Food | Lauras Choice

Spinach with Spunk

February 28, 2017 by Laura Kubicki Leave a Comment

Hi Guys!

One veg I often turn to in the winter months is Frozen Spinach. It’s quick, easy, good for you, and warm. Great side to throw next to just about anything and the amount of spinach you actually get in a freezer baggie is generous! I buy bags and bags of this stuff for sides as well as soup, stew, pasta, and egg additions!

And when I use it as a side – besides salt and pepper…we add a splash of…

Red Wine Vinegar.

Yep. I call it “Spinach with Spunk”! And that’s it. We just drip drops of “RWV” on top to taste. Nothing else. No fat. No cream. Just tons of spunky, tangy, flavor for about $1.49 a bag!

A friend of mine tried this idea the other day…ok folks – her youngest had TWO helpings.

Anyway, just a quick thought to share…in case you’re into the “tangy” type thing at dinner!

ps. Goes great with Mac and Cheese or Pot Roast…! Let me know what you think!

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Decorating Advice: Creating Focal Points

February 24, 2017 by Laura Kubicki Leave a Comment

Hello Friends!

For those of you who are in the process of buying a new home, you may wonder how to put your personal stamp on its décor. How do you start? I always recommend, whether you’re decorating a living room, bedroom or bath, starting with a focal point – to enhance the room’s ambiance and underscore the room’s purpose.

Focal points can be easily be created by highlighting a room’s unique architecture, such as a magnificent fireplace or a sunny bay window with a garden, pastoral or water view. But what if some rooms don’t have an outstanding architectural feature to build upon? You may have to create one yourself. Here are some tricks of the trade you can use – size, color, light, and curiosity.

Size: Large items attract interest. Start by putting the largest piece of furniture against the largest wall to help traffic flow. This can be an entertainment center in a family room, the bed or recessed seating area in a bedroom, hutch in a dining room etc. Rugs also command attention and work to anchor your décor.

Color and Texture: Paint a contrasting wall color behind your sofa or bed, or add texture with fabric, colorful quilts, or wood such as shiplap. Pop the color on small items like pillows, table runners, and placemats. Vivid color helps direct the eye to seating areas and pairs well with neutrals.

Shiplap creates a dramatic, natural focal point for this fireplace.

Light: Your eye travels to where it can see the best. Put directional light on a piece of fine art. Dim or brighten lighting when you want to change the room’s atmosphere. Make sure you have plenty of lamp light vs. the harshness of bright overhead lighting. Cabinet lighting can create a beautiful glowing focal point in your kitchen!

Curiosity: A collection under glass, a great piece of art, interesting plants, flowers, or books, an unusual piece of furniture – all invite conversation and draw attention.

By establishing your focal point, I’m sure you’ll have an easier time putting the rest of the room together!

Thanks for reading and have fun decorating my friends! As always call/text/email/comment me if I can help your further!

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Triad Monthly Market Update – Feb 2017

February 15, 2017 by Laura Kubicki Leave a Comment

The real estate market continues to build momentum as we head into Spring. Take a look at this…
The number of properties that closed in January was up 12% YTD vs 2016!

Over the last 12 months, resale closed properties have increased by 15.4% with the average price improving by 3.5%
The total number of active listings, whether looking at the overall market or just new construction, are down by 35% vs 2015.
By comparing active listings to total sales during the last 12 months there is currently a 4.1 month supply of inventory, both overall and for newly built homes.

I hope you find this information useful! As always, if I can ever be of any help to you, or your friends and family, I do hope you’ll text, call, or email me at your convenience! And thank you for all your referrals!