My Creative Blog [Search results for travel] 

Are you looking for the link party for your Creating with the Stars submission? Yay! We're thrilled to have you! Click here or use the button below to link up. Submissions are now open until February 21st. If you want to read more about the contest and all that it entails, click here.

======================================================================== So, I'm just going to go out on a limb and say that some of you are procrastinators like me. My hubs and I are celebrating Valentine's Day this weekend, but I still have no clue what we are going to do (and my hubs is not much of a planner, so I'm thinking it's kind of up to me!) So I went, looking for some fun and exciting date night ideas to celebrate all that love you've got going on with your special someone.
1. Progressive Dinner. Let me tell you that this is SO up my alley. I love to eat and I love to eat out, so this is a perfect combination. This one would be so much fun because you have a lot of time to chat, the night is a bit longer and you get such great variety! I already know where my hubs and I would choose to go:

2. Compete Against Each Other! This may not be everyone's cup of tea, but man, I love a good competition and so does my hubs. One of my favorite things to do is to go to Dave & Buster's and play all the games (I especially love the basketball games!). Whoever gets the most tickets, wins something of his/her choice. Or, if you don't have a huge arcade near you, try go-karting, bowling, tennis etc…something to get your heart pumping!
3. Play the Tourist I've lived in Bucks County almost all of of my life (minus the college years), and absolutely love it here, but I'm always amazed at what things I've never tried, shops I've never gone to and activities I've never done right in our area. Take some time to research different travel sites to see what you might be missing. Try a restaurant you've never tried before too!
4. Instagram It! I kind of love the idea of an instagram scavenger hunt, since, you know, I can't get enough of the whole IG thing. Make a list of fun activities/places and go to every single one and Instagram a selfie pic in front of whatever it is. You could totally customize the list to fit the two of you as a couple, but here are a few fun ones we thought of: -Favorite Restaurant -Best spot to see the skyline -Funniest sign in town -Best place to grab a drink -Favorite place to listen to music/read books -and my husband insists this one is awesome: take a pic with a farm animal in the background. So strange, people, so strange.; )

Once you've checked off everything on your list, reward your hubby with good ol' number 5…
5. Game of Love (Original OR Travel) I'm not going to go into tons of detail about this one (you can check out all the juicy details on how to play here), but trust me, this is one date night that will not be soon forgotten.

Want to give the travel version a try, even if you're not travelling? It's still super fun and easy to play!

Ok, now it's your time to spill. What's your favorite date night activity? We want to know!! Happy Valentine's Day! We sure do love that you take time to stop and read our nonsense everyday!

Last year, I took a little risk here on the blog and got personal… really personal… I shared my idea for the Best Valentine's Day Gift Ever! I guess you guys liked it, because it was our most popular post of 2012- you dirty dogs! Ha! Have no fear, this year I have another idea that's a lot less prep and will still keep your man saying…

Let's recap really quickly…

Check out this post for all the details and the full tutorial, but basically you're going to use a bed sheet as a game board and pull off the most incredible surprise ever. Trust me ladies, you will win major points with this one. I can't tell you how many letter I've gotten from readers that had the best time with this project! Husbands are huge fans of The Game of Love!

This year, we're introducing the Game of Love Travel Version!

You don't actually have to be traveling to play this version, but it's perfect to take on the road. However, even at home sometimes you need a little"spice" and don't have time to DIY an entire game board sheet (definitely find the time to make it at some point though!).
Here's how you prep your game… #1 Print out a bunch of our free printable cards. Download free printable cards HERE

#2 On each card you'll write some kind of fun bedroom activity. Make some nice and others a bit more naughty. You'll want some variety in your cards. If you need ideas for your cards you can check out The Original Game of Love Post and click on any of the pictures to enlarge and read my game board squares *blush*, but be creative and remember that your husband will appreciate the effort you're putting in! #3 Put all of the cards in a bag or container

Here's how you play… It's kind of like let's make a deal. Your hubs will choose a card out of the bag (without peeking), read the card and determine if he wants to PLAY or PASS. Here's the catch… he can only choose 5 total cards to PLAY and once a card is PASSED you can't get it back! Oh Snap! It's super fun to see which activities he can't resist and which ones he's willing to pass on in hope of something even better! I'd recommend putting about 15 card options in your bag, but you can definitely do any number you'd like- you guys are pretty wild; ) You can play one of two ways, either do all the wheeling and dealing at the beginning and then get to business or do one card and activity at a time. Jess prefers having Kev make all his decisions up front. Either way is fun!
We're pretty sure this Game of Love Travel Version will be a huge hit! We hope it gives you the second year in a row of the Perfect Valentine's Gift! Who knows, it might also make your hubs want to plan more weekends away so you can bring your game along!
Being married is hard work and with so many marriages falling apart these days, it can never hurt to go the extra mile to let your man know you love him! So here's to another successful Valentine's Day and here's to women that aren't afraid to have a little fun with their hubs! Good luck and let us know how it goes! We loved hearing all your success stories from last year!

