Just ordered...

I just did an insanely impulsive thing and ordered this bedding off amazon.com for my guest bedroom..

Fingers crossed it looks as good in person as it does in the picture. I think it would be fun to accessorize with bright pops of yellow..

Color Personality

Hi Friends... I'm still struggling to determine my personality through my decorating and colors however I feel like this simple exercise is pretty spot on!!

Try it yourself and see if it works for you!

http://www.prattandlambert.com/color/personality-quiz/interior/index.jsp

Your Personal Color Profile

Mosaic

26-19 Northern Star

6-20 Bittersweet

31-12 Atlantic Tulip

26-16 Blueberry

8-16 Orange Spice

24-13 Academy Blue

12-16 Gold Spice

18-18 Graphite

11-19 Dunsmuir

32-14 Garnet

20-19 Woodland

3-15 Red Carriage

The mosaic palette consists of plush, rich hues that combine with strong furnishings and accents for an intriguing and comfortable environment. Saturated jewel tones and earth tones are for people who crave a home that reflects their travels and their adventurous and romantic nature. They desire an environment with collections that are reminiscent of other times and cultures.

"YART"

Yard Art..

Found this little gem at Canton and had to share.. Not sure if my husband is on board with it yet but I love it. Our backyard is like a little jungle and it fits in just right..

Some might find it tacky but I think it is the perfect addition of "YART".. Next up- a border surrounding our beds made up of wine bottles turned upside down and hammered into the yard(I'm only dreaming)..

Mini Chandelier Update

I've been dying for a new house project!! Just so many to do and I'm unsure of where to start especially since I don't want to spend a lot of money! The office, the fence, flooring and gutters.. just don't no where to start.

Here's a little project I had fun doing.. It's amazing how long I think about doing something and it really is so simply and doesn't take long once you commit..

My Mini Chandelier Update

Sorry for the quality- taken from my i-phone

Basically I took some bronze paint from hobby lobby and once I was done covering the white base, I sponge painted it with teal to give it a patina look. Next I want to paint the ceiling.. However that makes me want to re-paint the entry way and dining room which is more of a project than I was hoping to take on.. We'll see..

I'm in love... with bedding!

Ahhh.... I'm in love with this bedding and room for that matter. Actually I love anything "ikat" right now. This fabric comes with an INSANE price tag but a girl can dream, right? Below are a few other fabrics I currently like.. If only I would take that sewing class I've been meaning to take I might actually be able to take on a project like that.. One day..

Favorite Time of Year!!

(Picture from our Boston trip last fall)

Ugh... It's embarrassing how long it's been since I posted. I guess I've stayed busy with work which is a great thing. I've been blessed these last few months with some amazing clients and I am so thankful for them. I get to be part of these peoples lives when they make one of the most important decisions and the joy on their faces when they close on their future home is truly wonderful!! The best part is that I get to build a long-term relationship with some pretty special people!

On another note, I am in LOVE with this weather and all things fall. I've had so much fun decorating my house and I've determined it is ok to spend money on fall decor bc you get to enjoy for 2 months versus Christmas which kinda limits you to one. :)

I'm starting to get a big re-model/project itch.. But there is so many things that I would like to do, I'm struggling to decide which one we should take on next..

Some of my ideas include:

*Wood Floors... ahhh I want them so bad but they are by far the most expensive thing on my wish list

*Removing the wall between the kitchen and living room.. sounds simple but that leads to a huge project that would include- building a breakfast bar, needing a new downdraft cooktop and re-facing/adding cabinets

*New fence and landscaping.. something my husband would get more enjoyment out of..

Hmmm... decisions decisions..

Top 10 Staging Tips

Top 10 Staging Tips to SELL YOUR HOME!

1. Consider the curb appeal.
At minimum, lawns should be freshly mowed, leaves raked and some flowers planted. Consider a hanging or potted plant for the entrance. Sweep the porch, deck and all walk ways and ensure garbage and recycling are tucked neatly away from the front of the house.
Scrub your front door, porch, outside railings and steps. This is cheaper than repainting and makes a world of difference. Once the outside entrance is clean, decide if the paint really needs a touch up. This is where the buyer will spend A LOT of time as their agent will fumble with the key that doesn't quite open the door easily-trust me- it happens daily!!

