till death do us part

Giveaway with Farmhouse Wares!

2012-03-01T08:21:00.003-06:00

I have a new favorite place to dream online: Farmhouse Wares.

The clean, simple designs of Farmhouse Wares are undeniably authentic while being remarkably stylish.

And isn't that the beauty of farm life? It's the perfect marriage of aesthetics and practicalities.

I can't imagine any cottage or farmhouse where this glass-drying rack or wire gathering basket wouldn't look right at home.

The vision of Farmhouse Wares is best summed up by Betsy, proprietor extraordinaire and lover of all things farm:

"My Dad always dreamed of owning a farm. Like most of us, he tabled that dream and went off to work every day at an office job. In his mid-life he bought a place in the country and started raising chickens, goats and a pig or two....He taught me to live a down-to-earth lifestyle filled with practical things that have lasting quality....

Now a parent myself, I am striving to surround my family with the values of living a simplified lifestyle. Like my Dad, I find beauty in things that are practical and useful in everyday life. Items that recall simpler times, with a slightly more nostalgic feel to them capture my heart....I believe home is the place that keeps us centered and gratified. I also believe the simple pleasures in life provide much needed sustenance. Our products help you rediscover clean, simple, comfortable living. Our fresh, farmhouse style has an inviting vintage feel with plenty of practicality--perfect for any home. This is my dream come true."

The vision of Betsy and her father is clear in their products.

Like this rustic iron chandelier, a simple yet beautiful way to light your table, and this dainty yet practical enamel cup and soap holder.

This grain-sack table runner is full of rustic charm....

And people from the country and city alike will notice these exquisite cupcake stands, which were featured in Bride Magazine!

Farmhouse Wares has generously offered to provide one Till Death Do Us Part reader a $30 gift credit.

Here's how you can win!

To Enter:

(Please leave a seperate comment for each entry.)

1. Be (or become) a follower of Till Death Do Us Part via Linky Follow. (Mandatory)

2. Like Farmhouse Wares on Facebook. (Mandatory)

Extra Entries:

3. Be (or become) a follower of Till Death Do Us Part via GFC.

4. Visit the Farmhouse Wares website and tell me what you'd like to buy if you win!

5. Follow Till Death Do Us Part on Twitter.

6. Like Till Death Do Us Part on Facebook.

7. Enter the Belle Banquet giveaway here.

8. Follow the Farmhouse Wares blog, Farmhouse Musings.

9. Blog, tweet, or Facebook about this giveaway. (Please leave a url in your comment.)

Nine ways to win! This giveaway is open to residents 18 years or older in the continental U.S. All entries will be verified. Winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize before another winner is chosen. Giveaway will run until Sunday, March 11 at 10 p.m. CST. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced here soon after.

Good luck!

Two Giveaway Winners!

2012-02-29T22:19:00.000-06:00

Thanks so much to everyone who entered the giveaways here at Till Death Do Us Part. I appreciate it so much, and so do the sponsors!

The winner of the Jolly's Garden Shoes giveaway is Kluckingbear, and the winner of the DaVinci Gourmet syrups is Eclairre! Congrats!

Don't forget to enter the latest giveaway for placemats from Belle Banquet.

Congrats again, girls!

Best Blueberry Muffins

2012-02-27T15:07:00.001-06:00

These blueberry muffins made Sunday morning even sweeter.

Light and sweet, these muffins don't have the tough, mealy texture of some muffins. They're more like a fluffy cake.

Here's how to make them!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1/3 cup light brown sugar

3 medium eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup milk

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups fresh blueberries

For topping:

1 1/2 teaspoon white sugar

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon cinammon

Beat white and brown sugar into butter until creamy. Add eggs one at a time (beat after each, just until incorporated). Mix in baking powder, vanilla, and salt. Add in half of flour and milk, and beat on low just until incorporated. Repeat with the other half of milk and flour. With a wooden spoon, fold in blueberries and mix well into batter.

Spoon mixture into muffin pan. Combine topping ingredients, and sprinkle onto muffins. Bake for 20-25 minutes at 375 (for 12 large muffins).

Easy and absolutely wonderful.

Enjoy!

(This recipe was adapted from this recipe on Food.com.)

Review and Giveaway with Belle Banquet Placemats!

2012-02-26T21:07:00.000-06:00

I love to set a pretty table, and I know that y'all do too!

Meet Belle Banquet, maker of extraordinary placemats. Pretty tables are their speciality.

These placemats are truly works of art. Elegant and unique, their images are sure to suit all your hosting needs. They're great for everyday use as well as special occassions, and they also make great gifts. Belle Banquet was even featured in the November issue of Cooking Light magazine.

Dressy to casual, formal dining room to back porch, there's a placemat for every decore.

Belle Banquet placemats, which measure 11''x17'', are water-resistant for easy cleanup and long life.

Because they are water-resistant, Belle Banquet placemats are ideal for outdoor use.

The placemats come in sets of six, and free shipping is available on orders of three sets or more. I'm wanting these for every season!

For this review, I received six Belle Banquet placemats in the Speckled Egg pattern.

I knew the colors and subject would be perfect for my casual, farmhouse decore.

These placemats are so artful and gorgeous, and the images are so crisp, they look like they could be works of art. The beautiful neutrals in this pattern mesh perfectly with my tan and white Juliska dishes. Not only are these placemats stunning in their appearance, but they are heavy-weight and high quality and sure to be a long-lasting addition to my kitchen.

Very cottage.

Belle banquet is graciously giving one Till Death Do Us Part reader their choice of a set of six placemats. What a perfect way to kick off spring decorating in the kitchen!

Ready to win? Here's how!

To Enter:

(Please leave a seperate comment for each entry.)

1. Be (or become) a follower of Till Death Do Us Part via GFC.

2. Like Belle Banquet on Facebook.
3. Visit the Belle Banquet website and tell me which placemats you would choose if you won!

4. Follow Till Death Do Us Part on Twitter.

5. Enter the Jollys Garden Shoes giveaway.

6. Enter the DaVinci Gourmet Syrups giveaway.

7. Blog, tweet, or Facebook about this giveaway. (Please leave a url in your comment.)

Seven ways to win! This giveaway is open to residents 18 years or older in the continental U.S. Giveaway will run until Sunday, March 4 at 10 p.m. CST. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced here soon after.

Good luck, and thanks for entering!

(*Author received free product to review. All opinions and statements, however, are solely that of the author.)

Gardening in Tiny Spaces

2012-02-22T19:52:00.000-06:00

We have a tiny backyard. What's a gardener to do?

Get creative, I say!

I'll take space where I can get it.

I found these tins at the dollar store. I wasn't too fond of the colorful little scene, though:

I painted over it with some plain ol' black.

I used a hammer and nail to punch three drainage holes in the bottom of each. Don't plant in anything that can't drain!

Then I nailed three to the post on the patio and hung one with a little piece of twine that I apparently saved at some point. Now my little tins are ready for all sorts of fun things, like these little sprigs of Creeping Jenny that I rooted in the house...

I think this would be a good herb garden, don't you?

Here's to spring!

Review with Winestuff!

2012-02-21T22:43:00.002-06:00

Hosting a fancy dinner? Cocktail party? What about a casual dinner at home? Winestuff is where you need to be!

Headquartered in Easton, Pennsylvania, Winestuff.com is a major online retailer specializing in wine glasses, bar supplies, bar furniture, corkscrews, and other high-quality accessories for the wine lover.

Don't you love this unique wine rack?

Winestuff has glasses for every beverage--red wines, white wines, martinis, beers, and more. The selection of brands, such as Riedel and Ravenscroft, is astonishing.

Winestuff also offers other great services, such as custom engraving and a place to ask their "Wine Geek" all your wine questions!

For this reveiw, I received the Ravenscroft Invisibles Burgundy/Pinot Noir glasses. They are absolutely gorgeous!

These glasses are 8 and 1/4 inches in height and hold almost 25 fluid ounces. They are lead-free and have a deep bowl for a more intense flavor.

Using them was a delightful experience. In addition to being elegant, the glass is easy-to-handle, and lightweight. The "invisible" design from which they derive their name refers to the delicate construction of the glass that allows it to "vanish" as you fully appreciate your wine experience.

The glasses also look beautiful as part of a place setting.

My husband loved them as well and is already eyeing a few other products from Winestuff.

Connecting with them is easy: You can like their Facebook page, follow their Twitter, or check out their product demos on Youtube!

Eat, drink, and be merry!

(*Author was provided with free product to review. All statements and opinions, however, are solely that of the author.)

Review and Giveaway with DaVinci Gourmet Syrups!

2012-02-20T12:56:00.002-06:00

Are y'all coffee people like we are? Four people gave us coffee for Christmas. True story.

We love everything from bold to decaf to Columbian to flavored coffees. Now we have an exciting way to switch things up for delicious flavor!

Meet DaVinci Gourmet coffee syrups.

DaVinci started out in Seattle in 1989, and flavor is their "reason for being!" Now sold in over 40 countries, DaVinci makes gourmet drink syrups as well as gourmet sauces and tea concentrates to help infuse your life with flavor.

DaVinci's pure cane sugar classic syrups come in 60 flavors! They won't curdle milk, so they're perfect for coffee. They also can be used in espresso drinks, teas, smoothies, granitas, sodas, and desserts! DaVinci also makes great-tasting sugar-free flavored syrups that are sweetened with SPLENDA® brand sweetener. Click here to explore DaVinci's collection of drink recipes!

Not only does this company produce great products, but it also prides itself in being the largest sponsor of Coffee Kids, a non-profit group whose mission is to improve the lives of children in regions around the world where coffee beans are farmed.

For this review, I was sent two classic syrups, hazelnut and vanilla, and one sugar-free syrup, raspberry.

What appeals to me most about coffee syrups is the freedom to add as much or as little as I want and to enjoy a particular flavor without having to open a new bag of flavored coffee.

This syrup is absolutely wonderful. Sweet aromatic, and it blended perfectly into the coffee and provided superior flavor. These will definitely be part of my coffee experience for years to come.

DaVinci has offered to give one Till Death Do Us Part reader three bottles of her/his own gourmet syrup.

