What are your #NewYearsResolutions?

Here are mine:

Personal - be true to myself - this is something that I always strive to achieve, but hope to take more time for "me" this year

Business - continue to add services to offer to my clients, and provide the best value possible

Visit Telus to Donate to MS Society - Waterloo Chapter

Telus Mobility is working to support the efforts of the Waterloo District Chapter of the MS Society. The generous people at Telus will match all donations made at their store at the Conestoga Mall until December 31, 2011. If you are considering making a donation to the Waterloo District Chapter of the MS Society this year, please consider making that donation through the folks at Telus Mobility (their store is near the ‘Winners’ entrance to the mall).
YOUR DONATION WILL BE DOUBLED!

They will take cash, credit card or debit. For donations of $20 or more, just bring your Telus receipt to the MS Centre (35 Belmont Ave West, Kitchener) and they will prepare a 2011 charitable receipt for you.

Thank you for helping to spread the joy of the season … thank you to Telus Mobility and thank you to YOU!

Hosting a New Year's Party Tips

- Set a theme and advise your guests to dress appropriately - set the table and decorations according to your theme. Some fun suggestions that I've enjoyed include masquerade, black and white, and James Bond

- Be sure to set out snacks, and offer a selection of beverages, including a non-alcoholic option for your designated drivers.

- Be sure to plan ahead for guests that may over-drink by having a guest room set up (if available), and quick access to the phone number of local taxi companies.
If you're attending a New Year's party, be sure to bring a gift for your host, whether it's as simple as a bottle of wine, or a more personal gift that the host can enjoy after the party While your host may not expect a gift, it is always appreciated.

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas & Last Minute Baking Inspiration

Wishing you and your families a safe and happy holiday. If you're doing a little last minute baking today, be sure to check out www.kraftrecipes.com for some inspiration. I use several of their recipes each year for my Christmas baking. They use ingredients that you can usually find already in your home - perfect for last minute treats! #christmasbaking

Thanks for the Tradition Holiday Cards!!!

As our society becomes more and more technologically advanced, it is often easy to forget some of the simplest gestures. While technology has allowed us to improve efficiency, and most can't imagine how they ever lived without their smartphone, it has also made us busier than ever. I encourage you to take some time this holiday season to phone (not email) friends and loved ones, take the time to sit down for tea with your grandparents, and practice patience in the malls and stores.

On that note, thank you to everyone that send me a personal, physical #Christmas card! While I appreciate the e-wishes, nothing beats the good old-fashioned #holiday card.

Concerned about the environmental impact? Try to purchase cards that have been printed on recycled paper, and save your cards to re-use the following year as gift tags by cutting out the cute characters or shiny messages, punch a hole, add ribbon, and adhere to gifts. My friends and family always appreciate the uniqueness of my gift tags.

All I Want for #Christmas...

Last minute Christmas shopping? Here some items on my wish list this Christmas - great for the hard-to-shop-for person on your list:

1. Boudoir Cushion - Bouclair $16.99

2. Red Etched Wine Glasses - Bombay $29 for a set of 4

3. Loose Leaf Teas - Check out Distinctly Tea's Christmas Blend - prices vary

4. Scented Candles - Bath and Body Works offers great scents that burn for several hours - prices vary depending on size

5. Home Baked Goods - I always seem to get a sweet tooth this time of year, and I look forward to sharing my baked goodies with friends and family, and sampling their creations

Visit Telus to Donate to MS Society - Waterloo Chapter

Telus Mobility is working to support the efforts of the Waterloo District Chapter of the MS Society. The generous people at Telus will match all donations made at their store at the Conestoga Mall until December 31, 2011. If you are considering making a donation to the Waterloo District Chapter of the MS Society this year, please consider making that donation through the folks at Telus Mobility (their store is near the ‘Winners’ entrance to the mall).YOUR DONATION WILL BE DOUBLED!
They will take cash, credit card or debit. For donations of $20 or more, just bring your Telus receipt to the MS Centre (35 Belmont Ave West, Kitchener) and they will prepare a 2011 charitable receipt for you.
Thank you for helping to spread the joy of the season … thank you to Telus Mobility and thank you to YOU!

Great Last Minute #Holiday Gift Idea - BTSH Gift Certificates with bonus offer!

BTSH has gift certificates available in any denomination - great for new homeowners, transition homes, the typical bachelor, or the homeowner in need of an update. Now until Dec. 31st, purchase a gift certificate in any denomination, and receive an additional 10% in gift certificates* towards any BTSH service. Visit www.beyondthestagehomes.com for details.

#Christmas Decorating - Command Hooks to the Rescue Again!

Not the first time I've discussed the wonders of 3M Command Hooks, and certainly not the last! Command hooks hold securely, and can be removed without any damage to your walls, doors, or ceilings. I purchased these large "snowballs" and wanted to hang from my ceiling, but of course didn't want to put any unnecessary holes in my ceilings. As well, since I lack shelves and mantels to display greeting cards and stockings, I simply hung a red ribbon via command hooks behind my couch - keeps these items displayed during the holidays without cluttering the few shelves I have. You can have several of these around the house, hanging from pretty much anywhere you'd like. 

