In an effort to contain the outbreak of the new coronavirus, most of us are self-quarantining in the comfort and safety of our own homes. And while we are all doing our part to protect our family members, friends, and community, it’s safe to say that we may be feeling a bit stir-crazy. 

That’s why we’ve put together some of our favorite ways to stay connected with friends and family, give back to our local community, and stay entertained (and yes sane) during this period of social distancing. Just remember that while we may feel alone at times, we are all in this together.

Wondering how you can give back to your community? Check out some of the ways that you can help those affected by this pandemic.

Foster a furry friend: Social distancing can be lonely but many Americans have found the perfect solution—fostering a pet in need. While some local organizations are reporting a rise in foster applications, many have been forced to shut down and are in dire need of fosters, donations and much-needed resources. Click here to find a shelter near you.

Donate masks and supplies: Due to the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), Sacramento County has started accepting donations from the community to give to health professionals and emergency responders.

• The county is accepting the following unused items:  • N95 mask of any type
• Surgical or procedural masks
• Non-latex medical gloves
• Hand sanitizers
• Disinfectant sprays

The donation site is at 9680 Conservation Road in Sacramento. Donations are accepted Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sutter Health, Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health and UC Davis Medical Center are also accepting community PPE donations. Each hospital has a list of items needed from the community. Click on the above links to learn more.

Give the gift of blood: Now more than ever, blood centers are in need of life-saving blood supplies. Sacramento-area residents can donate blood through Vitalant by making an appointment online or calling 877-25-VITAL. The American Red Cross is also holding community blood drives throughout the greater-Sacramento area. To find a blood drive near you, visit the American Red Cross online.

Blood centers encourage donors to make appointments in advance so staff can prepare and ensure there is adequate space for social distancing. Trips to blood donation sites are generally permissible even in areas with “shelter in place” directives, as they are deemed medically necessary. The coronavirus does not pose any known risk to blood donors during the donation process, according to AABB, a national organization advancing transfusions and cellular therapies. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration has reiterated that there have been no reported or suspected cases of transfusion-transmitted coronavirus.

Have you been binge-watching Netflix a little too much lately? Below are some ideas to keep your mind, body, and home healthy during this time.

Read something new: Escape reality for a bit and enter into a world of action or adventure. Download a free eBook at manybooks.net or buy books, magazines and newspapers straight from your Nook, Kindle or iPad.

Take up an exercising regime: Feeling restless? There are plenty of virtual fitness programs and apps being offered right now. There are also lots of beautiful hiking and walking trails in the Sacramento area. Click here for some inspiration and be sure to practice social distancing.

Start prepping your garden: Soak in the sunshine and prep your garden for spring! Here are ten tips to get your garden in tip-top shape.

Do some spring cleaning: Being stuck at home means there’s no excuse to put off cleaning. Check out these five tips for spring cleaning this year.

Spruce up your walls with some fresh paint: Now that you’ve had more time to stare at your walls, you might be considering a fresh coat of paint. Check out this year’s most popular paint trends here.

Go Down the Pinterest rabbit hole: Check out the Pinterest “Stay Safe. Stay Inspired” Board where you will find 26 sections with delicious recipes, activities for kids, home teaching ideas, ways to organize your home, happy hour recipes and much more!

Visit a virtual museum: Thanks to technology, we can still visit a museum even if we can’t leave the house. Check out Travel and Leisure’s list of 12 museums that offer virtual tours. You can “visit” famous locations in the US or abroad in Seoul, Berlin, Florence and more. You can also get your art fix with the Google Arts and Culture app for iPhone and Android. The app lets you view paintings, read up on masterpieces, and find your famous painting doppelganger. The Georgia Aquarium and the Monterey Bay Aquarium have turned on webcams so you can still watch otters, fish, and penguins without the crowds. Last but certainly not least, be sure to check out this video of a puppy field trip at an Aquarium!

