The V Spot

In case you missed it: Weekly Wrap-Up

noreply@blogger.com (Vivienne @ the V Spot) — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

How was your week? Last weekend was pretty eventful, so I ended up slacking on Monday and Tuesday, but I needed it! Here's what happened at least for half of the week.

Sunday Rewind: A hanging photo centerpiece.
Monday: Nuthin'.
Tuesday: Still nuthin'.

Wednesday: A coastal inspired Mother's Day Brunch.
Thursday: Patriotic project inspiration for Memorial weekend.
Friday: An easy Ombre Globe make over.

Hope you're having a great weekend!

about Vivienne Wagner

An easy ombre globe.

noreply@blogger.com (Vivienne @ the V Spot) — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:30:00 +0000

I love this little globe I picked up at a yard sale a few years ago. I have transformed it a couple of times over. It's had two Halloween make-overs and been repainted for Valentine's Day. I have another project coming up, but in the meantime, I got a wild hair and decided to do a quick ombre treatment.

It's pretty fun, right? I like that it's kind of beachy and that I can just paint over it and make it something else.

I started out by painting over the heart and text from the Valentine's Day globe. I just used a basic spray primer and grabbed 4 graduated shades of blue acrylic paint. Fortunately, globes come with latitude lines. These make great guidelines for painting the stripes of color. I started in the middle (um, at the equator) and then worked my way out from there, blending the colors as I went along. Not. Rocket. Science.

Easy, fun and best of all, can be painted over the very second I get bored with it.

Scary Places Globe Ribbon Globe Valentine's Day Globe

Do you have a globe...? Whatcha gonna do with it?

about Vivienne Wagner

Some quick and easy Patriotic Projects. Just in time for Memorial Weekend.

noreply@blogger.com (Vivienne @ the V Spot) — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:47:00 +0000

As we are gearing up for Memorial Weekend (and current projects that I have in the works are not finished) I thought I'd share a couple of my previous Patriotic Projects. Each one is a tutorial, just follow the link.

Land of the Free Because of the Brave artwork tutorial

Old Glory Spray Paint Artwork

Upcycled Patriotic Jars

Oh, and if you're planning a simple BBQ, here are 3 great recipes for revving up a plain hot dog.

Three fresh ideas to top off your hot dogs.

What are your plans for Memorial Day Weekend? We're going camping!

about Vivienne Wagner

Mother's Day Brunch Wrap Up 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Vivienne @ the V Spot) — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:30:00 +0000

We had our annual Mother's Day Brunch on Sunday. I did not get too wild and crazy with the decor... nothing hanging from the ceiling... just a simple, coastal theme and color palette.

It all started out with these paper napkins that I turned into invitations. That was the jumping off point for everything.

The coastal tablescape was super easy to do. A turquoise blue urn filled with white hydrangeas, fountain grass and my DIY faux red coral. I also took a potted succulent, wrapped it with rope and stuck that in there too. Add some shells and starfish, and you have a pretty easy centerpiece. The "table runner" it's all sitting on? Simple roll up blinds. I pulled off the hardware mechanisms and laid two of them end to end. Easy, and at $3 a blind (picked up at a garage sale) super affordable!

I used my Mother's Day Typography Artwork to set up a little bar area for Bloody Marys, champagne and Mimosas. (And sparkling juice for our younger peeps.)

I like to be able to do a lot of the fun stuff, a little bit of prep for cooking, but then Handsome Hubby takes over everything else the day of the brunch. Well. Almost everything.

I can't help it.

We make our baked eggs in a polenta crust, make ahead stuffed French Toast, and HH makes chicken fried steak with homemade country gravy.

We set up a buffet line then we all eat out on the patio. This year, Conner expressed love for his momma by pointing out that one of the green onions on his baked egg in the polenta crust was in the shape of a heart.

He is such a cheese ball sometimes!
They had me in stitches with their homemade cards and a "poster" they made for me, which took a page from their dad's playbook, mimicking his framed artwork and mat filled with inside jokes and memories.

Grant drew me a family portrait, and one of my favorite sayings on the poster was "one man's trash is another mom's project..."

