Dear Melissa,

Rightsizing means downsizing! Well, I have my first offer, not a contract yet, but not too shabby as I've only been officially on the market for 3 weeks. I am now getting SERIOUS about MOVING . So this is it the big sale. Don't Miss It!

Designer Moving and Warehouse Sale by Appointment and Weekends

Christmas at 50% this year. I did the Merry Mantel and Nuts over Nutcrackers on Sunday. Last evening I put the finishing touches on my stairwell. I'm only going to have time to get one tree up. That is a big departure from last years five! Enjoy the spirit here, next year I'll be condoed. . .

Celebrate the Season Beautifully and By Design!

MG

"A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him. "
~ Sidney Greenberg

Cell Phones and Their Chargers

This arrived in my inbox this week. At first I called the source of the email and images to determine it's authenticity; it is very real. Do not ever use your cell phone with the charger plugged in, particularly if you use an ear piece. The victim here was a young teen, the photos are courtesy of the family that is suing the cell phone manufacturer. This is real and recent, and incredibly scary and tragic.

Photos linked here

5 Tips to Save Big

Save time this holiday season: Make a list, and check it twice. Save the agony of repeated trips for missed items. Be sure to group items by resource and keep your sources close together whenever you can. Drive once.
Save time. Get Organized.

Save money this holiday season: Before you go out shopping, take a very good inventory of what you already have and don't need or want. I am betting that you have a load of goodies that would make great gifts, many never used at all! Consider giving from the wealth you already have before buying even more.
Save Money. Give What You Have. 

Save water this holiday season: While it has taken me years to consider a permanent tree, this year makes the most sense with the severe drought we in Georgia are enduring. Permanent trees (well only until they lose their sparkle and start shedding) require none of that so precious resource H2O.
Save Money. Fake It. 

Save energy this holiday season: Easy to do in the balmy 70's we are experiencing, but what about when it does get cold? Use your fireplace. I see so many that are never used and they are great cozy house heaters in many instances. Whether wood burning, or gas logs, you can generate real heat!
Save Energy. Fire It Up.

Save someone else this holiday season: Every trip I make to the grocery store I add on one of those boxes of assorted canned foods for a mere $7.50. If that isn't available there are coupons from $1 to $5 that you can add to help make the season brighter for someone less fortunate. Share your fortune.
Save them, Share Your Abundance.

Stop Comparing and Start Winning

This past week, I had this particular message reinforced unexpected. Many of us are very competitive individuals, and I don't mean just having to win a race, but win the promotion, win in business, and win in life. This is all good, except when we do this at our own expense. It is vital that we stop comparing ourselves to others and simply focus on our own personal best. There will always be those ahead of us and behind us, greater than us, and lesser than us; that isn't what matters.

For example, there are designers that specialize in multimillion dollar homes and others who prefer budget projects. It is unlikely that either would do well at the others specialty, but better that they focus on their unique niches. There are speakers that are best with small audiences, under fifty or a hundred and others that have a gift for the more the better. I learned long ago while teaching at Emory that I derive an energy from my audiences and need a minimum to really create a synergy and the larger the better, that is just what I know about me. What do you know about you? How can you use that priceless knowledge to succeed in your life without having to “beat” others?

The Hoyts

This brought me to tears. (And, if you knew me well, you'd know that is tough to do.) While I knew the story, it took on a new and even more human dimension when seen on YouTube. If ever you feel like quitting, if ever you consider giving up on anything, remember the incredible real life of the Hoyts.

A Glimpse of What's In The Stars

Christmas decorating is easy!! The obvious red and green will be lighting up your home and your life. Add to this the influence of Mars - the Red Planet - and you are set to go!! But, because Mars is retrograding (appearing as though it is moving backward against the backdrop of our sky) through the constellation of Cancer (the home and family), you will find yourself looking to your family and friends for nurturing connections. So, colors and color combinations that are nurturing and soothing may be more to your liking. The sky is very busy with many wonderful planetary connections this month, so you will find yourself feeling full of holiday cheer! Merry Christmas!!