Mrs. Claus And Santa- Verge Of Divorce

Santa flees middle of the night- claims custody of the reindeer!

SHOULDN’T THESE KIDS JUST BE HAPPY WITH ANY TOY? WHY ARE THEY ASKING FOR SOMETHING SO EXPENSIVE?

It takes a lot to get me angry. It’s difficult for me to even say the word. Think Richard Gere in Pretty Woman, “I’m ang-gry.”

I’m peaceful, loving and I calm others down. Cool under pressure and always seeing the positive outcome, even if it’s in the distance. 

But here’s my beef: The whole idea of Mrs. Claus For A Cause is to grant wishes. The kids want what they want. Whether your child is privileged or under-so, kids see what their friends have, what’s on TV and when given a chance, they let you know that the coolest, latest toy or game is something that they covet.

“Dear Santa,

Please bring me a blue Power Ranger but not the one with the bent arm.  And I also want a red bicycle with training wheels and a blue bell.

I love you Santa. You are the best!

Love,

John”

Poof! Wish granted.

That’s the idea. We give the children what they ask for to instill hope and to help them believe in something.

The children we are working with are “at-risk” and what does that mean? Many have 0-1 parents present in their lives. Many are in foster care, some are in homeless shelters and they are neither being fully nourished in their bellies nor their souls.

SO SHOULDN’T THESE KIDS JUST BE HAPPY WITH ANY TOY? WHY ARE THEY ASKING FOR SOMETHING SO EXPENSIVE?

We are not Toys For Tots. NO. The children shouldn’t be happy with just anything.

Think about this- a diner waitress takes your order for over easy eggs and rye toast and instead she brings you a turkey burger. She clearly wasn’t listening.  You are disappointed. You send it back.. You don’t even eat TURKEY! So why should a little girl who asks Santa for a Frozen doll be happy with a toy phone?

These kids are extremely grateful. I have experienced it myself firsthand. Some of them even write in their letters that if Santa can’t afford to get them what they want they will be happy with any gift. And that touches my heart.

But that’s not the point. We have to get these kids what they ask for because we are far more like Make-A-Wish than Toys For Tots.

The magic is in Santa. He is listening. He cares. He makes a TREMENDOUS effort. He flies around the entire world in one day, for cryin’ out loud!

If a 5 year-old child asks Santa for a bicycle for Christmas or a video game system, that child does not know the cost of that item. And that child should not settle and just be happy with anything at all.

This all being said, Mrs. Claus needs major help.

I do apologize for bombarding your walls with post after post and for attempting to contact news outlets and anyone who has ears or eyes to solicit their help but the truth of the matter is, I am scared. I am scared that the children will be let down.

300 children still remain without donors and/or funds to purchase their gifts.

I need help because one thing Mrs. Claus realized after being a single mom for 5 years is it is hard to do this thing we call life alone. Life is better shared and easier shared. Santa, elves and reindeer are all needed or Christmas just won’t work.

I thank you for your love, your generosity and your time. I believe in this cause with all of my heart and I thank you for the amazing people who do also.

My hope is to reach the goal of bringing every child their gift to their Christmas party on December 19^th because failure is not an option.

To make a donation, please visit Mrs. Claus For A Cause on http://www.gofundme.com/gfp9m8?forcedesktop=1

$5 helps. And it all adds up.

Love to you all and if you see Santa, tell him to come home. I need some help around the house.  

Mrs. Claus over and out.

XOXOXOXO

Top Ten Questions To Ask Your Interior Designer BEFORE Hiring Them. #10 is the BEST!

A designer is a helpful tool to help you plan and decorate your space.

A designer can also save you a ton of money if you hire the right person.

See below the Top 10 Questions You Should Ask to Avert Disaster.

Prospective clients looking to hire me ask me many questions during the interview process but there are some key questions that are almost never asked. Here are some tips from my end so you can save yourself some time, money and aggravation.

