0 the responsibility to lead

I thought this quote was so appropriate for MLK Day 2014. I hope that we all take some time to reflect on how Dr. King and others gone before us accepted responsibility to lead, and to think about how we can do the same thing.

8 *tap tap* is this thing still on?

Happy New Year y'all! I know... it's been a while! Since I last posted here, my life has, yet again, transformed! It's so amazing how no matter how much we plan, God can top your goals and dreams. If you have been following my blog for a while, you know that at the end of 2012 I decided to leave Atlanta and move back home to Raleigh, NC to finish my Interior Design degree full-time. Packing up my life and moving back in with my mom was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I would need about half of the emoji keyboard to really illustrate all of the emotions I experienced during that move, but I pushed through them all because deep down I knew I was making the best choice for me. Being back at Meredith was surprisingly refreshing, my love for Raleigh deepened even more, and I scored an awesome internship for the summer. I started classes in the fall of 2013 with the intention of finishing the LAST 4 classes I needed to graduate and moving on to the next thing in 2014.

Well, when I was sitting in the first day of classes reading through my syllabi, I got a call from Chip Wade saying that he wanted to interview me for a full-time position with his show HGTV Elbow Room. I didn't apply for this position. Someone left the show for another opportunity and somehow my name was suggested as her replacement. You can imagine, I'm immediately excited because I absolutely love this show and isn't the whole point of getting an education to be then gainfully employed in your area of expertise?

...But wait...

The job starts in September? So... what about school? I was falling in love with my Raleigh again, and I wasn't ready to leave my family and friends! Once again, I was challenged to make a difficult decision based on faith. Well, I knew that this job was for me and I couldn't pass it up. So I have accepted the fact that I may not be able to finish my degree in 2013 after all, but would take the opportunity regardless, and plan to finish the classes when I can. I presented my situation to my awesome advisor, fully expecting to hear "Good luck with your job but I cannot help you..." and would you know that we work out a plan for me to stay enrolled in 2 of the 4 classes I needed. The other 2 I will be completing this spring and summer here in Atlanta.

I don't know which scenario gave me more joy; getting a dream job offer back in Atlanta or the reassurance that I would still be able to finish this degree. I truly felt an overwhelming sense of favor in both scenarios, as if God was literally hugging me. I am forever grateful to Chip & Cristi for giving me the opportunity to work with them and to my advisor Dr. Burpitt for believing in me.


SO... Now it's 2014 and I am back in Atlanta, working full time for Elbow Room. We're half way through 13 episodes that will make up Season 3. Man has it been a ride thus far, and I'm loving every minute of it. I am taking one class on Saturdays and will be DONE with this degree by August 2014. My timeline was delayed, but it's still unbelievable to me that I will be finishing this program that I started in 2007! Yes, 7 years ago! I'm living proof that no path is a straight shot to achieving your dreams.


With all that going on, I stopped blogging just so that I could ENJOY it. Another decision that I'm so thankful for because it allowed me to really focus on what is important to me, and find a proper balance. I think we (millenials, social media enthusiasts) can become slaves to online connectedness. I had to take a step back and ask "Who am I serving in all of this?" Your answer may be different from mine, but I think it's an important question to ask. Once I defined that for myself, I was able to prioritize my time and be more present.

I'm excited to get back to blogging and sharing some of my life and design inspiration with y'all again! I started this blog when I started design school, so it's only fitting that I bring you along for the last leg of it. I hope that 2014 has started off amazingly for you and even if it doesn't seem like it has, know that it will get better.

0 monday motivation

We all have our own personal + professional goals that we work towards each day. If you've been reading this blog for a while you know that I have had many many attempts to find at what works for me. I've lived in different places, worked so many different jobs, left school and returned to school. If you're just getting to know me at this stage in life, you have no idea what trial & error process I've been through. The lessons I've learned from my missteps empower me and keep me motivated, so I'm thankful for them! I was reminded this weekend that I have the freedom to keep trying because nobody remembers your trys, they only remember your wins! It's an exhilarating feeling when you realize that when that one big break happens, your flubs are erased from the memories of those who care about you.


