LINTELS + LALLIES BLOG

Awhile ago I mentioned a deeply personal gift I got my hubby for our anniversary.  With Valentine's Day around the corner, I thought I'd share this unique gift with you. Below is an abstract canvas by "Voice Art Gallery".   Just like thumbprints, each of us has our own unique voice and when viewed in sound waves no two are alike. Voice Art Gallery has put this into a beautiful work of art.  You can record and upload anything...a baby's first heartbeat,  sing a song, read a poem, you name it!  You can even customize the size, color & frame. So how do you read it?  Each print comes with a certificate/link you can even get a QR code that your iPhone can scan and it will play your recording! Sorry folks, I'll never share what my message was, but you can see it framed below! To learn more, make your own or visit the friendly staff at: http://www.voiceartgallery.com

So, today I’m going to share with you a little secret…a delightful site I stumbled upon during one of my random Google searches… It is called The Grommet .   The site is a big platform that features unique items made by real folks – many products even have fun videos that build a natural connection between the consumer and the product innovator.   It’s such a friendly way to shop!   With that connection, you feel like you are making a small difference to help support someone’s creativity and dream. I spent a little too much time on this site, (is there such a thing?!) but I’m proud to say that I also got a huge portion of my Christmas shopping done in August-whoo-hoo! The Grommet , brings amazing products from all over to your fingertips.   There is something for everybody.   The videos make it like a friendly ‘Shark Tank’ buying experience. (One of my favorite TV shows by-the-way). Here’s a little video about who they are& be sure to check out...

  BELOW IS A WALK-THROUGH OF MY SON'S FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY -WILLY WONKA THEME- 

Sometimes I think when you are a *creative* person, you tend to lack in certain organizational and maintenance skills. For me I’m kinda a messy person. Ok, ok, I’m a *really* messy person. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy cleaning…but have to be in the mood for it…which let’s face it, doesn’t happen very often, and so cleaning becomes procrastination. (Am I procrastinating by writing this blog? Whoops!) At my *Faithful Fitness*class today, we played a little game to help us get to know each other better. So, when those of us with “dirty dishes” in our sink had to get up and move…I learned that maybe I’m not alone…but then I was impressed by those who had managed to clean either the night before or first thing in that morning. For years I told my husband that "if I were a good housekeeper too, then I’d be perfect, and that’s just not achievable, I mean we all have to have a flaw right?" (smile)…but after 15 years, the cuteness and charm of that comment has worn off. It’s ...

As we should, women take pride in their home. And who knows how to decorate it better than you right?! Exactly . (you can relax & breathe - we agree - {smiles})  I think the biggest misconception about designers is that we come in and push *our* vision in *your* space…while that may be true of some, it simply is not the case for us. We *get it*. It is not an “all or nothing” thing for us. We help you with as much or *as little* design as YOU want. We value what you, the homeowner, have learned through watching your favorite design shows, reading magazines, and viewed online, you may even have a natural eye for design! But let’s face it….have there been times you feel like a room doesn’t have a *finished look*? You’ve probably struggled with finding the perfect paint color. These factors have nothing to do with you personally being bad at decorating your home…it just means that, maybe you can use a *little* help in certain areas.  And there is nothi...

Ah, the holidays! The warm glow of the Christmas tree lights up your evening. Festive, shiny decorations fill every surface of your home. Then, you face the dreaded tear-down process... There is a little sadness to putting it all away, but what I think many people neglect to think about is that there are still great ways to *decorate* through the winter months. With many years decorating showrooms and window displays, I’ve learned a few tricks to help *ease* out of the holiday season. Check them out below: 1.Glitz. Silver & Gold. This is a great color scheme to carry you through the New Year & the remainder of a wintery January. So bring out (or leave out) the crystal, silver bowls, etc. 2.Keep the red. No, sorry, the Santas need to go…but look at your decorations, and find items that don’t scream *Christmas* & repurpose them. For example, maybe you have red roses, red lanterns, candles, candle-holders, tray/bowls etc. Red is a very warm color. So, visually...