In the last week, I don’t think anybody could have prepared me for how much this OYou challenge could change my life if I just let it.  On day 6 of my journey, I found myself sitting on the back patio, looking out into the day and crying.  Day 6 was the “O You” moment that took my breath away…that made me realize that all the tools and the information are all out there…just a google search away…to change my life.  In a few words…here is the spark that started the tears.  It was magic.

There are pictures that capture moments and feelings. Items that capture adventures and history. Colors that capture emotion and experiences.  All of those are the magic in your home.  I have a set of photos that I took of my nephew when he was little.  My older sister was having a rough morning.  With a Saturday morning call of “I need your help,” I was at her house within 15 minutes to give her a much needed mommy break.  During that HOT California day, my nephew and I went swimming and made shaved ice. Picking up the camera, I captured the photos above.  Now almost 10 years later, everytime I look at it, it takes me back to that moment and the love and the joy of a simple sunny Saturday.  Magic. 

So, here I found myself realizing at the end of my OYou Nate Berkus challenge week…how wonderful would it be to have a house that was full of magic just like this?  If in each room of your house, there were special things that took your heart and soul back to that time and experience.  This must be what Nate has been trying to teach us for years.  This must be the gift that Oprah has been trying to give us this year.  It’s not about a beautiful house.  The “rising up to meet you” is the magic of your house…the love that is inside of it…the joy that it brings you.  Just like a hot summer sunny day…the JOY and MAGIC of the little things in life.  Finally, I get it.  THIS is the kind of house that I want…this is the kind of magic that I want to greet me each day.  Now, I see the vision.  This week has been more than a lesson about design…it’s been magical. 

For a final wrap up for the week, we set out to do 3 things:  Turn something old into new, make some Nate napkin pillows and figure out the mystery of how to make your home rise up to meet you.  Here’s how we did.  The old hated desk has a new life and is loved.  Within just a few hours, the transformation was amazing. The pillows were finally closed…not with hot glue OR buttons.  We went with simple ribbon closures.  If you know how to sew a straight line, this is totally the “stress-free” way to go.  Finally, after 7 focused days on editing and tapping into our inner designer, I’m proud to say that both of these sister’s have walked away with a new understanding of having a beautiful home…and the joy that it gives you when you just take the time to stop and really see what your life looks like around you.   What we are taking away from this week ~ a made new piece of furniture, 5 new pillows, 1 new dog bed and a priceless lesson of love and magic.  Thanks Nate and Oprah…for giving us the tools and the inspiration to get there. 

Onto Week 2 of our OYou Boot Camp Challenge ~ Bob Greene and his fitness expertise.  I have a feeling he is litterally going to kick our butt!  Stay tuned…we are just getting started!