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The Design Inspirationalist

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The Design Inspirationalist

Category Archives: Inspiration Photo Friday

Inspiration Photo Friday: Timing

15 Friday Feb 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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celebrate, change, engaged, evolution, fate, love, marriage, meaing, numbers, patterns, proposal, valentines day

As we all know, yesterday was Valentine’s Day. I never really cared much for the holiday but ever since Dan asked me to marry him 2 years ago, on this day, it gave a whole new meaning to the word Valentine. Because he chose this day to propose, it was unexpected and very sweet. He knew I wouldn’t think he would ask me on a holiday since we both felt that’s a little lame to do. Unfortunately, his original plan didn’t work out so he went with plan b. And of course I said yes! Such a sweet and personal experience indeed. It all ended with a gorgeous ring and a big kiss.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Timing

Then, exactly a year later, Dan and I moved into our first home we bought together. The process was extremely exhausting and while also planning our wedding, it was quite overwhelming. Closing on the house was very gratifying, I must say. We were officially homeowners! We celebrated with glee. Then we got to work on the DIY renovations before we moved in. It just worked out that the 14th was the day we actually moved in and slept in the house. Even though we were catching our beauty sleep on the floor in the living room, we were super happy and felt very lucky to have our dream home.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Timing

We have gone through so much in our house already and the memories just keep on adding up. It has been nice to see all the changes it has gone through since we moved in and made it ours. One of my favorite parts of house is the backyard. It’s cool to see how back there has evolved and changed throughout the year as well.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Timing
Inspiration Photo Friday: Timing
Inspiration Photo Friday: Timing
Inspiration Photo Friday: Timing

I just feel that most of the time, it all comes down to timing. Coincidences don’t really exist, fate is constantly at work. The 14th is clearly a meaningful number for Dan and I. This year we had such a great day, another memory to add to the list. I have always been infatuated with numbers and patterns and can’t help looking deeper into things when they happen, especially when it involves numbers. Here are my thoughts on this.

The equation: 1+4=5
Dating back to the Pythagoreans, the number 5 represents love and marriage. Hence, Dan and I getting engaged. One by itself is known as the generator of all numbers and 4, stood for justice and order. As a whole, I see that as a message saying we have come together to start something that will bring order and completion to our lives. Because of our love and fate, we will share vows of marriage and honor. Having moved in our first home a year later only proves our course is positive and evolving.

To dive a little deeper we go into the original equation of when we got engaged:
2+1+4+2+0+1+1=11 {1+1}= 2 – You can read more about this number below

To me, its really that simple. When you include the day we first met and the day we got married, just for fun, it gets even more awesome. Our anniversary is the 11th and August of 2008 is when our relationship officially started.
So you have 8+1+1+2+0+0+8=20{0+2}= 2
The number two is the first female number and stands for opinion and division. This number is an important and memorable number in our existence. Just think of all the pairs there are: body parts, yin & yang, sun & moon, etc.. – you simply “can’t have one without the other” idea. This is a great starting point for Dan and I as our relationship would indeed justify the meaning of this number, we were a pair.

Then you take the date we got married. 5+2+0+2+0+1+2=12 {1+2}= 3
The number three is considered a masculine number and by combining one and two, it represents harmony. I couldn’t think of anything else more perfect to explain our wedding day.

Then to sum it all up you take {2} when our relationship started, {2} when we got engaged and {3} the day we got married and put them all into an equation to equal {7}. The number seven represents the natural world and most cannot exist without it. In religious circles its celebrated for many reasons as well as having importance in geometry, astronomy and science. It is known as the number of the Seeker in astrology and has characteristics that represent both the personalities of Dan and I. Doing all this analyzing is surely interesting!

So, think about the experiences you have had and what part timing has played to make it memorable. I can bet, when you break things down and see its hidden patterns, you will find that everything happens for a reason. And its not about justification, because how your life pans out is certainly supposed to unfold in that way. It’s about delving into deeper realms to understand, on a human level, how to make sense of the things that happen to us. Expand your mind and you will see all the truths and possibilities.

Inspiration Photo Friday: BFF’s Rule!

08 Friday Feb 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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best friends, childhood, friends, friendship, growing up, love, wedding

Everyone has those special people in their lives they will always love and feel connected too. These can be family, friends and of course someone you are in a relationship with.  I can probably count on my two hands the people I consider great friends in my life. They aren’t acquaintances or people I just met, they are the ones that I have known for years and will always be close with, no matter what.

My wedding day was a fantastic memorable day. I was so happy my friends could be there to celebrate with Dan and I and be a part of it all. Capturing these special moments was really important to me so I tried to get all the pictures I could. Of course I was all over the place and overwhelmed so I didn’t get as many as I would like but there are a few that truly make me smile.

This photo is one I will cherish forever. I am so thankful to my photographer, Lauren Elle, for capturing all of us so perfectly. I have known the people in this picture since middle school and have had the pleasure to grow up with them with and be a part of their lives. We were a crew back in the day and had gone through so much together. Although none of us really see each other that often, when we get together, its like we were never apart.

