This is a Fab Friday for sure!! We're excited to announce the winner of the Blossom Bands giveaway… Drumroll please…
Kelli B!!! Just shoot us an email at therealhousewivesofbc@gmail.com and we'll put you in contact with Bethany at Blossom Bands. Thanks to everyone that entered, and if you didn't win, be sure to watch the BB Facebook page for deals and specials, so you can buy some for your little lady! If you follow us on Facebook, you'll know why Jess and I got very little sleep the past few nights… we're REALLY excited and hope to make a formal blog annoucement on Monday. If you want to be"in the know," head over to Facebook to find out! Now, onto today's Fab Find… and looky here… we made this fab find! Pinterest Tutorial We're LOVING pinterest, and know many of you are wondering what it's all about. We've made a little video letting you know why you would want to use Pinterest and how it works! Enjoy! Have a Wonderful weekend and stay tuned for our BIG BLOG annoucement on Monday!
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)
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.: )
Want to hear a sad story? Jess and I were supposed to be in NYC this afternoon having lunch with the fabulous Mandy from Vintage Revivals and Emily, one of our favorite Nate Show producers, BUT… my oldest is really, really sick. I fear it might have turned into pneumonia, so we're headed to the pediatrician instead of the Big Apple. Boo! I'm bummed about our trip, but even more so I just want my little lady to feel better!
(Pic courtesy of Salvatori Photography) Anyhow… Can you believe today marks the final weekend before Christmas? I seriously can't! I still have a few gifts to buy, some serious wrapping to do, and lots of fun holiday festivities to partake in! I guess we should get on with it shouldn't we? Today the girl that can barely sew a button is going to blog about pillows. Oh boy, this should be fun! I saw this Pottery Barn Pillow and thought it was pretty adorable. I have no idea why it popped into my head during the challenge, but it did and I figured that I could DIY it without any sewing.
To be completely honest it was one of my LEAST favorite projects in the room and then good old Mr. Berkus had to talk on air about how much he liked it and how he wished he could buy one. All the while I'm thinking, Oh my word. It's a Pottery Barn knock off, just go to the mall, but I can't say that because we have to be super careful about using brand names! I was sweating it big time! They even asked me to write a tutorial for their website, so if you want the directions you can head over to Nate's site for the steps. Here's my finished product, but don't look at it too long or you'll see some of the effects of only having a few hours to do a whole room (and yes, I know my stockings look more like hockey sticks!)
Ugh! It pains me to show you this! Ha! It's good to keep away the pride I guess! Since it's Friday, I also have a Fab Find for you! Woohoo!
Fab Find Friday- Journey through Bethlehem
Living Hope Church in Dublin, PA hosts an amazing semi-annual event and it's this weekend! A huge field is transformed into the town of Bethlehem. It's an incredible experience for your whole family. 2 Christmases ago my kids went with their grandparents and they talked about it for weeks! It's an amazing way to remind ourselves about the true reason for Christmas. Here's the info directly from Living Hope's website
Come. Experience. A Journey through Bethlehem. Follow the path that Joseph & Mary walked in a dramatic outdoor presentation of the original Christmas Story. Show start promptly* Fri, Dec 16 5 6:30 8pm Sat, Dec 17 5 6:30 8pm Sun, Dec 18 5 6:30pm *Dress appropriately for the weather. It is an outdoor 45 minute presentation.
Jess and I will be there with our families and friends on Sunday at 6:30pm. We hope to see you there!
It's been a while since our last Fab Find Friday, (we haven't done one since November!), but we figured the Summer was a great time to reinstate it. We say this over and over again, but there are some amazingly talented people out there in the world, and we thought we would share their stuff with you! Here are five awesome projects for you:
Jenna Sue Sunroom Reveal is just breathtaking. She and her husband basically gutted the room and DIY-ed project after project to complete this stunning transformation. {Love}
Our friend Janena from SAS Interiors just completed a Stairway Makeover, and it majorly changes the look of her home. Her blog is chock full of great interior design info and DIY projects, so stop over and stay awhile.
Want to see a major statement wall? Take a look at this Reclaimed Wood EAT Sign by Sweet Pickins It's so much fun, and it goes without saying that we love us some reclaimed wood.
Layla killed it again with her Summer Mantel. That girl has talent.
This one's for the kids! I totally dig these Bottle Top Stamps by Vanessa's Values using bottle tops (duh!) and foam stickers. A fun project for a rainy summer day (we've had our fair share of them this summer, haven't we?).
That's it for our Fab Find Friday roundup. Any fun projects/ideas/tips you've come across recently?
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!
Yes, it's Thursday and yes, this is our Fab Find. We normally do Fab Finds on Friday, but we wanted to highlight a special event happening tomorrow. So here's a heads up!
To see the details, click here for large print.
Both Monica and I are alums of PCS and are happy to do anything we can to help support the school. I actually got to take a few eighth grade girls into the Macy's in Center City, Philadelphia to do a"professional pull" with another alum (who is studying Fashion Marketing) for all the clothes in the show. It was a really fun experience, and I can truly say that all the clothes in the show are fabulous! And I will certainly be heading back to Macy's for a dress for my parent's 40th wedding anniversary party in September- they had some awesome stuff!
So, if you're looking for something to do tomorrow night, and want to support a GREAT cause, go for the show and be inspired!
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!
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!
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!
Krista, the force behind Kotton Pickin' Kute, is so stinkin' talented! She's a friend of my sister's and when my sister had her baby girl, Norah, she was given a Kotton Pickin' Kute hat. My sis said I just HAD to check her stuff out. As soon as I saw Krista's adorable hats and diapers, I knew we had scored a Fab Find. Just look at all this cuteness:
I NEED one of these for Charlie this winter.
