#Lifestylist List

[shituationist]

So what does non-market and non-decentralized anarchism look like? I agree with all your critiques but I also don’t know what space is left if we’re also going to be anti-Leninist, which to my mind is non-negotiable.

I think a "non-decentralized anarchism" has to critically interrogate and re-evaluate a dichotomy that has been at the heart of the anarchist movement since the schism in the first international, which is the dichotomy that's set up between decentralization and centralization. I don't know what all of left anarchism survives and still remains distinctly anarchist after such a re-evaluation, but what sticks out for me is: political abstentionism, and/or the development of non-statist "counter-power" instead of the conquest of bourgeois state organs; a critical, skeptical, attitude towards authority; an ethos which rejects "authoritarian" styles of leadership and management in favor of the at least relative autonomy or self-management of base groups; and finally that everyone subject to political power should have the effective and actual possibility of participating in that power themselves.

The list will be different for different anarchists, and of course there are very many anarchists for whom decentralization is the grand overarching principle. Bob Black is explicit about this approach in much of his work, saying that he is an anarchist because he is a decentralist. Ditto for Bookchin, who tempers his decentralism but still advocates a confederalism that devolves almost all political power to the level of the town hall. That bridges the "lifestylist" and "social anarchist" divide. (It also bridged the gap between the anarchist wing of the SDS and the Barry Goldwater campaign.)

An anarchism that is agnostic to centralization would have to take from eclectic and disparate sources. Anarchism, though, is already pretty adept at that.

[lifestylist]

Top 10 Life Lessons Learned in 2021

2021 was an exciting year. There were some highs and some real lows and lots of learning moments.

As a Lifestylist®, I spend a lot of time observing and hopefully learning, so I thought I would put some of these experiences into words and share them with you. Here's to an even better 2022!

Just Breathe This was important in two ways. First, many of you don't know this, but I had a severe case of COVID in the early days that I still am having issues with. For over two months, I knew something was really wrong, but I didn't know what because, at that point, they didn't know what the actual symptoms were. I am so lucky that no one around me got it and that I was finally diagnosed thanks to a great doctor and ultimately slowing down. Second, I honestly started looking at things differently. I now appreciate more of the smaller moments instead of focusing on, the larger ones that, after everything, might not have even been worth it. I can honestly say that having COVID and living through it has been life-changing, and I appreciate more than ever every day that I am blessed with.

Turn The Television Off This is a new one for me. I am always afraid of missing something. In the last few years, I have almost always had the television on in the background and on SIRIUS in my car. My sister and her family were kind enough to invite me to their home in Arizona for Thanksgiving. For five days, I never turned on the television and didn't miss it at all. And it felt so good to not be worrying about things that I can't control. My nephew re-introduced me to Pandora and the Hipster Cocktail Party Radio - who knew I was a Hipster? It has really helped me get a lot more done, and I enjoy writing again. Get ready to hear a lot more from this Lifestylist in 2022!

Live in the Moment It's incredible how many times I have had to stop and just take in extraordinary experiences all around me. You may not have seen me share as many of those as I would like to. Still, I finally realized that it is more important to enjoy and appreciate those special moments while they happen. Thinking about what would get me more followers on Instagram or TikTok was taking away from what was unfolding in front of me. This week I'm trying to organize the thousands of photos that I did take. It has been such a joy reliving those moments, and I can't wait to share them.

Don't Believe Everything You Read I should retitle this how I almost screwed up Thanksgiving. My sisters and their family are excellent cooks - we come from a long line of people who love to spend time in the kitchen. My younger sister and I are very much alike. We rarely plan and go with the flow, so when it was time (a few days before) to think about Thanksgiving dinner, neither of us had a plan. I wanted to introduce my family to sous vide cooking, which I have become a massive fan of thanks to Chef Nick and Signature Kitchen Suite. So I bought them a sous vide kit and went online to find some recipes for Thanksgiving classics. 

Even though they are at the top of the Google searches, almost every one of them was horrible and had a huge flaw. I don't even want to talk about the mashed potatoes - that will be another day. From now on, I will go to sources I trust, like Chef Nick and his recipes on the Signature Kitchen Suite website. I tried doing the sweet potatoes over this week with Chef Nicks recipe, and they were perfect! I'll be sharing some tried and true recipes on my website that I have cooked and tested so you won't be wasting time or food.

Seeing Stars When I started writing this post, I realized how many events that happened to me this year have been centered around the stars, open skies, and space. First, spending time with my grandkids again at the beach was exceptional, and we also spent a day at the Kennedy Space Center. We all learned a lot, and it made me appreciate the space race a lot more. Next, Beko Appliances took its newly formed Healthy Kitchen Council to Primland Resort in Virginia. They truly practice what they preach. Taking nature walks in the woods, eating produce grown right there, and talking about sustainability really opened my eyes to what is possible at any price point. Finally, finishing up this fantastic journey gazing at the planets and stars in the Primland Observatory reminded me how much we all have to learn. It is so essential to be guardians and protect the earth that has been entrusted to us. 

Spending time in Arizona again made me realize how much I miss those Arizona sunsets and star-filled skies. I found myself getting up every morning before the sun came up. Enjoying a serenade from the owl that lives in one of the Saguaro cactus and watching the mountains change color with the sun. I'm going to make sure that there are more of these sunsets to enjoy in 2022.

Precision Cooking There is always (hopefully) tomorrow, and there is always a new product and appliance to try. I am fortunate to be involved with several appliance companies. The International Builders Show and attending the Kitchen and Bath Show have me always seeing the latest and greatest innovations which can be a blessing or a curse. Trying to cook on a range I hate for over 10 years that doesn't heat evenly has had me dreading cooking a meal or my favorite recipe. My dishwasher has been used for storage only for about as long. That is going to change. The Signature Kitchen Suite wall oven with a speed oven and convection steam has won me over, and I can't wait to have it in my own kitchen. Beko proved themselves to me with the Turkish coffee maker that has finally solved all of my coffee-making dilemmas. Their new to market dishwashers are more than I have ever dreamed of. That kitchen makeover at the Home Idea Factory is about to come true. I can't wait to replace all of those obsolete appliances. I have been putting up with wasting food and time long enough. These new precision cooking marvels have me excited about cooking again.

Family Style Being blessed with a close, loving family is something that I have always treasured. Still, now I appreciate that more than ever. Having my parents in their 90s and still enjoying life is a true blessing, and they are incredible role models. There is nothing more important than family and spending more time with them.

It's Never Too Late My mother is the perfect example that it is never too late to try new things. Being honored to work on a kitchen design for Signature Kitchen Suite in Architectural Digest was a dream come true. I'm learning that I can do things that I never thought would be possible. Learning about accessible design and how we can all live a healthier lifestyle is a goal that will be rolling over into 2022. I can't wait to learn more about Beko Appliances and all of the ways that they help make this a reality.

Discovering The Roads Less Traveled 2021 has been the year of road trips. I have been concentrating on styling clients that I can drive to, so there have been hours and hours spent driving back roads and through small towns, and I have loved with. I almost didn't take on a client in Amarillo because it was so far. Now Amarillo and Alexandria, Louisiana are two of my favorite trips. I have made many exciting finds and met many incredible people; I can't wait to return. Slowing down and not always taking the direct route has been a blast and the perfect time to wind down and enjoy myself for a change.

You Be You: Being True To My Brand I realized this year that I have been trying to make The Lifestylist Brands about what I thought everyone else wanted it to be. Instead of leading, I was following and spending a crazy amount of time on things that would not provide a reasonable income. To be honest, I didn't enjoy it. Twenty years ago, I fired all of my employees and shut down my three offices because I finally realized I wasn't happy. I wasn't doing what I loved doing. I'm finally at the point where I'm okay with not being popular, Lifestylist not being a mega-million dollar brand. I can't spend every day doing social media or setting up events just so I can get photos to share. The family and friends I have are priceless, and I want to spend more time with them. Riding horses and showing a lopsided pot in my ceramics studio that I have to rebuild are things that make me happy. So 2022 will be a refocusing year, and I can't wait to get started! Happy New Year all!

[savvybeautyshopper]

Make Travelling With Little Ones Stress-Free

April 26, 2018 - Elizabeth

Image by Ultimate Lifestylist

There is a time in our parenting careers when we have to travel with our young children. This can be very stressful for some moms who feel that they need to have everything available for their kids – even on the road. How is this possible? You drive a Mazda 3 and there is no way a playpen, travel swing, bumbo chair, and 5 days of clothes, diapers and food is going to fit. Oh, not to mention your single bag (which you’ve drastically downsized since looking at your baby’s travel necessities). The reality is this. Babies need very little. They can survive without their favorite 5 binkies and 25 board books. Narrow your list and streamline to the absolute necessities – you’ll find sanity and peace of mind once again!

Plan Ahead

Packing for a small child in a short time frame can be very stressful. Trying to make sure you have everything makes you end up packing more out of fear of forgetting something. Save yourself the trouble and plan ahead. Make a list a week before hand. Start to think about what outfits you want to bring and make sure they are washed. A sleeping blanket can double as a car blankie. Start to think this way and you list won’t get too out of hand – hopefully!

