Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Trends at Boca Raton, FL

Trends is a friendly community developed by Levitt Homes. They opened Trends in 1985, with a brand new series of homes designed by award winning architect Rex Nichols. The project was complete in 1990. This community features two man-made lakes and many amenities such as an Olympic size pool, two tennis court and a basketball court.
This wonderful community of 344 single family homes has such touches as covered entry porches with concrete columns, a variety of walled garden entrances, greenhouse-styled windows and roomy living-dining areas under cathedral ceilings. There are 3 entrances to the community. Trends is located between Southwest 18th Street and Southwest 8th St, near Florida Turnpike in West Boca Raton. There are 11 single-story models and 3 two-story models. 78 of the homes are on the Lake with a beautiful view. Some models are Ashley and the Gatsby, both with 2 bedrooms and the Harlow, the Dynasty and the Bentley all with three bedrooms. Childrens who live in Trends also have the privilege of being educated in highly rated schools. The community has an entrance conveniently located directly across from Hammock Pointe Elementary School, so the childrens may walk to the school without ever leaving the community grounds. The Omni Middle School is a highly rated school as well with a great reputation in Palm Beach, and for High School Trends is served by Spanish River High School which is great.

Monday, December 1, 2014

Camino Gardens

Ideally located on east Boca Raton, Camino Gardens is a family friendly community with a touch of old world Florida charm. Camino Gardens evokes a unique charm with abundant wildlife surrounded by ideally preserved natural habitats. Drive carefully through the neighborhood as children are often found playing sports or riding their bicycles in the street. Developed during the 1960s, there are 400 single family homes within Camino Gardens. 

All homes in Camino Gardens are one level and feature a wide variety of two- to five-bedroom floor plans. Many homes have been completed renovated to include gourmet kitchens, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, terrazo, wood flooring, and crown molding throughout. Wide open living spaces, flexible floor plans, and oversized master suites is what Camino Gardens homes are known for. Many backyards in Camino Gardens feature private swimming pools, spas, covered lanais, outdoor fireplaces, waterfront, ocean access, boat docks, and fully-stocked summer kitchens. Many homes in Camino Gardens are on lots nearly half an acre large. Camino Gardens residents enjoy spectacular views of sparkling waterways, mature palm trees, and colorful tropical plantings found throughout the community. Homeowners in Camino Gardens take pride in maintaining the interior and exterior of their homes. Homes in Camino Gardens range in size from 1,600 square feet to over 3,500 square feet and ranges in price from $400,000 to just under $1 million. Homeowner association dues are one of the lowest in the city of Boca Raton and include maintenance of all common areas.
- See more at: http://search.bocaratonrealestatemarket.com/i/Camino_Gardens#sthash.lltS6C75.dpuf

BOCA GROVE IS PERFECT FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG ADULTS

Children and teens can live the life style at Boca Grove such as pool parties, carnivals, cake baking and treasure hunts just some activities at Boca Grove.. Important for Families of all ages. Experience the nights at the Clubhouse featuring  child friendly food, great entertainment, Boca Grove is the perfect Community for Families of all ages. Your children will meet other children and always have an activity to enjoy.

The experienced and professional Boca Grove tennis staff is tops in energizing younger players acquire better skills and enthusiasm for the game. Weekly clinics and seasonal camps are geared towards juniors of all levels where each is placed in a program appropriate to his or her skills.

We are one of the first Florida clubs to experience the QuickStart  tennis format, which younger children by using smaller nets set up alternatively on full sized courts, using lower compression or foam balls, smaller racquets and simple scoring, all regulated by the United States Tennis Association.

Visit : www.yourhomeinbocaraton.com      or

http://search.bocaratonrealestatemarket.com/i/Boca_Grove_Properties

Trends at Boca Raton

Trends is a friendly community developed by Levitt Homes. They opened Trends in 1985, with a brand new series of homes designed by award winning architect Rex Nichols. The project was complete in 1990. This community features two man-made lakes and many amenities such as an Olympic size pool, two tennis court and a basketball court.
This wonderful community of 344 single family homes has such touches as covered entry porches with concrete columns, a variety of walled garden entrances, greenhouse-styled windows and roomy living-dining areas under cathedral ceilings. There are 3 entrances to the community. Trends is located between Southwest 18th Street and Southwest 8th St, near Florida Turnpike in West Boca Raton. There are 11 single-story models and 3 two-story models. 78 of the homes are on the Lake with a beautiful view. Some models are Ashley and the Gatsby, both with 2 bedrooms and the Harlow, the Dynasty and the Bentley all with three bedrooms. Childrens who live in Trends also have the privilege of being educated in highly rated schools. The community has an entrance conveniently located directly across from Hammock Pointe Elementary School, so the childrens may walk to the school without ever leaving the community grounds. The Omni Middle School is a highly rated school as well with a great reputation in Palm Beach, and for High School Trends is served by Spanish River High School which is great.
The average prices for homes in Trends range from $125,900 to $350,000. The HOA fee is very low , the average is $60 per month and includes the maintenance of common areas.

