Hello June! This month is heating up as we discuss all things summer-related. From our favorite “dad-approved” man cave spaces to this season’s most popular backyard design trends, we’ve got you covered. We also take a look at the Sacramento real estate market, which continues to make a big splash. Read on for the full scoop!

Check out the latest events and activities that the Greater Sacramento area has to offer.

Sacramento Events:

River Cats Schedule: Click Here For May Games
Sac Republic FC Schedule: Click Here For May Matches
Concerts in the Park: Click Here For This Year’s Schedule
Spring Concert Series in Old Folsom (Every Sunday): Click Here for the Complete Schedule
Now through June 12th (Every Saturday): Dance on the Edge of Summer
Now through June 12th: 21st Sacramento French Film Festival
Now through June 26th (Select Days): Old Sacramento Brew Boat Tours
Now through July 31st (Select Sundays): Waterfront Yoga in Old Sacramento
Now through June 30th (Every Thursday): Twilight Concert Series
June 9th: Food Truck Mania in Roseville
June 9th: ArtMIX at the Crocker
June 11th: Community Garage Sale in Old Fair Oaks
June 11-12th: Sacramento Pride Festival 2022
June 16th: Sac Hot Chicken Battle 2022
June 18th: Sacramento Water Lantern Festival 2022
June 18th: 3rd Saturdays Art Walk in Roseville
June 18th: 3rd Annual Front Street Brewfest 2022
June 18th: Concerts on the Square in Roseville
June 19th: Juneteenth Festival Weekend
June 19th: Father’s Day Car Show 2022 at BaySide in Roseville
June 25th: Taco & Margarita Festival 2022 @ Cal Expo
June 25th: Historic Folsom’s Hometown Parade
June 30th: Shawn Mendes at Golden 1 Center

Summer is the season for spending time outdoors. And what better way to enjoy your time outside than by creating an “Instagram-worthy” oasis in your very own backyard? Check out our seven favorite design trends that you can incorporate into your outdoor space!

Outdoor Kitchens: Outdoor kitchens are quickly becoming the mark of an indoor-outdoor living space. Satsha Lopez-Jaimes, Living Spaces Designer adds, “Just because it’s outdoors doesn’t mean you can’t have indoor luxury, so bring in storage or build in storage through shelving and cabinets; use shelves to display an herb garden in statement planters. To make it restaurant-esque, fill the larger kitchen space with lots of seating for dining.” Not sure what style of outdoor kitchen is suitable for your backyard? Get inspiration, tips and resources here.

Pizza Oven: Two words: Pizza oven. Over the past year, there has been a huge rise in interest in building outdoor pizza ovens. And what better way to ramp up your outdoor kitchen than with your very own outdoor pizza oven? Thankfully, adding one to your home doesn’t have to be a four-figure investment. Companies like Ooni sell portable outdoor pizza ovens for less than $400. Check out their oven here. Check out other affordable options here.

Outdoor Living Rooms: Outdoor kitchens have been on the rise for quite some time now — and while they’re not going anywhere —  many homeowners are also interested in creating outdoor living rooms, according to Houzz. Not only do these spaces include stylish and durable furniture sets but many of them also have outdoor fireplaces, rugs, and TVs. Fair warning: Get ready to be the most popular hang-out spot in town! Find budget-friendly items, ideas, and inspiration here.

Fire Pits: The popularity of fire pits, tables, and outdoor fireplaces skyrocketed during the pandemic and will remain in demand this year, and for good reason. Fire pits are a surefire way to lend a cozy, communal feel to your outdoor space. Larger pits can serve as the center of a seating area, while portable ones are perfect for small patios. In terms of the latest outdoor fireplace tech, designer Raboine has another suggestion: “An update on the classic fire pit design we see becoming more popular is the fire table. Fire tables offer a sleek, linear look, which complements the modern design trend.” Check out some of 2022’s most popular fire pit and table ideas here.

