Laptops and Lullabies

Help… Save my Sofa Sanity!

Laura Summers — Sun, 13 May 2012 09:47:21 +0000

I’m not sure what it is just now but I am entirely incapable of making a decision without lengthy input.

I am in the process of choosing new sofas and this is proving no different. I was entirely set on the ones I wanted, was all ready to order and then doubt set in. You see, the problem is… I’m currently an L shaped sofa advocate. I have a cute, comfy and trusty corner unit that has been faithful and reliable over the years (and many moves). But it’s time to move on which is proving trickier than anticipated.

When I buy something new I find it difficult to buy a replacement of what I just had. I always feel like it is an opportunity to try something different and find something better. My mascara recently running out is the perfect example. Not content that I already had a great mascara that made my lashes look long, full and didn’t give me panda eyes; when it needed replacing I opted for something else. I should know by now with all the years of mascara wearing I have behind me that I really love the brand I have been using and have no need to venture into new territory. Since I wasn’t able to remember that at the time of purchase, I now have a brand new mascara used once that will never be used again AND now a brand new replacement for my tried and trusted buddy.

Why is mascara relevant to my sofa scenario? Because I’m doing exactly the same thing. I love my corner sofa, adore it so much that I feel like looking at new lounge seating is a betrayal. But, for some reason I just can’t bring myself to buy another L shaped sofa. It could partially be a commitment thing… You know, you have to choose a left or right facing one and then you’re stuck with it through thick and thin and have all future house hunting options restricted by your sofa choice…. But it’s also a ‘maybe-I’m-missing-an-opportunity-to-discover-something-better’ thing.

The sofas that I picked out and nearly bought were not a corner unit. I chose a giant comfy cushion filled 4 seater sofa with a separate swivel cosy tub chair. I love them, they’re unique, comfortable and stylish and totally different to what I have had before. As I walked around the store my eye was caught by a striking teal beauty which led my thoughts in other directions. Did I want to take the opportunity to own a statement sofa? I’d have to redecorate my entire downstairs to give it the setting it deserves but with only my tastes to consider it seemed something worth thinking about… Until the fear set in. When it comes to sofas, you need to play it safe. We’re entering into a long term relationship here and bright colours or garish patterns are a sure fire way to the honeymoon period being over fast. My decision on that fleeting idea was made (phew – I’m not a total write off!).

Now I’m back to option one and option two. Option one being two separate sofas and options two being a corner unit. I just can’t quite bring myself to seal the deal with either of them and I’m in need of help weighing up the pro’s and con’s.

All input is welcome – I have spent far too much time already going back and forth and need some closure on this episode in my decision making overload. Both options would work well in my lounge so I simply need to make a choice and get the job done

Overcoming the Taking Time off from your Business Phobia

Laura Summers — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:29:38 +0000

Here I am back at my computer after almost three weeks time off and I really feel compelled to write about the experience of stepping away from the control centre (so to speak).

This break I am returning from was long overdue. It was the first time I have taken for myself since I went full time self-employed. Prior to taking it I was hideously anxious. With my latest website only freshly relaunched, what was I risking by taking time away from my computer? Would people stop visiting my websites? Would I be forgotten about?

As a business owner and someone who has worked hard at developing an online network of supporters, it probably won’t come as a surprise to read the above ponderings. I toyed with the idea of logging on a couple of times just to add something (however little) to the blog; after all I wasn’t leaving the country, just taking some time out. I’m glad to say I realised as soon as I entered the time out bubble that by stepping back in I was going to entirely defeat the purpose of setting this time aside. I also found that after just a few hours of being ‘on holiday’ – I was pretty flaming good at it.

I had visions of me getting up early or staying up late to sneak some catch up time in. I didn’t. In fact, I went so far as to turn off ALL of the email accounts on my iPhone and iPad and stopped my Twitter pop ups from alerting me to the latest @’s that needed my ‘urgent’ attention. I entirely switched off. It felt great.

Don’t get me wrong, I adore my work. I’m one of the lucky people who had an idea and has made it a reality. However, working for yourself isn’t the laid back, carefree, set your own schedule ideal that some may have in mind. Working with clients who have pressing deadlines, urgent needs and posing problems comes with responsibility. When I take time off, there is no one to answer the phone or pick up the slack. There is a great temptation to just keep your hand in and keep things ticking over – because the fear of not doing so can make it too difficult to relax.

I managed to maintain the holiday mode right up until the day I switched my online world back on. This was when the terror really set in.

