Greenhouse effect

    Around this time of year I get a little  stir crazy. Winter starts to wear on me.

So in order to combat that, I keep myself busy with projects.

 Sometimes it's just rearranging a room, or  simple things like moving around my little stuff , cuz lord knows I have a ton.

  At times I just want to purge and get rid of it all, but mostly just moving my junk around helps me see things in a new light.  freshening up my space helps my over active mind. 

  This week I've taken on two new design clients and I'm helping them see their spaces in a new light.

 Moving around accessories they already own---  putting them in a different room or arranging the furniture in a different way makes a huge difference, and so far they seem to like the results!  great thing too is that you don't have to spend a ton of money, (if any) to do this.

  One thing I've noticed with my clients is the absence of plants.

  In my opinion plants make the best accessory. In fact, they are good for your environment, and you. They add oxygen to a space and make your rooms feel more alive.

  Many people are intimidated by plants.

I've always had a green thumb, so I'm lucky in that regard, but I get it. Not everyone is like that.

And for the record, I've killed plenty of plants before, and felt terrible about it, but it's ok, there are easy varieties out there to suit all sorts of plant people. It's worth it, trust me.

  So around this time when there isn't a speck of green outside that you can see because it's buried under a foot of snow and freezing temperatures---I make a trek out to my favorite greenhouse.

Grayes greenhouse in Plymouth.

Just walking into the place makes my soul sing.

The dirt floor, the humid air, and the variety of little plants all grown with love makes me so happy.

  today I came home with two boxes of tiny plants and decided to use jars I had on hand and made terrariums.

Several kinds, both succulent and tropical lush ones.

These are easy little environments to maintain.

Well at least I think so.

It's my first attempt at them.

So I'll be honest.

But I've got high hopes... :)

So that's what I did today to take my mind off things, add color and life to my space, and feed my soul.

These little terrariums will be available in my shop soon when I reopen.

Possibly as early as next week. I'll keep you posted!

So on that note, I'm off. Thanks for the kind notes about my son.

I appreciate it so much.... More than you know.

Much love,

Catherine 

Xoxoxo

Secrets

I haven't written a blog post in a long time because I haven't been able to find the words to say anything.
I've been numb.
I've always been a pretty honest and open person when it comes to my life, choosing to reveal parts of myself to the world because there was some comfort in sharing.   It was cathartic, and felt good to commiserate knowing there were other people out there feeling the same way, or having some of the same experiences.
  But lately I haven't been able to do that because life became very complicated.  I was living with secrets.
 deep dark secrets that made me go silent, trusting no one. 
I have been to some of the darkest places in my life this past year and was unable to speak about anything for a very long time.
but I'm tired of hiding in the shadows,  and tired of the secrets.
I'm tired of feeling guilt. I want to let that all go in this new year.
and i'm working on it,  slowly but surely.
So in order to heal myself I have been immersing myself in my work and staying extraordinarily busy to keep my mind from losing my shit,  because you see my son had some serious problems this year with addictions that nearly consumed me, and him.
Being a teenager in this day and age is hard, very hard.  and for a sensitive creative child,  that can sometimes be devastating.  He is now in a safe place healing and getting the help he needs. he wont be home until April,  and I miss him. I can barely write this because of the tears and heartache,  taking comfort only in knowing that he is safe for now and that there is a long and scary road ahead of us for the rest of our lives, and also knowing that I have no control over this.  not one bit.
So I immerse myself in work.
I have been painting and renovating spaces, helping shop owners revamp their spaces,  or close their long time businesses.
creating handmade pillows for people that lost loved ones out of sweaters that belonged to mothers,  and helping people see their homes in a new light.
 Each and every thing helped me through my saddest days,  because I really do believe that Art saves lives,  and I also believe in telling my story it may help someone else.
so slowly but surely I will share things,  but it will take me some time to find my voice again.
I hope you'll be patient with me.
but for now I will share it in pictures of the past year and what i've been up to,
happy belated new year to all.
XOXO