Tom Shadyac isn’t your average hero. The guy is best known for directing box office comedies like Ace Ventura and The Nutty Professor - you've seen those right? - but Tom isn’t your typical Hollywood hot shot either. A life threatening accident left him thinking about his happiness and how he aims to really achieve it. Part of Tom’s decision included moving from his 17000-square-foot mansion and luxurious lifestyle to a modest yet comfortable mobile home. Talk about downsizing… Take a look at his life now.

Tom also created a documentary in search of what exactly was wrong with the world and what we can do about it. This video is incredible and really eye opening. Below is the trailer for I Am: 

Tom’s story reminds us how important it is to be grateful for what we have in this world and to share our fortunes when possible. Thanks Tom for shedding some light on the importance of community and intrinsic happiness.

What do you think of Tom’s lifestyle change? Tell me your thoughts the comments below. And if you know an everyday hero let me know about them and they could be featured on the site. 

I think Minnie has a thing for me but I want to hear your best captions below. As always I'll tweet the winner Friday so get to posting and be sure to check back. 

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We have an older out of date and DARK kitchen. I want to go for more of a fresh clean and crisp feel.

My issue is budget and I am not sure if I pay to re-front the whole kitchen many of the doors have been gorilla glued...yep they are all starting to fall apart or do I just replace the ones that are bad and paint? I also want to change the darker wall color that use to be popular many years ago to a more clean crisp color...but need your advice and HELP!!!

Thanks for writing in Cheryl and don’t worry I have some ideas that will help brighten up that dark space. 

Since color is the first thing that hits you when you enter any room I recommend replacing darker paint with something that sets an energetic cheery mood. Think red yellow or orange tones. Trust me you’ll quickly notice a fresh feel when you brighten up your dark walls. 

Bold accents to rugs curtains chairs and centerpieces will also help give your space the pop you’re looking for.  Painting dated dark cabinetry creates a vast improvement too so don’t feel that you need to re-front the entire kitchen. Also try to update a smaller article like your kitchen table to liven up the space a little. 

Have any suggestions for brightening up a dark space? Leave them in the comments below. Also if you’ve got a design dilemma you’d like me to answer let me know in the comments! 

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Photo Sources: Apartment Therapy Better Home & Garden Archzine Attic Mag

Personally I love being outdoors so if you plan to be anywhere near water this summer – and what’s a better way to cool off really – the waterproof cases that protect devices like your phone iPad and Kindle will give you a piece of mind when you’re bringing valuables to the beach or pool. They really do work. Ask Jeff. 

The summer is also a perfect time for gathering friends and family for a backyard barbecue. I can't wait to get cookin' on my grill. Well… the Eton Soulra Solar Sound System is the perfect gadget to entertain company and keep the party going throughout the day. Charge all day rock all night. You know I love my music. 

Have any summer gadgets you recommend? Leave your ideas in the comments below.

I truly believe laughter can make everything better... and it’s those family gatherings vacations and experiences - the good bad and ugly - that we look back at and laugh the hardest. Moments like these should make us laugh because just like my mom they mean everything to me. 

Have a special photo of you and your mom?  Upload it to your profile and share the link with the community in the comments. 

It’s almost Mother’s Day and personally I can’t wait to spend some more valuable time with mom. We always have fun together and I’m sure this holiday will be no different. 

I had a great time hearing about your favorite memories with mom and wanted to share some of my favorites. Here are some of your memories that stood out to me:

Ann Albers - For my folks 70th birthday year mom gathered the entire family for a week at Disney World!  I will never forget being on the rides with mom laughing like two little girls let loose.  It was so beautiful to forget age differences forget "roles" and just play with this woman I love so much. She's a real character but she probably wouldn't want me sharing all her funny stories online!!

Barbara Scott - Being in the kitchen.  My mom would show me how to do everything even when I was really young.  We would make pies homemade noodles cookies anything and everything!  Just being in the kitchen talking and sharing.

Roby C. - Right now I'd say it has to be today: she stood in line with me for two hours outside a library and then another two hours in a mall just to make my dream of meeting Nicholas Sparks come true. My mom is definitely my best friend.

Lenore Crowder - Going to my first Backstreet Boys concert with my Mom & sister. It's kinda funny seeing your Mom scream for Kevin - lol. And going to Disney World last year. It took me forever to convince her to go there & when we got there she didn't want to leave. I got her on more rides boats & jeeps that I've ever had before. It was a blast!

