The Lifestylist® Blog
Your Life. Your Style. Your Way.
The USA Film Festival Provides a Lifetime of Memories
Apr 18th
On April 25th, the USA Film Festival will be celebrating it’s 42nd year of bringing the art of film to Texas. If you love watching great films and enjoy the people who make them, this event should be at the top of your list.
As someone who has been attending this amazing event for over 20 years, I have been fortunate enough to have experiences like getting a hug from Tony Curtis, going behind the scenes with the Muppets®, and talking about factory built housing with Sir Anthony Hopkins. I share some of my experiences on my Lifestylist® website.
Some of the screenings have already sold out, but members of the festival get special opportunities and reserved seating at some levels. To find out more about becoming a member contact the festival at: usafilmfest@aol.com
Customer Service Expectations Become Dim at Best Buy
Mar 28th
Who knew a 1″ bulb could become such a great marketing and customer service lesson? After trying to deal with Best Buy for a month about a warranty issue I got so mad I gave up and discovered a wonderful locally owned shop that replaced my projector bulb and had me on my way in under 1/2 hour. You can read the long version of this saga on my Lifestylist® page -it still amazes me how I was treated by a company that should care more about it’s customers than Best Buy seems to.
Then today when I was getting all of my facts checked I went to the Best Buy Facebook page so I could quote other unhappy customers, and one of them had linked to a Forbes article about “Why Best Buy Is Going Out of Business Gradually“. They linked to a follow-up story that talked about how Best Buy handled different issues “The People Vs Best Buy Round Two” Sadly, it’s nice to know I’m not the only one that feels this way and they have even given lousy customer service to Larry Downes, a professor and best selling author.
I’ll never get back the time I’ve wasted on this, but I’m hoping that by sharing these experiences I can help my readers not make the same purchasing mistakes.
The Wall Street Journal is Postitive About Manufactured Housing
Mar 22nd
It seems like the tides are changing – others are beginning to understand the benefits of factory built housing.
The Wall Street Journal printed a great article about how more people are considering this type of construction of their next home.
The Definition of a Lifestylist®
Mar 8th
One of the questions I always get asked is exactly what is a Lifestylist®, and what is unique about the Lifestylist® Lifestyle. The second most asked question is what makes me a Trailer Diva!
The Lifestylist philosophy is about “Life Celebrating Style”. Our clients life and style is what dictates how a Lifestylist® works with you. My favorite example is I had a client in Phoenix, Arizona that was a major Phoenix Suns fan, and their team colors are orange and purple. The client wanted their entire home done in these colors. What they wanted is what they got, complete with a child’s room with a hardwood floor striped like a basketball court. They wanted to stylishly celebrate their interests and love of their home team and we did!
I just spoke to a friend who’s dog just dug up their entire garden and her daughter slammed the door on the neighbor’s hand – all in about 30 minutes time. Her needs and lifestyle are completely different from my son – no kids, no dogs, and lives in front of his computer. What my style is wouldn’t work well for either of them which is why I need to understand the client and what their “hot buttons” are. It’s takes extra time and sleuthing to achieve this – many times the client has trouble putting into words exactly what they are looking for but they know it when they see it. I take the responsibility very seriously – a person’s environment can truly change their lives in a positive or negative way. If someone is happy in their home their quality of life improves.
Next to being a mother, becoming a Lifestylist® is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. I’m looking forward to expanding the concept and what it offers in the years to come. – we will be launching a new food line this Spring!
A Parade of Giants Comes to West Dallas
Mar 7th
There is nothing this Lifestylist® loves more than when a community comes together, and this weekend was a wonderful example of that. Dallas celebrated the opening of The Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge – a beautiful example of functional art by having a weekend of activities including art exhibits, car shows, fun runs and parades. It also introduced visitors to some of the newest residents of West Dallas – The Workroom and Trinity Groves.
The Parade of Giants featured 15 giant puppets that were made by local groups and artisans and represented people who played a part in the history of the area. Many of the people who worked on the puppets were related to the people represented by the puppets, and it was really fun to hear stories about how these people had played a part in shaping the community and themselves.
Bridge-O-Rama is an event that I hope will continue – it was well managed and was truly an event for the people.
Mardi Gras Greetings
Feb 21st
Daisy loves the Lifestylist® philosophy of Life Celebrating Style. She is also open to any excuse to wear her favorite hats and attract attention. Mardi Gras Greetings from Daisy the diva dog and the Lifestylist® family!