As I sat with a cup of tea watching the inbox fill up, I began to feel the familiar knot of anxiety build in the pit of my stomach. Had I forgotten something vitally important that was going to ruin my reputation for being timely and professional? Would I have frustrated clients wondering where I had vanished to and feeling a lack of confidence in my ability to help them achieve their goals? Would I ever get to the bottom of my inbox again? I was experiencing entire overwhelm at what the time I had so enjoyed taking off may have cost me.

Once the emails eventually stopped flooding in; I started scanning. I was relieved to see nothing unexpected other than some unprecedented bookings from new clients (usually preceded by a chat or email exchange) and some lovely offers for things coming over the summer months. It felt too good to be true. Had I really just managed to step away from the helm for a full three week period without any resulting damage? It seemed so.

P.H.E.W.

What have I learnt from taking this leap of faith?

1. Taking time to set up a personalised holiday auto-response email is an investment. Many of the enquiries I received came with follow-up emails upon learning I was away saying that they were happy to wait until I was back in the saddle and there was no urgency to respond. Had the emails they had taken the time to send me gone unanswered; I may have lost out on those opportunities.

2. Tweet Old Post is a magical WordPress plugin with mystical powers of traffic sourcing. Even while I wasn’t adding fresh content, the tweets that were automatically generated from the plug-in guided new visitors to my content and gained me new followers, subscribers and generated exciting leads.

3. Everyone I enjoy communicating with in my social networks was still here when I got back

So now that I’m getting back on track (it took almost a week to sift through those emails we talked about) I am busy investigating ways to streamline my time further while I’m not on holiday. Surely these things that worked so well for me must have a place in the real world too? I had an epic to do list formulated within 20 minutes of switching back on; only to find that my internet was all of a sudden intermittent. Since I am out of contract finally I figured it was time to compare broadband deals - no conclusion on that one yet…

I’d love to know your streamlining tips. Not necessarily just business/work related either. I recently decluttered my house and it feels like a breath of fresh air. It feels like having taken this break I have decluttered and downloaded my busy mind too. I’m keen to continue in this manner I have discovered and definitely need help staying on the tracks. If you have organisation, tidying, or ANY kind of streamlining tips or tricks up your sleeve please declare them now!

If you’re thinking of taking time off? Go for it and don’t feel guilty!

DIY Infographic – @TotallyLaura

Laura Summers — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:51:57 +0000

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, infographics are a great way of presenting visual data. People like not having to do the reading but feeling they come away with something.

Well, the folks over at visual.ly have created a tool to allow you to create your own infographic based on your twitter persona. You can create a solo graphic or for fun, play with the face off. Compare your twitter stats with any other twitter user. I’ve spent a funny few minutes comparing my friends and twitter heroes to my own results.

So without further ado – here is me. In infographic terms.

Dear 14 Year Old Me…

Laura Summers — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 17:43:19 +0000

At 14, I know you’ll find it hard to think beyond the here and now; but if you can read this through, you’ll save your older self a whole truck load of time and stress (you’ll understand the importance of this when you’re ‘old’ like me). There are two things I’d really like to talk to you about and I hope what I say doesn’t hit too close to a nerve.

That once in a lifetime holiday you’ve spent a year scrapbook planning for is going to be seriously cool – even more so than you’re dreaming (when you should be doing your homework). What you don’t know is that it will be so incredible that you’ll find yourself back there repeatedly in years to come. Why am I telling you this? Because when you get there that first time, if you know you’ll be going back you might be able to resist the urge to collect every single ‘pick uppable’ thing that passes your way for the memory box. Seriously; napkins with restaurant logos on, flyers for places you never even went and receipts from every single purchase you make during the trip aren’t going to mean anything to you 15 (plus) years later. By all means take photos and write the diary obsessively. Those two things will mean everything and will make you smile without even having to open the cover.

You’re going to be an compulsive traveller and will be fortunate to see much of the world while you are still young. If you collect trinkets at the rate you’re planning to, you’ll run out of room by the time you hit 22.

This clutter collecting habit will run deep unless you can nip it in the bud. 10th March 2012 is going to be a glorious sunny day and you will find yourself being stuck indoors all day sifting through years of ‘precious’ memorabilia. If that isn’t enough to hit home; your friends will be out having a great time together while you’re in the house all by yourself tidying – the thing you hate most (that won’t change).

The second thing I’m not quite sure how to broach to best effect is your swimming. This is a biggie.

Right now you have a love/hate relationship with your swimming. You spend a great deal of time at the pool and are resentful at the things you feel you’re missing out on as a result. You’re just about to be teamed up with an inspiring coach. He coached Sharron Davies (your swimming hero) and now he’s turned his sights on you. It’s going to be pretty overwhelming for you and you’ll be convinced you’re not good enough.

You really, really are.

