Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Instagram Magnets

I just received my first set of Stickygrams in the mail!  Stickygram turn your Instagram pictures into fun magnets.  Scroll below for the easy directions and a $2 off coupon code.

Instagram + Magnets = Stickygrams

Instructions on how to create your Stickygrams:

1.  Go to their website - https://stickygram.com/
2.  Select Get Started
3.  Connect with your Instagram account
4.  Drag and drop 9 of your favorite Instagram pictures to the template
5.  Click add to basket and check out.

You receive 9 magnets for $14.99, shipping is included in the price.  Get $2 off your first order with this referral code: FRIENDO64P

These would make great gifts!  Grandparents day is coming up on September 8th.



Cheers!

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Wine Rack

I finally started and completed a project, after being on a project hiatus for a little while.  I found this wine rack on Pinterest not too long ago and decided it looked simple and easy enough for me to tackle.  After a couple trips to Lowes and working in the garage during the boys naps and in the evenings for a couple days, I created this fun wine rack.




What you'll need for the wine rack:

  • 1 – 2×6 cut at 38″
  • 5 – 2×4 cut at 10″
  • 10 – 5/16 x 4 1/2″ Hex Bolts
  • 10 – 2 1/2″ Wood Screws
  • Wood glue - I used Gorilla glue
  • Stain & Chalkboard Paint
  • Mounting Kit
  • Saw, Drill, 5/16" Drill Bit, Sander & Clamp.

Why is it that every time I walk into Lowes, or any other store for that matter, and I need help I can never find anyone and anytime I know exactly what I'm looking for I have ten people asking me if I need help?  I found what I needed on my own after a little searching, but it would have been nice if someone offered to help.  Maybe they didn't want to get hit with a flying shoe.  Ryder likes to take his shoes off and throw them and that kid has got an arm on him.  I did have to track someone down to cut the wood boards in half for me.  Then when I was checking out, the lady tried charging me over a $1/each for the Hex Bolts.  I told her they were less than 50 cents each, but she wasn't interested in helping me, so I checked out with the rest of my items.  Then I went and took a picture of the bolts and how much they were listed for, went back to show her and checked out again (picture below).  Just another reason why I love my iPhone.  

The ladies at Shanty 2 Chic did a great job explaining how to make the wine rack, but here's what I did.
When the boys went down for their nap, I got busy in the garage and started cutting my boards to the correct sizes.  I had the guy at Lowes cut the 38" piece, so I didn't have to worry about that one.  Then I lightly sanded each piece of wood.  Next I was going to start drilling holes in the 10" pieces, but then I realized I didn't have a 5/16" drill bit, pretty sure it was the only size we didn't have.  So I was done until I could go back to Lowes and get a new drill bit.  Once I had my new drill bit, I drilled 2 holes in each 10" board, as close to the edge as I could. 





Next, I took my 38" board and started marking on the board where the 10" pieces would attach.  There are 6" spaces in between each one.  Next I took my Gorilla glue and clamped a 10" piece to the 38" piece and and used 2 screws to attach the board.  After the board was attached with the screws, I removed the clamp and moved onto the next four boards, one at a time.





Finally I was ready for some stain.  I used Minwax Stain in Bombay Mahogany, satin finish.  I already had this stain from previous projects, like our staircase.  I used three coats of stain, because I wanted my wine rack to be pretty dark.  After the stain had dried, I used some painters tape to tape off sections to paint with chalkboard paint. I used a chalkboard paint that I had picked up from Michaels quite a while ago.  I used 2 coats and then I was about ready to hang it up.





One thing that I didn't really think about before I started this project and that wasn't mentioned on the Shanty 2 Chic site was how I was going to hang this thing.  I really didn't want to go to the store again, so Chris and I used what we had and attached some heavy duty picture hanging wire to two washers that were screwed securely into the back of the wine rack.  Then Chris drilled a heavy duty screw into a stud in the wall and hung up the rack.  It seems very secure, but if are going to do this project you might want to consult with someone at a hardware store first.  After it was hung up, I added the hex bolts.  This could have been done before hanging the rack up though.  And finally I added some wine!  Cheers!




It is a tight fit for the wine bottles, but I guess that's a good thing.  It means they won't be falling down.  It definitely won't fit a champagne bottle, but I knew that going into it.  I'll just have to make another one, using wider boards for a Champagne rack!



Happy Champagne Thursday!

Cheers!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

A Champagne Flute for Everyone

Here are some fun champagne flutes, ranging in price from $2-$100.  Something for everyone and perfect for a Champagne Thursday!  Which one is your favorite?  Post in the comments below.  I'm liking the Crate & Barrel, Tour Sparkling Wine glasses - Simple & Classic. 

Pier 1 - Stemless Flute
$2 each




Pier 1 - Teal Blue Crackle Flute (Also available in purple and amber)

$7 each




Pier 1 - Urban Sable Flute

$9 Each



Crate & Barrel - Tour Sparkling Wine
$11.95 each


Ikea - SOMMARFINT
$3.99 - set of 4
Acrylic Plastic


Ikea - SVALKA
$4.79 - set of 6



$76 - set of 2


$56 - set of 2







Kate Spade - LARABEE DOT FLUTES SET

$50.00 - set of 4




Kate SPade - DARLING POINT CRYSTAL CHAMPAGNE GLASSES

$100.00 - set of 2

Happy Champagne Thursday!

Cheers!

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Grateful

First off, I have to start by saying, I have the best husband ever!  Yesterday was my birthday and I didn't have anything planned.  Last Friday, Chris and I got to spend the day zip lining and enjoying the beautiful surroundings at Whitefish Mountain Resort, which I said could be birthday celebration.  Plus we were up at the lake for four days having fun in the sun.  And this weekend we are spending time with my parents and sister and I thought we were going to celebrate more then.  But little did I know, I had an amazing day in store for me.

The day started with the boys waking me up with my itinerary for the day.  First they went to get me Starbucks and breakfast, while I got to take a shower and get ready all by myself.  Something that doesn't happen too often.  If you are a mom, I'm sure you understand what a luxury this is.  After breakfast, Chris went to the office for a couple hours and the boys and I headed to the park.  Then we picked Chris up from work and headed to lunch downtown in the park.  Afterwards, Chris took the boys home for a nap and I had a couple hours of free time, then I was off to the Spa for a couple hours.  I went to the mall and did a little shopping for myself, which was another luxury.  I'm usually shopping with at least one kiddo and I'm usually shopping for them and not myself.  Next, I headed to the Spa where Chris had arranged for me to have a massage, a manicure and pedicure.  It was amazing and I enjoyed every second.  After I was done at the Spa, I was planning on coming home for a steak dinner and a relaxing evening with my family.  When I got home, I was SURPRISED to find that Chris had planned a surprise party!  My mom and dads had all come to town.  Lots of friends and their kids were all there for the surprise!  I was truly surprised and didn't expect it at all, especially on a Wednesday night.  I had the best day!


Zip Lining at Whitefish Mountain Resort

View from the top of Whitefish Mountain Resort


  

We finally opened this big guy up and had a birthday toast.



Delicious Earl Grey Chocolate Cake from Park Avenue Bakery in Helena

A little birthday love!

Thank you to my wonderful parents who came to town for the party and to all of my awesome friends for helping me celebrate!  And the biggest thanks to my amazing husband for treating me to a relaxing day and planning a fun surprise party for me!  I'm lucky to have each one of you in my life!  I love you all!

Happy Champagne Thursday!

Cheers!

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Fireworks!

Hope everyone has a fun and safe Fourth of July!


Check out my Stars and Stripes wine bottles I made last year for the Fourth of July.


Happy Independence Day!

Happy Champagne Thursday!

Cheers!