I've Got Some Big News!

What better day to announce my happy news than on my birthday! But first, a look at how I got here.

I am not sure what this blogging journey looks like to someone who is not a blogger, but I hope it doesn't look glamorous. It can be hard. It sometimes fills me with insecurities I didn't know I had. It can be a roller-coaster of highs and validation but sometimes very low lows. There are days when I question why I continually put myself out there to be judged when it would be so much more comfortable to stay quiet. It is times when I question what the heck I am doing that I have to step back and remember how I was just 6 years ago.

Before I started my blog I had fallen into a rut. Being home most of the time had made me so inward and awkward that I literally could not go into a store and ask an associate where the show laces were. It filled me with such panic and anxiety. I wouldn't answer the phone because, well, I would have to TALK to whoever was on the other line! I didn't understand myself anymore because in collage and as a newlywed I had been relatively outgoing.

One day I found out that there were these things called blogs where people shared crafts and such. I didn't really understand what they were and back then there wasn't a ton of social media attached to them, just a blog. I thought it might be a fun way to share with family and friends what we had been doing on our fixer upper. I even thought it might be fun if friends of friends found it and read it. I wanted to share not only what we were doing but HOW we were doing it in the hopes that it would inspire others to do similar projects themselves instead of hiring everything out.

My first ever header for my blog. Shane drew the girl, I scanned it and colored it in photoshop.

I had no idea it would grow, and grow quickly. I sometimes think that if I would have known how it would evolve that it would have scared me into not doing it at all. I am glad I was naive.

When I saw it was growing, I had a feeling deep down that this blog was going to make me step out of my comfort zone and it scared me. I decided to make a pact with God that if I promised to do things that made me uncomfortable, that He would help me grow and use this new platform for good. I actually meant that I wanted my blog to grow, but in reality, it was me who did the growing.

I could go on and on about almost throwing up on live TV, stammering and stuttering on conference calls, and having anxiety attacks on a plane going to my first company event but I will just say that every good thing was also a terrifying thing. It is not until I look back that I can see how very different I am today because of continually going outside my comfort zone. I am thankful for the personal growth that has come from blogging. It saved me in a way. It saved me from going further inside myself and completely losing my identity.

I can now speak in front of hundreds of people. I break out in a cold sweat beforehand and feel like I might faint afterwards, but I can do it! I can talk on a conference call with brand executives and only be slightly awkward. I can travel to a new city by myself without replaying episodes of Law and Order in my head. I can even be vulnerable in a blog post knowing that people will judge me.

I wasn't planning on going all introspective for this post. I was just going to announce my fun news, but there is something about turning one year older that makes you assess your life and yourself. Thanks for humoring me :)

Five years ago I was featured in Better Homes and Gardens in the "I did it!" section for my stenciled ceiling. It was one of the best days of my life! I found I had a love for the behind the scenes part of it all. I love doing projects but I think I love doing the styling and the photo shoots just as much.

This summer I had the chance to have a Better Homes and Garden's team come to my house again. This time the feature is a 6 page spread in their new special edition StyleMakers magazine!

 

 

I was challenged to use three items in my home in more than one way to give people ideas for storage in a small space situation. My kitchen, office, family room, entry, dining room, and laundry room are all featured.

 

 

I had so much fun shopping for, planning, and styling this shoot. The editor, stylist, and photographer were amazing. A huge shout out to Samantha Thrope, Molly Sinnett, and Jay Wilde.

The magazine is available starting TODAY where ever magazines are sold! What a fun birthday present, right? The whole magazine is STUNNING. If you are out and about and you see the magazine, take a picture and tag me on Instagram (@stacyrisenmay) or email it to me (notjustahousewife @ yahoo . com). I would love to see all the places it is found :)

I have some more fun things in store for my birthday week! Stay tuned.....

 

 

 

 

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