Themed Kitchen Makeovers

Guest Post Alert! Featuring Rondi from http://wahmresourcesite.com/!

Are you in need of a kitchen makeover?  As a busy mom, I am currently planning a kitchen makeover while juggling work and family.  This has been a gradual process, and we are still working on the details of the makeover.  If you have visited my other blog, Moms with Style, you would know that I love home decor.  I am always finding unique designs to change up the look of our home.  I love modern design and warm colors.  For my kitchen, I am planning a cabinet and countertop change.  The cabinets will go from white to dark brown and the countertops will be changed to tan and brown granite.

Our kitchen’s theme is ‘Wine Décor’.  I am still in search of a nice Wine cabinet to top off our kitchen’s theme.  We currently have an Iron Wine rack but it does not hold many bottles, which is the only downside.  I have been through a few kitchen themes over the years and by far my best have been Wine themed. 

I love how much storage this wine rack has:

Wildon Home Derby Bar in Deep Cappuccino - $499.00
Derby Bar
Contemporary style
Constructed of hardwood solids and veneers
Square tapered legs, smooth edges, clean lines
Smooth tops with smooth edges
Dimensions: 42" H x 47" W x 25" D

I have also been searching for budget makeover ideas and have found some great resources online, especially on DIY blogs.  Click HERE for a blog that gives some great ideas for an inexpensive makeover including wall treatments, cabinets and more!  Kitchen makeovers definitely take a lot of organizing and prepping but will add more flare and value to your home. 

I am so looking forward to dressing my kitchen up with comfort, warmth and personal style.   Are you also in need of a kitchen makeover? Have any fun theme ideas for the project?

Thank you Rondi for your awesome post! If you are interested in been featured as a guest writer, please contact csnpromoteam@csnstores.com for more information! 

Ten Bizarre and Stylish Clocks

Here at CSN, we’re firm believers that clocks should do more than just tell the time. Where’s the fun in that? Check out these fabulously eccentric timepieces, straight out of your favorite Lewis Carroll book:

1. Straight out of a Salvador Dali painting, this hanging clock looks like it’s melting right off the mantel (and yet it still functions!).

 New Haven Melting Shelf Sitter Clock in Antique Bronze - $36.00

Shelf sitter clock
Antique bronze finish
Cold cast bronze construction
New Haven since 1853
Top quality
Weather proof
Real layer of bronze on a bonded stone and region
This clock is inspired by Kirch New Haven bronze dial melting distorted wall clock

2.  Traditional cuckoo clocks feature a chirping bird – this one boasts a two-story chalet complete with see-sawing beer drinkers, dancers, a Bavarian waitress and a water wheel!

Schneider 17" Bavarian Chalet with Beer Drinks, Dancing Couple and Water Wheel - $1540.80
Antique stain with accent colors
Animated beer drinkers
Dancing figurines
Two Swiss melodies
Wooden hands and dial
Automatic night time shut-off feature
8-Day movement with strike and cuckoo call on every full hour
Service friendly with reliable, quality-oriented construction



3. If you can’t afford a new grandfather clock, why not just go for a slice? 

 Kikkerland Sliced Grandfather Clock - $45.00

Materials: MDF fiber board and plexiglass
Requires 2 AA batteries not included
Packaging: Color box
Dimensions: 4.29" H x 3.81" W x 18.5" D








4. Why keep time when you’re already running late? Save yourself the stress with this irreverent wall clock.

Nexxt Later Wall Clock in Black - $34.99

Wall clock
Black finish
Features a humorous inspired saying: "whatever, I'm late anyway" and playful falling numbers
White lettering and red hands
Nexxt by Linea provides 60 days guarantee for all merchandise against manufacturing defects






5.You don’t need to be a fan of the Steampunk movement to appreciate this industrial-chic clock. 

Wildon Home Redd Gear Wall Art With Clock - $129.99

Constructed from metal
Gears do not turn
Requires 1 AA battery
Overall dimensions: 33.25" H x 40.5" W x 3" D







6. It may resemble a 23rd century space ship, but this grandfather clock by Kieninger Christian is simply a 21st century masterpiece. Watch the clock mechanisms at work, lit by inner halogen lighting through a floating glass dial.

Kieninger Christian Grandfather Clock - $18466.00

Chrome structure
Second compensation pendulum with precision adjustment
Float glass dial with second indication and an illumination effect
Automatic night time shut-off between 10 pm and 7 am
4/4 cable movement with Westminster chime
9 tubes, 24 bronze bushings and 12 brass set rubies
Automatic beat adjustment





7. We all want to shoot our alarm in the morning, but this clock by Trademark Global takes it to a whole new level. A target pops up as the alarm goes off and you need a direct hit to snooze - hard to imagine, as most of us have a tough enough time finding the doorknob in the AM.

