We're excited to share this week's Fab Find with you. Some of our very favorite bloggers have created an e-zine that will be published quarterly. It's full of amazing home photos, awesome ideas and lots of inspiration. This is the very first edition and we were thrilled to see that there were some great free downloads and direct links to the products and designers that were featured. I wasn't sure about an e-zine, but after my first issue, I'm hooked! You can read this month's House of Fifty {here}.
I have to mention that the cover of this issue is a photo of Janell's house and it inspired me with my own foyer. I love her style and am a faithful reader of her blog. So, let us know what you think of the e-zine and bookmark the page to check it out in the Fall as well! Happy Friday!
That's right. In honor of our trips to Disney this week, we are highlighting our favorite things about this magical place. We had two totally different experiences here- Monica had no kids which meant sleeping in and staying out late and taking in all the"adult" rides and activities. I was with my family and some extended family which included 5 kids, so we were up early, getting home early and hitting up all the kid-friendly attractions. So, don't be jealous- just take some notes on things you do NOT want to miss next time you're in Disney World.: ) Jessica's Top Picks
1. Disney Photo Pass. This pass is ingenious! There are the usual photographers posted strategically around the parks (you know, in front of Cinderella's castle, with the characters etc.), but instead of having to go to a booth to pay for a picture and take it home with you, they scan your pictures onto the photopass card. You'll want to keep that card and have it handy any time you get your picture taken. When you get home, you can input the information into the photopass website, and all your pictures can be found in an album. From there, you can order and buy prints, or share the photos on facebook or through email, at no cost! We were told that if there are 9 or more prints that you love and want to have to use as you wish, ordering a CD of the prints is the easiest and cheapest way to go (however buying the CD will set you back $150!)
2. Disney Live Shows. Honestly, these shows are Broadway quality, but cost nothing (after you pay to enter the parks). The talent is amazing, the costumes and backdrops are so colorful and amazing, and the music is phenomenal! Our favorites include The Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom, Beauty & the Beast at Hollywood Studios, and Finding Nemo-the Musical at Animal Kingdom. Plus, the kids love all the colors and lights and music. It really is a fun-for-the-whole-family event!
3. Camp Minnie-Mickey at Animal Kingdom. If your kids are into meeting all the characters, this is the best place to do it! The three older kids in our group had autograph books and nearly filled them at Camp Minnie-Mickey. We met Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Pluto, Chip & Dale, Pocahontas and a bunch more. Definitely get there as it opens at 9:00 AM to avoid the lines.
4. Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor at Magic Kingdom. This interactive show is hilarious and incorporates real people from the audience into the show. The technology truly is amazing- the characters (ie: Mike Wazowski) are animated, but somehow they can interact with the audience. The kids (and my husband) thought this was hysterical.
5. We used the book Birnbaum Guides: Walt Disney World 2011 to help us navigate the parks successfully with kids. It has a suggested game plan of action if you have kids which didn't steer us wrong. I highly recommend this book! Monica's Top Picks
1. FastPass. Basically, the best thing at Disney since sliced bread! FastPass removes the one complaint people used to have about Disney… long lines. With this system, you can reserve a spot in line for a ride while you visit other areas of the park. You go to the ride, use the Fastpass ticketing area and are given a slip of paper which gives you a one hour window that you can return during to go on the ride with a very minimal wait (our longest was 10 mins max.) All of the most popular rides have FastPass, but if you're thinking of going early in the morning to get reserved spots for all of your favorites, think again. You're only allowed so many FastPasses within a certain amount of time, so you can get one and then your ticket will tell you when you can go and reserve another one elsewhere. It's just plain old awesomeness!
2. Test Track at Epcot is a high-speed vehicle-simulation ride that I loved! It's one of Disney's longest (5 mins) and fastest rides. It takes you through a series of driving simulations (heat, corrosion, anti-lock breaks, etc.) but, the fun starts when you head out onto the open road. The speed and smoothness of the ride is amazing. Definitely check out this ride and of course use a FastPass to avoid an eternal line.
3. IllumiNations at Epcot. Every night this show is done at 9pm and I think I just happened to catch it on the best night ever. It was a warm night with an almost full moon, and the music, lights, and fireworks made"Disney Magic" come to life. It's a 14 minute show and it's not overly loud if your little ones aren't huge fans of the crazy loud fireworks. I recommend dinner in China and then watching right outside of Japan for an amazing viewing spot.
