Family Move, DIY Makeovers, and Blogging Friends

Lately I’ve been spending a lot of time with my family as we get my parents’ new house ready for the big move. If you follow me on social media you’ve probably seen glimpses of the work—painting, furniture shopping, refinishing pieces, and more painting. The move is finally scheduled for Saturday, and everyone is over the moon with excitement. The family room still needs a bit of finishing, but the rest of the house is ready.

We’ve tackled lots of projects and I can’t wait to share detailed tutorials soon. Here’s a short preview of a few DIY projects that are nearly complete.

This armoire received a total redo—sanded, repainted, and updated hardware give it a fresh look that fits the new space.

The top section of a china cabinet is getting a makeover to serve a different purpose in the new layout.

The bottom of the china cabinet will be used as a separate piece—two distinct furniture pieces repurposed from one find. I’ll share the step-by-step process and photos in a future post.

We’ve taken breaks in between projects so the kids could swim and play, which has kept the mood light. We’ve also been dodging rain delays while trying to keep progress moving forward.

One of the furniture projects was a table and chair set that I updated with Annie Sloan chalk paint and new finishes. It transformed the whole dining area.

On my way to help my mom, I spotted a cool photo opportunity that I want to incorporate into a future post—small moments like that spark fresh ideas for styling and photography.

Sometimes the kids will pause and pose on their own between projects—those candid moments are some of my favorite photos from this whole process.

Now that you have a quick update on the move and the DIY work, I want to share a few blogging friends who have inspired and supported me along the way. Making connections with other bloggers has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey—these women offer great ideas and encouragement.

Melissa at BlessThisMessPlease is a go-to for meal planning and clean eating inspiration. Her Clean Eating Meal Plan is what first drew me in, and her mix of gardening, family content, and recipes has kept me coming back. She’s been an unofficial mentor as I learned the ropes of blogging.

The cousins behind DIYJustCuz are a creative trio who were some of the first readers to find my blog. They invited me to guest post and their DIY ideas—like sweet baby onesies projects—are full of charm and practical tutorials.

Christine at WhereTheSmilesHaveBeen shares encouraging, approachable home projects and decorating ideas. Her bold accent wall project is a great example of how a single design choice can change a room’s energy.

Stephy at StephySweetBakes creates some of the most impressive—and delicious-looking—cakes and desserts I’ve seen. Her work, like the ballerina dress cake, blends beautiful design with accessible techniques that inspire bakers of all skill levels.

Jeanetta Darley, a fellow Arkansan, writes thoughtful lifestyle pieces and features for regional sites. Her clear writing and local perspective have been motivating as I work to refine my own voice.

Katy from Redbird Recipes shares family-friendly treats and clever ideas that are perfect for busy parents. Her playful cupcake projects are both adorable and simple enough to recreate.

Danielle from 2 Little Superheroes loves vintage finds and repurposing furniture. She runs a creative business called The Vintage Sign and participates in monthly markets; her eye for reclaimed materials gives me lots of inspiration for signage and rustic decor.

I hope you’ll check out these creative blogs and enjoy the variety of recipes, DIY projects, and decorating ideas they offer. These friendships have made blogging more fun and less lonely—there’s real value in swapping tips, guest posting, and cheering each other on.

For now, I’m off to help my mom move. Follow along on Instagram for real-time photos of the move and the final reveals, and sign up to get new posts delivered to your inbox if you want to see tutorials and before-and-after makeovers as they go live.