Mary Mychael's Top 5 Must Haves in a Home

1. Wine Fridge/Storage- Having spent a lot of time in the wine industry, I have a soft spot for a good glass of vino and lately our collection is growing! I love being able to store it properly so I can have a crisp (perfectly chilled) glass of white or rosé or a nicely aged red from our wine rack.

2. Record Player- Music is a big part of our lives as a family, and we LOVE filling our home with some good tunes. We have a cool tabletop turntable and lots of fun records (old and new) – a recurring fave is *Galactic – Into the Deep* and of course (Penelope’s favorite) the Frozen II soundtrack – you gotta have balance.

3. Statement Dining Room- Dinner at a dining room table is something I will always encourage and cherish – the conversations, the laughs, the good food and drinks, all of it. Eric and I have spent years looking for the perfect dining room that was unique and perfect for us and our space. We recently took the plunge after a 3 year pep-talk (because dining room tables…man, they can be a financial commitment!). And I couldn’t be happier…its beautiful but also brings people together and I love that.

4. Reading Nook/Library- I love a space where devices are not the centerpiece. A space where you can sit and listen to music, read, work, craft…bonus if there are lots of windows with natural light. :)

5. Bathtub- If you missed my bathroom renovation last year, then you may not know that I am a bathtub gal through and through…the entire renovation came about *just* so I could add a bathtub (I mean it needed updating anyway but still). Living in dust for months (and months) is not my favorite thing, but the end result was SO worth it because that bathtub is my jam. Bonus if there is a glass of wine involved – and a book – maybe even some soft tunes in the background – and a sleeping kiddo – now we’re talkin!

Amanda's Top 5 Must Haves In a Home

1. A Yard with Sunshine and Shade. I like to garden so a yard with plenty of room and light for a vegetable garden is my #1 thing.  I also like some shade for spending time relaxing outside though.  Plus we have an Australian Shepherd.  They are EXTREMELY active so she needs space to run.

2. A Large Working Kitchen.  Because I grow so much of my own food I love cooking and I am someone who doesn't like to be crowded in a kitchen.  I have a ton of equipment too like a kitchen aid, tagine, cuisinart, pasta maker, dehydrator, air fryer, canning equipment - you name it I've probably got it. So kitchen storage as well as work space is definitely important.

3. A Nice Office Space for myself + Mark.  Since I work primarily from home, a private office for myself is preferable.  Mark and I shared an office in our home in Maryland, when we were both flight attendants, and that just didn't go over well.  since I'm a visual person I like having stuff laid out.  If I file it away I will forget about it.  He thinks it's a mess.  I say "welcome to my brain" :)

4. A Formal Dining Room.  Not used much because it's just the two of us, but when my family is visiting we need to have space for 8 to eat.

5. A Guest Room. Again, to help accommodate my family.  In our house now, we have a guest room (my parents), a pull out couch in my office (my niece), and an apartment over the garage for my sister + brother-in-law. This is great because we each have our own space when visiting but are still close.

Our home now has all of my must have's so I feel very blessed at this time in my life.  Now we need a vacation home in NC! LOL

Alaina's Top 5 Must-Haves in a Home

1. Wood Floors in the Main Living Area: These allow you the option of  style changes. Houses are living breathing creatures and without the option to totally change my style/mood on whim is pure tragedy. Wood floors throughout the home brings warmth and continuity to any design palette

2. Owner's en Suite Bathroom: After living in a 2/1 San Marco Bungalow with my husband and our two kids (now we have a gaggle of six), our own private bathroom is at the tip top of my priority list. Having our own space sans dinosaurs and barbies is essential to maintaining our sanity.

3. Backyard with a Privacy Fence: As previously mentioned, I have a family with four kids. If we can't let those anklebiters run off their energy with minimal supervision on the daily,  it makes for a VERY spirited evening in the Burt House. We could definitely do without the upkeep of the grass, however!! So fenced AND xeriscaped FTW! 

4. Porch: I love entertaining! Some of my favorite gatherings are getting everyone together and playing Heads Up or just chatting on our back porch for hours on end. Bonus if the porch has an outdoor fan that keeps your thighs from sticking to the chairs in the Florida heat. 

5. Home Office: People tend to think Realtors are always out on the road showing houses; they're not wrong, but a lot of the *magic* in Real Estate happens behind the scenes! That magic is curated in the home office preparing contracts, researching properties, organizing tour routes, and strategizing marketing blitzes. Having a little retreat tucked away from the noise is vital for the success of my growing business! 

MaryAnne's Top 5 Trending Paint Colors

If you follow me on instagram (@rodriguexrenovationsjax), you know that I love a project! I’m constantly looking for ways to change and improve a space, and a few coats of paint can make a HUGE difference! Check out my top 5 trending paint colors.

1. Sherwin Williams Romance: The perfect adult pink- it offers a calming and sweet look for any room. It’s the perfect touch of feminine without looking like your teenage bedroom.

   Ideal for a small office, under the stair bathroom, or of course, a nursery!

2. Behr Back to Nature: The sweetest green that brings peace and the outside into the indoors. The muted tone makes just enough of a statement without being overwhelming to any room.

   Ideal for a pop of color on the front door or in a kitchen against white cabinetry!

3. PPG Chinese Porcelain: This bold and rich blue brings the perfect blend of tradition and modern into one. It is a regal, classic, and timeless color that you won't get tired of seeing!

   Ideal for a bedroom accent wall or a kitchen nook!

4. Sherwin Williams Acier: The perfect griege, as it is modern but warm and can tie in any other colors with it perfectly. Great color for wanting to add dimension to a room and pairs perfectly with white trim.

