So! It’s the weekend and I’m officially signing off as I have an illustration exhibition to attend and a very messy china cabinet and closet to organize tomorrow! I also have tons of material to read – my subscription to Australian design magazine Real Living just arrived today, and the gorgeous German magazines Living & More and Living & More Country are here too. I can’t forget VTWonen from Yvonne, which she so nicely included in my order as a housewarming present. Combined, these mags really nail my aesthetic and I think many of yours too — cozy, nature-inspired, relaxed decor. I also have a pile of design books to consider for possible review, friends to visit, and I need to prep a few things for the arrival of our 82 boxes this coming week. Yup. All that stuff that I can’t remember packing…

I’ll be taking off a day or two next week to unpack and organize, so I’ll meet you back here on Monday and in the morning on Tuesday (for Etsy Take Five) but on Wednesday and Thursday I’ll be consumed in the task of unpacking and organizing my flat. If I find any of it at all blog worthy or inspiring in some way, I’ll certainly share it with you as I go. I can’t believe that between this post and today, my relocation is finally about to wrap up. I’m so, so happy and I can’t wait to get my printer, computer and everything else back – it took three months but I think having that time allowed me to settle in here with ease – I can’t imagine landing on fresh turf and having all that stuff arrive the same day or even the same month. There is so much to take in when you leave your country for a new one. And though I love it here and plan to stay for quite some time, I still have so many adjustments to make.

And on another topic… gee thanks you guys for opening up in the post about blog content. As a result, over 100 of you poured out your thoughts and feelings on the topic and it left me feeling really proud of all of us in this community of bloggers who so passionately and openly share bits of our world with one another. As a result, I will have a weekly column starting on Thursday, November 5th called, “Talk It Out” and each week I’ll take a question via email (send your question to me and I’ll try to answer as many as I can in the weeks to come) and I will post it on decor8 and we’ll talk it out. I’ll share my views and then, all of you can participate and hopefully we can continue to inspire, build, motivate and encourage our community of men and women online who are blogging and sharing. Sound good? When you send me a question, make sure it is one that you think would benefit not only you, but the community involved in the discussion.

What my weekend looks like. :)

For instance, questions pertaining to your blog specifically (like, “What should I change about my blog?”) won’t really work – but a question about an issue you’ve had, or a concern or anything else having to do with authoring a blog or having a small business may work. Perhaps you’ve wondered how bloggers find their material. Or maybe you’ve wondered how to get out of a creative rut. Maybe you need to know how to market your new shop, or anything else. Perhaps it’s related to an idea you had for your brick and mortar store and you wonder if it would work. Or you want to learn how to approach store owners with the things that you make. The questions can be on a variety of topics, I don’t mind, as long as they fit the overall theme of decor8: creative living, decorating (no room design tips will be given, however, so please do not send in photos) independent design, small business, blogging and community. I won’t assign the column to anyone else, nor will I ask anyone to participate in advance — it will be more of a community approach where we all are equals. We’ll ALL toss out our ideas and such to see where they land. I know other blogs have these kinds of columns in place but Talk It Out will be different because I’m going to personally answer each question and post it here so that you can answer it too and it will be our column.

See you on Monday! And send in your questions for Talk It Out, okay?

(images: top 2 – lagerlings via design evolution, bottom: holly becker)

31 Responses to “Happy Friday, Friends!”

1 Marianne commented:
October 23rd, 2009 at 10:43 am

I am looking forward to reading the new column. Have a nice weekend!
Marianne´s last blog ..{Soup}
2 monaluna commented:
October 23rd, 2009 at 11:05 am

I think Talk it Out is a wonderful idea! I’m really looking forward to the discussions (and I can think of a whole bunch of questions I’d like to ask…)
monaluna´s last blog ..new home
3 leni commented:
October 23rd, 2009 at 11:53 am

i loved the magazine domino but havent been able to find anything that comes close to replacing it. any suggestions?
4 Lydia, Clueless Crafter commented:
October 23rd, 2009 at 11:56 am

So refreshing to switch the hierarchy! I’ve been striving my whole life to be an equal and wit “Talk It Out” there’s just another opportunity for all of us to share bits and pieces of information that will inspire each other!
Lydia, Clueless Crafter´s last blog ..HouseCraft: Illuminate Your World from the Inside Out
5 Kasey at Thrifty Little Blog commented:
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:15 pm

