Entertainment October 4, 2023

Unleashing the Magic of Halloween: A Harry Potter-Inspired Decorating Adventure

As the leaves change color and the nights grow longer, the enchanting season of Halloween casts its spell upon us. It’s a time when we can embrace the mysterious and let our imaginations run wild. What better way to celebrate this magical occasion than by infusing a little bit of Hogwarts magic into our Halloween decorations? Join us on a journey through the world of Harry Potter-inspired decorating, where we’ll uncover the secrets to transforming your home into a magical realm!

1. Setting the Enchanted Scene

Begin your magical journey by creating a mystical atmosphere within your space. Start with dim lighting—candles, fairy lights, or even some strategically placed LED lights in warm hues can set the stage for a magical ambiance reminiscent of the Great Hall at Hogwarts. Hang enchanted portraits or create your own moving pictures to add that touch of wizardry to your walls. The witch hats also were quite fun for my kiddos!

2. House Banners and Flags

Every aspiring wizard dreams of belonging to one of Hogwarts’ four legendary houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin. Why not proudly display your house colors by crafting or purchasing house banners and flags? Hang them throughout your living space to showcase your house pride and add a dash of Hogwarts spirit.

3. Floating Candles

Replicate the mesmerizing sight of floating candles in the Great Hall by creating your own. Attach floating candles to strings or fishing line, and hang them from the ceiling. It’s an enchanting touch that will make you feel as though you’re dining in the company of wizards and witches.

4. Potions and Spell Books

No magical abode would be complete without a few potion bottles and spell books. Transform glass bottles and jars into mystical potion containers by adding colored liquids and mysterious labels. Display old-looking books with aged pages to create an authentic wizarding atmosphere. They might not contain actual spells, but they’ll surely add a touch of magic to your decor.

5. Owls and Creatures

Owls play a significant role in the wizarding world, delivering mail and aiding wizards. Incorporate owl decorations into your Halloween display—whether through owl sculptures, figurines, or even a stuffed animal. Don’t forget other magical creatures like magical creatures like house-elves, dragons, or the adorable Pygmy Puff. They’ll bring an element of surprise and wonder to your enchanted space.

6. Wands and Cauldrons

Display an assortment of wands in a decorative holder or a carved wand stand, replicating Ollivanders’ magical wand shop. Arrange different shapes, sizes, and designs to capture the essence of wizardry. Additionally, include cauldrons as centerpieces for tables, perhaps filled with sweets and treats for visiting trick-or-treaters.

7. Hogwarts Letters and Floating Keys

Create the iconic Hogwarts acceptance letters and attach them to the entrance of your home, just like in the first Harry Potter film. To truly transport your guests into the wizarding world, consider replicating the flying keys from “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” by suspending keys from the ceiling with clear thread. It’s sure to add an element of surprise and magic to your Halloween décor.

8. Magical Treats

No Harry Potter-inspired Halloween is complete without magical treats! Design a sweets table with Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans, Chocolate Frogs, and other wizarding world delights. Incorporate clever signage and labels for an authentic touch.

Incorporating the magic of Harry Potter into your Halloween decorations isn’t just for kids—it’s for the young at heart, too! Let the wizarding world of Hogwarts enchant your home and those who enter it, and may this Halloween be a truly magical experience for all.

Accio Halloween fun!

Local Goodness February 10, 2022

Best Local Splashpads, Parks, Playgrounds & Local Pools of Tri-Cities

When the sun comes out in the Tri Cities, I dare say it .. there’s nothing better. As a family with young children, we are constantly looking for ways to be outside that isn’t “just our backyard” (as my 4yr old puts it). This list was provided by the Richland Early Learning Co-Op and has been such a treasure map of fun for my family for the past few years.

One of the best kept secrets, for us, was Paul Liddell park. Or, Secret Park, as my group of friends call it. Maybe I’ll see you there next time – be sure to say HI when you spot us.

 

Playgrounds, Splash Pads, & Public Pools of Tri-Cities Checklist

Uncategorized December 1, 2021

Holiday Guide is LIVE!

The holiday guide for 2020 was so much fun, we figured – what the hey!? Time to do another one as we get into the holiday spirit.

This year, the guide is more than just local shopping ideas. It has loads of shopping ideas, of course, but it also has a bunch of activities and some fun traditions to start.

So tell me, what part of the guide did you most enjoy this year?

 

 

Uncategorized November 15, 2021

Making Your Home Welcoming This Winter

It’s the most .. wonderful .. time .. of the YEAR! Big thanks to Traci Bedard from Making Your House a Home for putting together these tips on how to make your home the coziest, comfortable place for you to exist this holiday season.