Check It Twice

Go over your original list and start to streamline. Cross out anything that is unnecessary or that you can cut down on. Find ways to dual-purpose something like a blanket, burp cloth, or toy/book. It’s easy to feel you need everything available at your fingertips but women have survived centuries with way less than you want to bring on this trip. Get cutty.

Down Size

Diapers are obviously a must but there are plenty of things you can cut out. Try bringing one pair of socks rather than 2. Find some cheap travel bottles and place all your baby toiletries in them so that you don’t have to take the entire bottle contents:

CVS Health Baby Lotion – CVS.com

Up & Up Baby Powder Aloe Vera & Vitamin E - Target

Equate Sleep Time Bath, Lavender - Walmart

Get travel size wipes, roll up change pad, and anything else you can cut down. Go without the monitor, unless you absolutely need at the place you’ll be staying and try to bring only the food that the baby will be eating. Forget extra books – maybe 1 or 2 – and bring 1 cuddle animal for bed time. Many times a baby will sleep better with a familiar object OR something that smells like mama (like your shirt!).

Get Rest

Travelling with a little one can cause stress and unnecessary anxiety for the parents. Just relax, pack and plan ahead with detailed lists and you’ll be fine. Realize that many parents have been in your shoes before and the trip will be fine without all the extras. Babies only need the basics of life and their parents. As long as they have you – they have everything.

Happy Travels! For more mommy and baby tips visit The Savvy Beauty.

[shtfandgo]

New Post has been published on SHTFandGO Survival and Emergency Supplier

New Post has been published on http://www.shtfandgo.com/2017/03/14/how-to-get-your-chicken-to-lay-more-eggs/

How to Get Your Chicken to Lay More Eggs

Does it seem that your egg collection is decreased or that your hens aren’t laying as they once did? Or the yolks are pale and lackluster, lacking the nutrients they should provide? When the chickens are part of a plan for independent living or as a structured food supply, this can put a damper on things and thwart being able to rely on them as a nutritional resource. It can be a catastrophic event in a survival situation to have your chickens stop producing a crucial food source.

Eggs come from happy and healthy chickens, so a few tweaks here and there in your program can improve egg yields immensely. In an emergency situation it may be already too late to solve the problem, so here are the top tips and tried methods for getting your chickens to lay more eggs for a bountiful future.

Remember They Are Birds

The first thing to remember is that they are living creatures with their own hierarchy and social order, literally a “pecking order.” Although they have been domesticated ever since someone discovered how tasty they were, along with their ability to be good little producers of versatile daily nuggets high in protein, the most important thing to keep in mind is that chickens still retain their wild bird instincts.

These instincts include foraging, pretending to fly, the desire to roam and scratch for their food, and the mental need to hunt their food. If you do not have the luxury of a large area for roaming, you can still build a nice comfortable coop that suits their everyday needs while providing a good diet. Meeting these needs will be rewarded with the nice steady production of quality eggs.

Put the Egg First

Before we start adding things that go into the chicken, let’s talk about output, the egg. The egg is an amazing little structure. A porous shell offers external protection, this shell mainly consists of calcium carbonate with an invisible barrier made of protein. This protective protein barrier is called the cuticle and it acts as a shield to prevent contamination from bacteria. The nutrient dense yolk is suspended in a liquid composed of protein and water called the albumen that acts as a shock absorber and cushion.

A chicken egg provides 6-7 grams of protein and 6 grams of fat, fatty acids, essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals. To achieve the highest nutritional output in an egg, it’s important a laying hen is provided a well-balanced diet that is nutrient rich with a diverse diet and fresh, clean water daily.

Top Reasons Chickens Stop Laying Eggs

If you have already had your chickens stop producing, don’t worry it’s fixable with just a few simple modifications!

To understand how to get your chickens to lay more eggs, we need a quick overview of the main reasons chickens stop laying eggs.

Temperature

Having chickens on the ground where it’s drafty or damp, or if they are housed in a poorly sealed coop will affect your egg production as chickens do not fare well in anything but a warm, dry environment.

Light

Chickens lay eggs as a means to reproduce. In winter when a chick has the odds against him for survival, the chicken’s body goes into shut down mode by way of its endocrine system. The endocrine system is signaled to slow production when the daylight hours get shorter.

Molt

About once a year chickens molt and that process can last 3-6 weeks. Having several ages can help negate any lags in production.

Protein needs

When the temperature turns cooler the chickens need more protein to burn as calories. If this higher calorie need goes unmet, the chicken’s body produces fewer eggs to save on expenditure.

Stress

Being prey to most animals makes a chicken nervous about anything it can’t control. Loud noises, excessive noise in its surroundings, or the scent of strange animals can almost guarantee the chicken will stop production.

