MJ gets her groove back

It has been a whirlwind of a year so far.   But finally got my design groove back.   All moved into the new condo and decorating is going well.   Different from old house and im liking it alot and always adding more

Day job is good, kids are great!   Lucky7Design is going well im not pushing myself but have been taking on small projects and finally ready to do more.

STAY TUNED for some upcoming projects.


-MJ

EVER MEET SOMEONE........

So tonight I drove up to Westfield NJ to visit a fabulous store called The Farmhouse Store.  None other than Clint Harp....yes the carpenter from HGTV's show Fixer Upper was there to speak and introduce his line that will be available at The Farmhouse Store.

I was beyond excited, had been planning and waiting for weeks since I found out.   Left 1 hr early just so I wouldn't be late or be last in line.   I asked my creative sister Jenn to meet me there and join in my excitement.

So 5 minutes walking into the shop....I grab my blue Harp Design Co tshirt so that it can be autographed and got on line.   I was number 5 and holding a spot for my sis too.

Cute farmhouse store bags (my tee is inside)

My beautiful Sis and I seated and waiting to hear Clint speak

There he is......such an awesome storyteller. I laughed, got choked up..just awesome

You ever meet someone and totally not what you expected?  Well I knew they would be charming, I mean I have seen them on Fixer Upper but just listening to the words of their story.  I was literally 5 ft away from Kelly and just watching her look at her husband as he told their story was beautiful.    He said plenty of times how she was the "smart one" and he is right...she is a smart girl because she saw potential and believed in her husband and what they could accomplish together.  Just an amazing story of faith in this couple.

So glad I got to hear Clint speak and was able to take a photo with them.  I was literally so overwhelmed I could barely speak when it was my turn in line.   Silly but I was really touched by his words.   

Here is Clint and his beautiful and smart wife Kelly Harp.

The goodies of the night......

My prized piece....turned candlestick signed by Clint and his wife Kelly.

What I learned tonight is to not be afraid.....step out in faith because you never know where you will end up.    Im hoping that my wishes of ending up in Waco, Texas will someday happen.  As a single mom fear sometimes holds me back from dreams and ideas that I have.   But, hearing Clint speak of the tests and trials they endured just gives me hope that anything can happen with a little faith...

LET YOUR FAITH BE BIGGER THAN YOUR FEARS

- MJ

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF JOJO & CHIP

Have you ever wondered what a day in the life of Joanna & Chip Gaines looks like?   Well HERE you go, it looks pretty fantastic to me.

- MJ

BE PREPARED FOR GREATER THINGS........

I've been a fan of Joanna Gaines since Day One, her blog, her show, her testimony.    I believe God puts people in your life for a reason.  And yes, even TV life....I have faithfully watched her show and related so much.     

When I closed my shop in 2012 I cried my eyes out, but deep down I knew it wasn't the end.  I had  suffered the death of my step father and a miscarriage in a matter of months.  I needed time to heal.

In 2014 I went through a separation, and 2015 the final divorce.   My faith in God became stronger and stronger and I knew this was all happening for a reason.

In 2016, I had to move out of a single family home and downsize to a condo with my kiddos.   I had to get rid of and sell a lot of my inventory.  That seriously broke my heart.    I still prayed faithfully to God to show me the way.

Through my daughter's Girl Scouts leader .....I found a new home church and my faith has never been stronger.   I have made some bold moves in the past month because I truly believe GOD IS PREPARING ME FOR GREATER THINGS.   

If you haven't ever seen this video.....take a minute and just listen to the words she speaks.

- MJ

I pray this everyday, I believe and live by this

APRIL IS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

APRIL IS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH......as the parent of a lil girl on the Autism Spectrum.  I do my best every year to raise awareness and prepare for our walk.

This year we are hoping to have a big team of walkers and supporters.   My daughter's team name is Samayah's Puzzle Patrol

I'll be sharing more this month...but for now here are sneak peeks and my inspiration.

These awesome nail wraps from Jamberry will be part of our walk uniform.

Samayah Rae is 9 yrs old, she was diagnosed at age 2.  She is extremely smart and is now in regular education classes because her IQ score was so high.   Samayah loves art and reading, she will go far in this world....I have faith God has a plan for my angel.

P.S.   POAC AUTISM WALK WILL BE ON APRIL 17TH @ 11:30 AM, FOR MORE INFO AND TO JOIN OUR TEAM AS A WALKER OR TO DONATE....PLEASE VISIT HERE

DIY ART FOR THE NEW PLACE

For those of you who follow me on Instagram (Lucky7design) , you know I recently downsized from a single family home and into a loft condominium.  I decided to revamp all of my decor and not repeat too much here in the new place.

Kinda Rustic Farmhouse meets Restoration Hardware & Anthropologie.... Honestly I get bored easily and I like my home to be eclectic and not just one style.

While out browsing in Home Goods....I spotted an awesome large piece of art.   When I looked at the price tag, I knew it was out of my budget.

