All Blog Entries by Smart Calgary Homes Blogging Team 
There are currently 117 blog entries published by Smart Calgary Homes Blogging Team.
Holiday Shopping Guide Part 3: Last-Minute Gifts
Friday, December 16th, 2011 at 12:47pm. 933 Views, 0 Comments.
We’ve all experienced this: a last-minute guest shows up, a neighbor comes to the door, a co-worker pops by your desk – with a gift. It’s not an ideal situation, but if you’re prepared, you’ll be ready for any unexpected gift-giver.
Here are 5 inexpensive, good for anyone gifts that will make sure the only surprises this holiday season are good ones.
Photo: Purdy's Chocolates
1. PURDY’S CHOCOLATES: You can’t go wrong with chocolate! Just make sure you get the good ones; head to Purdy’s and pick up a few boxes of assorted filled chocolates or truffles (or keep it classic with Hedgehogs). They range greatly in price (from about $10-75), so they won’t break the bank. FIND THEM: locations at www.purdys.com
Photo: Pier 1
2. ORNAMENTS: Both Urban Barn…
Holiday Shopping Guide: Part 2
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 at 9:40am. 1369 Views, 0 Comments.
There’s still a little more time to finish up your Christmas shopping, but there are also, undoubtedly, a few people on your list that you can’t seem to find anything for. Here are a few suggestions for everyone in your family that will suit any budget.
Antique Owl, $15, indigo.ca
For Him:
Aldo Valeray Scarf: $25, aldoshoes.com
Grid It Ultimate Organizer: $10-$15, thinkgeek.com
The Oxford Companion to Beer: $41, amazon.ca
For Her:
Adele: Live at the Royal Albert Hall DVD & CD Collection: $23, indigo.ca
Aldo Rabon Hat: $25, aldoshoes.com
Viscose Blend Shawl Collar Sweater: $50, lechateau.com
For Grandma and Grandpa:
Bed Buddy Warming Footies with Aromatherapy: $14, bedbathandbeyond.ca
Keurig Coffee Maker: $99, amazon.ca
Antique Owl Globe: $15, indigo.ca
For the…
And the winner is...
Monday, December 5th, 2011 at 7:48am. 652 Views, 0 Comments.
Through the month of November, Smart Calgary Homes ran a “Contest for the Kind at Heart” – a contest that aimed to reward those who give back to the community during the holiday season. After many great entries, we’ve got a winner!
Congratulations, Jessica! You’ve won a $200 shop! card! This gift card is valid at any Cadillac Fairview shopping centre, including Calgary’s Chinook Centre and Market Mall.
Jessica was chosen via Random Number Generator, and will receive the gift card shortly. Stay tuned, Calgary, we’ve got more exciting contests coming up!
Holiday Shopping Guide: Part 1
Monday, November 28th, 2011 at 9:11am. 1694 Views, 0 Comments.
Having a tough time with your holiday shopping? There are always a people on your list that are harder to shop for than others. Have no fear! Here are five picks for five tough people on your list:
Photo: amazon.ca
FOR THE BOOK LOVER: The new Amazon Kindle is the perfect gift for anyone looking to make their way through the bestseller list. It’s small, portable, and lightweight, and at around $100, it’s a pretty affordable option – especially in the long run. The best part? No dealing with long library wait lists, out of stock notifications at the bookstore or online, or shipping. The Kindle has built in wi-fi, so new books are available in mere seconds. PRICE: $109.00 WHERE TO GET IT: amazon.ca
FOR THE TECHIE: The late Steve Jobs made a huge impact in the…
5 Cosy Recipes to Warm Up Your Home
Friday, November 18th, 2011 at 3:35pm. 2404 Views, 0 Comments.
Old man winter is on his way, and it’s starting to show (-16 this morning, anyone? Brr!). One of the best ways to avoid the trademark Alberta chill is to get in the kitchen and start cooking; it’ll not only heat up your home, but it’ll make you feel all warm and cosy from the inside out. Sounds good, doesn’t it?
Here are 5 recipes that are guaranteed to bring a little warmth to a winter-like day:
Photo: Globaldish.ca
1. Cranberry Eggnog Braids: a delicate bread that will leave the spicy scent of eggnog in your home, and is perfect for brunch, dessert, or just a tea-time snack.