Riedman Development President Speaks at International Builders Show
Feb 20th
We just got back from The International Builders Show and there were so many great things to see and do it’s going to take me weeks to catch up! I like having those types of problems though, and after attending the show and having the rare opportunity to hear Ben Bernanke speak about true solutions that can help the building industry, I’m optimistic about what lies ahead.
One of my favorite seminars this year was hosted by the NAHB 20 Club Program which I think is one of the most important groups in the NAHB. Twenty non-competitive builders make up a group that gets together a few times a year to be open about their different business practices and share their successes and opportunities. Thermador is a major sponsor of this group and their participation has helped to make this program a vital resource for builders. They have made their amazing culinary center available for the 20 Club meetings and have been very supportive in every way possible.
David Riedman – President of Riedman Development and @home Builders has been a member of one of these groups for years, and he has always raved about how important they have been to the growth of his company. He was gracious enough to take time out of his very hectic schedule and share how this group has helped him. He was joined by three other panelists that are also very active, and are very successful in spite of the housing downturn. I think that says a lot for the value of these groups.
Being involved in his local Home Builders Association (he is a past president), the 20 Club and now having more of a national presence is one of the reasons @home Builders is so respected in the Rochester and Western New York housing markets. We are so proud of this growing company – Lifestylist® Design as been merchandising their model homes, apartment clubhouses and corporate apartments for over 15 years and it has been a delight to share in their successes.
If you would like to obtain a copy of his speech and find out more about the 20 Club program, it is available on MobilTape here.
Faith Popcorn Shares Her Trends for 2012
Feb 2nd
If you have never heard of Faith Popcorn, you’ve been missing out. This Futurist and head of Faith Popcorn’s BrainReserve seems to always know what we want in our lives even before we do! “Eveolution” changed the way companies market to women, and her prediction about people “cocooning” was exactly what ended up happening.
Faith just released her 2012 predictions in her What’s Popping newsletter that you can download here. In it she sees a pervasive revolution coming that she calls SHE-CHANGE. As always, it makes sense. With single motherhood now sometimes being considered as a conscious lifestyle decision, and more women receiving their Master’s degrees than men, we need to really re-think our marketing approaches.
ODL Launches ARRAY at International Builders Show
Jan 29th
I love solutions. The Home Idea Factory is in an urban location, and it’s hard to decide with my exterior doors if I want them to have lots of glass in them to let in light or if I’d be better off using a solid door for more privacy. Now I won’t have to choose – ODL has come up with a way to give me the best of both worlds.
ARRAY is a door that is unlike anything on the market today, the innovative sliding slot pattern gives users control over the amount of light and privacy they desire. With a turn of a knob, the panels move from open to closed, and anywhere in between. A simple, intuitive design that brings dynamic levels of light and privacy into the home.
And what I love about this is it not only offers function – it also gives you great looking design. If you are going to be attending the 2012 International Builders Show in Orlando Feb. 8-12 be sure and see it for yourself at booth W-2920. We’ll also see if we can get some video on it and share it on LifestylistTV after the show.
What’s Mine Isn’t Yours: Intellectual Property
Jan 8th
Seth Godin is my guru. He is so no nonsense but funny at times, intellectual but down to earth, and what I really love about him is that he can get a point across faster than anyone else I know. His Purple Cow book started me on a new road to being more involved in marketing and social media so I’m forever grateful. When I worked on the Purple Cow House Campaign with Patriot Homes I made sure to get permission from Mr. Godin, and we credited him for the phrase (and gave out his Purple Cow Book).
Today I got a great post from him titled “Simple Thoughts About Fair Use“. So timely, and as always so well written. In this new blogging, social world I’m always stunned to see how many people are using other people’s photography, ads, brands, and stories without permission. This article is a must read for anyone who is even thinking about posting on Facebook, Twitter, or a blog and using someones text or images.
I’m fortunate enough to have access to a very talented photographer – Lisa Stewart of Lisa Stewart Photography. The images you see in my blogs, on my Lifestylist Design Facebook page and on my website have been shot specifically for my use. I do that so I’m not using other people’s work and having copyright infringements.
Lifestylist® is a term that I successfully trademarked in 2002 – my registration number is 2583235. I’m very proud of this because I thought I had a good idea and made the extra effort do “do the right thing” and spend the time, effort, and money to trademark it. You would be amazed at how much time I’ve had to spend since them protecting my mark because people haven’t bothered to do their homework and see that it’s trademarked before they use it in their own businesses.
Before you decide that you have discovered the next great phrase, or “borrow” a photo from someone else be sure to read Seth’s post. Wondering where to learn more about these topics? The US Patent and Trademark Office has a great site, and it is also where you can search trademark registrations and applications.