So great to see this great listing featured on Candy’s Dirt today!

Check out the write up, beautiful photos of this home and some great information on Dilbeck homes here.

For me the best way to start this year off is by closing the door on the one past. On my goals from last year, I am batting .800.
1. Val and I did move in to the Box and we love it. My favorite things are the sunrises and the openness in the floorplan.
2. We did travel in August, but to Peru, rather than Portugal. Loved it!
3. I went to the gym 3x most weeks and did 3x cardio about 50% of the time. Even when I had a cast on for the last 4 months, I still managed to get to the gym. Cardio is something to focus on in 2016.
4. Being present…while I wouldn’t consciously choose this way, the broken ankle and subsequent surgery really had me be present. I was limited on what I could do, so it really had me focus on who I could be. Gratitude and kindness have been my ever-present mantras.
5. And finally mediation…still no formal practice, however, the gratitude/kindness mantras have become my way of getting centered.

So that was 2015 in a nutshell. And I can honestly say that I am pleased with it.

For the new year, I am setting a theme instead of individual goals. I’m pumped about this approach because I can add ideas and projects throughout the year. 2016 will be “The Year of Play”! This New York Times article got me to thinking about play, and what that means to me… It was in the business section, which was a bit of a shocker. What I took from it was this…we all work hard, we make money, we may even have a budget, but how much of what brings you TRUE joy shows up in that budget?

That got me to thinking, what then is the purpose of making money, if we don’t even know if it brings us joy. One could argue that you need money to survive. My guess is that if you are reading this blog you have these things at your disposal:
– electricity
– water
– food
– a place to live
– clothing
– transportation
– internet AND a cell phone with a data plan
We could therefore argue that you (and I) have survival handled. Could it be cushier? Always. But if I have survival handled, what truly brings me joy?

With that question and article in mind, I got to work on thinking about play. I’ve come up with a few things for starters, but am really looking forward to living in question for all of 2016. Here is what for me feels like play:
– science…I get lost while reading studies, from health, to star-stuff, to economics. This just means to build in some time for that type of thing.
– walking…be that with the dogs, with a friend or one of Val and my “Epic Walks” that takes us 10-15 miles from home.
– time with friends…this could seem like a given, but for how many of us, do we try to squeeze in one more thing at work, answer one more email, return on last voice mail. If I say that play for me is “time with friends”, I will start putting it in its rightful place.
– dance…yep, that’s me, I dance around the house, I get down in the car, I make the dogs jump up and pretend to samba. Just want more of it.

That’s the rundown for 2016. I’ll be posting updates as we go along. I wish you a year full of happiness and success in the goals you’ve set for yourself.
XO
J

December in Dallas can be a blast. I love the chilly nights, and the events that light up the city. My favorites are the Winnetka Heights Holiday Home Tour (conveniently this weekend!), Bells on Bishop (strolling carolers!), and The Arboretum’s Twelve Days of Christmas. Of course, I am an easy sell for an unscripted drive around the neighborhood to look at lights. I’ve even crossed the river to check out the fancy lights in Highland Park!

Emily Ruth and her boys are planning on having breakfast with Santa at the Hilton Anatole this year.

If you end up with company in town, it can be good to have a resource list or two handy. I’ve compiled several here for you. 

From the Advocate’s, Rachel Stone, always a font of good info. 

http://oakcliff.advocatemag.com/2015/11/10-things-to-do-in-december-around-oak-cliff/

Downtown events

http://events.downtowndallas.com/ and 

And here’s info for all the surrounding areas

http://frontrow.dmagazine.com/2015/12/50-things-to-do-for-christmas-in-dallas/

Happiest of holidays to you.

XO

J

Sometimes I wonder why people trust me. Have a look at these “before” photos. My friend and client Jenn actually bought this house, in this condition, after I made her leave work immediately to see it. We could easily say that Jenn has vision! To verify, just look at the “after” photos.

Great stuff right?

How did we do that?

For starters, Jenn was really clear about what she wanted in a house. She told me her size, price and location criteria.  She also wanted a place in which she could insert her own personal style. Together, we were aware that she would likely have to buy a fixer upper. Through my experience, I had ballpark knowledge of what her renovation might cost, as well as deep neighborhood insight on “fixed-up” pricing. So, when I saw her future home, I wasted no time in getting her in quickly.

Additionally, Jenn had done her financing homework, and was connected with a great lender (thank you Jerrett Morris). He got her a loan with home improvement budget, and then helped walk her through the complex process. Though the renovation took several months, many contractors, and a ton of personal time, she is now happily at home.

Thanks for trusting me, Jenn. Teamwork makes the dream work, baby.