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Easter Brunch Tips

Easter can be a stressful day to prepare for, so use these tips to enjoy the holiday brunch as best as possible!

Drinks

Start off brunch with some yummy cocktails for the adults.  A couple Easter favorites include:

  • 1-part Jack Honey and 1-part grapefruit juice
  • Wine spritzer filled with 1-part chilled wine, and 1-part club soda then top it with any fruit of your choice
  • Classic mimosa with 2 parts orange juice, 2 parts champagne, and 1-part triple sec (use a different fruit juice if you want to mix up the flavor from an original mimosa)
  • Kid-friendly peachy juice: 2 grapefruits, one slice of melon, and one peach all blended until smooth

Brunch

Easter brunch naturally must include eggs in the meal!

  • Eggs in a basket: Cut out a hole in a piece of bread and fry an egg in the middle of it on a pan.  Sprinkle it with salt, pepper, and or cheese.
  • Breakfast potatoes: Dice your potatoes and cook them in a tablespoon of olive oil on an iron skillet.  Once they are nice and golden brown, add finely chopped bacon.  After this cooks as well, top it off with a clove of garlic and parsley.
  • Ham muffins: Insert individual slices of ham into a muffin tray.  Fill the ham with a single egg, topped with salt, pepper, and chives.  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 8-10 minutes.
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The Best Tips for Packing Electronics for Long-term Storage

Labeling

When it comes to electronics, the cables and wires that go with each electronic item may get confusing. Label each of these with their corresponding piece to make assembling easier when you are ready to take them out of storage.

Dismantle

Take apart your electronics when needed for safe transportation/storage. Electronics with big battery packs or multiple pieces should be disassembled. This will prevent the possibility of the battery leaking or the pieces being damaged.

Back up your information

If you are storing important items such as a computer, phone, etc. make sure you have all the information within these items that you need. Also, be sure to back up any documents that you may need before you remove the item from storage.

Cushion

To ensure your items do not bump or scratch against each other or the storage container, cushion your electronics with packing material. This can include towels, socks, bubble wrap, packing paper, and more, as long as it is something soft yet protective.

Use climate-controlled storage

Luckily for you, Zippy Shell offers secure climate-controlled storage! We have excellent storage centers that can safely store you items and seal out any dust and hot or cold air. Get a quote today!

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How to Make Moving Less Stressful

zippy shell moving

Moving is routinely cited as one of the most stressful life events, right up there with divorce, death of a loved one, financial problems, chronic illness and marriage. Fortunately, though, unlike many of life’s other stressors, with a little forethought and planning, you can remove a lot of the stress surrounding a relocation by following these tips.

Remember how to assemble stuff: If your furniture or other knick-knacks are disassembled for packing, will you recall how to reassemble them at your new location? Take pictures of the furniture so you have an idea of what goes where. As you disassemble, put the parts into zip loc bags and label them.  (You’ll thank us later for this one.) 

Organize your boxes and label them: As you pack your container, put the things you will need first to the outside and the things you will need last to the inside. Also consider color coding with markers or tape where the boxes go. For example, blue markers could mean for the bathrooms and green for outside or in the garage.

Think About Your Electronics: If you are like most people, you have all sorts of electronic equipment that fits together in a bundle of crazy wiring! Take videos or pictures here, too, of the backs so you will know that component plugs in where. Better yet, color code the wires with Velcro.

Make a Checklist for Each Move Event: Checklists are lifesavers when it comes to moving! Using them means reducing stress. Rather than trying to capture everything into one checklist, consider a checklist for each leg of the move. For example, consider a checklist for each family member to use when packing (how to label boxes, how to prioritize boxes, how to pack valuables or glass), a checklist for cleaning, or even a checklist for walking through the house to ensure you didn’t forget anything.

There are enough stressors in life without moving having to be one of them. A little pre-planning and help from trusted partners, like Zippy Shell, can mean the difference between a stress-free move and a nightmare of a move.

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Uncover Some Moving Costs Hidden in the Fine Print

Whether it’s local or long distance, your number one concern when considering a move is going to be the cost. Most people want to weigh the services of a professional moving company against doing things yourself. There are lots of places you can get a free online moving quote, and although these numbers are a good first step, you may find that some of them leave out fees and surcharges that are buried in the fine print. Little fees can add up to a huge difference in your bottom-line budget and send your blood pressure through the roof!

Here are a few things to keep in mind when preparing your moving budget:

Don’t forget the tape!

It’s probably the most common thing people forget to add to their moving budget. Determining how much packing material you will need can be difficult. There’s tape, plastic wrap, boxes, markers, packing peanuts and paper, blankets and more. You don’t want to run out, but how much is too much? Remember to include this expense on your moving spreadsheet!

You don’t know it all – Include a professional in your plans.

