NextDoor.com – The most amazing way to stay in touch with your neighbors…

Image via nextdoor.com
Image via nextdoor.com

Nextdoor.com! A free, private, social network for your neighborhood! If your neighborhood isn’t one of the 49,000 that have already enrolled it is too easy to set it up. Truly! I did it in just a few minutes for my parents.

As you can see in their image above, when you first go to their site, you enter your address and an email address. You will know in a few seconds whether or not your neighborhood is already included in the 49,000. No worries if not, it’s simple to set up. You can see posts from anyone from your neighborhood or from nearby neighborhoods, BUT you cannot view neighborhoods that are not in your vicinity. It’s a good radius (in case of lost pet, etc.) so no worries there!

This site has gotten so much positive response from our neighborhood. It’s perfect for notifying others of a break in, or other concern, as well as a lost pet! Are you looking for a reliable contractor? All you have to do is ask, and neighbors respond with who they would (and in some cases would not!) use and any special info about the company/individual.

Here is a blip from their website about Nextdoor:

What is Nextdoor


Nextdoor is the private social network for you, your neighbors and your community. It’s the easiest way for you and your neighbors to talk online and make all of your lives better in the real world. And it’s free.

Thousands of neighborhoods are already using Nextdoor to build happier, safer places to call home.

People are using Nextdoor to:

  • Quickly get the word out about a break-in
  • Organize a Neighborhood Watch Group
  • Track down a trustworthy babysitter
  • Find out who does the best paint job in town
  • Ask for help keeping an eye out for a lost dog
  • Find a new home for an outgrown bike
  • Finally call that nice man down the street by his first name

Nextdoor’s mission is to use the power of technology to build stronger and safer neighborhoods.

Pretty cool, huh? Read more about Nextdoor!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Downtown Charleston… classy decor at Goat. Sheep. Cow!

ArtFoodHome.com | barbara stroud

There is this cool specialty cheese shop (and more!) called Goat. Sheep. Cow. in Charleston, and I pass it on my way in to work. When I walked by the other day the light was just right. Such pretty classy decor! Check out their website!

Hey, they’re great for more than just holidays, stop in and check out all they’ve got! If you’re lucky enough to get one of their sandwiches during the day (limited quality), you will be so happy! Exquisite!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

An off year for Christmas decor…

ArtFoodHome.com | barbara stroud

This has been an off year for decorating for Christmas. Normally we do get a fresh Christmas tree, put lights and decorate with ornaments that we’ve collected over the past twenty some years, this year was different, ha ha… but it worked. It was easy, and guess what? I don’t have to put anything away after Christmas… this may become a new tradition! Can you believe? There is always a silver lining!

(Fred had the flu, and we weren’t going to put any decorations out, but we were sitting in a dark room void of all things Christmas…) –  I pulled out a few strings of lights and WOW! Christmas has arrived! It was so wonderful sitting in that room with those lights on! It make me want to leave them up all year long :)

This goes to show that decorations don’t have to be big or fancy to make you feel good!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Looking forward to building a fire…

ArtFoodHome.com | barbara stroud

This past holiday season (Thanksgiving/Christmas) is one that has been, well… different. Between a few medical emergencies within our families, Fred having the flu, me having something other than the flu (regular cold?), it’s just taking a while to get caught up. So I’m going to post a photo for you for the next few days, and then I should be back to normal posting!

I’m looking forward to building a fire in the fire pit and chilling while Charlie chases the Lizzies :)

Hope your new year is looking up! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Gift idea… this is one I would love!

Image via: Pandora.com
Image via: Pandora.com

This is a great gift! We listen to Pandora most of the day, and the ads… ahhh, they can get so annoying. But I love the stations (George Winston for Charlie, keeps him calm… Maroon 5/Christina Aguilera while i’m cooking, Masako when I’m reading, Koop when we have company… Peaceful Holidays during this time of year… Sure, there are many more, but those are a few.

To have Pandora sans ads… whoa! What a treat! Definitely worth $4.99/month, and save $5 if you pay yearly. Now to figure out how to get it in my car… What do you listen to?

Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan: TNH PC 09A by Moser Design Group!

