11.26.2012

{celebrate!} post no. 500 and a giveaway

The timing of this post could not have been more perfect. My 500th post happens to fall just after Thanksgiving -- giving me a most serendipitous chance to thank YOU, my readers and friends. 


I started this blog on June 12, 2008. I was 3 months from getting married and moving into the adorable bungalow we live in today, except at that time is was not-so-adorable. I'd discovered blogs like Design Sponge and Decor8 while hunting online for wedding ideas and was immediately hooked. On a whim I decided I wanted to create my own blog. I thought it would be the perfect way to keep us accountable for all the house projects we needed to do -- and as you all know by now, that list was long!

After a couple years of posting every once in a while and not really putting myself out there at all, in October 2010 I decided to create a posting schedule and really jump in with two feet. From there I haven't looked back. I put myself out there and people started visiting here and I've been so thankful for the wonderful online community I've found myself in since then. Thankful for YOU. For those of you who visit each day and leave comments -- you make my day, you challenge me and you inspire me. For those of you who visit each day, even if you don't comment -- I know you're here and thank you for visiting :). For all my friends online whose blogs I visit each day -- thank you for continually inspiring me to create a gorgeous and welcoming home. Each one of you brighten my days and endlessly inspire me.

I thought it'd be fun today, on my 500th post, to take a look back at some of the more memorable projects here at A Home in the Making and if you keep scrolling, I also have a fun thank you gift at the end. 

Most monumental project: Painting the fireplace

 You thought I'd say kitchen, right?? :) I actually chose the fireplace because it was a huge undertaking to convince Chris that painting the brick would be okay. It felt like a really big hurdle for us as a newly married couple. He wanted to trust me, but this was his house and I came in and wanted to make some really big changes. He was really against painting the fireplace, but once it was done he LOVED it, and started trusting me when I was making what seemed like wild and crazy suggestions.

Most proud of: Kitchen

You knew it would be here somewhere! Even if it isn't done, it's by far our biggest undertaking and I already love it so much. I'm so proud of not only how well it's turning out, but how well Chris and I've worked together as a team to get it done.

Biggest surprise for my husband: Stripey hallway

Remember how, just two paragraphs above, I said I had to talk my husband into a project? Well, somewhere along the way I just started taking on my crazier ideas when he was out of town. The striped hallway was one of these -- he came home from a long weekend away to quite a change :).

Best learning experience: DIY refinishing of the hardwoods

Tedious and messy? Yes. But a great learning experience and the result is amazing.

Favorite DIY project: Capiz shell pendant

I still am so happy I made this. The impact it makes in our little dining nook is amazing. It completely elevates the space to something special, rather than just an extension of the kitchen. Which is what it really is!

As a thank you to all of you for sticking by me during the good, the bad and the sometimes very ugly of projects, I wanted to do a give away! If you've been reading for awhile you know that I only do give aways once a year -- in December as a thank you/happy holidays. So this year, I have a fun give away as a thank you/happy 500th/happy holidays! So, in both the spirit of the season, and to THANK YOU awesome readers and friends (!), I have a little gift to give away: a $50 gift card to West Elm*.

So, the rules:
What: A $50 Giftcard to West Elm
How to enter: Please leave a comment on this post and your email info, and let me know:  
What is your favorite holiday song?? 
When: I will announce a winner next Wednesday, the 5th. 

Happy Monday friends! 

*West Elm has NO idea who I am and is not sponsoring this post. I'm just doing this because I like you all!



42 comments:

  1. Great post! I love your house. PAinting the fireplace was a doozy for me too!

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  2. Oh and my favorite song is Marshmallow World,.. and Silver Bells!

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  3. My favorite song is I'll Be Home For Christmas.

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  4. Congrats Jenn! You are one of my all time favorites, a wonderful blog writer and even better blog friend! I love following along with your awesome projects and wish I could come visit your amazing place in person! Keep up the fantastic work!
    My favorite song? Feliz Navidad!!!

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  5. Congrats on 500 posts! You're one of my favorite bloggers, and I'm so thankful for the inspiration you bring! I love all Christmas music! Oh Holy Night is one of my faves.

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  6. I love all the classics! But I'll go with Silent Night as my favorite.

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  7. As a long time reader, this post made me really smile. Your home looks great! By the way, my favorite holiday song is santa baby.

    -ktagilbert@gmail.com

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  8. Congratulations on this milestone! I've been reading for about a year and really enjoy your blog. Here's to the next 500!

    My favorite Christmas song is "Oh Holy Night." I'm not religious, but was raised Catholic and my cousins and I sang that for midnight mass for years.

    Happy holidays and congratulations!

    McKinze
    mckinze@gmail.com

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  9. Congratulations on your blog milestone!

    My favorite holiday song is "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", the original Judy Garland version. So nostalgic!

    Merry Christmas! Brittney

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  10. My favorite song is "Silent Night".

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  11. I love the roundup! You have completed some great projects over the years :)

    My favorite Christmas song...hmmm, that's a hard one. I love Christmas Time is Here, Let it Snow and Baby it's Cold Outside.

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  12. YOU have a lot to be proud of in your blogging career. You have accomplished so much and really work hard. We all know how hard blogging can be, so being at it for that long really is an accomplishment. Thanks for inspiring all of us through your projects, words, and support :)
    If I had to pick a favorite Christmas song it would be Nat King Cole doing "Caroling, Caroling"

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  13. Congrats on reachign 500!

    My Favorite Christmas song is "i Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," by Casting Crowns.

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  14. Congratulations! I just hit 500 posts as well! My favorite Christmas song is Hard Candy Christmas by Dolly Parton. :)

    -Audra @ Audra's Ally
    http://audrasally.blogspot.com

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  15. I love Silent Night - it is a beautiful song!

