Show Prep - Vintage Whites Market SLC 2016

I promised you that I would be better at showing you what real life is like around here since its pretty obvious that I don't spend all my time on DIY projects and room makeovers. Today is just that. A glimpse into what my life looks like right now.

Trust me, there isn't anything pin-worthy about my house and I didn't even bother cleaning up for you because I've been painting nonstop in preparation for the first show of the season. That show just happens to be Vintage Whites Market (which is NEXT WEEK! eek!) and I'm so incredibly grateful that the founders of Vintage Whites (yes...the same ones with a killer blog and recently featured in Country Living Magazine!) chose me to be a part of their amazing show, that I don't even mind all the hard work and long hours I've been putting in.

Let's face it, the kids are watching way too many movies...

...the house is almost a lost cause and could really use a little attention...

...not to mention, my pregnant body aches from sitting on a hard metal chair for hours at a time.

Just when I think I can't paint any more, my husband comes home from a long day of work and immediately jumps in to help with framing signs, working on vintage furniture or anything else that might help me reach the end of my to do list.

In the end, I may not know exactly what the future holds or whether or not I will be successful in what I'm doing, but I have peace and faith in HIS plan for me no matter how crazy things are right now. So, if you need me, you know where to find me. I'll be the one covered in paint at my kitchen table painting the day away.

PS. I've added a list to the side bar of all the shows I'll be doing this spring!

My Favorite Projects of 2015 + Looking Forward to 2016

This year has been one wild ride!

I know that tradition is to look back on the most popular posts of 2015, but honestly, sometimes my favorites and what gets traction on social media & Pinterest aren't always the same thing. So I'm doing things a bit differently this year. I'm choosing to look back on some of my favorite projects and moments of 2015...they are the things that tell my story the best and help explain what 2016 will look like (or at least what I think it will look like!)

So first lets look at some of my favorite DIY projects of the year (in no particular order)....

Project Kid's Bathroom Reveal :
We finally wrapped up this little bathroom makeover and its still one of my favorite projects in the house! That sliding barn door window covering...um, yea...the most awesome thing EVER! 

Fireplace Makeover :
Now this project...it was my first ever featured on Apartment Therapy and also the first to totally get ripped apart by the general public. It taught me A LOT about how to tune out the negativity that can come from being a blogger in a world full of opinions.  In the end it comes down to how I feel about projects we do around here and guess what!? I happen to love our fireplace...and it looks a million times better to me than it did before! Although, the fireplace and the wall surrounding it are on our list of things we want to readdress in 2016! I can't wait to share more about that!!

DIY Concrete Counters Poured Over Laminate:

Talk about challenging ourselves to do something we had never seen done before. We decided to try pouring concrete over our existing counter tops! What!? Pretty much crazy talk! It worked...mostly...but we definitely would do things differently next time. 

DIY Reclaimed Wood Counters:

We also tackled our island using reclaimed wood from North Idaho. So far, they have been a dream. I STILL have a finish coat to do, but that will happen in 2016 - along with finishing up our new floating wood shelves (I haven't even talked about  those yet!!!) Also on the kitchen list: replacing the almond colored outlets, repairing and re-painting the island, and touching up paint. Then we should be able to call the kitchen DONE!

Master Bedroom Makeover:
Yay for taking the time to focus on our bedroom! My favorite bloggy thing to do every year is participate in the One Room Challenge. For the spring challenge I chose our Master Bedroom. Things have since changed a bit in here since, but I still love our room and I am super happy we took the time to do it! Our Master Bathroom is 100% on the list for 2016!

Now the next thing on my list of favorites was not really a DIY, but has quickly become a huge part of what I do.

Vintage Shows featuring Averie Lane Boutique:
I have always talked about wanting to have a booth at vintage shows. I grew up with a mom who loved to antique and I married a man who grew up running auctions. I love vintage stuff and we incorporate it into our home decor, but I only have so much room, so turning my love of auctions and yard sales into a side gig seemed like a logical next step. I also wanted a place to showcase my artwork. I paint a lot of arrows, but I knew I was capable of SO. MUCH. MORE! Boy, I could never anticipated how amazing these shows would be! It is hard work, but its a dream come true. I already have 5 shows booked for next year!!!

Speaking of next year, that brings me to one project I'm most excited for in 2016....

oh yes.... baby #4 in the Koogler clan is on its way! We are due June 5th and will get to find out the gender sometime in January! The kids are excited, my husband keeps making "what were we thinking" jokes and I'm over here just trying to keep my shit together! Ha! This might help explain the lack of post towards the end of year. I always suspect a blogger is preggo when the posting derails, don't you? Super true in my case! It was all I could do to keep up with Christmas shows and holiday orders let alone work on house projects and blog!