We’re guessing you are not a moving professional, but it might be a really good idea to invite one into your home. Sure, you can mention to a moving rep how many rooms you need to pack, or you can key that number into an online service, but it’s a guess at best. To get a better idea of cost, you may want to consider making an appointment with a professional mover to more accurately account for your belongings.

Stuff they don’t tell you about expenses on the road.

Did you know that moving companies charge for mileage, fuel, tolls, and even windshield wipers? Well, many do. You need to ask what you may be responsible for as your belongings make their way across town or across the country.

Get a Zippy Shell Moving Quote today!

Zippy Shell makes moving simple and affordable. Get your free moving quote today by visiting www.zippyshell.com today!

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5 Ways to Ramp Up the Curb Appeal of Your North Texas Home

Whether you are getting ready to put your North Texas home on the market or are simply looking for ways to make it look fresh and cheery for spring, now is a great time to tackle a few outside-the-home projects.

Spruce Up the Landscaping with Color Mulch: This is an easy one. Your local big box home store or locally-owned nursery probably is already bursting with fresh annuals and greenery. Take time to update/upgrade your beds or adding a couple of well-placed planters or window boxes. North Texas is blessed with amazing year-round weather. Think about upgrading to some perennials so they come back year after year.

Update Your Mailbox: Often, the mailbox is the last thing we think about, yet it’s one of the first things someone sees! Consider installing a new mailbox or painting the old one so it looks clean and new.

Clean Up: Do you have leaves in your gutters? Visible trashcans? Toys strewn about the lawn? Dirty fencing? Sometimes simply picking up the clutter and trash around the front area can make all the difference. If you have excess toys or outdoor furniture you no longer use, consider storing that until you need it.

Repair It: Easy spruce ups also include repairing or replacing torn window screens, touching up peeling trim around front windows and doors and even replacing bulbs.

Paint It: What about that front door? A fresh new color can take a ho-hum curb appeal house to a wow house! Ask your paint experts about best colors to match your existing exterior and trim colors. Be sure to choose paints that will stand up to the North Texas heat.

You don’t have to break the bank this spring to update the curb appeal of your home! Just a few simple changes can make a dramatic difference.

Looking for some extra storage space to clean up the outside of your home? Zippy Shell of North Texas has onsite and portable storage solutions perfect for the job! You can learn more by visiting www.zippyshell.com today!

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Why Do Moving Quotes Vary?

Are you in the research and quote stage of finding the perfect and most cost-effective way to move and/or store your stuff? We get it! It can be confusing when trying to compare apples to apples when there are so many choices. We asked our team of experts to offer a primer on why moving quotes vary and what goes into giving you the most accurate quote.

Who is packing? One of the biggest variables is whether you will be packing your contents and loading the container or if you are looking for help to do so. Zippy Shell partners with a variety of trustworthy companies to help you with your packing and loading; however, this is an additional cost.

How much does your stuff weigh? The weight of your belongings can influence your moving cost, too. Many full-service long-distance movers will quote based on a certain weight, but the actual costs or extra fuel will be impacted by additional weight. Be sure to read the contract carefully and ask your account manager about overage policies and fuel policies, especially if you are choosing a full-service company.

What is the distance between the old location and the new location? Zippy Shell offers the added option of storing your stuff in one of our secure warehouses in between your destination, but distance still matters for all movers. When you are asking for a quote, know that your representative will need specific zip codes and addresses to provide the most accurate quote. The larger the distance, the higher the quote.

In summary, we are often asked why we can’t simply offer quotes via chat or other digital avenues. The answer is there are several key variables and even private information required to give you the most accurate quote. These variables can make a big difference in the quote and the execution of the move. Customer service is our number one priority and we want your move to be flawless!

Get your free moving quote from Zippy Shell! Visit www.zippyshell.com today to get your free moving quote!

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5 Tips for deciding what furniture to move or donate

Whether you are upgrading or downsizing, you most likely will not want to keep all of your old furniture. There is certain furniture that just doesn’t work for you anymore, but it could work for someone else! So how do you decide what to move with you or donate? Follow these easy tricks to help you get the job done!

Size

This is the easiest factor to immediately decide if you are even capable of moving a piece of furniture with you. Get the dimensions of the rooms you want to fill and determine which furniture will actually fit!

Decor

Depending how important style is to you, this may be a make or break decision for you. Compare the trims and colors of your walls to see if the furniture you own would work in that room, with a little bit of paint if necessary. If not, donate it.

Lifestyle

Be honest with yourself about where you are in your life. If you are ready to purchase a bigger bedframe and don’t have a spare room to put that old bedframe, it may be time to donate it.

Needs vs. wants

Do you really need new furniture, or do you just want new furniture? This is a classic problem many people face when moving. Often the answer is they just want new furniture.

Priorities

Sometimes finalizing your budget can help you decide which furniture you must buy first, and what can wait to be added as decor later on once you get settled in.

