Home + Life Designer - My Journey

I graduated in 2005 with my BA in Interior Design and I have made many realizations about my own path in this market since that time.  Interior Design is a very broad subject raging from commercial interiors to stage design to visual merchandising and, finally, to residential home design.  As you can see, being an interior designer offers you many opportunities and many choices.

Opportunities to Learn

Since graduating, I have worked at a high end residential design firm in Williamsburg, VA and with JC Penney's custom decorating department.  Both were amazing opportunities, but I learned a lot about what I did not want to do.  I did not want to help wealthy, hurting women cover up their internal struggles by spending money on a perfect interior for their home.  I did not want to take advantage of their pain in order to make money.  In fact, I realized that I wanted to embrace them and to help them get to the bottom of what they were dealing with in life.  A pretty home was no replacement for a fulfilling life.

While designing custom draperies at JCP, I learned that we have the opportunity to add beautiful things to our home that will benefit our life.  Draperies are not just a frill.  They really add texture to the home and help us to enjoy our living space.  However, I also learned that I did not want to focus solely on draperies, but help people to design their living space and their life.

After having these two "professional" jobs, I have realized that I wanted to have the opportunity to make my own rules.  I started Designing Life in order to help clients who were real people to achieve real goals for their home and life.

Designing Life

I began Designing Life when I needed to work from home.  I began to sell Custom Interior Design PDF Presentations that helped my clients visualize their goals for their interiors.  I would also send them a shopping list to find the items that I had suggested for their space.  While this was a fantastic endeavor, I became overburdened by women who told me what they wanted, then realized after they received their design that their request wasn't what they really wanted.

Why didn't women know what they really wanted?  Because they were seeking to please others and were not at peace with their lives.  A pretty interior cannot fix a heart problem.

After having more time to spend out of the home, I was able to reach out to women in their homes.  My business took me to military spouses, teachers, and other real women who needed practical home decorating and organizational advice.  I loved helping in this capacity.  Military spouses desire to feel at home in their various new homes and I enjoyed being a resource to help them get settled in and find a few key pieces that would travel with them to recreate 'home' wherever they traveled.

Home + Life Designer

While I will definitely continue home design and organizing, I have realized that our lives need designers too.  I am expanding my business to be a resource to women and families who need help organizing their lives, their schedules, their meal plans, their marriage, and even their parenting.  God does not intend for us to struggle alone without help.  He gives us resources and tools that help us to live life effectively for His kingdom.

My goal?  To bring glory to God by helping women and families to order their steps, lives, and homes in God's Word

I've felt that Psalm 119:133 is a verse that describes my desire for my own life and I desire to share that vision with others.  "Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me."  Or in layman's terms, setting our path intentionally toward God's kingdom and purposefully planning to keep out of the clutches of sin aka using God's gift of self-control to live our lives.  This verse is a prayer to God and God has given us His gifts as an answer to that prayer.
If you need help ordering your life to God's word . . . a home + life designer, contact me.  I would love to work together as you pursue Christ with your heart, life, and home.

Brooke Shambley

Owner of Designing Life

www.designinglife.weebly.com

www.designinglife.etsy.com

P.S.  Did you know I have two businesses?  As an extension of my desire to help women, more specifically mothers, in their everyday lives, I am also a health coach + doula.  You can find out more about this business over at Boholistic Mom.

<meta name="p:domain_verify" content="285f749674aee103d9616b66a82b13b8"/>

Four Fabulous Fine Motor Skill Activities for Preschoolers

Let me premise this post by explaining that I am not a preschool educational expert, but I am the mother of one bright eyed eager three year old boy who readily waits for the next planned activity and constantly wants to learn more.  The ideas presented in this post are the result of my experience with my three year old, online study, and the need for creative ideas to keep my little guy busy and his mind engaged.  With there being so many ways for our children to be entertained (computer, television, iPad, iPod, and video games), it is a great idea to be intentional about their activities.  Entertainment might keep a kid quiet, but it does not necessarily teach them to gain new skills. 

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a little cha-ching if you make a purchase using this link.  Thanks!

