Last week, while visiting a client,
she handed me a magazine she’d just picked up at the grocery store.
She smiled and said,
“I feel like you’ll actually make something from this.”

She wasn’t planning to —
so she passed it along.

A few days later, I decided to try one of the recipes.
Just a small test first…
because if it works,
I’ll make another and bring it back to her.

I also took one along to a dinner party that night —
a little trial run before sharing it again.

These quiet exchanges always stay with me.
Thoughtful, simple, and so very human.

Here’s hoping it looks just as good
as it tasted when I make it again.

Have you ever been gifted something
that sparked an idea or a moment of creativity?
👇 I’d love to hear.

#forterielife #forterie #forterieliving #niagararegion
#balancedliving #lifeinbalance #joyinthejourney #simplejoys
#slowlivingmovement #homecooking #foodiefriday
#everydaymoments #realestatelifestyle #lakeerielife

🐾 Why does fear make sellers feel like they have to act right now?

The rush usually doesn’t come from logic.
It comes from fear — the fear that if you don’t act immediately, you’ll lose the house you want.

So sellers chase a property they can’t actually secure yet.
They set a purchase price before knowing their own sale price.
They base decisions on expectation, not reality.

At the same time, the home they’re chasing has often just hit the market.
The price hasn’t been tested.
The market hasn’t spoken.
And that number may not hold.

My walks with Blue remind me to slow the pace.
One step in front of the other.

Sellers need that same approach.
You can’t set your purchase number until the market has set your sale price.
Once you’re sold, your budget is known.
The fear of the unknown drops.
And you can pursue the right home from a position of strength — not uncertainty.

📲 dm me if you’re selling and buying and want a clear plan before fear drives the decision.

#forterierealestate #niagararealestate #sellereducation #sellandbuy #marketclarity #realestatestrategy #fearofmissingout #knowledgebroker #barbarascarlett #c21heritagehouse

Do you ever look back on the days just before Christmas and realize how quietly special they were? 🎄🍷

A few days before the holidays,
Alex, my mom, and I went out for dinner at @gretzkyestates .

Nothing rushed.
Just good food, easy conversation,
and that calm that settles in right before everything ramps up.

Now that Christmas has passed
and we’re in that reflective space between holidays,
those in-between moments stand out even more —
after the prep, before the chaos,
when time together feels simple and unforced.

A familiar place,
a quiet night out,
and time with the people who matter most.

Do you have a spot you love visiting in those slower moments around the holidays?
👇 I’d love to hear.

#forterielife #forterie #forterieliving #niagararegion #niagaraeats
#balancedliving #lifeinbalance #joyinthejourney #simplejoys
#holidayseason #slowlivingmovement #familytime
#realestatelifestyle #lakeerielife #niagaraliving

The space between Christmas and New Year always feels different.
Quieter. Slower.
A good time to refocus without pressure.

Right now, my attention is on quality construction
and neighbourhoods that hold their value over time.

Here’s a clear snapshot of newer and well-built homes currently available in Fort Erie, including new construction with builder incentives.

🏘 397 Garrison Road – New Construction Bungaloft Townhomes
Starting at $599,000 – $599,900
(Builder financing as low as 1.58% for qualifying buyers – Phase III)
• 3 bedrooms | 3 bathrooms
• approx. 1,465–1,491 sq. ft. (builder)
• 9’ ceilings, open-concept design
• Main-floor primary suite + in-suite laundry
• Attached garage
• Full unfinished basement

🏡 871 Burwell Street — $625,000
• Raised bungalow
• 3 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms
• approx. 1,360 sq. ft. (MPAC)
• Main-floor laundry
• Full unfinished basement with egress windows
• Attached garage + double driveway
• Lakeshore neighbourhood

🏡 407 Louisa Street — $719,900 (New Build)
• Bungalow
• 3 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms
• approx. 1,391 sq. ft. (builder)
• Open-concept main floor
• Fireplace in living area
• Full unfinished basement
• Attached garage
• Peace Bridge Village

🏡 427 Williams Crescent — $550,000
• Bungaloft townhouse
• 2 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms
• approx. 1,471 sq. ft. (plans)
• Main-floor primary suite
• Loft level with additional bedroom + bath
• Full unfinished basement with rough-in
• Attached garage
• Peace Bridge Village

