Be Inspired Features and Link Party #122

Happy Tuesday! Welcome back for features and party day!
 

Thanks so much for all the sweet comments on my Lessons Learned in Four Years of Blogging post! Many of you are no-reply bloggers, so I don't get to say thank you personally. But I really do appreciate that you take the time to stop by and visit! Now on to our party features .....

Patti from Old Things New shared a budget-friendly kitchen makeover that really sparkles and shines!

Vintage cottage style dressers are my very favorite pieces of furniture and this one in sunny yellow from Denise at Pink Postcard is a total charmer!

How cute is this rustic vintage window coffee table from One More Time Events! Can you tell that the base is a luggage rack?

I love the new rustic wood top on this coffee table from Fort Ledbetter!

The geometric design works so well on this mid-century modern nightstand and Reeves from The Weather Door has the scoop on how to get such crisp clean lines!

Suzanne from The Painted Drawer decided to keep  this big beautiful buffet and set of chairs for her own dining room. Good decision, don't you think!

 

 

The gardens at Fishtail Cottage are absolutely swoon-worthy! You really must go take a look. And this has to be the most adorable chicken coop ever!

Ansley from Vivaciously Vintage took this thrift store find ...

 

and created this fabulous little work of art!

Cassie from Lovely Weeds shared this super cute hanging jewelry display using reclaimed wood and fun hardware!

And this Mexican Cucumber Salad from Caramel Potatoes looks easy, fresh and perfect for summer!

Thanks so much to everyone who linked up and linked back!
If you've been featured, feel free to grab a cute little button from the sidebar!
 

And don't forget that you can also share your garden and outdoor related projects all month long at our June Garden Party!
 

Now on to this week's party...

 

*Link up your furniture makeovers, DIY projects, home decor, crafts, recipes, thrifty finds, etc... We want to see whatever is inspiring you at the moment!

 

*A link back would be appreciated, especially if you'd like to be considered for a feature

 

*And we'd love to have you follow along with us!

 

We'll be back next Tuesday with features and a brand new party!

 

 

Lessons Learned in Four Years of Blogging!

It's hard to believe, but this little blog of mine is now four years old!

{photo credit}
 

I started blogging for one simple reason ... I was in the process of teaming up with the girls to start Elizabeth & Co. Vintage and we were planning our very first tag sale. I thought the blog would be a fun way to chronicle that adventure ... just a couple of girls chasing after a dream.

 

Well our little business has grown into much more than we could have imagined and we now host five sales a year. We have met the most amazing people and we just love that we get to share our passion for recycling and repurposing, and all things old, crusty and rusty. We like to say that our mission is to convert the world to vintage, one tag sale at a time!

 

One of the things that I did not anticipate about writing a blog is the that I would form genuine friendships with other bloggers ... people I would otherwise never have an opportunity to meet. I've always been fascinated by the way that people connect in real life. You meet someone and instantly know that you will be friends for life. Other times, it just doesn't happen. Well funny thing, it works the same way in the blog world! I am inspired by my friends in the blog world and I learn from and with them. I can often anticipate exactly what they will say and I can pick their projects out of a line-up in a heartbeat. And sometimes, I share their joys and sorrows!
 

 

The biggest lesson I've learned is that your blog is your own little place in the world. Other than the golden rule of "just be nice", there really are no rules. There are all kinds of articles out there about how to have the best blog, attract the most followers or make the most money. You can certainly learn from them. But at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is what you want your blog to be. Blogging can be extremely time-consuming. You need to find your own balance. Post every day or post once a month, be social or just write as a way to sort out your thoughts. Take on advertising and sponsors or not, it's all up to you. You can buy a fancy camera and stylize all your photos or share a unfiltered candid moment.You can keep it all business or share your deep dark thoughts, your musings, your life. If you are being honest and genuine, it really doesn't matter. Just like the real world ... be yourself, find your own voice and don't compare yourself to anyone else!

