Earth Day GIVEAWAY

HAPPY EARTH DAY!!

Oh, Joey Totes...It was ♥ at first sight...

Last year I purchased a Groupon (OK - If ya'll don't know what that is by now email me for all the deets...and seriously, you should be ashamed of yourself...) for a set of 3 Joey Totes...actually I purchased 5 of the Groupons which equaled 15 Joey totes!! I thought they would be such a nice little stocking stuffer or great little bag to throw in your purse if you ever needed it. They were a huge hit to everyone I gave them too...very durable, a sweet light blue color, and best of all GREEN!! SOOOOO perfect for Earth Day...Right?? Do you know what that means??? GIVEAWAY!!!!

The kind folks at Joey Totes are giving one of my lucky readers a 3 piece set of Joey totes!! All you have to do is follow a few simple rules and these lovelies can be yours...

1. MANDATORY ENTRY - Be a follower of Little Brick Ranch and go to Joey Totes Facebook Page and "Like" them on FB - make sure to leave a comment saying you found them at Little Brick Ranch!! THEN - Make sure to come back here and tell me that you did it so your entry is counted!!

Extra Entries...

2. Tweet and/or Facebook (1 entry for each) about the GIVEAWAY by copy and pasting the following:

@littlebrickranc is giving away a free set of Joey Totes for Earth Day - pop over to http://bit.ly/fMYTGS and enter to win!!

**Feel free to tweet/FB as often as you like without driving your followers mad, of course..maybe, 3 times a day? You can leave an entry for each time you do it**

That equals 3 entries to win (more if you Tweet/FB often) but you have to come back here and comment for EACH entry that you did!!! I want to make sure you have the most amount of chances to win!! :) The contest closes on Sunday night and the winner will be picked by Random.org and announced Monday morning.

BUT THAT'S NOT ALL FOLKS...The kind people at Joey totes wanted ALL of you to have a little some some...Ain't they sweet?

Joey totes is currently offering 50% off all bags AND free shipping on orders of $25 or more!! That is huge savings!! Just pop over to Joey Totes and enter the promo code BUYJOEYS. The promo code is good until they decide to take it down so act fast so you don't miss out!! :)

Bianca
Joey totes, giveaway, Earth Day

The Shoe Who Lived In a GREEN House

With Earth Day just around the corner, as promised I am back to let you in on secret use #2 for the old salad containers. Remember these from yesterday's post?

This time you'll want to take a little extra effort and peel off the labels so they don't look quite so cheap...

As I said yesterday, while recycling is good sometimes re-purposing is even better!! Just look at what I have been doing with these bad boys for the past few years...

That's right, instant shoe box. These babies are the perfect size (seriously, I wear a size 8 which is pretty much the average ladies size) and my heels just happen to fit perfectly...this one can even hold this little matching clutch.

Now, I rarely wear heels anymore, and I NEVER use the matching clutch, but it is always nice to gaze up to the top shelf of my closet every once and again and see my pretty little shoes stacked up and on display...

Hmmm...Looks like We Need Better Lighting in This Here Closet...

**NOTE** That is only a fraction of the shoes that are normally on display - I am still in the middle of the closet project so I only put a few back in there so you guys could get the gist...did ya get it?

I know what ya'll are thinking, "Is there any end to her amazing creativity and constant frugality?" Well, I suppose some of you may be thinking, "This girl is crazy - don't she know she can get plastic shoe boxes at the $Store...". In response I must say - indeed I am frugal (and quite crafty if I do say so myself) and yes, I am aware of the $store shoe boxes but this seems so much better because it is...hmmm...what's the word...FREE!! :)

Now for all you crafty folks - don't stop there - you could bedazzle these bad boys or even do a little spray glue/fabric action. For me, clear is the new black...it just works... Oh, and don't forget to poke a few holes in the sides. Just like the greenhouse, these babies may need a little fresh air to, ahem, breath...

What are you guys re-purposing these days? Anything thrifty you'd like to share?? Feel free to leave a comment and/or a link to your latest and greatest. For now I am off to prepare for Foodie Friday AND...yes, ONE MORE GIVEAWAY!!!

