St. Louis Home and Happenings Magazine Issue 2

Marc h 2 0 1 3

Do Your Taxes FREE p. 4

Easy Easter Brunch p. 10

St. Patrick’s Day

Cottleville Parade

This special publication brought to you by Susan Brewer Service First Real Estate

www.STLHandHMag.com

EDITOR IN CHIEF Wade Brewer

DESIGN Josh West

FEATURES EDITOR Andrew Brewer

A note from the editor...

March typically signifies the beginning of spring in our area, but this year we are still looking at snow on the ground. I’m sure that by the time we complete our next issue we will all be looking forward to the hot St. Louis summer.

In Cottleville, March also means the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade where 30,000 people are expected to line the streets of the small city and celebrate all things Irish. As always, Susan Brewer Service First Real Estate will be in the middle of the festivities as a place for our Realtors, employees, families and friends to gather and enjoy the parade. Please consider this your personal invitation to join us. We will once again be handing out FREE Sno Cones (while supplies last).

WEBSITE & FEEDBACK www.STLHandHMag.com Editor@STLHandHMag.com

If you are unable make it to the parade, maybe you can visit our office on March 24th for our annual Easter Egg Hunt and photos with the Easter Bunny. Photos begin at 12:30 and the Easter Egg Hunt begins at 1:00.

This is a fun time of year in St. Louis, hopefully you can take the time to enjoy some of the spring activities our area has to offer. As always, we would love to hear of any events or activities that you think our readers may enjoy reading about. You can contact me at Editor@STLHandHMag.com.

Thank you for reading our magazine, and enjoy the beginning of Spring.

Self published by Susan Brewer Service First Real Estate. All material herein is copyrighted and all rights are reserved.

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Wade Brewer Editor-in-chief

CONTENTS 4

How to Do Your Taxes for FREE!

7

St. Patrick’s Cupcakes

8

Spring Cleaning Shortcuts

10

Easy Easter Brunch

12

Prep Your Toolbox

14

Smells That Sell

15

Adding a Little Luxury

St. Patrick’s Day Cottleville Parade

16

Tips for a Flawless Painting Project

Floats, Candy and Lucky Leprechauns!

18

St. Louis Happenings

6

H&H Magazine | www.STLHandHMag.com 3

How to Do Your Taxes FOR FREE! To view a video about Free File, use a scanner app on your smart phone to read this QR code.

G

oing to college; getting your first job; moving into your own place. To these rites of passage add one more: doing your own taxes. And, it’s not as scary as you might think because there’s help available. It’s called Free File, and it’s offered exclusively from the IRS in partnership with nearly 15 leading tax software com­panies.

About 3 million people use it every year. Free File lets you choose brand-name software that does the hard work for you — all for free. And, it offers a fast, safe and free option for everyone. Brand-name tax software is available to those who made $57,000 or less in 2012 — which is about 70 percent of us. Earned more? Try Free File’s online fillable forms, the electronic alternative to IRS paper forms.

Three simple steps to getting started

Checklist of materials to do your taxes

Step 1: Gather Your Tax Information

Keep this list as a checklist of the items you will need to do your taxes. The IRS recommends keeping all tax-related documents for three years, in case of an audit. Tracking income-related documents can help you take full advantage of deductions available to you.

Collect your tax information and log on to Free File through the IRS website: www.IRS.gov/freefile.

Step 2: Choose an Option The “Help Me Choose A Company” option helps you pick the brand-name software that will guide you through the tax process.

Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic documents, perform basic math calculations and are for people who are comfortable preparing their own paper tax returns.

Step 3: Prepare and e-file Your Return E-file your return for free. No matter what option you choose, IRS and brand-name software providers use the most current technology to ensure tax information is encrypted, so it’s safe and secure when it’s transmitted.

Free File is also available online 24/7, giving you the freedom to choose when and how you do your taxes.

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A copy of last year’s tax return

Valid Social Security numbers for yourself, spouse and children

All income statements, i.e. W-2 forms, from all employers

Interest/dividend statements, i.e. 1099 forms

Form 1099-G showing any state refunds

Unemployment compensation amount

Social Security benefits

Expense receipts for deductions

Day care provider’s identifying number

Did you know?

Most refunds are issued in less than 21 days.

Combining e-file with direct deposit is still the fastest way to get your refund.

Use “Where’s My Refund?” to get personalized refund information based on the processing of your tax return.

You can also use the IRS app, IRS2Go, to check the status of your refund.

