Changes to Story of My Life in 2014

Because this picture makes me chuckle. Gracie is like "no more pictures, ma!"

Happy third of January, my friends! Hope you had a fabulous week-after-Christmas as we're all easing back into regular life. My office is still a bit chaotic here, but I've cleared off a nice little space for myself, and I'm mostly back in business. :)

I've been wanting to outline the changes you'll be seeing here on SOML in the coming months, most notably to how I run my advertising. To cut to the chase, I will be majorly scaling back the advertorial content on this blog - to the tune of no more Friday Features and less sidebar ads in general. The content on this blog will be purely my own, with the exception of a (maybe) weekly giveaway, occasional courtesy-of items worked into style posts as usual, and very occasional reviews if I'm offered an opportunity I think you'll enjoy hearing about. 

Why am I cutting back on advertising, you ask? For a couple main reasons, really. One, my attention has turned a great deal towards my photography business (which has much more income-earning potential than this blog), and I don't feel I have the time and energy to run a really booming blog-business anymore. I don't like to half-ass things, so something had to give. I was previously running giveaways on Tuesdays and Friday Features on Fridays, which put a lot of pressure on me to put up lots of other original content in between those posts. That isn't sustainable for me anymore, as my clients and my business have to be my #1 priority. So, no more Friday Features. 

My second over-arching reason for this is because blogging has not felt fun for me in a long time. I started this blog way-back-when in 2010 because I love to write and I love to connect with people, and then it morphed and changed into something else for a while (more of a business), and that was totally OK while it lasted. I have zero regrets. But that way of running things doesn't work for me anymore, and so I'm changing it. I'm going to get back to my roots a bit and blog because I love to write and I love to create good content that comes from an inspired place - a place I haven't been in far too long.

So what does that mean for you? Not really a whole lot, I guess. You'll just see less advertorial stuff (which, let's face it, no one really loves as much as original content anyway), and probably a little less posting in general. I'm going to aim for about three times per week. 

Also, if you have been thinking about advertising with me, here's a little more info on the changes now in place for my sponsors:

+ there will now be no more than 20 sidebar sponsor ads at a time (where previously there were 30-35)

+ sidebar ads are now more affordable to reflect the fact that blogger-sponsors will no longer receive a   

  "feature," however I didn't drop the prices TOO low because I still expect you'll receive a lot of good 

   traffic since there are about 33% less sidebar ads to compete with on click-throughs. 

+ Shop sponsor ad spots cost a tad bit more because they also come with an individual giveaway, 

   which brings a lot more exposure to your business than just the sidebar ad alone.  

All pricing info and more details HERE. I will be accepting new sponsors beginning in February, as I am still currently phasing out some sidebar ads to bring my tally down to 20. 

On a final note, thank you all for sticking with me as this blog (and me! and my life!) has changed bit by bit. I don't know where I would be right now without this supportive community and how it's helped me to come into myself, so to speak. I am forever grateful and indebted. I am still about two solid months behind on emails, so if you've written me a personal note lately, I WILL respond sometime in 2014. Hehe. Thank you again for your patience.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

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Halloween Decorations with American Crafts & Target

I am all about a simple and easy craft which is why I'm loving the line of American Crafts Halloween products at Target right now. Their products range from kits to individual embellishments and craft supplies.  They sent me three kids to try out - a paper wreath, a banner and mini witches hats. Each kit includes all of the items to complete the project. 

The banner kit was super easy to put together! It comes with everything and literally all you need to do is peel and stick. 

I decided to put my own spin on the project by using the backside of the banner to adhere the letters to and embellishing them with some American Crafts washi tape. 

I also created a little witch hat mobile with their mini witch's hat kit. 

Using jars I already had and their stickers I created some spooky potions to display in my kitchen. 

This was such an easy way to decorate for Halloween. The "crushed newts" are dried coconut and the skunk oil is just water and food coloring. 

If you want to create some Halloween goodness of your own you can find all of these products plus more at your local Target store! 

Alice Lane Home Collection Celebrates 5 years!

Alice Lane Home Collection has always held a special place in my heart. I had the opportunity to work at Alice Lane when their shop was still less than a year old. My memories of assisting in the store are some of my very favorite memories. I learned so much from Adam and Jessica Bennett including how to take care of customers, how to treat employees, the ins and outs of the design business and mostly how to never stop following your dreams. 

Every year that Alice Lane continues to succeed is a celebration for me and today I'm happy to announce that they are celebrating 5 years! And to celebrate they are throwing a fun get-together for anyone that wants to come. 

