Be you (the whole truth) Jen Kemzuro

by aileen on May 3, 2012

Every week I write a column called BE YOU for one of the local papers (The Times of Acadiana) – Each week someone different answers the questionnaire – the paper often has to edit them, here are all the answers: This week is Jen Kemzuro

Jen Kemzuro

Jen is a designer at Design by Todd, she approaches interior design the way she approaches her life – with an appreciation for finding the beauty in everything, and for finding the kindness in everyone. She is infectiously excited when she sees a sample of beautiful fabric, or finds the perfect chair for a client – it’s a joy to watch. Jen lives her life just the way she has answered these questions, you are going to want to know her.

What was your first job?
A Carpenter (I worked for my Dad – he’s a carpenter), I have a tool belt!

Describe a typical day in your life.
Breakfast with husband and toddler…by 9ish I’m a designer at Design by Todd (Todd Zimmerman  ASID Interiors) where I take design and service seriously and everything else is just fun!  Todd and I jump back and forth returning client calls and emails, make changes to floor plans, creating the most beautiful interior finish schedules, pricing out gorgeous furniture and preparing for the next fantastic  presentation all while having deep thoughtful conversations in one moment and a dirty joke the next moment.  It’s all interior design, sexy banter and hearty comedy at my desk.  After 5 my husband toddler and I play together while creating a culinary delight.

What advice would you give the younger you?
Don’t over think it.  Trust your gut and be done with that thought and move on.

What event in your life most shaped who you are now?
Graduating in interior design, design is a big part of who I am.

What values do you live by?
Dreams become realities
Respect yourself & respect others

What do you most appreciate?
I’m always on the look out for beautiful and unusual things.

What is your favorite journey?
The esoteric journey of growing in my perception.

Where is your favorite place to be alone?
That last half hour of the day of work at Design by Todd when I’m the last one there.  I take the time to wrap up my day and gather up things that I know I’ll have fun doing first thing in morning.

What living figure most inspires you?

Dr. Wayne Dyer (author and speaker in the field of self-development.)

What was the best advice you were ever given?

Mess it up – don’t try to be so perfect.
From: Prof. George Loli
Where:  the River Seine in Paris
What: We were travel sketching for an architecture class.  He walked up to my travel watercolors took my brush swirled into several colors and hit the brush in his finger sending splatter paint all over my shy, little sketch.  My painting became strong and confident – a statement – it WAS better.  He also had me put my eraser away and draw in pen – there are no mistakes – it’s your sketchbook.
Isn’t this true for all – to be unique we need that thing that is different ya know shake it up a bit, mess it up, and get funky it’s your sketchbook.

What book would you tell everyone to read?
As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
My favorite part is “The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream. The oak sleeps in the acorn; the bird waits in the egg; and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs. Dreams are the seedlings of realities.”

What is the best thing about where you live?
I’m surrounded by brilliant people, historic architecture, kind volunteers, cool music, funky artist, polite manners, delicious food and, unique ideas.

How do you “let the good times roll” ?
al fresco dining while discussing new ideas

What did u want to be when you grew up?
A professional dancer / veterinarian.  I still love to dance and play with animals!

What is your motto?
Live in the now

How would you like to be remembered?
Easy to connect with…

What do you say to yourself when you doubt yourself?
Don’t take yourself so seriously

What three things are vital to BEing YOU?
Sky high heels
Sense of humor
Open mind

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Chic, fabulous, gorgeous little things, pop of color…all the words to describe all the people and stuff I work with.

What is your favorite word?
Energy

What do you collect?
Pretty little vintage things; jewelry, clutches, boxes or objects made the old fashioned way from real stuff with nice details.

What food could you live on for a month?
Anything from Taco Sisters by my office smells wonderful and locally owned.

What would you change about yourself?
I over explain myself, but its all about communication I just want to being clear but I understand I don’t need to over explain it can be draining -  plus I think I would be more mysterious and intriguing if I didn’t over explain myself.

