Dear Readers,
I’m at my parent’s house in Arizona. And I always get a little wordy with my posts when I’m out here in the country. All this fresh air clears my head, I think. :)
I’ve been keeping up this site for a long time – going on six whole years! (how did that happen?!) I’ve been a blog reader for even longer, and by now, I’ve learned a bit as both a producer and a consumer of creative sites. It feels like there’s a change in the wind lately, doesn’t it?
All of us content-producers that work for ourselves, we’re all trying to figure out our place in this fast-paced, idea-sharing world – with its Pinterests and Tumblrs and Instagrams (and now Vines!). I know it’s weird to be on the content-consumer end of things right now as well. Blogging is such a new, and kind of weird media. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, we are not (which I think is part of the charm and allure of blogging). As we all know, most of the time, blogs are run by one person, out of their home, who happens to have a passion, who wants to share it, and who hopes to eventually make a fair wage for their labors. We’re still trying to figure out the money bit. What’s appropriate when we genuinely feel that our readers are our friends, and when we’re often talking about deeply personal things? You readers are front and center as we muddle through all of this and more: sponsorship opportunities, attending and feeling the need to report on conferences about blogging, then also dealing with difficult “real life” situations as well as just the small-scale highs and lows of everyday life. And then of course (!), producing content all the while.
I’ve tried to be better about this in recent years, but back in the day I felt like I had to have a project *done* before I shared it here. It wasn’t like that in the very beginning though. When I first started blogging, I was openly sharing everything I had on my mind – big and small. When no one’s reading your site (and with no mean-spirited comments occasionally coming in) there’s nothing to be self-conscious of. When I started getting more traffic (and some of those less-fun comments), I noticed myself holding back a little more. Also, some of the real joy of sharing was starting to leave, which is a bummer for me to think about.
Well, I’ve decided to let go a little, to get back to basics. And I’m determined to reclaim some of that lost joy, especially now that my interiors business is doing well and other media opportunities are opening up to me. I know now that I’m not blogging as a means to an end. It’s the blogging itself that I think I love the most. So, how to make that more sustainable and more fun?
As a blog reader, I know that I love getting to know the writer behind the blog as much as I love their great content. I love the small projects just as much as (sometimes even more than) the grandiose room reveals. I like feeling like I’m along for the ride as the blogger lets me get inside his/her head. This is where bloggers can differentiate themselves from the other social media outlets. We can dig deeper into the story. We can share more.
And what’s the point if we’re not? Might as well stick with Instagram.
I know this is a rather wordy, out-of-left-field post, and I don’t mean to pull back the curtain in an unsavory way. And I don’t write it to make any sort of announcements about the future of this site. But, as my site redesign and url change (!!!) are finally reaching completion (and after several lengthy, late-night conversations with other bloggers at Alt), I’ve come to the realization that if I want to keep going with LGN, I need to be willing to share more. All with less worry for what other people think of my projects and my style, because that is the whole point. I named this site Little Green Notebook after an idea journal I used to keep in my bag (before the days of iPhones) that would record all my notes to self. Project ideas with sketches, shopping lists, clothes and shoes to save up for, stores to look up online, dreams and goals. So, all that to say, I hope you keep joining me here during the week as I get back to sharing more of these things again. I love, love, love having you. I imagine you all as my girlfriends that I feel comfortable enough to have over even when my house is a bit messy. Thanks for being so chill, thoughtful, respectful and cool to me as I put my ideas and my personal life out there. :)
I did this little project last week. As I snapped the photos I thought, no one is going to care about a piece of ribbon on a lampshade in an unfinished room. But those sound like the worries of Old Jenny, don’t they? And New Jenny digs simple, achievable projects and shares. So, onward with the post!
