Friday 5+1 (5 Things I Like + 1 Thing I Don’t) + A Winner!

Happy Friday!

I hope you’ve had a great week and are ready for the weekend.  Ours is going to be busy, busy, busy, and I’m bracing myself for a late night on Saturday since we’re hosting the homecoming “after party.”  My son is under the impression that everyone is staying until 1:30-2:00 AM.  Say what?  I’m tired just thinking about it.

Anyway, I missed last week’s 5+1, so let’s get to it.

Jack o’Mum
I bought this adorable jack o’lantern mum from a friend as a fundraiser.  Isn’t it adorable?  What a great fundraising idea – a nice change from the usual!  Next year I can either buy another planter or just a mum refill.  So smart.

Merrell Boots
I had to share my Merrell boots.  These are my all-time favorite boots, and I’ve had them for years.  They have held up amazingly well, and each year someone asks me, “Are those new boots?”  Nope, I’ve had them for years.  Better yet, my husband bought them for me as an anniversary gift after I admired them but didn’t buy them (and then regretted it).  Plus, they’re waterproof and keep my feet warm – a must have for the fall and winter months.

Erecta-Rack
I have been wanting one of these since the first time I laid eyes on it, especially since I’m taking on more kitchen cabinet painting jobs.  It’s so smart and clever, it has you hitting your head, wondering why you didn’t think of it yourself!  It’s easy to put together and take apart, and you can store and carry it all in a bag too, if you need to work on site.  The newest pro-series even has powder coated cross bars, so that nothing sticks to them.  Brilliant!

So, you can imagine my disappointment, when I received my Erecta-Rack, but without the green, powder coated cross bars.  HOWEVER, Erecta-Rack has restored my faith in good customer service, answering my email last night, telling me that they are dropping some of the correct cross bars in the mail today, and to keep the other cross bars to use as spares.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

A Bowl Full of Lemons – 31 Day Purge


I love A Bowl Full of Lemons as it is, but Toni’s 31 Day Purge is fantastic!  Each day, she gives you a manageable task, aimed at helping you get rid of stuff in the month of October, little by little.  From cleaning out your car, to your kitchen pantry, it’s a great series!

Marble Alternatives
After my granite field trip, I am coming to appreciate the marble alternatives that are out there.  There are options that will you a marble look, if price and maintenance scare you off.  Bear in mind however, that these still aren’t “inexpensive” – still on the spendy side in comparison to other counter materials (i.e., laminate).

This slab is indeed a piece of granite, called White Macubas.  Still gives you a light color with gray veining in it, but gives the ease of care that comes with granite.  It isn’t going to be cheap necessarily, but definitely more durable.

I thought these granite pieces were interesting alternatives as well.  The granite color is Super White, and it was the first time I had seen it.

And then there are the quartz options that are out there.  This is a pretty one that caught my eye.  If memory serves, this is a Caesarstone product.  Again, very durable and so pretty.

The One Thing I Don’t Like
The apparent end of Young House Love.  Surely you saw it.  Many readers commented on their exit as feeling as though they’ve just lost a good friend.  That really sums it up, doesn’t it?  I wish them well, but there will certainly be a big void in the DIY blogosphere.

I have a winner for the Easy Canvas Prints Giveaway!  Staci, you’re the lucky winner (I don’t have your email through your entry, so please contact me, and I will give you your code for a free canvas print!).

Have a wonderful weekend!

1 Comment

  • Reply
    Simply LKJ
    October 10, 2014 at 3:58 pm

    What a fantastic idea for a fundraiser! And, I need one of those erecta-racks! Brilliant. Enjoy your weekend. I do not miss those after parties one bit. However, it is good for them to have a safe place to be!!

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