I have hundreds of DM’s in my inbox after I post I have hundreds of DM’s in my inbox after I posted about a controversial topic on my stories this morning. In true social media fashion, the response is overwhelming. Meanwhile, I posted some lovely garden photos yesterday and get all of 5 comments on them. 😑

This is why social media is so successful, am I right? It’s nice to see you all in my DM’s but please make your way over here from time to time. 😉 I honestly stay away from IG because of the addictive nature, but at the same time I’ve made so many friendships here that I truly value. There’s been times where I walk away from it altogether for weeks at a time. But every time I come back I’m reminded of how many kindred spirits that are out there, fighting the good fight. Doing the kingdom work we are called to do in a world where our culture doesn’t want there to be “right” or “wrong”. 

I can’t tell you how many “I feel so alone in this” messages I receive. It is so difficult going against the grain. Against all cultural norms. You feel like an alien… but I want you to know that you aren’t alone! Keep faithfully plodding and discipling to your children, my friends!
The sweetest little helpers in the garden. 🥕🍅🥒🫑🧺 

These garden photos are from last month! With this heat wave we are having we just harvested a TON of zucchini, squash, and cucumbers!

Do you have a garden this year? What are you growing? Also, if anyone has advice for how to get the tree swallows to stop attacking us when we go near their nest that’s be fabulous 😅😆 I don’t want to move it but we have stay on guard when we water in the mornings or they fly around trying to get us away! Those innate parental instincts are remarkable. ☺️
This week I’m writing + filming about a hallmark This week I’m writing + filming about a hallmark of the Charlotte Mason method: narration. Have you ever heard of it? What would you like to know? 

I’m focusing heavily on how we use narration in our homeschool, but if you have specific questions about it, I would love for you to 1. Take the poll in my stories, and 2. Ask any questions you may have about narration in the comments so that I can answer them in my video! ❤️
Happy Mother’s Day! I especially want to encoura Happy Mother’s Day! I especially want to encourage those who are intentionally making a better life for their children than what they may have experienced as kids. It is not easy to change the cycle, but it’s well worth the effort. 

In the words of Louisa May Alcott, “A woman's happiest kingdom is home, her highest honor is the art of ruling it not as a queen, but a wise wife and mother."
📚 We are moving right along with term three of 📚 We are moving right along with term three of our school year. Slow but steady, we will finish up mid June and I’ll begin prepping for next school year in July and August! 📚

Here’s some of my random old and new tips + what I’ve been doing to help keep organized with the CMEC. 

01. Keep a regular day for nature outings or field trips. We have two days a week where I intentionally plan a hike or museum visit, etc. One is usually at the middle of the week and the other is at the end. It offers great variety to our weeks.

02. Notebook! I have had the girls consistently notebook this year, and it’s been such a delight to go back and see my form 1b student’s progress! I have a video coming out about how we notebook and why you should try it very soon! 

03. To stay on track with our morning timetable I’ve been writing the time we end each lesson in my logbook. It’s really changed how productive I am in making sure we get everything on our timetable done for the day. (I have a video on my logbook if you’re interested in learning more about that!)

04. And 05. Popsicle sticks! Friends, if you’re already a CMEC family, use these to help you choose which activities you review! I have on these for old singing games, French songs, folk dances or Swedish drill routines. I’ll share more on what I have on ours, specifically, but it’s fun because the girls and I get to be surprised rather than me choosing what we review!

