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March 2013 is special publication brought to you by Susan Brewer Service First Real Estate St. Patrick’s Day Cottleville Parade Do Your Taxes FREE p. 4 Easy Easter Brunch p. 10
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March 2013
This special publication brought to you by Susan Brewer Service First Real Estate
St. Patrick’s DayCottleville Parade
Do YourTaxes FREE
p. 4
Easy EasterBrunch p. 10
2 H&H Magazine | www.STLHandHMag.com
www.STLHandHMag.com
WEBSITE & FEEDBACK
EDITOR IN CHIEFWade Brewer
DESIGNJosh West
FEATURES EDITORAndrew Brewer
Self published by Susan Brewer Service First Real Estate. All material herein is copyrighted and all rights are reserved.
March typically signifies the beginning of spring in our area, but this year we are still looking at snow on the ground. I’m sure that by the time we complete our next issue we will all be looking forward to the hot St. Louis summer.
In Cottleville, March also means the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade where 30,000 people are expected to line the streets of the small city and cel-ebrate all things Irish. As always, Susan Brewer Service First Real Estate will be in the middle of the festivities as a place for our Realtors, employees, families and friends to gather and enjoy the parade. Please consider this your personal invitation to join us. We will once again be handing out FREE Sno Cones (while supplies last).
If you are unable make it to the parade, maybe you can visit our office on March 24th for our annual Easter Egg Hunt and photos with the Easter Bunny. Photos begin at 12:30 and the Easter Egg Hunt begins at 1:00.
This is a fun time of year in St. Louis, hopefully you can take the time to en-joy some of the spring activities our area has to offer. As always, we would love to hear of any events or activities that you think our readers may enjoy reading about. You can contact me at [email protected].
Thank you for reading our magazine, and enjoy the beginning of Spring.
A note from the editor...
Wade BrewerEditor-in-chief
H&H Magazine | www.STLHandHMag.com 3
6St. Patrick’s Day Cottleville ParadeFloats, Candy and Lucky Leprechauns!
CONTENTS4
7
8
10
12
14
15
16
18
How to Do Your Taxes for FREE!
St. Patrick’s Cupcakes
Spring Cleaning Shortcuts
Easy Easter Brunch
Prep Your Toolbox
Smells That Sell
Adding a Little Luxury
Tips for a Flawless Painting Project
St. Louis Happenings
4 H&H Magazine | www.STLHandHMag.com
To view a video about Free File, use a scanner app on your smart phone to read this QR code.
How to Do Your TaxesFOR FREE!
Going to college; getting your first job; moving into your own place. To these rites of passage add one more: doing your own taxes. And, it’s not as scary as you might think because there’s help available. It’s called
Free File, and it’s offered exclusively from the IRS in partnership with nearly 15 leading tax software com panies. About 3 million people use it every year. Free File lets you choose brand-name software that does the hard work for you — all for free. And, it offers a fast, safe and free option for everyone. Brand-name tax software is available to those who made $57,000 or less in 2012 — which is about 70 percent of us. Earned more? Try Free File’s online fillable forms, the electronic alternative to IRS paper forms.
Three simple steps to getting startedStep 1: Gather Your Tax Information Collect your tax information and log on to Free File through the IRS
website: www.IRS.gov/freefile.
Step 2: Choose an Option The “Help Me Choose A Company” option helps you pick the
brand-name software that will guide you through the tax process. Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic documents, perform basic
math calculations and are for people who are comfortable preparing their own paper tax returns.
Step 3: Prepare and e-file Your Return E-file your return for free. No matter what option you choose,
IRS and brand-name software providers use the most current technology to ensure tax information is encrypted, so it’s safe and secure when it’s transmitted.
Free File is also available online 24/7, giving you the freedom to choose when and how you do your taxes.
Checklist of materials to do your taxesKeep this list as a checklist of the items you will need to do your taxes. The IRS recommends keeping all tax-related documents for three years, in case of an audit. Tracking income-related documents can help you take full advantage of deductions available to you.
A copy of last year’s tax return
Valid Social Security numbers for yourself, spouse and children
All income statements, i.e. W-2 forms, from all employers
Interest/dividend statements, i.e. 1099 forms
Form 1099-G showing any state refunds
Unemployment compensation amount
Social Security benefits
Expense receipts for deductions
Day care provider’s identifying number
H&H Magazine | www.STLHandHMag.com 5
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) helps you keep more of what you earnedNo tax benefit offers a greater lifeline to working families than EITC. Yet, one out of every five eligible taxpayers fails to claim it, according to the IRS. Because of the economy, even more people may be eligible if they have had changes in their earned income. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
The maximum credit for 2012 tax returns is $5,891 for workers with three or more qualifying children.
