You are Invited: Sip + Shop at TaggArt Studio

Join me along with some of my fashion-forward friends as we share what’s new and trending in our respective businesses! 

Wednesday, September 16th from 6pm–9pm

TaggArt Studio, 339 Salem Street, Wakefield MA

Light bites and refreshments will be provided.

Raffle to benefit GatheringChangeInc.org

taggartstudio.com

yblacker.myrandf.com

stelladot.com/cindyhanshaw

heidifurlong.cabionline.com

Questions? Contact yblacker@verizon.net

Hope to see you there!

Change

Earlier this month, Gathering Change, Inc., a charity formed four years ago by friends of mine (I serve on the board as Creative Director), was invited to attend the Massachusetts Conference for Women as one of the benefitting charities in their Community Corner.

This was the first year that the Community Corner was present at this all day conference in Boston that attracts some pretty amazing movers and shakers (around 8,000 women – plus some very brave men – attended on December 6th, the 8th year since its inception in 2005).

The theme of the day was “Imagine: Find Your Purpose and Make a Difference.” 

Along with a couple of other charitable organizations presenting volunteer opportunities, we were able to share information with conference attendees who stopped by to visit our table in between scheduled lectures presented throughout the day by an inspiring roster of formidable guest speakers.

Arianna Huffington, Dr. Brene Brown, Deepak Chopra and other thought leaders and social influencers were there to encourage and challenge women to step forward and make their mark on the world. They even had a Bloggers’ Lounge and a number of social media roundtables with notable bloggers like Morra Aarons-Mele, author of “Women and Leadership in the Digital Age” and one of my local design favorites, Erin Gates of Elements of Style whose “I’ve got to be honest” conversational tone on her daily blog completely translated in real life. 

I attended as many of the presentations as I could, while still spending some time in the Community Corner with the founder and President of Gathering Change, Dorothy Goodwin. While listening to the positive messages, moving stories, and words of wisdom from keynote speakers and others, I scribbled notes that I planned to pull together later for a motivational post or article. I did not realize at the time that many of the words I jotted down would speak so clearly to me after the emotional roller coaster that I, like so many of us, have been on since Friday’s tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut.

Below are just my scribbled notes – tidbits really (hopefully I am attributing the right comments to the right speakers). Perhaps some of the messages will speak to you as well. They are in the order that I heard them.  


Charlotte Beers, hailed as the most powerful woman in advertising and current board member at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia: Be leaderly. Step outside your comfort zone. Influence others. Be in charge. Be memorable. Be persuasive. Know yourself and deliver your message with personal clarity.


Marla Capozzi, knowledge management specialist and member of the Massachusetts Counsel for Innovation: We are all connected to each other. Reach out and make changes.


Dr. Brene Brown, research professional and author focusing on shame, vulnerability, worthiness, and courage: Ask for what you need. Most of us are afraid and brave at the same time. Show up and be seen. Dare greatly. A leader will find potential in others. 


Deepak Chopra, M.D., renowned physician and author on topics of mind-body health, spirituality and peace: Our global identity is influenced by technology and connection. Our survival depends on a new identity. We need a wisdom based society that is peaceful, just, and sustainable. A great leader is symbolic of the collective consciousness, an agent for change and transformation. Ask, what kind of world do I want to live in? Be aware, dream, and do. Use social media to harness the power of the collective consciousness to change consciousness.


Arianna Huffington of Huffington Post: How we feel depends on what we focus on. Don’t wait for Washington to solve our problems. Do something. Use communication platforms. We all have the opportunity to reach others. Service and giving back are the zeitgeist – the spirit of our times. Finding meaning in our lives is coming to the forefront right not. It will change the world. (Of note: Arianna’s dedicated Good News section on Huffington Post is designed to provide a sense of optimism by highlighting positive stories that often get overlooked by the media’s traditional approach of report-the-worst-first. She was also quite adamant that we should all get enough rest.) 