2. Get rid of clutter!
Pick one closet or area at a time so the task isn't as daunting. Look at every item with a very critical eye and ask yourself why you're keeping it. You'll probably have to edit the same closets a number of times to really whittle them down to the "essentials". If rooms and closets still look cramped, rent a storage locker. I like to recommend that my sellers remove bathroom clutter by investing in a little shower caddy so the home presents itself in the best possible way!

3. Turn excess inventory into cash.
If you have a collection of items for projects you never got around to, return them. This also applies to the two-year supply of light bulbs, canned goods or paper products sitting in your basement. Without a receipt you won't get cash, but you will have a store credit that you can use once you move. Less clutter and less stuff to pack, move and unpack again! Remember LESS is MORE!

4. Watch where the eye goes.
There are speedy and low cost solutions to many of the little problems that together make a home seem shabbier than it needs to. Walk along each corridor and into every room and check where your eye is drawn (better yet, ask a critical friend or family member). If the eye is drawn to the chipped white paint on the door frame, take some "white out" and fill it in. Often little projects can make the biggest difference!

5. Find a fix-it person.
Ensure cupboards open and shut and that no taps are dripping. Look in all rooms for things you never got around to fixing and decide which ones might be distracting to potential buyers. No, it's not OK for door handles to fall off, even if you have learned to ignore it! In some markets and neighborhoods, it makes sense for you to have a pre-inspection first but not always. Consult your agent for more information.

6. Clean, clean and clean again.
This can be one of the more stressful aspects of having your home on the market— but it's worth the effort to sell your home for top dollar. You can hire a professional service to come in and deep clean everything; then take 20-30 minutes each day to maintain it.Don't neglect hallways. They lead potential buyers through your home and should be bright and clutter free. Remember you're trying to maximize the feeling of space in your home! Appliances should sparkle even if you're not including them with the house. After all, you might throw them in later as a negotiating tool. Your home should shine! Remember clean windows let in more light and look newer. Hire a service if you have to— it's worth the investment. A clean home leaves the impression that the house is well cared for. This helps put buyers at ease— especially a first time buyer who may be worried about the responsibilities of owning a house. Call me if you need cleaning resources.

7. Let in some air.
Open some windows for at least 10 minutes. There is nothing worse than walking into a stuffy house or one that smells of smoke and pet odors. Also be very careful when lighting candles. Some people are very sensitive to perfume smells and it may make them question if you are trying to mask a smell.

8. Let in some light.
It might be mood lighting to you, but if you're trying to sell your home, keep it bright! Dimly lit rooms tend to look small and dingy— especially during the day. If you have a particularly dark room, consider investing in a floor lamp that will bounce light off the ceiling. Prior to a showing, turn on all lights and open curtains to allow the most light in possible.

9. Don't forget fresh flowers.
You don't need to spend a fortune to have fresh flowers throughout your home. Even a daisy in a bud vase brightens a bathroom counter. You can also use potted flowering plants that are in season for a low-cost solution and hopefully they will be something you can bring to your next house to enjoy.

10. Carefully consider music.
Soft background music can help create a soothing environment and camouflage neighbor and traffic noise. But make sure the volume is very low. Blaring TVs are definitely a no-no, but you'd be surprised how many people leave them on for showings! Which reminds me- ALWAYS be gone during the entire time your home is being shown. There is nothing more uncomfortable than showing a home with the owners there.

For more information, visit stagingdiva.com.

Open House Today!!

403 Saint Lukes Open Sunday from 2-4!! Come visit me at this beautiful home located in the highly desirable Richardson Heights neighborhood!!

Wahoo!! SOLD in 2 days!

