Here’s To Renewed Beginnings

Posted on January 2, 2014 by Veronica Solomon

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What promise a new year holds! There is of course a lot of talk about resolutions and life changes this time of the year, but it all comes from what I believe was created in human nature – the need for change and renewal and to build our lives on a solid foundation.

I think that’s why God gave us new years. He knew we need time to refocus and time to do a bit of pruning. No, we are not plant life, but just like a rose bush needs pruning to really produce beautiful flowers, so do we. We need to take an honest look at our lives and see if it is going in the direction it should be.

Sandi Krakowski from A Real Change, one of the Social Media influencers that I follow, said it best – We have it all wrong when we say “out with the old and in with the new”. Instead we should cut-off what isn’t working in our lives and begin anew. This applies not just to our work lives, but also our personal lives. Nothing that we go through in life whether good or bad is really a waste, it all has a purpose…..a stepping stone to get us to our real life’s purpose. It’s what we do with the good, the bad and the ugly in our lives is what matters. A new year helps us to refocus and see what wasn’t working the past year and resolve to cut it off and not bring it into the new year. It also helps us to look at what did work, and do more of it.

Are there unhealthy relationships that must end or kept at a distance
Old habits that are dragging you down that must be cut off
Situations that you need to forgive others or even yourself of
Making family a priority
Work life balance
Setting boundaries and embrace saying NO
Focus on health and wellness so you can be a better you.

This is a great day to make your plan for 2014 and stick to it.

My goals for 2014 are pretty clear, and everyday I will work to get one step closer.

More time with the children
Volunteer more – especially at school
Finish off the interior of my design studio
Purchase the building I’m leasing for my design studio
Redesign my websites and blog and completely change my company image and make it all consistent
Network a lot more
Getting published (Closer than I thought I’d be)
At least triple sales from last year
Hire an assistant
More Videos
More DIY projects
Attend at least one national conference for bloggers and attending Interior Design trade shows

Hefty goals I know, but very achievable.

What are some goals you have for 2014? Please share if you’d like, and maybe we can help each other get to our goals.

I’m sure we are all ready to get back to normal now that the holiday season has passed. I am having a great time in Florida, but I am also eager to get back to my normal work schedule.

Here are some pictures of my time here so far

My mom (Elizabeth) and I

My mom (Elizabeth) and I

Me at a New year's eve party

Me at a New year’s eve party

Here I am dancing :-)

Here I am dancing :-)

I will be writing all about my time here soon after I get back to Katy, TX in the next few days, and I will share more pictures then.

Please keep voting for me on Top Mommy Blogs by clicking the icon below. It takes you directly to the Top Mommy Blogs Homepage and that counts as a vote for my ranking (currently #2 in the Home and Garden Category and #128 overall). You can also help me further by rating me and leaving a comment. To rate and leave a comment go to the Home and Garden category listed in the menu on the right of the homepage, you will find me (The Naked Decorator) in the #2 position. Simply click on the cupcakes to rate me. You can vote for me each day you visit my blog. Votes only count if they come directly from my Blog and lands on the Top Mommy Blogs Homepage.The Top Mommy Blogs vote button is proudly displayed in the side bar and footer. Thanks so much in advance.

I’ve gotten a few emails and comments about how to rate me and leave a comment. I explained how above and here also is a screen shot of the Home and Garden page:

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Thanks to all who have voted so far. I appreciate you so much!

Click here for my full profile where you can contact me, connect with me, view my portfolio and shop online

Happy New Year!

Be Inspired!

Veronica Solomon

Veronica Solomon

New Year’s Eve Party Tips

Posted on December 31, 2013 by Veronica Solomon

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It’s New Year’s Eve everyone! Let the partying begin!

I am in South Florida visiting family and friends that I have not seen in a very long time, and for me, this is just a very awesome way to ring in 2014! I get to see my mom, who I haven’t seen in 3 or so years. My sister Kim and brother Garfield and their children, and some of my closest friends – Stacey, Marsha and Suzette (all dear friends since high school). Whether we just hang out like old times, or party like rockstars, it will be great no matter what.

This is my home away from home for the next few days! Beautiful, isn’t it?

This is the beautiful new home of my best friend, Stacey. But shhh, don’t tell her I posted this picture Let’s just say she is a lot more private than I am.

A lot of you will probably be spending a quiet evening at home with the family, like I usually do. And many of you may be planning parties to ring in the new year. I’ve put together some party tips to help you get your party started!

Have a theme for your party. Themes are fun!

This can sometimes be a bit cheesy, so be careful what theme you go with and how far you go with it. Think sophisticated, and not necessarily extremely literal with the party theme. Some great theme ideas are: A Vegas theme, 80′s theme, masquerade theme or go simple with a theme that relates to time or new beginnings.

