A PERSONAL NOTE: BIZ, DREAMS, + SKINCARE

Happy Monday Morning, y'all. Hope it's off to a more than perfect start! It's raining here in Charles, which to me is perfection. So I'm sitting here, sipping my morning coffee, making a plan for my busy, work-filled week, and feeling super blessed that I've been given the chance to pursue my biggest, wildest dream of owning my own design business. I'm not sure I'll ever stop pinching myself :)

It's rare that I get this personal on Maple + Shade, but I wanted to share a little something with you. And stay with me, as it may not seem entirely relevant...but for four years I've struggled with acne. Somehow, someway I got through high school and college with not a pimple in sight, only to turn 22 and suffer an infestation (ok, maybe I'm being a bit dramatic) of pimps (as I like to call them...yes, sadly, we're that close) on my chin (could there be a worse place?!) Anyway, after countless prescriptions and dermatologist visits, I've finally found a product line that actually works, and after 2 weeks of using the regimen, my acne is completely under control. And get this...it's not a prescription.You have no idea the excitement this instills in me. And my mirror is happy, as it's no longer being neglected.

I'm also worried about aging, as the pool just-so-happened to be my babysitter growing up. And yes, I probably have sun damage galore. I've recently learned that genetics is only responsible for 20% of our aging...the rest of that 80% is entirely up to us, and the decisions we make regarding our skin. Isn't that crazy?!

So, enter Rodan + Fields, the anti-aging skincare line that was created by the same two doctors who developed Proactiv. Yes, Proactiv. That, to me, means R + F is nothing but legit. So I thought I'd give their 'Unblemish' regimen a whirl, which is exactly the product line that cleared up my acne in no time. I've also been using their flagship 'Anti-Age' line, which is working hard to fight those fine lines and hints of sun damage I'm starting to see. So, not only do I have bump-free skin now-a-days, it's soft and 'glowy' (more so than it's ever been) thanks to the ahh-mazing Anti-Age creams.

Now, how is this relevant to the blog, you might wonder?  Well, I've actually decided to partner with Rodan + Fields  as an Independant Consultant. Not only will this allow me to help other women change their skin into everything they want it to be (and therefore boost their self-confidence), it allows me to work part-time from home and collect a steady (healthy) income as I do so. In essence, by working with Rodan + Fields, I've been given the chance to continue the pursuit of my design dreams, and run that design biz. Y'all don't know this, but I was on the verge of shutting Hannah Maple Studio down, succumbing to an overworked/underpaid full-time job, and give up on my dream. And then R + F entered the pic, and the rest is history: I'm currently in the midst of designing an entire house (my biggest project yet), with several interior projects going on as well. Life is good, and I'm more than ecstatic to take on this business venture with the founding dermatologists and other amazing men and women behind Rodan + Fields.

So, thanks to R+F, Maple + Shade will continue to be published, and Hannah Maple Studio will continue to design. On a side note, if any of you lovely readers are intrigued by any of Rodan + Fields products, or interested in earning some extra income, pay a visit to my facebook page or feel free to send me an email at hannahmaple@me.com.


And cheers to the pursuit of your very own dreams. I absolutely hope they come true!

FOR SALE: TWO 18" DESIGNER PILLOW CASES.

You know how I'm totally cleansing my over-cluttered closet? Same goes for my office, friends. But hey--you totally get to benefit! See these two gorgie 18" square ikat pillow cases? Aren't they just lovely in all their tan, orange, and aqua glory? They're leftover from a last-fall design project of mine, and yep...I've finally decided I don't need them. But you totally do!!

They're now for sale. 

$80 for the pair (does not include inserts).

hannah@hannahmaple.com if you're interested!

You want them.
You need them.
You know you do!!


xoxo
HAPPY FRIDAY.

CLOSET REHAB.

So, I have a little problem. It's called hanging onto crappy clothing that I. don't.ever.wear. Yes, even things with holes in them, and yes...I still have clothing from high school (that was well over 10 years ago), although may it be noted that my favorite pair of jeans are a worn, holey pair from Abercombie (...gasp!) that I bought in 9th grade. And yes...I still rock them.

Okay, back to my point. My second problem is that we bought a 1950s house. While it does have more closets to be expected for that building era, they are...umm...on the small side. But, I have this amazing friend Jane, who's sort of an organizational whiz (does it for a living, if you local Charlestonians are interested!) and she's totally inspiring me to deal with my closets, and perhaps my unhealthy attachment to hideous clothing.

So, here's my plan:

1. nonslip velvet hangers in black  /  2. Alexander Wang classic Tee (the perfect everyday basic that won't get holes in it)  /  3.  A gorgeous basic dress that can transition seasons and easily be layered  /  4.  Fun but classic jewels to spruce up those basics (would be gorgeous with that Tee!)  /  5. The perfect leather tote and everyday carryall (#1 on my wishlist!)  /  6.  Neutral (and the most comfortable) summer wedge sandals  /  7.  Perfect (and again...uber-comfy) wedge booties...everyone needs these!  /  8. Super pretty faux-bois organizational boxes  /  9.  Simple natural baskets for housing loose things



-Purge our master closet of all the mismatched plastic and wire (eeek) hangers that occupy too much real estate and replace them with slim, non-slip velvet beauties in black.

-Detach myself from ALL the things I NEVER wear. Which is most of my closet. It's so much easier to get dressed everyday when you limit yourself to good-quality, basic pieces that can be mixed and matched....and when you can easily see those favorite wardrobe staples. That, friends, is the key. De-cluttering so you can see what you have!

-Stay true to my personal style and only buy gorgeous things that I love (and are also quite versatile)

-Install some sort of closet system with drawers and shoe organization! (yes, shoes are my undeniable weakness)

-Accessorize and organize with super pretty boxes and baskets! Your closet should be a good dose of morning inspiration...and therefore excitement.


So, what about you? Are you happy with your closet?
Or are you finally ready to plunge into that overall? Feels mighty good, I must say :)

THE LYFORD LIFE:

My last week was spent in absolute paradise. Truly...my favorite place in all the world: Lyford Cay, in the Bahamas. Maple's insanely chic grandmother has an insanely chic house, and how blessed we are to congregate there as a huge, amazing family, and lose every care in the world for the sand and sea-filled time being:

So now we're home...to a very different beach (missing that calm, crystal clear bay)...back to work (big projects going on!!), back to life, back to all that's both wonderful and familiar. 

But still, I find myself reminiscing of that salty Bahamian air, and pinning all-things beach chic:

/ crochet dress / kelly wearstler cabana / driftwood lamp / turkish striped beach towel / rattan high back chairs / agate pillow / sculptural concrete chair / black and tan beach hat / 

lucite and palm leaf pumps /

Happy Tuesday, my friends!!

Excited to be back in the states...

and back to blogging.

xoxo

FEELING BLUE:

For all the right reasons:

Hope you're feeling blue, too...in only the most fantastic of ways.

*all photos can be sourced here.