A Few Things You Never Knew About Me

Happy Monday friends! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend! I apologize for it being a little quiet around here, I took a trip to Lowe’s headquarters last week, which was incredible! I have been busy catching up with my boys, finding out all I missed and just enjoying them ever since. And although it was only for 2 days, apparently I needed to be caught up on a lot. So it got me thinking about you & since some of you are newish to my blog I thought I would share some things about me, in cased you missed anything along the way. You take time out of your day to spend it with me & I really do consider you all friends {smile}.

Ok, where to begin…

I am a dreamer, have always been this way. Even as a little girl my mind was off in another world, thinking, dreaming of what I could make or be.

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I am a BIG believer in kindness and paying it forward.

Each day I begin my day being grateful for something or everything.

I think that happy people are beautiful & I am always drawn to them.

Being a mom has completed my life and I often get sad by the idea of my boys growing up. My dad, who is a wise man always reminds me to enjoy every moment, even the tough ones because it all goes by so fast, he will celebrate his 80th this September.

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Speaking of my dad, I love him so dearly. He has risen above such hardship to make something of himself and give his family the best life possible.

I drink an insane amount of water & seltzer.

I am coffee lover, just coffee with any yummy flavored creamer, no lattes or anything fussy. I get overwhelmed by choices, so I stick with simple.

I would much rather apps & drinks than a full meal. Oh and I would rather a picnic anywhere rather than sitting down at a restaurant.

I LOVE neutrals when it comes to decorating but LOVE wearing bright colors especially in the summer, favorite colors include, navy, green, mint and coral.

My style is classic & casual. I like to mix a fun summer dress with vintage jewelry and flip flops of course. And in the winter I am in jeans, sweater & boots or if I get dressed up jeans, blazer and heels {pretty simple}.

I LOVE summer!!!! It is the best time to live on Long Island.

Best place & time-a warm summer day at the beach at dusk, playing catch with my family, barefoot in the sand with the warm rays in my face.

Any given day in the summer you can find us at the beach. I think last year we missed 4 days & that was because it rained, hard. Yup, we are a little crazy {smile}.

IMG_7621       My husband is not handy, at all. Nor does he really want to be. I honestly think if he put his mind to it he could be an amazing DIYer {wingman}. But on the flip side he gives me free reign, he knows I know best{big smile}.

I like to surround myself with positive people.

Working out is something that makes a huge difference in my day, it is my therapy.

Mornings are best for me. There is just something so inspiring about seeing the sunrise, isn’t there?

We bought our home 4 years ago, it is down a very peaceful & quiet street across from the bay.

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We do a lot of water sports {ok maybe not me so much}. Yup this is our little group^^. And these are all my husbands toys.

Speaking of my husband, he is seriously the NICEST guy on the planet & quite easy on the eyes if I do say so myself {smile}.

My home was renovated in 2005{before we bought it}, it was a tiny cottage that was basically torn down and rebuilt. With my husband not being handy, I was & still am so grateful for this home!!!!

My house is far from perfect. It is easy to see pretty pictures & think it’s always like that but the reality is I am a busy mom of 2 boys and my house is often a mess with toys, book bags, papers, shoes, coats & clutter on our island, etc.. But at the same time I try to remind myself to be in the moment because one day all that STUFF will not be there {sad face}.

Oh & I can’t ever seem to get caught up with laundry.

My thoughts on decorating-take your time & enjoy it, it’s not a race.

Favorite room-our bedroom. I treasure time in the morning with my family in our big bed.

I am crazy for Mexican food. Give me tortillas & salsa and call it dinner.

I like to smile{smiling is my favorite:)}. Taking the time to pass a little warmth to someone else takes so little time & can brighten someone’s day.

I met my husband in Vegas. It’s not what your thinking {smile}, he was a friend of a friend. He was from NY also but living in Colorado at the time.

We lived just outside Denver for 6 years. It was a great quality of life, we bought a brand new house, in a beautiful area and loved every minute of it.

I am one of 4, all of my siblings are older so I am the baby. I was spoiled with love but not things. Money was tight growing up, someone was either graduating from college or getting married, so if you wanted something in my house you had to buy it used or make it yourself, hence my resourcefulness.

My oldest, who is almost 10 is a rule follower and my little guy who is almost 5, not so much{smile}. They have made me better is every way.

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There are days that I am an extraordinary mom, days where I am a great blogger & designer and others when I am amazing homemaker but rarely am I everything in one day, I am human.

I have a quiet confidence.

My mom is such an important part of my life even though she has been gone for 17 years. I tell my boys stories all the time, its really important for them know how special and amazing she was.

I wanted to go to college for art but was afraid I would fail. I had a few amazing art teachers in high school and 1 negative & mean one, unfortunately he got to me. But I do think everything happens for a reason. I ended up getting a teaching degree.

I opened my first creative business at 24 and have been designing & decorating ever since.

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I am easy going and love getting to know people.

I have been blessed with the best & most amazing friends a girl could ask for, some of them have been in my life for 30+ years. And my family means everything to me!!!!

I have another best day scenario- drive to the country {the North Fork, where my in laws live} with my family and hit all of the local antique shops & farm stands. Maybe end the day with some vineyard time.

Ok, I am officially ready for winter to be over {smile}.

Now that I have rambled on about myself, what is something about you that makes you YOU?

Be sure to check back Wednesday morning for a Vignette & Printable Hop {you don’t want to miss this}!

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Enjoy your day!

