Tag: sponsored

Easy Fixes Around the House

This post is sponsored by Sugru.

I hadn’t heard of Sugru until recently, but as I looked into it a bit, it seemed like pretty useful stuff to have around the house. It’s a moldable glue that you work with kind of like play dough. It sticks to just about everything and cures overnight, turning into flexible rubber with a strong hold.

I realized after looking at some of its uses that it would be perfect for fixing the toothbrush holder on our sink’s backsplash. We aren’t using the holders for our toothbrushes (I put a couple of glass tumblers in them because they seemed odd when empty), but the right one was loose when we moved in and time has only made it worse. One screw won’t fully tighten because it’s stripped, and the other doesn’t even catch the threads! I’d thought about fixing it with superglue but I didn’t want to do anything that couldn’t be reversed since the sink is an antique. Sugru is removable from nonporous surfaces, so even though I don’t plan on taking it apart, it’s nice to know that I could if I wanted to. I used about half a packet to make a little ball, putting it behind the backplate of the toothbrush holder before reattaching it. Done! It’s even waterproof.

Of course, once I already had that packet open, I started thinking about where else I could put it to use in the house. There was a loose sconce in the other bathroom, where the plaster could no longer grip the screw. A little Sugru on the backplate, the same way I used it for the sink’s holder, fixed it right up.

(Brandon calls these our Guillermo del Toro sconces. Can’t unsee.)

After that, I figured I’d go fix a wobbly lampshade that had been driving me nuts. I’d tried before to fix it with tape, then wire when that didn’t work, and eventually I just resigned myself to straightening it whenever I noticed it had gotten out of whack again (which was often). I mixed up some gray Sugru to match the silver on my lamp’s harp, leveled the shade, and fixed it in place. No more wobble!

If you aren’t familiar with Sugru (I wasn’t before), they have a ton of different ways to use it on their homepage and a bunch of creative uses, too. I know I focused a lot on how you can use it to fix things, but I also put together a collection of my favorite tutorials and project ideas. (Aren’t those magnetic copper vases clever?)

Sugru is being sold nationwide at Target now, so it’s easy to get your hands on some. It’s good stuff to keep on hand for getting handy and for when you’re feeling crafty!

June 4, 2015
“Boxed Cooking Experience”

This post is sponsored by Blue Apron.

We’ve been using Blue Apron throughout the past year or so, and most recently, we made their Swedish-style turkey meatballs. I told the kids that we were having meatballs for dinner like the ones we get at IKEA, and I got cheers in response. “YAAAAYY!” Then Brandon was like, “um, you better tell them that they aren’t exactly the same meatballs.” (You know how kids can be sometimes with food and expectations and such.) I did, and they were still on board! Cooking time.

The dinner turned out perfectly. Do you use ground turkey very often? Whenever we make meatballs, we’ve always used ground beef, but I couldn’t tell the difference. I suppose this is healthier, right? Right. (All of their meals are chef-designed and between 500-700 calories per serving.) The kids loved ’em too.

You can skip deliveries any time you’d like, but I wasn’t thinking properly about my schedule last week. We get the Family Plan that comes with two meals, each for four people. We made the Swedish meatballs dinner right away, but then I went out of town the next night! It was the first trip I’d gone on since having Calvin. Brandon’s great at holding down the fort and taking care of the kids, but having all three (and dealing with a baby that’s not fond of taking a bottle) was going to be rough, so he gave our other meal (pan-seared steaks and salsa verde) to his mom. I’ve talked about Blue Apron with my mother-in-law before because she knew that we had been using it, but I don’t think she realized how good the food is until she tried it herself. I got this photo from her while I was away.

Subject line: “Boxed cooking experience.” (LOL.) Email text: “WOW!” (Also, how fun is she? I love that she thought to take a picture.)

