So in all the hub bub of April (and there was so much!) I totally missed my 3 Year Blog Birthday.
my little life all started with this little post in 2006, and so much has happened since, I can hardly believe it. I cannot believe the friends I have found through blogging, the opportunities I have had both personally and professionally that have come out of blogging, and the great inspiration and encouragement I have found through blogging. My life has changed in a lot of ways in the past 3 years, and I know there are still more changes ahead – some hard, some planned and hopefully some more wonderful happy surprises like this one I received this month:
My house, in a magazine.
It happened like this: Back in April, the lovely and talented Diane Carroll, new Editor in Chief of At Home in Arkansas (the home design magazine around these parts,) while working on a story for the June issue, found my house & my banners on Etsy.
She called, we chatted (me, of course trying to remain super cool & low key.) She asked if I would make a Welcome Summer Banner similar to my Welcome Spring Banner for their Cottage Issue, oh and would I mind them coming to my house to shoot the picture?
Would I? Oh my!
As you could have guessed I said “yes, of course please come” and
” just let me know when!”
Then I hung up the phone and did a happy dance – very uncool and chic I am sure, but I could not help myself. This was a dream come true.
The day itself, was even more fun if then I could have ever imagined. Once of those special days, where you do feel a little bit like all the stars align and God is smiling on you in particular.
This is my little scrapbook from that day….
Superb photographer Nancy Nolan & At Home Art Director, Mandy Keener ponder the setting for the shoot. I tried to stay out of the way, while still helping when needed as much as possible.
I had more fun with Nancy & Mandy than I could have ever hoped. They are very cool, down to earth, creative and a lot of fun. Oh, and they love Starbucks as much as me. Kindred Spirits as Anne Shirley would say.
Mandy & Nancy move a few things around to get ready. For color & contrast Mandy brought this great piece of framed fabric for over the mantle. After we had booked the shoot they realized they had already used a white mantle/map image in a previous issue. Even though the style of the rooms are completely different, they didn’t want to repeat themselves too much, and who could blame them?
I love the framed fabric and have thought about doing something like that there eventually… If I ever find another great place for my beloved map…
The mega camera set up. The natural light was so great that day they didn’t need lamps or funny white reflector thingies.
Nancy showing Mandy the shots on the computer so they could decide what needed adjusting or changing. They ended up just doing one arrangement and sticking with it, even though they had planned on doing a few just to be safe. This one just turned out so lovely I guess they didn’t think they needed more…
Hurrah!
How the shot looked from my perch in the back.
Ahh….
The actual glossy magazine… Amazingly beautiful.
My page.
Wow. That is my house, and Nancy and Mandy made it look so good.
I have to say I am pretty darn proud.
I am also extremely grateful for all the little things that made it into the shot – like the floor pillows that my mother made for me, or the old quilt on the bottom of the chaise that came from my Great-great grandmother, or the family pictures on either side of the mantle – my Maw as a young mother surrounded by her kids, my Paw as a little boy with his parents on their farm.
All the things that help make my house a home were part of the finished shot, and that really makes me as happy as any of it. Those are the bits make it personal after all….
Also featured in the June Cottage Issue are several Etsy Sellers from Arkansas, and I was again honored by having my candles pictured along with some other amazing products, which you can read about here.
This years Cottage Issue is one of my very favorites issues ever, and I was even more excited (if that’s possible) to have been included in this edition once I saw the whole issue.
If you don’t live in Arkansas or have access to a hard copy, make sure you take a moment and go look at the Digital Edition which I think is the coolest new feature on the At Home website.
But if you would like a hard copy to have for your very own self, then make sure you enter my Belated Birthday Giveaway!!
To celebrate my Blog Birthday & all the wonderful blessings I have received over the past 3 years in Blogland I would like to give a few things back – 3 in fact!
So here are the details:
There will be 3 Giveaway Items and 3 Winners
1) A $25 Gift Credit & Free Shipping @ Storia HOME
2) Your choice of Candle from the ones you see above as featured in At Home in Arkansas plus a few more treats
3) A Vintage Goodie Back & Copy of At Home In Arkansas, June Issue
You can enter the following ways:
1) Leave a comment telling me which items you would like to win – if you have a preference.