Eligibility for the EITC is determined based on a number of factors including earnings, filing status and eligible children. Workers without qualifying children may be eligible for a smaller credit amount.
Learn more at www.irs.gov/eitc and use the EITC Assistant, or ask your tax professional. If you are eligible for EITC, you also are eligible for free tax help at VITA sites nationwide or to use Free File at www.irs.gov/freefile.
EITC: Are you eligible? You must have earned income.
Your adjusted gross income cannot be more than the limit.
Your filing status cannot be “Married filing separately.”
You must have a valid Social Security number.
You must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien all year.
You cannot file Form 2555 or Form 2555-EZ.
Your investment income must be $3,200 or less.
Did you know? Most refunds are issued in less than 21 days. Combining e-file with direct deposit is still the
fastest way to get your refund. Use “Where’s My Refund?” to get personalized
refund information based on the processing of your tax return.
You can also use the IRS app, IRS2Go, to check the status of your refund.
Can’t meet April 15 deadline? Use Free File for a free extension; then use Free File to do your taxes by October 15.
Volunteer Income Tax AssistanceThere are thousands of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites nationwide that offer free help to those earning around $51,000 or less. To locate the nearest VITA site, search for “VITA” on IRS.gov. Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE), which is supported by AARP, offers free tax help to people who are age 60 and older. Locate the nearest AARP Tax-Aide site at AARP.org or call 1-888-227-7669. Some VITA/TCE sites even offer Free File. You can do it yourself on their computers.
6 H&H Magazine | www.STLHandHMag.com
Cottleville ParadeSt. Patrick’s Day
H&H Magazine | www.STLHandHMag.com 7
Approximately 35,000 people are expected to line the streets of Cottleville on Saturday, March 16th for the fifth annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade and festivities always draw a large crowd and this year will be no exception. As with last year, there will be shuttles available to assist with parking for the parade and is just one example of the event’s increasing popu-larity.
If this year’s parade is anything like 2012, over 150 floats will participate in the parade passing out candy and good cheer to the thousands lining the parade route. The parade will begin at 12:00 noon and starts at Cottleville Pkwy & Weiss Rd. and travels down Weiss Rd to Hwy “N” through historic downtown Cottleville turns left at hwy N ending at Francis Howell Central. Free shuttles will be running throughout the day. Shut-tle parking locations are the old American Furniture location, St. Charles Community College and Warren Elementary. Shuttle drop-off & pick-up locations are Sherlock’s, Cottleville Wine Seller & Cottleville Fire-house.
The Cottleville parade was never intended to compete with the other parades in the St. Louis area but to give residents of St. Charles county an option of staying closer to home.
Prior to the parade, at 8:00 AM, over 2,000 partici-pants will take part in the annual 7K charity run. The event is sponsored by the Cottleville firefighters’ com-munity outreach organization. A two mile fun run will also follow the runners of the 7K.
The office of Susan Brewer Service First Real Estate is a great place to enjoy the parade. They offer a fantastic area to watch the floats progress by and again this year will be providing FREE Sno Cones while supplies last so be sure to arrive early.
To find more information regarding the Cottleville St. Patrick’s Day Parade visit www.StPatParade.org
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Flavorful Green TreatsSt. Patrick’s Day is the perfect occasion to have fun in the kitchen with the color holiday.
“Food color and extract can transform an ordinary cupcake or cookie into a festive delight, worthy of any St. Paddy’s party,” said Mary Beth Harrington of the McCormick Kitchens.
For a green twist on classic red velvet cupcakes, stir green food color into basic cake mix and add pure vanilla extract, sour cream and cocoa powder. Frost and decorate with green sprinkles or colored sugar to make them fun for kids of all ages.
For more St. Patrick’s Day ideas and recipes, visit www.McCormick.com, www.Facebook.com/McCormickSpiceor www.Pinterest.com/mccormickspices.
Easy Green Velvet Cupcakes
1 package (18 1/4 ounces) German chocolate cake mix with pudding1 cup sour cream1/2 cup water1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder1/4 cup vegetable oil1 bottle (1 ounce) McCormick Green Food Color3 eggs2 teaspoons McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract1 container (16 ounces) cream cheese frosting Green sprinkles (optional)
Preheat oven to 350F. Beat cake mix, sour cream, water, cocoa powder, oil, food color, eggs and vanilla in large bowl with elec-tric mixer on low speed just until moistened, scraping sides of bowl frequently. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes.
