It’s so difficult to find natural ways to clean your home these days. Everyone seems to go for the easy solution of just scrubbing down every surface they can with some store brand cleaner. 

Little do they know strong chemicals may wither away a lot of surfaces, and wear on them so much faster than natural ways of cleaning.

So let’s get out of the lazy habit of letting harmful cleaners do all the work, and check out these 5 completely natural ways to keep your home clean.

#1 Clean Your Oven/Stove With Baking Soda

First, you’ll want to mix  some baking soda and water and form a paste that you can spread all over the oven or stove. 

Then let it sit there for a few hours or overnight while you’re asleep. Finally, wipe it clean with a wet cloth and your stove will look nice and shiny! 

Be sure to remove all of the baking soda because if baking soda gets really hot, it can make an even bigger mess than what you started with.

#2 Scrub Your Toilet Using Vinegar

Pour about 1/4 to 1/2 cup vinegar into the toilet, and if you can add 1 or 2 drops of essential oils as well. Something like tea tree essential oil will work just fine.

Then you scrub like usual and let it sit for 1 hour. Set a timer if you’re the forgetful type, and once it goes off go back and scrub again then flush.

You’ll not only have a wonderfully clean toilet, but the vinegar will help mask any smelly bathroom odours, so you can even save on scented sprays too! 

#3 Use Steam Mops to Clean Your Floors

For fantastic looking floors without the need for chemical cleaners, steam mops are absolutely a worthwhile buy.

Steam mops use hot steam to remove grime from floors and work well without the need for those harshly smelling chemicals. Instead they just use air to get out all that messy dirt from your floors!

They will remove tough, dried-on stains as well, they really are a do it all kind of mop. Plus, because the steam reaches high temperatures, these mops can sanitize and disinfect germy areas like bathroom floors and pet spaces, all you need are a few slow passes over them.

#4 Clean Your Fridge With a Baking Soda and Water Mixture

Begin this mixture by adding about 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 4 cups of warm water.

Then, remove everything from your fridge and use the baking soda mix and a soft cloth to clean all the surfaces inside.

Finally, remove all the drawers and wash those either with the baking soda mixture as well and be sure to dry all the surfaces before putting your food back in the fridge.

#5 Use Baking Soda or Vinegar to Clean Your Carpets 

If you’re looking for a simple, quick clean, start by mixing baking soda with a few drops of an essential oil like lemon, lavender, or peppermint.

Then, sprinkle that over your carpets and let it sit for about 15 to 20 minutes and then vacuum all the spots where you left it.

If you’re trying to steam-clean your carpets, use a mix of equal parts vinegar and water instead of the chemical cleaner and you’ll get the same results without putting all those harmful chemicals into the air!

Conclusion

Now that I’ve wrapped up these top 5 ways to stay green while you clean, I hope you got some great ideas to keep those chemicals off your surfaces. 

You’ll find your house will be just as clean, and what’s even better, is you’ll save money by not buying all these cleaning products too! There are so many great cleaning hacks out there you just have to look for them before looking to buy harsh chemicals. 

Here's another great guide for how to find the perfect cookware. 

Author's Bio: Nora Mitchell is a stay-at-home mom, always trying to maintain a healthy balance between taking care of the home and having fun. She contributes with her household tips in householdadvice.net. 

When moving into a new home, there are several things you must do to help you settle in fast. The entire process will be tedious, time-consuming, and will involve money to buy new household products. But what is important is being patient and organized about it. You may need to have a moving checklist to guide you in every step of your moving journey.

With all the hassle, you need a new home to do list because packing and unpacking may take a few days to complete. Fortunately, in this digital age, it isn't hard to do anything because the internet is right at your fingertips. That is why we wrote this piece to help you understand the things you need to do before moving into your new home.

So here’s what to do:

1. Update Your Address

The first thing to do when moving to a new home is to send in a change of address form with Canada Post; otherwise, your parcels and letters will land in the wrong hands. Also, ensure you change the address on running subscriptions, with the CRA, at the bank, on correspondences that come to your home, and more. 

Inform your family and friends about it because you do not want your holiday cards to get to the wrong destination.

2. Inspect and Do Repairs

Walk through the house to see if the conditions meet what was in agreement, and if there are any additional repairs, fix them right away. If you find flaws that the previous owner ought to have fixed, do not hesitate to contact your realtor to follow up. 

