Sustainable Home Ideas Monday is Earth Day! We've rounded up five ways to make your home a little more sustainable. Leave a comment to add to our list! Shopping at thrift stores is not only environmentally friendly but also incredibly enjoyable! Many people donate home goods and decor when they move, downsize, or change their style. Check out local thrift stores or online marketplaces for secondhand treasures to give your space a refresh. Consider investing in energy-efficient... [read more]

The numbers are in for March 2024. Let's dive into the Real Estate market statistics together to get a sense of how March came together for Durham Region. If your specific area wasn't listed, please reach out and we'll send you a personalized report, just for you. As always, if you're surprised by anything you read here or would just like to talk real estate - leave a comment or reach us directly.    [read more]

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When it comes to spring cleaning, the trick is to avoid taking on too much at once. Some of these tasks seem easier and/or faster than others, but stick to it to ensure nothing gets skipped and you don't run out of steam along the way. If you participate in our challenge, tag us @cindyandcraig so we can follow along!    [read more]

Spring... is that you? It's almost here. Let's get into some home design trends that are heating up this spring. 1. Spring Stripes  Stripes are popping up everywhere this Spring! From throw blankets & cushion covers to armchairs & patio furniture, stripes might be the fresh pop of interest your home is begging for after this grey winter we've had. 2. Plants Bring the outside in. Houseplants are certainly not a new trend, but it appears more beginners... [read more]

Check out some of these new holiday favourites for 2022 that you may have missed… Falling for Christmas (Netflix)  Spirited (Apple TV) The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (Disney+) Who Killed Santa? (Netflix) Something From Tiffany’s (Amazon Prime Video) [read more]

Try this delicious and simple recipe for the holidays… Ingredients 2 cups all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 1 cup packed brown sugar ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted ½ cup white sugar 1 egg 1 egg yolk 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips   Instructions Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets or line them with parchment paper. Sift flour,... [read more]

When it comes to winter vacation, we may be scrambling to try and figure out some fun ways to spend the holidays! Well, look no further... as we have put together some fun things you can do over the break.    Outdoor Ice Skating    Union Holiday Rink https://torontounion.ca/tdunionwinter/skate/ Pat Bayly Sq https://www.ajax.ca/en/play-and-discover/skating.aspx?_mid_=11079#Outdoor-Skating---Pat-Bayly-Square-55-Bayly-St-W Elgin... [read more]

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This fun & affordable DIY is the perfect way to make your home even cozier during the holiday season!   What you will need: Ribbon, Ornament of your choice, Glue Start by cutting the ribbon to an appropriate length Take your ornament and glue it to the centre of your ribbon Tie the ribbon around your curtain Enjoy your simple & festive curtain tiebacks! [read more]

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This simple & delicious hot chocolate cookie recipe will be a holiday favourite this season!    Ingredients: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 cup white sugar 2/3 cups light brown sugar, packed 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 3-¼ cups all-purpose flour 4 (1-oz packages) hot chocolate mix (not sugar-free; a total of about 1 cup of hot chocolate mix) 1-¼ teaspoons salt 1-¼ teaspoons baking soda 1 cup milk... [read more]

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Goodbye Summer…Hello Fall! With fall just around the corner, we have put together some of the upcoming trends this season.    Earth tones Neutrals and warm tones are the perfect way to style your home right now. It's so calming and creates such a beautiful & serene place for you and others to enjoy.    Patterns, patterns… and more patterns!  Wallpaper, rugs, blankets, you name it… introduce some patterns... [read more]

School is officially back... and we are here to help keep you updated on the latest tips & trends this season.  Organization is Key.  When it comes to going back to school, it’s important to schedule your time and efforts. This allows you to better manage your time and focus on other aspects of your life that are just as important! - time management is a great skill to practice in all stages of life. School Supplies With the shift to online... [read more]

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Welcome to summer 2022... Let's bring the outdoors in with these simple, but effective ways to incorporate natural elements indoors. If you try one of the ideas on our list, tag us @cindyandcraig so we can see!  There's a reason green is everywhere this summer. Integrate colours from the outside world into your home to bring a touch of nature. Dulux paints called summer 2022 the "return of bold colours," so don't back away from going bright & bold as... [read more]

Let's support local this summer! We have come up with the perfect guide for shopping local in Durham Region. What will your first stop be?   Farmer's market is a great way to support local and pick up some unique finds! From groceries, baked goods, and artisan products - you won't leave empty-handed.  Clarington: Sundays 10 am - 2 pm at the Newcastle Arena  North Oshawa: Saturdays 8 am - 1 pm at 1661 Harmony Road N Whitby: Wednesdays 9... [read more]

