How Today’s Businesswomen Strike a Work-life Balance
(ARA) - Gone are the days when women were expected to stay at home to dote on their children and husbands. Today’s women have broken through the glass ceiling and are finding their way to corner offices around the country.
Juggling life both inside and outside the home can be a challenge — that’s why it’s important to strike the proper balance between work and personal lives. Luckily, there are specific strategies that women can implement to strike a healthier balance.
Find Work that Works
With today’s struggling economy and families requiring dual incomes, finding an employer that offers flexibility is often the key to both a successful career and personal life. And finding employers with this approach may be easier than you think. For example, The HON Company, a leading manufacturer of office furniture, understands the importance of family and instills a culture that enables work-life balance. Beyond creating quality office furniture that creates a comfortable, flexible and “home-like” work setting, HON offers its members perks such as flexible spending accounts to help offset the costs of daycare, local YMCA fitness center allowances and family-oriented activities.
“A member committee plans monthly outings and provides opportunities for members to purchase discounted passes for local family events,” says Tim Heth, vice president of member and community relations for HON. “Additionally, members are allotted one hour of paid volunteer time each week to utilize in any way they wish — from local Habitat for Humanity projects to their children’s PTA. Each benefit helps improve employee morale for both our female and male members.”
“Make sure you go to work with someone that has the same philosophy as you do,” says Tammy Vasilatos, owner of Tammy Vasilatos CPA, LLC, a 100 percent female accounting firm in El Paso, Tex. Vasilatos has created a family-friendly work atmosphere by offering flexible work schedules to her employees. She adds, “Don’t give up what you want, because you don’t need to do that anymore. The women before us had to, but we don’t.”
“I am more understanding of the importance of work-life balance,” says Michelle Horan, president and owner of Salka Office Furniture, a full-service office dealer in Meridian, Conn. “I am very flexible with hours and time off. I believe that taking care of good employees and customers is what leads to success.”
Set Realistic Time Schedules
While work deadlines are a necessary evil that you must complete, will anything bad happen if the dishes don’t get done or the bed isn’t made every day? No - so don’t sweat the small stuff.
Start each week with a realistic “to-do list” for both your work and home life. Check yourself each day to ensure that you are making progress and that your time allowances are in check. By the end of the work week, if you’ve completed enough tasks each day, your weekend can truly be enjoyed. And don’t sweat it if you didn’t get to the household chores. If you need to, you can hire a professional cleaning or landscaping service.
Leave Work at Work
With cell phones, laptops, PDAs and home offices, it has become blurry when the workday begins and ends. Be sure to separate your personal time from professional time by turning off your connections to the working world and turning on your connections with your family and friends.
Learn to Say No
If you’re a parent, you are probably a pro at saying “no” to your kids, so learn how to respectfully say no to projects that don’t fit within your schedule. Whether it’s taking the lead on a project at work, or coaching a soccer team, it’s okay to say no to projects that will bring you more stress than joy. As long as you are honest with your employers, they will most likely understand.
“Don’t be embarrassed or apologetic that you want to have both a career and a family,” adds Vasilatos. “Employers just want good quality work.” Plus, if you are in over your head, you may not be putting in your best work anyway.
While striking a work-life balance in today’s fast-paced world isn’t an easy task, by following these few guidelines, it is possible. “Now is a wonderful time to be a woman in the workforce,” says Vasilatos. “You really can have it all!”
For more information on The HON Company, visit www.HON.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
(ARA) - At a time when people are remodeling their homes instead of buying or building new ones, homeowners are looking for ways to increase the comfort and value of their current living space without breaking the bank.
“It’s all about value today,” says Connie Edwards, certified kitchen and bathroom designer and director of design for Shenandoah Cabinetry. “Consumers are smarter then ever — doing their homework to make sure they get the highest quality product at the best price.”
When choosing cabinetry, there are certain characteristics homeowners should look for. Edwards offers some useful tips:
Finishes
Finishes today require less care and upkeep than those of the past. Here are a couple of good things to look for when selecting cabinets:
* Cabinetry with a moisture-resistant finishing process helps prevent peeling and chipping on the inside of the cabinet.
