Dress For Your Success

The other day I read an article that lightly touched on the "5 Signals You'e Unknowingly Sending At Work" by Business Insider's Careers Contributor, Alison Green.

Although the information provided wasn't earth-shattering or chock full of cutting-edge social or organizational psychology, one thing stood out. One tip related to a simple premise to; act the way you want to feel. This includes you workplace dress.

Anyway, for the sake of brevity, here's a motivational image.

Image of: Mr. Djimon Hounsou

Recipes: Say Goodbye To Sodas - Make Your Own Healthy Vitamin Water

Here's Another Way To Infuse Some Style Into Your Private Practice Waiting or Session Room.

Main Ingredients: Water, Fruit and Herbs. Allow at least 2-4 hours for the fruit-water infusion process

Cherry-Lime Therapy

• Mineral or Spring Water - Chilled (6 cups)
• Key Lime - Thinly Sliced (4 slices)
• Pitted Cherries - Cut in half (6-12 slices)
• Mint - (1-2 sprigs)
• optional Sweetener - Stevia (2-4 tiny packets) 

Cucumber and Lemon Therapy: For a 2 quart pitcher

• Mineral or Spring Water - Chilled (6 cups)
• Cucumber - Thinly Sliced  (12 slices)
• Lemon - Thinly Sliced (4-8 slices)
• optional Sweetener - Stevia (2-4 tiny packets)

Lemon Infusion

• Lemon (4-8 slices)
• Mint (1-2 sprigs)
• optional Sweetener - Stevia (2-4 tiny packets

Berry's Delight Sparkler

• Filtered/Purified/Mineral Water
• Strawberries - Thinly Sliced w/out the green stem (12 slices)
• Raspberries - Whole (1 handful )
• Kiwi or Lime- Thinly Sliced (4-5 slices)
• optional Sweetener - Stevia (2-4 tiny packets)
• ...now add Sparkling Water to the individual serving

In-Session Comfort Sparkler

• Filtered/Purified/Mineral Water
• Cucumber - Thinly Sliced (12 slices)
• Lime or Kiwi - Thinly Sliced (4-5 slices)
• Lavender - secure in a tiny mesh or tea bag
• optional Sweetener - Stevia (2-4 tiny packets)
• ...now add Sparkling Water to the individual serving

Go the extra mile with subtle amenities. Your clients and patients will thank you.

What kind of style do you bring to your private practice waiting or session room?
Please share your tips in the "Comments" section below.

Give'm Something To Talk About: Private Practice Seating

A Conversation Piece: Talk Therapy and Comfort

The other day I was trying to extricate myself from my favorite crack-den; Pinterest and noticed some daring seating designs. I wondered if any of my colleagues would dare to depart from the old stuffy hues of traditional private practice seating; for an atypical conversation starter.

Designer and Blogger Morgan Pederson of DesignMyHeartOut.com shared a delicious work-in-progress find during her visit to her local upholster.

Hopefully she will share some images of the finished project.

Would You Dare To Introduce a Pop of Color Into Your Private Practice?

Men Have Soles Too

A Friendly Reminder From a Dear Colleague

Recently, a very dear private-practice colleague and friend made a strikingly obvious comment about my blog (after viewing my last brief post "Orange Isn't Just For Pumpkins: Sole Comfort").

He is an ardent follower of both by blog and my Pinterest boards. In his traditional way of giving supportive feedback,  he donned an expression of curiosity as he asked, "why isn't there a tab for HIM?"  He reminded me that my most popular boards on Pinterest are not geared toward women but men.

When I took a closer look, there they were, "re-pins" and "follows" supporting the Uncompromising Men, The Sole Man, His Royal Traveler and other male-themed boards.

So, it is quite fitting that I dedicate a blog tab to "H I S Private Practice".

Please stay tuned for more posts dedicated to H I S Private Practice

LIVING ROOM COMFORT - Private Practice Waiting Room Inspiration

The other day a colleague frustratingly inquired how she could take her private practice waiting room from drab to fab. I shared with her my fail-proof technique borrowed from some of my favorite designer gurus.

Whenever I consult with friends and colleagues, who are blessed enough to have a private practice waiting room, I always suggest they at least beta-test the "Living Room Comfort" strategy.

Here's a quick visual where Lynda Quintero-Davids of NYCLQ incorporated a "Thrifted Chic Redesign." She is known for creating "stylish small space interiors on a budget from a simple shift to shopping thrift."

I hope you are inspired by Lynda Quintero-Davids' gifts.

Sole Comfort: Today's Featured Post

                                  Today's Featured Post from "Private Practice Moms"

Wreath Inspirations for Your Private Practice

While your private practice decor might not include a Christmas tree, perhaps you want to include a festive winter introduction to your clientele.

Here are some Wreath Inspirations that will certainly put a smile on the faces of your private practice visitors.