Resort Aesthetics: Who wants to transform their backyard into their own private getaway? According to Pinterest, searches for “resort aesthetic” have doubled this past year, along with several other vacation-related terms. Not sure where to find this type of aesthetic? Target, for one, is featuring this trend, showcasing items including fringed patio umbrellas, boho wicker club chairs, and funky acrylic drinkware that would be perfect for piña coladas, daiquiris and, well, anything worthy of a tiny umbrella. Up your resort aesthetic game with this Maddalena Patio Chair Set, which is giving us serious vacation vibes.

Planters: Gardening remains on the rise, and even if you don’t have a spacious backyard, it doesn’t mean that you can’t get in on the action. Many companies and brands are coming up with new ways to make use of every square inch, like these affordable Plant Traps, which allow you to hang plants on the outside of your deck or balcony.

Stonescaping: If you’re sick of sky-high water bills or live in a drought-prone area, consider switching up your lawn in favor of a gravel one, which is quickly becoming the latest and most popular landscaping trend. Hardscaping not only helps you use less water but also creates a more eco-friendly backyard. Consider using pavers and gravel patches to define areas of your outdoor space, like a space for alfresco dining or playing bocce ball. Check out these stone landscaping ideas for serious inspiration.

Father’s Day rolls around on June 19th, and what better way to honor dad than with his very own man cave? Check out our top four man cave ideas to transform any ordinary space into his favorite hideaway!

Movie Theater Man Cave: Grab the popcorn and get ready to enjoy the ultimate man cave complete with ample seating, dimmed lighting, and a massive projector for dad’s viewing pleasure. Transform your basement or one of your spare rooms into an at-home movie theater by incorporating one or more of the below pieces.

• Movie Theater Man Cave Canvas
• Portable Folding Projector
• Pop Corn Maker | Pop Corn Boxes
• Mobile Bar
• Luxury Movie Seating
• Home Area Rug Runner
• Movie Night Gift Basket
• Movie Theater Throw Pillows
• Movie Theater Artwork
• Wish List Item: Home Theater Upholstered Door Panel

Decorated Garage Man Cave: An unused garage is a perfect space for a custom man cave, providing a place for dad to unwind, relax, and entertain after a long day at work. You can easily transform your garage into a man cave and still set it up to be a garage again in the future. Check out this complete guide to converting your garage into the ultimate man cave escape and check out some of our favorite accessories below.

• Man Cave Garage Sign
• LED Neon Garage Sign
• Man Cave Artwork
• Little Italy Bar Cabinet
• Limited Edition Cooler
• TV Ceiling Mount
• Black Futon Sofa
• Coffee Table
• Tool Storage Rack
• Wish List Item: Golf Simulator

Bourbon Bar Man Cave: Want to transform your ordinary bar into a high-end home bar? The best part is that it won’t break the bank! With a few added accessories, dad can have the bourbon bar of his dreams. Fair warning: Other dads might flock here, making your home bar the most popular hang-out spot in town.

• Whiskey Barrel Drink Coasters
• Bourbon Bar Man Cave Sign
• Bar Stools
• Mounted Shot Dispenser
• Premium Whiskey Glasses
• Whiskey Decanter Set
• Home Bar Lighting
• Ice Bucket
• Whiskey Stones Set
• Authentic Bourbon Whiskey Barrel
• Wish List Item: Corner Bar Cabinet

Sports/Game Room Man Cave: Themed man caves are in, and this one is clearly owned by a sports lover. Even if you have a small space, you can decorate tastefully to achieve a sports lover’s paradise. Not sure where to begin? Learn how to create the quintessential sports man cave here and check out our favorite accessories below.

