You guys, I'm so proud of myself. I made my first DIY project in a looong time, and it turned out pretty darn cute! Not to mention, it was so satisfying to create something with my own hands again! I have been wanting to make one of these chunky arm knit blankets since, oh I don't know, three years ago. But I've never knitted, so I was worried that I'd mess up and ruin all that expensive yarn. I let that intimidate me...plus, I'll be honest, I was lazy. With the new year I felt motivated to tackle a DIY project for the fun of creating, and I decided to finally make one of these. I found a local shop that sells the chunky yarn, called Paradise Fibers (it's only a block from my high school!). If you're not in Spokane, they also sell the "yarn" online. It's actually cozy, unspun wool roving that is so thick and soft and luscious. I will admit that it's not cheap so you might be like, "um Aileen, didn't you just say you were going to be super frugal this year?" That's fair! But making the blanket myself was wayyy cheaper than buying one (this size would be over $500 if I bought it from Etsy). And Ben and I had a lot of fun making it together!

Sooo pretty, right? There are a lot of tutorials for these on YouTube, so I didn't take process photos. You'll understand it a lot better by watching a video than you would with photos. We used this tutorial. I had 7 lbs of the yarn, which was enough to make a nice oversized throw, but not enough for a king size blanket.

You really don't need to know how to knit in order to make this blanket. The hardest part is getting started, when you cast on to your arm. After that, it's just pulling the yarn through the loops over and over!

Pretty proud of myself! The coziest update to our bedroom for winter.

And if you're in Spokane, check out Paradise Fibers. It's in a really cool building, with exposed brick walls, sliding ladders, and a whole room full of spinning wheels and stuff for workshops!

My parents still have the same sofas they bought when they got married. They paid off their house years ago, and we rarely ate out when I was a kid. My mom (who grew up in Malaysia) wasn't embarrassed to negotiate and haggle prices, and my dad never cared about flashy cars or fancy vacations. They drove a minivan and took us camping, except for the few times we flew to Asia to visit my mom's family, and one trip where we went to Washington D.C. and stayed in a hotel (it was memorable, that's how rare hotel stays were for us). So I grew up around frugality, which I am very grateful for, and some of it rubbed off on me. In high school, when other girls were spending hundreds of dollars on their dream prom dresses, I borrowed one that wasn't exactly my style--but it fit, and cost me nothing. In college, I volunteered to live in the back half of the living room in a house with four other girls, in order to get cheaper rent (we put together a makeshift wall: a king size sheet that hung as a curtain to block off my "room"). When Ben and I were getting married, I negotiated discounts with nearly every vendor and was determined to find wedding dresses that didn't cost an arm and a leg. I ended up getting one from China, which was a risk I wouldn't necessarily recommend across the board--but it worked out well in my case! And when I started this blog seven years ago, I was very focused on budget-friendly decor and DIY.

Over the years, as our careers grew and our budgets expanded, I started buying more and DIYing less. I started believing that it was better to buy quality and get what I truly wanted, than to "settle" for a more budget-friendly version. I started thinking it was normal to wear Frye boots and Anthropologie dresses. I bought furniture and home decor new, instead of trying to find something similar on Craigslist. I stopped DIYing stuff altogether. I convinced myself that using coupons meant I was getting a good deal. I paid for expensive balayage. We designated guilt-free date nights every week for eating out or ordering pizza. We decided that we deserved to go on more and more extravagant vacations (for what it's worth, I still don't regret any trip we've ever taken, but we probably could have been smarter about it--I'm looking at you, points!). And the funny thing is, I still thought I was smart with money. In some ways, compared to the average American consumer, I was. We always lived within our salaries and never got into credit card debt, and for years Ben and I shared one car and commuted to work together. We even lived in the basement unit of an old house with plumbing problems, for four years! But still, we had unwittingly and unintentionally succumbed to lifestyle creep. We just didn't feel the pain yet, because we were both working.

