Big News - We are Moving & So is the Blog!

 

Our Big News is We Are Moving!

Yes, we are finally moving in our new home!!!

Renovations are nearly complete & I can't wait to share it all with you!

 

In the meantime, we are also moving our website.

I have been toying with the idea of migrating my blog to Wordpress for some time now.

Well, there is no time like the present!

 

 

I hope that you will all follow the blog Migration to Wordpress!

I think it will be good timing while we are tranforming our lifestyle at home & getting settled,

the blog could use a total transformation as well.

I have a lot in store for the new site & can't wait to share that with you too!

 

I hope you will be patient with the posting during the migration period.

I will let you know once the blog migration is complete.

 

Thanks!

Carrie

 

 

Long Time No Posting ~ & Dwellings Spring

Hello Friends!

It has been far too long since my last post.

It seems like this year has really not gotten off on the right foot for my blog.

For some reason,

as we are finishing up our basement dwelling stint at my Mom's luck is not on our side.

I have had no internet access for over a month!

ugh...

 

I'm finally back online as of today!

I have so so much to cath you up on of our renovation journey.

We have been moving full speed ahead!

The progress is very exciting!

Each day that goes by & each item checked off the too do list,

get's us one step closer to move in day!

Finally...a light at the end of a very long tunnel.

 

Stay tuned this week I'm thinking of marathoning some of our reno updates!

 

 

I thought I would share a few Dwellings Spring photos today.

I am craving home so much these days.

Nothing makes me feel more at home in the Spring Time

than fresh green hues & natural linen fabrics.

Carrie



My Life ~ An Update

 

 

Hello friends! 

It certainly has been a long long time.

Far too long if you ask me.

 

I thought I would pop in briefly tonight to give you a quick update.

Yes, I'm still blogging!

Yes, our renovation continues onward full speed ahead!

I can't wait to catch you all up to the present day to see how far we have come.

 

It has been a very long winter thus far.

I have been very absent from blogging & I am sorry for that!

 

To be totally honest.

I have no idea how all you bloggers do it!

Does anyone else know what I mean???

 

You all make it look so easy

A little DIY project a day,

a perfect house,

no crazy life to interrupt your blogging frequency.

 

Well, life has caught up with me & I have only been able to juggle so many balls at once.

 

These last two months have been so incredibly hectic!

I started off the new year with technical difficulties with my blog.

Then moved into death flu 2013.

I was completely down & out for an entire week.

3 Weeks later, I am finally starting to feel like myself again!

All while working my full time job, that I was just promoted at 6 months ago.

(I'm still a bit of a newbie in my new role.)

 

We are making so many decisions on our renovation right now,

I can hardly keep them all straight!

Let alone find the time to blog about them! Ha!

 

Seriously!

How do you do it?

 

 

The cherry on top...

I have also made a huge commitment to myself

that I need to improve my over all health and well being.

This is the year!

My Year!

 

I have always struggled with my weight, my whole life.

I have always stayed active and managed it to some degree.

But, two years ago, I under went a major spinal surgery.

I think it was my body's way of saying enough is enough!

In the beginning I was diligent about my recovery regimine.

However, time passes & your body heals...& you go back to the same ol same ol.

 

Well, not any more!

I have finally decided that no matter what, I am making a commitment to take time for me.

This year I have been taking time for me to improve my over all health and well being.

I have been blessed to have a dear friend reach out just when I needed her most.

We have been challenging ourselves at the gym about 5 nights a week.

It is exactly what my body needs, & what I need!

 

Making & Taking the time each day to focus on my health is extremely important to me.

So, for now, at least until our lives resume to some sort of normal

(if there is such a thing, I'm hoping post reno normal will resume)

I am okay, with being a little absent from the blog the last month or so.

I hope my readers will understand.

 

 

 

Carrie

 

 



New Year - New Look

 

As, I have been attempting to share with you all...

It's a New Year & A New Look.

I am in the progress of updating my blog for 2013.

Please be patient with me, as I allow myself the time to spruce up a fresh appearance for my guests.

 

Over the last year I feel as though my lifestyle philosophy has continued to evolve.

Along with that I find it equally important to find just the right way to share that with

my blog readers.  I think that it is extremely important that when entertaining guests they feel right at home, maybe even pampered a bit.  My hope is that you all will feel relaxed and comfortable here.

Returning again, and again for the easy casual relaxed hospitality, inspiration and creativity.

 

Here's to a wonderful 2013!

