Beautifully Organized: Teaching you how to live life more organized
Airport Security Made Easy
Airport security and dealing with the TSA is one of the biggest travel frustrations that many of us face. Grandmothers in wheelchairs targeted for additional screening, children and babies on no fly lists, passengers stripping down to make a point, and Congressmen claiming harassment and allege groping by TSA personnel have all be reported. Most of my experiences through airport security have been uneventful and the majority of the TSA workers that I have come in contact with over the years have been polite and professional. I get the sense that their least favorite part of their job are those obnoxious pat downs.
There are my travel tips for how to get organized and get through airport security quickly with a minimal amount of hassle.
Airport Security Made Easy
Let’s start with your travel outfit. Keep it simple and avoid tons of layers. Jeans, a simple top, and jacket with pockets are good travel basics. Don’t wear a lot of metal jewelry that might set off the metal detectors. Instead accessorize with a colorful scarf. Avoid wearing belts, since most likely you will be asked to take it off.
Wear shoes that are easy to remove. This is much easier in summer months. Shoes with straps and buckles should be avoided. They take too long to remove and too long to slip back on. I hate putting my bare feet on the gross airport floor (yuck), so I bring cotton socks to slip on.
Store your zip top bags with liquids in an outer luggage pocket for easy access. There is no way I can get all my cosmetics in one zip top bag, especially on longer trips. I often put my overflow in my husband’s zip top bag. He normally takes two liquid items: deodorant and toothpaste. How easy it that?
I love my backpack because it has a separate spot for my laptop, which makes it super easy to remove. You will be asked by TSA personnel to place your laptop in a separate bin. TSA is pretty fussy about this.
Take your boarding pass and ID out before getting to the airport security line. This is one of the reasons, that I like traveling with jackets that have pockets. You will have a convenient place to put these documents until you get through security.
Keep your roller bag on the floor until you get up to the x-ray machine. This avoids having to push it the whole length of the table. And nothing drives the TSA more crazy that passengers pushing their luggage through the x-ray machine. It will not speed things up and normally generates a stern warning from the TSA representative.
TSA policies are consistent, however implementation among airports is not. Some TSA employees are either clueless or place their own spin on the regulations. It is pointless to highlight the fact that the last time you traveled you didn’t have to take off your sweater. Save your energy and make it your goal to get through airport security quickly. And smile often, it helps!
Worst Birthday Ever!!!
My boyfriend’s gift to me was a new puppy. Riley (fka Jovi, fka Caylee) came to live with us at the end of April and left us today and there is a hole in my chest where my heart used to be. My boyfriend and I spent the afternoon asking why and reliving our week with Riley and neither of us understand. I was drowning in my misery and when I came up for air I realized that my boyfriend was hurting too.
Over and over we repeat what a good dog she was, what a great addition to our family, and how we’re so shocked that she’s not coming home to us. We’re comforting ourselves by appreciating that week that we had with her and knowing that she died loved, she died with her family, and we did our best to keep her with us.
Real Estate Chic is a monthly feature with local housing news you can’t afford to miss and insight you always wanted to know!
If you have not bough or sold a home this year you probably have talked to someone who has and they told you how hot the real estate market is right now. Prices are finally starting to rise in many Seattle neighborhoods and we are seeing multiple offers situations on well priced homes. For those of you who already own a house or a condo and you are not thinking of moving, I wanted to give you some ideas for home improvement as we head into our sunny season. I turned to my good friend and one of my favorite Seattle architects, Michelle Linden of Atelier Drome.
Here is a Q&A with Michelle which will hopefully inspire your next Home Improvement Project!
1) It is time to Spring Clean- What are some ways to increase storage in a small space to reduce clutter?
One of the easiest ways to increase storage is to size your shelves and rods to your particular needs. So many closets are built with one shelf and one rod, but if you measure your clothing and boxes (or whatever else you want to put in the closet), you may find that by adjusting the heights of the shelf and rod (or adding a couple more), you will be able to avoid wasted space at the top or bottom of the closet.
2) What are ways to incorporate more natural light into a space?
The easiest ways to incorporate more natural light include adding mirrors (to help bounce light), getting rid of heavy drapes, and painting with lighter colors to help reflect light.
