Top 10 Projects & Recipes from 2013

Hey Friends!!

I hope you all had a wonderful & blessed Christmas!

I decided to take a little break from the computer to enjoy the holiday with my family and am just now getting back into the swing of things! It’s always hard for me to get back into a routine after the holidays!

You may or may not have noticed, but there’s a little trend going on in blogland right now.  With the new year approaching, many bloggers take a minute a to recap of all that they’ve accomplished in the last year and many of them are posting there “Top Posts of 2013” right now.  As you can see from the title of this post, I decided I would get in on the fun! 🙂

I always enjoy going back & looking at my posts for the year & seeing what was popular with my readers! Most of the time, y’all surprise me! 🙂

Spring/Summer Porch + DIY Chalk Art

Earlier this spring/summer, I gave our front porch a little makeover. Our porch railings were in desperate need of a new paint job & I got a cute little chalkboard (compliments of Kirkland’s) to add some charm to our entry way. I shared in the post how to transfer a chalkboard printable onto a real chalkboard….I think that is why this post was so popular!  Many people want to write something pretty on their chalkboards…but if you are like me, you can’t just free hand it!  Check out this post to find out how you can achieve that look!

Sideyard Makeover

This side of our home has been a constant work in progress over the last 3 years. It was once an eyesore and just a place where we kept our trash cans and other things that needed to be disposed of. This year, I really put in some work & transformed the space. I took this photo just a couple weeks after the flowers were planted, but I wish I would have snapped a few later on in the summer when the space was completely matured. The impatiens were so big & full. It was absolutely GORGEOUS! Everytime I walked past it, I smiled! 🙂

DIY Sunburst Mirror

I love this sunburst mirror that I made towards the beginning of this year.  It’s still hanging in our master bedroom (which is still in makeover mode….2014 is gonna be the year that I reveal this space…I promise!) It was so easy to make & so inexpensive!

DIY Jewelry Organizer

This jewelry organizer was one of my first posts for 2013. Like everyone else, I was in organize mode after the new year & needed a solution for my growing stash of necklaces. This corkboard has been an awesome way to keep & store my jewelry! I absolutely LOVE it! I’ve added many more necklaces to my collection too! 🙂

Split Pea Wreath

When spring time rolled around, I was desperate to add some green to our home. Everytime I looked out the window, all I saw was brown….even our grass stays brown until mid May/early June. It’s kind of depressing! So, I started adding pops of green to our decor, starting with this split pea wreath that I made. It was pretty easy to make…but a little messy! 🙂 More green was added later with our spring mantel, and a simple spring tablescape.

Goodwill Desk Makeover

If you have been following this blog since the beginning of this year, you probably remember our Dog Days of Winter series. As part of our “thrift it” challenge,  I transformed this Goodwill Desk that my mom found & turned it into a beautiful sewing table for her sewing room. I just love the way it turned out & so did she! 🙂

Board & Batten Dining Room 

My mom had a few makeovers going on at her place this year, one of which was her dining room. With a little paint & a board/batten treatment added to the walls, she was able to completely transform the space! There are so many little details in this room that I adore. Be sure to check out the full post to see more!

Back Deck/Pergola Reveal

Perhaps our biggest project this year, was the addition of the pergola to our back deck! Oh how I LOVE this space!! 🙂 My dad & my husband built the pergola & then I painted it over the course of about 4 days. It was a total labor of love, but it was SO worth it! The difference it made to the back of our home is unbelievable! You can see how I made the curtains for the pergola HERE.

Mickey Mouse Birthday Party

In August, we celebrated Griffin’s 3rd birthday Mickey Mouse style! I had so much fun decorating for this party and was so happy with how it all came together. I think the reason why this post was so popular is because Mickey Mouse is such a classic character and one that all kids love! I’m guessing lots of Mickey Mouse parties get thrown every year!

Quick & Easy Mailbox Makeover

And last but not least, our Mailbox Makeover wraps up our Top 10 post for this year! Seriously, this might have been my most favorite DIY project from this year. I say that, because this project really was “quick & easy.” We bought a vinyl post cover (basically like a slipcover) from Lowes and it basically just slid right over the top of our wood post….no lie! The difference it made & the curb appeal it added is undeniable! Love, love, LOVE my new mailbox! 🙂

As I was looking over my statistic for 2013, I was SHOCKED to find that my highest traffic posts for 2013 were actually dessert recipes that I shared over the course of this year! I guess we all like to eat, huh?! 🙂

So…I decided to do a separate round-up of the top recipes from 2013! Enjoy! 🙂

Cool & Easy Strawberry Pie

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls

No-Bake Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie

DQ Knock-Off Buster Bar Dessert

Paleo Zucchini Brownies

Punch Bowl Cake

Sopapilla Cheesecake

Brown Sugar Lemon Squares

Chocolate Ribbon Pie

Upside-Down German Chocolate Cake

I also wanted to take a minute & say THANK YOU to all of my readers! You all have no idea how much I appreciate you stopping by to visit me! You bless me with your sweet comments & encouraging words each & every week!  If it weren’t for you, I would have quit this little blogging gig a long, long time ago! So thank you for pushing me!!  This past year has been wonderful & I look forward to spending 2014 with you!! I’m hoping to crank out some good stuff this year!

If you are new here & would like to follow along in 2014, be sure to check out my subscribe page to find out how!

And one last thing!! Some of my favorite blog friends are also sharing their top posts from 2013! Be sure to take a minute & check out all the great stuff they’ve accomplished this year & be inspired by their amazing talents & creativity!

Linking up here….

Year In Review Wrap Up at UnSkinny Boppy

Top Projects of 2013 at Southern Hospitality