A Very Interesting Table:

a very interesting table:

From GOOD to GREAT - ACHTUNG!!!

“We often block our blessings because we don’t feel inherently good enough, or smart enough, or pretty enough or worthy enough… Your being alive makes you worthy… You alone are enough!" ~Oprah Winfrey

Imagine if you were to die tomorrow and you are summoned to heaven.  You hear harps playing, see winged angels floating through the sky and just as you are entering the pearly gates God greets you and  says “You know [insert your name] you’ve lived a good life… but, you could of lived a GREAT life.  And this is what I wanted you to experience.” And as you walk with God the life you lived flashes before you…  The struggles you rose above, the achievements you experienced and the lives you touched all good… but not great.  For in that moment God also shows you what GREAT would have looked like.  The race you loss could have been won if you believed, the job you truly wanted you could have had if you weren’t afraid and so on and so on. 

In that moment what would you do? say? or want?  For me, I’d turn to God and say “Put me back down… give me another chance… I can do it! Oh, let me live that life of greatness!”

The thing is, you and I are in the game of life, NOW!  And we can decide to sit on the sidelines and/or be content with just having a good life or we can dare to be exceptional and have a great life.  According to Maslow (a humanistic researcher) only 2% of people will ever achieve self-actualization - the ability to achieve one’s fullest potential. I want to be that 2%, don’t you?

As I watched Oprah Winfrey’s final episode, last week, a couple of tears crepped into corners of my eyes.  It was a revelation of the inspiration she’s provided for me throughout my life.  You see for me, a skinny, tall, token black girl from a village (not a city) of 800 people who struggled to see black icons on television or even in a magazine, Oprah was it for me.  I didn’t have a plethora of choices to choose from.  And it just so happens, in the limited black public icons available, she was a great one to have!  And as it turns out she was a role model for everyone else, regardless of one’s race. 

She has taught me and demonstrated this need for all of us to pursue our passion and fulfill whatever it is we want in life.  So, I thank you Oprah!!!

Tomorrow is not guaranteed… we have only this moment…  NOW…  Don’t waste a second more of settling for just a good life.  I dare you to be exceptional – and go from Good to Great!

May Peace, Virtue and Excellence be with you!

Nicole

Wood Coffee Tables

wood coffee tables

Sunday's Lyrics - What a Feeling!

One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.
- Helen Keller

Fear is the only thing that gets smaller the closer you approach it!  Yet, no matter how small it is, fear can also be the thing that prevents you from truly realizing your greatest dream.  Anything is possible and life is truly ours for the taking....  But, you have to believe!  You have to be hungry and you have to have the passion!

The song "What a Feeling" really captures this.  My wish for you is to really experience this "Feeling" and achieve whatever it is you truly want in life... You are limitless!  Happy Sunday!

What a Feeling - Irene Cara



First, when there's nothing but a slow glowing dream
That your fear seems to hide deep inside your mind
All alone I have cried silent tears full of pride
In a world made of steel, made of stone

Well I hear the music, close my eyes, feel the rhythm
Wrap around, take a hold of my heart

What a feeling, bein's believin'
I can have it all, now I'm dancin' for my life
Take your passion, and make it happen
Pictures come alive, you can dance right through your life

Now I hear the music, close my eyes, I am rhythm
In a flash it takes hold of my heart

What a feeling, bein's believin'
I can have it all, now I'm dancin' for my life
Take your passion, and make it happen
Pictures come alive, now I'm dancing through my life

What a feeling

What a feeling (I am music now), bein's believin' (I am rhythm now)
Pictures come alive, you can dance right through your life

What a feeling (I can really have it all)
What a feeling (Pictures come alive when I call)
I can have it all (I can really have it all)
Have it all (Pictures come alive when I call)
(call, call, call, call, what a feeling) I can have it all
(Bein's believin') bein's believin'
(Take your passion, make it happen) make it happen
(What a feeling) what a feeling...

Wood Coffee Tables

wood coffee tables

End Table I Bought On

end table I bought on

Last Chance! San Francisco Decorator Showcase

 The San Francisco Decorator Showcase is drawing to a close by the end of this weekend, but you still have a chance to catch during this Memorial Day weekend. After all, a little excursion to San Francisco sounds pretty good for a quick holiday!

