Do you ever...
* Have to try on any new purchase once you get it home and rummage through your closet to see what else it goes with??
* Make up lyrics to songs? Or make up your own songs?
* Really look forward to Sundays? Tasty pastry in hand, that extra cup of coffee (or tea, in my case)... paper... PJ's... no set schedule...
* Stay up way too late reading a great book you just can't put down?
* Sing at the top of your lungs when you are alone in the car? (Or sing at the top of your lungs when you aren't alone in the car!?!?)
* Pretend to be on American Idol when you are the shower? You know, planning out what song you would audition with... what your answer would be to the question "why are you here"...?
* Keep tearsheets from your favorite magazines in a file to inspire you?
* Plan a stay-at-home date? Complete with cocktails, fabulous music, dim lights, and cooking...
* Take a mini weekend vacation? Whether at home with no agenda (other than to spend the weekend with your loved one)... or at a bed and breakfast where you can get away and relax...
* Light a candle (or many) during the work week when you get home?
* Have NO TV nights... where you make conversation the program of the evening?
* Get dolled-up... for no reason at all?
* Ask your grandparents or parents the story of how they met and fell in love?
* Ask yourself what goals you want to accomplish in the next 5 years... and then figure out how to get there?
* Take a good long walk by yourself with nothing but your thoughts?
Labels: Do you ever...
posted by Tracy Porter Blog
63 Comments:
The moment you mentioned staying up too late to finish reading a book, I laughed...it's one of my biggest problems!
And tearsheets...I have binders full of inspirational ideas. Every so often I go through them and get rid of those things that just don't appeal to me anymore. Wish I had a bigger house so I could use more of the ideas! LOL!
Yes, yes, and yes to: long walks by self; staying up way too late to read. I tear out half my magazines and file away. I dream of my goals often. Books & mags: a BIG deal for me.
I happen to be a shelter magazine junkie. Now I have added Tracy's catalog to that list. Can't get enough! You need to do another book. I so loved Inspired Gatherings! I have all your books.
Yep! I'm with ya ladies....magazine junkie all the way here! CC
i love this list you've made. i felt i could relate to each of them in some way or another. tearsheets are something i've kept since i was a teenager. anything from color combonations to rooms that invite you in (even on a magazine page.) thanks for your inspiration. i love looking at your site and your blog! best wishes!
-karah
Resource alert all: Barnes & Noble has a REALLY pretty accordian folder to hold our tearsheets!!! It's sage green & cream scrolls: lovely....
Oooh, ooh, ooh, I'm bringing my daugher to B & N later today. I'll have to check it out. Thanks for sharing!
We'll all have Tracy's bedside decorating. I just bought a huge basket from Target. They had no accordian folders. Thanks for the tip Virginia.
you'll find that you end up using those accordion folders all over your house....for your gardening ideas, one for travel one for family stuff...etc.I find they really work well. Anna Griffin (sp) does do some gorgeous ones as well...i think they also sell those at B&N.
xo
I too am a magazine junkie. I thought I was the only one. Now I feel so "normal". I rip out decorating ideas and paste them in a scrapbook. It is like my own book of beautiful things. I also file them in an accordian file with labels: beauty, decorating, gardening, health, and travel. I also write down ideas and goals in a journal. I hate to throw away good ideas. Tracy is right, the Anna Griffing, scrapbooking and paper items are so beautiful. So am I obsessive or are creative people wired differently? Always looking for inspiration. Do any of you have a subscription to Victoria? It went away for a few years and is back. It is so beautiful.
Tracy, you're right....I have several of those jazzy little accordian folders....to date, one holds recipes, one holds favorite scripture passages and inspirational quotes, and the last of I bought (yesterday....thanks for the tip Virginia! :))holds my magazine tear sheets. Love 'em!
Ladies~ I've googled Anna Griffin but her web site doesn't sale products. Do y'all know of a web site that sells her goodies?
IM, I too love Victoria magazine. It's the type read you sit and linger over. Always beautiful photography. Girls, get this one if you don't have it!
CC-I'll see YOU in 2 hours for lunch!!! Don't know of a site that sells Anna Griffin; only retail outlets...BUT a place close to you does: Avalon Pharmacy. :)
I wish I was meeting you two for lunch. Have so much fun.
IM, where are you? Could it be N.C. by chance? I am so jealous of their lunch meeting. How fun!
Artist- I am in freezing Minnesota. Luckily it won't take me too long to drive to Tracy's sister's stores this summer. I am so excited. I love to scout out new places. My husband and I love shopping and eating. I bet it is beautiful in NC.
