Bottle Brush Tree Place Card {Dare to DIY}

How was everyone's weekend?  We had a great time with both of our families.  Ike is tuckered out.  I won't be hungry again until Christmas.  All is well.

Today is the second Dare to DIY party for 2013.  The always lovely Rachel {Maybe Matilda} is this week's host.  I can't wait to see what DIY entertaining shenanigans you all came up with!

We actually don't do a ton of entertaining during the holidays.  Time just slips away before we realize we should host something.  As a Dare to DIY host, I'm not allowed to wuss out on the challenge so I decided to get whip up a charming place card.

Like every cliche blogger, I've become obsessed with bottle brush trees.  If you live in a cave (Hi, Mom!!!), these trees are usually shoved into Mason jars.  I decided to use mine as a place card.  Because everyone needs to know where to sit at a fake dinner party. 

I picked up the VW bus at Walmart in the toy section.  The trees are from Joann's.  I had the Baker's twine from last year.

I invited Ike to the pretend dinner party!

He was pumped.

I decided to set the table for a quick imaginary party.  It's good to use my China for something, right?

I wanted to keep the setting relaxed and blogger cliche.  I added a simple white napkin and our regular Mason jar drinking glasses on top of some flannel.  As if Mason jar glasses weren't enough, I added a paper straw.  What kind of blogger would I be without paper straws?  Black and white straws would have been better but I failed to plan ahead.

Ike supervised the set up.

I decided to take this whole thing over the top and shove a bottle brush tree and some Epsom salt in a Mason jar.  They make me smile.  Smiling is my favorite.

The little vans with bottle brush trees also add to the centerpiece.  Aren't they charming?  We also bought a real little tree for the centerpiece.  We'll hopefully plant this guy outside in the Spring.  If Spring returns.  I feel like this may turn out to be the longest Winter ever.  And it's only December.

Our dining room is looking quite festive.  I can't wait to share with your our newest addition to the dining room this week!

Now it's time to see what my lovely co-hosts whipped up!  It's always fun to see what how we each tackle these dares!

(Festive VW bus place cards via Decor and the Dog, Kraft paper runner and table via Maybe Matilda (TODAY'S HOSTESS), Blue Ball jar snowscapes via NewlyWoodwards, Gilded animal place cards via Primitive and Proper)

Now it's time for you to share your Dare to Entertain project!  I can't wait to read through all of them!  Head on over to Maybe Matilda and get to sharing!  One person that links up has the chance to win holiday cards from Tiny Prints!

Did you dare to entertain?  Are you obsessed with bottle brush trees and flannel like I am?

Dare to Be Thankful Features + Sneak Peek

Did you all survive Thanksgiving?  Are you braving the Black Friday madness?  I go with the lady in-laws out of tradition.  I shop in the morning.  Drink a Peppermint Chocolate Chip milk shake from Chick-fil-A and then I call it a day.  I usually have approximately 3 panic attacks in that 3 hour period.  Aw, tradition.

Today I'd like to share with you three of my favorite projects from Monday's Dare to DIY link party.  Be sure to check out all of the projects here!

In no particular order.  

This chalkboard from Interiors by Kenz is just the right amount thankful and cute.  Check out the whole project for a cute little heart detail.

This "Give Thanks" sign from At Least I Will is super fancy. I love the use of cork letters!

Isn't this pilgrim wine bottle from Corner of Main the most darling you've seen?  I bet it makes the wine taste even better than usual.

Thanks to everyone who participated!  (Again, check out all of the projects over at Primitive and Proper!)

Are you ready for next week's challenge, Dare to Entertain?  If not, there's still time.  Get to crafting!

Here's a sneak peek of my project.

Here's all of the party details!

Party Date: Monday, Dec. 2

(Link goes live Monday morning at Maybe Matilda)

Dare to… entertain!

DIY something for your table. This could be something from last week's Thanksgiving table or a new Christmas look. Get creative and use things in new ways. Or go true DIY and make something totally new. Ideas include place mats, table runners, place cards or centerpieces.

Giveaway: One of you will win 50 free Christmas cards from Tiny Prints.

Will you dare to entertain?

Steel Meister Stainless Steel Cleaner

This post brought to you by Steel Meister. All opinions are 100% mine.

I don't know about you all but we are in full on holiday mode in our house.

The trees are up.  The decorations are out.  The lights are hung.  Now all that is left is to enjoy Thanksgiving and then start holiday baking and enjoying time with family and friends.

My kitchen is pretty much a constant disaster in the month of December.  I love to bake and my kitchen shows it!  

I don't want to spend my entire month cleaning but I do freak out if I don't have a tidy house.  One area of our kitchen that I struggle cleaning is our stainless steel.  We've been in our house for 5 years now and I have continued to struggle with finding a good stainless steel cleaner.  I feel like I tried them all (natural routes included) and I just decided to settle with the last one I tested.  But a refrigerator that looks like this drives me batty!

Look at those fingerprints.  I constantly give Nate a lecture that I have now titled "Grimy Hands 101."  He has yet to pass.  And I don't think it's because I am a poor instructor.  I will never complain about my husband cooking but is that mess on the fridge really necessary?  USE A HAND TOWEL.

Even Ike understands keeping the fridge clean.  Look at that face!

I figured I'd give Steel Meister a shot.  I'd just bow out of the campaign if it wasn't a good fit.  

I was honestly surprised at how well this cleaner works.  It was easy to use.  You spray the cleaner onto the cloth and then you apply by wiping as you would to polish a car. 

I have two favorite things about this product:

1. It doesn't streak.  Every other cleaner I've tried I have had to scrub and buff to be streak free.  Point for Steel Meister.  

2. It keeps our stainless steel cleaner longer.  I was pretty skeptical when the product review said that it not only cleaned but also protects from future build up.  Our fridge door last about 2-3 days before I start to wig out compared to the previous 10-15 minutes.  I noticed after the initial application that I hardly had to scrub to get any gunk off the fridge door handles!

So shiny and finger print free!  I have definitely found my new stainless steel cleaner!  

Want to try Steel Meister yourself?  Read the Steel Meister reviews and pick up yours at the Home Depot (in the appliance section).  You can also follow Steel Meister through various social media: facebook, twitter and Pinterest.

Speaking of Pinterest, be sure to check out my "Cleaning- Before and After" board!

Do you have any stainless steel surfaces that drive you batty?  Are you a big holiday baker?  Anyone else need a lesson in Grimy Hands 101?