Wardrobe Tips for Men...

Have you ever wanted to give the man in your life a fashion makeover?  Or perhaps you are one of the lucky ones whose spouse enjoys you picking out clothing for him?  Better yet...likes to go shopping with you!  I learned where my boundaries of dressing my husband were after our first Christmas that we were engaged.  I had bought my preppy, lifetime card-carrying member of the Polo Ralph Lauren fan club, husband-to-be what I thought would be a more updated modern ensemble from Kenneth Cole.  He willingly tried it on while I tried on the eight pleats per side golf shorts his mom picked out for me.  We both came out of our dressing areas at the same time and both burst out into laughter - laughing at ourselves and each other.  I got the hint his mother was sending and vowed to get more appropriate golf clothes that were conservative yet more my personal style and Matt agreed to try (and, thankfully, adopt) better fitting flat front khakis and the more modern cut golf and polo shirts from RL.  In the end, we both were able to update our looks, yet keep our personal styles in tact.

Check out the article below from the September issue of Costco Connection to help your man avoid the most common fashion faux pas:
"From dud to daper..."

Blackberry on the backburner...I'm on vacation.

I am in Minnesota this week on vacation with my family.  It's been an easy week off of work so far since, I imagine, a lot of people are also out this week.  I was going to take the easy road and re-post an article on how to prepare your office while on vacation.  But, seriously, in today's business world, completely shutting down while on vacation is near to impossible.  I firmly believe that disconnecting to focus on relaxation while on vacation is very important and necessary - our technology tools, however, make it too tempting not to take a quick peek at what is going on while we are gone.  For this vacation, I prepared by leaving a very detailed out of office message of who to call for what while I was away.  I let my backups know that I would be checking emails at the end of every day and forwarding emails and addressing urgent messages only.  I also set my cell phone to only ring when I received a call- the constant "ding" of an email, text, or facebook message arriving in my inbox would be too tempting not to check.  I've been reading a lot about "detoxing from technology"... there was even a week in April designated "Digital Detox Week"... I wonder how long we could go without looking at our smartphones, emails, or facebook...?  While I've been very good about not checking work emails on my trip, I am still checking and posting on facebook, reading my favorite blogs, writing this blog, and a "summer vacation" blog....  How long could you go?  Read Joanne Tombrakos' account of her seven-day tech detox diet, from Forbes.com:

"The Seven-Day Tech Detox Diet" by Joanne Tombrakos

Did you take your dog(s) to work today?...

Back in March I posted about today being the day doggies get to go to work with their humans.  Did you plan for it?  Is your furry companion with you at your desk today?  If so, how's it going?  Share your stories with me! 

June 24th - Take Your Dogs To Work Day

Hamilton and Milhouse recently tagged along with Matt to his office.  They LOVED being able to look out the floor to ceiling windows in his office.  Of course, the LOVED the attention from his coworkers.  After a quick inspection of the parking lot to work out some of their nervous energy, they finally calmed down and got to work...napping. 

Happy Father's Day!

A huge shout out to all the dad's this weekend...Have a fabulous Father's Day!

One summer day, while I was living at home with my parents - newly graduated and not trying too hard to find a job - I woke up early enough to have breakfast with my dad.  It was the middle of the week and the day was going to be one of those perfect summer days in Minnesota - just the right temperature, no clouds, no wind, not humid - a perfect day for boating on the Mississippi River, which was an outing only reserved for the weekends.  I suggested to my dad that he should play hookie from work and we could spend the day on the river...  He glanced over his paper and proceeded to lecture about how he was the owner of a successful business with employees that worked hard for him, etc, etc, and that in the "real working world", that he wished I would join sooner rather than later, you do not play hookie from work to go boating.  I got the hint and told him I would spend the day working on my resume and start looking for jobs.  He went off to work and I probably started surfing the net.  About thirty minutes later, the phone rang...it was my dad... he said, "pack up a cooler, we're going boating, pick you up in fifteen minutes."  I was thrilled - it really was the perfect day to be on the water and I know my dad really enjoyed it too.  It's a day I will always treasure.  Thank you, Dad! 