See the full gallery on Posterous

Ikea Kitchen Event Until Jan. 22 - Get 10% Back!!

Get 10% back in gift cards at the Ikea Kitchen Event - great deal!

http://email.ikea-canada.com/PS!Xb5n1C0Fwq4FBgIAAAAGCgFICgc5ODMxNTQ4CgkxMjAyNjkyODEJAA+5HgoJMTIxNzE0ODE4BQ==?ENCRYP_LINK=xHOc3R6flAFBS5R35hRfK80s%252FMrSWu3dMWtJwtIfMVM%253D&STORE=040

Thinking of buying a home or renewing your mortgage?

Talk to @VinceVasco from Mortgage Alliance http://www.mortgagealliance.com/VinceVasco/mobile/rates.html

Struggling to figure out how to accommodate all your guests?

Shauna Lynn Simon

ShaunaLynn@btshomes.com

(519) 496-4301

www.beyondthestagehomes.com

@btshomes

"Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere." - Albert Einstein

Want to receive information about the latest trends, tips for your home, and special offers? Join our mailing list! 

BTSH rents a variety of furniture and accessories to help to accommodate your guests and spruce up your home for the holidays - contact us for details!

See the full gallery on Posterous

BTSH Latest Design - Custom Home Bar

Here's a sneak peak of the completed bar - finished on time, and on budget. Thank you to Casey's Kitchens, Stanson Electric, McGregor Plumbing, and Kegs Draft Services. Stay tuned for detailed before and afters, including a video tour designer Shauna Lynn of Beyond The Stage Homes.

See the full gallery on Posterous

Final Day of Construction!

Bar is really coming along well!! Today is the final day of construction - upper cabinetry to be completed still and finished off with lighting - hand-blown glass pendant lights will pull the whole room together.

See the full gallery on Posterous

Great Holiday Gift Idea - BTSH Gift Certificates with bonus offer!

BTSH has gift certificates available in any denomination - great for new homeowners, transition homes, the typical bachelor, or the homeowner in need of an update. Now until Dec. 31st, purchase a gift certificate in any denomination, and receive an additional 10% in gift certificates* towards any BTSH service. Visit www.beyondthestagehomes.com for details.

Shauna Lynn gives Hidden Valley Model Home Tour!

Trimming The Tree 101

Make it a family affair!!

Great Holiday Gift Idea - BTSH Gift Certificates with bonus offer!

BTSH has gift certificates available in any denomination - great for new homeowners, transition homes, the typical bachelor, or the homeowner in need of an update. Now until Dec. 31st, purchase a gift certificate in any denomination, and receive an additional 10% in gift certificates* towards any BTSH service. Visit www.beyondthestagehomes.com for details.

Telus Matches MS Society Donations - Today ONLY!

Getting some Christmas shopping done today? If so, please stop by Telus Mobility at Conestoga Mall! Telus will be accepting donations to the MS Society, Waterloo District Chapter …. AND WILL MATCH THOSE DONATIONS. If you are planning to make a donation before the year end, please consider going to the Telus Mobility Kiosk at the Conestoga Mall (near the Winner’s entrance) today only and making that donation.Telus staff will take your contact information so that we can generate a charitable receipt for your donation.Telus is also selling very cute ‘OWLS’, the proceeds of which are coming to the chapter.
Thank you in advance for your support!

Entertaining this Holiday Season?

BTSH rents a variety of furniture and accessories to help to accommodate your guests - contact us for details!

See the full gallery on Posterous

Congratulations Karen!

Great job in the Rick Hansen relay to Karen, bootcamp instructor for Hurts So Good - it was an honour to share this with you!

www.hurtssogood.ca

Home Renos 101 Day 5 - Finishing Touches

Now that you've chosen the floors, the walls, and the lighting, it's time to decorate! Be selective when bringing back any existing furniture into the room - evaluate whether or not the piece still works with the flow and style of the room, and does it fit with the purpose of the room. Be sure not to overcrowd the room with furniture - this is a great time to downsize and remove any extra pieces that aren't necessary.

Does the room need an area rug to bring it all together?

Add artwork, photos, and decorative accent pieces. Take your time finding these, and don't be afraid to purchase something whether you're sure of it or not, just be sure the store has a flexible return policy. Bring it into the room to evaluate. Happy shopping!!

Home Renos 101 Day 4 - Choosing Wall Coverings - Paint/Wallpaper

Once you have chosen the floor, it's time to decide on the walls. If you are working with any existing furniture or decorative pieces, be sure to keep these in mind when choosing style and colours.

Wallpaper - much easier to hang and remove then ever, with some fantastic modern designs available! 

Paint - don't be afraid to use a little colour! If you want to bring colour in from decorative sources instead of paint, there is a great variety of beautiful neutral colours that are not your typical beige. Consider grey taupes, and yellows, and even a light green. 

