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Flower Tips

We love flowers. They can elevate any gathering and make your space more beautiful and interesting by adding color and texture. If all else fails, flowers! They give any space that ‘I tried without trying’ look. However, if your budget is limited or you don’t feel comfortable putting together your own arrangement, here are some quick and easy tips.
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infused water

Infused Water

Why infused water? I’ll give you three reasons.

Reason number one. It tastes better.

We all love water (right?), so why not add a natural flavor along with it? Especially if clients are in the building, it’s nice to find something that meets in the middle. Between water and soda, this is perfect for those who aren’t looking for one or another extreme.
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To Sell Is Human Review

Selling is a human trait. It is an instinct we are all born with, we just need to learn how to wield it. The book To Sell is Human makes “selling” seem less like a used car salesman speech and more like a sincere and meaningful encounter.
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The LR Cocktail

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Living Room had the pleasure of working with our friend Zak, mixologist extraordinaire who created a drink just for you. We believe this delicious concoction fully embodies Living Room’s brand and as an added bonus, happens to be one of the most delicious drinks in all the land. And although we may be extremely biased (or perhaps it’s all the cocktails) we’ll let you decide.

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Strengthsfinder Review

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We live in a world that tends to point at a person’s weaknesses first. Point blank.

While this piece of information can be pretty cruel, it is comforting to know there are people out there fighting to change such a harsh reality.

American author, researcher and speaker Tom Rath has created Strengthsfinder 2.0 for exactly that purpose.

Strengthsfinder 2.0 is a book and online assessment created for people to discover the top 5 talents they already possess within themselves, and teaches them how to apply their strengths not only to what they do professionally, but also to their every day life in the real world.

The Living Room uses Strengthsfinder 2.0 for the very same reasons.

Instead of showing up to our weekly meetings to discuss what we did wrong or what we should be doing better, we praise what we’ve done the best in and how we can continue to apply our talents toward an upcoming task.

It makes a difference.

We know one another’s strengths. We discussed them, thoroughly, and we keep them in mind as we work together each day. Not only does this help us work better as a team, it makes us empathically closer as individuals.

Strengthsfinder 2.0 was created to provide readers with the opportunity to do what they do best every single day.

So instead of sulking over what you can’t do, get out there and kick ass at what you can do.

No human being is the same. Strengthsfinder 2.0 wants to show the world why that is such a beautiful thing.

Networking Event Prep

Many of us have been in this situation, the day before you attend your first networking event ever. The uncertainty of the environment as well as your own anxiety quickly develops to falsely convince yourself of imminent failure. The simple fact is that no one is an expert in his or her first networking event. Expertise in this field requires experience, which will ultimately eliminate those senses of anxiety and uncertainty. Although it is impossible to be an expert initially, it is however, very possible to be prepared. So what does it take to be correctly prepared for such an event? Here are some simple ways to correctly prepare yourself for success in your first networking event:

Be aware of the attire recommended or required for the event.

There is nothing worse than showing up to a social gathering looking like a complete fool because you are either under or overdressed. To avoid this embarrassing situation, review the invitation, visit the event website, or contact the hosts to be sure that you will arrive to the event in a professional manner.

Make sure you have your business cards handy.

Through your preparations for the event, do not lose sight of the fact that you are not just trying to meet people, you are trying to keep in touch with these people outside the event. For the sake of future connections, make sure that you have plenty of business cards to provide the people you meet an easy way to connect with you.

Memorize how you are going to present yourself.

Develop a way that you can smoothly describe yourself or the company that you are endorsing so that people know you mean business. Prepare yourself how to answer certain questions that might be asked, as well as how you can break the ice to start up a conversation. You do no want to overwhelm the people with information that will lose their focus, so keep it simple and professional.

Relax! You’re going to do great!

Yes it is going to be awkward at first, but remember that you are not alone. It’s normal for most people to initially feel a bit uncomfortable at the event. It is important to also remember that these people all share at least one goal with you, the goal that they are looking for someone to talk with. So do not be afraid to approach someone for a conversation, because odds are that you are doing that person a favor by eliminating the awkwardness of standing alone.

Congratulations, you are now fully prepared to attend your first networking event! Now get out there and enjoy yourself.

Rehearsal Dinner Ideas

Stumped on where to host your rehearsal dinner? Overwhelmed with wedding details and forgot you actually have 2 events to plan? Well, don’t worry – we’re here to help! Here are our top tips for the perfect rehearsal dinner.

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Business Etiquette

Ever get invited to a business dinner and feel a little out of your league when you looked at the menu? Or maybe the sight of several forks and spoons was more daunting than the shoptalk at the end of the night? Seems in these modern times with life being so busy maybe your own parents never really taught you the basics? The good news is there’s nothing wrong with needing a little refresher course on business etiquette. Here are some of our top tips for looking like you’ve got it all figured out, even when maybe you don’t.

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  • Attire – Better to be over-dressed than under-dressed
  • Seating
    • Don’t put your wallet or keys on the table. You can put your cell phone on the table, face down – but clarify why? Example – I have my kids with a sitter, so I just need this here as a precaution.
  • Paying
    • If you asked for the meal – you are paying.
    • Be discrete, but let the waiter know you are the person paying so when the bill comes it’s not uncomfortable for the client.
  • Ordering
    • Let the host order 1st
    • If you are with a client who knows the restaurant very well – it is nice to allow them to order for the table
    • Try not to be too complicated… think When Harry Met Sally
  • Drinking
    • Allow the person paying to order the wine
    • To establish the price you are comfortable with, tell the sommelier what you like and then point to a wine on the list that is in the range you are comfortable with.
    • After you test the wine – do not send it back unless it is awful
    • Don’t be the only person drinking at the table
    • 2 drink max – don’t drink the hard stuff!
    • Drink water throughout dinner.
    • Look into your wine glass not over it when drinking
  • The napkin!
    • Take a cue from your host and place your napkin on your lap when you are about ready to eat
    • If you have to get up from the table, place the napkin on your chair arm or seat (not the table)
    • When you are finished with dinner it should go on the left side of your plate. Again, wait for the cue from your host.
  • FOOD
    • Wait for everyone to get their food before eating
    • Chew with your mouth closed
    • Don’t talk with food in your mouth
    • Cut meat one piece at a time – not the whole thing!
    • When you are finished – place the fork and knife at 10 and 2 – fork facing up – knife to the right
  • Basic manners
  • Keep your elbows off of the table while eating
  • Wipe your fingers and mouth often with your napkin

If that menu at the fancy French restaurant is all Greek to you, here are a few words you should know that might help you order.

Truffled

This simply means the dish has been cooked, garnished, or stuffed with truffles (subterranean mushrooms) in some way.

Tartare

A preparation of finely chopped raw meat. There are many variations on the tartare, including steak, chicken, salmon, and eel. The most common is tuna tartare.

Deconstructed

This is just a fancy way to say we are taking all the ingredients in a normal dish, and putting them together in a different way.

Ceviche

This is a popular Spanish seafood dish that is made with raw fish marinated in citrus juices and spiced with aji or chili peppers. It can then be seasoned with chopped onions and salt.

Mignardises or Petits Fours

Often times tasting menus simply end with “Mignardises” or “Petits Fours,” which are tiny, bite-sized desserts. They usually include tiny cookies or chocolates.