I learn few things about how to display photos on your wall and also a great friend of mine was asking me how is the best way to do it so I decide to share with everybody my suggestions when you consider putting a photo wall display in your home.

Of course we all seen the pages of magazine with perfect picture display but we never consider to think about that has been design so careful to coordinate the style and layout of the room. Well, we all can do that with few extra steps will be able to design a wall and is worth the effort when you see how beautiful it all come together.

Here are the top things to consider when considering a photo wall display in your home:


Location:

Be sure to pick a wall in your home that gets lots of viewing space and gets no direct sunlight. You want your friends and family to enjoy your special images. The best location in my opinion is a hallway, my personal favourite is also the stairways and living room because usually offer plenty of wall space. Consider your furniture placement as well since the photo wall is meant to accent your space. This is a very important part of creating your wall.


Consistency:

When choosing frames and pictures to use, it is important to keep some consistency among them. When selecting images you can choose either all black, brown, white or even all vibrant colors whichever you use they should be very similar or the same. When choosing frames the most important thing to keep in mind is that is the best to either have the same size frames for all your images in either the same or different colors or you can choose different sized frames in one uniform color. If you have too many different sizes in all different colors it will be very confusing to the viewers eye.
Try not to mix and match frame styles on the same display,if your using modern frame then use all modern frames in your display.


Hanging your photo wall:

This is the part that no one seem to like, but with careful planning and patience the outcome will be stunning.
Make sure you have a level, pencil, hammer and nails on hand. The general rule of thumb is 2''- 3'' between each frame .

A great way to start is to do a quick stretch of how you think the image will look best hung. Once you decide on where to hang the first image the you can work out from there deciding on placement. Whatever you choose to hang them in a formatted style or any other style be sure to take your time because it takes patience and more patience to get it right! But the efforts will be so worth it once your wall is complete for you to enjoy!

ps. If you any more questions about how to decorate a wall please just email me!
Till next time blessings from -M-xo

Ask Magda!

Adding Color to my kitchen-Safely!

Lately I got a lot of friends asking me questions about decor and design so with their permission I decided to use some of their questions in my blog to help others that might face the same dilemma.

Question:

I love color, but I'm afraid to use it in our home for a couple of reasons. My first reason is that we may not have this house forever, and I don't want to scare a potential future buyer away. My other reason is, I'm afraid of getting sick of it fast. What is a way to get some color into my kitchen with getting sick of it and with it being OVERKILL!

Answer:


I completely understand. This battle goes back and forth in my mind daily. I adore color and it make me feel great, but I do get worried about doing too much sometimes.

I think you first have to think about what color you love to live with. Whats a color that you never get sick off. For me, I never get sick of green, black and red. I love those colors and it makes me feel good looking at them, also goes with almost anything.

If your really unsure what color you want to live, I would say to you,to do something as simple as accessorizing your kitchen. There are may great ways to introduce color to a bland kitchen.

Here are my suggestions:

1. I love to cook but I am in no way, shape or form a cook that makes desserts, I love eating them but I can make them so for that I learn a trick (buying a Kitchenaid) would really help me by trying to use it a lot, and also I love leaving it out on my counter top because it adds color and a little retro vibe to my kitchen. Not in the market for mixer, try blender or toaster too!


2. If you have a free wall, another way to integrate color is to buy dishes in colors you love and hang them on an empty wall. I love Kate Spade dishes because there plain but have a hint of color. Or, if you have exposed shelves, another way to show some color is with a bold print.

3. A rug in a kitchen is always a nice way to keep your feet warm and add a little something to the space.

4. Last, a light fixture can also make simple stunning statement!

One more thing to remember that you don't have to spend a lot of money to do this. A simple white dish with a colored monogram, hanging from your oven or a colorful tea pot on your range can add a difference to your space. Have fun with it and please send me pictures!

Till next time-M-xo

What I know for Sure!

