DIY At Your Fingertips

Technology is an ever-changing industry. One day there are flip phones with only texting and calling available, the next day there are iPhones that can do basically anything you can imagine. Where there were desktops with monitors as big as microwaves there are now iPads and tablets as small and as light as a book. I remember the days when getting directions from point A to point B involved an actual fold-able map – the kind you find in gas stations and welcome centers. Now there’s Google Maps at my fingertips, I don’t even have to know the address of my destination!

As a realtor, my job demands a certain knowledge of interior design, home TLC, basic fixer-upper jobs, color schemes and when all else fails, knowing who to call when I don’t know the answer. Knowing what works and what doesn’t work in a home is a passion of mine, one that’s only grown with all the new tech-tools available to me! Finding the perfect paint for the dining room that needs a facelift, stumbling upon the perfect carpet for the bedroom, seeing how the landscaped yard will look…all of those things, and so many more, are now as easy as taking out my iPhone, iPad or any other smart phone device and opening an app!

The painting apps are probably my favorite and the easiest to use! No more going by just the paint sample that you tape to your wall, hoping that the yellow doesn’t turn out looking like your 3-year-old got a hold of the mustard bottle and went crazy. Now all you have to do is open an app, take a picture of the room you’d like to repaint and from there! There are two apps that I find particularly helpful for these jobs: Behr ColorSmart and Sherwin Williams ColorSnap. Both allow you to browse color schemes if you’re not sure of the colors you want to start with or take a picture of something with teh color you want (stuffed animal, someone else’s room etc) and match it with one in their database so they can create a scheme for you. Falling in love with the color “Orange Spice” but not sure what else can go with it? No problem, Behr coordinates your chosen color with 3 other colors 4 ways: subtle blends, warm tones, cool tones, and complementary.

For those odd jobs around the house – like hanging a photograph, removing a stain left behind, finding the best cleaning solutions for your job or figuring out what tools you need to get the job done – there are a few apps that I think are the best and easiest way to get you out of a bind. Hanging up photos or installing a door frame have just gotten easier with the iHandy level; it’s a level on your phone so all you do is lay your phone on the surface you’re trying to make straight and let it do the work for you. The iHandy line also offers a plumb, ruler, protractor and compass and with its Carpenter’s app you can get all of them together. Stains are the worst and whether you’re selling your home or entertaining guests, those pesky spots and spills are usually the first thing people notice when they walk through your home. With the GH Home(Good Housekeeping Home) app you can get a Stain Buster A-Z remover guide to figure out just what you can do to remove ketchup, wine, blood, grass…well you get the idea! The GH Home app also has several helpful cleaning guides from polishing your silver to removing the schmutz on your patio. If you’re in need of tools to help you get the job done, the Home Depot app lets you explore their expansive database for the tools you need and it even gives you an interior map of the store nearest you so when you walk in the store, you know exactly where to go!

Becoming an expert in home design and TLC has never been easier than it is in today’s techno-savvy world. I highly recommend the apps I mentioned above to help you in whatever tasks you’re looking to get done in your home…besides being helpful, they’re motivational and fun to use so it’s no longer a chore to paint your living room or hangup those family pictures you’ve been saving for a rainy day. I think I even forgot to mentioned the best part: all those apps I mentioned above? Yeah, they’re FREE! So long into your app store and get started!

Flavors of Summer

The sun is shining, the temperature is rising, the kids are coming out to play and that can only mean one thing: Hartigan’s Ice Cream Shoppe is now open!

Famous for its many flavors, late night hours, friendly service and community contributions, Hartigan’s has been an important part in the lives of Evanstonions for its 32 years of operation.

The story behind the ice cream is really a touching example of what a love and an excitement for bringing something to the community can do! The story starts with Terry Hartigan meeting Marcia Savely (soon to be Hartigan) the summer of 1977 at the Baskin-Robbins the both worked at. By 1980 Terry and Marcia had plans to buy the Baskin-Robbins and manage it themselves. Terry decided to forgo college and Marcia worked full-time while attending Northwestern University. The young couple married a few years after that and continued to serve up scoops to their favorite neighbors and friends. But 1996 brought a whole new change for Terry and Marcia as they decided to hang up a new sign out front:  Hartigan’s Ice Cream Shoppe. From that moment on, Terry and Marcia devoted themselves to finding the best ice cream product for their customers, bringing in the best possible employees, and making sure each and every customer experience would keep people coming back! For 26 years the couple worked together bringing the community together one scoop at a time. Although Terry passed away in 2004 and is very missed, Marcia has continued to run Hartigan’s, keeping their dream going strong!

Kate, a 2 year employee

This summer Hartigan’s is proudly celebrating 32 summers of serving the Evanston community. Complete with your favorite flavors of summer, Hartigan’s also offers a variety of ice cream treats, numerous toppings, cakes and these deliciously fun Ice Cream Clown Cones (pictured below). Hartigan’s employees of area High School and College students aim to please your palate and offer you a fun-filled experience that’ll keep you coming back all through the hot summer days to come!

Start your summer off right with a scoop or two of your favorite ice cream at Hartigan’s Ice Cream Shoppe at 2909 Central Street in Evanston!

Creative Coworking

Evanston is home to many innovative ideas- and Creative Coworking, a members-only workspace located in downtown Evanston is one of my favorites. The concept of a shared workspace is really interesting (and savvy) plus the space is absolutely stunning.

Creative professionals who don’t quite need their own office would be lucky to work in this phenomenal environment.  Stocked with wifi, copy machines, fax machines and of course coffee this place is a home away from home. What makes this particular communal office so interesting is the care that owners Angela and Stellios have put into the space.

Intelligent layout decisions like “quiet zones”, “collaborative zones” and a conference room allow a member to choose their favorite work environment. The roof deck is not to be missed!

For More Information on Creative Coworking check out their website, www.creativecoworking.com

info@creativecoworking.com

Word Cloud about Evanston

Today I used Evanston’s Historical Centers articles to make this word cloud:

Use an article or story you like to make your own, www.wordle.com

710 Oakton Unit 201 Evanston

There are many aspects of being a realtor that I love, but getting to know each property I list from the inside out has got to be at the top. Walking into my newest listing at 710 Oakton (in Evanston, IL) I can’t help but think of how wonderful it would be to live here.

This super sunny 1 bedroom is located on the second floor of a beautiful and inviting midsize building.  Walking into the entry I love how well maintained the building and the premises are. The walkway to the entry is landscaped and truly welcoming.

Being on the second floor this unit naturally has great light, but the balcony off the dining room adds even more! I think it would be a perfect compliment to a warm fall day to slide open the balcony door and let some fresh air in. On a summer day I think it would be amazing to sit outside with a cup of coffee and the Sunday paper. Another highlight is the the open floor plan and generously sized living and dining rooms, these would allow me to have my friends over or host a family dinner.

Cooking is a huge passion of mine and the large, updated kitchen with an expansive breakfast bar would give me enough space to prep any meal. I can see myself trying out a new recipe while enjoying the sunlight and view from the balcony.

The considerable bedroom has rooms for a bed, dresser, desk, and could probably hold even more furniture. An added bonus is the walk-in closet!

Convenience is so important to quality of life, so having the laundry room on the same floor as the condominium makes doing the chore of laundry a little more bearable. The elevator is down the hall- a close walk but far enough away so that it is not heard. With winter just around the corner its hard not to remember how even the walk to the car can seem daunting on those bone chilling January days, but I know that getting to my car would be no trouble here – the included spot is located right by the entry.

All in all I think a unit like this one offers a great lifestyle. It has been a lovely experience to get to see this condominium in detail and really imagine all the unique possibilities of living here. Please contact me if you have any questions concerning this listing

Secret Treasures

Outside the Store

If you are looking for a well-stocked antique and collectibles store, look no further than Evanston’s own Secret Treasures. This extremely special store is located at the corner between Chicago and Sherman. Winner of many awards like the “Best Vintage House-wares” (Chicago Magazine, 2011) – this charming store continues to exceed my expectations. Owner Dawn Okamoto has been in this space for almost 20 years, and her knowledge of vintage pieces can help even the newest collector.

To me antiques and vintage pieces add a lot of character to any home. They can warm up the room and add a sense of history to even the most contemporary house. No longer solely meant to be looked at, the antiques I find at Secret Treasures are accessible and usable.

Secret Treasures is filled with a well-organized, not-too cluttered assortment of vintage house-wares, linens, fashion accessories and other collectibles. Even though I usually have an item in mind when I walk in the door (lately I have been collecting white Ironstone) it is impossible to resist browsing around all the wonderful displays.

These vintage rolling pins would make a great gift for a someone who loves to bake!

At Secret Treasures vintage bowls and other containers are used to make beautiful displays for vintage dice, Buttons, pins, photos, post-cards, Pez Dispensers and more. Rustic furniture and retro prints add to the ambiance and can be purchased. Even though there is a wide variety of items for sale, the store is so well edited that you don’t have to sort through a million items to find one you want.

