One of the projects on my March list was to clean and organize my attic.
Among the items I purged, were 39 books I have filled over the last 17 years with ideas for decorating my home.
It was a difficult decision to throw all of the books in the recycle bin, but I have many of the ideas in the books on my Pinterest boards and I never go up to the attic to look at the books.
One article I had saved years ago was Cottage ABC's and I used it as my inspiration for this post to highlight the ABC's that are present in my own little cottage.
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I am joining these fun parties
Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesdays
Green Willow Pond - What We Accomplished Wednesdays
Lavender Garden Cottage - Cottage Style Party
Cedar Hill Ranch - The Scoop
Coastal Charm - Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Kathy With an E - You're Gonna Love It Tuesday
Cozy Little House - Tweak It Tuesday
You sure used your ABC's. Great post Carol, I loved it.
ReplyDeleteHave a great hot week coming up, your lucky your at the beach.
Mary
Carol , you are amazing .
ReplyDeleteThis is so YOU
To show us the alphabet this way .
Every time I Enter your blog I see the words in your sidebar
LIVE THE LIFE YOU HAVE IMAGENED from Thoreau.
They keep me busy .... thinking ....
When you were in your job-life and busy
Did you Imagen this life for yourself ?
Anyway you inspire me A LOT !
DUTCH greetings for you .
wow, A through Z ... i wish you well on your cleaning. i bet it is tough weeding things out. making all those decisions. i usually don't have the trouble. but my Mom & the Hubby do. so i can sympathize with those struggles. have a great week. ( :
ReplyDeleteThis is great, Carol. Congratulations on purging - I am trying, and you motivate me to continue. I like the way you've done this, defining your style with ABC's. I think I may try to do it too!
ReplyDeleteNow that's my kind of ABC primer! CAROL! You have influenced my ideas lately. I had my eye on a gorgeous but overly priced vintage settee that I wanted for my enclosed deck. It didn't work out to get it, but because of YOU, I realized that right under my nose was the answer. I saw a very affordable and durable wicker settee in white that I'm picking up soon and just adding pillows to, so I can enjoy the birdsong in my garden while I read and write. You are such a source of ideas my friend. LOVE TO YOU on this rainy day here, and we are expected to get some snow. I kid you not.
ReplyDeleteOh my, I'm just loving this post! So full of color and creativity! You are one clever lady!
ReplyDeleteprecious post. i've never seen this kind of a home decor guide! ,-)
ReplyDeleteoh and i love the split-door. top and bottom open. there is a proper name but it eludes me. completely eludes me. :-)
it was probably used on farms, way back, to let air in but keep critters out. :-)))) now, it's just whimsical and delightful.
This post is just amazing. Must pin this one!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on having the nerve to purge those things. It's hard, isn't it? I'm not one to hoard things but the things I do have (including an old decorating binder) are keepers.
I love your ABCs!!!
ReplyDeleteI must say-- kudos to you for the courage as well.
ReplyDeleteI have a paper cut journal for my home ideas. Not books and books...though I do have several old hand written journals and my gardening journal I started out charting when I began gardening.
I don't know that I could toss those out---when I have so many other books, magazines, etc that I could pass along instead.
The A-B-C's post? Definitely YOU~
Whenever I see lettering of any kind while out shopping, thrifting, flea-ing...I always think of you!
Pat
Carol,
ReplyDeleteHow fun is this? What a great post and just shows the creative person you are. I love this. Loved seeing all the different beautiful things in your Beach home. Too fun.
Kris
39 idea books!! Wow! Sometimes when I come across something that I enjoyed in the past, but haven't looked at in years, I just toss it. I know if I look at it again it'll be too hard to decide its fate. Love the Cottage ABCs! What a great way to see the fun way you have of decorating. Good luck with your continued attic tidying :) Wendy x
ReplyDeleteYour books would have made a good bridal shower gift, for some one who loves your décor too. We have to rid ourselves of things or we will be on that "Hoarder" show...yikes. xoxo,Susie
ReplyDeleteLove this post! What a joy and an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteD~~~~
Awesome alphabet! I love this...such inspiration.
