tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419991423887234122024-03-13T10:03:43.508-07:00type A all the wayI'm focused on what I do, passionate about what I love and never satisfied.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01687393372306975269noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-741999142388723412.post-50836512573916792542010-03-16T14:16:00.000-07:002010-03-16T14:41:50.963-07:00Spring Cleaning EVERY DAYIt's easy to stay on top of household chores if you keep your eyes open. I make it a point to walk through each room of my house at least once a day, and, as I do, I pay careful attention to anything that might need a little sprucing up. This might be as simple as fluffing a pillow, straightening a bedspread or returning miscellaneous objects to their rightful spot. Keeping up daily might also require some light dusting of furniture and hardwood floors or organizing the refrigerator. You could find yourself in the laundry room and notice that your hard working washer and dryer need a bit of a wipe down. DO NOT PUT OFF DOING THESE MINI-JOBS. If you take care of it as you see it, you will be amazed at how much less you have to do all at once. <br /><br />By the way, while some might think the little tidbits mentioned above fall under the category of "Spring Cleaning", they absolutely do not. True "Spring Cleaning" is reserved for big jobs, like painting a room, cleaning drapes, polishing silver, etc.<br /><br />If you would find a "keep your eyes open as you travel room-by-room checklist" helpful, leave a comment and I'll work on putting one together. Organization brings peace.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Redirect atom.xml http://angela.costanzi/nowthatlooksgood/atom.php</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01687393372306975269noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-741999142388723412.post-43612863474987631522008-09-13T18:36:00.001-07:002008-09-13T18:44:49.787-07:00Out with the old and in with the mumsChances are your summer flowers are dying back, making it a perfect time to freshen things up with some mums. These hardy plants will thrive in the ground until Thanksgiving. Just a few grouped together can really make an impact.<br /><br />Tip: Avoid mixing colors unless you really have a lot of space to cover. One mistake many people make is to choose flower colors that match their house. Contrasting colors offer the most pop. The buttercream brick on my home works great with deep purple or brick red mums, whereas yellow would clash.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Redirect atom.xml http://angela.costanzi/nowthatlooksgood/atom.php</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01687393372306975269noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-741999142388723412.post-15264024601141933872007-01-21T09:52:00.000-08:002007-01-21T09:57:30.664-08:00Skip the Windex. Use Vinegar.2 parts water mixed with 1 part white vinegar will work better than Windex. You can of course use the old Windex spray bottle to house this chemical-free concoction to make interior window and mirror cleaning a breeze.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Redirect atom.xml http://angela.costanzi/nowthatlooksgood/atom.php</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01687393372306975269noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-741999142388723412.post-77714011728039164602007-01-21T09:39:00.000-08:002007-01-21T09:50:15.165-08:00Hydreangas love coffee too!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkX26-SNXknQVltagnfT0EZUtpEeYbHXii8USTCuJBB2anRaFsTqtHm6MvoV6W9kS0M_YP2ChF2_ehQMHJvMliIqpIYInO6xaLBaBSd6hl_2KjRFqXJnU_eWBAdXAk8IhZ7H9cgFNoazM/s1600-h/hydrangea.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkX26-SNXknQVltagnfT0EZUtpEeYbHXii8USTCuJBB2anRaFsTqtHm6MvoV6W9kS0M_YP2ChF2_ehQMHJvMliIqpIYInO6xaLBaBSd6hl_2KjRFqXJnU_eWBAdXAk8IhZ7H9cgFNoazM/s200/hydrangea.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5022542444123074498" /></a>Spring will be here before we know it and while I don't suggest actually saving coffee grounds until then, keep this tip in mind on the weekends come March. Every other Sunday morning, I empty used coffee grounds in my garden around the base of my hydrangeas. This tip came from my dad's cousin who every year has the most spectacular blooms.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Redirect atom.xml http://angela.costanzi/nowthatlooksgood/atom.php</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01687393372306975269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-741999142388723412.post-62902525098528423262007-01-21T08:36:00.000-08:002007-01-21T08:47:44.996-08:00Cleaning Tip – DishwasherBelieve it or not this hard working appliance can benefit from a bit of baking soda. Sprinkle some Arm & Hammer (about 1/2 cup) inside your dishwasher and run on a short cycle. Prevent odors by doing this monthly. Click on the Baking Soda link for more creative cleaning uses.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Redirect atom.xml http://angela.costanzi/nowthatlooksgood/atom.php</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01687393372306975269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-741999142388723412.post-3187695036391909562007-01-21T08:02:00.000-08:002007-01-21T08:31:56.315-08:00Outshine, every time."Management is nothing more than motivating other people." – Lee Iacocca<br /><br />Early in my career, I was fortunate to work with (not under) a creative director who gave everything 100%. Inspired by his display of commitment, I vowed to approach every day the same way. At the time I was responsible for the production room (back in the days of paste-up when my flats actually got stuck to the floor) and could have easily just gone to work each day knowing that I would cut and paste and piece together whatever work would come my way. It didn't take me long to realize that I wasn't going to learn anything by working alone with a can of Super 77. In typical type A fashion, I went looking for more.