Mitch was with his mom for Mother's Day, and he got me a lovely charm bracelet with peace/Beatles themed charms when he came back to our house on Monday.

It was a great day, and I love spending time with family and friends.

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend!
Click here to check out Mother's Day Brunch around here in 2012, 2011 and 2010 and a big round up of fabulous brunch recipes here.

about Vivienne Wagner

Sunday Rewind: A Hanging Photo Centerpiece

noreply@blogger.com (Vivienne @ the V Spot) — Sun, 12 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Happy Sunday and Happy Mother's Day!
Today for Sunday Rewind I wanted to share the centerpiece I created for last year's Mother's Day Brunch. This could work for all kinds of different occasions.

Click here for the full tutorial on how to make this.

about Vivienne Wagner

In case you missed it: Weekly Wrap-Up

noreply@blogger.com (Vivienne @ the V Spot) — Sat, 11 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Hello everyone! Hope you had a great week and are enjoying your weekend! Here's what happened around the blog this week.

Sunday Rewind: A trip to the Orange County Swap Meet. (Fabulous people watching!)
Monday: Easy DIY candle holders made from jars and paper napkins.
Tuesday: MommyJuice. A silly name... a serious wine.

Wednesday: Yummy, one minute appetizer: Goat Cheese & Marinara
Thursday: An easy method to "antique" distressed art pieces.
Friday: Making faux red "coral" from sticks and paint.

Hope you have a fabulous weekend, and Happy Mother's Day to the moms out there.

about Vivienne Wagner

Faux Red Coral made from sticks & spray paint.

noreply@blogger.com (Vivienne @ the V Spot) — Fri, 10 May 2013 12:30:00 +0000

Summer is coming and the seasonal tide of coastal decor is starting to pull at me. I have previously made faux starfish and red and white coral out of salt dough, and today I am going to show you another super easy way to make a faux red coral. Want the secret ingredient? Sticks.

You know I loves me some sticks and spray paint projects! This involves both.

Gather a bunch of sticks that are sort of bendy and gnarled, then spray paint them with red paint. You're painting sticks... it's fine to use the el-cheap-o spray paint on this project. Next, grab some red and orange acrylic paint (I like Martha's) use 1 part red to 3 parts orange and then add a little water to thin it out.

Paint/drip the coral colored paint wash all over the sticks. I find it easiest to spray paint them flat, then flip them over and do the other side, but to hold them while applying the paint wash. It doesn't have to be perfectly even coverage.

Here is an example of real red coral. It's had a shiny gloss applied to it, but the shape looks pretty similar to sticks and branches, don't you think?

source

Now for this, I certainly could make this nice and glossy, but I decided to leave it as is and will incorporate my faux "coral" into my Mother's Day Brunch decor. Remember my invitations and candle holders using the paper napkins? This is a continuation of that color scheme.

I'm pretty happy with how it turned out, and I especially like the price. Which is, you know, free. What do you think? Do you use coastal elements in your home?

By the way, I have a great round up of more than 40 Brunch Recipes from some fabulous cooks and bloggers. It's not too late to put together a great breakfast treat for Mom.

Check it out for Mother's Day, but there are some wonderful recipes in there that would be great for bridal and baby showers too.

about Vivienne Wagner

Easy antique wash for distressed artwork.

noreply@blogger.com (Vivienne @ the V Spot) — Thu, 09 May 2013 12:30:00 +0000

I make "subway" or typographic artwork on a fairly regular basis. I am not too precise about the process, which is why I love the, um, distressed look. Distressing artwork that is less than perfect covers a multitude of sins and makes it a "I meant to do that" finished product.

Here are a few examples of pieces that I have done previously.

1. Springtime 2. Hello Sunshine 3. Vintage Lake Sign 4. Thankful 5. Wine Corks

6. Never More 7. True Love 8. Family Rules
Click any of these for instructions or tutorials on how to create the piece in the first place.

On virtually all of these pieces, I sand them and put a quick and easy "antique" wash that cuts down on the contrast while adding a soft sheen. And when I say easy, I mean easy.

