Deck the Halls in the CWE

Hey St. Louis...  

The holiday Window Walk in the Central West End is a fabulous way to get in the holiday spirit and celebrate the season safely in 2020. Decorated holiday windows as far as the eye can see! Barrett Barrera Projects knocked it out of the park this year with Window I spy and Santa selfies for the kids. 

Learn more about the fabulous Central West End Scene window walk here: https://cwescene.com/.../window-walk-in-the-central-west.../

Hello, December!

Welcoming the month of lights with a little winter gingerbread curb appeal in Casa de Nenonen. Stone facade and a shake shingle roof, trimmed with fresh greenery.❄️❤️

Hidden Gem: Holiday Libations at Miracle StL in Benton Park

Miracle StL, the popular kitschy Christmas pop-up bar, is BACK this year and the clock is ticking! Only 10 more days before the doors close.

Last night, we threw on our ugly Christmas sweaters and enjoyed holiday cheer under the tinsel with a group of friends.  It was all that it was cracked up to be and then some... holiday overload in the absolute best way!

MiracleStl is one of over 50 Christmas pop-up bars around the US that participate in the tradition.  While it is super tricky to get a reservation, the craft cocktails by the talented folks at the Planter's House are amazing and the intentionally-tacky holiday decor would make Clark Griswold proud.  We had a holly jolly time and left merry and bright, indeed.

It isn't too late to try to sneak in, St. Louis!

NITTY GRITTY:

Miracle STL
#2800 Indiana Ave. in Benton Park

Facebook:  
https://www.facebook.com/MiracleSTL/
Reservations: 
https://www.exploretock.com/miraclestl

Check out my other St. Louis Hidden Gems here:

http://carrienenonen.blogspot.com/search/label/Hidden%20Gems 

Morning scene at Casa de Nenonen

Tis the season for spreading cheer and expressing gratitude. ❤️ 

A random act of kindness can change a person’s day, friends.

Just For Fun: The Gingerbread Shoppe is OPEN

Oh happy day, St. Louis! The Kirkwood Farmer’s Market Gingerbread Shoppe is finally open for the holidays! 🎄❤️  






















Nitty Gritty:
Kirkwood Farmer's Market 
Summit Produce Gingerbread Shoppe

150 East Argonne Drive
Kirkwood, MO 63122-4308
info@summitproduce.com

Web: http://summitproduce.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/summitproducekirkwood/

Holiday Hours: 
November 20th through December 24th:
Open Every Day 9am - 9pm
Closing at 5 pm Christmas Eve

4th quarter roundup, both personally and professionally.

I will admit that I have been rather lackadaisical on the blog recently...

I haven't forgotten about you, Bloggers!  

I bumped into a former client last week while holiday shopping at the Galleria, and she mentioned that she has enjoyed the more frequent glimpses of my family and personal happenings recently on Instagram and Twitter.  She also questioned whether the market was still holding strong, as she noted that I haven't been "talking work" as much recently.

The fact is, the 2015 St. Louis real estate market was incredible.  Per our local MLS system, these are the year-to-date stats in Missouri real estate...

Staggering, right?  

Per my office's latest year-to-date tally, my personal production has landed me in the Top 10 thus far at the Coldwell Banker Gundaker Corporate Centre Sales Office...

While I don't tend to focus or dwell upon rankings, I am beyond blessed by the number of wonderful families I was given the opportunity to assist in 2015.  My Buyers made solid investments, my Sellers walked away with more equity in their pocket than they have in YEARS with less days on the market, the condo market finally started moving again, and lateral this-house-just-isn't-a-match moves became possible again.  The rates stayed constant, the inventory was swift, lenders loosened up, and St. Louis was MOVING. The fact that 4th quarter dropped off in to seasonal slowdown this year is a positive thing, as that is a sign of a NORMAL and HEALTHY market here in the traditional Midwest region of the country.  

The healthy St. Louis real estate market is cyclical and Mid-October through New Years is traditionally a forced hiatus for most Midwest Realtors.  Even the most pressed clients typically pause in the 4th quarter to enjoy the season and their family, only to start back up again on January 1st with a bang. A productive Realtor plans around this time of year both financially and personally.  We manage our money to account for the financial drought and use the extra time off for travel and family commitments that are impossible during peak season.    

Summer through Fall was notably busy for me in 2015 with back-to-back closings, time-pressed Buyers, and complicated negotiations. Over 4 to 6 peak months, a full-time Midwest Realtor typically works 7 days per week, often 12-16 hours per day.  As you can imagine, it is an exciting yet tiring whirlwind. Hence, the 4th quarter hiatus is a terrific breather.  I personally use this time to recharge and enjoy my family, connect with my clients on Social Media on a more personal level, and shift my focus to super-prepping for new year.

So what do Realtors really do behind the scenes during this time of the year in addition to the "fun stuff" that we share on Instagram? While we do have the opportunity to enjoy holiday family time, travel, and complete personal projects, much of a Realtor's holiday season is spent sitting behind a desk under a pile of paperwork.

Over recent weeks I have been...

• Interviewing with potential clients who have made contact with me for their consideration of representation.
• Prepping my 2016 committed Sellers with numerous home visits, listing consultations, and staging appointments.  Gauging the market, pulling comps, and pricing.
• Getting to know my signed Spring Buyers and their preferences while creating their hot sheets to begin their search after the New Year. 
• Getting my marketing plan together for 2016. 
• Getting my receipts and tax papers organized from 2015. Tax time, ironically, hits during a Realtor's typical PEAK time, hence getting the bulk of it prepared in December is ideal. Everything is added and in the correct category, rearing and ready to go for our accountant once our final statements come in. Imperative for an independent contractor.

