Showing posts with label FLORIDA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FLORIDA. Show all posts

Dec 2, 2015

We're excited to have A1A Solar Contracting joining us at the 2016 Jacksonville Home + Patio Show. As the leading solar contractors in North Florida, solar is all they do. They design and install solar power plants that turn sunshine into usable electricity for their customers' home and businesses.


Going solar is easier and more cost effective than ever, producing real value and cash savings from the moment a new system goes live. Using solar technology doesn't just reduce your energy costs, it also increases your home value, and your can enjoy significant government incentives.

Learn more about the power of solar energy and how AIA Solar Contracting can help you when you visit them in Booths 1002 and S339 at the Jacksonville Home + Patio Show. Can't wait that long? Get a sneak peek at what they'll be bringing to the show when you read our brief interview below.

Please describe your products and services.

"A1A Solar Contracting provides residential and commercial solar electric (photovoltaic) power system installations in the greater north Florida and south Georgia areas."

What are your best tips for homeowners this season?

"Solar is one of the few home improvements that actually pays for itself."

What's the strangest client request you've ever received?

"Solar powered birdbath pump (which, unfortunately, we do not install)."

What are your featured items this season?

"Reducing electric bills with renewable energy."

Is there anything else you think folks should know about your company?

"Our approach is different: we actively and consistently put the customer first. Each employee has been empowered to ensure the highest integrity and customer satisfaction. We’re proud to say that our philosophy has resulted in the highest customer satisfaction rating of any solar contractor in the area."

The Jacksonville Home + Patio Show takes over the Prime Osborn Center March 3-6, 2016. With hundreds of local home improvement professionals and experts ready to help with your next home project this is a must-attend event for Florida homeowners.

Don't have tickets yet? Save big when you buy them online! Click here to SAVE $2 on tickets!

PRIME OSBORN CONVENTION CENTER
MARCH 3-6, 2016.


Sep 30, 2015

Color has a big impact on our everyday lives – from what we decide to wear, to what we order for lunch. Just as important as choosing the right colors for our clothing, we all need to understand the effects various room colors can have on our mood and sense of well-being. This year, at the Jacksonville Home + Patio Show, designers Becky Harmon and Sandra Millis are creating a design feature with side by side rooms that showcase both warm and cool colors. The display will feature beautiful flooring, neutral colored seating, end and coffee tables,accent chest, wall art, area rugs and accessories.


The designers will use color to dictate the look and feel of the two rooms -- cool colors are thought to be calm and relaxing, while warm colors are often considered to be energetic.

The ladies are utilizing shades from Sherwin Williams. To help you get ready for their unique display at the show, below are some color findings from Sherwin Williams.

Color and Mood

How does hue affect mood and behavior? Science can offer clues, but the answers are rarely black and white.

To understand the impact of color on the human mind, consider the operating room, says Shashi Caan, chairwoman of the interior design program at Parsons School of Designer. Dominant colors in an operating theater don't come from the decor, she points out. They are the red of human blood and tissue and the seafoam green or blue-green of surgical scrubs.

Aesthetics aside, this color combination is unlikely to change. As long as blood is red, Caan says, the complementary colors of the scrubs will severe the important function of absorbing the surgeon's visual afterimage when she briefly looks away from her patient. If scrubs were, say, white like a doctor's lab coat, staring into all that crimson without a visual respite would nauseate surgeons.

Like the surgeon, we are all affected by environmental color. But unlike the operating room, where the need to maintain sterility demands a minimum of architectural color, the colors in most interior environments can be planned to achieve desired effects. Color can be employed to energize, subdue, inspire, aggravate, or stimulate.

Of course, none of this is news to design professionals. Fast-food restaurants have used appetite stimulating orange for decades, while (appetite-suppressing) blue restaurants are as rare as blue moons. Pink, thought to dull aggression, has been used to subdue prisoners in correctional institutions - and players in opposing teams' locker rooms.

For years, parents heeded the advice of color expert Carlton Wagner, who cautioned against painting nurseries yellow because, he said, the stimulating color would make babies cry.


You won't find red walls in your cardiologist's office, not just because he sees enough of it in the operating room, but because the color has been proven to raise blood pressure. Freudian analyst Bruno Bettelheim was rumored to have painted patients blue to quell their anxiety.

Color and Context

For the most part, many of these color assumptions remain intact today, says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. However, she and others caution designers to dig deeper into the science of color psychology and the context of their projects before applying paint.

