Spice Up Your Sex Life

Spring is in the air...time to boost the boudoir energy with a little feng shui!

To create a sensual space that's ripe and ready for love, be sure to add items for all senses...

Sight- Everyone looks better in candlelight. But first, make sure the room is clean and clear from distractions. 

Sound- Turn off the television and turn on the sexy love songs. I created a folder in iTunes titled "Hot Tubbin" for just such occasions. 

Touch- Soft fabrics, comfy pillows and massage oils do the trick.

Scent- Make one of those candles a fragrant one. Easy on the perfume/cologne...you want your sweetie to be intoxicated by your pheromones, not Calvin Klein's.

Taste- Champagne? Chocolate? Champagne flavored chocolate? You get the picture. Mmmm.

And of course the Sixth Sense...

Intuition.  Use your inner guidance of intuition to focus in on what will make both you and your partner happy....and bring it on!

Come On Get Happy

I was just thinking that it's time for more 'research' on Happy Hour deals about town. So I did a quick online looksee! Jeez, Louise, I'm not alone in this search. Check this out...

Happy Hour- your nationwide happy hour guide. 

As seen on CBS News. I hope in a good way.

www.happy-hour.com/

Unthirsty- the work of a group of like-minded souls who were always struggling (for obvious reasons) to remember where and when they last enjoyed that good happy hour. A plan of action was drawn up on beer sodden napkins over bargain pints and some mighty fine nachos. Thus, Unthirsty was launched and dedicated to the good of all mankind's legally drinking denizens.

www.unthirsty.com/

HappyHour.org- a small web-based social event application created specifically for the iPhone. It's not really a social network and not really an event site; and it's most definitely not "web 2.0". Simply put, it's a place to find the "best" events based on what your friends and others are saying. And, if you and your friends are not feeling any of the events around, you can create your own.

happyhour.org/

Thrillist- a quick, free, daily email of the event going on in the top 10 cities in the US.

Here's the link to their Happy Hour Listings. Including "Ron Jeremy's Guide to The Valley." I might have overestimated my Happy Hour appetite. 

www.thrillist.com/

Cheers. Drink responsibly and bring along a designated driver!

A Fresh Start with Refresh

Earlier this month, I wrote a post about Dutch Boy's new paint line, Refresh™.  To refresh your memory (sorry, couldn't resist), here's scoop on the paint. 

Refresh™ Paint is...

• Scrubbable with Exceptional Application, Hide & Durability
• Made with Arm & Hammer Odor Eliminating Technology
• Gives Mildew-Resistant Coating
• Low Odor/Zero VOC Formula/Formaldehyde-free
• Recyclable container has a twist & pour lid and a handle
• GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified® and Green Cert™ certified

Well, the post caught Dutch Boy's attention and bingbamboom, they sent me a fandeck so that I can select paint colors to try it myself! I'm so excited because I really believe in this product (it's good quality, eco-friendly in an eco container etc). And with several gallons sent gratis, well, this is just plain fantastic! 

Keep reading for links to get free paint for your project. 

I'm also excited to try the paint as a test for my clients, purely for the odor eliminating factor. Odors can be a big problem for a lot of people, especially for folks getting ready to sell their home. Pet odors are also a huge issue. If anyone ever walks into your home and asks, "Where's the cat?," you've got an odor problem. 

As Dutch Boy says, "64% of people notice the odors in your home. The rest are just being polite."

I once had a feng shui client who bought a condo from a seller who smoked. A lot. Everything reeked. She needed to rip out all the carpet and hardwood, install purifiers in all rooms and paint everything. She even had to remove all the white plastic-coated racks in the closets...they had turned yellow from the cigarettes! Boy, would she have bought a ton of this paint! 

So, my dilema. Color. My living and dining rooms are currently painted a grayish blue. Everyone loves it...except me. To me, it's dingy. The question is, do I lighten and brighten the blue with "Miss Liberty" or do I shift gears to a flaxen blonde color called "Fresh Linen" that would look great with my sofa and Eames Lounger? 

