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The Design Inspirationalist

~ Inspiring Ideas | Spectacular Creations

The Design Inspirationalist

Tag Archives: friends

Inspiration Photo Friday: Holiday Cheer

06 Friday Dec 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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christmas, christmas tree, decorating, family, friends, holidays, ornaments

I love the holidays. Being with family and friends, giving gifts, and decorating are the elements I love the most. Having Santa ride around our neighborhood on the fire truck is certainly an extra bonus. All these things is what makes the holidays so much fun. And in the middle of it all, stands the infamous Christmas tree.

This year my husband, Dan, and I got our first big tree and you can bet I was excited to decorate it. It may sound silly how happy it made me but since we’ve been together, we’ve used tiny trees, both fake and real, and it just doesn’t compare. When we went to buy one, we laid our eyes on the first tree in our view and both agreed it was perfect. And the perfect place for this beautiful tree was right in front of our main window for all to see.

I dressed it with all the ornaments in our collection which includes many from Dan’s childhood as well as mine, along with some new ones we acquired along the years. I like to use white lights so the colors from the ornaments shine. And since it was our first large tree, I thought I should do something special. So I strung popcorn and made a garland, which took me about 6 hours to make. It was all worth it though. Then I sprinkled a little tinsel along the edges and it was good to go.

We love how the tree came out and the warmth it adds to our living room. At night, it glows so beautifully, it truly makes me smile. The holidays are surely felt in our home and since we are having my family here for Christmas Eve this year, it’s going to be one of the best we had in a long time. So excited!

Inspiration Photo Frida: Holiday Cheer

A Baby Shower Luncheon

19 Tuesday Nov 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Decor Ideas, Events & Parties

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baby shower, baby shower invitations, celebrations, events, family, friends, invitations, its a girl, mommy to be, parties, pastels, pink bow

This past Saturday, family and friends gathered at my aunt’s house to celebrate the arrival of my cousin’s first child. Her and her husband are having a little girl and everyone is so excited. They are expecting her January 2, what a nice gift for the new year!

The invitations were a nice mix of pastels and modern touches. I was so happy she came to me to design them for her. It was fun creating a custom piece with her ideas and bringing them to life. I also designed her thank you’s which reflected the same style. You can find both in my shop!

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

The shower was coordinated by my aunt Debbie, who did such an amazing job. From the delicious food and desserts to all the small details, the event was beautiful from every angle. Purple, pink, and teal were the inspirational colors and each were sprinkled around the house for an overall modern and pretty style. The little hand cut paper bows I made were scattered throughout as well.

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Pink chevron table runners adorned the tables in the tented area along with a mix of fresh spring flowers and candles.

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

They received so many gorgeous gifts! It’s safe to say they will have all the baby products they need and more. I always enjoy seeing how people wrap their presents and what kinds of paper they use. There were an interesting array of different colors, patterns, and boxes used which brought so much life to the space.

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

I created little signs that reflected the design of the invitations to describe all the sandwiches and other food options. Some were attached to pastel paper straws and others were tented.

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

There were an array of desserts from homemade cookies, fruit, tiny donuts, and the cutest cake ever. All were delicious!

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Everyone left with a bath bomb all packaged up and tied with thank you tags I designed and of course another sign. I can’t wait to use mine!

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

All in all, it was such a nice day with all the lovely ladies in my cousin’s life. I am extremely happy for her and her husband and wish them only the best future as new parents.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Weekend Fun at the Farm

25 Friday Oct 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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animals, Benner's Farm, best friends, carving pumpkins, farm, friends, goats, halloween, home, pumpkin picking, queens county farm museum, sanctuary

I’ve been looking forward to this weekend for awhile. My best friend Meg and her daughter Leona Faye are coming to visit later tonight and I can’t wait. I don’t get to see them much because they live in Jersey, so when they come, I am always super excited.

Besides catching up and hanging at the house, we are going to Benner’s Farm tomorrow for an afternoon of pumpkin picking and visiting with the farm animals. I have been wanting to go this particular farm for a few years now so its nice to finally go. And to spend some time with my favorite girls and all the awesome animals will surely make for a great day. After, we will carve our pumpkins and have a relaxing night.

Below is a photo I took back in 2011 at the Queens County Farm Museum where we had our wedding. Being at a farm just feels like home for me. The fresh smells, bountiful gardens, and of course the beautiful animals that really call it home. I have always loved how aware they are most of the time. When they look at you, you really feel it. Making contact with an animal is not like a human, it’s very different. There is just something about it that truly makes my heart skip a beat.

I have taken countless photographs of animals along my journeys and each one of them is unique and fascinating. They have such wonderful personalities, and to witness that is a gift. I love when I visit a farm or sanctuary and know in my heart the animals there are taken care of and safe. We all deserve to have a home sweet home.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Weekend Fun - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Inspiration Photo Friday: Birthday Love

19 Friday Jul 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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best friend, birthday, celebrate, celebration, friends, getting old, life, love, youth

So, my 33rd year is coming to an end and soon I will be 34. Tuesday is my birthday and I am excited to celebrate this weekend with my best friend Meg and her daughter Leona Faye, as well as with my husband Dan. The girls arrive this evening from Jersey and I can’t wait. It really sucks not being able to see your bff as much as you would like to. Every couple of months she visits, even though Jersey is right next door. With her being a busy Mom and life keeping me busy as well, its just hard to get together more often.

I plan to relax with my girls and have a nice weekend together. On my actual birthday, Dan and I just plan to have an early dinner. Nothing crazy. It’s funny how time really flies by. As the years pass, I am even more thankful for the things I have and the people in my life that I love. And even though there always seems to be something that stresses me out or tries to bring me down, I rise above and make the best out of what is given to me. I am very excited to see what this next year holds.

I thought it would be appropriate to share a photo of myself on my 1st birthday. It was taken by my mother in Brooklyn, at my Uncle’s house. This is seriously one of my all time favorite photos of me of when I was a kid. And believe me, there are tons. All my mom and dad did was take pictures of me. It was a hot summer day and I was surely baring it all to stay cool. Regardless of the weather, I had my party hat on and was ready to go.

The next few days are a countdown to 34 years on this Earth. It’s great to see me at 1 and realize all I have accomplished and experienced up until now. To think I am still moving forward, beep beeping my way through life, truly makes me smile. Happy Birthday to me!

Inspiration Photo Friday: Birthday Love

 

 

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