Then along came Ian! We were so so happy to become parents, and we loved him so much from the moment we first saw the plus sign on the pregnancy test. As a first time mom immersed in blogging, I was tremendously tempted to drop thousands of dollars on all the adorable, "necessary" baby gear. I didn't want a colorful hand-me-down baby swing, I wanted the tasteful designer one with five star reviews (only the best for my baby!). I couldn't get a stroller from the thrift store because I needed a BOB jogging stroller--even though to this day I have never actually used it for jogging (have to admit, I still love the BOB though). And although I got plenty of clothes as gifts or hand-me-downs, of course I still had to pick out some outfits myself. For the most part, all these choices were considered normal and were echoed in what I saw other people doing. But as I was writing about all the baby gear I was collecting, one person commented with a link to this post on the financial blog Mr. Money Mustache. It made me think about what's really necessary for raising a happy, healthy baby (hint: not much). It opened my eyes to our other financial decisions too. For a few months, I really went down the rabbit hole and convinced Ben to save really hardcore with me.

Then, we had Ian, and his birth circumstances were so all-consuming that by the time we emerged from the NICU, all that focus on money seemed vulgar and unimportant. We basked in the glow of new parenthood, and we tried to really soak in every moment and prioritize family time. We chose to have Ben take a three month unpaid paternity leave. I decided that I really wanted to stay at home with Ian, so we figured out a way to make that happen, by moving to a city with much cheaper housing costs where we had family to help out (Spokane!).

We are still relatively frugal: we drink water at restaurants, we make coffee at home, and we drive used vehicles. And yet, after we put the down payment on our house over a year ago, we haven't been able to build up a good chunk again. We've saved up some, then spent it, then saved and spent, etc. in a cycle that's going nowhere. I remembered when I was pregnant with Ian and got into Mr. Money Mustache's blog, how quickly our savings grew when we really put our minds to it. We only have one steady income now, but I believe we could do it again. I found some audiobooks and financial podcasts to inspire me (my favorite being the Bigger Pockets Money show), and I've been listening to them for a few months now. We have already made some changes that are finally "moving the needle" on our savings rate. With the new year, thinking about my goals for 2019, our finances really stand out to me as a place where I'd like to put some focus.

I don't want to be weird about it. I still want to meet friends for coffee, take our kids to do fun activities, keep working on our house, and go on a few trips this year. Obviously, I like design, so I'm not going to choose an ugly laminate flooring just because it's the cheapest. We still want to remodel at least one more bathroom this year, and work on the backyard and deck. But I want to do it smartly. I want to get back to my frugal roots and carefully scrutinize every decision. I want to thoroughly check Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace before I succumb to buying anything brand new. I want to be budget-wise and think about what will actually add value to our house. I want to feel uncomfortable with any unnecessary consumption.

With that, I feel like I need to adjust my blogging to more authentically reflect my own financial philosophies. If I'm not going to buy a bunch of seasonal decor, or try to keep up with the new 2019 trends, then I can't very well encourage you guys to do that (although I'm still interested in what the new trends are...just not going to try and change my house to chase a trend). As much as I'd looove to remodel our kitchen to be super Pinterest-worthy, I'm realizing that other things may be more important to me than getting my dream kitchen. We have a goal to save enough to purchase our first rental house, which could put money back in our pockets. An investment that advances our financial position. An asset, instead of a liability. And maybe, once we build up some passive income, we could eventually get that dream kitchen. Or maybe I will just do a more budget-friendly update and call it good.

Money conversations are hard to have, and it's so much more fun to talk about beautiful design and what we'd do if we didn't have budget constraints. But I want to be honest with you guys, and as much as I love decorating, I'm not rich. I can't buy stuff from McGee & Co. ;) I love looking at designer work for inspiration, but their clients are in another league financially speaking. I literally can't keep up with those Joneses. I can't remodel our whole house in one year, from top to bottom. I'm going to have to live with some of the less desirable aspects of our house for a long time. And that's ok! I have a happy life, an awesome family, and overall a great house (it's actually already bigger and nicer than what we need).

