peace :: priorities
If I have seen and learned this once...I have seen and learned it a million times. The constant fight to keep what is real, pure, everlasting, and significant before and above the superficial, fake, dust to ashes, status quo.Culture tells us to rage, primp, plump, add, take away, live for the moment, fit in, stand for nothing, fall for everything....and I for one will fight against all of that until the day I die.Give me peace like a river that floods my soul..... any day.{image via pinterest here}xo,Barb
in the heat of the moment, remember
image via pinterest
These past few weeks {and the next two weeks} are so full. We are charging toward the finish line of Knack Book 2 and it is both exhilarating and painful all at the same time. I compare writing a book to the marathons I have competed in. That finish line is such a beautiful sight, the emotion runs strong, and the tears flow because you are so excited and empowered by what you have just accomplished...while at the same time your entire body hurts from the huge task you just asked it to complete. Marathons are physically and mentally challenging and tap into every ounce of strength that you have in both of those areas.....and a book is no different. By the time a project of this magnitude is finished, both the body and mind are tired yet strengthened and exhilarated by the work that has been accomplished.
I am so proud of this work. I am super proud and thankful for the team of women who have helped accomplish this work. I absolutely know I could not have done it without them...and am at a loss as to how to put into words my grateful heart.
It is awesome to look back and remember, and even better to look forward with a renewed strength and confidence in what can be done when you set your sight, heart, and mind on one of life's marathons.
FYI - Sisters are the best
I am dead serious when I say that I have the best sister in the entire world! Don't even start to tell me about your sister and how amazing she is because I guarantee you she would not, could not, ever not......hold a candle to my sweet sister. I am just teasing really.........maybe.My baby sister Sarah is almost 7 years younger than I am, and when she was born I used to carry her around like one of my baby dolls.....my mom would get all kinds of stares and comments because she let me carry my sister around like she was my own child. I had the hip hold mastered at the ripe old age of seven......:} Man how time has flown by......and my sister is now married with babies of her own. {very beautiful babies I might add!} I wish we lived closer so that I could see her more and kiss on my sweet nephews.......but maybe, just maybe there will be a change there soon! I am crossing my fingers and toes.Even though we are far apart in miles....opposite sides of the country.....my sister never ceases to amaze me with her gifts of love and encouragement at just the right time. I arrived home from my trip to Delaware {my uncles funeral} and when my neighbor brought over the mail I saw a beautiful package addressed to me in my sisters immaculate calligraphy....and wondered what in the world could be inside? I knew it would be fantastic whatever it was.....but I was not prepared for the flood of emotions that came when I opened it up and read her sweet note to me, and then saw this amazing watercolor calligraphy print that she had made just for me. I totally welled up with tears at the thoughtfulness and love that seeped off the pages of her gift......and my heart filled to the brim with love for the greatest sister in the world!Her simple statement was a reminder to me of words that I have excitedly exclaimed to her over the years as I have seen miracle after miracle happen in both my personal life and with my little Knack business.....and as she sensed the sighs of my growing pains and signals of distress with the move and all that comes with it.....she took the time to remind me of the past......of the many miracles I have seen, and experienced first hand.....reminding me not to forget them......and to let the memory of them fall fresh on me again.........I love you Sakes!If you all have never read my sisters blog, or visited her etsy shop.....you are missing out. The way she creates, photographs and captures life is so beautiful.....don't miss it.xo,Barb
Etcetera
We have reached the end of another very hot summer week. I wish I had gotten more accomplished at the new studio, but it was so nice to have some time to sit back and relax with friends and family for the fourth. My friend Amy brought over these beautiful flowers for me from her garden! Aren't they fantastic?! The super fun red sandals are an early BIRTHDAY treat to myself......oh and the glittery tank is as well! Yippee....the celebrating started early this year! Oh, and I literally lived off of bowls of freezing cold watermelon balls. They are so refreshing, and my new summer staple.I hope to make a major dent in the studio work today! I spent 2 hours cleaning the bathroom on Tuesday! Seriously...I may have gone a bit mister clean on myself but the sparkly beautiful bathroom with its new rug, and towels is so inviting! Today, I will be sweeping, vacuuming, and sealing the concrete floor and wall in the work space in order to help with dust, and to help keep the floors as clean and easily maintained as possible. i am going to work hard today so that I can enjoy MY BIRTHDAY tomorrow!! woot, woot! I am going to party like it is 2012! ......and for all of you who I know want to ask......the number is 38.Have a great weekend! xo,BarbP.S. did I mention it was my BIRTHDAY tomorrow?