 Trademark Global Gun and Target Recordable Alarm Clock - $41.54
Alarm clock
12 Hour time display
Clock requires 4 AA Batteries (not included)
Gun requires 2 AA Batteries (not included)
Recordable Alarm
Recoil action and sound effects
Manufacturer provides 60 days warranty





8. Project the time onto any wall with this clock by Nextime. The case glows a bright purple to double as mood lighting.

Nextime Purple Projection Wall Clock - $169.00


Projection wall clock
Traditional
One DC power battery optional
Battery not required
One year warranty
Purple color scheme
Overall dimensions: 7.1" H x 7. 1" W






9. As timeless as she may seem, the Mona Lisa makes a great wall clock. Wait for noon and midnight to see the complete work of art. 

Kikkerland Mona Lisa Wall Clock - $19.95

Material: screened aluminum
Requires 1 AA battery (not included)
Overall Dimensions: 1.18" H x 7.8" W x 9.8" D








10. Need the time? Simply press Robot Kim’s nose switch and she’ll gladly announce it for you, or set her as an alarm clock and she’ll let you know when it’s time to take dinner out of the oven!

Kikkerland Talking Kim Alarm Clock - $49.95

Stamped metal dial with copper hair
12 hour or 24 hour settings
Chime function - can announce time on the hour
Press the nose and Kim announces the time in her robotic voice in English
Requires 3 AAA batteries (not included)
Overall Dimensions: 6" W




Like what you see? Check out www.CSNClocks.com for a great selection of modern and traditional clocks!

Written By: Caitlin E.

How to Make Your Home Wheel Chair Accessible

If you have a family member that uses a wheel chair, we can understand how hard it is to get around the house. To make everyone more comfortable and wheel chair accessible, we've complied a list of changes that will help your loved ones get around more easily: 

Entrance and Exit – First things first, if your entrance and exit to your home involves climbing stairs, a great solution would be to consider installing a wheelchair ramp. Whether you choose to do it yourself or by contacting a company that can install a ramp for you, this will make getting in and out of the house a much easier task. Making sure to get a durable ramp will allow mulitple types of wheels chairs to be used, anything from an ultra light weight wheel chair to the heavier power reclining wheel chairs will enable your loved ones to enter and exit your home with ease.

Sunrise Medical Inc Breezy Ultra 4 Wheelchair - $359.73
Ultra 4 configured wheelchairs
Breezy collection
Optional angle-adjustable footplates
Designed standard with an aluminum frame
Armrests wrap around the back post
The Jay Basic cushion as an option
No-tools footrest adjustment makes the Breezy Ultra 4 one of the easiest footrests in the industry to adjust
Silver-texture frame-color, black, and forest green frame colors

Doors, Doorbells and Door Knobs – Most wheelchairs are between 22 and 33 inches wide, therefore making sure each doorway in your home is at least 1.5 to 2 inches wider than the total width will allow the wheel chair to fit easily through each room of the house. 

Its best to get a door knob that has a lever style knob, this will allow for greater independence as they are much easier to use for those that have limited muscle control. Also, remember to make sure that your door bell and door lock is within reach from a wheelchair height.

Furniture Placement – Having your furniture arranged in such a way that the wheelchair user can easily move the chair from room to room is important. Take into account turning radius and be mindful of needing additional space for extended leg rests that need even more room to navigate through the home.

Kitchen – Purchasing a side by side refrigerator and freezer instead having one that has the freezer on top will allow your loved ones to have access to both the main fridge as well as the freezer. Your stove should have the controls on the front of the unit rather than behind the burners so that cooking can be done independently.

Bathroom – There are many different changes you can make so that your bathroom is safe for your loved ones. Some adjustments to consider in the bathroom include installing a durable non-slip floor, lowering the bathroom vanity or sink, and raising the toilet height to accommodate lateral transfers from the chair to the seat. Installing support bars on either side of the toilet will help moving in and out of the chair easier. If you have a walk in shower, purchasing a waterproof wheelchair can be a good solution for those that have trouble entering and exiting the shower.

While renovating your home to accommodate a wheelchair can be costly, we hope that providing a great selection of top brands for your family members to choose from will ease everyone's mind when working to accommodate your loved ones that are using a wheel chair.

Written By: Sean R.

Rainy Day Boredom Busters for Grown Ups

Up here in Boston it seems as though it’s been raining all summer long now. We can only hope Mother Nature has better weather in store so we can all enjoy some sunshine. If your plans get cancelled due to inclement weather, there are still plenty of fun ideas to keep you occupied when you’re stuck at home. They’re a bit different than the games and fort building we suggested trying with your kids last month, but we promise you will have more fun than just doing those dishes that are piling up in all of your kitchen sinks…

Lights, Camera…Stay put. Invite some friends over, rent Breakfast at Tiffany’s on Netflix, and curl up with some General Tso’s on your comfy leather chairs. A great, casual alternative to loud talkers and icebox temperatures at the local cinema.

