Today I wanted to share with you a sneak peek of a big change in our entryway.. I’ll be back later to show you this full space when we get it completely decorated for Christmas, but for now just some changes, some finds, & some feels. So, as you have noticed by the blog and my posts on social media… Christmas decor has started around here. It’s in full force. The reason I start so early I have shared before [HERE] & in short it’s because I want to give inspiration before the masses start decorating. There is another reason. In short with that reason is the Holiday season is hard for me. It starts at Halloween when everyone is taking their children trick-or-treating I am reminded of our almost 5 year old in heaven who I don’t get to get a costume for & that’s a really rough on a mommas heart. So, Halloween night Jose and I put our tree up so that we don’t go into a dark place. & guess what? It works. Bringing in the holiday cheer a little early helps distract from the lonely feelings the holiday season seems to bring. So, since Halloween I’ve been working on our Christmas decor & it has been a lovely distraction from those thoughts of another holiday season without our 7 babies here. I feel like I need to share some of my healthy coping mechanisms in a blog post soon with you guys as I want to be more open with the hardships of our miscarriages and infertility, but the holidays do make me want to spoil Jose and I more as it’s the hardest time of the year for us. This week I lost something I thought I would never lose.. and that’s hope. I didn’t lose it forever or for a long period of time, but just a few moments where I really could ever imagine being a mom to a baby here on earth. I had a few bad days were I just couldn’t see past all of this infertility & miscarriage issues. I was in a dark space with no way out of those thoughts.
When all else fails to get me out of that dark space, that’s when Jose and I know it’s time to get out of the house for a little while… go on a date. Get out of our own heads. Have some fun. laugh a lot. Get inspired. & pray. So this past week when I was not feeling myself we went out on a date. We started at West Elm before we went to dinner & I found the more beautiful & coziest throw [HERE]. I mean, what comforts you on a cold rainy day more than a cozy throw? We made one more stop before our dinner date to Anthropologie which is one of our favorite “go-to on a sad day spots”. That’s where I encountered my dream pillow [HERE]. It was the perfect knotted wool lumbar pillow. I mean, I’ve never seen a pillow that was more beautiful and perfect a day in my life. We all know that pillows are my weakness, but as I walked towards the pillow I snatched it up and hugged it tight. It’s a massive pillow with amazing quality & I don’t even have to tell you how beautiful it is. Before we even left the store I knew where this cozy lumbar pillow was going to go in our front entryway and be the icing on the cake to all the big changes we have made there recently. & today I really wanted to share a sneak peek of those changes in the front entryway…
If you guys follow me on Instagram than you may have seen my stories this weekend where I was taking down this gallery wall in our front entryway. If you don’t remember that gallery wall, you can see it [HERE]. I know many of you loved the gallery wall in our front entryway & to be honest I did as well. It was one of the first areas of this home that we decorated & I loved all the pieces that made up the gallery wall. But I was really wanting to simplify this wall. The good news? We are going to use everything that made up the gallery wall in other ares of our house & I can’t wait to share that with you! Now you might be thinking that this doesn’t look to simplified, but it’s Christmas decor time so you know how that goes. But I promise this is more simplified! We basically took down the entire gallery wall & hung some salvaged corbels to create a large shelf that spans the staircase wall almost as long as the antique church pew. I will be sharing this space in more detail later when we get it all completely decorated for Christmas, but today I wanted to just share an update & the few finds that I got this week for our Christmas & winter decor.
What do you guys think of the beginning of our Christmas decor in the entryway? what do you think of my new finds? What do you think of the simplified change in the entryway so far? Promise I will be back with the full space soon & also more posts on how we deal with miscarriage & infertility because even though it’s sometimes hard to talk about, I don’t want anyone to think that they are alone. Thank you guys so much for always coming to the blog for inspiration & to follow whatever we may be up to in the moment.. it means the world to me. Thank you. Be sure to find me on Facebook & chat with me on Instagram for more behind the scenes. xx
God bless you and Jose. I know the holidays can be hard I lost my mom five days after Thanksgiving last year. I too am a creative soul so I can completely understand where you are . I have just found your blog and it gives me such joy. May the days forthcoming fill your heart .
Hi Liz Marie,
I always love what you do. I know in times of sadness and grief, it does help tremendously to do something creative. I understand now why you start Christmas decorating so early. I love the neutral look and all the textures. May I ask where you purchased the white beaded garland? So adorable. I would like to chalk paint at least one rocking horse like you did last year. I can’t wait to see more of your pretty Christmas displays. By the way, I really like the chairs in your dining room. So stunning!