* Cabinets with ultraviolet protection minimize darkening or lightening of cabinet colors due to sun exposure over time.
Standard Construction Features
When it comes to cabinetry, stock cabinets are the most budget friendly. Look for stock cabinet manufacturers, such as Shenandoah Cabinetry sold exclusively at Lowe’s, that offer premium construction features as standard. Some of those features may include:
* Dovetail hardwood drawers provide furniture-like quality and style.
* Full access hidden drawer glides open all the way, making it easy to use every inch of space.
* Adjustable, full-depth shelves with metal shelf rests on wall cabinets give extra stability for heavy items.
* Steel ball bearing drawer glides assure smooth drawer performance and easy operation.
Warranties
Some cabinet manufacturers offer a lifetime limited warranty. This assures the manufacturer will fix any problems due to defective materials or workmanship, ensuring your investment is protected.
Retailer Options
Retailers often offer ways to help you afford bigger ticket items or finance your investment:
* Special payment programs, such as Lowe’s “Special Projects Card,” allow a 6-month “project window” to make purchases with no payments due or interest accruing.
* Take advantage of special promotions like a free sink base or factory rebate with purchase.
By being aware of quality characteristics and value options, you can create your own personal living space at a price you’ll like. Visit your local home center and talk to a kitchen design specialist about available options to fit your lifestyle and budget.
For more information and to view an assortment of kitchen design ideas, visit www.ShenandoahCabinetry.com .
(ARA) – When the weather turns warm, we open our windows to let in the light and fresh air. But there are other ways to update living spaces to reflect the best of the summer season.
This summer’s hottest hues are cool tones, particularly classic blue and white themes. Blue and white have been used as decorative accents throughout the ages to dress up everything from regal, formal spaces to country cottage homes.
Ancient Egyptians cherished blue and white lotus flowers as the key to creating spaces of spiritual enlightenment. Thought to enhance healing and create relaxing environments, blue and white flowers became popular patterns incorporated into fabrics, porcelain and rugs. In the 17th and 18th centuries, English and Chinese “Blue Willow” designs were introduced as everyday stoneware and serveware. Used in both formal dining areas as well as by the household staff, blue and white was appropriate in virtually every type of interior space.
“The peaceful, simple beauty embodied by a hand-painted Asian vase is a perfect way to introduce a bit of ancient spirituality into your decorating scheme,” says Ruth Martin, director of merchandising for Ten Thousand Villages, a fair trade retailer. “Items incorporating blue and white motifs are some of our most popular, due to their classic style and connection with peoples of ancient cultures and religions.”
Martin offers design tips to incorporate the cool and classic hues of white and blue into your home:
Asian
A simple white vase with intricate blue details is a hallmark of Asian decor. Fill a large vase with bright red or yellow summer flowers for a beautiful and cheerful centerpiece. Adding small blue and white accents to dark wood pieces of furniture, such as a traditional tansu (or step) chest, helps lighten them up and draw the eye.
Beach Cottage
Blue is the color of the ocean and white is the color of the sand, so the two together are a perfect complement to a beach cottage look. Swap out heavy rugs for breezy floor mats made of durable grass and add seating with blue and white ceramic garden stools. Frame personal photos of cherished summer moments in a simple white frame accented with a bit of blue.
Traditional
Remove darker throw pillows and blankets left over from colder months and replace them with crisp blue and white cotton and silk accents. Put heavy draperies in storage and hang light scarves in their place to open up, not only the windows, but the entire room. Set a lovely summer table with classic blue and white porcelain or ceramic dishes on top of white chargers and accented with crisp, white linen napkins.
Modern
Blue and white can have a distinctly modern look when you branch out into shades of aqua and indigo with pops of bright white. Stripes and polka dots are simple and contemporary and look great on tablecloths, napkins and placemats. A white chair amid a sea of blue furnishings (and vice versa) adds a graphic punch to any space.