Bianca Repurpose lettuce containers, green greenhouse,

Linking up to the following: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, It's So Very Cheri, Thrifty Decor Chick, Keeping it Simple, Today"s Creative Blog, Organize With Sandy, Blue Cricket Design, New Nostalgia, All Thingz Related, Hope Studios, The Thrifty Home, My Backyard Eden, DIY by Design, Tip Junkie, At Home With K, Sugar Bee Crafts, Coastal Charm, Young Nester, Someday Crafts, Night Owl Crafting, Creations By Kara, Sew Much Ado, Eisy Morgan, Pink Postcard, A Little Tipsy, Beyond The Picket Fence, It's FUN to craft!, The DIY Show Off, The Shabby Chic Cottage, What Allie's Making Now, Stuff and Nonsense, At The Picket Fence, Tales from Bloggeritaville, Blue Creek Home, My Cottage Charm, 504 Main, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Tatertots and Jello, The Shabby Nest, French Country Cottage, Home Sweet Farm, Finding Fabulous, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Between Naps on the Porch, The Girl Creative, mad in crafts, C.R.A.F.T., Skip to my Lou, Making the World Cuter, Dittle Dattle, Support Blog for Moms of Boys, Christina's Adventures, Young Nester, Informal Home, Rhinestone Beagle, The Frugal Girls

And the Winner's Are...

Thanks to everyone who entered my 200 follower giveaway!!  I wish I could give you all a tangible little some some but, alas, I can not so I hope you will be content with learning of my thrifty ways and home improvement debauchery.

Without further ado -  the 2 winners of my DWELL magazine subscription giveaway are:

Congratulations to you both!! Please email me your mailing address or whatever name/address you would like me to send the subscription to!  

Don't forget to stop back in on Friday to link up your latest dish for Foodie Friday...AND, in honor of Earth Day we will have one more "GREEN" Giveaway that is sure to please.  What can it be??  You'll have to tune in to find out!!

Bianca  

The Ultimate GREEN House...

In honor of Earth Day right around the corner I would like to share a little freebie project that you ALL can get in on. Although recycling is awesome (and you all should be commended for your efforts to do so)...how 'bout re-purposing something that some of us come across everyday...

You know what these babies are? That's right - you are soooo busted... Most of us are guilty of buying the pretty pre-washed salad mixes in these lovely plastic containers. I must say that even E and I are guilty of indulging in our fair share of Spring Mix and Baby Spinach delights...there is only so much we can do in terms of growing our own food. Winter in Chicago is not exactly a great time to be digging around in the garden...

I recently planted our seedlings for the this summer and they are well on their way to "hatching". I shared this pic a few days back but since then the green beans have grown at least an inch or two...I am beginning to wonder if I have Jack's bean stalk!

While wondering what to do with my string beans that are popping to high heaven and trying to escape my seedling farm, I came up with a brilliant idea to corral those puppies back into shape. I decided to break out a few extra salad containers (yes, I save them!) and make a new farm...one for the tall and mighty!! This GREEN Greenhouse is sure to delight even the tallest of seedlings!!

Ahhhh...that's better! Don't they look happy in their new home?? Now these plants can have room to grow and in about 4 weeks this box will be ready to be re-purposed to something else...you'll have to tune in tomorrow to find out what it will be!!

Now, one more thing, if you decide to use these as your own little greenhouse do your plants a favor and keep this in a sunny window AND make sure to pop a little hole or 2 in the plastic. You want to make sure your plants have a air moving through or in no time you will have mold...I learned that last year the hard way. :(

And that's my GREEN tip of the day. You don't need to recycle if you can find a way to re-purpose!! Don't forget to tune in tomorrow to see what else these containers have in store for them...get it? They store things and there is something in store for them...I amuse myself pretty easily this late in the day!!

Have any GREEN tips to share? Be sure to leave a comment or even a link to show us what you're working on!!

