Top 10 Posts of 2020

Before I peer ahead into any year, I always enjoy a fond and nostalgic look back into the year that was. 2020 has been unique, to say the least, but all in all, it’s been a good year here at Casa Bustamante.  To be honest, we didn’t complete many projects, paint many walls, or have an overly “blogworthy” year, but 2020 brought me so many new opportunities and connections that led to personal growth, fresh perspectives and the perfect job I wasn’t looking for. While many are ready to jump feet first into 2021, I am taking a moment to express my gratitude for the challenges that helped me grow. Today we’re going to look back on the reader favorites of 2020, the posts that got the most traffic and thus resonated with you the most. Just as it is on NYE, we are going to count down to number 1.  Ready, set….

10. Simple Budget Friendly Spring Tour Part 2

Part 1 is farther down the list!  I attribute the popularity of these two posts to the timing.  Both fell the first week we were all home, and looking for ways to make our home prettier on a budget.

9. How to Build a Trader Joe’s Vegan Charcuterie

This post surprised me at being in the top 10, but it also pleases me because it was a simple and fun one!  I think it was the ABC cookies that did the trick. 😉 We’re actually doing a charcuterie board tonight for NYE.  I love that you can throw things on a board, call it “charcuterie” and it becomes fancy.

8. Our Kitchen Renovation Cost Breakdown

Who doesn’t want to know how much people pay for things?!  Plus, let’s be honest, HGTV has us all tricked into thinking kitchen renovations cost 20K.  Ours was relatively low budget and came in at a number well over 20K. You’ll have to read the post if you want the actual number.

7. Our Patio Tour Featuring Newly Painted Pink Doors

Last Spring I gave our back doors a little makeover.  Quick painting projects always calm my nerves, and this project did that!

6. Color Blocked Family Room Reveal

Our family room makeover was our biggest project of the year!  I was honored to be part of the Frog Tape Paintover Challenge which pushed me to think outside of the box.  There have definitely been some haters on instagram when it’s been shared by Frog Tape and Sherwin Williams, but I honestly LOVE this room, and that’s all that matters.

 

5. How to Use the Cricut Maker: Simple Door Decal Project

Our door decal was a project I completed early in the year, and it made me smile.  I am glad it made you smile, too!

4. Modern, Timeless & Organic Kitchen Reveal

This kitchen renovation felt neverending, but thankfully we were finally ready to share it in January of this year.  It’s one of my proudest designs, so I am thrilled that it’s in the top 5!

3. Holiday Housewalk Featuring My Living Room, Kitchen and Dining Nook

This tour always gets a lot of eyes, and I am grateful to Jennifer Rizzo for inviting me to be a part of it for my second year.

2. Simple Budget Friendly Spring Tour

This post dropped on March 17th, just after things began shutting down.  Everyone was home, bored, and seeking affordable inspiration, which is what I am all about here.

 

1. How to Create a Home Office in a Living Room

With everyone shifting to working at home and zooming in our PJs, I am not surprised that this post was what resonated with you most.  I’ve always enjoyed working from home, but this year, like many, I had the added challenge of working at home while parenting and sharing designated office spaces with the kids.  I actually created this nook in February without a clue as to how handy it would be.

Well, there you have it. I was glad to see a couple of my personal favorites on the list, including the family room and kitchen.  Sadly, my DIY sun mural did not make it, so I am giving it an honorably mention here, because I adore it!  I wasn’t sure how it would work during the holidays, but seeing the space decorated for Christmas made me love it even more.

As for what lies ahead in 2021… I honestly couldn’t tell you!  Some bloggers have their project lists ready to go, but that’s not the case here.  We’ve got some un-fun tasks such as filling nail holes and repainting trim, painting ceilings and repairing our bathroom ceiling which is not holding up well. There will be lots of Feel Good Fridays coming your way because those posts are my joy to write. But to be 100% honest, I am just not feeling it at the moment on DIY/design… I am feeling a shift within myself and it’s time to embrace that.  I crave being less occupied by projects and more involved with human connection. One thing that I have learned this year is to, as some say it, “let go and let God.” I am going to keep listening to that inner voice and trust that she knows what’s best for me. This year I started to believe that the universe is for me, as long as I am willing to trust her lead. As I step one toe into 2021, I welcome the possibility… anything can happen!

Happy New Year, my friend.  May 2021 find you with the right kind of abundance: more joy, more love, more connection, more fulfillment and more trust that this life is yours for the taking.

I will be back Friday with a FGF to kick off 2021.  In the meantime, I wish you a safe and happy celebration at home, filled with fantastic food – even simple charcuterie, fabulous libations, a warm house to hunker down in and surrounded by a loving family to welcome in the new year. We’ll be spending the evening as a party of 5, playing games and watching J.Lo on Dick Clark’s Rockin’ NYE. (Our tradition is smutty NYE shows!). See you next year!