I wanted to leave you with one of my favorite songs, by one of my favorite singers, Lizz Wright...Listen to the words and be inspired...I'm off to meet with lawyers regarding Mini's school...fun, fun, fun....Enjoy your weekend...
I love the line, "Don't cloud your eyes with others lies"....that's what I'm talkin' bout.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Today's Musical Inspiration, Lizz Wright, Open Your Eyes
Creative Mom Gone Too Far?
This mom slipcovered the furniture in muslin and invited her daughter's friends over to tag it with graffiti...Hum, not sure how I feel about it...Don't think I would go that far with Mini...maybe if it was furniture for her room...But, I can appreciate the creativity.
I Heart the Dollar Store
Just look at all the goodies I purchase for $1 each...What did people do before the dollar store...But, all dollar store and not made the same...The best dollar store in NYC is JACKs...I would shop there at least 3 days a week when I worked in Manhattan...This dollar store is closer to home and I heart it...
Phase II of My Little Project
Remember the wall Mini was patching in a previous post? Well, I finished phase II today...painted it black...with chalk board paint. Phase III coming soon...
I heart...
Where can I find a blanket like this without spending an arm and a leg and a tank of gas?...I saw them at ABC Carpet and Home for around $500.00 bucks. If your a regular reader of this blog you know I'm not going there...I'm on the hunt.
In a Perfect World
In a perfect world, Mini would dress like this. I showed this to Mini and she would rather be on punishment for the rest of the summer than dress like this...lol.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
My Dining Area...
I have a dining area, not an actual room...last year a friend of mine painted this beautiful mural on the wall. I was having a hard time trying to decide what to put there and they came up with this...Isn't it beautiful...everytime I pass it, I just feel happy...I slip covered the dining chairs with fabric from a curtain I purchased at IKEA...The light on the wall to the left makes such a wonderful pattern on the wall...I purchased the faux crystal light fixture from IKEA for about $12.00...I think we have one in every room in the house...
Tip for the Super Mom's out there...
At the last minute Mini wanted to take a cake to day camp to celebrate her birthday with her new friends...UGH! I was exhausted and had to think of something quick. I learned this trick awhile ago...whenever you need a dessert at the last minute, pick up an Entemanns cake, a pound cake, crunch cake, whatever, and a can of pre made frosting, preferably with sprinkles and just ice the cake. The kids at camp loved it...they said it was the BOMB! The day was saved for less than $10.00 bucks. A mom's gotta have all kinds of tricks up her sleeve now a days.
Inspiration
I know your out there...you have a closet for a bedroom and you think you can't possibly do anything cool with the space...Well, think again...Just look how tiny and stylish this bedroom is...painted white, cleared of clutter...if you must, store your clothes under the bed and hang a bold, bright print over your bed...instant style on a budget....Remember to keep the linens simple.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Kimberly Wilson - Hip Tranquil Chick
I'm really into this podcast by Kimberly Wilson. Kimberly is an inspirational, motivational speaker for woman or anyone trying to live outside the box. I love her YOGA podcast...try it, it's so relaxing...
You can listen to her podcasts at www.hiptranquilchick.com
Nursery Design
I heart nursery design...I don't get the chance to do it as much as I'd like...Just look how clever...they turned the bird house into a light...clever...
Monday, July 28, 2008
Red...drives me crazy...
When I first moved into this apartment I painted the living room red...UGH! The color drove me crazy...I can't relax in a red room. Can you?
How does your garden grow?
My terrace garden is suffering from the bright southern light and heat...Not to mention, I'm on the 11th floor and it's windy up here...This garden is so beautiful...the simple blue and white paint job...Hum! Why can't I have that?
Friday, July 25, 2008
Look of the Day
In A Perfect World...
In a perfect world...I'm going to a hollywood party for Barack Obama and I'm wearing this...HOT! Have you noticed that I'm partial to ruffles?
Baby Shower Give Aways
I made these little hemp string bracelets for a baby shower. The parents wanted to do something different...not the typical ceramic statue with pink and blue dated ribbon attached. I came up with this...aren't they cute?
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Mini's Birthday Outfit, In a Perfect World...
If mommy had her way Mini would celebrate her birthday in style...while wearing high fashion.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Theater In My Mind...
"I thought he would never leave. My husband will be home with the kids any minute now."
I need this look...