Presto Orville Redenbacher's Hot Air Popcorn Popper - $27.99
Makes up to 18 cups of popcorn with air, not oil for a healthy treat
Butter melter doubles as a handy measuring cup
1-year limited warranty
1440 watts of power
14"h x 9"w x 6.5"d

Explore the great indoors. Rain ruin your plans for the local park? Have an impromptu picnic in your living room. Lay down an old blanket, grab a baguette and brie (don’t forget the wine!), and pretend like you’re dining along a quiet riverbank (perk: no pesky bugs to bother you!) 

Channel your inner Julia Child. Rainy days are perfect for trying a new recipe or making a dish you don’t usually have time for. Enjoy the process and the delicious fruits of your labor! 

I like that old time rock ‘n roll. Make a playlist of totally random songs and pull a Risky Business on your hardwood flooring. Singing into your hairbrush is highly encouraged. 

Storms a-brewin’. Few things are more spectacular than watching a storm roll in. Pull up some folding chairs onto your covered porch or garage and watch one of Mother Nature’s best shows. 

Atlantic Outdoor Zero Gravity Chair - $79.99
Available in Taupe or Green
Sling design keeps you cool in the summer, and dries qucik - great for use around a pool
Folds for easy transportation or storage
Powder-coated Steel frame with full textilene seating
Includes cushioned head rest for added comfort
35.5"L x 25.5"W x 30/75" H

Write a Letter. Like an actual letter. Your grandmother/aunt/best friend will love getting a nice note in the mail and you’ll love that fantastic sense of accomplishment when you put a postage stamp on something other than your cable bill. 

DEAR. Drop Everything and Read, obviously. Maybe not as nice as reading a trashy novel poolside, but always good to catch up on your reading list when you have some downtime. 

Under your um-brella (ella-ella-ella). Leaving your home is always an option. Do something fun like a brewery tour, or visit a new exhibit at the art museum. If you want to cool off, go to an indoor ice rink for open skate!

Hopefully those ideas will help you survive the next few rainy days this summer (or those terrible squelchers when you can’t imagine leaving the AC). And yes, once you’ve exhausted this list of fun, feel free to do those dishes, put in a load of laundry, and maybe even give the dog a bath if you insist. Just don’t let the weather man ruin your weekend with a bad forecast! 

Happy Summer Fun!

Written By: Kate H.

How to Un-Clutter that Messy Office

It may seem as though the only thing worse than staring at the mess in your office every day is actually going through the motions of organizing it. However, we have some tips on how to begin un-cluttering your home office!  There is nothing more cleansing than the act of sorting pieces of your life into folders, boxes or bookshelves.  Follow these tips and with a clean desk can come a clear head and organization in one part of your life, even while the rest may be tough to have a firm grasp on!

Start by grabbing three boxes or fabric bins that you will use to organize the mess of papers and folders that clutters your office.  Label these boxes or bins in order to help you decide what action to take:

1. Garbage:  If you have no use for it anymore, it’s not yours, it’s outdated, or you don’t need it, then go ahead and toss it. It’s not worth the room that it’s taking up!  If any of this consists of paper or other recyclable materials, be sure to RECYCLE it!

2. To Do:  These are the papers and files that you need to respond to or sign, bills you need to pay, or anything you need to take any other immediate action on.  Don’t stop and do this in the middle of re-organizing, just put them in their designated box and get to them when your place is fresh and new!

3. Storage:  If it doesn’t require you to take any action on it, but is something still worth keeping or filing, it goes in the storage box.

Once all of your papers and files have been organized, go through the remaining items on your desk.  Fill your top desk drawer with any pens, pencils, paper clips, rulers, staplers, tape dispensers and other accessories you find laying about.  It’s best to keep them in a desk tray to help organize your drawers, and to have them in the top drawer so they are easily accessible.  Fill your bottom, deepest, drawer with blank paper and notepads.  These will also be easily accessible, and since they are usually your heavier desk items, the bottom drawer is the place for them.

Once your desk is clear, you are ready to put your organized papers back.  The Storage section is easiest to take care of first.  The things in this section that you often look at for reference or need to call upon the most should be placed in your middle desk drawer.  Bookshelves are the perfect way to keep all of your other books and folders handy.  If you don’t have any in your office, it may be a smart move to install some for the extra and accessible storage, and doesn’t require a ton of money or effort.  This type of shelf can be the perfect solution for all of that needed office storage space:

Wildon Home Merlin Bookshelf in Black - $173.00
Merlin Bookshelf
Casual style
Weathered black or warm mahogany finish
Five spacious storage shelves
Overall Dimensions: 77" H x 26" W x 14" D

After your stored items are in place, it’s a quick hop to the finish line!  Your To Do pile can be neatly placed on the top of your, now completely empty, desk.  Placing it on top of your desk reminds you that these papers, unfortunately, need your attention.  We can’t help take that work load off, but with your newly organized office space, your To Do pile should be a little less frightening.

