30 Things About Me on My 30th Birthday

Just the other day as I sat and typed this blog post I was clinging to 29. Today I’m officially 30 years old. Although, it’s still young, I’ve done a good bit of reflecting the last couple of months. The first thing that comes to mind is, how did I get here so quickly? As a child I thought time was moving at a snails pace. Today I am fully aware just how fleeting every moment is. I once heard someone say, “the days are long but the years are quick.” On the eve of my 30th I don’t think those words have ever rung so true. I am so thankful to God for these 30 years I’ve been given. I had a really wonderful childhood and I couldn’t have found a better friend and husband to spend the rest of my life with. I’ve been blessed with a healthy and beautiful little boy and I have a roof over my head that I happen to really love. I can honestly say that even through difficult times that life is good!

In honor of my 30th birthday I wanted to share a 30 facts about myself and things that I’m working towards and hopeful for in the future. I’ve also thrown in a few crappy quality photos, ha! 

30 Facts About Me & Dreams For The Future

1. I was born and raised in Georgia. My dad’s side of the family is all from Iowa and my mom’s side is from Colorado and Georgia. I currently live in downtown Canton but I lived in Woodstock for most of my life. For those of you who are not familiar with Woodstock, it’s about 30-45 minutes north of Atlanta. I love this beautiful state but haven’t given up on the thought of adventuring some place else for a time.
2. Josh and I met when I was just 17. We met at church. (We are both Christians.) I actually knew several of his siblings for a couple years before I even met him. A group of friends and I went to the movies and Josh tagged along with his brother who was going well. I thought he was oh so handsome from the moment I met him. Josh got my attention by popcorn at me during the movie. The rest is history. Here’s a look at our baby faces when we got married. It was 12 years ago this week. It seems like a lifetime ago, yet only yesterday. 
3. I am a firm believer that there is little that a cup of coffee and a good movie can’t fix. You’ve Got Mail, When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, The Holiday, and Funny Face are just a few of my favorite movies that I go-to when I’ve had a bad day or if I just need a little movie comfort.
4. My father passed away unexpectedly from an asthma incident when I was just 6 years old. I still have some memories of him but they’re fading. My mom never remarried. I think her heart has ever fully recovered. She raised me and my brother on her own. She’s the strongest woman I know and we remain very close.
5. Chocolate lover doesn’t do me justice. I could care less about candy but chocolate, I don’t want a world without it. Dark, Milk, White, it doesn’t matter. I love it all!
6. I recently had the revelation that most of my wardrobe consists of black, white, navy, gray and earthy green. I’m, not one to wear pastels or a lot of pattern. Maybe it’s because I don’t want to have to think about what I’m going to wear that day, either way when I attended to my cousin’s spring wedding I realized I had five too many black dresses and not a single pastel.
7. I’m learning that although I like to think that I’m firm and stand my ground, I can be a major push over when it comes to Charlie. Josh is much more stern. I’m so thankful for that. He holds my feet to the fire when I need it. 
8. The older I get the more I realize that you can’t please everyone. I have gotten so much better at saying no the last year. I like to help others and I tend to be a people pleaser but it typically means I can be too nice and get taken advantage of. I’m working hard to fix that these days.
9. I love so many different kinds of music genres but I have a major soft spot for jazz. Among some of my favorites are Ella Fitzgerald, Louie Armstrong, Norah Jones, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, and Miles Davis.
10. I’m an early riser but I’m not a morning person. Years of getting up at 6 a.m. to go to school conditioned me to rise early. I still get up early each morning and honestly the morning hours are some of my favorite. I’m able to think and really reflect on the day to come, just don’t talk to me until I’ve have my two cups of coffee.
11. I am a lover of classic home interiors. I don’t like to focus on trendy styles too much. They come and go too quickly. I love the sophisticated country style with some vintage and antique elements. The Americana style is one of my favorites. We’ve really tried to stick with timeless elements in our traditional colonial home.
