I am not sure when I “met” Melissa exactly but i know that after we chatted via email a few times, i knew she was a kindred spirit with both a love for home and God. I am sure many of you know who i am talking about..Melissa from the popular blog “The Inspired Room.”

{image from Melissa’s beautiful home}

Her interest in “authentic living” is so encouraging..this is some of what she has to say about it.. “I am passionate about practicing what I call Authentic Living. Authentic Living is living a life that really works. It is focusing on things that are appropriate for me and the season in my life. It is about letting go of pressure to live out a life that isn’t really “me.” And that includes creating a home that may not look like the cover of a magazine, or just like my neighbors home, but nurtures my family and reflects more on WHO I AM than WHAT I HAVE. That is the beauty of “using what you have” to create an authentic home! Your home is unique to you! I like to find inspiration from others, but then I like to mix things up and make them my own.” good stuff huh? and there is more here..

It is exciting to see blogs like the Inspired Room and this new magazine (I mean they have fab photos by King Au)pictured above (check out the latest issue on stands NOW!)that focus not just on beautiful “material” living but a beautiful life on the inside (and when i say interiors i dont mean the kitchen) as well….. ha! did anyone get that bad joke but me;;

So i knew i wanted to get input from Melissa on this photo topic..here is what she said:

“I love using candid photos to decorate a wall or table top in my home. The candid photos capture real moments and remind us of what matters in life. I think it is important to create a home that not only reflects our family but inspires us to live the life we want. Decorating a home should be about creating a life, not putting together a designer showroom. When children see a “family wall” of photos every day as they head to their bedroom or another room in the home, they see that they are treasured, that they are a part of a happy family and that life is good. Photos encourage our family to be thankful for what we have and to count our blessings. Any time we can create a lasting happy memory for a child (or ourselves!) we are giving a lifelong gift. Family photo displays are a tangible reminder of happy times and the people we love — that is what a home is all about!”

so there you have it, what a great way to end this photo “two weeks” but by keeping the main thing the main thing..

there is much more we could discuss about living with photos and using them to decorate, we barely scratched the surface and i know i will continue to post on this topic occassionally..how could i not as much as i love pictures…soon i will try to discuss various “gallery walls” using things other than photos.. but for now remember to edit edit edit when using photos, frame similar if you want a sure fire cohesive and nice look, and think about this authentic living thing..so freeing! our homes arent to just be beautiful but really a place to love, nuture, grow and remember and teach God’s goodness!

Do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. –Deuteronomy 4