everything turned out fine!
Tanya H - that’s what I’m doing reading your blog right now. Ignoring my enormous list. drat.
jenna - I couldn’t help notice the bicycle runner on the table.
I have to have that fabric! Or I would love a pillow!
Where did you find it?
Jen - You DO have to watch Parenthood! Whew… it’s loaded.
Gretchen DeMoss - You make me smile.
shauna reed - lampshade=ahhhhmazing.
email me if you need anything in socal.
i will be like 45 min away if you need anything 😉
like a bell or some marshmallow milk….whateves
ps i am gonna be shopping with julie while you are soaking up photography brilliance on sat.
if you get mad at the class and ditch (ha ha) you can come with us…..
xoxox
FeFe - I hope you moved watching Parenthood to the top. It was good!
Tanya - I just showed my sister this post and said “See, there ARE people like us”. Then I asked her “And who looks at a white lampshade and SEES THAT final outcome?” To which she responded “I do”. And I said “Oh yah”. It’s me who sucks.
I love your pillows.
Georgia - The first photo makes me so happy, them pillows are so bright and cheery, so summertime! woo love them!! 🙂
When i need to be busy i just cant do it. i read somewhere once that if you dont feel like doing something then DONT, only do it when you feel like it…
Happy middle of the week day!
Kelley - Excellent pillows! They absolutely needed to be made. Needed.
Safe travels tomorrow
Vanessa at He Gives Hope - have you done a post on your coffee table? did you make it? b/c i am in LOVE.
Keli Cook - I love your new pillows and the makeover of your new lamp!
Anna - I love that picture of Annie and the pets. Super cute.
becky@oursweetpeas - Ahh, I think we are long lost sisters. I am blog reading instead of: cleaning my house, unloading the dishwasher, etc., etc., I did take all 3 kids to the dr.’s and McD’s AND library today so I think I’ve earned a little Parenthood on Hulu too. 🙂 Thanks for the idea.
yeah, I have a problem too.
Stefanie Arnold - someday I hope to say I was so distracted because I was sewing new pillows for my couch. Someday… for now, my creativity is confined to drawing stick figures and cutting out snow flakes 🙂
Shana - I have diagnosed you with ‘Procrastination’ – not otherwise specified.
I would give you therapeutic advice but I have blogs to stare at, books to read, and coffee to drink.
Sorry.
Cute mug.
Kari - You are hilarious.
Seriously.
My in-laws are scheduled to be here in less than two hours for the weekend and I have a HUGE list of things to do, girls are both napping soundly… but instead I updated my facebook status (is says: “Please keep me in your thoughts … I have lost my TO DO LIST!”) and decided it was imperative I check your blog before getting back to looking for my to do list.
Michelle - haha, this is awesome. i so feel ya! i have a super long to-do list as well, and i’m sooo procrastinating! you’ve inspired me! maybe i will go take pictures of oranges too! ha! by the way, i LOVE those pillows! where do you get the fabric???
Karina - Lovely lamp, lovely kitchen, lovely bathroom, lovely pictures…
At least you are not eating to make up for the stress…you are taking pictures instead and that HAS to be less fattening than what I usually do when I feel paralyzed by my to-do list…I have been known to eat sweetened condensed milk from the can…and finish the can in one sitting!! Maybe I should buy myself a camera…
julie h - this made me laugh, that is so very much myself…can you explain that i am not the only one that does this to my hub?
Jenny B. - OH WOW!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the new couch pillows!!! And the little chairs at the coffee table!? AWESOME!!! Those may have been there the whole time, and I just now noticed them, but still… SO cute! Thank you for helping me get over my fear of decorating my home with primary colors. I’m serious. For the past 11 years, I have looked longingly at deocrative items with lots of bright colors, and thought, “oh, I like that, but it just wouldn’t go in my house.” Now, I have a brightly painted alphabet canvas that was destined to be on the wall of a little boy’s room as the centerpiece on my mantel, and it’s my favorite thing to look at every day. I can’t wait to do more! Whee!! 🙂 You inspire me!
Aimee - Oh my, I think I have the same syndrome. Miles-long to do list = do something nowhere near ANYthing on said list.
I like to call it Head-In-the-Sand-itis.
Kori - apparently your condition is a nation-wide epidemic! i have it too and i’m in washington.
love the pillows (more for the pom-poms than the fabric, although it is great!) and the lamp…too cute!
Dawn - Love the pillows and the prints are awesome. Your rooms are so colorful I love it.
Kirsten P - I love how the aqua in the’circley colorful fabric’ makes the aqua mirror just pop!
I love the children’s books arranged by color!
Parenthood was great last night. And the previews for next week – can’t wait.