06. Art instruction. Originally I had us doing three art lessons per week in the afternoon, but it didn’t allow for enough free choice, so we’ve reduced it down to one formal lesson a week for six weeks, then we change the method. So right now we are in week two of our chalkdrawing lessons. After six weeks we will switch to brush drawing instruction for the remainder of the term! As Charlotte Mason recommends, we draw from memory, model, and from imagination. 🌞

I hope this was helpful to you! So many of you guys are using @the.cmec next year! I am SO excited to see all of you at the online form meetings this coming year! 👏🏻 #thecmec #thecmecform1 #charlottemason
Do you keep your spices in a cabinet, on a shelf o Do you keep your spices in a cabinet, on a shelf or in a drawer? This drawer is right next to my stove and it’s my favorite way to store my spices! I reuse these little jars and fill them every couple of weeks with my bulk @azurestandard spices. 🧂
Are you planting a garden this year? What are you Are you planting a garden this year? What are you growing? Containers and raised beds? Or in ground? What do you plan to grow? Veggies? Flowers? We are doing a little bit of everything. 😍

It’s my third year growing food. (And ironically, our third house 😅) We just got our @greenstalkgarden planter, several @smartpots, and six raised beds that are ready to be filled next weekend. Really looking forward to this gardening season! 🥕🥬🥦🌽🌶🫑🫐🍓🥔
“Let them once get in touch with nature and a ha “Let them once get in touch with nature and a habit is formed which will be a source of delight through life.” -Charlotte Mason 

My kiddo had a birthday this past weekend. We do one main gift and a couple of small gifts; typically they’re  things they can use outdoors. Bikes have been a popular birthday item around here! My eldest wanted an apple tree last year. ☺️ But this year we got N a mud kitchen! Some friends of ours had one they built, and it inspired us. My kiddos have been playing on the forest floor in the mud for years now, but it’s exciting for them to have a little space in our garden for mud play. 🌳 What are some fun outdoorsy gifts you’ve purchased for your kids?
📚 When should I teach my child to read? How sho 📚 When should I teach my child to read? How should I teach my child to read? What does Charlotte Mason say about reading lessons? How did she teach children how to read? What curriculum do you use to teach your child how to read? 📚
These are all questions I answered in my blog post and video, “teaching reading the Charlotte Mason way” 📚 you can also swipe over to see some of my favorite CM quotes on teaching reading! 📚

I also shared what I do with my 3-year-old (which is very minimal) if you have younger children. You can view the post at the link in my profile! Are you up children school-aged? What do you use to teach reading?
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Home Decor, Homemaking, Popular • April 21, 2017

How To Decorate A Minimalist + Eco-Friendly Dining Room

Home decor is a topic we can all relate to, right? I mean, we all have to make our house a home at some point. I honestly don’t consider myself an expert when it comes to home decor, but I do know how to put a space together to make it look pretty uniform. I’ve recently adapted more of a minimalist style when it comes to design and aesthetic in my home, so I’ve partnered with Annie Selke to share some tips with you on how I get a space that’s both minimal and eco-friendly! Keep reading for a super helpful chart, and to see more photos of our quaint dining room.

How to Decorate Your Minimalist and Eco-Friendly Dining Room

To start, I need to choose a table that was classic and clean. We were fortunate enough to grab this table and chairs second hand. But they were basically brand new! I love the dark and light wood table top with the rustic white finish. You’d be surprised how many places you can find a dining room table. I’m always scouring thrift stores and other second hand shops, but Etsy is also a great resource. I found a local craftsmen that makes handmade farmhouse tables, and I plan to go that route when we need a new one.

SHOP FARMHOUSE TABLES:

CHOOSING OUR ECO-FRIENDLY ‘PET’ RUG FROM ANNIE SELKE

After securing the table, I could work my way outward. Our walls are a creamy tan color, so I knew I wanted to stick with neutral colors in the dining room. We needed to choose a rug that would pop, but not be too busy, as we like the muted look better than loud colors. The Annie Selke’s Dash & Albert ‘Anabelle’ Wheat Pet rug is literally perfect for our dining room. Our dining area is rather big, and doesn’t have a separate spot in the house. It’s connected to our living space, so I like that the 8×10 Annie Selke’s Dash & Albert rug compliments the space by creating a cozy atmosphere. Plus, it’s made from recycled plastic bottles. How much more eco-friendly can it get?!

