Indy Homes Blog

‘Tis the season to be JOLLY. Unfortunately, if you live in the Indianapolis area ’tis also the season to be SAD. And not just about the Colts 0-11 record, although that’s certainly reason to grieve. The SAD I’m talking about is the result of the dreary winter days for which Central Indiana is infamous, and which can take their toll on the emotional well-being of anyone who suffers from Seasonal Affective Disorder – SAD.

Lack of light, body temperature, genes and hormones all contribute to SAD, a form of depression that can begin as early as your teens and is more common in women than in men. Symptoms of SAD include lack of energy, feelings of sadness and irritability, increased appetite and tiredness, and loss of interest in things you normally enjoy.

Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone. Up to 20% of the US population is thought to suffer from SAD to some degree. And guess where most of those 20% live? Hint: NOT Florida, Hawaii, or Arizona!

Experts suggest many ways to combat SAD, from anti-depressants for the most serious forms, to (my favorite!) heading south for the worst of winter.

Adjustments to the lighting in your home can also help counter the effects of SAD. The American Lighting Association recommends the following to help lighten and brighten your home during dark winter days:

• Maximize morning daylight by opening curtain and blinds, and sitting for a few minutes in a sunny spot in your home.
• Use light paint colors for room surfaces, and high-reflectance white paint for ceilings.
• Incorporate an indirect light source into rooms; for instance, a floor lamp that directs light up toward the ceiling.
• Use accent and spotlights to add bright accents on plants, decorations or feature areas, creating an effect similar to sunshine and shadows.

Other ways to brighten your Indianapolis home include:

• Leave the lights on. I have a good friend who lives in cave – or might as well. She refuses to turn on any lights in her house, and I can feel my mood darken as soon as I walk in. Sure, it might cost you a few extra dollars each month to keep the lights turned on, but your improved mood will be well worth it!
• Ditch the heavy drapes for sheer curtains that allow light through even when closed. Blinds are also a good window treatment choice since they provide extra privacy and allow you to control the amount of light that comes through.
• Trim hedges or shrubs away from windows and cut back tree branches that block light.
• Clean the windows. Not only will they be prettier, you’ll be amazed by how much extra light shines through!
• Consider skylights. If you have the money and an appropriate place in your home, skylights are a great option for letting in lots of natural light.

Finally, if you’re fortunate enough to be searching Indianapolis real estate for a place to live, you can take preemptive  measures against SAD by looking for a home with lots of large windows to let in maximum light, a southern exposure to make the most of natural light, and a lot that doesn’t have trees too close to the house blocking the sun!

Search all homes for sale in Indianapolis and surrounding areas.

Tags: how to maximize light in your indianapolis home, how to prevent SAD in Indianapolis, Indianapolis real estate, SAD, seasonal affective disorder, treatments

It’s hard to say which makes a visit to Twigs European Home in Fishers Indiana more fun: shopping the beautiful and unique home decor items sold there, or gawking at the beautiful and unique architecture of the home itself.  Either way, the place is eye candy and definitely worth regular visits.

The design style and merchandise in Twigs features a definite European flair – from the English garden out front to the cozy but elegant cottage atmosphere inside. Who knew such charm existed in downtown Fishers? The building is deceiving; a rather plain facade houses a surprisingly spacious floor plan that’s full of fun details such as built-in bookcases, arched doorways, and a finished attic. Every inch of space is beautifully staged with luxurious displays of Christmas ornaments, throw pillows, lamps and rugs, candle holders, trays and lots of other stuff you’ll really, really want for your home! Twigs also offers interior design services – just in case you want some professional help decorating your home.

Twigs European Home is located at 11643 Maple Street in Fishers, off of 116th Street. Conveniently, it’s just steps away from another Fishers landmark – Handel’s Ice Cream! Stock up on holiday decorations at Twigs, then stop by Handel’s for a holiday treat of peppermint stick or eggnog ice cream!

Learn more about living in Fishers Indiana and search all Fishers homes for sale!

Tags: Fishers, fishers home decor stores, Fishers IN, fishers in home decorating, Fishers Indiana, handels ice cream, interior design services in fishers indiana, twigs european home

A Thanksgiving Day dilemma doesn’t have to turn in to an all-out disaster. Here are some easy fixes for some common problems:

Thoroughly Frozen Turkey. Nothing strikes ice cold fear into a Thanksgiving Hostess’ heart than a still-frozen turkey come Thanksgiving morning. Thawing a turkey in the refrigerator requires about 24 hours per every 5 pounds. That means your 20 lb turkey should have been thawing in the refrigerator since Sunday to be ready for stuffing Thursday morning! If, on Wednesday evening, your turkey’s still frozen solid, don’t panic. Just fill your sink or a cooler with cold water and set the turkey in it for about 6 six hours. Once the gobbler’s sufficiently thawed, return it to the refrigerator until it’s time to pop it in the oven!

Not Nearly Enough Extras. Estimating how much food to prepare for a crowd can be tricky, and there’s nothing worse than realizing at the last minute that you might not have enough. Again, no need to panic since a ready-made side-dish can easily be transformed into something that guests will believe you spent hours on! A microwavable bag of French-style green beans tossed with a tablespoon of butter, and – if you’re really feeling adventurous – dried basil, shredded parmesan cheese, or toasted sliced almonds – is an easy fix. Frozen or boxed mashed potatoes are livened up by adding sour cream, green onions, bacon bits, cheddar cheese, or…. all of them! Drizzle a store-bought pumpkin pie with caramel or chocolate sauce and garnish with vanilla ice cream and toasted walnuts, and no one will care whether you made it yourself or not!

Totally Forgotten Centerpiece. You prepared a beautiful meal but forgot the ingredients for a beautifully-set table. No problem! Place a few pillar candles of varying heights on a pretty tray or plate, and surround them with nuts still in the shell -hazelnuts, walnuts or Brazil nuts. Do you have any oak trees or pine trees near your house? Send someone out to gather acorns or pine cones and use the same idea!

Remembering What It’s All About. Giving Thanks! Whether or not the turkey comes out perfectly isn’t the point. Gathering with family and friends is!

Tags: centerpieces, easy Thanksgiving recipes, how to thaw a turkey quickly

Fishers Indiana residents can look forward to a new community amphitheater in 2012! The Town of Fishers announced plans to begin construction next year on an amphitheater behind the Town Hall. In addition to the outdoor concert and performance venue, the Town of Fishers will create a multipurpose trail linking downtown areas to nearby Fishers neighborhoods – such as Sunblest Farms and Charleston Crossing.

Tags: Fishers, fishers amphitheater, Fishers IN, Fishers Indiana, fishers multipurpose trail, Fishers neighborhoods

Looks like the nationwide cupcake craze is hitting Fishers! An empty storefront in the downtown Fishers area will soon be filled with…. cupcakes! And not just any cupcakes – Gigi’s Cupcakes – whose sugary-goodness creations include Canadian Maple, Texas Milk Chocolate, and Kentucky Bourbon. Could an Indiana-inspired cupcake be next on the menu? Indiana Candy Corn Cakes we’ll call them!

Gigi’s Cupcakes has locations in 18 states, including an Indianapolis store across from the Fashion Mall.

Gigi’s Cupcakes in Fishers will be located in the Gateway Shops, next to Puccini’s on 116th Street.  Check back often for updates on an opening date for Gigi’s Cupcakes in Fishers!

Learn more about living in Fishers Indiana!

Tags: bakeries, Fishers Indiana, gigi's cupcakes, new businesses