Feng Shui is defined as "a system of laws considered to govern spatial arrangement and orientation in relation to the flow of energy, and whose favorable or unfavorable effects are taken into account when siting and designing buildings." In other words, in accordance to this type of design, it is believed that how you place your furniture and how you decorate your rooms can have either a positive or negative impact on your and your family's energy.

So, how do you create a positive energy flow? Below are some basic Feng Shui concepts:

Feeling Protected:

• The idea of security and protection is huge in Feng Shui design. So, how can you do that? For one, try placing your sofa against a secured wall. If you don't have a solid wall, you want to secure the sofa with something tall and sturdy behind it. This will create a sense of security.
• Another key to feeling secure is your ability to assess what's going on around you. So, try placing your seating where you can see the front door. Mirrors will also help by allowing you to see areas that are otherwise hidden. 
• Light is very necessary to promote good energy. In dark areas, try using extra sources of light to hep disrupt the neglectful energy that can be created in the darkness. For overhead lights, however, be cautious not to have fixtures that direct all the light into one space. You want light to spread across the room and not direct its energy into one location. 
• Open windows can allow bad energy into your home. You don't want to shut yourself off to the world, but putting up shear drapes or blinds can help keep the good energy in and the bad energy out. 
• In the bedroom, make sure the bed encourages of sense of security by bookending it with nightstands or lamps to make it comfortable and inviting. 

Be Inviting:

• Feng Shui decorating focuses on stimulating conversation among family and friends. Therefore, it suggests to make an area designated for conversation. This would be considered a public area. In this seating area, all seats should allow any guest to be included in the conversation. Seats should also have enough space around them to feel comfortable. 
• As for private areas, it is ok to have a TV as the focal point of the room, as long as there are public areas in your house as well. 
• Rugs are grounding. Therefore, in areas where conversation will take place, try placing a rug on the ground. This can be great in the dining room or living/family room to help stimulate interaction.​​

Shapes

• Shapes are very significant in Feng Shui decorating. Different shapes have different meanings and can evoke different emotions. So, the key is to have a variety of shapes in your home, but to be aware of where you place those shapes. 
• Circles/Ovals represent metal. They allow energy to flow easily around the room. Having no distinct edges, it also makes everyone feel comfortable and not the target of direct energy that a corner in a rectangle or square can create. 
• Squares represent the earth, rectangles represent wood and triangles represent fire. 

​Color

• Feng Shui promotes the 5 Feng Shui elements which include: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood.
• ​Fire indicates passion and high energy. Colors that connect with fire should be promoted in your office. This will direct positive energy to your career.  
• ​Earth promotes nourishment and stability. These colors will promote inner balance and health as well as promote positive relationships. 
• Metal promotes clarity and precision. Colors of metal will promote clarity, focus, precision, and efficiency. 
• Water promotes a calm energy of ease and purity. It also signifies abundance and wealth. 
• Wood promotes growth and living. It signifies healing and, like water, abundance and wealth as well.

Smile

• Decorate your home with items that make you smile. Don't over clutter, but feel free to overindulge in decorating with the things that bring you memories of joy. This will promote a positive energy.
• The bedroom is the place where you can rejuvenate from the day and be prepared for the next day to come. So, make sure that this is your sanctuary. Place paintings above your bed to allow positive energy to reflect when you are laying down and looking up. Also make sure to turn off your phone and other sources of electricity to solicit a restful night's sleep. Get rid of distractions so that the next day you are ready to go!

Health

• The kitchen and dining room are key places to promote positive nutrition. These areas should reflect you as a person and be utilized. If you are not going to use the dining room, Feng Shui decorators suggest turning the dining room into a different room all together. 
• Check your quality of air. In Feng Shui decorating, having good, healthy air is essential to a positive lifestyle. 

Metals

• Like shapes, different metals and materials have different meanings in Feng Shui.
• Crystal and reflective metals such as nickel, brass, or bronze are widely used in this type of decorating. The idea is to constantly move positive energy around the house. 
• Warm woods and linens can help create a sense of calm. 

