How Did You Get Started??

When starting a new business, this is the question that often you are asked:  How did you get started? How do you ever get customers?

First I want to start with natural talent coupled with learned information.  

I personally love what I do. I had the natural talent to do decorating.  My decision to polish this talent with taking every class available in college on interior design brought everything I did to an entire new level.

My personal belief on the contrary is I really don't think the best designer is one that just decided to go to collage to become one.  It really takes both, talent and information.  

College helps me to have confidence to know WHY a certain thing works, floor plan, the right rug, the right color choices, fabric selections, fine tuned room arrangements, etc. etc.  Natural talent makes items jump right off the shelf into my basket, create solutions, make a room look expensive on a small budget, understand people, lifestyles and needs.

So how did we get it all to a starting point and get a business moving to a busy consistent designer life?

Here is my theory:  I remember as a child in Louisiana seeing an old car with a scrubby looking old guy driving, obviously on his way to go fishing.  In the right front seat and going out of his back right rolled down window was not a fishing pole, but a bunch of fishing poles.  You see, the serious fisherman knows that if he is going to go fishing, he is going to use many poles!  

As this fisherman, I am a believer that in marketing a business there is not just one thing that you do to generate customers. Like the fisherman, we have to use many poles, many marketing tools.  It is never just one thing.  We can't just build a website and hope someone stumbles across it on the worldwide network of traffic.  It takes many poles.  This photo is a sample of the many poles I have personally used to promote what I do.

The real beauty is when you grow a clientele that will use your talents over and over.

I would love to hear your input on this subject!

The Spring Color Palette

If you have been analysed by a color consultant and not convinced of your diagnosed color, take a look at these gorgeous colors of the Spring Palette.  I have been inspired and know when we do indeed wear colors that flatter us most, we can be confident we are at our best.  Here are some combinations you can try.

Some palettes of Spring forces you to feel washed out, not enough punch and just not you.  Here is a good example of a True Spring that gives you some shades of Spring that would look fabulous on you and compromise color!

Simply gorgeous!  Really, anyone in the warm family groups could pull off these colors.

This collection seems to reach towards the softer tones of summer but could still be worn by the Springs.

Interesting combination.

This is one of the hottest colors out!  Watch for it!  It is everywhere.

  

AAAdorable!!

We can get an inspiration of this guy's color scheme.  I can see this with a skirt and exact tops.

Imagine this with a mint skirt.

Deeper colors you may love.

Blondes and fair skin, here ya' go. Remember, all Springs can wear these colors.

Here is one I would steal from the Spring category.  Love.

Note:  the most pricey things in your closet should be your basic nuetral.  Here are some ideas.

Just remember, unique you "spring" can rock these colors like no one else.  Wear it and know you are beautiful.  Be confident.

When Do You Stop Dreaming??

I have often thought, if I were the teacher for a senior citizen's class, the main thing I would remind them is to never stop dreaming.  When you stop dreaming, you die.

As our lives begin to push towards that category, it really makes you think.  Gary and I have had 3 major areas of focus and as we see these things finally coming to pass.  Then you begin to think, what's next?

Life changes when you are an empty nester. Lucky for us, our prodigal son came home 2 years ago.  We are thankful he is here and watching him recover from the scars of sin in his life has been rewarding.  You know, when the prodigal returned home in the bible, it did not give us details of his possible recovery time period and all he had to do to get recovered from his possible acquired addictions. We just have to rejoice in the fact that he is home and we know in time, he will be all God has purposed him to become.

Pastor preached last Sunday how frustrated God can become with us when He paid for so much and we believe for so little.  We must mix faith in our prayers to activate His promises in our lives.

Now for some things, what we have learned is sometimes He is indeed going to say yes to your prayer, but, we have to wait.  Now this is hard to do.  But, strong faith is when you stay at peace and KNOW that HE WILL do it in HIS time.

"When your faith is stronger than your fears, you and make your dreams happen".

We have seen these kind of prayers first hand.  Trust me, He is indeed faithful.  Just wait.  But while waiting, occupy.  I mean do all you know to do with each day.  Live your best life and try to grow, 

Find the best thing in your day and think on this.  Be thankful.  Take every negative thought, and we have many of those, and turn it into a positive affirmation.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  Philippians 4:8

Be blessed and have a great week.

Day 30: I've Almost Made It, Challenge Accepted

Wow, committing to 31 days of writing and only 2 days left.  Just so you know, I am official.  I have the T shirt to prove it.  LOL  If you would like to enjoy a lot of other bloggers connected with this challenge, you will want to go here and enjoy many other bloggers writing on various subjects of interest.

The close up says: "31 Days every October, every day".  Here is the link to my October 31 days of writing last year.

If no one ever reads this, I actually love going back and seeing what I was doing and the highlights I chose to write about.

This morning started with one of my favorite breakfast, oatmeal, brown sugar, pecans and cream.  So yummy.

Amazing what one little package of flowers can do to brighten a little corner.  These make me think of MawMaw Thompson, my hubby's grandmother.  I always remembered she loved planting lots of jumbo pansies every year.

So this morning when I opened up to Facebook, I saw this beautiful face.  : )

This is Hannah for her day of work.  How pretty is this?  I can't believe she did this 

herself.  I miss all the years we had so much fun getting her dressed for 

dress up parties.  She is very happy now all grown up and married.

