Localism: Harris County, TX

House Of Blues Houston

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:10:54 -0600

What's smokin hot in Houston right now? That would be The House of Blues. Newly opened in downtown Houston, this cool new club has had an unbeatable venue that doesn't disappoint, with more to come. With 43,000 sf of space, the House of Blues encompases a vast array of entertainment, fun, and food.

The Legendary Great B.B. King will perform live Friday night, November 21, 2008. The door opens at 7:00pm, the show begins at 8:30. Prices range from $70.50-$125.00.

House of Blues Houston

1204 Caroline St
Houston, Texas 77002
United States
(888) 402-5837

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Cindy Bryant is the owner of Redesign Etc.Home Staging & Redesign Specialist in Houston, Staging Your House To Sell By Professional Home Stagers! Our goal is to get your home sold for top dollar in the most cost effective way!

Contact Cindy today for a Home Staging Consultation. Please visit our website for more information.

Areas Served: Houston, River Oaks, Tanglewood, Bellaire, Piney Point, Mid-Town, The Heights, Montrose, Texas Medical Center, The East End, West Loop/Galleria/Memorial, Downtown, Museum District, West University, Spring Branch, Royal Oaks-Lakeside, League City, Clear Lake City, Friendswood, Kemah, Seabrook, Pearland, Sugar Land, Spring, Cypress, Tomball, The Woodlands, Kingwood. And all areas down to Galveston Island.

Houston hosts 9th Annual LATIN GRAMMY AWARDS!

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:15:58 -0600

We had the privilege of hosting the 9th Annual Latin Grammy's here in Houston, Texas, at the Toyota Center, November 13, 2008.

My dad is V.P of Integrity Music, the Latin Division and he had several artists who were up for a Grammy so he invited my daughter to go with him!

She is in her 2nd year of Spanish at McCullough Junior High, in The Woodlands, so I thought this would make a perfect "field trip" experience for her!

She got to walk the "Green" carpet (yeah, I know "go green" no more red)

I bought her a 8 megapixel camera for her Birthday ... teaching her how to BLOG!!!!!!!!!!!!

Getting ready for the Grammy's ........

She even got to stand on the stage and "practice" her acceptance speech ...

Here is Gloria Estefan! She said the only reason she knew her songs was because when she was little I always played her music to clean the house (ok ... so its energizing and inspiring!!!!!!!!!!!)

"Latin pop diva Gloria Estefan, who was honored with the 2008 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year award Wednesday night, also scooped up awards for best traditional tropical album for "90 millas" and best tropical song.

"The only thing left for me to do is to sing in a free Cuba," said Estefan, who is the first woman to receive the person of the year honors."

Confetti .......

I wasn't so fortunate to go the Grammy's but I met everyone afterwards for dinner ...

here is my sister and brother-in-law (Alan Villatoro) ... he has just released a new album ... expect to see him at next year Grammys!!!!!!!!!

DOES THIS NEW REALTOR REALLY HAVE A SHOT?

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:12:53 -0600

As I sat down trying to decide on what I would write for my first blog ever, naturally I thought about my real estate career (or should I say the career that I want). Everything that I've learned up to this point the question that comes to mind...do I really have a shot to make this a career?

Let's admit the facts of being drawn to this business: (what drove me)

I was tired of being told what to do and when to do it.

I was tired of giving my input and hard work and not getting ahead.

I was tired of not being compensated properly for my hard work.

Sounds like complaining right? Well that was just it! I don't want to complain! I want to do something great! Once you make up your mind that you want to be a part of greatness; being the cause for greatness; the feeling just wells up inside of you and you feel like you just want to burst!!

Which leads to my question...now that I have the passion and discovered my why (because you have to have a why), what now? See as a new realtor, although not a stranger to the business, how do I harness that desire to guide me through and turn it into a career? Doing the right activity; spending more money after spending so much already on just getting my license; when will it all pay off?

This is what I've come to realize; it is not about the money, whether I spend it or make it, but it is about how I grow. How I give back. What is going to be my contribution to this business. See, it is not about what you get, it's about how much you give. I believe if I keep attacking it with a pure heart and keep this passion for the business, the career will come.

So, back to my original question...Does this new realtor really have a shot? Honestly, I think I do!

Till next time...

Trecia Cooke, Realtor

Exity Realty Group

Garage Sale Success, Part 2 of a 6 Part Series: Secrets of the Pros

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:32:19 -0600

In getting a house ready to sell in Houston, it's best to put some upfront time into making it show as best as possible. There are many competing properties in Houston real estate. Successful sellers de-clutter and one way to get rid of stuff is to have a garage sale. Here's part 2.

End at noon. By noon it's warmed up and the shoppers have dwindled to a trickle. Most of the good stuff is gone. Lock up shop and retire to the a/c.
Start early because buyers come early. If you put your signs out the night before, you're likely to have people knocking on your door before 8 AM. Be ready. If you plan to put out signs in the morning, give yourself enough time to be ready by 8 AM.
Join forces - a bigger spread attracts more people. Get with one or more of your neighbors. Combine resources and items to create a flea-market-style spread. When people see more stuff, they're more likely to stop and check it out. Plus, there would be more than one of you to keep an eye on things.
Divide the labor. Hopefully you're not doing this alone. Assign a team to put the signs out. While one person drives, the other jumps out and plant the signs. Have others set up. At the end of the sale, the team goes out and picks them up, while everyone else packs up.
Put out signs like bread crumbs. Don't be stingy with signs - use lots of them. Place them at the entrance(s) of the neighborhood, at every turn, and every couple blocks. Make it easy for people to find you.

Remember the big picture: it should end up looking better than the other competing properties. Houston real estate is tough these days. So although it might be hard work and emotionally taxing, make the effort because it does pay off. Stay tuned for Part 3.

What do you think? Your comments, please.

Green Living Ideas: Recycled Fruit Crates

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:03:36 -0600

Good idea for green-living!

I recently found this idea on a site where they built a bookcase from old fruit crates and place it at the foot of the bed. It's a very easy weekend project.

First, start with three sturdy, same-size crates. Stand them on end, and screw them together through the sides. Next, cut a top and bottom from 1-inch boards and secure with screws. If you want to achieve a weathered effect, prime and paint with a base coat of white.** After the paint dries, rub a candle over the edges to resist the second coat of paint. Apply the contrasting top coat. Let dry, then sand to expose part of the base coat. Top with cushions or pillows if desired or display decorative items.

**make sure you use low-VOC paints