ReplyDeletelove the creativity in your post and home thanks for sharing visiting from nifty thrifty tuesday have a great day
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed this post ... But C should be also for creative charming Carol! You have a way of always approaching things differently and have become a blogger who always provides inspiration. Reading your blog colors us happy and cheerful with a visit to your very inviting cottage. Love all your open windows and doors ... But simple question? Does Lulu ever jump out?
ReplyDeleteHappy A-Z day mon amie. Philadelphia is a R day - rain.
XO,
Vera
I love this post! You don't need books to help you decorate, Carol. You have a beautiful home and I love your use of color and the white, too. I also love to mix vintage with new things.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your attic cleaning. The purging isn't going very well at my house...I need to get back at it!
If ever there was an epic post, this is it! Great photo collages, clever and creative! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteCarol, this was such a fun post! Love your home!
ReplyDeleteLove your A,B,Cs!!
ReplyDeleteJudy
You worked out those ABC'S sister. Love it all. GREAT job on the entire place. The hand painted pillows I just love love love
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post! I love the alphabet of your home decor. I have 2 books like yours that I used for cuttings from favourite decor magazines before I got on the internet and blogs and Pinterest. I still kept them though. :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun post with so much eye candy! I've been purging too. Got rid of tons of magazines I was keeping for "ideas". Haven't even tackled the pages I've ripped out that I keep in folders!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of having an ABC for your own home decor... I'll think of mine!
ReplyDeleteWhat a clever post and loved looking at all the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute post, I love the ABC idea :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a fabulous post, Carol! I just love it. I can't quite bear to get rid of my notebooks yet!
ReplyDeleteA couple of years ago I did an A,B.C post as it related to everyday life. It might be fun to give that a try again because I really LOVED this post of yours today! xo Diana
Great post, Carol! To think that you have something in your home to creatively represent each and every letter of the alphabet!
ReplyDeletePoppy
39 journals, wow, that's amazing. I'm impressed that you threw them out. Pinterest has stopped me buying magazines but I've yet to chuck out my old clippings !
ReplyDeleteI love your ABC's and all the alphabets and numbers you've collected over the years, great post Carol.
Carol
ReplyDeleteThis is honestly the most imaginative post I have ever read!
I think you should do an e-book for you side bar.
Your home definitely reflect A-Z
decorating!
As a former kindergarten teacher, I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed this post...how fun! I couldn't really pick a favorite letter, but Q did catch my eye! So pretty, Carol!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea and just might have to borrow it for a future post. Your ABC's are all deliightful! Have a happy Wednesday...:)
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Vicky
I love all those decorating ideas!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Carol, you are so clever and creative. This is a fun post. So glad R is for Rust! I do not think I could have tossed the idea books.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing post Carol! You really should make a coffee table book out of it. How fun it would be to have or even to give as a gift. I can't believe the work that went into this post and each one is so thoughtfully done, not the same lettering or anything. Just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Carol...love your ABC's for your home decorating!!
ReplyDeletehugs,
Cindy
Great post. So many great ideas.
ReplyDeleteYou were making smash books before someone came out with them :)
Too brilliant Carol! This was just so awesome to read and see what you matched with each letter! I love your surfboards! I bet it was hard to throw out your binders...I have yet to do it but probably will eventually as well. Wishing you a wonderful week in your cozy cottage by the sea! Nicole xoxo
ReplyDeleteToo brilliant Carol! This was just so awesome to read and see what you matched with each letter! I love your surfboards! I bet it was hard to throw out your binders...I have yet to do it but probably will eventually as well. Wishing you a wonderful week in your cozy cottage by the sea! Nicole xoxo
ReplyDeleteL is for Love Your Blog!!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteCarol
ReplyDeleteI hope you don't mind that I posted a link to your post today.
I also pinned it!
Love the alphabetical tour. I have a stash of magazines and clippings. When I leaf through them I notice how my taste has changed over the years.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the best posts I've ever read! Amazing! This should be a post for every day of the month...and more! I love it my friend! WOW!
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic post, Carol, so clever and full to the brim with gorgeous photos beautifully presented!
ReplyDeleteKaren
What a fun post, Carol! I'm seeing things here that we saw in the shops today such as the laundry cart on the Cottage ABCs page. I used to save decorating pages and like you, have purged them since Pinterest. I had them in plastic sleeves to keep them nice and used to peruse them religiously. My how things have changed!