My husband is a great father and I hope that our kids have the same treasured memories of time spent with him.  For now, they are his little helpers, but soon enough they will be suggesting he play hookie from work to meet him for a round of golf.
Happy Father's Day, Dad!  Happy Father's Day, Matt!

Experts: Dads embracing active parenting more

Summer is here!

 

Before...



After...



 Ready, steady, GO!  June has arrived...actually it's half over..where have I been these last two weeks?!.  I have been moving non-stop, to the best of my abilities, between work, swim lessons for the kids, the UPS shipping facility, and my sewing room.  It's not actually a sewing room as much as it is the temporary setup I have going on in our dining room. 

Since swimming lessons occur every day for two weeks straight during dinner time, we aren't really dining in that room anyway...best it be put to another use, right?  "What are you sewing," you ask?  Ah... the answer will reveal itself soon - stay tuned for my guest blog appearance at http://www.filigree-design.com/. 

Summer hasn't officially started, but since the temperature outside has been over 100 for a few weeks now, I can't help feeling like summer is already here.  Remember having summers off?  You could go boating, sleep in, stay out late, play tennis, build a fort or tree house.  Wouldn't it be great if our work calendar matched the school calendar...?  Ah, I digress... speaking of tree houses, did I show you the end result of our Memorial Day weekend?  Check out the before and after photos...



Actually, it's the "Uff-da Palace" by Patrick Dougherty.  His work is pretty amazing!  The "Uff-da Palace" can be seen at the Minnesota Arboretum through the end of this year.  To see more of his work, click on the link below...
 http://www.stickwork.net/ 

Happy Memorial Day Weekend...

Just a quick post to show that I am determined to keep my word, and track record, for a weekly posting...I cut it a little close this week.  I'm excited about the long weekend.  Are you?  Historically this weekend is reserved for a fabulous time with my friend Amanda and the State Capitol Tour of our choosing.  No fears fans of "our journey to be the only two ladies who have visited all State Capitols by the time we are 80"...we are just postponing the trip a few months.  Instead, this weekend...well, this is what we are doing...

Bulk Trash pickup is scheduled for Tuesday, May 31...the deal is Matt cuts, I bag....say a prayer to mother nature in the hope our trees will come back (again) from the frost we had this past winter.  Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone!

Taking A Compliment...

"Cute shoes!"
"These...?  I got them for $20 at Payless."

"You are a great rep, thank you for running these samples over so quickly."
"It's no big deal, it's my job."

"That dress looks great on you."
"Oh my gosh, I made it...I think it hangs longer on the left side...don't look too close at the seams."

This is a challenge to all of you out there who do this, including me...  STOP IT! Let's stop devaluing ourselves and demeaning those who give us compliments by learning to graciously accept them.  Whose with me?  Let's practice now...

"Cute shoes!"
"Thank you!"
"You are a great rep, thank you for running these samples over today."
"Thank you, I appreciate hearing that."
 "That dress looks great on you."
"Thank you, I recently learned to sew and made it myself."

Another good article by Karina Bland, from the Arizona Republic...

"Regardless of why I dodge compliments, I'm sending the wrong message. I'm trying to appear humble, but, instead, it probably makes me look less confident in myself and my abilities. And here's the thing: I am a persuasive person. If I keep this up, I could actually convince people that I'm not as great as they think I am, that it was some sort of fluke that I pulled off that outfit, that meal or that story, not because I have the talent or did the work."...Karina Bland

Click on the link for the entire article:  Taking A Compliment...

Name Badge...where does it go?

Ahhh...a nice and easy one for the week...

I attended two networking events recently and was struck by the amount of people who were incorrectly wearing their name badges on the left side.  So, I thought I would set everybody straight....according to me and the folks at Emily Post, the correct side to wear your name badge is on the right.  Now, there are always a few ladies who feel the need to put the badge right smack in the center of their bosom...or worse, on their hip.  What good does that do?  Folks, the purpose of wearing the badge on the right side is so that you can easily glance at the badge and make eye contact during your greeting.  This gives you a better chance of remembering that person's name, which is why we wear the name badges in the first place.

Right Or Left?  Where To Wear A Name Badge...

You've Got Style!



