Kelly spoke at WES2010 but she CERTAINLY made her way around the sponsor floor to see what’s new.  Look for one off tweets on apps @kellyfallis but we can’t help but pass on CRACKBERRY.COM live feed from the floor.

Time is flying by.  I had to skip Brooklyn Design this passed weekend which I was so upset about to play catch up, and this week is already looking kaotic with the ICFF in NYC starting Friday…err Wednesday (so much for one more week of catch up!)

International Contemporary Furniture Fair @ NYC May 15-18

Billed as “North America’s singular showcase for contemporary design,” the four-day extravaganza of furniture, flooring, lighting, textiles and accessories will feature over 500 exhibitors from more than three-dozen countries. In addition  there’s also the ICFF Studio featuring up-and-coming designers, the Materials Matter showcase of new materials, technology and production processes and work by students from six of the world’s most prestigious design schools, including Parsons and the Pratt Institute.

Follow @remotestylist on Twitter for live feed and check back here nightly as we actually do upload our coverage in a timely fashion!

We love reading posts from Torontonians on their favorite stores, which is why we have to draw your attention to Ian Milne from BlogTO’s post on how he just can’t get enough of Queen West Commute Home!

Toronto's Commute Home

Amazing how four months flies by!  With a technological problem taking Style Watch programming down for February, opening up US op’s in March and 30 days on the road straight in April, we are WAY behind.  I’ve been cruising the Eastern Seaboard with 160 videos I’ve shot, more stories that need to be communicated and no time to get them too you – yes, I’ll be the first to admit I suck.  BUT…here we go.  It’s Mothers Day, my mom is in Muskoka and I’m in New York City, it’s the first time I’ve had to wear a jacket in 8 whole weeks and i’m ready to address the backlog!  Get ready ….

Kelly

We’re super back on track with our Guest Correspondent Program after a winter of distraction.  By the end of 2010 we’ll have over 50+ design bloggers (and alot of them actual interior designers)  contributing to the Style Watch from cities around the world.

Today, meet the first one ever: Traci Zeller, from Charlotte, North Carolina.  Why Charlotte?  It’s a hotbed of design activity – and probably the nearest “city” of note to High Point, NC (the heart of American design).

We just reconnected with her at a tweetup in North Carolina of all places and have to tell you when we think SUPERWOMAN, Traci is it!  Oh, and and a stylish one too; Charlotte’s Style Magazine just named her as part of the top 25 Most Stylish!  \Mom to twin boys who just turned 4 years old;  has a full blown design business; is one heck of  dedicated blogger and wife; and she still manages to find time to keep us up to speed on what’s doing in North Carolina.

Stay up to speed with Traci on twitter @tracizeller and Facebook.

So Traci Zeller Designs comes first; then you decide blogging?  How did you initially start the blog?

It was early 2009; I simply needed a way to connect with more people – clients, friends, friends of friends, just people interested in design.

Do you remember what your first blog post was on?

Yeah, no….but I can tell you it was probably not very interesting!

What do you love about blogging?

With my life, and my boys, it’s difficult to know what a day will hold.  I schedule in my appointments with clients, working around whatever is happening in my personal life.  The cool part about blogging is it’s like taking time for myself.  I really get into whatever I’m writing about; whatever is inspiring me.  It might be a great house that I’ve seen, something that’s going on locally that’s awesome, a new product I’ve just discovered or a new solution to a problem.

Are you the editorial calendar or write it as it comes type?

I started jotting down ideas that I wanted to write about and low and behold it would appear I have a few weeks worth of topics to write about.

What’s the most exciting event that has transpired from having a blog?

The response and community around the blog is the entre; I’ve connected with people from the Midwest to Paris and love the fact we can all relate. However, being recognized as a blogger and being invited to events like the Hickory Chair Breakfast for bloggers at Highpoint in October 2009 was an ABSOLUTELY incredible opportunity to hear from designers first hand.  To be included in such a high caliber event was awesome.

What do you love about being in the home decor business?

Oh my…so many different things.  I guess first the fact I get to exploring … its like a never ending journey.  And no matter which path you go down that you always come back to one true style.  There are just so many different expressions and so many facets into that; so many different ways to style a room.

How did you end up becoming a designer in the first place?

I grew up in Southwest Georgia.  My father was a lawyer for the military so we were always moving around.  After I finished school all I knew was that I wanted to go to a big city that wasn’t too cold (seriously!).  My best friends from school were from Charlotte, so I moved here.  9.5 years later, I can confirm it was a great move.  It’s a good mix of big city and small town with loads of southern hospitality to boot.  There’s really no shortage of things to do – all very accessible – mountains, beach, bigger cities like DC, Atlanta, great airport that goes anywhere …and then there’s that weather again!

