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I have been dreaming of adding a stair runner to our stairs for years! I knew it would be a costly project if installed professionally so in true Kasey fashion I figured I would try a DIY first. This guide will provide you with the things I used and walk you through my process. It was a fairly simple and cost effective way to add so much charm to our home. Our home is 120+ years old so there was extra planning that went into this. I had to find a modern runner that would fit the width of our narrow stairs and that also came in multiple lengths since I had two stairs to do. Lucky for me I found one that checked all the boxes! Materials and tools you will need: Linked below are the materials I used: Stair runner : I purchased (3) different sized runners. (2) for the first set of stairs to cover 14' and (1) for the second set of stairs to cover 10' This runner is cloud pile making it thicker and soft to touch. The "vintage" look and busy pattern helped hide the transition of the two runners and the staples. Staple gun and staples : I have had this electric staple gun forever - christmas lights, upholstered furniture and now stairs hate to see me coming. I chose 1/2" staples to ensure it went in and held the runner. Measuring tape : Always! Scissors or utility knife : A knife to cut the runner and scissors for the carpet tape Double-sided carpet tape : Helps hold the runner in place during installation. I used on the treads only. Plastic putty tool : I used a plastic wallpaper smoother tool to help push the runner into the edges Stair Rods (optional) : Jewelry for the stairs! I was so excited to come across this company because most rods I found were so $$$ but this was actually managable. Prep your stairs and project: Clean the stairs and touch up any paint if necessary Measure each stair : including the tread (horizontal part) and riser (vertical part). Decide runner width : Typically, leave 2 to 4 inches of exposed stair on each side for a balanced look. This was tricky for my old stairs. Keep in mind if you are doing stair rods the width of your runner and the stair rods match up. I did not check that but lucky for me it was a perfect match. Let the fun begin: Recruit a helper if you can! 1. Start at the top of your stairs and add carpet tape to each tread 2. Position the runner Lay the runner over the first steps to make sure you are even on both sides 3. Secure the runner Staple the runner to the back of the riser, push the carpet into the edge and pull back the carpet tape to place the runner over. Staple along the riser. 4. Work down the stairs Pull the runner tightly over the nose of the tread and staple under the nose. Then pull the tape backing. Use your scraper tool to push the runner into the edge and then smooth the runner over the tread. Add staples to the riser and repeat until finished. Where I placed staples - (5) under the nose of the tread and (3) along the riser. This is hidden by the stair rod. The pile of my runner also helps with hiding the staples. 5. Trim runner Use a sharp utility knife and straight edge to cut the leftover runner. I add a final piece of carpet tape to the last riser to adhere the end of the runner to for extra support. Then staple. 6. Add the jewels Add your stair rods for a fancy touch! I love how it turned out! Not only did it make our old creeky stairs a bit quieter, it added warmth and character. The stair rods really gave it an elevated finish that is so period appropriate for our home. Can you even tell where the two runners meet? About 5 steps up! I was lucky enough for the first runner to end right under the nose of a tread making it easy to secure and seamlessly start the next runner. Something I didnt plan for but it worked out perfectly. Here you can see where the two runners meet right under the nose. I secured the second runner to the riser first and then placed the first runner over top to finish it off. I didnt want to cut the two runners to connect them for the sake of keeping the rugs integrity. Overall this project was super simple, incredibly cost effective and provided a big impact!! If you have been dreaming about adding a stair runner to your stairs let this be the sign to go for it! If you do try it yourself, tag me on instagram @kaseygalikinteriors or reach out if you have any questions!

Monthly Letter 1.25 As January arrives and the holidays fade away, a collective sigh of relief is had. The buzz of festive activities gives way to the calmer rhythm of winter. This month, with its cold days and snowy mornings, gently reminds us that life doesn’t always have to be a race. January offers a much-needed pause, to intentionally slow down and take a break. Say less. I'm not really into setting New Year's goals; instead, I prefer choosing a word for the year, dreaming up ideas, and setting my intentions. As a creative outlet and a way to stay organized, I've decided to write a monthly letter. It's like a love letter, where I can ramble about whatever's on my mind, along with the things I've been doing and enjoying over the past month. Hopefully providing a little bit of inspiration along the way! So welcome to Januarys love letter. The Moodboard This month's moodboard is a reflection of the vision I have for the year. My word, a few design inspo pics, a one year old celebration and raising my two boys! Currently... Watching: Bad Sisters Stream this on AppleTV. I am loving this series so far, you have to pay attention because their Irish accents can be a little thick at times but its a show that will keep your attention. Listening: Of course I made a playlist for the new year and its called, Something New   creative, I know. Making: Homemade cheezits, homemade ravioli, homemade cookies and homemade bagels. Clearly its the month for some homemade food free from all of the grocery store crud! The cold days call for warm nourishing meals and more time in the kitchen. Designing: Something about the first of the year always fills my design calendar. I think putting away Christmas decor and having a little cabin fever sparks a change in us all. I am so grateful for all my clients I am working with. I am currently finishing up a very large full house reno, a little girls big girl room, a few more kid spaces, a bold powder room, a mid century modern living room a rental, and my sons first birthday! Welcoming the New Year with My Word for the Year Grounded;   feeling connected & stable. Well balanced Each new year presents the opportunity to define a guide for the year, summed up in one powerful word. Choosing a word for the year helps focus my actions and shape my experiences. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by a lengthy list of resolutions, my word acts as a guide through my year. I want to be balanced and purposeful in my days which make up my months and turn into a whole year. Since adding Copelan to our family I have really realized how quick time moves, how fast they grow and change, how I really want to be present and hold on to all of these moments, even the mundane days. In years past I tend to give so much to one thing and then whatever is left over is what the rest gets. This causes some serious burn out in areas, or not being able to give what I should to other areas of life. The days I mom so hard leave me feeling frustrated because my work piles up, the days I give my everything to work leaves me feeling guilty because I spent zero quality time with my boys. I understand that life can't be perfectly balanced 24/7 , but my goal is to ground myself each day with the things I need  to do, the things I want  to do, and achieve balance throughout my day. So here is to being grounded in 2025. Snow Days: Embracing the Chill, literally. Ah, snow days—those magical times when the world transforms into a winter wonderland! When snow blankets the ground, time seems to slow down, providing a perfect excuse to enjoy life’s simple pleasures. And if you have kiddos you really get to lean into those memories of childhood adventures. There is nothing like spending a day through the lens of your children. Thankfully January gave a handful of opportunities to embrace this. a few pretty moments of my January Here are a few things I have been loving this past month monochromatic rooms, butter yellow, pattern mixing, custom pinboards, organic flower arrangements stripes, warm wood, desk nightstands, offset gallery walls, soft blue, cafe curtains 2025 trends - the year we layer I think this year we can anticipate even more ways to infuse a home with custom character. It's the details that truly make a house feel like a well lived in, curated home. We're revisiting a lot of traditional design by incorporating more trim and wallpaper, mixing and layering patterns, and adding cafe curtains. Expect to continue seeing color drenched rooms, but with a slightly more monochromatic approach, including fabrics and furnishings. Warm wood tones are in full force, statement lighting and layered lighting remain popular, and I don't see this trend fading! Embrace some dusty toned pastel colors, butter yellow, brown, and those classic nostalgic hues. This year's design largely builds on last year's offerings by layering more small details and designs. Looking to add more detail to your space? Enhance your walls with layered trim and wallpaper, found and curated art, switch to patterned curtains or add Roman shades and drapes! Layer wall sconces and table lamps, plus candle sticks! Anything to make your home feel cozy, and tell a story! And did I mention layering? Here are the things on the docket for February Custom pinboard -- I want to have a DIY blog to share! Make homemade toaster strudels -- do we want more homemade food recipes? Customize dining curtains with a velvet trim -- also a post on this! cause we are layering this year! Finish planning Copelans 1st birthday Work on gallery walls & now I want to make one offset Wrap up the sunroom project Continue plugging away on all of my designs Get back to my daily walks because I have a new book to listen to! I will report back on this on my February love letter Continue to work on staying grounded and remembering what is important. Here's to hoping next month's love letter includes a bit more organization, some insightful DIY projects, and a few ideas to plan for spring! see ya next month! xx kasey

Autumn exists to remind us that things must end to begin again Forever inspired by this sentiment 〰️ As we enter into this new season I am realizing how much around me is changing. The leaves, the temperature, our household. The only thing constant is change and although I would love to hold on to these moments longer I am leaning into it and embracing these sweet fleeting days. September not only brings a new season but a new routine and more structure. As much as I’m looking forward to a routine, I’m really going to miss the slower pace of life that summer brings. However I am looking forward to a much more simple and intentional fall. Fall feels like a season for replenishment, a time to harvest, or maybe just acknowledge all that this year has brought so far. With so many things to do and make and see it can feel like a whirlwind of a season. So, I found if I make a list I hang in plain sight of the important things to do and celebrate, they tend to actually happen. Print one out for your family too so you can fill your days with all this season has to offer as well. Our memory making list consists of: Pumpkin patch + carving pumpkins - Pigeon Roost, Van Buren & Duplers Indoor + outside fires Mulled wine at Rock Side Winery in Lancaster Decorate for Fall, Halloween + transitioning into Thanksgiving A date for cider in Granville at Seek No Further Cidery Trick or Treat - Beechwood Trails + passing out candy at our house The Old Shoe Factory Antique Mall in Lancaster & get donuts at Donut World (you guys - they are amazing & open 24-7) Picnic at Infirmary Mound Park Fall Granville Barn Hop October 18th + 19th Apple picking at Lynds Tractor Show at Foundation Park September 27-29th Trip to the Columbus Zoo Cosi for Paw Patrol + the Dino exhibt in November Sunday Soup (every Sunday I make a soup) Pataskala Hometown Festival - October 12th Take a hike at Black Hand Gorge The Rural Society Sale - October 4th + 5th A trip to North Carolina to visit family A trip to Michigan to tour The Madison, Jean Stoffers home during the holidays Host Thanksgiving Checking out Roesbud's restaurant in Delaware A few key dates & silly celebrations to