Living Life to the Fullest – Giving Our Home TLC

by VIP Guest Blogger on January 12, 2010

The idea of writing a post about living life to the fullest immediately intrigued me because I spend so much time trying to do just that!

Back in 2003, my husband and I bought our first house and I painted a huge reminder to “live life” across the wall in our dining room:

It read, “ENJOY THE LIFE OF YOUR TIME”. I used to love strolling in there in the morning and starting my day off with a smile. :-)

Nowadays, we call The Lettered Cottage home, and blogging about putting a smile back on its ugly, unhappy face has become such a wonderfully fulfilling adventure. There is a excitement in not knowing what you’re going to reveal about yourself and your home from one day to the next, and I have never felt so fulfilled.

But living life to the fullest doesn’t have to mean everything is all sunshine and rainbows. In fact, I find that the more risks I take and the more mistakes I make, the more fulfilled I feel too. Why? Because the art of living passionately lies in the ability to laugh at yourself and find fun in plain old, ordinary, everyday life.

So don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty and do something that scares you once in a while!
Then go out and climb more mountains, limbo like no one is looking, paint the town raspberry and don’t forget to smile! It doesn’t cost a thing and the world will be a brighter place because of it. :-)

Written by Layla Palmer. Layla Palmer writes The Lettered Cottage, where she shares everything beautiful and inspires us to creating a place that makes our souls smile. She is a design consultant who literally brings the TLC. You can follow her at Twitter @letteredcottage

This post is part of Blissdom Conference ticket giveaway.

VIP Guest Blogger

We are very lucky to have partnered with some amazing guest writers for Skimbaco who contribute on a regular basis or guest post on specific topics. If you would like to become a guest writer - contact us!

Tagged as: Blissdom Blogger Contest, home inspiration, The Lettered Cottage

{ 657 comments }

← Previous Comments

1 Stephanie W January 13, 2010 at 15:01: Love Layla and Kevin at the Lettered Cottage. We can all learn alot from them!
2 Karin @ 6byHisDesign January 13, 2010 at 15:11: Way to go Layla! Love your post!
Karin
3 Krys January 13, 2010 at 15:40: You’re always very inspiring (style and attitude!)
4 Cherish January 13, 2010 at 15:58: Thank you for your words of inspiration. Your blog has truly inspired me to love my home instead of just live in a house.
5 Carri January 13, 2010 at 16:13: Layla is a great example of taking chances and inspiring others. I hope you win the ticket, Layla!
6 Staci January 13, 2010 at 16:58: Love Layla & Kevin & their blog. Can’t go a day without reading it. She deserves to win & definitely is living life to the fullest!
7 Karen Nicely January 13, 2010 at 17:37: Layla,

Love this post and the wonderful reminder with the stenciled expression on the wall. Going to do the same sort of thing on my bathroom room . . . inspirational sayings to ponder for the few short moments in there.

Good luck and hope you win.

- Karen
8 Jennifer January 13, 2010 at 17:49: Beautifully written!
9 Amanda January 13, 2010 at 17:51: Both of you are an inspiration to LIVE LIFE to the fullest. I visit your site often and am inspired by everything you do. You are truly making this house YOUR HOME and what a home, the LOVE is EVERYWHERE. Good luck Layla and I would love to have you as my BESTIE ;-) . Cheers Amanda (an Aussie Fan) x
10 Julianna January 13, 2010 at 17:53: I also stumbled upon Layla’s blog and have saved it as a favorite! I love to check out what new things she is up to.
I hope you win!
11 Sarah January 13, 2010 at 18:31: There is not a kinder, more generous blogger out there! Just one look at Layla’s lovely blog, and you know she lives life to the fullest.
12 Jane January 13, 2010 at 18:34: Thanks for this, Layla! I want you to win. You are the best!
13 JessicaC January 13, 2010 at 18:49: Good luck…love your blog!
14 Erin January 13, 2010 at 19:24: What an awesome post! Dreaming of things in raspberry now . . .
15 Liony January 13, 2010 at 19:31: Good luck on the contest, I hope you’ll win!
16 Rachel January 13, 2010 at 19:34: Not sure how I found TLC but enjoy checking in everyday. Who knew this blog thing could be so much fun! Get the girl a ticket!
17 Marin January 13, 2010 at 19:56: Layla and her husband have done an amazing job on their home. She deserves great things! I’ve never noticed/seen the quote above your table, it’s fantastic! Good luck!
18 Carol Grissom January 13, 2010 at 20:01: Love you Layla!! Your blog is first on my list every morning with coffee in hand! ♥
19 KimB January 13, 2010 at 20:22: Great job Layla!
20 Holly January 13, 2010 at 20:45: Here’s to Layla! I look forward to reading TLC’s blog every day to see what she’s come up with!

