So What if 85% of HGTV Stinks...

Honestly, besides the British imports and Pure Design...there's nothing on HGTV anymore. Thank god for Canadian House and Home that just gets better and better. They've now launched online tv. Their first episode features my favorite basement they've ever done. A DIY by one of their editors. I loved it so much when it was featured in the magazine, and now we get a tour of it online!

Click here to watch

Top 50 Wines under $14

Wine Access Magazine has unveiled their Top 50 KILLER value wines, available across Canada. Love that their definition of "Killer Value" actually fits PB's definition of value. PB would be more impressed if they gave the best 50 wines under $6...but we all know Spumanti would kick ass in that competition.

Anywho, I digress. Check out the full listing on Wine Acesss Magazine's website

The number one wine is Castillo de Monseran 2006 Garnacha, from Spain...$9!

Deals of the Week

My coupon lovin friend Jane and I were discussing how many stores are offering amazing promotions right now to get shoppers shopping. Its great if you planned on shopping anyway!

30% off at Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy. The best part...it works on EVERYTHING in the store, even sale merchandise. The bestest best part...it even works in the Banana Republic Factory stores and Gap Outlet stores. I used this one last night at the Banana Republic Factory store in Cross Iron Mills (tip: go on a Thursday night) and got some things for as much as 80% off!! How amazing is that? Click here for coupon. Oh..oh..oh...forgot! They are also giving 5% off all sales using this coupon to charity. I love that. Sigh.

Urban Behavior ( I know...I know) Really, there's a lot of trash in that store, BUT...there are also some amazingly cheap accessories, shoes, and the like, and personally, I'm on a misson never to spend more then $10 on a tshirt as long as I live. So, this one is exciting in that, without any coupon, you can get 50% off the ENTIRE STORE. This whole weekend! (They have one at Cross Iron Mills too)

Chapters - 25% off everything for I-Reward Members and 15% off for the average joe. Only instores though. Personally, I think its still cheaper to shop online (or at Goodwill...which is where I've been buying all my books for the last few months for $2.50 a book. AND, there are some AMAZING titles at goodwill. I've been snatching up "Heather's Picks" and other new releases!)

Restoration Hardware : 20% off all weekend. The code for online orders is FFS2009

DIY Topiary

Have you ever priced Topiarys? How can a plant cost so much??

But I love them lit at Christmas, so I was thrilled to find a DIY version on House and Home's website.

Check out the directions here. I figure the only real expenditure for me would be the chicken wire. I just need to figure out how to get some fresh clippings home from the woods where we walk the dogs without them offering to "help" carry them.

Christmas Present Idea! (HINT HINT HINT!)

This year I've made a real effort to give thoughtful or handmade gifts with personal touches for those on my Christmas list . I personally love (hint PB, hint) when its obvious the person has spent some time thinking about a gift, or that the person remembered something that I said once, or loved at one point, or that they've paid attention to my interests or MAYBE even spent time making it. I feel that when you put that little bit of extra effort in, you can spend less money, making the entire situation win-win. Two of my favorite all-time Christmas gifts...homemade salsa and my Nannie's homemade raspberry jam.

The problem is, I'm not very handy or crafty or good at canning. So I tend to lean more towards "Thoughtful" gifts as opposed to handmade (by me) gifts. But if I was crafty...and I was say...shopping for myself....I'd be checking this out:

Directions on making this rosette pillow. I've seen them for sale for like, $70. And these directions look pretty easy actually. I mean, not easy enough for me...but for say....a retired home-ec teacher who's daughter is an avid blogger...totally doable!

Find directions here on Etsy's "How To" page...an awesome resource!

The Out-Takes

I've had a request for enlargements of the out-takes from the family photo shoot. I'm always happy to oblige requests for photographic evidence of Brigman family embarrassment. Here are some of my favorites that I feel illustrate the work involved in getting just one, sorta ok, shot.

(a person favorite...Molly literally running over me)

(as you can probably tell....PB is saying "Really Lindsay? REALLY? Is this REALLY a good idea?")

Love So Much..

There is so much to love in this living room spotted in HousetoHome. The bay windows, the muted kelly green walls, the high ceilings, the moldings, the light fixture...ahhh, love it. LOVE IT. Stylists in the UK are so ahead of us in the use of color. I'm such a color phobe, and yet, I love it when I see it.

If we were ever to follow through on our day dream to move to the UK, and if we had $950 000 to spend on a house...I would TOTALLY buy this house and transform this "lounge".