Visit : www.trendsatbocaraton.com

San Remo in Boca Raton, FL

Enjoy magnificent views of the clear waters of the Intracoastal Waterways from almost every angle in San Remo. Located  East Boca Raton on the west side of A1A just south of Spanish River Boulevard, San Remo is a luxury condominium complex where residents enjoy  beauty and relaxing living on the water.. San Remo has a 24-hour manned security. 

 The buildings are 5 stories high. Surrounded by intracoastal, boat marina and a beautiful Spanish River Park direct north of the community. San Remo is Built in 1967, 300 residences ranging in size from 780 square feet to over 2,066 square feet. There are eight different floor plans to choose from ranging from one-bedroom units to oversized three-bedroom units, giving buyers options to match their individual tastes.

 Most of these five story condominium buildings have its own underground parking spot and oversized storage space.  Every unit has its own balcony.   Many luxury condominiums within San Remo have been updated to include completely renovated kitchens and bathrooms, tiled or wood flooring, newer air conditioning units, built-in closets, and crown molding throughout.

 Luxury living on the Intracoastal Waterways in San Remo ranges in price from just over $150,000 to $378,000. Condominium association fees in San Remo include cable television, 24-hour manned gated security, exterior pest control, lawn care, roof maintenance, building insurance, maintenance of all common areas, trash, and an on-site manager.

Boca Falls in Boca Raton , FL

Boca Falls is nothing short of a gem in West Boca Raton, south Florida Real Estate. Set amidst numerous small lakes and tranquil surroundings.

 Boca Falls offers an incredible location, stunning homes and unparalleled lifestyle. This luxurious manned-guard gated community is comprised of 722 homes within ten neighborhoods. Boca Falls offers an excellent selection of waterfront and garden view homes to choose from. Developed from 1995 to 1998, homes offer a variety of open floor plans from four to seven bedrooms, varying in size from 1,800 sq.ft. to 5,000 sq.ft. 

Amenities include a newly renovated clubhouse with a state of the art fitness center, resort style Olympic size pool, kiddie pool, picnic area, playground, six tennis courts, basketball court and so much more. Boca Falls is within walking distance to all levels of Boca Raton’s “A” rated schools. 

Great shopping, public golf, south county regional park, fabulous nightlife and dining are all located nearby. If you searching for the best in south Florida, you must consider Boca Falls. -

See more at: http://search.bocaratonrealestatemarket.com/i/Boca_Falls_Homes_For_Sale

or

www.yourhomeinbocaraton.com

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Southwind Lakes in Boca Raton , FL

Located in western section of Boca Raton just south of Yamato Road between 441 and Lyons Road, the community of Southwind Lakes, also known as American Homes features a variety of traditional, ranch style single-family homes built between the late 1970s to early 1980s.

 There are 1025 homes in the community.  Southwind Lakes offers affordable housing options in Boca Raton for under $350,000. Many of the homes have been completely renovated and some have been improved to the point of giving the homes a completely modern look. 

 Some homeowners have even added rooms or extended the homes since these are homes with large lots and full backyards – no zero lot lines here.  While all of the homes boast garden views and large backyards and many have pools, some offer views of Southwind Lakes Golf course and others offer beautiful views of the surrounding lakes and canals.  

Residents of this development also enjoy access to all of the amenities including access to the recently renovated clubhouse, swimming pool, 4 tennis courts, a basketball court and children’s playground.  The community also offers a beautiful park with walking and bike trails and another playground. 

 Residents have access to the 18-hole championship Southwind Lakes Golf Course. The golf course serves as a sanctuary for golfers as well as native Florida wildlife. 

- See more at: http://search.bocaratonrealestatemarket.com/i/Southwind_Lakes_Real_Estate_Homes_For_Sale
or www.yourhomeinbocaraton.com

Pheasant Walk in Boca Raton, FL

The affordable homes in the Pheasant Walk Neighborhood in Boca Raton have easy access to schools, shopping, trails and parks. You will love coming home to the Pheasant Walk Neighborhood every day!
The one and two Story homes in the Pheasant Walk Neighborhood are in an awesome Boca Raton location near shopping, dining, parks and trails. Each home has a comfortable floor plan and a spacious yard. Most homes in the neighborhood were built in the late 1970s and 1990s and have been extensively updated and remodeled over the years.