2) For extra entries you can blog, twitter or facebook about this giveaway. Then come back here & leave me a comment with a link to your blog/tweet/fb post.
the giveaway will close at 11PM on July 1 and a winner will be announced on July 3rd
Thank you all for coming by my blog week after week, thank you for the inspiration & encouragement you bring – through your blogs and your comments (which I love!) You all make blogging so much fun!!
Good luck!
I would LOVE to be in your giveaway!!!! I really can't decide which I would like, any would be WONDERFUL. I will post a link on my blog today.
Thanks for the opportunity! You are amazing 🙂
Oh, that is wonderful! And your home looks amazing in those photos. Lucky, lucky girl! Congratulations and may you have many more blogging years to come. (I so enjoy my visits here.)
Wow ~ you go girl!!!
I'm so HAPPY for you!!!
Huge congratulations to you, Jerusalem! On your blog anniversary-thanks for 300 posts of inspiration! Also, for the gorgeous magazine photos!!! How exciting! xo-Mel
Huge congratulations to you, Jerusalem! On your blog anniversary-thanks for 300 posts of inspiration! Also, for the gorgeous magazine photos!!! How exciting! xo-Mel
Huge congratulations to you, Jerusalem! On your blog anniversary-thanks for 300 posts of inspiration! Also, for the gorgeous magazine photos!!! How exciting! xo-Mel
Huge congratulations to you, Jerusalem! On your blog anniversary-thanks for 300 posts of inspiration! Also, for the gorgeous magazine photos!!! How exciting! xo-Mel
Huge congratulations to you, Jerusalem! On your blog anniversary-thanks for 300 posts of inspiration! Also, for the gorgeous magazine photos!!! How exciting! xo-Mel
Please sign me up. Since I can't tolerate candles my first choice would be the gift card. I love your stuff. It is so beautiful. Congrats on your anniversary.
Erin
Happy 3 years! Oh, what a hard decision!! If I HAVE to choose I think my first choice would be option 3: the vintage goodie bag and the magazine.
How sweet of you to host this giveaway; thank you!
Happy 3rd! I'd love any of the three goodies.
Happy 3rd! I'd love any of the three goodies.
Happy 3rd! I'd love any of the three goodies.
Happy 3rd! I'd love any of the three goodies.
Happy 3rd! I'd love any of the three goodies.
I would love the vintage goodie bag and mag or the $25 gift certificate…love your stuff!
I just wanted to say congrats on the magazine!! I love that mag & was just thinking the other day I haven't seen an issue in a couple months. I'll fo find it for sure now!!
I’m not surprised one bit! Congratulations! Love the floor cushions by the way
Congrats! Well deserved – your style is amazing. I love coming here to drool over everything! I would love any of the giveaway choices, but the vintage goodie bag sounds like fun!
How wonderful and exciting! Good for you. I've always loved your style and I am glad they chose you for the magazine. Can't wait to get a copy.
Congratulations!!! I would have had to pinch myself several times with an opportunity like that!! Your home looks INCREDIBLE. Thanks for doing the giveaway. It's a tough choice, but I think my top would be the copy of your magazine & vintage goody bag…or the gift card to your shop. I hope to enjoy your next 3 years of blogging! 😉
Congratulations!!! I would have had to pinch myself several times with an opportunity like that!! Your home looks INCREDIBLE. Thanks for doing the giveaway. It's a tough choice, but I think my top would be the copy of your magazine & vintage goody bag…or the gift card to your shop. I hope to enjoy your next 3 years of blogging! 😉
Congratulations!!! I would have had to pinch myself several times with an opportunity like that!! Your home looks INCREDIBLE. Thanks for doing the giveaway. It's a tough choice, but I think my top would be the copy of your magazine & vintage goody bag…or the gift card to your shop. I hope to enjoy your next 3 years of blogging! 😉
Congratulations!!! I would have had to pinch myself several times with an opportunity like that!! Your home looks INCREDIBLE. Thanks for doing the giveaway. It's a tough choice, but I think my top would be the copy of your magazine & vintage goody bag…or the gift card to your shop. I hope to enjoy your next 3 years of blogging! 😉
Congratulations!!! I would have had to pinch myself several times with an opportunity like that!! Your home looks INCREDIBLE. Thanks for doing the giveaway. It's a tough choice, but I think my top would be the copy of your magazine & vintage goody bag…or the gift card to your shop. I hope to enjoy your next 3 years of blogging! 😉
Hoooray Hooooray Hooooooorayyyy!!!
