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Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Houston Professional Organizer // Holiday Closet Before & After


A professional organizer's dream is looking at organized spaces and this holiday closet organization project does the trick. We always have so much fun at this client's house and have made some fun transformations in this River Oaks Houston home. They wanted all of their holiday supplies organized and easily accessible, so that is what we did. We organized each box by holiday or type of event like Christmas, 4th of July, etc. Are your holiday decorations organized?

Here is what we did:
  1. Took everything out of the closet.
  2. Sorted by type like all ornaments together, Thanksgiving, etc.
  3. Wrapped all the ornaments and made sure they were secure. 
  4. Organized into bins. 
  5. Labeled. 
  6. Put like holidays together on the shelves.

Here are some items we used for this project:

Before:

After:


Monday, September 28, 2020

Fall Home Maintenance Checklist



If you are a home owner then you know that maintaining a home is A LOT of work. As a professional organizer and concierge, I help clients maintain their homes through all seasons. It is important to put home maintenance reminders on your calendar, as to make sure they do not go by the waste side.

  • Check your winter outdoor equipment and make sure everything is working properly.
  • Fix any drafts that are in your house, like doors and windows.
  • Drain any hoses and faucets outdoors. 
  • Insulate pipes.
  • Clean your chimney and make sure it is in great working order.
  • Clean your gutters.
  • Change batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 
  • Organize and clean your kitchen to prep for the holidays.
  • Clean and make sure all heating systems are working properly.
  • Change air filters. 
  • Change the direction of the ceiling fans.
  • Stock up on fire wood.

What fall maintenance tips do you have?

Photo by Scott Webb from Pexels

Thursday, September 24, 2020

Fall 2020 Bucket List



What is on your bucket list for the fall?I have so much that I love to do, but think it may look a bit different this year because of COVID. Here are some things I am hoping to do this fall:
  • Go camping
  • Hike a new trail
  • Carve a pumpkin (we haven't done this in years)
  • Have a dinner party....we shall see
  • Slow down this season. The beginning of fall usually begins the craziness of all things holidays.
  • Go on a ghost tour
  • Take our Christmas card photos. Last year we did it a little different so hopefully we can have a professional do it this year.
  • More outdoor dinners

ecomodernconcierge.com

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Happy 1st Day of Fall and 10 Reasons I Love Fall



Today is the first day of Fall. It is the beginning of a new season and one of my favorite seasons of all. Here are 10 reason I love fall.

  1. I love the cooler weather (sometimes that is hit or miss here in Houston, TX) 
  2. I love the coziness of everything
  3. I love the hustle and bustle of the holidays, but at the same time like to slow down and enjoy if at all possible. 
  4. I love bike rides in the fall
  5. I love spending a lot of time outdoors and long walks with our sweet pup
  6. I love eating comfort food and soups
  7. I love cozy fireplace nights
  8. I love how happy people usually are
  9. I love going to various sporting events
  10. I love that it is my anniversary

What do you love about Fall?

Photo by Lucie Liz from Pexels

ecomodernconcierge.com

Friday, September 18, 2020

10 Things that Make Me Happy August 2020



August was a hot month and productive, but also hard in many ways.
  1. Celebrating my dad's retirement and birthday.
  2. Celebrating Bryan's birthday with family.
  3. Seeing family the most this month the most since March.
  4. Having some days off to get things done. 
  5. Late afternoon naps, I am not a huge late afternoon napper, but lately I have been exhausted and they have been amazing to get home from work and take a 30 minute nap or so.
  6. Celebrating Houston Restaurant Weeks. 
  7. Finally, getting behind the scenes business things taken care of.
  8. Getting things done at the house that I had been putting off for a very long time.
  9. Evening bike rides.
  10. Prepping for the holidays for Eco Modern Concierge.



Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Houston Professional Organizer // Supply, Craft & Storage Closet Organization Before & After


Last year we helped this regular client organize her supply and art closet. They already had a good base started and we just added a few new bins and we added all new labels. This was a closet that the kids constantly came in for various school supplies. Now with many kids starting school virtually I am sure this art supply closet is coming in handy a lot. 

Here is what we did to get it under control again:
  • Take everything out.
  • Sort all like items together.
  • Get rid of any trash.
  • Organize supplies into white bins.
  • Label all bins. 
  • Put similar bin sizes together. 
  • Move books and binders to lower shelves.

Here are the supplies that we used:



ecomodernconcierge.com

Monday, September 14, 2020

Holiday Tips You Can Start Doing Right Now To Get Ahead

I know it may seem early to start prepping for the holidays, but in order to relieve some stress and in an effort to get ahead of the game, I thought I would give you some tips that have worked for many of my clients and myself. We help organizing and concierge clients all the time get organized for the holidays and try to make them as stress free as possible. Here are several holiday tips of things you can do right now to prepare for the holidays.

