Staging New Hampshire

NH Home Makeovers: Making Use of Wasted Space

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 07:30:36 -0700

Sometimes all it takes to gain space in your home is a little organization. Most homeowners have a room they use as a catch-all.

Start by getting rid of the things you no longer need, and then assign a place for everything you are keeping. Fresh paint and some reorganization transformed this laundry room into a craft room.

Rooms can end up feeling much smaller than they are because "stuff" has taken over. Simply removing all the small pieces of furniture and accumulated dust collectors made this dining area feel much larger. More room for entertaining!

Defining space and function will immediately increase usable space. In the picture below, what could be valuable square footage has become an undefined combination of family room, play room, guest room. The homeowner said the space was primarily being used for the kids to play and as an occasional guest room. What a huge waste of potential living space!

Since the area had three "sections", I made the largest section into a much needed family room and the smallest section became the new play area. The remaining section was turned into a guest room. With each area clearly defined the homeowners gained valuable square footage.

When space is limited.... make the most of it.

This closet, in a very old home, has very little to offer in space. It's not deep enough for clothes hangers. The previous owners had hooks across the back. I can only imagine how that was working for them.

We removed the hooks and added shelves, greatly increasing the usable space.

Here's a great idea my Uncle Jim came up with for adding a table to a very small space in his living room.

He simply added two legs to a shelf and mounted it to the wall.

Do you have any ideas or organizational tips to share for making the most of small areas or for reclaiming wasted space?

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New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

Wordless Wednesday - The Party's Over

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 03:49:21 -0700

Wordless Wednesday - The Party's Over

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

NH Home Stager's Vegan Adventure - More Vegan Recipes Part 5

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 04:07:19 -0700

It's been twenty two weeks since I started my vegan adventure!

I'm still enjoying the vegan diet....I haven't missed meat and there's been no temptation at all. I did have a small piece of fish recently, because it was caught on Zack's first fishing trip and he brought it home to us.

Here are some of the recent vegan recipes I've made and really enjoyed....

Chocolate Quinoa Protein Cereal

Glow Kitchen

This was really good....it could actually be a dessert!

A nice change from oatmeal and traditional breakfast cereals.

More than 10 grams of fiber in just 1/2 Cup serving!

Lemon Dill Pasta Salad

Edible Perspective

A healthy, refreshing mayo-free Summer salad!

This was a lot of work to prepare....but it's lemony flavor is so good, it's worth the effort!

Black Bean and Potato Nacho Plate

Oh She Glows

Baked potato wedge fries covered in beans, tomatoes and avocado....what's not to love here?

You can use chopped or sliced tomato or whole cherry tomatoes. I chopped fresh tomato and mixed with cilantro, red onion and olive oil. (homemade salsa)

This was really good served with tortilla chips on the side.

Veggie Burger

Oh She Glows

I'm not really a veggie burger fan. That said, this one is pretty good.

Nice flavor and the leftovers make a good cold sandwich.

I love cilantro and used it instead of parsley. You can use whatever seasoning you like.

Chocolate Chip Chickpea Blondies

Ambitious Kitchen

These blondies are not only vegan....they are flourless, gluten free and about as close to healthy as you can get with a dessert! Most importantly of all....they are really delicious.

Nobody would ever guess they are made with chickpeas!

They taste like peanut butter cookies... but guilt free!

New Hampshire Home Stager's Vegan Adventure:

5 Helpful Tips For Vegan Newbies

In Search of Great Vegan Recipes

More Vegan Recipes Part 2

More Vegan Recipes Part 3

More Vegan Recipes Part 4

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New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

NH Home Makeovers: Fast And Simple Ways To Update Window Treatments

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 05:25:19 -0700

Want to create a dramatic home transformation? Update your window treatments.

Have you had the same curtains for years? If they are covering up valuable architectural details, or darkening the room, or dating the room.... it's time to replace them.

Dated window treatments, regardless of how expensive they originally were, age your home.

You don't have to spend a lot of money to create your new look.

The key is keeping it simple.

The window is the focal point...it only needs an accessory, not a whole wardrobe.

Switching to plain white shears is an inexpensive way to create a fresh, updated look.

Get panels long enough to almost hit the floor, rather than panels that end at the bottom of the window.

