inspired by | debbie

each friday on the kreatid blog, I’m shining a spotlight on a different person who I admire on a regular basis…the people who inspire me (whether in person on on-line) to strive to live every day, creatively.no matter what their creative medium is,no matter what their vocation is,if I admire them, you’re gonna be introduced to them!in·spi·ra·tion [in-spuh-rey-shuhn] nouna thing or person that inspires.click, click, click...that what's I hear when I type.it was something that I grew up hearing and associating that sound with fancy ladies. :)I get to hear that sound because of today's INSPIRATION|friday friend.

"Hi, my name is Jen and I was a nail biter for thirty years."

I'm happy to say that that gross habit died when I started seeing this friend on a monthly basis.her counsel to go "gel" was the turning point to keeping my fingers out of my mouth (for the most part)and I haven't looked back! :)as inspiring as that is for you nail-biter's out there... ;)that isn't the reason I chose her to be part of this week's INSPIRATION|friday.no, this woman is so much more than that to me...she is an incredible friend - always encouraging me to dream big and chase after my dream'sand in general just being a huge fan of me as a person and friend,she is an ear to listen and wise to offer soft words of wisdom,she is an incredible wife and mother,she has one of the MOST beautiful voices I've ever heard in real life,she is incredibly disciplined and hard-working - losing a RIDICULOUS amount of weight and inches andoverhauling her health,AND she is absolutely an artist in her choice of medium...nail paint.she is always looking for new inspiration and in doing so,has even been interviewed by one of the leading nail artistry magazine's!yes, this woman is someone I am privileged to call my friend,but also someone I am privileged to get to be the benefit of her nail artistry month after month...meet my friend, debbie. :)

if you had to describe “you” in ten words, how would you describe yourself?

ENCOURAGING, FUN and LOVING WIFE, MOM and FRIEND, ADDICTED TO MICKEY MOUSE

being in a salon, what are the pro's and con's creatively/inspirationally?

It comes down to finding the right fit for you. Find the right place and it becomes a second home. I go to work each day, grateful for the friends I get to work with. We have fun together, we share ideas and get creative. It's important to enjoy what you do and who you do it with. When you like the people you work with, you are inspired. When you are inspired, you get creative!!

who/where do you look to for inspiration?

I am grateful to have nail technicians, whom I also call friends that I can turn to with questions or to get advice. I also find a lot of inspiration through Nail Magazines and Pinterest. Outside of work, I am inspired by the many VERY talented friends that God graciously placed in my life. I am honored to work with you on many projects; it is a unique outlet to share my love for what I do while growing a deep and lifelong friendship.

when did you get involved in nail artistry?

This is something I have wanted to do since Jr. High. I wore acrylics through High School and was always intrigued by the process. Almost four years ago, God opened the door for me to attend the Academy of Nail Technology, in Phoenix. When I began, I thought for sure I would LOVE acrylics. I was WRONG... I hated everything about the process and frankly, was not very good at it. I ended up really enjoying natural nail services, which I think I have excelled at... My favorite of which is Gel Enamel Manicures! I LOVE everything about it and could do it all day long!!

top three favorite colors/brands? why?

Colors: Viking Winter (Dark, Charcoal Grey Gel Enamel), Black Cherry Berry (Deep, Blood Red Gel Enamel),I Brake for Manicures (Greyi-sh Purple OPI Polish)Brands: IBD Gel Enamel and OPI Polish

what lights you up on a daily basis?

My Family! I am married to my best friend and now, 16 years later, our friendship is deeper than ever. I love him more than I ever thought possible. He makes me smile and loves me unconditionally. I am a Mommy to two beautiful children whose hugs can get me through the longest day. I am humbled by God's grace and gift of a family to love and be loved in return!!

if you could be a super hero, what super power's would you have? what would you name yourself? :)

My alter-ego super identity is still under construction. ;) What I can tell you is she exists in a perfectly clean, laundry-free home, complete with candles burning, dinner on the table and cookies in the oven! And, she may or may not sport a super cool, SuperSuit!!

what's your favorite inspirational quote/Bible verse?

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil,to give you a future and a hope."

are you OCD about anything or pretty chill?

SERIOUSLY... I think you know the answer to that question! :) I like everything in its place, clutter drives me crazy! I'm kind of a perfectionist. But, I believe the answer you are probably looking for is this... I am crazy OCD about my work! My manicures have to be perfect. My nail art has to be perfect. Of course, the word "perfect" here, is relative but my clients walk out of my salon wearing my work for the world to see, they are my advertising. I want it to be as perfect as it can be. If I wouldn't wear it... they shouldn't either!

if you could have any other job in the world, what would it be?