ReplyDeleteWonderful....you are good. Not sure I could have let go of those 39 books...what a treasure!
ReplyDeleteHello Carol, Your posting is the most impressive and creative and beautiful one I have ever seen. I love how all the collage you used for the photos. All of them very lovely indeed. May I ask if you PicMonkey or some other collage program. Thanks for your help. Much appreciated. Hugs Judy
ReplyDeletegrand ides here and fab photo groups of collage -- super creative too..
ReplyDeleteHUgs
Carol this is such a clever idea for your post. I swear, you should write a book about decorating a beach cottage. I'm serious. You've the photos and the content...something to think about?
ReplyDeletexo
Leslie
Carol this is such a clever idea for your post. I swear, you should write a book about decorating a beach cottage. I'm serious. You've the photos and the content...something to think about?
ReplyDeletexo
Leslie
A fun and amazing post !! So creative :)
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! I was mentally taking ABC photos of my house while enjoying yours! Smiles...Susan
ReplyDeleteI love this post. I am new...I found you over at camp and cottage living.
ReplyDeleteThis was a lot of fun.
Thank you for sharing.
Carla
Wow, you really outdid yourself with this post...amazing! I'll take something from every letter of the alphabet.
ReplyDeleteThis post is wonderful! You are indeed a talented artist. I've gone through it a couple times already, and also caught up on past posts.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Beautiful Blog!
What a great ABC primer, I don't think I could part with that decor book. You could be the cottage beach go to with this post. Love the photos, and cool!
ReplyDeleteYour home is decorated so amazingly with all the things you love--a-z! R isfor rust is my favorite!! I love old rusty objects!
ReplyDeleteVery fun post. I love all your wonderful vintage collections.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun post! Love all the vignettes. It really gives a overall picture of your home. Thank you for sharing at What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Deborah
awww... thanks Carol! You are too kind for commenting and following me! I`m looking forward to get to know you better. Although I can already tell that you are an amazing lady! :)<3
ReplyDeleteHi Carol, what a wonderful post and I enjoyed this more then I can say. You are one talented gal and everything from A-Z reflects that in your home. I have to go back and view again there are so many great ideas in your collages.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!!
Hugs
It must have been hard to throw so many of your books away! We have also been trying to clear the attic and have scanned many things that meant something to us. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteOk - you've inspired me to do the same - except this is how I feel about you - your blog - and of course your gorgeous home :)
ReplyDeleteA is for Amazing
B is for Beautiful
C is for Colorful
D is for Delightful
E is for Exceptional
F is for Fun
G is for Gorgeous
H is for Happy
I is for I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR HOME
J is for Joy
K is for Kozy ( sorry can't think of a K
L is for Lovely
M is for Masterpieces
N is for Nest
O is for Oh Oh can't think of an O either
P is for Perfection
Q is for Quirky
R is for Rustic
S is for Stunning
T is for Terrific
U is for UNBELIEVABLE
V is for Very very extraordinary
W is for WOW
X is for ( forget this one, okay?)
Y is for You ace everything you do
Z is for zzzzzz - going to take a nap now - this was the longest comment I've ever written!
What a fantastic post Carol
Happy Weekend
Hugs
Carol, love this post and the way you have shown all your bright colorful and fun vignettes throughout the cottage. You do such a marvelous job of putting things together and adding color in such a way that is always a delight and so cheery.... I love visiting... Cathy
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog. I can identify with this post because I too have a huge binder with tear sheets from magazines with decorating ideas. I created it before Pinterest, but haven't gotten rid of it yet. I enjoy Pinterest and now have what would take many notebooks to house.
ReplyDeleteWow Carol! I can't begin to imagine how much time it took you to put this awesome post together! So many fabulous ideas!
ReplyDeleteI love this post, Carol! You come up with the most creative ideas. I agree with Leslie, you should do a book : )
ReplyDeleteOh my what a wonderful visual tour of your alphabet...such loveliness.
ReplyDeleteI love your sense of decorating.
I've torn ideas out of magazines for years and years. I don't think I could ever get rid of them, even if some of the ideas are posted to Pinterest now, maybe because I still love thumbing through the clippings every one and a while. Your alphabet is so clever! Love it!
ReplyDelete