Miracle In A Bottle: For Real

I’ve detected a bitter note in my guru girl postings from the last month. Possibly this is because it has been raining here for at least a month and there’s a reason guru girl doesn’t live in Seattle.

But my sunny disposition is back, ladies and gentlemen, thanks to a quick girlfriend getaway trip to Utah this past weekend. I was adventurous. On both land.

And spa. (Though I wouldn’t recommend the cranial-sacral massage to anyone. Unless you know what the “sacral” part refers to going into it, which I didn’t. So surprising! And not in the least bit relaxing. Thank goodness my masseuse was female or I might be filing charges.)

I had a great time reliving high school memories. And an even better time teasing my friend about the enormous hat she wore everywhere. 

But my hat-headed friend is onto something I have never been. Sun protection.

So while I’m not Derby-worthy like Dianne, I am sunscreen worthy thanks to my latest purchase: Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield.

This stuff is magic in a bottle. It’s a lotion that has SPF 30 and “combats the signs of aging while instantly blurring away imperfections”, according to the ad.

This stuff is spendy but worth it. It's $65 at Sephora or Ulta.(Click this link to go to sephora.com to learn more about Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield.) 

So when the sun finally comes back to Colorado, I’m gonna slather up and blur away. Now if only the stuff blurred away embarrassing high school memories too ;)

Why DIY Should RIP At My House

There are a few things you do once in your life.

Refinish a table. Master cleanse. Garage sale.

And then you learn.

The good news is I never have to do a furniture project or garage sale ever again. It’s too bad in a way. Because my sales team was top notch this weekend.

The 9 year old was almost too good a sign spinner. Hopefully her skills in this area won’t encourage her to forego college.

Stanley also fulfilled his duty to lure people in by looking cute (and not biting them).

My DIY furniture team was less talented. Mostly because it consisted only of me and my dad, who offered cryptic advice via text.

I have learned my lesson, and I am trying to remember the mantra, “There is no such thing as failure. It’s either a success or a learning experience.”

Here’s what I learned from the DIY Debacle:

1.      Google expert advice.

2.    Do it before you’re in the middle of the project and have already screwed it up.

3.    Google multiple sources.

4.    Read all of them.

My refinishing project was a bit of a bust, but my next DIYer will not be. Because, for once, I am taking my own advice.

My next project is going to be a giant magnetized wall so the 9 year old can display artwork in her room.

I have, of course, already bought the magnetized chalkboard paint. Last year.

But I’ve now searched multiple sites that say magnetized chalkboard paint looks cool but is not, in fact, strong enough to hold up anything by magnet.

So if this is your goal, stay away from magnetized chalkboard paint. Instead get a giant galvanized steel sheet from the hardware store. Make sure to test that it’s magnetized. And then you can paint it any color you like (this won’t interfere with its magnetic surface). 

Finish by putting picture hangers on the back so you can pop it on the wall. (You can get a sheet that’s 12 x 24” from Home Depot for $12. Jo Ann Fabric has them too.)

This is the route I’ll be taking. In about 8 months. When I finally tackle this project, having forgotten the frustration of the last two weeks.

Because I don’t know about you, but DIY is in my DNA. 

Or not.

1 Meaningful & Memorable Mother's Day Gift

This morning a television ad featured a perky woman who chirped,

“DIY is in our DNA.”

DIY does not appear to be in my DNA. I am currently in the middle of a home improvement project, and I am not at all chirpy. What I am is irritable, fearful and light-headed from 5 days of fumes.

I decided to refinish the kitchen table. I made this decision last year and foolishly announced it to the guru crew. The 12 year old has asked me about this project every week for a year. Clearly, she doesn’t know my decorating project method:

1.      I announce.

2.    I plan.

3.    I procrastinate.

4.    I do a half-ass job.

5.     I delegate the rest to Guru Guy.

Am currently ramping up to Step 5. Success is likely because – hello! – it’s Mother’s Day Weekend, and nothing says “Happy Mother’s Day” like resuscitating furniture your wife has destroyed with “improvement”.

So Guru Guy won’t be making a last-minute run to the mall for Mother’s Day gifts. And you don’t need to either! Even if you’ve forgotten a gift and you’re fearful of the drama you’ll face from your Baby Mama, if you have kids and a pencil you’re all set.

Have the youngest kiddo draw a picture of the family. Bonus points if it includes speech bubbles for all family members filled with their catch phrases.

Pick a really ornate frame for this simple drawing and voila! a meaningful memento for under $5. 

If you really want to make Mom melt, play the “I’m Thinking Of A Time When…” game at dinner but have it focus on favorite memories you’ve shared with mom. Waterworks (and hugs) guaranteed.

Have a great weekend, guru girls & guys!