Category Archives: Uncategorized

November 2, 2011 · 1:17 pm

Holiday Tablescape Musts!

Thanksgiving & Christmas are right around the corner! Oh how I love this time of year. This Thanksgiving we will all be heading over to Clayton’s parent’s house for a fun family Thanksgiving feast.

When it comes to holiday decor & tablescapes I tend to like the unique and unexpected.

Like this idea of using your old wine bottles as candle holders! Brilliant and cost effective!

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I think candles are a definite must when it comes to decorating your table for the holidays.

{West Elm}

Colors I normally lean toward are metallic & earth tones. Gold, silver & champagne colors are among my top favorites.

West Elm has some GORGEOUS options for tea light candle holders. Kind of obsessed. Also check out Pottery Barn.

Place cards are another detail that I really like for any special occasion. Small details like these make all the difference!

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{Martha Stewart}

There are so many different easy ideas for holiday place cards on Pinterest.

Now let’s talk menus! Personalized menus are a great way to personalize your table and wow your dinner guests.

This one is so cute for Christmas! The candy cane stripes are adorable.

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Or you could keep it simple & chic.

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Here’s another amazing idea for a menu. Such pretty elements of vintage & rustic style.

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Dress up your place settings with simple things like a cinnamon stick, berries & twine. SO simple yet so amazing.

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Do you have any fun holiday decor ideas for your table? Do share!

Xo, Virginia & Melissa

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Filed under DIY Ideas, Home decor ideas, Uncategorized

Tagged as chic, DIY, holiday decor, holiday menu ideas, place cards, place settings, rustic, simple chic holiday decor, tablescape ideas, vintage

October 31, 2011 · 11:31 am

Just Sold Our Investor This Short Sale For $390,000

There are some really good deals out there these days, especially when it comes to short sales. {Short sale is when the property is now worth less than the seller paid for it, therefore if the seller tried selling the home to pay back the mortgage loan, he would be short. Hence the name “short sale.”} Most of the time the bank will approve the home owner selling the home for less than they owe, but the bank has to approve of the offers that come in. This process can take months & months. But if you are patient.. you can end up with an amazing house for cheap cheap! This is exactly what our investor client did.

719 Lakebird Drive Sunnyvale, CA 94089

{Property Features}

3 bedrooms 2 baths
2 car garage
1,468 SF living space
6,048 Lot size
Large backyard with pool
Dual pane windows
Wood floors throughout
Great family home near parks, schools, tennis
Easy access to freeways 101, 237, 85

This property was listed for $399,000 & Sold for $390,000!!

Are you looking to buy a home for a really good deal?? We are here to help. Contact us today!

Find out how to save money buying a home here For details on applying for a loan click here.

Happy Halloween! Enjoy your week!

Xo, Virginia & Melissa

How To Paint Your Floors White.. Holy Amazing.

I NEED these white floors! Obsessed! I first heard of this idea a couple of months ago on the Nate Burkus Show. I was basically glued to the TV. There is just something about white, I cannot get enough of it. I’m pretty much drooling over this living room.

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Painting our floors won’t be happening for awhile, since we plan to rent this place for a couple more years. Once we buy a house, I will be all over this. I guess I will just have to dream for now! Painting your floors white is probably the easiest way to add instant chic to your home. Well maybe not easy but you know what I mean. Here is a really good extremely detailed tutorial I found over at Door 16.

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Someone please do this! I can at least live vicariously through one of you. We would love to hear how it goes and see your before & after photos too!

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As you can see white painted wood floors go with any decor. Shabby chic, modern chic, vintage, rustic, whatever you like.

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Xo, Melissa & Virginia

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Filed under DIY Ideas, Home decor ideas, Uncategorized

Tagged as chic, decor, home ideas, How to paint floors, ideas, modern, shabby chic, white floors

October 5, 2011 · 9:41 am

Top 5 Creative Uses For Vintage Wood Crates

Wood crates are one of those things you can do just about anything with. They are pretty inexpensive and can be purchased at antique shops and fairs. You can also find them on Etsy.

