FYI- to follow up on a few things-
I uploaded new pics of my home, the seem to be working. If not let me know. I uploaded another pic of our daughter just for fun, and finished a blog post on blog 1 that seemed to get cut off.

Pintrest has sent me a welcome email, but still not sent the email I need to get signed up and started.

Cheers!

Oh my god this is making me crazy-the entire blogger page has reduced to a tiny size, and I can't even read what I am writing. If anyone knows how to fix this please email. Thanks!

1. Three words that describe CB2 are Clean, Modern and Affordable. Clean means clean lines, not fussy design. Modern means a modern aesthetic, affordable means something I can buy without feeling too much heartache financially. CB2 is different from my aesthetic because I like more intricate things usually, but I do love lots of what they have.

2. I don't shop there as much as other stores, because the super modern aesthetic is tough to pull off in my house built in 1906. The glass surfaces and slick, shiny finishes don't look great with our older home. There are some things I like about it like everything is clean and you can count on it to look simple and classy.

3.
A creative home that is as unique as you are. 
  I don't really associate the words creative and unique with CB2. Creative to me means something different than moden, which is the main word I think of w/ CB2.  This would be a fitting phrase for Etsy.

If they did use this phrase for inspiration, CB2 would want to offer more products that are interesting and keep the eye longer than something modern. Or get feedback from customers about the different ways they are using the same product from CB2. Maybe a blog where customers submit photos of different ways a storage unit is being used.The other way to make modern seem more creative, unique and accessible would be to bring in a personal aspect people can relate to. For instance profile the designer, show his/her office where the piece was created. Relay a funny story about something from the design process. Show pictures, bring the humanity into it. For example, "The design was temporarily on hold when Joe Designer's dog ran off with the finish samples."

This phrase does have personal meaning to me because I love creative and unique design. One thing I'm dying to do is find a great tree branch that has fallen, and suspend it above our picnic table with some outdoor lanterns hanging. This is unique and creative to me. Something with a story. If CB2 embraced more of that- even if it was in their settings, not products- it would be a brand more for me.

Put modern in the mix.
Now we're talking! This works for CB2 because they are owning what they are -a modern furniture company.

If using this phrase, they could focus on how to make modern more accessible and mix it with other periods. That is what someone like me needs. It's not easy to do, and I need help, pics, advise etc. Again I think it would be good to invite people who have done this in their own homes to post pics to the website for others to see and understand how it can work.

This does have meaning for me because I really like modern design. (I own the Herman Miller Eames lounge chair- a true commitment to modern, because of the pricetag.) I just will never have a house full of modern, so spinning it as a mix is appealing to me.

Creative modern home furnishings 
This fits ok because mentions modern, but it's hard for me to get my head around because it's too many descriptive words, and not really a sentence.

If using this phrase, they would want to emphasize the 'creative' piece, again encouraging people to use the products in their own way. Maybe include a 'things we love' portion of the website, calling out great designers, ideas, other products that fit with the CB2 brand.

This does have some appeal to me, although I really don't strive for modern furnishings. I relate to the creative aspect.




Living a modern life 
I like the idea of living a modern life because it means to me a life that is examined and focused on what someone wants. It speaks to lifestyle, more than furnishings. This seems to fit CB2 because of the modern furnishings they sell. They could also easily bring in the aspect of modern lifestyle. Their furnishings match a modern lifestyle because they are simple, no-fuss and let you get on with living your life.

If CB2 uses this phrase they could integrate what modern life is to people now. Maybe highlight that many people now work at more than one  job, due to the economy. So it makes sense to have a good office chair for you part-time blog gig for example. Or since there are so many blended families, show how the furniture works for all tastes, is easy to move and doesn't take up to much room. Maybe get involved in organizations that help disaster relief because the simple nature of the furniture is a good fit for someone needing to get back to their life after a shake-up.

