((( the black veil )))

...She had envisioned herself; while she lay awake in bed; in a long satin gown with chiffon detail stretched down past her ankles and a small train delicately draped behind her on the floor. She had on a veil made of lace; something she had picked up in a roadside flea market on a trip back from visiting her father years before. She threw it into a stamped burlap sack and placed it next to the silver candlesticks, inside of a cedar chest with leather straps and brass buckles. She felt accomplished by the wheeling and dealing that bantered back and forth between the keeper of the market and herself. They got some laughs out of the entire ordeal. She laughed at his southern hillbilly accent and he laughed at her stilettos and excessively large sunglasses. "City Girl," he'd say, to point out another gem he thought she'd enjoy having a look at. She could have walked away with much more, having had the room in the car. She thought of bungee straps and the need to always keep an extra set in the car for such instances. She promised she'd revisit soon and continually bring back treasures each and every time.

The veil was handcrafted and in pristine condition with black jewels dangling from the edges and a slight metallic sheen woven between the threads. She often thought of the stories behind its life, full of travels and endless pages filling leather bound books found in vintage suitcases that were carried on steam powered railroad locomotives with white smoke blowing hastily out of its stack. 

The veil covered her face; covering the black mascara that ran down her jawbone like the chills down her spine knowing he was not only fooling around with someone but treating her much like a foreign substance all the while. Not that she minded much with the lack of attention, just the sound of his voice made her skin crawl and her central nervous system gag in reflex.

The entire ensemble; excluding  her blonde hair pulled taut in a classic chignon, veil neatly pressed against her dampened face, all the way to the extension of the train that flowed behind her like the past that seemed to follow her around; was jet black, the exact color of the soul that currently fed the relationship. Black like a top hat, black like night, black like tar and black like the innards of the eye that was bruised upon the weight from his right hand...

Tidbit Tuesday :: Color w/Confidence

The weather today was irresistible and I matched my outfit to my mood, bright and cheerful. That got me thinking: with Spring being right around the corner, it's going to be time for everyone to get busy with DIY projects around their homes to get them prepped and primped for proper Spring and Summer partying. 












First and foremost: a fresh coat of paint to any interior (or exterior wall) will do wonders to liven up any space. I paint any and everything to add new life to old things and to surround myself with the colors that brighten my day.


A successful color palette creates a smooth flow room to room and can help a small house feel larger. Here is how to put color to work:


Spread the love around- Connecting with color doesn't mean that every room should use exactly the same hues in the same proportions. For color to flow, start at the front door, then move that shade through the house along with the others you pick up along the way. You dn't need to migrate the entire palette every time- just pieces of it. For example, if you start with rich coral walls in the entry, carry that hue to pillows in the living room. Continuing through the house, the coral might evolve into pink in the bedrooms or even yellow in the kitchen.


Use are to transport color- Select artwork or make your own pieces featuring the dominant colors in your palette to help pull the hues neatly together.


Let architectural features provide a smooth transition- Trimwork and molding create definitive starting and stopping points that make switching colors between rooms easier. To maintain a united front, keep your trim color consistent from room to room.




With that being said, let's discuss the basics behind wall painting.


Painting 101:


1) Prep School- Before getting started on any painting project, prepare the surface. Fill nail holes with a small dab of patching compound. No need to sand such petite blemishes; simply wipe with a damp rag. Larger holes and cracks may need to be patched and gently sanded. Finally, be sure walls are clean. Remove any grease or residue.


2) Cutting Class- Before dipping your brush for the first time, cover floors and furniture with drop cloths and plastic. And be sure to remove outlet and light switch covers. Tape around windows, doors, and trim with low-tack painter's tape. Then start small. Cut in around the room's edges with a quality 2-inch brush, hold it near the base of the handle. Keep a wet edge as you work around the room.




3) The Big W- Painting isn't brain surgery, but knowing proper techniques will make you more efficient and give you better results. Using a quality roller, start in a corner painting as close to the edges as possible. Paint a large W on the wall, filling in and overlapping areas while the paint is still wet. Repeat around the room until complete. 




4) Edge perfect- An edging tool may allow you to skip a step when dealing with windows, doors and other trim. The small wheel on the tool allows you to glide it along flat woodwork without taping it off. Take your time, though. Patience is key.




5) Clean Sweep- Cleaning up the mess after working with latex paint is fairly simple. Wash brushes and rollers with soap and water until water runs clear. To remove excess water and paint, run the curved edge of a painter's tool along the roller. When the water runs clear again, dry the roller or brush on a roller spinner, holding it inside a garbage bin or deep sink. 






Spend more for Quality- Choose your paint wisely. You'd be surprised (like a great pair of denim or stellar suit) what the extra bucks can get you!


Consider Luster- Sheen refers to the degree of shine. Generally, the higher the gloss the better the finish will stand up to stains, abrasions, and cleaning.
How to Choose a Paint Finish


Use the Right Equipment- Choose brushes with long and dense bristles. Nylon for latex and natural for oil-based paints. Talk to your local paint store employee. They should be able to set you up with all the necessities.


And?... Don't be afraid! Paint, although permanent, can always be redone. If you don't love it, change it until you do! 

Have fun with it! Not only do bright colors really liven up the space and get us looking forward to spring and summer but it's therapeutic for me. Whether you are choosing a plain white to add freshness and crispness for the approaching season or adding chartreuse to your master bathroom to liven it up. Either way, enjoy yourself! 


"One must act in painting as in life, directly."
-Pablo Picasso

2012: The Happy Home Project (Cutting out Clutter)

I am not certain if it's the weather but something specific has put an extra spring into my step. It seems each and every time I turn around, I am bagging up excess stuff and filling bags that will be hauled to the Goodwill. I haven't actually taken any loads to the G'will, only because I can't seem to stop from bagging up more and more and figured I can make one trip with ALL the stuff versus trip after trip with bag after bag.


