1. Holly Berry Initial via Our Unexpected Journey

2. Present Door via Naptime Decorator

3. Dollar Store Snowflake Door Hanger via Rae of Sparkles

4. Mittens Full of Trimmings via My Crazy Quilt Life

5. Mossy JOY Door Banner via Uncommon Designs Online

6. Snowman Door via The Creative Stamper Spot

7. Wonderland Pinecone Hanging via May Arts Ribbon

8. Oversized Sparkly Snowflakes via The Craft In Me

9. Candy Cane "Wreath" via Martha Stewart

10. Natural Pinecone Hanging via All That Brings Joy

The post 10 Holiday Door Decororations That Aren’t a Wreath appeared first on Paragon Properties Company Blog.

(PS: These doormats make for great house warming, holiday, or birthday gifts too!) 

1. For those of us who can appreciate a good pair of shoes – SHOP HERE

2. Because we all know who “YOU” is – SHOP HERE FROM ARTSY DOORMATS

3. Who doesn't love tacos? – SHOP HERE FROM NICKEL DESIGNS SHOP

4. If you treat your dog better than you treat yourself – SHOP HERE FROM CLEVER DOORMATS

5. Adele said it first… – SHOP FROM INSPIRE LIFE TODAY

6. Whether your drink of choice is Merlot or Pinot Grigio, this mat isn't judging – SHOP FROM CLEVER DOORMATS

7. For the millennial that has a pizza problem, an online shopping addiction, and a Ryan Gosling obsession. So, all of us? – SHOP HERE FROM SHOP JOSIE B

8. This doormat will help eliminate those moments of panic when you’re wondering if your house is up in flames or not – SHOP HERE FROM BE THERE IN FIVE

9. For the ones who are never ready on time – SHOP HERE FROM TINI ANNS BELLA ARTE

10. When UPS stops by more than your own mother does – SHOP HERE FROM FOX AND CLOVER BOUTIQUE

11. Make your guests laugh with this clever doormat – SHOP HERE FROM ARTSY DOORMATS

12. Calling all nap queens – SHOP HERE FROM FOX AND CLOVER BOUTIQUE

13. If you love where you live – SHOP HERE FROM NICKEL DESIGNS

14. For those of us who don't just limit happy to an hour – SHOP HERE FROM FOX AND CLOVER BOUTIQUE

15. When you suck at cooking and order take out every night…and Home Alone is one of your top 5 favorite movies of all time – SHOP HERE FROM FOX AND CLOVER BOUTIQUE

16. When beer is not only the key to the homeowners heart, but to the door as well – SHOP HERE FROM ARTSY DOORMATS

17. This doormat accurately explains 99% of women's lives – SHOP FROM DICHOTOMAT

18. Give your guests a confidence boost with this flattering doormat – SHOP HERE FROM LAURA JANE HANDMADE CO

The post 18 Clever Doormats to Spice Up Your Doorstep appeared first on Paragon Properties Company Blog.

1. Rearrange furniture to maximize your space

Simply pushing couches, tables, and chairs up against walls creates more space for guests to move around more easily. If you’re living area is larger than your normal dining room area, swap them to create a larger space for guests to dine in.

2. Improvise tables

Who said everyone has to eat at the same table? Coffee tables, end tables, desks, kitchen carts, anything that has a surface for someone to sit and eat at can be used as a table for guests. If you want everyone to sit together, push a variety of tables together and cover them with one big table cloth or mix and match a variety of table cloths.

3. Make sure you have enough seating

Couches count as seats, so do stools, and large decorative pillows. Get creative with your seating styles. Rent fold up chairs or mix and match a variety of chairs you already have to go around the dining table. As long as there’s a place for someone to sit, they won’t mind what they’re sitting on. (PS: a head count of how many people will be attending the party makes organizing the seating situation a lot easier!)

4. Decorate with food

You may be able to hang a few things on the wall or squeeze a few decorative elements on a table or two, but with most of your tables being used for food, you mine as well kill two birds with one stone and make the food decorative as well! Browse through Pinterest for decorative holiday food ides such as this cheese tray turkey or chocoloate dipped pretzel wreath. Everyone will be Instagraming your "decorations!"

5. Maximize table space

Use a variety of bowls and plates or platters and strategically place them like puzzle pieces all on one table. Set appetizer dishes throughout the dining table so guests can munch on them pre or post meal. Use tiered stands for deserts or appetizers to really maximize table space. Clear shelves, or other small surfaces areas for guests to place drinks, appetizer plates, etc.