4. Downtown Disney. I like this part of Disney for many reasons, but the top two are that 1. It's free and 2. It has great shops and restaurants and isn't grossly overpriced. Earl of Sandwich was perfect for a midday lunch and in my opinion rivaled Panera (which is impressive in my book.) The Lego store (and the amazing Lego displays outside), the huge Disney Store, and the specialized Disney Toy Store were my favorites.
I also had the pleasure of meeting Jess for dinner at Downtown Disney's Rainforest Cafe. We were laughing about the fact that we rarely get to go out for dinner just the two of us and had to go to Orlando to do it.
The famous hold the camera ourselves shot…
Do you see the size of that dessert?
Ahh…Vacation My favorites list is a little shorter, but that might be because one of my very favorite parts of this trip was just sitting poolside reading for hours! Being able to get through three books in five days was just a little bit of paradise for me. So, we hope you enjoyed hearing our Disney Fab Finds. Now, do tell… what are your Disney Favorites?
Have you heard about this? It all started with a few kids who saw that their parents were getting involved with the organization called Sixty Feet that helps orphaned children in Uganda. They decided they would sell cupcakes and lemonade on their street corner, and they ended up doing extremely well. Now they've grown and are having a national sale this Saturday, April 16th. It's really an amazing fundraiser that and ALL the proceeds go to Sixty Feet.
There is a local cupcake sale being held at Planet Smoothie and Holly Hill Boutique from 12-4 PM tomorrow. The Lucky Cupcake Company is donating Chocolate Elvis cupcakes, and your kiddos will be able to decorate their own cupcakes, if they so choose. Head on over there and help support an awesome cause that is helping to meet the most basic needs of children living in deplorable conditions. Happy Friday everyone! *And don't forget to come back next week to meet our awesome guest bloggers!
Chubby's Dairy Barn Chubby's is my favorite small-town icecream shop in Plumsteadville, Pa. Located in a cute little barn (well, duh) behind the Plumsteadville Inn, it is famous among locals for it's high quality icecream, and really friendly service. Jesse, the owner, is always full of smiles and quick to offer suggestions on good combinations of flavors. When my mom and I owned Dream Dinners, which was right across the street, we often stopped here for a treat to reward ourselves for all our hard work.
I know that Monica loves their icecream cookie sandwiches, and I once had a dulce de leche/coffee icecream milkshake per Jesse's suggestion,and it was fabulous. If you love icecream, you will not be disappointed! Win a $10 gift certificate to Chubby's!To enter the drawing: 1. Leave a comment telling us your favorite icecream flavor. 2. For a bonus entry,"Like" us on Facebook and then leave another comment telling us you did it. One winner will be randomly chosen and announced on Monday morning, April 11th. Happy Weekend, everyone!
Kye Kye What, you may ask, is Kye Kye? It's a very cool new band. I can't take any credit for discovering them. My husband is the one who enjoys finding unique and interesting music. I'm happy that now I have a platform, of sorts, to share the stuff he finds that I really enjoy. (Honestly, out of all the great music he comes across, I usually only love about 10% of it. We have different tastes in music. He wants me to add that it's because I like country and some mainstream music.: ) Anyway, the awesome thing about this band is that they're believers, but their music is not what you would normally associate with"Christian" music. And I don't mean to put down the Christian music genre at all- there are some really great Christian artists out there whose passion is sharing the good news of Christ with the world (and who can fault them for that), but you know what I mean about the"Christian music" sound, right? Kye Kye is really good, and a huge majority of their lyrics come straight from the Bible. Below is my favorite song, called"Broke". I've posted the lyrics below the video where they've broken down exactly where each line comes from in the Bible.
BROKE I broke in the silence to repeat what I’ve done in the past won’t change me (Phil.3:3-11) I broke when you told me I could try all the time but my ways won’t change me (Eph.2:8-9)(Gal.3:1-3)(Ro.3:20-22)
We tried this, but we failed we know this but we’re too blind to see (1Cor.2:14) (2Tim.3:7) that there is freedom within me (Col.1:27) (Ro.6:4). your life brought light for all to see (Jon.12:46) (Mrk.4:11)
When I was lost so I, so I thought that I was searching all alone like I was lost so I didn’t know (Gal.4:1) what I was keeping all along (Col.1:27) (Ro.8:11)
I knew from the moment my mistakes all stood out your light’s my only safety (Ro.10:3-13) oh all the times that I didn’t look your way (Mat.13:22) look what I was missing Lord you fill in every space that I replaced instead of you (Eze.36:26-27)
Revived us, we will sing (Eph.2:4-6) restored us, you are the source to breath (Jon.4:14) ignite us to a need to bury everything I never want to be (Ro.8:13-14)
And this is Kevin's favorite song, called"Trees and Trust"
Kye Kye just released their sophomore album called Young Love, which you can purchase here. Oh, the other thing that I really like about them is that three of the four band members are siblings. Love that.
