My Mermaid Hair Experience


Wednesday, I did something totally different and out of the ordinary for me! I got extensions! I went to J Gold, or Jessica Goldstein Salon, in Atlanta and had such a great experience that I just had to share it with all of my blog friends! 

I made an appointment to have my hair brightened with highlights, and to get extensions of course! This is something I've wanted to do for a long time to add volume to my hair, and of course length, and I finally just called and made an appointment! 

I'd had my hair highlighted about a year ago (seriously y'all, this is something I never do) at J Gold with Morgan and I loved my experience so much that it wasn't a hesitation for me to decide where I wanted to go! They are known for their expertise on extensions, as well as color, and they definitely do not disappoint!


We started with the color before the extensions, so we could match them to my hair color! I also went with my girl Lindsey and she got a bomb blow out! It looked fabulous! 


If you're a fan of the local, but HUGE Youtuber Casey Holmes, J Gold Salon is where she gets her hair done so it is clearly a highly loved and recommended salon! The owner of Spanx actually uses them as well!


Then it was time for my extensions! They looked a little funny when they first started putting them in, and Lindsey got a little freaked out! But after they put in all of them and cut and shaped them-- they looked amazing!


You can see in the above photo how they started to come along as Morgan cut them with the rest of my hairstyle!


I would highly recommend J Gold Salon, as well as my girl, Morgan who styled my hair to perfection! Definitely ask for her and tell her I sent you if you make a visit!

Thanks a million to all of the precious ladies there who make having your hair done there a luxury experience!

In the meantime, you can check out their website here!


Answering Your Questions!


Today's blog was actually a request from our Pin it Co. customers! So many of you wanted me to do a Q + A video!

So, as requested, I'm answering all of the questions you submitted on my Instagram (follow me @allyturpen if you haven't already)!


Q: Will you be selling bedding online?
A: Yes! Right now we sell throws and pillows online, but we do have plans to sell some of our bigger bedding sets online so keep your eyes out for that.

Q: Do you do all the buying?
A: Yes, I do take girls with me occasionally to go and buy at Market because I don't like to go alone, but I do get more done when I go alone! I love to be the one to pick it out since I'm the one selling it to you (on our live videos)!

Q: What is your favorite item you have ever sold at Pin it?
A: That's a hard one! In my original store we handmade everything, so honestly I would say some of my favorite things were from the very beginning-- just getting to watch something that took so long come to completion. Those sales really meant a lot to me.

Q: Can we have a live tour of your home?
A: Thank you for asking that! We are actually planning on the second week of April to start letting you guys into my house through the blog! It's going to be how-to tutorials and those kinds of things! I'm planning to do a project a week in my home for you guys. So make sure you're checking the blog!

Q: How did you get the courage to open Pin it Co.? Did you take out a loan? Were you afraid that you would not succeed?
A: So we were really just driving through town and there was an open building and we just jumped. I think I'm missing that sensor in my brain that says "Hey, you should be scared right now"! I don't get afraid of challenges most of the time, I just embrace them. I never believed I wasn't going to succeed-- it's not been an option for me. If I try something new, and fail I feel like it's not a loss, I've learned. 
I did not take out a loan. We didn't really have a lot of capital going in; we had palettes and hand-made everything. There is definitely peace of mind knowing I own everything here and don't owe anything for it.

Q: What got you interested in Pin it and how did you get started?
A: So I got interested because Shane deployed and while he was deployed, I moved home. And during that time I really needed a hobby and my mom and dad were really accommodating. So I redid every room in their house. I laid all their flooring, painted cabinets, tile work, you name it. Then when Shane came back, we were driving through town and there was an empty building. So that really segued perfectly.
My little cousin actually named it Pin it-- I was totally against it at first! I did not want it to be called Pin it. I was going to call it Sisters. My grandpa had always called every girl in our family "Sister" and so I really wanted to name the store that.

Q: How many animals do you have? Do they sleep in your bed with you?
A: So I have Coco, and she is our shop dog so she stays there all the time. At the house, we have Hattie, a little tiny Yorkie mix. She sleeps nestled everywhere. And then I have Rosie, a Great Pyrenees, who sleeps upside down in her own bed. And then we have Brock, my original baby that I found on the side of the road my senior year of high school and he quickly became my child. Then we have Charlotte, and she is a German Short-Haired Pointer-- and she is WILD. Both of them sleep in their own beds. And we also have two goats, the baby Kenny and Kevin, his older brother. So lots of animals for sure!

Q: What is a cute way to stage a round dinner table?
A: So I'm really into a minimal look right now-- so one option I would give you is some vintage found or bought glass jugs with clippings you find. You could also go for Easter and fill a dough bowl or a glass with Easter eggs. Candlesticks are also a go-to!
Another thing you can do, is post it on our Facebook community, Pin it Decor Deals, where our customers help each other with styling!

Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of since starting Pin it Co.?
A: There's a few. I would definitely start with Joy Prom. It is so close to my heart and sometimes I get teary-eyed thinking about it.
Then I would say of doing it myself. That is something that I kind of have to remind myself everyday that "You're doing it-- and it's on your terms and you're a strong woman".
And I'm also proud of the team I've put together. They're really awesome.

Q: Are y'all hiring?
A: We are always taking applications! And when our Cafe opens near the end of April we will definitely need some help in that area!

Q: How did you and Shane meet?
A: So we were 16 years old. My mom is a post-master in Buchanan and a co-worker wanted to set me up with her nephew and so my mom told her to bring a photo of him the next day. Well, Shane's mom overheard and brought a photo of him to my mom the next day as well! So my mom came home and was like "Here you go Ally, here's two guys that are interested in meeting you". And I was thinking "What the heck are you doing at work??" When I saw Shane's picture I looked at my mom and was like "Who is this grown man? He has to be like 35 or something" And my mom said "No he's your age". Which he is literally only 11 days older than me, but looked like a grown man! But as soon as I got that out of my mouth he texted me, so apparently my mom was giving out my number at work too, and the rest is sort of history.

Q: How long has Pin it Co. been open?
A: So we're in our 6th year currently, it will actually be 6 years in November!

I hope you all learned something, and it was really fun answering all of your questions!




Styling a Modern Farmhouse with the Wylie Team


I am so excited to finally be sharing this with all of you!! I have been working on this project with my team for over a month and it finally came to life last week! I collaborated with The Wylie Team Realty to stage an entire home that is for sale (*Edit: is now under contract) in the Historic District of small town Carrollton, GA. 220 Austin Avenue is now a home style dream! 

Before I reveal to you all of the beautiful photos of this interior dream home, take a look at the video below for some information on the home as well as a little tour!


As you heard in the video, we decided to stage this home so you can see our Pin it Co. items off the shelf and in action, to give you an idea of how they might look in your own home as well as how you can stage them yourself!

If you are interested in any of these items, you can shop on our website here!

Naturally, let's get started with some before and after photos!



One of the things I loved the most about this home was the open and modern kitchen and dining area!




For the style in this home, I chose a modern farmhouse look which really soared in the dining area in particular! The large print photo, courtesy of ENewbern Photography, made a beautiful focal piece above the dining table!


One of my favorite styling techniques in a farmhouse look is to combine various chairs around the table! It creates a look that has character and a lived-in feel!


The centerpiece of the table definitely tied in the farmhouse look!


Heading over to the main kitchen area, the modern farmhouse style really came to life! The modern backsplash and white cabinetry combined beautifully with farmhouse elements like the scale and vintage croc!





Storing your dry foods is both practical and accessible and I loved staging cookies and pasta noodles in these clear canisters!




The sink area was likely my favorite area of the kitchen! It's for sure a home style misconception that your sink has to be the most boring area of the kitchen! I staged this area with some essentials like soap, a soap dish and a candle, but also incorporated some greenery and other decor pieces!





Moving on to the living room area, I loved how home-y and cozy this space became! I think this is the area of the home that saw the largest transformation! When you tour an open home it can be difficult to picture such a large and open space like the living room with your furniture and decor. It can be tricky to start anew and make decisions about where to position things in a way that both makes the most of your space and has a high design feel. I think this style accomplished both!





On top of the mantel, I styled some large prints in combination with a few other items like this willow jar, old books, and candlesticks! Using large prints or other large focal pieces prevents you from having to style several smaller items.


With the two end tables in the room, one of my top tips is to balance busy with minimal. On one table, I styled a simple pedestal and vase with olive branches and boho beads.




On the second end table, I went for a more full look! I started with a willow tray as the base and layered multiple decor elements!


Shelving in bookcases is one of my favorite things to style because you can incorporate a variety of elements and practice layering techniques! It is important to remember to stagger heights and kinds of elements to achieve a high design look.





The coffee table in the center of the room was the perfect height for practical and decor use, and I loved the possibility for storage created with the crates underneath the table!

Dusty Miller Garland (in large mouth vessel)


Of course, staggering couch pillows is one of my favorite things to do concerning home style! I loved these grey and neutral pillows and the way they toned down the room!

Finally, let's end with some of the smaller nooks in the home!

Beside the front door of the home we placed this simple little "Life is so good" sign that added a sweet and welcoming little touch!



By the back door, we set up this sweet little exit nook! 



Right around the corner we set up this lovely chicken wire bookshelf!


Next to the kitchen, we added a buffet with a beautiful arched shutter!





Special thanks to The Wylie Team for the opportunity to collaborate on this project and to The Furniture House for providing the gorgeous sectional, chairs, coffee and end tables! I had so much fun creating in this beautiful space and I look forward to collaborating on more projects like this in the future!


Of course, thank you to ENewbern Photography for the stunning photos and Matt Seagle with Seagle Films for the amazing video!

Pin it Co. Styling Workshop Recap


Last weekend Pin it Co. hosted our first styling workshop! We had so many ladies turn out to learn how to style the perfect mantel and have a fun girls night!

It was such a success and everyone was able to take home tips and tricks they can use in their own home styling!

We captured a few sweet photos and created a cool video so all of you can see what our styling workshops are like! If you're local, keep an eye out on Facebook for our next event!

I can't wait to see you there! 












The Happiest + Busiest Place on Earth: Disney Travel Blog


Last month I took a trip down to Orlando, FL with my mom and sister to visit the happiest place on Earth! I did a lot of traveling in February, and this was a trip that was definitely very action packed! We went for my mom's Christmas present and sister's birthday and it was a ton of fun-- but Disney is definitely not the trip you choose if you want to relax!

Just like my Nashville travel blog, I want to tell you what we did each day we were there so you can get some ideas of things you might want to do on your own Disney vacation!

We started our first day at Epcot and it was definitely one of my favorite parks! We rode several neat rides-- like Living with the Land that gives you a tour of how Disney grows a lot of their own food!


Later, we traveled over to Mexico for all things Coco! They had the sweetest little indoor candlelit restaurant called La Cava Del Tequila, that is dark and candlelit all day long! 

We finished the day watching the fireworks in Epcot!

One cool tip I learned that day-- Disney has charging stations called fuel rods sprinkled throughout the parks so you can recharge your phone!

I didn't document much the next day because we were oh so busy! We ate at this incredible restaurant called Chef Art Smith's Homecomin'! I had yummy potato salad and fried chicken! 

Our last day was my sister's birthday and we spent the day at Magic Kingdom!



We went to the Hall of Presidents and saw the show there! Each president has a replica that speaks and they stand together!


Of course, we had Dole Whip and rode the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad!



We finished off the day at the Be Our Guest Restaurant and watching the firework show in Magic Kingdom! 



This was such a fun trip with my mom and sister and I loved getting to experience Disney with them!

If you have any Disney hacks or favorite places-- make sure to let me know! I'd love to try them out next time I go back!