Just stop it. These pics are killing me. Isn't she amazing? She just started selling her stuff, and I just KNOW she'll be uber-successful. And guess what? Today is your lucky day. Krista is giving away one of her too-cute-to-handle hats to one of our readers!
Here's how you enter to win: 1."Like" Kotton Pickin' Kute on facebook HERE. 2. Leave us a comment telling us which cutie in your life will be sporting one of Krista's creations. 3. For an extra entry:"Like" The Real Housewives of Bucks County on facebook HERE, and leave us a separate comment telling us you did it. On Monday morning, we'll announce the lucky winner! Have a great weekend (and you're welcome; )!
We're all jazzed up about this week's Fab Find! Our friend Shaunna from Perfectly Imperfect Blog has become an Annie Sloan Stockist and she just launched her online store. Now before we get into chalk paint awesomeness, let me introduce Shaunna to you.
Shaunna is one of those people that you instantly love the moment you meet her. She's completely sweet and gentle and loving (basically my complete opposite- I'm the sassy, non-emotional one at blog conferences- lol). Beyond loving Jesus and her family, she's also insanely talented (talking magazine quality here, people).
Look at her kids playroom! The little table, chairs, the colors, it makes me swoon. Shaunna's been using Annie Sloan paint for her amazing furniture pieces for ages and now she's become an Annie Sloan Stockist (that's the fancy term meaning she sells it now!)
A little while back she opened her storefront location and like everything she does, it looks amazing.
Yesterday was another huge milestone… She opened her online store! You can now order directly through her website. Jess already has a project started that she's going to show you next week (we pulled some strings to get some product early).
To learn more about the awesome advantages of Chalk Paint (no, it's not chalkboard paint it's way cooler than that) head over to Shaunna's Blog. She's a wealth of information and if you're anything like me, you'll be on her site for hours (you've been warned). You can go directly to the Chalk Paint Store (TM) using this link: http://www.perfectlyimperfectblog.com/shop-online We hope you have a great weekend and we can't wait to show you next week what Jess is working on with her chalk paint!
Well, Father's Day is only a little over a week away, and if you're like me, you STILL have nothing planned. I never know what to do, or what my hubs really wants, so we rustled up a little DIY Father's Day gift inspiration and decided to share it with you. Here goes:
1. Photo Gifts
Source: father.tipjunkie.com via Jessica on Pinterest
Source: zitzmanfam.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest These scrabble-inspired frames are adorable. I always know my husband will LOVE pictures of our kids, so this would be a winner. Plus, they're cheap and easy. I'd definitely call that a fab find.
Source: flickr.com via Jessica on Pinterest This would make a great gift, too. But I can totally envision a whole wall of these of my kids; one for each year of their life and the things that they're into. {Mentally adding that to my to-do list} These can totally be done yourself on a free photo-editing site like Picnik.
2. Clothes
Granted, some guys wouldn't want to receive clothes for Father's Day, but my guy loves being stylish and has gone from punk-rockerish in college (no joke- I have pictures to prove it) to preppy with his own twist. He might balk at this outfit at first, but I think he'd come around pretty darn quick. I mean, c'mon, this is hot handsome and classy. (All from J.Crew)
Source: urbanoutfitters.com via Blythe on Pinterest These boat shoes would complete the look above and make it perfect. Mmmm. 3. Food
California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken Pizza This would make my husband jump up and down and shout for joy. I could probably capitalize on that goodwill and ask him to clean the toilets, but I would strongly consider it wouldn't. It's Father's Day, after all.
Why not spoil the special dad in your life with these sinful Cinnamon Roll Pancakes? Because, honestly, if you serve these for breakfast, you both win. Enough said. Now go forth and celebrate those special guys in your life!
We're SUPER EXCITED about this week's Fab Find… Us!!
If you haven't heard… Our blog was found byNate Berkus and we will be taping a segment for his show!
We are Beyond Excited! We're going to be taping next Wednesday and Thursday. On Wednesday the film crew will be taping a back story with our families and our homes (GASP! We have LOTS to get ready!) Thursday, Jess and I will be given a"Mystery Crate" filled with supplies and accessories to re-do a room in each of our homes. Jess is doing her finished basement gameroom, and I'm doing our dining room. The crazy part is that we only have one day, and we're COMPETING against each other! We're both two competitive girls, so this is going to be interesting and oh, so fun! In late August/September we will be brought to NYC for the show taping with Nate, in front of a live audience. If you don't know about Nate… Where have you been?? He was a regular contributor as a designer on Oprah for years and now has his own show on NBC.
His room designs and his own line of fabrics, and accessories are amazing. Jess and I can't believe we're going to be working with someone so talented! This is Nate's living room
Source: houseandhome.com via Sarah on Pinterest This is his Great Room
Source: cococozy.com via Chloe on Pinterest Who wouldn't want to work with this cutie?
Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest So, pardon us if we're a little crazy in the next week or so… We're frantically working to get everything ready (well actually Jess is, but I'm on vacation for another 4 days!) We promise to take tons of pictures and to share this amazing experience with all of you! Now, for the most important question…
This week's Fab Find was our rainy day entertainment this afternoon. My 3 year old had fun playing with all the buttons and it was a quick and simple craft. We made a bunch for her teachers (Preschool ends next week! Yikes!) and then I made a few to keep on hand. Click HERE for the free PDF Download courtesy of Jessica Jones Design. Did we mention that we love free printables?
A few of our finished Thank You cards. Simple & Cute.
(Sorry for the photo quality- these were taken with my Blackberry) Have an Awesome Weekend- Make some cute cards! We're taking our girls pony riding on Saturday and can't wait!
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!
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!
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!
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.: )
