I AM CELEBRATING .................CELEBRATORI

Where to start....well Im a 70s baby so I grew on Dynasty, Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place....so of course I was a fan of Tori Spelling.    My mother and I would watch episodes of Dynasty and then I of course watched 'Donna Martin' and her friends grow up.

Now at the age of 40 and a mother of 5 Im still watching a Spelling show...Tori Spelling and her fabulous husband Dean along with their beautiful babies and every loyal and creative crew of friends.    She is amazing and so inspiring even though I am technically 2 years older than her.

In some way our lives as different as we may be have had some similarities along the way.   Marriage, Divorce, Happiness, Family dispute, Business, Pregnancy,Crafting, Babies, Parties, more Babies, Reconciliation, New Business, more babies...lol     We were pregnant again this year together...strange.   I respect her hustle, determination and just her in general.

Today she was in New Jersey on her press tour for her new book, now I have read her previous books but I have been waiting on this book since it was shown in the Tori & Dean season.   I relate to her party planning and love the fact that she is sharing the basics and the DIY aspect of parties.

I took my 17 year old daughter Gabriella with me and we drove about 1 hour north of where we live, stood on line for a little over 1 hour outside and I met a great woman Christine and her daughter...so funny how love of a childhood favorite can bring grown women together and get us all giddy.

Gabriella & I with our copy of CelebraTORI

Christine & Alexa with Tori

She was gorgeous in that coral/tangerine dress.

Lean in for the close up...poor thing is pregnant and had to lean in for photos every 5 mins.  She loved the ring I was wearing, she asked if I made it I told her that I didn't but it's from my new shop and a fabulous vendor friend of mine did.    I wish I would have given it to her!   She signed my book, one of my shop post cards (for my wall) and my daughter's iPhone. lol   

She was like "Seriously????  I don't want to ruin your phone.  My daughter is like "no it's fine". lol   And she did.

We gave her an Autism Awareness bracelet and she immediately put it on her arm and told me that her & Dean support Autism organizations and do the run.!   Bravo McDermott's...love ya!

She signed in purple, she coordinates her signing to her books...gotta love her!

So in 2012, I  turned 40....opened my very own shop......and got to meet one of my favorite people in the entertainment world.   I don't want to call her a celebrity because she is so humble, sweet and so much more than that.

Please go out and get a copy of this fabulous book.......I have gone through it twice already since Im home and I read it while waiting on line outside the book store.

THANK YOU TO TORI SPELLING FOR ALWAYS BEING TRUE TO YOUR FANS....AND FOR BEING THE FABULOUS PARTY PLANNER THAT YOUR MOM INSPIRED YOU TO BE!

-MJ

SUNDAY INSPIRATION

Today Im reflecting on the women who inspired my fashion sense and my love of vintage.   I grew up in a 1 parent household after the age of 5.  My mother Maria and I watched alot of tv together and these were the women I would see.  Her mother Anna was a pretty snazzy dresser herself...she has some amazing legs.  Her thing was stilettos, she had a pair of orange ones.   I have saved a pair of her silver leather weaved sandals..lol

My mother's closet was always fascinating to me...always packed to the ceiling with boxes of shoes and tons of bars holding clothing and coats.   I use to hide in there and try on shoes...and she would eventually catch me and tell me to get out!  I always thought of my mother as a cross between Jackie O and a white Diana Ross....she had the poofy black hair, drawn on eyebrows, BIG sunglasses and always dressed even to go to the store.  I can count on one hand how many times I've seen her wear sneakers, in fact it was in the house when she was doing aerobics. hahaha

Diana Ross

Joan Collins & Diane Carroll

Elizabeth Taylor

Faye Dunaway

Eartha Kitt

Diane Carroll

Joan Crawford

Jacqueline Bovier Kennedy (yes..YSL)

Another of Diana Ross...I love this longer full bob and the fur...(sigh..this is my winter inspiration)

Well here is to the fabulous stylish women who inspire my love of all things old and beautiful...thanks to my Nonna and you too Mom!

My grandmother along with my mother as a young girl. (1950's Brooklyn, NY)

- MJ

SORRY IM NOT HERE....IM UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING.