• Sports Wall Art
• Canvas Wall Art Basketball Players
• Mini Basketball Hoop
• Jersey Frame Display Case
• Sports Memorabilia Display Case
• Ultimate Bean Bag Chairs
• Darts Board
• Wish List Item: Sports Billiard Pool Table

While there’s no denying that our current market favors sellers, we are starting to see a slow but steady growth in inventory that will help eager buyers as they dive into the real estate pool. According to the Sacramento Association of Realtors, the active listing inventory increased 27.8% from March of this year to April. Compared with April of 2021, inventory is up 33.4%. As for sellers, we are still seeing very competitive sales prices. The medium sales price increased 1.7% – from $556,000 to $565,500. This figure is up 15.5% from April 2021 ($489,500).
So what does this mean for buyers and sellers? While still very competitive, data suggests that a leveling market is on the horizon.

Bring on the Easter egg hunts, adorable chocolate bunnies, and beautiful pastel colors because Easter is right around the corner – this Sunday to be exact! This month, we check out the latest Easter events and celebrations taking place in and around the Sacramento area. We also share some fun DIY Easter crafts and delicious brunch recipes that you can make in the comfort of your own home. Finally, we take a look at the local real estate market to see how it’s shaping up for spring. Read on for the full scoop!

Looking for some festive ways to celebrate Easter in Sacramento? Check out our top five picks for Easter egg hunts, bunny sightings, and spring activities – all of which are taking place this weekend!

1. Spring EGGstravaganza @ Fairytale Town: (Saturday, April 16 & Sunday, April 17th): Join Fairytale Town for an exciting weekend featuring egg hunts, prizes, spring-themed arts and crafts, and more! Puppet Art Theater Company will also be on hand performing “Bunny Boot Camp” in the Children’s Theater. Tickets are $1 for members and $2 for nonmembers. Showtimes are at 12:30, 1:30, and 2:30 PM.  Plus, visit with Peter Cottontail on the Mother Goose Stage from 10 AM – 3 PM. Professional digital photos will be available to purchase for $5 or take your own for free. Make spring-themed crafts from 10 AM – 3 PM. Learn more here.
2. Easter Bunny comes to El Dorado Hills Town Center: (Now until April 17th): Stop by El Dorado Hills Town Center to capture some “egg-cellent” photos with the Easter bunny himself! Charm Photography will have prints, images, and gift items available on-site for purchase. Check out the available packages and schedule your appointment here.
3. Easter Egg Express: Saturday train rides (Now – April 16th) at 10 am and 1 pm. Sunday train rides (Now – April 17th) at 10 am, 1 pm, and 4 pm: Celebrate Easter on an unforgettable train ride and visit river-side park and boarding station. Kids will decorate their own Easter Egg bag. There will also be games, an Easter Egg hunt, and other surprises! Relax with your family and friends at one of the picnic tables and enjoy the scenery. There’s so much fun that your little bunny will be hopping with excitement. This 2.5-hour experience is fun for kids of all ages. Each ticket includes a 45-minute train ride. Learn more here.
4. Easter Eggstravaganza: (Saturday, April 16th): Join Fair Oaks for the return of a long-standing tradition, Easter Eggstravaganza! Children and their families will have an excellent time with free children’s egg hunts (0-12 years of age), craft station, petting zoo, pictures with the Bunny, and more! Looking for some extra fun? For a nominal fee, enjoy carnival games, inflatables, and an adult egg hunt. Vendors and food trucks will also be on-site! Learn more here.
5. Easter Carnival Variety Show:  (Saturday, April 16th): Dress up in your finest spring and Easter get-ups for a throwback to a softer, pastel world of carnival fun, games, snacks, and live performances of circus, sideshow, and more at Twin Rivers Cider Company. There will be 18 different types of hard cider on tap and food trucks on-site. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Purchase your tickets here.

Looking to kick off the festivities this spring with some fun Easter crafts? We’ve got you covered with five simple yet adorable ideas that everyone can partake in!

