Brand Yourself

One of the lessons I've learned throughout both my educational and professional life so far has been far more valuable than I could have imagined: the art of branding yourself.

No matter the goods or services you're selling, the industry you're working, or the people you're serving, the most important tool you have is to brand yourself.  Focus on establishing your character, your mission, and your approach, and you'll continue to be successful from job to job, industry to industry, and business to business.

Your character.  You always want to be memorable, especially for the right reasons.  Pay attention to your appearance, including wardrobe and grooming.  How do your clients view you?  How do your coworkers view you?  It's been said one should dress like their boss's boss, or for the position you wish to have.  Making your appearance appropriate, professional, and slightly more elevated than your competition will allow for positive associations.  Is your office / business space well appointed, minimally distracting, and maximizing business creativity and transactions?  And more emotionally and internally, do you demonstrate solid values, ethics, and morale?  Plain and simple, you should always look and act the part.

Your mission. Successful organizations have a clearly defined mission statement.  Why not make one for yourself?  Imagine a marvelous marriage of your personal interests and professional goals.  It can be a few words, an inspirational quote, or an action statement.  For example, experiencing and understanding different cultures, religions, and ethnicities has always interested me, so a mission statement for my professional business consulting may include "Bringing style + class to the marketplace through compassion, understanding, and authentic investment in our clients."  When you decide on your mission statement, place it in a prominent position, use it to guide your professional activities, and reflect on it before making any massive decisions.  This will ultimately fuel your "work ethos" and add value to your resume.

Your approach.  Define and refine your interactions.  Pay attention to word choice; if your company or organization has a marketing department, try and incorporate as much jargon as possible.  Presenting messages and communication with uniform wording will intensify your brand's mission, customers' awareness of your company or organization's purpose, and help leverage loyalty.  How do you communicate with your customers?  Do you use special stationary to write notes of thanks and praise?  Do you always arm yourself with business cards, safely kept in a handy holder?

It doesn't matter what goods or services you're selling, where you're conducting business, or who you're working for.  What matters most is how you sell those goods and services.  In business, building rapport with your clients, identifying and practicing best practices, and leading with passion and integrity will always pay off.  And no matter what you do, remember to sprinkle a dash of style + class.  Walk with purpose.  Speak with competence.  Pay attention to your presentation and reception.  Those little details mean the most. Tutto é possibile.

upgrade, downsize, forward thinking, backward reflecting

I love motion. Our lives our in motion. And I just realized, one of my (former) favourite brands called Martin + Osa had a mantra of "lives in motion". And it's true. We're constantly moving - both physically and mentally. We go places. We grow. We travel. We get stronger. We go longer.

Speaking of motion, this year is about improvement. Life is about improvement. My challenge to you: upgrade the things you have, the places you go, and your choices. It's simple. When you make positive changes to your every day; when you go out of your way, even if just a tiny bit, you make a difference. One less potato chip. One more minute of exercise. One more week without Starbucks to buy the better shoes that may be just a tad-bit-more expensive. One less meal out. One more moment spent reflecting on the day. You'll surprise yourself.

Whilst upgrading, simultaneously downsize. Comedian George Carlin once had an entire sketch devoted to people and their stuff. The main point: people get bigger houses to hold the stuff they don't need. Do you really need 10,000 tshirts? Will you ever use that empty tin that your Great Aunt Helena mailed to you 2 Christmases ago? Minimize the amount of stuff; maximize the quality.

I'm not saying you should neglect the moment you're in, but it's important to be forward thinking. Is there action you can do now that will make your life more efficient, more enjoyable, more profitable, or more meaningful? A little preplanning can save you time, and that's more valuable than money for sure.

Spend a quiet moment each day. My roommates in college used to laugh, but I used to ask the same questions when I saw them. "What was the best part of your day? What could have been better? And what could have been worse?" Who and what are important should be on the forefront of your mind. If not, make an effort to include the important ones tomorrow.

A few things I'm loving, in no particular order of course:

-- Lytro Camera. Lytro lets you take pictures like never before. Unlike a conventional camera that captures a single plane of light, the Lytro camera captures the entire light field, which is all the light traveling in every direction in every point in space. Say goodbye to pictures as you know it - you pick what you want to focus on, and can refocus on whatever you want, whenever you want. It's like capturing still-live in motion. The possibilities are endless.

-- I love technology. And I'm super nostalgic. So when you combine vintage-inspired, sustainably harvested beechwood, the convenience to charge my iPhone, and the function of an oldschool alarm clock, it's a win win win for all, and a definite must-have! From Areaware, the Alarm Clock. And it's only $40.