I am blessed to live in a house that overlooks Fraser River.In the days that the sun rises over the river,I am usually there to see it. That is my time with myself. I stand quietly waiting for my coffee to filter or my water to boil for tea, watch as the fiery red orange glow rises above. Its a sacred time, as I open the bible and let the word guide me. Every time the sun comes up I am reminded that I am given another opportunity to live my best of life. And every morning I take a moment to relish the wonder of what the Lord has to say to me.
What I know for sure is that every day the sun will rise again...It will rise tomorrow and the next day and next week and the week after. No matter what is happening in my life, your life, our world,the sun is going to keep rising and I trust the Power of the Lord allows that to occur. I call it sunrise faith.

I believe the Lord will not only allows the sun to rise but makes the planet circle one more time, turns embryos into babies, seeds into flowers, and dreams to reality. All we need is faith.
Do you believe in that power or are you trusting only in yourself

When you put your trust only in yourself, you say thinks like Oh I hope I have enough or Maybe I can just hang on. Faith is knowing that you will make it thought. Its believe that God loves you, and your worthiness it to Him. Its understanding that miracles can open your life in ways you never imagined. All we need to do is surrendering your dreams to Him...
Even on the days when you cant see the sun its there. Every flow in a plan when the sky is overcast, from the ground all you can see are dark clouds but when the plane climbs above the clouds, your able to see the sun. The sun is always there, shining.
So next time you find yourself surrounded by darkness in the middle of storm and everything is upside down, take a moment to give thanks, because you know, as I know that no matter what, the sun is going to rise. It will get better, believe it will!

Every day I ask God to teach me a specific lesson,and because of that I learn to how to trust, how to have courage, and to face the new day full of not always pleasant staff. Oh boy trust me is not always easy to learn, confronting people, risking to be disliked, or just being quite and wait.
Every day we are given the infinite opportunity to learn, our life is a journey to learn about yourself author Gary Sukav says. If we listen and learn what the Lord has for us we can all get better dealing with our everyday life, all the pain,despair, joy, compassion the we feel its possible in a place like mine overlooking the river, or in your quite moment in your sacred spot of your home. Today I am very emotional and that s one of the reasons that I encourage you to let the Lord speaks to you, and by listening and making Him a very important part of your life your can reinvent yourself each day.

Until next time-M-xox

The stuff that the life is "made" of!!!

The whole business of organizing my home or as a matter fact others gets my stomach churning. The way I see it, there is two type of people in this world: the ones who have stuff and the ones who don't. Or should I say the ones who choose to collect stuff and the ones who don't. After all as hard as it is to admit it is a choice. We all making a life choice every time we buy a gift for a birthday a year away, or new glasses just because I like their great shape, despite the lack of space in my cupboard. We all meet or heard of people saying "I don't have anything in closet that I haven't worn in more than a year"! A year? I have blouses that there older then my kids(not many) but still. My biggest problem right now is to understand how people can change, like the ones that they used to be bears of stuff and then have a mind change after someone like me organize their homes. No talking about closets only...like the entire home style. They usually ask people like me who are doing this for living to load up everything including their grandmother's teacups without any fuss.
Intellectually I get it, the idea is unbelievable appealing. It's no different than talking to a friend who works out everyday and tells me who great she feels. Of course she feels great-she makes perfect sense.

So why I don't we all do it then? I guess our intellect isn't always the part of the one that makes decisions of what to do. I'm a magnet stuff. I collect stuff. For me getting rid of my stuff would like getting rid of my memories and passion, I don't mind sorting, packing, unpacking, clean out and reorganize every season. It brings me comfort and something to look forward.

I know I'm not alone and a dear friend of mine told me that letting go stuff is like your mind says -Yes- but your heart says -No-
So true!!!

Love to hear how your dealing with organizing and get rid of your stuff..feel free to email me back.

Until next time-M
xox

My favourite interior designer tips:

1.If your buying new furniture,measure your room and the furniture.Scale the room&furniture on cutout newspaper 1feet=1inch and see if the furniture are proportionate to the room. Make sure there is space to walk around your furniture.