add September 18th - National Cheeseburger Day make smashburgers for dinner 29th - National Coffee Day treat yourself to a special coffee October 4th - National Cinnamon Roll Day make some! or go to Rolls By the Pound in Newark + get one 17th - National Pasta Day Pasta for dinner - make your own if you can! 31st - Halloween cozy up by the fire + watch your favorite spooky movie November 3rd - Daylight Savings we fall back, gaining an hour 6th - National Nacho Day Nachos for dinner - so easy & fun 17th - National Hiking Day take a hike! we love to go out to Black Hand Gorge 28th - Thanksgiving dont forget to wear stretch pants Recipes on repeat throughout this season The Golden Snitch Cocktail- This reminds me so much of my favorite bourbon cocktail, gold rush, but with a fall twist to it! Be careful because these are dangerously delicious. If you prefer a long drink, top with sparkling water or better yet, champagne! recipe adapted from half baked harvest Creamy Quinoa Soup- I love this hearty soup on a chilly day. Pair with a piece of buttered sourdough bread and top with parm cheese! Chocolate Chip Cookies This is my go to recipe for making chocolate chip cookies but I tend to swap the coconut for oats in the cooler seasons. Here are a few of my favorite things I have been loving for this Fall season Polaroid printer - I love a tangible photo especially the nostalgia a polaroid gives but I never remember my polaroid camera or the image doesnt turn out. This is the best way to print those special moments on a polaroid film. Tapestry booties - these are so fun, I love a statement shoe! Double Signet - I have a signet ring I wear on my pinky I found at an antique store for $1. I love it so much and have been dying to invest in a really nice one. Although I still love the traditional style this double signet is so neat, almost gives that euro shank effect. Fragrance - I typically switch up my scents with the seasons but for a year now I have been loving this perfume! Knit Cardigan - The quality and price point on this cardigan is unbeatable, I have three different colors in this specific style. Its heavy enough and falls perfectly as a cozy sweater for fall. Love the stripes! Jeans - I am in need of a pair of classic blue jeans since having Cope and I love the way these fit and loook! Hat - I love houndstooth and this is such a cute fall ball cap Drop Knobs - If you are in need of new dresser hardware I love these, a little vintage nod. Chandelier - I think this is a fun and feminine chandelier, perfect for a girls room. Table - rather pricy but I love the style, the scallop edge is everything. Brass star garland - So festive and fun! Great to add to your celebration decor stash Hand Candelabra - Funky and feels fitting for the fall season! Table Lamp - As the days become shorter and darkness appears sooner I love to layer lighting with lamps and think these are perfect on top of my dining table (when I get it) for a dim dinner. Flower paper - A neutral but beautiful paper that feels vintage but so timeless. Tissue box cover - As we head into cold season I reach for the tissue box more often and anytime I can fuse form with function I am all for it! Glasses - Very pretty and delicate Lumbar pillow - This tapestry pillow has such rich and warm colors, perfect for fall Ghost earrings - Playful and festive earrings for October. Ghost Bucket - A Halloween staple for flowers or candy! Bat pillow - Ok, how cute! Really everything on their website is adorable, pricy, but adorable! Witch print - Love Janet Hill art and this is a great addition to bring out each season Ghost garland - I actually love this as inspo for a diy project, seems easy to do with some air clay. Pumpkin bag - I want to find a trick or treat bag and this is perfect! The drawstring is a great addition and the pumpkin feels so nostalgic. Bat Pj's - Glow in the dark!! Seasonal pj's are a must and my boys will be matching Alphabet book - I love to add new books to our collection and this is a fun way to work on letters. A few local loves lately * Cookie Mayhem These cookies are so good . My favorite is the cookies & cream but I have loved every other flavor Ive tried. I find them best enjoyed after being in the fridge. * Better Late Than Never Homestead Ok I know everyone is making their own sourdough at home, well believe it or not that is something I am not interested in and if you arent either you must try this sourdough. Not only is the bread so soft it actually has that nice sour taste to it like you want in a sourdough bread. Things I am listening, watching & reading I have recently been turned on to the book Evergreen by Lydia Millen and have been listening to it on Spotify. I want to get my hands on a physical copy so I can highlight and dog ear some of my favorite points. She speaks on the seasons and if you have been around for a while you know I love to change with the seasons. Her " evergreen" way of thinking is very much aligned with my own thought process so it has been a nice listen on my walks to continue to fill me with inspiration. Recently have started Bad Monkey on Apple TV. I am a big Vince Vaughn fan and have found this show pretty good. Some of my other favorite Apple TV shows are: Palm Royale ( obviously), Loot, Presumed Innocent, Defending Jacob, The Last Thing He Told Me. We also started The Perfect Couple on Netflix. So far so good, I love a mystery! Ive been listening to my Spotify playlist Thirty FUN I made this Dec of 23' when I turned 31. I wanted to make a full years worth of my favorite songs through the year instead of making a handful of small playlists. House projects on the docket Around the house during this season I am decorating for fall and Halloween. My favorite is to do the front porch and I have kept some branches from my neighbors tree falling down over the summer for my porch this year. I love the big googley eyes on the house and picked some up from Hobby Lobby to add to our house and tree for Halloween! The dried hydrangeas in urns is a simple and inexpensive way to decorate from Halloween to Thanksgiving. Besides seasonal decor I do have a few projects in mind. Our sunroom which is always a favorite room is currently our play room and will continue to be until we finish our basement. Its