5 STEPS TO DISCOVERING YOUR GIFTS

With so many displaced employees in the workforce, the recession has left people wandering and wondering what to do now. I remember feeling the same way, but I was gainfully employed and making a pretty decent salary at the time. Feeling very restless and unfulfilled in my work, I did a lot of praying and reflecting. What was I really supposed to be doing with my life? I happened upon a journal I kept at the time. What I read was life-changing for me then and serves as encouragement for me today.

Here are 5 steps to help you to discover your gifts and get about the business of obeying your vision:

1. Take inventory of your current interests and compare them to your interests you had as a child. See the similarities?

2. Review your past.
This includes the classes you've taken, degrees, jobs, positions you've held in organization. This helps you to uncover the skills you often take for granted.

3. What are your strengths?
Ask a family member or close friend to name your strengths Make a 2-column list. On one side list your answers, one the other side list their answers. Look for commonalities.

4. Have faith.
If you have read my blog long enough, then you know my confidence comes from my faith in God and His divine plan for my life. Even through failure and disappointment, I remind myself to remain undisturbed by appearances and to hold fast to the vision. I'm also fortunate to have a close circle of friends to encourage me as well. They can often see my present and future successes because they aren't so close to my situation. What has been your reality?

4b. Subdue Your Fear
Are you familiar with this acronym: FEAR - False Evidence Appearing Real? Our biggest fear is almost never realized. When I feel fearful, I ask myself "What's the worst thing that can happen?" Once I have an answer to the question, I've taken the power away from the fear. I have a Plan B or sometimes a "Plan C." Did you know it takes just as much energy to have faith as it does to be fearful? Which action will you choose?

5. Be Patient
I admit this was a hard one for me but I'm so much better at it than I used to be. Everything happens in its perfect time, not a minute sooner not a minute later. The other thing I always say is "Stay in Your Lane." Spending time envying or coveting someone else's success keeps you away from working your own thing. Rejoice for others success and know that you can have it, too. God is not a respecter of person. What He does for one, He'll do for another.

"God's delay is not a denial."

"Faith is not believing that God can, It is knowing that God will."

What are you doing to stir up your natural gifts? Are you obeying the vision you have for your life?

OH BOY! A HANDSOME NURSERY FIT FOR A LITTLE GENTLEMAN

Thank goodness Baby J did not arrive before I had the opportunity to finish his room. It could've meant trouble for me. How unfair it would be for his big sister to receive a new room, complete with canopy, and leave him with her leftovers? Unacceptable. I had to give this little gentleman a proper homecoming.

It's nice to know he's not waiting for me to finish his room. Instead we are waiting patiently for him.

Mission accomplished.

The daybed was replaced by the crib and the walls received a new wall color, Benjamin Moore's Northern Air. Isn't it amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do to transform a space? And how handsome is that light fixture? See Dad...no chandelier in your boy's room. I heard you loud and clear.

Semi-custom drapery were installed with a 3" ticking stripe banding sewn on the bias. It costs a little extra, but the diagonal stripe adds more interest to the panels. Woven bamboo shades replace the white wood blinds and instantly makes the space feel warmer. The double layered treatment gives Nesting Mama the advantage of full light control especially since the panels also have blackout lining.

The front of the pillow was made from a fabric remnant I initially purchased for my kids' playroom. When I saw how close the match was to Nesting Mama's existing bedding, I had to do the right thing and hand it over. I'm so glad I did. Did you notice the pillow piping has the same ticking stripe and the drapery? Yup, I meant to do that! Design is in the details!

Nesting Mama previously selected the crib bedding and I took the opportunity to customize it a bit by having the crib skirt made in the same fabric as the drapery.

"I really want a circular pillow for the crib," said Nesting Mama. Note: In case you didn't know you always give a pregnant woman what she wants. It makes for a happy baby --ok, I made that up, but I used to tell my husband that all the time. It worked for me but I digress. I found this orange dotted fabric while shopping at my new spot, Artee Fabrics. The opposite side of the fabric is the reverse colorway which we used on the button and piping! Lastly, Nesting Mama needed a tight spot to do the dirty [diaper] work. I usual don't like to hanging items over a baby's head, but these cardboard letters are harmless. Yes, I said cardboard. I simply applied a metallic faux finish technique I learned from Janell. This has to be the easiest DIY project I've ever tried.

There are a couple more things I plan to do in the space:

#1.

Having to deliver these pieces gives me the perfect excuse to visit once the baby arrives!

Are you making room for a new baby or need help with your kid's room? Contact me (404.507.6110 / info (at) erikaward (dot) com) today to schedule your consultation!

THE SOPHISTICATED NURSERY

Last week I shared a photo of the fabrics I'm using in my client's nursery. Almost immediately I got an email from another client who saw the post. She requested that I mark her file to use the same fabric in her unborn/yet-to-be-conceived baby. Funny, huh? In her email she explained how she loved how the fabrics didn't scream baby, but would appear sophisticated like the rest of her home.

I've heard mixed opinions about whether to decorate a baby's room in the traditional baby colors or update them for a more mature look. This room, which I'm installing today, will have a mixture of both. There's no shortage of baby animals in this space, but there is also a mix of fabrics [image right] that will grow with him. The brown and cream ticking stripe will trim the leading edge of chocolate brown drapery panels as well as the custom crib skirt. The multicolored polka dot fabric will cover a lumbar pillow for the glider. The orange dotted fabric will be an accent pillow for the crib. No worries, Mom knows to remove the pillow when the baby is in it.

The jumping off point for the room was this bedding my client already purchased. The customized cribskirt as mentioned above will really help to customize the set. Note: This is not the crib we are using.

I love the look of layered window treatments, so we're adding bamboo shades to the drapery mix similar to this:

via Jill Shevlin

I hate to keep you in suspense...really, I do. Will try to post a few snippits on twitter thoughout the day. Click here to follow me for updates! What are your thoughts on sophisticated nurseries?

SHOP PIECES ON GILT HOME

Mark your calendar to have lunch with Lee Kleinhelter of Pieces! Do it. Right now. Starting at noon today through Sunday, 8/8 Gilt Home is kicking off their mid-century modern sale featuring vintage gems from Atlanta-based Pieces. I've written about their amazing store here and here and now is your chance to capitalize on their unique home decor selection.

You must be a member of Gilt Groupe to shop the sale. It's free! Just click the Gilt Home icon below to join!

Hope you score some great deals!