Good luck girl :)
21 Carol January 13, 2010 at 20:49: Layla I love the way you decorate and the way you write. Your style with both has a very comfortable feel. I especially like the quotes you post, I love words and words on the wall whether framed or directly on the walls out there in the open to uplift and bring a smile to my face. Many of your postings have done this for me. Thank you.
P.S. how did you paint “enjoy the life of your time” on your wall, stencil?
22 hello gorgeous January 13, 2010 at 20:50: Layla is a beautiful woman – inside & out! Her blog is inspiring.
23 jewelee January 13, 2010 at 20:57: Layla = Blissdom.
24 Holly January 13, 2010 at 21:34: Layla,
You are so much fun to read. You’re truly talented. Thanks for inspiring me.
Holly
25 Shelly January 13, 2010 at 21:55: Love your blog and all the great ideas.
26 Courtney January 13, 2010 at 22:02: Layla, thanks so much for the great post! It was really great!
27 vanessa January 13, 2010 at 22:21: Love checking the TLC first thing every morning.
V
28 Angela January 13, 2010 at 22:50: Great post Layla! I look forward to reading you blog every morning, it’s such a good way to start the day. Thanks for the inspirations.
29 Michele Calahan January 13, 2010 at 23:02: Thank you for the beauty you create and the inspiration you fuel.

Michele Calahan
McAllen, Texas
30 Pony Girl January 13, 2010 at 23:15: So true…it is SO scary to take risks and make changes! But honestly, it is truly the best thing for us, when it happens. I always enjoy reading Layla’s blog, she has such a sweet, fun spirit, and is inspiring to me with her approach to home decor and life!
31 Sharyl January 13, 2010 at 23:49: I love reading Layla’s blog – she and her husband have amazingly creative ideas, and inexpensive too! I hope she wins!
32 Krista Lord January 14, 2010 at 00:45: Great post Layla. Love your blog! Watched you on CBN too. Great job. Hope you can make it to Blissdom.
33 Julia Perry January 14, 2010 at 00:51: Great post Layla! With so many uplifting things integrated into your home life, it’s no wonder that you are a candidate for this contest. Hope you make it to Nashville – it’s where I call home! Good luck!
34 Angie Lu January 14, 2010 at 02:13: I also stumbled across Layla’s website from God knows where… and now it is a daily must read. She and her husband and so stinkin cute and they seem so sweet, humble, and down to earth. Thanks for making the world a better place. :)
35 Jennie Welch January 14, 2010 at 07:11: Layla & her husband are an inspiration to many many readers who follow their progress on the The Lettered Cottage. Both are so talented, but there is something else about this couple that appeals to me. They work together to accomplish their goals and have fun doing it. Reading their blog is a good way to start off your day!!
36 tammylee January 14, 2010 at 07:45: great writing. and soooo true. you only go around once so enjoy every moment…..be it perfect or not so perfect :)
37 Luci January 14, 2010 at 08:48: Layla, you are such an inspiration to so many of us! I am crazy busy with all I have going on but I make time to read your blog everyday. Good luck getting to Blissdom, by the look of how many comments you’ve gotten, you have a good chance!!
38 Carol Ann January 14, 2010 at 11:18: thank you, that was great, inspiring as always!
39 Diema January 14, 2010 at 17:25: I found theletteredcottage.net in theNest magazine and immediately fell in love with the fact that ordinaries can do amazing home reno too! Life is about taking risks. It’s about finding new ways to fall in love with your life every day! I fully feel that Layla has a heart that inspires this kind of living! Rock on lady! I will forever be an avid reader of theletteredcottage.net.
40 Carmen January 14, 2010 at 18:35: I love Layla’s blog and her wonderful ideas! She is SO talented!!
41 natalie meester January 14, 2010 at 19:37: love your blog and all your ideas! Such a creative couple!
42 Jenn C. January 14, 2010 at 20:14: Thanks for the reminder, Layla. Now, I need to go find some way to get my hands dirty!!!
43 Jo January 14, 2010 at 21:23: Lovely post, Layla!
44 Brian January 14, 2010 at 21:43: I just found Layla’s blog while searching for inspiration to continue the renovation of our ugly duckling. Her approach and thoughts are just what we needed!
45 katy January 14, 2010 at 21:50: rock on
46 kim January 15, 2010 at 01:35: You deserve to win so I’m commenting hoping I can make a difference for you!
47 Miriam P January 15, 2010 at 03:31: Such a sweet post, and wonderful reminder of the goal we all should be working towards. Thanks Layla!
48 Mandy January 15, 2010 at 08:05: Layla is an inspiration to us all! I love her blog! I hope she wins!
49 Maureen B. January 15, 2010 at 08:46: I read the TLC blog every day because Layla is a daily inspiration to live life to its fullest! She rocks!
50 Arlene January 15, 2010 at 11:29: Great post. You are young, yet so wise!! Love your blog, as everone else has already said it is so inspirational. Keep up the good work!!