Pour batter into 24 paper-lined muffin cups, filling each cup 2/3 full. Bake 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cupcake comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire rack. Frost with cream cheese frosting. Decorate with sprinkles, if desired.
SPRING CLEANINGSHORTCUTS
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KitchenAs one of the busiest rooms in the house, the kitchen gets cleaned frequently, but there are some areas that may need a little more TLC.
Use steam to clean the inside of the microwave. Bring two cups of water to a boil in the microwave, keep the door closed and let the water sit for a few minutes. The steam loosens dried-on food particles, making it easier to wipe them away. For a fresh scent, drop a slice or two of lemon in the water before boiling. Keep it clean by using food covers to prevent food splatters.
Keeping the sink, counters and appliances clean and sanitized is fast and easy with a product such as Kitchen Windex Touch-Up Cleaner. A quick pump onto a paper towel, rag or sponge and you can wipe away messes and kill 99.9 percent of common household bacteria in no time. The bottle is designed to stay out where you need it, and the cleaner works on a variety of hard, non-porous surfaces.
When you clean the sink, make sure to get behind the faucet and around the seals using an old toothbrush.
Don’t forget to clean the outside of the refrigerator and freezer. Clear off the clutter of notes, coupons and photos, and then clean the doors, handles and seals.
Keep the inside of the refrigerator smelling fresh with an open box of baking soda.
BathroomFrom make-up spills and toothpaste smudges to mildew and everything in-between, the bathroom needs touching-up on a daily basis.
To keep the counter clean of little messes and smudges, use an antibacterial product. Windex also makes a Touch-Up Cleaner for the bathroom. Dab the cleaner onto a rag or tissue and wipe down the counter, faucet and any other hard, non-porous surfaces to clean and sanitize quickly.
To get rid of soap scum, clean the tub and shower with a foaming cleanser that does most of the
work for you, and simply rinse it off. Wash shower curtains and liners according to label instructions.
To help prevent soap scum buildup in the future, try switching to a liquid shower gel. Bar soaps have binders that are a primary cause of soapy residue. You can also use a towel to quickly wipe down the tub and faucets after each shower.
Combination mold and mildew cleaners can make fast work of those deep messes. Spray where needed, and rinse off following label instructions. Be sure the bathroom is well ventilated before spraying them on.
To discourage mildew, use the bathroom fan during a shower and for about 30 minutes after. You can also use a dehumidifier or open the window.
FloorsYou’ll be amazed at how much cleaner a room will look when the floors are done right.
If you have the time and money to rent and use a carpet cleaner, now’s the time to do it. If not, target stains with a carpet cleaner and give all your carpets a good vacuuming. Sprinkle baking soda on carpets and rugs to absorb odors.
Steam mops are a great way to quickly clean multiple flooring surfaces without a mop and bucket. You can do a whole room in just a few minutes.
A lot of the dirt and dust in a home is brought inside on the soles of your shoes. To keep carpets and flooring clean, place doormats inside and outside each entrance and always take your shoes off when entering.
Wiping floorboards of dust and dirt is often overlooked and makes a big difference in the appearance of your home.
Get more cleaning tips and solutions atwww.windex.com
CLEAnInG MUST HAVES
Keep these items handy to make spring cleaning and everyday cleaning, a breeze.
Adhesive lint roller — Great for quickly sprucing up fabric and upholstery. You can also use it to remove dust from lamp shades.
Baking soda — Helps neutralize odors in sinks, refrigerators, upholstery and carpets.
Windex Touch-Up Cleaner — A convenient solution to tackle the frequent messes that happen in the bathroom and kitchen.
Multi-surface wipes — Make it easy to freshen up any room in the house.
Sponges — Good for removing scuff marks and smudges from walls and furniture.
SPRING brings a sense of fresh beginnings and for many, that includes the annual ritual of spring cleaning. A survey conducted by the American Cleaning Institute found that
62 percent of people engage in spring cleaning each year, and their top three priorities are the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.This year, spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a long, dreaded process. Follow these quick tips to not only get your house clean in no time, but keep it clean in the long run.
EASTERBRUNCH
Easy
The ingredients for an easy weekend breakfast or a special Easter brunch may be in your pantry right now. Holidays are the perfect time to sprinkle additional creativity or fresh new thinking into meals for family and friends and — by using staples like pancake mix, syrup and instant mashed potatoes in unexpected ways — you can craft new and deli cious dishes sure to make everyone smile. Try these recipes from Hungry Jack® using simple pantry staples, and turn them into what will become new brunch favorites:
Put a unique spin on brunch food with a savory Ham, Egg and Cheese Pizza.
