The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

{house to home} Feels Like Fall: a Giveaway for YOU!

Fall is, hands down, my favorite season of the year.  Lately, it feels like everybody says that but it’s really true.  As a kid, autumn brought the beginning of a new school year: new books to read, pencils to sharpen and things to learn.  It brought relief from the unrelenting heat and the opportunity to pull out my favorite sweatshirt and jeans.  Now as an adult, this time of year brings memories of excitedly walking down the aisle holding a bouquet of reds and oranges.  Watching the leaves change color can immediately transport me back to the anxious preparations of the births of my babies.  


In short, I love fall.  I can’t get enough. 


With that in mind, I’m so excited to introduce you to Catherine, a talented artisan who makes beautiful custom hand-embroidered journals.  I‘ve shown you her journals before and they are even better in person.  (She has an instant printable to-do list that I have my eye on too!)  


Sensationery and Big White Farmhouse (plus a few extras from me!) are teaming up for a Feels Like Fall giveaway!  Catherine has generously created a gratitude journal for the winner.  It’s beautiful and perfect for counting your blessings this time of year.  

The “Feels Like Fall” Prize Pack includes:
+ Kraft Hand-Embroidered Moleskine Gratitude Journal from Sensationery
+ Navy Blue “Gather” Dish Towel from Big White Farmhouse
+ Strudel and Spice 6oz. candle from Big White Farmhouse
+ Orange “Thankful” Napkins
+ Pumpkin Struesel Muffin Mix
+ Mini Pumpkin Soap

Giveaway is open until Friday, October 16 at 12am.  There are multiple ways to enter, so check out the Rafflecopter below (if the widget doesn’t show up, click the link!).  Good luck!

{contentment} Step Three: Be Happy With Me

I just sat down to write this post, looked at the title and audibly sighed.  “Be happy with me.”  Easier said than done.


On one hand, I feel like I know myself better than ever.  Now in my 30’s, I’ve pushed my body in amazing new ways and I’ve discovered things about my personality that I’ve never really taken the time to address.  I’m confident in my own skin and that feels good.


And yet.


The truth is, I hold myself to a very high, often unrealistic standard.  I’d be the first person to tell you that you are perfect just the way you are…but I’d never tell myself that.  


I struggle with the fact that I haven’t lost the pregnancy weight in the timeframe I did with my previous children.  I struggle with the fact that I can’t seem to maintain a consistent cleaning routine.  I struggle with the fact that I’m not as well read as I’d like to be, look as put together as I’d like to be, be the business owner I’d like to be.  


Maybe it’s time to give myself the same grace I would give anyone else.  If God loves me just the way I am, if He made me in His image and I am truly fearfully and wonderfully made, why can’t I see that about myself?  In other words, who I am to call God’s bluff?

I’m a work in progress.  I’m so glad that He is patient with me.  

{contentment} Step Three: Be Happy With Me

I just sat down to write this post, looked at the title and audibly sighed.  “Be happy with me.”  Easier said than done.


On one hand, I feel like I know myself better than ever.  Now in my 30’s, I’ve pushed my body in amazing new ways and I’ve discovered things about my personality that I’ve never really taken the time to address.  I’m confident in my own skin and that feels good.


And yet.


The truth is, I hold myself to a very high, often unrealistic standard.  I’d be the first person to tell you that you are perfect just the way you are…but I’d never tell myself that.  


I struggle with the fact that I haven’t lost the pregnancy weight in the timeframe I did with my previous children.  I struggle with the fact that I can’t seem to maintain a consistent cleaning routine.  I struggle with the fact that I’m not as well read as I’d like to be, look as put together as I’d like to be, be the business owner I’d like to be.  


Maybe it’s time to give myself the same grace I would give anyone else.  If God loves me just the way I am, if He made me in His image and I am truly fearfully and wonderfully made, why can’t I see that about myself?  In other words, who I am to call God’s bluff?

I’m a work in progress.  I’m so glad that He is patient with me.  

{house to home} William Morris Project (vol.8): New Living Room Pillows

Today’s post isn’t really about pillows.  I mean, yes, there are new pillow covers to share, but the lesson is about so much more than just purchasing decorations for my couch.




I like the color red.  I think pops of red in decor are bright, somewhat unexpected and exciting.  But when you look on Pinterest or even the popular home decor blogs, red is considered so…bluh.  Unless it’s Christmastime, red is usually the color you see when people are explaining how they went from drab decor to fab. 

For many years, I tried to follow the path of home decor trends.  I thought about convincing my husband that we needed a white couch, I made lists of popular Benjamin Moore paint colors, I bought the chevron fabric.  But something just felt off.  And so like many things in my life, I got totally overwhelmed and shelved the ideas away.  And did nothing.  


It’s only been recently, which interestingly coincides with the opening of my own home decor shop, that I’ve felt confident in my own style.  It turns out that what may be popular around the internet may not work for me…and that’s okay.  At this point in my life, the idea of a white sofa stresses me out.  I love the idea of it, but I don’t have the time or energy to wash the slipcovers every week.  


Here’s what I do know: I veer toward a hodgepodge of traditional, semi-industrial, and modern farmhouse.  I like deep wood tones, black, white and grey.  I like adding in red and dusty blue to the mix too.  It may not be what “everyone is doing” and I’m okay with that.  And because of debt reduction and dreaming big dreams, I may live in rooms half-finished, the vision not yet complete.  And that’s okay too.


So pep talk: you be you.  Wear clothes and decorate with things that please you and your family.  It may not work for everyone, but if it brings you joy?  Then that’s enough.




A few notes about the new pillows:  I bought the pillow covers from two separate etsy sellers.  My husband works with geospatial software for a living, so the maps were a nod to him.  The red buffalo check is a good mix of modern country.  I’d like a third design, but haven’t found one I love yet.  I purchased the inserts on Amazon and was slightly disappointed, so disregard the fact that the pillows lack a certain plumpness.  I’m looking for replacements.       

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