"Anybody can figure out that you want soothing colors in bedrooms and more stimulating colors in high-activity areas," says Janet Friedman of Friedman & Shields, a California-and-Arizona-based design firm. Though color psychology rules are far from universal, she notes. Just as people have differing color preferences, they also have different psychological and physical reactions to color. Their reactions can be influenced by everything from gender and age to socioeconomic status and heritage - and can be as individual as fingerprints.

For example, a study conducted at the University of Texas found that women experienced more depression in white, gray, and beige offices. Men, meanwhile, reported the same feelings in orange or purple rooms. Retailers routinely use color to attract desired customers. "The more money you pay," Friedman says, "the more you expect [store design to include] deep soothing colors," that suggest luxury and invite lingering.

Subdued nursing home color palettes may be more stereotypical than senior-sensitive, since many seniors are color blind. If they do see color differences, they might be put off by au courant chartreuse - but nostalgic in the presence of vintage peach.

Primary colors have long been a favorite in kids' rooms. Still, Friedman cautions, "If your children tend to be hyperactive, you're going to give them a much quieter palette."

Color in Flux

Color can be a shape-shifter in different settings. Most designers test colors in their intended environment to anticipate changes that might occur with different lighting. Colors that everyone loved on a selection board can take on a whole new feel in the context of a finished room, Friedman notes. The turquoise-and-yellow combination that looked merely spunky on sample chips can positively vibrate in large doses.

Even memory plays a role in human reactions to color. Green borrows from nature its benevolent effect on most people. But a child scared by a costumed witch's green face may find this color disturbing even as an adult. On the other hand, that response might depend on the particular shade of green. European researchers concluded that color saturation has a greater effect than hue. They found most deep colors to be equally exciting, while dull colors, no matter the hue, were calming.

The translation from the lab to real life though, can be complicated and tricky. The Baker-Miller pink devised for use in prison cells does have an immediate calming effect, Eiseman points out. However, studies conducted after prisoners adapted to the color found that the effects diminished over time. An Arizona sheriff learned this the hard way. After extended periods in their pink cells, inmates in Maricopa County jails for more, rather than less, agitated, Friedman says. Now the prisoners are issued pink underwear.


As for the yellow embargo in infants' rooms, feel free to break it, Eiseman says. "Wagner just hated yellow," she says, to the extent that he even denigrated those who liked the color, calling them "neurotic". After much searching, Eiseman hasn't found any research that supports Wagner's claim that the sunny color bugs babies.

Color is Subjective

Indeed, too much reliance on external justification troubles Caan, principal with the Shashi Caan Collective. "We need to rely more on intuition," she says. "Life is messy." And too complex to replicate in a lab. "We as designers need to become not only scientists and psychologists, but also rational people and artists." That means considering color holistically in the vernacular of the people with whom it interacts and the context of the place where it will be applied.

Teresa Cox, a St. Paul artist known for her exuberant, color-filled canvases, is a case in point. Cox responds viscerally to color, and her artistic experimentation reinforces to intuition. Her studio, which is also her home, is filled with color: a saturated golden-green floor, and deep-indigo walls; not to mention her colorful paintings everywhere. The tension between all these intense and competing hues would overstimulate many people. For Cox, they are like an elixir. When she once tried to create an 8-foot canvas in shades of only gray, black, and white, Cox felt uneasy/ "I was literally having cravings for color," she says. "I broke out my other paints and started to add red, which gave me and immediate lift."

 Just as a few brush strokes of scarlet gave Cox a jolt of energy, even a tiny dose of color can profoundly affect a design.

Use the wrong color in the wrong place and "you'll know it," Friedman says. "Your teeth will start to itch."

Get it right, Eiseman says, and "there is a bell that rings".


See the powerful effects of color when you visit the Designer Room feature at the Jacksonville Home + Patio Show. The home and garden event of the season takes over the Prime Osborn Convention Center October 1-4, 2015. Don't have tickets yet? Get 2-for-1 when you connect with us on Facebook!


Sep 29, 2015

There's so much to do, see, and experience at the Jacksonville Home + Patio Show when it returns to the Prime Osborn Convention Center October 1-4, 2015. To help make planning your trip a little easier, below are the top five, not-to-be-missed features at the show.