Finally, grab that box of garbage/ recyclables and toss it all!  This may be the most freeing part of your re-organizing efforts!

Now, you’ve got a newly organized office with your files and accessories easy to access and your desk feeling emptier than ever... except for that To Do pile, sitting ominously on top.  Just sit down in your comfy office chair, power through the work, and the rest of the day is yours!

For more storage solutions check our www.CSNOffice.com for great organizational tools and accessories.

Do you have any re-organizing tips for a messy office space?

Written By: Jordan C.

10 Easy Steps to a Gourmet Lobster Dinner for Two!

You don’t have to be a huge fan of seafood to love lobster. Lobster is a summertime meal favorite for many people and is considered to be a delicacy due to its price tag. However, you can easily knock a few dollars off your next lobster dinner by making it at home! Here are some steps on preparing a lobster meal for your next date night at home!

* Things you will need:

1 large steamer pot, 1 medium pot, 4 cloves of garlic, ¼ cup of sea salt, 1 non stick frying pan, 1 stick of butter, 2 lobsters, ½ box of thin spaghetti, parmesan cheese, and salad mix

Step 1: Fill up your steamer pot (a round stock pot also works great) about three quarters of the way with water and then add in your sea salt. Then take your pot and place it on the stove with the heat turned up to high.

Step 2: Take your medium pot and fill that three-fourths full with water as well. You will end up using this water to cook your pasta which will end up being a great side for your lobster.

Bayou Classic Aluminum Stockpot with Steamer Basket - $47.99
Constructed of 99% pure restaurant grade aluminum
Perforated Steam/boil basket
Vented lid
Basket sets 3" above bottom for steaming

Step 3: Chop up your garlic while you wait for the pots full of water to boil. If you have a vegetable knife set then you can take advantage of your set and use one of the knives on your garlic clove, however any small sharp blade will do.

Step 4: Cut a few slices of butter and throw them into your frying pan but do not start to heat yet.

Global Cutlery 3 Piece Vegetable Knife Set - $230.00
8" Chef's Knife
5 1/2" Vegetable Knife
3 1/2" Paring Knife

Step 5: Place your lobsters into your now boiling water and make sure to do so head first. Depending on the weight of the lobster (10 minutes for the first pound, then add an additional 3 minutes for each remaining pound), leave them in until the correct time to take them out. Be careful, you do NOT want to over cook them, so pay attention to the clock!

Step 6: Start to boil your spaghetti. Typically the spaghetti will take anywhere from 12 to 15 minutes to boil. Around the 12 minute mark, try a piece of the pasta and see if it is cooked to your liking.

Step 7: Warm your pan of butter over medium heat when your spaghetti is close to ready. Once the butter has begun to melt add in your chopped garlic.

Step 8: Drain the water from your pasta and throw it in the frying pan for about 3 minutes. Gently toss the spaghetti and mix it up with the butter and garlic. You can then add your parmesan cheese on top of the pasta once you have mixed in the butter and garlic.

Step 9: Dump the water out of your lobster pot and remove the lobsters. Be careful as these lobsters will be dangerously hot. Use tongs to safely grab them and even double up with some oven mitts.

Step 10: Open up a package of whichever salad mix you choose and serve it with your lobster and garlic butter noodles for a well balanced lobster dinner.

Now that you have all the steps to create a great summertime dish, you are ready to start impressing your friends and family this coming lobster season!

Written By: Sean R.

Throw an awesome graduation party!

Whether you’re celebrating the end of college, high school or even elementary school, your graduate deserves a party! Backyard barbecues are a fun, casual way to get friends and family together and show your child how proud you are.

Show your spirit with table linens and balloons in your graduates’ school colors. You can tie individual balloons to folding chairs or create a giant centerpiece for each table. A graduation party is also a great excuse to bring out all of those old baby pictures! Glue your favorite pictures to a giant poster board and display it next to a bunch of mini permanent markers, so that guests can write messages to the graduate!

Here in Boston we know to expect the worst when it comes to the weather. Save yourself the stress of “rain or shine” and invest in an outdoor tent. Even if it doesn’t rain, you can store food and drinks out of the sun!

King Canopy 10' x 10' Instant Festival Canopy - $179.99
Blocks up to 95% of UV rays
Oval trusses for strength and side-to-side reinforced steel (no fiberglass flex rods)
Water, flame and mildew resistant cover
Powder-coated frame with straight legs
2 year warranty
White 210 denier polyester top with PVC coating
Comes with cover bag and a 4 piece anchor kit
One year Manufacturer's Warranty against defects

Modern outdoor lighting is important if your guests will be staying well into the night. Consider funky table lanterns, white twinkle lights or tiki torches to brighten up your backyard. Another cute idea is filling empty glass jars with tea lights candles!  

