Re:Fresh Re:Design, I have an eye for your style!

All photos and/or written content produced by Cheryl Marantino. All rights reserved and may not be reproduced or reprinted without express written permission of Cheryl Marantino, Re:Fresh Re:Design, Serving Colorado Springs, Colorado and surrounding areas in El Paso and Teller Counties.

All photos and/or written content produced by Cheryl Marantino. All rights reserved and may not be reproduced or reprinted without express written permission of Cheryl Marantino, Re:Fresh Re:Design, Serving Colorado Springs, Colorado and surrounding areas in El Paso and Teller Counties.

Now that Easter has passed and Colorado weather seems to be settling down a bit, the hubs and I have begun our afternoon and early evening walks again. We love to try out new trails, and often drive to other parts of town to discover new neighborhoods and new places to walk. The past couple of days we have driven to this trail. It is a part of the Rails to Trails system, and is shared by bikes and pedestrians.

It can be accessed from the intersection of Constitution and Academy, and also from the intersection of Constitution and Murray. On my way to a staging job today, I saw that it also crosses Union!

We have printed maps off the internet of local trails, and keep track of where we have been, and where we want to go next! Today, we are walking a section of the Homestead Trail, one we walked the entire length of last summer.

Moving to the city 2 years ago, we were fearful that we might not get to continue our walks that we had done in the mountain towns we have lived in. That we would be relegated to trips around the edge of a park, or only neighborhood walks. We are happy to report that we have not begun to exhaust the trail system in the city, and have enjoyed each and every walk, so far!

All photos and/or written content produced by Cheryl Marantino. All rights reserved and may not be reproduced or reprinted without express written permission of Cheryl Marantino, Re:Fresh Re:Design, Serving Colorado Springs, Colorado and surrounding areas in El Paso and Teller Counties.

We skipped the usual language lesson on "Word of the Week Wednesday", and enjoyed Spring Break! Everyone, (except me), in my immediate family is involved in education. They are all off work for Spring Break this week so I took a day too, and went with all of "my boys" to an inside play place, called It'z to entertain the big and little boys. Video games, bowling, bumper cars, carnival rides, skeeball, you name it, they have it to entertain young and old. There is a food bar, and the dining rooms have cartoons, old movies and sports playing on screens placed around each room. What a perfect place to go today, as it was cold and dreary, after WEEKS of sunshine!

Check out their website at www.itzusa.com for special spring break deals, hours and more. Be prepared for lines to get in, but no lines once you are inside. There is plenty of room, the "cash card" system eliminates the need for tokens, and the terminal for turning in tickets which are converted to points on your card for shopping is very convenient.

Our observations suggest Colorado Springs economy is much better off than many would have us believe, as people were out, having fun and enjoying family time today!

All photos and/or written content produced by Cheryl Marantino. All rights reserved and may not be reproduced or reprinted without express written permission of Cheryl Marantino, Re:Fresh Re:Design, Serving Colorado Springs, Colorado and surrounding areas in El Paso and Teller Counties.

Homesellers, did you know that in the color spectrum, the eye recognizes YELLOW FIRST? Thats why yellow is the perfect color to choose for the flowers that will grace your walkway, front porch or other locations on your property that you want potential buyers to notice when thinking about your curb appeal!

Thats the FIRST TIP! If you have read my posts before, you might remember that I have suggested using evergreen branches pushed into the soil of flower pots if your flowers cannot survive outside yet. That is the case here in Colorado, as we prepare for spring snowstorms that could continue for another couple of weeks.

Of course flowers are best, and daisies or mums are two of the longest lasting and hardiest of the outdoor plants you can choose. Evergreens will add a lively touch until you can plant, in colder climates.

The SECOND TIP is for inside flowers! Many people overlook the value of fresh cut flowers. They instantly add a touch of elegance, and freshness to any room, and they say that you care, "just a little bit more".

It's possible I have a bias, I am the daughter of a florist, and have worked in several shops myself, but it is a proven fact that EVERYONE smiles when receiving flowers...over candy, plush toys, anything else, flowers make people happy! You want them to be happy in your home, right?

You don't need to purchase expensive arrangements, a simple bunch of cut flowers will be fine, and there are many long lasting varieties that can last up to 2 weeks or longer, with proper care. I purchase flowers at the grocery store, and discount store on a regular basis. To keep the expenses down, I choose hardy, long lasting flowers. Alstromeria, Daisies, Liatris, Carnations, and Waxflower are all good choices. Waxflower has a fresh lemon-y scent and is a beautiful "filler flower". Steer clear of roses, they have one of the shortest lifespans for cut flowers. Don't forget to add greenery! It is inexpensive and very good at holding everything in place for you as you arrange your flowers! Leather leaf, Pitosporum and Tree Fern are all good choices. It's also a good idea to ask your local florist, or attendant at the flower station if they have recommendations. Flower people are creative, and would LOVE to help!

Change the water DAILY, if possile, and if not, at least every other day. Snip the stems with a sharp pair of scissors or cut with a knife, on the diagonal, under barely warm running water. This allows the flower to "drink" and keeps them fresh looking. Don't allow "slime" to build up in the vase, wash it out thoroughly, and even add a few drops of bleach to the water, it won't hurt the flowers.

If you get the preservative packets, from the florist, pre-dissolve them, and do not use them with tulips or other bulb plants, (they don't like it!). If you use any of the "old wives tales" additions, such as sugar, aspirin or a penny, thats fine, they all help certain flowers, just PRE-DISSOLVE, so you don't clog the stems.

You don't need an expensive vase, a mason jar, a tall drinking glass, a pitcher will do. As you cut the stems shorter every day or so, (just a tiny bit!) switch to a large coffee mug, or short canister. The illustration is a silk arrangement, but easily duplicated with fresh flowers, by thinking out your design, before you cut your stems! Naturally shorter flowers can ring the outside edge of the container, and the naturally taller flowers become the focal point.

As summer rolls around, cut from your own garden and practice with wildflowers, (they really love sugar as an additive!). Coloradans: NO columbines! (It's the law!)

Choosing 2 or 3 colors is a good idea, as is a "monochromatic color scheme, all in the same color family. A touch of white is always welcome as it allows the eye to rest, and actually intensifies the color combinations.

All photos and/or written content produced by Cheryl Marantino. All rights reserved and may not be reproduced or reprinted without express written permission of Cheryl Marantino, Re:Fresh Re:Design, Serving Colorado Springs, Colorado and surrounding areas in El Paso and Teller Counties.