After a long debate of comparing the colors on all walls, at all times of day...the verdict is: "Fresh Linen!" The sofa, the lounger and I are all very happy. 

Stay tuned...cuz we're gonna film it all for you to see! 

Now...

Here's your opportunity to get free Refresh™ paint for your own home. Go the Refresh site and to enter their contest, My House Stinks, to win a Refresh™ Paint Room Makeover.

1) Post your ugly, stinky room story for a chance to win a Refresh™ Paint Room Makeover. Grand Prize is 50 gallons of Refresh paint plus $5000!

2) Vote on the ugliest, stinkiest room for a chance to win 4 gallons of Refresh™ paint. Total winners: 24 

www.dutchboy.com

www.myhousestinks.com

Such a deal

Shopaholic Sample Sales is a new store in Los Angeles on La Brea Ave that opened yesterday, April 26. They have amazing designer deals everyday of the week...like BCBG dresses originally $298 and up at Shopaholic Sample Sales $60. Wow! And that's just the beginning. 

Go to their website at www.shopaholicsamplesales.com.

Not in Los Angeles? Try Plantetlulu.com. This sample sale's open only 7 to 10 days per month, and you need to be on the guest list in order to receive an entry password. The bouncer at the virtual door is friendly. It takes less than one minute to register and anyone who signs in can shop online. With 3,000 items from more than 30 top designers -- and often there's just a few of any one particular item -- LuLu Shop Online offers a virtual fondue of items, including: clothing, handbags, jewelry, pillows and accessories. 

For additional information or a password to preview the online shopping site, go to www.planetlulu.com .

Attitude of Gratitude

Growing up, I always heard the minister on Sunday morning say, "It's better to give than it is to receive." It took me a long time to really understand that one...probably because he always said that just before passing the collection plate so I took it as a manipulation of guilt. Imagine the difference if they taught in church, "In order to receive, you have to first give."

By understanding the Law of Attraction, I now know the deep power of giving. 

See, when you're feeling needy, all you can think of is receiving. But receiving starts with giving. It's counterintuitive but true. The trick is that when your resources are low, you think, "But I don't have anything to give." Au contraire, mon ami! You ALWAYS have something to give: Gratitude. 

Giving someone heartfelt words of thanks is free, as well as freeing. It sets a whole chain of reaction into motion, creating a mutual exchange of well-being. Simply put, love begets love. 

I bet there's someone in your life that you'd like to give thanks to. Don't let time go by without acting on it. 

The garden flowers above were handpicked as a little token of appreciation for my uber-supportive friend, Sheri. They may have been 'free,' but they sure are meaningful, just like Sheri.

Multi-tasking

My favorite in Real Simple magazine? When they list alternative uses for common household items. I always have some "Doh" moments when I read it.

Here's their latest list...

28 Uses for Everyday Items- The hidden talents (both new and tried-and-true) of kitchen and bathroom staples. 

Rubber Bands

1. Open jars with ease. When a small lid won’t budge, wrap a rubber band around it several times to give you a better grip.
2. Decorate Easter eggs. Arrange rubber bands in a pattern around hard-boiled eggs, then dip them into dye. Remove the bands when the eggs are dry.
3. Bring order to your dishwasher. Tether stemware and other delicate, wobbly items to the rack.
4. Wrap a gift. Use multiple colored rubber bands instead of ribbon to add modern flair to a small present. (Particularly handy when you can’t find the tape.)

Toothpicks 

5. Label meat. Are these burgers rare or well-done? They all look the same on the outside. Identify just-off-the-grill meats with different-colored toothpicks and they won’t get mixed up.
6. Find the end of the roll. When you’ve finished using tape, wrap the end around a toothpick so you can easily locate it the next time.
7. Glue beads and sequins. Use the sharp ends to apply teensy items to a craft project.
8. Sew a better button. Place a toothpick between the button and fabric so it doesn’t go on too tightly and end up tough to fasten.
9. Press a gadget’s Reset button. What fits perfectly into that tiny hole? You guessed it.

