Life Lessons from the Southern Living® Idea House
The 2024 Southern Living Idea House, Johns Island, SC. Photo courtesy of Laurey Glenn and Southern Living Magazine.
Hey there!
A few months ago, I had the incredible opportunity to design and install the container gardens for this year’s Southern Living® Magazine Idea House. It was a whirlwind of creativity and hard work, and I’ve got some beautiful pots and plants to show you! Check out my adventure here.
So, between all the planning, planting, dirt, and sweat, I picked up a few nuggets of wisdom that I think you’ll find useful…or at least entertaining. Here’s what I learned:
Life Lesson #1: Take the Trip
Life’s busy, right? But when a golden opportunity comes knocking, don’t just let it pass you by. Take the trip, embrace the experience, and make some memories. You won’t regret it!
Life Lesson #2: Plan Ahead, and Have a Plan B
Being organized is my superpower. When you’ve got a plan and a backup plan, you’re not just rolling with the punches—you’re dancing with them. It helps you stay calm when things don’t go as expected.
Life Lesson #3: Surround Yourself with Good People
Whether they’re friends, mentors, or colleagues, having people around who lift you up and push you to be your best is priceless. I appreciate anyone who sees my creativity and hard work, and is willing to laugh with me all day long. Life is short, so let’s keep it positive!
Inspired and fueled by the teams from Southern Living® Plant Collection and Allison Elebash Interiors!
Life Lesson #4: Stay Hydrated and Pack Snacks
As a 50-something mom of three, I know the importance of staying hydrated and keeping snacks on hand. But I forgot my stash on day one of planting at the Idea House, and let me tell you, working in South Carolina’s heat and humidity is no joke. No matter where you are, take care of yourself!
Embracing the chaos. Photo courtesy of Allison Elebash.
Life Lesson #5: Embrace the Chaos
Sometimes, life feels like it’s spinning out of control. You can either let the mess get to you or roll with it. It’s all about mindset, and guess what? You’re in charge of that.
Got any life lessons of your own? Drop them in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!
XO,