As we reflect on 2013 and look ahead to 2014
I thought I would share a few of my Favorite posts of 2013
I thought I would share a few of my Favorite posts of 2013
and some of your favorites posts, projects and DIY too.
2013 was a year filled with projects, changes and so many new experiences
DIY projects were in full swing and a couple larger projects as well.
I traveled to big cities, went to design bloggers dream events
and road tripped on backroads through the midwest.
and road tripped on backroads through the midwest.
Note: You can click on each of the titles to visit the full posts
I started the New Year off with some pretty big excitement and travel.
I love traveling and this trip took me to NYC
I am so honored to be a part of the HomeGoods Design Happy blog team
and their blogger day was in NYC in January.
It was my first time to New York and Joan (in the photo above with me enjoying NY style pizza) took Cathy and I around the city for a few hours during the day before everyone from the social media team met.
I even rode the subway- dorky? Maybe, but I had to do it. 😉
February brought a cottage bathroom feature with a friend of mine and Romantic Homes magazine.
I was completely surprised when this magazine came out to find that one of my photos
of the bathroom had made the cover.
I was completely surprised when this magazine came out to find that one of my photos
of the bathroom had made the cover.
Completely. Surprised.
Another of your favorites was this rustic box centerpiece. It was another one of those random projects- that I just decided to do one day and it was so simple to make.
It has been in quite a few different spots in the house and outside.
The office got a new coat of paint and a new look in the Spring.
It was a favorite post of yours.
It was a favorite post of yours.
I absolutely love working with Lowes as one of their Creative Ideas bloggers
It’s an amazing network where we work on different projects each month.
When I found out that one of the Spring projects was to boost curb appeal~
I knew it was time to finally build that pergola on the front porch that we had been talking about.
I have been fortunate to be working with an amazing publisher in Europe
who has encouraged me to work as a stylist and photographer.
The cottage styled for Spring Romance was the first time I had photographed & styled everything on my own. I am completely honored that the story appeared in 3 magazines in Europe
One of my favorites- and yours as well.
I love my red toile bathroom- and don’t have any plans to change that wallpaper any time soon.
So when something needs a little change- the furniture is the first choice.
Oh and yes, there are a couple more changes planned for this room for this year too. 😉
I have a huge crush on chicken wire- and was inspired to make a chicken wire basket on a whim. Seems like some of my favorite projects are those ah-ha moment projects that I randomly do- and this one is just that.
This trip was the most amazing thing I have with my blog. Not just because I was
traveling with the fantastic folks at GMC
driving some pretty sweet Acadia Denali’s on the road from
Hudson Michigan all the way down to Georgia
but yes, that was pretty darn amazing.
driving some pretty sweet Acadia Denali’s on the road from
Hudson Michigan all the way down to Georgia
but yes, that was pretty darn amazing.
Not because we were shopping all the way along the worlds longest yard sale for treasures-
that was pretty amazing too.
But it was bigger and better than just a fun adventure with friends.
Those treasures we were shopping for weren’t for us- they were for decorating a Habitat for Humanity house
as a surprise for an amazing family.
The entire experience was unlike anything I have done before
and I wish that I could do it again every year.
that was pretty amazing too.
But it was bigger and better than just a fun adventure with friends.
Those treasures we were shopping for weren’t for us- they were for decorating a Habitat for Humanity house
as a surprise for an amazing family.
The entire experience was unlike anything I have done before
and I wish that I could do it again every year.
I met so many people, made so many new friends
and I truly received so much more on this trip than I was able to give to the family.
Amazing.
and I truly received so much more on this trip than I was able to give to the family.
Amazing.
When I found a stack of vintage blue dishes at the thrift store…
it inspired a new vignette in the sitting area.
I searched high and low for that kitten setting on my camera when kitten-sitting my grandkittens
and bottle feeding them for a few weeks
They are the biggest pieces of my heart – my family.
and they constantly make me laugh.
I shared a few fun photos of my comedians goofing off
when I tried to get a family picture.
I shared a few fun photos of my comedians goofing off
when I tried to get a family picture.
I love burlap- and mixing it with silver even better.
Vintage Charm
and a little about white capris
and a little about white capris
Yea- that about sums that post up. 🙂
Fall in the cottage was full of wheat and pumpkins
and those enormous California pinecones.
This was one of my favorite floral posts-
tiny glass bottles- and touched with gold- even better.
I made these ticking stripe drapes when I found a most perfect fabric-
will be sharing more about them in the New Year.
Christmas is my favorite time of year- and the cottage was dressed for the season with fresh greens
and a pretty new tree from Balsam Hill
Holiday Housewalk showing our home dressed for Christmas
2013 was filled with family, projects, blessings & amazing moments.
It brought personal growth & bigger dreams starting to take a more solid shape.
When I started blogging 3 years ago I had absolutely no idea how it would change me.
The experiences it would bring.
The creativity it would bring.
The new friends & community it would bring.
I feel so blessed to have found this thing called ‘blogging’
and one of the biggest blessings of blogging is all of the wonderful friends I have met
in person & virtually- and that includes all of you who take the time to read my blog.
I want to thank each of you
-for reading, for sharing, for encouraging, for stopping by and saying hello
for letting me share a little bit of moi with you
and for being a part of my French Country Cottage family.
I have so much planned for the new year
and I am working on finding that ‘word’ of the year
and today- decorating for a little New Years Eve party
More coming soon!
Happy almost New Year everyone!
Enter your email address:
Delivered by FeedBurner
Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says
Oh I loved them all. Your blog is always so inspirational and I usually drool over all of your projects. Can't wait to see more. Hugs, marty
Unknown says
I certainly can’t pick my favorites from the list, is there an all the above option? Or an all the above plus, plus, plus, plus? Fabulous inspiration everywhere!
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
You shared some wonderful inspiration this year, Courtney! I love all of these projects and posts you have highlighted, but I have to say, I get a lot from each of your posts. Looking forward to reading along in the coming year!
Happy New Year!
rêve de vivre says
Happy New Year 2014. Andrea
Sarah says
I love all the redos but my favorite has to be the bathroom. I love those mirrors and that redone cabinet.
DD's Cottage says
HI Courtney,
I love your blog and read it all the time. I am friends with Heather Gardner and met you at Mes Amis last year. I have started a blog this month and you helped inspire me to do this. I look forward to reading about your adventures and hopefully seeing you again.
Thanks,
Darrielle Tennenbaum
Retro blue says
Happy New Year!
Greetings from Alsace:)
Unknown says
Courtney, I adore your blog. Even before I tested the waters of blogging, yours was one of my go to faves . I luv your seemingly effortless elegant style.
Happy New Year to you and yours!
Eileen says
Beautiful ! Inspiring ! I'm very new to blogs etc but this is soooooo much fun! Thank you!
The Kim Six Fix says
What a beautiful and wonderful year you have had! I can't wait to see what is up next!
Di says
Have a wonderful, safe and happy New Year Courtney!
Felizza Anunciatta says
Happy New Year!!!!
Best Wishes for you!!!
Love your Work!
Kisses
Maru
MYSHABBYFRENCHLIFE says
✻ღϠ₡ღ✻
(¯`✻´¯)
`*.¸.*✻✿✿✿*`*HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014* *✻✿✿✿*`*.¸
*.˛.°★。˛ °.★** **★* *˛.
xoxo from PARIS
Joëlle
Sandi~A Cottage Muse says
Happy, Happy New Year…looking forward to all that you will share in 2014!
Unknown says
Happy New Year, enjoyed this post and have been following you since I met you at the World's Longest Yard Sale when you and the other design team members stopped at my booth. I look forward to reading your posts in the new year!.