Luxe Concierge and Vacation Location Travel

Stuck in an Airport

2012-01-14T11:17:00.000-08:00

http://www.travelchannel.com/video/tonys-airport-tips-16248

Anthony Bourdain has a good tip about making sure all your "devices" are loaded up with stuff to do to keep you busy at the airport. Whether you are waiting for your flight, your flight has been delayed or canceled, you've got to have something to keep you mind off it .... and that gate agent with the fake smile saying everything is ok....

Sail the Med Aboard Celebrity Equinox with Bob Eubanks!

2011-11-09T08:44:00.000-08:00

Cruise aboard Celebrity Equinox with Bob Eubanks, Host of The Newlywed Game! This fantastic cruise is a 10-night Eastern Med Cruise August 3-13th, 2012. This sailing offers up to $250 on board credit plus reduced depsoits. Sign up by December 1st to be entered in a drawing to win extra cruise bonuses.

The intinerary for this sailing is awesome:
Fri Aug 3 Rome (Civitavecchia) leave 5 pm
Sat Aug 4 Sicily (Messina) Italy docked 10 am - 7 pm
Sun Aug 5 Seminars@Sea
Mon Aug 6 Athens (Piraeus) docked 7 am - 6 pm
Tues Aug 7 Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey
Wed Aug 8 Rhodes Greece docked 7 am - 6 pm
Thur Aug 9 Santorini, Greece tendered 7 am - 6 pm
Fri Aug 10 Mykonos, Greece tendered 7 am - 6 pm
Sat Aug 11 Seminars@Sea
Sun Aug 12 Naples/Capri, Italy docked 7 am - 6:30 pm
Mon Aug 13 Rome (Civitavecchia), 4:30 am

Please let me know if you'd like more information or prices on cabins. The link below also has a little more info on the great events taking place on this sailing. Contact me at amy@luxeconcierge.net or 805-550-8932.

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Join-Bob-Eubanks---space-going-fast-.html?soid=1102390974131&aid=sJP2stMXwcE

How To Deal With Common Air Travel Snafus...

2011-10-03T19:44:00.000-07:00

...and beat them! Part 8 of 8 in a series.

YOU LOSE YOUR PASSPORT

Perhaps you got pickpocketed or lost your day pack. Either way, your passport has gone the way of your cash and credit cards. Talk about headaches.

Why it matters: Without a U.S. passport, you won't be able to return to the country. (Vacations are nice, but who wants to become an accidental expat?)

How to deal: Passports can often be issued at a U.S. embassy on the same day if you can prove your identity (the U.S. Department of State has a full list of embassies and consulate offices around the world). Of course, it's hard to prove your identity when your wallet—and everything in it—is MIA. The best first step in this situation is to go to a police station to get a statement declaring your situation. Take this statement to the embassy, and they should be able to retrieve your information in their system. You will need to pay a fee (around $135) to replace your passport.

Trick to avoid the problem: Stash your passport in a hotel safe or stuff it in a security pouch, such as the Rick Steves Silk Money Belt, which you can wear under your clothes (from $10, Amazon). Insider tip: Before you depart, sign up for the U.S. Department of State's free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. Store your passport number and other details in its online database, making it easy for you to receive emergency assistance from a U.S. embassy or consulate during an emergency. Alternatively, e-mail a scan of your passport to yourself at a Web-based account, which you can access if you lose your passport and you need to look up its number and issue date to request a new one.

How To Deal With Common Air Travel Snafus...

2011-09-07T21:07:00.000-07:00

...and how to beat them. Part 7 in a series of 8.

YOUR LUGGAGE, OR SOMETHING INSIDE, IS DAMAGED

Your suitcase isn't insured by the airline for wear and tear. But if something inside your bag is damaged, it may be covered.

Why it matters: On domestic flights, a passenger can recover up to $3,300 for damaged or lost contents of luggage. Liability on most international flights is less, strangely enough, at about $1,500 a passenger.

How to deal: Report a claim within 24 hours, or else you may lose your chance to file for reimbursement. Be prepared to itemize your belongings.

Trick to avoid the problem: Never pack anything fragile or difficult to replace in your checked luggage. For instance, airlines almost never cover jewelry or electronics. Even breakable items such as musical instruments that aren't packed in hard-sided cases are usually not covered by U.S. airlines. Just ask Dave Carroll, the musician who made a famous YouTube video about how his guitar was damaged to the tune of $1,200 by United baggage handlers. Insider tip: If your bag's contents are critical, ship them by a service such as FedEx or UPS. Because of rising checked-baggage fees, major shipping services are increasingly competitive in their rates. Just be sure to call your hotel first to make sure it will accept your package for delivery without charging a fee.

How To Deal With Common Air Travel Snafus...

2011-09-05T08:49:00.000-07:00

...and beat them! Part 6 in a series of 8.

YOU DON'T FIT IN YOUR SEAT

If you're super tall or extremely overweight, you may not fit in the typical airplane seat.

Why it matters: Consider how flight attendants on a recent Horizon Air flight forced a six-foot-nine-inch-tall passenger to leave a plane because his legs were blocking the aisle. The airline later apologized, saying it should have instead had the flier trade seats with another passenger in the roomier exit row. Plus-size passengers have also been in the news in recent years: Airlines increasingly insist that passengers who can't fit in a seat with a seatbelt extender buy an additional seat.

How to deal: When you have trouble fitting in your seat, ask a flight attendant if he or she could arrange for a swap between you and another passenger who may have more legroom or free space on either side.

Trick to avoid the problem: Check in online 24 hours prior to departure and select a seat assignment in the roomy exit row. If that's not possible, call the airline, explain your problem, and buy an adjacent seat. Insider tip: If you do buy a second ticket, ask the gate agent what your airline's policy is on refunding the price of the spare seat if it turns out that you can sit comfortably without it—some airlines will reimburse the cost if they have made a note ahead of time in the reservations system.

How To Deal With Common Air Travel Snafus...

2011-08-27T14:35:00.000-07:00

...and beat them! Part 5 of 8 in a series.

YOU MISS YOUR FLIGHT

Sometimes travelers show up too late for their flight because of traffic or other snafus.

Why it matters: Booking a new, eleventh-hour plane ticket can be costly.

How to deal: Whatever the reason, if you miss your flight on a nonrefundable ticket, you can usually pay a change fee—typically between $150 and $200 on a domestic flight—and be rebooked on a new one. You generally also have to pay for the difference between your new ticket's price and the original fare. Policies on overseas airlines may vary, but expect to pay in the ballpark of $250.

Trick to avoid the problem: Your mother was right: Showing up early is the smart thing to do. Other tricks can give you an edge when life doesn't cooperate: Don't bring bags to check, so that it'll be much faster for agents to allow you to board—even if you've missed the check-in cut-off time (see below). Insider tip: Find out in advance the airline's cut-off time for checking in by going to seatguru.com picking your airline, and clicking on the "Check-in" tab. For example, Continental's policies at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson airport requires check-in to be completed 45 minutes before departure or else you may be denied boarding. If you're en route to the airport and realize you're going to miss your flight, look up alternative flight times (and seat availability) via an app like TripCase, which is free for devices such as the Android, iPhone, and BlackBerry.

How To Deal With Common Air Travel Snafus...

2011-08-21T14:11:00.000-07:00

...and how to beat them! Part 4 of 8 in a series.

YOU'RE BUMPED FROM A FLIGHT

Last year, airlines bumped 681,105 passengers from flights in this country (8.7 percent of these individuals were bumped against their will). Overbooking is to blame.

Why it matters: If you volunteer to give up your seat, you'll be rebooked and usually rewarded with a free flight pass to use at another time. But if you're unlucky enough to be kicked off a domestic flight against your will, you're at the mercy of the airline's schedule. With planes often flying at capacity today, it could be a long while before you reach your destination.

How to deal: If you're bumped involuntarily, know your legal rights: Being placed on another flight within an hour scores you no compensation. Yet when it takes up to two hours on a domestic flight (or four hours for international travel), the airline must pay you double the value of your one-way fare, up to a maximum of $650. If you're more than two hours delayed, you'll be reimbursed four times the value of your one-way ticket, up to $1,300 max. Flying in Europe? Rules are similar, with possible compensation up to $874.

Trick for avoiding the problem: Check in via the airline's website as soon as you're allowed—usually 24 hours before departure. Early check-in may boost the chance that you'll make it onto a flight. Insider tip: When it comes to reimbursement, federal law entitles you to cash for being bumped against your will. The airline may try to give you a voucher for a free future flight instead. Insist on the cash, which is obviously less restrictive than a voucher. But if you're volunteering to give up your seat, don't be pushy about receiving cash. In that case, airlines aren't required to give you anything, so a gracious "thank you" is all that's called for.

How To Deal With Common Air Travel Snafus...

2011-08-13T16:02:00.000-07:00

...and how to beat them! Part 3 of 8...

YOUR FLIGHT GETS CANCELED

Your aircraft has to be taken out of service because it needs maintenance—or a snowstorm keeps it grounded.

Why it matters: If you need to cancel, an airline will usually allow you to use the value of your "nonrefundable" ticket on another flight within a year (while also charging you a change fee, of course). But when the airline is the one doing the canceling, it will most likely rebook you on a later one, which could leave you stranded at the airport for hours—or even days.

How to deal: In the U.S., if your flight is canceled for a cause that's within the airline's control, such as a mechanical failure on the aircraft, some airlines will provide modest compensation, like vouchers for meals. But when it comes to weather cancellation, and you're a coach-class passenger, you're on your own until they can rebook you on the next flight, which means you'll be paying for all of your meals and your hotel room. If you're flying from or within Europe, the airline may owe you compensation for cancellations (ask an agent about EU rule 261).

Trick to avoid the problem: Try to book early morning flights, when there's a full day ahead for airlines to recover from any weather or operational delays. Insider tip: Before you book, check to see a flight's statistical average for cancellations at flightstats.com (listed under the on-time performance rating). Consider that it may be worth peace of mind to book an alternate flight that has a lower historical average of cancellations, even if that option costs a bit more.

How To Deal With Common Air Travel Snafus...

2011-08-10T20:42:00.000-07:00

...and how to beat them! Part 2 of 8:

YOU'RE NOT FLYING THE AIRLINE YOU EXPECTED

Two airlines may sell seats on the same flight through a sales strategy called code sharing. This means that you may book your ticket with one airline, but you'll be flying one of its partners.

Why it matters: This sleight of hand can make it confusing to know which airline's customer-service office you should call for help when a problem crops up. For instance, one airline may allow you to check a bag for free, while the other may charge a fee. Whose rules apply on your code-share flight?

How to deal: First, it's important to understand that the flight rules that apply are the ones of the company whose logo is on the plane flying you. But when it comes to re-ticketing, you usually need to talk to the airline that took your money. For instance, if you miss your connecting flight and need to rebook, the gate agent is likely to refer you to the airline you originally bought the ticket from.

Trick to avoid the problem: Keep your eye out for code-share flights so you're prepared. Some travel websites, like Expedia, point out which airline you're truly flying on under the flight details section in their search results. In other cases, you have to call an airline to find out. Insider tip: If you're in need of help at the airport, ask to be pointed to the customer-service counter for the airline that took your money in the first place. If there isn't such a counter at the terminal, ask to speak on a phone to the "duty airport manager" for the airline that sold you the ticket, says David Rowell, publisher of The Travel Insider. This is the person who manages the day-to-day operations of the airline at that particular airport and who can usually help you resolve your issue.

...next installment is Canceled Flights...

How To Deal With Common Air Travel Snafus..

2011-08-07T16:43:00.000-07:00

... and how to beat them!

This blog series will be about 8 common air travel snafus and how you can beat them. Below is the first of 8 to help you navigate all the troubles with air travel.

YOU FACE A SURPRISE LAYOVER

Airlines can cancel your nonstop flight without much warning and rebook you on a flight with connections.

Why it matters: Nonstop flights usually cost top dollar, but an airline can make such a change without reimbursing you for the premium you paid. That means a financial loss—not to mention an inconvenience.

How to deal: When you learn about the change (usually via text or e-mail notification from the airline, see below), check online to see if there's another nonstop flight available. If there is, call the airline and politely ask to be put on that flight at no additional cost. If your airline has no nonstop flights (even though it sold you one), ask for a refund. Major airlines will comply without charging any change fees if you refuse to accept a new, multistop flight that arrives at your destination more than two hours later than originally scheduled, says Brett Snyder, former airline pricing analyst and current aviation blogger at the Cranky Flier.

Trick to avoid the problem: At the end of the month, many cancellations on U.S. carriers may be due to flight crews reaching caps on the number of hours they're allowed to work, or so we've heard anecdotally through airline employees. Logic holds that, by adding a layover to a flight, airlines can swap out a fresh crew to fly the final leg of a journey. The lesson: When possible, fly early in the month to reduce the chance of a nonstop switcheroo. Insider tip: Sign up to receive text or e-mail notifications about delays and other flight changes when you buy your ticket.

Stay tuned for tip 2 of 8 about not flying on the airline you expected.

Chance To Earn $250!!!

2011-07-12T18:02:00.000-07:00

Stay Connected

FLIGHTS | HOTELS | VACATIONS | CARS

July 12, 2011


	To Enter to Win a $250 Fare Buzz Rewards Card, Sign up for our FREE Fare Buzz Rewards program here.

To Enter to Win one of five $50 Fare Buzz Rewards Cards, copy, paste and post the following tweet on Twitter:

Enter to win a $250 @FareBuzz Rewards Card at http://on.fb.me/farebuzz. Use #FareBuzz to be entered for additional prizes!

The more you tweet, the more likely you are to be entered. So tweet now, tweet often and don't forget to follow @FareBuzz on Twitter and Like us on Facebook!


	To Enter to Win a $100 Fare Buzz Rewards Card, post this promotion to your blog to allow your readers to enter!** Once the appropriate links and disclosure statement have been posted to your blog, send an email to blogger@farebuzz.com with the link.

Winners will be chosen on Tuesday, July 19th at 5pm (EST), so make sure you enter soon!

**Questions regarding posting this promotion to your own blog can be directed to blogger@farebuzz.com and a Fare Buzz representative will be happy to assist you!

Terms & Conditions Apply – Click here for more information.

Margaret Yekulis
Margaret@farebuzz.com
212-391-2313 ext 114

Win the unexpected and extraordinary in Las Vegas!

2011-06-21T18:40:00.000-07:00

Venetian and Palazzo in Las Vegas are now an Alliance Resort with InterContinental. This means you can earn points and stays by staying at the Venetian and Palazzo. I don't know about you but I've been waiting for some sort of affiliation to earn rewards for these hotels!

Win the unexpected and extraordinary in Las Vegas!: "Win a VIP experience at The Venetian® and The Palazzo®, the first InterContinental® Alliance Resort, and one of eight other prizes in Las Vegas!"

InterContinental^® Alliance Resorts

InterContinental Alliance Resorts bring amazing resorts to landmark locations where there currently isn't an InterContinental Resort. These resorts enable you to experience these magnificent destinations while enjoying all the rewards of being an InterContinental guest. Although not owned, operated or managed by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), these resorts are aligned with the spirit of InterContinental Hotels & Resorts and complement the InterContinental portfolio. In addition, members of Priority Club Rewards and InterContinental Ambassador can also earn and redeem Priority Club points at each InterContinental Alliance Resort.

The Venetian

The Venetian® is a must-see resort destination with an artful recreation of the charm and romance of Venice in the heart of the world-famous Las Vegas Strip. The world’s largest five-diamond, four-star resort features all-suite accommodations, which average 700 square feet – roughly twice the size of a typical Las Vegas hotel room.

MORE ABOUT THIS RESORT

InterContinental Resorts

No two InterContinental Resorts are alike, but they all have one thing in common: they're located in must-visit destinations.

The Palazzo

The Palazzo® welcomes visitors to a world where impeccable service and unforgettable ambiance are at every turn. Recently ranked first among Las Vegas Hotels in Travel + Leisure's World’s Best Awards, The Palazzo, the world’s largest five-diamond, all-suite resort, offers the best in dining, shopping, and entertainment.

YES! It Is Worth It To Treat Yourself!

2011-06-15T20:44:00.000-07:00

I had the wonderful opportunity to spend a glorious night at The Fairmont San Francisco recently. My husband and I were celebrating our 2nd wedding anniversary and wanted something very special, and we also needed a true get away. Being a travel agent has its perks and I was able to book a room at The Fairmont for a very reasonable price. I've always wanted to stay at this grand, world-famous hotel, and this was my chance.

