How to stay motivated (Part 1)

With the new year around the corner, its only normal to have a list of crazy NYRs (New Year Resolutions). The christmas holiday is always a good time to meet up with friends and families, throw or attend several parties, and reflect upon the past year. There's something about the end of the year that prompts us like clockwork to question "What have I achieved this year?" Most times the answer is 'nothing' and other times it's 'barely anything'. For those lucky few who can say 'everything', I salute you and I aspire to be you when I grow up. I find that the reason that most of us barely get anything done is due to lack of a certain ingredient motivation.

The key to getting from 'nothing' to 'everything' with NYRs is to keep yourself motivated. Being motivated is easy. However staying motivated is another case all together. So with a little research and study on motivation 'the how to get it and how to keep it', I’ve learned that there is no guarantee that one tip works for everyone. Be that as it may, I have compiled a little list to help us out this coming year, so do yourself a favour and jot this down.

Step #1: Make a list

A list = focus. Now I'm no scientist, but it's as simple as that. Lists allow you to focus and reduce distractions in order for you to organise the tasks ahead of you. They allow you to visualise the bigger picture, the details and the priority. A good list can keep you going when you lack motivation. Striving to cross off a list can certainly keep you motivated through the year. I find that the best lists are not those that are written and shoved in a deep dark corner of your desk, but those that are in full display, hung or pinned up on the wall as a constant reminder of what your are working towards. You need to see your goals each morning for fresh motivation.

Step #2: Eat the biggest frog

Now before you gag, hear me out. This is one of the best pieces of advice you will ever have if you are a procrastinator like myself. Its from the author of 'Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time' by Brian Tracy. Below is an excerpt. 

An old saying is that "If the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you can go through the day with the satisfaction of knowing that that is probably the worst thing that is going to happen to you all day long!" Your "FROG" is the one you are most likely to procrastinate on if you don't do something about it now! It is also the one task that can have the greatest positive impact on your life and results at the moment.

Step #3: Step and Track

Once you have your list written and prioritised according to the biggest and most difficult task, to the smaller and easiest task, it is time to take action. Though most Goals may not be achieved in one foul swoop or even in a day, it is important that each day begins with a step toward the right direction. Think about your tasks/goals and review them daily. Everyday take a step towards your goal. I guarantee that your steps will lead to your accomplishing of those goals in a shorter amount of time than if you left them for later. If you're waiting for the 'perfect time', that time may never come. The time is now and today. Once you start moving and keeping track each day, it would be difficult to lose motivation.

Once you start moving, keep moving! Don't stop. This decision, this discipline alone, can make you one of the most productive and successful people of your generation! - Brian Tracy

There's so much about keeping yourself motivated through the year. Keep an eye out for 'How to stay motivated' parts 2 and 3. Remember, the first step is usually the hardest, however, go on, go out there and do it anyway! Happy New Year!

Christina

RESET

Dear readers and subscribers,

 It's been over a year since I have posted a single thing on my page and for that I apologise. I, like most people went ahead and got a job in an architecture firm and forgot that I had a life outside work... oops... I forgot all about why I loved writing and all the things that make me smile about art and design. Very often as artists or creative minds, we are stuck in the ruts of life. All the while knowing that we are not meant to fit neatly in a box, or be a perfect cog among other cogs. And at this particular moment in time, I feel like a cog in a machine and I want to reset. Or rather I need to reset. I refuse to cry over spilt milk and instead push myself to remember just why I do what I do and why I love it. I choose to be positive, patient and persistent in the pursuit of great design. So, this serves as a reminder to those creative minds out there, who love what they do but sometimes get lost in the machine that is life. It's time to press RESET. Start over, not for the spirit of 'New Year' where most resolutions are made; but sincerely for yourself. 

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:13

Maya Angelou quote

Finally, a quote from my heroine Dr. Maya Angelou that I shall never forget, and that you should remember: "You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated."  


Sincerely,

Christina.

The ABCs!!