During the years that I owned a homestaging business I became a master at hanging artwork quickly and getting it straight the first time. Since I'm no longer doing that as my job, I've gotten a little lazier with how I hang artwork and sometimes just take the one-nail, easy way out. Using one nail usually looks great at first, but eventually looks something like this…
Have No Fear… ZOTS will save the day! These little adhesive stickies were a homestager's dream come true and I still use them all the time! I've used them to hold curtains in place, keep pictures straight, put together little spa bathroom accessories, and more. Although they were originally created for crafting and scrapbooking, they are super-helpful around the house.
They come on a roll, and you just pull them off and stick them where you need something to stay put!
The end result is much better and I know these don't appear perfectly straight in this picture, but measurements and my level promises me they are. The shadows and colors on the edges make it seem off by a bit, but I'm trying not to obsess over them (I'm not as laid back about perfection as Jess is… I'm working on that! )
You can get ZOTS for about $3.00 at Michaels or JoAnn Fabrics. Add them to your home decorating supplies today! Have a Great Weekend!
Seeds Family Worship gets our Vote forFab Find Friday
We learned about this amazing ministry through a blog that both of us follow. Tonight I took some time to explore their website and watch some videos, and I love it even more now! I will admit that my 2 and 3 year old sing some Lady Gaga (Kids Bop Version) and that my 9 year old does know a good bit of current pop music (actually, more than Jess does perhaps! Hehe), but we are also always on the lookout for great, encouraging Christian music. Seeds has great music and it's all directly taken from Bible passages. I don't know about you, but I'd love to have another resource for helping my kiddos commit scripture to memory. They learn a lot through church and school, but for me, music is an amazing way to help retain important passages of scripture. I can still remember my 10th grade Math teacher Mr. Dyrli taking out a guitar one day and putting I Corinthians 10:12-13 to a tune. To this day, I still sing his version in my head and it's a passage that has been really important in my life. A few super-cool things about Seeds Family Worship: 1. When you purchase their CD, you actually receive 2 CDs… one for you, and one to give away- Planting Seeds in other people's lives! There's even an interractive map on their website where you can share where you"planted" your seed.
2. They have awesome resources on their website. A few cool resources are scripture memorization cards and checklists. 3. They've put lots of their songs on YouTube so you can check them out there too! We hope you'll take some time to check out and support this awesome ministry. I can't wait for my new CDs to arrive and I'm already thinking of where to"plant my seeds"! This is a FUN and COOL song- I think Kenzie will love it! Check out their websitehere and let us know if you too are going to"Plant some Seeds"!Happy Friday- Have a great weekend!
Ladies, if you've been looking for a quality spa to get a great manicure or pedicure, look no further! This place is simply the best! Located on 313 in Dublin, they give the most amazing, relaxing pedicures both Monica or I have experienced. The Oasis pedicure is wonderful and is only $30, but you can easily upgrade to the Spa pedicure for the full treatment for just $10 more. It's a non-descript, little place in a strip of shops, which includes Dunkin Donuts, which is a major bonus! They offer a whole bunch of other services, so if you're interested in waxing, massage, nail art, whatever!- check out their website for more information. Just recently, Monica and I celebrated our 29th birthdays with a party at Oasis. We booked the whole place for ourselves and some friends for 3 hours, which cost nothing but the prices of the services we chose. Here are a few pictures of us and our friends enjoying Oasis.
So many colors from which to choose!
Good friends relaxing together- there's nothing better!
Monica living the good life.
The manicures are awesome too. For my sister's wedding, the entire bridal party came here for manicures and it was a blast! It's the weekend. Go get yourself a mani/pedi!
I was turned on to Mrs Meyer's Clean Day household cleaners by The Nester, and am I ever grateful! These products are not only earth-friendly, but they have the most delicious scents. Mrs. Thelma Meyer's was tired of those harsh-smelling chemicals she always used for cleaning, so she developed her own line of products that provide an aromatherapeutic experience while you clean! Amazing!
My absolute favorite scent is Basil. I could honestly stand next to the candle and sniff it all day long. One sniff takes me to a happy place. I'm not kidding- I adore this scent. It actually edged out my old favorite candle: Sage & Citrus by Yankee Candle (This is a wonderful smell, as well, but does NOT do for me what Mrs.Meyer's Basil does for me.) I bought Monica a bunch of Mrs. Meyer's products for Christmas (I know, wierd gift, but I knew she'd love it!) and now she's hooked too!