{Top 5 favorite uses for vintage soda crates}

#1 Shelves

The top right photo is 12 crates that make up one awesome storage shelf ! I will definitely be doing this in my home office or kitchen – both need extra storage space at the moment. This is such a brilliant way to bring functional and pretty storage to any room. The bottom right photo could work in a children’s bedroom or an entryway.

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#2 Herb or flower planter

It’s amazing how old beat up crates can look so pretty when you add gorgeous flowers to them. Having your herbs planted in a crate would be so convenient. Just leave them on the kitchen counter and use them as needed while cooking!

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Love these adorable herb markers – Find similar ones here or make them yourself!

#3 Wedding Decor

I am absolutely obsessed with crates being used in weddings. We used them in our wedding at the cocktail hour. Crates can be used to hold your wedding favors, they can be used as reception table centerpieces, accessories at your dessert bar, or just for added decor.. the possibilities are endless.

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#4 Original use – soda crate!

Perfect for BBQs, kid’s birthdays & parties – weddings too! LOVE the bright colors against the rustic wood crates

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#5 Entertaining

Adding this to your buffet spread is a simple way to add style and a little shabby chic elegance.

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What is your favorite?! Have you done something similar to my top 5 fav uses? We would love to hear how you made use out of an old wood crate.

Oh and BTW, Melissa & Clayton’s wedding was featured on Style Unveiled!! Check out the amazing spread they did and the Q&A here!

Xoxo,

Melissa & Virginia

4 Comments

Filed under DIY Ideas, Home decor ideas, Uncategorized

Tagged as herb marker, home decor, pepsi crate, uses for wood crates, vintage crate ideas, vintage crate in wedding, wedding ideas, wood crate

September 30, 2011 · 11:53 am

Paint Stick Sunburst Mirror DIY

For the longest time I have wanted a huge sunburst mirror to hang over our fireplace mantel. But with all of our money going toward our skyrocketing wedding budget last year, I knew there was no chance of me purchasing one of these stunning mirrors.

What can I say.. I went a little overboard with the wedding.

A couple of months ago I came across this amazing and super EASY DIY over on Centsational Girl. So finally last Friday night I went to Home Depot and Michaels to pick up all my materials.

{My Shopping List}

Home Depot

16 1- gallon paint sticks – FREE
16 5- gallon paint sticks – FREE

The guy at the paint counter literally thought I was insane wanting that many paint sticks! I told him it was for a do-it-yourself mirror I was making.. and he thought I was even more crazy.

Michaels

Picture frame 3 pk kit – 3.99

7″ embroidery hoop – 2.49
7″ round mirror – 2.99
Metallic Sahara Gold craft paint by Folk Art – 1.99
Metallic Pure Gold craft paint by Folk Art – 1.99
3 piece paint brush kit – 3.99
11″ square piece of wood – free

Total cost = $18.00

****Update****

I finally got around to sawing the super long paint sticks down, making it much cuter! Here is what the sunburst mirror looks like now:

Read more how I updated the living room here & here

I followed Centsational Girl’s tutorial here. I have to say I am pretty happy with my sunburst mirror and very impressed with myself! I thought I did pretty good for my first DIY home project. It makes such a statement in our living room. Plus how can you beat $18?! It’s a lot less than what you would spend on a store bought Sunburst.

Below is our living room before we updated it eekks!

I love the metallic colors!

So there you have it. What do you think? You can really do any colors you like, to match with your home. Hope you try this too!

Some upcoming projects I am working on include painting and re-covering our dining room chairs & a picture frame gallery wall. Here’s a little sneak peak of what I have been slaving over this week.. sanding and painting. Stay tuned!

Happy Friday & enjoy your weekend

Xoxo,

Melissa & Virginia

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Tagged as before and after photos, centsational girl, crafting, decor, di it yourself sunburst mirror, easy diy, easy home diy, folk art paint, gamorous home decor, home depot, home depoyt, how to, inexpensive, metallic, michaels, paint, paint sticks, paintstick mirror, sunburst mirror

September 21, 2011 · 11:41 am

Gorgeous Bay Area Home For Sale! Priced To Sell!

