Holiday Frenzy

Well, it is here, the time we've all been waiting for--holiday season. Thanksgiving is just around the corner with Christmas soon to follow. Here a few tips to help you come out on top of the holiday frenzy.

• LIST, LIST,LIST- Never go shopping for food or gifts without a list.If you do, you will end up buying food you already have and purchasing way too expensive gifts.
• Bargain Shop-Shop a few stores before buying gifts. Nothing stings worse than discovering that you bought an item for $20 more than you had to.
• Store perks- If the store offers gift wrapping, let them. If there are buy one, get one free or mark downs, take advantage. You will not regret it.
• Schedule yourself- I know you are busy, but you need to set your schedule. Etch out time for decorating, cooking, and especially down time to recoup your rest.

The most important thing about the holiday season is family. Enjoy those precious moments because they are fleeting! Have a great and blessed holiday!

MIA-Missing in Action

It has been a while since my last post, but Dani's Concierge has been under construction of sorts. We are now branching out and offering a few products such as fragrance oils and accessories. As we all know, the economical state of our country and world is one of downturn and uncertainty. In order to survive in today's climate, we have had to make adjustments. But,one thing will not change-that is our dedication to providing great service to our clients. Our clients are our most important asset and we will always do our best to ensure that they are taken care of. We are continuing on the journey of discovering who we are as a brand. So, grab onto the reins and ride the storm with us and be a witness to a time of growth unlike one we have ever seen before.

Balancing Act

Hi everyone! It is so difficult to stay on top of all of our responsibilities. However, it is necessary that we consistently take care of the things that we must. I myself have a large family (six children!)and with that comes much responsibility. It is like walking a tight rope many times attempting to take care of everyone and everything without going insane. But, I have gotten use to the chaos. Here are a few tips to get over the "I can't take all of this" feeling:
1. Make lists. I know that sounds old fashioned, but I have found that seeing things in black and white often brings clarity.
2. Program appointments into your cellphone and set reminders. It will alert you to upcoming responsibilities and help you stay on track.
3. Schedule time for yourself. Go get a mani/pedi, hang with your friends, go to the movies--do whatever makes you happy at least once a week.
4.Maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating well and exercising. If you are well and healthy, you can better deal with stress. Also, I have found exercise is a great way to alleviate stress. Once those endorphins start releasing, I feel GREAT!
Follow these quick tips to relieve some of the pressure . Stress is a normal occurrence in life, however, you are not to live each waking moment on high alert for the next stressful event. Take a deep breath and enjoy life because, you only get one!

Relocation Tips

Hi everyone! It has been a few weeks since my last post, but I have again been SUPER busy! I have a few tips for those of you looking to relocate to another location, close or far. First of all, many cities have an online Chamber of Commerce site which will have great newcomer information, as well as links to local businesses. Secondly, if moving to a different state, you will need to transfer your drivers license and tags, so it would be a great idea to research requirements online. Many states have a deadline for transfers and you will need to do in a timely manner to avoid any confusion or fees. Also, if your bank is a "chain" bank, such as Wells Fargo or Bank of America, you will be able to continue to use the same account, you will just need to change locations on the account. If all of this seems like a bit too much, there are companies that provide these types of services. I would encourage you to research relocation firms online. Have a great week and I will be updating you guys with more great lifestyle management information soon!

Time to Catch Up

Wow, it's been a while since my last post, but I have been extremely BUSY! However, I have some great updates. First of all, I have signed on as a independent contractor to perform relocation services. I never thought this type of business existed, but it does. It is a totally new area for me, but I am very efficient and am confident that I will do an awesome job. Next, I have some birthday parties that I am hosting and running, so I am super excited about that. I am also continuing to build my skills and work with people from all walks of life and refocus my marketing to appease to a greater market. The next post will be soon. Until then, you guys stay blessed and remember, Dani's Concierge specializes in "Simplifying Your Life--One Task at a Time!"

Organizing Tips

When organizing, I always try to start small and focus on one area at a time. It is easy to become overwhelmed with too much, too soon. However, if you "eat in small bites" (as Nana used to say!), it is easier to be inspired to tackle the task at hand. The use of baskets, bins, and storage totes can streamline any area if utilized efficiently. I love to go to cost efficient stores such as Family Dollar and the Dollar tree and purchase storage bins and baskets. Baskets add an air of sophistication to areas such as living rooms. I use a large basket to hold my son's diapers, wipes, and changing pad in my living room. It blends well with my living room furniture and decor and is inconspicuous enough not to draw undue attention to what could have been potentially untidy. The use of storage bins in areas such as garages, attics, basements, and other general utility areas is very effective. They can also be purchased in a clear form so that you will always know what is stored in the bin. So, remember use storage items consistently and do not allow yourself to get overwhelmed with too many details. If the task proves to be too much, then you may need to call in some professional help. Organizing can be easy if you have the tools and knowledge to do it!

Quick Party Decor Tips

Many people struggle with decorating for parties, whether it be for a child's birthday or an elderly couple's anniversary. I have always found that the easiest thing to do is focus on the theme. The theme will allow you to come up with a color scheme and you should focus your decorations around the color scheme. For example, St. Patrick's day has a color scheme of green, gold, silver, and white. Always use tablecloths on tables. They add sophistication to an area and are a great focal point. The use of flowers, balloons, or other centerpieces add to the atmosphere also. Try to tie your serving dishes to the overall color or tone of event. I personally love to use clear serving dishes and plates. They go well with any decor and they appear more expensive than they are. One other thing that I like to do is use confetti on tables. They add pops of unexpected color to the table. Last but not least, use hanging lanterns,string lights, or other overhead decor to bring the room together overall. Your guests will enjoy the decorations and it adds to the festive feelings. Hope this few tips help with your next event Happy Decorating!  Contact me at andrea@danisconcierge.com or leave comments on this blog.

What is a Personal Concierge?

Many of you may be wondering what exactly is a personal concierge or as I call myself, "Lifestyle Manager" Well, we are people who strive to serve as our client's stress relievers. We handle the dreaded "to-do" list that steals away precious time. We remind our clients of their appointments, shop for their groceries, make travel arrangements, organize their closets--no job is too small. We take the position of servant and wear it as a badge of honor. It pleases us to ease our client's minds and that in itself is very powerful. If you have any questions or would like to talk to me further, e-mail me at andrea@danisconcierge.com, or send me a message at www.danisconcierge.com.

Time Saving When Running Errands

We do not realize how much time we waste running errands. There are, however, a few things we can do to save some of our precious time.

• First of all, make a list of every errand you need to accomplish
• Put errands in order of location (so you don't backtrack when traveling)
• Hold phone calls if possible while you are out (distraction takes away time)
• If grocery shopping is one of your "to-do's"-go early in the morning when customers are scarce

These are just a few tips to save you time while running errands. Leave me a comment or ask any questions that you would like. I would appreciate the feedback.

Dani's Concierge is currently offering a variety of services. If you need assistance planning your next event,have a closet that needs organizing, or need someone to take your car to be serviced--Dani's is here for you. If you can perceive it-we can achieve it. Follow this blog for upcoming tps on organizing, planning events, and much more.