Whatever you are choosing, whether it is paint, or wallpaper, or both, be sure bring your samples into the room that you are renovating, with the lighting you are intending to use. Do not use extra lighting to "get a better view" as the extra lighting will change how the colours looks.

Interior decorating professionals have access to a large number of paint chips, and allow you to browse through hundreds of colours on site, saving you several trips to the paint store. they can also provide wallpaper ideas and samples. Remember that the lighting at the store is different then the lighting at home, so consider outsourcing this part to a professional. For information on BTSH Colour Consultations, click here.

Home Renos 101 Day 3 - Lighting

Once again, think about the use of the room. Do you require task lighting, ambient lighting, accent lighting, or decorative lighting?

Ambient lighting is meant to be soft and "out of sight", that is not from an obvious source. It works best as a calming and neutral background.
Accent lighting is used to highlight features and add interest to a room or detail. Often this is wired directly into the wall.
Task lighting is meant to provide direct light for working, such as in an office or kitchen. It provides visual clarity and helps to focus the mind on the job.
Decorative lighting is less effective if it has to compete with too much task or accent lighting. The scheme it occupies should rely on a discreet balance of elements and act as a unifier and/or focal point.
Recall your questions from Day 1 to allow you to determine what type of lighting you require.

Happy Last Movember Day!!

I would like to thank everyone that supported Movember, either by donating to the cause, or by sporting a moustache for the month of November to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer. That being said, I look forward to December 1st :) Happy shaving!!

Home Renos 101 Day 2 - Flooring

While this is technically step two, as far as choosing the actual visual pieces for the room in question, this is step one. I can't stress this enough - always, always, always start from the ground up and select your flooring first. The type of flooring (laminate, hardwood, tiles, carpet, etc) is up to you, but take into consider the use of the room. Consider durability, comfort, cleaning and maintenance, and of course, how it looks. Before you step foot into a flooring store, be sure you understand your needs in all of the areas. Refer back to the questions you answered in Step 1 and take these into consideration in choosing your flooring.

Home Renos 101 Day 1 - Setting the Mood

When renovating any room in your home, the first step is to define the room. This will help you to determine what the overall feel or mood of the room will be. Ask yourself these 3 questions:

What will the room be used for?
Who will use the room?
How often will the room be used?

Be sure as you're planning out the room to refer back to these answers - these will help you to make decisions regarding functionality vs durability vs aesthetics.

Wet Bar update - Cabinetry has arrived - install has begun!

Beautiful espresso maple cabinetry give this bar a classy modern look in a traditional home - stay tuned for the next 2 weeks to see how this original BTSH design comes together!

See the full gallery on Posterous

Outdoor Holiday Decorating

Why let your indoor Christmas trees have all the fun? Decorate your outdoors as you would inside - you just need to make a few adjustments. I found these bulbs at the thrift store for $2 for 24 bulbs - this way I'm not concerned if they don't make it until the next season. For the outdoor planters, I found mesh ribbon and glittery branches from the dollar store. The evergreen is all natural and trimmed from a neighbour's tree (be sure you get permission before pruning!). Add some lights for added evening glow!

See the full gallery on Posterous

Wow, 11 C on November 26th!

Great day to get those last few leaves off the ground and lay down some more grass seed for a healthy spring lawn!

Stunning Wet Bar - Construction begins!

Here's a before picture - construction is expected to be completed in approximately 2 weeks, stay tuned for updates and the final results!

Home Staging with Pets

Staging your home means showing it at it's very best and appealing to the largest number of buyers possible. Unfortunately, not all buyers are going to be pet lovers, and in fact a home with pets can cause concerns to potential buyers - have the pets done any damage to the home? WIll the home smell like the pet? How will this affect their allergies?

My recommendation (and this coming from a mom to two cats) - remove the pets altogether for the time the home is on the market. I know this is difficult, and it doesn't have to be a permanent move, but if you have a friend or relative that is willing to take your furry friend(s) for a little while, this will increase your chances of selling your home faster.

If it is not possible to find a temporary home for your pet(s), there are actions you can take to minimize the affect of them on the sale of your home:

- Minimize their presence - this means storing all toys, beds, and food during showings. Store food and treats somewhere other than the pantry or kitchen.
- For dogs, ensure that they are out of the house at the time of showings - take them for a walk or to visit a friend. Be sure that the yard is cleaned up daily.
- For cats, clean the litter box twice daily to avoid an odour build-up, and be sure that it is out of sight - your cats will find the litter box wherever you move it to, all you need to do is show them where it is.

2012 KW MS Walk is looking for sponsors!

If you're a business owner and are interested in showing your support for your community and a great cause, please contact me for details. BTSH is a proud sponsor once again this year!

Move over flannel, here come microfibre sheets!

Softer than flannel, with the same cozy warmth - I picked up a set at XS Cargo and I've never slept better! It's going to be a warm winter.

http://www.shopxscargo.com/product_catalogue/cat_product_details.asp?category_id=30&product_code=28131&sub_category_1_id=152&category=Bedding

Christmas lights are up...