The products come in a variety of garden scents like Lemon Verbena, Lavender, Geranium, Baby Blossom, Apple, Honeysuckle, and even includes a scent-free version for all you scent-haters out there. And their products will change your view of cleaning: from laundry, general household cleaning, and air fresheners to hand and body products and baby care.
Click here for a $1 OFF coupon! I found these products at Target, but I also recently saw them at Walmart. Or, order directly from Mrs. Meyer's herself!
Now for the Giveaway! The Real Housewives of BC are giving away a Basil Liquid Hand soap to one lucky reader!
Here's how you enter: 1. Become a follower. 2. Leave us a comment letting us know you follow us and why you want to win.
We will randomly select a winner and announce it on Monday, March 7th. Good luck! Go ahead, you can thank us later.
If you are a Bucks County native, chances are that you already visit Tabora Farm & Orchards regularly. However, I’ve met too many people who have never heard of this gem of a store. Located near Peace Valley park, Tabora is truly a Bucks County experience. Both Monica and I agree that this is a great place, but I’m not joking when I say that this is my FAVORITE little store in our area. As soon as you walk in, the delicious smells take over. They have a gourmet deli, an awesome bakery (they made my wedding cake!), a little gift store, and they recently opened their own wine cellar.
Every season offers a new reason to visit Tabora. In the fall, you can pick apples, taste and purchase their unbelievable apple cider, and get gourds, pumpkins and mums to decorate your porch.
In the Spring and Summer, they have tables and adirondack chairs placed next to their orchards where you can enjoy your lunch, and concerts in the evenings in the gardens out back. My must-have item from the deli is the egg salad sandwich on pumpernickel bread with horseradish mayonnaise. To die for! C1 and Hunky love the homemade cider donuts (if you can get them warm, you wont' regret it!) You don’t want to miss this great store.
Also, I had to include this adorable picture of Monica's son Kaden on a class field trip to Tabora Farm.
It’s Friday, so why not make a trip there this weekend and see what we're talking about!
This Fab Find is near and dear to my heart: Dream Dinners!
Why, you ask? Several years ago my mom and I decided to go into business together, owning and operating our very own Dream Dinners store. It was a fabulous experience that we'll never forget, but because of my growing family and the declining health of both of my grandmothers whom my mom cared for, we made the difficult decision to close our store. If you don't know about Dream Dinners- you are missing out! I know this company to be a good one, and the care that goes into creating delicious, excellent quality, healthy meals can't be outdone! Do you ever get home from a busy day and ask yourself,"what's for dinner?"At Dream Dinners, they answer that question for you. Their monthly menu includes over 14 different recipes each month, along with additional pre-assembled dinners, sides, breads and desserts ready for purchase while in one of their stores. A wide variety of options means there are plenty of meal preparation choices to satisfy everyone in the family.
1. Garlic & Balsamic Marinated Flank Steak 2. Raspberry Stuffed French Bread 3. Greek Island Shrimp 4. Fruit-Stuffed Pork Roast You know I LOVE food, and the meals, sides and desserts are mouth-watering! (My personal favorites are Chicken Mirabella, Herb-crusted Flank Steak and Arroz con Pollo and Monica can't get enough of their amazing biscuits with cinnamon-honey butter!)
The best part about this whole thing is when you take the meals home and realize you have 12 or more meals in your freezer ready to cook at a moment's notice. (Side note: do you see all that loose corn in my freezer? One of my hubs' biggest pet peeves is the fact that I tend to leave open containers everywhere or don't properly put the lids on things. Case in point.) Anyway, I have a regular size freezer and 12 meals fit perfectly, so don't worry about a lack of space! And now, the question I'm sure you are dying to ask: is it affordable? Well, take a look at this little video and see for yourself:
I know the owner of our local store, Kris, well since we worked closely with her for several years and she'll take good care of you! Plus, she's offering 10% off your first full order! Just use the code DDNC201110. I do hope you'll check Dream Dinners out! Happy Eating!
PS. Dream Dinners can save you LOADS of time when it comes to holiday meal planning. They have some really great entree items, and even offer delicious appetizers for your parties. I've used them several years in a row for my big Christmas party, and the stuff is amazing and always gets rave reviews!