I just did this piece for a fundraiser. See how I managed to get "love each other" kind of crooked? (Other is going up at a bit of an angle.) And the paint bled through here and there on the letters.... Lots of little things that are wrong. That's where sanding the crap out of the piece comes in.

Once it looks distressed and vintage-y enough from the sander, it's time to do the wash. The wash is nothing more than a little watered down gold acrylic paint.

Don't be jealous of my fabulous paintbrush. It may not be pretty, but it gets the job done. We're old friends.

Apply the wash over the surface of the piece with a paintbrush. Once it's covered with the wash, get a different, dry paintbrush (preferably a wide one) brush over the surface of the entire board with long, even strokes in one direction. (I usually do them horizontally.)

Anyhow, when it's dry the piece looks worn and vintage instead of contrast-y and uneven.

So that's it. No big secret, (other than I'm not really an artist.)
A sander and paint wash save the day!

about Vivienne Wagner

Easy Goat Cheese & Marinara Appetizer

noreply@blogger.com (Vivienne @ the V Spot) — Wed, 08 May 2013 12:30:00 +0000

This appetizer is so yummy and easy! Creamy goat cheese and savory marina make a wonderful spread on fresh bread. It literally takes but a minute to put together.

In fact, this is so yummy and easy that I there is no real "process" to photograph for you.

Pop a cup or so of jarred marinara sauce in the microwave for 45 seconds or so. While it's heating up, place the goat cheese in the middle of a deep dish or platter. Spoon warm marinara sauce over the top of the cheese. Serve with fresh, crusty bread or crostini.

And they all lived happily ever after.
The end.

Do you have a favorite "go-to" appetizer?
about Vivienne Wagner

MommyJuice Wine: A fun name... serious wine.

noreply@blogger.com (Vivienne @ the V Spot) — Tue, 07 May 2013 21:32:00 +0000

Wine. I love it. Virginia Madsen's monologue about wine in Sideways? Yep. It's how I feel about wine. It's important. It helps me unwind at the end of the day, I enjoy learning more about it and trying different varieties. So when I was offered the opportunity to try wines from MommyJuice, I couldn't say "yes" fast enough!

Now I might be a wineaux, but I am not a wine snob. There may be some people out there who wouldn't take a wine by the name of "MommyJuice" too seriously, but I read the tasting notes for the Chardonnay and the Red Blend that I received, as well as the story behind the wine and its name... fun name, serious wine.

First of all, I love the fact that the founder of MommyJuice is a mom and it's named after her children's references to her glass of wine as "Mommy's juice." But second, and most important, her family is in the wine business and she knows her stuff. Her family's Central Coast winery is in a fabulous area, known for producing great wines. She has tons of experience and sits on several wine industry boards. The idiom Don't judge a book by its cover definitely fits in here.

I invited a few girlfriends who are fellow wine enthusiasts over for the evening and we had a tasting. We started off with the Chardonnay.

To be completely honest, I was prepared to not like this wine. I do drink Chardonnay but I tend to like it buttery and oaky. Very oaky, actually. I read the tasting notes and I was anticipating something that would be too fruit forward and sweet for my tastes. I was very pleasantly surprised.

While this Chardonnay did not have the big oaky finish I look for, it was very well balanced. There were four of us tasting the wines (and three of us who primarily drink reds) and all four of us really liked this. By the way, these grapes were all grown in Monterey, California, an area well known for its Chardonnay.

We moved on to the Red Wine Blend (77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 3% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot)

This red blend was nice. It does need to breathe though... even with an aerator, it still needed a minute or two. It was really nice when paired with some dark chocolate. While we all liked the red, we decided that the Chardonnay was the winner.

Having a tasting is a great way to hang out with friends.

I put out a few appetizers and snacks, made sure there was lots of water available, and just enjoyed good wine and good conversation. (Click here to see how I made the etched water carafes from old wine bottles.)

