**Reminder Click HERE to Join Joss & Main so you can shop the sale**

already registered and don’t want to read my long drawn out post because you are in the mood to shop? 

Click here to shop

 Time for us to get to shopping together!  I’ve hand-picked items for the Nesting Place sale at Joss & Main and I hope there is something that you can use or that can inspire you for your Beautifully Imperfect home.  In my 17 years of home making, I’ve learned that it’s fun to start with a neutral base  to ground the room, like that stuff in the photo above and then…

And then add pops of color and interest and QUIRK like this stuff:

• pops of color
• bread board for your Bread in 5 Minutes a Day
• painted furniture if you don’t want to have to paint it yourself
• lockers because I want them so bad it hurts kind of, not really but you get the idea
• lighting: I’d bet my favorite pair of lamps that you don’t have enough lamps in your house
• velvet
• things that are tufted
• mirrors because of my aversion to mass-produced wall art
• a stump table because I just had to add it, in case you don’t want to mess with cutting up a tree that fell in your back yard
• dog beds because believe it or not, ours is one of the most asked about items in our house
• the Amy Butler rug from my office {another often asked about item}
• the chair from our bedroom, such a great deal
• Mrs. Meyer’s because I love her cleaning supplies
• Wall Candy removable chalkboard wall decals–what I used on our fireplace surround
• Chalk markers–what I used to draw the bricks
• a bust planter because mine is one of my favorite things
• quirkiness because I don’t want to take myself too seriously

find out how here

I love an unmade bed

I have two more things to say.

1. For the Risk Avoiders

You know that thing you see that makes your heart beat faster and you think, oh I LOVE that and I wish I could pull that off in my house but only other people can use things like that in their house and my Mother In Law will think that I’m ridiculous if I put that in my house so I will play it safe and surround myself with the semi-beautiful, average, unremarkable and uninspiring? Yeah, that?  Stop doing that.  Here are step by step directions on how to pull something off if you need them. Whether that things that makes your heart pitter patter is in this sale, in a garage sale, something you can make, it’s time to stop thinking you can’t be who you are and embrace what you love.  I know women whose husbands are telling them to please, feel free to spend a little money and make this house a home already and fear is gripping them as if choosing a lamp is a life or death decision.  Life is too short and decorating is supposed to be fun.  Enjoy it. Take a risk.  Buy the lamp.

 2. For the Cashless

There have been times in our marriage that I’ve had more time than money. Times that I needed to DIY my way to pretty.  And if you are in a season of that right now, I hope that you don’t see this sale as something you cannot be a part of but as fun inspiration for your next project.  And Joss & Main may read this and delete my sale right now but I have to say this, none of these items, as beautiful and charming and lovely as they might be, are worth putting on a credit card if you can’t pay it off immediately.  As much as I want you to love your home and as much as I don’t want Joss & Main to think my sale failed, I don’t want anyone to feel any pressure to spend money you don’t have.  It’s a process, beauty takes time. Enjoy the process.

Now let’s go shopping together!

 Sale ends in 72 hours

Joss & Main offers a $15 referral credit for anyone {you too!} who refers someone to their site when that someone makes their first purchase.  They also compensate all of their curators with a small percentage of the sales.

Meaningful, fun and FUNctional {I am funny, no?} have you seen the new Urban Soul Travel Mugs ?

pom poms, just because they make me happy

Last week’s craft day involved yarn, fruit and six of us crafters {somehow Greta and I didn’t make it into the pictures–we were too busy moving around and chatting but we were there, promise}.

Like I’ve mentioned before, we rely heavily on Pinterest for craft day.  The three of us in charge, Reeve, Angela and I, all have access to the Crafty Day pin board and any time we see an idea that could possibly be a fit we pin it.  It’s a way to brainstorm without having to email each other a hundred times a month.  I highly recommend starting a group pinboard for any type of project that you are working on that remotely involves anything visual.

I even made the food based on something I saw on Pinterest

So we made pom poms, something mindless and simple, beautiful and relatively useless, which to me is part of the allure of poms squared.

