Move-it Monday: The most popular 5D5W posts of 2012

Round these parts for Move-it Monday, we like to talk about exercise or tackling projects or, sometimes, just simply moving stuff around.

But sometimes, it’s fun to look, not at what needs to be done, but at what’s already been done.

And so, in the grand tradition of year-end blogging, I give you: Five days…5 ways’ top 10 most popular posts of 2012.

{In reverse order}

10.

Trying to Believe it Tuesday

Not too surprisingly—since this was definitely the year of the twin around these parts—my {shocked and shocking} announcement that there were not one but TWO baby girls in my belly grabbed your attention and squeaked onto the list at #10.

#9

Della’s Big Girl Room {Plan}

You were also pretty big fans of my plans for Della’s big girl room. And I promise that I’ve done more than just plan. Almost every element from the idea-board above is in place in her room, but the finishing touches are my nemesis. I’m great at getting rooms 85% of the way done, and then the thought of getting all the details just so pretty much wears me out. I promise a Della Big Girl Room Reveal very soon, though. Pinky promise, in fact.

#8

The 30 Minute Goodwill Challenge {Round 3}

It’s a little weird to think that I was 3 months pregnant with the twins in this pic (how time has flown!). But that’s not really the point of this post. The point was that I got that fun outfit (plus quite a few others) in a 30 minute speed-thrifting session at Goodwill. And you guys like it!

#7

The Twins’ Birth Story

Honestly, I would have been a little miffed if this hadn’t made the top 10, After all, I carried those little girls for 39 weeks and 4 excruciating days and was in labor with them for 5 days (sort of). So, you darn well better have liked the story of how they finally made their entrance! : )

#6

The Upstairs Bathroom Reveal

I think this was my only room reveal of 2012, which makes me a terrible home-blogger. Good thing I never claimed to be one.  But considering that it’s squarely in the middle of the list, I guess I’d better get after finishing up all the details of my many 85% done rooms because you guys obviously are fans of the room reveal. (Me too, by the way).

#5

The 30 Minute Goodwill Challenge {Round 1}

This was the inaugural run (sort of literally) of this crazy speed-thrifting experiment of mine, and even I can’t believe all the good loot I scored!

#4

How to Paint a Dryer

Since I’m going backwards, I’m kind of stealing the thunder from my #1 post, but you guys seemed to appreciate the sequel as well.

#3

How to Build a House From Scratch

It kind of blew my mind when I actually typed out the process that went through to transform a tree-clogged wilderness into our dream home, using nothing but our bare hands and a hammer (okay, so maaaaaaybe there might have been a few more tools involved), but even now, I am amazed that God has blessed us with such an amazing place to live.

#2

Anthropologie Trinket and Treasure Candlestick Knock-off

I don’t know what y’all liked most about this post—was it my rambly diatribe about what a penny-pinching skinflint I am, the fact that I made these candlesticks for $5 each when Anthro wanted $400 (fooooooour huuuuuundred????), or was it the actual candlesticks themselves? Who knows? But they came in at #2 on the list. So you must’ve liked something.

AAAAAAAAND the #1 most popular 5D5W post from the illustrious year of 2012 was {drum roll, please}:

#1

How to Paint a Washing Machine

There was no competition here, folks. In fact, if you’d have put this post up there against any of the others, it would have been a blogging bloodbath. At least so say 50,000 repins on Pinterest (you can follow me here).

So, were there any trends?

Yup.

You liked it when I talked about twins, ran like a crazy woman through Goodwill, and showed you bits and pieces of my house—all of which are pretty representative of who I am.

Well done, you.

I can’t even begin to express how much I’ve loved getting to know you guys over the last year and sharing my life with you, and I look forward to many more fun thrifting, DIY-ing, twin-picture displaying adventures to come!

HAPPY New Year!

I leave you with these words of encouragement as you enter 2013:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

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Feature Friday FREE-FOR-ALL {#47}

Well, folks, after 5 (FIVE!!) gift exchanges (friends, great g-ma’s, my parents’, his parents’, and our own “little” family’s), Christmas is finally officially done around here.

And it was grand—eating, movie-watching (the Hobbit…I liked it, but I didn’t love it), naps, eating, game-playing, eating, hanging with our favorite people, and, yes, more eating.

It was one of the more epic Christmas experiences we’ve had yet, enhanced, I’m sure, by the addition of these little sweeties:

Two words: baby cheeks!!!

We pretty much all made out like bandits.

I got this little beauty (among other fun stuff):

…the boys got about 5 gajillion of these:

NANO BUGS! They’re overtaking my house! (Even as I type, there is the rumble of electronic bugs as Simon zooms them around that track). The boys are absolutely over-the-moon!

