Relax... It's Lees Carpet

While at BlogHer12 in August, I was invited to the "Relax, It's.. Lees Spill & Chill Spa Party"   I was excited, my first BlogHer party ever!!   Unfortunately, due to a mix up as to what floor/room the party was in, I didn't find right place until they were just cleaning up.   BUMMER, right?   Nope, they ladies were very sweet and took pity on me and my new buddy Diane and invited us in.   We got the "quick" version of what had gone down earlier.   First we met Julie Edelman "The Accidental Housewife"  OMG, she is a rip.  I loved her from first site, with the rubber gloves and martini in hand!    She gave a demonstration of how totally awesome this carpet is.  (This was filmed earlier during the actual party)

The carpets came in so many styles and colors to choose from.

Here are the features that make Lees Carpet durable and great for any home with high traffic, kids and pets.
* EverTex™ fiber technology offers permanent stain resistance without any topical treatment.

* EverTex™ flexible yarn system creates softness that allows toes to sink in even if stains can’t.

* ExtraLoc^® backing uses double the density of woven support strands for a super-tough carpet that stands up to heavy traffic. 

I was offered to choose a color and style of carpet to try out in my own home.  I picked a lighter color, thinking I was going to be getting some new couches.  That didn't pan out, so  I figured I would put this carpet to the ultimate test!  My 19 year old son's dorm room!  Scary!  

This picture was taken after it had been in his dorm room for about 2 months.    He lives in a 3 bedroom suite with 5 other boys.    So you KNOW this gets it's fair share of wear and tear.   (yuck, I don't even want to know) 

But there it is... it looks just as new as the day we put it in.    AMAZING!  

I plan on using this rug in my living room when he is home for the summer.   

If your looking to replace your flooring, I suggest you check out a Carpet One retailer near you.  Also, you can check them out on Facebook and Twitter 

Disclosure:  I received a rug to review, opinions are all my own

Wordless Wednesday

Bulls Bridge Kent, Connecticut 

I get a pit in my stomach everytime I have to go through this bridge while driving the back roads to my friend's house in New York

Hanging Out With Friends From McDonalds, Newman's Own, Green Mountain and Oh Yeah.. There's Free Coffee For A Year!

***Closed*** 

Giveaway:  Free Coffee once a week for a year!

Only valid in New England & Albany, NY 

(except Fairfield County, CT)

Last Monday I was invited to participate in a chat about one of my favorite beverages, COFFEE!  

Not just any coffee, but Newman's Own Organic Coffee that is served only at McDonald's here in New England.   

The live virtual coffee tasting/chat featured Nell Newman, President of Newman’s Own Organics along with local McDonald’s Owner/Operator Wayne LeBrun and Green Mountain Coffee experts

*  The history of Newman’s Own Organics coffee with McDonald’s in New England

*  Behind-the-scenes info and tour of the Green Mountain roasting plant in Vermont

* Roasting process and taste of Newman’s Own Organics McDonald’s blend

At 9:50am I made myself a cup of Newman's Own Organics coffee (light and sweet) in my Keurig and sat at my computer for the event.     You can check it out for yourself  here.

 I had a lot of fun chatting with everyone and learning all about the process.   I have to say I was so impressed with how serious they all were about making sure we get the BEST cup of coffee when hittin' MickeyD's.    They are so passionate about their jobs and coffee,  I guess that's why they are all very successful. 

Now for the BEST part of this whole post. THE GIVEAWAY!  

My great friends at McDonald's have given me, not 1, not 2 but 3 punch cards for  free coffee at McDonald's for a year!  You will receive one free small Newman's Own Organics Hot Coffee each week for a year!  Yup, that's 52 free cups of coffee!  Awesome, right?  

I'm going to make this easy and quick because I want you to get your card ASAP, so you can start using it right away!     Remember, this giveaway is only valid in New England & Albany, NY (except Fairfield County, CT) 

Rules:    * Leave me a comment telling me how you take your coffee?   (Mandatory)
              (Make sure you leave your email address so I can let you know if you win!)  
              *Extra entry, Follow me on Twitter @DecoratingDork (leave a comment telling me followed and your Twitter handle)
              *Extra entry, "Like" my Facebook page The Decorating Dork
The giveaway will end on Thursday Oct. 4th at 11:59pm.   I will choose the winners on Friday Oct. 5th using Random.org.

GOOD LUCK!  

Disclosure:  I was given a Keurig machine and coffee for participating.  

Crafting with Beer Cans

In my family we make a big deal out of birthdays, even the adults birthdays.  

My brother James'  birthday is Sept. 11th.  A horrible day to have to celebrate your birthday, right?  

James not only has to share his birthday with one of the most horrific days in our country's history but in 1984 just 2 days before his 16th birthday our oldest brother was killed in a car accident.    So needless to say ever since then he really has a hard time around his birthday.  He actually hates it.  

My mother, sister and I always try to make his birthday extra special.   Every year we make him some sort of goofy kid-like cake just to make him smile.

Last year I made him a cake with a Bud Light beer can on it.

This year I decided to make him a cake using actual beer cans!  Of course I first got the idea from Pinterest. (where else?)  I mean what was the purpose of life before we had Pinterest?  Really?

First I got all the supplies...
* Cheap plastic tray from Goodwill for $1 to use as the base
* Elmer's foam board
* X-acto knife
* Clear packing tape
* Ribbon
* Beer.. lets NOT forget the main ingredient in this cake! (44 cans to be exact, it's his 44th birthday after all and I'm all dorky like that)

 It was  so simple and way fun to do.  I just know my brother is going to LOVE it.  How could he NOT?   I wouldn't mind getting one of these for my birthday. 