We also colored what I like to call “adult coloring sheets”, Angela was sure we were going to be coloring something scandalous, she was very relieved to find out it was simply intricate designs that mere children would find boring.

Here are a few resources we found helpful::

How to make pom poms using just your hands

Use a fork to make a pom pom {the more yarn we used, the more apt they were to fall apart beware}

Using pom pom makers {my favorite way} they have pom pom makers at Michael’s, probably Hobby Lobby, Amazon and I bought mine from Ebay I think.  Don’t forget, if you shop at Michael’s use their iPhone app to use their weekly coupon, you can also bring up the Hobby Lobby coupon in your iPhone browser for Hobby Lobby and they’ll accept that if you don’t have one printed out.

If you are one of those people who must have a purpose for everything in life, there are some fun ideas we found and pinned to the Crafty Day board like making a pom pom rug, pom pom wreath, you can glue one to a gift as a bow, sew one to the top of your boring hat,  or do what we did and just hot glue them to sticks.

The point of craft day for me isn’t as much about creating a masterpiece or learning a new skill, it’s a natural way to get to know women who I’ve wanted to get to know better for years. So I trick them into coming by telling them we’ll do a craft and eat something when really, I just want to be friends with them. So far my plan is working brilliantly and they are all clueless that craft day is really an automatic bench {insert evil laugh and rubbing together of hot glue burned hands}.

Don’t forget, TUESDAY is the Nesting Place sale at Joss & Main {I think it starts at night so I’ll be staying up and tweeting you to death, don’t worry or worry if you want because that sounds kind of annoying} if you haven’t already, be sure to create an account with Joss & Main so you can at least view the sale, you don’t have to buy anything but they are letting NP readers bypass the waiting list so here’s your special exclusive and other words that make you feel important invitation to join Joss & Main.  See you tomorrow?

Meaningful, fun and FUNctional {I am funny, no?} have you seen the new Urban Soul Travel Mugs ?

The older I get, the more I crave a little whimsy in my life.  You know I love a pretty house.  But over time, as I’ve really thought about the purpose of our home :: I want to enjoy it, have it reflect our family’s personality and be a place of connection.   I’ve realized there are a few things that make me and others at ease.

Those two things are imperfection and whimsy.

My husband rented a disco ball for a New Year’s Eve thing last month and I saw it in the car and naturally brought it in for a photo shoot, suddenly purchasing a disco ball is at the top  of my list.  Nothing says “Don’t take me too seriously” like having a disco ball in one’s home. I’m on the prowl for one.  Anyone know of a good disco ball store? Disco Balls R Us?

lettered cottage

The second project on my mind right now is painting a cuckoo clock.  I love the mix of traditional meets whimsical.  I don’t have the clock yet but I’ve been researching and I think it would be a fun addition to our home.  I need to stop by Cuckoo Clocks R Us as well.

country living

I’ve found that some cuckoo clocks let you have a choice of if you want to turn the cuckoo off.  I’m guessing that’s probably a good idea.  I don’t to have to get up in the middle of the night with an axe and chop my clock into tiny pieces.

What’s the most whimsical, light-hearted, quirky thing in your home?

Have you ever purposely purchased something because of its quirkyness?

Am I weird?

Meaningful, fun and FUNctional {I am funny, no?} have you seen the new Urban Soul Travel Mugs ?

Wouldn’t it be fun if we could go shopping together?

We kind of can.

Next week, the discounted flash sale site Joss & Main is having a sale of beautiful items all hand-picked by me, The Nester.  I was totally in shock kind of surprised  when they asked me to curate one of their sales, I mean, I’m a card-carrying imperfectionist.  But, I’m happy to report they didn’t force me to pick a lot of mass-produced wall art {although I did find a few sets of botanical prints that I would love to have in my own home}.  Actually, the folks at Joss & Main were fun to work with, had a plethora of beautiful items to choose from and encouraged me to curate items that go with the style here at my nest.  They were pretty much fabulous.

It was a fun process to choose items from their massive online catalog.  It actually helped me more define what I liked and everything included in this sale is either something that I already have or something I’d like to have.  I love the idea of this sale partly because I get so many questions about many of the things in my house and this is a great way for you to get the look if you need a little help.  It’s a little quirky, a little cottage and a lot beautiful.  And I’d like two of everything, please.

