sadie olive ~ le journal

Some Fun News

Dearest blog friends, I am so excited to tell you all that my home is featured in the March 2008 issue of Romantic Homes! When I found out they were coming to photograph my house, and then which issue it would be in, I couldn't contain my happiness! This is like a dream come true for me. If you all only knew how ordinary my life is sometimes, with a messy house, and me (unshowered half the time) in front of my computer all day....  This is very surreal to me.

I could hardly control myself these last few weeks wanting to shout about it from the rooftops and tell all of you! I haven't even seen the issue yet or the pictures they took, so I am so envious of you east coast ladies who get to see it before me. I was shocked this morning to wake up and already have messages from those of you who have seen it.

I feel so fortune to have this honor. I really do feel I owe it all to you (my blog friends), and most importantly Tara, who submitted the photos of my home to the editor for consideration. Thank you Tara!

(Lol... that reads like an acceptance speech, you would think I won an Oscar or something!) I do apologize if this is coming off as vain or self indulgent, but this is truly the most exciting this that has ever happened to me, and I have to share it with the world!

I promise to add some photos to this post just as soon as I get my issue!

By the way, I am aware that they spelled my name wrong. Jacqueline (the editor) promised to make it up to me.

a new look for 2008

Now that I am designing sites and graphics for other people more and more, my excitement about my own site starts to fade. I like to change things up and keep them interesting every now and then. This newest site overhaul has been the largest project I have tackled yet. So large in fact, that I did not meet my 2008 deadline.

I have been excited about this new look for months, and decided to partially release it, while I still work out the kinks with the "boutique" end of things.

One of the things I love most about the new site, is that I get to update pictures on each of the main pages whenever I want. I love photography and am trying to get better and better at it, so this gives me a place to showcase some of my favorite shots. (A place aside from my blog, that is). I even have pictures of my home on the "about us" page that are fun to change out as I redecorate and change styles. (Teaser....) ....I have a fun little secret that I can't wait to share next month!.... maybe this post will give you a hint.... (.....End teaser). I just love to torture you gals with those teasers! :) 

Anywho, please stop by the shop and drop me a note to tell me what you think of the new look. And if you are feeling like that Christmas money you received is burning a whole in your pocket, you can still shop the boutique from the old site while we are in transition.

Happy New Year!

to my dear friends....

arbre de bijou

I have been an admirer of the jewel adorned Christmas tree for awhile now. I grew up with both my grandmothers having them, as well as my Dad, and all of my in-laws. I always hoped they would make me one, but a few years ago I decided to give it a try myself. I scoured flea markets and junk drawers to find the perfect meaningful jewels, and bought a frame that I thought would go nicely.  I bought some dark green velvet, and a string of lights.....

After a few hours of hot gluing and editing.... this was the final result.....

I just love the way it came out, and have to admit, I feel proud that I made it myself. I thought it would be fun to include pieces that had special meaning to me, so I made sure to look for things that represented the people I love.

My paternal grandmother loves giraffe's so I made sure to include a pin for her... And being a new Duckett, I made sure to throw in a few duck pins....

The broken mirror pieces my mother in law gave me to help with my tree project, so they represent her help and her love.

The turtle near the top is for my maternal grandmother, who adored and collected turtles. (She also had a turtle named speedy when we were young that we loved to feed dandelions to). And the dove at the top of the tree reminds me of my Dad. I thought it was the perfect tree topper.

The tree skirt is a vintage pearl choker I found at the flea market. The tree also has a string of lights poking through that are not turned on for the picture, but I love the way it makes the jewels sparkle at night.

I feel like it's a family heirloom even though it's only a few years old, and that makes it special.   

toot toot

Well I have tried not to talk too much about web design stuff on my blog, because I don't want to bore all you non-techy people....but I just finished up two projects that I just adore and I have to share with you.