Salt 

10. Clean up a cracked egg. Cover the mess with a handful of salt, then wipe up with ease.
11. Dust a wreath. Place a wreath of pinecones or faux evergreen in a paper bag with a 1/4 cup of salt. Fold the top of the bag over and gently shake.
12. Remove tea stains. Sprinkle salt on a lemon peel, then rub it on a tea-stained cup. 
13. Shine brass and copper. Make a paste of a few tablespoons of white vinegar with equal parts salt and flour. Apply with a soft cloth, rinse, and dry.

Post-It Note

14. Clean a keyboard. Run the sticky side between the keys to collect crumbs and bits of lint.
15. Navigate the roads. Write directions on a note and stick it to the center of your steering wheel for quick reference.
16. Mark containers. Cut off the sticky zone and use it as an ersatz label for travel bottles so you don’t confuse your facial cleanser with your hair gel.
17. File away. Divide a pile of paper into sections using Post-it Notes as you would folder tabs.

Felt Circles 

19. Secure slinky garments. Stick a felt circle onto each arm of a hanger to keep clothes from sliding off.
20. Anchor a cutting board. Place a circle under each corner of the board so it stays put while you slice and dice.
21. Prevent tabletop scratches. Attach a circle to the bottom of a vase so it doesn’t scuff surfaces.
22. Keep your kitchen quiet. Hush a banging cabinet door by sticking a circle on a corner on the inside of the door.
23. Protect the walls. Position felt on each corner of a picture frame so the edges won’t mark the paintwork.
18. Play tic-tac-toe. Use a sheet for each X and O. Peel them up and play again until they lose their stickiness. 

Clear Nail Polish

24. Keep an eyeglass screw in place. If your specs are a bit wobbly, tighten the screws and top them with a dollop of polish.
25. Secure buttons. Apply a thin layer of polish to the center of a button to keep the thread from coming loose.
26. Avoid rust stains in the bathroom. Coat the bottom of a shaving-cream can to fend off rings on the ledge of the tub.
27. Seal an envelope. When a flap won’t stay stuck, find closure with clear polish.
28. Extend the life of jewelry. Paint a thin coat onto a costume bauble to prevent it from losing its luster.

Want more? Click below to see "101 New Uses for Everyday Things:The multitasking hall of fame."

Real Simple Magazine

If you have your own new uses for everyday things, please leave a comment!

Fresh Flowers

"Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's Party!" Robin Williams

Who doesn't love fresh flower? Whether as a gift or straight out of the garden, flowers can make your day or just make you smile.

I found this tip from re-nest.com. Since I see so many floral arrangements with fruit, I thought this was interesting...

We already know to cut the stems on a diagonal and change the water daily, but we didn't know this tip... (Hint: it has to with your fruit bowl.) 

 

Keep your flowers away from fresh fruit!

Turns out, as fruit ripens, it emits ethylene gas, which increases the rate at which flowers wilt.

Do you have other tips for making your flowers last?

www.re-nest.com

Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra (Sans the Spiritual Stuff)

Point Click Home, the site for Metropolitan Home and Elle Decor, has an interesting article this month about Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra. The article's principle point being that both systems of arranging your home for optimal energy flow and personal harmony can be attained without the "spiritual stuff."

As the article says, "The core principles of these ancient domestic practices offer smart decorating solutions even skeptics can appreciate."

Sound familiar? My approach to Feng Shui is decidedly non-woo as you can see on my design website and my webseries. So as you can imagine, this article held my interest. Here are some of the highlights...

Common Links Between Feng Shui & Vastu Shastra and the Decorative Takeaway 

Although quite different in many ways, Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra share some common core timeless design approaches that sound familiar to us but are made better from their enlightened perspective.

• Clutter gives way to order. This commonsense principle is something we all know works without thinking too hard. Physically de-cluttering the home helps clears the mind of toxic thoughts, which make us more receptive for contemplation and receiving positive energy.

• Colors cue moods. The palette to embrace is one that satisfies the range of human emotion: pink and orange trigger joy; green and blue create calm; red inspires passion; black and white embody grace. Decorate with colors that please you and positive energy will flow undisrupted from your self to your abode.