DIY Pancake Breakfast Sandwiches: You can assemble them for your guests, or get everyone involved by letting them build their own and add some custom touches like eggs, cheese or bacon.
Combine sweet, spicy and smoky flavors for Spicy Candied Bacon, a definite crowd pleaser.
Set out some flavored or Greek yogurt and a bowl of Good Morning Granola so guests can cre-ate their own breakfast parfaits.
H&H Magazine | www.STLHandHMag.com 11
Ham, Egg and Cheese PizzaYield: 8 servingsPrep Time: 15 minutesCook Time: 35 minutesCrust: Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray 1 3/4 cups Hungry Jack Complete Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 1/3 cup water 2 tablespoons Crisco Pure Olive OilFilling: 3 large eggs 1 cup sour cream 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh dill weed or 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup shredded Swiss or cheddar cheese 1/3 cup thinly sliced green onion 4 ounces thinly sliced deli-styled baked ham, coarsely chopped Fresh dill sprigs (optional) For crust:1. HEAT oven to 425°F. Coat 12-inch pizza pan
with no-stick cooking spray. Combine pancake mix, Parmesan cheese, dry mustard and onion powder in medium bowl, stirring until blended. Stir in water and olive oil until dough forms.
2. PRESS dough onto bottom of pre pared pan to form a crust, building up outside edge to form a rim. Bake 7 minutes.
For filling:1. WHISK eggs, sour cream, Dijon mustard, dill
and salt in medium bowl. Stir in cheese and green onions. Pour over hot crust, spread-ing evenly. Toss ham to separate pieces. Sprinkle evenly over egg mixture. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until egg mixture is set in center. Cool 5 minutes before cutting. Garnish with fresh dill, if desired.
Spicy Candied BaconYield: 6 slicesPrep Time: 5 minutesCook Time: 25 minutes 1/2 pound extra-thick cut bacon, about 6 slices 1/4 cup Hungry Jack Original Syrup 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon cracked black pepper1. HEAT oven to 375°F. Line 15 x 10-inch baking
pan with foil. Lay bacon slices on foil.
2. BAKE 18 to 20 minutes or until bacon edges begin to curl. Remove from oven. Tilt pan to drain. Pat bacon with paper towel. Combine syrup, cayenne pepper, cinnamon and pepper in small bowl. Drizzle evenly over bacon slices.
3. BAKE 5 minutes or until evenly browned. Remove to wire rack. Cool 5 minutes.
Good Morning GranolaYield: 5 cups Prep Time: 10 minutesCook Time: 30 minutes 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats 1 cup sliced almonds 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut (optional) 2 tablespoons wheat germ 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 tablespoons Crisco Pure Vegetable Oil 1/2 cup Hungry Jack Sugar Free Breakfast Syrup 2 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar 1 cup dried fruit, such as raisins, golden raisins, cherries or cranberries1. HEAT oven to 350°F.2. COMBINE oats, almonds, coconut, wheat
germ, salt and cinnamon in large bowl. Combine oil, syrup and brown sugar in another bowl. Pour over oat mixture. Toss until well coated. Spread evenly in 13 x 9-inch pan.
3. BAKE 30 minutes or until golden brown, stirring frequently. Cool completely. Stir in dried fruit. Store in airtight container at room temperature.
Pancake Breakfast SandwichYield: 4 servingsPrep Time: 15 minutesCook Time: 15 minutesPancakes: Crisco Original no-Stick Cooking Spray 3/4 cup Hungry Jack Complete Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix 1/3 cup water 1/4 cup Hungry Jack Original Syrup 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese 1 cup frozen shredded hash
brown potatoes, thawed, chopped into bite-sized pieces 1/4 teaspoon salt 4 3-inch round sausage patties*Eggs: 1 tablespoon butter 1/3 cup diced red pepper 4 large eggs 1/8 teaspoon saltFor pancakes:1. COAT griddle or skillet with no-stick cooking
spray. Heat griddle or skillet on medium heat (350°F).
2. WHISK pancake mix, water and syrup in medium bowl. Stir in cheese, potatoes and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook sausage patties as directed on package.
3. POUR 2 tablespoons batter on griddle, spreading batter to make a 3-inch circle or by using 3-inch pancake molds, coated with no-stick cooking spray. Repeat to make 7 more pancakes. Cook 2 minutes or until golden brown. Turn. Cook second side 2 minutes.
For eggs:1. MELT butter in large skillet. Add red pepper.
Cook and stir about 1 minute. Whisk eggs and salt in small bowl. Pour into skillet with peppers. Cook slightly, then shape into four 3-inch circles about the same size as the pan cakes and sausage.