However, these ideas may not necessarily coincide with your aesthetic – or you may have already done it and still want more light. We are in Seattle, after all! One of the biggest requests for remodels is to tear down walls and create a great room living space. This is usually because our modern style of living is more informal – with families and friends congregating in one area. But, it also allows light to penetrate rooms that might otherwise be dark.
3) What are the most requested remodel projects this spring?
Once spring arrives, everyone wants a deck and fire pit. But this year, we are also seeing a lot of requests for garage conversions. Old empty garages are being turned into generous master suites, playrooms, and more.
4) I live in a fixer, If I want to spend $5000 on remodel project, what should I do first?
This is a loaded question! There are so many things that can be done for $5000 and it really depends on whether your priorities are aesthetic, structural, or energy conscious. But really, I think the most important thing is to dedicate a percentage of that $5000 to work with an architect or interior design or structural engineer (as the case may be) to generate a game plan for the whole house. If you truly live in a fixer and tackle projects a few thousand dollars at a time, you need to have a master plan in order to avoid undoing work you’ve already completed (or living with something you dislike). Working with a professional may seem expensive at first, but it will generally save you money in the long run.
5) How can I give my home an exterior facelift?
A fresh coat of paint goes a long way. But, not all siding is worth painting, or even able to be painted. Residing a house can be a major project, but there are a lot of affordable siding products out there. Other ways to add a facelift include a neat and tidy entry walk or patio, a trellis, or everyone’s favorite deck!
6) If you were tackling a remodel project at your house- what would be the next?
Adding a second bathroom! Everyone can use a second bathroom, and it really adds value to your home. Plus, you get to enjoy it while you’re in the house as well! I keep dreaming about my own future second bath.
6) I live a condo, how can I bring a piece of the outdoors inside my home?
This can be tricky, as different condo associations have various restrictions. Generally, the biggest key is to make sure you don’t block your windows and doors with large pieces of furniture or fabrics. Consider orienting your furniture so that you can see outside from your main seating area.
If you’ve got a more lenient condo board, consider enlarging the exterior openings (or adding more glass). Or again, opening up non-bearing walls so that multiple rooms have views to the outside will significantly help bring the outdoors inside.
With her company Atelier Drome, Michelle has the ability to transform your space into something you love even more than the day you got the keys. Sure, you hired what you thought would be a pretentious and possibly unaffordable architect, but what you get in return is a space you absolutely love and the time and money back you spent trying to correct all the mistakes you made while remodeling your kitchen using just a Youtube video and the advice of your friends dad.
Quick, healthy meal for the Fast Moving Fitness Fiend!
Chef Kirsten here from Team Feel Good! I am here to provide recipe support and inspiration to you all. I am a personal chef who also lost over 100 pounds by transforming my life from a processed foods – eat all you want – hate my body lifestyle to a place of self love, taking care of myself and nourishing my body from the inside out. Food is my passion and I want to help people have a healthy relationship with food while enjoying delicious, easy to prepare, simple yet elegant, meals that you enjoy.
Are you a Fast Mover like Zong? Here is the description of this Girl:
I wanted to create a recipe for those of us that are on the go, don’t have a ton of time to cook and need meals that fuel us for our intense workouts. Oh yes, and taste delicious!
Zong is getting nutrition coaching from Lara Dalch, who is awesome! I recently saw that Lara encouraged Zong to eat a variety of carbohydrates, like millet. Not only will these give the Fast Mover a quick burst of energy, the fiber, vitamins, minerals and protein will keep you satisfied and give you energy to last for hours.
Last week was my 41st birthday and I got a new puppy. I don’t have children and my brilliant mom and mother-on-law agree that my nurturing instincts need to go somewhere so they go to our pets. Riley was supposed to be a foster, but she’s a puppy and who doesn’t fall in complete love with a puppy?
Riley joined us on the Saturday before my birthday. The day after my birthday, she got sick. The following Saturday she was diagnosed with Parvo and she’s still in the hospital as I type. She’s on the mend, but it’s taking longer than I like. I want my baby home now.
About Riley
Riley is a mix breed something. She has the coloring of a German Shepherd, but not the size or the ears. She has an expressive face and I love it when she sighs. Sydney and Rodrigo do that too. She’s blended in with the family well and Rodrigo has been teaching her how to play gently. Sydney slept by her crate when she got sick. We all adore her.