such a great space but lacking design - its all white with dingy old windows begging for character. I am thinking painting the windows what other color than green of course! refreshing the furniture and actually styling this space. I need a window treatment since these windows are original and over 100 years old, they are rather drafty. I am not finding anything I love that I also want to spend the money on since I have 12 windows!! So I always say, if you cannot find it or afford it - make it! Im thinking about making my own curtains so I can custumize the size and have fun fabric while not breaking the bank. Excited to give this room a refresh so we can actually enjoy spending some time in here come these cooler days. An easy DIY for Halloween is turning taper candle sticks into ghosts! Sharing this DIY reel on IG very soon. Its as simple as warming the candles in warm water to soften them and shape, draw on a silly face and there ya have it! I am making a plan to redo my gallery wall on the staircase, I am wanting to add in old family photos, mirrors and mixed frames for more character. If you remember back in June I decided to sell our dining table on a whim (thanks postpartum irrational thinking). Well we have since ordered a new table and it has been on back order expected to ship late September. I have to convince my husband to hang the ceiling medallion I have had for a while before it arrives and be on the hunt for new chairs to pair with the table before Thanksgiving! I always host so I am hoping to have chairs by then and wrap up the dining room until we do a full renovation. I love these green chairs for the end and I am thinking about these wooden chairs for the rest with seat cushions that are easy to change and clean, cause ya know, kids. Things I am looking forward to Leanne Ford's book The Slow Down I preordered her book and it is expected early October and I am thrilled to dedicate a day pouring over the pages and soaking in some inspiration with a glass of red wine. I have always loved Leanne's style, simple, white, not to fussy yet balanced with creativity. The Madison Holiday House Tour I have been wanting to attend Jean Stoffer's home tour and this year is it! My mom, sister and I are taking a girls trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan to attend and I am so excited. I love Michigan and I already have an itinerary of where we will stay, eat and shop! Hummingbird House My sister is closing on a house a few down from mine. She onced lived across the street until a job took them to Texas for a few years, well now they are back! I never in a million years imagined that we could be neighbors again but God works in beautiful ways. I am so excited for our kids to be so close to eachother and the sweet memories we will make. I can picture them running down the alley back and forth between our homes. Not to mention designing this home -- we have already named it the Hummingbird House since the attic window has a stained glass hummingbird OBX season 4 pt 1is coming October 10! Making new candles With a new season comes new candles and scents! I always associate different seasons with appropriate smells, fall reminds me of richer, masculine scents. I love to make a handful of new candles for the season especially since the days are becoming a little shorter, there is nothing better than the ambiance of candle glow. I am most excited about this giant one I made (its 20 oz!) the vessle is vintage and purchased for a few dollars on auction. The scent is vintage noir, a perfect balance of worn leather and burnt oak, so cozy and it will be lit all season long. If you are local and interested in filling any of your vintage vessels just let me know and I will share the current scents you can choose from. At $2 an ounce I will make you a candle with a wooden wick in your desired vessel, easy payment and porch pickup or drop off! I recently made these custom matches that I thought were so fun to have around the house and let our friends and family take! I think this would be such a cute and custom housewarming gift paired with a candle Seasonal Inspo Board If you have read until the end, I thank you! I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writting it. I love to share and if you took away even a small nugget of inspiration I will be happy. With this fast paced world and stories that quickly fade or a post that goes unnoticed I want to dive into slowing down and sharing more intentional things that can live on here forever. Bringing back the old blogging days, snail mail, happy to read an email over your morning coffee kind of thing. I am not interested in just showing off beautiful things but rather to share meaningful ways to make your life beautiful as well. Have a lovely season, make the most of it and come back in a few months when I share Christmas and holiday things with a new year on the horizon.

It's that time of year where all the kids are off to school and this happens to be our first time experiencing it! It is so bittersweet, I will miss my buddy but I know how excited he is. Growing up my mom always saved special reports, artwork, report cards and school photos in a box. Nothing about it was organized and although it was fun to dig through I love myself some organization. Being the sentimental mama I am I knew I wanted to do something similar. Im sure you have seen plenty of memory boxes and back to school questionnaires -- they can be pretty pricy so I figured I could just DIY my own school memory box! I opened Canva and looked at a few different templates to create my own. From Pre-School to Senior year I made a custom questionnaire that you can download and use too! This is a great way to stay organized with all of your little one's cherished moments. I purchased sticker paper to print it on and applied it to file folders . Labeled each folder and put it in a file box . All of this cost me about $25 I left a blank spot in the right hand corner for a back to school photo and the size fits a mini polaroid photo perfectly! It will be so fun to see how his answers change over the years. The file box fits in his closet and it will be so easy to keep all his important papers and memories organized. Hope this inspires you to make one too!

