5 Things That Made a Difference to Lissa

This week I'm happy to feature the lovely Lissa of After Adornment, in the series 5 Things that Made a Difference. Lissa is an interior designer who shares on her blog, her insights, tips, beautiful design inspirations, as well the process of decorating her three floor townhome (which she recently moved into!). Read on to find out what five things have positively influenced her life:

1. Ballet - I danced ballet for 17 years and I would have to say this was probably the most influential thing I have done so far in my life. It has shaped my work ethic, and my drive to achieve great things. It has also taught me that determination and practice, practice, practice will get you far.

2. My Family/My Husband - My family and husband have all been very significant in shaping my life. My sister has always made me dare to be a little more outgoing. My mom has always pushed me knowing I can do great things. My step dad has always let me be me, knowing I will do great things on my own time. And last but not least, my husband is always there to support me in anything I do, even it's the craziest thing he has ever heard! Each of them has helped me figure out who I am in different ways.

3. College and New Friends - College was very instrumental in who I am today. This was the time in my life where I truly came out of my shell and made some amazing friends. Before college I was a shy ballet dancer. I met my best girlfriends in college and we will always be there for each other.

4. Blogging - Blogging has definitely pulled a 180 on some aspects of my life...but in a good way. I also get so much inspiration from reading blogs and from other bloggers in design, business, and just life in general. The blog world is a truly unique place with so many amazing people.

5. Interior Design - Interior Design has always been a part of my life in some way or another. Whether arranging and rearranging my room when I was little, to going to school and getting my design degree. Design is my passion and keeps me going everyday. I love what I do and hope it only gets better from here!

5 Things That Made a Difference to Piper

Today I'm happy to feature Piper of One Sydney Road, in the series 5 Things That Made a Difference. Piper is an entrepreneur who, late last year, opened a beautiful homewares and lifestyle goods online shop. I first discovered Piper's blog through Makeunder My Life. She was featured as the Dream Reporter, where she shared her weekly updates of her entrepreneurial journey. I found her posts to be so relatable and inspiring and it's been incredible to see how she's made her dreams a reality. Read on to find out what five things have positively influenced her life:

1. My hubby He’s by far my #1!!He’s my biggest cheerleader and a true optimist - he's the glass half-full to my sometimes glass half-empty thinking! He provides such unwavering support for all my dreams (even the far-fetched ones!) and is always there to make me laugh.

2. Dancing This has been a huge inspiration for me.It has influenced my life in so many ways and been a part of my life for so long, it’s hard to write it all down! I’ve been dancing since I was little…my dream growing up was to dance professionally, even star on Broadway (too bad I can’t sing in tune!!)I've been lucky enough to coach and teach some great dance teams and dance students which gave me the opportunity to stretch myself, gain confidence in being creative and work with people who have given me loads of inspiration!Teaching & choreographing also made me realize that there’s more than one way of achieving your dream!Think outside the box – there are always ways to do what you love!

3. My mom No matter what, she was always there encouraging me and saying I could do anything I wanted to do.She was a single mom with no college degree but she never let that stop her! She always amazed me with what she was able to accomplish and showed me that persistence & hard work can pay off! Sadly, I lost her to cancer a few years back and not a day goes by that I don't miss talking to her. But, I can still hear her telling me "you can do anything!!"

4. Blogging I can’t believe how much blogging has changed my life in such a short time.Not only has it provided me with a creative outlet, but I’m even more AMAZED by the wonderful people I’ve met through blogging.They are the most inspiring, supportive, creative people and all these friends/mentors/readers really gave me the support that I needed to start my own biz!I could honestly spend all day scrolling through blogs and just getting inspired by all the creativity out there!

5. Starting my own store / Visiting Australia These kind of go hand in hand for me.Visiting Australia was such a life changing experience – traveling to another country opened up my eyes and got the creative juices flowing!So it’s no surprise that this trip was also when I decided 100% to take the leap and finally do what I had spent years dreaming of – opening my own boutique.Starting my business has been exciting, terrifying, challenging, inspiring and the best thing I could have ever done!