PS - Can we talk about how AMAZING Oprah's Next Chapter was last night? So many great take aways from this group of talented actresses. I really want to continue the conversation! Tell me your thoughts on it in the comments below.

0 monday motivation

How is it June 10th already? We're halfway through 2013 and this year has been nothing but surpise after surprise for me. So much so, that I've had to really evaluate what I choose to keep in my life in order to make room for the new. One lesson that I've learned over and over again is to give only major things major time. In the past I have spent too much time & energy on people or things that really don't add value to my life. Sometimes it's hard to recognize that fact, but in the end, focusing my energy on what matters to me the most always yields the best results for me & those around me.

This week let's remember not to give minor things major time!

0 monday motivation

I have a notebook that I write in. It could be called a journal, but I just call it a notebook. It's filled with thoughts and plans and notes. Sometimes I browse through it and wonder how I forgot some of the ideas and dreams I wrote down! Do you ever have moments where you remember and old idea of yours and become passionate about it again? Don't quit day dreaming! They don't expire, and you can always pick up where you left off.

Have a great Monday!

0 monday motivation

found on Get Togetha

While I was in Atlanta last week, I had dinner with my friends Ally and Dorothy Burke and something we were talking about made me blurt out, "I don't require myself to be perfect!" That may be the first time I have said that to anyone else, but it is the way I have been living my life for quite some time now. I am admittedly a retired perfectionist; at some point I realized that each morning God wakes me up, I am exactly how He wants me to be. No need to fret about what I think is "wrong". Once I let go of that annoying itch to FIX myself all the time, I noticed that the best of me effortlessly came to the surface.

I owe you guys a real recap of everything I've been up to!! I promise to fill you in this week! :)

Also, stay tuned for a new Design Talk webisode with Erika Ward tomorrow! She is truly one of my "sheroes" and I'm so happy to call her a friend.

Have a great Monday!

1 monday motivation

One of my best friends said this to me a week or so ago and I've added it to my list of mantras. So many times we "throw something away" (whether it be a person, a habit, a thing) and yet at some point later, we take it out of the trash, dust it off and try it again. If you threw it away, then obviously you had a reason to do so. Picking it out of the trash and trying it again is just stupid. Don't do it!

This week I'm determined to leave the trash in the can.

2 monday motivation

I saw this on Pinterest last week and it jumped off the screen at me. How many times do we subconsciously affect our mood by the label(s) we give ourselves? "I'm tired" leads to a long, dragged-out day. "I'm not ready" makes us procrastinate.

This week, I'm going to do my best to put only positive words behind "I am..." And let's see what happens! Have a great Monday y'all!

1 monday motivation

source

Happy Monday y'all! I'm slowly but surely getting into the swing of things here in North Carolina. I started classes and it's such a trip to be back on campus! I'm feeling good about the semester though, and excited to knock it out. While I was catching up on the services I've missed at Mount Paran Church online this weekend, Pastor Cooper said something that stuck out to me:

"Problems are like clouds; no matter how dark or stormy they may be, they always pass. Goals are like stars; you can chart your course by them because they are always there."

I decided to add that to my list of mantras for the year and share it with you! I hope it stays with you in the same way.

0 monday motivation

source
Just a reminder that you are AWESOME just the way you are. Happy Monday folks! I'm working at United Methodist Children's Home today in my room for Room Service Atlanta. So excited to finish up the room and share it with you next week!

Have a great day,

1 what I'm reading

I picked up this book during my break from blogging last month and I have to say that it was very instrumental in me turning things around. DeVon Franklin wrote this book about career success from his perspective as a Christian Hollywood executive. However, it certainly applies to ANYONE building a career for themselves. He tells his story about staying true to what he believes while still relentlessly pursuing his ambitious goals. The theme that resonated the most for me was remembering that we are all just characters in our own movie. Often times we get so caught up in our own ambition that we think we are the writer, director and star of our life's movie, but in reality, it's next to impossible, and probably not the smartest idea, to attempt to play all those roles. Focusing in on who YOUR director is, listening to His direction and playing your role is the key to giving an outstanding performance, according to Produced by Faith.