​Balance

• A Feng Shui home should be balanced. This means with female and male energy as well. Make sure to allow both perspectives to have a say on decorating so that the home is the idea of Yin and Yang 

There are so many aspects of Feng Shui decorating, that it will take time and research to help create your prefect home. Research more about it online before committing to your design plan. And, remember, even though it may seem overwhelming now, it really is a creative and interesting perspective to decorating. If Feng Shui decorating can in fact create a positive energy that you can take with you into your career and life, then it's definitely worth looking into!

If you have been down to the West side of Pearl Street lately, it is hard to miss the beautiful updates that have been made to the area. 

The biggest transformation is the old Daily Camera building that was demolition and rebuilt to what is now being called Pearl West. Beginning at 11th street and covering the entire block between Pearl Street and Walnut, the old building was rebuilt from the ground up. It includes two stories, a garage underneath, tons of retail and restaurant space, rooftop views of the mountains and a community plaza. Extending towards 9th Street, the consturction includes residencies and office space as well. 

Pearl West prides itself on its "ultra green" construction. It includes "natural light...super fast fiber service - Up to 10GB! Redundant Electric Service - Looped primary feed and a second feed from an alternate subtraction. Ultra green development - Pursuing LEED platinum." Learn more on Pearl West.

While retailers in the area have suffered from the construction for the past couple of years, this new window-lined building with an elegant plaza and newly planted trees is sure to bring business back to the area. With so many people moving to Colorado, the updates made to Boulder's downtown area is really exciting. It mirrors the town's transformation from being small and fairly nondescript to the upscale downtown, with high end food and high fashion, that it is today. The one thing that is great about Boulder is that it will always maintain its small town, local, community vibe. But, with these updates bring new business and an exciting future for what Boulder could become. 

You've heard it time and time again from realtors, "Location, Location, Location." And this, now seemingly cliche phrase, still holds its value. When looking for a home, you can't just focus on the house and its interior alone. You must focus on what is around the house as well. 

Location, if chosen correctly, is really what will add value to your home. Questions you should ask yourself are: Is the home in a safe neighborhood? How far of a commute is it? Is the house in a good school district? How close is it to restaurants, shops and is the home in a good community? If you don't feel safe parking your car on the street, sending your kids off to school or getting to know your neighbors, then is the house really worth it?

Read the article below by RISMEDIA or click here to learn key things to look for when buying a home and why location is so important. 

Buying a New Home? 4 Reasons Why Location Is Essential?
By Kara Masterson
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RISMEDIA, Monday, September 26, 2016— Buyers are so hyper-focused on the home that they often cast aside surroundings. "Surroundings" do not equal trees, fences or landscape. The home's surroundings are the houses around the home and the residents occupying them. Surroundings also include the neighborhood, the passersby and the city. Surroundings are the home's location and it bears equal importance. Here's why location is essential to any future real estate decision.
 
Safety
Is the perfect home near a busy driving area consisting of drug houses, screaming kids and problematic neighbors? If so, stop reading; plenty of communities exist for you. For the rest of us, this isn't an ideal neighborhood. Pay extra for a safer neighborhood. They're packed with stores, shops, restaurants, and banks nearby; a rarely noisy community is surely waiting for you. Along with research, visit the location at night for accurate answers.
 
Distance
The distance from point A to point B is so important. A long commute burns more gas and wastes more time than necessary. Therefore, learn the miles and minutes it takes to travel from the home to the following: work, school, store, hospitals and favorite hangouts. Buyers without cars must live in communities with public transportation access. A community containing local amenities close by is valuable to buyers. Besides, no one will travel great distances for any destination.
 
The Best Schools
Distance isn't the only factor in the best school search. The reputation, the quality and the district are additional factors in finding a good school. Homes surrounding good schools are in high demand. Determine good schools by searching online reviews of schools and reading two or three sites. Since good and bad reviews naturally exist, develop a consensus. Some real estate listings include online reviews of surrounding schools. Single or married, family or not, a good school system is important for your home's value.
 
Monetary Value
When buyers buy a home, they purchase the location too. A home priced in a good neighborhood makes it more valuable than one in a poor neighborhood. In addition to the home, they purchase a safe community, nearby local amenities, and the personalities in surrounding houses. Because neighborhoods rarely change, the home remains lucrative to future buyers at sale.
 
