About Agni Skafidas

Visiting new parents – Give them some peace of mind

A number of my friends and neighbours welcomed a tiny bundle of joy into their life. The cute little boys and girls are growing by the minute and with them, their parents are adjusting to their new responsibilities. Despite having seen many kids grow up over the years, one question which always seems to be on my mind is “What do you the parents when visiting their baby for the first time?”

Speaking with other new parents, I’ve started collecting some of their biggest challenges and how any visitor can help the new parent. Here are my top tips for you to give parents some peace of mind:

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Japan, KonMari and sparking joy

I’m super excited to write this post in Tokyo, Japan. A project is taking me to this fantastic country and what a great way it is to learn more about organising in small spaces. For us in the Middle East, space is often not an issue. Villas and apartments are substantially larger than in Europe or even in Japan, where the average apartment is a mere 59.7 sqm (642.6 sq ft).

It’s not surprising that the Japanese have taken residential organising to a whole new level.

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How to have an organised home office

Keeping the home office organised is a very common struggle for many of my readers. One of my clients and I spent a very productive decluttering session, purging, sorting and organising her papers and files. It was so rewarding seeing her achieve peace of mind by knowing where everything is now stored and according to her preferences.

I want to help you to be as productive as you can be in your home office and compiled some top tips for you:

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The blocks we create inside ourselves

The weather was so lovely this week, I decided to walk from my client’s meeting to the metro station. I was super pleased with the meeting and loved watching the people around the business buildings while getting some steps in. This young kid approached me and asked for directions. Did you know that helping others is not only benefitting them but also has a positive impact on you (for example, it reduces stress and increases your well-being)?

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Dress to impress – What to wear for your next interview

Over the next few weeks, the great fashion shows of New York, Paris, London and Milan are taking place. The runway is a fabulous place to present some outstanding creations. Would it be something you could pick up and wear to an interview?

A number of the collections won’t make it into the wardrobe of a successful business owner or professional. Last week, a client asked me what to wear for her upcoming interview. It was with a conservative company and wearing loud colours does not fit into their culture, no matter how much my client loves them. After a Colour Me Beautiful colour analysis, we looked at her existing wardrobe, identified suitable pieces and also shopped for a few additions. She’s now all set to attend the final round of interviews!

Congratulations when you’ve been invited for a face-to-face interview! Now, how do you dress to impress?

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Get ready for tax season

One of the beauties of Dubai is its tax-free nature. Unfortunately, some of us still have to file a tax return in our home countries. I’m lucky and only have to submit a “mini” tax return. The supporting documents, receipts and forms are already available and kept in one folder. It shouldn’t take my accountant too long to complete it. It’s not always this easy to get ready for tax season.

I’ve had my years where I scrapped for the receipts to get the most out of the different allowances and deductions. The stress of knowing that I had it but couldn’t find it drove me nuts. Until I changed to a system of collecting and sorting tax-relevant documents throughout the year, tax season always had a reputation. Please note this is not tax advice, just general information: Here are my tips to make tax season easier for you:

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