I was clearing some pictures off my computer and found these random pics from the past year. I was going to erase them, but I figured you probably need to see what life is normally like amidst diy projects. Enjoy….or cringe??

I knew I wanted Emily from Remodeling this Life to join our favorite things this year, because she just doesn’t focus on things.

In her own words: “I try to focus on what the beauty of choosing to live simply results in – more time to spend with the ones I love, doing the things I love.”

If I get a bit overwhelmed with the pace and tone in the blogosphere, Emily’s blog is my one of my go-to sighs of relief and calm. You can get to know Emily on her About page and read more about her family’s story of replacing debt and stuff with simplicity and frugality.

Here are a few posts that I love:

Enjoy Things As They Are

Okay, here is the before when we first moved in:

and here it is today.

Can I just show pictures today and we’ll talk more about details, price, tutorials in some posts coming up?

Because I’ve got Christmas stuff I’m working on and you can pretty much see what we kept and what we changed. AND… I’ll show you some gritty-during the process-not pretty-maybe you don’t want to paint your kitchen pictures too~promise.

These are not real, everyday pictures. They are beauty wannabe-magazine shots that are fun to take, but really don’t reflect everyday life around here. Just wanted to give that disclaimer…

Don’t you love befores and afters?

Happy Monday~I’m jealous of you that are getting snow! Our first Favorite Things guest will be here tomorrow~