Homes have open layouts making them very comfortable to live in day to day. Spacious well landscaped yards add to the appeal of this neighborhood! Most homes have an attached garage with space for 1 or 2 vehicles. You should be able to find a home in the Pheasant Walk Neighborhood in Boca Raton, FL that suits your needs perfectly.

Woodfield Country Club, located in the heart of Boca Raton

Woodfield Country Club, located in the heart of Boca Raton, is a wonderful private gated community. It boasts 1,300 townhomes, zero lot lines, and single family homes are divided into 20 individual neighborhoods spread across an 830-acre site.

Each community, designed with its own unique identity, is separated by glistening lakes and the meandering holes of the Joe Lee designed championship golf course, later redesigned by Robert Cupp in 2002.

 With its main gate on Yamato Road and two secondary gates on Clint Moore and Jog Roads, Woodfield Country Club has easy access from any direction. The lush tropical landscape adds to the community’s park like feel, while the quiet back roads wind through the neighborhoods, cutting down on traffic and increasing privacy.

Centered on Woodfield Country Club’s magnificent grounds, the resort-style clubhouse is the jewel of Boca where friends and neighbors come together. The community has 5 restaurants, each offering a unique dining experience.

 The Cascades Spa and Fitness Center is a 38,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility available to residents. It has everything one could want from a fitness center, including a beautiful swimming pool, saunas, fitness classes, private locker rooms, a salon, and Blenz Café. The Youth Activities Center is a great place for older kids to hang out.  It contains a pool table, video games, air hockey, and even Dance, Dance Revolution. No matter what your age or interests, Woodfield Country Club has something for everyone!


Boca Winds in Boca Raton , FL

Boca Wind means more value with an exciting lifestyle and amenities in Boca Raton, south Florida real estate. Extreme fun centered on a community clubhouse fondly named “Town Hall” with meeting and social rooms, community pool, tennis courts and a playground. Boca Winds was developed from the mid to late 1990’s, homes offer a variety of floor plans to accommodate families of all sizes from 1,300 sq.ft. to 3,500 sq.ft., three bedrooms to five bedrooms ideally located to neighborhood shopping, services, restaurants, banking, post office and medical offices.





 Nearby South County Regional Park offers numerous baseballs and soccer fields, tennis courts, walking, jogging paths and nature trails, picnic pavilions, lakes, boating, amphitheater, Osprey Point public golf course, a pet friendly dog park and so much more. Boca Winds offers everything you’ve been looking searching for in Boca Raton real estate and more. - 

visit: http://search.bocaratonrealestatemarket.com/i/Boca_Winds_Real_Estate_Homes_For_Sale

or  www.yourhomeinbocaraton.com

Some tips for buyers

Dear First Time Buyer,

If you are currently in the market for your first home, you probably have lots of questions. You are about to be making an important decision for your future, a great investment of both money and time. I have a wealth of experience helping first time buyers like you make sound, informed decisions. Here are some tips that can help make your home buying process successful:
Tip #1: Do Your Homework

The perfect home won't find you by itself. The key step in buying a home is doing the proper research. Educate yourself on local schools, neighborhoods, and the kinds of homes available. By reading available materials and talking with experts, you can start to put together your idea of the perfect home.

Tip #2: Start Planning

Most decisions benefit greatly from proper planning, and home buying is certainly no exception. Start a filing system with sections such as home buying, home financing, and service providers. By forming a home buying plan you can more easily focus on the most important factors and help give structure to the entire process. My website is a great resource for property information.

Tip #3: Get PreQualified

Getting prequalified for a loan normally only requires a short phone conversation with a lender, and can greatly help your home search. Prequalification does not guarantee you a loan, but it does provide you with an estimated monthly payment and a price range to use as a guide when shopping for homes. Being prequalified can also often indicate to sellers that you are a serious, prepared buyer.

Tip #4: Look for Value

When shopping for homes, it's important to consider potential value. Even if you're not planning to sell the home some time down the line, it's a good idea to consider the future value of the home. Protect yourself against things like falling prices and gradual shifts in the nature of the neighborhood. You may not think of a new home as a means to make money, but it's an important investment that requires caution.

Tip #5: Decide What You're Looking For

Settle on the home features that are important to you (covered parking, hardwood floors, architectural style, etc.) and make an ordered list. Having well established guidelines will help narrow down your search and will prevent you from being shown properties that lack your key amenities. It can help you make the decision not to buy an attractive property that doesn't really fit your needs. My website has a search feature that allows you to filter thousands of listings based on attributes that you select. If you know you want a brick house with gas heat and a garage, you can get the results you're looking for.

