Way before I started blogging and way before there were any blogs I had a dream.
Since I was a little girl I loved to decorate.
I would move my furniture around in my room, all the time!
My room was my own space that I could decorate and make it my very special place.
Being a kid I did not have money to spend, well not much anyway.
Just a little spending money that I would save up.
I have memories of going to garage sales and flea markets with my Grandparents.
For just a little spending money I was able to buy treasures.
I guess that’s where I got the bug for thrift shopping and vintage treasures.
Fast forward to my early years of marriage.
Decorating my first home.
Back then inspiration came from magazines.
I could not wait to see the newest issue of Romantic Homes Magazine and Country Sampler.
I would find a cozy spot in my home, curl up with my magazine…..and I usually had a cup of coffee.
And I sat and read, I had dreams of what it would be like to have my home featured in a magazine.
Was my home good enough?
Pretty enough?
In January of 2012 I decided to go for it and start my own blog.
(Yes back in January of 2012 this was my home)
I had no idea of how to start my own blog.
My niece who lives in another state helped me set up my blog.
It was scary putting myself out there for the world to see.
And possibly criticized for my lack of writing skills (which has happened even recently)
I know I am not a writer, I never claimed to be.
I worried about my home, style, and photos.
Did I have style?
What would anyone think when they came to my blog?
But then I opened and I shared.
My home really started to transform, and my style really came alive.
For the first time in my life my style really…came…to …life!
Even though I was proud of my accomplishments, I still hoped and dreamed that someday my home would be featured in a magazine.
First before I go any further, I am so thrilled and honored to have been in two magazines early on.
One is Shabbilicious and the other is Creating Vintage Charm.
They are both beautiful magazines and I could not be more thrilled to have been a part of both!
But I still longed to walk into a store and see my home in a magazine that’s sold nation wide.
What a thrill to walk in a store and say “Hey that’s my home!”
Well, a few summers ago I had photographers come to my home to take photos for a feature.
Was this real?
Could this really be happening?
It was an all day event.
The photographers arrived at 10:30 and left my home after 7:30 that night.
It was a long day!
But the excitement grew!
And I waited…..and I waited…and I waited.
Nothing happened.
Oh well, it was a fun experience maybe next time.
If there is a next time.
So I sort of forgot all about it when finally I was notified in November that the editor of Vintage Style magazine wanted to interview me for the article.
Really?!
I was all ready for the interview, and the day that I was supposed to have the interview on the phone our internet went out.
You see, our phone is hooked up to Magic Jack, and when our internet is down we have no phone service.
Yep that’s what I said, no phone service.
I was able to contact her with my cell phone and send her an email, she replied and said that we needed to talk on the phone.
I needed to get on the computer because she wanted to ask me about the photos and what they were photos of so she could write a story.
Off to Panera Bread I went, laptop and all, so I could get internet service and talk to her on the phone.
This was during lunch time so it was quite noisy inside, but we made it through the interview.
At times it was hard for her to understand me and vice versa.
My home looks a little different than it did a few years ago.
Seriously, it looks different every three months 😉 .
So finally after three years of blogging, yes this month is my third year of blogging, I am finally featured in a nation wide magazine!
My dream came true!
And yes when I bought three copies, (I am giving a few away), I told the clerk at the store that my home is featured in this magazine!
I have always wanted to say that, and now I can!
Thank you so much Vintage Style for featuring my home in your beautiful vintage inspired magazine!
It’s a thrill and a honor!
And that’s not all, I have more to share soon!
Don’t ever give up on your dream, no matter what it is!
Sometimes you have to go after your dream to make it happen.
This is a wonderful blog post. I follow you regularly but thought this one was The Best. Loved the ending about not giving up on your dream. Keep going, you can be featured in other magazines too, you know. And you deserve it, too.
Thank you so much Cheryl!
What fun! Congratulations! It has been lovely following your blog so here’s to following your dreams whatever they may be! Happy New Years!
Thank you so much Mary!
Anne I am thrilled for you! A dream come true! I am quite a bit older than you and have been designing homes almost most of my adult years, have this dream to. Ditto to everything. Being that I haven’t blogged even a year yet (which is where many companies find you) I still have this great wish. The first time in my adult life that I have not owned a home and live in a basement apartment, I guess that I have just done everything backwards. It’s probably to late for me but for you young girls keep going for the gold! You, your home and your blogging and your WRITING is awesome. ((Hugs)) Jo
Thanks so much Joanne! You always leave the sweetest comments.Don’t ever give up on your dream! It does not matter how old you are,if you blog or if you don’t blog.Reach for your dream…it will happen!
Congrats, Anne!! So happy that you’ve realized your dream! Very exciting!!
Mary Alice
Thank you Mary Alice!
Congratulations, Anne. That is so great..Happy Weekend..Judy
Thank you so much Judy!
Yay, it’s finally in print!! I’m so thrilled for you, Anne. I must go find one.
Thanks so much Kim! Yes…it’s so strange to see my photos in a magazine at a store!
Now that is an exciting way to start off the year! Your home is so beautiful!
jonni
Thanks so much Jonni! Yes very exciting for sure!