The first one was for Alys with Paris Couture Antiques. I designed a template for her to use with Pappa Shop for her new store and also a matching blog. But my favorite part of the project was all the extra graphics we made to make her site extra special. We added headers and custom collages, and Alys added some animation on her own. I just love the way the site came out, and just know it will be a favorite spot of a lot of you online shoppers like myself. Here are a few of the highlights:

   

The second one was for Cara with Le Petit Garage. Cara already had a template she was happy with, she only wanted a few custom graphics to help spruce up her site and give it a new look. She also liked the collage effect I did for Alys, so we used that as inspiration to create something that suited her site and it's fun use of color. Here are a few highlights from that project:

Thanks for allowing me to toot my own horn. It feels good to have projects I am proud of, and I just had to share. Please go check out both girls sites and blogs, they are fun to visit and full of goodies.   

the goose is getting fat

I was trying to think of a clever title for my post and I just keep singing that silly song now... "Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat...please put a penny in the old man's hat. If you haven't got a penny, then a hay-penny will do, if you haven't got a hay-penny then God bless you! God Bless You!" I have no clue if I got the words right, or spelled them wrong, but do I have you singing it now too? :)

Sorry I took so many pictures of this thing... they just happen to be the ones I like the best. I like this one because it shows the vintage Christmas tree I made with some old jewelry glowing in the background. My grandmothers both have one, and my mother in law and Josh's family all have them, so I have been envious for awhile. I finally gave in and made my own two years ago. I didn't get any great shots of it yet, so I'll save that for another post, so I can show you how nice it came out for a non-crafty person like myself to have made it. I made sure to use pieces that have meaning to me, so I just love getting it out each year.

I bought these very large mercury glass ornaments last year, so I strung them up and hung them from a chandelier I have in this corner. I love mercury glass for the holidays.

This sweet little thing I found a few years ago at one of my favorite stores. "Regalo" in San Juan Capistrano. It's a little red reindeer on a rolling sleigh with a pull chain.

I like to put green garland in my chandeliers and while I was up there, I thought it made a pretty picture....

I'm still not bored with my pedestal plates and cloches on my piano, I have them all decked out for Christmas.

I hope you are having as much fun decorating as I am. I can't wait to get my tree and pick up a few new decorations this year! 

c'est tres jolie

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! Josh worked late tonight, and I am home alone and nesting like my dear friend, Tara, so I decided to get out the Christmas decor. I lit a fire, burned a few candles, put on my favorite music (Patty Griffin and Hem) and was feeling inspired. I love the smell of candles burning (gingerbread and cinnamon candy are the two lit right now) and the mood they invoke. I'm not finished with the decorating, but I captured a few shots to share the mood with you.

That chocolate brown blob (lab) in the middle is Hannah trying to participate.  She wasn't much help, as she just wanted to eat my stuffed snowman.

The stockings were hung.....

I adore the cranberry and aqua in this photo.... isn't is beautiful? My tree skirt is this aqua color....

Is lavender Christmas-ie? Well..... it reminds me of France and it's one of the only living plants in my yard... so today it's in my dining room and mingling with the holiday decor. 

I took a few more shots, but maybe I will share those tomorrow. Thanks for peeking in. :)   

 

more flowers

I'm still feeling inspired by the lovely flowers in my home. I mean who wouldn't be?

These cheerful bright red tulips make my dining room look alive again....

These fuchsia peonies look fake they are so flawless.

Even the mini pink roses I bought at Trader Joe's look happy in my front room. 

I never buy myself flowers, I have a terrible tendency to kill all the living plants I receive in a matter of days. I'm sad to say these pretty's have all faded and wilted away (with the exception of the mini pink roses which are still on life support). But they certainly look gorgeous for the day or two I have them healthy.....  Maybe that's why I'm prone to buying botanical prints for my home? I can have the look of flowers without the risk of killing them....

Thanks for the compliments on my photography on my last post! I have always wanted to be great at photography and I feel I am getting a little better with my shots. Speaking of great photography... have you seen this girl's photos on flickr? I am in LOVE with her eye for detail and use of color.   

flower power

Flowers always have the power to make me feel inspired. They make me see my house in a fresh new light, give me design ideas, brighten my room, and all around make me feel cheerful. I love to take pictures when I do get flowers for the house because they never last as long as I want them too, and this way I can remember how they made me feel.