1. Bath Crasher Matt Muenster. Bath renovations rank as one of the most popular home improvement projects homeowners take on, and Matt Muenster has transformed hundreds of bathrooms as designer and host of DIY Network's Bath Crashers. Matt will share advice, behind-the-scenes secrets, and great before-and-after bath projects to help show guests with their own projects. Matt appears on the Fresh Ideas Stage on Friday at 6pm, Saturday at 1pm and 5pm, and Sunday and 1pm.


2. Double DIY. Aspiring DIY gurus, who pin countless DIY projects that never seem to make it past the "Want to Try" board, take heart. The Diva of DIY herself, Leanne Lee, is coming to the Jacksonville Home + Patio Show to inspire guests to jump into DIY feet first. Leanne appears on the Fresh Ideas stage on Friday at 4pm, Saturday at 12pm and 4pm, and Sunday at 12pm. In addition, Chris the "DIY Guy" Tice returns to the show with great DIY projects he'll demonstrate daily in his booth!


3. Shedtastic Showcase. She-Shed, Pub Sheds, Backyard Bars...whatever you call them, sheds are one of the hottest trends in the home industry. Guests can visit a shed showcase at the show, featuring an office shed, a "grounded" treehouse, and a grown up sanctuary.


4. Hero Day. On Friday, October 2, the show will celebrate local heroes - retired and active duty military and first responders will receive FREE admission to the show on this date. For your service and your sacrifice, we thank you.


5. Psychology of Color. The colors picked for a nursery or kitchen go beyond pure aesthetics. It's important to understand the effects of various room colors on mood and well-being. Local interior designers, Becky Harmon and Sandra Millis, are designing side-by-side rooms with examples of warm vs cool colors to invite guests to take the "color test" and see what emotions are evoked by simply switching colors in an identical room.


The Jacksonville Home + Patio Show takes over the Prime Osborn Convention Center October 1-4, 2015. With hundreds of home and garden celebrities, experts, and retailers, this is one must-attend event for Florida homeowners.


Don't have tickets yet? Get 2-for-1 when you connect with us on Facebook. Treat a friend or family member to the show - we can't wait to see you there!

PRIME OSBORN CONVENTION CENTER
OCTOBER 1-4, 2015.


Sep 28, 2015

Guests at the Jacksonville Home + Patio Show have a couple things in common: they're all looking for ideas, seeking fresh products, hunting the best deals...and the vast majority are foodies who love to entertain at home.


Back by popular demand, the Jacksonville Home + Patio Show will have the Jacksonville Magazine Cooking Stage which will feature daily cooking demonstrations from the area's most popular chefs. Guests can learn techniques, recipes, and of course, sample the goods!

In addition, Food Truck Sunday is back! Visitors can soak up the autumn air while they feast on food truck cuisine and enjoy live entertainment.


Here's a sneak peek of what's cooking on the Jacksonville Magazine Cooking Stage, with featured chef Jay Phelan's popular ratatouille recipe.

Ratatouille
By Chef Jay Phelan, Chef and Owner of J. William Culinary

Ingredients

  • 1 cup eggplant, medium dice
  • 1 cup zucchini, medium dice
  • 1 cup yellow squash, medium dice
  • 1 cup ripe tomatoes, medium dice
  • 1/8 cup red onion, small dice
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 10 basil leaves, sliced into thin strips
  • 1/2 bunch of Italian parsley
  • 5 chili flakes
  • 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • arugula for garnish, washed and air dried
  • zest of one lemon
  • juice of one lemon
  • salt and black pepper to taste
Directions

Step 1: start with a sauté pan on high heat and add four table spoons of olive oil. When the oil starts to lightly smoke, add the eggplant, garlic, onions, and chili flakes.

Step 2: While stirring with a wooden spoon, let the eggplant cook until it is somewhat sot and the garlic is light brown.

Step 3: Add the zucchini and squash and allow to sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring often.

Step 4: Incorporate the tomatoes and zest of half a lemon into the ratatouille and reduce the heat to low. Simmer the ratatouille for 7-8 minutes uncovered.

Step 5: Add juice of half a lemon, basil and parsley, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well, but don't mash the vegetables. The ratatouille should have some texture.

Step 6: Transfer to a large bowl. For presentation, place the arugula and one tablespoon of olive oil, juice of half a lemon, and salt and pepper to taste, in a mixing bowl. Toss lightly.

Step 7: Garnish on top of the ratatouille generously with the arugula salad.