   Ideal for kitchen cabinetry and family rooms!

5. Glidden Aria: This fresh white has a subtle gray undertone and pairs beautifully with wooden furniture. It will brighten up any space and act as a blank canvas for an art gallery wall.

   Ideal for any living space, a bright kitchen, or a tall entry way!

If you’re looking for a paint color to brighten a space or have your own favorites, let me know!

Dani's Top 5 At Home Workout Moves

While everyone is working from home, I’ve been wanting to stay in shape and stay sane! I’ve learned that working out doesn’t have to be too complicated and can be done in whatever space you have. Here are a few of my favorite workout moves to do at home!

1.     SQUATS: Start by placing your feet slightly wider than shoulders and keep knees from collapsing inward.  Sit back as if you’re sitting back into a chair.  Squat down as far comfortable and then come back up to standing.  Jumping, slow, and fast squats are all some of the best glute, full body, and cardio exercises every person can do at home. If you’re new to squats a very simple method is start with ten per day and add five to ten every day for 30 days. Jumping squats will get your heart rate up for a good cardio session while easing your muscles, ligaments, and tendons into dynamic movement. Once you’ve warmed up with jumping squats, do a few squats down slow – up fast, then finish with normal squats until you feel a good burn.

2.     LUNGES: Lunges are the best glute exercises you can do anywhere. Just like squats, you have variations you can do to target all muscle fibers. Jumping lunges, forward lunges, reverse lunges, and walking lunges. You want to make sure your forward knee is never over your heel.  Always use your forward leg to drive your heel into the ground, and squeeze your backside to stand.

3.     CRUNCHES WITH LEG LIFTS: Upper and Lower core work are great in tandem to build good balance, strong abdominal muscles, and summer body toning. Start with crutches by lying on your back, knees bent, feet on ground, finger tips touching your ears, pressing lower back into the ground, lift your chest to the sky. Next for lower abs you will keep both legs straight and together lifting legs from six inches off the ground to the sky.  Lift your backside off the ground, lower legs to six inches and repeat.

4.     RUSSIAN TWIST: This movement also targets the side muscles of the core, or oblique muscles.  Sitting with your knees slightly bent, lift your feet off the ground three to six inches hovering.  While holding a small ball or any object between both hands you’ll twist side to side tapping your object to the ground on your left side, then right side, and repeat. Only count one side for your reps.

5.     PLANK: Finally, we’re going to bring this full body workout together with a one minute plank. This is one of the most difficult exercises you will ever do and one the the best for your core, balance, shoulders, back, and mental strength, as simple as this seems. Start your phone timer under your face for accurate accountability. Now just get on the ground as if you are going to do a push up… and that’s it.  Hold that position.  Just try and picture that you’re pushing the floor away from you while keeping your belly and spine straight and strong.  You can do this!  Over time you can increase your time, but never less than one minute. If you are not quite to a minute when you begin drop to your knees to finish the minute, never quit, this will build your strength for the next time. “A plank a day will keep the muffin top away.”

Sample Workout:

Round One:

Jumping Squats x 10 reps

Forward Lunges x 20 reps

Crunches x 30

Russian Twist x 30

Round Two:

Squats (slow down, up fast) x 10

Reverse Lunges x 20 reps

Leg Lifts x 20

Russian Twists x 50

Round Three:

Squats (normal) x 30

Jumping Lunges x 20

         Plank 1 minute

Let me know if you tried this workout and reach out if you ever want a buddy!

Chai's Top 5 Fresh Herbs

I am creative and love to cook! One of my favorite things to use in my recipes is fresh herbs. I’m sharing my favorites as well as some benefits and staple recipes that are perfect for each one.

1. Lemongrass:  Most common in Asian cuisine, I love using lemongrass in my soup and curries. The aroma that it brings to my kitchen is amazing!  Lemongrass also contains substances that are thought to relieve pain and swelling, reduce fever, improve levels of sugar and cholesterol in the blood.

2. Cilantro: I use this herb on everything, and you will always find this in my fridge! One of my favorite ways to use it is on fish, noodle soup, and as a garnish. So, I will confess, I can't help it but smelling it before I put in a bag in the grocery store. I feel the more fragrant the better.

Storage tip: Cilantro doesn't keep fresh for long. Don't wash it until you are ready to use it, or it will degrade swiftly.

3. Ginger: Ginger not only adds delicious flavor to food, but it's also full of nutrients.  People have been using the root for cooking and healing for thousands of years. Honestly, I just love putting in in my stir-fry. It tastes delicious, and it smells amazing! I also like to make hot ginger tea. I just add 3 to 5 slices of ginger and a couple of slices lemon to boiling water for about five minutes.

We often think of orange juice as the go-to drink for warding off a cold, but fresh ginger juice may be a better choice. The root has a warming effect, which is believed to help with cold symptoms. Drinking ginger can keep you warm, while also helping the body sweat and get rid of infections. Let me know what's your favorite ways to use  Ginger

.4. Rosemary: Oh Rosemary, I do love you. Not only I like to use it my cooking, but I love using them around my house. It's definitely my go-to herb for roasting chicken and for my fall dishes. I like Rosemary, because this plant is easy to grow (because I do not have a green thumb!) and propagate, and it’s a delicious addition to many culinary creations!

5.Garlic: There is something irresistible about the aroma of roasted garlic. It is so captivating and powerful, that it has long been used as a flavor booster in curries, stir-fries, pizza toppings, pasta, and meat preparation.  Consuming garlic on a daily basis (in food or raw) helps to lower cholesterol levels because of the anti-oxidant properties of Allicin.  Good to know!

I would love for you to share your favorite fresh herbs and how you like to use them!