Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Entry Makeover

I have had this West Elm Parson's table for over 10 years and while it has performed well in all our homes and 5 moves, it was time for an update.

I had this table cover custom made to fit the table perfectly. I wanted to make a statement in our entry, so I decided to use bold colors. The pink gives it a pop of color and the contrasting white banding gives it a finished look. I spray painted the Asian plaques in glossy blue ($1 each at a thrift store) and added some flowers to the ginger jar. Voila!

Almost everything in this entry is something I already had, but was in a different place in our home. If you’re on a budget and want to refresh your entry, go shopping in your home first! 

DIY Barstool Makeover

I loved my bright, pink kitchen barstools from World Market, but when I had some left over fabric, I knew right where I wanted to use it.
This quick makeover will work on chairs and barstools that have a frame on all sides.

First, trim your fabric to the shape of your opening. I left about 1/4” on all sides for tucking under the frame.
Next, I used my frosting spatula to tuck the fabric under the wooden frame.

That’s it! Easy peasy.

Alt Summit: Summer 2015 Recap {Part2}

Part 2 of my Alt Summit Summer 2105 Recap begins with a panel of lovely ladies (from left) Leanne Johnson (House of Hauteness), Cassandra LaVelle (coco + kelley), Nicole Balch (Making it Lovely) and Laurie Smithwick (Step away from the screen and make something!). {Click here if you missed Part 1}

Their panel discussion was titled, Community Building.

I would like to start with what Cassandra, of coco + kelley discussed.
Key Points:
*She started hosting a Supper Club. A seasonal event that feeds her passion for food, while connecting with new people and supporting other talented friends.
*She hosts events at her studio (art walk, workshops, pop-ups, etc.) in an effort to connect online businesses, artists, etc. to the real-world.
*By reaching out to her community and going “offline,” she has made new friendships and opened new opportunities.

In my humble opinion: I don’t think it’s necessary to have a blog or business to reach out to those around us in an effort to build a community. Get to know those in your neighborhood. Find common interests, even if it’s just the love of a good meal and good conversation.

One more from this panel, Laurie Smithwick. She started a project called, “Step Away from the Screen and MAKE SOMETHING!”
Key Points:
*Screens drain energy.
*Make a sign so you can remind yourself to get away from the screen!
*She challenged herself to make 12 things in 12 months.
*Get friends involved in a challenge so you can encourage and cheer each other on.
*People want to help you be successful.

Next up, the lovely Whitney English. She spoke about Organization & Productivity. She has been working with Day Designer on their beautiful new line of planners and calendars, available July 12th at Target (below right).

Here are some of her Key Points:

*Get what you have to do out of your head and onto paper

*Take care of yourself first, no one else will! Recognize your needs.

*Do what you’re supposed to do and forget the rest of it!

*It’s okay to say “no” to projects/people.

*If you wake up with no motivation, force yourself to do one thing. Check it off and go to the next.

Finally, Time vs. Energy by Miranda Anderson of One Little Minute. I really loved her advice. As a mother and business owner, I really needed to hear it. 

Key Points:

*Time is external and finite.

*Energy is internal and renewable.

*It’s okay to walk away for a few minutes to take a break or do something else and then go back. It’s proven to helpful for our brains to take a break and come back to it. 

*What are your Golden Energy hours? When do you have the most drive and energy. Do the hard stuff during that time. 

*Not everything is important! 

*Schedule yourself a regular recharge. For Miranda, she has a sitter come 12-2pm, twice a week during the summer months. If your feeling your battery running low, STOP and recharge! Even just 5 minutes. Go outside, get some fresh air, anything. 

*Take care of yourself:

     Physical- exercise, nutrition, sleep

     Mental- focus, no multi-tasking

     Emotional- breathe! connect by disconnecting, create

     Spiritual- align with your values. Do the things you’re doing align with core values?

**UPDATE- Miranda has put her ALT presentation online! Click {here} to go to her site.

I learned so much at Alt. It motivated me to make changes in my life and business. Most importantly for me, I was surrounded by amazing, talented and smart men and women who were there to learn and many who also taught. I made friends that I will stay in contact with for years to come. 

The Wild West: A Modern Frontier

I have been vacationing in Jackson Hole, WY ever since I was a little girl. Summers were spent hiking, swimming and riding horses. Winters filled with skiing, crackling fires and hot cocoa. 

We've always stayed in beautiful, quaint Teton Village, nestled at the base of the Teton Mountain Range. It’s still beautiful, but it’s no longer quaint. Charming old hotels have been replaced with multi-story hotels. Even the old, shingled clock tower (above) has been replaced with a modern steel one. Thousands of lush acres, with roaming cattle is now a golf course and custom home lots. Whether I like it or not, it’s changing. But change can be good, right?