And, although I somehow failed to take a picture of it, the fact that Della practically couldn’t tear herself away from her new dollhouse (thanks grandma and grandpa!) to, oh, you know, eat (she’s still in diapers, so at least she didn’t have to deal with the nuisance of potty breaks) tells me that she might have been just a little pleased.

I could go on, but, really, I just wanted to pop in and say, hey! we more than survived our first Christmas with 5 (FIVE!!) kids, thanks to the love and care of some amazing family and friends. Sometimes, I can’t help but stand still and shake my head at the incredible blessings that God has showered on our life.

I certainly hope that your Christmas season was equally sweet and filled with life, and I look forward to sharing more with you in—what??!—2013. Craz.i.ness.

And you know what else I’m looking forward to?

Whatever you want to share at this week’s party.

Link it up, people!

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MERRY {early} CHRISTMAS!

I plan on being entirely too busy and/or affected by a food-induced coma to be able to post tomorrow, so I figured I would pop in a bit early and wish all you lovely folks a very Merry Christmas.

And leave you with a few shots of what our weekend before Christmas looked like—Instagram-style (I’m obsessed!).

…a gift exchange with our family’s besties (she’s mine, her husband is my husband’s, and their kids are our kids’…it works out quite well), cookie-making, last minute shopping, crafting, “campouts” on the back patio…

It’s been fantastic!

(If you look closely, you’ll see that we even managed to knock everything off last Thursday’s fun to-do list—except the Christmas craft; it got replaced with a rousing round of Mario Kart Wii, which, when you have little boys, is a welcome substitute).

Hope you managed to wedge in a boatload of fun these last few days as well!

Merry CHRISTmas to all, and God bless us, every one!

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Feature Friday FREE-FOR-ALL {#46}

First all, have you entered our big accessories giveaway? Entries close on Christmas Eve, which means you might just end up with a little something extra fun for Christmas if you are one our (25!!!!) winners.

{Click the image to be taken to the giveaway post}

Yesterday, after my “Christmas to-do list” post, I figured I’d better jump right on it with the most important of the items—and that would be COOKIES!!

Clearly, we decided to go with the classic Christmas colors of blue and…snot green?? Mmmm, yummy.

{If you are just dying to know how we reached this appetizing conclusion, you can check out the blow-by-blow on Instagram or Facebook}

Well, folks, it’s the last Feature Friday FREE-FOR-ALL before Christmas, which means one last round of awesome Christmassy features.

You guys rocked it with…

1. Christmas home tour from Zu Haus at Home

2. 5 DIY Christmas Garlands from Made in a Day

3. A red and white Christmas mantel from Meeha Meeha

4. Christmas home tour from Creatively Living

5. Waterless Snow Globes from the DIY Dreamer

6. DIY Wrapping Paper Tutorials from The Thinking Closet

7. Washi Tape Holiday Wall Hanging from Making Home Base

8. Gingerbread Caramel Popcorn from It’s Just Laine

And now it’s time to see what you’ve gotten up to between the gift-wrapping and the eggnog drinking!

Link it up!

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5 Things Thursday: Christmas To-do List

This year, I was so determined that we would really get our Christmas on—caroling, movie-watching, tree-decorating, cookie-making—the works.

Last year was my first blogging Christmas, and Shaun was traveling a lot, so, even though I had several projects to show you, and we went through the motions of some “fun” activities, I was usually too busy getting things ready, staging them, and then taking pictures to ever fully relax.

Well, this year, while I haven’t felt particularly stressed to accomplish too much Christmassy here on the blog, neither have I felt very successful in the “fun” department.

Yes, we got our tree up. 

{Pardon the blurry Instagram photo; I have recently started drinking that Koolaid, by the way, and you’re welcome to follow along if you like}

And, yes, we’ve watched A Muppets’ Christmas Carol and a few other classics.

But too often, bedtime rolls around, and I think, “Holy jeepers, where did that day go?”

Take last night for example. We were supposed to go look at Christmas lights. Shaun drove into town to meet up with us at Chick-fil-a, where we proceeded to take up two whole booths (good thing it wasn’t Kids Eat Free night) and do the craziness that is eating out with 5 small children—all in preparation for some hot chocolate and neighborhood Christmas light trolling.

Problem was, it was 75 degrees outside, so ho cho was out of the question—not to mention the fact that I was still hot and sticky from teaching a double at the gym (I brought clothes to change into but didn’t really allow for the fact that teaching two hours means that I will have: a) hungry twins, and b) no childcare time left, which makes a shower and clothes-change pretty much impossible). Plus, by the time everybody had eaten their food (or, in Della’s case, two measly bites of chicken + a few pieces of fruit) and I had fed the twins and the three oldest had logged a few minutes of germ-coated bliss in the play area…it was already 8 o’ clock.