Six years ago today, my Dad in law passed away after a long battle from a major vehicle accident.  We know he is in a good place.  He is so missed.  Love you, Dad.

 

The roar of thunder is outside.  Another day ending.  One day left of this month, then we must begin to deliberately think every day of the many things we have to be thankful for. Here is a quote I recently saw.  It really is so true.

100% positively true.  I challenge you to try this!!!  Even in my hardest days, when I began to train myself to focus on the good in my days, that is when my life changed.  I literally find myself laughing at myself now days, and so focused on what is good in a day I completely overlook things that can make it bad.  

Thanks for stopping by.  Good night, friends.

Day 29: Window Treatment Install

I love the finishing touches of a home we have been working on for some time now.  This install finishes our project with this South Shore Harbor area client.

This is the Master bath window.  I also love the chandelier we found for this space.

 This is the window treatment in the sun room overlooking the pool.  Love!

Also snapped a pic of the powder room with the accent wall covering and gold walls.  All paired

with a new vanity coupled with the newly installed copper sink.  Complete photos on my decorating blog.

     This little guy was so cute,
     I just had to get a pic.                                

My find for the day:  Hannah, starting up her LuLaRoe clothing line was in need of matching hangers.  We actually found some at a great price, and...in her favorite signature color, green.

Super upset arriving home, no purse!!  I trailed my way back along the 2 stop path and even to the police station to see if someone may have turned in my purse if found in the parking lot.  At last!  I found it in this store!  I suppose, right where I left it.  Telling my kids that were worried for me, Hannah says, "Now whhhaaattt did we learn from thiiisss"???  LOL  My answer, "don't tell your kids you lost your purse until you are POSITIVE it can not be found".  LOL  Bottom line, SOOO glad I found it.  Mainly, it also had my car keys in it!  I was with Gary at the time and he was waiting for me in the van.

Results:  happy day.  Good night.

Day 28: Republican Debate, Rockets and Awesome Church

My day was blessed with some time at home re-working my gallery wall.  I got so in to it that before I knew it I had completely forgotten an annual medical check up I had on the schedule.  One phone call and a rush out the door, it was all done.  The paperwork took longer than the exam itself.

On our way to church the skies were stunning!  I snapped several shots.  It only takes us about 15 to 20 minutes to get to Strawberry Road in Pasadena, but the views were ever changing.  We were into the night as we pulled into the parking lot.

Pastor preached about turning the tides on our enemy and shared his stories along with stories from late Tom Barnes, one of his mentors.  It brought down the house and our Wednesday evening service turned into a Sunday meeting!

We arrived home to view the Republican debate.  Wow, I just had to clap out loud for some of the great answers and sharpness of these candidates.  I can say we have some strong contenders for this upcoming election in the Republican party.  This was better than most movies I have ever watched.

We also enjoyed a late night getting to watch our favorite basketball team, the Rockets, taped for us.  A bit disappointed but we have great faith this team will catch up and show the true great team we know them to be.

This old chest has some square nails and I just don't have the heart to get rid of it.  Some things you 

keep long enough they feel like a part of you.  It just needs some TLC.  Suggestions please.

My idea is to strip and refinish and add some prettier knobs.  I have some lion head metal 

ones that are old I have considered.

This small original watercolor painting I have had a long time.  Because of it's

purple color, it has had a hard time fitting with my home.  Editing this vignette, it finally

feels right and I am liking it.

This is the gallery wall.  I have a little growing room.  I love the color

that I was able to bring into it and it makes an even happier spot 

in our home.  So looking forward to adding wedding shots from

Hannah and Blake's March wedding.

Note:  the mid century modern chairs are for sale and will not be a part of this wall.

 Now, you can follow this sunset.  The blue was a little towards

a teal and the pink a more peach color.  So beautiful.

Along with the teal and peach, the clouds starting becoming a 

mix with charcoal grays.

Then all became gray with only hints of pinks in the far horizon.

Until it became all gray and into the darkness of the night.

Good Night all.  I would love your comments.  Thanks for stopping by.

Day 27: Tweak

Tweak:  to adjust, fine tune.

I have always played the keyboard by ear, mainly the organ.  In the 80's I had a chance to get some chord signature lessons from Dan Dean.  Wow,  my ear just did not hear that one little note in some of the chords that made a huge difference!  With the tweak of a chord, I was playing fabulous sounding music!

I have found that in decorating and design, I can help clients make the tweak that is needed to bring their ideas and desires to a whole new level.

Paint and color can play a huge part in a design and getting the tweak of the perfect color can bring the room from so so to a real design.

I enjoyed working with a client today pulling together the finishing design plans of a home office and making it personalized.  Can't wait to share photos!  I will tell you that the accent colors are caramel and green coupled with rich deep woods.

Here are some photos from my day:

My Mid Century Modern chairs, my find of the day!  Awesome price.  Will sell on Craigslist.

These are super sturdy and heavy and have the original fabric on them.  I got a STEAL but they are worth a good price.

Tonight, I worked in my office.  This is my sofa and rug.

Here is my mid century modern credenza/dresser styled.

Tonight I tried my best to capture the gorgeous full moon. Here is also a photo of what my battery looks like most of the time.  lol

Good Night.