Jewel Tone Treasuries + Shopping Small

I was inspired to start a bundle of jewel tone treasuries as a result of my recent Emerald Treasury Post, plus I love spending wasting time being creative and with many millions of projects going on at once,...what's the harm in just one more? So, I have been perusing Etsy lately in a calculated and categorized way. Looking back at my favorites on Etsy is like looking at my closet -  color coordinated! Yup, I am "that girl" who has her clothes hung in color order. Admittedly crazy, but it just makes sense to me that way. I digress, so....I have been collecting jewel toned favorites and creating treasuries out of the lovely and talented artists and curators on Etsy. It has been a fun way to explore and hopefully help people get more traffic to their sites. I can justify the time spent as a little public service that I am providing during this holiday season; hopefully it will increase sales for these talented people as we roll into the holiday season. 

So here are a few to start...(If I did all of the jewels out there, I wouldn't be making any money actually working!) 

July's Birthstone: RUBY 
      

(Direct links to the listings of the product images above) 

Septembers Birthstone: SAPPHIRE 
      

(Direct links to the listings of the product images above) 

Novembers Birthstone: TOPAZ 
  

(Direct links to the listings of the product images above) 

I have a check list on my desk with the images of other jewel tones to continue my recent obsession with all things jewel tone, so stay tuned. Enjoy the wonderful creations of these talented artists and curators and remember during this holiday season to shop local and shop small whenever possible. 'Tis the season to spread the love! 

Cheers, 

Emerald on Etsy

There are so many wonderful, time-sucks on the internet these days for us creative types....Etsy, Pinterest, Blogs, Canva (the image above was created in Canva.com , because why not!) PicMonkey, YouTube...the list goes on, and on, and on...as does the time procrastinating. But, it's fun and that's why we do it! 

Last night and today I was admiring some lovely handmade and vintage items on Esty in the wonderful hue of emerald green. Such a rich + bold color. I love it! In fact, I already had a Pinterest board of the same name! Find it here. 

Check out these wonderful vendors on Etsy of both lovely handmade items and curated vintage collections that are all in the lovely, jewel tone of EMERALD GREEN! Click on the link below to see these talented Etsy Shop owners and their offerings. 

 

https://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTA4ODU2NDN8MjcyNDQ0MjgyOQ/emerald?ref=fp_treas&aref=17612095619

Have a lovely Friday and a fantastic weekend. Do something creative and take a moment to enjoy the beauty around you! 

Cheers, 

Help from Canva

 

As we all know, small business ownership requires wearing a bunch of hats. Recently, while donning my marketing hat, I have been using Canva.com to help with some of my social media. It is proving to be a very helpful tool to allow me to get what I want done, and done quickly, and for free! All wonderful things. 

I can imagine using Canva.com for lots of things outside of social media: 

• Birthday cards 
• Invitations 
• Thank you notes + e-mails 
• Sale banners for your online store 
• Tags for your kid's lunch box
• Electronic love notes for your special peeps
• Facebook banners
• Sorry for being a knucklehead note 
• Garage sale flyers  

The list goes on... and on... 

Above are a few images that I created (in no time at all!), one of which I am going to add to my personal Instagram feed, because I am now using my business Instagram account more frequently than my personal one. Wearing the entrepreneur hat LOTS lately!  If you are reading this, follow @e4interiordesign on Instagram + check out canva.com for creating your own custom images. 

Make time to do something creative today! 

Cheers, 

Being present.

Are you happy here? Wherever "here" may be for you; both the physical location + in the moment in life you are in? I have been reminded of this bunches lately. Learning to appreciating the moment I am in + to be present; be it dealing with a screaming toddler, working with a client, cleaning the house, taking a webinar to learn about entrepreneurship, enjoying a nice glass of red wine, or having dinner (or even a disagreement for that matter!) with my partner. Good or bad, easy or uncomfortable; truly being present and appreciative in any of these moments takes practice, practice, practice! Still practicing... :) 

I took the picture above this summer while on a boat ride around Linekin Bay + Boothbay Harbor. My family and I were with friends enjoying the beautiful sun + blue skies, listening to music, slowly touring the coast of Maine, soaking in the moments. Yesterday I enhanced the image with the help of canva.com. This morning I made this image my screen saver on my laptop as a reminder to stop, take a deep breath, + soak in the moment - even if it sucks, I know the moment is fleeting and around the next turn maybe a moment like the one I recall from the image above. 

