For the next six Thursdays, starting this Thursday, August 4, i.e.* will be hosting a free SHOP CLASS series. The events will take place from 5:30 to 7:15p in the The Marvin Lang Building, 1623 W Broad St (next door to The Camel). From the invite:
“Organized and hosted by Peter Fraser, Ansel Olson and John Sarvay, each SHOP CLASS session is designed to be a two-hour, hands-on discovery zone... We’re creating the container, the invitation, the rough design. We’re inviting a dozen RVA creatives to provide the content, the passion and their unique perspective. We’re inviting you to shape, influence and imprint each evening with your own sensibilities.”
Anyone can attend. Just click here to register for one of the classes, subjects ranging from music to cooking to writing. I signed up for the August 18 event, It Don’t Mean a Thing, featuring composer Samson Trinh. If you’re interested, act fast! This Thursday’s event has already filled up.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Gungho Guide
I’d like to present to you Richmond’s new Gungho Guide — “the definitive guide to where you should be.” From their new site (which just launched on Friday):
“GunghoGuides.com is a place to celebrate the best things we love about Richmond. We picked the top hundred or so places that we feel contribute to the pride of living in this city. We wanted to create a site that presents these unique experiences and JUST these experiences as places you absolutely SHOULD patronize.”
You can find info on food, museums, galleries, entertainment, apparel, beauty, retail and of course, events! We love the idea of consolidating all of this information in a city guide that’s easy (and fun!) to search through. And oh hey — Minimalist is a featured blog. Thanks GG! You can find their free pamphlet/map in participating locations around town.
Side note — Anne Marie told me that a random guy on the street asked her if she wrote for Minimalist and then gave us a big compliment. Thanks guy on street, we like you too!
“GunghoGuides.com is a place to celebrate the best things we love about Richmond. We picked the top hundred or so places that we feel contribute to the pride of living in this city. We wanted to create a site that presents these unique experiences and JUST these experiences as places you absolutely SHOULD patronize.”
You can find info on food, museums, galleries, entertainment, apparel, beauty, retail and of course, events! We love the idea of consolidating all of this information in a city guide that’s easy (and fun!) to search through. And oh hey — Minimalist is a featured blog. Thanks GG! You can find their free pamphlet/map in participating locations around town.
Side note — Anne Marie told me that a random guy on the street asked her if she wrote for Minimalist and then gave us a big compliment. Thanks guy on street, we like you too!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Paperless April: Address Book
Don’t you hate it when someone moves and you have to cross off their old info in your address book? Or what about when you run out of space in the section allotted for last names starting with M or S? Issues like these are a thing of the past if you decide to go paperless with your address book. Some of you are probably already well schooled in digital contact lists. If so, skip down and read the awesome post about Goodwill. If not, read on.
I use Gmail so I’m going to talk about Google contacts. I’m not super familiar with other mail server contact set ups, and I honestly think Gmail is the best option for many reasons — but I’ll save that for another post. Here are my top five reasons to go digital with your contacts:
1. You can access your contact list from any computer with Internet (so awesome). Note: I do not like Outlook because there’s not really a clean and simple way to access your account from multiple locations. Correct me if I’m wrong.
2. You can search contacts. Can’t remember someone’s last name? Not to worry, just do a search with their first name or other info you’ve entered and their listing will pop right up!
3. You can organize your contacts into groups: “My Contacts”, “Family”, “Friends”, “Coworkers”, “Medical” and any other categories you find necessary. It makes it so much faster to find who you’re looking for.
4. You can sync your contacts straight to your smart phone. With Google, you can choose which contacts to sync simply by adding them to the selected sync group — I use “My Contacts”. When you update info in Gmail, it automatically updates on your phone and vice versa. If your smart phone gets lost, replaced, stolen or busted, your contacts are still safely stored online.
5. You can take action right from a contact listing. Let’s say you’re looking at Emily Smith’s info. With Google, you can click the link that says “map” right next to her address and Google maps will show you where it is (and you can print directions). You can also click her email and Gmail creates a new message. So efficient!
Whether you go digital via Gmail or other system, you’ll be saving paper and time in the long run. If you love another digital address book, please mention it in the comments section or send me an email at hello@minimaonline.com.
I use Gmail so I’m going to talk about Google contacts. I’m not super familiar with other mail server contact set ups, and I honestly think Gmail is the best option for many reasons — but I’ll save that for another post. Here are my top five reasons to go digital with your contacts:
1. You can access your contact list from any computer with Internet (so awesome). Note: I do not like Outlook because there’s not really a clean and simple way to access your account from multiple locations. Correct me if I’m wrong.
2. You can search contacts. Can’t remember someone’s last name? Not to worry, just do a search with their first name or other info you’ve entered and their listing will pop right up!
3. You can organize your contacts into groups: “My Contacts”, “Family”, “Friends”, “Coworkers”, “Medical” and any other categories you find necessary. It makes it so much faster to find who you’re looking for.
4. You can sync your contacts straight to your smart phone. With Google, you can choose which contacts to sync simply by adding them to the selected sync group — I use “My Contacts”. When you update info in Gmail, it automatically updates on your phone and vice versa. If your smart phone gets lost, replaced, stolen or busted, your contacts are still safely stored online.
