Spring Cleaning!

This week I’m going to be focused on Spring Cleaning my office (even if the weather isn’t playing along)! Each day I’ll tackle one new project and tell you about it! Today I decided to take all my hanging files and alphabetize them. Something I should have done ages ago! I also plan on cleaning up some of the “extra” things that are hanging around on or in my desk. Like my collection of pens from everywhere! I put them in a large (jumbo) sized Ziploc bag and I’m selling them at my flea market booth. Did you know I had a booth? The Flea Market is simply called that Flea Market and its on Army post Road across from the Fort Des Moines on the North side of the street. It’s really a great place and has many great “sleepers” for the collector! Just in case you didn’t know a “sleeper” is the term that antique collectors use when they find a little treasure that’s being treated more like trash. So I hope you can join me in my Spring Cleaning Week, and make comments about what you’re doing each day! Here’s a photo of me at the Flea Market that appeared in Juice not too long ago (I ended up purchasing the fabulous couch I’m sitting on!):

A smashing success!

Smash, a retail clothing and design business in the East Village of Des Moines, had their Grand Re-Opening yesterday evening. They expanded their space by removing the wall to their neighbor’s space. It’s really great to see them expand especially since the East Village has lost a couple of its clothing retailers in the last few years (Shaffer’s & Melrose). There were a few pieces of clothing I really wanted to buy, but I wasn’t in the mood to try anything on. I’ll go back during the week when it’s less busy. They are also displaying local artist Frank Hanson’s work. He has shown at Moberg Gallery and Star Bar also. I really like his work!

Here are a couple photos of the new space:

On a personal note…

Well, I was robbed… again. This is my second time being robbed since I’ve lived in my current home. This time it was really scary because the person came into my home while I was sleeping and entered my bedroom to steal my laptop! Insane! I have a great security system, but I did not have it on. I wont make that mistake again. There is a very important business lesson in this too. I was able to get back on-line with all my files in tact because I back up my hard drive. This is so important since so much business is conducted with the computer, and we never know if theft, a fire, a computer crashing, or some other horrible circumstance may take our precious files away! There are quite a few options when backing up files. I really like http://www.xdrive.com/ it’s a service provided by AOL that gives you a generous amount of storage. The best part? You can be anywhere in the world to access your files. I hope none of you experience the intense violation of someone coming into your home while you are there to rob you. Here is a link to a home security check list provided by Martha Stewart: http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=3906ce908332f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&autonomy_kw=security&rsc=image_7
Here are a couple photos of the damage that the robbers caused the first time I was robbed:

The Power of the Blog!

It is really amazing how powerful a blog can be! I’m really just finding this out! Since my post on Monday about my cousin who is trying to break into the editing field I’ve received four different emails with specific ideas for my cousin. The first was an email from Amy Jennings from YPC (www.ypcdsm.com) who reminded me that YPC would be a perfect group for my cousin to get connected! I also received an email from Bryant who works at the Laura Mercier counter at Von Maur and owns Artistry Source a make up freelance company (www.artistrysource.com). He mentioned to me that his sister would be a great resource for my cousin because she has many years of editing experience and is well connected in Des Moines. Maybe I can even interview her for my blog! Thank you to everyone who is already reading and keep the emails coming! Feel free to comment on the blog too!

DSM Men’s Book Unveiling Party

On Tuesday I went to DSM Magazine’s unveiling of their Men’s Book with my good friend Rachel Eubank. It was a delightful time and a very good networking event for me! I really enjoyed seeing old friends and meeting new ones, and getting the first peak at one of Des Moines’ premiere publications! The magazine looked wonderful, and has great information in it for men and for women! Definitely check it out!

Here’s a photo from the party of myself and Brooks Reynolds taken by fellow blogger Carla Marcellus (www.carlakay365.blogspot.com) :

What you see is what you can get – maybe even wholesale!

I’ve recently been asked to help plan Style Eyes a wonderful eyeware and fashion show that will be held at Sahars. It will be Iowa’s largest eyeware show! There will be ten vendors (all the best) showing off hundreds of styles of frames. I think for me it’ll be less a mater of finding a frame and more a mater of picking a frame from so many choices! We are currently looking for models for the event (5 male and 10 female) so if you are interested or know someone who would be let me know (outofbox@inbox.com)!

Here’s an invite to the event:

I hope you can make it!

What next?

During Easter with the family I talked to my cousin who graduated last year from college and is now trying to find a career as an editor. She lamented that it is extremely challenging for her to find a job as an editor when everyone is looking for 3-5 years of experience. I talked to her about getting that experience with non-profits. They typically can’t pay someone to edit so they rely upon their staff and volunteers. I let her know that she could pick a few groups to contact to see if they needed help with editing. Often time’s non-profits have press releases, new letters, and articles that needed editing. So her next question was, “where do I find these non profits?” I recommended to her to get on Juice’s website (a local weekly publication in Des Moines) to find these non-profits and groups. Here is a link to some of the local groups that you too may want to get involved in:
http://www.dmjuice.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=juice&template=proguide

Here’s what it looks like:

Simply click on the drop down and choose the group that looks most interesting to you, and from there you can check out their website or contact them.

Happy Hunting!

My first blog... Well, my second one.

This is technically my second blog. I did start one on Myspace, but I never kept it going. I really didn’t feel a great urge to blog about my life and I didn’t feel that Myspace would be the best spot for it. So I have turned to Blogger (http://www.blogger.com/). It took me less than 5 minutes to set up my blog and I was ready to write!

Here is what their homepage looks like:

I feel that this is really going to help my clients and potential clients achieve a better understanding of what I’m all about. One of my main goals in this is to create more profound relationships with clients and to help clients and readers learn more about event planning, catering, and running successful business.

Thank you for checking this out, and I do hope you keep reading!