10 MOST READ BLOG POSTS FROM 2018

As we close out 2018 and another year of blogging at JacinthaPayne.com, I thought it would be fun to put together a list of "reader favorites" from the year. Here are 10 of the most read blog posts. Enjoy!

10. DETAILS: INITIATE RELATIONSHIPS

When I think about creating a culture of anticipating needs in my own life, I can't help but think of the importance of creating a good network of relationships. Relationships have helped sharpen me and think about things from angles that are new to me. Relationships push me out of my comfort zone and helped me know how to think like other people, which helps me anticipate needs. Some relationships happen organically, while others take initiative and sometimes even planning.

09. A CHARMING VISIT TO PALM SPRINGS - CA

Every once in a while, you get to visit a place where it feels like you're transported to a completely different time and space. Palm Springs, CA is that place for me. I've always seen beautiful pictures from Palm Springs and heard about people loving to vacation there and when I finally got to go, I couldn't get enough.

08. MOOD BOARDS FOR THE BOYS' ROOMS

As the arrival of sweet Abner draws ever closer, I've been putting last minute touches on the decor for his nursery. While we've been reusing some of the main furniture pieces for his room, I wanted his room to take on a new feel of its own - just for him. One way I tried to wrap my brain around what I want the boys rooms to look like is by creating "mood boards" for each of them. I try to make them something more than just a collage of photos - I want them to be something I could print out and show to Emet and Abner some day when they are older and add to their memory books. I wanted them to get a feel for the love and thought behind even the little details like decorating their room. Every color and piece has a meaning.

07. A PLAYLIST FOR THE WEEKEND VOL. 4

I made a playlist of nostalgic songs that take me to another place and time. This music always reminds me of summer and going to the beach. So happy! I hope you enjoy this playlist as much as I do.

06. 10 BOOKS TO READ IN 2018

I love reading - to gain knowledge, to learn how things work, and to create memorable experiences - I love all of it. As we move into the new year and fill it with all kinds of resolutions and goals, I wanted to share a list of books on my reading list, along with some I've enjoyed recently. It's a mixture; from fun family to helpful and productive reads.

05. HOW I EDIT MY PHOTOS

I get a lot of questions about how I edit my photos, so I thought I would share it all here for those who are interested. This post has been on the cycle of blogs that I have been working on for the last two weeks and I'm excited to finally get it out to you to you today.

04. ORGANIZING A WEDDING

I learned a lot from my own wedding. I'm the kind of person who spends time reflecting and thinking through how I can do things better. There were so many good memories and wonderful things about my wedding day - but there were definitely some things that I would go back and change to make it run smoother. Here we are, many years later. I've spent several years working in event planning and a big part of that job was organizing details and anticipating needs. Along the way, I've worked several weddings in a coordinating or planning role and I've been able to try different things - weighing what works and what doesn't.

03. SCHEDULING YOUR LITTLE ONE

As the arrival of our first born son drew near, it was my goal to do as much preparation ahead of time so I could care for him in the best way possible. Plus, I wanted to know as much as I could about what to expect with welcoming a newborn into our family. Of course, I had many friends and moms tell me that I “had to read this book” or “that book.” The list was long, but I was determined to wrap my head around parenting. As I considered the things I read, I noticed a glaring problem with most of these books. While most laid out a good plan, they lacked a convincing WHY to support their method. I took a step back to wade through the various techniques and put together my own framework for scheduling our children.

02. ANOTHER PAYNE IS ON THE WAY

We couldn't be more excited for this life that we are gifted with and we're so looking forward to meeting him in August! We're praising the Lord for this news and we're trusting Him as the baby continues to develop. Here are some photos from a shoot we did today to announce the little guy. Enjoy!

01. CULTIVATING A PEACEFUL HOME

One of the things I've always wanted for my family is a peaceful home. A peaceful place where we can rest, eat, dance, be productive, and retreat. I hope to create a home that's a dependable place to come back to after a long day. Where we know exactly what we're walking into. I want it to be a place that calls to remembrance the smell of warm food cooking in the oven, a fresh spring breeze wandering in through the windows, and the sound of music playing softly in the background.

Thank you for reading and sharing this year with me! 

|  Credits: Author - Jacintha Payne; Photography -  Ali Marsh, Jacintha and Calvin Payne.  |