I say it every year because it's true: I do not make New Year's Resolutions. I do, however, have dreams and set goals for the upcoming year. Last year, I reflected on an amazing twelve months and wrote my dreams for 2012. Some came true, some did not. Even so, I feel like a very:
Even when they don't always work out the way you want, I truly believe that there is something to be said for putting your dreams out there.
I also believe in dreaming big.....so here goes.....these are my dreams and goals for 2013:
Relaunch my website so it no longer looks like I made it myself. Because I did. And it is crap.
Work with new clients to create magical rooms for children. This is truly my passion.
Continue to share my DIY ideas on Cityline {seriously still pinching myself that I get to do this!}
Create design content for online and print magazines...because that would just rock my world.
Learn more about the business behind my passion. I am confident with the creative side of it all but I know I have so much to learn about everything else. I am thrilled to say that I already know this dream is coming true because I will be attending Kimberley Seldon's Business of Design: Grow Your Business conference in January. I can't wait to learn from the best in the industry!
Focus on creating better content for my blog. Better may be the wrong word, but I know I want my blog to be stylish, inspiring, beautiful, helpful. And because I said I would put it all out there..I would really love if my blog was featured on a magazine or design website. As in they love one of my DIYs or they add me to a favourite blog list. Or something. I sometimes feel a little invisible in the design blog world.
Travel, travel, and more travel. My husband and I lived in the UK for two years and we travelled every month. I miss that. I really want to take my family on a magical vacation this year.
That's my list....short and oh so sweet if it all comes true!
Wishing you all the happiness in the world next year and in all the years that follow.
Cheers to a Happy New Year! xoxo
hero image: me
I am taking part in Olioboard's Holiday Style Oliohop this month. It is an opportunity for ten to bloggers share their Holiday Style decor inspiration by creating a moodboard using Olioboard, an online interior design based site used to create design boards
Olioboard is a Canadian {yay!} website that is an amazing tool for anyone looking for interior design inspiration, to experiment with designing a room and, now, to shop.
It is essentially an interactive tool for creating interior design based 2D and 3D moodboards. The site has an enormous library of interior design related items, organized by category, and many by brand. It also allows you to upload images from any site or from your computer.
Because my passion is decorating children's rooms, I created a playful nursery space. People often neglect kids' rooms when decorating for the holidays but my boys love having a little Christmas cheer in their bedrooms. With a few simple additions, including art, small trees and festive textiles, a room can go from everyday to holiday.
Fun, don't you think? I love the fresh blue and red combination. The art pieces are so much fun and are such a simple way to add a little holiday style. Other elements, such as the rug and poufs, can remain in the room all year but become a part of the holiday look when paired with winter or Christmas themed pieces.
The best part of olioboard {besides the hours of fun putting looks together} is that each board connects you with the products in the collage. Below each board is a list of items with links to the website of each one, like this:
Click here to shop the items on this moodboard.
I also love Olioboard because it allows you to try out design ideas before committing. This makes it a useful tool for everyone, not just designers. You can experiment with pattern, colour and a variety of furniture pieces in way that is so visual. You can also browse boards from other users to get inspiration. Needless to say, it can be highly addictive!
Nine other fabulous bloggers are participating in the December Oliohop. Check out their Holiday Style by clicking the links below. You can also follow along on twitter by searching the hashtag #oliohop.
colour chats
tobi fairley
embrace your inner snob
lisa mende design
jennifer reynolds interiors
nyclg focal point
andie day
allie cat 4ever
pinkeggshell
It's important to have a work space that is both functional and beautiful. You will never accomplish all of your important tasks if your office is not tidy, organized properly, and equipped with the right technology. And you won't be able to get your creative juices flowing if your workspace doesn't feel welcoming and doesn't inspire you.
I recently hosted an amazing night with Brother and a group of style-savvy women {and a few men too} to share the amazing new Brother Business Smart Printer, a device that will certainly add functionality and beauty to your work space.
Brother's motto is "who says you can't have it all?"
And with it's stylish design, speed, touch screen and mobile capabilities, this all in one printer really is the ultimate combination. That is why I was so thrilled to tell everyone that they would each be taking one home. It was my very own Oprah moment!
And they were just a tad excited!
{Keep reading to see how you can win your very own Business Smart printer!}
I shared some DIY projects that I created using my Brother printer {stay tuned}...
...and my top five tips for creating a functional and beautiful home office:
Using colours that make you happy in your work space will not only inspire creativity, they are welcoming and will make you want to stay in your office and get your work done. Pick a colour scheme and use it throughout the room to keep the look clean and simple.
Make your office an inspiring space to be by adding art and accessories. Create a visual display of ideas and thoughts using an over-sized memo board, have your business goals on display, or frame a favourite quote. Use colourful accessories that complement the room's colour scheme.
Think about how you need your office space to function. From your laptop, your printer and paperwork, everything should have a home. To help stay on task and keep focused, keep your office tidy. Remove anything from the room that can act as a distraction.
Use furniture, such as bookcases with doors and filing cabinets, to keep you organized and reduce visual clutter. Repurpose household items into storage by patterned wrapping paper around cans or boxes or using by mason jars for small items.
It's no secret that computers and printers will make your job easier to do. With features including mobile printing, touch-screen display and fast printing speeds, the stylish Brother Business Smart Series printers will help you spend less time working and more time doing what you love.
Here's your chance to win one of these Brother Business Smart Series printers for your home office!
We're giving away an MFC-J4510DW Colour Inkjet Multi-Function Center® printer to one lucky YMC member! It’s valued at $199.
All you have to do is leave a comment below and tell us how this Brother printer will help you to create a beautiful office space!
You have until January 8, 2013 to enter. You must be a YMC member and please be sure you've registered your email address in our commenting system so we can contact you if you win.
Event Images: Erin Simkin
Office Tip Images: 1 I 2 I 3 I 4 I 5: Erin Simkin
Printer-friendly version