Genius Moment - Dine Ink Utensils

There have been a few occasions that I have needed utensils- Once, I got conned in to a family experience at Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge and just as the horses came out and I got a whole chicken sat in front of me I asked for utensils. The kind Colonial/Western server politely informed me that there was no silverware. Seriously? Fortunately, crisis was averted because Mom had already prepared for the worst and had a fork and knife in her purse. I don't like to eat with my fingers.

Usually, I'm at work and have just heated up some lunch when I realize the last plastic fork is gone. Now there is a solution.

Dine Ink!

Because I'm already busy and rarely stop working for lunch, now you really don't have to stop. Brilliant!

Who eats salad at work? Just kidding... Well, not really. You can never have too many pens, and you could always use an extra set of utensils. 

all photos via DineInk

Some people have a bad habit of inadvertantly taking ink pens, but who would walk off with a fork?! See, these awesome pens also have a theft deterrent.

You can pick them up at Amazon. Makes a cool gift for yourself or anyone!

Caring for Your Stainless Steel Sink with BLANCO

I make no attempt to hide my appreciation for BLANCO sinks, faucets and accessories. It's easy to recommend a product when one knows the kind of people behind the product, as well as the quality of manufacturing.

While good people and manufacturing will sell me every time, it helps to be at the forefront of design(which BLANCO always is) and actively hang around once an item is installed in a home owner's space.

via BLANCO

Stainless steel sinks have become one of our most specified BLANCO products. Beyond the construction and design of the sinks, BLANCO offers advice on the best way to care for your sink in order for it to keep it's good looks and function indefinitely. Shown above is the BLANCO Quatrus... It's a relatively new design that features tighter corners than anyone else in the industry! You'll see more of it on the blog soon.

Getting to know the BLANCO team has been a real treat... If you have a stainless steel sink from BLANCO or even if you have a stainless steel sink from someone else, this video featuring Christy Emens from BLANCO America shows the best way to care for your sink. She'll cover scratches, various stains(even though rust-looking ones) and general daily care. It's a good, quick watch from a real pro!

Hopefully these tips and tricks will keep your sink looking great!

Remodeling for Resale - Meg Fullington

As a full-time REALTOR® people approach me frequently with home selling questions.  Selling your home for the maximum amount possible requires preparation. You want to make sure any renovations you do give you maximum return on investment or (ROI). I’m constantly doing research to see what things can add the most value to a home without costing sellers a fortune. Some simple strategic changes can really help make a home stand out to buyers.  

Kitchens and baths are two of the biggest attractions to home buyers. More often than not it’s these rooms that play a pivotal role in the final buying decision.  Here are some tips to make these spaces shine and help seal the deal without breaking your wallet.

Kitchens:

via smarthomekitchen.com

As stated above, buyers love a great kitchen. Make sure that when deciding on changes to ask a real estate professional for their opinion. Keep it simple and don’t price your home out of your neighborhoods market. When budgeting, aim for a range of 6%-10% of the value of your home to get the most for your money.

Lighting is a great way to add some punch to your kitchen. Changing some fixtures, adding under counter lighting can transform the entire space. Use neutral and natural colors and steer clear of over the top personalization. There are a variety of great looking counter tops that can update a kitchen without costing a fortune.  Clutter free and clean is what buyers are seeking so when in doubt, throw it out. The cheapest renovation to a kitchen is getting rid of counter clutter. Other items that can add some value are putting in special extras such as a warming drawer or soft closing drawers.

Baths:

via arkshowers.com

Nothing can date a home more quickly than a bathroom. However, it doesn’t mean that you have to completely re-do each one. Some simple fixes can do the trick. Again, changing out light fixtures and hardware can have a huge impact. Keep the color palette natural and steer clear of crazy shower curtains. One great feature that people love is a frame less shower door. These can really rejuvenate the look of a bathroom and come in a variety of prices. A nice updated shower head can also do wonders for the bath. You’ll want to check with experts who deal with renovations in baths to give you some ideas. Folks like Nick Lovelady at Cupboards can certainly give you some useful help in planning/pricing priority items of need for your bathroom renovation and then completing the task.

The final takeaway from this is keep it simple, stay true to your home’s aesthetic and only make changes that will add a lot of bang without pricing your home out of the market!

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Really excited to have Meg Fullington drop in on the blog today. Hopefully we'll see her around these parts more often. If you're in the market for a new property or just trying to sell the one you have in the Auburn, Opelika or Lake Martin area, Meg is the lady for you! Make sure to check out her blog Auburn - Lake Martin Homes!