Apple’s new IOS 2 update for the iWatch included a cool new feature. The iWatch turns into a night clock when it’s turned on it’s side and connected to the charger.

Other things I love about my iWatch:

• I love that with a super quick glance I can check to see if an email or a text needs my attention.
• I  set reminders and appointments.
• I can answer a phone call.
• Keeps me exercising everyday; because I want my exercise circle to be 100%.
• All my appointments for the day display right on the face. (I made sure I only allow notifications that are important .)
• I love that I can change bands to go with whatever I’m wearing. So far I have four bands.

I’ve had my watch for several months and the longer I have it the more I love it. ~ We all know MinutesMatter!

Most of you know, if you read my blog posts that I subscribe to Marie Forleo’s emails. This week she shared a quick tip on how to combat stress with one simple little trick. When you’re plate is overloaded, and you feel like you’re going to explode, take a couple deep breaths and try Marie’s trick. The video is a little over five minutes long.

Check out her dress, all I can say is Wow! It was hard to listen to her words because my eyes kept focusing on that dress.

Join us Wednesday, September 9th at 1:00PM EDT for Studio Live! Our topic is “Let’s Get Social.” We’ll be discussing easy ways to share your talents, design concepts and favorite finds on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and, of course, your blog. We will also look at a couple of photography/camera apps.

New to Minutes Matter? Click below to register. . .

IMPORTANT: If you are already a Minutes Matter user, there is no need to register. You’ll be receiving a personal email with your invite next week.

Since I wasn’t born with the natural artistic ability to paint or even produce a good hand sketch, I depend on technology to do that for me. Within seconds, technology can transform a Studio image or any photo I’ve taken into a sketch or watercolor.

Today, I was reading the final issue of Drapery & Design Magazine and was reminded of a great app that can accomplish this task with a simple click. Sandra VanSickle wrote a great article on the Waterlogue app. The Waterlogue app is $2.99 and only available in the App Store for IOS devices. This app is so easy to use, all you have is open the app ~ snap a photo or choose an existing photo from your photo library and select your filter. I used the Luminous filter for the above watercolor.

This app can be used in creating thank-you cards for clients, a marketing tool for social media and printed artwork gifts for family, friends, and clients.

Below is the photo I used to create the watercolor image.

 

During our Studio Live! webinar this week, I alluded on how to increase efficiency by using dual monitors.

Yesterday, I was browsing a Sam’s Club flyer that came in the mail and was blown away at the price of this 21.5″ Dell monitor. I have never seen 21″ – 22″ monitors under $100. If you’re considering purchasing dual monitors, make a trip to your local Sam’s Club and pick up two of these Dell monitors. You’ll never go back to a single monitor in your office.

Our Studio Live! webinars are super informative and FREE to join. Best of all THIS YEAR all webinars are recorded and saved inside your CustomerHub account and can be viewed anytime at no charge.

This month, we’ll be covering a few best practices when working on your computer, and then we’ll open the floor to any questions you have regarding Studio. Join us this Wednesday, May 13th at 1:00 EST.

If you’re new to Studio, click on the link below to register. If you’re already receiving emails from us check your inbox; we sent out our invites today.

Studio’s Free 30-Day Trial

 

Design Success University’s 6th Annual Interior Design Fee & Salary Survey is going on right now – and we’d truly appreciate it if you’d take just a few moments to help Gail Doby and Erin Weir, DSU co-founders, help you, by completing it, before it closes February 28.

When you do, your answers become a gift: to yourself (keep reading), and to others – to Gail and Erin, and all designers who read it!

Help Them Help You <<< Complete The Survey And Receive Gifts!

When you go to the link above and complete the survey, you’ll receive Gail and Erin’s specially selected, hand-picked gifts!

• First, you’ll get 50% off our brand new Business Assessment, which helps you identify which of 7 common problems you’re facing in your business and then generates a customized report with Gail’s advice for moving forward.
• Second, you’ll receive a complimentary membership to Gail Doby Coaching & Consulting Perks Program, which gives you discounts on everything from travel to gifts!

Sounds pretty great, right?

