My Decorating Style...Authentic

I don't really have a particular or specific decorating style...I'm what they call "eclectic". I like to call it "authentic". I'm normally an obedient person but when it comes to decorating, I go with whatever I like or what works for me as oppose to following a design rule. I like just about every style there is, hence, my eclectic style. I enjoy combining the different styles I like and incorporating things that have meaning to me. I also enjoy the "hands-on" experience in creating or repurposing something for the home. I get my inspiration from HGTV. But even before HGTV, there was Lynette Jennings on the Discovery Channel. She was my original source of design inspiration. She has a book out available on my inspired bookstore.

Thomas Jefferson said: "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock."

Lynette Jennings says, and I absolutely agree, that even in matters of style, there is no need to compromise. Don't be afraid to go with what you like and let your authentic style show through.

Happy fall decorating! (Just a word of caution and reminder from Suze Orman: we are in recession (in case you are still in denial:).

So enjoy recycling and repurposing what you already have.

Harvest Festival

Isabella performed with her dance troupe at the 71st Arroyo Grande Valley Harvest Festival this week-end. Just wanted to share the two photos I managed to take before the performance.

As in our "taekwondo days", we use these activity times as precious family moments creating memories to treasure for years to come. Though not a thrilling time for the boys, Isabella's proud brothers are always there to support their baby sister. We took a leisurely stroll after the performance and had a nice Mexican dinner to end the day.

A Peek of the Blue Ocean

...from my bedroom

It's a beautiful day today....

{On Peace}

Peace is not the absence of conflict
but the handling of conflict without loss of balance
-Rabbi Rami M. Shapiro

No Jesus, No Peace;
Know Jesus, Know Peace.

{On Prayer}

Upload prayer, download peace.

Prayer is not a way to draw God's attention to our needs.
It is a way to draw our attention to how much we need God.

Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!
-Joseph Scriven-

"Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything, by prayer and petition,with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.
And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

-Philippians 4:6-7-

"Oneness"

The world is a global village, an interconnected whole, where one part affects every other part.
-Neal Donald Walch-

my thought:
the realization of the "oneness" we all share is our path to the discovery of our authentic self, thus the key to inner joy and peace.

Happiness Is.....

....when your concerns about things that are out of your control lose their grip in your heart.
....when your dependence on material provisions is transformed into a deep dependence on God.
....when you continually choose to live your life in a way that reflects the law of nature.
....when you discover that whatever God provides is enough.
....LOVE

"As You Sow, So Shall You Reap" (Divine Math)

{On Happiness and Contentment}

Key to Happiness

De-Cluttering the Soul 101

Spiritual Do's and Dont's

• Don't think of how far we have to go....Do think of how far we've come.
• Don't wait until everything is perfect before you decide to enjoy your life everyday....Do enjoy where you are on the way to where you're going
• Don't compare and judge yourself and others....Do realize we all have strengths and weaknesses and therefore need one another
• Don't take on cares....Do cast off your cares on HIM.

Differences and Similarities

My husband and I are very different.
He's a night owl and I'm a morning person.
My top choices of fave movies would be his least and vise versa.
I love to go out and I don't mind crowds. He'd rather stay home especially if there's a big crowd.
The list can go on and on.
But over the years we learned to respect our differences and focus on our similarities and what binds us together.

words from the wedding song:
For whenever two or more of you are gathered in his name.... There is love.

The love that binds us together is more than enough... for God IS Love.... and God is most certainly more than enough.

One thing my husband and I have in common is that our first names start with an "I". So do the names of our 4 children. Even our dog "Indy" named after one of our common fave movie, Indiana Jones. In the third Indiana Jones movie, The Last Crusade, we were made aware that Jehovah's name starts with an "I".

I recall a conversation with an angel friend who shares the same initials with our Savior, Christ Jesus. She did not realise it at the time when I pointed it out to her. Her response after a moment of quietness: "How humbling it is for even just a shadow of similarity that I would hope for with the Lord."

I pray that we will come to know Him more and strive for similarity in His ways.

Putting our house in order

The hardest step in tackling a dreaded task is taking the first step. But once you get started it gives you this sense of accomplishment turning the dreaded task into an exciting project.

I am {Simply} Grateful for my Labor Day Weekend Nesting

Cleaning and organizing a closet is so much like cleaning and organizing the mind.

A de-cluttered closet enables us to see our clothes and accessories more clearly making it easier to find needed things and more fun preparing/getting ready whenever we need to.

A clean and organized mind allows for clearer thoughts making it easier to 'find' whatever it is we need to understand.

I may be a ways to an organized home but I am simply grateful for the progress I am making in clearing my soul.

De-cluttering the soul of worries and anxieties allows for a quiet heart making it easier to 'find' the peace and joy amidst the clutter in a not so clean world.

This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order. - Isaiah 38:1

Labor Day Weekend Nesting

This weekend I was blessed with the energy and strength to tackle a long dreaded task. True to its name, I laboured during labor day weekend. I had been needing, wanting, yet dreading cleaning/organizing my closet. It feels so good to put things in order and to finally see the beautiful hardwood floors inside my closet. Once you start organizing, you get this surge of energy/inspiration leading to a "nesting mood". At least it did for me. I finally got to organize not just my closet but several other cabinets/closets in the house.I was able to revisit my old scrapbooking stuff (hopefully this will fuel a spark to "create" again).

tackled closets:

• my closet
• Isabella's closet
• hallway linen closet
• entryway coat closet
• masters bath cabinets

other cabinets to-do:

• kitchen
• laundry
• boys room
• garage

well, I'm halfway to an organized home:)

On Monday, Isabella and I started painting the fence. We did half of the left side so I'd say we're about 1/4 of the way to a painted fence:) yet another dreaded task. Today I feel drained so I'm praying for the next surge of energy...hopefully soon:) and for a "nesting mood" for my soul.

I am {Simply Grateful}

This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order. - Isaiah 38:1