A #Splash of Color for Spring from Crocs

This post brought to you by Crocs. All opinions are 100% mine.

Soooo... up until literally a week ago, we've been covered in SNOW.  Yep, SNOW!  In May!

Gotta love the heartland. :)

Well all of a sudden this week... BOOM!  Summer!  90 degrees!  Just like that.

We're a little more settled into some nice weather right now, and I have been jonesing to infuse some color into my world after what feels like a lifetime of grey, blah winter. 

Apparently the folks at Crocs feel the same way, too! :)  They're encouraging us all to share a "splash of color" for spring to help shake off the winter blahs, AND they want to reward us for it!  Woot!

They're hosting the Crocs Instagram Sweepstakes where you have the chance to win a super cool prize package and a shopping spree from Crocs!  And, all you have to do is share some splashes of color that are popping up in your world.

If you follow me on Instagram, you probably noticed some pics over the past few days with the hashtag #splashofcolor - check 'em out:

 

 

Aw, there's my sunshine! :)

All you have to do is Instagram some colorful piccs via Instagram.... are your flowers blooming?  Did you get a bold new manicure?  Make the most massive and colorful birthday cake?  SHARE IT! 

Upload to Instagram using the hashtag #splashofcolor, then link up your Instagram to the Crocs Instagram Sweepstakes .

Done! :)  You can check out what others are uploading, too.

You can enter up to 3 photos a day - what will yours be?  Share in the comments if you're so inclined, what awesome colorful things you're peeping this spring.

You could win some sweet prizes, so get to snapping!

 

DIY Memo Board

Hey there!

I know posting has been a little sporadic lately, but we have been busy busy busy!

We had birthday parties for my little ladies, Mr.V's side/summer business is taking off, an unexpected surgery for our furry friend, and there was a mother's day thrown in there, I think.  It's been a blur.  :)

But, I *have* been doing some projects here and there, just haven't had time to post!

This one was a quickie, though, and I love the end result.

I have had this small round corkboard (a DIY from yesteryear) hanging in the pantry for a while to help me corral grocery lists, notes about what's getting low, etc.  Lately I've found that meal planning has become a necessity for us, and with that addition, well, as you can see shorty wasn't cutting it.

I finally had enough one afternoon and dug through my stash and found this lovely cheetah-print corkboard that I had picked up more than a year ago.

Normally this isn't something I would give a second look to, but it was a nice size, the frame was simple, and OH YEAH:

Mega-clearance! :)

I knew the cheetah had to go, so I grabbed a fun, printed napkin I had found (in a set) at Target.  Napkins are really versatile, usually cheap and perfect for small projects like this one, or pillows, etc.
It was my lucky day and the size was perfect - I took the cork out of the frame and didn't even have to trim the fabric, just wrapped it around the board, secured it on the back and then shoved it back in the frame.

The frame itself got a coat of creamy ivory paint, and I scrounged through my odds and ends ribbon collection to find something to hang it with.
Much better.  :)


One hour and zero dollars later, it's all good. :)

 Cheers,

Simple Update [Nameplate Frames]

I’ve had these frames up on the wall above the magnet board for about a year, and I use them to showcase the girls’ artwork.  

 I love having kid-created art all around, and putting it in a frame looks nice, and it also gives the kiddos a sense of pride at their art being “displayed” beyond just tacked to the fridge – The Redhead thinks this is hot stuff.

When I saw how happy she was to show off her grand masterpiece in the frame, I thought I’d kick it up a notch and give things an even more ‘professional’ (well, as professional as one can get in our house of crazy) feel.

I had these card holders in the drawer from forever ago… so long, in fact, that I can’t even remember the original project I bought them for.  I do remember that they are meant for scrapbooking, and were pretty cheap for a pack of different sizes.

I didn’t want them to be permanently attached, in case I changed my mind down the road, so I just used glue dots to stick them to the glass, then added the girls’ names to their creations.

And… that’s it!  About 2 minutes and less than $4 later: Welcome to our “Gallery.” : )



Cheers,

Move in With The Novogratz! [Novogratz's? Novogratzi?]

This post brought to you by CB2. All opinions are 100% mine.

Ever watch those fab designers on your favorite home design shows and wonder what they live like when the cameras aren’t rolling? 

How they decorate their own homes? 

Well my friends, you may get the chance to see first hand.  This is one of the coolest giveaways I’ve ever been a part of!