Before I went to Alt, I was changing the girls’ sheets, dreaming/lamenting about how much I want to do to their room this year (like new bedding – stat!). In the spirit of making small, but impactful changes, I decided there needed to be more red in the room. I ran down to the lamp graveyard (as Michael calls it) in the basement and grabbed this tomato red ginger jar lamp (seen here previously). I wish I had a black paper shade on hand, but this cheapy white one from Target worked too. (It is so hard to pass up those dang uno shades at Target. They are SO inexpensive and accessible! I just wish they would make more shades that work with harps. Same with IKEA’s shades).
Table lamps in kids rooms can look a little stuffy, you know? So one of my favorite tricks is to glue colorful trim to the top and bottom lips of the shade. Instant whimsy! (…I hate myself a little bit for saying that word). Like with almost every textile project I do, I used MagnaTac here (but Fabritac works equally well). Also, I used to recommend grosgrain for trimming out shades, but I think something with more stretch and give works best with shades that have any kind of sloped sides. This orange and violet vintage woven trim I picked up from SAS in Phoenix worked perfectly. Just roll under and glue the last inch where the ends meet to prevent fraying.
Five minutes of gluing later, I had some tangy, bright persimmon red in the room, and I felt better about the space. And (to bring it all back home) isn’t that what it’s all about? Small and simple steps. :)
<3
that is all.
Jenny –
I've been checking your blog daily for a few years now and this blog is one of my favorite things I look forward to checking when I wake up in the morning. Honestly, the posts I'm most inspired by are the simple, achievable projects that even I could take a jab at. You are a very inspring woman and I can't wait to see what is next for you and your blog!
I personally love it when bloggers share small projects and little imperfect details of their lives. Makes them so much more relateable. Also? The ribbon on the lamp shade totally made the whole look and it's something that I wouldn't necessarily have tried so thank you for posting.
Wow Jenny,
Really heartfelt and revealing post which is really what it is all about in the blogging world. Much of what you said speaks to me as owner of Kstyle which I also started about 6 yrs ago. At the time I built up a pretty good readership and for the most part immensely enjoyed being part of the design conversation. After about 3 yrs into it I had to take a break and "hatch a child" who was in his senior year in high school. It ended up being a long break and fast forward to today I am relaunching kstyle mostly because I truly missed being part of the design conversation in any form. But here's the thing! As you said so well this arena has changed vastly in a very short period of time. There are so many platforms out there I hardly know where to start and as a reader I feel like a schizphrenic hoparound trying to figure out where to land to LOL catch my online breath.
But of all the blogs I have read over the years and there have been many there really are only a few that I return to over and over. Without fail those blogs, including yours, involve the owner allowing the reader into their personal lives, their hearts and their souls. Without that a blog becomes just about stuff and for me that is not enough to sustain interest for any length of time. I have read other bloggers talk aobut the issue of revelaing too much and then getting zinged by a callous reader. I've had it happen to me. And well there's no way around it that I can see. I think it's fair to remind people occasionally to "play niceley" on the playground as "Oh Joy" does on her pinterest platform.
And have a heart to heart with your readers once in awhile as you did today. It's good to reconnect in such a personal way from time to time. Let the "blog air" breathe a bit. But finally and so important keep being the authentic person/blogger that you are. I love reading about you and your very persinal and inspirtional take on design. Love it! k
I think this is the first time I've commented and it is long overdue! I love your blog and definitely look forward to more personal posts. It definitely seems tricky deciding how much of yourself and your life to share but I am sure you will do a great job. It seems like you have it all–successful job you are passionate about, beautiful home, marriage, three babies, all before 30! What is your secret?! :)
I really appreciate your honesty and your willingness to put your thoughts out there. I think that the part of blogging I love the best is to hear/see the truth everyone has. I love your blog!
– Jaime
http://www.southonbroadway.blogspot.com
Ah Jenny, I love you for writing this. I think we've all fallen for your candor and grace a long time ago. YOu are such a classy lady. You have great taste, make good choices, have fantastic priorities, and manage to be human and real while still shamelessly pushing yourself to accomplish quite an impressive lot. I love that you manage to be real, but still have class. Not a lot of people even think to strive for that, but I adore it.
