Considering Granite, Quartz or Marble?

Do you want GRANITE countertops? It's a popular home upgrade that really impacts a home's style and value. Granite and other natural countertops can be easy to maintain as they are resistant to scratching, heat and other damage.

The first thing I wanted to know about my new granite was how to keep it clean! 

Another benefit of granite is how easy it is to clean! A soft cloth and warm, soapy water is all it takes to clean. Avoid harsh chemical it's unnecessary! Dry wipe your counters after wiping away any wet suds left from your wash rag. 

Holiday Blog 2016

 Holiday To-Do List

Do you want to feel like you've got a handle on this whole Holiday thing? I put together a list to make sure you get the most joy out of the season while managing some essentials.
We're busy and I get it! This list is easy and you'll be thanking me when its all over! 

1.Go to a Christmas Party! (and do something charitable too!)

 May I suggest Mama G's Ugly Sweater Party December 10th?

We are raising money and collecting food for the local Cross foodshelf with an ugly sweater party. The holidays are meant to be spent celebrating and giving, so why not combine the two? Frost Fine Finishing is sponsoring a prize for the sweater contest!

Here are some other opportunities to celebrate and serve this Holiday Season. Why not volunteer at the Holliazzle or find a phlanthrophy event to take in some hoiday cheers? Check out the event links below- 

Minneapolis Hollidazzle Volunteer HERE!

Pick a Twin Cities Holiday Fundraiser HERE!

2. Enjoy some Holiday Music

I have a new love for Christmas music now that I'm in choir. I planned a piano recital Christmas Eve with my niece's. We are each playing 2 songs for our family. Think of some way to incorporate music into your routine for the season. Maybe write a funny song together and perform it for your family, or play christmas music while you bake your annual treats (you can create a christmas playlist on Spotify for free). It will create an appreciation, which is actually the point of the season instead of cringing everytime you hear a christmas tune you'll find yourself enjoying! 

3. Clean your office!- tech purge

You're probably going to be getting some upgrades, so don't let all that data set in storage. Cloud your pics, contacts and can't go without info from tablets and phones. Update passwords and run updates. Trust me in a year when you can't find something because it's sitting on an old device somewhere you'll be glad you took the time to do this. A new tradition!

You'll also be really glad if you use some time in the "office" to get finacial records ready for tax season. After the tree goes down you'll be thinking about all that green or atleast Uncle Sam will be!

Like Kate Northrups moneylove philosphy I also think the more time and attention you spend on your finaces the more finacially fit your money relationship will be...and we tend to have a bad money relationship around the holidays (think spending too much!). Dust off that money binder and make sure you have your money on your mind in a good way! 

4. Make your present list. So obvious, but some people don't do this. Obviously I like lists (hint: your reading one) but here's HOW to make your list that I've found works really well. Group your list by events. If you are going to see certain people at a certain celebration make sure you know you need 5 gifts for that get together. It will make getting out the door easier the day of. Also I prep my bags and label with names so I know I have a gift for everyone on my list if each bag gets filled! 

5. Cold storage clean up

We wouldn't be a good home improvement blog if we didn't tell you to go outside right now and grab any liquids in your garage you dont want to freeze. Batteries (including those tool batteries) are a good thing to store inside too! You can always recycle the stuff you don't want, but bring what you do inside now. 

Don't let the Holiday pass you by without equal amounts of prep and pleasure! Any holiday tips that are must do's for you every year? Leave a comment and share! 

What goes with gray?

"We are going to be painting" is something I hear a lot when I'm doing an in home flooring consultation. It makes so much sense to update walls then floors. There's no doubt these two changes together can make the biggest impact when homeowners want a fresh look. Doing them all at once saves you money and headache. Here's why: your painter won't have to worry about your floors (less prep) and when the installers will be able to come and finish the space with flooring you will save on installation if the room is emptied of furniture (which would be done to prep for painting also)! Easy!

Paint Suggestions: popular gray and monorail silver by Sherwin Williams
Do's: Do paint a sample swatch and check out the color during different times of day...lighting changes everything!
Don't: Try to match everything. Washing out is easy to do try mixing shades (lighter and darker) and adding accents (blues, greens, reds and yellows all look great)

Carpet: Unless you are wanting it to be center of attention a nice texture or twist (frieze) works well. Patterns are nice if you are planning on your room being very neutral. Adding a patterned carpet can increase design in a neutral room by adding style and texture. Patterns can enlarge as space by helping guide your eyes around the room. This effects has made these styles very popular.


Here are some gray pallets I like in both a solid and a multi tone:

Thumbs up by Shaw and St. Jude's pastoral dreams pictures here: