Setting a beautiful table is my favorite part of hosting a dinner party. Looking ahead to the polishing, ironing and floral arranging many of us will be doing to prepare for Thanksgiving next week, here is some thoughtful advice and inspiring images to get you in the [...]

Jasper Johns' final encaustic Flag established a new record for the artist at auction last Tuesday, November 11. To see the auction results from numerous contemporary artists including Rothko and Warhol, click the image.

Recently the Sotheby's auction houses in New York and Hong Kong sold some of the best wines from the renowned cellar of Silicon Valley entrepreneur James H Clark. It's hard not to imagine the delight one of these wines would bring to a group of friends and family members gathered around an elegant table for a holiday meal. Well, maybe we [...]

October is coming to a close, and the holidays are steadily approaching. A characteristic that those of us in the housing market can get used to.

According to the National Association of Realtors' (NAR) Existing Home Sales Report "existing-home sales bounced back in September to their highest annual pace of the year." This meaning, completed [...]

Barrett Sotheby's International Realty sponsored the 2014 Scarecrow Classic 5K held Sunday, October 19th. This popular run winds through scenic roads, fields and trails in Lincoln MA. The proceeds benefit the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust which manages over 2000 acres of land and 80 miles of public trails; and is one of the oldest land [...]

It's a glorious time of year to live in New England! Here are some fun local events to spice up your fall.

Nashoba Valley Winery Bolton NVW offers a unique "Vine to Wine" series where guests can see how wine is made from start to finish. Dates for this year's seminars are October 12th, 19th, and 25^th. Call ahead to reserve your spot! In addition, they offer numerous seminars on wine tasting and other fun events in their restaurant serving unique American [...]

As homeowners know there is always something around the house and yard that needs tending and maintenance. The fall and spring seasons are especially busy as you prepare your environment for the months ahead. I found this checklist helpful and thought you might as [...]

Here's a list of places in and around Greater Boston to celebrate the 4th of July in 2014. Ten spots (listed alphabetically) to choose from...some of them have *fireworks*, all of them include *fun*...like parades, live music, food, games and much, much more. Enjoy!!

• Acton Mass. July 4th Celebration at NARA Park, Acton MA, July 4, 2014 from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm with family fun activities, live music and *fireworks* beginning at 9:30 pm.

• Arlington Independence Day Celebration at Robbins Farm Park, Arlington MA, July 4, 2014 with musical entertainment provided by the "The Reminisants", refreshments, and of course, the Boston Pops Orchestra and Fireworks on the giant screen (fireworks start at 10:30pm). The event is free and open to all.

• Boston Harborfest is favorite yearly destination for 4th of July festivities, running from July 2nd - July 6th 2014. Activities include Scavenger Hunts, Harbor Cruises and the annual USS Constitution Turn-Around. The Boston Pops *Fireworks* Spectacular with this year's performers: The Beach Boys, Megan Hilty, The Phantom of the Opera and The Boston Children's Chorus. And don't forget, you can see the concert on July 3rd but there won't be any fireworks.

• Chelmsford 4th of July Parade and Country Fair, Chelmsford, MA The fair will be held on Thursday, July 3, 2014 from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm and on Friday, July 4, 2014 from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. The parade starts at 10:00 am on Friday, July 4, 2014.

• Concord Picnic in the Park, Concord MA at Emerson Field, on July 4, 2014 from 11:30 am to 4:30 pm Scheduled to have tethered balloon rides, a bicycle parade, live music, and family activities.

• Harvard Mass. 4th of July Events at Fruitlands Museum and Harvard Center, Harvard MA, July 2 - July 4, 2014 featuring a parade, live music, field events and *fireworks* on the 2nd beginning at 9:15 pm.

• Lexington 4th of July Carnival and Fireworks, Lexington, MA Carnival to be held at Hastings Park on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 through Saturday, July 5th with *fireworks* on Wednesday, July 2, 2014, after dusk.

• Lincoln Independence Day Activities, Lincoln, MA July 4, 2014 Activities include a 2.5 or 4 mile road race, parade, Boy Scout BBQ, concert and *fireworks*. The day's events begin at 7:45 am and continue through the evening

• Newton July 4th Celebration, Newton, MA July 4, 2014 Scheduled events include children's activities, Open Air Market, amusements rides, live music and *fireworks*.

• Waltham 4th of July Celebration, Prospect Hill Park and Leary Field Waltham, MA On Friday, July 4, 2014 at Prospect Hill Park from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm there will be a family event featuring children's inflatables, pony rides, animal shows, music, and much more! That evening at Leary Field, Back in Time will be performing at 5:30pm followed by *fireworks* at 9:30pm.

For lots more ideas for places in Massachusetts to celebrate Independence Day, check out massvacation.com.

Photo credit: Beverly & Pack / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Barrett Sotheby's International Realty recently hosted a regional meeting in Concord Massachusetts for the Northeast affiliates of Sotheby's International Realty® (SIR). The meeting featured several sponsorship informational sessions from local real estate related businesses, as well as a guest Q&A panel of experienced agents and was aimed [...]