IKEA is Getting Crafty

Have you been to Ikea lately? Most of it looks the same. It still takes a year to walk through, the furniture is still uncomfortable and the Sweedish meatballs are still filling. But it's the new section that caught my eye. Holy smokes. I was in a gift-givers paradise!

They have TONS of coordinating wrapping paper, ribbon, gift tags, paper lanterns, party supplies, and more! It was such a nice little treat and I got to explore the new paper crafts section with my friend Maryann which made it that much better (the hubs wouldn't appreciate it like my lady friends. That's the gospel truth). AND, the best part? Christmas trimmings and wrappings a-plenty! Go check it out!

Fast 5 Minute Pop Sugar Workouts

Who loves a quick workout? Um, me. I combine these short videos so I can work different areas like my arms and then switch to my legs, but these videos give me a quick variety and I can go for 10 minutes or 45 to match my energy level that day. A little is better than none, and Pop Sugar makes that possible with their quick vids. Burn some fat, and enjoy!

5 Minute Sculpted Arms (link for mobile)

5 Minute Crop Top (link for mobile)

5 Minute Sexy Back (link for mobile)

Paint Nite

Who knew that as an inexperienced artist you could paint a snazzy little canvas like a pro? And in two hours or less, may I add. The lady friends and I had a fun evening at Paint Nite in Phoenix and our cityscapes were pretty impressive, if I do say so myself. Some had a little help from wine and others from Coke (the cola, not the other), and a fabulous time was had by all!

Paint Nite provides you with all the tools you need to create your masterpiece and you just show up and have a good time. And maybe you'll be lucky enough to win a drawing or game like I did. Yup, a pass for a free paint night and green smock were mine for the taking! Visit their website HERE to find a class in your neck of the woods. And take someone fun along. It makes the evening so much more enjoyable!

Extra Credit: Frame your painting and hang it on the wall. There is something about a frame that makes the art look like it came from a store and you paid big bucks. Really.

PLAYLIST: Now and Then

I've created the perfect mix of current tunes intermixed with some oldies. I took it for a test run today and was completely pleased with this heart-pumping combination. You're in for a treat folks, a real toe-tapping, dance in front of the mirror like no one is watching, shake your bon-bon treat. (Yes, that was a Ricky Martin reference. Find him in the list below!)

PLAYLIST: Now and Then

1. Shake it Off. Taylor Swift.
2. Stuck in the Middle with You. Stealers Wheel.
3. She Bangs. Ricky Martin.
4. Live and Let Die. Paul McCartney.
5. Blurred Lines. Robin Thicke.
6. September. Earth, Wind, & Fire.
7. Let's Get Loud. Jennifer Lopez.
8. That's All. Genesis.
9. Let it Rock. Kevin Rudolf.
10. Don't Stop Me Now. Queen.
11. Lights. Ellie Goulding.
12. Show Me How You Burlesque. Christina Aguilera.

DIY Gilded Vases

In case you haven't heard, gold is in right now. I really like the shape of these Mama Chia glass bottles and couldn't bear to part with them so I had to find a way to repurpose their use. Enter Gilded Vases. With some tape and gold spray paint I turned these bottles into beauties!

DIY GILDED VASES

1. Dampen a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and wipe the expiration date and other writing from the surface of the bottle. Light pressure should remove the ink fairly easily.

2. Remove the label from the bottles by soaking them in warm, soapy water. Use a hard, flat edge (like a Pampered Chef scraper) to help remove the sticker in one piece. If sticky residue is left on the bottle use Goo Gone to wipe it from the surface. Wash and dry bottles throughly.

3. Using tape (painters tape, masking tape, round stickers, etc.) create designs on your bottle. The area under the tape will be left clear when the tape is removed. Be sure the edges of the tape/stickers are adhered strongly to the surface. Any lifting will cause the paint to creep in on the edges.

4. Prepare an area to paint the bottles. I prefer Rustoleum spray paint with primer already in the paint. Spray 3-4 light coats of paint over the bottles, leaving about 3 minutes between coats for the paint to slightly dry.

