TO GIVE EVERY WOMAN THE MEANS TO STYLE HER OWN LIFE.
We get great joy out of designing irresistible jewelry. And yet, jewelry is just the tangible expression of something much greater we are creating. We have a vision of the world where STRONG WOMEN LIVE BOLD and joyful lives. They know what they want and they work for it. They inspire each other. Passion and joy are their best accessories.
So some of you might call this shameless self promotion…and you’d be right! I’m so excited to share my new venture with you and with all the fabulous sparkle and shine we have to offer you should be excited too!
So what is Stella & Dot? Why is it fabulous and why should you check it out?
Stella & Dot began in 2003 in Jessica’s living as she worked nights and weekend to create a jewelry brand…I can totally relate to where she was. Working tirelessly towards you dream, which clearly worked out quite well for her as she now owns a fortune 500 company. By 2006 she had reached a million in sales. By 2009 “despite a dreary economy, Stella & Dot shines – growing over 760% and launching over 5,000 flexible careers.” By 2012 the company spreads to a global scale and by 2013 I joined the world-wide team and have loved every second of it.
I believe in women, I believe in women based businesses, I believe in taking our lives in our own hands and as an entrepreneur I not only believe in the hard work that it takes to follow your passion I believe that everyone has the potential to do so. With motivating opportunities like this in the world what’s stopping you?
So what does this mean? It means that you should stop by my site http://www.stelladot.com/sites/chloesf and explore the sparkle, that you should think about the people you know that might need some sparkle too and then we should set up a party so you can get some fabulous free sparkle, get in some quality time with the ladies in your life and sip on a little champagne!
Don’t forget to check us out on Facebook!
One more thing that makes them great…aside from the life time guarantee and the patent on every piece so you never have to worry about seeing your sparkle in a department store!
“Stella & Dot’s Social Responsibility Program clearly communicates our expectations around responsible production and sourcing practices. We hold our partners to high standards not only on the quality and safety of our products but also the quality and safety of the work environment they provide. Our partners are proactive in finding ways to benchmark their compliance and track progress in areas such as human rights, health and safety and fair wages and we provide them with clear feedback and direction by benchmarking their performance against industry, country and global standards.”
I can’t wait to host a show with you either in your home or online!
Happy Holidays!
Advice for growing up…
I don’t know about you, but the more I think about buying my first family home with my boo, to raise our future schmoos in, the more I freak out and wonder how we’ll be able to compete in this crazy real estate market. It seems like every day the average price of a home in the Bay Area climbs drastically… meaning so does the down payment needed to qualify, and the big income needed to carry the monthly payments.
So what do I do when these fears start to creep in? I talk to my amazing friend Mary Macpherson, who just happens to be one of the top Real Estate agents in our glorious city, not to mention one of the warmest, most motivated, inspiring people I know. When my wailing starts, she smiles, gives me a hug, and tells me that with proper planning, determination, and guidance from people like her, we will find our way into “our” home. :)
Mary Macpherson | Paragon Real Estate Group
Tips on Buying Your First Home:
1. Ask your friends for advice. Your friends and family who have bought in your area undoubtedly have some war stories to share. Ask them who their agent was, and if they would recommend that person.
2. Visit open houses, not only to look at homes, but to ‘interview’ prospective agents. Agents who work open houses are there for one of two reasons: they are the actual listing agents for those homes and are there to sell them, or they are agents in the same brokerage as the listing agents and have asked them to work their open houses to meet buyers and sellers. For new agents, open houses are typically their best ‘prospecting’ tool, until they develop a referral base of their own. Spend time in the open houses, and ask the agents about how they work with buyers to help them find their homes. Don’t dismiss “new” agents – some of these agents are the hardest working in the business, and will give incredible customer service. What’s key is the brokerage they work for – some are far better than others, offering wonderful support, training, tools and management. You’ll glean a lot of information from visiting open houses and seeing who the true professionals are.
3. Interview agents. Even though the seller typically pays the buyer’s agent’s commission, this agent is still working for you and with you, hand in hand, through one of the biggest financial and emotional decisions of your life. Interview at least three agents, check references, ask for their recent success stories. What can they do for you that will give you an edge? Agents get paid big bucks, and you don’t want to just receive weekly mass emails with new listings. You can check that yourself with the zillion and one online real estate search portals. Are these people connected to off-market listings? Will they go the extra mile?
4. Once you decide on an agent, COMMIT 100% to them. Let them be your man on the street. Give them all the information you can, and be open to their suggestions. My clients who are the most successful in their house hunting ventures are the ones who regard me as their trusted advisor and ally.
