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| Hexagon Side Table |
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| White Desk |
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| Eiffel Tower Bookends |
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| Pretty + Functional DIY filing |
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| Abstract Art |
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| Gold Lighting |
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| Ming Storage Boxes |
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| Brass Pencil Set |
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| Lux Throw |
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Praise the Pretty: Upgrade Your Writer (Biz) Space
Monday, June 24, 2013
Big Things in Little Packages
Why the extra mile is worth it...
I was excited and looking forward to my “first class” Atlanta tour stop (My brother was the driver and his apartment was my lodging - smile). I was motivated and fired up, especially after I was ushered into the radio station like I was a celebrity to do a radio interview. My enthusiasm waned once I got to the indie bookstore. I discovered a nice table waiting for me…outside to wave people down at lunch time to sell books. Really God?
I sighed inward, put on a smile and went to work. As the foot traffic slowed I was about to shut it down when something inside said not just yet. So a few minutes later a larger man in a very nice suit walked by. He went inside and stepped right back out. He picked up a copy of my book read the back then let me do my elevator pitch. He smiled and said, "I’ll purchase a copy." As I was about to sign the book I saw something was familiar about his face. Finally it dawned on me, “You’re Maynard Jackson, the first African-American Mayor of Atlanta!” He smiled again and shook his head. (So, I’m a little slow sometimes)
After he purchased the book we talked. He was as generous with his advice (including how to fold my flyer) as with his candor and smile. I received it all. Then God hit me over the head with the final blessing. He said, “My wife is launching a talk show and the event is tonight and I’d love for you to come. All of the media will be there.” Okay so I’m thinking, “You don’t have to ask me twice, I’m so there. Just let me call my chauffeur, I mean my brother!”
I made it back to my brother’s apartment, changed clothes and he was my official escort for the night. It was a great networking opportunity and we had a great time. It has been one of my best memories to date. I learned several things that day:
- Never underestimate humble beginnings, things that look small often turn out big
- Go the extra mile and not to throw in the towel too soon
- God will take you places and introduce you to people you’d never meet in the name of His purpose
- Take bold steps and believe God will go before you
- Be discerning, open, God led and obedient
- Always look for the, "So this is the reason I came" moment
Live God’s Life Beautifully…
Norma L. Jarrett
Author & Creator of Brunch Lady
and thank you for the seeds you planted in my spirit that day!
www.normajarrett.net
jarrettwrites7@twitter.com
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Beyonce' and Brunch
In her Life is but a Dream documentary Beyonce' gave Brunch Lady an unofficial endorsement. In so many words she said she loved her husband but she needs her sisters. Gasp: a Brunch Lady moment! Tis true. It's something about our girls, our sister-friends, aunties, sorority sisters, cousins that get us. It's a different type of bond. When you throw in brunch it's magical, memorable, purposeful...beautiful. Guys may not get it, but we do. It's not always about the food or the venue (although that helps) it's about the fellowship, friendship, love, tears, joy, support and sharing that happen at a good brunch. So here it is straight from Brunch Lady...10 ways to brunch!
1. Sunday/Besties Brunch - The traditional girlfriend brunch. Typically on a Sunday after church. Close friends, upscale venue and random conversation ranging from food, faith, relationships, books or pop culture. Begins with air kisses, possibly ends with hugs and tears (especially after Mimosas). Inspiration for my Brunch book series :)
2. Big Hat Brunch - Possible charity event or gathering of church ladies. Lots of lace and labels; may include white gloves, Fascinators or huge hats. Manners, decorum, political correctness and donations are on the menu.
3. Ambush Brunch - Involves less friends. This is the "keeping-it-real" moment with your girl when she needs to dump that guy everyone knows is cheating, get her credit together or get off the couch and actually LOOK for a job. AKA "The Intervention" or the "Put on your big girl panties and deal with it brunch".
4. Big News Brunch - Celebratory in nature (sometimes). A new baby, job, relocation, or a "He put a ring on it" announcement usually ensues. Insert "yay" here.
6. Briefcase Brunch - A power lunch with a purpose. Beautiful women gather to handle business with a tax write off to boot. Werk!
7. Budget Brunch - For true friends. Venue is not an issue, a little bakery, the Waffle House or Cracker Barrel will do; no fancy-smancy food required. You just want to meet up with your girls and dish because you miss them. "My treat" or "Let's split it" is typical. No special occasion required.
8. Girl-We-Gotta-Talk-Brunch - The opposite of 3. Friend is admitting she needs your help. This is a no judgment zone. Usually includes prayers, donations or accountability agreement. That's what friends are for!
10. It's-Official-You-Are-My-Boo-Brunch - You and that special guy, right after he says I love you. Men in this state will usually forget they are actually doing the brunch-girly thing because they are smitten. Take advantage of this season!