Alessandra Campione - My favorite moment with my mom is when I was child and in summer every time it rained we used to sit outside and watch the lightning and every thunder was a laugh!!!
 

Thanks so much for sharing all your meaningful memories with me. Since it’s clear how much she means to you how are you spending Mother’s Day this year? Let me know in the comments below.

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Photo Sourcs: Etsystatic.com

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Thanks for your question Ann. I would say think outside of the box when it comes to framing photos. You don't always have to frame art to hang it. There are lots of creative ways to showcase it - I've done this with large black binder clips and decorative tacks. 


Photo clips clothing pins and clipboards are other great ways to display your artwork creatively. Think about what reflects your taste and make it happen – there is no shortage of clips and pins you can use to shake up how you hang décor so have fun with it.

If you have an idea for creative art displays that I haven’t covered share them in the comments below. Got a design dilemma? Tell me about that too and I just might have the answer you’ve been looking for.

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My friend Lara Spencer from Good Morning America stopped by the Revolution last week to talk about three of my favorite things: thrifting yard sales and flea markets!

I have to say she’s really not messing around – the lady knows how to spot finds and refurbish them so that you’d never know they were thrifted. 

Take this birdcage for example:


When Lara found it at a flea market it was just a plain old birdcage – she only paid 20 for it. Slap on a few coats of paint electrify it and you’ve got an incredibly unique and striking lamp that looks a lot more expensive!

The trick is to think about the structure and the condition of the foundation of an object – don’t fixate on things that are easy to change like color fabric etc. If you know you’re going to fix up an item you can normally get it for a pretty decent price.

For more examples of her refurbished finds check out the clip here. 

What’s the best thing you’ve found at a yard sale or flea market lately? Tell me about it in the comments below – or better yet – upload a photo and leave me the links. 

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One thing I love about the 60s is the bold use of color – especially greens violets reds oranges – to add flavor to a space. 


I have also drawn on the use of shape and texture as part of a design scheme and the use of spaces like walls.


Here are a few examples of my own designs that showcase my 1960s inspiration:




See what I mean? It’s amazing how when something inspires you it will start to show itself in your own work. 

What about you – what era inspires your taste and personal style? Let me know in the comments below.

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Photo Credit: ffffound! Flickr

With Mother’s Day just over a week away I’ve been thinking a lot about mom and all the fun times we’ve had together. 

I’m pretty close with my mom – she means everything to me – so I have a lot of memories stored up from all the family vacations dinners and time we’ve spent together. Reflecting on these got me to thinking about how many amazing and unique memories we all must have about time spent with our moms. 

So in the spirit of Mother’s Day I want to hear from you all: tell me about your favorite memories with your mom.  Maybe it’s a wacky  memory maybe it’s sweet – maybe it’s from when you were just a little kid or maybe it’s from just a few days ago. 

Whatever it is let me know in the comments below and I’ll post some of my favorites next week.

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It sounds simple but your color scheme can have a huge effect on your mood and relaxation level. Incorporating calming colors can make all the difference – personally I think blue is the most comforting color but shades of green and cream can also have a calming effect. Whether it’s the walls or your bedding incorporating your calming color will go a long way.

2. Set the Mood with Lighting


Lighting is an important part of your design scheme in any room but it might have the most profound effect in the bedroom. Obviously at night you’d like the room to be dark when you’re sleeping more on that in a minute but you should also have the ability to dim the lights while you’re winding down and pump them up when you’re getting dressed. I’m a big believer in dimmers in general but if you’re only going to use them in one room the bedroom is the place to do it. Plus they’re relatively inexpensive and easy to swap with your everyday switch.

3. Invest in blinds


As I mentioned above when it’s time for lights out that should include any light from the outside world. Just because the sun is up doesn’t mean you need to be – and if you do invest in an alarm clock. Your sleep should be deep and restful and nothing keeps out the sun’s rays better than some good blinds. 

4. Go for comforting textures


This seems like a no-brainer but you’d be surprised how often comfort is sacrificed for price or style when it comes to rugs carpets and bedding. Pick out a soft rug or carpet that keeps your feet warm when you get in and out of bed; sheets and blankets that are soft and soothing; pillows that feel good on your face and support your neck and back. You want to be as comfortable as possible to get the best sleep you can.

5. Cut down on clutter


It can be easy to throw clothes on the floor leave shoes out or bring work into the bedroom to review before bed but try not to make it a habit. Your bedroom should be a place that brings to mind feelings of comfort and peace so you should stay away from bringing any stressors inside. That includes any mess you might feel compelled to clean up or work you have to do bills you have to pay etc. 