Bianca Recycle Salad containers, Re-purpose Salad containers, greenhouse, diy greenhouse

Linking up to the following: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, It's So Very Cheri, Thrifty Decor Chick, Keeping it Simple, Today"s Creative Blog, Organize With Sandy, Blue Cricket Design, New Nostalgia, All Thingz Related, Hope Studios, The Thrifty Home, My Backyard Eden, DIY by Design, Tip Junkie, At Home With K, Sugar Bee Crafts, Coastal Charm, Young Nester, Someday Crafts, Night Owl Crafting, Creations By Kara, Sew Much Ado, Eisy Morgan, Pink Postcard, A Little Tipsy, Beyond The Picket Fence, It's FUN to craft!, The DIY Show Off, The Shabby Chic Cottage, What Allie's Making Now, Stuff and Nonsense, At The Picket Fence, Tales from Bloggeritaville, Blue Creek Home, My Cottage Charm, 504 Main, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Tatertots and Jello, The Shabby Nest, French Country Cottage, Home Sweet Farm, Finding Fabulous, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Between Naps on the Porch, The Girl Creative, mad in crafts, C.R.A.F.T., Skip to my Lou, Making the World Cuter, Dittle Dattle, Support Blog for Moms of Boys, Christina's Adventures, Young Nester, Informal Home, The Frugal Girls

I'd Like to Thank The Academy...

This morning I woke to a fabulous tweet from @Rstonebeagle (AKA Rhinestone Beagle) informing me that they had just awarded me and 10 other lovely bloggers the Kreative Blogger Award...BOOYAH!! Kelly and Anita...I am sending you some big ole smooches via the internet right now...did ya get em'? I hope you caught them and not some other strange virtual weirdo!!!

So what this means is I have to tell you 10 random facts about me AND pass this on to10 other blogs that I feel deserve this award...The 10 facts will be relatively simple but the 10 blogs will be the hard part!! Let's get started...

10 Random Facts

1. I am a Flight Attendant by trade, a Realtor by obsession, and a DIY gal by default.

2. The first concert I ever went to was Moody Blues with my parents...my sisters and I weren't too sure what that funky smell was until my second concert in 7th grade when my 6 good friends and all of our dads took us to see Aerosmith. Of course, by then we had a good idea what was going on with all the smoke in the air...and the funky smell that came with it!

3. Although I love grapes and wine and pretty much anything with grape flavor, I HATE raisins...with a passion.

4. I love to cook (though most of you know that) and for the past 2 years and (much to the dismay of my Italian family and Bosnian husband) I no longer eat meat. I am too much in love with sushi and cheese to go vegan...or vegetarian for that matter!

5. I am obsessed with reality TV, again, much to the dismay of my husband.

6. I love to read...I really love to read. I used to sit in a magnolia tree in our back yard and read for hours...now I sit on the couch...

7. I would rather buy tools then have new clothes, shoes, make up, or purses...the only thing that beats tools is cold hard cash, uh, so I can BUY tools!

8. I once flew to Spain by myself to hike the Camino De Compostela. It is a 500 mile hike through some tricky terrain that after1.5 half weeks of non stop rain and muddy boots eventually did me in with a twisted ankle which in turn caused a bum knee... I intend to return and finish that sucker ASAP!!

9. I lived in Ashland Oregon for 2 years and have always wanted to move back...I LOVED everything about living out West except that my family lived so far.

10. I used to be a Deadhead...


Now - On to the Lovely Blogs I will be sharing this with...

1. My Simple Home Life
2. At Home With K
3. Sugar and Spice in The Land Of Balls and Sticks
4. Chick Hardware
5. The Pursuit of Happiness
6. Once Upon a Tomato
7. Sweet Nothings
8. Yesterday On Tuesday
9. Blue Velvet Chair
10. Informal Home

Please be sure to check out The Rhinestone Beagle as well as these other fine bloggers to peruse their insights and also get a little dirt on their backgrounds!! Make sure to leave them a comment to let them know you were there...you know how we all ♥ comments!

Bianca

PS - LAST DAY TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!!! CLICK HERE TO ENTER!!!

Artichoke and Walnut Dip - This Stuff Will Make Angels Sing! :)

Let me set the scene for you...I am stuck at home with no car.  Not only am I stuck at home with no car - I have no friggin' groceries and me so hungry!!

