O, You

Last week I had the pleasure of joining 4,000 women (and a handful of brave men) in San Francisco, for a day of expert presentations sponsored by Oprah’s magazine, “O”.

In the morning I listened to organizing guru, Peter Walsh, followed by an hour with interior designer, Nate Berkus. I also went to sessions with TLC’s What Not To Wear, Stacy London, and life coach Martha Beck.

I have met Peter Walsh at our NAPO conferences, but he is so much fun and so inspiring that I just had to see him again. Peter really is committed to getting people to understand that “it’s not about the stuff”! It’s about the unfulfilled promises that the stuff represents.

Interestingly, it was Nate’s session that had the most impact on me. A couple of things he talked about really resonated. Essentially he said that rooms and homes should never be thought of as “done”. Homes are organic eco-living systems of their own, and should be constantly evolving to mirror and service the changes that take place in our own lives.

The other point he made is that a home will never look or feel right without a mix of new and vintage items. I realized that this is what my own home is missing - older, worn pieces with character or pieces that I can put my own stamp on, a older chair with a new piece of fabric that relates to me. I tend to buy only new items. I will now think more kindly of flea markets and garage sales.

So here’s the scoop, Nate is shorter than I thought he would be, Stacy is petite and really very nice, Suze Orman is a tough as she sounds on TV and Gayle King is really beautiful.

At the end of the event the surprise we all hoped for arrived, Oprah came and delivered the closing session. She is an amazing force and it was really special to have the opportunity to see and hear her live. She was gracious and inspiring, exactly as she appears on TV.