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All Things Home

tips on finding the “rare finds”

We’re been spending a few days at Myrtle Beach and it’s been such a fun time. My boys are really taking to the water, sand and surf. They want to spend every minute at the beach or the pool. It’s been a delight watching the discovery and excitement. I really enjoy the beach, but only aspects of it. I’ve never liked salt water and sand. From the time I was little, I preferred sitting in a 5 gallon bucket filled with hose water over swimming in the ocean. Seriously. The entire ocean was yards away and I would sit in a bucket (with my night-night blanket, sucking my thumb.) I do love the sound of the waves, walking in the surf and combing the beach for treasures, though. The pickings are pretty slim at Myrtle Beach, at least where we are. It’s a popular beach and it has a pretty rough surf,

August 5, 2015 35 Comments

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

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

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

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

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

July 27, 2015 61 Comments

All Things Home

antique blue & white pedal car

I’m not into cars at all. I drive an old van with over 230,000 miles on it and I’m content. I know exactly how many pieces of furniture I can wedge into it. But, if money weren’t an object, and I wanted to spend it on a car that was purely for fun, I would totally get an antique car, probably from the 1940s. I love the rounded fenders and classic lines and I would enjoy cruising around in one immensely. I doubt I’m ever going to have an antique car, but I got the next closest thing – an antique blue and white pedal car. Was this little guy made for me or what?! A blue and white antique toy pedal car. Come on, people. It even has an “M” on the hubcaps! I’ve always liked antique pedal cars, but they are usually pretty pricey, even in this

July 25, 2015 36 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

July 23, 2015 19 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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All Things Home

tips on finding the “rare finds”

eating well made easy | chicken avocado burgers

10 minute decorating | teacup topiaries

one brush. change things.

beginnings of a potting bench

megan’s office | part 1 | the before

antique blue & white pedal car

knack-tastic

next art sale

May 20th, 2026 at 1pm EST

Now Available for Preorder

Move Slow & Make Things

From the Studio

Artful pieces for your home and everyday life.

From the Studio and Home

Shop the Feed

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power washing the patio

painted garden obelisk

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