1. Golden Easter Eggs: Tired of dunking your eggs in food coloring? Take your Easter egg game to the next level with these gold marbled Easter eggs. Learn how to make them here.
2. Easter Wreath: A good first impression starts with the entryway. And what better way to welcome in guests than with a gorgeous and easy-to-make Easter wreath? This simple yet timeless design sets the tone for spring. Learn how to make it here.
3. Easter Egg Table Centerpiece: Not only do these stand-up paper eggs make for a beautiful centerpiece, but they’re also quite fun to make! You just need some card stock, a hot glue gun, and pretty ribbons and/or bows to complete this craft! Click here to see a step-by-step tutorial.
4. Bunny Planters: Check out these DIY bunny planters! The kids will have fun making them and you can put your green thumb to use. Learn how to make them here.
5. Lolli Pop Bunnies: Need a festive treat for the kids table? How about a fun surprise inside of an Easter basket? Try out these DIY lollipop bunnies! Click here to learn how to create them.

Bring on the brunch! From mimosas with a twist to savory frittatas, we’ve put together a list of recipes that will be sure to impress “every-bunny”.

Festive Drinks: Get the party started with bright florals, tart fruits, and delectable flavors in these Easter-inspired cocktails!

1. Peep This: This peep-inspired Easter mimosa is sure to be a brunch favorite with pink lemonade, champagne, and assorted peeps. Get the recipe here.
2. Spicy Bloody Mary: Every Bloody Mary bar needs a spicy option, and this recipe is the perfect option to fill the spot. Learn how to make this cocktail here.
3. Cranberry Cava Cocktail: This simple, two-ingredient cocktail incorporates cranberries to add a fresh, spring-y aura to the drink. Get the list of ingredients here.
4. Chocolate Egg Martini: This cocktail takes a grown-up spin on a child’s favorite with sweet vanilla and creamy advocaat. Get the recipe here.
5. Ginger Peach Soda Mocktail: This non-alcoholic recipe is a great mocktail for an Easter brunch, or could be punched up with a little vodka or another spirit. Learn how to make it here.

Brunch Bites: These brunch-inspired dishes will take your Easter celebration to the next level.

1. Hash Brown Nests with Portobellos and Eggs: With crispy hashbrowns, cheesy eggs, and crumbled bacon, what’s not to love about these hash brown nests?
2. Easter Frittata: This Easter Frittata is loaded with feta cheese, asparagus, and eggs that come together perfectly to create a hearty main dish. Pair with a light salad to complete your meal.
3. Eggs Benedict Biscuit Cups: Looking for smaller bites? These egg benedict-inspired biscuit cups are great for when you are serving a large crowd.
4. Sweet and Savory Crepes: Create a crepe station with these easy-to-make homemade crepes. Add toppings like berries, whipped cream, jellies, veggies, and more!
5. Slow Cooker Ham: There are tons of ways to cook ham but making it in your slow cooker might just be the easiest! Plus, it holds in all the moisture from that brown sugar glaze. Get the instructions here.

Desserts: Don’t forget the dessert! Make Easter “eggs-tra” special with these holiday-inspired treats.

1. Meyer Lemon Bunny Cookies: Switch up your normal sugar cookies with these lemon zest-infused bunny cookies, which are almost too adorable to eat!
2. Bird’s Nest Cookies: These easy chocolate nests are made with chocolate, peanut butter, and chow mein noodles, then finished off with candy eggs. The perfect Easter dessert!
3. Marbled Egg Sugar Cookies: Here’s one way to keep your kids busy while they wait for the Easter bunny to arrive. Get the recipe here.
4. Chick Cupcakes: Be sure to make extra of these almost too cute to eat chick cupcakes as they very well may “fly” off your table.
5. Bunny Oreo Balls: This no-bake dessert is the perfect way to hop into spring! Learn how to make them here.

Wondering how the Sacramento housing market is shaping up for spring? According to The Sacramento Association of Realtors “March ended with 1,366 sales, a 26.2% increase from February (1,082). Compared to one year ago (1,292), the current figure is up 5.7%. The median sales price increased 3% from $540,000 to $556,000. This figure is up 15.6% from March 2021 ($481,000). The Active Listing Inventory increased 18% from February to March, from 890 units to 1,050 units. Compared with March 2021 (918), inventory is up 14.4%. The Months of Inventory remains .8 Months. This figure represents the amount of time (in months) it would take for the current rate of sales to deplete the total active listing inventory. The Median DOM (days on market) remained at 7 and the Average DOM decreased from 17 to 15. “Days on market” represents the days between the initial listing of the home as “active” and the day it goes “pending.” Of the 1,366 sales this month, 89.2% (1,218) were on the market for 30 days or less and 95.5% (1,304) were on the market for 60 days or less.”