                              FIY:  44 beer cans, yeah that was the HEAVIEST cake I ever had to carry.

The only thing I would do next time is.... USE MORE TAPE!  I mistakenly thought the cans would miraculously just stay together with that pretty sheer ribbon wrapped around them.   Not-so-much.
The first turn out of my driveway and the whole thing tipped over and came apart in the back of my truck.

Beer Can Cake  FAIL.....

One can exploded all over and I  prayed the whole way to my mom's house that I didn't get pulled over.  

My car stunk like booze, big time!   When I got to my mom's we fixed it all back up like new and even took a beer can from her fridge so there were still 44 all together.   Wouldn't want to jinx his B-day in any way!  Duh

I wish I had gotten a pic of his face when I brought the cake/present out and put in front of him.  His smile was worth it all! 

Now I'm sure you're wondering what's in the cute cake carrier marked "Celebrate."  Well, that is James' actual birthday cake that I made.   It was a Long Island Ice Tea cake.  I know, I know... that must sound weird, but like I said we try to make my brother's birthdays "extra special."   The long story short of it is, that while on our Family Cruise in July my brother drank Long Island Ice Teas from sunrise to sunset and let's just say even though he is a BIG guy, those suckers got him, shall we say, a little tipsy.  (ps. you can also find anything and everything with a quick Google search)      

Do you make adult birthdays extra special?  What's the funniest/ most unusual cake or gift you've ever made?   

September 16th... Wife Appreciation Day?

Did you know that today, September 16th is known as National Wife Appreciation Day?
Yeah, neither did I.
I happen to catch a post on Facebook this morning by Duncan Hines mentioning it.    Of course I had to check out Google to see if it was a "real thing."   Why? I don't know!  It's not like anything about the day would change if it was, but when ya gotta know, you gotta know!

The first website I found was DaysOfTheYear.com  their definition was... "There are few cultural cliche's quite as entrenched as the supportive, caring, considerate wife. But believe it or not, it’s not all a big con; the bond between husband and wife runs deep, and it’s important to recognise that level of commitment and dedication to a partner. Wife Appreciation Day encourages husbands and partners to surprise their wives with gifts, recognition and above all, appreciation."   

I've been stressed-out and not feeling too great lately. So I decided I was going to celebrate the day and appreciate myself!  Hell,  if I don't who the hell else will?
While out on my weekly pilgrimage to the store for the Sunday newspapers (coupons, coupons, coupons) I grabbed myself a bouquet of flowers.   I went home put them in a vase, made myself a cocktail and put my feet up. (for 5 mins... then it was time to start dinner)   *Sigh*

Did you know what today was?  Did you know there is something to "celebrate" everyday?   Like Wednesday is "Talk like a Pirate Day?"  or that  Friday is "Miniature Golf Day?"  I'm going to try to celebrate more in the future.  Why not?

Wordless Wednesday

1st Day of School 2012

                                                                Thomas 7th Grade          Tyler Pre-K 

#BagItFoward 2012

I was so excited to be able to be a part of Elmer's #BagItFoward campaign this year.   When I found out I was chosen to donate some quality school supplies to a teacher or student of my choice, I knew exactly the person.  
I have a friend Dora who is a Special Education teacher in our middle school.   She has a classroom of about 15 kids (6th-8th grade) who mostly have behavior issues and can't be main streamed all day.   Her job is a tough one.   The students in her class not only have behavioral issues and learning disabilities, some of them don't have good home environment.  Dora is GREAT with them, she loves them all like a teacher, mom, big sister and an aunt would and should.
I emailed Dora to let her know I was donating supplies to her, she was so overwhelmed and grateful.  I asked her to make a "wish list" and sent her the link to the Elmer's website so she could get some ideas.  She said she really needed things so she and the kids could work on projects together.    She loved the Painter's Paint Pens (and so do I), glue sticks and glitter glue.  The rest was up to me... yay!

I went to Walmart to check out what I could get.

Glue, Glue and more Glue....  Perfect for any and all kinds of projects.   

 On Dora's "wish list" was glitter glue, Painter's paint pens and stencils so her and her students could do projects together.    The swirl glitter glue is so cute, but I think we all know what my favorite Elmer's product is.... the Painter's Paint Pens!  love, love, love, love, love...

  Here's Dora (Mrs. Carr to her students) with her basket of goodies.   We delivered it right to her classroom while she was getting it all ready for the 1st day of school.   If you want to read and see more photos from this shopping trip, you can check out my Google+ story.

Now, I have to tell you a few more things about Elmer's new App called "Elmer's 1st Day of School" 

For every photo uploaded, Elmer’s will donate one product to The Kids in Need Foundation

(KINF) up to 200,000 products.  When I uploaded my photo of my son and grandson on their 1st day of school this was the number of donations to date.    I'm sure it's way more then that by now!  

I urge you to go download the app and upload your photos!  It's an awesome and easy way to give to kids in need.    

Here's a list of links that you just HAVE to go check so you can see for yourself 

 how awesome Elmer's is! 

• BagItForward.org http://bagitforward.org/
• Elmer’s on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Elmers
• Elmer’s on Twitter http://twitter.com/elmers
• Bag It Forward on Pinterest http://pinterest.com/cbsocially/bag-it-forward/

• 1st Day App download http://the1stday.com/walmart

Happy 1st Day of School Everyone! 

“I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and and Elmer’s.  #BagItForward #CBias #SocialFabric”