The ABCs of Interiors... learn your way through to an amazing interior! Class is in session!

Christina.

Image my own

CREATIVE ENTHUSIASTS IN KENYA

To all the creative folk in Kenya looking to boost their portfolios:

xx christina xx

NEW MOOD.BOARD RETRO

RETRO 

I did the post on RETRO decor a while back and realized that I hadn't done a mood.board for it. So, here it is finally. Enjoy.

xx christina xx

Air of Romance

With each new year we all make resolutions that we swear to see through. There's always that thing we want to do or that thing we want to get or something we want to change. We make promises to eat healthier, sign up for that gym membership, quit smoking, get our lives organised...the list is endless. This year I realized that life needs, well, more life! More laughter, inspiration, spontaneity, purity, sensuality and last but not least more romance. 

Romance I fear has been somewhat lost to our generation, only to be found in books that hardly anyone reads. Furthermore, romance has become associated to many teenagers' delight with fictional characters in Vampire movies and series. Anyway, that's besides the point. Whatever your idea of romance is, pursue it... Consequently, In my pursuit, I have compiled some images of inspiration of the 'air of romance'.

romantic style bedroom in soft cream

The key to a romantic setting is light. Soft light seeping through light and sheer curtains that billow in the slight breeze.

gold gilded dining room

The second key to romance is in the details and embellishments. Hand-carved, hand-painted, hand-stitched and hand-drawn artifacts give the impression of time and care put into them. Additionally, they imply that each one of them is unique to its owner, its time and place. 

embellished bedroom

Sometimes romance is simplistic.

white and silver bedroom

Other times elaborate. 

fairy tale inspired cradle by Giusti Portos

Romantic bathroom designed by Servio Firmino

Other times mysterious.

romantic canopy bed

Sometimes innocent and playful.

countryside romance

softly draped yellow curtains

There's so much more to romance than we can possibly imagine or put together. Our idea of it varies from one person to the other. I hope however that we all seek it... after all, what harm could come of it? Thus with these few words I bid you all good wishes for the new year and a year full of romance.

Disclaimer: I do not own these images and I have not referenced some because I collected them a while back. I have referenced those I could. 

QUOTE OF THE DAY 15.09.11

"A design isn't finished until somebody's using it."

                                            

                                                                                    Brenda Laurel

TREND: GREEN

Modern Green Living Room Sofa

Green has never been my favourite colour. I've tried to love it and have failed on many occasions. I don't particularly like it on clothing, nail varnish , accessories but somehow I like it in interiors. Therefore I am learning to embrace green and the more I do, the more flexible I feel towards it. And it helps to have inspiration in order to embrace a colour you don't particularly like but works on so many levels. So, welcome to my discovery of green...

 

Green dining room

"Green is a colour that symbolises nature, regeneration and vitality. Green has become the symbol for environmentalism. It is the colour of nature so with our growing awareness surrounding sustainability, colour inspired by our natural environment soothes our minds.

Green brings nature indoors creating a botanical setting filled with tranquillity. In the home, green is perfect for refreshing and revitalising a room. This colour works particularly well where serenity is desired like within bedrooms, bathrooms and living rooms.

For a delicate effect, start with soft olive tones which can create understated living rooms. Calming jades are perfect for bathrooms offering a relaxing environment for you to unwind. Vibrant limes will add some energy to your room and look particularly contemporary when combined with cool neutrals like grey.

                                                                                                                                              

Muted greens inspired by aloe, cactus and herbs offer subtle shades which can be combined beautifully. Calm greens like Watercolour Green and Overtly Olive demonstrate this soft effect and work particularly well in open plan spaces where the garden enhances the soothing colours."

                                                                                                                                          - Dulux

green colour scheme bedroom

Pale green bedroom

 

green floral decor

I think the reason I didn't like green was because I had a particular green in mind that I was totally against but looking at natural shades of green in leaves, in stones and in fruits helped me to discover shades that were much suited to my liking. This helped me broaden my colour scheme.

