Holiday Table Inspiration

Can you believe Christmas is in TWO DAYS? I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator at times, and this holiday season is no different. Gift wrapping will probably happen around 7pm Christmas eve, and I just now decided what I'm making as a contribution to Christmas dinner. Anyway, the table setting is also something I've been thinking about last minute - but maybe that's a good thing. Overdone table settings can be distracting, cluttered, and overwhelming. I'm thinking that since I'm doing this last minute, it will hopefully be simple and clean. 

Photo : Country Living, Ryan Benyi

Photo : Distinctly Montana, Mery Donald

Photo : House Beautiful

If you are in the need of a quick holiday centerpiece, and aren't afraid of breaking away from the traditional red, green, white, silver, gold color scheme, grab a basket of clementines and a simple vase/hurricane - DONE!

Photo : Earth First

Even though this time of year can be stressful, remember to keep your cool and remind yourself of what is really important. It's not how perfect your table looks, but who is gathered around it. Happy Holidays!

Fired to Hired, by Tory Johnson

First off, the Chester Night seemed to be a huge success! The gallery was full of people, and the windows looked great! Lori RE-introduced me to Carrie Gustafson and her husband. They are the sweetest people, and cutest couple! Anyway, I'm just psyched that I was able to be part of the big night :0) Lori had some professional photos taken, so those will be posted soon!

On to my weekly post... 

Now that I have a little extra time on my hands, I have been reading a lot. But given my (self diagnosed) ADHD, I am never able to stick to just one. I am between three books right now, and I really want to share them with you! Let's start with "Fired to Hired", and I'll share the other ones another time...

"Fired to Hired" 

Tory Johnson

WHO IS TORY?
Tory Johnson is the CEO of Women for Hire; a company which provides recruitment services for leading employers and professional women. She has helped thousands of women, from all over the country, launch and advance their careers. I first heard of Tory on Good Morning America recently. She was talking about the current state of our economy and how the unemployment rate had skyrocketed, while also promoting her newest book "Fired to Hired" -  I went on Amazon.com immediately and purchased the book for less than $10 (including shipping). 


WHO SHOULD READ THIS BOOK?

Everyone - whether you have a job or are jobless! I know this may sound like a "cheesy" self help book - but I PROMISE you it isn't! As many people have discovered recently (including myself), jobs come just as quickly as they go. You need to ALWAYS be prepared. Don't wait until you have lost your job to get your resume and portfolio together. Don't wait until you have been unemployed for a month before you start trying to get back in touch with classmates, teachers, old coworkers, industry acquaintences, etc. How does that saying go? "Don't put off until tomorrow, what you can do today..." Start now! 


SOME TIDBITS 
This book is packed with useful tools and motivational pep talks, so I can't possibly mention them all. Here are just a few that stood out to me so far...


"Get on Your Way" (after job loss)
1. Do not Panic
2. Set that alarm
3. Get off your butt
4. Keep a job journal (I just started one!)
5. Be prepared for rejection
6. Set mini goals
7. Reward yourself
pg. 19-25


Tory continuously reinforces her belief that attitude is everything. Positive thinking will take you lightyears further than negative thinking will. She refers to toxic & negative feelings as "blah" and the uplifting & positive ones as "ah".


Examples :
Blah - " No job, no money, no hope. "
Ah - " New life, new energy, new way to focus on what I really want to do. "
pg. 16


Blah - " What am I going to do now? "
Ah - " I'm going to take what I've learned and find the job I've always dreamed of! "
pg. 32


She is also really big on promoting yourself and your "brand". She encourages readers to have business cards at the ready in all situations, join online networking sites like Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Twitter. I have been on Facebook for about a year, and I just joined LinkedIn today (which has amazing networking possibilities!)... but I'm still on the fence about Twitter... what the heck is it?! 


BOTTOM LINE
...this is a great book to use as a tool to getting the most out of your current job, or finding the one that suits you best. Even if you think you are content where you are professionally, I still think this book is a great read. You never know what could happen tomorrow, so why not be prepared today?


WORK CITED
Johnson, Tory. Fired to Hired. New York: Berkley Books, 2009

Save The Date!

Okay everyone, let's SAVE THE DATE!...

Friday December 4th, 5-9pm

Lori Warner Gallery opening of the "12 Designs of Christmas"

AND

Chester CT's Annual "Chester Night"

Come enjoy the festivities of "Chester Night" ... great artwork, food, decorating and more will be going on. Make sure to stop by Lori Warner's Gallery to see the latest pieces from these artists & designers... (and of course our holiday window displays we've been working so hard on!)

Lori Warner

- printmaking & encaustic painting

Jacqueline Kangley

-handbagdesigner

Ann Lightfoot

-jewelry designer

Jen Thayer Karl

-ceramic sculpture

Carrie Gustafson

-glass artist

Mandy Carroll

-jewelry designer

Other participating vendors include (but not limited to)...

Dina Varano Gallery

Peekabooquet

The Colt House Gallery & Antiques

Connecticut River Artisans

Leif Nilsson Spring Street Studio & Gallery

Caryn B. Davis Photography

Chester Gallery

River Tavern

Jill Butler Art & Design

C&G Unparalleled Apparel

L&E Restaurant

EO Art Lab

Mystic Sisters Antiques

Ceramica

Hammered Edge Studio & Gallery

Hope to see you all there!