"Feeling Blue"

Until last weekend, I spent a whole year "feeling blue."

No matter how hard I tried, against all my inner strength, direct focus, and self talk to be happy with what I had... my obsession only seemed to grow!

 I just could not get "feeling blue" out of my system.

I was convinced.  The only way to solve my mental fixation is to turn my thoughts into reality....

Navy Blue... Contrasting White.... Pops of Yellow and Bright Green.... Crisp... Fresh... Fun...

I suppose it was the ocean air that got to me.  Afterall, I was born in the fall and have always been drawn to warm colors.  As a redhead, shades of brown and green have always been my go-to palette. But there I was feeling alien to my current surroundings in both my wardrobe and my home.  

Two years of beach living and I am suddenly seeing the world through a whole new set of eyes! I feel best dressed in my navy and white stripes accessorized with a golden locket and brown boots. I am most at home walking through my favorite little shop, Bixby and Ball, a coastal living store in Solana Beach.

Last weekend I made the transistion from "feeling blue" to now "living blue."

I fell captive to an incredible deal on a set of blue and white sofa pillows. 

I had my eyes on them for months and now I simply could not resist.  

Oh I tried to say NO.

I was well aware if I came home with new pillows, which in my husbands words would be "pillows we do not need," I would be getting a mouthful in return. It wouldn't matter, nor would I be stupid enough to try to justify to him.... but sweetheart these are the pillows I have always loved though could never have afforded.Seriously this is an amazing deal! For months I failed in my attempts to find something comparible in style in my price range. They are designed by John Robshaw. They will send our living room in a whole new direction, the blues... white... pops of yellow and green...a fresh, crisp, fun feeling.  None of it would matter, only one simple fact.  We did not need them. And he was right. But I needed them. So I made a decision. {a decision I know many wives are all too familiar with}. I bought the pillows. I decided to take the heat from the hubby. His frustraion would last minutes, or maybe days. But I would have my pillows for years. :)

I am "living blue" and I love it!

{ in a few months we will have pops of yellow and green. When the husband gives his blessing ofcourse.} 

For the record, I do not condone my behavior. Thanks Greg for your forgiveness. ;)

Love to all,

Netti T







Grand Opening...

Here are a few photos from my completed project, Hair Lounge & Spa. The pics I took of the space were not up to par {what's new...} so I borrowed photos from the Grand Opening party we enjoyed a few weeks back.  It is only a small glimpse so you will have to go check it out! 

112 S. Cedros Ave

Solana Beach CA 92075

{The mirror and chair fabric is spectacular in person.}

{The girls in action...}

{mmmm... cream puffs. My favorite.}

{Just a little sneak peak.  Much more fun to tempt your wallet!}

{The Fabulous owners! xoxo}

Words to Live By....

This year we decided New Year's Eve would be best spent at home, as a party of 2. Greg and I did not commit to staying up late enough to see the ball drop in New York City {but we did make it to midnight and I was so proud of myslef!}, and instead of getting dressed to impress like originally planned, I enjoyed the evening in a pair of mismatched jammies.  Our plan was to spend time recapping 2011 and forecasting 2012.  But first, we brought out a bottle of red wine and endulged in the endless supply of chocolate boxes given to Greg for Christmas from his students.  We turned on The New Years Rockin Eve Special in the background and then proceeded to bring out the laptop.   In tears from laughing so hard at a series of videos on YouTube, we quickly gained our compusure when we heard the phone ring.  Our dear friends {and by dear I mean always ready to party! You know who you are.  We love you!} from our prior life in NorCal were on the line.  Once we enjoyed some good quality speaker phone chat it was time to get to work. Recap and Forecasting time! 

I think the fact we opted for a mellow New Year's Eve is a solid indication that 2011 was a heck of a ride!  We agreed 2011 was the "Roller Coaster" year.  Not neccessarily because of it's up and downs {however, 2011 you did have your fair share!} but rather because of the sensation you get when on a roller coaster ride.  You know the feeling when you are strapped in to your seat and just sitting still in anticipation to free fall  10 stories.  Suddenly you drop at a rapid speed and the remainder of the ride is filled with a series of thrill and fear.  When you finally make it to the end of the ride, you are not sure if you should laugh or cry, so you decide to just go sit on a bench for a moment. Yep, that was 2011. {My poor mother had a hard time keeping up with my phone calls.  I was either in complete tears, or sharing the most amazing news!  Thanks mom, you are the best!}

Needless to say, our forecast for 2012 is to have a "steady" year.  It is important to me to make decisions based on opportunities to grow and move forward, but if we can have a year with "no new news" I think that will be a step in the right direction for the Thornquest family.  In an effort to maintain stability in 2012 Greg and I made a list of goals, areas of focus, truths to live by, and fun things to look forward to.  Ofcourse I had to take it a step further and attempt to post inspiring quotes and bible verses all over the house.  {Greg thinks this is so cliche.}