One other thing: screw top! What was once a sign of an inferior, cheap-o wine is now becoming
the bottle closures of choice for a lot of vintners. One of the chemicals used to sanitize natural cork can sometimes lead to a bottle becoming "corked" which means a flat, musty smell and taste. Basically, if your bottle of wine is "corked" it is worthless. A screw top is less expensive for the winery and means a better preserved wine. I give you this little cork explanation because it would be a shame to pass up a bottle of MommyJuice on the shelf because you made a snap judgement about a fun label and a screw top. This. Is. Nice. Wine.

By the way, you know who sells it? CVS Pharmacy. I didn't know they even sold wine! (How did I not know this?!)

Look how affordable this is!

MommyJuice Wines are available at select CVS Pharmacy stores and Northern California Target stores, as well as in various retail outlets nationwide.

And since Mother's Day is right around the corner... Wine and Mother’s Day gift packs can be purchased online at www.mommyjuicewines.com. If you are at CVS and snap photos of MommyJuice on the shelf, you can upload them to the MommyJuice Facebook Page and be entered to win a pack of MommyJuice glasses.

Being a mom is a constant juggling act. MommyJuice is a an adorable gift for any hostess, friend or family member who is a mother. It’s owned and made by a mom.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

about Vivienne Wagner

DIY Sea-Inspired Candle Holders (Made from glass jars & paper napkins.)

noreply@blogger.com (Vivienne @ the V Spot) — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:30:00 +0000

A few weeks ago I bought some cool paper napkins on a trip to Roger's Gardens in Newport Beach, CA. I used them to make invitations to our Mother's Day Brunch, and in keeping with that theme and color palette, I decided to make some jar candle holders using the same napkins and Mod Podge.

I am really happy with how they turned out, and they took just minutes to do. (Not including drying time for the Mod Podge.)

Gather up your supplies. You'll need:

clean glass jars
Mod Podge (I used Sparkle, but you can use any kind you want.)
paper napkins with a fun print of your choosing
paint brush
twine or jute

Take the napkin and peel the layers apart. I thought these were 2 ply at first, and turns out they were actually 3 ply. The thinner the paper, the more translucent your finished product will be. Cut the napkin into strips that are a little wider than what will fit your jar, so that you can wrap the paper underneath it. Coat the jar with Mod Podge and adhere the paper to the jar.

Be gentle, as the paper is so thin. You don't want it to tear. When dry, put an additional coat of Mod Podge over it and let dry.

To finish off your votive holder, tie an end of twine around the neck of your jar, brush on a little Mod Podge to help "set" the twine, and wrap neck of the jar until it's completely covered.

Add a candle and enjoy!

I'm really happy with how these turned out! I did some "Hurricane" sized ones for Halloween a few years ago, but I think I like this smaller size much better.

By the way, the starfish in the photos above? I made them out of dough. Super easy to make.

Have you done any crafting with paper napkins before? What did you do?

about Vivienne Wagner

Sunday Rewind: The Orange County Swap Meet

noreply@blogger.com (Vivienne @ the V Spot) — Sun, 05 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Today's Sunday Rewind takes us on a field trip to the Orange County Swap Meet. I love the swap meet! There is so much to check out: fabulous furniture, fresh produce, nick-knacks, luggage, clothes....
Oh. And lots and lots of people watching!

Click here to see it all.

about Vivienne Wagner

In case you missed it: Weekly Wrap-Up

noreply@blogger.com (Vivienne @ the V Spot) — Sat, 04 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Sunday Rewind: Being a "mean mom" and making sure to hold kids accountable for their bad choices.
Monday: Making easy invitations for Mother's Day Brunch out of paper napkins.
Tuesday: Product review: Why I am loving Lysol Power & Free.

Wednesday: Shocker, I know, but I finally got around to a furniture make-over.
Thursday: I have a great round up of more than 40 fabulous Brunch Recipes.
Friday: HH and I had a date night at the Chris Tomlin concert.

Hope you're having a great weekend!
about Vivienne Wagner

Date night at the Chris Tomlin concert.

noreply@blogger.com (Vivienne @ the V Spot) — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

I like all kinds of music. If the tune is catchy... if it's got a good beat and you can dance to it... if it makes you feel something... chances are that I like it. One of the artists I particularly like is Chris Tomlin, a Christian singer whose songs are often covered by our worship team at church.

