My best friend, Meagan, started doing "Truth Tuesdays" awhile ago on her blog and recently, Dana, started doing "Honest Mondays" over on House Tweaking. Although we always are honest with you here--when our DIYs don't work out, we let you know--I love the idea of exposing our home and a little bit of our lives in a truer light. And why not dedicate Tuesdays to the task?!
The truth is, as of 3 minutes ago, our kitchen looks like this:
Well, actually, if I am being completely honest, the original picture--pre-editing--looks like this:
A little thing called white balance does wonders for this blog, and the way our house appears on these pages. Of course, in real life, the kitchen doesn't feel dark or grim which is why I adjust the curves and levels on almost every photo I publish here. Is that dishonest?
Truth. Last year, when we first started blogging about our home renovation adventure journey (Bachelor/ette fans raise your hands), I didn't have a DSLR camera or the software to edit photos, just a standard point and shoot camera. One reader mentioned that our pictures are all so dark and no one likes to read a blog with dark photos. Maybe that's true, too. Either way, we eventually upgraded. I don't want to say I was peer-pressured or bullied into it, because really--we wanted a decent camera, but the truth is, that comment definitely helped my decision. Do the way photos look on a blog influence you?
Back to the kitchen. It is a mess this morning, shoot...it's afternoon, now. Right after breakfast, which from the remnants on the counter you may conclude that we did, in fact, have smoothies (and eggs!), Greta and I drove Chris to work and then went to her doctor's appointment. On the way home, I got her a hamburger from McDonalds (I spy the bag!) for being such a good girl while we were there. Now she is napping and I am blogging/procrastinating the inevitable--cleaning it all up. The truth is, sometimes I wait until 30 minutes before Chris comes home to clean up, only to watch it get messy again as he makes dinner--which I cannot complain about. :)
Truth. I can't wait until we get our new kitchen. Things (kitchens especially included) that you love and are proud of are just more fun to clean and take care of, right?
What do you think?
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Haha! Love the honesty! This is usually our kitchen on a daily basis!
Love this series! I don't think editing photos is dishonest! I edit every single photo I post on my blog even if it's something as simple as boosting the contrast a little bit :) Editing them helps your house/project looks it's best!
Pictures are the main attraction. Something can look good in person but if the photo doesn't do it justice then it isn't "attracting." I think that "you got something I want" thing is what keeps readers coming!
I love that you're real! I totally think all of you bloggers have it all together with all your beautiful home photos so I'm glad to see that sometimes life occurs. Thanks for being real!
No, you. ;)
I'm the same way waiting about 30 minutes before the hubby gets home to hurry and clean. ha ha. It't not like I sit around all day doing nothing but I think if the house wasn't clean he might think thats what is going on...... I love your blog. You're amazing.
We are on a health challenge, so I kind of just watched her eating her mini, greasy cheeseburger with wide eyes.
hahaha the McDonalds bag is what I spotted first. I ate at McDonalds yesterday for the first time in 2012. It was...delicious. A skinny binny (to my surprise) quarter pounder and fries.
We must be sisters.
When Ken was commuting to Salt Lake and I had the house to myself... I waited until 20 minutes before he came home on Friday. :)
Nice! I'm not alone!
I edit my photos--usually just color balance. But if there is a stray sock or obvious dirt on the floor I crop or stamp it out. great post!
You know why the photos look good on your blog--because they are nice and big! It totally helps. I can't wait to see that new baby girl. Eeeee!
I avoid cleaning up at all costs. There is no point to do it during the day. So yes, I am with you sista. I always. Run around frantic cleaning up the kitchen and picking up the majority of toys. I mean, I don't want Ryan to think Brinley didn't play with ANYTHING. Gotta get him to clean up too :-)
I do like a blog with nice pictures, but it doesn't totally turn me off. I mean, look at my blog!? Regular camera. Not so decent pics half the time. If we had the money for a dslr I would be all over a new camera right now. Espec with a new baby coming. I would love to capture those newborn features on camera! (yes, I abbreviated especially lol)
See?! I had a feeling.
thanks for making me feel that i am not the only one in blogland with a messy kitchen!! Dan and i were down at my parents house this past weekend who just finished renovating their kitchen with a deep sink, granite countertops, and all new appliances and it was sooo much more fun to clean their kitchen than mine ;).
I see no mess, I just see that lovely roman shade. Did you DIY-it? I've been wanting to make one myself!!
God Bless You for posting this! Sometimes I feel guilty about running out of the house with a messy kitchen (and unmade beds gasp), but I know it will get done eventually. Thanks for keepin' it real.
Oh how I know the he's-almost-home cleaning whirlwind! There's no shame in editing photos. Personally I am not bothered by bloggers taking care to make their homes look gorgeous online. I know some ladies feel overwhelmed by seeing too many perfect home pictures filling their feed readers, but I always assume there is a pile of laundry or dishes or something that got shoved out of the frame. Real life happens in every home! I love the polished pics, but I do enjoy a real life peek, too. Thanks for sharing yours today :)
Oh yeah! Check out this post for those DIY details:https://chrislovesjulia.com/2011/08/make-roman-shade-check.html