Made in the USA: Pill Boxes

I was going through The Container Store last year and spotted these colorful pill boxes. They come in various sizes and are perfect for taking on vacation or putting your everyday pills in. Plus, they are made in the USA!

Do you use pill boxes and do you have a favorite?

ecomodernconcierge.com

10 Qualities of a Concierge

I thought I would outline some qualities of concierge. Concierges are so many different things to different people. Below are some qualities that most concierges possess and this is definitely not all of them.

1. Super Organized. You have to be super organized or you will get chewed up and spit out real quick. 
2. Part Magician. Because we can often times do the impossible. ;)
3. Be Honest with Your Clients. You have to be honest with your clients because, if not, karma is coming to get you. 
4. Provide Excellent Customer Service. This is an absolute must.
5. Problem Solver. Don't say I can't. If you are not sure about something, be honest and tell clients you are looking for the best solution. More than likely there is a solution to most problems.
6. Strategist. You are constantly strategizing whether it is finding ways to handle things or planning out your day. 
7. Open Minded. Be open minded about requests that come in. It is always interesting to do things that you may have never done before as long as it is legal.
8. Thirst for New Knowledge. I am constantly researching, reading, trying to stay up on what is new and happening in Houston, etc. This is a must if you are helping clients who depend on you to be in the know.
9. Resourceful / Creative. You have to have a pocket full of resources to refer to and come up with creative solutions. 
10. FUN. Have fun with it, this makes life so much better. 

ecomodernconcierge.com

Easy Gift: Book + Booze

I think this is such a  fun, easy gift to give. A book and booze. This is a fun little book, which is perfect for any literary friends, and it has various cocktail recipes. You can pair it with a small or large bottle of liquor. We have given this as gifts and it seems to be received well. What are some of your favorite gifts to give?

ecomodernconcierge.com

Made in the USA: Ames Shovel

Spring is on the way and it often means time for outdoor projects. We got this Ames shovel from Home Depot and was happy to see that it is made in the USA. It has come in handy with so many projects, including shoveling rocks out of our sunroom area. So far it has held up well.

Do you have a favorite type of gardening tool?

ecomodernconcierge.com

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day. Go spread some love in the world today and always.

Photo Courtesy of Pei-San NG I love this photo and used in a post of mine back in 2011.

ecomodernconcierge.com

Random Acts of Kindness Week

This is Random Acts of Kindness Week February 12-18, 2017. I read an article in the Parade circular that we get inside of our paper and it had a great article on Random Acts of Kindness. I plan on doing at least one, if not more, random acts of kindness everyday this week. We are doing things for neighbors in our neighborhood this week and below are some ideas. Here is a website with some ideas: https://www.randomactsofkindness.org. There are SO many sites, but below are a few I thought would be helpful. 

Good Housekeeping 
Zillow 
Events to Celebrate 
PopSugar 

There are so many things we can do for neighbors whether it is: 

• Waving 
• Saying hello 
• Introducing yourself to someone you don't know or haven't spoken to 
• Making baked goods or a meal for someone 
• Giving someone a box of Girl Scout cookies 
• Writing a note 
• Bringing in a neighbors trashcan or newspaper 
• One neighbor left me a random Halloween doormat because they knew we decorated and I thought it was a super kind gesture. 
• Picking up trash in the neighborhood 
• Delivering flowers or fruit to the elderly who doesn't get out much or to anyone because you want to make their day 
• Sending a $5 Starbucks card to a neighbor 
• Sending a complimentary note to a neighbor about how nice they are, you love their yard, something you notice about them or their actions, etc. 
• Call a neighbor to see how they are doing 
• The list goes on and on and on 

ecomodernconcierge.com

Eco Modern Concierge in 2016: Celebrating Successes

This post was originally supposed to be posted last month, but I forgot to schedule it so here it is.

Last year I decided to keep track of small and large successes of Eco Modern Concierge. There were various successes on the professional organizing side, Houston successes, personal assistant goals achieved and being a small, women owned business in Houston. I did well until the 2nd half of the year. This exercise is a great way to focus on the positive rather than the negative. There are many other things that happened too, but I can remember everything.

• Become a certified Women's Business Enterprise (WBENC).
• Became a Women Owned Small Business (WOSB).
• Applied and got accepted for the Houston Super Bowl 51 as an approved vendor and business featured in the SB51 resource guide.
• Featured in the Houston Chronicle. The story changed a lot from January to May, but still had a small mention in there nonetheless. http://bit.ly/28LuwtL
• Featured on several blogs.
• Became a NAPO Golden Circle member.
• Spoke at a Women's Networking Lunch and talked about how I started EMC, juggled 2 jobs & went full-time with EMC.
• Taught a closet organizing class for The Woodlands Friends of the Library.
• One of the sponsors for Belong Magazine Issue 4.
• Set up consistent blog procedures M/W/F.
• Got an office space in Downtown, the building sold in December and moved to new office space further down Main St.
• Did some small videos for Downtown Houston Live. 
• Joined NAPO Houston.
• Joined Altrusa.
• Became a notary.
• Donated many charity gift certificates.
• Worked with new clients.
• Connected with new businesses. 
• Hired personal assistants for clients. 

*picture from my first office space.

ecomodernconcierge.com

Types Of Hangers

When organizing a space there are so many different types of hangers you can use. Some people don't care what hangers they use, while others want a polished look and choose to invest in all the same type of hangers.

Right now some popular ones that I am getting asked to use more and more are:

• Velvet, huggable hangers
• Wood Ikea has some of the best prices on wood hangers. 
• Chrome

There are some hangers that work best depending on the type of clothing item you need to hang. If you are trying to make more space in your closet then I would suggest the huggable hangers. If you have plenty of space in your closet, then often times many people go for plastic or wood hangers.

Personally I am not a fan of wire hangers, but what I do love about them is that you can recycle them back to various dry cleaners.

Some places to get hangers:

• The Container Store (will have periodic sales)
• Amazon
• Costco
• Ikea
• Target
• Walmart
• A dollar store

What are your favorite type of hangers?

*these photos were taken last year at The Container Store. I am not aware if they currently have sales on hangers or not.

ecomodernconcierge.com

Currently Reading

What are you currently reading? I have made it a goal to read more this year and in January pushed full force ahead reading several books. I didn't expect to read so many, but I did. I made it a point to make time to read instead of saying I never have time.

Here is what I read so far this year:

• Overtime is SO Over
• Sweet Bitter
• Goop Clean Beauty
• Present Over Perfect
• Chasing Slow

Here is what is currently on my list:

• 5 Love Languages 
• Big Little Lies
• Commonwealth
• Gut
• The Universe Has Your Back

ecomodernconcierge.com

Eco Valentine's Ideas

I decided to repost this content from last year because all the information still stays the same for the most part and why not. 

Do you have plans for Valentine's Day? There are several small steps you can do to make your Valentine's Day a little more eco. Here are some of my tips:

• Get outside! This year Valentine's Day is on a Sunday, so it will be the perfect time to get outside, weather permitting.  Whether this is picnicking outside, taking a bike ride together going for a walk, gardening, planting a tree, etc., try to soak up some of the fresh air. 
• Visit farmers markets. If you are located in Houston visit farmers markets that are open during Valentine's weekend or day like Urban Harvest farmers market or East End farmers market. Farmers markets are also a great place to buy local gifts, like candles, plants, jewelry, etc. Here are a list of farmers markets in Houston: http://www.visithoustontexas.com/things-to-do/shopping/farmers-markets/
• Eat local. If you plan on going out to eat, choose places that source food locally or have eco building materials. Houston has such a great restaurant scene that you are bound to find something that has green aspects. You can also cook something at home, its romantic and special.
• Buy fair trade products. If you plan on buying chocolates or goodies for your partner, choose fair trade items. Most grocery stores sell fair trade chocolate or check out Ten Thousand Villages in Houston that has many different fair trade products. 
• Buy plants or flowers from a local grower. Instead of buying a bouquet of flowers from the local grocery store, opt to buy a plant that will last a lot longer. Check out local farmers markets for florists and plant growers.
• Buy organic / biodynamic wine or liquor. If you can, choose to buy organic and / or biodynamic wine or liquor that you can find at the grocery store or other speciality stores. There are many affordable options out there under $25. Whole Foods and Spec's are some of my favorite places to look for alcoholic drinks. 
• Shop local and / or eco. 
• If you plan on buying jewelry, consider getting conflict free diamonds, jewelry made with recycled metals or vintage jewelry. Try brilliantearth.com.
• If you are going for a day of pampering, consider using eco products like Tata Harper or going to an eco salon like Organic Spa Houston or Milk + Honey (they are currently not open, but have pop up shop with eco products) . 
• Visit local shops that sell items from local makers / artists like Manready Mercantile, Cactus Music and Space Montrose.

• Give Back. If you have children or just want to do it on your own make, cards for local hospitals and nursing homes. I have been doing this for years for Texas Children's Hospital. Adopt an animal for World Wildlife Fund.
• What to do in Houston on Valenetine's Day. Here are some eco and not so eco things to do in Houston on Valentine's Day:
• http://365thingsinhouston.com/2016/01/31/valentines-day-2016/
• http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/houston-valentines-day-ideas-what-to-do

ecomodernconcierge.com

How to Organize a Card Making Party & Give Back

The last several years I have made tons of Valentine's cards for Texas Children's Hospital and it is SO fun! This year I thought I would post on how to organize your own card making party.

1. Choose a charity and/ or organization you want to make cards for. 
2. Decide on a date and location.
3. Invite guests.
4. Get supplies or asks guests to bring crafting supplies. I usually buy supplies in the dollar bins at Target, from Dollar Tree and use the tons of supplies that I already have at home. 
1. You will need cards. I have gotten the Valentine's that come in the boxes and I have made my own. If I make my own, I get A2 or A4 size blank cards in various sizes, designs and Valentine's colors like reds, pinks, whites, etc.
2. Scissors
3. Glue / Glue Sticks
4. Decorating supplies like stickers, foam stickers like hearts, washi tape, watercolors, markers, etc. I don't get a lot of glitter things because Texas Children's ask to not use much glitter.
5. Plan a small menu and drinks.
6. Make cards.
7. Have fun!!
8. Send off or deliver to charity and/or organization!

I saw this in another article and thought it was a great idea, choose some questions to discuss and reflect while you are making cards.

• What are you grateful for?
• What are some of your favorite charities?
• Why do you give back?
• What makes you the most happy about giving back?
• How do you like to give back the most?

ecomodernconcierge.com