Check the plumbing works to ensure that there aren't any leaks on the piping. You can invite a home inspector to do a professional job for you.

3. Confirm Availability of All Utilities

A home is only habitable when all the utilities are running well. So, ensure you check that the electricity, water, and gas connections are functioning as required. Do not forget to set up internet and phone connections and reach out to the city for new waste bins if possible.

4. Conduct Thorough Cleaning and Extermination of Pests

Cleaning is the most important thing to do when moving to your new home because it is the only way to eliminate dust, germs, molds, and other agents that can cause disease. You will have peace knowing that the toilet area is clean and free of germs. And by extermination and fumigation, you rid the house of pests that can be dangerous to your health and those of your loved ones.

5. Create a General Design Plan

Once done with cleanliness, it's time to think about your house's plan, especially the living room. Plan the design and arrangement of furniture and consider which new home upgrades are worth the money you have planned for a home makeover. You may consult an interior designer to help you out with the best arrangements and new home essentials.

6. Check for Child and Pet Safety

Childproofing is inevitable if you live with young ones at home. Remove hazardous materials from the kid's play area and fix hanging cables that could strangle them. As for pets, ensure their health safety by keeping harmful or spoiled food away from their sight, train them to keep off electric cords to avoid electric shocks.

7. Find the Electric Panel and Water Valve

Electrical safety is a priority when moving to a new home; therefore, locate the electrical panel and fuse box for easy access whenever there is an electrical hazard. Besides, you should test to see if the smoke detectors and alarms are working as required. Also, locate the water valve position to know where to turn it off when there is a malfunction on the taps.

8. Find Social Amenities

Before you start moving, check for the availability of social amenities like schools, hospitals, and entertainment spots. Even before completing the buy of a home, notify your kids, let them contribute to the moving decision, and identify their favourite schools. Do a check on the available health care providers and see if they accept your insurance coverage?

9. Register your Motor Vehicle and Update Insurance

If you are moving to a new province, you may be required to do a new registration for your motor vehicle. Consequently, you also have to renew your driver's license. Another thing in the spotlight is the home insurance that you have to update to have a peace of mind if something unthinkable ever happens.

10. Know Your Neighbours

Finally, you have to connect with your neighbours because it is a human thing to do. Your immediate community will come in handy in times of need, so do not ignore them. They are the ones to familiarize you with the new environment.

Moving into your new home won't be a hassle if you have a checklist on what to do to get ready. The things we stated in this article are a good start point to make moving life easier for you. Also, consult home inspectors for help to identify flaws in the attic and edifice. For new home decor ideas, work with interior designers who will offer amazing tips to improve your house's overall outlook.

Have more tips? Do not hesitate to drop your comment, and we will be glad to respond.

Author’s Bio:

Archie was a builder for more than 40 years. Mainly after his retirement the enthusiastic electrical works in garden and writes for a blog Homemakerguide.com to keep himself occupied. His many years of experience can get you the right tool reviews whether it is a drill, welding machine or so. An impressive fact to note about him is that almost everything in his house is a representation of his skills made by his hands. 

Cheap Items to Upgrade Your Bathroom

The bathroom is undoubtedly an essential room in the house. It’s that part of the house where you destress with a cold shower. It’s also the room where you get all your beauty regimen, and makeup is done. The entire place is synonymous with beauty, and you need to take care of it too.

Apart from serving you well, you’ll find that many people who want to purchase houses pay attention to the bathroom and how it looks. So, if you’re planning to sell the house anytime soon, upgrading the bathroom space will help you to get a top price for your home. 

With that in mind, here are some cheap materials you could use to help spruce the bathroom up: 

Floating shelves

Floating shelves aren’t for the kitchen alone. They provide a classy and straightforward way of storing your toiletries– especially those you don’t necessarily use daily. 

While no one will recommend that you keep the more unsightly bathroom products on an open floating shelf, you could always opt to keep things like towels, creams, and others, in there. There’s the obvious space-saving benefit that they provide, as they allow you to keep more items in the bathroom by collecting some of the items and keeping them enclosed. 

Apart from their ability to free up space, however, floating shelves are also great with improving the aesthetic appeal of your bathroom. Functional and good-looking, floating shelves are a win-win for anyone. 

