Robin Wilson

Robin Wilson honored as one of Top 20 African American Interior Designers

Pink Eggshell has named Robin Wilson to their 2012 list of "Top 20 African American Designers". Other noable designers on the list include Lisa Turner, Joan Goodwin; and Venus Williams.  

These talented individuals will be honored at an exclusive party at the newly remodeled 40/40 Club in New York on May 20th, 2012. Be sure to check back to find out how you could attend as Robin's guest! 

To learn more about the event, follow hashtag #AATOP20 on twitter!

Robin's Favorite: Benjamin Moore AURA paint

Benjamin Moore paint - AURA (low VOC) and Natura (no VOC) - lines which meet the strictest state standards of California. This paint has a self-primer which can save labor costs, and also one hour after painting, there is no paint smell which is great for asthma & allergies.The paint is ranked in the top performance levels among 21 eco- or green-conventional paints by Consumer Reports. Learn more

Simple Tips before you start a Kitchen Remodeling project !

There are so many people who recognize that the kitchen of their dreams is just around the corner -and they also consider a local independent kitchen dealer - they have the budget, they have the design, or they want to remodel before putting the house on the market. But, are these good ideas? Here is a bit of advice to get the best value from your kitchen remodel.

• Don't remodel your kitchen for a prospective buyer because you may not get back 100% of what you spend. Typical payback is 50%-80% with the less personal renovations (i.e. neutral tones) receiving the most payback.
• Don't walk into a kitchen design meeting without a list of 'absolutes' or you will get seduced into buying everything...do you really need a knife or baking drawer with custom cuts for your utensils?
• Don't walk in to a kitchen supplier without knowing your preferences for cabinet colors such as white, maple, ebony. Read magazines and tear out photos in advance or the sales rep may convince you that there is a certain "best seller" that is really just a higher priced model.
• Don't ignore how you use your kitchen - if you have a busy kitchen (preparing more than 3 meals a day), then you might want to avoid certain countertop products such as concrete, paper or bamboo and consider other eco-friendly options such as Silestone or Caesarstone.
• Don't buy a range that has an extreme BTU number as it does not guarantee better performance. It is better to find a range that has at lease one burner with a high BTU number and then use that if you need to cook an item quickly.
• Don't buy a "faux-pro" model or Professional Series unles you "want it". Most mainstream appliances (ranges/refrigerators) perform just as well.
• Don't ignore common sense and hire a contractor simply on price. Ask to see a recently installed kitchen, and ask to see a kitchen that was installed 3 years ago. If it is an older installation, you will be able to see if it was able to stand the test of time. And make sure you have a copy of the contractor license and insurance in file should an issue arise.
• Don't opt for extended appliance warranties.
• Don't expect completion time to be on the day you request - ask for a completion date, but expeect at least two extra weeks to ensure final details such as installation of knobs, pulls, late tile deliveries requiring another trip for backsplash installation.
• Don't buy a built in fridge ($3,000+) when you can buy a cabinet-depth refrigerator.
• Don't buy fluorescent undermount bulbs when you can do low-voltage alternatives such as halogen, LED or xenon.

Diet Tip Of Day: 4 Foods to help Weight Loss

Simple diet additions can change your waist - and help you lose weight!

• Apples: Eating an apple–or two–a day can keep the doctor away and the extra pounds.  Studies have found that eating an apple a half hour to an hour before a meal cuts the calories of the meal. Another benefit from this fruit is you feel full, so you eat less.
• Protein: Dietary studies have repeatedly found that when people eat an egg every morning in addition to (or instead of) toast or cereal, they lose twice as much weight as those who eat a breakfast that’s dominated by carbs.
• Cinnamon: This spice can help your body metabolize sugar, according to USDA study involving diabetics. Eating as little as 1/4 to 2 teaspoons of cinnamon a day was found to reduce blood sugar levels and cut cholesterol from 10 to 25 percent. You can add cinnamon to smoothies or flavor your coffee with it.