Hang them from rings for a more stylish look. Walmart and Target carry a good selection of inexpensive hardware.

For an easy, no-sew valance take a curtain panel you already have (or twin size flat sheet, or any piece of fabric) and fold it up and hang it from rings.

Another idea using fabric and rings: Attach 7 single robe hooks to wall above window (extending past the window on both sides). Clip rings to valance (or any folded fabric) and hang each ring from a hook.

Switch to woven blinds for a natural look. Bamboo blinds that roll up deliver high impact for little cost!

Remember "less is more"....the goal is to accent the windows with fabric and let the woodwork show. It's cleaner, brighter, and much more appealing.

Being a professional Home Stager in New Hampshire doesn't limit me to working just with home sellers. I also help people who are not selling their house but want a fresh new look. I specialize in using what the homeowner has on hand....creative and budget friendly transformations.

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

Wordless Wednesday - The Puddle Patrol

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 03:50:42 -0700

Wordless Wednesday - The Puddle Patrol

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

NH Home Makeovers: Update Old Furniture With Paint & New Hardware

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 06:09:48 -0700

NH Home Makeovers: Update Old Furniture With Paint & New Hardware

An inexpensive way to create a new look is to paint your furniture. It's not as hard as you may think, and the results are well worth the effort. Not only do you save money, it's a great way to recycle!

We have an oak bedroom set that we have had for many years. It's our guest room furniture and updating it has been on my To Do List for awhile now. I finally did it.

Here are BEFORE pictures of the nightstand and dresser.

Originally both the headboard and footboard had very tall posts.

Tired of the 4-post look, I wanted a simpler style. I decided to take this make-over one step further and really change the look of the bed.

My husband cut the posts down. I purchased finish pieces from Home Depot and attached them with Gorilla Glue.

I removed the center finial detail piece.

I lightly sanded with a palm sander and applied one coat Sherwin Williams Multi-Purpose Latex Primer.

I applied two coats of Sherwin Williams Duration Acrylic Latex in Satin finish.

I had Sherwin Williams color match Benjamin Moore Devonshire Green 1489.

New satin nickel hardware is my favorite part of this transformation.

More examples of furniture makeovers:

Updating Furniture - Painting It Black Brings It Back

Nana's Dresser Goes Heavy Metal

Cabinet Makeover Dry Brush Technique

Twin Bed For My Grandchildren

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

NH Seacoast Summer Fun - Things To Do On A Rainy Day

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Fri, 31 May 2013 04:56:34 -0700

NH Seacoast Summer Fun - Things To Do On A Rainy Day

The Seacoast area of New Hampshire is a beautiful place for Summer family fun with so many beautiful beaches and state parks. But, what about those occasional rainy days?

Here's a list of some things to do when the weather isn't cooperating.

The beach is still an option. The children will enjoy hunting for shells and driftwood. The boardwalk at Hampton Beach offers great atmosphere and lots of arcade fun.

Weirs Beach in Laconia is home to Funspot, the largest arcade in the world. They have over 500 games and activities.

If a day at the arcades with the kids isn't your idea of "vacation" then maybe some spa time would be more appealing. Adagio Spa Salon & Wellness Center in Barrington offers massage therapies and body treatments that will make you forget the rainy weather outside.

Hilltop Fun Center in Somersworth offers mini golf, laser tag, batting cages, driving range, go karts, and arcade. Their outside attractions operate in light to moderate rain, only shutting down if there is thunder and lightening or heavy rain.

Portsmouth Kayak Adventures offers tours when it's raining.

Shopping on the Seacoast

The Mall is the obvious choice on a rainy day, but keep in mind that others will have the same idea. Malls will be crowded. That said, there are three malls in the area, The Fox Run Mall, The Mall of NH, and The Maine Mall.

Hit the outlet stores in Kittery, Maine and while you're there go to the granddaddy of all shopping experiences on the Seacoast... Kittery Trading Post with three levels of the most extensive selection of outdoor recreational equipment, clothing and footwear in New England.

North Conway also offers outlet shopping at Settlers Green Outlet Village and White Mountain Outlets. One of my favorite stops in the Conway area is Zeb's General Store.

