Are You Withit?

It's been two years since I joined WithIt , a women's leadership development network, in the home and furnishings industries. Initiated by women who've made stellar leaps and bounds in the furniture industry thirteen years ago, most people think it is only limited to furniture fiends. People have been asking me about the organization so here's a quick 411 but you can go to the website for specific details or post questions on the comments box. I truly can attest to the amazing synergy shared and experienced with the phenomenal women I've had the pleasure of knowing. It isn't just social networking but making real connections where it matters with people who matter whether business or passion related. I've developed relationships and attended seminars that have contributed to my personal and entrepreneurial growth. Just so it's out there, we do welcome women as full members and men as associate members in the following areas:

- residential, commercial, hospitality furnishings

- homebuilders or engaged in home building materials

- kitchen, bath, appliances, cabinetry, decorative hardware,
surfaces

- lighting

- flooring

- interior designers

- media consultants

- students

- and to all passionate individuals who continuously seek self improvement

Come April at High Point Market, Withit will be hosting the following events:

Alexa Hampton "Decades of Design"
Sunday, April 18th

7:30 am-9:00 am

WithIt Education Breakfast

IHFC Green Wing 11th Floor, International Ballroom. RSVP

More Info Register

WithIt Trends/Competitive Intelligence

Monday, April 19th

6:00 PM-8:30 PM

Industry experts explore the hits and misses of market during this interactive session.

Palliser Showroom, 220 Elm, Suite 400

More Info Register

WithIt Student Mentoring Day

Wednesday, April 21st

8:30 am-11:30 am

Experience Needed - Volunteer to Mentor

contact organizer More Info

2010 New York Design Tour
May 15-17, 2010
6:00 PM
Special "INSIDE DESIGN" tour of New York city.

More Info Register

Withit 2010 Professional Conference
Charlotte

August 17-19, 2010

Our biggest event where we gather for our annual education conference covering specific topics of timely interest based on surveys and current events. It is also the celebration of WOW (Women of Withit) Awards Night. Conference brochure here for details. I will be writing a follow up post to discuss our inspiring theme for 2010. Don't forget to send in your WOW nominations . Deadline April 1st for the following award categories:

LEGACY AWARD: For a woman of achievement who has made significant lifetime contributions to the home and furnishings industries.

MENTORING AWARD: For an executive or organization that has fostered advocacy, development or promotion of women in their company.

EDUCATION AWARD: For an executive or company which has developed programs to educate associates, retailers or consumers about home and furnishings.

FUTURE LEADER AWARD: For a woman 40 or under who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and the potential to become an industry leader.

We are an international organization but have regional

groups and events enabling us to get together from time to time

such as this one coming up in 2 weeks:

Libby Langdon star of HGTV's "Small Space, Big Style"

Wednesday, March 31st
6:30 pm-7:30 pm
Libby's Wild and Wacky Path into the World of Interior Design
High Point University, Phillips Hall
Presentation and book signing
More Info Register

Snapshots from NY Design Tour 2009

Cocktails w/ Benjamin Bradley & David Thiergartner

David Thiergartner, Betty Lyn Eller, Jana Platina Phipps

Cameron Cook, Benjamin Bradley, Sara Lyke

---?---, Rebecca Miller, Jena Hall

Jane Matteson, Leslie Newby

Joan Franken, Melissa Galt, Maura Murphy

Mary Frye, Debbie Klein

Carol Gregg, Liz O'Brien at River Cafe

Delicious Design - Cebu Daily News

*please click on image to enlarge

In Response to the Editorial:

To my dear editor Jude,

We go way back, don't we? I first met you at one of Butch Carungay's  themed parties eight years ago. Particularly, the Pimps and Whores party, voila! I still have pictures to prove it too, double voila! You captured me with your wit and dazzling talents as host, stand up comic and songstress. If you don't know Jude Bacalso , these are just three of ten titles. He is an environmental consultant, print and tv personality, radio DJ, pre-med professor, dabbles in genetic engineering and brilliant writer/editor. But to me, he is more than all these. He is a true friend despite time and distance. He has the uncanny ability to read me very well and make me reach into myself while keeping it real. He was my editor when I had a weekly column in another daily and was known as Gypsy Queen for almost four years. He tolerates my PMS P.S. pleas too after I send in a profile photo i.e. please make my arms look thinner..please...and orders Jill (our layout superstar) to do just. that. When he asked me to contribute for his Delicious portion of Cebu Daily News, I was only too happy to indulge.

Our friendship struck as we happily bumped into each other at events playing different characters. Having the same gypsyish tendencies, we sometimes enjoyed the facade that we were afforded.  Thankful for such as we carried on our print lives with aplomb, despite the doldrums that come with real lives such as unfinished dreams,  churning gossip mills, wayward boys, trivial frustrations and broken hearts. We have the best of times when we're in our tees, jeans and flip flops sans maquillage and big hair sharing a simple meal and giggling to our hearts' content. Jude, thank you for enabling me to shine in the special way that you only know how and do. You're the best!!!

Me