A Hot Minute

Sooooooo, it's been a hot minute since I last blogged.  Truth be told, I needed a break.  Time out.  

To Pause

 Rewind.........

and here I am again.

Refreshed

Invigorated and ready to go!

Again.

To be perfectly honest, it was good for me to step away from everything for a while.  If you need time out.

Take it.  


Life for me in the last year has been a world wind.

Ups

downs

turn-a-rounds

relocation

separation

divorce

and all that goes with it.

Important, life changing stuff.  And so with that being said, I move on.  Happy in the knowledge that I emerged like a butterfly from a cocoon.  Beautifully and wonderfully molded from the intensity of the struggle.

Wiser

Stronger

Determined

But most of all,

Winning!

Feelin Blue Never Felt This Good!

 I've always had a soft spot for blue especially baby blue so when I came across these gorgeous examples of how magnificent the color can be in a space, of course I just had to share.  I am so inspired, hope they inspire you too.

Cherio!

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

There is only one word that describes last week.  Unpredictable.

When my father suddenly became critically ill, I found myself thrown into a world wind of activity and life and death decisions.  Everything was coming at me at warp speed. In the midst of this, my bestie, Pauline who was trying to reach me unsuccessfully by phone sent me a beautiful package in the mail.  (she lives in Florida and I in Atl)

The angel is inscribed "Be strong and courageous for the Lord

 your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:4

Amidst all the caios this wonderful package arrived with the most fragrant exotic tees and lovely thoughtful gifts. (most of it not pictured here)  It really touched my heart especially considering what was going on in my life at this time.  A lovely reminder that someone was thinking of me.  Ride or die does not come close to describing this amazing woman. Thank you so much my friend and thank you to everyone else who called or prayed.  God bless you all.

Cherio!

Mariah Carey ft Whitney Houston When You Believe HD

This song makes me want to break bricks with my bare hards and crack a few walnuts under my armpits.  Lol, in other words it is awesome! I am sure you will agree too.  No body does it like my girl Ms Whitney.

Have a beautiful day lovelies!

Cherio!

Thought For Today

Save A buck or Two - Easy File Cabinet Makeovers

Complete tutorial at designsponge

How many time have you stared at that old crusty file cabinet and would have physically thrown it outside...if you could lift it?  Well, after today, whenever you look at that cabinet it will be in awe.  I've got something for ya!  These easy makeovers will not only be a snap to do but they will brighten up your space and bring some style to your organizing.

As you know, file cabinets are very sturdy, durable and very inexpensive. That is, if you buy a used one.  You can find them just about anywhere and everywhere, at thrift stores, garage sales, craigslist....perhaps forgotten in your own basement.  And many of us do. A lot of these pieces are metal and they rust after a while so as soon as the rust starts to show they are put out to the curb or sold very cheaply.  But hey, this is good news for you!  Don't let a little rust scare you from seizing or retaining a potentially fabulous piece of furniture.

Here are some easy makeovers/tutorials you can use to transform a drab looking file cabinet.  Are you ready? Okay, let's do this!

 Find the super easy tutorial for this amazing transformation at quardecor.blogspot.com

You can never fail with map designs.  So chic.

quardecor.blogspot.com

Nothings adds more pizzaz than a pop of bright yellow.  How gorgeous is this!

Find the tutorial at littlehouseinthebigd

I absolutely love this! It is modern and romantic without being too girly...great balance and wonderful transformation. Find the tutorial at divineserendipity

The color and pattern on this piece is so rich, stylish and cheerful!

Find this tutorial at savedbylovecreations

Most of these transformations were done with  spray paint, leftover wallpaper remnants, spray adhesive, and cheap $2 handles from Home Depot or Ace Hardware. Stencils and scrap grass cloth can also be used as well.  Just have fun and let your imagination go!

Cherio and happy diy-ing.

