Looks I Love ~ Chic Modern Country

As I head into a new year.

I have done a lot of soul searching.

For me my home decor really has to speak to me, to my soul.

That is why it is ever evolving.....right along with me as I grow.

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This year I really want to make sure that vision comes through in my designs.

You know that feeling when you walk into a space and it

can nearly take your breath away for just a moment? 

You soak in all the scents, all the texture & your senses are nearly on overload.

You nestle into that perfect serene escape and know it is perfectly "YOU".

You just want to stay there and never leave.

I want THAT feeling in my home.

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So, I thought I would do a few posts showcasing some of the

inspirations that really speak to my soul.

There are so many looks I Love.

I have a tendency to get a little lost, or stuck on one look for a while & back to another.

Do you do that too?

At times it can be really challenging for me to achieve that perfect balance.

I'm going to work really hard to try to achieve it from now on.

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I'm not sure what it is exactly....

I will always have to have a touch of country in my home decor.

I didn't grow up on a farm or anything.

I did however, grow up in small town surrounded by the lush corn fields of Iowa.

I just love the natural simplicity of a fresh country look.

My husband grew up on a farm so, it also brings a touch of him into our look.

I think for us Country is Comfort.

The comfort of our roots.

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Tip:

Do you have trouble finding balance in your decor style?

I have started making pin boards on Pinterest by Style Type category.

I encourage you to set up your boards by the styles you love.

Then Pin until your hearts desire.

After you have pinned each of your looks.

Make a combined Pin Board with your favorites from each.

Next, do a post of how to you plan to merry your styles.

Let me know if you try this!

I would love to see your Pins!

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Carrie

linking up to
The Shabby Creek Cottage
Savvy Southern Style
Home Stories A to Z

Snowed In ~ In Iowa

Well old man winter struck Iowa a little late this year.

He finally showed up last week though.

And has not stopped rearing his ugly head since.

We are snowed in!

Wa...Wah..Wah....

What to do???

Why not???

I will go ahead & kick some hubby booty in Scrabble!

I don't know why Travis always wants to play Scrabble with me.

I beat him every single time.

It never gets old:)

There is absolutely no chance of the Trivial Pursuit getting in this mix.

Because he is just unstoppable.

Have a Great Weekend!

Carrie

Our Next Project ~ Master Bedroom

I am getting ready to work on our bedroom a bit more.

It is one of the rooms in our home that never really was totally finished.

When we were crazy working to finish our projects and put our home on the market,

It got the it's good enough seal of approval.

Well, I think it's time I give the bedroom a little more of the TLC it deserves.

I don't plan to go overboard.
Just some finishing touches here and there, and well maybe a new quilt, some pillows, nightstands.

Please stop me anytime;)

Okay, so it's a bit of a sickness I KNOW!

But the room does not need any painting trim or major updates.

Just a few simple decor swaps.

our bedroom as it is now

And besides...any finishing touches we do, can all be taken with us to the new house.

(Reality Check.  Okay, so knowing me I will totally be on to the next thing by then.)

This is the speech I will give to the hubby when he wants to know why in the world

I am working on this house any more before we move.

Truth be told I am not the only one in the Corson household itching for a project...

Travis actually came to me and asked if I needed anything built.

Did I have any small projects in mind he could work on.

Yes, you read that right.

 WHAT The Heck???

Who are you & what have you done with my husband???

Do you have a pen & paper and a couple hours???

This will work out just perfect...I hope.

He can help me finish the bedroom!

I will dream something up for him to build.

It also gives me more reason to work on my decor updates!

Win Win!

Hope you are having a great week!

Carrie

Linking up to

The Shabby Creek Cottage

{Grow} An Inspirational Blogging Series Part 3 ~ Blogging Goals

I have been gabbing all week about all the big changes I plan to make in 2012.

Check out the first posts in the {Grow} series here.

Today I am going to share my plans for Growing my Blog in 2012.

~ Blogging Goals ~

1. I would love for my blog to continue to flourish in 2012.

My goal is to reach 500 followers by the end of the year.

Okay ~ So I'm trying to be realistic.

But on the chance that we get to start working on our new home,

I really hope that number may be a little higher:)

Why not set your goals HIGH!