Here's how to win!

To Enter:

(Please leave a seperate comment for each entry.)

1. Be (or become) a follower of Till Death Do Us Part via GFC.

2. Sign up for DaVinci Gourmet's newsletter.

3. Like DaVinci Gourmet on Facebook.

4. Follow DaVinci Gourmet on Twitter.

5. Follow Till Death Do Us Part on Twitter.

6. Enter the giveaway for Jollys Garden Clogs.

7. Blog, tweet, or Facebook about this giveaway. (Please leave a url in your comment.)

Seven ways to win! This giveaway is open to residents 18 years or older in the continental U.S. Giveaway will run until Wednesday, February 29 at 10 p.m. CST. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced here soon after.

Good luck!

(*Author received free product to review. All opinions and statements, however, are solely that of the author.)

Winner of HuePhoria Giveaway!

2012-02-19T22:08:00.000-06:00

Thanks so much to all of you who entered the HuePhoria giveaway!

The winner, chosen via Random.org, is....

Shannon from And Baby Makes Three!

Congratulations, Shannon! Be sure to visit her blog to see what adventures she and her spunky daughter have been up to lately!

Don't forget to enter Till Death Do Us Part's newest giveaway for Jollys Garden Shoes!

Also, look for this awesome giveaways coming up soon:

Davinci Gourmet Coffee Syrups

Belle Banquiet Placemats

Farmhouse Wares

Congrats again, Shannon!

Introducing Clipix Virtual Clipboards

2012-02-19T20:57:00.000-06:00

Do you constantly find things on the internet you'd like to bookmark easily? Would you like to have your own virtual "clipboard" that will let you keep your ideas, list, and life organized while keeping your desk paper-free? clipix

Meet Clipix, an online service that allows you to save anything--articles, restaurants to try, recipes--you want to access later and organize them into Clipboards. You can quickly and easily create as many as you want, arrange them how you want, and share them to Twitter or Facebook. There's also an iphone app for Clipix on the go!

Place the Clip It bookmark on your toolbar to Clip and save anything you want to your customized clip board. You can also like and re-clip what others have clipped.

In addition to creating clipboards, you can also create Syncboards that can be edited and added to by multiple people in real-time. It's great for collaborating with family and friends!

Possible uses for Clipix:

recipes to try
vacation destinations
decorating ideas
gift ideas
crafts to try
cute clothes
restaurants to try
movies to see
funny videos
inspirational quotes
books to read

Personally, I like to browse the internet for craft ideas and clothes. Here is my clothes clipboard from some "shopping" I did recently!

Internet privacy is very important, so Clipix lets you choose if you share your clips and with whom. You can reclip clips, like them, comment on them, and share them with your friends! You'll constantly find new Clipboards you want to create and new things you want to clip. And if you do, you can quickly create a new Clipboard directly within the Clip panel.

Go ahead and sign up! What kinds of things are you going to clip?

Disclosure Policy

Promoted Post

Review and Giveaway with Jollys Garden Shoes!

2012-02-18T09:33:00.002-06:00

Even though we've had a relatively mild winter, is anyone else ready to cast off the sweaters and long nights and welcome spring, with its budding flowers and warm afternoons? I know I am!

Start building your spring-gardening arsenal with Jollys Garden Clogs. For over 25 years, Jollys has provided comfortable, practical, and stylish slip-on shoes specially designed to wear in the garden. Easy to wear and easy to clean, these shoes are nearly impossible to destroy, and with their replaceable insoles, they will last for many years. They are also made of 100% CFC-free polyurethane foam.

Here are some of my favorite Jollys features:

Removeable, replaceable insoles for easy cleaning
No crevices in shoes leaves no room for dirt to hide
Washing machine-safe on the gentle cycle
Extremely lighweight material

And they come in two great styles, Classic and Fashion, and many fun colors!

They also make clogs for men and kids, as well as knee cushions for comfortable kneeling in the garden.

With a pair of Jollys, you're well on your way to this:

And this...

For this review, I received the classic garden clogs in yellow.

These are definitely the most comfortable and lightweight garden shoes I've owned.

They're also the cutest garden shoes I've owned. I almost can't wait to get them muddy!

Ready to win your own pair of Jollys Garden Clogs? Here's how!

To Enter:

(Please leave a seperate comment for each entry.)

1. Be (or become) a follower of Till Death Do Us Part via GFC.

2. Visit Jollys Garden Clogs and tell me which pair you'd choose if you won!

3. Tell me where you'd wear your Jollys shoes.

4. Follow Till Death Do Us Part on Twitter.

5. Blog, tweet, or Facebook about this giveaway. (Please leave a url in your comment.)

Five ways to win! This giveaway is open to residents 18 years or older in the continental U.S. Giveaway will run until Wednesday, February 29 at 10 p.m. CST. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced here the next day.

Good luck!

(*Author received free product to review. All opinions and statements, however, are solely that of the author.)

Best Baked Spaghetti

2012-02-16T15:12:00.001-06:00

Baked spaghetti is one of my husband's favorite foods in this world. I've tinkered with some different variations of baked spaghetti, and I've decided that this recipe is indeed the best!

Ingredients

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni

1 large jar spaghetti sauce

1 pound ground beef

2 cups mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup sour cream

1 tablespoon dried basil

Various seasonings to taste

This is one of those recipes that is give or take according to your preferences. My preference is almost always for elbow macaroni. Love that stuff! You can use your choice!

Brown the ground beef in a large skillet or dutch overn while boiling the noodles until softened. Drain the ground beef, and return it to skillet. Add in spaghetti sauce, and simmer on med/low heat for five-seven minutes. Stir in sour cream and 1 cup of cheese, and stir until smooth.

Here's where you get to add your favorite seasonings. I am grateful for all the basil I dried from my garden last summer!

I also added pepper and 1/2 tbsp of garlic salt.

Once you add all your ingredients, simmer on the stovetop for five minutes, stirring occassionally.

Then remove your spaghetti mixture to a casserole dish, and mix with cooked, drained noodles. Sprinkle the remaining cup of cheese on top.

Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes on 375 or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

It's delicious....even more so the next day!

Enjoy!

Review and Giveaway with HuePhoria Glassware!

2012-02-10T13:59:00.003-06:00

Ready to brighten your day?

Meet HuePhoria glassware! HuePhoria, based out of Syracuse, NY, is comprised of artists Jen and Lisa. They have two passions--being moms, and selling their hand-painted goods! They got their start in 1999, working out of their homes and selling their wares at local fundraisers.

Business boomed, and in 2005, their friend Kathy joined in, and today they design and sell their unique glass products at boutiques across the country.

These ladies have used their fun sense of style to add a unique twist to wine-drinking.

What a way to distinguish your drink from others and be chic at the same time!

The gals at HuePhoria sent me some of their cheery glass--these adorable pear Salt and Peppas.

Beautifully hand-painted and made of high-quality glass, these are a lovely and unique addition to my dinner table.

Here's how you can win your very own set of pear shakers!

To Enter:

(Please leave a seperate comment for each entry.)

1. Be (or become) a follower of Till Death Do Us Part via GFC.

2. Follow HuePhoria on Twitter.

3. Like HuePhoria on Facebook.

4. Sign up for HuePhoria's newsletter.

5. Follow Till Death Do Us Part on Twitter.

6. Blog, tweet, or Facebook about this giveaway. (Please leave a url in your comment.)

Six ways to win! This giveaway is open to residents 18 years or older in the continental U.S. Giveaway will run until Sunday, February 19 at 10 p.m. CST. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced here the next day.

Good luck!

(*Author received free product to review. All opinions and statements, however, are solely that of the author.)

Mississippi Snowflakes

2012-01-31T16:16:00.000-06:00

It's 75 degrees here today.

These are the only "snowflakes" you're likely to see this winter in southern Mississipi.

Or in any winter in southern Mississippi, for that matter.

Crocheting these dainty doilies has been my pasttime as of late.

Though it may seem that crocheting would make me anxious or be too tedious...

It's actually very relaxing....

Particularly when I can do it by an open window

With warm, "winter" air blowing in

And not a snowflake in sight.

Raising Support for Walgreens Pharmacy

2012-01-17T14:37:00.000-06:00

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

Medicine is expensive these days, so healthcare coverage is a must. Sometimes, though, it's a hassle to find in-network providers for your prescriptions. Express Scripts, Inc., which manages Tri-care, the military's healthcare provider, has partnered with Walgreens in the past so that Walgreens pharmacies are in-network, making it extremely convenient to find a reliable pharmacy nearby. After all, Walgreens in the largest drugstore chain in America!

Unfortunately, Express Scripts is no longer willing to partner with Walgreens, which will disrupt service to thousands, including those in the military. Now, patients who have relied on Walgreens pharmacies for years are being forced to search for other approved prescription drug providers, which causes fear and frustration and potential disruption in medical treatment. Longtime relationships with trusted pharmacists are being severed. Click here for further information regarding this former partnership. Walgreens and Express Scripts

In order to help customers stay with the Walgreens pharmacists they've trusted for years, Walgreens is now offering a Prescription Savings Club to fill in this gap. A family membership is just $10 a year and covers all members of your immediate family, including a spouse, dependents 22 years old and younger, as well as pets. Individuals can also enroll for $5. This membership offers you and your family great savings on over 8.000 brand-name prescriptions and all generic prescriptions. You will also receive savings on nebulizers, diabetic supplies, flu shots, and pet prescriptions. Do you use Walgreen brand products and Walgreens photo services? You get bonuses on those too with the Prescription Savings Plan. Click here for more information. Prescription Savings Club at Walgreens

In addition to spreading the word and joining the Prescription Savings Club, how else can you support Walgreens in its endeavor to provide uninterrupted service? You can like them on Facebook and follow them on twitter to stay up to date! Walgreens on Facebook Walgreens on Twitter

Stay healthy!

Best Blondies

2012-01-13T13:58:00.000-06:00

I'm actually not a big fan of brownies. I know!

I do love Blondies, though! Here's a very quick and easy recipe. I whipped these up Sunday night, just for little old me.