Phew! TGIF, right people? This week has been absolutely crazy here since we made two TV appearances in between watching ballet recitals, soccer games, friends dinner,work and family time! Monica and I were talking yesterday that we NEVER envisioned our lives (and blog!) taking this route. It's such a whirlwind, but totally awesome too! Anyway, remember last week we talked about the new thrift store that opened? Well, a big thanks to all of you who attended the grand opening and made it such a huge success! We were thrilled to have so many of you come up and talk with us (please excuse us for not showering or dressing up for the occasion. We were so focused on the thrift store goods, that we completely forgot to look decent!) I just wanted to share a few of the items that I picked up and can't wait to get to work on.
My Fab Finds
My hubs found this gorgeous, old passenger trunk tucked away in a corner on our way out of the store and I was immediately smitten. It has soooo much character and I wish I knew it's history! Everything was half off at the store, so for $45 bucks I purchased a new, perfect addition to my basement family room.
Great lines, huh? The inside is not so pretty, so it will be receiving a new fabulous fabric lining as soon as I have a minute to breathe. {Love it}
This is my wild card purchase. I definitely got the stink eye from my hubs about this, and I could tell he was having a hard time envisioning it as an amazing little bench for the end of our bed. But have no fear, babe, because with a little spraypaint and some new fabric, she'll be beautiful once again and ready to be covered with piles of clothes given a new life in our bedroom.
I mean, for $10, it would be a shame NOT to see if I could make it work. And finally, this is not from the thrift store, but look what I picked up on the side of the road in my neighborhood:
If you are the wonderful neighbor who put this out on the street, I thank you! Right now it looks a little like it came straight out of Alice in Wonderland, but I have big plans for it. And let me tell you, this frame is HUGE. I'm so curious to know what it was used for…
Wierd, and interesting, and oh so exciting! Ok, so no big deal…I just added 3 more projects to my ever-growing list of projects. Who needs sleep, anyway? Have you made any fab finds recently? Do share, and while you're at it, have a great weekend!
Two weeks ago, Eric and I (Monica) had a chance to attend a benefit dinner for Liberty Ministries. It's a prison ministry aimed at transforming the lives of offenders and recently released ex-offenders. It was a really awesome night and it was amazing to hear the stories of the men whose lives have been changed through the ministry.
Liberty Ministries runs 5 thrift stores in Bucks and Montgomery counties. The money goes towards the operational costs of the ministry. You know that Jess and I love a good thrift store find, so we're thrilled to share these stores with you. Look at all those tables just waiting to be painted… or the chairs begging to be part of the 2011's decor!
This weekend is the GRAND OPENING of the new Quakertown Location and to celebrate, they're offering 50% off of EVERYTHING at that location.
I know that I'll be going Sat. to get some awesome items to DIY, but just to convince you to come too… We're giving away TWO $10 giftcards that can be used at any of the five locations anytime in the next year. Since the Grand Opening is tomorrow, this is a quick giveaway. We'll be choosing a winner at 11pm tonight and the giftcards will be waiting for you at the Quakertown location (unless you want it mailed to you). Even if you don't win, check out one of the stores and if you want more information about this ministry, head over to their website here. Thanks for letting us share this with you, now come on local readers… Here's how to enter: 1. Leave a Comment on this post (1 entry) 2. Like Liberty Thift Stores on Facebook Here (1 extra entry) Good Luck and Happy Thrifting this Weekend!
P.S. Jess and I are super excited to finish taping our Nate Show segment this weekend! We can't wait to share all the details with you soon! Also, if you're in the NYC area, we're taping our live show this coming Thursday, so you should try and get tickets to the taping. It would be awesome to have a little RHBC posse!
It's the weekend, everyone! Woohoo! We have a fun giveaway for you today to start your weekend off right. Remember our bloggy friend, Denise, from The Painted Home? Well. she's throwing this awesome party called Dine & Design on November 17th.
This sounds like so much fun (espcially for us design-obsessed craftaholics who LOVE to eat, but we've been assured that you don't have to be crafty to enjoy this evening!). Flowers are the"it" accessory these days, so you'll be right on trend and can learn how to make them just in time for holiday gift-giving. Denise, the generous gal that she is, is giving away two tickets to this fab event to one of our lucky readers. And guess what? We'll be there too, and we can't wait to meet you IRL (in real life)! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here's how you can enter: 1. Leave us a comment telling us why you want to win. (Mandatory) 2. Become a follower of RHBC and leave us a comment telling us you did. (Optional for an extra entry) 3."Like" us here on facebook and leave us a comment telling us you did. (Optional for an extra entry). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you just HAVE to be there and can't wait to see if you've won, you can order your tickets here. You don't want to miss this! Ok, enough of my rambling, go enter! We'll pick a winner and announce him/her on Monday, October 31st. Good luck!
