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Inspired… Our latest Designing Moms post.
Our latest post at Designing Moms
Photos courtesy of Docuvitae
Did any of you read The Last Lecture written by father of three and professor, Randy Pausch? At the time in 2007, he was dying of pancreatic cancer…he gave this amazing lecture on fulfilling your childhood dreams to his students at Carnegie Mellon. It’s been made into a book and you can also watch it here. I always love remembering something he said in that lecture:
“When I was in high school, I decided to paint my bedroom.
I always wanted a submarine and an elevator… And the great thing about this is
they let me do it. And they didn’t get upset about it. And it’s still there.
If you go to my parent’s house it’s still there. And anybody who is out there
who is a parent, if your kids want to paint their bedroom, as a favor to me
let them do it. It’ll be OK. Don’t worry about resale value on the house.” (from The Last Lecture)
I, like so many others, was inspired by his powerful message. He had learned something from the hardship he and his family was enduring and he decided to do something to benefit not only his own children, but many many other people simply by sharing his lessons…they are valuable lessons for us all. The lesson that has stuck with me on a day to day basis…as a parent…is this idea of letting our children paint their walls…yes literally…but it means something philosophically as well…help your children find their creativity…nurture it…I love the idea of letting my child be free to express himself whenever he needs to.
At the same time….“Mommy expressed herself when she designed and decorated your room!” “Don’t you love what mommy did????” I’m sure many of you creative moms can relate. So how do we both, instill in our kids an appreciation for good design and a respect for their personal objects? We want them to know it’s important to keep our things nice and neat…that’s a good thing to teach them…but…how wonderful to give them ample room for creative expression. I have found some ways to do this and so has my Tin Parade partner, Kristen. We each have created a sort of art nook behind our kids bedroom doors where they can hang all their precious creations.
Photo by Laura Kleinhenz at Docuvitae
and Kristen has a great chalkboard wall at kid friendly height that they can do whatever they want on.
I also have two chalkboard sections on my sons walls. These have worked great for us but I’d love to hear from some of you on what you did like this to nurture your child’s artistic side. Anyone let their kids paint a wall? I’d love to see it!
Also, I had to share this great product I came across in Land of Nod. It’s a wallpaper of frames…has anyone used this? I am dying to design a children’s room with this for someone.
Another creative outlet for the girls at Tin Parade
We are SO excited to announce that Kristen and I have been invited to be new contributing writers for the fabulous blog Designingmoms/blogspot.com Below is the first post, which is the introduction of Tin Parade to their readers. SO exciting. (all photos shot by the amazing Laura Kleinhenz at Docuvitae in Los Angeles)
My Mondays have been revived ever since this blog started…and mainly because the Designing Moms that I get to introduce are so incredibly talented and inspiring I find myself oooing and ahhhing over their stories and photos the rest of the week. Today I am so happy to introduce new Designing Mom “Decorate” Contributors, Ryan and Kristen of Tin Parade Vintage Party Goods. Ryan’s event planning company Savoir Flair Weddings creates one of a kind, dream weddings so it’s no surprise that she and Kristen would expand into expert party planning for little ones! You’ll see below that they have a wonderful sense of detail…something we will all look forward to as they lend their decorating expertise here! Click here to visit Tin Parade and please help me give a big welcome to Ryan and Kristen!
Tell us a little bit about yourself
I am constantly moving. Even when I’m at “rest” my mind just seems to never stop working. I sometimes would love to flip a switch and turn my mind off…but then….there’s an idea…some creative idea that needs my attention…it’s actually quite exhausting to be a creative person…because if you don’t create..and express yourself…you’ll be stifled and boxed in. That’s my fear. I can’t stand the thought of not expressing myself.
I have been a wedding and event designer for over 8 years in Los Angeles. I love it. I’m lucky to do it. Last year my good friend and now business partner, Kristen Gara and I launched our Labor of Love, Tin Parade Vintage Party Goods. We design many of the items…as many as we can..and have them handcrafted by artisans. We also piece together darling goods that we find like a needle in a haystack by scouring the internet and the Gifts Shows. Kristen has a fabulously creative background as well. She was an Art Director in the advertising field for years. Our skills together are making for a dream design duo and we are loving this time in our lives. Kristen doesn’t consider herself so much the writer…so that’s my job…which is why you’ll mostly hear from me…but I’ll occasionally pull her ideas to blog here because she’s got fabulous taste and we’ll all benefit from a little Kristen Gara.
How did you and your husband meet?
It’s a typical Hollywood story I guess. We were both actors all through our twenties. We met while doing a play at a local theater and of course had to somehow drag ourselves through the kissing scene. We decided it needed a bit of rehearsal. You know, just to be sure it was believable. The rest is Hollywood history.
How did Tin Parade start?
Kristen and I were on our morning run…talking a mile a minute as usual, when I told her that my husband said it was really too bad I spent so much energy designing events that were one day… and then poof they were gone…and wouldn’t it be amazing if I could somehow box up the events to sell across the country…that was it! By the end of that 5 mile run we had decided that not only did I need to absolutely do that..but that we needed to do it together…we had to marry our talents…and we needed to speak to our mutual love of all things vintage…there began Tin Parade Vintage Party Goods.
What inspires you?
