Photos

August 6, 2018 In Links, Live the life you want to live, People, Photos, Travel, Travel Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized, Virginia

blr summer tour 2018: rock on

Hey there, summer! It’s official…we are ON THE ROAD!

Another butt-busting run of client projects, has left my squirrel spinning brain, far away from quiet, focused coffee sipping and writing time. Well, good morning today, from my catching up on things desk (friends dining table), in Virginia!

This mug jumped out at me when I opened the cupboard. We’re a match made in heaven!

Since my last post about crawling on the floor, we’ve done a ton more crawling, lifting, lugging, organizing, selling, planning and managing of client lives and transitions. I’ve also kept my cheesy thumbs up photos going, for your viewing pleasure:

Nothing says glitz and glamour, like hauling out a huge pile of trash upon arrival at a project!

The first stop on the Blue Lollipop Road Summer 2018 tour was Charlottesville. This client family had taken off to California, and we were the wrap crew. We got to work quickly sorting and selling items they left behind. At the very end of our stay, we donated the last few boxes, bags, and pieces of furniture to the good guys:

(Thanks for the pick up, Salvation Army!)

Not a bad location for a week of work…

If you haven’t been to Charlottesville for a while, you should put it on your calendar. I used to go regularly, back in my Richmond days, and boy has it grown since then! Amazing food, lots of fantastic music/art, and events. Best? This gorgeousness in wine country, a 15 minute drive away:

Because we think it’s important to work hard and celebrate even harder, we did just that on one special day:

Pippin Hill Vineyards is a perfect spot to make a big, bubbly toast. (You’ll have to keep following here for news on what we were celebrating. There are lots of exciting things coming up this month.) In true BLR style, this summer has ended up being like many others; thousands of miles of adventure about to be logged in the books, for both work and fun. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

We’re thrilled we were able to help this last “C’ville” family happily launch into their new West Coast life, while we took care of business for them back East. We love that we can travel anywhere to make any kind of transition easy, for those who might otherwise find big change, stressful.

Are you ready for a lifestyle switch up? About to lose your mind with too much on your plate during a move? Ready to empty that nest? We’ve got your back! Drop us a line, anytime. In the meantime, cheers to warm days and sunshine!

Next up:

Weddings, baseball, feasting with friends, 2 big birthdays, and oh, did we mention, concerts at Wrigley Field?

Rock on! See you on the road…

#LifeOutsideTheDroneZone #TodayIsTheDay #StartDriving

June 18, 2018 In Links, North Carolina, People, Photos

and then she crawled on the floor

I don’t know how swanky your job is, but mine often looks like this:

Since my last post, nearly 2 months ago (how the heck does 2 months later always happen?), I have been BIZ-EEE. If I had small children, they may have been starved by this point. I really don’t know how moms and dads do it all. Hats off once again, to all you parents in the world for keeping yourselves clothed and fed (let alone other small humans), while you work, and do a zillion other things.

The above photo shows me attempting to pull myself up from the dark pantry bottom shelf floor of a client home last week. Those clients took their 2 young kiddos off on a cross-country road trip to their new home in Texas, and I wrapped up everything for them in North Carolina. I’m often the last one to walk through, the last set of eyes on each corner or drawer, and the one who hands the keys in, to a place where lots of memories were made. I love my job.

This past several weeks during the spring client move madness, I haven’t slept much, and social time has been fairly limited. Balance? Not really. It’s been go, go, go, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. My friend Aaron:

“I’d rather work 80 for myself, than 40 for someone else, any week of my life.”

I agree. The hustle is not glamorous, but at the end of the day if I’m still smiling and helping people get to the life they want, that’s all the fancy I ever need. Thumbs up!

Here’s to showing up, getting dirty, and knowing you make a difference.

#LoveYourWork #LifeOutsideTheDroneZone #AlwaysLookingUp

March 10, 2018 In Do good, grow, Inspiration, Links, Live the life you want to live, North Carolina, People, Photos, Projects & Organizations I dig, Uncategorized

still celebrating everyday? Heck, yes!

And just like that…poof! There goes another month. Time flies too fast.

I spent the first month of 2018 celebrating and sharing here, and the second, not sharing here. Don’t fret my loves, I’ve still been having a lots of fun! I’ve been celebrating things like helping to get client donations to women and children coming out of domestic violence situations:

(Doing good feels so good! Thank you to so many people who volunteer their time to help others!)

