How Much is Too Much With Decor Accessories?

Hello friends. Welcome back to the weekly update. I wish I could say that I was on fire this week and got lots done, but here we are. However, I did manage to unpack a bunch of home decor accessories and get a few things styled.

If you’re a “Mean Girls” movie fan (and who isn’t? Maybe you can’t sit with us if you’re not. IYKYK) there is a scene where Kady is trying to remember the answer of a math question to win the “mathletes” championship. It is about limits.

So she’s thinking back on the day they learned about that in class, the day her boyfriend crush’s hair looked amazing. Anyhoo, she comes up with the winning answer, ‘the limit does not exist’. And that is the moment that stays in my head when I am styling or decorating, as I did a bit this week. It was a slow week. Let’s check in on why.

Update on our friends children in the accident

Last week I shared with you about the tragic accident that happened over Labor Day to some friends of ours. The kids were out riding their bikes, and they were struck by a vehicle. 12 year old Calvin died on the scene, and Karalee (his 13 year old sister) was rushed to the hospital with grave injuries.

The entire community has come together praying for this beautiful girl. She is the bestie of my granddaughter, and we are all just heartbroken for the family. For 5 days the family sat bedside hoping and praying that she would pull through. We all just held our breaths, and our loved ones, and prayed for a miracle.

God’s plan is never something we can understand with our human brains, and on that fifth day, they let their sweet girl go and return to Jesus. I still cannot believe that she is gone, and by the time you read this, the funeral will be happening on Tuesday. How do you bury two of your babies? Only with faith and hope I imagine.

Here is a testimony from Karalee’s mom posted on Facebook:

I know the family is feeling the strength and love from everyone around them. The media has even picked up on the story and People Magazine shared it on their Facebook page last week! Her strength and faith is touching many.

She posted about something she did last Christmas. Seeing this now, is an incredible gift of hope and faith.

How can you even get anything done?

Most of the week, I wandered around the house aimlessly and sort of numb. So this was not one of my very productive weeks. My granddaughter is so very sad, and how do you even reconcile in your mind that this sweet girl will walk along the casket of her friend, as a pallbearer, at the tender age of 13?

She and my daughter in law, and other family and friends of Karalee will be singing at the funeral for her and Calvin. Yes, I am bringing lots of tissue.

So I focused on unpacking some boxes, because that seemed a bit safer than operating power tools where I could lose a finger if distracted, which I am. I have been driving like an old person (outside of my usual Nascar imitation) and hubby was even “like can you even drive?” Hahaha, nope I can’t. I want to be more cautious.

So I unpacked over 30 boxes of books for my library in the snug, and another 10-15 of craft crap that goes in my studio. When I spread everything out and started to organize it, I put collections together and began filling shelves. Will it stay like this forever? Maybe, maybe not, but one thing is clear. I have a lot of stuff.

And that is where the question came into my head, is it too much? Maybe for you, but not for me and that’s okay. We are all different. That’s also when I remembered “Mean Girls”. No, the limit does not exist. Because all of this stuff makes me happy. And it tells a story about my life…things I have from people I love and items I have gathered along the way.

Creating order and meaning

I like to put my books into categories so I can easily find things to inspire me. Some are grouped by author (when I like a designer, I usually go all in and follow their work). Others are grouped by topic, such as; kitchen, cottage, gardening, and so forth.

Some major magazines like House Beautiful, Country Home, Country Living, release books and so those are organized together since their style stays pretty true to their brand.

A few were placed into geography influences, like southern homes, or houses on the coast. This helps me find what I want and gave a bit of a chance to accent the shelves with some corresponding decor. I like to mix it up so the shelves aren’t just solid books.

I was able to flip through inspiring books, daydream about being done with this renovation project, and admire all the items that speak to me.

So here is a major important lesson I have learned in my life along the way:

Decorate how YOU want. If you like (organized) clutter like me, then go for it. If sparse is more your style, don’t let the haters tell you different. Do what makes you happy. Because life is too darn short to sweat the small stuff.

If you need a little somethin’

I was feeling extra sad one day, so I bought another pair of pants. Do I need them? No, stop asking ridiculous questions. But they are like those favorite ones I have told you about before, and my butt looks really good in these. They have a new pattern. So now they are mine. Check them out if you need a little retail therapy like me. Less than $20!

Okay friends, I am going to get today over with, hug my granddaughter so tight (I have a little/big surprise for her to cheer her up) and be grateful for all the love and faith I have in my life.

Next week, I will get a bit more done inside and LOTS OF STUFF is happening outside this week, luckily not by me! Yay! Hooray for contractors that show up. More coming soon. Hugs and kisses to all.

Tell me in the comments, are you a minimalist or a maximalist like me? I love stuff!