Four Fabulous Fine Motor Skill Activities



  

Pouring Rice Activity

Unless you have the perfect weather for outdoor water pouring activities, pouring water inside can be quite messy.  Instead, designate an area in a hard floor area for pouring rice!  Set aside a container of rice just for preschool play time.  Then either buy a pouring set like the one pictured to the right, or use kitchen items to allow your preschooler to experiment with pouring, measuring, and funneling the rice.

To Buy a Pouring Kit from Amazon: Montessori Basic Children's Pouring Kit






Cut It Up!

Whatever you do, don't be scared to hand your preschooler a pair of scissors!  Cutting paper is a great way to develop fine motor skills, and with the kid safe scissors there is little to fear.  Buy a pack of construction paper and a pair of safe scissors.  Let your preschool child cut out shapes, but also take a marker and make hearts, diamonds, triangles and other shapes for your preschooler to attempt to follow.  Success is measured in the attempt not the perfectly cut out shape, so be sure to encourage each of their attempts.

To Buy Scissors from Amazon: Melissa and Doug Child-Safe Scissors





Source: MissMancy.com

 


Highlighted Tracing Sheets

Recently, I found a picture on Pinterest that suggested highlighting letters on paper then encouraging children to trace the highlighted letters.  I love it!  The dashes that are most commonly used are obtrusive and really don't encourage tracing, but highlighting works great.  Use this for teaching preschoolers to draw shapes, their name, and even for cutting activities.

To Buy Highlighters from Amazon: 

Sharpie Clear View Highlighter Stick, 4-pack





Writing in the Sand

Whether you go to the beach or bring a little sand home to put in a tray, writing in sand is not only therapeutic but great for building preschoolers fine motor skills.  Get them started by showing them a few shapes and letters, then encourage them to slowly move their finger through the sand to make their own letters and shapes.

To Buy a Sand Kit from Amazon: Montessori Letter & Drawing Sand Tray



More resources for Fine Motor Skill Development:

Fine Motor Activities for Preschoolers

http://www.preschools4all.com/fine-motor-activities.html

Green Birthday Party Ideas

Vintage 'Eco Green' Party Pennants - Merry Go Round HANDMADE

You can design a home, you can design your life, and yes, you can design a party.  Just like in designing a home, you have to start somewhere.  You can start with a color, a theme, or maybe a favorite flower.  This time, I started my party designs with a color.  My son who is turning three this month decided that he wanted a circle cake and a green birthday party.

green party ideas

I scoured the web for ideas on green birthday parties.  Here are a few themes that surfaced in my search:

Dinosaur Birthday Party
Frog Birthday Party
Bug Birthday Party
Pink & Green Birthday Party
Money Birthday Party
Lepracaun Birthday Party
Shamrock Birthday Party
Picnic Birthday Party
Green Train (Percy) Birthday Party
Caterpillar Birthday Party
John Deere Birthday Party

Then finally, my husband and I had a breakthrough.  Green . . . green . . . a GREEN birthday party.  We decided to "Go Green" and plan an environmentally conscious and friendly party!

We have only just begun planning for my son's Going Green Birthday Party, but I will post more as I go along!

Here's a generic copy of the invitation we e-mailed to his guests:

Tips for "Picture Perfect" Picture Hanging

Upcycled Frames by One Vintage Rose Etsy Shop

Even though I have an interior design background, let me make one thing clear . . . my interior design teacher never held a class on hanging pictures.  All of the sudden after completing four years of college with a BA in Art, I walk into a job interview and they ask me to hang some decorative frames on a wall.  What?!  Fortunately for me, I'm very resourceful.  I took the tools provided and hung the frames on the wall.  The only comment they made was that I hung them a little high . . . lol, I had overcompensated for my shortness and they were about two inches higher than they technically should have been.



Suffice it to say, I had to learn how to hang pictures just the same as anyone else has to learn.  It takes practice, it takes attention to detail, and it takes a lot of patience.  Alright, I guess it does take an eye for design to get the placement visually appealing, but I know you can do it.

Here are some tips that I've learned along the way that make picture hanging that much easier:

Stanley Measuring Tape via Amazon.com

use a measuring tape

While this may seem elementary (my dear Watson), it isn't.  We all think we are just that good and think that if we just eyeball it we'll get the frames hung at the same height.  No.  Not really.  I'm not even that good.  And yes, I learned the hard way.  I have a wall that still haunts me (don't know why I haven't fixed it) . . .

