There is still time to register for Jan/Feb Workshops! See website for info.

Spring Cleaning Comes Early

How many times have you said to yourself I really need to clean these closets or I need to throw some of this stuff away?

Now some of you just read the index column and are saying to yourself Has the BusyB truly lost it? This issue is supposed to be about pampering yourself? Well no, she hasn't lost it and neither have you. There is nothing more relaxing than coming home to a house that is decorated and organized. The stress levels as you transition from work to home are greatly reduced if you can come home and relax in a pleasant, well organized environment without feeling like you have to immediately jump on a forever lengthening "to do" list.

So what scheme has the BusyB cooked up now? You have heard of Christmas in July? Why not have Spring Cleaning in January? There is no better time to do it. When spring comes, the weather warms up, the sun shines more and the days get longer. Why waste that precious gift by staying inside to clean. Try a different approach. Don't hibernate in the winter. Take action! If you are not good at organizing, or for that matter don't even know how to make a proper "to do" list, let us help you.

Our partner in crime at Clutter Control will help you get yourself sorted. If you are a do-it-yourselfer then consider hosting a Clutter Control Workshop in your home for you and your friends or if you are not a DIY type person and really need a helping hand, call Clutter Control now to steer you in the right direction. Go to Clutter Control to schedule an appointment with professional organizer Michelle Morton.

Then after you have rid the house of unwanted items and have a plan of action, call our office to schedule your design consultation. What a great way to start the spring! A fresh coat of paint, a new room arrangement or some new accessories. We offer low cost solutions to your decorating needs.

Winter Decorating Tips
By ON THE GO 4 U Decorating Consultant Suzanne Copenhaver

If you and your home have the January blahs, here are some quick and easy ways to liven things up. The decorations are down, and while the house is still clear, take some time to paint your living room or family room a new color.

• Try a color you’ve been afraid to use and get rid of those off-white walls! It's only paint afterall.
• Or if you’re feeling really daring try one of the new wallpapers for a dramatic effect. You can chose a texture, a print or even a mural.
• Is DIY your thing? Try a faux finish on the walls.
• Then pull the colors from your room and choose a cosy throw and some pillows.
• Add some new houseplants or visit your local garden shop for some forced spring bulbs.
• Use full spectrum lightbulbs in your lamps.

Then make a cup of hot tea or chocolate and sit back and enjoy. It can all be done in a weekend and your home will have a fresh new look to help you get through the darkest time of year.

Dinner Party Cont'd
Wine Tasting Party

Do you have to be a sommelier to know something about wine? Well, if you want to tout yourself as an expert, perhaps but if you just want to enjoy a good glass of wine, go with your gut - or rather your mouth - and enjoy what tastes good to you. Once we survive the holidays, not many people want to throw another lavish bash in the winter months. So, why not host a wine tasting party? Now before you hit the panic button, get uptight and claim to know nothing about wine, stop! We aren't proposing you sit around discussing bouquet and barrel fermenting. We want you to have a little fun.

You can buy wine tasting party kits from various source on the internet but we happen to know our friends at Zazu carry the wine tasting kit. Don't want a kit? Here's what you need:

• Guests - think about who you know who likes and drinks wine and keep the numbers small.
• A few bottles of wine that you think you might like - both red and white. Depending on the size of the crowd plan on 2 bottles of each type.
• Printed wine tasting cards that list the wines you purchased with some info from the bottle.
• Pencils in case guests want to make notes about their favorites.
• Wine glasses. We recommend 2 per person for red and white but you can rinse if you are short on stemware.
• Plain saltine or oyster crackers for guests to cleanse their palettes
• Still (plain) water for rinsing
• Some good music, good conversationlists and a sense of fun!

At the end of the event, serve some crackers/bread, cheese and fruit or some other small/light appetizers and offer each guest a glass of his/her favorite wine. However, above all things, drink and serve responsibly!

Relax & Rejuvenate

How many times have you awakened on a gray winter’s day and just didn't want to get out of bed? Probably more times than you can count. How about scheduling a therapeutic massage? Many people don’t know that therapeutic massage can help lift your spirits, reenergize and motivate. Not only does massage relax your body it also stimulates endorphins, the bodies natural "uppers". Massage has several benefits for the human body. It increases circulation, which means that your cells and tissue receive more oxygen, and who couldn’t use more oxygen. It helps you to mentally escape for an hour or so from the chaos of everyday life, a nice mental vacation. Massage also stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, aiding in a deep and rejuvenating night’s sleep making you more alert and energized the next day.

Next time you think about diving into a box of chocolates to elevate your winter doldrums, schedule a massage appointment instead. Many times the massage therapist can see you in the immediate future. What could feel better than a warm massage table and someone kneading all the tension out of your muscles? To schedule a therapeutic massage appointment call Vickie Wirthman, Certified Massage Therapist at 703-489-6178 and make yourself feel revitalized the natural way, through therapeutic massage.

Book Review

Winter is the perfect time to curl up with a great book. Over the next few months we will be reviewing books & music that we enjoy. If you read a lot, we recommend thebookcart.com. It is a great way to buy and sell your used paperbacks with no hassle.

For light fun reading, we recommend books published by Red Ink. The BusyB recently read Let's Meet on Platform 8. In the intrigue genre, why not pick up Len Deighton's spy trilogy Spy Hook, Spy Line & Spy Sinker featuring British Agent Bernard Samson.

Have you read a book that you think ON THE GO 4 U readers would enjoy? Send us an email. No time to read a book? Call us now!