REAL SIMPLE Weddings Feature!

REAL SIMPLE Weddings 2011

Erin Jowett and Brian Newcomb's wedding was the greatest show on earth, as described by REAL SIMPLE weddings editor.  I agree and here's who made it happen along with many, many others. Starting off with the artistry of these talents: Carissa of JL Designs, The Jowett Family {the father, mother, brother and of course, the genius bride,} Simply Delicious, Gabriel Ryan Photography, along with myself, and my other planner, Kendra Skinner.

Nestled down in the woods of the beautiful Ozarks, alongside a creek that feeds into the James River, guests were led through the woods along a path that had been carved out by the father of the bride.  Complete with a footbridge that was built by dad and son, the brother of the bride.

The gypsy like fan fair began immediately following a tear jerking ceremony.  Uni-cyclers, jugglers, fire blowers kicked off the cocktail hour where moon-shine lemonade was the signature drink.  Southern Cuisine, served by chef Patty Lynch, kept the night in full swing with a different dish being served every fifteen to thirty minutes through out the music-filled evening.

Where to find out more:  

I bought two copies at Borders and it is filled with a lot of really beautiful weddings.  Erin's and Brent's wedding will probably be featured on other wedding blogs soon, that I will share, and I know you will enjoy seeing the many details that were not highlighted in the magazine.  There were so many!  

I'm so honored that they made me a part of their big day.  Thank you, Erin and Carissa!

*****

If you're a bride in the area, don't hesitate to call me for a free consultation!! I think I'm the one for your day if this is what you're looking for: fresh ideas, young-spiritedness, and most of all...a stress-free-magical day!

I'll be at the Metropolitan Bride wedding show this Sunday, the 16th at the Expo Center.  Come by and see me!

xo

sharon

To Infinity and Beyond

I took a little breather to get over the hump of holidays.   We had a flu bug hit our house and we're just now recovering.  Things are looking up now, though.  Here's our living room, photographed by Nathalie Bearden, of nathaliebearden.com/.  Will painted all our main rooms and ceilings a high gloss white.  It's our little slice of heaven.

Well, it's the new year and time for a fresh start.  I, sadly, never made any concrete resolutions.  As a party planner and designer, I plan things to a T.   But in real life, I'm not a methodical planner, which can be a very, very bad trait.  It seems a lot of decisions from the universe have been made for me, and as the year progresses, many, many new hurdles await me and my family.  Some good, I hope.  I pray that I'm able to smooth-sail this year and years to come for everyone involved...to the best of my God-given ability.

My three year stunt as a home-spun business will gain a storefront platform, which will mean I will have to wisely budget my time for family + work + inspiration dives.

So, what are your resolutions for the new year?

Have a lovely weekend.

Best,
sharon

Trust Yourself: You Know More Than You Think You Do!

The new year is about setting goals.  Yes.  I will get to that later in the week. I like the idea of reminding myself what I do best.  Not bragging. 

I had a friend who bought me a magnet a few years ago as I was just starting out on my own in business.  Starting out from scratch in the scary business world, this magnet spoke "magnet"-udes to me. The magnet reads: Trust Yourself:  You know more than you think you do!  It was a gift from a person who believed in me.  Let me just say, I'm so thankful for that person for many reasons.  MmmMMUAH!

Ever get down on where you are? Snap out of it.  We don't hear, or don't listen to that little bird of praise in our heads nearly enough. I challenge you to write your best-ests out on paper, pin it up, say it out-loud to yourself, chalk it up on your sidewalk, &/OR blow yourself a little horn for once! You deserve it.

1.  Hey Sharon G. Arnold-Taylor!!:   You created some smooth-sailing and fun detailed parties in 2010.  You also created some detailed environments that were peaceful, stimulating, soulful, and green all at the same time.

2.  You worked hard.  Got 'er done every time.  Never stopping, procrastinating, or forgetting the whole time who and what you were doing it for.  #1. Your children and family.  #2. Clients.  #3.  Friends.  #4. Your own passionate soul.

So, there you have it.  I hope you'll do your best-ests right now.  It's a good way to "cheers" yourself on.  

I'll leave you with an image below that just popped into my mailbox a few minutes ago.  It's a sneak peak into an upcoming project.  I gave a graphic designer my vision for some details for the equestrian themed birthday party that I'm designing/planning.  I gave Justin Skinner the details on Friday and here's what he has already come up with.  It's exactly what I was wanting!  Darling, isn't it?

Happy "Cheers-ing" to yourself and be sure to also make this one of your new goals for the new year:  Read this wonderful blog this year: absolutelybeautifulthings.blogspot.com/.  It's a blog of endless inspiration to me and where I found all of the inspiration pictures above.  Anna Spiro, a blogger, interior designer, shop owner from Brisbane, Australia.  I know you will love her too.