Best Blondies

1 1/3 cups sifted all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/3 cup white sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 large egg

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a 9 x 9 x 1-3/4 inch pan.
Stir together flour, baking powder, and salt, and set aside. In a large bowl, beat together sugars, butter, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
Stir the flour mixture and the nuts into the egg mixture until well-blended. Spread batter evenly into prepared pan. (Batter will be a little dry and hard to spread--this is ok!)

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until edges start to pull away from pan. While still warm, use a knife to slice into squares.

Enjoy!

Christmas Entrance Table

2011-12-12T13:52:00.000-06:00

I love changing this table out with the seasons.

Whereas last year I went with bold colors, this year I opted for metalics and more natural elements.

Lots of shine.

Lots of sparkle.

Everything's all aglow.

Just in time for Christmas!

Tiny Felt Stockings

2011-12-05T22:35:00.003-06:00

This is our second year as a married couple. For our first Christmas, we didn't even have Christmas stockings! I'm a big follower of traditions, so I had to remedy this problem.

I freehanded a little stocking on paper and then cut it out. I used the cut-out as a template to trace ten little stockings onto pieces of felt along with little rectangles for the trim on top.

I then matched up the pieces and hand-sewed them together with embroidery floss.

Just a little something. You know, for tradition's sake.

One for each member (whether human or animal) of our own little family.

In addition to those listed on my Blog Parties tab, I'm also linking to:

Review with Loving Pets!

2011-12-05T09:32:00.000-06:00

Loving Pets Corporation, located in New Jersey, has been providing quality pet products since 2005. They take a natural, holistic approach to taking care of pets. This company only provides the highest quality and healthiest products possible so that you can preserve the health and well-being of your treasured companions. After all, our furry buddies do so much for us, right?

This is how Coy looked when he realized what was in the box. He hates the mail guy, but he forgave him, just this once.

For this review, I was sent two packages of Gourmet Meat Sticks and two packages of Barksters.

The best thing about the gourmet meat sticks is that they are a little more substantial than a standard dog treat, so it takes Coy more than one second to inhale it.

He gobbled these right up. These also come in four flavors to add a little variety to your pets' diets.

My top honor in this review, however, goes to the Barksters. These low-calorie treats (about 12 calories each!) contain only products grown on U.S. farms and use ingredients that are rich in vitamins.

It's important to us to manage Coy's weight to avoid joint problems in the future, so the Barksters are a great option to traditional dog treats. My favorite thing about them, though, is that they are grain-free! Coy has a grain allergy, so food containing grain causes him to itch and scratch terribly. We can give him Barksters without worrying about this bothersome reaction.

Visit Loving Pets website to view their entire line of nutritious treats and premium pet accessories.

You can also connect with Loving Pets via their Facebook page and by following them on Twitter.

Treat your pet to the products they deserve!

(*Author was supplied with free product to review. All statements and opinions, however, are solely that of the author.)

Handmade Bench--A Future Family Heirloom

2011-11-30T09:25:00.001-06:00

A few months back, my husband and I visted his family farm back east in Georgia. His very sweet and handy grandfather offered to help Britt make a bench out of an oak that had fallen on the property.

So the two of them spent a warm September afternoon out in the barn, measuring and drilling, sawing and laughing.

Once we got it home, I sanded, stained, and sealed it.

We love it.

And its transformation.

Simple and rustic.

It's not only a lovely piece of furniture....

But also a reminder of that sweet afternoon shared by Britt and his grandfather.

We'll keep the bench (and the memories) forever, and one day, hopefully our children will sit upon it.

Instead of Amos.

Who for the time being

has claimed this future family heirloom for his own.

Crochet Doily

2011-11-16T23:59:00.002-06:00

My grandmother taught me to crochet when I was 14. I loved it immediately.

Unfortunately, crochet is one of those lovely pursuits that is fading away. And as silly as it sounds, I do it not only because it's enjoyable, but because it's a little piece of the past that I refuse to release.

I'm an old pro at afghans and washcloths, but recently I tried my hand at something that required a little more finesse.

The doily. The classic crochet piece.

It took a bit of time for my fingers to adjust to the tiny hook and tiny thread.

But eventually, some order began to emerge from the tangles.

My grandmother has given me doilies she made as well as some crocheted by her mother. I always imagined the creation falling perfectly from their needles.

Not the case!

Once the doily is complete, you must wash it. This is done by giving it a light handwash (no twisting or pulling!) in mild detergent and warm water, and then gently rolling the piece in a clean towel to remove the excess water without distorting its shape.

Then you must "block" the piece. This is done by unrolling it onto a flat, dry surface and gently shaping it as needed. Then you can enjoy it on the coffee table under an antique vase or on your nightstand by the lamp, just the way the good Lord intended for doilies to be used.

So now, each time you visit your grandmother, and you see a hand-made doily, please always remember....

That it wasn't just crocheted....

It was loved into life!

Is It Really Fall?

2011-11-10T08:32:00.000-06:00

Is it really fall?

The streadily growing okra makes me wonder.

So do the zinnias.

How can people have snow...

When my basil is growing?

Review with GreenSmart

2011-11-07T14:55:00.000-06:00

GreenSmart is a true trash-to-treasure company. They turn waste such as plastic bottles into "new," beautiful products. They also practice socially-responsible labor, which is especially commendable.

For this review, I received a Narwhal Messenger Bag in ocean blue.

Here are a few of the bags features:

- Roomy interior with padded laptop bay fits up to 13.3"
- Full width back slash pocket
- Side pockets on both ends
- Organization pocket under flap

This bag is of great quality, and the colors are bold and vibrant--definitely beyond what I expected from a bag that is 98% composed of old plastic bottles! It's also just as strong as "virgin" products, or those that are created from non-recycled materials.

Not only is this messenger bag stylish, but it is very functional as well. It has various sections and smaller pockets for easy organization.

This messenger bag would be great for students as well as professionals. It could also be useful for general travel, as well.

GreenSmart makes other great products, too!

I love this bright pink MacBook sleeve for stylish protection.

I also love this sandy-brown backpack (perfect for hiking!):

Here's another great travel accessory--a wine carrier:

Ready to do a little Christmas shopping on GreenSmart? Use the coupon code LH2865 for 15% off your purchase until December 21, 2011!

You can also connect with GreenSmart via their Twitter and Facebook pages.

Master Bedroom Makeover

2011-11-02T23:45:00.000-05:00

As the weather (finally) turns colder, the bright pinks and greens of my bedroom didn't suit me anymore, and I bid them adieu until March ushers in the first hints of spring.

Digging through my house yielded suitable colors to more adequately reflect the stark, still peacefullness of fall.

The dresser got a makeover, complete with a new runner I made from dark brown burlap and linen.

No more summer in the white wire shelf....

And no more bright green on the dresser. I created the vase on the right using a candleholder, a glass vase, white beans, and a faux branch.

Happy fall!

Two Winners!

2011-11-01T20:57:00.000-05:00

I'm pleased to announce two giveaway winners tonight! The winner of the CottonAge spa wrap giveaway is Debra, and the winner of the Ultimate Green Store $30 gift credit is Ruth! Thanks so much to everyone who entered!

Halloween Around the House

2011-10-24T13:41:00.000-05:00

Halloween in our house is not confined to the entrance table. I love to have Halloween around the whole house.

My DIY flower crate now holds touches of October and acts as our kitchen table centerpiece.

My favorite element of the centerpiece is this small, wide-mouth mason jar filled with popcorn kernals and topped with a tealight. (Terribly inexpensive.)

A small white faux pumpkin and a vintage mason jar with dried okra

Fall berries around a bowl of buttons.

And a few smiling faces that have been with me for years!

Happy Halloween!

I Hate Cell Phone Contracts

2011-10-24T13:32:00.000-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Straight Talk for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I really do. For what I do with my phone (talk and text), I don't need an expensive, binding contract when I can cut my cell bill in half and get everything I need with Straight Talk! (Feeling richer yet? Just imagine what you could get with the money you save!) You also save money because they have no activation, reactivation, or termination fees! Feel Richer with Android

Straight Talk, with no credit check, offers you the luxury of no surprise fees/bills and no contract. They have great coverage and only use reputable manufacturers like Nokia, Kyocera, Samsung, and Motorola. Yes, you can get an Android phone for only $45 a month! The power of Android

So what do you get with a Straight Talk monthly plan? The "All You Need Plan" has you covered: 1000 minutes of talk, 1000 minutes of text, and 30 MB of data per month...all for $45 (and this includes pic messaging and 411 service, as well!). That's a whole year of service for just $499!

Straight Talk also has an international long-distance plan. Call from your cell, workplace, or home with this flexible pre-paid plan.

Ok, the important part...phone selection! Reconditioned phones are available from just $10 and have camera, mp3 player, mobile web access, and blue-tooth capability (what a great deal for young or first-time phone owners). Straight Talk also offers smart phones that have features such as touch screen, app capability, voice navigation, video camera, music player, instant messaging, and blue tooth.

Need more info? Just click on the videos below.

The getting richer effect has expanded... by LittleBard95
The Straight Talk Image... by LittleBard95

Straight Talk....the smart way to communicate!

Halloween Entrance Table

2011-10-23T09:47:00.003-05:00

I love changing holidays and seasons, because they mean changing my decor. This table always changes.

Halloween also just so happent to be one of my favorite holidays. And cats just so happens to be my favorite animal.

Fall berries, tied with muslin, nesting inside a thrifted Oneida gravy boat.

A mason jar of popcorn kernals and white beans holds a tealight.

Dry moss and a wire pumpkin in a small galvanized metal bucket.

Hapy Halloween!

Review and Giveaway with Cotton Age!

2011-10-20T12:09:00.001-05:00

CottonAge is your ultimate source for luxurious cotton bathrobes, wraps, towels, slippers, and more! They make products for men, women, and children. This California company imports all of their high-quality products from Turkey, and it supplies some of the finest hotels in the world.

CottonAge offers same-day shipping and personalization on its items. (I do love a monogram!)

For this review, I received CottonAge's Waffle Body Wrap Towel.

I had a towel wrap in college (hello, community bathrooms!), and I have wanted another one ever since. They are so convenient to use when you get out of the shower, and the velcro closure frees up your hands to apply lotion or makeup in the bathroom.

