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The {Good}, the {Bad}, and the {Ugly}
Today is the day I have been dreading, but I promised I would share even the Ugly... (not sure why :/)
If you missed the other two parts, make sure you catch up on part 1 and part 2... maybe it will help you understand part 3, lol
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We look through bloggers posts every day, we drool over their creativity and projects.
We want all the things on Pinterest in our homes
We get these mental images that all these people's homes look just like they do in the pictures
NOT TRUE!
Well I'm sure there are a few of them out there who can keep a clean house and blog,
but I sure don't know those people!
Before I share with you my {ugly} house, keep this in mind ; )
I even made it a printable for you so when you feel like you are going to pull your hair out, you can rest assured in this!
this printable is sized at 5" x 5" so you can put it in a cute little frame! : )
just right click and save as is, and print it off!
With that being said, you might remember my post from yesterday,
the Homemade Microwaveable Kettle Corn
Well.... let's take a step back and look at what the surrounding area looked like
I know, you are probably thinking... "why did she put her watermark on that picture?
Well... I said I would share it, so I might as well do it proudly right?! haha
But as you can see, I don't have some lovely studio with backdrops lined up...
Do you like my scrapbook paper wood floor?
I thought it worked out nicely!
Ok, so I guess that picture isn't completely TERRIBLE,
so here is a little more
Do you like my coffee cup display? I thought about writing a post up for my "unique" way of storing them.
What do you think... would it go viral on pinterest? lol!
I can see it now
TOP 10 ways to Display Your Coffee Cups
I hope you are picking up on my sarcasm here! ; )
ok, one more of the kitchen.....
I gotta tell you, it is really really hard for me to share these photos.
I'm the kinda person that if someone comes over unexpectedly I do everything possible not to let them come in my house until it's been cleaned!
Don't get me wrong, my house is "clean" just ALWAYS messy with stuff everywhere
Life of a mother!
You kinda just learn to push things aside so you can accomplish your immediate goal.
Am I the only one who does that?
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Well... I'll show you a glimpse in one other room today.
the.craft/sewing.room
It's scary... like sharp pointy things scary. I have needles everywhere... the kids aren't really allowed in right now, haha!
At least this picture has a pretty little girl in it : )
I was making her new fleece coat and forced her to try it on.
So I made an exception for her entering the scary scary room
I'll be sharing some more of my house later on.
Maybe one day I won't be renting and can actually decorate it the way I want....
until then I'll just keep making little crafts and things for the kids!
So what does your house look like?
Does it look like mine... you know, kinda like a tornado hit it?
Ashley Bliss
Author at The Crafty Blog Stalker
PJ
OMG, if I shared what my apartment looked like people would not only unfollow me but probably report me to the creative bloggers association! (it's like the blogging mafia, we don't talk about it!)
Thanks for being real, makes me like you more 😉
PJ
OMG, if I shared what my apartment looked like people would not only unfollow me but probably report me to the creative bloggers association! (it's like the blogging mafia, we don't talk about it!)
Thanks for being real, makes me like you more 😉
PJ
OMG, if I shared what my apartment looked like people would not only unfollow me but probably report me to the creative bloggers association! (it's like the blogging mafia, we don't talk about it!)
Thanks for being real, makes me like you more 😉
Jessi @ Practically Functional
Haha, our apartment is EXACTLY like that! I use our dining room table in our kitchen for staging photos. One day when I took a picture, I thought it would be fun to zoom out a bit and take a picture of the entire table. In that photo you could see all of the crap I had pushed just out of frame. Then I backed up even further and took a picture of the whole kitchen. There were dirty dishes filling both counters and both sinks and it was horrible!
It's always good to remember that your life doesn't need to be perfect, it just needs to be the way you want it! I have fun writing my blog, taking pictures, etc. but there is no way I have any energy left over for keeping the house tidy. We moved in two years ago and still have boxes yet to be unpacked sitting in our bedroom! And it's just how we like it 🙂
Jessi @ Practically Functional
Haha, our apartment is EXACTLY like that! I use our dining room table in our kitchen for staging photos. One day when I took a picture, I thought it would be fun to zoom out a bit and take a picture of the entire table. In that photo you could see all of the crap I had pushed just out of frame. Then I backed up even further and took a picture of the whole kitchen. There were dirty dishes filling both counters and both sinks and it was horrible!