• Light is truly illuminating. The choice of lighting sets the tone for a room. Flooding the home with early-morning light awakens the mind with a gentle reminder of the possibilities that lie ahead. Lower the lights and it will trigger the day’s end ritual of relaxation. For those that enter you home, low light emits a sense of intrigue. A bright light welcomes.

• Nature belongs indoors too. Whether home is in the country or in an urban setting, plant life and natural elements form a connection to the great outdoors. No matter how high tech life may be, the spirit can be best nurtured by Mother Nature.

Check out the entire article that also includes a slide show of Feng Shui friendly design photos.

http://www.pointclickhome.com/

Happy Earth Day!

Green and Easy Tips for Earth Day and Every Day!

In a continuing effort to spread the green, today I'm listing a few of my personal eco-friendly habits that I encourage you to make as well. 

Bring your own bags to the store. The best answer to "paper or plastic?" is "I brought my own!"  I've found that to make this a habit that works, you have to leave them in your car so they're ready at all times. 

Turn off lights when leaving the room. This simple habit makes a big difference in CO2's and utility costs. 

Break the plastic water bottle habit by using a refillable stainless water bottle. As I wrote in an earlier post, I don't remember the last time I bought water. I use a Pur brand water filter (after reading a Consumer Reports comparison over Brita), and I carry a stainless water bottle everywhere. Click here to for a sale bottle from Amazon. It might take awhile to make this a habit, but it feels really good to stop all the waste and save all the money.

Green clean with non-toxic cleansers. Why spread all those chemicals around if you don't have to? Now days, there are awesome eco-friendly cleansers. Here's a list of green cleaning products.

Recycle. Just do it...cuz with all the information and services available, there's no excuse not to. Click here to learn how to recycle everything.

Reuse or repurpose what you already have. Stop the madness of thinking that you need something new just because you saw some celebrity with it in a magazine. News Flash: they probably got it for free just so you will be manipulated into think you should have it too! That's how it works! Don't fall for it. Be creative by reusing your things. For example, I rearrange my home accessories regularly to give myself the feeling of new without spending a dime...or wasting fuel, packaging etc. See? Easy, Green and FREE!

Bonus: I've also given up my private jet until either the global warming crisis is reversed or a solar powered jet is invented...whichever comes first. 

Spread the word about Earth Day.

Here's what I did yesterday to spread the word. Around lunch time, I saw a driver-less van on my corner with the motor running. Twenty feet away stood a guy from the LA Parking Violations Bureau with all his tools on the ground as he was settling in to fix a broken meter. 

Using my best catch-more-flies-with-honey voice, I asked if that was his van. 

"Uh, why?" 

Because idling the motor creates a huge amount of unnecessary CO2's contributing to global warming and wastes tax payer's money on fuel. If you idle for more than 30 seconds, you really should turn off the motor. Plus you're in front of an outdoor cafe. Toxic fumes, dude. 

"But it's hot out and I want the air conditioner on when I get back in the van." 

Well, it's Earth Week. (Earth Day, Earth Week, I took the gamble that he didn't get the memo.)

"Oh, well if it's Earth Week, I guess I have to shut it off." 

And with that, he waddled over to shut off the van. 

One down! Hey, it's a start.  

Here's a link to my favorite "green" book. It's facinating and will change your view of how we make everything. If you only read one eco book, this is the best one. 

Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things by William McDonough

Why not take advantage of a little Earth Day love from amazon.com? Just click the link below...

Earth Day Savings on Amazon.com

Dining On A Budget-Follow Up

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post called Dining on a Budget, about restaurants that are featuring prix-fixe, eco(nomy) themed menus. Upside of Downsizing 'follower,' Cindy, just emailed me to share her experience at one of the spots.

Hi Elizabeth,

Just wanted to let you know that last Thursday night I visited "81," one of the restaurants in the article you wrote about. I told my sweetie about it, so he took me into the city to celebrate my birthday.  It was awesome! 