What literary, movie or cartoon character do you most identify with?
Yoda & Pollyanna

Describe yourself in five words.
Optimist, bohemian, dreamer, laughing & kindnes

What is your idea of happiness?
Totally free – love, laughter and working on my passions.

What is your favorite movie?
What the Bleep Do We Know?!

What music defines who you are?
Hip Hop-rooted Turntablism, remixes, jazz, new age, tribal, chant, ambient, and soul music.

What do you most regret?
Ever being nervous about anything – it always works out.

What question do you wish I’d asked?
What is something you do that other people think is strange?

What would the answer be?
I park my car far away from where I’m going.  When anyone is with me they always point this out.  Most people like a parking spot in the front, not me; I park as far away as I can.  That way I get to have a nice long walk.  If I’m alone it’s a time to enjoy my senses, feel the sun or my skin or “smell the roses”.
I enjoy a relaxed lifestyle I never overlook the beauty of small moments – like a walk with a friend.  If you’re riding around with me I like you.  Let’s go for a walk together – park a bit far and enjoy a talk – we will get in there soon enough.  It a nameless moment I spend smiling with someone who matters to me.

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I wrote this, and I’m not sorry…

by aileen on May 2, 2012

I’m English – that’s my excuse. What’s yours?

I have heard myself use being English as a reason for saying ‘sorry’ far too much. I apologize for asking for things in stores, I say sorry to the chair for bumping into it, and apologize for countless things that aren’t my fault at all.

Sorry, I should say I used to do that. I have given that word back the power it should have, and only use it when I really mean it.

The other day I was at one of the bigger coffee shops (no, not that one – the other one) and there was a line, there is always a line so it wasn’t a big deal. When I got to the front the very polite server said “I’m sorry about the wait”, I heard the same line from different people in stores all day. (I was looking out for it). Sorry about the wait, sorry that we don’t have that in stock, sorry that another customer took so long. We are sorry when we are late, sorry when we return a phone call, sorry for being sorry. I’m all for living in a polite society (I grew up in England), but when we use a word too much it means nothing.

No company should apologize for being busy, I expected it. It would be better for them, and me, if they said “thank you for being patient”, or “thank you for waiting”. Always make it about your customer, not you. Thank them, don’t apologize to them. It’s much more positive, much more productive and even more polite. [click to continue…]

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Make space…

by aileen on May 2, 2012

I am getting my copy of this today and I’m very excited about it -From Stanford University’s D-School this book is a tool for helping people intentionally manipulate space to ignite creativity. I will update this post when I have read it. It sounds like it’s just my kind of book:

“Appropriate for designers charged with creating new spaces or anyone interested in revamping an existing space, this guide offers novel and non-obvious strategies for changing surroundings specifically to enhance the ways in which teams and individuals communicate, work, play—and innovate. This work is based on years of classes and programs at the d.school including countless prototypes and iterations with d.school students and spaces.”

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the perfect desk?

by aileen on May 1, 2012

I love the simplicity of this desk, that is all. via freshome

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color matching pen (clever)…

by aileen on May 1, 2012

Sara Truyens left this on the Creating Clever facebook page yesterday so I thought I’d share. A pen where you can scan any color and use it – now that’s clever. via shebytes (thanks Sara)
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eat your vegetables…

by aileen on April 30, 2012

I love the simplicity of these plates by Boguslaw Sliwiski – I could  kids could have a lot of fun with these – so simple and clever and no more telling them ‘not to play with their food. Pages in Italian but translated here - (via our wonderful like-minded friends at food4brain – again in Italian but babelfish will translate for you and it’s worth it)

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literal necklace…

by aileen on April 30, 2012

This made me smile. Necklace: “an ornamental chain worn around the neck comprised of beads or links” – Literal stuff always make me happy. I can see myself wearing this. From Tickette on Etsy – I love the Silver one as well:

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Mind the creativity gap…

by aileen on April 28, 2012

Adobe have just released a study of the value of creativity – it’s a very interesting read.