In terms of food, don’t feel like everything needs to be homemade. Cut yourself some slack and buy appetizers and desserts ahead of time. Stock up on cheese & crackers, lots of fresh veggies, pasta salads and other buffet-style classics that you can prepare the night before the party. You can also get creative with your grilling and prep kabob skewers with meat and vegetables to easily pop on the grill. This way, you’re still able to socialize and your guests won’t go hungry!

Set up a sophisticated bar for your grown-up guests! Just make sure that it’s stocked with ice buckets, bottle openers and stainless steel wine coolers (like this one from Alessi).

Alessi Jasper Morrison 126 oz. Bolly Wine Cooler - $207.00
Bolly wine cooler
Mirror polished or matte finish
A beautifully finished Alessi wine cooler
Reinforced top and bottom to increase strength and reduce dents

Of course, the most important part of a graduation party is letting your child know how proud you are!

Congratulations to the class of 2011, from all of us at CSN!

Any other ideas for throwing a graduation party or backyard barbecue? We’d love to hear your suggestions! And if you’re sending a kid off to college, remember to check out CSN Stores for all their dorm room needs!

Written By: Jocelyn N.

Childhood Memories on Hot Summer Nights

Guest Post Alert! Featuring Marydon Ford from http://blushingroseboutique.blogspot.com/!

Oh, the days of feather pillow fights upon our platform beds, how we’d giggle for hours with feathers flying.  Mother used to take the bed frames outside in the heat of the summer, throw the old feather mattress upon it & we’d ‘camp out’.  All the neighbor kids would come over, sometimes 6 to the bed. We’d tell horror stories, look at the stars, jabbering until sleep captured each of us in the wee hours of the morn.  There was always one of the kids that would tell creepy stories and then scare us by screaming in the middle of the night.

The perfect star-gazing platform bed:

Sitcom Furniture Hide Bed - $799.00
Dark Oak finish
Constructed oak veneers and mangowood solids
Available in Queen, California King and Eastern King sizes

I treasure those moments & precious memories, of a life that the children of today will never know … simplicity.

Do you have any wonderful childhood memories you’d like to share?

Thank you Marydon for your awesome post! If you are interested in been featured as a guest writer, please contact csnpromoteam@csnstores.com for more information! 

Baby Proofing Basics For The Home:

Whether you’re expecting your first child, or adding to your growing family, baby proofing is an essential precaution that all families must take prior to introducing a new baby into a home.  If you watched this past season of Bethenny Ever After, on Bravo, you might remember the episode where reality star and entrepreneur Bethenny Frankel has an in home consultation with a professional “baby-proofer.”  

While a professional baby proofer or baby proofing company is a great option for busy parents with more disposable income, it might not be the most practical method.  By doing some online research and contacting your local baby furniture retailer, you’re more than capable of baby proofing your own home.  While never a substitute for good old fashioned parental supervision, here are some helpful tips to make your home safer for a baby.

Protecting Outlets

Making sure that all of your easily accessible electrical outlets are covered is always a good place to start when baby proofing your home.  It’s probably best to avoid those little plastic plug-in caps, as those can easily be pried out of the socket and swallowed.  Instead, replace your existing outlets with covers that feature a sliding safety latch.  These are great because whether or not your outlet is being used, the socket remains covered at all times.

Furniture Corner Protectors

How many times have you bumped your head into a kitchen cabinet? Painful, right?  Protecting your little one from sharp corners is absolutely necessary.  Think about all of the pieces of furniture that your child might come into contact with and outfit those pieces with soft furniture corner protectors.  Think about coffee tables, bookshelves, cribs, beds, raised fireplaces, chairs and more.  Many such corner protectors and bumpers are made of a soft gel or other cushiony soft material which help absorb impact.  While not specifically a corner protector, crib teeth rails are a great idea if your little one has a habit of chewing on the side of the wood crib.  Made of a soft, non-toxic plastic, crib teeth rails protect the baby’s teeth and gums, all the while preventing your little one from ingesting the potentially harmful varnish or stain used on your crib’s finish.

Window Safety

When baby proofing your home, make note of all of the window treatments you have installed.  It’s absolutely essential that cords from either blinds or curtains are either removed or up to safety code.  Window blinds pose a very serious hazard, as a baby’s neck could become caught in the cords that raise the blinds or run through the blinds’ slats.  Strangulation is a very serious possibility, especially if the child’s crib is located near the window.  If at all possible, keep the crib away from the window.  If space is limited and the crib has to be adjacent a window, either cut the cords or use cord shorteners to keep them of reach. 