Wellness Tip of Day: Boost your Memory

The good news is that lifestyle can  keep your mind working sharply even into old age. The bad news is that changes in memory and thinking are inevitable as we age.Take charge of your mind with some steps:

• Take the stairs: Exercise benefits your whole body. Start by adding a few minutes to your daily routine of running errands or avoid elevators.
• Shake things up:  Change something in your routine daily to keep your mind thinking of new ideas, instead of being on autopilot. Take a different route home or simply change your  computer's wallpaper.
• Don't multi-task: When learning something new, try to focus all your energy on that task, otherwise, your mind may recall the music in the background, instead of the important step you need to remember.
• Manage your Diabetes:  Keep your sugar under control, maintain a healthy weight and balance your diet - as a diabetic episode can affect your memory.
• Do Math or a Crossword Puzzle: instead of using the calculator, solve a math problem using long-hand - and on Sunday, do a crossword before watching your sporting event.

 

 

 

Diet Tip of Day: Sleep Longer, Lose Weight

Did you know that sleeping at least eight hours a day is best for your waist...for women that only get four hours, they will typically consume more than 325 calories daily because our body craves fast and fat-oriented foods.

Eat breakfast with protein (not just carbs!), drink lots of water and limit snacks during the day. Final rule: don't eat a heavy meal after 7:00pm. More info about Dream Diet

 

Giveaway Tip of Day: Maytag washer & dryer

Love that PARENTING magazine is doing 101 days of Giveaways - and the giveaway prizes are nothing to sneeze at...for example, the prize for today is a Maytag Maxima Washer & Dryer set (valued at over $3000) - and it is energy efficient too!

The countdown begins...register here

Design Tip of Day: Floral Creations as Artistry

Recently, I worked on an HGTV shoot with an amazing floral stylist, Vanessa Baran - who has had her work featured on the cover of Elegant Bride and at events...and in many movies...she is the top-secret (yet affordable) "icing on the cake" for events and weddings in New York City, Connecticut, Florida & LA.

She has now branched into "fascinators" - typically the province of the English and these head coverings make you swoon. Perfect for the Kentucky Derby, a polo match or other occassion. Meet Vanessa Baran, Stylist

Wellness Tip Of Day: Top 5 List to Have a Proper Walk

Most people assume that the way you walk is okay but little do they know that your stride, pace, and posture reveals information on overall health. There are three issues, in addition to selecting the propershoes which can be important to your overall foot, back and muscle health.

Ask yourself if you do any of the following (and if you are not walking at all, its time to get up from that couch!):

1. Snail pace-  a slow pace may shorten your life expectancy - strolls are meant for certain times...pick up your pace to improve cardiovascular health!
2. Little to no arm swing-  This clues to lower back trouble.  An arm swing indicates that the spine is well supported and without a swing, you could create lower back trouble with back pain or vulnerability to follow - swing those arms and burn more calories!
3. Tip-toe walking- this distinctive walk can be a clue to an underlying condition such as  overactive muscle tone,  which is most likely caused by spinal cord or spinal column damage. If this is your walk, visit your doctor!
4. Lazy Posture- take the time to walk as though an invisible string is pulling your neck like a marionette, and you will find that your walk turns into a workout
5. Wrong Shoes- walking in sandles without support can turn your walk into a wreck. Many people begin to pronate or have other structural issues with their feet if they wear the wrong footwear...be good to your feet with the right shoes.

 

Diet Tip of Day: Food that Ages You

Your nutrition not solely your age, determines the body’s internal quality and resiliency of your system.The condition of your skin, bone quality, brain and connective tissue is determined in part by what you eat. With eating habits you begin to see and feel the effects of aging.

• Cheeseburger - fast food inflammation; trans fat in fast food leads to chronic inflammation which can age you from the inside out
• Frosted cupcakes -  excess sugar loiters in the blood and attaches to protein molecules which is an age-accelerant; processing the large amount of sugar we take in daily puts a huge strain on our systems; refined carbs are simply sugars in disguise and every starch turns into sugar the minute it hits your bloodstream

Information from Care2

Savings Tip of Day: Design Your Home Office on a Dime!

