Feisty and friendly. Spunky and spicy. Thoughtful and talented…
Meet my friend Lori, who is also the first person I think of when National Redhead Appreciation Day rolls around. Which it has. Today!
Lori and her husband Jeff have been married for thirty-nine years, have lived in eight cities, seven apartments, and seven houses, moving fourteen times. And, oh yeah, they had three children in three years.
What?!
Full Steam Ahead…
Lori’s kids are married now and, so far, she has three grandchildren. Still, like so many of us Fabulous Over Fifties women, Lori has yet to slow down.
But let me fill you in on some of her past accomplishments before I tell you what she’s doing now. Because it’s amazing. And I know you want to know!
For over twenty years Lori worked as a pediatric nurse in every facet of care at six large pediatric hospitals. She loved her career, but their frequent moves meant as the “new girl” she repeatedly was scheduled to work nights. After moving to her sixth hospital, she burned out.
“I began praying about a change, and a brochure about a new in-home party plan that was launching literally fell into my lap. It was Southern Living at Home. I grew up with Southern Living magazine on my momma’s coffee table all my life. I knew anything they did would be amazing. So, I signed up not knowing anything else about it. I wasn’t a very good salesperson, but I loved the brand so I went for it. It changed my life.”
A New Adventure
Lori retired from nursing and dove into a new career. Trained by Southern Living experts, she learned how to present fun and easy ways to decorate and entertain.
“It went along with my spiritual gift of hospitality,” she says. “More and more women asked if I was a decorator after I completed my shows. So that got me to thinking, Could I start my own business to go along with SLAH? And the answer was yes!”
Launching her business in St. Louis, she continued decorating when they moved to Paducah, Ky., and then again to Murfreesboro, Tn. When their three kids were in college she supplemented her income from decorating by working as a medical enrollment specialist then as the senior pastor’s assistant at their church. Now she’s back to decorating fulltime.
“I’m so thankful I can assist people with their homes. My motto is ‘Helping you decorate your home with style.’ I tell my clients that they need to smile when they walk in their home. It truly is a refuge from the outside storm. Especially now, with all that is going on in the world, your home needs to reflect you and your family.”
Lori’s Personal Decorating Style
Lori loves a casual traditional style. Being a “ginger,” she gravitates to autumn colors on neutral backgrounds.
She changes things up in her own home seasonally. All of her furniture can go into any room in her house, so she often moves pieces around to keep things fresh.
“I want people to come into my home and feel welcomed and relaxed. Nothing is too ‘precious.’ I have three- and five-year-old grands in my home on a weekly basis. It’s still decorated with lots of ‘pretties’ (as my grandmother used to say) but if it gets broken, it’s just stuff.”
A Wise Philosophy
“It really is about the journey not the destination,” Lori says. “Since we’ve moved so many times, God has never allowed me to think that this is my last home/city I’ll ever live in. With my husband’s job we never know when we will have to pick up and move again. But, as with each of the apartments and houses we’ve lived in, I always make it home for however long we are there. We aren’t guaranteed tomorrow so live each day/week/year learning to love where you are right now.”
Be sure to read the blog next week for Lori’s forecast of the Fall 2021 trends and some great tips on decorating your home. Plus, you don’t want to miss my talented friend’s favorite corners of her own home!
Brenda McElroy
Lori’s fabulous gifts of entertaining and decorating are such a treat to experience…..and she makes you want to take it to your own home! Plus she’s just so much fun to be around. Oh…..and I need to say she loves helping a new bride decorate as much as someone building a million dollar home!
Tracey Buchanan
You are so right! She is gracious and kind to everyone! God is using her gifts to touch so many!