I’d love for you to join me next Tuesday whether you will simply be window shopping or maybe you are looking for something with a little personality to fit into your beautifully imperfect home.  No matter, I have a special invitation link so that you can bypass the waiting list to join Joss & Main.  You sign up with your email and of course, you can cancel and be removed at any time.  You’ll find useful items starting at $12 and  I’d love for you to join us next week.

Question:: What’s the largest item you’ve ever purchased online?

I’ll go first 1. Tires {my husband orders them online and they get delivered to our porch 2. Rugs–I have SIX rugs that I’ve ordered online and I will be the first to tell you that every single one of them has worked out great, no one’s more surprised than me.

Meaningful, fun and FUNctional {I am funny, no?} have you seen the new Urban Soul Travel Mugs ?

One of the hardest parts of decorating for me is deciding what to put on my walls.  Pictures behind glass are a pet peeve of mine.  I like things that have meaning, things I find beautiful, things no one else has, things that speak to me, things that are lighthearted and quirky.

I like mirrors, not because I like to look at myself but because they reflect life.

Our walls are covered with really inexpensive second-hand finds, photos, plates and or original art like the silhouettes and our street sign. Sometimes I get something simply because I just like to look at it.  My mom says to never buy a painting that makes you feel sad or a landscape you wouldn’t want to visit.

What about you? How do you choose what goes on your walls?  What’s your favorite thing on your walls?  Am I the only person with anti-glass sickness?  Is there a cure?

Meaningful, fun and FUNctional {I am funny, no?} have you seen the new Urban Soul Travel Mugs ?

Layla introduced us to Kristen Alber’s home it’s the perfect mix of cozy and peaceful and forgiving

Pure Genius: A Barnwood Headboard With Built-in Light @ Seriously A Homemaker

{total cost:: $56!}

 Clear your Kitchen Counter (It’s a Work Space Not a Storage Space} amen @ Small Notebook

When You Feel Overwhelmed By Your Workload @ Michael Hyatt {my favorite part was the Triage comparison this is such a useful habit whether you are room mom or running a company}

For When You Can’t Define Yourself @ Chatting at the Sky

My $.02 on Credit Cards and The Credit Game @ Simple Mom {the comments are worth reading too}

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Winter 2012 Giveaway Day! Did you win? Check below ~ some of the merchants may be offering a coupon code or free shipping!

1. The Pink Pagoda

2. Reluctant Entertainer

3. Red Letter Words

4. LoveFeast

5. The 21 Day Fast Diet

6. Royal Design Studio

7. Carol & Company

8. Gussy Sews

9. Olive Bungalow

10. DaySpring & (in)courage

11. Saffron Marigold

12. M.A. Hadley

Bummed that you didn’t win anything from giveaway day?  The girls from the Love Feast Shop are giving you one last chance to win a Heart Gram Set.  Remember the plush pumpkins of the fall?  These are their romantical cousins, the Heart Grams.  Leave a comment to enter to win–contest closes Sunday night, I’ll announce the winners on facebook and twitter on Monday.

Meaningful, fun and FUNctional {I am funny, no?} have you seen the new Urban Soul Travel Mugs ?

If you’ve been around for a while you know about IDHTBPTBB:: the tag line here

It Doesn’t Have to be Perfect to be Beautiful

You can read more about my motto here and here.  I sometimes forget to talk about just the real everyday life and I love it when other people let their everyday, imperfectness show so I thought I’d share a little bit…

My boots broke.  The boys were playing hockey. Inside.  The boots were a birthday gift to me from them~we found them on sale at Z Gallerie for $60 because they had a scratch that I removed with a magic eraser. They are supposed to be an umbrella stand but I like plants in them and I’m looking for another way to use them. Preferably where they can be turned in the other direction.  Add a can of white spray paint to my shopping list.

randomness

I’m still enjoying the challenge of having white walls.  I’ll be playing around with the fireplace for a while.  I’ve got the glue gun heating up to finally reattached that cable wire thing.  I trust I can show you this photo without you assuming this is a finished product, or a product at all. None of that stuff is even up there right now while I’m writing this {ok the mirror is but whatevs}.  I like to take photos during the process so I can see what colors look right or shapes or heights.  It’s a great way to help move the process along, from this photo I learn that I really like those blue lantern things and I kind of like them high, of course not on those candlesticks but they help me know that I might like to hang the lanterns on a bracket or something.  This is how I try things without committing.

