Hello, 2020!

Happy New Year, friends! Where did the year go? Better yet, where did the DECADE go? As much as I can’t believe that 2019 has already come and gone, I am so excited for what this new year has to offer. When I sat down to plan out what I wanted this next year to look like for A Hosting Home, I took a moment to look back at where we had been the past few years.

This little blog and business of mine has grown in ways that I couldn’t have ever imaged. Meanwhile, I couldn’t be more thankful for you (yes, you!) and for all of your love and support for my dreams and passions. So coffee cup cheers to 2020, friends! Before we jump into everything this new year has to offer, let’s take a trip down memory lane. Here’s a look back at the Top 10 blog posts that drove traffic to ahostinghome.com in 2019.

#AHostingHome’s Top 10 Blog Posts From 2019

#10 – Baby Nugent Nursery Design Inspiration

As a designer, one of the most common questions I got asked about my pregnancy with Layne was really not about my pregnancy at all. Everyone wanted to know what my plans for the nursery were going to look like! While we didn’t get to use this design on Layne’s nursery, I hope to incorporate some of the same elements on the nursery of our future baby one day! In the meantime, I hope it inspires you like it inspired me. Visit the post, here.

#9 – Life Lately | No. 07 – Layne Thomas’s Birth Story

With how much Layne is a part of our lives and our story, I’m not surprised to see that his birth story was one of the top 10 viewed posts from our blog in 2019. It actually makes me SO happy to see his story reached so many people this past year. This was a very scary post for me to write, let alone publish on the internet. Never in a million years did I think this would be a part of my story. But, it is. I’ve learned the past 10 months that words can be healing. Red words, even more so. So I wrote his birth story in hopes to encourage and inspire people to run to Jesus. I get messages all the time about how my story has helped others or has inspired people to pursue their faith in Jesus – and it makes the pain worth it. You can read Layne’s birth story, here.

#8 – How-To Host The Perfect Galentine’s Day With Your Girls

It’s that time of year, friends. That’s right! All those heart-shaped candies, red foil balloons, and giant teddy bears are in the stores for one reason. Galentine’s Day! Okay, it may not be THE reason, exactly. But as a wise woman named Leslie Knope once said, “We have to remember what’s important in life: friends, waffles, and work. Or waffles, friends, work. But work has to come third.” I appreciate each one of my dear girl friends, so what better way to celebrate my friends and take a break from work than with mimosas, rose, and funfetti pancakes and waffles? The answer is there’s no better way. So how can you plan the perfect Galentine’s Day to celebrate your girls? Lucky for you, I’ve got all the inspiration you need right here. Visit the post, here.

#7 – Super Easy DIY Magnolia Wreath

When it comes to your front door, I almost don’t think it’s complete without a wreath. I’ve made a lot of wreaths over the past 6+ years for all seasons, but my favorite one has to be this simple yet darling magnolia wreath. very time I share a photo of the wreath, I still get so many questions about where I got it. Not to mention, when people come to find out how I made it, they almost can’t believe how easy (and inexpensive!) it was. Constructing the wreath was actually super easy and took me less than an hour to do. In fact, I did it while watching a Texas A&M football game. The best part? I only spent about $30 total on the supplies without the 40% off coupon. Visit the post, here.

#6 – DIY No-Sew Pillow Covers (From Old Curtain Panels!)

Throw pillows are one of the easiest ways to change up your space’s look on a budget. The only problem is, what do you do with your old throw pillows when they no longer fit your home’s decor style? They’re not exactly something you can throw away guilt-free. On the blog, I shared with you a little DIY hack on how to give a second life to your old throw pillows with those old curtain panels you probably already have in the back of your linen closet! Visit the post, here.

#5 – DIY Framed Chalkboard Wall Tutorial

I still don’t know how I talked Rob into letting me create giant framed chalkboard wall in the breakfast nook of our kitchen. It’s one of my favorite projects that we’ve done in our house so far, and obviously y’all loved it too! Ever since I posted about our chalk board wall project on Instagram, I’ve gotten so many messages dying to know how we did it. I put the tutorial up on the blog, and you won’t believe how easy and inexpensive it was! Visit the post, here.

#4 – How-To Set Your Table Like A Professional This Holiday Season

Setting your table is probably one of the most simple steps you can take to leave a lasting impression on your guests. It sets the tone for the meal and it’s the first thing they’ll notice when they walk in your dining room. Not to mention, you can do it with what you already have in your home! So, whether this is your first year hosting the holidays or you’re sticking to just a dinner party with the girls, you’ll be a tablescape pro by the end of this blog post! Visit the post, here.

#3 – The Perfect Farmhouse Floral Curtains + My Curtain Hanging Hacks

You’re probably the type of person that feels almost naked when you leave the house without your jewelry on. It’s the final touch that can bring your whole outfit together. Well, the way I look at them, curtains are the jewelry for your home. They really have a way to bring your space together and to another level. The proof can definitely be seen with my dining room. I’m honestly blown away at the difference that it made. I was definitely not surprised to see my post about my dining room curtains make the top 2 for our 2018 recap and the top 3 in this year’s recap. I am still as obsessed with them as I was when they arrived. Shop them for yourself and visit the post, here.

#2 – The Easiest DIY Balloon Garland Tutorial

This post was #1 in 2018, and it’s still one of my most popular posts, driving thousands of people to my site each week. Two summers ago I had the opportunity to host a huge baby shower for one of my absolute best friends. Since she is a wedding photographer, I know just how much photographs mean to her for capturing life’s precious memories. I wanted to create a beautiful photo backdrop for her to be able to capture memories with her family and friends throughout the afternoon. The gold sequin backdrop was a no-brainer when it came to celebrating this sassy mama-to-be. Adding a white and soft pink balloon garland gave it the sweet, whimsical touch that I was inspired by with the baby’s nursery. The best part was that it was super easy to make! Visit the post and the tutorial, here.

Drumroll, please…

Our Top Post for 2019:

#1 – Pink Floral Diaper Cake + The Only Diaper Cake Tutorial You’ll Need

Just like my balloon garland tutorial, this diaper cake tutorial was one of my top posts in 2018 (#4 to be exact.) Even now, this post brings thousands of people to my blog each week. There’s a lot of DIY tutorials out there on Pinterest. But, I can promise that this is the only diaper cake tutorial you’ll need to shower your momma-to-be friends with the one thing they’ll not be able to get enough of. Whether the shower is diaper themed like the one I had the pleasure to attend or you want to get creative with gifting clothes and necessities, a diaper cake is a great DIY that will take the boring out of a box of diapers. Visit the post, here.

 

 

Happy New Year, friends! I hope you enjoyed this little trip down memory lane as much as I did. I have so many dreams for A Hosting Home in 2020, and I can’t wait for all that this new year (and decade!) have to offer! Is there anything you want to see on #ahostinghome’s blog in 2020? Make sure to tell me by leaving me a comment below!