Barbara Bradley Baekgaard, co-founder of Vera Bradley: Form happiness committees. Giving to others provides the most joy.


Connie Smith, Creative Expressions Coordinator at the Women’s Lunch Place, Boston: I never realized how powerful art could be. Meditative work and creating art can save lives.


Kristin Chenoweth, singer, actor, author: What is your next purpose? What is your inner voice saying? Listen. How do you want to leave your mark and say “I was here?”

Listen here.

  

Yin and Yang post of the week

The Guest Bath designed by Janet Marena of JTM Interiors

for the Junior League of Boston Show House in Newton, MA

Raise your hand if you would like to end this week with a long soak in the tub? Being surrounded by water can soothe nerves and bring comfort unless of course the water isn’t where it is supposed to be. Living on the East Coast I have been following the updates from those affected by Hurricane Sandy. We were lucky this time. We did not lose power (been there before). A tree did not fall on our roof (been there, too). We never ran out of food (and to be honest I didn’t even stock up partly out of denial and partly due to being tired of being in a state of emergency). My entire family was home on Monday – school was closed and work was put off until another day. We tried to ignore the wind outside our window (not easy) that was causing the tall pine trees surrounding our house to sway back and forth. On Tuesday the sun was out and life was back to normal for us.

I am thankful.

At times like these we are reminded that home equals shelter first and foremost. Clean fresh water, a well-lit path to light our way, a place to store the food that nourishes us, and heat to keep our families warm – these are necessities, not luxuries. Being able to stay connected via email, phone, texting, etc. is also becoming something we rely on day in and day out. We feel less alone when we know others understand what we are going through. Knowing that we can quickly reach out to someone – friend or stranger – when we need help is invaluable.

While celebrating luxury, attention to detail, craftsmanship and creative vision is part of a design bloggers daily musings, I am sure we all respect the fact that we are drawn to interior design magazines and home decor eye candy out of sincere appreciation for the human effort that it takes to make our surroundings be not just comfortable and safe, but beyond our expectations. The art of imagination in the form of decoration is entertaining. When it is applied with layers of meaning based on the stories of those who live there, we are inspired by it. 

I invite you to be inspired by the following:

The Junior League of Boston Show House now through November 18th: a three-story estate filled with the imaginative designs of over 35 interior professionals with rooms dedicated to music, gardening, reading, conversation, game playing, and personal sanctuary. All proceeds will support the mission of the Junior League of Boston. Check out my related post on the Designer Bath blog for more about the historically comforting spa-like bath above.

“About Hunger and Resilience” photography exhibit by Michael Nye
 presented through November 4th at Endicott College, Beverly, MA

On the other end of the inspiration spectrum, I encourage you to attend the Michael Nye photography exhibit, “About Hunger and Resilience” on display now at Endicott College. Sponsored in part by Gathering Change, Inc. the charity that my friend Dorothy Goodwin started around the time of the last Presidential election, it presents the audio stories and arresting photos of thirty individuals who have all experienced hunger, homelessness, or lack of resources. Listening to someone share their personal story of hardship in their own voice is a very intimate and moving experience. Many of these storytellers were affected by events outside of their control. States of emergency so to speak. If you are unable to attend this event, learn more about the inspiration behind the exhibit here and see more photos from opening night of the Endicott exhibit here.

And because it is my bread and butter, I invite you to attend a seminar/panel discussion that I have helped to put together for Designer Bath. Called “From Studs to Stunning: Remodeling Tips from the Pros” it is scheduled for Wednesday, November 7th from 6 to 8pm at the Designer Bath showroom in Beverly. Local design and renovation experts will share their tips on how to plan a bath remodel with confidence.