So many people work from home today, and the exciting thing for most is the day that they "hang their shingle". However, a few weeks/months later the paperwork begins to overwhelm and then they realize that it is time to do an effficient setup that will allow papers and storage to be organized. Here is a re-design by Robin Wilson on a dime using products from The Container Store - and done in less than 2 hours. Watch CBS before & after video

Wellness Tip of Day: Fight Insomnia

Summertime fun and a longer daylight cycle makes it quite easy to lose much-needed sleep. There are options including blackout shades, consistent bedtimes and sleep inducing pills. However, we recommend that rather than turn to over-the-counter drugs, you might want to consider certain foods that have ingredients that make the "zzzz's" come a little easier:  

• Cherries:  Eat a cup of cherries as a snack before it’s time to sleep, or drink the juice. Watch your body relax. 
• Fish: Tryptophan is a sleep inducing chemical contained in certain sea dwellers including  shrimp, cod, tuna, and halibut.  
• Lemon Balm:  A  member of the mint family is known for many generations to induce sleep, improve digestions and decrease agitation. Make a potion of lemon balm tea by steeping 1 to 2 teaspoons of the dried herb in 1 cup of hot water for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Turkey dinner: Tryptophan is also found in turkey, although you would have to eat a lot to make it work...but maybe it is just a good comfort food to make you relax.
• Milk: it is a myth that warm milk can help you sleep...the real key is to combine carbs with a protein such as pairing a cup of whole grain cereal with milk before bedtime.

Information from CARE

Safety Tip Of Day: Kitchen Dangers

Your kitchen may be the central point in your home, but it is also the MOST accident prone room in your home after the bathroom! Think about the dangers that lurk from unsafe practices -and review this list to understand which dangers your family may overlook:

• Towels on Stovetop: Most home fires take place in the kitchen - typically caused when an item is left on the top of the stove, which is flammable - specifically dishcloths and potholders near burners are common fire-triggers. And what about the e dishtowel near the stove which covers another pan. The Home Safety Council recommends keeping anything flammable at least three feet from a stove.

• Grease fires are leading cause of kitchen fires: Did you know that grease fires occur not only when you are deep-fat-frying? Oil, butter, or shortening that has dripped on the stove or which has not been cleaned from the bottom of a pan (from an earlier cooking session) can catch fire the next time you cook.

• Extension cord jungle: countertop appliances - microwaves, toasters, blenders, coffee makers, mixers, and more - often totalling more plug-ins than any other room in the house. And they're often crowded onto a relatively small stretch of countertops - with many people not understanding that one plug should not have multiple power strips...be careful!

• Wet hands cause Shocks: a busy and multitasking cook will often fly around the kitchen doing several things at once. However, you must thoroughly dry your hands after washing them. For example, using an appliance or unplugging one with wet hands can cause an electric shock. 

Information from  CARE

 

 

Shopping Tip of Day: Recycled Luxury with Pre-Owned Accessories

Ever thought you could not afford that Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes, Gucci or high-end watch...well, you can!!! The luxury auction site of pre-owned products is called Portero. And if you register, you can shop for the holiday/summer season and be eco-friendly with "recycled" luxury items. These products are guaranteed authentic, so don't worry about a faux-product...this is a great alternative in a tough economy and is like Christie's meets eBay...visit Portero.com

Savings Tip of Day: Pull the Plug on Phantom Power

Did you know that even if your cellphone charger does not have the phone attached, it is still drawing phantom power? And that televisions, computers, video recorders and electronic games still draw power even if they are turned off...just look for that little red "ready" button. Scientists have determined that 45% of the energy consumed in your home comes from phantom power - so make today the "Pull the Plug Day" or buy a Smart Strip power strip

Wellness Tip of Day: Sitting Can Make You Sick!

Sitting at your desk can make you as sick as smoking cigarettes. New research shows sitting for long periods of time may be just as dangerous. Cardiovascular effects similar to smokers can affect those who spend a long portion of their day seated without moving...it is important to take the stairs, stand up whenever you have a chance and take a walk on your break.

Other risks include: heart disease, obesity, diabetes, cancer. Start moving!

Source: CBS

Health Tip of Day: Toxic Green Tea

Japanese green tea has been known globally for it's purity and health enhancing properties. However, due to the Fukushima nuclear situation,  authorities have recently admitted that Japan's largest tea-growing area - the Shizuoka prefecture - contains radiation which means that contaminated green tea may be on the market. Did you know that Japan produced 95,000 tons of dried tea in 2009, and 42% of  the tea was from Shizuoka.