If you're used to picking the same colours or are a little bit afraid of change, my suggestion is to browse around for inspiration a little bit more than your norm. Trying new things could open you up to amazing possibilities. I can now say that I'm starting to embrace green, I'm giving it a little smooch and I'm deliciously interested in making the most of it.

xx christina xx

Voilà...le rose petals

DIY floral table lamp shades

I really like these floral lampshades...they were made by Brianne from 'The Jones Family Adventure'. They have a full tutorial on how to make the same lamp. I think it's absolutely adorable especially in the pale pink.

xx christina xx

TREND: NEUTRAL

 neutral colour scheme living room

There's something very calm and serene about neutral schemes in a home. They create a classic and ageless style. They often give off a clean, natural and airy feel to a space. Varying hues, tones and textures makes it easy to increase or decrease the warmth of a neutral palette.

It's much more than beige walls and pale white furniture. Its really about natural and subtle tones working together to form an overall image. All one has to do is look at nature for inspiration to get up to date with the neutral trend.

Neutral living room  

"Our growing concern for the environment and its woodlands is reflected in this palette with colours which are reminiscent of cut timber, bark and cork- warm, gentle shades that are easy to live with and relaxing. 

Clay and earth tones express both the natural environment and the natural materials of sustainable craft work for communities across different cultures.

 

Pales and soft off-whites create feelings of light, warmth and serenity but with character. This array of off-whites and greys can be used together to create a layered look that will add depth, dimension and interest.

  

Understated greys allow for maximum combination possibilities with a wide variety of tones from other palettes- try with mustard yellows, corals or teals for a high fashion look.

Deeper shades like clay and slate grey are architectural colours that put over a mood of contemporary chic. They offset warmer and brighter shades beautifully and give depth and definition to pale warm neutrals. "

                                                                                                                                        - Dulux

classic 60's art deco, neutral colour scheme living room

I came across this chart of earth tones and thought this is the direction for a neutral colour scheme. Very subtle hues and very serene colours. 

Earth tones

 If you're looking for neutral, find inspiration from nature and layer all these qualities together for a fresh, light and serene space. So don't think boring, think classic and don't think beige either, think timeless. Go for it.

xx christina xx

QUOTE OF THE DAY 10.09.11

"The only important thing about 

design is how it relates to people."

                                                                                 Victor Papanek

S.C.U.L.P.T.U.R.E

         

abstract, african and sport sculptures

Sculptures are to homes as accessories are to outfits; very necessary. These home accents can adorn your home and give it character and style. Decorative busts and wooden sculpture accents can blend in perfectly with both traditional and modern home furniture. Poly-stone and resin sculptures provide great options for both indoor and outdoor decor.

eclectic mix sculptures

Don't be afraid to mix and match styles,materials, shapes and sizes. What I really like about the image above is the eclectic feel it gives. Modern meets traditional. For those who have no clue what style they would like in sculpture,  mixing the styles could help you compare and contrast what suits you better. I think it would be absolutely stunning to have that roman bust on a pedestal in a foyer. The gold lamp sconce would be a great bold statement but the leopard print chair sculpture could be an acquired taste to design 'newbies'.

figure sculpture on pedestal

 

table sculptures

 

Urn sculpture

 Here are some outdoor sculpture ideas. Figure statues often give an air of romance and fantasy to a garden. They compliment traditional gardens and the more they age, the more beautiful they become. For those looking for a better fit for their modern garden, abstract stone or metallic sculptures would create the perfect accent.

 slave girl sculpture, lady in garden, fairy sculpture

abstract garden sculpture

I would recommend looking at the 'Art Gallery Buy Sculpture'. It's a site that makes it easy to visualise the sculptures in the space. So if your looking for an accesory to match your fabulous home, look no further. There are sculptures of all shapes, sizes, colours and materials. Bring the romance and fantasy to both your indoor and outdoor spaces with one or more stunning pieces. Happy shopping everybody!

xx christina xx