So, I have another number in mind, but I don't want to come across to greedy.

2. I want to continue to {Grow} my content.

More in depth posts.  Share a little more of who I am and where I hope to go.

(Hence, the {Grow} Series)

3. I would love to say I plan to blog everyday.

But, I am gonna go ahead and give myself a break on that one;)

Frankly, with my full-time job, family obligations, life, helping my brother out at Dwellings part-time.

Well...there are only so many hours in a day & for now I still like to sleep some.

So, I will do my best to give it the old college try when life allows.

I will vow to continue to try & post more often.

Reality is that when week's like last week happen just know to not count on it.

But please know that I have not forgotten. 

I have not lost interest. 

Life has just consumed my time.

And I will return!

4. Continue to try to focus on the quality of my projects.

I really want my projects to be a true reflection of my taste level.

Sometimes I feel like the finished project in my home currentlyis not a true reflection of me.

It is the vision I had for this home & also what the budget allowed in this home.

I want to push myself out of my comfort zone and really try to

pull off a more upscale look and feel that I hope to carry through my decor in the future.

Fresh.Casual.Elegant.Modern.Cottage.Living

While still remaining on a budget.

I truly believe you can pull of sophisticated casual elegant looks for less.

5. I would love to continue to grow my blogging friendships &

the sense of community here at The Corson Cottage.

6.  Get a fresh look for my blog in 2012.

Reality ~ It may have to wait until budget allows.

I want to make sure that the look is something I will want to keep

a little more long term.  While I love my imperial trellis header design.

I have never really liked the yellow. 

I want to make sure that the look I choose for the blog is a true representation of

the casual modern cottage look of our home and also of me.

I'm thinking something a little more on the neutral pallet.

7.  Start a weekly link party.

Not sure of the name yet or which day.

Working on this one!

Keep on the look out.

Hopefully it will be coming soon.

8. Improve the quality of my photos.

Work on staging my photos more.

After all, the photos I share here represent me.

Step it up! 

Work on having magazine quality images.

I have been known to be credited with a great eye for photography.

Prove it!

Learn more about photography.

Maybe even take a class.

(I have done this, but it has been years...)

I really would love to get a better camera...but this is just a pipe dream for now.

9. Work on offering a service on my blog.

My own website???  Perhaps...

An Etsy shop???  Maybe...

E-Design???  Possibly....

We will just have to wait and see where my creativity leads me!

10. I know it's early and my blog is still small.

But, I would love if someday my blog would have an income.

I did not start blogging with the hopes that it would make a dime.

But, after reading so many success stories.

I figure heck, why not? 

Maybe one day that could be me?

I am not reaching for the moon & stars here.

It would just be really nice if someday this turned into a nice little added income

for the Corson household.

11.  Add sponsorships.

This is again, really a more long term goal.

But, why not be optimistic and keep your goals in site.

12. Attend a blogging conference.

I would love love love to meet some of those bloggers that inspire me daily!

Okay, so this may not be the year. 

This could be a little costly...

But, remember be optimistic and keep your goals in site:)

If you are interested in checking out the rest of the {Grow} Series go here.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Monday is just around the corner....

Carrie

Linking Up

Between Naps on The Porch
The Shabby Creek Cottage

{Grow} Inspirational Blogging Series Part 2 ~ Grow Within Myself

This week I have been focusing on our Blogging Series

{Grow}

I have been sharing my plans for Growing in 2012 with you all.

If you missed the first posts you can check them out here and here.

Today I thought I would give you a little insight as to how I plan to change within myself.

Afterall, I can not possibly get all the things accomplished this year,

If I do not take the time to take a long hard look at myself.

What do I want?

Who do I want to be?

Where do I want to go?

What is stopping me?

How will I fix it?

I mentioned before that I think there is this truly fantastic inspiring

creative girl inside of me who is just dying to get out! 

Truth be told....I think know she has always been there.

Sometimes she gets a little more close to the surface than others.

But...for some reason....she always seems to be stifled.

Put on the back burner.

I'm not sure if she is scared of not making it?

Afraid of failure?

Afterall she is the one who holds all the hopes and dreams close to her heart.