So, instead, we traded our toys in for ice cream, and I brought the kids home and put them in bed while Shaun stopped at the grocery store for some essentials.

And that, my friends, is how life usually goes around here.

Now, I could continue in a philosophical vein about how none of that stuff really matters and how it has nothing to do with the true meaning of Christmas anyway.

And that would be true.

But, even so, there are still 4 days until the actual day, and, by golly, I’m going to do my best to stuff them full of fun and memories.  (I always was a talented procrastinator).

Starting with:

1.

Christmas cookie decorating.

I imagine I’ll be posting evidence of our disasters results later on today on Instagram and our Facebook page.

2. 

Christmas lights.

Yes, we’re running at this again tonight. Thanks to a severe storm that briefly killed our power last night, we now have ho cho weather to enjoy as we take in the twinkle lights.

3.

At least one Christmas craft with the kids.

{And, yes, that means that we haven’t done a single one yet; and, yes, I know I’m a horrible mother}

4.

A viewing of White Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Life…preferably after the kids are in bed, and I can watch it on our “big screen” (courtesy of our projector and a blank wall in the “big room”), snuggled next to my hubby.

5.

A special Christmas breakfast (though not on Christmas day).

We did this last year, and it was a lot of fun (and super-yummy). It’s one of the few things that our kids asked specifically for a repeat of this year.

So, now I’m curious…what Christmas activities are you hoping to cram into the hours between now and Tuesday?

P.S. Don’t forget about this:

 

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Wardrobe Wednesday: A Christmassorizing GIVEAWAY!!

Never let it be said that I do not love to accessorize.

{Because I do}

And I like to share what I love with others.

Which is why, today, we’re having a great BIG accessories giveaway to the tune of 25 winners and $600 in prizes!

Here’s the deal (yo!):

ONE lucky grand prize winner will receive this Diamond pendant from Helzberg Diamonds”

INFINITY X INFINITY™ Diamond Pendant in Sterling Silver

$99.99

AND a $25 gift certificate to Firmoo Global online optical store.

And then 24 MORE of you will also win a $25 gift certificate toward your favorite pair of fashion, prescription, or even sunglasses from Firmoo.com

(Did you enjoy my subtle Christmas color reference?)

So, you can accessorize to your little hearts’ content.

The pretty pendant is part of one of Helzberg Diamond’s new collections called INFINITY X INFINITY, which features super-affordable and pretty pieces like these two beauties:

INFINITY X INFINITY™ Diamond Ring in Sterling Silver

$99.99

 

INFINITY X INFINITY™ Diamond Earrings in Sterling Silver

$99.99

…as well others in a higher price range (up to $999.99).

This piece happens to be my favorite:

INFINITY X INFINITY™ 1/5 ct. tw. Diamond Necklace in Sterling Silver

$399.99

And Firmoo.com offers a variety of fun frames (some of them starting at $8!) and even lets you order your first pair FREE…

so you’re sure to find something you love with your $25 gift certificate.

I’m personally a fan of these:

and, if I were feeling especially sassy, these:

(I think I may just need to nab a pair of these as sunglasses)

And, since I love color, these red ones would be pretty fun as an alternative to my usual frames.

To win our accessories extravaganza, simply enter using the easy Rafflecopter form below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Merry (early) Christmas!!

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Try-it Tuesday: Spray Painted Twigmas Tree

Last week, during an ill-advised trip to Hancock Fabrics with all 5 kids (tiny baskets that barely hold one car seat, much less two, breakable objects everywhere, nothing intentionally entertaining for small children…yeah, not particularly smart), I came across these pretty ornaments.

I loved the delicate lacy pattern, reminiscent of snowflake designs, so much so that, after deciding against them even though I’d stood there staring at them for 5 full minutes while keeping my two-year-old from smashing every one of the (156) fragile objects within her reach…I finally had to come back to them (after finding the rest of the things I needed, waiting while Simon put back all the spools of thread he was busy “admiring,” and peeling Della off the ground where she’d prostrated herself in a fit of passion at not being allowed to buy and consume three bags of Sour Patch Kids).

They don’t match my tree at all (the tree link is old, but, considering that my kids decorated the tree this year while I fed babies and wept watched, it’s a better representation of our tree’s true colors).

But they were 60% off (before Christmas!!), I loved them, and there were only 10 left, so into my basket they went.

Of course, then I had to find something to do with them.

So, I decided to go with something we have an abundance around here, and that would be sticks.

Plus, they’re free, so after many careful calculations, I came up with the conclusion that 60% off + FREE = a very cheap Christmas decoration. Now, that’s my kind of math!

