...SARAH RICHARDSON AND OTHER WOMEN OF INFLUENCE...
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| source |
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| courtesy of Lynne Knowlton |
These are not photos of the Ballroom, but instead are photos of the Royal York Lobby, which will give you a fairly good idea of the decor and ambience in the Ballroom.
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| courtesy of Lynne Knowlton |
I attended the luncheon with two Toronto Tweeps. Here I go again, extolling the virtues of twitter, but it happens to be true. I met Robin Siegerman, a Toronto Interior Designer, on twitter a year ago and IRL a few months later. I'm beyond impressed and certainly influenced by Robin because since I met her, she has authored RENOVATION BOOTCAMP a fact based, humorous look at renovating a kitchen from her own professional perspective. This is a MUST read for anyone who is about to undertake the daunting task of a kitchen reno. Robin also hosts a Web Talk Radio Show interviewing other pros in the design and building trades, and garnering valuable information on all aspects of home design and renovation.
My other friend Lynne Knowlton, also an Interior Designer is known on twitter as 'The tweep who lives in a Treehouse'. Lynne pens the blog DESIGN THE LIFE YOU WANT TO LIVE ... a blog about design, travel...and a treehouse...tons of photos and oh so much more, written with a hefty dose of reality, sprinkled with tons of humour, a full cup of strength, and iced with with pure honesty....a true JOY to peruse! FYI... Lynne was kind enough to allow me to use five of the photos she took at the luncheon, in this post.
I realized I was sitting in the presence of two very INSPIRATIONAL women... (cue the AWE...really and truly)...and that was in advance of the guest speaker being introduced....
....Sarah Richardson....
SHE IS WOMAN... and I've been watching her ROAR...from a pixelated distance, since she designed and sewed her first cushion cover on 'Room Service', and have followed her career path from Design Inc through to Sarah 101. She and I have chosen the same career, design and decor, and you can bet that her aesthetic has at times influenced my own decor choices, but I was most impressed yesterday with her story of her humble beginnings.
Sarah has a degree in Visual Arts, but it was her determination to improve and decorate her fellow students' dorm rooms that eventually landed her first paying job as a behind the scenes prop stylist on CTV. She didn't shy away from being underpaid, working serious overtime and grunt work ... I loved hearing this. After appearing on several home design based TV shows as a guest, she became host of FIVE...count 'em FIVE television shows. Sarah also designs several product lines and has her own signature Para paint collection available at Lowes.
Sarah was funny...Sarah being 'Sarah' explained that the Ballroom luncheon decor would have to be tweaked with her own branding....therefore paint cans filled with tulips on fresh, spring green tablecloths and freshly painted white chairs adorned each table of ten.
My other friend Lynne Knowlton, also an Interior Designer is known on twitter as 'The tweep who lives in a Treehouse'. Lynne pens the blog DESIGN THE LIFE YOU WANT TO LIVE ... a blog about design, travel...and a treehouse...tons of photos and oh so much more, written with a hefty dose of reality, sprinkled with tons of humour, a full cup of strength, and iced with with pure honesty....a true JOY to peruse! FYI... Lynne was kind enough to allow me to use five of the photos she took at the luncheon, in this post.
I realized I was sitting in the presence of two very INSPIRATIONAL women... (cue the AWE...really and truly)...and that was in advance of the guest speaker being introduced....
....Sarah Richardson....
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| courtesy of Lynne Knowlton |
Sarah has a degree in Visual Arts, but it was her determination to improve and decorate her fellow students' dorm rooms that eventually landed her first paying job as a behind the scenes prop stylist on CTV. She didn't shy away from being underpaid, working serious overtime and grunt work ... I loved hearing this. After appearing on several home design based TV shows as a guest, she became host of FIVE...count 'em FIVE television shows. Sarah also designs several product lines and has her own signature Para paint collection available at Lowes.
Sarah was funny...Sarah being 'Sarah' explained that the Ballroom luncheon decor would have to be tweaked with her own branding....therefore paint cans filled with tulips on fresh, spring green tablecloths and freshly painted white chairs adorned each table of ten.
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| via twitter @PARAPaints |
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| courtesy of Lynne Knowlton |
Sarah was honest.... "'that's good enough', will never be good enough for me"...my mantra as well
Sarah was sentimental... she credited her Mom with being the most influential mentor in her life
Sarah was blunt... 'it's not WHAT you know...it's WHO you know! Your social network!'
Sarah IS influential... "winning the work-life balance is all about perspective"
If I wasn't already Sarah Richardson girl crushing ... I certainly was after her down to earth speech.
Yes indeedy, last Thursday was a great day, in the company of smart, ambitious, multi-tasking, bright and funny women. And we all, who thankfully do not take ourselves THAT seriously, managed to enjoy this heavenly chocolate mousse.
WOMEN ROCK!
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| courtesy of Lynne Knowlton |
posted by Maureen @ Modecor @ Monday, March 12, 2012
14 Comments
14 Comments:
MAUREEN!!! How come you didn't say anything about this before?! Or am I just out of the loop because I'm not on Twitter much? Sounds like a fantastic event - maybe one of these years, a TBB will be the guest speaker :-)
Kelly
Fantastic post. I, too, have a major girl crush on Sarah. It must have been amazing to listen to her and be in the presence of so many influential women, which, by the way, you are to me!!!
Sounds like the perfect day! Inspiration and great friends everywhere. And Donna, ahh to your comment above, feel the TBB love!
Kelly, you're out of the twitter loop. I was in TO all last week to catch up with family and friends, plus Robin and I had plans to meet Lynne and decided to go to the Luncheon. I'm a strong advocate for Sarah's advice ...'it's who you know"..your social network , which included SM for me!...similar events are held in Ottawa as well. http://www.womenofinfluence.ca/
Thank you Donna...it really was! And your last comment is very sweet....I feel the same about YOU and ALL of my friends...I'm very fortunate!
Exactlly Lisa!....We are very lucky that the TBBs our other friends influence us and empower us.
Sounds amazing, loved this post!
x
maria
Hello Maureen,
I found your blog via Sarah Richardson's post on Facebook, and I'm so glad I did. Sarah is indeed inspiring, but your "About Me" section alone has inspired me.
I have two children, ages 6 and 4 and they have most definitely defined me since their arrival. It's so easy to lose a bit of yourself in them. Other women truly can offer the best inspiration out there.
I am heading back to school for my design certificate in the fall. Hopefully not only will I be able to pursue a career that I've always wanted, but be an example for my kids as well.
I look forward to sifting through your blog and following along for sure.
All the best,
Erin
What a great post, Maureen! I love Sarah Richardson for exactly the reasons you shared. She is funny, down-to-earth, and so bang on with her social network comment! Thanks for sharing with us :-)
Wow, how fun! Thanks for sharing the low-down on Sarah Richardson :)
Thank you Maria. I have to say, that her advice of using you social network, which for me includes SM twitter and FB lead me to taking your TCE course and meeting you and so many others.
Thank you Erin. My babies are adults and getting married, but i wouldn't have traded my at home days with them for anything. And i agree, I was totally absorbed in my family for all those years. Good for you for knowing your passion and going after it. YOU WILL BE A POSITIVE EXAMPLE FOR YOU CHILDREN.
Have to tell you Sheila, it was wonderful to be in that room with mostly women, who are so capable, talented and going for it all. Thank you for leaving a comment.
Sounds like a great event Maureen. Thanks for sharing. We all love Sarah in Boston too!
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