My Lamest Post Yet- Hot as Falafel Balls...

Sorry for the lack of posts.  Its been too damn hot, as most of you all are aware of, and we have no AC.  So I've been a big hot mess, literally. 

And my husband LOVES this heat, so every time I bitch I get no sympathy.  So in my attempt to stay cool, sane and out of the kitchen I've concocted my own lazy Betty Crocker staples.  Besides frozen smoothies for breakfast, lunch and dinner this is what else I'm surviving on... 

Toss a few falafel balls on a plate. Zap for 20 seconds. Top with some cold Tzatziki. Done.

Who has the energy to muddle limes and mint. Just dump these together with ice in the proportions that fit your pain.

The Lazy Mojito...

Anyone else have some beat the heat lazy ideas to share?

AND don't forget to enter my $100 Joss & Main giveaway over here, I'm naming names Monday morning!

Look at what you could be getting...

OH! And I almost forgot to tell you... the new Oval Pattern O'livia is up and on sale over at O'verlays...

Monday is always better with a $100 Giveaway!

Its Monday, and what better way to start the week than with a giveaway. I'm thrilled that  Joss & Main, the new exclusive sale site from CSN Stores, is offering one of my readers a $100 shopping spree.

They focus on high end home goods and gifts, with everything from traditional to modern décor and many premium brands offered at discounts from 25% to 70%. New sales launch daily, but last for only 72 hours.

Just take a look at goodies coming up this week...

Are you looking for that one item to finish a room? Or maybe the one piece to jump start your inspiration? They have so many great items to choose from

.To enter just sign up with Joss & Main through my link here. Already a member? No problem. Just click here, sign in  and report back. That's it. 

 For additional entries just go "like" Joss & Main on Facebook, become a follower of this blog, "like"  GST on Facebook and leave comments... you get the drill. Contest ends Sunday July 24th at midnight, winner will be announced next Monday morning.  Good luck!

Gorgeous Shiny Sponsor & Giveaway -401s

I am thrilled to announce my newest sponsor, the Newport, RI based sparkler, 401s. Get ready for some serious "gorgeous shiny things". Amanda Gallagher started her jewelery business a little over a year ago making earrings and headbands using Swarovski crystals, and has since expanded using their opaques and rhinestones.

Her pieces are simple and stunning and can easily transition from day to night. I have her turquoise opaque studs & bracelet. ( I am really loving the opaques, they have such a vintage quality and the whites remind me of milk glass). Check my bling...

"Hi! I put some mascara on for you!"

I'm SO impressed by the quality. The studs are a great size, 8mm, and I was blown away with the weight of my bracelet and the pretty details of the clasp.  And her packaging and presentation are beautiful.

These are perfect for gift giving or treating yourself to some pretty sparkle. Another great reason to purchase is to support her cause...

"I'd love to highlight is that all purchases ( bracelet, earrings, etc.) in crystal AB color are donated to cancer research. 100% of the money from those sales gets donated once a month to different organizations to help find a cure. My grandmother passed away less than a year ago from pancreatic cancer and it was the hardest thing I have been through. We were extremely close; she was a great support for me and my biggest fan. A few months before she passed away I was able to make her some big dangle earrings and a necklace out of over sized crystal AB beads (We had very different taste in jewelry, but I was determined to make her something that fit her personality). She loved them and I'm so glad she was able to wear it a few times before she passed. My mom also is a breast cancer survivor so the cause is really important to me."

Amanda will be generously giving away a set of studs and a bracelet to one lucky reader. 

 To enter, please click here and "Like" her Facebook page then leave me a comment  with your choice of color. 

Please visit her shop, she is offering free shipping with the code FACEBOOK.

Winner will be announce Thursday.

Thanks Amanda!

DIY Zebra Hide and Giveaway!

My 5 yr old: "Mom, why are you painting a dead zebra?"
Me: "I'm making a zebra rug for my blog."
5 yr old: "But why does anyone want a dead zebra on the floor?"
Me: "Because it looks cool."

Can you ever have too much zebra?

Of course you can!

You can also have too little (ie. the zebra speedo).

But we're not going there. Moderation my zebra lovers, moderation.
Today we are making the above rug. Just the right amount to punch up a room with some
 graphic black and white.

 Here is what you'll need...

-6x9 canvas drop cloth (got mine at Home Depot for $9.97)-larger if you want a GIANT zebra
-White primer
-small roller
-tape
-2 brushes- one about 1/2 inch, the other 1"
-Black or brownish black paint (I used C2 French Roast)
-Latex Polyurethane-satin finish
-rug pad (optional)
-rubber cement, or other adhesive to attach rug pad
-scissors
-tape
-images of zebra hides as a reference
-plastic dropcloth
-comfortable clothes because you're gonna be crawling on the floor for a bit

                        And if you don't feel like making your own this rug could be yours! I'm giving it away.

To enter "like" my Facebook page, Follow this blog, or Tweet this. Leave a comment below for each one you did. You know the drill, I just want to feel popular. Winner will be announced Friday.

Now go watch another boring DIY video of yours truly and get your learn on.
 Its short. I promise.
No zebras were harmed in the making of this "hide". 

AND THE GIVEAWAY WINNERS ARE...

OK, The winner of the blue chevron pillow is...

FRAN! From the wonderful blog Green Street.

Fran said... I can't believe I haven't found your blog earlier!! It's fantastic! I'm your new follower and am so psyched to follow! Congrats on your first giveaway! August 19, 2010 8:47 PM

And the DIY gray and white pillow giveawy winner is...

NATALIE!

 Natalie said... Did you paint that zebra print work table in the picture? I would LOVE to know how to do that. August 20, 2010 10:57 AM

Ladies, please email me so I can get your address! Thanks!

Thanks for all your entries and suggestions! It was alot of fun doing a giveaway and hope to have more soon. I did paint the zebra work table, and that will be the next "How to Happy Hour" feature this Friday. Laminate counter painting will follow.

GIVEAWAY! Chevron Kidney Pillow

AS promised I have a giveaway, my first giveaway actually... this great aqua and cream chevron kidney pillow with a pleated grosgrain edge.  It was made by my talented friend Cheryle Rhuda.  She has a fantastic workroom in Beverly, MA called Window Treatments and the Whole 9 Yards,

and does quite a bit of sewing for me. 

You will get to meet Cheryle soon, we are working on a short "how to" video for you guys.  Hopefully that will be up tomorrow.

All you need to do to enter is say hello in the comments and follow my blog. Winner will be announced Monday morning!