What I Learned This Season & a Holiday Home Tour

This is my first post that I have done for Emily's "What I learned" linkup. I first read about it on her blog a few months ago and was so excited to participate in this one. At first, I was nervous because I didn't think that I was going to have enough to share, but boy was I wrong. These past few months have been packed with so much stuff and I made it a point to write everything down. I even started a new journal specifically for things that I didn't want to ever forget.

10 Things I Learned This Season

1. The longing in my soul, can only be satisfied by Him. I came across this post, by Jess Connolly, on
     Instagram, and it was as if God used her to speak this message directly to me. Be sure to stop by
     and read the post --> @jessaconnolly

2. You're brain doesn't know the difference between the truth and a lie. What we tell ourselves over
     and over is what our minds think are true and so we act as if it were true. -Jones Design Company

3. Respect yourself enough to say 'I deserve peace', and walk away from people or things that
    prevent you from attaining it. - Jericho Silvers

4. I never really know what to say when people ask me what my style is. My home gives off a 

    modern farmhouse feel and I tend to go for more neutral colors in my clothing and other 

    accessories. I tend to go for the more simple things rather than bold and extravagant, but I never

    know how to tie all of this together to create my style. Until.... I came across this article from 

    The Pretty Blog and discovered that I am a Naturalist. Read more to find out your style.

5. I love this! It's not anything that I really didn't know before,but I like how she makes these things a 

    priority. Let's say I'm LEARNING to follow this.

-Whitney English

6. Turns out, I am better at yoga than I thought! I purchased this awesome app --> Yoga Studio so  
     I can work at it even more. I will never be as good as my find Heather, though! She's my 
     inspiration.

7.  Arhaus has the most beautiful home decor I think I have ever seen. I had the opportunity to do  

     Winter Style post for them and I had such a hard time choosing my favorites. You can read the 

     whole post here. ----> Favorite Things: Holiday Home Decor

8. I realized how much I really miss my mom. I had an encounter with a woman and her mother 

    while shopping the other day, and it just put things into perspective for me. She was such a  

    blessing to me and my hubby when she stayed with us for a month this Summer. I can't wait till she 

    comes back again this Spring.

9. Don't make life so complicated, just follow the basics. Love God and love others, that's all. Jesus 

    first + Others second + Yourself last = JOY. Be humble and consider others better than yourself!

10. I really, really, really love to decorate! I mean, it is such a major stress reliever for me. Especially 

      during this time of year. I throw on some Christmas music and just start decorating. I really had 

      so much fun decorating for Christmas this year. Check out the photos below for a little home tour.

My Nest at Christmas

Thanks for stopping by to read this post, if this is your first time here, I hope you will return for more!

Many Blessings,

Favorite Things: Holiday Home Decor

This year, for Christmas, I decided to go with a woodland theme. I want to decorate in a way so that I can leave things out even after Christmas is over. Christmas is my favorite holiday, but too often it comes and goes in the blink of an eye. I want to get as much out of this season as possible, so I chose a theme that can last throughout the Winter!

If you are like me, the family room is where we spend most of our time together during the holidays. Whether it's cozied up by our fireplace watching a movie, hosting a dinner party, or just hanging with friends, this is the room that you really want to focus on. 

I had a chance to stop over at Arhaus to look at some of their stuff! The furniture and decor is absolutely beautiful. I could definitely see some of their pieces in my home. I created a list of my favorite things from their store.

1. Garner Three Piece Sectional in Team Quartz

2. Beaded Deer Head Linen Pillow

3. Sheepskin Wool Rug 

4. Clayhill End Table

5. Sweater-Knit Buffalo Plaid Throw (This is actually form Macy's, but definitely a favorite)

6. Recycled Glass Bubble Terrarium for Wall

7. Magnus Metal Deer Head

I really had a hard time narrowing down my list. There were so many beautiful pieces in that store. When it's time for a new sofa, I know exactly where I am going. Follow the link below to check out all of their beautiful sectional sofas.  

Arhaus Sectional Sofas

Our family room also includes our 11' Christmas tree that fits perfectly in the corner next to our fireplace. We hung a few stockings on the mantel, set up the manger scene next to our tree, and added a few candles to set the mood. Now I never want to leave this room!

