Gifts for the Hostess with the Mostess!

If you host is anything like me, she won't want you to bring anything (well, at least that will be her claim).  Just because she's got the pies, and sides covered doesn't mean a small token gift wouldn't be a great show of appreciation!  You never want to show up empty handed, so here are some ideas and tips to get you started!

Keep it simple.  If it's someone's home you've never visited before it's likely you might not know their taste and decorating styles.  A seasonal candle, a floral arrangement, or vase full of potpourri is always a tasteful, and fairly inexpensive item.  Following tradition, wine is always an option (as long as your host is of age, and is offering wine or cocktails during their dinner). 

Keep it convenient.  You want it to be something that your host will be able to use, if not display.  If it's a cousin/aunt/uncle or friend you may want to get something more personal.  If they enjoy cooking you may want to bring an interesting sauce, or oil you found at a specialty shop.  Being so inspired in the kitchen, I love being challenged with a new ingredient and testing it out in the kitchen!  A special holiday decoration piece is also a great option.  With retail stores getting a holiday start earlier and earlier, selections are unlimited (check Hallmark or Target for more traditional items, and Pier One or Christmas Tree Shoppes for more modern and bright pieces). 

Keep it memorable, gifts should trigger a memory.  If it's a close family member getting something sentimental is always a grand gesture.  My favorite gift to give is a coffee table book that really speaks to the host.  Are they really into nature?  Perhaps a book about birds, or a great photo book of local sites might really appeal to them.  If they collect something- like tea cups or baseball cards, this also might be a great stepping stone, perhaps getting a picture frame to showcase their most prized card, or a special tea bag holder for future guests.  I've heard of people getting monogrammed napkins, or dishcloths.  This is such a special and thoughtful gift, every time your host uses it, they will ultimately think of you!

Bringing a gift for a host or hostess can be the ultimate compliment and should follow the three rules above: simple, convenient and memorable and you will be sure to be invited back for the next event!

Stacy Mafera
703 304 4067
www.ErrandsEtcetera.biz

Time warp... Restaurants?!?

As many of you know, I moonlight as a bartender.  All too often, I talk with customers that complain about how rushed they are for time, and that they constantly find themselves spending boatloads of dollars on fast food, and restaurant eating, without feeling satisfied and still feeling rushed.  
How much do you really gain from going out to dinner?  Maybe going out to eat is part of your life style and works for you... if that's the case, don't change it.  If you are always feeling that you are pressed for time and not feeling like you are eating healthy enough... well, read on my curious friend! 
Things you will need to take into consideration when weighing the pros and cons of restaurant eating versus home style dinners; are you driving long distances to go out to eat?  If you house your boat at a marina and there is a restaurant on site, of course you are going to frequent that establishment- it's convenient.  If you are driving over 7 miles to a restaurant, you need to take into account the time spend in the car, and the gas used to get there. 
Is there always a wait?  Do you visit the most popular restaurants in your area?  Places like the Olive Garden are famous for always having a wait.  If you are in a hurry, the last thing you have time to do is sit around and wait for a table, and then sit around and wait for your food to be ready!  I've always had great luck trying out smaller, independent restaurants; and it feels good to support my small local businesses!  Try calling ahead, or making a reservation- if places don't take reservations, it's usually because they are always busy.
Are you being served?  When you sit at the bar, or at a table and have a server,  you should plan on giving 18-20% of the bill to the server as a tip. This is something to consider when you are weighing your wallet in restaurant vs. grocery store receipts. 
Did you save room for dessert?  I generally never save room for dessert- though I always mean to.  The double edge sword of a restaurant, is that it is a one stop shop.  You can go and have an appetizer, your choice of meal, and now they are offering you a dessert?!  The best part of restaurant eating though, is that 3 plates, 2 glasses, silverware, and several dirty pots and pans later and you don't have to clean a thing!
Consider all of these variables when you are thinking about what to have for dinner tomorrow night... is it just as quick to go and get a fried chicken sandwich as it is to hit the grocery store and prepare baked chicken? 