2. Roasted Acorn Squash Soup: a smooth, comforting soup that serves well as a side or a light supper.
3. Macaroni and Three Cheeses: what’s more comforting than mac and cheese? Kick…
How to Give Back During the Holidays
Thursday, November 10th, 2011 at 7:40am. 1605 Views, 0 Comments.
The holidays are the perfect time of year to give back to the community; while it’s great to help out year round, there’s always a little extra need during this season. So, if you’re looking for a way to start volunteering, here are 5 great ways to do so in and around Calgary during the holidays:
Image: Hillhurst United
1. Head to the Mustard Seed: There’s plenty of opportunity at the Seed at this time of year, from Christmas Card making to Dinner Service. Volunteer as a family, group, or individual – there are activities for essentially any age. Check out the Mustard Seed’s website for more details.
2. Adopt-a-Family: This is a program run through CUPS that provides gifts for an entire family. It’s a great option for a group of people (like an office,…
A Contest for the Kind at Heart
Monday, October 31st, 2011 at 10:07pm. 2323 Views, 1 Comments.
Now that Thanksgiving and Halloween are over, the holiday season is officially here. Lights are already going up around the city, and stores have stocked their shelves with Christmas decorations, wrapping paper, and just about anything holiday-related!
It’s so easy to get caught up in the stress of the season – shopping, parties – it just never seems to stop. But then there are those who not only manage to get past that, but make a point of giving back to the community as well.
We at Smart Calgary Homes want to reward the people of Calgary who do great things for others during the holidays, by giving them a hand with their holiday shopping. We’re going to give away a $200 Cadillac Fairview shop! card, which can be used at any Cadillac Fairview shopping…
5 Last-Minute DIY Halloween Costumes
Tuesday, October 25th, 2011 at 9:28am. 1685 Views, 0 Comments.
If you’re anything like me, you’re starting to panic about your Halloween costume. This is the favourite weekend of the year for many; a time where both adults and children get to dress up as whatever or whoever they want to, and let their inhibitions go just a little bit. While some have their costumes planned out months ahead, many of us wait it out – wait for the perfect costume to come our way – and when that doesn’t happen, we have to resort to last-minute DIY options.
Image: about-face.org
So, to make it easier for those who are late to the party this year, here are 5 Great DIY Halloween Costumes:
Raining Cats & Dogs
Get an umbrella and several stuffed cat and dog toys. Use a hot glue gun or crazy glue to stick the stuffed animals to the top of the…
Make the Most of Autumn Fun!
Wednesday, October 19th, 2011 at 9:59am. 835 Views, 0 Comments.
Everyone loves October. What’s not to love? It’s beautiful outside, we get to spend time with our family and friends (not to mention eat delicious food!) during Thanksgiving, and now, with Halloween on its way, we’re all starting to get in the festive spirit.
On top of that, it seems like there is so much to do in and around Calgary! This month has been full of exciting events (like the Calgary International Film Festival, Calgary Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival, and Wordfest!), and there is still a ton to do and see before the month’s end.
Here are three places you should visit before November arrives:
Image: familyfuncalgary.com
1. The Calgary Corn Maze: Its last day of operation is the 23rd, so go soon! Spend the day navigating the corn maze,…
Making Travel Easy with Helpful Packing Tips
Wednesday, October 12th, 2011 at 11:09am. 1598 Views, 0 Comments.
Autumn and winter tend to make people think about vacationing somewhere hot and sunny. All-inclusive packages are inexpensive, and travel companies do a great job of convincing us to hop on a plane (sun and sand are a lot more appealing than a 4PM sunset, don’t you think?).
Once you’ve booked a trip, you’re left with packing. Packing improperly can really put a damper on your vacation; leaking products can soil your clothing, while overpacking can result in a bag that doesn’t close, and underpacking leaves you unprepared.
Photo Credit: Redheadtravels.com
Here are three tips that will make sure packing for your vacation goes smoothly:
1. Ziploc it: Buy a couple boxes of Ziploc bags (snack size and freezer bags) and pack any liquids or small items in them.…
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