So what does this mean? For one, while the market is still very competitive, the active listing inventory is increasing, which will steadily create more opportunities for buyers. And as for sellers, while mortgage rates are climbing, there is still a great demand for houses in the Sacramento market, which is reflected in the steady rise of sales prices.

People who are thinking of selling their house often wonder what they can do to increase its appeal to buyers. The goal of doing so is fairly obvious: maximize profit and minimize time on the market.

Many think that updating their kitchen or bathrooms, or even adding an addition, will do the trick. In a sense, they will. If you do a major renovation or addition, it’ll surely increase how much your house will sell for, and there’s a good chance it’ll sell more quickly if you do substantial upgrades before you list. But, it’ll also cost you a good chunk of time, money, and it probably won’t net you more money than the actual cost of the work.

On the other hand, there’s a simple tweak you can do to your house (if you haven’t already) that’ll increase its appeal to a lot of buyers, which is…

Create a dedicated home office space.

Home offices have been a feature buyers have liked for some time, but over the past two years they’ve become all the more appealing due to the pandemic. With the pandemic winding down — hopefully for good — it may seem like home offices won’t be as much of a draw. But that’s not likely. Here are a few reasons why a home office is still something buyers will want to see if you’re selling in the near future:

• While some companies have started having employees come back into the office, many others have not. There are still plenty of companies playing it safe and having their employees work remotely.
• The pandemic loosened the jar lid, so to say, and now more people are doing whatever possible to continue working from home entirely — or at least in a hybrid fashion — simply because they like the quality of life better.
• Gas prices fluctuate, and they won’t be high forever, but right now they are – and there’s a good chance they’ll be that way for a while. So if you’re selling soon, working from home to save on the cost of commuting is likely on a lot of buyers’ minds.
• “What if it happens again…” The pandemic is barely in the rearview mirror, and people are sensitive to needing a dedicated home office space if there’s another variant or surge, but they’re also thinking about a future pandemic. It may not have been something buyers would’ve been sensitive to a couple of years ago, but it’ll be a long time before buyers don’t think what living in a house would be like if it happens again in the future.

So if you’re thinking about selling your home in the near future and want to add some appeal, create a dedicated home office space if you don’t already have one.

You don’t need to (and probably shouldn’t) do an addition to add a home office.  Just repurpose a room, or a section of one, and make it into a home office. Here are a few ideas on how to carve out some space:

• If you have a spare bedroom, and it won’t take away from the marketability in your area for the likely buyer, just turn it into a home office.
• If you have a finished basement, turn part of it into an office.
• If you have an unfinished attic, consider turning that into an office for as little money as possible.
• Section off a portion of your living room as a home office. It doesn’t need to be huge; buyers just need to see where they could set themselves up to work from home if they lived there.
• Perhaps use a formal dining room, since many people don’t use them as often as they would use a home office.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer of course, but creating a home office is most likely to add appeal to your house if you’re selling in the near future.

March is in full swing and lucky for us, Sacramento has a lot of Saint Patty’s Day celebrations in store! Read on for a full lineup of local events and activities, plus ways that you can celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day at home. We also take a look at the conflict in Ukraine and how it might affect the U.S. housing market.

Looking for some festive ways to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day in Sacramento? Check out our top five picks in and around the city!