BONUS: International Brunch - Paris, Milan, London...can't you see it? Brunch is a universal concept. This one may require your beau or a girl trip.
Bon Appetit!
Brunch Lady
www.normajarrett.net
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Brunch Bride - Chimeria Cleveland weds Patrick Evans
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| Photo Credits: Faith Burkett - Kimbox Photography.com |
Wedding
Date: October 6, 2012 (X.VI.XII)
Location:
Selma, Alabama
How
did you meet? Chimeria- Although we were raised in the same neighborhood, we officially met and
became friends at our current job. We are both educators in a school system in
our hometown of Selma, Alabama. Patrick-I’m not sure how we meet; however, I knew
many of her family members. When she started working at the high school, I was
impressed with her work ethic and of course the attractive way that she carried
herself.
How did you know you’d
met the one? Chimeria - I knew that I had met the one because Patrick had such a kind
spirit; furthermore, I could tell him anything and laugh with him about anything
from the beginning. I was always able to be myself. Moreover, he never
gave up until he got my attention, so I knew there had to be something more to
the story. Patrick -I prayed to receive her and she hung in there with me despite some of my
faults.
What was the most memorable thing about your wedding day? Chimeria - My fondest memory about my wedding day is that I was happy. As I walked down the aisle I had no doubts in my mind or heart.
What is the key to the success in your relationship? Chimeria and Patrick - The key to success in our relationship is first relying on our faith and striving to be better individuals in God’s eyes. Secondly, being a friend, this includes having a listening ear, supporting one another, and being open to many things. Lastly, having fun and enjoying one another!
What is it that you love most about each other? Chimeria - I love that Patrick is romantic and thoughtful. He enjoys living life to its fullest and he doesn’t mind doing what he can to help others. Patrick -I love her strength as a woman. She doesn’t take any less than what she deserves and she is driven for success. She is ambitious. She sets goals and achieves them. I also love her sexy legs.
What role does God play in your daily lives? Chimeria and Patrick - We realize that in order for our relationship to be successful we must keep Him as the head of our lives and our relationship. Although we are far from perfect, we work constantly to build our relationship to His liking. In our own personal walks with him, we are ever considerate of His word. Together we are growing in faith.
Share one of your fondest memories in your relationship so far. Chimeria - My fondest memories are the times that we have shared traveling together so far. I look forward to many more to come.
Do you believe God is still in the marriage business? Chimeria and Patrick - Yes we do and we believe that he lead us to one another for fulfillment in our lives.
What do you look
forward to as a couple? Chimeria and Patrick - As a couple, we look forward to many years of
marital bliss, starting a family, remaining ambitious, and growing stronger in
faith together.
What is beautiful about your spouse: Chimeria - What is beautiful about my spouse is that he is God-fearing, hardworking, a wonderful father, remains healthy, and strives to keep me happy.
If the spirit leads,
please share a testimony you may believe will bless other women, men or
couples. Keep your faith
and believe that God has someone special for you. Don’t go looking, just be
patient and wait on Him. Most of all, when He sends your blessing, be open to
receive it.
Thank you Chimeria and Patrick!
Also: Special Thanks to Guest Contributor Kimberly West of StyleLifeFashion.com for a beautiful feature
Brunch love is to remind us that God is still in the marriage business. We love to feature “real life” couples that are spiritually grounded and have a testimony to share. Be encouraged, love comes in all colors!
Brunch love is to remind us that God is still in the marriage business. We love to feature “real life” couples that are spiritually grounded and have a testimony to share. Be encouraged, love comes in all colors!
Monday, January 14, 2013
When the muse speaks...listen
Blame it on one of my Facebook friends but as soon as I saw this picture I knew a character (inspiration) was born! A little over a week later he became a muse for my recent upcoming novella: Love on a Budget. A story can't live on a gorgeous character alone (but it's a good start). I was having a conversation with a guy from L.A. and he talked about the influence of reality show divas on some women. He was talking with a young lady who said she was looking for her "Kroy" (of the Real Housewives of Atlanta). In other words, she was looking for her sugar daddy (sigh). So it got me to thinking of the common theme of love and money. What if:- You met a great guy
- He was strikingly handsome
- He was a little rough around the edges
- He was living with his mother
- He was financially challenged
- His main transportation was a red truck with the words "Honey-Do-4-Hire" painted on the sides
Would you or any of your girls take a chance? Sometimes God sends a "diamond-in-the-rough". But there's a difference between potential with a purpose and plain old trifling. A man's ability to take care of home is important but sometimes we have to be open to a man working his plan! Meet my character inspiration for Love on a
Budget - a novella coming February 2013! Jake Jiles honored his Dad's
wish to finish his education. Never a suit and tie guy, he quits his
corporate job to start his business Honey-Do-4-Hire. To make it work
he's moved back home and traded his BMW for a truck. Jake's in a financially
challenged season. Nevertheless, cupid decides this is the time to deliver a potential life mate. Will
there be romance without the finance? Will he and his potential dream lady find the courage to love in hard times? Will her girls talk her in to or out of a possible happily-ever-after? Read Love on a Budget, Book I in the "Real Love" series to find out!
