Welcome to My Sweet Lilac
Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here. My name is Molly, creator of this space called My Sweet Lilac. My Sweet Lilac helps mothers find ways to nurture their heart, their family’s hearts and their home.
What exactly is a home? Anybody can make a home. Homes take many shapes and forms, and there’s not a one size fits all definition. But one thing is for certain: a home is MORE than just four walls and a roof. And the act of homemaking is so much more than having a clean house. Homemaking, done well, is a very intentional process.
Yes, making a home is an evolving process. Our homes grow as our families do, just as our hearts and passions grow and shift as time passes. And the best part? Our home is not just a dwelling. It is meant to be places of belonging, rest, and relationship.
Certainly, your home is the art you hang and the linens you choose. But did you know it is ALSO the traditions, values, routines and relationships that reside in your house?
Home should be the best place: a little slice of heaven dropped down here on Earth.
With the busyness of our lives, it is easy to feel lost. We can even feel lost in our own homes. Distractions creep into our hearts and homes in many forms.
But the good news is: My Sweet Lilac is a space for you to find encouragement to create the home and life you love. Here’s a few places you can start:
- Explore our DIY projects, homemaking tips and entertaining ideas
- Check out our favorite tools for DIY and gardening projects
- Subscribe for exclusive content including coupons, updates, free mobile wallpapers and eCards.
- Shop our collection of handlettered wall art
The Story
Back before we had kids, I was still working my corporate tax job and loving it. I spent about ten years putting my accounting and finance degrees to their proper use, first at a public account firm and, later, at General Mills (cheerios, anybody?).
My husband, John, and I bought our first home shortly after we got married in 2010. The home was a 1960’s cape cod style home that we absolutely loved. It was so charming and had the cutest red door. We dabbled in some DIY projects in this home, including demo of “the side walk to nowhere” that was literally a sidewalk that stopped in the middle of our yard. We still worry that we accidentally erased a portal to another universe. We also replaced the windows and built a paver patio, which we are still pretty proud of.
We were blessed with our daughter in 2013 and quickly outgrew our first home. We moved to a second home for a short time before finally settling into our third home. Our son was born the month before we closed!
Our two kiddos are pretty much my world, and I’m lucky enough to spend my days at home with them. When I’m not busy with the kiddos, I spend my time dreaming, doodling, and researching & working with John on our current home. We love our current home and are looking forward to watching it grow along with our family.
Curious for more? Read on for answers to some FAQ’s.
FAQ’s
You asked and I’m answering. Below are answers to of the most frequently asked questions from you guys.
Q: What’s up with this site? Why do you blog?
A: Good question! Blogging is a fun way to keep family and friends current on our family’s life. It’s also a fun way to document the transformation of our house – built in the 1960’s – into our family’s home. So far, blogging is a great creative outlet full of fun technical challenges (that my nerdy accountant self really enjoys working through)! Even in the short span that I’ve been blogging, I can’t BELIEVE the number of supportive mamas and other folks that have stopped by my page! So thank YOU!
Q: Ok cool, but what’s with the name, My Sweet Lilac?
A: I love this question because it lets me get a little bit personal with you guys. And also because I’ve had a few folks visiting this site confused that it’s not about cupcakes, cookies and other sweet treats. Bummer. But I can clear that up too. YES, I do love sweets more than a normal person should! Especially cupcakes! But, I’m sorry! I won’t be posting recipes here (because really, I’m not a great cook, so I leave the recipe making up to the experts)!
After the cupcake confusion, I did some soul searching and asked my close family and friends for feedback on my blog name. Should I change it so that people can find their cupcakes faster? I offered up some other options, and went to town collecting feedback. And you know what? They told me, NO, keep the name!
Why? What’s with the name? My Sweet Lilac actually refers to my mother, who had a love for lilacs, and passed away years ago from (literally) a broken heart. You see, after she passed, they discovered that her heart was twice the size of a normal heart. But the truth is, nobody had to tell us that – we all knew she had a great, big heart. She was the sweetest person I knew (and know), and in this blog I share a lot of the things that she taught me growing up. I share her love for crafty things, organizing, home decor, home making, raising kiddos, and just genuinely loving other people well. She will always be my sweetest Lilac.
Q: Is your blog scheduled?
A: No – not at this time. I’m a stay-at-home mom with a hard working husband. I post, respond to e-mails and hop on the blog’s social media accounts when life allows for it. I generally post once or twice a week.
Q: How old are your kids?
A: My daughter is four and my son is two. We also have an orange tabby cat, Toby, that we lovingly refer to as our first “child”, and he’s eight.
Q: Do you get paid to blog?
A: Great question! Let me explain. This blog includes only posts about my real life and what I’m passionate about. I do not participate in sponsored posts at this time. I participate in affiliate programs, which means if you click on an affiliate link and purchase the item, I will receive commission (at no cost to you). Regardless, I only recommend products or services that I personally use and believe will add value to my readers. And I will always disclose in the post that there are affiliate links included. For more information about the affiliate programs I participate in, please read the privacy policy and disclosure page here.
Q: Tell us the story behind your current home.
A: We purchased our current home in the spring of 2016 (just after our son was born). It is our third home, but the first we’ve really invested a lot of time and money into. The home is a 2,100 sq. ft. rambler built in the 1960’s. The previous owners did a fair bit of updating to the house. We’re excited to see how it transforms over the years as our family grows and changes.
Q: How can I contact you?
A: The best way for readers to contact me is via e-mail: hello@mysweetlilac.com.