In 2019, I'm going to try and keep that perspective, and really cut down on our spending. I will probably have less house projects to share, and those that I do work on, will be budget-conscious and not necessarily my "dream." But I'll be happy to share my insights along the way, and hopefully they can help you to also stay on budget and make smart decisions for your home, your bank account, and your family! I'm putting this out there now, at the beginning of the year, to hold myself accountable. I have other goals for 2019 too, and I will possibly put together another blog post with all of them, but this is a big one for me. So I guess my "one word" for 2019 might be "CHEAP!" :D

Happy 2019, friends!!! New year, new goals, new ideas, and a new project I want to share with you. If you've been following my blog for awhile, you know that I recently moved back to my hometown of Spokane, Washington (I use the word "recently" but it was actually almost two years ago...man, time flies when you have little kids!). Since moving back, it really feels like Spokane is home...not just the place where I grew up, but the place where we will raise our kids and settle in for awhile. With that sense, I've had an itch to start something local--a small business that feeds my interest in design, and also contributes to our community somehow. I've mulled over lots of different ideas: decorating, staging, starting a shop, or become a real estate photographer in Spokane...even buying and renovating houses to rent out on Airbnb. But, being honest with myself, the timing isn't right. This is a busy, full, and exhausting season of life: parenting a toddler and baby. I may have ideas and mental energy, but I don't have the time. Or the money! And yet...I still really wanted to do something in 2019. So Ben (my husband) encouraged me to start small, with something I know well, something that costs very little to launch: a local lifestyle blog. In general, I would not say that 2019 is a good time to start a lifestyle blog. ;) It's an OVERSATURATED field. But on a local level, here in Spokane, it's perfect!

Spokane is where I was born and raised, and it used to be lame and embarrassing (or at least, I thought so). It always had the potential to be amazing, with beautiful old buildings, the classic four seasons, and an abundance of trees, rivers, lakes, and mountains nearby. But drug problems, a lack of jobs, and property crime ruined our inner city, and what was left around the edges was suburbia, fast food, and chain stores. When I moved away for college, I was happy to leave. But my parents still lived here, so I came back to visit. Over the past several years (just as Ben and I were getting sick of Seattle), we saw Spokane really blossom into a vibrant city we could happily move to. In downtown, historic brick buildings that were boarded up have been getting revitalized. Streets that used to hold primarily bail bonds and smoke shops (see? embarrassing!!!), are getting filled with cool coffeeshops and restaurants. Beautiful houses that were neglected for years are finally being fixed up and given some love. It's been exciting and fun to see all the positive changes, and I've fallen in love with Spokane all over again (or maybe, for the first time).

In the last couple years since moving back, I've been rediscovering Spokane. I've found many stylish local establishments and companies based here, and new ones keep starting up. It's awesome! And yet, I haven't seen an account that curates a list of them yet. There are some food accounts, and photography accounts, but nothing focused on design and lifestyle. So, that's my plan! I want to be a resource for people living in Spokane or planning to move/visit here. I'll post about the most inspiring local businesses, neighborhoods, interiors, restaurants, coffee shops, things to do, and weekend trip ideas.

I know that the majority of you who read this blog don't live in Spokane. But if you like my aesthetic and are interested in this project (even if you're not local), then I'd love for you to follow along too! My new account is @insidespokane on Instagram. And if you DO live in Spokane and you have a cool business or a beautiful house that I could feature, I'd love for you to connect with me! Send me a DM, tag me on Instagram, or add the hashtag #insidespokane so I can find you.

So what's going to happen to At Home in Love? I'm still planning to keep this blog, and will continue to post about my personal life, projects around our house, and the trips we take. The frequency of posts might be a little slow, but hey that's nothing new. I might also share some of the local inspiration I come across, if I think it would be relevant and interesting to a wider audience. Things like house tours, creative businesses, and Northwest city guides.

