Sunday Morning Coffee – My Instagram Tips and Journey
Volume 8
Today I am pleased to share with you Sunday Morning Coffee. This is a place to share, learn, explain, dream, and have fun.
Thanks for joining me for Sunday morning coffee. Today I am sharing my weekly thoughts about entertaining, decor, crafts, and recipes, and Instagram tips from my four years on Instagram!
A Little Bit About Me
My 100 Year Old Home is Four Years Old on Instagram and Today I am Sharing Instagram Tips
Yesterday was kind of a fun day. It was the four-year anniversary of my first My 100 Year Old Home Instagram post. Some of you might remember I was a full-time artist and started my Instagram because I was hoping to develop an audience who would buy abstract farmhouse paintings. I wanted to create an abstract painting collection for farmhouse-style homes.
Here is my first post.
I am laughing because I shared an eighth-month-old photo of our home. You would have thought I could have walked out in front of our home and taken a new one, right? Apparently not.
Fortunately things have changed a lot in four years.
What a wild and amazing ride it has been. Fast forward four years, and no, I never created the painting collection because everything happened so fast that I never had the time.
This is my full-time job. In fact, I recently hired my best friend (as in forever) to work together with me and I love every second of what I do. I never imagined, in a million years, that I could make living doing what I’ve always loved to do. I love to style my home, make crafts, create new recipes, and entertain. This has been such a natural evolution of combining my passions, my life, and my work.
When I first started my Instagram, I did get a little bit lucky. I did my homework and figured out the hashtags that I needed to use so that my posts would be seen. A few weeks after I posted my first post, Better Homes and Gardens reshared the photo of my home. By the next day I had almost 10K new followers. That is what I call lucky!
But as with everything I do, there is also a ton of work put in behind the scenes. That’s ok, as this is not about the destination, it’s about the journey. And, what a journey it has been.
The first few years of being an Instagrammer, I did pay attention to how many followers I had. There were many milestones along the way. I was in New Zealand with my family when I was really close to 100K followers. As I approached the magical 100K number, the number kept going up a few and then down a few. I finally figured out that it was my children unfollowing me because they each wanted to be the one to be the actual 100,000th follower. Aargh!
Since then, I have not focused on gaining new followers.
Instead, I focus on keeping the ones I have.
I think if you focus on sharing great content for everyone that already follows you, new followers will naturally find you. For me, sharing is the key, it’s not about showing. Why is that?
It is because there will always be a prettier house, a better recipe, and a more creative craft on Instagram. But I don’t focus or think about that. If I share ideas and teach how to make them, then this is a lot more valuable than just showing pretty pictures.
I prefer to teach things that I am passionate about. I actually feel that I have a responsibility to my readers to share creative ideas and thoughts they haven’t seen anywhere else.
I wake up every morning thinking about this.
I don’t know if these were the Instagram tips you were looking for, but you really need to just be yourself. Share, don’t show and, don’t worry about how many followers you have. Have fun!
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I am blessed that this is my full-time job and I can make a nice living doing this. I get asked all of the time how I make a living, as in who pays me?
I earn most of my income in three different ways:
- I partner with brands, just like a magazine, to share information and photos about their products.
- I have advertisements on my blog. You don’t have to click on them, but if they are of interest to you, that is great too.
- Lastly, I earn affiliate income. If you choose to make a purchase on anything I have shared, from Amazon as an example, I make a small commission. Of course, it doesn’t cost you any more.
After four years, my business is now a small media company. I work hard to continually evolve my brand and pursue new opportunities. I have some exciting plans this year and I can’t wait to share them with you.
But I will always remember one thing. I couldn’t do this with out all of you.
I am so grateful for your support.
Around Our Home
The New Worldwide Headquarters
I want to share a little behind the scenes with you today. Last week I moved the “World Wide Headquarters of My 100 Year Old Home” up to the attic on the 3rd floor of our home.
I know you are probably laughing, but it really was a big move. Suddenly my business feels 1000% more like a business. I am much more organized, I have a HUGE space to work, and at the end of the day (or night) I can turn off the light and head downstairs for family time.