The Best Ways to Get Your Chicken to Lay More Eggs

We have covered the basics in chicken husbandry and what things can affect egg production. So now for the good news! A productive flock is as important to hobbyists as well as the off the grid lifestylists. Some people keep chickens as pets of course, but for those that are primarily raising a flock for the nutrition packed eggs production can be increased with some simple finessing and system tweaks.

Here are some of the best ways to get your chicken to lay more eggs, or how to get more bang for your “cluck”!

Basic Nutrition

No matter how happy or stress free your hen is, you must provide the basic requirements in her feed in order to have your hens lay. Good quality feed supplemented with oyster shells (or leftover egg shells) need to be available for her to peck at. Clean water is a must and should be readily available 24 hours a day.

How to Feed a Balanced Diet to a Laying Hen

Supplements

Oyster shell is the most common supplement for chickens, especially laying hens as the calcium provided by the shell is needed to make a healthy and strong egg. Many, as we do, use a portion of their leftover egg shells to add to the oyster shells. Without calcium supplements, the laying hen will pull it from her bones and it is similar to osteoporosis.

Kiss my grits

Good food and quality supplements are only half the battle, you need grit and oyster shell to supply the best possible foods for your chickens so you can get the best quality eggs. When chickens roamed free they consumed small pieces of stone and gravel as they foraged naturally, this also can happen when they free-range. Chickens in an enclosure need that grit to be supplied to them as it acts as their “teeth” by grinding food in their gizzard. Without this grit, food cannot be broken down or absorbed properly.

No junk food

Much like with humans, low nutritional value foods that are high in carbs are a no-no for your chicken. Breads, white pasta, potatoes, dairy and white rice are not good for your laying hen. Of course, the comfort foods we love are dangerous for your feathered friends. No salty, sweet, or fried foods and especially no alcohol!

This is a list of foods that can be toxic for your flock:

No spinach

No asparagus

No citrus

No onions

No raw beans that have been dried

No apple seeds

No eggplant

No avocado

Health conscious chicken treats

There are many things you CAN feed your chicken to promote more eggs and give them a healthy boost.

Oatmeal

Cottage cheese

Pumpkin

Melons

Sweet corn

Ginger

Broccoli

Kale

Spaghetti squash

Cucumbers

All grain pancakes

Mealworms

Hot tip: spicy. I had many people tell me that adding some red or green peppers boosted vitamin C and the chickens loved them.

Shed Light on the Subject

A hen needs 12-15 hours of light a day to provide the best production numbers in eggs. Installing a light can help keep the production even during winter, or on cool nights. Lights infused with red can prevent cannibalism and keep the coop soothed and calm.Most chickens lay their eggs by 10 am, so after egg collection it’s time for your hens to go out and get some fresh air and light.

Build a Proper Coop with These Tips

There is no one specific design that is best for a chicken coop. But there are a few basics to consider when making a coop.

Personal space

Allow 2-3 square feet of space per laying hen and it is easier to build out later on if your flock increases in size.

Flooring

Dirt is not a deterrent to predators as they can easily dig under the edges. Wood can rot and house parasites. Concrete is expensive and can crack over time. The most current materials used for chicken coop flooring are vinyl over plywood. Plywood also can be easily replaced as needed.

Roosts

Each hen should have at least 8 inches of roost space.  The most common way is to use a 2×4’ with the wider side facing upwards for the roosting bar. This protects those delicate feet in winter from biting cold and frostbite.

Make nest boxes a priority

A good way to make egg collecting easy is to use nesting boxes. A nesting box also protects the egg and helps keep it clean. One rule of thumb is to have one nesting box for every 3-4 birds, and install them about 2 feet off the floor. A layer of soft litter like wood shavings or hay can provide cushion for the egg while absorbing droppings.

Coop ventilation

Year round air ventilation is a must for a healthy coop. A good measure of thumb is 1/5th of your wall space should be vented. We used hardware cloth to cover the vents to keep off the little varmints and creepy crawlies. Be sure to use washers and screws to secure it down and check it regularly for any rips or holes.

Keep a Clean Coop

No matter what system you employ, the main thing is to provide a nice place to live, avoid overcrowding your chickens, and keep them in a clean and dry environment. A regular schedule of laying fresh litter in their houses and removing droppings will help the hens from tracking feces and dirt into nesting boxes and the eggs within. Hens flourish in hygienic conditions and it is advisable to have a quarantine period for any new stock before they are introduced into the flock.

Disinfection

There is a lot of controversy on this. Many swear by bleach, but I do not like it around my animals or eating stock. After some trial and error, I use vinegar to disinfect my chicken coop and lots of elbow grease. I like to disinfect at least every few months by cleaning out everything and then giving it a good hosing. A liberal spray down with vinegar is next and then time drying in the sunlight, which also helps kill bacteria. I soak any bowls or feeding dishes in it, then leave them to dry in the sun also.