SHOP PET RUGS FROM ANNIE SELKE’S DASH & ALBERT HERE.

Annie Selke’s Dash & Albert ‘Anabelle’ Wheat Pet rug c/o

OUR LIGHTING AND ACCENTS

Since neutrals were the goal, I stuck with storage bins from Annie Selke that provided a pop with their pattern, but weren’t too loud for the space. I love that I can store Grace’s toys in these bins and you don’t even notice them. In the photo below, the bins are stuffed full of her play animals and dolls, but the room is spic and span.

As for decorations for the walls, minimalist style typically means little to no decorations, so we stuck with neutral black and white family photos in frames from Pinhole Press. I love how this gallery wall turned out, and how the white framed prints look with the white dining table legs and trim on the chairs. Our curtains are light and airy. They provide a softer light, yet still allow that natural light to show through into the house. I feel like they’re a great accent to the tan colored walls.

Lastly, we selected a small floor plant in a bronze pot, and a galvanized pot with a small plant to decorate our table top. I’ve seen over-the-top floral arrangements and tablescapes featuring fancy plates and napkins in the dining room, but minimalist style doesn’t lend itself to clutter. We love how simple, small pieces can leave such a statement.

SHOP LIGHTING AND ROOM ACCENTS:

Annie Selke Fresh American ‘Alex’ Linen Round Storage Piece c/o | Annie Selke Fresh American ‘Mina’ Linen Round Storage Piece c/o | Annie Selke Fresh American ‘Pilar’ Linen Round Storage Piece c/o


SHOP THE POST:



Thank you so much for reading!

If you found this post to be helpful, be sure to pin the image below on Pinterest so others can find it!

Filed Under: Home Decor, Homemaking, Popular

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Comments

  1. Nicole Banuelos says

    April 22, 2017 at 2:38 pm

    What a beautiful look! This makes me want to purge everything in my house and start all over!

    Reply
    • Living in Color says

      April 23, 2017 at 5:36 am

      Thanks, that is really sweet, Nicole!

      Reply
  2. Amy M Loochtan says

    April 24, 2017 at 3:21 pm

    Your dinning room is just gorgeous!

    Reply
  3. Erica @ Coming Up Roses says

    April 24, 2017 at 3:35 pm

    This space is GORGEOUS. Can we talk about that photo wall!??!?! ALL THE HEART EYES.

    Coming Up Roses

    Reply
  4. Kasey says

    April 24, 2017 at 3:39 pm

    This room is so cute! I love the white and tan look it’s so clean looking!

    Reply
  5. Mariam says

    April 24, 2017 at 4:34 pm

    Such a gorgeous space! Loving all of your decor picks.

    xo Mariam | http://www.thepetitebijou.com

    Reply
  6. Megan says

    April 24, 2017 at 4:36 pm

    This room is beautiful!! Love the white with the natural tones and that gallery wall is gorgeous!!

    xo megan | pinebarrenbeauty.com

    Reply
  7. Ashley DTKAustin says

    April 24, 2017 at 6:11 pm

    Minimalist decorating is 100% my life! Such a great post!!

    Reply
  8. Sarah K Tripp says

    April 25, 2017 at 2:23 am

    Your dining rooms looks so amazing! Love the minimalism here!

    Reply
  9. Amanda John says

    April 25, 2017 at 5:30 pm

    I’m so obsessed with farm tables! Love your set up

    xo Amanda John
    http://strawberrychicxo.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  10. Greta says

    April 26, 2017 at 4:23 am

    I love this space! I’ve been trying to decorate my living room for a while and have felt so uninspired. This definitely helps!

    Greta | http://www.gretahollar.com

    Reply
  11. meggan says

    April 26, 2017 at 7:22 pm

    Such a pretty space!