Get new lighting

Lights might not necessarily be a bathroom item, but they do help provide an awesome upgrade nonetheless. By upgrading your lighting, you’re providing a great, modern spin to the bathroom and improving that homely feeling, thus making the bathroom more comfortable. 

Lighting can make or mar a room. So, if you’ve got that overhead fluorescent lighting option still in your bathroom, it’s time to replace it with a set of can lights. If the ceiling in your bathroom is a bit high, then you could go for a chandelier too. 

However, optimal lighting will involve installing light sources on the two sides of your vanity. Just measure your height and have them installed at eye level, so you get the best possible lighting when you do your makeup.

Get a new vanity 

Speaking of vanity, it might be time for you to get a new one too. If you’ve got an older vanity and you feel some sentimental attachment to it (maybe it’s a family heirloom or something), then you could get a fresh coat of paint, and some new components like drawer pulls and cabinet knobs. 

The vanity is one of the most prominent parts of any bathroom, and if you want to upgrade the entire room, you should look into upgrading that piece as well. So, if you see that you can’t possibly redeem the vanity with a pimp, then it’s time for you to get a new one. You can easily get a vanity from the different sizes available to fit the cabinetry in your bathroom.

However, whether you want to repaint or buy a new one, it’s always recommended that you get something with a high-gloss white color. This provides a dramatic statement and a more contemporary look.    

A toilet paper holder

When it comes to the bathroom, the little things are just as prominent as the larger ones. So, while you could get a chandelier and change your vanity, you should also not forget about the smaller things – like the toilet paper holder. Seemingly inconsequential things like the toilet paper holder can play significant roles in making or marring the entire look of the bathroom, so make sure to pay attention to it too. You could always try IKEA for a new one. 

New faucets

Speaking of the little things, it might be the perfect time for you to get new faucets. While you could spray-paint existing faucets to look better, we all know that there are some that are simply beyond redemption. If yours has crossed that point, then just like the toilet paper holder, it’s time to get a new one.

Image via Pixabay

When you are selling your home, you want it to look as clean and attractive as possible. A home that is well-staged is going to sell for a higher price than one that is cluttered and overflowing with the owner's belongings. So, follow these tips to declutter your home for photos and open houses, to ensure that you are putting your best face forward!

Ask a Real Estate Agent

To get started on this seemingly monumental task, take some time to discuss your options with a real estate agent. In addition to helping put your home on the market, a real estate agent will have the knowledge and experience to see your home through the eyes of the buyer. They will ensure that you stage your home perfectly for a successful sale.

Nix the Clutter

When showing a new home, the first rule of thumb is to make sure that the house is clean and clear of clutter. When you are living your life from day to day, it is easy to overlook things that you use on a regular basis, and it’s these things that you need to keep out of sight. If something on the counter or tabletop is functional rather than decorative, place it in a cupboard or drawer before an open house or photo session. The idea is to offer a clean visual that allows potential homeowners to visualize the home with their own belongings in it. 

Everything Has a Place

One excellent way to maintain your home clutter-free is to ensure that everything on the floors and flat surfaces has a specific place that’s out of sight. Organize your cabinets and drawers so that each item belongs in a particular place. This means washing your dishes as they are used and doing your laundry in frequent small batches so that it doesn't pile up.

If you have children or pets, sealed storage containers or cubbies are an excellent way to organize their belongings. Then, when you are prepping for a next-day showing, you don't have to scramble to find a place to put everything. After a day or two, it will become a habit to have everything where it belongs, saving everyone time and stress.

Wide Open Spaces

Remember, your open house should appear as clear and spacious as possible to allow the potential homebuyer to imagine how they will fit in. This means less furniture is more. Consider renting a temporary storage unit for unnecessary tables, chairs, and other furniture. Think of your house as a blank canvas waiting for the imagination of the new homeowner. 

Clean, Clean, and Clean Some More

Your house will sell largely based on appearance, so cleanliness is key. In addition to containing the clutter of daily life, be sure to keep your house looking spick and span. The cleaner your house looks, the more attractive it is to your potential homebuyers.

Once you've done the job of clearing the surfaces, have a cleaning service thoroughly clean your counters, cupboards, floors, baseboards, and windows. After the cleaning, it will be easier for you to maintain your home's cleanliness for the next open house or photo op. 