2.Feel free to mix&match different style,like contemporary with oriental pieces or traditional with a modern piece.Just don't over do it. The mix helps give your home drama.

3.One way to beautify a room even if the walls are white is by putting moldings and baseboards.

4.If you want to make a room look bigger, use mirrors that give you an illusion of more space.Colors also affects the illusion of space. Similar colors with different shades (monochromatic color scheme) like off withes, cream and beige will give you the appearance of more space in the other hand colors like red,yellow, will give you an impression of smaller space and colors like green&blue will give you openness appearance.

5.I like to use more daring colors on hallways or staircases places that you just pass by and don't really stay as often like your bedroom.

6.Install your pictures on the wall at the eye level,by putting them up your ceiling seems lower.

7.If your putting rugs on your floors to make your room cozy, make sure to rotate your rug once in a while to even out the wear and tear.

8.When choosing a new color for a wall paint a section of the wall and observe it for few days.It is good idea to paint one shade lighter than your sample,because almost always the color on your sample looks brighter on a big wall than on a small swatch.

9.Consider wallpapering for a big impact but if you c to choose to wallpaper the bathroom make sure you use vinyl wallpaper and not paper.

10.Use a neutral colours scheme for a major furniture pieces, add colour with painting throws,and cushions that are easy to change out.


Your home should reflects you-your personality. You can hire me or any other interior designer or decorator but in the end it should be about you, and your family.Go along only with suggestion that is pleasing you and your family.

I hope this list was helpful and if you have any question feel free to email me.
Thank you for stopping by till next time,

XO
Magda

My family indeed had a great summer filled with all sorts of amazing times but our family vacation is one of our special times. We're a family that likes to explore and try new things and do a lot of stuff.


It was a great vacation...we absolutely loved everything about our time together! The trip down was fun, we stopped to visit some friends in Portland, we had an awesome time in Napa Valley, we loved the beach, the weather, the amusement parks(yes, we loved them as much as the kids).
California is one of my fave US destination after Maui no doubt whatever it's a family trip or a romantic getaway is always something for everyone.
We been waiting for this vacation for quite sometimes, and I believe that vacations are necessarily to help clear the mind, and rejuvenate the body by just taking a break of the routine. It works for me!
In vacations we are a family that needs a lot of space, so that always require time to book our time share spot or like this year we decide to use Air Miles so with not knowing what they can offer we booked anyways, we stayed at a beautiful hotel where we had a excellent hotel experience.
The staff had a incredible knowledge about everything,and they recomanded us great places, they made the reservation for us, and they try their best to make our vacation one of the best. The rooms had impressive bathrooms-not too shabby for someone that can live in a bathroom.
My older son was so happy to see the first class fitness-centre where he spend every morning more than an hour.
A glories two weeks (well perhaps, not every minute was glories- we did get a little tired and Nate got sick)

In my last day of vacation I always say to myself; Which is harder: getting ready
for a vacation or returning home afterwards?

As I sit silently next to Mario staring out on my side of the window on the way home I was not ready to be hit the reality of life...BUT- We are home now!

As you read this I am helping my son making his last minute shopping and all the planning for his exciting freshman year and his move in a door room.
I wrote him long list, filled with practical lessons. Many are things I am confident Brendon has learned.
We are not thinking about dinner in Malibu, or lunch in Santa Monica, not carry shopping bags, not laying in the sun on the sandy beach in Newport, we're not longer swim in the beautiful pool...WE ARE HOME NOW!!!!!

Time to balance the chequebook, empty the luggage, laundry, check the messages, admire my tan,find my camera... start getting Brendon ready for his big moving day,and trying to finish my home reno and moving back to normal,and getting Christine and Nate ready for school, soccer already started so I start feeling like normal just a bit. Not talking about work or the work that my house require in organizing department.

