This Photograph is my Proof

I have had this post card since I was a teenager. It now is worn and has a red wine mark on it. It has hung in every home I have had and I love it.



Duane Michals, 1974 • This photograph is my proof. There was that afternoon, when things were still good between us, and she embraced me, and we were so happy. It did happen. She did love me. Look for yourself.

New Upholstered Addition to the Family

My husband and I have been on the hunt for a new couch for the past couple of years. We love our currect couch, the "black hole of cozy", but it has several problems. It is awful for our backs, impossible to keep clean, and is HUGE. It is half of a 2-piece circle couch in a bright yellow that everyone thinks is green. It is aesthetically stellar but incredibly cumbersome, a quality New York City residents can't afford in their furniture choices. Here it is basking in the glory of it's press from Time Out New York and Apartment Therapy.


For a design enthusiast with Bo Concept taste and an Ikea budget needs time to locate the perfect piece to fill their very specific needs. After hunting for some time I found the perfect couch! It is the Baxter sectional from West Elm in a high-performance velvet (it totally doesn't look like velvet, I swear) in the shade Lagoon!


We went to the store and sat, lounged, relaxed on the couch. We asked copious questions about fabric durability, dog hair clean-up (our lives are sad) and when we felt that this couch sufficiently fills all of our needs, we ordered it! We left convinced it is the couch for us. A financial commitment ensued, and our couch is being custom made for us as I type. It will arrive in a couple of weeks and I am beside myself with glee. I can't wait to do a photoshoot when it arrives and sits gorgeously in our home ready for it's new SNUG LYF. Will I have a hoarder-like melt-down when I have to say goodbye to the old couch? Probably. I am a grown-up child of divorce who avoids separation and endings at all costs, but this one will be worth it!


We will miss you yellow (yes, it really is yellow) couch.

Goal: 10,000 Subscribers

Happy New Year's sweet Nesters,

I hope you all had a lovely, happy and healthy holiday with your family and that 2012 brings nothing but joy your way!

I have worked really hard this year and have seen a lot of exciting successes. Once being Meg Allan Cole Crafts, my channel that I partnered with YouTube. In just a few short months I have almost 9,000 subscribers and am doing a BIG PUSH to try for 10,000!

Here is how you can support me.

-If you have a Gmail account, all you have to do is click the "subscribe" button on the top of Meg Allan Cole Crafts.

-If you need a Gmail account, it is super easy to sign up and is all right here for you in this link.

-You can also share the MACC link on Facebook, Twitter or tumblr, or e-mail people who you think would enjoy my channel.

In the Do-It-Yourself vain, I have created this channel from the ground up and must continue to do so. I truly couldn't do any of this without your continued support!

Happy New Year and lots of love!

XOX, Meg

9 Years

I have been with Will Cole for 9 years today. A lot of love has been shared in these 9 years. A lot of back-having, hand-holding, side-splitting laughter, head-over-heels love, pushed-to-the-brink-patience, deep acceptance and forever forgiveness.


We work hard on being the best individuals we can possibly be so as a couple we have more to share and give one another. It doesn't happen over-night and it isn't easy. The part I never understood, was why love had to be so much work. It isn't work to be with Will. It certainly isn't hard to love him. What is challenging is always pushing myself to be better, kinder, more deserving. The challenge is communicating my needs, trying to identify his, and doing my best to meet both. The hard part is dealing with my own anxieties and fears and stresses (ohmygodtherearesomany) in a way that affects Will in the least negative way. We are all incredibly imperfect, but we try to be better for each other. That is the work. Being with and loving my dear, sweet, hilarious husband...that is the easiest thing in the world.



No one can comfort me the way this man can, no one understands and accepts me as deeply. With one look he eases the pain and lightens the load. With one smile I know I'll never be alone, and his hand on the small of my back is more romantic than any film. He is my dearest friend, closest comrade, and wherever he is will always be my home.

Dallas & Thirtysomething

I am OBSESSED with the aesthetics, style, wardrobes and sets of both Dallas and Thirtysomething. Dead serious. Get on board.


I grew up watching Dallas and re-fell in love circa 2006, only to have my love of everything Southfork grow exponentially through the years. You've read of my love of all things Ewing here before, and will again.


Thirtysomething I discovered as a mere 20-something in college. I watched wide-eyed envying the Steadman's and heart-breaking for the Westons. And visually I die for the chunky knit sweaters, shoulder-padded blazers and pretty much everything else worn in this 1987-91' television show. I am collecting images of each through the seasons to share some of their aesthetic inspiration with you. I EAT UP late-70's-early-90's style and love television shows during this time even more because of it. What shows do this for you?

Merry Christmas & Mulled Cider Recipe

Here's hoping you had the happiest of holidays with the ones you love!



My husband and I shared our holiday with two of our three families this year. For those of you who have divorced parents, thus 3-4 families, you understand. It tore out my heart to not be with my dad and step mom and family this year, but it was less hectic/crazed/sleep-deprived than our past rushed trips fitting in 3 families in a few days. We went to Alexandria, Va, and the Northern Neck in Virginia where my in-laws have a home. What a wonderful, cozy, loving time we had at both places. We for serious have the best families ever.

DIY Garlands

We always have fresh garlands adorn our home in time for our annual holiday cocktail party, and this year my heart was set on keeping up the tradition. We went to several tree places all over Brooklyn and Manhattan this last week and everyone was out of garlands! Blasphemy! Yesterday, with mere hours in between guest arrival time I decided to whip something up myself. I got some freshly cut branches from the Christmas tree stand and some wire. When you can't find it, DIY it! Here is how to do it yourself.



You need:

Branches from a Christmas tree
Small pruner
Galvanized wire in a dark shade
Nails
Hammer

Lay your branches out over-lapping the ends. Prune and cut them to the shape you want. Wrap galvanized wire around the two joining ends to connect them together. Hang with nails over windows and doorways and your home will look and smell like Christmas!

Time: Under 1 hour Cost: Under $5!


They really made our home feel cozy and warm for the party. everyone loved the garlands and were way impressed I had made them myself. What are YOU making to cozy-up your home this holiday season?

Best of DIY Holiday Gifts & Decor

The holiday season is in full swing and we all need winter decor and holiday gifts for those we love. I curated 33 of my favorite DIY gifts, ornaments, and holiday decor ideas and have them all for you in one video. Be sure to also check out my holiday play-list and SUBSCRIBE!

DIY Bedroom Make-Over

Holy-DIY, Batman! My kick-ass husband and I totally re-did our bedroom on our own! Painting, flooring, adding trim and plenty of do-it-yourself tips for renovating your own room. A little TMI, plenty of dog shots and special edits done by Erik Beck. This is a good one, guys.



Here are some of the design elements involved.




For more, you can read the accompanying blog.

DIY Headbands & Holiday Decor

Here I show you how to spin the DIY decor and accessories I made for Rob and Corinne's wedding into fabulous pieces for you and your home.


With the holidays come cocktail parties, and you and your home need something a little extra fabulous to make you the bell of the ball. Put your own touch on these and personalize to your taste.



Subscribe to my channel!

This is beautiful.