General • General • General • General • August 31, 2023

Five Home Updates Your Dog Will Love

by Michelle Spiegel

Whether you have a playful pup or a laid-back senior, here are five home updates that your dog will absolutely love.

Our furry friends are not just pets – they’re cherished members of our families. It’s important to create a home environment that caters to their needs and comforts. Whether you have a playful pup or a laid-back senior, there are several home updates you can make to enhance their quality of life and ensure they feel just as at home as you do. Here are five home updates that your dog will absolutely love.

Comfy Dog Bed Nook

Just like humans, dogs appreciate having a cozy spot to call their own. Create a dedicated nook for your furry friend by incorporating a comfortable dog bed or cushion in a quiet corner of your living room or bedroom. A well-padded, orthopedic bed can provide the necessary support for their joints, especially older dogs. Make sure to choose a bed with a washable cover to keep things clean and fresh.

Dog-Friendly Backyard Oasis

If you have a backyard, consider transforming it into a dog-friendly oasis. Install a small fence or a designated area where your pup can safely roam and play. Incorporate canine-friendly features like an obstacle course, digging pit or even a shallow doggie pool for those hot summer days. Creating a dedicated space for them to explore will not only keep them physically active but also mentally stimulated.

Pet-Friendly Flooring

Flooring plays a significant role in your dog’s comfort and safety. Opt for flooring materials that are both durable and easy to clean, such as laminate, vinyl or tile. These options are resistant to scratches and accidents. If you prefer carpet, choose stain-resistant varieties that are easy to vacuum. Area rugs can provide extra cushioning and warmth for your furry friend to lounge on.

Elevated Feeding Stations

Show your pup some love during mealtime with an elevated feeding station. Elevated bowls are not just a trendy accessory: they also offer several health benefits. These stations promote better digestion by reducing strain on your dog’s neck and back while eating. They also help prevent gulping, which can lead to digestive issues. Look for adjustable height options to accommodate your dog’s size.

Interactive Toys and Gadgets

In our modern age, technology isn’t just for humans—it can also enhance our pets’ lives. Invest in interactive toys that stimulate your dog’s mind and keep them engaged. Automatic ball launchers, treat-dispensing devices and puzzle toys are great choices. Some even come with smartphone apps that allow you to interact with your dog remotely, perfect for those times when you’re at the office or away.

Creating a dog-friendly home is all about considering your pup’s needs and preferences. From providing a comfortable bed nook to upgrading your flooring and incorporating interactive toys, these five home updates will make your furry friend feel like the cherished member of the family they are.

March 30, 2023

How do I start spring cleaning my house?

by Michelle Spiegel

Spring Cleaning Checklist for Your Home To-GoDownload

Declutter and Organize

The best way to start spring cleaning your home is to go room-by-room and separate items to donate, sell, upcycle, or recycle. Maybe you find a forgotten baking dish or that shirt you thought you had lost? A pro tip when deciding what to keep and what to dispose of: if you forgot you had it and managed just fine without it, you probably don’t need it anymore.

Dispose

After decluttering and organizing, you can decide what you need to dispose of. Spring cleaning is a great opportunity to minimalize your house. According to Dallas City Hall, “approximately 85% of all textiles are not recycled and end up in the landfill.” Visiting your city’s website is a great resource to determine what and where to recycle. By disposing of items responsibly, you can not only declutter your home but also contribute to a cleaner environment.

Dust

Once all the rooms in your home are decluttered and organized, it’s time to dust all the debris discovered with your lost items. To effectively dust your home, it’s best to start from the top down using a microfiber cloth or duster to capture all the particles. Be sure not to forget about the hard-to-reach areas like light fixtures and baseboards. Dusting helps keep the air in your home clean and a healthy living space for you and your family.

Furniture
Shelves
Light Fixtures
Fans
Blinds
Baseboards

Deep Clean

This is a thorough process beyond just regular surface cleaning. Deep cleaning of each item below involves vacuuming, mopping, wiping, disinfecting, washing, and drying. Now’s the time to get into every nook and cranny, lift those sofa cushions, look behind appliances, and clean the hard-to-reach areas.

Appliances
Bathrooms
Cabinets & Drawers
Upholstery
Carpets
Rugs
Windows
Bedding
Curtains

Disinfect

Many surfaces get overlooked in routine chores, including high-touch surfaces that collect dirt and bacteria. Disinfecting high-touch surfaces is an important step in maintaining a healthy living environment, especially after flu season. These surfaces are frequently touched by multiple people and include door handles, light switches, remotes, and more.