There is a time for vacation, and time for work, but.. no matter what, the most important is where your heart is, to do what the Lord prepares for all of us, in good times and hard times-God gives and takes away, but His always faithful to us.

Until next time,
XO

Road trip!

I'm leaving on a road trip..And I can hardly wait! I'm heading off on a much-deserved and needed vacation with my family.

I've been preparing for weeks, booking places, reading guide book, and reviews, mining restaurants recommendations from friends and clients and most important, perfecting my packing.
For those who know me well can say I'm a bit a crazy packer(well.. well I might say it back to you, is because I have three children)it all started with them...
There is a difference between packing for a road trip and packing for any other because, I'm not one of those people who throws everything into a bag two hours before we leave, I actually start laying everything out a week before I go.

I like to pack a lot of things with me just in case I might need them -It'd be easy to bring everything -but the kitchen sink.My hubby told me that I cannot fit the entire house in the car so for this I have to come up with a very sweet and short packing list.
I create this packing list and I crossed many things off with the help of my hubby of course, who doesn't like my way of packing. Really?

So what can I say my family road trips usually leads to one serious headache: when to put that endless pile of stuff that I love packing.

With a "little" effort on my part, packing light was easy, not really but I will try to do my best.
But this trip is not all about packing is about taking our kids on the road no matter the extra effort on my light packing.... is really worth it!The special memories we'll create and the fun times that we will have. I know-I know,
we have teenagers and when you've got teens,you've got a different set of challenges, but we are ready to face them and we are all looking forward to deepen our relationships with each other and were excited for a wonderful family experience.

XO
Magda

Friendship is the bond for every other love and the foundation of every healthy relations. God created us to need each other! We need friends..

Today I was invited into my circle of true friends to celebrate my belated birthday. I was amazed at how much we share, and the connection that we have. I have wonderful, amazing, beautiful and gifted girlfriends.One of them has a contagious energy, other one has a humble spirt, other one is very gracious, and all them there empowering women's that live a very loyal life with unconditional acceptance and love.

I been blessed with great and amazing girlfriends, there is something special when women connect. Yes, it helps to have something in common, Jesus...Jesus placed great value on relationship.
Friendships have many levels, there are friends that we see occasionally, and then there are soul mates with which we share everything.There is a place for both in our lives. The bible tells us that He spent times with few-not crowds.
His teaching are filled with practical suggestion for us on how to be a friend and how to have healthy relationship.
I'm very blessed to have really good girlfriends, not only the chi chat friends, but soul bearing girlfriends. \
It's hard to make these kinds of friends, It takes time,it take effort, it takes history....It's an emotional investment. But they are sooo worth it!!

Here are several actions that I take and still do to work in building strong friendships.

1)The traditional monthly or weekly lunch or coffee, a special shopping trip to your favourite mall or dinner or a movie or celebrating each other birthdays. Traditions builds memories that builds friendships...

2) Gifts, are wonderful actions to take in friendship. All kinds of gifts. The gift doesn't have to be big or expensive. It's simply a symbol of time, energy and thought given to a friend.
It could be a cute note, or a funny card, or even chocolate(yummmy).But the greatest gift that I ever receive is a friend itself- favours done back and fourth, helping one other in times of needs, or just a phone call to say "hi".


3)Words are so precious to me....words of a real friend are filled with acceptance. Acceptance says"" I Love You" when we find someone who accepts us just as we are... we have found a true friend.
The words of real friend are words of encouragement, sensitive words. Paul tells us in 1Thel 5:11 to encourage each other to build each other up" and my girlfriends give me courage to face the next day in time of troubles. We all need to look for reason in building each other, to praise God and to deposit courage in one another life.
We pray for each other, we hug each other, listen to one other and always been there for each other.
God didn't create us to exist alone but to first need HIM as a friend, the bible says that He is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Friendship with him make every other friendship possible. We all need friends and we all need to learn how to be a true friend.

My prayer for me is to let the Lord help me to be a faithful friend, who take time and effort in every relationship.
Thank you friend for your everything you done and do in my life!!!