Since finding out that we are expecting our second son I have been designing and planning for a new little boys' room. Our son Callan is almost 3 and certainly has out grown his nursery and is ready to hand it over to his baby brother. This meant moving Callan into a new room, and of course I had to redesign it completely. What was once our guest room and second largest bedroom is the victim to being newly designed. But being who we are it wasn't just some new paint and decor, it was a full gut and renovation. Our home is over 120 years old and with each room we completely renovate it to give it our full attention. Updating the old knob and tube electric, adding in more outlets for code, removing the old fallen insulation, relieving the house of some weight from the lath and plaster with new drywall - we wanted to make sure that behind the walls were just as new and updated as in front. It's so important for us to not only create a beautiful space but a safe space especially for our kids. So I knew that this room would eventually be for not only Callan but his brother Copelan. They will share this room - that posed a challenge on how to make sure this space was equally as functional as it is beautiful. I had think of them from toddlers to teenagers, how will this room grow with them. It is a rather large room with a closet and two windows and brick chimney running through the middle of the wall. With that architectural element I have always placed the guest bed alongside the other wall and honestly on either side of the chimney felt like dead space, unusable. I needed to rework this room to eventually house two twin beds comfortably. Thinking about boys and how messy they can be, all of their little cars, dinosaurs, trophies and hats I knew I needed more storage. The closet is big enough for clothes and thats about it. Nightstands take up a lot of space and end up being a disheveled catchall. I also need to fit a dresser into the room and potentially a desk. Great design starts with space planning, understanding how to make the most of your room and its function. I decided to use that brick chimney to my advantage and build alcoves on either side to create not only a focal point but individual space for each of my boys. Sharing a room is good but I know it will come with its own challenges and I still want them both to feel as if they have their own space within the room they share. The depth is only about a foot from the brick to the wall but that served enough space for creating custom alcoves for their headboards, custom bookshelves on either sides and a reading light. This gave me the opportunity to eliminate nightstands all while giving them plenty of storage that is "hidden" so it can be as messy as they would like. This also gave me the opportunity to play with the design and boy did I ever! Now that I had flow to this room I was able to really hone in on the design elements. I love to start by creating a design board to pull all the elements together. I have been wanting to use Cole & Son's Nuvolette paper for years and years but it is a rather pricy one so I knew I needed the perfect place for it to live for a long time, insert this project. Starting with the wallpaper I continued to build my design - as you can see in this design board some things have changed along the way.. so stay open to change! I am so glad I decided to make a few adjustments along the way to really create this fun room. The new floorplan render Design Board This is the original state of the room when we first lived here - pink with wallpaper and plaster covering the brick. We eventually painted the room and removed the plaster to expose the brick. This room was one of the first rooms we "redid" and needed a lot of attention so this was the perfect opportunity. Demo Days We knew adding new electric and sconces to the back wall meant it would be easier to remove the old lath and plaster and start over. This gave us the opportunity to add new insulation to the back wall (which is exterior) and get new electric into place! Building it back We also decided to remove the current ceiling which was overly textured and the original lath and plaster. Again, it gave us the opportunity to add new insulation, remove the old knob and tube electric and run new for an overhead light. You can see the framing for the alcoves as well with sconces on the back wall. Before drywall was finished we wanted to add a little "time capsule" for the people who dare tear this down... hoping its not us hahah! A great progress shot of all new drywall - which if you have done renovations before you know once drywall is in things really start to take shape and you can see the light at the end of the tunnel! Skipping the mudding and sanding... here you can see the ceiling and walls painted, the casing and trim on the alcoves and the brick cleaned and sealed! Another progress shot but this one is so good - the wallpaper is in and so is all of the trim! The colors really came together harmoniously! While I was waiting for other parts of the project to get completed I tackled making a custom headboard with my mom! We started with cutting 3/4" MDF into the shape of the headboard which was 7" down from the point on each side making a subtle angle. We then wrapped the MDF in foam and then double layered batting and then lastly the fabric. This was honestly a really easy DIY that turned out so dang cute and very custom! Brandon then attached the headboard to the back of the platform storage bed. This still allows us to utilize the storage drawers the bed has. We took a very affordable bed, some materials and a little elbow grease and turned it into a custom high end looking bed. If you cant find it - make it! Here is the progression of this room Seeing how much Callan loves his new big boy room makes us so happy and all of this work very worth it. Excited to see how our boys grow into this room and make it their own. Sources: Ceiling paint- Inkwell Sherwin Williams / Eggshell Trim paint- Granite Peak Sherwin Williams / Semi Gloss Wall paint- Wool Skein Sherwin Williams / Eggshell Ceiling flush mount Wall sconces Push buttons Switch Plate Outlet cover Desk hardware Curtain rod Curtain rings Curtains Rug Platform bed Headboard fabric / 2 yards Bed sheets Comforter Duvet cover Dresser Ikea shelf Brass plaque Lamp / made the lampshade from leftover fabric Floor & bookshelf stain- Dark Walnut Minwax Tips & Tricks: If you cant find it - make it! Space plan first. Remember to think of function not only for now but for the future! Design timelessly with materials that age well. Be open to change.

here we are again welcoming a new season, fall. It really is my favorite season, the crisp air, changing colors of the leaves, cozy soups on repeat. All the warm fall tones, shorter days and slower intentional celebrations. A little Inspo for this new season, soak up the days and make the most of f a l l. Print this out, add your fall to do's and hang it on the fridge. Fall can come and go so quickly and it always feels like so many activities with so little fall to do them all. Stay organized and do the fun things you want to do this season with this simple customizable list! Our Fall list will consist of some fun fall festivities like a trip to the pumpkin patch and carving, the Granville barn hop (oct. 13 & 14), celebrating our 7th anniversary!! A trip to the zoo (Callan's first time!), making his Halloween costume, Sunday Soups (every Sunday in the fall I make soup), plenty of trips to the park, slowing down and soaking in the most of this season. So with a new season comes change and we are welcoming that with open arms! We have been keeping a little secret and are excited to announce our newest little love due at the end of March. It is not easy for us to conceive, each babe has taken some time, a lot of prayer and complete faith in the Lords timing and plans for us. I am so excited to give Callan a sibling, although I know he has no clue how his little world is about to be rocked, I know he is going to be an amazing big brother! On a weekly rotation is my homemade pot pie, a big favorite in our house. It is the perfect cozy dish for a cold fall day, add mashed potatoes to really make this a comfort dish! I couldn't help but switch up my typical lattice style topping to these little ghosts for a festive look that my son seemed to really love. Save this recipe, add it to your own rotation! Let me know if you make any changes, enjoy! I don't know what it is about fall that makes me want to be in the kitchen or maybe its this pregnancy craving something sweet! I jumped into JoAnna Gaines cookbook vol. 2 to make these homemade oatmeal cream cookies. They are so simple and delicious! As for decorations this year I decided to keep it pretty simple! We still need to take a trip to the pumpkin patch to fill the front steps with pumpkins and gourds. September really acted like it had somewhere to be so I have been a little unprepared for October and fall! Cast Iron Sherwin Williams (dining room paint) Salamander Benjamin Moore (office paint color) We had a bittersweet moment taking Callan's crib out and replacing it with a big boy bed! He was so ready and needs the freedom to get up on his own but I am mourning my sweet little baby. It feels like just yesterday we brought him home and now he is growing up right before our eyes! It is so special to know the next time we set the crib up it'll be for our new baby. Savoring these fleeting moments and celebrating the change that comes with life. I found this bed on Facebook Marketplace for $20 - solid wood and good condition, it just needed a makeover! I painted it Salamander by Benjamin Moore because I had a lot leftover and I loved the idea of pulling a darker green from his rug. My sentimental mama heart cant believe I am looking at the bed that he will sleep in for many years to come as he grows into a little boy and then a teenager! I am going to blame these pregnancy hormones for being all in my feelings lately. Well, October will drift into November and then shortly into December. These last three months are always so full, full of celebration, activities and memories. I am going to slow down and soak in these days, hug my son, embrace this pregnancy, get creative and work with my hands, sprinkle in some date nights and really make the most of the rest of 2023. Enjoy this season my friends.