1. St. Paddy’s Yappy Hour (Thursday, March 17th): Yappy Hour is back! Wear your green-colored attire and join the Sacramento SPCA at Hop Gardens from 4 pm to 7 pm. The best part? You can enjoy great beer, food, and raffle prizes while also supporting animals at the Sacramento SPCA.
2. Bottomless Green Beer at University of Beer (Thursday, March 17th): Join University of Beer in Sacramento for $17 bottomless green beer special from 6-10 pm with the purchase of an entree.
3. Saint Patrick’s Day Sights and Sips Cocktail Cruise (Thursday, March 17th & Saturday, March 19th): This year step aboard City Cruise’s St. Patrick’s Day Sights & Sips Cruise in Sacramento for an unforgettable day. Open to all ages! Experience a 1.5 hour cocktail cruise on the Sacramento River and cruise the day away with friends and family while soaking in Sacramento’s skyline views. Featuring St. Patrick’s Day décor and live DJ entertainment. Themed cocktails and small bites are available for purchase.
4. Old Sacramento Waterfront St. Patrick’s Day Hunt (Now through Thursday, March 17th): If you’re looking for a fun activity for the whole family this St. Patrick’s Day, join the Leprechaun Hunt at the Old Sacramento Waterfront – going on now through Thursday, March 17th. Pick up your activity pages at the Old Sacramento Visitor’s Center or download here to print your own to search for ten Leprechauns hidden throughout the Old Sacramento Waterfront. Each Leprechaun will have a corresponding, secret word that families must fill in on the activity pages to move onto the next hidden Leprechaun. Don’t forget, you’ll need to fill in each clue to solve the secret code at the end. Once complete, email the secret word by March 17th to info@oldsacramento.com for a chance to win!
5. Shamrock Hunt at Hagen Community Park (Saturday, March 19th): Come out for a free family event at Hagen Community Park from 10 am to 12:30 pm. Children can hunt for shamrocks hidden by leprechauns and there will be prizes, activities, and vendors! Learn more here.

Do you plan on celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day in the comfort of your own home? From appetizers and mains to creative cocktails and desserts, we’ve put together a list of fun recipes that will be sure to impress your St. Patty’s Day crew.

Festive Drinks: Get the party started with these festive beers, mixed drinks, and mocktails!

1. Green Beer: It wouldn’t be Saint Patrick’s Day without green beer. With just one drop of food coloring, you can make your own. Get the recipe here.
2. Irish Coffee: You may not be Irish but your coffee can be…Celebrate the occasion with this Spiked Irish Coffee!
3. Lucky Charms Shots: Try out these “magically delicious” shots with Bailey’s Irish Cream and Lucky Charms!
4. Shamrock Sour Cocktail: Whiskey sour gets a festive makeover by going green.
5. Jameson Jello Shots: Saint Patrick’s Day isn’t complete without jello shots! Have a “shamrockin’” good time with these Jameson Jello Shots.
6. Fuzzy Leprechaun: This yummy fruity cocktail is made with peach schnapps, blue Curacao, and vodka. Learn how to make it here.
7. Lime Sherbert St. Patty’s Day Punch (Non-Alcoholic): This delicious lime sherbert drink packs a punch! Learn how to make it here.
8. Irish Car Bombs: This staple St. Paddy’s Day drink doesn’t need an introduction…End the night with an Irish Car Bomb!

Bring on the Appetizers: Looking for some tasty appetizers to go with that green pint of Guinness? Check out these St. Patty’s Day approved dips, bites, and sliders.

1. Corned Beef and Cabbage Sliders: This ridiculously easy app is taken to the next level with Guinness mustard. Learn how to make it here.
2. Pretzel Dog Beer Cheese Dip: You can’t go wrong with beer, cheese, and pretzels. Click here to make this crowd-pleasing app.
3. Irish Potato Nachos: If you haven’t tried Irish Potato Nachos, you’re missing out. What’s not to love about a heaping pile of crisp potatoes slathered in shredded cheese and topped off with crunchy bacon and fresh chives? Get the recipe here.
4. Bacon-Wrapped Cabbage Wedges: When in doubt, add bacon. The best part? These bacon-wrapped cabbage wedges get bonus points for being low carb. Learn how to make them here.
5. Irish Pub Cheese Recipe: This creamy cheese pairs well with pretzels, pita chips, or sliced veggies.
6. Saint Paddy’s Dill Dip: Serve this delicious dip with raw vegetables or crackers of your choice.
7. Spicy Whiskey BBQ Sliders: Doctor up your favorite BBQ sauce for St. Paddy’s Day by adding onions, jalapeños, and Irish whiskey. It’s the best way to serve these mini sliders.
8. St. Patrick’s Day Rainbow Veggie Platter: Impress even your pickiest Leprechauns with this Rainbow Veggie platter!