Are you looking to live right in the heart of Silicon Valley? Are you looking for a good deal on a house? Well my friend, you are in luck today. This single family Sunnyvale home is perfect for the first time buyer or family. Situated on a quite street this home offers 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, remodeled kitchen and bathrooms, extra-large family room addition, 2 car garage and so much more.

Located only 1 block from Mission College makes it ideal for young adults looking for an affordable place to live. Walk to AMC Mercado Movie Theaters, or grab a bite to eat at one of Mercado’s fine restaurants. You are only a couple of blocks from Great America! Just around the corner you will find tennis courts, swimming trails and gorgeous Fairwood park

Minutes from Hwy 101, 237 & central expressway makes this location unbeatable.

..and priced at $445,000? Talk about more bang for your buck!

{Full Details}

3 bedrooms
2 completely remodeled bathrooms
Master bath offers new stand up stall shower with glass enclosure + separate new jetted bathtub and double sinks.
Remodeled kitchen features granite counter tops, kitchen island for extra storage and newer appliances
2 car attached garage w/opener
1,388 SF living space
Large family room addition w/permits
7,100 sf lot size
New Interior and exterior doors
Dual pane windows throughout home
Large landscaped backyard with storage shed. Patio area perfect for BBQs
Automatic sprinklers in front and backyards
Wood burning fireplace in living room
X-Large driveway – Could be used to park RV or boat
Property Address – 1230 Manzano Way Sunnyvale, CA 94089

{ Elementary School} { Columbia Middle School} { Fremont High School}

Asking Price $445,000 (Just Reduced $50k!)

So what are you waiting for? For more details (408) 529-4299 OR remaxadler@gmail.com

This home will not last! Call us today to set up an appointment to view the inside.

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Tagged as 3 bedroom 2 bath house for sale, bay area home for sale, home for sale near mission collage, house for sale under $500000, Lakewood Village, Live in the heart of Silicon Valley, remodeled Sunnyvale home for sale, silicon valley homes for sale, Sunnyvale Realtor

September 15, 2011 · 6:08 pm

Operation Glam Chic

Aqua, gold, yellow oh my! For the past couple of weeks I have been completely infatuated with this color combo. Gold has always been an all time favorite for me. Aqua looks phenomenal with gold so it’s the perfect marriage. Add yellow to that mix – you have perfection. I seriously can’t get enough.

I mean look at this gorgeousness!!!

Paint is one of the most inexpensive and easy ways to pretty up a room. I soon plan to start our living room re-vamp. I just need to find the time to go out hunting for the accessories and oh ya, a new couch! We have a lot to do. I want the room to feel romantic and feminine .. with some glamor of course. For the couch I’m thinking ivory linen fabric, tufted backing or bronze nail head trim. Something along these lines:

I’m pretty sure we will end up getting the couch custom made. I can’t find exactly what I want, for the price we want anywhere.

Okay enough with the couches and back to operation glam chic! I created this inspiration board to give me some direction. I’m extremely visual when it comes to styling things together, so this was very helpful.

What do you think? Yes I know, I like lots of color. Sorry I should have warned you! Are you planning on fixing up a room in your house? What is your favorite color combination?

I have to say I don’t recommend using bright colors like these if you are planning to sell your house anytime soon. Stick to neutrals. For more tips on selling your house click here. Looking to buy? Here’s a Buyer’s Checklist.

Happy Friday!

Melissa & Virginia

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Filed under Home decor ideas, Uncategorized

Tagged as aqua, blue, chic living room, couch, glamorous ideas, gold, home inspiration, inspiration board, nailhead trim, torquoise, tufted, wallpaper, yellow

September 9, 2011 · 3:55 pm

Lauren Conrad’s Hollywood Home Up For Sale! Would You Pay $2.25 Mill For This Stunning Spanish Villa?