For less traditional shopping visit The Christmas Dove in Barrington. This Christmas wonderland is one of the largest Christmas stores in the country.

Shopping on the Seacoast would not be complete without a visit to Salmon Falls Stoneware and Red's Shoe Barn in Dover.

Historic and Educational Choices

McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord

Seacoast Science Center at Odiorne Point in Rye

Albacore Submarine in Portsmouth

The Childrens Museum of NH and The Woodman Institute in Dover

Currier Museum of Art and SEE Science Center in Manchester

Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth

"10-acre site, with its authentically restored houses and shops, period gardens, and costumed role players, presents the daily lives of ordinary people who lived here - from Colonial times to World War II, from the mundane to the elegant, from economic boom to war time austerity - in engaging and accessible ways. Strawbery Banke Museum is a capsule of New England seaport life across four centuries."

Go To The Movies

Fox Run Stadium Newington

BarnZ's Barrington Cinema Barrington

Cinemagic Salisbury

Don't let the weather ruin your vacation. Make the best of it, and do something you otherwise wouldn't have had the chance to do. If you have children, the important thing to them is quality time with you... make some memories!

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

Wordless Wednesday - Calm Before The Storm

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Wed, 29 May 2013 03:44:47 -0700

Wordless Wednesday - Calm Before The Storm

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

NH Seacoast Summer Fun - Somersworth International Childrens Festival

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Mon, 27 May 2013 05:06:45 -0700

NH Seacoast Summer Fun - Somersworth International Children's Festival 2013

Friday June 14, 2013 6:00 pm

Saturday June 15, 2013 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

RAIN or SHINE

The 33rd Somersworth International Children's Festival begins this year's festivities on Friday, June 14 at 6:00 with an appearance by the band Gazpacho. Bring your chairs or a blanket to the Festival Pavilion at Somersworth High School and claim a spot for your family to enjoy the show. In addition to the musical entertainment, there will be over 30 vendors offering a variety of food and activities. The evening will end, just after sunset, with a large fireworks display!

On Saturday, June 15, Main Street will be lined with over 200 vendors offering American and Ethnic food, activities and games, crafts, face painting, balloons, and much more.

There will be three performance stages. One stage will offer entertainment for children, one will offer general entertainment, and the third will showcase multi-cultural music.

The World Cultures area offers a fun learning experience. Each child is given a passport and as they learn about different cultures, their passports are stamped along the way. Some of the countries represented will be Brazil, Indonesia, China and Poland....many of the countries will offer samples of their native food. Once kids have collected a stamp from each country they are entered into a drawing for a chance to win one of many great prizes, including a new bike!

The fun isn't limited to Main Street....

A short walk or shuttle bus ride takes you to Noble Pines Park where there will be another performance stage, a free petting zoo, pony rides, llamas and lots more fun activities.

NH Seacoast Summer Fun - Somersworth International Childrens Festival 2013

The Somersworth International Children's Festival was formed in 1981 by a group of concerned citizens and community leaders to help promote civic pride and to stimulate the involvement of city residents in the revitalization of Somersworth.

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

Selling Your New Hampshire Home? Home Staging Consults Save Money

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Fri, 24 May 2013 03:47:15 -0700

I was recently contacted by a homeowner whose house has been on the market for many months. The house is vacant, and the sellers were thinking that staging it could help. I don't carry an inventory of staging furniture, but I do provide consults for vacant properties. If, after a consult I feel furniture will help, I assist in the selection of furniture (either buying or renting.)

After our brief conversation I went online to see the MLS pics of the home in question.

It was obvious to me why this property was not seeing much action. The overall impression is not good. There are only a few photos, and they are not flattering. One of the pictures makes no sense at all.... a close-up of an unattractive feature.

A few days later I got an email saying they were going to look into renting furniture and probably didn't need my help.

I emailed back that I had seen their MLS pictures and adding furniture was not the answer. I told them that their money could be spent in other areas that would yield better results. Adding furniture to the home, in it's present condition, would be a waste of their money. (I'm thinking lipstick on a pig...)

No reply.

It's so frustrating to see sellers spending their money on the wrong things. For a lot less money than the cost of rental furniture, that house could be updated and made more appealing to buyers.

