Busy? Stop to Consider This...

Busy! Busy! Busy!  I'm back from Miami and vacation and have been going none stop ever since!  So much to do, especially before I go out of town again this weekend.  This time...Baton Rouge, Louisiana for a friend's wedding.  So excited!  Until then, staying motivated and taking heed to the words above!

Eye Candy of the Day!  Love this soothing color palette and fantastic design elements!

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{Inspirational Thought} What's Your Big Idea?

Ever had those days where it seems as if your dreams and ideas were way too big?  Well, they are closer than you think.!  Just get started! Sometimes it helps when I break down the big picture into small actionable steps over a set time period.  That way I don't get bogged down with looking at the entire project.  It's all about taking it one step at a time and knowing your limits.  And celebrate the small steps you make along the way.  Each small triumph will result in one big beauty.  Here is a little inspiration to help you keep moving, keep dreaming, and keep designing!

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What big goals are you working towards and what steps have you made today?

MIAMI Style

Wouldn't you love this view of Miami?  Clean whites and bold pops by Italian designer Frederica Bisazza of the Trend Group. 

So I have been working on a huge branding project for a client who owns furniture boutiques in Miami, FL.  I am excited to be developing her website and print collateral as well as the boutique's social media branding.  As for inspiration, I have thrown myself into the Miami lifestyle and researching Miami interiors.  What did I find?  Crisp, clean, and bright whites, bold colors, and a breath-taking oceanfront views.  Can't wait to meet with her in 2 weeks.

The beautiful Delano Hotel on South Beach.  Image Source 

Another guest room at the Delano Hotel on South Beach.  Image Source

Simple. Chic. Confident. -- Hello September!

Currently inspired by these 3 words -- Simple, Chic, & Confident.  Effortless yet bold beauty.  Image Source

There always comes a point in my year where old worries don't matter, discernment is a little crisper, and everything seems to be changing.  Maybe it is so since it has been such an eventful year of growth, but as we change from sweaty summer days to cool, crisp nights, I am charging myself to keep things simple and chic. 

Are there priorities you have been ignoring? Are your friends and family screaming for your attention?  Or maybe there has been a burning desire slowly losing it's flame within you.  This season is the perfect time to get back to what matters, and that's living your life.  Not your friend's life, not that reality star's life, not your parents' life, but YOUR LIFE and to the fullest.  And I know from personal experience that change is certainly not easy and may very well be painful, but there is no better time than now to start embracing your new season.  You are exactly where you are meant to be.  My new daily checklist:

Let's keep it Simple, Chic, and Confident!  What do these words mean to you?

Is Your Home Really Safe? 3 Tips For Protecting Your Masterpiece and Your Family

Although we all want to believe that the crime we see on TV can't happen to us, we should always take safety precautions just in case. In these desperate times, not every one can be trusted. I had the unfortunate experience of witnessing the aftermath of a home break-in. The incident hit very close to my heart as it was property owned by my family. Thinking that neighbors and random police drive-bys would be enough, the home had been vacant for less than 2 months. Thankfully, the thieves did not take much, but there were a few lessons we learned from the Police department.

1. Always make it look like you're home. Robbers these days are targeting vacant homes and looking for valuable to steal. They are even out there stealing copper from home piping and making tons of money! When you are away on vacation or going to be away for a few days, always use timers on your appliances and set them according to your regular schedule. If you can, leave a friend's or relative's car in the driveway or your parking space in your complex. Also, have your neighbors grab your newspapers and mail while you are away.

2. Create an unpredictable schedule. Robbers will observe your daily routine. If they notice that you are reaching under a mat for a spare key or behind that bush to the right of your doorway, then they will have a straight shot into your home. Some days leave work earlier or come home at unexpected time of day to throw them off.

3. Lock it up! Be sure to double check all locks and windows. It is astonishing to hear just how many home break-in occur when the homeowner has left a door or window unlocked.  Get in the habit of checking all locks before you leave the house or go to sleep.  


Since we are all just humans and are prone to error, enlist the help of professionals.  Contact a home security company and get that extra protection!  Look into indoor and outdoor sirens, key fob setting and deactivation, and surveillance cameras.

Here is a list of things to check for and precautions to take around your home.

Home Security Checklist:
Doors, Windows, and Locks:

• Get a contractor to check the wood used to support your lock system in the front doorway. The detective told us that home builders will commonly use a lightweight type of wood composed of 5 1-foot strips pieced together by wood glue. That doesn't sound very sturdy! Get them to install 5/4 dead wood the entire length of your doorway. Very similar to a 2x4 but cut to fit in your space.
• Use a security bar. This product is very effective. I have used the Door Alarm Home Security Bar by Winston Brands and they will keep any unwanted visitors from coming in through your doors.  
• Use window locks. Especially when you are away, use Metal Window Security Clamps to seal your windows tightly so that they cannot be opened.

Lighting:

• Use outlet timers on your lamps.  Place your lamps near windows to signal that there is activity in your home.  Even your neighbors will notice if your home is darker than usual.
• Use flood lights in the front and back of your home.  This is also a great way to ward off bad guys.  More importantly, use motion detected lights.  You'll notice when there is movement outside of your home.
• Make sure all porch and deck lights are working properly.  Apartment home owners and renters --- notify your landlord immediately when the lights are not working near your space.  Your safety is on the line!

Sliding Doors:

• Is your sliding door on properly?  I was completely shocked when the detective told us our sliding glass door was on backwards!  We checked our neighbor's house, and there's was the exact same way.  The sliding door slides from the outside!  When we went outside, it was so easy to yank and maneuver the door off the track.  Please, please, please check to make sure your sliding door slides from the inside!  If not, install a pin that extends through the sliding glass door to the fixed door when not in use.  
• Place decals on your doors signifying some type of protective system such as an alarm, dog alert, neighborhood watch, etc.

The statistics are daunting!  It's always a good idea to know the facts.  Source

I encourage you, protect yourself now before something happens!  It is always best to be prepared.

Be safe!