Here we are: that mystical week-between: the Christmas dust is settling, our mostly-dead tree has still not been taken down (has yours?), and all is still quiet before the craziness of the new year begins.
How’d it go for ya? Did you get the baby doll and toy train Santa promised? (My sweet one-year-old girl got a baby doll. She has been toting her around nonstop, putting her to sleep in her new little baby crib, covering her, head and all, with a blanket and going “Shhh! Ni-night baby! Shh!” It is completely blowing up the entire universe’s cuteness quota. It’s just not even safe.)
I thought it’d be fun to take a look back of the year and check out the top posts – what you looked at the most, what you talked about the most, and what completely flopped and shall never be spoken of again. (Okay, let’s just let those lie.)
Countdown: Most Viewed Posts of 2013
5. How to get popcorn ceilings out of your life: Totally random post from 2011 that somehow got crazy traction this year out of nowhere. Where did you even come from, popcorn ceiling post?!
4. How to Sew Lined Back-Tab Curtains: I probably get more emails from people saying they attempted this project than for any of my other tutorials. Usually they’re all, “I made your curtains this afternoon! I made six panels in 15 minutes!” — where it took me approximately 10 months to make mine. Whatever, guys. Show-offs.
3. How to Make Any Lamp Cordless: This is the post from last year that just KEEPS ON KEEPIN’ ON!
2. My $157 Laundry Room Makeover: For me, this was my biggest project of all of last year. It led to the Better Homes & Gardens feature (behind-the-scenes details here!) and a couple other mag features, and Pinterest just selected it as one of the top Home Decor pins of 2013. (WHAT.) That post, and that makeover, was such an unexpected blessing. I still don’t really “get” why it went SO CRAZY – but I’m SUPER thankful for it!
1. Never buy curtains again: 27 inspiring DIY curtains you can make yourself: Uh, I don’t even know where this post came from. It just exploded, I think because of pinterest. I will say that pulling together that post and seeing all the incredibly inspiring curtain ideas has made me LAUGH in the face of expensive designer curtains. I LAUGH AT THEM. Muahaha.
Most Commented-On Posts of 2013
I know, it should be “commented-upon,” but I just couldn’t do it. I just couldn’t write “upon.”
5. Our dodecahedron light tutorial!: Wow! I could never have expected such a strong response here! We actually sold these lights for a short time, but we were completely overwhelmed with the orders and had to stop making them. We were knee-deep in dodecahedrons and just didn’t expect to get so many orders. Good news though: I think we’ve come up with a new way to make them that anyone can do without Andy’s crazy woodworking skillz. Stay tuned!
4. How to completely ruin your kitchen remodel: I was amazed to hear so many of you could relate and have made the same mistakes in your decorating as I did. I think we all got a bit more of a resolve to decorate the RIGHT way in the future! (Here are my decorating rules that’ll save you tons of headache!)
3. On Marley: You guys. I can’t even tell you how much your comments meant to me and comforted me. This post was hard for me to write and read, but I came back to it and re-read the comments over and over. Just on a personal note: thank you.
2. Cloth Diapering 101: SO MANY CLOTH DIAPER QUESTIONS! I had no idea!
1. Laundry Room Reveal: That time when you all said really nice things and made me feel squishy and melty about life.
My Favorite Posts of 2013
I’m just realizing that zero of these posts were helpful tutorials, and 100 percent were just silly and/or real stuff I had extra fun writing.
5. That time when I learned a dark, embarrassing secret about my husband. I definitely giggled to myself while making the photo collages at the end of the post. Maybe my favorite photo collages I’ve ever made.
4. It is Well. Bittersweet, tragic and inspiring story that makes me want to be better.
3. The “Hey Girl” Photos. Remember those Ryan Gosling “hey girl” photos that were all over pinterest? We made those of our husbands and I could NOT STOP LAUGHING for weeks. WEEKS. Here are mine, but scroll down to the end of the post and read through the other ones that were linked up. BRILLIANT. (And here are a few of my favorites that other people made.)
2. Our wedding: a comedy of errors: Because everything that COULD go wrong with my wedding, DID.
1. Watercolor heinies: art, tragedy, life. Easily the most ridiculous post I’ve ever written. I’m SO thankful I have a tiny little corner of internet where I can spit out such silliness and hit “publish” without anyone stopping me from making an idiot out of myself.
Honorable Mentions
I use the word “honorable” loosely.
1. The headboard that turned into a bench
2. The fretwork table Andy made
3. The Decorating 101 Series. (More to come on this very soon!)
On the personal side, this has probably been the best year of my life and I couldn’t be more thankful for every single thing. Andy left his job and started a new business, and now we’re both home taking care of our kids and working together; this blog is my absolute dream job and I love every second of it; and as cheesy at it sounds, every single night when I tuck my kids into bed, I pray to God for more of this. More days exactly like these.
THANK YOU for making this such an amazing year. I hope 2014 is the best year of your life!
How were your holidays? Any big plans to celebrate the new year?