How wonderful for you – CONGRATULATIONS!!!! How exciting it must be to go into a store, open a magazine and see photos of your home – you must be absolutely thrilled. Love your photos, your blog, and love your writing – very down to earth – feels like I am with a best friend who tells it like it is.
Thanks so much Liz! That’s exactly how I write, I am here talking to friends.Just being… me.
Anne, I can’t even begin to imagine what it was like to have the anticipation of a feature and to gave to wait!!! I am so ecstatic for you to have your dream come true. BRAVO!!! You have a gorgeous home full of heart.
Thanks so much Larissa!
Congratulations, Ann! I can’t wait to buy myself a copy of the magazine to see the lovely photos of your home! I’m so happy your dream finally came true.
Vickie
Thank you so much Vickie!
so happy for you, ann! congrats!!
Thank you Lynn!
I am SO thrilled for you that your dream came true! You are an inspiration to me, and I love visiting your blog when I have time.
Judi in the UK
Thank you so much Judi!
One day later as always , but : Congrats !!!So happy for you !!! Ha – what fun to see how the pictures turned out. For me , the really hardest part would be the waiting…What an exiting start into the new year !Enjoy your weekend.
Dani
Yes it is a great way to start the new year indeed! Have a great weekend!
Anne I’m so happy for you. I’m going to send you a private email. But I just wanted you to know how excited we are for you. Going to go buy a few copies of the magazine today. Congratulations and much love
Thank you so much Pam!
So excited for you! Can’t wait to see your house in the magazine! I love your blog, I enjoy and learn from your blog all the time! Keep up the good work!
Thanks so much Kathy!
Congrats my friend. I got my copy yesterday and it was so fun to read your feature and look at the pretty pictures. You know how cold it has been for us so to curl up with your feature and have a hot tea was a nice retreat for me yesterday afternoon. Love the feature and you deserve this. Congrats to this special honor. I know many more are to come for you. Happy Saturday. Enjoy the week end.
Kris
Thank you so much Kris <3 Hope you are feeling much better today too!
You, my Dear, are an inspiration!! I thoroughly enjoy your blog and receive it every day via my email. I will keep reading and living vicariously through you!
Thank you so much Lucy!
Congratulations girl! I subscribed to your blog via Pinterest & love getting all your emails. You always have such great posts/ideas/inspirations. I don’t know you personally, but I’m so proud of you! This article choked me up because it really hit home. I think your message to your subscribers or those passing through is awesome…never giving up on your dreams. What a GREAT message & written so humbly, might I add. Hoping this new year will bring you continued success & excitement, and thank you for sharing with us all everything that you do…it is appreciated! 🙂
Thank you so much Bridget!
You mean, this is happening now? I can go out and buy this magazine now! Great! Love your style, and I’m so glad I subscribed to White Lace Cottage!
Yes it’s happening now Liz 🙂 Thanks so much!
Congratulations! Good for you! I love your blog & I recently bought this mag! I’ll look it over with new eyes now, knowing you’re in it! Keep on being fab!!
Sheila
Thanks so much Sheila!
I am on my way to get a copy! I don’t know you but I feel like I do. So happy for you. Congratulations!
Thanks so much Janet!
Anne, I’ve been following you for a little over a year, and have enjoyed evey post! I love your home, your style, you generosity of sharing….and ABSOLUTELY LOVED the way you set up your garage for the sale!!! Now THAT should be in a magazine too!!! Thanks for everything you inspire up to!!! Anxious to know whats ahead for you!
Thank you so much Barb!
Oops! Should have proof-read my post….sorry for the mess up!
Barb
Congratulations!!! I was in the magazine section at the grocery store the other day and saw your home in this magazine. I knew it was yours immediately. It looks beautiful! It was fun to see it professionally photographed and a few different angles/areas that I wasn’t familiar with from your blog. I’m so happy for you to have your home published and recognized by others that it deserves to be in a magazine. I know you will cherish your copy!
Thank you so much Kelly!
Dear Anne, What a beautiful Blog and web site…I am so inspired! I loved your story and can see you have worked hard to achieve well-deserved success – Congratulations!
I live in a seaside town in Western Australia and taught High School in Australia and in Kansas for almost 10 years. I quit teaching four years ago, became a writer and grants officer and wrote two books in 2013. If someone had said to me that I would be back painting Shabby Chic a year ago, my chin would have hit the floor. But I am so lucky to have a supportive husband – we bought an old 60’s house – we live in half of it and last weekend completed my studio. We created our own web site and I sell my furniture and innovative furniture paint from there.
I held my first workshop for beginner’s shabby chic yesterday. I could only have dreamed of this last year and the best part is that other people have visited and really enjoyed themselves. I get a lot of pleasure out of that.
Many , many thanks for sharing everything about you…..I hope others find you as inspiring as I do and understand that dreams come true!
My very best wishes
Monique
http://www.facebook.com/thecountryandvintagecottage
Monique how wonderful to have found a new passion.And to teach as well! And thank you for your sweet comments 🙂
Oh my goodness! I read that magazine last night and drooled over your house. Today I came across you while googling milk paint and then saw this article. Amazing job!!
Thanks so much Sacha!