Inside hello there! house: Gardening Virgins with Kelly

Kelly's gardening class absolutely blew me away. I have been yearning to have a garden for the past 4 years since we moved back to Mesa from Queen Creek, but I was always so scared to start because I had no idea what I was doing. Kelly gave so much information about how to start vegetable gardening here in AZ.

 

 She made everything sound so fun, and really got the point across that gardening is a science. If something dies, you don't give up- you start over and change your variables and try something new until you make it work. Following directions is an important part of the process, but experimenting and observing is too.

 

 Here is her powerpoint, which I am so thankful we have because I couldn't record that much information in my mind.

 

 She was dishing out pearls of wisdom last weekend people, and she had some amazing handouts that I'm sure she'd share with anyone- just email her if you have any questions!

Inside hello there! house: Design Styles with Colleen

Our event kicked off with the gorgeous Colleen Lemons, a Phoenix interior designer who really know her stuff, guys. She's the real deal- she's worked on amazing multi-million dollar projects for big name companies, but she really understands the "real people" that are craving beautiful design even though they don't have QUITE as big of budgets *ahem*. We just loved her class, and her spunk, she's just a peach and her class was filled to the brim with extremely useful information and inspiring visuals. Here's a little peek of her intro to her class:

  

 This second video was my FAVORITE part of her class- the stories she makes up for people's lives when she designs is so charming I can't even take it.

 

 Here is her Powerpoint {Keynote for you Mac users} she shared with the class. We're so happy she was a part of our event, we just love her to bits.

Can't get enough of Colleen? Go ahead and stalk her like we do!

Blog: mrslemons.wordpress.com
Facebook: facebook.com/shopno144
Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/no144
Twitter: twitter.com/shopno144
Pinterest: pinterest.com/mrslemons

Also, I must show you all some of her adorable Etsy shop items. How cute are these?

Source: etsy.com via Rosemary on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Rosemary on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Rosemary on Pinterest

Teacher Feature: Rosemary Watson

Rosemary Watson, born & raised in Arizona, has learned to make the most of living in this hot-but-wonderful state. A dabbler in many artistic mediums, she fills her home with whimsy and inspiration; and has developed  a unique philosophy of creating highly personal living spaces reflecting one’s own interests, style, and functions. Her small home in Mesa explodes with personality as well as making the most of limited space and being functional for 5 kids, 2 dogs, and 2 DIY-crazy adults. You can learn more about Rosemary at her blog, iloverosemarywatson.com 

Rosemary will be teaching the Hello! Holidays Classes, the Sweet Little Nurseries Class, and co-teaching the Happy Bathrooms at hello there! house home & garden event.

Teacher Feature: Braden Watson

Braden Watson has been working in the construction field for longer than he cares to remember. He has done everything from plumbing to electrical to flooring; but currently he focuses his skills on painting. He has professionally painted interiors and exteriors of homes for six years now, and finishes furniture for Wood Creations Furniture. He also specializes in cabinet refinishing and trim installation, both skills he will help others develop athello there! house home & garden event. 

Braden will be teaching the Painting Like A Pro Class, and co-teaching the Reupholster, Refinish, Restyle Class and Happy Bathrooms at hello there! house home & garden event. He has a knack for making even the most daunting tasks seem manageable with his experience and techniques.

Braden is also going to be sharing some staining techniques at our final Meet 'N' Greet at Joe's Farm Grill this Saturday from 9:00-11:00 am. Get your tickets at joesfarmgrillmeetngreet.eventbrite.com to join in on the fun!

Teacher Feature: Audrey Lasalle

Audrey is a freelance dreamer and Arizona native. She was raised, along with 6 siblings, on a U-Pick Produce farm in the tiny farming town of Wilcox, Arizona. Working from a young age on her family farm taught her all she needs to know about growing vegetables & flowers. Audrey has always had a passion for using ordinary space to grow beautiful flowers, plants and shrubs. Aside from being a single mom to 3 beautiful children; she is a musician and enjoys the outdoors, reading, lifting heavy weights, and smiling. She is excited to show fellow Phoenicians all the beautiful plants you can grow in this amazing state. You name it, she can grow it. 

Audrey will be teaching the Bloom In The Desert class; which is all about flower gardening in Arizona.

Teacher Feature: BJ Powell

BJ Powell has been in the Real Estate business for over 25 years. In 2006 she opened Wood Creations Furniture, a place where her clients could get high quality, real wood furniture they could customize to fit their budgets & personal style. Bj has two sons; the youngest is Braden Watson another teacher at hello there! house who is married to Rosemary, the Event Coordinator. She has five grandchildren from them and just loves to spend time with them. 

Bj will be teaching Designer Style on a Budget at hello there! house home & garden event; a class that shows how to achieve the same looks in magazines, stores, & websites on a budget! Learn more about BJ & Wood Creations Furniture at woodcreationsfurniture.com. And be sure to shop the Boutique Market at hello there! house where you can see all that Wood Creations Furniture has to offer!

