Lindsay Ballard, Author at Makely

During the last few days of the year, bloggers from hither and yon post round-ups of their favorite projects of the year. Sadly, for this blogger, I basically spent an entire year on one. single. project. Needless to say, I don’t really have 10 amazing projects that I think are worth sharing again. But, did you see those walls?!?

So, instead of trying to resurrect some of my admittedly ‘meh’ projects from this year to round out a top 10 list, I thought I would share with you some of my favorite projects from other bloggers. And since I am a HomeRight ambassador and LOVE all of their products, I’m doing a round up of my top 10 favorite projects from other bloggers who used HomeRight tools. That’s not a super catchy title, so I’m just calling it My Favorite HomeRight Projects of 2014.

My Favorite HomeRight Projects of 2014

1. DIY Embossed State Art via Bliss at Home – I have never heat embossed (or regular embossed) anything in my life, but this tutorial makes me want to emboss everything in sight! Kristin used the HomeRight Heat Pro Deluxe II Heat Gun for this project, and you can find various embossing powders on Amazon or in craft stores.

2. Gold Snake Bowl via Rain on a Tin Roof – Finally, something chic to do with those fake toy snakes that scare the crap out of me. This really looks like something Nate Berkus would design, doesn’t it? Jenna used the HomeRight Heat Pro Deluxe II Heat Gun for this project.

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In Austin, we’ve entered the season where everyone around town exclaims, “It’s that time of the year!” Nope, I’m not talking about the kids being crazy excited for their winter break or the Christmas music that’s been playing (and is still playing) in every store for the last two months. Folks, I’m talking about this:

(image via Andy Heatwole)

“The trees spontaneously combust in Austin this time of year?” Well, kind of. I’d like to introduce you to cedar season in Austin. Beginning in December and lasting through January, the Mountain Cedar trees that plague our fine city release their pollen into the air with such fervor that it looks like the trees are on fire. When Tom and I were first married, we lived at an apartment complex on top of a hill of cedar trees. One day, I looked out and I thought our entire hill was engulfed in flames. He may have received a frantic call at work that day.

The longer you live in Austin, the worse your cedar allergy gets. I silently chuckle at the unaffected newcomers. It’ll get you my pretty. And your little dog, too! Eventually, they will get to play fun games, like this one of my friends recently posted on Facebook:

So, why do people continue to still live in a place where everyone is sniffling, sneezing and itching for about two months a year. Well, because it’s AUSTIN, and if you’ve ever been here, you understand.

According to the CDC, allergies cannot be prevented, but allergic reactions can be. Here in Austin, my family and I have just learned some ways to help cope with the inevitable cedar pollen. Here are my three go-tos:

Using Essential Oils – I’ve only recently gotten started using essential oils to minimize my symptoms to seasonal allergens, and my favorite mixture is a blend of Lavender, Lemon and Peppermint oils that I put together. I mix them in equal parts into a little roller bottle, and I roll it across my forehead, under my eyes, down my nose and below my nose every morning….