Before going on sale to market leaves are processed. When fresh leaves are dried, the removal of water concentrates the radioactive elements at five times the former level. Be careful in the short term about the type of tea that you select!

Source: NY Post, June 9, 2011 

Tip of Day: 5 ways to use Baking soda

• 

  Who knew that banking soda has so many uses - from cleaning to caring for your hair/skin - and it is often one of the least expensive items in the grocery store! Baking soda can be a great way to replace harsh cleaning chemicals as well as over-fragranced personal care products.
• Here are great ways to change your lifestyle by using baking soda in a healthy way for your everyday cleaning and non-toxic activities in your home:
• Stop the Itch-for insect bites, make a paste out of baking soda and water, and apply  to ease the itch.
• Freshen your Hair-sprinkle a small amount of baking soda into your palm along with your favorite shampoo. Shampoo as usual and rinse thoroughly–baking soda helps remove the residue that styling products leave behind.
• Sandal-ready Feet-dissolve 3 tablespoons of baking soda in a tub of warm water and soak feet. Gently scrub.
• Remove crayon marks-applybaking soda to a damp sponge and rubbing lightly. Wipe off with a clean, dry cloth.
• Deodorize Trashcan-sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of your trashcan to keep stinky trash smells at bay

Information from Care2

Health Tip of Day: Lower your Cholesterol

To prevent high cholesterol, it is important to  eat a variety of whole foods to keep your body strong and healthy. Here are four foods to add to your diet:

• Vegetables: radish, horseradish, hot peppers, onions, garlic, leek, scallion, shallot, chive, leafy greens, cabbage, spinach, carrot greens, kale, broccoli, parsley
• Fruits: citrus, tomato, banana, and persimmon
• Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, hazelnut, flax seed, chia seed, pumpkin seed, poppy seed, walnut, sunflower sprouts 
• Fish: sardine, salmon, mackerel, and deep/cold-water fish

Eco-Tip of Day: Shoe & Watch repair

  Americans are rediscovering the fusty fix-it shops and unassuming secondhand stores on their local Main Streets. These businesses, once the left-behind nooks of gentrifying downtowns, are busier than ever amid an economic slump that's emptied out neighboring bistros, boutiques, and day spas.

On a Saturday afternoon in downtown Alameda, Calif., Gabe Morgan waits in a line of customers at The Watch Hospital to get a timepiece fixed. The economic downturn has made him think more about repairing than buying new.

"For the first time in I don't remember how long, I got some shoes repaired," says Mr. Morgan. He dug out three pairs from his closet for resoling. "I wanted to save some money."

For decades, repair and reuse have been fading ethics, upheld mainly by environmentalists and people on the economic margins. As hard times drive these values back into the mainstream, champions of reuse caution that some government policies and business practices threaten to set back the movement.

"We were a mend-and-make-do society, and we have completely changed. We don't fix anything anymore. We use, throw away, and buy more," says Bruce Buckelew, a former IBM engineer who has repaired more than 30,000 computers and put them into public schools, nonprofits, and low-income households in Oakland, Calif. "The worse the stock market gets and the bleaker the job market, the better for reuse, actually."

Some early signs:

•Sales increased year-over-year this fall at 74 percent of secondhand stores surveyed by the National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops (NARTS). Ninety percent of the stores saw an increase in new customers.

•Business is "booming" at the estimated 7,000 shoe repair shops in the US, according to John McLoughlin, president of the Shoe Service Institute of America. "At some shops, you have to wait three or four weeks, which ordinarily is just unheard-of," he says.

Before the economic downturn started mainstreaming the reuse trend, the reuse market tended to attract people who saw it as conserving both their money and the planet's resources, says John Lastovicka, a frugality expert at Arizona State University in Tempe. People who voluntarily try to reuse items often view the effort as an enjoyable challenge, his research has found.

"Unfortunately, part of this is probably a lost art. The 'greatest generation' that lived through the Depression, this was part of their day-to-day behavior," says Professor Lastovicha. Far fewer people have carried on that tradition because it's time-consuming and can be something that people laugh at. "It can be a tough sell, unless you have to do it – which is what's happened."

Source: Christian Science Monitor, 1/12/2009