The Nesting Place by Myquillyn Smith book review, You Make Your Home Beautiful

I was given the opportunity from Booklookbloggers.com to review the NESTING Place by Myquillyn Smith.  I really enjoyed reading about all her many homes she lived in and how she was able to make each place hers by adding her special touch.

From the Publisher:
Perfection is overrated. Popular blogger and self-taught decorator, Myquillyn Smith (The Nester), is all about embracing reality---especially when it comes to decorating a home bursting with boys, pets, and all the unpredictable messes of life. In The Nesting Place, Myquillyn shares the secrets of decorating for real people---and it has nothing to do with creating a flawless look to wow your guests. It has everything to do with embracing the natural imperfection and chaos of daily living. Drawing on her years of experience creating beauty in her 13 different homes, Myquillyn will show you how to think differently about the true purpose of your home and simply and creatively tailor it to reflect you and your unique style.

Full of easy tips, simple steps, and practical advice, The Nesting Place will give you the courage to take risks with your home and transform it into a place that's inviting and warm for family and friends. Myquillyn says, There is beauty in the lived-in and loved-on and just-about-used- up, and welcoming that imperfection wholeheartedly just might be the most freeing thing you'll ever do.

Creating a beautiful home is a journey, not a destination.

This stay-at-home mom in stretchy yoga pants with expired milk in her refrigerator has stumbled upon the secret to decorating for real people, and it has nothing to do with trying to convince others of our perfection. Imperfections put people at ease and free us to take risks and create the home and the life we've always wanted.

Myquillyn's warm and insightful words are paired with her own gorgeous four-color photos and creative, easy ideas for arranging, decorating, and building a home that welcomes everyone. In the book you learn how to create your own style without breaking the bank or stressing over comparisons.

FOCUS on the beauty that’s there, not the imperfect and undone.

http://www.thenester.com/ 

What books have you been reading lately?  Leave a comment below...

xoxo,

Nicole Flothe

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How do you Create a Free Filter on your photograph?

The other day my husband and I had an amazing view of this great row of clouds.  By accident I lifted my camera a little bit too high and added the pattern filter from my car.  I like how it changes the photo and adds a texture that I wouldn't have normally.

What other natural filters do you enjoy adding to your photos?

Endless Clouds

Natural Filter from Car

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How do you Create a Quote Photo? WW entry

I have been experimenting with creating quote photos on my iPhone.  I really like the new app I recently downloaded called Whims, it took me a little while to get used to it but I finally figured it out.  It's similar to Instagram but people post quotes, liking and sharing each others favorites, and following those new friends you make within Whims.  The second quote I made was with my newest app called Shapely.  They have so many shapes and designs, then you simply add your words to a picture you choose from your photo album and save the quote photo.  Presto, you have created a quote photo!  The last quote photo I found via my Tumblr account, such a great eye catcher!  Do you call them quote photos, picture photos, image quotes, what every you call them let me know.

What is your best tool you use to create quote photos?

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A Fool-Proof Formula for Making Dreams Come True

I completed a few things today to help in making my dreams come true!  I read a Quote of the Week: 

If you can Dream it You can Make It! - Walt Disney

Saw this adorable artwork on Facebook, a great visualization!  I think I'd like to have it on my daughters wall!  Then I spent time with my friend Shelly Aristizabal at Venture X, she is launching a new website and we were reviewing the exciting layout.  Venture X has office space for business owners, conference rooms, large rooms for seminars or events and so much more.  It was my first time visiting and if I need to host an event in the future I'll be sure to check them out.

I enjoyed watching tonight's sunset.

Then surfed Instagram and saved this nail art idea for the Heart of Fashion : Nail Heart Art!  Love the Design by Kaitlin Ferland

What's Your Formula for Making Your Dreams Come True?  

Comment below, I'd love to read about them.  Join my Blog hop if you have a blog you'd like to link up for Wordless Wednesdays, sometimes not so wordless.

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Happy New Years, Plans for the First Day of 2013

Yesterday we celebrated with Fireworks and Appetizers.  My Father-in-law took this cute photo of Liz creating I Love You.  I've now cleaned the house from the party and have a lot of sorting to do for one of my New Years Resolutions.  The other is an exercise goal that I'm excited about.  Then a few good books from the library to read, Strutting It!, Making Good, and Your Spacious Self.  I hope you have a few photos to share of what you did on New Years Eve and what your plans are today!  

Quote of the Week : 

"Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence."

