The view from my backyard...

Thought I would do something a little different today.  I live across from the beach in Downeast Maine (that's local speak for this part of the coast) and want to post a video of my view.  It was clear, sunny and a balmy 43 degrees, so I was bundled up with layers!  Have a great rest of the weekend!

(video by me)

Check out my Shop under my blog header - I have some

items still for sale - they MUST GO!!

See ya later! Thanks for stopping by! Please say hi-

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Best of MI...Inspiration for 2013...

Happy New Year!! Here is to new beginnings, bittersweet endings and best wishes for a fabulous 2013!  Welcome back to my continued 'Best of' series...I loved this story about the Nearings and hope you will too.  It provides inspiration, which is what all of us need at the end of the year as we look to the new year.  I hope you all have a wonderful time today and tonight and I will see you back here in 2013!  Much love and thanks to my followers, readers, and anyone who stops by my little tiny corner of the internet universe - I love 'knowing' and communicating with all of you!! xoxoxo



Not to be preachy or anything like it, but I came across these wonderful words that are food for thought on this summer Sunday. Helen and Scott Nearing left their cosmopolitan life in New York City to live in the wilderness of Vermont in 1932 and wrote a book, 'Living the Good Life: How to Live Sanely and Simply in a Troubled World' and it was described as 'this century's Walden.'  They lived as simply as possible and later Helen wrote a memoir, 'Loving and Leaving the Good Life' and lived into her 90's and Scott lived to 100. I LOVE this list that Helen included in her memoir and hope you see something you like as well:

*Do the best you can, whatever arises.

*Be at peace with yourself.

*Find a job you enjoy.

*Live in simple conditions; housing, food, clothing; get rid of clutter.

*Contact nature every day; feel the earth under your feet.

*Take physical exercise through hard work; through gardening or walking.

*Don't worry; live one day at a time.

*Share something every day with someone else; if you live alone, write someone; give something away; help someone else somehow.

*Take time to wonder at life and the world; see some humor in life where you can.

*Observe the one life in all things.

*Be kind to the creatures.

Which is your favorite? I love all of them, but particularly like 'live in simple conditions' etc. But they all give me something to ponder.

Have a great Sunday! ;-))

(image by me)

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Dear Design Diary...

I really LOVED every room in this home featured in the new Ivy & Piper magazine of Lady Chatterley's Affair blog's house.  Have you seen the issue? There is something so comforting and cozy yet simple and chic about the colors she uses against a white background. It is an aesthetic I truly love, how about you?  Feast your eyes:

What do you love here? I love the black + white paper, the 

gingham, the chair and chair fabric 

What do you love here? I love the fab gingham window treatment,

the blue lampshades, the colorful pillows, chairs and white walls

LOVE this room! The green and blue sofas, tables, lamp, 

gingham, white table and rug

Red, white and blue never gets old - and that chair!

(photography by Stuart Parker for I&P)

Look how cute the baby is!! (and the subway tile here is wonderful) -

thank you TINA of Lady Chatterley's Affair for sharing pics

of your lovely home and the INSPIRATION! 

Visit her blog for more fun -

Read Ivy & Piper for more inspiration! 

I think I want to move to Australia, the design scene there

is so vibrant isn't it?

If you need inspiration, stop by my blog and many other

design, art and fashion blogs for your daily fix

If you need assistance decorating your home, please contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com for rates and information. 

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Q&A with Kellie from ADA & DARCY...

Welcome friends! Today I have a special interview with Kellie Collis from the gorgeous blog and online boutique, Ada & Darcy in Sydney, Australia. Kellie was kind enough to share some of her insights into blogging and running a business online. Enjoy!

1. When did design and decorating become apparent that it might be
a career path?


I had always been a creative type but for some reason decided at the time
that I should pursue a corporate career. After a lovely holiday I started to
think about whether I needed to do something creative and if my corporate
role was fulfilling everything I wanted. I love to decorate and also had the
business background so thought a balance of interior decorating and a retail
store would be a wonderful and complimenting choice for me. Since this idea,
I haven't looked back!

