DIY: Tray Chic!

I'm so glad you all love Harry as much as I do! If you haven't registered for the new Harry Connick, Jr. CD giveaway, be sure to do that before you leave! Hop right on down there!

Today I am sharing a fun project with you. A fun, stolen idea that I am implementing in my own home. Isn't that part of the beauty of blogs? Don't ask me why I'm so PROUD of myself for completely copying someone else's idea, but I do feel like I need to show you my extreme creativity *ahem* in case you want to completely copy it from me.

And I would love that, so go for it!

I saw this idea about 6 months ago at Becky's Five Mockingbirds and at Phillips Phamily Mama's site.
So, I rushed off to buy all the supplies:
A cute tray {many people have done this with silver platters, too, but this one turned out best for my space}

With fun sides and a plain old boring flat bottom {I wish I could say that about my own bottom... "butt" I digress}

And some chalkboard paint.


Then I managed to let the things sit in a closet for 6 months and gather dust until I found them when looking for something else and got excited all over again!

I'm sure that's just how Martha Stewart does her projects.

The secret to painting this cute tray is to use a sponge brush {not bristles} and cover it really well like so:

Then I found a cute ribbon while at Hancock Fabrics purchasing my Snuggie. I tied it in knots around the handles and made a knot at the top. No hot glue required! Meaning: no permanent damage to fingers required!

But, unfortunately, it hung like this and looked goofy.

So I got out my handy pink hammer and some nails and fixed it by adding nails to prop it up underneath.

Then I added a snappy saying that, again, I completely and totally copied from Kristin at We Are That Family. A thief and a liar {per the info provided below on the chalkboard}. What can I say? One can dream.


For more DIY tips, check out Kimba's DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land and the DIY Show Off!

A Harry Connick, Jr. Review and Giveaway!

This giveaway is now closed.
Random.org has spoken and the lucky weiner is commenter #54- Lindsey from Where the Wild Things Are. Congrats, Lindsey! You must be Irish, you lucky gal!

Do you know that one Perfect song that you want to be the first dance song at your wedding reception? The one that will be ideally symbolize your love, your holy union and magically make you thinner while the whole room swoons at your sickening love?

The truth is, Jason and I never had THAT song. Even more of the truth is that I have no idea what song we danced to for our first dance! We asked the band to play a James Taylor song {Something in the Way She Moves}, but they didn't "know" it {really??}, so we improvised the night of the reception and ended up with "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown"... or something as romantic and lovely as that. I guess I've blocked it from my memory!

I'm so excited to be doing my first official review and telling you all about the new Harry Connick, Jr. album that came out today! I am beside myself to be asked to review it because we LOVE Harry {first name basis in my mind}, so I jumped at the opportunity. Jason and I have seen Harry live and it was amazing and we listen to his Christmas albums every year.

Harry's new CD is called Your Songs and it's chocked full of Perfect first dance songs and other remakes of your favorite songs {from Elvis to Sinatra to Nat King Cole}. He performs classics like "Can't Help Falling in Love with You" {Elvis}, "And I Love Her" {Beatles, of course}, "Besame Mucho" {which means Kiss Me Much} and "The Way You Look Tonight". If you want to hear a bit a see a behind the scenes look at the making of the album, this video will give you a great snapshot!
Wouldn't any if those be perfect at a wedding?
Specifically if you were I was marrying Harry?
Do you think he could sing to me while dancing with me?

Apparently he is already married {and I guess I am, too}, but my Hubs loves him as much as I do, so I think he would have loved to have Harry at our wedding.

Don't we all look great together? So natural.

Jason likes his musical ability/ styling/ the band, etc. You know, things music people would like.
I fall for his love-er-ly voice and everything that he croons to me .

Most importantly, I love that we popped this CD in and my sweet hubs spun me around the kitchen, carefully avoiding trains and Hot Wheels, while briefly ignoring the pleas of young children in our path. Something about Harry's voice makes you remember falling in love. And whisks you back to that time when you didn't think about discipline methods, lost shin guards, potty training or dinosaur shaped foods.

Thank you, Harry. I appreciate that time warp.

And as much as I love your music, Harry, I have to let you know I'm happily taken by a man who rocks out with our children and takes me for a spin around the kitchen every now and again.
So, if you want a peaceful CD to pop in while doing dishes, soaking in a bubble bath or hopefully dancing with your man {or woman, guys- hello guys? Can you take a hint, here?}, I would highly recommend this one.

It'll put a kick in your step unlike Bad, Bad Leroy Brown could ever do.

And I am happy to pass along the LOVE and give you your very own copy of this new CD!
Just leave a comment telling me your first dance song {if you remember} or what you want it to be {if you haven't gotten married, yet, or if you'd like to change it!- song, not husband}.
That will be your entry!
One entry per person, please. And don't forget to leave your e-mail address {if it isn't connected to your Blogger account} so I can get in touch with you!
I'll draw for one winner next Monday at 12:00 noon. Good Luck!

Video Killed the Radio Star:: My Fall TV Lineup

Ever since HeMan, Who's the Boss? and Max Headroom lulled me into their worlds, I have been a TV fan. I love the stories, the games, the suspense {not scary stuff, though} and am overall a big fan of TV.

It might not surprise you then that my tech-loving husband bought me a TiVo for Valentine's Day... about 7+ years ago- soon after they came out and were quasi-mainstream.

He had told me about it before it arrived as a gift and it was REALLY new-fangled, flying-car technology then. This is how the conversation went:

Me: What do you mean? It's like a VCR?
Hubs: No. It's a computer that records all the tv shows you want it to record and stores them for you.
Me: Why would I want that when I can keep recording Friends, Gilmore Girls and American Idol {that would be Season 1} on tapes? There's nothing wrong with my system.
Hubs: You have no idea what all this can record and it will allow you to pause, rewind and fast forward live TV.
Me: There is no way this is possible.
Hubs: Yes. It's true.
Me: I don't see this thing lasting and I really don't think we need one.

Famous last words.
I'm so glad he didn't listen to me. Instead he showed up with that big box for Valentine's Day and I have loved it him even more since then.

Nowadays, we have that TiVo {still kickin'!} upstairs in the playroom full of kids shows and a cable company- provided DVR downstairs on the grown up TV. As someone who has both, I would vote for a TiVo any day of the week.

This is the time of year when they both go into full swing because THE SHOWS ARE BACK!! WOOHOO!!

Here are my Top Ten Shows I Will Be Watching This Fall
{linked to my friend Oh Amanda's Top Ten Tuesday}:
10. Chuck
Starting with an exception already, NBC has let me down. I mean WAY down. Chuck is my VERY favorite show and it's being pushed back 'til March. WHAT?? I need to be writing a letter to the peacock instead of this blog post. Please tell me you love Chuck, too.

9. What Not To Wear
I'm a sucka for before and afters. And I love that they give someone a whole new outlook on themselves via the clothes/ hair/ uni-brow removal.

8. Cake Boss/ Ultimate Cake Off/ Cake What Your Mama Gave You
{OK, I made that last one up.} I've gotten addicted to these cake shows over the summer when there was not much else on. They are so amazing to watch! You might recall that Jason wanted to do this for my birthday- mainly because we're kind of hooked on these reality shows. He even used the word FONDANT when talking about my birthday cake prep. Not that he used the actual fondant... he was just proud he used it correctly in a sentence.

7. Biggest Loser
How can you not love this show? It's so inspiring. And I even try hard not to eat potato chips while I'm watching it.

6. Oprah
Yes. I TiVo every day, but don't get to watch most of them. What can I say? I love the way she introduces people {for her to scream Hillary DUUUUUNNNN- HHAAAAAMMMM is a little dream of mine} and I think she's good at what she does.
Politics? Notsomuch.
Talk show host? Pretty darn good.

5. 18 Kids and Counting
I'm pretty sure my love for the Duggars is well documented. The fact that I missed their show tonight is bothering me and I'm hoping to skip {if only this long skirt would let me... I kid, I joke} along and go watch tonight's episode soon!

4. Glee
I'm new to this one, but got sucked in right away when they burst into song. I also loved the last episode when the shop teacher accidentally cut off his thumbs and they gave him a thumbs up cake. As seen here on Cake Wrecks.

3. Psyche
Absolutely hilarious. You have to watch this is you aren't already. One of the smartest shows on TV. You have to watch it twice to catch all the spirit finger jokes, 80's references and one-liners.

2. Grey's Anatomy
Sucked in since Day 1. Period.
Have you seen the new sesason's trailer online? Oh, friends- or Bleeple- It's gonna be good. I think Izzy is back. And we know George left the show, but I can't wait to find out the details!

1. The Office
This is a no- brainer for #1. We LOVE The Office and again, if you aren't watching it, you are missing out. I love Jim and Pam so much and just know they are my friends. Anybody else?
If you have ever worked in an office, you can relate to most of the characters. And the Parkour in the season premier was awesome. We have already watched it 3 times and it just aired on Thursday.
Thank you, DVR.

Since I have linked to Hulu twice, I should introduce you to it if you don't know about it. It allows you to watch most of the major network shows the day after they air online for Free! So get on over there and catch up!