5. Be ready to pull the trigger. Get all of your financial documents in order, and get pre-approved. The San Francisco market moves faster than most can handle, and the early bird almost always catches the worm. Don’t be afraid to write “pre-emptive” offers – those offers that are presented before an actual offer date. But remember that pre-emptive offers need to be compelling enough for the seller to forego other offers that might come in on the offer date. Coming in at full price isn’t compelling. Ask your agent for comparable sales in the area (if you’ve vetted your agent well, they’ll do this for you instinctively).
6. Put yourself in the sellers’ shoes. When you finally sit down to write an offer on the home of your dreams, remember that the #1 rule in negotiation is to think like the other side. Find out why the seller is selling. What will help your offer? Price is obvious, but are there terms that will help? Do they need extra time to move? Do they want to buy something else? Make sure your offer reflects your understanding of their needs and wants, and then put it in a written letter as well. There’s nothing that speaks to a seller more than a buyer who is committed to closing and sincere in their love of their home, and someone who is empathetic to their plight.
7. Due your due diligence. Just because the market is competitive (when isn’t it?), it doesn’t mean you have to throw away your rights. If you’re buying a car, you’d kick the tires. If you’re spending hundreds of thousands, or even millions, then you better be sure the house isn’t a money pit. Don’t be afraid to ask for a credit, price reduction, explanation, etc., if something turns up during your inspection period that is cause for concern.
8. Buy with your heart – and your head. I have two questions I ask my buyers before we write an offer: 1) Will you be truly happy when I hand you the keys to your new home? And 2) If you, like many transient San Franciscans, have to call me in 5-10 years to sell your home, is this a wise investment? Take the time with your agent to think about why you want this home (don’t let the manic market drive you to do something you’ll regret) and talk about why the home is or isn’t a good investment (above all, location, location, location).
9. Be prepared for the ups and downs of an escrow. Since the 2008 mortgage meltdown, lenders are asking for everything from your 6th grade report card (ok, that line was borrowed from a loan agent friend of mine) to your 1992 tax returns. Well, not really, but it certainly can feel like it.
10. Enjoy! You’ve come a long way from meeting agents, looking at open homes, to gathering tax returns and signing documents. Try to plan a week off from work right after you move in. Don’t schedule any big remodeling jobs yet, if you can. Get a feel for your new home. Live in it and get to know it better. Then, go to town to get it just the way you want. You deserve it!
About the Author
Mary Macpherson
About the Author
Mary Macpherson
Mary`s tenacity and commitment to her clients have put her in the top 5% of all agents in San Francisco – an honor that has earned her placement in the city`s Top Agent Network (www.topagentnetwork.com). She has bought, sold and invested in San Francisco real estate for many years and puts her extensive knowledge of neighborhoods, property values, and market trends to work for her clients. She offers boundless enthusiasm, a tireless work ethic and an absolute commitment to protecting their interests—in what is typically one of the largest, most complicated and most emotional financial transactions of their lives.
For her Buyers, Mary promises she will make every effort to find them the home they will love and enjoy for years to come; aggressively negotiate the best attainable price and terms on their behalf; make the process as smooth, understandable and stress-free as possible; and manage the transaction so that they are fully aware of the condition and circumstances of the home they purchase. As a longtime homeowner in San Francisco, Mary is committed to helping others realize the same dream: owning a home in this beautiful city.
For her Sellers, Mary offers hard work and expertise; the most comprehensive marketing plan in the business; aggressively negotiate the highest possible sales price; and transaction management skills to make the process as easy and straightforward as possible, with a minimum of time, effort and stress on her clients` part.
Mary`s family lives near Fisherman`s Wharf and her children attend local schools.
Mary Macpherson | Paragon Real Estate Group
1400 Van Ness Ave | San Francisco, CA 94109
Cell: 415.846.4685 | Fax: 415.701.2671
DRE# 1839976
www.MaryMacphersonSF.com
Member, Top Agent Network (SF’s Top 5%): www.topagentnetwork.com
You know that reality check you get every time you go swim suit shopping? It isn’t usually a pleasant one—at least not for me—and when a big vacation or event is on the horizon, I’m eager to do everything I can to facilitate helping my body to look the best it can! One of those things happens to be getting one of the amazing detoxifying body wraps that my friend and personal wrapper Sharon offers!
Don’t get me wrong, they aren’t the end all be all cure for the body you’ve always dreamed of, but combined with a clean diet and exercise, they can help give you the jump start you need to reach your goals and help you to maintain!