“Whatever your style, blue and white fits in seamlessly, especially for cool summer decorating” says Martin. “While you’re mellowing out your color palette for the hot season, make sure to support talented artisans and shop fair trade and sustainable. There’s nothing hotter than your blue and white purchases being socially responsible.”
For a large selection of blue and white furnishings and accent pieces from tens of thousands of worldwide artisans, visit http://www.TenThousandVillages.com .
(ARA) – Last summer you fell in love. Now, just three short seasons later, your beloved has let you down. Time has revealed that your love affair — not to mention the object of your affection – wasn’t nearly as timeless or as durable as you thought.
How did this happen, you wonder. How could you have so badly misjudged the quality and style of the dining-room set you bought just one year ago?
“For most people, furniture-buying decisions are either based on emotion – ‘falling in love’ with a piece – or on the lowest price,” says Brad Haas, a furniture expert with manufacturer Carrington Court. “Neither way is likely to lead to a happy, satisfying long-term relationship with your furniture. This is especially true of upholstered furniture, where poor construction and quality can be hidden beneath layers of fabric and padding.”
Successful furniture shopping requires a careful balance between emotion and intellect, Haas points out. If you’re planning to update your décor with some new furniture this summer, here are two important areas to examine when assessing furniture. If the piece measures up to these standards, chances are you’ll still be able to love it next summer.
Frame Construction
If you’re shopping in a showroom, be sure to ask the sales person about the frame under the upholstery. If you’re shopping online, be sure it’s with a company that can answer this basic question – what is the frame made of? Hardwood frames like oak, maple and poplar provide a strong, solid foundation for the furniture. Avoid soft woods like pine or plywood.
Wood should be kiln-dried hardwood, which imparts strength and durability. Several types of hardwood are good; Carrington Court Direct uses maple/poplar and ash. “Of course, the strongest wood in the world is no good if it’s cut too thin,” Haas notes. Many manufacturers use 5/4-inch lumber, Carrington Court uses 8/4-inch lumber, meaning the wood is nearly 65 percent thicker than planks commonly found in wood frames.
Fabric
If you’re buying from a big-box furniture store, you’ll likely have only a few fabric selections to choose from. Limited fabric choices allow manufacturers to buy their fabric in volume, keeping their costs down. If you go with a smaller company you may find yourself with more choices – or even the ability to supply your own fabric; Carrington Court offers 200 fabrics and has a “customer’s own material” program. If you’re having furniture made for you, the manufacturer should be willing to send you sample swatches of the fabric you choose.
When choosing a fabric type for your upholstered furniture, keep in mind that durability is a key consideration. Some materials commonly used include:
* Cotton – A natural fiber, cotton resists wear, fading and piling, but is less resistant to soiling. Blending cotton with other fabrics can address soiling issues.
* Acrylic – Originally developed as imitation wool, this synthetic fabric resists wear, wrinkling, soiling and fading.
* Nylon – One of the most resilient fabrics, nylon is rarely used alone. Most often, it is blended with other fibers, making it one of the strongest upholstery fabrics. It’s highly resistant to soiling and fading.
* Olefin – Often used in blends with other fibers, olefin is a perfect choice for furniture that will get heavy use and wear.
* Polyester – Most often blended with other fibers, polyester resists wrinkles.
* Rayon – Developed as a silk alternative, this synthetic is more durable than silk but does wrinkle.
If you’re furniture shopping in a showroom, carefully inspect the upholstery and repeat your inspection when the furniture is delivered to your home. Look for fabric that is clean, free of rips, tears or stains. Also, if the fabric is patterned, be sure the patterns line up at fabric seams.
Carrington Court Direct has sold furniture for 23 years. Its Parsons and dining-room chairs can be found in dining rooms, bedrooms and living areas of homes across the country, as well as in quality hotels, designer showrooms, restaurants and offices. To learn more, or purchase furniture online, visit www.CarringtonCourtDirect.com.
