highlights and favorite posts from 2014

With the end of a year comes a few moments to reflect, to look back and remember the highs and lows and the in-betweens of the past 365 days.  Ryan and I laughed that we each had ‘words’ for the year, and neither were accurate at all for how things went. Sometimes you can direct the way things go, other times you just have to run with it. It was a run-with-it kind of year for us.

Was 2014 our best year ever? Maybe not. But it was good. Stretching. Hard and frustrating at times. Full of laughter and joy and beauty at others. I love going through old posts and remembering what happened throughout the year. So here are the highlights and favorite posts from 2014:

JANUARY

The year started off with me getting personal (no surprise there. I have a thing for sharing my deepest emotions on the internet).

And also talking about nail polish that lasts more than 2 days.

And picking bedding for Audrey’s room redo (which is still in progress … a whole year later)

FEBRUARY

A new free printable was created.

And we celebrated our little darling turning four with a tea party

MARCH

We had a full week of talking about all things graphic design – favorite fonts, printers, my pre-blogging life as a stationery designer, free clipart, my best tips & tricks for Illustrator and the launch of my beginning graphic design class (!)

APRIL

Our kitchen was in a magazine!

And once again I went and poured my heart right out on the blog …

MAY

I tore up the carpet and added a new semi-diy chair to my office

Then I got sick for a week and spent my days watercoloring pretty things like fruit and lamps.

JUNE

Our house was freshened up for the summer

Atlas and I showed you what I wore

and posted a summer reading list (I read all but one and they were great!)

JULY

A highlight for sure of my year (and life?!) was visiting Rwanda with noonday & IJM. I came to terms with being a working mom, did a little twirling and came back with a few perspective changes.

AUGUST

Q & A day (one of my favorite posts each year!)

A bit of little girl clothes inspiration

And then my house started feeling way too loud, so I shushed it.

SEPTEMBER

With summertime over and kids back in school, it was time to get crafty with old magazines

And decorate our house for fall (my favorite)

OCTOBER

Fall fashion was on my mind

and also freshening up my pinterest boards (which now, I hear, they have made much easier!)

NOVEMBER

This month consisted of construction dust, the sound of an air compressor, painter’s drop cloths and major excitement over a mini-remodel (walls painted white and new floors installed)

DECEMBER

The house refresh is finished (for now, at least).

with construction-zone over, some girlfriends and I got a little crafty with book pages

We toured a friend’s coastal house for christmas

And set you up with a bunch of freebie gift tags

This year has been a beautiful time of creativity, and productivity and new opportunities, as well as frustrating and dry and uninspiring. Isn’t that the way life goes?! I’m thankful, as always, for the chance to grow and learn and be challenged and to do a lot of that alongside of you here on the blog.

Thank you for being with me this year … for all of your kind comments and shop purchases, for the pins and likes and shares. Most of all, thanks for allowing me to share my life, heart, talents with you and for embracing me in return.

xoxo,
emily