Did I ever tell you about the day I went to help out on the Habitat for Humanity Builders Blitz and just as I was preparing to leave I noticed that my ancient second floor bath was leaking buckets full of water into our first floor powder room? Fortunately the first floor bath was gutted at the time, but it was very unsettling and slightly ironic. Seriously, I had to laugh. What else could I do? I will be taking notes while sitting in the audience on the 7th. I wish I could enter to win the $20,000 Passport to Design Home Makeover Sweepstakes, but I promise I will be sincerely happy for the lucky winner.

Visit bostonmagazine.com/passport for more details. 

Flash mob for change!

If you were presented with the opportunity to perform in a spontaneous flash mob or hide behind a video camera to record it, which would you choose? Tuesday night, I was standing high up on the Wakefield bandstand as a crowd gathered below me and started to dance to the tune of Katy Perry’s “Firework.” Having missed the two official rehearsals prior to our first ever mob dance, I felt much more comfortable capturing the scene on my camera than performing with what turned out to be quite an enthusiastic group! Today I created a video out of the footage and thankfully my teenage son was home to help me figure out how to do that : )

Note cards featuring the Wakefield common at sunset are available
through Gathering Change. All proceeds are donated to help
support neighbors in need. Photo credit: Roy Goodwin

Gathering Change, Inc., along with performing random flash mob dances, collects spare change to help support local food pantries and social programs. All of our volunteer performers donated their time, and many brought bags full of change to yesterday’s get together. Thank you to everyone who was brave enough to get out there, and thank you to those who support Gathering Change by spreading the word (and liking us on Facebook ; )

A few guest posts

Creating rooms featuring custom
designs from Alluminare.com


• Three degrees of Jeff Lewis
• It’s nice to have choices

Arrange Flowers like a Pro
on Lynnfield Patch.com



Words of gratitude from
Gathering Change, Inc.


This has been a busy week! Please visit the
above posts while I spend some time over the
next few days working on the next issue of
New England Finery Magazine : )


PS Click here to sign up for a FREE subscription of
New England Finery Magazine and you will be notified
by email when the next issue is available online!

Top 3 opportunities to give

Whether you give your time or your dollars, or choose to spread the word, there are so many opportunities to give. Here are my top three choices for this week ...

Event: Bloggers Day of Silence and
Disaster Relief Collection

Where: Click here for list of participating blogs

When: Friday, March 18, 2011
Collection Dates: March 14-31, 2011

Why: All donations will go towards emergency shelter
and life saving supplies to Japan via Shelterbox.

Like Shelterbox

on Facebook

Event: Room to Dream Foundation
Carnival of Dreams

When: Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 7pm

Where: Artists for Humanity,
100 West 2nd Street, Boston, MA

Why: Donations will help provide chronically ill
children with healing environments.


Like Room to Dream
on Facebook

Event: Gathering Change Hunger Awareness
Fundraiser Breakfast

When: Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 9:30am

Where: Thomson Country Club,
North Reading, MA

Why: All donations will support local food pantries
and a percentage will be matched by the
Feinstein Foundation One Million Dollar
Hunger Challenge.


Like Gathering Change, Inc.
on Facebook



Have a great weekend
whatever you do!

xoxo yvonne

Thanksgiving arrangement

My favorite spot to decorate in my home lately is the antique buffet in my foyer. You may have seen it recently in the YouTube video that I was asked to submit for the Design Sherpa “What Inspires You” contest.* This is one area in my home that is not completely surrounded by construction happenings! We are still working on the master bedroom project, which puts the kitchen/first floor powder room/ mudroom project on the back burner until we get the bedrooms/office situation straightened out.

We are getting very close though, and I am by nature incredibly patient, so it is all good. When this always-in-construction-phase is finally complete, it
will become a distant memory, and then I can
decorate to my heart’s content!

For now I am happy to have my vignettes.

Even a small bud vase with a single bloom can
provide a positive moment in a day.