God Bless you guys!
Liz Marie, I think the shelf is perfection! I have been wanting to wright for a while about your infertility issues. My mom went through a terrible time, had miscarriage after miscarriage and even carried my big sister full term and lost her a few hours after birth. I was born eleven months later! I have five living sisters and a brother! Don’t give up. You seem like a wonderful couple and I pray for you every night. I am sending wishes for a hope filled day and a very Merry Christmas!!!!!
I am sending love and prayers your way. You guys inspire me everyday through your beautiful instagram feed and your blog. P.S. I just bought that dang pillow. Merry early Christmas to me..Maybe I will wrap it up as a gift for the Hubs??
Love the new look, with the long shelf and long pillow. Really nice.
It looks great ❣️ I love it now and I loved it before. You have such beautiful taste and talent.
Well you wanted opinions– I think the gallery wall was much better but I don’t live there and you have to make it right for you and you did, not that I don’t like what you did because it’s very pretty I do love that pillow!
Your optimism, positivity, and openness are a real inspiration and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that. You also have a beautiful home and I love the wall’s new look.
Hi Liz Happiness to you and Jose. I am Megan you saved me in one of the darkest moments in my life. I found you when after 35 years of marriage my husband asked me for a divorce, he was having an affair. You have no idea how one feels when someone you have giving your life to decides to throw you away like a piece of trash. THANK YOU for all the creative moments you have shared and inspiration you talk about and lets not forget pray and just being kind to people.
I want you to know God takes care of good people my life has turned around! I have met the most wonderful man in the world and fallen in Love with him and him with me. He calls us the wounded warriors. He has lost 2 wives to Cancer and still wants to find Love with me, and you know my story. I just want you to know you have done so much for me with your wonderful blog. Please find peace and comfort in this Holiday season and know you touch people in positive ways that help!!
My ever lasting Thanks to you
Megan Faulkner(soon to be Cannata)
2500 Western 207th
Olympia Fields IL 60411
219-742-1483
I went through infertility took us five years just to have a child and four years to have the second. I to was in a dark place and didn’t know why but I know things happen for a reason. Don’t give up. There’s lots of children who need families if you adopt. Sending you lots of prayers and good thoughts. AND I love your entry. Stay positive.
New around here, wandered in from pinterest….entryway is pretty, wondering where I could find those strung beads there..and peeked in your wonderful dining room too, also wondering about the rug. Loved the slipcovered chairs in there too. I would enter the contest but have no skills on how to do the link thing…sad, I know. I will have to read up on some past blogs, really like your home.
Hello Liz,
Not too long ago-a couple months- I was reading your blog and on this particular post you had a link to a post of your previous? home. I was wondering how I can view these past posts via your blog?
Love the inspiration I get from your postings.Thanks!!
Evelyn from AZ
Liz my heart aches for you and your husband and what you have gone through and continue to with your struggles. My husband and I tried for many many years to get pregnant also. I had severe endometriosis, horribly miserable painful bouts, cyst on an ovary, fibroid’s, etc. The pain I endured to try and conceive a child was immense. Surgeries to check this, tests, xrays, more tests, more surgeries, shots, pills, etc. Finally the physical pain was more than I could bare. No amount of pain medicine or warm baths, hot pacs, nothing could make me endure another day up crying from the physical pain. My doctor did have to do a partial hysterectomy on me. I was told after that I would have a 20% chance to ever get pregnant. We went on vacation ironically to Mackinaw Island, he’s from Michigan too. We got pregnant and for a little over 3 months I was the happiest person in the world, like you. I had never been happier, very sadly this ended. I to had a miscarriage and all the physical pain and issues came back, and again even worse so much so I would try to get up sometimes 2 times a night in a warm bath and just cry and pray to God to take the pain away and give me a child. For reasons I don’t know, neither happened and I had to have a full hysterectomy. You are a brave woman and emotionally have endured more than I even could I think physically, or emotionally. I pray whatever happens God gives you what you both need to be happy and please know I wish the best for you both and will pray for you during this time of year.
You have so much love to give. I am sure you have thought about foster care. Both of you could benifit a child that aches for a home as you all ache for a child to love. Grace has been an enlightenment, alas, a four legged one. LOL! ‘Tis the season. God Bless you both.