For more recipe ideas and cooking advice you can take home to your kitchen, come to the Jacksonville Home + Patio Show, October 1-4, 2015 at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. Don't have tickets yet? Get 2-for-1 when you visit Home + Garden Events on Facebook.

PRIME OSBORN CONVENTION CENTER
OCTOBER 1-4, 2015.



Sep 23, 2015

The bathroom remains one of the top home remodels, and the Jacksonville Home + Patio Show is bringing in one of the nation's top bath experts to provide tips and advice for renovating and improving this space. Matt Muenster, host of DIY Network's Bath Crashers will be appearing live at the show this fall.


Can't wait to see Matt at the show? Here are Matt's Top 7 Bath Remodel Tips - just what you need to know as you start thinking about renovating your space.

1. The best place to start with any remodeling project is the budget. Not only will it have a big impact on the type of materials you select for your bathroom renovation, it will also help you set the boundaries of your design. Knowing what you can really afford to spend will make it a lot easier to decide what items you want to replace, and where you need to get creative!

2. Be brutally honest about your DIY skill level. Assess which projects to do yourself and which are better left to the pros. You could save yourself a ton of money in the long run if you don't have to call someone in to fix a project you've messed up. The best way to find a good contractor is to seek referrals from friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, and others who've had remodeling work done.

Marketplace Events Tip: Don't know many people who've worked with a contractor or taken on a project like that? Referral based websites like Angie's List and HomeStars are a great place to find a company you can trust. 

3. Want to save some big bucks remodeling your bathroom? Consider refinishing existing items such as your bathtub, shower, sink, or tile. With refinishing you'll only pay a small fraction (as little as 10%) of the cost of replacement. Your bathroom won't be torn up for weeks, you'll avoid the big renovation mess, and you've put one less big ol' tub in a landfill.


4. Don't underestimate the importance of lighting in a bathroom. Sconce lighting at the vanity is the ideal way to get even lighting on your face, and installing it at eye level will help diminish unflattering shadows. Dim lighting is nice for a relaxing bath; bright lights are great for shaving or applying makeup. Adding more overall lighting can make a small bathroom seem larger.

5. Don't want your budget to skyrocket? Don't move your plumbing. On the surface, switching your sink and toilet around may look easy enough, but the problem lies underneath. Moving all that plumbing can be really expensive. Besides, if you spend less on moving fixtures, you'll have more to spend on that new sleek shower system or vanity you've been eyeing.

6. Some of the most effective updating in a bathroom can also be the easiest and the cheapest. Changing out all the hardware, such as drawer pulls, faucet handles, and showerheads, can have a big impact. Be sure to use the same finish, such as stainless steel, aged bronze, or brushed nickel, to keep the room looking cohesive.

7. Ventilation. Ventilation. Ventilation. Moisture is your bathroom's greatest enemy. Mold and mildew will make quick work of any renovation you've done, so be sure to install a vent fan of appropriate CFMs for the square footage of your bathroom. The rough guide is one CFM per square foot for bathrooms of one hundred square feet or smaller. New designs are quieter and more stylish than ever, and are a must have for any bathroom remodel.

Do these tips have you itching to start your bathroom remodel? Get more great advice and ideas from Matt Muenster at the Jacksonville Home + Patio Show. The home and garden event of the season takes over the Prime Osborn Convention Center October 1-4, 2015. Matt will be appearing live on October 2nd, 3rd & 4th - don't miss him!



Haven't bought your tickets yet? Right now you can get 2-for-1 tickets on Facebook. Treat a friend or family member to the show! We can't wait to see you there!

PRIME OSBORN CONVENTION CENTER
OCTOBER 1-4, 2015.




Sep 21, 2015

We're thrilled to have Ryan's Daughters joining us at this year's Jacksonville Home + Patio Show. This mother-daughter run company aims to make a difference in the world around us. They support local businesses whenever possible and donate a portion of their profits to charities and community projects.


Ryan's Daughters find cute and chic accessories, guaranteed to be as interesting and unique as you are. Both mother and daughters have different tastes and aesthetic preferences, so there's sure to be something for everyone to love. Don't believe us? See for yourself when you visit Booth #1016 at the show. But before you check them out at the Prime Osborn Convention Center, get to know this cute company a little better through our brief interview below.

Describe your product.