We arrived on a Friday evening and were treated like royalty from the beginning. We were offered a triple room upgrade at check in which we happily accepted. We were also given an anniversary card and staff throughout the hotel somehow knew we were celebrating an anniversary and wished us well. I felt very at home in this historical hotel. I won't go into the minute details of the entire stay, but our room was very cushy and the bathroom was huge with marble everywhere and a separate shower and tub. The bed was very comfy. We enjoyed having cocktails in the recently opened Laurel Court and it is a fabulous place for people watching. We also enjoyed a shared giant cocktail downstairs in the Tonga Room. There are a few restaurants and bars within a few walks distance, and both Union Square and Fisherman's Wharf are just a few blocks away.

While we were here only one night, the hotel (the history and personality of this great building) and the staff, impressed me so much that I cannot wait to go back. While I know this hotel may be out of the budget of some, it is WELL WORTH any price paid for the service you receive. Next time you need to treat yourself and be pampered, the San Francisco Fairmont won't let you down.

Guide Dogs Now Allowed On Princess Cruises

2011-06-07T20:16:00.000-07:00

News Article

5/27/2011

Princess Welcomes Guide Dogs for the Blind Group
Potential Passengers and Their Canine Companions Tour Sea Princess

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (May 27, 2011) -- Sea Princess recently hosted a group of 25 new graduates from Guide Dogs for the Blind and their owners for the day in San Francisco, to familiarize them with how Princess Cruises can accommodate visually impaired travelers and their canine companions.

The group was able to enjoy a tour of the ship and lunch in the dining room, while learning how Princess can provide for their needs and those of their dogs. The event was hosted in association with Dimensions in Travel, a travel agency that regularly organizes travel for Guide Dogs for the Blind clients, to give new guide dog users a feel for what to expect if they join one of the agency's group cruises, or travel independently. Since 2004, Princess has hosted 11 Guide Dogs for the Blind groups on cruises to destinations such as Mexico and Alaska.

"Working with these clients has changed the way we travel," said Diana Saint James, owner of Dimensions in Travel. "It's not all about what we see when we travel anymore -- it's all of our senses. That's what our relationship with our blind travelers has taught us. It's a different way to see the world."

Aboard Sea Princess guests were able to test out many of the special features offered for visually impaired travelers and their dogs. For the dogs, the ships provide special life jackets, bowls of water in the dining room, and relieving boxes with favored cedar chips. Passengers also have specially translated menus and can enjoy reserved seating in the Princess Theater with room for their dogs. During a cruise, passengers and crew are also invited to meet the dogs during a designated play time.

"These dogs are canine heroes," said Brian Rademacher, Princess Cruises district sales manager. "It's truly a labor of love for us to work with this wonderful organization."

A more detailed video of this guide dog familiarization day is available on YouTube at: http://youtu.be/tHm3CpXc1wg. A photo album is also available on Flickr at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/princesscruises/sets/72157626819027374/.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, like Luxe Personal Concierge. You can contact Amy at Luxe at 805-550-8932 or info@Luxeconcierge.net

I Like To Sleep

2011-04-20T20:02:00.000-07:00

Do you? Uh huh... it's ok to admit it. Sleep is good for us. It has so many health benefits but far too many adults do not get enough sleep. And then why is it that when we do attempt to get enough sleep, we are criticized (yet secretly relished) by others? I know our days are so busy... work, family, fitness, hobbies, chores, the list goes on and on BUT we still need to recharge. Sleep should be right at the top of that list as something to take care of ourselves every single night.

Sleep impacts our lives in so many ways:
The Prevention and Cure of Disease - The importance of sleep for health is mainly that it helps the body recuperate and recharge from the day. The insistence on rest when you suffer from even a minor headache, is not without reason. It is only while you are asleep that your body gets a chance to repair it's damaged cells and related functions, and strengthen the immune system, thereby preventing the onset of other health problems. Also, sleeping well can help you deal better, with the physical and mental stress that your body and mind are subjected to on a daily basis. The Enhancement of Memory - Studies show that those who sleep well, and for the required number of hours have better memory function than those who don't get the required hours of sleep. As memory is affected by the sleep pattern, so is learning. Proper sleep makes the body and mind alert, and ready to receive and learn new information. The Effect of Sleep on your Mood - You are bound to be irritable, and distracted while trying to function on very little sleep, conversely, notice your mood on a day when you have had the necessary amount of sleep. You are going to be perky, ready to face the day and generally in a good mood.
The Relation Between Weight and Sleep - Lack of sleep causes the body to preserve carbohydrates and fats, in an attempt to use them to deal with the prolonged physical and mental stress on the body. As such, your metabolism is adversely affected. Sleep deprivation also leads to hormonal changes that may affect your appetite. The Onset of Sleep Disorders - Lack of sleep can lead to increased hypertension, the risk of stroke and heart disease, and a lack of ability to deal with stressful situations. Sleep and General Safety - Since proper sleep is known to make the body and mind alert, it helps in preventing a lot of mishaps and accidents that may occur due to a lack of sleep.

See what can happen without adequate sleep? Make sure you get GOOD sleep tonight and every night!

Ship Tour: Carnival Splendor

2011-04-10T13:53:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally decided it was time to check out a Carnival Cruise ship and see if the rumors of them hold true. Since I am a pretty loyal Royal Caribbean and Princess cruiser, but I do sell Carnival, I needed to know more about Carnival. I was able to tour Carnival Splendor while she was in port one fine Sunday afternoon in Long Beach. And, yes, this was the ship that had caught fire and stranded an entire ship of people at sea for a couple of days, but the damage is all repaired now and the ship is sailing just fine.

The ship tour was for travel agents was supposed to star at 11:30am but we were not allowed on the ship until nearly 1pm due to customs clearing debarking passengers. I was told by other travel agents who have done Carnival ship tours in the past that this seems to be a frequent problem with Carnival tours in Long Beach. While my feet and back might have been aching after standing around for over 2 hours in moderately high heels, I feel awful for the passengers waiting to embark, standing in the hot sun with luggage and small children and elderly parents. Even a wedding party was delayed for hours trying to get board the ship and have their ceremony and reception so those not sailing could leave before sail away.

Anyway, we finally made it on the ship a little before 1pm and had about 45 minutes to tour the ship before we were to gather for a luncheon in the main dining room. During this time I was able to view about half the public areas and most of the categories of cabins. One rumor seemed to hold true - cabins are a bit larger than standard cabins on Royal Caribbean or Princess. However, I noticed that the decor and materials used in the cabins were very, ummm, how do I say this nicely, cheap. Fabrics for chairs and headboards were that icky vinyl naugahide type stuff and the bedding did not seem as inviting as other cruise lines, and the faux walnut cabinets just looked like plastic. And the colors and patterns seemed awfully outdated for a ship that has been sailing only since 2008. The only cabins that seemed to have any sort of decent decor were the more expensive suites with granite counter tops, dual sinks in the bathroom, twice the closet size, etc. But not everyone can afford these, so they get stuck with the lesser, unappealing decor, which I think is a shame when other cruise lines can make their least expensive cabin feel just as luxurious as a suite.

And while we are on the topic of decor, I was not impressed with the overall decor of this ship. I'd like to sum it up in two words - Pink Zebra! No, I am not kidding, many public areas seemed to have a sort of pinkish zebra print on the walls that I found quite gaudy. I found most everything inside the ship was of a pink hue and not well done. I've heard Carnival ships have a reputation for garish decor and know I know why. In my opinion they tried for a feel of art deco but it was not executed well. Hallways between staterooms seemed awfully busy with terrible murals of art deco people that I found somewhat scary to look at. The other public rooms I checked out, shopping areas, bars, dance clubs, etc. seemed to carry the gaudy pink theme throughout. If you've been to the Madonna Inn you understand that pink and gaudy can be done in a manner that is not awful but rather amusing. Unfortunately this was not the case with the decor on this ship, it was just plain awful. I'd like to say the decor might be where strip club meets 70's disco.

On a bright note, I found every single ship crew person I came across to be extremely friendly and helpful. They work very hard to keep everyone happy and safe and I commend them on that. Also, the luncheon we were served was amazing! The quality of the food was very good and fresh and tasty. Presentation of the food was also very good. From what heard from other travel agents was that their food had come a long way. We had a starter of stuffed mushrooms but since I do not like mushrooms I did not try them but others said they were excellent. Next up was a Caesar salad that was wonderful in presentation and taste, then for the main course I had Giant Prawns and they were delicious. Finally we had a medley of strawberry items for dessert, a strawberry shortcake, strawberry sorbet, and a strawberry jelly thing. It was all excellent.

My intention was to view a few last public areas like the pool deck but after lunch, we were to be escorted off the ship since sail away was approaching. It's too bad it took so long to get on the ship and we lost precious time in viewing the entire ship, but I made the best of and was glad to see cabins first, since clients want to know about cabins. Debarking the ship was no easy task as we wound our way backwards through lines of passengers the Carnival personnel were trying to board. The backlog of passengers were those who had been waiting for hours to get on and the lines were out of control with tired and frustrated people. I honesty have never ever experienced a ship boarding so out of control and mishandled. It did not make for a good impression on someone trying to sell Carnival cruise lines. However, since Carnival is the only year-round cruise line on the west coast, we don't have much choice if we don't want to have to fly to another port.

Final word, if you are looking for a cruise and not expecting a 4* or 5* experience, you will have a great time once you get past the decor. This is a good option if you do not want to fly to another port, but be careful the time of year you cruise since prices nearly double in summer and triple over holidays. Having the monopoly year round gives Carnival the reins. Would I cruise on this ship? Sure, but the price would have to be right and I *would* expect to see jeans, shorts, and flip flops in the dining room on formal night.

Cruise and Booze: All-You-Can-Drink Packages Coming From Royal Caribbean

2011-03-29T18:50:00.000-07:00

Taking a page from sister cruise line Celebrity Cruises, whose all-you-can-drink cocktail and wine packages have clearly been appealing, Royal Caribbean confirmed that it too will offer the program onboard some ships. This new addition includes three possible packages to purchase once onboard:

For $29, the beer and wine package includes all brews, house wine by the glass and a 25 percent discount on other liquors and wines.

The "classic," which costs $39, expands on that to include all cocktails and premium and specialty liquor.

And for connoisseurs, the $49 Premium Package builds on the classic, but also offers wines by the glass up to $10, and more premium liquors.

Note that these prices are per person, per day.

Just as notable as the package itself are the three ships chosen to offer the program -- all of which cater predominantly to non-U.S. cruisers. The three-option program was made available from March 13 on Grandeur of the Seas, and from March 14 on Independence of the Seas and Legend of the Seas. Independence is based year-round in the United Kingdom and sails out of Southampton. Grandeur divides its time between South America (cruises from Colon, Panama, and Cartagena, Columbia) and the Mediterranean (from Palma De Mallorca, Spain). Legend is Royal Caribbean's year-round Asia-based vessel.

The big question: Will Royal Caribbean roll the package out fleetwide? According to spokesman Harry Liu, there are currently no plans for the all-you-can-drink program to be available on any of RCI's other 19 ships. Liu did, however, note that, "Royal Caribbean may consider deploying the program to other ships in the fleet if it is successful." (Interestingly, RCI's U.S.-based customer service department said they had never heard of the packages.)

There are some differences to Royal Caribbean's offerings. For instance, on Celebrity, the premium package includes $12 glasses of wine rather than $10, which can make a difference if you are a connoisseur of wine. I guess we will have to wait for the true review and experience until clients and friends cruise these ships.... who's ready to book?

Fuel Surcharges Weaseling Their Way Back

2011-03-23T19:08:00.000-07:00

They're baaaaack... fuel surcharges. You remember them from not so long ago when you had the "privilege" of paying that extra fee for higher fuel charges. Cruise lines charged up to $12 per person per day, airlines charged $10-$25 per ticket, even taxis got on board and charged a flat rate fuel surcharge added to the base fare. No one was immune. Then the price of oil dropped and thankfully so did the fuel surcharge.

Alas, here we are again... the price of oil increasing and so are the incidents of fuel surcharges. Many international air carriers have started adding fuel surcharges ranging from $10-$15 per ticket, and some are even gouging those flying on miles (it was rumored that British Airways charged a passenger flying on miles $500 for the fuel surcharge!). I'm sure the fuel surcharges are not far behind for American carriers, perhaps some have already started charging.

Cruise lines have not formally announced fuel surcharges but they are gearing up for it and no one will be immune, not even those who have booked a future cruise. Warnings of fuel surcharges have ranged from $9 per person per day to $12 per person per day. They do, fortunatley, cap the fuel surcharge to a maximum of double occupancy for 7 nights. Third and fourth passengers in a cabin do not pay the surcharge either.

Some travel vendors who sell package vacations and tours are holding tight on their air prices, provided you book sooner than later. They can guarantee flight prices packaged in their tours only so long, but if you are thinking of traveling, a package or tour is your best value at this time.

With gas at $4.09 per gallon in my area, it will be short time before airlines and cruise lines burn through their oil futures and pass on surcharges. It's bad enough we are paying fees up the, wel, you know... baggage fees, seat selection fees, paper ticket fees, etc. The only advice I can give my clients is it's a cost that you have to build in to your vacation, just like spending money, or meal allowances, and don't stress over it. Yeah, it stinks, but your alternative is to not travel? I think not!

I Have the Vacation You Need

2011-03-06T11:00:00.000-08:00

I've got just the perfect get-away for you with plenty of time to save your pennies and your vacation days. Check out these fantastic cruises and come join in the fun...

March 12-17, 2012 Sail aboard Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas

Prices starting at $519 CAD pp (based on double occupancy) for an inside cabin and $709 CAD pp (based on double occupancy) for a balcony cabin
Ports include Labadee, Haiti and Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Shipboard credit of $50 CAD per cabin
Deposit to book the cruise will be $105 CAD pp before May 10, 2011 with final payment due prior to December 20,2011

March 18-26, 2012 Sail aboard Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas

Prices starting at $899 CAD pp (based on double occupancy) for inside cabin and $1,369 CAD pp (based on double occupancy) for a balcony cabin
Ports include Nassau, Bahamas, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas and Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Shipboard credit of $75 CAD per cabin
Deposit to book the cruise will be $265 CAD pp before May 10, 2011 with final payment due prior to December 20, 2011

Both cruises depart out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. You may choose one cruise or the other or both! For those choosing to sail aboard both sailings, Royal Caribbean will pay for your hotel night between cruises (the evening of March 17^th). The hotel will be Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Marina Hotel.

Flights are not included in this pricing and if you need assistance in booking flights, Amy at Luxe Personal Concierge will be more than happy to assist you.

Booking for these cruises will be through Amy at Luxe Personal Concierge. Please contact her with any questions or when you are ready to book. Here is Amy’s contact information:

Amy Olson, Luxe Personal Concierge, 805-550-8932, amy@luxeconcierge.net

Who's ready to cruise?

Vacation is an Essential Element of Any Job - Do You Get Enough?

2011-02-26T15:03:00.000-08:00

Most people would agree that hard work, dedication and motivation are important elements that factor into being a success in corporate America. But what about vacation time? Is taking time off just as important when it comes to building successful careers? Some people think so, and believe that Americans have gone too far when it comes to putting in the time at the office, leading to a firestorm of negative consequences.

According to an Expedia.com survey, 63 percent of Americans work more than 40 hours per week and hand back more than $21 billion dollars in unused vacation days each year. The survey found that Americans took less vacation time this year than last, and feel guilty about taking time off. Joe Robinson, author of Work to Live: The Guide to Getting a Life and founder of the Work to Live movement, monitors this phenomenon and is working hard to change the tide. According to the movement’s Web site (www.worktolive.info), Americans put in two to three times more months in total hours on the job each year than Europeans and two and a half weeks more than the Japanese. There are other troubling facts listed on the site. For example, the average middle income family now works four months more in total hours than they did in 1979 (according to economists Barry Bluestone and Stephen Rose) and 26 percent of Americans take no vacation at all (Boston College survey).

What many people might not know is that America is the only industrialized nation that has no minimum paid leave law. Robinson is leading the Work to Live Vacation Campaign, to push for nationwide change. The organization’s proposal calls for a mandatory three weeks of vacation for anyone who has worked at a job for a year, increasing to four weeks after three years. While this amount of time will sound excessive to some Americans, several weeks of vacation is standard in the rest of the world. In Australia, employers are required to provide 20 days off per year. France requires a minimum of 25 days, Germany mandates 24 days and the United Kingdom requires 20 days. Even China requires a minimum vacation time of 15 days.

"In America, people struggle and are faced with a lot of guilt when it comes to taking vacation time because vacations are not legitimate in this country," says Robinson. "Because there is no law that regulates vacation time, American workers feel like they have to beg for time off."

So why do we have such a hard time taking our vacations and what are the consequences of this "overwork culture," as Robinson puts it? "We have been programmed to be workaholics," says Robinson. "For many people, their identity is 100 percent what they do for a living - it’s their job title. People mistake their identity for their jobs." He says this mistaken identity is causing major problems in our country, both for individuals and for businesses.