I am inspired at the most random moments…nearly like a crazy person…bad design inspires me to make the world a prettier place actually…so sometimes I’ll be driving through the city trying not to look at gaudy billboards and bright pink houses and ideas will hit me…I think my mind responds to a need out there to beautify things. But I’m also so inspired by history. I have a love of history and I am constantly intrigued by the idea of myself in another era. Thus the art deco and speak easy weddings I’ve designed. I’m inspired by nature…rustling leaves with a cool breeze makes me want to create like crazy…something about the fall gets me going. I want to sit at home and make things all day in a cable knit sweater…because that’s the way you are supposed to do crafts in the fall…I think my creative enthusiasm is a bit contagious…I’ll start projects in the office with my interns and call it arts and crafts time. Fun for all.
What projects, activities do you love doing with your children? Are they creative like their mom?
I love cooking with my son. He’s really into tasting different flavors and spices and loves the smells. We have a good time in the kitchen and we both LOVE to eat. He’s definitely creative. We let him have the front porch for Halloween. He makes everything. I’m not into the store-bought Halloween decorations so much…and yes, it’s a bit messy when a 4 year old takes over your front porch..but I guess I figure it’s for a short amount of time and I love the art in him. I love how proud he is of the witch he drew and how he wants me to help him hang it really high so it’s even scarier when people come to our door. We have let him decorate the Thanksgiving table as well…that’s a little harder for me to give up control on…but he took it very seriously and made sure there was a cornucopia..fitting..oh and fake flowers…he must know I love those…kidding…but fake flowers there were…Of course I designed his room but…there is a nook…an artful nook just for his artwork…and the occasional transformers poster…but it’s all kept in the nook (space behind his door)…everyone’s happy…again, I love fostering the art in him. It’s an artful home that’s for sure. My baby girl is at the moment just a fabulous bundle of pudgy love but I am watching her…waiting for her first artistic expression…I have a feeling it’ll be there.
What are the greatest rewards and challenges of being both a mom and also a business owner?
Rewards. Yes. Challenges. Yes Yes. It’s tough. But oh so wonderful. Being your own boss means you can take a vacation when you want to..most of the time…or a day off…some of the time…but being a business owner and working from home is, for me the best thing about owning my own business…I am home when my baby takes her first steps. I am home when my son is sick. I can put a load of laundry in while on a conference call. I can fill a crock pot with a baby on my hip while giving direction to my intern. Pretty crazy at times, but so much better than the 9-5 life. I’ve always felt that If I didn’t’ have Savoir Flair Weddings (my wedding business) or Tin Parade Vintage Party Goods..that I’d have a different business…something…anything to be able to have the family life I want to have. I think almost anyone can do it…it’s daunting to start but so worth every step and every effort to get to the point of quitting your job and being your own boss. Of course loving what you do is important too. It’s so cliché, but…find what you love to do and then find a way to make a living at it…yes…so so true…and I don’t think you have to have a business degree …creative personalities are many times the opposite type of personality of a typical, old school business owner…we do thing s our own way…but there is a way. I love the idea of inspiring other women to create their own career.
Tell us a little bit about a typical-day-in-your-life.
On a good day I wake up and run with Kristen Gara (my Tin Parade business partner)…sadly…with our two babies being born this year our runs have been too few…I get coffee…I answer all questions about Star Wars and what I think Chewbacca’s middle name is, after…and only after….my cup of coffee. Then, the day begins.
I have to get my son ready for school…his Dad takes him and I pick up. I have to get the baby changed and fed…sometimes I’ll admit she MIGHT go to pick up at the preschool in her pajama’s….maybe…sometimes…rarely…once a week.
Then, I get the office unlocked, lights on etc so the interns can get started upon their arrival. I then go inside with the baby till our amazing babysitter arrives. Get through a few simple emails on my blackberry. And then the phone rings. It’s Kristen Gara with her morning call. Every morning. “What are we doing today? Playdate? Work? Can you pick up at preschool for us both? Can I borrow your dress? Etc.” (Kristen and I say we Co-Parent…. definitely taking a village over here) Then, I go out to the office…10 second commute…and try to blog… try to get through the bazillion emails..then execute the latest event or party design by….needle in a haystack…scouring the internet for some random idea in my head that day.
Let there be Fall
I love fall. I do. It makes me feel crafty, homey and domestic. Boring? Never! I’ve been a busy little bee making things for my son’s birthday party….stay tuned for the unveiling of that next week….but…My son and I have been making things with leaves and acorns we picked up at the apple farm…yes in L.A we drive an hour and a half so the kiddies can experience a farm. Worth it. But crazy to my husband from Iowa. This week my son and I made bundles of wood…because…what says fall more than bundles of wood? I don’t know why but they scream fall to me. Anyone else? Take a sneak:
A Sweet Review From BInspired Mama
The rate at which Priscilla’s impending 1st Birthday party (December 5th) is arriving is making me wish I could afford to just buy it all in a kit, done, with little work on my part. If I could, I would definitely call on the services of Tin Parade! Their party kits include everything you would need with a vintage twist AND is almost entirely reusable. Wouldn’t this ADORABLE tea partybe any little girl’s dream?!binspiredmama.blogspot.com, B.Inspired, Mama!, Oct 2009
Buy Our Tea Party.