Can’t meet April 15 deadline? Use Free File for a free extension; then use Free File to do your taxes by October 15.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) helps you keep more of what you earned No tax benefit offers a greater lifeline to working families than EITC. Yet, one out of every five eligible taxpayers fails to claim it, according to the IRS. Because of the economy, even more people may be eligible if they have had changes in their earned income. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

There are thousands of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites nationwide that offer free help to those earning around $51,000 or less. To locate the nearest VITA site, search for “VITA” on IRS.gov.

Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE), which is supported

by AARP, offers free tax help to people who are age 60 and older. Locate the nearest AARP Tax-Aide site at AARP.org or call 1-888-227-7669. Some VITA/TCE sites even offer Free File. You can do it yourself on their computers.

The maximum credit for 2012 tax returns is $5,891 for workers with three or more qualifying children.

Eligibility for the EITC is determined based on a number of factors including earnings, filing status and eligible children. Workers without qualifying children may be eligible for a smaller credit amount.

Learn more at www.irs.gov/eitc and use the EITC Assistant, or ask your tax professional. If you are eligible for EITC, you also are eligible for free tax help at VITA sites nationwide or to use Free File at www.irs.gov/freefile.

EITC: Are you eligible?

You must have earned income.

Your adjusted gross income cannot be more than the limit.

Your filing status cannot be “Married filing separately.”

You must have a valid Social Security number.

You must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien all year.

You cannot file Form 2555 or Form 2555-EZ. Your investment income must be $3,200 or less.

H&H Magazine | www.STLHandHMag.com 5

St. Patrick’s Day Cottleville Parade

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Approximately 35,000 people are expected to line the streets of Cottleville on Saturday, March 16th for the fifth annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade and festivities always draw a large crowd and this year will be no exception. As with last year, there will be shuttles available to assist with parking for the parade and is just one example of the event’s increasing popularity.

If this year’s parade is anything like 2012, over 150 floats will participate in the parade passing out candy and good cheer to the thousands lining the parade route. The parade will begin at 12:00 noon and starts at Cottleville Pkwy & Weiss Rd. and travels down Weiss Rd to Hwy “N” through historic downtown Cottleville turns left at hwy N ending at Francis Howell Central.

Free shuttles will be running throughout the day. Shuttle parking locations are the old American Furniture location, St. Charles Community College and Warren Elementary. Shuttle drop-off & pick-up locations are Sherlock’s, Cottleville Wine Seller & Cottleville Firehouse.

The Cottleville parade was never intended to compete with the other parades in the St. Louis area but to give residents of St. Charles county an option of staying closer to home.

Prior to the parade, at 8:00 AM, over 2,000 participants will take part in the annual 7K charity run. The event is sponsored by the Cottleville firefighters’ community outreach organization. A two mile fun run will also follow the runners of the 7K. The office of Susan Brewer Service First Real Estate is a great place to enjoy the parade. They offer a fantastic area to watch the floats progress by and again this year will be providing FREE Sno Cones while supplies last so be sure to arrive early.

To find more information regarding the Cottleville St. Patrick’s Day Parade visit www.StPatParade.org

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Flavorful Green Treats St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect occasion to have fun in the kitchen with the color holiday.

“Food color and extract can transform an ordinary cupcake or cookie into a festive delight, worthy of any St. Paddy’s party,” said Mary Beth Harrington of the McCormick Kitchens.

For a green twist on classic red velvet cupcakes, stir green food color into basic cake mix and add pure vanilla extract, sour cream and cocoa powder. Frost and decorate with green sprinkles or colored sugar to make them fun for kids of all ages.

For more St. Patrick’s Day ideas and recipes, visit www.McCormick.com, www.Facebook.com/McCormickSpice or www.Pinterest.com/mccormickspices.

Easy Green Velvet Cupcakes 1

1 1/2 1/4 1/4 1 3 2 1

package (18 1/4 ounces) German chocolate cake mix with pudding cup sour cream cup water cup unsweetened cocoa powder cup vegetable oil bottle (1 ounce) McCormick Green Food Color eggs teaspoons McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract container (16 ounces) cream cheese frosting Green sprinkles (optional)

Preheat oven to 350F. Beat cake mix, sour cream, water, cocoa powder, oil, food color, eggs and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed just until moistened, scraping sides of bowl frequently. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes.

Pour batter into 24 paper-lined muffin cups, filling each cup 2/3 full. Bake 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cupcake comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire rack. Frost with cream cheese frosting. Decorate with sprinkles, if desired.

H&H Magazine | www.STLHandHMag.com 7

SPRING CLEANING SHORTCUTS

SPRING

brings a sense of fresh beginnings and for many, that includes the annual ritual of spring cleaning. A survey conducted by the American Cleaning Institute found that 62 percent of people engage in spring cleaning each year, and their top three priorities are the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.

