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May 23, 2016

The Reality Behind these “Perfect” Doors…

brittanyhayes-8

So today’s post is completely impromptu. I’m sitting here on a Friday night home alone with my two little ones and feeling totally compelled to write this post. Mark has his last softball game of the season at 9:30pm (right now basically in real time), I just put the girls to sleep and I am sitting in bed, typing this into my phone. Earlier tonight I had a comment on Instagram that got me thinking. Here’s the comment….

Wow, congratulations!!! I recently began reading our blog. At a glance, one could say you’re the girl that has it all. I’m so glad I took the time to read. Your words on extending grace and your journey to today are genuine and show a humble side. Very very deserving of all the blessings and exciting things happening for you!

The comment was in regards to my post about our Today Show feature and although it was so incredibly sweet and positive, it made me sad. You see, I feel as though my blog reads likes book. A compilation of our lives in real time, peeks into my past and renovations detailed from start to finish. Yet I sometimes forget that there are some of you who just take a peek inside. Maybe you’ve just stumbled upon my blog and have just started following along. Or maybe you only catch a post every now and again.  Whatever the case may be, maybe you don’t see the whole entire picture. You only see the features and the fun. And yes, that’s obviously the stuff that I love to share. That I’m proud of. That I’m working to accomplish. Yet that’s basically the “after” or the “high points” or the “features” of my story. Our story.
There’s this thing about blogging and about designing that bugs me. Literally drives me insane. I talk to Mark about it almost daily. I honestly feel as though having been given an “artistic gift” is almost as much a blessing as it is a curse. And I mean that only in the sense of the outside looking in. Of those passer by’s who glance at my page or pop into my blog every now and again. It’s the curse of feeling completely misunderstood. That I’m materialistic. That I spend my entire life obsessing over wallpaper and paint colors. That my kids look perfect and my house is immaculate every second of every day. Design is my passion.  And that is all. I love it and I daydream about it and I also do it for a living. Now I blog about it all for a living and that’s where it got tricky. Now that my career has become sharing my designs, my ideas and my life, 90% of the time, I have to focus on the wonderful. And the whimsical. Because the reality is that you most likely wouldn’t have been drawn to my blog had I posted the mess, the hard times and rooms that we never got around to finishing. Those aren’t Pinterest worthy. They’re not Instagram worthy. They won’t drive traffic to my blog. And they won’t help me advance my dreams. So I share the beautiful. And the wonderful. And the exciting.
Every now and then, I do get deeper though. And those are the posts that I fear you miss. Posts like this where I tell you that life isn’t perfect. Yes, it’s going pretty good right now but it hasn’t always been this way and it won’t always be this way. I know that. I saw this quote on Facebook tonight and it stopped me in my tracks…
“There will be years that ask and there will be years that answer. God never wastes pain.”
Gosh you don’t know even know how true that has been in my life. Several years ago were the years that asked. That I asked. Why is all of this happening? Life seems so perfect. And now it’s all getting thrown around and thrown away. We’ve almost lost our marriage and almost lost our business at different points over the last ten years. And then suddenly the years started to answer. That pain caused decisions. And changes. That all ended up leading to today.  Dreams I’ve had for decades that seemed a needle in a haystack coming true right before our eyes. Simply because we changed the course. Because that course would’ve never led to today. Yet at the time it seemed the only way. The best way. So He had to royally stir things. Like thought my life was “over” stir things up. So these days I celebrate that we’ve made it through those times. That we fought through the hardships, changed our paths and held on tight. We didn’t give up even when everything on Earth told us to walk away. I think those times taught me that it’s okay to admit defeat. To be honest and open like I try so hard to do on my blog. And although I’ll never share the intimate details to my past, I have shared lots before. And if you have the time and haven’t done so before, I hope you’ll read these posts. And get to know me a little bit better. Here are just a few…
My Journey to Today
Extending Grace
The Truth Behind the Square
XOXO, Brittany Hayes

9 Comments - Leave Yours

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Comments

  1. Jenn-yourstrulyjenn says

    May 23, 2016 at 9:43 am

    Brittany,
    I love this. I also blog and there are definitely rooms I don’t show because they are not “worthy” of a house tour. It’s sometimes wonderful and sometimes a struggle. Thanks for being so honest.
    Jenn

    Reply
  2. Haneen Matt says

    May 23, 2016 at 9:51 am

    I feel you on this, friend! Honesty is always the most compelling- great blog post, as usual!

    Reply
  3. Nahla says

    May 23, 2016 at 11:24 am

    I appreciated this post as a new blogger. There is that constant battle and I appreciate reading it from another blogger. Thank you for that!

    Reply
  4. Darcy Potter says

    May 24, 2016 at 10:58 am

    Thanks for being open, honest and transparent that life is real! Sometimes good and sometimes bad and that none of us are perfect 🙂 I love following your blog and your journey through it all! hugs, Darcy

    Reply
  5. Kristi says

    May 24, 2016 at 12:18 pm

    I honestly needed this today. I love these in depth looks at how things may look perfect for you but you had to go through so much to get here. You are so lucky and I adore you and your rawness on this subject. I’m a struggling designer in a terrible location. My family is currently in the struggling phase and it’s hard. So hard. I have faith that things will move forward and there is something out there for me. This posts helps me keep my head held high. Thank you, always! xoxoxoxo

    Reply
  6. Susanna Latham says

    May 24, 2016 at 9:57 pm

    Absolutely stunning post. I love how you have shared your heart. I am a newer business owner, and this really spoke to me. Thank you for opening up. 🙂