Will you get a chance to go to the ocean and listen to the music of the waves? Enjoy it for me, too.(if you do)
Esther Dee - don’t know about your to-do-list but I do know that those pillows are to-die-for!!!! so pretty and happy 😉
Mrs. Wonder - I do the same thing! Therefore, I’m several days behind on my list. LOVE the lamp, marking this for ideas, we’re house hunting and I’m excited to decorate!
wendy, NJ - OMG! I love you! You are so funny and such an inspiration! Whenever I’m feeling a bit blue I look to your blog as I know it will always be colorful (literally) and in content!
And can I just say I love the fact that you are able to leave markers out in an open bin on your white table…My 3 yo would have a field day if I do that!
Thanks again for such inspiration! Keep it coming!
Kara - love it all but especially your lamp makeover! if you are still wanting to put off your to-do list you should post a tutorial 🙂 lamp shades scare me a little bit, yours looks awesome!
Rach - Yeah. I do the same thing. I’ll find myself mid project and be like “how did I get here? wasn’t I supposed to be doing something else. Must stop…. can’t stop.” But hey, life’s short right!
gina f. - fun photos! Now that you have a happy heart i am sure you will fly thru your to do list! love how your books are arranged in rainbow order and the lamp makeover is super!! have a great trip!
Courtney Walsh - Good lord, I am sooo behind too and yet here I sit doing important things like reading blogs!!! lol
I agree with the person above me. soooo many houses are showing a neutral palette these days, but COLOR is soooo inspiring. Love that you arranged your dang books in rainbow form!! lol awesome.
Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode - You are doing NOTHING wrong, but everything RIGHT!
Elizabeth Walters - I LOVE how colorful your house is! I always stick with neutral… b/c I am boring like that. 🙂
Anne @ Baking Me - I love that lamp, very cute. I have issues with lamps. I am always on the hunt for a great lamp at a great price, no such luck yet but I keep trying 🙂
Trina McNeilly - Love this… love all the pictures. The lamp and pillows are fab. sometimes distractions are good 🙂
xo
Jen Brandt - You rock.
jennifer - Oh good! I thought I was the only one with this issue. So glad to know I’m not alone!
Ana - Meg, I can totally relate. I have like 20 things to do and yet I get into a catatonic state of denial hoping they will all go away. However, that strategy never works out… 🙁
Leah - How did you make that lamp shade?!? Please share! It looks amazing!
blu - …or if you are me you are in front of the computer while the laundry, children, dishes, and bathrooms are calling for you 🙂 I’ll get to all of them immediately, just let me post a comment first…Meg you are way cool please keep doing ALL that you do!!
Jocelyn Stott - LOVE the lamp! It looks great!
Jessica Johnson - the colors in this post? FAB to the ULOUS. seriously. the books? arranged by color??! genius.
asnipofgoodness - I soooooo get this, I do the very same exact thing, for some reason the need to get something done, causes me to get other things done….I just don’t get it! I mean I get that you do it, cuz I do too, but I don’t get the why, cuz it just never makes much sense!
I LOVE the pillows, and the lamp, OMGoodness, so extraespecially colorful!I just LOVE the glimpses of your style that turn up on your blog!
I have a HUGE lamp shade that I picked up at restore, and that is just the perfect solution to a less than desirable funky stained cover! Now I need an oversized lamp base to hold it up!
Oh, and I read “your story” just the other day, and I really loved your unapologetic honesty! What a wonderful picture of God’s redemption! Thank you for that!
I almost never comment, but I ALWAYS read, thanks!
Joy - You and I, we were seperated at birth. I call it piddling…and I love that the books on the bookshelf are arranged by color. It made my heart smile.
Lindsey - Alexander Henry has some of the most amazing fabrics ever!
Maeva - Where can I find the bicycle fabric in the last photo?!
Mindy Harris - your pillows and buntings are going to sell out on etsy in 5 seconds. i can’t get anyone to even LOOK at my stuff. hehe. i’m not complaining, i promise. etsy’s FUN! i hope you get everything done you need to. it’s okay to take photo or craft breaks. i do all the time.
and, safe travels!
Andrea - Just read comment above mine. Yea, I was intrigued by the color coordinated bookshelf too. Made me smile – was totally you.
Andrea - LOL!! I do that too. My husband says I only operate on crisis mode! Have many, many projects that need finished – need to set my own deadline.
ajdked - Ehh, I have a huge to do list today. Instead I’m still in my pj’s drinking coffee, blog hopping, totally intrigued by your color coordinated book shelf. I have a pile of laundry looming over me. I think I will stay in my pj’s for a half hour longer, then get moving!
