Tomorrow, the birds will be chirping the songs of springtime! As we welcome the scent and sight of flowers blooming, many of us are also pondering this season's projects - spring cleaning, sprucing up the lawn and home repairs. That is why JustAskBoo recently enlisted the help of a professional organizer to provide five tips to get you started in this week's newsletter.
And, if while following her tips, you discover items you no longer need or want to promote your springtime yard sale, JAB it! Just click HERE and we will showcase it in our newsletter so that our trusted community of potential buyers - people just like you - can decide if your item is their next treasure.
Happy Spring and Happy JABBING!
-Team JAB
|
Music to My Ears
From Robert Bailey: REPLY My wife and I live in Miami Shores and have a five-year-old and a seven-year-old. We are looking for a music teacher who can teach both piano and guitar. Please reply if you know someone who can teach our children to play these instruments.
|
The Best Kept Secret Among Miami's Modern MomsFrom Francine Delarosa: REPLY  The secret is out: busy moms all over Miami trust their baby planning and gift buying needs to Give Wink. With locations in The Falls and Aventura, our premier children's boutiques offer the best selection of furniture, bedding, décor, gifts and educational toys. We take time to research what can be an overwhelming array of options - so you don't have to. Whether you're expecting your first baby and don't know where to start, or you're a seasoned mom who needs an efficient gift-buying strategy, we've got you covered. And with our free personalization service, you'll always be the hit of the party. Get to know us by clicking HERE.*
|
Allergy Aid
I'm looking for a pediatric allergist, north of downtown Miami, who can treat my daughter who has multiple food allergies. If you know of an allergist who is open to providing both traditional and alternative therapies, I would love to hear from you.
|
All Juiced Up
From Wes Pritchett: REPLY I would like to purchase a cold press juicer and professional juicing equipment. If you know of any shops that might have equipment to sell, please let me know. Thanks!
|
See Disney Magic On Ice
Get tangled up at the AmericanAirlines Arena's newest adventure when Disney on Ice brings Dare to Dream to town! Come see all your favorite Disney characters on an unforgettable journey and experience the beauty, sparkle and spirit up close! Click HERE for your last opportunity to buy tickets at a special discounted rate just for JABBERS! Special ends Friday, March 22.*
|
One Last Night
From Rachael Hodyno: REPLY My little sister is getting married, and I'm organizing a destination bachelorette party in Miami Beach for 10-12 women (early-to-mid thirties) traveling in from New York City and parts of Canada. Please share your advice on everything from accommodations to restaurants to spas. Her tastes are sophisticated, but not necessarily expensive. Thanks for your inspiration!
|
Real Estate Sale Prices are Increasing
From Arielle Biscayart: REPLY
Many of you are aware that the South Florida real estate market is getting very dynamic again. Inventory is decreasing and sold prices are going up in most areas. Between February 2012 and February 2013, the average sold price per square foot for all residential properties has increased by 23% in Miami-Dade, by 21% for condos and by 28% for houses. If you wish to know how sold prices have changed in your area, feel free to contact me. Click HERE to find out more about my services, reply above to email me or call me at 305-303-1218. Arielle Biscayart, Realtor, ONE Sotheby's International Realty.*
|
Join the Club!
I am fairly new to Miami and am looking to meet more people my age (mid 20s). Do you have any suggestions for a book club, girls group or other organizations where I can meet people? I look forward to hearing from you!
|
Do You Like Us? Do You REALLY Like Us?
From Team JAB 
We know you like us (you tell us all the time!), but have you "liked" us on Facebook? A dd the JAB Miami North page to your news feed to stay in touch between newsletters. Click HERE to get started!
|
Since the beginning of the year, JustAskBoo readers have been submitting their household organizational dilemmas to Team JAB for solving by professional organizer Barbara Reich. Here are five of our favorites to jump start your spring cleaning frenzy.
Start Your Engines
From Gloria Mallardi
I am surrounded by stuff - toys, clothes, papers, books, every room in the house needs a spring cleaning! I am completely overwhelmed and I don't even know where to begin. Can you help me get started?
What you have to do is just get started. Pick the project that you find least daunting - something small. Maybe just a single drawer, a small toy box, or one book shelf, but simply focus on one area and ensure that you finish it completely. A very important part of this is giving yourself enough time to get the job done. Don't try to accomplish this project in five or ten minute increments because you don't want to leave a project unfinished. Make an appointment in your calendar, write it down, and commit to the time as if you have an organizer visiting your home. As soon as you finish the first task, schedule your next appointment with yourself to ensure you keep the process moving. When you have finished one small task, you'll feel invigorated to do a slightly more challenging task the next time, and build your way up from there.
It's in the Bag
From Victoria Assa
My handbags are suffering in my overstuffed closet. I need a better system to store and preserve them. Is it better to hang them on hooks, stuff them and place them upright on a shelf, or lay them flat?
Stuff your bulkier purses with tissue paper to maintain their shape. Place them upright on a shelf in your closet. Don't hang them on hooks, as that could dent the straps on the bags you rarely use. For bags that don't sit upright, lay them flat.
Paper Pusher From Lynne Moore Help! I have one counter in the kitchen that just begs to be covered in piles of paper. The mail stacks up, field trip forms, kids' spelling tests, coupons! I've tried letter trays, etc. I just can't figure out how to tackle it!Start by throwing away nonessential mail as soon as you get it. This includes solicitations, catalogs, and junk mail. Have a separate place, a bin or folder, for bills. Field trip forms should immediately be filled out and placed back into your child's backpack. Spelling tests, homework, and worksheets should all be discarded immediately. The only schoolwork that should be saved is your child's creative writing. Put any coupons straight into your wallet or purse; they won't do you any good sitting on the counter at home!