6. Use the space above you

Hang a few strands of fairy lights or Christmas lights throughout the ceiling or above the dining table to create decorative lighting. You can also hang ornaments from the lights or your ceiling to create a festive atmosphere. Holiday banners can be hung across windows or on the walls.

7. Don't be afraid to mix and match!

Your grandmother’s finest china is not necessary for hosting an awesome holiday dinner party. Use what you’ve got! Guests aren’t concerned about the plethora of plates, cups, and silverware they’re using, they’re just worried about how good or not good the food that is going on those plates is going to taste. Plus, mixing and matching is in these days, get creative with it! (PS: To really amp up the mix and match vibe, visit your local thrift store and purchase a variety of festive dinner ware for your party)
 

8. Create ambiance

 
Light pumpkin or cinnamon scented candles, play your favorite holiday music from your iHome, and swap your normal house plants for festive ones such as pumpkins, forest greenery, or poinsettia flowers. Your guests will be transported from 800 square feet to a holiday wonderland in minutes.

9. Have the food ready

With your already small space filled with a bunch of people, preparing food mid party is going to be stressful and inefficient. Prepare your dishes the night before or the morning of to ensure they’ll be ready by the time guests arrive. If you can’t prepare all of the food yourself, ask guests to bring a dish. Create a group text or a Facebook invite to divvy up who’s going to bring what.

10. Embrace the chaos!

No matter if your throwing a holiday party in a 2,000 square foot house or your cozy little apartment, chaos is bound to occur when hosting a party. At the end of the day it’s not about how fancy the dinnerware was or how well decorated your space is or not, it’s about sharing good conversation, eating delicious food, and creating memories to last a lifetime with the people you love. Accept the flaws and enjoy your party!

The post How to Throw a Holiday Party in a Small Space appeared first on Paragon Properties Company Blog.

Trick or Treat! Halloween is right around the corner, which means it’s time get into the Halloween spirit and adorn the house, porch, or doorstep with pumpkins.

Carving pumpkins originated as an old Halloween tradition centuries ago, and while the jack-o-lantern is still a favored and significant Halloween decoration seen today, this year pumpkins are getting a revamped and updated look with these seven unique and fun pumpkin decorating ideas.

Don’t have a porch? These decorative pumpkins make for great center pieces, a spookily chic mantle decoration, windowsill accents and more!

Photo: www.17apart.com

An easy, modern twist on the traditional jack-o-lantern.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
• Drill
• Different size drill bits
• Tea light candle

DIRECTIONS:
• Carve out the “guts” of the pumpkin.
• Drill various size holes into the outer side of the pumpkin with different drill bit sizes to create cool patterns, designs, faces or words!
• Place a tea light candle inside to illuminate.
 

Photo:www.thekimsixfix.com

Create this pumpkin in one creepily cute easy step!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
• Hot glue gun & glue gun sticks
• 1 package of mini plastic spiders (purchase at Halloween or party supply store)

DIRECTIONS:
• Individually glue each spider facing upward, onto the outside of the pumpkin.

 

Photo:www.cutefetti.com

These emoji pumpkins scream Halloween 2016!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
• 1-2 cans of bright yellow spray paint
• Black and red felt
• Hot glue gun & glue gun sticks

DIRECTIONS:
• Spray each pumpkin with 1-2 coats of yellow spray paint. Let paint dry.
• While the paint is drying, cut out the various emoji mouth and eye shapes from the black and red felt.
• After the paint has dried, hot glue gun each piece of felt accordingly to create your favorite emoji faces.
 

Photo: www.babble.com
 

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
• Small, white pumpkins or white spray paint
• Brown, pastel pink, and pastel blue acrylic paint
• Paint brush
• Sprinkles
• Hot glue gun & hot glue sticks

DIRECTIONS:
• If your pumpkins are not already white, thoroughly spray them with white spray paint.
• After the paint has dried, “frost” your pumpkin by painting brown, pink, or blue acrylic paint around the stem to create the frosting.
• After the frosting paint has dried, individually hot glue gun sprinkles to the frosting area.
 

  
Photo: www.babble.com
 

A spooky adorable addition to any doorstep!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
• Cheesecloth
• Spray or liquid fabric stiffener (optional)
• Plastic googly eyes
• Scissors
• Carving tool
• Hot glue gun & glue sticks

DIRECTIONS:
• Cut the cheesecloth into strips.
• To give the pumpkin a more rough, “mummified” look, thoroughly spray the cheesecloth with the fabric stiffener. Make sure they’re really wet!
 