And the tree is trimmed - It's time to hang the stockings, and mail your letter to Santa! What are you asking Santa for this year?

BBQ'ing on Nov. 19th - amazing!! Can we skip winter this year??

Attn Photographers! 2012 KW MS Walk is looking for a Photographer - contact me for details!

This is a great opportunity to give you and your company great community exposure while helping a great cause.

1500sf Bungalow in Riverwood - Latest BTSH Staged Property

http://www.realtor.ca/PropertyDetails.aspx?&PropertyId=11320355&PidKey=867076693

I'm never too busy for your referrals!

This week has been a great week of repeat business! From Colour Consultations, to Redesign, to Decorating and Design, it's always great to re-visit past clients. It's great to see the transformation from my previous visits, and help them to move to the next phase of their plans. Stay tuned for some amazing before and after pictures!

Thanks to my girlfriends for helping me to trim the tree! The cats had a great time - check out the first ornament!

So excited to trim the tree tonight! Curious cats are already checking it out...should be interesting!

Thanks for your responses!!

The fans have spoken, and BTSH is listening! Working on updating the portfolio - stay tuned for more before and afters...

Great deal for house-cleaning!

http://www.dealfind.com/kitchener-waterloo/nancyscleaning?a=ee7cdb5f7dd5

Hoping to hang the Christmas lights today! Accepting volunteers :)

2012 KW MS Walk is still looking for a DJ!

If you're a DJ and you're interested in getting some great exposure while helping a worthy cause, this is a great opportunity! Please contact me for details. Approximately 900 walkers expected at this year's KW MS Walk!

This weekend is going to be a great weekend to hang up the Christmas lights - can't wait!! It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

Remembering all those who have fought for us, and those that continue to fight. Thank you.

BTSH wants to hear from you!

Visit our page on facebook and like us, then answer our poll to tell us what types of posts you want to see.

Thanks to everyone that has already answered - your feedback is appreciated and will be considered for future posts.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beyond-The-Stage-Homes/62271738046

Hidden Valley Luxury Home - BTSH Project

Check out the latest from BTSH - a beautiful luxury home in Hidden Valley, currently in the design process, stay tuned for updated photos and videos.

http://www.realtor.ca/PropertyDetails.aspx?&PropertyId=11243695&PidKey=-952671614

Beautiful Sunny November Day!

With an extra hour of sleep you feel well rested - with this beautiful weather it's a great day to get outside with the family and soak up some rays!

One of a Kind Canvas by a local artist!

Thanks Sara May for another spectacular piece! This piece was commissioned recently by a client of mine - a stunning 4' x 6' canvas painted to compliment their home - check out Sara May's website at www.saramayart.com.

Home sales last month were down 4.7 percent compared to September 2010.

According to the Kitchener Waterloo Association of Realtors, MLS shows that home sales are down. More sellers means more competition, therefore you need to ensure that your home shows at it's best to beat the competition - focus on curb appeal, upgrades, and home staging to make the difference.

Canadian Tire Idea #53 - Draft proof your house

http://houseofinnovation.ca/ideas/checking_drafts_from_windows?icid=HOI%20October%20English%202011&atr=SOURCE_AMAZING&subid=1413160&linkid=Draft+Punk&et_cid=17162127&et_rid=417830769&linked=Draft+Punk

Thanks hurtssogood.ca!!

Great bootcamp tonight, thanks Karen from Hurts So Good for kicking my butt!

Attention condo owners in KW and surrounding areas

If you're thinking of selling, contact me today for details on how to qualify for a free Home Staging Consultation!

Client follow-ups - 3 more BTSH staged properties sold!

Repurposed Trays - From Home Made Simple

Check out some of these great ideas for organizing:

http://www.homemadesimple.com/en-CA/HomeOrganization/Pages/Repurposed-Organizers-Trays.aspx?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=Single%2BFocus&utm_campaign=Trays&TID=e570139e-78ef-4d64-acee-8953be9c69b8

Don't Forget to Vote!!!

You can't have your say unless you vote - don't forget to vote for your favourite candidate today!!

Great Fall Planning Tips from Home Depot

Check out this Fall Yard Cleanup Checklist from the Home Depot:

http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/GardenCentre?storeId=10051&catalogId=10051&langId=-15&display=landscaping_articles_7&eid=300911|email|email-GC||EN|fw35||2-Fall+Yard+Cleanup+Checklist+-+READ+MORE||||

Is it too early to decorate for Halloween?

Absolutely not! I say that once we've hit the first of October, it's fair game. Some prefer to wait until after the Canadian Thanksgiving has passed, but if you're in the spirit of this spooky holiday then go for it! Let me know what you think!

KW Humane Society Education Room - Finally Done!!

BTSH is proud to have the opportunity to sponsor the KW Humane Society with the donation of a fresh new education room - check out the before and after pictures!!