5. You can take action right from a contact listing. Let’s say you’re looking at Emily Smith’s info. With Google, you can click the link that says “map” right next to her address and Google maps will show you where it is (and you can print directions). You can also click her email and Gmail creates a new message. So efficient!
Whether you go digital via Gmail or other system, you’ll be saving paper and time in the long run. If you love another digital address book, please mention it in the comments section or send me an email at hello@minimaonline.com.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Goodwill Really Is Good
Most people think of Goodwill as that place we take our old stuff when we don’t want it anymore. Last week, Ellen Thornhill, Goodwill of Central Virginia’s Communications Manager, gave a presentation entitled “Goodwill: I Had No Idea!” at NAPO Richmond’s chapter meeting. We toured Goodwill’s Midlothian facility this past Monday to see it all in action.
NAPO Richmond at Goodwill’s Midlothian facility
The presentation’s title was fitting — I really had no idea about all of the awesome things Goodwill is doing for our community and the environment. Read below for my top three “I had no idea” facts.
I had no idea fact #1 — Goodwill’s primary role and mission is as a workforce development organization, not a thrift store, that helps people with disadvantages and/or disabilities obtain employment. Their retail centers (stocked with your donations) serve as revenue to support these programs. What’s more, you can feel good about helping your local community by donating to Goodwill. While it’s a nationwide franchise, nearly 100% of the local revenue goes back into local programs — not into a national pot. Learn more about their workforce development services here.
I had no idea fact #2 — Goodwill can resell or recycle a lot more than you think. They package stained or torn clothing and resell it to textile salvage companies. Your old cell phones, computers and other electronics (even the broken ones!) can be refurbished by skilled staff and resold or responsibly recycled through Goodwill’s Reconnect partnership with Dell. Medical equipment is sold through their partnership with the Free Foundation. Instead of tossing it, donate it! You’ll be helping your local community and the environment. Click here for an official list of what you can and cannot donate at Goodwill.
I had no idea fact #3 — In addition to revenue from their retail sales, Goodwill raises money for their workforce development programs through their Business Enterprise services, which includes Goodwill Staffing Solutions and Goodwill Document Destruction (shredding). Businesses can request a quote from Goodwill Document Destruction through Goodwill’s website. Individuals can simply bring their documents to Goodwill’s main facility where for $30, you can get up to 180 lbs of paper shredded (for anything above 180 lbs, it’s only $0.18/lb). Last year, Goodwill recycled over a million pounds of paper through its Document Destruction business and plans to do even more this year.
Every paper grocery bag of donations averages about $27 of revenue for Goodwill. If you were on the fence about spring cleaning, hopefully this post has provided new motivation to let go and give back to the community. Find a Goodwill donation center near you here.
NAPO Richmond at Goodwill’s Midlothian facility
The presentation’s title was fitting — I really had no idea about all of the awesome things Goodwill is doing for our community and the environment. Read below for my top three “I had no idea” facts.
I had no idea fact #1 — Goodwill’s primary role and mission is as a workforce development organization, not a thrift store, that helps people with disadvantages and/or disabilities obtain employment. Their retail centers (stocked with your donations) serve as revenue to support these programs. What’s more, you can feel good about helping your local community by donating to Goodwill. While it’s a nationwide franchise, nearly 100% of the local revenue goes back into local programs — not into a national pot. Learn more about their workforce development services here.
I had no idea fact #2 — Goodwill can resell or recycle a lot more than you think. They package stained or torn clothing and resell it to textile salvage companies. Your old cell phones, computers and other electronics (even the broken ones!) can be refurbished by skilled staff and resold or responsibly recycled through Goodwill’s Reconnect partnership with Dell. Medical equipment is sold through their partnership with the Free Foundation. Instead of tossing it, donate it! You’ll be helping your local community and the environment. Click here for an official list of what you can and cannot donate at Goodwill.
I had no idea fact #3 — In addition to revenue from their retail sales, Goodwill raises money for their workforce development programs through their Business Enterprise services, which includes Goodwill Staffing Solutions and Goodwill Document Destruction (shredding). Businesses can request a quote from Goodwill Document Destruction through Goodwill’s website. Individuals can simply bring their documents to Goodwill’s main facility where for $30, you can get up to 180 lbs of paper shredded (for anything above 180 lbs, it’s only $0.18/lb). Last year, Goodwill recycled over a million pounds of paper through its Document Destruction business and plans to do even more this year.
Every paper grocery bag of donations averages about $27 of revenue for Goodwill. If you were on the fence about spring cleaning, hopefully this post has provided new motivation to let go and give back to the community. Find a Goodwill donation center near you here.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Paperless March: Files
Yep, it’s spring! With spring comes the dreaded-for-most tax deadline on April 15 (extended to April 18 this year for Federal). Tax time is a great opportunity to re-assess (or create, for some) your filing system. We’re digging through our paperwork anyway, so why not do some sort/purge/organize action while we’re at it?