Robert and Courtney Novogratz – As in the design couple from “Home by Novogratz” is teaming up with CB2 to debut a super cool and colorful collection for spring:

CB2 and Novogratz Collection

And they’re not only offering you sweet design pieces for your home, they’re inviting YOU to THEIRS!          For serious, people!  Let me explain:

The new collection was inspired by the Novogratz family vacation home in Brazil (Brazil!!  Remember that.  It will be important later).  You can definitely see the influence in the collection, with hot pops of color and rich, warm woods.  I love that there is a ton of diversity in the different items they are offering, and in true CB2 fashion, a range of price points, which is super awesome.  They range from super-functional, like this Dupla Credenza

to whimsical and awesome, like the Luli table lamp.

The pieces are so original and they make a neutral-loving gal like me start itching to pop more color into my home.  Check out this sectional – it is absolutely *dripping* in color!  What a perfect outdoor space, featuring that fun showstopper sofa.

The collection debuts May 2^nd and to help get you excited about the release, they are offering you a hum-dinger of an opportunity:

You and 3 friends could win the trip of a lifetime!

Win a one week stay at the vacation Bob and Courtney Novogratz in beautiful TRANCOSO, BRAZIL!!!  (SEE? I told you Brazil would be important here!!)

-10 other lucky winners will receive a CB2 giftcard worth $100 along with a personally signed copy of the book “Home by Novogratz”.

So how do you get in on this sweet opportunity?

Just Click here to enter:

CB2 and Novogratz Brasil Sweepstakes
The sweepstakes will run from May 2nd through June 3rd.

 

In the meantime, you can follow @CB2Tweets [on Twitter, natch] for more updates on the trip of a lifetime!

Good Luck!

(and happy shopping! :) )

 

These Eyes Have Seen A Miracle.. [Remove Water Rings & Restore Wood Finish]

Hal.Le.Lu.Jah.

I have witnessed a miracle and I'm here to tell y'all about it.

I have this chest that we use as an end table. 
 I got it for a SONG years ago from Pier 1 - it was hugely marked down for what the clerk said was "water damage".

 See those little dots across the top?  That's what they called "damage".
I thought it looked weathered, so I didn't mind.  But over time, we used and abused this piece, and a few misplaced glasses from parties here, a drippy sippy cup or two there, and all of a sudden, this cool piece had REAL water damage.

 I have been DREADING having to sand down the top and restain it.  So, when I saw this product hanging out on the shelf on a recent trip to Home Depot, I figured it was at least worth a shot if it would save me that pain in the patoot.

 I just followed the directions on the back of the can.  Seriously, Restor-a-finish couldn't be easier.
Are you ready for this?
Clean the surface.  Wipe on.  Wipe off the excess.
Let dry.  DONE.

 It sounded too good to be true, but check this out:

 I KNOW, RIGHT???

Take a good look here:

[yikes!]

I used NO OTHER PRODUCT other than the Restor-a-Finish.  I didn't sand, didn't condition, and didn't have to go through the lengthy staining process.  I just cleaned the surface, used the product and called it a day.  I was floored by the results!
It's a miracle.  Of epic water ring proportions.

And just for the record, I was not asked to review this product, nor was I compensated in any way for this post.  I found the product, tried it of my own volition, and will happily vouch for its success to anyone who will listen. :)

Cheers,

TDC

DIY Updated Hurricanes

When I was putting together my recent post about updates in the basement, I came across this little project that I had totally forgotten about.

Back before we had even started finishing the basement, I had snagged these simple glass cylinders on mega-clearance at Pier 1, convinced that I would/could somehow use them once it was finished.

Fast forward to after the basement was finished…..and, nope.

Just wasn’t working for me.

[the picture’s kind of blurry but you get the idea]

 Unadorned, the cylinders were reading just too contemporary for the casual, relaxed space.

I played with other things to fill them with, but nothing was working out.

Until I made a trip to Target and it hit me:

 

I was admiring these hurricanes from the Nate Berkus collection and thought “I could totally do this myself.  I just need a plain glass hurric…wait a minute!!!!!”

Thanks Nate Berkus!

So once I got home, I snagged some jute rope that I knew I had buried somewhere in the basement, and got to wrappin’.

I added some candles that I already had, and 10 minutes later, I had a rustic, textured set of hurricanes that worked perfectly in the space!

Gotta love that.




Cheers,

TDC