Friday, July 4, 2014

Saturday Spotlight: Alaina from Arbor House Lane

Hi, everyone!   Kris from Junk Chic Cottage and I wanted to do a regular feature on our blogs, something unique that hasn't been done before.   So we came up with an idea to 'spotlight the real life behind the blogger' in a more personal way.
There is so much talent and inspiration in blogland, and we thought it would be fun to bring you a closer look at the person behind the blog.

Every week on Saturday we will spotlight a blogger and have them tell us a little bit about themselves and their blogs.  You will be able to see and read about each of the bloggers on both Kris's and my blog. 

      



Today my guest is Alaina from Arbor House Lane.  I adore Alaina's  beautiful home and her stunning garden! Please sit back and enjoy getting to know her better.


Hi, welcome to Arbor House Lane, I'm Alaina and I am so excited to be invited  by Susan from Must Love Junk for "Saturday Spotlight: Life Behind the Blogger."




I live in Pendleton, a small suburb outside of Buffalo, New York.
I am married to my wonderful husband Chris and we have 3 great kids.
Western New York is a great place to live.
We live within 20 minutes of the city of Buffalo, lake Erie, the city of Niagara Falls and lake Ontario.  During the summer you can find many activities to keep you entertained, from field days, amusement parks, drive-ins, zoo, museums, garden walks, concerts, and shows.

I named my blog Arbor House Lane because of all the arbors our gardens.
 I originally started blogging in 2010 to promote an upcomming business.
However, that did not happen, instead I went back to working in the banking industry.

I continued blogging because I was inspired by so many bloggers.
I found so many women whom enjoyed decorating like I do.
I found friends.
I also try to inspire others.




My husband and kids.

Our oldest son will be 12 on the 4th of July.
My daughter turned 10 on April fools day.
The little guy, he will be 8 near Veteran's Day, when he was supposed to be born. We planned to have him on a holiday too, but he decided to come early.

We have been together for 20 years and married for 16, on Valentine's Day.
We first started building our home in 1997.
 My husband and I were only just engaged when we started building our home together, while planning our wedding.
We were involved in every step of the building.
Our home is built with love.

It all started with a empty field.


During the process of building our home 1997.


Our home finished in 2007, or so we thought.


In 2008 we added on a 4 car garage with a new master bedroom above.




Our home as it is today.
We have come a long way.

I have tried to make our home a reflection of my creativeness.
I have learned to slipcover, paint and I have found my fondness for white.
I would like to think that my home is an eclectic mix of farmhouse country.








I love my home and I enjoy decorating it for all the seasons.
Living in Western New York gives an opportunity to experiences all four seasons.

 Spring and Summer are my favorite weather.
Christmas and Halloween are my favorite time to decorate.











I love to be outside gardening when I am not painting something for my home.






I learned how to sew when I was young,
but it was not until a couple of years ago that I tried to sew slipcovers.
 Now I just love sewing pillows and making slipcovers.
Here are a few of my recent ones.




I also love to paint furniture and my home creatively.







I try to be creative, here are some of my creations.









Something most of my readers do not know about me.

I am over 80% deaf in both of my ears and I wear hearing aides.
Long story short, in my early 20's I had tumors in both of my ears that had to be removed several times.
Do not feel sorry for me, I didn't.
During my recovery, while I could not work,
 I went back to college and earned dual business degrees.
Even after college I had a couple more surgeries.
I did not let that stop me from;
 going back to work
 meeting and marrying the man of my dreams
having 3 children
and
owning my own business.

I have found, if you really want something,
you will let nothing stand in your way of getting it.
I am not saying it may not be hard, or there may not be delays.
Keep working at it.
Don't give up on your dreams.

And now in my 40's I am going back to college to get my accounting degree.



Thank you so much Susan for inviting me to participate in Saturday Spotlight and letting me share a little about myself. 
Thank you for everyone who stopped by to visit.
  Alaina

I hope everyone had a Happy 4th of July!

Alaina, thanks so much for sharing! I have to say that I really learned a lot about you!
Please visit Arbor House Lane then head over to Kris's blog to read about Bonnie from White Lace and Promises.
Have a wonderful day! :)


24 comments:

  1. Another great blog that I'll ave to start following! Thanks for sharing her Susan!

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  2. Alaina it is so nice to meet you. Thank you for sharing yourself and your love of white and farmhouse decor. A girl after my own heart. I am a new follower so glad that you said you would do Spotlight so I could find you and your blog.
    Kris

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  3. Thank you Susan, it was my pleasure to be asked to be in your spotlight. Alaina

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  4. Wow, Alaina, you go girl - you rock! Love your home. Yours and your husband's DIY skills are to die (and go to heaven) for! Thank you for sharing with us. Susan, thank you too!