Please know it’s never finished.  We’ve talked about this before, right?  If I waited till my house was finished and perfect to show you, have people over, enjoy  it….I’d never get to do any of that stuff because it’s simply never done and I enjoy changing it up.  I love this community of women {and men hey Rick~thanks for reminding me there are fellas here too, and hi Dad you are a guy!}  that get that~it’s the best thing about this blog.

One of my favorite parts about the white walls is the seamless, natural transition into the kitchen and breakfast area.  I admit, decorating is tricky and I am challenged to think differently, which is something I really enjoy.  And who knows, by the time this post goes live I might decide to paint it back. Or not.  It’s just paint. Can I get an “amen”?

We’ve had towels on our floor for the past two weeks.  It’s been rainy here, we have a dog, and not enough clearance under the door for a rug.  Need I say more?

I bought these two shelves from Ikea back in October.  I have big plans to freshen up the laundry area where the door is always open.  The shelves have officially been in our way for 3 months.  My dear husband hasn’t said one word about them.   I’ve trained him to the point where he assumes shelves on the floor are a normal thing.  Or he’s just really ok with it.

And when I bought those shelves?  I also bought the worlds largest light fixture.  It’s been taking up precious space in my office.  Does anyone else do things like this?

And…the sign of getting things done?  A desk covered with work.  It’s not pretty but, it means progress.

I also had a sick ten-year old all week {bonus:: lots of snuggling, I love being a mom of boys}  we are doing our annual goals weekend with my sister and her husband and my parents, and Sunday, I get to hear my friend Reeve sing and also Donald Miller will be speaking at the Lake Forest Church in Davidson.

I hope you have a beautifully imperfect weekend, what plans do you have?

Meaningful, fun and FUNctional {I am funny, no?} have you seen the new Urban Soul Travel Mugs ?

Way back in September I invited you to my sister’s book signing party–remember?  Once I knew people were actually going to show up, I wanted to dress up the little downstairs bathroom and the easiest project seemed like it would be to add a shower curtain.  I shopped around online, Anthropologie, and a ton of other stores and everything I liked was really expensive.  One of my goals for our home from last year was to have more handmade things in our home so I figured I could semi-handmake a shower curtain.

I waited four months to share this with you because 1: I wanted to make sure the doilies wouldn’t fall off and 2. I kept hoping the room would magically get bigger so I could get better photos.  Neither happened so here we are.  For the record, this shower had a door on it, but it’s not very pretty and you can add a curtain even if there’s a door. I put the rod high, like two feet above where the shower door ends.  I could have opened the curtain to show you but I forgot.  Trust me, there’s a door.  And if you don’t have a door you’ll just want to be sure you have a shower liner.

I started by pinning on random doilies.  OH and the curtain, I found a pair of white grommet style curtains at Target.  They were sold as a pair in one package for about $20 –ack out of stock right now online. But, any kind of curtain would work just the grommets make it easy to thread onto the rod.

At first it was easier to leave the curtains hanging and attach the doilies that way.

Lucky for me there was a conveniently placed seat.

I used stitch witchery which I love because it’s so easy to work with.  It’s like iron on glue.

I just tore off pieces and slid them behind the doilies and ironed it on to adhere.  The stitch witchery is clearish so you don’t see it in the natural holes of the doilies.

A little close up.  My big plan was to add more and more doilies over time.  Then we had craft day and I got all excited about making bowls out of my slow-growing doily collection.  But I’m in no rush.  But now that I see these photos I’m getting the itch to add a bunch more.

Here’s the big photo again.  So far I have nine doilies and  the best place to view them in their full glory is when one is sitting on the toilet.