A Home Staging consult provides sellers with a plan of action....professional advice on where their money, time and effort will be best spent in order to present the most appealing product. Every house is different and needs to be addressed individually.

Selling your New Hampshire home? Home Staging Consults save money!

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

Wordless Wednesday - What You Lookin' At?

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Wed, 22 May 2013 03:56:58 -0700

Wordless Wednesday - What You Lookin' At?

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

NH Seacoast Summer Fun - Portsmouth Market Square Day 2013

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Mon, 20 May 2013 03:38:17 -0700

NH Seacoast Summer Fun - Portsmouth Market Square Day 2013

Saturday, June 8, 2013 9am - 4pm

Portsmouth Market Square Day is one of the most popular and anticipated Seacoast Summer events. It originally started thirty six years ago to celebrate the renovation of downtown Portsmouth. It has grown bigger each year, with a possible 80,000 people expected to attend again this year.

"The festival affords all the opportunity to stroll the streets of Portsmouth in search of great crafts, products and tasty offerings by local restaurants, non-profits and food vendors."

The Market Square Day 10K Road Race kicks off the event at 9:00 am with 2000 runners and competitive walkers starting at Market Square and ending at Historic Strawbery Banke.

The streets of downtown Portsmouth are closed to traffic and lined with over 100 vendors' booths offering arts, crafts, and local merchandise. The food is fabulous, with an assortment for everyone! Come early and start with a pancake breakfast at the Middle Street Baptist Church.

Some local favorite food vendors in the past have included Fat Bellys (great grilled burgers), The Meat House (amazing steak tips), and The Common Man (irrisistable crab cakes and lemon strawberry shortcake).

Let's not forget the entertainment.....there are three stages with a variety of musicians and dancers performing throughout the day.

Remote Festival Parking is also available.

If you don't want to deal with parking, free shuttle bus service is offered at the Fox Run Mall

Buses from the mall (JC Penney parking lot) will drop off and pick up at the Hanover Street Garage Bus Stop in Portsmouth 8:30 - 4:30.

Market Square Day Street Closures (4am - approx. 6pm):

Congress Street
Market Street (Bow St. - the Square)
Ladd Street
Fleet Street
Chestnut Street (Congress to Porter)
Porter Street
Church Street
Pleasant Street (State St. - the Square)
Penhallow Street
Daniel Street (Chapel St. - the Square)

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

NH Seacoast Summer Fun - Visit Historic Homes For FREE on June 1, 2013

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Fri, 17 May 2013 03:41:17 -0700

NH Seacoast Summer Fun - Visit Historic Homes For FREE on June 1, 2013

On Saturday, June 1, 2013, Historic New England will be offering free guided tours to all of their 36 house museums located throughout New England.

There are three historic homes in Portsmouth available for this event:

Jackson House, 1664

Governor John Langdon House, 1784

Rundlet-May House, 1807

Governor John Langdon House and Jackson House are National Historic Landmarks

Tours will be offered on the hour, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, on a first-come first-served basis. The last tour will begin at 4:00 pm.

Historic New England "collects and preserves buildings, landscapes, and objects dating from the seventeenth century to the present and uses them to keep history alive and to help people develop a deeper understanding and enjoyment of New England life and appreciation for its preservation."

Portsmouth isn't the only place offering free guided historic home tours on June 1.

Historic New England has house museums located in Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

Check out the Property Map to view all their locations.

Other homes here on the Seacoast offering Free guided tours on June 1 include:

Hamilton House South Berwick, c. 1785

Sarah Orne Jewett House South Berwick, 1774

Gilman Garrison House Exeter, 1709

If you can't make it on June 1, or prefer to avoid the crowds that tend to gather when something is free, you can visit any of the historic homes during their normal business hours for a minimal admission fee.

During regular hours free admission is offered to AAA members, active duty military, and children under five.

Guided tours are always FREE for residents of the city where each house is located and

for members of Historic New England.

Whether you take advantage of the free admission or not, these homes offer a great opportunity to view four centuries of New England life dating from the seventeenth century.