Not taking vacation time leads to a series of health hazards, including higher stress, burnout, sleeplessness, heart disease and more. Working too much can also negatively affect your relationships with family and friends. From a business perspective, there are many benefits of giving employees time off.

"Employees’ performance actually goes up after taking vacation and after breaks," says Robinson. “Several companies in my book found that when they increased the vacation time they offered to employees, the overall business productivity increased and company morale soared." Expedia.com’s survey found similar results. Eighty-four percent of survey respondents reported feeling rejuvenated and reconnected with family and friends after a vacation, and 80 percent reported having a more positive outlook about their jobs when they take time away.

It’s clear that taking time off is important. But what can you do if your company has a culture that does not support time off? Robinson says you have to put your foot down. "You have to set boundaries, just like in any relationship," he says. "If you don’t, you will get walked on." He suggests using the "what’s in it for them," strategy when asking for time off or negotiating for more vacation time. “You can prove that your productivity will go up after taking a break," he says.

If your supervisor still won’t give in and give you more paid vacation time, Robinson suggests asking to take unpaid leave, which is usually doable. He believes that taking vacation is important enough to warrant taking such a measure. "Leisure time is important. It’s exploring all that life has to offer, and it is during our leisure time that we really learn and grow,” he says. “You can be productive and have a life," he says. There's no better time than now to make a commitment to getting reconnected with your life - you and your employer will reap the benefits!

A Special Message from Captain Stubing (Yes, the Love Boat lives on)

2011-02-15T18:29:00.000-08:00

The following article is #18 Essential Experience from Princess cruises. If you are looking for a dream vacation, Tahiti is it and there is no better way to see much of French Polynesia than a cruise. I did the 10-day French Polynesia cruise with Princess a few years back and it is truly a dream vacation. I highly recommend this trip for anyone looking for something off the beaten track. You sail on a smaller, more intimate ship, you visit many islands, interact with locals, and enjoy the most beautiful beaches anywhere. I cannot wait to take more friends and family on this very cruise in the future. This cruise is not easy on your pocketbook, but oh so worth it. And to make it more worthwhile, plan a couple days before and/or after the cruise to take advantage of the region. Don't know where to start booking a trip of a lifetime like this? I can help you get this vacation booked with ease! Read on and find yourself dreaming of French Polynesia and planning your trip there...

From Tahiti with Love

Tahiti, French Polynesia

Posted by Gavin MacLeod
Princess Cruises Ambassador (and “Captain Merrill Stubing” on “The Love Boat”)

February 14, 2011

But most of all, when I think of Tahiti I think of romance. Maybe it’s all those years on a show that focused on love and happy endings.

The beautiful turquoise waters of Moorea.

After 10 seasons portraying Captain Stubing on “The Love Boat,” actor Gavin MacLeod became an iconic symbol of cruising and romance. Since the show ended in 1986 Gavin has also been our ambassador at events around the world. We consider him part of the Princess family. So for the week of Valentine’s Day we’ve asked him to share his own essential experience … and could you guess it’s a travel adventure filled with romance?

The deep blue waters of Tahiti are a long way from the world I knew as a child. I had a modest upbringing in upstate New York, and then cruises were a luxury I couldn’t even dream of. It wasn’t until years later that I set foot on my very first cruise ship – and amusingly, I was instantly the captain! I’m pretty sure I’m the only “captain” who can say that.

I was lucky. I spent 10 memorable years playing “Captain Stubing” on “The Love Boat” – what a dream job! Every week I got to act in stories about love and romance … and I had the chance to meet some incredible guest stars. I couldn’t believe I was actually working alongside these amazing actors I had admired since my childhood – like Lana Turner and Ginger Rogers. Some were interesting folks, like Andy Warhol, and others were up and comers just starting out, such as Tom Hanks. It was an unforgettable experience.

We didn’t just shoot “The Love Boat” in our Los Angeles soundstage. Several times a year we actually boarded a Princess ship and shot scenes on an actual cruise. We sailed to Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Alaska. But one place we never got to on the show was Tahiti.

Tahiti! Doesn’t it sound magical? I envision Mitzi Gaynor “washing that man right out of her hair” in “South Pacific.” The wonderful tales of James Michener, who I had the great fortune to sail with aboard a Princess cruise years later. And, the colorful art of Paul Gauguin.

But most of all, when I think of Tahiti I think of romance. Maybe it’s all those years on a show that focused on love and happy endings. However, when I did finally get to Tahiti I was very glad my wonderful wife, Patti, was by my side.

We flew out a few days ahead of our cruise aboard Tahitian Princess along with my manager and good friend, Lee. Appropriately, Patti and I would be performing the two-person play “Love Letters” on the ship, so it was something of a working vacation. But really what this trip became was discovering one of the world’s most romantic places.

Our first glimpse of Tahiti from the air was one of vast expanses of turquoise water, punctuated with the occasional island. We were all seasoned travelers, but the excitement of descending closer and closer to this lush paradise felt like a new experience. The colors popped out even from the air – bright greens and blues as far as the eye could see.

Tahiti is famous for its beaches, and that was where we spent the bulk of our time before the cruise. Years before, I had travelled to Hawaii to shoot an episode of Hawaii 5-0, and thought the waters around those islands were amazingly beautiful. And yet I now discovered that they had serious competition with Tahiti’s sparkling blue seas.

That, to me, is Tahiti. Sparkling white or black sands. Water as clear and placid as a sheet of glass. And nothing and no one else for as far as the eye could see. Those picturesque overwater bungalows. No commotion or craziness. No worries except maybe when to go to dinner or which beach to try next. Just this tremendously lush landscape and the feeling of total relaxation and time to focus on your loved one.

A breathtaking Polynesian vista.

There’s something about the mystique of Tahiti that brings out the romantic in all of us. Surrounded by this tranquil atmosphere with nothing to disturb us but the lapping of the waves and the scent of tropical flowers in the air, Patti and I were able to relax, talk and really connect.

We did leave our reverie to visit some of the island’s sights. We saw historic Matavai Bay, where many early European navigators anchored, including the HMS Bounty – of “Mutiny on the Bounty” fame – and Captain Cook. We met warm, wonderful people speaking French, Tahitian and, thankfully, some English. We saw the open air Le Truck buses that run around the island and the Les Roulottes mobile restaurants serving movable feasts along the waterfront. But mostly we enjoyed time together marveling at the stunning vistas everywhere.

This peaceful feeling continued once we set sail on Tahitian Princess to tour the other islands of French Polynesia. We were in awe of the towering pinnacles and spectacular waterfalls of Moorea, we learned about the fascinating Polynesian culture in Raiatea, and we felt we had surely found the mythical “Bali Hai” when we first glimpsed the shimmering lagoon and lush greenery of Bora Bora. Every island seemed as if it was painted by an artist using the brightest palette of colors.

One day onboard, I joined my wife who was standing on our balcony, looking out at the sun setting just beyond jagged peaks of the islands. It was a picture postcard moment if ever you saw one. As I approached she mused, “Do you think heaven’s as beautiful as this?”

Well, I don’t know if heaven could be any lovelier than these stunning islands, but I do know I was lucky to share this little bit of heaven on earth with someone I love so dearly. It was our own personal “Love Boat.”

Gavin with his wife, Patti.

Gavin and Patti in a 1978 episode of "The Love Boat."

Princess Cruises Essential Experience 6

2011-02-03T19:52:00.001-08:00

Check this out! I'm totally doing this when we cruise in March 2012!

Bobsledding Down the Unlikeliest Mountain

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Posted by Tim Donovan
Cruise Director, Emerald Princess

November 9, 2010

Maybe our berth number, 007, had put me in the mood for an adventure worthy of James Bond.

Bobsleds all lined up and ready to go.

As Emerald Princess pulled into berth 007 in Ocho Rios, the ocean breezes gave way to waves of heat. By 8 a.m. the temperature was a searing 90 degrees and the humidity made it feel even stickier. So, it’s hot, sunny and I’m going … bobsledding??

Maybe our berth number, 007, had put me in the mood for an adventure worthy of James Bond. And here in Jamaica, I had my pick — famous Dunn’s River Falls, a terraced waterfall that you can climb like steps; or the three-mile-long Martha Brae where I could lazily float down this picturesque river on a bamboo raft. But most intriguing to me was Mystic Mountain, a lush tropical paradise with its own hidden secrets, the most unusual of which was its bobsledding track.

By mid-morning, I found myself at the foot of the rain forest wondering how we would get up the mountain. The journey, it turned out, was effortless, with a chairlift as our chariot. Perched comfortably on the Sky Explorer lift, we rose up over the canopy of the forest to the summit, our legs dangling over tropical foliage, the air growing cooler as we ascended.

Some 20 minutes later a member of the Jamaican tour staff met us at the peak. “Yeah Mon, welcome to Mystic Mountain where every’ ting is cool.”

At the top of a chairlift, one might expect a snow-capped mountain, yet the reggae beats I was hearing from a local band, accompanied by the island dialect, which was itself a kind of music, and the local arts and crafts on display – all said tropical paradise. That plus the temperature which, even at the top of the mountain, was more suited to flip-flops than ear muffs.

Chair lifts carry anxious bobsledders atop the mountain.

Making our way to the bobsled area, we were met by the tour operator who gave us instructions on how to work the sled. Push the levers forward to release the brake. Going too fast? Just pull the levers towards you, and the brakes engage. So simple, even I could do it!

I lowered myself into a slick-looking bobsled, jet black with the Jamaican flag stripes down the side, and positioned my hand on the brake levers to my left and right. Could I really do this? Would I crash spectacularly like the Jamaican bobsledding team did so famously at the 1988 Olympics?

With no snow in Jamaica, our sled ran quite securely on a wooden track with metal rails. The steering I would have done on a cold course would be handled by the track. It was for me to determine how fast I wanted to go. Since the sleds go out at timed intervals, the chances of a collision are extremely slim. Still, as I sat anticipating the downhill run, adrenalin pumped through my body. The operator closed the canopy over my head and pushed me into position. I was next!

In a single motion he released the brake and I was off! It was a slow start as I used the handbrakes to keep my speed in check as I came to the first turn, but I let the sled gain momentum as I hit the decline. The exhilaration on the ride down made me laugh out loud – at least during the moments when I wasn’t outright screaming. Three minutes of pure speed. The quickest tour of a rainforest you could ever experience.

An adventurous participant accelerates down the mountain.

Do You Suffer From Scatterbrain Syndrome?

2011-01-22T09:23:00.000-08:00

Occasionally I do. Yes, even as organized and prepared as I can be, I sometimes suffer from this. It usually occurs when too many things have to be done all at once. Or when I just am not in the mood to do what I'm supposed to do and I seem to create distractions to keep from working. Regardless, it happens to all of us and I thought it was interesting to see an actual term for this behavior. Take a read and maybe the ideas here will help you avoid that next bout of Scatterbrain Syndrome.

Do you ever feel like you are going in a hundred different directions but not really going anywhere? You start on a project and then abandon it when you think of something else? Or are you busy all day and get nothing done. This lack of focus or the “Scatterbrain Syndrome”

happens to everyone. Here are a few things to do that will help you focus.

Have a specific plan for each day. Know exactly what you want to accomplish each day. What is it the most important thing for you on this day?

Pick three or four tasks from your to-do list. If you have a huge, ongoing list it is easier to break it down. Looking at a large list can be overwhelming and distracting. Write three or four things on a piece of paper, on a white board or index cards or anyplace that separates them from the bigger list. Focus only on those tasks for the day.

Minimize distractions. Everything and everyone is fighting for your attention. If you want to finish something don’t answer the phone. Learn to tell people you are in the middle of something and will get back to them. Save internet surfing and TV as a reward for completing the task you want to do.

Stop multitasking. You might be proud of the fact that you can multitask but that makes your brain go in to too many directions. Start and finish a task before moving on to the next.

Take breaks. You probably think you don’t have time to take breaks, but what if they made you more focused and productive. During this 5-10 minute period spend some time meditating and clearing your mind.

Minimize stress. Stress can create a scattered brain, so you need to find ways to minimize it. The best natural antidotes are sleep and exercise. When you are tired, your coping mechanisms get weak. Doctors say that exercise is the best natural antidepressant on the market.

Keep an accomplishment journal. Sometimes it feels like you have the scatterbrain syndrome, when in reality you have accomplished more than you think. At the end of the day keep a journal of everything you did that day. This helps you focus on what you did do, instead of what you didn’t. Put your energy in the right place and give yourself the credit you deserve.

Being a scatterbrain does not mean that you are doomed to a life of forgetfulness or a lack of productivity or concentration. It probably means you’re pretty much normal, but you may need some new strategies.

Reasons To Use A Travel Agent

2011-01-14T20:15:00.000-08:00

Reasons To Use A Travel Agent

CUSTOMER ADVOCACY: If you have a problem with a particular part of your travel experience, the agent is there to act on your behalf to see that restitution is made.

EXPERT GUIDANCE: Travel agents are experts in understanding and deciphering the myriad of travel information and codes out there. It’s what they’ve been trained to do and they do it every day.

PERSONALIZED SERVICE: Instead of an impersonal voice thousand of miles away, travel agents are your neighbors. They know what you want and what you value in your travel experience.

PROFESSIONAL ADVICE: Travel agents are there to make sure you get where you want to go, when you want to go and for the lowest price.

TIME: Instead of checking a long list of travel Web pages, which only provide rates and fares for the companies that have contracted with them, why not go straight to the source? A travel agent has all the information at their fingertips, saving you a few hours in front of the computer screen.

UNBIASED INFORMATION: Agents work for their clients, not for a travel supplier. It makes sense that a happy customer will be a repeat customer.

Make a Resolution to Take a Vacation This Year

2011-01-11T19:13:00.000-08:00

Ten Healthy Reasons To Take A Vacation

The surf's calling, but if you're like many, you're feeling guilty about asking your boss for a little time off to relax--even though you desperately need it.

Not only do Americans get a meager amount of vacation time, they also tend not to use it all, according to Expedia.com's seventh annual Vacation Deprivation survey, conducted this spring.

Unsurprisingly, Americans got the least amount of vacation days per year among the countries surveyed, earning only 14 days vs. 24 days in Great Britain, 26 days in Germany, 30 days in Spain and 36 days in France.

In Pictures: 10 Healthy Ways To Take A Vacation

And despite reporting an average of 14 vacation days this year, compared with 12 days in 2005, 35% of the more than 4,100 U.S. adults questioned said they will not use all of their time off, leaving an average of three days on the table.

"Some people are fearful in this day and age about job security," says Munro Cullum, a professor of psychiatry and neurology at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. "There's a push for productivity, and that can make people really avoid taking a vacation. Some people just figure they'll relax when they retire."

Sound familiar? Your behavior may impress your boss, but medical experts say you're not doing your health any favors.

Workaholic Woes
Stress produces physiological changes in our bodies, including higher blood pressure and a surge in stress hormones, such as adrenaline, which can cause blood to clot and increase the risk of a heart attack. By working all of the time, you're constantly subjecting your body to these responses, says Dr. Harvey Simon, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and founding editor of the Harvard Men's Health Watch.

Likewise, Cullum says, stress can impair the hippocampal function, which is crucial for the acquisition of new information, such as names, facts, PIN numbers and meeting times.

It's not clear whether vacations cause better health or whether they are just an indicator of healthier lifestyles. But taking time off does appear to have physical and mental benefits.

A 2005 study that analyzed research on 1,500 Wisconsin women showed that those who took vacations more frequently were less likely to become tense or depressed. Those women also reported being more satisfied with their marriages.

Cathy McCarty, the study's principal investigator and a senior epidemiologist for the Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, says vacations help ease tension, which can lead to depression. Not taking a break also seemed to indicate that women were not spending time focusing on their marriages.

Even worse, the findings showed that nearly one in five women in the study reported taking a vacation only once in six years.

"It's the whole work culture," McCarty says. "Even people who have worked for me come to me with this tone of, 'I'm sorry, but do you mind if I take a day off?' I tell them to go--it's better for their health."

The data are damning for workaholic men, too.

A 2000 analysis of the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial, a study of more than 12,000 men ages 35 to 57 at high-risk for coronary heart disease, showed that those who took regular annual vacations had a lower risk of death than those who skipped taking time off.

Dealing With Your Vacation
If you're out of practice when it comes to getting away, experts say there are a few things you can do to make sure that when you do take a vacation, it's a relaxing one.

First off, try not to leave for your vacation on a Friday straight from work. Lugging your suitcase to the office and rushing to finish a project before dashing to the airport in rush-hour traffic will cause unnecessary stress, Cullum says. Ease into your vacation by giving yourself a day to pack.

While a three-day weekend is better than nothing, consider whether it'll really be enough time for you to unwind and feel rested. If you need more time off, take it.

And always try to schedule your vacation during a slow period at work.

"If you're worrying about that deal going through at work, you're not in the moment," says Dr. Edythe Harvey, a psychiatrist with international psychiatric center The Menninger Clinic. "You're not allowing yourself that break from constant work to re-balance yourself."