After seven (!!!) years of blogging and building up At Home in Love, this feels like the right move at the right time. I'm ready for a fresh and new project to put some love into, and I'm excited for the excuse to explore my city more. ;) Here's to a new venture and a brand new year! Thanks for your support! xo, Aileen

This post is sponsored by Wovenly. All opinions are my own.

In addition to your personal goals and resolutions, do you guys make "house goals" for the year? They can be a great way of getting on the same page with your spouse and making a plan to prioritize your home. If you're not sure where to start, let me suggest getting some great rugs. I looove rugs; they are one of the easiest ways to make a big and satisfying impact. Done right, they set the foundation for a space that's stylish and comfortable. But you have to get the size right. Along with highwater drapes, too-small rugs are one of the most common design mistakes that people tend to make, and it throws off the whole room.

Not sure if your rugs are the right size? Your living room furniture should be sitting on the rug (and I don't mean the coffee table, I mean the sofa and chairs). This means at least an 8x10; 5x8 is almost certainly not big enough. In the dining room, you should be able to back up your dining chairs and still have them sitting on the rug (likely, you need a 9x12). In the entryway, if you have sidelites or a wide front door, a 2x3 will look dinky (try a runner or a 3x5 instead). And in the bedroom, your rug should extend all the way to the outer edges of your nightstands (an 8x10 is probably right). If it sounds like your rugs are too small, then upgrading those to the right size will be the single best thing you can do for the look of your home. Getting your rugs right will instantly make each room feel more "designer-y" and spacious. The good news is, this is a goal you can accomplish on your own, without a contractor. And it IS possible on a smaller budget. There are plenty of rugs out there that are affordable and good quality and beautifully designed. Here are my personal favorites, from Wovenly--a company that stands behind all of their rugs with a no risk, 60 day trial, and easy returns or exchanges. They've got rugs for every room of the house, so you can check "rugs" off your 2019 house list!

For the living room...I love the Sorise rug. It looks a lot like the rug we have in our living room, and is hand hooked from 100% wool. Hooked rugs are awesome for high traffic areas, as they are durable and relatively easy to clean. We've blotted up stains with a wet paper towel, and scraped food right up.

For the bedroom...the Merzouga is gorgeous. The bedroom can handle a lighter colored rug, since you're probably not walking around in shoes. This hand-knotted Moroccan rug is not only beautiful, it's plush underfoot, with a medium pile in 100% wool...the perfect soft landing for your feet first thing in the morning.

For the entryway...I love the Tlaloc. It's actually the exact same rug that we have in our bathroom, so I can personally vouch for its quality. It's low-pile, which is what you want for an entryway--so dirt doesn't get stuck in the fibers and doors can swing open easily. The pattern is cute, the colors are pretty, and the price is really affordable.

For the nursery...I have always loved a soft, neutral, textured rug like the Espalier. Made of 100% New Zealand wool that's braided together, it's quiet and simple, but still makes a statement. I've seen this rug in several designer nurseries and have coveted it ever since!

For the kitchen...I would get the Clide rug in a runner. The global-inspired pattern looks similar to those vintage Persian rugs we all love, but without the high price tag--so you won't be scared to handle food over it. It's actually an indoor-outdoor rug, which is perfect for the kitchen (easy to clean and highly durable). It also comes in a red color that would be even more forgiving of food spills!

For the bathroom...I am digging the Nagpur rug. The marbled pattern would tie in with other marble accents in a fun and playful way, and the plush, luxurious high pile would feel great underfoot as you're getting ready for the day. I love it in blue, but it also comes in two other colors!

If you noticed that I didn't select a dining room rug, it's because we are just not at a stage of life right now where we can personally have one under our dining table. A two-year-old and an eight-month-old mean we are constantly cleaning up food spills, and I don't want to have to deal with that. But if you're on the hunt for a dining room rug, I would mainly suggest something with lots of pattern and color variation, to make it as forgiving as possible to spills. And something in a darker color or an indoor-outdoor construction would probably be smart!

Are you shopping for any rugs right now? And what are your house goals for 2019? I'd love to know!