A Look Back at 2016

Hello Sunshine and Happy New Year's Eve Eve! I'm not sure about you but I can't believe we are on the cusp of a new year. Seems a bit unreal. Well, before we close the book on twenty-sixteen this weekend, I want to take a moment and reflect.

All in all 2016 was a good year! A year of personal growth, overcoming fears, getting back on track, and building blogging relationships. I will walk you through my year sharing our favorite post, our most popular blog post with some memorable highlights.

Winter
The first part of the year started out pretty slow. I did a lot of self-reflection, started a fun new dance workout called Cize, and got a full-time job. Focusing much of my attention on learning my new job and redeveloping routines and schedules I didn't want to start any home projects.

Spring
With the arrival of warmer weather, our home projects became center focus. I checked off this long hiatus with installing new laundry room hardware. In the living room, I added art to the walls using an unexpected material.

In family related news, on May 1st my son ran in the Kids Rock Marathon in Nashville! He clocked in at 8 minutes and 26 seconds! I was so proud!

Summer
In June, I donated 15.5 inches of my hair to a worthy cause. This was an epic moment that took two years to happen. I wanted to share it here on the blog but my phone was not my friend and I lost all my photographs and videos. But let me tell you it was an exhilarating moment.

With the start of school I was bit by the organization bug and started organizing my boys shared closet. I'm sad I didn't complete it but I have plans to wrap that project up soon. Stay tuned.

I was super excited to have participated in the Home Depot DIY Challenge over the summer. My mystery material was millwork. This was my favorite project of the year! I enhanced a plain, unfinished dresser using moulding and other embellishments. To read more about our Ikea tarva dresser hack head on over to the Home Depot Apron Blog.

Fall
Seeking change I painted my tv console using chalk paint and a bit of wax. This was my kick off point for my fab fall home tour I hosted with seven other bloggers. This was my most popular post of the year.

Houston we have new floors, in the laundry room that is! We chose a laminate that mimics hardwood and it blends well with our existing hardwoods. For our halloween front porch I created a DIY striped rug, the easiest project ever. Like for real, super easy.

For the first time and certainly not the last I attended the Nashville Flea Market. It was so much to see and a bit overwhelming but I found the perfect bench. My reclaimed wood bench looks right at home on my once blank wall.

I sweet talked my hubby into doing a little Fall photoshoot in the city featuring a Jord wood watch. It was really fun for both of us to get outside our element and try something new.

I started a new blog series called 'if you could.' These post are intended to invoke thought and start a conversation.
First question: if you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be
Second question: if you could have any talent what would you choose

There is one thing that I love to do when gifting a present and that is wrapping it. I absolutely love wrapping presents, no gift bags over here. I came up with two beautiful gift wrap ideas that anyone would love to receive.

I completed the year with sharing some fun advent ideas to countdown to Christmas and participated in a 12 days of gift guides with some of my blogging friends.

 Signing off with my last post of the year! I'm excited to see what 2017 has to offer. I want to thank each and everyone of you for your support. I hope to see you right back here at ChippaSunshine.com in the new year!

See ya soon!