As my first blog post for the year, it's 10am and I'm sitting in bed in my pajamas with my cat at my feet. It may sound pretty lazy, but I've already been up for 4 hours, made breakfast and lunch, shipped off the kids to school, picked up coffee (yes, I went through the drive-through in my pjs), updated my website, finished up some paperwork and read through a presentation I am about to give today. Ok, I also checked Facebook to see what everyone is up to on this sunny winter day. I'm very excited about the possibilities for 2012. After about a year or so in business, I feel as though I have begun to make a name for myself in the community and I've made some new friends and connections that I 'm really looking forward to working with this year. I have so many ideas and (I believe because of my marketing background) I'm having as much fun marketing my business as when I actually work on a project. But it's not always fun. Building a business is a lot of work, and with a full-time job (that I thankfully still have), it's sometimes a challenge. Some days I feel as if all of the balls I have in the air will come crashing down, but I have a husband and family who are a great help with the kids and a wonderful boss (and lots of vacation time) that allow me to take care of business–both personal and professional–when I need it.As I say all the time, I absolutely LOVE this business. I love helping people with their homes. I love to help to create a space that makes them happy, whether it's to live in or sell. I love to solve a problem and relieve some stress for them. I guess what I offer is decorating therapy. Hmmm... maybe I've just coined a new phrase. Whatever you call it, I love it. And I hope you find time to do what you love to do. Happy New Year!Enter to win the FHD Frosty Facelift Contest. See details on our Contest page.
The recent death of Steve Jobs is something that hit close to home for me. I recently lost my brother to pancreatic cancer. Maybe because of that, I have been more than slightly interested in Mr. Jobs, his vision and his outlook on life (and the world) now more than ever before. I've always been a big fan of Apple products, but never really got to know the man behind the empire.
In these past few weeks, I've watched TV reports, read articles and watched videos about Steve Jobs. In my opinion, he was a man of not-so-great integrity when it came to his personal life–and some business dealings as well. But he knew what he wanted and he made it happen. He didn't take no for an answer and he pushed forward, looking ahead and creating products that consumers didn't even know they wanted until they saw them.
Steve Jobs put together his seven secrets of success. They're simple. They worked for him and I believe that if we follow them, they can work for us too. Whether in our personal lives or in business, the same principles apply and we can become successful.
Number one on that list is "Do what you love." I absolutely, with all my heart, believe that everyone should do this. With the passing of my brother, I have learned that life is too short not to find time to do something that makes you happy. Find time to do something you love on a regular basis whether it's a hobby, spending time with your family, running your business, reading, walking... whatever makes you feel good... just do it.
One of my favorite quotes (and quite possibly my absolute favorite) is this:
“For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin–real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, or a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.” – Fr. Alfred D'Souza
Life passes by sometimes without us even realizing it. Life is too short. Do what you love. Start now.
 Autumn is now officially here and there are so many beautiful colors and textures that come along with it. Use the natural elements of the season to create some gorgeous centerpieces and decorations to adorn your home for the next couple of months.
This example shows a vase filled with seeds (you can also use acorns or other nuts), with an arrangement of feathers, wheat and flowers. Just lovely!
(Below) Get creative with pussy willows. They always make a great statement in a room. Add to a vase for a simple look, or lie across your mantel with other season-specific items. Remember pressing leaves as a child? Get your wax paper out and savor the colors of the fall by keeping those vibrant colors alive all season. It's a great craft to do with children. Candles are always in season, but add some acorns or pine cones to a candle holder to create an elegant seasonal look.
The holidays will be here before we know it! First we're putting away our lawn furniture then, BOOM, it's Halloween. As we are beginning to take out our fall and winter wardrobe, I'm already thinking about getting the house in order for the visitors that we will have through the holiday season and the steady stream of new toys the kids will receive, beginning sometime in mid-December and not stopping until after Christmas.
It's time to start de-cluttering. Just as I do with our clothes, a couple of times a year I go through our "game closet" to see what games the kids have outgrown, which ones are missing too many pieces to salvage, and which ones are still in the original wrapper, unused and ready to be given away or (dare I say) re-gifted. Yes, I do re-gift.
The air conditioners are still in the windows, but I'm getting ready for the holidays. De-cluttering is liberating and gives you a sense of control and freedom. Even if you know (as I do) that the extra space you make will be soon filled with more stuff, at least for a little while things will be neat and tidy. And if you're lucky, you can clean out more than you'll take in and be left with a little extra breathing room.
Aaaahhhh, the change of seasons in New England. Although I hate to see summer end, the cool, crisp fall weather makes for comfortable sleeping and the colors are just breathtaking.
It's still early in the season, and with our summer-like weather these last few days, it certainly doesn't feel like fall. But when I look around, I see that the leaves have started to change colors and our backyard has already become scattered with leaves that the wind has loosened from the branches just a little too soon.
Fall colors are my absolute favorite. The deep, warm reds, oranges, browns and golds are so gorgeous. I can't help but be attracted to the autumn displays in the stores. It's a great time of year to give your space a facelift by cleaning out, redesigning and maybe even adding a new accessory or two to add some new interest for the upcoming holiday season.
Check out these gorgeous bowls. You can create a gorgeous, simple centerpiece by arranging gourds or red apples.
Inspiration can come from many sources. I've realized that some of my best ideas come when I am relaxed--in the shower, at night as I'm lying in bed, etc. As I'm on vacation in the mountains of New Hampshire, I look out from the deck of the house and see a beautiful view of the lake and mountains, some with homes that look like little Monopoly houses nestled among the trees. As the wind blows, the only sound I hear is the rustling of the leaves and I don't think I could be more relaxed.
My most recent project, a wonderful attic space redesign, is on my mind as we decide to make a quick stop last night after getting the kids some ice cream and looking at the antique cars at Plain Jane Diner's Cruise Night festivities. The "quick" stop ended up taking over an hour. My family tried to keep busy while I did my own cruising through the home goods section, finding some accessories that will tie in beautifully with the color scheme in the newly-painted room.
Although I didn't consider whether these items will actually fit into the car with everything else that we've packed and bought throughout the week, I'll find a place for them. After all, finding a way to organize and store items is my thing!
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