Shannon - it’s okay to waste time taking pictures because we all love coming to your blog to see them so really you are just doing it for us which makes you so thoughtful 🙂
deborah@applesinwonderland - i have no idea what you are talking about here. how can you not make pillows with that kind of *look at me* fabric poking at you? and how can you not take adorable pictures of annie in the tub? i say, you have to do those things. xoxo–a partner in crime:)
Trish - ha 🙂 my list is a mile long too, but here I am reading your blog about the stuff you are doing… i believe we have what is called a mix between procrastination and ADD 🙂
can’t wait to meet you tomorrow 🙂
purejoy - dude. if you have issues, i have I.S.S.U.E.S!!
love the fabric. the cup. love bathtime fun. great coffee mug. love your kid’s books are arranged by color.
you complete me.
lists be damned!
Sara @ Happy Brown House - I just love how bright and happy your house is! I love that you embrace color!
sara @ it's good to be queen - love all these fun pictures. LOVE that lamp!!
Kelly - Did you put the tablecloth over the existing shade? Love the lamp and pillow fabric!
Cory - I have a TON to do today as well. Clearly I’m just reading your blog instead. Thanks for the distraction! Love all your pretty pics 🙂
Jenn Shock - I should be studying for my first Survey of Fashion test that is tonight, yet somehow I ended up here. When I stress about getting something done, I always tend to find something else to do, even if it means cleaning! Weird.
Michelle Whitlow - btw, LOVE the pillows!!
Michelle Whitlow - oh my gosh, I’m the EXACT same way!!! hehe We’re moving from GA to WA in just a couple months. There is SO much around the house to do. Oh, and did I mention that I’m 5 mos pregnant?? Yeah, I have a list a mile long. And what am I doing?? Reading blogs…and maybe I’ll go scrapbook something after that 🙂
Courtney Henson - I have the same affliction! It is hard, very hard for me to do something like clean the house for company or a party when I have a chalkboard wall to paint in my kitchen or pillows to sew for my couch! (All this I did last week getting ready for family to come stay for a few days..!) Oh, how I relate! But I love your pillows and really love, love that lamp makeover! And you rainbow hued kid’s books all organized by color! So, so pretty!
Vicki - Loved this! Those pillows are to-die-for! And your happy, colorful pictures are the best. Good luck with that to-do list!
Molly - I have things to do too….but you know what I am doing tonight…re-arranging the books in the bookshelf so they make a rainbow! Love that!
Jessica - I’m new to your blog… so I’m not really sure of your kids ages but I have a 4 yr old and there is NO way I could have a white table, an white-ish sofa, and a JAR OF MARKERS all within arm distance of each other! How do you keep those from getting marker on them?
I’m asking bc I’m jealous :/
Dana @ Bungalow'56 - Megan,
I am in complete denial…absolute denial, that I will be on a plane tomorrow. Nothing packed, nothing ready. It’s how I deal with stress, ignore the situation. Which of course leads to copious amounts of stress over a very short few hours when I have to do whatever I’ve been putting off.
There will be lot’s of excitement at our house this evening. It makes for an roller coaster life : )
Dana
Amanda - I love how “watch parenthood” is on your to-do list. It’s on mine too!
AshleyAnn - I love that lamp so much!!!
Have fun on your trip…
Carrie - I am like you, except I start the to do list but on the way to the bedroom to put away laundry I stop in the kitchen to put dishes and then end up in the living dusting. So while it may seem productive, everything ends up only half finished. Ugh!
Have fun this weekend. I am JEALOUS!!! (in a nice healthy way though. lol)
Kathi - LOL! This is why I check in everyday, love your attitude! Have a great day.
Keri - If I were to be a stay at home wife and we had our own house, I’m sure I would be the exact same way… Do everything else that is not on the list…Those are great pics though!
Heather - i have that same disorder! and lamp envy. that lamp and lampshade you worked your magic on are a-mazing!
Sarah @ Handbags*N*Pigtails - Oh my gosh you’re not the only one! Whenever I have custom orders to get done, I end up “rebelling” and making a different bag for no one in particular. Its almost like I cant do the things I need to until I do something I dont need to. Maybe its something about being creative. Yes, we’ll blame it on that.
BTW, when will your shop open? (No pressure, Im just curious)
XO,
Sarah
Janie Fox - Love your pics … mine are so bad I should just post stick figures with my text. Blathering is my claim to fame. Picture taking I want to learn, but I am too busy talking! Safe travels!! xoxo
Laura Phelps - you need TISSUES for parenthood. I cried for HOURS.
I LOVE YOU
I LOVE this post
the colors
and sunshine
and brightness
and all of it…
it makes me HAPPY
so if you put “make Laure happy” on your list,
it is like you DID do something you were supposed to do
and now, even better, you can cross it off of your list!
see how much you got done today?
happygirl - I LOVE your pictures. PLEASE don’t change. Then your blog will be boring, like mine. (my blog isn’t really boring, I just don’t have all the beautiful pictures) Your children won’t go to college and your daughters will be single the rest of their lives. PLEASE don’t change. I think the circle fabric is GORGEOUS. Have a GREAT trip.
candace - watch parenthood first. and don’t stop taking pictures – looking at them is MY distraction from the impending “get-to-do” list! ha!