IM, It is beautiful today, I didn't even wear a coat. Just came back from doing a little junking. I found some beautiful old turqoise bottles that were charming. I bought them for my guest bath downstairs. I am waiting to hear from CC and Virginia. How great that they could meet. You are certainly lucky to be able to visit Tracy's.
artist, I love any color between blue and green...turquoise bottles sound like a find. I had to wear a northface coat, scarf, and uggs to keep warm today. In Califoria uggs are "out" but in the midwest we have different fashion rules: survival.
IM, I am TOTALLY JEALOUS that you are so close and that you will be able to actually go visit Robyn's store. LUCKY!!!!
Tracy, how can we post pictures on your site. I think it would be fun to share pictures with each other sometimes. Whatdaya think???
IM, My daughter lives in Boone, NC which is in the Appalachian mountains. Skii country. I know all about cold survival. I've purchased many a Northface and snow boots for her. You do have the advantage of visiting Tracy and Robyn's stores. We'll be jealous of you then!
Im - your love of colors I recall from another post. You and Artist were helping me with my living room color. Still haven't investigated. That bright, bold green seems to clash with an amber. I'll work on it and let all you "artists" know my decision. So envious you, Im, will get to visit them this summer. I'll get there somdeay!
Aggghhhhh, I can't keep up with you gals.
Artist & IM- I am obsessed with all things turquoise. Chartreuse some, but mostly turquoise. It makes my heart sing. I stole a bunch of those great seltzer bottles from my grandmother and have them all over my house.
Victoria magazine is the best, you're right! I don't have a subscription, but me and my bus. partner have a magazine addiction and we are constantly going to our bookstore to get the latest mag's. That one is full of inspiration.
However, I have such a hard time tearing out my sheets. I feel as if I am messing up my magazine. So I dog-ear them and just have stacks and stacks of old magazines. I love the idea of the accordion file, but I have to work up to tearing out my sheets. HELP!
Melissa, I am so addicted to magazines that I gave up my subscriptions because they came later than the grocery had them. I would be waiting in checkout and be steaming that I didn't have that latest issue. I want them hot off the press!!!! My new old bottles look great in the bath. I got lucky, these colors look milky like seaglass. They are old medicine bottles. I too love turqoise and chartruese. My kitchen is Tiffany box blue, and the den off of it is in that same blue with the chartruese. Color is so important to me. It's the most bang for the buck! Can't wait to see Tracy's red doors.
virginia I still don't have the latest catalogue so I don't know the exact shade of green that you are talking about. I had to order another catalogue and it hasn't came yet. I hate hearing all of you talk about it and I have no idea. When I get the catalogue I will sure analyze it and think about the right shade to go in your family room.
All of you it is so weird that you love turqoise and green. My grandma decorated with those colors and I have been obsessed with them most of my adult decorating life. It used to be harder to find aqua, robins egg blue or turquoise and the hunt was so fun. I feel like such kindred spirits.
Melissa, I cut out all of my favorite decorating ideas and paste them in a scrapbook so it is like a magazine with only my favorite pictures. I love looking at what has interested me over the years. A lot of it is the same and some is different.
Artist, Your house sounds divine. My kitchen is green with red and turquoise accessories, my bedroom and master bath are painted restoration hardware blue sage and my accent colors are green and raspberry. My dining and living room have tan walls with blue, green, and red accessories and Ralph Lauren paisley curtains. I love color. No rules for me. My grandma collected glass ocean balls in all shades of blue and green and she gave them to me and my sister and those are my inspiration. No ocean close to me but I love the colors.
Oooooohhhh, how I love all of the talk about color. Y'all are making me want to paint something! Tee hee hee
Oh, Im....your house sounds wonderful!!!! I never got my catalog either thru regular mail. When I got my wooden cocktail ring, one was in that package. I just re-ordered a catalog this week. Hopefully for the next one, I'll be in the data base. I thought it was just my location; but aren't you IN TP's state? Bizarre.
* With all the talk of color, I really want to paint that room now. Artist & IM - I found my file. The color in my kitchen is Sherwin Wms. Rye Grass, just fyi. And then in that l.r., the sofa is barn red, I have a weathered, comfy chocolate brown leather chair & ottoman and accents of amber and green...
IM, I find the prettiest sea glass when I go shelling ( do that alot here). The colors are always beautiful. Sounds like you love color too.
CC, stop thinking about painting and order the curtains.I think they will give you the color you need.
