Your Life. Organized.

I'm Goin' Back To Cali...

Oh, I'm so gangsta, aren't I? Yeah, not really. But I AM heading back to Cali next week with Beazer Homes, so come out and see me! I'll be making appearances at two California communities, sharing info about how to get organized and answering your organizing questions, and showcasing all the cool SmartDesign organization features we're building into our new homes. On Wednesday the 27th I'll be at the Rolling Hills community from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Rolling Hills
28807 Morningside Lane
Menifee, CA 92584
RSVP to 866-780-4016

Then I'll be jumping on Southwest Airlines and heading up to Sacramento on Friday May 29th, I'll be at a community calling Reflections from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Reflections
3108 Mowbray Way
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
RSVP to 866-780-4050

For both events, I'll be signing and giving away copies of my book, Organize Your Office In No Time, and of course there will be great food (as always!) I hope you California cats will come see me!

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Dallas Meat-A-Palooza!

So I arrived in Dallas a few hours ago, my Beazer contact picked me up at the DFW airport and we bravely fought rush hour traffic to get to our hotel. Within a half hour of arriving at the hotel, we were back out the door again and on our way to have dinner with two of the local Beazer peeps. As you know, I'm quite the Foodie, and I always like to dine at a local hotspot, and of course, Dallas is no exception. So what do you have to have when you're in Texas?BARBECUE of course!

We went to this awesomely casual place (think picnic tables and metal folding chairs) called Rudy's and had some of the BEST barbecue I've ever had. I couldn't decide what I wanted, so the nice man behind the counter suggested I try a little bit of a bunch o' stuff. I walked away with smoked turkey, sausage, pork, and brisket. Not to mention half a loaf of white bread and homemade creamed corn and a Frostie Vanilla Root Beer.  Mmmmm was that one yummy meal! I brought half of it back to my hotel room fridge. (not that I'll eat it at midnight, but I like keeping my options open...) 
Next time you're in the Dallas area, you gotta try Rudy's!

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Miss M Heads To The Big D!

Hey Dallas area peeps, I'm coming to the Big D next weekend to do two events for Beazer Homes! I hope you'll come see me Saturday May 16th from 1-3 pm at either Cobb Farm in Frisco, or Sunday May 17th from 1-3pm at The Preserve at Pecan Creek in Denton.

I'll be there in the communities, sharing home organizing tips, giving away ten free copies of my book Organize Your Office In No Time, and of course as always, there will be great eats! Woohoo!

Cobb Farm Driving Directions:
From Dallas, travel north on the Dallas North Tollway. Take the El Dorado exit and turn left. Continue west to Legacy Dr. and turn right. Cobb Farm is on the right.

Preserve at Pecan Creek Driving Directions: Take I-35 North to Post Oak Rd. Exit #461. Stay on access road and turn right at Shady Shores. Continue through 4-way stop. Shady Shores turns into Lakeview Blvd. Remain on Lakeview Blvd. and turn left on Smoketree Trail.

Hope to see you there!

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If Heaven Had a Restaurant

Wednesday night last week I flew to Los Angeles for the 2009 Los Angeles Organizing Awards. That evening, I went to NOBU to see my friend Alex Becker, who is the Executive Chef there. I sat by myself in the bar and met bartenders Aaron, Marcus and Lisa. At Aaron's suggestion, I began my evening with an unbelievably delish pink grapefruit martini. What a way to start a fabulous evening! The La Cienega location of NOBU, like many of the locations, was designed by cutting edge designer David Rockwell of The Rockwell Group. Clean lines punctuated by interesting and organic textures and accessories, blended with dark sultry colors combine to make this NOBU the perfect place to gather with friends for drinks or enjoy a world-class culinary experience in one of the four dining rooms.

I arrived at NOBU at around 7:30 pm and long story short, by the time I left at 11:00, I had enjoyed a second martini (cucumber this time) and Alex had hooked me up with more food than any one human should consume in a sitting. Start to finish, I had NINE plates that started out as tiny portions but as I got more and more full, the portions seemed to get bigger. Here are the culinary delights young Alex sent out of the kitchen...

Greetings From Sunny Los Angeles!

On the road again... I just can't wait to be on the road again...

