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	<title>The Official Blog of Detour Services &#187; Household Services</title>
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	<link>http://blog.detourservices.com</link>
	<description>Executive Assistant and Personal Assistant Services for Chicago's northside</description>
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		<title>Cat Sitting for a Moving Family</title>
		<link>http://blog.detourservices.com/2008/11/cat-sitting-for-a-moving-family/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.detourservices.com/2008/11/cat-sitting-for-a-moving-family/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:00:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Marie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Household Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Recent Assignments]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cat sitting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[concierge services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[moving with pets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[personal assistant]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[relocating pets]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.detourservices.com/?p=183</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Recently, a relocating couple asked me to take care of their cat during the moving process. For work reasons, they were moving out to the east coast. While movers were going to take care of the larger furniture pieces, this couple was still going to drive a rental truck out to their new place themselves.
It [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.detourservices.com"><img class="size-full wp-image-101" title="Detour Services logo" src="http://blog.detourservices.com/wp-content/uploads/detour-logo-jpg-300.jpg" alt="Detour Services Concierge services for Chicago's Northside" hspace="10" width="50%" align="left" /></a>Recently, a relocating couple asked me to take care of their cat during the moving process. For work reasons, they were moving out to the east coast. While movers were going to take care of the larger furniture pieces, this couple was still going to drive a rental truck out to their new place themselves.</p>
<p>It wouldn&#8217;t have been safe or comfortable for the cat to go along. So the kitty stayed here in the Chicago area until they could make a return trip to get her.</p>
<p>This family was able to make these arrangements because they trusted <a href="http://www.detourservices.com">Detour Services</a>. By doing it this way, they were able to take advantage of some cost-cutting options while at the same time, they looked after the health and well-being of their cat.</p>
<p>Are you facing a similar situation? Contact us for a free consultation today!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Get Help Switching Out Your Wardrobe</title>
		<link>http://blog.detourservices.com/2008/10/get-help-switching-out-your-wardrobe/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.detourservices.com/2008/10/get-help-switching-out-your-wardrobe/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2008 04:02:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Marie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Household Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Organizing Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Assistant Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[buying a new wardrobe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[personal assistant]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[personal shopper]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[professional organizing]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.detourservices.com/?p=170</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Do you need help switching out your closets? As the weather turns, we all start preparing our families for the colder winter months.
But sometimes, the task is harder than it seems like it should be. Where are those brand new gloves from last year? Perhaps a young one has outgrown those sweaters?
A personal concierge service [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="size-full wp-image-172" title="cold-winter-coat" src="http://blog.detourservices.com/wp-content/uploads/cold-winter-coat.jpg" alt="cold-winter-coat" hspace="10" width="50%" align="right" />Do you need help switching out your closets? As the weather turns, we all start preparing our families for the colder winter months.</p>
<p>But sometimes, the task is harder than it seems like it should be. Where are those brand new gloves from last year? Perhaps a young one has outgrown those sweaters?</p>
<p>A personal concierge service like <a href="http://www.detourservices.com">Detour Services</a> can help you prepare and get organized. Because of our versatility, we&#8217;re able to help in ways that are more complete than other professionals. We can do any or all of the following:</p>
<ol>
<li>Rearrange and organize your closets. <strong>Detour Services</strong> is a proud member of the <a href="http://napo.net/">National Association of Professional Organizers</a>.</li>
<li>Transport the items you wish to donate and return with a receipt.</li>
<li>Arrange for the sale of other items online, in a garage sale, or through resale shops.</li>
<li>Search online for the best new purchase bargains.</li>
<li>Do the buying for you. Wouldn&#8217;t it be great to try out clothing in the comfort of your own home?</li>
<li>Return unwanted merchandise.</li>
</ol>
<p>Save yourself the headaches and hassles of this busy time of year. Call <a href="http://www.detourservices.com">Detour Services</a> to see how we can make your life so much easier.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>The Gift of Time for New Parents</title>
		<link>http://blog.detourservices.com/2008/09/the-gift-of-time-for-new-parents/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.detourservices.com/2008/09/the-gift-of-time-for-new-parents/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 25 Sep 2008 05:41:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Marie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Household Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Assistant Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[concierge services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Detour Services Chicago]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gift for new parents]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.detourservices.com/?p=110</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Do you know any brand new parents? It is a major lifestyle change. Sure they could use another blanket or another case of formula, but for a gift—how about giving them something they could really use?
