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!

owning the space that you're in

it is monday morning and i am sitting in my office for the first time this year!! up until now i have been working from our dining room as i just haven't gotten round to organising and sorting out my space! its funny how you put yourself and your own needs last when there is a husband, a toddler and a growing little one inside of you!

i had a quick checkup with my doctor this morning and so far all is set for next week thursday, i am most eager to meet the little guy and find out what secrets he has been hiding from us the past nine months!

i must admit its nice sitting in my own space again - it feels like i am twice as productive in here and like i am a lot more focused on the various tasks at hand. lesson learned and a little advice to pass on - if you are working for yourself or from home, create a dedicated workspace for yourself, it will ensure more productive work sessions and create a stable work ethic. possibly a bit late to only realise all of this now, but now that i know this i don't think i will forget it again.

have a look at my "thinking about my home office" pinterest board for some great and clever inspirations.

"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working"

Pablo Picasso

have a great week all you lovelies xoxo

a work in progress

for me my everyday life is always a work in progress, i don't think i can ever say something is 100% complete/ perfect...perhaps a personality trait, perhaps normal? i am constantly moving furniture around, swapping positions of paintings or ornaments and my friends know that there will always be some small change in our house when they come to visit.

this morning i am frantically trying to get a sketch design finished on a house that i am working on and just as i start saving some of the 3d views i realise i want to change something again - my normal! but oh so frustrating. i am not sure if this sort of behavior is really favorable or a mere waste of time, but i have learnt to deal with this by setting deadlines and dates of delivery, especially for work, otherwise i will never get anything done. 

i have started playing with the new nursery, but i am well aware that even here things will still undergo drastic changes, will post more on this soon.

this quote makes me feel better about it!

“I feel I change my mind all the time. And I sort of feel that's your responsibility as a person, as a human being – to constantly be updating your positions on as many things as possible. And if you don't contradict yourself on a regular basis, then you're not thinking.” 

― Malcolm Gladwell

have a great weekend lovelies xoxo

Worded inspiration

From here

Contentment is

Good day dear readers, I've had an early start today, but I've done so with a smile on my face. I am off to Stellenbosch this morning as I embark on my last family visit before I become a mommy. After this trip my doctor is less likely to grant me permission to fly and will my next visit only be after the arrival of our little prince.

I am in such high spirits today - work is off to a good start for the new year, the charity ball arrangements are going really well, the baby room is finally getting the attention it needs (I promise to do a post on this), my first baby essential was delivered yesterday - the car seat! - and things seem to be falling into place :).

Last night the husband and I had a lovely dinner - something we can easily neglect when on holiday with the family, so I assume this is part of my feelings of contentment today.

Life can so easily rush past and we can too easily forget to stop, breath, appreciate and see all that is beautiful around us! My last few months of working from home and having a bit more time to do these things have made me realise how important they are - our lives will be over in an instant and someday it will be better if you can tell stories of wonderful adventures and experiences instead of the races of getting things done, gulping down take away food and sprinting to the next meeting - perhaps today you must think about what is important and reassess what it is that you want (Perhaps a little deep for so early in the morning, but this is something that was pressing on my heart when I sat down to write this post)

May you have a lovely day and a splendid week dear reader!

From here

Wise words by our friend Bob

From here

Happy 2013!

So its been a while since my last post and during the past few weeks of holiday I had some time to rethink the way forward for Worded Reflections. My last few months of blogging was a bit sporadic and sometimes a bit unreliable. I know that the regular readers expect something new everyday, be it a quick thought, a clever inspiration or something worth reading or looking at and I did not always deliver...

In 2013 I will aim to be better! I will try to post more regularly and aim to please those of you who take the time to browse my blog. I will probably post a bit more on babies, nurseries and things for little people as I am, for those who do not yet know, 6 and a half months pregnant and am expecting a little prince to arrive mid March - yay! But this will not be my only focus!

I seek to find things that inspire, spark and ignite new ideas. I aim to expose some great interior and architectural projects. I crave to see, read and experience beauty and to share all of this with you!

May 2013 be a WONDERFUL, warm, loving and successful year for all and may you be inspired to do and be more than what you were in 2012!

From here

Having a rainbow in your home

So many of us shy away form too much colour in our homes, but sometimes a little brightness can actually give colour to our lives and everyday existence. Perhaps you can consider some of these colourful solutions to bring the rainbow into your life:

 A rainbow inspired, colour coordinated bookshelf:

From here

A colourful quilt for the bedroom:

From here

Some colourful patchwork furniture pieces:

From here

A mixed up dining room set:

From here

Life can be quite dull all by itself, why not encourage happiness to sprout form your personal space? Have a happy and colourful day dear readers!