I also love the breathable cotton!

Here are some of the Waffle Wrap's features:

One Patch Pocket

Secure Top Elastic Band

Velcro Closure

30" Length

54" Width

Generously Sized Adjustable Elastic Band

And of course I adore waffle weave....stylish yet casual.

And now my wrap matches my shower curtain!

CottonAge is giving one Till Death Do Us Part reader their very own Waffle Body Wrap. Here's how to win!

To Enter:

(Please leave a seperate comment for each entry.)

1. Be (or become) a follower of Till Death Do Us Part.

2. Follow CottonAge on Twitter.

3. Like CottonAge on Facebook.

4. Follow Till Death Do Us Part on Twitter.

5. Blog, tweet, or Facebook about this giveaway. (Please leave a url in your comment.)
6. Enter the UncommonGoods giveaway here.

Five ways to win! This giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will run until Sunday, October 30 at 10 p.m. CST. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced here asap!

Good luck!

(*Author received free product to review. All opinions and statements, however, are solely that of the author.)

Review and Giveaway with Uncommon Goods!

2011-10-18T12:20:00.001-05:00

UncommonGoods is my new favorite online store. This privately owned company out of NYC offers unique and creative gifts at very affordable prices. Whether it be jewelry for the wife or toys for the kids, they have something for everyone and items for all ages!

How much do you love the fortune cookie baby shoes!

It's impossible to sum up in one post the large variety of items they have on their site and the great selection of truly unique items offered. There are gifts for mom (think Christmas!) and gardeners gifts as well!

Want to purchase something that's really unique? UncommonGoods has that too!

As an avid gardener, some of my favorite items are gifts for the garden. It's never too early to plan for spring planting!

For this review, I chose not only two items that I loved, but two items that helped show the diversity and creativity of the products at UncommonGoods.

First is an organic growbottle, made of a repurposed wine bottle:

It allows you to grow plants indoors, no garden needed.

I chose the basil version since I'm such a huge fan of growing my own herbs. Now they can keep growing all winter long! This bottle is sturdy and stylish and comes with all the growing necessities tucked inside!

The second item I received for this review is a ticket stub diary. I love to attend sporting events and especially concerts, and my husband loves to see movies. We're both very sentimental and save every ticket stub. I stick them everywhere and find them at the most random times and in, of course, the most random places! Not anymore!

This notebook has a place for tickets and photos as well as an area to jot down notes about your experience. Very creative, very convenient!

Uncommon Goods is graciously giving one Till Death Do Us Part reader a $30 gift credit. Perfect for getting started on that Christmas shopping!

Ready to win?

To Enter:

(Please leave a seperate comment for each entry.)

Mandatory Entries

1. Be (or become) a follower of Till Death Do Us Part

2. Visit Uncommon Goods and pick out something you'd like to win!

Extra Entries

3.Tweet a link to UncommonGoods' Garden Gift Page. (Please leave url of your tweet in the comment.)

4. Follow UncommonGoods on Twitter.

5. Like UncommonGoods on Facebook.

6. Follow Till Death Do Us Part on Twitter.

7. Blog, tweet, or Facebook about this giveaway. (Please leave a url in your comment.)

Seven ways to win! This giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will run until Sunday, October 31 at 10 p.m. CST. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced here asap!

Good luck!

(*Author was received free product to review. All statements and opinions, however, are solely that of the author.)

Two Giveaways, Two Winners!

2011-10-16T23:01:00.000-05:00

Thanks so much to everyone who enters the latest giveaways here at Till Death Do Us Part!

The winner of the Fissler flat whisk is Ramona at Create with Joy (check out her great blog!), and the winner of the Skoy cloths is Sherry at Back 2 Vintage (another great blogger and fellow Mississippian!). Congratulations!

MeeMaw's Lamp

2011-10-11T12:46:00.000-05:00

When my husband and I got married, we were grateful to get MeeMaw's old lamp.

We didn't have one for Britt's nightstand, so we gladly took this one. Even though it's....less than beautiful? I think that adequately yet politely communicates what I'm feeling.

I definitely was not interested in buying a new one when it works perfectly fine! So for the past year, I've just tried not to notice it. Why did I never re-do it until now? No idea.

Rush was my right-hand man through the whole thing. Thanks, pal.

I took strips of thin, cream colored cloth (that I already had) and cut it into strips. I then bunched each strip and covered the shade section by section, hot gluing each strip of cloth to the inside of the top and bottom of the shade.

Rush!

I also spray painted the body of the lamp. Yes, you can spray paint ceramic! Just rough it up with some fine-grit sandpaper, wipe clean, and spray. It took a few coats to cover up the "lovely" design on this one.

The finished product is much better. Cottage and simple.

Thanks, MeeMaw!

Winner of Bright Settings Giveaway!

2011-10-10T10:23:00.000-05:00

The winner of the Bright Settings black toile napkins, according to Random.org, is Lavender Dreamer! Congratulations! The Fissler Flat Whisk Giveaway and Skoy Cloth giveaway have been extended, so be sure to enter those as well!

Good luck, and congrats to our latest winner!

Mossy Pumpkin Wreath

2011-10-04T14:35:00.004-05:00

I love to "seasonalize" my home. Especially for Halloween.

This includes my front door.

It's just a wreath form and craft moss...

And a few little pumpkins...

Hung with a burlap bow....

Happy fall, y'all!

P.S. I'm linking this project to:
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Inspired by You Wednesdays
Create and Share
Share the Love Wednesday

Dry Shampoo--The Future is Here!

2011-10-04T14:26:00.002-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of TRESemmé for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Ever feel like you could save so much time in the mornings if you could just skip the shower to shampoo your hair? Now you can! Meet TRESemmé Fresh Start Dry Shampoo.

TRESemme has designed a full line of dry shampoos that rejuvenate the look and feel of your hair without the use of any water. The special formula revives hair by absorbing excess oil and odor. TRESemme dry shampoos are also infused with a citrus extract for a clean, fresh scent.

If you are like me, you're thinking, how in the world does one use a dry shampoo? Here's how!

Shake the product vigorously (also shake between sprays) before using.
Hold the product 8-12 inches from head, and spray lightly at roots.
Leave in for 1-2 minutes.
Use fingers or a brush to distribute product evenly throughout hair.

You can also check out this video about using the product. how to use

(Do not spray product all over like a hair spray, and if the nozzle becomes clogged, you can take it off, rinse it with warm water, and reattach it.)

It's as simple as that!

With the full line of TRESemme products, you can choose the one that's perfect for your hair and style.

Strengthening: B12 vitamins and keratin leave your hair strong and full of body.
Volumizing: Mineral clay and citrus give incredible, salon-esque fullness.
Smoothing: VItamin H and silk proteins remove oil, impurities, and odors to refresh and maintain your sleek style.
Moisurizing: Witch Hazel, citrus, and aloe vera removes unwanted oil, impurities, and odor while infusing moisture into your hair.

You can also visit the YouTube channel of celeb Julia Anderson. She and TRESemme have teamed up to teach people how to properly use Fresh Start Dry Shampoo. You can also enter to win a $500 gift card to Target, so check her video out!

Save some of those precious minutes from your daily routine with TRESemme Fresh Start!

Review and Giveaway with Skoy Cloths!

2011-10-03T11:39:00.003-05:00

Sponges hold germs. Paper towels don't hold up. Is there another cleaning option?

Yes!

Meet Skoy Cloths.

Skoy Cloths are all-natural, pulp-based cleaning cloths that are stiff and almost papery when dry and become supple and flexible just like a washcloth when wet. These cloths are absolutely superior to sponges because they can be easily cleaned so they don't hold germs! Skoy Cloths were created in the late 90s by moms Karen and Michelle, who were tired of the continual waste caused by paper towels. Their cloths were even featured in Reader's Digest and Women's Day Magazine!

Here are a few of Skoy Cloths' best features:

Superior durability
Ability to absord 15 times its own weight
Long-lasting
Dishwasher/washing machine safe
100% biodegrable.
Microwaveable for sanitation

One Skoy Cloth is equivalent to 15 rolls of paper towels. That's a lot of money saved!

I am a huge fan of Skoy Cloths. They clean better than washcloths and paper towels, and they are a breeze to clean. They through many uses (up to fifty washes), and they are a breeze to clean. I like to pop mine into the dishwasher to clean and lay them flat to dry. How easy is that?

(Click here for complete info on use and care.)

And they come in pretty colors and designs!

For this review, I was sent a four-pack of color flower Skoy Cloths.

These are absolute lifesavers (especially for someone like me who is in the kitchen a lot). They clean wonderfully, wash easily, and get rid of really tough spills and messes! I enjoy the peace of mind of taking them out of the dishwasher and knowing that I'm not using a bacteria-infested sponge. I also love that when I'm not using them, I can store them flat in a drawer, not wet on the back of the sink like a dirty sponge!

And I'm a sucker for the pretty flowers!

Skoy Cloths generously sent me an extra set of cloths to give away to one lucky reader.

Ready to win? Here's how!

To Enter:

(Please leave a separate comment for each entry.)

1. Be (or become) a follower of Till Death Do Us Part. (Mandatory)

2. Tell me how you'd use your Skoy Cloth.

3. Like Skoy Cloth on Facebook.

4. Follow Skoy Cloth on Twitter.

5. Follow Till Death Do Us Part on Twitter.

6. Post this giveaway to your blog.

7. Facebook or tweet about this giveaway.

8. Enter the Fissler flat whisk giveaway here.

Eight ways to win! This giveaway will be open until Sunday, October 16 at 10 p.m. CST. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced here asap! U.S. entries only.

Good luck!

(*Author was supplied with free product to review. All opinions and statements, howeer, are solely that of the author.)

Review and Giveaway with Fissler Kitchenware!

2011-10-03T11:02:00.006-05:00

What tool is makes fixing gravy and preparing pie fillings so much easier?

A flat whisk!

Fissler USA, headquartered in Los Angeles, has provided high-quality kitchenware with a sophisticated European flair for over 20 years. They also have a great blog that you can check out here!

For this review, I was sent a Fissler flat whisk.