Love,
Magda

My weekend birthday!

Yes, tomorrow is my birthday...I am turning 41 and actually I wake up this morning excited that tomorrow is my birthday. I am not sure why but I have never been one of to be fearful of getting older actually I am quite the opposite....I love it each year... it gets better for me, I love more, learn more, serve more and live more. I wasn't a big fan of my younger years, but I have gotten older in life and is gotten better and better. I have sooooo much to be thankful for!!!

So my present to me is to write down things I am about to do or do at this particular moment or day in my life;So here it go!!!

Right now I am about enjoying the summer with my family and trying to slow down a little

Right now I am about renovating our house and turning my house into my home

Right now I am trying to not miss a day in my summer devotions

Right now I am happy for my older kids, and grateful for their love and respect they have for me

Right now I am about praying a lot that we will make it back in our home soon

Right now I am about organizing, organizing, organizing


Right now I am about being grateful that my hubby supports everything I do and his a great friend

Right now I am about enjoying little thing in life, instead of worrying about the big things that I have no control

Right now I am thankful for the friends that God bless my life with

Right now I am loving the fact that my 7yr old still loves to snuggle with me

Right now I am about enjoying turning 41 and what the Lord has in his plan to offer me in the year ahead!!!!

I would love to hear what you thougths are about where you are at right now too so please free to share with me...

XO Magda

We all have been l-o-v-i-n-g summer here...in my house summer is loaded with fun days, full of great food, sleeping in, having friends over, beach days, swimming, and water fights in the back yard. I know that summer also brings its own challenges -new schedules and new routine. My kids loves to sleep in, and they also enjoy lazy days,not as much as their boring days..ha ha!
The new baseball gloves were purchased and when the sun is shining Nate loves to play with his dad, and his very excited about his summer camp,Brendon got his second job- he went shopping and he got approached to come for an interview, nice hm, so his shopping now more then ever, working at Hollister allowed him to have a great discount and his not letting that pass by him, Christine is away for a week camping in Osoyoos having fun...Mario and I were working hard to finish our home and also I'm loving every second of working on planning our vacation.
We have few fun things that I planned for our family vacation. For me one of the ideal place to take my family is California. California family vacations are great because they are so much to see and do. We can combine beach time with theme park there is something for everyone.
I'm very blessed like many of you whom live here,to call this place home. Vancouver is one step away and is one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Looking for a spot vacation make me realize one more time how much I love sunny spots.I looked at the top North American beaches and guess what one of our beaches are on the third place- Kits beach is one of my fave and I also like Jericho Beach. I think is fair enough to consider Kits beach one of the nicest places, all the beaches are located in chic cosmopolitan cities, from LA to New York to Miami to Vancouver. I love everything that's around a beach, the romance, the peacefulness, and most of all the cocktail of sand, sun and sea.
Yes...friends we have the good fortune to have some of the best beaches in our backyard so to speak.

While Mexico,California and South Florida are obvious destinations for the natural splendor,simmering heat and beach paradise, but in the other hand we have the sea, the forest and the mountains.
We live in a place that offers us beaches like Kits and Jericho with delightful restaurants, parks, jogging trails, interesting and beautiful boutiques and electic stores.Let's enjoy our beautiful city!
I will post pictures of the top beaches, I been blessed enough to visit all of them; #1 is South Beach,Miami, Florida
#2 Main Beach, East Hampton's, Long Island
#3 Kits Beach, Vancouver,BC
#4 Laguna Beach, Orange County,California
#5 La Jolla Cove, San Diego,California
#6 Kanapali Beach, Maui, Hawaii
I can't wait to update the blog with pics and stories from my summer and from my vacations. For me is all about the B-E-A-C-H!!!

