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        <title>Shoreline Blog</title>
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    <guid>http://www.shorelinesd.com/blog/home-decor-where-to-spend-and-where-to-save.html</guid>
    <link>http://www.shorelinesd.com/blog/home-decor-where-to-spend-and-where-to-save.html</link>
        <author>Shawn@ShorelineSD.com (Shawn Bengtson)</author>
        <title>Home Decor: Where to Spend and Where to Save</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



When decorating your new home, it often pays to invest in higher-end pieces. However, expensive doesn’t always mean better; sometimes it is smarter to go under budget and re-allocate those dollars to items worth the investment. Below is a guide on where to spend and where to save, when turning your new house into your forever home. 


Wall Art


Spend on the presentation; save on the art.


If you already know what type of art you love, you are already a step ahead of most. If you’re still refining your aesthetic, buy inexpensive art and splurge on custom matting. Use an inexpensive, oversized frame and visit a local craft store to cut custom matting, particularly in luxe fabrics such as velvet or linen. You will have the look of custom art, at a fraction of the price.


Bedroom


Spend on the mattress; save on the headboard and nightstand.


Sleep is as important to your health as nutrition and exercise, so splurge on the mattress that will help you get the best night’s sleep. While the more visual elements, such as a headboard and nightstand are still important functionally, there are many inexpensive options available that are still beautiful and high-quality.


Living Area


Spend on the sofa, rug and window treatment; save on decorative accents.


Other than your bed, your sofa probably gets the most use out of any other piece of furniture. Make sure the sofa can withstand continued, long-term use and is comfortable. Select a neutral sofa in a durable, natural material such as wool, leather, or cotton. For an investment piece, select a neutral color such as gray, oatmeal or tan that will be able to blend in with changing decor styles.


An area rug sets the tone for the look and feel of the space. Spend the most your budget will allow, choosing the material that best aligns with your lifestyle. If you have young children and pets, select an indoor/outdoor rug that doesn’t absorb spills and is stain resistant. For a longer-term investment, a wool rug is a lifetime rug that is durable and wears well. If you’re looking to make a big visual impact but don’t have as big of a budget, use an inexpensive natural fiber rug, such as a jute or sisal, and layer a smaller, more expensive rug on top. This way you can still have a luxe look, without paying the cost of a full room rug.


If you have to choose one custom piece, select window treatments. Cheaply-made and ill-fitting window treatments will diminish the look of the entire space, regardless of how much you invested. If you opt for store-bought window treatments, have curtains professionally hemmed to ensure a more custom fit.


Save on decorative items, such as side tables, throw pillows or accent pieces. These items don’t need to be top quality and are easiest to swap out season to season, and when you want to give your space a quick update.


Lighting


Spend on hanging lighting; save on task lighting.


Hanging lighting, such as chandeliers or pendants, can be a room’s main focal point. Whether you opt for a glamorous, sparkly chandelier or a rustic modern farmhouse pendant set, this type of lighting can determine the look of the space.


Task lighting, such as floor and table lamps or sconces, is an area where you can save. This type of lighting isn’t a focal point, and there are many beautiful, stylish options at stores such as Home Goods or Target.


Kitchen


Spend on a dining table; save on dining chairs and tableware.


A high-quality dining table is a lifetime piece. Investing in a solid wood table with clean lines ensures your family can use it for years — even generations — to come.


Kitchen chairs, however, aren’t held to the same quality standards. Buying less expensive kitchen chairs will give you more flexibility to switch out different variations of seating every few years.


Lastly, everyday dishes get a lot of use, between microwaves, dishwashing, and the inevitable dropping. Since it’s a given they will go through the wear-and-tear associated with use, don’t invest too much in tableware.


Furnishing and decorating a home is expensive, no matter what. Knowing where to allocate your decorating dollars will help you invest in the items that will pay off the most long-term.