Sometimes she even feels there may just not be time for her.

With priorities and life and budgets....Ughhh those darn budgets (She really hates those!)

Will people take her seriously?

Is she to whimsical?

I can talk her back inside so deep it takes something pretty inspiring for

her to resurface.. to really want to show up to the party ~ ya know?

Heck she should be the life of the party!

(And the party planner of course;)

Well, I am vowing in 2012 this is her year!

No more excuses!

This girl is part of me!  This girl IS ME!

The REAL ME!

Do you hold yourself back from your creative dreams???

Do you talk yourself out of being the real you?

If you said yes, maybe, sometimes.

Well, STOP! 

Why would you possibly want to hold back the best part of you?

And another thing...

When it comes to finishing what I start...

It is time to finish all my Lofty, (Yes~sometimes whimisical) Goals, and Projects!

I can be totally gung ho...ALL IN to some project

or learning something new, or just an all out great idea.

Completely engrossed and motivated.

Then it happens.

I hit the roadblock. 

 It's never just a little pot hole, it always seems to turn into a brick wall.

I know I am my own biggest obstacle.

If I hit the roadblock.

I sit idling for a while.

I don't know how to do something, I don't know who to ask for help,

I become indecisive, I become inpatient, I second guess myself, then I have doubts, then it turns into full blown fear, before you know it....

Then I get bored and turn around and go in another direction completely.

WHY???

Why can't I ever push through the darn wall?

Do you do this?

Well, I am also vowing that I will not do this anymore.

In 2012 I will charge full speed ahead.

(Well, maybe proceed with caution.)

But, I will not stop, or take alternative routes.

I will stick to my plan!

I will accomplish the things I set out to!

Here are a few of my Goals for 2012.

These are just personal goals, not necessarily blogging goals.

(I will share those in the next part of the series.)

I have a lot on my plate for 2012.

But, I know I CAN DO IT.

Some of these things.....are totally the kinds of projects

that as soon as I get going and don't know how to finish...in the past I would stop.

NOT this year!

1. SELL OUR HOUSE!

Okay, so I do not have much control over this.

But, god willing IT WILL HAPPEN ~ & the sooner the better!

2. Work hard to make sure our new home fulfills all our hopes, dreams and aspirations.

And looks absolutely darn right fantastic.

Pull the finished product we are looking for.

Fresh.Casual.Modern.Cottage.Living.

3. I will make a website for my brother's store Dwellings.

He has been in business for 8 years and it is past due to be online.

He sells home decor and accessories.

Now, my brother is extremely talented, creative and business savvy.

But techinical he is not.

That is where I come in.

I can totally see his vision.

We can pretty much finish each other's interior design sentences.

So, I know the look he will want.

This will be a huge challenge for me.

But it could also be extremely rewarding.

This may require a class or two.

But, I will get it launched.

4. Push myself to fulfill my creative goals.

PERIOD!

DO NOT STOP!

I would love to hear some of your goals for 2012.

Carrie
Linking up to
Home Stories A to Z

{Grow} - Inspirational Blogging Series Part 1 - My Word For 2012

Welcome to Part 1 of our Inspirational Blogging Series.

If you missed our intro click here to find out more about what inspired this series.

Today I would like to share our

2012 Word of the Year

{GROW}

(perhaps you had already guessed it from our series title;)

Grow:

to increase by natural development, increase in size or substance

For me the word {Grow} encompasses so many meanings for my hopes & dreams for 2012.

Last year was a tough year for my husband & I.

I had to overcome a huge obstacle when faced with health issues with my back.

I had to undergoe a spinal surgery and many, many months of recovery.

Well...we were able to PERSERVERE in 2011.

After a struggle to get through the first half of the year, last year we really came so far.

I was shocked & so proud of what we were able to accomplish considering our obstacles.

All we hoped for last year was to get by, to make it through,

to survive, to do our best to PERSERVERE.

Well, for 2012 I have many more aspirations.

For that reason I chose the word {Grow}

I'm focusing on 3 areas that I hope to {Grow} in 2012.

~Family, Self, & Blog~

~ Family ~

I hope to be able to continue to {Grow} & nurture our young marriage of only 2 years.