So, are you going to play the Original or Travel version this year? Linking up to: I Heart Naptime

My family travelled a lot growing up, and still, to this day, we all get together one week out of the year, and vacation with each other in a new, unexplored (to us) location. I was also fortunate enough to live in Greece for three months during college. My friends and I (and my future hubby, unbeknownst to both of us), toured Greece, Italy, France and Spain with abandon, and I loved every second of it.
Why am I telling you this? Over the past year, I've been trying to figure out what my design"style" really is. Instead of randomly acquiring or making things that may or may not fit the rest of my belongings, I want to be purposeful and intentional (there's that word again; ) with the design of my house. I want my home to have a nice flow, (which, if you've ever been to my house, is not the case), and to be comfortable and relaxing, yet beautiful. That's not too much to ask, is it? (Envision me looking exhausted). I find that thinking about the places I've been that have really impacted me and that I fell in love with, help me discern what styles I want to incorporate in my home. Each place has a certain feel that I would love to capture at home. This is the first post of three parts about my top 3 favorite destinations and what design elements I have gathered and want to incorporate in my home. Destination #1: Greece

Zacynthos, Greece (We affectionately call this place"Paradise Beach")
Ahhhh…memories. This country holds a special place in my heart as it was the place I met and got to know my hubs (no, he is not Greek. He was on the same trip I was), and it was the first place that I really had to be completely independent. There are two main design elements from Greece that I want to include in my house: simplicity and history.

Source: perivolassuites.gr via Jessica on Pinterest
This room is SO simple. Nothing competing with each other, no knickknacks. Just two beautiful blue bottles, a plant and a purple blanket. Makes me want to take a nap.

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Jessica on Pinterest
White on white on white. {Sigh} I told you I was in a white phase, and this depicts that perfectly. Even though it's devoid of color, it's still an interesting room with those totally cool stool/table thingies that add loads of texture, and the khaki/white rug. I understand it's absolutely not practical in any way with two little ones running around, but I so admire how peaceful and simple this room is.

Source: 79ideas.org via Jessica on Pinterest
Again, nothing dramatic in this room, but somehow this room is perfect. That table looks like it has seen its fair share of dinner parties. I love the old furniture paired with the fancy chandelier, and beamed ceiling. I can totally envision eating a late dinner here with friends.

Source: flickr.com via Jessica on Pinterest
If this doesn't inspire you to bring the outside in, then I
don't know what will.

Source: trekearth.com via Jessica on Pinterest
This is gorgeous, old and falling apart. It gives me hope that someone might find the peeling paint on my porch banisters gorgeous.

Source: indiehome.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest
There is a very simple color scheme in Greece- white and blue, with a little pink thrown in there from the wild, climbing flowers. And still, it's so interesting and pretty.

Wow. That light fixture is fabulous. This room is breathtaking. Enough said.

Have you been anywhere that has inspired you to decorate differently? Please share!

Ok, you moms know how difficult it is to take good pics of your little ones and their squirmy, high-energy selves, right? Well, we are thrilled to have Stacy from Salvatori Photography guest posting for us today! We met her at a boot camp we were both attending, and one thing led to another, and here she is today sharing her top tips for taking great pictures of kids! Stacy is truly a talent. She captures everything from the excitement of a bride waiting to see her groom, to a family having a total blast together. Head on over to her website to check out her amazing work. But for now, stay here and read on.: ) You won't be disappointed.
“Momographer” Tips From Stacy Salvatori
1. Change your perspective. Sometimes as Moms we get locked into patterns, this is not a bad thing all. But when it comes to capturing some fun images of your Little Ones it never hurts to get out of the ‘norm’ and change up your perspective a little. Often times we pull out the camera and do the same old face shot from 3 feet away. Ever thought about lying on the floor and looking up at them? Maybe climbing up on the swing set? Switch it up a little. You might be pleasantly surprised to see something new!

2. Play. Everyone has a different opinion and everyone has a different vision of what they may want their pictures to turn out like. I personally love, love, love when I get candid’s of my children laughing and playing and enjoying life! It’s those little in-between moments that tend to move my heartstrings. A Daddy, Aunt, or Grandma also comes in handy for this one! Get them running, swinging, playing and best off all laughing their little hearts out!

3. Wait. Often we like to pose our kids, and tell them sit just ‘like this’ or ‘move over here’ like that. I’ve found that their patience level runs low when I do that, and they tend to look a lot less ‘real’ and at ease. More times than not, just waiting and watching is the best trick. I can be lounging in my lawn chair watching them play or draw with chalk on the sidewalk… and then BAM! I see the perfect opportunity!

4. Set up different scenarios. One of the most fun things you can do is set up new and fun situations that might produce super original and creative pictures! So, for instance, rather than just tossing them in the back yard and hoping for something to happen… create a new scenario! Get out the bubble machine and capture them running through the bubbles. Turn on the sprinkler. Get out colorful paint or shaving cream… and let ‘em at it!! Play dress up. Get your daughter dolled up like a ballerina, or maybe your son is really into being a Pirate or a Fireman! Just have fun with it!