© atproperties.com 


 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 24 Sep 2018 23:42:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>http://www.shorelinesd.com/blog/8169-santaluz-village-green-south-cultured-lifestyle-awaits.html</guid>
    <link>http://www.shorelinesd.com/blog/8169-santaluz-village-green-south-cultured-lifestyle-awaits.html</link>
        <author>Shawn@ShorelineSD.com (Shawn Bengtson)</author>
        <title>8169 Santaluz Village Green South: Cultured Lifestyle </title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



8169 Santaluz Village Green South


Inspired by the architecture and landscape of the Mediterranean, this classic Santaluz highly sought-after Tuscan Sentinel “tower” plan is a sophisticated and luxurious retreat that masterfully blends tradition and innovation. Representing quintessential indoor/outdoor living, this property features casual yet elegant design, a versatile first floor Master suite &amp; guest casita and custom upgraded finishes including stone and hardwood flooring. Sprawling entertaining spaces flow outside to the charming courtyards featuring extensive professional landscaping, private in-ground stone Jacuzzi and fire pit perfect for an evening with family and friends. Tranquil and private, yet within walking distance to the Hacienda Club, Village Green and miles of picturesque hiking trails, this property exemplifies a perfectly balanced lifestyle. 


 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 12 Sep 2018 23:13:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>http://www.shorelinesd.com/blog/easy-ways-to-save-by-going-green.html</guid>
    <link>http://www.shorelinesd.com/blog/easy-ways-to-save-by-going-green.html</link>
        <author>Shawn@ShorelineSD.com (Shawn Bengtson)</author>
        <title>Easy Ways to Save By Going Green</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



Sustainability starts at home, in your household and in your neighborhood. Following a few of these steps will not only be good for the environment, but will also save you some cash.  


1. Install sink water aerators. These are inexpensive and easy to install and they greatly reduce the flow of water out of your sink, saving you money and water use. 


2. Install low-flow shower heads. A low flow showerhead can significantly reduce the water coming out of your shower head without reducing water pressure. 3. Replace your light bulbs with LED lights. A small upfront investment in LEDs can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars (and a lot of energy) over the lifespan of these bulbs—which can be as long as 10 years Buy them on sale and replace them slowly. 


4. Install a programmable thermostat. This handy device allows you to program your heat or AC to come on right before you get home, and turn down while you are gone or asleep. This can save a ton of money on your utility bills, saving energy and reducing pollution.


5. Insulate your hot water heater and your water pipes. Pipe insulation and water heater blankets help your water heater to work less to heat your water, saving you money on electricity.


6. Put all your major electronics on power strips. Even when they are “off”, TVs, electronic equipment, cable boxes, WIFI routers, and computers continue to draw electricity all day. Put them all on a power strip and shut them totally off at night or when you leave the house to reduce energy use and save money. 


7. Shut off your computer and monitor when you are done using them. Unless your company backs up your computers at night on a network, there is no need to leave it on. If there is a nightly backup, then just turn off the monitor. Turn your home computer completely off when you’re done using it.


8. Unplug your cellphone when it is done charging. Once that light turns green, you are just wasting electricity keeping it plugged in.


9. Use rechargeable batteries. Over time, invest in a full set of rechargeable batteries for all of your gadgets, remotes and smoke detectors in the house. Recharging batteries keeps dead ones out of the landfill and saves you money in the long run. Buy them on sale and stock up over time. 


10. Stop junk mail from coming to your mailbox. Junk mail is not just annoying, it uses up tons of trees and gasoline every day. Plus all those ads create a major temptation to spend money on things you don’t really need. There are lots of services to help you reduce the junk mail.


GOING GREEN OUTSIDE 


11. Start an organic garden. If you’re new to gardening, start with something easy like lettuce or tomatoes and work up to more. 


12. Plant some native trees in your yard. By spending some money on trees, you not only shade your house so you can use less AC, but you also help to absorb CO2 in the air. You’ll increase your property value over time, too. 


13. Keep a low maintenance lawn. Do you have a small yard? Why not try a push lawnmower and save on gas and pollution? Better yet, replace that lawn with a vegetable garden or a xeriscape.


14. Install outdoor solar lights. Instead of lighting the path to your door using electricity, install some solar path lights that charge during the day and light up all night. 


15. Rotate your car tires and keep them filled. Keeping your tires inflated to the right PSI and rotated regularly saves fuel.


16. Avoid idling your car. Unless you are sitting in traffic, it actually uses more gas to idle your vehicle for a mere 30 seconds than it does to turn it off and restart it. On top of that, the huge amount of smog created by idling vehicles is a major contributor to hot, hazy summers and diseases like childhood asthma. 


17. Quit buying bottled water Bottled water is usually no better than your typical tap water–it just costs more, contains plastic toxins from the bottles and leaves a trail of waste everywhere. Get a faucet water filter and a reusable water bottle to save money and help the environment. 18. Read your favorite newspaper or magazine online. Almost all magazines and newspapers have digital versions now, and many of them are free. Reading them online saves tons of trees and the energy and fuel expended on creating, delivering and recycling paper versions.