If you have your chickens on a dirt floor, you may want to use hay over barn lime to keep things dry and hay is dust free, unlike straw. It does need to be changed every week, but it can be added to the compost.

For smaller flocks, use a tarp. You can lay it out and then cover it in hay. It is easy clean up, as when cleaning time rolls around just fold that sucker up and drag it to the compost pile. Disinfect with vinegar before adding more hay and rebedding.

Rodent Control 101

Rodents can be devastating to a coop and any community they move too. Unfortunately chicken coops are a magnet for mice and rats. The main timeframe is the harvest in fall. Its then that rats will try to invade as their main food supply source is depleted. Colonies of mice will spring up by buildings and they tend to stay inside.

The biggest indicator that you have a problem is droppings. A rat has 40 droppings daily versus a mouse’s 80! This contaminates feed and exposes you, your livestock and your flock to diseases which can include salmonellosis, toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidiosis, and brucellosis.

Rodents are also responsible for more than 25% of all farm fires classified as “unknown origin.” These nocturnal dwellers can easily be underestimated, and can wreak havoc on your flock. They are predators and will seek out chicks. Rat infestations can consume hundreds of chicks a day.

The best steps to take to eliminate a rodent infestation around your chickens can be summed up in these 5 methods.

Tidy the coop

Deter the vermin by taking away all places they could set up shelter. Brush, woodpiles, or scrap piles should be well away from your coop.

Lock the feed up tight

Metal trash cans or drums are the best at deterring the little disease carriers, make sure the lid locks tight.

Build a wall or barrier

A mouse can squeeze into openings the size of your little finger, so sheet metal is the best bet to line your coop. Make sure your doors are in good repair with no entry points.

Trapping the pests

Physically removing the rats and mice is the best remedy. Place traps around the perimeter. Colony traps that hold many mice at once may be a good option.

Rodenticides

A last resort of course, and rodents can become immune, so switching it up is needed. Keep it away from other livestock and only in extreme circumstances do I use this. But if it’s between my flock and the mice, I do what I have to.

Thoughts on Confinement Vs. Free Range

Confinement and free-range options for keeping your flock have their advantages and disadvantages. Birds that can free-range will have more room and more opportunity to fulfill their need to be “free” to forage and hunt. But risks are abundant with threats by disease and predators. Being able to identify and find eggs quickly, as well eliminate problems in a timely manner is a plus to being in an enclosed environment.

Access to the Outdoors can help provide variety in their diet as well as plenty of time to take sunbathing and dust bathing seriously. But to me it’s not worth the risk to have them outside and unprotected 24 hours a day so we use a chicken tractor in summer and poultry netting in spring.

What Is a Chicken Tractor?

A chicken tractor is an attachable mobile coop with a trailer hitch that can be moved around so the chickens can have fresh grass and foraging area. It helps spread their fertilizer around the fields as well as keep bugs down as they have fun “exploring” their new surroundings. A happy, healthy hen is your most productive hen.

Exercise

Hens with more belly fat are impeded when it comes to producing eggs, so basic exercise is a must for physiological and mental health. Letting them scratch for their food gives them an activity that boosts base metabolic rates and keeps them warm and limber in winter. Throwing the girls leftover veggie table scraps or fresh cut grass and weeds straight from the garden will keep them happy little ladies.

Cabbage heads (the ends) and older lettuce pieces are fun to peck and I use the compost provided as they turn their food into the dirt and manure for my melon and survival gardens. Other ways to boost compost value would be to add corn cobs, carrot greens, melon rinds, kale, corn silks, or any other veggie leavin’s you may have. My girls love the after dinner treats and are lined up at the chicken yard’s gate waiting for them every evening!

Give Them Things to Do

Nothing is as fun to watch or as sweet as observing hens taking a dirt bath. Chickens like being clean and dirt baths are a way to do this and they promote healthy feathers by whisking away oils, sweat and parasites. If you do not offer a dirt bath, most flock owners come to find their chickens in the flower garden or in the crops.

A few sources claim wood ash is good for a bath or diatomaceous earth, but I believe if I need a mask to be around it then it will get into my flock’s lungs also. I much prefer building my own dirt bath with a simple container that’s 24 x24” and at least a foot deep, or dig a hole and fill it. I use sand and dirt. This type of bath promotes sweet smelling ladies that are lice free, and it’s chemical free so you can’t beat that.

Stress Reduction

Stress is one of the top reasons why chickens stop egg production. A big stressor is also the cold on the body, as well as parasites irritating your chickens. Irritants such as pets, children, and loud music can affect production also. Chickens need a quiet, safe area to relax and claim as their own.

