My Summer List…….

I love the summer lists that lots of bloggers complete

with their young children…….

But I have tween and teen girls who need no reminders

to make s'mores or have sleepovers or go to the beach.

And truth be told…..if I allowed it, my entire summer would

revolve around nothing else than ensuring my girls 

are entertained 24-7……..

Of course, I want my girls to have a great break

but this momma also needs some summer fun too!

I really believe all mothers, no matter the age of your children,

need to take time for themselves, do something you love, 

learn something new, get a pedicure, go out with your girlfriends,

go on a date with your husband, exercise……..

Here's some items on my personal summer list:

Sadly, I don't read as much as I would like.  I tend to purchase books 

and stack them on my nightstand…..I am determined to do some reading 

this summer….some I would like to start with are pictured above.

Summer flea markets are always a favorite activity!

Have you heard of SoulCycle?  This is Portland's version

and I am hooked!  I have been going to a cycle 

class at this Pearl District studio at least once a week

since May and I will continue during the summer!

As I have gotten older matured I have enjoyed learning

new things.  I signed up for this online class and intend to 

learn Illustrator - something I have always wanted to do!

And of course, I hope to spend some time working on both

'form' and 'function' in a some areas in my own home!

I spent the last year working on so many great client projects

but I hope to tackle some important areas in my own home

this summer!

Wishing all of you some opportunities to make 

time for YOU this summer!

My life according to my iPhone…...

Happy Sunday evening friends.

I am wrapping up a busy week and preparing for

yet another….Yes, it's summer and I am craving more control over

our schedules {particularly mine} …. more on that later this week!

For now, I thought I would share what I have

been up to lately….{I know you are not all DYING to know}….

 My little girl finished 6th grade and I hosted 5 of her besties for

a sleepover on their final day of school.  I love 12 years olds - still very 

innocent but SO trying to be the teen they will soon become - they seriously

crack me up.  I always put 'conversation starters' on the table when

I serve my girls' friends dinner - they LOVE asking one another 

questions and I swear if you are VERY quiet, they won't even realize

you are listening to their very entertaining answers! You can find
them HERE.

I just drove a Minnesota girlfriend to the airport after

spending a fun three days showing her around my beloved Portland!

How can you NOT be 'Le Happy' when driving by that restaurant!

And how about that wood chevron wall treatment in a vendor

booth in a local antiques market - while I am not a diy-er …..

would someone who is do this somewhere in their house and 

send me photos?  Pretty please?

 I took my Minnesota friend to Cannon Beach, Oregon for the day - two pretty

sites were captured - famous 'Haystack Rock' and a gorgeous 

plate wall in my favorite shop Sesame & Lillies.

I also captured a gorgeous sun halo back in Portland - how cool is that?

And that old goldendoodle is a ONE year cancer survivor. Still chasing tennis

balls a year after his diagnosis.

My high schooler had a big week - broke her thumb

playing soccer and started driver's ed!  Lord, help me!

Hopefully the cast will come off later this week, although

I am not counting on the removal of this impediment to
 improve her driving skills……Lord, help me.

So what would your iPhone say about you?

TRUTH.

Love this.

It's the truth.

I want my girls to really know this.

So I must practice it myself.

In my living and breathing actions.

Today, I wanted to remind you of this.

But you probably already knew it.

Cause I have smart readers.

It's Monday.

Summer.

Lot's of possibilities.

Exterior Paint Inspiration…...

First, I must say THANK YOU to those of you who contacted me

regarding e-design services this summer - I look forward to working with 

so many of you - including a long lost friend/former colleague who found me

via the internet!  Who says the internet is a bad thing?  

Seriously, it is an honor and privilege to work with 

each and every one of you making your homes beautiful 

and comfortable for you and your families!

I have ONE opening in each of July and August if you would

like to get in on the design action of 2014!  Just email me

at jillbeth@aol.com!

Now…..on to one of my personal summer 'projects'……

We will be painting the exterior of our home - and when I 

say 'we' I mean the painter I have hired.  The only thing

'we' will be doing is choosing the colors that the 

hired painter will be painting.

These photos have served as my inspiration photos……

I am ready to go to the dark side…

What do you think? 

Below are the two colors I am considering…….

Do you know these 'colors'?

Want to take a guess?

Summer Design Board Sale!

Helping homeowners, both near and far, decorate their homes

 has been both a blessing and an absolute BLAST this past year.

I have to admit, it sometimes it still surprises me just

how busy you all have kept me. 

I am not taking on any new local client projects until September.

First and foremost I am a momma and my girls need

my taxi services this summer.  I am working on some

really fun projects in the Portland area and I will

look forward to seeing them completed then

shared here!