I wish I knew what to say, I hear your pain and grief. I will pray for you as you continue this journey to have a child.
Your entryway is incredibly beautiful and that pillow is amazing! Good for you for treating yourself and taking care of each other.
Liz Marie, I just want to reach out and give you a big hug! I truly understand the road you are on with all your losses and struggles to parenthood. I’ve been down that road before too. Thank you for your honesty. You are truly inspiring with your coping skills and your Reliance on God. Glad to hear that you and Jose treasure your time together and focus on the love between you because you have each other. Your gifts and talents are amazing! Love your new decor in the entry. You are truly inspiring!
Hi Liz, love the new entryway, loved the old too. You mentioned where to find the long lumbar pillow but what about the other pillows behind it. Love those!!
Thanks,Eileen
I’m sorry if you have already addressed this in previous posts, but I was just wondering if you are opposed to adoption? Or if you are waiting until a certain time or date to consider adoption if your immediate plans to conceive do not work out? Sorry if this is to personal I am just curious
Entry looks so cozy and just enough Christmas. I love Christmas and what it stands for, Hope.
Dearest One–You don’t know me from Adam’s off ox, as we always said where I grew up in Northwest Missouri, but I fear for your mental health and hope you are seeing a therapist. Your anguish is palpable and although I was never able to have children, I did go through one bout of situational depression when I made a drastic geographical move with someone I thought loved me only to be dumped a couple of years later, and I can relate to not being able to pull yourself out of this type of depression without help. Please seek it now. Please.
My heart is with you, dear one..
I lost my sweet husband of 57 yrs in July so this will be my first holidays without him by my side…I keep telling myself “I CAN DO THIS” but I’m not sure I can. My heart is so shattered I sometimes forget to breath.
I LOVE your new entry…that shelf is so to die for…love that gorgeous pillow and I really need a black and white throw like yours….
Hi, Liz Marie it seems like your home is continually growing and is always so warm and beautiful as are you. I am so happy to be able to take a moment here to tell you that I find myself thinking of you often,, as you have inspired me in several ways.
one- #1- of which is of course to be open and brave enough to move forward even if it is by discipline I need because it is worth it
#2- Meanwhile, I am to give gratitude for my compassionate, loving – even when painful and/or grieving- heart. It is a gift , though comes with lessons , I have learned , to have an open heart chakra , for many people must actively work for their’s to develop, the heart being the most difficult to open in such a way
Inspired, #3 – to have no fear, only faith along my present path to guide me like a pilgrim seeking self-expression through writing of my own creative ventures , to build an active blog myself one day, as I feel this all lies before me, connecting with others via a way to perhaps even make a bit of a living, (note- hasn’t happened yet, long story of -as usual in the season of fall- overdoing = busy-ness without balance and thus- now it came to pain so must be mindful, and though I can’t help that part but no excuses since I brought it on myself.
I will be doing something soon if it is meant to be. I have been looking forward to writing you through the USPS soon, as I see you as a mentor.
A home’s entrance portrays a true reflection of who the designer/friend/family is, as we welcome others, energy flowing from there throughout the spaces, seeing how the warmth and spirit truly exists. I LOVE the entrance now! As always, the white palette of your awesome, country home is so incredibly beautiful as the backdrop to all textures, colors as selected, bits of this and that , found objects, created or discovered ones, without appearing to be “all planned out”! I cannot wait to “get back into your work”, as I kept up with you somewhat haphazardly aiming to be a more loyal follower.
Best of everything to you all for the joy of holiday decoration, which is going to be simply amazing I am certain. Sending God’s wishes through what His/Her are as intentions for you, with Angels surrounding you with prosperity, protection, healing, peace, balance, love, and joy always , Debbie Namaste’
As someone who “changes things out” a lot, how do you deal with the nail holes: putting in new ones and filling ones left behind? I love both the wall the new shelf hangs on and the shelf itself in your entry. But however did you hang this piece without ruining the wall to which it is attached? I am a huge wimp when it comes to putting nails in my drywall let alone into such stunning woodworking.
I loved how it looked before, but it’s even better now! Beautiful!
Hi! I’m catching up on the emails I am behind on and really love what you did! Good luck for this hard time. I know how you feel, struggling with the same infertility issues. Doing some retail therapy and going on a date night sounds like a good idea. Hubby and I should try it next time! Wishing you all the best!