Top Drawer
From Holly Giovannetti
What is the best way to organize spatulas, ladles, measuring spoons, ice cream scoops and all the other miscellaneous kitchen utensils? Countertop storage isn't an option ~ I've been tossing them into one large drawer, so I have to dig through to find what I am looking for! There has to be a better way!First, discard any of these items that are superfluous. How many ice cream scoopers and spatulas do you really need? For the remaining items, if you need to use a drawer to store them, the best option is an expandable drawer organizer, to fit these awkwardly sized items. Try something like THIS. Garage Banned From Inge KersterThe garage is a wreck. Besides everything I used to store in a basement (off-season clothing, sports equipment, holiday decorations), the freezer, the trash and recycling between pick-up days, the washer and dryer, and the hurricane shutters, the only thing the garage isn't housing is a car. Do I give up and repurpose the space officially, or is there hope? There is always hope. Think about the garage as another room in the house and try to treat it as such. Invest in industrial shelves to line the walls and store all your basement essentials on them. The freezer, washer, dryer, and garbage pails should be the only things not on the shelves ~ they should be lined up neatly against the wall, leaving plenty of room in the center.
To purchase a copy of Barbara's newly released book, Secrets of an Organized Mom , click HERE.
|
Journey to the East
From Diana Gonzalez: REPLY We will be traveling to China (Shanghai, Tianjin), South Korea (Jeju, Busan) and Japan (Tokyo) in October. Do you have any unique travel tips or recommendations on activities, restaurants or shopping to share? Thank you for your advice!
|
School Search
My child needs intensive physical and occupational therapy for a neuromuscular disorder. Since we are paying for services on our own, we'd like to find a good public school program that addresses these needs to offset some of the costs. Are there any you recommend? Or, do you know of other resources that can be of assistance? Your feedback is much appreciated.
|
Hats Off!
From Sidney Hartley: REPLY My mother-in-law gave her childhood hat collection to my daughter, who wears the hats frequently. They are showing wear and we would love to repair them. Do you know anyone who does this? Your suggestions will be very helpful.
|
Happy Camper
I'm seeking recommendations for half-day summer camp programs in Miami. Any suggestions are appreciated!
|
A Secret Treasure is Waiting for You!
From Team JAB 
Are you in need of a highly recommended doctor? In a bind and have to call a reliable handyman? Have pregnancy cravings and need to find the best bakery in town - fast? If you often find yourself thinking, "I need that too!" after reading a post in our Newsletter, then our Treasure Chest is for you. We've organized and archived thousands of referrals from JABBERS, just like you, and make it available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! And it's all available for a small monthly fee. Just click HERE and you will quickly see why we call it the Treasure Chest!
|
Capturing the Moment
Can anyone recommend a videographer for a kindergarten graduation party? Thank you!
|
Pottery Barn Sleeper Couch for Sale
From Bianca Fernandez: REPLY I am selling a red Pottery Barn Sleeper Couch for $500. It is in great condition and available for pick up in North Miami Beach. Please reply for more details or if interested.
|
Child's Play
From Cristina Koski: REPLY My young girls would love backyard playground equipment (swings, trampoline, slides, etc.). If you are selling anything, please let know!
|
Spring Break Happenings
 Spring break is quickly approaching, so make the most of it with Munchkin Fun's top family-friendly picks from March 19 - 31:
- Dare to Dream with Disney on Ice at AmericanAirlines Arena, March 28-31.
- Catch a couple of flicks at the Miami Beach SoundScape ExoStage. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon on March 20 and My Fair Lady on March 27.
- Listen to stories and play games by Campfire at Arch Creek Park on March 22.
- Get moving to stories, songs and games with the Let's Move program at the Miami Beach Regional Library on March 27.
- Head north and get the sillies out with Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! at the Broward Center for Performing Arts on March 23 and 24.
- Indulge in rides, food and expos at the The Youth Fair, March 19-31.
For more great ideas from Munchkin Fun, click HERE.
|
|
Nannies| Caretakers| Housekeepers
Babysitters | Elderly Care | Drivers
Cooks | Helpers...
|
|
|
So How Do I JAB, Anyway?
POST TO A NEWSLETTER
"Does anyone know of a good... ?" If you're looking for a personal recommendation, need advice, would like to sell something, or have news you want to shout from the mountain tops, just click on the link www.JustAskBoo.com/post and we'll help you out.
Most postings are FREE. We only charge a fee if you are promoting a business, product, service or organization (with the exception of household help).
ADVERTISE
Are our JABBERS your target audience? Give us a try. We work extra hard to ensure that you get the best results possible for your investment. Start by emailing us by clicking HERE or visiting our website HERE and we'll go from there.
TREASURE CHEST This is where the referrals live. When people Reply to each other via The Newsletter, we archive the responses here. You'll find more categories than you can dream of, first & last names, who and what they recommended, and when. This requires a separate subscription and a fee of $5.99 per month. Unlimited access, recurring billing. More info on our website. Just click the image on the right. ARCHIVES Miss an issue? Then click HERE to access our archives. TALK TO US Questions, comments, letters to the editor? Contact Managing Editor Chae Haile by sending an email HERE.
|
|