Travel Doesn't Have To Be So Stressful Around Holidays...

2010-12-21T20:23:00.000-08:00

Traveling this holiday season? Check out this great list of holiday travel do's and don'ts. So many of these I practice in my travels all year long and they really do help make travel easier in the long run. It's all about a little preparation ahead of time and a little give-and-take while traveling:

Holiday Travel DO's

SHOP EARLY: At least 4-months in advance; recently, airlines have been decreasing their flights during holiday periods, which means fewer discounts and fewer available seats.
FLY OFF-PEAK DAYS: Save money, and probably a headache, by traveling on a slow day (the busiest days of the year are the Wed. before and Sun. after Thanksgiving). Flights on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day are typically cheaper, but (dang it) youll miss out on all the work in the kitchen, and have to settle for simply eating the feast! (note: the busiest
FLY DIRECT: It might be more expensive, but worth it (and no lost luggage)
LABEL YOUR LUGGAGE CLEARLY: Sounds a little Martha Stewart, but during these busy travel times, you know SOMEONES luggage will get lost
SHIP GIFTS AHEAD: Lighten your load; let UPS ship any gifts; but if you do take gifts, make sure they are unwrapped (or security will unwrap them for you).
TAKE CARRY-ON LUGGAGE: Pack lightly and carry it on to save the hassle of the baggage-check line, or worse, losing your luggage
PRINT YOUR BOARDING PASS AT HOME: Huge time-saver
READ THE TSA’S NO-NO LIST: Check here for acceptable carry on items; remember, nothing over 3-ounces, and that includes items like Snow-Globes
PACK A LUNCH: Save money and eat food you like (but buy your water at the airport, after you pass through security)
HAVE A BACK-UP PLAN: Research other flights on your travel day in case of cancellations/delays, and here are some useful links when youre really stuck:

Day-of-travel flight schedules
Short quick list of hotel chain phone numbers
Short quick list of rental car agency phone numbers

Holiday Travel DON’Ts

WAIT ‘TIL THE LAST MINUTE TO GET TICKETS: You know who you are. And if you’re flying peak-holiday periods, shop year-round
FORGET YOUR ID: Sounds obvious, but please, dont leave home without it!
OVER PACK: Airlines are getting serious about charging for over-weight bags (50 lb. limit for most carriers). Do you really need all that stuff?
FORGET TO CHECK YOUR FLIGHT STATUS: Check online or call the airline before you leave the house. It could save you a hassle. But the system isn’t perfect; there are times when the airline may say a flight will be 3-hours late, and then suddenly, its only a 2-hour delay, What you MUST DO is, check-in online and get your boarding pass as though the plane was leaving on time, so you wont lose your seat
IGNORE THE 2-HOURS EARLY RULE: Yes, you might sit around. But isn’t that better than missing your flight? (Note to international travelers: get there 3-hours early)
WEAR METAL: Don’t wear the belt-buckle or the watch that always sets off
the X-ray machine; save yourself (and the people in line behind you) some time
FORGET TO CHARGE BATTERIES: For cellphones, DVD players, laptops
EXCEED THE CARRY-ON LIMIT: Another time-waster
BE A SPACE-HOG: Everyone will be traveling with lots of extra bags and coats and gifts; use the space under the seat in front of you. Some airlines may offer roomier seats for purchase (if available); if thats what you need, buy it
GO CRAZY: A little holiday spirit goes a long way; remember, everyone, even the pilot, is anxious to get home for the holidays

Check out comments other have made and other suggestions from readers here.

Feeling the Effects of Aging? Rolfing Can Help.

2010-12-14T20:08:00.000-08:00

'Rolfing' massages make a return

Rolfing, deep massage of the connective tissue that surrounds all the muscles and organs that first became popular in the late 1960s, has been experiencing a comeback.

Rolfing's premise is that trauma to the body and the everyday effects of gravity cause connective tissues to shift out of place, resulting in aches and pains. Practitioners stretch and apply pressure to the connective tissue to restore alignment in the body.

"It's not for wimps. If you want a gentle, feel-good massage, this is not it," said Joyce Samples, a 54-year-old from Brentwood, Tenn., who had been experiencing chronic back and arm pain before turning to the procedure with a reputation for pain. "It's very intense, but I immediately feel better afterward."

Mary Alice Felder, a structural integration practitioner, attributes its resurgence to aging baby boomers who are open to trying alternative therapies.

"They are feeling the effects of aging," Felder said. "They wake up feeling stiff. Their bodies can't do what they used to, and Rolfing can help with that."

Rolfer Randy Mack, who has been practicing for 31 years, said he's been seeing an influx of young clients. "There's this whole new generation giving it a try," he said, adding that many of them are athletes looking to improve performance or people suffering from chronic pain.

There's a whole new generation of Rolfing practitioners, as well. For years, Mack was the only Rolfer in the Nashville area. Now there are at least six.

Technique can release pent-up emotions

Back in the late 1960s and early '70s, Rolfing adherents emphasized its supposed emotional benefits. The belief was that people's muscles held pent-up and repressed emotions and that Rolfing could release them. Mack said screaming and crying were common, even encouraged, during sessions.

These days the focus is almost solely on the physical benefits of the practice. Rolfing is said to help correct everything from body aches to restricted mobility to poor posture.

'Rolfing' massages make a return
However, Mack said he still believes that rolfing promotes emotional well-being through benefits such as improved posture.

"When people are standing up straight, they become more confident, more cheerful," he said.

Sessions typically last 1 1/2 hours and can cost $130 or more. It's recommended that people undergo 10 sessions for maximum benefit. However, most rolfers offer "fix-it work" that will target trouble spots in a single session.

Despite Rolfing's painful reputation, Felder said people can get good outcomes without experiencing excruciating pain.

"My goal is to give people the best possible results with the least amount of discomfort," she said.

I need a nap

2010-12-07T18:49:00.000-08:00

Many of you know that starting a small business can be both rewarding and taxing. Sometimes it seems that the "taxing" part of it is the majority of what I feel when I'm tired and feeling run down ragged. Although today is Tuesday it feels like next Thursday considering how busy this week has been already. While I am a good time manager, sometimes it's hard juggle when two clients need projects completed at the same time without much lead time. And add on top of that the regular demands and desires of life, let alone sleep!

The dog needs attention, I have to get Christmas gifts and cards ready, the laundry needs folding and the floor vacuuming. I have two projects to complete and get out tonight before starting another full day tomorrow. But all I can think about is a nap. Am I alone here?

I'm sure fellow small business owners wonder, as I do, is this all really worth in the long run? I guess the only way to tell is to keep on keeping on and having faith that it is.

Solve Packing Conundrums With These 9 Household Items - Budget Travel

2010-11-30T21:34:00.000-08:00

Solve Packing Conundrums With These 9 Household Items

Chances are, you already have an arsenal of packing aids at your fingertips. Just open your junk drawer.

Toilet-paper tube
Corral phone and digital camera cords, chargers, and other cables inside the cardboard tube, securing each plug end in a notch cut at the tube's rim.

Cardboard box
Create a shelf in your suitcase with one side of a shipping or moving box, putting heavy items below it and clothing on top.

Clockwise, from top left: binder clip, rubber bands, wide-mouth plastic bottle, bicycle lock, twist tie [enlarge photo]

Binder clips
Clasp printouts, brochures, and guidebook pages in a clip, or use a few to separate different local currencies.

Bicycle lock
Prevent theft while waiting in public areas by looping a single lock through the handles of your family's suitcases.

Dry-cleaner bag
Slide one between layers of clothing within your suitcase to prevent wrinkling.

Twist tie
Repair a broken zipper or luggage tag with a spare tie.

Rubber bands
Use bands to pair up shoes, socks, or even scuba flippers.

Wide-mouth plastic bottle
Stash smaller toiletries inside for extra leak protection.

Soap case
Pack breakables like jewelry or fragile souvenirs in the plastic container.

Solve Packing Conundrums With These 9 Household Items - Budget Travel

Secrets and Not-So-Secrets of the Big Island of Hawaii

2010-11-27T11:26:00.001-08:00

Not so long ago we spent a week on the Big Island of Hawaii. It was a trip I had won for participating in a educational travel webinar. Not bad for an hour of your time, right? It was my second visit and Ryan's first. I knew, having been to this island before, that it would be an activity packed trip. This island is very different than the commercialized island of Oahu. Hawaii feel more like small town and old customs. You are not going to focus on shopping, high end meals or glitzy night clubs here. The focus is on daytime activities like snorkeling, surfing, hiking, and sightseeing. I will post of my must-do's for when you visit this island that will help you get the most out of a visit to this island:

Car rental - I say some sort of 4-wheel vehicle is very helpful if you want to go to some of the more remote parts of the island. Not to mention it's just easier to get around in something like a Jeep and t you don't feel as bad getting it dirty with beach sand or mud. We really appreciated our Jeep when we drove to the southern most point of the US at Southpoint. What an awesome place to visit with tons of scenery, different weather, and history.
A condo or mini-suite hotel with fridge is very helpful to help you with meal time. Eating in Hawaii can be more expensive than you are used to and being able to fix a few of your own meals is great, but we loved the fact that we could pack picnics to take with us during the day since we never knew where we would end out, but we always had a great lunch with us. We made sure to bring a collapsable lunch tote to keep our food cold.
For groceries, there is a Sack and Save in town as well as a Longs Drugs for liquor. These are the best places for the best prices. And don't miss the farmers market in Kailua Kona (right in the middle of town) Wednesdays through Sundays. You can get all sorts of fruits, crafts, and baked goods. We bought many exotic fruits and tried them all. Our favorite was the rambutan which is like a lychee and they look quite interesting with a spiky skin, but the fruit inside is quite tender and sweet.
Bring your own snorkel gear. It's much easier than renting it for a week and you know exactly what type of equipment you will have. We kept it in the car all the time because you never knew when you'd be at a great spot and would want to snorkel.
Keep a map of the island in your car. We relied on the map to navigate the island and come across interesting archaeological and historical sites. We also used it to help with some shortcuts.
Plan an entire day or more for Kilauea volcano. We hiked the caldera and it was amazing. The hike took about 3 hours and make sure you take plenty of water and good walking shoes.
When you see signs for coffee and/or mac nut tasting - pull over! You will get to taste wonderful coffee and mac nuts so fresh. You can tour coffee plantations and learn about the history of coffee on the island. And it's free!
These are just a few tips for this island, but my biggest tip is EXPLORE! Go off the beaten track and you will experience wonderful sights and activities and people. A good guide book and map will help you but also listen to the locals, they also have excellent ideas of how to enhance your vacation.

Do out of the box websites look any better than custom sites?

2010-11-15T20:18:00.000-08:00

These days one can search the internet and find hundreds of results for services that will set someone up with an out of the box, ready to run, or cookie cutter website. What ever name is attached to this service, it is becoming an increasingly problematic solution.

How many websites out there look the same as many others? Granted many of these sites don't look identical, but they do use the same templates and can decrease the brand of a company's online presence. Although the cost of a personalized website built by a professional web design company can be more costly than a cookie cutter site, there exists a guarantee to have a unique web site that will not be confused for another.

This phenomenon is now spreading to mobile devices. Due to the small amount of bandwidth offered on many mobile devices, people are less interested in the design of an online site as they are the functionality and speed of the mobile site. Unfortunately this means all mobile sites look almost the same or identical. But if user trends in the U.K. are any indication of the direction that online interaction is heading, most of the sites that will exist in the near future will be geared toward primarily mobile device viewing rather than personal computer viewing.

Custom website development is not always as costly as first assumed. While template website solutions may seem easiest and quickest, custom sites from professional website developers will ensure proper branding, aesthetics and visibility to properly represent a company. Support local web designers and ensure proper branding and proper exposure for your business needs.

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2010-11-06T13:01:00.000-07:00

Accessing the Power of Gratitude

With the busy holiday season coming, it seem that many times we lose sight of what is really important. It's not gifts or fancy parties that are meaningful, it's those around us who make us feel that we can live life to it's full potential. Family, friends, pets, whoever is there in both your shining moment and darkest hour. These are the people who don't care about a holiday gift or fancy party, they are thankful for your friendship and glad to have you in their life. Remember this is a two way street and this is not the time of year to lose sight of that. So, in honor of this thought, some words on gratitude today...

The practice of gratitude as a tool for happiness has been in the mainstream for years. Long-term studies support gratitude’s effectiveness, suggesting that a positive, appreciative attitude contributes to greater success in work, greater health, peak performance in sports and business, a higher sense of well-being, and a faster rate of recovery from surgery.

But while we may acknowledge gratitude’s many benefits, it still can be difficult to sustain. So many of us are trained to notice what is broken, undone or lacking in our lives. And for gratitude to meet its full healing potential in our lives, it needs to become more than just a Thanksgiving word. We have to learn a new way of looking at things, a new habit. And that can take some time.

That’s why practicing gratitude makes so much sense. When we practice giving thanks for all we have, instead of complaining about what we lack, we give ourselves the chance to see all of life as an opportunity and a blessing.

Remember that gratitude isn’t a blindly optimistic approach in which the bad things in life are whitewashed or ignored. It’s more a matter of where we put our focus and attention. Pain and injustice exist in this world, but when we focus on the gifts of life, we gain a feeling of well-being. Gratitude balances us and gives us hope.

There are many things to be grateful for: colorful autumn leaves, legs that work, friends who listen and really hear, chocolate, fresh eggs, warm jackets, potatoes, the ability to read, roses, our health, butterflies. What’s on your list?

Some Ways to Practice Gratitude

• Keep a gratitude journal in which you list things for which you are thankful. You can make daily, weekly or monthly lists. Greater frequency may be better for creating a new habit, but just keeping that journal where you can see it will remind you to think in a grateful way.

• Make a gratitude collage by drawing or pasting pictures.

• Practice gratitude around the dinner table or make it part of your nighttime routine.

• Make a game of finding the hidden blessing in a challenging situation.

• When you feel like complaining, make a gratitude list instead. You may be amazed by how much better you feel.

• Notice how gratitude is impacting your life. Write about it, sing about it, express thanks for gratitude.

As you practice, an inner shift begins to occur, and you may be delighted to discover how content and hopeful you are feeling. That sense of fulfillment is gratitude at work.

People will always lift you up

2010-10-27T20:28:00.000-07:00

I don't know how many times I need to learn this lesson over but I always find it to be true. Tonight I wanted to attend the Tri-Chamber of Commerce mixer and I was so exhausted after a long day (and already long week) but I told myself that it's a wonderful opportunity for networking. Networking, for me, is an opportunity to not just meet new people (who may also be new clients) but also to enhance relationships I already have with people. And I like the socializing too. But tonight I was just exhausted. I just wanted to go home, strip off the biz clothes and shoes, and put my feet up. I did not go home and I went to the mixer. It was a crowded one and at first I wanted to turn around and go home. I didn't. I went in and after a couple sips of some wine, I started mingling and chatting and introducing. I fell right into the routine and started enjoying seeing people and hearing what had been going on with them. A few friend were there I could hang with. I realized I was enjoying myself. It never fails that to be around wonderful like-minded people always invigorates and energizes me. I just need to remember that each time I feel not quite up to attend a business function to think of the osmotic energy at the event will help me rise to the occasion.

Dealing with Job Transition

2010-10-20T10:26:00.001-07:00

I've had many transitions this year, and I found this article to be a very concise way to deal with some of the changes one may encounter. You may have experienced going from one job to another, being laid off a job and being unemployed, starting your own business, or going from being self-employed to working for "the man" again. Any transition will make you feel uneasy and unsure. I especially find # 5, 9 & 10 to be helpful but they are all excellent tips. Don't go this alone, talk about your fears and hopes with others. And most important, look forward to this new chapter in your life!

Top 10 Ways to Cope with Job Transition

Job transitions can be stressful—whether they’re due to layoff, a new job or working extra hours because others workers were laid off. If you’re facing one, consider the following.

1. Take an honest look at yourself. What are your strengths, weaknesses, skills? How did those influence—positively or negatively—your transition?

2. Step up your self-care. Major changes are physically and emotionally taxing. You need self-care now more than ever.

3. Engage your curiosity. What went wrong, or right? What could you have done better? What worked really well?

4. Focus on what you want, and less on what you don’t want. Keep your eye on the prize.

5. Find support. Since your transition affects your family as well, it may be better to seek the outside support of friends or professionals.

6. Work on your thoughts. Calm your fears and reinforce your sense of hope and happiness.

7. Reassure (or avoid) those who are threatened by, or jealous of, the change.

8. Create your own rite of passage. Ceremony and ritual help with all transitions.

9. Let go of how things were “supposed to be” and accept “how things are.” Find appreciation for what is.

10. Keep things in perspective. Or try on a new perspective. Don’t get stuck. Remember, the only constant is change.

Smart Traveler: How to Pack for an International Flight

2010-10-13T16:09:00.000-07:00

These are some of the best tips you will find when packing for a trip. I always follow these rules and am rarely disappointed I took the extra time and effort to follow them. I have an excellent template for packing lists so if you need help developing one of your own, email and let me know.