One of the things I love most about doing the wrap is that when I decide it’s time to schedule it, that means it’s time to clean up my diet. When I’m really serious about it, I even do a cleanse. Not one of those crazy cayenne pepper cleanses, but a simple clean eating, lots of water, working out, kick my but into gear cleanses. Cutting out the things I love (coffee, sugar, gluten, dairy, wine…oh wonderful wine) is never easy, but it’s only for a week and I know the end result is feeling awesome on the inside and outside. Even better, usually there is a fabulous vacation waiting on the other end!
Sharon’s spa is fabulous and she has found her calling in what she does. So if you have a trip to the beach, an upcoming wedding or some other fun adventure in your near future, give her a call, set a goal for yourself, and get your sexy on!
Sharon Vendle
Holistic Health Practitioner
Are you experiencing fatigue or lack of energy, weight issues (over or under), digestive problems, cravings or addiction, headaches, anxiety, depression, skin disorders or have been sick more than once this year? These are signs of a toxic body. Toxins can come from many sources – the foods we eat, the air we breathe, the amount of stress in our lives, smoking or even medications we take.
There are many ways to detoxify ranging from elimination of certain foods, liquid or a juice cleanse, supplements, body wraps, exercise and a complete detoxification program that combines some or all of the above. Detoxification really focuses on redirecting the body’s energy from digestion and on to healing. Ever wonder why you feel so tired after a big meal or one that consist of red meat, sugar and processed foods? Your body can use up to 40% of its energy for digestion leaving you fatigued and unable to concentrate. When you juice or have more whole grains, vegetables, and lean protein, your body naturally digests these easier, using less energy and thus leaving you with more energy to exercise, be more alert or active.
Exercise increases circulation and oxygen flow in your body which replenishes tissues and provides increased energy throughout the day. Exercise also releases endorphins in the brain that fights depression or mood swings. And at the very least exercise that results in sweating releases toxins from your body.
Detoxification with herbal supplements can improve digestion as you expel accumulated waste, parasites and unhealthy bacteria from your body. Organs such as kidneys, liver, and colon are cleansed to help them function optimally, blood and lymph fluids are purified all resulting in a stronger immune system. On a 30-day Detox Program, clients have lowered their cholesterol and sugar levels, lowered their blood pressure, dramatically improve skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, acne and hives, strengthen their immune system and lost weight – all this leads to feeling better than they have in months or years!
Some tips to help detoxify and live healthier:
- Detoxify with a Detox Body Wrap – what makes ours so unique? It focuses on releasing toxins from the body through the use of an herbal cream that your skin absorbs and a wrap that applies light pressure to the lymphatic system. It is NOT a wrap that encourages sweat or excessive heat; in fact, it is quite relaxing and starts with a body scrub to slough off dead skin which allows the cream to penetrate easier. Next, you are wrapped and can either rest for 45-60 min. or have a Facial while in the wrap. I highly recommend the facial as it not only passes the time quickly, it leaves you feeling completely rejuvenated. Your skin looks great, your body feels lighter and tighter and over the next couple of days, as you drink water and flush the toxins out, clients notice inch loss and an overall feeling of wellness begins. When toxins get trapped between fat cells, cellulite can form. When you release toxins trapped between fat cells, the cells shrink and thus the inch loss. Detox Body Wraps are designed to compliment cleanses and internal detoxification programs; however, many clients also have one or a series prior to a bikini bound vacation, wedding, photo shoots, or simply after a weekend of indulgence.
- Eliminate caffeine, alcohol, white flour, refined sugar, dairy, red meat and anything that contains yeast from your diet. Give your body a rest from these toxins and reduce yeast levels in the body as high levels can lead to cravings for sugar and white flour, infection, allergies and fatigue. Eat more whole grains, vegetables and lean protein. You will notice a difference in a matter of days; however, I recommend people commit to 11, 20, or 30 days – give yourself a goal and commit to achieving it, your health is one of your most valuable assets.
- Exercise 4-5 times a week – increase circulation which increases oxygen and energy flow in your body. Exercise will help manage your weight, promote better sleep, and release endorphins that will make you feel good!
- Hydrate, water is critical for energy, cell rejuvenation, and to regulate all our bodily functions especially flushing your lymph system and colon of toxins and waste. A good rule of thumb is to drink 70-90 oz. water/day or half your body weight in ounces (ex. Weight =120lbs, drink 60 oz. of water/day).
Through detoxification you can transform your health and have energy when you want it and restful sleep when you need it. For a free consultation, feel free to email: Sharon@sharonvendle.com
About the contributor
Sharon Vendle is a Holistic Health Practitioner and Founder/Co-Owner of Spa Belle Vie in San Francisco. She specializes in Detoxification Programs, Detox Body Wraps, Massage Therapy and Skin Care Treatments. Visit: www.sharonvendle.com for more information.