Making sure that your windows are safe and secure for your little one goes beyond just worrying about your window treatments.  Installing window stops prevent windows from being opened more than 4 inches, preventing a small child from falling out.  Seeing that window screens aren’t nearly enough to prevent a fall, window guards are a good option to consider.  Installing into the side of the window frame, window guards have bars about four inches apart and can be adjusted to fit a variety of window sizes.

Cabinet and Drawer Security

Keep your kitchen and bathroom cabinets and drawers safe with a variety of available locking straps.  These locking straps are meant to provide easy access to you, but to keep the little ones out.  Whether you’re looking to keep your kids away from the cutlery, or secure that under the sink cabinet where your cleaning products live, these multi-use locking straps are exactly what you need.  Super versatile, these locking straps can be used to secure everything from entertainment center cabinets and bathroom cabinets, to dishwashers and washing machines.

It’s important to reiterate once again that these products and suggestions are only meant to aide in your baby proofing project.  Not one of these gadgets or gizmos should replace good old fashioned parental supervision.  

Now, this is a pretty bare bones list of child proofing tips and by no means exhaustive.  What other baby proofing tips can you think of?

Written By: Jamie S.

Host A Summer Wine Tasting Party!

Nothing tastes better on a hot summer evening than a glass of perfectly chilled white wine. If you’re looking for a reason to gather friends, family, or neighbors for a relaxing party on the patio consider hosting a wine tasting party! Don’t worry if you’re not a connoisseur – all you need are some wine glasses and your taste buds to appreciate a good bottle of wine. Here are some tips for hosting your own backyard tasting event:

1. Before the invites go out, be sure to pick a suitable theme. One of the more popular themes is a “varietal tasting,” which includes a selection of wines made from the same type of grape (i.e. all Chardonnay, all Sauvignon Blanc, all Pinot Grigio, etc.). However, if you want to offer your guests a little more variety, consider hosting a Local Wines party and support your regional vineyards. Since this is a summer event, we encourage you to stick with white wines or lighter reds; a heavy red wine on a steamy July night will put your guests to sleep!

2. Decide whether you want this to be a stand-alone wine tasting, part of a larger dinner party, or accompanied by some light hors d’oeuvres. Remember that food will change the taste of the wine, so it’s often a good idea to separate the meal and the tasting. However, if you choose to eliminate food altogether, warn your guests to eat a meal ahead of time! Multiple glasses of wine on empty stomachs will lead to a very short party.

3. If you’re concerned about your budget, you can invite each guest to bring their own bottle of wine. This not only helps your wallet, it also encourages your guests to be involved in the process! However, be sure to give your guests parameters. If you’re hosting a varietal tasting, let them know which type of wine to purchase so that you don’t end up with a hodgepodge of different flavors. When all is said and done, you’ll want between 6 – 8 different bottles of wine for a comprehensive tasting.

4. If you’ve chosen to purchase the wines yourself, print off a menu for your guests. Include the type of wine, Vineyard name, and the bottle’s vintage (the year the grapes were harvested). Alternatively, you can host a “blind tasting,” where you conceal the bottles from your guests, ask them to rate their favorites in order, and then reveal the bottles at the very end. This is a fun way of discovering each individual’s tastes, and shows whether or not the most expensive bottle of wine is necessarily the best!

5. Before your guests arrive, be sure to set the scene. Portable wine racks can be moved out to the patio to display the bottles for your guests as they arrive.  Outdoor lighting is essential when it comes to examining the color of the wine, so be sure your patio or deck is well-lit with lanterns or tiki torches. If mosquitoes are a perennial problem, beware of scented citronella candles! Overpowering smells can affect the flavor of the wine.

Oenophilla Bordeaux Chateau 23 Bottle Wine Rack - $49.88
Floor wine rack
23 Bottle wine storage
Wrought iron and brass-colored accent rings
Design inspired by the old French Quarter
Overall dimensions: 36" H x 13" W x 6" D

6. Set up an ice bucket to begin chilling the bottles about 20 min before you’re ready to serve. White wines should be served at a temperature between 50 - 55° to achieve optimal flavor (and refreshment!). You’ll also want to provide your guests with a pitcher of ice water to cleanse their palettes between each tasting – be sure to make or purchase enough ice before the party!

Oakland Living 20" Stainless Steel Ice Bucket with Stand - $107.99
Durable stainless steel construction
Antique Pewter finish
Hardened powder coat
Easy to follow assembly instructions and product care information
Stainless steel or brass assembly hardware
Fade, chip and crack resistant
Some assembly required

7. Your guests will be fine using one glass throughout the entire tasting. Make sure it’s a stemmed glass and instruct your guests to hold the glass by the stem; the heat from their hands will warm the chilled wine if they hold the glass by the bowl. After each individual tasting, swish cool water around the glass to rinse it out before the next pour.

8. When pouring, you want to aim for 2 oz per person, or a little more than one shot glass full of wine. Although this may not seem like very much at first, remember that you’ll be serving each person at least 6 glasses of wine!

