Day 13: Berry, Don't Be Afraid

When it comes to color, don't be afraid.  Searching some inspiration for this berry color, here are some inspirations I found.  In this photo, the green is a great complimentary color.

I love the deep gray which tones down the bright color sofa and lets it take the show.

Even better, I love the neutral sofa and the pop of berry color on the wall.  There is no better way to give your room a lift than paint, the biggest bang for the buck.

Paired with this charcoal sofa, it looks great!

Here's an example of using the berry just as a pop in this would be neutral space.

Today, shoulder to the wheel, I got A LOT done.  Looking forward to a church design/decor job coming up.  Have a great Wednesday!

Day 12: Nothing Like an Inward Cleansing

It was great to have one entire day to do nothing but do some cleansing in my own home.  After watching a Barefoot Contessa cooking show yesterday and getting a recent nudge about organizing in our Ladies Fall Fest, I was pumped to dive into the heart of our home and get to work.  It's been a long time coming and something that just has to be done every so often.  Mine was long over due.

I decided to make my hard work reach a higher level of satisfaction, I really needed a few things to make everything look nice.  I went to Target, which I almost never shop.  I went down the kitchen organizing stuff...which I rarely ever look at.  I came home with my storage solution for my spices and few other things.  I first shopped online for tins for my spices as I buy from bulk at HEB and most of them are in zip lock tiny bags or flimsy plastic boxes. 

I decided on some 4 ounce Ball jars and an additional purchase of some plastic lids.  I went to Michaels and found some chalk black labels and fine point chalk with a holder.  ♥  

In the middle of my work, the UPS man came and delivered a package for me I had won as a random pick from my 31 Days of Writing Challenge.  See the photo below.  It is really nice and has some positive affirmations that I will see every morning when getting my coffee.

When it seems like no matter what you do to the outside, and you still feel you are lacking, it just may be you need a real cleansing on the inside.  Like my post on "It's Never too Late", old habits is our greatest enemy.  But here it the tip that works....  I have seen hard core sinners come into our church and instantly become changed and new.  I myself, once meeting God, seeking Him and receiving His Spirit in my own heart, instantly became a new creature.  Like His Word says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new".  2 Corinthians 5:17

The power to change is indeed possible.  I CAN do all things through Christ which strengthens me!

Good night.

Day 11: Clean Out The Ashes

A few years ago, I heard a sermon that really stuck with me.  This conference speaker shared that as a boy growing up, it was his responsibility to clean out the ashes in the old stove every morning before his Dad built a new fire.  You see, in order to make a fresh new fire, the old ashes had to be removed in order for the best fire to be kindled again.

Sometimes we want blessings, more things, when our lives are completely cluttered with too many things.  It has a way of snuffing out every bit of breath your home may have or, how ever you want to apply this.

I also know of someone that was praying for a husband and lived her life as a single person.  Her home and everything she did, did not have a space for another person.  For example, her garage had only one space for a car because it was only her.  This brought to her attention, she cleared space for another vehicle in hopes this would move her closer to her dreams.  And yes, it attracted the very thing that she had longed for.

It's kind of like churches, I have heard when they get 80% full, it is time to begin a building program less your congregation begins to decline.  I am not sure just why, but proven.

I have found for myself joy when I have one drawer that is empty, one large bowl sitting on a counter completely empty and extra hanging space in my closet.

So that being said, I am on the path to begin decluttering my home and cleansing.  Instead of purchasing another accessory that I really do not need, I want to purchase tin containers to put my spices in and replace hodge-podge bowls, etc. with some fresh sets just to begin with.  This will take some time and money but mainly discipline!  Ew, that's a word we really do not like.

I hope you have had a great week end as I have had.  Looking forward to what this coming week has in store.  Good night.

D A Y 10: Fall Fest

As ladies director of the Church Triumphant, Pasadena, we helped to bring about a Ladies Fall Fest today.  It was a lot of work but so worth the results.  The Fest consisted of a live cooking show, transfer vintage photo art, huge snowflakes crafts, and tutorials on "Plan My Days", Book Cover Pop, Fashion Styling with scarves and decorating with apothecary jars.  We were also treated with a taste of the cooking show's delights and an array of snacks and beverages.

The recipes and styling tutorials will be posted soon on Heartstrings blog.

Joyce Morgan, Plan My Days

Taken during the cooking show.

Joan Glass with Kimberly Sciscoe.

Heartstrings Ladies.

Apothecary Decor

Have a Great Sunday. Smiles.

D A Y 9: It's Never Too Late

This is what I am feeling tonight. I just want encourage someone tonight that it is not over for you.  No matter where you are in life at this very moment, YOU have the power to get up and start fresh.  God IS on YOUR side.  He is cheering for you on on the side lines.  In fact, He wants to be right in the big middle of everything you do.  