One of the most popular paper organizing questions I get from my clients is, “Do I need to keep this?” For most people, the answer is no about 90% of the time. Ask yourself the following three questions to speed up the decision-making process:
1. Do I need this piece of paper for any legal reason? If not, you can likely toss it. Old bills — toss. Old checking account statements — toss. Tax return info older than three years (the time the IRS has to audit you) — yep, toss. Some of us have more complex legal and/or financial situations than others. Always refer to your CPA or lawyer for official keep/toss guides on paperwork if you’re not sure. Shredding before tossing paperwork with personal information is a smart idea to prevent identity theft.
2. Can this information be found elsewhere? Most of it can. The Internet, the library — the bank in the case of some financial statements. The more unnecessary printed information you can part with, the easier it will be to find what you’re looking for when you need it.
3. And finally — what’s the worst thing that could happen if I toss this piece of paper? Typically, nothing less than a feeling of euphoria for paring down the clutter.
Once you’ve sorted and purged the paperwork, it’s time to file it. The key to a good filing system is to keep it simple. Create a few basic categories — i.e. “automotive, family, home, insurance, medical, taxes, etc”. Within those broad categories, create subcategories (if you need to) — i.e. “automotive: repairs” and “automotive: loan”. The only rule for category creation is to be consistent. Label files in a way that makes sense for you. A professional organizer like myself can help you paper-purge and set up a good filing system.
So you’re one of those people who already has their paperwork totally organized and pared down? Great! Care to take things to the next level of green and easy? Consider scanning and storing your files online. Shred and recycle the originals, and your load just got a lot lighter! Plus, you can access your information securely from any computer with Internet access. I use Google Docs for mine, but there are many online file storage options available.
One of the most popular paper organizing questions I get from my clients is, “Do I need to keep this?” For most people, the answer is no about 90% of the time. Ask yourself the following three questions to speed up the decision-making process:
1. Do I need this piece of paper for any legal reason? If not, you can likely toss it. Old bills — toss. Old checking account statements — toss. Tax return info older than three years (the time the IRS has to audit you) — yep, toss. Some of us have more complex legal and/or financial situations than others. Always refer to your CPA or lawyer for official keep/toss guides on paperwork if you’re not sure. Shredding before tossing paperwork with personal information is a smart idea to prevent identity theft.
2. Can this information be found elsewhere? Most of it can. The Internet, the library — the bank in the case of some financial statements. The more unnecessary printed information you can part with, the easier it will be to find what you’re looking for when you need it.
3. And finally — what’s the worst thing that could happen if I toss this piece of paper? Typically, nothing less than a feeling of euphoria for paring down the clutter.
Once you’ve sorted and purged the paperwork, it’s time to file it. The key to a good filing system is to keep it simple. Create a few basic categories — i.e. “automotive, family, home, insurance, medical, taxes, etc”. Within those broad categories, create subcategories (if you need to) — i.e. “automotive: repairs” and “automotive: loan”. The only rule for category creation is to be consistent. Label files in a way that makes sense for you. A professional organizer like myself can help you paper-purge and set up a good filing system.
So you’re one of those people who already has their paperwork totally organized and pared down? Great! Care to take things to the next level of green and easy? Consider scanning and storing your files online. Shred and recycle the originals, and your load just got a lot lighter! Plus, you can access your information securely from any computer with Internet access. I use Google Docs for mine, but there are many online file storage options available.
Friday, February 25, 2011
The $200 Microhouse
An interesting article on repurposing materials to create small shelters. Read the full piece here.
“For ingenuity, thrift and charm, Mr. Diedricksen’s tiny structures are hard to beat. Made of scavenged materials, they cost on average less than $200 to build. They often have transparent roofing, which allows a fine view of the treetops, particularly in the smallest ones, where the most comfortable position is supine. They have loads of imaginative and decorative details: a porthole-like window salvaged from a front-loading washing machine, a flip-down metal counter taken from the same deceased washer. Mr. Diedricksen hates to throw anything away.”
As a designer, frugalista and environmentally concious person, I love what Diedricksen is doing. It’s kind of like “productive hoarding” — he collects “junk”, but reuses it in inventive ways rather than cluttering his home.
“For ingenuity, thrift and charm, Mr. Diedricksen’s tiny structures are hard to beat. Made of scavenged materials, they cost on average less than $200 to build. They often have transparent roofing, which allows a fine view of the treetops, particularly in the smallest ones, where the most comfortable position is supine. They have loads of imaginative and decorative details: a porthole-like window salvaged from a front-loading washing machine, a flip-down metal counter taken from the same deceased washer. Mr. Diedricksen hates to throw anything away.”
As a designer, frugalista and environmentally concious person, I love what Diedricksen is doing. It’s kind of like “productive hoarding” — he collects “junk”, but reuses it in inventive ways rather than cluttering his home.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Paperless February: Journaling
I’ve been keeping a journal since about the third grade. I absolutely love reading through them and reminiscing. It’s funny to see my life crisis evolving from “My brother is so mean because he wouldn’t let me play on the swings,” to “I have such a huge crush on Bobby,” to “What is my next career move?” Writing is cathartic for me and always has been. However, I currently have about ten or so journals and I am (hopefully) only about 1/3 of the way through my life. Finding a private spot to keep them all gets trickier with each new addition.