– Lin Yutang

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A Marriage of the Heart by Kelly Long book review for WW

I recently finished reading A Marriage of the Heart. Of course, I fell in love with the name of the book! There were three stories included, all about Amish couples and their struggles in their lives.  I really enjoy a good romance and found myself wanting to know how things were going to work out for them.  It's fun when I find a great book that pulls me in and it feels like I'm in another world.  

The first story, A Perfect Secret, is about two lifelong friends that we're happy with each other but Rose wondered if their was more adventure somewhere else and if she was just settling for normalcy.  There is some secrets going on that Rose didn't know about with her friend and she finds herself involved in a way that is surprising and exciting.

The second story, Christmas Cradles, was my favorite.  I once thought about becoming a Midwife but didn't want the full responsibilities involved with bringing a new life into this world.  I also love anything medical with me being a Nurse.  The story is about Anna Stolis who is a Midwife, her Aunt goes on a vacation and she works for her while she is away. The winter weather has brought a big storm to complicate the possible deliveries that Anna has to attend to.  An Amish man was assigned to help her drive the buggy to the three women that were in need.  During these trips, they have challenges and adventures that draw them closer together and they learn things about themselves that they didn't know before.

The third story, A Marriage of the Heart, starts out with a lie from Abigail about Joseph and his inappropriate advances.  This causes her father to request that Joseph marry his daughter or leave the community.  Joseph decides to marry her and then they have to work on figuring out their real relationship. There is many ups and downs but the whole story is full of true love and commitment.

Quote of the week
"Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas." ~ Peg Bracken

Here are a few pictures from this weekend...

Christmas Tree Lights and Ornaments

Delicious Cookies from the Cookie Exchange!  Yum

Have a fun rest of the week and if you participate in Wordless Wednesday be sure to leave a link to your blog as I can't wait to visit!  

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Do you have a Favorite Holiday Book? WW entry

I recently finished reading Every Perfect Gift by Dorothy Love. It was a sweet novel that took place back in the late 1800s. The story was about a girl named Sophie that was once from a small town called Hickory Ridge.   She returned as an adult with a deep desire to revive the long-defunct Hickory Ridge Gazette.  The notion of unfinished business awaited her in Hickory Ridge, it had captured her head and her heart.

While I was reading this book, I felt a kinship to Sophie, I love writing my monthly magazine and bringing news to life.   Once Sophie set up her Gazette she had her first big interview with Ethan from the majestic resort that was being built in the mountains above Hickory Ridge.  Ethan was an accomplished businessman and architect.  When they meet they were intrigued with each other. The book took you through the many seasons and a love story between her and Ethan developed.  It was funny, I experienced their Thanksgiving holiday and then we had ours.  The last season was the Christmas holiday, they were buying presents for their loved ones and sharing secrets from their past.  Overall, I really enjoyed this holiday story.

A few of my favorite quotes from the book...

They say it isn't where you came from that's important; it's where you're going.

As the twig is bent, so grows the tree.

Many hands make light work.

When you fall off a horse, darlin', there's nothing to do but dust off your britches and climb right back on.

When you're standing in the shade, you ought to remember the one who planted the tree.

When the learner is ready,  the teacher will appear.


I am so happy to be a part of Booksneeze, a place that gives me the opportunity to choose from so many great books to read and then I get to write fun reviews.  I hope you enjoyed learning a bit about Every Perfect Gift, tell me what is one of your favorite holiday books?

Here is a photo from my sunset yesterday, iHeart Sunsets:-)

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Lastly, if you love blogging as much as I do and want to join in on this weeks Wordless Wednesdays, sometimes not that wordless, than please link your blog below and I'll be sure to visit and linkup!

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Random Heart Sightings and Quotes for Wordless Wednesday

I used my Heart cutout frame to capture this beautiful rainbow in the sky.

My father-in-law, photographer, Glenn Flothe, took this Northern Lights photo and added a Heart with his headlamp.  The exposure was so slow on his camera he was able to create the heart.

I'm always fascinated that we are made up of so much water.  The person who created this must have been into Medicine, do you see the fine details on the words, did you find the heart?

This quote is so true!  I also love the rich photograph with the apple splashing into the water.  

Off subject, they say, "An Apple a Day, Keeps the Doctor Away:)"

I hope you have an amazing week and please link up here and leave a comment.

Question for the week, have you seen any Random Heart Sightings?  

xoxo,

Nicole

Do you Love to Read? WW Entry

I love reading quotes, inspirational books, autobiographies, and technology books.

What books do you enjoy reading?

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