Your new coach knows that contrary to what you think, you’re a distance swimmer rather than a sprinter. He also knows that while you love breast-stroke and you’re definitely good at it; it’s not your stroke. You’ll find out that your strongest stroke is butterfly, closely followed by backstroke. I know that’s the one you like least but as soon as you get those arms figured out you’ll fall in love with the feeling of how you move through the water. Work hard, focus on it and please don’t give up when the going gets tough.

I’m not sure that you’ll benefit from hearing what I mean by the going getting tough right now. You’ll suffer a couple of pretty devastating blows that will make a swimming career feel like the enemy. If you can view these setbacks as challenges and stick to the plan you agree with this incredible new coach, you can make it to the international level you so desperately aspire to. Of course, as with anything; if you decide to follow your dream there will be sacrifices. You’re pretty young to be considering such huge decisions so if you decide to take the trusted (and less scary) route please go easy on yourself about that choice in future. You’ll make the right move, but either way it will have lasting impact on you and you will always wonder what if… It’s ok to wonder.

I guess ultimately you’ll learn that swimming (and life in general) doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You will find your swimming groove at a level that doesn’t require your life to fit around it and you’ll enjoy it more because of that.

If you choose not to chase the dream, be aware that you’ll watch every single world championship and Olympic race avidly and have twitchy legs while you watch the swimming (maybe even an involuntary tilt of your hips as they dive into the race – I won’t tell anyone). It will hurt that you feel you never found out if you were capable of competing at that level. Take comfort in knowing that where you are as you watch that race; and the people you have in your life who are important to you are the silver lining. Had you walked the other path you wouldn’t have room to be living the life that you are happy in as you take in what you’re perceiving as regrets.

Whatever you decide – be it with the collecting, swimming or anything and everything else; no regrets please.

Remember the Guy who Didn’t Kiss her? Well…

Laura Summers — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:17:03 +0000

Turns out he tried… In a discussion about it he explained how he went in for her lips and she showed him her cheek. Bummer. Silver lining was that he was as disappointed as she was and they finally got their lips in the same place at the same time – a happy ending (If you need the back story click here.. and then here )

So now, we’re onto the next phase. Comfortable in the ‘when will the next date be?’ rather than worrying if there will be one. Tonight it’s cooking dinner time. Her for him.

We’ve been discussing possible menu options. Steak was mentioned but my feeling on this is that it’s too risky… He’s a steak fan it would appear so to my mind unless you know what you’re doing – too much room for error. Right?

So what does that leave us with?

Is food really the way to a man’s heart?

If so, we need your help!

What’s the best meal you’ve ever had cooked for you and what made it memorable?

We’re talking three courses – and wine. If it has aphrodisiac properties that will make him fall madly in love with her forever after? All the better

Your mystery dating gal needs you!

It’s Good to be Back

Laura Summers — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 19:33:13 +0000

As some of you will already know, I used to be pretty addicted to my camera. That lime green Crumpler bag and I were inseparable and I saw everything as a photo opportunity. Sadly, this last year it was one of the things that became neglected.

If you’ve never had the buzz that planning a shot, processing the images and sharing with a group of enthusiastic people who comment on your work provides; you might already be looking for something else to read. But this was a big part of what made me who I was. It was my creative outlet and when it became an effort and hard work, I felt sad. Like I had lost a close friend. In fact, that analogy isn’t too far from the truth. The members of the groups I was submitting my pictures to were now friends. We had been on meet ups, shared creative ups and downs and I have missed being part of that community. I felt I had no choice but to step back because I was no give and absolutely all take. The comments and feedback made me feel great, but I just didn’t have the time to repay the favour. So in classic all or nothing style; I quit.

I’ve picked my camera up from time to time but ended up with piles of images I just didn’t have the enthusiasm to edit. A shame as I’m sure I have some precious memories in that heap but it just exhausts me to even think about sifting through them.

I was talking with a friend about my Wall-E project from 2010. I was sharing the pictures and it made me smile to look through them. I could feel the juices flowing and tried to hunt Wall-E out. Sadly he was lost in the move so that was that… My friend was urging me to find a replacement and get it going again but that was seemingly easier said than done. Eventually my awesome friend located a second hand (way upgraded) Wall-E that was delivered to my door leaving me with no excuses.

I will admit, I was excited but also feeling a little overwhelmed at the amount of energy I knew this could require to get going again. Poor Wall-E has been sat on my shelf for too many weeks and after a false start a couple of weeks ago, today I committed myself to taking a photo of the little guy. We trooped out in the rain to the garden for some natural light and I knew he was about to make his official reappearance as soon as we started. It was so much fun. Testing out angles, lenses and positions… I lost myself for a good half an hour just testing out what was going to work for us.