Since I love to cook and bake, I am always excited to try new kitchenware. This has quickly become on of my favorite kitchen gadgets, and it is a completely different tool than a regular whisk. This Fissler product is sturdy and very well-made. It is great for stirring ingredients in saucepans, as the design allows for vigorous mixing but prevents scratching.

Fissler sent me two of these great flat whisks. One for myself, and one to give away to a Till Death Do Us Part reader.

Here's how to win!

To Enter:

(Please leave a separate comment for each entry.)

1. Be (or become) a follower of Till Death Do Us Part. (Mandatory)

2. Tell me what you'd cook with your flat whisk!

3. Like Fissler on Facebook.

4. Follow Fissler on Twitter.

5. Follow Till Death Do Us Part on Twitter.

6. Put this giveaway on your blog.

7. Facebook or tweet about this giveaway.

8. Enter the Skoy Cloth giveaway here.
9. Become a follower of the Fissler blog here.

This giveaway will run until Sunday, October 16 at 10 p.m. CST. U.S. entries only. Giveaway will be chosen via Random.org and announced here asap.

Good luck!

(*Author was supplied with free product to review. All opinions are statements, however, are that of the author.)

Review and Giveaway with Bright Settings

2011-09-30T08:06:00.000-05:00

Looking to spruce up your table or change your kitchen look for fall? Look no further than Bright Settings linen company!

Bright Settings was founded in 1999 in Pennsylvania by Marc Templin. What started out in one small room has grown into a thriving company. Bright settings has everything you need from tablecloths to napkins, chair covers to placemats, all to help you pull together a beautiful dining look. Their design and color selection for their linens is astonishing!

For my review of Bright Settings, I was sent ten cloth napkins in a black toile (my favorite!). The pattern is gorgeous, and the napkins are extremely beautiful.

The quality of these napkins in wonderful, and they are very large and usable as well. They add so much elegance to my table. And I love that they are machine washable!

Bright Settings has agreed to give one Till Death Do Us Part reader her (or his!) own set of ten black toile cloth napkins. Ready to win?

TO ENTER:
(Please leave a separate comment for each entry.)

Mandatory Entries:
1. Be (or become) a follower of Till Death Do Us Part via GFC.

2. Visit Bright Settings and tell me something else you love.

Extra Entries:

3. Like the Bright Settings Facebook page.

4. Follow Bright Settings on Twitter.

5. Follow Till Death Do Us Part on Twitter.

6. Sign up for the Bright Settings newsletter.

7. Post this giveaway to your blog or sidebar (please leave a link in your comment).

8. Facebook or tweet about this giveaway (please leave a link in your comment).

Eight ways to win!
Open to U.S. residents only. Giveaway will close on Sunday, October 9` at 10 p.m. CST. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced here asap!

Glass Dharma and Prefense Giveaway Winners!

2011-09-26T07:43:00.001-05:00

Many thanks to everyone who entered the giveaways at Till Death Do Us Part. The winner of the Glass Dharma giveaway, chosen via Random.org, is Debra! The winner of the Prefense hand sanitizer is Patricia!

Thanks so much to all who entered, and stay tuned for more giveaways today!

DIY Black Toile Curtain Trim

2011-09-22T22:33:00.001-05:00

Part of the beauty of DIY is saving money and getting to create exactly the look you want without searching through stores.

As I continue my trend of black and white for this year's fall season, I turned to our den curtains, which were pale blue, yellow, and gold. I had some solid white panels that were semi-sheer and a bit blah. Determined to use them, I decided to dress them up a bit in the spirit of Black and White Fall by adding a trim of black and white toile (my favorite!).

With my sewing machine still in Georgia, I resorted to Stitch Witchery for this project.

I used a piece of cardboard (that I apparently doodled on at some point) to make a nice sharp seam, and I created some trim for the bottom of the curtains.

I used more stitch witchery to then attach the trim to the bottom of the white panels.

It took awhile to do all that ironing (which just so happens to be my most hated chore), but it's a simple process.

The trim also gives the ultra-lightweight sheers more weight so that they hang more beautifully.

Light and crisp, like I hope fall will be!

Review and Giveaway with Prefense Foaming Hand Sanitizer!

2011-09-21T20:51:00.002-05:00

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

I am a bit of a germaphobe. I am always that girl passing around the hand sanitizer at the table. There are, however, some things I have wished I could change about hand sanitizers: having to apply them constantly throughout the day, the overwhelming alcohol odor they have, and how terribly they dry out my hands!

Prefense foaming hand sanitizer solves all three of these problems! It's alcohol-free, made entirely from all-natural ingredients. It actually softens your hands instead of drying them! And one application lasts all day!

Here are a few other perks that make Prefense the superior hand sanitizer on the market:

-It protects against staph, E.coli, strep, and more.
-Because "one spray lasts all day," you save money on hand sanitizer!
-It's non-toxic.

For this review, I was sent Prefense's 1.5 oz. foaming hand sanitizer:

This bottle contains 120 sprays...that's four months-worth of product in one small bottle! I was totally thrilled when I tried this product to discover that it actually does make your hands smoother, and it truly is odorless! It's definitely going to become my go-to sanitizer, especially before meals! (No more alcohol scent getting in the way of my food!)

Prefense has generously offered to give away an 8 oz. bottle of foaming hand sanitizer to one lucky winner! That's 640 applications--or nearly two years-worth of product!

Here's how to win!

TO ENTER:

(Please leave a separate comment for each entry. You may complete whichever of these entries you choose, whether it be one of them or all of them!)

1. Leave a comment. Just any old comment will do!

2. Follow Prefense on Twitter.

3. Like Prefense on Facebook!

4. Promote this giveaway on your blog, facebook, or twitter.

5. Follow Till Death Do Us Part via GFC.

6. Follow Till Death Do Us Part on Twitter.

Want your Prefense now? You can purchase their affordable products here at their website.

This contest will close on September 25 at 10 p.m. CST. Open to U.S. residents only. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and receive their product directly from Prefense.

Good luck!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Review and Giveaway with Glass Dharma Glass Straws!

2011-09-19T23:25:00.001-05:00

Everyone has reusable glass plates, bowls, cups, and silverware. So why not reusable glass straws?

Meet GlassDharma glass straws, the creation of David Leonhardt. David is a lampworker and glassblower out of California who wanted to take a practical step at reducing waste by reducing the number of plastic straws consumed and tossed in the garbage.

Here are just a few of the benefits of using glass straws:

No toxins seep into your beverage as you drink.
Each glass straw usage equals one plastic straw kept out of your garbage and out of a landfill.
You can save money by using your glass straw instead of purchasing thousands of plastic ones through the years.

GlassDharma, however, doesn't just make any old glass straw. GlassDharma straws are:

Made of borosilicate tubing and is the strongest glass commercially available.
Means that we have spared no expense in bringing you the strongest, most durable drinking straw possible.
Created with the best glass-blowing techniuqes.
Hand-made in the U.S.A.

And for your convenience, they are microwave and dishwasher safe!

There are tons of styles, sizes, lengths, and colors to choose from. For this review, I received an ice tea bent beauty, a simple elegance smoothie, an ice tea decorative dots in amber, and a sipper shorty. These straws are excellent and exceeded my expectations. Not only are they quite elegant (unlike plastic straws), but they are sturdy and practical. I especially love the decorative dots straws and the bent beauty, which is so easy to use! My concerns with glass straws--would it break against my glass during use? Is it easy to clean?--were definitely put to rest. The straw didn't clink against my glass at all. Also, GlassDharma straws are dishwasher safe, and there are special cleaning brushes available for hand-washing. My husband (who doesn't usually care about this kind of thing) was even impressed with these straws, and we will definitely be buying Christmas presents this year from GlassDharma. They also offer a lifetime guarantee--if they can't repair your straw, they'll replace it for free!

GlassDharma has offered to give one Till Death Do Us Part reader a $25 gift credit to be used on their website!

Ready to win?

TO ENTER:
(Please leave a separate comment for each entry.)

Mandatory Entries:
1. Be (or become) a follower of Till Death Do Us Part via GFC.

2. Visit Glass Dharma and tell me what you'd get with your $25 credit.

Extra Entries:

3. Like the Glass Dharma Facebook page.

4. Follow Glass Dharma on Twitter.

5. Follow Till Death Do Us Part on Twitter.

6. Post this giveaway to your blog or sidebar (please leave a link in your comment).

7. Facebook or tweet about this giveaway (please leave a link in your comment).

Giveaway will close on Sunday, September 25 at 10 p.m. CST. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced here asap!

Good luck!

(*Author was supplied with free product to review. All opinions and statements, however, are solely that of the author.)

Let's Keep Our Dogs Healthy!

2011-09-19T09:35:00.000-05:00

This post brought to you by Hills Pet Nutrition. All opinions are 100% mine.

To say we love our dog Coy would be an understatement. He came into our lives totally unexpectedly, and he was spared the fate of a shelter dog.

Being a lab mix, and still being a puppy in lab years (he's 1!), we do our best to keep Coy active. He has boundless energy! We have a small house and back yard, so that means frequent walks and visits to a friend's pasture and pond.

I was excited when I learned about Hill's Healthy Mobility Challenge. Hill's food can increase your dog's mobility drastically in just 30 days. This company realizes how important mobility is to a dog's health and happiness. You should read up on Hill's Pet Nutrition if you're concerned about your dog's mobility and want to keep him/her active!

As owners of a larger dog, we're especially concerned for Coy's mobility, as labs and other similar dogs tend to experience hip and other joint pain as they age. Such problems severely limit mobility and can lead to weight and health problems. Hill's food addresses these possibilities by specifically including ingredients in their food that increase joint health.

Worried about affording a premium pet food? You can download a Hill's Healthy Mobility Coupon to get you started. Register to receive $30 in coupon offers and automatically be entered to win Hill's sweepstakes. They're giving away FREE PET FOOD for a year to 30 people! That's a lot of mobility!

Are you a Facebooker? So is Hill's! You can learn more about the Healthy Mobility challenge by checking out Hill's Pet Nutrition on Facebook.

Let's keep our dogs healthy! They do the same for us. :)

Two Giveaway Winners!