…waking up in beautiful places and sipping coffee on balconies:

…uber windy chilly afternoons on the beach:

…breathtaking sunsets:

…purging and packing for cross country client moves:

(Remember, PURGE BEFORE YOU RELOCATE! Why in the world would you want to spend your hard earned money on moving a bunch of stuff you no longer need/use/want? There are so many more fun ways to spend your cash, like on cheese, the waterpark with your kids, coffee, a concert with your lover, or that mani/pedi you need to take a few minutes to yourself, for:)

Now let’s continue the celebrating with throwing a surprise birthday party for a friend:

(Like bubbly? Fill a flute 80% Prosecco or Cava, and the rest with grapefruit. Fresh grapefruit is best, but bottled will do, too. Yum!)

…onto events that promote inclusion, diversity, health, wellness, and human rights!

Equality now and forever! (You do you, girl, boy, or whatever word/term/name/thing that suits you/you feel like you want to rock out.)

…a little bit of road trippin’ for Carolina Blue basketball:

…and food! Oh how I love cooking and feasting with amazing people…one of the best ways to spend time:

Chimichurri cauliflower!

Crunchy french toast! Roll your egg-battered bread through corn flakes and voila…french toast kicked up a notch. Especially with Schoolhouse Maple syrup, made by my friends. It doesn’t get better than this, and sugaring season now. Mmm. (Yes! You can order some here.)

2 months down in 2018, 10 more to go, and some really fantastic things are on the horizon. This Blue Lollipop Road party isn’t going anywhere, so be prepared to keep those sunglasses on, because the light is shining bright, baby. Whether you celebrate in quiet or out loud and proud, it’s all about taking a minute to appreciate simple things…every…single…day.

Today is the day. What are you waiting for?

#EverydayAdventures #LifeOutsideTheDroneZone #RememberCelebrateLive

February 4, 2018 In blue lollipops, Photos, Videos

celebrate everyday: day 35

2.4.18

Today, like a zillion other Americans, I celebrate the Super Bowl.

I can get into this football party stuff each year for the beer, nachos, and commercials of course. Game? What game? What I really like to focus on is the dance party. My girl Missy Elliot stole the show a few years ago:

(Link to video here.)

…maybe she’ll show up again tonight!

#SuperDay #LetsParty #LifeOnTheBlueLollipopRoad

*Ready to get off the couch and start partying (celebrating) a little more? Call me! (804.339.6514) I can help.

February 4, 2018 In De-lish, Photos

celebrate everyday: day 34

2.3.18

Today I celebrate big messy tables of Chinese food:

Chinese takeout is perfect for moving in, moving out, those nights when you’re feeling a little lazy about cooking, or when you want to go visit a friend who’s just had a surgery for an injury that hurt worse than child birth.

Ouch.

Fortune cookies and good company make everything better.

#Feast #LiveSimpleDoMore #PivotTribe

*Want to build a better community of people? Call me! (804.339.6514) I can help.

February 4, 2018 In Freedom, North Carolina, People, Photos, Today Is The Day

celebrate everyday: day 33

2.2.18

Today I celebrate guys who ask what the heck is that thing?! Then put it on and dance around in public places:

This is a poncho I bought from a street vendor in Spain for $15. Sure is a small price to pay for some good laughs and entertainment. I wish all grown ups were this fun.

When’s the last time you had a dance party?

#LifeOutsideTheDroneZone #WhenInDoubtBeyonceItOut #LifeUnstuck

*Ready to have a little more fun in your life? Call me! (804.339.6514) I can help.

February 2, 2018 In Do good, Inspiration, Links, Photos, Uncategorized

celebrate everyday: day 31

1.31.18

I help clients get unstuck. That means I work with people to create the LIFESTYLE they want. Typically this is after (ahem) sh*t has hit the fan and change is forced from not so fun situations. (Death, divorce, debt.) When we’re unfortunately split open to the core, there seems to be an odd magical lightbulb that goes off which makes us stop and think a little more about what really matters.

I LOVE MY JOB.

Really good things can come from change. Like these garbage bags:

Today I celebrate hyperlocal donations to people in need from those who have too much.

What’s in the bags? Books, movies, games, music, towels, and linens. They all went to a local battered women’s placement office and shelter.