1. Green Goodness Ingredients: 1 cup spinach 1 chopped apple 1 cup chopped pineapple 1/4 cucumber, chopped 1/2 cup almond milk (or milk of choice) Blend until smooth & enjoy!    2. Sweet Strawberry Ingredients: 1 cup chopped strawberries 1 banana 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt of choice 1/4 cup orange juice Blend & enjoy!   3. Chocolate Peanut Butter Ingredients: 1/4 cup peanut butter 1 cup chocolate frozen yogurt 1/4 cup oats 1... [read more]

What a month! We've drawn up a comparison from last April to this April. Any surprises? Let us know in the comments or reach out to us to talk real estate.      Thanks for reading!    Just so you know: the statistics reported here are based on sales reported to the Toronto MLS system between the first and last days of each month reported.  [read more]

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Do you (or someone you live with) always change your mind when it comes to home decor and DIY projects? We've rounded up the best damage-free DIY projects that won't ruin your walls when you want something new.  1. Decorative wall arch (or any shape) You've heard of peel & stick wallpaper, or vinyl wall decals, now it's time to get creative with it. Painted arches or murals on an empty wall have become very popular, but for someone who likes to change up... [read more]

Below is the 2022 Market Report for Durham Region, Clarington, Oshawa, and Whitby. If there's a statistic you're curious about that isn't shown, feel free to contact us to get more info or just chat about real estate! We'd love to hear if anything in this report surprises you, or if you feel like taking advantage of the market and would like to know how much your home is worth. Thanks for reading!  [read more]

Below is your personalized market update for Durham Region, Clarington, Whitby, and Oshawa! If your community isn't included in our report, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide more detailed insight!    Just so you know: this information is based on statistics submitted to the Toronto MLS System between the first and last day of November 2021. Thank you for reading!  [read more]

Cranberry Rosemary Chicken | One Pan Recipe Ingredients: For marinade: 1/3 cup fresh cranberries 2 tablespoons olive oil  2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons maple syrup 3 cloves garlic 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary leaves 1/4 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth) For chicken thighs: 3 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (approximately 6 thighs) 1 tablespoon olive oil salt to taste 1/2 cup fresh cranberries 4 sprigs fresh rosemary (plus more for... [read more]

Paper "Stained Glass" Menorah You will need:  - Black construction paper - Coloured tissue paper - Silver or gold tissue paper - Glue stick - Scissors or craft knife 1. Draw an outline of a menorah and candles on a piece of black construction paper with a white or light-coloured pencil. Then cut out the candles and the menorah with scissors or a craft knife.  2. Cut out rectangles slightly larger than your candle outlines using coloured tissue... [read more]

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We've rounded up the latest Real Estate stats for Durham Region. More specifically, we look at Clarington (includes Courtice, Bowmanville, Newcastle, and Orono), Oshawa, and Whitby (includes Brooklin). If you'd like to learn more about a community not featured in our report, please let us know and we'd be happy to talk real estate.      Just so you know: the information presented here is based on firm transactions entered into the TRREB MLS System between... [read more]

  Are you surprised at these results? If you have any questions or just want to talk real estate - leave a comment or send an email here. Thanks for reading!   [read more]

1. Apple Picking Eat the apples right off the tree or bake them into a treat. The options are endless (and delicious)! 2. Carving Pumpkins Is there a more classic fall activity? If you have little hands that aren't ready for carving, break out the paints instead! 3. Jump in Leaves Make the biggest pile you can, and 1..2..3.. jump! Don't forget the camera for this one. 4. Make a DIY Wreath Keep it simple by tracing little hands, or go all out at the craft store to... [read more]

It's that time of year again! Lunches, backpacks, pens & paper - school is back! Here are some tips & tricks to help the student in your life succeed at every stage. 1. Take those pictures! In a rush to get out the door & on the bus each morning, it can be easily forgotten but many parents wish they had taken more pictures - especially on the first day. 2. Label everything. Clothes, books, toys, lunch containers - label them! Young kids are too busy having fun to... [read more]

Do you want to decorate your home for the upcoming season but don't know where to start? Take this simple quiz & we'll tell you where to start shopping.  To start, pick a cushion. This could be for your couch, bed, or a cozy reading chair. Which one gives you fall vibes but will still flow with your home?   Next up, choose a wreath. If you don't have a front porch to decorate, hang a wreath on the inside of your door, your bedroom door, or on a... [read more]

People are getting more & more creative with their kitchens... and we're here for it! If you see anything you like or think we're missing something, let us know in the comments!  Is it a modern or classic choice? Brand new homes and homes that are selling both seem to be taking advantage of the gold and brass accents.  The boho style decor trends are now in the kitchen too. Natural styles and textured elements look great in the kitchen - and is one... [read more]