19. Use online banking. Online banking saves you time, stamps, gas, and reduces the amount of mail coming to your house. A lot of banks are offering incentives to go online, too. Don’t be afraid: it’s much easier for a thief to grab your bank statements out of your mailbox than it is for them to access your accounts online.20. Join a credit union. Large banks invest your money in fossil fuels, coal, industrial farming and other environmental and social nasties you don’t want to support. In contrast, credit unions must invest your money right in your local community. They also save you a ton on fees, and often have the best interest rates around, because they have to serve depositors—not shareholders


© SmallFootPrintFamily.com 


 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 06 Sep 2018 11:50:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>http://www.shorelinesd.com/blog/not-ready-to-bid-farewell-to-summer-just-yet-heres-whats-happening-around-san-diego-this-labor-day-w.html</guid>
    <link>http://www.shorelinesd.com/blog/not-ready-to-bid-farewell-to-summer-just-yet-heres-whats-happening-around-san-diego-this-labor-day-w.html</link>
        <author>Shawn@ShorelineSD.com (Shawn Bengtson)</author>
        <title>Not Ready to Bid Farewell to Summer? Here's What's Happening Around San Diego This Weekend </title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



 


Ah, the end of the summer season No matter the geographical location we never want to let it go. From the Hamptons to the Pacific Coast we want to seize that fleeting moment of late sunset strolls, camping days and the invaluable summer holiday time spent with family and friends that is gradually drawing to a close. The kids are back in school and the evening temps begin to give the air that crisp autumn feel. 


The Labor Day Weekend, however, is an excellent reminder - and a nice recap - of everything unique and memorable the summer season's got to offer. Whether you are a San Diego dweller or situated further along the coast, enjoy some great summer art, music and food events this weekend to soak in every last bit of the great season. Oh, and don't forget the surfing 


U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge and Dimensional Art ExpositionAugust 31-September 3, 2018  | Broadway Pier and Pavilion1000 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101


Each year master-class sculptors build beautiful 3-dimensional works of art. Now many of the world's finest artists will come to create the most amazing sculptures ever. And they'll do it on a unique site with the beautiful bay on the West and downtown's sandcastles in the sky on the East. It's a 4-day extravaganza for the whole family. 


Bayside Summer Nights – 1812Tchaikovsky SpectacularFriday, August 31 - September 2, 2018  | Embarcadero Marina Park South


San Diego's glorious summer winds down but not before the cannons and fireworks light up San Diego Bay to Tchaikovsky's legendary '1812 Overture'. Join the San Diego Symphony as they celebrate summer's end in spectacular style 


Del Mar Racing Seasonthru September 3, 2018


Only a few more days to bet on the horses and see some great live music.


Café Tacvba | Friday, August 31


Slightly Stoopid | Saturday, September 1


Ice Cube |Sunday, September 2


Little Italy Labor Day Stickball TournamentSeptember 1-2, 2018Watch teams from New York or Puerto Rico (in alternating years) challenge the San Diego Stickball teams as they take a broom stick, table leg or any other kind of bat-like stick to a rubber Wilson ball, as the Stickball Tournament takes over the streets of Little Italy, allowing players and fans to revisit some childhood memories.


Huntington Beach Civil War DaysSeptember 1-2, 2018The Huntington Beach Historical Society is proud to host the 24th annual Civil War Days Living History Event in Huntington Beach Central Park. Experience vivid recreations of life by hundreds of dedicated volunteers. Free


Orange County International Street FairAugust 31-September 2, 2018An annual Labor Day tradition, located near Plaza Park in the historic downtown district, discover one of a kind family activity. There are endless shopping booths with amazing goods, endless food booths as well as arts and crafts activities and a Children’s Street.


The Great Labor Day CruiseSeptember 1-2, 2018Attracting over 1,400 vintage autos, classics and street rods, this isn’t just any car show. A true family event which includes a model car contest, wild wagons display, and over 100 vendors. OC Fairgrounds.


Big SoCal Euro September 2, 2018One of the largest all European car events on the west coast, the Big SoCal Euro features more than 3,000 European cars from throughout the region. Bring your family to meet other car enthusiasts, and enjoy raffles, drag racing, great food, automotive vendors, swap meet, afterparty and more.


 


© SanDiego.org 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Sat, 01 Sep 2018 14:14:00 -0700</pubDate>
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