Veggie Inspired!

You may think this is about eating healthy – WRONG!

 Fabulous Dish Towels from To Dry For

Today I want to get some reader/friend/family input – yes even from you who read and don’t comment!

Today I am inspired by eatable plants – mainly from my new favorite blog, Design*Sponge.  They include a couple posts a day that inspire apartment decor and design, stationary, city architecture, all delicious things that deter me from work!  Today they included dish towel designs, a LOVE I inherited from my mother who send me towels for most holidays – these towels are from To Dry For.

So what I need you for is this idea I’ve cooked up in my head!

I am going to design a fun collection of cards featuring your ever lovely vegetables; radishes, rutabagas, celery, carrots, beets, squash, etc.  I will be taking care of the illustrations if you can help me with the words!

If you think of a clever saying including a vegetable or a reference to vegetable (and fruit, I don’t discriminate) then I want it!

Need an example?

• Orange illustration – “ORANGE you glad I didn’t say Banana?”
• Grapes illustration – “Love you BUNCHES!”
• Celery illustration – “I’ll be your stalker.”  (Okay, so that’s not the greatest – this is why I need you!)

I will send the 10^th person to comment a free set of cards when they are printed – a potential Mother’s Day gift!!

Our Blank Wall

We've been staring a blank wall for about a week wondering what we'll do ... 

Yesterday Nolan and I visited the Art Institute - Chicago on Michigan Avenue - it was their weekly Free Evening!  We spent a couple hours exploring the old, the modern, the curious, the new, the unexplainable from 900 BC Asia to 2008 Canada.  

This prompted another conversation about our blank wall. Currently we have our Chicago watercolor hanging amongst the vast emptiness!  It is great but it looks puny in comparison to the wall.  Even though I had thought of an idea before I never shared it with Nolan thinking he'd shoot it down right away.  I kept seeing a trend on design blogs that I like dearly.  

"What do you think of a collage of plates?"  I ask.  He thinks, he nods, then we draw up a diagram of how we might arrange said plates!  This isn't your grandmother's antique plate display!  I was floored that he liked the idea.  It seems like the most economical way to put a piece of art, 3D art in our apartment! Cue Excitement!

Beyond creating something unusual on our wall we also get to hunt for these  said plates at thrift shops, antique stores, garage sales, our parent's homes (just kidding)!  I am really excited about our new design project.

Do you need a visual?  Please see below.

CasaSugar blog offers a 'how to' in case you're wondering if you'd like to accomplish the same look.

For more inspiration and photos - visit these websites!

Remodelista Blog: http://remodelista.com/posts/dining-room-plates-as-decor

Shelter Pop Blog: http://www.shelterpop.com/2010/01/25/inspiration-decorating-with-plates-on-the-wall/

House and Home: http://www.houseandhome.com/design/hanging-plates-wall
Decor It Yourself: http://www.threadbanger.com/decorityourself/post/11062/how-to-hang-a-plate

Spring Cleaning - making donations!

While I was in Las Vegas over the weekend I spent a better part of a day purging  items from my mom's house!

One item being my high school letterman's jacket the other, a prom dress!  It's been nearly 10 years since I wore my prom dress, and I hate to admit it, but I never even had my letter sewn onto my jacket - my letters sit in a drawer now!  

I knew the athletes at my Alma mater still wore the same jackets so I meandered down to GVHS to see if they could find a good use for it - I figured there had to be a worthy athlete that couldn't afford one - I paid $150 in 1999, heaven knows prices have only gone up!  I was in luck!  The Athletic Principle's Secretary - yes apparently everyone has a secretary - said she knew exactly what they'd do with it.  She asked permission to use it in a raffle they were holding in a few weeks for a football player.  He has leukemia and they are raising money for his wish sponsored by Make-a-Wish Foundation, a trip to Hawaii for him and his family!  I am glad that I could do my part, clean out my mom's closet and give a little so this athlete could gain a lot.


My second donation was my Junior Prom dress - I think I have a photo somewhere...  Sometime ago I heard of a organization based out of Minnesota that received donations of old prom dresses and seamstress' time to produce new fashions for current high school girls' proms.  This ran through my head when I began my search for a good home for this said year-2000 prom dress - has it really been 10 years!?  So I looked up to see if Vegas had a similar organization.  Again, I was in luck! I found The Prom Fairy Foundation in Las Vegas to participate in a worthy cause!  In Vegas there were a few locations - so if you'd like to donate your dress, you can find a location using this site: http://www.donatemydress.org/donate.html.