Wow, Stacy, those pictures are inspiring! I can't wait to get out there and if give those tips a try on my two little loves. Thanks so much for being here!
And because Stacy is AWESOME, she is giving away a ONE HOUR TUTORIAL PHOTO SHOOT
WITH YOUR KIDS
(including 10 awesome images from that session!)* WOW!

Here's how you enter to win:
1."Like" Salvatori Photography on facebook HERE.
2. Leave us a comment telling us that you became a fan, and why you desperately need this photo shoot tutorial.
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.
4. For another extra entry: Become a Follower of The Real Housewives of Bucks County Blog. Use the button on our sidebar and then leave us a separate comment telling us you did. **That's 4 entries for you! Yippee!** Ok, now go and enter!

*Photo shoot tutorial is good for use in Eastern PA, unless you want to pay for travel.: ) Which, by the way, would totally be worth it.

Good ole Valentine's Day… Love it or hate it it's coming! Well, you can thank me later, but I have the perfect gift for your hubs! This gift started over ten years ago on our very first anniversary… we were broke, still in school, and oh so in love. Let me tell you it was a hit! So much so, that I just gave the same gift for our 10 year anniversary back in November. **Disclaimer- This post is written totally from the perspective of a married woman that adores her husband. I'm being honest here ladies, so you've been warned. Also, if you are my mother, STOP reading right now. Thanks!**
The Perfect Valentine's Gift- The Game of Love Imagine with me for a moment… It's been a long day, you and the hubs are headed to bed. You've put on your favorite comfy, frumpy sweats and a tee for bed. Once your hubs sees your bedtime wardrobe choice he knows there's no shot of romance for the night. He pulls back the covers to hop in bed and… what's this??

You've just pulled off the best Valentine's Day surprise ever. It's time to play The Game of Love! It's a game your hubs will love even more than the Superbowl!
All you'll need for this DIY is some time without your hubby around, some markers, some kind of shape template, and a fitted bed sheet…Seriously mom, if you're reading- Stop!

Ok, you can kind of see where this is going, and I must make a public confession… yes, I used one of my bff's birth announcement as my template! It was an adorable shape- Sorry Mandi!

I spent a lot of time ironing my sheet and then had an idea… I could have just washed and dried it. That would be easier.

Pop on your still wrinkly ironed sheet and you're ready to start making your game board.

If you want nice, straight lines, you can use some masking tape and your template to help with your spacing.

It doesn't have to be perfect (trust me he won't be too focused on your straight lines!) Start tracing your template. Trace it over and over again. Darn that I couldn't really have a friend come and help me with this DIY… awkward: )

Before removing the masking tape, I added some cute little dashes along the top.

You can add your game's title across the top. Don't you love my cheesy name? The Game of Love… still makes me laugh! Feel free to use it or come up with a less cheesy one!

Now it's time to get creative. I included a few presents, snacks, wardrobe changes, and lots more!

Here are a few of my squares… (if you really want to know what else I added, you can try and read the teeny writing! Ha!) I had a few gifts wrapped and ready to go and a few yummy romantic snacks as well.

Put your mattress back and it's ready to go! (Okay, I have some limits, so I pulled a little censored for your protection action!)

In case you're wondering, here are The Official Game of Love Rules: 1. The player will roll a die, but the highest number can be 3 (so divide by 2 or the game goes too fast!) 2. Each square has a 1 1/2 minute time limit 3. No getting carried away- you have to stop at 90 seconds and roll again (the hubs might fight you on that one) 4. Only one person"plays" your role is just the game"facilitator" 5. The Final square is"Score" and you can't skip ahead (if ya know what I mean)
Okay, now my rationale for posting this. No, it's not my life's aspiration for my personal life to be all over Pinterest (don't worry, I am cool with you pinning it though). I just know that marriage is tough. It takes effort each and every day, not just Valentine's Day. I don't know your situation, but I know that 4 kids takes a toll on the love life. As a woman, I have to be intentional about connecting with my husband and making him a priority (FYI"connecting" is a code word! lol). I wanted to encourage woman to have FUN with their husbands… it's really okay- you're married! I call this the"Perfect Valentine's Gift" because for me, it meant so much to Eric that I took the time to think through this, plan out the surprise, and then have an unexpected evening dedicated to us.

So, will you be using The Game of Love to attempt to"Connect" with your husband this Valentine's Day?

Psssst! We came up with a new version of this game this year. Click here for the Game of Love: Travel Edition!
Linking to: TT&J, Stories of A to Z i heart naptime

New to the blog? This is Part 2 of a series on my discovery to creating a home that is comfortable and stylish. I find that thinking about the places I've been that have really impacted me and that I fell in love with, helps me discern what styles I want to incorporate in my home. Each place has a certain feel that I would love to capture at home. To read Part 1, click here.

Have you ever been to Nantucket? (Sigh) It's probably my favorite place on the planet, other than my bed, and I think about it often. It is an island off the coast of Massachusetts that has a distinct New England feel. It's a combination of classic/preppy and casual/coastal. The homes on the island don't go for sale very often because they are passed down through generations, but when they do, they cost a pretty penny. Worth every bit, I'm sure.