2. PLACE one pancake on plate. Top with cooked sausage patty, egg and another pancake to make breakfast sandwich. Repeat with remaining ingredients to make 3 more sandwiches.
*TIP: If using pre-made sausage patties, flatten slightly into 3-inch rounds, if necessary.
For more creative recipes and ideas, visit www.hungryjack.com
Battery Buying Guide Lithium-ion batteries produce a consis tent charge throughout the life of the battery. ni-cad batteries lose power as the battery runs.
Lithium-ion batteries can be charged many more times than ni-cad batteries, and are not damaged by leaving the charger on too long.
Lithium-ion batteries are lighter than ni-cad batteries, allowing for smaller, more powerful out door and power tools.
When using power tools, the latest advance ments in lithium-ion technology can make the job easier. Lithium-ion is a technology that started in power tools in the home improvement sector and now crosses over to additional categories like outdoor power, paint and flooring. The battery’s technology provides customers with a number of advantages over traditional ni-cad battery-powered tools.
Learn more about lithium-ion batteries at www.homedepot.com/tools.
Prep Your Toolbox
ToTackleTopProjects
The do-it-yourself (DIY)
movement in home improve-
ment continually grows
stronger as a way for people to update
their homes while saving money.
Fueled by home-improvement shows
and popular inspira tion sites like
Pinterest, homeowners nationwide
are looking to get their homes in great
shape and most likely increase their
market value at the same time.
If you’re one of those DIYers ready
to get to work, you need to make
sure you have the right tools for the
job — no matter what that job is. Here
are some suggestions on the latest
technology and products in home
improvement to help you get the job
done quicker and more efficiently,
leaving more time to relax and enjoy
your hard work.
You can find project guides, how-to
videos, and buying guides for tools
and more at:
www.homedepot.com/howto
Top DIY Projects for 2013The Home Depot’s Facebook community is plan ning a lot of home improvements in 2013.Top projects include:
Painting
Cleaning
Organizing closet/garage
Installing new cabinets
Revitalizing a deck
H&H Magazine | www.STLHandHMag.com 13
Prep
Preparing a room for painting involves more than taping fixtures and trim and moving furniture. It’s important to make repairs and clean and prime the walls before applying that first coat. Pre-gummed fiberglass repair tapes and premixed patching compounds allow you patch and paint in the same day. For an older home, wash walls with a trisodium phosphate (TSP) solution and a sponge. Traditional brushes and rollers are tried and true, but the newest technological innovation on the market can speed up the process. A cordless paint sprayer, such as the Ryobi 18 Volt ONE+ ProTip Speed Sprayer, has a long-lasting, lightweight lithium-ion battery, a reversible spray tip that rotates to clear clogs quickly, and sprays latex paint as well as stain.
Organizing Your Life
Closet and garage organization systems increase the amount of usable storage space by using vertical space. Hanging rods, shelves and drawers are arranged to take advantage of every inch of space.
The key to installing these items is being able to get into corners and tough angles. For working in tight spaces, a right-angle drill can be useful. The Milwaukee M18 Lithium-ion 18 Volt Cordless 3/8-inch Right Angle Drill has a multi-position trigger and a compact head for use in small areas. The use of power tools with lithium-ion batteries, as opposed to traditional ni-cad batteries, can make the job easier — the tools are lighter, the batteries last four times longer, and the charge doesn’t fade so you have power for the entire job.
Cabinet Facelift
Kitchen cabinets can reflect the age of your kitchen with the wear and tear of daily use over time. But a few simple, cost-effective tweaks using the right tools can make your cabinets look new again.By updating cabinet doors and replacing or installing drawer pulls and other hardware, you can change the look of your kitchen without the time and expense of a complete remodel. Try using a Ryobi 3/8-inch 12 Volt Cordless Lithium-ion Drill Kit to spruce up your kitchen with ease.
Renewing the Deck
Cleaning and brightening a deck is a simple way to improve your outdoor space. Old paint and stain should be scraped off the wood, and then the wood should be sanded. For pressure-treated decks, an orbital sander can smooth out rough areas on deck boards, railings or stair treads. The Makita 18 Volt LXT Lithium-ion Cordless 5-inch Random Orbit Sander has three speed settings, and is designed for efficient sanding, fast material removal and a swirl-free finish.Check posts, supports and decking for loose, weak or damaged areas, then replace or repair as needed. To handle long or large screws and bolts, an impact driver, such as the Ryobi 18 Volt ONE+ Lithium-ion Impact Driver Kit, gives you power and control. Once the deck is clean and secure, a new stain or paint may be applied. Whatever finish is chosen should be rated for outdoor use, deck surfaces and UV inhibitors.