2011-09-18T22:19:00.000-05:00

Two giveaways ended tonight. Chosen by Random.org, the winners are...

Grammy Goodwill for the Trudeau kitchen gadgets giveaway, and Ashley for the Natural Scents soy candle giveaway.

Congrats!

Thanks to all those who entered, and please check back tomorrow to enter the next great giveaway!

Save Money with Straight Talk

2011-09-18T10:08:00.002-05:00

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

My husband and I are cutting corners any way we can (that house down payment doesn't save for itself!). This has caused us to examine all of our bill statements. One that particularly frustrates me is my cell phone bill. Sometimes I ask myself, why am I paying $70 a month in a binding cell phone contract? I feel like some of that could be going towards our house if I switched to Straight Talk, a service provider that offers no-contract plans but still guarantees nationwide coverage and great reception. They offer reputable phone brands like like LG, Motorola, Kyocera, Nokia, Samsung. And with Straight Talk, there's NO contract! So that means no early termination fees. There's also no credit check and no surprise bills and fees (which I HATE).

Just consider the "All You Need" plan. 1000 minutes of talk, 1000 texts, and 3 MB of data per month. That's a lot for only $45 per month! If you like the sound of that plan, you can get it for an entire year for just $499! And this includes calling, texting, pictures messaging, and web access. All of that, plus free 411, and no activation, reactivation, or termination fees.

Everything you need

Straight Talk also offers long distance plans at low rates. You can make long-distance calls from your home, office, or cell with a flexible prepaid service. Call a friend

One drawback to other prepaid services is lack of phone selection. Not so with Straight Talk! Reconditioned phones are available for as low as $10, and they come with features such as camera, mp3 player, mobile web access, and BlueTooth capability. What a great option for children and young teens! You can also choose from smart phones that have touch screens, cameras, video recorders, music players, instant messaging, and BlueTooth. Straight Talk even makes the Android phone affordable! Android on Straight Talk

It's also the favorite of the Fantasy Fly Fishing team! Hook, line and sinker

For more information, take a look at this video:

Homestead Sign

2011-09-13T16:41:00.000-05:00

Do you think of your house as not just a building to live in, but more of a homestead? For us, it's a place to live, rest, play, garden, build, worship, work, entertain, and pray. A place to call our own.

A homestead.

So as I pondered what to put on my latest sign as I decorate for Black and White Fall, I decided that "Homestead" was the perfect word.

I have used stencils and graphite-transfer techniques to make signs in the past, but for this project, I used a glue-transfer technique (Becca was also the inspiration for this sign. So pefect for my black and white theme.)

This technique definitely works, but you have to be thorough, gentle, and patient (three things that I'm prone to not be!). You must follow the instructions to the letter (yep, not me again...). But I did manage to get this to work, and here's how:

1. Sand away the rough edges of your board, and wipe clean.

2. Paint your board black and then white. I used two coats of white, which allowed a little of the black to show through here and there and give the board an antiqued look.

(I do all my painting on my den floor. With three pets swarming around me. I'm a risk taker.

3. Sand the areas of the board where you want the black paint to show through. (Note: this is somewhat difficult/time-consuming to do by hand. Alas, I have no electric sander, but it is definitely possible by hand. You just have to keep at it.)

4. Paint printer paper with Elmer's Washable Glue. Make sure you cover the entire area where the image will be printed. Let dry completely. When the pages were dry, I stacked them between some heavy books to straighten them out a little and ensure they'd feed smoothly through the printer.

5. Print out your image on the glue side of the paper. You need a laser-jet image for this project. Also, be sure to print a mirror image of your graphic if you are using words. In Paint.net, you select image, and then flip horizontal/vertical.

6. Position your graphics on your board to decide where they should be placed. (The beautiful wheat pictures came from The Graphics Fairy.)

(Check out the monster mistake I almost made....pretty sure "homstead" is not a word....)

7. Paint Mod-Podge onto the areas where your graphics will go. Place them ink and glue-side down, press the graphic onto the board, and smooth out all the bubbles.

8. Let the graphics dry to the board overnight. Removing them too early will result in improper transfer of the ink. Mine dried a little over eight hours. I used a wet rag to moisten the graphics and rub the wet paper away, revealing the graphic transferred onto the wood.

9. I then painted the whole piece with Mod Podge to disguise the areas around the graphics where it had been used to tranfer the image.

That's it!

More than just a home.

Review and Giveaway with Trudeau Kitchen Products

2011-09-12T08:48:00.001-05:00

Trudeau gets it.

Cooking can be stressful. Not necessarily because of following recipes or cleaning up messes or worrying about your family's reaction to a new side dish. Sometimes, we just don't have the right tools to make cooking easy. Case in point, last week, a malfunctioning can opener added ten valuable minutes to my prep time and subtracted a little piece of my sanity.

Meet Trudeau's Stress Less line of cooking tools.

"Trudeau reinvents the joy of cooking with the new Stress Less line of kitchenware designed to reduce stress while you prepare your favorite meals. You can now get the most out of your kitchen tools with the least effort." (Trudeau homepage)

Pictured below are the Stress Less pepper mill and garlic press, two items in this line.

For this review, I received the Stress Less can opener, rotary cheese grater, and pizza cutter. My first reaction to the products were that they appeared to be of great quality. It proved to be true!

The can opener was great timing! (See can opener story at the beginning of this post.)

The pizza cutter will be used more than I like to admit. It's huge compared to our other cutter and much more substantial with a better blade. (And we're no longer advertising for an insurance company every time we cut pizza.)

We love cheese 'round these parts. But we hate grating cheese 'round these parts. Or at least I do (my husband doesn't do any grating, of course!). The rotary grater makes it so much easier and much faster, and it eliminates accidentally grating your fingers (been there, done that).

I'm definitely stressing less already! You can Stress Less to by entering to win your own can opener, rotary cheese grater, and pizza cutter from Trudeau. Here's how:

TO ENTER:

(Please leave a separate comment for each entry.)

Mandatory Entries:

1. Be (or become) a follower of Till Death Do Us Part via GFC.

2. Tell me what stresses you out most about cooking!

Extra Entries:

3. Like Trudeau on Facebook.

4. Follow Trudeau on Twitter.

5. Follow Till Death Do Us Part on Twitter.

6. Tweet about this giveaway or post it on your blog.

7. Enter the Natural Scents giveaway.

Seven ways to win! Giveaway will be open until Sunday, September 18 at 10 p.m. CST. U.S. residents only. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced here asap!

Good luck!

Saffron Marigold Giveaway Winner!

2011-09-11T22:44:00.001-05:00

The winner of the Saffron Marigold table runner is #29, Tanya, of Bright Bird! Congrats, Tanya! Thanks so much to all who entered.

You can still enter the Natural Scents soy candle giveaway here!

Cozy Crocheted Afghan

2011-09-10T16:55:00.002-05:00

I love to crochet. My grandmother taught me when I was little, and I've been a-crochetin' ever since.

Embarrasingly enough, I started this afghan over a year ago. Moving (twice), blogging, crafting, pets, jobs, and my husband (not necessarily in that order!) sort of got in the way.

For me, the edging on this one really steals the show. And my grandmother made herself a blue and white one in the same pattern, so I'll always think of her when I use it.

Cheerful and bright.

Cozy and warm.

Perfect for those cold winter days ahead.

Review and Giveaway with Natural Scents

2011-09-09T12:37:00.001-05:00

I'm a candle fanatic, which is why I'm especially excited about today's review and giveaway.

Meet Natural Scents, an environmentally friendly company that hand pours all of their 100% soy wax candles.

So, what's the fuss about soy candles?

According to the Natural Scents website, "It is commonly believed that candles made of petroleum-based paraffin waxes create more particulates in the air during combustion, as compared to natural soy wax. Also, paraffin wax is made from a non-renewable resource, where as soy wax is made from a renewable resource." Their soy is also organic and comes from domestically grown sources!

For this review, I was sent a 10 oz. Libby Whisper candle. I chose pomegranate (one of my favorites) as my scent.

Doesn't pretty packaging make getting mail even more fun? I love the personal touch, too!

I burned this candle in my den, and I love the smell. Sweet and noticeable (unlike cheap candles) but not overwhelming. The jar is stylish as well!

Ready to win your own Natural Scents soy candle?

TO ENTER:
(Please leave a separate comment for each entry.)

Mandatory Entries:
1. Be (or become) a follower of Till Death Do Us Part via GFC.

2. Visit the Natural Scents website and tell me which fragrance you would choose!

Extra Entries:

3. Like the Natural Scents Facebook page.

4. Follow Natural Scents on Twitter.

5. Follow Till Death Do Us Part on Twitter.

6. Enter the Saffron Marigold giveaway.

Six ways to enter, six ways to win! Giveaway will be open until Sunday, September 18 at 10 p.m. CST. U.S. entries only. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced here Sunday night.

Good luck!

(*Author was provided with free product to review. All statements and opinions, however, are solely that of the author.)

Review with Howard Naturals Cleaners

2011-09-08T15:15:00.002-05:00

I love different cleaning products, so today I'm excited to review Howard Naturals Stainless Steel Cleaner from BuyGreen.

BuyGreen is devoted to sustainable living. They are committed to reducing waste and conserving energy. They also give 1% of sales to environmental causes through One Percent for the Planet. BuyGreen's selection is huge: cleaners, diaper bags, home goods, amps and generators, kitchen goods, and office supplies, to name a few.

For this review, I was sent Howard Naturals Stainless Steel Cleaner in lemongrass-lime.

I tried this cleaner on the stovetop. I'm a bit of a neat freak, so I thought I knew what "clean" was. When I used Howard Naturals, my stovetop was "clean," (as in, wiped with a damp cloth and a kitchen spray). I was pleasantly surprised at the difference the stainless steel cleaner made! It's also a polish--and it really shined up the metal parts of the stovetop.

I almost can't wait for it to get dirty again.

This cleaner is appropriate for daily use (since it is not chemical-based) on modern appliances, grills, faucets, sinks, fixtures, toasters, counters, and trashcans. It cleans and polishes while creating a healthy environment. No petroleum distillates, bleach, ammonia, or silicone oils here!

You can connect with BuyGreen via their Facebook or Twitter.

