Giveaway as The Single Nester Reaches over 700 Followers

I like to have a giveaway on The Single Nester to celebrate certain milestones.

So after reaching over 700 followers, I decided it was time for a celebration!

I am giving away a crinkley infinity scarf perfect for the spring and summer to one lucky winner.Not a good photo but a fun accessory to have.

All you have to do is leave a comment describing your favorite Easter/Passover memory and once you win, blog about it.

Multiple comments and any comment not describing Easter/Passover love will be deleted. US entries only.

My giveaway ends Friday, April 6, 2012, 5pm EST.

Good luck everyone and thanks for following my blog!

Sarah Richardson's New Season to Start on HGTV

If there is one designer who most closely resembles my style or the style I would like to acquire, it is Sarah Richardson.So, I was delighted to read on her website that she will be back on HGTV in the US this April with season 4 of Sarah's House.

I am thrilled!!

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DSW Workout

Does a 1 1/2 hour walk through the many glorious shoe-filled aisles of DSW count as a workout?

I sure hope so since that is exactly what I did yesterday; try on shoe after shoe.

So I guess besides walking I bent down and worked my calves and quads and my wallet too.

Here are two designs I just loved.

Ahh . . . spring (and a $20 DSW coupon).

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IKEA Micke No More - On To Vika Amon and Vika Curry

You may remember reading this post concerning my fear of putting together anything IKEA.

So many bloggers left comments of support and tales of their own IKEA constructions and I thank you. You inspire me!

I was thinking of purchasing the Micke desk, seen here at my local IKEA.Well, when I saw it I thought it was too small and not deep enough for what I wanted.

I then saw this desk and almost purchased it.After measuring and pondering for way too long, I decided that I liked the simplicity and openness of a simple slab with four legs, not to mention how very easy it would be to assemble.Here she is.And look how easy the first leg was to put together.IKEA fear averted (for a while at least).

Tim Tebow's Coming to New York!!

So excited that Tim Tebow's coming to New York!

Yesterday when he arrived, they actually broadcast his arrival at the airport live and continued following his SUV as if it were a car chase.

While I am a Giants fan, I hope he does well with the Jets. Not sure why the Jets picked him up since I thought Mark Sanchez was pretty good but hey, New York could always use more eye candy.
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I am No Longer a Craigslist Virgin plus a Filing Cabinet

I have never purchased or sold anything on Craigslist.

I have read so many blog posts about people's success stories in dealing with Craigslist. My good friend Marie has been quite successful selling a car, a front door and various other items.

But I have always been a bit weary.

I have been looking through Craigslist for a few months looking for a filing cabinet.

So, when what appeared to be the perfect filing cabinet appeared on Craigslist near where Marie lives, I knew she was the perfect person to accompany me on my mission. We made a day of it by starting with a nice lunch and drink.

Here is the photo that was on Craigslist.After coordinating via email and text with the seller, we set up a time to meet.

We pulled up and she was waiting in her car in her driveway. We exchanged pleasantries and went into the house where her mother-in-law was watching her children. I took a look at it as she told me she was selling a lot of items because her husband received a new job out of state.

I handed her the money and left with a fabulous filing cabinet for my new home office.

A Craigslist success story! The seller was very nice and I couldn't be happier with my purchase.

I am looking forward to maybe purchasing more items on Craigslist but I would love to sell some things too.

Have any of you had an experience selling/buying on Craigslist? How did it turn out?

Leopard Print Mouse Pad and Keyboard Wrist Guard Makeover

Here's another project from my home office remodel that I would like to share with you.

I found some fun leopard print fabric at JoAnns and decided to makeover some desk accessories.

Like this cheap mouse pad that came with my desktop years ago.And, a black keyboard wrist guard that is at least 15 years old.Using some spray adhesive, I glued the fabric to the mouse pad, cutting away any excess.

For the wrist guard, I used packing tape and wrapped it like a package.I just love it! Fun and sexy, as sexy as a mouse pad can get.

Happy St. Joseph's Day

Tomorrow, March 19th is St. Joseph's Day.

Happy St. Joseph's Day to all of those celebrating with some delicious St. Joseph's Cakes!

Glee's Warblers and Glad You Came

Is it bad that a grown-a$$ woman loves this show?

My niece is a big time gleek. I guess she takes after her aunt.

Here is a new fav performance of mine.

Enjoy!

Magazine Overload

Can one ever have too many magazines to read?

Never!

These are a few I can't wait to get my eyes on.I am also reading this book which I am enjoying.
What are you currently reading?

Picture Frame Makeovers using Rub & Buff, An Old Calendar, Walmart and HomeGoods

My office makeover that I blogged about last summer is complete. It took a while not because I didn't have the time, but because I like to sit in a space and imagine lots of things before I go about buying and creating.

There will be more blog posts in the future about this makeover, which I love. But I thought I would start with a few projects for the gallery wall.

I stared at the wall, configured the various frames and gathered the images I wanted to include. It is not complete (is anything ever complete?) but here are some projects I worked on to begin.

I found a $3.00 frame at HomeGoods. When I opened the frame to clean it, a whole bunch of ants popped out but they were quickly snuffed out.I had read on various blogs about Rub n' Buff so I purchased Gold Leaf and went at it.

This product is so easy to use. Here is the finished product with a lighthouse watercolor I created a few years ago.I found a frame at Walmart for $1.00. It took forever to purchase this frame as the SKU was not coming up in the system. But, well-worth the wait.I had an old calendar on hand that fit the slots perfectly.Here is the finished product.Easy, simple, cheap and beautiful.

Stay tuned. More to come . . .

Chef Mario Batali Steals Tips From His Staff

I had another post planned for today but I was so enraged when I recently heard that Chef Mario Batali of uber-expensive Eataly and sweaty-smelly-orange-Croc fame just settled a class-action lawsuit that was brought against him by his staff at his various restaurants.

He and his partner, Lydia Bastianich's son, forced their staff to give them a share of their tips.

You have got to be kidding me! Like his fat-ass pockets aren't padded enough.

I have never liked Mario Batali and when he is on The Chew, I can't fast-forward my DVR fast enough.

He annoys me and with this latest news, I am annoyed even further.

Read about it here.

What do you think?

Live from Daryl's House with Chromeo - I Can't Go for That

I have a confession to make.

I really love Hall & Oates; especially Daryl Hall's voice and I've seen them a few times in concert.

Imagine my delight when I heard of Daryl Hall's new show, "Live from Daryl's House," where he invites musicians to jam with him in one of his homes.

It took me a while to find out where it was playing in my area - 1:00 A.M Sunday morning (or late Saturday night). But, taping it is well worth the DVR space.

Here he is playing "I Can't Go For That" with Chromeo.

Enjoy!

Lady & Sons Cream of Artichoke Soup by Paula Deen

I have had Paula Deen's The Lady & Sons Savannah Country Cookbook for well over 10 years and have never cooked anything from it.Now, I know I am going to offend some readers but I am not that big a fan of Ms. Dean. I am sure she has a lovely heart but she kinda annoys me. Just sayin' . . .

I decided to make this recipe for Cream of Artichoke Soup.Oh lordy, look at that butter.Adjustments to recipe:
1 - I did not add salt and yet, this soup was a bit salty. Next time, I will use low-sodium chicken broth.
2 - The recipe does not call for an immersion blender but I did use it to break up some of the artichoke.

This soup was so easy to make and quite delicious that I will make it again.

Thanks Ms. Deen.

Weekend Thoughts