There are always flowers for those who want to see them Happy Spring and Happy April! So glad to be here in this new season, this fresh beginning. I love spring, a time for cleansing and starting new, a time for growth and great change. Everything starts to turn green, the days are becoming longer and the sun is shinning more! There is so much to be grateful for and so much to do in this season. Our plates are very full with the building project but one thing Brandon and I promised each other during this "busy" season, we always want to put our family first. Creating a balanced life is hard, to-do lists get longer and slowing down seems impossible. But my goodness it is so important. The building can wait if that means spending quality time together, rest days are crucial and this time with Callan is fleeting. We dont want to be working so hard we miss our life. I think thats a common goal for everyone but truthfully its hard to do. I think by prioritizing, setting plans and goals it can help lead to a more balanced life. I love to work by the seasons, plan and set my goals seasonally. Your year is essentially broken into quarters- spring, summer, fall and winter. This makes planning less overwhelming and lets you focus on the season in front of you. Don't let another day, month or season go by without enjoying every bit of it. Work can wait. Life won't. So open the windows, clean house, blast the music (check out my spring playlist here) light a candle, make a refreshing drink, run around barefoot, get your hands dirty and soak up all that spring has to offer! Here is a little April inspo A spring to-do list And for you to make your own Spring Bucket List! Print this out, fill it out and stick it on your fridge! This gives you a chance to do those things you have been wanting to do! My Spring is going to look a little something like this: April - Need to get my hands on the latest Feel Free magazine by Leanne Ford. It is such an inspiring magazine and I am hoping to carry it once we are open! - Easter celebration Here is a glimpse at our menu I wanted to have a fancier Easter brunch this year and I am excited about this menu. I love to curate a full menu with complimentary dishes and decorate my table to match. It's the little things like this in life that are worth celebrating! So let us know -- let us press on to know the Lord. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the Earth. Have a wonderful Easter! More progress on the building is in store and working on all the logistics for the business. Speaking of - I have yet to announce officially that we landed on a name for the cocktail lounge. It is.. The Dorsten! A little story on how we decided upon that name - My great-grandmother Amelia Kennedy, her maiden name was Dorsten. She lived through the Prohibition Era and The Great Depression. A strong woman who rode motorcycles but also loved to garden and grow peonies. Thinking more about her last name I did some research and discovered that Dorst means a physical need/desire to drink. It felt right and so it is, The Dorsten. With Earth day around the corner I have plans to plant all my seeds! The usual sunflower and zinnia combination and sweet alyssum. I love the smell of the alyssum and how it takes over our beds! Going to age some terra-cotta pots and fill with some gem boxwoods - I will probably do a tutorial on this over on my projectonmain instagram! Last years sunflowers & alyssum - Some deep spring cleaning of the house and much needed organizing - Prepping the yard, cleaning and decorating the front porch - Hosting a ladies luncheon May A month full of celebrations with - Brandon's Birthday - Granville Spring Barn Hop - The Kentucky Derby - Mothers Day - Springfield Extravaganza - Callan's 2nd Birthday! - The usual Memorial Day pool party and cookout - Buying flowers to plant for our front porch and back patio - We are hosting Brandon's sweet cousin and her fiancé's engagement party And I'm sure a lot of work on the building, per usual. June Hoping this month will hold a lot of pool days, the kick off to summer (making summer plans!) and really working hard on the building. The farmers market starts, ice cream is on weekly rotation, shoes are optional and soaking up the sunshine is mandatory! - Fathers day celebration - My bestie is turning 31! Some projects on my radar: Refinishing some desks I purchased on marketplace for Reverie. Lamp makeovers with the thrifted lamps I purchased. Finishing the dining room. Styling and finishing our bedroom. Working on landscaping and flowers! Finalizing the design for The Dorsten & Reverie annnnnd honestly a million more because my project list is forever long and I continue to add to it. Snaps of late: Bookkeeping from the 60's we found in the attic of the building New roof going on! The ceiling is coming down and oak joists are being exposed! Our cozy bedroom my new corner crush Our freshly painted dining room Paint color is Sherwin Williams - Cast Iron This bird bath at Hope Timber Garden Center im swooning over Some fresh spring blooms! I dropped the ball on planting my tulip bulbs last falls so here's to hoping I can cut some from my garden next spring! A few recipes I want to try out: This spin on a mimosa! Trying this for Easter. Drooling over this comforting dish! And I am most definitely going to have Brandon make this ice cream. As I type this I cannot believe we are already in the month of April and in a new season! I am excited to see what this month and spring will bring. with alllll my love, dive into this season and soak up all it has to offer!