1. Outdoor movie night Grab your blankets, snacks, and bring the laptop, projector, or TV outside for a movie under the stars. Just make sure there's no rainclouds up above...  2. Water balloon fight A summer classic. Split into teams or make it every person for themselves - so fun! 3. Have a picnic  Find a new park or visit one of your favs & pack a snack or meal. Makes for an excellent photo opp too. 4. Build a fort Is there anything better? Inside or out,... [read more]

Please enjoy this free market report for Durham Region - May 2021. Have any questions or just want to talk real estate? Contact us anytime.        [read more]

A summery twist on a classic treat. A great place to start for beginners or families looking to make some memories in the kitchen.              Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 12 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened) 1/2 cup granulated sugar (packed) 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed) 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 2 large eggs 1/2 cup fresh strawberries (chopped) 1 cup chocolate... [read more]

Sun's out, sign's out. With all the signs popping up in the summer sun, we were inspired to round up our favourite fictional realtors from movie & tv! Did we miss your favourite? Comment below to add to our list.    A jack of all trades type, Ray is the real estate, travel, and photography expert in the hometown favourite TV show, Schitt's Creek.  P eter Klaven is "L.A's hottest realtor" in the goofy bromance movie I Love You, Man. Het gets a... [read more]

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Revamp your school lunches!    With kids now back to in-class learning, it’s the perfect time to change up their lunch routine! Don’t settle for the same old lunch they used to take, make it an exciting time for them and include them in the lunch making process! We’ve got some great tips from organizing your lunch packing time, to new recipes to get them excited to eat.   1. Add colour-coded bins When attempting to involve the kids in... [read more]

DIY Reusable Dryer Sheets These DIY Reusable Dryer Sheets are easy and inexpensive to make! You only need a few ingredients to start making your own dryer sheets and other laundry cleaning products. Your laundry will come out smelling so good and with no static! You can make these in minutes and use them over and over again.    You will need an airtight container to store them in, multi-purpose reusable wipes, 1 cup of water and fabric... [read more]

Moving into 2021 is a great reason to bring comfort and creativity to our spaces, especially if we are spending more time than ever in them! Check out some of the hottest new decor trends coming this year.       Walls on the Wild Side   We know that typically in home decor we think most about the major items, furniture, tableware and shelf decor but what about what’s on our walls themselves? Paint is always a popular choice and can add so... [read more]

Crock Pot Lemon & Garlic Butter Chicken This crock pot chicken recipe is easy and delicious with oustanding flavour! A new family favourite for sure.             Ingredients 6-8 boneless chicken thighs, skinless Salt & pepper to taste 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder 1/2 tsp crished red chili pepper flake 1/2 tsp paprika 4 garlic cloves, minced 1 tsp Italian seasoning 1/2 stick butter,... [read more]

Winter Home Maintenance Projects Cabin fever getting you down? Keep moving with some small home improvement projects! The first snowflakes of winter are a magical sight for some and a chilling one for others. Many of us welcome this time to hibernate through the blizzardy days, but it's important to stay active in the winter months. If you find yourself feeling cooped up with a case of cabin fever, now is a great time to begin planning some winter home improvement projects to keep... [read more]

These Christmas Tea Light holders are incredibly easy to make using unexpected items: epsom salt and glitter. They are a beautiful holiday display for flameless tea lights, or could even be used as a vase for holiday garland or flowers.   What you'll need Glass jar 1 cup epsom salt 1tbsp glitter (white or translucent) Mod Podge (or tacky glue) Sponge brush for applying the glue Twine or ribbon Small piece of greenery Hot glue gun   1.... [read more]

  DIY Personal S'mores Pot This quick, easy and cheap DIY is the perfect thing for those late summer nights! We can't all have a beautiful fire pit in our backyards so these personal s'mores pots are the perfect solution. Materials Small Terracotta Pot Charcoal Tin Foil Instructions 1. Line the inside of a terracotta pot with tin foil. 2. Place charcoal inside the foil lined pot. 3. Light the charcoal and voila! Roast away!   From:... [read more]

With 1lb of strawberries IN and ON the cake, this really is bursting with fresh strawberry flavour! This may well be the fastest and easiest cake recipe you'll make this year. Yogurt keeps the crumb beautifully tender and moist, and it keeps prefectly for days.   Ingredients Strawberries 1lb strawberries, hulled (ie. tops removed) Wet 1 cup sugar, caster/superfine best but granulated is ok too 1/2 cup oil, canola or vegetable 2 eggs, large 1 tbsp grated lemon... [read more]

5 Small Home Updates That Make A Big Impact Making even the smallest changes to your home can make your space feel brand new! We've rounded up some ideas to help freshen up your home.   NEW DOOR HINGES AND KNOBS This is a pretty small thing that makes a bigger difference than you might think! Switching from dated, brass knobs to a darker, lever handle quickly updates the look of your doors. Pair that with a freshly painted white door and it's a modern, clean... [read more]

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Shark Bait Ice Cream Float Original Recipe from https://www.allthingsmamma.com/shark-bait-ice-cream-floats/ Ingredients 4 Scoops Vanilla Ice Cream 4 Cups Blue Kool-Aid Sprite or 7 Up Gummy Sharks & Peach Rings Instructions 1. Begin by filling your glass half full with your favorite blue drink.  Kool Aid, Hawaiian Punch, and Blue Gatorade  2. Next, fill your glass almost to the top (leave some room for your ice cream scoop) with a sparkling... [read more]

Original Article by Jeff Haden, Contributing Editor, INC. Working from home can be the ultimate personal productivity litmus test. Many people feel they would lack the self-discipline and focus required to be highly productive if they work from home. That's why the key to being productive in a home office isn't willpower or determination--it's following a few simple tips that will help you be efficient and effective. Tell people your schedule--and then "enforce"... [read more]

Sheet Pan Egg-In-A-Hole A quick classic that comes together right on a sheet pan!!! Less mess, less fuss and just way easier than the stove-top version!     Ingredients 12 Strips of Bacon 6 slices bread, 1/2-inch thick 3 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature 6 large eggs 6 tbsp freshly grated parmesan  1 1/2 tsp fresh thyme leaves Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives Directions Preheat... [read more]

Small Tips to Reboot How You Manage Mess at Home When asked, 39% of us admitted that having a messy home irritates us once a week or more. Put an end to clutter! Reorganize and refresh with these clever ideas.   Smart Accessories Streamline Open Storage   Create a calm corner by bringing order to the things you need to store there. Make existing furniture work smarter with useful storage additions, like drawer... [read more]

DIY Blooming Monogram In preparation for the upcoming spring season, let’s create a colourful DIY that will bring beauty into your home year-round.  A blooming monogram is quick, easy and totally personalized - use these flower letters to spell out your family name, you and your partners initials, a positive word, or anything else you can think of.     Materials • Paper Mache Letters  • Box Cutter  • Floral... [read more]

Thanksgiving Turnip Puff Who knew that turnips could ever be this delicious? |Turnip puff is the only turnip recipe you will ever need. Even turnip haters love it! Servings: 8        Prep time: 30 mins Cook time: 25 mins       Total Time: 55 mins   INGREDIENTS 6 cups cubed turnips, 2 Tbsp butter 2 eggs, beaten 3 Tbsp flour 1 Tbsp brown sugar 1 Tsp baking powder 3/4 Tsp salt 1/8 Tsp ground black... [read more]

DIY Pumpkin Centrepiece Our DIY project this time around is a beautiful Fall/Thanksgiving centrepiece thanks to A Pumpkin and Princess! This is a simple project with stunning results.  Your guests won’t believe that it’s a DIY project!   What you’ll need • Faux Pumpkin • Styrofoam Block • Fall Stems • Hot Glue Use a small knife to cut the stem off the top of the pumpkin. You’ll want the hole large... [read more]

Now that the weather has finally started to warm up, it’s the perfect time to bust open your windows–and, maybe less exciting, your cleaning supplies. Yes, it’s that time of year again! Not sure where to start with your spring cleaning project? We’ve made a list that includes all the spots you’ve likely neglected for the past year (speaking from personal experince) and how to tackle them like a pro! Here’s to spring cleaning the entire house in... [read more]

Spring Decorating Hacks Spring is upon us! Sprucing up your home for Spring can brighten up your home and help with banishing those winter blues! As adding new furniture isn’t always a viable option, we’ve rounded up some tips on creating a spring vibe to your home. The end of winter can really drain you emotionally and physically so we think it’s important to liven up your living space to lift your spirits. Let’s banish those winter blues and get... [read more]

Getting a new pet is a very exciting time! Bringing them home is a great feeling, but is your house fully prepared for a curious new family member? Puppies and kittens are naturally curious. Watching your newest family member navigate the world can be adorably entertaining. So it’s important to encourage safe exploration by pet-proofing your home. Thankfully, this process doesn’t have to be complicated. Give your home the once-over and start thinking like a... [read more]

Smart Home Tech For 2019 Smart Home Technology has recently exploded into various markets and can now be found in almost all homes in one way or another. We've rounded up a list of the top, industry recommended home tech to take your smart home to the next level this year.                   Best Smart Speaker Amazon Echo (2nd Gen)   The second-generation Echo is smaller and more... [read more]

Home Design Trends for 2019   Oh the joys of the new year. January 1st has become our opportunity for a reboot and it’s an opportunity to leave behind what’s bad and embrace what’s new and good. When deciding what to overhaul in 2019, don’t overlook the benefits of refreshing your home! For all you decor lovers out there, we compiled a list of the home trends that are in and out this year. OUT: ECLECTIC CLUTTER "When a space has too many... [read more]