Top 5 of 2015

Peace OUT 2015! 
You were cool, and we had some great times, but much like the leftover holiday desserts in my fridge...it's time for you to go. It's also time to brush off those sequins and party hats for NYE! I don't know about you, but I fully intend to end the year with a bang, 100% Geller style.

Those moves were on point!

While we were home visiting with family and friends, I got asked the same questions over and over again; "So what have you been up to?", "How have you been?", "What's new with you!?" And I'd usually respond with an autopilot answer of "Oh you know, not much...". Which got me thinking, what HAVE we been up to? Honestly our life has kind of hit a plateau, a fantastically blessed plateau don't get me wrong, but I found it odd I couldn't think of anything remotely interesting to share about the last 12 months.

For those of you who've been reading this blog for a while now, know it's main purpose is a diary of sorts. A place to share our home updates with those who can't visit, random things I find wonderfully beautiful, crafts, food, art, and everything in between. So when I needed a reminded of the glory that was the year 2015, I knew THIS was the place to start.

After rounding up the posts with the top number of hits, I am proud to present:

#5 Eric's...I Mean OUR...Summer To-Do List 
Apparently you people REALLY wanted to know what Eric would be doing all summer. Truth time, we didn't get nearly as much accomplished as I'd hoped we would. But considering how often we were away since everyone and their brother decided to get married, it's all good. Plus our backyard has really stepped it up!

#4 Mini-Awkward-Bathroom Reveal!

Giving that stupid little bathroom in our kitchen a makeover is on my list of Best Decisions Made This Year. Right above "downloading the Starbucks app" and "storing Go-Gurts in the freezer". It's been finished for months, and I still get excited when I open the door to go tinkle. 

#3 MAB Update - The Magical Powers of Paint 
Hands down my boldest color choice, and the coolest thing I've ever done to a wall. Paint pens, a couple hours, and lots of patients are all I needed to basically tattoo the bathroom with this uber glam floral pattern. 

#2 Trying the Tri: Three Events, Three Women, One Mission

Watching my mom and two aunts cross the finish line after completing a whole triathlon, will go down in history as one of the most memorable moments of my life. The amount of love, selflessness, and determination shared between those three women is inspirational.

and finally...

#1 My Fitness Journey
Oh this post. I seriously can't tell you how many times I considered scrapping the whole thing in the midst of writing. But because I'm surrounded by beautiful people, with beautiful souls, and am incredibly blessed that those people care and support me, all feedback was 100% positive. I just wanted to give someone the push in the right direction they needed, assure them it's NOT impossible, and encourage living a healthier lifestyle. If that was true for even just one person, I'd mark it down as a victory! 

I'd like now say THANK YOU to each and every one of you who take the time to read this blog. It may seem like nothing particularly special, and compared to the thousands upon thousands of visits other sites get, it's pretty miniscule. But the thing is, it's special to me. And whether 10 people or 10,000 people read what I have to say, it makes no difference. I have a passion to create, Soliloquy by Bethany is one of my creations, and I can't wait to see where 2016 takes us.

So I'll say it again, THANK YOU. May you have a spectacular finale of 2015, and endless hopes and dreams for the upcoming year. 

Love, 
Bethany 

Our Home for the Holidays!

One of my absolute favorite things about owning a house, is getting to deck the CRAP out of the halls for Christmas. Most of our holiday decor consist of hand-me-downs from parents, random knick knacks we've accumulated, and of course whatever it was we snatched up during the "day-after-Christmas" sales last year.

I love seeing how everyone spruces up their home for the holidays, so I hope you enjoy ours as much as I enjoyed decorating it! 

This year St. Nick was extra kind, and had all of the outdoor lights hung when I came home Sunday! Or Eric may have done it...either way I was delighted to pull up to the glow of twinkle lights. 

Does St. Nick visit your house on December 6th? As kids we stuffed our lists to Santa in our stockings the night before, St. Nick would come to take them, and then leave behind lots of candy and other goodies in their place. 

Heading inside, the wreath on our front door is something I made a few years ago. I'm pretty sure I got everything from Hobby Lobby, and just started piecing it together.

That little hall table has to be the best purchase I've made all year. It is AWESOME to just throw your keys on, or in this case, hold a beautiful tray of glitter-bombed peacock themed ornaments.

Growing up, my mom always hung lots of garland and swag going up the stairs. Big bows, poinsettias, ornaments, everything. So of course I did the same upon owning my own set of stairs.

Our Christmas tree is front and center in the living room. I adore our tree. The year before we got married, I went out on the 26th and found it on sale for 70% off or something crazy like that. And as particular as I am about certain decor, our tree is NOT one of those things I obsess about. There are some coordinating bulbs this year (because I had SO MANY) but 90% of our tree is composed of handmade, childhood, gifted, and "where the heck did we get this?" type ornaments. 

And yes, our wrapping paper is leopard print.

Wherever the location, we've been lucky enough to have a mantle to hang our stockings on. Even in our first apartment, there was a non-functioning fireplace.

Next up is the dining room. Even though it's probably the least used room in the house, it might be the most decorated. Since I had so many ornaments, I hung a handful in front of the windows using ribbon and duct tape. Soooo easy, but so cute!

Of course the chalkboard window got a new design, and this recently added ladder shelf took no time at all to fill.

During the Mini-Awkward-Bathroom Makeover, we added three more shelves, and three more places for ornaments! Nothing like a bit of glitz while you pee to really make your holidays special. 

Another new addition, which I've wanted for a while, is a small tree at the top of the stairs. We don't really have room for multiple full size trees, but this mini version is just perfect!

When all the decorations were up, and everything was said and done, my floors were COMPLETELY covered in glitter. I tried cleaning, but now I've just come to accept it as part of the "Christmas ambiance". 

Did you put up anything special this year? Are you a full blown Christmas elf, or do you prefer to keep things minimal? 

2016 Pantone Color(s) of the Year

It's that time of year again!!! 

Pantone has announced their 2016 Color of the Year, or should we say "colors" , because for the first time they've selected TWO as representatives for the year; ROSE QUARTZ and SERENITY. 

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So why two colors this year? 
Pantone Color Institute Executive Director, Leatrice Eiseman best sums it up as so:

"Joined together Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance 

between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, 

reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace."  

source: www.pantone.com

At first glance, the only thing this color duo brought to mind is a baby's nursery. I wasn't very impressed, considering the past bright and vibrant colors of 2015, 2014, and 2013. But also like years past, my first impression began to shift after digging deeper and seeing each color in action. Pastels have been such a huge trend lately, and I think Rose Quartz and Serenity will be fuel for the fire. 

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If only I could pull off pastel hair...oh baby I'd be a mermaid in an instant! A lot or a little, this light pink is sophisticated, but at the same time super soft and feminine. 

For me personally, Serenity may take a little longer to warm up to. I could see it being a big hit this Spring for wedding colors, but the grey-ish tone this blue has could easily lead itself successfully all winter as well. 

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So maybe it is time we toned it down a notch. Not every color-of-the-year has to be loud and scream "OMG LOOK AT ME!" Sometimes subtlety is key. 

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Whatever side you're on, team Rose Quartz or team Serenity, be prepared to see these colors popping up everywhere. And if you're having a baby soon, you no longer have to decide what shade to paint the nursery! 

What are your thoughts on Pantone's 2016 choices?