Once you decide what furniture you want to move with you, have Zippy Shell help move it for you! We will safely deliver all of you items from your previous location to your new location with no worries!

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What are the different ways you can move?

Zippy Shell Mover

When it comes to moving, whether local or long distance, you have a lot of decisions to make. Evaluating all your relocation options before signing a contract can save you money and stress when the time comes. Fortunately, the experts here at Zippy Shell understand all the relocation options and have gathered the pros and cons of each for your consideration.

Full Service Moving Companies

Pros: Full service moving companies are one-stop options. They majority of the work is done for you. You pack your belongings; the company loads and then drives the contents to the new location and unpacks the boxes.

Cons: Full service moving companies have tight schedules, especially during peak months like May, June and July. If you are one to make last-minute decisions or changes, it might not be the best option for you. Plus, you must have all your packing complete and ready the day the movers show up.

Moving Containers

Pros: Moving containers are delivered conveniently to your location and picked up when you are ready. You can take your time loading them, thus not feeling rushed. Once they are picked up, they can be transported to a secure warehouse until you are ready to have it delivered to your new location.

Cons: Depending on where you live and the access, the container may not be delivered as close to your location as you would like or there may be HOA or city ordinances covering where they may be placed. There is also a monthly fee associated with the storage of the unit.

DIY Moving with Rental Trucks

Pros: This is the most affordable option and can be done on a relatively short timeline. There are probably several rental truck options near you.

Cons: This is the least stress-free option of all discussed. You may have mechanical issues with the truck during your move that put you in a time crunch. Additionally, you must make time to pick up and return the truck, thus eating away at your moving time line.

Whatever you choose, take the time to evaluate every option, along with in-depth pros and cons.

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How to Boost Your Curb Appeal During the Winter

Winter can be tough on your home, but that’s not an excuse to let your curb appeal go. There are some quick things you can do in the Winter to keep your home looking great all season long. Here are our favorite tips and tricks to boosting your curb appeal in the Winter.

Fresh paint

Stay up to date with the exterior of your home. Repaint your front door, as well as your shutters when necessary to give your home a fresh new look. Choose a nice color to make your home stand out in the darkness of winter.

Keep Snow Cleared

Keep your sidewalks, driveway, and front porch clear from snow to prevent any damage to the pavers underneath and accidents that could cause injury. Clearing the snow off will help keep your walkways and driveway looking their best.

Clean up Debris

Clear out all of the leaves from your gutters that have accumulated from the fall, and additionally, always make sure there is no debris in your yard, such as leaves or fallen branches. Clean gutters will stop water from overflowing the gutters and running down the side of your house spreading dirt and mud all over the exterior of your home.

Feed the birds

Install a bird feeder in your front yard; any size will do. Attracting birds to your yard will make your yard a more inviting place.

Illuminate your home with a warm glow

The winter cold can give a harsh white color to the world. Make sure the lights in your front yard are a soft yellow color to give your home a warm appearance.

Add some greenery

Although it is hard for most plants to thrive in the winter weather, adding just a little bit of life to your front yard will make your home look less lifeless. Add something like a mini pine tree that can withstand the cold.

Once your home has been purchased, have Zippy Shell help you safely move your items to your new home. Get a quote here today!

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4 Ways Families in North Texas are Using Portable Storage

Portable storage containers are used for all sorts of projects both for families and businesses in Denton County, but when spring rolls around, folks in North Texas get creative. Because these movable units are so easy to use, families find them a preferable option for big storage projects. The biggest benefit is the unit is delivered directly to your location and then you can pack your portable storage unit at your own pace. So easy!

Check out these four ways North Texans are Using Portable Storage:

Home repair: Save what you can. Things happen. Things like flooding, fire, and smoke damage can really turn your world upside down. Portable storage is an ideal way to move undamaged goods out of the way while your home is undergoing repairs.

Spring cleaning: Let’s get rid of the clutter. Spring cleaning can be like an adventure or a treasure hunt. It’s amazing–you’ll find things you’ve been searching for all year. It’s also a fabulous time to purge the mess. Using portable storage containers to sort and store items until you find a place for them is a great option to clear distractions and make your home a happier, cleaner place.

Remodeling: Done with the stress. If you’ve ever done any home remodeling, you know that it can be messy and stressful. And worse, it can sometimes take a really long time. That’s when portable storage can come in handy. You can move your belongings out of the way for safe keeping while you speed up the renovations.

Moving and selling your home: Less is more. Showcasing your home to potential buyers means getting rid of the clutter and other unnecessary items. Portable storage units are a great way to keep your belongings close but place them out of the way while buyers check out your home.

Looking for a storage solution? Zippy Shell of North Texas makes storage easy and affordable. Learn more about our storage solutions by visiting www.zippyshell.com today!