Host a Netflix viewing party: If you and your friends have a Netflix subscription, you can schedule a time to watch a movie or show synced together. A free Google Chrome extension called Netflix Party syncs video playback so you can play and pause at the same time. It also has a group chat feature so you can keep the conversation going while you watch.

Stream a virtual concert: As we adjust to this new norm, many artists are taking their shows online.  Check out Billboard’s list of live streams and virtual concerts to watch here. Also be sure to visit Live Nation’s website for additional live concerts, streaming and virtual events.

Support your local restaurants and shops: If you’re not in the mood to cook, now is a great opportunity to support your local restaurants and shops. Many restaurants are offering takeout or no-contact delivery options.

 

Interested in learning more about the current real estate market? Contact me today!

With everything going on, you might be spending a lot more time at home. And as you spend more time at home, you are also going to be looking at your walls a lot more than usual…some of which might be in need of a fresh coat of paint. Grabbing some cans of paint, paintbrushes, and rollers may be the perfect way for you to pass some time, improve your mood, and improve your home, all at the same time.

But what colors should you explore if you want your house to feel fresh and on-trend? In a recent survey, home improvement-focused digital marketplace Fixr asked design experts for their thoughts on some of the top paint trends to watch in 2020. Those trends include:

• Skip the gray (at least on interior walls). Gray has been one of the most versatile paint colors in interior design for years—but in 2020, it looks like that trend is waning. Only 20 percent of designers surveyed said that gray will remain popular in 2020.
• Try cool neutrals… 57 percent of designers said cool neutrals (think white and taupe) are going to be the most popular interior paint choices this year.
• …or jewel tones. Want to try something a little more bold? Go with the runner-up for 2020’s most popular interior paint choices (at least according to designers)—jewel tones. Add a pop of color with an accent wall or make a bolder statement with four jewel-toned walls.

The Takeaway: So, what does this mean for you? Changing the paint colors in your home can breathe new life into your space. And whether you add those paint colors for yourself (to make your time at home more enjoyable) or for potential buyers (if you’re planning on listing your home), it’s important to consider the colors that are going to be on-trend in 2020 — and beyond!

Space-efficient work spaces are becoming all the rage these days. They’re great for maintaining privacy and uninterrupted workflow, and they can also be cozy and stylish as well. Here are some examples of a growing trend of miniature studios (for offices and living structures), that are small enough to fit in someone’s back yard.

We’re fond of calling them, shedquarters. Whether you need your own getaway space, an office, an art studio, or a full on extra home, there’s something for everyone out there!

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Kanga Room: Based out of Austin, Texas, Kanga Room has backyard studios in three styles: modern, country cottage, and bungalow.

The basic package is an 8×8-foot shed that starts around $5,900 and you can add on a bathroom, kitchenette, and front porch for additional cost.

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Modern Shed: This Seattle-based company was founded by husband and wife, Ryan Grey Smith and Ahna Holder.

They create flat-packed prefab structures. Basic 8×10 sheds start at $6,900.

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Weehouse by Alchemy Architects: The Weehouse Studio was designed by Minnesota’s Alchemy Architects.

They start at 435 square feet, and include a main room and bathroom. It can be used as either a home office, guest house, or even a main residence.

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KitHaus: The KitHaus was designed by Tom Sandonato and Martin Wehmann.

It is a modular site-constructed prefab housing system. The K-Pod is the starting model and measures 117 square feet. They also have larger models.

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Modern Spaces: “Forts for grown-ups!” Yep, that’s how they describe them.

These come in four pretty boxy styles. A fully installed shed with a foundation and finished exterior starts at $6,000. On-site installation is currently only available to California residents.

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Loftcube: Werner Aisslinger designed these sheds to make the extra space on top of city skyscrapers more productive.

He was able to fit a kitchen and bathroom within these 400 square foot glass-walled studios.

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Modern Cabana: The sheds from this San Francisco company start at 10×12 feet, but they have full studios with kitchens and baths.

The basic model is perfect for a backyard office, with its sliding door.

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Metroshed: The MetroShed, by David Ballinger, is a prefab, flat-packed model that starts around $6,000.

