I am constantly preaching “live what you love”. It is the phrase that inspired me to found Brass Tacks and also the sentiment behind each and every service I offer. It is what keeps me inspired day-to-day and is the wisdom I impart to those around me. I truly believe that when you live what you love you are better at what you do, resulting in a happier and more fulfilling and life. It’s that simple! Thomas Edison may have said it best when he quipped, “I never did a day’s work in my life. It was all fun”. Or the legendary Steve Jobs who stated, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do”. I am clearly not the first to adopt this way of thinking, although I believe society still has a long way to go in producing our best results.

This article really got me thinking about the importance of living what you love. The author stresses the results we see when individuals think of their work as play. “Instead of grinding it out in jobs they hate, these people become passionate and highly skilled at what they do. They team up with other great players and collaborate on interesting projects. Then one day, they’re making magic. Their mastery shines through in everything they create, society reaps the benefits of their gifts, and our world changes.” Our world is already filled with endless opportunity. So what would life be like if each and every one of us embraced our passions and played for work? Would we all live a richer life?

I do not have all of the answers. But what I do know is that life can be short. And living what you love is the best way to look back on it with no regrets. As Leonardo Da Vinci said, “life well spent is long”. So how will you choose to live your life?

I am often asked about the origin of my business name, Brass Tacks. Whether you’re familiar with the saying, “get down to brass tacks” or not, this brief history is a fun lesson in that tireless  and charming chestnut.

Although the specific origin is unknown, the earlieriest attestation to the phrase is from  Texas, USA circa 1863. Back in the 19th century most women made their own clothes, purchasing their cloth in small general stores. The material was kept in large rolls and the storekeeper cut off as much as was needed. Brass tacks along his work table helped him measure the exact length of cloth requested and was the only way to get a precise measurement.

Fast forward 150 years to convenient yard sticks at Joann Fabrics, but we’re still using that evolved phrasing in our daily lives. Think Quentin Tarantino’s “The Wolf” in Pulp Fiction, who instructs his blundering assassins “Let’s get down to brass tacks, gentlemen” while directing an impromptu clean-up crew.

The meaning of the phrase is  “to engage with the basic facts or realities” or “to deal with the important details”.  At Brass Tacks LLC that is what business is all about. From planning vacations to taking care of daily to-do’s, I take care of  the important (and always time-consuming) details facing you so you can live what you love.

So lets get down to brass tacks, shall we?!

It is with great excitement that I introduce to you the new and very much improved Brass Tacks website! This project has been a long time in the making and I’m so proud of the outcome. Hanna from Gadabout Creative is SO talented and is the mastermind behind the new layout. She has such beautiful style and truly knows how to bring a vision to life while providing valuable pointers along the way. Without gorgeous images, the website would look a lot like it did previously. For that I thank Katie Fears of Brio Art who so perfectly brought Brass Tacks to life through her beautiful photographs. Personal assistance and travel planning consume my daily life yet often don’t produce tangible photographable results. Or so I thought! Katie was able to impeccably capture what it is that I do in the space that I do it. I hope these images help you, the consumer, understand what Brass Tacks is all about.

Not only does the new site align with the true vision of Brass Tacks, it also provides a more user friendly interface. The main menu allows you to jump easily from section to section, whether you would like to learn more about my services or myself. You can contact and connect with me through email and a variety of social media platforms. The biggest change is a larger focus on my Brass Tacks blog. You can expect regular weekly content featuring gift guides, fun finds, travel tips, foodie diaries and so much more. Follow along as I share what inspires me to live what I love.

This site was re-designed with a focus on my beloved clients. So whether you’ve worked with me before or are new to my site- or are simply an enthusiastic Brass Tacks supporter!- I’d love your feedback. Enjoy!

xo