This year, spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a long, dreaded process. Follow these quick tips to not only get your house clean in no time, but keep it clean in the long run.

Kitchen As one of the busiest rooms in the house, the kitchen gets cleaned frequently, but there are some areas that may need a little more TLC. Use steam to clean the inside of the microwave.

Bring two cups of water to a boil in the microwave, keep the door closed and let the water sit for a few minutes. The steam loosens dried-on food particles, making it easier to wipe them away. For a fresh scent, drop a slice or two of lemon in the water before boiling. Keep it clean by using food covers to prevent food splatters.

Keeping the sink, counters and appliances clean and sanitized is fast and easy with a product such as Kitchen Windex Touch-Up Cleaner. A quick pump onto a paper towel, rag or sponge and you can wipe away messes and kill 99.9 percent of common household bacteria in no time. The bottle is designed to stay out where you need it, and the cleaner works on a variety of hard, nonporous surfaces.

When you clean the sink, make sure to get behind the faucet and around the seals using an old toothbrush.

Don’t forget to clean the outside of the refrigerator and freezer. Clear off the clutter of notes, coupons and photos, and then clean the doors, handles and seals.

Keep the inside of the refrigerator smelling fresh with an open box of baking soda.

Bathroom From make-up spills and toothpaste smudges to mildew and everything in-between, the bathroom needs touching-up on a daily basis.

To keep the counter clean of little messes and smudges, use an antibacterial product. Windex also makes a Touch-Up Cleaner for the bathroom.

Dab the cleaner onto a rag or tissue and wipe down the counter, faucet and any other hard, nonporous surfaces to clean and sanitize quickly.

To get rid of soap scum, clean the tub and shower with a foaming cleanser that does most of the

work for you, and simply rinse it off. Wash shower curtains and liners according to label instructions.

Cleaning Must Haves

To help prevent soap scum buildup in the future, try switching to a liquid shower gel. Bar soaps have binders that are a primary cause of soapy residue.

You can also use a towel to quickly wipe down the tub and faucets after each shower.

Keep these items handy to make spring cleaning and everyday cleaning, a breeze.

Combination mold and mildew cleaners can make fast work of those deep messes. Spray where needed, and rinse off following label instructions.

Be sure the bathroom is well ventilated before spraying them on.

Adhesive lint roller — Great for quickly sprucing up fabric and upholstery. You can also use it to remove dust from lamp shades.

To discourage mildew, use the bathroom fan during a shower and for about 30 minutes after.

You can also use a dehumidifier or open the window.

Floors You’ll be amazed at how much cleaner a room will look when the floors are done right.

If you have the time and money to rent and use a carpet cleaner, now’s the time to do it.

If not, target stains with a carpet cleaner and give all your carpets a good vacuuming. Sprinkle baking soda on carpets and rugs to absorb odors.

Steam mops are a great way to quickly clean multiple flooring surfaces without a mop and bucket. You can do a whole room in just a few minutes.

A lot of the dirt and dust in a home is brought inside on the soles of your shoes. To keep carpets and flooring clean, place doormats inside and outside each entrance and always take your shoes off when entering.

Baking soda — Helps neutralize odors in sinks, refrigerators, upholstery and carpets.

Windex TouchUp Cleaner — A convenient solution to tackle the frequent messes that happen in the bathroom and kitchen.

Multi-surface wipes — Make it easy to freshen up any room in the house.

Sponges — Good for removing scuff marks and smudges from walls and furniture.

Wiping floorboards of dust and dirt is often overlooked and makes a big difference in the appearance of your home.

Get more cleaning tips and solutions at www.windex.com

H&H Magazine | www.STLHandHMag.com 9

Easy

EASTER BRUNCH The ingredients for an easy weekend breakfast or a special Easter brunch may be in your pantry right now. Holidays are the perfect time to sprinkle additional creativity or fresh new thinking into meals for family and friends and — by using staples like pancake mix, syrup and instant mashed potatoes in unexpected ways — you can craft new and deli­cious dishes sure to make everyone smile. Try these recipes from Hungry Jack® using simple pantry staples, and turn them into what will become new brunch favorites: Put a unique spin on brunch food with a savory Ham, Egg and Cheese Pizza.

DIY Pancake Breakfast Sandwiches: You can assemble them for your guests, or get everyone involved by letting them build their own and add some custom touches like eggs, cheese or bacon.

Combine sweet, spicy and smoky flavors for Spicy Candied Bacon, a definite crowd pleaser.

Set out some flavored or Greek yogurt and a bowl of Good Morning Granola so guests can create their own breakfast parfaits.