This does have personal meaning for me because modern life for me is having a child. Our house is now always getting messy, and a simple storage unit would help with keeping it somewhat clean easily. Also our daughter is always wanting to add all kinds of crap to her room, so keeping furnishings simple and modern helps keep it from looking totally bonkers.

A.
Three words that describe my sense of style: Color, casual, unique.
I love color because it makes me happy. I like reds, oranges and dark pinks in particular. I like to combine these with warm earth colors like tan, brown and yellow.
I like casual design. I really dislike pretentious design, especially in interiors. I am the opposite of the traditional spread you see in Architectural Digest where it looks like the person who lives there has a giant stick up their ass, and every conversation in that house is unnatural and contrived.
Unique: I really enjoy things that are different, or that you can not take in on a first quick glance. I like things that have a story behind them, or two uses, or are just unlike things you see everywhere. I like things that are the opposite of what appeals to the lowest common denominator. Another word that describes this to me is authentic.

B.

Here are some pictures of our house. The 'fancy lion' is a painting our daughter did in art class, that we blew up and matted to hang in her room. She made the chain hanging above it too.

These lanterns are in Lucy's room too. They are pretty and are also her night light.

This is the "F light" in our living room. It's just fun. With both of these, it shows my casual, fun colorful style. Is my design style realized? I guess so. Most of the things in our home were picked by me and my husband and reflect our style. The thing that gets in the way is I wish our house were picked up or clean more often. With a 6 year old I feel like we are always fighting that battle.

I like decorating and feel confident about it. I feel least confident about making a mistake, or choosing something we don't like, that isn't easy to fix. I don't have the time or money to be comfortable trying things that don't work and they trying to change them.

C.
I've signed up for Pintrest and have received a confirmation email, but they have not yet sent the one I'll use to get started. I can't use Pintrest yet, so I'll start here. All images are from Pintrest! I didn't go anywhere else to find inspiration because they had all  needed!




 







D.
All of these are from One King's Lane website. I forgot to mention in earlier posts that this is a sight I go to regularly for inspiration. I love almost everything there because it's interesting and different from what I see in other retail stores, and the prices are discounted. I'm not crazy about having to buy during their sale period though.

I love the kilim rug because no one that I know has something like this, and it would help me bring color into the room. The same goes for the glasses.



This chair I found on Haute Look's home collection. It's a site that has pretty good style, again you have to buy in a certain time, but it's usually not things you see around town. This chair is a knock off, which I'm not crazy about, but I like the natural walnut and the price is right at $200.

This lantern from Anthropologie is super-cool and would be a statement piece. I love lanterns of any kind. Anthropologie always has interesting things. Too much of it together makes a room look busy, but I love a few of their things scattered.Also the brown of the lantern and chair ground the hot pinks from the glasses and rug.

This Anthropologie knob is vintage looking and cool without grabbing all the attention.

  These curtains are from West Elm. I like that store for simple, inexpensive basics.

I like this chair from West Elm because it's no-nonsense but also looks cool. The leather is subdued but it looks comfortable.

E. Inspiration photos take more risks, are grander in scale, are more expensive. Actual photos are more timeless, realistic, affordable. Probably because I'm scared of making a mistake, and need furnishings that are going to last a long time and be affordable to purchase.

A.
Outside of my close friends, I am influenced by people I admire in various aspects of life. I have author Martha Beck's blog on my favorites, and check it out  a couple times a week. I like her views about life, values and success. I also like that she is all over new research into fields like neuroscience, because I like to learn about new research. I also like author Christiane Northrup and Oprah Winfrey for ways of looking at the world. I take suggestions from members of my neighborhood Facebook group for things to do in and around our neighborhood and Denver. There are a lot of people like me with young families who are interested in fun local entertainment. For personal style, I look at magazines. I like actresses Sienna Miller, Mila Kunis, and Vogue editor Anna Wintour's personal style. All of these people/sources seem to have modern, evolved style whether it's in fashion or personal beliefs. They seem to share that they are not too stuffy, down to earth (well, except Anna Wintour), and practical but at the same time stylish and interesting-looking.