Smart Traveler: How to Pack for an International Flight

Whether your suitcase gets lost in transit or you simply forgot to pack something, smart packing can save you from scrambling in a foreign country to replace travel essentials. Be prepared to handle any unexpected travel snafus by follow these 5 packing tips for international trips.

Packing Tip #1: Make a packing list. Every destination has unique packing needs, so start with a list of items that you'd need for any trip. Then customize your list by adding items that depend on the weather and duration of your trip. It may be helpful to keep a smaller bag packed with basic travel essentials, such as medication and cosmetics, so you don't risk leaving items behind. Create a list on your computer and print it out, or write it out by hand. You can also download Frommer's free iPhone app, which includes a handy packing-list tool. However you do it, check off items as you go, and don't forget to include accessories, such as cell-phone chargers and camera batteries.

Packing Tip #2: Research your destination. There are an infinite number of variables when it comes to international travel. Finding a bottle of potable water might present as much of a challenge in one destination as buying your favorite shampoo or sunscreen in another. I once planned a 700-mile trek from Beijing to Shanghai after nearly running out of deodorant, for example. That near-disaster ended up providing a hilarious excuse for an incredible adventure, but I still would have preferred to make the trip on my terms, not because I needed to replenish essential supplies. Also, keep in mind that the voltage and plug style may (and likely will) differ abroad, so check ahead (I typically use search terms like "UK Plug" on Google) and buy an adapter before you go. Most electronics are dual-voltage, but check your power adapter before plugging in. Keep in mind that hair dryers and curlers are not electronics, and most of these items are not dual-voltage capable.

Packing Tip #3: Check a bag. You may be able to check up to two 50-pound bags free of charge on your international flight, so check with your airline before you fly. You'll still want to bring a carry-on just in case your baggage doesn't arrive on the same flight as you do, but checking a bag even on quick trips can allow for more flexibility when returning home. At the very least, bring a carry-on bag that can then ride below on your trip home (any liquids purchased abroad will need to be checked, and duty-free purchases may be confiscated if you have a connecting flight in the U.S.) If checking more than one bag, split items evenly between each bag, just in case one bag arrives and another does not. Use this approach when packing for family trips as well. Also, keep in mind that restrictions on domestic checked baggage have made their way to some other countries, so plan ahead if you have an intra-country flight during your trip abroad.

Packing Tip #4: Carry it on. While checked luggage may come in handy on your way home, consider the worst possible scenario when packing a carry-on bag: that your checked bag may not arrive on time. You should keep vital supplies, including medication and a couple days' worth of clean clothes, with you on the plane. I carry the same large backpack on every flight, and each essential travel item is (informally) assigned to a specific pouch or zippered compartment. That way I don't need to dig around to find a pair of earplugs, and if my passport goes missing, I'll know right away.

Packing Tip #5: Use Space Bags. The infomercials may initially have pulled me in, but space-saving bags really do work wonders. Now I won't travel without them. I use the generic version -- purchased at Target (www.target.com) a few years ago -- but these bags can really make a difference when packing for long trips. These bags allow you to pack several clothing items, zip the seal like a sandwich bag, then roll out all the air, which significantly reduces the volume of packed items. I use one bag to pack a full-size pillow in my carry-on for use on long flights, and use the rest of the bags in my checked luggage. Even if you can fit everything without them on the trip over, the bags still may come in handy when accommodating souvenirs on the way home.

This is certainly not an all-inclusive list, so use your best judgment when packing your bag. It may also be helpful to take note of items you wouldn't mind having on your next trip, and consider updating your list as you go.

Come See Luxe at the Five Cities Women's Trade Show

2010-10-11T09:05:00.001-07:00

I will have a booth this year's Five Cities Women's Network Trade Show this year! It is being held Tuesday October 12 from 11:3 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. (that's tomorrow!). It is being held at the Mission Inn of Pismo Beach (on James Way at the corner of Hwy 101).

I invite you to come visit me and many other great local businesses that have services and products to help you make your life easier and more productive. You can also meet and mingle while enjoying some appetizers and refreshments. There will also be fabulous raffle prizes you can win!

So spend an hour and come to this great event to network and stop by and say hello!

Travel Fees: The Norm, The New Norm, And The Strange

2010-10-05T11:59:00.000-07:00

I've been subject to many travel fees over the years but recently they have really increased. As the travel and hospitality industry try to keep rates low and entice travelers, they tack on or increase fees. I've been recently subjected to resort fees in Vegas and elsewhere in the US, service fees from travel vendors, and baggage fees on airlines. Can you believe paying $25 per bag on an airline? Yup, I paid $50 for my bag and my husband's ba to fly just last week - and that was each way! Sure, rates and fares are low but you have to watch out for the hidden (or not so hidden) fees that can really add up. You need to weigh the costs between low fares or rates and additional fees that may be attached. It's all about the convenience you want and the cost you are willing to pay when traveling!

What is the strangest travel fee that you've encountered?

The single biggest news story in 2010 has been about all of the extra fees that airlines are charging as a way to supplement flagging revenues. In the second quarter alone, the airline industry picked up $2.1 billion in extra fees and charges. In our October Readers' Choice issue, on stands now, we reported the somewhat unsurprising news that among all the many clever new fees, your absolute least favorite charge was the dreaded baggage fee. (Fortunately, with some planning and the right bag it is possible to get by with a carry-on and avoid the checked-bag fee.)

Consumers and travel industry professionals are starting to rally together. A collective of groups submitted a petition with thousands of signatures yesterday via the web site, MadAsHellAboutHiddenFees.com, to the Department of Transportation. The goal? To force the airline industry to create greater transparency about fees during the booking process. (Look for the final ruling in Spring 2011.)

While baggage fees (and airlines in general) are getting most of our attention, I'm curious to hear about other weirdo charges you've noticed on a bill recently, whether on a cruise, at a hotel, or at the rental car checkout counter.

What are some new and bizarre—and perhaps patently unfair—fees you've been stuck with in your travels?

Why not post your own experience with fees here or check out responses at Budget Travel.

Posted by: Nina Willdorf, Editor in Chief, Friday, Sep 24, 2010, 3:58 PM

Stop Putting Out Fires and Start Being More Productive

2010-09-23T09:56:00.000-07:00

I know time management is essential in what I do every day and it has become a way of life for me. Part of what I do is help others be more efficient, so how can I offer that to clients if I cannot manage my own time? There are many tips out there to help you manage your time better and become fare more efficient than you ever thought you could. Just implementing a few of the ideas below can help you go from always putting out fires to being able to having time to yourself at the end of the day. Now there's a novel thought!

1. SPEND TIME PLANNING AND ORGANIZING.
Using time to think and plan is time well-spent. In fact, if you fail to take time for planning, you are, in effect, planning to fail. Organize in a way that makes sense to you. If you need color and pictures, use a lot on your calendar or planning book. Some people need to have papers filed away; others get their creative energy from their piles. So forget the "shoulds" and organize your way.

2. SET GOALS.
Goals give your life, and the way you spend your time, direction. When asked the secret to amassing such a fortune, one of the famous Hunt brothers from Texas replied: "First you've got to decide what you want." Set goals which are specific, measurable, realistic and achievable. Your optimum goals are those which cause you to "stretch" but not "break" as you strive for achievement. Goals can give creative people a much-needed sense of direction.

3. PRIORITIZE.
Use the 80-20 Rule originally stated by the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto who noted that 80 percent of the reward comes from 20 percent of the effort. The trick to prioritizing is to isolate and identify that valuable 20 percent. Once identified, prioritize time to concentrate your work on those items with the greatest reward. Prioritize by color, number or letter — whichever method makes the most sense to you. Flagging items with a deadline is another idea for helping you stick to your priorities.

4. USE A TO DO LIST.
Some people thrive using a daily To Do list which they construct either the last thing the previous day or first thing in the morning. Such people may combine a To Do list with a calendar or schedule. Others prefer a "running" To Do list which is continuously being updated. Or, you may prefer a combination of the two previously described To Do lists. Whatever method works is best for you. Don't be afraid to try a new system — you just might find one that works even better than your present one!

5. BE FLEXIBLE.
Allow time for interruptions and distractions. Time management experts often suggest planning for just 50 percent or less of one's time. With only 50 percent of your time planned, you will have the flexibility to handle interruptions and the unplanned "emergency." When you expect to be interrupted, schedule routine tasks. Save (or make) larger blocks of time for your priorities. When interrupted, ask Alan Lakein's crucial question, "What is the most important thing I can be doing with my time right now?" to help you get back on track fast.

6. CONSIDER YOUR BIOLOGICAL PRIME TIME.
That's the time of day when you are at your best. Are you a "morning person," a "night owl," or a late afternoon "whiz?" Knowing when your best time is and planning to use that time of day for your priorities (if possible) is effective time management.

7. DO THE RIGHT THING RIGHT.
Noted management expert, Peter Drucker, says "doing the right thing is more important than doing things right." Doing the right thing is effectiveness; doing things right is efficiency. Focus first on effectiveness (identifying what is the right thing to do), then concentrate on efficiency (doing it right).

8. ELIMINATE THE URGENT.
Urgent tasks have short-term consequences while important tasks are those with long-term, goal-related implications. Work towards reducing the urgent things you must do so you'll have time for your important priorities. Flagging or highlighting items on your To Do list or attaching a deadline to each item may help keep important items from becoming urgent emergencies.

9. PRACTICE THE ART OF INTELLIGENT NEGLECT.
Eliminate from your life trivial tasks or those tasks which do not have long-term consequences for you. Can you delegate or eliminate any of your To Do list? Work on those tasks which you alone can do.

10. AVOID BEING A PERFECTIONIST.
In the Malaysian culture, only the gods are considered capable of producing anything perfect. Whenever something is made, a flaw is left on purpose so the gods will not be offended. Yes, some things need to be closer to perfect than others, but perfectionism, paying unnecessary attention to detail, can be a form of procrastination.

11. CONQUER PROCRASTINATION.
One technique to try is the "Swiss cheese" method described by Alan Lakein. When you are avoiding something, break it into smaller tasks and do just one of the smaller tasks or set a timer and work on the big task for just 15 minutes. By doing a little at a time, eventually you'll reach a point where you'll want to finish.

12. LEARN TO SAY "NO."
Such a small word — and so hard to say. Focusing on your goals may help. Blocking time for important, but often not scheduled, priorities such as family and friends can also help. But first you must be convinced that you and your priorities are important — that seems to be the hardest part in learning to say "no." Once convinced of their importance, saying "no" to the unimportant in life gets easier.

13. REWARD YOURSELF.
Even for small successes, celebrate achievement of goals. Promise yourself a reward for completing each task, or finishing the total job. Then keep your promise to yourself and indulge in your reward. Doing so will help you maintain the necessary balance in life between work and play. As Ann McGee-Cooper says, "If we learn to balance excellence in work with excellence in play, fun, and relaxation, our lives become happier, healthier, and a great deal more creative."

Never Underestimate the Power of Down Time

2010-09-19T18:07:00.000-07:00

Ok, so when I was working a regular job I got used to my M-F 8-5 schedule and having evenings and weekends to myself (though dreading Mondays and stressed all weekend about it). After doing that for 18+ years you get quite used to it (except for the getting up at 6:30 a.m. thing, I *never* got used to that). But now having started my own business I find I work a LOT, like 11-12 hours a day. It doesn't bother me, it's my own thing and I actually feel like I have more free time now but I actually work more. I guess it's all in the ability to set your own schedule.

However, the past 3 weeks have been super busy (yay, I hope it's not just a blip but rather a trend) and I have not had an entire day off in that long. It starts to catch up with you, you get fatigued, you don't feel like you sleep enough, you just feel run down in general. So I told myself that I was going to take an entire weekend off this weekend. It pretty much worked. I spent maybe only 2 hours on a couple things but that was it. And it's great! I don't feel like I have projects hanging over my head since I got them all done during the week. I feel like it's been ages since I worked. I feel refreshed. And I'm looking forward to hitting it again tomorrow (Monday).

I guess it all comes down to making sure you get time off to recoup, regroup and refresh before you start serving others again. If you don't, where will you have the energy or want to do it? So make sure you take your potty breaks, your evenings, your weekends, your vacations, whatever gives you a reprieve, just do it! Life is so much more than just work!

Bed Bugs = Big Ick!

2010-09-15T21:45:00.000-07:00

Bed bugs seem to be a topic on the rise. With all my travels in various parts of the world I have never once encountered bed bugs over the years. I guess I should consider myself lucky, but then again I always do my homework on hotels before I arrive. Tripadvisor.com is immensely helpful in knowing where to and not to stay. I think the best defense against poor accommodations is doing your homework (or using a reputable travel agent to find you the best accommodations within your budget). If you are concerned a hotel might have bedbugs you can always check the sheets and you will see evidence of them. And you don't want to put luggage on the bed where potential bed bugs could hop a ride home with you. Check out some horror stories and preventative measures at the article link:
Bed bugs: How to cut your risk

Harvest Hoedown Annual Fundraiser for Central Coast Salmon Enhancement

2010-09-13T11:14:00.000-07:00

Hey y'all, make sure you get your tickets for Harvest Hoedown benefiting Central Coast Salmon Enhancement. The event is on Sunday September 26 from 2 to 6 at Edward's Barn in Nipomo. You can learn more about it here: Harvest Hoedown

There will be excellent bbq provided by Alphy's Broiler and wines provided by Haka, Ethan Lindquist, and other local wineries.

There will be live auctions, silent auctions, and dessert auctions. Some of the fabulous prizes you could win include:

One night stay at Embassy Suites in SLO
2 Gallery Tickets for the SLO Symphony
2 rounds of golf with cart at Avila or Blacklake
Beach Butlerz Awesome Day at the Beach including 2 hours personal concierge time provided by Luxe Personal Concierge
Couples massage by Mary Meinert and Tammy Raubinger including 2 hours personal concierge time provided by Luxe Personal Concierge
2 adult tickets to Hearst Castle
2 overnight passes to Lopez Lake
AND so many more other great prizes including gift certificates, event tickets, and other great things YOU need.

Don't wait too long to get your tickets, you do not want to miss this event. Get your tickets here. We'll see you there!

Worlds Largest Chocolate Bar

2010-09-11T14:59:00.000-07:00

Yowza! I'd like to take a few bits out of that thing! I'd like to think that would be enough chocolate to last me a life time but I know better. I love chocolate. And for me, the darker the better. I'm talking 85% cocoa. That's pretty bitter. Most people think I'm crazy for liking it that way but I've liked dark chocolate since I was a little kid.

And I like GOOD quality chocolate. Many of the mass produced chocolates here in the US are not much on quality, quantity, yeah sure, but not so much on quality. Even the Cadbury's produced here the US is not up to par with that of Canada or the UK. Could be something to do with Hershey's owning Cadbury here.

I find a small quantity of quality chocolate goes a lot further than a large amount of, well, crap chocolate. I suppose that's the case for many other things... wine, cheese, vodka, beef, all the good stuff. I would prefer to trade off large masses of crap for small bits of quality. I suppose somewhere along the way America has gone awry and favored the mass of crap over savoring the quality.... I suppose this can translate so many ways into today's American culture that I could find myself in trouble so I shall stop here.

Just what does a personal concierge do?

2010-09-08T22:00:00.000-07:00

Most of the time people have no idea just what a personal concierge does. We are here to simplify your life and take stress out of your already busy day. Pretty much a personal concierge can take care anything you don't want to do, don't have the time to do, or don't know how to do. Yeah, that encompasses a lot of "stuff". Whatever you may have on your to-do list, whether it encompasses travel planning, event coordination, research, paperwork help, running errands, mobile notary, or virtual/personal assistance, I can take care of it for you If I cannot personally perform the service I find someone who can. So, it helps when I give people examples of what I have done for previous clients to see how I can help simplify your life and free up your time. These are just a small list of what I have done and what I can do for you but gives you a good start on how Luxe can make you more productive and reduce stress by helping you manage time better.

What has Luxe done for clients?

Plan and book international business and leisure travel
Plan and book domestic business, wedding and leisure travel
Plan and book cruises (individuals, groups, honeymoon)
Mobile notary services in south County, San Luis Obispo, and Morro Bay
Assist people on travels throughout the world in finding accommodations, restaurants, and activities and education on the region in which the person is traveling
Assist in finding vacation rentals, nannies and housekeepers
Run errands such as business bank deposits, deliver sensitive documents, fill propane tanks for a wine bar
Helping a small business owner set up social media marketing
Research topics (clients have had me research prescription drugs, cell phone carriers and plans, how to get a wedding dress to Italy, programs they have been invited to invest in, and more)
Paperwork such as preparing real estate closed files for future audit
Event planning and coordination, including corporate, fundraiser, and social events
Assisting with informational booths at shows and booths (set up, manning the booth, tear down)

This is a small list of what Luxe can for you but gives you an idea of how we might help you make your free time free again. You may think I'm crazy but I love taking care of your to-do list! So give it to me, I want it!