The mountains and the hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.Issaiah55:12

Love,
Magda

Hot dog versus Japadog

How long are you wanting on line for a hot dog? Five minutes, ten minutes...how about 25 minutes? That's how long I waited in the line for my first to taste my first Japadog. As the name implies, Japadog is a hot dog done Japanese style with nori, wasabi mayo, teriyaki sauce or Benito flaxes. There available at two hotdog stands..or Japadog stands at in Downtown Vancouver. I checked out the Burrard St. and Smythe location.It was a great sunny day, so I decided to be part of the 40 or so waiting for the gourmet meat in the bun. From my quick survey- many of us were Japadog virgins. One couple in town from LA read about the dogs on line-clearly the less serious side of our city's culinary reputation.I'm not opposed to waiting in little to experience something new.
This Japanese version of a hot dog was $4.75 and he got me all the beef,Teriamyo version. Is still a hot dog but with a distinctly Japanese flavour and I love the way shredded nori looks on top.The Japadog become so popular that the owner apparently considering opening a Japadog restaurant.It's a good idea considering the stands don't appear on the street when it rains- and it rains here a little bit.
One thing more I have to say when it comes to hotdogs, I am a bit purist. The funky toppings are fun, but give mustard, relish and grilled onion any day.I'll even venture into a sauerkraut. I'm going to leave the Japadog and the lineup up to the tourists.
Happy Summer!!

As my son high school graduation approaches I became very nostalgic.I've tried to prepare myself knowing that any milestone brings mixed emotions,but is still not easy.
Is this the beginning of the end, or the end of the beginning? One thing for sure; life is our home will be soon very different.
Even tough his going to focus on savoring every last moment with his good friends, I know he knows that his life shared with us is changing forever. We might have our arguments, or the attitude that he sometimes likes to share around here but saying good-byes to all that is going to be hard.

In the mist of the preparation for my son's high school graduation I've had to make an strong effort not to think that is also the time when our lives are going to change from having three children in the house to two. My role as a parent is changing now from parenting a child to the adulthood parenting. I realize that my son still need guidance and support,but this is all new to us. So we decide that the best way for us is to offer him encouraging words, daily prayers, reaffirming his good character, his intelligence, and his sense of humor. We don't expect him to thank us for that would be unrealistic for now.

His going thought a roller-coaster of emotions -fear, confusion, doubt and excitement until he leaves for home. He will never admit that but is very natural to go through such emotion, and I want to be as supportive as as i can be for him.
He will try to juggle all this emotions and the separation from us, his friends, and all the people that gave him a sense of security in his life.

I need to realize that I we've been raising our kids and preparing them for this very time- the day they leave home,and this day is almost here for our older son and us.
I've been blue for a while realizing that this day is getting closer and closer but My goal right now is to be there for my son, throughout this confusing time, by letting him know that his loved, by his parents and by His Heavenly Father, and even I will miss him terribly I want to give him the best gift that any parent can give-
my unconditional love and my daily prayers.

This summer is the last summer of his childhood,but my son needs us to help him to let go...and to hang on.


Let me know what you think... anyone going through some emotion period right now.
Let's pray for each other!

In His love,
Magda

It's been in my mind a lot lately.
The excess of our lives
The unnecessary stuff
The stuff that ends up holding us down and owning us.

When I took a closer look at God's promises, I was amazed how many they are. What is even more beyond my understanding is how God never break His promises, not even one.
He is faithful and true to His word and I truly believe that we can trust Him at all time.
As many of you knows about the trials and the challenges that my family experienced last year we learn to relay on the Lord provision
At the time when my family faced the financial challenges it seemed that God was going to take everything from us. We didn't understand why -we were seeking Him all along the way, but it became apparent that every time we pray about something, something else blew up in our faces.Before it all started we had a very good life, solid finances, a beautiful home, nice cars, owned a successful business of our own.
We weren't nasty prideful but we were proud of our stuff.
We look back at it now and see where the Lord was bringing us, at the point where I've REALLY learn to trust the Lord Not just say it! I've also learn to relay on
God's promises, and to recognize that He really does care for me and the smallest details of my life.
These struggles have taken it from head knowledge to Truth that Now fills my heart and soul. I so thankful for the friends that the Lord brought into my life, they have been there for me, praying for me and helping me in such amazing ways. We tried hard to keep our grip and climb out of it but, however it seem as if every decision we made,even after prayerfully presenting it before the Lord turned out to be a bad decision. I've fell very discouraged at times, depressed and with no energy left to bringing my sorrow before the Lord.
When I start reading and start knowing that God's promises are real, it become very comforting and reassuring to me that I can relay on Him, and He will never let me down.
"God's way is perfect.All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection"2Samuel22:30-32