"We offer accessories for you and your home. Collegiate, Sorority, Monogram, Greek, Nautical, Hunting, Sports, Bullet, hand-made home decor, and Tech/Conceal Carry products. We offer products that are locally made whenever we can. We carry Planners, Collegiate, Monogram, Greek, Bullet, Sports, and Conceal Carry from Lilly Pulitzer, Bourbon & Bowties, Jakimac, Mossy Oak, Montana West, Pray, Lotti Dotties, Black Black Moon, Mighty Purse, and other quality products from local artisans."

What are your best home decor tips?

"Clean and simple can be tweaked to accommodate both traditional and modern design."

Will you have any show specials?

"We are offering a few products that we're really excited about. 1. Hand-made signs from reclaimed wood that are great for indoor and outdoor decor. 2. The mighty purse is a chic clutch that allows you to charge your mobile device on the go. It looks great and keeps you from being in an emergency with a dead phone."


What are your home and gardening pet peeves?

"Dreary weather."

What's the strangest client request you've ever received?

"We haven't gotten one strange enough that it stands out yet."

What's your favorite part of the Jacksonville Home + Patio Show?

"Meeting all of the nice people that stop by."

Anything else you think folks should know about your company?

"We give a portion of our proceeds to different charities and projects that are featured on our blog."

The Jacksonville Home + Patio Show takes over the Overland Park Convention Center October 1-4, 2014. With celebrity guests Matt Muenster and Leanne Lee, the Diva of DIY, as well as hundreds of home and garden experts, and renovation professionals, all ready to help with your latest home improvement project, this promises to be one event you can't miss.


Don't have tickets yet? Get 2-for-1 when you visit Home + Garden Events on Facebook. Treat a friend or family member to the show - we can't wait to see you there!

PRIME OSBORN CONVENTION CENTER
OCTOBER 1-4, 2015.


Sep 17, 2015

Are you great at spotting diamonds in the rough? Do see you see old, dated furniture and envision a way to give it new life? You might just be part of a growing breed of savvy shoppers known as Upcyclers.


North Florida Upcyclers won't want to miss the Jacksonville Home + Patio Show at the Prime Osborn Convention Center, October 1-4, 2015. The home and garden event of the season features the Diva of DIY herself, Leanne Lee. Leanne will be sharing fun and fantastic upcycling ideas and DIY tips, so folks can learn how to better decorate their spaces and improve the environment.

Can't wait to see Leanne at the show? To help tide you over until October, Leanne has shared her best thrift store tips, so you can shop these venues like a pro!

The Diva of DIY's Best Thrift Store Tips

"When it comes to thrift store shopping, it can be challenging to know where to start. One of the first things you must know is that everything in the store was donated. If you think a price is extremely high, (I've noticed this a few times as my local store, that things were actually priced higher than the retail value), speak with a store manager in a caring manner and ask for a discount. Tell them your reasoning behind the price discrepancy, and see what they can do.

Another thing you should do if you want to become a thrift store shopping expert is to keep an open mind. We all know there's about a hundred lamps that are in the back of the store. While the color of the light may not work for you, look at the shape and if the structure is there. If so, pick it up and bring it home! You can paint it or foil the base, and add a pretty shade that matches your home decor.

Coffee mugs and dishes are a dime a dozen. While they may be plain and boring, you can personalize the plates and mugs. These are great gift ideas that won't break the bank.

We have all seen the ugly, outdated 70s furniture that's sitting on the floor. It may be dirty and dingy, but look past that. Is the structure of the ottoman in good shape? If that coffee table sturdy? How about the chairs, are their overall frames in great condition? If so, go ahead and bring these items home! You can recover the ottoman with fabric to match your decor, sand and stain the coffee table, and create new to you chairs with paint, sanding, and stain or recover the seat."

Get more great ideas and advice for transforming older, worn pieces into beautiful and charming decor items on the Diva of DIY blog and at her presentations at the Jacksonville Home + Patio Show. She'll be gracing the stage at the show on October 2nd, 3rd, & 4th - you don't want to miss her!


Did you know that connecting with us on Facebook has tons of perks? Get the inside scoop on our upcoming home shows, find tons of celebrity tips, and get exclusive ticket offers. Right now you can get 2-for-1 tickets as part of our Facebook deals. What are you waiting for? Grab your tickets now!

PRIME OSBORN CONVENTION CENTER
OCTOBER 1-4, 2015.




We're thrilled to have All American Gutter Protection joining us at this year's Jacksonville Home + Patio Show. This innovative company promises homeowners a gutter protection and rain management system that will succeed where so many others have failed.