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43 Comments

  1. This is such a great post – and hard to write I’m sure. For as much as we share about projects, etc — it is difficult to talk about ourselves I find. True story — my husband and I are both from a small town in upstate NY, but we too met and lived as roommates in Denver. That was in 2000 and the rest is history. Must be something about Colorado. Anyway – love following your blog and you continue to inspire me….thanks so much for sharing! 🙂

    1. Thank you Laura for your sweet words & for sharing a bit of yourself:). Love Colorado!!! Stay warm, Jen

    1. Thank you my dear friend! I am so lucky to have you in my life after all these years! Hope you had a nice day! Jen

  2. I love this post, it’s so nice to know the person behind the beautiful decor. And we have more in common than I would have thought. Thanks for the Monday inspiration! Words matter as much as photos some days 🙂

  3. You started my day off with a smile and reminded me to enjoy everyday! Happy Monday Jen!

  4. Oh, we are all so alike in many ways. I love the beach and wish I could get there every day in the summer, but have to limit it to two wonderful weeks. I am a gardener and a cook and quilt maker. My kids, one of each, are both in college and I have a hard-working husband. I rescue dogs and board one or two at a time in my home. My house has a huge front porch where summer pretty much takes place. It makes me so happy.

    Thank you for a great post and for revealing your wonderful self!

    1. Yes, we are Suzy:). I loved getting to know you better! Summer porches, ahhh…. I can’t wait until summer. Enjoy your day!! Jen

  5. You make me smile. So many great bloggers out there who share of themselves and you are one of the best. I always feel better after reading one of your posts !

  6. It’s just great getting to know you better, Jen! You have achieved so much through your creativeness and blog, it makes me feel good to know you are so down to earth. And I think it’s very obvious that family and friends come first in your life. Hurray for being so real and unique! 🙂

    Jane x

  7. You have a strong sense of self and your cute boys will greatly benefit from this. Beach pic’s looked so fun!

  8. You are so lovely, inside and out.
    As a fellow Long Islander, I know EXACTLY what you mean about the beach at dusk. BEST BEST time! I used love to grab a pizza on my way home from work, scoop up the kids and have a sunset supper on the warm pebbles of my local North Shore beach. Bliss. They’re big now but I hope the memories we made last their lifetimes.
    Thank you for this post
    Heather

    1. Thank you so much Heather! Yes, sunset suppers are the best!!! The North Shore is beautiful! I hope those memories stay with you always, Jen

  9. Jen, you are such an awesome person. You are so sweet and so Real! I feel like we have so much in common. I love my coffee, and summertime, and the beach, and Mexican food, and my two little boys too 🙂 You make me smile. And I’m so Happy to call you a friend. Thanks for sharing!!

    1. Awe, thank you Emily for that! That really means a lot! Well, I am happy to call you friend too:)!! Jen

  10. It may seem awkward, but I love getting to know the people behind the blog. Thanks for sharing, and hello! It’s nice to “meet” you!

  11. That was a great post!! There is a lot that makes me smile! Family, friends,our boxer dog, my husband, health, sunshine after a gray day! Knowing that Jesus loves me no matter what!!

  12. You are truly an inspiring designer and person! I cannot tell you how much I enjoy your blog and all you do….as a mom of two small boys (both under 3) and a creative running a small business and wishing for more time in the day, hours to work on projects for my home, and funds to make it all happen your words always hit home but remind me to be present. Your talent shines not only in your gift for creating beautiful spaces but in living a present and beautiful life with your family! Keep doing it! and thanks for sharing 🙂 Keeps us all connected in this sometimes otherwise “unconnected” world!

  13. Jen- I recently discovered your blog and I am so excited! I am a fairly recent transplant to New York from the Midwest. I can’t believe we have been here almost 3 years.. feels like it was just yesterday. I lived in the Midwest 40 years, left the town I was born and raised in. We live 50 miles north of the city and my husband commutes to Manhattan daily. It has been an exciting and yet difficult time in our lives. I like you also have 2 boys around the same age as yours and can’t believe how fast time is moving! (Sad face) Anyhoo… I have found it difficult to find people with your since of style in this neck of the woods. I live in area surrounded with big money and a lot of the shops and such require big bucks. I have also found it hard to find people who are down to earth in general. Things on East Coast move so fast I feel there is little connection between people out here. It is so nice to visit your blog and see a New Yorker who is so down to earth in personality and her style. It helps me feel like I am not the lone fish in the sea! Thanks!

  14. My two boys are 11 and 13. The 13 year old is a rule follower too, sort of like the family sheriff…knows all the rules and expects everyone to follow them. I like that quality in a first born, its for the children following to lighten things up!
    Jen, I like your heart- you always mention how thankful you are, especially toward family and your boys. You have the right perspective!

  15. I just stumbled across your blog and wanted to read more about you. Your positive outlook on life is so refreshing. When you said you wake up each day and are thankful for something or everything was such a inspiration for me. I too am going to do the same thing. Thank You for telling us more about who you are. : ).

  16. Oh I loved reading this Jen…except that I am a tea drinker & have 2 girls we are soul mates! I wish I had met you when I lived so close by in NY. Southampton, then we built a house in Laurel right before moving to Cali – YES built it then pretty much before the paint was dry LA was calling…?? What? I know – that is a long story! Great post – really enjoyed it!

    1. Thank you Kelly! What a bummer!!! That would have been so fun to live so close. We love spending time in Southold in the summer, there is no place quiet like it but….CA sounds really good about now, its still so cold:). What a journey you have had, maybe sometime we can catch up on all that. Have a great night! Jen

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