Blue Apron adds new recipes every week and we’ve always been impressed by how tasty they are. I wish I was better at planning meals and searching out new things to make, but the truth is, I’m just not. It isn’t one of my strengths, so I love that they make getting a good dinner on the table easier. I want to try making their chilaquiles some time too; I love it but have never made it myself! Same with Thai food, like their spicy thai chicken noodle soup. I would love to know how to make it at home instead of relying on take-out.

Blue Apron is available nationwide with free shipping to over 80% of the country. If you want to try the service out, they’re offering the first 50 readers two meals off of their first Blue Apron order for free! I think it’s such a smart solution for people like us who want to cook, but aren’t great at sitting down to plan everything out and come up with new ideas every week. They’ve made our dinners so much better.

April 28, 2015
Better Water

This post is sponsored by Soma.

Our fridge doesn’t have an automatic ice/water dispenser and we don’t buy bottled water, so I bought a Soma water carafe a couple of years ago. The team at Soma recently debuted their newest pitcher and offered to send one over, since they knew that I’d already been using the carafe and was a fan. The plastic pitcher has the same filter and functionality, but it’s larger, with a new shape and a wooden handle.

I’m still nursing Calvin, so I drink a ton of water throughout the day. I keep a glass bottle on my desk and another next to the bed that I refill, and we’re trying to drink water as a family more often than not with our meals. The kids call me out if I have a pop with dinner, because they’re only allowed to have it on special occasions! Most of the time we drink our filtered water plain (there’s no funny taste and it’s nice and cold from being in the fridge), but sometimes it is nice to give it a little flavor for a change. I don’t follow a strict recipe; pretty much any combination of lemon, lime, mint, basil, and cucumber works.

Two varieties that I like a lot are lemon, lime, and mint, or lemon, cucumber, and basil. I slice everything up and add it to a pitcher, top it off with water, and let it chill in the fridge for at least an hour for the flavors come together.

You can add simple syrup if you want to make it sweeter, or even mix in a little lemon-lime soda if you want some sweetness and fizz. We’re trying to drink less pop here, but I thought I’d mention it because it does taste really good — especially with the basil.

Soma makes their products here in the United States and they’re committed to good design, which is no small thing. I like that my Soma looks good on the table! That was a major deciding factor when I first bought my carafe, versus some of the other brands out there. I like the look of the new pitcher’s oak handle too, but it’s also nice because I’m usually holding the baby in one hand and refilling my glass or water bottle with the other, and a handle is easier to grab and hold onto. Plus, the larger size means I don’t have to refill the pitcher as often and it still fits on the fridge door. Beyond the good design, Soma’s filters are sustainable and plant-based (I have a new one delivered to replace the old every two months), and they do the job without leaving any black flecks behind. I also appreciate that Soma gives back through donations to charity: water, which I’ve donated directly to in the past, and it’s nice that I can support them through the brands I buy from too.

Target carries the entire Soma family, and they chose the brand as one of just sixteen Made to Matter companies, highlighting products devoted to wellness. And here’s some good news: the first 50 readers to use the code MIL1FREEFILTER at drinksoma.com will receive 1 free filter ($12.99 value) off their first Soma order!

April 23, 2015
Three Silver Side Tables
This post is brought to you by Target Style.
Shop the new Home collection in stores and online.

Target has their new pieces out for spring, and I’m working with them today to feature one of the new side tables. I chose a silver drum table because I like that the finish is shiny enough to reflect whatever is nearby (that red rug in front warms it up a lot), but it doesn’t show fingerprints and the hammered detail gives it texture and interest.

I try to have a coffee or side table within reach of each seat so there’s always a place to set down a drink (or as is usually the case here because of the kids, a place to leave your toy cars, horse figures, and Lego people). Of course, they also make for good opportunities to bring in a few accessories, like the flowers and candle that I picked up.

(Hey, having the same initials as Nate Berkus has finally paid off!)