Okay, so the spray paint wasn’t free, but I did already have it in my stash, so it felt free.

I left the rubber band on while I coated my twigs with glossy white and then dug around in my collection of vases until I found one that would work.

I pilfered the Epsom salt from the votive displays from this past summer’s dinner party, then hung my ornaments wherever I could find a branch to hold them.

And this is the end result.

It took less than 30 minutes.

And it adds waaaaaay more than 30 minutes worth of sparkle and prettiness to the bench nook in my living room.

If you’ve got any sticks lying around to make your own twigmas tree, I heartily recommend it.

Love.

Trees are, by far, my favorite Christmas decoration, not only because they’re pretty (and versatile!), but because they are such a tangible reminder of the reason Jesus came to this earth as a little baby.

Associating the tree that he died on with his birth might seem like a macabre way to celebrate Christmas, but, really, it’s the most hopeful symbol I can think of.

Why? Because he didn’t stay dead on that tree, and his final sacrifice is my ultimate salvation.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

What’s your favorite Christmas decoration?

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Move-it Monday: Sheila’s DIY Home Sweet Home

For Move-it Monday, I’ve got some serious DIY eye-candy for you that’s bound to inspire you to get moving on your next project.

I mentioned on Friday when I showed you some of the details from my friend, Jolinda’s, baby shower, that I’d also be sharing some more photos of our hostess, Sheila’s, house.

{There she is, third from the left}

When Sheila and her husband bought their home, it had already undergone a major renovation—new floors, new paint, a completely updated kitchen (with tricked out features like a double wall oven, a major range, a warming drawer, a wine fridge, and a double trash drawer…so jelly!), glass cloth wallpaper, and so on.

{As much as I love color, it’s hard to argue with the beauty of creamy cabinetry against dark granite}

Practically the only thing they changed was the color of the walls in the dining area.

But that didn’t stop Sheila from adding her own personal touches to an already lovely home. And best of all, she did it on a budget with the help of some serious DIY elbow grease.

Take, for example her buffet.

With new coats of paint, two mismatched Goodwill lamps help anchor a fun display that features oversized fruit in complementary shades of green…

…and a simple, yet impactful, display of empty bottles corralled in a pretty tray.

The buffet, itself, is a Goodwill find that got a distressed paint + stain treatment from Sheila. Nicely done, right?

And the DIY doesn’t stop there.

Sheila is a crafting and pillow-making queen, including that pretty Pottery Barn flower pillow knock-off (and the matching zig-zag one beside). She salvages most of her pillow forms from cheapies at Goodwill, and although she is admittedly a novice sewer who mostly uses straight lines and tackles simple projects, her creativity has made a major impact on her home’s décor—proof that you don’t have to spend a lot of money or have advanced seamstress skills to be your own interior designer.

One of my favorite of her projects is this fun, DIY tassel tree (below).

I do believe you will see this one on a Try-it Tuesday very soon.

Another particularly cool touch is their DIY Christmas tree, which she and her husband made at a time when they didn’t have money for a fancier version and have used ever since. Honestly, for her house, I like it better. It’s unique and sparkly and just plain awesome!

 

This gallery wall is another fantastic example of décor that is pretty and meaningful (love how she mixed in elements like the bird hook, the “family” sign, and the candle holder among the frames).

Built-ins are wonderful, but they’re even better when you add creative touches like old window frames, jute baskets, chalkboard signs, and vases filled with sheet music.

Even something as simple as mismatched numbers make basket storage for books and other knickknacks so much cuter.

Pretty much everywhere you turn in Sheila’s house, there’s something pretty to look at.

And, as much as she loves a good bargain, she also knows when to splurge on statement pieces, like this tufted overstuffed chair from Pier 1 that she used one year’s birthday money to buy.

Isn’t Sheila’s house just a feast for the eyes?

And here’s my most favorite part of all!

In the course of my asking her questions about this and that and discovering that she was a thrifting, Goodwilling girl after my own heart, Sheila mentioned that she had never even considered going to Goodwill before she met Jolinda—instead constraining most of her bargain-hunting to deal-friendly stores like Ross and Home Goods.

But Jolinda converted her.

And do you know who converted Jolinda?

Yep, that’s right. Yours truly! (With the help of Mandy, whom I also convinced to give Goodwill a chance).

{It’s like six degrees of separation—Goodwill style!}

So…that sort of, kind of, in a round about way, means that I helped Sheila get obsessed with thrifting, which, in turn, probably saved her a wad of decorating cash.

And that makes me just plain happy!

It’s the little things…

And now I really must stop jabbering about all the cool stuff that somebody else has made and attempt to finish something on my own list.

Time to get a move on!

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