Samir Hussein/WireImage

Were you as in awe of the presence and composure of Kate Middleton on her wedding day as I was?  She was so poised and polished.  I love her style, not only fashion style, but the style in which she has handled her new royal life.  Seeing her on her wedding day inspired me put a little extra effort into my style all this week.  Below is a quick article on how you can put style into your everyday activities and interactions to reach and grow your audience.  Cheers to the newlyweds and cheers to your stylish success!

Rich Gee: How To Add Style To Everything You Do

Rich Gee is an Executive and Business Coach.  His website has some great pointers for self-improvement in the business world.  You can learn more about him on his website:  http://www.richgee.com/.

want - verb: 2. to wish, need, crave, demand, or desire

Introducing the BlackBerry PlayBook

Once, while running thru an airport to catch a connecting flight, I was listening to my voice messages on my BlackBerry.  I finished listening just as I got on an escalator and took stock of who and what was around me.  The gentleman behind me handed me a Starbuck's card.   I waved my hand in protest.  What a weird thing, I thought...to just give someone a Starbuck's card..?!  He explained that he was a representative for BlackBerry (gave me his card) and did this sort of thing as a marketing tool.  Ok, I thought, why not...so I took the card.  He asked what company I worked for.  Turns out he managed the company's account.  Unfortunately, I no longer have his card.  So, here is my plea:  Please Mr. Starbuck's Card Carrying BlackBerry Sales Rep, if you are one of my avid blog readers, first, thank you...please become a follower, and second, PLEASE, can you hand me one of these next time you see me at the airport?  Thank you, in advance.

Top workplace pet peeves and etiquette mistakes...

After working from a home office for almost four years, I'm not sure I could survive in an office environment.  As I read the article below, flashes of pet peeves flooded my memory from the days of yore.  Here a few that I remember the most vividly:

• I wrote my name on my calculator because I thought it would prevent others from taking it without asking.  It would disappear often and I felt like a mouse in a maze looking for it all the time.  I quickly learned to look at my cubemates' desk first.
• You stole the Mrs Fields cookie I bought and was saving for my 3 o'clock coffee break.  I know you did.
• Fellow sales people with nothing better to do would linger at my cube talking about their personal issues... not interested, thank you!  Waste someone elses time.

What are some of your pet peeves? Please share, I think it would be cathartic, not to mention humorous, to get them out in the open...


Top workplace pet peeves and etiquette mistakes - USATODAY.com

A night at the MIM...

Last month my husband, Matt, and I enjoyed a night out at the MIM, the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, AZ.  It was by invitation of the University of St. Thomas Alumni Association that we got to go.  The Chamber Winds ensemble gave a wonderful one hour performance and the food and beverage set up was amazing.  It was all compliments of Bob Ulrich, founder of the MIM and member of the university's Board of Trustees, not to mention former CEO of Target Corp.  As you can see from the photo, I was probably the youngest alum by a good 20 years.  Our good fortune allowed us to get introduced to the president of the museum, Bill DeWalt, while standing in line for refreshments.  And Bob Ulrich sat three empty seats down from Matt.  It was a fun, free, night out on the town.  Thank you UST...go Tommy's!

Break Time! Time for planning...

At the beginning of every month, when I put the new Franklin Covey calendar into my planner, I take a look back at the previous month just to make sure I haven't missed anything, forgotten to do something, or didn't follow up on something that should be followed up on.  This month I went to my favorite coffee shop to enjoy a skinny vanilla iced (decaf) latte while I went down memory lane.  This ritual of taking a break from the daily barage of emails and phone calls - ok, I haven't experience a "barage" lately, but the good news is that I am getting busier as the economy slowly inches toward improvement - where was I?  Oh, yes, taking a break allows me to get focused and actually be strategic in my planning for the days and weeks ahead.  Leads and follow up calls get listed as "to-do"s in a neat single sheet and my travel plans usually all get ironed out while doing this simple 20 minute exercise.  What rituals do you have to help get you re-focused?  Please leave a comment....

Thank You Notes

What is the protocol these days on a hand written thank-you note?  Is email ok?  What if I don't like the gift? What if I thanked them in person?  My husband loves to send hand written thank-you notes and it has made an impression on people he works with as well as friends and family.  He likes to design them himself and purchase unique cards from unique shops or arts & craft fairs.

