back to life.

Hi friends, it's nice to be back. But if we're being honest, not waking to an alarm clock or counting one single calorie for a couple weeks was glorious.

We are looking forward to a beautiful new year, and have lots of aspirations for our little blog.  That being said, sometimes "life" has a funny way of popping in at some pretty inopportune times, and we find it hard to be completely consistent.  As mom's who blog, we know that many of you can understand the difficult line that must be drawn when it comes to things that take you away from your families.  We are just two simple girls who are trying our hardest to juggle all that life demands, while still carving out a little time to accomplish things that we are passionate about and can share with you.  Keeping our priorities in check is very important to us, and sometimes blogging can't be at the top of that list.  Just know that if we disappear for a spell, we will be back as quickly as we can, and we will miss you like crazy while we're gone!

2012 holds so much promise and hope, and we have no intentions of falling off your radar.  Our plans are to have the best year yet!  In fact, January has already started off with a bang, with Jilly's industrial workbench being featured in this month's Cottages and Bungalows magazine.

Special thanks to Jickie Torres for the opportunity, as well as Jessica Warner for the amazing professional photography. We really appreciate both of you!

As an added bonus, we received a sweet email from Patty in Texas of how she recreated the infamous Craigslist find for her own entertainment center.    Click on {this link} to look at the pictures of her nearly identical replication.  Her attentive husband duplicated every detail for her.  Patty, don't let that man out of your sight! And thanks so much for sharing.

2012 better watch out, cause here we come!!

xoxo,
j & m

wedding

Remember this face?

Ya him.

Oh, mommy!

I'll give you a moment to catch your breath.

So in case you're not up to speed, last Friday I surprised 5 of my best girls when I persuaded this cutie pie to do a segment on Club Project. 

You can't IMAGINE what kind of hoops I had to jump through to get them all in the same place at the same time, not to mention coordinating a 6 man camera crew and a field producer.  But I pulled it off, fabricated lies, sleepless nights, and sweaty armpits.

I coordinated back and forth with Jenny, the shows producer, to work out all the kinks and let's just say, I have a new appreciation for what goes on behind the scenes. You can't fathom what kind of planning, coordinating, and scheduling must align to make something like this happen.  The most miraculous thing of all is I kept it a secret for 6 weeks! 

Jenny and I worked closely together on every detail including what pieces we would make over for the show.  She thought it would be best if we took on two small projects that groups of three could work on,  something that would take no more then a few hours to transform.

I found this old cart on casters at a flea market in Long Beach and thought it would be the perfect thing to
showcase.  I know, it's a diamond in the rough, but I knew it had some potential and the 6 of us could bring out it's inner rock star.  G said if she had found it on the side of the road, she wouldn't take a second look, but I fancied it right from the moment I laid eyes on it. 

Lettie, Candice, and G sanded down and re-stained the top, painted the inside and outside light gray, and stripped the hardware and key holes. 

G hand painted numbers on the drawers. 

Nate and I both agree, a room needs at least one modern piece with clean lines.  I knew this would sit in perfect juxtaposition next to my traditional, leather sofa, and french settee. 

Remember this small scaled chest from Gracie's Thrift?  I purchased it during a trip we took {junkin' in Phoenix}.

It was only thirty bucks and with a smidge of creativity, I knew it would make a great night stand for my teenager's bedroom. 

Jilly, Cara, and I worked on this one, stopping along the way to explain exactly how to DIY and maybe shoot an occasional oops, "take 2".  Jesse was an expert, asking us just the right questions so viewers at home would be able to re-create the process.  We used the tutorial from Jami at {Freckled Laundry} to create this zinc inspired look right from restoration hardware. 

I searched the internet and found this inspiring idea for drawer pulls. I knew if we put our heads together, we could come up with something just as innovative.

Cara took some jute rope and after a few minutes, she invented this.  Now, that's what I call friends with benefits. 

Here's the finished product.  I love the little carpet tacks we hammered into the drawer fronts to give it the look of zinc veneer.

Little did I know, there was one more surprise in store for us.  A big one.  At the end of the day, I opened the front door and there on my porch were six huge, beautifully wrapped, gift baskets from Nate and the crew!  In them we found gorgeous linens from his home shopping collection,

battery operated candles with decorative, holiday cuffs,

linen scarves,

a sequined throw pillow,

and a little note from the man himself.

That's G in hot pink scrubs.  She was so excited, she gave the note a big, juicy, kiss.  Jilly's expression comes in as a close second (don't judge her, she was a cheerleader, and a Bon Jovi lover).  We've honestly been trying to get ourselves to the Miravel Spa for years and surprise, NOW WERE GOING!

It was such a special privilege to be able to give this opportunity to 5 of my friends.  The six of us know as well as anyone that life isn't always exactly the way we we'd imagined it would be.  It was so exhilarating to take a break from the cares of the world and experience pure joy for one day.   

Our segment airs next Friday, November 11th and you bet we'll be together.  Just the 6 of us (plus Nate), some yummy treats, and a TV tuned in to channel 10 at 11:00am. 

PS. Nate, if you're reading, there's still a chance for us.  In my book, there's only two things standing between us. 

Call me.

somebody pinch me!

Ever laid your eyes on this hottie?

We've been in love with him since his first appearance on the Oprah Show in 2002.  The {first make-over} Nate ever did on Oprah was the transformation of a tiny 319 square foot studio into a real home.  We must have watched that show 25 times in amazement!  No wonder he became Oprah's "go-to guy".

To make a very long story short, Mia emailed what I'm sure was a compelling letter into the Nate Berkus Show about our very own {Club Project}.  The next morning, she got a call from one of the producers of the show.  She worked, undercover, with them for six long weeks.....sending emails, pictures and information, never divulging her secret operation to any of us.

