5 Things That Made a Difference to Jami

This week's blogger participating in the series 5 Things That Made a Difference is Jamie of Imagine.  Jami is a fabulous emerging interior designer with her own design business.  Jami and I are both from the LA area so I've had the pleasure of meeting her in person. It's funny because when we first met we kind felt like on some level we knew each other from reading each other's blogs so it was so easy to form and instant friendship :-) I'm sure many of you have experienced that when meeting fellow bloggers offline who you have a shared interest with.

Read on to find out what five things have positively influlenced Jami's life:

1. Heading West. Leaving the frozen tundra (a.k.a Minnesota) where I was born and raised and moving to Southern California 6 years ago. The California sunshine has done me good. I always knew ever since I was a young girl that I was born in the wrong state and that it was only a matter of time that I'd go in search of the heat and sunshine.

2. Building my own interior design company. I didn't necessarily think that I was going to be a designer when I grew up, but I always knew that I was not going to be cut out for the regular 9-5 career. I'm thankful everyday that I can wake up and say that I love what I do (and get paid for it!).

3. Going back to school. I received my Bachelor's degree in Sociology a "few" years back, continued to bar tend after spending a good chunk of change on that Bachelor's degree that I never ended making good use of and decided after moving to California it was time again to hit the books...or drafting table! Design school and earning my Interior Design degree has completely transformed my life and the way I see design. I would never, ever have had the courage or support (teachers, mentors, and fellow students) to start my own design company if I didn't have the comfort of knowing that I was formally trained and educated in design.

4. Blogging. This is a huge one. Blogging has tremendously changed my life. Not only have I met some of my best friends and like-minded individuals through the blogging world, it has been THE best creative outlet for me. I could honestly spend hours creating blog posts, scrolling through my blog roll and pinning pictures all. day. long.!!

5. Yoga. This is my release. Tuesday and Thursday nights and Saturday mornings. I've been practicing yoga 7 years and I honestly can't imagine not going one week without a session. I have learned that it is important for me to "turn off" and let the breathing take over.

5 Things That Made a Difference to Nancy

This week's blogger participating in the series "5 Things That Made a Difference" is Nancy of Marcus Design. Nancy is a super talented artist, aspiring decorator (check out the great before and after's she's already acheived in her own home, including this genius ikea turned dorothy draper style dresser!), and one of the sweetest design bloggers out there in blogland! Read on to find out what five things have positively influenced her life:

1. First and foremost, I gain so much inspiration from my family! My mom and dad came from Egypt to Canada with a few dollars in their pockets, seeking a life with more opportunity for their future children. They got married when they first arrived here, and my mom immediately spent nearly half of her savings on a wedding dress ... now THAT is inspiring! She has always been confident and hardworking in order to get what she wanted! They bravely built amazing careers (with English as their second language!) and my brother and I have been so blessed by their sacrifices. Watching them work so hard has motivated me to follow my dreams and believe I can do what ever it is I set out to do.

2. My church and my relationship with God has penetrated every part of my life. It has helped me to quit bad habits, start good habits, and have a firm foundation in who I am as a person. I think my mind set has changed as a result of this, I want to go out of my way to help and love others around me, to forgive, and to strive to be the best person I can be.

 

3. My high-school art teacher was such an encouragement to me, and he really influenced me to keep art an important part of my life even though my university studies took me away from it. Along with all the technical methods he taught me, he also taught me to be confident in my work and in creating something beautiful. I still paint any chance I get to pick up a brush, and it is such a valuable hobby that I really plan on making a larger part of my life in the near future.

4. So many aspects of the blog-world have significantly influenced me in the short time I have been blogging. To see all of these young, motivated, business-minded, creative people doing what they truly love is amazing. Ever day I learn something new and take something away from my blog-travels. It's incredible! I feel like the mentors/friends I have made have helped me to be confident in following my dream to start my own art/decor-related business, which is a desire I have had for so long. 

5. A book I read years and years ago, called 'Cancer Schmancer,' by Fran Drescher {yes ... The Nanny named Fran!} has always stayed with me. This book largely focused on her successful battle with cancer, but it was so much more than that. Fran is such a strong woman and throughout the humor-filled memoir she conquers so much adversity in her life and comes out on top. She taught me that you can laugh at the crazy things life offers, and focus on what's really important, even when the going gets tough. She really had the attitude of, 'Whatever life throws you, you can get through it!' What a positive influence to women in all walks of life!