Day Eight: Lucky Five

I am feeling like a give away tonight.  I am thankful for my readers on my blogs and social media sites.  I am hoping someone will want and be thankful for this give away.  I am offering to the first 5 people who respond a quick sketch of an area you would like to some help in or a vignette.  It could be an idea on how to style your fireplace mantel, coffee table, a dead corner that needs something and you just don't know what to do with, or whatever!

Email me with at least one photo of the area.  I will respond and let you know if you are "in".  Once we get to 5, I will make a post on this blog and let you know the contest is over.

Here are a few I have done for clients:

This one is an entire room, I am offering a segment of a space but, you may get lucky and get the whole plan!

This was showing an area for a child in the client's home office.  I explain in actual presentation what each thing is.

Here's a dead wall that needed an idea.

These are all done on my iphone with one finger drawing.  I do some in my sketch book also.  Now, let's see if I have any takers.  Here is where to enter:

donna_r_madden@yahoo.com  If it is easier for you to respond via facebook, simply send me a back message with your photo and say "I'm in"!

I will post on Facebook and this blog when the contest is closed.

I'm excited!  Hope you are too.  

Day Seven: Priority

Ok, let me be honest.  After a super busy day, my hubby and I decided on a late night date.  It was so nice and most of all he deserved some time out from a super busy week.  He has a home office and does tax and bookkeeping.

When my head hit the pillow last night, "Yikes", I realized I missed writing in my blog.  I was way too tired and made a split second decision, I went on to sleep.

Just so you know.  We'll be back tonight. 

Smiles.

Day Six: Seeds in Your Day

This has been one of those days that to make October awesome, it will be partly because of some good seeds planted.

Not everyday is a rip roaring wonder full of obvious greatness.  We just know that when we are doing what is right, investing in our days and in the lives of others, it is a cinch that life will produce all in good time.

It is comforting that you don't have to not stress out and worry, but just be assured that when you have planted some good seeds in your day, everything WILL be ALL RIGHT.

Just what could good seeds be???  Here are a few:

• Investing time in your passion
• Taking care of your body
• Doing something kind for someone you love
• Planning for some days to come
• Planting seeds into your spiritual life for example some time set aside to fast, read a book that encourages your spiritual growth, time listening to wholesome uplifting music, etc.

In my younger days, I had to work on scheduling and working to develop good habits.  We never stop growing.  Every now and then we must evaluate, assess and adjust.  The best habit of all is to guard your thoughts.  I like something I read once, 

"Your thoughts determine your actions, Your actions determine your habits, Your habits determine your character, Your character determines your future."

Thanks for stopping by.  See you tomorrow night! 

Day Five: Something is not right

 I was super excited to have just painted some accent walls in my living room and styling it.  But ....  I could not get over the feeling:  "Something is not right".  I thought of a favorite story in my daughter's library as a little girl, Miss Clevel in Madeline.

There was some sort of disconnect.  As a designer, I love when I step back and say "it is good" that I got it right.

It really makes me think of Genesis 1 in the bible when the writer writes that after God's creation  over and over it says and God saw it was good or and it was good.  I just know when it is right and I just want to celebrate the "it is good".

I thought you may enjoy my labor of working in my living room today and see the difference.  It looked good in the beginning but I think you will see with a bit of fine tuning, it indeed came together.

I am considering a larger rug but until I find the right one, this one is going to do.  I decided this space plan would suit the needs for my husband and me.  With just a few minor adjustments I can be party ready to accommodate a larger crowd in no time.

Let's go back.  Here is an instagram pic when I still had my old sofa.  Just a little look at how it was back then.

And, this was some time back when I got my new sofa.  Photo borrowed from Instagram.  I really loved this rug but it was 100% cotton ( I knew better) and got very dirty fast.

I found myself drawn to a certain green color and would see it mixed with the color of my sofa.  One day I walked into Baybrook Mall's new Arhaus and there it was, the perfect green.  I contacted the manager and got the exact color the designer used.

Sherwin Williams | Relentless Olive

Thankfully, I had my helper to help me kick off the project.

All done and all back in place but I could not put my finger on it, but it just was not right.

I felt it was too busy, too disjointed and not the right flow.