Reality star Lauren Conrad of the hit TV show The Hills has put her Hollywood Hills home on the market for $2,250,000. Lauren’s home is a gated 1920’s Spanish-style estate with a traditional courtyard entry and orange stucco walls. The sprawling 3,000 square foot home boasts 4 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms with an additional detached guesthouse complete with it’s own bathroom. Not to mention the stunning backyard featuring a rectangle in ground pool and outdoor firepit, perfect for summer pool parties and bbqs.

She purchased the home in 2008 for $2.36 million. Obviously at the peak of the real estate bubble. The home was completely remodeled to her standards. Which I must say I LOVE what she did with the Spanish beauty. What do you think? What’s your opinion on the list price? Would you throw down $2.25 mill for this place?

Other upgrades include refinished hardwood floors throughout and a custom kitchen with stainless-steel appliances, and original moldings and traditional Spanish floor tiles. Yum! There is something so charming yet sophisticated about a really nicely done Spanish style home.

Click for full property details and specifics here.

Seeing as the house has only been on the market 6 days, I’ll keep you updated as information develops. I wonder who will move in!

Are you looking to buy a property in the bay area? Give us a call 408-921-3601. RemaxAdler@gmail.com We have plenty of homes for sale and are always looking for buyers.

Happy Friday and enjoy your fabulous weekend everyone!

Melissa & Virginia

Incredible Sunnyvale Home For Sale! $545,000!

Are you looking to live in the heart of Silicon Valley? Sunnyvale, CA makes a great city to live and raise a family.
Check out our most recent listing, this newly remodeled Sunnyvale home for sale is priced to sell at $545,000. This large home proudly boasts four bedrooms (2 of which are master bedroom suites), three FULL bathrooms, large family room addition, 2 car garage, remodeled kitchen with granite counter tops, new cabinets and all new appliances. Backyard offers grape arbor, patio & above ground pool!
What will you do with 1,872 square feet of living space? How will you decorate your new home?
With a total lot size of 9, 520 sf the possibilities are endless.. Think vegetable garden! BBQs, parties & much more!
I would say the best part about this Sunnyvale home for sale is that it’s situated right near some of the South Bay’s best parks, schools, swimming pools, tennis and skate parks, making this an ideal place for kids and young adults.
Do you hate having to commute to work?
This home is situated closely to 101, 85 and highway 237 making getting to and from work a breeze!
Some other features of this amazing Sunnyvale home:

Cul-d-sac lot makes it very safe for young kids.

Home situated near park, swimming, tennis and Lakewood Elementary School – less than a block away!

Wood burning fireplace in family room

All newer kitchen appliances stay!

Pergo flooring throughout home

Huge family room addition with permits

Lots of remodeling and upgrades throughout!

Automatic sprinklers

Dual Pane windows

This Sunnyvale home for sale is again listed at $545,000! Find it on http://www.MlsListings.com MLS # 81135187

This home is extremely clean and well taken care of. All inspections complete. Reports are available upon request. So what are you waiting for? Call now to schedule a walk-through of this amazing Sunnyvale home for sale!

Need help getting a mortgage loan? We can help with that too.

408-921-3601

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Tagged as CA, Live in the heart of Silicon Valley, MLS, MLS # 81135187, remodeled Sunnyvale home, Sunnyvale

May 17, 2011 · 11:27 am

Business & Bridal Fun

Between business & our fast approaching wedding, it has been pretty insane around here!! Last week I decided to attend an all day short sale seminar, which I will say was well worth it. The main idea that was conveyed was exactly how to negotiate with the banks while avoiding their crazy tactics. VERY good inside data for me.

Now onto the fun stuff! My bridal shower is less than a month away. I am so exited for this. We decided to do something a little different. Rather than having the normal daytime shower; I came up with having a sort of girls night cocktail party. It will be at Lizzie’s house in the backyard. Think outdoor garden party on a warm summer night with romantic candles, yummy food, cocktails & games. Here are some photos to give you an idea of the overall feel I am going for.

And I’m pretty sure we will have to make some of these grapefruit mojitos too!