<br /><br />Within a week, I made everyone on the 14th floor aware of my skills (skills that far exceeded production and paste-up) and was included in concept and design meetings. Now of course I could not dump my production responsibilities on anyone else so I needed to do it all. <br /><br />One night I was working late in the production room to get a jump on the next day and in walked my creative director. With a series of good jokes, he flipped his tie over his shoulder and began helping me cut and paste tiny Coca-Cola logos. I carry that moment with me today as it continues to serve as my management mantra; motivate others by working harder and smarter while sharing a few laughs.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Redirect atom.xml http://angela.costanzi/nowthatlooksgood/atom.php</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01687393372306975269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-741999142388723412.post-40273039158266723012007-01-20T18:30:00.000-08:002007-01-20T18:48:13.270-08:00Forget the front-loaders!After one week without a washing machine and Sears' inability to fix it (the drum of my 4 year old, top-of-the-line, Kenmore Elite, King capacity, heavy duty unit rusted out and detached itself from the agitator bolt), I've decided to buy the top-loading Whirlpool Cabrio. (I would never buy another Kenmore product)<br /><br />This is one decision where form took a back seat to function. Of course I wanted my laundry room to feature the "fresh front-loader look", but after numerous hous of research, I learned that the rubber gasket used to seal the front door traps water which leads to mold. Even worse, the gasket needs to be replaced often or water will leak through the door. <br /><br />The love affair ended when I saw these machines in person. The shiny chrome rings on the door front are plastic and the pedastals make the units look massive.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Redirect atom.xml http://angela.costanzi/nowthatlooksgood/atom.php</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01687393372306975269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-741999142388723412.post-61939561835861793742007-01-20T18:19:00.000-08:002007-01-20T18:27:57.197-08:00Pet Peeve #1: The dirty strainer basketNothing (for right now) annoys me more than food particles left in my sink's strainer basket. If you're going to help with the dishes, please finish the job by emptying and washing these hard working vessles. While you're at it, wash and dry the entire sink, as spots on stainless steel serve as pet peeve #2.<br /><br />Tip: Once a month, boil a pot of water and run it down the sink followed by some bleach. If you have a garbage disposer, salt and lemon juice will also work.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Redirect atom.xml http://angela.costanzi/nowthatlooksgood/atom.php</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01687393372306975269noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-741999142388723412.post-5891250822796945942007-01-20T18:03:00.000-08:002007-01-20T18:17:21.333-08:00Wash your car, please.I couldn't help but notice the amount of dirty, incredibly salty cars out on the road today. Granted, most people may have been scared off by the long lines, but it really is worth the wait. Not only does road salt eat away at the paint, it makes even the nicest cars look downright ugly. (I won't even mention cars with excessive rust, missing hub caps and banged up bumpers).<div class="blogger-post-footer">Redirect atom.xml http://angela.costanzi/nowthatlooksgood/atom.php</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01687393372306975269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-741999142388723412.post-3727336679480835662007-01-07T11:58:00.000-08:002007-01-07T12:05:22.719-08:00Great is not good enough. Be exceptional.Welcome to the new year – a time to embrace your type A personality and hit the ground running. I'm sure by now you've got your goals set and you're well on your way to achieving them (while most others are still catching up from '06). Stay positive. Remain focused and push forward...everyday.<br /><br />Remember to think big – always and dream bigger!<br /><br />The new season of Apprentice starts tonight on NBC. The 1 1/2 hour special debuts LA. It will be fun to explore new scenery, but what I like most are the 10 sec tips from Donald!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Redirect atom.xml http://angela.costanzi/nowthatlooksgood/atom.php</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01687393372306975269noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-741999142388723412.post-3330988870666090142007-01-07T10:17:00.000-08:002007-01-07T10:45:37.845-08:00Holiday spills? Head to the kitchen.Chocolate smeared chintz? Strawberry sauce on silk? Try this. Lightly sprinkle baking soda over the stained area. Add a dab of dishshoap to a damp white washcloth and lightly scrub in the natural direction of the fabric. Be careful not to overwet the area. Wait for fabric to dry. The stain should be gone, but if you notice white residue rising to the surface, lightly wipe the area again with a damp cloth.