It's always good to remember that your life doesn't need to be perfect, it just needs to be the way you want it! I have fun writing my blog, taking pictures, etc. but there is no way I have any energy left over for keeping the house tidy. We moved in two years ago and still have boxes yet to be unpacked sitting in our bedroom! And it's just how we like it 🙂
Shelly Kurth
You make me feel better, in a number of ways!! I mean, I do keep my house clean. Though lately, I've been letting the little things go. That may be a good thing, in my case. I was putting so much on my plate at once, that it was way too much for one! I starting realizing, that it's gotta be okay to let things slide at times....right?....Now, what also makes me feel "not alone" is your space. I have been working out of my bedroom, which usually consist of me using my dresser as a desk! I have my supplies taking over the closet and let alone, my room! I'm with you, on having a "home of your own"! Boy, that would be so nice! 🙂 Well, lastly...I should try and use more/different things, when taking photos! You have some great photos! I need more time with this....I guess patience is key. 🙂 Thank you for sharing everything!
Shelly Kurth
You make me feel better, in a number of ways!! I mean, I do keep my house clean. Though lately, I've been letting the little things go. That may be a good thing, in my case. I was putting so much on my plate at once, that it was way too much for one! I starting realizing, that it's gotta be okay to let things slide at times....right?....Now, what also makes me feel "not alone" is your space. I have been working out of my bedroom, which usually consist of me using my dresser as a desk! I have my supplies taking over the closet and let alone, my room! I'm with you, on having a "home of your own"! Boy, that would be so nice! 🙂 Well, lastly...I should try and use more/different things, when taking photos! You have some great photos! I need more time with this....I guess patience is key. 🙂 Thank you for sharing everything!
Shelly Kurth
You make me feel better, in a number of ways!! I mean, I do keep my house clean. Though lately, I've been letting the little things go. That may be a good thing, in my case. I was putting so much on my plate at once, that it was way too much for one! I starting realizing, that it's gotta be okay to let things slide at times....right?....Now, what also makes me feel "not alone" is your space. I have been working out of my bedroom, which usually consist of me using my dresser as a desk! I have my supplies taking over the closet and let alone, my room! I'm with you, on having a "home of your own"! Boy, that would be so nice! 🙂 Well, lastly...I should try and use more/different things, when taking photos! You have some great photos! I need more time with this....I guess patience is key. 🙂 Thank you for sharing everything!
Trish @ Uncommon
Oh my goodness... this totally looks like my house! I try to keep the common areas pretty clean, but that usually means things just get thrown into my craft room upstairs. That room is a scary, scary place! I am even embarrassed for my children to go up there!! The rest of the house is currently sporting some Easter, Halloween, Fall, and Christmas goodies!! Just trying to keep the place festive, ya know?! Ah... the life of a creative blogger!
Take care,
Trish
Trish @ Uncommon
Oh my goodness... this totally looks like my house! I try to keep the common areas pretty clean, but that usually means things just get thrown into my craft room upstairs. That room is a scary, scary place! I am even embarrassed for my children to go up there!! The rest of the house is currently sporting some Easter, Halloween, Fall, and Christmas goodies!! Just trying to keep the place festive, ya know?! Ah... the life of a creative blogger!
Take care,
Trish
Christy
Girl that's not bad! And my sewing/craft room is ALWAYS a mess. I just move one mess over to make another mess. LOL OOPS. AND, can we say AMAZING about the wood scrapbooking paper?? OMG! You have just changed my BLOGGY LIFE! I tell ya! Amazing!
Christy
Girl that's not bad! And my sewing/craft room is ALWAYS a mess. I just move one mess over to make another mess. LOL OOPS. AND, can we say AMAZING about the wood scrapbooking paper?? OMG! You have just changed my BLOGGY LIFE! I tell ya! Amazing!
[email protected]
Oh I think me & you could be best friends in real life....we have so much in common! 🙂
[email protected]
Oh I think me & you could be best friends in real life....we have so much in common! 🙂
Pam C
Please enjoy your little ones and don't worry about your house. They will be grown and gone before you know it and then your house can stay as neat as you want it to. I think the self depreciating is not good for you. Unless your hobby is to clean and have a spotless house, the house is going to look lived in.
One thing that helps is to get the kids in the act of helping. Give them jobs now. They can pick up their toys now and as they get older, they can be responsible for cleaning the bathroom or whatever. This is good for them, good for you and good for the entire family.
Pam C
Please enjoy your little ones and don't worry about your house. They will be grown and gone before you know it and then your house can stay as neat as you want it to. I think the self depreciating is not good for you. Unless your hobby is to clean and have a spotless house, the house is going to look lived in.
One thing that helps is to get the kids in the act of helping. Give them jobs now. They can pick up their toys now and as they get older, they can be responsible for cleaning the bathroom or whatever. This is good for them, good for you and good for the entire family.
