Today is the day!! It’s the official book launch day for Feels Like Home!
This book is over two years in the making, so it’s so exciting that it’s finally out into the world. I’m also thrilled to share that the audiobook version is now available to listen to a preview and download. I’ll share more about the process of recording an audiobook and why we made one for a decorating book in a future post.
I had a little fun with some confetti to celebrate the launch of Feels LIke Home, a project that I am so proud of. I’ve shared before that I think this book is some of the best work I’ve ever done. (And, I feel like I can say that because I don’t always say that.) Sometimes the work I do is good. Sometimes it’s just done. And sometimes it’s special. The process of creating this book felt good and I love the result. This one is special and I hope those who read it feel the same way.
So, what do you do when you launch a book you’re super proud of? You stand in front of the closet in your studio and throw confetti up in the air for the camera! Even though it was just me and the cats, it felt like a special celebratory moment. I’ve never been much of a party person, but our family will definitely celebrate this accomplishment with more than just confetti in my studio!
And yes, I got confetti everywhere and the cats loved it.
So, let’s talk about the book Feels Like Home…
First of all, thank you to everyone who preordered the book. Feels Like Home is number one in many categories on Amazon and was in the top 1,000 books this morning! Your support means so much to me.
For those who aren’t familiar with Feels Like Home or you aren’t sure what it’s about, here is the blurb about it where it’s listed online…
Discover how to achieve your dream home on an affordable budget using these inspiring pictures, practical tips, and easy-to-implement tutorials.
Most of us don’t live in a dream home that was custom built to suit our tastes. We have to work with a house that brings its own style, quirks, and personality to the table. But imagine walking into this house, but it’s perfectly designed and decorated with your style in mind—a home that fits you like a well-tailored outfit and yet is as comfy as your favorite pair of pajamas.
What would that home look like exactly? How would it feel to live in a home styled specifically for you?
The truth is, every home should feel like a custom home and not have to break the bank. In Feels Like Home, DIY makeover queen Marian Parsons (a.k.a. Miss Mustard Seed) teaches you what she’s learned over the years, sharing budget-friendly practical tips that will inspire you to change your space from “blah” to beautiful, from a builder-grade to character-rich home. Each chapter will guide you through detailed, easy-to-implement tutorials for projects, makeovers, decorating ideas, and tips for handling common challenges. Special note-taking spaces are also included for recording your own design ideas. Room by room, you will be empowered to transform your house into the home of your dreams!
And here is a completely bias and partial video book review (more of a tour, really) of my book, Feels Like Home, on my YouTube channel…
As a part of promoting the book, I’ve been doing a bunch of podcast interviews as well as TV appearances. I am, first of all, so thankful that I can do these interviews from home! It is still nerve-wracking, but it’s far less so when I’m sitting in my studio wearing sweatpants and slippers. The “biggest” interview I’ve done about the book so far was for GMA3 – What You Need to Know.
You can see my GMA3 Interview HERE. I’ve done a few local TV segments as well, including this spot on Morning Brew in Wisconsin HERE.
This is what a Zoom TV interview looks like from the other side. Usually, I just have a few notes taped up beside the camera, but for GMA3, we had a pretty specific script, so I had a ton of notes and practiced with Jeff a dozen times to make sure I was ready and confident even when the nerves kicked in.
If you watched the interviews, you’ll notice I have a Feels Like Home “TV outfit.” I decided very early on that I was going to wear the same thing for every interview so I didn’t have to angst about what to wear. A crisp white button-up shirt under a blue & white windowpane linen dress fits the aesthetic of the book and looks a little artsy and a little dressed up. So, when I have an upcoming interview, I can fuss over my hair and get nervous about flaking out on my talking points, but I don’t have to stress about what to wear. It’s the Steve-Jobs-black-turtleneck trick.
I’ve also been spending time writing thank you notes, packing and shipping books to send to influencers, bloggers, media outlets, friends, and family…
There is so much that goes into writing a book, but I think there might be even more that goes into promoting a book! I will say, though, promoting this book has been easy. When you’re proud of something, you want to share it and that is certainly the case with this book.
