You know how sometimes I post embarrassing pictures of myself to get a point across? (Blog Puberty anyone?) This is one of those posts. Awwww yeah.
Do you ever have your mind set on something and no matter what you do, or how bad you want it, it is just out of your control? Co-dependants like me hate that kind of stuff.
The Homies on Apartment Therapy are keeeeeelling me.
Did you know that this is my 3rd time being in the finals? Third. Yes, I know, that is amazing. But do you know what else it is? It’s a little bit embarrassing. Like, I just cant seal the deal?
The phrase “Always a bridesmaid and never the bride” comes to mind.
So in a Hail Mary effort, I thought it would be sort of fun to don the most fantastic bridesmaid dresses that I could find, just to show you guys how severely I want to win the award for Best DIY Blog.
You catch more flies with honey, hopefully the same is true for catching more votes with dresses that smell like my grandma’s closet. Please enjoy.
I mean, I have a healthy relationship with public embarrassment, it’s fine. In all reality, I know that this is a contest for amazing DIY bloggers, not people who post stupid pictures of themselves on the internet. (The hashtag #selfie would kill everyone if that was the case) So lets have a look back at some of the awesome DIY that happens up in here.
Right now my all time fave is the project that I posted yesterday. An upcycled leather couch into a sling bench.
Here are a few of my favorite before and afters:
Dylan’s Dream Room (as seen in this months HGTV Magazine!)
![Dylan Before[2]](https://lh4.ggpht.com/-pt6Y2I3GDkw/UXD-YmOZZyI/AAAAAAAANSE/S3BgGC0ywJ4/Dylan%252520Before%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Epic Room Makeover Giveaway Winner: (this is the giveaway that I do every year for one lucky reader! Who knows, it might be you this year!!)
And a few of my favorite DIY’s:
West Elm Rug Knock Off
Conduit Pipe Table
Faking it till you make it is not something that I have ever been good at (I am just too awkward to be cool) but that is one of the things that I think is so special about Vintage Revivals. 4 years ago I was just a stay at home mom, who was decor paralyzed because of fear and the lack of funds. I think a lot of people can relate to that.
I think that the projects that are on Vintage Revivals are ideas that you dont find anywhere else. Imagination and the willing-to-try-anything fearlessness is what breathes life into it. The best part is that I do all of the failing and can teach you guys the easiest way to do something (lucky ducks!)
(Cue sappy music)
For me, winning the Homies is not about a popularity contest, or about making my blog bigger to make more money, or about the title.
It is about being able to reach people that might not find VR any other way. It is about empowering someone who was where I was. And teaching you guys, that while its not always pretty, that creating a home that you love, is ALWAYS worth it. It is like a giant pat on the back from the people that love what you do.
The term DIY is used to describe about a million different things. But for me it means that I have the guts to take something horrendous and transform it. It means that I dont have to do what a catalog or a magazine tell me I need to do because it is SO on trend. It gives me freedom to let me be me. And VR gives me the chance to pass that along to you guys.
And after writing all of that, I dont even care about the Homies anymore, I just want a group hug!!
You guys, I know it is annoying to vote for something, really, I am human with an internet connection and FB. I get it. It is lame and stupid, and I wish that there was another non cheating way.
But there isnt.
I need you man! If you think that VR is the best DIY blog in the blogosphere, (or at least in the Finals for the Homies) now is the time to share!!
So what do you say? Will you take 2 minutes out of your day and do it?
(this is the part where I stop talking and you say yes.)
Also not to push the subject too much, but I might kiss you on the mouth if you shared the link with your friends.
Of course, only if you want to take our friendship to the next level. Your call.
The polls close TONIGHT at 12 pm EST. Which means we have 9 hours to make this happen. You are allowed to vote once per person. Duplicate votes will be removed!
In closing I would like to leave you with this gem. I think I found a new profile picture ya’ll!
Psst! I found all of the dresses at Butterfields Antiques on St. George Blvd. She has the most beautiful vintage clothing I have ever seen!
Is it wrong that I kind of love the first two dresses?
I love the first dress too! I was a little girl in the 70s. 😉
I will have you know, that I almost never vote for surveys and I DEFINITELY don’t sign up or register to vote for something.. but I did because you put on the dresses. Please tell me at least you never had to wear them at an actual wedding…
Mandi, I continue to love you so hard. I have been super busy doing life, so I wasn’t even aware that you were up for the Homies. I have a couple of other friends in your category, but you get will my vote due to your originality and spunk in this post. (This means the next time I send you an email, you owe me a response. And maybe that kiss on the mouth… haha) xo
voted. shared. i hope you kick some boo-tay. (those dresses are seriously lovely.) 🙂
i like the first dress! looks vintage! i voted for ya; wish we could vote more than once!!! good luck!