My BEAUTIFUL listing sold in 2 days!! I had a feeling it would move quickly. It was move-in ready and was just a dollhouse. The best part is that the new owners get to be my neighbors...only kidding. Seriously though.. this home was perfectly staged and showed so well. My next listing is going to be empty and I'm secretly thinking about moving my furniture over there to ensure that it sells quickly. I'm not sure if my husband would really be a fan of living in a empty home for a month... : ) Hmmm....

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

Help!! Need design ideas!

Help... My master bedroom is 80% complete and now I don't know what else to add. I am open to any and all ideas. I struggle so much trying to decide what to hang on the walls. I would like to purchase something bold to hang over the desk but I'm unsure of what...

A little about the room...

Walls: Martha Stewart Heavy Goose from Home Depot

Bedding: Anthropologie- India Ink (I eyed it for 2 years before I caved)

Tin Wall Panels: Pottery Barn

Furniture: Painted Black or White (furniture from college thats asking to be replaced)

Accessories: Home Goods aka my FAVORITE decorating store

Any and all ideas would be appreciated! Hope everyone has a wonderful week.

Coming Soon.. My new listing hitting the market on Tuesday!!! It is SOOO cute!

FYI.. Pictures taken with my phone.. sorry about the quality!

Open House Sunday

Hi Friends... I will be holding open 1206 Laurel Lane in Richardson on Sunday from 2-4.. Fantastic curb appeal in highly sought after Richardson Heights neighborhood.

Eye Candy in Downtown McKinney

I am so excited to meet with a potential client and dear friend today to discuss buying a historic home in downtown McKinney. They have such charm and character!! I absolutely love everything about them!!

The market has changed quite a bit and more often than not, I'm showing homes that have been neglected and foreclosed on so it's a nice change of pace to view homes that have been loved on and taken care of..

I've moved!!!

Hi Friends..

I haven't written in FOREVER!! My goal this week: at least 3 blog posts!

So.. I guess a lot has been going on in the last month and things are finally going back to normal. I have recently moved brokerage firms. I was previously on a Keller Williams team and now I am independent with Ebby Halliday. I absolutely love my new challenge and I'm excited to see where my future takes me. It is weird having absolute control over your time and how you spend your days and I have found I work harder and longer with greater sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. I've stayed busy with several buyers, open houses and will be listing several properties within the next couple weeks. Stay tuned for some fun "house candy" in the near future. I am so thankful for wonderful, supportive friends and family that have supported me in this transition.

If you know of anyone looking to buy or sell, I would be honored if you would recommend me.

More excited posts to come..

Guest bathroom complete..

The pictures don't do it justice but the guest bathroom is now complete as well. Jason re-tiled the floor, textured the walls, added a beadboard ceiling, and plumbed the sinks for a new beautiful double vanity. I'm so lucky to have such a talented husband! Unfortunately our taxes have delayed any future projects...

Green Thumb..? I think not..

This weekend hubby and I did some much needed yard work. We loaded the truck up with a bed full of mulch and some fresh plants and got to work. We added mulch to all the beds in the front and backyard, planted some indian hawthornes along the backyard walkway as well as 150+ begonias in various beds. I even put my spring wreath out which I made. It makes me smile. I enjoy working in the yard but it sure is exhausting. Jason and I were both asleep by 10:30 on Saturday but it was very rewarding. I praying that my hydrangeas come back in full blooms this year.. fingers crossed. I think I'll wait for my next Canton trip to stock up on hanging baskets..etc.. Hope you enjoy my pictures!

Love my HUGE tree!!

New Indian Hawthornes..

My matching planters on my front porch..

My favorite wreath..

Doesn't look impressive but hopefully it will fill out..

Master Bathroom is COMPLETE!

Bathroom is complete and I'm in LOVE!! So thankful for my super talented husband who completed the entire bathroom by himself. He took down a wall, added a wall, added a double vanity, relocated the toilet and shower, built a shower with seat, built a halfway, relocated the water lines, relocated the electrical.. the list goes on and on. It's so much fun to get ready in here now.. I feel like I'm in hotel. I purchased the items from the following locations:

Vanity: Ebay
Faucets: Ebay
Mirror: Lowes
Tile: Floor and Decor
Accessories: Home Goods