Most of all.

My husband & I would love more than anything in the world for our family to {Grow} in 2012.

We do not currently have any children.

Faced with many uphill battles, we know that this too, will be yet another hill to climb.

We also know that it could be the biggest and best reward of all:)

~ Self ~

Do you ever have that problem that just when you feel like you're on right at the tip of

something...maybe something you've never done before, or something you don't know how to

do, or something that you think you could be great at, but you're just not sure how to start it,

how to complete it, how to finish it. 

Maybe it's something you have wanted to do for your whole life, but never have. 

Maybe you don't know who to go to for help. 

Or it's just to whimisical and not practical?

Perhaps it is just a task that seems to daunting...

A unfinished project that you don't know where to go next...

Have you even failed at it in the past...

What do you do in times like this???

Do you run for this hills?

Do you slowly back away & leave it for another day?

Do you turn your efforts elsewhere as a distraction?

Do you stifle your creativity?

or

Do you go for it?

Do you charge full speed ahead?

Do you nuture your creative side?

Do you figure it out?

Do you ask for help?

Well, this is my year to {Grow} the self.

I have so many challenging things on my plate this year.

So many things that I'm not even sure if I can get them all done.

I'm not sure if I know how to do them.

I'm not sure that I know the right place to go to for help.

Is that going to stop me?

NO

Not this time!!!

Because I am going to {Grow}

{Grow} my ambition.

{Grow} my follow through.

{Grow} my understanding.

{Grow} my knowledge.

{Grow} my creativity.

There is an extremely talented and creative girl inside me & I'm tired of

pushing her to the back burner.  I want her to {Grow} in 2012.

~ Blog ~

I would love for my blog to continue to {Grow} in 2012.

Because of our tough 2011 in the beginning of the year I didn't really focus my efforts on this at all.

It wasn't until Fall 2011 that I really started to focus more on developing my blog.

So, for this year I want to set my goals high!

Heck, I just want to set goals for my blog this year period.

I would love to continue to {Grow} new friendships through blogging.

I would love for my posts content to {Grow}.

I want my projects to {Grow}.

I want to {Grow} my consistancy.

I want to {Grow} the frequency of my posts.

I want my discipline, routine & planning to {Grow}.

I want the quality of my photos to {Grow}.

I want to open up more & share more & {Grow} as a blogger.

Maybe even {Grow} some extra income, any income from blogging.

As you can see I have a lot to {Grow} in 2012.

Wish me luck.

What is your word? 

What do you plan to do with 2012?

If you are interested in hearing more of our plans to {Grow} in 2012 visit here.

Carrie

I will be linking up

The Shabby Creek Cottage

{ Grow } a blogging inspiration series ~ intro



Hey there! 

Hope you all had a great weekend!

In my last post I shared with you all that I was at a bit a blogging roadblock.

You can read that here.

I'm sure you have all been there at one point or another.

So...after a week of bloggers block.

I found that with the busy blogging holiday season &

 all the great link parties I could hardly keep up. 

After all that was over....I was a bit lost.

I had lost my mojo.

No new projects to share.

Nothing witty to write.

Nothing....blank....blank....blank....

So...

I put on my big girl boots and decided to do something about it!

I decided to turn to the blogs that started it all for me, for some much needed inspiration.

I realized something while I was searching for my inspiration.

I had been so busy, that I hadn't taken the time to refuel my inspiration tank.

Yeah, I had been all over visiting all kinds of blogs & commenting.

But I hadn't really taken the time to soak it all in.

Do you do that?

Let me tell ya those girls did not disappoint.

No they certainly did not!

Here is how I got my inspiration!

I started off the last week following along with a few super talented ladies.

Let me tell ya...this is a great candid series with GREAT tips

from some really seasoned talented bloggers. 

Each blogger provided their input on each day of the series.

The Nester started off the series with Authenticity & Blogging

Thrifty Decor Chick blogged about How to Make Money Blogging.

Tatertots & Jello blogged about Building a Community & Social Media.

Miss Mustard Seed shared some fabulous tips about Photography & Styling.

Centsational Girl shared tips on The Juggling Act & Balancing Time.