Source: superstock.com via Jessica on Pinterest
I remember riding my bike right past this little, rose-covered gem with a white picket fence. Dreamy.

Source: inspireddecorating.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest
The towns (and there are only 2 on the island, I think) has great cobblestone walkways throughout.

Source: google.com via Jessica on Pinterest
If I could wake up in this room every morning, I'd be a happy woman. Lots of neutral tones, but the wooden bed and brick step add warmth and depth. And oh, the gallery wall and french doors leave me breathless. I get like that sometimes over rooms. No big deal. {Ahem}

Source: etsy.com via Jessica on Pinterest
I love this painting. I'm already trying to figure out how to recreate one for cheap. More on that later.: )

Source: cottages-gardens.com via Natasha on Pinterest

Source: chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com via Natasha on Pinterest
Cedar shingles are so elegant and classic. They start out a light tan, and then as they weather, turn into that gorgeous, moody gray.

Source: inspiracionline.blogspot.com via Natasha on Pinterest

Source: brightboldbeautiful.blogspot.com via Natasha on Pinterest
Of course, you have to enjoy a good, old-fashioned lobster bake when on the island, and who wouldn't want to do that in this adorable space? Aren't those red and orange stools fabulous? And the chandeliers are awesome too, and are totally an easy DIY project!

Source: canvas.landsend.com via Susie on Pinterest
Even this outfit screams"Nantucket" and, if I could, I would wear that every day of my life. Yes, even for my kid's weddings, in case you were wondering.

Source: traditionalhome.com via Natasha on Pinterest
So cozy. I adore the faded blues and tans, and the fabric on that pillow.

Source: google.com via Jessica on Pinterest
So, hopefully, now you understand my love for all things Nantucket. Stay tuned for Part 3 later this week!

It's good to be back from vacation. Happy Monday, everyone!

Well, I'd like to introduce you to our good friend, Steph E. Steph and I go way back- we went to elementary, middle and highschool together, studied in college and travelled to Greece together, got married a year apart, and are now raising our families together. She is one of my very best friends. She has always, as long as I've known her, been extremely frugal, and never settles for anything less than getting exactly what she wants, for the price she wants to pay. I'm so glad that I have her to do all the researching for me.: ) I hope you'll enjoy her today! Jess
Six months ago we added a beautiful daughter to our family. She joined my husband and I, and our then 3 ½ year old son. I had kept everything from Danny. We had a car seat, crib, and every type of exer-bouncer-sitter-sizer ever made. The only big ticket item that I needed to purchase was a double stroller. This was very exciting for me because I am passionately obsessed with “buggies”, as they are fondly referred to in our home. I started the slightly neurotic and endless research long before she was due, and finally purchased the buggie of my dreams when Ana was 2 months old.

Choosing the perfect stroller for your family’s needs can be a daunting task. There are thousands of options, and even more opinions. To help me focus, I needed to put things in black and white. I made a list of the features that I MUST HAVE in a stroller. Being a bargain hunter by nature I sometime succumb to a great deal, while compromising my needs and wants. My husband made it very clear that we would only be adding 1 more buggie to our already full garage, so I needed to get this right the first time. My personal MUST HAVE list… 1. Double side-by-side ( I had pushed way too many of my friends front and back strollers to know that my back wasn’t up to that challenge) 2. Very lightweight ( I may be tall, but my arms are like toothpicks) 3. Car seat compatible (Ana was born the end of September which meant that we would just start to be out and about as the bad weather hit. I wanted her to stay warm and sleeping in her car seat while we ran errands) 4. Tall handlebars (as previously mentioned, I am tall and have a bad back. Pushing a heavy object while walking in a hunched position was not an option for me) 5. Excellent return policy ( I was going to make my purchase online, because the prices are considerably better, and most likely it would be the first time I ever saw the option that I chose) 6. Individually removable front trays ( Danny gets in and out by himself, while Ana would need her tray to hold the car seat in) These were the 6 options that I would not allow myself to waver on. Even if there was a great sale, or a super cute limited edition color, I would not consider it if all 6 of my must have criteria were not met. This list really narrowed down my options.

Next I made a list of the features I would like to have: — Good storage compartment — Cup holders — Individual reclining seats — Large yet foldable sun shades — Easy to steer — Manufacture or retailer warranty So, of the strollers I had narrowed my options down to, I compared to see which had the most of my “likes” and which “likes” were most important to me. Next, I started reading reviews. Reading reviews is tricky, you’ll read a 1 star “this stroller is worse than a wheelbarrow” followed by a 5 star “I would trade my first born for this stroller” and you can’t understand how they can be talking about the same buggie. I found the best method was reading many reviews, and seeing if there were any reoccurring themes. 90% of the reviews that I read about the stroller that I finally chose said that the wheels squeaked. I accepted that my wheels would most likely squeak,(and sure enough they did) and that I would be OK with squeaking (which I actually wasn’t, but thankfully my amazing husband was able to remedy that problem).