But don’t worry – we do have a temporary kitchen set up in our dining room that is fully equipped with standard appliances and stocked cabinets, there just isn’t space for a stove. Looking on the bright side, without an oven, I will not be expected to do any holiday cooking from now until Christmas ; )

It will be nice to be the guest for the next two holidays instead of the host, and for that I am thankful! And living without a working kitchen seems like a minor inconvenience when there are so many people who are struggling to feed their families, not just during the holidays, but every day. Those are the people I worry about. I think about the people who are out of work or underemployed. I think about the people who experience the holiday not as a day off, but as just one more day without adequate means to provide for one’s family. But that is a post for another day ...

I hope your week is filled with people you cherish,
in comfortable surroundings, enjoying delicious
food, much laughter, fun and relaxation.

xoxo
yvonne


*P.S. To see who won the Design Sherpa “What Inspires You?” contest, click here. While I did not come in first place, I was happy to have been included in the top ten of the 100 “inspired” posts : )

Jewelry for a cause ...

Today I’d like to share with you the reason why I am a JessLC Ambassador. After seeing many design blogs sporting the JessLC ad banner, then reading about the jewelry line and it’s creator, Jess Constable, I found myself following Jess’s blog on a daily basis to see what she was up to next ... I was curious about her upcoming design collections, but I was also hooked on her “this is what is happening in my life right now” authenticity. The way she candidly shares her ups and downs along with the lessons she has learned on her journey as a jewelry designer, business person, and unique individual had me hooked!

Soc Chic The Good Intention Necklace

And the fact that she created a line of jewelry to promote and benefit social causes was just what I was looking for as a fund-raising item for a local charity that I am involved with, Gathering Change, Inc. The logo that I designed for Gathering Change has a heart at its center, and the charity’s mission is to help neighbors who are struggling during these challenging economic times. The Good Intention Necklace that Jess has designed is the perfect match for future fund-raising events, and 10% of the sale of each necklace would be donated directly to Gathering Change. I think it would make a thoughtful gift and be a nice way to give to others at the same time. Below are a few more pieces that I love from different collections that Jess has designed.

Franklin Dream Bigger Braille Necklace

I LOVE this design concept! “Dream Bigger” is actually imprinted in braille on this piece (other pieces include “Breathe” and “Be Present”). How cool to be able to use a necklace as a touchstone!

State Thick Cable and Heart Bracelet

This bracelet is pretty, delicate and strong ...
and it also comes in sterling silver.

Division Chevron Earrings

The chevron is a popular design trend right now.
It always looks stylish and energetic!

Armitage Simple Cable and Link Bracelet

I love how this bracelet combines both
gold and silver. It is a great everyday piece
that would look good on anyone.

Jess started designing and selling jewelry at the age
of 15 (read her story here) and her passion for her product is obvious. Read more about Jess and the inspiration behind her designs by checking out her blog, Makeunder My Life. While you are there, be sure to check up on her friend and guest blogger, Piper Toth, who has taken the leap to create a business of her own, named after her blog One Sydney Road.

If you would like to be a Jess LC Ambassador,
contact Jess at jess@jesslc.com

I love being able to support other creative people
like Jess, who are doing what they love and
are inspiring others to do the same!

xoxo
yvonne

The gift of relaxation ...

A calm and collected Buddha sits peacefully
at the front of the Yoga East studio.
Raise your hand (and take a series of deep, cleansing breaths) if you are in need of a little de-stressing at this point in the holiday craziness. With Christmas just one week away (and I should know since my youngest has been asking me “How many days ’till Christmas?” since about December 1st!) I am starting to feel a little twinge of “I should be closer to being done with my holiday *...* ”

(Insert one of the following: shopping, baking, decorating, organizing of the house in order to find room for new toys, ... )
Inspiring artwork adorns the walls of the Yoga East
studio like this twist portrait by Mary Taggart

Fortunately, I have a close friend, Mary Taggart, who is a yoga instuctor at Yoga East in Reading, MA (and also an art instructor at her own studio in Wakefield.) I visited her in the yoga studio yesterday morning and enjoyed an hour of restorative yoga to stretch the tension out of my body and get my mind back “in the moment.” Although I have to admit, it was a challenge for me to stay focused when the whole time I was doing vinyasas I was thinking about how great the interior of the yoga studio would be as a design post! Starting with the ceiling ...

