Happy New Year's! Bonus Video: How to Open A Bottle of Bub'

Doityourself tags from annaandblue.blogspot.com

Happy New Year's Friends!


 I can't believe it will almost be two years since I started writing LaVidaSquared. My how time flies.




Big year for me.
I married my wonderful husband in a dream destination, beautiful Croatia, a honeymoon in Italia, successful year in real estate, new friends and lots of love and babies in my life including my beautiful new niece!

Of course I can't have good things without some bad, and we all have things in our lives that we work through..

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italia

I have so much to be grateful for and so much to look ahead. Hoping that you all take some time to reflect today of the year's past, all that you've accomplished, and write down what you will look forward to in 2011. After all if we don't know where we're going we'll probably end up somewhere else right?













Where is everyone headed tonight? I have a rezo for dinner in one of my fav Italian restaurants in the city - can't wait!


Happy New Year around the world!






If you're staying in check out this video from Daily Candy - How To Open A Bottle of Bub' (without poking someone's eye out!)  Also check out Jordan's Champagne Fruit Salad - sure to please.

Stay classy Hoboken.

Hoboken Condo's Real Estate Update - 2010 Report Coming Soon

Hoboken Condo's Real Estate Update - 2010 Report Coming Soon

Every week I track weekly sales activity for Hoboken Condo's and Hoboken Brownstones. Towards the end of every month I tally the results for that month. This month, since it will be end of the year I will report on sales for the year in Hoboken broken down by quarter.

For each quarter we'll look at asking vs selling prices, price per square foot, sales by bedrooms, and of course total sales. Stay tuned the report will come out next week!

Remodeling To Sell? 2010-2011 Cost VS Value Report

Remodeling To Sell? 2010-2011 Cost VS Value Report

Realtor Magazine:

"Creating a memorable first impression with home improvements pays off, according to Remodeling magazine's 2010-11 Cost vs. Value Report. And most of the top projects don't require a major investment. "

By G.M.Filisko  January 2011

>>

"Big-bang projects can make or break a sale from the moment potential buyers exit their car. A midrange entry door replacement brings the highest payback at a national average of 102.1 percent, followed by a midrange garage door replacement, at 83.9 percent, and an upscale redo of the siding at 80 percent of the cost. Step into the home, and a midrange kitchen remodel recoups an average 72.8 percent. Gaze into the backyard, where a wood deck addition also generates a 72.8 percent return."                                                                          

Kitchen Pic from http://www.green-kitchen-cabinets.net/

Read the full article online.

You can see NYC data from the Remodeling 2010-11 Cost vs. Value Report on http://www.costvsvalue.com/ or by clicking the link below.

http://www.remodeling.hw.net/2010/costvsvalue/division/middle-atlantic/city/new-york--ny.aspx

Realtor Magazine Residential Market Outlook - Optimistic?

Realtor Magazine Residential Market Outlook - Optimistic?

Realtor Magazine's Article titled Residential Market Outlook: Virtuous or Vicious? by Robert Freedman depicts a positive story, if all goes well, that is. And if you look at the current housing data, it looks that way.

"Yun is forecasting 5.2 million existing-home sales in 2011, up from 4.8 million last year. He also expects modest improvement in prices—a rise of about 1 percent this year on a national basis. That would be the first in what Yun says will be a series of small but steady gains in the years ahead that will eventually bring home sales back to a period of normalcy."

"At the root of these gains is continuing improvement in the overall economy. Yun is estimating modest 2.5 percent growth in the country’s gross domestic product in each of the next two years, job gains of about 1.5 million in the same time frame, and a slowly improving jobless rate, which he projects will dip from a stubbornly high 9.6 percent in the latter part of 2010 to a better but still-high 8 percent in 2012.



This is what Yun calls the "virtuous cycle" that residential real estate started entering a few months after the home buyer tax credit ended in the middle of 2010. At that time, home sales took a big hit, dropping 27 percent in July. But in August, sales picked up again, under their own steam, and have been gaining ever since without the aid of subsidy."