Being that this is my 6th  (and LAST) baby, I am soaking it up...the good and bad, because its such a precious time and a beautiful miracle! I will do some posts updates after I survive the New Year, so look forward to those!


So there you have it! A look back at 2015 here at Averie Lane. Thank you for hanging in there with me as I navigate some new terrority with my life and this blog! My goal in 2016 is to be better about showing whats going on in all aspects of our life...not just DIY. I'll talk more about those when I put my goal list for 2016 together!

Latest Happenings

...well hello there!

I fully admit that blogging has taken a huge backseat this last few weeks and I haven't done a great job of explaining WHY.

I am in the midst of Christmas Show season, so ALL of my free time has been spent painting for shows, painting orders taken at the shows and painting orders that have come in through the Etsy shop.  

By no means am I complaining....quite the opposite!

It just means I have to make choices as to how I manage my time (which seems in short supply lately) and so the blog has got the shaft. Which, btw...totally kills me! I miss writing and connecting with all of you! Its a huge part of who I am, you know!?

That said, I'm also enjoying this new season and the work I'm putting into Averie Lane Boutique. Since my first show in May, I have really honed my skills and worked hard to create new product for the shows.  I still have one show coming up this next weekend and then I will have a small break until next year. I have several shows booked already and few more in the works. I will post a show list in my side bar around the first of the year so you know where to find me! I am super excited about them and I can't wait to share more!!!

Speaking of shows, I'm TOTALLY loving the tree I picked out to use at my shows! Its a gorgeous flocked tree that I snagged at Walmart! Its the 7ft tall tree and was $150...a little pricey, but I'm planning on using it at our house this year too! I can't wait to show you! I found a similar one on Amazon for just $89! (affiliate link)

Here's a shot of my both before I add all my product...

and after...

I have to say...its just crazy that we pull this off! My last show was Wintry Market in Boise. I only took my signs and handmade goods and it was AMAZING! I wasn't sure if my art could carry a show, but it totally did!

I'm also working on updating my Etsy shop with some of the new designs. Keep checking Averie Lane Boutique to see whats new!

Like this gold leaf globe (custom phrases upon request!)

I will also be adding some custom pillows soon as well! So excited about these because two words...faux...suede! !!!

I encourage you to follow me on Instagram for all real time updates (I'm @averielaneblog) !

You might see cute pictures like this too,....

Clearly I have LOTS of help around here!!

Well, stay tuned for a few more updates...I have some house updates, life updates and I plan on doing a Christmas tour even though I'm not a part of any bloggy tours this year. Hope you stick around!!

Averie Lane Boutique - New Signs & Custom Work

I hope you all are having a great week! We had an amazing time hitting up the local yard sales over the weekend and are prepping for our next big DIY project! Go us!!

BTW, you should pop over to my Instagram feed (@averielaneblog) to see some of the goodies I've been finding! Also, if you aren't following #ThriftScoreThursday, you totally need to be! There is so much goodness to be seen and you can even get your finds featured on one of 4 blogs! My vintage dinette set was just featured at For My Love of - how fun is that!!

Even though all I want to be doing is laying by the (kiddo) pool, I have actually had a ton of custom orders lately and I have been trying to get new listings up in the Etsy shop! It makes for really busy days and lots of paint under my nails, but it is so much fun!

Here are a few favorites from my Etsy shop (all these can be customized!)

"Aim be true" Sign

"gypsy girl" Sign

Floral State Pride Sign

Buffalo Check State Pride Sign

"Dream Big" Mini Wall Hanging

"Be Brave" Mini Wall Hanging

Cow with Flowers Painting on Wood Canvas

There are so many more  too, you need to head over to my shop to see!

I made this sign for the sweetest gal's shop...its painted on an old enameled counter top! That was a fun one!

(The Vintage Love Affair)

I also made this REALLY HUGE bacon sign for my brother-in-law. If you are in need of some bacon, I might know a guy (hint hint, wink wink!) I loved it so much that I wanted to keep it! haha!

Well, that's it for now! I have a ton of orders on deck for this week and I can't wait to share them with you!

Averie Lane Boutique at Vintage to the Core + New Products in the Shop

Wow!

I just want to thank everyone who came out and saw me at the Vintage to the Core Show over the weekend! It went better than I ever could have imagined and I think I'm officially hooked!

Before I go further, I need to thank my husband, Justin, for being so awesome...he built my backdrop, constructed my art canvases, and worked the crowd like a boss!!  I just had the best time ever working with him and I love him sooooooo much!! I also need to thank my family for helping with the kiddos so Justin and I could focus solely on the show! Definitely couldn't have done it without them!

Here are a few pics from the show!

Me in front of my first real booth...

and the booth full to the brim and plus some!