There are so many great rooms to see, and I cannot cover them all (so you had better hop on over to see all of the fabulous design ideas yourself!)..... but here are a just a few more to whet your appetite.

 Jonathan Staub from Philpotts Interiors was on hand to talk about the Rumpus Room. Imagined as a space for a frolic, a dance or even a nap, this room has got it covered. A large daybed is perfect for hanging out....there is a sculptural "hammock" for catching a few winks, and a seating area complete with custom bird nest chairs for intimate conversations or just a view out the window at the Palace of Fine Arts and the San Francisco Bay.

 Sultry Indigo Blue walls, and tribal art and accents keep this gallery room exciting and ready for anything. Thanks Jonathan for giving us a space dedicated to having fun!

JonathanStaub

 This bedroom by Cathleen Gouveia is described as "an urban organic guest bedroom inspired by Otis Redding's song Sittin' by the Dock of the Bay", and I can just imagine myself rocking back and forth listening to that tune in this rope suspended bed.

 Cathleen had to perform a feat of engineering to get this bed secured to the ceiling. It is just fantastic! Her color palette of soft foggy grays and silvers and natural materials is serene and relaxing.

 It might have been a cold color palette, but Cathleen has made it cozy and perfect with her use of textures, warm wood tones and that cozy bed and wing back chair.

Cathleen Gouveia

 The Library was designed by Heather Hilliard, and was a beautiful combination of tradition and current ideas. This room also had a very subdued, soft palette, but was such a departure from the bedroom by Cathleen Gouveia:

 Lovely lime washed paneling, tracery ceiling moldings and French fireplace give the room a sense of history....

 ....while the furniture and art bring the space to the here and now.

 This room was on the sane floor as the bedrooms, which was great. It is such a nice idea to have a place to unwind in the evening that is replete with books and a fireplace....quiet time perfection by Heather Hillaird.

Heather Hilliard

 The Next room was a bridal vision....feminine, elegant and very pretty. Lace and silk taffeta in pastel shades of apricot, ice blue, and ivory with a spot of golden yellow, this room makes me smile thinking of my own daughters' wedding day...someday...in fact give me about ten years.....but I can dream, right?

 This room by Josephine Fisher was, in a word, lovely. Other details include Venetian glass mirror, Fortuny fabric on the dressing table chair...

 ...and who could forget a beautiful bouquet of ivory peonies....

Josephine Fisher

I hope anyone planning a trip to the Bay this Memorial Day weekend has a chance to stop by the Showcase!

For all of the details, times, tickets, etc. be sure to clock on over HERE!

Have a beautiful and memorable weekend!

( and don't forget to remember those who came before) 

Bond End Table, Jonathan Adler

Bond end table, Jonathan Adler

Let's Make Sports Affordable For All Kids...

If I've said it once, I've said it a million times... Sports matters!  One in three families cannot afford the cost of having their kids in sports. Sport offers a multitude of benefits, and I emphatically believe no child should be denied this opportunity. Providing the opportunity to participate in sports we are positively changing the future and culture of Canada!

The Canadian Tires Jumpstart program is dedicated to affording the opportunity to participate in sports for all youths.  This is truly a remarkable program in place!  Please be a part of this change!!!

Tomorrow across Canada is Jumpstart Day.  Stop by your nearest Canadian Tires (or partner store) and for every dollar you donate it will be matched with $2.  Personally this video does a phenomenal job of demonstrating the significance of Jumpstart. 

 "On Saturday, May 28 come join the Jumpstart team at your local Canadian Tire Store. Select stores in your area will be featuring Jumpstart Day activities including balloon pops, fun games, BBQ's, great in-store deals and other fun surprises. We're asking everyone across Canada to donate $1 on Jumpstart Day and in return Canadian Tire will make it $3. Our goal is to help get 30,000 kids involved in sport and recreation this summer."

Nicole Forrester,

Canadian Tires Jumpstart Athlete Ambassador

A Tree Stump End-table Or Two.

a tree stump end-table or two.

Why It Is Vital Canada Hosts the Olympic & Pan American Games: Part II (ACHTUNG Baby!)

For the last 2 weeks I’ve been blogging on the value of sports and on Tuesday I began to make a case for hosting the Olympic Games or any major games.  Sport is an integral part of who I am.  Perhaps I am passionate about exposing its benefits because I’ve seen how it has transformed my life.

