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HELLO SPRING!! I don't know about y'all but I'm so happy Springtime is here. Although, Winter has definitely seemed as if it's been having some serious attachment issues and popping up every other week since Spring officially began on March 20th. It's almost as if Winter has been saying..."I'm not done with ya'll yet!!"

Or, still trying to claim territory over what's no longer its season.

Nonetheless, Spring is officially here and has been since mid March and I've just been ecstatic about it. It's one of my favorite seasons of the year. It's the perfect time to give both the interiors and exteriors of our homes and lives a bit of a refresh or an updated look. It's also the most ideal and popular season for de-cluttering, hence the name

"Spring Cleaning."

I love Spring for so many reasons but mainly because the weather is so nice and beautiful, pretty flowers begin to bloom, everything is bright and colorful, and it's also the start of dress season for us ladies. I love, love, love a nice pastel colored dress to rock during the Spring. It makes me feel like such a LADY! And, because I already know ya'll are going to ask, the dress I'm rocking for this newsletter photoshoot is from Talbots. It's sold out in the blue color but it is still currently available in lavender.

To view and purchase, click here.

All Photo Stills by Stacy Marks Photography

To those of you brand spanking new to my email list, every quarter you'll receive a seasonal newsletter delivered directly to your inbox.

The Allured By Design™️ newsletters are used as a way to go beyond the world of interiors and home decor. And, more of a way to connect with you all if possible on a deeper level by addressing things going on in our world and things that we may all be dealing with in some form or fashion.

My newsletters also serve as an opportunity for me to highlight my hometown and most favorite city in the world, New Orleans...showcasing a mixture of beautiful city exteriors and cultural landmarks. But most importantly, my newsletters are meant to be a source of light and hope, especially in today's world where there's so much darkness. If I can provide just a brief moment of joy and happiness into your lives through my newsletters, then I've done my job...

And, it's my absolute pleasure.

So the last time we all spoke, (via my previous newsletter) was at the very beginning of the year. We all said good riddance to 2020 and eagerly welcomed 2021 into our lives ready for change and hopeful about the future to come. I think it's safe to say that most of us figured 2021 couldn't possibly be as bad as 2020. I've read some mixed reviews on how people are feeling about this year thus far with some feeling like 2021 is basically 2020 part two. Yet, many others are choosing to be positive and remain hopeful. That's pretty much where I am.

If you've been following me for a while, then you already know I'm a huge believer of being mindful of what we allow to live in our heads.

For whatever we think and focus most of our brain power on usually has a tendency to manifest into our lives. As a result of that, I came into this year extremely hopeful and excited about the new, positive changes that were forthcoming. First and foremost, I was definitely relieved and excited about our change of presidency and the new administration.

In addition, I was simply looking forward to just having responsible ADULTS taking over in the White House that have a committed mission of implementing real life solutions instead of constantly complaining, or pointing the finger and never taking responsibility for their actions. 

It was just a huge sigh of relief to once again be able to listen to press briefings that actually made sense and gave us an idea of where we're going as a country, as well as some form of transparency and diplomacy.

Which brings me to my next point: Vaccination.

I'm not here to judge anyone on their medical beliefs. I understand that many are skeptical on getting vaccinated and everyone has their right to do what will work best for them and their family. Just as well as I have the right to stay the hell away from you if you bout that coronavirus life, because me and mine are NOT!!!

My Husband and I just received our second dose of the Pfizer vaccine in late April. For the most part, we made out fairly well. No bad reactions or any side effects other than a really sore arm after the second shot. But I know for us, we were both interested in getting vaccinated just to relieve the stress of being submissive to catching and spreading the virus. Although, even with being vaccinated none of us are completely immune. Yet, the risks are indeed smaller.

Also, ya'll know I've been consistently talking about me and my Husband getting back to our life of TRAVEL! Like SINCE BEEN!!

And, guess what? If we plan on moving forward with our abroad travel plans...we have to show PROOF that we're legit and fully vaccinated before entering into another country.

Look!! The way I'm so eager about our next Euro trip, constantly staying up to date on every travel article that's put out by Travel & Leisure, CDC guidelines and rules, what countries are safe to travel to and what countries will be opening up their borders in 2021 or more likely in 2022 to American travelers...

Ya girl couldn't get vaccinated fast enough, lol.

For the most part, my Husband and I won't be traveling abroad until next year, but still...in my mind that time will be here before you know it.

So until then, I'm just doing what I do and enjoying somewhat of a brief break before I begin work on my next TV show.

Speaking of, to those who are new...not only am I a Designer and Founder of my brand, but I'm also a Professional Filmmaker. I both coordinate and produce various television and feature films in the entertainment industry better known to all as Hollywood. I'm based in my hometown of New Orleans, so I've been blessed to work on shows right here at home (for the last decade+) after years of working and living in both New York and Los Angeles.

