PRODUCE A PODCAST - ITS NOT EXTRA WORK

This October, I had the honor of speaking at Phoenix Design Week 2024, hosted by AIGA Arizona. The theme, "Oasis," was all about refreshing our creative spirits despite challenges—something that hit home for me when it comes to podcasting. I got to share how I stumbled into podcast production, helping my husband with our show, Finding Arizona Podcast, and how that passion grew into currently producing three podcasts: Finding Arizona, The High Achieving Female, and A Taste of AZ!

Hosting a session at Phoenix Design Week was both exhilarating and humbling. I went from being a student of the industry to standing in front of peers as a teacher. I’ve always said that the best students become great teachers, and that’s how it felt! So many people feel podcasting is too much extra work, but the truth is, it doesn’t have to be! It can fit right into what you're already doing. Here are some of the main takeaways I shared during my talk, all of which you can start applying right now:

• Repurpose What You Already Do: You don’t need to create new content for every episode. Start with what you already have—blogs, social posts, presentations—and build from there.

• Keep It Simple: Podcast production doesn’t need to be fancy or expensive. You can start with basic equipment and upgrade as your show grows.

• Be Scrappy and Authentic: Authenticity is what connects you with your audience. Don’t worry about perfection; focus on sharing what you love.

My favorite part of speaking was connecting with the audience afterward—having them stay to ask questions and tell me how inspired they felt was such a rewarding experience. If I can impact even one person, I feel like I’ve done my job and I impacted a few!

If you’re feeling like you need some help getting started, Finding Arizona offers podcast production services that make it easy. Whether you want to start your show or take your existing one to the next level, we're here to support you! Don’t hesitate to reach out or check out what we offer here!

XoXo

Producer Britt

HOME UPS- QUICK & CHEAP REDESIGNS IN QUARANTINE

Finally, Arizona issued a Stay at Home Order this week. Although, as essential personnel this means the same for us. Jose is now #Workfromhome, but once I return, after I de-clothe and shower we become home bodies. April 1 we celebrated our 3rd year as home owners and wanted to share a few Home Ups we did to protect our budget and our sanity as we Shelter in Place.

Living Room- The first piece of furniture we invested in our living room was a new couch. It took a while to find the right sectional for our space. We love comfy couch sessions and could see us doing that with a normal sofa. Luckily Living Spaces had the right size within our budget! Once that main piece was in we worked on accessories. Between Ikea and Walmart we found these gorgeous gold frames and had our favorite wedding photos printed in black and white to showcase in the entryway. I also was looking for a great full-length mirror that would not break the bank, to balance the other side of the TV and Way Fair had #JustWhatINeed. Lastly, I went around the house to the other rooms to re-purpose trinkets, books, knickknacks, candles and crystals that would fit the theme. I even used a rug from another room to warm the space’s concrete floors. This room proves that you don’t have to go out and buy all NEW items for a room makeover.

MASTER BATH – This was and is my favorite room in our house. So much pink and potential. It was originally added to the home in the 70’s for the owner’s wife, as it’s the only part of the house ADA approved. Three things we did here and for less than $100. First, the original wood vanity mirror we painted black. Second, we switched out the light fixture. Geeze, the things you realize are so expensive when you get older: rugs, lights, nuts, etc, blog post to come? We scored a great LED light on Amazon, I bought, Jose installed. Our latest VLOG will show you the BTS of that. LOL. Lastly, I got a frames at goodwill, painted black and printed free, fun bathroom sayings: I like your butt, and more! You can print your own from my Pinterest page here.

KITCHEN/PANTRY- Our kitchen is next on our home remodel. We recently had to make a major investment into our plumbing as we had the original cast iron pipes from the 1949 build collapse. As we continue to save back up for the kitchen cabinets, counters and hardware we made a few arrangements that make our house a home. The biggest and best change I made was turning our bar cart into a coffee cart! We don’t really drink alcohol, anymore, so this re-purpose was necessary. Instead of dragging out my Keurig to our limited counter space every morning, I rolled our bar cart into our pantry, added our carousel of k cups and ordered a quick Frida print on Amazon. Now my pantry is more than just a walk through, it’s a walk in.

The purpose of this blog is to show you during Q-tine you don’t have to be bored. You don’t have to spend money you don’t have. You don’t have to live in a space that doesn’t bring you joy or spark creativity. Take these tips into the weekend and let me know any room redecorating you’re doing.

We plan on filming a Cribs Vlog next weekend and I can’t wait to show you what we have done and what we plan to do with our forever home space. Stay safe and stay home.

XoXo Britt

ACEVEDO DESIGNED ACEVEDO BUILT

A few weeks ago, Jose posted a photo of our newly finished product, the pergola! Acevedo designed and Acevedo build, the deck and the pergola are the newest additions to the FInding Arizona Home and we are one step closer to the wedding date and the backyard looking fabulous! I wanted to take this time to highlight the amazing team behind Pair of Aces. My amazing father in law and his business partner work so hard to deliver quality results and treat every project like it is apart of their home.