 

 

This little blog does not have a grand plan. I have no idea where it's going or what comes next. I take it one post at a time. It's just my little place in the world. But I do know that I am most appreciative of the opportunity to share and be a part of it all. My life has been enriched by the people I've met along the way. Thanks so much for being here and sharing this adventure with me and the girls at Elizabeth & Co!

 

Be Inspired Features and Link Party #121

Happy Tuesday! Welcome back for features and party day!
 

Flipping the calendar to June is a sure sign that summer has arrived. Time to get cracking on all those projects I was dreaming about all winter long! And just take a look at these awesome projects shared at our party last week .....

I love everything about this mid-century modern hutch from Angela at Number Fifty-Three, including the pottery and ironstone collection inside!

No one does repurposing better than Gail over at My Repurposed Life!

Check out all the chippy goodness on this coral dresser from D.D.'s Cottage and Design!

Deb from Twice Nice went with a blue jeans look for this sweet little dresser!

Danielle from The Painted Willows shared this fun blue ombre dresser and her patriotic flag art piece!

The cost of this art piece from Pottery Barn Kids is $400!

The cost of this art piece from Our Pinteresting Family is $6 and Megan created it while holding a baby!

Being Bianca shared this easy one-pot Low Country Shrimp Boil. I really want to try this for a summer gathering!

This Skillet Apple Cake from At the Corner of Happy and Harried sounds delicious and just looks so pretty!

And this Éclair Cake from Crafty Journal is one of those old-fashioned simple summer treats that is just impossible to resist!

Thanks so much to everyone who linked up and linked back!
If you've been featured, feel free to grab a cute little button from the sidebar!
 

And don't forget that you can also share your garden and outdoor related projects all month long at our June Garden Party!
 

Now on to this week's party...

 

*Link up your furniture makeovers, DIY projects, home decor, crafts, recipes, thrifty finds, etc... We want to see whatever is inspiring you at the moment!

 

*A link back would be appreciated, especially if you'd like to be considered for a feature

*And we'd love to have you follow along with us!

 

We'll be back next Tuesday with features and a brand new party!

 

June Garden Party

Welcome back for our June Garden Party!
 

To celebrate summer, we're hosting a monthly garden party.
You can check out my latest garden tour here. And I just loved all the inspiration at the May Garden Party.  Here are just a few links that caught my eye .....

I love the beautiful simplicity of this water pitcher filled with flowers hanging from a garden gate in Ann's garden from Moonbeams & Fireflies. I just might have to borrow this idea!

I've been a fan of Red Gate Farm for a few years now. This time around, Chris shared her love for the sweet smell of lilacs.

And to quote Chris ... Nothing says country like a lilac, a barn and a couple of antique farm trucks. ... I agree!

 

I love Brooke's anything goes philosophy in her funky-junky rose garden over at Creative Country Mom's Garden!

Because after all, the whole point of a garden is to make you smile!

If you're not quite sure you're ready to tackle a vegetable garden or maybe you just don't have the space, you can still grow a bounty of garden goodness in pots. And over at Simply Suzanne's, the kids loved getting involved too!

 

 

Or get really creative like Dawn over at Creative Cain Cabin and try gardening-in-a-bag!

 

 

This hillside rockery garden was once an untamed jungle. Committed has wonderful tips on how to regain control of your gardens, one step at a time!

I love garden tours and this one from Life and Linda has beautiful landscapes and unique flowers!

 

Amy from The Blissful Bee planted succulents in recycled jars to bring a little green indoors - a pretty, simple and thrifty idea!

 

Thanks so much to everyone who shared their garden inspiration with us in May !
 

Now on to this month's party.....

 

*Link up any outdoor or garden related project you'd like to share - what's growing in your yard or garden, patio gardens, landscaping ideas, outdoor craft projects, garden furniture, bringing the outdoors in, garden fresh recipes and of course we love pretty porches and patios too!

*A link back would be appreciated, especially if you'd like to be considered for a feature.

*We'll launch a new party on the first of the month. Feel free to link up as often as you like. And it's okay to link up the same project to our Garden Party and our Be Inspired Party held every Tuesday.

Can't wait to see what's happening in your outdoor world!