Book this room for your next birthday party by contacting the Humane Society http://www.kwhumane.com/index.php/education/education

See the full gallery on Posterous

Great Moving Checklist - check it out!

This list not only plans your move, but tells you when you should be checking these tasks off the list! A month before the move, two weeks before, and of course, the day of.

http://www.canada-movers.ca/moving_tips.html

Fall Planters

That's right, believe it or not fall is just around the corner and fall weather seems to have already arrived. Just because there is a little chill in the air doesn't mean all the blooms are done. In fact, some plants actually thrive well in this weather, with hardy mums topping the list. Other colourful plants include marigolds, colour grasses, and coleus.

Fall is my favourite season, and I love to get into the spirit of all that it brings with hay stacks, pumpkins, and fall blooms.

Organization Week Day 5 - The Coat Closet

Install hooks inside the coat closet and use for hanging things such as umbrellas, flashlights, scarves, etc.

Organization Week Day 4 - Electronics Cords

Media centre out of control? Now one of the units is on the fritz and you're tugging on cords to figure out which one to unplug. Save yourself future headaches and wrap labels (I simply use file folder labels) around the ends of cords plugged into a power bar, and label the item they’re attached to. Electronics and office supply stores sell cord wrappers designed for this as well. Obviously it is best to label during the installation process, but if it's too late for that, be sure to get to it before you're caught off-guard.

Organization Week Day 3 - Sorting Mail

Put a basket near the entrance for bills that need to be paid, and use another basket for bills that have been paid – be sure to mark a date on the calendar at least once a month to organize and file paid bills. Sort into labelled file folders, and store in a file cabinet or bankers box.

Organization Week Day 2 - Storage Bins

There are countless uses for storage bins - whether to house scarves and accessories, kids toys, sort mail, or keep your remote controls from getting lost, storage bins help to hide the clutter, and keep your home looking clean and organized.

Organization Week Day 1 - Making Lists

Lists keep you organized, whether a daily to do, or a shopping list, or a special event planning list, writing things down not only helps to ensure that you remember everything, but also helps to clear your mind, allowing you to concentrate on whatever it is that you're doing. This will make you more productive, and efficient. Smartphones provide helpful apps that can be used to create to-do or shopping lists so that you're never caught at a store forgetting what you need, and realizing that the shopping list is sitting on the counter at home. Some examples of lists on my smartphone:

1. Grocery list
2. Home Improvement/Repair purchases
3. House projects "to-do"
4. Office supplies
5. Personal - cloths, cosmetics, etc.

Time for fall decorating

I'm starting with my fall wreath on the front door, and some mums for my planters - how do you begin decorating for fall?

Home Staging is an investment

Investing in Home Staging helps you to sell your home for more money, and is always less than a price reduction. Key to selling a home:

1. Stage first! Always stage prior to listing the house - you only get one chance to make a first impression

2. Price appropriately for the market, neighbourhood, etc - this is what Realtors are trained to do, so be sure to enlist the help of a Realtor as soon as you decide to sell, to help you with the process of preparing your home for sale.

3. Keep your home "showing ready" at all times - you never know when your buyer will walk through your home - as I always tell my clients, the better your home shows each and every day, the faster you will sell your house, and the sooner you can return to life as normal.

Beautiful Fall Weather! Time to get outside...

Kids are going back to school, and life is returning to normal. While Fall is not here yet, it is just around the corner, and now is a good time to start planning out what needs to be done before the winter hits - this will allow you to set an action without being overwhelmed and caught off-guard, such as how you plan to store items for the winter (BBQ, lawnmower, patio set, etc). By planning ahead, you can enjoy the season.

How to build confidence

Did you know that people that struggle with a low self-esteem find it difficult to give compliments? If you are not comfortable with who you are, you'll struggle to recognize and acknowledge the good in others, whether it's as simple as a nice new hair-style that your co-worker is sporting, or praising a friend for a nice gesture. One of the best ways to build confidence, and just genuinely feel good, is to give someone a compliment - that's your task for this holiday weekend - make others feel good, and in turn boost your own self-esteem. Happy Labour Day Weekend everyone!

Summer Projects aka Fall Projects

Feel like the summer "just flew by" and you didn't get everything done? Often we have high expectations of ourselves in the summertime and plan for more projects than time really allows for. While summer is meant to be our vacation, it still seems to be our busiest time of the year, visiting with friends, out-of-town trips, and just soaking up the rays. Don't be discouraged!! Fall weather makes many of our projects much more feasible - start with outdoor projects that you didn't get done in the summer. Many of these are often simply evening or weekend projects that can be completed in a day or two. Anything that can be done indoor can be saved for later in the season as the weather turns cold and we're seeking shelter indoors. So make a list, sort by indoor vs outdoor, and start checking items off!

Helpful Moving Tips - MUST READ!!