Quote signs are all the rage in the world of decor, and I think every home, make that every room, should have at least one inspiring quote hung in a creative fashion.  So pick your favorite quotes and display them in an unexpected way.  I will be doing the same.  {Even if Greg thinks I am silly}

Cheers to a "keeping it simple" kind of year.  Here are some quotes I resonate with,

Love to all,
Netti

A daily choice to be happy.  {Those darn birds always stealing my food at the beach!}

{For anyone like me, with the fear of failure!  We can do it!}

{I dwell in possibility to a fault. Even being married to a realist hasn't stopped me.  Hey, you just never know when you might come across a needle in a haystack!}

{From the movie "The Help."  I have been telling my kids this since watching the movie.}

{So true.  Back to the "dwell in possibility"}

 {No matter what age, we all want to go to bed at night and wake up in the morning, knowing we are loved.}

Coming Soon!

"When one door closes, another door opens."

My long time client came to me 3 months ago to inform me that after 17 years of business they were closing their doors...... and planning on opening a brand new salon and spa on the Design District in Solana Beach!  Per their request, I quickly came on board {humbled to have such an incredible opportunity} and for the past 10 weeks I have served the role of Creative Director.  It has been an incredible process and with opening day just 3 weeks away, I can hardly contain  my excitement {and my exhaustion!}.  As I write, the floors are being installed, the business cards are being printed, the signage is being proofed, and one little girl tags along after school to watch her Mama live out her passions! {Thank you Skylar and baby Ariel for all your wall color reccomendations.  I am sorry we were not able to paint a rainbow like you suggested.}

I promise I will post an overwhelming number of pictures when the project is completed!

Love to all,

Netti



Trying Something New...





"Trying something new can be a little scary.  But sometimes you just know deep down inside that you are ready to try."  -Emily Elizabeth, Clifford the Big Red Dog  {I guess watching cartoons with my kids does pay off.}

I continually find myself amazed and deeply moved by stories of people findng the ability to make big changes in their life. To try something new, take a risk and claim a new way of living.  I am not talking about big changes in hobbies or hair color {yes, I did dye my hair BLACK once in my life.  Thank you loved ones for pretending you liked it.  Not to worry, it won't happen again}.  I am talking about the moment when you find yourself at a crossroad. You are forced to rise above the commonplace and in doing so, discover a tremendous power within yourself. 

I will be the first to admit I find comfort in the commonplace.  But when the commonplace is starring me straight in the face, I know in my heart it is time to take action.  The before and after photos below are an example of this process of change, transformation, and action. {Though not all photos are shown, we did the entire living space and aside from some construction and a few decor elements, I simply gave new life to the furniture and pieces she already had.}

A very dear friend of mine made the decision it was time for her family to eliminate a life of chaos brought on by living in an overly cluttered home.  From that  moment she took immediate action in making changes.  She received my constructive critism with such grace and I admire her ability to open her heart and her home.  I was so blessed by doing this project and I consider it a great priveledge to help turn a house into a home!  { In this case, the home is a beautiful 3bdrm with ocean views.  I want to move in!}

Inspirational quote:
 "Adversity is prosperity to those who possess a great attitude.  Kites rise against, not with, the wind."
-John Maxwell, Attitude 101

Love to all,
Netti T

Kitchen Before



Kitchen After: 

Front Entry Before

Entry After

Stairs Before

Stairs After

Shelf Before

Shelf After

{and properly placed in dining room}

My Dearest Burlap....

Eighteen months ago Greg and I rallied the help of family and friends to assist in our move to a quaint beach town in San Diego. {and eighteen months later I still pinch myself, amazed at what an incredible place I have the privilege to call home.} One of our dear friends arrived for duty with a map in hand. He grew up in Encinitas and decided to equip us with a map of local hot spots .  What to eat, where to shop, etc. First on his list, Pannikan.  An old train station turned coffee shop.  A place to lounge, people watch, get inspired, and most importantly have a good cup of coffee. 

Once we made our first visit I was pleasantly surprised to learn just $1 could buy you a coffee bean sack.  I immediately knew a fun craft was in my future!  I went to the Pannikan for a cup of coffee.  I left with my future artwork for above our fireplace.  Gotta love life's little surprises.

I cut, I painted, I glued, I nailed.  One coffee bean sack, 6 seagrass placemats, a few hours and $15 later, the Thornquest's have wall art.

A little positivity to share......

Make these words a part of your vocabulary: I can, I will, Expect the best, I know, I will make the time, Positively, I am confident, I do believe, All things are possible!

Love to all,

Netti T

 

Firework.....