Tip #6: Relax

You don't have to make an offer on the first home you see. Make sure to look at other listings in the area to get a feel for the marketplace. When you decide to make an offer on a house, consult with your real estate professional so that all of your questions are answered.

Tip #7: Shop Around for Your Mortgage

Deciding on the financing for your home can be as important as choosing a home itself. The first step is deciding what kind of loan best fits you: a fixed rate mortgage, or an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM). There are benefits to each form of loan, and your real estate professional can provide you with more information. Next you'll want to begin to shop around for different lenders.

Tip #8: Protect Yourself

Be careful when signing a contract on a home that allows you to find financing, have the home inspected, and work through any problem areas that may arise. Paying for a quality home inspection is absolutely crucial! You can save yourself thousands in repair costs by being sure of what you're getting into.

More information for first time buyers can be found on my website, or by giving me a call. I'm confident that I can provide the kind of exceptional service that will make this process an exciting one. Don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have, I would love to be of assistance to you.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Trends at Boca Raton

Trends is a friendly community developed by Levitt Homes. They opened Trends in 1985, with a brand new series of homes designed by award winning architect Rex Nichols. The project was complete in 1990. This community features two man-made lakes and many amenities such as an Olympic size pool, two tennis court and a basketball court.
This wonderful community of 344 single family homes has such touches as covered entry porches with concrete columns, a variety of walled garden entrances, greenhouse-styled windows and roomy living-dining areas under cathedral ceilings. There are 3 entrances to the community. Trends is located between Southwest 18th Street and Southwest 8th St, near Florida Turnpike in West Boca Raton. There are 11 single-story models and 3 two-story models. 78 of the homes are on the Lake with a beautiful view. Some models are Ashley and the Gatsby, both with 2 bedrooms and the Harlow, the Dynasty and the Bentley all with three bedrooms. Childrens who live in Trends also have the privilege of being educated in highly rated schools. The community has an entrance conveniently located directly across from Hammock Pointe Elementary School, so the childrens may walk to the school without ever leaving the community grounds. The Omni Middle School is a highly rated school as well with a great reputation in Palm Beach, and for High School Trends is served by Spanish River High School which is great.
The average prices for homes in Trends range from $125,900 to $350,000. The HOA fee is very low , the average is $60 per month and includes the maintenance of common areas.

www.trendsatboca.com




Friday, October 31, 2014

Pumpkin Pyramids

Here's a challenge: Ditch the usual jack-o'-lantern routine this year and create tasteful pumpkin pillars on either side of your front door. Simply put large pumpkins in the base of several urns, then group them together and stack progressively smaller pumpkins on top of each other to create the pyramid structure. You can carve or paint faces on the pumpkins or leave them au naturel. Either way makes a statement.

#miriamaraujo
#remaxbocaraton
#remaxrealtypros

Paper bag luminaries

Luminaries are a beautifully spooky idea if you have a long path leading to your front door. All you need is a stack of paper lunch bags (available in many colors at party supply stores), votive candles and some sand or gravel to keep the finished product upright on windy nights. You can draw, paint or cut out scary scenes on the bags, but they're just as effective unadorned. Simply put an inch or two of sand in the bottom of the sack, followed by the (unlit) votive candle. Arrange a luminary every foot or so along your walkway and then light the candles as the sun goes down. Instant ambiance, and it's dead simple!

#miriamaraujo
#remaxbocaraton
#remaxrealtypros

Wreath for halloween

The first rule of outdoor holiday decorating is that you can never go wrong with a wreath. In fact, we'd go so far as to call them mandatory, especially if you're only decorating your entryway. If you want to keep it simple, we suggest weaving orange and black ribbon and some small bunches of fall berries through a basic frame of twisted vines and branches. Of course, it's also fun to go all out with feathers, shrunkenplastic skulls and gigantic fake spiders. The choice (and budget) is yours.


#miriamaraujo
#remaxbocaraton
#remaxrealtypros

Halloween

Halloween isn't exactly a "less is more" kind of holiday. In many neighborhoods, it seems to be more like "all or nothing." When faced with the task of decorating for Halloween, some people go totally insane -- the more jack-o'-lanterns, fake cobwebs, plastic tombstones, skeletons and flashing lights they can cram onto the house, the better. Add some life-size coffins, creepy music and a fog machine, and the effect is complete.
On the other side of the street are the folks who won't even stoop to set a pumpkin by the door. These party poopers turn off the lights on the big night to discourage trick-or-treaters, which makes them target number one for a midnight toilet-papering and yard egging.
So what are you supposed to do if you like Halloween but don't have the time, inclination or funds to go over the top with decorating? Our advice is to concentrate on your front porch and door, and keep it simple.