 

Carrie

 

 

Photo Upload Technical Issues - Thanks for your patience.

 

What a way to kick off the New Year...

 

I am having technical issues with Blogger.

Please be patient with my posting.

I am unable to upload my photos into my posts.

I have searched for help with no luck.

 

I know that my storage space is sufficient, as I recently updated my storage.

That is not the issue.

 

Every time I try to upload a photo from my computer, the browse button is missing.

I am not able to upload any photos into my posts.

The verbage shows that you may upload jpg, png, etc. but no browse.

 

 

Any suggestions???

Has anyone else had this issue with Blogger?

 

 

Frustrated,

 

 

Carrie

Seasons Greetings

image by Carrie Corson

 

 

Hope you all are having a wonderful holiday season!

I know I have been absent from my blog lately.

Life is so busy with the our renovation & the holiday season upon us.

It makes me sad that I don't have the time to devote to my blog.

In due time life will return to a more normal pace.
Ha!  If there is still such a thing!

I will then return to a more normal pattern of posting updates around here.

 

In the meantime please know that I have not forgotten about my friends in blogland.

This is one of my favorite times of year for blogging.

It's just not quit the same, without having a home to decorate for the holidays this year.

I need to spark that good ol Christmas spirit!

So this morning before heading off to work at Dwellings I thought I would spruce up the blog a bit.
What do you think?
Festive?

 

Good news is we will have a home very soon...each day that goes

by our renovation marks yet another hurdle off the list.

I will get back to updating you on all the latest reno news I promise!

 

Have a great weekend friends!

 

Carrie

 



Wordpress vs. Blogger ~ Thoughts?

 

I'm tossing around the idea of converting from Blogger to Wordpress.

What are your thoughts?

 

I am looking to update the look of my blog to feel a bit more modern while still feeling classic.

Truth:  I've never really felt as though I have perfected the look & appearance of my blog to be

 a true representation of my creativity and style.

So, I've been searching for the Right Thing if you know what I mean.
 

 

 

I really love some of the fantastic themes that are out there for Wordpress blogs.

I've been wanting to take a Wordpress class (when I can find the time.)

I also know there are some great tutorials out there.

But, maybe then again its really just all about content & I should stick with what is simple for me.

 

So, naturally, thought I would ask those of you who support me along the way!

 

Which blogging platform do you use?

Has anyone made the transition from Blogger to Wordpress?

Is it as scary as it seems???

Do you have to be completely HTML savvy?

 

 

PLEASE I need your help...let me know your thoughts!

 

 



 

 



The Corson Cottage on Facebook

The Corson Cottage is on Facebook.

Are you a Corson Cottage follower?

Check out our latest news on Facebook.

Like our Facebook page!

Thanks....

It Worked!

Thanks so much to Diane from Blue Ridge Gal who helped me out

we now have a pretty new blog header all situated in the center

where it was intended to be all along.

She was so sweet,she actually resized my header & fixed it all up & sent it me to upload.

Sometimes it really is amazing how kind the blogging community can be:)

Thanks Diane, you're the best!!!

Carrie



I Need Your Help

As I'm sure you may have noticed I have been giving my blog a little TLC lately.

Just as I try to DIY things in my home, I thought I would try to teach myself a little about my blog.

So, needless to say , I have been DIYing my blog layout the whole way.

Slowyllllly....but surely.

But folks...

I NEED HELP!!!

Does anyone know how to get that cute little header up top there centered???

I can not figure it out for the life of me...

I have googled...binged...no luck.

I have tryed inserting the code I find in my searches, but it never works.

I may just have to break down & find a blog design company to help me out.

Any suggestions would be sooo much appreciated!

Carrie



Getting Inspired to Blog

source

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

A Little Bit About Me

Hey there everyone!

Well apparently I'm a little bit special this week ;)

I won an award, actually I won it twice!

Thanks to Inspire Me Heather for choosing me!

You are so kind to choose me.

Her blog is really cute too, check it out!
And thanks so much to Michele from Shelstring for choosing me too!
Cute blog make sure to stop by and check her out too.

The rules for this award are:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave the award to you

2. Share 7 things about yourself

3. Send it along to 15 other bloggers and let them know you have awarded them!

{7 Things About Me}

1. There is nothing I want more in the world than to be a
Mom and my husband to be a Dad.

2. I'm a total chocoholic.

3. I really love photography!  A passion I got from my father that I cherish.
He took me on my first outing to take pics of our little river town LeClaire when I was 12.
It's just been recently that I have ventured out and taken some candid shots of people.
Up until now it has strictly been landscapes, still life and interiors.