-- comfort + convenience + conservation = the learning thermostat from nest. so. cool. or hot, if you prefer.

-- I know it's not knew, so forgive me if you're already over it. But if you've never heard of the flipboard, and own an iDevice, you must download flipboard. It's your go-to news + information + social network portal all in one. And it's flippin' amazing.

-- love for travel + love for food = love for cooking food from other places. But how many ounces is a gram? And how hot should the oven be? With this most brilliant dish cloth from Crate & Barrel, all of your conversions are at hand. Or at least at the sink.
-- I love Gucci. I love quality accessories. I love this colour blue. So what could be better? Imagine with great denim, a comfy tshirt, and these shoes. Or khaki chinos, a khaki knit sweater, and this perfect pop of colour.



until next time my friends, I propose a toast: here's to our lives in motion.

Ship, Crate, Barrel

It's no secret that I love Crate & Barrel. And in typical fashion regarding everything that I love, I wanted to know more. You see, in the luxury retail industry, everything has a story. From the inspiration for design, the time-tested treatments for fabrics and materials for that oh-so-perfect aesthetic, the history and heritage of a company's origins - everything has a story. Part of the allure to luxe companies and products is that romance.

It's a general understanding that people want to feel good. We want to experience success and happiness, good health, and harmony. So when someone creates a dynamic product, presents it in a mind-blowing manner, and goes against the grain of complacency and mediocrity, I am more than pleased to not only patronize the business, but tell everyone about it.

So I wanted to know more about Crate and Barrel. I found the most charming story on their official website:

Back in the '60s, a young Chicago couple by the name of Gordon and Carole Segal had just returned from a honeymoon in Europe. One night, while washing their dishes after dinner, they lamented there was no place at home to buy the contemporary, affordable housewares they had admired throughout their travels.

Passionate to make these designs available to others, the Segals hired one employee and leased an abandoned elevator factory on Chicago's Wells Street. They traveled throughout Europe buying directly from glassblowers and ceramicists, from factories making beautiful French copper pots and simple white bistro dinnerware. With no money left for displays, they stacked the shipping crates as shelves and filled the overseas barrels with fun merchandise. So out of necessity came the unique Crate and Barrel style…and name. And on a cold December day in 1962, just moments before the official opening, Gordon and Carole realized they had forgotten just one thing–a cash register (no kidding).

A lot has changed since that first store opened. Instead of the one employee we had in 1962, we now have 7,500. Instead of one small storefront, we now have 160 spectacular stores in markets across the US.

And now, we’re honored to share our passion with our first international Crate and Barrel store, now open at Toronto’s exciting Yorkdale Shopping Centre.

Coupling this lovely story with the many years I've shopped C&B and their hipper, younger minded CB2, I thought I needed to shop the website and see what was new. And what did I discover that I'm absolutely LOVING?! Crate and Barrel has teamed up with Tumi, one of the most durable and delightful Italian luggage ranges for their very own T Tech by Tumi for Crate & Barrel.


Durable and lightweight, with tons of pockets and zippered compartments, and accented in my favourite bright red piping, this collection is perfect for those jaunts across Europe, those African safaris, those adventures to Asia, and that mid-week business trip to St Louis. Affordably priced from just under US$100 to US$350, this collection is sure to exceed all of your travel needs.

Give Gracious Gifts

In the northern hemisphere, summer time is sizzling. And the only thing hotter than the scorching sun are the countless summertime parties!

Whether it's a backyard barbecue, a feast for family and friend, or a glamourous gala, here are some tips to ensure stress-free success (and to snag an invitation to the next event!):

(in no particular order, of course)

-- check the weather and the venue before you leave. Summer showers and blistering heat can make for tricky fashion choices. Be sure to keep an umbrella in the car just in case. If you're in an area where it gets chilly at night, pack a wrap, a scarf, or lightweight cardigan. When the sun goes down, the party doesn't stop. Additionally, if you're going to a polo match (where the grass can be unstable) or the beach (where walking in sand can be tricky) - be sure to wear proper footwear.

-- remember to hydrate. If you're going to be outside (maybe at the soccer pitch or the baseball park), pack a cooler with ice and beverages. Hydration isn't just for your thirst - be sure to hydrate your skin with a great moisturizer (with a sun protection ingredients like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide).

-- show your host/hostess you appreciate their invitation and effort by bringing a small gift. I'm really loving the following:

Agraria Home's Lemon Verbena home diffuser. Brilliant and Brisk, this small vessel packs the essence and zest of a Provencal summer.