Since developing Minimalist, I’ve found that it’s much easier for me to type at the pace of my thoughts than to write by hand. I’m able to get a lot more out in a shorter period of time. I haven’t translated this to an online journal yet, but I plan to. It’s as simple as creating another blog and changing the settings so that I’m the only one who can see it. Journaling online has many benefits over writing by hand:
1. It doesn’t take up any physical space.
2. It’s easier to keep private (i.e. someone won't “accidentally” find your online diary).
3. All of your journaling can be kept in one location (online) versus broken up via multiple books.
4. You’ll never have to purchase another journal! While they aren’t very expensive in the first place, it’s a small added bonus.
5. You can upload photos to go with your entries, creating a scrapbook of sorts.
6. This is my favorite reason — you can “tag” (or catalog) people, places and events using a blog. For instance, if I wanted to read all of my entries relating to a specific friend, I could click on the tag for “Emily Smith” and see everything I ever wrote about Emily Smith.
Since developing Minimalist, I’ve found that it’s much easier for me to type at the pace of my thoughts than to write by hand. I’m able to get a lot more out in a shorter period of time. I haven’t translated this to an online journal yet, but I plan to. It’s as simple as creating another blog and changing the settings so that I’m the only one who can see it. Journaling online has many benefits over writing by hand:
1. It doesn’t take up any physical space.
2. It’s easier to keep private (i.e. someone won't “accidentally” find your online diary).
3. All of your journaling can be kept in one location (online) versus broken up via multiple books.
4. You’ll never have to purchase another journal! While they aren’t very expensive in the first place, it’s a small added bonus.
5. You can upload photos to go with your entries, creating a scrapbook of sorts.
6. This is my favorite reason — you can “tag” (or catalog) people, places and events using a blog. For instance, if I wanted to read all of my entries relating to a specific friend, I could click on the tag for “Emily Smith” and see everything I ever wrote about Emily Smith.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Paperless January: Mail
I’ve wanted to do a post on going paperless for some time now, but the amount of information I have to share is a bit overwhelming. So, enter Minimalist’s new “paperless” series for 2011. Each month I will share information on a different facet of paperless living. I’m thinking the posts will be seasonally relevant, too. In honor of the new year, January’s post is about mail. Let’s cut that paper off at the source!
Let me take a step back first and ask an obvious question. Why go paperless? There are two main reasons from my perspective. First, paper uses a lot of natural resources to be created. Reducing our dependence on paper also reduces our impact on the environment. Second, paper tends to become clutter for many people. Less paper = less clutter = less stress! I’m not suggesting we live in a completely paperless world. As a designer, I find hand sketching to be a crucial part of the design process, for instance.
Okay, now let’s get back to this mail business. My suggestions take a bit of upfront commitment, but once the systems are in place you will save far more time than you spent getting set up.
1. Eliminate junk mail. Click here for a detailed breakdown of how to reduce excess mailings.
2. Bank and pay bills online. Most banks have an online banking and bill pay option. It only takes minutes to set up and has many benefits. No more bank or credit card statements in the mail. In most cases, you can also receive your various bills through online bill pay instead of via mail. Email reminders can be set up so that you won’t miss a payment. Seeing all of your bills in one place and when they are all due makes it easier to budget and ensure that accounts don’t overdraft. Your local banker can address any security concerns you may have about online banking and bill pay. An added bonus — you’ll save money on stamps and envelopes since your bank mails the payments for you (or transfers the money electronically).
3. Organize your mail. A common issue I see in many of my organizing clients’ homes is that there is no consistent place to deal with the mail. Bills, magazines and other mailings end up scattered throughout the home. The key is to choose one place to gather the mail. Whether that be a letter-sized tray on a table by the front door or a tiered wall file in the home office, the key is consistency. Depending on your schedule, choose a time each day or each week to sort through the mail and make decisions. Remember, there are only three options when dealing with paper — shred/recycle, take action or file. If setting up a filing system seems overwhelming, a professional organizer like myself can help.
In the spirit of this post, check out these super stylish recycled security envelope coasters and magnets by Crab Apple Designs on Etsy!
Let me take a step back first and ask an obvious question. Why go paperless? There are two main reasons from my perspective. First, paper uses a lot of natural resources to be created. Reducing our dependence on paper also reduces our impact on the environment. Second, paper tends to become clutter for many people. Less paper = less clutter = less stress! I’m not suggesting we live in a completely paperless world. As a designer, I find hand sketching to be a crucial part of the design process, for instance.
Okay, now let’s get back to this mail business. My suggestions take a bit of upfront commitment, but once the systems are in place you will save far more time than you spent getting set up.
1. Eliminate junk mail. Click here for a detailed breakdown of how to reduce excess mailings.
2. Bank and pay bills online. Most banks have an online banking and bill pay option. It only takes minutes to set up and has many benefits. No more bank or credit card statements in the mail. In most cases, you can also receive your various bills through online bill pay instead of via mail. Email reminders can be set up so that you won’t miss a payment. Seeing all of your bills in one place and when they are all due makes it easier to budget and ensure that accounts don’t overdraft. Your local banker can address any security concerns you may have about online banking and bill pay. An added bonus — you’ll save money on stamps and envelopes since your bank mails the payments for you (or transfers the money electronically).
