First-Time Home-Buyer? Take a Class!

Home ownership has been a casual topic of conversation in our apartment for a while. We have been trying to save, save, save, so one day we can take the plunge. We (or I) have become a bit of an HGTV fanatic, but Property Brothers, Love It or List It, and House Hunters can only teach you so much. Friends of ours casually mentioned that they took a first-time home-buyers class. We thought that was wicked smart, so when we saw an advertisement through our local library for only $45 per person, we signed up! I’m so glad we did. In fact, I really don’t know how anyone buys a house without taking a class like this, first.

Our class was offered by Somerville Community Corporation but these classes are offered all over the state. We heard from a realtor, a home inspector, a lender, an insurance agent, a lawyer, and representatives from the two first-time home buyer loans available to people buying in Massachusetts, the ONE mortgage available through Massachusetts Housing Partnership and the MassHousing loan available through MassHousing. In order to receive one of these loans that allow first-time home-buyers to put a smaller percentage down with little or no PMI, you have to take this course. At the end you are awarded a certificate to present to your lender.

The course discussed details concerning the Boston area, such as the fact that most of the homes in such a historic location have lead paint and insect problems like termites, and the fact that it is a highly competitive market. Understanding the history of interest rates compared to what the current rates are was also really beneficial. Finally, I think they did a great job explaining the advantages and disadvantages between single-family homes, condos, and multi-family homes in the current market in the greater Boston area.

We have to decide if we’re actually committed to Boston before we take too many steps forward, but this class certainly opened our eyes to the fact that home ownership may be a possibility sooner rather than later, and hey, it’s always empowering to gain more information especially about something that feels so daunting. So, I’m not casually suggesting this class, I’m raving about it!

Bedroom Update

Bedroom decor update that is…if there’s one thing I’ve learned about my decorating style, it’s that I move slow, I like to change it up, and I don’t like to commit, so I hunt for deals. I’ve been wanting to update our bedroom decor since we moved back to Boston, and I think it is finally  underway. I’ve been after tribal prints, stags on the wall, and a fresh white backdrop mixed with poppy colorful fabrics.

The great thing about a white backdrop is that you can change up the accessories. I searched for pillows for a long, long, long time. I love Kilim patterns, but they come at quite a cost. I searched on etsy, amazon, ebay, etc, and I spent quite a bit of time on the hunt without much success for a price point I felt good about. Luckily my very kind and talented sister, who sews her own everything, helped me get the look I was after for a much lower cost. I was able to find plush down pillows on clearance at T.J.Maxx, and I found some creative fabric websites. The fabric I picked was from Hawthorne Threads by designer Leah Duncan. Check her out! Spoonflower is another great website if your looking for unique fabrics.

After I settled on the pillows, I was still on the hunt for a few details to get the look I was after. I found my stag at HomeGoods. It was the last one on the shelf, and it was a bargain. Lastly, I found a tribal printed scarf on clearance at Urban Outfitters. For now it’s draped across the end of the bed and ties everything together by offsetting it. I’m going for eclectic, here.

Pillow inserts: $20.

Pillow fabric: $20.

Stag: $20.

Scarf: $10.

The final product

Sam Adams Brewery Tour

Last Saturday our friends from CA were in town. It was the perfect excuse to do something a little more touristy in the city and we decided on the Sam Adams Brewery. I had never been there before; in fact, it was my first brewery tour ever. We hit up the wineries in Napa and Sonoma quite a few times and it always promised some natural beauty and delicious tastings. Jamaica Plain where the brewer is located isn’t Napa, but the experience certainly didn’t disappoint.

The tour began with near barrels filled with malt and hops. The guide explained how the variety of malt creates the color of the beer. He also had us all grab a handful of hops to rub between our hands and the scent of beer grew around us. We moved over to the small distillery for an explanation of the process, but the beer you buy at the liquor store isn’t made and bottled at the brewery at this location. The tour ended in the tasting room. As we walked in they handed each of us a small glass. Our tour guide explained how uniquely crafted these beer glasses are. The rounded edge at the top of the glass has a strong impact on the taste of the beer.  The tasting was generous, especially for my group because they had an extra pour for each flavor. Unfortunately, they weren’t serving anything gluten free.