When bringing in new chickens, keep in mind that is a big stressor and production may stop for a few days to weeks as they adjust to their new surroundings. This is normal and soon they will pick back up where they left off when the transition is over.

Do you need a rooster to get your chicken to lay more eggs?

A rooster adds commotion and not much value to your flock unless you plan on raising hatchlings. For egg production, a rooster can make things worse. Plus half of your hatchlings will be roosters so be prepared to find new homes or cull the male chicks.

Culling for Optimum Production

Many people do not like the thought of culling their flock. For optimum production taking out the older laying hens and replacing them with young pullets not only keeps a chicken rotation going, but will release the need for the care of the older hens into retirement.

It is much more humane to find a loving home if you are attached. In situations where every resource has to not only produce, but be a functional part of a homesteaders life, it is better to butcher the older hens than let feed than can go to younger ones in their prime laying years be wasted on them. Soup stocks and frozen meat can last quite a while.

Final Thoughts

Life with chickens is a rewarding experience in any homesteader or food self-sufficient lifestylists program as there are so many ways chickens can help in a garden and around the homestead.

Integrating a chicken flock can benefit a homestead with a constant supply of nutritional eggs, quality compost, and meat when needed. Starting a flock is inexpensive and with just a few tips and tricks you can have those chickens laying more eggs and start to stockpile your bounty. In the old days, every yard had a few chickens pecking around as the eggs were a means of survival. Now it is becoming more and more popular to raise your chickens as the nutritional value and taste of fresh eggs are so much better than anything you can buy in a store.

www.prepperwebsite.com

[lifestylist]

Doing It Herself

I am so glad that June is finally behind us! We have as many new and existing customers as we can handle, but there is truly no furniture to be found to design with! Then on the way home from the models that we were able to install for Reliable Homes my car sounded funny. When I purchased my car I splurged and bought a Dodge lifetime, bumper to bumper warranty so I thought that I would finally use it. After the dealership refusing to honor it because Dodge said that it was all “normal wear and tear” I spent 10 days making phone calls and arguing with people - what a lesson in customer service!

I finally got through to the GM at the dealership where I bought my car from and he become my ally and made things happen. He said we sold you the car, we will make this right no matter what it takes. And he did. If you ever need to buy a car from a reputable dealer that stands behind what they sell, check out Huffines Dodge.

And while all of this was going on, another designer chose to take credit for work that I have done. I am fine with people using my ideas - inspiring people is what I love doing, but she went too far.

But I knew that while all of this was happening, better days would follow and they have. I have a milestone birthday coming up, and all of this has made me realize that it is time to make some changes. It has been a lot of fun to travel all over the world for work, but now I’m ready to spend more time at home and work on my own home. Don’t get me wrong - we already have exciting projects going on in Napa and other places, but I am going to be a lot more selective about where I work and who I work for. I have always had incredible clients, but now I’m going to set aside more time for me to spend time doing what I enjoy doing, especially with family and friends.

I’ve also realized that some of you that are new to the Lifestylist Brands might not be aware of the amazing clients and projects that we have been fortunate enough to work on. That changes now.

Over 20 years ago when I was moving back to Dallas from Tucson and NYC I purchased The Home Idea Factory. I call it that because I have always wanted to have a loft building but on land so I could garden, and something big enough that I would never have to add on to it. Mission accomplished! We are only a few miles from downtown Dallas and The Dallas Market and Design Centers, and my acreage has huge trees and lots of privacy. It was built in the 40’s as a printing factory - they published an aviation magazine called On The Beam. There’s lots more to tell, but you will have to come back to learn more.

With a property this old there is always something to work on, and a lot of it I have done myself. When I was looking at homes to buy, the Relator® did everything she could to talk me out of it. Even having a bathroom that was in the middle of the kitchen and a heat and air system that was installed in 1956 wouldn’t keep my from calling this my own home.

The Better Homes and Gardens One Room Challenge is an event that I really look forward to every year, and this year a lot of my fellow Designhounds really outdid themselves. Beautiful, creative solutions that make you rethink your own living spaces - I know that has me rethinking mine.

So today I started my own one room challenge. I have a room that was one of my favorites when I bought this home, and even though I have remodeled it a few times, it never felt right. So after a full demolition of the interior thanks to a pipe leak, I am going to do it for me.

Today I started cleaning up and out the room and courtyard that is part of it. I already had my contractor change out the door to one with divided lights in it, and today I got rid of the window treatments and random paint and stuff that needed to go. There are lots of challenges and opportunities with this space, but I’m ready for a good challenge, and to have a place that I can do exactly like I want to that is all mine. This has been a long time coming, and is going to be so much fun! I can’t wait to share this journey with you.

