Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Why do I need a concierge? Reason #1- Personal Organizing

Why do I need a concierge?

This is a key question that you must answer for yourself before you hire a concierge. However, most people don't exactly know what a personal concierge is. How can you know if you need one if you don't know exactly what a concierge is and can do for you?

Many people are familiar with a hotel concierge but a private or personal concierge is so much more. I offer the same services that you would receive from a hotel concierge but BellaMar Concierge's services don't end there.

This month I would like to highlight one of our many services: Personal Organizing

San Diego is filled with busy professionals like you. Sometimes there is just not enough time in the day to accomplish everything on your to-do-list. BellaMar Concierge, Inc. can help you organize your schedule, your home, and your office so you can be more productive and efficient. These photos prove that BellaMar Concierge can organize ANYTHING!

BellaMar Concierge's Personal Organizer services include, but are not limited to:

  • Organization consulting services
    • How to get organized and stay organized
  • Office organization consultations
    • We will work with you to organize your office and give you the tools to stay organized
      • Clutter Removal
      • Filing system development
      • Schedule organization and prioritization
    • Home organization consultations
      • Specializing in photo archive organization & digitization
        • Shutterfly, Snapfish, Costco photo album organization
        • Creation of digital scrapbooks or photobooks
      • We can work with you to organize the problem areas of your home
      • Kitchen
      • Master Bedroom
      • Kids Bedroom or playroom
      • Living area
      • Garage or attic
      • Bathrooms
      • Laundry room
      • Closets
BellaMar Concierge also specializes in helping clients with hoarding disorders. Please check out our website for more information on our personal organizing services and other services offered to our valued clients. http://bellamarconcierge.com/services.html

Thank you and happy organizing!

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Vacation Destination of the Month- August 2009

The vacation destination of the month for August is the Big Sur area of Central California. I recently spent 10 days in central California. After seeing the breathtaking coastal views and exciting tourist attractions I couldn't believe I haven't spent more time in Big Sur. This area of California really has something for everyone!

Accommodations range from beautiful inns along side the water to spectacular ocean front campgrounds perched high up on cliffs above the Pacific. While in Big Sur we camped at the Andrew Molera Campground just south of Carmel and we camped at the Kirk Creek Campground more centrally located between Hearst Castle and Carmel. If you are not much for camping, Ragged Point and Gorda, within Big Sur, both have cute inns that are overlooking the ocean from cliffs high above.

From these inns or campsites there is so much open land to be explored. "Day Hikes Around Big Sur," a book written by Robert Stone, highlights 80 hikes in this area. For my first hike in probably 5 years my husband decided that 10.5 miles round trip was about the right length! We hiked from Kirk Creek to Vicente Flat, a long, but beautiful hike with ever changing landscapes that capture everything from low lying desert vegetation to beautiful Redwood forests. Another great hike is Salmon Creek Falls. You can reach the first waterfall in about 10 minutes and the pools, large boulders and sound of the rushing waterfall make this a great stop right off of Highway 1. For more ideas on hikes throughout Big Sur you can visit: http://www.hikinginbigsur.com/hikemap.html

After a long day of hiking who wants to cook at their campsite? If you lack motivation to eat peanut butter and jelly or something wrapped in tin foil and cooked on an open flame, may I recommend two great restaurants with breathtaking views. Rocky Point Restaurant, located on the north end of Big Sur serves up soup and sandwiches for lunch and a gourmet menu of items for dinner. The food is tasty but the best feature of the restaurant is the view. The restaurant is perched atop a rocky point overlooking the Pacific ocean with a view to the south for miles (if you catch a day without fog), also be on the lookout for otters in the ocean below. Ragged Point Restaurant and Inn is located at the southern end of Big Sur serving up great sea food and extra large burgers! Be sure to leave enough time to explore their windy and very steep trail down the adjacent cliff to the private beach far below. A specialty of both restaurants is exquisite outdoor dining on their open patios. Be sure to get there early so you can enjoy the sunset before returning to camp (or the comfort of your mattress).

Tourist attractions and scenic overlooks can be found all along Highway 1 in Big Sur. Starting at the south end of Big Sur just above Cambria you will find Hearst Castle in San Simeon. An amazing display of the limitless possibilities of architecture and team work. This historic California State Park offers 5 tours and features an IMAX film to inform visitors of the history and hard work that surrounds Hearst Castle. Be sure to plan enough time to do at least one tour and see the IMAX film if it is your first visit to the Castle.