This space is so perfect.
Ok, it’s not perfect. I already have a list of renovation ideas, which includes an awesome wood tabletop that goes on top of the pool table, lighter painted walls, slipcovers for the couch, painting the coffee table, recovering the chairs (I did choose that fabric for the seats many years ago …) and maybe finding a vintage table for our desk.
Functionally, it is perfect.
We have double computer screens, a TV which we project information for our daily morning meetings (from our phones or computers) and also to gain inspiration from shows like Fixer Upper, TLK … The Lost Kitchen, and any Nancy Meyer movie ever made (because of the spectacular decor).
The wall space is awesome because we now have my editorial calendar up on the wall. You may not realize this, but I plan out my blogging and Instagram content weeks and months in advance. And yes, everything is color-coded.
Right now we have three months of content ideas on the calendar. I know it will change but the ideas are all there!
The pool table is a phenomenal space for staging, crafts, organizing and planning, much to my family’s chagrin. Someday, we may learn to play pool. Just kidding. As I mentioned, I want to cover up the pool table with a wood table top.
It’s also amazingly convenient that my Craft Room Storage is on the 3rd floor also.
We also have a great lounge space for meetings and reading.
In the last four years, my “office” has literally been all over my home. But none of the places never quite worked.
I started working on my family room table, then moved to my craft room, and relocated to my family room couch during Covid.
This was my spot in the family room. With my laptop on my lap.
The problem with trying to work on my laptop in the craft room was that I needed the space for crafts. The problem with working on the couch in our family room is that every time I sit there, I have a reflex to grab my laptop and phone, which my husband (and I) did not love.
Now that the WWHQ is now in the attic, I have a much better delineation between work and home. One of my goals has been to not work as many hours and having a designated space has done wonders to my state of mind.
Thanks for joining me on a tour of the new World Wide Hadquarters. Haha.
A Tip For Your Home
Mix it Up
When I first started styling tables I often mixed glassware, silver, plates, chargers, and placemats. I didn’t do it because I was being clever. Rather, I did it because I didn’t own enough matching pieces!
Over the years I have collected a lot (and I mean it is a lot!) of china, silver, and glassware. Now when I set a table I always mix it up and don’t even look to see if I have enough matching pieces. That’s because I don’t want it to match.
Try this. It is so much fun!
I used four different dinner plates on this table. I love it so much.
Reflections on the Week
What a fun week we had! I loved sharing a few things about our Waco home, our “temporarily gray painted home”, my obsession with apothecary jars, gluten-free donuts, and photography tips!
My Favorite Things
In the Craft Room
My friend KariAnne at Thistlewood Farms made these No Sew Pillow Covers. I love them. Follow this link to the complete DIY.
Janine at Happy Happy Nester made these Easy Tissue Paper Flowers: Pear Blossoms. Aren’t they beautiful?
I found these on marthastewart.com and love these Clever Ways to Reuse Empty Wine Bottles
Accounts I Love to Follow on Instagram
Carleen @Prarie Wood Design.
Erin @Erin Sunnyside Up
Christina @The DIY Mommy
Shanna @Simply Mine Designs
Things I Love That Are On Sale
… but usually never are!
As far as I know, the Cricut Maker has never been on sale at $100 off the regular price. If you have been thinking about buying a Cricut machine, this is the machine you want. So buy it now. Because they won’t last. And it may never be listed at this price again.
Good Things From Martha
Martha Stewart listed the 2021 Craft Trends they are inspired to try. Click on the article to see what is trending. I was happy to see crafts like Paint By Number Kits and Embroidery Kits on the list.
My Favorite Comments
This is one of my favorite comments ever. The fact that anyone would think I am Joanna Gaines is the nicest compliment ever!
Patricia: OMG I just connected who you are. I watch your show all the time, and when you mentioned Magnolia it dawned on me and my husband loves Chip. Keep doing what you do!
Leslie: Oh my gosh Patricia, you just made my day! Sadly, I am not Joanna Gaines, but I love Magnolia and everything they do as much as you do!