And, for your reading pleasure, I found two other doily shower curtains that you might find fun here at Etcetorize and here at Soule Mama.

Pin It

Meaningful, fun and FUNctional {I am funny, no?} have you seen the new Urban Soul Travel Mugs ?

Welcome to our Winter 2012 Giveaway Day!  Make sure you visit each one~we don’t want you to miss out on their amazing offers.  All you have to do is just click the link BELOW EACH PHOTO to enter.  DON’T leave your entry comment here, you won’t win anything!

The Pink Pagoda will be giving away a $100 gift certificate for your choice of any merchandise from their store.  Go here for details on how to enter.  {this is open to US & International residents}

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The Reluctant Entertainer will give away a KitchenAid 13-cup Food Processor to ONE lucky winner.  Follow the directions here on how to enter.  {open to US residents only}

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Red Letter Words will be giving away a $155 store credit to anything from the new Hymn Collection.  Here are the details to enter this giveaway.  {this is open to US residents only}

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LoveFeast will be giving away a Two Hearts HeartGram, which includes a vintage inspired Valentine card.  Here are the details to enter. {open to US residents only}

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Susie Davis (aka ‘the good news girl’)  just wrote a brand new book The 21 Day Fast Diet! Stop by her blog to find out if you have a strong willed appetite, and enter a chance to be one of 3 lucky winners to get a copy of the book as well as one month of customized workout/training from collaborator Tatum Maguire, of Total Mommy Fitness.  Online customized training includes phone consultations as well as ongoing support to answer all of your questions and help you reach your fitness goals. (Monthly training valued at $50 each!)  {open to US residents only}

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Royal Design Studios is giving away a $75 Shopping Spree on their website with free shipping within the Continental U.S.  The details to enter this giveaway can be found here.   {this is open to US & International, however, the free shipping only applies to Continental US residents}

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Carol & Company will be giving away a John Wind Silver Initial and Pom Pom Bracelet (as shown) (Retail value: $78.95) to one winner and a $75 Shopping Spree to one other winner.  Check out their Facebook page for details on how to enter. {open to US & Canada residents}

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Come celebrate with Gussy Sews and their shop & ruffle re-launch! The shop has fabulous & sassy new products available! TWO lucky winners will receive a $50 Gift Certificate!  For all the details on how to enter, please go here. {open to US residents only}

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Olive Bungalow will pick TWO lucky winners who will receive a $75 gift certificate to their shop!  Follow the directions here on how to enter. {open to US & International residents}

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DaySpring & (in)courage are offering up one Beach House in a Box collection for every 100 entries! Click on over to (in)courage’s Facebook page, “like” their page, and enter! {open to US residents only}

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Saffron Marigold will be giving away 1 Table Cloth {size 79 x 90} OR 2 Cushion Covers {size 17 x 17} in any of their prints to ONE lucky winner.  You will find all of the details on how to enter here.  {open to US residents only}

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M.A. Hadley has all the details HERE for you to win!  Hurry, the first 100 get a Free 5″ bowl of your choice! {shipping charges not included}  Also, you can enter to win a 2 quart pitcher! {giveaway open to residents of US & Canada}

Meaningful, fun and FUNctional {I am funny, no?} have you seen the new Urban Soul Travel Mugs ?

Winner of the Haven Conference ticket giveaway:: Chelsea from Two Twenty One–total accident that the color in her header and the color I had for the 31 Days of Change graphic are the same…

It’s only January but, it’s not too early to start thinking about what your topic will be for this years fourth annual 31 Days of Change…here’s what I’m talking about if you missed out last year–and here’s a link to the topics of the  700 people who joined in.

and…tomorrow?  is giveaway day!

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I know of two people who wrote ebooks after joining in the 31 Day Challenge–my dad and  Hayley Morgan @ The Tiny Twig, and Jules has a new weekly series after her 31 Day Challenge, what about you, did something happen after writing for 31 days that you’d like to share?

Meaningful, fun and FUNctional {I am funny, no?} have you seen the new Urban Soul Travel Mugs ?