Progress Report _ life is good!

I know i haven't been posting as regularly as I would like to, but today I am writing to confirm and express that I am THANKFUL, GRATEFUL AND HAPPY. My little family is happy and healthy. Work is busy but awesome. All in all I would be acting like a spoiled brat if I didn't admit that life is good!

Currently I am venturing into some new territory with a small project that I am attempting. I am doing this project under my R.chitect Studio logo, but it has absolutely NOTHING to do with architecture. Perhaps the reason I market my studio as an architecture, decor and graphic service.

This project might be the result of running a business from home and being a full time mom. All I can reveal at the moment are a few works in progress... watch this space!

Have a happy and good week dear readers!

Thank you goes a long way

I received such a sweet thank you message from one of my clients last night and it reminded me why I love my job so much. I enjoy the entire process - from the coffee dates and meetings in the beginning (I call this the dream phase) until the day the client actually moves into the space. But it is when you receive a message like this 3 months after they've moved in that you know the project was a success and only then can you really feel good about the design.

When a client initially moves into a new space they are still in a honeymoon phase as everything is new and exciting and they are usually quite happy. Only once they've actually lived in and used the space for a while will they really be able to tell you what they think and when you get a satisfied client at this stage you know you can relax - a very good feeling indeed!

I am the type of person that thrives and excels on a "pat on the back" and this lack of recognition when you are working on your own is sometimes difficult and a bit demotivating. Therefore this message received last night was beyond  meaningful but also inspiring and motivating for my current projects at hand.

I quote an extract from the message that made me so happy:

"Thank you for today and all your input on the project.It was a pleasure!  

You have a light Rochelle, use it!"

Not only was this a great message to receive it also reminded me how being thankful can positively influence other people's lives - to never underestimate the power of words and always try to brighten up someone's day!

Brothers - a friendship that is made to last

So many people warned us that the transition from having 1 child to 2 is far greater than it was going from 0 - 1. And although they were right in certain instances I wish they would not only tell us about the bad stuff, but also emphasize the good!!!

Anton, now 2 years and 2 months, and little Hendrik, a mere 2 months and 2 weeks currently dictate how my days and even my nights run and they decide when I can have a quick cup of tea, eat lunch and sometimes even when I can take a shower. BUT with the demands of these two little creatures comes entertainment and dialogue that NEVER fails to please. OK, no dialogue from Hendrik yet, but his constant smiling when Anton is around does indicate that he can see the clown that is his older brother.

Like I say - never a dull moment with these two and this is only but the beginning. I am excited when I think of the fun and laughter these 2 will still have, the battles they will face together, the games they will play and the fights they will have to settle. As a mother I have the privilege to experience this relationship firsthand and I am grateful for every moment that I can share with these two. 

  

 
It is my daily prayer that my two boys will laugh more than they will cry, play more than they will struggle, live full lives and, most importantly, enjoy each other and treasure the special bond that only siblings can have!

Sharing the happiness that comes in the form of Coal + Co

This morning I would like to introduce you to a very dear and talented friend of mine - Danette Mulder a jewelry designer from South Africa, currently resigning in Sydney, Australia. A girl whom I miss dearly and often think of when I wear one of my many Coal + Co jewelry pieces. 

Coal + Co is a hand made accessory line that was started in Johannesburg in 2012, almost accidentally when Danette was between living in Jozi and moving to Sydney and needed an income. She designed and hand made an easy to wear range and hosted a pop up shop with a few friends. This is here where things worked out quite well and she is still designing and making jewelry - and delivering quite frequently to South Africa - happy me! 

As Danette will tell you, the name Coal + Co originated from growing up in a coal mine town, where "fun resources" were limited. But she believes that it is exactly this limited exposure that fueled her creativity and shaped her as an individual. "Coal + Co celebrates my roots and all that went with it".

Here are a few pictures from the latest Coal + Co catalogue, look at these beauties:

As mentioned I have quite the Coal + Co collection already, but I get childishly excited every time that I receive a package from Danette and the happiness to wear something handmade, precious and beautiful NEVER wears off! I am actually expecting a pair of custom designed earrings from her soon and can hardly wait! Will share these once I have them in hand. Like I said, sharing the happiness that comes in the form of Coal + Co is a good thing.

You can follow her on Instagram or see her Facebook page here.

Have a good week lovelies.

Happy mama

I know its been a while since my last post! Yes my life is a bit fuller since the arrival of little Hendrik, but I certainly can't blame my lack of writing on him. I think I have just been caught up in life - the kids, the husband, work, running a household and savouring every precious moment with my loved ones - specifically my 3 boys!

I cannot put words to the happiness that I experience everyday. Yes there will be times when I want to run away and hide under my bed until the storm is over, but these moments are only faint blips on the rose coloured canvas of my life. My boys are entertaining, challenging, funny, demanding, dependent, loving and oh! so lovable! I cant imagine a life without these three in it!

I am not always content in thinking that my life has changed so drastically in the past 3 years, but I am happy! I am happy and I am grateful! Today I am thankful to be a mama and to be a wife. xxx