Happy February and welcome to TFT! This is now my EIGHTH year co-hosting this fabulous weekly link party for bloggers and blog readers with Katherine of Katherine’s Corner and a fantastic group of bloggers!
Welcome friends, to my “Cranberry Christmas Kitchen! It’s the heart of the home where vibrant, fresh and faux holiday fruits and Christmas plants inspired by old world, European or Colonial Christmases past mix and mingle with a bit of vintage Christmas treasures to create my beloved, timeless, vintage-traditional Christmas aesthetic.
Christmas, Home Tours, Uncategorized
Why the Ralph Lauren Christmas Trend and Little Women Christmas Trend are Actually Timeless
Happy first weekend of December! Are you busy decorating or are you already finished? I am still in the process of decorating and I have been busy working on creating a classic, cozy Christmas cottage which includes my signature vintage-traditional Christmas style. It is a mix of all kinds of vintage Christmas from various eras, and this year’s hottest two “trends” which are the Ralph Lauren Christmas trend and Little Women Christmas. While they may be trending, both of these are timeless, and I have always incorporated elements of these styles in my holiday decorating.
January is coming to a close, but winter weather continues to affect most of us and more storms are on the way! I have decided to embrace winter decor inside, especially with such beautiful views of snow outside. Today I am sharing a little bit of our winter kitchen with my favorite French Farmhouse basket tray styled with witner and cottage garden elements. I am so happy to be joining my friend Debra of Common Ground for another post in our Vintage Cottage Weekend Series! You will find a link to Debra’s winter decor at the end of this post.
Happy winter friends! Yes, winter can be happy when you appreciate the opportunities for slowing down, reflecting on the year ahead and endulging in all things cozy and comforting! I have been nesting around the house during all the snow days we had, and I am particularly loving the winter vibes in our dining room. Today I am excited to be sharing the dining room as part of a Vintage Cottage Weekend with my friend Debra of Common Ground! This post contains affiliate links.
After the beauty and excitement of the holidays with festive colors and twinkling lights I like to continue to keep our home looking cozy and magical for winter using greenery and garlands. Today I am excited to share a preview of our nearly finished sunroom and how I am cozied it up for the winter with a beautiful pre-lit Dandan Pine Garland from Seasonal LLC. *I received this garland for review from Seasonal LLC. All opinons are my own.
Embrace the warmth of hearth and home during the long winter months with cozy winter decor!
Welcome to a fun winter blog hop where my blogging friends and I are sharing how we are “Keeping it Cozy” in our homes during the long, cold months of winter. You will find many other creative ways to keep it cozy this winter by visiting all the lovely hop participant’s posts at the end of this post.
Hello friends and welcome to our cozy “wintergreen” home! Even though the weather around here has been unbelieveably spring-like so far this January without a sign of snow, I have still decorated our home with cozy winter treasures including lots of greenery. Today I am excited to be joining 23 blogging friends for the Cozy Winter Home Tours! You can check out all of the beautiful winter decorating ideas via the links at the end of this post. *This post contains affiliate links.
Hello dear friends and welcome to our winter home! Today I am so happy to be hosting the Cozy Winter Home Blog Hop where 16 blogging friends are getting together to share cozy winter decorating ideas. For my post I am going to show you how I have transitioned from Christmas to winter and how I am “keeping it cozy” in our home for the season. *This post contains affiliate links.
Your roof is the threshold of your home, tirelessly protecting you from the elements every day. But even tough roofs wear down over time and ignoring signs of trouble could cost more in repairs or even cause structural damage to your property. Knowing when it’s time to replace your roof can make all the difference, from subtle indicators to more obvious warnings. In this blog, we will look at some of the telltale signs it might be time for an upgrade.
Real estate is full of rules, strategies, and shortcuts, but many of the most useful insights never make it into mainstream advice. Whether you’re buying your first home or managing multiple investments, it’s the little-known tactics that often make the biggest difference. Below are some surprising and highly actionable real estate tips that can seriously boost your game.
*This post contains affiliate links.
Hidden Value Exists Outside Square Footage
Most buyers and investors over-focus on square footage. But price-per-square-foot can blind you to a property’s true potential. Ceiling height, layout flow, lighting, and outdoor access all impact perceived space more than most listings will show. A 1,200-square-foot home with smart design can feel larger and more luxurious than a 1,600-square-foot layout disaster. Always walk the space. Photos lie. Floor plans often don’t show the human experience of moving through a home.
“Ugly” Houses In Great School Districts Can Outperform
Most buyers want move-in ready. But homes that are structurally solid but need cosmetic updates often sit longer and sell for less, even in excellent school zones. That’s your opportunity. The combination of high long-term demand and temporary buyer hesitation means you can get in at a discount. A little vision and some smart upgrades can turn those properties into equity machines. Just make sure the bones are good and permits are clean.
Property Boundaries Aren’t Always What You Think
That fence you see? It might not be the real property line. Before buying, especially if you’re considering exterior upgrades or fencing, get a new survey. Title companies sometimes skip this if there’s an old one on file, but that can be a costly mistake. It’s not uncommon to discover encroachments, easements, or shifted boundaries. You don’t want to buy a lawsuit.
Refinancing Isn’t Just About Lowering Your Rate
Most people refinance when rates drop, but that’s not the only reason to do it. Strategic refinancing can help you unlock equity for renovations, convert short-term debt into long-term leverage, or reconfigure a property portfolio mortgage to streamline payments across multiple assets. Lenders won’t usually pitch these options to you, but they can make a significant difference in your long-term cash flow and flexibility.
Your Realtor’s Network Can Be More Valuable Than Their Listings
A seasoned real estate agent with a strong local network is often more useful than one with just a great website. Off-market deals, first looks, reliable inspectors, and trusted contractors all come through relationships. Ask your agent how long they’ve worked in your target area and who they regularly refer for repairs and legal help. If they hesitate or don’t seem connected, keep looking.
Pre-Listing Inspections Aren’t Just For Sellers
Thinking of buying? Ask for a pre-listing inspection if one exists. Many sellers conduct them to get ahead of surprises. These reports aren’t perfect, but they can reveal hidden issues early and signal how proactive the seller is. Even if there isn’t one, don’t hesitate to get your own done before submitting an offer. Yes, you’ll spend money up front. But it might save you from a bad deal or give you ammo to negotiate repairs.
Final Thought
Real estate success isn’t about following cookie-cutter advice. It’s about understanding the moving parts most people ignore. Smart decisions are made in the gray areas: the overlooked inspections, the zoning fine print, the way the light hits the backyard at sunset. Pay attention to what others gloss over and you’ll find the wins they never saw coming.