FYI
There is so much that I want to say, yet at the same time it is very hard to put into words all that has transpired over the past few weeks. I will try to start from the beginning and see what happens.I think it is safe to say that for the past year I have been thinking about the next step for Knack. Where and how I want to grow my company. How big do I want to get? What really truly brings me joy? What is best for my family? At the same time, preparing for the launch of my first book and along with that, the title of "Published Author". So many very exciting things going on and coming up in the very near future for Knack.....things I only once dreamed of happening when I started painting furniture in my garage just a few short years ago now.I would lay out plans in my head and on paper and made lists of pros and cons......and was very specific about what I wanted in the next step. I have a very close core group of people that I share my dreams and ideas with and I let those people in on what my little secrets were and just kept plodding along. I really, really spent a lot of time honing in on what I truly wanted based on what I enjoy and started moving in that direction. I used to think that I wanted certain things and achievements that I no longer desire....and I am so thankful for the clarity I have been given and for the path that lies ahead. For me it is more about truly loving what you do and not about anything else. I believe when you truly love what you do, you are "successful" on all levels no matter how big or small.When I planned for Knack's next step, I wanted a place where I could have a studio/working space in the back and a showroom/store in the front. A place where I could begin to develop my style even more, by carrying unique items for the home that come alongside and compliment my furniture designs. I wanted a place where there would be gorgeous natural light so that I could focus on my photography and styling shoots. I wanted a building with architectural character. I wanted a place that I could hold beautiful events in. I wanted a place that had a loading dock. I know this sounds crazy, but I wanted a bathroom with a shower so that on the days that I have events and don't have time to run home and shower and change .....no problem! Did I mention that lighting was huge to me? I wanted great light in both the shop and the work space.I think you will see in these pictures , that I got everything on my wishlist, to a tee.....and more! I got that bathroom with a shower..not only did I get great lighting but I also got a skylight on top of great lighting in the workspace....and as an extra bonus the building comes with a parking lot on one side and a little brick and stone garden on the other side. It is literally the stuff dreams are made of. There is not one thing about this building that is a negative.....it is a Godsend.....it is the only way to describe what has transpired with this space......and how fast it happened.I am ready to dig in and make the space my own......freshen up the plants and beds on the outside, sweep, dust, and sparkle on the inside....and fill it to the brim with beautiful furniture and found goodness.I decided to jump...yet again......Thank you for joining me on this journey.xo,Barb
Etcetera
Can you all even believe the lush, colorful beauty of my mountains?! I had to post a few more photos from our trip to the mountains last weekend for a couple reasons:1. The color and beauty just get my juices flowin'2. this weekend will be the polar opposite of complete relaxation in the mountains! hah!For starters, I get the keys to my new studio today, and that will begin the moving madness {yipee!}.... my cousin is getting married on Saturday, family is in town for the wedding, and my guest bathroom is being demolished and gutted as we speak! Woot!I am so very excited about the bathroom redo...it has been a long time coming, and I have lived with a huge hole in the hallway for about 6 months due to a leak that brought on this redo! The bathroom is going from seventies avocado green everything......to white subway tiles with gray grout, recycled wood, and penny tile goodness. I will be sure to photograph along the way and show it off when it is complete.I hope you all have a great weekend!xo,Barb