| Cedar and Rose

Why Use WordPress for your Website? Part 1

WordPress has become so popular these days that most people are now familiar with the concept and most importantly, the major benefits to implementing a WordPress website or blog. A refresher, or perhaps for some this is new information, on why WordPress is the golden child of the website and blog world. I’ve worked on many large corporate websites {Adobe.com, Mattel.com, BEA.com} over the last several years and can share firsthand that the caliber of intellect and skillset required to pull those off is immense. There are several different key roles that factor in to the ongoing design, production and maintenance of these sites. Most people would never even venture to dip a toe into the [...] Read more »

Relaxed Focus

David Allen, of Getting Things Done {GTD} has just published one of his best newsletters yet. In it he discusses the very real challenge and experience most people have on a daily basis of managing “the contant stream” of “the frequency and volume of potentially meaningful input”. He wraps things up by discussing how mismanagement of this can easily dovetail into avoidance behavior. {I think we’ve all been there…} David is never preachy, dogmatic or judgmental ~ he is, in fact, very straight forward and factual, with the clarity that comes from years of clearing your mind and navigating your internal and external commitments. I’ve been implementing the GTD methodology into my life for the [...] Read more »

Design Strategy

The next generation of designers is going beyond “makers of things” where form is the focus {how pretty is this!} to “design strategists” where the value of form is one part of the equation. Equally as important is the ability to form collaborative relationships, design for the target audience, understand the goals of the business and how design can help meet those, account for new technology and measure the results of design decisions. 2 parts of design co-exist: the strategy and the implementation of the design solution. In actuality, design has always been about the solving of problems. In fact, the core theories of design center around geometric principles. What has recently occurred, however, with [...] Read more »

The Importance of Super Top Level Goals

We talk about goals all the time; most of the time we are referring to tangible “things” or milestones to meet. These are often much easier to work towards and quantify. However, there are often times when we stand back and say “What’s it all for?” A GREAT question to ask, by the way. I’ve found that this seeking has brought me to understand the importance of asking & answering this question. Here’s why it’s important for me: there are a million things to do in a day; some you want to do, others not so much. But how do you maintain the motivation and momentum continuously to do these things & subsequently affect the [...] Read more »

Company Culture

This is something that comes from the depths of your spirit, heart and intellect. We value our integrity – doing what we commit to – and our commitment to the world we live in. A business is a holistic entity – by its very definition it strives to be profitable – and it also has a responsibility about how that profit is achieved. This responsibility is to our clients, our neighbors, our vendors and those we may never meet in the world but whom we do and can affect. Each month we select a charity and donate a portion of our profits to it; these charities range in purpose so please send us an email [...] Read more »

Women Worldwide

I’ve recently come across a new organization, Women Thrive Worldwide, and am inspired by what I’ve seen so far on their site. Organizations like this help me keep perspective on my own challenges and gifts as it becomes strikingly apparent how many millions of other women live much different lives than myself and most women I know in my circle. Learning about how others live in the world inspires gratitude, focus and drive within me and I thank these women from the bottom of my heart from those gifts. Namaste. Read more »

Love & Duty

Empowering women is one of the most effective ways to restore balance into our fear-driven society. I have been very blessed to have been brought together with many beautiful, inspiring, driven women who love from their heart and walk a common path of womanhood. When feminine energy is collected and harnessed effectively it acts as an incredible force of progressive movement governed by compassion and love. It cares deeply for others and is extremely supportive and collaborative. Women in the US have the privilege of choosing a wide variety of lifestyles. While our country is far from perfect we do have more opportunities to create a life we love than most countries at the present [...] Read more »