There is something that has been bugging me for a while and highly take offense to. I would like to set everyone straight and just pour it out there. Okay. Here it goes... There IS a difference between Interior Decorator and Interior Designers people!! A gentlemen asked me recently what I went to school for, I said I majored in Interior Design. His response was "You mean to tell me you went to school just to learn how to hang up pictures on walls!?!" Needless to say, I had daggers coming out of my eyes at him. I was so offended! So I'm here to set everyone straight and to let you know what are the differences. We do have similarities but one is more involved then the other.

Interior Designers:

1 - 2-4 yr degree (4 yr degree seems to be preferred by most employers). Expect many long nights, days, and hours. Oh yeah and tears, sweat, blood. Basically a lot of hard work, but so worth it in the end.

2. Designers are responsible for the public health, safety, and well being in any project. I'm talking hospitals, government buildings, restaurants, etc...

3. We know ADA.

4. We also know building codes. Also, we have to make sure our finishes and materials are not only coordinated, but meet those code requirements.   Very tedious.

5. We. Spec. Everything.

6. Designers design interiors in a very artful, at times, unique ways. Like this:

Or this...

7. We know computer programs. CAD, Revit, Photoshop, InDesign, Illistrator, Sketchup,.. we pretty much know it and then some.

8. We work with a BIG team. The client, architects, engineers, contractors, product reps...

9. We have to be comfortable meeting and dealing with all kinds of people. Interpersonal communications are a must!

I say we as designers like to push the envelope of interiors. If we can... I mean if the budget will allow us to. I'd say it'd be worth the investment. Trust me.

Interior Decorators:

1  There is a certification program. I've tried it. Or try some courses if your college offers them.

2. They deal mainly on color, fabric, space planning, furniture styles, and more. Interior Designers also do this.

3. Decorators are more client focused. Whereas they help the client pick the style, choose the color scheme, furniture, and accessorize.

All in all, we are similar but we very different at the same time. But please be careful when calling a designer and decorator - we are not! And decorators, please don't call yourself an Interior Designer when you don't have the certification or a degree. Besides in some jurisdictions, it is illegal to yourself one unless you are NCIDQ certified.  Currently I am working towards my certification. Look into it!

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When going to the gym, I like having a goal to work towards. It's important to not have the same workout routine every time you hit the gym. Why? It would get boring quickly for one, plus you need to keep your body guessing as to whats going to happen next. This is what I do when I head to gym, at least a 1/2 hour of intense cardio. I'm going to sound super crazy but I do want myself really uncomfortable when I do my cardio. I know, I'm nuts! It must be that I've been watching a lot of Biggest Loser or something. And honestly, I think it's melting my unwanted pounds. :) For my HIIT Intervals, I start on the treadmill with a 5 minute walk (3.3 mph), then 2 minutes at a comfortable jog (5.4 mph). Then I start really making my self run somewhere between 6-7mph for about a minute & a half BUT the 30 seconds, I amp the incline to 4 or maybe 5. I'll repeat that for about 15 minutes. Then to complete my intense cardio, I'll do 10-15 minutes of the stair treadmill. Talk about being uncomfortable!!! I hope you'll enjoy this workout. I love learning or seeing new workout routines. What's yours? Please share!

Hi friend! Can you believe this is the first day of August?!? Oh my gosh time could slow down. Really. Either that, or I'm just incredibly busy. Which I am. A lot has been happening lately and I can't wait to share.


Here are the top five that has happened for me this week.

1. On Sunday, I convinced my sin to who I call my Idaho mom. I told her that I've only rode horse only 1 time since I went and finished college. She was in shock! This last Sunday I finally get to do my most favorite hobby of all. Trail riding or just riding horses in general. Yes finally after all the those college years. I had a reunion with my favorite horse named Moon Shine. It seemed that he remembered me and was nuzzling me in my arm. Anyways just a sweet horse. Here are a couple of the pictures from last Sunday and the others are old ones from when I lived and worked on the ranch.

2. We went to a location to measure a building of ours, and it seemed to be a quick flash back of good'ol studio days.

3. One of our venders for work just gave my firm tiles. Just gave them to us for a project! Let me tell you, if your a designer like me and when your told you pick out anything you want while your in a showroom - you get all giddy like your in a candy store. So awesome of them to do that for us! (Did I mention that your the top of my list for my future business.)

4. My husband came home from work one day to give me flowers. I love that man so much. I'd say he's a keeper.

5. Yesterday, I was offered a raise from work! Love my job!

How was your week? Tell me about it!

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URG! It's been a little bit ruff for me, I'll tell ya. One day I'm at it, killing it, the next, bad habits return. SO FRUSTRATING!! The thing is, I have a negative self image of myself. I hate that I don't feel good in my clothes, hate when I look at myself in the mirror! Just no self-confidence. Why oh why do I get myself at this point? What will it take for me to stick with it and stay? How in the heck did I do it a couple of years ago and pretty much kept it off? One of the reason why I know I'm at war with my body is my drastic changes that I've had in this last couple of years. I've seriously had the highest and the highs along with the lowest of lows happen. And please, I'm not saying feel sorry for me. I know that my events are probably even child's play against other situations. But for me, it was tuff - I know I'm still struggling to except was has happened. Anyway, now that I've gotten some of that off my chest, I'm starting to have more support through friends and family. That is so important to me to have someone have your back and are there to support you. Makes a world of difference. For this week, I'm sharing with you my motivation board.  One of the ladies that really caught my attention was Gina Neely. Do you know her? I don't really watch her show since I don't have cable. Her and her husband have a pretty popular food network show called "Down with the Neely's". I think. When I had t.v., I saw her with a few pounds on her body. Then recently one night I was watching my Hulu and came across Celebrity Wife Swap , she was on one of the episodes. She had lost weight and by looking at her and knowing what she does, I was really inspired! Here is this video of Gina explaining what she did. Have you ever don't yourself a motivation board? What has motivated you?