I feel like there is still so much I want to say and share about the book, so more posts about it will come later. Once more of you have it in your hands, I want to go through some of the assignments in the book and show you how I’ve used them and they’ve played out in my own home. I think it will help those who are working through some of the chapters and assignments. As my blog followers, you’ll get a little extra support. We can sort of have a little book club here.
For now, though, I’m just celebrating and I hope you’ll celebrate with me…
If you haven’t ordered the book yet, you can order it from these retailers…
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Worthy Publishing | Books-a-Million | Indie Bound
If you’re in Canada, you can order it online from Indigo.
PS – If you do purchase the book and enjoy it, please take a minute or two to leave a review wherever you purchased the book. Reviews and ratings do a lot when it comes to suggesting the book to others (well, if the reviews are good!)
I’m very much looking forward to my package arriving today. Congratulations!
Got it today, reading it now with a glass of wine at my side. (I know it is early in the day, but this is a celebration).
Not sure when my book will arrive but I am so excited to receive it. I ordered it from Barnes and Nobles and the website says it’s shipped! Yay, can’t wait.
I love your creativity and fun ideas. I’m looking forward to your book as well. Thank you for sharing your talents with us!
I can’t wait for my book to arrive from Amazon!!! Your timing is PERFECT!!! We are building a new home, the last one…and we are customizing it to our tastes. Needless to say this book is going to be my decorating bible. I’m so excited and can’t wait to mark all the to do projects.
Congratulations!!! You totally deserve to be proud of yourself!
Congratulations! I am so looking forward to receiving my book today. Enjoy this day!
Waiting for my workday to be over so I can go home and look through this book. Amazon shows that it is all delivered just waiting for me. Congratulations on this day arriving for you so much work
Good morning Marian, Congratulations! I want you to know that I read this morning’s post with tears of joy and pride for you in my eyes. This book is the culmination of years of work and study for you, and as a long-time regular reader of your blog, I almost feel a part of it. I’m eagerly awaiting delivery of my copy of Feels Like Home.
So happy and excited for you! All the work you put into this project was so worth it and you deserve all the acclaim you are receiving.
Enjoy the moment!
Such an exciting time….well deserved. Cannot wait until my copy comes in November 🙂 ~ I ordered in April and am so happy to be a part of the Launch Team…anxiously watching my shipping dates! Congrats Marian!
Congratulations!! Even if I knew nothing about it, I’d be tempted by it because of how much you enjoy even this more tedious phase of book promotion – that means it’s something special.
Thanks for the zoom call behind-the-scenes view; I always wonder how regular folks manage those camera-heavy moments (e.g. picking one outfit = brilliant!)
Congradulations!!
Great video…it made me happy just to watch you and the confetti!
so excited,
went to Barnes and Noble this morning and there was only 1 book left!!
can’t wait to read it tonight,
love your style, congrats on your book!
Congratulations Marian! My book arrived this afternoon and I immediately sat down to take a look. I love the photos and I can’t wait to start reading it.
Marian, you are the cutest!! Love the confetti pictures. Congratulations ??
What she (Jane) said!! You are a force for good energy and beauty and artistry and creativity. I really appreciate what you share with the world.
So, So, Happy for your, Marian! My book is scheduled to arrive today from Amazon! I can hardly wait to have it in my hands!
Congratulations a million times over!
Jodie in Oregon
My book just arrived and I am so excited. Did I misunderstand or was there supposed to be an extra chapter for early buyers. Thanks for letting me know.
Congrats, Marian! This is such thrilling news and I can’t wait to read it. I just love your unique aesthetic and practical approach to home updates.
It was at my door when I came home from an appointment this morning. Could hardly contain myself to open the box. Oh my, it’s just beautiful – l.o.v.e the texture of the cover.
It’s a perfect day here in the windy city to cozy up with a cup of tea and read it. Thank you.
Congratulations!!!!!
UPS just delivered the book! So excited to read it! Looks beautiful!
Even though you gifted me with an early copy, I am still excited to receive 11 additional copies of the book today — I’m super excited to give your book as gifts !
As I have told you before your Mom’s bedroom is still at the top of my list as the favorite of your room makeovers……I was delighted to see the dedication to her when I opened the book.