Teacher Feature: Jessi Sanfilippo

Jessi Sanfilippo is a work-from-home mama of a precocious three-year-old and a not-quite-wife to her aptly named Husfriend. Born in New York and unwillingly transplanted to Arizona, Jess does her best to cultivate creativity at every sweaty turn. When she isn't glued in front of a computer screen making the magical world of social media spin, you can find her creating. She dabbles in everything from the glue gun to the seam ripper to her biggest creative passion, thrifting. She has developed a science, so to speak, to hunting for the greatest treasures at thrift stores and even next to apartment complex dumpsters and is beyond thrilled to share that passion and methodology with everyone at this October's event.

Jessi will be teaching our Treasure Hunting class at hello there! house home & garden event. Learn more about Jessi at her blog shugglippo.com

Teacher Feature: Colleen Lemons

Colleen Lemons is an interior designer and Etsy entrepreneur in love with all things handmade!  After graduating from Purdue University with a degree in Interior Design, she packed her bags, moved to Phoenix, and hasn't looked back since.  She has been working full-time as an interior designer in Phoenix for the last 5 years, and has worked on projects all over the world.  From restaurants and hotels, to luxury spas and home decor, she has designed it all.  She can teach you the tricks of the trade so that you can create a stylish home that is budget-friendly and reflects your personality and lifestyle.

In 2010 she decided that one job wasn't enough, and decided to open an Etsy shop, The Shop at No. 144,  to sell her handmade fashion and wedding accessories.  Her work has been featured in Kentucky Bride Magazine, and will also be featured in the book "Micro Crafts" coming out this Fall.  

To learn more about the shop you can follow her blog,Mrs. Lemons and Facebook page.  Want to feel inspired? Take a look at her Pinterest boards!

Colleen will be teaching the Design Styles: Find Your Style class, which will introduce our guests to the most popular styles of today, and how to choose your own unique style.

Teacher Feature: Beth Imbornoni

Beth Imbornoni was born and raised in Arizona and graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelors of Science in Interior Design.  She has been working in high-end residential, commercial and hospitality designs for 7 years in Scottsdale.  She has worked on projects all over the US including Hawaii, California, Florida, and Arizona.  She enjoys spending time with her daughter, working on home-improvement projects, and traveling. 

Beth will be teaching the I Heart AZ: Outdoor Living class at hello there! house home & garden event; a class focusing on the outdoor living spaces in your home especially designed for the weather in Arizona.

Teacher Feature: Fancy House Road

With their unique and individualistic senses of style- this Mother (Debs) and
her Daughters (Camberley, Keighley and Kiersten) came together in 2009 and
started their lifestyle blog, “Fancy House Road”. They wanted to share with the
world three things: how they create, relate and decorate.

Debs, a mother of 8 and grandmother to almost 13, recently traded in her work
as a décor store owner, Bella Fine’ Décor, for commercial interior design. Her life
has always focused on creating beautiful things including her children, her homes
as well as parties and events.

Camberley, our mother to be, currently runs her own social media marketing
company, e-social strategies. Her free time is spent in becoming a master chef,
crafting and mid-century modern decorating.

Keighley, an obsessive dog lover, is a women of all trades. she earned a degree
in European history, she works for debs interior design company and is now
assisting Cami with social media. She loves books and all things old.

Kiersten, the newlywed, has a passion for fashion, loves everything equestrian
and is working on creating her newly married life-style on a budget. She is
currently working on her college degree, majoring in marketing.

The ladies of Fancy House Road will be teaching our Bold Not Beige class; all about discovering your own color styles and incorporating them into your home. Learn more about the Fancy House girls on their blog, Fancy House Road.

Teacher Feature: Kelly Hedberg

Kelly Hedberg is a garden enthusiast who has a strong interest in growing fruits and vegetables from seed. Originally from the Jersey shore, Kelly has learned how to survive gardening in the desert through trial and error, experimentation, patience and perseverance. She is now a huge fan of the state of Arizona, its natural beauty and varied landscapes. Kelly recently completed the Master Gardening program at University of Arizona and is currently chair of the Youth Garden at Broadmor Elementary School. She is a stay-at-home mom of three who loves the outdoors, physical activity and community building.

Kelly will be teaching the Gardening Virgins class at hello there! house home & garden event; a class that teaches even the blackest of thumbs how to begin your affair with gardening.

Teacher Feature: Reachel Bagley

Reachel Bagley wants you to feel pretty. From personal shopping for Anthropologie to teaching Wardrobe Strategies at the collegiate level, she has earned her stripes as a fitting room expert. She doesn't just clothe, she instructs: body types, travel packing, current trends... In her own words, fashion provides the tools to match our external selves with our internal selves. In addition to fashion she adores any combination of travel, vegetarian cooking, modern art, her husband and two squishy cherubs

Reachel will be teaching the Charming Closets class at hello there! house home & garden event. Visit her blog at cardiganempire.com to learn more about Reachel!