COMING: FEBRUARY 2013!
DAVID & SHEILA HARRIS
Alpharetta, Ga
Wedding Date: April 10, 2010
Location: Ray’s Killer Creek
How did you and your husband meet? At work.
What was the most memorable thing about your wedding day? David: Beautiful weather and spirit in the atmosphere. Sheila: We were blessed to have so many friends to share in our special moment.
What is the key to the success in your relationship? David: Keeping God and His word first and foremost. Sheila: Honesty and trusting Him and each other.
What is it that you love most about each other? Sheila: I love the fact that he is and wants to be the provider and also that he loves the lord. I also, love the fact that he is a GREAT cook. David: Her energy and her spirit when she truly lets her guard down. (The Brunch Ladies: A man who cooks? We’re all about it!)
What role does God play in your daily lives? David: He is first and who I rest everything on. Sheila: He plays a huge role in our lives, we rely on Him with every decision and every problem that we have. (The Brunch Ladies: Amen!)
Share one of your fondest memories in your relationship so far. David: Thanksgiving, for me. Sheila: It was our trip to Playa Mujeres, Mexico; we had such a great time just relaxing and talking to one another.
Do you believe God is still in the marriage business? Explain. David: Always. It is when we are not willing to do what it takes according to God’s word that causes the problems. Sheila: I definitely believe that GOD is still in the marriage business, He does not want us to be alone that is why He created Eve for Adam, but what He wants us to do is come to Him and spend time with Him before making any decisions about the individual that we have chosen to spend the rest of our life with. God already knows who He has charged to seek us out and unite with us in holy matrimony. I thank GOD that He allowed me to get it right the second time and He has blessed me with one of His soldiers. (The Brunch Ladies – PREACH!!!! The doors of the church are open!)
What do you look forward to as a couple? David: Growing stronger in the Lord. Sheila: Growing old together and hopefully we will have some grand kids one day that we can love on and spoil since we don’t have any small children in the house.
What is beautiful about your spouse: David: Her smile. Sheila: His confidence and love for Lord. (The Brunch Ladies – nothing like a man who is confident and loves the Lord – get it, confident NOT cocky!).
If the spirit leads, please share a testimony you may believe will bless other women, men or couples. Sheila: I would just like to say to those that are single and feel like GOD has forgotten about you, please don’t believe that He is just waiting for you to seek him for guidance and answers. Once you take your request to Him trust me, He will bless you more than you would have ever imagined. Exactly two months prior to me meeting my husband I was engaged to someone else and I thought that I had it all figured out and was planning to spend the rest of my life with this person. Well I moved to be with him thinking that we were going to be planning or future together but little did I know that GOD had other plans. You see GOD began to reveal all the things about him that he had been hiding from me and needless to say I was disappointed and unhappy. I started to spend more time with GOD and writing down my every thought and prayer request and within 3 weeks GOD had revealed to me where I needed to be and he assured me that everything would be OK. Well long story short when I returned back to Atlanta, GA on October 9, 2009, I had no idea that in exactly one month later, November 9, 2009 that I would meet the man of my dreams. The rest is history in less than 6 months we stood before the eyes of GOD and all those that love us and vowed to spend he rest of our lives together. I thank Him everyday for blessing me with such a wonderful and loving husband.
Engagement and wedding pictures - Jerome Osborne at HowardJeromephotography.com
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Christmas Beau by Norma L. Jarrett - An Excerpt
AVAILABLE NOW! A HOLIDAY READ BY BESTSELLING AUTHOR
NORMA L. JARRETT
CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD!
EXCERPT - CHRISTMAS BEAU
"God, you have until 11:59 p.m. December 31st to deliver my '+ one'. I'm not spending another holiday single!" When Haven's sister Harper joined forces Project + One went in full affect!
Chapter 6 - Betty Knows Best
“Omigod. Did he really say Michele and Barack kinda
love? That is hilarious!” Harper fell
back on her bed laughing hysterically, while Haven stood there with her arms
folded.
“I’m
glad you find this all so amusing, but your little Project + One experiment and
advice thus far are a fail!” Haven
turned around and stormed out.
“Wait,
wait girl!” Harper jumped up and grabbed
her sister by the arm. “When you are
trying to change something, of course forces at work are going to discourage
you at the onset. You can’t give up. We’ve done a lot of prep for this.”
Haven
stood there and rolled her eyes.
“C’mon,
sissy.” Harper grabbed her sister’s arms and shook her slightly.
Haven
sighed. “I guess I can’t let one bad
experience discourage me.”