I've managed to accumulate 9 entire garbage bags full of this stuff that we just haven't a use for any longer. Most of the bags are filled to the brim with clothing; old, new, outgrown, outlived, and likewise. Having 4 growing children in the house, a husband that keeps fluctuating in weight and years and years of having held onto things, its time to let it go. And it feels great! Everything is getting neatly organized, de-cluttered, and eventually each and every item will have a home to be placed within, even if that means hanging on a rack at the Goodwill for other people to be able to get some use out of.


I dig and dive into dresser drawers, clothes hanging in the closet, a basement excessively filled with the excess and as I hold something up to examine for either garbage bin or goodwill bag; it becomes absolute apparent how extremely fast these small beings in my home have not only grown; but matured. There are themed shirts; anything Pixar and/or Disney themed whetherbeit Cars, Despicable Me, Princess & The Frog, monster trucks, soccer balls, flowers power, and glitter glam, etc and I realize that not only do these items not fit their bodies, the propaganda covering the front, sides, backs, all the way around no longer fits their personalities. Its stripes, plaid, cool DJ prints, skateboarding gear, and anything with graffiti tagged across the chest. It's leggings and a knee high boots with a vest and finger-less gloves.




















It's a great wonderful feeling knowing that excess is being diminished, clutter is being kicked to the curb, and everything will have a place and be out of our face. The curtains are all tied back in the house, the sun glowing through the clean windows; a few which have been cracked open to circulate some fresh air into the space; Febreze is being implemented thoroughly and all seems right in the world while the smell of fresh bread is baking in the oven and filling the house with an ever pleasant aroma that every home should have so often, especially on Sundays :) 


As as great as it is that we're letting go of items to make room for new things that start new chapters in our lives, it's also surreal knowing that these kids grow so very fast. Day by day goes by and our routines remain true. We each grow in our ways, taking on new traits that make up our individualized personalities. But where does the time go? Must they grow so darned fast? I have an infant that has bags full of clothing that is already too small :( I find pictures of children that have baby faces and pigtails and OshKosh overalls and find that they're being replaced with the same kids except with a mouth full of missing teeth with each smile captured by the camera, a little girl that has a tooth popping through her gum filled smile, and sometimes; even though it's just stuff; it's harder to let go of the memory than it is the actual item. 


I think down the road a bit. I daydream of what the future might have in store; for each being in the household. Although I know each will be absolutely perfect in his or her own way, I sometimes want to freeze time and hold on tightly to the memories I have of them while they are still young. It seems like tomorrow we'll be preparing for high school graduations, meeting boyfriends and girlfriends they enjoying hanging out with, when we can't seem to keep them home while they are running around to high school basketballs games, taking tours of colleges they wish to attend, and preparing to take on a life of their own. 


Call me sentimental. It wouldn't be the first time, nor the last someone called me such; overly sensitive, delicate, or high-strung. I take everything to heart; spoken aloud or quietly gestured. It makes a difference to me knowing that every single aspect of our lives is shaping the character of these children; forming them into the adults they will grow up to be. 









There will be many more springs of cleaning and de-cluttering; getting rid of the old and too small and making way for new and what is trendy. I am certain that every spring as we make way for new life of our surroundings, get ready for growth and rebirth of the things in our lives that we do on an annual basis this time of year; that a tear (or two) will be shed at the speed in which it all goes hurling by.


...Stop this Train... (sometimes I simply cannot take the speed it's moving in)


"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth - and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up - that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had."

-Fashion-Forward-Friday- ::: Personal Style (Your Own Look) :::

Some say there is an art to dressing well. That may be true. Mastering what goes with what, knowing which designers are in and which are out, and eyeing exactly where the hemline should hit and how high the heel should certainly take talent.


But let's face it, most of us don't have the time, energy, or patience to elevate what we wear every day to an art form. Our goal is usually to find some that feels comfortable, makes us feel confident, and looks chic. We want dressing to be effortless-and we want to look effortlessly dressed. Yes, there are the enviable lucky few who have a knack for looking oh-so-perfectly pulled together every time they step out the door, and then there are the rest of us, who have to try a little harder (and still those who don't bother at all).  But with the proper tools, the right mind-set, and a little direction, we all can be well dressed in no time. 


Express Your Inner Fashion Sense


Here are tips to find your own style:


-Don't dress in a look straight off the runway or all in one trend.


-Feel free to mix and match.


-Don't be stuck on one style; experiment with new looks. Or, find a signature look and be true to it.


-If you like it, buy it and wear it (with confidence).


-Have fun with trends, but don't be a slave to them.


-Know that keeping it simple is often the best way to go.


-Add your own touch to a look, whether it's a bow, belt, or brooch.


-Do the unexpected. Don't always wear things in the traditional way. 








(((On a side note)))
There are 3 ways to Wear a Blazer-Know the value of a good suit. The traditional twosome looks smart as a set, but the jacket alone is just as chic.


1) A dark suit: You can rest assured you'll look appropriate-say, at work or on evenings out-in a sleek suit. Try a classic, frill-free cut and avoid getting caught up in short-lived trends. Plus, black will always be flattering (and slimming). Find a cut that works for you and stick with it.


2) A jacket * jeans: Your favorite blues with a tailored jacket is what casual chic is all about. A fitted jacket is the most polished.


3) A mismatched suit: Try your blazer with different trousers. A wide-leg style in crisp white, for example, is dressier than denim and a nice alternative in warmer weather. 














It really THAT easy with a great black blazer :) 


I hope everyone enjoys their (well-dressed to impress) weekend! Be safe out there and most of all be fashionable!!!