Wash your windows thoroughly, both inside and outside. Can't reach the higher levels? Hire a professional window washer to do the work for you. Clean windows are a must to make your home sparkle! You want your home to have as much natural light as possible, and it is amazing how clean windows make the space feel more open!

The Devil's in the Details

Finally, be sure to complete minor repairs, such as repairing loose doorknobs, replacing old or mismatched cabinet handles or smoothing and repainting chipped surfaces. Small details can have a big impact on the way your home is viewed by a potential homeowner. Fix the little problems now to ensure that your home is in the best possible condition for your showings.

Keep your house clean and clutter-free, and see what a difference it makes. With your sparkling clean home good repair, your house is guaranteed to be at the top of the market!

Cleaning. It’s not a task that we all enjoy, but it is one that has to be done. After all, if we let ourselves get too behind, then our homes end up full of bacteria and germs; potentially making us sick. However, when searching for the dirtiest place in your home, you might end up surprised by the answer. I can assure you; it’s not the room you think. Below, I’ll tell you exactly where that place is, as well as provide you with some seriously handy cleaning tips.

Where is the Dirtiest Place in Your Home?

Before you say the bathroom shower or toilet, let me stop you right there. The dirtiest place in your home is actually the kitchen, and when you think about it, it’s not that much of a surprise. There are so many places for bacteria and grime to gather and fester, and therefore it is easier to get sick if the cleaning is neglected.

Sponges, chopping boards, counters; all of these are prime places for bacteria. Spending some time each day washing the dishes, countertops, and chopping boards will keep germs at bay, as well as changing your sponge on a regular basis. Additionally, you should also try switching to a steam cleaner instead of a mop and bucket as these are actually much more effective at killing bacteria.

Where are Popular Places That Dirt Gathers?

What about the rest of the home? Dirt and germs like to gather everywhere, but what are some of the more prominent places? Here’s a quick list to show you some of the top locations you should be prioritising when you clean:

-        Bathrooms

-        Mattresses

-        Couch cushions

-        Pet beds

-        Carpets

-        Light fixtures

-        Doorknobs

It’s so easy to overlook these locations, especially things like light fixtures. However, it is these little features in our home that gather the most dust. Similarly, a mattress should be cleaned once a month to get rid of bed bugs, dander, and any germs that are lingering in the material.

Most of these things only need to be cleaned on a weekly basis, and carpets are much the same. If you have pets, you will need to vacuum them more regularly, something I’ll look at in the next section.

Top Cleaning Tips for Your Home

I have got some fantastic tips and tricks for keeping your home clean with minimal time and effort. The first is that you should invest in a good quality vacuum cleaner; one that works for your home. If you have pets, you need one that has been designed for animal hair. If you only have carpets or hard floors, you will need a model that is able to cope with them. You also need to think about the attachments, as they can come in handy for things like stairs and tight spaces.

White vinegar will become your best friend, and that’s no exaggeration. Bleach is massively overrated, and natural products actually work just as well; if not better. White vinegar can be used neat, diluted with water, or with baking powder, and it can do the following (as well as more):

-        Deodorise clothing in the wash

-        Remove stains from various surfaces

-        Work as a disinfectant

-        Clear limescale from taps and showerheads

Steam cleaners are also amazing, and you need to invest in them. Not only are they inexpensive and easy to use, but they are much more hygienic than a traditional mop and bucket. The steam kills 99.9% of bacteria and removes grime quickly. The pads are usually washable as well, saving you even more money in the long run. Some can even be used with carpet for those that want it.

To Conclude

It can be shocking at first when you realise where the most dirt gathers in the home. However, it doesn’t take long to ensure that it is nice and clean at all times. All you need to do is take a little time out of each day so that you can prep and cook in a hygienic environment. Want to learn more about the germs in your home and how to combat them effectively? Will Tottle has written an excellent and detailed guide on the topic that you can read here

Are you worried you’re paying more than necessary to keep your home cool? Do you think you’re getting the best out of your air conditioning unit? There are many ways to keep your house at a comfortable temperature and get more out of your AC without spending a lot of money.

Our infographic is designed to show you 21 actionable tips for keeping your home cool whilst using less energy. In the process, you can save money and also reduce your carbon footprint by using less energy. Most of our tips are relatively simple to implement.