Stacy Mafera
703 304 4067
www.ErrandsEtcetera.biz

25 Hours in a Day

Being an Errand Extraordinaire, I spend (no surprise) a great deal of my time in the car- driving to client's homes, going to the dry cleaners, dropping off packages, picking up library books, hitting the grocery store, and submitting prescriptions, and ordering the perfect centerpiece for a special event. 
One of the biggest challenges I face on a daily basis is something I have in common with my clients- I feel like I am trying to beat the clock.  I want to get all of their errands done in a timely manner, and move on to the next task. 
So here's my secret... prioritize and stay focused.  Yep, it's that simple.  Whether it's for a client, or my own to do list, the first step is to look at everything on the list, and see what needs to be done first- either because it takes the longest, or because it is a priority.  I then go through the rest of the list using the same method of thinking.
When it comes to physically running errands, the best trick I can offer is to visualize a big circle and map your stops out on the circle- try not to backtrack- and make stops in the order that they make sense. For instance, if you know you are going to be gone for at least an hour, you don't want to pick up something that might spoil, or melt if it's going to be sitting in the car for a while, on the same theme, you don't want to drop off your prescription and then sit around waiting for it to be filled.
Staying focused is my second best kept secret.  Once I lose focus, I'm lost in a time warp and it can be hard to get back into the groove.  If you are staying focused and on track it's amazing how much you can get done.  I always have people say things to me about wanting more hours in the day... if they didn't try so hard to multitask, or get caught up in life, they might be surprised how much you really can accomplish in one day.
Another great trick to keep myself motivated is checking off items once they've been completed.  This gives a sense of accomplishment, holds you accountable, and also gives a clear idea about what you were able to do, and what you might need to re-evaluate. 
If it's something that has been on your list for over a week, it might be time to delegate it out, forget it all together, or just get it over with.

Stacy Mafera
703 304 4067
www.ErrandsEtcetera.biz

Three weeks till Turkey Day!



November is my favorite month for several reasons; it usually snows, it's full of footballs, pumpkin flavored EVERYTHING, and Thanksgiving!  It's hard to believe we moved two months ago, and it's ALREADY November!! 
With three weeks to Thanksgiving, and seven to Christmas, it's everyone's busy season.  To help make life easier, and help you make the most of your time I'd like to offer a few tips and tricks to help plan for the Holidays.

If you are hosting the main event at your table about a week before make sure you have a finalized guest list as well as a menu.  If people ask what they should bring, take them up on it... even if it's something as simple as a bottle of wine, or ice cream for a pie.  If someone asks to bring something, ask what their speciality is- don't assume they know how to make a dish.  Delegate jobs to those that ask what they can do to help your dinner run smoother- running around like a maniac is absolutely something to avoid. 

Four days before your guests are to arrive, do a full, deep cleaning- dusting, vacuum, cleaning windows, scrub the bathroom, really get into the corners... that way, you won't be leaving it to the last minute, and the day before you'll just have to do a quick surface clean (if you can't get to it yourself, Errands Etcetera is happy to help!)!
Also, try to get all of your grocery shopping done two or three days before- if you've waited till the last minute, you know what a nightmare the grocery stores can be!  It also gives you time to realize if you've forgotten something, or if you just don't have time to get to everything you had hoped (in which case, you might need to take a deep breath and call in a favor from your sister in law, or third cousin that is always asking to bring a dish!). 
Make sure you have snacks and niblets out for your guests to nosh on before dinner is served- nuts, olives, and a veggie plate are always big hits.  Having things out on a plate, or bowl in another area keep people out of the kitchen, and hopefully out of your way while you are putting the finishing touch on your bird!

You also want to be sure you have enough ice- if not, again, you might need to make a call and ask someone to grab a bag or two on their way over.  Since November is usually pretty chilly, having a cooler just outside a door is a great place to store drinks & other items that you might not need immediate access to.

Finally, remember to enjoy the day.  Thanksgiving is about being thankful for what you have, whether you are spending the day with your family, friends, or coworkers, take a moment and tell people why you are glad they are in your life. 


Stacy Mafera
www.ErrandsEtcetera.biz
703 304 4067

Dinner Disaster... Or Not!

If I've said this once, I've said it 100 times- not following a recipe can be a big risk with mixed results.  Last night at dinner was no different.
I started thinking about what I was going to make for dinner at about noon- and felt like it was definitely a crock pot, pot roast kind of a day.  I fully intended on going home, starting dinner and doing some serious cleaning and packing for the big move next week (that's for another blog though...). 

