I Fixed My Toro Lawn Mower Pull Cord, that was stuck, All By Myself!

Public Service Announcement - Don't laugh, this is my first self-published video. Okay, you can laugh.


Well I did it! I told you I was going to attempt fixing my mower that had a pull cord issue and I did get it working!  Far cry from my fun press trips, social events, and product reviews, but it was a welcome challenge.  But Meh... this blog is for you to see not only pretty things or places, but my platform to share some of my daily life.

Funny thing is, my lawn mower is a Toro GTS "Guaranteed to Start".  Yup, that's what it says "Guaranteed to Start" printed right on the red casing.  Well it didn't start and I needed to cut my lawn pronto before my fun filled weekend and an open house that is being held at my home.

Due to a little determination, sunshine, and some mechanical DNA passed down from my dad, I got it done in no time at all.  Truth is, if I had thought out the probable cause first, I would have saved myself a few steps and would have protected my day old manicure.  If you choose to watch my first official lawn mower repair video, you'll see what I mean about thinking things through first.

With that said, I had a blast tinkering and figuring things out on my own. I'm also glad I took the roundabout way which made my brain work a bit.  Sometimes I get a few cobwebs in there if I do the same thing over and over and I loved this mini challenge.   Hmmm?  Now where did I put that broken toaster?



I loved making this video and hopefully I will do more and learn how to put them together better.  There are so many facets to my life from decorating pretty rooms, throwing fabulous parties, to slinging a hammer (Watch out thumb... not so on point any more with my eye sight :-o ).  Many of my closest friends don't even know I can do plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, floor and wall tile, painting, and a few other handy-woman projects that are on a smaller scale.  Now If I can only figure out why I have been putting off hanging one little towel bar in my bathroom.



Linda Smith Davis, owner of http://www.newenglandfineliving.com is an Allied ASID Interior Designer in Middleton MA, Westford MA, New England, owner of New England Fine Living, and Party Planner North of Boston. Classic New England Style or Glam Interior Design and parties have been most recently completed in Middleton, Carlisle, Andover, North Andover, Marblehead, Boston, Salem, Newburyport, Newbury, Ipswich, Westford, Boxford, Topsfield, and so many more surrounding towns!

Chanels Fall 2012 Fashion Show "Bombay meets Paris"

Held in the beautiful Grand Palais in Paris, France, Chanel hosted their Fall 2012 fashion show in this amazing setting. Sure the clothes by Karl Lagerfield were the highlight of the event, but for me... it's all about the surroundings, the chandeliers, and the table vignettes.  If I were given the opportunity to help plan and decorate the tables and runway, I would have done it for free just to savor in the grandeur of the building.

Images via Google - Photographer Unknown

Images via Google - Photographer Unknown

Linda Smith Davis, owner of http://www.newenglandfineliving.com is an Allied ASID Interior Designer in Middleton MA, Westford MA, New England, owner of New England Fine Living, and Party Planner North of Boston. Classic New England Style or Glam Interior Design and parties have been most recently completed in Middleton, Carlisle, Andover, North Andover, Marblehead, Boston, Salem, Newburyport, Newbury, Ipswich, Westford, Boxford, Topsfield, and so many more surrounding towns!

Repainting a mirror frame to match other items in the home

I wish I had thought of taking a photo before I started painting this mirror frame, but it was a brighter yellow gold which did not match my client's home which is full of rich deep colored frames.  This mirror stuck out like a sore thumb, so I snagged it off of her wall to bring home, grabbed my paint brushes, paint, and went at it while I played some fun martini lounge music in the background.  

This picture below is just a closer view of the brighter gold.  On the right of the picture is just the beginning layers of my darkening process using paints made for metal items.

Before the step that I am showing below, I covered the whole frame with a custom mix of several gold paints mixed with a touch of black.  After the first layer dried, I followed up by rubbing black paint over and around all of the raised details of the mirror frame.

Once that was complete, I went back over the high points (again) with a deeper richer gold using a dry brush technique (almost no paint, just enough on the brush to add a touch of color).  I would be lying if I told you I only used the brush, but my fingers were black and gold for at least a day since I like using the pads of my fingers to work in colors.

 The finished look.

Voila!  Here it is back in my client's home hanging proudly.  It was so cute... My client started bringing out other frames that did not match her home.  Those will be added to the "to do list", but right now, I have 7 rooms to finish decorating for her.

Linda Smith Davis, owner of http://www.newenglandfineliving.com is an Allied ASID Interior Designer in Middleton MA, Westford MA, New England, owner of New England Fine Living, and Party Planner North of Boston. Classic New England Style or Glam Interior Design and parties have been most recently completed in Middleton, Carlisle, Andover, North Andover, Marblehead, Boston, Salem, Newburyport, Newbury, Ipswich, Westford, Boxford, Topsfield, and so many more surrounding towns!

How To Make Baby Chick Deviled Eggs

How cute are these?  I loved making these Easter morning to bring to the family brunch.

New England Living, New England Style, New England Home: Purple Haze Martini

New England Living, New England Style, New England Home: Purple Haze Martini Linda Smith Davis, owner of http://www.newenglandfineliving.com is an Allied ASID Interior Designer in Middleton MA, Westford MA, New England, owner of New England Fine Living, and Party Planner North of Boston. Classic New England Style or Glam Interior Design and parties have been most recently completed in Middleton, Carlisle, Andover, North Andover, Marblehead, Boston, Salem, Newburyport, Newbury, Ipswich, Westford, Boxford, Topsfield, and so many more surrounding towns!

A little touch of Easter from New England Fine Living

With Easter soon approaching, I thought I would share a couple of projects I worked on.  The first two pictures below are some fun Easter baskets I pulled together for a client's grandchildren.  She gave me the list of what she wanted, their favorite colors and off I went!

I do a lot of seasonal decorating for clients and this was my first for Easter.   I found a bone china bowl in her cabinet and filled it with some miniature eggs, floral arrangement, and an English tea cup that holds a small nest and egg.

I love getting involved with other businesses and this was a rug event that I have done for several years.  For the year I did this vignette, it was Spring and close to Easter, so I chose a rug with soft blues and creams to match the eggs that I had found at a local store.   Curly willow and pussy willows were added to the vase and then a small grape hyacinth was placed next to it.   

Linda Smith Davis, owner of http://www.newenglandfineliving.com is an Allied ASID Interior Designer in Middleton MA, Westford MA, New England, owner of New England Fine Living, and Party Planner North of Boston. Classic New England Style or Glam Interior Design and parties have been most recently completed in Middleton, Carlisle, Andover, North Andover, Marblehead, Boston, Salem, Newburyport, Newbury, Ipswich, Westford, Boxford, Topsfield, and so many more surrounding towns!