The tips on our infographic cover maintenance and smart usage of your AC and other devices to cool your room. 

For instance, did you know that a simple filter cleaning done that is every month can save you up to 15% of the running costs of your unit? Also, using fans to cool when it isn’t hot enough to demand air conditioning can use just 10% of the power of an AC?

Check out our original article on saving money on air conditioning for more tips. For an even quicker overview, 21 of the top AC energy-saving tips can be found simply by checking out the infographic below.

If you're thinking ahead to your next dream home, the road you need to take to get there may seem confusing. Do you search for listings online? Drop by Open Houses on the weekends? Call the number on For Sale signs?

Let's break it all down! Here are the specific steps you need to take to ensure you find a home that fits your wants, needs and budget.

1. Find out how much your current property will likely sell for on today’s market.

2. Arrange for financing, so you know what you can afford.

3. Select neighbourhoods you'd love to live in. (That may involve some

   fun exploring!)

4. Decide on the type of home you want to buy. (For example:

   detached, three-bedroom, etc.)

5. Prioritize the property features you want most, so you can be flexible

   if a feature is missing from a home listed on the market that is

   otherwise ideal.

6. View properties on the market that closely fit your criteria, particularly

   new listings that may not yet be posted online. (Tip: Arrange to be

   immediately notified of new listings that are a good fit for you.)

7. When you find a home you want, make an offer designed to get the

   property — without overpaying.

8. Negotiate until you secure the deal. This may involve counter-offers.

9. If the negotiation is skillfully done and all goes well, the home is

   yours.

As you can see, there isn't a lot of mystery in finding your next dream home. You just need to take the steps and get the professional help you need along the way.

Looking for a real estate agent that can get you to the finish line? Call today!

Most Common Moving Mistakes

Moving can be one of the more exciting phases of our lives, especially if you are moving to the Vancouver or surrounding area! Whether you are relocating to a different residence in the same area or to a different city or province altogether, moving is both an exciting and arduous process. There are literally thousands of meticulous steps that can be taken to ensure the smoothest possible transition. However, taking each step is overkill and it is best to take a more subtle approach and prioritize. Due to the deluge of moving information, tips, blogs, YouTube videos etc, sometimes it’s best to know what not to do in preparation for a move.

Nine Weeks Before

1. Failing to do adequate research.

By this time you should really be sifting through the web and all of its valuable information regarding any queries you may have about moving. 

2. Hoarding.

Use it or lose it! There is no need to keep old stuff that you will no longer have use for. Old possessions can be easily replaced. If you are overloaded with trash, there are multiple junk removal services that can help you get rid of your trash fast!

3. Not making copies of important records.

Due to the chaos that can be moving homes. It’s highly recommended that you make copies of any important archives that you may have such as medical records, financial statements, birth certificates, and school records.  

Six Weeks Before

4. Not ordering supplies in advance.

By ordering all the bubble wrap and boxes in advance you will be able to cross one more task off your list making things just a little less stressful as moving day approaches.

5. Wasting food.

Limit the groceries. There are exceedingly high chances that your freezer holds a lot of food that you may not have been aware about. Try to clean out the pantry and freezer one meal at a time.

6. Not keeping a detailed expense record.

Moving is expensive! Some employers will provide relocation packages that may help cover the cost of moving. Whether it be a flat rate or percentage, make sure to pay extra close attention to your expenditures. 

Three Weeks Before

7. Not booking a high quality moving company in advance.

Moving companies tend to be the busiest during the beginning and end of the month so if your moving day is planned around one of these time frames make sure to book well in advance!

8. Failing to notify important parties.

Obviously you may want to let your utility, cable, and water provider know that you will be relocating and/or no longer needing their services. In addition, it is important to notify banks, schools, and any emergency contact of your upcoming move.

9. Not separating the “valuables.”

Any type of valuable that is easily transported and has significant value should be accounted for and transported personally with you. 

One Week Before

10. Not refiling important medications.

Better be safe than sorry on this one. 

11. Not packing a personal suitcase.

Sometimes your belongings will become shuffled in the fray of moving. Thus, having a personal suitcase is absolutely essential to the process. 

12. Not confirming with the moving company.

For a high quality moving company it would be rather unlikely for them to either forget or omit your reservation, save an unforeseen emergency. Therefore it would be best to double check just to be safe. 