Forgoing location and surroundings means living in the perfect house and fearing the outside. If you can't enjoy the surroundings, no perfect home is worth the price tag. Location, location, location–real estate companies may stress this a lot. Just make sure to seek professional help and find the best possible neighborhood for you.

When buying a new construction property, it is important to remember that this process is slightly different than buying a used home. While it is easy to get swept up in the idea of having a custom home that has never been lived in and won't have unwanted costs for old appliances, pipes or furnaces, you must remember that there are hidden costs in a new build as well. Remember to stay in budget!

Some extra costs that show up are property taxes, furniture, insurance, window coverings, landscaping and maintenance. While the model homes make it look like the house comes ready to live in, most of the nice touches come at a pretty penny. Window coverings, for example, are not included with the windows that you are buying. This goes for most lighting as well. While the electrical is all set up and ready to go, the light fixtures themselves are up to you to buy. Landscaping is another huge expense. Most new builds will landscape the front yard and a portion of the side. But, unless you want a pile of dirt in your backyard, it is up to the buyer to landscape the back. This can be extremely costly, especially when not even a deck is in place. Most times, a few concrete steps are included, but that is it. 

Another good thing to remember is that the neighborhood is not as grown up and grand as most old, historic neighborhoods are. While your home will maintain its value simply by the fact that it is newer as compared to the houses around it, it will take years for trees to mature and your community to feel well-established. Planting trees will be another expense to you and a perk that you may not get to enjoy during your time in the house. 

Finally, make sure you know the builder. Be certain that they have a good reputation and their other communities have maintained  the test of time. Any home can look nice in the model, but not every home has the quality finishes that will keep maintenance expenses down.

Also make sure you know what is included. Many new builds now a days are including community amenities. This means a clubhouse, pool and maybe even gym are being included for housing complexes. Remember though to buffer in the HOA fee that will come along with those perks. As for finishes, it is important to know what the standards are. New builds come with standard finishes for cabinets, floors, countertops, appliances, etc., but, most times, you are going to want to upgrade. And that means more money. Try to find a builder where their idea of standard finishes meets your own standards. Guaranteed you are going to want to change some things up, but it would be nice if you found a new build that had the options and quality finishes that you are looking for.

Good luck with your search, and feel free call or email with any questions that may arise. 

A Grand History 

The Hotel Boulderado is a historic centerpiece of Boulder, CO that dates back to the 1900's. As Boulder started to take shape into a small city, the need for a more attractive high-end hotel grew stronger. So, people in the community got to work. Funds for the hotel were raised and, in 1909, Hotel Boulderado celebrated its grand opening on New Years Day. Considered a Boulder Landmark, this hotel grew up with Boulder. It saw the city's highs, it saw its lows and today, it stands with its head held high as a premiere hotel in Boulder. 

Originally built five stories high, this brick hotel is consistent with Italian Reinesance and Spanish Revival architecture. Entering the hotel, it is hard to miss the original features that make this hotel unique. Large wood-framed doors take guests past a small, local-inspired gift shop and into a grand lobby. Old fashion chairs and couches lie in the center of the lobby. The check-in desk comes complete with a historic guestbook and a rotary phone. Looking closely at the guestbook, you will see famous names such as Helen Keller, Robert Frost and Louis Armstrong. To the left past a fireplace and old elevator, grab a drink at the historic Corner Bar. High ceilings, wood banisters and a majestic bar will take you back in time. And, for a nice sit down meal, check out Spruce, located on the opposite side of the hotel.

Tis the Season

One of the best times to go to Hotel Boulderado is during the holidays. Every year, in the middle of the lobby, the hotel's staff brings in a freshly cut christmas tree that kisses the stained glass ceiling above. A large oval landing on the way up to the second floor allows guests to indulge in the enormous tree and all its glory. Get close up and personal to check out the large ornaments that are placed on the tree and let your kids grab a candy cane that the staff hangs on the bottom branches. 

Visit Today!

Whether a Boulder resident or guest to Boulder, the Hotel Boulderado is a great place to spend some time. For more information on this historic hotel, visit The Hotel Boulderado

Fall Into Fashion Weekend starts tomorrow, September 22 and goes through September 25.

