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Happy 2019, friends!!! New year, new goals, new ideas, and a new project I want to share with you. If you've been following my blog for awhile, you know that I recently moved back to my hometown of Spokane, Washington (I use the word "recently" but it was actually almost two years ago...man, time flies when you have little kids!). Since moving back, it really feels like Spokane is home...not just the place where I grew up, but the place where we will raise our kids and settle in for awhile. With that sense, I've had an itch to start something local--a small business that feeds my interest in design, and also contributes to our community somehow. I've mulled over lots of different ideas: decorating, staging, starting a shop, or become a real estate photographer in Spokane...even buying and renovating houses to rent out on Airbnb. But, being honest with myself, the timing isn't right. This is a busy, full, and exhausting season of life: parenting a toddler and baby. I may have ideas and mental energy, but I don't have the time. Or the money! And yet...I still really wanted to do something in 2019. So Ben (my husband) encouraged me to start small, with something I know well, something that costs very little to launch: a local lifestyle blog. In general, I would not say that 2019 is a good time to start a lifestyle blog. ;) It's an OVERSATURATED field. But on a local level, here in Spokane, it's perfect!
Spokane is where I was born and raised, and it used to be lame and embarrassing (or at least, I thought so). It always had the potential to be amazing, with beautiful old buildings, the classic four seasons, and an abundance of trees, rivers, lakes, and mountains nearby. But drug problems, a lack of jobs, and property crime ruined our inner city, and what was left around the edges was suburbia, fast food, and chain stores. When I moved away for college, I was happy to leave. But my parents still lived here, so I came back to visit. Over the past several years (just as Ben and I were getting sick of Seattle), we saw Spokane really blossom into a vibrant city we could happily move to. In downtown, historic brick buildings that were boarded up have been getting revitalized. Streets that used to hold primarily bail bonds and smoke shops (see? embarrassing!!!), are getting filled with cool coffeeshops and restaurants. Beautiful houses that were neglected for years are finally being fixed up and given some love. It's been exciting and fun to see all the positive changes, and I've fallen in love with Spokane all over again (or maybe, for the first time).
In the last couple years since moving back, I've been rediscovering Spokane. I've found many stylish local establishments and companies based here, and new ones keep starting up. It's awesome! And yet, I haven't seen an account that curates a list of them yet. There are some food accounts, and photography accounts, but nothing focused on design and lifestyle. So, that's my plan! I want to be a resource for people living in Spokane or planning to move/visit here. I'll post about the most inspiring local businesses, neighborhoods, interiors, restaurants, coffee shops, things to do, and weekend trip ideas.
I know that the majority of you who read this blog don't live in Spokane. But if you like my aesthetic and are interested in this project (even if you're not local), then I'd love for you to follow along too! My new account is @insidespokane on Instagram. And if you DO live in Spokane and you have a cool business or a beautiful house that I could feature, I'd love for you to connect with me! Send me a DM, tag me on Instagram, or add the hashtag #insidespokane so I can find you.
So what's going to happen to At Home in Love? I'm still planning to keep this blog, and will continue to post about my personal life, projects around our house, and the trips we take. The frequency of posts might be a little slow, but hey that's nothing new. I might also share some of the local inspiration I come across, if I think it would be relevant and interesting to a wider audience. Things like house tours, creative businesses, and Northwest city guides.
After seven (!!!) years of blogging and building up At Home in Love, this feels like the right move at the right time. I'm ready for a fresh and new project to put some love into, and I'm excited for the excuse to explore my city more. ;) Here's to a new venture and a brand new year! Thanks for your support! xo, Aileen
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Awesome! That's my hometown too, so I'm excited to follow along on Instagram! :D
Yay! Spokane is a great place to grow up! Thank you for following. :)
Congrats! What an awesome new project!
I'm so excited to follow you on Instagram! I just moved back to Spokane after 10 years of living away (I went to Gonzaga!) and I couldn't wait to get back here. Yeah, Spokane was a little run down 10+ years ago, but it's totally changed!
I run a local Spokane blog for newcomers too and I'd love to partner with you or trade guest posts in the future! Just followed you on IG <3 :)
Hey what’s wrong with the streets of bail bonds and smoke shops!!!!! Just kidding. I’m really excited for this new project! Spokane is growing so much, so fast... with still so much potential!