*Oh yeah, one more thing! We'd love it if you'd head on over to the awesome blog, Craftaholics Anonymous. Our celebrity for Crafting with the Stars, Linda, invited us to guest post today! Thanks, Linda.: )
This fab find is truly fabulous! About a month ago, I went into Stuff to take a look around. I had both kids in tow, but was so curious to see what they had to offer, and was completely blown away! I could have spent another hour or two just browsing, but couldn't because of the kids. So, I dragged Monica (I didn't literally drag her; she was pretty willing and excited about going) in and she loved it just as much as I did.
. It is absolutely huge, which means they have tons of great furniture and decor!
You can find some really cool, unique art pieces there, for a fraction of the price you would pay somewhere else. They have several LARGE mirrors (like the one I'm sitting in front of) that would make a major statement in your home, without emptying your bank account. And I love that rust-colored chair Monica is sitting on, too. (Doesn't she look adorable? What a great picture of her laughing. It must have been something I said.; )
Stuff is the closeout store for their store Dwelling in Manayunk, Pa. The farmhouse tables they have are to die for, and we could not believe how affordable they are.
Plus, the decor items, like those moss balls, those colored vases and that red buffet are so super cool, and really different. So.fun.
You can find something for every single style. Monica loved the funky accessories, and I was digging the rustic wooden bowls and containers.
You should absolutely go check out Stuff Closeouts and Consignments. It is located in Colmar, PA and is open Friday through Sunday.
I have my eye on those tall basket vases for my dining room (please ignore how I'm lovingly cradling them. It's just wierd and kind of creepy, but I do adore them), and Monica, well, that sign sums up the story of her life pretty darn well.: ) Find out more about Stuff on their website, and even better, go visit the store! This weekend you can get 40% off all sofas, chairs and accessories. You won't be disappointed. Tell them the Real Housewives sent you!: )
In the interest of full disclosure, this is a sponsored post, but all opinions, words and picture are ours. We only share things that we REALLY love with our favorite readers.: )
Well, after all the hoopla with the Nate Show, you'd think Monica and I would be ready to take a break and relax for a while, but because we're completely crazy we love a good challenge, we're jumping in head first to our next big thing. And that big thing is…
That's right, Crafting with the Stars!. We entered the Barnwood Artwork into the contest last week and were chosen in the top 12 out of 200 entries to compete in this season's Crafting with the Stars. It's a really fun DIY/home decor competition where we'll be paired up with a blog celebrity and will have to compete in several different categories. We just found out today that we've been paired up with Linda, from Craftaholics Anonymous! Woohoo- this is going to be awesome!
There are 4 rounds and the first one is Knockoffs.
We are super excited, and feel totally honored that we were chosen. You can check out our fabulous competition and their entries here. Of course, we'll keep you posted along the way with all the fun details! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- And, just in case you missed our segments on The Nate Show yesterday, take a peek: (We're not mean people, Mon just appears to be scowling!) {How Nate used the same items in the crate.}
To see the in-process renovations, check out our Nate's Crate Challenge Here, and to see the Big Reveals, click here. To see the before and after photos of both spaces and also more pics of our fun projects, click here. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you so much for ALL of your kind words about our TV debut, and for your support along the way! We appreciate each and every one of you and have loved sharing the journey with you.
We're so sad to see this Fall-lover's series come to an end already. It feels like we're just getting started! You can catch up on Days 1-4 here, here, here and here. But because we just can't get enough of this season, we're going ahead and giving you our Fab Find: Top Fall Finds 1. Create a Bucket List. Fall is chock full of fun things to do with your family. Print out a must-do list like this one… Update: We found out who created this adorable printable: Katie at Loves of Life! Go on over to her super cute, super fun blog to get your own printable! Thanks, Katie.: )
Source: i1101.photobucket.com via Jessica on Pinterest …or create a custom one using Picnik for your family and hang it up. I'm putting mine in a frame (with the glass still in it) in the kitchen and will use a dry erase marker to place check marks in the boxes of the ones we did! That way we can use it year after year…let the traditions begin! 2. Fill your home with the Scents of Fall. Mmmmm…pumpkin pie and spiced apple cider. I don't know anyone who doesn't love those smells. Load up on candles in scents that remind you of the season (my fav is Autumn Wreath from Yankee Candle. Get a $10 off coupon here).