I was fortunate enough to meet your parents at your last Lucketts sale and I know they are beaming with pride at your latest accomplishment.
We are and we still love our bedroom makeover. Thanks for being such a great follower and supporter.
Got my copy today and just love it. Looking forward to taking my time with it. One thing I did notice was the texture of the cover, which I love also but I really noticed the quality of the paper. The photos look great on this paper!
I have your first book and have followed your blog since you started…makes this a kind od special treat for me. Congrads…great work
Congratulations Marian! Can’t wait for my copy to arrive & to dive right in! I’m so happy for you & proud of you too; even though I don’t know you personally, I think most of your followers feel like we do know you! And a book club of sorts for your book(s) sounds perfect!
Congratulations Marian?My copy was delivered today! Can’t wait to dive into it, taking it on the plane to MT to keep me entertained! I will have a list of projects to begin once I’m home again.
Congratulations, Marian!! You deserve to be very proud of your book! Way to go, girl!!
How awesome this is for you! Congratulations! Love the promos and can’t wait to have mine in hand!
Just got my book this afternoon and looking forward to reading and grazing for the next few days. So excited for you Marion. Imagine you feel like a proud Mama.
Congratulations, Marian! I can’t wait for my copy to arrive!
Congrats! I’m sure it will be flying off the shelves. It looks awesome!
Congratulations on your book release!
Congratulations, Marion! What a thrill to share some of this with you via your blog. I’m headed to my local bookstore for a copy of the book. Continue to celebrate!!
Yahoo! Mine was delivered today! Congratulations!!!!
I am so happy for you, Marion! The photos of you with the confetti made me smile. I’m waiting for my preordered book to arrive on Friday!
I just looked through my copy of your book which arrived this afternoon. It really is so beautiful, and such a great compilation of all the best tips and advice from so many years. Congratulations!! I’ve been following you since the days you and Jeff were working out of your basement, and demonstrating how to use your paints ?. You have learned so much since then, and you are so good at sharing your thoughts about it all. You have been such a great encouragement to so many other creatives. God bless you and your sweet family ?
Yahoo my book is here!! Came home from work and it was on my front porch!! How exciting!! Love the texture of the cover, it is amazing and I haven’t even read it yet. I am so excited!
Received your book today and while flipping thru it I noticed you are working with Susie & Robert Wang owners of Creative Co-Op. I have known them both since they owned Wang’s Intl.of which I represented and was fortunate enough to win many acalaids from them from highest volume sales rep to the most accounts. And I am so glad that Robert took my advice to follow the gift industry which of course he has done and very successfully. Your book is certainly going to be a staple in everyone’s library and a reference book for all to follow. Thank You for compiling your ideas and photo’s into one volume.
I am so bummed. I preordered my book on April 14th from Amazon. Even yesterday, it said my book would be delivered today. I have USPS Informed delivery and even that said I would get it today. Got an email from Amazon saying it now will be delivered maybe by the 20th. If I go to the site and ordered it today I would have in 2 days but was told preorders didn’t mean I’d get it on release date which I know is not correct. Had my evening all planned drooling over my new book. Now I’m just mad at Amazon
Oh, I am so sorry about that! I would be bummed, too, and I’ve had that happen a lot recently with Amazon shipments. I know shipping has really been a mess lately. My mom said she’s only getting mail about every other day!
I am picking up a copy today at my local B.A.M. Bookstore so tonight i will be in heaven looking over your book. You are an inspiration. Met you once in Sun Prairie Wi. My daughter and I and granddaughter took a class from you. Still use my piece from that class. Love your blog and Instagram
Congratulations on your book launch. I am so happy for you, and I loved your confetti celebration.
Congratulations Marian!! We’ve been waiting but I know you have been even longer than us! So HaPpY for you….and your readers!
LOVE my book!! The cover even feels awesome!
I was so excited to open my Amazon box today and finding your book! We have a couple of rainy days coming up and I will be curled up in a chair on the back porch with the book! Congratulations–what a wonderful accomplishment!!
Big congrats, Marian. Well done, ma’am.
BTW- love your bangs. And the confetti is spot-on perfect- you deserve confetti!!!
Enjoyed your youtube vid.
Got mine this afternoon!