2. How did you start your online business?


I started my online business mainly through my blog which was a wonderful
platform for testing my ideas and receive honest feedback from my readers. I
spent a while thinking about what I wanted to do and what I wanted it to be
and took it from there. It was quite a challenge balancing a full time job with
the launch of the business but has been worth it all and looking back, I'm so
glad that I did it.
 
3. Where do you source your products?


I source my products from Australia and around the world. I have about 95%
of my cushions custom made from fabrics sourced from all different places
to create fabulous and affordable pieces for my lovely customers. I quite like
suppliers from the US as they have a similar aesthetic to what I like.

4. Do you design any of your own products?

I design the majority of all the cushions available, currently I'm designing
some textiles and furniture pieces for the store.

5. How has blogging enhanced your business?

Blogging has been a fantastic way for meeting new like minded people
and also to get a feel for what readers think of my ideas. I do spend a lot
of time and effort with my blog, I love being able to look back at things
that I have done or concepts that I have liked. Its also a wonderful
way for my readers and customers to see what I have been doing and
what new things have come into the store.

6. What is a typical day like for you?

A typical day is replying to lovely customers, packing up orders, ordering
stock, liaising with suppliers, quoting and talking to new design clients,
working on current projects, responding to PR requests, photographing
new pieces and doing posts for my blog. I also spend a bit of time seeing
what other lovely bloggers are up to....

7. Will you open a 'brick & mortar' location anytime in the future?

I'd love to open a physical store and it is definitely in my longer term plans.
Once my textiles/wholesale line is launched and up and running I'll
move on to that stage. So much to do!


8. Where do you find inspiration for yourself and your business?

I mostly find my inspiration from fabrics, magazines and the internet. I find
that I have bursts of inspiration and ideas and I always note them down.
Sometimes if I'm really excited about something I talk very quickly and
can confuse myself so I always write those things down just as they pop
into my head!

9. What is your favorite 'go-to' decorating tip?

If someone is unsure about what they like, stick with a neutral palette
on the walls and floors etc and build up the look with accessories.

10. What is your favorite color?

Sometimes aqua or lemon but mostly always pink of any tone!


11. How does living in such a vibrant city like Sydney influence your
aesthetic?

I tend to love the areas of Sydney with lots of character and charm, I
love that part of decorating - the interesting bits that make people wonder
where you found that piece etc.

12. What is a favorite memory from your childhood?


Eating bubblegum ice cream!

13. What are your goals for the business and any new plans to
expand in the future?

I'm currently designing my textile range and furniture pieces,
once its established I'll work on the physical store.


14. What advice do you have for someone who wants to start an
online business?

My advice is what ever time you allocate in the set up or what time frames
people promise you that work will be done, always double, even triple it!


15. Are there any mistakes or missteps you have made with the
business that really taught you a valuable lesson?


When things didn't go as planned, I would take it personally and it would
make me worry. I've learnt that you can't control everything and sometimes
need to just let things be what they are. Its important for you to be honest
with people but always move on quickly, its not worth spending time being
frustrated with the way things were supposed to be.

16. Any tips for the new and old bloggers out there?

Stick to what you are passionate about and be yourself. Its much
easier to be you rather than be what you think you should be.

Images around Kellie's house...

Kellie's adorable 'girls'

Flowers in her house...

I hope you have enjoyed visiting with Kellie today and find her an inspiration like I do. Have a great day and stay tuned for more interviews with blog entrepreneurs!  If you haven't visited Kellie, her gorgeous boutique and her blog yet, please go here -

Thank you so much Kellie for your insights!!

(images Ada&Darcy)

Have a great day!

If you need help decorating your space, I can assist you with my new VirtualDecor services. Contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com for more information.

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