Decorate with color

Black, white, silver and champagne are always popular colors for decorating for New Year’s Eve, but bringing in color is a great way to show off your personality and definitely being festive

Don’t just focus on the tablescapes. Decorate the whole room

Bring the festive feeling to the rest of the space and not just decorate the table tops. Add tons of balloons, streamers, and confetti to really create a party atmosphere. And it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.

Serve finger foods

It is much easier and less messy to serve light finger foods or hors d’oeuvres at your party. Have something for everyone like vegetarian options, or gluten free options. Make sure the presentation is fabulous and easy to get to.

Set up a photo booth

Of course you want your party to be memorable. What better way than to set up a photo booth or an area for taking photos of all your guests. You can create a collage or a home made website to share pictures with each guest. They will see not just their own pictures, but all the special moments captured at the party.

Pay attention to lighting

Create mood and atmosphere with lighting. For example the dance floor could have colorful flashing lights – even a disco ball (how fun would that be?) and the food area could have a beautiful chandelier above the table. Add string lights or put light fixtures on a dimmer for the inevitable kisses at the stroke of midnight

Arrange for designated drivers if needed

This is the most important component of a successful party. Have a plan in place for guests who may go overboard with drinking (Either designated drivers or a place to crash). If you are hosting a party, then you probably shouldn’t drink too much. Pay attention to your guests as they leave to see if they have been drinking too much and will be getting behind the steering wheel. Use your best judgement and insist if they resist. Better safe than sorry!

Whatever you do tonight, please be safe and have a lot of fun! I am heading out for the day in SHORTS and a t-shirt. I love South Florida

Happy New Year! All the best to you and yours

Click here to contact me

Please keep voting daily by clicking the Top Mommy Blogs icon below. This will direct you to the Top Mommy Blogs homepage and that counts as a vote for me. Once you are there, you can help me further by clicking on the Home and Garden category from the menu on the right side of the page. You will find me (The Naked Decorator) listed there (currently in 3rd position for that category and 171st position overall). From there you can rate me or leave a comment by clicking on the little cupcakes. Thanks in advance for your help with my ranking!

All the best for a great 2014!

Be Inspired!

New Year’s Celebrations In Florida….. Woohoo!!

Posted on December 29, 2013 by Veronica Solomon

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Are you all Christmased out? I know I am. Man, has it been a crazy week! I had my doubts that I was going to make it in one piece, as I hit the home stretch of all the shopping, decorating, entertaining, wrapping…..and more shopping. I am now ready to pack away Christmas decorations and start planning for the new year celebrations. How about you?

The kids are happy and really occupied with all their new gadgets, so I think some mommy get-away time is in order. I mean, I totally earned it! Right?

Well, lucky for me, the perfect opportunity for a get-away just fell on my lap. I have to jet off to Florida on business for a few days the first week of January, and so I decided to mix a bit of pleasure with business. Yay me!!

I lived in Florida for many years…..10 years to be exact, and so I have a large network of close friends and family there, including my mother, brother and sister. I am pretty sure I will not run out of things to do while I’m there. I definitely see a few parties in my future Maybe even helping my best friend Stacey add some decorative touches to her new home. And the best part, the weather I’m sure will be much better than it is here in Houston! Let the New Year’s celebrations begin!

So incase I am really quiet on the blog next week, please understand that I will have very limited access to the internet and work stuff in general. Besides, I’m sure y’all will be busy partying like it’s 1999!

I will do my best to post as often as possible here on the blog, but I will most likely be updating frequently on Facebook so please join me there.

Now I’m kinda curious about how you will be ringing in the new year? What are the big resolutions if any? Leave me a comment below.

……..And before I go I have one big news to share!!

My blog was recently approved by TopMommyBlogs.com as a Top Mommy Blog and I need your help to rank #1

Please click the graphic above to vote for me. A visit a day boosts my blog ranking at Top Mommy Blogs – The Best Mommy Directory Ever! You will be directed to the Top Mommy Blogs home page which counts as a vote to help my blog ranking. Landing on their Tools page or their Coupons Page will also count as votes

I will be posting frequently in the future about my life as an approved Top Mommy Blogs Blogger. Please visit often for updates and to vote for me. I have added a link as a footer for your convenience if you’d like to vote for me each day you visit my blog. Thanks in advance for your help. You ROCK!

I have more great news to share about my plans to kick off 2014 right! Please come back to find out more.

Whatever you will be doing to ring in the new year, please be safe and have loads of fun….. and stay warm!

Happy New Year to you all. I pray that the new year will be filled with lots of blessings, joy, love, health, peace and prosperity!

Here’s how you can reach me. Click for my complete profile

Be Inspired!

Veronica Solomon

Veronica Solomon

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