Follow these simple guidelines and I guarantee you’ll feel calm cool and collected when you go to catch some Zzzs. 

How do you unwind at the end of the day? Let me know your relaxation tips in the comments section below.

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Photo source: Domestically Speaking Gifts Shelter Apartment Therapy Pinterest Anthonyyy 

Make the traditional candle more meaningful by adding a nice note and matches in a cool jar. 

2. Personalized Charm Necklace


Mom would probably think any necklace is great but if you want to really step it up go for something personalized. Dogeared has a “create-your-own” necklace option with lots of charms and letters so you can make something that reflects her personality and yours. 

3. Funny mug


Even morning people need a good laugh some mornings and this mug from Someecards guarantees a laugh-filled A.M.  

4. Chocolate Melting Pot


It’s always nice to give a gift Mom wouldn’t usually pick up for herself and this Koolatron Deluxe Chocolatiere Melting Pot from Sears fits the bill. She’ll love it and there’s an added bonus: you get to spend the rest of the day melting and eating your chocolatey creations – win-win!

5. Personalized Glass Etching


If you’re feeling crafty you can stencil a message for your mom and etch it onto a glass baking dish for her. All you need is a glass dish a stencil and some etching cream and something nice to say - bonus points if you actually bake something in the dish and leave the message as a little surprise. 

6. Framed Picture 


I know it might seem cliché but you really can never go wrong with a framed picture of you and your mom. If you want to jazz it up you can make it even more special by pairing it with a photo of your mom with her mom – it’s a guaranteed pleaser. 

What are you going to give to your mom for Mother’s Day? And to the moms what’s your favorite Mother’s Day gift to receive? Let me know in the comments below.

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Photos: House Tweaking lil blue boo Little Inspiration 

In case you missed it on “The Revolution” we gave this room a big dose of color and style by painting the ceiling. Most people forget about the blank canvas they have above them but ceiling design is a great way to tie together your design theme and add interest to a space. 



In this case we added just a few punches of color to brighten up the room without overwhelming it but here are some other great examples of how you can incorporate painted ceilings into your design scheme:









What do you think – would you consider painting your ceiling? If you’ve painted ceiling or have seen one recently that you like let me know about it below.

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Photo Sources: Her Blog Traditional Home Annsley Interiors by Layla Grayce Remodelaholic Vippins Décor Pad Apartment Therapy Material Girls Blog

Caption this photo in the comments below- I’ll tweet my favorite caption on Friday so make sure you’re following me on Twitter to see if you won. 

UPDATE: And the winner is...

Linda: "Ty 'Kermit what is your secret to happiness?' Kermit 'I eat what ever bugs me.'"

And the runner up...

Evi: The green with envy joke is getting really old Ty! Now I'm echo friendly!

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Stories like this are a great reminder that one person can do something to ignite change. Diane thank you for devoting yourself to the youth our future. 

To support Kids Off the Block check out their website and find out how you can get involved. 

Do you know an Everyday Hero? Let me know about them in the comments below and they could be featured here on the site.

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It’s always nice to have a little extra cash. No matter how much you’re hustling or how many jobs you’re working life has a way of hitting us with surprises and it’s smart to have some financial cushion to get you through the tougher times. Well this week I’m challenging you to try out one or multiple-go big of the simple saving tricks below. 

All of these money-saving tricks are easy to tackle and allow you to save money without taking any funds out of your income- sweet deal right? 

10 Simple Ways to Save Money

1. Unplug appliances when they’re not in use.  Anything that’s plugged in still uses electricity and power used equals a bigger bill for you. Added bonus: you’re helping the environment with this move too. 
    
2. Clean out your closets and the garage... then cash in. 
    
3. Take the extra time to cook at home. 
    
4. Cancel unused club memberships secret money suck. 
    
5. Cancel unread subscriptions. 
    
6. Carpool or take the bus/ ride a bike!. 
    
7. Hit the library instead of a book store. 
    
8. Eat out early and enjoy this awesome thing called happy hour. 
    
9. Shop smartly- retailers have specific days that they put out new stock and mark down merchandise so ask the next time you’re in the store and sync your shopping schedule accordingly. 
    
10. Ditch bottled water. Buying plastic bottled water can add up to thousands a year. Go green and cheap with a glass water bottle you can refill. 

If you try out any of these tricks let me know in the comments below. And share your money-saving tricks too. Good luck. 

