Making it Happen: Kelly Wilkness’ Soulful Story of Reinvention

Last week, I introduced you to Kelly Wilkness, the lovely woman who had beautifully renovated a home near mine. When I first met Kelly, I was impressed with her style and her vision in taking on such big project. But, as I’ve had the opportunity to spend time with Kelly, there’s so much more to inspire!

A wife and mother of two girls, Kelly is a former trial attorney. After deciding to take some time off from that career, Kelly took a chance on her writing by starting a blog, My Soulful Home. Over the years, the blog grew from its crafty start to a wonderful spot full of home inspiration, including design ideas, gardening tips, recipes and more. Blogging soon led to a podcast, and before she knew it, Kelly was a published author with a beautiful book, My Soulful Home: A Year in Flowers

House Envy: A Victorian renovation with heart & soul

Several months ago, I was walking in an area near my home and I saw the most beautiful house. I’d walked past this old Victorian home on many occasions, and had even been inside during an open house … but on this day it was like looking at a new house!

As someone who loves architecture and is constantly considering a remodeling of my own, I had to know more. So, I knocked on the door and met the sweetest woman, Kelly, who was responsible for this house’s unbelievable transformation. A former prosecutor who shares my love of architecture, design, gardening and more, Kelly was so inspiring … and a perfect fit for PLANK!

The Art of the Christmas Tree

Every year, as the the holidays roll around, I contemplate what kind of Christmas tree I want to get. And inevitably, they always turn into little art projects. 

vintage doll christmas tree ornamentWhen I was first starting out, my grandma gave me some little vintage dolls and I covered the Christmas tree with them. One year, I made my own ornaments by spraying lacquer on mini bagels and hot glueing a raffia bow and hook on it … they were very cute and lasted forever!

Now I like ornaments that reflect light and sparkle bright. I also like to add a ribbon to make it look like the old fashion ribbon candy I remember as a kid. 

On the Farm – Touring with Missy & Scott Reeves

I first met this beautiful gal in in 1986, when I joined the cast of Days of Our Lives, and she was (and still is) the doll baby of the universe. She was only 18, but had already been on the show for a year.

About 10 years ago, Missy and her adorable husband, Scott, decided to leave the rat race of Southern California and head to Nashville, Tenn.  Scott, who had been doing soaps for quite a while, is also an amazing singer/song writer … who had evidently always wanted to be a farmer. Nashville was a great fit.

DIY: Stealing Beautiful Ideas

If you’ve read more than a few of my blogs, you have probably gathered that I like cooking, baking, decorating, gardening and crafts. Many times, as I’ve discovered an interest, I have taken classes to learn more. Or sometimes, like this past weekend, I’ve seen something I like and tried to copy it. Sometimes it works … and sometimes it doesn’t, but the journey is usually pretty fun!

Grateful for My Full Plate

I should warn you … today’s blog is going to be all over the place … just like I’ve been for the past week, lol.

Between memorizing lines, working and helping my husband with a renovation project at his office, I’ve been stressed out and just plain bogged down. At times like this, my gut instinct is to say “let’s find something easy to do for the blog.” But then I realize that my life is probably like many of yours in that way, and this is one of the many reasons I started PLANK – to share and discuss this juggling act called life. And maybe, in doing so, we can help each other out.

My Eclectic Style

As I’ve shared before, I grew up without a ton of money. Even when my husband and I were first married, he was doing his residency, so we didn’t have extra money then either. I think the combination of that background and my creativity has been the foundation of my eclectic decorating style.

When I was a kid, I used to look around on trash day at all of the things people tossed out; and inevitably I’d end up hauling this or that home. To this day, I’m still that way. If a friend says they have something to give away, I jump on it – whether I need it or not (usually not).