Saturday Spotlight: 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. 

Saturday November 29

Stacey from Cottage Industry

It gives me great please to introduce you to a really wonderful blogger that I happen to be friends with in real life not just in blog life!  Her name is Stacey and she has a beautiful business and blog called Cottage Industry.  Stacey not only has a great design company and great little shop she also is a wonderful photographer.  Stacey did the pictures of my home for Cottage of the Month awhile back on The Old Painted Cottage website.  Stacey has the cutest house and cutest family, well just lots of cuteness and talent with this girl.  Please sit back with your Saturday morning beverage and enjoy learning about Stacey.

Hello, Junk Chic Cottage readers, I'm Stacey and I'm so honored to be sharing a bit about me here today!  Doesn't Kris have an amazing blog and home?!  Love seeing all the makeovers she does and cool things her husband makes for her!  I have had the pleasure of meeting Kris in person and spending time with her out to lunch and at her home...we live near each other...I'm lucky!

I started blogging in 2010 a few months after my daughter was born, as an outlet for something else to do besides be "Mommy" all day.  At that time and for the next 2 years, I blogged about my home at A Sort Of Fairytale.  I have recently stopped blogging on there, but I have a new blog, Cottage Industry.  Cottage Industry is my online shop and decorating services site, my little budding business!  My full time job though, is that of a Stay At Home Mom ;)

I currently live with my husband, Matt and daughter, Maggie in the suburbs of Chicago. 

We moved about three years ago from the city of Chicago (and our teeny tiny apartment) into our first home.  I still kinda can't believe I'm a "real grown up" with a house!

It's not a grand home and there is some remodeling and projects to be done, but I really, really, love my cozy house!  I am forever changing things up at home, so these pictures already seem dated to me, LOL!

In my spare time, I love to craft and make things for my home, shop, friends, and family.

My newest crafty passion is crochet!  I'm making granny squares in the hopes of having a blanket someday...

Something people find interesting and/or funny about me is how many jobs/careers I've had!  I have been:  An Art Teacher (my bachelor's degree), a Retail Manager at Anthropologie,  a Shop Owner (a small vintage boutique in the Chicago suburbs), a Showroom Manager at The Merchandise Mart in Chicago, a Visual Stylist at Marshall Field's (department store, Now Macy's), and a Hairstylist (worked at a salon in Chicago).  I'm like a cat who's had 9 lives...and I'm only 37!  Every one of these jobs and my getting into it/leaving it, has it's own long story...much too long for this post!  You could say I'm either very flaky about work, or that I was just searching for the right one!  I prefer the latter.  I believe in trying...even if you don't succeed you tried...no regrets, and I have none about it.  My best motto is, Go For It, and figure out the details later!!  But, seriously, don't give up on your dreams...keep searching (and trying) for what makes you happy!

After all that, I am happily where I want to be and am meant to be today, raising my daughter daily and doing the little things I love on the side (decorating, crafting, running a business)!

(Maggie on her first day of Pre-school this year)

Thank you, Kris for having me over today!

XO,

Stacey

Cottage Industry

cottageindustryinteriorshop.com

Thank you Stacey for sharing the personal side of you with all of us.  Is Maggie not the cutest ever!!!!! I have had the pleasure of babysitting with Maggie on occasion and she is just the sweetest and so adorable.

Now that you have come to know Stacey hop over to Susan's blog and learn about Polly from Georgie Emerson Vintage

Have a wonderful week end.  Hope your Turkey Day was a good one.  

Due to the holidays being upon us Susan and I will be taking a break from Saturday Spotlight and will resume with featured bloggers in January.  This will give everyone the time they need to get ready for the holidays.  Happy Shopping, wrapping and baking.  

Kris

:)

Happy Thanksgiving

I want to wish each and everyone of you a Happy Thanksgiving.  May you enjoy the peace and blessings the day brings.

You have all become like family to me in blog world and for all your support and encouragement and inspiration I will be most thankful.  I am so thankful for your gifts of friendship.

Have a wonderful day where ever the Thanksgiving Holiday takes you. For you that are traveling this busy week I wish for Safe Travel.

Happy Thanksgiving.

This Thanksgiving table is from TheLilyPadCottage.com.  How beautiful to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner looking out onto the lake.  Lot's of dreamy whites.

Remember this beautiful saying as we approach Thanksgiving.

Enjoy your day with family and friends.
Happy Thanksgiving
Kris
:)

Old Vintage Door Meets Bathroom Make Over

Happy Sunday Everyone.  Have you ever tried to take a good picture in a small bathroom? Yep! with no natural light or space to work in it was difficult.

I recently repainted the bathroom and wanted to show you the transformation.  It was hard to get good pictures but here is what I have to show you.

Here it the before pictures of the bathroom.  Cream and white.

I like the cream and white but my vanity was so old and the sink in bad shape cracked and rusted and was in need of up grading.  So since I have been on a painting kick of late I decided to take the Gallery White (hint of grey) on into this bathroom.

I Painted the walls the gallery white which has the tint of grey.  The most exciting thing I did in this bathroom was to take that old vintage door that had the mail slot in it and make it part of my new mirror/vanity.  

Being on a budget I did not want to buy a whole new vanity so I used the shell of the old vanity and Terry cut the bottom of the old vintage door to make these new cabinet doors for the old vanity.  So I was able to use the whole vintage door for this make over.  I loved that I could do that.  

Here is a close up of the mail slot of the door for the back of the vanity.

The top part of the old vintage door made for a great mirror and center piece for the bathroom.  My husband just cut a piece of mirror from Home Depot to fit in the window of the door.

Here is a picture of the room with the chandelier off so you could see it without the glare of the lights.  I used my open shades with the buttons on the chandelier.

With keeping with the vintage feel I used this towel hanger with old door knobs for my towel holder.

Just an old porch post to put a little decor near the tub.

A little candle chandelier over the tub for a nice bubble bath with candle light.  Ha Ha like who has time to take a bubble bath with Thanksgiving on us and Christmas around the corner!!!! Maybe in January!!!

Little vintage night light.

I brought in this cherub wall decor from outside in my garden.  My good friend Sandy gave me this some years back and now I love that I could bring her into this bathroom.  I put some Christmas greens and a nest and angel wings in her for a little Christmas decor for this bathroom.

There you have it.  A little paint on the walls and a great husband that can take my crazy idea of using an old door into the focal point of my bathroom.
  No dollars spent except on the new sink everything else I had and made work.  So I got a whole new bathroom for the price of a new sink and faucet.

Happy Thanks Giving Everyone.  Enjoy your time with family and friends.
I am so thankful for all your support and inspiration and friendships.

Happy Thanksgiving
Kris
:)

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