12. I’m not one to be big on celebrities but one that I have looked up to in my life is Martha Stewart. I can remember coming home as a little girl and turning on the TV and watching Martha Stewart Living. I would sit and just soak up every bit of knowledge she shared. I especially loved the decorating portion.
13. I grew up in a 70’s ranch home. My mom wasn’t one to decorate. I’m pretty sure she thought I was crazy for rearranging my bedroom every month and especially when I asked if I could paint all the trim in the house. Today, my mom has given me full license to do all the decorating in her home.
14. I purchased my first home and fixer upper when I was just 18. I was not so keen on the idea but Josh wanted to jump in so I followed his lead. I’m so glad I did. That 80’s range home consisted of plywood floors, zero working appliances and a color scheme of brown and custard yellow. It allowed us to cultivate our design and woodworking skills. It’s where it all began! 
15. I’m a fall and winter gal through and through. I loathe the heat and humidity and sadly that’s what we get here 6 months out of the year here in Georgia. There’s such a crispness in the air in the fall and winter. I feel as though I can really breath. Not to mention, few things compare to the colors that are fall. 
16. I hate tennis shoes. I own them but rarely wear them. I much prefer sandals, boots and flats and or loafers. I’m the girl that hiked Amicalola Falls in slip-on vans.
17. I love living in our quiet and calm town but I absolutely love visiting cities. They’re too busy for me to ever consider living in full time, but I weekend in the city is just about perfect. Boston still remains one of my favorite cities that I’ve visited. The bakery’s are to die for and the history that is there is unlike most towns. Josh and I hope to get away soon for a long weekend to New York. I’m thinking this fall or next sounds pretty perfect. 
18. It’s safe to say I wont be eating cake for my birthday. I just don’t like cake. I don’t care for really sweet desserts, like cake and icing. I much prefer custard style desserts, pies, cookies, ice cream and a select few donuts. No icing for me! 
19. I tend to be more of an introvert, maybe that’s why I feel much more at ease behind the camera and computer, ha! I’m working on putting myself out there more. One of my goals this year was to be in my of my photos and chat more with you guys on Instagram stories. I’m really embarrassed to admit that I used to cheer with I was growing up. I would never do that now. I don’t think I even really like when I was doing it. All I remember was Vaseline on our teeth at competitions. That in itself was enough to call it quits.
20. My best friend, who I’m not sure I have ever introduced on this blog is actually more like my sister. We even lived together for three months when she came back to the states from living in South Korea for two years her and her hubby stayed with us while looking for a new home. Her name is Bess and she is the one that actually told me I should blog and peruse design. I thought she was a bit crazy at first. I just thought a blog was a place where people shared they thoughts. I quickly learned there was potential for so much more, so thank you, sweet friend for pushing me to get out there an share my passions. I’m forever grateful. Here’s a throw back to 2007 or 2008 at the Biltmore estate. We’ve actually traveled to quite a few places together. 
21. Since we have taken these last six months off from renovating I realized that I want to travel more. We’ve always tried to get in a vacation each year but with the exception of skiing they mainly result in a beach trip to the same beach. Don’t get me wrong, I love the beach but there’s so much more out there to explore. We’re currently seeing northern California (I can’t wait to share our travel stories with you.) but I’ve already begun planning our next big adventure. Get ready Ireland, we’re coming for ya! 
22. I never had the dreams of being a mom. I know that sounds crazy but as a child I hated playing with baby dolls. I would get them as gifts all the time and I could care less. I didn’t want to pretend to take care of it, feeding it, changing it’s diaper etc. I did however love Barbie, mainly because she had so many cool things! I never thought that I wouldn’t not have kids. I just didn’t really think too much about it. I just never had that deep desire. Josh and I were married 6 and a half years before we had Charlie and I can honestly say I’ve never loved another human being the way I love that kid. He gave me a piece of my heart that I didn’t know I was missing. We don’t plan on having a big family which seems weird given that Josh is one of nine. It’s just not for us. One more done the road isn’t out of the question, We just haven’t felt that it’s the right time. We’re beyond content right now and enjoying life just the three of us. When it’s right, God will prompt our hearts. 