1. Yankee Candle 2. Jack-O-Lantern Pomander 3. Fragrances of Fall 3. Traditions. Every year we go on the same hayride that takes us to the same pumpkin patch to pick our pumpkins and we usually run into friends while we're there. (Bob White Acres, for those of you who are local. It's the best!) And we always host a Halloween party before all of our kids go out trick-or-treating together. Monica and Eric usually host at least one firepit and smores night during the Fall, too. It doesn't matter what it is- just do something this year that you'll want to do again next and the year after that. Traditions make the season something to look forward to!
4. Wear a Dressed-up Sweatshirt You know you want to wear sweatshirts all the time in the Fall, but you also don't want to be that frumpy mom. Mix that comfy sweatshirt with some style with this DIY old sweatshirt makeover.
Source: etsy.com via Jessica on Pinterest 5. Get Saucy Maybe one of your new traditions will be apple picking?? I'm from New England and we take our apple picking very seriously. We go back up north every fall to pick in Massachusetts.
You already know that I love making pies, but apple sauce is a family favorite too! It tastes amazing and makes my house smell even better. This site has some awesome recipies for all kinds of different sauces.
Source: familyfeedbag.com via Kay on Pinterest
So, there you have it, our Fab Finds for Fall… Now, we want your help… Leave us a comment letting us know what else needs to be on a Fall Fab Find List. Just to give you a little incentive, we're giving away another Starbucks giftcard to a randomly chosen commenter. Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte would totally be my number 6 on this list.
Leave a comment by Sunday night at 10pm and we'll announce the winner on Monday morning. Have an awesome weekend and make sure those DVRs are set to see us on The Nate show Thursday, September 22nd! (Check your local listing for time and channel)
Jess and I think today's Fab Find is pretty darn fabulous… It's our"Contact Us" tab! Now, before you tune me out, give this post a chance!
We thought we'd share a recent question that we got from one of our readers! We love hearing from all of you and we want to hear from you even more! We got the following message from a reader"Jess" (and no, we did not send ourselves a fake email just to make us feel good!) Here's her message: Hi Girls — love your site! So I wanted to ask if you might be doing a post on nursery ideas in the near future (or maybe you've already done so). I'll need to start planning in the next few months…we don't have a lot of space to work with and don't want to spend a lot of money (of course). If you could point me in the direction of any good websites with simple but modern ideas, that would be great. Thanks, you girls are amazing! So… Thanks for your email Jess and here's our answer for ya! Nursery Ideas on a Budget Since I wasn't exactly sure what style the fabulous Jess wants for her nursery, I thought we'd just focus on a few money saving ideas that will still have a big impact. (Click on any of the pictures below for more info) 1. Don't tie yourself down to Babies R Us… Sure everyone thinks they need the standard, crib, changing table, armoire matchy matchy combo, but I beg to differ. Flea market, Salvation Army, Restore, and Craigslist can be your very BFF when furnishing your nursery. I love using a dresser for a changing table and there are plenty of little DIY add ons you can do to make it safe for the little one. Of course I adore this yellow buffet-turned-changing-table… does it remind you of this post?
Source: None via The Real Housewives on Pinterest Just to prove this, I took 60 seconds and found this piece on Craigslist for $20!! Seriously, I'm tempted to buy it myself! New Paint and this piece would be amazing!
Another repurposed piece. I also love the storage idea they used. You don't have to commit to the standard canvas bins. These little details can go a long way.
Source: blondiensc.typepad.com via The Real Housewives on Pinterest 2. Make your storage pretty, so it counts as art… This is huge when you're wanting to be a frugal fanny. Rather than adding a million accessories and details that add up in cost, just make the practical things cute! I love these fabric book shelves and just think of all the possibilities because there are a bajillion fabrics in the world to choose from. (Yes, bajillion is a real number in my world).
Source: pennycarnival.typepad.com via The Real Housewives on Pinterest I think these planters-turned-storage-bins are adorable. Now would be a great time to buy these because most likely they're on clearance at Lowes and Home Depot.
Source: centsationalgirl.com via The Real Housewives on Pinterest 3. Use fabric… I wanted some witty name, but really, all I mean is just use fabric. Sure fabric can be expensive, but you can also find great clearance fabrics. Using fabric as part of your decor is both adorable and can be economical.
