Then I changed my mind, which I can do because it's my blog, and thought that it might be fun to invite anyone in Blogland to link up and proudly display the Progress they've made in any area of their home or life. This party is all about encouraging other bloggers to reach their goals!
Progress can be a "Before" and "After" photo, a list of ideas you'd like to implement, or a post detailing the strides you've taken to reach a goal, whether it be for work, home, or personal reasons.
Anyone who links up with a (valid) post will be entered to win this:
*I do have a few requests before you link up.*
PLEASE take the time to read this because I will delete links that don't adhere to the rules. Don't make me be a meanie.
1. Please be sure to enter the link to your specific party post, NOT your blog's homepage.
2. Please include a link to THIS post somewhere within your own post. It's just good manners. I will have to delete your entry if I don't see a link to this post.
3. Please leave me a comment with your party link as well. This helps tremendously in case there are problems with the MckLinky system. Also, it's just plain nice to leave me a comment. (wink)
4. MINGLE. After going on and on about Blog Party Etiquette this morning, it seems that many of you agree that a party is not a party unless you visit! Please take a few minutes to visit at least one or two other links on the list and leave a thoughtful, genuine comment.
Really, I can't say enough about going out and visiting some of the other links. It will hopefully bring some traffic to your blog. It is totally okay if you need a day or two, but I'd like for each participant to visit at least one or two of the other blogs by the end of the week. I think that's a doable request.
Okay, that's enough...link up and have fun encouraging one another. I am excited to share my own Progress below!
Here's my Progress Report:
Some of you may remember me posting about my Family room Dilemma back in Round 5 of the Decorating Dilemmas series.
I received some excellent suggestions, and I chose to start by changing the window.
I don't have anything against toile or Waverly. I love them both. But I've been staring at the same window treatments since 2003. Um..yeah...
So here's the Before:
Here's the Progress I've made so far:
Come back on Monday, and I'll share with you how I did it with drop cloths!
I don't usually do this, but I also wanted to share some Progress made by my dear friend, L. She doesn't have a blog or a Flickr or anything and she soooo doesn't know I am doing this, but she recently lost 40 pounds and I am so proud of her. She worked her butt off and made the gym a real priority, and I so need to take a cue from her. (I repeat, these photos are NOT of ME! I look like someone who ate L's Before shot)
L, Before:
L, After (isn't she a hot mama?):
That's all, folks! Have a great time at the party!
53 comments:
OOOH!!
I am looking forward to this so much!
I did not participate BUT I will be checking out the before and afters!
Your curtains are awesome!
Your friend looks terrific!
Blessings
Patricia
the drop cloth drapes look really good. And congratulations to your friend on her weight loss!
First off, your curtains look great. I love the blinds! LOVE THEM.
You're friend rocks, she looks amazing! I mean, she was gorgeous before too! But go her for wanting to do something and doing it!
Rachelle
I am a lover of toile so it hurt my heart a little when you said you were getting rid of those curtains...but the new ones look really great! And, you kept some of the toile in the pillow--hurray!! Your friend looks amazing, I am so jealous (as I eat another chocolate chip cookie!) Thanks for inviting me to the party! I could post projects for days, it seems my whole house is a work in progress!!
I love the blinds - such great texture.
I'm totally planning drop cloths in our office (I think). I just haven't done it yet. Looking forward to see how you did it.
I'll be linking up tomorrow. =)
Thanks for hosting.
Your new window treatment looks much more up to date than what you had. I definitely would not have known that your panels are made from a drop cloth. I love your new blind, too. Is that your Valentine's blind?? You must smile every time you walk into the room now.
Love the new window treatment...the blog world is creating a drop cloth revolution! The wood blind is pretty, too. Is it one of those matchstick blinds? How is it for privacy? I tried some of that type before, and at night looking in it was literally like there was nothing on the window!
Your friend looks fab.u.lous!
Oh my word. You can say a huge "way to go" from your friend from me! She looks incredible.
Perhaps she could do a weekly feature telling us all how she did it...
As one Mama (me) who is on a weight loss quest, I would find that super cool. Not like I run your blog or anything...I'm just sayin' ;)
Amanda, I totally just now noticed that your button for this party says From Dilemma to Delightful! I promise you I did not copy that when I originally wrote the post! And here I thought I was so clever!