<br /><br />We tried this technique at my friend's house over the weekend and before I left, the situation on the dining room chair appeared to be under control. By the way she made a fabulous brunch and I invite you to checkout her blog where you're sure to find a world of culinary delights: <br /><br />http://porcinichronicles.blogspot.com/<div class="blogger-post-footer">Redirect atom.xml http://angela.costanzi/nowthatlooksgood/atom.php</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01687393372306975269noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-741999142388723412.post-34015015904669643102007-01-07T09:41:00.000-08:002007-01-07T10:02:38.032-08:00Christmas Is Over. The lights must come down.While holiday lights and tasteful decorations add warmth to winter the time that they remain up and on should really be limited. With the second week in January about to start, the extended grace period is now over. Do take care in packing things aways as it will make unpacking (eleven short months from now and not any earlier) that much easier.<br /><br />Organizational bins are available in all shapes, sizes and colors, but like any well designed space, a closet should also reflect a theme. Choose a stackable size container that best fits your storage space and stick with one color (white* being the least offensive and most versatile) so if you need to add another container at a later date you won't be forced to select one that does not match. Remember to purchase containers made of high quality plastic accompanied by strong lids that snap shut. You'll find the best deals on these items throughout the month of January as most people vowe to get more organized. Checkout Container Store for a variety of items that are both functional and well-made: http://www.containerstore.com/<br /><br />*note: a white plastic bin is least likely to mark your walls if you happen to scuff them when removing bins from a tight space<div class="blogger-post-footer">Redirect atom.xml http://angela.costanzi/nowthatlooksgood/atom.php</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01687393372306975269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-741999142388723412.post-80491666666656060712006-11-19T08:57:00.000-08:002006-11-19T09:31:57.848-08:00Scuff marks? Colgate works wonders.The same toothpaste you've counted on to keep your pearly whites sparkling for years can do the trick when scuff marks darken your white wood surfaces. A dab of Colgate toothpaste and a little scrubbing effort will erase the stubborn stain while leaving the surface smelling minty fresh.<a href="http://nowthatlooksgood.blogspot.com"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Redirect atom.xml http://angela.costanzi/nowthatlooksgood/atom.php</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01687393372306975269noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-741999142388723412.post-50043233519567704572006-11-17T10:17:00.000-08:002006-11-19T08:19:23.007-08:00Sweet & sour or hot & spicy?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/3796/90576067186123/1600/JudgingCreativeB2B.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/3796/90576067186123/200/JudgingCreativeB2B.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />A personal preference really, but when it comes to evaluating good creative, personal taste should be last on the list. Learn how testing can help you drive and refine creative by checking out my article on Movéo's mindshare page. Visit: <span style="font-weight:bold;">www.moveo.com</span> today<a href="http://www.moveo.com"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Redirect atom.xml http://angela.costanzi/nowthatlooksgood/atom.php</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01687393372306975269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-741999142388723412.post-89651854501179073922006-11-17T09:27:00.000-08:002007-01-07T10:16:44.439-08:00Form follows function<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIT7hVwWFUHRis6yvWrEMsuwLYD66Eqqb-90U8TZpNOuC8hupLjsrZdGgW9Dc1d0OJRVlMzID8mR92DSNiRn86jxpjds2tLBqmopeqRckkCImu5zPUpQeEJY0MHPrOQvnpwpljEY8AqUs/s1600-h/Mind+Share+Loungesm.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIT7hVwWFUHRis6yvWrEMsuwLYD66Eqqb-90U8TZpNOuC8hupLjsrZdGgW9Dc1d0OJRVlMzID8mR92DSNiRn86jxpjds2tLBqmopeqRckkCImu5zPUpQeEJY0MHPrOQvnpwpljEY8AqUs/s200/Mind+Share+Loungesm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5017354066647971842" /></a>Using a combination of magnetic and chalkboard paints by Benjamin Moore, we maximzied the functional use of two walls, creating a useable and inviting atmosphere conducive to brainstorming. The furniture, with clean minimal lines, can accomodate a number of people but doesn't fight the work and writing on the walls. The lighting is dramatic and the use of low metal lockers is appropriate for housing a full library of creative resource materials. Movéo's Mindshare lounge serves as a nice example of a brand-inspired environment; clean, smart, sophisticated and forward-thinking.<a href="http://www.moveo.com"></a><a href="http://www.benjaminmoore.com/index.aspf"></a><a href="http://magnamagic.com/"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Redirect atom.xml http://angela.costanzi/nowthatlooksgood/atom.php</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01687393372306975269noreply@blogger.com119tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-741999142388723412.post-21685016653496776602006-11-16T17:12:00.001-08:002006-11-19T09:11:11.454-08:00Random flushingTo keep toilets fresh, flush often. The frequent movement of water will keep your shiny white (I would never suggest a colored bowl) toilet gleaming until your next cleaning. This same principal (random flushing) applies to concepting as well. Make a note of, but quickly flush, your first idea so you don't get stuck on it. When you circle back around later, you'll quickly know if it's worth pursuing.