Sitting in the Dark

Earlier tonight, I found myself writing a note to someone who recently lost their daughter. I admitted out right that I have no idea how she is feeling. I have never lost a child and pray I never do.

That being said, I recently lost a close family member who I loved beyond measure. 

What I could tell this friend was that it hurts like hell but somehow you keep going. Before the funeral, I warned her that nothing anyone said would really make sense. I reminded her that people have good intentions and really do mean well. That being said, I told her that there would probably come a time when she would want to drop kick someone for telling her that "God needed an angel". Sure, its a sweet thought but when you lose someone you love you want to scream that you need your angel...right here on Earth. When a loved one has been taken from you you just don't want to hear that crap. Atleast I don't. 

I remember the days when I was lucky enough to not know what it feels like to miss someone so much you feel like you can't breathe. I never knew what to say at funerals so I often said something dumb. I am sure I used the ol' angel stand by. I would avoid writing a note. 

Something in us all tells us that we need to come up with something that somehow makes things better, something that can justify the situation. 

Here's the thing. You can't. Nothing makes it better and any attempt to justify the situation usually just hurts. 

While I appreciate everyones attempts to help I personally have found the most comfort from those who would just go there with me. The rare friends who will just let me cry....or better yet, cry with me. The people who can admit that it just plain sucks. 

I remember this story I heard one sunday at church years ago. This guy called his friend after having his power turned off. He was broke and lost. He reached out to his friend for help and the friend's first reaction was to try to pay his bill but he didn't have the money either. Later, his friend showed up at his house empty handed and unable to solve his problem and simply said...."I may not be able to pay your bill but I can sit in the dark with you."

What a beautiful story that is. What comfort we can provide by simply joining someone in the dark. Eventually the light will find its way in.

And the Walls Come Tumbling Down

Demo Day! Crazy town.

Think Pink

Maybe its because this winter nearly killed me. Maybe its because its just fabulous BUT I am obsessed with Pink lipstick!

I know trend reports are leaning towards electric orange but I am feeling pink these days.Because, really....what says spring like pink?!?

Ellis Faas "Hot Lips" are super pigmented, long wearing and available in a killer range of pinks.
I am not alone - I spent the day at my boutique yesterday and tried various shades of pinks on a handful of customers- even those who tend to be a bit color shy were feelin' it.

How to wear it? Pair with a soft, understated eye washed in a sheer gold or warm bronze....gorgeous.

 

To Hell with Resale

NO! As a Realtor I would never advise that but God Love the brave woman who designed this kitchen. While I am torn between shades like "Agreeable Gray" and "Quiet Moments" this lady said "to hell with resale, Ill take the brightest most obnoxious wallpaper you've got"

I love this woman. And while I would never have the courage to do it...I love, love, love this kitchen.

I struggle with the balance of resale vs. "because I love it" and I imagine others do too. While a house is an investment (probably the biggest one you will ever make) it is also a home. As a creative person I struggle with design decisions in the home because of the ever looming "resale".

When advising clients, I suggest going for broad appeal but not so vanilla that your house can be swapped out for a hundred others that meet potential buyers criteria. Yes, you want your home to appeal to as many buyers as possible but what ultimately sells a house is that "I have to live here, I can't live anywhere else....this is HOME" moment. For that to happen you need some charm. Does that mean a crazy floral kitchen....no...BUT it is pretty fabulous and it DOES stand out.

I love her. (But I don't know that I would buy her house...haha)