Reflection

It wasn’t until today that I actually reflected back on all that has happened in 2010. I mean I’ve had so many crazy life changes and I wish I could look back at my 2009 self and yell “Brace yourself, little lady”

1. A year ago I felt trapped. I was 23 and literally felt that at such a young age I was in a dead end job, and I felt stuck. I was tangled and didn’t know how to get out. I had a boss who was more than willing to be inappropriate towards every female in my office. So what did I do? First, I began to blog. I blogged because I felt I was missing my creative outlet and so many of you and your blogs inspired me!

2. Then what would be the most sensible thing to do? I quit my job. Without a backup plan or any idea how I would make money. I decided I needed to be true to myself and leave a bad company.

3. I took online interior decorating seminars and enrolled in courses to become a Realtor. I love both decorating and house hunting so it was a perfect combination.

4. I traveled to Mississippi and New Orleans for the first time. I also met a great-uncle and great-aunt for the first time, they were my lovely hosts. I learned how deep Southern Hospitality runs with these two.

5. I celebrated three years together with Handsome and continued to learn that it really does get sweeter with time!

6. I was invited to be a guest at the Nate Berkus show and went to NYC for the first time, a city I’d been dying to visit. It’s even better in person.

7. While in NYC I made great blogging friends and won a magazine contest with two wonderful blogging friends. We decorated a bar cart and are going to be featured in The Nest!

8. I started a job for a dream company and am so happy career wise. I have truly done a 360 from where I was last year at this time and feel that God has blessed me so immensely.

So where will 2011 take me? Only the Lord knows but I can’t wait to find out. I hope you’ll continue to read my fun and sometimes eccentric blog. I promise one thing, I’ll keep it entertaining.

Merriest of Christmas to you!

I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas filled with family and remembrances for that special baby whose birth we celebrate.

I hope your tree was decorated in a way that reminded you what it was like to be a child on Christmas morning.

I hope your table was filled with food and your Christmas decorations abundant.

I hope your door was open to those who love you, and that this means it was open to all you know.

I had a wonderful Christmas spent with Handsome

And plenty of family gathered around

 

We did Christmas Eve Midnight Mass and I was immediately struck by the live manger scene. There were children outside playing the parts of Mary and Joseph. They also had farm animals wandering and a giant bon fire to warm them. It was the most precious Christmas sight I’ve ever seen.

 

I mean that is adorable, how can you not agree?

 

When it came to gifts I was given a TomTom by Handsome. I’d had one before and it stopped working this Fall and my sense of direction isn’t my finest of qualities, so it was a great gift. He also gave me a movie, a magazine subscription to Women’s Health, and an ornament. Every year we have an ornament exchange, this year I was given a pink sparkly blackberry, much like my real phone.

From my family I was lucky enough to get perfume I’d been eyeing for months, Sephora Gift Cards (the gift that never fails), Glee Sountracks (Oh Em Gee), Dr. Dre Headset. I kid you not the sound is beyond rediculous. I don’t care that I am a white suburbanite rocking Dr. Dre headphones, they’re awesome. I also got a new pc.

 

What were your favorite gifts to give and receive? Were there any you were not feeling this year?

I hope you and your families all had the merriest of Christmases.

Sometimes when we meet someone we think they’re incredible. They’re a wonderful person, and then we meet their significant other. They may be a new relationship, or possibly they are someone we just have yet to meet.

 

Handsome’s oldest brother started dating his wonderful and lovely girlfriend L a couple years ago. From the start is was incredible how well she fit in with their family. It was truly a match made in the Heavens to see her interact with everyone. It was great because M got more than a girlfriend, I also was lucky enough to receive a great friend out of their relationship.

I am so pleased to announce that this wonderful and perfectly matched couple became engaged this weekend. I have no doubt that their life together will be one full of love and happiness. It’s such a wonderful blessing and privilege to see two people so happy together, especially to witness the relationship from its infancy and watch it grow to its deep love and engagement.

Congratulations you two!

 

Many blessing and love to the love birds!

Blazer and Booties

These last few seasons two items have appeared in many a woman wardrobe. I think they can spice up any outfit, and it’s wild how sophisticated and sleek they can make an outfit or even a woman.

1.) Blazer

&

2.) Booties

That simple, here allow me to demonstrate.

 

See, all three of these outfits would be completed flawlessly by simply wearing (all together now) a blazer and booties. And best of all? Most ladies tend to have these in there wardrobes. I’m always surprised how much these two pieces add to an outfit.

Try it and let me know!

Young Wrapper

I  need to be honest, there is a holiday issue that I am a bit on the superficial side. In fact presentation is key and if you’re not immaculately polished in this area, I’m disappointed in you. It doesn’t matter if I know you, I’m still ashamed if you don’t take time to do this with care.

What the heck am I talking about? Gift Wrapping

[Martha Stewart]

It started as a young child, I was probably around the age of 4. It was one of my first times as a design apprentice. I realized my Dad was the provider for our family and he gave me so many nice things like Barbies and Teddy Ruxpin. I wanted to give back to this man, my father. I didn’t have many things that he found to be particularly interesting but there was one thing that came to our house every day, and he loved it: the newspaper. I decided if I were to give him one of our old newspapers and wrap it in newspaper, like I’d seen resourceful women do, this would be the themed present of all presents. This my friends would be icing on the cake.

#Epicfail

He smiled in a “Oh, that’s cute, Kate”, patronizing nod. I couldn’t tie my shoes but I knew he was faking it. We went to my Nana and Papa’s later that night the paper was brought up but nobody acted like I’d invented Nintendo, the way I’d have appreciated.