🏡 394 Hummel Crescent — $699,900
• Bungalow
• 2 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms
• approx. 1,382 sq. ft. (MPAC)
• Quartz countertops + centre island
• Main-floor laundry
• Unfinished basement with rough-in
• Double attached garage
• Peace Bridge Village

• Significant amount of upgrades throughout the home

🏡 32 Sunrise Court (Ridgeway) — $799,900
• Bungalow
• 3 bedrooms | 3 bathrooms
• approx. 1,600 sq. ft. (MPAC)
• Vaulted ceilings + fireplace
• Sunroom with fireplace
• Partially finished basement
• Double garage
• Algonquin Club amenities

🏡 1050 Kettle Court — $799,000
• Bungalow
• 4 bedrooms | 3 bathrooms
• approx. 1,362 sq. ft. above grade
• Finished basement with additional bedrooms
• Composite deck + fenced yard
• Hot-water swim spa
• Double garage
• Cul-de-sac near lake & trail

If you want details on availability, timelines, floor plans, or incentives,
message me and I’ll walk you through the options.

#forterie #forterierealestate #niagararealestate #newconstruction #bungaloft #townhomes #qualityhomes #garrisonroad #peacebridgevillage #ridgeway #lakeshoreneighbourhood #yearend #homeoptions #realestatebroker #scarlettrealestategroup #barbarascarlettbroker

Between Christmas and New Year feels like its own little pocket of time. 
Slower mornings.
Leftover treats.
Nowhere you have to be.

This week’s Thirsty Thursday was filmed just before Christmas and shared early — but it still fits perfectly right now.

A Flat White Martini — an espresso martini with Irish cream.
Smooth, balanced, and easy to make during that in-between week when the cookie tins are still out and routines haven’t fully returned.

Recipe:
• 2 oz Irish cream
• 1 oz vodka
• 1 oz espresso

Shake with ice. Garnish with espresso beans.

Perfect for a quiet morning, a relaxed afternoon, or a cozy evening at home — whenever you’re easing your way toward the new year.

Cheers. 

#thirstythursday #flatwhitemartini #espressomartini #holidayweek #coffeecocktail #niagaraliving #niagararealestate #realtorlife #homecocktails #yearendvibes

✨ A few days before Christmas, I was trying to fit too much into one day… and then the day took a softer turn.

I had a full schedule lined up —
appointments, errands, last-minute things to check off before the holidays.

But the day had other plans.

I stopped in to see a few clients — just to wish them well —
and those quick visits turned into real conversations.
Not about real estate,
but about life.
Family. Memories.

Then a friend called — someone I rarely get to speak with —
and we ended up on the phone for almost an hour.

The structure of my day unraveled…
but in the most meaningful way.

Because the truth is:
the tasks can wait.
The people can’t.

That reminder felt especially clear this time of year.

So as we move through these quiet in-between days,
if your schedule shifts toward connection instead of completion,
maybe you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.

💬 What’s made you pause in the best way this season?
I’d love to hear it.

#GodMoment #HolidayReflections #RealEstateWithHeart #FortErieRealtor #NiagaraRealEstate #SlowingTheSeason #WomenInRealEstate #RootedLiving #PresenceOverPlans #MomentsThatMatter #ConnectionOverChecklist #GraceInThePause #RealLifeRealEstate #SimpleJoy #PeopleFirst #SoftDays

Have you ever shared a place you love… and then watched other people fall in love with it too? 🍽️

Tonight, we just finished dinner at @citythairestaurantforterie —
a place Alex and I still come back to again and again.

It was actually one of the very first restaurant videos
I ever shared on YouTube years ago.
They were so gracious then,
and we’ve been regulars ever since.

What always makes me smile is when people say,
“I tried City Thai because of your video.”
One time, I was in Social Graces
and someone stopped me and said,
“You look familiar — I saw your City Thai video.
It’s my favourite restaurant now.”

That never gets old.

We wrapped up dinner tonight
thinking about how special it is
to support local places that quietly become part of your routine.

Have you been to City Thai,
or do you have a local favourite you always recommend?
👇 I’d love to hear.