Sugar Mama - When I have a long to do list I get anxious. First, I’ll bite my fingernails. Then I’ll have a panic feeling wash over me. Then I distract myself with something completely unrelated (usually that involves eating)…. and ONLY then do I try to work on the list.
Those pillows I must have.
Stephanie@Geezees - OMG! All of that color is making me giddy 🙂 Love those throw pillows.
Hope you have a good day Meg 🙂
Kimberly Dial - If I took pictures as lovely as yours, I’d have a hard time stopping too! Your pillows are ‘fantabulous’! You never fail to make me smile — thank you! Now …. get busy girl 😉
Kimberly Dial - If I took pictures as lovely as yours, I’d have a hard time stopping too! Your pillows are ‘fantabulous’! You never fail to make me smile — thank you! Now …. get busy girl 😉
Heather - There is nothing that paralyzes me like a long to-do list. What is up with that?
Gemma @ Musings of a gem - Heehee! Loving your cushions : )
The sight of your kitchen makes me giddy…so jealous!
Gemma x
rachel / cr.e.at.e - i just laughed out loud with each new funny close up photo & your coordinating comment. AND THE LAMP! 😀 absolutely hysterical [but it looks awesome, i’m not laughing at IT]. we have the exact same ‘problem’ so if you get help, a diagnosis or some meds, just let me know so i can help myself. randomness & procrastination central, here [going 34 years strong]. hopefully now that you got ‘other things’ out of the way, you can be productive! [that’s always my hope at least] 🙂 GOOD LUCK!
Katy - I love your house! That first picture of your beautiful pillows in your living room with your kitchen in the background, perfection!
PS – Oh, and I am the same way. My eldest is at preschool, my youngest is napping, my bed is unmade, my kitchen is a mess, and I have a ton of laundry. What am I doing? Checking your blog while waiting for the pictures that I just edited to upload for my blog. I am losing it…
Jen W. - Laughing so hard! I love that you are busy taking pictures of oranges. That’s awesome!
Candy - we were just talking at MOPS yesterday about how important it is to take pictures, even of the normal everyday life, because you can’t get those years back when life was hectic and your kids were little, but at least you will have the pictures!
Ana M - love ya….
your posts make me happy…
Kim - I do the exact same thing. I had a giant list of things to do yesterday-but not before I decoupaged book pages to the top of my coffee table. That is a must-do before preparing dinner and getting ready for a gathering at my home last night-don’t you think! I think it’s called “avoidance”.
Beth - GREAT lamp! good luck getting stuff done today!
Nicole Q. - That is exactly how I handle my to do list!!! LOVE those pillows!!! Have a great trip!
tracy dickinson - ha! i just finished watching parenthood this morning! i have a TON of things to do, but couldn’t wait any longer. it was SO good. good luck getting everything done!
alyssa - that’s hilarious. I do the same exact thing when I’m busy. I have a long to-do list and I just keep finding other things to do! I feel your pain.
katie - i am exactly the same way. i drive myself crazy like that: when i’m stressed about things to be done, i always catch myself doing other things that don’t need to be done…creative or fun things alot of the time. as i’m doing the not-necessary, probably fun thing, i’m thinking: “what the heck am i doing right now?!”
Tracy - LOL I LOVE LOVE LOVE your pillows AND the graphics on your coffee cup – TOO CUTE! I love all things circles and polkadot type stuff anyway! 🙂 Good luck with your to do list and have fun on your trip! Thanks for sharing your goodies today. Also, one more thing – could you add to the “bottom” of your to do list perhaps – to do a tutorial for your fabulous lamp makeover (not the spray paint part obviously), but the fabric part with the hot glue – I have a lamp in my daughter’s room that I want to do the same thing to. You’re so awesome and I always love coming to see what you and the family are up to each day. Have a great day, Meg! xoxoxo
Miranda - hahaha funny stuff – I get most of my list done when I am in a time crunch then run around like a mad woman!
ashley jensen - Ha! My daugter does the same thing with her little toys, takes them into the bath tub and lines them up. But there is nothing wrong with getting distracted with the things that make you happy!
Shivaun - If you’re crazy, then I’m crazy! That’s helpful now, isn’t it?
You make me laugh…and I need to because my 2-yr.old has the stomach flu and I have 6 others who I know will start any second. Laughter is good 😉
I’m busy, too. Reading blogs.
kimberly - love those pillows! i mean LOVE!
Amy - I think you have mastered smelling the roses…don’t change a thing;)) Happy Wednesday!