4. I absolutely have a thing for navy blue right now!
Especially..imperial trellis, chevron stripes, and greek key.

5. I only wear things that have somewhat neutral and earth tones.
Beige, Brown, Camel, Navy, Green, Grey, White
I don't venture into to much color or pattern.  Although I am into stripes at the moment.
I have no idea why.  I love when others do and do it well.  I have a good eye for fashion.
But I am fairly simple...denim jeans and a good ol layered cable knit sweater and boots.  Done.

6. I worked in executive retail management and merchandising for 11 years working a
 zillion hours before becoming a Legal Associate and working 8-5 Mon-Fri. 
And now blogging nights and weekends.
 And oh yeah, working for my big bro at Dwellings now too.

7. While I love my simple cottage decor and always will. 
I really want to venture out and step it up a notch.
I am loving all the more modern looks and inspiration that I have found through blogging.
Before I met my husband my apartment was totally West Elm mod. 
Now I think I've gone too far the other way.  I'm looking to find a nice balance.
I'm going to call my new look mod cottage.

{Here are the 15 blogs I've chosen}

Many have been the inspiration behind my quest for a new fresh updated interior.
And probably totally out of reach for the moment until we are in our new home.
And others are a  few of my new friends.


1. 6th Street Design Studio
2. Danielle Oakey Interiors
3. Emily A Clark
4. Caitlin Creer Interiors
5. Ten June
6. Classic Casual Home
7. Modern Jane
 8. Dear Lillie
9. Cottage & Vine
10. Blissfully Ever After
11. A Little Bit of Lovely
12. Lucite + Lavendar
13. Holly Mathis Interiors
14. The Modern Cottage Company
15. The Blooming Hydrangea



I hope you'll check them out they are all great blogs with tons of inspiration!

Carrie

Follow Me Friday

Hey there!

I just wanted to thank all of you who have taken the time to

become followers of The Corson Cottage!
It is truly appreciated:)

We hit 30 Followers today!!!

I'm linking up to

Trendy Treehouse Follow Me Friday today.



 This is a great party for any of you who may be interested in meeting new friends!I thought I would share it with you all today.  Get out there meet someone new today! Happy Friday! Carrie 

Blog Anniversary

Happy Anniversary!

The Corson Cottage turned 1 year old on

9.6.2011

Read our first post here.

When I started this blog it was an opportunity for me to have a

creative outlet and document our renovation journey.

While we got a little side tracked......temporarily,

 with all of my back problems this last year.

It seems as though we've found our way through & came a long way!

Our current home is all done and now on the market.

Thanks so much to all of you who have joined our journey

as followers and those of you who stop in from time to time.

We have had the opportunity to make some friends along the way

and look forward to the renovation journey in our future in our new home

 and making many more new friends along the way!

Along with a new year I thought we could,

naturally, use a new fresh modern look around here!

Don't you???

So, remember that $100 AMEX Gift Card we won from

HGTV and The Letterd Cottage a while back.

Well, I saved it for a special treat!


We are going to be working on updating the blog.
So, please bare with us!

Thanks!


Carrie

Welcome to The Corson Cottage

Hello all!

We are the Corsons.

My name is Carrie Corson and my handy husband is Travis Corson. My husband and I are both from the same small old rivertown in Iowa. We grew up in LeClaire, Iowa. We come from the belief that hard work and perseverance will accomplish all things.

This is our blog The Corson Cottage.

I have been inspired to blog about the ups and downs of updating our fixer upper. This is our first home. While we have lived here for two years, it is still in need of a bit of TLC. I hope that you will join us through this process as we begin to make our memories for our future. Hopefully this blog will give us something to look back on years from now and appreciate how far we have come. If I can inspire someone else along the way, as those that have inspired me, all the better!

By day I am a Legal Associate for a corporate Law Department. By night I am a wife to my beloved husband and mother to our lil dog Lucy. By starting this blog it will give me the opportunity to have a creative outlet. I love to decorate our cottage style bungalow on a budget. Travis is a contractor/carpenter/builder. He started his own business, TC Construction, two years ago and is still going strong. He stays very busy. Which leaves me with my weekends to dable in decor. If you are still reading, Thank You! Please stop back often to check out our updates.

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined." Henry David Thoreau