Featured Blogger -- Megan of Honey We're Home!

We can't wait to introduce you to Megan over at Honey We're Home! Yet another one of our favorite places to browse - Megan shares organizational tips and amazing DIY projects all while showing off her FABulous home! Read on to get to know more about Megan and our favorite blogspot, Honey We're Home! Ah, we just love Megan & her oh-so-pretty blog. 

{1} Tell us about yourself - the face behind the name!

I’m a wife and first time mom to our son, 13-month old James.  I was blessed to be able to stay home with him for his first year and recently returned to work (two days a week) as a lawyer.  I have a love for design, organizing, stationery, and shoes!

{Megan & her super cute Little}

{2} What made you begin your beautiful blog, Honey We're Home?

Last summer we moved into the home we built and I have been busy decorating ever since.  The blog was started as a sort of journal to chronicle our build and design process and to record those precious baby moments.

{Megan's Oh-So-Pretty Oprah Magazine Collection}

{3} You are seriously organized and it is well, a true talent! From your office, to your closet, to your Oprah Magazine collection - what are some of your best tips you can give us for staying organized?

It’s all about editing out the things you don’t want, need, or love.  It’s so hard to be organized when we have too much stuff.  I’m pretty determined about donating what we don’t need and it helps me to know that someone else is getting much better use out of what I’m not using!  Keeping similar things together in pretty containers is also an easy trick to staying organized.

{We LOVE how Megan decorates with books}

{4} Tell us a little bit about your home. Where do you shop? What is your favorite room & why?

Our home is a work in progress!  My “go-to” sources are Crate & Barrel, Z Gallerie, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware and West Elm.  I also like online sites like Wisteria, Layla Grace, Grandin Road and Ballard Designs and have found great deals at Home Decorators.com, Overstock, and JC Penney’s. 

I think my favorite room is the kitchen.  


It’s the one room the house was built around and I knew exactly what I wanted and achieved it.  

{Head here to make Megan's super-chic Inspiration Board}

{5} You feature many DIY projects - we LOVE the Inspiration Board you showed off! How do you come up with such brilliant and oh-so-chic crafy ideas? Do you have a favorite DIY project?

I don’t consider myself especially talented in the DIY area, but I read a lot of blogs and get so much inspiration from them.  My favorite DIY project is probably the art wall above my son’s nursery.  I took pages from a sentimental book and framed them- easy peasy- but very meaningful.

{One of our favorite rooms is Megan's Closet. Get the inside scoop!}

{6} We just have to talk about this closet. What is your favorite item in it & why?

Of course I really love the chandelier, which is the first thing you notice when you enter, but my closet is also where I keep all the cards from my husband and son on display and I love to see them on my dresser. 

{7} What is your go-to outfit?

Hmmm, on weekends you’ll find me either in a casual tank dress (so easy to just put on one piece) or a tank top, capri pants/jeans, and wedges or flip flops. 

{8} What are some of your must-read blogs or sites?

I read a lot of blogs so it’s really hard to narrow it down.  Through blogging, I’ve become especially close to several women who inspire and encourage me daily.  I love the humor at Hi Sugarplum and the eye candy at A Thoughtful Place.  Two of the first blogs I ever read were La Dolce Vita and Elements of Style.  Most of my daily reads are listed on my Blogroll.

{9} What is up next for you and Honey We're Home?

There is much to do with this house, and I have to remind myself that it doesn’t all have to be done immediately!  I’ve been “trying” to focus my attention on one room at a time, right now, the living room.  Also, my son is starting to walk, which is totally new and uncharted territory for this new mom:)  I’m so thankful to all of my readers and we are blessed to be finally “home”.

All Things Honey We're Home

The Blog

Twitter

Facebook

Featured Blogger! Chassity of Look Linger Love!

We looked. We lingered. We love! 

Yes, that is exactly what you get when you head over to Look Linger Love! Blogger, Chassity has us lingering around her blog all the time which is why she is a cupcakeMAG featured blogger. Oh, and besides the fact that we adore her!

Let us introduce you to one our favorite spots, Look Linger Love & the FABulous writer behind the name!

{1} Tell us about yourself - the face behind the name! 

I'm a silly acting girl (okay I just turned 29, can I still call myself a girl??) just living my life as happily and beautifully as I can.  Most days {in between diaper changes and errands} you can find me with my baby girl out lunching with friends, searching out pretty things, and blogging.  

{Images of Chassity by Gray Benko}

{2} What made you begin, Look Linger Love?

I guess I just got tired of silently reading blogs and not joining the conversation.  I decided to stay home with my daughter when we had her, and it's been a joy.  But unlike so many, not that much has changed since I became a momma.  I still love all things style.  And I'm often asked "where did you get that??".  So what better way to chronicle and share my daily inspirations than a blog?

