Welcome to the Weekly Blogger Interview! This week — Cristin of Simplified Bee. Cristin is a busy mother, professional organizer & designer who specializes in clutter control and functional design.
What got you started blogging? In May of 2009, after a client pushed me to do so, I started the Simplified Bee® Blog. With limited marketing funds, the blog was originally a placeholder for a website that would be developed later that year. I hadn’t followed blogs and new very little about it. To my surprise, the little blog grew and I grew to love writing about interiors, organizing and entertaining. However, “meeting” new blogger friends has been the most wonderful part of blogging.
How would you describe your design style? As a mother of two young children, I understand the desire for a home to be functional, yet beautiful. I prefer designs that are approachable, evolve over time and artfully blend old and new. Eco-friendly design is also important to me. I loveupcycling furniture found at a yard sale or flea market. I dislike interior designs that are matchy-matchy and look a page out of a furniture catalog.
You’re a professional organizer. My kids are a total mess. What can you do to help them realize that putting away their toys creates harmony in our home, which is critically important to my sanity? Unfortunately most children won’t make the realization that a neat home promotes harmony, so it is important as a parent to model good behavior as well as making a daily routine of putting the house in order. Toddlers need help putting toys away and may need to be rewarded with stickers that can be placed on a chart showing progress. Older children however, should be given the responsibility of putting their toys away. Of course, thisbecomes difficult if there are too many toys and/or not ahome for them. When new toys arrive, encourage your kids to donate gently toys they no longer play with. This will help them appreciate the toys they have and help bins and baskets from over-flowing.
You mentioned that Martha Stewart most influenced your career. I think she is insanely talented with impeccable taste. Do you think we could ever get her to say ‘boom’ during the taping of one of her shows? Hmmm. I first was going to say no, but then she always surprises me.
You are based out of the San Francisco area, and I must say that those crazy steep hills make me nervous. Do you have any suggestions on how I can better cope with them? Learn how to parallel park blind-folded and drive an automatic car – stick-shifts I find difficult.
Do you think you could escape from Alcatraz? I have never been to Alcatraz! How crazy is that? So, I would have to say no, I don’t think I could escape from Alcatraz.
What do you consider as lamesauce? Soy sauce. I put it on my kids’ veggies!
Who do you think would win a cage match between Martha Stewart or her daughter Alexis Stewart? Hands down, Martha. If she can survive prison, she can certainly take down Alexis.
Why do you think Modern Bird Studios is so insanely awesome? I love that each piece of art from Modern Bird Studios is unique and meaningful. Every interior needs a personal touch! Modern Bird’s acrylic mounted to wood pieces are brilliant.
What bloggers do you love reading? Tough question. I follow a ton of blogs and so many are amazing. My blogroll is full of a few of my favorites. Some inspiring blogs that come to mind are Pure Style Home, Centsational Girl, Emily A. Clark, The Zhush, Little Green Notebook, Things That Inspire, Coco+Kelley, Honey We’re Home, and the list goes on and on…
Thank you, Cristin! You can learn more about Cristin at Simplified Bee, follow her on Twitter, and ‘like’ her on FB.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks so much! I was on client calls today and didn’t have a chance to post… will definitely mention though!
xo,
cristin
You rock, Cristin!!
This was a great interview! I love getting to know people. Hee Hee! Anne