The restaurant itself was gorgeous with scarlet curtains and luxurious booths. I had the two course menu and chose the chef's garden baby lettuces, with "81" vinaigrette and for my main entree the salmon over cranberry beans all for only $30.81. My boyfriend had the salmon belly tartare to start, then the wild mushroom soup (for only $8.10 more you can make it a 3 course meal), and for his entree, braised short ribs. 

We also had a bottle of Far Niente 2007 Chardonnay for the extraordinary price of $45 which was twice that price on the regular menu! I don't usually think about menu prices on my birthday, but it was great to see my honey so relaxed knowing I was getting such a special meal that didn't cost him a fortune. 

Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious but the wild mushroom soup and the salmon were standouts for me. The service was wonderful and our server, Krista, enthusiastically helped us take advantage of the great deals. Usually when you get lesser priced deals, you also get less service, as if they're mad at you for not getting the higher priced items. Not here!

For my birthday cake, I got the warm caramel roasted Bosc pear for desert (outstanding!) and the restaurant gave us an added treat of oatmeal cookies and chocolate truffles, bringing the evening to a perfect conclusion. 

Thanks for the great recommendation. I'm including a photo of our meal.

Cindy

Happy Birthday, Cindy! Thanks for the great report. You made me hungry!

For more information about 81, check out their website: 

www.81nyc.com 

And be sure to check out the deals in your neighborhood! Here are some links for restaurants across the country:

chowhound.com

zagat.com

metromix.com

Save The Date: April 22 is Earth Day

Sometimes it's hard to keep track...is it Earth Day, Earth Hour, Earth Month? I say yes to all of the above because for me, everyday is Earth Day! All the little steps you take can add up to make a big difference, whether its using less water, avoiding harmful toxins in your household products or supporting green policies at work and in the voting booth. 

Besides saving the planet, going green is also helpful for saving money. Yes, most eco-friendly steps are free and many will help you lower your money nut. Here are a few examples, courtesy of The Daily Green:

Use Your Local Library

Instead of buying small mountains of books, CDs, DVDs and even magazines that you barely use, check materials out of your neighborhood library, or relax inside the quiet halls and browse on site. Over time, you can save a nice pile of cash.

Turn Down Your Water Heater

Lowering the temperature on your water heater from 140 to 120 degrees will reduce your water heating costs by 6 to 10%. Give it a try. 

Install CFLs

CFL's use less than a third of the energy of regular bulbs and last ten times longer, paying for themselves in lower energy bills within months. If every U.S. household replaced just one regular bulb with a CFL, the amount of energy saved could light 2.5 million homes for a year. (Just remember to recycle responsibly as they contain a small amount of mercury.)

Install Low-Flow Water Fixtures

Save water and money, and still have ample water pressure, with a low-flow showerhead, which can slash bathing-water consumption 50 to 70 percent. The devices are simple to install and start at around $8. 

Freecycle

Google 'freecycle' and you can get (and unload) a huge array of items... all for free! It's simple and fun, and doesn't cost a dime.

Line Dry Your Sheets and Towels

Indulge yourself by sleeping each night on pillowcases and sheets freshened by sun and breeze, both of which naturally disinfect and lift stains. You'll also save energy, since automatic dryers use 6% of household electricity.

Rediscover Borax and Baking Soda

People have been cleaning and bathing with mild, naturally occurring baking soda since ancient Egypt. It is great for scouring and deodorizing many surfaces, from tile to toys and hands. Borax is an element that forms crystals in arid regions. It makes a good cleaning agent, disinfectant, mold killer and stain remover, from the laundry room to the bathroom. Both substances are cheap and readily available.

For more Earth Day info, check out the links below.

Click here to find an Earth Day event near you

Click here to calculate your carbon footprint

Create Your Own Home Sanctuary

Spring is here so open the windows and let in the fresh breeze! Don't you just love spring with it's energy of freshness and renewal? Spring's a great time to clear the clutter and get a clean start. 

When I need to clear the clutter in my mind to think more clearly, I kick back in an area of my home I call "The Sanctuary." It's really just a comfy chair and ottoman near a window, but when I'm there to meditate, read, or relax, it's truly a sanctuary. 