P.S. Have you been enjoying our weekly challenges? I hope that they’re an easy way to kick off your week on the right foot. Let me know what you think of the series in the comments. 

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Try framing albums using your shelf space for cd’s and music books or filling an empty corner with your most beloved instrument.

What do you think of these ideas? Would you try any of them? Let me know in the comments.

Wishing you a weekend filled with good tunes and good company. 

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Since the rooms are connected it’s best to paint them the same color to avoid exactly what you are afraid of making them look smaller. One room can be a shade darker than the other but the same color tone is important. 
 
Stackable seating is very popular for small spaces. I had the same problem at one time my small round dining table could normally seat only 4 people but when I had more friends over I didn't have room to seat them. So I found some vintage stackable office chairs that were really cool in bright colors. 

They fit in my coat closet and when I needed extra seating I could just pull out the extras and everyone had somewhere to sit.

Have any other small space tips for Tricia? Leave your thoughts below. Also if you have a design dilemma you’d like me to tackle let me know in the comments!

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Just checking out the sights with a buddy of mine. Caption our thoughts below…

UPDATE: This week's winner is in.

Laura Erickson: "Ty: Do you think they notice me? Indian: Naw. I've been here for years."

And honorable mention goes to:

Charlotte Lomenda: "'Dude. That wasn't soap in the bathroom. It was crazy glue…..' Ty: 'Ya. I kinda figured that.'"

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If only every day could be Pajama Day. Once you got past the sweet outfits Tim and I had on you probably noticed some pretty cool headboard ideas we shared. 



Shelving is a great way to maximize space while tufted headboards give any bedroom a definite style and polish. 

Here’s some more creative headboard inspiration for this week’s Last Look: 








Which look is your favorite? Let me know below. 

Have a great weekend everyone. 

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Photo Credit: Apartment Therapy Babble Lowes Decorating Ideas Perfect Match Design Sponge 

Now that spring has sprung I’ve got sunshine on the mind.



Small changes can make a big difference especially when it comes to a dirty diaper.




A couple of behind-the-scenes shots in Hot Springs Arkansas.



Tim and I with guest host Toni Braxton- cool lady.



We were all so excited to meet one of our most inspirational guests Cody McCasland. He really is a cool kid! Check out his website: www.teamcody.com.



Backstage muscle.



Sushi anyone?

Had a great time with the VERY funny Annie Potts.



I tried to help this lovely lady with her NY Times crossword puzzle when I was out performing random acts of kindness. She wasn’t buying it…. 

What’s been going on in your life lately? Upload a photo to your profile and leave the link to your profile below- I’ll feature some of your pics in an upcoming blog. 

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Gotta love Martha. Caption our thoughts in the comments below. 

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Last week I shared the story of one incredible Homegrown Hero Birke Baehr a 13-year-old organic famer that’s making a big difference just by asking smart questions. Well his questions got me thinking a little more about where my food comes from and this week I’m challenging you to do the same. 

Over the next seven days here’s your assignment: go organic. Who knows once the week is up you might want to stick with it…. Here are five reasons to really give organic food some extra consideration: 

1. Organic foods are produced without the use of Genetically Modified Organisms GMOs. Genetically engineered ingredients are now found in 75 of all non-organic U.S. processed foods even in many products labeled or advertised as "natural.”

2. Organic foods are safe and pure. Organic farming prohibits the use of toxic pesticides antibiotics growth hormones nano-particles and climate-destabilizing chemical fertilizers. Consumer Reports has found that 77 of non-organic produce items in the average supermarket contain pesticide residues. The beef industry has acknowledged that 94 of all U.S. beef cattle have hormone implants which are banned in Europe as a cancer hazard. 

3. There’s more humane treatment of animals. Organic farming prohibits intensive confinement and mutilation debeaking cutting off tails etc. of farm animals. 

4. You can expect a higher nutrition value. Organic foods are nutritionally dense compared to foods produced with toxic chemicals chemical fertilizers and GMO seeds. Studies show that organic foods contain more vitamins cancer-fighting anti-oxidants and important trace minerals.

5. Buying local supports local farmers and small business. 

Give it a try for seven days and let me know how your organic challenge goes in the comments below.  

