Winter Weekend Happenings...

Looking for a fun and affordable activity with the family during these cold winter months, that doesn't include bundling up and braving the weather? Wehrenberg is here to help, St. Louis, as they have just announced their...



That's right, from now until March 6th, 13 of the Wehrenberg locations are offering FREE MOVIES at 10:00AM on Saturday mornings. As a parent of 2, I can assure you that the savings are HUGE. Tickets to a movie for a family of 4 are $40.00 alone, and that doesn't include popcorn and goodies.

Features will include Kitt Kittredge, Aliens in the Attic, Mall Cop, Shorts, Ice Age in 3D, and Monsters VS Aliens.

I would assume that this event will be extremely popular, particularly in this economy, so I suggest VERY early arrival. More info can be found HERE. Bravo to Wehrenberg Theaters for providing St. Louis families with yet another affordable option for family fun! I am certain there wil be many takers. Thanks Wehrenberg...



Ba ba ba baaaa, ba ba ba ba ba-ba-ba... =)

Weekend Happenings...

A good time for a great cause! Looking for a fun excuse to explore fine vintage wines and delicious gourmet cuisine? Head out to the 8th Annual St. Louis Food and Wine Experience at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel this weekend, benefiting the St. Louis Repertory Theater.

Sample hundreds of great wines, see main stage demonstrations by celebrity chefs, relax in the VIP reserve room and more!

Nitty Gritty...

When?

Saturday, January 30, 2010, 11 am–6 pm
Sunday, January 31, 2010, 12 noon–5 pm

The Premier Tasting: Friday, January 29, 2010, 7–10 pm


Where?

Chase Park Plaza Hotel
202 N. Kingshighway Blvd.
St. Louis, Missouri


How much?

Main floor- $45.00 in advance

VIP Reserve Room- $95.00 in advance that includes a Riedel wine glass upon arrival,a gourmet hors d'oeuvre buffet, a taste of rare and specialty wines, and admission to the main floor, as well.


Benefitting?
The Rep’s outreach and education programs

See you there!!

Hidden Gem Alert: Rooster

Yesterday, Steve and I enjoyed a casual late lunch at one of our favorite little eateries downtown...
Located at 1104 Locust in the Loft District, Rooster has quickly become one of the city's best kept secrets! This European style, urban cafe was opened in 2007 by David Bailey, the owner of the uber popular Chocolate Bar in Lafayette Square.

Rooster has become wide known for their delicious crepes that range from savory to sweet.We get down there as much as we possibly can, as we can't get enough. Simply, I have never ordered anything at Rooster that I didn't want to rewind and press repeat, over and over. Love this place!

An inside peek...

Rooster is also notorious for their wide variety of Mimosas and Bloody Marys, a favorite at their ever so popular weekend brunches...

... and who are we to refuse?! ha! I indulged in the Mimo, while Steve enjoyed the Original Bloody Mary with bacon and cheddar stuffed olives.

Per the menu, it is filled with a variety of fresh and tasty choices. To me, the crepe is the obvious choice... though Rooster also boasts wonderful sandwiches and salads, as well.

My selection...

Steve enjoyed the Marinated Chicken Sandwich with bacon, tomato, guacamole, and mayo served on their fresh in-house baked wheat bread...

If you have never been to Rooster, it's time that you do! I promise that you won't be sorry. Great food, a welcoming casual environment, and amazing service!

Save green by going green...

It's tax time, ladies and gents. *sigh* That's right, the time to pull all of your statements/receipts and get all of your deductions in order.

What some of you may not know, is if you did any energy-saving upgrades this year to your principal residence... you may be eligible for extra tax deductions! Not only are these home upgrades great for the environment and your pocket book when paying your monthly bills... they may also put more money back in your pocket at tax time.

Specifics:

Consumers who purchased and installed specific products, such as energy-efficient windows, insulation, doors, roofs, and heating and cooling equipment in existing homes can receive a tax credit for 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, for improvements "placed in service" starting January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2010.

Consumers who installed solar energy systems (including solar water heating and solar electric systems), small wind systems, geothermal heat pumps, and residential fuel cell and microturbine systems can receive a 30% tax credit for systems placed in service before December 31, 2016; the previous tax credit cap no longer applies.


Make sure to ask your accountant about your eligibility. Additional info may be found here.

NOTE: Any of you first time home buyers of 2009- remember to take your final HUD closing statement to your accountant, as well. A portion of your closing costs may be deductible , as well =).

Weekend Happenings...

The time is quickly approaching, St. Louis...
This weekend, Soulard is kicking off their 3 weeks of Mardi Gras fun with the FIRST EVER Family Winter Carnival sponsored by US Cellular.

This family-friendly Mardi Gras style day has fun for all ages including make-your-own Mardi Gras masks and crowns, kid karaoke, Saint Louis Science Center activities and Segway time trials, family-friendly performances, Joanie’s Pizza, a Rams Quarterback Challenge, an 8’ X 32’ ft. wall in the Market Park for kids to paint that will eventually be displayed at various Mardi Gras events throughout the Carnival season, and a Children's Parade.

Nitty Gritty:

When: Saturday, January 23rd

Where: Soulard Market Park, 8th and Lafayette in a HEATED TENT (yes!)

Time: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

At 4:00 p.m., children will have the opportunity to wear the masks and costumes they made in an actual parade through Soulard! The parade begins at 9th and Lafayette, proceeds south to Soulard St where it turns east to 8th, and then north again where it turns north and ends in front of Soulard Market at 8th and Lafayette.