Ham, Egg and Cheese Pizza Yield: 8 servings Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 35 minutes Crust: Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray 1 3/4 cups Hungry Jack Complete Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 1/3 cup water

2 tablespoons Crisco Pure Olive Oil Filling:

3 large eggs

1 cup sour cream

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh dill weed or 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed 1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup shredded Swiss or cheddar cheese 1/3 cup thinly sliced green onion

4 ounces thinly sliced deli-styled baked ham, coarsely chopped Fresh dill sprigs (optional) For crust: 1. HEAT oven to 425°F. Coat 12-inch pizza pan with no-stick cooking spray. Combine pancake mix, Parmesan cheese, dry mustard and onion powder in medium bowl, stirring until blended.

Stir in water and olive oil until dough forms.

2. PRESS dough onto bottom of pre­pared pan to form a crust, building up outside edge to form a rim. Bake 7 minutes.

For filling: 1. WHISK eggs, sour cream, Dijon mustard, dill and salt in medium bowl. Stir in cheese and green onions. Pour over hot crust, spread­ ing evenly. Toss ham to separate pieces.

Sprinkle evenly over egg mixture. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until egg mixture is set in center. Cool 5 minutes before cutting. Garnish with fresh dill, if desired.

Spicy Candied Bacon

Yield: 6 slices Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes 1/2 pound extra-thick cut bacon, about 6 slices 1/4 cup Hungry Jack Original Syrup 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon cracked black pepper 1. HEAT oven to 375°F. Line 15 x 10-inch baking pan with foil. Lay bacon slices on foil.

2. BAKE 18 to 20 minutes or until bacon edges begin to curl. Remove from oven.

Tilt pan to drain. Pat bacon with paper towel.

Combine syrup, cayenne pepper, cinnamon and pepper in small bowl. Drizzle evenly over bacon slices.

3. BAKE 5 minutes or until evenly browned.

Remove to wire rack. Cool 5 minutes.

Good Morning Granola Yield: 5 cups Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1 cup sliced almonds 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut (optional)

2 tablespoons wheat germ 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 tablespoons Crisco Pure Vegetable Oil 1/2 cup Hungry Jack Sugar Free Breakfast Syrup

2 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup dried fruit, such as raisins, golden raisins, cherries or cranberries 1. HEAT oven to 350°F. 2. COMBINE oats, almonds, coconut, wheat germ, salt and cinnamon in large bowl.

Combine oil, syrup and brown sugar in another bowl. Pour over oat mixture. Toss until well coated. Spread evenly in 13 x 9-inch pan.

3. BAKE 30 minutes or until golden brown, stirring frequently. Cool completely. Stir in dried fruit. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

Pancake Breakfast Sandwich

Yield: 4 servings Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Pancakes:

Crisco Original No-Stick Cooking Spray 3/4 cup Hungry Jack Complete Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix 1/3 cup water 1/4 cup Hungry Jack Original Syrup 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup frozen shredded hash

brown potatoes, thawed, chopped into bite-sized pieces 1/4 teaspoon salt

4 3-inch round sausage patties* Eggs:

1 tablespoon butter 1/3 cup diced red pepper

4 large eggs 1/8 teaspoon salt For pancakes: 1. COAT griddle or skillet with no-stick cooking spray. Heat griddle or skillet on medium heat (350°F).

2. WHISK pancake mix, water and syrup in medium bowl. Stir in cheese, potatoes and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook sausage patties as directed on package.

3. POUR 2 tablespoons batter on griddle, spreading batter to make a 3-inch circle or by using 3-inch pancake molds, coated with no-stick cooking spray. Repeat to make 7 more pancakes. Cook 2 minutes or until golden brown. Turn. Cook second side 2 minutes.

For eggs: 1. MELT butter in large skillet. Add red pepper.

Cook and stir about 1 minute. Whisk eggs and salt in small bowl. Pour into skillet with peppers.

Cook slightly, then shape into four 3-inch circles about the same size as the pan­cakes and sausage.

2. PLACE one pancake on plate. Top with cooked sausage patty, egg and another pancake to make breakfast sandwich. Repeat with remaining ingredients to make 3 more sandwiches. *TIP: If using pre-made sausage patties, flatten slightly into 3-inch rounds, if necessary.

For more creative recipes and ideas, visit www.hungryjack.com

H&H Magazine | www.STLHandHMag.com 11

Prep Your

Toolbox

To Tackle Top Projects

T

he

do-it-yourself

(DIY)

movement in home improve­ ment

continually

grows

stronger as a way for people to update their homes while saving money.