B.
Aside from people, I love to look at magazines such as House Beautiful and InStyle, Sunset magazine and catalogs like Anthropologie and J. Crew. I love websites like Anthropologie, Land's End Canvas, Urban Outfitters, Etsy and J. Crew. What I really like is when they do something more in-depth than just the clothes. For instance J. Crew, Anthropologie and Land's End have videos that are interesting because they show people in whole outfits, in beautiful settings, which gives me inspiration for looks in both clothes and home. The Sartorialist is another great website that shows stylish people on the street. I like this because it doesn't look too pulled together in the way a lot of editorial fashion spreads do. I read the Oprah magazine every month, and love the advise and insight on how to live, although I'm not crazy about the aesthetic usually shown there. I like a more natural, youthful look with more muted colors. I'm also always on Bluefly and ModCloth websites, but I go there just to look at clothes; they don't have context. I like all of these because they give me inspiration about how I would like to live my life. One example-a Land's End canvas video showed people bringing a couch onto a frozen lake to fish in comfort. I don't fish and certainly don't want to take up ice fishing, but it made me think about ways of bringing simple luxury to rustic settings. Finally, I am inspired by nature. There is a fountain at the Denver Botanic Gardens that I love to sit next to, and a tree in a park by my house that I love to sit under.

Pictures: here and here


C.
On the web I am more of an influencer, mostly because I administer our neighborhood FB group and am on the board of the neighborhood. As a result I know about lots of stuff happening in the neighborhood, and pass it on through our FB group. I think it just says that I have access to a lot of information, and I readily share it. I influence our neighbors by providing information and sometimes opinions. For example. There have been some discussions on the group about crime, and people have commented that it seems like there is more crime lately. I responded that it may not be more crime, but we may be aware of it now unlike in the past. I try and keep things realistic with a positive spin.

D. Websites: Martha Beck. I go there a few times a week. She always has uplifting and humorous info. Bluefly, HauteLook and ModCloth because I love clothes. Surfing clothing websites is my version of porn. Also, Anthropologie, J. Crew and Land's End Canvas. I go to any of these websites several times a week, usually at night, when I want some mindless eye candy.  TV shows: I love Mad Men because the style is crazy good. Also Up All Night because it's funny and light, and I like the actors. I also like What Not to Wear because I love seeing the clothes, and it's cool to see the personal transformations people go through when they participate in something like that. Publications I get are Ode Magazine and O, the Oprah magazine. I like both of them because they are inspirational and give me examples of people and ideas I can relate to in staying positive and working to create the life I want to live.

E.
I watch Oprah Winfrey because I admire her and like the people she interviews. I also agree with her philosophies on life and feel uplifted and hopeful when she talks about life lessons. I like the news commentators Shields and Brooks because they are both level-headed and offer sound, well-researched commentary on politics. I like Genevieve from that interior design show because I like her personal style and her interior design style.

F.
I am influenced by brands like Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, InStyle, Genevieve (don't know her last name) on tv. These are create interesting, unique aesthetics that aren't too buttoned up. Also they each use a lot of nature in their designs, which I like. 

Photos

A. I am 42 and live in Denver, CO with my husband and 6-year old daughter, Lucy. And, our pet guinea pig- Oreo. I work in marketing for an Economic Development Corporation, although my job just ended this week due to funding problems, and tomorrow is my last day there. I do freelance writing and am looking for more of those projects now. I'm trying to keep a positive attitude. I was laid off a year ago and it took almost 8 months to find the job I have now. Oy.

We have lived in the same house for 10 years, in an old neighborhood called Whittier. It is diverse and cool, and a lot of fun. I am on our neighborhood association board, and am the communications chair for the neighborhood. It is fun and keeps me busy.