Follow your passion. The rest will attend to itself. If I can do it, anybody can do it. It's possible. And it's your turn. So go for it. It's never too late to become what you always wanted to be in the first place.

J. Michael Straczynski

It is never too late to strengthen the foundation of faith. There is always time. With faith in the Savior, you can repent and plead for forgiveness. There is someone you can forgive. There is someone you can thank. There is someone you can serve and lift. You can do it wherever you are and however alone and deserted you may feel.

Henry B. Eyring

It is never too late to change the way you eat - once you do, your body will thank you with a longer and healthier life.

David H. Murdock

It's never too late. Don't focus on what was taken away. Find something to replace it, and acknowledge the blessing you have.

Drew Barrymore

There's a lot of women out there, some of whom are my age who've never been married and some who have been married and would like to be married again but think their ship has sailed, and I'm like, 'Oh no, honey, let Miss Niecy show you it is never too late for love!'

Niecy Nash

I don't always have the best eating habits. I like butter and ice cream. There are days when I should work out and I don't. But it's never too late to change old habits.

Florence Griffith Joyner

Here is a photo I just saved the other day as it is very powerful.  Something to ponder.  I think Grandparents are even better than when they were parents because they have finally slowed down long enough to realize this.  The things that I take time to do and talk to Abigail Summer about, my granddaughter at only 4 years old are indeed things I wish someone would have taken time to share with me when I was her age.

I really missed not have Grandparents growing up.  But, my parents and childhood was so that I never realized I was missing anthing.  I am thankful for great parents that lead by example and gave us the thought processes that we could do anything.

Good Night.

Day 8: Super Tired

Wow, it has been a super busy day.  Worked on a presentation for a new client.  Loving the inspiration I am feeling for this home and great couple.

Had a leadership meeting tonight followed by meeting with a committee for our Ladies' Fall Fest happening this Saturday.  So much to do.  So thankful for this committee following through on all of their commitments.  It's going to be a fun day!

Earlier today, I did some work at home and reclaimed my dining room again.  I moved the table I recently purchased into it's new space and did a little styling.  This cozy room draws you into the space.

From this pic, I think I just need to add a rug.  I am thinking a white fur one but I want it to be a really thick one and let it flow into the negative space.  I will add another photo later of the left side another day when it is nice and sunny.

Good Night.  Tomorrow.  Make it great!

Day 7: Everything Needs a Home

Today, I thought I would just pass on something that I read in an organizing book that has helped me.

"Everything Needs A Home."

As simple as this seems, no matter what item you are picking up or need to store or put away, it may be on the procrastination list because it really does not have a distinctive place that it goes.

Now, I have to preach this to myself and remind my own self sometimes.  I am not a neat freak and if you could see my house at this moment, you would most likely laugh out loud that I would be writing this.

I have a medium size box and a basket I am looking at right now in my office with things that needs to find their home.  Sometimes it's as simple as creating a new file folder with that name on it or clearing a drawer or shelf.  It can really be that simple.

I think our biggest problem is there is sometimes NO MORE VACANCY in our housing development for some of the new stuff we bring into our home.  As a reminder to myself and to you, we become maxed out when we fail to find a moment or two to take something out.  Give it away, throw it away or sell it.  Sounds easy?  It really isn't.

As I quoted on a recent blog, "inch by inch, anything is a cinch".  I can remember taking out one drawer each night and turning it upside down and going through the stuff.  I found plenty of things to go to the trash, give away or reorganize.

At this moment, I am overwhelmed by the amount of stuff in my house!  Furniture that goes back to clients, a pile of decor making ready for another client, a fabulous large frame I got out of someone's trash on the side of the road ( !), 3 large baskets waiting for a church event, and the list goes on.

My advise, if your home becomes too overwhelming, start with one corner.  I used to think I could not clean unless I could detail clean the entire space at one time.  As a result, things just didn't get done as it should.  I have learned, even if I were to break up a room for example the bathroom, potty one day, tub the next, sink area another day, I have at lease gotten one area done and 9 times out of ten, that is all I needed to get my "starter" going and before I know it I have the entire space done.

Ok, just a few words and just maybe someone may be encouraged.

Not everyone has had good examples in their life.  Not everyone has had someone love them enough to share something as simple as this blog post.  It may not be for you, but, JUST MAYBE, someone needs it.

This is one area that can be tackled very easy and brings great rewards.  All of the toilet paper out of the plastic wrapper and neatly put on a shelf, q tips, etc. in clear glass, towels folded neatly, add a basket and decor.

There are tons of ideas on Pinterest and Google searches.  Have a great day Thursday!  Now, decide what area you can tackle tomorrow.  No matter what you keep shuffling around, give it a home and you will always know where to put it.