One Day Before

13. Not defrosting the freezer.

This is one of the more common mistakes that can be made during any move and it can be a time delaying, therefore costly nuisance as movers are typically hired by the hour. 

14. Being unprepared for the movers.

It’s considered kosher to provide at least 10% tip and as they are lifting heavy objects around it would be nice to have some refreshments for them. 

15. Not taking inventory again.

Channel your inner accountant. The more meticulous you are, the greater the probability that you will be able to have a successful move and not leave anything behind!

Good Luck!

Six Simple Solutions to Help You Sell Your Home 

Looking to sell your house and get the most out of the deal? You may want to take a good look around before you start your listing. Home repairs and improvements may seem pointless when you’re looking to sell, but even small tweaks here and there can increase the appeal of your property and increase the value of your home. Here are six steps that can help you get the most out of your sale:

Set reasonable goals

When you’re thinking of selling your home, one of the first items on your agenda should be to establish a goal selling price. Try to determine just how much you need to get from your home to be satisfied with the sale. Look at selling prices of similar homes in your area to start and connect with a licensed realtor or home appraiser before settling on a final figure. A realtor can complete a walk-through of your home to determine a realistic goal, while also suggesting repairs and improvements to increase that number. Are you on a budget, but still want to make updates? There are plenty of small DIY projects that can mean big returns. 

Freshen up paint

A fresh coat of paint is one of the most simple and affordable fixes you can make to increase the appeal of your home. Painting helps your space look more polished and put together, and light colors can help small spaces look airy and open. Neutral shades tend to appeal to more buyers, and some studies suggest that certain colors can add thousands to your home’s final selling price. With a few rollers and buckets of the right color, you can update your home in as little as a few hours. 

Two rooms matter most

If you can only choose one room to update make sure it’s either a bathroom or the kitchen. Most realtors will tell you these are the rooms potential buyers look at first when viewing a home. Even the smallest improvements can mean a bigger return. Replace outdated wallpaper, change out old fixtures, and don’t forget about lighting. Lighting can make or break a sale in some cases. If you have a little more time and resources, consider updating appliance to energy efficient options. 

Spruce up the yard

The first thing anyone sees when looking at a potential home is the front yard, so make sure yours is in good shape. Treat any problem areas in your lawn and pick up any debris or trash. Flowerbeds should be freshly mulched and clean, and any dead or dying plants discarded. Yard lacking a little luster? Spend a weekend planting some flowers or plants that compliment your home’s exterior or even plant a tree or two.  Spending some time shaping up your yard can add curb appeal and attract more potential buyers. Here is a great article on how to bring great lanscaping to your home: Landscaping Here are some great tips we found on a UK site to help revamp your garden with new garden furniture even though the shops are in the UK the tips are universal. If you are not moving until the fall, why not plant a vegetable garden to enjoy before you move, just be sure to keep it looking neat to show potential buyers the possibilities of how they can grow vegetables. 

Don’t forget the roof

When viewing a home, prospective buyers will also pay close attention to the exterior of a home, which includes the roof. If your roof is looking shabby or is older than 15-20 years, you may want to consider replacing it before beginning to show your home. Replacing the roof can increase energy efficiency and cut cooling and heating costs while increasing the look and value of your home. 

Some studies suggest a new roof can increase your home value by as much as $12,000. Not sure if your roof is in good shape? It’s worth the time and money to have it checked out by a professional. Home inspectors pay attention to this part of the house first as well, and the last thing you want is a cancelled sale because of a bad roof.

Making updates to your home may take some time and resources, but they will be well worth it when it comes to reaching your selling goal. Pay attention to the outside of your house and make any needed repairs before you list your home. Remember, small improvements can mean big results, so invest in updates that count with buyers. By doing so, you can sell your home faster and put more money in your pocket in the process. 

Guest Blogger Seth Murphy 

Photo via Pexels

Help support mental health here in Canada by supporting Bell Let's Talk today!

For every text message sent, long distance call made, tweet and Instagram post using the #BellLetsTalk orFacebook video view and use of Snapchat geofilter share of the Bell Let's Talk image - Bell Canada will donate 5 cents to help fund mental health initiatives across Canada.

