Call me crazy, but I recently signed up for Pinterest. As if I need one more interactive thing to do on the web, right? Pinterest is a virtual pinboard of ideas. Many ideas. A vast expanse. An exciting adventure into the world of What Could Be. But there are downsides to this new adventure. The ideas come so fast, and I am pinning and pinning and pinning, all the while thinking, “When will I ever have time to do any of this?” Or, “Man, my home is nowhere near where I’d like it to be.” Or, “I want my life to look more like this pin.” And once again, something that was meant to inspire, actually leaves me feeling defeated; like what I’m doing just isn’t good enough. My efforts have fallen short of what the culture has required.
But then, alas, I was turned on to a (new-to-me) blog called The Inspired Room. The author of the blog is Melissa Michaels, and she writes wonderful things about home and design – none of which you’d expect. Melissa encourages her readers to design an authentic life that is reflected in the home, instead of striving (and often failing) to make our homes look like the pictures in the magazines (or the pins on your virtual boards).
Her words relieve me. I want to shout and cry “YES YES YES!” while twirling and dancing a little jig around my laundry-adorned living room. I have always wanted my home to be a place my family wants to come home to. As an admitted home-body myself, I want my home to be a haven. Comfortable. Inviting. Unintimidating. Real.
I am so excited to be reading more of her blog. And also excited that Melissa is publishing an e-book this Tuesday!
Not A DIY Diva, How to Create An Authentically-Inspired Life in a Pinterest World, is a compilation (prettier and neater) of all that she’s been writing on her blog for the past four years. (Talk about seeing a work completed!) I am so looking forward to reading it; to finding encouragement for moving forward in my home, making it a place of invite and peace – from the inside out.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.”
Matthew 23:25-26
Trying and trying to make my life and home look a certain way does not change what it actually is. That is not fulfilling the purpose God has for me as a mother and a home-maker. I think God wants me to be a life-maker, spreading His good news like seeds over all the hearts in my life. This begins in my home. I want to change what my home inherentlyIS, that the way it looks might be an authentic reflection.
I thought you might feel the same way… and be interested in reading the e-book, too! So I’m giving away a FREE COPY! Hooray!
To enter, just leave a comment at the bottom of this post telling us why you’d like to read the book. Simple!
If you want an additional entry, head on over to our Facebook page and share the link to the giveaway on your FB page. Then just lemme know you shared the link.
Winner will be selected at random and announced Wednesday evening. Until then, skip on over to The Inspired Room and browse the archives. And have a great week of life-making!
Like you, I really enjoy reading Melissa’s blog. She has wonderful ideas that I want to try, and she never makes me feel intimidated. I would love to read her new e-book.
What a great summing up of what Melissa’s blog has done for me as well! I am so excited about her ebook coming out, too!
I would love to learn more about what Melissa has to say about decorating! Her blog is great, I’m sure her book will be too.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Terri S
ponyxpress9 at yahoo dot com
my motto is “LOVE where you live” and I would love to read a copy of the new book ~ Thank You!
Why would I want to read it? Hmmm…let’s see…1. People seem to think that since I am raising the second bunch of family that I have it all figured out. They COULDN’T be more wrong! Trial and error has been the way for us. With every trial, I make more errors.
2. I never thought of being a “life-maker”. I like the way you put that! I am blessed that I get to do it again. Maybe this time I can help mold their life into what our Maker would want them to be.
I’d love to read this book because I LOVE Melissa and need to drink in more of her wisdom
I just popped over from Melissa’s blog, to discover that you have a sweet blog too!!! Oh my, why would I want to read Melissa’s new e-book? Maybe because she usually has such good insights and is inspiring. Or, maybe, because I just moved to a new home, in a new city, in a new state and I need to get my priorities straight. Or, maybe, there will be golden nuggets there that I didn’t even know I needed to discover.
P.S. Pleased to meet you Tasha….and thank you for this terrific giveaway!!!
I’ve been reading Melissa’s blog for years and it’s always inspiring (just like the name of it promises!). Can’t wait to read her ebook. I could always use a little more inspiration in my life.
Wow, I love this post! You shared so much of exactly how I feel about Pinterest! I would love to read this ebook! I so desire for my home to have that feel that you describe… warm, inviting, comfy. I want my home to reflect my heart for my family! Thanks so much for this giveaway!
Oh Pintrest, how many of us have become addicted? Well, I suppose I’m not yet, but I’m getting there. I had actually found The Inspired Room looking up crafts, can’t remember exactly what. Took one read and I was addicted to Melissa’s blog! I never use to even be interested in decorating let alone DIY home decor. Thanks to Melissa (and IKEA) I’m always talking about what we could do with our place. I definitely want to read her book not just because I love her blog so much but also because we’re starting the hunt for our first house and I would love the extra inspiration when we finally find it!
…and now I have your blog bookmarked to read more later (I’m suppose to be packing up my house right now XD)
This was my first time on your blog! Really like your writing style. Winning a copy of Melissa’s book would just be a bonus!
Your own post resignated with me. I just joined pinterest & feel the same. I’ve been following The Inspired room for ’bout a yr now & she continually brings me back to my faith & reality. I would love to have her book of inspiration. Many blessings!!
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I’d love to read this book! I’m a homebody and want my home to be a haven for my working husband and a place that fosters learning for my homeschooled children. Thank you for this giveaway!
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I am always seeking new ways to make our home a peaceful and comforting place to be. Many people I think see their home as another place of stress and “work”. I want to change this for my family. this book might help
“Many people I think see their home as another place of stress and “work”.”
Toni, I could not agree MORE! And I hate the times when I feel this way about my own home. I will take any encouragement I can get in making this home a place I/we WANT to be!
posted to my fb page
This book looks great as it’s so true how quickly you can get caught up with all around and think it’s never good enough.
this book looks interesting!
shared on the ‘ol FB!