From here

Dreaming

Hello dear readers, I am wishing you an inspiring day in which your dreams and wishes may be fulfilled!

From here

I have little over a month left before the end of my working year for 2012 and the husband and I start a 3 week road trip down to Cape Town and along the Garden route. The light at the end of the tunnel, as some might say, is growing brighter en bigger. Happiness!

A quick hello

Good day dear readers! Its been a few days since my last post. I am currently on a short break in the beautiful Western Cape province and I am enjoying a few days off from my desk and my everyday responsibilities back home.

I will be offline for another week or so, so I am not sure when my next post will be, but I thought I'd pop in and say hi. I hope you are all well and loving life!

I thought I'd post some wise words for those in need of inspiration on this Wednesday evening:

From here

Have a good week! xoxo

Hello Monday

Its a new week and I am acutely aware of the changes around me. With this new spring season comes a new sense of awakening, not only in nature but in the people around me too, its almost as if everyone has found some new energy source - its wonderful!

From here

I am wishing you a wonderful week dear readers! May you face challenges head on, may you embrace all that is good and may you be thankful for everyone that is special!

How you know you love him...

This is a bit of a read, but soooo worth it. Perhaps this confirms your feelings for someone or maybe it makes you realise that you've settled for less, either way read it and be inspired to love and do more for the one you love!!

How I Know I Love You

Aug. 21, 2012

By Mila Jaroniec 

I know I love you because I want to get you soup when you’re sick. Not only do I want to get it for you, I want to make it for you so you can eat something made with love instead of with crushed insects and preservatives. I know I love you because I want to slap anyone who hurts you, even if it’s your boss. I want to hold you when you’re having a nightmare and kiss the spot that hurts when you bump into something. I know I love you because I want you to be healthy even when you’re not sick, and that’s why I keep bugging you to change your crappy eating ways even though I know you’re over hearing about it.

I know I love you because I worry about the stuff only people who love you worry about, like the amount of quality sleep you get a night and how much you drink when you’re sad and whether you’re getting enough vitamin B. Like probably more than your mom does, I’m not sure she especially cares about vitamin B. I know I love you because I freak out when you’re obviously disintegrating yet too stubborn and too “I’m fine” to actually go to the doctor, even though I do that sort of thing myself.

I know I love you because I think you’re beautiful even when you’re not. And I don’t mean good-looking, I mean beautiful, beautiful like there’s something pervasive and magnetic about you that comes through even when you look positively bad.  I know I love you because I think you’re beautiful even when you’re wearing Crocs and that’s no small accomplishment.

I know I love you because I want to listen, I really do. I don’t have anywhere to be that can’t wait for a while and I’m not checking my phone, in fact turned it off and buried it in the cushions the moment you said you needed me. I’m here for you and that other thing can wait.

I know I love you because I’m truly concerned with how your life turns out. It’s not just that I want you to “be happy” or attain that vague self-helpy “inner peace” bullshit we’re all supposed to aspire toward, I want you to express yourself and be fulfilled and feel like you’re living life for a good reason, not just passing the time. I want everything to work out for you the way it should and I want to be there for it, occasionally with champagne.

And I’m genuinely convinced that I love you because I want to do things for you that I don’t want to do for anyone, ever. Examples: I’ll babysit your loud sticky children when you have them.  I’ll even stand there patiently with a video camera as you attach piranhas to your nipples when you’re broke and trying to get on Jackass, all that and more. That’s how I know I love you, and I hope you know it too. 

From here

From here

Walls we build

A worded inspiration for today:

From here

May you have a good day dear readers!

Worded inspirations

Some inspiratoin for this new week...

From here

Have a good week dear readers!

Worded Inspirations

From here

Have a good Wednesday dear readers!

Focus on your dreams!

Something I too easily forget!

From here

Happy Friday dear readers!

The work we do

Worded inspiration for today:

From here

Live your story

Happy Monday all! The start of a new week, but who knows what the next few days will bring? 

I am not sure, but today I am filled with excitement for this week, for no apparent reason, I just am!

My inspiration for this week:

May you have a wonderful week that inspires, sparks and set in motion great things for all.

All images from Pinterest

Fly high!

From here

Always aim to fly high above those who want to drag you down!

Live YOUR life!

A manifesto we can all strive to live by:

From here