Wow to both your window treatments AND to your friend....what transformations!!
suzanne
Thanks so much for hosting this! Your new window treatment looks so chic! It's got a little touch of Young House Love to it, which is a very good thing.
And that is so amazing to see the progress photo of your friend. It's hard work and she looks fabulous!
Hi Amanda!
I love your curtains! And the contrast in color and texture between the curtains and the blinds- awesome!
Your friend looks so great! Oh, to have that kind of will power for anything in life!
Hi Amanda!
I love your curtains! And the contrast in color and texture between the curtains and the blinds- awesome!
Your friend looks so great! Oh, to have that kind of will power for anything in life!
I look forward to reading these posts...I was not prepared for this because ...well I am busy like a bee on flower bloomin day...Love the family room and congrats to the friend L she looks fab
Hi the curtains are a huge improvement! I used sheets for my bedroom and they worked great too.
Here is the link to your "progress party": http://robertapm28.blogspot.com/2008/01/homemaking-family-room-remodel.html
Thanks for hosting! If you check out my blog you'll see I've put my kitchen all over the place, I'm just so happy with it! It's amazing how much a room makeover can make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Nice job on your curtains!! Drop cloths are everywhere these days and you'd never know it by the looks of them!
http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/2010/02/kitchen-before-and-after-featuring.html
Wow! Your friend looks fantastic! Congrats to her big time! Guess I better go to the gym tomorrow...
I love the new drapes. It's amazing what you can do with drop cloths!
First - Thanks for hosting!! :)
Second - WOW! Your friends achievement is nothing short of amazing!! She is an inspiration, for sure!
Third - I cannot wait to see how you did that with the drop cloths! I'll be checking back to see how you did it!
~Karla @ It's The Little Things...
http://itsthelittlethingsthatmakeahouseahome.blogspot.com/2010/03/ellisons-armoire-isfinished.html
Wahoo...I made it! What a great party idea cuz it's not about things being finished. We can just show progress...love that! Love your new drapes btw.
You new window treatments are fabulous!! I would love to link up but I don't have before and after pics. Sigh!! Maybe next time! I will take some photos now so I will be prepared.
Hugs
SueAnn
And, here's my link-up. =)
http://newlywoodwards.blogspot.com/2010/03/im-dreaming-of-white-bedroom.html
I like the progress your room is making! Thanks for hosting,
Jenny
http://wordsonwendhurst.com/2010/03/04/castle-consultation-mission-accomplished/
Love the drop cloths! Can't wait to see how you got the drapy effect. I'm off to take pictures of the LR and link up!
LOVE the curtains!!! I like the less busy look. I'll be linking up shortly once I get some pictures uploaded! :-)
Wahh, I'm a big fat slacker and haven't made any progress! Actually I did buy a shelf and when I got it home I realized that the stupid circuit box is just plain in the way of doing anything, boo! Totally frustrated. On another note, I love the progress you've made so far! Is that a bamboo shade? Love it! And kudos to your friend, she looks amazing!
Thx for hosting! Oh, and your friend looks FABULOUS!
The curtains are a major improvement - do you have plans for the chair? Looks like you've got a cozy next-to-the-window place to sit and read - love it! Can't wait to see what else you do - and your friend looks great!I linked to you on my recent project post - hope I did it right!
Hi Amanda.
Thank you so much for inviting me. I am glad to be here.
I'm off to check out the links, but definitely needed to mention how great your window looks. I love the shade especially.
Now your friend, L. She is gorgeous, and her excitement absolutely shows! Congrats on you accomplishment, L!
1. I love what you've done with the window, the feel of the room has shifted already!
2. Your friend is amazing! I know how hard she must have worked to get there!!
3. Thank you for doing this party... knowing that it was this week really helped motivate me to get some work finished :).
http://www.thriftylittleblog.com/2010/03/progress-and-power-tools.html
Your room is looking fabulous! Thanks for doing this party. I'm always second guessing myself and starting over, so this is a good way to get input from disinterested parties.
I didn't see a McLinky thing, so here's my link:
http://thebeverlybuzz.blogspot.com/2010/03/thanks-to-amanda-at-serenity-now-for.html
Hi, Amanda! I'm finally getting here!
