A Rushed Decor
Louisa Stephan
Oct19th
Topics: Web Design
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I love to decorate. However, budgeting constraints hold me back from completing my full vision. Although I’m still searching for a lot of those final-touch pieces for my home, my projects are heading in the right direction. Maybe if I increased my decorating budget it would happen faster … ? The thought that “I could be completely done with my decorating and focus on other things–to put decorating on the back burner and just relax” is appealing; however, I’m starting to learn that haste in decorating creates a rushed impression, and it’s not entirely authentic.

For example, go to your favorite store for home decorating pieces, and you’ll find that their styles rotate from season to season.

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Don’t Write Long Emails
Louisa Stephan
Apr18th
Topics: History and Philosophy
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Are you putting your reader to sleep? (HT: Aaron Jacobs)

I recently read an article titled “Your emails are too long.” My first reaction was “Woah, whoever wrote this knows I write long emails, but I have to. Otherwise I won’t be giving enough information.” I made a list of  justifications in my head until I realized I was defensive because it was true. Eek. My emails are long — too long. And so are yours. Admit it.

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Creative Results
Louisa Stephan
Mar7th
Topics: Fun Stuff, History and Philosophy
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These two commercials from Delta are so fun to watch. Wouldn’t it have been cool to be part of the creative process of building these? I think that, and then I realize that commercials that are this intriguing and fun take a lot of work to look so effortless. As part of a creative organization, I’ve come to realize that things always take longer than you planned, but the results are most often worth it.

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Snow Boots Necessary
Louisa Stephan
Jan13th
Topics: Fun Stuff
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If you live in South Carolina, you’re probably sick of snow and ice. For those of you unfamiliar with our “blizzard”… We received 8 inches of snow on Monday. It turned to ice on Tuesday since the roads weren’t cleared. Schools have been closed all this week, and I think it’s safe to say that those who have been stuck at home have been stir-crazy.

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Thank You. You’re Welcome.
Louisa Stephan
Nov22nd
Topics: History and Philosophy
2 Comments »

Yesterday, I was driving in the Publix parking lot, and instead of quickly zooming into a spot, I slowed and let a young woman cross in front of me and into the spot. We made eye contact. I smiled. She…well, she didn’t do anything. No friendly hand wave, no return smile. Nothing.

The day before yesterday I gave something to someone–something that had taken me some time to make. The recipient of the gift said “Oh, okay.” No “thank you” or smile.

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