I highly suggest you pick up a copy! Or you can download it directly to your Kindle here. Check out DeVon talking about his story and the book below!



PS - What are you reading right now?




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And don't forget, I'm collecting donations for my 2012 Room Service Atlanta project. If you'd like to make a donation, click the button below!

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0 monday motivation

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We all feel like this on our good days right? You wake up and have the optimism of 5 people and come up with 100 ways that you can conquer the world all before you answer your first email. Somewhere along the way you start to feel like you're crazy. "I can't really do X,Y, & Z! What am I thinking?" But the secret is, you can. It may take more time, patience, work or resources than you can imagine but anything is possible.

Here's to making impossible happen this week!








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And don't forget, I'm collecting donations for my 2012 Room Service Atlanta project. If you'd like to make a donation, click the button below!

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1 motivation monday

"Sometimes the pain you may be going through in the present may actually be something you are holding on to from the past. Think about releasing yourself from then and allowing yourself to enjoy now. Everything has a season." -Jasmine Rose Wade


I was blessed enough to take the weekend off to spend some time with my amazing family in NC. To be honest, I often feel guilty for being so far from most of them & putting work and my life in Atlanta first. We are a tight-knit, big crew & I feel their love + support all the time, although I don't get to see them as much as I like. Being with them this weekend really reminded me that the best way to enjoy life is to just let go & be of completely present. It sounds cliche, but it's so true that no day is promised. We get so bogged down with what we have to do, how we think things should be, combating negative emotions, etc. etc. that we miss the simple bliss of being WELL at this very moment.

I left my to-do list & calendars alone for 3 days and it was the best thing I could do to soak up the priceless family time + recharge & rejuvenate for this week and beyond! I let go of the guilt & anxiety I sometimes feel about the constant balance of work & the people I love. Hopefully, you take a little time to LET GO as well this Monday AM.

Peace!

2 happy friday + inspiration via L boogie

This week has been a whirlwind & I can't believe that Thanksgiving is NEXT week. Geez! Where did the month go? I'm looking forward to the holidays but it seems like the days leading up to them are speeding by.

I took a few minutes to re-watch this speech given by Lauryn Hill to a group of high school students when she was just 25 years old. It's such a great reminder to stay true to yourself and remember where your strength comes from. This speech is FULL of gems. Perfect quotes to hold on to! As you start your weekend, take a moment to listen and carry them with you.

1 happy friday! + C.R.U.S.H

We made it through another week! Thank you so much for the great feedback on the new look of the blog + our upcoming Design Talk series! The first episode will be posted on Monday ;)

I want to share a video that I saw on Erika's Facebook page this week that really spoke to me... If you are working hard on your goals and feel like you're not seeing your progress fast enough, this video is for you! People who are truly passionate and driven go through this ALL the time. You can do it! Just C.R.U.S.H.




Until next week!

3 working smarter

"Oh! It's Monday again?" That's exactly the words that popped into my head as my eyes peeled open this morning. Where did the last week go? I have a confession, since leaving my full time job my weekly schedule has become more and more unpredictable, and I don't feel like I'm using my time in the best way I could.

I'm all over the place. Designing, teaching, working a part-time job, teaching and splitting my time between friends and family. I feel guilty for just taking time for me! Why? Because I feel like I'm not working smart enough in my productive time. At the beginning of the year I had such a tight schedule that I knew exactly when I had time to work on my business, when I had to work my "day job", and when I had time to play.

Today, I'm determined to start working smarter instead of harder. I need to find that balance between doing what I have to do, need to do & want to do. I have a tendency to go go GO without being strategic and I recognize that I sometimes need to take a moment to think.