9. Last by not least, provide your guests with tasting cards or score cards so they can rank the wines and jot down notes about what they liked after each glass. At the end of the tasting, have everyone compare notes and see if there’s a trend!

There you have it! A perfect evening spent outdoors with friends and family. Now it’s your turn – what’s your favorite summer wine?

Written By: Caitlin E.

How to Prepare for Football Season

The time is almost upon us, ladies and gentlemen. Barring an extended lockout, we will soon be once again graced by the weekly battles between our favorite NFL teams. Regardless of what team you support, the preparations for the Sunday games are the same: stock up on snacks and drinks, dust off your favorite chair, and spruce up your entertainment center.

Here are a few tips from a fellow NFL enthusiast on how to prepare for the big game:

1. Too much is better than too little

When you’re standing in the grocery store aisle that houses all of the chips and dips, thinking, “hmm…I wonder if I really need to get another bag…” you need to remember that bags of chips can be sealed and placed back in the cupboard. The disappointment that inevitably occurs when you reach the bottom of a bag and are out of replacement bags, however, will haunt you for hours.

2. Cleanliness is next to Lombardi-ness

Everyone knows that emotions run high during Sunday night football. The occasional spill is nothing but a casualty of the game, and therefore is certainly not a punishable penalty. Having said that, no one wants to sit on a salsa-encrusted couch for three hours, so the more frequently you clean up, the better. Think of it as the post-game shower. Your entertainment center furniture goes through a lot during a full season of football – giving it the royal treatment from time to time has never hurt anyone.

3. Prepare the altar

A TV is only as good as the ‘altar’ it sits upon. You can spend your hard-earned cash on a gold-encrusted 70” 3D tube, but it’ll still look like the Detroit Lions did two seasons ago if it’s sitting up on that rickety wooden sideboard you got at that yard sale during your college days. There are thousands of great TV stands for flat screens, all willing and able to perform under the immense pressure of a full NFL season.

So make the necessary preparations now, so you’ll be ready to go when that first coin is flipped and this great American tradition begins anew. 

Written By: Martin E.

How to Hide Your Messy Side

Clean homes aren’t entirely free of clutter…they just know how and where to store it. If your home looks like it could be on an episode of “Hoarders”, you’re out of luck, but if you just need a little guidance, we have some simple tricks to make your home look more put together in minutes!

Bedroom

• Don’t air your dirty laundry. Pile of dirty clothes in the corner? Or still using an open-top laundry basket? You can do better. Using covered laundry hampers will let you store your clothes in plain sight without distracting from a clean, finished look in your bedroom.

• Make room to display. Many people have more books and stuff than their bookshelves can handle. Having a lot of books isn’t bad, just make sure your storage space is big enough to spread things out and display them appropriately…or trim down the excess accordingly.

Kitchen

• Use the walls. If cabinet space is limited, spice racks, over-the-stove shelving, and wall pot racks allow you to display your cookware and kitchen items in an attractive manner. Don’t go overboard, but take advantage of wall space and create your own decorative style around it.  

• Matchy Matchy. Use matching containers for your dry goods and pantry items. Whether you have OXO storage containers or reuse old mason jars, simply putting food in coordinating containers gives everything a place and is much more appealing to the eye.  

OXO 10 Piece Pop Container Set - $99.99
10 piece pop container setAirtight seal with the press of a buttonModular stacking system for optimal countertop and pantry organizationSquare and rectangular shapes maximize space-efficiencyContainer corners allow for easy pouringPop-up buttons serve as handles to lift off lidsAlso great for use in the home office, sewing room, play room and moreBPA FreeNot recommended for use in dishwasherNot recommended for use in microwave

Bathroom

• Close the curtain! A 2 second trick to instantly make your bathroom appear more put together. Show off a beautiful (opaque) shower curtain and hide the mess of bottles behind it.

• Trash Talk. Invest in lidded bathroom trash cans. I don’t think we need to explain this one, but just imagine how much better it will make your bathroom look!

• Hide the eyesores. Cover up unsightly items like the plunger and bathroom brush with attractive holders. Well worth the investment to give them an attractive home. We love this Gatco toilet brush holder for its great price and clean, finished look.

Gatco Toilet Brush Holders in Chrome or Satin Nickel - $26.13
Bath Accessories Collection
Traditional style
Cover becomes toilet brush handle

Any Room  

• Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. Attractive curtains, whether homemade or store bought, are perfect ways to cover up shelves of dishes, clothes, or toys, media equipment or even the washing machine.

• Divide it. Room dividers are great for divvying up a large room to make it cozier, as well as blocking parts of the room that you wish to hide. Whether you want to block off the stereo equipment, your bed, or just extra boxes, an attractive screen is a great “cover up” trick.