Yesterday I took my car n for an oil change and surprise surprise it needed about $1400 dollars worth of extra work to it.  Yes, I know this is a common occurrence for mechanics who see a young lady (OK, maybe I'm not a lady...more of a chick, but they don't know that!) come in and have no idea what she is doing and try to pull the old up-charge trick.  But this gal ain't so dumb.  Not only is my Dad a race car driver in his spare time but I dated a mechanic for several years AND my 2 neighbors are structural engineers who do cars on their spare time...this chick ain't naive!!  Regardless...after explaining the repairs to said ex boyfriend mechanic it turns out, indeed, I do need those things done!!  Great... I have been advised to bring the car to another mechanic (one that preferably does not specialize in oil changes) and have it looked at again.  As of now, my car is being held hostage at the first mechanics while I wait for a ride to get it and bring it to the new mechanics...still with me?  Regardless, I am without car and without groceries...what's a girl to do??  Take it to the mattresses pantry!  (If ya'll missed that reference you best watch The Godfather pronto!!)

Artichoke Walnut Dip On Crostini's

In my opinion - everyone should have these ingredients in their pantry, fridge, or freezer.  They are just a simple must have:

• 1 Cup Walnuts (I am sure you could use whatever type of nut you want but these work really well!)
• 1 Bag frozen Artichoke Hearts (rinsed and thawed) or 1 Can (drained and rinsed)
• 3 chopped cloves of garlic - add more or less to your liking
• 1 tsp Dried Parsley...If you have fresh that's even better!!
• 1 lemon BOTH the zest and the juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Salt and Pepper (1/2 tsp each)

This is SOOO simple - are you ready??

1. Throw your walnuts in the food processor and pulse about 8 times.Take the lid off...
2. Zest the lemon right over the bowl then squeeze lemon juice on top
3. Throw in the artichoke's, olive oil, chopped garlic, parsley, salt and pepper...
4. Pulse about 10-15 times depending on your chunky preference

YOU'RE DONE!!

Need it in pictures??

It may look a little blah on it's own but I can assure you it tastes divine!!

I like to dress this up with a simple crostini then sprinkle with paprika for a bit of color.  I have also been known to sprinkle with cheese and throw said crostinis' under the broiler for a minute...it is really up to you!!  Today I was wanting it cold so I went with this...

...and better yet, with this...

Now I'm not missing my car so much!

Thanks for stopping in - did you cook up anything good today?  Working on any projects around the house??  Feel free to leave a comment with your latest and Greatest and if you were doin' some cooking don't forget to linkup to Foodie Fridays hosted by yours truly every Tuesday...just kidding - every Friday!! 

Bianca Foodie Friday, Walnut Artichoke Dip, How to grate a lemon for lemon zest,

PS - I am linking up with some FAB ladies!! Check them all out here!!

Buffet BOOYAH!!!! Hello Butcher Block!!

Ya'll - I CANNOT BELIEVE MY LUCK!!!

I have been stalking As Is for the perfect butcher block top for our buffet...remember, my challenge is to buy the entire thing in AS - IS by May otherwise I have to buy the missing pieces :(. This weekend I popped in to Ikea and found this Numerar butcher block just sitting there waiting for me to snatch it up. And snatch I did...literally - there was another man eying it the moment I left to go get my cart!! Back off, Buddy - you DO NOT want to get between me and my As Is miracle!! Here we are 2.5 weeks in to my challenge and, thanks to this great find, I am almost completely done!!

This is how we left off last week with the buffet looking a little on the rough side (check out the entire post here)...

My new Numerar counter top weighs in at a hefty 97lbs and is 96 7/8 x 25 5/8 feet - Oh man, am I in heaven!! This puppy is waaaayyyy bigger than the one I was hoping for which will leave me a big 25x25 leftover scrap as well as a 11x73 scrap that will be perfect for cutting into shelves. Oh, wait - it gets better...do you know what the regular price of this butcher block lovely is?? $169...do you know what this lady got it for??? $30!!! YES - $30!!! This, by far, is the best deal I have gotten in As Is so please excuse my over use of exclamation points and yelling!!!

via

OK - I think I am calm now... I loaded it up (along with a little something I'll tell you about tomorrow) and drove it home. We had to wait all week to buy the right blade to cut this piece (apparently not many places sell a 5.5 inch fine tooth blade...argh) but it was all worth the wait as we learned our lesson on the office counter top - we need a fine toothed blade to avoid splintering. Once we had the blade I was pumped to get cutting...with a little assistance from E, of course. If you haven't heard by now... E is the slow and steady go to man for projects like this as I am way too fast and careless to go slow - check out his crafty work on my desk counter top here.