    Reply
  12. Annie says

    April 27, 2017 at 12:45 am

    I love the minimalist look. So clean and crisp! Great space 🙂

    Reply

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I'm Larissa. A mama to daughters and wife to my college sweetheart. I am passionate about sustainable fashion, whole foods recipes, and Charlotte Mason home education. I also love being outdoors with my family. You can usually find me sporting a wide-brimmed hat, with a baby on my back.

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I have hundreds of DM’s in my inbox after I post I have hundreds of DM’s in my inbox after I posted about a controversial topic on my stories this morning. In true social media fashion, the response is overwhelming. Meanwhile, I posted some lovely garden photos yesterday and get all of 5 comments on them. 😑

This is why social media is so successful, am I right? It’s nice to see you all in my DM’s but please make your way over here from time to time. 😉 I honestly stay away from IG because of the addictive nature, but at the same time I’ve made so many friendships here that I truly value. There’s been times where I walk away from it altogether for weeks at a time. But every time I come back I’m reminded of how many kindred spirits that are out there, fighting the good fight. Doing the kingdom work we are called to do in a world where our culture doesn’t want there to be “right” or “wrong”. 

I can’t tell you how many “I feel so alone in this” messages I receive. It is so difficult going against the grain. Against all cultural norms. You feel like an alien… but I want you to know that you aren’t alone! Keep faithfully plodding and discipling to your children, my friends!
The sweetest little helpers in the garden. 🥕🍅🥒🫑🧺 

These garden photos are from last month! With this heat wave we are having we just harvested a TON of zucchini, squash, and cucumbers!

Do you have a garden this year? What are you growing? Also, if anyone has advice for how to get the tree swallows to stop attacking us when we go near their nest that’s be fabulous 😅😆 I don’t want to move it but we have stay on guard when we water in the mornings or they fly around trying to get us away! Those innate parental instincts are remarkable. ☺️
This week I’m writing + filming about a hallmark This week I’m writing + filming about a hallmark of the Charlotte Mason method: narration. Have you ever heard of it? What would you like to know? 

I’m focusing heavily on how we use narration in our homeschool, but if you have specific questions about it, I would love for you to 1. Take the poll in my stories, and 2. Ask any questions you may have about narration in the comments so that I can answer them in my video! ❤️
Happy Mother’s Day! I especially want to encoura Happy Mother’s Day! I especially want to encourage those who are intentionally making a better life for their children than what they may have experienced as kids. It is not easy to change the cycle, but it’s well worth the effort. 

In the words of Louisa May Alcott, “A woman's happiest kingdom is home, her highest honor is the art of ruling it not as a queen, but a wise wife and mother."
📚 We are moving right along with term three of 📚 We are moving right along with term three of our school year. Slow but steady, we will finish up mid June and I’ll begin prepping for next school year in July and August! 📚

Here’s some of my random old and new tips + what I’ve been doing to help keep organized with the CMEC. 

01. Keep a regular day for nature outings or field trips. We have two days a week where I intentionally plan a hike or museum visit, etc. One is usually at the middle of the week and the other is at the end. It offers great variety to our weeks.

02. Notebook! I have had the girls consistently notebook this year, and it’s been such a delight to go back and see my form 1b student’s progress! I have a video coming out about how we notebook and why you should try it very soon! 

03. To stay on track with our morning timetable I’ve been writing the time we end each lesson in my logbook. It’s really changed how productive I am in making sure we get everything on our timetable done for the day. (I have a video on my logbook if you’re interested in learning more about that!)

04. And 05. Popsicle sticks! Friends, if you’re already a CMEC family, use these to help you choose which activities you review! I have on these for old singing games, French songs, folk dances or Swedish drill routines. I’ll share more on what I have on ours, specifically, but it’s fun because the girls and I get to be surprised rather than me choosing what we review!