So I go to the grocery store and get the staples:

*2.5lb chuck roast

*a small bag of baby carrots

*garlic

*6 white chef potatoes

*1 large yellow onion

... and my secret ingredient to anything in the crock pot- red wine (for the meal, not for me!)

I go home thinking I'm set to go and start by browning up the meat on the stove top... while that's browning itself up, I discover that we have no wine key- how is that even real??  Pretty sure we broke it a few weeks ago.  Okay, so I'm not fretting yet, I'll just use some beef stock for my pot roast to stew in... only, there's no beef stock either.  So after digging through the cabinets, I discover one lone package of Lipton's Vegetable Soup mix (you know the kind, mix it w water and noodles for soup, or sour cream for a yummy dip)- well it seems like a fair substitute. 

So all of the ingredients plus 3 cups of water and a few tablespoons of worchester sauce get tossed into the crock pot to hang out together and make nice.   Three hours later, the house smells of a childhood wintertime favorite of mine... and I'm ready to dish it out. 

Outcome: SUCCESS!  The vegetable mix marinated the meat well and the vegetables kept their flavor, and a bit of crunch!

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StacyM@ErrandsEtcetera.biz

Risky Business

I had the pleasure this afternoon of attending the monthly luncheon held by
The South Shore Women's Business Network, the theme of the day was "Risk."  We were asked what sorts of risks we felt we took in awe of our business, or career paths.  Initially, I had a hard time thinking of something risky I've done in lieu of EE.  I justified this thinking in that I feel EE is destined for success, and there is no risk when you keep your mind on the reward. 
Every time I pick up the phone to call a new or potential client, my stomach knots up, and I think "what if they don't like me?  what if they don't like my services?  what if they think my idea is so genius they go out and try to offer the same thing..." and I'm overwhelmed. 
There's an old saying "Do something everyday that scares you"  pick up the phone scares me; sure it pays the bills, but it scares the hell out of me.  To me, picking up the phone is a risk.  I have a list of people to follow up with, and schedule meetings with; I've been putting off this list for quite sometime.  I've committed myself to calling 2 people every day for the next 7 days.  That's 14 names I can cross off the list. 
Unfortunately, just because it's something I don't like to do, it's not exactly a task I can delegate out... I just have to be a grown up and do it. 
What's a risk or uncomfortable part of your day that you CAN'T delegate out, but would rather do anything else in the world?

www.ErrandsEtcetera.biz
StacyM@errandsetcetera.biz

Organizing your finances- UGH!

Bill Paying. I know, I know, not a single person wants to read about paying bills.  It's depressing and tedious, but it's the responsible thing to do, and you'll feel like a better person if you have a system.

First thing first... True story, I was doing work for someone who hated paying bills, and would just refuse to do it until the bill collector would call.  She would stash all of her bills in a shoe box and when the box was full, she would shred the contents and to the recycling bin they would go. 

Whether or not you pay your bills is your own business... she inevitably came to me and wanted a system and that's what I'm here to offer you. 

This is my simple solution... it's what I've been doing for years, and it's proven to work pretty well for me... and the best part- you don't have to be super neat, or overly organized to make it work!

I bought an envelope sized accordion file folder and labeled each tab with my bill title (i.e. Arbella, The Limited, Amex, Sallie Mae, etc.).  Each month when the bill comes in, I record when it's due on the front calender page of my planner, and then submit the bill into the file folder in it's respective slot.  I like having a snap shot of when my bills are due, how much they are, and what the minimum due is- and keeping it in my planner makes it really easy to find and refer to frequently. 

Twice a month I go online (usually the middle and the last week of the month), and I pay all  the bills that are due within the next two weeks.  Paying them in advance gives me a peace of mind that they will get to their destination on time, and also keeps my credit score in good shape (did you know even paying on the day things are due can have a negative effect on your credit score?! ). 

Once the bill is paid, I like to slip it into the back of the accordion file- when that slot gets too full I go through and save necessary stubs for tax purposes, and shred the rest!

www.ErrandsEtcetera.biz

StacyM@ErrandsEtcetera.biz