Stanley 43-511 Level via Amazon.com

use a level

Granted, most times I really can eyeball how straight a frame is by looking at it, but there are a surprising amount of people who absolutely couldn't hang a picture straight if their lives depended on it.  Even when I think I've got the frame perfectly straight, this girl uses a level.  So save your guest's nerves some strain and get those frames leveled out using a level.

Clothes Pin Marking Tool Via The Scrap Shoppe Blog

use a special tool

Some pretty fabulous tools exist to help you get your pictures hung.  For instance, the Hang & Level.  You hang your photo on the tool, then press a little button to mark your nail spot.  Even with this product, you still need a measuring tape and a level.  This just saves you the torture of placing your picture frame up on the wall in the exact right spot, pulling it off, then missing the "mark" and hanging it crooked anyway.  Been there, done that.  Cool tool.

Alternate and cheaper option (thanks to The Scrap Shoppe Blog) . . . take a clothes pin and hammer a nail through it. Hang the picture from the nail on the clothes pin, hold the top of the clothes pin, place the picture where you want it hung, then push the frame towards the wall to leave a mark where you need to place the nail.  Voila, cheaper = smarter!

Paper Bag Trick via BHG.com

use paper bags

No paper bags are not just for groceries.  I found this awesome little trick on Pinterest (originally from Better Homes and Gardens) and am in love.  Place your frames on top of a paper bag (you may need to cut open and lay out the paper bag).  Trace the frames and cut out the shapes.  Take the frame shapes to your wall and use painters tape to attach them to the perfect spots on the wall.  Move them around as needed to find the best placement.  And yes . . . you still need a measuring tape and a level.

 P.S. BHG says to use Kraft Paper . . . so let's just call using paper bags my cheaper version of the same principle.

use your imagination

Just because you've been at tons of people's houses where they hang one piece of art on an entirely empty wall doesn't mean you need to be that boring.  Sorry boring wall folk . . . add some spice!!!  Try making a collage of frames with pictures, landscapes, and creative photography.  Create a zig zag of frames across the back of your sofa!  Whatever you choose to do, just remember to be creative and use that imaginarium aquarium . . . (brain).  Think out of the frame ;-)

My Life and Home Staging

My Dining Room - Staged

Design is never so close to the heart as it is when it affects your very livelihood.  My husband and I have owned our home for close to four years and now we have to sell it.  All the steps, I've taken to design my home and make it a place for my family to thrive will restart when we move to our new home.  More importantly right now, I have to transform our space into a neutral desirable home that will reach out to every potential buyer.  With a buyer's market, we have to do everything possible to make our home the one that speaks to the buyer and says "oh yeah, this is it!"

My entire life will be consumed with thoughts of home staging for the next four months.  We have an enormous list of to dos that would scare any normal person silly.  I'll walk you through a few of our thoughts when it comes to home staging our home.

The outside sets the tone for the home.  We are hiring a power washer to come spruce up our vinyl siding before any buyer comes to survey our house.  I am going to spend some time in the front flower bed pulling out weeds and finishing off the right flower bed with a trim.  Instead of hoping that our flowers from the fall keep blooming, we are going to buy some new flowers and spruce it up!  Our mailbox is filthy!  We are going to see if the power washer people can get it cleaned up, otherwise we are going to employ some Clorox to try to clean it up.  Finally, we are hiring a professional to edge our lawn and spruce up the rest.

The house must be pristine.  I plan to have this house sparkling.  We are hiring Stanley Steamer to come in and steam the carpets.  I am cleaning the ceilings, the air vents, the fans, the lighting, the walls, the frames, the woodwork, everything.  No stone will be left unturned.  Nobody likes to look at or buy a dirty house.

The house must appear spacious and inviting.  We are going to move our sofa so it is the first thing that is seen when entering the house.  This makes the first room of the house appear comfortable and inviting.  We are clearing out extra furniture and removing all clutter.  The less clutter in a room, the more spacious that room feels.

Each room must convey a purpose.  I am planning to leave all pivotal furniture in place.  Empty houses sell slower than staged homes.  The potential buyer must be able to envision each room's purpose.  A bedroom is much more of a bedroom with a bed, nightstand, and dresser.  A large empty room may still a bedroom, but the buyer may not be able to visualize his or her items in the empty room.  We intend to set up an extra bed in our third bedroom so that the buyers will be able to see the room as a bedroom and not just as a computer room, which is how we have used the room.