Door Handles
Furniture drawers/knobs
Light Switches
Electronics
Remotes

A deep clean of your home is a great way to begin spring on a clean slate. So, crack open those windows, sift through your belongings, gather your cleaning supplies, and welcome spring with a deep clean! With this checklist, you can turn a daunting task into a doable task.

October 28, 2022

Home Office Essentials

by Michelle Spiegel

Home Offices Essentials

October 13, 2022

Having an office space in your home is important. Here are our tips on creating the perfect work environment for your home office.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a freelancer or a student, having an office space in your home is important. Not everyone can get work done while lounging on the couch in pajamas! Here are our tips on creating the perfect work environment for your home office.

Designated Work Space

We don’t mean the kitchen counter or your comfy bed. Set aside a specific room or corner of a room as your “office.” This will help train your brain to be in “work mode” when you sit down and “off the clock” when you leave. By creating a designated work space, you’ll be able to achieve better work-life balance.

Work Desk

The right desk is key. Think about what type of desk best suits both your needs and the size of the space. Do you need just a simple flat table? Will you need multiple drawers for storage? What about a conference table so that you can really spread out or have meetings?

Comfortable Chair

If you don’t have a comfortable chair that you love sitting in, chances are you won’t end up actually using your office much. Look for a chair with arm rests and the ability to tilt, swivel, and roll.

Computer, Printer and WiFi

This is how the work actually gets done in your home office. Make sure that you have functional tools to research, create and communicate in our modern world.

Good Lighting

Aim for having both natural and artificial light. Exposure to sunlight has been known to improve mood, sleep patterns, and productivity. And when you’re working past sundown, you’ll need good (soft, non-fluorescent) artificial light. We recommend having both a desk lamp and an overhead lamp to better adjust the light.

To Do List or Planner

Start each day with a list of specific tasks that need tackling. Make sure that the list is manageable and the timeframe is realistic. Making this a tangible to-do list gives you that extra satisfaction of crossing items off when you complete them, thus helping to spur your motivation through the work day.

Calendar

Have a place that allows you to look at the bigger picture and plan ahead. Sure, you might have a calendar on your computer or phone, but having an accessible, physical calendar that’s in plain sight allows you to easily glance at upcoming events. We like DIY chalkboard or Post-It note calendars.

Coffee and/or Tea

Whatever beverage of choice gets you going in the morning or through that afternoon slump, make sure you have plenty of it on hand. You’ll save time and money if you don’t have to take frequent trips to the local coffee shop or store. Plus, sometimes even the ritual of making coffee or tea can help signal “work mode.”

Decorations and Inspiration

Some might call these “nice-to-haves,” but we think they’re essential. Having a window, piece of artwork, or family photo on display can give a nice reprieve from staring at your screen. Consider hanging a photo of the dream vacation you’re working toward or an inspiration quote or mantra to keep your motivated.

We hope that these tips help you create a productive home office. Having a designated work area will allow you to see the rest of your home as a relaxing and fun area for spending time with friends and family. So close the door and you are done for the day!

September 23, 2022

Fall Festivals Across Dallas/Fort Worth

by Michelle Spiegel

Fall Festivals Across Dallas/Fort Worth

September 22, 2022

There’s no shortage of fall-inspired activities to do this season, so we’ve compiled a list of our favorite fall festivals across DFW.

September 22 was the official first day of fall, so everyone across Dallas-Fort Worth is in an autumn state of mind. There’s no shortage of fall-inspired activities to do this season, so we’ve compiled a list of our favorite fall festivals and events across Dallas-Fort Worth.

Whether you’re looking for something kid-friendly or spine-tingling, there’s a festival for everyone on our list:

AUTUMN AT THE ARBORETUM

This annual celebration at the Dallas Arboretum is a must-see on many people’s lists. Running now through October 31, find yourself transported into a fantasy world with this year’s theme: A Fall Fairy Tale. Prepare to exclaim “oh my gourd” as you walk through the elaborate displays that feature more than 100,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash as well as autumn flowers.

STOCKYARDS CHAMPIONSHIP RODEO

What would Fall in Texas be without a good old fashioned rodeo? Head over to the world-famous Stockyards in Fort Worth for one of their exciting Friday or Saturday night rodeo competitions. Events include tie-down, break away and team roping, as well as barrel racing and bull riding.

PUMPKIN NIGHTS

Needing your pumpkin fix this autumn? Open now through October 30, Pumpkin Nights at Howell Farms in Arlington has it all. Travel along a half-mile walking path featuring fantastical lands built using over 5,000 hand-carved real and artificial pumpkins. After the path, the seasonal celebration continues with entertainment and games in The Village.

