NaNoWriMo

NaNoWriMo sounds like the babbling of a toddler but it actually stands for National November Writing Month. And yesterday I said I was thinking about joining in...

Well, I signed up. 

A few questions that I'm trying to resolve as October winds down:

1. Is the story going to be in first-person or third-person narration? 

For the non-English majors out there, this is the difference between "I went to the store" (1st person) and "Jilly went to the store" (3rd person). If I do first-person narration, will people think the story is about ME?? If I choose third-person narration, will people really connect with the main character?

2. From what point in the story is the action happening?

I'm not sure what the term is for this, but it's the idea that the story could be something that has already happened and is being re-told at a later point, with the advantage of hind-sight, versus a "this is happening right now" live-action story.

3. How do I start? How will it resolve? What are the big crises that drive the storyline?

4. What will I name the main character?

5. Where does the main character live? Is it a real place or a place I make up?

I guess that's not soooo many questions. One thing I have decided, I don't expect it to be good. I don't even want it to be the next great American novel or a best-seller. Low expectations, right?? This is supposed to be fun. I'll say that again. This is supposed to be fun!!!

I do love to read, however; so maybe all those books I've read will have rubbed off on me just a little bit. No matter what I hope this story will be something people enjoy and that they look forward to checking in with every day in November.


The goal of NaNoWriMo is to write 50,000 words between November 1 and November 30. That's about 1,500-2,000 words per day. I'm not sure how many pages this works out be. Maybe about 90?? So I'm thinking it's more of a novella (a word I love). Also, it's worth noting that this post is only about 500 words. I've been praised in the past for my brevity so we'll see how I do with the word count goal...

The story that I plan to tell is about a woman whose life has hit the skids and how she perseveres. Oddly, it's a story I've been telling myself since I was a little girl. I remember telling it to myself at bedtime forever. It was what I used to help myself fall asleep at night.  It always struck me as being a little weird (how many 8-year-olds do you know who enjoy cleaning so much they make up stories about it?!) and it's nothing I ever told anyone about. Why would I have? I thought it was totally boring. It put me to sleep.

Whenever I would think about NaNoWriMo in the past, trying desperately to think of a story for this challenge, I would come up empty. Then this past weekend, I started remembering this story, using it to soothe myself the same way I did when I was a little girl. It occurred to me then that this was perfect timing for NaNoWriMo. Obviously, there is some appeal to this story. Maybe there are others who would enjoy it or otherwise benefit from me telling it.


So, the deal: I am going to write my 1,500-2,000 words here, on the blog, every single day for a month, beginning next Tuesday. You can sign up on the right to follow this blog by email or "like" the page on Facebook. I'm getting super stoked to get started!

Are you participating in NaNoWriMo? Have you ever written a novel?

What's Up, Buttercup?

It's been a minute since I declared I was back...

The fall has been particularly busy with running kids to after school activities, reconnecting with old friends, and a lot of travel. In one four-week period, there was only one Thursday night when I slept in my own bed, not in a hotel room. For a homebody like me, that's a lot of time away.
 

As for design, things are picking up there, too. 

This fall Erica and I have been tag-teaming on a home office revamp for a busy mama of three littles. Erica is a brilliant professional organizer. She's like a ninja with a label maker. My role has been to style bookshelves, make recommendations on where to hang art, and to advise on furniture purchases. We chose the Dayna chair from Ballard, and I was gratified to hear that my client would not have thought of it herself but it totally reflects her style!


Last week I taught a class to a group of former teachers and one retired State of Michigan employee. The title of the class was "Decorating your Downsized Space." I have always been nervous about public speaking, but not this time. Besides the subject being something that I'm passionate about, the group was so delightfully nice! We talked about using rug pads and repurposing old things in new ways.  

The Makerista / Hunted Interior

One of the things I told the class was that I think dark deep green is the next big thing. Isn't that color so moody and perfect? It reminds me of the early 90s when I was a beatnik teenager. I've noticed that all of my fashion "wants" lately are things I wore back then (ripped boyfriend jeans, a mulberry wool sweater, under an army jacket). Nothing is really new anymore, is it?


I'm also starting a new project with a dream client. We grew up in the same small town and were friends in high school. While we were having coffee and discussing details of her design plan, this song came on. Did you know that when The Graduate was made Anne Bancroft (Mrs. Robinson, the older woman) was only 36 years old?!?!?!? Seriously. That's five years younger than I am now.


Anyway, we bonded over the concept of Hygge. She has Norwegian roots and is a fan of the simple joys in life. It was fantastic to walk into her home and see the colors that I'd been dreaming of for her kitchen were on special pieces she already wanted to use. Also, my outfit totally matched the color scheme... I'll have to post it on Instagram later. The above image was my inspiration. Of course, the gold floral wallpaper at the top is this one from Hygge & West.

There's still been plenty of time for TV watching this fall, too. I am probably the last person on earth with a design blog to start watching Chip & Joanna Gaines' Fixer Upper, but let me tell you, I am their new biggest fan. I'm also watching This Is Us (tear.jerker, don't you think?) and can't wait to check out Joey from Friends new sitcom. How you doin'!

Because I like to keep myself from thinking too much, I am sort of -- maybe just a little bit --  contemplating joining in with NaNoWriMo next week. The National November Writing Month is a chance to write daily for the entire month of November along with thousands of other people around the world, resulting in a 50,000 word novel at the end of the month. The story would resonate with my loyal readers and so for that reason I am thinking of writing it right here on the blog. Why not, right? I can't promise I'll get to 50,000 words. I don't care too much about the official aspects of the challenge. But there is a story in my soul and I think it would be fun to share.

What's up with you? Does anyone even still read this blog? Leave a comment below! XO

Yin Yang

My mind is just pinging with ideas, friends! It's that yin-yang of time off matched against time in the office. The lazy days of summer turning back toward the business of autumn. Or maybe it's just that second cup of coffee today paired with some great reading!

First up is this AMAZING New Orleans home. A house full of both drama and soul.

All images via One Kings Lane

My favorite quote: “I can’t say enough about trays. I want to open a store that sells nothing but trays.” Praise hands! And how about the way the ping pong paddles are casually stored in an ice bucket? All of the art on the walls! Or that refreshing mix of colors? I love every bit!!!

All images via Domino

Next up is this stunning home. The black walls, the mirrored wall, the layered art. It's all so perfectly mixed! My absolute favorite is the pattern on the skirted console--I'm not a card player but those clubs are fun!

I found both tours via Kevin O'Gara's story about new Southern style. He is definitely one to watch!

via Claire Brody Designs

Another favorite of mine is Claire Brody who posted about working on a big design project. I love reading about how other designers present their ideas to clients.

Along the same lines, I really enjoyed House Beautiful's 13 Things Designers Notice the First Time They Enter Your Home. If you think it's going to be judgmental, you'll be quite happily surprised!

Finally, the India Hicks fall line has been revealed and it is so gorgeous and exciting! Please let me know if there is anything you can't live without! Or feel free to shop the collection here.

Moving pains

We bought our house nearly 1,000 days ago. And although I said repeatedly at the time that we would never move again, the truth is: I'm getting kind of bored!

Since I don't actually want to list my house and go through that whole process, I'm checking out the listings in other places. Like this one.

It's an affordable charmer. A two-story, three bedroom brick house in a tree-filled neighborhood. It's near the river(?) and not too far from Lake Michigan.

 

In Milwaukee, Wisconsin! Since I've never even visited Wisconsin, I can only guess about the neighborhood. It looks nice, though, and the city seems like lots of fun.

This is downtown near City Hall. They have a major league baseball team and LOTS of beer history as the hometown of both Miller and Pabst.

But also an art museum and maybe some night life??

Here's a side view of the house, which is on an alley. The backyard is charming and I can totally envision it strung with twinkle lights for summer nights.
 

The needle on the record gets stuck once we walk inside... The floors could use some work, but they're hardwood! The shutters on the side windows are totally charming. Some built-in bookcases beneath those windows, flanking the fireplace, would make for great extra storage.

I can't tell from these photos where the front door is in this house. Do you think it's on the other side of the living room wall by the staircase? That could make for a fairly dramatic and pretty entry! The curve of those stairs is what I think of when people say a house has "good bones." 

Here's the dining room adjacent to the living room. It looks like the walls could use a good coat of paint, but nothing is as simple at transforming a room like paint! 

I'd love to see a big lantern over the table too. Maybe painted a wild & crazy color like magenta or chartreuse??

via

The dining room opens to a den, which has a lot of wild colors of its own. These could be easily toned down to create a more soothing palette. With new solid-color drapes, trim painted to match the color of the paneling, and a better layout of the furniture, this could be a restful getaway at the back of the house!

The kitchen appears to also be at the back of the house, and it could use some work. The star design on the floor tiles is actually kind of interesting, though, and if it's in decent shape might be worth saving.

Just imagine these beauties on some freshly painted cabinets with Farrow & Ball's lotus wallpaper on the long window wall, a farmhouse sink, and a white subway tile backsplash. Or perhaps install a French door where the window is to make it easier to get outdoors for dining al fresco. Super chic!

Do you enjoy looking at real estate -- even when you have no plans to move? Let me know I'm not alone! :)