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

Wordless Wednesday: Bowl of Soapy Water + Straw = Lots of Bubble Fun

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Wed, 15 May 2013 06:14:07 -0700

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

NH Home Staging Advice: How To Have A Successful Yard Sale

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Mon, 13 May 2013 03:07:00 -0700

The weather is finally warming up here in New Hampshire and that means it's time for sailing! While my husband enjoys sailing on water, I prefer sailing the streets... for yard sales. Like a pirate, I go forth in search of treasure. It's hit or miss. I never know what I may find.

Quick little side story:

This past weekend my Uncle Jim and Aunt Claudette were at a yard sale and Claudette noticed a pair of wall plaques that looked familiar. She told Jim she had made similar plaques back in the '70s. Imagine her surprise when she turned one of them over and saw her name written on the back! She was so excited. She told the man having the yard sale "I'm Claudette, I made these!!" He charged her $10 for them.

What a jerk! He couldn't have just given them to her? Seriously....I would have happily given them to her...and it would have made me feel so good to do so.

I'm not only a shopper, I'm a seller too. I've had many sales over the years. Here are my tips for having a successful yard sale.

Writing a yard sale ad:

Advertise in the local paper and on Craig's List. Mention items of interest. (collections, antiques, appliances, tools, baby items, jewelry, etc.)

Multi-Family sales or "first time" sales will draw more people.

Either state that your sale is "rain or shine" or list a rain date.

List a start time but no end time so you can end when you want to.

If you don't want shoppers before the advertised start time, state in your ad: No Early Birds. FYI, some people will still show up early.

I suggest not putting your house number in the ad, only the Street name. That way dealers can't show up the day before. Make sure your house is clearly identified when you open for business.

Preparing For A Yard Sale

Have plenty of change (ones, fives, and coins).

Have bags available and also old newspaper for wrapping glassware.

It is best to have tables, but plywood placed over trash cans or boxes works well. Do what you can to have breakables off the ground.

The better the presentation, the more valuable the items will appear. (organizing stuff into sections...clothing, housewares, holiday, toys, tools, books, etc. is helpful)

If you have a garage, set up the day before. Place big items by the door, ready to move into the driveway once the doors open. Have all items priced. People do not like to ask price.

Clearly mark items in your garage that are not for sale. (or cover with a sheet)

Don't group items by price (everything on this table is $1) because it all gets moved around and it gets too hard to keep track of.

Don't overprice....a general rule is to price items 1/4 to 1/5 what they originally cost. If you really want it gone....price it cheap!

Be prepared to bargain. Regardless of your pricing some people will still offer less.

Have big (visable-from-a-distance) signs at both ends of the road. Make sure signs are weather resistant. I usually paint on a large piece of wood using bright colors. Arrows showing direction are helpful at intersections.

If you don't want people driving up your driveway, or on your lawn, block the entrance to the driveway.

Have a "FREE" box or area and add to it throughout the sale.

Don't place candles, crayons, or record albums in direct sun.

Have one cashier. People claim to have paid if more than one person is collecting money.

Put small pocketable items in zip lock bags or mount on cardboard. It is really sad to say, but people steal.

Have an extension cord available to prove that electrical items work.

At the end of the sale place leftover items by the street with a big "free" sign. They usually disappear.

Always remove your signs when your sale is over.

I hope you find my tips helpful as you navigate the high seas of weekend merchandising! Best of luck!!

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

NH Seacoast Summer Fun - Portsmouth Farmer's Market

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Fri, 10 May 2013 03:54:03 -0700

NH Seacoast Summer Fun - Portsmouth Farmer's Market

Every Saturday 8:00 am to 1:00 pm

at Portsmouth City Hall parking lot on Junkins Avenue

The Portsmouth Farmer's Market is a Summer staple....it's more than just a place to pick up produce. It's a gathering, a social event every Saturday, starting on May 4 and running until November 2. Local farmers and vendors from all over the Seacoast participate and bring with them far more than flowers, fruits and veggies.

Also available are prepared foods, honey and syrup, dairy, meat, fish, and eggs.... even quail eggs.

You can get cider, tea, artisanal beer, and wine.

At the Portsmouth Farmer's Market you will find everything from art and fine crafts to bodycare products.

One of my personal favorite items at the Portsmouth Farmer's Market is the maple soft serve ice cream. It's just one of the maple products available from Sugarmomma's Maple Farm who also sell maple cotton candy, popcorn and hot sauce!