Fall Into Fashion was inspired by fashion events held in New York. Among some of these events include the Fall into Fashion Fundraiser in New York City held by the Fashion Foundation who raises money to give back to students. Another is the WNY Women's Foundation  who has hosted 12 Fall into Fashion Fundraisers. This year, will be their 13th annual event. Following New York's lead in high fashion, Boulder has brought Fall into Fashion to Pearl Street in the hopes of bringing fashion inspiration to Boulder. 

Kick off the weekend by attending the Fashion Show at 6pm on September 22. Models from participating vendors will be strutting their stuff down a runway that starts at the Boulder Courthouse and extends onto the main drag on Pearl Street Mall. Laugh, applaude and meet your neighbors at this lighthearted event. The fashion show is meant to be fun and allow members of the community to come together and celebrate fashion. Participating vendors include West End Salon, Barbara & Company, Free People, John Atencio, The Ritz, Two Sole Sisters, Amana Yoga Studio and many more. 

Friday through Sunday, enjoy small specialty events hosted at individual retail stores. Live music, snacks, raffles, discounts and mini facials will be given throughout the weekend at different locations. Spot participating vendors by the black, white and red balloons that will be displayed in the front of stores. To see a full list of in-store events happening throughout the weekend, visit Downtown Boulder Fall into Fashion

Hazardous Materials

Hot Objects: Matches can be hazardous if they get in the wrong hands. Many times, curiosity takes over and kids start playing with things they should not. So, make sure to put matches and any other flammable materials, such as candles, away and out of the reach of toddlers. Try a battery-driven candle instead. As for the fireplace, make sure to get heat-resistant gates and to remove any sharp fire tools from the area. Locking your fireplace is an extra step that will make all the difference in your child's safety. 

Glass: Picture frames seem innocent enough, but if broken, the glass can be dangerous to small children. To avoid broken glass in your home, make sure photos are secured tightly to walls. Plastic picture frames are a great  worry-free solution. This goes for glass dishwater in your kitchen as well. Try replacing glass kitchen ware with child-resistant plastic. 

Heavy Objects: Heavy objects that can fall on a child must be secured and out of the way. For example, make sure your TV is mounted rather than loose on a stand. Also, put your heavy appliances, like a Kitchen Aid, away in their appropriate cabinets. This can even include any light weight furniture such as dressers, night stands and lamps. If it can tip over, make sure it's secured to the wall or hidden away. 

Electrical Items: Prevent your child from getting electrocuted by taking the measures to hide power strips from view and cover your outlets. Also make sure that small electric items like a hairdryer are kept away from children. Not only could they get electrocuted, but the cords could cause strangulation. 

Small Objects: Children love putting things in their mouths, so prevent temptation by removing small objects from their reach. This includes round objects, sharp pointed toys, balloons, crayons, loose change or anything with batteries that the child could take out and swallow. 

Sharp Objects: Make sure to keep knives out of view. Rather than using a knife block, put knives in a locked or guarded drawer and make sure the sharp edge is pointed down. This same practice should be used when putting knives in the dishwasher. 

Shopping Bags: Make sure plastic shopping bags are put away after putting away your groceries and make sure to not use a plastic bag as a wastebasket liner. If a child puts one of these bags over their head, they can easily suffocate. 

Baby-Proof Your Furniture

Sharp Edges: All sharp edges must be covered. Especially low lying furniture such as a coffee table must be buffered so that a child does not walk into a corner and bump their head. 

Cribs: Make sure your crib is clean of anything that could suffocate them and keeps them in. Stuffed animals should be moved and the mattress should be low enough so that your child does not have the ability to climb out. 

Bath Time: It is a normal practice to wash your baby in the sink or tub when they are small. Make sure that the faucet is covered. This will prevent them from hitting their head on the hard metal object. 


Guards

Doors: Prevent pinched fingers by putting guards on your doors. This will prevent doors from closing all the way and protect little fingers from being slammed.

Windows: Make sure that windows have guards. If a window does not have a guard, your child could get out and, if it's a high lying window,  the child could drop from feet above the ground. Window coverings should not have cords. If a child accidentally gets tangled in the cord, there is risk of them being strangled. 

Stove: Make sure to have guards on your stove. If a child is playing with the knobs, they could accidentally turn on the stove and burn themselves. Also keep in mind to cook on the back burners and keep handles pointed to the back. This will prevent children from walking near the stove and pulling down on pan handles that are hanging over the counter. 