Even if I wasn’t a big fan of yours you would have my vote! Any girl who gets out there and shows those bridesmaid dresses who is in charge deserves to win this!
I voted for you, Mandi! You got me with those adorkable dresses and your desire to help empower people to take a risk and try something new. you go, girl! I hope you win!
I would totally vote for you based on those pics alone (seriously, that is dedication girlfriend) – but I’m mostly voting for you because I love your blog, your style, and the way you write. When I get rich one day I’m going to have you make my house pretty for me because I have NO eye for this type of thing. Okay? Cool. See you then. xoxo
Voted! BTW…you seriously look rrrrrrradiantly rrrrrravashing in those dresses! best wishes!
Voted!!! Good luck!! You make those dresses look gooood!!
Love your GUTSyness Mandi! Voted and hope you win! Y’all get out in there and vote!!
I have to say, you are quite the chameleon! You look beautiful and goofy all at the same time, which is what makes you so lovable! I voted for you…and I really hope you win!
P.S. That leather bench from yesterday is SO MAJ!!
I voted for you. You deserve to win because you’ve been doing this for years and your work is inspired and just keeps getting better. Your skinned couch tutorial yesterday was genius.
The amount of creative content you’ve pumped out in the last year has been amazing.
that first hippie dress is not embarrassing! you look great in it! just my opinion! and you totally deserve this–you rock at what you do and bring so much inspiration to many!
wow
I voted! I hope you win! You deserve it.
i NEVER vote or comment so for me to do both today for you is true love! But you totally deserve this one!!! Good luck!! Thank you for always keeping it real, and for keeping me laughing!
Hi-LARRY-us!!!
Aw, voted for you back on Monday. Actually, voted for you in the preliminaries–against myself! For all the reasons you list here. Even though I blog in this niche, there’s a lot about it that pinches my nerves. You never do. Love your fearlessness and authenticity and creativity. Hope you win.
‘Do you know what this post is? Embarrassing.’
Fixed that for you.
I’ve been a reader of this blog for a while and have really, really enjoyed it… until today.
Your grandma’s closet must smell pretty good — I think dress number one is lovely!
Love the hippie trippy dippy! Voted!
It has been done.
P.S. I bought HGTV Magazine this month just so I could look at your daughter’s room again. I swear I’m not a stalker…
P.P.S. I LOVE that you’re from St. George! My dad’s family is from Cedar and I have so many fond memories of St. George. Brings me so much joy!
I have voted from every email address and my hubbies! You soooooooo deserve this !!
That is exactly how I felt after I lost your contest I was so crushed !! I so hope you win !!!
Good luck from your biggest fan!!
Lynda
Mandi you are too funny! I went to vote Monday, but didn’t when I found out I had to register. Seeing your post today convinced me to bite the bullet and register not one, but two email accounts. The voting is close so now I may go back and use my husband’s too! Good luck, and you def win for best sense of humor.
Hi, I just found your blog yesterday but I totally voted for you based on those pictures alone. I love that you even styled your hair for each dress. You crack me up! I’m looking forward to browsing through all of your awesome posts. I hope you rock the vote!! You deserve to win! 🙂
I never vote for these kinds of thinks, but I think you deserve it. You always crack me up if nothing else. You’re not that far behind. Hope you win. Oh and for voting, I think you should make me a cube light. It’s way too cute! Good luck.
You totally convinced me to vote. I wouldn’t have done it if you hadn’t dressed up for us and begged! I love your style/creativity and you really deserve to win. I never comment or vote for things I have to sign up for but you’re special! It worked!
Mandi! You make me happy. Everything you write is genuine and filled with your bright fearless self. I voted you the best because you simply make me happy. Keep up the good work and brilliant ideas.
I only made it to dress #1 before hopping over to apartment therapy to register and vote. Which generally I don’t do. I also generally don’t comment. But between yesterday and today, you’ve done the 2 things I love most in a blog. Inspired me, and made me laugh. Never thought I’d find such an amazing DIY blog through a make-up blog (yay maskcara!) Keep doing what you’re doing, you do it so well!
Mandi, you are so stinking cute! Not that you needed to convince me, but this blog post made me go vote. Good luck!!
Mandi, holy crappo, I just checked it again, you’re gonna do it!!!
I signed up and voted for you, Mandi! I’m typically a lurker, but ever since I came across your blog, I LOVE all of the creative DIY things you do and share. Your energy is infectious, and it truly seems that you care about what you do and also value your readers. Good luck, crossing my fingers for you. 🙂
You are not only a great creator, but also hilarious!
I love this line: ” In all reality, I know that this is a contest for amazing DIY bloggers, not people who post stupid pictures of themselves on the internet. “
That first dress is a keeper….adorable! 🙂
Voted! Took me until now to… but you won me over 😉
Its 11:36 eastern and you are currently in first eeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!