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Old T-Shirts

A favorite T-shirt is like an old friend. I have T-shirts that I've worn for 15 years and others that I should have stopped wearing a decade ago. When the holes on your favorite T-shirt are big enough to accidentally stick your arm through, it's time to consign your old friend to the rag drawer.
Cotton T-shirts make the best all-purpose rags for dusting, wiping off counters, washing cars. OK, that's not exactly true — old cloth diapers are the absolute champion of rags, but harder to find.

Toilet Paper Tubes

When American brothers Clarence and E. Irvin Scott invented the toilet paper roll in 1890, they created more than a convenient way to dispense an indispensable product; they ignited our collective obsession with the humble cardboard toilet paper tube .For children, a handful of toilet paper tubes is fodder for hours of fun in the form binoculars, rockets, submarines — and that's without the addition of paper towel tubes.
They have adult uses too. Instead of throwing out those cardboard tubes, put them to work around the house with the following brilliant ideas:
  • Stuff a bunch of plastic grocery bags inside a paper towel tube to make a handy dispenser.
  • Organize hair bands and hair clips in the bathroom by wrapping them around a toilet paper tube.
  • Keep extension cords from getting tangled by folding them neatly inside a paper towel tube.
  • Keep holiday lights from tangling in storage by wrapping them around the outside of a paper towel roll and taping down the end.
  • Safely store important documents like diplomas and birth certificates by rolling them up inside paper towel rolls.

Eyeglasses

There are millions of adults and children in developing countries without access to prescription eyeglasses and bifocal reading glasses. Uncorrected vision effectively renders them uneducated and unemployed, driving them even deeper into poverty. There are a number of charitable organizations that accept donations of used glasses, sort them by prescription, and ship them to people who cannot afford the luxury of good vision.
Lions Club International has been doing this good work for decades. Local branches of the Lions Club distribute eyeglass collection boxes to community buildings like libraries and schools. You can also mail eyeglasses to one of 18 Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers worldwide.
New Eyes is another organization that distributes used eyewear to the needy. In addition to prescription eyeglasses and reading glasses in good condition, New Eyes accepts sunglasses, metal eyewear in any condition, and watches and jewelry that the organization sells to raise money.

Plastic Grocery Bags

Far out in the Pacific Ocean floats an island of garbage twice the size of Texas. Known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, it's an accidental accumulation of millions of tons of floating debris — much of it plastic — trapped in a convergence of oceanic currents.
The single-use plastic grocery bag has been targeted by environmental groups as a ubiquitous symbol of waste. Discarded plastic bags can travel hundreds of miles on the wind and float along rivers and oceans, if they don't lodge in trees first. Every year, an estimated 100,000 marine mammals and 1 million sea birds die from ingesting plastic waste . Several states are currently considering "ban the bag" laws
Part of the trouble is that most municipal recycling programs don't accept plastic grocery bags. Most grocery stores will take back used bags, or you can give them a second or third life through a number of household uses.
  • Make a comfy pillow for a pet by stuffing crumpled up plastic bags inside an old pillowcase.
  • Protect a fragile package by stuffing the box with plastic bags.
  • Use plastic bags as makeshift gloves when cleaning the bathroom.
  • if you're really crafty, you can even make raincoats, yarn and reusable grocery totes out of loads of old bags.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Wine Corks

Next time you pop open a nice full-bodied merlot or celebrate with a crisp bottle of Champagne, hold on to that cork. With some patience -- or some serious drinking – you'll collect enough corks to make dozens of cool DIY projects.
A simple bulletin board or corkboard is the classic project. Glue a hundred or so corks in an eye-catching pattern on a backing board or within a colorful frame. For a cork bath mat, slice the corks in half lengthwise and hot glue the flat sides to a sheet of shelf paper 
Even if you only have a handful of corks, you can get creative. Make a floatable keychain by twisting a loop screw into a favorite cork. Carve a cool pattern into the end of a cork to make handy stamps. Or take thin slices of cork and glue them inside cabinet doors to make them slam-proof.

Electronics


Facts 


In the world of high-tech gadgets, it's a short trip from "next best thing!" to a child's plaything. Computers, TVs and cell phones fall out of fashion so fast that some folks have collections of old gadgets collecting dust in the basement. If you're tempted to drag yesterday's technology to the curb, check out these numbers about the benefits of recycling electronics 
  • Recycling 1 million laptops saves as much electricity as 3,500 American homes use in a year.
  • Recycling 1 million cell phones saves 35,000 pounds (15,876 kilograms) of copper, 772 pounds (350 kilograms) of silver, 75 pounds (34 kilograms) of gold and 33 pounds (15 kilograms) of palladium.