Dayka posted this awesome video on Friday and I think it's a great way to start of the week! Check out the video below for a little Monday Morning Motivation.

4 the design studio

Almost exactly a year ago, I founded my company and named it after this blog; SingleBubblePop Design Studio. I wanted the name to sound like a collective of design professionals, because eventually, that's what I want it to be! Flash forward to now, and I've actually moved into a studio! I'm living and working from a tiny 545 square foot space and I absolutely love it.

Here's the floorplan:



It's just enough space for me, and I'm going to make it uber girlie. I've been here almost a month, and I haven't had my girl's over yet because I haven't executed my design plan yet. Stay tuned & I'll share my plan tomorrow!

Until then, check out this video of Nick Olsen touring a studio he designed in Brooklyn. This is my inspiration!

17 happiness is a form of courage

It's been 20 days since my last post here on SingleBubblePop and that's because I do my best to blog my true self here. Since it's inception in 2007, this blog has been a reflection of my life in every aspect. Those of you that have been following since the beginning have witness me go from a student, to traveling abroad, relocating, starting my career, and becoming a business owner. I've shared my family and friends with you and my love as well, right along with all the beautiful things that inspire me. I feel connected to every person who takes the time to read and for that reason I always try to give you a real reflection of me. This month has been a roller coaster like none other I've ever experienced. While not feeling grounded, I lost my voice for a moment, and didn't feel comfortable writing.

At the beginning of the month, the man who I've spent the last 5 years loving and growing with decided that we are no longer. I had no idea this was coming. Talk about having the rug pulled from under... It took me about a week to literally get it together. I'm not a person who has breakdowns; instead I experience kind of a slow-burn intense anxiety that permeates every moment & breath. I won't get into the logistics that this ending affects, but it changes a lot. Some may say everything. But once I could wrap my head around the idea that the life I envisioned for myself had come to a screeching halt, I picked myself up and chose happiness.

I spent as much time as I could with my amazing friends. Partook in a little retail therapy, because I am fortunate enough to be able to. I got back to work, slowly but surely, on my awesome client projects.

And then a amazing thing happened. The blessings started rolling in. People that I hadn't talked to in months, who had no clue I'd been down started to call. New unsolicited clients. Opportunities I only dreamed for myself came to fruition! I've been oscillating from feeling sadness & uncertainty to joy & hopefulness for the last 20 days.

The thing is, I choose to be happy no matter what. Even when I'm hurt. Life is way too short and I'm overwhelmingly blessed. It's taking me a few weeks to get back the courage to be happy but these few weeks will be a drop in the bucket to my long life. I still have a lot of decisions to make about where I will go & what I will do next, but I'm taking my time to figure it all out. I feel like God is stirring things up in my life right now in preparation for something big.

Thank you so much for bearing with me, and I'll be back to my regular blogging schedule by next week! I have some really great things going on that I can't wait to share with you. I'm also going to update the look of the blog so pardon any mess you may see in the process.

Love,

Niki

1 abstract in motion

How beautiful is this painting in motion?


Just a little beauty to start your Hump Day.

3 dining al fresco

Tis the season for warm days and cool nights; the perfect combination for outdoor entertaining. Here's some inspiration for dining al fresco in style!


Love these tin chairs paired with an elegant table setting!


No need for a complete patio set; mixing different chairs can create a beautiful eclectic feel.


No patio? No problem! Use pillows a easily movable benches and table to set up a dining room right in your yard. Hang decorative lamps above the table to mock the feel of a chandelier.


For a bold look: Use tile to add color and pattern to your patio. A cost effective way to get the same look is to paint your patio!


Don't dismiss the power of lighting! If you're serving dinner at dusk, why not light up the scene with affordable holiday lights? It takes a simple set up to a magical space.


Need assistance getting your outdoor space ready for spring & summer guests? Contact me today about creating a plan for your home!

Photos via 1.2.3.4.5.