I’ve always viewed my achievements has one in spite of the system, and do not want anyone to have to take the path I’ve taken.  Let’s remember I’m only an athlete and have a life dedicated to healthy living because I was discovered working at McDonald’s one day.  Before that point I didn’t realize how sports actually raised my chances of success academically and in life.  For my entire athletic career I’ve had to train in the USA because of a lack of facility and coaches. 

And in all of this I wonder, how many people failed to achieve more because there wasn’t a Canadian system in place to fully support their development.  The success of sports correlates with a country’s economic success while promoting health and education.  What other factor has this magnitude on a country???

Many people will site Montreal 1976 as an example of the expense/failure with hosting a major game.  Yet, few fail to realize the infrastructure improvements (such as transportation) which tagged a large portion of the bill, have allowed Montreal to benefit as a direct result to this date.  From an athletic stand point, the legacy of hosting the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games can be seen in the large presence of Quebec athletes on most major games team.  They have a system of sustainable performances in summer Olympic sports which no other province has.

Similarly, Barcelona’s hosting of the 1992 Olympic Games has single handedly transformed that city making it a tourist hot bed.  Because of the Olympic Games, the port and coast of the city underwent an overhaul resulting in an artificial beach and waterside cultural area which attracts tourists.  Additionally, low-income housing became possible to residents of the area. 

The success seems to rest on the well planning of a bidding committee, which promotes infrastructures and improvement of a city.  Canada consistently fails to underperform at the summer Olympic Games because we don’t have facilities in place. 

Contrast this to hockey which most Canadians treasure and will often confuse with lacrosse as our national sport.  In every urban city there is an ice rink.  Is it any wonder we are strong in hockey??? Geeze, I wonder what that it would be like if in every major city in Canada we had a track – which by the way has a low overhead cost to maintain, accessible to everyone and promotes healthy living?

Canada, we are in desperate need of hosting a major summer games!  I’m so grateful that Toronto will be hosting the 2015 Pan American Games and has a phenomenal plan in place.  Incidentally, it will be the largest multisport game Canada has ever hosted, including the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. 

Could this be the beginning of even greater things to come?  I think so…

And just in case you have any further doubts of hosting a major game, see below for some of the benefits previous host cities have gained:

A Snapshot View of Benefits of Previous Major Games

2010 Vancouver Olympic Games

·         More than 45,500 jobs created

·         Over $463 million in tourism spending

·         Venue construction generated $1.22 billion in activity

·         $2.3 billion in real GDP for B.C

·         Hotel revenues $130 million higher than projected

2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games

·         Over 3.4 billion in total economic impact

·         Over 6,980 FTE Jobs created in East Manchester and surrounding areas leading up to the Games

·         35% increase in the contribution of tourism to regional GDP

·         7% increase in trips to Greater Manchester by overseas residents and 29% increase in expenditure (2000-20002)

·         Improvement in rank from 19^th to 13^th in European Cities Monitor for business locations

2000 Sydney Olympic Games

·         Over $3 billion in total business outcomes

·         Over $600 million in new business investment

·         Almost $2 billion in post-Games sports infrastructure and service contracts

·         Over$6 billion in tourism spending during 2001

·         The equivalent of $6.1billion worth of international exposure for Sydney, New South Wales, and Australia

·         Injection of over $6 billion in infrastructure developments in New South Wales

·         Injection of over $1.2 billion of convention business for New South Wales from 1993 -2007

(*info based upon longitudinal research findings of 2015 Pan American Games Committee)

 Desiring a change in how Canadians view sports,

Nicole W. Forrester

Olympian, PhD Candidate

Canadian Olympic Committee Member

2015 Pan American Games, Athlete Advisory Council Member

Unique Table Top Ten

Unique table top ten

What Women Want...(Part 1)

WENESDAY'S RELATIONSHIP CORNER

Men often complain that women are hard to understand (even though we are actually clear as day).  My Wednesday blogs have been an attempt to clear up any misconceptions and shed a non-expert insight into the mind of women.  Today, I dare to share our deepest bathroom discussions of what it is we really like in a man when it comes to appearance. 