5. After drying the bottles for 1+ hours, remove the tape and allow the paint to dry for an additional 24 hours. Add water, flowers, and voila! Enjoy your beautiful new vases.

For another glass jar project, read HERE.

Fall Nail Wrap Designs

Jamberry has some adorable and classic prints for the fall. I'm currently wearing Sweet Whimsy paired with White & Teal Polka on my fingers and toes (photo 1). It's such a great combination and the perfect transition from summer to fall! Some of my other favorites are Pumpkin Spice (photo 2) and Webs & Monsters for little fingers and toes. To view all the designs, click HERE.

Have questions about Jamberry? Message me or comment below! Read more about these nail wraps in previous posts HERE and HERE.

Top 10 Phoenix Restaurants

A huge perk of living in a big city are all the options for food. You'd typically think of New York or Chicago for great restaurants, but I'm here to tell you Phoenix can hold it's own! Here is our list of Top 10 Phoenix Restaurants.

1. La Grande Orange. Spicy Pimento Dip? Say no more! But I will. The Margherita Pizza is our personal favorite. We've tried them all and there's not one we don't like. And if you're into salad the kale is king. Read our original LGO post HERE.

2. Bobby Q's. Cornbread? Check. Delicious pulled pork? Check. Fabulous mac n' cheese? Check. Mini doughnuts? Double check. This place gets it done deliciously well. I'm usually not a big BBQ fan, but Bobby Q's is definitely is deserving of a top spot. Mmmm hmmm.

3. Pino's Al Centro. Pino's really does have a Mom and Pop feel to it. It's not the fanciest place, but it's small, quaint, and serves some delicious grub. Make sure you listen to the specials, it's usually worth getting.

4. The Henry. Fox Restaurant Concepts has some awesome spots in the valley like Sauce and The Arrogant Butcher, but The Henry takes the cake for us (or the Warm Croissant Bread Pudding in this case -- delicious). The decor is amazing and the food is even better. Best to make a reservation!

5. Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. Named by RateBeer.com as the NUMBER ONE best new brewery in the WORLD. That's saying something. But can I tell you the food is damn delicious? You must try the artichoke dip.  Oh, and the tagline? "Handcrafted Beers, Facecrafted Beards." Gold.

6. The Breadfruit. It's Jamaican, mon! This quaint little place serves up big flavor, especially if you're a seafood fan. Enjoy a cocktail and/or cigar at the Rum Bar. This is a slightly hidden downtown gem. Again, make a reservation.

7. Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles. Soul food at its best. And I've got good news for you, if you fly through Phoenix Sky Harbor you can try this place at the airport (Terminal 4, Passenger Lobby Level 3). My favorite? The chicken and waffles, duh.

8. The Main Ingredient. Central Phoenix has a few old homes that have been converted into restaurants but this is our favorite. A unique menu in an idyllic setting where the outside seating is perfect with twinkling lights and inside it's nice a cozy.

9. Cornish Pasty. It's like you just landed in Portland, Oregon. But you didn't. The Cornish Pasty got it's start in Southwest England and is a British style empanada filled with warm, hearty goodness. I like the Bangers & Mash but there are a plethora to choose from.

10. d'Lish. A great health food location for breakfast and lunch! Get the California Club and the hummus plate. I'm getting a d'Lish craving just thinking about it. Read our original post about d'Lish HERE.

Disclaimer ... OK, so a few of these don't technically have Phoenix addresses but they're in the valley so I'm counting them in. Neener neener.

Fall Decorating Ideas

I'm going to pretend it wasn't 100 degrees last weekend in Phoenix. I'm so ready for the fall and miss the cool weather and the changing leaves. Since traditional fall weather isn't coming to the Valley of the Sun I will find a way to bring it here, at least in spirit.

I found some great fall decorating ideas while out and about this weekend. I also ran across this amazing photo of my mom, her siblings and friends from Halloween back in the late 1940's. It's a gem! I'm so excited to get this picture printed, framed, and displayed along with the rest of my holiday decor.