Important Style Tips

1. When decorating for the holidays, try to choose items that will last throughout the Winter months. 

2. Think of your sofa or sectional as the starting point for your room and build around it.

3. Use fresh greens for table top centerpieces, garlands, wreaths, and in vases. 

4. Look for small ways to add in a pop of color. (Red bows on wreaths, a few red & silver ornaments 

    for the tree, or maybe a Christmas painting with red & green accents).

5. Wreaths are not just for doors! Hang them in windows, over the fireplace, or on a small decorative 

    ladder. Get creative!

I tend to go for more neutral colors when styling and decorating my home, so the woodland theme is perfect for me. I am so excited for this upcoming holiday season! I hope that this post was helpful in giving you some ideas for decorating your home! Be sure to follow me on Instagram --> the.erin.elizabeth. Starting this Saturday, I will be posting some more decorating ideas for the holidays! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

Many Blessings,

Letting Go of Perfection

My Grammy passed away last week at the age of 91. She had a great life here on Earth, and an even better one that lies ahead. When I think back on what I know about her, and what she did in her life, there is a lot of good stuff to say about her. She was kind and gentle. Loving and graceful. She was a prayer warrior, always praying for the needs of others. The one thing she was not though, was perfect, and she never tried to be. The best part about that was that she was totally ok with it. She knew she wasn't created for perfection. She was created to love and serve, and that's just what she did, and she never felt like she missed out on anything.

Maybe it was because times were different back then. People moved at a slower pace and there wasn't  as much pressure to hurry and get a million things done in one day. People valued building relationships over building a perfect home. They spent more time creating memories instead of creating to-do lists and more time being grateful than trying to be more.

This is a lesson for all of us. Especially now with social media. I feel mediocre at best, when I see some of these Instagram feeds. Don't get me wrong, I love looking at beautiful photos of nicely decorated homes and perfectly styled vignettes of vintage goods. What I don't love is when I don't see any photos of real life in that person's feed. I once saw a photo of the cutest little pigs from one of the people I follow, and do you know what her caption read, "Is this too much for you guys? I know it's not my typical post, so be honest if you don't want to see stuff like this".

Whhhaattttt???!!!! Was she serious? Of course I responded, "Please don't stop! I love seeing the behind the scenes stuff. I need to see more real-life photos on here". I know that some of you may disagree and that's fine, but honestly, this needs to change. We are real people and we are far from perfect. We need more real-life stories!

Take for instance this story of Mary and Martha, when Jesus comes over for dinner.

38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:38-42 

Boy did Martha have it all wrong. When I read this story I just want to cry, because too many times, guess what, I am just like Martha! This year I have been working hard on letting go of perfection, and I'll tell you, it hasn't been easy, but I value real life more. I want to build relationships, savor the precious moments, and love others with all my heart, because we don't know when our life here on earth is going to end. Let's not miss out on what is most important. Let's love this life we have and let's say goodbye to perfection!

Many Blessings,

#Jesusfor2016 My Write-In Vote

Leading up to this election, I would go back and forth, unsure of who I was going to vote for. It was really hard for me to watch the debates with the way the two candidates were treating one another. At one point, I think I decided that I just wasn't going to vote. 

As I continued to pray about it and do my research, I knew that as a Christian and as a citizen of this country, it would be wrong for me not to vote. I was given that right and it is something that I needed to honor. 

The other day I was sitting at my desk thinking about my decision, and I still felt a little uneasy. I started to pray and asked for God to give me peace about this whole election and to help me to stop worrying about the outcome. When I got home that afternoon, I was going through a pile of papers in the kitchen, and I found a neatly printed card with a message on it that came with something I purchased a few months ago. I honestly thought that I had thrown it away. This was what the card said….

I was almost tears as I read the letter. It was as if I was sitting next to Him having a conversation  about life and He was telling me how much He loved me and that I don’t need to worry. He not only took the time to think of me before I was born, but every other living person on this earth was thought of and created by Him before they were even born. He holds the future of each one of us and this world in His hands. This means that I don't need to worry about this election or anything else. It's in HIs hands now. He’s got this!! All I need to do is be obedient to what His word says.

Today I will be voting, and I will do it without fear of the future, because no matter what happens here in this life on earth, I know that I have another life, that is eternal, in heaven with Him.

Many Blessings,