So here’s a candid perspective on what a woman like myself and friends look at in guys.  (Disclaimer – These opinions reflect my non-expert opinion and table discussions with like minded female friends.  Acting upon this advice may result in you landing a spot on People’s Magazine as The top 10 Hottest Men and a barrage of women wanting to steal you from your chosen love interest.)

When it comes to looks, I’m not going to lie and tell you that it’s what’s inside that only counts.  At the end of the day there has to be some attraction.  And generally attraction (at least for myself and friends) doesn’t come down to having a pretty face.  It’s all about what is within your control that you are graded most on – hair, body and attire.

When it comes to attracting the average females, fellas fix yourself… honestly!  Unless you are actually playing in the playoffs keep a clean shaven face.  You can’t go wrong with this.  Likewise, easy on the gel, and if you’ve got locks keep them neat.  Personally, I like the low shaved hairstyle.  (See my blog on 10 Things Men Don't Know, to understand more on this).  And if you’re going bald, no worries.  Most women are okay with this, so long as you don’t live in denial and start sporting a comb-over.  My suggestion, shave it all off (if you’ve got a nice head)… this can be very hot.

When it comes to your body, you have to treat it as a temple.  If you can’t take care of yourself how can we expect you to care for us… We’re not looking for someone with an 8-pack or a Bow Flex model, but preferably someone who looks like they are active a few times a week.  And that doesn’t mean having pipes for arms while packing a boiler/gutt - but, looking full- body healthy.  Work those legs… Run every now and then!  (If you subscribe to Darwinism you’ll really appreciate why the healthy appearance of a male is important to females.) 

Also, while everyone is talking about J-Lo and Pipen’s booty we females also enjoy a guy with a nice gluteal maximum (aka buttucks).  There is a serious shortage in this department!  There should be some distinction between where your back ends and booty starts…. Some lunges and serious squats can create this definition.

And when it comes to attire, just like your face, clean it up… Whether you like the Goth, Professional, Athletic or Whatever look keep it clean! For a universal appearance invest in a sharp pair of jeans, Kenneth Coles shoes and a casual yet sharp shirt…. Can’t go wrong with that.

For more on what it is that women want, check back next Wednesday when I will delve into the mental aspect.

On the eye watch,

Nicole

Driftwood End Table.

Driftwood end table.

A Mystery at the Getty

 During Spring Break, my family and I decided to head to Southern California. We braved the LA traffic to spend a day at the Getty Center. Tim and I spent one of our very first dates at the MoMA in LA about 23 years ago, and it was time for a little reprisal of sorts.

The day was beautiful, and we were happy for a break from the Laguna Beach fog. I was very interested in the controversial gardens designed by artist Robert Irwin. We had never seen the museum and we went to every single gallery to take in the Van Gogh, Degas, Titian, Monet, as well as the current exhibits which included a fantastic display of Chinese Photography. 

 By now, everyone is familiar with the breathtaking architecture of the Center by Richard Meier, but seeing it in person is another thing altogether. The combination of structure and landscape was stunning. As much as I admired and appreciated all the glorious art inside, the exterior spaces were just spectacular.

There was a little mystery we had great fun with along the way. We came upon what appeared to be an umbrella that was left behind by a careless visitor to the museum (see above). We had stopped for a coffee at a stand in the courtyard, and found it hanging from a tree. Best to leave it there so when the visitor remembered it, they would find it again. We continued on our way.

 But it seemed that this forlorn umbrella had picked us as its new family. We found it hanging from a railing as we overlooked the city. How did it get here?

 We moved on to see the gardens that were part of the design by Richard Meier's team...

 We felt like we were in a village clinging to the side of a mountain....

 ....as we made our way down to the Central Garden, the area designed by Robert Irwin. We traversed the cobbled stream bed......

 ....and wound our way down to the story book bougainvillea arbors....

....which overlooked the pool with a maze of azaleas which seemingly floated on top...

 ....and on around the pool we strolled, taking in the garden sights and the beautiful day...

 ...when we came across our little friend. It seems that it had seen the Red Balloon and was playing the same game...

 Well....we played along. New friends are not to be taken for granted.

We saw each other again....

 ...but it was getting late. We walked back to the tram to go back to our car....

 Our friend decided to wave goodbye as we boarded the tram and left.....

I hope you have a chance to visit the Getty Center the next time you are in Southern California. Plan to make a day of it....there is so much to see, ...... and shade is provided for free whenever you need it.