And I have to say the TyPennington.com community really came through in the Random Acts of Kindness Challenge last week. Here are some success stories:

Kathy Workman: Great challenge this week Ty! I try to do this most every day!  My New Year's Resolution every year is TRY to do a "good deed" every day key word being try.  Random act of kindness today:  paid my cell phone bill and saw a person struggling in a wheel chair only to discover she was someone I knew from several years ago.  Walked and talked with her for 5 minutes as I helped her up the curb and into her bank.  I have never saw such a smile on this lady's face as I did today!  Usually it is helping an old lady or gentleman on/off the bus with their groceries giving a dollar to the person who is short on bus fare or just standing talking with someone who needs that shoulder to cry on/ear to bend.  Makes me feel fantastic every time.

Joanne Marnick: Ty this is fun!  :  I was in the bakery getting cookies for my L'il friend and a cappuccino for me and I struck up a conversation with the lady behind me about the chocolate covered oreo's on the counter.  She was saying that her kids will be so happy to have them.  She looked so happy to be giving them to her kids as a treat that I decided to buy them for her.  It was small but it made her smile and made me really happy inside to make someone smile.  I hope I have more opportunities to do things like this.  Thank you again for the inspiration.  Be happy.   -  Joanne

Ann Albers: Had to share... I helped someone struggling to lift stuff out of their car at a goodwill dropoff and within fifteen minutes someone rescued me lugging heavy stuff into a tile store for return. Gotta love the way life works. There is a love that wants to flow through the universe to and from each of  us if we let it.  Its the only way to live!

Georgia Lee - I tell myself each and every day that I will make sure I put as smile on someones face.It may be complimenting them on their hairclothes ect... or in conversation and saying the right things to make them laugh or just bring a smile to their face.It makes feel me better knowing that I made someone smile.

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A bunny-clown hybrid? 


This isn’t going too well. 



Blood-stained mouth and a creepy grin?

“Maybe if I keep very still he won’t notice me…”

Cue the frightened scream in 3…2… 

In the midst of an escape….

I have a feeling I might run into this guy in NYC over the weekend… 

A face that says it all. 

Happy Easter to all those celebrating this weekend! Hope you don’t run into any of the bunnies above. 

If you have any funny photos of your kids with the Easter Bunny upload them to your profile and leave the link to your profile in the comments below- I’ll feature my favorites in a future blog post. 

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Maybe something Birke has said or written will motivate you to really think about where the food you feed your family is coming from. And maybe you'll make some changes. Let me know what those changes are and I'll let Birke know!

What do you think of Birke’s message? Let me know in the comments. 

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Caption this photo of Kendall Levin and I backstage at “The Revolution.”

And if you missed Kendall talking about how she beat bullying and showing off her Irish dance skills click here. 

UPDATE: This week's winner is in.

Leslie Joyce: "Ty: 'How my doing Kendall?' Kendall:  'Ty uh..this is an IRISH jig not a 'I GOTTA GO' dance'"

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Chris 4 Life is committed to raising awareness about colon cancer encouraging screening for earlier detection and most importantly to fund research to find a cure. A moving speech on Saturday highlighted the need for this important research to continue and the need for those of us who can help by pitching in some cash to do exactly that. For more information about Chris4Life check out their website. 

So let the bidding games begin.... when the auctioneer started talking about my friend Karen McCullah's "assets" I couldn't help jumping into the game. Plus getting on Karen's schedule is impossible so I knew the only time I could hang with her was if I paid for the time. So that's what I did. I was envied by others who wanted a date with one of Hollywood's hottest screenwriters. She's the creative mind behind 10 Things I Hate About You Legally Blonde House Bunny and The Ugly Truth. Hilarious is putting it lightly when it comes to Karen- it will be a fun date.

Of course my friend Jillian Harris is no stranger to men fighting over her and watching it happen in real time was fascinating. Jillian is comfortable designing homes hanging in the hot tub and loves to eat- all at the same time. No surprise her price was soaring. When the bidding war got really heated I had to play. The frenzy was intoxicating and I just kept going. After all it was for a good cause! Then suddenly I hear SOLD and my hand was the one in the air. SOLD to me. The look on Jillian's face was priceless. Let's fire up the hot tub and fry up some Canadian bacon Jill!


Saturday night was a lot of fun and we raised money for a good cause. If you or someone you love is approaching the age of 50 or if colon cancer is in your family please check out the recommendations for screening and testing.  

I'll be sure and post pics from my hot dates but in the meantime what would you want to do on your dream date? Let me know in the comments. 

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Today’s post is proudly sponsored by Guardsman.
 

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Void in Alaska Hawaii and where prohibited. Open to legal residents of the 48 contiguous United States and the District of Columbia 21 years of age or older. Sweepstakes begins at 10:00 AM ET 03/28/12 ends at 11:59 PM ET 04/30/12. For Official Rules and free alternate method of entry visit Guardsman.com. Sponsor: Valspar Corporation.

