8 National Clean Off Your Desk Day/Organize Your Home Day

Today is a great day to get a fresh start for the new year. Clutter = chaos, and it makes it very hard to think clearly and work efficiently. Need help getting organized? Call us, we'll make it painless and productive.

15 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.'...I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character...I have a dream today."

17 Prohibition Remembrance Day

At 12:01 a.m. on January 17, 1920, Prohibition became official. Raise a glass and toast the bad old days!

Have other dates this month that are important to you: birthdays, anniversaries, etc.? Visit our Forget Me Not page on our website to learn how QCS can make sure no important date ever goes forgotten again.

Sure, a snowy day or rainy day can be beautiful and peaceful. But too many of them in a row can really start to get you down! Here are some ideas for ways to fight the winter blues this season:

Light it up: Short, dark winter days really can make you depressed. It even has a name: Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. Try replacing your lightbulbs with full-spectrum bulbs. They more closely mimic sunlight and fool your brain into thinking it's always sunny at your place.

Stop to smell the roses: Studies show that sniffing a flower can keep you calm and boost your mood. Try filling a planter outside your front door with winter-hardy blooms--the nurseries are actually full of them this time of year. Or buy yourself a beautiful bunch of cut flowers. And breathe deeply.

Try color therapy: Feng shui tells us that a touch of orange or red in your room will boost your energy. Paint an accent wall, or for a more temporary pop of color, change out your throw pillows and rugs. Avoid these colors in bedrooms though: there, you want calming blues and greens.

(Some information from Health magazine, September, 2006)

Barely through the holidays and already we're thinking about Valentine's Day. Crazy, we know. But we want to remind you that it is only about 6 weeks until February 14. This year, don't wait until the last minute to plan something special for your loved one.

QCS has lots of terrific ideas for ways to make this Valentine's Day one to remember. From the traditional:

• Gorgeous floral arrangements to impress
• Sumptuous chocolates from the finest artisanal makers
• Special jewelry or other tokens of affection

to the creative:

• SIX FOOT LONG red roses in a vase (no joke)
• A chef to cook a perfect meal at home
• A surprise engagement in a way she'll never forget

We're the romance experts. Call or email today and let's talk about how to make you into the ultimate Valentine.