Cozy Minimalist Course

Ya'll know that I am obsessed with everything HOME. One of my favorite past-times is making our house into a cozy home for all of us. Somewhere that my kids love to come to and snuggle in. For Mother's Day my kids made me a gift that stated all what they love about me as a Mom. One of those things was that I make our house a home. Yep, this sappy Mama loves that her kids understand the importance of that!

One of my favorite bloggers, The Nester, who wrote an amazing book following up her famous blog called The Nesting Place, came up with a concept called Cozy Minimalist. This concept is probably  not really all that new, but her down to earth personality and her easy way of explaining things is actually genius! When she announced this online course, I was truly in a place with our home that I needed a little push.....you know those rooms that just never seem to make you happy, no matter how many pillows you throw in there, or how many pictures you hang on the wall? So, along with my husband's acceptance, I signed on for the course. Cozy Minimalist

This was a four week live webinar with The Nester, and an online Facebook group that we could share our spaces with and ask questions to. It was so much fun and so much education all wrapped up into one. 

I decided to try to make some design sense with our basement. It has always been the dumping ground for all the leftover furniture from our main living areas. A hodge-podge that I could no longer live with. Here are some Before pictures:

I tried a gallery wall here for years, and although it did showcase alot of memories, it was always SO large and very awkward. 

And because we were too lazy to get rid of that very large TV that hadn't worked in years (no judging), we threw in a second TV that was as equally broken. (don't ask)

Every once in a while, usually before a major party, I would come downstairs to try my hand at decorating this awkward room. Trying (not successfully) to make it look like we actually had some style..... Looking back at these pictures, these actually don't look as awful as this room always felt to me, so just trust me! The walls were a salmon color too.....?????

Now while taking the Cozy Minimalist course over 4 weeks, this is what I turned it into:

I want this room to be a place where the kids come to hang out, play games, watch movies, all with less STUFF to always be cleaning and straightening up! 

My favorite part? I DIDN'T EVEN BUY A THING!! oh, except the TV, but that doesn't count! 

Making a room feel cozy with LESS stuff, is a new concept for me....and I am loving it. I will now be applying this to every room in my home. But there is more to it than just learning to love and live with less stuff....it's the order in which you take to design a room. Invaluable lessons 101 is the name this course should have! HA! 

The Nester is now offering this course at a lower price!! You don't get the LIVE webinar or the Facebook group, but it's the same course I took. And you get to do it at your own speed! 

Click on this link { Cozy Minimalist } to see what it is all about....and let me know if you sign up, I would love to follow you on your transformations!! 

This room is definitely more restful now, and I probably won't keep everything like this for long, I like to change things up and move things around....but for now, I am loving this! 

And guess what?? I had the opportunity, after taking this course, to go visit The Nester AT HER HOME! Next time, I will share my trip with you! 

Hello Again!

Well, hello friends! My name is Kimberly Bailey, and I used to blog about our home and farm and family and life here at Irishman Acres....but I've been M.I.A. for about ....hmmmm....lets just say "Too LONG"!!! But who is really counting?

I have a lot to say, and now with school out for the next 3 months, and tons of things to do around here, I am hoping to get back to documenting it all and sharing it with you! There are some great things happening in our lives, and I have some amazing projects to document, so hold on to your hats! 

If you don't already, make sure to follow on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. So, if you want a crash course on what's been going on, you can always stalk us there!

Please be patient while I get my feet wet into this taking pictures with my real camera again, I kinda miss it, but have gotten really lazy lately with just carrying around my iphone to rely on. I also have been trying to figure out some issues on the technology side of blogging, we have a website that I started for our farm which is just simply www.IrishmanAcres.com , but honestly, I hate technology for the most part....weird that I love writing a blog, huh? But I would love to integrate them so people can find us easier. There is a tab to click on that takes you here to this blog page, but I really want it simpler. 

So, if you like to come read about our farm....I will be sharing lots of fun stories.

If you like to come read about our home and all the never-ending projects that a HOME ADDICT has....I have so many that we have done in the past several months and more to come soon!

If you like to come read about our silly family and all the drama that ensues with a Kardashian flare, you've come to the right place...I hope to share some more of that also! If you can't laugh and make fun of yourself, then who can??

I will be here tomorrow with the beginning of our stories, and projects! I am so excited to be back! 

