Thursday Thoughts - Anything but not Everything

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All I want to do is sleep!  Look at Audrey, doesn't she look so comfy?  I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off the past few weeks and I need a breather!  My posts will continue to be sporadic for the next little while, but I promise I'm not leaving Just Squeaks behind!  I'm just realizing that while I can do anything, I can't do everything.  So with the new job starting soon (before I'm even done at my current one, helloooo 7 day work weeks...)  and all the other pressures going on, I'm taking a small hiatus for myself to relax before I go bonkers.  (Though that might make for better reading, huh?)

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Thursday Thoughts - Chasing Dreams

Chasing the dreams that we want
is a PRESENT MOMENT activity.

 

Gary Riggs Home

 

This little bite of wisdom came from Mastin Kipp, the creator and contributor of The Daily Love, one of the non-fashion/design blogs I frequent.  This thought resonated with me because of where I'm at in my career path.  I am incredibly passionate about interior design, and so badly want to be doing it as full-time.  Unfortunately, there are a few things standing in my way at the moment by the names of experience and education.

 

I'm making the small steps I need to make my dream a reality - night classes, blogging, working to build a portfolio.  But sometimes those small steps don't feel like enough.  Mastin did a great job of reminding me that I have to always keep the end goal and mind and if I really want it, I will workworkwork until I get there.  It may not take up all my moments, but it has to be present.  So here's to it!

 

 

What dreams are you chasing right now?
Do you have other quotes that help you make it through the "getting there"?

Thursday Thoughts - Being Yourself

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Thursday Thoughts - Design Project



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" I think the biggest design project anyone can have is their own life. "

I came across this Jessi Arrington quote this week, which really made me stop and think for a minute.  Jessi is right on the money with this one.  As interior designers it is always paramount to think about how someone lives their life, as it will directly determine how their home should be set up and what it should be filled with.  What people may not realize though, is that everyone is a designer.  You are the one and only designer of your life.  People make choices and changes every day and what they're really doing is designing a life for themselves.  So here's a little Thursday Thought to get you thinking... are you designing the life you want?

Thursday Thoughts - Plans

via Pinterest

Plans are a funny thing.  Everyone is always promoting the importance of planning, and failing to do so is planning to fail.... You know, all those motivational clichés.  But no matter how much you plan, life or fate or whatever it is you believe in gets in the way.

I'm a planner through and through.  I've never been a "let the chips fall where they may" kinda gal; it just didn't suit me and my worrywart personality.  As a close friend pointed out, I know what I want, which at my age is somewhat rare.  To know what you want out of life and your relationships is certainly not a bad thing and should never be apologized for.  Sure, my ideas and paths will change over time; that's inevitable.  But I will continue to plan, even if it means I have to lap the alphabet a few times!

What plans have you made lately?  Did they force you to make your
way through a few letters?  Comment and share, I'd love to know!

Thursday Thoughts - Imagination

Several of my posts have had quotes mixed in with all my (hopefully equally as enjoyable) blabbering.  Quotes are something that tend to stick with me... Little blips of wisdom that are easy to carry around with you and reference when appropriate. 

I've decided to add another weekly series (the first being Mondays' Attitude of Gratitude) and begin Thursday Thoughts.  Every week on Thursday I'm going to share with you a quote.  Funny, inspirational, genius, and silly... they'll all be there.  In honor of Stephen Covey's recent passing, the thought below is the perfect way to kick off this new weekly series.

Live out of your imagination,

not your history.

                                                                                               - Stephen R. Covey

Words of wisdom from a man who has inspired and helped millions with his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  Where you've been doesn't have to be where you're going.  If you want something different for your life, envision it and start working towards it and before you realize it, you just may have it.

Do you like this series idea?  What words of wisdom have you taken
away from Mr. Covey?  Comment and share!

Design Rush: Muse Interiors

"She does not choose beauty over function. She chooses both."

