8 By Design

Located in Haverhill/Lawrence,MA. We are a family of 8, that loves to create!! We handpaint furniture, create handmade home decor, and so much more!!

Painted Furniture , Handmade Goods, & Vintage Finds

Family Owned and Operated

03/20/2026

They say these things as insults but really I am her and I will always be her and I will forever take another woman's hand and pour into her.

I could write a long post about what men said to me and how it shapes my internal story but I'd rather celebrate that despite the attempt at insulting me.....

I have never not taken risks, I have always reflected and taken accountability (and that doesn't happen overnight), I do the hard things, I do the scary things, I do them alone, I am limitless.....

03/17/2026

In one year, your ENTIRE life can change. You create a goal and then jump in the ocean and see where it takes you.
That is how I decided to operate for the past 1 and a half. Going to college was the goal and once I got there, I started to feel like I wanted more because I was capable of more. I dived in feet first and did scary things.
I did really well in my courses, making Dean's List for the past 4 semesters, becoming part of my college's leadership roles, building relationships, discovering new passions and so working out my body like I was doing to my mind was a natural second step.

I am older. I have cellulite. I have a mom belly from 5 c-sections but I am strong. I'm not intimidated when I walk into the gym just like I'm no longer intimidated walking into a classroom or speaking engagement.

I am finding the pieces to my puzzle and I don't need to find them all but what an amazing adventure it has been so far.

I did 3 sets of planks (I probably have to still work on my form) and the last one was 1 minute 30 seconds. I'm pretty damn proud of myself.

🧘🏾‍♀️

01/03/2026

Women and mothers are taught to nurture others first. That becomes our primal instinct.

I love taking care of people, whether it's my kids, my friends, or strangers. I feel like that one of the many things that I was created for but I never understood what it meant to take care of me. I did not think I had the right to connect with myself, pour into my cup first, or practice discernment over what made me feel good.

This journey has been years in the making and so many amazing women have supported me and uplifted me while I stumbled and fell. Including my own daughters.

There was a time when I couldn't wait for the year to be over for a fresh start but I have to tell you, I loved 2025. Well, starting around May. From May on, the universe opened my eyes and gave me the same energy that I gave myself.

I am taking up space. I'm am not reducing myself or settling. Life can start fresh at any point, at anytime. You get to decide how you want to live.

This is my Her Era✨....creating, writing, advocating, smiling, embracing, loving, and living. No apologies. No rules. Just me and all my heart can hold. ❤️

01/01/2026

2025 was a year!!! I started the year off in my me of the darkest places of my life. I really thought that I had reached my breaking point and honestly it didn't get any better until.....I chose myself in every way possible.

I had carried the weight of shame over years of allowing my comfort to dictate my reality. I felt like a bad mom for staying in a bad marriage for way too long. I felt like I was the epitome of bad decision making and the universe was making me pay the price.

Living that way isn't sustainable and so I had to choose me. Everyday. I chose to pour into me. Commit to myself even if it was hard or uncomfortable.

Once I did, the world opened up for me and I was able to see things clearly. Make better decisions. Give myself real grace. I became a part of communities and built them. I lived, enjoyed the little moments, and planted seeds for my future.

I didn't think I could restart my life in my 40's but life has just begun!!!

11/12/2025

A year ago, I was stepping onto a college campus for the first ever!! I had no expectations other than I had to change my life.

One year later, I have switched majors, engaged in student life, been on the Deans List 3 times, got inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, spoken at the Massachusetts Statehouse twice, shared my life's journey with countless people, was elected onto the Board of Trustees, and haven't stopped discovering parts of me that have been silenced for too long.

I have met so many other women like me, starting this college journey at different stages of their lives, overcoming the craziest obstacles and challenges, knowing that this IS the stepping stone to something better. Inspiration is always around the corner.

I used to be consumed with grief and loss and sadness but those emotions have been replaced with all the goodness, all the manifestations, and positivity.

There is no man that can take my education from me, no road block that I can't find my way around, and no opportunity for anything to silenced me.

04/19/2025

I thought I would just keep going up from there. That space was everything to me but the kids were growing and for a period of time, my husband and I tried to work things out. So I gave up the space I loved so very much and it was HARD AF.
Things didn't work out because fixing broken relationships requires so much work that honestly is quite exhausting. Neither of us were healed enough and ready to fix us so we agreed that after 17 years, we had to walk away from each other. It still isn't easy but I definitely do feel the stress that I initially felt.
But this space that I created. It was my sanctuary and I dream of the day when I can have my own space again. Where I walk in my truth, light all the candles and not have to worry about someone's son throwing their dirty socks and clothes on my freshly febreezed bed. I do not know if a relationship is in the stars for me and I'm becoming ok with that.
I also know that in today's economy, it's not easy to pack up and sell a house. Now, I'm not in a room with my husband anymore but I'm not in my space I deserve and that is the real deal goal.
I told you that I was gonna share the real stories behind all the creations, viral videos, and highlight reels of my IG life. Let's keep this going...

❤️

11/03/2024

Until we meet again, October🍂🕸️🍂

I turned 45 last week, I sat in awe of my kiddos and basked in every moment , I took lots of quizzes and exams, I sobbed over papers that allowed me a place to share my heart and experiences, I wrote more flashcards, I had to push through on the nights I couldn't make dinner because I was doing schoolwork.
I reminded myself every day of October why I was doing this. I read stories of women from thousands of years ago, solidifying their place in the world as they passed their legacies onto the descendants. I watched stories of far away tribes, read about culture and society. Asked myself so many questions...that still need to be answered.
This October was much different than last year. I've lost people, I've gained myself, I consumed and covered myself in strength and have made a conscious decision to rejoin the outside world in all of its mystery.

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Lawrence, MA

Website

http://www.8bydesign.com/

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