While I am expert at setting your home up for sale, and getting you ready for your new home, no one does moving like Swan Moving & Storage in Guelph. They even provide you with this handy checklist to ensure that your move goes smooth and you're well prepped before the movers arrive to load up the truck.

http://www.swanmoving.com/moving-tips.html

Outdoor bootcamp ending - Indoor soon to begin

Sigh...tonight is the last night for outdoor bootcamp. I can't wait for indoor to start Sept. 12th! Great introductory offer for the new indoor facility - $175 for 4 months! Check it out: http://www.hurtssogood.ca/bootcamp.php

A&W #CruisinforaCause today! Help support the MS Society

Visit any A&W in Canada today and purchase a Teen Burger to help support the MS Society. You can also text MS to 45678 to donate $5!

http://links.email.mssociety.ca/a/v.x?t=pkfbilieokpebnnipahjjhnhbbaohckmcbmffaeggmmeolfplkgdimljopndmbflgmnhidhmioknbnoelfmkgpdfhc&v=4

Moving or Simply Ready to Purge? Check out this great deal: $30 for 250 Pounds of Junk Removal

$30 for 250 Pounds of Junk Removal, Including Labour, Transportation and Disposal from Junk-B-Gone ($135 Value) http://www.dealfind.com/kitchener-waterloo/junkbgone

A&W #CruisinforaCause - Help support the MS Society Aug. 25

On Thursday Aug. 25th, visit any A&W in Canada and purchase a Teen Burger to help support the MS Society. You can also text MS to 45678 to donate $5!

Attention #Kitchener-#Waterloo #Photographers!

Contact BTSH today for information on how to rent props including furniture, linens, and other accessories - email ShaunaLynn@btshomes.com to receive your free CD and price list.

Cooking with veggies from your garden

What to do with all the veggies you're picking daily from your garden? Here is a quick pasta recipe that the whole family will enjoy:

Saute veggies (except tomatoes) in approximately 1 tbsp of olive oil.
Cook pasta according to instructions (I like to use whole wheat spaghetti noodles with tomato spaghettini noodles).
Once veggies are cooked, add 1 clove of garlic, tomatoes and noodles and lightly toss. Season with salt and pepper and top with fresh basil, chopped.

See the full gallery on Posterous

How To Clean Leather - Naturally

A common question from my clients - how do I clean my leather? There are several products available on the market, but I have yet to find a good, natural product. For everyday cleaning, simply wipe the leather with a slightly damp micro fibre cloth. For stains, mix in a spray bottle 1/8 tsp castile soap (olive oil based soap) and 1/4 cup of water, and shake well to blend. Always be sure when making your own mixtures like this to properly label the bottle. Spray on the affected area and rub gently.

Fresh from the vine - tomato harvesting

If you've planted tomato plants in your garden, you should now be reaping the benefits. Harvesting your tomatoes can be a delicate task, and you should be prepared to do this daily. If there are unripened tomatoes surrounding the ones that you are picking, be sure to hold the branch steady as you gently pull the fruit off the plant. This will avoid a "spring-back" effect that could knock the other fruits from the plant before they're ready. Always pick before your tomatoes turn a bright red - they will continue to ripen indoors, and will last longer this way. Avoid putting your picked tomatoes on your windowsill as this will speed the ripening and often spoil your fruit too soon.

Attention Photographers in the KW Area!

Contact BTSH today for information on how to rent props including furniture, linens, and other accessories - email ShaunaLynn@btshomes.com to receive your free CD and price list.

Oven Cleaning - Natural

Oven cleaners are often incredibly toxic, and can be abrasive to the surface of your oven. For a natural, non-abrasive alternative, baking soda to the rescue once again! Remove oven racks and heating elements first for ease of cleaning. Lay down newspaper or a drop cloth under the oven to avoid getting any grease on your floor. Also, be sure to wear gloves as oven cleaning, natural or not, tends to be a messy task.

To make the cleaning paste simply mix 5 parts baking soda to 1 part water, apply to all surfaces of the oven, and leave for a couple of hours (or overnight for hard to clean areas). The paste will work to lift the food and grease and should remove easily by wiping clean with water and a clean rag.

Congratulations Kao and Marnie!

Great Colour Consultation this morning with Kao and Marnie for their new fitness facility opening September 2011 - can't wait to start boot camp!!

Attention Photographers in the KW area

Contact BTSH today for information on how to rent props including furniture, linens, and other accessories - email ShaunaLynn@btshomes.com

Thanks Eric Wheeler Photography!

An amazing shoot! New business card and website pics on the way thanks to Eric Wheeler Photography. For all your portrait needs, contact Eric today!

http://www.e-photog.ca/

Here's a sneak peak...

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Going beyond home staging again...

A few pics from the commercial set I staged earlier this week, the loft was a beautiful space to work with.

For all your staging and furniture/accessory rental needs, contact BTSH today.

www.beyondthestagehomes.com

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Save money on your next bottle of wine!

