Tag Archives: lounge

Internet Lounge

by on 24. Apr, 2009 in Erin's Lounge

As a chronic internet user, browsing the world wide web has become a part of my constant entertainment. Not having a blackberry until almost 2 years ago, I wasn’t as addicted to email and staying connected as I am today. But it was pretty bad even then.

Now, it’s become so bad, that I sleep with my blackberry and before I even get out of bed, I pick it up to see my emails! Is that not pathetic? Especially coming from the Lounge Queen. I pride myself with knowing what it takes to kick back, relax and enjoy my down time, but I seem to be having a problem, lately, taking my own advice.¬† So here’s what I’m going to start doing¬† in order to disconnect and unwind properly.

1. Either leave the Blackberry in the living room out of the bedroom until I’m up and ready for work, or turn off the radio frequency so emails are not coming through all night.

2. Put my computer and blackberry down after 9pm.¬† I know that’s late for some, but that’s pretty good for me.¬† At least it can be a start.¬† (As I type it’s almost 11pm!)

3. Only check emails at dedicated times throughout the day so I don’t get distracted from my work and/or downtime.

4.  Read more!  The computer has become my entertainment and I feel bad about that.  I have tons of books waiting on me.

5.¬† Quit interrupting my meals and down time to respond to emails or text messages.¬† When I’m with others it’s so rude and seriously…there’s little that is so pressing it can’t wait.

Putting these few things into action will be hard, but it must be done.¬† The three things I can’t seem to live without these days are my TIVO, my Blackberry and my computer, but they’re taking over and I have to get some balance back!

eb

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Home Office Lounge Spot

by on 02. Feb, 2009 in Erin's Lounge

Working from my home office for the past 2 years has really caused me to re-examine my workspace.¬† I’m all about lounging around and creating relaxing lounge spaces in my bedroom or living room, but my home office situation was beyond out of control.¬† I should have the same lounge space attitude where I work, right?¬† But it wasn’t happening.¬† You know how you just get tired of looking at your own mess?¬† Well I was.¬† And I needed a place that was a comfortable workspace that I would quit avoiding.

I couldn’t encourage you all to really dive in there and work on your own relaxing home space if I wasn’t doing the same thing.¬† So I figured I’d open up my junky spot for the world to see and show you what I was dealing with.

I first contacted Sascha Escandon with Rehabitat.¬† Sascha’s a professional organizer that I desperately needed.¬† I’m trying to save money in every phase of my life, but she was well worth it because I couldn’t get out of my own way.

So, here are some  pics of my home office workspace (which doubles as my dining area when needed.)

BEFORE

Look at this clutter!  My desk was such a mess that
I had to sit on my couch with my laptop!

So I went through the trouble of installing my
cool cork bulletin board on the wall, so why
do I need another one leaning on the fridge?

This is a media cabinet that I used for my TV
before I was forced to go flat screen.  I had it
clear across the room, even though it was all
office related.

My patterns were out of control!  There
must be a better way to do this!

As you can see, this was a hot mess and I couldn’t even think in here.¬† I would find myself going to my friend Emily’s just to get away from my own cluttered office.¬† Her home office seemed so peaceful and I could think there.¬† What? That’s crazy! I mean, my place is cute!¬† I got it because I thought it was the cutest little spot for L.A. living, so I had to make it work.¬† Rent in this town is too high to even think about not using what you’re already paying for!

Sascha helped me figure out what to do.¬† She would say the simplest things, like, “Put that there instead of there,” and I would think, “You’re so wise!”¬† She was particularly helpful with some of the things I won’t bore you with, like cabinet and closet assistance.¬† I had so much space I wasn’t maximizing.

The entire exercise helped me to create a space that was really comfortable.¬† Now I want to be here, think and do work.¬† Even though it’s a home office and I’m going to roll over to it in my lounge pants and hoody, it’s actually a usable home office space.

AFTER Vast improvement I’d say!

Are those wood floors I see?

Is that a glass desk?

Okay...Now that cabinet has a purpose other than \

Now that cabinet has a purpose.  Not
just my “free-for-all” office junk space!

I really wanted to start off my 2009 trying to live the life I wanted, so I’m beginning to create it.¬† My home has to be my sanctuary and what better place to lounge in than home?¬† Whether it’s my home office space or my bedroom¬† (Although…the bedroom is next!).¬† How many times have I looked in a Dwell magazine or West Elm and Pottery Barn catalogs thinking, “I wish I could get my space to look like that?”¬† I’d buy all of the stuff, but didn’t get the same end result.

I’m on my way.¬† I can’t very well have on my cute ass loungewear in a junky, chaotic mess!

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Election Day Lounge Session

by on 22. Oct, 2008 in Erin's Lounge

Most of us are counting down the days until the election. I know I am. I’m even considering voting early so I can post myself on the couch all day and lounge around watching CNN. I’ve already traded some of my favorite shows to watch some of those analysts duke it out. Will it be McCain or Obama? What does each one of them have to do in order to win? Who won this or that debate? Who is leading in the polls? What does Obama need to do to keep his lead? What does McCain need to do to close the gap? I’m completely addicted and I don’t see why November 4th is going be any different for everyone else. I know people who even take off of work and plant themselves in front of the television on election day. I plan to spend the greater part of my day doing the same.

