weekend project: Pinterest cleanup

Saturday night while Peter worked, I spent some time wrapped in a blanket with my Good Wife DVDs and my weekend project: cleaning up my Pinterest boards. My pin to present resolution has gotten me to actually follow through on some of these images I've saved for inspiration, but I've realized I also need a resolution to pin only things that actually inspire me in the first place.

So I went through all my boards and removed a whole bunch of extraneous pictures that I didn't love as much as others. It's hard to be inspired when there are 200 images to wade through, and taking the time to pare down means I can actually see the things I really like. (Also, it was kind of fun to do. I like organizing.)

Plus, considering each pin and whether I wanted to keep or delete it helped me understand what I really like about each and how it could contribute to my sense of personal style (which I have been honing lately) or the feeling I want our home to have. Honestly, some of those oldest ones I wasn't sure why I ever pinned in the first place! I guess that says something about evolving style, but also something about needing to be a little discerning and actually know myself.

These were the questions I found helpful to consider in editing and for going forward:

1. Is it me? The starting premise: if your Pinterest boards are going to be something that inspire you to make or cook or decorate things, the images have to reflect you and your style. I mean, seriously, as delicious as the Sprinkle Bakes mint-white chocolate mousse cake looks and sounds, I know I won't make things that require that many steps or spring form pans. That's not me. So why is was it on my board? And so on with a bunch of outfits and home decor, etc.

2. Is it who/what I want to be? It's also good to try new things and stretch and change, so inspirations that draw that out are great - but they of course need to fit into who you are and the direction you want to be headed. (And not overwhelm you by being one of 200 images.) With clothing inspirations especially, I've narrowed down the boards to things I would actually wear, but that perhaps combine pieces or colors I already have in new, interesting ways.

3. What themes emerge? Once you've got all images that are you, you can also define and consolidate your style/tastes by analyzing themes and similarities across them. With planning our new kitchen, it was so helpful to put a bunch of images I really liked onto one board and then look back through to see which elements and materials the kitchens that I was most drawn to had in common.

Now I want to see what you all have been inspired to do from your Pinterest boards... So on October 18 I'm going to do a reader feature - if you have a Pinterest-inspired project or outfit or meal or anything to share, email me with: (1) a photo of your version, (2) a link to the inspiration pin/source, and (3) if you've shared it on your blog, a link to your post (or just a link to your blog).

So go forth and pin more carefully and follow through!