Voted, girlfriend! Good luck! You are in the lead!!!
Lookin’ hawt in those dresses.
I don’t usually take the time to vote for all these things but after reading your bridesmaid post I took the time and voted for ya! Love your humor and that your still not taking things too serious. (;
I hope you took a picture of yourself in a bride’s dress too!! I adore you and your style! WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER! Or tofu, you know, if you’re a vegetarian .. .
It looks like we have a WINNER! Congrats!
YOU WON! YOU WON! YOU WON! YAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYY! SO HAPPY FOR YOU THIS MORNING!
You did it! Congratulations!
I’ll vote only if you tell me where you got the dresser of drawers for maskcar’s room or if you know who the designer is? Any details to help me find one of my own. I’m obsessed with it! 😉
Only teasing I would vote for you anytime beastie 😉 but I’m serious about needing that dresser!
Happy day!
Ok so I know it’s one of those library card catalogues — how can I find one? Yes I am obsessed but I think you can understand 😉
Amy! They are super hard to find at a reasonable price. We found Cara’s at an antique store in Vegas called Not Just Antiques. It was around $350 or so (I cant remember exactly!) Here is a link to their website! https://www.notjustantiquesmart.com/
xo
m
You’re awesome, Thank you. Yes I have been looking around online today and they are hard to come by. The best one I can find is $650 and $300 to ship. Gasp. I’ll be in Vegas in April so thanks for the store suggestion. 🙂
Oh and hands down you deserve to win!!
Congrats Mandi!! SO well deserved!! 🙂
Of course, I’m voting for you! You are the cutest thing and you make me smile and laugh! This was the best plug for a vote I think I have ever read or seen — the bridesmaid dresses were genius. Too cute. Much much luck to you!
I tried, I really tried to vote for you — stupid me the voting was over : (
Voted a couple of days ago and shared the link on my Facebook page. To me, this blog is exactly what you have intended it to be: an awesome place to completely inspire (and blow the minds of) curious-DIY-scaredy-cats like this kid. On that note and because of your encouragement, I have actually started to refinish my dresser last week. Soooo amateur compared to the projects you tackle, but something that I have never, ever done…so it’s a big deal to me. Not quite finished yet, but I would love to share the before and after pics with you if that’s okay. I have never met you, but I freaking love your guts too. Thank you for your inspiration. Vintage Revivals is by far the best blog I’ve ever seen, whether the Homie contest determines that or not. Seriously. Keep on rocking in the free world sister, you kick a$$!!!
Janelle! You had better show that baby off!! We all start somewhere (and I am sure your starting point is way ahead of where mine was!) I cant wait to see it!!
xo
m
Yayy! That is awesome Mandi, thanks so much for your response and continued encouragement!! Can’t wait to show you the final product…!!! I feel it would be comparable to people auditioning on American Idol and singing a song in front of their favorite artist…or a young kid wearing Nike’s who just made his school’s basketball team trying to show Micheal Jordan how to dunk a basketball. That is how I imagine it will be showing YOU what my completed dresser will look like….!!!! Seriously stoked.
Random question, is there a way to be notified by e-mail when you reply to one of my responses? I just happened to check this posting to see if you wrote back, (thank you again!), but hoping there’s a way to have an automatic e-mail sent after you respond. I know my favorite dessert blogger (and life-long best friend at http://www.lifeloveandsugar.com) was able to change a setting on her end so that her readers would be notified when she responded to their comments…so just wanted to ask and/or make you aware.
Thanks again for your kind words sister! 🙂 And CONGRATS if you truly won the contest (basing this off the above comments)…you claiming the victory is so, so well deserved!!!!
I will ask my coder! I know that there is a little box you can check that says Notify Me of Follow Up Comments or something like that. When you check that box it will email you if anyone replies!
xo
m
I SO voted for you. I actually voted twice and would have voted again right now except I guess you can’t. Lame. You can do it!!!
Came across your blog after looking at the homies list, read your story, your room makeovers (!!!!) and signed up for an apartment therapy account so I could vote for you! Love your ‘fearless’ style, inspiring-raw-real story and your girls! Keep it up, I think good things are coming your way!
I voted for you on day 1. Actually, I submitted your blog. Love it! Best DIY out there, hands down! And most unique too.
Girl, you WON!!!!!!! So excited for you!!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats on winning the Homie!! Very well deserved – I’ve been following you pretty much since the beginning and your style has really evolved in past year+. Great year for you to win it!!! CONGRATS!!
YOU WON! YOU WON! YOU WON! 😀 Congrats, lady!!!
Congratulations!!! Love your blog….keep up the good work and always always keep the faith!!
xoxo
Clare
This is so amazing! Your posts are so incredible!
I didn’t even see this post and I voted;) I also bought HGTV mag just for your pic;)