According to the article below, by LESLIE HARPOLD, "As extra motivation, I will also grudgingly tell you the hidden secret of thank-you notes: They improve the frequency and quality of the gifts you receive. People like being appreciated, and if they feel you actually notice the nice things they do for you, they’re more likely to give an encore performance."

I could be better at sending a hand written note.  I like getting them so I imagine others do too.  How about you?  Below is a nice kick-in-the-pants guide to writing a thank-you note.  Enjoy!

How To Write A Thank-You Note

Entrepreneurship...post iii: Get Good At Making Money

I happened to read the following article while at the auto shop waiting for my car to get it's oil changed.  It's amusing to me how good things come to you in strange places.  I thought this topic would be appropriate for the final post in my Entrepreneurship series - after all, if you want to start your own business, you probably want to make some money doing it.  What really interested me was Jason Fried's point about bootstrapping (page 3). 

"From Day One, a bootstrapped business has no choice but to make money. There's no cushion in the bank and not much in the pockets. It's make money or go home. To a bootstrapped business, money is air.....Anyone can spend money. Making it is the hard part, and being forced to do it early is one of the best ways to get better at it later.", Jason Fried

How To Get Good At Making Money

Hopefully this series has been helpful, inspiring, or, at the very least, amusing to read.  Let me know your thoughts - post a comment.

Entrepreneurship...post ii: Create Your Own Dream Job

One of my readers suggested I take a look at the blog, zenhabits.net.  The article below was my first read, and I have to say that I'm hooked.  I like the simple, yet deep, writing style of Leo Babauta.  Breaking old and creating new habits is difficult, but Mr Babauta gives us a good starting point for where to begin.  

In part two of my Entrepreneurship series, I give you his zen habit on how to create your own dream job - it's a great read.  I hope you enjoy!

"If you’re out of a job or stuck in a lousy job, I feel for you. But look at your horrible situation as a wonderful opportunity to change your life and do something great. It could be the best thing you’ve ever done.", Leo Babauta.

Can't Find a Dream Job? Create Your Own

Entrepreneurship...a three post series

My first blog "series"...so exciting! I digress...

As most of my readers are all keenly aware, the architectural and interior design community has suffered great losses during this awful, yucky, economic recession. I'm part of that community so I can say from experience that it has been especially yucky.

According to an article on MSNBC.com , Architect was the #1 occupation for job losses in 2009. Unemployment jumped 17.8% in 2009 for that profession. They go on to say that it won't be until 2018 that architects and engineers see a 10% growth in their occupation. Sick to your stomach yet?

On a brighter note... Entrepreneurship in the USA jumped almost 6% in 2010. I believe it... I don't know what the percentage of new business owners are Architects, but I do know I've seen a lot of them branch out on their own and they are succeeding. The path to entrepreneurship can be by choice or by necessity, as the USA article below suggests. Click on the link to read more...

"Recession inspires people to start own business"

If you are one of the new entrepreneurs, please post a comment and share your journey. If you are thinking about starting your own company, stay tuned to future posts for inspiration on how to take that leap.

Mark your calendars! June 24th is "Take Your Dog To Work" Day

Milzy and Hammers

I'm sure you winter-weather-weary folks are looking forward to summer.  We are getting a glimpse of it here in the West - 80 degrees this weekend!

I discovered that June 24th is "Take Your Dog to Work" day and thought it might be something fun for you to plan for your office.

One of the perks of working from a home office is that my dogs, Hamilton and Milhouse, come to work with me every day.  Their main responsibility is to alert me when the UPS man is making a delivery, which is typically every other day.  Sometimes the delivers are made in the mornings, but most often it's right in the middle of nap time....for my kids, not me!  If only Hammers and Milzy could pull samples, return emails, or sweep up after themselves....

If you or your coworkers love your dogs as much as I do, convince them to celebrate the annual "Take Your Dog to Work Day" this summer.  See the website link below for more info about this great organization - while there, enter a photo for their contest! 