Finally, do not let price be the largest factor in making your decision. People who know me well would probably be shocked to hear that. I am very cost conscious, but there is more to the cost of a stroller than the number you see posted on Amazon. If you have found the perfect stroller for your family, but it seems out of your price range, don’t give up! There are so many options. Can you buy it used, or in a discontinued color? I got my buggie for a good deal because it was a customer returned open box. It had never been used, and all of the pieces were there but the box had be opened and returned. I made sure to ask what the return policy was for a discounted item. The open box was not advertised online, but I called a company that I found online with excellent reviews, a great return policy, and good pricing. I told the salesman the stroller I wanted but that I needed a good deal. Did they have any returns, discontinued colors, floor models, or last year’s model? The salesperson found the box in the warehouse and made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. I had decided before calling on the price that I would be willing to spend. If offered a special deal, you need to be ready to say yes on the spot. Don’t let yourself be caught off guard. In regards to cost, I also took into consideration the resale value. A quality stroller that is kept in good condition will hold its value. I hope to sell mine in several years and make back 1/3 of what I bought it for. So, what baby buggie did I finally decide on? The Peg Perego Aria twin 40/60 split. I am confident that I made the right decision. My friends must have been impressed also, because 2 of them bought the exact same stroller after me, and I believe they are equally pleased with the purchase.

Things to Consider before your purchase: -Height and Strength of all caregivers that will be using the buggie on a regular basis. Do you need an adjustable handlebar? -Terrain you will most frequently be pushing on. Grass field or the mall? — Vehicle size: what will fit in your car when it is also full of groceries and diapers? — Storage compartment: do you travel light, or is your diaper bag the size of a suitcase? — What your kids need: are they going to be napping in the stroller? Do you need seats that fully recline?

Happy Shopping!
Steph, Jess & Monica

Candice Price Garden Design Landscaping Description for Monica

“I began with Monica’s bright bold design flavor and her newly painted chartreuse green door. I started by finding some plants that would complement that color and then some that would contrast nicely with it. I chose the cherry trees for the spring color and the dark purple bark; the red buds for the spring blooms and the deep purple leaves all season.

I suggested placing some of the amazing rocks found on her property in a couple of anchoring positions and softening them with the Hinoki Cypress which bring in that chartreuse color as well as the golden thread Cypress.
I chose the the hydrangea paniculata for their bold color that lasts a long time and to add a soft feminine feel in between the evergreens. The dark green shiny leaves of the Cherry Laurel (evergreen) is also a nice splash of bling and contrast. The Cherry Laurel is near the porch and walkways because of its incredible smell early in the season. I also tried to pick a “foundation” of plants with lots of color not only during the growing season, but also throughout the winter; the cypress, the cherry laurel, the abelia, and junipers are all evergreen.
The smoke bush is also a favorite of mine and I thought would be an incredible pop of color to contrast the yellow greens. The choices I’ve made also have layered rhythms of heights that create a mystery and intrigue as you travel on the walkways. The Smoke bush is a large bush but not as large as the trees. The trees however are perfect for the front yard because they are small trees and won’t overpower the shape, size and frame of the house.
The Abelias and Junipers are both evergreen shrubs but they would be considered ground cover. The Abelia will only get 2’ tall and spread out to 3’ and the junipers (notice the blue color that will go really well with the yellows and the purples) will only get about 8-12” tall and spread to 18” or so.
This is a nice foundation that spreads out and creates a garden area but leaves ample room for perennials and annuals along the edges of the walkways and around the porch. I also suggest a couple foliage perennials: Black Mondo Grass and The Heuchera Obsidian. These would be gorgeous bold accents all season in between your plants. I would suggest any annuals that are in the blue, purple, pink, yellow, orange, or chartreuse color families would just make this incredible! “

So let's just call a spade a spade… today's post is definitely less of a tutorial and more of a tool for inspiration. I can own the fact that this projectwas not hard at all. It's also not something a person would normally think of doing as a part of Christmas decor, and it turned out to be my favorite part (and Monicas!) of the entire room, so it's worth talking about, for sure. What the heck am I talking about?
Accent Tree Branch

I'm such a fan of bringing the outdoors in because it's beautiful, but also because it's FREE. As soon as I heard that we were swapping houses and that I was decorating Monica's living room, I knew immediately that I wanted to incorporate a branch above the mantle, that would draw the eye upwards since they have high ceilings. I also knew that a branch would coordinate beautifully with their earthy, stone fireplace. I had seen branches used as decor in several magazines as well as a few ideas floating around in blogland. I'll be honest- this was my wildcard project. It had the potential to turn out awesome, but it also could make Nate Berkus laugh at me.

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Kayleigh on Pinterest

My original thought was to hang a branch from the ceiling (I knew that the few holes I put in the ceiling could easily be repaired when they decided to remove the branch) using fishing line and something like this:

But then, my husband found the perfect branch ever in the yard and I realized that I might be able to avoid making Monica's hubby Eric angry putting loads of holes in the ceiling. Could it be that this branch was the right height with the right arch at the right angle to complete my mantle? Honestly this was too good to be true in a crazy fast, 48-hour challenge.

