Tuesday’s Tips: Videos For Your Blog or TV

01.31.2012

Yesterday I spent the day with media coach Bob Steel and videographer Leonard Chamblee. We learned what to do and what not to do in front of the camera, so I’m passing along a few of my favorite tips. And off the record, I would love to host my own design show! (ok, ok Bob said that nothing is off the record, so always be aware when a microphone is around)

1. Prepare your message and practice, practice, practice. The reason you were good in the high school play is because you rehearsed! Football players rehearse! Golfers rehearse!

2. Tell them what your going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you told them.

3. Dress to fit the story.

4. Avoid Stripes or Plaids (they can move on the camera) and don’t wear big jewelry (oops!)

5. Be kind to the camera guy! He affects the outcome of the shot (they can zone in on your sweaty forehead…or wrinkles in my case ;)

Thank you Bob & Leonard for a fantastic day!

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5 Reasons To Hire a Business Coach:

01.16.2012

One of the first books I picked up in college was Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. This book changed my life, my thinking & my perspective on business. The most profound statement he made was, “The reason I am successful is because I have a better accountant than me, a better lawyer than me, a better banker than me, etc.” Many people have too much pride to say they need help, so I made it a point to have people better than me on my team!

Last year I hired my first business coach. Tobi Fairley is an award winning Interior Designer, she was named top 20 in Traditonal Home Magazine & published in House Beautiful several times. To this day, she still has a business coach. You see, just when you think you’ve arrived, you’ll stop growing! I can tell you in this past year, I’ve done things I would have never dreamed of doing! This process has been life changing and a breath of fresh air. To learn more about her coaching program, click here.

5 Reasons to hire a business coach:

1. Accountability –  A vision without action is a dream. It’s important to have follow through on your goals if you want to be successful.

2. New Perspective – Maybe you could benefit from more employees, taking a day off, or even going about your business a whole new way. A good coach will help you think outside the box.

3. Objective Feedback – This can be positive or negative. Perhaps you need to hone in on your strengths, or create a niche you never knew existed. Or maybe there is a new direction your business image needs to go. It is important to get honest feedback whether positive or negative.

4. Make More Money – Or should I say, “Charge what you’re worth!”. This seems to be a struggle for many people. I just saw a friend post yesterday: Lawyers don’t apologize or negotiate their fees, why do you apologize for making a living?

5. Two Is Better Than One – “Two is better than one because they have a good return for their work.” Eccl 4:9 If you meet with a group, like myself, you meet so many new like-minded friends. You can share successes, struggles & have others as a sounding board too.

Hiring a coach just may be what you need to take your business to the next level!

 

4 Comments | Filed Under: Interior Design

2012 Color Of the Year

01.06.2012

New Year – New Colors

Each season, Benjamin Moore puts together beautiful color combinations & has chosen their 2012 Color of the Year. Wythe Blue is a beautiful, calming hue that provides comfort and stability. Blue is a timeless color that physically calms us, and symbolizes trust and commitment.

Here are a few colors that work seamlessly with this lovely hue.

Images:

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

Happy New Year!

5 Comments | Filed Under: Color

and the Winner Is….

01.01.2012

Congratulations Jennifer Reynolds for winning the 1st annual Gingerbread House contest! You will be receiving your Sonos wireless music player complements of Acadian Custom Installations. There was actually a tie from the judges scores between Jennifer and Heather, but Jennifer had the most facebook “likes”.

“Here’s my “Cozy Christmas Cottage”….Craftsman Style of course!
I went traditional all the way. The large roof shingles kick off this festive villa (Nilla Waffers) and the traditional board and batten siding rings in Christmas cheer with its green color (chewing gum and sour punch straws). Red and Green candies topped off this tasty treat, marshmallows and royal icing set the snow scene and edible glitter added the glam factor.

 

Shiplap Beach Cottage by Heather Harkovich

“This is my ‘shiplap beach cottage’ gingerbread house- right on the ocean, just where I would live in Fantasy Land! I focused on creating a white, wood exterior (gum pieces), slate shingles (black licorice) and blue accents (no red and green) to tie into the ocean theme. Our ocean is blue tinted frosting, the sand is sugar in the raw and the grass, green tinted coconut.”

 

Gingerbread Cottage by Becky Freeman

 

Brick Cottage by Traci Zeller

“A cozy painted brick cottage tucked back into the woods. The dark shingled roof is especially charming after a fresh dusting of snow. Dark brown trim draws attention to the window casings, while a red front door welcomes all who pass by. A “Merry Christmas” doormat and “Reindeer Parking” right up front invite Santa and all guests inside to warm up by the fire! Don’t worry – these homeowners won’t run out of wood; a nice stack is right outside. Oh, and Santa can check the address to make sure he is at the right house!”

 

More is More house by Henry Zeller

“Henry (twin son of Traci Zeller and Michael Zeller) is lobbying for a “5 years and under” age category with his gingerbread cottage. Henry’s design philosophy can be summed up as “More Is More.” Despite the fact that his cottage failed inspection due to numerous Gingerbread Code violations (the extra candy on one side threatens the structural integrity of the roof), Henry is confident that his unique “maximalistic” aesthetic will ensure that he stands out in a crowded marketplace. Henry was overheard remarking that, “if Frank Lloyd Wright can be famous for making roofs that leak, so can I.”

 

Gingerbread Cottage by Kyle Reynolds

 

Melting Santa House by me & Cade

Thank you to everyone who took the time to create these beautiful masterpieces, to Acadian Custom Installations for donating the prize and a special thanks to Tobi Fairley & Jamie Herzlinger for judging the houses – I know it was a difficult choice and everyone did a fantastic job!

Happy New Year!!!

3 Comments | Filed Under: Misc