Take Your Dog To Work - June 24, 2011

Start getting your pooch ready for the event with the following tips, which can be found on their website:

Tips for Dog Day Success

• Dogs should be kept on a leash, unless in the employee's office or cubicle.
• Employees should use a baby gate to prevent dogs from leaving their office unsupervised.
• Specific areas, such as bathrooms or employee dining halls, can be designated as dog-free.
• Have a back up plan for taking the dog home if he is not comfortable in the work environment.
• Find a local pet sitter at petsit.com/locate to provide midday walks to employees' dogs.

The "dog days of summer" will be here before we know it, ...but probably not before some weird Easter blizzard for you folks in the Midwest...hang in there!

How to Create Time When There’s No Time

I'm going to make this post short and sweet :  1) because last week's post was a long one and 2) I have the day off today and after a mostly  successful day at the zoo with my kids, I have about an hour and a half to myself to "get stuff done" while they nap.  So without further ado...another great post from Mindful Time Management blog by Janet Bailey...

Giving yourself permission to do things less perfectly.... interesting concept...read more: 

How to Create Time When There’s No Time

Tips For Effective Networking



In my opinion, networking should be mandatory of all positions within a company.  I'm not saying it's easy for everyone to do it.  It certainly can induce panic for even the mildest case of agoraphobia*.  However, this is no excuse if you want to get ahead in your career, or change careers.  With everything else in life, practice makes perfect. 

Definition of NETWORKING:  1: the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions; specifically : the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business

See...by definition, networking plays an important "productive" part in our job roles. Cultivating these relationships should not be seen as scary but necessary on our road to success. 

Opportunities to network can be everywhere:  On an airplane; at your kids ballet, baseball, gymnastics, soccer practice, at a party, on the bus, at the hair salon, ...you get my point... you never know when you could meet your next client or future boss!

This article suggests a few basic tips to help get you feeling comfortable networking in no time:

How to Network Effectively - eHow.com

I am, by nature, a social person and would say that I have a high level of comfort talking to strangers in the settings I mention above.  A work related networking event - an event specifically meant to encourage networking among professionals - for some reason, can induce an elevated feeling of anxiety even for me.   I tend to do what is easy/comfortable - attach myself to someone I already know in the hopes that they will introduce me to new people.  This is ineffective most of the time because I will typically end up in a small group of people that I already know, who are also hoping that the others will make the introductions! 

So I have a rule that I adhere to before I allow myself to hook on to someone that I already know.  I introduce myself to three people - sometimes, by the nature of the event/meeting, it's obvious who I need to approach, but most of the time it's just random selection.  If, at the end of the evening, I have three new contacts, I feel a certain level of success.  Once I've reached my goal of three contacts, one of two things will usually happen - 1) I start to relax and realize it's not that bad and everyone else in the room is doing it too. or 2) the event hasn't cultivated the kind of contacts I'm looking for and head straight to the valet stand to get my car and go home.

How about you?  What tips to you have for effective networking?  I'd like to hear!

*agoraphobia - fear of embarrassment

CLUTTER - noun: a crowded or confused mass or collection

www.clutter-buster.com

This article should inspire all of you who swear you are going to tackle the piles on your desk, the overstuffed front hall closet, junk drawer, backyard shed, shower you use for extra storage....someday.  According to the professional home organizer in the article below, if you've ever spent more than 10 seconds looking for anything in your house, then you need to declutter and get organized.  The process can be habit forming and good for your peace of mind. 

AZcentral_Professional Home Organizer Advice 

Karina Bland writes the weekly column My So Called Midlife for the Arizona Republic.  I look forward to reading it every Sunday.  You may like it too.  You can follow her blog (now that you know how to!) at:

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/KarinaBland

How to follow a blog...and why you would want to.

Hi fans and followers -

Thank you for your interest in reading my blog.  I write this with the utmost sincerity, because, seriously, I hope that you find my anecdotal writings about my experiences and perspective about the workforce, homefront, and ettiquette enjoyable, humorous and informative.  Yes, I'll admit it, this is also a shameless attempt to get more followers on my blog.  

So, if you read this blog because you see a new post on my Facebook or LinkedIn pages and like what you read, but are not a follower... please become one.  It's free!...and I promise I won't spam you.  Don't know how to become a follower?  Go to the section to the right labeled "Followers"...where you see the beautiful faces of my current followers...just click on the Followers widget and it will lead you to your Google account or ask you to create one.  Once you have established a Google account, you can easily view all the blogs you follow on your dashboard and/or reading list.  Here...just click on this link for the official blogger instructions on how to become a follower...and it will all make sense.