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  16. My favorite song is Silent Night.

    I want to win!
    kyrabeatty@gmail.com

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  17. Wow! 500 posts! Such a great achievement. Isn't it amazing what blogging does for you? The people you come to know and the inspiration you find here?
    My favorite Christmas song is "I wish I had a River I could Skate Away on." A little left field, I know. It's joni mitchell.
    This giveaway couldn't come at a better time for me as we're planning on using bedding from West Elm in our new house. Thanks for the chance to win! xo

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  18. Friend! Cheers to you on your 500th blog post - what an accomplishment! And what a beautiful home you two have created! Looking forward to the many more posts that are in store for you!

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  19. Hooray for 500! I loved a walk back through projects you've done and a giveaway. A great idea to celebrate your 500th post. My favorite Christmas song is Angels We Have Heard On High, because I love singing All-le-lu-jah. I'm at kalanicut at hotmail dotcom. Happy Holidays!

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  20. Congratulations, Jenn! 500 posts is something to be proud of! So glad we've found each other through this crazy blogging world:)

    Sweet giveaway! Thanks so much! Tough call...its a toss up between Little Drummer Boy, O Holy Night and Do You Hear What I Hear...I'm a sucker for the religious ones, sometimes they make me cry;)

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  21. craig25becky@yahoo.com - my fave holiday song is 'Mary did you know?'

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  22. Congrats Jenn!! Your blog is one of my very favorites! Very inspiring! I am so glad I had the chance to meet you this year! I hope you and Chris have a very Merry Christmas!

    Thanks for the giveaway!! I have lots of favorite holiday songs but I love "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas"- just puts a smile on my face!

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  23. Congrats on 500 posts! An awesome milestone. I'm always so impressed by those who can stick to a really consistent blogging schedule - I am so not among them. (ha!)

    I agree with "O Holy Night," and have to admit that I actually really like the N*Sync version, among many more traditional choices I'm also behind. In more random picks (although one could argue N*Sync is a little random...) I also like Keb Mo's "Jingle Bell Jamboree," Sarah McLachlan "Song for a Winter's Night" (and the original Gordon Lightfoot version), Vince Guaraldi Trio "Christmas Time is Here"...and Sufjan Stevens "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing!"

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  24. Yay for progress! It's fun and rewarding to look back at what you've accomplished. (Can't wait to do that with my entire house someday!) And my favorite recent Christmas song is "Christmas this Year" by Toby Mac. It's so catchy and my boys love it too! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity...so sweet of you!

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  25. You've done great things! Inspiration for all of us.

    Favorite Thanksgiving song: For the Beauty of the Earth
    Favorite Christmas song: tie between Silent Night & Mariah Carey's All I want for Christmas is You. Oh man, I also love Zooey Deschanel singing Baby it's Cold Outside. Tough question!

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  26. I'd' love to win! My favorite Christmas song is Silent Night!

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  27. Congrats on post 500! My favorite Christmas song is Silent night! :)

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  28. Your kitchen looks great so far! Love the counters. I love "All I Want for Christmas is You." laura.bobinsky@gmail.com

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  29. "I Heard the Bells" by Mercy Me.

    Love your blog and love the kitchen remodel! It has been fun to watch! edavis59@juno.com

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  30. Woohoo!

    My favorite christmas song would have to be.. the entire soundtrack to White Christmas. I love that movie and have all the songs memorized, my friends and I watch it every christmas and sing along.

    Congrats on the milestone!

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  31. the first noel!

    jessicarwarfield at gmail dot com

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  32. Congratulations! Your blog was the first design blog I ever followed. I get so many ideas from your projects and love checking in every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I also wanted to tell you that I have your "cheesecake," and each time I've made it it's been a great success! Can't believe it's raw, gluten free and dairy free! Thank you, Jenn!

    As for favorite holiday song....right now, "Walking in a winter wonderland."

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  33. WOW, the kitchen looks amazing Jenn!! Congratulations on 500 posts and all of your many awesome DIY accomplishments around the house. I am with Janine... your blog was the first design blog I followed... if not one of the very first blogs, as you may or may not recall. Gosh, so many songs. I'm thinking Oh Holy Night. Thanks for the awesome Giveaway, and thanks for being inspirational! Enjoy your new kitchen!!
    Whitley
    www.thequeencitystyle.com

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  34. Your projects have come out so great. Congrats on 500 posts! My favorite Christmas song is Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) sung by Darlene Love on the David Letterman show each year.

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  35. Congrats on "500" posts! Love your style, you keep me inspired!

    My fav Christmas song is definitely "Baby It's Cold Outside"..(ELF version)!

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  36. Congrats on your 500th post. I really enjoy reading your blog!

    My favorite Christmas song is "O Holy Night". It's the reason for the season and makes me cry almost every time I hear it :)

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  37. Congrats on your 500th post. I really enjoy reading your blog!

    My favorite Christmas song is "O Holy Night". It's the reason for the season and makes me cry almost every time I hear it :)

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  38. Wow, 500!? That's nuts. So glad I got the opportunity to meet you at the P-town social and was lucky enough to discover your blog because of it. Here's to 500 more!

    Any Christmas song pales in comparison to Bing Crosby's White Christmas album. I could listen to the whole thing over and over and over......

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  39. Congrats on 500 and here's to 500 more! :)
    My favorite christmas songs are White Christmas (also my fav Christmas movie!) and It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas. Gets me in the spirit every time. :)

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  40. My favorite holiday song is O Holy Night (so sad/sweet).

    lmagnacca@juno.com

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  41. Congrats on this milestone! This post reminded me just how much I love your style.

    I think my favorite Christmas songs are John Lennon's "So this is Christmas" and the Elf version of "Baby it's Cold Outside".

    slmorrissey(at)gmail(dot)com

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