Lindy
On my.....this is my house to a T. I always try to keep it free of dust bunnies by vacuuming and dusting; but my hubby and daughter have things scattered everywhere. It's a disaster; I have crafty things I've been working on all over the counter and DR table; the craft/computer room can barely get the door open. My desk is so full you can't put anything else on it....thank goodness it's a rolltop - at least I can hide it. I have so many posts going around in my head that I want to write but I just don't take the time. I don't want my daughter remembering me on the computer all the time. You are defintely not alone and it took me a few years to realize (unfortunately) that she is only young once....the house can wait. Enjoy! Thanks for sharing. xoxo
Ashley
Thanks Lindy! Yes.. dust bunnies drive me crazy! When I see those it's time to take a break from everything and clean, lol! I have so much stuff EVERYWHERE I don't even know what I have anymore, lol! Thanks for stopping by!
Lindy
On my.....this is my house to a T. I always try to keep it free of dust bunnies by vacuuming and dusting; but my hubby and daughter have things scattered everywhere. It's a disaster; I have crafty things I've been working on all over the counter and DR table; the craft/computer room can barely get the door open. My desk is so full you can't put anything else on it....thank goodness it's a rolltop - at least I can hide it. I have so many posts going around in my head that I want to write but I just don't take the time. I don't want my daughter remembering me on the computer all the time. You are defintely not alone and it took me a few years to realize (unfortunately) that she is only young once....the house can wait. Enjoy! Thanks for sharing. xoxo
Ashley
Thanks Lindy! Yes.. dust bunnies drive me crazy! When I see those it's time to take a break from everything and clean, lol! I have so much stuff EVERYWHERE I don't even know what I have anymore, lol! Thanks for stopping by!
Rachel @ Architecture of a Mom
I just found you via Kelley @ Live Laugh Rowe's comment on twitter....and I love this post. My house is even worse than yours right now! Promise! And I only wish to have a craft room that can be closed off...I just have to try to barricade my kiddos from the danger, or put it waaay up high. Thanks so much for your honesty...and the great backdrop idea. Never thought to use scrapbook paper!
Ashley
Yay! So glad to have you here! Well.. I did still keep some of my mess hidden, lol... no sense in having people scared of me! ; ) Glad to know I'm not the only one though, it's just so hard to be creative and clean, at least that's my excute : )
Yes, the scrapbook paper is amazing for photos. It made me so happy when I figured it out. Hobby Lobby has some good wooden floor looking ones, the one in that picture is from Michael's though!
Have a great weekend!
Rachel @ Architecture of a Mom
I just found you via Kelley @ Live Laugh Rowe's comment on twitter....and I love this post. My house is even worse than yours right now! Promise! And I only wish to have a craft room that can be closed off...I just have to try to barricade my kiddos from the danger, or put it waaay up high. Thanks so much for your honesty...and the great backdrop idea. Never thought to use scrapbook paper!
Ashley
Yay! So glad to have you here! Well.. I did still keep some of my mess hidden, lol... no sense in having people scared of me! ; ) Glad to know I'm not the only one though, it's just so hard to be creative and clean, at least that's my excute : )
Yes, the scrapbook paper is amazing for photos. It made me so happy when I figured it out. Hobby Lobby has some good wooden floor looking ones, the one in that picture is from Michael's though!
Have a great weekend!
shannon cook
Well Ashley, ever one has said what I was thinking !! My daughter's are 15 and 17 and I still think about the time I could have used and made memories with my daughter's. When they where younger I alway's worried about the house and spent endless hour's cleaning...for why ? It was a mess again in no time ! It was the way I was raised. I'll be honest...this past year, finally I have given up on worrying about my house smelling like bleach and everything in its place. I'm an organization freak. When my 17 year old cook's, I cringe thinking of the mess in the kitchen. A crumb on the counter would bother me. I have learned to let some things go as I can't let the small thing's overwhelm me. A dirty house is proof of children and making memories as they say !! As long as there's no bugs running around and we can tidy up I'm good with that !! I really enjoy reading your blog and I don't feel alone. I know we all wonder how other's keep it together but to know this is life and being happy is key...let the coffee mugs pile up..your children could care less !! I know my daughter's don't stress like I can...so let it go and be you. P.S. I'd still eat your popcorn, even on an untidy counter space, lol !!
Ashley
HAHA, thanks for sharing Shannon! It is so hard to look past all the little things. We just have to get past all that and enjoy what life gives us!
shannon cook
Well Ashley, ever one has said what I was thinking !! My daughter's are 15 and 17 and I still think about the time I could have used and made memories with my daughter's. When they where younger I alway's worried about the house and spent endless hour's cleaning...for why ? It was a mess again in no time ! It was the way I was raised. I'll be honest...this past year, finally I have given up on worrying about my house smelling like bleach and everything in its place. I'm an organization freak. When my 17 year old cook's, I cringe thinking of the mess in the kitchen. A crumb on the counter would bother me. I have learned to let some things go as I can't let the small thing's overwhelm me. A dirty house is proof of children and making memories as they say !! As long as there's no bugs running around and we can tidy up I'm good with that !! I really enjoy reading your blog and I don't feel alone. I know we all wonder how other's keep it together but to know this is life and being happy is key...let the coffee mugs pile up..your children could care less !! I know my daughter's don't stress like I can...so let it go and be you. P.S. I'd still eat your popcorn, even on an untidy counter space, lol !!
