So here’s the thing, right?
Bloggers get a lot of flack for being ‘perfect put together mom’s’ with endless hours in a day and ‘camera-ready, magazine-worthy’ lives.
(Photo by McClanahan Studio)
Can we talk about that?
I feel like I’m pretty real with you, and have been known to dish the dirty and show mountains of dirty laundry, or my train-wreckova craft room, (among MANY other things). But the truth is, I DO TIDY UP BEFORE TAKING PICTURES OF MY HOUSE… almost always.
It’s not because I want you to feel inferior, or deceive you into thinking that my house always looks this way.
Clutter is distracting in photos.
It just is.
And if I posted pictures like this of my living room when revealing the finished arches, you would probably feel compelled to send me a gift card for a massage or give me an understanding hug.
(and you’d probably tell me how unsafe it is to have a Bumbo on a chair)
It’s like this…
You wouldn’t give a speech in front of thousands of people without putting makeup on, doing your hair, and dressing presentably, RIGHT?
If a fashion blogger took pictures of herself in her yoga pants and posted it on her blog everyday, do you think her readers would keep coming back? No! She dresses up super cute, accessories and all… and her readers dig her style and come back for more! They know she doesn’t wear knee-high suede boots, striped leggings, a ruffley shirt and an obnoxiously large scarf every hour of every day. She sleeps in a oversized Hello Kitty T-shirt just like you and me! (what? you don’t?)
I know that people come to our blog because… well I’m not really sure why. But because it could be considered a ‘DIY Blog’ or a ‘Shelter Blog’… it’s important that my house looks presentable.
(TOTALLY made the bed specifically for that pic)
With that being said… I’m proud to say that EVERY PROJECT we tackle is a project we would do ANYWAY. Blog or no blog.
I don’t ever think to myself… Hmmm, I should probably do something creative real quick so I’ll have something to blog about!
Nope!
We just live our life.
Creating together.
And remembering to take pictures along the way.
Anonymous says
You guys are amazing!
Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says
Hehe… you’re so sweet!
Ankica Dujakovic says
I love your blog! You are so creative and you gave me so much ideas for my own projects. People can recognize honesty, creativity and enthusiasm in your approach how to make life easier. The reason I have not commented your post before, is language, I have to think how to write words properly… Whish you, and your family best…
p.s. those who have children knows everything about how it looks like, keeping things in perfect order. You are not alone! 🙂
Regards from Belgrade, Serbia…
Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says
Ankica, thank you for commenting! Don’t ever let language be the reason you don’t comment… 🙂 I understood perfectly what you were trying to say! I’m so glad that you feel inspired to be creative, and thanks for making me feel better about my messy house!! 🙂
JoAnn says
Love your blog. Thanks for keeping it real!
P.S. I have that same quilt that is hanging on the clothesline!
Anonymous says
Looks familiar to me, Beth. By the way, when did you get curly hair? I love it!!
Love you too!
Cryst
Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says
Cryst! That pic was actually taken right after I took out an up-do from being a bridesmaid. 🙂 Crazy hair!
Jeanne says
I LOVE those beside hanging lamps. Like mini chandis.
Jackie R.H. says
After just having my Mother-in-law make a comment about “horrible house keepers” (she wasn’t specifically referring to me, but I know that I don’t live up to her expectations), this makes me feel MUCH better. When I’m lying in my grave someday, I don’t want my kids to say, “Boy, mom sure kept a clean house!” No, I want them to remember me playing with them in the yard, making forts, and reading stories to them. I can always clean. My children will only live in my house for a short time.
Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says
LOVE that Jackie… so true 🙂
Anonymous says
So true Jackie. Time wait on nobody.Enjoy your babies, your gifts from the Lord while they are home. You can always get another house, but not time lost spending with your children. Keep keeping it real.
Anonymous says
Loved this post (and every other one you’ve written:)) Keep it up!
Denise
Lori C says
So, I don’t even have any kids, (with two legs) and my house still can get messy! I do however work out of the house, so that’s my excuse! I had to look for the chair to find out what a ‘bumbo’ is!
I follow your blog for the simple reason that you two inspire me with your awesome projects, your realisms, and your sweet babies! (and the humor, of course!)
I do notice a few bloggers that I follow point out things in the backgrounds of their pictures–things I NEVER would have noticed had they not pointed them out. So don’t fret about it too much, we are looking at the awesome project or cute baby(s), not the stuff behind them! (thanks for makin that bed!)
MindySchaper says
Great point, very well said.
Anonymous says
Thanks for your honesty! We are all imperfect beings. It’s nice to feel like I’m not the only one.
athankfullyimperfectwoman.com says
Very cute blog! I love your honesty and wit. I almost didn’t start blogging because I was reading some of those “all too perfect” blogs where they show these extremely expensive home makeovers with pictures that make it look like the house has never been touched by a dust bunny. (I swear they reproduce at my house).
There’s a reason why my blog is named what it is…my house if mostly clean. But please…when you write in the dust, please don’t date it.
Suzanne Martin says
Who was it that said “A clean house is the sign of a sick mind”? I know people that can’t stand visible water drops in their kitchen sink! Frankly, kids & people first cause the dust and dirt never goes away.
Renee says
So you are normal like the rest of us! Your house does get messy! I was beginning to feel very inferior to your meticulous housekeeping skills. And, I love the bedhead and the last picture of the girls! Both adorable!
Kenz @ Interiors by Kenz says
Your blog was the first blog I ever started following. And it’s still my favorite. Thank you for keeping it real. Also, that last picture, SO cute!
Meagan B. says
Thanks for this. You know I think you’re supermom. And even with your hair like that, you are beautiful. 🙂
Jess says
Love your blog, love your guys wittyness, love that you guys are real, thanks for let me in your life. My house get mess too, with two kids running around.
Brittany says
LOVE! Thanks for the reminder. I do at times feel the green monster of jealousy when I see perfectly put together homes. But its just a picture, and the poster wants it to look great, which is totally fine. We love pretty pictures. But there is real life behind that, and I always appreciate a blogger who gets real with that. Thanks
Britt @ Creating Space for Five
Abbie says
Ummm…just so you know, it’s really unsafe to have the Bumbo up on that chair. ; )
Great post, Beth!
Natalie Murphy says
I’m beginning to think my messy house is AWESOME!! Thanks for the post. It’s always nice to know you’re not alone.
Natalie
http://natalielmurphy.blogspot.com/
MrsTerri says
I love this. I remember when we were homeschooling that all the resources I read had shiny pictures of shiny families all dressed in matchy-matchy outfits…all 20 of the kids and the mom and dad. Most days I was glad if my kids had SOMEthing on. 😉 I love your blog. I love how you inspire and encourage and how you are real. Plus, I like stalking my old neighbor. 😉