ACTIVE ADULTS

My parents thought it would be a wonderful idea to retire to their lake house on Lake Wedowee in Alabama [yes that’s right Wedowee and no you have never heard of it, it’s a really NICE lake, but there is nothing to do there b/c it’s Wedowee] Of course that didn’t last long for Mom, she needed to see people, shop and of course play with the dream daughter two or three times a week. So they looked and found this ‘active adult’ community. One of those places where they don’t let anyone my age in, where apparently by active they mean ready to party like a rock star.
[I am not kidding about that, all they do is eat, sleep, drink and play!]

But they have let me in just enough to teach a few classes,

make a few new friends and even a few clients.

 I really enjoy teaching these ladies and crafting with them. They are hilarious and make anything a really good time.

The best part about acquiring clients in a community like this is the eclectic personalities and the different taste of each and every one.

These people are not trying to be trendy [they ARE trendy] they know what they like and they know what they want!

The challenging part here is how to;

1-DOWNSIZE from what was likely a MUCH larger home 

2-Know when to LET GO of certain pieces and 

3-Know how to bring their OLD favorite painting that has been in the family for 75+ years together with their NEW red sofa we just purchased! 

I could go on forever about each of these topics but I think I will just let this be an introduction to my life as an ‘active adult’ interior designer. I figured since many of our readers currently reside in this community that I could try and touch on each of the topics we try to cover in our design classes. So make sure to come back [with your glass of wine, ladies] and I will share a few more secrets of the trade.

BEIBER FEVER FRIDAY

 T.G.I.F.

Ramblings of an EVENT planner

I have recently been planning a baby shower for one of my friends.  I LOVE to plan any kind of event: the idea of getting to pick out decorations, table decor, flower, balloons, food, it all excites me!  WAY back in the day (you know like two years ago) I would always take on every aspect of designing an event. [Side note: everything I plan becomes an "event" no matter how big or small...just ask my husband.]  One of the things I enjoy most is designing and creating invitations.  I love paper, envelopes and choosing fonts.  Due to my obsession love of making everything perfect, I would find myself spending as much time and money on making the invitations as I did on the entire event.  Well my wedding is probably the exception to that rule, but that's another topic for another blog or twenty!  Anyways fast forward a few years, two dogs, one husband and a kid later...I do not have the time to agonize over the exact width of the ribbon to tie onto the invitations.  So for the first time ever I decided to put the invitations in the hands of someone else.  I scoured etsy for days looking for the perfect image for my airplane invitations and alas I had a wonderful idea...what about that girl that I went to school with, the one with the cute etsy shop and the page I am a fan of on facebook.  I think this is what she does!  So off I went.  I sent her an email with all the shower info and a picture of baby MJ's bedding.  

With no other instructions she produced (in less than 24 hours if I might add) the PERFECT invitations,

with a matching sheet of graphics

that I will hopefully turn into wonderfully perfect baby shower decor! 

If you are looking for custom invitations, check her out, and make sure you tell her O+P sent you her way.

-fd

*ps - I did not receive anything in return for this positively raving review, it is just my honest opinion! :)

Sneak Peak

This could be our new door! 

Which could explain my recent absence around here! Hopefully this is a sneak peak of great things to come!
-fd

i love cartoons

The Facts

1. I love Natalie Dee

2. I check this site every day for daily comedic relief

3. Sometimes the subject matter is off the wall and not at all funny, but it's still worth a click to find out

4. This illustration cracks me up and if you visit the site, make sure you take note of the picture names; sometimes they're actually more hysterical than the comic itself.

Happy Wednesday,

-jd

R D P H O T O A R T

Just wanted to post a quick nod to a new site by one of my best friends and the most awesome-est photog I know.  She has shot Drew and I several times and she works in a blue cube a few down from mine.  Rebecca's  newest project is a site called RD Photo Art which is more artsy fartsy than her regular work. Check it out!  I've been trying to talk her into taking more fine art shots that I can frame for my crib, so maybe this will be a start!  If you love her, hire her.  If you hire her, tell her O+P sent you :)

-jd

sneak peak

This weekend we finally got around to making the gigantor coffee table that I have been dreaming of for months.  I actually wanted a gigantor ottoman, but coming in around $800...that just wasn't going to happen anytime soon.  So, it still has to be painted/stained and accessorized, but here's a sneak peak of our new SIX FOOT BY FOUR FOOT coffee table.  hehe.

(in the garage)

I also had Drew whip up some 24" square trays so I can fit this bad boy out right.  I'm thinking some magazines, coasters, and pillows on top will make this my dream table.  I wanted something that we could put our feet up on no matter what piece of seating we're in.  Eventually, I will make the top a tufted ottoman, but for now...I love it.  The table and tray supplies came in for under $200!  I'm thinking a gray wash stain, but we'll see.  I need to find a rug first!  More pics to come once finished.

I'm hoping I can junk it up as pretty as this :)

-jd