#forterielife #forterie #forterieeats #forterieliving #niagararegion
#niagaraeats #supportlocalniagara #balancedliving #lifeinbalance
#joyinthejourney #simplejoys #foodiefriday #localrestaurantsniagara
#realestatelifestyle #lakeerielife

🎅🎶 Santa baby… here’s what’s new and improved this week. 🏡✨

Price improved / Price improvements 🎁

📍 12679 Niagara Parkway
• 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
• approx. 4,630 sq. ft.
• 1.46-acre riverfront lot
• triple-car garage

📍 665 Grandview
• raised bungalow
• 3+2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
• approx. 1,250 sq. ft. above grade + finished basement
• attached double garage

📍 544 Rosehill
• 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
• private country lot
• located on the outskirts of town
• steps from the friendship trail and lake

Featured listings ✨

📍 15 Malkin ave
• bungalow
• 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
• attached garage
• mature lot close to lake erie and friendship trail

📍 662 Lakeshore rd
• bungalow
• 2 bedrooms + office, 1 bathroom
• steps to lake erie with partial lake views
• fenced, landscaped yard

📍 394 Hummel cres
• modern bungalow
• 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
• open-concept layout
• attached double garage

📍 3822 Dominion rd (2nd floor)
• 2-bedroom apartment
• private entrance
• in-suite laundry
• downtown ridgeway location

New listings / Rentals ✨

🏠 439 Viking st (lower) — $1,500 (all inclusive)
• 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
• full kitchen + in-suite laundry
• carpet-free flooring

🏠 43 Jarvis st #202 — $1,900
• 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
• quartz kitchen + centre island
• parking included

🏠 3816 Dominion rd — $2,200 (available feb 1, 2026)
• 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
• detached garage
• private driveway

Commercial Rentals 🏬

📍 44 Jarvis st — $1,500/mo
• 1,122 sq. ft. retail
• freestanding building

📍 1233 Garrison rd — $3,300/mo
• 1,200 sq. ft. retail
• high-traffic location

📍 3551 Garrison rd — $8,000/mo
• 2,485 sq. ft. commercial
• former restaurant

Send me a message for details or to book a showing. 📩

#forterie #ridgeway #crystalbeach #niagarafalls #niagararealestate #forterierealestate #niagararentals #forterierentals #commerciallease #niagaracommercial #commercialrealestate #priceimprovement #newlisting #homesforsale #homesforrent #friendshiptrail  #santababy

Seven sleeps until Christmas…🎄🥂
Week three of the Christmas cocktail series brings a Grinch mimosa.

This drink uses blue curaçao, prosecco, and orange juice, finished with a simple garnish and a coconut rim. It’s quick to assemble and works well for holiday mornings or casual gatherings.

Here is a mocktail version: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2eRRr1VIUnI

Another easy option to enjoy at home during the season.
Happy thirsty thursday.

#thirstythursday #christmascocktails #grinchmimosa #holidaydrinks #niagaraliving #forterierealtor #scarlettrealestategroup #holidayhosting

Is there something you do every single day that just… steadies you?
And when you skip it, the whole day feels off?

I have a little ritual that starts before the sun comes up.
It’s quiet, slow, still.

A soft light.
A bit of reading.
Some scrolling.
And a look at what’s ahead.

It helps me connect the dots — for myself, for my team, for the day.
I’ve learned I need this space.
It doesn’t have to be long… but it has to be mine.

Yesterday I had a showing with someone in their 70s.
They didn’t need the property — but they wanted it.
They told me that when they’re out of routine,
they just don’t feel like themselves.

That stuck with me.

Because routine isn’t just about structure —
it’s about stability.

It’s what brings purpose to our lives. It’s what gets us out of bed every day.

It keeps us moving forward and no matter what age you are.

You always need this. You need your purpose to stay healthy.

💬 Do you have something — big or small — that you do every day to stay centered?
Morning or night, I’d love to know what keeps you grounded.

#GodMoment #DailyRituals #RootedRoutine #RealEstateWithHeart #FortErieRealtor #NiagaraRealEstate #WomenInRealEstate #StillnessBeforeTheDay #WorkLifeRhythm #IntentionalLiving #SlowMornings #MindfulSuccess #DailyAnchor #RoutinesThatMatter #RealLifeRealEstate #GentleStructure