Perhaps this spring is time to create an area in your home as a personal sanctuary. No need to spend a dime; you can just rearrange items you already have! 

You don't need an entire room, just a place where you can 'get away from it all.' I always make sure I have a comfy spot to lean back and close my eyes with a small table handy for a beverage, a book and my glasses. If you have a nice plant or a vase with flowers from the garden, all the better.  

Check out the video above from my webseries, Space Lift: Feng Shui Your Home. Let's me know your results!

Rug Resuscitation

On Friday's Oprah show, Ali Wentworth talked about her home being on the cover of this Month's Elle Decor magazine including a great story of her living room rug. It seems she wanted to toss it due to some nasty stains, but her husband, George Stephanopoulos, put the kibosh on the idea for financial reasons. Ali had to find a solution to cover the stubborn spots from, (well, she's the one who said it), an incontinent cat. So she did what any crafty gal would do. She took matters into her own hands.

Take a look at the photo above to see her handiwork with a bottle of purple dye and a swirling brushstroke. Yep, she covered the stains, thus saving the rug and giving the room the personality that put it on the cover.

What a great way to save an otherwise perfectly good item. One less bulky item in the landfill; one great DIY inspiration. Nice work, Ali!

I'm inspired to have at the rug hiding under my living room rug that has an anaconda-shaped cabernet stain and the lingering echo of "Oh, $%#&!" Stay tuned.

www.elledecor.com

Why We Do What We Do (and how to do it better)

Want a little inspiration courtesy of TED's "riveting talks from remarkable people, free to the world"? Don't know TED? It's an amazing conference that gathers some of the greatest minds in today's culture. 

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It started out, in 1984, as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds. Since then its scope has become ever broader.

The annual conference now brings together the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives...in 18 minutes.

I got a lot out of this TED video featuring Tony Robbins, the original life coach, who discusses why we do what we do and how we can do it better. 

Plus, there's a great interaction with Al Gore who was sitting in the front row. 

Lots of food for thought in this one! 

Here are two others I really enjoyed...

Eat, Pray, Love author Elizabeth Gilbert on Creative Genius

Patty Maes & Pranav Mistry demo the Sixth Sense, a jaw dropping new technology 

The Upsides of Growing Your Own

Have you noticed that gardens are the hot topic lately?  Just last night, I was out for a friend's birthday when one of the girls at the table whipped out her cellphone to proudly show beautiful pics of her first garden. She was so excited about saving money, eating organically and feeling the pride of growing her own dinner as well as the centerpiece to go with it! 

I recently blogged about balcony gardens, and I enjoyed the article linked below from cnn.com which goes more into depth.  I think you'll find it useful 'cuz planning and planting time is here!

However, as a firm believer in the Law of Attraction, I know that words are very important, so let's agree to call them something positive like Victory Gardens or Prosperity Gardens, not 'Recession Gardens'...unless, of course, you're referring to your waistline!

"Recession gardens are catching on with many first-time planters who want a healthy meal at an affordable price. The gardeners are following seed-strewn paths laid by Michelle Obama and Eleanor Roosevelt, both of whom have used the White House lawn to show the value of a garden during tough times. 

The scope of today's trend is shocking even to those in the gardening industry. W. Atlee Burpee & Co., the largest seed and gardening supply store in the country, says it has seen a 25 to 30 percent spike in vegetable seed and plant sales this spring compared with last. "I've been in the business for 30 years, and I've never seen anything like it -- even remotely like it," said George Ball, chairman and CEO of the company..."

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/04/01/recession.garden/index.html

Tax Incentives for Going Green

If you're anything like me, taxes are on your mind right now.  Being that I am a green designer, I was very excited to see this article in the New York Times explaining all of the tax incentives that are out there right now for greening your home.  

How can the new tax law make our homes greener?

Uncle Sam is offering up to $1,500 in tax credit for energy-efficiency upgrades like new insulation and windows. The credits are worth 30 percent of the total cost for the upgrades. For example, if you spent $3,000 on eligible windows, you can get back $900.

What exactly is covered? Can I get money back for weather stripping?

