A few weeks ago marked a year of Randi Garrett Design. It’s one of those birthdays that causes you to stop and reflect.
The first word that comes to my mind in reflection is gratitude. I am SO thankful to each of you who have followed me on this incredible journey. Your comments, friendship, and support have lifted me in so many ways. I believe that we are the happiest when we share our talents and passions with others. Thank you for allowing me to share mine with you!
I wanted to share with you a little more of the personal side of the story behind Randi Garrett Design. My degree is in Elementary Education. I taught second grade until our first son was born almost 17 years ago. For those past 17 years, I have stayed home and poured my heart and soul into raising my 5 babies. The best job in the world, in my eyes.
Next year my baby goes to kindergarten and my oldest graduates. I get teary eyed just thinking about it. My husband asked me, “Are you going to go back to teaching?” It seemed like the obvious choice, right?
Something inside me wanted to do something that would stretch me. I have an awesome sister in law, who is one of my dearest friends. She would listen to me talk about sharing my passion for design and creating a home that is livable and fashionable, for setting tables that make your family and friends feel loved and special. She encouraged me to DO something about sharing what I love. BUT WHAT?
On a whim, I started an Instagram account to share things I loved – tips and ideas that make your daily life more enjoyable. All of a sudden I had a place to share what was inside of me. It felt so amazing! But the real gift was something I hadn’t even considered. I found countless people who loved what I loved and inspired ME to be a better mother and friend.
There are so many amazing people in our world and we all want the same thing, a home that is a refuge from the world. A place that cultivates love. Instagram helped me connect to all of those people.
Well, my Instagram experience helped me realize something. I love sharing tips for how to live your daily life in style. Whether it be through decor, food, traditions, fashion – it’s the little things that elevate the regular ho hum tasks.
My sister in law Michelle, was there again, cheering me on and pushing me to take a huge step and start a website – blog. So, a little over a year ago, with the help of her and my fantastic web designer, Tana {from Your Marketing BFF} I started down a path I never dreamed I’d tread. The road of a blogger.
Thank you for joining me on this road! I hope that you will continue with me on this crazy, beautiful ride.
To celebrate, I thought it would be fun to look back at the 3 most popular posts from the past year…
Apparently we all want to know how to live in our homes and still keep them beautiful! The 5 tips I shared in this post are simple and really will help keep your house clean while raising kiddos, pets or husbands!
View the full post here.
This post was one of the first posts I wrote after starting my website. Our master bedroom was completely transformed simply by switching out the drapes and some of the bedding. It didn’t cost much, and the impact was huge! You don’t have to spend a fortune to give your home a fresh look.
Read more here.
Here our room before…
And here’s our room after our mini makeover…
For a detailed source list, visit my master bedroom source page here.
And finally the most popular post of the past year was also my personal favorite project of the year…
My daughter’s bedroom makeover was such a fun project! You can read all of the details on how we transformed her bedroom into a room that can grow with her through her teen years here.
For a detailed source list visit here.
Thank you all so much for your love and support! I’d love to know what you would like to see over the next year on RGD. I invite you to leave your thoughts and comments below.
Wishing you a wonderful new year!
xo,
Randi,
I loved hearing the personal side to your blog. I get a kick out of anything behind the scenes. You have an amazing talent and I love checking out anything you put out. I’m a home interior blogger as well and know the work that’s involved. Thanks for all you do.
Jenn
Jen thank you so much! I can’t wait to check out your site too! Happy New Year to you! xo
Beautifully said! A “down to earth” wonderful wife, mom, and designer. Love you lots❤️
Love you more! Thank you for all of your love and support! xo
You are an inspiration! I too was a teacher over 16 years ago. Now that the kiddos are bigger, my thoughts are the same. Should I go back to teaching? I love making our home beautiful, functional and welcoming. You are where I hope to be one day soon. I would love for one of your future posts to be about your daily routine/ time management as a mother of 5 (wowza) and blogger. Thank you fro sharing your story. I look forward to following you in 2017.
Tara thank you so much for taking the time to say hi and share a little about yourself! I would love to write a post about my daily routine, each day is full of craziness! Thank you for the suggestion. Wishing you the happiest new year! xo
Randi, such a beautiful post my friend!! You are beautiful inside and out and I’ve so enjoyed getting to know you and becoming “friends”!! I’m also excited to see what is on the horizon for you in the New Year😘
Bree you are such a dear friend, always there cheering me on with the kindest words of encouragement! Looking forward to a year full of inspiration together! xo
Wow – can’t believe it’s been a year already! I feel so blessed to have been a (small) part of your journey and am so proud of the many accomplishments you’ve seen this year. I know 2017 will be even better. Raising a glass to you my friend. Many Blessings in 2017!!!
Tana thank you for helping me create a site that is truly a reflection of me and for becoming such a dear friend! This year is going to be amazing! xo
A year!!! How incredibly exciting! I feel lucky to have followed your blogging journey from Day One! I am a huge fan and also consider you to be one of my dearest friends. Your heart is pure and you are so generous to share your talents with others. I loved each of your top three posts and can’t wait to see what is next for RGD!!! xoxo
Jen you are one of the best gifts that the blogging world has given to me! I adore you and value our friendship! Here’s to a wonderful new year with many new adventures! xo
This is so sweet, Randi! We are glad you are here! Wishing you more success in 2017! Xoxo
Randi girl your one of my favorite friends. Thank you for your inspiration. You have inspired me since I met you in college. You were organized and tidy even in college. Ha Ha we shared a room and I learned from some of your cleaning habits. I didn’t practice those then but I do now. YOU ARE AMAZING. Thanks for sharing
Sunni! How did you find me here?!!! Thank you my friend! Those days were some of the sweetest weren’t they?! I sure love and miss you and consider you one of my dearest friends and always will! xo
Congratulations on your successful year!
You truly are so talented & we are all grateful you share your talents with us! You are A-mazing! Best of luck in 2017
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Karin thank you for cheering me on and being the best friend ever! xo
CONGRATULATIONS!!! What a huge accomplishment in such a short amount of time! I’m glad that the world is getting to see what the rest of us have always known and loved about you!!
Erin thank you so much! You are such a dear friend! You have no idea how much your love and friendship mean to me! xo
A beautiful family and a perfectly decorated home. Love your daughter’s room with the blush pink.
Thank you Joanna! What a beautiful compliment! Wishing you a happy new year! xo