Check out Bow Wow Bones....all natural healthy dog treats made by local disabled young adults.

There is usually musical entertainment adding to the festive atmosphere.

Whether you are looking for a tasty treat or looking to stock your pantry or simply just want to walk around and soak in the community spirit...it's a great place to visit on Saturday morning!

The Seacoast Growers Association Additional Information

Here's a useful tool: An interactive map for each week, showing a list of vendors and exactly where at the market they will be located. Click on any booth on the map and it takes you to the vendor description and contact information.

Here's a great gift idea: You can buy "Market Money" gift certificates for use at any of the four local farmer's markets.

If you can't make it to Portsmouth on Saturday, here are three other Seacoast Markets:

Durham: Mondays 2:15 - 6:00

Dover: Wednesday 2:15 - 6:00

Exeter: Thursday 2:15 - 6:00

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

Wordless Wednesday - Traffic Jam

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Wed, 08 May 2013 03:46:08 -0700

Wordless Wednesday - Traffic Jam

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

Selling Your New Hampshire Home - Buyer's Perception is the Seller's Reality

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:14:58 -0700

Selling Your New Hampshire Home - Buyer's Perception is the Seller's Reality

Gary Woltal has written another great post that really hit home for this New Hampshire Home Stager! I love the picture he used to illustrate his point...."optical illusion" pics fascinate me. You can't sell your house using optical illusion, but you can sell your house using the home staging basics: Preparation and Presentation!

Your house is only worth what a buyer is willing to pay for it. A buyer is only willing to pay what they PERCEIVE the house to be worth. Perception is everything.....

The buyer's perception is the seller's true reality.

Via Gary Woltal - Assoc. Broker REALTOR® SFR Dallas Ft. Worth (Keller Williams Realty):

Growing up, I loved looking through pages and pages of those books on "optical illusions." It made me appreciate that one's first impression taking something in with our senses is more than meets the eye. It made me conclude in life also for me and others,

Perception Is Reality ALL The Time.

You may be able to influence another's perception of something like a first impression, or drive up curb appeal with a house, but darn if you can't change it, once someone's mind is made up. In real estate, some people turn around right away in the doorway with a bad smell and don't even look at the house thinking they can fix it. They DON'T WANT to fix it. They don't like it.

With ourselves and our perceptions, TRY to force yourself to look at something a different way. An opportunity rather than a challenge. Something POSITIVE from the set back. A "golden chance" to have a new start from a terrible ending.

Remember, we live in our minds from our own experiences we have had and CHANGING our perspective on something can open whole new worlds for us. The REALITY is what we believe!!

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

Kick Off The Summer at Children's Day 2013 in Portsmouth New Hampshire

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Fri, 03 May 2013 11:26:31 -0700

Kick off The Summer at Children's Day 2013 in Portsmouth New Hampshire

What better way to kick off the Summer than to spend an afternoon having quality family fun!

Children's Day 2013 is Sunday, May 5, downtown Portsmouth from noon until 4pm.

This event is unlike all other Portsmouth events in that it's geared totally towards kids, twelve and under. It's not a booth and/or vendor type of event. It's an entertainment and activity driven event. Your kids can participate in the things that appeal to them.

Festivities begin at noon at the docks of the Isles of Shoals Steamship Co. where beloved characters Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eyore, Dora the Explorer, Elmo, Curious George, and Nemo arrive from Character Island via the M/V Thomas Laighton. After meeting the characters, kids simply follow the Children's Day Map which guides them through all the activities and entertainment.

This year's activities include:

Boat rides on the M/V Thomas Laighton (must purchase tickets)

Bike safety fun and bike helmet fittings with the Kiwanis Club

Scavenger and Treasure Hunts

Extreme Air of NH Jump Rope Event

Karate Games

T'shirt Coloring

Meet the Seacoast Maverick's baseball team and sign up for a chance to be Bat Boy or Bat Girl for the season

Captain Kidd and the Pirates of the Piscataqua will be at Tugboat Alley on Bow Street

Pleasant Street Block Party

Coloring Contest at Citizens Bank

Portsmouth Lion's Club Free Vision Screening

Open House at the Firehouse on Court Street

Crafts, balloons, ice cream, performers, face painting, free gifts....much more!

The Grand Finale is at 3:30 at the M/V Thomas Laighton, as the characters say goodbye and board the ship to leave. Raffle winners will be announced at 3:40.

Children's Day in Portsmouth New Hampshire is a day centered around the kids, but it's fun for the whole family!

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New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

Wordless Wednesday - Sole Mates

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Wed, 01 May 2013 03:49:08 -0700

Wordless Wednesday - Sole Mates

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New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

Home Staging in New Hampshire - The Fact is Size Doesn't Matter!

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 05:44:59 -0700

Home Staging in New Hampshire - The Fact is Size Doesn't Matter!

One of the greatest misconceptions about Home Staging is that it's for high end or high square footage homes. Home Staging is for ALL homes....all prices, all sizes. As a New Hampshire Home Stager my consults have been with sellers overlooking the ocean and sellers in trailer parks.

When you list your home for sale you are selling a product. Home Staging is simply the preparation and presentation of that product, regardless of it's size.

To quote my Canadian Home Staging friend, Janice Ankrett, "Size doesn't matter....really."

Via Janice Ankrett Burlington Ontario Accredited Staging Professional (Janice Ankrett Home Staging):

It doesn't matter what size the home is, Staging makes a difference.

Remember, the seller of a townhouse wants and needs the equity from their home just as much as the seller of a larger high end home.

The same Staging principles apply no matter what size the rooms.

Traffic flow is important in every home.

Buyers are still looking for spacious rooms for the size of the house.

   Storage matters to all Buyers.

Plenty of natural light makes all houses feel better.

Collections distract the Buyer's focus from the features of the house.

Poor maintenance depreciates both homes.

Strong odors from food or pets smell just as bad to Buyers in both houses.

Furniture placement can affect the appearance of any size of room.

A professionally decorated home is still focused on living and a Staged home is still focused on Selling.

The investment in a Staging Consult improves the presentation of the home no matter what the size or list price.

Improve your chances by calling today.



Serving Burlington,Oakville, Milton, Hamilton & surrounding areas.     905-467-5353

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

NH Home Stager's Vegan Adventure - More Vegan Recipes Part 4

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 05:12:44 -0700

It's been sixteen weeks since I started my vegan adventure!

It still doesn't feel like a diet.

I've only begun to scratch the surface of all the "vegan" blogs and websites out there. I find new ones every day. I can't keep up with all the recipes I'm collecting....so many recipes, so little time! Here are just a few of my most recent favorites.

Thai Coconut & Peanut Butter Curry

Chocolate Covered Katie

Words cannot describe how delicious this is. I was hesitant when I saw "curry". I hate the spice curry. I didn't know that "curry" refers to a sauce based, spicy dish.

The ingredient, red curry paste, determines how spicy this dish will be. I don't do spicy....I used 2 Tbsp. and it was perfect for me....use 3 Tbsp. if you prefer more kick.

Next time I want to try this with noodles!

Mock Tuna Salad Made With Chickpeas

Yeah, That "Vegan" Shit

I've always enjoyed a good tuna sandwich. I think I like this faux tuna better!

It's so weird how close this is to the real thing. I didn't add the kelp powder or the nutritional yeast and it's awesome without either of those ingredients. Feel free to skip them.

Even if you have never had tuna or don't like tuna....you should give this a try. It makes a very tasty sandwich!

Black Bean & Cilantro Pesto

Photo from: Thug Kitchen

SPOILER ALERT: Language on the Thug Kitchen blog is not for everyone. I happen to LOVE it. I think it's refreshing.

Check out the FAQ link...hysterical!

They just won The Best New Blog Award for 2013! Congrats Thug!

As for the recipe....this pesto is sooooo good! It can be mixed with black beans and tossed in a wrap, added to rice or pasta, put in a soup...I mixed it with beans for tacos and I also used it as a spread on an avocado and tomato sandwich.

Simple, Fast, and GUILT FREE Ice Cream

Strawberry Banana

Slice very ripe bananas into 1-2" pieces. Freeze. Blend in food processor or blender (you need a blender that is powerful enough to process ice) until it turns into ice cream!

