I was 7 years old. All I could dream about was pulling ALL the Christmas decor bins up out of the ice-cold basement. Oh, to drag the dusty boxes out of the cellar and to place the treasures on every ledge! I had looked at a million copies of Country Living magazine. I knew where each green sprig was going to be placed, where to hang the antique ice skates with red plaid ribbons, where to group the crockery. I knew that no matter what, our tiny Pennsylvania ranch was going to be the coziest Christmas cottage anyone had ever seen.
Mom navigated the hot glue gun and taught me to piece together my first wreath in grade school. Every spring we walked laps around the yard while she named flowers, shrubs and bushes. In middle school I re-arranged the screened porch every week. I read every single Country Living magazine in the old tobacco basket, again. And my passion continued. In high school I took every Honors Art class that I could. While my peers enjoyed Thursday night soccer games, I was at the local auction house bidding on antiques with my waitressing tips. I bought a Wurlitzer baby grand piano at age 16. I hand-painted children's furniture I found in dumpsters. In college I be-friended Ann, a thrift-shop owner in her 60s. I spent weekends decorating her Victorian mansion. She brewed vanilla black tea and we drank it out of old chipped tea cups at her 1800s breakfast table. My mind never stopped. All I wanted to do was create.
This blog was birthed because you need to fast forward my life-tape.
2015. I am married to a wonderful, godly man who is my world. I am a Registered Nurse and my work week is hugging and kissing all of my oncology patients who are fighting for their lives. I have a sweet little daughter who is my legacy. She is an absolute blessing and a complete miracle. She smears bananas and cheerios on my blue breakfast table and I love her to the moon. I am loved by a heavenly Father that never ceases to amaze me. I am blessed.
But in the very back of my mind... I never stop creating, painting, decorating and thinking of how I can share it with YOU. I retreat to the parts of my brain that are mentally sewing not-so-perfect curtains or constructing reclaimed furniture.
So this is sort of a life-long dream. To create, and then share. To inspire, and be inspired. To show you that it really isn't that hard to make your house a home.
To help you use any budget to make your house the most comfortable, beautiful place in the world. Where you and your family can make a million memories and love every moment together.
So let's get to You. You loving your home! You being inspired and excited! Go check out my Instagram or drop me an email. I want to hear from you today!
xoxo,
Ashley