I'm sure your list is completely different because you like NCIS, Heroes or How I Met Your Mother or some other wildly popular show that doesn't make my list because it is scary/ too in depth/ I didn't catch it at the beginning and I'm completely LOST *ahem, Lost*, so I'm sorry.

But do tell me what show you're most excited about returning.
What does your list look like?

And I apologize that these shows don't have pictures or links to their sites.
I really AM hurrying to go see what the Duggars were up to this week.

A Backwards Robe? A Blanket? Nooo... It's a

Do you love infomercials? I have a sickening affection for them. My favorite part is when the actor {always in black and white} is having a terrible time changing the channel/ chopping tomatoes/cleaning spills - what would seem to be an easy every day task. But NOW, with the help of THIS NEW PRODUCT, your life can be so much EASIER {and in color, of course}.

I don't think I've ever actually bought one of these items from an 800 # {Call NOW!!} on TV, but I've had a few "As seen on TV" items in my day. By far, my most favorite is my most recent purchase: The Snuggie. I'm sure you've seen the commercials for this blanket with sleeves and possibly the parody of it {I won't link to it because it's has a bit of profanity, but if you can handle that, then you would get a kick out of it on YouTube}.

I heard about a collegiate version of the Snuggie from my friend Brenda on Facebook and immediately went down to the Hancock's Fabrics to pick one up for myself.

Because one can never have too much college paraphernalia in the football season.

While I decided not to "Take It Everywhere" just yet, I can tell you for sure is that I love it.

It's perfect for lounging on the sofa reading the latest Southern Living.

Or changing the channels with the remote control without letting your arms into the cold, brisk air

But what to do if the phone rings? Well you answer it with ease, of course, within the warmth of your Snuggie.

And if a dog needs to jump in your lap? Well, they are right at home in the soft fleece of the Snuggie.

There are just too many options here. You can't go wrong with the Snuggie. {Special thanks to my hubs here for taking these goofy staged pictures and laughing at with me.}

So, yes, it's basically a robe put on backwards and marketed to make you purchase it as a wonder-blanket. And I bought one and love it. Because I'm a sucker.

But I'm a warm sucker who has typed this whole post within the comfort of my Snuggie on the sofa. You know you're jealous.

So, what's your favorite infomercial?
Do you have a Snuggie?
What is your favorite Billy Mays product? And you can't all say the Shamwow.

Ketchup

Girls and Boy(s?? I'm not sure if a male other than my dad reads this- maybe hubs and FIL?),

How about Bleeple {short for Blog People; I kinda like it- your thoughts?},
I am beyond words excited to see you!

Things have been a bit hairy here this week to say the least.
I only get about 3.5 precious, solid gold hours a day to myself 4 times a week {thanks to pre-school/ mothers morning out}. This week, I have spent them all working at the afore-mentioned consignment sale. Combined with shopping and dropping off items to sell, I've been there 15 hours the past 4 days. I think that's a little too much used-goods-time for anyone in a week, but I have loved every second of it! I'll have to show you my goods soon!

Here are a few updates to catch up (or ketchup- get it?):
* Patrick Swayze up and died without asking me and I'm all torn up about it. My friend Mary wrote a wonderful post on the topic that I could cut and paste here, but I'll just send you over there to read it if you are in Dirty Dancing mourning like I am.

* You might know that my hubs is a huge Beatles fan. So, of course he had the Beatles Rock Band on pre-order and got it the day it came out. What I didn't realize was how much our WHOLE family would love it! I'm sure I'll do a post dedicated to it later, but everyone has gotten in on the act.
Here is Henry on drums.

And Ollie on guitar.

Watch out Partridge Family! I will put these kids on a Duggar- style bus and take your money any day!!

Seriously, they have no clue what they are doing, but Jason has been very happy to hear them singing Yellow Submarine, Twist and Shout and Hello, Goodbye {instead of Jesus Loves Me- wait, I can't say that. You know what I mean... it's been nice to have some song options}.

* Remember this picture?

Well, that pink arrow is towards me, but on the bottom far left sitting on the slide is one of my dear elementary schools friends, who I also went to college with, Bonnie.

Bonnie and her husband had a son, Ethan {their second child} on September 10th and he was born with pneumonia and another breathing disorder. He was taken to a NICU in Birmingham and they have started a blog to keep their family and friends updated. Please pop over there and say a prayer/ leave a comment for their strength, continued strong faith and his quick recovery if you can.

* One of my favorite peeps, Monica at The Writer Chic was nice enough to blog about yours truly as one of her peeps. She just plain made my day.

I have missed you all this week and will get back into the bloggy-hood shortly. If I can tear myself away from the drums... :)