YAY for you!!! So so well deserved!! I am sure you will be inspiring home owners/moms all over Arkansas!! (which by the way is where our chihuahua Carlos is from ..lol)
Such a happy fun sweet post!! Happy Happy Blogiversary!! I LOVE all that you create!! So happy and cheerful!!! And your boys are toooo cute!!
Here's to many more years in blogland!!!
Sending lots of love!!
from the Jersey Shore!
xoxo Jenny
The photos are FANTASTIC!!!!
Please! toss my name in the hat!!!!!
Fantastic Jerusalem, your living room looks divine! Rachaelxo
I'm up here in Fayeteville trying to find this magazine. I'd love to see your house in it!
If I would be oh so lucky to win, I would love the gift certificate or anything else. I love your still!
From a fellow Arkie (who reads often and posts little) – Shara
Congrats! Your home looks beautiful in the photo. What an honor. I would love to win the gift certificate.
That is absolutely so cool and your house looks adorable. What fun! Being a magazine junkie I would totally want the magazine with your little spread. Congrats.
You rock my friend! This is awesome, your home is so beautiful and your talent is limitless. You should be so proud of yourself! Those boys have an awesome momma!
Have a great weekend!
Gabreial
Jeru I didn't even know of your triumph- how very unbragadocious of you! Your house looks fresh and lovely on the glossy page- of course. I would love to have any or all of the givaways- are you and Nathan drawing from a hat over there? (if so, i better contact him and have him stack the hat in my direction!)
Congrats!
Sunny
It looks beautiful!!
I can't even BELIEVE your house is in A MAGAZINE!! That is SUPER exciting!
Yea for you!!
Congrats friend!
Jerusalem!! How fabulous!! I picked that magazine up at the grocery store the other day and put it back without looking all the way through it..I'll be buying it the next time I'm at Wally world! Please enter me in your giveaway—I'll take ANYTHING from your sweet little hands!! After seeing your shop, I'm trusting you to do what's best for me if I win! OH, I hope I win!!!
that is so cool and the room is beautiful. more reasons for me to come visit.
That is so exciting!! I love your home and spent quite a while the other night perusing your blog. You *almost* make me want to go camping!!
Oh gosh…I love all three things you are offering, so would be happy with any.
Thanks!!
Elise
Congratulations Jerusalem. I would love to win any of your prizes and I am off to check out the on line magazine. I love the cover photo.
congrats, you deserve this. i do love checking in “your little life”
btw love the post about the 5 & 10 in branson……..love these oldie but goodie stores.
all your prizes sounded just lovely!
kara
Wow, congratulations! That is so exciting. The photograph looks amazing! You should be so proud of yourself…!!
Congrats on your home being featured by the magazine! It looks wonderful!
I would love to be entered into your drawing. Your site is always so cheerful and I love looking at your banners.
I'm so proud of you girl! That is incredibly exciting. I would love to get my hands on a copy of that magazine. Way to go you!
Congratulations!!! (I already bought the magazine- The photos of your home- AMAZING!!!)What a lovely give-away…LOVE, LOVE any of them!
Blessings!
Jill
yes, i may have missed your cut-off…but i just discoved your super cute blog!
congrats on your blogiversary and the magazine shot!
love
it!
<3,
karri
Congratulations, I guess it really shows how busy I have been I missed all this wonderful news, you should be so proud everything looks wonderful. I bet it was very exciting well deserved. Count me in for winning a copy of the magazine, I would love that!
Hugs & Kisses, Diane
It's so lovely. I can see why it was featured!
I would love the $25 credit! 🙂
doot65[at]comcast{dot}net
I shared on my facebook.
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doot65[at]comcast{dot}net
Your site is so inspirational! I love your style…it's so “me”. I would love any of the gifts you are giving away. I can't wait to dig into your blog, more!
Tresa