A few weeks ago I drove past the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater and saw that he was scheduled to play last Saturday night. I had a Yay! Boo! moment. Yay! I love Chris Tomlin! Boo! I know me, and I probably will forget about this by the time I get home, or the tickets will be sold out, or we are already doing something else, or oo! a squirrel!

source

Anyway, I forgot all about it until I got an email from a friend, asking if I knew anyone who would be interested in attending the concert. Um, yeah! Me! (A great singer and date-night!? Score!)

Handsome Hubby and I have been feeling especially blessed and grateful lately. Not just because of the miracle that Mitch is alive and almost fully recovered from his accident, but also because of the amazing and positive ripple effects that have been coming from the entire experience.
We have felt more and more like God totally has His hand on our lives, so this was a really great way to spend a Saturday night.

From my Instagram feed the night of the concert.

We went out to dinner, got a lovely plastic cup of wine in the concession area, and found our seats.
We had a great view of the stage and it was a very energetic, very moving show.

I've been to a lot of concerts in my day, but I have a confession to make: Although I'm a Christian, I have never been to a Christian concert before. There was definitely a positive vibe there.

It was happy and celebratory. Lots of people were there with their children. It's a great experience for families, and I think we're going to try and take the guys with us the next time we go.

If you are in the Southern California area, there are a couple of family-friendly options coming up soon:
On June 7th the Hillsong United Show is at the Hollywood Bowl. The doors open at 7 pm and the show starts at 8:00. You can buy tickets here.
On June 29th FISH Fest is going to be held at The Verizon Wireless Amphitheater and tickets go on sale today. If I am not mistaken, I think this concert tends to sell out each year, so you probably want to get your tickets as soon as you can.

Click here to get tickets and to read more about the event.

Both of these events are put on by Transparent Productions. They are a concert promotion company that works hard to bring Christian shows to Southern California and the rest of the nation. You can find out more about them here on their website. There is so much yuck and hatred in the world, it's nice to know there are some people and companies out there whose sole mission is to uplift people.

You can make sure you're up on the latest concerts and tour dates by following them on Twitter, on Instagram, and by liking their Facebook page.

By the way, this is one of my favorite Chris Tomlin songs. You can't hear it and NOT feel uplifted.

Pretty cool, huh?
No matter what's happening in my life, a quick listen to that song reminds me that God has everything under control.

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Transparent Productions but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #BurningLights http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO

about Vivienne Wagner

Delicious inspiration for Mother's Day Brunch.

noreply@blogger.com (Vivienne @ the V Spot) — Thu, 02 May 2013 12:30:00 +0000

Every year we host a Mother's Day Brunch at our home. Every year we have certain dishes that are tried and true and now are, well, A Tradition. However, it's nice to change things up a bit too, so I've collected more than 40 recipes from talented cooks and am sharing them with you today.

Egg dishes, baked treats, make ahead dishes, fruit, smoothies... Just check out all of the goodness! These are perfect for Mother's Day Brunch, but also Baby Showers, Bridal Showers... anything that calls for yummy food at Brunch Time! Enjoy!

A Pinterest Reminder: As you scroll down through these fabulous recipes, and something looks good and you want to Pin it, please be sure to click over to the original site to do so. You want to be sure you can easily find that recipe again, right?

Egg Dishes & Breakfast Casseroles

Baked Eggs in a Bacon-Wrapped Polenta Crust from (me!) The V Spot

Cheesy Bacon & Potato Frittata from Amanda's Cookin'

Individual Frittatas from Always In Wonder

Breakfast Casserole from Artsy Fartsy Mama

Easy Breakfast Casserole from Mom Endeavors

Mexican Quiche Bites from Amanda's Cookin'

Texas Stuffed Biscuits from I Love My 5 Kids

Easy Breakfast Pizza from Always In Wonder

Bacon & Green Onion Frittata with Smoky Gouda from Amanda's Cookin'

Overnight Breakfast casserole from Thirty Handmade Days

Pancakes, Waffles, French Toast & Crepes

Make Ahead Pear & Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast from The V Spot