Ashley
HAHA, thanks for sharing Shannon! It is so hard to look past all the little things. We just have to get past all that and enjoy what life gives us!
Jaime @ Crafty Scrappy Happy
awhhhh I love seeing a little bit of your real life! I always tend to picture all of my blog friends as perfect and all staged... it is refreshing that maybe we are all a little less put together then we show! 🙂 Thank you for sharing the printable too!! Hugs!
Jaime
Ashley
haha! nothing is staged around here... unless you are talking about how my laundry is perfectly laid out across my bed, : )!! Thanks for stopping by Jaime!
Jaime @ Crafty Scrappy Happy
awhhhh I love seeing a little bit of your real life! I always tend to picture all of my blog friends as perfect and all staged... it is refreshing that maybe we are all a little less put together then we show! 🙂 Thank you for sharing the printable too!! Hugs!
Jaime
Ashley
haha! nothing is staged around here... unless you are talking about how my laundry is perfectly laid out across my bed, : )!! Thanks for stopping by Jaime!
Holly and Nat @ My Sister's Suitcase
Hahaha, our husbands are always trying to get us to post pics of what our chaotic house looks like when we are done with a blog project photo shoot 🙂 So glad we are not the only ones! Maybe we'll start my instagramming them... I love the printable too! It is darling!
Ashley
Thanks! Yes, it is quite sad how much worse the house looks when you are trying to finish up a post! ; )
Holly and Nat @ My Sister's Suitcase
Hahaha, our husbands are always trying to get us to post pics of what our chaotic house looks like when we are done with a blog project photo shoot 🙂 So glad we are not the only ones! Maybe we'll start my instagramming them... I love the printable too! It is darling!
Ashley
Thanks! Yes, it is quite sad how much worse the house looks when you are trying to finish up a post! ; )
Crystal
Oh Ashley, I can SO relate! Especially with the staging picture. I normally have a huge mess two feet away from me. I can't wait to read the fleece coat tutorial. 🙂
Ashley
hehe... yes, glad I'm not the only one who has to crop out the mess! : )
Crystal
Oh Ashley, I can SO relate! Especially with the staging picture. I normally have a huge mess two feet away from me. I can't wait to read the fleece coat tutorial. 🙂
Crystal
Oh Ashley, I can SO relate! Especially with the staging picture. I normally have a huge mess two feet away from me. I can't wait to read the fleece coat tutorial. 🙂
Ashley
hehe... yes, glad I'm not the only one who has to crop out the mess! : )
Jenna
These pics are sooooo awesome! I feel like I'm always moving a pile of clutter to take a pretty "after" picture but sometimes I'm just tempted to leave everything the way it is. Who needs perfect? I like seeing that other people are "normal" like me. Whatever normal is. 🙂
Ashley
haha! YES, so glad I'm not the only one! It's so nice to hear others say they do the same things! Sometimes you just start to feel like you're the only one! Have a great weekend!
Jenna
These pics are sooooo awesome! I feel like I'm always moving a pile of clutter to take a pretty "after" picture but sometimes I'm just tempted to leave everything the way it is. Who needs perfect? I like seeing that other people are "normal" like me. Whatever normal is. 🙂
Ashley
haha! YES, so glad I'm not the only one! It's so nice to hear others say they do the same things! Sometimes you just start to feel like you're the only one! Have a great weekend!
Dee @ deeconstructed.com
Been there - blogged that! http://deeconstructed.com/more-ideas-than-time/
I don't think ANYONE's entire house ever looks like the cropped photos would have you believe! No clue how I found your blog (gotta love being unmedicated) but so glad I did! 🙂 Bookmarked - now off to read Parts 1 & 2. (Seems I wandered in through the back door.) Whoops! 🙂
~Dee @deeconstructed.com
Ashley
haha! so glad to know I'm not the only one! : ) Thanks so much for stopping by, and don't worry... I end up a ton of places wondering how in the world I got there! : )
Dee @ deeconstructed.com
Been there - blogged that! http://deeconstructed.com/more-ideas-than-time/
I don't think ANYONE's entire house ever looks like the cropped photos would have you believe! No clue how I found your blog (gotta love being unmedicated) but so glad I did! 🙂 Bookmarked - now off to read Parts 1 & 2. (Seems I wandered in through the back door.) Whoops! 🙂
~Dee @deeconstructed.com
Ashley
haha! so glad to know I'm not the only one! : ) Thanks so much for stopping by, and don't worry... I end up a ton of places wondering how in the world I got there! : )