Check out BuyGreen for Howard Naturals Stainless Steel Cleaners and many other great environmentally friendly products!

(*Author was provided with free product ro review. All statements and opinions, however, are solely that of the author.)

What a Difference a Year Makes

2011-09-05T21:34:00.002-05:00

It was Labor Day weekend one year ago that my husband of three months and I moved into our current home in Mississippi. It was a crazy fast move, and it's amazing to reflect on what's happened since that time and see how far we've come, in our home, in our lives, in our marriage.

Emptiness became plenty...

Discord became harmony....

And where there was barrenness, something grew!

What they say is true....

What a difference a year makes!

Winner of the Shenzhen Knife Giveaway!

2011-09-04T22:03:00.000-05:00

The winner of the 6-inch Shenzhen knife, chosen via Random.org, is #11, Erin!

Congrats, Erin! Thanks to everyone who entered, and be sure to check out the Saffron Marigold giveaway!

Table Runner Giveaway with Saffron Marigold!

2011-09-02T09:02:00.001-05:00

Saffron Marigold offers high-quality home linens such as curtain, duvet covers, and tablecloths. Their bold prints and vibrant colors make them the most unique seller of their kind on the web.

Saffron Marigold has offered to give one Till Death Do Us Part reader her (or his!) choice of one 18'' x 90'' table runner. Here are just a few of their beautiful selections:

Beautiful blues....

Charming butterflies....

Bold reds (perfect for Christmas!)....

A beautiful and stylish selection.

Ready to win?

To Enter:

(Please leave a separate comment for each entry.)

1. Be (or become) a follower of Till Death Do Us Part via GFC. (Mandatory)

2. Like the Saffron Marigold Facebook page.

3. Visit the Saffron Marigold website and tell me what runner you would choose if you won!

4. Follow Saffron Marigold on Twitter.

5. Post about this giveaway on your blog (please leave a link in your comment).

6. Post about this giveaway on your Facebook.

7. Tweet about this giveaway (please leave a link in your comment).

Seven ways to win! This giveaway will be open until Sunday, September 11 at 10 p.m. CST. Winner will be chosen via Random.org.

Good luck, and thanks for entering!

Review with Snack Taxi Reusable Bags

2011-09-01T11:35:00.001-05:00

I hate waste. So does snackTaxi!

Wife and mom Erin Kelly-Dill created snackTaxi in 2003 when she noticed the huge amount of plastic sandwich bags her family used. Now instead of using and tossing tons of disposable bags, you can wash and reuse in style!

For this review, I was sent a sandwich bag and snack bag.

Very stylish!

These bags have a wipeable inner liner and a secure velcro closure. These are machine washable as well. How convenient!

Great for Nilla Wafers, one of my many, many favorite snacks.

And great for travelling, which my husband I do a lot.

This company also offers reusable produce sacks and napkins in a variety of great colors and patterns. They even do school fundraising!

Now that's a company I can support.

Eat in style and stop the waste!

(*Author was supplied with free product to review. All opinions and statements, however, are solely that of the author.)

Summer is Passing Us By

2011-08-30T15:41:00.001-05:00

Like it or not, the summer is slipping away.

And so, therefore, is this....

And this....

Soon all these will fade away....

As will the beauty of these....

Weekends away will no longer be spent here....

like so many were this summer.

Heat will be replaced with cool.

Long days will give way to long nights.

Let us wring out the last drops of the season, content in the present, and leaving tomorrow for itself.

Review and Giveaway with Shenzhen Knives

2011-08-29T11:36:00.000-05:00

In addition to being the girl who never splurged on pots and pans, I'm also the girl who always bought cheap knives. Never again!

Meet Shenzhen Knives, based in Honolulu, Hawaii. Shenzhen offers affordable but very high quality ceramic knives.

Their knives feature white zirconium oxide blades that are effective and beautiful! These knives are great for cutting meats or vegetables.

For this review, I was sent a six-inch ceramic chef's knife, which retails for $34.99.

The two words I would use to describe using this knife would be smooth and effortless. I was able to quickly and easily slice with minimal effort, and the results were a clean, easy cut. There was no need to press into the food, which usually leads to squishing it (not good).

Shenzhen Knives has offered to give a Till Death Do Us Part reader their very own six-inch chef's knife. Here's how to win!

To Enter:

(Please leave a seperate comment for each entry.)

1. Be (or become) a follower of Till Death Do Us Part. (Mandatory)

2. Like the Shenzhen Knives facebook page.

3. Follow Shenzhen Knives on Twitter.

4. Follow Till Death Do Us Part on Twitter.

5. Tweet about this giveaway (please leave a link in your comment).

6. Facebook about this giveaways (please leave a link in your comment).

7. Post about this giveaway on your blog or add it to your sidebar (please leave a link in your comment).

SEVEN ways to win! This contest will be open until Sunday, September 4 at 10 p.m. CST. Please make sure I have a way to contact you if you win!

Good luck!

Green Pan Giveaway Winner!

2011-08-29T11:29:00.000-05:00

The winner of the saute pan gift set from Green Pan is Susan, who said, "I'm following you on twitter now." Congratulations!

Thanks to all those who entered. Click here to enter the Ultimate Green Store notebook and pencils giveaway or here to enter the Shenzhen Knives giveaway!

Review and Giveaway with The Ultimate Green Store

2011-08-26T09:22:00.001-05:00

Ready to learn about a great company and enter to win a $25 gift credit?

Many companies today are focusing on ensuring that their products are eco-friendly. The Ultimate Green Store is one of those companies. These folks care about a healthy earth, and they care about making products that are sustainable, recyclable, and eco-friendly.

Several things make The Ultimate Green Store stand out from a sea of eco-conscious competitors. These are the reasonable price of its products and the huge selection offered! They carry everything from skin care products to messenger bags.

For this review, I was sent these two unique banana paper notebooks and a set of recycled newspaper pencils.

These notebooks are made from 80% recycled products and 20% banana paper! How neat is that! I write tons of lists, keep tons of records, and I journal, so I'm a notebook aficionado. I love the size of this one. It's big enough for all my "thoughts," but it's not bulky. It's also beautiful! And I'm all about making life beautiful. The pencils are also totally unique and stylish, and of course, eco-friendly--they're made of 100% recycled newspaper. No new trees necessary!

The Ultimate Green Store has offered to give one Till Death Do Us Part reader a $25 gift certificate.

What will you choose?

Baby bedding...

Organic cotton towels....

Candle holders....

Messenger bags....

Or some other treasure from their extensive line? There are tons of choices, many under $25! As I mentioned earlier, the prices are great!

Ready to win?

To Enter:

(Please leave a seperate comment for each entry. You must be a follower of Till Death Do Us Part to enter!)

1) Like The Ultimate Green Store on Facebook.

2) Sign up for The Ultimate Green Store's newsletter. (Please enter "Till Death To Us Part" in the contest code section.)

Two simple ways to enter! This giveaway will be open until Sunday, September 4th at 10 p.m. central time. Winner will be chosen via random.org. Good luck!

*Author was supplied with products to review. All opinions and statements, however, are solely that of the author.

Christmas Gift Ideas for My Husband

2011-08-25T11:30:00.000-05:00

Why is it so hard to pick out a Christmas gift for my husband? Why are guys just hard to buy for in general? Why am I already stressing out over Christmas gifts in August?

My goal this year is to gather my gifts along the way and avoid "Christmas Panic" (defined as fewer a situation in which there are fewer than 7 days left until Christmas and you have fewer than half your gifts purchased). I'm already well on my way with several gifts checked off the list already.

Back to my husband. He's outdoorsy, professional, and loves movies. He also loves entertaining, so my first thought was a new grill, like these Napoleon grills. He really likes to grill, see?

So that's an option, definitely. Adding to the gift-decision stress is the fact that I have never bought him a Christmas gift as his wife. Last year was our first Christmas, and we had only been married six months and had already moved twice, so we agreed that for the sake of our finances, we'd skip giving each other gifts.

So the pressure is on! I technically have two Christmases to make up for. In that case, I guess that means I should go with the Napoleon gourmet grills instead!

Other options to consider:

Outdoorsey clothes from Mountain Hardware. He loves that stuff. I think he fancies himself to be rugged. How adorable!

Seeing as how grilling and clothes (yes, you heard me) really are two of his favorite things, maybe I could go with both. Maybe more budget-friendly options, like this Weber portable gas grill and a jacket from Old Navy.

You heard it here first....no Christmas Panic for me this year!

My Dog Sheds--Review with FURminator

2011-08-24T10:26:00.000-05:00

Here in southern Mississippi, it's hot. Really hot. Earlier this morning, the thermometer on my back porch read 111 degrees.

Such a blistering temperature doesn't just mean sweating Mississippians. It means shedding pets. And when I say shedding, I mean they're coming out of their fur like it's going out of style.

I have used tons of pet brushes in the past but never felt they were very effective. That opinion changed completely when I tried the FURminator!

Meet my big brown dog, Coy.

He sheds a lot. The amount is appxomately equal to what our two cats shed added together times infinity. He's a young, active dog, so I know he's hot in these temperatures! For this review, I was a send a short-hair medium dog deshedding tool.

Brushing the dog was very easy, and Coy didn't mind at all. My husband wanted to try it too!

After brushing for only a few strokes, this is the amount of hair we'd removed....ick!

The results have been very, very noticeable. There's a lot less hair on our floors, and Coy's coat is visibly more shiny. Plainly put, we love our FURminator and have used it constantly. It's sturdy, high-quality, and of course, removes tons of hair.

The best feature, by far, of the FURminator, though, is its hair-release mechanism. Push a button and the hair is released from the brush. No need to pick it out by hand! The messy, painstaking, time-consuming process of removing the hair from the brush is the biggest qualm I've had with other pet hair groomers.

My advice to you is two-fold. One, get a FURminator. Two, be prepared for the unreal amount of hair you're about to remove from your pet!

The FURminator tool is available for dogs of all sizes and fur lengths. And of course, they make them for cats and kittens as well! And if you're worried about ordering online, don't be. Their customer service department is friendly and helpful and would be glad to guide you in ordering the correct product.