As I type this I am still in disbelief that we are the new owners of a commercial building in our small town just a short walk from our home. This 2600 sqft building was built over 100 years ago. It was home to a dog groomer, a gym, an auto parts store and I think maybe an appliance store at one point. Its been a few different things and neglected is one of them. It desperately needs a new roof, serious tuckpointing on the old brick and everything else you can think of. This is most certainly our biggest project yet, the most expensive and riskiest. But Brandon and I have a little craziness in us, we dream big and we like to see life through rose colored lenses. Ever since I moved to Pataskala I would go on walks around our downtown and dream about how I would remodel buildings and the business that could go in them. I saw the potential and the demand for revitalization in our downtown. I desperately wanted to be apart of that. There was a small blue building that I had my eyes on, I wrote the owner 3 letters in hopes that he would want to sell since it has been sitting vacant and on the market before. He never responded. I wasn't going to give up hope - it felt like the perfect little spot for a home decor and design store. I could see it, I would design the entire outside and dream of the interior layout. I prayed for it. Until I could get a response out of the owner I knew I couldn't just sit around and wait... I decided to work on an online store. I wanted my interior design business to connect with my store, offer vintage, handmade pieces and small collections of decor. But let's back up and take a look into my journey of getting here. And prior to 2019 I spent many years searching for my purpose, taking jobs and quitting them. I felt very confused in what I should be doing but knew there was always something greater in store for me. I decided to really dig deep into what made me happy, what I enjoyed doing and made that my goal to work toward. I started slowly documenting our own home renovations, put together a small blog and created inspiration boards and designing every chance I could get. It wasn't always easy, and it has been a pretty slow road to get here today. A lot of challenges, a lot of growth, but every step of the way was at the perfect pace with all of the right lessons. Fast forward to today... Looking back on my dreams of the small blue building I wanted, it reminded me of how great God is. I thought I was dreaming big but God knew I could handle bigger! This commercial building is much bigger. It is old, full of brick and problems. It is going to take a lot of time, a lot of money and a lot of hard work but it is also opening the doors to even bigger dreams. Beyond dreaming of owning my own home decor store I also wanted a space to hold workshops and creative gatherings for other women and men! Brandon has always dreamt of owning a restaurant or bar. This building is allowing us to do all 3! We are able to utilize this large space in multiple ways to be creative and offer more to our community. A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9 Never stop making dreams, never stop going after what truly makes you happy and most importantly never stop trusting in the Lord. His timing, his will, will always be perfect. We might be a little crazy taking on such a large project while raising our son with hopes to grow our family. We might be a little crazy putting all our eggs in one basket. We might be a little crazy starting these new businesses. But we know for certain we were led to this, this is what we are meant to do in this season of our life. This will be more than a home decor store and a cocktail lounge. This is going to be a place in our community for everyone to come and feel welcomed, feel inspired, connect and create memories. For everyone local, please be patient as we take on this project. We are doing this with great intention to create a truly special place, and that takes time. As we embark on this long journey to restoration, rebuilding and creating a new space.. follow along on Instagram and Facebook. We will try to document every step of the way, the good the bad and the ugly. I will do my best to post blog post as often as I can with sources and anything else important! We are excited, a little nervous but honored to be the ones who get to do this!

Take a step back today. Look at all those beautiful things you have. Happy November! What a great quote to start off November, the month of gratitude and giving thanks. I think with the holidays on the horizon its easy to get lost in all the things we "want" and all the things we "dont have" and I am talking materialistic. But, when we really do take a step back we can see all the beautiful things we already have. Adjusting your perspective is so good for the mind and soul. Check in with where you are and how you are feeding your mind. Give thanks for your health, your mind and all those who surround you and love you! Thats right there is a lot to give thanks for. A little November Inspo. With the leaves falling and all the green turning brown I long for these deep rich earth tones. November is a slower month, with the time change and the days getting shorter it is a month to really cozy in and enjoy the slower pace. On the radar this month: - Christmas photos at our house for photographers - Mat Kearney concert - Hosting Thanksgiving My absolute favorite holiday - I think since it truly is a time to gather your friends and family, sit down and enjoy a meal together with no gift expectations or things to do, Thanksgiving feels like such a genuine holiday. Slowing down, being grateful and surrounding yourself with family and friends. Projects on the horizon: - NOTHING Believe it or not we are kinnnd of taking this month off. We just came off a very busy month and feel such a burn out. Its important to take a step back and make sure you aren't over doing it and that you still take time to relax and enjoy life! So November, thats what you will be. A few things I dont want to forget.. Our sweet getaway to Northern Michigan - memories I will never forget. Early rainy morning pancake making Halloween and the wedding we hosted this year Here is to another great month and to all the sweet memories made in the last month - holding tight to these days.