Detour Services offers discounted service hour packages that make great presents. Imagine telling the new parents that they can always [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="size-full wp-image-111" title="new-baby" src="http://blog.detourservices.com/wp-content/uploads/new-baby.jpg" alt="new baby" width="50%" align="left" />Do you know any brand new parents? It is a major lifestyle change. Sure they could use another blanket or another case of formula, but for a gift—how about giving them something they could really use?</p>
<p><a href="http://www.detourservices.com">Detour Services</a> offers discounted service hour packages that make great presents. Imagine telling the new parents that they can always have a full fridge for the next few weeks or that their bathroom is going to stay clean. Perhaps they will choose to make sure that all their bills will actually go out before the deadline.</p>
<p>A gift package will let the adjusting parents decide where they could use the most help. <a href="http://detourservices.com/order_individual.htm#buypackage">Click here</a> to see the options available.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Warehouse Shopping Club Trips</title>
		<link>http://blog.detourservices.com/2008/09/warehouse-shopping-club-trips/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.detourservices.com/2008/09/warehouse-shopping-club-trips/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 07 Sep 2008 21:45:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Marie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Household Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Assistant Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[personal assistant]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[warehouse shopping club membership]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.detourservices.com/?p=69</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Many professional organizers and personal assistants have warehouse shopping club memberships. We all know the cost-saving benefits of buying in bulk and at wholesale prices.
Why not ask your assistant if he/she has a membership? Perhaps a warehouse shopping trip is one of his/her offered services.
That three pound box of cereal is going to save you [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="size-medium wp-image-70" title="warehouse-shopping-club" src="http://blog.detourservices.com/wp-content/uploads/warehouse-shopping-club-300x214.jpg" alt="warehouse shopping club" width="300" height="214" align="left" />Many professional organizers and personal assistants have warehouse shopping club memberships. We all know the cost-saving benefits of buying in bulk and at wholesale prices.</p>
<p>Why not ask your assistant if he/she has a membership? Perhaps a warehouse shopping trip is one of his/her offered services.</p>
<p>That three pound box of cereal is going to save you several future shopping trips and however many cents per pound. Another great thing about shopping with your assistant is—you have someone to help you carry all that stuff home.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Streamline Your Grocery Process</title>
		<link>http://blog.detourservices.com/2008/09/streamline-your-grocery-process/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.detourservices.com/2008/09/streamline-your-grocery-process/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:51:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Marie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Household Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Assistant Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[errand runners]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[grocery shopping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[personal assistant]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.detourservices.com/?p=59</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Grocery shopping is one of the most requested tasks for a personal assistant. It&#8217;s also one of the most confusing for the client. Here is an easy way to use an errands service effectively.

Create a list of weekly purchases. (bread, milk, apples, etc.)
Create a list of monthly purchases and another one for bi-monthly purchases. (shampoo, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="size-medium wp-image-61" title="grocery-bag" src="http://blog.detourservices.com/wp-content/uploads/grocery-bag-261x300.jpg" alt="grocery bag" width="261" height="300" align="left" />Grocery shopping is one of the most requested tasks for a personal assistant. It&#8217;s also one of the most confusing for the client. Here is an easy way to use an errands service effectively.</p>
<ol>
<li>Create a list of weekly purchases. (bread, milk, apples, etc.)</li>
<li>Create a list of monthly purchases and another one for bi-monthly purchases. (shampoo, dog food, laundry detergent, etc.)</li>
<li>For each item, decide if a certain brand name is important to you or if cost is the major factor.</li>
<li>Keep a blank list in a convenient place, such as on the refrigerator. As you run low of a certain thing or if you realize that a particular item is going to be needed, jot it down.</li>
<li>Provide the regular list to your errands runner. On a weekly basis, supplement it with the extra list.</li>
</ol>
<p>After the initial effort, your grocery needs will be fulfilled easily and with minimal work from you.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Assign Away Your Laundry</title>
		<link>http://blog.detourservices.com/2008/08/assign-away-your-laundry/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.detourservices.com/2008/08/assign-away-your-laundry/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:10:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Marie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Household Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Assistant Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[errand runners]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[laundry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[personal assistant]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.detourservices.com/?p=13</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Laundry is a cyclical task. It seems like an easy thing to do, but then why is it always such a chore? Before I had my in-unit washer and dryer, I used to dread lugging all that weight to the laundry room or laundry mat.
Even with the washer and dryer right in my living space, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Laundry is a cyclical task. It seems like an easy thing to do, but then why is it always such a chore? Before I had my in-unit washer and dryer, I used to dread lugging all that weight to the laundry room or laundry mat.</p>
<p>Even with the washer and dryer right in my living space, it&#8217;s a huge waiting game. I have to interrupt whatever I&#8217;m doing to transfer the load from machine to machine and to put away the ones that are done.</p>
<p>Something that seems so simple ends up being a huge time drain.</p>
<p>Luckily, laundry is one of the most efficient ways to use a personal assistant. Since there is all that wait time, the assistant should be given other tasks to do in between loads. Whether it is other cleaning needs or  getting your bills paid, you are getting multiple things done during the same time period.</p>
<p>This makes the time cost effective and doubly productive. As a bonus, a trusted personal assistant can have all this done in your absence. Imagine the joy of coming home to a closet full of clean clothes.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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