With the amount of local work I have had, I have not really

'promoted' my e-design services.  However, I would love

to work with some of you outside the Portland area

via e-design this summer!

I have found that e-design works best when clients communicate

their needs and wants clearly and in a detailed manner.  The more 

information I have, the better!  As a client, in addition to expressing

your likes/dislikes, wants and needs, you will share lots of photos

of your space, your Pinterest boards and your hopes and dreams….

{just kidding on that last one, it's decorating after all!}.

After you provide all the above information, I get to work on 

a design board which I send to you. Then you give me feedback

and I tweak as needed until it meets your needs and is 

ultimately, a room you can't wait to get working to 

complete in your home!

When the design board is complete, I provide you a 

complete source list for all the items so you 

know where to go and buy everything!

I am going to take on FOUR e-design clients for July

and FOUR e-design clients for August.

I would LOVE to work with YOU!

Wouldn't it be great to get a design finalized over 

the summer and ready to complete when the kids

return to school in September?

And just because, I decided to discount my e-design fee!

A completed space {one room} will cost $200.

I require a 50% deposit down to reserve your spot and

the balance paid when I submit the first version of 

the design board to you {all via Paypal}.

And, as an added bonus…….{queue the drumroll},

I am adding an option of asking a single design question -

whether it be regarding paint color, pillow combos, 

furniture recommendation, etc……

for $20. I have found many clients don't

need a complete room design but are struggling with a 

certain element and just want some old fashioned advice.

If you would like to reserve a spot, ask a question etc….

please email me at jillbeth@aol.com!

I look forward to working with you this summer!!!

Painted trim…..recent client projects.

I am working with two local clients on home office projects - 

in both spaces i have recommended painted trim {not white}.

I love brave clients {if painting trim can be considered brave, which I DO},

I love clients who trust my vision……I am considering

making a 'trust contract' for ALL clients {just kidding!} -

but it really yields the best results, whether you are 

working with me or any other designer/decorator.

I can't wait to share these projects with you - 

The photo above is an inspiration photo I am using 

for one of the projects…..

*****************

In other news…..my high school freshman finished her finals

today - I officially the mother of a high school sophomore {sniff, sniff}.

My little has one more week of school……

Life is busy.

Life goes too fast.

I love the teen years.

I love 12 year olds.

I want to freeze time.

If you need me this summer, I will be in my car.

My girls are going to be busy:

driver's ed {less car time for momma}

soccer

camp counselors

drama camp

costume design camp

volleyball camp

community service hours

math tutoring

soccer tourneys

sleepovers

hang-outs

Ready or not, here it comes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our home….the spring version.

The one constant in our home is change…..

It's both a blessing and curse to be a creative who loves

design and has never met a home accessory she didn't like…..

I admit I am fickle….lamps, trays, vases, busts, lanterns,

pillows, ginger jars, art, antlers, mirrors……all

seem to rotate around here on a regular basis…..

I obviously have posted too many photos of our home on this blog….

but if you are a regular around here, you will notice some

changes…….

I snapped these photos just today…..look closely and you will

see shoes, a raggedy dog toy {and lazy goldendoodle} a stray 

camera lens cover in a home styled for REAL life.

Remember, I have older children so our main living areas

stay pretty neat - we have a 'bonus room' upstairs where

my girls really relax and watch television.  {Someday I will

show you photos of that space - it's a space I intend to work on 

over the summer/fall}.

I picked up that fern at the grocery store for $4.99 yesterday…..I always remind

clients that some of the best home accessories are at your grocery store - and 

you can pick up really cheap and unique vases and vessels

at thrift stores and flea markets.  If you keep some on hand, it's easy

to plop a grocery store fern or orchid and add to your console or

coffee table - instant 'specialness'.

I bought my Restoration Hardware 'Madeleine' chairs many 

years ago….they are on sale for a great value so I ordered

an armed version for the end of my dining table….however,

RH no longer makes the same finish as my original chairs…..

I am ok with the contrast because I am happy to have that

extra seat at the end of the table. 

If I titled the photo above, it might be called "Too much is never Enough".

My high schooler has finals this week.

Yesterday I forgot my 6th grader had early pick-up at 

school….she had to call me from the school office and

ask if I was coming - major MOM FAIL!  I guess we

are all ready for summer……

And a California update….thanks for all the shopping suggestions!

We ended up visiting Venice, Santa Monica and Malibu -

all fun but phew, I could NOT drive in that traffic everyday!

Bountiful, the one store I really wanted to shop, was 

closed for some reason! Darn!  

It's Tuesday….in JUNE…..let's get this summer party started!