Because really, who says you can't carry a supply of diapers and Cheerios in an incredible bag?

{3} Your home is just gorgeous! What are some of your personal decorating tips? 

Thank you very much. I've had so much fun designing and tweaking it (daily!).  I mean, are we ever really finished with our homes?  My motto is to only keep the things that I wholeheartedly love.  Yes, this will likely mean some blank walls and a couple of empty spaces.  But we spend so much time in our homes, why stare at things that don't make us feel giddy?!  Take risks and branch out of  your comfort zone.  It's usually these items that make the space visually interesting.  I was a little nervous to paint our ceiling charcoal gray, but this is one of my favorite things about the house.

{Lily's Nursery from Chassity's Home Tour}

{4} Where do you love to shop for your home?

I think the trick here is to find items from a lot of different places so that your home doesn't look like a store showroom.  I find a lot of things at local shops around Charleston {we're blessed with so many}, as well as larger chains like Anthropologie, West Elm, and Restoration Hardware.  And don't forget online shopping.  I love Etsy in a major way, especially when it came time to decorate Lilly's nursery. 

I recently did a sources post on some of the things around our home after getting so many inquiries.

{Chassity's beautiful dining room was just one room featured in her home tour on Made By Girl}

{5} Love to shop for you?

I'm a boutique shopper {again, luckily Charleston is full of them}.  I prefer small shops that carry labels tailored to my style over large chains.  But don't misunderstand, I frequent some of the bigger stores like J.Crew, ASOS, Madewell, and Urban Outfitters too.  And considering I was a member of the J.Crew Shoe of the Month Club, my shoe shelves are happily stocked!

{6} What is your go-to outfit? 

During the day you'll generally find me in something baby friendly.  This usually consists of jeans (shorts in warmer weather) with a comfortable top, jewelry, and flats.

For a night out I'm most always in a dress or skirt with high heels.  You'll likely find some sequins too.

{we ADORE this print featured on Look Linger Love}

{7} What are some of your must-read blogs or sites?

I've been reading Cupcakes and Cashmere for awhile, I adore Emily's style.  I also appreciate the vast array of online shelter magazines.  Don't you just love all of the clickables these days?  It makes shopping so {too} easy!

{her sweet Lily! One of the 5 things she clearly can't live without!}

We hope you enjoyed getting to know Chassity! Head over to follow her blog now and make sure you "LIKE" (well, LOVE!) her new Facebook page here.

Featured Blogger: Melissa of The Inspired Room

The Inspired Room is a place for you to do just that - get inspired. If you aren't already reading this site daily -well, you need to be. With post like "Just Start Your Day with a 5 Minute Routine" to "DIY Cozy Winter Felt Wreath"  -- we get so excited to see the post each day as Melissa inspires us everyday. We can thank her for showing us it is about the simple things in life. 

{Melissa of The Inspired Room}

We were beyond thrilled to chat with Melissa - the brilliant mind behind The Inspired Room and just couldn't wait to share this amazing blog with our readers! 

{1} What inspired you to begin your site, The Inspired Room?

I began my blog as a part of The Inspired Room, my decorating business. I started my business because I wanted women to find contentment in their home and give them encouragement to make what they already had more beautiful. I had no idea the blog would turn out to be such a big part of my business -- it kind of took on a life of its own! It has been really fun connecting with thousands of other like-minded women around the world.

{2} When you aren't writing what else can we find you doing?

You would probably find me puttering around the house, which is one of my favorite hobbies. I have three kids and a husband -- they are my biggest priority. My family moved to Washington two years ago to start a new church so that also takes up a huge part of my week, I try to juggle life online and off as best I can!

{3} Do you have a favorite post you have shared? 

My favorite posts are the ones where I can tell I shared something that changed how readers thought about their own home and circumstances. You see so many beautiful homes online and in magazines. They are fun to look at, but they can sometimes make you feel less than content about what you have. I love to be able to redefine for women what a beautiful home really is. It is fun to inspire readers to take inspiration from a photo or an idea and turn it into something they can actually do at their own home, no matter what their budget or home is like.

{Melissa's "office" - The Blogging Area!}

{4} What is your favorite room in your house and why?

Right now my favorite room is my family room, because it is really the only room I've completely finished painting so far! Having a room that is fully painted in a color I chose really makes me happy. 

In my old house, my favorite room was my kitchen. We remodeled it several years before we moved, using many of my favorite ideas and finishes. I miss that room tremendously, it was so personal and so ME! Maybe someday my new house will get a kitchen makeover. 

