2011 Was Good to Our House

What?  A house post today?  Weird.

We’ve been doing this really strange thing lately.  We’ve been enjoying our house.  Enjoying it just the way it is.  No changes.  No projects.  Just fun.  Weird.

Today I thought I’d share with you how our house changed in a year.  Putting this post together made me realize how much work we have put into our home in such a short period of time.  I’m not going to lie.  This blog is major motivation. I like it.  Kind of makes me wonder what we did the first two years we lived here.  Slackers.

Our first big project of 2011 was building a headboard for our master bedroom.  It totally transformed the room.  I think the headboard was the catalyst that turned me into a crazy DIY/design obsessed human being.  Nothing would be safe from here on out.  I love you headboard.

My next victim was our guest bedroom.  It spoke to me…”Michelle, I’m ugly.  Please help.” 

I made over the guest bedroom and then realized the guest bath was still homely.  It’s in decorating limbo now but better.  I just need that shower curtain to speak to me.  It’s currently telling me that I can do better.

My laundry room (there is no “our” in laundry room) was a giant disaster.  I wish I could tell you that it still looks this clean…but that would be lying.  At least it’s brightly colored and messy now.

Our mudroom was lacking. Unless you count dog dishes as decorations.  Adding moldings and a bench made the room much prettier and (less importantly) more functional.

My most insane decision of the year was to stencil our powder room.  I decided to go big or go home and went with a black on white look.  It’s definitely a conversation piece when guests come over.  The almost mental breakdown was totally worth it.

My luck was running really high in the end of 2011 and I won $1000 in lighting from Barn Light Electric.  Some of our free funds went to updating our kitchen pendants to something a little shinier….

And last but not least, our eating area got a fun rustic facelift thanks to the lovely farmhouse table Nate whipped up for us…

Overall, I’d say 2011 was pretty good to our house.  Who knows what we’ll do to it in 2012…but I’ll share some maybe plans with you on Wednesday!

Did you make big changes to your home in 2011?  Big plans for 2012?  What’s your favorite 2011 Décor and the Dog change?

Linking up to: The Blooming Hydrangea

Finding Silver Linings Boutique Winner

Happy 2012! 

Who stayed up until midnight? Staying up is always a challenge for me.  I successfully made it to midnight though (without a nap..thank you very much!) thanks to the company of some great friends. 

We hosted a small gathering.  We made homemade pizza, sangria, and fondue.  We, obviously, ate too much.  The boys insisted that the Discovery channel be on all night so I learned about moonshining in Virginia and medicinal marijuana sales in California.  It was a rocking New Year’s Eve.

But on to more important things!! Who’s the lucky winner of the giveaway from Finding Silver Linings Boutique?

Drum roll please……

Congrats Kristen!  E-mail me to claim your set!

Remember you can use the code “IKE15” to save 15% off your order at Finding Silver Linings Boutique!

Baby Model

Our third niece was welcomed to the world a few weeks ago!  Nate’s sister wanted a few newborn pictures but didn’t want to fork over the dough that those fancy photographers are charging.  Nate to the rescue!

During a whirlwind trip of central Iowa, we made a quick stop to capture these precious newborn moments.  Nate is picky about his photos but I think they are fantastic and feel like sharing them.  I’m sure he’s glad I decided to start blogging…

Welcome to the world, Claire Elise!

We were hoping to make it their house during the day so Nate could have some natural light.  That didn’t work out as planned.  We improvised.

A child’s lazy boy (covered in a pink blanket) on the dining room table under the bright chandelier…and an aunt who is an awesome babysitter….

I have a way with the children.

The newborn photo shoot was fun.  It doesn’t hurt when you have an extra cute model. 

Nate kept whining the entire time that he needed a better lens.  Little did he know that it was under the tree at home.  I think he did just fine with his available resources.  Good life lesson.

Anyone have experience with newborn photography?  Anyone have experience with newborns?  They terrify us.  Who wants me to babysit their kids?

**Don’t forget to enter the the fun giveaway from Finding Silver Linings Boutique.  Enter here!**