“The study reveals some interesting statistics. Around 80 percent of respondents said they thought creativity is “critical to economic growth.” More than 60 percent of them also said creativity is important to society.

However, just 25 percent of respondents said they are currently living up to their creative potential.

What enables those lucky 25 percent to live up to their potential and be creative? For the 5,000 adults around the world in Adobe’s survey, age and gender have almost nothing to do with it. Rather, it all comes down to environmental factors: location, education, and work.” – Read the rest here

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There’s a shark in my mug….

by aileen on April 27, 2012

It seems to have turned into shark day around here (it’s like shark week only shorter and less informative) Love this Shark attack coffee mug and for when I want tea (and I am English) there’s this amazing tea infuser… 

I guess it’s time to inflate my flying shark again and enjoy shark day…

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Sleep with the sharks…

by aileen on April 27, 2012

Maybe it’s just me but I think I would sleep very well inside a giant shark sleeping bag, it’s a shame they only make these for kids…

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Meet Elijah…

by aileen on April 26, 2012

Elijah and his adoptive Mom (an amazing women herself)

Meet Elijah. He has a lot to teach us all, about hope, about overcoming obstacles, and about how bright we can each make our own futures. I met him yesterday along with a whole group of amazing children at the COX Inspirational Heroes Awards – The event was created to recognize the everyday, unsung heroes in our schools. Even in that group of incredible people Elijah held himself differently. Here is his story as written by his teacher, Dawn Gary from Youngsville Middle School:

I met this young man when he was in the 6th grade. His smile was infectious. I could
only imagine that his life was great. I quickly noticed his happy mood and that made him
more likeable and a pleasure to teach. He energized me, joined the chapter I advise – the
Family, Career & Community Leaders of America – and became active immediately.

For a while I was unaware of Elijah’s history. His limp was all that was slightly
noticeable. Then, on his own, he shared a booklet he had made in elementary school
about himself. It documented the tragic incident of child abuse. Elijah told me that his
biological mother had placed him in a tub of scalding water at three years old. He lost his
toes, was burnt on lower parts of his legs and almost lost his life. I would come to learn
that Elijah had grown up with the attitude that there is a bigger plan for him.

Within the three years I have known Elijah, I have been privileged to learn part of that
plan. Since Elijah was eight years old, he has dreamed of hosting a Christmas party for
children in foster care. Having been in foster care for 2 to 3 years himself, he knew that it
isn’t always easy for foster parents to provide. Elijah not only wanted to have a party, he
wanted to raise money to provide presents for each of the children in attendance – not just
any presents, but the presents that the children had wished for.

Beginning in July of 2011, Elijah began his crusade and spoke before many family
agencies, church groups and family advocate meetings, including judges. He covered
the Southern part of Louisiana promoting the need for child abuse prevention and his
message was hope. Elijah, 14, is brave enough to share the severity of his abuse with his
peers, adults and policy makers and has not allowed the burns that are visible to hinder
his dream of making a difference.

He has tirelessly sought sponsors to help him in this endeavor and received donations
in-kind and monetary. Elijah designed a T-shirt, “No Use for Abuse,” and wrote a “rap”
to further promote his message, sold raffle tickets, and held a Cutz Against Abuse event
where he sought additional donations. Elijah has not only worked on this project while in
school, but also volunteers for children’s camp as a counselor and works with his church.

Elijah surpassed his goal of raising $3,000 by raising almost $5,000 and was able to have
his party for foster care children and their families, feeding them lunch and presenting 72
children with $50 worth of gifts each from their own Christmas wish list.

The coolest thing that day was overhearing a little boy who was tossing his brand new
football say, “I can’t wait to get home to play with this!” I stopped and asked permission
to talk to him and asked what he thought about this event that what Elijah was doing. The
little boy startled me when he said, “I liked that he said there was hope.”

Elijah is a well spoken young man, who smiles easily and has more potential than even he suspects (and he suspects he has a lot). He plans to keep working to end abuse “What happened to me wasn’t right, and I don’t want it to happen to anyone else” This won’t be the last you hear of this amazing young man, I can promise you this. As you go about your day and let the little things get you down, stop and smile and think of Elijah – it will put our pains into perspective, and remind us all that what happens to us doesn’t dictate who we are and what we become.