I'll always be eager to read whatever parts of yourself you're willing to put out there. More than once in my life I've wondered, "What would Jenny do?" Not because you're perfect, but because your particular brand of imperfection feels so well curated to me.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with whimsy. I love it as a child and now at 64, I still love it!
You write a splendid blog and reading your thoughts and viewing your gorgeous design ideas is an event I look forward to every day. Well done.
Loved this post! I get inspired by the full room reveals but there's something about seeing small projects (ribbon lampshades for example) that make me get off the computer and actually do it! I love reading the "more personal" stories because when you've shared your dreams and ideas and your home it already feels so personal and only seems right to throw in those tidbits. Keep doing what you're doing- I look forward to reading your blog everyday at lunch!
i love how personal and real you are – so very relatable. i am new to blogging and have always thought you were such an inspiration. thank you for this honest post!
Molly {Dreams in HD}
http://dreamsinhd.blogspot.com/
I'm SO glad you're sticking around! I admit I've wondered if you'd continue blogging now that you've "made it." I'm excited to welcome back the old Jenny. You were the first design blog I started to follow, and continue to be my favorite. And I do feel like we could be good friends. :)
Delurking to say, I love your blog. I look forward to getting to know you better. I really like your brave new outlook, I might adopt it myself someday :) Please don't stop blogging Jenny.
Delurking to say, I love your blog. I look forward to getting to know you better. I really like your brave new outlook, I might adopt it myself someday :) Please don't stop blogging Jenny.
Girl, I know all about it. I've gone months without blogging lately, and I used to to blog DAILY! I also started six years ago, when everything I learned and did felt fresh, exciting and worth sharing. But I think as we grew and the blogging community grew it became really hard to keep up with the pace and our own internal standards (which, at least speaking personally, are probably much higher than those of others anyway). But I've also made an effort to remember that just because I have a food blog I do't have to post a revolutionary recipe with the perfect photo after writing the perfect post with the perfect title. Maybe just a mention of a cool new ingredient here and there can fill the void until the inspiration hits for a longer post on a more complex project. See, now you've got me rambling! Keep up the good work and know that no matter how small the post, I very much enjoy following your story, your home and your style.
When I started reading this post I thought, " oh no, she's breaking up with us." But you didn't. Hooray! I love that you feel the pull to be a little more yourself, a little more authentic. (Not that you ever felt fake or non-authentic.) There are other blogs that I followed for years that got big and famous and I stopped following them. What drew me to them in the first place was seeing these creative talented women willing to open up their lives a bit and share. As ths blogs hit bigger and there were more and more sponsorships I was less drawn to them ths feel of the blog of changed. It was less of a creative space and more of a business. Love that yours has never felt that way and that you're intentional going to keep it that way. You can blog about ribbon on a lamp any day! It's just a great reminder that I keep meaning to do the sans thing to my lamp too.
I've been reading your blog for a couple of years now (and loving it!) and I don't comment often, but just had to chime in this time to say: I agree with all of your points, especially what makes a blog special vs. Pinterest, Instagram, etc. Can't wait to keep reading!
I've been a longtime reader of your blog and I've always found it so inspiring. In fact, your blog was the first that introduced me to home design and I've since fallen in love with design completely. You've given me so much confidence to try things in my home that express me and my family. I'm so excited to see more of the little bits and pieces in the future along with some more of your personality. Good luck in achieving your new blogging goals!
Your authenticity is refreshing and the lamp looks lovely! I would feel lucky to be able to shop in your 'lamp graveyard'! I imagine there are some treasures to be found, even if you're hubby thinks otherwise! Thanks for being honest and have a happy weekend.
Jenny, you're an inspiration! I love your small projects and I think the little things can have big impact. It's nice to hear about the little projects–something I don't feel so intimidated about trying. I think you're awesome. In every way. Seriously.
