Christmas Tree Ideas

Happy Friday friends!  Thank you for the great feedback on my last Blog Talk post! That question is truly important before starting your own blog and one I wish I would have asked myself when I began blogging.

With Christmas decorating just around the corner, now is the time to snag a faux (or real) Christmas tree, whatever your preference is!  This year I'm leaning toward a faux tree after dealing with some dry trees, dropping needles, and little bugs. I think I'm ready to make the switch!

Before diving into these beautiful and inspiring Christmas Trees, a few recommended places to check out Christmas trees online, with GREAT search features for height, width, pre-lit or no, flocked (which are going out of stock quickly!), etc. are:

Hayneedle 

Wayfair (real and potted Christmas trees available)

Amazon (recommend Balsam Hill)

Joss & Main

I can't wait to start decorating our cozy little beach house for the holidays! 

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I hope these help spur some ideas for your own Christmas tree this holiday season! I can't wait to decorate our home for the holidays!

Last but not least, below are some favorite items to decorate your Holiday home! Also, many online retailers have already launched many Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals!  It's easy to get overwhelmed, so go in with a LIST and a BUDGET!! You got this!! :-D

Don't forget the reason for the season and to have fun with all of it!

Wayfair: up to 80% off! (woohoo!)

Joss & Main

Overstock

Amazon

xo,

Anneke

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HOLIDAY HOME PICKS

Blog Talk: What Every Potential Blogger Must Ask Themselves FIRST

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Hello beautiful friends! As someone who has been blogging for 4-5 years, I'm certainly an advocate because I think it's AMAZING!

BUT........

It wasn't always like that for me.

I started my blog on a complete whim without any prior knowledge of blogging or even following other blogs. I just wanted to share what I knew about painting furniture to help other people! Looking back I can't believe I've made it this far, but tenacity has a way of getting you places, right?!

On this week's Blog Talk via Facebook LIVE, I shared briefly about the one question every potential blogger must ask themselves before starting a blog. The question I never asked myself until years into it, and a question that made all the difference.

Because of my negative experiences (because of my lack of knowledge) in my first years of blogging, and the process I went through to turn it around, I'm happy to help others get started on the right foot with a good foundation to their blog.

Now, anyone who has an interest in starting a blog typically has a mix of fears and excitement about the process and possibilities and this is completely NORMAL.

I do believe that no matter what dreams and goals you are pursuing, asking this ONE QUESTION before creating and launching your blog will give you greater clarity into how you actually want to do "this whole blogging thing".

It's simple, but profound.

The question simply is.........

 

"What do I want?"

What do I want in life?

What am I hoping to gain by starting this blog?

Why does this matter to me?

Does pursuing the launch of this kind of blog support the life I want to live?

How do I want to structure and operate my blog in order to support what I want in life? 

Listen. The great thing about owning and running your own blog is that you call the shots.  You set your hours. You work where you want to work.  You choose the people you work with. It's amazing!

At the same time it's easy to get sucked into the "what everyone else is doing" trap. You may start to get bogged down because you "have" to post so many times per week. You "have" to have these certain things on your website.  

You can literally make a job for yourself taking care of all the "have to's" and forgetting the heart of why you ever even began.

I know because that used to be me.

Late late nights. Overwhelmed with emails and social media comments. Grumpy at my kiddos for lack of sleep. Not prioritizing work outs and time with friends. Waiting for that next big break.

Addressing this one questions will help you begin your blog on a solid foundation from the get-go.

Here is an example of what I want in life is, and that I've created my blog to support this:

• Time with my family.
• To be well rested.
• To feel strong and healthy.
• To earn an income from work I enjoy.
• To help others with problems and saving them time and money.
• To have fun with design and style - things I enjoy!
• To talk about deeper topics occasionally.
• To create and savor the process of creating - not feeling rushed.
• To be able to listen to my kids, look them in the eye, and be completely focused on what they're saying to me, without thinking of a million "to-dos" in my head.
• To take time off and completely unplug from technology and not feel stressed out about it.

This list will look different for every single person who goes through this simple exercise.

What would your list look like?  Are your current goals supporting that list? I'd love to know in the comments below.

xo,

Anneke

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P.S. Interested in starting a blog of your own. Grab my FREE Guide below!

Where To Find Wall Paper Online

With wallpaper on the rise as a go-to design option, whether it be an entire room, a statement wall, an upper half of a wall, and even for lining dresser drawers, the drawer face or back of a hutch, there are a variety of GREAT online resources to find the perfect wall covering for your home.

I'd recommend browsing Pinterest for inspiration to better determine what kind of look you are going for.  From a classic grasscloth wallpaper  (alternative) to a colorful pop of pattern, the options are truly endless.