About Parvo
I wrote an article yesterday updating my Keep the Tail Wagging readers on Riley’s condition (which is improving) and sharing what I’m learning about Parvo. It costs a small fortune to help a puppy with Parvo and I’m thankful that the rescue group, FurKidz 911 Connection, has stepped up and will pay for the costs. Riley’s doctors are confident that she’ll recover, but the timing differs for every puppy.
Support from friends and family
I love that so many people are sending me emails sharing their Parvo success stories. Not one person has felt the need to tell me about their horror story. Amazingly, those people have stayed away. You know the types, the ones who are “just being realistic” and walk away smugly after blasting you with a dose of their negativity. I know they think that they mean well, I think they’re just mean.
The Doctors
The doctors at Diamond Veterinarian Associates emergency care division are positive and patient with my twice a day calls to check on Riley (I’d call hourly if I thought it would help). And I’m struggling with our vet who didn’t perform a Parvo test initially. I know mistakes happen, but this is my baby and I don’t have much room for mistakes when it comes to any of my animals. They give us unconditional love and so much more; the least we can give back is great care and I feel that I failed Riley by not demanding that test.
Because veterinarian care isn’t enough. I tapped into my spiritual beliefs and scheduled a Reiki session for Riley that went very well. Now our pet communicator is on the job. That nurturing instinct has to go somewhere. My boyfriend is so tolerant about this section – he’s a cop and deals in logic. He understands doctors, the rest is foreign to him, but he leaves me to my own beliefs and I appreciate that.
The next steps
I’ve been cleaning our house from top to bottom, we did some yard disinfecting too (yep, the yard). I have a little bit more laundry to do and I plan to go on a mini shopping spree of toys and a new leash to welcome our Riley home. I’m pretty excited about the prospect and appreciate my boyfriend’s tolerance.
What I know about Parvo
Parvo is a virus so there are no drugs to kill it, the puppy needs to be kept stable while s/he develops the antibodies to fight it off. Parvo causes a lot of secondary infections, so Riley is on antibiotics and she’s getting lots of fluids.
Parvo can be carried on other dogs, which is why we’re supposed to keep our puppies home until they’re fully vaccinated. I think of Whooping cough; an adult can have a cough, a baby exposed develops Whooping cough.
Once a puppy recovers from Parvo, s/he doesn’t get it again. I’m not 100% sure about this, but I’ve read this on two sites. She’s still going to be kept home until she’s fully vaccinated.
Parvo can live for a while so we had to disinfect the house (huge cleaning) and yard (we pressure washed our deck and areas where she “went”).
If you suspect your puppy of having Parvo, don’t Google diagnose, stay away from the dog forums (they’ll terrify you), and immediately call your vet and demand good care. If they don’ t give it, it’s time for a new vet.
When I moved to SF, two of the things I made sure to take with me were my Sounders scarf and Seahawks tee. My blue and green reminders of why I love my hometown. I will always root for my home teams (and even had the audacity to go to my first 49ers game, where they were playing the Hawks in my blue tee), I can’t help but get swept up in pride for my new home teams.
I recently attended my first Giants game and it was awesome! We won, but the whole experience was even better than the win alone. AT&T Park (home of the Giants) is located in SOMA, along the water. It boasts amazing views of the water, Bay Bridge and even some of the FiDi skyscrapers peeking up over the park. As I was watching the game and looking around in awe, I couldn’t help but compare it to the beauty of Safeco. Both truly are magnificent parks. Before the game started, I realized that I didn’t have anything Giants related and wanting to look like a local, I stopped at the Giants Dugout store and loaded up on some gear. There, now I felt like I fit in 
Although I went rooting for the Seahawks for my first 49ers game, I did get caught up in 49ers fever for the championship game. Sadly, they ended up loosing that game in overtime and the whole atmosphere in the bar we were at was silent and sullen. San Francisco is very, very partial to their sports teams and it is exhilarating to be a part of it.
I now have a black 49ers tee and a white and orange Giants tank hanging proudly next to my blue and green Seattle gear in my closet. Though I will never lose my love for my true home teams, I am definitely loving my new home teams.