40 incredible children were honored at the 2nd Annual COX Inspirational Heroes Awards

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It’s all about balance…

by aileen on April 26, 2012

(For those who don’t live locally, Festival International is 3 days of music, food, dancing in the streets and a wonderful time – you can insert your own event and the article will be just as relevant)

Excited about Festival International? I am. Next weekend we’ll be downtown listening to some great bands, dancing, eating and running into all kinds of people that we haven’t seen in a while. I know at one point over the weekend, I will stand there and look around grinning and I will think to myself “Why don’t I do this kind of thing more often.”

It’s all about balance. We often get so caught up in our to do lists that we forget to do the things that renew us. We often do one thing with our mind still on another and so even when we are meant to be out having fun there is a part of us still in the office.

If you know me in person you know that I’m a fine one to be writing about balance. I don’t have it – not when it comes to work and play. I’m not even sure which is which most days. I think about ideas, customer service and communication wherever I am, and if you have coffee with me you know I always have part of my brain watching what is going on around us and am thinking about how I can make it into a blog post. I consider myself lucky to do what I love and love what I do. I can’t divide the people in my life into clients and friends and I love it that way.

Balance does matter to me though. Without it I go slightly crazy (insert your own sarcastic comment in here). I just think about it differently. To me the balance is about people, about those who energize you, and those who drain you.

If you spend most of your time with positive, uplifting, creative people then you have some energy to give those who need it. We all go through stuff sometimes and have hard times when we need a friend. We all can be temporally negative and need a boost. I say temporally because we all know some people that seem to be permanently negative and drain us every time we see them. Those are the people who get us out of balance.

Look around at the people in your life – there attitudes are a reflection of you. If they are bright, energetic and (mostly) see life as wonderful then you are probably like that too. If they are moaning and critical and love to talk about how life sucks, then you may just be one of those.

We all need a balance in our lives, the smiling faces at Festival will do us all good, and give us time to reflect. Soak in the positive vibes and the energy so we can face next week with the right attitude, and maybe have a look at the balance in your life – the people who help you smile, and those who bring you down.

(This column was first published in The Daily Advertiser on Tuesday 24th April 2012, rights reserved)

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Nailed it…

by aileen on April 26, 2012

Love the simplicity of this – and it’s something most of us, (who know one end of a hammer from another) could manage, maybe not quite as beautifully as [lhook] do though) – hmmm may have to give this a go.  (via NotCot)

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the “make everything OK” button…

by aileen on April 25, 2012

This made me grin that stupid grin of pure delight. Make everything OK button. Trust me, you have to go and click on it – it worked for me. Magic button. (Thanks Daniel)

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mom olympics…

by aileen on April 24, 2012

Love this from P&G – clever stuff (soppy warning)

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why hello Mr Chocolate…

by aileen on April 24, 2012

Very simple and clever packaging by Diego Ramos of Ruiz+company for The Chocolate Factory – but while visiting the site, I found the packaging for the chocolate bars – I would love these permanently on my desk (of course I would never eat them) – via the dieline

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Kickstart this…

by aileen on April 23, 2012

I’m in love – with a watch. OK, it’s so much more than a watch – it may be the device that beams us into the future!

From the Pebble guys:

“Customize Your Perfect Watch. It’s as Easy as Downloading an App.

Pebble is the first watch built for the 21st century. It’s infinitely customizable, with beautiful downloadable watchfaces and useful internet-connected apps. Pebble connects to iPhone and Android smartphones using Bluetooth, alerting you with a silent vibration to incoming calls, emails and messages. While designing Pebble, we strove to create a minimalist yet fashionable product that seamlessly blends into everyday life.”

It’s one of those kickstarter projects that has taken off into the hemisphere – 1 million in 28 hours. Go grab your bit of the future now – here – I’ll be there before you.