I am lucky to have a number of girlfriends and family friends here in Denver. We are usually busy seeing friends or going places on the weekend. My husband loves to fish and play guitar. He has problems with his back so he also spends a lot of time in physical therapy.  I also love yoga, and go about 1-2 times a week. I am trying to train to be in a 5K but haven't committed to it enough. It's in 10 days and now I need to dig in or forget about it. I've never been a runner so it kind of intimidates me. Last week I went for a run and pulled a calf muscle so have been sitting out.

Today my daughter is sick, so I'm home with her. It's quiet and kind of nice.

B. I do love yoga, and can really say it changed my life. Before I took up yoga (and meditation) I was a much angrier person, unfortunately.

C. With yoga and meditation, I am always curious to learn more about it -- the benefits, the reasons it works, the new studies about it. I read about it in magazines, blogs, books etc. One magazine I like a lot is called Ode- it's tag line is: Information for the Intelligent Optimist. I like to consider myself an intelligent optimist. I'm very pragmatic (MBA, sales career), but always looking for reasons to support my belief that people are good and the world is capable of overcoming obstacles. I also connect with a lot of yoga teachers who seem to share similar beliefs. I get a lot out of small things they say in class about the body, the universe etc.

D. Two things I'm really good at- connecting with people and understanding complex situations. I didn't realize I have an unusual ability to connect with people until about 10 years ago. I was working in sales, taking a large potential client on a private plane to visit our company's factory. I was with about 6 other people from my company, and everyone was jocky-ing to build a relationship with the client. At the end of the trip I had a sincere connection with the client that I knew other people hadn't made, and it wasn't because of anything special, just that we had better conversations. This can be good in personal and business life. It can also be bad- I've also been at a work happy hour and found myself in the bathroom while my client did blow in front of me, because we were so "connected". Ah well.

In complex situations I am usually able to understand what is at play and what is driving the players. It's hard to explain but particularly in situations with people, I can generally know very quickly who is motivated by what and how a process works. This has helped in my ability to get things done in the most efficient and effective way. In my current job we are always trying to demonstrate our value to investors or potential investors. I figured out that if an investor was able to get just one piece of business that they wouldn't have gotten without our organization, the annual membership price would be paid for or easier to justify. We are now making sure we provide lots of networking opportunities for our investors, to increase the chances of that happening.

E.
1. Yoga outside in the summer
2. Dinner parties with friends
3. Go for a walk or run (sometimes)
4. Listen to live music
5. Have a snow day with my family
6. Have a date night with my husband
7. Go to the movies
8. Go to my favorite book store (Tattered Cover-yay!)
9. Eat and drink outside with friends
10. Get a massage

F. I am a fixture at neighborhood meetings and events. I'm not a big fan of the meetings, but am required to attend since on the board. I do love the social events though- ice cream socials, band nights at the coffee shop, jazz in the park, school fundraisers, barbeques etc. I love to be a community activist and socialize with neighbors.

G. Oh wow so fun!
I would live somewhere near an ocean. Probably on the west coast. I would wake up -no actually- I would be half asleep-- and hear the ocean from my second floor open bedroom windows. My husband would be there and we would snuggle a while listening to the waves, feeling a cool breeze from the windows. He would get up and take our daughter to school. I would get up and do a few yoga poses and have a nice breakfast and coffee before getting ready for work. I get ready in our fabulous, natural light-filled house while listening to good music. I have something that I love to wear to work.

I work 25 hours a week for an organization directing communications and marketing. I believe in what we do and love the people I work with. We change the world for the better and make a shit-load of money doing it.

I leave at 4 and meet my family at home. I go for a run, then we have a great dinner delivered- something healthy and delicious. We eat in the back yard. At night we play a game together then my daughter goes to bed. My husband and I have a nice drink on the balcony, watching the sun go down. We slow dance to some fab music from our kick-ass stereo system, then we go to bed early, listening to the ocean.