Pretty Things and Clever Words

My sister recently emailed me a meme that said "I love pretty things and clever words."  The subject line of her email read simply:  "Us."

 

The truth is that I don't know which came first.  I'm assuming my love for pretty things, since I didn't realize I had a knack for words until about ninth grade.  It was then that I realized I picked up on the subtext of shows like Seinfeld, where the joke was buried deep inside the phrase.  In any event, this short email pretty much sums it up.  If you want to know all about me, this is where you start.

It was my love for clever words that led me to high school journalism class, where I seriously thought I'd major in journalism in college.  I had a natural ability to string together words, which meant I was placed in advanced English classes.  And that was fine, since that led to my love for reading, the classics, and where my sense of humor was firmly developed. (In part from the literature, and in part from the razor-sharp wit of the kids in those classes with me.)

English IV AP, circa 1997

I got to college and got bitten by the design bug, and from there, the course of my life changed forever.  While I loved writing, and symbolism, and diagramming sentences, I found that what I loved more was the expression of those thoughts through art, architecture,and design.  That something could be a tangible representation of the sensibilities of an era...well, that pretty much rocked my world.  I knew I was born to be an interior designer, and I never looked back.  

Biedermier Settee

Until last year.  I was offered a position as Contributing Editor of Louisiana's House & Home magazine for the next year. I'd come up with an idea for a column, which I pitched to publisher Nancy Trahan, and from there, we started bouncing ideas back and forth...the next thing I knew, I was writing the Editor's Note, and I have a regular column in the magazine! 

The first installment of "Postcards from the World of Design"

I feel as if I've returned to my first love.  That I get to write is a treat, but that I get to write about DESIGN, well...that's something different altogether.  

Meanwhile, other great things have been happening for the business.  Last weekend, I got the opportunity to join Karen Profita (follow her on Twitter at @KPinBR) and Barbara Anne Eaton on 107.3 The Talk's Saturday Style show.  Radio was never something I thought I'd do, and there I was, sitting in the studio with headphones and all, talking about design trends and tips!  (And if there's anything I love more than writing about design, it's talking about it.)

  

With radio hosts, Bill and Karen Profita.  Two of the nicest people you will ever meet.

In the studio, looking all official with my headphones!

Unfortunately, there was no recording of the Saturday Style show for that day, but I hope Karen will have me back again soon.  I'll be sure to let you all know when and where you can listen next time!

The next great thing is that I'm going to Design Blogger's Conference next weekend in Los Angeles (Seriously, you should click that link to see the lineup of speakers.  Unreal.).  I'm so excited to go learn more about blogging, meet some great designers and bloggers - and of course, you'll get the full recap when I get back.  

Then in April I'm heading to Tobi Fairley's The Journey to Getting Published camp.  This will be another great opportunity to make some connections and meet more creative thinkers and go-getters!  My business was completely transformed last year after I attended Tobi's Designer MBA Camp.  I can't wait to see what she has in store for us this time!

So many great things going on right now...I'm so grateful that I get to do what I love and work with creative people.  Not to mention opportunities that pop-up that turn out to be really awesome connections.  And of course, there are always the pretty things and clever words.  Thank you all for going on this journey with me!!