Easy As 1-2-3...DIY Large Scale Wall Art Fixes

www.bhg.com

A group of paintings in the same/similar palette makes a stunning large scale piece

A few days ago, I decided to get rid of a large scale painting I had on my living room wall.  Sigh.  It was one of those paintings that you like but not love.  You know the kind, almost but not quite the right fit for the space. Well, since I moved the painting which was an original piece and fairly large, I was left with this huge open space.  As you know, large scale original Art is very expensive, so, there I was wondering, "now what am I going to replace this with?".  

Well, whenever I am need inspiration I make a beeline for the internet.  And so I did. I found so many neat ideas there I just had to share.  Most of the these pieces are so very simple and economical but they add so much grandeur and style to a room.  Check them out...  

www.bhg.com

You know those black and white photos you've been meaning to print?  Well, here's the perfect place for them. How gorgeous is this!

pic origin unknown

It doesn't get easier than this.  Just hang a piece of tapestry or decorative fabric and you have instant transformation.  Absolutely gorgeous!

decorpad

Who would have thought that plates could look so chic!    I bet you will look at plates a little differently from now on....

pic origin unknown

This look is one of my personal favorites.  All you have to do is find some images of birds or animals and print them out.  (You can borrow a book from the library and scan them or get them online.)  I like to collect old frames to frame my prints but if you don't, not to worry.  Any group of simple frames will do.  Just keep them within the same color palette.

pic origin unknown

This is basically like the look above but showcasing plants instead of birds.  So lovely and classic.

I adore this look.  It is so romantic and easy to make.  Poster boards were covered with burlap and then a print was centered (and glued) on top. Industrial screws were used as accents at the corners of the prints.  I love that little touch, it really gives this a little bit of an edge.

www.bhg.com

Framed wall paper??!!!  Oh yeah baby!  Super fast, ultra easy and your pocket book will thank you.

pinterest

And finally this look.  How's this for the "wow' factor. Of course your frame does not have to be this big. Just get a large glass or acrylic frame and lots of family photos. Perhaps this can be a family activity....  The extra hands would make this project fun and fast.

Well, I hope you found something here that sparks your creativity, I know I did.  Have a wonderful week!

Cherio!

Growing Pains.....bah humbug!

If I had to describe this week in one word, that word would be

C-R-A-Z-Y

Crazy schedule.  Crazy emotional.  Crazy exciting.  Crazy tiring.

Now I am totally exhausted, like lay on the couch eating cheetos tired.

With all of the stuff happening around me though, I was forced to do something I had done only in part before.  That would be, surrender all to GOD.  I mean everything, and leave it!  As you know, if you are a believer, this is easier said than done.  There is a part deep inside of all of us that want to fix things, situations and even people....for some of us especially people.

As I grow and mature spiritually, I am realizing that I do NOT have to figure everything out myself.  I don't even have to understand it when bad/painful things happen to me.  I just have to believe and trust that GOD will work it out and that he knows what is best for me.

And so, for all of you chronic fixers and problem solvers, let go and let God.  Honestly, there is no better way to live.

Cherio!

Just Do It!

8 weeks ago, I set out on a journey along with three other inspired ladies to achieve our ultimate health and fitness goals by starting a support group.  And we did.  Every Saturday we email a report to each other on how the week transpired.  Whether we succeeded or failed during the week, we tell it all.

 If someone had a bad day and did succumb to junk food instead of a healthier choice, there is never condemnation.  The focus is always, "Learn from this and keep moving."  The love and support shared by the the ladies in this group never fails to touch my heart.   It really has been a tremendous blessing. 

In the sixth week after joining the group I began to notice a very unexpected dynamic happening within my own life.  I realized that I was naturally applying principals learned in my health and fitness journey to my everyday life............principals like, learn from your mistakes and move on, never give up and "challenge yourself " have become my daily mantras.  And it's not that I didn't know this before or hadn't tried to do this in the past.  Somehow now though, it's much easier to do, very effortless, like breathing.

