Day Twelve: Shopping Wrap Up & Just An Average Day

Early next week will be a major style day for a completion of a renovation.  I just had a couple of more items to pick up.  Once meeting Gary for lunch and some Starbucks green tea latte, we headed over to Kast Fabrics for some upholstery fabric and a quick trip to Hobby Lobby for some favorite faux fern and vase for a tall pedestal plant holder.

Thursdays we pick up Abbey for some time with our family.  We love being with her.  With her help, we did some kitchen cleaning with Abbey covering some good smelling mopping over the floor and me coming behind her with the finishing up.  She loves working with me in the kitchen.  She put on the sweet potatoes to be baked while I prepared a meatloaf with my most recent favorite spices:  Mexican Red Pepper and Curry.  Adding some fresh green beans cooked with olive oil and garlic, salt and pepper for our side dish, we had a super yummy meal.

Abbey and I took some time to do some photo shoots for an upcoming "Abbey's Closet" sale.  Since she is only with us every other week end and occasionally for holidays and a month in the summer, she outgrows her clothing and shoes before she has a chance to wear them out.  We will share a few of those shots.  We hope to have a live sale October 21, her next weekend here.

I guess you may have figured by now, but my best creative time to do floor plans and computer work is at night when all else is behind me.  I have 4 different projects going on right now not to mention a major church project I will help head up for my department.  I am happy this church event will fall in October so I can share that also on the blog.

By the way, please give me your input if these are even sell-able and how much you can even get for them.  Thank you!!

Nighty Night!

Day Eleven: Happily Styled

My day started with my stylist daughter, Hannah Kennard coming over and working her magic on my wardrobe.  She has been a stylist assistant for JARunway and was so happy to get great exposure working with her on television segments and with her personal clients.  JARunway has shifted her endeavors to Israel along side of her husband for awhile.  Hannah has made the decision to begin to sharpen her skills, take the courses necessary to begin her own styling business.  One of the services she will offer is helping clients shop their closet and put together outfits.  This is a 2 hour service and gives you 25 plus looks once she is done.

Today was my lucky day for Hannah to use me to style.  WOW.  I have to say I was super impressed at the outfits she put together for me.  She asked me to choose 10 pieces out of my closet that I loved most and would like for her to be sure and incorporate into her style outfits.  She put together things I never thought of!  And best of all, they were all captured in my own Outfit Lookbook on my phone and I have uploaded all of them on a private Pinterest board.

I will share a few of them here on today's post.

Today we also met with a new client to help get their home ready for a sale.  Getting them on track with help to edit what they have will be a great help to move them forward in their sale.  We look forward to the final staging that brings out the beauty in the home and help it to show off it's best features.

Tonight Gary and I were a part of a huge team prepping for an upcoming concert at our church.  We expect and overflow so large that all cars will be parked in a parking garage next door and the entire parking lot will become another seating area with a huge screen projecting the concert happening inside.  All will be topped off with food trucks and a ton of Church Triumphant members at your service.  Follow the link for details.  

This was tonight's outfit.  It was my first choice from my Lookbook.

Thanks for stopping by.  Check in tomorrow night.

Day Ten: A Shopping Day & Designing

My day started with inspirations for a new master bedroom I am helping with in New Orleans.  This will be a gift for my niece that got married a short while back.  While recently in New Orleans this past weekend, I was able to view the space, get measurements, photos and do an interview.

The home is very inspiring as it has a lot of great historical features and some antiques.  The home is really loving a formal look but we want to keep it warm and current also.  

Not only did my niece get married but so did all of their stuff.  One design principal is Harmony.  That means that everything in the room should harmonize.  Now this is a challenge in some cases.  Sure, if we were handed an empty room and a blank check, it could be a slam dunk.  But, as it is with most homes, we have to work hard to make this happen.  With some thought and planning and some creative powers, I think we have some solutions.  I will be anxious to share but only plans will be in place for awhile, then, we can put into motion a slow but sure start.  Her daughter's wedding is taking priority at the moment, so this master bedroom will be on hold a bit longer.

Today we wrapped up shopping for a large open area for a client that includes an entry, a formal sitting area, dining room and den.  My living room is packed with a lot of beauties just waiting to get to their home.

While out, we visited one of my favorite local vintage shops.  I will tell you in hopes you will want to visit it if in the area.  I am sharing a few finds that I loved and would either love to own myself or just ideas tucked away for upcoming creations.

The Pedestal, Pasadena, Texas

This mirror is huge and is over $2,000. but absolutely gorgeous.  If you have a large home or church or space, it is a great find!

This chandelier lamp is really pretty and about $95.  You just don't see these kinds of lamps anymore, yet very classic.  The crystals are real and not faux as many are now in shops.

Another classic lamp.  I think this one was about $150.  Also, no faux finishes on this!

 A smaller lamp with gorgeous crystals.  ♥♥♥

Here is a very unusual lamp but would really be cool in the right setting.

On my last trip to this shop, I purchased this vase.  It is not really an antique but it just felt like the right piece to fit in my home.  Here it is in my kitchen with some silk flowers.  It will have a long life as it is a really versatile piece.  The price, I think, was under $20.

Let's Meet Here Again Tomorrow Night.  Sweet Dreams.

Day Nine: Time With Abigail Summer Madden

Abbey's favorite thing to do with me is to go to the mall.  She has a lot of favorite memories of going to Baybrook Mall.  Little kids just like routine and love repeating the same favorite places we have made memories from.

