This Canadian's View of American Celebration - a tribute to WA & ORE - 06/30/07 05:22 PM
 
I love the ocean - it is always my vacation destination of choice. Some of my favorite areas are the Oregon & Washington state coastal areas. We have beautiful coastline here in British Columbia, but more rugged, not as accessible. In fact I can be with the starfish at the WA coast way faster than our own. 
Oregon's 'Other' Haystack >>>>>>>>>>>
Our Canada Day & your 4th of July being close in date have always since I was a girl caused me to compare the two - you guys really celebrate! We have fabulous festivals too, but there's just something about the way you do it that stands … (24 comments)

Argentine Tango in Kelowna - 06/25/07 09:35 PM
Sometimes I get a feeling that won't go away... to experience something without understanding why. Maybe hearing and loving the music. Maybe it was seeing it danced, not even live mind you, that I developed a fascination for Argentine Tango. The movie, "The Tango Lesson", I know impacted me when it came out in the '90's. No one was teaching or dancing it here - I wondered if it would ever come, or just remain a tantalizing mystery that just happened somewhere else, where it was 'goin' on'. Passion grew to dance this dance. I felt it deep inside, longed for it. They say you don't dance tango. … (21 comments)

Support City Gardens - 06/25/07 08:27 PM
I live downtown in a booming resort & vacation destination in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley. Out in the 'burbs for many years, I now love living near the 'happenings' & waterfront.  Cycling & walking everywhere, I have no desire to return to suburbia with it's long drives into town.
Spring has turned to summer.
I have missed my garden. So this spring I got involved with the community garden across the street! How lucky am I?! 
I've just come in with a basket of healthy organic mixed green things for dinner. They are so fresh & beautiful they make me smile & I hesitate to eat them!  But I do, thankful for … (8 comments)

Kelowna BC - Snow In June!! - 06/25/07 07:57 PM
Snow in June!! It started out a very chilly June 25 /07. I’d left my windows open overnight & awoke to a brisk temperature in my home. On my way out this morning, I was surprised to see white atop the  mountains that line the valley. At higher levels up to 13cm (about 6in) were reported.
Conversely several weeks ago we suffered temperatures hitting 40’C! The weather is unusual all over it seems. However having lived here in Kelowna for 40 years (that will date me!), I’ve seen unusual weather many times before.
There has always been a non-stop flow of people … (0 comments)

Lois Lane in Kelowna's Cultural District - 06/17/07 11:37 PM
If you're visiting Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley of  BC's Interior, you will not be at a loss for sights to see & activities to wear you out if you're not careful.
If you're a Kelowna local, make a point to get downtown to see what's happening here. It isn't surprising that people get caught up in the routine of work & responsibilities. A change is as good as a rest, they say!  
Don't miss Kelowna's Cultural District, just north of the downtown core near Waterfront Park. The lakeside walkway is great for a  stroll, running, cycling or whatever you think you want to do there. It connects a … (0 comments)

Is Interior Design, Redesign, Home Staging For You? - 06/15/07 01:01 AM
We are practically raised believing that Interior Design is too expensive & for the rich only. So we carry on thinking it's out of reach.
At 11, sugar plum dreams of beautifully decorated Living Spaces sparkled in my head. I loved the idea of being a designer, but who would ever pay me for having the fun of decorating?? was the consensus of the time & times to come. Well I'm not sure how it all happened, but I have been doing something creative all my life! Art, Interiors & business define my life work.
Homeowners unquestioningly hire all sorts home trades for … (0 comments)

Home Staging Kelowna BC * Proven Profitability * Living Spaces - 06/13/07 02:09 PM
Staging for Real Estate Sale or Resale is not a new concept. The term 'Staging' is what is new & perhaps creates a little confusion. It is still the professional process it has always been, of presenting property at its best. I have seen properties sell in 1 to 3 days after staging. 
The goal is to de-personalize & de-clutter, aiding the potential buyer in seeing themselves in the 'Living Spaces'.
What is new is the growing recognition that Home Real Estate Staging puts your sale at the front of the pack in any market. Whether it is a hot market or slow, staging has statistically shown higher profitability … (0 comments)

Home Staging - De-mystifying the Process - 06/10/07 03:35 PM
Home Staging is a reality in the way homes are sold. Whole communities are embracing the concept as the norm.
More than that people are seeing the delightful advantage of living in well designed Living Spaces. Why not live with it as well as merely dressing it up when you sell?!
I am finding some misunderstanding & a bit of confusion regarding the concept of Home Staging. Generally, there is some public misunderstanding, which I am happy to clarify with a call. What is more baffling is that some realtors I talk to believe staging is 'new' & don't understand the process or benefits they can be passing along to home sellers. … (0 comments)

Kelowna BC * - 06/09/07 02:50 PM

Kelowna is the hub of the Okanagan.
The international airport of the interior of BC is here, as well as many determining factors that make Kelowna the 'Big Player' in the scheme of Okanagan business & development. 
Surrounded by many golf courses, vineyards, world class wineries, resorts, & ski facilities, Kelowna overflows with endless attractions with an international draw. It also is the business & shopping designation of BC's Central Interior. It is a logical focus of attention, investment, & desirability.
 
There seems no end to the flurry of construction fever & real estate increase which spills over into many levels. Building trades are in big demand, with home - related … (0 comments)

Central Okanagan * Market Temperature * Living Spaces - 06/09/07 02:30 PM
 
Construction booms. Reaching a feverish pitch with a labour shortage, the provincial government is making agreements with other countries (ie: Jamaica) to bring in specialized labor - electricians, plumbers,etc.
A long period of provincial economic lows & the international exchange rate, supported & encouraged international investment interest creating some development flow in the nineties. The low Canadian dollar made it very appealing to BC's immediate neighbors Washington State & Alberta residents, as well as many internationals to invest in Okanagan recreational properties.
This is where I started staging in the nineties (decorating we called it then!) properties for developers' & internationals'  vacation & resort properties.
Being a … (0 comments)

About Kelowna BC * Living Spaces * Home Staging Kelowna - 06/09/07 01:06 AM

Kelowna,  in British Columbia's central interior lies in the heart of the Okanagan Valley. It has long been a sought after resort & vacation spot. See also 'About' the Central Okanagan.
Spectacular Valley Vistas showcase the Okanagan Lake as it ribbons eighty miles along the valley. Kelowna is nestled at the center surrounded by hillsides graced with orchards, golf courses, & vineyards producing world class wines.
 
Regardless of the fire-scarred mountain sides from the Okanagan Mountain fire in 2003, an explosion of development is at its height, with residential tracts now making their mark on the landscape. Some say the fire contibuted to the expansion.
Famous for powder, local ski resorts … (0 comments)

Central Okanagan Valley * Living Spaces Interior Design * Real Estate Staging - 06/09/07 12:35 AM
 
The Central Okanagan - Spectacular Mountain & Lakeview Scenery attracts travellers from all over the world, now more than ever. Long famous for a climate conducive to growing fabulous fresh fruit that ships internationally, attracting tourists to lakeside resorts & watersports, the Okanagan Valley has spread it's irresisitible appeal worldwide.
Internationals & Canadians relocate here for the various many amenities, hot summers & mild winters. Many purchase vacation & recreational properties & homes.
 
The retirement population along with the weather has earned the region the nick-name, "Miami North". Scaling from that camparison, is the term 'California North' indicating a changed insurgence of varietal profiles.
Growth … (0 comments)

 

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