Source: lh6.googleusercontent.com via The Real Housewives on Pinterest I don't sew. {GASP!} How can she be a blogger and not sew! Well, don't get your panties all in a knot… I have a bundle of fusible web and also a grandmother-in-law that lends a hand. The moral of my confession is that you don't need to sew to make cool things with fabric. It's amazing what you can do with a good pair of scissors. I haven't tried this fabric idea, but it's on my list of things to try. Simply wrap inexpensive painter's canvas with fabric and hang… instant art!
Source: conspicuousstyle.com via Cami on Pinterest 4. Paint your way to a pretty cool nursery… I love using a $30 can of paint to make a HUGE impact in a room. Paint has a crazy return on investment and just takes a little time and creativity. a few years ago I helped a friend do this bold wall for her twin boys' nursery.
Obviously, I am in love with this nursery for about a million reasons, but look at that chevron wall. Tape + Paint = simply awesome. There's so much you can do with paint and if you choose something bold enough, you won't need much in the way of art.
Source: madebygirl.blogspot.com via The Real Housewives on Pinterest No budget for moulding? Just paint it on… how cool is this? The pictures alone are beautiful, but the border really makes it a focal point and hikes up the awesomeness factor.
Source: potterybarnkids.com via The Real Housewives on Pinterest 5. Pin before you begin… If you haven't yet, join Pinterest and get inspired! It's amazing how creative people are, so head on over and make a plan.
So Jess, I hope this has gotten your creative juices flowing! You're definitely going to have to share your finished product with us so we can share it with everyone! We hope the rest of your pregnancy goes well and we're so excited for you guys to welcome your little one into the world! -Monica (& Jess) So, there you have it… Contact Us! Who knows you might just get your very own post too!
So, those of us in Bucks County know that we're going to be getting a visit from Hurricane Irene this weekend. Did you know that earlier in the week, we actually could feel a bit of the VA earthquake as well? Crazy times here in PA. Anyhow… today's fab find was going to be lots of fun ideas for going out and having a last hurrah before summer comes to a close (PA schools mainly head back to school this coming Monday)… but, since lil' old Irene decided to cross our path, I kind of changed my plans, because I don't want to be responsible for hundreds of people heading to the beach or something! So, here's the revised version! Back to School Family Movie Night Let's start off the right way… how about a giveaway? Free 1 Night Redbox Rental Use the code: DVDONME
Did you know you can go online and reserve your Redbox ahead of time? I'm a big fan of this because the hubs and I can pick the movie together, rather than it being a total surprise for one of us (which only works out about 50% of the time!). There's one catch… you can't use a promo code online, so I just go online to see what's available, then send Eric to the kiosk with the code in hand. So, get online and pick a fun movie that the whole family will enjoy! A Movie Night needs snacks right? Well, how cool would you be if you let the kiddos help you make lots of fun varieties of popcorn? Remember the old school tins of popcorn that you used to get as a kid around Christmas? My brother always loved having a variety flavors and I always thought the popcorn tasted like cardboard! I promise these recipes will be much yummier! (Click on the picture below for the recipes)
Source: chickabug.com via The Real Housewives on Pinterest You can keep this Movie Night simple or go all out with tickets, candy, props etc…
Source: partiesandholidays.blogspot.com via The Real Housewives on Pinterest Either way, I'm sure your kids will love it and if Irene is crossing your path, hopefully everyone will be safe and have some fun memories of their Back to School Movie Night celebration!
P.S. Don't forget to VOTE for the CBS Blog of the Year Today!
This Fab Find is kind of silly, but is truly knock-your-socks-off delicious.
Many of you grow your own veggies and may be looking for something to do with all those ripe tomatoes and cucumbers, or many of you, like me, may hit up your local roadside stand to help them get rid of all those ripe tomatoes and cucumbers. This recipe from my mother-in-law is so simple, but I managed to cut and eat 5 tomatoes and 3 big cucumbers in 2 days because of it. Are you ready? Here it is:
Just add enough blush wine vinaigrette (I used Brianna's which is to die for, but any blush wine vinaigrette will do) to cover the veggies and let marinate a few hours in the fridge. And voila! A refreshing, delicious salad to enjoy on these last few summer evenings…or afternoons. Probably most of you won't eat it in the morning like I did. Enjoy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Also, we have a winner of the Salvatori Photography giveaway: Congratulations, Amy Z!
Just email us, Amy, and we'll hook you up with Stacy so you can schedule your"momography" tutorial (no, that's not mamography, for those of you who were wondering. Do you really think we'd give away one of those?!! True, it could save your life, but really…). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- And finally, announcing…
Come back next week to get yourself in the back-to-school spirit! Have a FABULOUS weekend!