I’ve donated probably millions of dollars worth of client items since starting my business. One mans trash is another mans treasure indeed. Leaving it all behind and running towards the life you really want can be scary, but those things you say goodbye to, can make a huge impact on someone else’s. Everybody wins.

Today is the day. What are you waiting for?

#LessStuffMoreFreedomHappyLife #LiveSimpleDoMore #LoveYourWork

*Ready to get unstuck? Call me! (804.339.6514) I can help.

February 2, 2018 In Freedom, grow, Inspiration, Links, Live the life you want to live, News articles/Links, Photos, play, Today Is The Day, Travel, Uncategorized

celebrate everyday: day 30

1.30.18

I’m a AAA member, and have been for years. (Road Trippin’/travelin’/nomadin’/adventurin’ peeps, unite!) These horrifying stats just came to my email inbox from AAA about National Plan For Vacation Day:

Last year 54% of American didn’t use all their vacation time?!

Oh. Em. Gee. My heart breaks for people out there who are a part of that 54%. WHAT ARE Y’ALL WAITING FOR?! (I just had to get all southern for a minute, I’m so sad for that fact!)

Dear Friends,

Let’s start respecting the clock. Shall we?

Love, Diane

I bet:

*You could use a break

*You have a grand baby across the country you want to snuggle more with

*Your mom has been bugging you to visit

*Your jeans are bursting at the seams after the holidays and the gym is calling

*Your college reunion is coming up

*You’re in love with someone across the state you want to smooch

*You have needed to go to the dentist for a while now

*You are so over that closet piled full of crap you don’t use, need, or want

*Your kids kept you up all night last night

*Granny keeps calling, she wants you to meet her for lunch

*The Big Game is coming up and you sure would like to stuff your face with nachos watching it with friends

*Your passport is about to expire and it has no stamps

I’m wrong? None of the above? Ok, then I bet:

*That nonprofit you’re super passionate about could use some more extra help

*Your brother misses you

*Your guitar is collecting dust

*That cooking class only has one spot left available

*Your convertible hasn’t seen the sun in ages

*That book! That book is still sitting half-read on your bedside table

*You keep staring at that photo of the glaciers in Patagonia wondering why you haven’t been

*You’re daydreaming of a palm tree, a cold beer, and a moment of silence

One or more apply to you? Think it’s maybe time to go, be, see, and/or do what you want, need, or should?

Today I celebrate saying goodby to the office/cube/”work” for a day, week, or month, and hello to taking the time you have earned.

Not taking vacation…time…for your heart, health, and well-being, is about as bad as showing up to your should be inspiring commencement speech and telling all the fresh faces in caps and gowns the world sucks, there’s no hope for anyone, and Dr. Seuss was wrong, because they will never go anywhere.

Please don’t do that.

I challenge you to walk in to the big kahuna and tell her (see what I did there?) you’re going to take a few days to go hiking in nature alone, then spend the rest of your other few days just hanging with your family doing a whole lot of nothing other than being together. (Or whatever other very simple or over the top thing you can think of.) You will be taking ALL of your vacation days this year thankyouverymuch.

Let’s wipe out waste (of every kind.) Especially wasted time.

#RespectTheClock #TodayIsTheDay #LifeUnstuck

*Ready to get outta dodge, near or far? Call me! (804.339.6514) I can help.

January 31, 2018 In Freedom, grow, Inspiration, Live the life you want to live, North Carolina, Photos

celebrate everyday: day 29

1.29.18

Today I celebrate bright work space windows:

Baby it’s cold outside, but not in here facing out to the sun and blue skies!

How are you staying inspired to crank out your 9 to 5?

#LoveYourWork #LifeOutsideTheDroneZone #AlwaysLookingUp

*Feeling stuck in your day job? Call me! (804.339.6514) I can help.

January 28, 2018 In Be active, Cool companies, Deals & Steals, Freedom, Great companies, grow, Links, Photography, Photos, Projects & Organizations I dig, Travel, Travel Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized

celebrate everyday: day 27

1.27.18

Today I celebrate friends who start their own travel companies:

Check out this trip to Ireland in May! A great deal and opportunity for off the beaten path adventure with a couple of experienced and talented hosts. It’s pretty awesome when people find their super passions and want to share them with others.

Maybe it’s time for you to fly away, little birdie?

#Wanderlust #LifeOutsideTheDroneZone #ExperiencesNotThings

*Ready to take a trip but don’t know where to start? Call me! (804.339.6514) I can help.