04/18/2026
Back in 2006, I had just purchased my first home, and I was fully in my nesting era. I was decorating on a budget, trying DIY projects, and watching entirely too much Decorating Cents on . I am definitely guilty of a few Joan Steffend-inspired moments. 🤦🏾♀️
Every Saturday, I looked forward to the Spartanburg Herald Journal’s home section, and one day, on a whim, I decided to send in photos of my townhouse. I still can’t believe I pitched my own home to the newspaper, but to my surprise, they were interested. They came out, photographed the entire house, and featured it. Looking back now, that moment feels small, but it wasn’t. That was the very beginning. Years later, I would go back to school, start a blog, and eventually build a business, but the instinct was already there. I wanted to create something meaningful and share it, and I wanted people to see what was possible with a little creativity, time, and resourcefulness. That small step quietly set everything in motion.
When I look at where I am today, I’m reminded that you can’t always see your growth when you’re in the middle of building something. It is easy to focus on what is next, what isn’t done, and what you’re still working toward. Every now and then, it is worth turning around and taking it all in. I’m really proud of how far I’ve come. ☺️