23. The Office might just be the best TV show ever! As I type that I’m reminded of some other great ones, Frasier, Seinfeld, Golden Girls, Monk, Cheers, Lost, etc. Josh and I will always have a place in our heart for the show. It got us through a rough time in our life a few years back. It caused us to laugh when we didn’t think we could. I’ve talked to people who don’t get it or find it funny. I just don’t even know what to say to that. We still laugh watching episodes for the 100th time.
24. I hate Facebook! There I’ve said it. I tend to be a fairly private person. I think this blog post might be the most I’ve ever shared about myself online, ha! I rarely share moments of my life on Facebook. I mainly use it as a way to connect with my readers and shop the yard sale page (so true.) Aside from the connections I’ve made with other bloggers over the years, the people that are apart of my life and that I really experience life with are there on a regular basis. We’re able to have meaningful conversations face to face and make real life memories. I don’t post much on my personal Facebook or IG. I like to keep some memories to just myself and family. Some things are sacred and don;t need to be shared with acquaintances and the world. I don’t want to make anyone who really loves social media feel judged of hated on. That is not my intent. I use them too, trust me. I just think there is this pressure to stay plugged in all the time. I miss the days of calling some up and inviting them over or out for lunch to catch up and really revealing what’s on our hearts. I truly believe social media has taken a toll on the real human connection. Okay I’m stepping off my soap box now!
25. I’m a total romantic. I have the bad habit of imagining things up to an unrealistic level. I have a bad history of over romanticizing things. It can be a really positive trait yet a negative one at times. It’s led me to some disappointments over the years, but I think it fuels my passion for design and really allows me to dream of more than what I physically see. I just can’t imagine living in a world without beauty and the finer things. 
26. I am a lover of holidays. I especially love Thanksgiving and Christmas. Most people probably say Christmas is their favorite but I think I really take it to another level. Christmas music officially starts playing in our house on Nov. 1st. Christmas movies, decor, recipes, gift wrapping, give me all of it! I have always felt that Christmas was the most magical holiday. I remember thinking that my love for it would fade once I was grown, but it never has. It’s something else my mom thinks I’m crazy over. Her Christmas tree is down by Dec. 27 and I wouldn’t dream of taking mine down until New Years Day. I love the music, sights and smells that are the holiday season. It feeds my romantic tendencies. I don’t think that will ever change.
27. A goal of mine that I have had for years is to open my own little decor shop. I would love for it to be apart of my website. I have a number of things that I really love in my home and would love to offer through my blog. To have a shop of classic curated items is a dream of mine and something that I’m working towards. One day!
28. My dream is to one day own a little cottage in New England, shaker siding and all. To shop the antique stores, spend summers on the lake and experience their fall colors would be my dream come true. We’re hoping to visit very soon. Josh will probably have to drag me home!
29. My goal this year has been to live more meaningfully and to be more present. You can read more about my journey with that here. I have been working diligently on living a more balanced life. Balancing family, friends, health and work isn’t always easy but it can be done. 
30. I’m really okay with turning 30. Most of my friends are already 30 or more, including Josh. They have all told me that you become more settled and you embrace who you are. I have already noticed myself caring less what others think and have started listening to my gut more. I love that everyone is unique and has a path that they feel is right for them and their family. We don’t all have to take the same path and make the same exact decisions to have a full life.

I hope this little blog has been a source of inspiration to you. I hope that ideas and design for a home perfect for my family has given you a vision for your perfect home. I always want you to feel encouraged and capable when you leave here. I’m so thankful for each one of you. You are what keep me typing along on this blogging journey. I’m excited to see what these next years will bring. I’m going forward optimistic and full of dreams. I’m also going to have a glass of wine and indulge in a rich chocolate dessert tonight. Here’s to 30, Cheers!