favorite blog posts of 2014

ow crazy is it that we're already nearing the end of January 2015 already? Before all the hubbub of the new year is over I wanted to share a few of my favorite posts from last year. I slowed down the blogging pace in 2014 and I think I'll continue that slower pace as we start into 2015. I'm not the same blogger I was back in the you days of Delightfully Tacky, but I still love this place and sharing outfits, recipes, home decor and whatever else strikes my fancy. To be honest, I've thought quite a few times in the last year about calling it quits on the whole blogging thing. Finding where blogging fits in my life nowadays, and in this new shifting blogosphere, has been a bit of a struggle and I know I've lost quite a few readers in the meantime. If you're still around, thanks for hanging out with (digital) me! I know it can be weird to see a blogger you love shift focus, or change in ways that aren't totally your jam, it's happened to me as a blog reader, too. Heck, as a blog reader my preferences have changed, even when a blog has stayed the same, and found myself disinterested or pulled in other directions. So if you're still around, sweet. If you're new, hello! If you're "meh" or over it, feel free to hop along to other blogs that might interest you more! I'm truly not sure exactly what 2015 will hold for this here space on the web. What I do know is that I'd like to focus more on my passions, like photography. I still like doing outfit posts, but don't feel as gung ho about them as I used to a couple years ago. Also, especially this time of year, the lack of daylight hours paired with the deluge of constant rain really makes outfit photos super unappealing.
So we'll see where 2015 takes Delightfully Tacky. Maybe it won't even be called Delightfully Tacky this time next year, wouldn't that be weird? For now, here's a look back at my favorite posts from 2014...
So we'll see where 2015 takes Delightfully Tacky. Maybe it won't even be called Delightfully Tacky this time next year, wouldn't that be weird? For now, here's a look back at my favorite posts from 2014...

Putting the Pill To Bed

Our Bedroom Tour

Your Femininity is Not Defined by Body Hair

DIY Rolling Island

Fancy Savory Popcorn: Three Ways

My Favorite Lip Colors

Our Living Room

DIY Hexagon Painted Wall

5 Ways to Style a Headband

DIY Globe Hanging Lamp

Back in El Paso

DIY Gold Glitter Glasses
handmade holiday gift guide // leather, canvas, and stone

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6
Natural stone jewelry is fast becoming my favorite thing to adorn myself with. I was never much of a jewelry girl, but now that I've discovered what kind of jewelry I love, I'm definitely becoming more of a jewelry hoarder. Growing up I was always fascinated with turquoise jewelry and I remember road trips through the southwest spent ogling all the amazing jewelry made by native artists at roadside markets.

Can we talk for a sec about how amazing that tablet sleeve is? Holy cow. One photo can't really show how awesome it is, so make sure to click through on that one to get a better look. In the past I used to get faux leather products because they were cheaper, but I always found that they fell apart pretty quickly. I've made a shift to investing in higher quality leather goods because they're built to last and the craftsmanship is so much higher, especially when you're buying from makers who are devoted to crafting an incredible product.

I've got tons of little canvas totes that I use for picking up our CSA from the farmer's market, but none of them are nice enough to carry around as a daily bag. All of these bags meld form and function perfectly and I love how you can tell they were crafted by artists. From the hand printed textiles, to the design, the attention to detail is apparent. I've been coveting a Year Round Co. bag for probably two years now (2 + 3), and they just keep getting better! They are located here in Tacoma and it feels like such a treat to have such an amazing company located right here in my town!
(top photo via black anchor workshop)
learning = sucking

've noticed a trend in the comments section of online publications and social media, including my own blog's comment section. I see people say stuff like, "That's cool! Too bad I suck at [XYZ], I wish I could do that!" "Sounds good! Too bad I'm a terrible cook!" "I wish I was good at that! I'd love to do it!"
Here's the thing, you guys. You don't pop out of the womb knowing how to do stuff. You don't know how to do anything, really, out of the womb. Everything you know how to do, you've learned. And you probably sucked at it for a while. When we were kids, we sucked at a lot of things because we were constantly learning, but for some reason when you're a kid sucking at stuff doesn't bother you so much. Maybe it's because we're surrounded by other kids who are also sucking at stuff because they're also learning. But now that we're adults someone told us (or we got the message somehow) that it's not cool to suck at things anymore. You have to be good at stuff or not do it at all because, apparently, not being good at stuff is embarrassing. The problem is, if we are afraid of being bad at things, we'll never do anything new or learn a new skill. I didn't know how to french braid until I was in my mid twenties. I would just say, "Oh I can't french braid, I'm terrible at it" until one day I decided I wanted to do it. And I sucked at it. It was a sad sad little french braid, but it was one baby step in the direction towards being able to do it well. I still am pretty bad at french braiding, but the only thing standing in my way to being great at it is lots and lots of practice.




What if we all stopped saying, "oh I can't do that" or "I'm bad at that", "I'm no good at it," as if we were blaming some force in the ether keeping us from doing stuff we want to do, and decided to start trying the things we want to do or be good at? What if we stopped being afraid of looking dumb or being bad at stuff? What are we so afraid of anyway? Are we afraid of looking stupid in front of other people? Because if someone is going to make you feel bad for trying something new and not being a pro at it your first 20 times, you probably shouldn't care about them anyway. The only way to stop being bad at something is to do it until you're not bad at it anymore. Terrible cook? Stop eating out all the time and start cooking every day. Look up youtube tutorials. Buy cookbooks. We live in an age when you can find tutorials for almost everything online. It's crazy! The people who do know how to do stuff are actively sharing how-to articles and videos with the world online so that other people can also learn how to do stuff. It's kind of amazing.







giving back
For this month I will be donating all small ad sales to Umoja Women, which is an amazing organization in Kenya. I was introduced to Umoja through Half the Sky, and if you have a few hours to spare and a Netflix account, I recommend giving it a watch. The following video is a little explanation of Umoja's history and mission, plus some incredible photographs by Siegfried Modola, a Nairobi based photographer.
Umoja is a village of women started in order to escape the violence and control of men. "In 1990, 15 women,allegedly raped by local British soldiers, and led by Rebecca Lolosoli, formed and registered the Umoja Uaso Women's Group with the then Ministry of Culture, Heritage and Social Services. They started by selling beadwork and other goods. After facing threats from men jealous of their success, the members decided to found a women-only village and reside together, thus providing collective security and cooperation." The Umoja village has had over 60 women and has grown to birth new nearby women's villages, such as the Nachami Women's Village, and recently Unity Women's village. In addition to creating their own financial success and independence through creating beaded artisan jewelry and artwork, they are also committed to informing women about their rights, their health and healthcare, and helping women start income-generating activities, as well as providing a safe place to escape violence from men.
Hi, I’m Liz
I'm an artist, writer, designer, DIY renovator, and … well basically I like to do all the things. If it’s creative I’m probably doing it. I’ve spent over 30 years voraciously pursuing a life steeped in creativity and I wholeheartedly believe creativity and joy are inextricably linked.
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