(New Country Appliances)

Have an ugly, old refrigerator? Don’t despair! With a can of chalkboard spray paint and a little elbow grease, your fridge will go from scary to stylish! Not only does this look adorable, it’s functional to boot. Chalkboard space can be used as a work of art or for more practical purposes such as; grocery lists, recipes and family notes.

Here are a few of our favorite fridge re-vamps!

(Photos: Wall Candy Art, Martha Stewart, Hand Made Home)

Get The Look with - Rust-Oleum

Specialty Chalk Board Paint: Rust-Oleum Specialty Chalk Board converts surfaces into a usable chalkboard.

Apply to metal, wood, masonry, drywall, plaster, glass, concrete, unglazed ceramics and hardboard. Erases cleanly.

Other products include: Spray paint, Colored tints, magnetic chalkboard paint and dry-erase paint.

View the full line @ www.rustoleum.com

Product Features: Indoor use only Cleans with soap and water Allow paint to dry for 3 days. Once cured, prepare surface for chalk by rubbing side of chalk over entire surface and erasing.

View product info: www.rustoleum.com

Prince William And Kate Middleton Visit Darwen

Grab your fellow royal worshipers and throw a Royal Wedding viewing party to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Here are a few party ideas to help get you in the royal spirit.

photo: poorgirlsguidechicago.com

photo: Absolut.com

Something Blue Cocktail

Absolut Blue Souvenir
Recipe courtesy of: absolutdrinks.com

Ingredients:
1 Part ABSOLUT VODKA
1 Part Blue Curacao
1 Part Cinnamon Schnapps Liqueur
1 Part Champagne
1 Whole Maraschino Berry

Directions:
Add ABSOLUT Vodka, blue curacao and cinnamon schnapps liqueur into a chilled champagne glass. Topup with champagne. Garnish with a maraschino berry.
Bottoms up Royal Wedding watchers!

photo: Duncanhines.com

Red Velvet Cupcakes

For a quick and and easy themed dessert, look no further than your handy Duncan Hines boxed cake. Red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and blue sprinkles are not only the colors of the British flag, but also a sweet tribute to the big day.

Filling:
• 1 Can Duncan Hines® Cream Cheese Frosting
Batter:
• 1 box Duncan Hines® Red Velvet Cake Mix
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
Optional Garnish:
• Blue sprinkles

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Place paper baking cups in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.
2. Make Batter – Prepare cake mix as described on box using the water, oil and eggs. Fill each muffin cup about 2/3 full with batter.
3. Bake in center of oven 22 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes; remove from pan. Place on wire rack; cool completely.
4. Store covered in refrigerator or set on the counter to cool.
5. Spread cream cheese frosting and blue sprinkles as desired.

photo: www.partycity.com

A Table Fit For Royalty

Keep the party going by carrying your colors through to your table settings. Partycity.com has all the red and blue plates, napkins and cups you could need.

Red Napkins: Partycity.com – 75ct – $6.99

Feeling crafty? Take a pack of plain red paper napkins and turn up the royal ante with a crown rubber stamp from your local craft store.

Don’t forget the bloody party favors!

photo: www.bazookajoe.com

Ring Pops
www.bazookajoe.com

What girl wouldn’t want Kate Middleton’s stunning blue sapphire engagement ring? For a more practical party favor, opt for a Blue Rasberry Ring Pop for your guests.

photo: www.partycity.com

Tiara
www.partycity.com

Because every princess needs a crown, treat your guests like royalty with tiara party favors. Partycity.com offers a package of 6 Princess Tiaras for only $5.99. Do you think Kate Middleton’s tiara will cost about the same?

View more ideas @ poorgirlsguidechicago.com

(credit: logmanandeagle.com)

City dwellers know all too well, the joys and pains of living in a tight urban area. One of the major draw backs to some apartments and condos, are the cozy living quarters. Never let a small space or small budget stop you from maximizing your creativity!

Chicago’s new Logman & Eagle is a restaurant, bar and boutique hotel, all in one.  With design elements from Mode Carpentry, Logman & Eagle uses every inch of space to provide maximum function in very little space. With everything from eclectic artwork, natural elements, reclaimed floorboards and more, each small room is full of big inspiration and ideas.

The combination work, sleep and bathroom spaces provide tons of ideas for small apartments, studios and master bedrooms. Clever uses of space, really showcase how to best get a function out of every inch of your home.

VIEW SLIDESHOW>>>

(photo credits: logmanandeagle.com)

Logman & Eagle/ 2657 Kedzie Ave. Chicago, IL

Punch #1 (Vodka):

Ingredients

• 2-3 cups of vodka to taste
• 2 (2 liter) bottles chilled lemon-lime soda
• 2 Cups Green Apple Pucker
• 3 Limes
• 2 Oranges
• 1 Ice Ring

Punch #2 (Whiskey):

Ingredients

• 2 (12 oz) cans frozen limeade concentrate
• 2 (12 oz) cans frozen lemonade concentrate
• (2 liter) bottles lemon-lime  soda
• 1 (750 milliliter) bottle of whiskey
• 2 quarts lime sherbet

Directions

1. Combine limeade, lemonade and lemon-lime soda.
2. Stir in whiskey.
3. Mix in the lime sherbet; serve immediately.

—————————————-

Punch #3 (Hawaiian Punch):

Ingredients

• 2 large jugs of green Hawaiian Punch
• 1L vodka
• 1L Everclear
• Add oranges and limes for extra presentation

Directions

1. Combine vodka, everclear and Hawaiian Punch.
2. Stir and serve with ice. (This punch can also be served in a pitcher)

Sláinte!

(credit: housebeautiful.com)

Forget black and yellow, the hottest colors in home decor today are blue and white.  New blue and white trends can be found in almost every home and furniture store.

Housebeautiful.com showcases a beautiful home in the Hamptons by designer David Lawrence, in all blue and white.

Even if you don't live in the Hamptons, you can browse through the photos and great ideas for your home.

(credit: target.com)

Feeling inspired? Target is home to a new blue and white collection, complete with tips from HGTV's Sabrina Sotto.

Shop the look at your local Target or www.target.com.

If your Valentine's Day decorations consist of cardboard hearts and paper mache, it's time for an upgrade. Target offers stylish Valentine's decor that won't break the bank.

Heart Figurines Set of 3 - Red (4"/4"/2.5") - view
Price: $24.99

Rose Topiary Centerpiece - Multicolor (4" x 8") - view
Price: $19.99

Candy Heart and Wreath Collection - view
Price: $21.80 - $39.80

Ceramic Candle Tray - 12" - view
Price: $2.48 - $4.98

Heart Shaped Berry Wreath - view
Price: $21.80

Smith & Hawken® Welcome Doormat - view
Price: $9.98

(photos: target.com)

Looking for ideas on how to decorate your small apartment? Get inspired by some of the most luxurious hotels. Hotel suites are great resource for apartment/condo inspiration.

Though they're small in size, they're built to be both functional and comfortable for the guests they accommodate. Much like your small space, you want to get the most functional layout, while maximizing style and comfort.

Here are a few hotel rooms and ideas to get your creativity flowing.

Partial wall at the W Hotel separates the space, while serving as a wall for the TV and desk area. This is a great example of form and function.

Desk at theWit Hotel Chicago maximizes views of the city and space.

Mirror at the Elysain helps give the allusion of more space.

Partial wall at the Hard Rock Hotel separates the space without making it feel too closed in.

TV stand acts as a room divider at theWit Hotel. Perfect solution for studio apartments!