Mains: These Irish-inspired dishes will take your Saint Patrick’s Day celebration to the next level.

1. Soda Bread: Can someone pass the bread? Learn how to make this quintessential Irish side here.
2. Corned Beef in Beer (Crockpot): Let your crockpot do the work by trying out this tasty Corned Beef in Beer recipe.
3. Irish Cabbage and Bacon: There’s nothing boring about this cabbage dish, which is loaded with bacon, onions, chicken broth, and mustard seeds.
4. Irish Pan Haggerty Potatoes: This classic Irish potato dish is loaded with sliced potatoes, bacon, onions, and of course, cheese. Check out the recipe here.
5. Irish Stew: This traditional comfort dish features tender lamb, hearty carrots, and lots of potatoes.
6. Irish Shepherd’s Pie: A Saint Patrick’s Day meal is not complete without a heaping serving of Irish Shepherd’s Pie. Get the recipe here.
7. Irish Pub Salad: You can’t forget your greens! Incorporate this Irish Pub salad into your menu. It’s loaded with eggs, cheese and topped with tarragon dressing.

Desserts: Don’t forget the dessert! Consider making one of these holiday-inspired treats.

1. Pot O’ Gold Cups: These little brownies prove that you don’t have to go to the end of the rainbow to find the perfect St. Paddy’s Day dessert.
2. Lucky Charm Eclaires: This nostalgic treat is not only adorable with the Lucky Charm garnishes but it’s also delicious. Get the complete recipe here.
3. Green Velvet Pops: Forget red velvet — green velvet will be your new favorite rich (and holiday-appropriate) cake pop flavor.
4. Irish Chocolate Pots de Creme: Not only is this dessert gorgeous but you can also make it ahead of time in just minutes! Add two tablespoons of Baileys for that Irish touch. Check out the recipe here.
5. Shamrock Shake Cupcakes: This minty cake topped with fluffy whip cream mousse is what dreams are made of! Get the full recipe here.

Wondering how the conflict in Ukraine may affect the U.S. housing market? According to Housing Wire, it may lead to lower mortgage rates in the short term. “While mortgage rates trended upward in 2022, one unintended side effect of global uncertainty is that it often results in downward pressure on mortgage rates,” said Odeta Kushi, deputy chief economist of title insurance firm First American. “The 10-year Treasury yield is down today, likely in response to the worsening Russia-Ukraine conflict, and mortgage rates may follow suit.” Read the full article here.

If you’re planning on renovating your kitchen this year, you want to make sure that the changes you’re making feel timely and on-trend.

But what, exactly, does timely and on-trend look like for 2022?

According to the 2022 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, which surveyed more than 2,300 homeowners on their recent and/or planned kitchen renovations, some of the biggest trends in kitchen design include:

• Upgraded countertops. 35 percent of homeowners splurged on upgrading their countertops—with engineered quartz (42 percent) and granite (24 percent) being the most popular countertop materials.
• High-tech appliances. 27 percent of homeowners upgrade their appliances during the kitchen renovation process—and 35 percent of those homeowners opt for appliances with high-tech features (like smart refrigerators), a six percent increase from 2021’s data.
• Larger kitchen islands. Kitchen islands have been on-trend for years—but this year, the trend is all about larger islands. According to the data, 39 percent of homeowners are building kitchen islands that stretch 7 feet or longer—up five percentage points from 2021.