The City Lifestylist®

I am a huge believer in karma, and you just never know where karma will lead you at the most unexpected times. Holiday Builders seems to be my hot topic of conversation this month, but I feel like I have stumbled upon an unearthed gem and it's getting ready to shine in all of it's brilliance. You heard it here first!

My blogs are a way for me to share new trends and ideas I see as well as a place to comment on observations I make about the world around me. One thing that I have noticed lately is how many people who are lucky enough to still have jobs seem to be miserable in them, and that lack of interest in customer service rubs off on the customer. When you are dealing with people in a bad mood it's easy for their attitude to rub off onto you and then you are drawn into the same pattern.

After attending the Holiday Builders Open House in Ft. Worth last week I was invited to their opening in Royce City. I'm still deep into researching the entry level housing market so I was thrilled to be one of the first to see their new homes and get a feel for what Realtors® thought of their new community. It truly was a party, and again I was impressed with the support of their corporate team. They are obviously taking the Texas market seriously, and it showed in the attention to detail and how they rolled out the red carpet. When I entered the home I was amazed to see a legend standing in front of me - Nancy Lieberman! She was amazing - funny, down to earth, and made a point to spend time with I think almost everyone that was there. We are a very serious basketball family, and my niece and nephew hope to play college ball. I was sharing some issues that had come up with the coaching of my nephews team, and Nancy shared with me that what is most important is that you play because you love the game. There will be good times and bad, but if you are playing because you truly love what you do that's all that matters. Nancy loves the game, and I can't think of a better spokesperson, especially with all that she gives back with her kids camps and coaching. It makes me wish I would have had her when I was in school.

Timing is everything, and speaking with her helped to put things into perspective again. I'm a lifestylist® and I'm in housing because I love everything about it. Helping people find their new homes, experiencing their inner-stylist and fulfill their dreams -  there just isn't a better career out there. And it's not just my career, it's my passion, and I felt that passion about housing from all of the Holiday Builders team. They obviously love what they do - that's just something you really can't fake. And even though some of them had only 2 hours sleep the night before with other obligations and traveling, they loved sharing their company's story and they were beaming with pride. They truly seemed to be a team, so having Ms. Lieberman as a coach seemed like the perfect fit and message.

Life is too short to not love what you do. Find out what you are passionate about and share that gift with others. You'll never regret it. Many thanks to Nancy for reminding me of this important lesson. Take a trip out to Verandah in Royce City this weekend to experience the Holiday Builders difference for yourself!

The media may be painting a picture of gloom and doom about the housing market, but the facts are out there - builders are still building, in fact MSNBC announced today that sales were up 5.1% in February. Is now the time to buy? Absolutely!

I heard about a grand opening that Holiday Builders was hosting this weekend in Ft. Worth, so I thought I'd drive out and see what was new. I wasn't the only one that was curious - there was a steady stream of people coming to the homes, and a woman even stopped me on the road who was looking for the homes - that's a buyer ready to buy! Holiday is a multi- state builder that is based in Florida, so I was truly impressed that the President and CEO of Holiday, Kim Shelpman was at the door greeting arrivals. They had two furnished models that were beautiful and had soem great architectural details that were unexpected in this price range. They must be doing something right - one of the spec homes already had a sold sign on it.

There are always buyers for a well built and merchandised home, and I good builder understands this. A model helps create the emotional tie to your homes that will help them decide this is where they want to live.

One of my favorite activities that keeps me sane is gardening, and every year I can't wait for the weather to start warming up so I can get my gardens in. With our crazy economy and the new quastions about where our foods are coming from and how they are grown, vegetable gardening is a great activity. I've gotten much better about growing the thinsg that I love or my friends ask for, and I've also learned what grows better where. I had soil brought in for my raised garden, and it has produced beautifully.

Tomatoes, cucumbers, basil and dill are my favorites, and I started a little too early this year - we got a frost after I planted my first few plants - but the last planting was timed perfectly and we got a week of rain shortly afterwards - something we hadn't had yet this year.

I may live in the city, but by making the best use of all of the areas I have and buying plants that are designed for smaller areas my garden rivals many. I also love romantice, fragrant old-time flower gardens and my hollyhocks now come up every year with my sunflowers and daisies. They are just starting to green up - I'll share photos when they start blooming.

The much needed rain also turned my yard into a sea of emerald green instead of the dreary brown that's it's been all winter - I think Spring may finally be here!

The National Association of Homebuilders has put together a wonderful resource of information on why now is the time to buy a new home.

With the new tax credits, interest rates at an all time low and the great values that builders have available, now is the time!

The Manufactured Housing Institute also has great information on how you can purchase the home of your dreams. With builders and manufacturers cutting back drastically on how many homes they are building, the end of this opportunity could be sooner than you think, so with the great spring weather  get our there and find the home of your dreams today!

Savor Dallas is finally here again and it was a perfect evening! If you weren't able to attend you truly missed out, but at least you still have a chance to enjoy the Grand and Reserve tastings tomorrow.

People truly had the opportunity to "stroll" during the arts stroll that visited the Nasher Sculpture Gardens, Dallas Museum of Art and the Meyerson Symphony Center. Fine wine paired with incredible art - how could life get any better?

We all moved on to Victory where there was an abundance of opportunities to sample great wines, spirits and food offerings while listening to great music and enjoying the evening.

Photographer Lisa Stewart did another amazing job of getting great shots, and there were so many choices it was hard to choose which ones to share here. Be sure to check out her site to see others.

I have a favor to ask of all of you that really doesn't have anything to do with this blog but it does - my 10 year old nephew is learning an important lesson about marketing and the power of the internet.

Sam lives in Oklahoma City and is the ultimate sports fan - he is crazy about the OKC Thunders and goes dressed to show his support to almost every game. His parents have always been wise enough to let Sam find his own calling, so his enthusiasm (and his outfits) are all his idea. Because of this, Sam was nominated to be part of the Ultimate Fan Finale.

He is also a great well rounded child (and I am a proud aunt!),does very well in school and loves to cook with me - we entered the State Fair of Texas Cooking contests this year and Sam won two 2nd place ribbons!

If Sam wins this contest he gets to go to Boston and see his team play there as well as learn some valuable history lessons when he gets to tour the city.

Please help me encourage Sam to follow his dreams. The link for where to vote on the NBA site is here, and you can vote was many times as you would like. Most of the others that are up for this honor are adults so I'm even more proud of what he's accomplished. Please vote for Sam Davis and vote often!

I have a favor to ask of all of you that really doesn't have anything to do with this blog but it does - my 10 year old nephew is learning an important lesson about marketing and the power of the internet.

Sam lives in Oklahoma City and is the ultimate sports fan - he is crazy about the OKC Thunders and goes dressed to show his support to almost every game. His parents have always been wise enough to let Sam find his own calling, so his enthusiasm (and his outfits) are all his idea. Because of this, Sam was nominated to be part of the Ultimate Fan Finale.

He is also a great well rounded child (and I am a proud aunt!),does very well in school and loves to cook with me - we entered the State Fair of Texas Cooking contests this year and Sam won two 2nd place ribbons!

If Sam wins this contest he gets to go to Boston and see his team play there as well as learn some valuable history lessons when he gets to tour the city.

Please help me encourage Sam to follow his dreams. The link for where to vote on the NBA site is here, and you can vote was many times as you would like. Most of the others that are up for this honor are adults so I'm even more proud of what he's accomplished. Please vote for Sam Davis and vote often!