Clara Hughes as the face of Bell Let's Talk gives people a sense that if an Olympic athlete who always seems to have a smile on her face can have mental health issues and be okay...than so can anyone. It also goes to show that it doesn't matter what walk of life you come from, mental health issues can affect just about any one of us. The stats are that 1 in 5 of us will suffer some form of mental illness in their lifetime. Clara and Bell are not only trying to bring awareness to mental health but help to remove the stigma that always seems to follow. I know from my own family...if there was ever any issues it was better not to talk about it and hope that it will just go away instead of dealing with it. Which likely only makes the problem worse as people ignore that the family member needs help or makes the family member feel ashamed.

At this time of year when it is cold and wet or snowy outside depression seems to hit even the least likely of us. If Bell Let's Talk can help spread the word I am all for it. Whether you tweet, make a call send a text, post on snapchat and instagram or share the image on facebook...it's easier than doing just about anything and it's a way to make a difference. So help me support Bell Let's Talk day!

For more information on Bell Let's Talk visit their website at the following link:

Bell Let's Talk 

I almost forgot to blog about Dine Out Vancouver this year. There may still be a chance to reserve one of your favourite restaurants or try one of the ones I recommend below. You have 1 week left, be sure to check out some of my favourites. Here is last years blog with a few new ones and a couple restaurants that aren't participating this year. Francesco's Ristorante Italia , Lombardo's Restaurant and Mangia e Scappa don't seem to be participating, but I kept my reviews in for you to read. 

Dine Out Vancouver 2018 started January 19th and runs until February 4th. 

Dine Out Vancouver 2018 boasts 17 days of culinary excitement with delicious meals at fabulous restaurants for great prices!!!
The catch is that you must make your reservations sooner rather than later. 

My husband and I are really big foodies, over the years we have made it out to quite a few of the restaurants that take part in Dine Out Vancouver 2018. Some of the restaurants we have been to, but not always during Dine Out Vancouver 2018. As you can see we obviously love Italian food...in fact that is probably our go to, especially when we don't know what or where we want to go. In such cases, we will often opt to head to one of our favourites. There are a few more restaurants that we love that do not participate in Dine Out Vancouver 2018 but we will leave those for another blog. 

In all honesty not everyone in the list is a favourite or even one we would frequent again or at least not often. I will give them all a mini reivew for your reference and then let you decide. If you click on any of the restaurants, you will be taken to their website to decide for yourselves. Even if you don't like the Dine Out Vancouver 2018 menu options, most restaurants will still offer their regular menu. We have often went in during Dine Out Vancouver but decided we preferred something else on the restaurant's main menu. Either way you can't go wrong. 

Italian
-CinCin Ristorante & Bar - one of our favourite Italian restaurants, the service, the food, the ambiance...all Top Notch!
-Cafe Il Nido - quaint little place tucked away with a nice courtyard patio in the summer, delicious food and great service
-Poor Italian Restaurant  - excellent place to take the family, our girls love this restaurant
Francesco's Ristorante Italia - one of our go to places over the years, food is always delicious
-Federico's Supper Club - usually a stop during the Italian Cultural festival in the summer on Commercial Drive
-Frankie's Italian Kitchen & Bar - not really one of our favourites, food was ok...more of a chain style restaurant, lacks the ambiance of a finer Italian restaurant
-La Terrazza - visited them for the 1st time during Dine out last year and very nice restaurant, not our favourite but still good food
Lombardo's Restaurant - delicious pizza and another great stop during the Italian Cultural Festival 
Mangia e Scappa - Fort Langley - they don't have a website, only real italian restaurant that we have in Langley, pizza is pretty good done in a stone oven

Steak and Seafood
-Black + Blue - we have been for dinner and then my husband has been for functions. Wasn't the best experience in a large group, but we did enjoy our dinner the few times we had been before. Wagyu steaks and macaroni sticks are delicious!
-The Boathouse Restaurant - been to a few locations, excellent place to take the family for a seafood dinner...we have been a few times...which is funny because my husband does not eat seafood...he usually finds something else on the menu. 
-Chop Steakhouse & Bar - Richmond restaurant near the airport right off the highway, been there a couple times and a decent restaurant. Nothing exceptional to boast about, but good nonetheless
-The Keg Steakhouse & Bar - we have been to a few, usually because there was either nowhere else to go or because friends suggested it....always found Keg restaurants to be a little over-rated (again my opinion, would rather spend that kind of money in a fine Italian restaurant or non-chain style restaurant)
-Joe Fortes Seafood and Steakhouse - great ambience and delicious food..although not a big fan of theri lobster infused oil for dipping bread

Casual Fine Dining 
-Dockside Restaurant - great place to grab a bite to eat before a show or after a stroll through Granville Island...if you book ahead or go early try to get a seat near the window...the views are stunning. 