Our deck was the first project the Aces worked on. This gigantic 16x18ft deck was put up in 3 days and elevated the space in so many ways. We went from a 2x4ft plastic deck to a massive idahoan wood dance floor. I came home from work one day and had the pleasure of screwing in the last screw! Speaking of dance floor: it has been brought to my attention by a close friend, and professional that if you are attending the Finding AZ Wedding DO NOT wear skinny heels. Block heels, wedges and flats are preferred, not only for the deck, but the grass ceremony and gravel dinner. I am sure at one point all shoes will be off, but just a side note.

More recently, the pergola was designed and installed. I loved watched Jose use Sketchup to bring his design to life. I joked that the model in the photo looked just like him! Right?

After printing out measurements to the team, the Pair of Aces were off to work cementing in footings and getting all the wood we need to sand and stain. We wanted to work smarter so we sanded and sealed each piece of lumber prior to it going up. This meant late nights and sore muscles, but now that it is all up we are so glad we took the tame to protect the wood.

Each hour casts a different shadow on the pergola creating the most breathtaking shadows. Yesterday afternoon I was sitting in our library gazing out the sliding glass doors in awe of the hand crafted masterpiece. From the block wall, to the deck to the pergola all I want to do is hangout outside in the yard and admire. BUT of course in the pool, because we have officially hit triple digit teens in AZ!

Time to book your travel plans and pack your bathing suit. I fixed up the guest room for some amazing people staying with us in July, and of course, will shared the details on the blog here! No, it’s not a real Air BnB but it feels like paradise to us everyday.

XoXo

Britt

GUEST ROOM REDESIGN ON A DIME

It only took us over a year to fix up the guest room, but we did it! First, it was storage, then WInter’s Dog Room, and now a proper guest room for our future stays! I cannot be more excited about the first guest staying in the room, but before that, I want to share all the details of this design on a dime guest room.

When we first moved in and painted every room in the house I immediately used this room to practice an ombre wall. Blending blues for hours and hours I was very impressed by my work of art and have even used it for several photo backdrops. We used the blank walls to hang my Monet prints collection. Other than that this room was easy to clean up to prep for a makeover. A little paint to touch up the base boards that our wonder full puppy chewed up and the room was ready for furniture.

We wanted to go with a futon for function and sticking with the midcentury trend keep the style of the furniture like the house. A futon allows us to maybe put a bed in later or adjust the use of the room altogether. We also wanted to put in a credenza. Not a dresser and not a tv console, but both, and our guests can put snacks in their too! These two pieces are bold in color and purpose but we are happy with the outcome and function.

Thriting and repurposing was where the rest of the details came from. My favorite orange rug from Ikea is a simple and inexpensive way to add color and change up a room. I love the shag to it! Great for bedrooms! Speaking of Ikea this clock shelf was in my office for the last 6 years, and I still love to this day, which is why Ikea still carries it! The statement chair was a set of two from Costco 6 years ago as well and Costco doesn’t even carry things from 6 months ago so good luck finding that! Finally I thrifted this Ikea blue table at a Goodwill 50% off day and scored it for $3.

I would like to think I am pretty good at “Staging a Bookcase.” All you really need are: Books (lol), candles, plants (real or fake), art, photos, crystals (something unique). Make sure to balance each shelf meaning if you did a book on the right, a few shelves down, add book on the left. Always share photos of great memories and change them out from time to time or different seasons or guests. And finally, put some crystals in there. Cleanse the energy and give your guests something to admire.

A few candles and throw pillows from target’s clearance section and we are ready to put some fresh linens in the cabinet and have our first guest enjoy her stay. We are book through July and Last week in August, but message me and we can see whats open for the other summer dates.

XoXo

Britt

THRIFTING

Stop what you're doing right now and mark Saturday April 21 in your calendar. Then mark every other Saturday after that. For this glorious day is Goodwill 50% off day and every store in the Valley of the Sun discounts everything in the store half off. (Except Christmas, Rugs, and Mattresses and snacks.)

This ritual was first for filling my closet with the most unique pieces to complement my Dead Lady Collection aka DLC. Next it was feeding my obsessive compulsive disorder to collect maps/globes and Monet prints. Now that I have have been blessed with a four bedroom house to fill this Saturday was nothing short of habit. 

By 9 am I was at my FIRST Goodwill of the day, Tempe (Rural and Guadalupe). Great for books. I bought a corner desk but after spending 20 minutes not being able to fit it in my car it was dead to me. Our next store was closer to home, Phoenix (7th Ave and Camelback). This is a newer location and I was in furniture heaven. We immediately found a vintage army green file cabinet and said sold. Then I saw out of the corner of my eye an old record table with cabinet. 

After pinning re purposed cat litter boxes (see example here), I had imagined an antique record player that I could gut and make the most elegant poop box. Now my dream was coming to life. We loaded in each piece of furntature along with some nick nacks and headed home. 

You never know the treasure you find from one man's trash. After exploring the weird section of Craig's List aka the Free Section we received a flat screen tv and entertainment console. It took a bit of gas and elbow grease but well worth it. What we have been discovering lately are estate sales and as the Finding AZ Engagement turns into a Royal Wedding we hope to find unique treasure to share.