3. Organize your mail. A common issue I see in many of my organizing clients’ homes is that there is no consistent place to deal with the mail. Bills, magazines and other mailings end up scattered throughout the home. The key is to choose one place to gather the mail. Whether that be a letter-sized tray on a table by the front door or a tiered wall file in the home office, the key is consistency. Depending on your schedule, choose a time each day or each week to sort through the mail and make decisions. Remember, there are only three options when dealing with paper — shred/recycle, take action or file. If setting up a filing system seems overwhelming, a professional organizer like myself can help.
In the spirit of this post, check out these super stylish recycled security envelope coasters and magnets by Crab Apple Designs on Etsy!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Richmond Art
Emily Smith shared with me a wonderful piece of Richmond-made art recently. StudioSavvy, a local graphic design studio, created The Richmond Type Map. The design uses 533 layers of typography and 37 colors to create an incredibly unique and engaging map of Richmond. The art is environmentally friendly, too! These posters are printed on offset lithographic presses in Richmond, using 100 lb uncoated paper that is FSC certified and endorsed by the Rainforest Alliance. Pre-holiday sales helped raise money for Art 180. The 19” x 25” print is $40 and can be signed upon request.
I think I need one. I’m fairly picky about buying art and this piece is not only extremely well thought out and executed, but is also personal because it’s a map of my home! Click here to purchase.
I think I need one. I’m fairly picky about buying art and this piece is not only extremely well thought out and executed, but is also personal because it’s a map of my home! Click here to purchase.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Tiny-ness
While I don’t enjoy the aesthetic of the particular “tiny house” featured in this article, I do appreciate the concept.
“Tiny House Movement Thrives Amid Real Estate Bust”
Also, tiny apartment for the day below, via Emily Jones. I would love to live in a space that size! Just the thought of all the purging gets me excited. Too bad the studios in Richmond somehow seem to cost $800/mo and up. Send me an email if you know of anything cheaper.
“125 Square Feet! Kristen’s Minimalist Studio in Seattle”
“Tiny House Movement Thrives Amid Real Estate Bust”
Also, tiny apartment for the day below, via Emily Jones. I would love to live in a space that size! Just the thought of all the purging gets me excited. Too bad the studios in Richmond somehow seem to cost $800/mo and up. Send me an email if you know of anything cheaper.
“125 Square Feet! Kristen’s Minimalist Studio in Seattle”
Friday, November 5, 2010
LifeEdited Competition
I stumbled across an awesome design competition today — thanks to one of my best ladies, Brenda. It’s called LifeEdited [a tiny huge design contest] and runs from October 27, 2010 to January 10, 2011. The challenge is to “design a jewel box of an ultra-low-footprint apartment in 420 SF” in NYC for Treehugger founder Graham Hill. Some of the main goals include using one space for work/play/sleep/guests, digitizing everything possible, access versus ownership (Netflix, Zipcar, Airbnb, etc) and a general lifestyle of necessity (nothing extraneous). The grand prize is $10,000 cash along with a few other exciting treats like a Strida folding bike.
This is right up my alley. Man do I wish I had the time! Let me know if you’d like to collaborate — perhaps I could contribute to a team effort. My mind was racing with exciting ideas for minimal and space-saving design as I read the brief. I practice many of the habits described in the competition, such as a shoe-free home with a place at the door for storage. I call this “preventative maintenance”. No shoes equals cleaning the floors every other week versus every week! I’m also in the process of digitizing my old film photos and recently digitized and recycled all of my old planners. Less is more, lovely people.
This is right up my alley. Man do I wish I had the time! Let me know if you’d like to collaborate — perhaps I could contribute to a team effort. My mind was racing with exciting ideas for minimal and space-saving design as I read the brief. I practice many of the habits described in the competition, such as a shoe-free home with a place at the door for storage. I call this “preventative maintenance”. No shoes equals cleaning the floors every other week versus every week! I’m also in the process of digitizing my old film photos and recently digitized and recycled all of my old planners. Less is more, lovely people.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Sustainable Urban Planning in RVA
Earlier this week I had the pleasure of meeting with several board members of Richmond’s non-profit Partnership for Smarter Growth (PSG). Their mission is to “educate and engage the communities in the Richmond region to work together to improve quality of life by guiding where and how we grow.” Richmond is a wonderful place with a lot of potential to be even better — it’s great that we have a specific organization invested in such a cause. They are working to promote smart urban growth, community leadership and awareness, better public transportation, local food, and land conservation (to name a few).
PSG is hosting an exciting public event this month! On October 24, their third annual River City Saunter event will focus on an exploration of the future of Broad St and sustainable development in the Richmond region. It’s only $15 to attend and will take place at the Renaissance Conference Center on 107 W Broad St. Don’t think of the fee as a fee, but as a small contribution to an organization that is vital to Richmond’s urban growth and development. RSVP by October 14 via PSG’s website.