Visit the EPA donation and recycling website to search for local retailers who accept old TVs, computers and cell phones. There are also charitable organizations like Cell Phones for Soldiers and Hope Phones that will take your old flip phone put it in the hands of someone who will really appreciate it. Another cool organization is Music and Memory, a group that gives old iPods and other audio players to dementia patients.
visit our website : www.yourhomeinbocaraton.com

Led lighting

It uses practically no energy at all compared to an incandescent bulb and is more efficient than a fluorescent while creating a warmer shade of light than a CFL. It can last 20 years, so you may only change your light bulbs a few times during the course of your life.
The LED is a marvel of energy-efficiency and longevity, consuming about 80 percent less energy than a traditional light bulb and about 5 percent less than a CFL; if you currently use incandescents, switching to LEDs can reduce your carbon footprint by hundreds of pounds per light fixture [source: Layton].
On the downside, an LED bulb can cost from $30 all the way up to $100. It'll save money in the long run, but it's a big expenditure, so it's currently mostly a commercial lighting choice. Prices are coming down, though, so ultra-green LED lighting could soon become a viable green option at home.

Nontoxic paint

Think breathing the air during the morning commute is rough on your health? Try breathing inside your home after a fresh coat of paint.
It's the volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, in the paint that are toxic both to humans and the environment. They eat away the ozone layer and contaminate groundwater.
In the last decade, though, new paint formulations have come out that are lower in VOCs. There are even no-VOC options. These greener paints are now mainstream, offered by most big paint manufacturers, and they don't cost much more than the regular, high-polluting stuff.
You might make up the money, too, when you go to dispose of the extra paint -- low- and no-VOC paint isn't considered hazardous waste, so there's no extra disposal charge


Aluminum Foil

When Reynolds sold its first rolls of aluminum foil back in 1947, the company advertised it as the foil for "1,001 kitchen miracles." Foil exhibits some unique properties of metal — moisture-proof, odor-proof, able to withstand extreme temperatures — and adds the uncanny ability to be molded into any imaginable shape. Foil is also washable, making it the material with 1,001 lives.
Next time you use a sheet of foil to cover a plate of leftovers, rinse it off afterwards, and save it for one of these unexpected household uses
  • Pot scrubber: Ball up some aluminum foil for an easy way to remove baked- on, caked-on grime from pots and pans. Also works on grease-caked grills.
  • Silver polisher: Submerge tarnished silver in a glass pan of boiling water lined with aluminum foil; then add two teaspoons of salt. In minutes, a simple chemical reaction will dissolve the tarnish without damaging the silver.
  • No-fuss funnel: Where's a funnel when you need it? Form a cone out of a double layer of foil and you're in business.
  • Scissor sharpener: If your scissors get dull, simply cut through a sheet of aluminum foil.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Binder clips

If you're cleaning out your home office and come across a box of these butterfly-winged beauties, do not even THINK of throwing them away. In the life hacker community, binder clips are the go-to tool for a clever solution to any household problem.
Binder clips are prized for their strength — if you ever had a fingertip, earlobe or tongue caught in one of these suckers, you know what we mean. They're also flat on one side, enabling them to stand up with some degree of stability.
Among the many, many, many uses that have been dreamed up for binder clips, here are some of our favorites
  • Minimalist wallet – pinch some folded cash and a credit card in the clip; even hang a house key from the silver handle.
  • Picture "frames" – drive some nails into the wall, put binder clips on some favorite photos, then hang them from the nails.
  • Toothpaste helper – keep your half-empty tube of toothpaste locked and loaded by rolling up and clipping the bottom.
  • Cable corral – attach some clips to the edge of your desk to hold the ends of unused USB, power and audio cables.

Recycled Aluminum

Aluminum is all over -- soda cans, fixtures, industrial scrap metal, for a start. Wouldn't it be nice if it could be turned into something useful after it has outlived its original use, without having to expend a ton of energy breaking it down in the recycling process?
Companies are now recycling aluminum in a much less energy-intensive process than we typically think of when we imagine "recycling." They're cutting all that trash metal into pieces and turning it into countertops and backsplashes in the kitchen, and tiles for bathroom walls and floors.
Recycled metal isn't just for functional design, either. It's popping up in fine art, too, everything from garden sculptures to wall hangings, accent furniture and handbags. And while we're on the topic, even the medals in the 2010 Olympics contained some recycled metal.