Jenny, you're an inspiration! I love your small projects and I think the little things can have big impact. It's nice to hear about the little projects–something I don't feel so intimidated about trying. I think you're awesome. In every way. Seriously.
Jenny, you're so cool. One of the things I love about your blog is the sense of authenticity I feel from you, so I'm excited for more. It's fun to browse through all these supportive comments. My favorite was (and I totally agree): Lay it on, sister!
Your blog is definitely in the right direction, the small DIY jobs are my favorite and I'm constantly sharing them with my (less creative) friends. Thank you so much for making a blog that i love visiting on a weekly basis!
Good for you Jenny. Have always loved your blog — am happy to hear that you plan to let go a little bit with it. Thanks for the courage — and please know we all love reading about your projects – big and small : ) Keep up the good work mama!
I check your blog everyday and I don't care if a project is small or large–I learn something new from you all the time. And I love that you are from Arizona. I live in Tempe just a mile or two from SAS–love that place! Please don't stop blogging!
I love this. I've been in my house for two years, and my kids rooms are virtually untouched. I've been in design paralysis- but just recently, I took a deep breath and reminded myself that nothing has to be perfect, it just has to start.
I've got to start somewhere. And so, I am! Keep those small things coming- it's great.
There are three blogs I check every day, and yours is one of them. Looking forward to any changes you may bring, especially more informal ones like today's post. Love!
you go girl
Loved reading this today, Jenny! You are an inspiration, both in your work and in what you write!
Looking forward to reading more from you :)
Loved reading this today, Jenny! You are an inspiration, both in your work and in what you write!
Looking forward to reading more from you :)
I love your blog…..one of the highlights of my day.
Hello! I just wanted to let you know that in the past week or so, I have discovered (via your cousin and my hometown neighbor Dorisanne, small world!) your blog and become entirely way too obsessed. I absolutely adore your posts, your style, and YOU- from what I've discovered thus far. PLEASE do not think you have to show a big deal in order to post! As a fairly broke apartment dweller, the simple things are the most inspiring for me (as they're the most doable). Anyway, I thought I would let you know that I adore your work! Thank you for sharing your talents and inspiration. My house and spirit have benefited already! :)
Yay, Jenny! Love you, your blog, all of it! xoxo
As an avid consumer of creative blogs I really appreciate 'blogging realism.' Brava Jenny! :D
Your blog is inspiring on a daily basis, thank you so much for sharing over these past years. Looking very forward to what's to come!
Jenny,
You are so inspiring and I adore your point of view. Please keep sharing the big and small decorating developments in your world. I love reading about them and learning from you. Keep up the great work and content!
Woooohooo! Long live LGN!
i'm sure this has been a common thread tonight, but you totally nailed it – people love 'getting to know you', hearing the little things, taking this journey with you. and let me tell you – those small projects? the ones that you aren't sure about posting? are the ones we can actually DO and feel great about and make us want to read more! those are the meaningful ones that, for us non-expert/decorators out there feel really good about being able to accomplish and gain a sense of confidence! though i love reading a great room reveal, sometimes its the little day to day bits that really connect you to a person and i think many people feel that about you:)
cheers and thank you for inviting us in and making us a part of your world for the last several years!
I like how the trim ties it in with the lavender dresser… I enjoyed this post a lot- I've only been blogging a year, but I find myself in that funny stage where I feel like I'm finally starting to figure out what I really want to write about (even though I thought I knew when I started!!) And a lot of it is similar to what you're talking about here.
Anyway- the point is that I've always really loved your blog, and I think a big part of that is the personal bits and small projects you share along with the big ones. That's what keeps it all 'real' to me. I look forward to what you have in store!
Love this post and love your blog! Welcome, New Jenny, or rather, return to original Jenny, who made me fall in love with your blog in the first place :)
I like a mix of both big and small projects. Your projects have always amazed me for their simplicity, as I tend to complicate things for myself. I still can't get over your use of fabric glue to do the decking on your Bergere chairs….I loved that it worked.