PSG is hosting an exciting public event this month! On October 24, their third annual River City Saunter event will focus on an exploration of the future of Broad St and sustainable development in the Richmond region. It’s only $15 to attend and will take place at the Renaissance Conference Center on 107 W Broad St. Don’t think of the fee as a fee, but as a small contribution to an organization that is vital to Richmond’s urban growth and development. RSVP by October 14 via PSG’s website.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Chop Suey Tuey
This past Friday, I helped one of my organizing clients go through her book collection. We sorted into three stacks:
1. Sell or donate
2. Keep
3. Unsure
Creating the “unsure” pile allowed the process to move fluidly, avoiding hang-ups on tough decisions (a little organizing trick called “shortcutting”). At the end of our sort, she had decided to sell/donate over half of her collection. As part of my service, I took the books over to Chop Suey in Carytown to see what we could sell. They bought about 3/4 of her collection for a grand total of $75! Definitely a nice chunk of change. The remainder of the books were donated to Diversity Thrift.
Chop Suey is a great place to buy or sell used books. The staff is super friendly and the multi-level store is merchandised in a very fun and colorful fashion. I spent about 20 minutes on Friday wandering the stacks and was amazed by the vast selection. Located in the heart of Carytown at 2913 W Cary St, Chop Suey should definitely be Richmond’s first stop for book purchasing. I also love anything involving resale — much better for the environment to buy used instead of new!
1. Sell or donate
2. Keep
3. Unsure
Creating the “unsure” pile allowed the process to move fluidly, avoiding hang-ups on tough decisions (a little organizing trick called “shortcutting”). At the end of our sort, she had decided to sell/donate over half of her collection. As part of my service, I took the books over to Chop Suey in Carytown to see what we could sell. They bought about 3/4 of her collection for a grand total of $75! Definitely a nice chunk of change. The remainder of the books were donated to Diversity Thrift.
Chop Suey is a great place to buy or sell used books. The staff is super friendly and the multi-level store is merchandised in a very fun and colorful fashion. I spent about 20 minutes on Friday wandering the stacks and was amazed by the vast selection. Located in the heart of Carytown at 2913 W Cary St, Chop Suey should definitely be Richmond’s first stop for book purchasing. I also love anything involving resale — much better for the environment to buy used instead of new!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Lunch Break Science
Come on down to the Science Museum of Virginia and get your learn on! It won’t cost you more than the gas money to get there (or not, if you bike).
Every Wednesday during lunch (from 12 to 1p), the Museum hosts a free lecture. Science Museum scientists and others share easy to understand information on a wide range of fascinating science topics with time for q&a at the end. Last week I learned all about salamanders, sturgeon and the world of mesocosms from Anne Wright of VCU’s Life Sciences Outreach Education. It was invigorating to learn something new just for the fun of it. The more we know, the more we can contribute.
Tomorrow’s lecture is titled “In-flight Refueling — The Quest to Extend the Range and Endurance of Aircraft” presented by Virginia Aviation Museum Director Mike Boehme. Super interesting! The Science Museum is located at 2500 W Broad St in the city. What a great way to get out of the office for a bit and learn something new. Pre-registration is not required and lunches are BYO. Hope to see you there!
Every Wednesday during lunch (from 12 to 1p), the Museum hosts a free lecture. Science Museum scientists and others share easy to understand information on a wide range of fascinating science topics with time for q&a at the end. Last week I learned all about salamanders, sturgeon and the world of mesocosms from Anne Wright of VCU’s Life Sciences Outreach Education. It was invigorating to learn something new just for the fun of it. The more we know, the more we can contribute.
Tomorrow’s lecture is titled “In-flight Refueling — The Quest to Extend the Range and Endurance of Aircraft” presented by Virginia Aviation Museum Director Mike Boehme. Super interesting! The Science Museum is located at 2500 W Broad St in the city. What a great way to get out of the office for a bit and learn something new. Pre-registration is not required and lunches are BYO. Hope to see you there!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Favorites
Lately I have been entertaining the idea of leaving Richmond, largely for career-related reasons. Actually, it’s a thought I’ve had off and on for the past four years since I’ve been here. The longer I live in this town/city, the more I dig my heels in and want to stay. I feel at home — Richmond’s an easy place to love.
In that vein, I asked everyone at Emily’s backyard Fan potluck tonight to name at least one of their favorite things about Richmond. We’ve all lived here for varying lengths of time, but have a common excitement and affinity for the place.
Clockwise from top — me, Noel, Evan, Christie, James, Chris, Chase and Veronica
Sir James Hill
Shared around a circle and documented via iPhone, here is our {list}.
James Hill
1. Scuffletown Park
2. Proximity to beach/mountain/lake within two hours
Emily Jones
3. Backyard Fan parties
4. Personalities at Shields Market
5. Shows at Balliceaux
6. Richmond’s Marathon Training Team
7. McSorley’s on tap at Bogart’s
Chris Holmes
8. China Panda
9. New York Deli’s multicade and photo booth
Chase Goitia
10. Houses with place names (“The Dallas”)
11. Eight places to get coffee in any given area
12. Restaurants with proper outdoor spaces
13. Quantity of trees in the city
Veronica Park
14. $2 movies at The Byrd Theatre
15. Free stuff in alleys
Kristen Ziegler (me)
16. Local art and music scene
Noel Ives-Rublee
17. James River (we all say, “Ohhhh yeah. Duh!”)
18. Retro-ness via Plaza Bowl, dodgeball leagues and rollergirl teams
Evan MacKenzie
19. Adult soccer scene via CVSA, SCOR and RISE
20. Beer culture at bars compared to other cities
21. Bicycling culture and local shops
Christie Thompson
22. Vegetarian/vegan friendly dining options
23. Awesome dance parties
24. And the obvious one — our friends! (Cheesy, but I had to.)
Photo credits to the always awesome Miss Emily Jones.