I’m excited about Talk It Out. What a great idea!
Kasey at Thrifty Little Blog´s last blog ..Bathroom Afters!
6 Chelsey commented:
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:22 pm

enjoy your reads! what a wonderful way to spend the weekend! i’m not a fan of unpacking! i hope that goes fast and fun for you.
-chelsey
Chelsey´s last blog ..my etsy . christmas cards are here!
7 Alice at Simply The Nest commented:
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:26 pm

This is a great idea, Holly. Thank you so much for hosting this conversation for everyone! I’m looking forward to the first official column next week.
8 Ele commented:
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:44 pm

Wonderful idea! I can’t wait for this new column.
I’m happy that your boxes will be arriving next week, though I admit that the idea of trying to organize everything/find a space for it is stressing me out a bit, and it’s not even my house! (Perhaps because I know I’ll be doing the same thing sometime in the next few years, and I’m getting stressed in advance?) ;)
Ele´s last blog ..Photo finds: A Southern Thanksgiving
9 Clare commented:
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:44 pm

Flicking through those magazines sounds like a very enjoyable way to spend the weekend… not so sure about organising the closet part! I am impressed that your Real Living was delivered already – I got mine today too and I love in Australia!
Clare´s last blog ..an adorable alphabet…
10 Traci commented:
October 23rd, 2009 at 1:04 pm

I can’t wait to read the new column, as well! Psst, can I somehow win millions of dollars so that I can decorate my home to the extent of all of these gorgeous pictures?!? OR, can I become a great enough discount shopper, crafter, seamstress, designer, etc to make all of these things at a low cost?!? ;o) haha
Traci´s last blog ..Sleeping In Rocks!
11 aimee commented:
October 23rd, 2009 at 2:36 pm

Yay!! Another series! I’m looking forward to the new column. Thanks Holly!
~aimee
aimee´s last blog ..Halloween :: A Hauntingly Magical Celebration
12 Tati commented:
October 23rd, 2009 at 3:16 pm

That’s a great idea! I just opened my shop, and some tips would serve me well!
Tati´s last blog ..Ella ja Aleksi… Cute a Lot!
13 Megan commented:
October 23rd, 2009 at 3:40 pm

Definitely looking forward to Talk It Out next week, Holly!!
Megan´s last blog ..Look what I found!
14 Passementerie commented:
October 23rd, 2009 at 3:42 pm

I *love* the idea of talk it out – I have many questions, but I’ll try to come up with one sensible question for you over the weekend!
I’m also very jealous of you being able to sit down with a pile of magazines. The space for me to do that has been very limited since La Petite Passementerie came along (not that I begrudge her a moment of it, but there is a sad pile of World of Interiors by my bed right now).
Passementerie´s last blog ..Fields and farm animals in the heart of Bloomsbury
15 peggy commented:
October 23rd, 2009 at 4:53 pm

I am looking forward to the new column and imagine that I will be an active participant. I need to consider what questions I’d like to pose.
But, dear Holly – I must admit that I am a bit voyeristic when it comes to your German adventure. As such, I simply cannot fathom 82 boxes. I’ve never had that much stuff when I moved. Of course, I don’t have a husband and I usually get rid of everything. I am amazed there is that much after the sale you had. So here is my request – I simply must see what 82 boxes of stuff looks like in your apartment! Please share a photo! Thanks so much!
Have a great weekend. Hope it is as productive as you want, and have fun with it!
xxoo
peggy´s last blog ..Starbucks’ Art
16 Penny Patten commented:
October 23rd, 2009 at 5:30 pm

This your apt.? Looks nice. My poor coffee table is always covered with magazines, and if I don’t get new ones on a regular basis-it’s like I have withdrawals! Ha! Ha! Talk it out sounds good, I think there will be many questions.
Penny Patten´s last blog ..New England Bloggers Mixer
17 My Owl Barn commented:
October 23rd, 2009 at 5:41 pm

You have quite a stack of beautiful magazines to go through over the weekend. Have fun! The idea of weekly Talk It Out is exciting. Looking forward to it.
My Owl Barn´s last blog ..Owl Calendar 2010 Part-II
18 caro commented:
October 24th, 2009 at 2:53 am