This a simple design is made of a cedar wood beam post frame with aluminum-frame sliding doors, and comes in 9×13 feet or larger.

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March is in full swing and lucky for us, Sacramento has lots of Saint Patty’s Day celebrations in store! Read on for a full line up of local events and activities, plus ways that you can celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day at home.

Whether you’re looking for some festive ways to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day around the Sacramento area or are simply in need of some weekend plans, you’ve come to the right place. Click on the below links for a round-up of exciting ways to live it up this St. Patty’s Day!

Events and Happenings:

1. Sacramento Kings Game Schedule
2. Pre-Saint Paddy’s Day Parade (March 12)
3. St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Old Sacramento (March 14)
4. Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration University of Beer (March 14)
5. St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl (March 14 & 17)
6. St. Patrick’s Day Alive After Five Cruise (March 14 & 17)
7. St. Patrick’s Day Rock on the Yacht Cruise (March 14)
8. 15th Annual St. Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl (March 14)
9. Shamrock’n Roll Festival & Beer Garden (March 14)
10. Shamrock Shimmy Presented by Discovery Play (March 14)
11. Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Firefighter After Party (March 14)
12. Shamrock’n Half Marathon, 5K 10K & Leprechaun Dash (March 14 & 15)
13. St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland @ Harris Center (March 15)
14. Wil O’Mylar and The Langers St. Patrick’s Celebration (March 17)
15. Cahersiveen St. Patrick’s Day Celebration (March 17) 
16. Dúlamán: A St. Patrick’s Day All Choirs Concert in Sacramento (March 17)

Do you plan on celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day in the comfort of your own home this year with friends and family? From appetizers and mains to creative cocktails and desserts, we’ve put together a list of fun recipes that will be sure to impress your St. Patty’s Day crew.

Festive Drinks: Get the party started with these festive beers, mixed drinks, and mocktails!

1. Green Beer: It wouldn’t be Saint Patrick’s Day without green beer. With just a couple drops of green dye, you can make your own. Get the recipe here.
2. Irish Coffee: Celebrate the occasion with this Spiked Irish Coffee!
3. Lucky Charms Shots: Try out these “magically delicious” shots with Bailey’s Irish Cream and Lucky Charms!
4. Shamrock Sour Cocktail: Whiskey sour gets a festive makeover by going green.
5. Jameson Jello Shots: Saint Patrick’s Day isn’t complete without jello shots! Try making these Jameson Jello Shots.
6. Fuzzy Leprechaun: This yummy fruity cocktail is made with peach schnapps, blue Curacao, and vodka. Learn how to make it here.
7. Lime Sherbert St. Patty’s Day Punch (Non-Alcoholic): This delicious lime sherbert drink packs a punch! Learn how to make it here.
8. Irish Car Bombs: End the night with an Irish Car Bomb!

Bring on the Appetizers: Looking for some tasty appetizers to go with that green pint of Guinness? Check out these St. Patty’s Day approved dips, bites, and sliders.

1. Corned Beef and Cabbage Sliders: This ridiculously easy app is taken to the next level with Guinness-braised cabbage. Learn how to make it here.
2. Pretzel Dog Beer Cheese Dip: You can’t go wrong with beer, cheese, and pretzels. Click here to make this crowd-pleasing app.
3. Irish Nachos: If you haven’t tried Irish Nachos, you’re missing out. What’s not to love about a heaping pile of potato chips, slathered in beer cheese and topped off with crunchy bacon and fresh chives? Get the recipe here.
4. Bacon-Wrapped Cabbage Wedges: When in doubt, add bacon. Learn how to make this recipe here.
5. Irish Pub Cheese Recipe: This creamy cheese pairs well with pretzels or pita chips. Learn how to make it here.
6. Saint Paddy’s Dill Dip: Serve this delicious dip with raw vegetables or crackers of your choice.

Mains: These Irish-inspired dishes will take your Saint Patrick’s Day celebration to the next level.

1. Soda Bread: Soda bread anyone? Learn how to make this quintessential Irish side here.
2. Corned Beef in Beer (Crockpot): Let your crockpot do the work by trying out this tasty Corned Beef in Beer recipe.
3. Irish Cabbage and Bacon: There’s nothing boring about this cabbage dish, which is loaded with bacon, onions, chicken broth, and mustard seeds.
4. Irish Pan Haggerty Potatoes: This classic Irish potato dish is loaded with sliced potatoes, bacon, onions and lots of cheese. Check out the recipe here.
5. Irish Stew: This comfort dish features tender lamb, hearty carrots and potatoes topped off with herb butter.

Desserts: Don’t forget the dessert! Consider making one of these holiday-inspired treats.

1. Pot O’ Gold Cups: These little brownies prove that you don’t have to go to the end of the rainbow to find the perfect St. Paddy’s Day dessert.
2. Lucky Charm Eclaires: As if eclairs couldn’t get any more tasty, this recipe swaps your standard chocolate fair for a citrus filling topped with Lucky Charms.
3. Green Velvet Pops: Forget red velvet — green velvet will be your new favorite rich (and seasonally appropriate) flavor.
4. Irish Chocolate Pots de Creme: Not only is this dessert gorgeous but it’s also “melt in your mouth” amazing! Add two tablespoons of Baileys for that Irish touch. Check out the recipe here.
5. Shamrock Shake Cupcakes: This minty cake topped with fluffy whip cream mousse is what dreams are made of! Get the full recipe here.

The National Association of Landscape Professionals recently released their picks for the top landscaping trends of 2020. Some of the biggest trends poised to take over lawns across the US this year include:

Multi-season landscape design: As homeowners become more cost and environmentally conscious in 2020, expect to see more versatile choices in landscape design—including choosing plants and other elements with multi-season functionality and the ability to thrive in a variety of temperatures and climates.

All things blue: With different shades of blue being chosen as the color of the year by a variety of design outlets (including Pantone and Sherwin-Williams), the hue is popping up everywhere—including in landscape design. Expect to see pops of blue (think sculptures and water features) to show up in on-trend outdoor spaces in the upcoming year.

One-click irrigation systems: Properly irrigating your lawn used to be an expensive, time-consuming process. But thanks to new technology and more high-tech irrigation systems, homeowners now have the ability to control their irrigation system remotely, delivering the perfect amount of water at the perfect time with the click of a smartphone app—saving time, money, and water in the process.

What does this mean for you? If you’re thinking about selling your home in 2020, you want to make sure your landscaping feels timely and on-trend—and now that you know the top landscaping trends for 2020, all that’s left to do is get outside and get your yard up to par!

Brigadoon, Silvertown, Stepford, Middlemarch, Pleasantville…all mythical towns of fantasy from literature and film that make our hearts yearn for perfect locales that just don’t exist in the real world. That is, until now.

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Nestled deep in northern Holland is the small town of Giethoorn. When you first see photos of this tiny town it looks like it was cut straight from a child’s dream; or the abandoned location of northern Holland Disneyland. Either way, this neighborhood of magic, with its network of quiet canals intertwined throughout, is no fairy tale.

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When you see the canal streets and wooden bridges that beckon you to come visit the beautiful village straight out of Beauty and the Beast, you might think you’ll have to pass beyond the gumdrop forest and through moors of the dwarven kingdom. In reality it’s just a short car ride from Amsterdam with an array of bed and breakfasts for you to stay in while you visit.

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Life in the little Venice-esque village of 2600 is quiet. The website even touts that the most commotion you’d hear is the “quacking of a duck, or noise made by other birds.” That or the postman using a punt to deliver the mail. (Punt as in “a flat-bottomed boat” not punt as in he’s kicking packages across the water because he can’t be bothered with getting in and out of a boat.)

Next time you’re in Europe and you want to truly get away from it all, stop by Giethoorn before it possibly disappears into the mists for a thousand years.