Good morning; how was your weekend?

David was traveling and the girls and I packed it full!

We hosted neighborhood friends for a David movie watch party, we went to a birthday party, we attended a family folk dance (which the girls LOVED), we ate ice cream and watched Troop Beverly Hills, I caught up over breakfast with a college bestie that was in town, soaked up the warm sunshine we’ve been so desperate for, and I hit up Hobby Lobby more than once.

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My current hobby is decorating our house. There’s a statement I never thought I’d say. I’m usually all “I don’t have an eye for home design” and “it’s so hard.” However, through experience I’m learning two thing:

• One: If you find things that you truly love, and they make you happy every time you look at them, it really does not matter if it “looks right” or not. It’s your space and it should be a reflection of you and bring you joy and if you can get to a place of really embracing that (it’s taken me yearssss) then home decorating is FUN.
• Two: There isn’t a “right” way to decorate. I’ve learned this through sharing a picture on IG and asking for votes and opinions and it’s almost ALWAYS split 50/50. Truly. Which goes to show beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder, so make your home beautiful to you.

I love when I walk in a person’s home and it just feels like them. You know?

Mine is getting there and it makes me so happy. I’ve found the items I love the most lately at local antique stores and Hobby Lobby. Quite the blend, no? I link what I can here.

We just had floating shelves installed last week in our living room and our office and I absolutely love how they help fill the space.

Do I know how I want to decorate them yet? Nope.

But am I thrilled to have a place to put a ceramic bunny for Easter, American flags for the 4th of July, pumpkins in the fall, and twinkly lights at Christmas? Absolutely.

Ok, since I’m fairly certain I’ll never get to a static “after” of any space in my house (it’s more of a constant evolution for me), here’s a look at what it is now. And for once I’m not asking for input and advice; just an joyous look at how it’s coming along! kind of share, as if you just stopped by for some tea.

Let’s start with my current obsession: my cozy corner!

Featuring an English leather chair from the 1800’s- LOVE IT. Honestly I love this whole corner, though I’ve ordered a bigger mirror to try as well to see what I like better. David is going to love when I tell him that. More holes in the wall, please! See, that’s another prior hesitancy/home design fear I’ve gotten over-holes in the wall. Holes can be patched. 🙂

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I’ve also ordered a little round jute rug to try under it.

Next up: the new living room shelves!

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And now begins the styling aspect with advice of groups of three and varying heights bouncing around in my head.

I stared at the stripped vases on my mantle for two days before deciding I didn’t like them in my space. A quick return to Hobby Lobby and I found the natural woven vases instead. I’m very pleased with the swap!

I hope to fill the basket under the new shelves with some kind of plant once I determine a look I like and can keep alive fairly easily.

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I look forward to filling out the shelves and actually putting pictures of us in the frames, but I’m so happy at how it’s all coming along. And even more so my willingness to just try some things rather than sitting in a state of indecision, paralyzed to make a choice like I did for so many years.

Oh, and I’ll leave you with this: it turns out you can’t always trust ChatGPT to help you decorate a room. When I asked it to style my living room for spring, this is what it came back with:

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Any home decor wins or frustrations in your world lately?