• Sit on it. When storage space is limited, storage benches and ottomans are great alternatives. Hide remotes and extra pillows in a living room storage ottoman, or store winter quilts in an end-of-bed storage bench that matches your furniture. Attractive and functional = win-win!

There you have it! Hopefully these tricks help you think about simple ways to make your home a little bit more presentable, while still being functional and “live-in”. Do you have any secret tricks for masking the messy or unsightly parts of your home? 

Written By: Kate Harney

CSN Stores Runs the J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. Corporate Challenge

A few weeks ago, 97 CSNers participated in the annual J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. Corporate Challenge road race in downtown Boston on June 2. The 3.5 mile event took place along scenic Commonwealth Ave (only two blocks from our office building), and featured teams from over 600 New England companies!

This year marks the 28^th running of the Corporate Challenge in Boston, and the 17^th straight year featuring a full-capacity race. Proceeds from the 2011 Challenge will go towards two local not-for-profit organizations, the Emerald Necklace Conservancy and Horizons for Homeless Children. 

CSNer Kate Harney thought it was a “great display of camaraderie to see so many CSNers supporting each other as we ran,” and noted that it was the largest turnout for the company to date. “Plus,” she added, “our team T-shirts were awesome this year!” 

Congrats to all those who ran in the 2011 Corporate Challenge – we’re already looking forward to next year’s race!

Giveaway: 4 Tote Bags for the 4th of July!

In celebration of 4th of July coming up, we have decided to give away 4 - that's right 4 tote bags to 4 lucky winners!

This cute striped bag is the perfect tote for gathering sunscreen, a good novel and beach towel! You will be ready at a moments notice for any hot sunny day this summer!

Bonus: You can choose to add your initials in a variety of different colors such as Bright Pink, Burgundy, Orange, Kelly Green, Navy or Red!

Cathys Concepts Striped Canvas Tote Bag

Tote bag
Combination of navy blue and creamy natural
Material: Cotton canvas
Nautically designed
Features a striped pattern
Two exterior pockets, an interior, zippered pouch
Easy carry handles
Reinforced seems and a handy interior keychain clasp

** This Giveaway has ended - Congratulations to Robin, Julie, Kayla and Mehnaz!!**

To Enter for a chance to win 1 of 4 tote bags:

1 Entry: 'Like' CSN on Facebook
1 Entry: Become a follower of the CSN Blog
2 Entries: Re-post this contest and leave a link to the URL on your blog
2 Entries: Post this contest on facebook, tag 'CSN Stores'


For each entry, please comment on the blog with which one(s) you did!

Also, please make sure you leave your email address so we can contact the winner for their shipping address!

Good Luck!

** This Giveaway has ended - Congratulations to Robin, Julie, Kayla and Mehnaz!!**

Stepping up from Crib to Toddler Bed

Guest Post Alert! Featuring Gretta Johns from http://grettajohns.blogspot.com!

As a Mom to 3 kids, I can vividly remember the day our oldest (now 10) crawled out of her crib.  Watching her crawl into the kitchen, we realized it was time to take the next step from a crib to a toddler bed.  It is recommended that if your child is frequently crawling out of his or her crib or is 36 inches tall, then they should probably be placed in a toddler bed rather than a crib for safety reasons.  Finding the perfect toddler bed can be a task but CSN Stores has an awesome selection of toddler beds that make choosing a new bed a fun time instead of a tasking one.  

They offer a wide selection of toddler beds that can easily adapt to any decor or style you are using in your nursery.  They are all great, from traditional to themed to modern beds, but I really love this DaVinci toddler sleigh bed: 

DaVinci Sleigh Toddler Bed in Espresso - $104.95
Uses same mattress as the crib
Ready to assemble
Constructed from New Zealand Radiata Pine Wood

 

When you upgrade to a toddler bed, the awesome thing is that you don't have to purchase a separate mattress.  A crib mattress fits into a toddler bed frame perfectly and your child can continue using the same bedding he or she is already familiar and comfortable with.  To help ease the transition for your child, you might consider taking him or her along with you to help pick out the new bed.  If you are worried about them falling out of a toddler bed, you can also purchase side rails that easily attach to their new toddler bed.

Sorelle Bed Rails - $55.99
Smooth, Hand Rubbed Surfaces and Corners
Easily Washable Fabric
This single bed rail folds down for easy access while still in place
Non-Toxic Finish

 

Best of all, CSN Stores Children's Furniture Site offers everything you need to complete your child's new bedroom including children's seats/bean bags, wall art, rugs, bookcases, toy boxes and more all in one easy to navigate site.  So head over to www.AllChildrensFurniture.com to not only discover the perfect toddler bed for your child but to find all the room accessories you will need as well!

Is your little one ready to take the step from crib to toddler bed?

Thank you Gretta for your awesome post! If you are interested in been featured as a guest writer, please contact csnpromoteam@csnstores.com for more information!