06. Art instruction. Originally I had us doing three art lessons per week in the afternoon, but it didn’t allow for enough free choice, so we’ve reduced it down to one formal lesson a week for six weeks, then we change the method. So right now we are in week two of our chalkdrawing lessons. After six weeks we will switch to brush drawing instruction for the remainder of the term! As Charlotte Mason recommends, we draw from memory, model, and from imagination. 🌞

I hope this was helpful to you! So many of you guys are using @the.cmec next year! I am SO excited to see all of you at the online form meetings this coming year! 👏🏻 #thecmec #thecmecform1 #charlottemason
Do you keep your spices in a cabinet, on a shelf o Do you keep your spices in a cabinet, on a shelf or in a drawer? This drawer is right next to my stove and it’s my favorite way to store my spices! I reuse these little jars and fill them every couple of weeks with my bulk @azurestandard spices. 🧂
Are you planting a garden this year? What are you Are you planting a garden this year? What are you growing? Containers and raised beds? Or in ground? What do you plan to grow? Veggies? Flowers? We are doing a little bit of everything. 😍

It’s my third year growing food. (And ironically, our third house 😅) We just got our @greenstalkgarden planter, several @smartpots, and six raised beds that are ready to be filled next weekend. Really looking forward to this gardening season! 🥕🥬🥦🌽🌶🫑🫐🍓🥔
“Let them once get in touch with nature and a ha “Let them once get in touch with nature and a habit is formed which will be a source of delight through life.” -Charlotte Mason 

My kiddo had a birthday this past weekend. We do one main gift and a couple of small gifts; typically they’re  things they can use outdoors. Bikes have been a popular birthday item around here! My eldest wanted an apple tree last year. ☺️ But this year we got N a mud kitchen! Some friends of ours had one they built, and it inspired us. My kiddos have been playing on the forest floor in the mud for years now, but it’s exciting for them to have a little space in our garden for mud play. 🌳 What are some fun outdoorsy gifts you’ve purchased for your kids?
📚 When should I teach my child to read? How sho 📚 When should I teach my child to read? How should I teach my child to read? What does Charlotte Mason say about reading lessons? How did she teach children how to read? What curriculum do you use to teach your child how to read? 📚
These are all questions I answered in my blog post and video, “teaching reading the Charlotte Mason way” 📚 you can also swipe over to see some of my favorite CM quotes on teaching reading! 📚

I also shared what I do with my 3-year-old (which is very minimal) if you have younger children. You can view the post at the link in my profile! Are you up children school-aged? What do you use to teach reading?
I needed to accomplish a lot today. There was more I needed to accomplish a lot today. There was more unpacking and organizing to be done, pictures to be framed, meal planning to do, laundry that needed folding, bike rides to be had, meals to be prepared, sourdough to be prepped and lesson planning + pre-reading to do. Oh and dishes. So many dishes. 😅

I do essentially all of the inside housework aside from taking out the trash + recycle, but for a season my husband helped out while N was small by doing dinner dishes and sometimes even preparing dinner so I could nurse her after we ate. But as of late, I’m trying something new where I don’t ask my husband to clean up after dinner and instead I do it myself. I don’t mind it, and since my girls are old enough to get their own pj’s on now, I’ve been doing dinner clean-up (as well as lunch and breakfast clean-up and prep!) before I head upstairs to tuck them in, read them a story and sit with them while they fall asleep. Call me old fashioned, but I’m happy to do it, and I delight in my husband being able to enjoy some time with the girls after dinner instead of clean up a mess after a long day of working.

I’m not really sure where I’m going with this post - I’ve felt pulled in so many directions today and it’s something I feel often, (and I’m sure so many of you can relate) but after five months without a home to care for and nurture I simply can’t feel frustrated or annoyed at my list of 10,000 things I need to do. Instead I pray my way through each task. I sip tea in between. I light a candle and wear my great-grandmother’s apron as I work. I read notes like the one my six-year-old left for me this morning and I weep tears of gratitude and joy. Happy Sunday, my friends. ❤️ 
.
(swipe to read her note 🥰 + a transcription in the comments!)

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