Just 7 miles north of San Simeon you will find one of the most amazing wildlife refuges in California, the home of the Northern Elephant Seals. The males use this area for molting and sparring before they actually begin to fight for females during mating season. While I was there a docent shared with me that the male Elephant Seals will spar with other adolescents from birth until they are 10 years old, when they will finally fight each other for mates. The guttural sounds made by these giant creatures is disconcerting but fascinating. When a docent is present you can get up close and personal with these beasts (males can grow up to 16 feet long, weighing more than 5,000 pounds.) This is a must see for everyone. To find out more information about the Northern Elephant Seal and the work being done to preserve this amazing species please visit: http://www.elephantseal.org

To the north of Big Sur you will reach Monterey, probably most famous for the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and for good reason! The Monterey Bay Aquarium is celebrating 25 years of Ocean Conservation this year. The exhibits at the aquarium are overwhelming. The Jellyfish exhibit is always a favorite (as I remember seeing it when I was just 7 years old) and right now they have a special exhibit featuring Sea Horses and Sea Dragons, unbelievably tiny yet detailed creatures that you won't be able to forget. The aquarium caters toward children giving them plenty of places to play and enjoy themselves. You can visit: http://www.montereybayaquarium.org to find out more about their schedule, ticket prices, and conservation work.

This is only the beginning of the adventures you can have in Big Sur. From accommodations to food to outdoor activities to tourist attractions there really is something for everyone. Whether you are traveling as a family with small children or teenagers or enjoying the fruits of retirement or a well deserved vacation, Big Sur should definitely be on your list for adventure and beauty!

Your Own Backyard- California Surf Museum

August is a great month here in San Diego! The weather is beautiful and the tourists will slowly begin to make their exodus. Us locals will soon enjoy the best part of the year with open beaches and beautiful sunsets!

This month may I recommend the California Surf Museum in Oceanside. The newly remodeled space is a beautiful place to learn about and appreciate California's surf heritage. The new museum location opened in February 2009 and has been hosting special events for members and guests. You can check out their calendar of upcoming events at:
http://www.surfmuseum.org/events.htm

If you can't make it to one of the events be sure to check out the exhibits featured at the museum. Its a great stop after a long day at the beach or if you need a break from the sun. Their current exhibits include: "Surfing 100 years" and "Sidewalk Surfers" celebrating the ever growing skate industry by highlighting a historic look at the roots of skateboarding. If you have a teenager interested in skateboarding this would be an excellent way to get them into the museum. See more details hours, admission costs, and location below.


For a fun filled evening with the family or a date night may I recommend Downtown Oceanside on Thursday evenings this summer. The Sunset Market at Pier View Way and Tremont Ave is just outside the doors of the museum. You and your family or "date" can explore the surf museum and enjoy the entertainment, fresh produce, fresh flowers, interactive kids area, and works from artisans from all over the world. The market is open on Thursdays from 5-9pm from April-December and 4-8pm from January to March. For more information on the market check out http://www.localharvest.org/farmers-markets/M19313
or: http://www.msoceanside.com/Events/SunsetMarket/SunsetMarket.html

Once you have had your fill of exploration be sure the check out some of the great restaurants that have popped up in Downtown Oceanside in the last few years. For families with kids you can take a trip out the Pier to Ruby's or enjoy quick and delicious Mexican food from Johnny Manana's right on Mission Ave. If you are looking for a more romantic dinner and nightcap there are three great choices right in downtown.

For sushi, fresh fish, and sake based cocktails check out Harney Sushi at 301 Mission Avenue. For steaks, great salads, and an unbelievable collection of vodkas make sure to visit Oceanside's newest restaurant 333 Pacific owned by the Cohn Family Restaurant Group. This restaurant is convienietly located at 333 N. Pacific right across from the Oceanside Pier. For great italian food with a cozy but classy ambiance be sure to visit the Vigilucci's Osteria located at 608 Mission Avenue.

If you live in the Southern San Diego County make sure to make Oceanside your next "daycation" location. If you live in North San Diego County, there is no excuse, Oceanside is right in your own backyard. So get out and enjoy the weather, the food and the exhibits. See you there!

California Surf Museum
312 Pier View Way
Oceanside, CA 92054
(760) 721-6876

Admission
Adults $3
Students/Seniors/Military $1
Children under 12- Free
Free on Thursdays

Hours
Open daily 10am-4pm
Thursdays open until 8pm