I know these lists typically happen on Fridays, but today I am scooting out to Nashville for a girl’s trip so I thought I’d bring the happy early. Thank you to so many of you for celebrating with me and the generous gifts to the Ehlers-Foundation! I raised $910 and the campaign is open for two more weeks, if you feel inclined to share a small donation in excuse of this special day. It has been such a great way to raise funds for a cause that is dear to our family. Thank you for all the generous gifts and birthday messages! I can admit that I was a weepy mess this week- just so thankful for my people and what God has given us.
Before I start with the happy list, I thought I would share this post with you today (in case you didn’t see it). One thing I’m working on is being more honest about my own journey and that means owning some of the shame that I have struggled with in my life. The response to this (publicly and privately) made me realize how important it is for EVERYONE to hear this.
If this is your struggle, please know that it was mine too. I get SO many emails from people wanting to start things and living in the fear that they don’t have anything to share, the fear of failure, and the fear that their voice doesn’t matter. This post I shared yesterday made me think about the labels we give ourselves, or maybe our family or friends have given us, and the importance of not owning that and creating an identity around it. That doesn’t have to be your label. It just DOESN’T.
If you are carrying around that weight and shame or paralyzed with a fear of failure, please, please consider counseling! I was anti-counseling for a long time and then I went and I realized the reason I didn’t want to go is because I didn’t want to work on me. It has transformed my path so much to hear some of my own words echoed back to me and to contemplate the why in the labels I carry around.
For those of you that trusted me to share what you are struggling with- thank you! The things I post aren’t because I am so awesome at life, they are because I need to be reminded of these things just as much as you.
Let’s move on…how about some happy?
P.S.- See what made me happy this year and my word for 2018!
Unreal Birthday Happiness
My husband is definitely upping the game for his gifts for his 40th after his birthday surprises yesterday. The love and thought that went into the gifts was so sweet that I had to share it with you.
Did I mention he’s an incredible web designer and we are art junkies? Since we do the want-need-wear-read gifts for the holidays, he wanted to do 4 gifts for my 40th with the same themes. The need was a laptop since mine was on its last leg and a girl has to have that if she wants to write a blog. The wear was the cute necklace that you can sort of see peeking out in the first picture.
The real surprises though just blew me away.
It’s no secret that I am obsessed with Mary Poppins. In fact, when we went to Disney and met Mary Poppins, I started bawling.
I know this isn’t the real Mary Poppins, but I love her so much.
I was kind of like this, but a lot less adorable.
That’s why the Read gift was so special…
This is my Mary Poppins book. A first edition that he had been working to secure this year. Not only did he do that, but he watched a ton of YouTube to figure out how to clean it and had it wrapped in the appropriate paper and a box so it won’t fade from the sun. Isn’t this the coolest thing EVER?
Also, this guy. I mean it, he is the real deal. I know I brag about him a lot, but only because it is true.
But, wait, there’s more.
I am OBSESSED with Janet Hill. We have seven of her prints in our house and I never get tired of looking at them.
I subscribe to her notifications for original work, but as soon as it is listed, it is gone in about five minutes flat. This is no exaggeration, she is that good and coveted.
This guy actually snagged one of her originals, called Lady Luck, and gifted it to me as my Want.
I repeat, he got one of her paintings before anyone got to it (a nearly impossible feat).
There is something so different about seeing a real painting versus the prints. I am madly in love with this and that the message around it is about hope and luck for the future. Who could use a little of that this year?
A birthday card from Janet Hill (I mean SERIOUSLY?) was the icing on the cake.
And now I am sweating about his birthday next year because who the heck could top this?
Truly, the most special day ever.
My Transformation Table
I am SO excited to show you my incredibly cool coffee table that I got. First I just want to say that I plan to spray paint the legs when it is warmer because the finish doesn’t match our house, but it will when the paint can actually dry.
I found this table and it is SO amazing that I had to share it with you because it is a small space lover’s dream!
This table can be a coffee table, like I have shown you above, but it is has a handy lever that allows the table to move up and down so it is height adjustable. You can adjust it to any height and then swivel the lever to lock it in place. The adjustments can all be done one-handed and the lever moves easily.
Here I have pulled it up to show you how it can narrow and adjust to a table for my laptop or, let’s be more honest, a good old-fashioned TV tray.
But that’s not all…
It turns into a DINING TABLE FOR SIX.
We keep a stack of these metal chairs in the corner of our living room for the kids and their friends to play video games. These chairs fit comfortably around the table and now we have two tables for our lower level, giving us seating for ten people in our little space in our family room (!!!). I do a lot of entertaining and love hosting our Thanksgiving meal so now we will have a place for everyone without the hassle of hauling folding tables up and down the steps.
I have learned the beauty in buying really smart small space furniture over the years. This piece is a workhorse in our bathroom, these replaced mirrors on the walls (can’t believe that price because I paid a heck of a lot more!), stackable chairs are my jam, this helps our small bedrooms gain more storage, and this foldable item is unreal awesome if you don’t want to overhaul your kitchen for an island (be sure to use your coupon!).
I have been wanting this table for a really long time and took the plunge when I saw this incredible price on it PLUS you can use your Bed, Bath, & Beyond coupon on it. If you haven’t signed up for their coupons yet, it is worth it. If you use this link, it will help us pay for our table because I didn’t realize we were broke from my birthday (hahaha!)
I know it isn’t the prettiest piece in our house, but I have plans to do a little painting when the weather warms up. For now, it is just perfect as is and is already being used for date nights at home, board game nights, tackling work, and I look forward to entertaining my friends around it!
Unlocking Highest Hipster Levels (With Plants)
Say hello to my first Fiddle Leaf Fig. My girlfriend happened to find these at HOME DEPOT and sent me a picture to let me know that these were under $20!!
I feel like I have unlocked another hipster level in my game by owning one of these. I got some great advice on caring for this plant. Please pray for it while I’m on vacation. I am hoping to keep this plant alive for a long time. Not sure what the fuss is all about with the Fiddle Leaf Figs? You might enjoy this piece on how this plant became this year’s “it” plant!
I wish I could chat with you more, but I have some packing to do! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and thank you again for all the birthday love! It has been one for the books!
xoxo
*this post may contain affiliate links- I only recommend what I love though. Check out past editions of It’s the 3 Little Things!