Fueled by home-improvement shows and popular inspira­ tion sites like Pinterest, homeowners nationwide are looking to get their homes in great shape and most likely increase their market value at the same time.

If you’re one of those DIYers ready to get to work, you need to make sure you have the right tools for the job — no matter what that job is. Here are some suggestions on the latest technology and products in home improvement to help you get the job done quicker and more efficiently, leaving more time to relax and enjoy your hard work.

You can find project guides, how-to videos, and buying guides for tools and more at: www.homedepot.com/howto

Top DIY Projects for 2013

Battery Buying Guide When using power tools, the latest advance­ments in lithium-ion technology can make the job easier.

Lithium-ion is a technology that started in power tools in the home improvement sector and now crosses over to additional categories like outdoor power, paint and flooring. The battery’s technology provides customers with a number of advantages over traditional ni-cad batterypowered tools.

Learn more about lithium-ion batteries at www.homedepot.com/tools.

Lithium-ion batteries produce a consis­tent charge throughout the life of the battery. Ni-cad batteries lose power as the battery runs.

Lithium-ion batteries can be charged many more times than ni-cad batteries, and are not damaged by leaving the charger on too long.

Lithium-ion batteries are lighter than ni-cad batteries, allowing for smaller, more powerful out­door and power tools.

The Home Depot’s Facebook community is plan­ning a lot of home improvements in 2013.

Top projects include:

Painting Organizing closet/garage Installing new cabinets Revitalizing a deck Cleaning

Prep Preparing a room for painting involves more than taping fixtures and trim and moving furniture. It’s important to make repairs and clean and prime the walls before applying that first coat. Pre-gummed fiberglass repair tapes and premixed patching compounds allow you patch and paint in the same day. For an older home, wash walls with a trisodium phosphate (TSP) solution and a sponge.

Traditional brushes and rollers are tried and true, but the newest technological innovation on the market can speed up the process.

A cordless paint sprayer, such as the Ryobi 18 Volt ONE+ ProTip Speed Sprayer, has a long-lasting, lightweight lithium-ion battery, a reversible spray tip that rotates to clear clogs quickly, and sprays latex paint as well as stain.

OUR SECOND OFFICE IS NOW

OPEN!

Organizing Your Life Closet and garage organization systems increase the amount of usable storage space by using vertical space. Hanging rods, shelves and drawers are arranged to take advantage of every inch of space.

The key to installing these items is being able to get into corners and tough angles. For working in tight spaces, a right-angle drill can be useful.

The Milwaukee M18 Lithium-ion 18 Volt Cordless 3/8-inch Right Angle Drill has a multi-position trigger and a compact head for use in small areas. The use of power tools with lithium-ion batteries, as opposed to traditional ni-cad batteries, can make the job easier — the tools are lighter, the batteries last four times longer, and the charge doesn’t fade so you have power for the entire job.

Cabinet Facelift Kitchen cabinets can reflect the age of your kitchen with the wear and tear of daily use over time. But a few simple, cost-effective tweaks using the right tools can make your cabinets look new again.

By updating cabinet doors and replacing or installing drawer pulls and other hardware, you can change the look of your kitchen without the time and expense of a complete remodel. Try using a Ryobi 3/8-inch 12 Volt Cordless Lithium-ion Drill Kit to spruce up your kitchen with ease.

Renewing the Deck Cleaning and brightening a deck is a simple way to improve your outdoor space. Old paint and stain should be scraped off the wood, and then the wood should be sanded. For pressure-treated decks, an orbital sander can smooth out rough areas on deck boards, railings or stair treads. The Makita 18 Volt LXT Lithium-ion Cordless 5-inch Random Orbit Sander has three speed settings, and is designed for efficient sanding, fast material removal and a swirl-free finish.

Check posts, supports and decking for loose, weak or damaged areas, then replace or repair as needed. To handle long or large screws and bolts, an impact driver, such as the Ryobi 18 Volt ONE+ Lithium-ion Impact Driver Kit, gives you power and control. Once the deck is clean and secure, a new stain or paint may be applied. Whatever finish is chosen should be rated for outdoor use, deck surfaces and UV inhibitors.

Project Clean Up Whether you decide to take on one of these top projects or all, postproject clean up is an important step for all DIY tasks.

For small post-project clean ups, keep household wipes handy — not only can you clean up any spills or smudges you made, you can clean up your hands, too. For bigger jobs, a wet/dry vacuum can do wonders.

The Milwaukee M18 Lithium-ion 18 Volt Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum has a HEPA-rated filter that can be washed and does not need to be changed between wet and dry applications.