Depending on the bananas, sometimes I add a tiny bit of milk. ( I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk)

You can add other frozen fruit to the banana....blueberries, strawberries, pineapple or peaches.

Add a tablespoon of peanut butter or coco powder....so many possibilities!

Do you have any favorite online healthy diet sources or yummy vegan recipes to share?

New Hampshire Home Stager's Vegan Adventure:

5 Helpful Tips For Vegan Newbies

In Search of Great Vegan Recipes

More Vegan Recipes Part 2

More Vegan Recipes Part 3

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New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

Wordless Wednesday - RAIN ACTIVE

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:09:22 -0700

Wordless Wednesday - RAIN ACTIVE

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New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

I've Read Three Chapters from "The ONE Thing" - Here's What I Thought

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 04:10:41 -0700

I've Read Three Chapters from "The ONE Thing" - Here's What I Thought

Let me start by saying I'm not a reader. The last book I read was for an ActiveRain book club group...and that was only because the book chosen happened to be about a Home Stager. In all honesty, I downloaded and read the three-chapter sample of this book, The ONE Thing written by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan, because it's an ActiveRain challenge and there's points to be had.

Imagine my surprise when I actually enjoyed it! I found all three chapters very interesting. It's a book about achieving success, both business and personal. In Chapters One and Five, The ONE Thing asks the questions "If everyone has the same number of hours in a day, why do some people seem to get so much more done than others?" and "Is multitasking effective?"

Chapter Seven is about willpower and it was my favorite of the three chapters.

The first line in Chapter Seven asks the question "Why would you ever do something the hard way?" I've always considered it to be "the hard way" when I see people trying to prepare their house for sale without the help of a Home Stager. I knew I was going to like this chapter.

I think most people associate the term willpower with diet or trying to quit a bad habit. I consider it to be the ability to control ourselves when it comes to things that are bad for us. I believe controlling willpower requires a very strong motivation for change. Prior to reading Chapter Seven, I hadn't thought about willpower as being critical to success. What I learned is "willpower is so important that using it effectively should be a high priority" and it's a limited resource that requires charging like a battery.

There is a study mentioned in the book that reveals how our ability to make choices can be weakened by stressful tasks. I had to laugh when I recognized myself...I have been known to compensate for a stressful day with an unhealthy treat or two. Have you ever justified an ice cream sundae as a reward for a bad day at the office?

There are other studies also mentioned....one on the impact of nutrition and willpower....another on the impact of willpower on our judgment. Both are fascinating and helped me to see how I need to change how I manage this valuable resource.

I'm so glad this challenge was put before us, and that I had the opportunity to read a few chapters from this powerful book. I look forward to reading the rest of it!

The ONE Thing Challenge continues through Monday, April 29.

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

New Hampshire Home Staging Tip For BUYERS - Seller's Loss is Your Gain

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 03:59:53 -0700

New Hampshire Home Staging Tip For BUYERS - Seller's Loss is Your Gain

Only 10% of people can visualize. This means that 90% of people cannot visualize. In real estate terms....most potential buyers can't imagine a house any other way than how it's shown to them. I've long forgotten where this statistic comes from, but ask any Home Stager and they will confirm it. Most people can't see past what's actually there to what could be there.

It's a rare buyer who sees potential.

As a Seacoast, New Hampshire, Home Stager I provide this information to sellers to help them better understand the importance of preparation and presentation in marketing their product. It's pretty basic stuff....if buyers don't like what they see in pictures (confusing floor plan, lack of space, dated or neglected appearance) they won't call for a showing. Visual appeal is very important to a sale.

Buyers can also benefit from this information. Buyers who make the effort to see potential, can find great deals on homes that other buyers have quickly pushed aside. Look past the STUFF...look past the old furnishings and the kids' toys...look past the need for minor updates and improvements. Imagine the rooms freshly painted. Look for homes with great features and details that other buyers didn't take the time to notice. There are great deals to be had on homes that have spent a long time on the market and suffered multiple price reductions.

It's a wise buyer who sees past the poor presentation

and knows there's a deal to be had at the seller's expense.

New Hampshire Home Staging Tip For BUYERS - Seller's Loss is Your Gain

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524