Junk Chic Cottage

Saturday Spotlight: Real Life Behind the Blogger

Susan from Must Love Junk, and myself (Kris) Junk Chic Cottage wanted to do a regular feature on our blogs, something unique that hasn't been done before.   So we came up with an idea to 'spotlight the real life behind the blogger' in a more personal way.

There is so much talent and inspiration in blogland, and we thought it would be fun to bring you a closer look at the person behind the blog.

Every week on Saturday we will spotlight a blogger and have them tell us a little bit about themselves and their blogs.  You will be able to see and read about each of the bloggers on both Susan's and my blog.

Good Saturday everyone.  Thank you for coming by each Saturday to my blog and Susan's to get to know two new bloggers on the Spotlight Feature.

This week it gives me great pleasure to introduce you to a sweet and down to earth blogger.  Her name is Laurel and she has a blog called Chipping with Charm.  Her blog is as adorable as she is.  Laurel is a wonderful wife and mom, very talented and creative person.  So sit back and enjoy learning more about Laurel.  Then head over to Susan's blog to meet another wonderful blogger whom I have had the pleasure to meet in person;  Jane from Blondie's Journal.  It is our pleasure to introduce you to these wonderful and talented bloggers each Saturday.

Spotlight: Laurel from Chipping with Charm

Hi there, my name is Laurel and I share my (sometimes crazy) and almost always a little bit "quirky" decorating ideas over on my blog CHIPPING WITH CHARM.

I was so very honored to be invited to share a little bit more about my life with you...thanks for the invitation Kris :)

I am the oldest of 4 girls...love them all so much.

Left to right...Numbers Girl, Teacher Girl, Junk Girl and Hair Girl.  Good combo :)

Growing up our dad was always Mr. DIY...so I guess I inherited the "decorating gene" from him. He is also a pastor and ministered in a church in South Minneapolis our "growing up" years.  I will always be a "city girl" at heart.  Someday, I would love to move back to the city to fix up a beautiful old house...similar to the ones I grew up in.

My mom is the forever "nurturer"...she did daycare for almost 20 years...mom to 4 and second mom to many!!

(Our cousin Jennifer took these pictures for our family last fall downtown Minneapolis...fun!)

My sweet husband and I were married in October of 2000. And he introduced me to garage sales.  The concept of buying other people's discarded things was foreign to me...but I took to it like a "rust on metal".  I wonder if he regrets it??  

We still spend MANY a "romantic" getaway weekends taking the back roads stopping at garage sales, thrift stores and flea markets along the way.

In fact, he's the one who spotted all these vintage headboards at a local junk sale.  He scooped them up knowing we would know just what to do with them.  There they proudly sit "framing" our patio OUT BACK.

As far as our home goes...I'm usually the "idea" girl...and he puts my ideas into reality with his engineering mind and handy tool skills.

I think our craziest...but favorite idea yet is this OLD LADDER CANOPY over our bed.  

I still get the "look" once in a while...but for the most part, he's a willing participant in my junk decorating obsession.

This is where we live.  Nothing fancy...but we're not very "fancy" anyway.

My husband bought this house before we met back in 1998.  It was a really basic house on a "nice piece of land".  After we got married, we did an addition and have been decorating and re-decorating ever since.  

There are many things I "dream" of...bigger bedrooms, a walk in closet, Master bathroom, a"Grown-up" kitchen...maybe someday. For now I am very "content".  More space means more cleaning...NOT my favorite thing to do :(  

I am VERY THANKFUL for what we have.

A couple of years ago we added this little "junk cottage".  I have BIG plans for a little "studio" out there...but right now it's just storage...someday :)

This is part of our view from the front.

And this is a little of what we see from the back.  It's our little piece of "Junk Heaven".

My kids love a good bonfire and some s'mores.  

Hey, have you tried them with peanut butter cups instead of chocolate bars?  Dangerous!!  You've been warned...

But our best "creations" EVER are these two little sweeties.  My son is almost 10 and my daughter just turned 6.  I have been a "stay at home" mom since my son was 10 months old.  We live a happy and very BLESSED life here...wouldn't trade it for anything!  

My daughter starts kindergarten in a few short days.  I am preparing for a new "normal".  Bitter-sweet...so hard to say goodbye to those "pre-school" days.  But also looking forward to moving ahead with some dreams I've had "on hold" for a little while now...

1.  Brushing up on my technology skills.  Basically I'm clueless...it's a miracle I even have a blog.

2.  Using those "new" technology skills to fix up my blog and try to join in the fun with the "big girl" bloggers.  (So far I've been a VERY "casual" blogger...to say the least.)

3.  Develop a few "tool skills" of my own.  That way I can pump out all those projects that have been spinning in my head...and taking up room in my shed :)

4.  Do all of the above things...and be finished and refreshed when my kids get off the bus so that I can enjoy every minute with those little "charmers" before they ZOOM off to college!! 

"The days are long but the years are short."

And I have been BLESSED far beyond all I could "ask or imagine"

(Ephesians 3:20)

So that's my life "behind the blog". Nothing too exciting...but I don't need exciting...I am good with HAPPY.

Thanks so much for taking the time to get to know me better.  I hope you will stop over for a "visit" often!  I would LOVE to get to know YOU better too :)

CHIPPING WITH CHARM

I just want to say thanks again to Kris and Susan for coming up with such a fun idea for a blog series.  I have really enjoyed reading all of the weekly posts and I am so very grateful to be included!

Chat soon,

Laurel

Thank you Laurel for sharing your beautiful pictures and letting us get to know you better.  Now jump over to Susan's blog and read about her Saturday Spotlight blogger Jane from Blondie's Journal.  I had the please to actually meet Jane in person recently and she is so sweet and down to earth you will love learning more about her.  Have a wonderful Saturday and have a safe and happy holiday week end.

Kris
:)