This might sound cliche but honestly, there is not another job I could possibly wish for... First and foremost, I am a wife and mother (Best job EVER) and then I get to go to work and be creative while doing something I truly enjoy and allows me to spend time with dear friends and clients who speak into my life in amazing and unique ways!! I can't imagine it getting much better than that...

you have a serious love affair with mickey mouse and tom hanks? is there a story behind that? :)

Mickey Mouse? That's easy! I have loved Disneyland and Mickey Mouse since I was a little girl. My mom loved DIsneyland and all that included and she instilled that same love in me. Most people don't realize that it's been a life long thing for me but I have photos to prove it! :) Tom Hanks? Not as much of a story. I have watched him in everything from Family Ties and Bosom Buddies to Apollo 13 and Road to Perdition. He has always displayed much integrity and character in his roles on screen and in his life, off screen. If he is in front OR behind the camera, I will be seeing it!! And, as you know... my two worlds are going to collide on December 20, 2013, when Tom Hanks will play Walt Disney in "Saving Mr. Banks". CAN. NOT. WAIT!!!

where would you escape to in the world if you could? why?

The mountains of Colorado. No better place to rest and surround yourself in the beauty of God's creation.

how many places have you lived in your life and where would you call home?

I have lived in 3 states and more homes than I can possibly count - 10 moves just since Aaron and I have been married. Oregon will always be home but I would go back to Colorado in a heartbeat! I loved it there.

where do you find your guilty pleasures? food, tv, etc...

I'm a TV marathon junkie. Some of my faves are:The West Wing,NCIS,and Downton Abbey.I also LOVE to read Christian Fiction. Do I take advantage of my marriage to the Commons Bookstore Manager? HECK YES!!!

do you have a collection? or do you want to collect anything?

My favorite movie of all time is Gone with the Wind. I used to collect anything GWTW and one point had many figurines, posters and other memorabilia. it was all damaged in the move to Colorado and I have just never collected anything else. I do purchase Disney Trading Pins but I do not trade them, I choose one pin that holds a memory from each trip.

brother’s/sister’s? where are you at in the birth order?

I have one brother, Jason. He is four years older than me. I looked up to him when I was little, wanting to go anywhere he went and do anything he did. My mom told me once, when I was little, he got the chicken pox. I cried and cried, wanting them too, because Jason had them! As we got older, we fought like cats and dogs but as we have grown in to adults we have become dear friends and for that, I am grateful! When I graduated from High School, he was there, yelling and cheering for me over the crowd. When I got married, he gave me a dozen roses with a letter I will cherish forever!

something that is from your childhood, that not a lot of people know about?

I was a tom-boy; spent most of my free time playing building forts in the dirt and playing football with my brother and his friends.

you're pretty infamous for being disciplined and losing a TON of weight...what's your secret?

Well, I'm not sure if I would consider myself infamous but I will say this... I was ready. It was time. You have to lose weight for yourself. You have to be ready to make the change. It was more than losing weight for me. It was becoming healthy. I lost my mom far too early to heart disease. Gratefully, she was there to see me marry the love of my life but she never got to meet my beautiful kids. I want to be around to meet my grandkids and help my daughter be a Mommy. Am I excited that I am skinny for the first time in my life? YES! Do I love shopping for the first time in my life? YES! But, all of that is secondary to my health!! So, I decided to make myself accountable to the people in my life. My friends and family watched me gain weight, pound by pound. They saw me at my worst. Why not, share my weight loss journey with them and let them hold me accountable? So, I shared the journey - every embarrassing moment, every joyful goal - with my friends and family!

any encouragement for those who are just starting out in the losing weight game?

Find your support group! Who are those people in your life that love and encourage you? Who will be there in the exciting moments AND the hard ones? Figure that out and then, be completely open and honest with those people - NO HOLDS BARRED!!! Find food you enjoy and you will succeed. There will be times you splurge. That's OK, just keep going. Don't give up!

what is a nickname(s) you've been called in your life?

My two most memorable nicknames were "Twinkie" - given me by two girls in Jr. High that I looked up to and who took me under their wing - and "Wrongpants" - given me by my Jr. High Assistant Principal when I left the locker room and headed onto the softball field with my pants on backwards.

favorite article(s) of clothing?

My Lululemon Yoga outfits. I love the comfort and they are pretty darn cute!I also can't seem to get enough of maxi skirts!!

favorite band/song for inspiration?

Steven Curtis Chapman, James Taylor and Michael Buble have always been favorites of mine and are always in my playlist. A song that has become very special to me is a original by a dear friend of ours called The Hymn. It's a song based on a puritan prayer and talks about Christ being our GOOD. I turn it on when my mind is overwhelmed and I just need to rest in the gospel.

favorite three blog’s you like to read?

thekreatidblog.com, elizabethannphotographyblog.com and kaycesmith.com

top three magazine’s you would buy?

NailPro, Life, Biography

if you could encourage young women (14-21) to be anything, what would it be?

To be all that God calls us, as women to be... Don't be afraid to dream. Find what you love to do and let God use you to grow those around you. When you find a man to love, support him, encourage him and love him with everything in you. Take care of your family, love them and you will be a joy to them and an example to others.

who have been the key-influencer's in your life? why?

My Mom - Of all the people who have influenced my life, she rises right to the top.I am the wife and mom that I am today because of her!!Tom Shrader and Tim Maughan... in different ways and in different times.I came from a background trusting in the law and through their influence have learned to trust in God's Grace.To sit in Debbie's chair...call to make an appointment at Savante Salon,OR you can find Debbie on Facebook!