Here is my final finished room.

I'll walk you through it.

I quietened the color and honed in a simple scheme of green and white.

The matching tables have helped me get some symmetry into the room.  I treated the second table in similar colors, green and white.

It just smoothed out the background and brought the focal point back to the sofa.

Thankfully, browsing shops at Baybrook this week, I found a steal of a deal:  these white flowers at Z Gallerie, normally 17.99 each for 1.50!

I left my niche the same.  I do really love the blue and white vases an

 the art colors are perfect for fall.

I simplified the lettering on the black board.

This is a favorite piece.  I found this frame on the side of the road!!  I removed the broken mirror and replaced it with a home made chalk board.  ♥

Just before entering my living room is an area that opens up from the entry.

So nice when you get a fresh look.

Across from this area is my gallery wall.  We added a few fresh touches there also.

I decided to showcase a photo that I sent to my son 10 years ago when he was in boot camp.

The caption was, this is how you most likely remember us most.

Drinking morning coffee.  Hannah, 10 years old, took the photo.

Hope you enjoyed the tour.  Leave a comment please.

Great Day ♥♥♥

Day Four: Learning to Relax

I have a secret love affair for coffee cups.  They seem to speak to me right off the shelves of my favorite stores.  Why? I think it is partly because it is a way to express my day, my mood and my taste.  It also it a big part of my routine of relaxing moments in my day.  A cup of a perfectly made cup of coffee is high on the list of the interpretation of
R E L A X.

Ahhh.  I look forward to smelling my way to the coffee pot each morning.  I am very spoiled with a hubby that is an early riser and enjoys his quiet mornings and gets his day kicked off with coffee and his personal time of prayer.

I am personally a night owl and enjoy my solitude at night when all is calm, I reflect on my day, plan for tomorrow and just "chill" from my day.  I feel I also set my next day in motion by being mentally and physically prepared the night before.  Otherwise, I can not sleep knowing I have too many things on my plate waiting to be done.  The truth is, my brain functions best at night.  In the mornings it just takes some time to uncloud my thinking and get all the gears going at one time.  Having bags packed, clothes ready, anything printed, emails answered, etc. etc. calms me and even if I am not 100% when my feet hit the floor, it is all ok because I already have my path cleared.

Just so you know, this is a best case scenario.  Grant it, I have my sluggish times and do not always hit the mark.  One thing age does, if you work on your life, in time, you begin to have some good habits in place.  There are still some new habits and goals that, fingers crossed, I will keep moving closer to.

Relaxing is actually hard for me and I have been working to get better at it.  I am by nature a pretty high strung person thinking I can't do anything without going 90 to nothing.

I remember always getting my kids from point A to point B with "hurry", always in a rush.  But, why??  Actually funny now when I think of it.  Poor little children.  lol

If you are like me, I'm sure you have a few things you do to slow down.  Here are a few of mine I do to slow down, tell myself that it is ok to relax, do nothing, lay the to do list aside and take a break. Even if everything is not perfectly in order before doing so.  If you live with people and have a home, it is an endless job keeping everything in it's place not counting your job and other responsibilities.

• Make your cup of coffee a ritual.  Purchase a pretty coffee cup, sit and enjoy that moment. Actually realize you have just enjoyed a cup of coffee.  This is contrary to rush to the kitchen, pour your cup of coffee, run to the bathroom, plug in the curling iron, start multi tasking while occasionally taking a sip of coffee that eventually gets cold or the pet gnat gets to it before you do!  

• Take some time to get comfy and just think.  Imagine you where you want to be, in a place you want to go, what it feels like to accomplish all you have on your list, listen to that inner voice that may be trying to tell you something.  

• I like to find good books but I go to Barnes and Noble online and purchase them used at a fraction of the cost.  Trust me, these books are like brand new.  I've never been disappointed. Time spent with a good book is pleasurable.  It can be taken with you to a favorite coffee shop, take to a favorite garden to read or snuggle up with it on a favorite chair.  

• Asian reflexology massages are very affordable and extremely relaxing.  If you have not tried one, I encourage you to do so.  You relax fully dressed.  They usually do not have all the fluff and fabulous aromas of a regular massage place but very worth the money spent.  I get the 60 minute reflexology.