[lifestylist]

World Market Center Las Vegas Could Learn A Lot From ebay

The Las Vegas Market at World Market Center Las Vegas used to be a design and furniture resource that I would never miss. I think from the first show, I may have only missed one or two. Their customer service and the wonderful team always took such good care of us, but something has changed. When they were too busy “being at lunch” to find out what had happened to my photographer’s pass and wouldn’t let her in, I decided it was time to do my shopping someplace else.

We have so many great memories from the Las Vegas Market, and since Lisa Stewart of Lisa Stewart Photography has agreed to go as my photographer we have captured some very special moments. Her resume is incredible. She was an official photographer for the Super Bowl in Dallas and was even hired to be the photographer at a party with Prince. She also has been the photographer for the USA Film Festival for over 15 years and has photographed such greats as John Travolta, Sally Field, Anthony Hopkins the list goes on and on.

She is the photographer for the Manufactured Housing Institute and The Texas Manufactured Housing Association and has shot for Dallas Market Center, yet the Las Vegas Market didn’t think that she was worthy of getting a pass for their show. After we registered online, paid for airfare, hotel, and a car we waited and waited to pick up her pass and we were told that the person who had to take care of it was at lunch and wouldn’t be available for over an hour. When we tried to register her for this show that is happening now we were told that she had never been registered with them, wasn’t in the system and would have to mail in a ridiculous amount of credentials. All they would have had to do is Google Lisa Stewart Photography and they would have seen how well known she is, including magazine covers with her work featured on them. Even though we had made all of our reservations for the trip, after all of this she canceled so I canceled. What does this have to do with ebay? Everything.

With all of the COVID concerns, ebay took their annual ebay Open online this year. I am fairly new to ebay, but when everything started to shut down last year and it made it impossible to do my model homes and design business, I decided to sell online.

I tried almost every online shopping resource - ebay, Poshmark, Etsy, Mercari and more, but my best experiences have been with ebay and Mercari. When they both announced their online conferences I signed up immediately and learned so much at both of them. All of them have great social media groups of resellers that are so helpful and are always willing to share advice and resources, and before both conferences, I got great swag bags of thoughtful, branded gifts like coffee mugs, specialty teas, and collectible pins to get me excited about the event.

Even though they have millions of visitors a day, they made me feel special by making the effort to do exactly that, and it is appreciated. I have been thinking about writing about my Vegas market experience for a while, and just as I started writing this the doorbell rang and there was a package from ebay for me! It had in it a thank you note and QR code where I could access all of the sessions that happened, a t-shirt, hat, and pin - all branded and collectible from the event. They understand that their success depends on our loyalty and successes - a fact that the Las Vegas market seems to have forgotten. You can buy almost everything online these days from manufacturers from the safety of your own home, so making the investment to attend a show should be even more appreciated and not taken lightly by the event management. I always loved this show, but unless things change I won’t be going back.

Reselling and having our Lifestylist Look shops online and at Lula B’s has taught me a lot about making sure that your customers know how much you appreciate them. I write a personalized thank you note and include it with every item I sell - it’s amazing how much that means to people and how often it is mentioned in our reviews. Many have become friends, and have introduced me to their art and collections as well.

This Lifestylist® would love to hear about your experiences and if you think the level of customer service and appreciation has changed, especially since COVID. Fortunately for us the Dallas Market opens today as well, so we will be heading over there, photographer in tow to search out the latest trends in home and design so we can share them here!

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My last #arizona sunset for awhile - can’t wait to be back soon! #travel #travelblogger #lifestylist list (at Phoenix, Arizona)

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Cheers To Signature Kitchen Suite

I remember it well. In 2018 at KBIS which is the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, an appliance company that had been in the background for a few years decided to make a splash and arrived at the show with this stunning, two-story booth. They hosted the Champagne and Cupcakes event that is always a sought-after ticket, and while we were there, told us about a new range they had that was going to change the way consumers cook.

They had done their homework, and their advertising agency which has always created some of the best campaigns that I have ever experienced had renowned chef and author Mark Bittman there to explain why Signature Kitchen Suite was going to be different from the rest - they were True To Food®. They would appeal to Techincureans® who loved to cook, but also wanted smart technology to be part of the cooking experience. After doing extensive research, they were launching a Pro Range with Sous Vide - the first in the residential market. I had no idea what sous vide was and why I needed another gadget in my kitchen, so I was skeptical. Obviously, the SKS team was much wiser than I was.