This past weekend my husband and I were staying in Teton Village and we marveled at all the changes. As we walked through the new community of custom homes and instead of being sad, I became excited. The designer in me took over and I began to appreciate the design and architecture of these new homes. I quickly imagined how I would have designed their interiors. My mind ran wild.

I wanted to share some of my favorites with you. I apologize for the photos, the sun was setting and clouds blocked what little light remained. 

House 1, side view. 

House 1, from entrance. 

House 2.

House 2, from back.

House 3, view 1. Notice the glass rotunda, where you can see through to the golf course.

House 3, view 2. 

House 3, cabin. This house actually had two smaller cabins on it’s property. They were charming and pint sized.

House 4. The last house on our tour is the most modern. Part of the house was still under construction,  so you only get to see the front of the house, whose windows have the most spectacular view of the mountain and ski runs.

I was inspired by these homes and the architects and designers who brought them to life. It’s fascinating to see each one’s interpretation of the modern, western home. 

Parade of Home, by designer Jessica Bennett.

I fell in love with this parade home, decorated by Jessica Bennett of Alice Lane. If you couldn’t make it there, no worries. I’m going to take you on a "little" tour. 

Entry.

Office.

Great Room.

Kitchen.

Family Room. 

Master Bedroom & Bath.

{Video hint: It’s best to watch on the small screen, when you enlarge it, it becomes grainy.}

Mud Room:

 Laundry Room:

Laundry Room bath.

Loft.

Bedroom with Jack & Jill bath.

Kids Play Room.

Basement (not included on this tour: theater, sitting area, and fitness room).

Basketball court, trampoline (to left of foam pit), climbing wall (not shown:racquetball court).

Backyard.

I hope you enjoyed the tour as much as I did. There were many beautiful rooms I didn’t have room to share, but I assure you they were all spectacular! In total this house was 19,935 sq ft., has 9 bedrooms and 8 baths. 

ALT Summit: Summer 2015 Recap {Part 1}

Well, Alt Summit summer 2015, has officially come to a close. It was my first Alt experience and it was more than I ever expected. The level of talent there was off the charts. At first I felt like a little (very little) fish in a VERY big pond, but by the end, it just felt like a great big, happy fish family. It didn’t take long to figure out that no one there thought they were better than anyone else, no matter their level of success. Everyone was there to learn and support one another.

I wanted to highlight a few lectures, that might help you, regardless if you’re a “blogger” or not. I do not claim to be a blogger, as it is often the first thing to fall through the crack when life gets hectic. Regardless, I think many of the principles taught can translate into our daily lives and anything we do.

{In order of appearance}

First up, the lovely Tiffany Han, “Blogging with Bravery."

Key points:
* It takes practice! She talked about how when she first, started her posts were not at all what they are today, but by sticking to it, she found her groove and her voice.
* Do it anyways! Yes, you might be terrified. Yes, you might worry what others will think, but do it anyways! Bravery can be as simple as pushing “send” on an email or “publish” on a post.
* Create BEFORE you open Facebook, IG, blogs, etc. Don’t wake up, turn on the phone and start looking at what others are doing. If you do, you’ll be depressed and it’s only 7:00 in the morning. So true. :)

Next, the talented Jeanean Morrison and Monica Lee, “Pick yourself and be first in line everytime."

 Key Points:
*Do things when you’re afraid! If you wait til you’re not afraid, you’ll wait forever! Put one foot in front of the other and just keep going.
* Believe in yourself! Everyone is in a different place on the journey, so don’t compare yourself to others.
* Challenge yourself! Get out of your comfort zone! It’s okay to try new things and fall on your face. Victory is getting back up! Commit to the finish line. Get it done!
*Be good to yourself and celebrate your accomplishments!

Keynote speaker, Jane Mosbacher Morris of "To The Market."

Her speech was titled, "Do More Good." She discussed starting her online shop, To The Market, that showcases handmade goods made from survivors of abuse, conflict, and disease. These goods are made all over the world and help employ and empower the survivors. 

Key Points: 

*1:3 women experience physical or sexual violence

*700 million girls are married before 18

*Value Your Gifts. What are you good at? If you don’t know ask friends or family what they think you talents/gifts are.

*Decide on Your Focus(es). How can I help? What can I offer? How can I help others with the gifts I’ve been given? For example, the talented Kristen Groves of Simply Grove decorated a room for a local Habitat for Humanity home. 

*Discover Others’ Needs. Decide on your objectives. Nothing is too small! Ask for feedback. Did my work help? How did I feel after? 

Jane inspired me to do more good and look for ways I can help others!

Keynote Speaker, Danielle Krysa of The Jealous Curator and author of Creative Block.

Key Points:

*

*All of us have an inner critics. Never let them or others stop you!

*Failure leads to genius. Fail like a superstar! 

*Sometimes sharing our experiences can be really scary. 

*Get past the doubts, critics, move on and succeed! 

Part 2 coming soon!