One Healthy Tip
Going Gluten Free
I mentioned last month that I am now Gluten-Free because I am following a new health plan to ward off Alzheimer’s disease.
The last eight months of “gluten-free” eating have been so much easier than I expected. Why? Because there are a lot of great gluten-free products available at your local markets.
Here are a few of my favorites:
- Gluten-Free Flour – King Arthur flour, Better Batter
- Gluten-Free Soy Sauce – Kikkoman or San-J Organic Gluten-Free Soy Sauce Tamari
- Gluten-Free Crackers – Good Thins or Milton’s
- Gluten-Free Pasta – Barilla (They have every kind of pasta you want.)
What’s Ahead
As you saw in the photos of my post-it notes, we have a lot of content planned out over the next few months. This week I will be sharing two new blog series. The first is Get Better/Feel Better and it’s all about helping and bringing love to others. The second series is called Make It or Break It and I will share ways to make things that are expensive to buy.
This week I am also sharing Flower Arranging with Fresh Flowers, a Fireplace Dinner for Two, Favorite Spring Wreaths, and a Bread Recipe that I have wanted to make forever!
I promise there is never a dull week at My 100 Year Old Home.
Catch up on Sunday Morning Coffee
- Sunday Morning Coffee Volume 7 – Why I Love to Entertain
- Sunday Morning Coffee Volume 6 – February is All About Living Beautifully
- Sunday Morning Coffee Volume 5 – Our Beach House in Ventura, CA
- Sunday Morning Coffee Volume 4 – The Story of My 100 Year Old Home
- Sunday Morning Coffee Volume 3 – I Think I Might Be Martha’s Biggest Fan
- Sunday Morning Coffee Volume 2 – A Tribute to My Mom
- Sunday Morning Coffee Volume 1 – How Chip and Joanna Influenced My Life
Pin the image below to your decor boards on Pinterest (just click the Pin button in the top left corner). You can also follow along with me on Pinterest!
For more real-time updates, follow me on Instagram @My100YearOldHome
Oh my! The chair fabric!!!
I picked that exact same fabric to recover a pair of wingback swivel rockers. LOVED them for years. They were finally given great fanfare in a send off with our oldest son to his first “adult” apartment Yes, our fitness trainer, gym rat son had the “granny rockers” as they were christened by his pals.
Love your WWHQ! It does seem like the perfect space!
What a small world Diane! Granny rockers, that is hysterical. I am so excited about the new space, it is so perfect!
Your Sunday blogs are my fav!!!! But how do you get “brands” to work with you, now did you find advertisers and how did you team up with Amazo, and orcWalmart, Target, etc. You don’t mention yhst! I am trying to start an Instagram account for weeks and can’t even find out step 1.
I absolutely love the rugs you have in your kitchen. Can you share where you got them?
Sue, I cannot tell you how much I love these rugs! They have been selling out quickly, but are in stock right now. Here is the link if you want to check them out! https://amzn.to/3aH1TgC
Leslie, if anyone deserves to be a successful blogger, it is you. You put your heart and soul into your blog. I appreciate that you recognize that it isn’t about the amount of followers you have, but appreciating the followers you do have. And I absolutely love your new office space. It is perfect, and will allow you to turn it off at night, and have some much needed family time. Thank you for all you do.
Thank you Miche for your kind comments. It is ammazing how having a dedicated space to work has really chaanged by headspace. I am so excited to head upstairs in the morning and back down in the evening! I do, wholeheartedly believe that it is not about the number of followers, but appreciating and sharing with the followers I have. Making a difference, even in the smallest way is what makes me happiest! Have a great week!
Leslie,
I love your Sunday morning blog. I look forward to it every week and I really appreciate the time you take to create them. We’re all busy and everything well done takes time. Thank you for taking the time to create such nice posts so that we can all enjoy a lovely informative blog to read as we share a cup of coffee with you.
I always get a chore done before I sit down to read your blog, it’s my reward for doing something that I don’t look forward to doing, today it was cleaning the hard wood floors downstairs.
