I just returned from a trip to Orange, California to visit my Stepdaughter.  I'm not too thrilled about being back home.  The weather is so dreary in the Toronto area right now and there's not a palm tree in sight.  Well, maybe the odd one in a shopping mall if I look really hard, but that doesn't count :-).

While I was in California, Michelle Minch of Moving Mountains Design Home Staging in Pasadena, California arranged for a Stagers' lunch.  She is just as awesome in person as she is on her Active Rain blog.  What an amazing lady!  I can't thank Michelle enough for organizing our get together.  It was SO much fun and everyone was so generous with their tips and advice.  Also there were Michelle Krawczyk and Leigh Blackwell, both of Staging For You, Inc. in Rancho Santa Margarita, California as well as Michelle Minch's Assistant, Melissa.

I was truly humbled to be amongst such talent and so honoured that they took the time to travel to Orange for lunch with me.  I also have to give a big thank you to Active Rain, because if it wasn't for AR, I never would have made these connections.

I hope to be back in California some time next year to visit my Stepdaughter and if so, I would love the opportunity to meet up with them again.  Next time, lunch is my treat!  

Dezigner Digz is a home staging and interior decorating company located in Burlington, Ontario.  The owner, Charlene Storozuk, is a member of the Real Estate Staging Association and is the founder and current President of the Halton & Hamilton-Wentworth Real Estate Staging Association.  For more information about us, visit our website at www.dezignerdigz.com

 
Post is included in group: Canada, eh
Post is included in group: Home Staging
Post is included in group: Real Estate Staging Association
Post is included in group: Stage It Forward...
Post is included in group: Stager's Coffee Clutch

12 Comments on A Southern California Home Stagers' Lunch - Thanks So Much Michelle Minch!

DEC
15
2008
301,939 Points 19 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Charlene: Thank YOU Charlene. I'm sorry I was so late and missed the first hour or so, but traffic was horrible and I was driving from Granada Hills (about 50 miles on the 5 Fwy, which is like Purgatory!). I really enjoyed meeting you and Michelle & Leigh as well. I wished we all lived closer so we could do this more often. What a dynamic group. I look forward to going to your neck of the woods - hopefully sooner than later.
1:22pm • #1
DEC
16
2008

Charlene,

It was so great to meet you.  What a yummy lunch!!! If you need anything or have questions, feel free to call me anytime.  Keep in touch.

Best of luck to you in 2009! 

~Michelle

Michelle Krawczyk

www.stagingforyou.com

866.591.8293
6:15pm • #2
DEC
17
2008
145,540 Points 9 Featured Posts

Michelle M. - Don't feel bad about being a bit late.  I saw for myself while I was in California how horrendous the traffic can be.  I felt bad for you that you got caught in it.  It was so great to finally meet you after conversing through our AR posts and our telephone conversation.  I wish we lived closer to each other too.  I'd love to be able to do this more often.  I will probably be back in California next year to visit my Stepdaughter.  If so, I'll let you know when I'll be in town.  I'd love to come and see your warehouse some day and if I'm lucky see one or two of your staged properties.  I hope you come to my neck of the woods some day soon.  I'll take time off to play tour guide if you'd like :-).
11:34am • #3

Charlene, I am so SORRY that I missed your lunch! I lost a whole week with that death cold. I was soooo looking forward to it. I will be there next time you come out for sure! I hope you had a great time in CA. I am still bummed about missing you.
12:51pm • #4
269,928 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

How fun!!  Maybe you would like to fly up north to San Francisco when you return to LA-we are just an hour away???   I will get some stagers together here and show you the city.  We would love to meet you too!!    
9:39pm • #5
DEC
21
2008
145,540 Points 9 Featured Posts

Michelle K. - Thanks so much!  It was really great meeting you too.  Lunch was excellent - my kobe beef hamburger was probably one of the best I've ever had!  I did feel a little guilty though since everyone else was eating salad :-).  The diet starts in '09!  Thanks so much for your offer of assistance and I'll definitely keep in touch. 

Wendy - I'm sorry to hear that you were sick.  I hope you are feeling better now.  I would love to meet you the next time I'm in California.  Orange is pretty far though for you to travel to, I'll understand if you can't make it.  I'll phone you while I'm in California if we can't get together.  At least we can have a good chat on the phone :-).

Cathy - It was a lot of fun.  Just an hour by plane eh?  I would love that.  I'll have to see if I can sneak away without my Stepdaughter noticing that I'm missing :-).  I'd love to meet you too!
9:29am • #6
DEC
22
2008

It is nice to see that people are actually fostering good relationships through AR.
8:08am • #7
DEC
23
2008
145,540 Points 9 Featured Posts

Benita - I've met so many great people through AR.  I see that you're in New Jersey.  Hopefully one day we'll get a chance to meet.  New Jersey isn't that far from Toronto.
7:20pm • #8
269,928 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Well, if you can't sneak away maybe I can pop down South!!!  My son and daughter in law live in Los Angeles.  :)
10:13pm • #9
DEC
24
2008
145,540 Points 9 Featured Posts

Cathy - That would be awesome!  I'll let you know in advance when I'll be back in Orange County.
8:25am • #10
DEC
27
2008

Hi Charlene! Orange is only 1 1/2 hrs away! That is what was so frustrating for me, you were so close and I couldn't go! I will be there next time!!!! Phone calls are nice, but I want to see you in person!!!

Next time for sure :) Wendy
9:50am • #11
DEC
30
2008
145,540 Points 9 Featured Posts

That's great Wendy!  I'm really looking forward to meeting you :-) !!!
12:06pm • #12


Spam prevention

To submit the form,
drag the leaf to the circle on the side.

Image?id=f8e56dc42f22495363b27dfba9c624cb505956f4 Image?id=e73caac4579baaf60c5358c39aec29bbbd2e0552 Image?id=c598f32e67d5e99450b227023b3ebae03b4ef02a Image?id=98798e137daa8dd4362c1b569741ad327d067b0e Image?id=00befeae9bd4fa14759b8d465314278965d8d3b4

Accessibility option: listen to a question and answer it!

Type below the answer to what you hear. Numbers or words, lowercase:
Leave a response…

(optional)
Spam prevention

To submit the form,
drag the airplane to the circle on the side.

Image?id=6e2f8d4c9f49426c1761afbd5efd1f8ceed5fad4 Image?id=f8fc24f4cb1062c8d54ebcf01bfb69d0c3c64086 Image?id=52b895fca4a140a98d129d826d204bdc650d483a Image?id=a9b61cb0fc3f87bb649e78e817c8365fc57446e6 Image?id=ce1e0e836de0cd06287edbc0b5ec536ce19545e9

Accessibility option: listen to a question and answer it!

Type below the answer to what you hear. Numbers or words, lowercase: