Who Else Wants To Get Out Of Town This Weekend?

Real or not real? Find out for yourself at the Philadelphia Flower Show 2013

Why You Should Leave Home This Weekend

So many of you are working so hard these days and sometimes you feel there's no light at the end of the tunnel. To make matters worse one week blends into the next and you know there's something better. I feel your pain, but I also know it doesn't have to be that way - you can free yourself from your work and stress if you just leave town and check out something new this weekend.

My Prescription For a Feel Better Weekend

Every March, the city of Philadelphia offers one of the most incredible sights for people of all ages to enjoy - the Philadelphia Flower Show. The photo above is one of the garden designs that will catch your attention and transport you to another world. After your visit there, you'll arrive home renewed and ready for spring and full of ideas for your garden or home.

What can you plan for the weekend that would not be work related?

Flowers are not your thing? Ok - have you been to NYC's Museum of Natural History in awhile? Mmm, probably not! Not ready for a road trip as yet? Then Google Washington DC and plan from the comfort of your computer to finally enjoy the Cherry Tree Festival in one of the most beautiful cities in the northeast.

See you there!

Mary Alice Smith
M. A. Smith, Ltd.
Interior Design
732 690-2030

Who Else Wants More Fun Less Stress



Photo courtesy of Scott Schrader



It's true we're still in winter, but it's only weeks till Spring!

It may be too early to garden, but it's not too early to plan this year's garden.

Here's what I do to get motivated and re-energized during these long chilly days:

1. Check out the Philadelphia Garden Show website and schedule a trip to 'smell the roses'. It's not only about the flowers. It's also about being amongst gardeners, artists and plant lovers who share a passion for gardening and beauty. That's why this garden show is so special  (special as in 'the best of the best' garden designs.)

2. Connect with Garden Design magazine's website for lush photos of the garden of your dreams. Start with this link, and you'll feel like you're on a mini-vaca: http://www.gardendesign.com/photo-tours

Today, decide to celebrate the end of winter by turning your face towards spring!

Interior Design - Ocean and Monmouth County, the Jersey Shore, NJ and metropolitan NYC

M. A. Smith Ltd.,Interior Design
Call for an appointment 732 690-2030
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An Interior Designer sheds 'light' with bright Ideas on how to stay Focused and Motivated with your Home Improvement Project

An Interior Designer sheds 'light' with some bright ideas on how to stay Focused and Motivated with your Home Improvement Project

Photo courtesy of Quoizel.com

Do you want to ‘light up your life’, stay on track and see results with your decorating project? I do, and I must, everyday for my design clients and for my own home projects. Here is how I stay motivated to stay on track with projects:

·         Subscribe to motivational, informational and newsworthy podcasts through ITunes.

·         Daily hit the road for a walk or run, geared up with my IPod filled with the latest ITunes podcast.

·         Back at home, I write down a few of the ideas gleaned from the day’s podcast segment.

For instance, yesterday I listened to the "Get-It-Done-Guy's Quick and Dirty Tips to Work Less and Do More" by Stever Robbins. This podcast covers basics on Visualizing Results. Check out his website at : http://getitdone.quickanddirtytips.com.

Stever spoke of the importance of concentrating on the steps needed to achieve a goal. He remarked that by breaking down the goals into steps you can feel a sense of accomplishment, as opposed to only seeing an overwhelming goal at hand.

So to keep from being overwhelmed, I break down each aspect of designing a room, for instance, into various segments. These segments receive an approximate date for completion.

As an example, in planning lighting for a client, I use my Lighting Plan Worksheet to store all the details necessary for planning room lighting. For a chandelier, I need to know the height of the ceiling, the width of the dining table, and other finishes used in the space (ie door/cabinet hardware, faucets, etc.).

So -  listen to a motivational podcast, head out for a walk and come back motivated and ready to tackle your next home decorating project!

Mary Alice Smith can be reached at: 732 690-2030

*Email at: masmith729@comcast.net

See you at : masmithinteriordesign.com

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