Project Clean Up
Whether you decide to take on one of these top projects or all, post-project clean up is an important step for all DIY tasks. For small post-project clean ups, keep household wipes handy — not only can you clean up any spills or smudges you made, you can clean up your hands, too. For bigger jobs, a wet/dry vacuum can do wonders.The Milwaukee M18 Lithium-ion 18 Volt Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum has a HEPA-rated filter that can be washed and does not need to be changed between wet and dry applications.
OUR SECOND OFFICE IS NOW
OPEN!
At the entrance to Historic Main Street Saint Charles
406 Boones Lick Road636.493.6500
High-tech and fully wireless with a coffee house style atmosphere.
Come see the future of real estate and discover the Service First Difference.
www.Service1stHomes.com
14 H&H Magazine | www.STLHandHMag.com
Smellsthat
SellEntice buyers into your homewith aromatic scents
When a home smells good, it makes a favorable impression on visitors. This is exactly what
home sellers want when they put their house on the market.
The concept of ambient fragrancing started to trickle into the real estate market years ago. Savvy real estate agents advised sellers to bake cookies or cinnamon rolls in the homes they were showing to create a comforting, deliciously scented atmosphere meant to entice buyers. If you’re trying to sell a home in today’s challenging real estate market, you may have tried this technique. However, with the excess of available homes, you may need to think a bit more creatively to make your home stand out.
The essential oils used in the practice of aromathera-py offer a more practical and potent way to use scent marketing to move buyers to feel good about a prop-erty. Tiny amounts of familiar, tempting aromas like cinnamon, clove, vanilla and orange, can fill a whole house with pleasant ambient fragrance. An added bonus is that essential oils are all-natural and distilled from plants. They are less likely to elicit the kind of adverse reactions that harsh synthetic fragrances do.
Aromatherapy expert Tom Havran has several ideas to help you sell your home. He crafts blends for Aura Cacia, purveyor of 100 percent pure and natural es-sential oils and aromatherapy products. A passionate expert on the properties of essential oils, he has been crafting essential oil blends for 15 years.
His first suggestion is an easy and sleek way to create a warm, comforting atmosphere that can help put potential property buyers at ease. Havran recom-mends using vanilla essential oil blended with jojoba for this first recipe.
Vanilla Amber Aroma Crystals
Ingredients:
1 cup coarse-grained, chunky sea salt
1 teaspoon jojoba or grapeseed oil (just enough to make the salts glisten and gleam)
25 drops vanilla precious essential oil
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10 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops sweet orange essential oil
Directions: Mix salt and oils, pour into a decorative dish or bowl and set out on a table. Placing the crys-tals in a warm sunny window or near a heat register will help diffuse the delicious aroma throughout the room. Stir in additional essential oils to boost the scent as needed.
Fresh flowers and bergamot vacuum powder make a light and transparent floral/citrus scent that will create a cheerful, friendly and clean atmosphere to impress visitors. Since you need to vacuum before each property showing anyway, this is a great way to turn the chore into a smart real estate marketing move.
Flowers and Bergamot Vacuum Powder
Ingredients:
1 cup baking soda
35 drops bergamot orange essential oil
5 drops ylang ylang or neroli (orange flower) essential oil
Directions: Mix baking soda and essential oils in a canister and lightly sprinkle over carpets, then vacuum.
Because essential oils are so concentrated, a little goes a long way. An initial investment in a small 1/2 ounce bottle of oil will provide you with enoughapplications to conduct dozens of open houses.
Using essential oils to craft your own bit of psycho-logical scent marketing might provide a good return on a small investment. Aromatherapy may give you that much-needed unique and surprising edge-up on the competition. Learn more at www.auracacia.com.
Seventy-two percent of homeowners plan to decorate or redecorate in the next two years, according to the 2012 Houzz and Home Survey; and 86 percent said that improving the look and feel of the space was their most important goal.
You can find plenty of decor inspiration on sites such as Houzz or Pinter-est. And with the right materials and a little creativity, you can add a little luxury to your home, too. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Paint - You can add a fresh look to a room with a fresh coat of paint. You can also add richness and depth with a specialty paint treatment. Textured paint allows you to give your walls the look of soft suede, leath-er, linen or even vintage plaster. Metallic paints can be used with stencils to create elegant patterns, or on textured wallpaper to create the look of antique tin ceiling tiles.