I only have one other photo with all of us together and it was taken in 2006 after I graduated. Now, six years later, we are still best friends and know that we will always have each other, no matter what. I can’t tell you enough how much I adore this photograph. I think back to when we were kids and how long its been since we all first met, over 20 years ago.

Meg is now a mom to a beautiful 6 year old girl, Hernan is working and focusing on his music, I am recently a Mrs., Joe is doing great with his partner Dan and having a blast traveling and living life, and Val is a new mom to a gorgeous little girl and engaged to the love of her life. I couldn’t be more happier.
© 2012 Lauren Elle Photography
Starting from the left – Meg {my maid of honor}, Hernan, Me, Joe & Valerie

This other photo captures what my girls and I have shared for so many years, a love for music. Asunta and I have known each other since 1996 when I moved to Florida. We have been great friends ever since and she even lived with me for awhile a few years ago. To the right is Heather, we’ve been close ever since I moved to Long Island back in 1996 {before Florida}. She was the first girl I was ever in a relationship with and I will always love her. We are still best friends and see other often as she lives only 25 minutes from me. Her present girlfriend, Brytni, is next to her, whom I adore greatly. They have been together for a number of years and I think she is awesome.

I have gone through a lot with Asunta and Heather throughout the years and we have so many great memories to look back on. This photo is one of my favorites though. It’s up on my wall with the other one, for all to see.
© 2012 Lauren Elle Photography
Starting from the left – Asunta, Me, Brytni & Heather

Remember to keep your true friends close to your heart. They are the ones that will be there to pick you up when you are down and give your life a special happiness only they can provide. BFF’s rule!

Inspiration Photo Friday: The Road Home

01 Friday Feb 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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clouds, drive, home, home sweet home, life, Maine, nature, path, patience, road, sky, strength, travel, trees

Everyone has bad days and goes through troubled times. That’s just life. But it helps to have someplace to call home, a place where you can relax and just be. And some even have special places within that home to go to for some peace and quiet. Whether you’re a homebody or not, there is no place like home.

This photo was taken on our family trip back from Maine over 2 years ago. A week filled with peace, quiet and lots of relaxation. The beautiful views and breathtaking atmosphere was quite an inspiration for me. Especially since I adore nature. This photo reminds me of how much I love home and the pure essence of new beginnings. Even though our trip was over and we were sad to say good bye, we were excited to get back to our special space.

When I look at this image, it speaks to me in a language that is clear and simple. No matter what life brings your way, there will always be a road to lead you in the right direction. A safe pathway that will not only bring you home, but teach you lessons along the way. To think of this road as an ending is missing the beauty of starting fresh. Returning to your special place only enables new paths to appear. With a clear head and the will to move forward, life is waiting outside your door.

And no worries about the things we cannot control. Life will continue to test our abilities and patience. Just remember to keep your eyes open and find that path that awaits your travels. For it will take your hand and bring you to where you belong, home sweet home.

Inspiration Photo Friday: The Road Home - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Inspiration Photo Friday: Back in the Day

25 Friday Jan 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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adventure, back in the day, crew, dance, friends, friendship, kids, music, new york, parties, raves, young, youth

As you get older, there are times you look back upon your life and think of the good old days when everything was much simpler. Of course there may have still been real life things to deal with but being young meant the world was yours to take. There was no doubt there would be obstacles in your way. However, good times are always what you remember and keeping those memories alive is something we all cherish.

For this Inspiration Photo Friday, I wanted to go back to a time when music was my life.  I always loved to dance so it was a given I would get involved in the party scene during my teen years. From Jersey to Florida, I explored many of these “raves” with great friends and good people I met along the way. During this time I also experimented with a lot of mind altering substances and I am sure you can imagine the stories I can tell. Like I said, being young is bliss. For me, it meant being fearless. I wanted to experience everything that came my way and then some.

My friend, Kade, sent me this photo awhile ago. When I saw it I was in awe because it brought me back to a time in my life I hold so close. The excitement of the night to come, the many people I’d meet and friends I’d run into, and how could I forget the amazing music. Dancing all night for hours on end, sweating my ass off – those were the days. Every party was a journey, a vacation for my mind. Boy, do I miss it.

In the picture is my best friend Heather {squatting} and my friend Asunta from Florida who was visiting New York at the time {white shirt}. And there I am with one of my infamous poses, blue hat and Polo shirt. All the other kids are people we would chill with at parties. I believe this was early in the morning after an all nighter in the city. And I am sure we had an amazing time.

I will never forget all those good times. I was upset to see it end when the scene started changing but it wasn’t was it used to be. A whole new generation took over and it was transformed. My friends and I just didn’t fit in anymore. Maybe its because we were growing up, who knows. All I know for sure is life was once crazy and fun and all we cared about was each other and the new adventures that would come our way. Back in the day we ruled the world and I will never forget it.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Back in the Day

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