Amanda Lee, Technology Access Foundation Education Team
Giving Hope is dedicated to showing women how they affect their communities through philanthropy
When you think of a way to help a child what is the first thing that comes to mind? If you said education I completely agree. Amanda Lee, a Girl Power Hour member and an employee of the Technology Access Foundation (TAF), has taken education to the next level. Amanda was a teacher for many years in Arizona in a low income area in inner city Phoenix. She loved her students and loved the difference she made everyday. However, she decided to move her family back to her home, Washington. This is where her career took a turn. Although she loved being an educator, it wasn’t enough for her. She wanted to make a bigger change within the education system here in Washington State and that is exactly what she is doing. As the Supplemental Services Coordinator for TAF she not only gets to work directly with students but she has a say in programming. TAF is an amazing program set up for students of lower income areas to lead youth down a technology path using real life scenarios and bringing in top industry leaders from large technology companies such as Microsoft.
A technology professional giving a demonstration to some students.
I was recently asked to come in and participate as part of the Lunar Council for the 7th grade students; I was blown away. These students were asked to put together a plan to colonize the moon and that’s exactly what they did with details down to how to dispose of waste. It was like watching a documentary on the Discovery Channel. To see how today’s technology has formed these students beyond anything I ever learned (I’m pretty sure I was dissecting frogs in 7th grade) was so impressive. The best part was, they actually enjoyed learning. The students I thought for sure were the trouble makers were the first to raise their hands to provide the correct answer to a question. It was so exciting to see the joy of learning in these kids. I wish more educational programs were set up this way.
Watching Amanda’s interaction with these students was impressive and heartwarming. You can sense her pride in her job and her love for those students. To know that there is a program like that out there with employees and teachers dedicated to making a difference the way she does gives hope to me as a parent. I believe the future will be so bright we will need to wear shades. 
Fit & Fab(ulous!) is a Girl Power Hour networking event and panel discussion for stylish women focusing on the mind-body connection. The event will take place at the brand new and hip Makers co-working Space in Belltown and will include photo opps, health-conscious cocktails & apps, our Ultimate Swag Bags filled with fabulous goodies, door prizes, fitness demos, healthy tips and treats for girls on the go, specials from our vendors and a guest appearance from the Firefighters of Seattle’s Bravest Charity. Meet the Team GPH and connect with other like-minded and savvy women.
Date: May 24, 2012
Venue: Makers | 92 Lenora St. | Belltown
Time: 6pm-10pm
Cost: $20 Non-Members // $12 GPH Members (Members, log into gph.com to get your discount)
Interested in sponsoring the event or hosting a vendor table? Let us know by emailing us at info@girlpowerhour.com
Introducing Jovi!
This weekend we picked up or foster dog, Jovi. This is our second foster and I surprised my boyfriend when I agreed to open our home again, because I cried for a couple of days when Morgan was adopted (by a wonderful family, by the way). But he made one great point – we can rescue one more dog or we can rescue a hundred more dogs. Ohh, okay. And then walks in the sweetest puppy.
Jovi is a sweet little mutt that had no problem getting a huge piece of our hearts. Rodrigo and Sydney adore her and they play well together. I’m even considering taking a day off just to hang out with them more, because this has been such a fun day. But I’m a responsible, nearly 41 year old woman and I will be walking in the office on time, every day next week.
My boyfriend has been giving me looks all day. I know he’s wondering if I’m getting attached. Of course I am. Did you see her face? Add the fact that she’s smart and sweet and you have a winner. She sucks me in every hour. But I gave my boyfriend an option. Since I know he hasn’t even thought about my birthday present, he can make a new puppy a present for me. I’m not holding my breath, but I’m crossing my fingers and toes.
Having one extra mouth to feed
Since we already have two dogs and two cats, you’d think that we’d have no problem adding an extra dog. I used to think this, but now I know better. For us, four animals is perfection. We’re a well oiled machine. Add a new dog and we’re a little off kilter. After nearly two years, we’re back to hourly potty breaks, scheduling feedings, and tag teaming a puppy. Luckily Sydney and Rodrigo are well socialized and have had no problem adapting to a new dog. What’s amazing about dogs is that they live in the moment. You’d think Jovi has always lived here. What’s even more amazing is that when Jovi goes to her new home (still crossing my fingers), our dogs won’t seem to notice that they’re missing.
I learn so many great things from our pets, like easy forgiveness, unconditional love, and living in the Now. Today, our dogs are teaching me to appreciate the time we have with Jovi. But I’m still crossing my fingers.
