Start Early: It’s never too early to start preparation for your move. Begin to put things in boxes that you never use, or will not be using before your move. It will make you feel more at ease as the day nears closer. And trust me, it will be here before you know it.

Minimize: Don’t be afraid to get rid of things! Take a good look at the things and items that you own and make sure they are all things that you want. Give away the things you don’t want to move to your new space to Goodwill or sell them on Craigslist. This way, when you get settled in your new space, you can buy more appropriate furnishings for your new place.

Hire Help: After a certain age, it is no longer appropriate to bribe your friends with pizza and beer to move your things up and down stairs for a matter of hours. There are a handful of fantastic moving companies in the San Francisco Area who do fast, affordable residential relocations. It is always worth it in the end, and for a few hundred dollars for your things will be safely moved, and you can be unpacking in a few hours. I recommend Spartan Moving Company, Shamrock Moving & Storage, and Corrib Moving and Storage.

Heather & French Painting provides the highest quality workmanship when it comes to throwing new hue on the walls of your home in the Bay Area.  They are professional, incredibly talented and great at managing a project from start to finish.  This women-owned business is creating gorgeous environments for home-owners, renters and business owner across the City.  They are experts when it comes to color selection.  I had eight different shades of gray on the walls of each room in my apartment, and they came in and helped me narrow it down.  The results are fantastic!  Check them out, you won’t be dissappointed!

Have you ever thought about maybe trying Acupuncture, but you’re a little gun shy?  Have you tried all sorts of possible remedies to cure an ache or pain, and come up with nothin’?  Well, I was that person and I took a chance on Nikki Fancher of New Mission Acupuncture, and she’s helped me with so much.  Whether I was having severe back pain, inner ear pain, or was just really overwhelmed  & stressed, Nikki came to the rescue.  I have referred her to friends and family, and she’s guided some through pregnancy, helped alleviate stress for some going through a rough patch, and provided total relaxation for others.  She’s awesome, and I encourage you to check out her services and meet her.  She’s fabulously calming, knowledgeable and charming.  Visit her!

Nikki, in all her beauty and glory.

I spent the last week and a half, on-call for a client as she made a full-scale move from the peninsula to the perfect flat in Noe Valley.   She wanted to have someone there 24/7, who she could call on if she had to deal with a work issue, or be pulled away.  Moving is a TON of work – coordinating vendors, unpacking & breaking down boxes, getting utilities set up, hanging over 250 pieces of art, installing contact paper-lined shelves, stocking the cabinets with the basics, installing bookshelves, draperies, etc… the list goes on.  My client was happy and so relieved to have our help!

While it was physically draining, it was also a lot of fun too!  Quite a bit of shopping occurred, and our favorite purchases came from the darling shop, When Modern Was, on 24th St., in Noe Valley.  This place is packed to the brim with fabulous vintage pieces – including desks, hutches, dressers, vanities, cabinets, clocks, jewelry, mirrors and other great accessories.  Not only is the inventory to die for, the staff is friendly, helpful and kind.  They were patient with us as we debated btw the refurbished antique bed-side tables, and the newer antique-styled bed side tables. We ended up taking home 5 pieces from this shop, and I have no doubt I’ll be going back time and time again – especially when my home needs a little pick-me-up.  Go take a visit…see for yourself!

Photo Designs by Odessa

A dear friend of mine, Odessa Shekar, takes off-the-charts photographs.  She’s immensely talented, and similarly modest.  She loves to create a relationship with the subjects she’s shooting – in particular families, pregnant women, and newborns.  Her creativity comes through in each photo – as she hooks you in with fabulous detail and arrangement.  Her varied background, and work as an architect also help her create the perfect setting for the perfect picture.

Check out more of her work here!  www.photodesignsbyodessa.com

Almost everyone now-a-days has a website, right?  Whether you’re a small business owner, corporate head honcho, or someone who just wants a fun creative outlet…you’ve got a site.  Well, MIGHTYminnow knows websites, and there isn’t much that Kristin Long, the owner, won’t take on.  She is the head website developer – with a fabulous personality to match.  She helped me with our website, and I couldn’t have been happier with the outcome.  She works fast and hard, and she’s responsive, positive and enthusiastic.  It was a joy to work with her, and if your site could use a pick-me-up, or you want to put a brand new site together, contact Kristin!  Check out their work here:

http://www.mightyminnow.com

This delightful shop offers up freshly prepared & locally sourced meals for the taking.  Everyday they start of scratch and prepare meals that nourish your body and give you energy.  Every meal includes the nutritional analysis, is labeled gluten free/dairy free and has the Weight Watcher’s Points.  The owner, Traci, is a local entrepreneur who found success in marrying her skills with her passion.  If you can’t make it to the shop on 18^th & Church St. to pick up your meals, Lilah Belle’s will deliver to your home in SF and the surrounding Bay Area.  Each week the menu is different, and you can order up to 6 days worth of meals at a time.  You will never get bored with these dishes…trust me!  Here’s a little tease:

Maple glazed wild salmon, sesame bok choy & roasted baby carrots (gf/df) $13/$10
379 calories, 10.2 g. fat, 23 g. carbs, 33. G. protein

Vegetable tofu pad thai over rice noodles with bean sprouts, egg, snap peas, carrots & peanuts (gf/df) $11/$13 with shrimp 386 calories, 12g fat 47.6g carbs, 21 g protein

Check out Lilah Belle’s @ http://www.lilahbelles.com/

Bloomingayles – Mill Valley, CA

Fleuriste Decorateur, Gayle Nicoletti, creates off-the-charts floral arrangements.  Her designs are unique, and they undoubtedly make a statement. Gayle creates custom arrangements and floral decorations by request, However, I stumbled upon her designs at Cabana Home – a fabulous interior décor store, also located in Mill Valley (and to be featured at a future date!), which features her creations like a boutique.  She does weekly arrangements, events, permanent arrangements and also delivers!  Bloomingayles also runs classes every so often, so check them out at http://www.gaylenicoletti.com/index.html