While on the floor in bridge pose, I noticed how attractive a painted drop ceiling can be. Why keep it white? This one is a warm taupe with a mind-focusing medallion in the center. The black track lighting looked like designer trim from my vantage point.

I thought this statue was particularly beautiful
dressed in the reds and greens of the season.

Thought provoking art and sculpture was everywhere...
a great starting point for the journey into meditation.

A collection of paper cranes hang
from a piece of wood suspended
from the ceiling. I love how
the bright colors contrast with
the earthy brown of the walls.

This delicate mobile looks like a gentle reminder
to stop and take a moment to get centered.

For those of you who are local, the Yoga East store has a lot of great statues, books, cards, yoga props, beautiful gems, inspired pendants, and so much more. Class gift certificates are also available ... just in time for those New Year’s resolutions!

A piece (or two or three) of yoga inspired jewelry would also make a great gift ... even as a reminder to yourself to “keep calm and carry on.” If you aren’t close enough to make the journey to Reading, there is a lot of great yoga-inspired jewelry to be found on the web. Let me know if you have any favorite links of your own. I am in awe of this piece. Om-MG!

It was difficult for me to walk away without purchasing a tasselled set of meditation beads (I am trying to behave and only buy for others). However, I will most likely pick one out after my next class (a good reason to get back to the studio!) Although I could have used one yesterday when I came home from my travels and discovered my internet was down!

Repeat after me ...
Everything is as it should be.

I must confess, I did not react well to being disconnected, as my co-dependency on the computer has become somewhat of an issue around here. Besides using the computer for actual graphic and interior design projects, I truly look forward to sitting down to write/blog about the stories behind good design, and to check out posts by people who have similar interests. It has become my own form of meditative relaxation, emptying my mind of all the visual references that I accumulate in the course of a day (and maybe a little bit of an escape, too ; )

As a wise teacher of mine used to always say,
“Don’t curse the darkness, light a candle.”

After having a virtual tantrum, I locked myself in the laundry room (for a self-imposed time out of sorts) and organized shelf after shelf of the boys jeans/sweatpants/t-shirts, etc. This morning I felt so much better ... my internet was restored, and it was relatively easy for the entire family to find clean clothes (including socks that matched) as we all prepared to start a new day. And I vowed that I would try not to have any meltdowns today (just to be sure, I poured myself a cup of tea instead of having that 3rd cup of makes-me-jittery-coffee).

Another great gift idea: Have a photo of yourself in a favorite yoga pose turned into a fine art portrait. E-mail Mary at mctpaint@yahoo.com for more information.

I guess that’s why I appreciate the philosophy behind yoga. It’s all about accepting yourself and your body in the given moment. Not looking at the past or worrying about the future. Not to mention, a downward-facing dog can do wonders to relieve the stress of a bad day!

An inspiration board at TaggArt Studio in Wakefield

For another great way to unwind, visit Mary online at TaggArtStudio.com for a schedule of her upcoming adult art classes for 2010 (children, too). I am helping her out with the design of her new website, and expect to have it updated soon. For information on attending her yoga classes, visit the Yoga East website.





And for a little self-guided meditation, take home this Buddha-in-a-Box by Marianne Snow. It will be available (along with other inspired art and collage pieces) this Friday through Sunday at the final pre-holiday weekend at the Beth Hylan Design Studio.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to those who have made it to Reading to visit my corner in the design studio (and to those who have been there in spirit). It has been a creative journey of my own, helping Beth out with her new venture.


Namaste,
Yvonne


Public Service Announcement

To order holiday greeting cards, In Honor Of cards, and
In Memory Of cards, visit www.gatheringchangeinc.org