This post has been a long time coming. This kitchen took the most time and effort out of any of our home remodel projects. But I love how it turned out and I’m so proud of it.
Let’s take a peek at the “before.”
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I’m both relieved and excited to be able to finally show you all the photos of my husband, George’s office. It’s been three years in the making. Although it’s a rather simple space, it’s taken a while to get right.
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Ok, I know it seems like I just made over this room and I did! (See the old photos here.) But it just wasn’t functioning the way I needed it to. And, TBH, I wasn’t 100 percent happy with the colors.
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Recently I asked my newsletter what they wanted to see from me in 2020 and y’all delivered! I don’t want my blog to be a one-way conversation and I definitely want everyone to know I’m listening, so this post is a response to those comments. And again, thank you for the input!
Here are your responses to the question: What else would you like to see from me?
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Decluttering and ultimately living “a small life” has been the catalyst for changing and improving my entire life.
Decluttering was the first step to:
✔️Saving $30,000 for the downpayment on my small house.
✔️Quitting my soul-sucking job and opening up my own business.
✔️Traveling to places I had only seen on TV.
✔️Reducing my carbon footprint and my reliance on “stuff” to make me happy.
To teach other’s the first step to living a happier life, I’ve just opened the Two Week Declutter Email Course. For each day for 14 days, you’ll receive an email from me with a decluttering task. These tasks will range from decluttering your wardrobe and kitchen to decluttering your obligations and mind.
There’s no forum, nowhere to login and no complicated B.S. This is designed to be a simple email course, so you can focus on the important work of decluttering your home.
For the next week, I’m offering the course at the introductory rate of $27. That’s less than the price of a Target impulse-buy. I’m offering it at this price against the advice of a business coach because I understand what it’s like to not have much money, but still need help from a professional. After the next week, I’ll be raising the price.
If you’re ready to commit to change, click here. If you’re hesitating or have questions, feel free to send me an email or ask in the comments below and I’ll get right back to ya!
Let’s make 2020 our happiest year yet!
Melanie
Last year my New Year’s resolution was to explore the Low Waste (or zero waste) Lifestyle. And I’ve definitely done that. I’ve given up paper towels. I’ve been composting. I’ve been eating less meat and I’ve been attempting to use less plastic. It’s not been an easy journey, but I’ve been learning.
Over this last year it’s become abundantly clear that waste is everywhere, but it’s especially obvious over the holidays. Did you know that, “Americans throw away 25% more trash during the Thanksgiving to New Year’s holiday period than any other time of year“?
One thing I don’t want to give up is decorating for the holidays. It’s fun, it’s festive and it makes me happy. But I know that we can decorate in more eco-friendly ways. Here’s a few ideas:
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I’m not a big cookie person. To be honest, I’d rather go elbow deep in a bowl of buttery, salty popcorn, but it’s almost Christmas, which to me means making feast day cookies.
Feast Day cookies are a Pueblo tradition handed down from my grandma, to my mom and then to me. (My Grandma also has the best salsa recipe.) Feast Day cookies were made on feast days like Easter, Kings’ Day and Christmas.
These cookies probably aren’t traditional “cookies.” They aren’t what you’re used to. The Pueblo Feast Day Cookies are similar to snickerdoodles, but they aren’t very sweet. These are the cookies of poor people. To give you an idea: I once asked my grandma what The Depression was like on the reservation and she said she didn’t even know it happened, that’s how poor they were. When I bake these, I think of her.
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As much as I love the cooler days of fall, I do not love the days getting shorter and night falling at 5:00 PM.
But instead of sitting around under a blanket and complaining about it, this year I’ve decided to embrace the change and implement a few simple ways to make my home cozier.
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It’s fall in the mountains which means everyone and their mother (literally) want to come up to Asheville and leaf-peek, hike, eat and drink.
And I get it, my home is beautiful– especially when the leaves turn. I often get asked for recommendations on places to hike and things to eat and drink. I love to get outdoors, but admittedly I am a bit of a hermit and I don’t eat out much. But I do have a few favorites! Here goes!
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Our small home’s living room makeover is three years in the making. As much as I love a good HGTV style flip, this wasn’t it.
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