We had a great time seeing these lovely people above. After the tour we drove around the city and pointed out the sites. What’s your favorite touristy activity in Boston?

Blue Apron

Neither of us particularly enjoy planning and making meals, but we do like yummy food. Sometimes we’re good about planning and shopping, but most of the time we’re the oh shoot I forgot this one ingredient kind of people.

So trying Blue Apron was a welcome experience. A friend gave us a free week to check it out. Blue Apron sends you the ingredients to make three delicious meals delivered on your doorstep. Inside your box you’ll find fresh ingredients for 500-700 calorie meals and step-by-step directions for each one. My favorite part – the ingredients are measured out perfectly and aside from the washing and chopping, they’re ready to go.

This week we had chicken sloppy joe sliders with kale salad, hanger steak with with salsa verde and plantains, and north african spiced shrimp with couscous. I’ve never made plantains or pickles, but with the easy to follow step-by-step directions, we have a few new tricks up our sleeves.  I don’t think we would have thought of these creations on our own, so it’s great to have a few new flavors to add to our weekly repertoire. And, we had enough left overs for lunch the next day.

So now for the downsides, but don’t worry there are only two. The first is that each meal is $9.99 per person. That’s a little steep for our weekly food budget, but the nice part is you don’t have to sign up every week. You can  request the box when you want it, but be careful to share your preference in time or they’ll automatically charge you for the week ahead. Second, the meals included some gluten-filled ingredients. I  ate the sliders  without the buns and the couscous of course wasn’t part of my meal. I had rice on hand and used that instead. Since all of the ingredients were at my fingertips and I had the step-by-step directions, it was easy to work around this.

Check it out from start to finish:

Sound awesome enough? Go try it for yourself!

Winter Gear Reviews

It’s no secret to family and friends that cold weather is not my cup of tea. When the temperature dropped below 60 degrees in October, I told my husband there was no way I could stay in Boston.  Last week I left for work in a chilly 27 degrees but I made it through my 25 minute walk feeling pretty warm . Here’s the gear that’s going to help me survive my first Boston winter in a few years.

Omni-Heat…Everything

Columbia makes numerous products with Omni-Heat. So far, I’ve gotten a jacket, boots, and a headband, but if I could cover my entire body in this stuff, I would. I keep my eyes peeled for the silver linning every time I head to TJMaxx or Marshalls for a good deal. Omni-Heat keeps you warm, by reflecting your own heat back to you, so once you zip up the heat stays inside. My sister-in-law got this jacket last winter and raved about it. I read numerous reviews online and paid special attention to the women writing from MN, saying how they’ve never been so warm.

I give Omni-Heat a thumbs up!

Stoping the entrance of cold air at every opportunity.

I first tried the jacket on at REI, which proved helpful. I got to see the color and try it on to make sure I got the right fit, but I was happy I decided to check the price on Amazon. I ended up saving close to $100 at the time. There is a Columbia outlet in Wrenthem, MA. We popped in there quickly one night and this is when I found a great deal on boots. The snow is coming and I plan to be ready.

Fleece Tights

I spotted fleece tights for $4.50 at Ocean State Job Lot of all places. I picked up a pair in gray and I’m so glad I did. These have been keeping my legs warm in dresses and skirts for work. They definitely block the wind more than a regular old pair of leggings, so they get my vote.

Burt’s Bees

One of the things I quickly forgot when I moved to CA but quickly came back to me is chapped lips. A few weeks ago, I left work and walked straight to a pharmacy to buy some help. I went for the Ultra Conditioning stick and I’m glad I did. So far this little balm is doing the trick. Now for some strong hand lotion and something to keep the static hair under control. This is how I’m “embracing” the cold weather. What are your favorite products?