At the very end of March, I wrapped up work on the final season of Queen of The South, which is Season 5. I'd been working on that show since February of 2020, then the pandemic hit and shut us and all of Hollywood down for six months. Resumed filming in September 2020 and finished our last season with a bang. And, even with us being shut down for several months...the grind was still very REAL and hectic to stay on schedule, manage and coordinate logistics for our show,

all while working to keep all of our cast and crew healthy, clean and coronavirus free.

Needless to say, I was exhausted at the end of our final season and just ready for a break!!

But my breaks are never real, true lay around vacation type breaks for long extended periods of time. Trust me, I wish they were!!

But ya know...I have this small little brand of mine that deserves and demands my full attention. So usually when I'm in between film projects, I'm mapping out with my creative team what photo and video shoots we can manage to execute in the available time that I have.

Because this content won't produce itself.

Also as a content creator working in two creative fields,

both Film & Design...I can wholeheartedly say and can't stress enough,

THAT CONTENT IS KING!!

With that being the case, let's get into some more dope photo content shall we? Before heavier and more serious talk approaches...

Before I dove head first into an active Allured By Design™️ schedule (while on my break)...I've tried to give myself some kind of grace and not overwhelm my schedule with work, work, work and then more work.

However, for me, that's always a huge challenge because I function best when I'm productive and have a busy schedule to tend to. Don't get me wrong, I don't at all enjoy being stretched thin, but I do enjoy being active and busy at a reasonable pace that I can manage.

One of the main things that I've really been focused on this year is GRACE! I don't think I've ever shared this with you all before, but allow me to share something personal. I suffer with anxiety. In addition, I'm epileptic. I was first diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of eighteen during my first year of college. But I'd long been having small seizures as early as fourteen and just didn't really know what they were, so I couldn't articulate to my parents what was going on with my body. And, when one would occur...after the episode was over I just wouldn't talk about it. Again, I didn't know how, nor did I know what to say. Most of the time the episodes never occurred in front of or around my parents. So it was rather easy for me to hide it during my four years of high school.

Once I hit college, my lifestyle of constant partying and popping Vivarin pills to stay up and study after a night out of drinking proved to be a terrible recipe. One that my body simply could not handle. And, then it happened...in the middle of a math exam my body went into my first full neurotic seizure that knocked me unconscious and landed me in an ambulance with my parents on the way to meet me at the hospital after having been contacted. What I hid from my parents for four years,

I could no longer hide.

And, boy what a way for them to find out.

After years of learning how to calm my heart rate down, how to live better, make wiser and healthier decisions and NOT engage in any type of epileptic inducing activities, I can proudly say I haven't had a seizure in well over a decade. Yet, there are still certain things that can trigger or induce one to happen, so I'm very careful with paying attention to my body...when it needs rest or when I'm pushing myself a bit too close to the edge.

However, when the seizures stopped, anxiety began. I made the decision to forego getting on anxiety medication after years of being on epileptic medication. Instead I've gone to therapy for my anxiety and continue to practice breathing exercises, which always helps to calm both my mind and my heart rate down. It's very hard to say which episode is worse having a seizure vs. experiencing an anxiety attack.

But what I will say is that NEITHER is a good or pleasant experience. Seizures are more violent and there's short term memory loss immediately afterwards; whereas anxiety attacks feel like the physical feeling of fear literally sucking the very oxygen out of you, as you struggle to breathe and get air into your lungs.

Again, neither are pleasant and I wouldn't wish it upon anyone.

Because I know I have these existing conditions, yet work in two very demanding creative fields...is the reason it's so important for me to try my hardest to keep my stress level as low as possible. 

But here's the main problem..

I stress and worry VERY EASILY!!

Go figure!!

So, it FINALLY dawned on me this year, this Spring season,

(or a little before) that some of the best ways I can better manage my anxiety is to...

1.  Manage my time better.
2. Manage my multitude of projects better.
3. Learn to say NO!
4. Know that NO is a complete sentence.
5. Not commit myself to anything I can't take on or manage.
6. Take even better care of myself.
7. Start putting myself FIRST!!
8. Realize there is only so much I can do and manage at a time.
9. Be easier on myself!!
10. Be ok with things not going as planned!!
11. Be ok with having to make adjustments!!
12. Give myself time.
13. Give my creativity time.
14. Give myself the space and patience for things to work itself out.
15. Most importantly give myself GRACE!!!

While doing all of the above steps, before and after,

continue to BREATHE!!

Sooooo much of my anxiety stems from the pressure I put on myself and even from some of the stress I create in my own life. Now that's not always the case. Sometimes the anxiety comes from outside sources of things I can't control.