Once I made my marvelous markings (all on a piece of painters tape so I wouldn't get permanent marker on the wood), E went to town cut cut cutting away. FYI - since this was a new blade and we weren't quite sure how it would cut we did a test cut on the end of the counter piece to make sure it wouldn't splinter. If you have enough extra material to work with I HIGHLY suggest doing a test cut!!

I forgot to take the picture of the edge but I can assure you it was clean and perfectly cut!! :) Yeah!! As for the rest of that big ole' block, I marked off 3 different cuts for E to make which would leave us with the 3 pieces I spoke off earlier. With some careful arranging and rearranging of our saw horsies none of the blocks were able to fall to the ground and get damaged once they were cut lose...so so so important when you plan on using every piece!!

See how slow and diligent my masked man is?? I could NEVER have the patience to work this slow!! :) We were a few inches away to being just about done when...chug chug chug...the 3rd battery was drained and the project was put on hold till the new one recharged...

Once we were all charged up, the last piece was cut and our counter top was ready for a mock run...

ooooohhhhh....

aaaaahhhhh....

Not so bad!! I am not done with her yet...lots of sanding the raw edges and a few coats of sealant will do the trick, but for now she is sitting pretty in her new spot in our house. Our walls are a little wavy but that has nothing to do with the counter top so when we figure out a back splash (I am thinking used corks?) you won't be able to see the difference. Oh, and see the wine rack I started putting in and the nice white backing to it?? That was a project in itself but, don't worry, I will show all the steps in my process in the next post...which I am hoping will be the end post for this project! :)

For now - I am actively searching out the rest of the pieces I need to get my buffet finished. The biggest problem will be finding the doors so I am keeping my fingers crossed for my Lidingo doors...can you keep your fingers crossed too?? Pretty please!!

Thanks for stopping in...I am off to sand and buy some sealant for our new buffet. What did you guys do this weekend? Anyone working on a buffet like I am?? Feel free to leave a comment with a link to your latest and greatest!!

Bianca Numerar counter top, how to cut a numerar counter top, how to cut a counter top, using a circular saw, Ikea Lidingo doors, Ikea buffet,
Linking up to the following: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, It's So Very Cheri, Thrifty Decor Chick, Keeping it Simple, Today"s Creative Blog, Organize With Sandy, Blue Cricket Design, New Nostalgia, All Thingz Related, Hope Studios, The Thrifty Home, My Backyard Eden, DIY by Design, Tip Junkie, At Home With K, Sugar Bee Crafts, Coastal Charm, Young Nester, Someday Crafts, Night Owl Crafting, Creations By Kara, Sew Much Ado, Eisy Morgan, Pink Postcard, A Little Tipsy, Beyond The Picket Fence, It's FUN to craft!, The DIY Show Off, The Shabby Chic Cottage, What Allie's Making Now, Stuff and Nonsense, At The Picket Fence, Tales from Bloggeritaville, Blue Creek Home, My Cottage Charm, 504 Main, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Tatertots and Jello, The Shabby Nest, French Country Cottage, Home Sweet Farm, Finding Fabulous, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Between Naps on the Porch, The Girl Creative, mad in crafts, C.R.A.F.T., Skip to my Lou, Making the World Cuter, Dittle Dattle, Support Blog for Moms of Boys!, Miss Mustard Seed

GIVEAWAY!!! My Cup Runneth Over...Need a Little Love??

THIS GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED

I am truly honored that, in my short time blogging, my fellow bloggers have not only become friends, teachers, and constant bloggy support, but that they have also found some of my projects (cheap as they may be) worthy of featuring. Last week I posted a much overdue thank you to some lovely ladies but this week I must repeat my words and do the same for I was featured 3 more times since then!! I know, way too much self congratulating going on here but I can't help myself!! My life has completely changed over the past 4 months since starting this here blog so I want to make sure my followers know how much I appreciate them and all the warm and fuzzy vibes they have been sending this way!! :) So without further ado...

Thank you to Organize and Decorate Everything for finding my $1.50 Notes Zone worth a mention regardless of the super small price tag...sometimes the good things in life ARE free...well, close to free! :) Not only is Leanne organized but she is quite crafty as well!! If you need proof, check out her Metal Stamped Bookmarks!!