Got my book yesterday (Oct12). Opened up great book, love the cover and the feel of the cover. I love the dedication to your mom. Cannot wait to really get into it. Congratulations.
Congratulations Marian!
Your book is such a grand accomplishment and I do love the confetti shots.
The Lucketts Spring Market Goes Fall is this weekend in my hometown
You will be missed but not forgotten.
My book arrived yesterday and I purposely left it in the box until this morning. That took a lot of willpower! I want to slowly digest it, enjoying every delicious morsel in my comfy chair with a great cup of coffee! I can hardly wait to get to it! So excited and proud of you, Marian! Enjoy this moment that you have earned and so richly deserve.
Oh Marian how exciting! Due to some unforeseen circumstances, I didn’t have the funds to order your book ahead of time. Heading to the bookstore this weekend to hopefully get a copy. I have been following you for years. I am so very proud of you! Can’t wait to get my copy of your book! Celebrate you, as women we forget to celebrate just for us and our accomplishments! Thank you for sharing your talents with us!
Diane
Super excited for all of your hard work and effort coming to fruition in such a lovely, inspiring book!
Way to go kid!!!
Congratulations!!!!!❤️?
As I knew it would be, your book is extraordinary! I was especially impressed with the quality of the production -the materials used, the color of your beautiful photography, the sheer size for the price. All that said, the contents and sincerity expressed as you wrote is so exemplative of all you do on the blog that we can feel we are right there. The opening comments to your Mom are so appropriate. Your Dad, Jeff, and the boys are surely as proud if you as we all are.
Marian,
So very happy for you!!! You deserve it all!!! It warms my heart and brings a tear to my eye knowing how God played into all this. He knew when it was the right time for you to move. He also placed you into a newer home. If you had the older home, you wished for, people would have thought, “Oh yeah, you can only get all this charm with an older farm house home.” Most people live in newer, 1990’s +, homes and you have showed, how to do it!!! Your home is AMAZING. All by your vision and talent. Thank you for sharing it all with us.
Go get ’em Girl….throw that confetti and enjoy the birth of your baby!!! xxx
CONGRATULATIONS to you Marian! You did it!!!
My book arrived yesterday! I enjoyed perusing through the entire book last night. The photography is fabulous!
Thank you for such a beautiful, well done book! I look forward to really taking my time reading it.
Blessings to you Always.
So excited for you!!! My book is on the way … so I’m excited for me, too!!
Congratulations to my decorating Guru! I received my preordered copy of your book on Tuesday morning and have enjoyed every moment absorbing it. It will be the book I turn to again and again as I decorate my new home.
I especially love your dedication of the book to your mother. It truly touched me, as my mother also taught me all those things and so much more. Those of us who had those kind of moms are truly fortunate in life. Continue to treasure yours, as I miss mine.
May peace be upon you always.
Congratulations! I’m so happy for you!
I’m kind of late getting to your post. I’ve had my book for about a week now, and it’s sitting right next to me. Been pretty busy, but am going to dive in tonight! I’m anxious to see what’s between those pages.
And, the pond yacht is SPECTACULAR!! I sure wish I had your list of places to shop and browse … And to think it was $28!! You should do time for stealing a yacht. Just kidding of course.
So, after doing some stock up shopping, I’m ready to get busy and have
a look at “FEELS LIKE HOME”…
Oh, my dear Miss Mustard Seed, I have been devouring your delicious book! It is everything I had hoped it would be and then some. I love how you are so encouraging about tackling a project that seems out of reach for us. “Oh, go ahead, give it a try,” you say, “It’s only paint.”
I did chuckle when you mentioned appliances could be painted. I had to settle for a white washer and dryer instead of my preferred bisque, almond or biscuit shades (I go for the beige), and had really debated about painting them. I even checked with an auto body shop about doing it, but the paint man was hesitant. Now that they are out of warranty, the thought is mulling around in my brain. Why didn’t you paint that toaster you hated?
I find myself rethinking things like adequate lighting, purposes of a room and changes just for a change. The mural in the dining room has rekindled thoughts of doing a scene on the garage doors which a friend had done several years ago. You indeed are inspiring! May your book be a wonderful success. You already are one!