BACK IN THE SADDLE

Since closing the shop 3 months ago, the boxes have been packed away and I haven't touched a thing.

I've been spending my days with my kids, cooking for my family and house hunting.   Well the first 2 of those was great, unfortunately house hunting isn't fun ( to my horror).  I have redecorated in my head and posted about 2 different houses, only to be disappointed.

So............for now I've decided to jump in and get back to blogging about my DIY projects in the home I live in now.  I'm always up for changing things around, even it's just a coffee table display.

Today I headed out to one of my fav spots Lowe's Home Improvement Store, I actually worked for them years ago and most of my house is filled with items from my old stomping ground.    I sometimes just go there a pick up random things and it inspires a full project.

Today I had the projects in my head already.............even did a sketch 5 minutes before I walked out the door with my husband and 2 littlest ones in tow (they are 2 and 6).

roth + allen finial accessory piece, Valspar paint, lumber that I had cut to my measurements 

My quick Sharpie sketch for a wall treatment I've been trying to do since last year. 

LET THE PROJECTS BEGIN!!!!

-MJ

SHE BAKES....SHE BAKES......

Okay for those of you who remember the Ricky Martin song (She Bangs..She Bangs) that's what was in my head at this moment. LOL

For the past few days I have been helping my daughter with the launch of her baking business.  She graduated last year and is planning to go to Culinary School in Philadelphia.   However I told her she should start putting her work out there now and get feedback.

So I started taking photos of her sweet treats and posting them to my Facebook page and my Instagram and she has really gotten some great feedback and order inquiries already.

We have a logo been designed by another talented your artist friend of hers ( I love supporting young talent)

LADIES & GENTS I INTRODUCE TO YOU..............   

  SKULLS N SWEETS

Inside of PB & J cupcake

Peanut Butter & Jelly cupcake

Spaghetti & Meatball cupcake

Ice Cream Cone cupcake

Cheeseburger cupcakes

Chocolate Dipped Pretzels w/ sprinkles

Union Jack flag cake for One Direction Bday

Yes she is definitely a foodie and that shows in her sweets.

-MJ

TODAY IS A SWEET DAY

Ive been away for awhile, but spending much needed quality time with my husband and my children. All along Ive posted so many photos to my personal facebook and my Lucky7Design Instagram.

However I realized we do a lot of cooking,eating and posing. LOL     Well today is Valentine's Day and my oldest Gabriella and I went to the market and grabbed a few goodies to make a sweet dinner for the kids.

Hubby is on duty tonight so he can't be home for dinner, I'm going to attempt to save him some but told him not to bet on it.  HaHa

We grabbed some fresh strawberries, icing, cake mix (which we didn't use..lol) and chocolate morsels.

Here is what I did with the chocolate morsels and strawberries

Here is Gabriella at work making special treat for her siblings.

  

She made white/pink/red mini cupcakes for them

I made a strawberry syrup for the pink pancakes

This was our dinner tonight

Pink Pancakes

Strawberry Syrup

Cool Whip

Sliced Strawberries

Cupcakes

Chocolate dipped Strawberries

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE!!!!!

- MJ

KEY TO HAPPINESS

Hoping to be able to have the keys to open this door soon.    Just looking forward to all of the happiness that this house will bring us.


Of course, Im also excited about all the redecorating projects I have planned to make this Our Dream Home.


Hoping this is the one, because Lord knows that we are exhausted from the search and the negotiating.

- MJ

1 YEAR AND I STILL MISS YOU THE SAME

What a difference one day can make.....yesterday was my daughter's birthday and today is the 1 year anniversary of my father's passing.    Can't believe it has been a year already, still miss him just as much as I did the day my brother called me.   Not much to say....I'll share the poem I chose for the back of his mass card...which just so happened to be the same one my stepbrother Billy chose as well.   It was a sign it was meant to be for him.

God saw he was getting tired

And a cure was not to be

So He put His arms around him

And whispered, "Come with Me."

With tearful eyes we watched

him suffer

And saw him fade away

Although we loved him dearly,

We could not make him stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,

Hard working hands to rest.

God broke our hearts to prove to us

He only takes the best.

I LOVE YOU POPS....AND STILL MISS YOU THE SAME.

LOVE,

MEL

BLESSED BIRTHDAY

Today is an extra special day.............my beautiful Samayah Rae was born as I type this post at 8:36 a.m.   Here are some photos that we took this morning, she was so excited to wear a new outfit from Forever 21 girls and to have her nails painted green (her favorite color) just like mama.

