Month: January 2020

The 2020 Colors of the Year According to Top Paint Companies

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Home Improvement.

One thing that top household paint companies do annually is announce their Color of the Year for the upcoming twelve months. If you’ve been considering an interior painting project for your home, here are the favorites for 2020.

Benjamin Moore

If you like softer hues, Benjamin Moore has chosen to feature First Light as their 2020 color of the year. For those who like a softer room or tend to go towards neutral shades, this light pink shade could be a way to add some color without overdoing it.

Sherwin-Williams

If light and bright aren’t for you and you’re ready for something bold for your next project, Sherwin-Williams has chosen this deep, dark Naval Blue shade as their color of the year. Whether used as a statement or a highlight, this color doesn’t disappoint.

Valspar

Valspar is thinking pink this year as well with this spring-inspired Bombay Pink paint color. Their color of the year is feminine but has more to say than a lighter pink. Bring in spring with this paint.

Behr

Another company going for calm and relaxing, Behr’s 2020 Color of the Year is Back to Nature. Bring some balance and nature in with this calming green hue.

Glidden

While Glidden isn’t doing an official color of the year announcement for 2020, they are recommending a blue-tinted gray color, Whirlwind, as their color of choice for DIY folks tackling home projects this year.

If you didn’t find a color to suit you, no worries. Each of these companies has a ton to choose from. Hopefully, these colors get you inspired to do some home improvement projects this year.

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Whether you’re buying, selling, refinancing, or building your dream home, I’m here to help you explore the many financing options available. Ensuring that you make the right choice for you and your family is my ultimate goal. I am committed to providing my customers with mortgage services that exceed their expectations. Find out more by visiting my website.

Celebrating Lunar New Year in Denver

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Holidays.

In many Eastern countries, the beginning of the new year doesn’t start on January 1st, but rather at the beginning of the first moon cycle. It’s one of the most celebrated family traditions in many Asian countries, where families come together to celebrate, commune, and accumulate good fortune for the upcoming year.

The city of Denver has many options for people and families wanting to get in on the celebrations of Lunar New Year.

Truong An Gifts

This local, cultural, Asian market celebrates Chinese New Year each year in their parking lot with two days’ worth of performances from local groups including lion dances, martial arts demonstrations, and kids’ fashion shows (where all participating kids in traditional clothing get red envelopes). This is a great way to do a bit of shopping and enjoy the holiday at the same time. They update their Facebook page and event regularly so keep updated there.

Southridge Recreation Center

This recreation center in Highlands Ranch, Colorado is teaming up with the Great Wall Chinese Academy for a mini-festival and a performance including lion dances, martial arts, and music. Find out more here.

Sharetea Westminster

Enjoy traditional performances from the Nguyen Thieu Lion Dance troupe at this location on February 1st only. They will also be handing out red envelopes for good luck. Don’t forget to grab a cup of bubble tea while you are there. Find out more here.

Castle Rock Outlets

This shopping center honors Lunar New Year each year with red envelopes, crafts, and discounts. Find out more.

Nathan Yip Foundation

If you want something a bit more robust, check out the Chinese New Year party at the Grand Hyatt Denver. This party has traditional performances, acrobats, lion dances, karaoke, and even a silent disco. Plus, enjoy themed food stations and an Asian-themed street market. Get your tickets here.

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Whether you’re buying, selling, refinancing, or building your dream home, I’m here to help you explore the many financing options available. Ensuring that you make the right choice for you and your family is my ultimate goal. I am committed to providing my customers with mortgage services that exceed their expectations. Find out more by visiting my website.

Household Projects Perfect for January

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Homeowner.

As a homeowner, each season brings its own list of home maintenance tasks that need to be completed, and January is no exception. Even though it’s dark and cold (and often snowy) outside, that doesn’t mean you are off the hook when it comes to keeping up with your home.

Here are some suggestions for tasks you could complete this month to keep your home in top shape:

Check Your Batteries

Go through your home and check the batteries and test all the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are in optimal condition and that you can depend on them in an emergency.

Clean the Coat Closet

Whether you have a mudroom or a simple closet, take some time to organize the space. Get rid of anything that no longer fits, doesn’t have a match, or is in poor condition. Make sure your weather gear is easily accessible and you have what you need to brave the winter weather.

Tackle that Junk Drawer

We all have one. The drawer where all the miscellaneous knick knacks and gadgets go can easily get out of hand if it’s not organized regularly.

Make Things Cozy

Pull out those fuzzy blankets, candles, and teapots! Go around your home and figure out how to make each room cozy and comfortable since you’ll be spending more time indoors this time of year.

Protection from Water

If you want to protect your home from potential water damage, make sure you know where your water shut off valve is (just in case). Are those gutters clean? They are designed to send any possible water or snow runoff into an appropriate spot which could be problematic if they overflow into other areas.

This should give you plenty of projects to tackle this month to stay on top of the place you call home.

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Whether you’re buying, selling, refinancing, or building your dream home, I’m here to help you explore the many financing options available. Ensuring that you make the right choice for you and your family is my ultimate goal. I am committed to providing my customers with mortgage services that exceed their expectations. Find out more by visiting my website.

How to Celebrate National Thank You Month

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Holidays.

While it may seem obvious that January is a big month for sending out thank you cards, after all the holidays events and gifts the month before, January is also, officially, National Thank You Month. This is a great opportunity to incorporate gratitude and appreciation and also showcase some great ways to express your thanks. Especially, if you are parents, the benefits of becoming more intentional when saying ‘thank you’ include role modeling great behavior.

Here are some ways you can celebrate and give thanks this month:

Make a Gratitude List

First, begin by making a list of everyone and everything you are grateful for right now. This list will help you come up with ways to express your thanks to the people that matter the most.

Discover Their Love Language

To really give back in an impactful way, ask people about their love languages. This concept comes from a book called The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell.

The five languages are:

  1. Physical Touch
  2. Words of Affirmation
  3. Gifts
  4. Quality Time
  5. Acts of Service

Once you identify the most effective way to show your love to someone, you can come up with some truly great ideas for expressing your thanks.

Make Cards in Batches

Spend some time filling out basic thank you cards that you can hand out in the moment to anyone who does you a good service or makes your day better.

Take Someone to Lunch

If there is someone especially deserving of thanks this month, consider taking them out to a meal, coffee or dessert this month.

Thank Every Day

Make it a point to be intentional about saying thank you to someone every day this month. If it helps, keep a journal to help you say on track. This could be the beginning of a new habit for you.

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Whether you’re buying, selling, refinancing, or building your dream home, I’m here to help you explore the many financing options available. Ensuring that you make the right choice for you and your family is my ultimate goal. I am committed to providing my customers with mortgage services that exceed their expectations. Find out more by visiting my website.