This evening, I downloaded the images. I was surprised to find other photographs on my memory card that I took last week of some spring flowers over a period of a couple of days. See? Painless. I couldn’t even remember I had taken them.

I opened up PhotoShop and set to work making adjustments, crops and enhancements to bring out the focus of each image I wanted to finalise. It really didn’t take long and then, I was uploading to flickr.

So, I’m back. We’re back. Wall-E and I. It feels good and I wanted to share.

If you know how it feels to lose the spark for your hobby or creative pastime; in the words of Mr Tribbiani – “grab a spoon!”. I’d love to know what it is that gets your brain ticking in your ‘spare’ time. Let me know in the comments below and if it’s something I can check out online – leave a link!

I’m not committing myself to any unachievable projects. No photo a day, not even necessarily a photo an anything. Just photos. When it feels good.

Remember – if you like him, you can… -> Pin It

Ellen Does Poppy Valentine

Laura Summers — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 12:54:49 +0000

Working with children and/or animals. The things you’re advised to steer clear of right? Well, last week when Claire from Poppy Valentine invited Ellen and I along to try out her new range of super cute little girls dresses, that pearl of wisdom went out of the window quick smart.

Claire wanted to take some pictures to put the range onto her website and Ellen was more than happy to try them all on. She pranced around, pretended to be a princess and made us fall about laughing with her funny poses and faces. She really was entertainment at its best.

The only downside to all this hilarity was the resulting photos were… well… see for yourself:

I am relieved to say that despite all of the leaping around and blurred comedy shots, Claire managed to salvage something from our whirlwind experience and Ellen is the new face of Poppy Valentine for Girls. She is head over heels in love with her green dress she received as ‘payment’ and is very proud of her guest appearance on the web – asking to see it “again, again, again!”.

Thank you to Claire for giving us something to giggle over and have so much fun with. The range really is stunning, if you have your own little girl or know of one who might like her own slice of Poppy Valentine vintage fashion then go check it out either online or in the store in the Royal Arcade in Norwich.

Happy shopping!

30 Day Shred… Level 2?

Laura Summers — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 21:17:48 +0000

O…M…G…

I thought I was breezing through the 30 Day Shred. Today being day 11, I moved on to level 2.

No words.

I feel like my body is metamorphosing before my eyes.

Hardcore.

Killer.

Awesome.

I know dozens of you have jumped on the shredding train too. How are you doing? What day are you on? What hurts?!

In Case you Missed it….

Laura Summers — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:04:05 +0000

I have a brand new website I have been absolutely entrenched in the devising of this site for some time. Funny thing is that the actual building of it took hardly any time at all, but the concept was hard to get to grips with.

The all new totallylaura.com replaces the original TLS website. With it’s shorter domain, cleaner appearance and easy navigation; I have finally achieved what I set out to do.

I owe a very massive thank you to the wonderful @JamesBlute for all his patience whilst I sulked, changed a million backgrounds, complained about embed code and generally made a lot of noise. He has been an awesome support to me since we started working together last summer and the new website wouldn’t be here in this form without him

Enough of the acceptance speech. Go, check out my site for yourself (please). I’m absolutely head over heels in love with my new space; can’t stop looking at it! I would love to see readers from here making use of the content I will be pouring into that space.

See for yourselves (click the picture – you know you want to!) And happy Friday!

Bursting at the Seams!

Laura Summers — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:05:04 +0000

And bouncing off the ceiling…

My brand spanking new website is mere hours away from release and I can’t wait to share it (be prepared for an overwhelming amount of repetition from me).

While I have been building the site, I have had my Reboot your Blogability service on offer here. I’ve never offered anything to buy via this blog before and the response has been overwhelming. I’m so glad to have found so many new people to work with and from time to time I’ll drop in an offer here for blog readers as a thank you for all the kind support you have shown me

I literally am so excited this afternoon I’m not sure I can contain it. I’ve been working alongside some amazing people in the last twelve months all of whom have had a considerable impact in helping me carve my new path. Where before I was spreading myself thin and remaining vague on what it was I could offer prospective clients, it all of a sudden feel crystal clear. All will be revealed – hopefully before the night is out!

The news I wanted to share with you right now regards the current Blogability offer. As I mentioned on that page, the price I offered the service at here was reduced. As I am launching the new site, I wanted to give readers here a heads up that I will be increasing the price of this service on the 1st March 2012. That gives you a week to book at the current special offer.

If you decide to take advantage of this offer, I will happily allow any purchases made before 1st March to be redeemed any time up until 1st June 2012. That means you can plan ahead and book in slots now even if you’re not quite ready for them! If you know you will want more than one session – grab them now!

Feel free to share this far and wide, I really am grateful for all of your clicks, likes and tweets and look forward to sharing the next stage with you!