Thanks for everyone who encouraged me to do so.... I love you all! 

What a Difference a Weekend and a Rug can Make

Happy September friends! Now that school is in full swing, and our days are (kinda) getting cooler, I have FALL on my brain! And to me, this time of year is like a new beginning...a way to get re-organized, look at your rooms that you spend the most time in and get them all cozi-fied. A place where you LOVE to spend time in! 

Last weekend, I got to spend the most amazing 3 days with my 3 sisters and my mama in Chicago. It was my oldest sister's birthday celebration weekend, and it couldn't have been timed any better. It wasn't until we were away for 24 hours that I felt like this was so needed. Spending time away from all your responsibilities, for just a few hours or a few days, is a great re-start for your soul! 

{All 5 of us in our hotel bathroom!}

And it may have helped that I could do some serious shopping at my favorite store .... 

{Ikea near Chicago}

It's probably a good thing for my wallet that the closest Ikea stores are at least 3-5 hours away.

For starters, I didn't want to put anything on a credit card, so I could only use the cash that I brought. This is a great way to keep me in check, so to speak, because I could SERIOUSLY have spent another $500 easily!! And because I DO want to stay married, I only spent what I took with me. And I didn't really need to eat the rest of the weekend, so I spent almost ALL OF IT. (HAHA) 

{Lake Michigan at the Navy Pier}

The best part of being away on a little "Mama Vaca" is coming home to my family, all rested and recharged. Some of my purchases aren't going to be revealed until after a certain boy's 10th birthday :). But my favorite purchase EVER in the history of EVER is this....

MY NEW COWHIDE RUG!!! 

Now people...I have done my research, and this was a huge steal!! Ikea already has great prices on cowhides, the one currently in our bedroom came from a trip to the Minnesota's Ikea last spring break. But I have been stalking black/white cowhides forever. I have heard nasty rumors that if you ordered one online from several different online shops, that it wasn't always what you want. Most of the time it is mostly black with maybe a small spot of white. Not what I wanted or ever pictured for us. I did find an online shop that advertised you get what is actually pictured, so it was going to be my choice for when/if I took the plunge to buy (yet another) cowhide. I know....but one is NEVER enough! :)

My cart was already kind of full, when I saw my dream rug...after making a sprint for it before anyone might see it, I quickly swiped it up....and noticed this....

{A tiny cut about an inch and a half long}

To make a long story short, I swindled them down 20% in their "AS IS" dept. (Who knew there was an "AS IS" in Ikea?? Next time, I'm starting there!) 

I really don't even notice the cut, or even care! (Shhhh...don't tell them that I would have paid full price). Baileyhusband has already promised to stitch it up with taxidermy needle and thread, but in the meantime, our coffee table is covering the cut...no problem! 

Our front room is one of my favorite rooms. I read, use the computer, listen to Wyatt play piano, have gossip sessions with my girls, do my morning devotions, and see the view of our front yard in this small yet loved room. 

But something has always been missing....and I knew it. Never wanting to be a dissatisfied homeowner/ decorator...I made due with what I had. And I was fine with it! But now...HOLY COW! (pun intended) And when someone asks what I would grab in case of a fire....this is it! 

Do you see that branding? JC...the initials of the greatest man who walked on this earth. Yet another reason that this is THE. BEST. RUG. EVER.

So thank you to all my sisters and my mama for a fabulous re-charge weekend. What a difference it has made as a mom and a wife for me. 

And also so happy to have finally purchased my dream rug!

 I hope you all find some time for yourself or for your home that may make a difference in how you feel. Happy Weekend!! 

p.s. I have made some changes to the blog...do you notice them? Let me know what you think! 

4H County Fair projects

Every year, we tell ourselves that there will not be any last minute projects made for the county fair. And EVERY YEAR, the kids are scrambling to finish all of them and get all their goals written, photos printed to show the process to the judges, etc. 

                    .....oh the joys of motherhood, and procrastination!

Today, I wanted to show you all what they made....and some other projects that I saw in other booths that I found awesome.

Sierra's first project was to dye pillowcases. She did a fold and clamp method that we saw on The White Buffalo Styling Co. You can watch Lindsay's tutorial HERE. Sierra started with 2 plain white pillowcases that we purchased for just pennies at Goodwill! 