Their revolutionary design is based on over two decades of industry experience. Made with stainless steel micro mesh which secures to a 3000 series heavy aluminium expanded sub straight, this is a product that will not deteriorate over time. Visit Booth #439 to learn how All American Gutter Protection can eliminate clogged gutters and protect your home's foundation.

But before you see them at the show, check out our brief interview with the All American Gutter Protection team below. Get a sneak peek at what they're bringing to the show and how they can help you keep your space dry.

Please describe your product.

"We offer gutters and gutter protection on homes that is like nothing else on the market. Our product is a surgical grade stainless steel microfilter that will only let water in your gutters, and no leaves and debris. This product lasts a LIFETIME. You will never have to get on your roof and clean your gutters again!"

What is your best tip for homeowners?

"The foundation is the most important part of a house. Don't let rain water or overflowing gutters crack your foundation!"

Will you have any show specials?

"Stop by Booth #439 and see All American Gutter Protection in action. Learn how our innovative product keeps leaves and debris out of gutters."

The Jacksonville Home + Patio Show takes over the Prime Osborn Convention Center October 1-4, 2015. With hundreds of home improvement experts and design professionals, your favorite home and garden celebrities, and lots of neat features to explores, this is a must-attend event.

Don't have tickets yet? Get 2-for-1 when you connect with us on Facebook! Treat a friend or family member to the show - we can't wait to see you there!

PRIME OSBORN CONVENTION CENTER
OCTOBER 1-4, 2015.


May 1, 2015

Cinco de Mayo is quickly approaching. How will you be celebrating this year? If you’re joining those commemorating the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over French foes in 1862 at the Battle of Puebla, we’ve got great ideas to take your party to the next level. Check out our list of party must-haves including decorations, food, and drinks.

5 Decor Ideas

Fan Garland - We're big fans of this colorful garland! Drape it around buffet tables, along doorways, and all over to brighten up your party space.



Paper Flowers - Use some additional pieces of sweetly hued tissue paper to breathe even more life into your party. These paper flowers are super easy to make and will add a nice, romantic touch to your fiesta.

Image via Seattle Magazine

Punched Tin Napkin Rings - Ring in the holiday with these creative napkin rings. They're sure to add a unique flare to your table decor.

Image via Martha Stewart

Pom Pom Balloons - These clever little guys are perfect for alerting guests who might be a little lost to the event location and incorporating even more eye candy into your ready-to-burst-with-fun party!

Image via Honest To Nod

Photo Backdrop - Still have some tissue paper left over? Try making a photo backdrop! Your colorful creation will be a fun treat for everyone who wants to say #HappyCincoDeMayo on Instagram.

Image via Brit + Co
Make sure to share your snaps with @HomeShows on Instagram and Twitter!

5 Snack Ideas

Popsicles - Inspired by the Mexican flag, these all natural Popsicles are a creative and refreshing treat to serve!


Pinata Cookies - Ok, these are a little complex to make, but the finished product is seriously worth it!

Image via She Knows

Mini Margarita Cheesecakes - Need we say more?

Image via Spiced

Taco Cookies - Looking to make another complicated cookie? We've got you covered. We're loving these taco inspired cookies; they're such a cute and clever idea!


Churro Cupcakes - This sweet treat has been described as a churro with cinnamon cream cheese frosting. What could possibly be better? This is definitely a must-serve snack!

Image via I Heart Naptime

5 Drink Recipes

Mezcal Mule - This unique take on the Moscow Mule is a fun mix of prickly pear flavor, ginger beer, and a hot, jalapeno finish. Just what you need to get your party started!

Image via Freutcake

Strawberry Margarita Jell-o Shots - Such a cute idea! And the best part? No cups to clean up!

Image via DrinkedIn

Simple Micheladas - We love beer cocktails and are digging this simple twist on the classic Michelada. Hot sauce, lime juice, coarse salt, and beer is all it takes to make this seriously refreshing bevvy.

Image via Food52

Smokey Watermelon Jalapeno Margaritas - We may have already included a new take on the original margarita recipe, but we couldn't help but share this one too. Spicy jalapeno, sweet watermelon, and salt come together to create a uniquely deliciously blend of flavors.

Image via Boulder Locavore

Hibiscus Flavored Cocktail - Beautiful, light, and summery, this flirty cocktail is sure to be a crowd pleaser!

Image via The Knot

We hope these fun party ideas help make your fiesta a fierce and fabulous success! 