At the entrance to Historic Main Street Saint Charles

406 Boones Lick Road 636.493.6500

High-tech and fully wireless with a coffee house style atmosphere.

Come see the future of real estate and discover the Service First Difference.

www.Service1stHomes.com H&H Magazine | www.STLHandHMag.com 13

Smells that Sell Entice buyers into your home with aromatic scents

W

hen a home smells good, it makes a favorable impression on visitors. This is exactly what home sellers want when they put their house on the market.

The concept of ambient fragrancing started to trickle into the real estate market years ago. Savvy real estate agents advised sellers to bake cookies or cinnamon rolls in the homes they were showing to create a comforting, deliciously scented atmosphere meant to entice buyers. If you’re trying to sell a home in today’s challenging real estate market, you may have tried this technique. However, with the excess of available homes, you may need to think a bit more creatively to make your home stand out.

The essential oils used in the practice of aromatherapy offer a more practical and potent way to use scent marketing to move buyers to feel good about a property. Tiny amounts of familiar, tempting aromas like cinnamon, clove, vanilla and orange, can fill a whole house with pleasant ambient fragrance. An added bonus is that essential oils are all-natural and distilled from plants. They are less likely to elicit the kind of adverse reactions that harsh synthetic fragrances do.

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Aromatherapy expert Tom Havran has several ideas to help you sell your home. He crafts blends for Aura Cacia, purveyor of 100 percent pure and natural essential oils and aromatherapy products. A passionate expert on the properties of essential oils, he has been crafting essential oil blends for 15 years.

His first suggestion is an easy and sleek way to create a warm, comforting atmosphere that can help put potential property buyers at ease. Havran recommends using vanilla essential oil blended with jojoba for this first recipe.

Vanilla Amber Aroma Crystals Ingredients: 1 cup coarse-grained, chunky sea salt 1 teaspoon jojoba or grapeseed oil (just enough to make the salts glisten and gleam) 25 drops vanilla precious essential oil

10 drops lavender essential oil 10 drops sweet orange essential oil

Adding a Little

Luxury

Directions: Mix salt and oils, pour into a decorative dish or bowl and set out on a table. Placing the crystals in a warm sunny window or near a heat register will help diffuse the delicious aroma throughout the room. Stir in additional essential oils to boost the scent as needed.

To Your Home Fresh flowers and bergamot vacuum powder make a light and transparent floral/citrus scent that will create a cheerful, friendly and clean atmosphere to impress visitors. Since you need to vacuum before each property showing anyway, this is a great way to turn the chore into a smart real estate marketing move.

Flowers and Bergamot Vacuum Powder Ingredients: 1 cup baking soda 35 drops bergamot orange essential oil 5 drops ylang ylang or neroli (orange flower) essential oil Directions: Mix baking soda and essential oils in a canister and lightly sprinkle over carpets, then vacuum.

Because essential oils are so concentrated, a little goes a long way. An initial investment in a small 1/2 ounce bottle of oil will provide you with enough applications to conduct dozens of open houses.

Using essential oils to craft your own bit of psychological scent marketing might provide a good return on a small investment. Aromatherapy may give you that much-needed unique and surprising edge-up on the competition. Learn more at www.auracacia.com.

Seventy-two percent of homeowners plan to decorate or redecorate in the next two years, according to the 2012 Houzz and Home Survey; and 86 percent said that improving the look and feel of the space was their most important goal.

You can find plenty of decor inspiration on sites such as Houzz or Pinterest. And with the right materials and a little creativity, you can add a little luxury to your home, too. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Paint - You can add a fresh look to a room with a fresh coat of paint.

You can also add richness and depth with a specialty paint treatment.

Textured paint allows you to give your walls the look of soft suede, leather, linen or even vintage plaster. Metallic paints can be used with stencils to create elegant patterns, or on textured wallpaper to create the look of antique tin ceiling tiles.

Textiles - Fabrics are a great way to add color and texture to a room.

Browsing the remnant tables at a fabric store can lead you to some beautiful bargains. You can use remnants to recover pillows, add banding to drapes, or make runners for the table or buffet. Try adding a luxurious throw to the sofa or a small wool rug on top of existing carpet for a cozy, layered look.

You can also consider investing in having a quality piece of furniture reupholstered. Look for a fabric that is not only beautiful, but durable as well, so you get more bang for your buck. For example, Sensuede is easy to clean, child- and pet-friendly, yet is soft, comfortable and luxurious to the touch. Learn more, and explore the more than 200 colors available, at www.sensuede.com.

Accents - Sometimes little things can add up to a big difference. Change

out some of your accent pieces to add a special touch to any room.