Below are just a handful of great resources for you to find the perfect wall paper.

1. Anthropologie.

If you're looking for rich colors, beautiful designs and patterns, and quality, Anthropologie offers some stunning wall coverings. This one is a favorite and comes in 5 color options. Are you surprised as a coastal loving gal that Navy would be my preference? ;-)

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2. Amazon.

The online site you can find anything and everything is no exception to wall paper.  I find so much of what I need on Amazon and can usually get it within two days with my Prime membership.  When I search for options, I usually look for Prime available with at least a 4-star rating and great return policy if it's not quite what I thought it would be.

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3. Joss & Main.

When keeping a watchful eye, Joss & Main is perfect for scoring what you want for just a little less in a flash sale. The selection is plentiful without being overwhelming which is nice.

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4. Serena & Lily.

Anything from Serena & Lily is sure to be high quality, with a coastal chic vibe to it.  The herringbone wallpaper below is a perfect example of what they have to offer.

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5. WallPaper Direct.

If you're looking to browse through literally thousands of options and the thought of that does not overwhelm you, WallPaper Direct is your place to check out.  They have a pretty good search feature to narrow down the options for you. Just be sure to double check the type of wall paper (i.e. how it should be installed) and the return policy.

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6. Nordstrom.

This one surprised me, but since I shop at Nordstrom's so much for clothing and accessories, I had to check just to see.  Their options are limited compared to others sites, but I loved the selection they offer, not to mention I've always loved their return policy for items that may not work out (this is HUGE when shopping online).

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7. Wayfair.

Last of all, I'd recommend checking through the options for wall coverings on Wayfair.  Their selection is HUGE and they include quality brands like this one from Graham & Brown.

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A few other's worth noting are Target, Overstock, and Hayneedle. There are a ton of great options out there!  If you're new to wall paper and installing it yourself, I'd suggest a removable peel an stick version to start with.

Above all, have fun with it! It's an amazing and affordable way to make a HUGE impact in the look and feel of a room. 

xo,

Anneke

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Blog Talk: 5 Reasons Why You SHOULD Start a Blog

Hi friends! It's been a while since I've done a Blog Talk around these parts, but after several requests, I'm reinstating it as a weekly topic. 

When people hear the word "blog" or "blogging", they may have a very specific idea about what it is or it can sound extremely vague.

The truth is there are ALL different kinds of blogs, bloggers, and niches out there and getting a blog up and running can be a little intimidating. Another truth is that it is NOT for everyone.

Tackling this weekly topic is an opportunity for me to pay it forward and help you learn from my experiences and mistakes - and possibly some awesome blogging friends of mine!

So today's topic is focusing on reasons why you SHOULD start a blog. If you have a question (or two) for future posts, I'd love to know!

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1. You have ideas and information that you want to share with people.

Mind blown I'm sure, but really......a blog is simply a place to share information with other people to inspire, motivate, teach, encourage, entertain, or save them time and money.  If you were to start a blog, what ideas do you want to share?  Do you truly believe in them??  Then a blog is a great place to "put it out there"! Plus, it's YOUR website that you own!

2. A blog is a catalyst for future growth.

We have no way of knowing what the future holds and how things will change, but one thing is certain, change will be a part of a blog.  As your blog grows and evolves, it can be what leads you to opportunities you made not have had otherwise.  Blogging has the potential to be a stellar resume of sorts and a stepping stone to that next big thing.

3. You want to work from home and have a flexible schedule.

Not everyone has the discipline and ability to schedule and manage themselves to run a blog, but if you do, blogging provides an amazing degree of flexibility. You are literally in charge of your schedule!  If you are a natural planner or willing to learn and set systems in place, you'll be successful in blogging.

4. You own a business and want to use your website to bring in more clients or customers.

The majority of businesses who utilize a blog gain more traffic than those that don't.  Whether you're a small business owner who creates handmade goods or offer services such as a photographer, florist, or designer, it's a great way to help your potential client or customer get to know you and build a trusting relationship.

5. The earning potential is HUGE.

Now I'm not going to lie and say that blogging is a way to "get rich quick".  In fact, for most it takes months of hard work and dedication to build a foundation and grow their audience and influence. That CAN be you with a plan and patience!

Building a business online has the potential to reach like-minded people all over the world, people who love you, what you have to share, and want to buy from you.  Connecting and making a positive impact on people who "get you" are the fringe benefits! 

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I hope you guys find this "new" series helpful!  If you haven't grabbed my FREE ebook on starting a blog, you can download it by clicking below.  

I wrote this after realizing how I was blogging "all wrong" and wanted to share what I learned to turn it around. :-)

xo,

Anneke

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