Hi, I'm Kelly. Glad you're here! This little blog is where I chronicle our efforts to fix up our beaten-down home on a tiny budget. We're not there yet, but here's a peek at the view along the way...
Love your round-up Kelly. Your cordless lamp is still one of my faves! Happy New Year!
So many great posts – you’ve had a fantastic year! I found you via Pinterest and your laundry room makeover. It’s still one of my faves.
You had a great year and your laundry room makeover was EPIC!
You have had such a great year. It has been an absolute joy to follow along. Happy New Year Kelly !!
I have so very much enjoyed reading your blog! 🙂 Congrats on a year of sweeeeet achievements.
what an amazing year- your kids are just too cute!!! and that laundry room, the lights…. all of it! i am so glad that i got to spend a little time with you in 2013, too! WAHOO 2014! here we come!!! watch out!
Wow! You guys got sooooo much done! Here’s to 2014!!!! xo Kristin
I just shared the Hey Girl meme on Facebook, that cracked me up. And GIRL! I saw your utility room on Pinterest yesterday, I about fell out when I realized that it was yours. Don’t go changing now that you are internet famous. 😉 Happy New Year, Kelly!
This post made me so happy to read and remind me of all these fun posts again. Every post you write is written with humor and joy and I always look forward to your posts. 2013 was your year and you’re going to OWN 2014!! Seriously, why aren’t we next door neighbors and hopping between each others houses doing DIY stuff together? ha! Happy new year, Kelly! xoxoxo
P.S. The cuteness factor with the baby doll is killing me!
I’m so glad you posted the Hey Girl links. I hadn’t seen them and I just DIED laughing!! I LOVE your blog!!!! Happy New Year!!
Ah ha ha ha…. I listed Hey Girl as my most fun post too! I’m thinking UPS men for ’14? And boy could I tell some stories about cloth diapers that would make your heart stop… while you barfed.
What an awesome job indeed!! So happy to see all of the successes come your way. Here’s to an even more spectacular 2014!!
What a great year for you! I’ve so enjoyed reading all of your posts, thanks for writing, sharing, and making me laugh. 🙂
Hi there! I’m pretty new to your blog, but super glad that I found it! Love your witty personality and your style. Thanks for sharing this round-up…looking forward to catching up on these posts! Happy New Year to you!!!
Great projects! Congrats on the Pinterest honor!
Okay, so if I had to vote on ONE that was your best…it was the Hey Girl posts. You’re right; had me laughing way too hard.
Not only are all of your projects beautiful, classy and unique, you also are one of the most hilarious and talented writers in the blogosphere. Truth.
It’s been an amazing year and I love seeing all your recaps – many of which I missed the firs ttime around. Excited to see what you have in store for 2014.
I just love your blog, you had a great year! Looking forward to 2014!
The best part of my day is when I have a “View Along the Way” email notice… makes me smile before I even open it and start reading! Can’t wait for the year ahead!! Thank you for making me smile, cry and laugh this past year! Wishes to all of you for a Wonderful, Happy, Healthy and Laughter filled New Year!!
I’m so happy for you and Andy! The way things have turned out clearly shows that it all was meant to be. Happy 2014…
What an amazing year for you! Can’t wait to tune in during your 2014 run! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Congrats on a great year, Kelly!!
Kelly – I’m so happy I found your little (huge) piece of Blogland this year! I’ve said it before – I love your style – decorating and writing – and I truly enjoy the time spent here! Hopefully someday we’ll have some coffee together! Happy New Year!
You have had so many amazing and super informative posts this year Kelly!! I am so happy to have connected with you and learn from all your amazing tutorials. Hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday season!!! 🙂
I think you’re missing the “top five posts that made Gretchen’s husband wish he had a table saw” category. ;). Great roundup–great year!
So glad you hit publish on this post! There are a few I missed and will have to go back and peruse.
Happy New Year, girlie! I’m looking forward to all that 2014 has to offer. …ready to rock it out, yo.
WOW! What a year you had! I am so amazed at what one person can do in one year! I have really enjoyed getting to know you over the last couple of years and I am so excited to see what you have to bring in 2014! Good luck to everything you do! HAPPY 2014!!
I want a regular reader until the second half of the year, so this was a great recap for me. The story about your husband’s dainty feet cracked me up. I was one of those kids who always wore shoes too. Aside from gravel, I hated walking on pebbly patios.
My friend, you totally rocked the socks off of 2013! You are truly inspiring! I love all of the posts you mentioned, and I can think of several more awesome ones as well! I can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve for 2014! I know it will be amazing!
~Abby =)
I was visiting my SIL in Kentucky when I noticed many changes in her laundry room, including where she’d painted stripes on her linoleum floor. Then we got to talking about you and she said, “that’s funny, I got my ideas for this room from BH&G.” Yep! Small world indeed.
And I’m (im)patiently waiting for more on your Decorating 101… 😉
Wow! I just stumbled upon your blog. You are amazing — such an inspiration! Keep up the great work. Had to add you to my favorites bar!