Check out the latest retail window display by BTSH, and contact BTSH today for special discounts on your next batch of wine from Bacchus Wines, Kitchener - www.beyondthestagehomes.com

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Beyond Home Staging

Beyond The Stage Homes offers a variety of services, including redesign, decorating and retail window displays. Yesterday we had fun setting up a set for a commercial! For all your decorating and furniture rental needs, contact BTSH today! www.beyondthestagehomes.com

Beyond Home Staging

Beyond Home Staging offers a variety of services, including redesign, decorating and retail window displays. Yesterday we had fun setting up a set for a commercial! For all your decorating and furniture rental needs, contact BTSH today! www.beyondthestagehomes.com

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Busy week this week! If any 1st time realtors are looking to take advantage of my 1/2 price home staging consultation* offer, please contact me before July 31st to book!

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Book a staging consult with BTSH and receive 1/2 off your first month's storage with Self Storage Plus in Kitchener, plus $50 in packing supplies. For more info, contact Shauna Lynn today - ShaunaLynn@btshomes.com.

Make Your Own Pesticide Soap

Earlier this week I talked about cleaning your pruning shears to avoid spreading diseases from plant to plant. Another great preventative tool is insecticide soap, which is exactly what is sounds like - simply mix 1-2 tablespoons of soap with approximately 1 quart of water. A natural pesticide can then be made from this solution for using some roots and herbs and combining with this solution. Simply gather some strong smelling roots and spices, such as pepper, garlic, onions, etc., and place in a ventilated container, cover with boiling water, sit overnight and strain. Add the solution to your soap solution and spray on and around your plants. This will help to deter insects and other pests.

#1 Tip for an Organized Closet

Colour coordinate! If you do nothing else to organize your closet, simply hanging like colours together will make putting together the perfect outfit much less time consuming. Consider going one step further and invest in matching hangers.

Are You Afraid of Commitment?

The relationship that I'm talking about here is with your wall decor! The number one issue that I run into with Home Staging clients is their fear of commitment. While their homes may be overflowing with "stuff", in all their years in the home, they have yet to commit to hanging anything on the walls. I can't tell you how often I hear statements such as "I wasn't sure if I was going to replace or move that couch", and "I just never found the right piece". Well, I have a simple solution - get over it! Don't be afraid to put holes in your wall. Art is personal, so stop thinking of what others will say when they see it, and buy what you like. If you get tired of it over time, then simply change it up. Holes in walls can be easily patched and re-painted if furniture arrangements change and wall hangings need to be moved. Another alternative is 3M Command Picture Hanging Hooks that stick to the wall securely without leaving any marks. So fall in love with your walls again, and make a commitment.

Clean Your Pruning Shears!

First off, if you're not in the habit of cleaning your pruning shears, you may be asking why this is necessary. Diseases can spread from plant to plant easily through your shears. As well, clean shears will work better, and more efficiently by keeping them sharp and cutting the plants clean without crushing the stem. Washing your shears in a diluted bleach and water solution will help to disinfect, and a scouring pad or steel wool will help with the hard to remove grime. Contrary to a lot of misconceptions, bleach is not harmful to your plants in a diluted solution, and in fact it helps to prevent bacterias. Happy pruning!

Pruning Tomato Plants

I found a great article for the everyday gardener on pruning tomato plants and had to share it. Enjoy!

http://organicgardening.about.com/od/vegetablesherbs/f/pruningtomatoes.htm

Thanks Martina Wendland Photography!

Great photoshoot with Martina of Martina Wendland Photography. Featuring Lifestyle #photography services specializing in families, babies and children. The summer is a great time for an outdoor family shoot, contact her today! Email: martina.wendland@gmail.com

Summer Blooms

Looking for a little colour in your garden? There are many low-maintenance perennials that will produce beautiful blooms, such as day-lilies, Lilacs, Peonies, and Coneflowers, like the Echinacea purpurea Ruby Star (or purple coneflower). What gives day-lilies their name? These colourful flowers will open a new bloom daily, adding a burst of colour to your garden. Many are considered wildflowers, so be sure to tame these after a couple of seasons.

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Home Staging Offer for Realtors - Ends Soon!!

Check it out - this is the first time that I have ever done this, and it's only for a limited time, but for 1st time Realtor clients I'm offering an AMAZING deal! Offer expires July 31st so book now!

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=b98iveeab&v=0015U2tEoPRVkgIIqJHuotye4bVzOgz5OjbxQRHmlv6TNMs9kp70qM0kVD_rMDh0uhcKB4Uzq_fNGL3OtuE7cJLkq9AF5E3FTJ16d_-k4BkHcB8PDftb8lemng7ZVD1VsPTEcI7e6Pv6LrAbUUrk8oeIM1APsFasGReLPi2DkDcKTlVMsEXi1_rtYh8AFcode8AZhoefeXvrKMg6pH0fyLOMcPn9Eo32FPVRf8ol4ZPs3Egi2jGpUdjp12h27nNRBfVWS_czzueelTChVtCekizKA%3D%3D

Stoppy(TM) - The BEST Door Stop on the Market!

I just purchased the best door stop ever! I needed one in my newly renovated bathroom, and it had to be hot pink. This was the only one that came up in any of my searches, and I loved it so much I went back to the store to buy 2 more in different colours for other rooms!