I’m very very excited about the new column! That’s a great idea. And now I’m going to my favorite bookstore and buy the new living and more for my lazy sunday. Have a nice weekend, Holly ;)
caro´s last blog ..Mir Schirm, Scharm und Melone …
19 Lakshmi commented:
October 24th, 2009 at 4:51 am

Lovely living rooms. I have a whole lot of unopened magazines to read this weekend. Have a relaxing weekend before you get to the task of unpacking 82 boxes next week.
Lakshmi´s last blog ..Diwali Pictures
20 carrie commented:
October 24th, 2009 at 8:21 am

Excited to check out those magazines too! Thanks for providing the links. So funny I have the coffee table in your photo top (mine is from Ikea) I totally love it!
carrie´s last blog ..Get Comfy With The Posito
21 Deb@accessoryalamode commented:
October 24th, 2009 at 9:28 am

I really enjoy your blog..stumbled upon it through flicker. Have a great weekend reading the mags. That is one of my favorite thing to do..reading home decor mags and escaping from reality. :O) I look forward to the new column.
Warmly,
Deb :)
22 Stacey commented:
October 24th, 2009 at 10:48 am

very great idea! boy, to i have questions! looking forward to the new column. hope you enjoy you’re organizing time, it can be so fun setting up in a new place!
Stacey´s last blog ..I’ll Get You My Pretty!
23 Kelly commented:
October 24th, 2009 at 12:12 pm

I love that you’re going to make “Talk it Out” a regular feature. I too enjoyed hearing from so many others with fledgling blogs trying to make it all work. I have a quick (unrelated) question about living in Germany. What type of access to foreign magazines do you have? Does Germany have international newsstands like in the States? I’m always curious just in case I find myself in Europe and have a chance to pick up Bolig Liv or something else special.
Kelly´s last blog ..Fall Leaf Wreath
24 decor8 commented:
October 24th, 2009 at 3:28 pm

Kelly – Yes in major cities we do — usually in the train station and/or airport. In my city we have them in the train station – we get magazines from all over Europe and Russia and a few Australian and American mags. What surprises me though is that we don’t get any mags from the Netherlands or Scandinavia and I can’t figure it out because I can drive to the border of Denmark in a few hours and to the border of Holland in a few hours. But we get French, Russian, Spanish, Italian, English and many others.
25 sarathira commented:
October 25th, 2009 at 7:26 am

i love that idea of Talk It Out! You give such good and real advices, that reading all the comments are such a breeze. you’re like my favourite teacher! :) im compiling of what i want to you, there’s so much, haha See you on Tuesday holly!
sarathira´s last blog ..White Wash
26 Jacqueline commented:
October 25th, 2009 at 9:13 am

I am looking forward to your new column Talk it Out! Hope you’re having a wonderful merry happy weekend. Love to you!
Jacqueline´s last blog ..Bones has a new friend name hannah
27 Impossibly Cute commented:
October 25th, 2009 at 5:26 pm

Do you know Stendhal syndrome? The one that makes people have strange reactions seeing beautiful things ? Well, you have such such beautiful posts and photos around here that I almost had one of those reactions :D Congratulations on your blog, it is lovely. I will be back for more!
Rita impossiblycute.etsy.com
28 Cookie Cutter commented:
October 26th, 2009 at 1:17 am

I’m so excited about Talk It Out!! Looking forward to learning and hearing from each other. The support we get in our creative community is something I truly appreciates!
Cookie Cutter´s last blog ..[Weekend through the eyes of my iPhone] – #9
29 Megan commented:
October 26th, 2009 at 4:06 am

LOVE real living. Have just finished reading the latest one myself. Enjoy.
Megan´s last blog ..Honestly who doesn’t love crayons?
30 Kelly commented:
October 26th, 2009 at 11:56 am

Thanks Holly! That answers a question I’ve had forever. I guess the folks in Denmark and Holland would like us to keep visiting them to enjoy their magazines. :-)
Kelly´s last blog ..Fall Leaf Wreath
31 Emma commented:
October 27th, 2009 at 12:19 am

I’m so glad you subscribe to Real Living magazine Holly – I thought it was your kind of magazine, it’s like Aussie-Holly lol Enjoy the Christmas edition, I just picked mine up.
Emma´s last blog ..{ Tuesday’s Object of Desire }

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