Yep...that's right Im over at Stephanie Lynn's today on Under the Table and Dreaming.  I love the name of her blog and I started following her last year when I first entered the world of blogland. lol

Her blog is filled with beautiful pictures and endless information.  Her sidebar is loading with fabulous tutorials and her sense of crafty style is just like mine.   She recycles, reuses and repurposing everything under the sun (or table) lol


I join her Sunday showcase party as much as I can and I was actually lucky enough to be featured, which was a huge compliment.

I've actually won a few giveaways on her blog, she has THE BEST giveaways!  Be on the look out!

Stephanie Lynn is a modern day Superwoman, if you have the chance read her "About Me" section on her blog.   You will find that we have more in common than crafting, thrifty and home decorating addiction.  We both have children that are diagnosed with Autism.    I find it inspiring that she can do all that she does and the ideas that she shares come from creating a loving, thriving enviroment for her son.  His sensory playroom is somewhere I would like to hang out!  

I hope you will all come on over today....Im sure you are already a follower but if not I highly recommend her page to you.   You can also LIKE her on her UTTD Facebook Page

As a huge thank you to Stephanie Lynn and her fabulous readers.....I have a few surprises!   So go on over and see what we have got for you!

THANK YOU TO STEPHANIE LYNN FOR FEATURING ME ON HER BLOG TODAY......it's an amazing compliment because she inspires me everyday through what she shares.




*****Don't forget today is the last day of the BIG Annie Sloan Chalk Paint giveaway hosted by House of Anne.  You can enter HERE****

DAY 1... MISS MUSTARD SEED

WELCOME TO LUCKY 7 DESIGN'S 1 YEAR BLOGIVERSARY BALL....I thank you all for coming and would like to introduce you to My Guest of Honor ......Marian..... MISS MUSTARD SEED !!!!

I know I can hardly contain myself....do any of you have that blog that you check everyday, the one you've followed since God knows when.  The blogger who inspires you and makes you strive harder to make your dream happen because you see she is living proof that it can be done.  She has even made me like BLUE and anyone who knows me understands I'm not a fan of blue. lol



Miss Mustard Seed is that blog, and Marian is that blogger for me Melanie of Lucky 7 Design.  When I started planning this celebration I thought to myself I would love to ask her, but hesitated because she is A BIG DEAL in blogland and what would she want to do on my little blog ( I mean seriously she has 6,374 followers) But because Im a follower of her blog, I know she is a real person, a wife, a mother, a daughter and artist.... not just a fabulous blogger.

I mean she also hosts some fabulous series parties on her blog:

These are some of her finished pieces

Her famous Union Jack dresser

Grainsack covered ottoman

Music page dresser

Grainsack bar stool cushions

What's the worst that could happen, she passes....I would understand.  So I sent her an email and asked her if she'd like to donate a simple paint brush since she is the Chalk Paint guru who has sent blogland in a tizzy over this paint. lol   I thought even an empty can of Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint can with her autograph would be fun.    She answered back and said YES she would love to and that she would dig into "her stash"....WHAT???? she's going into her stash for me and my readers!     I LOVED IT....I DID THE HAPPY DANCE....JUMPED AROUND AND TOLD MY DAUGHTER AND FRIENDS WHO WERE OVER AND SENT AT TEXT TO THE HUBS...then I replied with a big thank you email again.

Miss Mustard has a love affair with grainsacks...

because this is what she does with them.

Here is what Miss Mustard Seed is giving away today:

Yes...one of her grainsack bags a Bemis Seamless ( like the one used to upholster the ottoman in her post)

I wanted to give you all some info on Marian and how the Miss Mustard Seed blog began!  The following is from her blog...who better to tell you right.

Mustard Seed Interiors currently sells antiques, refurbished furniture, and handmade accessories for your home at The Old Lucketts Store in Lucketts, VA and at antique fairs in the mid-Atlantic region. 

I am also a freelance writer for HGTV.com and a contributor to Cottages and Bungalows magazine. I'm honored to have my work featured in Romantic Homes magazine (January 2011), Flea Market Style (Spring 2011), Cottages and Bungalows (April 2011, May 2011) and online at Houzz, Apartment Thearapy, Design Sponge, About.com and many DIY/Home Decorating blogs.

My Philosophy:
"Move mountains in your home." 