Yes, that is actually the way the room looked most of the time. Can you even believe I could get anything done with all that mess? I seriously spent about 3/4 of my time wandering around looking for scissors. And here, Monica, had laid out all of her supplies all pretty and organized…

To each, his own, I guess.: ) Wait, what was I talking about again? Oh yes, the branch. After much debate, (should we cut the branch and hang it from the ceiling? Should we lean the branch on the mantle? Should I throw the branch in the fire and burn it?), we decided on keeping the branch. From then on the branch was treated like gold. If anyone got near it, I gave them the stink eye and told them to stay away from it. My hubs accidentally stepped on it, and you should have heard the way I yelled his name. It had our camera crew rolling on the floor laughing. It's not every day that the perfect branch comes along to complete a Christmas mantle. C'mon, you know how it is.

In a 48-hour challenge, you have to think and act quickly. Being in someone else's house and trying to find supplies that will help with your project is tricky, so we had to be resourceful and creative. My hubs found two rake mount/wall holder/things in the garage and we figured out that the two arms could bend around the branch. The bottom of the branch is resting on one of the rake thingys, and the other one is hugging the branch tight to hold it in place. Lucky for me, one of the offshoots of the branch could rest right on the mantle holding a good bit of the weight.

Obviously, there are other ways of doing this, but we were in a hurry and were trying to make the least amount of repair work for them (aren't we sweet?). However, this method is still holding! To finish it off, I hung three ornaments I made (more on those to come!) on the end of the branch for a touch of Christmas whimsy.

All in all, this was a cheap and easy project that makes such a huge impact. I am totally in love, and have been looking for a place to hang a branch in my home ever since.
Would you ever hang a tree in your living room or am I the only crazy one?; )

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to our newest sponsor, Red Letter Words! If you haven't already heard of Red Letter Words, what rock have you been hiding under? Dee creates beautiful pieces of art that incorporate either verses of Scripture or favorite travel spots in a subway panel style. They are so modern in design, but offer a vintage touch with the"erased chalkboard" effect she uses. And not only that, she offers custom designs as well! My personal favorite for the Christmas season is this:

O Holy Night Cafe Mount Print
and this is pretty cute too:

Santa's Reindeer Art Print
Hurry! You still have time to buy several of these as gifts for everyone you know. Use the code MERRY15 for 15% off your order. (Offer exludes custom prints and the print of the month) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

First, the lovely Camilla from Camilla at Home has posted on A Country Farmhouse! Isn't that so kind of her! She has a beautiful blog that I love visiting and I know you will too!
The above photo was taken up the road from our house. You can see that big open field from our bathroom window, which I always pause to look out from in case there are any elk or deer passing through.
It's a favorite field of ours as it's down a long dirt road where only horses and a few neighbors like us, travel on. The mountain you see in the background is Mt. Adams, the same mountain we see from our house.
This photo was taken last fall. We went up to the field this past weekend but unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me. We were happy to see that the bees were back, now that their work in the orchards is done. They were buzzing wildly....it's sort of exciting and terrifying all at the same time! But unlike the wasp, the honey bees are more interested in their honey than in you.
And just so you know, those wires around the bee boxes — are live! I know this because I got too close and got zapped!
Fall is such a beautiful time of the year, I only wish it didn't pass by so quickly.

You get to read about our projects, you know what the inside of our houses look like, but who are The Real Housewives of Bucks County? Well, this must be your lucky day, because today we're sharing a bit of ourselves with you… (Warning, some of these questions are cheesy, but who doesn't like a little cheese and we like 'em!)
Meet the Real Housewives of BC

1. Do you have kids?

2. Where is your birth place and are you far from it now?

3. What is one thing you could not do when you were a child, but you can do now?

5. What are your hobbies?

6. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

7. If you could travel anywhere in the world — where would you go and why?

8. Have you ever met a famous person?

9. What is your least favorite thing about yourself?

10. One that describes your BFF and blog partner?

11. How tall are you?

12. When you were little — What did you want to do"when you grew up?" Are you doing it?

13. How do you spend your free time?

14. Favorite sport you like to watch or participate in?

15. What kind of food do you prefer eating when you are out?

16. Last Movie You Watched?

17. Would you like to be famous?

18. What Book Are You Reading?

19. Favorite Bible Verse?

*Photos courtesy of Doug from Candid Moments Photography. Thanks so much, Doug! You did a great job working with some very amateur models.: )
So, it's your turn now. What questions do you have for us? We're game for answering {almost} anything!

In T minus 24 hours (there I go again!) our episode of The Nate Show will be airing across the country. We can't believe it's almost here. Since we're only 1 day from Go Time, we thought a behind the scenes play-by-play was a must. We love our blog readers and we're excited to share this crazy experience with you! Get ready, it's a lot of pictures. We couldn't take all of you with us, but we want you to feel like you were right there too!
Backstage Pass

Me, Jess, Eric & Kevin (our hubs) were picked up in a fancy-pants car at 6am to head to The Big Apple!

It was an amazingly beautiful day in NYC

We arrived a few minutes late (darn NY traffic) and were escorted all VIP-like up to our green room. We were laughing just saying things like"green room." Usually our days are filled with words like"pull-ups" and"snack time" so it was pretty crazy!

We snapped a few pics as soon as we arrived.

