Chic vs. Geek: Halloween Lives!

Halloween may have passed, but the spooky spirit lives on throughout the autumn season, and there’s still time for a little style and celebration! Here’s how we like to party:

CHIC (PEARL)

I like to express my artistic side and create crafty things. From decorating pumpkins to coloring sheets, there are tons of fun and productive ways to spend time at home (or on Zoom with friends and family) without crashing Halloween parties or trick-or-treating. Here are a few ideas for the kids to enjoy.

GEEK (KEVIN)

As you might’ve guessed, my favorite way to celebrate any holiday — and especially Halloween — is with food and drinks. With that in mind, I found some amazing autumn-inspired treats, savory dishes, coffee creations, and Halloween cocktails that you can sample at home in your pod. Let me know how it goes!

Have you voted?

The Registrar of Voters wants you to exercise your civic duty without worrying about getting sick. That’s why they’re implementing a robust plan to keep voting centers safe with socially distanced voting booths, one-way entrances and exits, and plenty of hand sanitizer. San José Spotlight has more.

Have you already voted? We’ll send a pair of these fancy VOTE masks to the first five people who send us an email!

Chic vs. Geek: Kitchen Upgrades

We’re thinking about upgrading our outdated kitchen, but it’s a big project to undertake. Any suggestions for making sure we get it right the first time?

CHIC (PEARL)

For people around the world living through this pandemic, home has never been closer to the heart. And what’s the heart of the home? The kitchen, of course. When it comes to renovating, as a real estate agent, I always think about resale value. But why not make a change that not only satisfies your lifestyle but also brings higher value if and when the time comes to sell? From my experience, here’s what savvy buyers want from a kitchen, in no particular order:

• Storage, storage… and storage

• A BIG Island

• Wine fridge

• Stainless steel appliances

If you’re looking for a simple upgrade, think about repainting in a light, warm grey or an off-white shade and adding new cabinet handles.

GEEK (KEVIN)

As much as aesthetics matter in making any kitchen more attractive, function is just as important, and it goes a long way with buyers.

First developed in the 1940s, the “working triangle” (also known as “the kitchen triangle”) arranges the three main elements of the kitchen — sink, stove, and refrigerator — to create a streamlined workspace for the three fundamental tasks performed in the kitchen: food preparation, cooking, and storage.

In an ideal kitchen, you could draw a line from one appliance to the next to create a triangle, hence the phrase “kitchen triangle”. This “work zone” approach is becoming more and more popular as homeowners shift to open concepts.