STATE FAIR OF TEXAS

Running September 30 through October 23, everything is bigger at the State Fair of Texas! Ride the iconic ferris wheel, win an oversized stuffed animal, listen to live music and last but not least, eat delicious fried food. Try the award-winning Fried Charcuterie Board and Peanut Butter Paradise, or enjoy a classic Fletcher’s corn dog.

FRIGHT FEST – SIX FLAGS OVER TEXAS

If you’d rather partake in blood-curdling thrills, Six Flags Over Texas’s Fright Fest is right up your (dark) alley. Find yourself screaming both on and off the rides as you walk through themed scare zones and tackle the New Texas Giant or Titan at night. Continue the frights of Halloween at one of the many haunted houses across the metroplex like Fort Worth’s Cutting Edge, Plano’s Dark Hour or Waxahachie’s Screams.

DENTON ARTS AND JAZZ FESTIVAL

As one of the largest tourist attractions in North Texas, the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival on October 1-3 provides the finest in entertainment and art across the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.Enjoy jazz, blues, and cross-cultural music from six stages, a delicious variety of food, breathtaking art and kids activities – making this event perfect for the whole family.

MIDLOTHIAN VILLAGE DAY FESTIVAL

Head to Midlothian on October 15 for the 40th Annual Midlothian Village Day Festival. This community-centered event is filled with fun activities including crafts, games, inflatables, entertainment, food vendors and a raffle. There is no cost for admission, and this year features a parade so don’t forget to bring a chair.

MCKINNEY WINE AND MUSIC FESTIVAL

Nothing beats an afternoon of wine tasting and live music! On Saturday, October 15, the 6th Annual McKinney Wine and Music Festival features 30 award-winning wineries, live music all day and a huge variety of local vendors.

WATER LANTERN FESTIVAL

If you’re looking for a unique fall experience this October, head over to Fort Worth’s Panther Island Pavilion on Saturday, October 22 for the Water Lantern Festival. Enjoy food trucks, kids activities and live music as you create your unique lantern. At sunset, watch as thousands of lanterns are released onto the lake carrying messages of hope, happiness and healing.

ENNIS AUTUMN DAZE

Looking for some fall fun for the whole family? Head down to the 20th annual Ennis Autumn Daze in historic downtown Ennis on October 28-30. Featuring live music from Pat Green and Gary P. Nunn, carnival rides, haymaze, pumpkin patch, cornhole tournament, professional pumpkin carvers, food, shopping vendors and more, you won’t want to miss out on this annual event.

PUMPKIN PATCHES

Whether you want to pick out pumpkins to carve or take family pictures, here’s our list of favorite pumpkin patches:

Aubrey – Team Family Farms
Cleburne – Mainstay Farm Park Pumpkin Days
Decatur – Black Creek Farm & Pumpkin Patch
Flower Mound – Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch
Frisco – Pumpkins on the Prairie
Grapevine – Hall’s Pumpkin Farm
McKinney – Storybook Ranch
Midlothian – Shadow Creek Pumpkin Farm
Rockwall – Blase Family Farm

General • August 17, 2022

Five Ways to Create a Beautiful Backyard

by Michelle Spiegel

Five Ways to Create A Beautiful Backyard

August 12, 2022

A backyard that is well decorated and cared for will complete the look and feel of your home – here are 5 ways to create one yourself.

A backyard that is well decorated and cared for will complete the look and feel of your home. It ties everything together and will become a great spot for playing, relaxing, and entertaining. Here are five ways you can easily create a beautiful backyard at your own home.

Fire Pits

A fire pit is perfect for all seasons. Roast s’mores, tell ghost stories, or bring your cocktail party outdoors. A fire pit will give your backyard a focal point and a new place to make memories with friends and family.

Lounge Seating

To add extra comfort, use comfortable, cozy lounge furniture instead of hard, iron or metal seating. Add an outdoor couch and arm chairs with cushions for extra seating. Place the furniture around the fire pit to initiate conversation and create the perfect entertaining area.

Lighting

Now that you’re entertaining outdoors you need lighting for evening entertaining. We recommend lanterns, string lights, wall lighting, landscape lighting, and motion-activated lighting.

Fruit and Vegetable Garden

Indulge your green thumb (and impress your friends and family) with home cooked meals using ingredients from your garden. Plant your favorite vegetables, herbs, and fruits. Bon appétit!

Flower Garden

Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, “The earth laughs in flowers.” Plant beautiful flowers in your backyard. They’ll look pretty, smell good, and they may even attract gorgeous birds and butterflies!

Table and Chairs

Go ahead, dine al fresco! Put a table and chairs outside so that you can host outdoor dinner parties. You can use the kitchen table or dining room when the weather gets cooler. (Pro Tip: Plant Citronella in your garden to keep the bugs and mosquitos away!)