• Find your favorite music on Pandora.  It is an online music site and free.  I listen to Edwin Hawkins radio, Loui Armstrong and even French Cafe Radio and many others.  I love music even more since I finally got some great speakers.  Christmas time I am nuts over Christmas music!  I think it makes the season magical.

• I am somewhat obsessed with the fragrance of a shower gel, Dirty Springwash.  I found at the Galleria after getting as a Christmas door prize at our family Christmas.  Here is the link on Amazon if you would love to try it.  Be sure and use a scrunci for maximum usage.

• Light a scented candle.  My personal favorite is Trapps Vanilla Orange.  The aroma of a good fragrance candle is very soothing and relaxing and brings a nice atmosphere.  I sometimes reward myself with lighting mine when I get a room all clean. I dim the lights and light a candle. Here's the link.  It also comes in votives for around $3.50.

• I love to go out to eat especially on Sundays but what restaurant can I wear my slippers, pj's if I want and have my hair stringing down?  So, picking up a good take out and coming home to eat is a good option.  Some of my favorites are Jason's Deli, Panera Bread or Southern Comfort, near our home.

The list can go on and on.  Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope you will think about our little chat and take a moment to be nice to yourself, give yourself permission to relax and live in the moment.

Have a great RELAXING day!

Day Three: Green Inspirations

  

I love to be inspired by color.  These are some of my favorites on some of my Pinterest boards I thought I would share.  It is said that green is the color of balance, harmony and growth.

When considering bringing a feel of balance and harmony to a space, try the color green.

2016's color of the year is a mint green.  If you have not noticed,

now you can begin to look around and see it everywhere.  

A favorite compliment to this color is a blood orange, also a top color of the year mimicking the many blood moons in this year.

Fabulous day!  Thanks for stopping by.  We will soon share a new "green" addition in my own home.

Also, a shout out to my sister, Linda Crowder on her birthday!

Have a blessed week!

Day Two: Endless Possibilities

January 1, 2016 I wrote on my black board in my kitchen:  2016 Endless Possibilities

This morning Abbey sent a picture to me via her Aunt Laurie.  She was coloring by her cousin during church and made this masterpiece especially for me.  When I opened it, my spirit quickened as I read it and saw her picture she drew.

The real key word here is THINKING.  We hear of this term thinking "outside of the box" but to open our thoughts to imagine there IS no box is to open ourselves up to ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES!

Our pastor reminds us often with a question we should be able to answer:  "What has God been telling you lately"?  "What is it that you have felt He has been talking to you about"?

Recently for me, I was reminded in a sermon by Pastor Jason Sciscoe that we limit ourselves.  We live so far below what God really has for us.  Yes, we just live in our happy little box, sometimes looking out of the window and wishing we had a better job, a new home, a better vehicle, more friends, a more secure future, etc. etc.  All the while God which has our "endless possibilities" at hand, we limit ourselves with stinking thinking.

As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.  What are you thinking?  How do you see yourself?  Are you ready to not only think out of the box, but imagine no fences, no doors, no box at all?!

In a little research online, I found this one tidbit that can be a little launching pad to break away from the same ol same ol and get some movement into a new direction:

Change up your routine. Creativity thrives when you don't stay stuck in the same old routine. Even the littlest changes can have good consequences for getting you out of a rut and encouraging creative thinking.

• Get outside your comfort zone. Doing new things, especially things you haven't planned for helps you to cope more easily with new situations. It also helps to open your mind and introduce you to new ideas and situations which can help you come up with new or unusual ideas.
• Be spontaneous. Do things that you haven't planned for, occasionally. This will force you to adapt to the moment and overcome problems on the fly. You could even tie this in with an ongoing project.
• Change little things. For example: walk home from work a different way each day. Change up which coffee shop you go to in the mornings.

View entire article here.  Actually some good stuff.

Finding solitude, a quiet place, without our cell phone, tv, radio and even people can get your spirit in touch with the voice of God that is reaching and wanting to commune with you.  This huge God of the universe wants to come, sit with you and listen to you, cleanse you, refresh you and show you your fullest potential, YOUR endless possibilities!