My unstyled life isnt messy or clean or ugly or stunning. Instead, my goal is to create a home that reflects back the spirit and personality of our family. Its a work in progress. Sometimes the beauty in my life is by accident, other times its intentional. Its there, either way, because when I remember to fill my home with what I loveperson, place, or thingodds are it will be beautiful. Maybe not always appreciated, but always beautiful. If you feel the same, you are welcome to share a link to your own unstyled life in the comments.
I spent most of the week searching the corners of my home for something to photograph. Instead of feeling inspired like I hoped, by mid-week I was dejected and overwhelmed. The house was looking more unkempt than unstyled, and I didn’t think I would find anything beautiful in the bunnies of dog hair, spots on the kitchen floor, or piles of laundry I still needed to put away (after three days).
It’s a good thing I force myself to take these pictures every week. I don’t think anyone needs this series more than I do.
As it turns out, the silly, bright yellow mug I bought 18 months ago to cheer up a recently unemployed Mister–the same one I always forget to put away after breakfast–looks lovely next to a vase of flowers that have seen better days. And the fact the vase is aqua, a color seen nowhere else in our home, doesn’t seem to matter much when hit by the light of a setting sun.
I could argue the warm autumn light masked the imperfections I would normally see, much like candlelight improves the appearance of an ordinary woman. But, really, what I think happened was that God took that moment to spotlight what I have: food, a table, an embarrassment of extras, and a family with whom I can share it all.
I love it. In fact am loving your whole blog. Followed it from a granny chic post elsewhere. My tastes run towards the geriatric as well ; )
Beautiful. So warm and rich.
I contributed to the movement today: http://www.covetchicago.com/covet/2010/10/those-unstyled-moments.html.
Isn’t amazing how suddenly, you can see the beauty in ordinary things … sigh.
My favorite part of this picture is that you can see the boys playing in the backyard! That makes this picture less styled but more realistic – love it!
I agree! The whole thing is unstyled (I really did forget to put that cup away and that’s how I found it when I walked in) but the boys playing in the back–also unintentional–is what makes the picture special to me.
Amen.
I’m with Kristen. I love the boys playing in the background. The golden autum light is just beautiful. Someday your boys are going to be so happy you took pictures like this.
This image is just gorgeous. Unstyled and yet, so full of love. And the way God used his spotlight was just perfect. What you needed.
Considering the pictures you take, I consider that an extreme compliment!
I thought of you this week when I took my flower pictures. Things I did not do before taking flower pictures: scrub the sink, clear off the cluttered table. Things I did not do when I wrote the post: apologize for the messy background. I was also somewhat assisted by the light, but still…
That’s funny, because I was just looking at those pictures thinking the last one, the one with the laptop, papers, pens, etc. was my very favorite. :)
I love what you say about making sure your home is a reflection of your whole family and the things that you love. My husband and I just finished setting up our first apartment together and, while I usually have a pretty girl style, I love how our apartment reflects both of us together– the best spot is the bookshelf: his guitar and cocktail mixers next to my photo albums, our cookbooks, photos, and travel mementos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/54525919@N08/5042679335/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/54525919@N08/5043304536/
Thanks for doing what you do! I love your blog!