To paper plate or not to paper plate...

2010-08-30T15:55:00.000-07:00

... that is the question.

I'll be honest. I hate doing housework, chores, getting dirty, what-have-you. I prefer the easy no muss no fuss methods of keeping everything clean and tidy. I have better things to do than clean and tidy up all the time. Don't you? So I'm always looking for ways to make the whole bit of cleaning simpler. One way has been using paper plates at home for casual every day meals. The use of paper plates made cleaning up after meals much quicker. Just throw it away - voila - done!

And before you go there, yes, I do have a dishwasher and it does get used. But for some reason the use of paper plates just seemed so much easier and quicker. There were the occasions when a paper plate would be reused, perhaps after having just toast or non-messy sandwich on it. I was doing my part of recycling. And each paper plate, when used beyond reuse, would be tossed in the recycle bin. I would never use the styrofoam products, never have and never will, they are so bad and although they are cheaper I just cannot bring myself to use them (just like I will never buy another non-cage-free egg again, chickens deserve to frolic around too).

So, in the past several months I have been making an effort to save money and be a little more green and I stopped buying paper plates for home use and figured we'd just use the dishwasher more. The dishwasher option is fine but does take the time to rinse plates, then you have to run the thing (which the sound freaks the dog out and that is a whole 'nother story), then the worst part is putting the dishes away. I really hate that job. I know, it's so simple, right? but I hate doing it. I'd prefer to clean our dirty fish pond. And then I noticed we were using a lot more dishwasher soap and using more water running the dishwasher more often. But I kept on with this new method of kitchen cleanliness.

Then one day we were going on a picnic and I bought some paper plates at the Dollar Tree. There were plates left over that I brought home to use for casual meals at home. And then I remembered my fondness for the paper plate again. So simple to use, so simple to clean up afterward. Why did I stop using them? Oh yeah, saving money and being more green.

But which option truly is more green and less expensive?!? I have been pondering this question for a week or so. Paper plates cost money to buy and then they create trash (ok, in my case recyclable trash) and some trees were cut down to make the paper plates. Paper plates are not as pretty or sturdy as regular plates but I can live with that. Using stoneware plates is much more aesthetically pleasing and holds food better and does not cost any extra money, they are reusable. But then they have to be rinsed, washed and put away which uses more water and makes me buy more dishwasher soap.

So I'm torn between the two options... for now I have not purchased more paper plates and continue to use traditional plates that require more effort but make my meals look that much more tasty and promise not to let food fall in my lap. All the while I write this I am dreading the dishwasher cycle ending, signaling time *yet again* to unload and put dishes away... there's got to be some other activity I can find to do to put off unloading that thing again...

5 Surefire Ways to Offend the Locals - Budget Travel

2010-08-24T14:09:00.000-07:00

5 Surefire Ways to Offend the Locals - Budget Travel

INNOCENTS ABROAD

5 Surefire Ways to Offend the Locals

Body language that's harmless at home may be outright insulting abroad. Here are five gestures to avoid.

By Sean O'Neill, Monday, July 12, 2010 Budget Travel Magazine

GREECE
DON'T: Thrust your palm, fingers extended, toward someone in a downward swat.
THE MESSAGE: Called the moutza, this crude hand signal is a holdover from the Byzantine era, when judges ridiculed guilty people by wiping ash on their faces. Nowadays, it means "Screw off!" or "That's ridiculous!" The message comes across as serious and offensive, not playful.
DANGER ZONE: You may instinctively make this gesture when refusing something, such as a shot of ouzo in a bar.
WORK-AROUND: Say óchi ("no") and efharistó ("thank you") or make a blocking motion instead. If you are declining the offer of a drink, for instance, cover your glass with a hand. And if you're really trying to make friends, just accept the drink.

SOUTHERN ITALY
DON'T: Point your two hands toward the ground as if you're holding two pistols, with the back of your hands visible to the other person.
THE MESSAGE: You're threatening to beat the person up—or saying you could beat them up if you wanted to.
DANGER ZONE: Gesturing toward a spot in front of you, such as a place where you want a bellhop to drop your luggage.
WORK-AROUND: Wave your hands toward the spot instead.

YOU DID WHAT?!

See illustrations of the gestures that could get you in hot water on your next trip.
• Launch the slide show

THAILAND
DON'T: Point your foot at a person (especially someone older than you) or at a religious icon, such as a statue of the Buddha.
THE MESSAGE: Feet are the "lowest" part of the body, according to the spiritual hierarchy of Thai Buddhism, so you're basically insulting someone or something as the lowest of the low.
DANGER ZONE: At a temple, where visitors often pause and sit on the floor, you may be tempted to stretch your feet outward after a long day.
WORK-AROUND: Sit cross-legged, you farang.

UNITED KINGDOM
DON'T: Create a V shape with your index and middle fingers, with the back of your hand directed at the other person.
THE MESSAGE: Winston Churchill may have popularized the "V for Victory" symbol worldwide, but this gesture, performed in reverse in England, Scotland, or Wales, is similar to giving someone the finger in the U.S.
DANGER ZONE: Requesting a table for two at a restaurant or ordering two drinks at a bar, you may unconsciously flash two fingers this way.
WORK-AROUND: Say "two" instead, or remember to raise two fingers "peacefully," in the palm-outward way a hippie would flash the peace sign.

BANGLADESH AND IRAN
DON'T: Flash the thumbs-up sign.
THE MESSAGE: It means about the same thing as flipping the bird in the U.S.
DANGER ZONE: Without thinking, you may give someone a thumbs-up when you're eager to show your approval but don't know how to speak the local tongue.
WORK-AROUND: Learn how to say "yes" in the native language instead.

Influence Project Results

2010-08-17T11:30:00.000-07:00

Well, after a month and a half of testing my social media know-how, Luxe has come out looking not too shabby. A total of almost 33,000 people and companies signed up to take part in the experiment called the Influence Project. Basically it was an experiment to see how influential you are through your social media efforts. The first step was to sign up and then promote yourself to anyone who would pay attention and see if you could influence them to click on your link. By clicking on the link, one vote for you was registered. People could also sign up for their own account under you and then you are credited with their sign up as well as their "downline" of their clicks. You could earn partial votes for people who signed up or clicked on people who signed up under you. And believe me, it really adds up.

Curious about my results? Wonder no more, here are all the stats for Luxe:

Luxe ranked in the 97th percentile out of nearly 33,000 participants. This means I had more votes (or clicks) than 97% of those participating in the experiment. Not too bad!
Luxe had seven first level signs ups and four second level sign ups. So we got partial votes from everyone who clicked on or joined up under those people.
We utilized Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, email, and blogs to promote the Luxe influence. I believe the most effective methods included Facebook and email.

The official results will be posted in the November issue of Fast Company magazine. Fast Company is the sponsor of the experiment and offered a great draw of promising to include the photo of everyone who participated in the magazine - well, they had me at free publicity! With just a few minutes of effort each week I felt it was well worth the effort and reassured the usefulness and reach of social media!

Twitter Movie Trailer: Rated Awesome

2010-08-13T16:56:00.000-07:00

Things that taste like foot, - like jackfruit

2010-08-09T16:01:00.000-07:00

Ok, so we had lunch at Thai Dheva for lunch yesterday. (BTW Thai Deva is my favorite Thai in our area, so flavorful and fresh and NOT dry, I hate dry Thai food and believe me, it's out there and it's not tasty). I always judge a Thai place by my two favorite entrees: pad thai and pineapple fried rice They may not be the most exotic of Thai dishes but they are so good. It's just like I judge a good Mexican place by their refried beans, not the most Mexican of Mexican foods but they're my favorite. And that's just fine to have favorite foods that aren't all exotic and stuff. I'm not a foo-foo food person anyway.

But, back to the topic at hand - our Thai lunch. So as we were enjoying our Thai lunch we decided to not gobble it all down and to leave some to take home. But this left us a tad hungry still and decided to try one of the specialty desserts. But how to decide when everything is so different and sounds so tasty?!? Well, I was sold at "homemade coconut ice cream" and Ryan was sold at "fried banana". So it was decided, we'd have the FBI as our waitress called it as she hollered back to the kitchen (fried banana with ice cream). However, we were still curious about the "jackfruit with sticky rice". Our waitress kindly told us that it was sticky rice topped with coconut milk and sugar with jackfruit on the side. Jackfruit, huh? We did not know what that was and asked her to explain. She did an excellent job of explaining this tropical fruit and said that they had already cut the fruit for the day otherwise she'd show us a whole one (which is large and spiky). She actually did one better, though, and brought us a sample of the edible portion of the fruit itself.

We both peered in the small white bowl and found bright yellow-orange slices of of something that kind of looked like sliced bell pepper. There were also two tiny forks with which to taste the fruit. I loved those little forks. Anyway, we each stabbed at a piece of fruit and at first all I could do was smell this fruit, I swear it smelled like foot. Not sweaty, been in socks all day foot, more like well walked on in dirt and lake water foot. I tried to ignore the foot smell and focus on the fruit. The exterior texture was like bell pepper but not the inside portion. It was neither slimy nor mushy but it was not super firm. The flavor was extremely sweet, so much so that I had to eat it with water to water the sweetness down. I cannot tell you what it tasted like, it's its own flavor but it is very sweet with the faint taste of that foot I smelled on the fruit. I wanted to like fruit, I always enjoy trying new things but this just will not be added to me "like" list. Ryan loved it and would have it again. All I could think of was the foot smell coming out of the small white dish it had been.

And then this smell got me thinking of another thing we had a while back that was reminiscent of foot... a local winery has wines that taste like (and smell like) foot! Ick! I cannot imagine how people like their wines. I can understand stinky cheeses, at least they taste good, but this wine actually tastes like foot. Ugh. And the funniest part of it is that it was my mother-in-law who was able to discern the foot taste/smell out of this wine. And it's not just one of their wines, it was all of the wines we tasted at their tasting room. We still laugh about "foot" wine.

Anyway, on with the real dessert, fried banana with homemade coconut ice cream it was delicious and delightful in so many ways. We will be returning to Thai Dheva but not for the jackfruit!

Interesting Thoughts about Perceptions and Not Rushing Through Life!

2010-08-05T13:28:00.000-07:00

THE SITUATION

In Washington, DC, at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, this man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After about 3 minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule.
About 4 minutes later:
The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.
At 6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.
At 10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent - without exception - forced their children to move on quickly.
At 45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.
After 1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no one applauded. There was no recognition at all.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each to sit and listen to him play the same music.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C. Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.

This experiment raised several questions:
*In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?
*If so, do we stop to appreciate it?
*Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made . . .
How many other things are we missing as we rush through life?

U.S. airports told to install doggie bathrooms

2010-08-04T09:48:00.000-07:00

Photograph by: Ed Kaiser, Postmedia News

Some airports are offering "relief" areas for dogs, a move that has been advocated by groups representing blind people who use guide dogs.

Dogs need to go, too. So airports are adding doggie restrooms.

Check out the whole story here:

U.S. airports told to install doggie bathrooms

When a reunion goes right

2010-07-30T12:30:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I attended a reunion of our high school marching band and auxiliary units in Lake Arrowhead (Rim of the World High School). True, it's not a your typical class reunion but it was so much better. It was a group of people spanning four years of high school that had all come together in the past for a similar purpose: the love of performing music and shows.

Your typical high school reunion is just people of your graduating class, you are all lumped together just because you were born in a certain year or have a certain educational qualification. You may have a lot of friends in your class, or you may have just a few with more friends in classes ahead of your behind you. In the long run, your class not by choice, therefore your class reunion may be a gathering of either a lot of people you hung out with or just a few. But band, ah, that is a different thing. We chose to be there and we all became close friends and eventually like a family after time. In band you spend a lot of time together in practice, performance, competition, and tours so you really get to know these people.

And after all the years (about 24 for me) it still felt like family. Some of the people who attended the reunion I had seen in the past couple years or so and some I had not seen since high school. Yet, it still felt so natural. It still seemed like family and we had all turned out pretty darn good. Even our band director, Brian Fox, turned up and it was like he had not aged a bit. It was an entire weekend of activities that was very enjoyable and fun. There was not the stress of "I have to look rich and hot" or "I cannot go because I gained weight". It was just old friends getting together because we enjoy each others company. There was no feeling of competition or dread you sometimes feel with class reunions.

I guess my whole point here is that, for me, joining groups is very personal and sometimes a difficult process. I do not take joining groups lightly and want to make sure I'm committing my time and energy to something that benefits myself as well as the group and that I will not tire or bore of. So I'm a bit of a group-joining-phobic because it has been difficult to rival such a group as the 82-86 Rim High Marching Scots. But I'm learning, there are groups out there and I'm slowly overcoming my mild phobia. I have learned that it is ok to shop around for the group that is just right for me and I don't have to join a group just to join a group or because "it's the right thing to do". Finding the right group, whether it be social or business, is like a courtship, and you have to go on a few "dates" before you find the right one!

What the Beagle knows: don't sneak the contraband in the airport!

2010-07-27T13:01:00.000-07:00

PET DETECTIVES

What the Beagle Knows

Man's best friend is the smuggler's worst enemy. Here's why it's unwise to try to sneak a little chorizo—or anything else—past Snoopy at the airport.

By Brad Tuttle, Tuesday, April 20, 2010 |

Some 1,300 dogs work for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Just how good are they at sniffing out drugs, money, food, and other items not allowed entry into our country?

"The dog's nose is very sophisticated, thousands of times better than the human nose," says Clark Larson, director of the CBP's canine program. A CBP officer working with a dog can perform a full inspection of an incoming vehicle in about five minutes. An officer working alone might need 20 minutes to conduct even a cursory review—taking significantly longer to achieve a lot less.

Beagles and other dogs are hardwired to sniff out trouble. Larson uses beef stew as an example to explain the exquisite sensitivity of a dog's nose. Most people know what beef stew smells like. But a dog that's been trained to detect spices will immediately be able to sniff out the presence of the tiniest pinch of basil and differentiate it from oregano or other spices. "That's why even when smugglers pack marijuana in several layers of cellophane, surround it with onions in sealed packages, and then immerse it in tanks full of gasoline, the dogs are still able to sniff out the drugs," he says.

The dogs usually come into the CBP's possession by way of animal shelters and humane societies in the eastern and midwestern U.S. Most of the dogs are trained at the CBP center in El Paso, Tex., where they undergo a rigorous 10-week training—punctuated, of course, with many doggie treats. The dogs specialize in detecting either organic (fruits, meat, hidden animals) or some combination of currency, firearms, narcotics, and humans trying to sneak into the U.S. illegally. They're fast learners: Within two or three days of training, a dog knows the scents it's after. The rest of the training is devoted to fine-tuning its abilities and teaching it to pursue those smells anywhere. And yes, that means anywhere. The dogs go through exercise after exercise in which they're instructed to find banned items hidden inside suitcases, fanny packs, bicycle tires, baby sippy cups, car trunks, SpongeBob SquarePants backpacks, cowboy hats, or household objects like vases with hollowed-out bottoms, just to name a few.

The CBP uses several dog breeds, including beagles, golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, German shepherds, and Belgian Malinois. So why is it that beagles are used so often at airports?

For one thing, because they're adorable. "Who doesn't love a beagle?" says Larson, describing the droopy-eared breed as "a massive nose on four little legs." Beagles are also lovers of food and are highly interested in other animals (their scents especially), making them the perfect foil for travelers toting banned meats, cheeses, and fruits, or prospective new pets like fish, birds, or snakes from abroad. Even when the offending item is stashed away in what appears to be an airtight container, the beagle's nose knows. Last fall at Chicago O'Hare airport, for example, a superstar CBP beagle named Shelby barked up a storm after sniffing the presence of live snails, which were sealed in plastic containers hidden inside a bag arriving on a flight from London.

So while you're at the airport petting or making googly eyes at the cute little pooch at your ankles, you can be sure it's busy sniffing out the mango at the bottom of the bag held by the woman behind you. Or the wheel of unpasteurized cheese you shouldn't have stowed in yours.

Virtual Assistants Can Mean Cash In Your Pocket

2010-07-16T11:15:00.000-07:00

How Will Using A Virtual Assistant Benefit My Business?

Virtual assistants have a lot of advantages. All of them translate to dollars and cents adding up to growth and profitability for your business.

Using VAs allows you to shift the vital, repetitive yet essential tasks that you really do not have to do yourself, allowing you to focus on growing your top line via a new product or new service introduction or perhaps by diversifying into an entirely new business.