My Bloggy Friend, Jackie, at Simple Home Life sent some love my way to feature my simple Glass Front Cabinet Organization on the ever so present tight wad budget...it is amazing what one can figure out an use for in a pinch! Jackie is super good with her paint brush and spray can...this gal can even paint a rug!! That's some mad skills!! Go check her out...



And Last but certainly not least...a big smooch to Judy from DIY by Design for featuring my $1 Pendant Light Makeover...a buck is a buck no mater where it lands and I am so happy this buck stopped here! Judy is simply fabulous - don't believe me? Go check out here latest and greatest where she took 4 simple dinner napkins and whittled (OK, she sewed em' but whittled sounded fun...) them into a tote bag and a pillow! What a crafty momma!



All three of these lovely ladies host fab linky parties you don't want to miss so be sure to pop on over and let them know you are ready and willing to link up!! You may be next weeks feature!!!

And since I am feeling so very happy and generous I have decided to go forward with my 2nd GIVEAWAY!! I mentioned last week that once I hit 200 followers I would be giving away another 1 year subscription to DWELL magazine...and the time has come, folks!! But WAIT - since I am feeling SUPER generous I am actually giving away 2 subscriptions...YES, that's right, 2 winners!!

Haven't heard of DWELL? You don't know what you are missing, lady!! Check out this inspiring little craft aimed to keep your counter space clear while providing storage for everyday projects

Via

Or tons of tips for living - check out a glimpse of this mini garden idea for condo living...

via

Or perhaps you feel like building your own work/craft studio?? Check out this article that even show a floor plan...

via

via

Intrigued? I knew you'd be!! So step right up and comment away to enter yourself to win 12 months worth of monthly eye candy to drool over. It will show up in your mailbox like a beacon in the night calling you home to where your imagination will soar with all the possibilities of home remodeling and construction projects your husband will surely roll his eyes at while muttering in sheer horror and frustration..."You wanna do what??" You, too, can be the envy off all your friends when you tell them your latest edition arrived and you must skip your brunch plans to pour over the latest glossy pages while eating bon bons and drinking a glass bottle of wine. OK - back to the program here...

Here are the juicy details and a few simple rules...

*****MANDATORY***** Since this GIVEAWAY is in honor of my followers you must be a follower to enter...makes sense, right?! If you follow just tell me so - if you don't yet follow and/or if you don't know how to do that just go to the right sidebar and click on this image...

That was easy, right?? Now go and leave a message in the comments section lettng me know you are my newest follower!! :)

Do you want more chances to win?? Keep on readin' cuz there are more to come!!

Extra Entries:

• Follow me on Twitter and/or FB...make sure to comment for each one you do as they count for one entry EACH. If you already Follow BOOYAH!! Make sure to let me know (in separate comments, of course!)
• Tweet and/or FB about my GIVEAWAY - one entry for each...
• Post my GIVEAWAY Button on your sidebar and/or blog about my GIVEAWAY in your post...a seperate entry for each!!
• And just for kicks - tell me a little some some about yourself...favorite color, favorite food, favorite day of the week and why - anything!! That is another entry for ya'll!

That equals 8 different ways to enter. Do them all at once or spread them out...I don't much care whatcha do just get er' done!! I will keep this GIVEAWAY (you like how I always have to put it in caps like I am a game show announcer...it's kind of creepy, actually!) open through Sunday night and the winners will be announced on Monday morning...along with a fabulous post I am am sure you will read every word of instead of just skipping to the very bottom where the winners will be announced...I know how ya'll operate!! :) UPDATE - I realized the wording was a bit off as I was going to post this Monday but pushed it up to Sunday so I have changed the deadline to Wednesday and will post the winner Thursday...Sorry for any confusion this may have caused!!

Stay tuned for tomorrows post where I show ya what I have been slaving over for the past week...OK, maybe not that long but it sure feels like it! The good news is I am much more organized because of all my our hard work!! Oh, and I promised an update on the buffet...wait till you see what it's lookin' like these days!!!

See you all here tomorrow...

THIS GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED

Bianca DWELL magazine, giveaway, featured blogger,


May issue of Dwell Magazine cover taken from here!!