I mean I have a blog, this obviously means I like positive reinforcement in the shape of feedback. Hint, Hint. 

What was learned of this aside from the fact that Old news does not a good gift make? I learned if I’d have packaged it nicer what was on the inside would have only served as an afterthought.

I was that smart at four. I became fascinated by department store gift wrapping selections and wanted to learn to be that good. I may have thought it would be a fun job to gift wrap at Marshall Field’s full time. I happily volunteered to wrap all future extended family member gifts and created a self induced sweat shop that child labor laws would frown upon.

I joined a sorority and learned the art of arts and crafts and how to master a themed gift basket.

So let me show you what art really is, and no I am not crazy.

 

[Style Me Pretty]

 

P.S. Scotch apparently has a gift wrapping competition. Winner get’s a trip to the Empire State. Not too shabby.

Dressed to the 9’s

 

 

This weekend was so much fun, you see it was my work’s Holiday party! We had it at the Field  Museum in Chicago and no details were spared.

I booked a room in the city to insure there would be a safe place to lay my head after the festivities. Using Priceline I was able to book a 4 star hotel for $85. Yes you read that right, 4 stars for $85. Thank you William Shatner.

After primping in the posh hotel we cabbed it to the gorgeous museum. I’d been to several other museums in Chicago for events but this was a soiree like no other. The Design Apprentice felt like Vivien Leigh walking into the event. I suppose it helped grabbing a dress from Rent The Runway!

I chose a Robert Rodriguez dress that was completely done in espresso sequences and cocktail length with a black bow on one strap. Instead of explaining it why don’t I introduce you?

 

Even the ice sculptures and entertainment were unexpectedly brilliant! 

And let’s not forget The Field’s main exhibit, Sue. She was lucky enough to take photo with my friend Todd.

 

All in all it was a wonderful work party and I’m so blessed to have a career that I am proud of.

 

 

I think it’s safe to say The Design Apprentice strikes again in lovely Chicago. I can’t wait to live in this city full time.

Gather

I have decided on a new campaign, it’s for new family room furniture in my parent’s home. You see they have these big leather sofas and maybe it’s just me but I really despise leather couches. They’re cold and there is nothing comfortable about leather.  I like my couches like I like my pajamas or towels or bedding: soft and cozy. Do you feel leather couches are dated or is it just me?

I thought I’d share some rooms and furniture I would like. Honestly if there were these instead in our family room, I’d totally spend more time in there.

traditional family room design by toronto interior designer Somers & Company Interiors, Gillian Somers

contemporary family room design by san francisco general contractor Harrell Remodeling

family room design by other metros interior designer Veranda Interiors

traditional family room design

What’s a must for a cozy family room in your house?

Random Musings

 

I feel I may be emerging back into the blogging world slowly but surely. My Google Reader is under 300 new posts and I feel like I’ve actually caught up in your lives. Maybe it’s weird but I don’t feel I should ever post unless I know what is going on with you, my readers.

This post is going to be full of randomness:

1. I went to the Southwest as promised and it was beautiful. I loved the Sun shining and my partner, L,  is absolutely hilarious. L and I oddly went to the same Junior High, High School, and College all the while only knowing of each other. She is great and we had so many laughs during this business trip. We also are a great working team, I’m so blessed to have her as a wing woman.

2. I got sick on the flight home and currently sound like an 80 year old woman who happens to spend all her free time in a smokey bowling alley. I’ve been on meds but regardless it has made me so tired.

3. I just bought a hotel room on Priceline.com and was shocked. I was able to get a 4 star Chicago hotel room for $85. Handsome and I are going to do that instead of heading back to the suburbs come my work party.

4. Handsome got a job! I am so so proud of him. He impressed his company and he’s going to defy everyone’s expectations. His worth ethic is unmatchable and I’m so relieved and excited he gets to demonstrate this now to a company!

5. I’m still in  the search for a roommate. I’m picky but only because there are a lot of randoms out there and I want a great match. If you know any sweet gals moving to Chicago, let me know!

6. I find it so hard to shop for men, ie. dad, bob. Seriously, boys are so much harder to shop for. I use sites like gifts.com and they really help by suggesting gifts for each personality type. It’s still so hard though.

7. I rented a dress from Rent The Runway and am so so excited. I got it for my work party and have known many ladies who have had such success on this site. They send you a second size in case your estimated dress size is wrong and have free return shipping. They also have only the best dresses, including dresses that I’ve seen all celebrities like C. Underwood. I’ll be donning a Robert Rodriguez dress for my work party, can’t wait to share it with you pretties. I so strongly  encourage you to check them out if you haven’t, I’ll even refer you: Rent The Runway

8. There is a product available called Spray on Snow. I read about it in my Midwestern Living magazine and am astonished. I need me a bottle of this special magic. You can literally decorate your holiday decorations with fake snow! I can’t make this stuff up people.

9. I love Holiday parties be it cookie making parties, Ugly Christmas Sweater parties, and fancy shmancy parties. I’m thinking of having a cookie making party. Last year I literally baked about 200 cookies for both Handsome and my families.

                                         Christmases from many moons ago.  

 

10. Would anyone be interested in doing a Christmas Ornament Exchange? This could be for both twitter and blog friends. Let me know, I’ve seen so many adorable ornaments at Hallmark and though this could be a fun way to get to know one another.

I’ve missed every single one of you lovely readers.