Traci is a wealth of knowledge, so grab a cup of cocoa and snuggle up to read these tips. I’ve also linked a few of my favorites in each category.

Let the fun begin!

  • Soft and luxurious throw blankets are a must. The faux fur throws seem to be to most cozy and warm. So there is no fighting over them, let each member of the family choose their own. Steer clear of woven throws with fringe – they tend to snag and fray. Expect to pay $20 and up to $50 for heavier weight throws.
  • Area rugs that are soft and plush underfoot are ideal for warming up a room. They not only visually anchor a sitting space, but are warm underfoot and help to dampen sound. High pile, shaggy, and wool rugs are best. The key to know what to buy – step on it with bare feet. Steer clear of thin, 100% polyester, or jute rugs. Although not traditional Christmas vibe, I love this one as a SW Christmas. Feels so warm and welcoming!
  • Position larger furniture pieces so that they are facing and parallel to your fireplace. Pull furniture away from walls and closer to your fireplace and/or tv to both create a cozy feel, and benefit from the warmth of the fireplace. A minimum of 3 feet in smaller spaces and a maximum of 7 feet in larger rooms is ideal.
  • Ceiling fans can enhance the performance of your heating and cooling system. Depending on the direction the fan is turning, air is either directed downward from the center of the fan or pulled upward. During warm months, the fan blades should be set to spin counterclockwise, creating a comfortable breeze. During colder months, the fan direction should be reversed, so that air is pulled upward in the center and warm air near the ceiling is pushed downward towards the perimeter of the room.
  • Candles not only emit a cozy ambiance in a space, but using warm and woodsy scents like bergamot, tobacco, sandalwood, balsam, and cedar enhance that warmth. Take that cozy feeling up a notch by using candles with wood wicks. They mimic the sound of a crackling fire. If you are local to Tri-Cities, Earth Element Spirit is a local woman owned company that produces high quality candles, that can also be ordered online HERE. 
  • Finally, check windows, outlets, switch plates, and baseboards for drafts. Use transparent weather sealing tape for windows, insulate outlets and switch plates with socket sealers, and repair caulking along baseboards if need be. Now is is a good time to get your HVAC system maintained. If you have a room that is difficult to maintain the temperature in, look into replacing your A/C vents with the Flair smart vent system. These vents have a built in motor that will open or close the vent depending on the temperature of the room. They work with a room-monitoring puck (sold separately) and can be integrated with your smart thermostat (ecobee, Honeywell, and Nest) to monitor every room in your home.

Be sure to get on Traci’s Facebook page to see all the free information she gives, and book her for a home refresh in 2022.

Entertainment October 4, 2021

Movie Night at Home: Fall Edition

WARNING: You’ll want to watch all the Fall movies after reading this!

After a long day of Realtor-ing, nothing beats coming home, getting cozy, and watching movies under your snuggliest blanket. On these movie nights, I always have a pumpkin infused snack and bottle of Syrah on hand!

I wanted to share all the cozy vibes with my homebodies out there so I put together 3 “Fall Rooms” to watch movies in which include a movie pick, candle scent, snack & beverage! Which room are you choosing?

“There’s a little witch in all of us.”

Outdoor movie for 2 – Wear your coziest socks and pjs! In this room, I would turn on Practical Magic, light my Witches Brew candle from Yankee Candle, drink a homemade “Midnight Margarita”, and munch on chocolate cake from Trader Joe’s.

Pairs well with your significant other. Lights off, fireplace on! In this room I would press play on You’ve Got Mail, light my Sweet Water Decor, Farmhouse scented candle and shake up a caramel apple martini. For our snack, I’d start with a cheese board followed by chocolate drizzled caramel corn! Don’t forget extra blankets!

I love a room that has hotel vibes. I want to feel like I’m at a 5 Star resort at all times so give me a room with the boujee-ist candle scents (Diptyque is a top favorite but for a Fall infusion I’d light Pumpkin Clove from Anthropologie), curl up on the coziest leather couch from Pottery Barn (paired with their faux fur blanket). I’d pour a big glass of juicy Cab and snack on freshly popped popcorn drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt (dark chocolate truffles on the side). For the movie, this is where the “haunted” comes in! I’d turn on my favorite spooky flick, Get Out, followed by a full season of Schitt’s Creek before bed so I don’t have nightmares!

If you can’t decide, the good news is you can have them all! Now that your weekend plans for October are established, looks like I’ll see you next month!