Metallic colors and materials such as gold, silver, bronze and copper add warmth and elegance. Vases, picture and mirror frames, decorative bowls and trays are simple ways to bring beautiful metals into any room. Richly colored candles add color and scent to a room, and their soft light will make your metallic accents glow.

Flooring - Sometimes the floor can get overlooked as a design element in a room. But a beautiful floor can pull the whole look of a room together. Refinishing hardwood floors, installing laminate or stone flooring, replacing carpets, or investing in quality area rugs are all ways you can add the perfect finishing touch to a room.

There are a lot of ways you can add luxury to your living spaces, so start exploring creative ways to make your home the picture-perfect place you’ve always wanted.

H&H Magazine | www.STLHandHMag.com 15

Tips for a

Flawless Painting Project D

id you know spring is the best time to sell your home? And now that the housing market is bouncing back, there’s never been a better time to do it. But even if you’re planning to stay put for the long haul, chances are there are some much-needed touch-ups you could be doing to keep your home in tip-top shape. And you don’t have to break your back, or the bank, to do it. In fact, adding a new coat of paint is a quick, affordable, and possibly the most impactful, way to get your project done.

Prep, prime and primp Misusing color can be a surefire way to turn people off from your home. For a more inviting look that nearly everyone can enjoy, opt for neutral paint colors. A subtle beige, slight grey or even white can do the trick.

First, move furniture out of the room and place drop cloths to protect the floor. Remove any picture frames, outlet covers and wall decor. Then, gently scrub the walls with a mild detergent and water mixture using a soft sponge to remove any dirt, grime or lint.

Don’t forget to prime your walls before applying color to ensure the best end-results.

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Paint like a pro For an ultra-smooth finish, try Purdy’s line of Ultra Finish roller covers. These premium microfiber roller covers, available in 9-inch lengths and varying nap thickness, provide an even release of paint and deliver a consistent application from start to finish.

Plus, they work great with any kind of paint and finish, including satin, semi-gloss and gloss, taking the guesswork out of the DIY equation.

When applying paint, start at the top and work your way down. For superior results, you’ll want to fill the well of your roller tray with paint, dip the roller in half-way and then roll it back onto the tray’s angled platform to easily remove excess paint. This will reduce dripping and improve overall paint cover. The best approach for applying paint?

Use your roller cover to make an overlapping “W” pattern in a 2-foot by 2-foot area; then fill in and repeat.

For smaller interior paint projects or tight spaces, Purdy also has a variety of innovative mini roller choices that are versatile,

lightweight and can quickly and easily deliver a perfect finish with smooth rolling action. These combined features make them the ideal applicator for a variety of projects like painting doors and cabinets, to freshening up tables, chairs and even bedroom furniture.

Keeping your color conviction If you’re still feeling deprived of color after your painting project is complete, never fret.

There are several ways to add a pop of color throughout your home without slathering the walls with offensive paint colors. Try incorporating fun accent pieces in your favorite colors - think lamps, frames, pillows and rugs. You can even include larger focal pieces like royal blue armchairs or a patterned couch to make a bolder statement. By keeping the overall aesthetics of your home neutral and inviting, and enhancing them with a few sight-provoking embellishments, house guests will be asking you for home decorating tips. And if your end goal is to get your home sold, consider these minor improvements a step in the right direction.

To view all of our current listings or to try our Lifestyle Search, please visit

www.Service1stHomes.com

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SAINT LOUIS

HAPPENINGS MARCH 2013

The concert will feature solo performances by St. Louis Symphony musicians: Daniel Lee, Principal Cellist; William James, Principal Percussionist; and Erin Schreiber, Assistant Concertmaster.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream March 9 & 10

Touhill Performing Arts Center www.AlexandraBallet.com

STLGAC’s 10th Anniversary Hurling Season Saturdays-Starting March 2 St. Vincent Park-Normandy www.STLGAC.com

Learn to play and compete in Hurling - the national sport of Ireland! The St. Louis Gaelic Athletic Club encourages new members to join and play the ancient gaelic sports of hurling and gaelic football. Saturday training sessions will teach you the basics of hurling and get you ready to compete in the fastest field sport in the world!

The season begins March 30th and all games are FREE for spectators. Visit the website for more information on joining the club and for a schedule of game times.

FREE concert at the Community Music School by St. Louis Symphony Musicians March 9

Community Music School www.webster.edu/community-music-school/ The St. Louis Symphony Community Partnerships Program presents a FREE concert at the Community Music School of Webster University on Saturday, March 9 at 2 p.m.

