a Taylored Approach
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8/24/2017 Most GirlsI have been deep in thought lately about life, my career (shocking) and where I am in my personal journey of self love. As I sit in my baby millennial pink chair, sipping on a mini can of babe rose, I am feeling thankful. And even though I am still hard on TC (thanks to the Virgo in me), I have tried to let things go that would have plagued me a decade ago. Easier said that done as it used to take my mind days to let something go, I call it a win when it's just a few hours but hey, improvement nonetheless. Whether it was a mistake at work, a DIY project that didn't turn out exactly the way I had pictured or not taking advantage of a moment for the small spontaneous bone in me to be revealed, there are a few things I would like to tell my twenty something self, who thought moments in life would just fall into her lap or was too timid to make a move. My dad shared a list of guy winners and losers 15 years ago (post here) and I thought I would give that tan and blondie AZ babe of the past a few pieces of advice on being a winner in boss lady life, from the office of TC which has had a bit of a makeover. 1. Surround yourself with people who you make you fearless. 2. Trust your instinct. Leave doubt at the front door. 3. Take a moment to acknowledge what you have achieved. 4. Trust the timing of your life. Remember, a wise man taught you, Happenstance. Get a dictionary. 5. Never let go of the friends who've seen you at your best and worst. As you get older, you'll have good radar when bringing new ones into your circle. 6. It's ok to want to have a moment or night alone. A day in your pajamas to watch fashionable movies or Harry Met Sally on repeat is totally acceptable. The only requirement, a glass of bubbly and maybe some green eggs. 7. Never lose that sparkle of letting your inner old lady shine. In a funny way, it'll keep your spirit youthful and bring out your less serious side. 8. Stop worrying. The 30 minutes you spend spinning on something is 30 minutes way too long. 9. When you can't find the words, actions speak volumes. Your eyes say a lot more than you think. 10. The guy who can't embrace your gold birds, love of fur and palm print isn't the one for you. And alas, tonight's blog title, a song I have come to love the lyrics so I'll leave you with a few... You know some days you feel so good in your own skin 'cause you look greatest when you feel like a damn queen. We're all just trying to win at life. Most girls are smart and strong and beautiful. Most girls, work hard, go far, we are unstoppable. Most girls, our fight to make every day. No two are the same. I wanna be like, I wanna be like, most girls...
To those girls and even those guys that shape who you are and where you are in your life. Trust the timing, live in the moment and have that extra martini, of course, with blue cheese olives. 8/21/2017 Hey BirdieIt's time to get a little cheeky around the Tay Approach and talk about something very important. Birdies, decor and how this blog has evolved. It's very clear I am easily thrilled by a few things. As I approach my 33rd year, it might as well be my 80th because I just can't help myself but be giddy by the silliest of finds. That inner old lady has really shined. I'm proud of her and feel like she's helped me come into my own. It's funny the perspective (my overused work word) I took with the blog was to write what moves me. I have created a place where I kind of like to talk about myself, things I love and how I feel, which for those of you know me, especially after a recent weekend filled with such emotion; it's never been easy for me to articulate my feelings outside of the office, let alone telling someone (even when there might be tears). My inner shopaholic thought I would gravitate toward fashion posts, outfits of the day and fabulous finds but what I have come to realize is I love interiors. I love nooks. And I love knacks. If you've seen my mini cube of an apartment, you know what I have been able to cram into this 500 square foot spot. I've had a lot of fun attempting to create "rooms." Yes, a very big stretch of the word but when you love clothes and a few fun things to look at, you become extremely creative and slowly your home evolves. What I hope is someday when I enter the real world of home ownership, I can mix the pops of color with a very white and clean space; using my zoo animals as accents, printed duvets as a focal point and of course, rotating pillows with the trendy color or pattern of the moment on the ghost chair in my office. Maybe if my career in retail takes a turn, I've found my calling as I can't help but get immersed in making my space a place I don't want to leave which is good and bad! It's funny because my desk at work slowly has mirrored my home. If I have to be in the office, I might as well have pretty things to look at. Yes, I even have a lamp on my desk and it took every bit of me to fight the urge to bring a white shaggy throw for my awful desk chair. I'll save that for when I have my own corner office, just you wait. I know I mentioned these gold birdie beauties but they have really made themselves at home and are quite a pair of chic roomies. I love these Ikea shelves which took me way too long to build by myself but they have become a great focal point for all of my favorite things. A collection of books, ceramic finds and even a hot pink cactus I somehow have been able to keep alive just to name a few knickknacks that reside here. It's become an art cultivating random pieces over the years and somehow when you throw them together, they just work. On a gloomy day, I can play merchandiser and totally recreate the display. There is no shortage of creatures so I think I am set! From a cow skull where I painted the horns to a triceratops dino that doubles as a planter I found in New York, there's a story which each of them. Ok, so you might be thinking, what is the deal with the creepy white cat? That's the old bitty in TC who's heart went pitter-patter when she came across this little guy at an antique shop in Healdsburg. I mean her lashes were enough to sell me. I had seen a larger version on the Glitter Guide one day buried in Instagram and I had to have my own vintage kitty. I am still on the hunt for her mom because well, things are better in pairs. I am a sucker for any type of retail or business book. You'd think in the small opportunities I have to read that I would pick something that gets me away from the work brain but I can't help myself. It started with the How We Built Gilt and The Glitter Plan. Reading how a simple idea can become a crazy phenomenon fascinates me. Maybe the Approach can someday be an empire but for now, the dream is what keeps me motivated. There's one big wall I have yet to figure out what I want to do with and after helping a gal pal start to make moves creating her decor inspiration, I've realized I need to get on it too! I am leaning toward something with texture so stay tuned as my studio on Chestnut continues to evolve. Cheers to fighting those Monday blues and indulging in the oh so fantastic guilty pleasure, Bachelor in Paradise.
xoxo, TC 7/17/2017 Designer Girl GangGirl gangs come in all sorts of shapes & sizes and sometimes, if you are lucky, you can even create them. I'm not just talking about gals you cultivate through your life but little things you can put your mind to to surround yourself by what you love. I am fortunate to have somewhat of an artistic side thanks to my grandmother, ML. I also have quite a bit of patience when I have a vision. Flashback to that sequin memory with my favorite pink door as it was a mind over matter moment blazing in the desert sun. In this story, it was a DIY vision involving a scene in Gossip Girl and a closet find as I was buried in Pinterest. The only necessities to make these projects come to life; a blank canvas, handmade stencils and black paint pens. Little did I know it was a big commitment but one that has brought me a lot of joy in my home. The designer canvas dream started when I first watched Gossip Girl and that Prada light installation caught my eye in the van der Woodsen apartment. Prada Marfa is not just a graphic but a movement and #goals. I am still accepting applications for the lucky member of the Marfa trip tribe. Call me crazy but it may be the one destination to get me to camp. The designer role call canvas as I like to call it was a major labor of love. To this day, I still have no idea how I actually got the YSL lettering to work and always get mad at myself for C-E-L-I-N-E being too close together. Typical Virgo where I get a little (ok a lot) OCD about the smallest mark or error in something. It can't help but haunt me. But when the lighting strikes just right, the canvas glistens and reminds me somehow I was able to create her and the "mistakes" make it a personal work of art. I've had these canvas beauties in my home for years but there is new art residing in the Marina. And no, I did not paint these lips I spotted next to the Dorian on Chestnut but you probably guessed it... a new frock of mine needs to have a moment. I was so thrilled to stumble across this pout on Sunday after a few marina spritzes. Stay tuned for some pucker worthy shots.
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