Here are a few of her favorites:

Build A Bear.  Now I will tell you that she has only purchased one animal from this place, but, we have given her money to purchase new items for this animal on most shopping trips.  Today, her plan was to buy shoes as she did not have a pair for her build a bear dog.  

Then to her favorite candy store, the new one by the outdoor area that sells candy by the pound.  The good thing about this place is I can encourage her to get just a few of her favorites, even just one of each kind to not spend an arm and a leg and avoid too much sugar.  Even at that it was 4 bucks. (That's with MeMe getting one gumdrop and about 5 candy corns) : )

We spent a little time in Anthropology then to somewhere to eat lunch.   Then, gasp!  Abbey looks down to find her puppy only had ONE shoe!  We rushed back following our path and thankfully the sales person in Anthropology had found it.

Wanting to avoid the same eating spots at Baybrook, we crossed the street and decided to try a place I had never been to, Zoe's kitchen.  The photos did not look very kid friendly and honestly it did not look too appetizing to me either.  To avoid getting back in car, we took a short walk to Outback Steakhouse and decided to share an adult size hamburger.  Bingo!  This place was a great choice.  Abbey loved their coloring sheet, the large booth area, we got water with lemons and the complimentary bread and butter was a fabulous hit for both of us.  Abbey decided this was her new favorite place.  The hamburger was so big she could hardly get her little mouth opened enough to take a bite.  We opted for a baked sweet potato and it was also really good.

One more stop to Home Goods for me to check on a client purchase then to HEB and home.

Our day finished out with a new contact via a realtor and new appointment made and a super nice email from a new client we just started working with.

I am glad you stopped over to our blog.  We are looking forward to our work week as we had a long weekend with Columbus Day.  I hope you had an eventful weekend also.  

Blessings!

Days 5,6,7,8 Here We Go!

Apologies for not being able to keep up the last few days!  We took these days off and did some family things that superseded any interior design projects. 

First, my daughter Hannah, a bridesmaid for an upcoming November wedding, had to attend a shower the bridesmaids were throwing for the bride.  Hannah, having a 5 month old baby really needed me to travel with her and help take care of our little Jack.  He is such a sweetie and I really relish every moment of time I get to spend with him.  It was a real pleasure.  Also time with my Hannah is always cherished.  We made some fun memories.

Secondly, I was so happy to have some time with my 87 year old mother.  She is still a super active person and full of life.  We enjoyed a great roast, mashed potatoes and broccoli and a home made peach cobbler when we arrived and home made biscuits before we left this morning!

My sister, Judy also had a milestone birthday, turning 70!  Wow, and she looks absolutely amazing.

Before leaving, we attended their home church that is an amazing church with Pastor Anthony Mangun, and renowned singer wife, Micky Mangun.  This church, being a part of my roots, always gives me a chance to see old friends and I get to come home to where so many of my spiritual roots are bound.

Then, home to my sweet hubby, that missed me (smiles) and my really sweet Abigail that is spending this weekend in our home with my awesome son, Aaron who lives with us.  Needless to say, I am a very blessed person.

The Pentecostals of Alexandria:

Copelands with the birthday girl, Judy Walston, artist and interior designer at Veterans Hospital.

The future bride and groom:  Andrea Floyd and Kevin Manzanares

Some of my family member present at the shower: 
Hannah with Jack, Kim Rodriguez, Andrea Floyd, Billie Walston, Missy Walston
Second row: Me, Gracie Rodriquez, Judy Walston, Michelle Fisk, mother of bride

My Mother with Jack:

Here is an inspiration I found while at POA today.  This fabulous flooring was epic!

See here on my IG page.

Good Night!

Day Four: AHHH Busy Day!

We had a lot to do today to clear our schedule for the rest of the week.  We are going to a wedding shower out of town and best of all, time to spend with our new little Jack Louis and my daughter.

Thinking I had every minute scheduled to fit all in then a call came that my car that had been in the shop was ready.  Yeah!  But, that meant one more thing to fit in.  A couple of text and rescheduling got me to two clients, one in Kingwood at 7:00, then another in the Heights at 9:00,  So, that got me home about 11:00.  So needless to say, it's been a long day.

I am super excited to be helping my second Harvey storm victim to turn beauty into ashes.  The couple tonight was super sweet and in our interview we had some heartfelt moments.  We will be sharing some photos much later.

My office at the moment is literally bursting with gorgeous finds for an upcoming styling....my most favorite part!

Here's a tiny sneak peek of a few of my finds:

Here's a little "share" of one of my secret weapons to make a day a little brighter.  My kids will tell you I am always singing the praises of my Aldi grocery store.  Here is one of my favorite things I love to get from there.  These are so delicious and they come in several flavors.  Best of all, their prices are great.

Good Night.

Day Three: Doing What I Love

I am never more in my element than when I am designing for a client.  When I see a space, I see it totally, completely done.  I generally know exactly what I am looking for once I have the space plan done and then the rooms starts to call for certain items and colors to make a complete cohesive look.

Last night, after completing my floor plans for 2 spaces, I was on a quest today to implement my plan with great found objects.  It's like items actually do call your name and want to jump off the shelves into your cart.  Now, I have enough to fine tune my paint color choices.  This really seals the deal for the perfect designed space.

Here is a before shot of one of my first projects when designing for Decorating for the Senses:

This is a condo in the Venue in Houston's museum district.  These New York transplants contacted me before they moved from NYC for my assistance.  At the first look at this, the plans started clicking.  We re-purposed a couple of pre-owned pieces of furniture and added a few needed items to complete the look.  I must say, stunning!!  And, best of all, we fell in love with this couple.

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great tomorrow!  Smiles.