{From The Inspired Room, Simple 5 Minute Routinue}

{5} What is your #1 tip for Moms trying to manage keeping their home in tip-top shapre, minus a maid?

Daily routines are extremely important. I like my home to be "clean enough" Not perfect, but relatively tidy and clean. I share my four basic daily routines on this post. Without daily routines, my housework would pile up and it would be a disaster zone most of the time. 

From The Inspired Room, Keeping Things Simple: Real Life Accessories}

{6} What are some of your personal home decoarting tips you can share?

I share a lot of tips each week on my blog (here is a link to some of my decorating tips from my favorite posts). I think the tip I resonate with the most is to incorporate things in your home that hold a lot of meaning to you. The goal I want to achieve is to have a home that is completely authentic and personal to me. You can gather up a bunch of trendy items you find in every magazine, paint your walls the most up to date color and your room might look end up looking very pretty. But when you give your home a unique personality, you give it a soul. Those are the rooms I fall in love with!

{7} What is up next for you?

So far this blogging journey has been full of unexpected surprises, so I am curious what this year will hold! My main goal is to paint more rooms in my house! 

Inspired yet? Head over to The Inspired Room where you will be inspired for weeks! Melissa has made a beautiful empire of inspiration and we just adore her and the site! 

{All Things The Inspired Room}

{blog}

{facebook}

{twitter}

Featured Blogger -- The perfection of Mrs. Kelly Stamps!

You may know Mrs. Kelly Stamps from Kelly's Korner - yes, that so cute bloggin' gal we love - that is her! We have been reading her blog and following along with her sweetness. One of the nicest and most genuine people around (and no, we have never met her IRL) Kelly's Korner gives you a peek at just a mother doing her everyday job with lots of prayer, style, Harper and so much more along the way! We can't even begin to tell you all the FABulous things Kelly blogs about - you have to see for yourself over at Kelly's Korner. But, we can help you get to know her! Check out our chat with this Super Momma! 

{What made you decide to start your blog?} 

I started my blog probably 5 years ago - I just wanted a way to scrapbook our lives.  I saw a few friends starting blogs and thought it was a neat idea. 

{Do you have a favorite post you have written? If so, why?}

My favorite posts have probably been the two posts I wrote to announce we were pregnant! Especially the first one I made with Harper - I  had a lot of people who followed my journey with infertility so it was so exciting for me to be able to share we were finally having a baby! 

{You precious Harper is always dressed so perfect in her darling little outfits you don't see everywhere? Where do you shop for her cute little wardrobe?}

I just wrote a post about this. I shop all over. I love old fashioned Southern style clothes. I love to dress her in smocked bishops, big bows and little two piece outfits. I have higher end brands that I love but I usually shop for most of those on eBay second hand.  Toddler clothes, especially nice clothes, are usually only worn once or twice so they look new even when they are used. I also love etsy for cute personalize outfits. I'm a HUGE fan of monogramming. 

{see Kelly's kitchen here}

{We love it when you and your readers show off their homes on your blog! What is your favorite room in your house and why?}

I love my kitchen.  I chose our house mostly because I loved the openness of our kitchen! However our new nursery for our second daughter is quickly becoming my second favorite room. I'm having so much fun putting it together! 

{And now our questions for the LOVE department! What is your message for singles that are waiting for the one?}

I got married at 30 which in the South is pretty old and my single years were hard.  I never thought I would find the One! I think my advice is just to wait on God.  Don't settle for "good" just to get married when you could wait and get God's BEST! Also just to not let singleness hurt your self esteem.  When the right guy comes along - you will be perfect! I always thought if I was just smarter, or prettier or thinner or funnier - I would have married earlier.  But I just had to wait for the guy who would think I was perfect for him.   

{How are you feeling at this point in your pregnancy? I also am expecting - my 4th girl!}

Oh wow - 4 girls! I'm just a lot bigger this time around and she's a lot lower so I feel like it's hard for me to get around already! (30 weeks).  A lot of it has to do with chasing a toddler all day and how tired that makes me.  Other than that - I feel great and I'm trying to soak in my pregnancy because it should most likely be my last one.

{Who are your favorite Etsy sellers?} 

I honestly don't have a favorite seller. I scour etsy all the time but I'm not good about saving who I buy from because I'm usually looking for different things each time. I LOVE etsy! 

{What other blogs/sites do you read?}

I have a lot of "real life" friends who blog and I always read their blogs so I can keep up with what they are up to. I love "Bring the Rain" by Angie Smith, Boomama, Bigmama, "Baby Bangs" by Amanda Jones, and a ton of other blogs - most I keep on my sidebar. I love discovering new blogs. 