<span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.moveo.com"></a></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Redirect atom.xml http://angela.costanzi/nowthatlooksgood/atom.php</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01687393372306975269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-741999142388723412.post-6601347645290061842006-11-15T20:53:00.000-08:002006-11-19T09:30:33.872-08:00Landscape lighting or flight path?Lighting can certainly add drama to architecture and plants alike, but remember, a little goes a long way. Much like "supersize value meals", the lighting kits available through Home Depot and other home improvement stores are designed to make you feel as though you're getting more for your money, but you really shouldn't be eating all of those fries if you know what I mean. We've all seen the result--a lit border, usually formed in a very straight line, of too many plastic path lights--attracting planes, but not much else.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Redirect atom.xml http://angela.costanzi/nowthatlooksgood/atom.php</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01687393372306975269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-741999142388723412.post-67708850459700321862006-11-15T20:45:00.000-08:002006-11-19T08:55:14.289-08:00Landscape Design - A small requestIf you've decided to add mulch to your garden beds, please use the very, very dark brown pine bark. The dyed red stuff just doesn't look good.<a href="http://www.homedepot.com"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Redirect atom.xml http://angela.costanzi/nowthatlooksgood/atom.php</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01687393372306975269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-741999142388723412.post-8331607872711814612006-11-15T20:33:00.000-08:002006-11-19T08:24:13.123-08:00Cleaning Tip - Windows<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/3796/90576067186123/1600/636626/ultra_original_scent_bottle.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/3796/90576067186123/200/211849/ultra_original_scent_bottle.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />A drop of Dawn dishsoap in a bucket of warm water will work wonders on your windows. For a steak-free shine, use a German squeege (makes a great birthday gift). If you don't have one yet, use newspaper.<a href="http://housekeeping.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=housekeeping&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.homemadesimple.com%2Fdawn%2Fcomplete.shtml"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Redirect atom.xml http://angela.costanzi/nowthatlooksgood/atom.php</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01687393372306975269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-741999142388723412.post-68710730423081472312006-11-15T19:38:00.000-08:002006-11-15T19:39:07.237-08:00Type A and proud of it<p><b>Type A personality</b> is a term used to describe people who display the following behaviors:</p> <ol><li>Insatiable desire to achieve their goals</li><li>Strong willingness to compete in all situations</li><li>Strong desire for recognition and advancement</li><li>Desire to multitask under time constraints</li><li>Always in a rush to finish activities</li><li>Above average mental and physical alertness</li></ol> <p>It was first described as an important risk factor in coronary disease in the 1950s by cardiologists <a href="http://www.answers.com/topic/meyer-friedman" class="ilnk" target="_top" onclick="assignParam('navinfo','method|4'+getLinkTextForCookie(this));">Meyer Friedman</a>, R. H. Rosenham, and their co-workers. Friedman & Rosenham estimated that Type A behavior doubles the risk of coronary heart disease in otherwise healthy men and women. The long-range effect of this finding was the development of the field of <a href="http://www.answers.com/topic/health-psychology" class="ilnk" target="_top" onclick="assignParam('navinfo','method|4'+getLinkTextForCookie(this));">health psychology</a>, in which psychologists look at how a person's mental state affects his or her physical state.</p> <p>In some cases, as first demonstrated by Dr. Redford Williams, a cardiologist at Duke University, Type A behavior may not to be a risk factor for coronary heart disease. According to Williams, the lethal part of Type A personality (the expression of hostility and anger) is the only significant risk-factor. Williams named the tendency to hostility and anger the Type H personality.</p> <p>Furthermore, a systematic review of clinical evidence by Bunker et al recently concluded that there is no evidence for a causal association between Type A behaviour and coronary heart disease.</p> <p>The most common instrument for diagnosing Type A personality is the <a href="http://www.answers.com/topic/jenkins-activity-survey" class="ilnk" target="_top" onclick="assignParam('navinfo','method|4'+getLinkTextForCookie(this));">Jenkins activity survey</a>, first published in 1979 and based on research going back to the 1940's.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Redirect atom.xml http://angela.costanzi/nowthatlooksgood/atom.php</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01687393372306975269noreply@blogger.com0