It IS, and that’s why all of us – Gail, Erin and I –are so excited to share it with you.

Once Gail and Erin have compiled all the responses – and they hope to get more than 1000 this year – they create a comprehensive eBook detailing the most current salary and fee information in the industry. Not only that, but they also offer you advice and strategies for making the most of your business when it comes to profit.

As a reminder, Design Success University publishes the results of the survey eBook each year, and as a thank you for participating, you get a complimentary copy (it’s valued at $179).

Make The Most Of Your Biz <<< Complete The Survey And Receive Gifts!

I’ve read materials from Gail and Erin before, and they’re always packed with information you can use right away to increase your productivity, profits, and passion – so I highly recommend taking them up on this offer.

P.S. So that Gail and Erin can compile all the results as early into 2015 as possible, they’re closing the survey February 28 – and the 50% discount on the Biz Assessment goes away too! So if you plan to complete it, do so as soon as possible. 🙂

Share Your Input <<< Complete The Survey And Receive Gifts!

P.P.S. Feel free to send this info on to your friends and colleagues in the industry, but be sure to complete the survey, yourself, first.

Soft Design Lab is thrilled to announce their VIP Buyer’s Tour to High Point Spring Market in cooperation with High Point Market Authority. If you have never been to High Point Market or have not attended in the past five years, you are qualified to join our exclusive Buyers VIP Tour. Deb Barrett and Jackie Von Tobel are excited to share an extraordinary week of events with you which will include:

•  A pre-market, informational webinar to get you ready to go
•  Accommodations at Sheraton Four Seasons Greensboro, NC; double-occupancy (Super-convenient location on HPMKT bus routes)
•  Daily Breakfast at the hotel
•  Airport transfers to and from airport*
•  Daily transportation to/ from Market and between showrooms and manufacturers
•  Private welcome dinner and trend presentation at the exclusive, members only, String and Splinter Club courtesy of the High Point Visitors   Authority
•  Farewell Dinner at the Print Works
•  As-you-wish meet-ups for cocktails to review the day compare notes, share stories, etc.
•  Pre-travel web session with to preview locations, planning, travel details, our HP faves and more
•  Exclusive Design destinations and insider access to showrooms and ateliers across High Point
•  VIP welcome package and market survival kit
•  Daily educational event schedule
•  Countless social and networking opportunities, VIP party invitations, concerts and more
•  Exclusive guided factory tour
•  Private presentations and workshops- some that will be CEU accredited

Sales and use tax compliance is difficult to manage, especially if your process is manual.  Determining which items are taxable in which states and maintaining rate tables within QuickBooks is time-consuming and not 100% accurate.

Join us to learn:
• How to protect your business from audits.
• How to save time and money on tax administration.
• Why zip codes mean zip when it comes to sales tax.

Join our webcast and learn how to automate your sales tax policy in QuickBooks. Our presenter will be Brian Mackin, Avalara’s Regional Sales Manager, specializing in the small to mid-size business market. Brian joined Avalara in 2011 as an implementation consultant. This background provides Brian with a unique perspective on both what customers are looking for and how best to deliver sales tax compliance to the small business owner. In his free time, you can find him making intricate glass creations in his private studio.

Avalara is the leader in sales tax automation for businesses of any size. Our SaaS offering provides the most complete set of transaction tax compliance services available, including tax calculation, exemption certificate management, returns processing and 1099 filing and reporting. Avalara was founded in 2004 and has been recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in America. Visit www.avalara.com for more information.  Avalara Blog: http://www.avalara.com

Every afternoon Jerry makes his way to Eastern Accents at the front of the Suites of Market Square to get their famous Sangria and a small cup of peanut M&M’s. The Sangria is a secret recipe, and they make it fresh every day. The Sangria is definitely a hit at market.

I think everyone makes a point to visit Eastern Accents either to get a morning donut and orange juice or the afternoon Sangria and, of course, check out their latest additions. Their staff is very knowledgeable and super friendly.

As I toured the showroom yesterday, I noticed they had Holiday Pillows, and shipping these pillows within ten days. They were beautiful and extremely well made and best of all they are at great prices.