Strawberry Crepes from Sand & Sisal

Brown Sugar Bacon Belgian Waffles from Rook No 17

Sour Cream Cinnamon Roll Pancakes from Number 2 Pencil

The Best French Toast Ever from Sweet Rose Studio

Amazing Crepe Bar from I'm Topsy Turvy

Popovers with Cinnamon Butter from Amanda's Cookin'

Baked French Toast from Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke

The World's Best {Heart Shaped} Waffles from Dreaming In Color

Banana Split Crepes from Measured By the Heart

Guilt Free & Gluten Free Pancakes from HomeMadeville

True Belgian Waffles with Pearl Sugar & Yeast from Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke

Peanut Butter Pancakes from The Country Chic Cottage

Raspberry Stuffed French Toast from Mom Endeavors

Amazing Baked Goodness & Treats

Low Fat Cinnamon Cake from Cleverly Inspired

Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls from Mom's Crafty Space

Heirloom Pumpkin Bread from Craft Quickies

Cinnamon Coffee Cake from Dreaming In Color

Raspberry Lemon Yogurt Cake from Rook No 17

Banana Oatmeal Bread from Cleverly Inspired

Baby Cinnamon Rolls from Creative Green Living

Side Dishes & Drinks

Chickpea, Feta & Parsley Salad from Simple Provisions

Strawberry Basil Relish from The V Spot

Cheesy Sausage Potatoes from Reasons To Skip The Housework

Potatoes au Gratin from Homework

Orange Creamsicle Summer Fruit Dip from Madigan Made

Green Smoothie from The V Spot

Morning Sunrise Smoothie by Creative Green Living

A DIY Edible Arrangement from Mom Endeavors

Strawberry Greek Yogurt Fool from Mad In Crafts

Good stuff, right? So... what are you making first?

about Vivienne Wagner

A beachy bookcase re-do.

noreply@blogger.com (Vivienne @ the V Spot) — Wed, 01 May 2013 12:30:00 +0000

I have been wanting to replace the little secretary desk by our front door for a long time. I knew I probably wanted a book case and had my eye out for one that was just the right size. Ding-ding-ding! We have a winner!

Last month I went to Habitat ReStore with Barbara from Chase the Star and along with the lamps that we bought to re-do, I scored this solid guy for a mere $49.

Pretty ugly, right? He was pretty solid though, and that's the important part. I had to spackle holes and caulk big gaps, then sand the whole thing pretty well to smooth it all out.

I decided to spray paint the whole thing because I'm pretty lazy, and the thought of getting in all of those corners with a paintbrush got me all twisty. I used a paint and primer combo and eliminated an extra step.

The paint I used is Valspar's Color Radiance in Mellow Spring. It took 4 cans to completely cover the bookcase. Because I was painting for such a long time, I went ahead and got a mask on. (I rarely use them. Do as I say, not as I do. OK, kids?)

I let the bookcase sit and really "cure" for a day or two before I put the burlap backing behind the shelves.

I rolled the burlap out on the floor to ensure that I cut it to the proper width and then proceeded to measure the space between the shelves and cut the individual pieces. Adhering the burlap is easiest if you lay the bookcase down on its back.

I covered the back of the case with a nice, fairly thick coating of Matte Mod Podge and then gently pressed the burlap into it. A thicker layer of the Mod Podge allowed me to sort of "float the fabric into the exact position I wanted. Using matte (as opposed to gloss) ensured that the burlap retained its texture and color. Once dry, I trimmed any excess fabric with a utility knife.

I had plans to antique this, or add nailhead trim or some other embellishment... then I ran out of steam. The more I looked at this, the more I decided I liked the simplicity of the beachy vibe the color and fabric created. All done, then.

I am sure at some point, I will get a wild hair and decide to mess with it a little more, but for now I am satisfied to just keep shifting items around on the shelves and play with it that way.

By the way, I mentioned the other week that I took a fab shopping trip to Roger's Gardens in Newport Beach...

