Thursday, January 31, 2008

VAL DAY: A TIME TO SPREAD THE LOVE

When I was a young one and Valentine's Day was approaching, here's what my mom would do:she would spread an awesome array of arts 'n' crafts supplies across the kitchen table so we could all sit down and make cards for anyone we loved.Glue, beads, sequins, doilies, stickers, scissors, and construction paper were all at our disposal to fashion greetings for friends and relatives. Heaven. Pure Heaven!

From my mom's tradition I developed an understanding of Valentine's Day as a fun opportunity to show people love and caring in a creative way. In grade school and high school, I continued to make cards and get little gifts for friends and family. I also noticed that people sometimes got depressed around this time if they didn't have a "special someone." While it's great to have a special someone, it seems just as important to have lots of special people in our lives and to figure out different ways of showing our appreciation and affection for those folks. We can do that at any time, and Valentines Day is one of those times.

Here's an idea: Instead of buying a hugely expensive gift for one person, why not make or buy cards or little gifts for some of the many people who have made a difference to you -- friends, family, bosses, mentors, colleagues, customers, clients, and, yes, that special someone? I just spent the day writing out cards and savored the chance to remember all the great people in my life.

I invite you to think of five people who have inspired you and send each of them a Val Day greeting.

Friday, January 25, 2008

CREATIVE TIMES HOSTS BROOKLYN BLOGADE ON FEB.10

CREATIVE TIMES' Eleanor Traubman and Mike Sorgatz are hosting a get-together of Brooklyn Bloggers.


When: Sunday, February 10th at 11:30 am

RSVP: By Friday, Feb.1st by quittin' time: ETraubman@aol.com

Where: Faan Restaurant
209 Smith Street @Baltic

Directions: Take the F or G (check to see what's running) to Bergen or Carroll

Cost: $15 at door - covers entree, non-alcoholic beverage, tax & gratuity

THE PERFECT VALENTINES TREAT

This Valentines Day,
Treat Yourself to the Gift of:

* A Clear Desk

* A Streamlined Closet

* An Easy-to-Use Filing System

* A Work or Living Space That Inspires You!


* Goal Setting & Time Management Tools for a Smoother,
More Focused Day


Call now to chat about your organizing needs .
Eleanor Traubman, professional organizer to busy women, is featured in Time Out New York, Esquire, Family Circle, Fitness, Sun Times Chronicle, and The Brooklyn Paper.

917-499-7395 * etraubman@aol.com

Friday, January 04, 2008

COME SEE MIKE'S ARTWORK @ THE HUDSON GUILD GALLERY ON JAN.18!

I am proud to say that my partner Mike's paintings were among those chosen to be displayed as part of a group show at The Hudson Guild Gallery called "The Four Seasons."

The opening reception is Friday, January the 18th, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. We hope to see you there if you live in or around Manhattan.

You can see more of Mike's paintings at

The Four Seasons: A Group Show

Hudson Guild Gallery
441 W.26th Street

January 18 - March 5 2009

Viewing Hours:
Tues - Fri 10:00 am - 7:00 pm; Saturday 1:00 - 5:00 pm

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

TEN WOMEN ARTISTS WHO INSPIRE ME

1. Fatima Robinson is an awesome choreographer and music video director. I love the dance moves she created for Missy Elliott's Lose Control video.

2. Sally Potter is an English director and screenwriter. Favorite movies she's done include Orlando and The Tango Lesson.

3. Faith Ringgold is a painter, quilter, and children's book author and illustrator.

4. Maira Kalman is a designer, painter, children's book author and illustrator. I will always stand by her classic Max Makes a Million.

5. Twyla Tharp, a major influence in the world of modern dance, has choreographed 135 dances. Check out her book The Creative Habit.

6. Kasi Lemmons directed one of my favorite movies from this year, Talk to Me.

7. Nancy Savoca is a film director who won me over with Dogfight in 1991, starring River Phoenix and Lilli Taylor.

8. Allison Ander's solo directorial debute came in 1992 wth Gas Food Lodging starring Ione Skye and Fairuza Balk.

9. Terry Minsky , writer and producer, created the Lizzy McGuire character which was featured in a television series and a movie (yes, The Lizzy McGuire Movie is in my list of top ten favorite flicks.)

10. Rokafella is a Spanish Harlem-born hip hop dancer and choreographer who is also the co-founder of Full Circle Productions, a hip hop artist collective celebrating its tenth year. At the end of 2007, I was blown away by Innaviews, a performing arts piece she put together and performed with her husband and dance partner Kwikstep.