Steady Stick Wine Bottle Holder from Crate & Barrel. Perfect for picnics at the park or bronzing at the beach, this nifty twist of stainless steel holds your bottle of wine in the most modern manner.

L'Occitane en Provence's Ruban D'Orange soft skin scrub is absolutely amazing. Luscious and luxurious, this citrus treat gently removes dead skin cells, helps prolong your healthy glow, and keeps hands, feet, knees, and elbows specifically soft.

Egg Plant: Mint from Branch Home. Everything you need to grow your own mint, this gift is the perfect ingredient for Mojitos - Cuba's most refreshing summer cocktail.


-- Protect yourself. Burning your skin causes more than just temporary discomfort. It's ugly, awful, and can kill you. I hate to sound so harsh, but it's true. Pack a hat. Bring sunscreen (and choose a moisturizer or foundation with sunscreen, and for your lipgloss or lipstick). And wear giant sunglasses (because big sunglasses also protect the delicate skin around the eyes, as well as the eyes themselves).

-- Be safe. If you know you're going to be enjoying alcoholic beverages - arrive alive and plan an alternate transportation for home.

Character & Brilliance, Cool & Beautiful

One of my favourite things about fashion, especially with serious styling, is the ability to mix and match seemingly random genres and inspirations in one look. Maybe you've paired a vintage inspired John Varvatos leather motorcycle jacket with a perfectly pressed traditional oxford style dress shirt, and your favourite jeans. Or in your home, you've arranged a dinner party for your nine closest friends, and positioned everyone around an antique farmhouse style table, with elegant Vietri dishes, gorgeous Garnier-Thiebaut linens, old world extravagance in Arte D'Italia pewter serving pieces, and the most modern, pop-art inspired chairs. It's like the old wedding phrase - something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.

When you mix and match various styles, make sure there is a common code to avoid looking like potpourri. Choose fabrics that compliment each other. Maybe you wear a thick tweed jacket, with a paper thin tshirt. A flirty, fun table cloth with a handful of colours and intricate woven design never competes with napkins in a contrasting, solid dark hue. When the dominating pattern or focus piece includes a small scale, detailed design, accessories or secondary pieces can still be patterned as well, but should be on a larger scale or with minimal complexity.

Taking cues from the runway, designing your living space is not as difficult as you think. Start with a neutral canvas. In fashion, you can wear denim or gray in every season. In living spaces, any room can be well decorated, no matter the season, with a neutral wall colour. Think khaki, sand, ivory, slate gray - any light, warm colour that suits your taste. A warm, chestnut brown couch can be anything but bla when you update its look with bright pillows or a luxurious throw. Add charm and whimsy with art, antiques or pieces with character and romance, and of course personal touches like photographs and custom pieces.

I love the modern aesthetic, durable construction, and youthful inspiration of CB2. I've owned several pieces from this company of the last ten years, and have been nothing but pleased. From the most fabulous Marimekko wall art and the funkiest clocks, to the most innovative shelving solutions and the most functional food preparation tools, CB2 is brilliant. Imagine Crate and Barrel being the classy, conservative older brother; CB2 is the funky, fabulous, free spirited, full of flair and finesse, younger sister.

From their website:

CB2 is a modern destination from Crate and Barrel that first opened in Chicago in the year 2000.

CB2 is affordable modern for apartment, loft, home.

CB2 is a community (which we hope includes you) seeking modern home design that's clever and in the moment, that's spare and simple but with great attention to details, that's priced smart so we can all have it all (and feel smart doing so). The only attitude you'll find at CB2 is creative, fun, happy to share.

CB2 is about sharing as we search the world for CB2 one-of-a-finds, limited edition items crafted by artisans with a story, a history; our partnership has helped to provide much needed funds for housing and education in remote villages. Our Thanksgiving store tradition, the CB2 "can do" food drive, fills the shelves of local food pantries while helping to fulfill the basic needs of those in need.

CB2 is now six urban stores in Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Berkeley, LA and Miami. Stop in and see the way we like to mix, play, live with emerging trends, new color, scale for spaces small and large.

Here's what I'm loving right now:

Radius Day Bed

Marimekko's Vermutti wall art

Twiggy Side Table

Madra Magazine Rack

Keep Calm Rug

little bird pillow

stainless steel shiny water pitcher

mapkins - Rome

Century Wardrobe

As you can see, it's incredibly easy to fall in love with CB2. It's not just stuff. It's functioning art with fashion, finesse, and flair.