However, I miss the room reveals. I still go back and look at your old DR, home office, and your mother's bedroom. Issues…I have issues. I miss seeing a whole room, no one combines colors like you.
I LOVE your blog and talk to my boyfriend about you ALL the time, so in a way I guess we are girlfriends. :) the more you share, the more I'll have to read so share it all! Thank you for the inspiration.
Forward! Your blog is one of my favorites because your point of view is different and your enjoyment of colour is everywhere. It definitely gets me out of my neutral headspace. I just wish I had your craigslist prowess! And I love SAS in Phoenix. Will miss it when we leave AZ.
It sounds like you are coming full circle! I first fell in love with your blog during the more simple and open, humble beginnings. I find myself more and more drawn to blogs that celebrate the small things, the everyday lovely, and conversely I find myself feeling more overwhelmed with the constant big reveals and redoing, as though nothing is ever quite good enough and there is endless room for improvement. It's exhausting and daunting. I am more drawn to the little details now, like colorful trim on a lampshade. Thanks for keeping it real. I do admire and appreciate how thoughtful you are about the whole process and how you recognize what works for you and what makes you happy. It's a wonderful example for your young girls!
My goodness, since this is comment 198 (that should tell you something about how much people do like to hear you share!) I'm not sure you'll see this but I wanted to tell you that it's so nice to hear you say you want to get back to a place of honest, personal, put your heart on the page blogging.
I started my blog about a year after yours & as your blog has expanded I've come think of you as a mentor & inspiration about what could be on the horizon for my blog. It's so refreshing to see that someone can reach blog 'success' (which I totally think you have) & still want to come back to the basics of why we all started these blogs in the first place.
I'm rambling & there's a 4 year old stopping me at just about every sentence I type so I hope that at least one part of this is at least slightly coherent!
Basically thank you. Thank you for who you've been here in blogland and who you've become. This post reminded me why I totally look up to you. (:
PS- it was great seeing you at Alt, it's always nice to get to say hi in real life!
My goodness, since this is comment 198 (that should tell you something about how much people do like to hear you share!) I'm not sure you'll see this but I wanted to tell you that it's so nice to hear you say you want to get back to a place of honest, personal, put your heart on the page blogging.
I started my blog about a year after yours & as your blog has expanded I've come think of you as a mentor & inspiration about what could be on the horizon for my blog. It's so refreshing to see that someone can reach blog 'success' (which I totally think you have) & still want to come back to the basics of why we all started these blogs in the first place.
I'm rambling & there's a 4 year old stopping me at just about every sentence I type so I hope that at least one part of this is at least slightly coherent!
Basically thank you. Thank you for who you've been here in blogland and who you've become. This post reminded me why I totally look up to you. (:
PS- it was great seeing you at Alt, it's always nice to get to say hi in real life!
You mentioned that there has been a "change in the wind lately"…I completely agree! Something about 2013 just screams change and progress rooted in a true sense of self. I love that you are finding inspiration in where you started. And, as a renter, the little projects are my favorites because they are often more realistic for me.
Thank you for your continued efforts!
You mentioned that there has been a "change in the wind lately"…I completely agree! Something about 2013 just screams change and progress rooted in a true sense of self. I love that you are finding inspiration in where you started. And, as a renter, the little projects are my favorites because they are often more realistic for me.
Thank you for your continued efforts!
L-O-V-E.
Haters gonna hate, but there's so many more of us who LOVE who you are and what you do. Keep it up! :)
Everything you do is wonderful, big or small! I think the blog world is full of so much "you should do this" "DONT DO THAT!" but at the end of they day, it's kind of like high school, right? Popularity is fleeting and eventually inconsequential to your lifelong happiness (that being said, you are, like, totally popular and have beautiful hair :-)