Studio b Camera contest

I have been a busy bee gathering marketing ideas and materials for my 2011 business plan. I'm designing my new website. My sweet sis-in-law with artistic talent and skills, the owner of successful blog http://ikeslife.blogspot.com/, Emily, is designing the banner for me and I've been digging into my old programming skills. I can't wait to have the website up! I wish all of you happy new year and wanted to let you know Studio B's camera photo event & contest:  ...

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Posted in: Event

Deposit checks with Droid Phone

Hubby just informed me a good news. The Chase banking app lets you deposit checks by taking a photo of them!!!! No need to take the rent checks to the bank for the ATM anymore. https://www.chase.com/online/Special-Offers/android.htm?MSC=IQ30166917 They launched the app for IPhone a while ago. I can't believe it took them a half a year to get Droid on board but hey, I'm grateful that they finally did. Off to get the app...

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Posted in: Misc

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!...

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Posted in: Holidays

Blaine gets national spotlight

Blaine was nominated to be one of the names you need to know in 2011 by Forbes. Of course I'm excited about what it will do to the real estate in this region. If you have any real estate needs, contact me at (360)296-3431. Names You Need to Know in 2011: Blaine, WashingtonNov. 3 2010 - 5:01 pm | 1,661 views | 0 recommendations | 1 comment By WILLIAM P. BARRETT Image via WikipediaThis post is part of an ongoing effort to crowd-source a repeating feature in Forbes magazine entitled Names You Need to Know. We are looking for the people, places, products and ideas that will have significant impact in the near future. Join the ongoing conversation here. Here’s my nomination: Blaine, Washington. It’s the most strategically important...

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Posted in: Bellingham spotlight

Hand Crank Films

I met Sarah and Max with their adorable kids at an open house I hosted and I instantly clicked with them. Max looked familiar and I finally figured out he directed St. Joseph commercial that made Ella a super star. :) You can only imagine how delighted I was to be invited to their home to help them value their house to sell. Their home really reflected their personalities. It had such a warm and genuine feeling to it and Sarah's kitchen makeover was amazing. I hope to help them put their lovely house on the market in the spring. But, for now I want to talk about Hand Crank Films, which Max founded. I get really giddy when I find an awesome local business like his in Bellingham. That makes me even more proud to be a Bellinghamster....

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Posted in: Local business

My daily dose of laughs

These were pictured on one hot summer day. :)My daily dose of laughs come from these girls. I'm so thankful. ...

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Posted in: kids

Before and After

Jaw dropping before and after: Images via younghousel...

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Posted in: Architecture

Ruthie V's book signing

Come on over to Art Walk this Friday 6:30-9:00pm at Gary's, 128 W. Holly St, Bellingham to support a great local artist, Ruthie V. She is going to be signing and selling her book of selected works. This book has many of my favorites! www.RuthieV.com 360-DAY-ARTS ...

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Posted in: Bellingham event

My old wing chair

This is my office/sitting room. I love my wing chair. I bought it from Good Will a while back. I liked its small scale and color and how comfortable it is but the fabric is a bit worn and I thought I would reupholster it.  Now I have it in the room, I absolutely love it as is. I love how it shows its age but it's not dirty (at least it doesn't look dirty)  I think it's perfect. Now I understand when Brooke from Velvet and Linen  said she will never reupholster her antique Belgian chair. I thought she was crazy. Here is another old chair from Elle Decor showroom 2010.  &nb...

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Posted in: Interior Design

Snowy thanksgiving

What a snowy Thanksgiving this is! Kids had so much fun. Merry Christmas!Happy Thanksgivi...

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Posted in: Holidays

Master bedroom via mud/laundry room

A house I'm selling has a master bedroom that you have to go through mud/laundry room to get to it. One of real estate agents I talked to thinks it's such a poor design. I completely disagree. The mud/laundry room is conveniently located by the kitchen, master bedroom as well as garage. As long as you make it a pleasant place to pass through, I can't find a better place in this house for it. I gathered some ideas how to make it functional and pretty. Image: Better Homes and Gardens Image: Better Homes and Gardens Image: Southern Living Image: Southern Livi...

