Dear Just Be: I just bought a new hoem and want to make it feel homey. Any decorating ideas?

The most important element of decorating any space is it make it an extension of yourself- a reflection of your style. First, you want to be comfortable in your own space and when entertaining you want your guests to feel like they have come to a place that reflects your personality.

Here are three steps for making your new home a place of relaxation, comfort and peace.

1. Step 1: Identify your style. Even if you don't know your style, or think you even have one, it is best to go with your gut instinct when looking at art pieces and decor items, furniture and more. Stay in tune with your opinions and thoughts. Are you a traditionalist or a minimalist? Do you want to your space to be functional? Before making any purchases, window shop and see what makes you smile. Look through magazines and pull out pictures that speak to you. The more you look around and truly listen to your inside voice, a pattern will emerge and you will find your style.

There are 7 basic style categories that have been identified:
1. Traditional- consisting of timeless elegance and distinguished charm- showcased by darker woods, rich fabrics and formal furniture and decor pieces.
2. Modern- A balance of shapes, sizes and colors is created by use of sleek, polished and functional pieces.
3. Basic- everyday essentials combine with practicality with a timeless style.
4. Transitional- blend of contemporary and traditional.
5. Cottage- Use of quaint details, very unassuming and has a cozy, warm feel.
6. Arts and Crafts- Furnishing symbolize simplicity, utility, solid construction and natural beauty.
7. Asian - Clean lines and sleek styling combined with rich finished create an Eastern appeal.

Step 2: Choose a focal point. Determine a focal point for each room after you have chosen your style. This is one element, such as a fireplace that attracts attention. Seating should be arranged so as to draw every one's attention to this element so they can appreciate it. Once the seating is arranged, bring in accessories to compliment the space.

Step 3: Stay focused and take risks. Putting your home together may not happen over night. Be patient and add to it little by little- but stay true to your focal points and style. But don't be afraid to take some small risks, such as adding unique pieces or color here and there. Purchase inexpensive accessories that can be switched out or around to create an up-to-date feel every so often.

We hope this helps you create the space and home that is uniquely yours!

In a pinch.

Hours before going on a four day trip, the dog walker calls to say she can’t walk and check on the dog that day. The earliest she can come will have to be the following morning. Almost 24 hours of not being let out or visited is too long for a dog to be left alone. What to do? Call Just Be Personal Assistants.

This is the scenario that our client, Mr. Clayton experienced. He was in a tough bind and needed some help with short notice, but who to call? Fortunately, his realtor knew who to call. Mr. Clayton called Just Be three hours before boarding a plan to ask if a Just Be assistant could come to his home, walk his dog – Otto, feed him as well as play with him. In less than 20 minutes arrangements were made to have a Just Be assistant at Mr. Clayton’s home at 5 p.m. that evening. It was that easy. Just a phone call away and all of Mr. Clayton’s worries had disappeared.

At Just Be, we try to accommodate our client’s needs with 24 hours notice or less, but to ensure our availability we highly recommend calling to have a consultation and to set up an appointment with more than 24 hours notice. Depending on your needs a consultation may take an hour, and to assign you with the right personal assistant can also take some time, but it is well worth it.

If you are ever in a pinch or are in need of assistance with tasks and projects on a regular basis contact Just Be Personal Assistants. Just Be is here for you, so you can do what you do best, and let us handle the rest.

Dear Just Be: Yikes- father's Day is this weekend- any fun recipes you can share?

Yes, the summer holidays started a few weeks ago with Memorial Day and how quickly now Father's Day is upon us!

Celebrate your dad's special day with a few of these recipes:

1. Start off with perhaps French Toast for breakfast. You can spice up typical french toast by adding cinnamon, nutmeg and/or vanilla into the batter. Slice up various fruits as toppings and it becomes a gourmet breakfast (serve with a side of eggs and coffee) for a complete meal. If you want to go one step further with gourmet French Toast, try this recipe:

Stuffed Pecan Pie French Toast
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c packed brown sugar
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1 loaf Cinnamon Swirl bread
1 c. milk
2 eggs
1 c. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
confectioners sugar

Heat oven to 350. Heat the butter and brown sugar in sauce pan over medium heat until boiling. Remove saucepan from heat, stir in pecans.
Grease a baking sheet with butter. Place bread slices on baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes or until bread is lightly toasted.

Beat eggs, milk, vanilla and sugar in medium bowl. Dip 8 slices of bread, one at a time, in mixture and place on baking sheet. Spread about 1 tablespoon of pecan mixture on each slice of bread. Dip the remaining bread slices into the milk mixture and place on top of other bread slices with pecan mixture to form sandwiches. Bake for 20 minutes or until sandwiches are golden. Sprinkle with confectioners sugar.

Next, Dads love barbeque, right? Try these two recipes for him:

Reuben Hot Dogs
4 all beef big franks
4 tsp spicy brown mustard
12 slices deli pastrami
4 sourdough French rolls halved horizontally & toasted
4 slices of Swiss cheese, sliced diagonally
1 c. sauerkraut
Thousand Island salad dressing

Set grill to medium heat and oil grate when ready to start cooking. Spread each frank on all sides with 1 teaspoon mustard. Wrap three slices of the pastrami around each frank.
Grill pastrami-wrapped franks on hot oiled grill. Cook for 12 to 16 minutes or until heated through turning frequently. Serve franks hot on toasted French rolls with sliced cheese and sauerkraut. Top with Thousand Island salad dressing.

INDOOR METHOD: Prepare franks as directed. Preheat broiler. Place franks on a wire rack over a foil-lined baking sheet or broiler pan. Cook 6 to 8 inches from heat source for 12 to 16 minutes turning frequently. Serve as directed.

And serve with Grilled Mango:
1/2 c balsamic vinegar
2 ripe mangoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch thick slices
Non-stick cooking spray
1/4 teaspoon salt

In a small saucepan over high heat, boil the balsamic vinegar for 5 minutes to reduce by half. Cool 10 to 15 minutes.
Heat a grill over medium-high heat. Coat the mango slices with a thin layer of the cooking spray and sprinkle with salt.
Grill the mango in batches on a lightly oiled grill rack, turning once, until browned and slightly softened (about 5 minutes total). Drizzle with balsamic syrup and serve.


Hope you and your loved ones enjoy Father's Day this weekend!