All posts by Sarah @ 702 Park Project

How To Not Get Your Feelings Hurt When Blogging

June 16, 2014Categories: Just For FunSarah @ 702 Park Project

The title of this one is actually a little misleading, because the answer is that it’s almost impossible. At least for me it is. But after almost 18 months of blogging, I feel that my skin has grown thicker and I can finally share a little insight.

Millions of people blog about a lot of different things, and like many others, my blog is very personal to me. You see, I’m not just sharing pictures with you of what someone else did. I’m sharing our home. The home that we’ve planned for and worked on for almost 2 years now. Our forever home. The home we will one day raise our children in and grow old together in. So to me, it’s personal.

For every activity I blog about, there are about 100 that I don’t, so how can anyone else know what’s best, or even know the whole story?! Who are they to judge?! When I read things like “your furniture is ugly” or “that looks terrible” or “you should just completely start over here,” I can’t help but get a little bent out of shape. Because you’re not just talking about a piece that I picked out. You’re talking about a decision I made for my home, which is incredibly personal.

But to be honest, “it’s personal” is a cop out. If you make the decision to make certain aspects of your life public, then you have to accept the consequences of that decision. Not everyone likes what we do with our house. Not everyone agrees with my opinions. And that’s ok. The beauty of blogging is that if you don’t like one blog, there are literally millions of others to choose from. In short, the solution: if you don’t like it, don’t read it.

And so, here are the things that I’ve learned over the past year and a half.

1. Look for the positives. I did a survey a few months back to gauge what my readers thought about certain aspects of the blog. I got back some feedback that made me feel pretty awesome actually. I’m still quite the newby at this blogging thing, but the encouragement gave me much more confidence. But then there was one very negative comment. At first, I was upset (ok, I cried) and wondered why someone would say such mean things. Why was it that all of the positive feedback seemed to bounce right off me and the one negative comment was what stuck? But now, looking back, I am so appreciative to whoever made that comment, even if they did hide behind a keyboard to say it. I probably would not have worded the comment the way that this anonymous person did, but the points were actually somewhat helpful, and based on that comment, I made some changes to my blogging.

2. Realize that sometimes people have no filter. Not everyone who makes an ill-advised comment is mean-spirited. I try to give others the benefit of the doubt and assume that they are just putting their harmless opinions out there and really aren’t considering how it may come across to the writer.

3. Realize that sometimes people are just mean. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s just as simple as that. The fact that a site like GOMI even exists proves that. So when I see comments that I truly believe are in this spirit, they are deleted without a response. #trolls

4. Take a step back. This is probably the greatest advice I can give on blogging. I am a redhead through and through and am quick to get angry. As my husband says, I’m fiery and stubborn. It’s a character flaw that I’ve been working on my entire life. When I read a rude comment or a snarky caption, my natural and immediate response is to reply back with something equally as hurtful. But I’ve learned that that’s not the way to handle it, and I’m proud to say I haven’t done that since about my first month of blogging. If I do respond at all, it is usually after several hours, or sometimes even days, of careful consideration. Take a break, get some ice cream, watch some Bob’s Burgers, and then revisit it. (Oh, and NEVER respond to comments after you’ve been drinking. This is a no-no!)

The truth is that blogging has opened up a part of me that I really never even knew existed. It has become a true passion of mine and I appreciate each and every one of you who reads the blog. I appreciate your words of encouragement, but I also appreciate your opinions. So keep ’em coming!

Don’t forget to enter the Fridge Coaster giveaway! It ends tomorrow night at 10 pm!

The Sunday Currently, #32

June 15, 2014Categories: This Week's LinksSarah @ 702 Park Project

Happy Father’s Day! I’m lucky to have a dad who loves me, supports me, is my biggest fan, is a fantastic friend, and who gives the best advice. But what I love most about my dad? He’s FUN! I’m never around my dad without laughing, and as soon as something funny happens, he’s the first one I want to tell. He’s taught me that you can be a grown up and a kid at the same time (what with all his toys and hobbies). Happy Father’s Day, Dad! I love you!

I love my dad too much to publicly embarrass him on my blog, so I’ll leave you with this story instead. Do you have any embarrassing dad stories?

Don’t forget to enter for your chance to win a few starter packs from Fridge Coaster! The giveaway is open until Tuesday night, and you can enter daily.

Currently:

Reading– The classics. Well, technically, I’m looking at design and decor inspired by the classics. This is just about the coolest idea ever: create a project based on an assigned classic novel. Check out the 8 bloggers that participated in this fun blog hop:

The Hunted Interior – Gone With The Wind
Thistlewood Farm – The Secret Garden
The Handmade Home – Alice in Wonderland
Finding Home – Wuthering Heights
The Shabby Chic Cottage – Charlotte’s Web
The White Buffalo Styling Co. – Treasure Island
Sarah M. Dorsey Designs – Huckleberry Finn
Jennifer Rizzo – Little Women

Listening– To Piano Man as I swoon over Billy Joel’s house in The Hamptons for sale.

Thinking– That sometimes you find inspiration in the most unlikely places, like Andrea did.

Wishing– I could visit this Nashville Idea House in person. I’m in love with the front door, and those porches!!

Hoping– I don’t have any bad luck any time soon. Check out these food superstitions that you may not know about.

Wearing– My painting clothes. There’s a big reveal coming soon!

Loving– This house that was purchased for just one dollar. You read that right: $1! (I also featured a free house, plus a few other inexpensive houses here.)

