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Monday, August 17, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
The Best of Neighborhood Dining
If you're looking for a casual place to enjoy a wonderful dinner, look no further than Bell's Tavern in Lambertville, NJ. Tucked away in the residential section of this adorable town on North Union Street, Bell's is a great place for casual, Italian fare any night of the week. Reasonable prices and delicious food keep locals coming back again and again. I can't even begin to count the number of times I've dined in their intimate dining room filled with local art and white-clothed tables. The staff is friendly and attentive and often chats with the regulars at the bar in the front room. Entrees on their regular menu run about $12 with half-orders available for less, and specials tend to be a bit more, reaching as high as $25. My "go-to" order is the Southern Citrus Salad with mandarin oranges, bleu cheese and spicy pecans drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette followed by their traditional Ziti Al Forno with marinara…it's the best! Be forewarned that Bell's does not take reservations (or credit cards for that matter). So if you're planning on going for a weekend dinner, be prepared for a bit of a wait. Take the time to enjoy the company of the locals at the bar. 
Bell's Tavern, 183 North Union St, Lambertville, NJ 08630, http://www.bellstavern.com/, For Take-Out 609-397-2226
For more information about Cailen Ascher Design or my upcoming book, Well-Designed Living, visit http://www.cailenascher.bravehost.com/ or email CailenAscher@gmail.com.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
The Best Of....
As part of my quest to encourage "Well-Designed Living" in every one's life, I've decided to start a "Best Of..." series. These blog posts will highlight the hidden gems and fabulous finds of the area that I love best (Hunterdon County, NJ and Bucks County, PA). So, if you're looking for some advice as to where to dine, shop, relax or explore check back for Cailen Ascher Design's "Best Of..." recommendations and live better!
For more information about Cailen Ascher Design or my upcoming book, Well-Designed Living, visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com or email CailenAscher@gmail.com.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Before & Afters
For more information about Cailen Ascher Design or my upcoming book, Well-Designed Living, visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com or email CailenAscher@gmail.com.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Home Staging Advice
To get your home sold faster, you have to see your home through the eyes of the buyer. Be objective and really try to see how potential buyers view your space. Your ultimate goal should be to "neutralize" your home, so that anyone who walks through the door can picture themselves living there.
-De-clutter and organize. Remove personal collections, photos and knick-knacks. Clean out drawers and closets. Remember, buyers will look behind closed doors and if closets are messy, they'll assume there's not enough storage in the house!
-Replace & Update. If you have outdated lighting, stained carpets or old bathroom fixtures - switch it out for something new and sleek. These small updates will give your home the edge over the competition.
-Neutralize. If you have bright or dark paint colors or dated wallpaper on your walls, replace it with a neutral, calm color like a soft tan or light gray. This will give buyers a blank canvas to work from and give them a sense that the home is "move-in ready".
-Make it welcoming. Make sure your front entrance is welcoming. Repaint the door if it's scratched, replace the light fixture if it's old or dirty and buy a new welcome mat. Remember, you can only make ONE first impression!!!
-Finishing touches. Add arrangements of fresh flowers, light a softly-scented candle or bake cookies to make your home smell inviting. These small gestures speak volumes to the buyers.
If you take the time to really ready your home before you list it, you're setting yourself up for success. Think like a buyer, and you'll do great! If you're having trouble having an objective eye, ask your Realtor or hire a professional home stager to provide you with a "to-do" list.
-De-clutter and organize. Remove personal collections, photos and knick-knacks. Clean out drawers and closets. Remember, buyers will look behind closed doors and if closets are messy, they'll assume there's not enough storage in the house!
-Replace & Update. If you have outdated lighting, stained carpets or old bathroom fixtures - switch it out for something new and sleek. These small updates will give your home the edge over the competition.
-Neutralize. If you have bright or dark paint colors or dated wallpaper on your walls, replace it with a neutral, calm color like a soft tan or light gray. This will give buyers a blank canvas to work from and give them a sense that the home is "move-in ready".
-Make it welcoming. Make sure your front entrance is welcoming. Repaint the door if it's scratched, replace the light fixture if it's old or dirty and buy a new welcome mat. Remember, you can only make ONE first impression!!!
-Finishing touches. Add arrangements of fresh flowers, light a softly-scented candle or bake cookies to make your home smell inviting. These small gestures speak volumes to the buyers.
If you take the time to really ready your home before you list it, you're setting yourself up for success. Think like a buyer, and you'll do great! If you're having trouble having an objective eye, ask your Realtor or hire a professional home stager to provide you with a "to-do" list.