This entire post was inspired by the living room above.  I originally came across it on the Houzz website and the small details just blew me away.  I followed the link to Muse Interiors and at first sight of the homepage I knew I was in for something great.  As I scrolled through the portfolio, each photo made me fall in love even more than the last.  Not to mention, my favorite office I mentioned in week 2 of Just Squeaks was their work... Fate!  There wasn't a single space that didn't make me squeak in awe, which is pretty rare.

Muse Interiors is a small (but dynamite) company in Connecticut started by Lauren Muse in 2000.  With the help of her two assistants Ryan and Lucy, beautiful rooms are created.  Judging by her press portfolio, this lovely lady is going places.  But by far, my favorite thing on the website is a quote in the description of Lauren: "She does not choose beauty over function. She chooses both."  Damn.  If that's not a wonderful design mantra I don't know what is.

So join me as I drool over these squeakalicious designs!  And since I can't fit their entire website in this post, check it out because there are plenty more where these came from!

Have you been so swept away with a designer's work you just couldn't wait to share?
Comment and dish on your design hero.  Enjoy your weekend!

**All information and photos are from the Muse Interiors website.

Will Smith Saves the Day

A wise man once said...

" Stop letting people who do so little for you control so much of your mind, feelings, and emotions. "

 That wise man was Will Smith.  And boy, how right he is.  Today I needed this little reminder so I'm posting it for all you squeaksters who may just need it too.  Check back tomorrow for another Design Rush post!

via People

What do you have to sometimes remind yourself about?
Comment and share!

Shoutout to Eclectic Design

"Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style."

I love this quote from Billy Baldwin because I find it especially useful when decorating for a real person, including myself!  When I first moved to my current apartment I had decided I was going to do a Moroccan theme for my bedroom.  I loved the style and so, it would be mine...  Except along the way I found so many beautiful things that I wanted to incorporate into the space but they didn't go with "my theme" so I talked myself out of them.  Then my wise friend Alejandra reminded me that if I liked it, who cares!  (Pause: That is not to say everything you like belongs in your home just because you like it.  All choices should have some thought behind them!) 



Bridget McMullin via Interior Design Pro

It's easy to get caught up in perfectly styled and themed homes on Pinterest or in the magazines, but the truth is the average person is best served through a mix of elements from various styles, rather than a single genre.  I suppose that's how the eclectic movement came about.  It's important to stay true to the function of your life and playing to all your interests, rather than limiting yourself to a single arbitrary theme, even if it is Moroccan and amazing.  Don't get me wrong, there should absolutely be a cohesiveness and it's always nice to pay homage to the intrinsic architecture of a home.  But I believe those things should serve as guiding tools, not a rule book.  Because first and foremost, design is a reflection of a person's life and personality.  And when you think about it, eclectic design actually requires more thought because you are finding a meaningful way to combine all the things in your life instead of compartmentalizing them.  So what do you think, are you up to the challenge?  Check out these photos below for some eclectic inspiration!

via Elle Decor

The traditional-style draperies and 1940s chairs still look lovely next to a modern coffee table and fun chandelier.

via Trendzona

A Victorian headboard juxtaposes with a vintage bedside.

via Pitut

This Louis XV chair has been upholstered in a bright rainbow fabric to add a modern feel, making it an eclectic piece all on its' own.  Squeaks all around!

What are your thoughts?  Do you tend to decorate around a theme or gather
things you believe to be beautiful and make them work?

Good Morning Sunshine!

Thank you so much for stopping by Just Squeaks!

My name is Katharine and I hope to use this blog as a place to store my ideas, inspiration, and express my many quirks (trust me, there are many).  That being said, most of my posts will center around interior design with some fashion, traveling, music, quotes, and anything else random I find intriguing thrown in.  I've had a passion for interior design for as long as I can remember... always moving around furniture and pretty much living in Ikea, as I was lucky enough to have one just 10 minutes away. I studied Business Management in college (much to my parents' happiness) and immediately after started taking courses in Design at the local community college (much to my happiness).  I am on my slow and steady journey of making my career change from management to interiors so I hope you will join me on the ride!

For a little more about me and the creation of Just Squeaks check out: http://justsqueaks.blogspot.com/p/behind-scenes.html