My name is Missy and I’m a down-to-earth kind of girl from Georgia. I’m a wife + mama that’s passionate about home design + décor. I’m married to a crazy Russian guy and we’ve got two little ones – Alisa and Evan. Some of my favorite things are Pilates, Greek food, and small-town living. I love a good bargain so I do a lot of thrifting, antique shopping, and deal-finding! 🙂
I certainly hope you enjoy your time here! Be sure to connect with me on Instagram or Pinterest or, if you want to know a little more about my story … read on!
My Story
I grew up in Georgia where family roots run deep and the tea is cold and sweet. I would definitely consider myself a home décor + design enthusiast and have loved it for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I would pour over home décor magazines and would constantly redecorate rooms in my parents’ house. Throughout the years, I continued with creative projects and ultimately earned my college degree in business.
After graduating in 2008, I went on a mission trip to Ukraine and that’s where I met my husband. He and his family moved to the U.S. when he was twelve and he’s fluent in both English and Russian. He was serving as a translator on that mission trip and says he was just there to meet girls, but I guess it worked. 🙂 We got married in 2009, lived in three different states since then, and I learned that Russians like their tea hot and not sweet.
In 2012, we moved to a very small town back in Georgia. The move was for Misha’s job (he’s a nuclear engineer) and it put us closer to our family. We have adjusted to small-town life and have actually really come to love it. If only we had a Target. *sigh* We have brought home two babies since then, so it really feels like home!
I’m currently a stay-at-home mama trying to keep everyone fed and doing all the things that make life, family, and home happen. You know…all the things.
When I’m not working on projects or chasing kids around, I’m probably cooking, out for a walk, or watching something like Downton Abbey or Outlander. You can occasionally find me scuba diving, snowboarding, or scalloping with the Russian (referring to my husband). 🙂
The Blog
We purchased our first family home in 2012 when we moved back to Georgia. Honestly, it was supposed to be a “two-year home”, but it has turned into our “twenty-year home”. 🙂 It’s a not-so-big brick house that was built in the 1950s and really needed some loving. Speaking of, that’s where the name of this blog came from. It was inspired by our “cottage” that needed some “loving”. We’ve been fixing it up one project at a time!
I started this blog to document and share our house plans + projects and hopefully some progress as we renovate this little cottage of ours. I share a mix of our home journey, home décor, ideas + inspiration, design plans, food + recipes, lifestyle, motherhood, and some DIY every now and then. Things are definitely done on a budget around here and I keep things pretty real.
My goal is to make our home beautiful + stylish, comfortable, welcoming, functional, and a place that we love and are proud to call home. That’s what I want for this blog too.
Design Services
I offer both e-design + local in-home decorating services. Whether you need help with a layout for your living room or a full-room makeover, I’d love to help you create a space you love, that’s functional for you and your family’s needs, and that’s attainable within your budget.
If you’re interested, just send me an email.
Well, now what?
Check out the latest post or drop in and say “hey!” on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest. I would love to hear from you!
Much love,