If you'd like to connect with FURminator in other ways, you can visit their Facebook and Twitter pages in addition to their website.

Now get yourself a FURminator. Coy approves. :)

(*Author was supplied with a free product to review. All opinions and statements, however, are solely that of the author.)

Black and White Hoops

2011-08-23T17:40:00.000-05:00

I'm loving embroidery hoop art these days. And I'm loving black and white.

It's also fun to throw some browns in the mix.

Combining the rough burlap with the elegant toile creates a beautiful look.

I paired a friendly kitty with my burlap and toile. Stark and simple.

Calm and cool.

Just like fall.

Review and Giveaway with Green Pan!

2011-08-22T06:44:00.001-05:00

I'm that girl that has never had nice pots and pans. I always went with the cheapest of the cheap and spent my money elsewhere. Deep down, I always thought, "There's no difference between my cheap pans and the expensive ones."

I was wrong.

Meet Green Pan.

Green Pan is headquartered in Belgium, but they recently opened a new office right here in the good 'ol U.S.A, in Tarrytown, NY to be exact. Their philosophy? "A healthy and happy life in an enjoyable environment is our biggest goal in life. GreenPan™ commits to this, and invests 100% in research towards healthy and eco-friendly technologies."

And they make amazing cookware. Really amazing. What sets Green Pan apart is its patented non-stick technology and innovative product designs. You can find their products in high-end stores such as Le Gourmet Chef and Crate and Barrel.

For my review, I was sent a saute pan, special cleaning sponge, reusable tote bag (not pictured), and rubber leaf hot pad.

I took my new pan for its inaugural run by making homemade spaghetti sauce (my favorite) with ingredients from our garden.

Several things really amazed me about this product. One was the incredible quality of the pan. It was weighty and sturdy but not bulky and hard to use.

Another was how quickly it heated and evenly it then cooked. I sauteed garlic and basil in the pan, and then added my roma tomatoes. The sauce turned out perfectly.

The non-stick surface was also a breeze to clean with the special cleaning sponge! With Green Pan, you can be eco-friendly without sacrificing quality. It's the best of both worlds! Something to think about with Christmas right around the corner!

The extremely nice folks at Green Pan have offered to give one Till Death Do Us Part reader her (or his!) own lovely prize package of a saute pan, cleaning sponge, hot pad, and tote bag. Score!

To Enter:

(Please leave a seperate comment for each entry.)

1. Be (or become) a follower of Till Death Do Us Part. (Mandatory)

2. Visit Green Pan, and tell me your favorite product. (Mandatory)

Extra Entries:

3. Like Green Pan on Facebook.

4. Follow Green Pan on Twitter.

5. Follow Till Death Do Us Part on Twitter.

6. Share this giveaway on your blog, Facebook, or twitter.

Six ways to win!

This giveaway is open to residents of U.S. and is open until Sunday, August 28 at 10 p.m. central time. Please make sure your email address is attached to your profile or left in the comments section.

Good luck!

*Author was supplied with free product to review. All comments and opinions, however, are solely that of the author.

Chef'n Giveaway Winner!

2011-08-21T22:45:00.002-05:00

The winner of the Chef'n giveaway is.....

#23, SarahMK! Thanks to everyone who entered....another great giveaway starts tomorrow!

Have You Enterd the Chef'n Giveaway?

2011-08-20T21:17:00.001-05:00

Have you entered the Chef'n giveaway??

There's still time.... Click here!

Baby Talk

2011-08-19T13:37:00.008-05:00

First off, I am not having a baby! But I have loads of friends who are! It seems like babies are simply growing on trees these days.

So I'm sure you can imagine that when we all get together, there's lots of baby talk. (Click here to see the crochet washcloths I made for one little baby bundle!). We discuss everything from names to nurseries, of course.

Neutrals are in these days, no? Several of my friends are opting for neutrals for their nurseries. (Part of the reason is that most of them aren't finding out what they're having....they have a lot more willpower than I do!).

I love this white baby crib station for a boy or a girl! Very sweet.

(Source)

Look at this gorgeous cottage nursery! Bright and cheery yet simple and calming. The bed looks almost antique.

(Source)

I love the finish on these espresso baby cribs. Dark woods are often overlooked when choosing baby furniture because they seem so grown-up. But they can be for baby too! They are still basic and neutral but have a more formal look. The shape of this one is gorgeous and so unique!

(Source)

Look how sophisticated this nursery is! This is where you raise future U.S. presidents.

(Source)

I've always been a fan of black furniture. In my younger days, my entire apartment had black furniture (I spent a lot of time painting). So, I also love black baby cribs. This one is traditional yet stylish.

(Source)

May God grant safe pregnancies to all my friends!

Crochet Washcloths for Baby

2011-08-18T12:19:00.003-05:00

Did you know I love to crochet?

My good friend is having a baby. I immediately went out and crocheted some washcloths for the little guy/girl (they aren't finding out!).

The nursery will be neutrals with some blue.

I wonder if they will end up with a girl in their blue nursery.

It's ok if they do.

I was born into

A blue nursery too. :)

"Write It Down" Journals Review

2011-08-17T11:17:00.002-05:00

When I was in 4th grade, I started my first journal. I wrote mainly about what I got for Christmas and what happened at school. There may not have been many deep thoughts to record, but that first journal became a fascination for me, and in the years that followed, I filled up fifteen more journals with my ramblings.

I'm not as faithful at writing as I was back then, but I do still journal, about everything from bible studies to gardening. That's why I instantly fell in love with Journals Unlimited "Write It Down" journals. They offer topic-specific journals for recording information and thoughts on pregnancy, fishing, camping, cooking, golfing, boating, and teaching, to name a few! They also offer custom journals and a "Color Collection" as well!

From the Journals Unlimited Website:

"You have just encountered the hottest selling and most expansive line of theme journals on the market. We offer over 55 titles that feature our trademark easy to fill-in format. We make it easy and fun to record all of life’s precious memories.
The “Write-it-Down!” series is printed in our home state of Michigan in the good ole' USA using soy based ink on acid-free recycled paper. The journals have a durable hard cover design and handcrafted look. They are now available in the color collection as well."

My husband and I have traveled a lot since being married just a little over a year ago, so for this review, I chose a vacation journal!

I love the inscription included in these journals....

There are several things that make this journal perfect for recording all our vacation memories. It has space for specific and important memories so that you don't forget those little details. It also encourages reminiscing among your family about what they enjoyed most!

It's also a very durable with a stury, hard cover, and the spiral binding makes it very easy to flip through and use.

I know that as the months turn into years, we will forget the times we had and places we went. I look forward to preserving those memories with my new journal.

You can also check them out on Facebook!

*Author was supplied with free product to review. All comments and opinions, however, are solely that of the author.

Full Circle Home Review

2011-08-15T11:08:00.004-05:00

Do you hate waste? Me too! Today I am so pleased to be reviewing products for Full Circle, a fantastic, eco-friendly cleaning store. Here is a little info from their webpage:

"A life cycle. Every product in our homes has one—from a scrub brush to a sponge. They’re designed and manufactured, serve out their purpose, get old and are thrown away. In the US alone, if one scrub brush per household gets thrown out every year, that’s about 120 million brushes ending up in the garbage.
Yes, you read that correctly—120 million.
And most of them are plastic (petroleum-based plastic) which means it takes about 1000 years before they start to break down.
Yes, you also read that correctly—1000 years.
But what if there was a scrub brush made from sustainable, biodegradable materials? One that would eventually break back down into those same biodegradable materials? And what if it was made in a factory with great working conditions and higher environmental standards? And what if it was ergonomic, worked great, and looked terrific in your home?
Well, that’s pretty much the thinking behind Full Circle."

Those are some pretty scary statistics.

For this review, I received the Laid Back dish brush, The Grip pot scrubber, Flip loofah sponges, and Tidy dish cloths.

First, the Laid Back dish brush....

The Laid Back brush is truly unique! I found that the shape and especially the weight of it are absolutely ideal and set it apart from other cleaning brushes.

Second, The Grip pot scrubber....

There are several things that I personally found that make this pot scrubber superior to others. One is its shape, and the other is the fact that you can remove the loofah scrubber for cleaning and drying, which cuts down on germs.

Next, Tidy dish cloths.

As everyone knows, I'm a big fan of things that are beautiful and functional, so these cloths fit the bill! Tough, absorbent, stylish. The triple threat!

And last but not least is my FAVORITE Full Circle product, the Flip loofah scrubber sponges.

I am one of those people who refuses to use sponges because they never seem clean enough. These little gems, however, are very different than regular sponges. One, they clean great. Two they are compostable, and three, you can disinfect them in the microwave. How cool is that??

Please consider making a wise decision when purchasing household products. These are truly "worth it." Christmas presents, maybe? It's never too early!

You can also connect with Full Circle Home on Twitter and Facebook.

Waste not, friends!

*Author was supplied with free product to review. All comments and opinions, however, are solely that of the author.

Black and White Fall Meets Dreaming of Headboards

2011-08-12T12:44:00.000-05:00

Even though I've been having fun living a summer of color, I've been dreaming of a black and white fall!

I've already begun crafting my Fall 2011 decor. The theme? Black and white, of course!

One of my most favorite things to do is "window" shop online. I love perusing furniture galleries and gathering inspiration from other blogs and websites. Today I'm imagining sprucing up the master bedroom. I visited More Headboards to do some more black and white dreaming. I love how simple yet elegant this one is, and I adore the shape...

This one has the clean, cottage style that I love, and it's already decked out in B/W! I love the added height, as well....

I also went way, way out into dreamland on this one....I checked out leather queen size headboards. (It's "way out there" because I have two wild cats who would have a field day with leather!)

But look how goregous it is! So sophisticated....

The vintage side of me always emerges when I'm dreaming, so I also browsed metal queen sized headboards. I love their old-world feel and simple look. See?

I suppose if I had, I mean had to choose, I'd go with option number two....

And while I'm dreaming, you know what would look great with it? One of my "one day" crafts, a monogrammed bolster pillow

(Scissors and Spatulas)

And to go above my gorgeous new dream headboard, this little number...

(From Gardners to Bergers.)

Dream on, young girl!