2018 Magical Holiday Tips

In the world of Pintrest and Instagram, we are inundated with great holiday decorating ideas. However, many of them require time, money, or space that we may not have readily available. Plus, at some point, the commercialism begins to erode at the magic of the season. So this year our team focused on fun, easy, and inexpensive holiday trimmings that embrace family and tradition, when possible.  Check out our top 6 take aways from decorating our homes this season.

1. Put packages on the wall - wrap your art! 

No, seriously, this is a totally awesome and quick way to create a little holiday magic. Whether it is wrapping an entire gallery wall of art or just the painting over your sofa, packages hung on the wall make a big impact. Even better it only takes a few minutes to wrap them and the only only cost is wrapping paper and ribbon. So go crazy!

2. Poly-fil "tree snow"

Looking for that winter wonderland look for your Christmas tree? Walmart, JoAnn Fabrics, Amazon... all carry poly-fil pillow stuffing for about $2.99 a bag. Just put globs of it on each tree branch and you have instant snow. One bag is plenty for a large tree! Kids have soooo much fun helping with this.

3. Utilizing odd ornaments as package decor

Over the years I have accumulated a number of random ornaments or holiday decor that I don't really know what to do with but feel guilty getting rid of - the crocheted wreath ornament made by grandma, Aunt Maggie's five little Christmas balls, a random bottle brush tree. This year we took a page from Anthropologie and wrapped gifts in brown Kraft paper (my favorite gift wrap!), drew quick sketches on the packages and attached coordinating oddities.

If your random holiday items don't translate well to packages or you feel intimidated by the drawing aspect (Crystal and Libby certainly raised their eyebrows at the idea of drawing a truck), make a holiday "Box" to sit on your coffee table or entry console. I had several strange little foam Santa's that had once been part of Christmas flower arrangements and a random elf, all inherited from my mom. They look quite festive, all nestled together in a dollar store tin box. Bonus, they remind me of childhood Christmas's and prompt me to tell my kids stories of their Grandmother and times gone by.

4. Switch out those throw pillows to complete your look

Whether your theme is silver and blue or red and green, pull the whole look together with matching throw pillows and maybe a table runner. Obviously, we went all out on the plaid front this year, but the important thing is to be consistent in your decor.

5. Embrace your ticky/tacky, inherited objects

Let's face it, the holidays are ultimately about family and tradition. So pull out those memories.  My mother had  collected quite a few Santas, not particularly my taste, but grouped together they are actually charming. Don't discriminate! The 1940's metal Santa bank (the only one I love) looks great with my brother's 2nd grade folded magazine Santa, and Aunt Lizzie's ceramic St. Nick. It is the grouping itself that makes the impact.

6. When in doubt through a garland on it

I always purchase plain greenery garlands at the after Christmas sales. They end up on mantles, around chandeliers, and swagged over windows. The finishing touch to any Holiday setting.

Prepping Before & After's - How to Sell Your Home for the Most Money

There are many moving parts in a real estate transaction - Prepping a property, marketing the property, securing a contract, and contract to close - Each of these steps are extremely important and  like stair steps, they build on one another -if each step is not handled correctly, it makes getting to the next one a bit of a leap. 

Prepping a property is the foundation for maximizing profits. We all have our own personal taste and decor needs but it is important to take the "personal" out of a property when selling. Please speak to your Realtor before making any modifications! Realtors have their finger on the pulse of what buyers in your area are looking for and can help you make choices that will have the highest return on investment.

Before and After Property Prep

1. PAINT

It seems so simple, but new paint is the number one way to increase your home's value. It is also one of the cheapest changes you can make. The above living room is in a house that has 8 foot ceilings. Dark colors, in a room with ceilings lower than 9 feet, visually reduces the ceiling height. Painting the ceiling a very pale blue paired with white or cream walls, visually raises the ceiling height.

Paint improves more than just interiors - Don't forget the street appeal! Exteriors are a great place for those dark colors!

2. DE-CLUTTER

Let's face it, life happens and most of us do not live in a magazine spread. However, since HGTV, Houzz and Pinterest entered our lives, buyers expect properties that look like they came out of Elle Decor. 

3. REMOVE OUTDATED WALLPAPER

While wallpaper has made comeback, it still remains very personal. So if it looks like you maxed out your credit card at Laura Ashley, you should probably make a change. 

Wallpaper in living areas is much less "buyer friendly" than putting it in a powder room or foyer. Painted walls in living areas sell best!

$. EDIT - Some things just don't belong

The bookshelves in the 'before' picture were not easily accessible and not balanced, since they appeared to hang in mid-air. The room took on a grand appearance once they were removed.

The mantle in the 'before' shot seem to overtake the small room. We removed it, and created a shiplap accent wall. This simple change made the space appear larger. Editing is often necessary when prepping a home for sale.

4. STAGE

  

Some people feel that staging is disingenuous, since you are buying a house not it's contents -so what should the contents matter. But that is a lot like going on a blind date wearing your pajamas. 