Thank you so much for hosting this party. I'm really looking forward to seeing what everyone's been up to. And I loved starting with your progress. Your new draperies look great, and I'll be so glad to see how you did that! They look very chic and stylish but also very comfortable. Nice.
And your friend looks wonderful. How exciting for her to have done this--and how exciting for her to see herself here! That's an accomplishment worth celebrating, for sure, and you're very kind to use your blog as a place for the party. :)
I'm betting your linker-uppers are ready to mingle! Thanks so much for your encouragement.
Have a great day!
Thanks for a great party!! :) Loving your curtains!!
http://www.thecountrychiccottage.net/2010/03/show-me-progress-party-my-bathroom.html
Your new window treatment looks great! I'm off to check out everyone's great progress... mine is progressing along at a snail's pace! *lol*
http://designedbyrj.blogspot.com/2010/03/bathroom-art.html
Hey Amanda I finally made it, blogger was really hating on me today. I entered my link but forgot to put the title of my post on Mclinky & it won't let me change it. Should I just redo it? I'm sorry. :-(
http://nadirshodgepodge.blogspot.com/2010/03/icky-bathroom-progess-party.html
Wow, your friend looks fabulous! Way to go!
What a hot mama! I don't have any projects since I'm going out of town this weekend, but I'll check out some others for inspiration. Great idea for a party!
Great new window mistreatments & wooden shade! Really updates your room! :) And your friend, oh wow! Way to go!!! I finally got things in gear and linked up to your Progress Party!
Blessings,
Stacey
Love the new window treatment, and LOVE the new "L".
She did an amazing job. What an inspiration! Thanks for sharing, Amanda!
Thanks for hosting! I was going to do my drop cloth drapes and other window treatments...but one is in my son's room and he's napping so I went a different directions! Savor those naps! Have a great week and love the drapes!
Just found your blog through another and felt like I had made a little progress myself on a project so I'm going to link up! I really like your window treatment change. I like the dark and light contrast and I think it makes your window look younger! (I think a window can look younger! ;) ) Can't wait to read some more of your posts!
Here's my post link: http://harpersvillehome.blogspot.com/2010/03/kitchen-progress.html
Link: http://suburbangnomes.blogspot.com/2010/03/plan-for-my-entryway.html
Thoughtful comments will follow later, when I'm not relying on Yo Gabba Gabba to babysit Peanut ;)
amanda - love your drop cloth curtains (i did some for my dining room). & your friend looks terrific.
thanks so much for hosting this great party. it gives all of us the extra incentive we need to really work toward getting things accomplished.
thanks, also, for the great advice on my room. hope you like it!
blessings -
WOW congratulations to your friend!!
And I am absolutely LOVING your new window treatments! That shade is to die for and those are drop cloths!?!? I cannot wait to see your how-to! Those look amazing!
Thank you so much for hosting! It really made me 'get real' with our lagging progress!
http://mckinneyliving.blogspot.com/2010/03/showing-you-progress.html
Your party looks like a hit and congrats to your friend for the weight loss! Drop cloth curtains are so great, aren't they? Love 'em!
This is the first time I have entered a link so hopefully I am doing this right, My link is
http://mccarthydesigns.blogspot.com/2010/03/backyard-part-1.html
I love your curtain progress, it looks great and thank you so much for hosting this party. I can't wait to check out more of the links. I found your blog through Beth@the stories of A-Z.
By the way your friend looks awesome! Congratulate her for me. xx
thanks so much for throwing this party!! i love your new curtains look... and thanks for reminding me to link to actual post. i get kinda scatter brained at times. haha.
Your new window treatment looks great! I love the combination of wood and fabric!
awww...y'all are sweet. thank you. amanda wasn't lyin'. i had NO idea i was on here til i saw it. your comments are so nice!!
WTG on the drop cloth drapes :) definitely updates the space.
I think you need to hot glue some black ball fringe to the top flap. I'm not sure why, but I am currently obsessed with ball fringe, I want to use it everywhere. One day I will wake up and my home will look the interior of a taxi cab ;)
good job on the curtains!
Love the window makeover! I am seriously so sad I missed this party.
I am still going to come back and visit as many links as I can after I am done visiting my blogs that I have missed this week...so, so sad I missed it!
The curtain look so beautiful in the room....I really like it.
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