I am still loving my knock off version of their blue pottery, but I am also happy I picked up this little crown shaped flower pot. I don't know why I like it so much, but I do! Now I have a place to put them both!

So for $49, four cans of spray paint and a little burlap, I think I did alright. Do you have any furniture projects in the works?

about Vivienne Wagner

Product Review: Lysol Power & Free

noreply@blogger.com (Vivienne @ the V Spot) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:30:00 +0000

As many of you might know, our son Mitch was in a terrible accident at the end of January. He is doing great now, but he had 6 weeks where he was stuck in either his bed or in a wheelchair while his multiple fractures healed. During that 6 week period we had to rent a hospital bed and other medical equipment. We were very worried about keeping things clean and sanitary (obviously) but I also didn't want the place smelling like a hospital (been there, done that, we were over it.)

So when Lysol asked me to try Lysol Power & Free, the timing couldn't have been better.

One of the things I really like about this is that the active ingredient is hydrogen peroxide. This was really great because it cleans every bit as well as products with bleach (possibly even better) but there aren't any harsh chemicals. I don't want to clean something that my kids will be touching and have it be stinky with cleaning fumes.

It's tough on grease, soap scum and other yucky things and it kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria. I was super worried that Mitch would get the flu as it was making the rounds through the household. That could have been very, very bad with his lung injuries, but I think lots of hand-washing and keeping all of the surfaces near Mitch as clean as possible really helped prevent him from getting the flu.

This also smells pretty good. I tried "Citrus Sparkle Zest" which wasn't too strongly fragranced, but it didn't smell like a "cleaning product" either.

Please forgive the crummy iphone photo.

As you can see, Mitch's room had to accommodate his hospital bed, wheelchair and friends who came to visit. You can't see them, but there were 2 other big pieces of medical equipment in the room too. All of this needed to be kept clean, sanitary and not smelling like chemicals. Like I said, this was all perfect timing to try Lysol Power & Free.

I'm sold on it. It'll be on the shopping list going forward.

If you want to find out more about Lysol, please be sure to check out their Facebook page.

Lysol® Power & Free uses the cleaning power of a hydrogen peroxide formula for a powerful clean with no bleach harshness! This helps ensure you don’t have to make sacrifices while cleaning, such as opening all the windows or ushering the kids and pets out of the room. Lysol® Power & Free will help you break free from your ordinary cleaning routine- it’s a powerful clean that’s family friendly!

What do you love about a clean home? One of my readers will win a bottle of Lysol® Power & Free Multi Purpose cleaner to try in their own home! Comment below to be entered to win!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Lysol. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules

about Vivienne Wagner

Simple Mother's Day Brunch invitations using paper napkins instead of expensive scrapbook or specialty papers.

noreply@blogger.com (Vivienne @ the V Spot) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:30:00 +0000

I sent out the invitations to our annual Mother's Day Brunch over the weekend. They were super simple to make, and I used paper napkins to make them.

Please excuse the iPhone photos. This was such a quick and easy project that I didn't even bother to get out the "big" camera!

I usually don't know the theme or color scheme for our annual Mother's Day Brunch until I make the invitations. A few weeks ago when I was shopping at Roger's Gardens with a friend, we spied these beachy paper napkins. I have other craft ideas for them, but in the meantime, they were the jumping off point for my brunch.

You can treat them just like regular paper.

I used my paper cutter to trim them to the size I wanted, and then simply pulled off the printed top ply of the napkin and glued it to the card stock base. Everything else is a matter of folding and gluing. Easy.

You can click here to get measurements and see how these were constructed. They are exactly the same as the ones I made for our Halloween party.

The only difference is that I simply tied twine around the invitations instead of doing ribbons and embellishments.

See? Quick and easy.
What are your plans for Mother's Day?

about Vivienne Wagner

Sunday Rewind: The "punishment" should fit the "crime".

noreply@blogger.com (Vivienne @ the V Spot) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 17:53:00 +0000

Yep, about a year ago, this post stirred up a little controversy for me. But you know what? I just re-read it, and I still stand by every word. Even more? I can see the benefits even more clearly with another year out from the incidents.

