ABOUT THIS GIRL

Hi and welcome! I am Shush, aka Michelle, lover of all things related to design, organizing, staging, accessorizing, and DIY'ing. I have been a high school PE/Health teacher for 9 years and about 6 years ago I started a small side gig helping others transform their spaces.  First off, I want to THANK all of those lovely people for allowing me to do what I love and trusting me with their homes.  Being able to help people create warm, cozy, organized, functional spaces for their homes is my PASSION.  If I didn't need the extra moolah in the summer I would be doing this for free.  Yes my friends, I would do it for free and mostly for the satisfaction of seeing the smiles on your faces. It's even more exciting when it is a surprise makeover....OH HOW I love surprises!   

I am sure you are wondering ....why the name SHUSH?  Well being a "Michelle" I always had a ton of nicknames growing up: Michelle la Belle, Meesh, Meeshell, Shell, Shellbell, Shabell, Shelbs, Shelly, and the worst one... Mitchell(sorry Mr. Heisman...LOL). So my dad used to sing this tune all the time to me, "They call me Shushnabellaaaa...that's right" kind of like the mellow yellow song , "They call me mellow yellow." If you've never heard it click here. So after years of hearing him sing that the name never stuck until I got to college. A couple of my college field hockey teammates got a hold of that name and it stuck ever since.  My own Mom even calls me Shush now.  I know it's crazy but nicknames are so much fun and that is why I couldn't resist putting it in the title of my blog.  

I am the proud owner of about 25 pairs of sneakers (duh...PE teachers have to have kicks to match every outfit).  I LOVE working with teenagers, SHOCKING I know, but you would be surprised at how much they brighten your day.  I am also a proud aunt of 4 nieces and 2 nephews. I live for these kids! They love my nickname as well.  

I am Aunt SHUSHY to them! 

I began this blog because I realized life is short and you have to appreciate every minute of every day.   I know if I died today that I would be rolling over in my grave saying "Damn it! I never became famous I wish I would have done more with my passion for decorating." 

 I had my first and only child on July 13, 2012.  Unfortunately, I learned real fast how short life can be. Micah Dylan Turner spent 48 amazing days with us before she flew back to heaven.  She was born with a rare muscle disease called nemaline myopathy.  She changed my life in ways that words cannot describe.  To read about her amazing story click here.  She taught me how to live for today and to be strong even when you think you've lost everything.  I am so happy she led me exactly where I am today, on here giving you fine people some great decorating advice. 

                                                     Here is my Micah Girl at 6 weeks old....

  

I miss my daughter more than anything and she has taught me to appreciate every day that is given to me.  I also learned through the grieving process that FITNESS is my new ANTI-DEPRESSANT.  After my daughter passed I needed a goal. I needed something to look forward to so I started training for a mud run that I had planned to do in honor of her on her birthday...how PERFECT right?!? So the training began and  I started going to bootcamp classes  to get in shape and before I knew it I had adopted the paleo/primal lifestyle, thanks to my two amazing trainers. I dropped 30lbs in 7 months.  I wasn't even trying to drop weight I was just focusing on my goal.  Funny how life happens that way.  I owe all of that weight loss to my nutrition.  I cut out the sugar and the processed foods and the weight just melted away. I sleep better, I have clearer skin, no more headaches, regular bathroom visits ;) and most of all I wake up every morning get out of bed and LOVE what I see. There were days where getting out of bed felt like the most daunting task and exercise has given me my life back. Well... I guess I should say "I" have given myself life again. GO ME!!!!! 

  Check out my progress shots...

 

In the process I decided to become a "yes" girl and say yes to anything that I would normally say no to. First one was the Kenny Chesney concert.  I am not a big drinker so I usually don't enjoy concerts and a bunch of drunk people but I went and I had a blast. 

Then I said yes to my sister inviting me to OCMD for the week.  I walked freely in a bikini and actually enjoyed my time on the beach without worrying about what I looked like.  It was so freeing. 

Next stop was a color run in NYC. It was a blast. Check out our team name...

Before I knew it, it was JULY 13, 2013.  My daughter's 1st birthday and the day of the mud run.  The support was OVERWHELMING to say the least.  I even had people posting pics on facebook of them wearing the t-shirt that day even though they weren't participating in the run.  This day meant so much to me. It warms my heart to look back at these memories. 

We wore pink because Micah looked FAB in any pink color.  She was all girl, even though the ultrasound lied and told me I was having a boy at my 18 mo appt.

#nevertrustanultrasound

#Iamstillreturningboyclothes  

Me and my 3 siblings <3

We all heart Micah

My two trainers who I adore

And one of my favorite pics is this one because these are all of Micah's nurses from CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia)

I was so honored to have them run with us in honor of Micah on her birthday.  

What a year it has been =)

    I know I am making her proud by just waking up each and every day, setting goals and accomplishing them. I will continue doing what I love for Micah <3, which is being a "yes" girl, writing this blog and sharing my passion for design.  Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope I can inspire and motivate you to follow your dreams and live life to the fullest.  We are all not guaranteed tomorrow so let's live for today and in the meantime make your home a place you want to be. 

To see my latest projects click here.