Wanting– A digital postal shipping scale. I’m a nerd, I know. But it would make my life much easier. Any recommendations?

Needing– This t-shirt. Just ask my husband. #hangry

Feeling– Hungry since I just read this. (What is it with me and food today?!)

Clicking– This compilation of interesting and off-beat historical photos.

And in case you missed it this week

Quotable Friday

June 13, 2014Categories: Quotable FridaySarah @ 702 Park Project

I’m happy to be heading home to celebrate Father’s Day with the first man in my life. Happy Father’s Day weekend to all the dads (and soon-to-be dads) out there!

Formal & Feminine

June 12, 2014Categories: DecorSarah @ 702 Park Project

Y’all, this formal living room is driving me crazy. I am having a serious love-hate relationship with the thing. All I know is this current furniture layout has just got to go.

(Please ignore the clutter around the piano…this room is also serving as inventory storage until the garage is fixed!)

The main problem? No more money. So we are basically working with what we have. But I’m up for the challenge!

This is the basic layout of the room: (thanks to Haverty’s Room Planner)

As you can see, we have a large bay window in the front of the house, and one window along the side. There are two doors and a fireplace on the wall adjacent to the foyer, and one door on the wall adjacent to the mud room. The room is approximately 17 feet long by 13 feet wide.

This is how we have it arranged now:

It is more of a “throw everything in there” style than anything else, and I kind of hate it. I love the piano because of the sentimental value, but it is really ruining this room for me. But it can’t really go anywhere else in the house, and I cringe to think about how hard it would be to move it further than a few feet. (Plus, when I think about what the guys did to get the piano in the house, I feel like a total jerk.)

The things I love in the room:

The pale pink color of the walls with the bright white trim
The fireplace
The pink sofa
The rug (It’s not a forever rug, but it fills the space nicely right now. Plus it was a steal!)
My grandmother’s framed scarf

My goal is to pull the colors from the scarf to use throughout the room: teal, navy, white, gold, and pink.

The things that need to go:

The piano
The green wingback chairs

My dad generously gave us the wingback chairs from his office that are in perfect condition. I have plans to recover them, but that’s not in the cards right now and the green just isn’t working in here. Up to the office they go!

So what am I looking for? Well first, let’s talk about the general feel of the room. I want it to feel soft, sweet, feminine, and traditional with a hint of modern. These rooms capture what I’m going for. (Click on images for source.)

Now, for the layout. I really think the best option is to stick a coffee table or ottoman in the center of the room, and then set two sofas or a sofa and set of chairs on either side. When it comes down to it, I’m a Type A, right angles kind of girl, and I know I’ll be happier with that set up. From there, I just have to decide which way to turn everything.

We don’t have two chairs that would fit into the scheme of the room (without reupholstering — aka $$$), but we do have access to a very traditional pale blue couch that might be a nice touch.

The only problem with all this floating furniture is that I still need things to fill some wall space. But I think I would be happier living with a few bare walls than I am with random pieces just thrown haphazardly into a room.

What do you think? How would you arrange this room?

PS- Don’t forget to enter the giveaway! :)

Fridge Coaster GIVEAWAY! (Ended)

June 12, 2014Categories: Just For FunSarah @ 702 Park Project

All week I’ve been loving opening up my fridge and seeing such cheery and fun colors and prints. And now, thanks to Fridge Coaster, you can too!

Fridge Coaster is giving one lucky reader 3 fridge coaster starter packs!

Official rules: Simply follow the instructions below to enter. Sorry, this giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. The giveaway will close next Tuesday, June 17 at 10 pm, and a winner will be announced on Wednesday, June 18. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Staying At The Open

June 10, 2014Categories: DecorSarah @ 702 Park Project

The US Open has officially begun in Pinehurst, NC. Practice rounds are under way, and the official tournament will start on Thursday. I have to admit, I’ve never really been able to get into golf, but since I grew up less than 30 miles from this year’s course, I’m a little more interested than usual.

But you know I’m not here to talk about golf. Let’s talk about what really matters: the accommodations!

Pinehurst is known for The Pinehurst Resort, or The Village, which consists of a few inns, restaurants, a spa, a golf course, shops, etc.

The Carolina Hotel is the largest hotel located in the resort. It opened in 1901 and is often called the “Queen of the South.” The hotel has 230 Four-Diamond guest rooms and suites, and everything just screams luxury. If you’re feeling extra fancy, you can even enjoy afternoon tea.

The Carolina Hotel also has a restaurant, The Carolina Dining Room. I remember going here as a kid on special occasions for the “champagne brunch.” It was always fantastic! In my opinion, the regular guest rooms are nothing to write home about, but the presidential suite is just stunning. I’m absolutely in love with the color of the trim.

The Holly Inn was built in 1895 (Pinehurst’s first hotel) and is located in the heart of The Village. This Four Diamond hotel has 82 guest rooms and suites that are each unique. Every nook and cranny of this hotel is decorated exquisitely to take you back in time. The 1895 Grille, a 4-star restaurant, is also located in The Holly, and The Tavern holds an antique bar brought all the way from Scotland.

The Manor Inn is the smallest and most intimate of the inns at the resort. It was built in 1923 and features 42 guest rooms. Visitors often say the hotel feels like a sportsman’s lodge, and it is one of Arnold Palmer’s favorite spots. The rooms are modestly decorated, but you can expect 5-star hospitality out of this one.

Which is your favorite?