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Decorating
a slice of life

eating well made easy | chicken avocado burgers

I shared on my Facebook page a couple of weeks ago that dinner is usually one of the first things to “go” when I’m busy.  I actually like cooking, but planning is my downfall.  I like to be “in the mood” for what I make and eat, so I don’t like to plan out a menu.  This becomes problematic at the grocery store when I buy things that I think I might be in the mood for, but then again, maybe I won’t. I’ve learned that if I can get a little help with the planning, I can make a good dinner happen, even on a busy day. So, when Plated asked if I would like to work with them, try out a couple of their meals and share it on my blog, I loved the idea.  This sounds like a service that I would like. Here’s what Plated is… For our first

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August 4, 2015 61 Comments
All Things Home

10 minute decorating | teacup topiaries

It’s time for another 10 minute decorating idea! I partner with a few other bloggers, once a month, to bring an idea you can complete in a few minutes…while dinner is on the stove or as the kids are playing happily. I tend to work on projects that take a lot longer than 10 minutes, so it’s a challenge for me to think of something quick and simple.  Sometimes all we have is 10 minutes, so it’s nice to have those ideas up our sleeves. As I was thinking through what I had on hand and what project I could work on, I remembered a pack of moss I recently purchased for another project.  I’ve always loved topiaries, so I decided to make teacup moss “topiaries”.  And this is more of a 2 minute indoor plant decor idea than a 10 minute one!  (You can keep the change.) Don’t blink or you’ll miss

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July 30, 2015 18 Comments
All Things Home

one brush. change things.

I’ve been sharing little sneak peeks on my Instagram feed and now it’s time for the official announcement… If you didn’t/can’t watch the video, the big announcement is that Shaunna West of Perfectly Imperfect and I have teamed up to create a brand – Parsons West AND our first product is a brush we developed just for paint-loving ladies like ourselves. This all started almost two years ago.  We kicked around the idea of partnering on the development of some products.  Shaunna and her son actually came up to PA to stay with us for a few days as we worked on some ideas. Love this girl @pishaunna A photo posted by Marian aka Miss Mustard Seed (@missmustardseed) on Feb 14, 2014 at 9:59am PS We had a pretty massive snow storm and she was stuck with us a bit longer than expected!  It was time well spent, though. And you

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July 29, 2015 441 Comments
All Things Home

beginnings of a potting bench

This has been the year when gardening finally clicked for me.  I’m not saying I’m great at it, but I’m trying.  I’m working at it…learning, wanting to get better, turning a black thumb to green.  Along with the interest in the garden and plants, I decided to spruce up our outdoor living space as well.  It’s not much…just a deck off the back of the house.  It isn’t covered or screened-in.  It’s just faded deck boards, a simple railing.  I’m working on it bit by bit to bring more of my interior style to the outside. One piece of outdoor furniture I wanted to add was a potting bench.  I already had an old workbench that was in the basement when we bought the house.  It still wears some spray paint overspray, but I plan on introducing those unsightly patches of red to my belt sander.  They don’t stand a

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July 27, 2015 32 Comments
All Things Home

megan’s office | part 1 | the before

My brother called the other day and asked how I was doing after “the post.”  I knew exactly which post he was referring to and you probably do, too.  “I’m really fine!  99% of the comments were constructive and they helped me think through what’s next.” My brother pointed out that it’s time for the next.  “You have been telling a story, as you’ve been working on your home over the years.  Now that your home is pretty much done, that story is coming to an end.  It’s time for a new story, now.”  It was one of those times when someone says something simple, matter-of-fact, but profound. I love the way he phrased that.  It’s not that I’ll never talk about my house again.  There are still finishing touches and you know I can’t help but rearrange some furniture!  But it’s time for some new stories. I felt a bubble of

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July 27, 2015 61 Comments
All Things Home

knack-tastic

I’ve made some really special friends through my blog and one of them is Barb Blair of Knack Studios.  A few years ago, I received a call on my business line.  “Hello?” On the other end was a sweet southern voice that said something like (I’m paraphrasing, here), “My name is Barb Blair and I feel like we should be friends.”  It probably should’ve been a strange call for both of us, but it wasn’t at all.  We hopped right in, like we’ve always been friends. Since then, we’ve talked furniture, blogging, business, brushes, paint, balance, family, photography, book deals…everything.  She’s a kindred spirit and someone I respect like mad. We’ve met a few times in person, but I’ve never been able to visit her on her turf, so Kriste and I stopped by her shop/studio on the way home from Atlanta this week. Her space is a total departure from

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July 23, 2015 19 Comments
All Things Home

evolution of my home | part 8 | the guest room

First of all, thank you so much to all of my readers who have answered my questions from yesterday!  I have been trying to respond to all of them, but I haven’t been able to keep up!  I am reading all of them, though, and I’m taking notes, writing down some ideas and I’m definitely seeing some patterns that confirm some things I’ve been thinking about.  Thanks for being constructive, encouraging, critical, and honest.  It really is helping me and I feel a new excitement about my blog and how I can make it better.  I’ll share more about that once I’ve had time to digest all of the feedback and figure out how to formulate a plan around what I’ve learned.  I am listening, though, and really appreciating the time you have taken to respond.  I was pretty bowled over.  In a good way. For those of you who have

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July 21, 2015 33 Comments
All Things Home

a vintage watering can & the little things

A while ago, I realized I needed a watering can, so I picked up a blue (of course blue) plastic watering can.  Of course, it worked just fine.  It waters plants just as it should.  But I realized that I find joys in the little details of my home.  I didn’t just want to use a watering can that would hold water, but one that makes me smile each time I use it. So, I looked around on Etsy and found an antique metal watering can… …with a screw-on “shower spout”… …and typography on the handle… It’s just a little thing that makes me happy. And, while we’re talking about gardening and finding joy in the little things… …there’s a praying mantis living in one of my plants.  He’s been there for at least a week and, I don’t know why, but it makes me happy that it’s a suitable

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July 20, 2015 26 Comments

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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