Don't miss it, your life. Enjoy where you are. Feels so fitting for this month and season. Deep in the thick of a very busy season with the holidays on the horizon and plenty of activities to keep us busy I want to keep perspective on the things that matter most and to enjoy right where I am. I realize how quickly time goes and its true, dont get wrapped up in what is next or planning for the future.. or caught up on what happened yesterday or youll miss it. Youll miss your life. And that is something I am not in the mood to do. I want to always look back and know I truly lived and soaked in every moment and season. I think that is mainly why I started this space to document and share this with others in hope they do the same and it holds me accountable, it reminds me constantly what is important and how to live this life with intention. A little October Inspo. Full of black and white, a dose of spooky and moody. October is full on Fall and there is always so much to fill the calendar with. On the radar this month: - Returning from our vacation to Michigan - Celebrating out 5 year Anniversary! - Granville Barn Hop 21-22! - Go to Pigeon Roost Pumpkin Patch - Host a wedding at our home on Halloween! - Seek No Further Cidery - Mulled wine at Rockside Winery Projects on the horizon: - Hustling to get our garage in shape for the wedding which includes painting the exterior! Looking at getting a paint sprayer for this project and I am so excited because it will be painted a gorgeous dark green! - We had full intentions to finish up our kitchen before vaca but life happens so we are back at it and going to finish it up this first part of October - And believe it or not.. thats it! October is our favorite month and we are already so busy with all the fun things that we really want to slow down and soak it all up. A few things I dont want to forget.. A little snippet from our sunrise photoshoot - it was the perfect mix of cloudy skies and soft muted colors. I cannot wait to see how the entire session turned out and to share them! The start of Fall activities which included a trip to Hendren to pick our pumpkins! Just a little glimpse into some fall decorating and a little corner crush of the moment. October, I cant wait to create many memories to forever cherish. Heres to beautiful weather, happy days and lots of love.

Truly one of the most magical photography sessions I've ever had. It was well worth the early morning wake up call and sleepy eyes. Cait, our photographer, had a vision and executed it perfectly. She captured the sweetest moments of our family. The tones, the wind and over all feeling of these photos is exactly what I have always wanted! I told her, these are photos I typically pin on Pinterest except it is of us! She sent me a gallery of over 200 photos and it really is so difficult to choose my favorites but for the sake of this post I tried to narrow it down. Location- Alum Creek Beach Photographer- Cait Rose Photography So next time you are looking to get your photos done, consider a sunrise session - reward yourself with donuts afterward like we did! If you are local I highly recommend Cait for your photos.

I have been dying to learn how to make cinnamon rolls so I am going to try this recipe. I also stumbled upon this Ricotta Gnocchi dish and it just seems like such a yummy and comforting dish, perfect for fall! What are some of your favorite fall go-to meals or drinks? Overalls T Shirt Sweater Pants Infinity Bracelet Polaroid Purse Vans Candle Bandana Lipstick Hat A few of my fall favorites and essentials to this season. Now that I am a mom and a bit older, I have really gained confidence in my wardrobe. I try to stay away from the trends and focus on the things that I enjoy to wear. What do I feel most confident and comfrotable in? I love a good pair of denim, a basic T and easy to slide on shoes. For fall - I am all about the layers, overalls, basic Ts a button up sweater or flannel. Toss on a hat and slip on my vans and im out the door! I will say though - there are trends i do love and invest in if I feel like it will age well. Example - infinity jewelry, have you heard of it?? You pick out the chain you want, they measure your wrist and then attach the chain without a clasp so the chain stays on your wrist until you decide to have it removed. I love this. I love a dainty chain that I can always have on! I am so excited to go get this - if you are local, Red Giraffe is now doing it! My polaroid camera is a must have. An easy way to capture the sweetest moments and have a tangible photograph to store away or display! If you are looking for another really great way to print off photos, check out the app Timeshel! Ive talked about it before and I have done it for 3 months now and love it. Essentially you pick a package (amount of photos/price) upload photos for the month and they ship the photos directly to your door. Its like my top moments of the month sent to me and stored in a cute little envelope. You know my love for R.Riveter. I love this little bag design and I have my eyes on this leather cutie. The color is perfect and the texture the snake skin adds is great for fall. My mom always buys me this candle for fall. It is so strong (in a good way) and fills our entire house with the best fall scent. Once the candle has burned completely I love the vessel it is in for storage! And as always - a great matte lipstick. I have been wearing nude a lot but i am excited to have a minimal makeup and a pop of a bolder lip for the season. Save this to your desktop, print it off and fill it out with all of the things you want to do this fall! Stick it in plain sight like your refrigerator so you can remember to do all the fall fun activities. This is always my favorite way of filling in our calendar with the things we love to do with each season. My fall mantra is search for soul in everything - I love this. Sums up slowing down, making the most of every moment and truly soaking it all in. Soul, I hear that word and think of old wise people who have lived and truly know the meaning of life and thats the type of living I want to do. Live, not miss these days. So for this season ... Search for the soul in everything. We are starting Fall off with a bang and headed up to Michigan for a little fall getaway. We absolutely love Northern Michigan in almost every season but fall really is something special. I will most likely share all the details once we are home but I made a new playlist for the ride up - check it out. It hits all the fall feels. So cheers to a new season, my favorite one, Fall! Enjoy these days, make all the memories, dance in your kitchen, try new things and soak it in! I hope my little fall newsletter has you excited for this season - let me know what you like to do when you think of Fall!