“Now
what was that affirmation?” Harper waited for her to speak.
“I
am fearfully and wonderfully made and I thank God in advance that my husband
will recognize me. The beauty and light
that is within me has now been released and I attract whatever God has for me.”
Haven mimicked like a parrot.
“Okay,
you really need to take this seriously.”
“After
Jungle Fever on crack, how can I?”
“You
know God has a sense of humor. Okay, we
need to step this up. So you’re going to
come with me to the Jingle Ball next weekend, right? We went through all that trouble to pick out
that cute sequin dress at H & M. You
got great legs and you can’t let this dress go to waste! Project Glam is in
full effect.”
Oh brother. Haven stood there with her hand on her hip.
“Shake
your head yes with me. I will go to the Jingle Ball. It’s for a great cause – a pet charity.”
“Okay,
okay, I’m going.”
“And you can’t close your online dating
account.”
Haven
poked her lip out, folded her arms and shook her head. “I’m glad you have
enough faith and enthusiasm for the both of us. Excuse me while I head to my second job, where
I have the luxury of waiting on materialistic, snobby, and cranky shoppers.”
She walked off in disgust.
“Haven?”
“Yes,
Harper.”
“You
look cute!”
~~~~~
“Ma’am,
these are not on sale. They’re two different shoes.” Haven raised her voice. Patience was definitely not her best
attribute. Why on earth did I let Harper
talk me into wearing these heels? I
don’t care what color the bottom is, in a minute they’re coming off and a pair
of flats from the shelf are going on! These are going right back in her closet.
“Well,
you don’t have to be so rude about it. You know, never mind. Where’s Betty? She always gives me superb
service,” the tanned, blinged out and
bleached-haired woman said.
Betty
overheard and was there before Haven could call her. “Mrs. Culbertson, let me see if we have a
promo for that shoe. I’m sure there’s some type of discount. At least 10%.”
Haven
put her hand on her hip. She knew there was no such discount, but that’s what
Betty did for lifetime customers. After she
rung up the lady, she walked over to Haven.
“You
okay?”
Haven
was straightening up the shelves. “I’m
fine.” She uttered, then rubbed her temples.
She turned to face Betty. “I’m
sorry. I’m just a little tired and maybe I’m not feeling this holiday season. Just got a little touch of the blues, I guess.”
“Well,
happens to the best of us.” Betty helped her put up some of the other shoes.
She started humming and singing, which usually irritated Haven, but for some reason
tonight it soothed her.
“Betty?”
“Yeah, sugar.”
“Why are you always so cheerful? I mean do you ever get upset? Does life ever get the best of you? Life can’t be great every day, can it?”
“Yeah, sugar.”
“Why are you always so cheerful? I mean do you ever get upset? Does life ever get the best of you? Life can’t be great every day, can it?”
Betty
looked Haven in the face. “Sweetie, when you get to be my age, every day is a
gift. You think I’m going to sit here and let these rich, condescending women
ruin my day? Uh-uh, no way. The joy of
the Lord is my strength, and the Lord of the strength is my life. I’ve seen tragedy…almost died myself. I’m a breast cancer survivor two times over,
you know.”
“I
didn’t know.”
“How
could you? You are too wrapped up in yourself. You young people kill me. You don’t have it as hard as the generations
before you. Especially the people of your
generational bloodline. Are you picking
cotton? No. Are you living on the
street? No. You can be and have whatever
you want in this life.”
“You
make it sound so simple. I mean Betty,
look at me. I’m young and attractive and I can’t keep a man to save my life.”
“A
mate is a reflection of you. Just maybe
if you change your attitude, you might attract somebody. You act like you’re a
hundred years old. Positive energy is
contagious. Nobody wants to be around an
old stick in the mud. I’ve learned to dance and sing and not worry about who’s
lookin’. I like to wear bright colors
and yes, I know sometimes it’s a little much, but I don’t care. I own it!”
She said, pretending to model.
“Wow,
am I really that bad?”
“Um,
maybe not. But if you’re not careful, you will be. Promise me something.”
“What?”
“What?”
She
slapped Haven on the arm. “That you will get out there and have some fun this
holiday season! Just because Mr. Right hasn’t shown up, doesn’t mean you have
to live like a corpse. Besides, God’s
not gonna just send anybody. The man God
has set apart for you is looking for you, too.
God’s getting him ready. In the
meantime, you got to make sure you got it together when he finds you. Take my Harry.
He knows he has a good thing. Took
me to his church last Sunday and I tell you that choir tore the roof off. We got down, honey! I was dancin’ and
shoutin’. It was a good time.”
Haven
smiled at the visual of Betty in full on praise and worship at a Black church. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. And I hear you, Betty…loud and clear.” She could not believe she was taking advice
from a person with a big mistletoe barrette clipped to starched hair, but since
Betty was getting more action than she was, she had to know something.
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