We very innocently showed up last Friday at Mia's for our project day at the appointed hour. She answered the door with glossy lips and flip camera in hand, which was certainly out of the ordinary.    Then she sat us all down on the couch, recited her love for each of us and our group.  She said a little something about how she wanted to create a memory for us, then screamed at the top of her lungs, "The Nate Berkus Show is here!!"  The few minutes that followed her announcement will be etched in my mind forever and ever.  If there is ever a time when I can't recall that surprise, it will have to be because I'm not breathing anymore.  Her family room was flooded with 7 men equipped with cameras, lights, microphones, and who knows what else!

As soon as we stopped squealing and caught our breath, the amazing Jesse validated what Mia had said, and introduced himself and his crew.  They were the nicest and most professional group of guys, and played along with our game of 20 questions all day long.  They lead crazy, busy lives as Field Producers and we were astounded by their rigorous schedules.

I felt so official wearing a microphone pack all day!  You can tell Cara thinks I'm crazy.

 

We even enlisted the muscles of some of the crew a few times during the day. 

Lettie, Candice, and G working on the drawers for the new zinc nightstand.

Of course Mia knew we would all be famished by noon, so she put together this amazing salad with greens, fresh roasted vegetables, sun-dried tomatoes (that she made herself), grilled chicken, feta cheese, and fresh basil she went and snipped from her herb garden out back.  The Production Assistant ran and picked up gourmet pizza from The Deli for the ladies, and In-N-Out Burger for the guys since they don't have them in New York.

Mia is going to finish detailing the rest of our day on Friday's post, including when our show will air, and maybe a little bit about her personal interview with them the day before.  There is still so much left to tell, you just won't believe it!

But let me take this opportunity to say how dear Mia is to me.  Not only does she pull off amazing surprises like this, but she is the best friend a girl could have.  She is grounded, witty, beautiful, talented, driven, and kind.  We have never, ever run out of things to talk about in over 10 years, and I can promise you we never will!  We have laughed and cried together too many times to count, and I always, always feel indebted to her.  I have no idea how I'm going to repay her for this one!   She is amazing, and I am grateful every day that she is a big part of my life.  I love you Mia!!

I'd also like to say what I really wanted to say about Nate when the camera was in front of my face, but was too flustered to do it.  I adore Nate Berkus.  He is definitely at the top of my list of people I'd love to meet someday.  He is so kind and compassionate.  He relates to people of all walks of life and finds great joy in helping and serving others.  His design ideas are superb, and his application is flawless.  He is inspirational to me because of his passion in doing what he loves.  I'm so thrilled that he has made a name for himself in the design world.  He certainly deserves it. 

Thank you so much to Mia and the Nate Berkus Show for making a dream of mine come true.  Thanks to all the ladies of Club Project.  We are so lucky to have each other!  Stay tuned for Friday's exciting  post from Mia.......

girls, we're famous!

The ladies of {Club Project} were at it again.  This time at our friend Gabrielle's home for some paneling, tiling, and a thorough decor "editing" session.  We all showed up fully energized at the anticipation of a hot breakfast waiting at the table. 

As we devoured {garlic-rubbed grilled cheese, bacon, tomato, sandwiches}, scrambled eggs, and water infused with mint and strawberries,  G' openly admitted her newest guilty pleasure, {Pinterest}.  She went on and on about how the recipe sections has changed her life and after sinking my teeth into these, I'm a believer.  I know it's time for me to join the throngs, but I don't even have time to read all my fav blogs.  Dilemma.

As Jilly was well into her second serving, she pulled out the highly anticipated September issue of AZ magazine, and announced, "girls, we're famous!". 

A few months ago, Kara Morrison asked me and Jilly if she could do a write up on Club Project.  So in early August, she and her fantastic crew came out and spent the day watching the 6 of us work.  We painted, sewed, upholstered, and had a great time letting her in on the "secrets" of CP. 

As we read the well written four page article, there were lots of "I said that's?" and "That was hilarious!"  We all agreed the main focus was not on the actual projects themselves, but about the connection we have with each other, which surely is the best part.

Then it was time to work. 

Jilly and Cara fired up the tile saw and started talking about the logistics of the rhomboid back splash they'd be configuring. 

Lettie and Candice, master accessorizers, started a thorough walk through, deciding which elements would stay, which would go, and what could be re-purposed.

G and I worked on paneling her stair wall.  She's waited long 6 years to tackle this project and was giddy with excitement.  We strapped on our safety goggles and got down to business. 

At lunchtime, the hostess provided a variety of savory salads from Paradise Bakery.  We talked about our plans for Labor Day weekend, our kids, our girlfriend's upcoming wedding, and whose turn it would be next, and then got back to work.

By the end of the day we got some really great things accomplished.  We found out Cara was born to work the tile saw, and that getting shocked twice in one day doesn't phase her.

Lettie and Candi did a sublime job accessorizing, and even found a way to work in Darin's childhood accordion.  G claims he's going to play it again when they renew their vows.  I can't wait.

The paneled wall is still a work in progress, but it's going to get done if it's the last thing we do!  When it's finished it will get a coat of dirty white paint and some distressing. 

The six of us came up with an idea for the magazine we think is pretty exciting, and we'd like to open it to the readers of Me and Jilly.  So, if you'd love a project day at your house, keep reading.

The women of Club Project believe that service to others is important and we would like to give one workday to a deserving someone who needs our help.  If you are interested- or if you know someone else who needs the assistance of six we-can-get-it-done-women, send an email to meandjilly@gmail.com and tell us about the project you need help with.  Please include a little about yourself.  Deadline is October 1st.  Entries are limited to those who live in the greater Phoenix area.