Textiles - Fabrics are a great way to add color and texture to a room. Browsing the remnant tables at a fabric store can lead you to some beau-tiful bargains. You can use remnants to recover pillows, add banding to drapes, or make runners for the table or buffet. Try adding a luxurious throw to the sofa or a small wool rug on top of existing carpet for a cozy, layered look.
You can also consider investing in having a quality piece of furniture reupholstered. Look for a fabric that is not only beautiful, but durable as well, so you get more bang for your buck. For example, Sensuede is easy to clean, child- and pet-friendly, yet is soft, comfortable and luxurious to the touch. Learn more, and explore the more than 200 colors available, at www.sensuede.com.
Accents - Sometimes little things can add up to a big difference. Change out some of your accent pieces to add a special touch to any room. Metallic colors and materials such as gold, silver, bronze and copper add warmth and elegance. Vases, picture and mirror frames, decorative bowls and trays are simple ways to bring beautiful metals into any room. Richly colored candles add color and scent to a room, and their soft light will make your metallic accents glow.
Flooring - Sometimes the floor can get overlooked as a design element in a room. But a beautiful floor can pull the whole look of a room to-gether. Refinishing hardwood floors, installing laminate or stone flooring, replacing carpets, or investing in quality area rugs are all ways you can add the perfect finishing touch to a room.
There are a lot of ways you can add luxury to your living spaces, so start exploring creative ways to make your home the picture-perfect place you’ve always wanted.
Adding a Little Luxury
To Your Home
16 H&H Magazine | www.STLHandHMag.com
Did you know spring is the best time to sell your home? And now that the
housing market is bouncing back, there’s never been a better time to do it. But even if you’re planning to stay put for the long haul, chances are there are some much-needed touch-ups you could be doing to keep your home in tip-top shape. And you don’t have to break your back, or the bank, to do it. In fact, adding a new coat of paint is a quick, affordable, and possibly the most impactful, way to get your project done.
Prep, prime and primp
Misusing color can be a surefire way to turn people off from your home. For a more in-viting look that nearly everyone can enjoy, opt for neutral paint colors. A subtle beige, slight grey or even white can do the trick.
First, move furniture out of the room and place drop cloths to protect the floor. Re-move any picture frames, outlet covers and wall decor. Then, gently scrub the walls with a mild detergent and water mixture using a soft sponge to remove any dirt, grime or lint. Don’t forget to prime your walls before ap-plying color to ensure the best end-results.
Paint like a pro
For an ultra-smooth finish, try Purdy’s line of Ultra Finish roller covers. These premium microfiber roller covers, available in 9-inch lengths and varying nap thickness, pro-vide an even release of paint and deliver a consistent application from start to finish. Plus, they work great with any kind of paint and finish, including satin, semi-gloss and gloss, taking the guesswork out of the DIY equation.
When applying paint, start at the top and work your way down. For superior results, you’ll want to fill the well of your roller tray with paint, dip the roller in half-way and then roll it back onto the tray’s angled plat-form to easily remove excess paint. This will reduce dripping and improve overall paint cover. The best approach for applying paint? Use your roller cover to make an overlap-ping “W” pattern in a 2-foot by 2-foot area; then fill in and repeat.
For smaller interior paint projects or tight spaces, Purdy also has a variety of innova-tive mini roller choices that are versatile,
lightweight and can quickly and easily de-liver a perfect finish with smooth rolling action. These combined features make them the ideal applicator for a variety of projects like painting doors and cabinets, to freshening up tables, chairs and even bed-room furniture.
Keeping your color conviction
If you’re still feeling deprived of color after your painting project is complete, never fret. There are several ways to add a pop of color throughout your home without slathering the walls with offensive paint colors. Try in-corporating fun accent pieces in your favor-ite colors - think lamps, frames, pillows and rugs. You can even include larger focal piec-es like royal blue armchairs or a patterned couch to make a bolder statement. By keep-ing the overall aesthetics of your home neu-tral and inviting, and enhancing them with a few sight-provoking embellishments, house guests will be asking you for home decorat-ing tips. And if your end goal is to get your home sold, consider these minor improve-ments a step in the right direction.
Tips for aFlawless
Painting Project
Tips for aFlawless
Painting Project
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18 H&H Magazine | www.STLHandHMag.com
HAPPENINGSSAINT LOUIS
MARCH 2013
STLGAC’s 10th Anniversary Hurling SeasonSaturdays-Starting March 2St. Vincent Park-Normandywww.STLGAC.com
Learn to play and compete in Hurling - the national sport of Ireland! The St. Louis Gaelic Athletic Club encourages new members to join and play the ancient gaelic sports of hurl-ing and gaelic football. Saturday training sessions will teach you the basics of hurling and get you ready to compete in the fastest field sport in the world!The season begins March 30th and all games are FREE for spectators. Visit the website for more information on join-ing the club and for a schedule of game times.
