Good morning everyone!   It’s been quite a while since I’ve hosted a Punch Bowl Social and boy do I miss it.  So, to keep the momentum alive, seven friendship bloggers have joined me to host an online – Punch Bowl Social.  So sit back, relax and join us for social hop as we spill the tea about ourselves, journeys and blogs.

With social media exploding, we sometimes lose connection with what started it all, so we decided to take it back to the blog.  Blogging for me is extremely therapeutic as it gives me the outlet to talk about what I love so much.  Most hops usually focus on decorating, but this one we’re taking some time to just chit-chat for a bit.  I noticed I have several new subscribers (thank you) and I thought I’d take a moment to re-introduce myself and why I blog.  I guess you can call this a “Thursday” morning “sip and speak” kind of time.  So let me begin by saying I started this blog about 7 years ago on a whim.  I was a subscriber of Hometalk and after visiting other blog sites, I realized what they’re doing, I could do too.  So, I decided why not create one so others can read mine and be inspired – right?   I’d been living in SC and at that time I hadn’t met many friends to hang with.  All I knew was I love thrifting and wanted to share my love of decorating with people and hope to inspire them.  I’ve always been an avid home shopper basically ever since I could afford to buy myself things and developing my ever changing style over the years has always been a fun experience.

I’m originally from Newark, NJ and moved to a small town called Whitmire.  Coming from such a busy metropolis, this move was a complete 360degree culture shock for me.  I clearly remember the first time my sister and close friends came to visit after the move, as they got in the car and drove away, I sat on the porch waving bye and the tears began rolling down my eyes and all I could think was – (what have I done – did I make a mistake, have I ruined my life, am I ever going to have friends, etc).  Yea, I struggled in my lonesome blues for quite a while.  It took time to meet people and find employment, but once I did, my lonesome anxiety attacks started to subside.  I learned my way around the sticks and began thrifting again, and that’s when I really opened my wings to begin to fly.

Back home in NJ, I was somewhat involved in a community aspect, such as forming a block association to even hosting a coffee-sip at my home for the back then councilman, Corey Booker (now ex-presidential candidate). When I moved to SC,  I got more involved locally, and became a familiar face around town.  I was later appointed by the mayor to serve on the town’s Economic Development Board where I spearhead the 60-mile i2i Yardsale, and also serve on the Board of Tax Appeal as our district representative.  Moving in the direction of community development for bedroom community is something I continually strive to do.  In the midst of all of this, the internet became my best friend and my blog was my energy and lifesaver.  When I first took the leap into blogland, I knew absolutely nothing about how to create a website, how to write a blog, let alone how to style and take pictures.  All I knew was – I wanted to do IT and now, I can’t ever imagine not having my blog.  I’ve met so many kind and wonderful people whom I’d probably never would have had an opportunity to meet.  And because you chose to subscribe and allow me to enter your email, I consider you all my cyber friends and I welcome you into my home, life and personal space.  Some say blogging is a thing of the past, but I beg to differ.  I get excited about sharing my love of antiques, vintage, thrift shopping, décor style and DIYs with my readers and it has made me realize many of us are more alike than different.

Establishing my décor style has me venturing to many places to discover items I may want to have in my home.  I’ve traveled several miles, covering new territories, mixing, mingling, meeting new people while finding bargains along the way – which I get to share with you.

I would have never thought that my quest for crafting our house into a home would grant me opportunities to be featured on big social media accounts like Apartment Therapy (twice- my office and dining room), My Domaine  Black Southern Belle and most recently Circa Houses.  I also I had the “pinch me moment” when I was featured in Flea Market Décor and Curated Quarters magazine, all of which I am truly grateful for.  Many of the blogs I was reading were featuring high-end furniture and décor (and there’s nothing wrong with that) but it wasn’t for me and the prices were completely out of my range.  I’m an antique shopper, thrifty buyer and yardsale picker kind of girl when it comes to shopping for home furnishings.  My goal was to completely inspire others  like myself, who want a beautiful home without breaking the bank or going into debt.  When I look back at how my style has changed over the years, I get tickled.  This is how my living room looked years ago when I started blogging.

but by surfing blogs, I realized my eyes got more excited looking at homes that were eclectic, had vintage furniture and bold colors with animal print.  Reading them gave me the inspiration and courage to break away from the stale antique look and become more relaxed and adventurous in my choices.  Big difference right – lol!!

Inspired by bloggers and influenced by how designers style a space, I was thirsting for a change in my home to develop a style that’s unique to me.  The antiques were nice but I was craving newness without the new, so I came to the conclusion I want differentness.  Yes, the differentness is what I called it and through my blog, I knew I could connect with others as we explore the world of thrift decorating.  Through it all, my readers kept encouraging me and sharing in the excitement of my thriftscapades.  This blog gives me the confidence to believe in myself in knowing I can help others feel comfortable in developing their style of thrift.

Not only were you here for me through developing my style, but you were also here when I helped my son, Jamil, decorate his first apartment, you shared in the emotional cries when my son, Amir, was deployed and of course cheered us on for the Brick Cottage Project.  When I shared the devastating news about my mother, the heartfelt prayers came pouring in.  So you see guys, this blog is more than a decorating website, it’s a friendship circle which I hope to grow.  Whatever I learn, I share.  I love sharing tips, ideas, or suggestions, and appreciate any/all comments I receive.   We all strive to have beautiful homes to the best of our affordability and being an inspiration to others is a blessing.

As I sit in my office and share my story, just know through this hop our goal was for you to meet new friends, fun friends, or friends in need.  Through all the seasons of life, it’s friends (including cyber) who carry you through.  Our blog is a collection of celebrations for us to share with you and what better way then over punch.  After all, punch is different flavors and spirits mixed together to create one celebratory delicious beverage.  When you say party I say punch!  In other words, this Punch Bowl Social is as much about friendship as it about punch and it’s primary intention is to remind you just how precious friendships can be and nurtured in a variety of ways.

I hope you enjoyed reading about me and why I blog.  Please accept this as an open invitation to join my blog and be inspired to live the Lifestyle of the Thrift and Famous.  Now enough about me…. please hop on over to the other ladies and join them with a cup of punch while they share their stories.   May our efforts to make new friends cherish our old ones be richly blessed.  Take care and thank you for reading.

1. Chantelle     2.Tiffany     3. Nikki    4. Linda     5. Maria    6. Maggie   7. Jamala   8. Felicia

CIAO!!!!