Virginia, you have a way with words. I love it when you blog
I must go now. I am making Tracy's cupcakes tonight. That recipe has 6 sticks of butter!!!!!!! No wonder they are good.
Virginia, I get so caught up in your words, they always make me lol.I forgot your paint question. Give it to us one more time. There isn't anything we can't handle.
Mary, Are you still with us?
IM: do you have Tracy's "Cultured Turquoise" mirror on your wish list? OMG! It looks delish! And, Artist - it would probably need a home in NC too. :)
It's funny. My husband and I got our first house 4 years ago. I thought I had to follow all these decorating rules, so I did. Except, I was never content, I didn't feel it. Now, I have trashed all the rules. If I like it, I do it. I am scared I am going over-board with all the painted furniture and painted pictures frames. Since it's what I do every day, and we have a studio full of paints, it's all in my house. I might need to slow down a bit.
IM, LOVE the idea about putting your pics in a scrapbook. How creative!
Y'all would be proud. I ventured out of my comfort zone and looked for cute notebooks and/or accordian files for all my magazine savings. I had a few in my hand and walked around for a bit (try an hour) then put them back. I was so close:) hehe!
IM, If you buy as many magazines as I do you couldn't possibly save them all. Filing is the only way to go. Then if you are looking for a mirror (for instance) you can go right to your favorite mirror file instead of rehunting all the mags. Do it. It's freedom!
Melissa, You have to convert to those accordian files. Then you have to get a big honkin' basket by your bed. At the end of our day, we can think of one another as we browse and tear into our magazines and sink into novels. :) Ta, ta...
Virginia, I just happen to have a sherwin williams color paint book for my staging/decorating business. I have the color SW camelback in my house it is a golden tan and I think it would look great with ryegrass. Or you could go more yellow with restrained gold. You sound like you have such great taste and I'm sure you have it all figured out but it is sooo much fun to talk about.
That turquoise mirror is so beautiful isn't it? still no catalog in the mail today. I am in minnesota and this is the first time i haven't gotten the catalog. oh well i'll live vicariously through you.
Melissa, I have to jump on the band wagon...just buy yourself one folder. Try it you will see how much you like it and it's pretty sitting out. Then, you will be hooked and ask yourself, "Why didn't I do this sooner."
Just curious...what's holding you back? They are a bit more expensive but they are so well worth the extra moo-lah. You can even consider it an "accessory" if you need to justify!!!
I think my magazine filing previous post was meant for Melissa not IM. Melissa is the saver of all mags, IM is the scrapbook keeper. Right? Our family is growing so, I'm trying to keep up. Love having you all!
Im - thanks so much for your suggestions. I discovered you can get on their (Sherwin Wms.) site and look at all the colors. And, actually "paint" a room. I'm going to do that with your color suggestions. Merci. Ta-ta...
Im...I'm sorry if I am repeating a question that has already been asked...but, can you please tell me a little about what you do? It sounds like something I would be interested in...decorating/staging. WOW! Are you a house stager??? That would be a cool job in my opinion!!!
IM, Order something and you will get a catalog. That's how I got my 2nd one. I love having one in the bedroom and one in the LR. It's my favorite viewing. Tracy's girls deserve an OSCAR!!!
haha!
I think the part about tearing a page out of such a put together magazine is what is hard for me. You see, I love my magazines. It's like I am damaging them. But then they just sit in a big pile, and it's too overwhelming, and I don't remember what I marked and which one it is in.
But I think you all have finally convinced me. I'm gonna do it. Tomorrow I will go to my favorite bookstore, they have some beautiful stuff, so I know I will find one there.
I will be thinking of you all as I am ripping!!! Ahhhhhhh:)
IM - it's so cool to me...We use those same colors all the time when picking colors for our builders. This is just way to fun hanging out with you ladies, we all have so much in common.
See Tracy, I am growing as a person because of your blog. Thank you:)
Melissa, Do I hear you ripping pages out yet? Now get a big honkin basket and put it beside your bed! You will feel so TRACY!
Melissa, I know this is probably going to sound "scary" to you...but, bend your magazines waaayyyyy back when you get ready to save your pages (I'm trying to avoid the word "rip" -- that sounds so harsh)...the pages ususally either fall out or tear out with a nice, clean edge. (If not, I usually tidy them up by neatly cutting the edges)
cc, yep i am a stager-i help people get their house ready to sell. Most of the time they need paint, light fixtures, and to declutter. I have a partner and we do a lot of consultations and sometimes people hire us to do the shopping, and arrange furniture. We also do design work but have really found our niche with staging. It IS a fun job. My husband is a realtor so it helps with getting our foot in the door.