Some of you may  know that Miss Mustard Seed is a reference to a verse in the bible, Matthew 17:20, "...For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

When I was thinking of a tag line for my blog, this verse came to mind again. Now, I am not intending to take things out of context and make the words mean something they don't, but I love the symbolism in this verse and how I can apply it to my decorating and business philosophy. I want my blog to be an encouragement to those who desire a beautiful home on a small budget. Those who are daring and resourceful enough to glue moss onto tennis balls to fill a Goodwill vase. To those who will roll up their sleeves and paint that 1970's dresser they hauled out of their neighbor's trash (in the middle of the night, so they don't embarrass their kids!) To those who shop the drop cloth section to slipcover their husband's "single days" sofa to make it pretty until they can afford something else. 



As all of you know who read my posts and see the pictures...I am that person!   I do all of those things.  That is why her blog is one of my favorites and does inspire me to keep doing what Im doing and stay true to who I am.


                         Okay so here is how you can win one of MMS grainsack bags:


This giveaway is only open to you if you are a follower 
of LUCKY 7 DESIGN. 


PLEASE COMMENT SEPARATELY FOR EACH ACTION YOU COMPLETE....SO EACH COMMENT WILL COUNT AS ANOTHER ENTRY FOR YOU. 



Mandatory Entry:


Must be a follower of LUCKY 7 DESIGN 


Additional Entries:




Must be or become a follower of MISS MUSTARD SEED


Like  Lucky 7 Design on Facebook Fan Page

Like Miss Mustard Seed on Facebook Fan Page

Share this giveaway on your Facebook page


Share this giveaway on your Twitter page


(HEART) Lucky 7 Design on Etsy


Tell me what blog/blogger inspires you 




Enter once or do them all..it's up to you!  Im giving you as many entries I can to win this fabulous giveaway. (just make sure you do the mandatory one...wink wink)


Make sure to check back tomorrow so I can introduce you to my next fabulous guest and what she is bringing to the party for you!


EACH GIVEAWAY WILL RUN FOR (2 DAYS) 48 HOURS!

Thank you all for coming! 

-MJ

Don't forget I'm offering a discount in both my Etsy shops throughout this celebration.

Use coupon code 1YEARBLOGGIN

Haha   there is a party promoting giveaways...Im so there

THE WINNER IS:

#39 

Delina 

Congratulations to you!

MY FIRST POST OF 2011...NEW YEAR NEW STYLE

This year will be a year of great change for me.   Im working on a few things and plan on changing up things in my home (re-design of 4 rooms in the house), business (launching of new line in Etsy shop) and on my blog (focused features).   In the 6 months Ive been doing this I thing I got caught up in the hoopla (if you will) of who's blog is on all the blog roll, who's having a giveaway, what tutorial is out there, who is (stealing) who's idea and what parties are going on and how fast can I whip up some magic to link up.

Although a merchandiser thrives on producing under pressure, I much rather take a step back this year.  I have made some amazing blogging buddies and that is wonderful.   I have also found wonderful resources through  certain bloggers and will explore and reach out further.

I have met some amazing ladies that I dont need to mention names, we comment back and forth and wish each other true praise and blessings for our endeavors and for our families weekly if not daily.  These are connections I plan to keep strong this year.

I plan on going back to my love of treasure shopping at my favorite stores and featuring my finds.  My love of styling is what drives the need to find something and create around it.  Also doing a monthly special for my followers just because I want to thank them for their dedicated readership not to gain the highest follower number in blogland.

I will feature products not because I have a huge following but because I bought the product on my own and think it is worth talking about and endorsing.

Being an Etsy shop owner myself, I want to shout out and feature my fellow artists/crafters and work together to promote our work.

I will also blog about topics that are close to my heart such as Autism (for those of you who dont already know I am the mother of a child diagnosed on the spectrum).  Along with Cancer (have had too many friends/family suffer and live or suffer and die from it).  Also the topics of  donating and volunteering.   And I understand that these posts are not popular and you might not comment but for the one person out there that it will touch and may need someone to talk to then I have done my work.

I envision a great year for myself and Lucky 7 Design and cant wait to get started.....Im inspired by so many things and so many new people that I have recently connected with that I need to get it all together and run with it.

I believe in the power of the spoken or written word in this case.  I dont think you need to have a fancy camera or etiquette to blog.  Its your passion, it might not be for everyone that is why you are given to option to follow or not too.    Im a visual person so I do love some photos but theyre not going to look like a Martha Stewart or Country Living layout. lol

 With that said here is a photo that is giving me much inspiration at the moment (photo taken while on an much needed mommy escape to Home Goods) could not enlarge the photo for some reason.  Hopefully you get the idea.