What can people expect from you as the Remote Stylist Charlotte correspondent?

Charlotte is one of those cities that gets NO credit; we have tons of great design events, stores and activities that get stuck in the shadows.  The Remote Stylist gives me a great opportunity to help the Charlotte design community to show the outside world we have flair.  We’ve got a lot of the traditional look but it’s infused with modern elements and has a very sustainable look….Charlotte is very contemporary in design and we get lumped into that traditional American category that hails from North Carolina.  Hopefully my monthly updates will entice people to visit Charlotte for business and/or pleasure!

Tell us one thing about you that not even the Remote Stylist team knows.

I’ve always been somebody who likes to share my secrets!  I find something awesome and want the whole world to know about it.

Verizon’s Push-to-Talk service has been active for a few weeks now, and perhaps as a sign of just how many Tour users haven’t added the service, Verizon has sent out emails to Tour users letting them know they can get the service free for life. The email states that users need only add the PTT software and service to their device before June 30th and they will get to keep it free for the life of the contract. To me this seems like a sign that PTT isn’t going over as well as they thought. If you’re a Verizon Tour user you should see the email pop up in your inbox, but if not, hit this link to download the software and get rolling.

What a week!  Between kids screaming Airplane, Airplane, Airplane at 8am in the Orlando Airport (god love Disney!), little sleep and 85 degrees temps, I’ve somehow managed to arrive back in NYC alive.  WES2010 my version: I’ve never seen so many suits; so many international parties in one place; and so much enthusiasm.  It was truly tech heaven, and in the most appropriate setting.  Kudos to the Orlando Marriott in hosting a fabulous conference.  No surprise, I arrive just in time for a party … err lets make that a KILLER party (albeit they could do with pitching the chardonnay and ordering Pinot Grigio for a white …just saying!)

Live from the Blackbbery Party w/ Bedioun Soundclash, Joss Stone & Will.iam

But lets get to the Blackberry deets for 2010.  Bottom Line:  I’ve got SOOOO much to learn, but am completely obsessed with aps.  I immediately came back and put in new policy which is that the Remote Stylist team will only use Blackberry (only natural when the CEO is on the Blackberry Small Biz Advisory Committee!), and all operations will be executed using BB tech partner aps.  Now operating from Toronto, Boston and New York, albeit virtually, the BIS platform is critical to our success.  What’s BIS?  Answer here.

I was a speaker (to a pretty solid 100 person crowd, aka well attended) alongside Australia’s Peerless Foods.  Albeit a massive difference in the perception of Small Business, I covered the ‘operating virtually’ from a boostrapping startup angle, while my cohort Adrian from Peerless Foods discussed running a multi-million dollar small company that’s build an ap that’s been gamechanging to his margarine operations.  A great time had by all and great interaction from the audience.  My favorite question what can we do to make your life, as an entrepreneur easier?  My answer -ALWAYS – get some knowledgable people on the other end of the phone.  I want a dedicated line for entreprenuers…how hard is that?!  My priorities:

1. Save me time

2. Save me money

3. Spare me frustration

…odd that the above list is exactly the business model Remote Stylist abides by lol!  But seriously, forget the perks – lets get the basics covered first and foremost.  I had it the Canadian tri-fecti -Bell, Rogers and Telus some time ago and have been floating around American Carriers permanently landing on Verizon – my new love – so am a qualified sounding board (just saying!).  No surprise my favorite party was the Verizon One lol!

Kelly's Favorite Party - No Surprise Here a la Verizon!

For anyone running a small business (apparently defined by under 100 people) there are some killer blackberry applications (ie aps) that will increase your productivity. Follow me on twitter @kellyfallis to find out about them.

Downtown c/o Disney Resort. Really Tough!

Off to Orlando Kelly goes….to speak as a Small Business Expert for WES2010.  What’s that?  Oh just Blackberry’s 5000 person pow-wow for the hottest in wireless communication.  Follow her on twitter for constant updates @kellyfallis.

We’re always searching for favorites.  This Weeks: Washington’s Factory 20.  Like, seriously, we can’t get enough of the creative and inspiring collection of furniture, lighting and accessories…..particularly because it’s SO well catalogued,  with both photographs and descriptions. A few of our fav’s: the 1940’s Music Dept. chairs and Wall Mount Wardrobe Coat Rack.

Reclaiming salvaged materials, using uncommon combinations and adhering to modernist tenets, it’s ALL unexpected and definitely unforgettable.

Follow them on Twitter.

Catch Style North’s post on the newest additions to ‘the Summerhill strip’.  Can never have enough centrally located decor and this Toronto sector is hopping.  Tell Christopher @ Artifacts the Remote Stylist sent you and watch out for our Muskoka coverage with him this summer!