Read The Full Article

New Year's Eve 2010 Dress Ideas

New Year's Eve 2010 Dress Ideas

Every year I fluster trying to pick an outfit. One year I wore a one piece black pant suit that worked out nice, another year I wore a gold sequined mini dress with cowboy boots in the Meat Packing District. 

But each time I always remember dreading the decision making at home, trying on outfit, after outfit. We know it's going to be freezing, but let's face it women aren't practical - dress it is. 

Here are a few ideas I found that I think are easy to make work no matter your body type - or budget!

This first number is from Forever 21. I heard their store at Newport Mall just got a total revamp and is triple as large with a great selection and new look! 

Pair this dress with a platform bootie for dancing.

A glitter pump for dinner and cocktails.

Accessorize with fun earrings and a long statement necklace..

This dress I found on BCBG and I love the romance of it. I would just add a cuff bracelet and cocktail ring and done!

This black number is also from BCBG. I love this and just about anyone can recreate this - as we all have a little black dress in the closet! The faux leather adds interest while the tights and black pumps lengthen legs. 

I might try this with footless tights and a bright pump like in neon pink or electric blue!

This last one is also from Forever 21 and was under $20. To keep from looking too sexy, pair with a black blazer short or boyfriend style, a tuxedo blazer or a sequined oversize cardigan - would all work well. 

Add tights and booties or a sleek bump and a fun necklace! 

I seriously think I'm going to pop into Forever 21 to see what they have - hopefully the roads will be better by Friday! 

Happy New Year!!

St Ann's Church Hoboken - Snow Photo

I snapped this while walking to a friends for pancakes.. St Ann's opened that late afternoon for Mass!

Hoboken Parking Alert For Snowday!!

Subject: POLICE TO BEGIN TOWING CARS ALONG EMERGENCY SNOW ROUTES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 27, 2010

 

Contact: Juan Melli

(201) 923-9583 or jmelli@hobokennj.org

 

 

POLICE TO BEGIN TOWING CARS ALONG EMERGENCY SNOW ROUTES

Effective immediately, Hoboken Police will begin towing vehicles parked along all snow emergency routes. Abandoned vehicles anywhere in the City will also be towed. If your car has been towed, please go to the Parking Utility in City Hall for a tow release.

 

Emergency Snow Routes

Street                          Location

Washington Street        Both Sides

Willow Avenue             West Side- Observer Hwy to 11th Street

Third Street                  North Side- Jackson Street to River Street

Fourth Street                South Side- River Street to Jackson Street

Fifth Street                   South Side- Clinton Street to Hudson Street

13th Street                   North Side- Washington Street to Willow Avenue

 

Residents are reminded that dumping or shoveling snow into restricted fire hydrant areas or into City streets is a violation of the law and subject to a fine. Keeping these areas clear is vital for the safety of the general public.

 

Streets remain treacherous and only cars with chains or snow tires should be on the roads. Vehicles that get stuck make it difficult for plows and emergency vehicles to move through.

 

The Hoboken Parking Utility is extending the courtesy to Hoboken residents with Residential parking permits to keep their vehicles in Garages B (28 2nd Street) and D (215 Hudson Street) at the reduced Resident rate of $5.00 through 8pm on Monday. Regular rates apply at other times.

 

Link: http://www.hobokennj.org/news/police-to-begin-towing-cars-along-emergency-snow-routes/

 

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Attorney Review Hoboken Real Estate Contract

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Happy Holidays From Me To You!

Happy Holidays From Me To You!

Wishing you a beautiful and festive celebration with your family and loved ones!

While you're running out and about for last minute items in Hoboken or Jersey City.. 

Don't forget the cupcakes from Carlos Bakery!!

If the line is too long, don't be a grinch!! Head over to either Crumbs on Washington or Sweet on 4th by Church Square Park for some mini beauties!!

You'll need quarters to park your Vespa in the street while you shop! 

If you need to look party fab you can pop into Air Studio's on first or Jesse James on Washington for some disco digs! 

Deck your halls with some beautiful arrangements from the flower diva's at Antheia in Jersey City

Have fun! Drive safe!