Like Mother, Like Daughter
So, Mini was bored yesterday...I asked her if she wanted to patch holes in the wall so we could get started on a little art project I've been thinking about doing in the livingroom. Of course she said yes. I can't believe how similar we are. At her age I was the same way. Re-arranging the furniture and painting whenever I got the chance. It's really scary. We don't share the same taste in everything...Mini hates the way I dress and wear my hair. She is much too flashy for my style. I asked her, "Do you want to be like your mommy when you grow up?" Mini said, "Mommy, I don't want to hurt your feelings, but I'm going to be much more fabulous than you when I grow up." I hope you are Mini, I really do. Gotta heart this kid...
Monday, July 21, 2008
Inspiration
I always admired the picture rails with black and white photos...I think it's pretty hard to pull off...
Today's Musical Selection - Superwoman - Alicia Keys
If this song doesn't inspire you, nothing will...Be Inspired.
My favorite line in the song, "No one knows me underneath these clothes I can fly, we can fly."
Friday, July 18, 2008
Thursday in the Park
I hung out in Metro Tech park in Brooklyn for lunch yesterday...Pheobe Snow performed, it was hot, the grass was green and the company was the best...I took a few photos...The concerts take place every thursday at 12:00...next week, Alice Smith and the week after that Michelle N'Degachelo sp?
Little girl blowing bubbles...
Pheobe Snow singing her hits...
Summers are made for flip flops...
and babies...
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Summer Stage - Hip Hop Show - Tomorrow Night
Friday, July 18, 2008 From 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM Central Park SummerStage
The cultural stamp of “Video Music Box” comes to life with performances by hip hop’s notable icons from across the decades.
The influence of "Video Music Box" stretches far and wide, as the show is one of the first and longest running outlets for Hip-Hop since the genre’s inception. Twenty-five years after its debut, Ralph McDaniels hosts a celebration concert featuring performances by a who's who of hip-hop icons from the show’s history and beyond.
DJ Jazzy Joyce, The Crash Crew, TSki-Valley & Spoonie Gee, Luv Bug Starski, Sugar Hill Gang, Joe Ski Love, Entouch, Special Ed, Dana Dane, Naughty By Nature, DJ Clark Kent, Ralph Ray Dejon, OC, Chubb Rock, Jeru Da Damaja, Milk Dee, DJ Chuck Chillout, Jeff Redd, Red Alert, DJ Kid Capri, Nice N Smooth & Special Guests.
Being Good
I'm trying really hard to get 5 fruits and veggies a day...I did well yesterday by putting it all in one bowl, grapes, lettuce, mushrooms, carrots and watermelon with a little feta cheese and sprinkled with a little honey...YUM.
Mini's dry erase board...I use the board to remind Mini of the things she should do everyday. You know, things that will totally torture her, lol...Things like read, play the keyboard, turn-off the t.v...
...Just look at what I found when I went into her room yesterday while she was at camp...She wrote her own rules, don't read, playkeyboard 3 min a day and turn on t.v. everyday....very funny little girl...
I took this photo of Mini at camp yesterday from my livingroom window...lol.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
I just wanted to thank everyone for all your kind words...Who knew when I started this blog that I would receive such inspiration...Peace be with you.
New For Sale at SoulPretty
VISIT: WWW.SOULPRETTY.ETSY.COM TO PURCHASE
$20.00 - 2 medium, 2 large, 1 ex-large
Hobo-Slung Bag - $30.00
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
In a Perfect World...
This would be in the bathroom of my country home...
I'd blog from this desk...in my country home...
This chest would be in the guest bathroom of my country home...I would have friends over everyweekend and this would hold plenty of everything...
Monday, July 14, 2008
A Bit Emotional....
Have you ever questioned where you are in life and how you got there? Well, this was one of those weekends...I was overwhelmed with questions and thoughts about some of my biggest life decisions...Did I do the right thing 5 years ago when I left my job to stay home with my ill daughter? Until then I had been very independant working since the age of 14...I moved out of my parents home at 18 and have never looked back...I worked in Corporate America while putting myself through college without the help of my parents, loans or grants...I was focused and determined...I paid for each class with cash...while supporting myself and living alone in NYC...I prevailed and upon graduation found myself 8 months pregnant and alone...I thought I was in love and loved but, to my surprise it turned out not to be true...What's a girl to do...? Professionally, everything that I had dreamed of since I was a little girl was about to happen...Did I really need a baby now? It gets better....at 3 months pregnant I learned that my child would be born with a disabiling, genetic disease...What's a girl to do? My answer came from the most unexpected place, someone who didn't know me or anything about my situation...My new boss...He didn't know me long but from what he could tell he promised me that I had what it took to do this...I took his advice and had my daughter alone. I can't explain how much love I have for him today...I can honestly say that without him coming into my life when he did, I don't think my daughter would be here today...I digress...Sorry. I said all that to say, I have learned that you never know where the words you need to hear just when you need to hear them will come from...This weekend those words came from a stranger on a park bench...while wating on a friend this woman struck up a conversation with me about her daughter and their struggles and triumphs and how they got through...Now, I'm a spiritual person, not an organized religion person...I went to church yesterday to pick-up my daughter and deep down inside I was hoping to hear something that would quiet my anxiety about my future and what direction I should go....was I doing the right thing by myself and my daughter...trouble was I didn't find that at church yesterday...So, while sitting in Central Park I thought to myself, I needed a sign that everything will be o.k....That I'm o.k...that my daughter will be o.k...and BAM, sitting to my right this woman begins to comfort me...She did not know me...she did not know that I quit my job 5 years ago after my daughter suffered a stroke and the doctor told me that it wasn't her first stroke...(what kind of mom doesn't realize that her child has had a stroke? A mom trying to do it all that's what kind)...she didn't know that I had to fight her father for enough child support for me to stay home with her...she didn't know that my daughter was diagnoised with dyslexia and was 3 years behind her peers in school and I had to fight the Board of Education to pay for private school...She did not know that every 3 weeks my daughter gets a blood transfusion and that I have have to make like life and death decisions almost daily...She didn't know any of that...The only thing she knew was what she saw, a mother and her daughter having fun in a park...And the words she gave me have put the wind back in my wings...She said, "your daughter seems very special and you must be doing a wonderful job with her...It's so obvious that she is loved and she loves you...whatever your doing keep it up." (tears) Just what I needed to hear...when I needed to hear it. Life, gotta luv it.
OMG, this post is going on and on...just to say - the message you need to hear will come when you need to hear it...just know that it may not come from who or where you think it will...
Be open...I'm open and listening.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Inspiration
I heart this room...The furniture arrangement and use of space is perfect...and the scale of the furniture makes the room look bigger than it is...Good job.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Jazmine Sullivan ft. Missy Elliot - Need U Bad (VIDEO)
New, Hot, Summer music...I learned about this artist on NeoSewMama's Blog...Check it out and let me know what you think...the singer looks like someone I know...also, check out how slim Missy has gotten...she looks good...
Mini's Birthday Wish
...as I said in a previous post, Mini gets a room make-over every year for her birthday...It's coming up...I really heart the image on this wall...Not sure if Mini will like it...She's going through a no more girly, cutesy things...and really wants a clean, IKEA style bedroom this time...but, I like this...hummmm, mommy has to let go...
Theater In My Mind
Did you ever see an image and just want to make up a dialogue that could go along with the picture? Well, that's what I call, "Theater In MY Mind"...
"What?!" "I told you, Terrance and I are just friends. I'll be back in time to meet with Nate Burkus to discuss the hardwood floors. Why are you so insecure? Did I say anything when you hung out with Lil Kim last week? ...O.k., just in case I don't make it back in time, please tell Nate I'm really tired of looking at this plastic bag...It's getting old just like this conversation."
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Two Rooms that I Love
I love big bold artwork...portraits...in a room...Eclectic...I'm a collector...If I weren't so lazy today I would take photos of all the art that I have salvaged in my lifetime and post it on the blog...But right now this is the best I can do...see ya.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Inspiration
...Finally, a little design inspiration for my bedroom...I love the steel and glass, I have similar african masks that could work...I even have a zebra print rug...Hum?I'd love to find an old black and white poster of a happy couple for my room...any ideas?
Inspiration...
IKEA is sellling this netting for just $7.99 in vibrant blue, pink, green ane white...DIY>>>>You can boil a pot of tea, let it cool, then soak the tulle in the tea for about 30 minutes to dye it this wonderful taupe color...
Monday, July 7, 2008
Did I share this with you already?
If so, it's worth seeing again...color inspiration for my bedroom...I heart the green, beige and blue color story...I need to make pillows to sell...these are so pretty....