Overall, December has been an incredibly productive month for me that has prepped me for a seamless 2016 transition.  I am excited.  I can't wait to get going!! I love the post-New Year real estate frenzy and I am super eager to enjoy the fun here on the blog.

Are you considering a move in 2016?  A proactive December/January is the key to success!  The time to start preparing is NOW, regardless of your target dates.  Interviewing?  I would love the opportunity to speak with you and appreciate your consideration!  Learn more about me at www.MoveWithCarrie.com, see what my clients have to say about me HERE, or call me at 314.298-5275.

Winter Scene from the Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden...

Last night we strolled though the Missouri Botanical Garden, magically illuminated by a half million twinkling lights for the Garden Glow.  I will say St. Louis, while it is incredibly crowded, the display is just as visually spectacular as you can imagine!  If you have not yet done so, bundle up your family and enjoy the fun.  The display runs through January 3rd.  Find more information HERE.

Here is a peek at our visit.  NOTE:  my shoddy mobile uploads do NOT do the display justice!

A quick run by Ted Drewes was in order after the holiday fun, of course =)...

A quick pause in thanks of my past clients...

One of the greatest joys of being a 21st-century Realtor is the ability to remain connected with my clients even after close day via Social Media.  Over the last several weeks, warm scenes of the holiday season have overflowed my timelines. Per the photos I collaged,  I work with some of the most fun and creative people that I know!  As my clients' holiday photos start to pop up all over social media, I cannot help but pause and give thanks for such an incredible career thus far.

For 13 years,  I have had the privilege of helping dozens of wonderful people buy and sell homes. I have helped newly engaged couples buy their first property together,  tearful families close an estate, relocating families excited for a new life adventure, divorcing couples ready to part ways,  clients rushing to buy a larger home before the baby arrives, upwardly-mobile professionals celebrating an exciting new promotion with a more sizable home, and everything in between. I never take for granted that my job is unique in that I assist people during some of their most major life events.  I am incredibly thankful and humbled that I get to share in these moments.

This week I have witnessed my clients trim their first trees, snuggle their new baby in the nursery that we meticulously searched for, fill their kitchens with tasty delights... living LIFE in the properties that we found together.  What can I say, it warms my heart.  

One of my favorite quotes...

It is so true!  There is no better feeling as a Realtor than to have the birds eye view of the properties I have sold come to life with family and tradition and love.  I feel so blessed and incredibly lucky to have the ability to do what I do.  Real Estate is a labor of love for me, though I realize that it is my amazing clients that make my job so fun and rewarding.

Happy holidays, all.  I am blessed to have you in my life!

Holiday scene from the Kirkwood Farmer's Market

The 2014 Lafayette Square Holiday Parlour Tour

If you have to choose one St. Louis Holiday House Tour...

This is it, locals!

The 2014 Lafayette Square Holiday Parlor Tour allows you the opportunity to stroll through beautifully maintained 19th century Victorian Architecture.  What makes Lafayette Square special?  

The gorgeous "painted ladies", of course!  Lafayette Square has and will always be one of my favorite neighborhoods to show properties. So much historical integrity remains in the area- so much neighborhood pride. Take a more in-depth peek at the neighborhood history HERE in one of my previous blog posts.  

Tickets for this house tour sell out quickly, so I would recommend reserving your spot now while there are still tickets available!   Visit the Lafayette Square website HERE for more information.

Hidden Gem: Polar Express Train Ride to the North Pole via Union Station

Once upon a time, I had two little train fanatics...  

When the boys were little, our days and weekends were spent exploring the train car graveyard at the Museum of Transportation, walking the abandoned tracks of Union Station, taking in the Meramec River view aboard the mini railroad, and enjoying ice cream at the Kirkwood Custard Station in hopes that an Amtrak would race by.

That is why, when I heard that this was coming to town...



... I felt compelled to share!  

Bundle your kiddies up in their fuzziest jammies and take them on a magical train journey to the North Pole via Union Station.  The classic children's book (and movie), the Polar Express, comes to life on this 6 mile holiday railroad journey around St. Louis.   Chef characters serve hot chocolate and fresh-baked cookies to all passengers onboard the trains, and lead holiday carols until the "big guy" enters the train car himself ...

A unique holiday experience that your kids are destined to remember forever.  Magical indeed!

For more information....

St. Louis Union Station 
1820 Market Street 
St. Louis, Missouri 63103 

CALL:  (314) 621-5262 
WEB:  http://www.stlpolarexpressride.com/ 
FACEBOOK EVENT:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1545667705667840/
FAQ:  http://www.stlpolarexpressride.com/faq.html 

See more of my "Hidden Gems" HERE!

"Pin It" HERE.

Famous Barr French Onion Soup Recipe- a holiday tradition in St. Louis

Some dishes instantly evoke childhood memories.  For most locals over the age of 35, Famous Barr French Onion Soup is definitely one of them.

For decades, the Downtown location of the Famous Barr Department Store was THE holiday destination in St. Louis. Thousands of families, mine included, dressed in their holiday finest to head Downtown to visit Santa Claus, enjoy the magical automated window displays, shop until they drop, and enjoy lunch in the Famous Bar restaurant which almost always included this...

If you grew up in St. Louis, you just salivated.  If you didn't grow up here- this is simply the best french onion soup that you will ever eat!

Big thanks to my client Chelsea for emailing me this prize last night... 

While Famous Barr and the local holiday tradition is long gone, the recipe still exists!  It instantly makes me reminisce about our annual holiday trek Downtown to Famous Barr with my Grandma Dee Dee, who has sadly been gone since 2001.   So tasty, such memories. Enjoy!