Product Review: Plastic Brick Edging from CSN Stores

I have been putting off this product review from CSN Stores for quite some time now! It took me a while to find the perfect product to review.  We have lived in our house for five years and the previous homeowner did a great job putting in a beautiful flower bed across the front of the house, but I was not a big fan of the green plastic edging she used.  I have been on the hunt for something to replace it for the past couple of years.  I came across the Plastic Brick Edging with Solar Lights while browsing CSN and decided to give it a shot.  Here are a few photos of the garden before:

And some after shots with the new edging and new mulch:

I love the look at night, even though it is hard to tell from these photos.  Each 40’ set comes with six solar bricks and I used two sets.

I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised with the overall finished look.  I was worried that you would be able to tell that the bricks are plastic and that they would look “cheap” but I really don’t feel that way now.  They went together easily and the only tools needed were a spade (to level out the ground) and a mallet (to tamp them down into the ground).  The lights have worked without fail every night.

There are so many options for edging/borders out there, and with the length of flower bed I had to cover everything else I looked at was just going to be too expensive.  At $60 per set, the price was much more reasonable. One more look…..

BEFORE:

AFTER:

I highly recommend CSN Stores, they have everything from outdoor furniture to shoes and clothing!  The shipping was relatively quick and the customer service was excellent.  Check them out next time you are surfing the web!

*Disclaimer: I was provided a coupon code to use towards the purchase of this item.  All opinions are purely my own and were not influenced by anyone.  I was not compensated in any other way for this post.

Calling All Creative Ideas!

I received a package in the mail last week, compliments of Decoart:

A wonderful array of crafty products! Now I’ve just got to get those creative juices flowin’ and come up with some projects so I can try them out.

I love using the Decoart Metallic Paints on my candle embellishments, and I got a few new colors to try out along with a metallic glaze.  I’ve used the Glamour Dust before on my Ghost Candle Shades, and I’ve got a couple ideas in mind for some Christmas crafts.   There’s even some chalkboard paint in there!

The same day I also received a fancy new pair of scissors in this cute burlap bag as part of the Fiskateers program!  Can’t wait to break these in, too!

Stay tuned for some new craftiness (hopefully), and if you have any great ideas, be sure and send them my way!

Product Review & GIVEAWAY: Redi Shade

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

I have an AWESOME treat for everyone today!  I was recently contacted by the kind folks at Redi Shade about doing a review and giveaway of their product  and I jumped at the chance!

You may remember we recently completed a make-over of our kitchen.  Of course a fancy new kitchen needs a fancy new window and a fancy new window needs a fancy new window covering!

That’s where the folks at Redi Shade came in. I previously had a roller shade on this window underneath the valance, but it was flimsy and difficult to operate.  When I saw the Redi Shade Simple Fit Custom Shade, I knew it was my answer.  These shades install in seconds with no tools needed!  The honeycomb shades adjust like a dream with a light touch: just lower or raise it as you like and it stays put with no messy cords.

Here’s a quick video from the Redi Shade website:

So I received my shade in the mail and got right to installing it.  Thanks to my mom for her lovely modeling skillz.  First just push in the trigger end:

Then, make sure the shade is a good fit in the window:

Peel away the backing from the adhesive tabs:

Insert the trigger end and then the stationary end into the window frame:

Finally, gently push in the trigger tab and you’re done! It’s that easy and quick! My mom & I couldn’t believe how easy it was!  And no tools, screws or brackets needed!

This handy-dandy plastic tab is included to aid in pulling and pushing the shade up and down.  It slides so easily and smoothly with just a slight touch!

I love how clean and crisp it looks! This type of covering is perfect for our kitchen window.  It looks into the backyard, so privacy is not really an issue.  We just need to draw the shade down at night or when we are away.

You’ll have to come back tomorrow to see how I made this decorative topper! 

*******

Now onto the best part…..the GIVEAWAY!!  Redi Shade is offering one Simple Fit Shade for one of my readers.  The value of each shade is between $99 and $253, depending upon the size and type.  This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only. 

Here’s how to enter:

• 
  
  Leave a comment on this post telling me in what room you would use your Redi Shade Simple Fit Shade.

For extra entries, do any or all of the following and leave a separate comment for each:

• 
  
  Become a follower of the Embellished Bayou blog, a fan on Facebook, or a follower on Twitter (leave your Twitter name).
• 
  
  Write a blog post, tweet, or Facebook post linking back to this post.  Leave a link in your comment.

Please note, if you do not have a blog or a profile associated with your Google name, you must leave me your email address in your so I can contact you if you win!!  If I am unable to contact the first winner, I will draw a new winner.  Also, if you do not leave a separate comment for your extra entry, it will not be counted.

I’ll announce a winner on Monday, Sept. 20th at 12:00pm CST. Good luck!!

The fine print:   I have been compensated in the form of product in exchange for this review.  The photos and opinions expressed are solely my own.
Your window must meet the following requirements:

• Simple Fit Custom Shades install only inside a window frame. Select a window that includes a frame with a minimum depth of 2 inches.
• Minimum width of 19 inches.
• Maximum width of 64 inches.
• Maximum length of 72 inches.

About Redi Shade:
Headquartered in Northern California since 1994, Redi Shade is the nation's leading manufacturer of easy-to-install window treatments. Redi Shade products are widely available at national retailers across the US, Mexico, Canada, and Europe as well as major online retailers. To learn more, visit www.redishade.com or www.facebook.com/redishade.

Skimstone Concrete Overlay for Countertops: Final Review

We’ve been enjoying our “new” kitchen for a couple of weeks now, so it’s finally time for my review of our remodeling process.  In case you missed it, here are the links for our step by step process of the Skimstone concrete overlay system we used to update our countertops, and the post on our new glass tile backsplash:

STEP ONE

STEP TWO

STEP THREE

BACKSPLASH

I really am thrilled with how everything turned out.  The process was easy and relatively inexpensive.  When I added it all up, we got a brand new kitchen for around $1000.  That includes when I re-stained the cabinets a couple years ago, the Skimstone concrete overlay, the glass tile backsplash, a new granite sink, new paint, and new accessories (switch plate covers, etc.).

So on to the photos….

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Like I said before, the Skimstone process was relatively easy.  There was some guess work involved since we had never done this type of project before, but it all worked out in the end.  Plus, Skimstone provides great support in the form of their Facebook Fan Page, website, and toll free phone number.  

I was also pleased with the prices and quick, free shipping from www.glasstilestore.com, where we bought our backsplash tiles.  The backsplash really ties the countertops, cabinets, and stainless steel appliances/accessories together nicely.  There was some extra work involved in removing the grout from the stone tiles, but this was probably mostly our fault for waiting a bit too long to wipe it off, plus we should have sealed them before grouting.

Here are a few more after photos:   I have a few spots on the cabinets to touch up where the stain has rubbed off, and I’m working on new window treatments.  I’m leaning towards a bamboo shade look, but I’ve got something interesting up my sleeve, so stay tuned!

Thanks for looking, I’ll be linking up today’s post with the following parties: