Monday Motivation

Tags

Motivation, Quotes

Be BRAVE

“Most of our obstacles would melt away if instead of cowering before them we should make our minds to walk boldly through them.” ~ Orison Swett Marden

Be CONFIDENT

“Look the world straight in the eye.” ~ Helen Keller                      

Be STRONG

“We define ourselves by the best that is in us, not the worst that has been done to us.” ~Edward Lewis

Be INVOLVED

“Life is not a path of coincidence, happenstance, and luck, but rather an unexplainable, meticulously charted course for one to touch the lives of others and make a difference in the world.” ~ Barbara Dillinham

                lantern can be found at Dayspring

All of the quotes above are from a book given to me by a sweet friend and it is one that I read frequently and cherish. The book is called Be: Life is Here and It is Now, by Kobi Yamada. The entire book is filled with quotes.

According to the inscription, the book is dedicated to those who live in the moment and who are committed to living their lives on purpose.

Let’s commit to living our lives on purpose and be all that we can be TODAY.

Happy New Week Everyone!

Coming Up; A Party and a Fairy Garden

Tags

Family, Grandkids

I realize my posting frequency has dropped.

But hopefully, I’ll get back in a rhythm again…. soon.

Tonight…… we’re having a Surprise 30th Birthday Party for my son.

Makes me feel old.

But why is it that when you look in the mirror you look older than you feel?

 This weekend, I hope to start my fairy garden.

They have been popping up all over and I want to give it a try.

I plan on grabbing a partner, my grand-daughter and scouring for some miniatures to put in our fairy scene and getting it started.

Not sure what we’re going to use yet, but I’m thinking an old wheelbarrow, like this one.

 

                                     Image via Better Homes and Gardens

 

I think she will love helping.

 

 

She loves to make up stories.

 

 

She loves to make things.

 

 

We love to shop.

 

 

So, I think we’re set!

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wicker Basket Update

Tags

Decorating, Floral Arrangments, projects, Summer Decorating

Due to my ever-changing, editing, re-working nature…..I gave this basket a face lift. I bought it last year and filled it with this red and yellow arrangement which is ok but, I’ve never really liked the color of the basket against the color of the siding on my house. It just didn’t pop much. Not full enough, just not the effect I was looking for. Kind of blah, actually.

 Here is the after………

More spunk, color and fullness, it actually shows up from the street and catches your eye in the driveway, which was the way it is intended.

Now, let’s see what I can do to spruce up the the front of the house.

I’m linking up; over at Between Naps on the Porch

Five Minute Friday: Together

Tags

Five Minute Friday, Quotes

Today I’m linking up and joining in over at The Gypsy Mama, for as she puts it, to write with gusto, unselfconscious, and flat-out for five minutes on the topic she chooses.

Today’s topic; Together

7:00 AM

Go

A fitting topic for me today because we, as a family, have been and still are going through some trying times.  I know that no ones wants to read about bad things when they browse through blogs. You want to see projects, pictures of pretty things and hear inspiration.

But what we are going through all families go through at some point in their lives. My Father-in-law is not well. I do not feel comfortable going through any details but just to say that his time is probably limited.

 No one wants to go through this alone and it seems that at times like this we always come together. Even when time and distance have made us grow apart. 

This is when families come together.

When we come into this world, we bring people together and when we leave this world, we bring people together.

“There is no such thing in anyone’s life as an unimportant day.” ~ Aleander Woollcott

7:05 Stop

Girls Getaway

Tags

Family, getaway weekend, Home Staging, Shopping

It was our second annual  Girls Getaway Weekend last weekend. Hey, you have to start somewhere!

We got to do exactly what we wanted, when we wanted to do it. Although the rain did put a little damper on things. It was a quick getaway, left on Friday and returned late Monday afternoon. We drove to Branson, Missouri and………….

Shopped.

Ate.

Shopped some more.

Went to see the movie, The Hunger Games, which we both loved. It was one of the first books turned into a movie that I actually thought was just as good as the book. I’ve read them all. If you haven’t, I would definitely recommend them.

Anyway…….. back to our weekend……

 We relaxed. 

Did I  mention we shopped?

Here’s a little treasure I found.

Birds are a big trend this year, you’ll find them popping up everywhere. Check out the latest issue of Elle Decor and you’ll even find a little “diddy” about the bird trend.

I bought this to use for Home Staging purposes. We were thinking it would be cute holding lemons, used as a centerpiece for a cute tablescape and or with a little nest tucked inside.

I have big vacant home staging coming up so I’m anxious to find just the right spot for it.

 I’ll share pictures of my bird-cage when it finds its first home. Now I wish I had purchased more of these. It’s really growing on me.

Thanks for stopping by today!

 

 

Middle of the Week

Tags

Paint, Quotes

I don’t know how it can already be Wednesday. Mid Week.

Wasn’t it just Easter Sunday?

Yesterday was the hubby’s birthday.

I have today off….will be clearing out the bunnies, baskets and eggs and leaving things a little empty. Time to let everything breathe for a while.

It’s that in between time of year when Spring has sprung, Easter has been and Summer is on the way.

Time to reflect. Plan. Breathe.

Think about summer!

I’m loving turquoise this year for summer.

 I know that Pantone declared Tangerine Tango the color of 2012 and I do love it, 

………….I’m still thinking about using some turquoise this year. 

 

But for now…… I’m just gonna let everything breathe and see what inspires me. 

I ran across a quote this morning that kind of sums up where I am at right now.

“Be grateful for the home you have, knowing that at this moment, all you have is all you need.” ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

Home Staging Tip: Use Your Creativity

Tags

Decorating, Home Staging Tips, projects, Quotes

There are several components to being a good stager. Or just good decorating in general. One of those key components is creativity. Everyone has it -yes they do! Some, just tap into it more than others. And when you are a stager, it is almost mandatory to be creative.

Here are a few quick tips that involve some creativity, which in staging means, using what is available to you the day of your staging or something you can DIY and get up very quickly.

And they will also work great for “staging” your own home.

• Fabric stretched and stapled over canvas, like I did here.
• Using paper of all and any kind plain, printed, wallpaper, cards, even fabric framed like I did here  for inexpensive wall art.
• Tree branches, fishing poles, fishing oars, hockey sticks, or even baseball bats can be great window curtain rods. Just be careful how you hang them!
• Using trays or decorative plates to tell story’s, make vignettes or keep items together. These are great almost anywhere.
• Cabinet doors or any scrap wood, painted a trendy or coordinating room color, (or not) for the rustic look, used as a backdrop on shelves, mantels or even leaned up against a wall.
• Bring the outside inside. Scour your yard for branches, leaves or flowers to add something green to your space.
• Experiment with the unexpected. Try placing a very rustic piece next to a very modern piece.
• Try a new room arrangement. Something different in a space. It’s kind of like taking a new route to work. Same job, same room, but it can change your attitude and outlook on each.

I once wrote on someone’s comment bar that there is nothing that a little creativity can’t solve when decorating or adding pizzaz to a space.

Just take some time to tap into it.

” Creativity comes from trust. Trust your instincts. And never hope more than you work.”~ Rita Mae Brown

Weekend…Inspiration?

Tags

Decorating, Interior design, Wallpaper

I’ll be honest.

I am not sure how to write this post.

This past weekend my hubby and I were booked at a hotel not far from our home (1 1/2) hours away. It was just a get out-of-town for 24 hours type of getaway.

On the way there we received notice that his dad was in the hospital with a bad infection. So, we spent most of the time at the hospital.

I am NOT complaining, glad we were able to be there.

He is doing better but not sure what the outcome of this whole thing will be yet.

So, here’s the dilemma……

I was going to post on the wonderful getaway, which it was not. But such is life. Things do not always go as planned.

I don’t want to sound like I’m complaining………I’m not!

I hate to report on something that made me smile in the midst of what was going on.

But , I did find something that made my creative juices flow.

So……

here I go,

I love this wallpaper!!

So much that I photographed it.

And I am not a big fan of wallpaper.

Actually, I loved the whole space. The colors were so relaxing. I wish they would have steamed the shams and bed skirts though!

I edited my photos using PicMonkey…thank you to Thistlewood Farm, for introducing me to this editing site. it is so much fun.

Thanks for stopping by today!