The letter of apology we had Devin write and hand deliver to neighbors. What a difference a few years makes!

Click HERE to see read what I am talking about.
Happy Sunday!

about Vivienne Wagner

In case you missed it: Weekly Wrap-Up

noreply@blogger.com (Vivienne @ the V Spot) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000

I've had a busy week! I'm still digging out from underneath my luggage and getting resettled after an inspirational and fun experience at the SNAP Conference (which I will share with you next week.)

It's been all Cinco de Mayo oriented around here this week. Lots of recipes!

Sunday Rewind: Mother's Day Inspired Ombre Artwork
Monday: Quick tips for an easy Girls' Night In get-together.
Tuesday: A yummy appetizer recipe: Mexicorn Dip.

Wednesday: My favorite (fast & easy) way to grill peppers.
Thursday: A decadent dessert: Tequila-Lime Coconut Bars.
Friday: Still in Cinco de Mayo party-mode with this delicious Cadillac Margarita Ice Cream.

Hope you're having a great weekend!

about Vivienne Wagner

Make amazing Cadillac Margarita Ice Cream (without an Ice Cream maker.)

noreply@blogger.com (Vivienne @ the V Spot) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:30:00 +0000

This is the last Cinco de Mayo post, I promise. You might be tired of all of this Mexican food and party planning, but I have one more fabulous dessert to share with you... Cadillac Margarita Ice Cream. It is easy and delicious, and the best part? You don't need an ice cream maker.

adapted from Nigella Lawson

Cadillac Margarita Ice Cream
1/2 cup fresh lime juice (I used a combination of regular, key and Mexican limes)
2 Tbsp tequila
3 Tbsp Grand Marnier (you could also use Cointreau or Triple Sec)
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 tsp freshly grated lime zest
granulated sugar for glasses

This is really easy and really delicious.

Squeeze enough limes for a 1/2 cup of juice. Mix with tequila, Grand Marnier and powdered sugar. Stir until dissolved. Add in the cream and whip on medium low until smooth.

You don't want to whip the mixture until it is stiff, but it should have some body to it. Stir in the lime zest, spoon into a container and freeze overnight or for at least 8 hours.

It will not be rock hard like most ice creams, but it will be smooth and creamy and yummy. Run a lime wedge over the edge of a margarita glass and dip the rim in granulated sugar (or a sugar/salt mixture.) Scoop ice cream into the glasses and serve immediately.

Remember, this is NOT a dessert for children. I might have gotten a little buzz just from licking the beaters on the mixer. (I'm just sayin')

At any rate, enjoy!
Cheers!
about Vivienne Wagner

The V Spot

In case you missed it: Weekly Wrap-Up

Related Stories

An easy ombre globe.

Related Stories

Some quick and easy Patriotic Projects. Just in time for Memorial Weekend.

Related Stories

Mother's Day Brunch Wrap Up 2013

Related Stories

Sunday Rewind: A Hanging Photo Centerpiece

Related Stories

In case you missed it: Weekly Wrap-Up

Related Stories

Faux Red Coral made from sticks & spray paint.

Related Stories

Easy antique wash for distressed artwork.

Related Stories

Easy Goat Cheese & Marinara Appetizer

Related Stories

MommyJuice Wine: A fun name... serious wine.

Related Stories

DIY Sea-Inspired Candle Holders (Made from glass jars & paper napkins.)

Related Stories

Sunday Rewind: The Orange County Swap Meet

Related Stories

In case you missed it: Weekly Wrap-Up

Related Stories

Date night at the Chris Tomlin concert.

Related Stories

Delicious inspiration for Mother's Day Brunch.

Related Stories

A beachy bookcase re-do.

Related Stories

Product Review: Lysol Power & Free

Related Stories

Simple Mother's Day Brunch invitations using paper napkins instead of expensive scrapbook or specialty papers.

Related Stories

Sunday Rewind: The "punishment" should fit the "crime".

Related Stories

In case you missed it: Weekly Wrap-Up

Related Stories

Make amazing Cadillac Margarita Ice Cream (without an Ice Cream maker.)

Related Stories