I love blogs and, over the last few years, have really fallen in love with many that I check in with daily, never missing. It’s just become part of my day to see what so-and-so has been up to (even though I don’t always leave comments-bad blogger!). Other blogs, although I want to read more, I don’t always have the time, so I read them a few times a week, or get to when I can- typically catching up on Friday nights. I have lots of blogs in my reader and that I subscribe to and I love browsing them, always finding great inspiration, pictures of gorgeous families, cute babies, and tales of lives lived and projects completed by the home blogger.
But isn’t it exciting when you happen upon a new (to you) blog? One that “speaks” to you and you get sucked in, going back through old posts, reading for hours, and feeling like you’ve found a new BFF even though they have no idea who you are? Tonight, that happened to me. I came across the Mini Manor blog and was immediately smitten.
First of all, her story totally intrigued me. Ashli is a 28 year-old housewife. That’s right, a real, live, no kids-yet, woman who stays at home. They live solely on her husband’s income. In her “
About Me” page, she says she should have been born in 1950! I love it. I have a very traditional side to me too, and often wonder if I should be staying home with my son. (I work a very flexible full-time schedule, but my 2 year old son goes to preschool/daycare usually 5 days a week). But I digress.
Back to Ashli- I love her simple, organized, green living philosophy. And when I look at her home (a basic builder home in British Columbia) I see that she and her husband have added so much crisp charm and character to it. I greatly admire homes that are simple, not over stylized, and look effortless. Just easy to be in. They make you want to come over for a visit and never leave- you instantly feel right at home.
I’m just going to show you a few pictures to illustrate what I mean, and you can check out the gorgeousness for yourself at
Mini Manor.
Her beautiful entryway. How inviting! I dig the black deer head, the neutral quatrefoil rug, lively green plant and gorgeous molding.
The library. So bright and airy and fresh! I’m starting to think I need to add a few plants to my house. (Did the rug get transferred? Must go back and investigate further:) (update: It’s another, identical rug! She loved it so much and since the rooms are next to each other, they look cohesive with the same rug).
Beautiful dining room. And you gotta see her
Easter table.
I think her living room is a place I’d like to sit down at and relax in. It’s nice that her t.v. isn’t the focus of the room- you kinda barely notice it. She keeps her neutrals interesting with the pops of yellow for Spring. I adore the frames over the mantle and the basket on the coffee table. She has more detailed shots on her blog.
And talk about organized- a woman after my own heart! Makes me want to go clean my kitchen right now and it’s 9:38 p.m. as I’m typing this!
Have I gotten your attention? Go pay
Ashli a visit! 🙂
******
There is still time to enter the Little Doodahs GIVEAWAY!
The winner will be announced Saturday, April 7.
Love those rooms! The moldings and simplicity are perfect! i'm going to head over there right now!
the-blonde-ambitions.blogspot.com
Looks like a really cute house. I like the idea of repeating a rug to tie the two rooms together.
Isn't it funny how we feel we know someone so well by reading their blogs. I love hearing about other peoples lives.
So glad you featured Ashli! She is so genuine! I secretly want to be her when I grow up! LOL her blog has been a must read of mine for quite some time.
I've been reading Mini Manor for a while now, it's one of my favourites! (See how I spelled "favourites"? Shows I'm a Canadian too!) Ashli is so adorable in her posts and her ideas are all affordable and do-able. She just strikes me as a happy fun person, who wouldn't want to spend a few minutes (virtually) each day with someone like that?
I'll definitely check out this new (to me) blog! I'd love to hear more about your schedule and balancing work, motherhood, exercise, sleep, fun. If you feel comfortable talking about it I always find it enlightening to see how other people make it work. I also work a flexible full time schedule but rarely feel like there's enough time to fit everything in.
Thanks for introducing me to a new blog! Going to read it now – her home is gorgeous!
I have to giggle, because your opening description of the blogs you read is EXACTLY how I feel about YOURS. I've been reading you for ages, love your style, am so inspired by your projects!
I can't wait to check out Mini Manor!
[Let me jump on my soapbox here.]
Yes, yes, yes you can be a SAHM if you are patient, willing to make sacrifices, organized, creative and have a supportive husband. My hubs and I made the decision that I'd stay home when we had our first child 10 years ago. I left a successful, lucrative career that I adored; the first year was hard as we learned to make sacrifices and live on one income. But it has been SO worth it and I never think of the things I can't/won't/don't have– my being home and having precious time w/ my kids is so much more important. I do feel like a 50s housewife sometimes, in a good way!
[Jumps off soapbox.]
Have a wonderful Easter!
Oooh I love this! Thanks for introducing us!
Thank you so much for the feature Megan, I've been a honey we're home reader for like eva! 😉
Thanks again!!!
p.s. my mom emailed me to say how sweet you are for writing such a nice post hehe
I already love the Mini Manor blog! Isn't it just so charming!? Love her style…
Oh my goodness, thank you SO much for featuring this blog. I love it and will undoubtedly spend way too much time drooling over her organized house rather than organizing mine. 🙂
I know what you mean about reading, reading, reading a blog and thinking that you know the person when they have no idea who you are! I tend to do that. I read yours like that. 🙂 I also thought I saw you at a party last weekend, until I saw the child with the couple and realized it wasn't your kiddo! I was going to feel really embarrassed about asking "Are you Honey We're Home?"
http://www.hautemommyblog.com
What a great feature. Ahsli's home is wonderful. I'm in love with that library!
If I had no kids and no job,
i'd probably be organized too! Right?!
Isn't Ashli fabulous! I've been following her blog for quite awhile and am in awe of everything she does. She is so sweet and down to earth as well as amazingly talented. Her home is beautiful. I love her Easter table setting and her colorful napkins she made. So fun that you featured her Megan!
Thanks for sharing her blog! Her house is so relaxing and tailored. Off to check it out.
Abby
Ashli's blog was one of the very first blogs I stumbled across way back when. As was yours, actually! I've been reading you both forever! 🙂 So it was fun to pop onto your blog and see pictures that I recognize so well! 🙂
definitely a very inviting home, love her cute easter table decor. and is sad that i'm most excited about her spice rack pull outs? i want those!
http://nuhasofiyan.blogspot.com.
Thanks for the new blog introduction!
Wow! What a nice review and her blog looks glorious! Would love for you to check out mine! agrownupgirl.blogspot.com
Her blog is one of my favorites too!
What a gorgeous home! The patterned rugs are fab! Can't help but love an organized kitchen.
Hello! I really like the patterned rugs in the first and second picture…where can I purchase the same one? please let me know as we are furnishing our new home! thanks!!!