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Alexandra Ballet presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center on March 9th at 7:30PM and March 10th at 2:00PM. Come enjoy Shakespeare’s most popular and endearing comedy where fairies mix with mortals, a feuding king and queen unleash magical pranks on one another, spells yield improbable love affairs and a band of wandering tradesmen are transformed in the most unlikely ways. This family friendly, affordable production filled with mirth, magic, and mischief will leave you spellbound and enchanted! Buy your tickets early as this popular ballet will sell out quickly.

St. Patrick’s Day Parades March 16 & 17

Cottleville, Downtown and Dogtown Enjoy being Irish for the day at St. Patrick’s Day Parades throughout the Metropolitan area. The Downtown parade is held on Saturday and begins at 12pm. For more information, visit www.irishparade.org. The Cottleville parade begins at 12:30 on Saturday. For more information on the

Cottleville parade, visit www.stpatparade.org. The Dogtown neighborhood holds their annual parade on St. Patrick’s Day(Sunday). For more information on the Dogtown Parade, visit stlhibernians.com.

St. Patty’s Pub Crawl-St. Louis March 16

Over/Under Bar & Grill http://stlstpatspubcrawl-eorg.eventbrite.com My Drink On along with NightSociety, Riverfront Times & Bud Light are bringing you the ultimate St Patty’s Day event in St Louis! We’re just a couple blocks from the parade, so u can get ur Drink On with 9 bars & over 1500 people! The St Patty’s Pub Crawl also includes 3 drink tickets for Bud Light, Drink Specials & a St Patty’s Mug! Proceeds benefit St. Patrick Center.

expo, March 22-24 at America’s Center. Thousands of fans will be on hand to celebrate the best in pop culture: movies, comics, toys, video, art, gaming and more. Tickets start at $35; kids 10/under free.

Jack & J.T. Snow Adult Easter Egg Hunt March 23

Grant’s Farm www.thesnowfoundation.org On Saturday, March 23rd, Grant’s Farm will host its 1st Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Gates open at 6:30pm with food, a bar, music and an ADULT EGG HUNT! Prizes in every egg and big ticket items in GOLDEN EGGS! Proceeds will benefit The Jack & JT Snow Foundation who help fund research for Wolfram Syndrome, a rare disease typcially effecting young children. Tickets are limited for this exclusive event.

Come join us for this worthwhile cause!

Thimble & Thread Guild Quilt Expo March 16

Queeny Park, Greensfelder Recreation Center thimbleandthreadstl.org The juried show will include 300 quilts, exhibit by Ricky Tims, raffles to benefit Room at the Inn, quilt raffles, appraisals, vendors and more. Cost: $7, $1 for children 6 to 12, free under age 6.

2013 Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con March 22-24

America’s Center Wizardworld.com Stan Lee, Laurie Holden, WWE® Superstar Randy Orton® and Billy Dee Williams are among the hundreds of celebrities and industry professionals at the inaugural 2013 Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con, part of North America’s largest pop-culture touring H&H Magazine | www.STLHandHMag.com 19

MEET OUR TEAM OF DEDICATED AGENTS Susan Brewer 314.540.0734

Susan@SusanBrewer.com

Wade Brewer 636.936.8600

Wade@Service1stHomes.com

Diane Huesgen 636.936.8600

Diane@Service1stHomes.com

Lee Cowap 636.795.0680

Lee@Service1stHomes.com

Mike Lampe 636.751.4442

Mike@Service1stHomes.com

Ashley Bahr 636.373.0194

Ashley@Service1stHomes.com

Debbie Sigler 314.973.0195

Debbie@Service1stHomes.com

Julie Alsup 314.378.5146

Julie@Service1stHomes.com

Our team of Independent Realtors is ready to help you achieve your Real Estate dreams!

At Susan Brewer Service First Real Estate, our goal is to help you realize your real estate goals while giving you the highest level of service possible. Our office utilizes the very latest in technology and by using our proven marketing strategies and unique concepts, we can sell our listings for higher dollar and in a shorter amount of time than our competitors - no matter what their size. Give us a call today and let us show you the

Service First Difference!

Tammie Meyer 636.578.4399

Tammie@Service1stHomes.com

Sally Lee 314.520.3331

Sally@Service1stHomes.com

Lori Pisani 636.578.7781

Lori@Service1stHomes.com

Stacy Iffrig 636.734.1364

Stacy@Service1stHomes.com

Janice Smith 314.277.2785

Janice@Service1stHomes.com

Lisa Samuels 636.484.0633

Lisa@Service1stHomes.com

Tom Budde 636.734.4414

Tom@Service1stHomes.com

Steve Savory 314.604.3999

Steve.Savory@Service1stHomes.com

www.Service1stHomes.com