But for what I can control...I'm a daily work in progress, working to give myself grace and not put so much pressure on myself. To trust, know and truly believe that with the life, the creative talents, intellect and time that God has given me...I'm genuinely doing my absolute best.

And, even when life gets damn right hard, confusing, emotionally and mentally exhausting...

My best will always be MORE than good enough!!

Now of course that's always easier said than done. But thank God, I have a Husband who's far more easy on me, than I am on myself.

Who sees my flaws, my struggles, and my shortcomings and accepts each one of them. Who roots for me in spite of the challenges. Who's my biggest cheerleader!! Who's always there with me, helping me with my breathing exercises and through them at the onset of an anxiety attack.

My hope for you all this year in this Spring season of renewal and refresh is that, as I've finally had the moment of clarity to give myself GRACE, you all will give yourselves GRACE through whatever obstacle, trial or tribulation you're going through.

For clarity, some of the synonyms for the word GRACE are...

courtesy, politeness, kindness, respect, favor, goodwill, acceptance, esteem, and generosity.

These are all words and things we can each apply to our own lives.

To be kinder to not only ourselves, but also to our fellow brothers and sisters, to our loved ones and to our neighbors regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, political party, class or ethnicity.

I'm willing to bet that I'm NOT the only one in the world that not only suffers with anxiety but who's also super hard on themself.

Imagine how much stress free our lives and the lives of others can be if we all just show one another and give one another something we all need and can benefit from...

A bit more GRACE!!

What We’re Up To

At this point of my life, I believe I can finally say that I am learning to walk in the GRACE that I'm giving myself. Or, at least making my best attempt at it.

I began my break knowing that I had Allured By Design™️ projects I needed to fulfill and execute before I start my next film project next week. I knew I'd only have roughly four to six weeks off and that I'd need to schedule creative meetings with my Photographer and Videographer.

In addition, I'd have a ton of things to go over with my new

Graphic Designer for some really big projects we're working on for 2022.

As my April calendar began to fill up, I found out that it's very likely that right after I finish work on my next TV project, I'd be up to possibly coordinate one or two more projects immediately after. Currently, this is a very busy time in Hollywood right now with a multitude of work to go around in just about every major film making city, including New Orleans. With the explosion of streaming content and the pandemic shutdown,

all studios, networks and streaming companies like Netflix, Amazon and Hulu are on the fast track to produce and deliver media content for their brands.

So this will be a VERY busy year for me working one show after another. But I have no complaints whatsoever, as I'm grateful and thankful for the work. It allows me to invest and pour into my own creative projects.

With such a busy and active film schedule that I know I'll have this year, my creative team and I have already begun to map out the 2022 calendar year for Allured By Design™️ projects. I am sooooo overjoyed and excited about what we're working on and some of the things I'll be launching through my brand next year.

Yet, even with ALL that's on my plate both this year and next year...the usual Tachic would be stressed the hell out wondering how I'm going to make all of this happen. But guess what? GRACE BABY!!

Each and every time I either say the word or remind myself to give little ole' me, a lil bit of GRACE, it aids me in the biggest way.

It simply encourages me that all will be well and I remember my fifteen step reminders. Now I know that may sound like a lot of steps to follow, but when you suffer with anxiety the way I do...taking the time to formulate a well thought out list of steps to implement into my daily life is crucial and imperative for my own sanity and survival.

It immediately helps me to center and focus on what's most important and of highest priority. It helps me to drown out all of the noise going on in my own head. It even helps me to be patient with myself and through the process...Because Lord only knows patience is absolutely NOT my strongest virtue AT ALL!!

Maybe it's reverse psychology. Who knows? But whatever the hell it is, giving myself GRACE is working for me.

TRY IT!

As I begin to bring this newsletter to a close, I'd like to point out that if you're brand new to my blog or to my email list and would like to catch up on previous newsletters beginning from the 2020 debut, click on the links below...

2020 DEBUT Summer Newsletter

2020 Fall Newsletter

2020 Christmas Newsletter

2021 New Year Newsletter

In addition, I'd like to remind you all to make sure you're following me on my social media platforms both Facebook and Instagram where I share daily and seasonal design inspiration. Stay tuned for more of my 2021 content that'll be coming your way this Spring and upcoming Summer season. Perhaps some new video content and of course some great photo content as well.

Also, you can always head to the home page of my website and peruse about, where you'll always find all of my current video content.

To head there, click here.

And, remember...

The season of Spring is all about refresh and renew, but not just our homes, cars, clothes or material possessions. Working on our inner selves is just as important because it's never too late to begin developing a better, more renewed version of ourselves.

Most importantly, it's never too late to give ourselves and others...

GRACE!

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Until next time...

⚜️Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler⚜️

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