Day Eleven: Groves

Some time back, I fell in love with these products.  I tried an offer on a blogger I followed and got my first package in the mail.  I love the fact I no longer have to go down the cleaning isle in my grocery store and it cuts down on my grocery money.

And, if you are a real "Save the Environment" enthusiast, this is your product.  Be sure to get $10. free on the link below before shopping.

Here are a few of my favorites and their prices:

                             

Favorite Dish Soap.  The Basil Scent is fabulous.  My first order was a lemon which I found to be too strong, but this one is wonderful.  I normally swore by Dawn dish soap as I felt it was the only soap I found to actually cut through grease. TO MY GREAT SURPRISE, the Meyer's Dish Soap out worked my beloved Dawn!  Price:  $3.89

                       

This tub and tile has replaced the product I used for removing the hard water stains and scum from my glass shower walls.  I spray this, rub in and squeegee off.  Nothing harsh and it ACTUALLY WORKS.  Price:  $4.15

These thinner than normal sponges are really great and I love you can squeeze out moisture and they dry so much quicker than a normal thick sponge.  Yet, they do the job!!  $3.99 for a 3 pack

I could go on, but I will stop here.  Here is the link that will allow you to shop with a $10. discount they will pass on to you just for me referring you.  The shipping is a small amount but there is a way to become a VIP customer that gives you free shipping.  I have not done that yet.  I have even sent a package of Groves Collabrative products to my mother as a gift and she loves their products.  I knew if my mother approved these products, we indeed have a winner.

Click this link to get the $10. to shop.

I hope you enjoy as much as I have!  Happy Shopping!

 

Day Ten: Donald & Melania Trump

Here is a family photo of our possible soon to be President and first lady.  Now you can look at this photo and criticize all you want.  I have decided to choose to see the positive.  

Here is a very successful couple who have lived the American dream.  Donald Trump has achieved what many men only hoped to achieve in a life time as far as wealth.  And, he has been blessed with a beautiful wife that loves and supports him.

Melania is drop dead gorgeous and she herself has her own career in modeling which again, is the dream of most young ladies in America.

The presidential candidates are not running on the platform of their strong religious beliefs.  We can not fix that.  What we can do, is pray that somewhere along the way they will be exposed to the power of God, His riches that are far beyond any earthly riches and a God that will empower them to lead as no other leaders.

I do know that Hillary has indeed been exposed to truth as she and Bill have been personal friends of one of our ministers I personally know.  Yet, they have not turned from their wicked ways.

I hope the Trump family will inspire Americans to find the American dream.  I hope the first lady will inspire women to embrace their beauty.  Let's hope for a skinnier America.  lol

I appreciate Trump's stand on abortion and same sex marriage.  

Philippians 4:8King James Version (KJV)

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.

I choose to find the positive in these people.  As a Christian, I will pray for my leader and believe in and build on every positive report I can find.

I know this is a very touchy subject and it has been difficult for many, especially Christians to give their vote openly, but I felt it would be a good thing for those who are older and grounded to openly give their voice.

Day Nine: Abundance

This morning in church there was a word that LEAPED out to me:  Abundance.

When in the battle of living life, your mentality of provisions may have been like mine:  scarcity to enough.  But to be in the place God really wants us to be is to live in the mind set of ABUNDANCE.

We can know Him as our provider and living a blessed life.  God is looking for people who he can use as a conduit to channel His blessings through.

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall MEN give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.  Luke 6:38

This is part of the endless possibilities God wants us to live in.

Are you ready to live where you are, just making ends meet or are you ready to know what it is like to have more than enough?  It is not our job to figure out how but to see ourselves living in abundance in every area of our lives.  The "how" will finds it's own way to you.

Abundance is not just money.  It can be blessed relationships, a new job we love, knowledge to make right decisions, open doors and the list can go on.  Whatever area of life you feel is just maintaining and not in abundance, join me to expand your mind to believe for abundance in every area of your life.

Be blessed!

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 ♥♥♥