 Start stocking up on gift cards. I know I have talked about this before, but now is a great time to start stocking up on gift cards for stores you know you will shop at during the holidays. This way when it comes to holiday shopping you have already "saved" for it and you don't feel as strapped for money. Also, many grocery stores will offer double and triple reward points throughout the year on gift cards and that is also a great time to stop up on them while getting extra points.

If you are shopping sales right now, think about your holiday gift list and stock up on items now. Even some experience gifts like museum & zoo memberships, subscription boxes, etc. are offering great deals right now. Stocking up on gifts now lessens the stress later in the holiday season.


If you already have a stockpile of gift, take inventory of what you have now. That way you are not overbuying during the holidays. Also, take inventory of your gift wrap supplies. 


If there are certain services you know you will use during the holidays, book them now before their appointments fill up. Plus, you will get a better choice on a day and time you want. Book services like photographers, carpet cleaners, caterers, house cleaners for deep cleans, organizers / concierges;), etc. 


Book your doctor appointments now if you are trying to meet your end of year deductible and spend your FSA money. If the doctor is already booked, get on their waiting list.



If you tip certain service people like lawn services, cleaning services, nannies, etc. during the holidays, start putting cash aside in envelopes for them that way you don't forget and you're ahead of the game. 


Start reviewing your holiday card list. Update addresses and take advantage of card sales when they happen in October and November. 


Paying for certain holiday services early will often give you bigger discounts. 

Many holiday light companies in Houston offer discounts anywhere from 50-75% off if you get your lights installed at the end of October versus in late November and December. Just because you have them installed doesn't mean you have to turn them on. Also, some Christmas tree companies will give you a discount if you pre-order your Christmas tree early.


Always ask stores for discounts and to price compare. Many stores will price compare, take expired coupons, discount various items if a box is damaged and sometimes you can even add on a coupon after price matching for even bigger discounts. It doesn't hurt to ask, and the worst that can happen is the manager says no.


Start decluttering your home now. Declutter areas that are often used during the holidays like kitchens, pantries, guest bedrooms, kids rooms, playrooms, etc. Donate, sell or give away your no longer needed items.


If Eco Modern Concierge can help with any organization or concierge services during the holidays feel free to call or email us, info@ecomodernconcierge.com. We'd love to help!! Visit our website to see holiday services that we often offer





Thursday, September 10, 2020

Eco Modern Concierge is Now Booking Holiday Appointments

 


I know it’s early, but we are currently booking holiday appointments! 🎄 🕎 🎁 Thanks for all that have already pre-booked decorating, gift wrapping and event help! We service corporate and residential clients. Feel free to visit ecomodernconcierge.com or email us at info@ecomodernconcierge.com to get on the books. 

Here are some services that we specialize in:

  • We offer gift wrapping for individuals and businesses. This is a great way to reduce stress and a benefit for you or your employees during the holidays.
  • Individuals - we can help you wrap gifts and get you ready for the holidays

  • Businesses and holiday parties - Send us an email at info@ecomodernconcierge.com for rates and more information as there is 2 options available. This is great for small businesses, departments within larger companies, at holiday parties if you are having guests over, and the list goes on & on. Here is what is included:

    • 2 professional gift wrappers

    • 3 hours, all day or we can customize

    • All supplies

    • Discount if you use our services during the holidays.

    • Company pays a set fee and employees or residents pay the happy gift wrappers in tips OR employees or residents pay for services and we charge per package.

  • Holiday decorating services
  • Errands
  • Address and mail holiday cards
  • Gift research
  • Booking reservations
  • Coordinating holiday activities
  • Buy gifts and customize gift lists for you
  • Ship items
  • Get house organized for the holidays
  • Organize events help
  • Event help set up, errands and behind the scenes help like running to get that extra ice or extra alcohol you need
  • Stock the bar and fridge
  • Wait services
  • THE OPTIONS ARE ENDLESS. Don’t see it here, just email or call and ask!





Monday, September 7, 2020

Friday, September 4, 2020

Eco & Natural Cleaning Supplies


I have been using eco cleaners for many, many years and have switched up products I don't know how many times. Honestly, you can make a lot of great cleaning with baking soda and vinegar as well.

7th Generation Granite Cleaner: I love using this cleaner on my granite counter tops. I really like the smell of it as well.

Bon Ami: This is perfect to use in sinks, bath tubs, etc. to get that built up soap scum off.

Branch Basics: I have been using these products for years and even add some essential oils in them or  squeeze lemon in them to give them a fresh scent.

Pumice Stone: These work great to get rings around toilet bowls off.

The Laundress Stain Solution: I have mentioned The Laundress on here endless amounts of times through the years and love them! This stain solution works miracles, especially on armpit stains.

Dryer Balls: Dryer balls really do work at drying clothes so much faster because it absorbs a lot of the  dampness from the laundry.

Glass cleaning bottles: Perfect if you buy bulk cleaning concentrates and then you can refill. This waste less plastic from individual bottles.

Sal Suds: Great when making your own natural cleaner.

Cleaning brush set: These brushes are made of bamboo and natural fibers and are great for cleaning the dishes or washing of fruits and veggies.

ecomodernconcierge.com