Guest Vignette: Big Beige Box

Time for another installment of Guest Vignette where I ask fellow bloggers to share a vignette in their home and explain why it is meaningful.  This week I am excited to have Courtney (don’t you just love her name) of Big Beige Box over to share what I think is a pretty awesome story……

When The Secret came out, many of my friends put together vision boards of their goals. I was, of course, way too cool to buy into some Oprah gimmick (because she obviously has no idea about what ideas work, right?) but there was one goal in particular that was tugging at my heart and soul, begging to be put ou there. In 2010, I had fallen in love with a man and a city so my life in FL was growing more irrelevant by the day.

 I had to get to NYC.

 I jotted down a simple phrase on the back of a business card I had made to promote my blog and identity as a designer. “NYC 2011.” I set the card on my desk and looked at it every day, reminding me of my goal.

 My goal came to fruition in April 2011 just in time for its cut-off date of my 30th birthday. Never before had I wanted something so badly and worked so hard. I rang in my 30th on the pavement of NYC and settled into Apartment #13 a month later. As I was unpacking my things, I came across this card.

I considered throwing it away, because the goal had been completed, but stopped myself. I found a frame and slipped in the card. This goal was too much of a milestone and that card meant too much to me. It is now displayed prominently on my bookshelf, and it reminds me that I can do ANYTHING if I put my mind to it.

Thank you Courtney for sharing!  Honestly, I got a little choked up when I read this the first time because I fully understand the drive to obtain a goal and leaving yourself visual “pep talks” to make sure you stay on track.  It truly is a lovely story and I am so happy that (1) Courtney obtained her goal and (2) she kept the card as a reminder that truly anything is possible if you try……

Okay, this is it for me for the week.  I apologize that I have been so quiet this last week, but between pitching two clients, preparing for a week back home in the Midwest, on boarding a new client and taking two classes, I am stretched to my limit and something had to give.  Here is hoping that my time back in Ohio and Michigan gives me some quiet time to reflect and recharge.

Have a great weekend and I will be back on Monday to answer the burning question, so many of you all asked …..exactly where does Courtney keep all his dishes?

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ABC Carpet & Home Revisited…..

Thought it would be nice to end the week with a few more shots of my time at ABC Carpet and Home in NYC.  My time at the store provided me with new pieces to recommend to clients, inspiration and even a DIY idea or two…..

I loved these accent chairs!  Made from bungee cords, they would be perfect in the corner of a living room or dining room for adding that unexpected jolt of color!

I fell in love with this wooden pendant and especially the beautiful pattern it projected onto the walls when lit.

I am absolutely crazy for inlaid furniture pieces at the moment and the above pieces were stunning in person.  I especially was smitten with the grey inlaid dresser – it had my at “hello”…..

I loved the idea of using packing crates as display shelving.  Cheap, simple and highly impactful.

Okay I love a big bag but really?  This sucker was basically a leather body bag!

This patchwork couch was covered in vintage rugs.  It just reaffirmed that my decision to cover this cane chair in a colorful rug from Uzbekistan.

I loved this series of lamps with branches suspended in clear resin.  Set against a colored background, the lamps are truly jewelry for a room.

While not mind-blowing, I loved the idea of using two lamps to flank a couch and provide task lighting.

The art on the wall?  It’s a framed strait jacket  in a shadow box.  I felt it perfected encapsulated my chaotic time in NYC this week!

Hope everyone has a GREAT weekend!

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New York Quick Shots

Wrapping up things here in NYC and then back home to play catch-up with my normal life.  However, as usual NYC was a big bowl of the crazy, the chaotic, beautiful and inspiring.  While there are so many inspiring things to see and do in the city, what inspires me most is the city itself……

The other thing that inspires me are the amazing people I get to visit while in the city.  Thank you Eddie & Jaithan for carving time out of your busy schedules to listen to me complain.  Thank you Katie for being my friend and confidant since the 7th grade. Thank you to Courtney of Big Beige Box for playing tour guide and introducing me to the wonders of ABC Carpet & Home as well as Eataly.  Thank you Maribel for being a fantastic sounding board and knowing all the gay bars in Chelsea. And thank you to my little brother, Steven, for making his older (albeit equally stylish) brother feel welcome within his circle of friends.

Even though the premise I went to NYC was bittersweet, I leave a little happier than I came.  Check back for more pictures of my visit to house decor giant ABC Home!

What did you all do this weekend?

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