Next I found this fantastic series at Funky Junk Interiors.

Donna is a trip. 

 She will just step all over your toes & kick your butt right outta that funk.

Lastly, I visited The Lettered Cottage.

Layla had a great suggestion to pick a Word of the Year for 2012.

Pick one word that has the ability to inspire you for 2012.

I had never done this before.

Have you done this?

If I had to think of one for our lives in 2011 it would definitely be PERSERVERE.

We had a tough year but we made it through in great style.

You can also share your word at her link party on January 16th.

Well I chose my word.

My word for 2012 is GROW.

I have been inspired!!!

I have refueled my blogging fire!

I can't wait to share it with all of you!

I thought it would be a great idea to start a short inspirational series

 to share my plan to{GROW} in 2012.

Now, I do mean {GROW} in a literal sense, as in grow my blog.

But I also have so many other aspects of life and blogging that I need to {GROW} in as well.

I hope that you all may find something useful and inspiring in this series too.

Who knows maybe we can {GROW} together:)

So, I hope you'll join us this week for the {GROW} series here at The Corson Cottage.

Stay tuned for the next part of the series to find out
more of what the word {GROW} really means for me.

Okay, so still not starting to get inspired? 

Scroll back up there and click on those links and soak up some inspirations.

If that isn't enough you can check out some inspiring words here.

Find something, find anything, that one place, that one blog, that one book,

one magazine that gets your juices going. 

Get your mojo back!

Want to read the entire {Grow} Blog Series go here.

Carrie



Getting Inspired to Blog

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If you wondered where I've been this week....

to be totally honest, I've been at a blogging roadblock.

I have sat down at the computer nearly every single day with the intentions

on writing my next post.  And every single day...

nothing...

nada...

zero....

I got nothing to give ya!

Has this ever happened to you???

Well, it happened to me.

It's not the first time I have felt like that.

(It is the first time I decided to open up & share it with my readers.)

I'm sure it probably won't be the last either.

But, it did certainly make me sit up & take notice.

I wasn't really sure what happened?

The holidays were over.

I had a little down time to relax & refresh myself.

And still nothing....

It wasn't that I didn't feel like it,

nor that I wasn't motivated.

Or that I don't love blogging.

I LOVE blogging!

I just plain old didn't feel as though I had

anything to say, write about, or new projects to share.

What do you do when you are struggling to find your next inspiration?

Where do you find your inspirations?

Who do you turn to?

I know we all talk about all our "friends" on our blogs.

But truth be told.

I haven't hit that point with blogging, yet where I feel as though I have really developed a

"real" friendship or blogging buddy to turn to.  I can't exactly turn to my family & friends

during those times.  They don't completely get it.  Don't get me wrong my family & friends

are great supporters of my blog.  But they don't blog themselves. 

 And I love and appreciate all of your generous and kind comments...paalease keep them coming:)

But I feel a little alone at this at times.

So, what did I do?

I put on my girl boots.

And I did what any uninspired blogger would do.

I turned to those girls, those bloggers, that first inspired me to start my blog to begin with.

And...Guess What???

Those girls did not disapoint!

No they certainly did not!

So, starting tomorrow look for an introduction to a new short little series I came up with!

Carrie

Take Time to Reflect...Transform Yourself

It is that time of year.

Do you take time to reflect on last year & look towards the future with eyes bright open?

I do.

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Use the wisdom you gained in 2011 to help transform yourself in 2012.

Perhaps these words will help you along the way to:

Learn

Grow

Adapt

Give Yourself

Give It All You Got

Perservere

Create

Be Excellent

Do Your Best

Laugh

Laugh Louder

Laugh More Often

Love

Love Deeper

Love Forever

Here is to surrounding yourself with the things you truly love in 2012

&

Being the you, you wish to be.

Carrie

linking up to
Between Naps on the Porch

Happy New Year 2012

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Wishing you all a Happy New Year 2012!

I just want to thank all of our readers and growing community here

at The Corson Cottage.  We truly appreciate all of you so much.

Thank you for all of your support in 2011.

May you all continue finding & following your passions in 2012.

Always remember to take time to reflect & enjoy life's simple treasures along the way.

Carrie