I look back over to last year now, and see how the Lord refining us.
Refining- to purify from what is coarse , vulgar to make it elegant or cultured

to become pure
to bring to a finer state or form by purifying

It is clear to me that, though the finished product may be beautiful and elegant, the process is not.
This year I have resolved in my heart to not look the other way when I see someone hurting, to not to judge others by their circumstances or appearances, I now understand what is important and what is just fluff...

Some lessons are harder to learn than others. This one was excruciating at times for me. But I wouldn't trade the changes in myself and my family for anything!

Thank you Lord for seeing my heart and refining it for your glory.

Magda

20 Little Thinks That Me Happy!!!

Between the stinky economy and swine flu I'd say things are not that bad! Good grief!
When things get a little gloomy in my life, most of the time I try to focus on positives and today I create a list of things to be happy in life!!

Well I first start to make a list of happy things i'll admit I didn't find it easy (but maybe I was stuck in traffic after a long day)-I had hard time finding 20 things. It took me couple of days to realize that number 20 is not that high.

Here is my random list of life happy little things(there not in order):

1) Sunny Days
2) Chocolate with Nuts
3) My kids Laughs
4) Faith in God bigger than my problems
5) Makeover projects on Budget
6) Shoes and Purses
7) Jesus
8) Friends
9) Friends that encourage me
10)Family I adore
11)A clean house
12)New Dishes
13)Vacations
14)Happy Memories
15)Family nights at home
16)Lunch with my friends
17)Date night out with my hubby
18)Good Books
19)Everything organized
20)Desserts

I would love to hear what's your most happy thing...

Love,

Magdaxoxo

Girlfriends Getaways-

Girlfriend getaways- there is nothing like them. Last weekend my girlfriends invited me to go with them, so we decided to go into a power shopping spree, see our down the border stores were waiting for us-being right in our backyards- so to speak we simple had to be there.
Does fashion matter to my girlfriends, with everything is going on in our world today(all of them are ladies doctors),well if you are talking high fashion, maybe not.But no matter who you are, style does matter. My girlfriends loves to look great and they all have a great style.
We have to present our self's looking good, because we live in a such visually oriented society so you might as well give some thought for a great look put together. It doesn't mean you have to spend a lot and here are some of practical tips that I learn.
-Tailoring is your friends!
-Color is your friend.If you like a color nobody is going to tell you that you look wrong in it. You cant go wrong with one bright color and a neutral, or two colors with a neutral is even better.

The quickest way to freshen up a wardrobe is with new accessories. Other very important way for all of us to shop right is to understand our body type and to learn which fashion suits us best by doing that we gain confidence in shopping right for clothes.

Check out myshape.com a fantastic shopping website that offers personalized fashion recommendation based on your measurements.

Travelling with girlfriends was a change for all of us to recharge our spirits, renew our connections, and of course shopping and finding great bargains to show off back home. I consider myself a champion shopper so as my friends. We have a sixth sense for in and out of-the way in stores and finding bargains.

Fashion Designer Issac Mizrahi said:
''Don't shop with your mother! You have to go shopping with a really fun friend that you trust''!! So truth!!!