Stoppy is a fun and decorative door stop designed to keep doors and windows open with style. Perfect for indoor and outdoor use wherever you need to keep a door or window open. Available in a wide variety of colors, there's a Stoppy for everyone's taste and décor.
Features & Benefits:

• Will not mark doors, windows or floors

• Flexible material fits gaps from 0.5 - 9 cm (0.25 - 3.5 in)

• Made of safe, non-toxic, washable, weatherproof materials

• Fits all door and window types

• Works on most surfaces (carpet, tile, stone, wood, linoleum, and more)

Happy Canada Day!!

Check it off the To-Do list...

Now is a great time to finish off the "Honey-Do" list. Take a look at what needs to be done. You'll probably see a lot of small repairs on your list. Tackle these first. If they're small jobs, it's easy to get them out of the way, and you'll feel less over-whelmed when you can cross a few of these items off your list. I always tell my clients that if it's a small repair, why not get it done? Especially when it comes to selling your home. Don't leave these repairs for the next owner because they're small. Get them done because they're small, and sell your home faster, and for more money!

@AndreChinKW Is THE Man in Real Estate in KW!

Whether you're buying or selling a home, check out the the Chin-Magna team at Keller Williams! Just ran into Andre and he's got some prime listings to show you. BTSH is proud to be teamed up with such an amazing sales team - Contact Andre or Mike today for special deals with BTSH!

Let the light shine in...

Cleaning your windows means not only will they look good, but you'll actually save on energy costs. Studies show that cleaner windows let in more sunshine and light, and help to keep your energy bills down. Here are some tips to help make them sparkle:

1. Washing windows should be done on a cloudy day, to help prevent streaking. The sun dries the cleaning solution faster than you can clean it.

2. Newspaper really does clean windows best and it also applies a film that makes them resistant to dirt

3. Clean windows with a solution of water and vinegar (2 parts water to 1 part vinegar). If you have previously cleaned with commercial cleaners, add a 1/2 teaspoon of dish soap to the bottle for the best clean. Commercial cleaners often leave a wax type film on the windows that can't be removed with vinegar alone.

4. Use a cotton swab to get into the corners of the windows

5. When cleaning the exterior of windows, wash first with a squeegee or sponge and a bucket of water/vinegar to get the bulk of the dirt off, then wipe to a sparkling shine with newspaper

Humane Society Redesigned Education Room Coming Soon!

The Education Room at the KW Humane Society is almost complete, compliments of Beyond The Stage Homes! A fresh coat of paint and some updated accents are putting a fresh inviting feel into the room. Come check it out this weekend! They are having their adoption drive tomorrow 10:00-4:00. Already have a cat that you would like to have microchipped? Stop by between 10:00am and 1:00pm to have it done for only $25:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115885315163525

For those that have been following my facebook posts, Baloo is still looking for his forever home! He is a sweet, 2 year old male neutered black cat that has been at the centre since May 11th. Did you know?? Black cats have the lowest adoption rate! If you know of anyone in the KW area looking for a great addition to their home, please send them to KW Humane Society to meet Baloo, or send them the link below:

https://kwhumane.com/

Houseplants for Natural, Fresh Air

In staging, I always advise my clients to remove any artificial air fresheners from their home when they list. While you want your home to smell wonderful, you want it to be light and inviting scents, however artificial air fresheners can be strong and overpowering, and for anyone sensitive to strong scents, these can actually be offensive. The other reason that I advise this is that these strong scents have a way of hiding other odours, and you want to your home to smell fresh naturally, so that potential buyers don't think they're in for any surprises.

The best way to achieve this is with houseplants. Houseplants with sweet-smelling blooms include gardenias, jasmine, and citrus. Herbs are also a great alternative, such as Basil or Rosemary. Houseplants will also help to clean the air that you breathe in your home. The natural filtration process within plants can remove up to 87 % of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from the air, according to NASA research.
So go ahead - breathe easy!

4 Bedroom 4 Bath Hespeler Home Staged by BTSH

http://www.realtor.ca/PropertyDetails.aspx?&PropertyId=10806550&PidKey=818150320

List Price: $424,900

MLS #1193060

Check out the backyard on this one!! Incredible lot, professionally landscaped and backs onto a greenbelt. Beautiful! And that's just the outside!

Painted Ceiling and Wallpaper Create a Fantasy Bathroom

Is it wrong to say that my powder room is now my favourite room in the house? Often when I start a design project, I fear that the vision that I have won't translate into reality. Other times, it's better than I imagined it. Thanks to an amazing colour match by the team at Colour Your World in Waterloo, the ceiling turned out the perfect colour, and my first attempt at hanging wallpaper, while not exactly flawless, turned out spectacular. Although I chose a bold design route with this, you can achieve similar effects with a more subtle colour than pink. Dare to break from the norm - ceilings don't need to be white, and wallpaper is great is any room when done right. It is also easier than ever to apply and remove. Check out the amazing transformation of this small powder room in the before and after pictures!

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