For more info on the St. Louis Mardi Gras activities, click HERE.

I am a total sucker for...

... the Whole Foods floral department, and am rarely able to escape my weekly shopping trip without a bundle of flowers in tow. This week... gorgeous tulips in abundance! This bouquet is one of 3 in my house right now, and they just make me happy. Oh yeah, and have given me a case of Spring Fever... =)

3212 Locust Street, #3...

This super cool Midtown residential/commercial historic mixed-use property was just listed yesterday... This would be an amazing investment opportunity for someone who enjoys the urban lifestyle and has dreams of opening up their own business. The work has been done! Move in and live your dream. Architectural goodies include a storefront, an exposed tin ceiling, exposed brick, fully renovated bathroom with shower, open loft area, a modern kitchen, fireplace, a finished lower level, and a great location near SLU (St. Louis University).


Property is being offered by Hagen Properties for $189,900. See the full listing HERE. Email me at cdnandthecity@charter.net with additional questions or for a private showing.

Makeover Time...

I adore the blog Young House Love. If you are even remotely interested in the trials and tribulations of home ownership, design, do it yourself projects, or creative home solutions... you will love it too! John and Sherry are constantly tweaking their little starter and sharing their tips and finds with their readers. Very interesting read.

One of my favorite sections of the YHL blog is the Reader Redesigns highlight. In a nutshell, readers send in a "before" shot of their space dilemma and then another shot of the "after" solution. As a Realtor, I love the one featured this week, particularly in this economy. Though absolutely ideal for some, the current real estate market / economy is not conducive for everyone to move and seek the space that they feel they need. I speak with frustrated homeowners weekly. Though the market is slowly improving, it has a way to go. For those of you more affected by the economy and holding out a tad longer in the home that you feel you have outgrown, a little inspiration to seek creative solutions:

The reader Mary wrote in stating that she had recently downsized from 2000 sq feet to 1,080 sq feet and no longer had the space room for a desk/office. Though her plan down the road is to add on to the property, in the time being she came up with this clever solution...

BEFORE:

AFTER:
Love it. It's all about creative solutions and working with what you have, instead of stressing about what you don't have! Phenomenal example of what a little bit of elbow grease and a lot of creative thinking can accomplish. Thanks again to Young House Love for giving their creative readers a forum to share their ideas with the rest of us.

There's no place like home...

Would you like to live here?

No, this is not a joke.

Every year, HGTV has a luxury home giveaway. They not only hand over the keys to a BREATHTAKING fully-furnished custom designed home... the total prize package is worth over 2 million buckaroos! HUGE.

This year, the grand prize includes:

- A custom-built, fully-furnished home located in Sandia Park, N.M.
- $500,000 CASH
- An all-new 2010 GMC® Terrain
- High-end appliances
- HGTV Dream Play Home

You can enter HERE once a day through February 19, 2010, for a chance to live the dream...



A video tour here...



In addition, more photos can be found HERE. Enter and good luck!

Snowy scenes from a FROZEN Creve Coeur Lake...

Design Eye Candy ...

Every so often, I come across a new item on my regular design blog reads that makes me go "hmmm". This AM's find is one of them!

South Korea designer, Wonsik Chae, has developed a new product called the Lightening Bag...
These aren't your granny's teabags!?

"Consisting of a cup filled with a chemical intermediate and a bag containing fluorescent molecules- the light works through a catalyst of this chemical reaction."

The result? A light which imitates the form of a tea bag. It even SEEPS like a tea bag.

Don't believe me? Here's a video of it in action...



I know, bizarre yet intriguing right? Though at first I found the concept to be a tad useless, after giving it more thought... I could see this concept emerging into the event planning business eventually. Particularly if they can modify the colors?!

The Lightening Bags give off a similar iridescent glow to a glow stick, but are more versatile. Romantic outdoor summer event... trees illuminated by lanterns strung high from trees. I won't lie! It got my wheels spinning.

Pop Quiz...

Another style quiz... love these! This one is hosted by mylifetime.com, and predicts your dream home style by analyzing your style photo choices. Super fun, super easy, and once again... I was PEGGED.

My result...

Historic Fixer-Upper

For you, they just don't make 'em like they used to. That's why nothing compares to your dream home — a historic fixer-upper. It appeals to the artist, dreamer, nurturer and historian in you. You can see potential in a rambling, run-down Victorian or a crumbling brick row house. Nothing excites you more than the possibilities: With a little research and imagination and a lot of planning and work, you'll enjoy the home you've always imagined, custom-renovated with lots of love.


Yes, it has me written ALL over it. Give me the big, broken down Victorian with stories embedded in EVERY wall, original fixture, and stained glass transom and allow me to give it new life! Heaven.

Click HERE to start your quiz!

Snow day...

... we finally got one!! In St. Louis, they are few and far between and what's a snow day without...
... snow ice cream?!

My mom always made it for us as children, and now it has become a little tradition in my family. It is also a fun little treat to enjoy after a long day of sledding, making snow angels, and snow ball fights!

Though I know a lot of people add fancy flavoring, color, and even sprinkles... we prefer a traditional recipe. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups loose clean snow
2 tbsps. milk
1/4 cup sugar (or Splenda)
1 tsp. vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

Get a large bowl of fresh clean snow and stir in sugar and vanilla to taste, then add just enough milk until it is the desired consistency. Add more sugar and vanilla extract to taste and serve immediately or freeze for later.


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