SEASONS GREETINGS

Last Minute Stocking Stuffer Ideas

So, if some of you are like me, procrastination is an alluring paramour - my illicit soro-sister of laziness. However, if you've taken away the keys and kicked procrastination out of your life - good for you Mr and Mrs. Perfect. Perhaps you might be able to share these last minute Stocking Stuffing Ideas.

This year, I streamlined my stocking-stuffing packaging. My muse was the +Dollar Tree where (items are $1.00 or less).
So, here are just a few ways I presented my gift-exchanges this year.

I think these cardboard containers may have come in more than two colors but I wanted to keep this year's color scheme focused on gold and red.

Just drop in a cute mini (8.4oz) bottle of Martinelli's Sparkling Cider & you're done! A perfect fit.

Whether it's +Bed Bath & Beyond, Bath & BodyWorks, or your own homemade body scrubs, just drop 'em in.

This was the concept for my ornament gift during an annual Tea & Ornament Gift Exchange, hosted by one my best friends. It's so darn simple: Perfect for when you're in a gift-giving pinch.

Just securely tape the string to the inside top.

When my gift was chosen, it received "ewwws" and "ahhhs" as the top was slowly lifted.

Please Share.
Happy Holidays

Thank An Awesome Teacher

Often the 1st mentor is a teacher. 

Today, try your best to find a way to thank an awesome teacher.

Spice Up Your Tux

So what - Too bad you have a million functions to attend this Holiday season. Nobody cares that you don't have anything to wear (well... I care).

 Remember that the Private Practice With Style motto is to, think outside the box.
So, suck it up and decide this will be the year that you go out on a limb and spice up your friggin boring tux!

1st Impressions: Waiting Room Consoles

Are you lucky enough to have a waiting room for your private practice?

Even if your waiting room is a small alcove, a pint-size vestibule, or a foyer the size of a phone booth, you can still take the decor of your private practice to the next level in 2013!

This "1st Impressions" Post Is Inspired by Designer David Hicks

Get Rid of the unorganized cluster of business cards sitting on your waiting room table. If your private practice includes office-mates who insist on displaying their business cards on the entrance table - fine. Then consider a space-saving narrow tray for the designated business cards.

Interior Designer Rachel Reider 

Atmosphere Interior Design

Consider a simple Parson-style console table

While this may sound intimidating, don't hesitate to consider hanging an over-sized mirror in your transition space. Although it might sound counter-intuitive, the reflections can make your transition area appear larger.

Consider placing a see-thru table in front of a mirror or over-sized picture. This will add dimension as well as, allow light to flow.

Designer Colleen McGill

Tiffany Eastman Interior Design

Mirrored Perfection for a Small Transition Space

Kate Collins Interiors

An IKEA Hack Made from 3 Shelves (IKEAHackers.net)

Vanessa De Vargas Designs

UPCOMING POSTS:
* The Importance of Proper Seating
* The Moodiness of Color and Art
* Accessories 

Feel free to share this post with your colleagues (Twitter, Facebook, Digg, and PINTEREST).

1st Impressions: Your Waiting Room

Because the waiting room is an integral ingredient for how our clients transition into our private practice offices, this entire week will be dedicated to a specific series of posts.

You can look forward to a 3-part series of various ninja tips on how you might boost your waiting room intelligent quotient. Yep, that's right – your waiting room IQ. No – there will NOT be a quiz at the end.

The goal of this week's 3-part series is to provide elements of décor inspirations that will not only create a smooth visual and stress-free transition for your clients but also reinforce a sense of safety and comfort.

Hopefully however, this week's series will serve as a muse for you to incorporate client-comfort seating strategies that will appeal to your desired demographic and niche.

Take your client from potentially feeling like just a number, to someone special.

Remember it's about taking your private practice to the next level.

Continue to practice with style,

Brigitte

Have A Seat In Style: Helen Amy Murray Designs

Today's post is inspired by London-based Helen Amy Murray.

Is she an artist, a designer, textile illusionist or what? I consider her a sculptor of thrones.

Traditionally, we're use to seeing leather seating manipulated into its  most generic tufted and pinched forms. Not Helen Amy Murray. She seamlessly marries the ritual of classic seating with the subtle whimsy of sculpting leather into floral shapes. Geez, who thinks this way? Take a bow Helen Amy Murray.

Give Some TLC To Your TLC

TIP: GIve your TLC some TLC. Don't let your tiny little counseling office give you the blues. If you don't have enough space for the traditional sofa-seat combination, consider two chairs. Make certain they're both suited for comfort

If you have two visually distracting (aka old and ugly) chairs, think about getting them covered with a washable fabric. Believe it or not, pre-shrunk (I can never say that correctly) denim is a breeze. These types of slip covers can be slipped off on Friday; washed, aired-dried and slipped back, on before your 1st session that Monday. Try and pass on this simple tip.

This post is inspired by Beth Webb of Beth Webb Interiors. www.bethwebb.com/

Swivel With Style

       TIP:  Consider replacing your worn or torn swivel office chair with one that is consistent with your upscale office decor.