Teacher Feature: Annie Walker

A native of suburban Pittsburgh, PA, I've lived in the valley for 6 years. I attended West Virginia University where I earned a bachelor's degree in Child Development and Family Studies. After studying it, I'm living it: I've been married to my husband Scott, for 3 years and I stay home with our three little girls, Genevieve (2), Josie (3 months) and step-daughter Mikayla, (8). Our family of five is extended by our mutt, Rooney, and our six chickens. In my spare time, I enjoy outings and traveling with my family, cooking, reading, yoga, and trying to keep my garden from dying

Annie will be teaching the Urban Farming class at hello there! house home & garden event; a class that teaches sustainability in your own home by raising chickens. Come & see Annie talk about her class at our next Meet  'N' Greet at Joe's Farm Grill

Teacher Feature: Debbie Christensen

Welcome to our first Teacher Feature! We are going to be introducing all our fantastic teachers to get you even more excited about The Event in October!

So without further ado, here is Debbie:

Debbie is first and foremost a wife and mother. She has three awesome kids that take up most of her time, but in her spare time she loves to thrift shop, decorate, sew and create art in all sorts of forms. She is a native Arizonan who was born in Mesa and grew up in Gilbert. She and her husband (who is also an Arizona native) have been married for eight years and they purchased their first home about a year and a half ago in the historic areas of downtown Mesa. They have enjoyed (for the most part) fixing it up and making it their own. The goal for her and her home is to create and beautiful, comfortable, and functional place for them to learn, grow, love, and play in. Her family is the most important thing to her so she strives to create a perfect home and place for them.

Debbie will be teaching Chic Children’s Spaces at hello there! house home & garden event. Visit her blog at debsfreckles.blogspot.com to learn more about Debbie!

One Week Until The Herb Box Meet 'N' Greet & More Contributor Photos

Guys, it's only 7 days away until our next fabulous Meet 'N' Greet and BOY, do we have some fun stuff to share with all of you! In the meantime, here are some more photos of our fabulous teachers!

Audrey of AudreyLasalle.com



Jessi of Shuggilippo



Get your tickets at http://herbboxmeetngreet.eventbrite.com/ to hang out with these lovely ladies next Saturday!

Loveliest Teachers On The Block

Last night was our Contributor Meet Up and HOLY COW we have some gorgeous teachers! Stay tuned for everyone's bios & class descriptions popping up on our website and at our next Meet 'N' Greet August 20th! Get your tickets to hear all the amazing things these ladies have in store for us!

Reachel of Cardigan Empire



Deb of Deb's Freckles




Colleen of Shop No. 144 & Mrs. Lemons



Deb, Camberley, Keighley, & Kiersten of Fancy House Road

Hip Hip Hooray for the Contributor Meet Up

All the teachers & contributors for hello there! house are meeting up tonight at Liberty Market to go over classes & take photos for the website & class brochures we'll be handing out next Meet 'N' Greet! We'll be sharing all the behind the scenes fun tomorrow- stay tuned to meet your teachers!

Speaker Feature: Erin Loechner of Design For Mankind

We are ecstatic to announce our first teacher for the event in October: Erin Loechner of Design for Mankind!



Erin comes to us from a pretty little place called Indiana, where she and her husband have completely renovated a home with drool worthy, Scandinavian style and finesse. Teaching our dECOr course on styling and renovating your home with eco-conscious efforts, Erin brings a lot to the table (most likely made out of salvaged Wyoming snow fence) from her experience in tackling her own home.

Above all of the experience, Erin brings with her an exceedingly positive, fun energy. Spontaneous dance parties, stellar fashion sense, and a kindness unmatched makes Erin an exceptional addition to the hello there! house family.

Juggling an active Internet career with writing, speaking and consulting, Erin can be found daily at DesignForMankind.com, her art/design blog that was recently honored as one of the London Time’s top 50 design blogs in the world. She currently hosts a renovation column on HGTV.com where she catalogs her experiences as an impromptu interior designer. Erin’s work has been featured in Glamour, Lucky, Dwell, Readymade, Nylon, Print Magazine, Apartment Therapy, The Huffington Post, and she regularly contributes to Readymade Magazine.

Here is a video of her own home's renovation featured on hgtv.com:



CAN we be any more excited to have Erin? We're DYING with excitement!

Leave a comment offering your warmest welcome to the newest member of the fam and register for the two-day event to learn more about Erin and updating your home using reclaimed, salvaged, and eco-friendly elements. Early bird tickets ($150) are still available but limited. Get yours today!