Recycled Glass

Bet you never thought those wine bottles you recycled would end up back in your kitchen.
Recycled-glass countertops take the glass you throw in the recycling bin and turn it into a unique kitchen surface. The glass pieces can be any size and color -- recycled windshields produce clear glass, wine bottles green or brown glass, dinner plates can mean any color in the spectrum.
The glass is broken into small pieces and held together with concrete. The end result is a lustrous, speckled look. It's typically custom-made in molds, so there's very little waste, and it consumes a product that would probably otherwise end up in a landfill, will pretty much never biodegrade and takes a lot of energy to recycle.

Reclaimed Wood

Most wood floors come from trees harvested for that purpose -- they're cut down with beautiful flooring in mind. And when a homeowner pulls up old, beat-up wood floors during a remodel, that old wood is typically considered trash and is discarded accordingly.
Two types of wood floors take a more eco-friendly approach. There's reclaimed wood, which uses re-finished, old wood floors and other building elements (old beams, for instance) to make new wood floors that have a rustic look. These are antique wood floors. Reclaimed wood can be used for other design elements, like staircases, trusses, counters or mantles.
Another green option is recovered wood. This type uses trees that have been cut down for other purposes, typically in clearing land for building purposes. In this case, recovered trees that were being killed anyway are used to create brand-new wood floors.
One thing to look out for in both of these cases is the process used to prepare and finish the wood. Some companies that use reclaimed or recovered wood use environmentally damaging methods of turning that wood into your floors. Ask questions about the finishing process to make sure the green wood stays green.

Natural Plaster

Most wall surfaces are drywall covered by toxic paint. Some are fancier, sporting traditional plaster that's textured -- "hand-troweled" -- for a rustic look or mixed with pigment for a Venetian or Moroccan look.
They're custom, high-end finishes that add real interest and value to a home. The problem, from an environmental perspective, is that these plasters are typically gypsum-based, and manufacturing them has a high carbon footprint. Plus, some of the brighter pigments can contain volatile organic compounds.
A relatively new product has solved the biggest of plaster's green issues. Natural plaster, or "Earth plaster," avoids the gypsum, allowing it to be manufactured at lower temperatures. This decreases the CO2 emissions associated with the process.
The most Earth-friendly (and fume-free) Earth plaster is unpigmented, going on in natural Earth tones and often textured for an organic look. If pigments are used, VOCs can still be a problem, so make sure you (or your contractor) go with nontoxic coloring agents. Earth clay also comes in paint form, which is zero-VOC

Thursday, July 10, 2014

BUTTERFLY WORLD Coconut Creek, FL


Discover Coconut Creek, Florida


Winston Park Nature Center of Coconut Creek



     Coconut Creek, the “Butterfly Capital of the World”, is a well-planned city with a 

unique environmental consciousness nestled between Miami and Palm Beach.  

Spotlighted as one of the “Best Cities to Live in America” by Money Magazine, and a​ 
​Top Ten Place to Live in Florida by Movoto, Coconut Creek is home to 55,000 residents
 and supports a diverse, growing business community.  The City’s Mainstreet Project, 
home to the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek and the Coconut Creek Promenade, 
a 23-acre, open-air, upscale shopping and restaurant center, has received the 
“Award of Excellence” for its Design Standards by the Florida Chapter of the 
American Planning Association (FAPA)
A 2014 City-wide survey reports:
  • 98% of respondents rated Coconut Creek as an “Excellent” or “Good” place to
  •  live
  • 97% rated Coconut Creek as an “Excellent” or “Good” place to raise a family
  • 97% rated the overall quality of life in Coconut Creek as “Excellent” or “Good”
  • 96% rated the overall quality of services provided by the City as “Excellent” or
  •  “Good”

Here are some of the attractions:

Winston Park Nature Center of Coconut Creek


Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Make a Few Changes

You don't need to reinvent your entire wardrobe. That would cost a fortune. Instead, update it. Start by introducing a few up-to-date pieces that reflect your style -- some earrings, a new pair of shoes or a scarf.
Don't be afraid to experiment a little, but take baby steps. If you've been very conservative your whole life, buy one "out there" piece. Shop in places you wouldn't normally go, like an antique clothing store or (if you can afford it) a high-end designer boutique. You might find that you like taking a few risks with your wardrobe.
To save money, try updating what you already have. Do you have an old pair of jeans that's starting to look ratty? Crop or roll them up into Capri pants or shorts. Have a pair of pants that no longer fits? Have them tailored to look like new. Re-invent an old boring dress with a new belt.

Although change is good, it's also important to maintain a core wardrobe composed of a few well-designed and constructed pieces. Keep some classic staples in your closet that you can mix and match to give you more bang for your fashion buck.