Asian cuisine
-Hapa Izakaya any of their locations are good and it is one of my husband's go to places with his colleagues for lunch downtown. They offer great tapas style Japanese dishes as well as delicious entrees. Never had a bad meal there. Their "Kalbi" beef short ribs are delicious and usually one of our favourites and my husband loves their Ishi-Yaki stone bowl dishes.

Casual
-Dunn's Famous Restaurant's known for their Montreal Smoked Meat sandwiches...although the best outside of Montreal we have found is "Estrella's" in Langley
-Cactus Club Coal Harbour has some great views of the North Shore Mountains and Stanley Park, when we want something we know we head to Cactus Club..in Langley that is usually our go to place for a chain restaurant.
-Moxie's Grill & Bar - they are part of Dine Out...but in all honesty we have not been to a Moxie's in years...Food is ok, usually a place we go for a quick bite before dropping our daughter off at the airport when she's heading back to school...but  haven't even done that in a while. 
-The Old Spaghetti Factory - ok, so they are part of Dine Out Vancouver....used to be a favourite when we were kids...(kids do not have any taste...) it's a family style restaurant so maybe great if you don't want to take your kids to a nice restaurant. Every few years we give them a try...but only to be disappointed each time. They are supposed to be Italian...but I couldn't bring myself to include them in that category...just seemed wrong. Sorry Old Spaghetti Factory...but its true.
-Rocky Mountain Flatbread Co. - Delicious flat bread and they even offer pizza making parties. How fun is that! Love too that they support local by keeping their ingredients local and organic. 
-Romer's - My husband has been to a few of their locations (hazzard of working downtown Vancouver, he gets to visit a lot of amazing restaurants and I insist he take me every once in a while to some place new) Their burgers are delicious! I believe I had the Magic Mushroom burger...I mean how can you go wrong when you put Boursin cheese on it...yum!
-Tap & Barrel any location...I have been to the North Shore and Olympic village locations. Lots of fun, vibrant atmosphere, great place to grab a bite wih friends. The pretzel with cheese sauce is a great starter to share with friends and family.
-The Flying Pig - We have been to the Olympic Village and Yaletown locations and enjoyed happy hour and dinner there a few times. 

Mexican
-Las Margaritas Restaurante y Cantina - Unfortunately, the last couple times the food was just ok. But whenever we are in Kits, I always insist on stopping by and picking up a tub of their delicious Salsa and large bag of tortilla chips to go! 

Not only are there great deals at many of your favourite restaurants but many hotels are offering special pricing during this time too. I never realized they also have some great events during Dine Out Vancouver 2018 and wish I had time to check them out. Events like Brunch crawls, Craft beer and Taco Tours (not for us because we don't drink beer...but what a great idea with Craft beer being such a craze right now), Secret Soiree sounds like fun and so many more....definitely going to plan to check the events out for next year.

For more details on the participating restaurants, events and hotels visit the following link:

Dine Out Vancouver 2018

Have you ever had a real estate question, or just wanted to know what the market was like? Well Kara will be on hand at one of the Starbucks locations in Cloverdale - 17967 56th avenue (Hwy.10 beside the RBC branch) to answer as many questions as we can this coming 
Saturday April 22nd from 1-4pm.

We started our Meet and Greets in January, they have been such huge success that we are running one a month over the next few months. 

We will be offering FREE Starbucks Regular Coffee and treats. It's an opportunity to ask us questions about what the market is doing in your neighbourhood, or maybe something you heard in the news. There is the new BC partnership program that came into affect in January for First Time Home Buyers...maybe you were wondering how this might benefit you as a First Time Home Buyer. 

Maybe you have been thinking of selling your home and/or buying a new home...but you don't know where to start, or who to call. Come by and meet us! We would be happy to help you with your next move! 

No pressure, no sales pitches, no obligation! Just a chance to meet a local team that has been helping homeowners for over 10 years. We come with lots of experience and knowledge to share.