Peace and Balance


Capturing the beauty of this morning’s walk.
Peace • Balance • Centered
🌿

Magical Moments


"Joy comes to us in the ordinary moments. We risk missing out when we get too busy chasing down the extraordinary." ~ Brene Brown

~ My wish is for you to find your magical moment along your journey ~

It's a Rose Gold kinda Holiday...

As a designer you can usually find me out and about either shopping for a project or gather ideas for upcoming projects. I love the beginning stages of a new project ~ the possibilities are endless! 

I was out recently and saw all the latest items for the upcoming holiday season and I've got to say, I'm really loving all the rose gold. Champagne with hints of rose and lots of shimmer. 

Can't wait to use some of these lovelies for an upcoming Sugar Plum Tea Party!

Forest Therapy: A Journey Amongst the Trees.

Taking time to wander in the forest can be therapeutic to your well being. Forest therapy is a practice that promises benefits for mind and body. It can cleanse from the modern-day technology overload.

Forest therapy is rooted in the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, which is often translated as "forest bathing." A term that refers to immersing yourself in the atmosphere of the forest.

The intent of forest therapy is to put you in touch with present-moment experiences within a meditative walk. The sights, sounds, and smells of the forest contribute to the experience so the brain stops anticipating, recalling, and worrying. Being immersed in the moment involves noticing and sensing things rather than judging or evaluating.

Do not Fear the Silence

Rosebud Floral Still Life by Claudia McBain
The daily noise of our lives distracts us from what is real and honest. We must learn to settle into the silence of our minds in order to find the simple truths.

Without silence, there cannot be any real appreciation in life, which is as delicate in its inner fabric as a closed rosebud.
- Deepak Chopra

Like the rosebud, which eventually blooms into a rose, life will flourish when it is ready. The delicate inner fabrics that have been there since it's creation will unravel into intricate beautiful layers of experience and knowledge.

Do not fear the silence for it is there that we find our truths and appreciation. Look deep within yourself to weave that inner fabric with love and peace so that when it blooms it will go forth into the world as true light.

Nutcracker Pointe Shoes


It's Fall and that can only mean one thing to a ballerina, it's the start of the new Nutcracker season! For several years it's been our family's tradition to not only see the ballet each Christmas but actually be a part of this unique holiday experience.

My husband and I are retired professional dancers but we dust off our dancing shoes once a year to join our daughter in the Party Scene in her company's annual Nutcracker performance. Sharing our love of dance with her and getting to perform together as a family on the same stage is truly special. It's with great joy that we look forward to this experience every year.

Another part of this annual tradition is decorating pointe shoes. Nutcracker themed pointe shoes are donated to the company for a silent auction which takes place during intermission. We try to  coordinate the shoe design with her current role and since casting varies from year to year so do our designs.

Usually, we'll recycle slightly used pointe shoes and paint them inside and out before decorating. This year we took advantage of a backup pair that she outgrew before she had the chance to wear. The lovely untouched satin color and sheen made the perfect background for the Waltz of the Flowers. Ta-da! I present this year's theme!

From start to finish my daughter and I argue, I mean, enjoy collaborating on overall design and work flow. Whether it's the task of painting, gluing, or assembling we make sure that we're both patient and supportive throughout the process. When it's all said and done we always say I'm sorry and I love you!

Thank you Grishko for the lovely pointe shoes which provided the perfect blank slate for this year's creation.



Hope everyone has a Happy Nutcracker Season!

Peek a Boo, I see you!

A tiny teal 3D flower on canvas for everyone to admire, she's a forever flower who will never wilt. 
A unique little find handmade by me she has a twin but she's not quite identical. 
Nevertheless, they go together!
Tiny art for a happy space... 
If you want to pluck these little cuties for your own, you can find them on my Etsy shop:  SimplyClaudia

Sherwin Williams Color of the Year 2019


Cavern Clay is a beautiful color that reminds us of the rich warm tones of brick and terra cotta.


Add one or all of these coordinating colors to enhance the color scheme of any room.


Mix and match textures and materials to create interest and create a warm and inviting space.

© 2018 CLAUDIA MCBAIN DESIGNS
(All items on concept board can be found on wayfair.com)

Sit right down and contemplate the direction of your life...

Dance - Day 24 of #The100DayProject

 Artwork by Claudia McBain (Simply Claudia @Etsy)

Rare is the ballerina who can have a conversation about "Fondus and Frappes" with her grandpa and not be discussing food & beverage. This is what happens when you have a dancing papa! 

Perspective 20/100


Those who say ☀️  only brings happiness have never danced in the ☔️

Forest Fern 19/100


The 🌏  has 🎶  for those who listen...

Go on take a walk and keep your eyes and ears open to what our beautiful planet has to say to you. Mother Nature is wise and will always make it a personal journey for anyone who listens. 

I love to take strolls through the forest, shaded by towering trees and fertile earth beneath my feet because it always encourages my soul to sing out loud. 

Do Something Good Today 18/100




Here's to Doing Something Good Today and everyday! Doesn't matter how small it is, it's the act of "Doing" that counts :)

Reflection 17/100


Reflecting back on a solitary moment that was too beautiful not to share.


Serendipity 16/100


Serendipity:
Finding something good without looking for it! Thank you @donstevenshfx for your "insPEARation" today. 

Oh, Deer 15/100


Somewhat of a magical morning when you find yourself having coffee with a furring forest friend. This one in particular was just as intrigued by me as I was by her. Since I'm a believer that the universe brings things to us when we need them the most this encounter caused me to further investigate the symbolism and meaning of deers.

A common consensus among the many sources I found is the well known knowledge that because the deer is one of the gentlest of creatures it is a symbol of true peace. An emotion we all long for deep within ourselves. It's a reminder to be patient with ourselves and with our dreams and above all enjoy the discoveries along the way. This meaning is particularly symbolic to me since I recently embarked on a 100 day journey for new beginnings.

Deers are life long explorer sometimes taking high leaps over obstacles in order to find new lands to wander. Much like this animal we too must take leaps of faith when embarking on new adventures. The key is to take the spirit of what the deer symbolizes into your heart and have the courage that when you leap a net appears and when a door opens another closes. Staying centered in the heart allows you to be guided to the meadow that is meant for you.