Oven: The oven should be locked at all times. An oven door can not only be dangerous if it hits a child's head, but an oven can is also hot and cause burns. 

Refrigerator: Make sure your refrigerator is latched and secured. The door can be dangerous if swung open and certain foods in the fridge can cause choking. 

Toilet Seat: Toilet seats should be latched to prevent a small child drowning. Also keep in mind that a toilet is the perfect height for a small child's head to bump, so take precautions to create a buffer zone around the toilet. 

Dangerous Ingestible Items 

Chemicals: Kitchens and bathrooms are hot spots for dangerous chemicals. Make sure drawers or cabinet doors to your cleaning products are locked. The dishwasher also must be locked, as this is a direct point of contact for detergent and sharp knives.

Pills: Make sure medicine is kept locked away. Not only are the small caps on the bottles small enough to choke on, but the pills themselves are toxic to children. 

The Boulder Fall Fest 2016 is this weekend in downtown Boulder!

When:
Friday Sept. 16 5pm-10pm
Saturday Sept. 17 11am-10pm
Sunday Sept. 18 11am-5pm

The Fall Fest is hosted by Downtown Boulder Inc, every year to welcome in the Fall. Read below in the article posted on the Downtown Boulder Fall Fest page to learn about what to expect at the festival this year. Eat, drink and meet the community by visiting local participating vendors and listening to live music. Autumn in a beautiful time in Boulder and this event is the perfect way to welcome  it in!

About Fall Fest
One of the most highly anticipated events in Boulder is the annual Fall Fest on the Pearl Street Mall.  With its mild temperatures and colorful fall foliage Downtown Boulder provides a perfect fall escape. Friday - Sunday, September 16, 17 and 18, 2016, Downtown Boulder, Inc. will host an ideal family adventure. 
For three days, the Pearl Street Mall (as well as 14th street between Spruce and Lawry Lane) will be filled with arts & crafts, a beer/wine/margarita garden, live music, children's activities and excitement during the 29th Annual Downtown Boulder Fall Fest.
Throughout each day of the Festival, visitors will be entertained with a wide range of musical performances by tribute bands including covers of The Allman Brothers Band, Rush, Steely Dan and many more. Local musicians will take the stage in front of the courthouse on the 1300 block of Pearl Street.
The festival features a large beer garden with brews from local Avery Brewing Company, legendary margaritas from the Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant and wine on the 1300 block of Pearl Street.  Local food to compliment your beverages will be available from Boulder Bowls, Falafel King, Fast Eddie's Hot Dogs and McDevitt Taco Supply. 
The 14th Street will host Children's Activities beginning Friday night and running throughout the weekend. 
This year, Fall Fest will feature Firefly Handmade Market, the premier, handmade-only indie artisan market on the Front Range. The carefully and creatively curated artisan market’s 100+ makers will feature home goods, fine craft, art, ceramics, skin care, children's and adult fashion, leather goods, jewelry, pet goods, and artisanal food and beverages on Pearl Street from 11th to 16th streets.
A great event for families, or anyone who enjoys spending time outside in the gorgeous fall weather, join us for the 2016 Fall Festival as we celebrate fall in picturesque Downtown Boulder.  And don't forget: Free parking Saturday and Sunday in the City of Boulder Parking Garages!
Admission to Fall Fest is free and includes all concert performances.  Tickets for the Children's Activities are separate (see Children's Activities page for details).  Beer and Wine are $5, Rio Grande Margaritas are $8.  Food prices vary - see vendors for details and menus.


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​Colorado Buffaloes
Scores & Schedule
Fri, Sep 2vsColorado StateW 7 - 44Final

Video Recap

Sat, Sep 10vsIdaho StateW 7 - 56Final

Video Recap

Sat, Sep 17@Michigan1:30 PM
Sat, Sep 24@OregonTBD
Sat, Oct 1vsOregon StateTBD
Sat, Oct 8@USCTBD
Sat, Oct 15vsArizona StateTBD
Sat, Oct 22@StanfordTBD
Thu, Nov 3vsUCLA7:00 PM
Sat, Nov 12@ArizonaTBD
Sat, Nov 19vsWashington StateTBD
Sat, Nov 26vsUtahTBD
All times are in Mountain Time