 Now it's beautiful and worth it but I just had to stick to my budget because I had a long wish list for the new place.    So I decided that I could definately DIY this....

My plan:

Buy an inexpensive large canvas piece of art
Cover it up
Try to replicate the pattern of the inspiration piece


I immediately sent the above picture to my sister and told her of my plan.   She is the true artist in the family.....I just dabble.   She said go for it.

Not even 2 days later on Instagram there is a Sponsored Post for Home Goods.....guess what?  Yep, my wish list piece of art being featured.

                                                 Now it's on.....even more motivation.

          HERE IS HOW I DID IT:

My supplies

Inexpensive Painting

Spray Paint

Spackle

Putty Knife

Pretty but not for my decor

Step 1....I spray painted with copper paint

Step 2.....spackle

Almost done

I then mixed some metallic paint with the spackle

I wanted a simple design but needed more copper than the original inspiration art.

Here is my DIY art on the wall in my new place.   I wanted it specifically to hang over my new sofa

-MJ

GARDENING AND FAIRIES.

I have always been fond of fairy gardens, so this past weekend while shopping at Walmart I came across a little fairy garden starter kit.

I had my 9 year old with me and she is very into crafting projects...so we grabbed the kit and decided we would DIY some of the other stuff ourselves.

Here is what the girls and the starter kit looked like.....

The kit provides the fabulous glass bowl, a little resin bench, mushroom cluster and fairy of course along with a pack of pebbles and "fairy dust"

Basically all you need to add is soil and your imagination.

This is what my girls came up with....we purchased a sweet little cactus that looks like an ice cream cone and a fuzzy purple plant as they called it from Lowe's Home Improvement

The additional sign which says "Fairy Party Here" was purchased from Joann's.

I think I even enjoyed this more than the girls, Im also a huge Fixer Upper fan and love that JoJo's girls have fairy gardens in their greenhouse.

We've decided we are going to make a few more of these and go a little more DIY with it too.

Hope you all have a magical day!

-MJ

THE MAGNOLIA STORY

                                                                         

THE COVER HAS FINALLY BEEN RELEASED

Anyone who knows me, also knows that Im totally addicted to Joanna and Chip Gaines show on HGTV..... Fixer Upper.

Unless you've been living under a rock...you definitely know the show Im talking about.

Well...Im such a lucky girl.   I was selected to be on the Magnolia Story Street Team, our official name is the Shiplappers.   Im so over the moon about this, because not only do I love the show but Im also a big fan of JoJo and Chip and what they stand for in life.  I will get to bring you news about the book, release dates, events and everything Magnolia.

The Magnolia Story is going to be a best selling book for sure...I just can't wait to read it.  Maybe I'll take a trip down to Waco and discover all this inspiration for myself. 

Please go check out the preview of their story HERE and of course when the book is released you must get yourself a copy.

-MJ

ALICE IN WONDERLAND BIRTHDAY

Referrals are the best!   I did a 1st birthday party in March and through social media I was contacted by a mom of a beautiful little soon to be 1 year old.    She wanted an Alice in Wonderland theme.

She gave me her daughter Mila's invitation and I took inspiration from it and went in Wonderland World.   Here are a few pics from the 1st Birthday.  

Inspiration.... Mila's invitation and signage from Etsy

Custom mirror and playing cards

Whimsical tree decor 

Whimsical tree decor

Closeup of table centerpiece

Read Me....

Smash Cake Vignette area, props from Lucky 7 Design inventory.

Dessert Table - Alice in Wonderland

Eat Me....Vanilla Butter cream cupcake

Tea Bag Cookie

White Powdered Donuts

White Meringues 

Cupcake tier display

Red Velvet/Strawberry Butter cream gold fondant heart.

Custom apron and name banner

Right side dessert table

Left side dessert table

Marshmallow pops

Cheshire Cat Tail Pops

Event Decor : Lucky 7 Design

Desserts: Skulls N Sweets

Cookies : Skulls N Sweets

Cards:  Gryphon Designs

Dessert Tags:  Marimaking Supplies

-MJ

VINTAGE CIRCUS BIRTHDAY

Supportive friends are the best, they help you out in ways they don't realize sometimes.    Tonight I had the honor and definitely the pleasure to be in charge of my friend Paola's son's 1st Birthday.

She asked me weeks ago, of course I said yes!     And we spent hours and days on the phone texting, talking, going out shopping and today was what it was all for......I hope I did her proud.    

But I owe her a thank you for reminding me what it is that I love to do.   Sometimes life happens and we get lost.   Tonight I was found, and can't wait to plan and design some new party spaces.

Check out some photos from tonight's party....and I must say a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ANTHONY GIANNI on his awesome 1st birthday.

STEP RIGHT UP.............

Event Design & Props - Lucky 7 Design

Sweets - Skulls n Sweets

Venue - O Lugar (Union NJ)

-MJ