 
Photo: www.domainehome.com

Add a chic Halloween touch to any space with these pretty pumpkins.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
• Pumpkin with a long stem
• Spray glue
• Spray paint colors of your choice (Metallics & pastels look cool!)
• Glitter colors of your choice

DIRECTIONS:
• Spray paint the entire pumpkin (minus the stem) the color of your choice. Apply additional coats if necessary.
• After the paint has completely dried, throughly coat the entire stem with spray glue.
• Carefully pour the glitter around the stem to completely cover it.
• Add additional coats of spray glue and glitter where necessary.
 

 
Photo: www.classyclutter.net
 

Have a glamorous and classy Halloween this year with these beautiful bejeweled pumpkins.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
• Metallic gold spray paint
• Black, silver, or gold jewels
• Hot glue gun & glue gun sticks

DIRECTIONS:
• Spray the entire pumpkin including the stem with 1-2 coats of metallic spray paint (you can also use silver).
• After the paint has dried, hot glue the jewels onto the pumpkin to create pretty designs.

Have your girlfriends over for a couple glasses of wine or grab a jug of apple cider and have a night in with the kids while you decorate pumpkins in a new and creative way this Halloween!

The post 7 Creative Pumpkin Decorating Ideas appeared first on Paragon Properties Company Blog.

One of the benefits of a staycation is being able to sleep in your own bed. But if you want to treat yourself, consider spending a night or two at Aloft Detroit at The David Whitney. It’s in a beautiful historic building with easy access to the Detroit People Mover and it’s pet friendly!

For physical activity that’s a bit outside the norm, head to Drive, Detroit's official table tennis social club. In addition to Olympic quality ping pong tables, it has a restaurant and bar. 

With indoor rides, a 4D cinema, and a large play area, Legoland Discovery Center Michigan is ideal for families with kids 3-10 years old. (For additional kid-friendly things to do in Michigan, click HERE.)

For a live show, the city’s best bet is The Magic Stick, which dates back to the early ‘90s. For a more low-key music experience, visit Cliff Bell's, one of the oldest jazz clubs in Detroit’s entertainment district, complete with Art Deco interiors and classic cocktails.

Enjoy a delicious meal at Atwater Brewery, which brews traditional German lagers in a former factory warehouse.

Shop ‘til you drop at Great Lakes Crossing. With more than 180 retailers and restaurants, it’s Michigan’s largest outlet mall.

View and purchase works by the D’s emerging and established artists at Detroit Artists Market.

Visit Campus Martius Park and take a picture in front of its centerpiece, Woodward Fountain, which can shoot water up to 100 feet in the air. During the holidays, it serves as the base of the city’s grand Christmas tree.

The post 10 Places To Visit During Your Detroit Staycation appeared first on Paragon Properties Company Blog.

And remember…Visiting a dog park is a good idea, even if you’ve got a yard, because it gives your doggie the chance to socialize.

Anne Fracassa Memorial Dog Park | Pauline Street and 12 Mile Road, Warren

This one-acre park within Burdi Park is surrounded by a six-foot fence and features park benches, dog waste bags, and a water spigot. 

Lincoln Hill Dog Park | 14 Mile and Cranbrook Roads, Birmingham 

Note that this park, on the southeast edge of Lincoln Hills Golf Course, charges a fee ($50 for residents, $200 for non-residents) and requires proof that your dog is current on rabies vaccinations.

Maloof Statler Dog Park | Eight Mile Road and Harper Avenue, St. Clair Shores

Open 365 days a year, this park is divided into areas for big and small dogs, and features park benches and water fountains.

Red Oaks Dog Park | 31353 Dequindre Road, Madison Heights

This 5.2-acre park features four fenced areas, including one for small dogs, as well as park benches, water stations, and dog waste bags.

Wayne County Dog Park | Hines Drive, west of Merriman Road, Westland

Located at Hawthorn Ridge Park, this enclosed dog park has sections for large and small dogs, drinking water, and agility equipment.

At Paragon, we love pets. Learn more about our partnership with the Michigan Humane Society HERE.
 

The post The Best Dog Parks In Detroit appeared first on Paragon Properties Company Blog.

Cats and dogs are permitted*, though some breed restrictions apply. (Contact us for details.) Residents simply pay an initial $200 non-refundable pet fee, as well as $25 monthly pet fee.

However, if folks adopt a pet from the Michigan Humane Society and move into a Paragon property, we’ll take $200 off their move-in cost and waive the initial pet fee.

“At MHS, we believe that animals truly enrich people’s lives, and nothing can enrich your life quite like giving a wonderful pet a second chance at a loving home,” says Ryan McTigue, public relations coordinator at MHS. “It’s great to see an organization like Paragon encouraging its residents to help save more animal lives by choosing the adoption option!”