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Knock knock… it’s your doorbell…

by aileen on April 23, 2012

This made me smile, and made me wonder what things I am over-complicating in my life / business – you have to watch the video to get the full effect. From Bobby Peterson via Notcot

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Should I check my email…

by aileen on April 20, 2012

A great infographic helping us decide if it time to check email, and a very insightful article by Katherine Ellison, a Pulitzer-Prize winning investigative journalist, author, writing consultant and former foreign correspondent who both has, and is raising a son with ADHD – I am going to pay more attention to how often I check mine – I may have managed to check it a few times during the night as I was turning over (that’s bad, right?) Please read the article (it’s worth it)

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BE YOU (the whole truth) – Kim Neustrom

by aileen on April 20, 2012

Every week I write a column called BE YOU for one of the local papers (The Times of Acadiana) – I have decided to start putting them on here (and I will gradually catch up with all the past participants too). Each week someone different answers the questionnaire – the paper often has to edit them, here are all the answers: This week is Kim Neustrom:

Kim Neustrom

Kim is the marketing director for KRVS and an über volunteer for the worlds best world music festival – Festival International (If you see her around town smile and say thank you). Kim is one of those people who is naturally warm, diplomatic and motivating, she has an accepting nature that makes her easy to approach and talk to. She spends her time both giving back and paying forward (yes, she is very easy to like).

What was your first job?
Running teleprompter for KLFY’s Passe Patout.

Describe a typical day in your life.
I’m an early riser, savor a good cup of coffee, workout, reading, music, KRVS marketing  duties and usually some sort of Festival International board or committee meeting.

What advice would you give the younger you?
Your parents really are right.

What event in your life most shaped who you are now?
Becoming a mother taught me about placing anothers needs above mine. This also prepared me for a commitment to non-profits and human service agencies.

What values do you live by?
The values of giving back to our respective communities through volunteerism. Whether it’s serving on a non profit board of directors like Festival International, being a Big Brother/Big Sister or helping build a Habitat House—arts, human and social service agencies are important and rely on volunteers.

What do you most appreciate?
True kindness and selflessness.

What is your favorite journey?
The big love journey of Motherhood.

Where is your favorite place to be alone?
Driving alone, music blaring on an open LA. Highway.

What living figure most inspires you?
My parental Duo, Mike and Cecilia Neustrom.

What was the best advice you were ever given?
Always settle for more.

What book would you tell everyone to read?
The Essential Rumi

What is the best thing about where you live?
Warm, welcoming souls.

How do you “let the good times roll” ?
As Festival International board president, live music factors into my good times.

What did u want to be when you grew up?
A broadway actress.

What is your motto?
Spend more of life in the soulful times.

How would you like to be remembered?
I would like to be remembered as a loving Mom, as well as someone who realized our lives and world are impacted by our daily actions towards others.

What do you say to yourself when you doubt yourself?
Each day is a succulent new beginning.

What three things are vital to BEing YOU?
Self-acceptance, Kindness to others and giving back through volunteerism.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Actually, I overuse the word “actually” way too often.

What is your favorite word?
Breathe…

What do you collect?
Dust. I’ve never been known as a good housekeeper.

What food could you live on for a month?
Chips and salsa.

What would you change about yourself?
Having less fear about the unknowns in life.

What literary, movie or cartoon character do you most identify with?
Scout Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. Curious and often idealistic.

Describe yourself in five words.
Striving 2 contribute in big ways.

What is your idea of happiness?
Being surrounded by people who are happy with themselves. And basking in the sunshine.

What is your favorite movie?
Hard to narrow down, but The Sound of Music brings back fond childhood memories of wanting my momma to sew me a dress made out of drapes.

What music defines who you are?
Currently “chill wave”, which is a modern term for all the music I listened to in the mid 80’s!

What do you most regret?
Wasted time. But I spend little time focused on my regrets.

What question do you wish I’d asked?
Favorite holiday?

What would the answer be?
Thanksgiving- family, turkey and appreciation all wrapped up in one.

 

 

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