These are just some of the thoughts that have crossed our mind as we have ventured to begin the process of selling our home.  I am so glad that I have experience in interior design, because I can see this getting overwhelming fast!  Since finding out that we will be moving soon, I have studied up on home staging and feel confident that our home is going to do great on the market!

Feel free to leave any home staging tips and advice in a comment!  I love hearing new ideas!

Moving from "As Is" to "Just Right" in Your Home



As Is Vintage Eye Glasses - Etsy


I'm calling you out (and I'm calling myself out too)! Yes, you! You are living with your house "as is" and it's about time that you move on. When you go to a second hand store, you expect to find items labeled "as is." If you buy it, you plan to fix it or better it from that condition. No one would buy a product in "as is" condition and leave it that way. But we do it with our homes! We leave our home in the "as is" condition. Enough is enough!

From Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/micslovespink07



From "As Is" to "Just Right"

One way to move on from having a home in the "as is" condition is by recognizing the areas of the house that are commonly ignored. Just because it's always been that way, doesn't mean that it is just right! For some, the area ignored is the garage, an extra bedroom, or a corner. Maybe all that is left alone is a pile sitting by the bed or a basket of clothes to be mended. No matter what area is left untouched in your house, it is time to pull back the curtains (or pull up the blinds, whichever the case) and get busy in your ignored area.


Moving from Room to Room

Each room has areas that are in "as is" condition. Maybe your pantry is an area that gets messy repeatedly and never gets straightened, or perhaps your laundry room has piles of lost socks sitting on the dryer. Why not upgrade your "as is" areas into being "just right" areas? Make a plan and make your life a little easier and a little more livable!


Just Right Doesn't Stay Just Right

Perhaps you have a room that was "just right" only that was four years ago! "Just right" can digress into "now wrong." You have new needs, new likes, and just as your life progresses so should your home! Keep your home moving forward and update those rooms that were perfect at one time, but need a change in order to keep up with where your life is at now.

In Our Home Sign

Maintaining It "Just Right"

Whenever you have a life change, your home may need a change as well. In order to maintain your home as a perfect dwelling, you have to recognize new needs that you have. Obviously, if you have a new child in your home, you have plenty of decor needs that will have to be thought through in order to make your home "just right." However, even a new job or a new hobby can bring about the need to update your home decor. You may need new storage for your new job in order to keep yourself organized. Or maybe your new hobby would be more relaxing if you repurposed a corner of your living room into a hobby corner. Think and rethink in order to maintain your home as it should be every day of the year!

Though we shouldn't settle for "as in" in our homes, remember the words of this plaque.  The home can look great, but what's more important is how you relate to others in your home! ;-)


From Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/pattisprimitives

Modern Thanksgiving Decorating Ideas

Unless you are enamored with country style decor, I would like to propose that there are much better choices for Thanksgiving than the traditional country style Autumn decor.  Below are some examples of what not to do with your Thanksgiving decorating.  Keep your decorations bright and significant.  If it doesn't make an intentional statement, it may be making a statement you didn't intend for it to make.  A mix of neutral colors do not neccesarily reflect a classy Thanksgiving color scheme.  Just because they are all neutral and seem to blend doesn't make them a perfect match for your decorating this Fall.  Finally, mixing holiday decorations in a basket, hurricane, or vase does not create a foolproof centerpiece!  Stick with two main types of items when filling a hurricane; in this case, more is NOT the merrier.

Personally, I wish to decorate for Thanksgiving without abandoning my class and my taste.  I wish for the comradary of the country Christmas with the decor that says "I have style."  If you are guity of some of the decorating faux pas, don't dismay.  Simply tuck those tired decorations away and take a look at some new items to jumpstart your Thanksgiving decorating.

Modern Brown Design

Modern Orange Design

I hope you enjoy this collection of Thankgiving Items!  If you are interested in more Holiday Decor ideas check out my Holiday Decorating E-design!

Lazy Monday at Home

 How does home decor matter on lazy days?  If I am snuggled up in my pajamas watching my favorite show on Netflix with no plans for visitors, does decor still matter to me?  Alright, so you already know I'm going to say that it totally matters!