I am learning that real power is not about feelings too.  Pressing on in spite of those feelings is where the real victory is.  And yes, I know there will be days ahead when I want to throw in the towel but I also know that "wanting to do something is not the same as doing it".  Sometimes  I want pie instead of whole wheat bread, ..........and sometimes, I really don't feel like exercising for 45 minutes .......but I do anyway.  It's all about staying focused and never giving up.  We all have the power to change our own lives.  Whether the goal is big or small, it is all achievable if you believe in yourself and keep working towards your goals.  So, let's just do it!

Cherio!

Touched By An Angel

Wanda Mcphee

Two months ago my grandmother whom I love dearly fell critically ill and we almost lost her.  That was a sobering time for not only me but my family on the whole.  You see my grandmother, Sarah, is the matriarch of the family and is the best human being I have ever known.  She is kind, loving, encouraging, funny, nurturing, selfless, smart, wise, forgiving and I can keep on going with the adjectives.  All of them positive, all of them true.  This woman inspires me like no other.

Wanda Mcphee

So when "Grammy" as we affectionately call her fell ill it was as if someone had pushed the "pause" button on my life.  Everything stopped and all that was left was raw nerves and heart ache.  There were so many thoughts going through my head.  I tried to find the positive in it.........nothing.   Finally a call from one of my sisters made all the difference.  My grandmother told her to cheer up and let everyone know (in case she didn't make it) that she had lived a good life and was looking forward to seeing her friends and loved ones who had gone on before her.  She was happy and excited to go to heaven. 

She had experienced a vision prior to falling ill in which she saw heaven in all its splendor and vividly described it to my mother.  She saw lots of people she loved  there and was overwhelmed with peace, love and joy.  In the vision she had stood at the gate wanting to go in so badly but an angel told her that it was not her time yet.  And it wasn't.  Though she is experiencing severe complications from diabetes at the moment she still continues to live life courageously and with joy.  She is thankful for every moment, even if some of those moments are painful.   I am not sure how everything will unfold with Grammy but I know that she will be all right even if this is her time. Her faith and love for  God and the testimony of her life gives me that confidence.   I will see her again.

Cherio!

                            

                            

A lesson while Painting

Have you ever been psyched to do something, I mean really do it this time.  You get your game face on and jump head first into the project/challenge only to discover seconds later half way through that what you're trying to do is just too hard!!!!!   You think to yourself "I don't want to do this anymore.......what the heck was I thinking!!!" Well, such was my experience two days ago.

I had always wanted to do a series of watercolor prints with inspirational quotes.  These were going to be very spontaneous and heartfelt freestyle paintings. Just me, some paper and my watercolor paint.  So, there I was staring at a blank piece of paper thirty minutes in and not a thing comes to mind to paint.  That is, no ideas worthy of painting.  After almost forty five minutes had passed I decided to just doodle....maybe this would free my artist block.  

Some of my doodles and random drawings

I just started making random patterns and drawings without thinking about it.  Two hours later I had five pages of squiggles and curly Q's and I was feeling very frustrated and unproductive.  Disappointment was pointing its long bony finger at me and I was buying in. 

I was about to throw in the towel, tear it to pieces, and stamp on it when I found inspiration in the oddest of places.  My son's PS3. .....on the couch......where I nearly sat on it.  It suddenly occurred to me in that moment that I had endured fifteen hours of torturous labor without an epidural and presently raising a teenager who is helpful, well mannered and loves God.  Heck, if I could do that, I could do anything. Besides, I am not a quitter.  

You know what I did next?  I went back to those  watercolors with fire in my eyes and a "Lets do this!" attitude.  I painted without any expectation or self judgement what-so-ever.  I did my best, and this time that was enough.  And you know what else? It was soooooo relaxing and so much fun!  You have to try this.

Look at how my doodles look framed!  Try it!  If you are not confident drawing shapes or figures, just try doing washes of watercolor on paper.  You'll be amazed at what you can do. Just picture it:

Walmart..........watercolors $4.00..........watercolor paper $4.00

Reward?  Priceless.