You do not want to miss this event! 

To celebrate their 5 years in business I've rounded up some of my very favorite room designs done by the team at Alice Lane. 

I love the soft and sweet details they added in this model home. 

This entry table is so unique and it looks amazing with those baskets underneath. 

The Bennett's home tour was unreal. Every last image was amazing. 

An Alice Lane nursery is always a magical place. 

And who can ever forget one of the most stunning homes I've ever seen...

If you are local in Utah make sure you stop by their shop for the party and if you aren't lucky enough to live close by you can still stop by their blog to get loads of inspiration! 

New Things at Windows by Melissa

roman shade made by Windows by Melissa for Jane's nursery

If you've been reading my blog for awhile you know how much I love Windows by Melissa. I've used her for my own home many times as well as for clients and she always does a great job. She's great at curtains, pillows and roman shades. The team at Windows by Melissa recently updated their website to make it more user friendly. They have created a login feature so that you can track your order status as well as receive quotes for window treatments that will be kept in your personal account for future use. 

They have also added many new products including the horizontal striped curtains. 

They have a "Melissa's Recommendations" page where people can browse fabric shops with options other than what they carry. 

You can also easily add the greek key trim to any window treatments. After selecting a window treatment type and size you are then taken to an options/upgrades page and you can select to have the greek key ribbon design added to your window treatment!

And, finally, they have added the clearance/and ready to ship section. This section is items that are immediately available for purchase and are not custom work. They are either samples and prototypes of designs and  items that they have created and tested before making them available for custom request orders or they are returned items from customs that didn't work out. There are some great deals in this section so check it out! 

Alice Lane Tent Sale

[ photo by Nicole Hill Gerulat]

If you've been reading my blog for awhile you know how much I love and adore Alice Lane Home Collection, not only because they find the prettiest items to sell in their store but also because the owners and employees are some of the nicest people I know!

 I am excited to spread the word today about the Tent Sale they are having this weekend. 

They are going to have a huge variety of pretty items for sale. Here is a small sampling of what you'll find at the sale. 

If you are local in Utah make sure you check it out starting tomorrow! 

Our Fourth of July

follow me on instagram @kirstenkrason

I hope you all had an amazing 4th of July. We partied hard in Provo and had so much fun. We ate lots of yummy food, rode in the Provo parade, ate snow cones, went shopping, BBQd, played card games and watched fireworks. It felt like summer which is just what you want on the 4th of July. 

I also wanted to mention that my sponsor Brightsides Designs is offering these two patriotic prints for 50% off for the rest of July! 

The Land that I Love print is only $4.50 and the Land of the Free print is only $6! Stock up for next year. These are too good of a deal to pass up! 

This weekend I'm off to beautiful Lake Powell. 

photo via lakepowell.com

I'll be returning next week with more room reveals from the model home. Have a great weekend! 

Welcome Sponsor Brightsides Designs

You may remember this amazing house tour from a few months ago. Well I am excited to announce that Brightsides Designs is my newest sponsor! 

Brightsides Designs is also offering all of my readers a discount code today. You can take 20% off your entire order through Saturday the 7th by using coupon code: 6STREET

Take a look at some of their newest prints. 

All of these come in a variety of colors and are the perfect gift for the upcoming wedding season! 

I really love this Daily Bread print and I think it's the perfect piece of art for a kitchen. 

I recently got this "did you think to pray" print for Jett's room. 

Check out Brightsides Designs to see all their beautiful prints. And make sure you check out their facebook page!

And don't forget Brightsides Designs is also offering all of my readers a discount code today. You can take 20% off your entire order through Saturday the 7th by using coupon code: 6STREET

Jylare Smith's New Website

You all know I love Jylare Smith. She does an amazing job and she is really great to work with. I have loved using her for photo shoots in the past and I have some fun projects she'll be helping me with in the future. 

I am happy to announce she just launched a new website! 

Make sure you check it out to see all of her newest wedding, newborn, lifestyle, maternity and engagement shots! 

Book with her now for all your upcoming events!

Feather Your Nest with Alice Lane and Curtain Source

All this week Alice Lane is gearing up for Spring and they are kicking it off with a great "Feather your Nest" giveaway. You could win all these beautiful items! 

Head on over to their blog to enter! 

They are also having a great Spring Sale so make sure you stop into the store if you are here in Utah. 

on another note... 

I've had a lot of questions about the fabric Lisa used for curtains in her living room. The fabric is Braemore Fioretto in graphite and you can buy it here.