Well, getting lost and finding our way to the hotel wasn't really on our shopping list but that was the only setback in our trip.After the car followed the curves of the highway we realized how wrong we'd been and after few more unsuccessful attempts to find the hotel we stopped to asked for directions and we headed again to find our way.Getting lost can take you places you've never been before...you see we've learned that the great thing about getting lost is finding your way back.
The first step was to put the address in our GPS and we realize that we don't have the address of the hotel so the digital map cant guide us.So it took us longer than we expected but finally we end up in our room ready for a good night sleep.

The hotel was well located...close to shopping, dinning and had a uniquely chic decor, the staff friendly and helpful.The room was pretty cool, with a black and white Asian flair.
It looked welcoming and inviting.

The next morning after a leisurely breakfast we hopped in the car back in action again.. The parking area was pack,we finally parked our car grab our purses full of energy for other day in paradise...
Our feet hit the shopping area around eleven a clock, few good hours of underupted shopping.We had no children to feed, no diaper to change or anybody to pamper or take care of. Good feeling!Not the kids-though we adore them,and not our husbands-though we love them too...JUST US!

We had no intention of wasting time at very expensive stores, just at the great places that will offer us really beautiful stuff and just at the right price. I try to do minimal damage but my friends made some fairly impressive investments in their personal wardrobes. I don't think they call what they got outfits but they should. Well coordinated if I do say so myself.
Getting lost was not on our agenda but we cover it all-reconnect,adventure on getting lost, laughs, and of course shopping.

This awesome weekend started and ended with girlfriends-for her in the driving seat, thank you for patiently driving us and for a great weekend, and for MC and ML thank you so much for a wonderful weekend and the good laughs. And thank you Lord for humoring us this weekend I hope once we really got you tickled.

Our Shop-Till-you-Drop weekend was a success and it was a great way to recharge our spirits, renew connections and of course shopping.
So when you go for a weekend getaway don't forget the girlfriends and your giggles.

Magda,
xoxo

Under the Tuscan Sun!

In the last month,I had the privileged to work with a client that she wanted her kitchen to have a touch of Tuscany.Her inspiration was Under the Tuscan Sun-you know the movie!
So this film has been the influence of Tuscan style decor and design in one of my last projects.
Now, I don't want to tell you the whole movie-but in case you haven't seen it,I will tell you is a great one, a comforting movie.... You know how comfort food is--you indulge every bite!
My client wanted to recreate the comfort of a family kitchen with a clean style and a timeless beauty.
The Tuscan kitchen design is based on all the warm and cozy colors. The earth natural colors, tones of browns yellow, terracotta rusty red. Natural materials are very important for decorating a Tuscan kitchen style. Use stone, slate,granite,and marble.
Those are ideal to use for counter tops,use similar for flooring. Stone,slate,granite,are all good choices also a very great choice is to consider terracotta for flooring-that's the real Tuscan feel.

One of the most important aspects for decorating a Tuscany style kitchen is to get the color choices right.
The best colors for Tuscan kitchen are warm earthy that gives a rustic feeling.Use yellow, burnt orange,and terracotta, mix this with browns and burgundy or go for olive green.

If possible apply your paint color to walls with a texture and not smooth.
If your walls are smooth you have several option to try adding some more,rough plastering as a base for your painting.
Use textured paints such as suede, you can also try a faux paint finish or cracked antique plaster to add the real Tuscan kitchen style.

Your furniture should be rustic with an old fashion in feel.Choose chunky wood furniture with a distressed finish with plenty of chipped and old paint on it.
Or try to create your own distress look(Ask me How).
Mix in plenty of wrought iron in furniture or accessories such as candelabras or wall scones.Add iron wine racks and plant stand for decorating.

Other accessories which will give a fantastically Tuscan style are ceramics, terracotta rustic style pottery,bowls,pitches and jars.
Also you can add strings of garlic or hang small branches of scented herbs.A great touch is the use of the motifs,like lemons,olives,sunflowers,and grapevines all this helps to create a unique look.

When you have finish decorating your Tuscany Style Kitchen make sure you sit back and enjoy with a home-cooked meal of Tuscan fare and a well deserved glass of wine.