    Reply
  7. Melissa says

    May 24, 2016 at 11:30 pm

    This is beautiful and heartfelt and raw and genuine. I’m always drawn to people who are vulnerable and am able to open themselves up and I so appreciate and relate to this post. I’m new in the blogging world (5 months new) and it’s already been a journey so far. I always want people to see the whole picture, the whole me and not just the perfectly placed food. If they could see the kitchen behind it with dishes piled high in the sink, they will see the real me. Ha! Thank you for having the courage to share. I admire you even more now! 🙂

    Reply
  8. Melanie says

    May 25, 2016 at 12:14 pm

    This post speaks to my soul. Design was my dream job. I graduated college with an accounting degree and work in the corporate world. When I run into friends I grew up with they are just as confused. I love decorating and designing my house. It consumes most of my thoughts. It is my outlet and something that effects me deeply. I think a lot of people can take it as being materialistic, but it isn’t. I know in my heart that the way my home feels effects the way I function. I have no desire to “keep up” with anyone or have the latest and greatest. It is something different than that. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  9. Angela says

    May 25, 2016 at 1:19 pm

    I think the majority of ppl understand that you are a real person and that outside the frame may not look so perfect! I follower a lovely blogger (justaddsunshine) that has a hashtag #katiessliceofreallife that shows “real life” pics of the craziness of life. It’s fun and Ithink everyone’s can relate to her. Life isn’t perfect, nor will it ever be! We don’t want it to be anyway- how boring would that be?!?!

    Reply

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Ten years ago now I started my blog named after my Ten years ago now I started my blog named after my then five year old little girl ADDISON 💗 And today is her SWEET SIXTEEN! When they say it goes fast, they aren’t kidding even a little bit. I now see her “in passing” as she goes from school to band to hanging out with friends, her boyfriend, quiz bowl, honors clubs and everything in between. I’m so crazy proud of the young woman she’s become. Top ten in her class, living/studying in France for a month this January, and then possibly studying another month living on a college campus this Summer as part of the Georgia Honors Program in French. She’s beautiful, witty, crazy smart, incredibly creative, musically talented and has the biggest heart. Couldn’t be more proud to call her mine. Love you Addison!!! 💗💗💗
In June of 2021, five days before we boarded a fli In June of 2021, five days before we boarded a flight to California to tie the knot, Abigail told us about two historic homes side by side. Both in complete disrepair that were about to hit the market. As any crazy busy, almost newlywed couple with four kids and too many things going on otherwise would do, we said… we’ll take them. BOTH! 🤦🏻‍♀️🤣 Needless to say it’s been a minute but our first renovation I just named (today) WONDERLAND COTTAGE is complete! And it’s adorable 🥰 Excited to share every single space with y’all starting TONIGHT! Here’s the completed reveal of the front living room… P.S. every detail and product link is on the blog tonight! Chairs… @albanyparkhome
*TAP SAVE to save how we secured the garland and a *TAP SAVE to save how we secured the garland and all (detailed below)* Finally got around to decorating one of my very favorite spots in our home… our bedroom fireplace ♥️ Since painting our bedroom dark and adding a little Portugal travels inspired tile to our 1908 coal burning brick fireplace, it’s just felt like the dreamiest little spot! Now for how we secured it all…
1. For the garland, John secured a screw into the mortar on the top ledge of the brick. From there, he added a zip tie around the garland, and then looped the zip tied loop over the screw.
2. For the stockings, with simply hot glued clear command hooks on top of the brick. The hot glue comes off easy peasy!  Follow my shop @addisonswonderland on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!  #liketkit #LTKSeasonal #LTKHoliday #LTKhome
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The final stop in our “make MY house OUR home” The final stop in our “make MY house OUR home” journey we’ve been on these last three years ♥️ And this just might be quickly becoming my very favorite!
This year I went Holiday COLORFUL ♥️ Shocking This year I went Holiday COLORFUL ♥️ Shocking right? 😉Now that I’m almost done decking the halls, I’ve partnered with @amazoninfluencerprogram to GIVE AWAY not one but TWO $500 Amazon Gift Cards to kick off your Holiday shopping! I’ve linked some of my personal favorite (and personal wishlist) Amazon Black Friday Deals on this post over on the LTK app for you to shop!
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Yep, HER name is ADDISON and MY name is BRITTANY 😉 Thirteen “short” years ago I started “Addison’s Wonderland” in honor of my then three year old Addison out of a “need” and desire to be creative as a new stay at home mom. That three year old will be SIXTEEN next week and I cannot even believe how much everything in our lives has changed. Here’s to the most creative, intelligent, witty and beautiful daughter I could’ve imagined. I love you ADDISON! 💗💗💗
When a tree is so pretty… and you’re so over d When a tree is so pretty… and you’re so over decorating 😉… that a few ribbons is all you need! Another beautiful new tree we got for our home this year from @kingofchristmas ♥️ Spent maybe twenty minutes tying a few velvet ribbons and our mud room is complete! Another room down and quite a few more to go! Sharing Addie’s completed Holiday room TOMORROW… P.S. this exact tree, ribbon and a little “tying tutorial” is all on stories today! #kingofchristmas
Decided to change things up this year! New @kingof Decided to change things up this year! New @kingofchristmas tree and all 💗 And Winnie and I had the BEST TIME bringing it to life! Sharing more details on stories and a link to our new tree in my bio… #kingofchristmas

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