I LOVE TRAVELING! At this very moment, I'm sitting in a lovely apartment in Santa Monica on a gorgeous sunny 70-degree day enjoying seeing the tops of palm trees out the window as I write. I'm here because I flew to Los Angeles earlier this week for the 2009 Los Angeles Organizing Awards! The event happens this evening and besides throngs of faaabulous organizers in attendance, there will be a red carpet, Hal Sparks will be hosting, Christopher Knight (my very favorite Brady) will be attending, and I'll be presenting an award on behalf of Office Depot. I'll be wearing my New Little Black Dress for the first time (complete with self-stick boob holder-uppers) and some fabulous shiny black peep-toe sling-backs. (photos will be forthcoming, I'm sure). I'm confident that as in past years, NAPO Los Angeles will pull off a fantastic event and a great time will be had by all!

Dinner Quick & Simple

On the heels of my latest Vicky and Jen podcast episode of The Big O, we discussed a whole ton of ideas for organizing projects you can complete in just a few minutes. About halfway through the podcast we began discussing dinner, and the revelation we had is that a fresh healthy dinner can be quick and simple! Most times we succumb to the siren song of pizza delivery or dining out because the idea of cooking a meal seems like a hassle. In truth, you can make a fast, delicious and healthy dinner, first by making sure you have food in the house that isn't frozen. That means planning the night before what you want to cook. Just pull... 

Myrtle Beach Taste of the Town Event

Each year Myrtle Beach is the home to the Taste of the Town restaurant festival to raise funds for St. Andrew Catholic School. This year is the 25th anniversary of the festival, so it will be extra big and extra fun! Restaurants of all kinds will participate, there will be music, entertainment, clowns, chefs doing cooking demonstrations, and this year there's a special out-of-towner judging "Best Booth Design".

(Hint: That judge would be ME!)

I'm so excited to go! Partly because I've never been to Myrtle Beach and partly because well, you know me when it comes to FOOD! A restaurant festival for me is like the pool for Michael Phelps. With twenty years in the hospitality industry and a shall we say, "highly practiced" palate, I'm totally at home in that environment.

So if you live in or near the Myrtle Beach area, mark your calendar and do not miss this event! Come on down to the Myrtle Beach Convention Center and see me next Tuesday, October 14th from 4 to 10pm at the 25th Annual Taste of the Town!

Hope to see you there!

Clutter Diet In The Houuuuuuse!

Riddle me this, Batman... what's the only thing better than two Foodies trying out a new restaurant? The answer? THREE Foodies! My pal Lorie Marrero from The Clutter Diet was in my 'hood last week and happily, the timing worked perfectly for us to have dinner together. As a bonus, Christmas Boy came along. 

We made reservations at a little place called Home, which is the current digs of Top Chef Season Four Runner-Up Richard Blais. Formerly Seeger's, then Posh, Home is a decidedly quaint but not "cute" or cramped establishment boasting intimate, cozy spaces that invite you to stay all night. (Not so great for turning tables, but the guests love it). The cuisine is what I might call Modern Southern, and mmmm boy is is delish. Classic Southern fare with Richard's own little spin fills the menu and makes it hard to choose. How do you decide between Fried Chicken Confit and Slow Roasted Beef Brisket? (just to name two of the might yummy entrees offered).

When you walk in, the first thing you notice is the the tiny bar to the right. The space is small and the bar itself is a smooth curve of white marble with comfortable seats, chatty tenders, and a flat screen playing a steady stream of Food Network television. (a welcome change from sports and news) The lounge surrounding the bar can only be described as, well... homey. No pun intended. Modern sofas, soft chairs and coffee tables fill the wall niches and make you feel as if you've just stopped at friend's house for cocktails...

Are You Cleared For Takeoff?

In this post 9-11 world, if you travel frequently for business as I do, you've no doubt experienced increasingly stringent security practices at airports across the United States. For a few years now, you've been packing your maximum 3-ounce gels and liquids in a quart-size Ziploc bag, removing your shoes, extracting your laptop from its case, taking off your outer jacket, stepping into the explosive residue checking "puffer" machine... and if you're really lucky, you may have even been pulled aside for a little TSA-sponsored lovin' through a getting-to-know-you individual bag search and body wanding. Those are extra fun!

Couple these added security measures with a high-volume airport and throngs of inexperienced travelers, and business travel can wear down even the most seasoned frequent flier. Fortunately, for you sky warriors, now there's an easy way around the painfully long security lines and the slow process of getting to your gate...

Brambleton Virginia Gets SMARTDesign

If you live in the DC area, stop by and say hello at The Residences of Brambleton next Tuesday afternoon,. August 12th. I'll be there in one of the model homes, doing an appearance from 11:00 to 1:00.  We'll be showcasing the Beazer Homes SMARTDesign features that I've helped design and promote. There will be lunch and maybe if you're lucky, we'll give away some books and a few nice door prizes. Click here for directions to the community. Hope to see you there!