Weekly Speaking: October 14th

This last week I ...

• overhauled our apartment. It started with a mere desire to put out some family pictures, and snowballed into an extensive project! (Have I mentioned I'm a Virgo?) So worth it, so inspiring, and such an accomplishment! I expanded the gallery wall in our bedroom, and changed up our living room in many fun ways.
• discovered that my two sweethearts are obsessed with my new adaptation of this recipe! 
• found out I have to have foot surgery in December. I've been dealing with this for the last three years, and am actually super excited to start the road to healing - that's the real Christmas present, right?! I'm also grateful to have been introduced to my new podiatrist, Dr. Gregg Rock, who will be performing my surgery.
• was often reminded that my girl is growing up, and how much I love being a parent with my hubby.
• continued to laugh out loud at how my girl has taken on my "gift" for making up alternative lyrics to classic tunes ... for example, "O Christmas Tree" makes for a great tune to her new re-write entitled "O Public School."
• scheduled an appointment at Devachan for my semi-annual haircut. These curls are so ready for some love this Tuesday!
• determined that essie's Aperitif is my new signature nail color - and goes beautifully with my new signature lip color, Cherry Lush, by Tom Ford.

Now, let's make it a beautiful new week!

xx JN

Creating a Gallery Wall

As we discussed earlier this week, my bedroom received quite the revamp over the weekend! One of my favorite features in our "new" space is the gallery wall my hubby & I now view at the foot of our bed.

Here's how you can create one at home:

1. Start by gathering the pieces you wish to feature. I recommend spreading them out on a flat surface so you can easily rearrange them (in this case, I used our bed):

Keep in mind that putting a gallery wall together is a bit like working a puzzle ... you will know when the pieces "fit" together. On this wall, I had a piece much larger than the rest. I worked at achieving balance by treating the largest piece as the "anchor" on one side of the space and filled in the other side with the rest of the pieces.

2. Choose the nails/wall anchors best suited for each piece you're hanging:

3. Measure out your wall space - I prefer the "eyeball" method, but you can certainly use a leveler/measuring tape - and start by hanging the pieces that either are on opposites sides of each other, or the pieces you will treat as center:

4. Add your remaining nails/wall anchors:
 

 5. Hang your individual pieces:

 

6. Tweak and adjust as you go to ensure everything is lined up properly - again, use your eyeballs! They won't fail you!

7. Voila!

 xx JN

Simple Gifts for Mom

Mother's Day is Sunday! I'm in love with some of these DIY ideas - they offer not only a sweet sentiment, but the fact they are homemade makes them all the more charming to receive:

The Culinary Creator

We all know fresh herbs offer such depth of flavor in cooking. A small, indoor herb garden with Mom's favorite herbs will not only be beautiful, but will be a true treat when she's cooking (but, please ... take Mom out to eat on Sunday!) You can easily do this yourself with an organic potting soil, a few of her favorites (rosemary, English thyme, Italian parsley and mint are a great start!) and a lovely planter that suits her decor of choice:

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The Inner Aesthetician

If a spa gift certificate is not in your budget this year, treat Mom to some homemade treatments such as these deliciously smelling body scrubs courtesy of Martha Stewart Living:

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The Family Art Curator:

A perfect gift for any age to make! Purchase a simple black frame/white mat combo and you can quickly turn it into a child's masterpiece! Use the mat as a "canvas" and the little ones can decorate it (colored pencils or markers work GREAT!) and then simply sign the bottom right-hand corner "Happy Mother's Day 2012." Frame one of your favorite candids of the kids or grandkids and voila! It also is a great way to start a memory wall and you can make it an annual tradition!

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The Purposeful Poet

Whether she writes for leisure, for gratitude, for therapy ... a homemade journal is sure to be meaningful for Mom:

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No matter what you decide, honoring Mom this weekend will be most meaningful with your own touches and traditions. Remember, it's not about the most fancy or the most expensive ways to celebrate her - it's about the personal sentiment. That's what she'll remember (and love) most.

xx JN