Relaxing in a Hammock

Since I am returning back to work from a week in Kauai, I thought I would chat about where I spent most of my time last week - in a hammock! Hammocks are so absoltely relaxing. They are a great spot to lay and red a book, lounge around with a drink or take a nap.  Hammocks are frequently found on resorts on islands, but, why do I now see more around in Denver? The climate would allow for a hammock to be used almost year round. 

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Why does rest and relaxation have to only happen on vacation? Lets all create a paradise in your backyards, starting with a hammock! 

In addition to writing for Daigle's Digs, Elizabeth works full-time as a Real Estate Agent with  Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC. Elizabeth's expertise is in buying and selling a home, first time home buyers, short sales, and investment properties. Contact Elizabeth for any real estate needs. Cell 303-819.73.71. Work 720-314-8352.

This weekend...

My weekend:

Although I am never fully 'off' as a business owner, I plan on taking a step back from the phone and computer this weekend as I have family in town. Oh, and doing some yoga :) Sounds great, right? How are you logging out this weekend? The summer is almost over - don't miss it while it is here!

In addition to writing for Daigle's Digs, Elizabeth works full-time as a Real Estate Agent with  Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC. Elizabeth's expertise is in buying and selling a home, first time home buyers, short sales, and investment properties. Contact Elizabeth for any real estate needs. Cell 303-819.73.71. Work 720-314-8352.

The Post Grocery Taste Test.

When I was in corporate American, I used to set aside Saturday morning to go grocery shopping. It was an event that I planned for; planning my meals and making a grocery list for my grocery store trip. Upon returning home, I would then prepare food for the week. All the while taste testing every single food that I have purchased. 

I will be honest, my grocery store trips are far more chaotic now. They typically occur when I have absolutely no food left in the refrigerator. I am usually entering the grocery store STARVING (which is, of course, the worst idea possible) and typically it has been pouring. My trip to the grocery store now is more out of desperation now vs. a calculated trip. I usually grab whatever tickles my fancy at the time and am usually left scratching my head as to how I will make meals of all these piecemeal ingredients. 

Then comes the taste testing which is now more of an act of devouring all the good food I just bought (because I am still starving). First to go are any of the carbs I have bought. I have always been a carb junkie, I can't help it. I notice any of the carbohydrates purchased are usually consumed within the first few days then I move onto the fruit and protein then at the end of the week I eat the vegetables since that is all that is left. 

What is your grocery experience? I know this should not be mine but it is for the time being. 

In addition to writing for Daigle's Digs, Elizabeth works full-time as a Real Estate Agent with  Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC. Elizabeth's expertise is in buying and selling a home, first time home buyers, short sales, and investment properties. Contact Elizabeth for any real estate needs. Cell 303-819.73.71. Work 720-314-8352.

Focus on: Sloan's Lake

Sloan's Lake is a neighborhood located northwest of the city. It's parameters are Sheridan Boulevard to Raleigh Street, 17th Ave to 26th Ave. The lake is a big attraction and the park is the second largest in the city (City Park being the largest). It is a bit of a mystery how Sloan's Lake came to be but it is believed that is was created by the rupture of the natural spring created by Thomas F Sloan. 

The Sloan's Lake neighborhood is very diverse with historic bungalows to post-modern homes. It offers close proximity to downtown, Sports Authority Field and boasts city and mountain views. On most weekends you'll find many people hanging out at Sloan's Lake with family or friends, hiking, biking or jogging on the trails or fishing or boating on the lake. Mid-summer the Dragon Boat Festival attracts many people for weekend festivities. The festival boasts great food, festivities and dragon boat racing.

The public schools available to Sloan's Lake residents are Brown Elementary, Cheltenham Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Colfax Elementary, Skinner Middle School, West Denver Prep, Lake International Middle School, North High School and West High School. Go here for more information about the schools catering to the Sloan's Lake neighborhood.

There is a high demand for a home in Sloan's Lake. This chart depicts the median average home price and median days on market. The high demand for this neighborhood means prices are rising and homes do not stay on the market for long. 

Data taken from recolorado.com

Sloan's Lake is no exception to the lack of inventory problem we face in Denver. The below graph shows the number of active listings in the past 12 months. 

Date taken from recolorado.com

Do you live in Sloan's Lake, if so, what do you love about it? If you don't live there, are you looking to live in Sloan's Lake? 

In addition to writing for Daigle's Digs, Elizabeth works full-time as a Real Estate Agent with  Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC. Elizabeth's expertise is in buying and selling a home, first time home buyers, short sales, and investment properties. Contact Elizabeth for any real estate needs. Cell 303-819.73.71. Work 720-314-8352 

Home

For people that know me know that I am a collector of quotes. My Pinterest page is full of quotes about life, love, home and every other topic you can think of. I saw this quote and it made me stop. As I approach my one year mark in Denver I've been mulling over the idea of home. Is it Denver, yet? The short answer is sort of. I've been moving in that direction in the past few months. The things that have made it a bit easier lately are actually having my own place, finding a handful of friends that I jive with and creating a community in my new neighborhood and the city. Home, to me, is comfortable, stable, a connection to community, and also a place to be creative. All of these feelings can take time and I feel like in a few months I will be able to truly say Denver is home. 