Miriam Araujo
561 213-2363

www.yourhomeinbocaraton.com

Take a Style Lesson



Don't know your Armani from your Kmart casuals? Do you have to twist around and check the label to know what you're wearing? Time to brush up -- fashion illiteracy can stop your personal style quest dead in its tracks.
You don't need a degree in fashion to understand clothing. You just need to be more aware when you shop. Look at different fabrics. See how polyester feels compared to silk. Learn the difference between plaids and houndstooth prints. Figure out how to see differences in an outfit's stitching and cut.
Look for a variety of fabrics when you shop. Choose some cotton pieces for everyday, silk ones for dressing up, wool for the winter and linen for spring and summer. Learn how to care for your fabrics too: Cotton/polyester blends are great for everyday because they barely wrinkle, but you'll need to keep your linens carefully pressed if you don't want to walk around looking rumpled. Silks are more delicate, so be extra careful about spills.
Know which fabrics and textures are most flattering. Shiny, bulky, or stiff textures can make you appear bigger than you really are. Smooth, matte surfaces, like cashmere and jersey, can really slim you down.
As a student of fashion, your "textbooks" should be the big magazines, like Vogue, Marie Claire and Elle. Study the ads and articles, including the picture captions, to see what fabrics and colors are "in" this season. Look to the masters -- Dior, Dolce & Gabbana and the like -- to see what elements they use in their designs. Use those designs as inspiration to create your own fashionable looks more affordably.

Miriam Araujo
561 213-2363
www.YourHomeInBocaRaton.com

Accentuate Your Assets

What are the best parts of your body? Focus on the areas that you like best; choose clothing and accessories to highlight them.
For example, if you have gorgeous blue eyes, show them off with eye shadow and liner colors that really make them pop. Endless legs deserve to be seen in short shorts and mini-skirts.
Know your measurements so you can find clothing that fits well. Write down your measurements and bring them with you when you shop.
Try to dress to your body shape. For example:
  • Most women's bodies are pear-shaped, which means they have a narrow waist and wider hips. If you're pear-shaped, buy clothing that draws attention to your slim upper body. Brightly colored shirts, scarves and modern-looking shoulder pads should work well. Wear tailored pants and skirts, as well as hip-length long jackets. Avoid pleats and stripes, which will further accentuate broader areas.
  • If you're rounder and more apple-shaped all around, you'll want to draw attention away from your waist. Go for flat-fronted skirts, empire-waisted dresses and tailored, wide-legged pants.
  • Don't accentuate a flat chest with a deep v-neck. Instead, choose rounded-neck tops, and add a layered necklace to add dimension.
  • If you're busty, accentuate your curves by wearing a scooped neckline that hugs your chest appropriately.
  • If you're extra curvy, you don't have to wear baggy, saggy clothes. You can still find fashionable, tailored clothes that comfortably compliment your body. Shop in stores that can accommodate your shape and buy clothes that fit well.
    Miriam Araujo
    561 213-2363
     www.YourHomeInBocaRaton.com

Home Inspection


A professional and thorough home inspection is absolutely critical when buying a home. As the buyer, you pay for the inspection, which will cost between $200 and $500. But don't let the cost deter you. Without an inspection, you could be making the biggest investment of your life in a lemon. Even with a brand new house, there may be hidden problems that only a professional inspector can find.
Your real estate agent can recommend an experienced inspector. If not, look for someone who is certified by the American Society of Home Inspectors. If you are getting an FHA or VA loan, you will also have to have an additional inspection. (Don't let that one be the only inspection you get, however, because it may not be as thorough as a full-blown inspection.)
Your purchase offer should be contingent on the results of the professional inspection. This means that if the inspection turns up something like a really bad termite infestation or cracks in the foundation, you can back out of the contract, or you can have the seller repair the problem to your satisfaction.
Here are the major areas the inspector will cover:
  • Foundation: If there is a basement or crawl space, are there signs of water damage? Are there any cracks in the walls or floor that might indicate structural problems?
  • Construction: Does the house have good quality construction? Is the flashing properly installed to protect wood, are there any rotting problems with the wood, is the roof in good shape or will it need to be replaced soon?
  • Plumbing: Has the plumbing been properly installed? Is it in good shape? Is there any evidence of leaks?
  • Heating and cooling systems: Are the units in good shape? Will they need replacing soon? Are they rated for the amount of square footage they are heating?
  • Electrical: Do there appear to be any electrical problems or code violations?
  • Interior: Are the floors level? Do windows and doors function properly? Do the appliances in the kitchen function properly? Is there any evidence of leaks or mildew in the bathrooms?
The inspector will provide you with a printed report showing everything that passed and the (hopefully) few things that didn't. This report will be your ammunition if you need to renegotiate the purchase contract to include repairs. If the inspection report is clean, it's time to get ready for the big day: the closing.


Miriam Araujo
561 213-2363
www.yourhomeinbocaraton.com