Friendly service is never in short supply, this shop is always a cheerful environment to walk into.  Not to be forgotten are the prices. Dawn clearly works hard to sell great pieces at even better prices, everything I buy here has been steal for how much value I get out of it. The pieces I have bought here have been great additions to my home or fantastic gifts- I would recommend this store to anyone who is in the mood for a truly special treasure to have or give.

Dawn (the Owner) at the counter.

Contact Information on Secret Treasures

605 Dempster

Evanston, IL 60201

847-866-6889

 

www.SecretTreasures.biz

Central Street

Looking for a great dining, shopping, and in my case professional area in Evanston?Why not spend the afternoon on Central Street. Located on the northern edge of Evanston- “Webiston” as some residents call it, Central Street has its own particular style.

Working at Jameson Sothebys (formerly Prairie Shore Properties) has made Central Street a welcome part of my daily life.  Until this past year our office was located across from Independence Park but in the Summer of 2010 we moved several blocks west to our new office at 2934 Central.

As sad as I was to move farther away from the post office and Starbucks, the new office boasts a great set up, big windows and better yet, more parking, plus I am still walking distance from my favorite shops!

A great newer addition to the Central Street event calendar is the Central Street Farmers Market. This weekly farmers market takes place from 3-7 pm on Wednesdays through October 26, 2011. It takes place on at Independence Park (Central & Stewart St., 2 blocks west of Green Bay). I love how most of the items are organic, relatively local, and of course- super fresh! I try to go by here on my way home from work- a great way to pick up some delicious seasonal fruits and vegetables and meet some passionate farmers. Look below to see some fresh pictures from this years market!

Photos From EvanstonNow

More Information on what Central Street has to offer:

http://www.centralstreet-evanston.com/

Four Finches

Outside Four Finches

One of my favorite aspects of Evanston is its strong and diverse collection of locally owned and operated stores. Each of Evanston’s shopping districts has its own particular flair but they all share a wonderful sense of community. Four Finches, owned by Sarah Wright is just such a place- this lovely shop and studio specializes in floral arrangements but offers much more.  Located at the corner of Dempster and Sherman, charming signs lead the way through a sunny alley and into the store.

Walking into Four Finches is like walking into any flower store in one way- the air is cool and warm at the same time, slightly damp, inconceivably fresh and filled with the soft scent of a cornucopia of flora and fauna. In every other way this shop is in a class of it’s own. The environment of the space, a reclaimed warehouse, is transformative in its tranquility. Potted plants peek out from every corner and the twittering from the store’s namesake comes from the indoor aviary. Though the store sells a diverse collection of goods it is by no means cramped or disorganized, each item, like a flower in an arrangement seems carefully selected.

 

Ms. Wright knows the core of her business is in the arrangement of flowers for occasions and everyday. Her knowledge of seasonal flora and fauna is not to be missed. Whether you are looking for a simple bouquet or planning a large scale event the arrangements made at Four Finches bring with them freshness and beauty.

 

At Four Finches you can find the kinds of small thoughtful gifts and items that match the attentive and sophisticated arrangements made by Ms. Wright. Antique display cases house elegant soaps wrapped in beautiful paper, comfortable pajamas, exquisite antique linens, and inexpressibly soft handcrafted Czech down pillows that practically beg to be taken home.

 

Comfortable elegance and Vintage/Modern seem to be the major themes in Four Finch’s eclectic collection of goods.  I would recommend this store to anyone who is looking to add something special to his or her home, seeking a unique gift, or of course looking for a beautiful floral arrangement. For more information on this shop please go to their website, www. FourFinches.com or stop in.

Four Finches in the aviary

 

Full Contact Info for Four Finches:

Four Finches
1320 Sherman Ave., Suite 105
 Evanston, IL  60201

(847) 328-
4836

fourfinches@att.net

 

Thanks for Reading!

 

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First Post!

Welcome- hope you enjoy the tips and interesting facts I have to share with you. I have been working in Real Estate and living in Evanston for almost 20 years now and am so excited to have a platform through which I can share my experience and expertise- and a few other things as well.

I love the City of Evanston and all the interesting businesses, events, parks, and residents that help make it such a fun place to live. I want to use this blog to talk about the process of buying and selling a house in a general sense- but also as a way to talk about aspects of buying, selling (and living) specific to Evanston.

I plan to share highlights and insider secrets of Evanston and my new listings. I want to showcase my favorite stores, restaurants, hopefully giving back in a small way to a place that has given me and my family so much.

Not looking to buy or sell? Keep reading! I will also be posting my favorite community events and helpful decorating and upkeep tips for Owners and Renters.

Enjoy!