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  5. Susan, That is a wonderful story told by Alaina. She has a beautiful home and great little family. Wishing her the very best. Thanks for this feature. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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  6. So great to meet you. I love your style and I look forward to seeing more of your creations. Your home is absolutely stunning. I applaud your going after your dream even when it didn't work out as you had planned. I did the same thing and am in a time of transition since everything didn't work out. Thanks for sharing. Love reading about your family and your story.

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  7. I always love visiting Alaina's home. Especially during Halloween. No one does Halloween like her!

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  8. Beautiful home, inside and out! Alaina has decorated her room beautifully. Love her Halloween decorations! : ) She's done some great projects, especially the slip covers. Beautiful family! Thanks for introducing Alaina to us, Susan!

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  9. Love this post. Was wondering if Alaina would do a slipcover for a wingchair? I ordered one on line and it didn't fit well. Was so upset. Love hers.
    Alaina your home is beautiful.
    Lisa
    Leeshideaway.blogspot.com

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  10. Alaina...love your home and your decorating style. Heading over to visit your blog.
    ~Cindy

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  11. Hi Susan,
    Happy Saturday, I'm here to check out today's spotlight. Alaina has a very pretty home and lovely gardens. I'm headed over to check out her blog.
    XO,
    Vera

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  12. Susan, I hope this is not a duplicate post...I hit publish on the first and it disappeared! I've been having so many technical and computer issues & it's so very frustrating. So happy to be able to visit again!

    Alaina, your home is gorgeous and you have such a beautiful family! My ex was originally from Buffalo. I was there with tons of snow as well as in the summer. :) I have a dear friend that just moved back to Syracuse to help her parents. Her photos are lovely too. I will be by to check your blog!

    Thanks so much to both of you for sharing ~
    xo
    Pat

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  13. I have not read Alaina's blog. I love her house! It's beautiful. I'm very impressed with her perseverance to do things to improve her life. Guess you're never to old to make those choices! Thanks for sharing her story today.

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  14. After all this time reading Alaina's blog, I had no idea they built that house new. Now that's the BEST kind of old house. It's beautiful!!

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  15. What a lovely home Alaina has. I too started sewing when I was young (6th grade) but have never taken on the challenge to make slip covers. I will have to check out her blog and get some inspiration! Thanks for sharing!

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  16. Beautiful home. I lived in NY (Long Island) all my life. We just moved to Middle Tennessee and are building our dream home.
    I too want the white shabby chic style to resonate throughout my new home. Just adore your decorating.
    I am new to sewing (although I sew and sell yoga clothes) but I want to make slip covers for a couple of furnishing I have. Did you use patterns? Kind of nipped and tucked along the way? Did you find it difficult?
    Thanks for sharing. Love it.

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  17. Hi Alana,
    I LOVE that you built your house using a design classic. A woman after my own heart! The gardens and house is just beautiful and I love your style especially the Halloween and Easter decorating that you put together. The kitchen, dining room, living room...wow, really comfortable looking and serene. I'm trying to get up the ambition to make two slipcovers myself. I know I am supposed to make test covers out of muslin first. Oh, my gosh, what a lot of work! Thank you for the nice visit.
    Ginene

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  18. Wonderful story and stunning house and garden. I love the Xmas decorations too.
    Kisses
    Alessandra

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  19. Alaina has a most beautiful home and family...I love her farmhouse decor and all of her creative paint projects!...So nice to meet you Alaina...and your gardens are so wonderful and charming...A very good friend of mine is in the Buffalo area now attending her family reunion..there are 13 kids in her family!...so you can imagine what a reunion that it....I love the Buffalo area ... visited many years ago...

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  20. Wow! What an absolutely amazing home!

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  21. love alaina's darling family, home and gardens! thanks for sharing, susan!

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  22. Oh how I LOVED this Alaina!!! Getting to know you so much better is just so great! I love how determined you are my dear and love that you never let anything stop you! You are such a talent at creating a home that anyone wish was their's. It is amazing!!!! You have such a gift with decorating and what a gem you and your husband have made here. Of course I adore your garden!!!! AMAZING!
    What a joy this was Alaina. Loved reading more about you.
    much love from here...

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