After getting dressed we were wisked away to hair and make-up. The hair woman was insisting that my hair looked"just great" as it was, but you and I both know that she was completely thinking,"That mess needs more than a touch up!" My hair is always a little crazy. I love this picture of Jess and Kev. Just a normal day getting makeup done in NYC.

Yes, the men needed make up too!
Jess' make up lady (and yes, I'm probably offending half of the world by calling her that) was amazing. Jess' make up came out awesome.

Then we were back waiting in the green room. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.

So… since I'm not one for sitting around thinking about being on National TV, I grabbed the little ole' camera and started having some fun!

Kev managed to ignore all my shenanigans and just chill watching some TV. Guys have it so easy!

We really are dorks and loved every second of it. I mean, if you're in a Green Room once in your life, you might as well enjoy it!

Then, it was time to get down to business. Producers were coming in and out and explaining the segments and what questions Nate would ask us. We ran through some responses and botched them royally. We're pretty good on the fly, but man, we stink at acting. It ended up being fine, because Nate went rogue on the planned questions and pretty much did his own thing. I guess you can do that when you're Nate Berkus.

Before we knew it, it was time. Guess what? We weren't nervous at all! Can you believe it? We totally couldn't. We thought we would be, but the nerves never came. Perhaps it was the fancy makeup or something?? Off we went to the set.

Sound room backstage. Let me tell you this… some men would say sound guys have a pretty good job… We learned during our 2 day taping that all modesty and embarrassment goes out the window pretty quickly when someone is running wires down your shirt. Thankfully, we knew this and were cool as cucumbers as we got all wired up. Thankfully we weren't awkward because Peter Greenburg (travel guru) was there with us getting mic'd up and we acted like we do this all the time too! Fake it till you make it right?

Approximately 5 seconds after getting mic'd and doing a"testing, testing, 5,4,3,2,1" we were through the doors and taking our spots on stage. HERE GOES… I couldn't bring the camera on the set… weird right? lol but in 1 day you'll be able to see it all!! About an hour later, we were back in the green room. We were totally in one of those,"is it really over? Wow! That was awesome!"

We hung out with our favorite Nate Show producer Ed C. for a bit (talkin' about the Biz… haha! Kidding, we don't know a thing about The Biz, but we did have a great time catching up with Ed)
Then, we were off to take the rest of NYC by storm (and by that I mean walk 20 extra blocks because we never knew exactly where we needed to be heading)

Times Square

We were so excited to have lots of our friends join us for the show and we had an awesome afternoon and evening in the city. We're both so blessed to have these amazing women in our lives.

Well duh, what would a day in NYC be without some Naked Cowboy? My 9 year old accidental saw this picture and just couldn't wrap her mind around it. Don't worry Kenz, I can't either!

So, there you have it… our fabulous whirlwind of a day. Tonight Jess said other than having 2 beautiful kids and marrying Kev, The Nate Show was her favorite thing ever.
and here's where it all started… 2 girls squished into a wooden crate, ready to do some design!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Also, a BIG welcome to our newests sponsors, Stuff Closeout & Consignment and JET Upholstery! Check out our Sweet Sponsors Page for more info on their awesomeness. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So, Go double check your DVR, make sure everything's set for Thursday and then, let us know what you think once you see it! Thanks for your support!

P.S. We took all 28 of our friends and family to Carmine's Restaurant in the Theatre District. It was so good! If you're in town, check it out.

One of my favorite bloggers, Emily at Jones Design Company, just tipped me off to the fantastic home decor at Urban Outfitters. I had no idea they sold furniture, wall decor and more! Not everything is my style, but here are a few of my top picks:

Jones Patchwork Quilt

Olivia Headboard Wall Decal
This is such a cheap solution for a headboard- only $55! Perfect for a first apartment or college dorm, or even a teenager's bedroom! Oh, who am I kidding? I would LOVE to have one of these.: )

Lulu Chair in Tweed I adore tweed. Enough said.

Slope Chair-Batik Ink
Definitely an interesting accent chair…sure to be a conversation starter!

Tree Shower Curtain
Why not bring nature indoors? It'll be just like you're showering out in the wild. Wait, that doesn't sound so appealing to me. Forget I said that.

Owl Tree ToothBrush Holder
The perfect accompaniment to the tree shower curtain. My daughter would be thrilled to have this in her bathroom.

Tonal Wave Ruffle Shower Curtain

Around the World Letters
I saved my favorite for last. Travel and maps posted on architectural wall letters? Yes, please. I'll take all 26 letters of the alphabet.

Go browse and be inspired!

How I would love to spend this weekend in Paris! Imagine walking along the Seine, just enjoying life. Whenever I travel, I'm always almost as exited about the hotel I'm staying at, as I am about the destination. I love staying at hotels. I always find a lot of inspiration, and end up going home with at least a hundred different design ideas. Next time I'm in Paris I would love to stay at the Hotel Pulitzer. I somehow stumbled over their website, and I absolutely fell in love with their elegant but yet cosy and inviting design. They've managed to combine antique objects with a more industrial and modern look, and I think it looks stunning.
What about you? Do you have any favourite hotels that you turn to for inspiration?
Enjoy your evening!