In that vein, I asked everyone at Emily’s backyard Fan potluck tonight to name at least one of their favorite things about Richmond. We’ve all lived here for varying lengths of time, but have a common excitement and affinity for the place.
Clockwise from top — me, Noel, Evan, Christie, James, Chris, Chase and Veronica
Sir James Hill
Shared around a circle and documented via iPhone, here is our {list}.
James Hill
1. Scuffletown Park
2. Proximity to beach/mountain/lake within two hours
Emily Jones
3. Backyard Fan parties
4. Personalities at Shields Market
5. Shows at Balliceaux
6. Richmond’s Marathon Training Team
7. McSorley’s on tap at Bogart’s
Chris Holmes
8. China Panda
9. New York Deli’s multicade and photo booth
Chase Goitia
10. Houses with place names (“The Dallas”)
11. Eight places to get coffee in any given area
12. Restaurants with proper outdoor spaces
13. Quantity of trees in the city
Veronica Park
14. $2 movies at The Byrd Theatre
15. Free stuff in alleys
Kristen Ziegler (me)
16. Local art and music scene
Noel Ives-Rublee
17. James River (we all say, “Ohhhh yeah. Duh!”)
18. Retro-ness via Plaza Bowl, dodgeball leagues and rollergirl teams
Evan MacKenzie
19. Adult soccer scene via CVSA, SCOR and RISE
20. Beer culture at bars compared to other cities
21. Bicycling culture and local shops
Christie Thompson
22. Vegetarian/vegan friendly dining options
23. Awesome dance parties
24. And the obvious one — our friends! (Cheesy, but I had to.)
Photo credits to the always awesome Miss Emily Jones.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Gallery5 After 5
This one’s extra exciting, so hold on to your seats! Gallery5 is celebrating their five year anniversary with a free lecture series and happy hour event every second Wednesday of the month. With an unusual mix of speakers, ranging from tarantula masters to statue artists, the goal of the series is to remove the fourth wall between experts and the community. We can all learn from each other and collaboration is what it’s all about! The lectures will be short and sweet (20 to 30 minutes max) with time allotted for q&a at the end.
Aside from being super informative, the events are structured for fun as well! Live music performances will sandwich each speaker’s presentation. The musical guests have been cleverly selected to match the tone of their accompanying subject matter. Additionally, drinks will be at wallet-friendly happy hour prices.
Tracy Wilson
The series starts this month! Don’t miss Tracy Wilson of Independent Label Collective next Wednesday, September 8, speaking on the subject “The State of the Music Industry Today and What It Means to You. AKA Don’t Quit Your Day Job. No Really.” Musical guests Sara Gossett of Cherry Bomb and Climbers featuring Adah will be performing at the event, which kicks off at 5p. All guest speakers and musicians are donating their time so come on down and help make it a successful community event!
Special shout and thanks to Prabir Mehta, President of the Board of Directors of Gallery5 and rockstar (Long Arms, Prabir/Goldrush) for collaborating with me on this post. He and John Bryan, President of Cultureworks, are the brains behind this special series. Awesome job, guys — can't wait! Follow the series on Facebook.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Terre Design Studio
Meet Terre Design Studio, Richmond’s newest design firm. Recently formed by two of the sharpest ladies in town — UVA architecture grads Jennifer Clark and Laura Pitcher — Terre focuses on sustainability with a personal touch (“terre” means “earth” in several languages, very clever). They believe in creating accessible architecture for real people via a collaborative design process with all parties involved. Both ladies are LEED certified and know what’s up when it comes to green design.
Terre is currently focusing on small-scale projects such as home renovations/additions and interiors. Click on their link above, or contact them at (804) 592-0761 or info@terredesignstudio.com. Great people to work with — I highly recommend!
Terre is currently focusing on small-scale projects such as home renovations/additions and interiors. Click on their link above, or contact them at (804) 592-0761 or info@terredesignstudio.com. Great people to work with — I highly recommend!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Clothing Consignment
It’s almost time to pack up summer clothing and pull out the fall cardigans, scarves, hats, boots... I do love autumn fashion. With each seasonal change, I like to assess my wardrobe and decide which pieces will make the cut for another year. Going through my threads also allows me to see any fashion “gaps” so that I can spend money wisely filling in my wardrobe. For example — rather than purchasing ten new ruffled blouses (which I am apt to do), maybe I instead invest in a pair of black skinny jeans or a nice waist belt to tie together some existing pieces.
In any case, whatever doesn’t make the cut can either be donated or, better yet, consigned. I save consignment for “gently used” clothing, shoes and accessories and tend to donate my more “heavily loved” pieces to Diversity Thrift. Here is my top three list of women’s clothing consignment shops in Richmond. Each shop has a different niche, so read below to find yours. FYI, fall clothing consignment typically begins in August and runs through October when they switch to winter.