Ability to delegate tasks while controlling costs
Ability to access highly-skilled technical staff when necessary
Ability to increase the quality of services with new skills and technologies without internal investment
Ability to focus on new business strategies and critical services while satisfying current customers
Ability to develop new capabilities without huge investments in capital and time

Financial Benefits Of Using Virtual Assistants:

VAs are independent contractors; eliminating payroll taxes, vacation pay, sick days and employee benefits such as health and dental insurance
No need to purchase additional office space or equipment
No expenses or down time for employee training
Using VAs offers you the ability to keep your projects on schedule without paying overtime
You only pay for time spent on YOUR project
Unlike traditional employees, you are NOT paying a virtual assistant for making personal phone calls, surfing the internet, chatting with co-workers or coffee/smoke breaks
No agency fees as with temporary employees
Using VAs gives you the ability to take on more work to generate more profits

The cost savings of using virtual assistants, depending on the size of your business, can be quite staggering. When you include payroll taxes and benefit packages for a full-time employee, their “real” cost is over twice their base pay!

Additional Advantages Of Using Virtual Assistants:

Using a VA will allow you more time to focus on strategic planning to grow your business
We posses skills that you may not have, but require; i.e. graphic design, search engine optimization or creating power point presentations
Our VAs use state-of-the-art software that your company may not own
Using virtual assistants can help level out seasonal or cyclical fluctuations in your business
No cumbersome OSHA regulation to follow
We work around your schedule to provide you service whenever you need it
A VA can help your business gain a competitive edge by providing value-added services
Using virtual assistants lets you delegate the myriad of time consuming administrative tasks

Outsourcing work to VAs allows you to control capital costs for office furniture, computers & equipment, reduce labor costs, increase efficiency and gives you extra time to focus on your core business and start new projects quickly.

If you are looking to increase your flexibility, reduce your overhead, improve time management and grow your business, using a virtual assistant may be the right solution for you.

Luxe Personal Concierge can act as your personal or small business virtual assistant and help you increase your productivity while allowing you more time to pursue what means the most to you!

Become Influential and get Fast Company Magazine

2010-07-12T13:32:00.000-07:00

How far does your influence spread? Do you know how well your social media is working for you? Now you can find out! For all you small businesses and independent contractors out there, I wanted to let you know about a great chance to generate some publicity! Fast Company magazine will include your photo in the November 2010 issue, as part of a project it calls the "The Influence Project."

http://fcinf.com/v/bbtv/welcome

(The magazine has a circulation of more than 538,000)

If you participate in "The Influence Project" Fast Company WILL include your photo in the November issue!

When you sign up you will get a unique URL which you can share on your blog, website and social media sites. Then you can track your influence and where you stand as one of 2010's Most Influential People online. You'll also get a welcome message from Fast Company telling you that your photo will be in the November issue.

http://fcinf.com/v/bbtv/welcome

Think of it as your own six degrees of separation and see how you are linked to others out there and how your social media is influencing your followers and customers. It's a great experiment. I know you all will be interested in this project and want to participate... what have you got to lose?!

The Valentina offers luxurious vacation rentals in Pismo Beach!

2010-07-10T11:51:00.000-07:00

Now celebrating its first anniversary, Valentina is ideal for romantic getaways, weddings, family reunions, and business meetings. Rest, relax, and remember in this Central Coast paradise as you stay in one of our romantic one bedroom suites, spacious two bedroom suites , or stylish, three bedroom "villas." Our spacious tile balconies overlook the captivating Pacific shore. Valentina will indulge your senses as you absorb the consummate luxury experience that is Valentina. Our first-class amenities and spectacular venue will sweep you off your feet, and keep you coming back year after year.

The newly-built Valentina is nestled in the heart of Pismo Beach, just a short walk away from some of Pismo's finest world-class restaurants, and only a block and a half from the historic Pismo Beach Pier. Located along the scenic Central California Coastline, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Pismo Beach is a unique seaside community on the Pacific Ocean. The Central Coast is know for its first-rate wineries, and provides limitless entertainment for the outdoor enthusiast. Valentina is only a short ride from San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Avila Beach, and world renowned attractions like Hearst Castle. Or, if you prefer, leave the car in our private garage, and take a stroll on the famous Pismo Pier. Countless activities await your exploration. Our luxury accommodations include all the necessities of home, and spectacular sunsets come at no charge!

Forget those days of cramming into a small hotel room. At Valentina, our suite are large, and provide you with the freedom to move around, at a rate that is comparable to a luxurious hotel suite. Each suite also includes a gourmet kitchen with all stainless steel signature appliances, living room with state of the art entertainment center, dining area, and laundry room w/ washer/dryer. Secure garage parking and hi-speed internet are complimentary.

And paradise is only footsteps away.

I don't know about you, but I know how much nicer it is to stay in a vacation rental than a cramped up hotel room. Having your own home away from home makes your trip that much more comfortable. You have the option of cooking your own meals, doing some laundry if necessary, relaxing on your own patio or balcony, using a blender for your own frozen adult beverages. It just makes the trip that much more enjoyable and you will certainly be comfortable during your stay. This is a great option for a larger family who worried about having to have multiple hotel rooms, now you can have one large sumptuous condo! And you can't go wrong with TripAdvisor reviews, check out what others are saying about Valentina! They are the #1 TA rated vacation rental in Pismo Beach!

So don't wait too long on planning your trip, they have limited time specials you don't want to miss out on! Contact the Valenita today:

(877) SEE-PZMO

tonia@valentinapismobeach.com

Valentina website at http://valentinapismobeach.com/index2.html

San Francisco: 5 best July values

2010-07-09T13:35:00.000-07:00

Thinking of hitting San Francisco this July? Check out some awesome freebies you can take advantage of there this month:
Free admission to six top museums
An indie craft fair
Tribute to Angel Island immigrants
Pop-up shop opens at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Festival celebrating street art
Read more about all these fun things here:
San Francisco: 5 best July values

Need help finding the right hotel at the right price? Luxe can help you with that too, just contact us at info@Luxeconcierge.net

You Did What? Travelers Beware of Cultural Faux Pas

2010-07-01T10:41:00.000-07:00

Every country has it's own customs and rituals that may not go over well in other countries. Here are a few for you to keep in mind:

United Kingdom
Don't: Make that annoying clinking sound while stirring your tea. When it comes to a cuppa, silence is the height of civility.

India
Don't: Eat with your left hand. For reasons of bathroom hygiene (and we'll leave it at that), only the right hand is considered clean.

Japan
Don't: Spear your food with your chopsticks. It's crude. If you really can't manage, ask for a fork - you gaijin.

Ireland
Don't: Order a black and tan, it's associated with Ireland's suppression. We're pretty sure you'll make better friends over a Guinness.

Another adult beverage safe for gluten free living

2010-06-29T20:38:00.000-07:00

Gluten-Free Living: It sure is summer…
Check it out, hard cider is a great alternative for adult beverages for those who must live a gluten free life. Woodchuck cider is my favorite domestic cider and if you enjoy beer but cannot have it, this might be a nice alternative for you! Woodchuck come in several flavors and sometimes has seasonal ones out. We find Woodchuck at BevMo and the billiard hall in downtown Pismo. So take it home and enjoy it or enjoy it while playing pool. Either way it's a win win!

Are you a dog park person?

2010-06-24T10:57:00.000-07:00

We are! We have a little dog named Olive. She is a quirky little thing that brings us hours of joy and many smiles. She enhances our life so much and we want to make sure we enhance hers. We are so glad we have a dog park in the Five Cities area and try to take Olive several times a week. She loves to go and has made many doggie friends there.

If you have never been to the dog park, it's in Arroyo Grande in the park on the corner of Elm, near Fair Oaks. It's a lot of fun and they have an area for big dogs and one for small dogs. It's great for canine and human socialization! I think it's one of the best things the City has done and now we have a safe place to take our furry friends and let them off leash.

Pismo is considering a dog park, and that would be wonderful! To have two dog parks in south county would be fantastic. Check out the website for more details. http://fivecitiesdogpark.org/

I find so many people not aware of the park and who are excited at the prospect of taking their dog. The park is also always looking for volunteers and donations, if you'd like to help out. It's a great asset for our community!

Why airlines cancel some flights but not others

2010-06-22T13:57:00.000-07:00

Why airlines cancel some flights but not others

Seems like flying "up front" may have more perks than we realize, while those who purchased discount tickets may be the ones who lose the most.

Is it time for a massage?

2010-06-17T10:30:00.000-07:00

Wow! I had the best massage this past Monday from Mary Meinert. I won it at the last Arroyo Grande Chamber mixer and was elated. It had been ages since I last had a massage and I could have really use (or many) over the last year and a half. Anyway, I contacted Mary to make an appointment and let her know I had a gift certificate. She was very friendly and accommodating. She will come to your home or you can go to her studio in the Village. I decided to go to the studio and it is located near the Arroyo Grande Vet Clinic but it's very quiet and peaceful back there.

When I got there Mary asked if I had any area I wanted focus on but I did not. Once the massage began, with hot towels on the back, I knew I was in for a treat. Mary is very skilled and passionate about what she does. She has not always done massage, but fell into it as her passion after a long career in real estate and escrow. I have to say that this was one of the best massages I have ever had. She makes sure each part of your body is pampered. I will certainly go back to her next time I'm ready for a massage.

If you want to contact Mary for a massage of your own, here phone numbers are 805-481-6638 or 805-40-2672. Tell her Amy at Luxe sent you!

Bizarre Traveler Behavior - Budget Travel

2010-06-10T10:54:00.000-07:00

Need a laugh? Strange airport behavior including monkeys in a man's pants and chugging a liter of vodka at security check point...

Bizarre Traveler Behavior - Budget Travel

Luxe can plan your events!

2010-06-07T14:48:00.000-07:00

Do you have an event coming up that you need help planning? A graduation or birthday or family reunion or company picnic? Luxe can help you plan and coordinate! Take the stress out of creating something fun by turning this task over to Luxe Personal Concierge. Luxe had the pleasure of planning and coordinating the company beach weekend for Legacy Energy, Inc. at Avila Beach. Employees came from Bakersfield, Carpinteria, and Wyoming to meet up and have fun! They all had a fantastic weekend. And thanks to Beach Butlerz, Alex BBQ, Mission Inn of Pismo Beach, and McLintock's for helping to make the weekend a success!

So you're like my wife?

2010-05-24T13:02:00.000-07:00

Yes! I am like your wife! Yes, that's a great way to explain in one quick sentence how Luxe Personal Concierge can help you. We take on many of those duties you might hand off to your wife. I have not only men but also women use this phrase with me. At a mixer event just last Wednesday I was telling a women we could "make her free time free again" blah blah blah and she piped up "so you are like my wife?!" and I told her "exactly!" and we all had a good laugh but know the importance of having that person in your life who can take care of the things you need done when you don't have the time, the want, or the know-how.

Having that support person in your life can help make that work-life balance truly balanced. We can help plan that business travel, set up company events, assist planning a family reunion, run last minute errands for an event like a wedding or funeral, assist with marketing and presentations, plan your family vacation, research anything you need knowledge of.... we can take on just about anything on your to do list and complete it with a smile!

Want a yum for the tum?

2010-05-19T15:33:00.000-07:00

You have got to try the Tangy Down Home Pork Chops from Dream Dinners! All I can say is they smelled so good cooking and tasted so wonderful! They were super easy to cook, too. They are nice boneless pork chop that simmers in a sauce of sliced apple, raisin, brown sugar and other stuff. OMG they are so good! I am not a huge pork chop fan but this one is really good, in fact all Dream Dinner pork chops I've had are very good! If you are interested, our local Dream Dinners at Ferrini Square is having an open house next Tuesday and Wednesday evening. Check it out!

http://www.dreamdinners.com/main.php?page=order_location&operation=storeSwitch&state=CA&store=76

Wedding Insurance?

2010-05-18T19:42:00.001-07:00

Yup, it exists! Nope, it's not in case of annulment or divorce. ;-)

I was at a network group luncheon last week and there was a great presentation about various types of insurance and how they benefit us. Then came the topic of wedding insurance. Yes, it's out there. I had no idea there was such a thing. It's quite a good idea, though.

The insurance is offered by Travelers is your back up plan when something goes wrong with wedding plans. If your reception venue goes out of business or your caterer pulls out at the last minute or the weather does not cooperate, the insurance steps in and reimburses for lost costs. This insurance covers items such as :

No dress
Lost deposits
Lost Rings
Severe Weather
Transportation Shutdown
Ruined photos
Call to Duty
Damaged Gifts
Sudden Illness
Venue Requires Insurance
Liquor Liability
Additional Expenses

I wonder what type of insurance we'll see next?

For more information call Fred Tolmasoff at 805-489-9912 and tell him Amy at Luxe sent you!

Dining to Support Alzheimer's Association

2010-05-12T15:35:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to let you all know about a great way to support the Alzheimer's Association during the month of May. It's called Food for Thought and all you have to do is dine at participating restaurants on certain days and donations from the proceeds will go to benefit the Alzheimer's Association. Here is where and when Food for Thought takes place:

May 12th at California Pizza Kitchen, Downtown SLO
May 19th at Zaki's Golden Waffle in SLO (behind AM/PM on Los Osos Vally Road)
May 26th at Applebee's in SLO

Please let your server know yo are dining out for Food for Thought! The Alzheimer's Association greatly appreciates your participation!

What is a personal concierge?

2010-05-07T13:08:00.000-07:00

What is a Concierge?

A person committed to providing the utmost in personal and professional services with extensive experience in organization, detail planning, and creative ideas.
A personal assistant to pamper you and execute any feat you deem necessary.
Someone who masters challenges and provides solutions.

What is a Personal Concierge Service?

A concierge service is designed to provide busy people and small businesses assistance in managing their daily personal and professional tasks, or to lists. Our services help improve our client's personal and professional lives by shifting their time focus to things they need or would prefer to do. We attend to our client's own personal or professional needs, allowing them to buy back their precious time, thereby simplifying their lives.

Why hire a Personal Concierge Service?

To make your free time truly free again and/or become more productive. With the lack of time in today's hectic lifestyles, many people find it very challenging to have excess time to complete everyday tasks that are extremely time consuming. We can take care of anything you don't have time to do, don't want to do, or don't know how to do. By eliminating this stress, our client's lives become enhanced and healthier.

This question is probably the #1 question we are asked so I thought I'd summarize the definition here. There is one simple phrase that can answer this question, though not appropriate for all settings, "We get your sh*t done for you!"

New York City: 5 best May values

2010-05-03T12:06:00.000-07:00

I've had quite a few people mention to me that they plan on visiting NYC this year. Here is an article by Budget Travel that gives info on free or inexpensive things to take advantage of while there!

New York City: 5 best May values

Dream Dinners is yummy for your tummy

2010-04-28T14:18:00.000-07:00

and super duper easy too! I'll be honest, I am not big fan of cooking the day-in-day-out dinner when you are short on time, ideas and ingredients. I find it irritating to try to scrape together a meal that is not only tasty and healthy but also out of stuff I already have at home. This exercise usually leads to a dinner of cereal or toast or chunk of cheese (or I'll even admit to having a tablespoon of peanut butter with a glass of milk for dinner once).

But these days I rarely find myself in that predicament... thanks to Dream Dinners! You may or may not have heard about Dream Dinners and I am here to tell you, and be a testament, to this company. Ryan and I were introduced to them about 2 years ago by our good friend, Holly Todd. She and others in our circle were raving about them and when she had a Taste of Dream Dinners party (don't worry, it's not like the dreaded Tupperware party), we were quite interested to see what it was all about. We learned that Dream Dinners is all about preparing fresh meals in a setting of a commercial kitchen using top quality ingredients already provided for us. You prepare a month worth of meals that you take home and freeze and then cook throughout the month. And guess what??? Someone else cleans up after you!!! Woo hoo! You absolutely cannot beat that. We signed up on the spot for this fantastic service.

So, here we are, 2 years later still loyal customers of Dream Dinners. We have introduced several people to the fabulousness of Dream Dinners and hope to introduce more. Once you see how easy and delicious the meals are, you never want to go back to having to prepare dinners the "old fashioned" way.

We had our most recent Dream Dinners session last Friday, couples night. That's right, you can bring your spouse and make meals together! And on couples night they have wine and chair massages. It's really a lot of fun. Anyway, the current menu has my ALL TIME FAVORITE meal, the Canadian Bacon Stuffed French Bread. Ok, it may not be the healthiest option on the menu but it's a lot better than grabbing a burger and fries! We had to make 3 of them and we've already eaten one. Other tasty meals we made included chicken yakatori, creamy chicken risoto, arroz con pollo, and crispy coconut chicken. I cannot wait to dig into these dinners. YUM! And the thought of how easy it is just cannot be beat.