Images: Hotel Pulitzer

It's time for a round-up of all our favorite summer finds from the best sponsors in the world! You know those ads on our sidebar? They are all amazing shops and services that you need to know about. Just take a look at the fun things we found for you!

1. It's wedding season, folks! This gorgeous typographical"Beloved & Friend" print from Red Letter Words would be the perfect gift. Plus it's on sale for 20% off right now!

2. Want to make a modern and graphic statement in your home? Go for the new Honeycomb Allover Wall Stencil from Royal Design Studio. Fab.U.Lous. Get 10% OFF when you use the code RHBC10.
3. Love this vintage Golden Yellow Serving Bowl from Nachokitty- has lots of character with a sunny yellow color! You could get lost in this Etsy shop for hours- she has amazing stuff!

4. Lucent Lampworks is our newest sponsor (as seen on Extreme Home Makeover!).They offer some of the coolest light fixtures we've ever seen, like this Hanging Pendant Light with Glass Globe. I'm eyeing up a few of these beauties for my dining room!

5. Have you been over to My Best Friend's Hair Blog? They offer tons of tips on the newest products and trends for your hair. Plus, you can find a stylist near you, and give reviews on your stylist, too! I have to admit- I'm digging this rainbow-hued style done with hair chalk. Who knew?!

6. Going on a trip? Need a graduation or teacher gift? These 4 oz. Candle Travel Tins from CJS Eco Chic come in a variety of scents and can be taken anywhere!

7. I just got a Large Utility Tote from Thirty-One Gifts to use as my beach bag. It's the perfect size for a couple of towels, swimmies for my kids and all the other things you need for the beach or pool! With all the patterns and monogramming options, you can come up with a custom bag to fit all your summer needs!

8. With Charlie's 2nd birthday coming in just a few weeks, I've begun searching for some gift ideas for him. I LOVE this custom toy chest created with Belvedere Design vinyls. Wouldn't this be great to corral all the toy cars and trucks little boys seem to collect?

9. We're going with an All-American boy theme for Charlie's birthday party, and you better believe I'm going to be using this Star Spangled Digital Paper pack from Moo & Puppy to make his invitations and decorations! Use the code RHBC15 to receive 15% off your order!

10. You already know we make a weekly trip to Architectural Antiques (I just got a transom window for my kitchen) because we adore it so much. Put stopping at AA on your list of things you need to do this summer- you will not believe the unbelieveable amount of awesome finds there!

11. Some things are better left to the professionals, and quality upholstering is one of them. Jet Upholstery does amazing work and they can get their hands on any fabric your heart desires. Mention our blog to receive 25% off your next fabric order!

12. Stone Depot is THE place to go for a huge selection for all of your hardscaping projects. They're the ones who have helped make Monica's patio project go so smoothly! Jim is super helpful and full of information, so make sure you ask for him.: )

So, there you have it! Our top finds from some of our favorite people! Have a great weekend and spread the East Coast Creative love to our sponsors while you're at it.: 0

You all know it already, and I'm pretty open about sharing this one fact: I am not a designer by trade. I've never taken design classes, and in fact, often dreaded going to art classes in school. I'd call myself an amateur- I do what I like and think looks good in my home. Period. One of the things I find difficult (although, I admit it does get easier the more I do it) is choosing the right colors in my designs. I often have an idea or concept in mind, but getting there is tricky, especially for a non-detail-oriented person like me. Enter Design Seeds:

Design Seeds solves the color dilemma for us by offering tons of color palettes based on things you see every day. Like the colors of Fall? You can find several different palettes incorporating the various colors found in Autumn. Isn't that amazing? If you've been on Pinterest at all, I'm sure you've seen some of these floating around:

Source: design-seeds.com via Jessica on Pinterest
Basically, Jessica, the genius behind Design Seeds forecasts emerging trends and comes up with relevant color palettes based on those. She also sells a bunch of books that I would personally love to have on my coffee table or to use as inspiration.
Here are just a few of my favorites:

Source: design-seeds.com via Jessica on Pinterest
Wouldn't this be beautiful in a nursery for a baby girl? Love the muted purples.

Source: design-seeds.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: design-seeds.com via Jessica on Pinterest
Can't help but fall head over heels for colors inspired by travel!

Source: design-seeds.com via Jessica on Pinterest
Oh man, this would be a super-fun palette for a summer birthday party, right?

And just in case you were wondering, there is a general rule of thumb when it comes to using color in design:

Use 60 percent of one color, which is your dominant color (think paint on the wall). This is the unifying color- most likely a neutral that ties it all together. Using 30 percent of your secondary color adds visual interest, like the furniture in the room, and then 10 percent is an accent color. Accessories, pillows, flowers etc. These are the things that make the room shine! Go ahead and take a look at your design inspiration pictures: most likely they are divided within this rule. Crazy, huh? These Design Seeds palettes provide a variety of colors that you can choose from for your home decor, wedding or party planning, and even when choosing an outfit!

Don't you just love it when there are short-cuts for great design?; )