 

Google - how to follow a blog

To text or not to text...that is the question.

Texting Etiquette

Texting sure is a convenient tool, but remember to exercise proper etiquette while doing so.  This article is a good reference for when texting is and is not appropriate.  As an outside sales professional, it's good to know that face-to-face connections are still important in this rapid fire digital age!

Now let's address talking on the phone while you are in the stall of a public restroom... take my poll to the right. 

Are Chinese mothers really more superior?

"Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior" by Amy Chua
The article above, printed in the Wall Street Journal on January 8, 2011, has created a firestorm of responses to the strict parenting tactics used by Amy Chua and previous Chinese Mothers before her.  When I look back on how my parents raised my siblings and I, I would say that they were pretty strict, but not a fearful way.  Although I was never spanked or ridiculed by them, I was afraid of disappointing them.  How did they do that?  They were very loving, encouraging, and nurtured us in finding our own paths in life.  Is being strict and setting boundaries such a bad thing?

Here is another take...
"In Defense of the Guilty, Ambivalent, Preoccupied Western Mom", by Ayelet Waldman

Ayelet Waldman puts it best when she writes, "Amy Chua and I both understand that our job as mothers is to be the type of tigress that each of our different cubs needs".  Thank you Amy Chua for giving us the Chinese Mother's perspective.  You can read all 8000+ reactions to Chua's article on the http://www.wsj.com/ site.

Business travel...a time to relax?

Making the most of a business trip... 

On a recent business trip to Las Vegas, I decided to partake in the hotel's happy hour that they provide to their guests Monday-Friday.  Trying to be obscure, I drank my free beer and ate my free tortilla chips with salsa while standing at a bar top table in the corner, alone, until, that is, a flight crew joined me at the table.  We started chatting and (since I had just read the article I share above) I had asked them if any of them explored the cities where they travel to for business.  They all laughed and said, "no - not really".  Me too, I admitted - thinking back to an earlier blog post about how I was going to make the most of my time in each city I traveled to.  This was my first time at the hotel's happy hour event, so I guess that counts as doing something different and new! 

Anyway, the pilot admitted that his wife always tries to encourage him to do something new and fun while he's away.  On this trip, he decided to walk down the Las Vegas Strip.  He happened upon the Bellagio hotel right when the water fountains started their impressive show.  He stopped to watch the 10 minute show, took a picture of it on his iPhone, then emailed it to his wife.  When it stopped, he thought to himself, "that's cool" and headed right back to the hotel.  He laughed at the fact that he was only gone for about 25 minutes, but his wife congratulated him on "getting out" while in Las Vegas.

What perks me up while on the road is knowing that I'll get a solid 8 hours of sleep, I can watch whatever I want on the TV, that I can actually take the time to groom my eyebrows in the large magnifying mirror in the bathroom instead of the rear view mirror of my car between appointments, and, finally, the venti latte and Big Dipper Donut from Starbucks that I can expense as "Breakfast".  It's the little things...

A New Year...New Resolve

It's the first week of the new year and during this time of reflection of the past year and goal setting for this year.... I just want to say, "blogging is hard". 

One of my New Year's resolutions is to re-commit myself to writing this blog....again.  I still feel that the topics I blog about are relevant to my readers...and I do hope you continue to read and enjoy this blog.  Thank you for your encouragement!

The article I share below gets to the meat of how to keep a resolution.  It can't be a grandiose statement about what you are determined to change about yourself, which ultimately will lead to resignation.  Instead, it encourages you to take the time to set goals for yourself for the coming year.  We all know that good goal-making takes planning, time, and patience.  I have a stack of articles I've ripped out and saved for future blog posts on my desk (neatly tucked away in a file folder, as keeping a tidy desk is another NYR).  I have also blocked time on my calendar (one hour once a week) to commit to blogging.  Consistency leads to success -so does going public with your resolutions, by the way.  What are some of your resolutions?

Good luck to you in keeping your resolutions and meeting your goals in 2011! 

New year's resolutions: Always an uphill climb