In 2019 when I got an unexpected phone call and was asked to help LifeStyle the new Signature Kitchen Suite Experience and Design Center in Napa - a place that I had never been to but was at the top of my bucket list. Of course, I said yes, and it was an incredible experience to be behind the scenes and really learn about this company and what drove them to do what they did. They never waivered -they stayed True To Food and designing products that made it a joy to spend time in the kitchen was always their first priority. They created a series of short films featuring people who were artists in the kitchen that helped design their appliances including Dr Bruno Goussault who is considered the Father of Modern sous vide and Jean-Charles Boisset who is one of the most passionate, creative winemakers that I have ever met.

At the opening, I got to hear firsthand about why these top people in their fields not only chose to endorse these new innovations, but they even used them in their own homes.

But what really sold me was when the chef did a demo with a steak and I got to have a bite… or two… I may have even stayed behind to see if there were any leftovers!

Sous Vide cooking combines vacuum sealing and precision cooking to create perfect results every time. For the busy cook, if you don’t take your vacuum sealed pouch out of the water bath at the exact time it’s OK - you will still have the results you had hoped for. With meat it creates “edge to edge cooking” - when you order a steak at a restaurant you can tell if they used sous vide if it is the same color edge to edge. If it is raw in the center and brown at the edge they should have sous vide’d it!

So fast-forwarding to the last KBIS… Chef Nick had standing-room-only crowds at his sous vide demos, Champagne and Cupcakes at Signature Kitchen Suite was sold out immediately and the SKS Pro Range with sous vide was what everyone was talking about at Design and Construction Week. Other companies have tried to tap into the sous vide Tsunami (did you know they are featuring sous vide options at Costco now?) but no one has been able to stay as True To Food as Signature Kitchen Suite has.

I am hooked! My Candied bacon recipe has become a family favorite, I won five ribbons including two blue ribbons at the State Fair of Texas this year, and my sous vide tools have taken a permanent spot on my countertop. I’m saving up to replace the range that I have (and hate!) with a Signature Kitchen Suite Pro Range.

The other day I got a wonderful package that just seemed to bring everything full circle - Veronika Eagleson the founder of Modenus and Designhounds had invited me to be part of the launch of her Designhounds AT HOME launch and Signature Kitchen Suites was sponsoring the launch party! I received a beautiful box of goodies that included a recipe from Chef Nick to make Limoncello sous vide style and everything that I would need to make it. It was so easy, and of course this Lifestylist had to take it to the next level and I started playing with making margaritas, Aperol Spritzers and Gin and Tonics sous vide style -the possibilities are endless! Boozy Sous Vide Pops are next on the list!

The best part of this entire experience though has been how even though we aren’t able to travel and be at KBIS in person this year, I already feel like I my get more out of the virtual experience than I did being there in person. Being in touch with other Designhounds and hearing about their joy in discovering SKS and sous vide, not having to fight 100,000 plus people to be close enough to hear what someone has to share with you, and being up close and personal with brands and their newest developments I think may have advantages.

This Lifestylist is looking forward to virtually attending Design and Construction Week 2021 and sharing with you what we learn!

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Birthday bubbles- enjoying a #giada #sangria at @giadavegas #drinkDiva #lasvegas #restaurants #foodblogger #travel #lifestylist List (at Giada Vegas)

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The #fridas have started lining up to be counted for #fridafest at the @dallasmuseumart looks like a record! Seeing lots of @lulabsfashion looks! #lifestylistlook #oakcliff #Lifestylist List #guinessbookofworldrecords #dallasdweller (at Dallas Museum of Art)

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Another great #FathersDay choice- this pristine #movieprojector would be ideal to show family films on today. Only at #lulabsoc - look for the #flyingpig #vintageshop #buylocal #oakcliff #DallasDweller #lifestylist List (at Lula B's OC)

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The koi pond shuffle at #Bellagio #LasVegas #travel #Lifestylist List (at Bellagio Gardens)

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Some of our #roundtoptexas finds that we are sharing at our shop at #lulabsoc #DallasDweller #Lifestylist List #Vintage #CuratedCollections (at Lula B's OC)

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Last minute #Easter finds at #lulabsoc - this cutie has a handmade dress and bonnet. Look for the #flyingpig to find all of our #CuratedCollections #DallasDweller #Lifestylist List (at Lula B's OC)

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A very quick view of what @candysdirt saw at #ibsorlando and #kbis2017 so much to see and talk about! #Lifestylist #List (at Orange County Convention Center)

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Sunday daydreaming - what a beautiful #kitchen#Repost @kitchenandbathdesign In ❤️ with the natural textures in this design by Linda McDougald. Beautiful. #kitchen #kitchendesign #instahome #interior123 #interior4all #nature #wood #neutral #love #luxury #luxuryliving #luxuryhomes #orchids #island #grey #cottage #modern #decor #saturday #loveit #like #instastyle #Lifestylist List