First let me start with a scenario that I have experienced a few times:

Client: Hello? Is this Jennifer Scully Designs?
Me: Yes. How can I help you?
Client: I want to do some construction and decorate my living room. How much will that cost?
Me: Well, I would have to see your space and get a lot more information before I can help you with a budget.
Client: How much do you charge for something like that?
Me: Gosh, I'm sorry but I don't know the scope of the project just yet.
Client: I need to know if I can afford a designer and you can't tell me how much you charge for some construction and a living room? Where did you go to school?
Me: I'm so sorry but if you can let me know a bit more about your project then I would be more than happy to help you in any way I can. I am very efficient, affordable, freindly, professional and you can get my discoun...
Client:...If you can't tell me how much then.,,Thank you very much. Goodbye.

"Buying" a designer is not like buying a toaster that you can shop out on Amazon, Target and Wal-Mart's websites. When you are dealing with a creative person, you truly do get what you pay for.

You cannot expect the same product, level of quality, service or talent from designer to designer. Talent is the key here. A designer is an artist, a therapist, a space planner, an architect, a solutions and logistics expert, a marriage counselor, a color and fabric expert and so much more.

Designers also work in all different ways. Some designers sign long-term contracts, some charge commissions on items, even if you buy them yourself. Some charge full retail and some offer you their discount. So, the price per hour or price per job really can be quite irrelevant.

Here are the REAL questions you should ask:


1. What is your hourly rate?
2. Do you charge commission if I purchase something myself?
3. Do you sign contracts and if so, what is the term/length?
4. Do you offer discounts on items purchased directly through manufacturers?
5. Do I have to purchase everything through you or do you also recommend items from other resources?
6. Can I work with my own contractor or do I have to use yours?
7. Can I purchase things on my own?
8. Do I have input into the design process?
9. Do you offer choices or just one firm design plan?
10. DO I LIKE YOU?

An interior designer will be in your home, will pet your dog, will be meeting with you and shopping with you for a while. Would you want to spend the day shopping with someone you don't like? Would you invite someone over several times if you aren't comfortable with them?

Go with your gut. Ask the right questions. Any other questions for me, please feel free to ask.
jenn@jenniferscullydesigns.com
www.jenniferscullydesigns.com
www.discountdesignerfurnishings.com

Choosing The Perfect Kitchen Paint Color

In order to avoid coming home from the paint store with 900 paper swatches that you might tape to the wall or buying 79 little sample jars and painting little squares all over the place, you must first limit your choices.

If you have an existing kitchen, take a look at your countertop.

If you have a granite or marble countertop, chances are there are a few colors streaming through it. The best to look for painting any sheetrock portions of the kitchen is to pick your favorite color out of that stone countertop and paint your walls that color. That way you are sure to love it and you can be certain that it blends well with your color scheme.

If you have a solid colored countertop, take a look at your backsplash, your cabinet color, your floor color or even something like your favorite dish towel or serving platter. Take cues from what you already have in your space and there you will find the perfect paint color.

If you are putting in a new kitchen, always start with the floor.

Choose the perfect floor. Is it wood? Is it tile? Is it vinyl? Make your selection and then take a sample of your flooring to the cabinet showroom.

Once your cabinet finish is selected, bring your floor sample and your cabinet sample to the stoneyard to select your countertop material.

Now that you've got a gorgeous counter, bring your floor, cabinet and counter samples to the tile store and pick out the perfect backsplash that ties everything together.

Bring a paint deck with you to the tile store, so now you can see your floor, cabinets, counters, backsplash and paint colors all in one shot.

And if your budget is running low, don't discount washable vinyl wallpaper as a backsplash. It cleans beautifully and can look fantastic!

Colors and textures in a kitchen aren’t a mystery. What pulls it all together is not magic, but really thoughtful choices and the ability to see everything together before it’s installed or even ordered.

I am constantly called in to help decorate after the renovations have taken place and mistakes have been made. I much prefer when my clients have me come in from the beginning so we can avert disaster.

Did you know that hiring a designer who works the way I do costs less than if you buy everything on your own?

I hope these tips can help take the guesswork out of choosing the perfect color for your kitchen. As always, I'm here for advice or whatever you need. Feel free to reach out to a professional if you're stuck or if you want to take advantage of serious discounts.