Happy New Year!

xo
sharon

Thanks and Cheers to the year Two Thousand and Eleven!

 

On this last day of the old year, I'm reminded of wonderful support.   Do you surround yourself with people that are positive and who believe in you and inspire you?  I sure hope so, because sometimes it just takes a few extra hands to help us stay on our feet.  I wouldn't be here, if I didn't have it.  Thanks for being my readers and thanks so much for your support and friendships!

I'd like to have a hand at rhyme now...  

Dear Two Thousand and Eleven, please be heaven.  

{That's not asking for much, is it? I could sure use a slice of it, though.  If it should be heaven, I'll gladly share a slice with all of you, too.}

Happy New Year!

xo

sharon

Mini-Me's, Please!

Out with the old and in with the new?  The past year has been full of many things that I plan on editing, and also cultivating.  Not just in the home, but in every facet of my life.  But, in my home right now, I crave fresh and green things at this time of year, don't you? Changes don't have to be big.  Maybe it's a  new color for the bathroom walls, a new set of drinking glasses to replace the mismatched glassware, or a new morning ritual that gives you a better kick start to your day. 

Life will always have problems that have yet to be solved, rooms that have yet to be finished, and finances to continually try to figure out, but I plan on making tiny gradual makeovers on those tired and worn out things in the New Year.  I'm going to start with my bedroom. New sheets?  Cotton...yes. And Pillows...yes!  One thing I'm a firm believer in though, is that these mini-me's do not have to break the bank.  Even some simple flower arrangements from the grocery store.

We are busy designing our own line of pillows that will be sure to bring freshness into your lives. I can't wait to show you, come January! I'm also busy planning an equestrian themed birthday party for 417 Magazine Home.

Goodbye to 2010 and Hello to New Beginnings and A Life that Cultivates Your Soul!

{images via fromtherightbank.com/}

Thanks for always reading.

xo
sharon

What to do?

The building is supposed to be finished in a little over two weeks.  In the mean time, I'm busy figuring out what to do with everything...shuffling, and scuffling my feet on things, furniture, and becoming a more organized business girl, which shocks me every now and then, because it won't be long 'til I have a legitimate space. 

I've been picking up furniture to take to the upholsterer, cleaning up messes, and rearranging my house with all the fun, new stuff.  We did a photo shoot of my freshly painted white living room that was stylized with some of the things I'll be carrying in the store.   Hopefully I'll be able to share the pictures soon. 

The first picture above is a piece of furniture before I took hold of it. Pressed wood.  I know.  It's really ugly as is, but I promise you, it's s.i.c.k. how good it turned out after a visit with some lacquer paint.  It's a wet bar cabinet with ambient lighting and an inset mirrored back.  I'll reveal it once I get her in her sweet place.

One thing I'm trying to decide for the store, is what to do with the floor.  It's been stripped down to the concrete, and I originally wanted to leave it all natural concrete and glaze it over with a polish.  Unfortunately, the concrete is not leveled in a lot of places, so it will have to be patched with quick crete, sanded, and most likely painted.  What color though?  The walls will probably be white.  Should I also do a white floor with a black geometric pattern, possibly?  The patterning would most likely be expensive.  So, what would you do?  What color?  I'm all ears.  If you have any inspiration pictures, I'd love to see them, too!

Good day to you all!

xo
sharon

It's a Wonderful Life

Sometimes I must be reminded of my blessings. During this pause at the end of the year I have had time to reflect, read, watch, and question what goes on in this world and what also goes on in my children's worlds...as we've all encountered hardships, indifference and hatred. What has touched me more than anything this year, is this Alice: one woman's life testimony {a video clip that was introduced to me on facebook of all places, through a fellow interior designer, Irene Turner}. Alice is a shining beacon of Hope. Optimism. Love.

While I leave you with this inspiring story, that had me completely moved and choked up, I must also share a few other things that will hopefully move you and move all of us to LOVE life and all others more fully.

1. A memoir called "I Will plant You a Lilac Tree." by Laura Hillman. This book was recommended to me by my daughter and is an account of a Schindler's List survivor.

2. Did anyone watch "The Sound of Music" on t.v. last night? Even though I've seen it a thousand times, I see something new in it everytime.

3. Every year on Christmas Eve, my mom would read to all of us kids, the tale of "The Little Match Girl". Never once, did mom finish the story without tearing up or weeping a little. It's a moving danish story of a struggling homeless girl at Christmas.

4. "Life is Beautiful".

5. One of my mom's quotes: "Never criticize, condemn, or complain."

Happy Holidays and may we all find the music.

With Love,
Sharon