Ryan encourages those interested in adopting to stop by an MHS location and speak with an adoption counselor about their idea of the perfect pet, so they can be matched with the furry friend that’s best for them.

For additional info about MHS's adoption process, click HERE.

To learn more about Paragon’s pet friendly apartments, click HERE.

*Some properties only allow cats​

The post Paragon Loves Pets appeared first on Paragon Properties Company Blog.

Below are a dozen of our favorites, including several things that are free or very inexpensive. Go forth and explore!
 

• Pick blueberries at Adams Blueberry Farm (Hartford)
• Take a group tour specifically designed for families at the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit)
• Stargaze at the Cranbrook Institute of Science's Planetarium (Bloomfield Hills)
• Take in an old-timey baseball game at Greenfield Village (Dearborn)
• See the world’s largest collection of Tonka toys and trucks, and more at the Antique Toy and Firehouse Museum (Bay City)
• Experience hands-on learning with real animals and crops at the Critter Barn (Zeeland)
• Watch a 20-minute synchronized water and light show at the world's largest musical fountain of its kind (Grand Haven)
• View 2,500 marked trees and plants, as well as dozens of gardens and walkways, at the Leila Arboretum and Children's Garden (Battle Creek)
• See millions of LED lights adorn trees, buildings, and animal sculptures during Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo (Detroit)
• Get interactive with science at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum (Ann Arbor)
• Go horseback riding on rescued and rehabilitated horses at Waterloo Recreation Area (Grass Lake)
• Watch cider being made at Yates Cider Mill (Rochester Hills)

What are your favorite kid-friendly things to do in Michigan? Let us know in the comments!

Photo: The Henry Ford

The post 12 Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Michigan appeared first on Paragon Properties Company Blog.

To make your move as painless as possible, we’ve made a list of everything you need to accomplish before you hand in those keys. Have a look:

1-2 Months Before Move

• Confirm your moving date
• Give notice to your current landlord in writing, and be sure your notice meets the time frame required in your lease (30 days, 60 days, etc.).
• Get a dated copy of your written notice with the landlord or management company representative’s signature
• Cancel and transfer utilities
• Complete a change of address at your local post office or online at usps.com
• Reserve a moving truck and/or movers
• Make plans for your kids/pets during the move
• Organize your belongings and decide what to keep, what to throw out, what to sell, and what to donate
• Collect moving boxes/containers

1-2 Weeks Before Move

• Confirm reservation appointments
• Pack
• Take inventory of your valuables

Day of Move

• Take photos of the move-out condition of your apartment in case they’re needed to receive the security deposit you paid
• Do a walk-through of your new apartment, including photos if desired
• Complete the landlord’s move-in inspection form (or make your own detailed list to note any items that aren’t working properly). Sign and date it, present it to the landlord/management company and keep a copy for yourself
• Make sure all keys/fobs are working
• Familiarize yourself with the new apartment’s utility equipment, such as the furnace, circuit breaker, and water shut-off valve
• Re-take inventory of your valuables

1-2 Weeks After Move

• Report any concerns to your current landlord/manager
• Update your driver’s license

The post The Only Moving Checklist You’ll Ever Need appeared first on Paragon Properties Company Blog.

Plus, you get to meet the people who grow your food, and support small family farms that struggle to compete against large agribusiness.

Make the most of your market trips with these six tips and tricks:

1. Stick a few plastic grocery bags in your reusable totes and use those for filling with your produce instead of using plastic bags from the merchants.
2. Arrive early for the best selection and freshest products. Or arrive late for last minute deals on the produce farmers want to move before heading home.
3. Buy what you need to use within a week and plan to freeze or can the rest.
4. Bring small bills and correct change for easier transactions.
5. If you’re buying meat or dairy, ask the vendor to hold it for you until you are ready to go so it can stay cool for as long as possible.
6. Get to know your vendors, and place your orders in advance.

Area Farmers Markets

• Detroit’s Historic Eastern Market | 2934 Russell St., Detroit
  Saturday: 7 a.m.-4 p.m. (year-round); Tuesday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (June-September); Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (June-September)

• Islandview Farmers Market | 7200 Mack Ave., Detroit 
  Wednesday: 4-7 p.m. (June-September)

• Oakland Avenue Farmers Market | 9354 Oakland Ave., Detroit
  Saturday: 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (June-October)

• Wayne State University Farmers Market in Detroit | 5401 Cass Ave., Detroit
  Wednesday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (June-October)

• Westland Farmers Market | 1901 N. Carlson, Westland
  Thursdays: 3-7 p.m. (May-October); closed June 16 and August 4, 2016

The post 6 Tips for Shopping Smarter at the Farmers Market appeared first on Paragon Properties Company Blog.