For more information about Cailen Ascher Design or my upcoming book, Well-Designed Living, visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com or email CailenAscher@gmail.com.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Design Your Lifestyle
So many of us put thought and time into designing our home, our wardrobe and special occasions but often give no thought whatsoever to designing our lifestyle. You may wonder...what does she mean, "design your lifestyle", but it's really an integral part in any happy, healthy life.
If you don't take the time to reflect, review, define and even design your lifestyle, your happiness and potential success are stifled. The key is to make certain that your home environment and your lifestyle (your thoughts, feelings, actions, desires, etc.) are in sync. This means that your home should complement your lifestyle and feed your energy, not inhibit it or deplete it.
Oftentimes, we progress through our day with a sense of complacency. We travel from task to task without giving it much thought. But, if you take the time to really prioritize and figure out what you truly need and want to be happy, you'll set yourself up for success. Just the act of reflecting upon your goals makes it that much more likely that you'll achieve them!
For example, if one of your goals is to live a healthier life (eat better and workout more), but your home does not complement this new lifestyle change, the change won't stick for very long. It's so important to align your home and lifestyle so that you can begin to live your best life. Set up a workout space. Buy healthier food. Cook more of your meals instead of getting take out.
Take some time to think about your lifestyle and to go through your home and identify areas that you wish to change for the better. I guarantee that once you better align your lifestyle and environment, your goals will be much easier to attain.
If you don't take the time to reflect, review, define and even design your lifestyle, your happiness and potential success are stifled. The key is to make certain that your home environment and your lifestyle (your thoughts, feelings, actions, desires, etc.) are in sync. This means that your home should complement your lifestyle and feed your energy, not inhibit it or deplete it.
Oftentimes, we progress through our day with a sense of complacency. We travel from task to task without giving it much thought. But, if you take the time to really prioritize and figure out what you truly need and want to be happy, you'll set yourself up for success. Just the act of reflecting upon your goals makes it that much more likely that you'll achieve them!
For example, if one of your goals is to live a healthier life (eat better and workout more), but your home does not complement this new lifestyle change, the change won't stick for very long. It's so important to align your home and lifestyle so that you can begin to live your best life. Set up a workout space. Buy healthier food. Cook more of your meals instead of getting take out.
Take some time to think about your lifestyle and to go through your home and identify areas that you wish to change for the better. I guarantee that once you better align your lifestyle and environment, your goals will be much easier to attain.
For more information about Cailen Ascher Design or my upcoming book, Well-Designed Living, email CailenAscher@gmail.com or visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Believe in Yourself
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way you are right." -Henry Ford
For my 8th grade yearbook, each student was asked to select a quote that meant something to them. The quote above is the one I chose. I didn't really grasp what it meant then, but something about it appealed to me.
Now, at 23, having graduated college and being in the midst of building my business, Cailen Ascher Design, the truth of this quote has really sunken in. In so much of what we do, believing in ourselves is really what counts. If I didn't truly believe in my abilities to start and run a successful design business, I certainly would not be where I am today. If I hadn't had complete faith in myself and my talents, I would not have succeeded...and that's the truth.
Perception is reality. If you're convinced you'll fail or that you're not good enough, you're not going to make it very far. With that said, having unwavering faith in your abilities is not always easy. When there are few prospects on the horizon, we all have a tendency to go to that "dark place" and feel like a failure. The trick is to bounce back. Recognize that feeling, acknowledge it, and then dismiss it. Release it and remind yourself why you're great and why your business, idea, goal, etc. is worth working for.
Remember, it's not about perfection or never making mistakes. It's about trying your best, giving it your all and knowing that you'll succeed.
Believe and you'll succeed!
For my 8th grade yearbook, each student was asked to select a quote that meant something to them. The quote above is the one I chose. I didn't really grasp what it meant then, but something about it appealed to me.
Now, at 23, having graduated college and being in the midst of building my business, Cailen Ascher Design, the truth of this quote has really sunken in. In so much of what we do, believing in ourselves is really what counts. If I didn't truly believe in my abilities to start and run a successful design business, I certainly would not be where I am today. If I hadn't had complete faith in myself and my talents, I would not have succeeded...and that's the truth.
Perception is reality. If you're convinced you'll fail or that you're not good enough, you're not going to make it very far. With that said, having unwavering faith in your abilities is not always easy. When there are few prospects on the horizon, we all have a tendency to go to that "dark place" and feel like a failure. The trick is to bounce back. Recognize that feeling, acknowledge it, and then dismiss it. Release it and remind yourself why you're great and why your business, idea, goal, etc. is worth working for.
Remember, it's not about perfection or never making mistakes. It's about trying your best, giving it your all and knowing that you'll succeed.
Believe and you'll succeed!
For more information about Cailen Ascher Design or my upcoming book, Well-Designed Living, visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com or email CailenAscher@gmail.com.
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