Make it a great day! Cheers, 

DOLLAR STORE DYI SUPER HERO

Since we are now less than a week away from Halloween, I figured that I would reveal my creative and affordable costume solution that I have created for Charlie. The best part is it's unique and most of the supplies came from The Dollar Store! 

It all started with the blue cape. When I realized that Superman did not have a blue cape and all he kept talking about was wanting to be Batman. Avoiding a mini-melt down from the 2 year old, my creative mom-mind when into full effect, and together Charlie and I created our own super hero: 

 Super Mattei (our last name) Man!

 Super mom moment for me, it worked! He has been telling everyone about Super Mattei Man. Most people have no idea what he is talking about and probably think his name is Matthew! Oh well, it's our little super hero creation and Charlie is taking his new roll very seriously. We have even had a few dress rehearsals. 

So fast he is almost flying. 

Anyway, here are the supplies and associated costs all at the Dollar Store, except for the Velcro: 

Blue Cape ($1)

Red Duct Tape ($1 each roll)  + Blue Painters Tape ($1) 

 

Large Foam Sheets ($1) + Glittery Foam Sheets ($1)

Packet of Felt ($1) + Sew-On Velcro ($2.99 @ JoAnn's) 

Glue Gun Sticks ($1)

The other items I already had at home; glue gun, scissors, and a white mask left over from last Halloween.  I searched my trusty friend, Pinterest, for some inspiration images, and went to town! 

A few sketches, wine, and hot glue and I created a fun, unique, and special custom for my little super hero’s first real trick-or-treating adventure. No sewing required thanks to duck tape and hot glue. So easy + so cheap =  my kind of DYI. 

 I have bunches of left over supplies, so I have been thinking I may add a shield of some sort by Friday, or who knows, maybe I will make a Super Mattie Mommy costume!?!

Happy Halloween + safe Trick-or-Treating! 

Cheers, 

It's never too late....

We all only have one life to live.

 It's never too late. 

Go get that dream job, education, love, house, goal... whatever YOU hope for. 

You won't regret at the least giving it a try.

Allow yourself to be surprised by the journey. 

Be what you will be! 

HAPPY MONDAY Y'ALL! 

Pick-Me-Up!

Sometimes when I am in need of a little pick-me-up, I grab an old quote book and read a few quotes, on this dreary Thursday, it turns out it is just what the doctor ordered. I have a large collection of quote books both from my teenage angst-y years and some pretty amazing ones from my days of being an Outward Bound instructor. I have a chalk board in my office that I rotate quotes on. Just a quick glance at the chalk board to inspire and set your mind on a positive track. This is a tradition that I am carrying on from my mom, she always has a chalk board with inspirational notes on it in our house. As they say, "the apple doesn't fall far...." (Thanks Mom!) 

Thanks to Pinterest and to having a phone or computer always at the ready,  I do not have to search far to find inspiration or a daily pick-me-up. I have an entire board of dedicated to quotes on my Pinterest page, which you can find here. 

Today I discovered (through my favorite time-suck, Pinterest) a lovely little website called Recitethis.com It is a great way to take one of your favorite quotes and put it a picture form, tweet it, pin it, post it....just share your sun-shiny disposition and inspiring thoughts with the world!  

Here is a quote from my Choices Quote Book from my time instruction courses on Thompson Island Outward Bound. 

Here's to the powerful, little, don't-hold-me-down, bumblebee! Make it a great day! 

Dreams coming true....

A long-term dream of mine has finally come true. When I created this blog, years ago....which now am just returning to...I did so as a place to start creating my brand for sometime in the future. But when...?!?! Well, I am back and have done IT! I have started my own interior design practice. See that pretty little coffee table above? It is the first piece of custom furniture that was designed by me in collaboration with some seriously, talented local craftsmen. That one of a kind piece has my stamp on it and now lives comfortably nestled between a newly upholster sofa and two arm chairs, in a very happy clients living room. (*sigh, warm fuzzies*)

So, I felt it was necessary to take a minute to express my gratitude and pride with the online world, in the fact that I FINALLY found the courage to be self-employed and take on this awesome challenge. Hold on tight! Here we go! 

Stay tuned for more blog posts from me on this journey!