1. Clementine
In the heart of Carytown, Clementine offers young, hip women’s clothing, shoes and handbags on consignment along with new hand-picked jewelry and accessories. The shop has a boutique feel to it, and the merchandising is extremely well done. I love the simple use of recycled materials and hand-written tags (adorable). There is no consignor sign-up fee, but they do ask that you make an appointment to bring any items by. Clementine accepts brands such as American Apparel, Anthropologie, Banana Republic, Elevenses, Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Nanette Lepore, Seven and Theory — just to name a few. For those of you who know my style, my items tend to do very well at Clementine. I average about $30 to $50 per season on +/- five items (usually on the lower end of the brand list). It’s nice to have a little extra cash to put towards new clothing, or my social budget.
2. The Butterfly
While I don’t consign with The Butterfly, my organizing colleagues can’t say enough good things about this shop. It’s their top choice for mid-level brands that they consign for their clients. While Clementine has a young and hip focus, The Butterfly stays fashion forward with a more conservative and “grown up” vibe. There is a one-time $15 consignor fee and they work by appointment only. The shop is located in Richmond’s near West End at 5726 Patterson Ave. Contact them at (804) 288-4700 to set up an appointment.
3. Baggio
Located at 9734 Gayton Rd ten minutes from Short Pump, Baggio is Richmond’s premiere designer label consignment shop. Norma Santamaria, Baggio’s owner and a friend of mine, just launched an awesome new website so be sure to click the link above and check it out. The lovely shop feels like a high end boutique that you might find in New York City. They accept brands such as Armani, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Carolina Herrera, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Oscar de la Renta and Prada. There is a $20 annual consignor fee — check the website for other specific consignment policies.
For kid’s clothing, I recommend Kid to Kid. Any items that don’t sell with Clementine usually go to Plato’s Closet. Both of these shops buy rather than consign, so you get immediate cash for any items they accept. No appointments needed. Unfortunately men’s consignment has not caught on in Richmond to my knowledge.
Consignment is super easy and rewarding in my experience — definitely give it a try if you haven’t already! Also, while you’re dropping off your stuff at these shops, be sure to look around. It’s hard for me to leave Clementine without a cute pair of earrings (at the least) and Baggio obviously has an amazing selection of designer threads and accessories. Consignment is not only great for your wallet (usually 1/3 to 1/2 of retail value) but buying used is good for the environment as well!
In any case, whatever doesn’t make the cut can either be donated or, better yet, consigned. I save consignment for “gently used” clothing, shoes and accessories and tend to donate my more “heavily loved” pieces to Diversity Thrift. Here is my top three list of women’s clothing consignment shops in Richmond. Each shop has a different niche, so read below to find yours. FYI, fall clothing consignment typically begins in August and runs through October when they switch to winter.
1. Clementine
In the heart of Carytown, Clementine offers young, hip women’s clothing, shoes and handbags on consignment along with new hand-picked jewelry and accessories. The shop has a boutique feel to it, and the merchandising is extremely well done. I love the simple use of recycled materials and hand-written tags (adorable). There is no consignor sign-up fee, but they do ask that you make an appointment to bring any items by. Clementine accepts brands such as American Apparel, Anthropologie, Banana Republic, Elevenses, Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Nanette Lepore, Seven and Theory — just to name a few. For those of you who know my style, my items tend to do very well at Clementine. I average about $30 to $50 per season on +/- five items (usually on the lower end of the brand list). It’s nice to have a little extra cash to put towards new clothing, or my social budget.
2. The Butterfly
While I don’t consign with The Butterfly, my organizing colleagues can’t say enough good things about this shop. It’s their top choice for mid-level brands that they consign for their clients. While Clementine has a young and hip focus, The Butterfly stays fashion forward with a more conservative and “grown up” vibe. There is a one-time $15 consignor fee and they work by appointment only. The shop is located in Richmond’s near West End at 5726 Patterson Ave. Contact them at (804) 288-4700 to set up an appointment.
3. Baggio
Located at 9734 Gayton Rd ten minutes from Short Pump, Baggio is Richmond’s premiere designer label consignment shop. Norma Santamaria, Baggio’s owner and a friend of mine, just launched an awesome new website so be sure to click the link above and check it out. The lovely shop feels like a high end boutique that you might find in New York City. They accept brands such as Armani, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Carolina Herrera, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Oscar de la Renta and Prada. There is a $20 annual consignor fee — check the website for other specific consignment policies.
For kid’s clothing, I recommend Kid to Kid. Any items that don’t sell with Clementine usually go to Plato’s Closet. Both of these shops buy rather than consign, so you get immediate cash for any items they accept. No appointments needed. Unfortunately men’s consignment has not caught on in Richmond to my knowledge.
Consignment is super easy and rewarding in my experience — definitely give it a try if you haven’t already! Also, while you’re dropping off your stuff at these shops, be sure to look around. It’s hard for me to leave Clementine without a cute pair of earrings (at the least) and Baggio obviously has an amazing selection of designer threads and accessories. Consignment is not only great for your wallet (usually 1/3 to 1/2 of retail value) but buying used is good for the environment as well!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Small Footprint = Ecofriendly
Check out this apartment in Hong Kong — 330 SF with 24 “rooms”. The best way to be friendly to the environment is to avoid using resources in the first place. One great example is small space living — less materials and energy are used to create and maintain than in a larger space.