What makes a home, a home for you? Is it a person? A feeling?

In addition to writing for Daigle's Digs, Elizabeth works full-time as a Real Estate Agent with  Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC. Elizabeth's expertise is in buying and selling a home, first time home buyers, short sales, and investment properties. Contact Elizabeth for any real estate needs. Cell 303-819.73.71. Work 720-314-8352 

Shared Bedrooms

As a child my sister and I shared a room for a short time. We both had twin beds with matching Popples comforter. Maybe it is because the first 5 years of my life involved sharing a bedroom with my sister but nothing melts my heart more than seeing two twin beds in a bedroom, especially decorated as a child's room. I have seen some great ideas on how to separate the room to allow both children to have their own space and personality. 

Different color, but same design, comforters can create a unique space for each child.

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Different color paint for each side of the room.

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Pictures of each child hanging above the bed.

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Different artwork above the beds and different decorative pillows on each bed.

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A curtain divider physically separates the space.

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Did you share a room as a child? How would you separate the space? 

In addition to writing for Daigle's Digs, Elizabeth works full-time as a Real Estate Agent with  Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC. Elizabeth's expertise is in buying and selling a home, first time home buyers, short sales, and investment properties. Contact Elizabeth for any real estate needs. Cell 303-819.73.71. Work 720-314-8352

A neutral dining area

While searching the internet recently I stumbled upon a great dining room in a Soho apartment. 

This room got me thinking about how a neutral color scheme can still pack a mean punch. Often times we think in order to decorate we have to use a lot of color and texture but that is not true. This room has used muted undertones and very simple furniture. Even the artwork is subdued and the only texture in the room is the design on the crown molding. The room still feels quite calm and inviting without all of what most people consider "design". This room makes me think of a very strong yet feminine woman whose mere presence mandates attention and respect, although not many words have to be uttered to know she deserves your attention. Just like in life, you do not need to be noisy to be heard.

 To see the whole loft, go here. 

In addition to writing for Daigle's Digs, Elizabeth works full-time as a Real Estate Agent with  Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC. Elizabeth's expertise is in buying and selling a home, first time home buyers, short sales, and investment properties. Contact Elizabeth for any real estate needs. Cell 303-819.73.71. Work 720-314-8352

Sitting around the table

Continuing with the dining room theme this week, I thought I would showcase a really cool idea I recently saw. 

 If your table is configured where bench with the table, use a headboard behind the bench. This is a great way to no one sits with there back against the hard wall. Also a plus, a headboard can easily be DIY'ed.

In addition to writing for Daigle's Digs, Elizabeth works full-time as a Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC. Elizabeth's expertise is in buying and selling a home, first time home buyers, short sales, and investment properties. Contact Elizabeth for any real estate needs. Cell 303-819.73.71. Work 720-314-8352.

Home is where the heart is

The other day I stumbled on this quote:

It made me stop and start think. Well, yes, isn't home a great word? I was born in the middle of the Cancer zodiac sign. For those of you how do not know much about Cancers, home is central to the zodiac sign. They are homebodies and "those born under this sign are "roots" kinds of people, and take great pleasure in the comforts of home and family." Source

Home is an interesting word because it can have many different connotations for people. It can be a physical place, a feeling of security, the act of gathering with family, or just a particular look. For me, home can be any of those but it is typically  a place I can come and recharge and also provides an immense sense of security and love. This year I have moved a total of four times, most moves were very temporary. Even though I love where I live right now, I still associate home with the last condo I had. Knowing myself, this will change once I have a move permeant place to live and put my stamp on it.

What does home mean to you? How do you feel when you are home? 

In addition to writing for Daigle's Digs, Elizabeth works full-time as a Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC. Elizabeth's expertise is in buying and selling a home, first time home buyers, short sales, and investment properties. Contact Elizabeth for any real estate needs. Cell 303-819.73.71. Work 720-314-8352. 

Dining Together

I have always loved the concept of dining room tables. I suppose the idea of a dining room is getting more and more obsolete with the open concept homes. But what I love is the table where the family gathers for dinner. That table is usually central to the home and the family.

When I was growing up my family ate dinner together every.single.night. It drove me crazy at the time especially once I got old enough to realize some families ate dinner in front of the television. We would then go around the table and talk about what happened during our day. The dining room table was where we physically met every night and it brought us a lot closer. Because of this, I sincerly appreciate the dining room table as it signifies unity in my mind. 

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I should also mention, as you can imagine, we are also a family that enjoys our food. How do you feel about dining room tables?  Did you family eat dinner at one every night?