Did it work? Are they making you feel cheerful? 

I'll tell you a few other things that make me feel cheerful.... saying goodnight to my computer, eating rocky road ice cream while relaxing in my hot bath, and watching all my favorite shows tonight with no commercials (thanks to Tivo). Here I come Desperate Housewives and Brothers and Sisters.....

doors are opening.....

Remember a few posts back when I mentioned I had some exciting things happening for me that made me so happy I actually cried? Well I am ready to share some of my excitement with you.

Back in February 2007 when I opened my online shop and started pursuing my dreams... I never imagined the doors it would start opening for me. My shop started with such a humble beginning and only my friends and family really knew how to find it. After I started blogging a month or two later, I was connected to a world of inspiration and friends I never knew existed. I started getting a sale or two a month, and soon my blogging friends were a whole new support system for me. 

The first real "OMG" moment came when I received a lovely little email from Tara Frey. She explained she was going to start a new column in Romantic Homes Magazine and asked if I would allow her to feature my blog. At the time I had just recently discovered Romantic Homes from another blogger and had my very first issue which was filled with french inspiration that was just my style. I just about exploded with excitement and of course jumped at the opportunity. The issue with Tara's article and my mention is out on newsstands now. I don't even have my copy yet, but saw a sneak peek at Dawn's site. To add to my excitement, I am featured with three other blogs which I completely admire and adore. Heather, Kim and Cathy are a big source of inspiration for me and are the nicest people. I couldn't ask for better company.

I of course ran out and subscribed to the magazine after Tara's email, and it has quickly become one of my favorites. I then started advertising in the magazine (my first real attempt at advertising) which led to another "OMG" moment. The editor emailed me to ask if she could feature a product of mine in an upcoming issue with a link back to my store. I of course said yes, and that issue was out last month, featuring our "friendship glasses".  It was the first time I had seen "Sadie Olive" in print, and my goodness did it feel amazing! My little stores popularity had a big boost from the exposure, and I am proud to say it is blossoming into that dream I once was too shy to even tell others about.   

When I was laid off two and a half months ago from my "real job", the panic of how I would pay the bills and the reality of my dreams quite possibly having to be put on hold was devastating. I was so depressed knowing I would have to find a job that would pay the bills instead of staying home like I dreamed of doing to run my shop full time. After months of dead end interviews and hopeless resume posting, the idea came to me to do some "design work" on the side. This has been a blessing in so many ways, as I have had the opportunity to work with some of the people I most admire all while doing something that makes me feel creative and inspired at the same time. It's not paying the bills just yet, but it's fun, it keeps me home, and it brings me joy.

I have had a new door open for me this last month (the day I was brought to tears)... I was contacted by the editor of a new publication by Stampington and Company called "Somerset Life". It seems she was on the hunt for creative minds to assemble a team they call the "Bonnes Vivantes". She explained to me that this was a French term used to describe people who live "the good life", full of creative ideas, optimism, and beautiful surroundings. Or to "live a life with meaning and beauty and authenticity each and every day". I was shocked and amazed to be even considered for this honor. I don't even think my mind had dared to dream that I would be asked to contribute my ideas to a magazine for editorial consideration. It is truly beyond anything I had hoped to achieve when I started this whole venture. I have accepted the honor and hope you will all see some of my ideas in print in the upcoming April 2008 issue of the quarterly magazine. Again I am honored to be in the company of some of the others who have accepted this role, including: Sandra Evertson , Pam Garrison , Lisa Guerin , Amy Hanna , Hanne Matthiessen , Melissa McCobb Hubbell , Lori Oles , Kristen Robinson , Cynthia Shaffer , Analise Sledd and Rebecca Sower.

My mind is soaring with new dreams and new hopes for the future and I owe it in large part to you. Thank you so much for all of your encouragement and support over this last year. It means more to me than I can ever fully express.

Here is a peek at the current (and premiere) issue of Somerset Life: