Party: Brittany's Baby Shower (6/25/16)

The parents-to-be. 

Those of you who know me well already know that I am super excited to become an auntie again this summer… to twin boys. My brother, Chip, and his wife, Brittany, are expecting this August. A couple of months ago, at the babies’ gender reveal party, we were asked to be godparents to baby Finn. Another awesome family milestone and memory to look forward to.

It’s no secret that I enjoy parties, so I was very excited when my mom and Brittany’s mom wanted to include me in the planning. I hoped to go into our meeting prepared with some ideas, so I listed out the major components (guests, location, food/drink/cake, theme/decor, invitations, games and prizes, favors, and special touches). I began taking notes on ideas that popped into my head, and I also did some exploring on Pinterest/google.

Adorable cake courtesy of B's mom

Some of my favorite ideas were the location, homemade centerpieces, donation favor, baby shower price is right, and photo clothesline.

We have always held our family showers at halls, and while that is a great way to have more control over the food and decor and possibly save some money, I decided to look into brunch options at some restaurants/function halls. I thought it might be different, possibly not much more costly, and, given our tight timeline, would eliminate the task of having to coordinate/prepare food. I looked at lots of different places online, but I was drawn to Fratello’s. Being in an old mill building, the room is already beautiful, so there wouldn’t be a need for tons of decorations. The price per person for brunch was also very reasonable, and I know their food is delicious. Needless to say, I was super excited when the moms were in agreement. Not to our surprise, the service and the food were top notch. We went with the italian buffet, and I’m not gonna lie, I could have eaten the entire tray of toasted raviolis.

First prototype, before I decided to change the ribbon. 

"Andrew's" artwork. :)

Which ribbon placement?

I knew I wanted to do something with painted mason jars for the centerpieces. Brittany’s mom suggested possibly doing non-flower centerpieces, so I hit up Google. I noticed some people using small paper poms in lieu of flowers, and I thought that was a cute option. I then wanted to think of some sort of frame or tray or placemat for the centerpieces to sit on. I had a couple of different ideas, but decided to have Jordyn, Chace, and Andrew complete some paintings and frame them in rustic finish frames. The final result was super cute, and I was proud of the personal touch of including the kids that mean so much to Brittany and Chip.

There wasn't a centerpiece left over, so I guess people liked them. Yay!

After a bit of searching for favor ideas, I felt underwhelmed. Most possibilities that were not ridiculously expensive were kind of cheesy, and I knew they would end up left on the table. Years ago, at my friend Bridget’s wedding, the couple made a donation to Project Smile in lieu of favors. I thought that was super classy, and also that Brittany might like the idea. The first charity to pop into my head was the March of Dimes. Since most twins are born prematurely, I thought this would be a good fit for the occassion. I thought small cards at each place setting would be a cute way to let everyone know about the donation, but my design was lackluster. That’s when I called in my bestie--super talented decorator, party planner and graphic designer, Marissa. She designed a super cute card that looked amazing on the tables.

I hate annoying shower games. Showers are a time to get together and chat with the girls and oohhh and ahhh over home goods or baby stuff. Still, I think they can be a way to keep people entertained and engaged. At my friend Crystal’s baby shower, her sister did a “Baby Shower Price Is Right,” where guests guessed the cost of some basic baby items (cutely displayed in a basket). I thought this would be a perfect option for Brittany’s shower since it was a totally different group of guests, and it wouldn’t intrude too much with the eating and socializing. The closest to the actual cost at each table got to keep the centerpiece, and the overall closest got a gift card. Brittany and Chip kept the basket, so they were winners, too.

Game Table including prizes, the diaper/formula raffle, and "Baby Shower Price Is Right" swag tote. 

I love the idea of a clothesline at pretty much any shower, but I also like to mix up what I put on it. In this case, I decided on baby pictures of mom and dad. We mounted them on scrapbook paper and ran the line along the gift table. I thought the final result was really cute, even though I couldn’t get the moms out of the way to get a good picture. :)

Overall, it was a beautiful day. All of these ideas in addition to a super cute cake, gorgeously wrapped gifts, a diaper and formula raffle, yummy food, and lots of memories made, created a wonderful brunch that I hope the parents-to-be loved. We can’t wait to meet Jamie and Finn.

Bookworm: I Just Finished... Unslut (May 2016)

Unslut by Emily Lindin

For work, each teacher was asked to choose a summer reading book from a list of seven titles focused around issues facing our students. I am going to be completely honest, I chose Unslut because of the name. I was also intrigued by its description as a diary and memoir. Topically, it focuses on sexual bullying as not a problem of the social media generation, but as as an antagonist that, although has changed faces, has been prevalent throughout history. Lindin does not dive into the history of slut shaming, but she does share her middle school diary entries coupled with notes she has added from her adult perspective. I’ve got to applaud Lindin on her bravery. Who the heck wants to expose the cringe-worthy moments of adolescence to the masses? But, she does so in a way that is painfully honest, yet relatable. Since I am close in age to the author, I felt nostalgic when reading the pop culture references within the diary entries (AIM, TRL, Carson Daly, Seventeen magazine, etc.). I also liked how Lindin’s voice managed to directly discuss the issue of misogyny without seeming too preachy or editorial. I enjoyed the read, but I would only recommend to teens and adults who don’t mind a little bit of nonfiction and titles that make them aware of larger social conversations, especially those regarding our youth.

Party: Easter Brunch 2016

I’m super late with this post, but this Easter was the first major holiday we have hosted in our home, so I still think it’s noteworthy. We had the pleasure of hosting my in-laws as well as Dave’s brother, Kurt, his wife and my bestie, Kim, and my nieces, Hannah and Alaina. I decided to keep it simple with a brunch, but tried to throw in a few fun touches to make the day special.

No Easter celebration is complete without an egg hunt, so I filled some eggs that Dave and Kurt dutifully hid in the backyard. The weather cooperated; yesss!

Wanting to keep the vibe laid back, I kept the place settings very casual (and disposable). I love spring florals and pastel colors, and in a house of boys, I seldom have the chance to embrace them. Thus, I went totally girly. Even though I desired a low-key brunch, I wanted the day to still feel special, so I set the table and wrapped the silverware with personalized name tags to make my guests feel special.

For the kids’ table, we brought the picnic (literally, the picnic table) right inside. In addition to their own “personalized flatware,” I put together some small baskets filled with dollar store trinkets that I thought the kids would enjoy.

All in all, it was a great day. Relaxed and filled with family, smiles, and good food. A wonderful memory for sure…

Bookworm: I Just Finished... Where She Went and Leaving Time (4/15/16)

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

It’s no secret that I read a good amount of YA lit. Where She Went is the sequel to the novel, If I Stay, which is also a major motion picture.  If I Stay was everything I enjoy about YA lit, even leaving me teary eyed at my desk during LMS Loves To Read Day. In a unique twist, Where She Went is told from the perspective of Adam a few years after the crash. The accident, for those of you who are not up to speed, killed Mia’s parents and younger brother. Mia teetered on the edge of death, trying to decide whether to join her family or fight for life to be with her boyfriend, Adam. He has become a bonafide rock star, and, Mia, an accomplished cellist. One night in New York City, they are unexpectedly reunited, leading to an outpouring of pent up emotions that kept me turning the page. I will admit that I thought the book was a bit cheesy at the beginning, but as I kept reading, I really did like it. I would recommend to teen girls and women who enjoy YA. Oh, and you kind of need to read If I Stay first. Not necessarily to see what she decides (I mean, hello, there’s a sequel), but to understand the character dynamics and fully invest in their story.

Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult

What I like about Jodi Picoult is that whenever I read one of her novels, I finish feeling completely satisfied. Her books have engaging plot lines, and they are so well researched, that I feel as though I’ve learned something. Leaving Time was no exception. The story centers around young Jenna, who is searching for her mother, Alice, who disappeared after a trampling death at the elephant sanctuary they called home. Jenna enlists the help of an alcoholic ex-cop and a washed up celebrity psychic to help her on her quest. As is typical of Picoult’s novels, the point of view shifts between Jenna, her mother, and Serenity (the psychic). Their stories are interwoven and layered with Alice’s extensive knowledge of elephant grief. I realize that probably sounds weird, but it was an entertaining read with a surprise ending that, even though I’m not sure I love, left me thinking.

Mama: Store Brand Products Worth Buying (And a Few That Aren't)

Let’s be honest, the vast majority of us are looking to save a buck when it comes to groceries. Buying store brand, or knockoff, products is an easy way to be frugal. I vaguely remember learning in a marketing class that I took in high school that most store brand versions are manufactured alongside their name brand counterparts. Cheaper packaging and the lack of branding make the item more affordable, but oftentimes, the quality is fairly similar. I have found this to be true for many items I purchase, but I also find that sometimes I get what I pay for, and the big name is better.

I almost always do my weekly shopping at Market Basket. Over the years, I have tried many of their store brand offerings, some of which give the originals a run for their money. Here are seven of my favorite store brand products:

Microwave popcorn- I typically purchase either the 94% fat free variety or the kettle corn. To my family, both taste the same as any other brand; and, for $1.19, you can’t go wrong.

Cereal (Honey Bunches of Oats knockoff)- Super delicious, and I was happy to see that they don’t scrimp on the “bunches” in the cheaper option. Actually, all of the MB cereals we have tried are pretty good, specifically Tastee-O’s and Magic Stars.

Paper plates- When it comes to paper plates, I never like the thin, flimsy white ones. I always buy the ones with a little more substance to them so I don’t have to double or triple up. I find that the Market Basket brand is just as durable as the Dixie variety, despite being more inexpensive.

Drink mix- While 4c light half and half is hands down my favorite iced tea, when compared to Crystal Light, the Market Basket varieties hold up quite well. I also buy the lemonade, fruit punch, and strawberry kiwi flavors, which all taste just like the name brand.

Light Heavenly Hash ice cream- So good, full of almonds, and far cheaper than any other brand. Heavenly Hash may be a bit of an old lady flavor, but I love it.

Cheese curls- My favorite cheese puff type snack has always been the cheese balls that come in the large plastic bucket. These cheese curls taste exactly like the cheese balls, but in curl form. I actually like them better than Jax, Cheetos, and all of the other varieties.

Dry dusting cloths- Cleaning products are an area where I almost always prefer the brand name, but the Market Basket dry dusting cloths that attach to the Swiffer work just the same.

However...

...As much as I love to save where I can, there are some knock-offs that just can’t top the original. Five examples:

Q-Tips- Any store brand cotton swabs I have ever tried just do not stack up. If I’m applying make up, it’s less of an issue. But, when it comes to cleaning my ears, I’d rather spend the extra money.

Rice Pilaf- Rice pilaf is one of my staple side dishes for weeknight meals. The MB option is not terrible, but I do notice a difference. I will sometimes buy the store brand if I’m strapped for cash or am planning on mixing the rice into a sauce/burrito. But, on its own, there’s no topping Near East.

Diapers- Considering how expensive diapers can be, the Market Basket brand are not all that much cheaper than Pampers or Huggies, and, even though I technically can get a few more diapers for my dollar, I have to change them constantly to avoid a leak. Not worth it in my book, especially when MB has such good prices on the brand name ones ($7.99 pack). Now, this is not to say that all store brand diapers are lackluster. While BJs diapers are even worse than MB, the Target brand is pretty comparable to Huggies.

Disposable dusters- While I always buy the store brand dusting cloths, when it comes to disposable dusters, I notice a difference. They are less durable, attract less dust, and tend to slide off of the plastic handle more easily.

Dry scalp shampoo- I have very dry, sensitive skin, and my scalp is no exception. Especially in the winter, I tend to end up with dry, flaky patches of skin. The Market Basket equivalent of Head and Shoulders dry scalp care shampoo just doesn’t cut it. Aside from not seeming to have much effect on my trouble spots, it left my hair more dry than the more expensive version.

Looking back at this list, I’m realizing I didn’t include many healthy options. I’m also noticing that I have tried many more products that were not included. Still, it’s a start, and as I record my thoughts on other items that I’ve tried, I’ll keep the posts coming.

Bookworm: I Just Finished... All The Bright Places and The Ice Man: Confessions of a Mafia Contract Killer (February 2016)

All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Moving back to young adult fiction for a minute, I downloaded All the Bright Places. It immediately reminded me of The Fault in Our Stars, only dealing with mental illness rather than cancer. Violet Markey and Theodore Finch, teens who couldn’t be more opposite on the social spectrum, find their worlds entwining when they simultaneously end up in their high school’s bell tower contemplating jumping. What got them to this point is different for each. Violet is still reeling from the tragic loss of her sister, Eleanor. Finch is suffering from severe depression, an affliction he has carried for years, likely stemming from his less than stellar home life. Theodore eventually helps Violet down, and an emotional, yet sweet relationship begins. Speaking from experience, this book did an amazing job of capturing just how depression and anxiety can feel. I didn’t blow me away, but I would definitely recommend All The Bright Places to teens and adults. I laughed, I cried… It felt complete.

The Ice Man: Confessions of a Mafia Contract Killer by Philip Carlo

This book certainly whacked me back into the world of nonfiction. Bad mafia pun aside, holy shit! While I’ve always enjoyed a good true-crime thriller, it has been ages since I’ve read one. The Ice Man came recommended to me by my coworker. Knowing how my husband and I enjoyed the HBO series The Jinx and Netflix’s Making A Murderer, he thought we would take an interest in the story of Richard Kuklinski. And, what an interesting tale it is. The book details the upbringing, family life, criminal history, and eventual investigation of Kuklinski. Sure, there are plenty of mob stories out there, but this one is exceptionally compelling. Perhaps many members of organized crime could be considered serial killers given the amount of murders they commit, but this guy was a legit monster. He beat his wife to the point of two miscarriages, he hunted for wayward people to kill underneath the West Side Highway, and he readily accepted offers of extra money to torture victims. This is all detailed in The Ice Man, creating a sharp contrast against his persona as a good ‘ol suburban dad. Totally worth a read for any of my friends out there who like nonfiction and true-crime and don’t mind a little gore.

DIY: Banged Up Coffee Table Turned Cocktail Ottoman

I saw this coffee table sitting outside with my neighbor’s trash. I was not at all attracted to the look of the piece, but I noticed it seemed really solid and sturdy. I had also been wanting to attempt an upholstered table of some sort and thought the quality frame and simple, rectangular shape would be manageable for a first-timer. I mentioned the idea to Dave, and he told me that if I really thought the table had potential, I should go grab it. I do not think he realized how heavy it was, because I carried it on my head from two houses up, and I was shaking the whole way.

Just as it appeared, the table was super solid. We found a label and googled the manufacturer-- Riverside Furniture Company, a well-known brand based out of the southwest. I had originally envisioned painting the frame a flat black and using a gray and white patterned fabric for the top. I also knew that I wanted some sort of a cocktail tray to make the piece more functional. While checking out some yard sales in Groton, VT, I noticed a heavy, metal serving tray with a gaudy floral pattern on it. The price tag said $2, so I knew that by sanding down the pattern and spray painting it the same flat black or a silver metallic, it would go perfectly.

I took a trip to Hobby Lobby to find foam, fabric, and paint. Obviously, anytime you’re flipping a piece of furniture, you want to keep your overhead costs as low as possible, but you also don’t want to sacrifice quality. I did quite a bit of research on what to use for padding. I had pretty much decided on foam padding, but I did consider cheaper alternatives, such as carpet padding. Ultimately, we went with foam, a 1” thick 27”x72” roll cost 18.99. This was thick enough to not look cheap, yet firm enough to provide a solid base for the tray. I used my smartphone to bring up the 40% off hobby lobby coupon and ended up getting the foam for a little over 11 dollars. I also bought a small can of flat black spray paint for the tray. I spent $3.96 on this, which isn’t bad, but I know I could have done better if I shopped around. The majority of my time was spent in the fabric section. I decided to go with duckcloth, which is essentially canvas. It it stain resistant and more durable than apparel fabric. There were tons of patterns that I loved, and I had initially set out to find gray and white, but this dusty purple caught my eye. When I noticed it was marked to half off, so only 5 bucks a yard, I knew it was the one. I also liked how the circular pattern was consistent with the semi-circle edging on the tray. I bought 1 and ⅝ yards of fabric for right around $8. The table top was 28”x48”, so this gave me plenty of wiggle room, which was important for a rookie like myself.

The first step in the project was removing the table top and sanding down the frame. I sanded the frame by hand as it was the best way to navigate the spindles. After it was fully sanded, I wiped it down with laquer thinner to prep it for paint. The paint job consisted of 3+ coats of Rustoleum flat black paint. The paint went on well, but we had to be thorough so we did not miss any nooks and crannys.

When the frame was painted, we then had to think about how to best upholster the table top. An initial concern I had was the widest foam padding I could find was 27”, and the table was 28” wide. I mentioned this to Dave, and he suggested that since the table had ample overhang, we trim ½” off each side. This would make it exactly 27” across. Meaning, we would only have to cut the foam to length. We also decided to flip the table top so that the surface was more flat since the original had some detail.

Using a spray adhesive, we mounted the foam to the table top. we then laid out our fabric and set the padded table top on it. We were extra careful at this point to make sure that the fabric was straight and even.

To upholster, we used a staple gun and started on the shorter sides. We pulled the fabric tight on one side and secured it in the middle. We then worked our way out, eventually folding over the corners at a 45 degree angle. We then stapled the other short side in the same fashion. After that, all we had to do was pull the longer sides tight to get rid of any excess, folds, or creases.

To make the piece look more finished, Dave used a roll of craft paper to cover the raw edges of the upholstery job. He secured this with staples and then screwed in the legs.

Seeing the finished product was incredibly satisfying. I’ve always been an idea girl, but to actually have one of my visions become reality was awesome.

The icing on the cake was the metal tray. Not only is it a neat, vintage find, but it also increases the functionality of the piece by making it suitable to serve drinks or a snack.

I ended up liking this piece so much that I wanted to keep it, but we really don’t have a spot for it at the moment, so I decided to go with my original plan to sell it. If not as a cocktail ottoman, then as a pretty dressing bench in a bedroom.