REALTOR® magazine recently had an article on “Reusing with Style,” transforming a home with five eco-friendly repurposing ideas. I liked it so much that I’m sharing some of those ideas with you here    – we are onto ideas #3 and #4.

The article’s premise is to reuse items in new ways that are positive for the environment and spruce up your home. Combining function and fashion, here are the next two tips to reuse with style:

Jeans can warm you up in more than one wayOld jeans are finding new life as home insulation material. REALTOR® magazine featured the company Bonded Logic of Chandler, Arizona which manufactures UltraTouch Natural Cotton Fiber insulation. This insulation is made from 85 percent recycled denim and cotton fibers. It contains no VOCs or formaldehydes and doesn’t irritate skin. The insulation is treated with a 100 percent natural borate mineral solution that is mold and fire resistant.

UltraTouch uses post-industrial denim and cotton fibers directly from denim manufacturing facilities. Their product contains over 90 percent recycled denim and cotton fibers.

Cost: $0.50–$1.50 per square foot.

You may remember that I blogged a couple months ago about toilets that have the dual-flush capability. Well, Seattle-based ecohaus has the dual-flush products as well as a wash where you go product. This bathroom fixture is part sink and part toilet. Users wash their hands in the toilet tank (yes, cleaner than you might think). That water is then repurposed for future flushes. Its dual flush component reduces water consumption by an additional 40 percent to 70 percent. The toilet and sink combo is also a great space saver in smaller bathrooms.

Cost: $499.99.

This is a fabulous luxury residential development with many resort amenities. It is in the heart of Vail Village – therefore, close to the ski lifts and all of the shops and restaurants in the village.  You will be impressed with the quality and elegance of this property.

The property is available for seven weeks: you get three weeks in the summer, three in the winter and one week to use whenever you want. Basically, you get to enjoy all of the wonderful season that Vail has to offer! Also, you can rent the weeks you don’t use. This two bedroom, two bathroom condo is listed at $595,000. Give me a call at 970-331-1806 to schedule your private showing.

As I introduced last month, I have begun to feature a hiking report. The fall climate clearly supports some great hiking and also compliments the ski report and golf report that I also feature in this newsletter and on my blog.

Hiking is one of my favorite activities and Vail has gorgeous mountains, creeks and trails that are perfect for this activity. This month, I’ve featuring the Wilder Gulch Trail. If you have suggestions for future hiking reports, please send them my way.

The Wilder Gulch Trail is located west of Copper Mountain. It climbs up Wilder Gulch from the Vail Pass Recreation Trail toward Ptarmigan Pass. From the base of the trail, travel south up the valley away from the interstate. The trail climbs continuously as it parallels the stream where numerous beaver ponds are found. After 2.3 miles the trail swings to the right and ends on a dirt road, which winds up to Ptarmigan Pass at the head of the valley. Ptarmigan Pass offers a good view of the Sawatch Range and the west side of the Gore Range.

The area is closed to motorized vehicles in the summer, but snowmobiles do use the area in the winter.

Directions: From Beaver Creek, Go 23 miles east on I-70 to exit #190, near the summit of Vail Pass. Turn right and park in the large parking area. Hikers can follow the Vail Pass Recreation Trail (a paved bicycle trail) to Wilder Gulch. Cross through the tunnel under the interstate which and follow the recreation trail to just before the stream crossing.

The stats:
Elevation: 10,500 feet
Ending Elevation: 11,500 feet
Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
Distance: 3.0 miles
Usage: Light
Difficulty: Easy

I am very excited to feature a fractional ownership opportunity this month at One Willow Bridge Road. This is a fabulous luxury residential development with many resort amenities. It is in the heart of Vail Village – therefore, close to the ski lifts and all of the shops and restaurants in the village.  You will be impressed with the quality and elegance of this property.

The property is available for seven weeks: you get three weeks in the summer, three in the winter and one week to use whenever you want. Basically, you get to enjoy all of the wonderful season that Vail has to offer! Also, you can rent the weeks you don’t use. This two bedroom, two bathroom condo is listed at $595,000. Give me a call at 970-331-1806 to schedule your private showing.

This is one of the best times of year in Vail. While the leaves are turning color, people are outside hiking and also inside relaxing at some of the great local spas. It is also when Vail Restaurant Month takes place. Delicious.

Vail Restaurant Month is made up of four fabulous weeks of one-of-a-kind events, activities and special offers. Star chefs, singular dining experiences, wine and beer tastings, spa packages, romantic getaways, family fun, cooking demonstrations, fashion trunk shows, art gallery receptions, celebrity author readings and book signings, outdoor adventures, and many more special activities take place during this month-long event.

The full details can be found here and below is a sneak peak at what the different themed weeks have to offer.

Market to Table Week: September 20 – 26

Entertaining and inspirational events, seminars and dining experiences all tied to healthy living and delicious fresh food, highlighted by a special Vail Farmers Market.

Health, Wellness and the Outdoors Week: September 27 – October 3

Biking, running, yoga, golf, rafting, hiking, flyfishing, and ballooning – Vail in the fall is the perfect season for outdoor adventures, beer and food pairings . . . and unforgettable dining experiences.

LoveFest: October 4 – 10

Get ready for romantic activities for couples, champagne and wine tastings, late night romance, celebrations with friends, pampering spas, and thrilling surprises from Vail’s star chefs.

Family and Little Foodies in the Kitchen Week: October 11- 17

An old-fashioned family vacation, remixed for today. Family activities, dining and just plain fun featuring “Little Foodies in the Kitchen” cooking classes, parties and special events

If you are interested in renting a property during this stay or anytime, please contact me. I’m happy to help.