It’s been a strange winter, hasn’t it?  Extreme weather has blurred the lines so much that sometimes it was hard to recognize winter.  But in the fields and on the beaches of the Hamptons, a new season is already beginning to assert itself.  We are on the brink of change, and I am reminded of these lines from a favorite song…

So, you have decided to hire domestic help, and you have secured a staffing agency to lead a search. Great! Next, you spoke with the recruiter, described your needs, and agreed on a job description. Wonderful! Now that you’ve taken those steps …

Although everyday life has become increasingly unaffordable for almost everyone, a new class of private, members-only and concierge services is emerging. It’s a great time to be rich in New York City.

This holiday season, let’s make our cherished staff feel as special as they make our homes feel every day.

The Southampton Holiday Parade was more dazzling than ever this year, with its dancing angels and glittering fire trucks. But even Santa might secretly wish sometimes for a bit of quiet at the holidays.

It’s here! Daylight Savings has arrived, which means we are a hop, skip and jump to the holidays. Time to deal with the annual puzzle of seasonal staff scheduling.

When you’re considering adding staff to your home, it’s important to know what you’re looking for. And a crucial element is chemistry.

A clean house is important – it’s one thing that you can control and that is nice. Knowing your home is organized and clutter-free allows you to focus on other important things.

With my daughter Elyse starting her senior year of college, my thoughts are returning to the day we moved her in as a freshman. It was an exciting time for sure, filled with anticipation, expectation, anxiety and lots of lists to follow in preparation for this new adventure. Besides the travel and unpacking all of her stuff, my job was to help get her acclimated to her new surroundings and roommate so that I’d be able to leave knowing she had everything she needed for a good start.

It’s always a very difficult time when staff leave the home. While these departures are often unavoidable, it’s better to be proactive to help prevent something like this from ever occurring.