Looking for more Latin American inspired advice for your home? We're pleased to announce the Casa Latina Home Expo, a proven bilingual home and lifestyle event created specifically for the Hispanic community. This unique home show is taking over the Miami Airport Convention Center from May 30-31, 2015. Connect with Casa Latina on Facebook right now and get 2-for-1 tickets to the show! We can't wait to see you there!

MAY 30 - 31, 2015 | MIAMI AIRPORT CONVENTION CENTER



Mar 6, 2015

A visit to the Jacksonville Home + Patio Show is never the same from one year to the next - there's always something new for guests to enjoy. Beyond the interesting and fun home and garden celebrities and experts that join us at the show, the event is also the ideal place to shop, compare, and save on the hottest new products. Below is a round up of new exhibitors at this year's Jacksonville Home + Patio Show. Check 'em out below and prepare for your trip.


Dwell Done Interiors - Booth #S3-37
Need help creating a new look for your space? The stylists of Dwell Done interiors offer services from complete room makeovers, color coordination, to custom window treatments.

Fisher Solutions, Inc, - Booth #334
We proudly offer recycled, repurposed and refurbished furniture and furnishings from reclaimed materials. We actively reduce the carbon footprint while producing stylish products for your home and patio.

Burlington Concrete - Booth #604
Patios, driveways, and walkways! Forget pavers - get permanent cobblestone, slate, brick, etc. Decorative concrete for a fraction of the cost of stamping on cool deck. Virtually maintenance free/custom colors and stains.

EntryPoint by Perrys - Booth #232
It's your door only better. We come to the home, cut your existing door to fit our glass inserts, all in about one hour or less, with over 100 designs to choose from.

Jax Crown and More - Booth #1006
Crown molding, bead board, wainscoting, fireplace mantles, arched windows and doorways, and baseboards.

3-Yard Concrete - Booth #509
We specialize in delivering 1-3 yards of ready mix concrete. Our trucks are lighter and smaller to fit in tight spaces.

LP Building Products - Booth #734
SmartSide Trim and Siding products offer all the warmth and beauty of traditional wood, along with the advantages of LP engineered wood. Backed by an industry leading 5/50 year warranty, SmartSide features the SmartGUARD process which protects against moisture, fungal decay, and termites. SmartSide products are ready for your new home, for re-siding your existing home, and for your outdoor buildings.

Artistic Concrete - Booth #1337
We offer a new metallic effect poxy flooring system. Environmentally friendly and low maintenance. Our expert services include stamped concrete, driveways, pool decks, staining interiors, custom concrete countertops, and much more.

Lumber Unlimited - Booth #S4
Specializing in window and door replacement. Using products such as Hurd, CWS, and Jeldwen & MI.

Universal Roof & Contracting - Booth #826
We are a family owned and operated business, serving Florida homeowners for over 20 years. Licensed roofing and building contractors, we specialize in roof repair/replacement, exterior siding, and home improvements.

FiremenOwned.com - Booth #S5-09
Pressure washing, window cleaning, tree service, and much more. All work done by professional, local firemen.

Orkin Pest Control - Booth #135
Orking provides superior pest control, termite prevention, and pest controlled treated insulation for Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, and Clay counties. Free home inspections - call 904-928-9009.

LanVilla Landscaping - Booth #809
LanVilla will be showing what services our company offers and also what products we sell for your home, patio, etc.

Tadlock Roofing - Booth #104
Residential and commercial roofing/repairs. Asphalt shingles, standing seam metal, stone coated steel metal, TPO, GACO Maintenance products, skylights, sun tunnels, tuff-ribbed metal.

Royal Crown and More - Booth #1331
Custom carpentry, installation o fall interior trim products such as crown molding, wainscot squares, base boards, chair rail, and fireplace mantles.

World Class Windows - Booth #124
We are a full service window and door replacement company. We are the first choice for your source of vinyl, wood, and fiberglass window replacement projects.

SnapSports - Booth #233
Our backyard game courts and home gyms all you and your family to play all your favorite sports and are suitable for play at every level, so everyone can get in on the game!

The Jacksonville Home + Patio Show takes over the Prime Osborn Convention Center March 5 - 8, 2015. For a full list of exhibitors, please click here - there will be hundreds on hand to help you with your next home improvement project. Don't have tickets for the show yet? Get 2-for-1 on Facebook.

MARCH 5 - 8, 2015.
PRIME OSBORN CONVENTION CENTER