If an election day lounge session is in your plans, make sure you have the proper accoutrements. If you’re lounging alone, you may choose different lounging attire than if you have an election party. You may even opt for an outfit that is appropriate enough to take you to the polls and back. Maybe the hoody tunic with basic pique pants or a kimono wrap robe accompanied with some basic pants.

Some other lounge day supplies should include proper refreshments, a good throw and some lip nourishment. No matter where, when or why you’re lounging, you always need to make sure your lips are adequately moisturized in an effort to prevent getting up from the couch once you’ve achieved that perfect position.

Happy Lounging…

eb

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Lounge Lover’s Addiction

by on 15. Jun, 2008 in Erin's Lounge

As embarrassing as it is to admit, I have finally come to terms with the fact that I actually do have an addiction. Not an uncommon one, but certainly one I would not be proud to brag about amongst a room full of scholars. Although, knowing me, I am doubtful I would find much enjoyment in a room full of scholarly types. My addiction is tied to my 32” LCD Sharp Aquos TV. About a year ago, I woke up to find my old television wouldn’t come on. It just wouldn’t say a word. I didn’t waste any time heading to my local Best Buy to get a new one, making excuses that it was for my TV obsessed dog, Wesley (who I believe is addicted, too). But when being completely honest with myself, I knew it was all about my own obsession with movies, reality TV, TIVO and any other TV trash coming through the airwaves.

The other day, when people were texting me excited that Barack had “made it” and asking me did I hear Hillary‚Äôs speech, I honestly didn‚Äôt know what they were talking about because I had the tube set to some other mindless program I had most likely already seen several times. To add insult to injury, I found myself on the phone the other day with DirecTV trying to negotiate a bunch of free promotions. While I was able to get free Pay-Per-View movies, free Showtime, STARZ and ENCORE for three months AND $15 off my bill every month, I need to be making better use of my lounge time.

So, instead of watching The Golden Girls, AGAIN, at 10 pm in the evenings, I vow to devote my summer to some great literature and summertime reading. Of course that will include some chick lit, too. But I refuse to fall asleep on my couch one more night without getting some good reading on.

As a girl who really does love a good book, but takes months to finish one, I do have some recommends. I probably will not be attacking Oprah‚Äôs reading list, but creating one of my own. For those of you who share my addiction and would like to break the habit, take a look at some of my fav‚Äôs. Keep in mind…what I constitute as a good read is a book that doesn‚Äôt take twenty chapters to get into, is not too deep, and is not self help (although some self help is awesome and a subject I may broach at a later date).

OutlanderRecommendation #1, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

I believe I‚Äôve mentioned this one before. It is, without a doubt, one of the absolute best books I‚Äôve ever read. The editorial review could possibly turn you off, but I promise, you will not be disappointed. This book is amazing. And it may take you about 5 chapters to get into it, but just know, if you read this, and you get to the point where they reach Castle Leoch, it is ON!!!! I believe I read someone’s description as Indiana Jones for women. Do not be turned off by the editorial description. I was a little skeptical when I saw it had some time travel based storyline. But this is an amazing romance story (sex pretty much the whole way through), has great adventure and twists at every page turn. And while it‚Äôs a long one, you will breeze through it because you won‚Äôt be able to put it down. AND‚Ķit‚Äôs a series of six so the story continues! PLEASE get this book and tell me what you think. Check out the reviews on Amazon. I’ve gotten a few friends hooked already. Diana Gabaldon has done great research and is an excellent author.

The Other Boleyn Girl

Recommendation #2, The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

Okay, before this one became a movie, which I have not seen, I read this book. I was actually trying to escape some stress and fled to Playa del Carmen for a few days when I discovered this one. While I was waiting, bookless, to board my vacation plane, I decided to pick this one up at Hudson News, per a recommendation from my best friend. I was hooked from the beginning. I’ll catch the movie one day, but this book is really a page turner. If you are interested in some Tudor family soap opera-like drama, this is for you.

The Queen's FoolRecommendation #3, The Queen’s Fool by Philippa Gregory

This is one of the sequels to The Other Boleyn Girl. At first I was wondering what Philippa was doing because the story was off a little from the Tudors, but it was so good. It’s a coming of age story about a young Jewish girl during that time in European history while still following the royal family. It has romance, lust, adventure and everything you need in a great novel. Sometimes when you finish a good book and you know there‚Äôs a sequel, you have to run out and buy it. This one won‚Äôt disappoint.

Enchanted IncRecommendation #4, Enchanted, Inc. by Shanna Swendson

Now this book is total chick lit, but after being at a neighborhood Borders when I lived in Dallas, I met this author, sitting there waiting for customers to buy her book. As a fellow entrepreneur, I wanted to support so I bought the book and I really enjoyed it. It’s sort of like Harry Potter for women. There are also several sequels you will enjoy. Very cute, light and fun to read if you want something quick.

Recommendation #5, The Book of Genesis

Now I don’t mean to get all holy-roller with any of my blog readers, but it’s amazing how the Bible has more drama going on than The Young and the Restless!

While I’m not planning on eliminating all TV this summer, I do plan to make a strong effort. So You Think You Can Dance is probably my favorite reality show on television and it’s that time of year again. And now, I’ve started watching Denise Richards’ reality show. I know…sad, huh? But I like her show. Then, Project Runway is back in July. But the point is, I’m going to take it one step at a time. I can’t just quit cold turkey.

eb-

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