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Posted in: Interior Design

House of the week

I'm seeing more of  'Not so big house' trend lately. Now, how big is 'not so big' is arguable. In fact, According to the architect and author, Sarah Susanka, it doesn't mean small! It means by carefully designing the space with nice finishes, the house feels much bigger than it is because you can use it more effectively. So instead of trying to build a house with extra square footage that ends up being a soul-less house, spend your money on the space you will actually use. I really like this concept and I'd like to do a special post on that another time. Now, the house I have just listed I think achieved a lot of that because this house feels a lot more spacious and comfortable with 1650 square feet with lots of nice finishes. I swear...

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Posted in: House of the week

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” by Plato

It got me thinking about how I should treat peop...

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Posted in: Misc

.crackabo

A good friend of mine, Tiffany Rylant is one of the most stylish and talented people I know. She runs this etsy shop called .crackabo. Check out how adorable her creation is. Yup, she sew them herself. You can find her stuff at Bellingham Baby Company in the Barkley village if you are local. She also takes custom orders. I just put my order in. I'm getting a baby blanket, bib and burpie gift set with big G on them for Griffin. She let me pick the fabric too! I can't wait to see it. So what's with the name? It comes from an old way that Tiffany's husband's grandfather would have his grandchildren count to 10. Instead of 1, 2, 3 and so on, it was: unry, zurry, zachary, zen, zollabo, CRACKABO, peewee, wiggletail, dollarware ten!...

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Posted in: Local business

San Juan Islands "Rock Star"

Have you seen this house in San Juan Islands featured in New York Times here? I'm dying to look at it in person. Will it ever go for sale in my lifetime? ...

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Posted in: Architecture

House of the week

Please someone buy this beauty and restore it. MLS# 140...

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Posted in: House of the week

Window Seat

I have a fantasy about sitting on a light filled window seat and reading a book to my child. Dear Santa, Could you bring me one of these please? Image: House BeautifulImage: House Beautiful Image: Domin...

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Posted in: Interior Design

Halloween events in B-Ham

Lots of things are happening this weekend for Halloween. Enjoy! Downtown Trick or TreatSaturday, Oct 30 2:00p Downtown Bellingham, Bellingham The Downtown Bellingham Partnership invites children ages 13 and under with their families to attend the annual Downtown Trick or Treat.Halloween Portraits during Downtown Trick-or-treatingSaturday, Oct 30 2:00p Public Market, Bellingham Trick-or treaters in downtown Bellingham can capture their fun in a professional photograph by Mark Turner.Halloween in FairhavenSunday, Oct 31 3:00p Historic Fairhaven District, Bellingham Trick or treat in Fairhaven on Oct. 31 from 3 to 6 p.m. Look for posters at participating shops. Little ones can stop by Fairhaven Pharmacy to have their photo taken.Kids Harvest...

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House of the week

I have a soft spot for houses with white exterior. This South Hill house speak to me with lovely bay windows, well designed porch, not so prominent garage, simple yet elegant landscaping, and the list goes on. It has lots of old house feel and features, yet it's built in 2001. Thus it fits perfectly for modern lifestyle.  I absolutely adore this house. MLS#14...

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Posted in: House of the week

One of my favorite blogs, 6th street design school just posted Etsy Pumpkin Roundup and I think they are the cutest things. Check it out. 1. 2.  3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. ...

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Posted in: Misc

Cloud Mountain Farm

We made it to Cloud Mountain Farm over the weekend. Jen was right about that place. What an amazing nursery. I loved the setting, friendly and knowledgeable staff and wonderful selection of plants. 30% off was just icing on the cake! If you've been to the farm, you probably noticed the paperbark maple in front of the store. I've always loved that tree. It gives year-round interest. It is low maintenance and is perfect for a small garden. What else could you ask for?  I recently saw a paperbark during the Whatcom artist studio tour in front of  Lisa Mcshane's  studio and I thought it was my destiny to have one even though I had no clue where I can put it! (Hi Lisa!) Then, I saw the one in front of the store...

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Posted in: My house