Remember, this is not personal! It is a business transaction. Properly prepping your home makes it sell faster and for more $$$$. 

Stress Busting Decorating Tips

Ok, I know what you are thinking, my decor relates to my mental health? Huh!?!

But it's not as far fetched as you might think.  Multiple studies have found the environment you live/work in directly relates to how you feel. Face it, most of us hate to walk into our house when it is dirty, chaotic or dysfunctional. It raises our stress level and sometimes even creates depression. While cleaning up solves some of the problem, there are other simple steps you can take 

to create a more zen abode.

1. Make sure each room has a focal point.

A focal point insures that a room feels comfortable and relaxing. Not sure if your room has a focal point? Here are a few questions, to help you figure it out.

• Is the furniture lined up along the walls?  If so, it is unlikely there is a focal point. It is hard to have something serve as the anchor for the room if the furniture is not grouped around it. That means some of the furniture needs to be "floating" in the room, without its back against a wall. 

• Is the furniture facing a major design feature? - a fireplace, large windows, TV, Armoire, sofa? First, and foremost the furniture should always be facing a focal point, such as a fireplace. Note the picture above is a definite "DON'T".  If you do not have a clear anchor in the room make one: use a large piece of furniture, TV, or art. If the room cannot be oriented this way, ensure that the sofa takes center stage and use it as the focal point.

• Are there clear pathways? - While you don't want your furniture lined up against the wall, you also want to make sure you have not created an obstacle course. Make clear and logical pathways into your seating areas and through your rooms. Do not block the entry to a seating area with a piece of furniture.

2. Functional equals beautiful 

Funny how a functional room is usually the most inviting.  Include the following tips for a more functional and beautiful space.

• Lighting - Make sure there is adequate lighting next to seating. Meaning a lamp on either side of the sofa and next to chairs. A seating area should have adequate light, no dark corners, when the overhead lights are off. Any work zones like a kitchen or bathroom should have strong overhead and task lighting, such as sconces.

• Proper table placement - A place to set a drink next to each seat. For a sofa this is usually a coffee table, for a chair(s) this is often a side table

• No stray wires - Tidy up wires hanging behind tables or on floors. All those wire create visual clutter, which creates anxiety.

• Clear away the "other" clutter - "Have nothing in your house you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful" William Morris. That means your mother-in-law's ugly vase goes (at least to the garage)

3. Add plants 

Not as much work as a pet but also proven to make you feel better. If you aren't sure what to buy, head to your local garden center and ask for a couple of 'easy care' plants to start. You may want to check out this article about the value of plants on mental health.

4. Make it personal 

Mass produced items are remarkably soulless. A room straight out of West Elm probably looks great but, is unlikely to nurture your soul. Display collections, children's art, family photos... Just don't go overboard, since clutter generally creates anxiety but make your space YOURS! 

5. Accents from nature 

Just as plants are good for your health, so are other natural trinkets. From birds nests to branches, rocks to turtle shells, simple items found in nature are known to create a sense of calm. When you tire of these items, simply return them to the outdoors.

These suggestions don't cost a lot of money or take a lot of time to do. But little changes can have a huge impact. It is an overwhelming and stressful world we live in. Reducing stress and anxiety where we can, makes all the difference.

Auto-Immune Paleo Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Soup

Simple, Easy, and Quick - PROMISE!

More and more people with auto-immune diseases are discovering that a change in diet is the best way to become symptom free. I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis three years ago and diet definitely effects my symptoms. In February I will be embarking on the scientifically proven, Auto-Immune Paleo diet. I have been doing a lot of research and saving recipes like a mad woman. While the diet is restrictive, I realized several of my favorite recipes already fit within the protocol. Today, I am sharing our families favorite chicken soup recipe. It is a rich, aromatic Asian style chicken soup and my goto when anyone at our house is sick. It turns out it is also Auto-Immune Paleo friendly!

Ingredients:

1 large organic onion, chopped

3 - 4 inch piece ginger, diced (just depends on how much you like ginger)

16 oz shiitake mushroom caps or Straw mushrooms, sliced8 oz button mushrooms, sliced  

1 lb. chicken thighs (or breasts if you prefer white meat), cut into bite size chunks

1 tablespoon coconut aminos (optional)

1 quart organic chicken stock (homemade insures it is Paleo Auto-immune friendly)

2 cans organic coconut milk

2 limes juiced

3 tsp salt (may require more if your stock is not salty)

2 Tbsp olive oil 
Chopped Cilantro for garnish

      Heat olive oil in a large soup pot. Add onion and ginger, and mushrooms cook for 3 minutes. 

Add the chicken, and coconut aminos. Saute for approximately 5 more minutes. Add the chicken stock, coconut milk, lime juice and salt. Bring to a boil, turn to low and simmer for 20 - 25 minutes. Ladle into bowls and garnish with cilantro.

Enjoy!