A drum table is versatile enough to pair with sofas and chairs in a wide variety of styles — even as a bedside table or extra seating as a stool. I’ve been working a lot with brass and warm metals in this house, so I thought it would be fun to switch it up and take a look at silver instead. I matched up the same metallic drum table with a different chair, and also pulled in two other options in my sketch below. (These are so fun to draw!)
1. Candace Arm Chair (Garden Craft Seafoam)
  The feminine lines of this chair are great, and it comes in a bunch of patterns and colors.
2. Threshold^™ Silver Drum Accent Table
  A classic shape gets a metallic update.
3. Safavieh Accent Table (Silver)
  Slender and stylish. A cute little table just big enough to set a drink down on.
4. Threshold^™ Rope Wrapped Accent Table with Hammered Metal Top
  The rope detail would be at home in a beachy setting, but the hammered metal and geometric base give it a bit of edge that helps the table work with a more modern style too.
5. Safavieh Sasha Club Chair (Tan)
  Such a great, neutral chair. Would be perfect as a pair facing a sofa.
April 21, 2015
NatureBox Giveaway

I’m working with NatureBox again today with a giveaway for two of my readers to win!

I always have a snack in my bag in case I’m out with the kids and they need a little something, and on days when I teach, I make sure to bring something to tide me over until I get home. I leave the house right after breakfast, and then when I get back in the early afternoon, I have to nurse the baby before I can make lunch for myself. I usually grab something from our NatureBox delivery because the snacks are healthy and tasty, and they have enough variety (over 100 options!) that I don’t get bored bringing the same thing every time.

NatureBox is a subscription service that delivers your choice of snacks each month, with free shipping in the continental US. They work with a nutritionist to insure that the snacks are made with no high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, or trans fats. No artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors either. Each bag has 3-5 servings, and you can choose different snacks each month so you’re always discovering something new (or you can stick to your favorites, of course). Brandon loves their Sea Salt Pop Pops so we always choose that for one of our snacks, and then I like to mix up the other options to try something new each time.

Giveaway

NatureBox is offering a free trial for new US and Canadian subscribers (not valid on gift subscriptions, and can’t be combined with other offers). If you join, you’ll get a free sample box of some of their most loved snacks!

You can also enter the giveaway: browse all of the snacks that NatureBox offers right here. Which would you like to try? Let me know in the comments, and you’ll be entered to win one of two free 6-month subscriptions to NatureBox! This giveaway is open to readers in the US and Canada only, and entries must be received by midnight CDT, April 23, after which two winners will be drawn randomly. Good luck!

This post is sponsored by NatureBox.

April 16, 2015
Honor Roll (Videos)

This post is sponsored by Vimeo. #YourVideosBelongonVimeo

I’m not the most prolific vlogger, but I’ve been a Vimeo Plus member for years. I like the interface and layout of the site, and their password protection so I can share things privately with friends or clients. Plus I feel like I’m part of a larger community of people making the kind of videos I wish I could pull off, but that I do try to learn from!

Here are a handful of my favorite videos on Vimeo, some of which I’ve shared here before, and some that I haven’t.

Shake it Little Tina from Adam Carpenter.

Beauty of Mathematics from Parachutes.

beet cake from tiger in a jar.

Symmetry from The Mercadantes.

Breath from The Mercadantes.

Traffic Signs & Jake The Rapper / COOKIE JAR – Directed by Ben&Julia from Ben&Julia.

If you’re looking for a place to host your videos, I’ve partnered with Vimeo to share an offer with you. Their business accounts (the PRO subscription) are $17/month, but you can save 10% on Vimeo Plus or PRO! Use promo code: LOVELY10APR. You’ll be a part of a larger network of professionals and a community centered on high quality video, with a site layout that puts the focus on your work with no distracting pre-roll commercials or banners. You’ll also get 20GB of storage per week, stats, portfolio pages, and more. Your videos belong on Vimeo.

Vimeo PRO from Vimeo.

Thank you Vimeo for sponsoring this post. While this was a sponsored opportunity from Vimeo, all content and opinions expressed here are my own.

March 30, 2015