We have never done wish lists in my family.  No one will ask you what you want for your birthday or Christmas.  The job of the gift giver is to be creative and extend something to the recipient they never knew they always wanted. Looking back on the last year of my life, I believe I was the recipient of such a gift.  I came to this conclusion a few weeks ago when I realized I feel happier and stronger than I ever have. Last year I was experiencing a season of life where I felt so defeated and I lost the ability to step outside of my circumstances and see the bigger picture. Now I have a whole new perspective.  Glancing back, at the time what seemed to be a series of unforeseen {and even unfair} bumps in the road, now appears to be more like a sequence of small miracles. Because of this experience,  I wake up daily energized by the thrill of "possibility." Relishing in what could be, the element of surprise, the unexpected. { I wish I could bottle this feeling because I know it won't last forever. Wouldn't it be great to throw back a few on those days you just can't muster the strength to stay positive.} I feel as if my future is a beautifully wrapped present.  I no longer have the need to sneak a peak and know what is inside. Because I already know I am going to love it.

Last summer I recall sitting in my car in the Smart and Final parking lot.  I had just loaded all the groceries.  As I put the keys into the ignition, a popular song came on the radio and I heard the lyrics for the first time.  I was overcome with emotion. Partially because I felt so defeated, and partially because I suddenly felt so strong.  I am happy to say I no longer feel paper thin. Yes, its true, according to Katy Perry,{embarrassed to quote a pop star}, baby I am a firework! So many incredible changes {outward and more importantly inward} have happened since that day.  What a difference a year makes.

Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin

like a house of cards,

one blow from caving in?

Do you ever feel already buried deep?

6 feet under screams but no one seems to hear a thing

Do you know that there's still a chance for you

"Cause there's a spark in you

You don't have to feel like a waste of space

You're original, cannot be replaced

If you only knew what the future holds

After a hurricane comes a rainbow

Maybe your reason why all the doors are closed

So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road

Like a lightning bolt, your heart will glow

And when it's time, you'll know

You just gotta ignite, the light, and let it shine

Just own the night like the 4th of July

"Cause baby you're a firework

A quote that inspired me this week:

"The End. Is just the beginning......."

 

Stay Inspired!

Love to all,

Netti T

Here is one my colorful display designs.

 

Circus Act........

So where have I been the last 5 weeks you ask? .

Picture me in the center ring. I am dressed in a silly clown costume, wearing a smiley face painted from ear to ear. The crowd goes wild and I begin my performance.  I start juggling 20 balls at once and then proceed to wear 10 different hats. I take each hat on and off all awhile continuing to keep the juggling balls in the air. I think to myself how grateful I am to have had prior training, but honestly nothing could have prepared me for this! People told me how hard it was going to be, but there was no way to experience it until my time came.  Now is my time.  I start strong and begin my crowd pleasing performance.  Focus...  deep breath... excitement.... dropped a ball...  re-focus...... determined.... doing great....  lost a hat....  re- focus..... confidence..... done...... Whew! I finished my act. My eyes gaze into the audience and I see the majority of the crowd in applause. I am feeling great.  I exit the stage, take a deep breath, grab a snack, get a makeup touch-up, and prepare to get right back on stage for Act 2.

I know many of you can relate with this feeling. Maybe it happens slowly over time, this feeling of life being such a juggling act.  For some reason I feel as if it happened to me overnight.  All of the sudden I woke up one morning and felt the challenge of raising 2 young children, working, staying healthy, having time with God, making time for my husband, finding rest, growing in mind and spirit, keeping up with our social schedule....  the list goes on.  Even when I try my very best I certainly don't keep all the juggling balls in the air at once, or have the right hat on at the right time.  But I will tell you what. It feels so good to work so hard, and I am excited to see the fruits of my labor {which very well may be years down the road, I like to believe it is worth waiting for}.

In an attempt to take my kids on a fun field trip, and do something for myself to foster positive energy, I decided to take the kids on a trip to the local flower grower. {I admit, I was first inspired by my need to do something for myself and the fact that I could also turn it into a field trip was a bonus.}  I have a few exciting projects in the works and one of them required me to spend time researching a book called "Summers in France."  It inspired me to take a walk, purchase fresh flowers from a local, and come home to make an arrangement. The great thing is along the way I noticed a selection of plants on the side of the road to add to the stems we were about to purchase.  The entire walk home we stopped and picked and pulled to add to our arrangements.  I had fun, the kids had fun, and life is feeling good. :)

Here is a little quote I was inspired by last week.......
"We don't sing because we are happy.  We are happy because we sing."


Love to all,
Netti T

Loaded up and on our way!

Too cute!  They dressed to match and decided they would choose "pink" flowers.

Getting ready to enter the "flower fridge".

Pink Gerber Daisies were the girls first choice

We were a sight to see on the side of the road!  Picking from the bushes.

The girls final product.  We had enough plants for each of them to make an arrangement in a jar.

My selections.  I guess I was feeling white and green.

Some of our "roadside picks."

My finished products.  One to keep and one to give away.  The kids were having naps, Greg was doing homework, and I had an hour of quiet time to myself to have a cup of tea and play with flowers.  A perfectly spent afternoon!