FREE concert at the Community Music School by St. Louis Symphony MusiciansMarch 9Community Music Schoolwww.webster.edu/commu-nity-music-school/
The St. Louis Symphony Community Partnerships Program presents a FREE concert at the Community Music School of Webster University on Saturday, March 9 at 2 p.m.
St. Patrick’s Day ParadesMarch 16 & 17Cottleville, Downtown and Dogtown
Enjoy being Irish for the day at St. Patrick’s Day Parades throughout the Metropolitan area. The Downtown parade
is held on Saturday and begins at 12pm. For more infor-mation, visit www.irishparade.org. The Cottleville parade begins at 12:30 on Saturday. For more information on the
A Midsummer Night’s DreamMarch 9 & 10Touhill Performing Arts Centerwww.AlexandraBallet.com
Alexandra Ballet presents A Midsummer night’s Dream at the Blanche M. Touhill Per-forming Arts Center on March 9th at 7:30PM and March 10th at 2:00PM. Come enjoy Shake-speare’s most popular and en-dearing comedy where fairies mix with mortals, a feuding
king and queen unleash magical pranks on one another, spells yield improbable love affairs and a band of wan-dering tradesmen are transformed in the most unlikely ways. This family friendly, affordable production filled with mirth, magic, and mischief will leave you spellbound and enchanted! Buy your tickets early as this popular ballet will sell out quickly.
The concert will feature solo performances by St. Louis Symphony musicians: Daniel Lee, Principal Cellist; William James, Principal Percussionist; and Erin Schreiber, Assistant Concertmaster.
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St. Patty’s Pub Crawl-St. LouisMarch 16Over/Under Bar & Grillhttp://stlstpatspubcrawl-eorg.eventbrite.com
My Drink On along with nightSociety, Riverfront Times & Bud Light are bringing you the ultimate St Patty’s Day event in St Louis! We’re just a couple blocks from the parade, so u can get ur Drink On with 9 bars & over 1500 people! The St Patty’s Pub Crawl also includes 3 drink tickets for Bud Light, Drink Specials & a St Patty’s Mug! Proceeds benefit St. Patrick Center.
Jack & J.T. Snow Adult Easter Egg HuntMarch 23Grant’s Farmwww.thesnowfoundation.org
On Saturday, March 23rd, Grant’s Farm will host its 1st An-nual Easter Egg Hunt. Gates open at 6:30pm with food, a bar, music and an ADULT EGG HUnT! Prizes in every egg and big ticket items in GOLDEn EGGS! Proceeds will ben-efit The Jack & JT Snow Foundation who help fund research for Wolfram Syndrome, a rare disease typcially effecting young children. Tickets are limited for this exclusive event. Come join us for this worthwhile cause!
Thimble & Thread Guild Quilt ExpoMarch 16Queeny Park, Greensfelder Recreation Centerthimbleandthreadstl.org
The juried show will include 300 quilts, exhibit by Ricky Tims, raffles to benefit Room
at the Inn, quilt raffles, appraisals, vendors and more. Cost: $7, $1 for children 6 to 12, free under age 6.
Cottleville parade, visit www.stpatparade.org. The Dog-town neighborhood holds their annual parade on St. Pat-rick’s Day(Sunday). For more information on the Dogtown Parade, visit stlhibernians.com.
expo, March 22-24 at America’s Center. Thousands of fans will be on hand to celebrate the best in pop culture: movies, comics, toys, video, art, gaming and more. Tickets start at $35; kids 10/under free.
2013 Wizard World St. Louis Comic ConMarch 22-24America’s CenterWizardworld.com
Stan Lee, Laurie Holden, WWE® Superstar Randy Or-ton® and Billy Dee Williams are among the hundreds of celebrities and industry profes-sionals at the inaugural 2013 Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con, part of north America’s largest pop-culture touring
Susan Brewer314.540.0734
Diane Huesgen636.936.8600
Wade Brewer636.936.8600
Lori Pisani636.578.7781
Stacy Iffrig636.734.1364
Ashley Bahr636.373.0194
Tammie Meyer636.578.4399
Sally Lee314.520.3331
Lee Cowap636.795.0680
Debbie Sigler314.973.0195
Janice Smith314.277.2785
Lisa Samuels636.484.0633
Mike Lampe636.751.4442
Julie Alsup314.378.5146
Tom Budde636.734.4414
Steve Savory314.604.3999
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