{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!