Also she wore her green party hat to school and her geek glam glasses.....I was so proud of her and her sense of style.   Im feeling especially blessed today to have my little angel with me.

Looking at big sis's camera

Emerald Green Nails

Stretched leg pose...lol

Love you Samayah Rae...Happy 6th Birthday!!

-MJ

SADNESS

NO WORDS CAN DESCRIBE MY SADNESS TODAY

-MJ

GREENER PASTURES AHEAD....NO SERIOUSLY

Well the past few months have been crazy.   After the summer, I started to get alot more work in the vintage prop and wedding area so I decided to close the retail location and focus on that aspect of my business.

Shop is officially closed and just as God has planned, things happen for a reason.   We recently looked into a property and are hoping to close soon.  Im excited as to all it has to offer and the life that my husband and I have been wanting and just looking outside of NJ for it.

I have my faith that it will all work out, but I don't want to share too much about it other than a few pics of the projects waiting for me.    I can't even lie and say that Im not totally excited about having a whole house to redesign...paint chips have been making me dizzy for days. lol

This is the upstairs hallway landing, with the guest bath entrance...im not use to having a space at the top of the steps so this will be interesting.   There is also a closet on the right so obviously I will have to be creative and think thin/slim.   Wall color will go darker and all trim white with a surprise on the doors.

This is half of the deck (say what???..yes and Ive always wanted one of those automatic shade awnings!)   The deck needs sanding and Im thinking of doing it the floor greay and the railings/bench white.   I am not a fan or that rust colored stain on decks. Yuck!    

Check out the size of that yard...yep that farm fence in the background is the property line..it's approx 3 acres of green heaven!

Here is part of the basement....which has already been claimed by Big Daddy which is fine with me because I get a free entry pass.   My huge laundry room is the door on the left and I can't wait to organize that baby up to function for this family of 7. 

 The kiddos on the other hand will get a smaller game room through that door on the right. hahaha     Of course all the paneling will go...I am a 70s baby but I dont want to relive them everyday. 

This is the dining room right off the kitchen....I will be painting walls and trim...not liking the chair rail but it might be something new for me to work with.   Carpeting has got to go, that never made sense to me...carpeting where you eat.   Especially not with my 2 year old and her eating habits..messy girl.  Brass chandelier might be removed for a vintage one I have in my stash.   This one will be painted and go in my tween's room.

This is one section of the kitchen....kinda love the large black fridge.  I have had stainless for the past 10 years and hate all the fingerprints...I had been thinking of doing chalkboard but this comes with the house so Black it is.    Cabinets and walls painted...floors replaced with tile most likely.   The little penisula is so disturbing to me and Im removing it.   But I have learned that it is a really popular kitchen layout threw IG and blogs.   It is even showcased on the Benjamin Moore website...ugh it feels so small to me.  I want an island instead.    This whole wall might come down if I get my way...hmmmm anyone wanna make bets?

Well that's all folks...keep ya posted!

- MJ

YEAR OF EMERALD

Im not feeling well today, but wanted to share a Pinterest board I started.  I was so excited when Pantone announced the 2013 color would be Emerald.

Green is my favorite color (besides black...lol) but Emerald is the best shade of all.   Hope you enjoy and be sure to check back and see some more additions.

EMERALD PINTEREST BOARD

- MJ

WHAT'S GOING ON????????????

Well I've been getting asked that question a lot the past few weeks..................

Not to worry, no horrific news.

After much thought, I decided that I did not have the time needed to dedicate to the shop.   I had gotten some wonderful projects out of the shop.   And in the summer started to get a lot of requests for event work...some banquet work and also some residential makeovers.

This sparked a fire and a trail that I have been waiting to blaze for awhile now.

Wedding and Event Planning was something I have done in the past and Im all about planning parties anytime.   So in order for me to do this the right way and the only way I know how is to go full force.

I closed the shop this week and now working on a warehouse location for my prop collection and other pieces.   The Etsy shop is still going strong and that will remain the same with continued additions.

A new website is in the works that will be host to all social media pages for Lucky 7 Design as well as a designated inventory for other planners, photographers and vintage lovers to choose from for their events or possibly for purchase.

I will also get back to my blog that I loved so much long ago, but have neglected since opening the shop.   I will be sharing new projects, sourcing product and sharing my finds from my favorite companies.

THANKS TO MY FAMILY & FRIENDS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

THANK YOU TO THE ORIGINAL VENDOR TEAM AND TO THOSE YOU CAME ABOARD ALONG THE WAY.....

This is not goodbye it's my "take care.....see ya soon"

- MJ