There are no more struggles in our household of what to have for dinner... Dream Dinners to the rescue! Our local Dream Dinners is located in San Luis Obispo at Ferrini Square, give them a call to set up your appointment at 805-786-4852 and tell 'em Amy sent ya!

Newport Beach Wedding Weekend

2010-04-21T14:16:00.000-07:00

Well, the big weekend for Graham and Amber had arrived! A large group of us headed from the Central Coast down to Newport Beach to help celebrate their big wedding weekend. Friday morning (the 16th) we drove down to the OC and actually had decent traffic on the way, but we made sure we left by 10 am to beat what jams might be on the 101 and 405. It was pretty much smooth sailing as long as you are through LA by 2.

The hotel we all stayed at was the Ramada Costa Mesa. It's a decent place to stay and you cannot beat the rate, $89 per night (but that was a group rate). The beds are pretty comfy, the room was large, and there is a huge vanity in the bathroom. The hotel is set up more of a motel where you park in front of your room. We heard a lot of noise from passers-by and you could hear people walking above you, but all in all considering the price and location it was a good hotel. Oh yeah, there is pool and small hot tub too! Oh, and a mini fridge in your room! That's always a plus.

There is plenty around the hotel to walk to, a Trader Joes, a pizza place, a bar, Denny's, Del Taco and more. Or you can hop in your car and be down at the beach in a matter of minutes. Or prefer shopping? Fashion Island is minutes away by car also. They have a restaurant, The Yard House, where we had a party Friday night. They had fantastic appetizers and pretty good drinks (just don't order a mudslide, the bartenders don't quite know how to make it on the rocks). But it was a great time mingling with the wedding party and guests Friday night.

Saturday was a day to relax, shop, hit the beach, and get ready for the wedding. We were all shuttled from the hotel to the yacht Athena at Newport harbor. It was a fantastic ship. They really did a nice job of hosting a wedding and reception on board. The food and service were very good. And I am just so happy for Amber and Graham and wish them many years of happiness together.

Sunday, those of us available, wound up at the Hodge house for an afternoon of margarita machine and taco man. And, yes, it IS as wonderful as Amber said. Man, those were good tacos. I wish we had him up here in our area! It was nice to mingle with friends and family who were at the wedding again. But the party has to end at some point.... Graham and Amber left for their honeymoon around 7:00 p.m. I sure hope they are enjoying that honeymoon in the Dominican Republic, I can't wait to hear more about it!

Top Budget Travel Destinations for 2010 - Budget Travel

2010-04-15T09:35:00.000-07:00

Top Budget Travel Destinations for 2010 - Budget Travel

Quite a few cool destinations on here, some unexpected and some not quite up my alley. But it's nice to know there are good deals to be had out there!

Luxe on the job 4-10-10

2010-04-13T11:34:00.000-07:00

Luxe was on the job this past weekend assisting Premier Vein Care (www.premierheartcare.com) with their booth at the casting call for America's Next Top Model in Santa Maria. We had the pleasure of setting up, manning, and tearing down the booth. It was a great feeling to assist such a great company to grow their business while helping those who may need special care for their legs get to a great doctor, Dr. Stevens at Premier Vein Care.

Yes, people watching was darn good at the show, especially when you consider who I like to call "Velvet Lady". Oh boy, was she a doozy! She was late 30's dressed in black velvet head to toe (except for some strange white velvet cowl neck on the dress), white panty hose, silvery grandma sandals, and platinum colored hair that was "bumped up" or teased in the back showing brown roots! Oh boy. She really "stood out" against the many 6' tall beauties strutting around. Let's hope at least one of our Central Coast ladies makes it on to the show!

New explorations in San Francisco

2010-04-09T15:34:00.000-07:00

Well, we ventured into the City (that's San Francisco for those of you outside San Luis Obispo) last weekend. We had not been in 10 months so it was a trip long in coming. We stayed in Union Square, our usual haunt, but decided we would be more adventurous and check out different districts we had not been to before. Our drive up on Friday afternoon was long (we had to turn around in Paso and come back home, 45 minute drive, to pick up some critical concert tickets) and traficky. Ugh. And rainy. More ugh. But it's all worth it when you are heading to SF.

Once in the City we made our way to our hotel, The Handlery, right smack dab in the middle of Union Square. The location is ideal. The hotel is old but has been recently renovated and is clean and comfortable. They also have their own parking garage. It's best if you get a park and stay package rather than ala carte for parking at $38 a night - yikes! Ryan booked us an Executive Room, and it was nicely appointed and had a comfy bed. We had windows looking out onto Geary St. and they even opened! The room had a mini fridge and a nice strong hot shower. If you want a detailed review, you can check mine out at http://www.tripadvisor.com. So for now I can tell you I would recommend this as a clean and comfy hotel in a good location for a good price.

Friday night we had intended to go to this "moving" restaurant. It's a place that is a mystery and you don't know where it is until you call a number and they tell you where to go and you enter through a door that says "No Entry". Unfortunately, the phone number was no longer in service so then we were on our own to figure out something else for the evening. We started off with a cocktail (or two) in the room and headed out to an Irish pub across the street from the parking garage O'Farrell. Had a Magners cider there, oh and a buttery nipple, and we headed down to Market Street. We took a cab to the area where the Castr0, Mission, and SoMa districts intersect and had dinner at place rumored to have a bacon and egg pizza. We showed up at Star Belly and it was very crowded even though it was well after 9 p.m. We were seated in 5 or 10 minute at the bar. This bar serves only beer and wine so we tasted a few beers and settled on a light ale which was not bad considering I am not a beer drinker. We asked the bartender to order us the bacon and egg pizza and he seemed a little confused but said the kitchen could make it for us. When it came out it was not really bacon and egg but maybe more of a green goddess pizza, regardless, it was very tasty! You can tell the ingredients are fresh and dough is handmade. I'd probably go back but try something else on the menu, they had a wide variety of entrees and appetizers, mostly along Italian tastes.

After Star Belly we decided to head back to the hotel but stopped for a drink at Zuni in the SoMa area. They were slowing down for the night but some were still eating dinner and ordering dessert after 10:30. We ordered Bacardi and Diet Coke but no Bacardi here, your choice is Cruzan. It is a lighter sweeter rum but did the trick. After our night cap we started walking down Market Street toward Union Square but we had come a lot further than we thought and decided to take a cab the rest of the way. It was cold and we were quite drunk and it was quite late. We thought hitting the sack for an early day was a good idea.

Saturday Ryan had us head out to the Filmore district (Western Addition) for late breakfast at Gussies Chicken and Waffles. This was some good food! We had the cornmeal waffles and Ryan chicken wings and I had buttermilk chicken tenders. Yum! If you are looking for some true southern food, you've got to check this place out. After this huge meal we walked a little to a bus stop to head to Golden Gate Park. We have been to the City many times and never been here, so today was the day! Once we got there we walked all around and it is truly a beautiful park. We decided not to hit the museums on this trip but went to the Japanese Tea Garden and it is quite beautiful.

Then we walked back through Golden Gate Park over to the Haight Ashbury area. This was a lot of fun! We had excellent people watching during this part of our excursion. We'd pop in at a bar for a drink (Punch Bowl, specializing in rum drinks, with a feel of the Caribbean), then we'd visit a vintage shop and oooh and aaah at the great items for sale. We stopped in at a gay bar, Trax, where they have $1 schnapps shots, then poked around in an awesome clubwear/costume/drag clothes shop. What a fun day! It's full of energy and fun stuff! You can pretty much make a whole day in this area.

After we'd had enough for the day we hopped on a bus and headed back to Union Square. We did a little bit of shopping and the ducked in to Lori's Diner for an early dinner. Why Lori's? I wanted an omelet for dinner and they had breakfast all the time. It was ok, it's touristy and the service is so so. But I got my bacon and cheese omelet.

Then it was time to rest the feet and back to the Handlery. Before we knew it, Ryan and I had fallen asleep! We were just supposed to rest a little and then shower up for our concert that night at Ruby Skyy. Ooops. We slept for about an hour and a half. But once we realized we still had a whole night ahead of us, we had some absinthe (that always helps you get going) and started getting ready. It was fun to get really dressed up for an night out. It seems everywhere is so casual these days that it doesn't make sense to dress up. But we looked HOT this night. We had only a block walk to Ruby Skyy and were able to go right in since Ryan bought the tickets ahead of time. The show was for the debut of the Crystal Method's new album. There was a dj on before CM who was pretty darn good. Eventually CM came on and they were pretty good but a lot of hype. We stayed until 2ish and then headed home. The club was still hopping at that time but we'd had enough.

On the walk home we had our obligatory post-Ruby Skyy pizza. We found the "sideways" pizza place again and got one to go. It's always packed in this place but it is truly great pizza. "Sideways" pizza? Yes, there is a story to that.... the first time I took Ryan to Ruby Skyy we stopped at this very pizza place and got a pizza to go. We were very drunk and in walking back to the hotel Ryan carried it as you might carry a stack of school books, on end, down at your side in one hand. So when we got to the hotel and opened the box all the toppings slid to one side of the pizza and lumped on that half. It's quite a funny and memorable story.

Anyway, the next morning was Easter and check out day. We checked out and had the front desk hold our bags while we had breakfast and shopped a little more. By now the rain started again. We went half a block down to a diner that claimed to have "the best breakfast in SF", well, we had to see if that claim was true. We got seated at the counter and this place is VERY busy. Breakfast took a long time but we got to watch the cooks "do their thing" right in front of us. It's amazing all they have to keep straight. Breakfast was quite tasty but I'm not sure if the long wait warranted it. I might try it again but during a less busy time. After breakfast it was on to Chinatown for a specific item and then the rain really started. Once we had the item (one of those cats with arm up that is supposed to bring you good luck in business) we went back to the hotel and loaded the car and started on the journey home.

I can say that I'm very glad we checked out some other areas of the City. It's really an interesting and fun city, one of my favorites, and I can't wait to go back and explore more new places there!

Helping people makes me feel good

2010-04-06T20:11:00.001-07:00

I truly mean that! Helping people simplify their lives, be more productive, and have more free time makes me feel good. And doing it for our own business gives it all new meaning.

However, when you have to do this type of work for others, at your own expense, it really sucks. Believe me, I know. You can work your butt off, making the bosses life easier while he pockets the profits, meanwhile the stress cortisol machine is pumping away making you fatter and more depressed by the day.

Well, I am happy to say that starting Luxe and helping our clients make their lives better is so gratifying. And I love helping each and every client in whatever task they need help with. We meet interesting people, get to do all sorts of tasks from travel planning to being secret shoppers to helping businesses when the owners go on vacation, and make people happier by taking a small load off their shoulders. I look forward to helping many more people!

Stories from the inside...

2010-03-27T09:49:00.000-07:00

So, everyone likes to hear the weird stuff, the odd stuff, off the wall stuff that really happens. I'm sure in this line of business we'll come across plenty and yesterday I believe we had our first from a new client. We had a request from a client who is traveling through Australia and New Zeland to find out where they can eat Tasmanian Devil. Yup, that's right, that "cute" little critter with a mean attitude.

Being a personal concierge service, no request is beyond us to make our clients happy so we must sometimes set aside personal preferences and ideas to serve our clients professionally. While we will do what it takes to make our clients happy, we must also abide by laws and our own moral compass. Now, knowing that customs and food eaten around the world are very different than what we are accustomed to here in the United States, we kept an open mind in researching this request. Who knows? Maybe this is a meat normally eaten in the region... maybe it's an exotic meet like Americans might consider ostrich. Nevertheess, we continue with the request.

Come to find out, Tasmanian Devil has been an endangered species since 2008 (due to widespread disease) so we had to inform the client of this fact and let the client know it would be against the law to eat such meat. Furthermore, we did in fact try to see if it was a meat eaten in the past but we found no evidence of that. In the end we wound up suggesting different meats and fruits that were specialties of each region the client was traveling through to taste. It may not be as exciting but I'm sure it will all be quite tasty and a great experience nonetheless.

Here are some hilarious true travel stories

2010-03-22T14:35:00.000-07:00

Travelers' Tales - Budget Travel

We love quiet babies on airplanes!

2010-03-22T14:23:00.000-07:00

Why does everyone hate your baby?

A very good article from Budget Travel (their article name, not mine) about how best to travel with your baby or child. The solution to a crying baby during take off and landing is really very simple! Give them something to suck on...

Get Through Airport Security Faster

2010-03-22T14:21:00.000-07:00

How to Get Through Airport Security Faster - Budget Travel

Some tips and tricks to make your trip through quicker and less painful.... now just if all the other idiots around you would read this too...

Hello and Welcome!

2010-03-22T13:45:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone! Welcome to our new travel blog. It is my hope to post interesting, informative, and money saving tips for travel. We all enjoy it and whether we do not have the money or the time or both, we should all get out there and explore what is beyond our back yards. There is a whole world out there to see and only so long in which to see it. So stay tuned for new information and cool stuff...

Welcome to the Luxe Travel Blog

2010-03-12T15:25:00.000-08:00

Welcome the the Luxe Personal Concierge Travel Blog. Follow this blog to keep up to date on the latest travel news and to get answers of any travel advisories. It's a great way to stay informed and to ensure the best vacation for YOU!

Luxe Concierge and Vacation Location Travel

Stuck in an Airport

Sail the Med Aboard Celebrity Equinox with Bob Eubanks!

How To Deal With Common Air Travel Snafus...

How To Deal With Common Air Travel Snafus...

YOUR LUGGAGE, OR SOMETHING INSIDE, IS DAMAGED

How To Deal With Common Air Travel Snafus...

YOU DON'T FIT IN YOUR SEAT

How To Deal With Common Air Travel Snafus...

YOU MISS YOUR FLIGHT

How To Deal With Common Air Travel Snafus...

How To Deal With Common Air Travel Snafus...

How To Deal With Common Air Travel Snafus...

How To Deal With Common Air Travel Snafus..

Chance To Earn $250!!!

Win the unexpected and extraordinary in Las Vegas!

InterContinental® Alliance Resorts

The Venetian

InterContinental Resorts

The Palazzo

YES! It Is Worth It To Treat Yourself!

Guide Dogs Now Allowed On Princess Cruises

News Article

5/27/2011

I Like To Sleep

Ship Tour: Carnival Splendor

Cruise and Booze: All-You-Can-Drink Packages Coming From Royal Caribbean

Fuel Surcharges Weaseling Their Way Back

I Have the Vacation You Need

Vacation is an Essential Element of Any Job - Do You Get Enough?

A Special Message from Captain Stubing (Yes, the Love Boat lives on)

Princess Cruises Essential Experience 6

Bobsledding Down the Unlikeliest Mountain

Do You Suffer From Scatterbrain Syndrome?

Reasons To Use A Travel Agent

Make a Resolution to Take a Vacation This Year

In Pictures: 10 Healthy Ways To Take A Vacation

Travel Doesn't Have To Be So Stressful Around Holidays...

Holiday Travel DON’Ts

Feeling the Effects of Aging? Rolfing Can Help.

I need a nap

Solve Packing Conundrums With These 9 Household Items - Budget Travel

Solve Packing Conundrums With These 9 Household Items

Secrets and Not-So-Secrets of the Big Island of Hawaii

Do out of the box websites look any better than custom sites?

People will always lift you up

Dealing with Job Transition

Smart Traveler: How to Pack for an International Flight

Come See Luxe at the Five Cities Women's Trade Show

Travel Fees: The Norm, The New Norm, And The Strange

Stop Putting Out Fires and Start Being More Productive

Never Underestimate the Power of Down Time

Bed Bugs = Big Ick!

Harvest Hoedown Annual Fundraiser for Central Coast Salmon Enhancement

Worlds Largest Chocolate Bar

Just what does a personal concierge do?

To paper plate or not to paper plate...

5 Surefire Ways to Offend the Locals - Budget Travel

5 Surefire Ways to Offend the Locals

Influence Project Results

Twitter Movie Trailer: Rated Awesome

Things that taste like foot, - like jackfruit

Interesting Thoughts about Perceptions and Not Rushing Through Life!

U.S. airports told to install doggie bathrooms

When a reunion goes right

What the Beagle knows: don't sneak the contraband in the airport!

What the Beagle Knows

Virtual Assistants Can Mean Cash In Your Pocket

How Will Using A Virtual Assistant Benefit My Business?

Financial Benefits Of Using Virtual Assistants:

Additional Advantages Of Using Virtual Assistants:

Become Influential and get Fast Company Magazine

The Valentina offers luxurious vacation rentals in Pismo Beach!

San Francisco: 5 best July values

You Did What? Travelers Beware of Cultural Faux Pas

Another adult beverage safe for gluten free living

Are you a dog park person?

Why airlines cancel some flights but not others

Is it time for a massage?

Bizarre Traveler Behavior - Budget Travel

InterContinental^® Alliance Resorts