So…in all honesty, I have a thing for birds. Most all birds but especially FLAMINGOS! I mean, what’s not to love about flamingos? They are so graceful & such a gorgeous color, right? You typically see them in groups (flamboyance) so they make quiet the color splash.
Flamingo’s symbolism & meaning include: beauty, balance, potential and romance. In some cultures, pink flamingos are seen as a symbol of good luck. Who can’t use more of ALL of those things?
Read MoreI recently got an email from a reader asking for specific advise on “corralling” all the paper we ALL have to deal with in our lives. Let’s face it, no matter how digital we try to go to avoid the mounds of paperwork we all have…we still find ourselves constantly sorting, shredding, filing paper, right? UGH!!!
Read MoreHow is your garden growing? I’m LITERALLY knee deep around our home. It’s that time of year, right?
The planning. The trimming (always LOTS of trimming here where we live in Florida). The planting. The SPRUCING!
I have to say…this time of year, I love every bit of it. The weather is perfect. Not too hot yet. Not too buggy yet. Every plant is loving life and so am I!
What are you growing in your garden this year? I’d love for you to leave a comment. All tips/tricks welcome too!
Read MoreAs you probably already know (if you know me at all), I’m deep into editing & organizing this time of year. January and even deep into February are big declutter & reorganizing months for my own home.
I’ll do a smaller declutter/organizing “go at it” in late summer/early fall. One big “go through” in the first month or two of each year then a smaller “go through” mid-year.
Of course, I’m constantly editing & reorganizing in the days, weeks & months in-between. This keeps “things” from getting out of hand and makes those big, twice a year editing & organizing projects so much faster & easier.
Read MoreI love the beginning of a New Year. SO much hope & possibility. AND planning!!!
I love planning (even if loosely) what the New Year will be. What will get done when (again, even if loosely). I love a fresh start. A new beginning!
For me; there are personal plans (health, fitness, family travel, etc.), business plans and my own home plans (the home to-do list of projects for the year & in what order). Of course, plans change or shift along the way some years but I like to at least start with a solid plan and go from there.
Read MoreNo matter where you live or how big of a gathering you plan to have for New Year’s Eve…I’d like to share a few tried & true ideas & items I really love with you.
Even if it’s just an intimate celebration of two, you’ll still want to make it special, right? The anticipation of a NEW YEAR always brings great hope & the feeling of a new start. Out with the old & in with the new! Cause for a celebration for sure.
Over the years, I’ve been to very formal New Year’s Eve parties. Black tie & evening gowns type events that were fun but between you and me…a bit exhausting if I’m being honest.
Read MoreWell…it’s just about the last minute now (if you’re ordering online & having items shipped) to get all the gift buying finished up. You may even want to go ahead and ship your items directly to your recipient to make sure they arrive in time AND to cut back on all the shipping around all over the place.
Of course, if you want to wrap your gifts first then ship them on to your recipient…you really need to get going! If the person(s) you are buying for is coming to your home for the holidays (YAY for you), you should be fine still but I wouldn’t wait much longer. The closer we get to Christmas Day, the busier all shipping methods will become.
Read MoreWe’ve all been “guilty” of buying the obligatory gift for the guys in our lives. You get it. You Know! PJs, ties, slippers, socks (although I DO love a nice pair of monogrammed dress socks), undershirts, etc., etc.
Don’t get me wrong…I LOVE practical gifts! Especially when you know they are badly needed. Let’s face it, most men don’t want to OR think to buy these types of “things” for themselves (probably because they know they’ll get them as gifts so why bother, right?).
Read MoreYES…it’s that time of year (already)! Many of us have been doing our holiday shopping for months now and some of us are just starting. I think most of us are somewhere in-between.
There are SO many options out there and of course we have to take the gift recipient into consideration too. I’m certainly not here to suggest all women like the same types of gifts. I never shy away from asking what loved ones would like for gifts. A) It makes my job easier. B) My loved ones actually get gifts they want.
Read MoreI’ve collected cookbooks & entertaining books for YEARS! I love turning to them just like old friends whenever I’m planning a family or friends get together. Even if I have a pretty clear idea of what my menu & theme will be (OH…I DO LOVE A GOOD THEME PARTY), I still like flipping through for inspiration and to see if there are any ideas or recipes I can mix in.
Read MoreI’ve painted more than my fair share of kitchen & bathroom cabinets. I’ve also painted more than my fair share of furniture. So many times cabinets are in great shape (solid construction, not moldy, etc.) & the style of the cabinets are fine too but not the color. You don’t have to go through the headache & expense of replacing the cabinets when they’re perfectly fine…other than the color.
Read MoreI’m known to pack WAY too much and not even touch about half of what I take. I’m one of those people who wants options once I get to where I’m going. Well…that was the old me! Don’t get me wrong, I still want options when I travel but I decided I was going to make it a goal of mine to be a smarter packer.
Read MoreI’ve been creating a few faux pumpkin arrangements lately, that will go just about anywhere. REALLY! On top of a stack of books, on a side or coffee table, on a breakfast room table, in a bookcase, etc., etc. Make three & put down the center of your dining room table for a pretty fall table scape. Need decorations for a fall birthday bash? Here ya’ go!
Read MoreFor years I kept all of my jewelry neatly tucked away in dresser drawers. Every piece had its own special place. I knew exactly where everything was. Organized within an inch of their lives! Good jewelry in this drawer, costume jewelry in the that drawer. Organized by the style of the jewelry too. Casual, fancy, real, fake, etc, etc.
Read MoreI’m often asked how I get my orchids to do so well. I wish I had a clear cut answer to this question every time someone asked me. It’s a very organic way of care for me. I’m always more than happy to share what works for me but I think it’s a try as you go type thing. There are lots of variables to consider (which we’ll get into a bit later).
Read MoreSince I offer both Staging & Styling (Designing/Decorating/eDesign) Services…I’m often asked why there’s such a difference in how I go about getting to the desired result of making a home look pretty & presentable. The two P’s so to speak.
In the most simply way I know how to put it……..
Read MoreBlue & White are certainly classic color choices. Blue & Green are also very popular color combinations and not just for homes along the coast. Blue, Green, White and/or Sandy colors (think beiges, off whites, tans) are one of my all time favorite color combinations. You don’t have to go with a coastal theme to bring these shades into your home (or office). Blues have been
Read MoreI’m often asked by clients, what I mean by curb appeal. More importantly, what I mean by GOOD Curb Appeal. In its most simple meaning, good curb appeal invites you in, shows off & coordinates with the style of your home. Having good curb appeal makes someone want to stop and take a peek at your beautiful home.
Read MoreOnce upon a time…this was an old gate relic. I snagged it years ago knowing I wanted to make it into a mirror for above our fireplace mantle.
My great ideas often leave others scratching their heads & become someone else’s pain in the behind. All I needed was someone to cut, fit & attach an antiqued, round mirror. What’s the big deal, right?
Read MoreThis is one of my favorite arrangements EVER! I’ve changed it out numerous times according to season/mood/what have you. It’s super fast & inexpensive too. I used silk hydrangeas in my photo here but you can use silk or dried hydrangeas (I’ve used both in the past). You can also use sunflowers, cabbage roses, peonies, whatever your heart desires. Just choose
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