I’m happy you have finally found the perfect space to run your business. For years I’ve been working on scrapbooks for my children. Who are now adults. I had photos, mementos, and scrapbook book things everywhere! Finally I have the perfect space to work in and it has made all the difference in the world. I may finally get their scrapbooks finished!
Have a great week 🌷
Thank you Pam for reaching out and for your kind comments. I am so happy that you enjoy Sunday Morning Coffee. When I launched it, I was hoping that it would be exactly what you described! The WWHQ now has the perfect space and I am so excited to head upstairs everyday! Havea wonderful week Pam!
I love your posts and am so excited to see how you decorate for spring and Easter. You have offered ideas for truly the loveliest crafts.
Oh Carol, I have so many fun projects planed, stay tuned!
I always enjoy your photos and posts. My condo is much smaller than your house with way less storage area. I do my paintings, if small, right on my desk, that’s in an open cubby area with a window. If I do larger work, it’s on our bedroom floor with plastic and canvas spread out and we literally have to walk around and over my projects.
I am inspired, delighted and envious of your talents, creativity and space. Of course I already knew you were immensely organized and the work behind every photo and project is massive.
Thank you for bringing and sharing your creativity, positivity, beauty, grace and fun with us. I learn so much and in this crazy fast paced world you help us pause, look, smile and go “ahhh”.
Katharina, thank you so much for your thoughtful and kind comment. I love hearing about your work space and how you make it work for you! I am so happy that what I share in meaningful to you and that it makes you smile. That makes me smile!
You are KariAnn are my favorite bloggers. The reason is you both tell back stories and share personal experiences in your blog. Your family becomes our family so to speak. I look forward to seeing some new inspiration for my home from both of you!
Oh my gosh Maureen, thank you sooooo much! KariAnn is so spectacularly amazing. I very much appreciate you feedback. I really do try to share the back stories and personal experiences so I am happy that you enjoy it. I promise to work hard to keep the inspiration coming!
This was such an Inspiring read.. I see you have a Portmerion dinner plate 😍. Have you been there? Its one of my favourite places..My mum took me when I was little and I have taken my children too.. I have just created a little forever flower crown Iv called the Portmerion , it has blue hydrangeas with white roses just the the drive into the village.. and the crown is sprayed in pastel green inspired by the pistachio Gellato!
I love everything you do you are such an inspiration xx
Hi Leslie, Lovely blog post – thank you !
Three things :
1) What an “aha” moment to read about focusing on existing followers rather than stressing out on new followers. Focusing on the sharing rather than the showing is huge. Thanks for that advice.
2) Re the Instagram hashtags, how did you come up with them & did you use the same ones each time (depending on the topic, of course) ?
3) Finally, the three-month board on the wall with post-it notes, you mentioned they’re colour-coded. Do they represent a type of topic (e.g. crafts, recipe, tutorial, etc.) ?
Thanks, Leslie. Love your style of writing. You’re very relatable. Take care and stay safe.
Thank you for sharing insight to your success. With a little bit of luck, and a whole lotta hard work your page is beautiful. I am just starting out and trying so hard not to fixate on the numbers!!! I love the thought process of just enjoying who you have. It’s a great reminder, like in life. “Be thankful for what you have” All the best to you.
Kind Regards,
Anna Marie
@AllerwayAvenue
Thank you for sharing insight to your success. With a little bit of luck, and a whole lotta hard work your page is beautiful. I am just starting out and trying so hard not to fixate on the numbers!!! I love the thought process of just enjoying who you have. It’s a great reminder, like in life. “Be thankful for what you have” All the best to you.
Kind Regards,
Anna Marie
@AllerwayAvenue
I’m SO inspired by your new WWHQ! And your IG philosophy. Thanks for another week of wonderful ideas! See you out there!
You are an inspiration! I enjoy all of your posts, blogs, photos, tips, and ideas. It was interesting reading about the evolution from that first Instagram post to today’s WWHQ … your business and organizational skills to keep everything running smoothly are quite impressive as well. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Oh my gosh Kathie, thank you so much for reaching out to me. Your kind comment means so much to me! I am so glad that you enjoy what I share, I have so many amazing things planned for 2021!