Happy Donating!

For those who READ

 

A few months ago I was introduced to a website, goodreads by my friend, Danielle.

I signed up, found more friends, chatted about books, then left for a while when life became busy.

I recently returned to the site to find my next read.  It was my preferred option over spending time looking at multiple daunting shelves like the ones below.

As I browsed friends' suggestions I found another great service provided by goodreads.  They run an internet BOOK SWAP!  You may list your books or request others' books to swap.  When a request for a book is made, the person requesting the book pays for shipping (dictated by goodreads) and the sender prints the USPS label (provided by goodreads)! Essentially you may purchase your coveted book online for $2-$4, depending on shipping.   I have mailed 3 books so far and requested 2 and I found the book swap on Monday, 1/11/10.  The 3 books I sent were from a pile accumulating in a corner of our office that I have neglected to either put on half.com (an Ebay off-shoot) or give to the thrift store.
I have to say, I enjoy sending the books this way... I'm not making a profit, but I am reaping the benefits of an internet book swap.

When life pays you back -

These days, I do most of my shopping online.


Now that I live in a city, it takes a bit longer and more planning to get to shops like Target, so I have come accustomed to doing my shopping online.  But like anyone I had shipping fees!  Because of my hatred of shipping costs I scour the internet for coupon codes or wait until sales to see if places offer free shipping, or as in Macy's case, 99 cent shipping on clearance items!



Through a few sources I was introduced to EBATES.



How it works:
You sign up for an Ebates account. (email/password)
You visit Ebates site first to look up the store you'd like to shop at.
They redirect you to the shop online.
You shop.
You buy.
Your dollars spent are recorded by Ebates.
You are rewarded at the end of the year with a check.

The reward at the end of the year is an accumulation of all your purchases' % back.  Plus you receive $5 just for signing up and additional $5 for anyone you refer to Ebates.  Each store offers a different percentage back - from 1% up, all depending on the store. Some stores offer coupons only or weekly specials.

You will receive emails, but they're good especially if you're looking for something in particular.  Today I purchased, a pair of shoes that I've been eyeing at Endless.com, a site I rarely think of but they were offering 6% back today and free shipping.  Well, I paid $39 for my shoes, $0 for shipping, and at the end of the year I will get $2.34 back.  Not too shabby.

I can only image what a whole year of purchases will accumulate to especially when I think of all the Christmas shopping I do online.

Surviving the Midwest Winter

This one goes out to my SHORTY - who is moving to Michigan for the next 2 months, because she is a traveling speech therapist.

I feel pretty fortunate that I've lived most of my life on the west coast.

I realize that I have been spoiled with sunny Northern Nevada weather.  It's cold during the winter and it snows, but generally it's easy to manage as the snow melts because of the consistent sun.  I have had to change my habits to survive Midwest winters.

After the first snow fall I wear my snow boots all winter.  Because I walk to the train everyday it is imperative that I have traction and warm piggies!  I refuse to sacrifice my toes to look cute, also I am clumsy and will fall!  This year I've fallen twice (in one day!).  Last week was the first snow, so I've sported my boots all week!  I also incorporate long underwear into my wardrobe on a regular basis.  It's dangerous to be waiting on the train platform with one layer and a -2 reading on the thermometer plus wind chill.

So if you ever are nutty enough to live in the Midwest during winter time you will need the following:

1. Calcium Chloride ice melt - It goes on your sidewalk but doesn't ruin your hard wood floor if brought into your home!
2.  Cuddle Duds long underwear - The thinnest long underwear and so warm!  Moisture wick away from your skin and stretchy for comfort.
3. A can of spray De-icer -  Especially if you own a vehicle in the winter!  It's handy to have if anything gets stuck!
4. Extend handle shovel - This is a MUST only if you have a vehicle.  The plows will no doubt block you in your parking spot the morning you're late for work!

So, that's my 4 recommendations for surviving the Midwest winter.

Now, what to do for fun when your visiting us in Chicago during the winter... think - most of these things to do are FREE!

1. Ice Skating in Millennium Park 2. Christkindl Market  3. Polar Express Train!  4. Santa in Daily Plaza 5. Eat under the Christmas Tree in the Walnut Room at Macy's 6. 12 Bars of Christmas Pub Crawl 7. Light Festival and Parade 8. Zoo Lights!

This doesn't even cover half the holiday events in the city.  Consider the other sporting events, theater, caroling, and holiday tours also!

Come to Chicago so we can go play but make sure you pack your long underwear! 

I've booked my weekend -

Saturday - Friends' winter wedding!

Sunday - Renegade Craft Fair!

I am excited to attend my friends' wedding and see how they put together their winter theme, it should be spactacular!  The bride is a crafty little thing and he is a music loving dance machine!  Tell me how much you love this: at her bridal shower she had everyone make an ornament for a Christmas tree she's displaying at their reception!  I've also caught wind that their introductions will be Michael Jackson themed!  Awesome?  I think so!

To extend my fun-filled weekend I am so excited for The Renegade Handmade Craft Fair on Sunday.  Renegade Handmade is a local shop in Chicago that sells only handmade products - talk about supporting small business!  They started the fair in 2003 and now have over 150 artists on site this year!  This is my kind of thing!  I am ecstatic to be attending!  One day I hope to be one of their vendors! 

The fair makes it possible to complete your Christmas shopping list!  

Renegade Craft says "those looking to shop handmade and support small business this holiday season will surely find something for everyone – from jewelry and clothing, to ceramics and stationery, with everything from bath products, housewares, posters, comics and plush objects in between – at this large-scale, free-to-attend art, craft and design extravaganza!!"

Happy Holiday Shopping Everyone! Next year come to Chicago!

Together We Can Make Good Things Grow

Campbell's has already raised their goal of $250,000, but you may still vote to preserve your favorite barn.

Learn about the barns Campbell's have committed to helping out. According to their website, Campbell's "will be preserving 5 barns as chosen by voters like you. It's part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the National FFA Organization to help develop America's future farmers and leaders through agricultural education."

*Voting will take place from October 1, 2009 to January 5, 2010.

Along with voting for a barn you may receive tomato seeds as a thank you for voting.  After you vote, a screen asks you to enter a code of a condensed soup you have purchased.  If you don't have any Campbell's soups in your cabinets you may use some of these codes below. 


P8039 – U6 – Cheddar Cheese
P5 – 25 – Chicken Noodle
P5 – 03 – Cream of Chicken
EST4C – 29 – Bean with Bacon
EST4C – 11 – Beef w/vegetables 


Mark the holiday season by helping future farmers and the possibility of growing some of your own crops!

Acquiring Guest Photos

It was important to me to try and acquire my guest's photos, they obviously experience something different than you, so it's fun to see the day from their perspective.

I went back and forth on which site to use to collect them all. I ended up using Picurio.com because I had heard about it from a blog I found useful in the past, they allow you to have a free trial and well I found a coupon code - and if you know me, I can't resist a coupon (I really am my mother's daughter!!!).

The good, the bad, and the ugly?

It is easy to look at photos.
It holds plenty of photos, we're in the 1500 range!
You can download entire albums (as apposed to one at a time).
You can upload an album to Facebook! (this I just find amusing!)
It is easy to sign up as a guest if you want to upload photos.
It is easy to upload photos all at once.
It is easy as the creator to delete/move/change orientation of the photos.
Once the site loads, it's easy to see a photo in the full screen.
You can easily organize photos into made albums.
Each new user (you must enter your email to upload photos) adds 2 weeks to your free trial time.

It is not so easy to navigate because it takes a while for the site to load. (this is my biggest agitation, as I think it's discouraged some guests from viewing and uploading photos!) As of today, 3 people have uploaded their photos from the wedding. Although, others have sent me their CDs to upload.
You can NOT upload video to Picurio.

If I had the chance to do it all over - I might have tested out Flickr and paid for a subscription, as I've never heard a complaint from anyone using it. I also know you can upload video to Flickr.

I love spreading the word about our photo site more than I loved our photo site!!! I used business size card stock to explain our site and how to upload their photos. I attached fake mustaches to all the papers and set them at all everyone's place. These photos are by far my favorite photos of the day! Everyone just got silly and it made my DAY! I will include some fun photos soon! :)

Freebies

So I like talking about freebies. They are fun and exciting and I love getting free stuff even if it's just an eraser from an old teacher! Not that that happens to me now, 'cause that would be odd!!

Well, what I like even more than free stuff is free activities! Visit Hey It's Free and they have a list of museums from each state that are free or free on certain days. Check it out!

Everyone Could Use some Freebies

It's what I like:
Hey, It’s Free! is one of the sites on the internet for freebies. Their website is www.heyitsfree.net.

They filter out all the spammy freebie offers and the guy who runs it finds and posts what's free on the internet now, there is some old posts that still work and some new ones that have been tried out!

I wondered upon them when I read about them in the Chicago RedEye, a free daily paper. So check them out and start getting some freebies in your mail!