Fringe Throw - Etsy Shop:  Crickets Home

Even lazy days involve interior decorating and home decor.  The choices that you make on your non-lazy days will affect the quality of your relaxation times.  Today, I have been curled up on my large denim sofa covered in my cozy Navy throw (yes, the one pictured in yesterday's blog) and I have declared today a day of rest.  My cozy couch would be much less cozy without that throw.  For me, I must have a throw or blanket to feel fully relaxed.  If I was farther away from my favorite show and having to strain to see each episode, then design matters.  My design makes my lazy Monday possible.

What makes your relaxation complete?  Maybe it's your favorite throw, or your favorite patterned pillow.  Perhaps, your relaxation is aided by soaking in the rays of sunlight as they pass through an open window.  I know I love opening the windows on a fall day and letting the crisp air pass through and aerate the house.  These are just a few things that can add to the relaxation of the day, but what decisions can lead up to a wonderfully lazy day?

Having your house in good condition before entering into a day of relaxation makes the day even more sweet.  Consider in advance what you want to have done and what chore will make for one less item on the agenda for your day of peaceful laziness.  One of the cardinal rules of enjoyment is to have a space that is free of clutter and debris in order to fully be at peace.

Another important aspect of home decor that affects relaxation is the seating.  If all you have is dorm furniture from your old college days or maybe you only have formal seating, then you really must consider purchasing seating that will aid you and  your family in enjoying their time together.  Dorm furniture (or older furniture) can seem very comfortable, but it needs to be comfortable visually as well.  You gain more enjoyment from sitting in furniture that feels comfortable and looks beautiful.  Formal seating has the opposite problem.  Often a formal sofa will look wonderful, but feel absolutely rotten to sit on.  Consider having a formal room and a room for the family to kick back in.  Honestly, if you can't afford to do both, it is more important to feel comfortable regularly than to impress important guests with formal seating.

Lazy days are all about easy access.  You need to have easy access to your favorite drinks whether that includes lemonade, sweet tea, or a Cosmopolitan.  You want your coaster front and center.  In addition, it's great to have food trays in advance for eating in front of the television.  For movie nights, our family has a waterproof blanket that lays in the floor and we all pile on it to eat our pizza and popcorn.  At times, it is the decisions you make in advance that determine how easy it is to relax.

If your Monday is not as lazy as my Monday, don't consider me lucky.  This particular lazy day was not a matter of design, but was one of surprise when my son was sick this morning.  Sometimes a day at home is not planned, but with a little thought and planning any day can quickly take on hints of relaxation!

Repurposed Home Decor

Examples of Repurposed Home Decor from Etsy

We all have them.  Home decor items that no longer serve their purpose, think Ariel with a drinking glass.  The desk that was supposed to help the family pay the bills that instead is a host to papers of all sorts in assorted stacks and piles.  The wreath that looked wonderful for a few months and then lost a few shades to the sun.  The question isn't whether we have them, but what to do with all these items that take up space and no longer serve their original purpose.

Repurposing means taking an item and redefining what it is used for either by using it in a different manner or giving it an overhaul.  This either takes loads of creativity or a nudge in the right direction.  These days repurposed items are hot commodities.  Why have the same old objects when you can have new products created with the old ones?!  Let your mind expand and your imagination run wild while we look through some creatively repurposed items found on Etsy.


repurposed spigot towel rack

Here before you is a work of art, a towel rack composed of spigots.  Since I personally cannot resist placing my towels on dresser knobs, what could possibly be better than instead placing my towel on a wonderful spigot?

Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ElijahsAttic



map wreath

You see an old atlas where another might see a stash of charm.  Why throw away what you can use?  This wreath was made with old maps, and you can do the same with an old atlas or even a book that has outlived its usefulness.  Rather than seeing these things as one more item taking up room, consider repurposing them as craft materials!

Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Houseof3

repurposed spice rack vanity organizer

If you upgrade your spice rack, don't get rid of the old one.  You can use it in your bedroom or bathroom!  Repurpose your spice rack as a vanity organizer.  Hang earrings on the front for easy access and place nail polish, perfume bottles, and make up in the spice holder.  Excellent way to store your beauty items and an excellent reuse of old home decor!

Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/packratdiva

suitcase nightstand

When is a suitcase no longer a suitcase?  When it's a table!  This vintage suitcase has been repurposed as a nightstand.  Not only can you dream of traveling beside such a classy piece of furniture, but you can also pack your bags . . . or your nightstand with plenty of books.  Storage and style!

Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MrsRekamepip

Repurposed Home Decor = endless options

The options are endless for repurposing home decor.  An old coffee table can be painted to serve as a children's train table.  An old vanity can be sawed in half to create to seperate bedside tables.  Now, before you get ready to throw an household item away ask yourself if you can reinvent the item through repurposing!

Home Gym Design: Creating A Naturally Healthy Home

I will not attempt to fool you into thinking that I have this ball in the pocket.  My home does not have a room dedicated to a home gym at this time.  However, incorporating a home gym into another room is not only helpful, but extremely needed for those who live a busy lifestyle.  Not everyone can cut out of their workday to spend an hour at the gym, but most people can take fifteen to thirty minutes out of their home life to keep their body healthy.

A "home gym" does not need to be elaborate.  Fitness is not about having deluxe equipment and scads of space.  These days fitness involves convenience, accessibility, and choosing to have it a part of your lifestyle.  Therefore, setting up a home gym is the best option for keeping fitness a priority in your busy life.



Cap Barbell 40-Pound Dumbbell Set

Free Weights
When considering a home gym space, free weights are a great way to strengthen the body without using tons of space.  These weights can slide under a table and still be accessible for workouts within moments.  Since the free weights are customizable, this can be great for men and women alike.  Finally, these weights are a great option for a lifestyle of fitness.  Strengthening the back and arms is a great way to burn calories and increase one's body image.



Pull Up Bar and Resistance Bands

Pull Up Bar and Resistance Bands

The door frame pull up bar and resistance bands are another wonderful option for small spaces.  Whether installing the pull up bar installed in the door of a larger closet or in the entrance to your home gym space, this is a constant reminder to workout.  The temptation will constantly arise to test your strength and who knows; maybe this will draw you into your home gym space.  The resistance bands are great not only for arm strength but for strengthening the legs.  These are perfect items to keep in your home gym space.  Remember that the home gym does not need a complete room, but merely an allocated potion within an existing room.



Cap Barbell Definity Push Up Holder

Push Up Bar

Personally, I detest putting the palms of my hands on the floor and getting uncomfortably close to the ground every time I do a push up.  That is where the push up holder comes into play.  This product makes push ups a little more comfortable and makes the angle a bit more likeable.  In order to keep push ups quick and painless, consider using these push up holders or the perfect push up product as an aid to your home gym workout.  They take up little space, but make the push up exercise much more inviting!



Valeo Foam Exercise Mat

Exercise Mat
Whether you have a hard floor or carpet, an exercise mat is extremely helpful for maintaining footing while doing certain exercises as well as providing extra padding for exercises that involve lying down or floor pressure.  This mat has elastic bands to keep it folded up when not in use.  Whether you choose this mat or another, consider matching the colors to your room decor.  A home gym can not only fit into another room, but it can look good!

Valeo Jump Rope

Jumping Rope

What is a better home gym aerobic exercise than jumping rope?  While the ceiling can be a barrier, a jumping rope can be taken out doors or in a hallway to be used.  A jumping rope is highly effective at getting the heart pumping and the heart rate higher for an aerobic activity.  Whether you are at an amateur exercise level or expert, you will benefit from including a jumping rope in your home gym space.

Home Gym
Of course, these are only a few examples of the types of equipment that you can include in your home gym.  While there is no limit the amount of items you can include in your space if you have unlimited space restrictions, but these are some great products to start with if you do have space restrictions (or budget restrictions!).  Lack of space or money never means that fitness needs to be less of a priority.  Fitness helps you to live your life to the fullest and keeps you feeling great!  Why should you sacrifice feeling great just because you lack space or money?  Make a little space and budget a little money to create your home gym; you won't regret it!

Extra suggestions for your home gym:

Valeo Medicine Ball

Home Scale

Affiliate Link Disclosure:

When you click on the links in this post and purchase something, my blog/business profits.  Thank you for supporting my blog!