                   .........(Have I mentioned how much I love that store???) 

And we bought a few different colors of RIT Liquid Dye to choose from. 

This was a fun, easy-peasy project to do...I have purchased YARDS of white fabric since then to hopefully do some more projects with this method! Sierra's pillowcases turned out pretty cool, huh?

                          ......one blue, one pink

And yes, our volleyball net makes a great clothes line :)

This was the start of Sierra's second project...we are obsessed with everything "tribal" right now, especially dream catchers. She used a giant embroidery hoop and a doily that we already owned, and made this amazing large statement piece dream catcher. 

                     ....already looking beautiful

Using feathers from our farm, the only thing she really had to purchase was the leather straps and some of the wooden beads. This has already moved onto 3 different walls, I love it so much, and move it into whatever room I'm spending most of my time in on that day...

{Sorry for the grainy cellphone picture}

Now my creative little soul, Wyatt. He has so many dreams and plans throughout the year, it's hard to get him to narrow down the projects that are actually do-able for our tight (procrastinating) time-frame.

He started this snowman out of woodblocks at a 4H project meeting, then the club members were to take it home to finish it however they would like. Since it was the heart of summer...here is what he came up with....

You have all seen Frozen, the Disney-animated movie, right? Well this is Olaf. Isn't he cute?

Wyatt has gotten quite good at wood-burning...and loves every excuse to burn wood that he gets.

          ....so, of course he had to have several items to show off his skills!

This piece of wood was a scrap from our pile. It kinda has a mountain range look to it... and you know this mama can't resist mountains! 

             ....or our family name displayed anywhere and everywhere!

And with other wood scraps, my lil wood-burner came up with these....

These are garden markers! And they look so beautiful in our garden.

What I love about making projects for 4H, is that the kids get to use their creativity. They prepare a goal sheet and write (book report style) about the elements of design, costs of the project, etc. I really do "make" them do this on their own...it gives them a sense of pride...

                        .....I hope......

Here are some projects from other children's booths, some of these are really quite amazing! I only hope that the kids actually did these themselves! ;)

Both of these projects were selected to move onto the State Fair, and with good reason.... I would buy these any day! 

 I am so mad at myself for not having my camera to take these, they turned out so blurry, but I wanted to share this bookcase that spells out "Love", what a fun wood project I bet this was to make! And who could resist that little table in front of it? It's a flag pattern made from tops of beer bottles...

                         ......recycling at it's best :)........

And we personally know the girl who made this project, I thought it was a genius idea.... a spot for each family member's drink. This is where you keep it throughout the day, so no confusing who's is whose and no dirtying several cups. I just may have to copy this for our family! 

                          ....ain't nobody got time to do dishes all day!

Oh, how could I forget Wyatt's BIG project? He had been planning this all winter, and couldn't wait to see it done! I showed a peak of it on our Facebook page , but here it is again: The Miniature Garden

This now sits proudly on our back porch! And he is in the planning stages of next year's Miniature Garden... 

         ...... but won't actually DO it until a few days before the Fair I'm sure!

Liebster Award Nomination

Thank you to Jen at Three Dog Farmhouse for nominating me for the Liebster Award. I have to admit that I hadn't heard of these, but after looking into it, I think this is a fun new way of getting to know new-ish blogs. So, not a lot of pretty pictures today....just me talking, sorry people!

"The Liebster award is given to up and coming bloggers . Liebster in German means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome"

The Rules of the Liebster Award state;

• Each person must post 11 things about themselves by answering the questions that the nominator has set for you.
• You must create 11 questions for the people you’ve nominated to answer. You must choose 11 people (with less than 200 followers) and link to them in your post.
• Go to their page and let them know!
• No tag backs!

So, these are the questions that Jen, from Three Dog Farmhouse, presented to me....here goes nothing! 

1) If you could be any age again for a week what age would that be & why?

I would be 18 again...in THAT body and be completely happy with myself and not take things so seriously....

2) What is your favorite holiday & why? 

I'm one of those people that love each holiday as it comes, and at that time, the current one is my favorite. Because each season is such a nice welcome change. So right now, I'm looking forward to Halloween! 

3) Do you have any tattoos? what are they & where?

No tattoos made by ink, just ones made by giving birth so many times! Ha!