Feel free to contact me: jenn@jenniferscullydesigns.com
www.jenniferscullydesigns.com
www.discountdesignerfurnishings.com

Fit For a King?

Here it is in the middle of the night. After my way-too-late cup of coffee, I ponder life, love and contentment.

I use the word "contentment" in lieu of happiness because happiness is fleeting. An underlying sense of peace mixed with moments of excitement in my opinion is the perfect recipe for happiness. Without that foundation of peace you are just on a bumpy roller coaster at a bad carnival right after polishing off a corn dog and some Dippin' Dots.

My child is so happy right now. My work is amazing. Both of those aspects of my life are filled with peace and moments of excitement as am I. The one thing I'm missing is someone with whom to share it all.

The difficult part is to envision what will happen in the future. I have had crystal clear visions of exactly what I want which I have meditated on and those visions have magically appeared and became reality, but then...there's always the fizzle. Like an apparition; whether it's been my dream job, my dream man, my dream anything, it all comes to me right after I wish for it and then POOF! It's gone.

We create our own destinies, right? I am pretty good at seeing things in my brain and making them happen but no matter how hard I try to do that I seem to encounter obstacles at every turn. It's like the Universe has other plans for me. What's that movie about the people who cheat death but then all die anyway? I don't know. I've heard about this elusive thing called a "movie." I don't have time for frivolous stuff like that these days.

When speaking of my dating woes: not meeting the right quality of people, not liking most, finding other workaholics with no free time, people with more baggage than I could possibly strap onto my strong back, etc., my friend told me tonight that no one is good enough for me. If that's the case, am I to settle or to be alone? Because I don't seen another choice here. I'm very content and I am an only child so being alone is not an issue but alone forever? That's a long time. When I asked my best friend who might be good enough for me, because someone has to be, (right?) she responded, "A king."

A king. Right. Good. Fine.

So, I am no longer expecting Prince Charming to ride up on his stealthy steed but his father. That's why he's taking so long. He's a little older and his gait is slower. Hopefully this king still has most of his teeth in tact but really, teeth are pretty unimportant now. Of course, this is what happens when you turn 40.

My Dearest Lola

To My Dearest Daughter,

First off, words cannot express how much I adore you and your smart, funny, confident personality. Please don’t ever lose that and don’t let anyone try and take that away from you.

You are special, different and uniquely you. People will like you just the way you are or they can take a hike. Don’t try to change for anyone but do constantly learn, grow and strive to be the best person you can be.

Each day is a new day to be your best.  If you ever finding yourself dreading Mondays, ask yourself why and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! I love Mondays. Mondays signify a rebirth, a wealth of new opportunities; a time each week when I can try to do better, be better and get smarter.

Embrace change. Change is the only constant in our lives. Be okay with moving.

As your mom, I feel the need to say, “I’m sorry.” I’m sorry I have to work so hard. I’m sorry I have to work such long hours. You see, no matter how well I do, I still don’t make enough. I am working on that, My Love. And each day I find better and better opportunities to be able to have enough for us without sacrificing too much time. I do want a life outside of work and I want more time with you.

I wish your life to be much easier and much less bumpy than mine. I wish for you all the things I used to wish for like everlasting love, a white picket fence and a wonderful life filled with learning, travel and laughter. I’ve had that many times and I do cherish each precious memory.  In the recent past, we’ve experienced less of that stuff and more of the stressful stuff and for that, I am also deeply sorry. Things are getting better each day and soon you and I will be on a wonderful vacation together.

Always remember: Happiness is an unattainable goal. Perfection doesn’t exist. Peace of mind, confidence, knowing you’re a good person; a strong, smart person who can solve any problem life may throw you…that is an attainable goal. That is something you can do. I hope I am a good example for you in that regard. Life isn’t always happy but it’s about creating more moments of excitement than not and it’s also about knowing how to deal with yucky stuff when it comes up.

Dance the tango while you’re doing dishes, sing your heart out while you’re stuck in traffic, practice your best tap dancing moves while on line at CVS.

Create your own excitement. Be yourself. Express yourself. Love yourself as much as I love you.

Love,

Mama