CAMP STARTS TODAY
....Today is the first day of day camp for Mini...YEAH! Mini and I have been attached at the hip for the past 3 weeks since school ended...24 hours a day...I know a mom shouldn't say this, but, I need my space...Mini is not the kind of sleep until noon and then sit in the front of the t.v. and entertain yourself kind of kid...She's the, wake up at 7:30...come in my room about 10 times trying to see if I'm up yet...and when I finally give in and get up she gives me that look that says, "what are we doing today?" UGH! Well today she will give that look to someone else. Those poor unsuspecting camp counselors...at least their young enough to run around with her, catering to her every whim...
The camp is right outside my window...so I don't even have to get up and drive her there or pick her up...YES!
They take the kids on trips twice a week...YES! On a coach bus...not the subway...YES! Some of the trips Mini will enjoy this summer are, the Bronx Zoo, Rye Playland, Sony Wonder Lab, Native American Indian Museum, Liberty Science Center, Coney Island, etc...I'm off the hook...On the weekends we will only do what I want to do...she's had her fun at camp....ha, ha, ha.
I really had to make some sacrifice to pay for the camp but, I think it's worth it...The trips are included the only thing I have to provide is lunch...Here's a picture of the camp from my terrace...You can't really see the building it's covered by trees...but the kids will play tennis and run around here all summer long...all I have to do is look out the window and smile...
I made Mini her favorite chocolate chip pancakes as a send off...YUM! That should hold her until snack time...psst, I will not be doing this everyday...tomorrow, cereal.
In A Perfect World...
In a perfect world, Terrance Howard would invite me to be his date to a garden party in the Hampton's hosted by Debbie Allen for the entire cast of Cat on A Hot Tin Roof...He would pick me up and I would walk out in this dress...he would say, "Wow, you look great" and I would say, "What, this old thing?" So corny, I love it... just like in the movies...I heart my imagination...it's the only thing that keeps me sane...lol.
Though...this dream is not so far fetched...My best, childhood girlfriend's sister is married to Terrance Howard's brother...So, I could run into him at a bar-b-que...lol...
More white bedroom ideas...
I don't know why, but I have been procrastinating with the redesign of my bedroom...UGH! Nothing has changed since my last post...This is so, not like me. Usually when I get a design idea and I don't have any clients lined up, I can turn-out a room in my house in 1 day...But for some reason I have design block when it comes to my bedroom...My room is located in the back of my apartment...at the end of the hall...it's dark and uninviting...I need inspiration...If I could just find that dresser that I posted last week...Hum?
Friday, July 4, 2008
Musical Inspiration
This is my favorite summer song...whenever I hear it I wanna go back on the block...I'll be bar-b-queing on the block tomorrow...Enjoy your weekend.
Weekend Party Outfit
O.K., it's the 4th of July and I know you have some fun outdoor activities planned...How about wearing these shorts...If I could I would...everyday.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Inspiration
I'm still working on a client's kitchen...We're almost to the finish line. I was looking around the internet for inspiration and look what I found...
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Inspiration
Inspiration for my bedroom re-do...No, I have yet to paint my bedroom...UGH! I'm waiting until mini goes to day camp next week. I must find a dresser in the Salvation Army and paint it silver, change out the nobs...Ohhhh, so glam on a budget...Will post when I do...
I'd like to see the abstract painting in the funky room at the top of the blog hanging here instead of this flower print...Yep, I'm flexible...
Baby Inspiration
I heart this stroller by Fawn and Forest...I had a similar stroller when Mini was a baby...It's like pushing a bed around the city. The price of this one is pretty steep...$429.00, free shipping and no tax...I think it's worth it...check out the website www.fawnandforest.com to see how versitle it is...
...and if your broke after purchasing that stroller the baby can sleep in this...clever.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Lighting Inspiration
Lighting is everything...Look how it sets the mood for these two rooms. They wouldn't be nearly as intersting without the dramatic lighting...Don't just put a 100 watt bulb in the ceiling and think you did something...Be inspired...move the light around...
Summer activities for a bored tween...
Mini is bored and day camp doesn't start until July 7th...What to do, what to do? I know, make a cake...box cake mix with prepared frosting. Mini mixed the colors for the frosting herself using food coloring. Then she used her creative skills to decorate the cake...a little funky...but, as we say in my family, "if it looks bad, I know it will taste good". It was delicious...
Today's Musical Selection ---- Buddy - Musiq Soulchild
Hung out with my buddy last weekend...Good times..
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