Melissa, don't you find that you have your favorite colors and use them over and over? That's what we do. We help people neutralize their macdonalds yellow or vikings purple but still have warmth and drama.
I keep most magazines ( sick I know) we keep them in the studio for references, but I still tear out so much. I will confess that I don't like to read previously torn mags. So we now get a few issues of some so that others in the studio don't get my leftovers. I just have an addiction to ripping though...once you start the folders....you'll never stop! Sort of like tearing recipes....you'll end up with files for everything....and then when you need ideas you will have this fabuloud DREAM FILE!! My garden dream file is one of my very favorites.....so much I would LOVE to do.....Sarah and I always say...oh, all the gardening stuff should just be free....you know, trees, plants shrubs, streams.....I might get a bit hoggy then, if it were!
Tracy, when I'm not at my easel or on this blog (lately) I am in my garden. Luckily we have many more months of good gardening than you do. Right now the camilias are still blooming, the forsythia has started, all the bulbs are up and in another few weeks the azaleas will be in full force. At last, it's spring!
ohhhhh, how amazing!!! Just to smell something like that would be amazing...to smell anything...you know when it's cold here there really is no smell. That sounds just lovely......thank you for sharing....keep us posted on what is coming up in your garden, I love to hear, and dream!
Okay, so I didn't have the time to shop for an accordion file today, too busy painting endless cabinet doors. But I promise, I am commited to finding one. I am just very particular about how things look, it may take a while to find the "one."
However, I have begun the "ripping" process, thanks to the wonderful guidance of Ms. CC. Thanks for walking me through it, you made it so much easier.
I feel like a new woman! Thanks gals!
Artist, I wish I could fly you over to my house. My yard is so barren, but I yearn for something plush and full of wonderful trees and flowers and azaleas!
My dream would be to have a back yard with a river running through it with the Tracy Porter bridge!
Tracy, Thanks for reminding me of the sense of smell. I never thought of you guys in the cold not smelling the wonderful things of the earth. It is a blessings and I shall not take it for granted anymore.
Melissa, I am so proud of you for ripping those pages. Soon you will love your folder even more than you did those magazines.
Do you ever???? Use sugar cubes in place of loose sugar when serving coffee or tea? It's a lovely touch and a surprise to most. Try it! Ta-ta...
Virginia, how very charming of you!I know the cubes are beautiful piled into a charming dish. I will remember this.
Melissa-ditto about that bridge. And water. Aaaahhhh, water. Just to be able to see it, be close to it, like Artist! THAT is something that soothes my soul...
Virginia, I love those little things in life that make everyday special. Tea, french soap, flowers, photographs, grandmas jewelry, dogs,cats,candles,books, sugar cubes...your right, lovely.
Melissa....glad I could be support as you gently put those pages into a new home. :)
Hugs!
Virginia, the water is very soothing to the soul and a constant reminder that the universe is full of blessings. We just need to stop and pay attention. Last night we had rain and so the waves are angry today. Of course, that means great shelling this weekend. Gifts from the Sea! Has anyone read Anne Morrow Lindberg's book by that name? Wonderful!!!
Tracy, Tell me about the perfume bottle in the picture above. I want it! So romantic! Is it from your line of goodies or will it be?
"Gifts from The Sea" is fabulous!!!! Such depth...
* Again, Artist, we have the same book on our shelf. (Virginia)
Virginia, great minds think alike!!!!!
Gals- I was re-reading the "Do you ever" list and was wondering what would be on your list(s) of things that you treasure? For example, for me it would be: my great Aunt Edda's china cabinet that I begged my mother for (could I carry it out by myself in a fire:), the first Christmas ornament by son ever made (at the age of 2), my grandmother's "M" necklace that I inherited, my daughter's "itty bitty prom (she's 2)" dress I painstakingly hand applied 500 Swarovski crystals to - it was worth it for her 1st date with her daddy.
I would LOVE to hear what is on your lists...
Stephanie, There are so many keepsakes that I treasure, I would need a u-haul in case of fire!!!!Among them is the portrait I painted of them at age 6 and 10, it hangs over my LR sofa now. BUT..... The most wonderful NEW treasure I have are my 2 children's college diplomas!! How wonderful that they have finished. I am a proud mother.
Artist, I asked this before but how would I get to exchange photos with you,cc, virginia, and all?
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