TNH PC 09A by Moser Design Group
TNH PC 09A by Moser Design Group

TNH PC 09A with 958 square feet and 2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms… Are you looking for a relatively small house plan with great features? Look no further! This sweet plan, designed by Moser Design Group is a classy plan that really has all you need! There is nothing like a porch. This plan has a front porch and a screened side porch (which could always be filled with windows and made into a sunroom/studio/spare room). I love our sunroom. There is nothing like it for reading…

TNH PC 09A by Moser Design Group
TNH PC 09A by Moser Design Group

This plan does not have one thing… a dining room. Thank you for that. For us that is wasted space. We use ours, but only because the room would otherwise get no use at all. Having counter space at the island or a small antique pine table would be perfect! The only thing that I’m not big on with this plan is no powder room for guests. There is a cut through area to the master bathroom, but I would see what I could do to maybe push that wall out a wee bit to fit a washer/dryer in that space and a powder room where the utility currently is (teeny powder room) or maybe under the stairs)?? This plan allows you to choose if you would like the master up or down. Very nice!

Upstairs: TNH PC 09A by Moser Design Group
Upstairs: TNH PC 09A by Moser Design Group

The upstairs plan is fabulous with just one bedroom, a closet and a bathroom… The three windows on the front really make this plan shine!

What would you do? I always love to hear!

All images via MoserDesignGroup.com – used with permission…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Jo Malone… now available in Charleston, SC!

artfoodhome.com | barbara stroud

Jo Malone is such classy cologne. Many can be used by men or women, which is really neat. They can also be blended together which is wildly interesting. I have used Jo Malone since my very first purchase. Once you use it, you tend to not want to use anything else. It’s not as strong as other’s tend to be and it’s just so nice! I snapped a photo, just look how nice their marketing material is. The classy brochure that shows the different combinations that can be layered, the gorgeous gift bag and the snazzy box with the black ribbon. Presentation means a lot!

Thrilling news! (And I JUST REALIZED THIS)… we now have Jo Malone available here in Charleston! Belk at Towne Center in Mount Pleasant, SC has a wonderful section. If you haven’t been… give it a try, try a few to see if you like them. Ask for a sample, it helps when you can use it at home without other scents flying around in the air. Try it, I think you’ll like it ;)

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Support the locals on Broad Street!

IMG-20140110-00805

Ahhh, Broad Street in Charleston, SC. It’s not the highly publicized shopping district on King Street, but what it does have are the kinds of shops that are unique. Less commercial. More small businesses. Many galleries are located on Broad Street, unique shops, some great eating places, not to mention Normandy Farms Bakery – great coffee, pastries, bread, sandwiches, etc.

It’s important to support the locals! They have a lot to offer!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Big, bright and beautiful – a Charleston Sunset…

barbara stroud

Fred and I were on our way home from downtown and there was a sunset so bright I thought it was going to blind me! It was crazy bright! Not sure what was going on but the beautiful light that it cast on everything was spectacular!

This was taken from the parking lot at California Dreaming, were we stopped by to pick up a salad to go… I assure you, we don’t take for granted the beautiful area in which we live… WOW!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan: 452-3 – a cabin plan that packs a powerful punch!

Plan 452-3 Cabin Plan via Houseplans.com Design of this signature plan is by David Wright
Plan 452-3 Cabin Plan via Houseplans.com
Design of this signature plan is by David Wright

Cabin plan 452-3. This signature plan, designed by David Wright for Houseplans.com packs a powerful punch. It’s not a large cabin but it has presence! Who doesn’t love a wonderful porch like this plan has? This plan has 1,015 square feet with 2 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. Just. Right.

Cabin houseplan 452-3 Houseplans.com
Cabin houseplan 452-3
Houseplans.com

When you click on the link that takes you to the plan it shows many photos, you’ll see notes on the plan that say “Metal Sliding Door Cover” oh yeah, that is too cool. You’ll see another that says “Sliding Metal Window Cover” – awesome! Perfect if you’re using this space as a cabin, OR great for storms, etc. There is a lot of living space to be had outside if your climate is right! It’s nice that there is even a pantry!

Houseplan 452-3 - Houseplans.com Upstairs
Houseplan 452-3 – Houseplans.com Upstairs

The upstairs has a loft bedroom with a bathroom and closet area. It’s open to the living area below. Are you looking for a cottage style plan? What do you think?

All images via Houseplans.com… used with permission.

Catch you back here tomorrow!