Yes. There are four types of upgrades that are covered. The first batch are home-shell improvements like insulation, windows and sealing. These are designed to make the home tighter and close up leaks. The next batch are home heating, ventilating and air-conditioning, or HVAC. This includes efficient air-conditioners and furnaces. A third batch is renewable energy technology like geothermal heat pumps, solar water heating, small wind generators and photovoltaic systems. The last batch — and perhaps the most popular — are hybrid and diesel cars.

Are the credits limited to green improvements that we make right away?

No, the credits for the home shell and HVAC are available if you make these investments anytime before Dec. 31, 2010. Investments in renewal energy systems are eligible for credit until Dec. 31, 2016.

For the full article go to:  

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/09/garden/09greenhome.html?emc=eta1

Win, Win, Win with Yard Sales

I am one of those people who loves having yard sales because it's a win for everyone.  

• I clear out my closets
• Buyers find bargains
  
• My items avoid the landfill
  
• It's a great way to catch up with neighbors
  
• The leftovers go to charity
  
• I get paid to declutter!

I found this article in the Los Angeles Times to be interesting.

"The win for the seller is that they are getting rid of things that they no longer need or want, and they are getting some pocket change," he said. "For the buyer, they are going to get things for dimes on the dollar, and they are going to discover that spending a little cash money is a lot easier at the end of the month when the credit card bill comes."

Over the last year, garage sale postings on Craigslist have increased by 50% in the Los Angeles area and 80% nationwide. The site has seen a "strong uptick" in garage sale postings as users "de-clutter their homes and make a few spare dollars to pad their wallets," said spokeswoman Susan MacTavish Best.

 Here are some tips for a successful yard sale...

1. Be clear on the purpose of your sale. Are you selling things to make money or to get rid of them? Surprisingly, you can often make more money (and get rid of more junk) by pricing things low. 
   
2. Advertise. Online ads (Craigslist) make a big difference in traffic. Post simple, effective signs around the neighborhood like “HUGE SALE” with an arrow pointing the right direction. Make sure your sign is readable to traffic driving past at normal speed. 
   
3. Get cash and keep in on you at all times. Get a roll of quarters, a stack of twenty-five $1 bills, and a few $5 bills. Wear an apron with pockets or fanny pack. Never leave your cash.
   
4. Prepare your staging area. Set up shop in your yard or driveway as people are reluctant to enter a dark garage. Make your sale inviting and easy to browse. 
   
5. Go over ground rules with your helpers. Make sure that everybody working the sale is in agreement on your bargaining policy. Agree that nobody will bad-mouth the merchandise.
   
6. Think like a customer. Walk through your sale as if you were there to buy something. How does it feel? Is it easy to move around? Would you pay $10 for that porcelain cat?
   
7. Display items to their advantage. Set up items for proper use rather than asking people to use their imagination. Use a rack to hang clothes rather than piling on the ground. Use a bookshelf to display books.
   
8. Play background music. It makes buyers feel comfortable if they don't want to talk. 
   
9. Promote expensive items. Display them like a store would. Front and center, up on a table. Feature smaller items in an open box with tissue paper if needed. 
   
10. Make it easy for shoppers to test electronic items. Have an extension cord handy so that people can test them. Also, if an item needs batteries, have some on hand.
    

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-garage11-2009apr11,0,6976609.story

"I Dreamed A Dream"

Last month I posted the question, "What would you do if you knew you could not fail?" In this time of change, we create our own opportunities. "It's a time to ask ourselves if we are happy on our present course or is this the opportunity to try something new, to finally go for our dreams."

Well, Susan Boyle, a contestant on Britain's Got Talent, knows how it feels to go for her dreams.

This unemployed, 47 year-old woman lives near Glasgow with her cat, having not only never been married, but having never been kissed. That doesn't stop Susan! Recently, she tossed her fears aside and stepped bravely into the spotlight...giving even Simon Cowell a smitten smile.

Click here to see the video.

Let Susan Boyle be an inspirational muse for dreaming your dreams and acting on them...because as she proves, it's never too late.