{What is your favorite recipe you LOVE to make?}

I love comfort food - good Southern food.  Poppyseed chicken is probably my favorite. I love roast, carrots and potatoes. I love to make King Ranch Chicken and chicken spaghetti.   

{You always look so cute, where do you shop and what style tips can you give other moms?}

You are sweet - I don't feel too cute most days. I want to try and stay semi stylish but with almost two young kids and myself pushing 40 I don't always know how to be fashionable. I think the thing is to dress for your body shape and not just for trends.  I love to wear boots and dresses.  I love anything with ruffles. Actually I'm obsessed with ruffles. My favorite stores are Francescas, Ann Taylor Loft, the Gap, T J Maxx (that's my source for most of my clothes), and even Target.  

See why we LOVE her so much? She is just SO FABulous and pure perfection. Make sure you follow Kelly on Twitter and on her blog so you don't miss a thing! 

Featured cupcakeMAG Approved Site -- Project Nursery!

PROJECT NURSERY 

dream | discover | design

www.projectnursery.com

We just recently launched our Site | Love where we feature the cupcakeMAG approved bloggers and sites we are daily checking and just loving. Our latest obsession is Project Nursery & we have just been dying to share our chat with Founder and Contributing Editor, Pam! Oh, how we love them and their beautiful filled-with-eye-candy site. 

{The site is so successful! We love it! How was Project Nursery born?}

Melisa and I have always had a passion for design. When we both lived in NYC we loved sharing ideas and inspiration and when we began to start families we started focusing on the nursery. we were surprised that there was really no place online to search for good design ideas for the nursery. Project Nursery started as a way for Melisa and I to keep all the resources and ideas we were collecting and then share it with others that were as obsessed as we are. 

{Do you have a favorite room featured on the site?}

There are so many fantastic rooms in our photo gallery its hard to pick just one. I've been very drawn to white, black and yellow these days. One of our readers uploaded pictures of their son's nursery, Max's Nursery, that has really caught my eye. The bold yellow and white stripes on the ceiling and black accent wall are so chic and fresh to me. I also like what Melisa has done in her son Chase's Nursery. 

{Max's Nursery}

{chase's nursery}

{Where do you shop for your own home?}

I love to mix it up. High end to vintage to inexpensive. You can find great things in all price ranges.  I have my go to sources like West Elm and Jonathan Adler and a few online favorites like ballarddesigns.com, insideavenue.com and of course good ole ebay! I also love to support small local shops. A favorite is Period George on Clement Street in San Francisco. 

{What is your personal favorite design tip?}

Start with a significant design element in the room as your source of inspiration and work from it to design the rest of the space. It can be the rug, an accent wall or a great piece of furniture. When you have a plan and a budget in mind you can get things done faster because you are more focused. 

{You both have children - as mothers how do you balance family and work? What tips do you have for other mommas trying to balance it all?}

Balance? What is that? No, in all seriousness we both juggle a lot in one day. We have been known to take conference calls en route to school pick ups and are never without our blackberries. Wi-fi and late nights are what keep Project Nursery rockin'. BUT, we love it and are truly motivated by the support of our readers. They share fantastic design ideas and photos and we are really proud of how far Project Nursery has come.

{check out their FABulous contributors, Annette Tatum and Kim of The TomKat Studio} 

{What is up next for Project Nursery?}

2011 is going to be an exciting year for PN. We are launching a new photo gallery with a lot more bells and whistles. Also look out for some amazing giveaways, product reviews and design tips. 

{What are your favorite sites, blogs, must-read stops?}

I try not to read too many other design sites that focus on kids rooms so i can maintain my own originality. some of my current favorite sites are Brooklylimestone.com, pinkwallpaper.blogspot.com, perezhilton (guilty pleasure), nymag.com. 

{awesome giveaways! currently they are giving away a design consult & crib set, check it out here}

1. I'm always striving to be more organized. It's yet to happen but I love the idea of everything having its place.

2. Current favorite color - Kelly Green

3. I love coffee. It's my one true vice.

4. I make really good chicken enchiladas and they are actually healthy!

5. I've been wanting the Crisp Console table from Conran Shop for 3 years but just can't pull the trigger.

6. Melisa and I both went to UCLA.

7. I'm a GLEEK.

8. Favorite food besides chocolate is Chinese Chicken Salad.

9. I wish I had invented Silly Banz.

10. I really like interior design but my first love has to be fashion.

We are so thankful that Pam took the time to chat with us and 
we are beyond thrilled to share with you one of our favorite sites! 

like (even though we LOVE) them: facebook.com/projectnursery I  
tweet them: twitter.com/projectnursery