My DIY Try: Memento Wine Bottle Vases

Waaaay back in December, Target had some funny-shaped wine bottle vases for sale with vintage-like labels and I loved them. They went on super clearance and I still couldn't bring myself to buy them because they seemed just too easy to DIY. I had some materials at home and I went to work.

On last year's trip to Napa Valley, I picked up a couple of Robert Mondavi wine bottle labels at our tasting. I knew they would make the perfect memento. I slapped them on to some oversized bottle vases I had from CB2 with some spray adhesive, and voila! Cute vases for my peacock feathers!

#2: Check!

I'm baaaaaack! I can't believe it's been two whole months since I've blogged. I feel terrible, but I think I subconsciously had to take a mental hiatus. Now that things are feeling a little more under control, I'm back with a vengeance! (I hope.)

January and February flew by and my big 3-0 came and went. I tried my best to meet my '30 by 30' goals, and although I wasn't able to tackle them all, I'm happy with what I was able to accomplish during my 29th year. 18.5 goals were completed and that's A-OK with me! :)

There was one that I completed a week after my 30th birthday but it still counts in my book. #2 was to create a famous restaurant's dish at home. Once I came across the recipe for Il Mulino's famous Porcini Ravioli in Truffle Cream Sauce, I knew it was the perfect copy cat attempt. My company usually has its annual holiday party at this restaurant and I won't dare leaving without having some of this ravioli. I used the truffle oil that my parents brought me back from Italy this Summer and it was a PERFECT Valentine's Day dinner. Just ask the Hubs :)

Source: Uploaded by user via Melissa on Pinterest

Happy 2013!

Thanks for treating me well, 2012! I have to say, this year has been a great one. Of course, it's hard to think of specifics when you're put on the spot, but when I close my eyes, flashbacks come to mind of happy times. We finally went on a real vacation after skipping one in 2011, we planned an amazing birthday party for my nephew, we had a really nice 2nd anniversary, and these are just a few of the happy times that occurred. I can only wish for even happier times in 2013. I just know it will be a great one!

Cheers!

Last DIY Try of 2012: Charcoal Gray Bar Cart

You can call us Mr. & Mrs. DIY after the week we've had! During this Christmas vacation we tackled a bunch of projects that have been on the back burner for some time. It feels SO good to get them taken care of and crossed off the list--especially with the new year starting tomorrow bringing truth to the good old saying: Out with the old and in with the new!

Here's a little something we finished up this week--my brand new bar cart! After searching high and low for a bar, I finally found this geometric cart at HomeGoods for just $100! Bar carts can cost as much as $1,000 so this was definitely a score (and with my $60 credit, it came out to just $40!) I loved the shape and lines but the only problem was...it was red and won't match at all with my decor!

So with just a little Rustoleam Charcoal Gray spray paint, it's now perfect for our family room!

I put our bottles on the top rack (some are half empty, I know!), and a couple of whiskey decanters, a metal/leather box filled with shot glasses, and bar tools on the bottom rack.

I searched online for more of these bar carts for you, but only found some here that are $975 each! I suggest you try HG's in your neighborhood instead for a fraction of the price. :)

Reindeer Poop

I feel like I'm in Kindergarten again, but I admit, it was so much fun making Reindeer Poop! This year I wanted to make a simple and generic treat for all my co-workers. After the year we've had, I wanted to put a lil smile on their face and thought this Pinterest idea was perfect!

The "poop" is actually Whoppers malt balls. I created a quick label, printed it out and attached it to mini Ziploc bags with a little bit of tape.

Here are the other examples I found that inspired my poop-making. {Not literally...}

Source: bethybrat-bloomingwhereimplanted.blogspot.com via Linda on Pinterest

Source: splitcoaststampers.com via Beth on Pinterest

Source: pbfingers.com via Susan on Pinterest

Source: procrastistamper.blogspot.com via Danielle on Pinterest

Source: overthebigmoon.blogspot.com via Corrie on Pinterest

Book Report: The Paris Wife

Another one crossed off the list! I finished The Paris Wife by Paula McLain on audio book last week and it was nice to read something in another time period for once. I first heard the bridged version and it was the best audio book I've ever listened to. It was like watching a play with sounds and multiple actors. But when I listened to the full version, it wasn't as animated and actually dragged on a bit. I had heard wonderful things about this book, but now that I've read it, I'm not sure what all the fuss is about.

This is the story of Ernest Hemingway at the start of his career in the words of his wife, Hadley. I had an image of Hemingway in my mind, and let's just say that I guess I really didn't really know of him too well. There is something about this time period that attracts me, and I wish I loved the story as much as I love the idea in my head. Overall, I was interested in the story, but not so much in this book.

Here's a tip: If you're going to read this book, watch Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris before. It helps to picture all of the characters and completely set the scene in my head, at least!

Make Your List & Check It Twice

If you're like me, you have tons of Christmas gifts to shop for, each at a different store, and just 3 weeks or so to get it all done and wrapped under the tree. You're out almost every night after work to avoid cramming all your shopping on the weekends. And you're constantly losing track of what you've bought, what you have yet to buy, and where you put your grandma's gift you bought 10 days prior. It's A LOT of work and A LOT to keep up with.

I was hoping there would be something out there to help me out during this frazzle, and sure enough 'there's an app for that'! I got The Christmas List. At just $1, it keeps your shopping in check and I've been using it every day since. Input all your gifts, gift receivers, stores, and price and it pulls together a bunch of ways to monitor your spending. I. Love. It.