4) What is your favorite genre of music?

Country will always be my favorite, but I love an eclectic mix. On my ipod, I have a "cleaning playlist" that consists of dance music to get you going; I have a "slow playlist" when I'm in a quiet mood; I have some rap, reggae, Tribal, Rock, contemporary, lullabies....you name it! 

5) What is the last book you have read?

The Nester's  book she recently published called "The Nesting Place". I am a HUGE fan of hers and this book is now my go-to for validating that It Doesn't Have to be Perfect to be Beautiful. She has a way of making you feel like your her best friend!

6) If you could have a magical power what would it be & why?

Yikes! This is a hard one....I would say, to go back to any given moment and re-live it. There are so many moments with my father that I wish I could have and appreciate more before he passed away. My wedding day...tell myself it will be a really bumpy ride, but not to be nervous, it all turns out better than you can possible imagine....Or to cherish more time with my kiddos when they were real little, they grow so fast and I want to go back to some of those precious moments!

7) If you had a warning label what would yours say?

"This lady is an OPEN BOOK" I talk a lot!! And within 5 min of knowing me, you pretty much know my whole life story, and that I am madly in love with Baileyhusband (he is so HOT), and that my 4 babies and our home and farm are my passion! I am a dreamer, and share those dreams with anyone who will listen. But, not to worry, I am a good listener too! :)

8) What is your favorite saying?

I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.

Abraham Lincoln

I have always LOVED this quote and want to have it displayed in our home! 

9) Do you have any pet peeves? What are they?

Don't think that I am rude, but I have a lot of pet peeves! Hmmm.....I will just share a few here: 

   (A)Curb appeal, I don't like when able people don't clean up their yard, pull        those weeds, make it pretty to look at for all of us. (See, I told you I              was kind of rude!:) To me, it's a gift to have a home, so take care of it. 

   (B)Burping and other bodily noises at the dinner table...not acceptable! 

   (C)If you have a job, do it well, to the best of your ability! There are so              many others needing a job, so if you don't appreciate it and do it the              best you can...move over for someone else to do it.  

10) If you were a wrestler what would your stage name be?

Um...this one is really tough for me. Wish I could think of something really funny or silly. But all I could come up with is (tell me that I am not the only one who has heard of this, a fun memory from my childhood) that way you come up with your "Author name" is by taking your middle name and the name of the street you grew up on. So mine would be Erin Greenfield. Or to come up with your "stripper name", you take your childhood pet's name along with your mom's maiden name. So that would be Dusty Howe. I cannot think of any wrestler stage name guidelines without it sounding like a country music singer....Dusty Greenfield? 

11) What is the most romantic thing your husband,boyfriend,etc has ever done for you?

Last Valentine's Day, he hand delivered to my work, chocolate covered strawberries (made by him), and attached a heart (cut by him with my scrapbook paper) that said "Something Sweet for my Valentine". He also made his own bouquet of flowers that consisted of 2 roses and 4 carnations, and the note attached said " 2 Roses together, made 4 carnations forever! I Love You!" yep, I was a mushy mess for the remainder of the day. 

Now, if you don't know us, you have to realize that it is the total opposite of anything people would think would come out of such a manly man....but, he does have a sweet heart that has kept my heart for 17 years! 

Well, this was fun...I hope you all didn't get too bored! Now for the part where I nominate 11 other bloggers! Confession: I couldn't find 11, so will have to do with 7...but I love the 7 I chose!!

Drumroll......

1. Diaries from the Dirt Road

2. Kruses Workshop

3. Mountain Woman At Heart

4. The Farmer's Wife

5. My Cottage Garden

6. Amy Hanna

7. A Midwest Farmer's Daughter

I hope they all participate...and here are these lovely blogger's 11 questions that I have come up with, don't hate me!

1) What made you want to start your blog? 

2) What is your favorite restaurant?

3) What is your dream job, if you could do it?

4) Morning or night person, and why?

5) What would you tell your teenage self if you could?

6) If you could live anywhere else, where would that be?

7) All-time favorite place to shop?

8) Favorite thing to wear? Your go-to outfit?

9) If you had a whole day to yourself, what would you do with it?

10) Are you still friends with your childhood buddies? 

11) How many blogs do you follow religiously, and who are your favorites and why? 

Have fun!! And as always....