Get out there this week and surprise someone with a kind gesture.  Here are some other ideas:

-leave a note on someone’s car wishing them a great day 
-pick up the tab for the person behind  you 
-let a stranger cut you in line 
-write an unexpected thank you note
-leave a generous tip 
-drop flowers off at a local hospital 

Let me know how it goes in the comments below and I’ll share some stories here on the site. 

In the meantime here’s one hilarious prank success stories from last week’s challenge:

• Dana Parker I sewed the legs of my husband's underwear shut. When he started to get dressed that morning....Priceless! 

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This rustic pad was formerly home to comedian Dan Whitney otherwise known as Larry the Cable Guy. The property boasts indoor and outdoor movie theaters a stocked fishing pond gym and safe room but the real man cave is the indoor game room pictured above. 


Designer Brad Norris of Norris Architecture blended the design of this home with its wooded surroundings and only used real elements. "No fake stuff" says Norris. "Real stone real wood real structure." Real cool.


This manly bar comes thanks to the crew from the DIY Network. What guy doesn’t want to pretend he’s a cowboy?


Car lovers rev your engines- this is one awesome garage. This beauty fits 12 cars—eight on the floor level and another four up on built-in lifts. The space also has its own guest quarters exercise room and wine cellar. Oh yeah and there’s also an estate attached. 


Wouldn’t have to ask me twice to move in here. This Squaw Valley Ski Resort available for rent via community marketplace Airbnb includes a saltwater hot tub 15-person sauna 6-foot fireplace and a 63-inch flat-screen- man heaven. 

Which home do you like best? Let me know in the comments. 

Have a great weekend everyone. 

Source: Men’s Health 

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Ty Vision: My new Tabletop Collection
Design Dilemma: Decorating Your First Place
Ty Tube: Off the Walls
 

The collection is in stores now and I thought I’d share some of my favorite items with you:

1. Palm Leaf Accent Bowl 3.59; 2. Palm Serve Bowl 7.19 3.Palm Lantern 17.99; 4 .Palm 4 pc Condiment Server 23.99; 5. Citronella Bucket 4.79 6. Palm Green Margarita Glass 3.59

For this season’s collection I was inspired by natural elements and colors as you can see in the green and brown color palette and bamboo leaf theme. You can check out the whole Ty Pennington Summer Tabletop Collection here. 

Let me know which item you like best in the comments! 

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Design Dilemma: Decorating Your First Place
Ty Tube: Off the Walls 
Last Look: Painted Wallpaper 
Ty Vision: Behind the Scenes 
 

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My buddy’s back. Caption this conversation in the comments below. 

UPDATE: This week's winner is in.

Janet Gordon: "Ty says...So I hear your living in a real pig sty? Well buddy I am hear to help! Great design can change your life!"

And some honorable mentions:

Matthew March: "Pig: So there I was only Old McDonald between me and Freedom."  

Zanatti Mario: "Hey buddy let me tell you a BLT story…:"

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To get this look think rustic pieces paired with Lucite glass or minimalist mod items. Also vintage frames and artwork picked up at the flea market always look cool when contrasted with sleek modern items.

2. Do your homework
As easy at is to walk into a store and go crazy it’s much smarter to research prices on what you need and then strategically purchase. Make sure you check out local papers and find garage sales- that’s where you’ll find the real steals. Insider tip: antique and interior store vendors go to garage sales and estate sales to pick up great items and then mark them up for the public. So hit the garage sales and you’ll walk away with the best prices and most unique items.

3. Start with the essentials
Decorative items are fun to buy but you can’t sit on that cool new painting when you’re watching TV. So buy the absolute essentials first and let the personality pieces come later. Think couch kitchen table chairs bed etc.

Hope these tips are helpful Alyssa- good luck. And remember- personal style is personal- so go with what you like prioritize your spending and you’ll be good to go.

Have any other tips for Alyssa or anyone else decorating their first place? Leave them in the comments below.

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Photo Credit: Peacock Feathers Oh Joy! The City Sage Sunday in Bed

April Fool’s Day is this Sunday so for this week’s challenge we’re getting a little mischievous and doing one of my favorite things: pulling a prank.

Here are ten prank ideas that are guaranteed to give you a good laugh:

1. Speech Recognition

Create an official looking notice informing staff that an item of office equipment is now equipped with speech recognition technology. Add a few suggested commands. Stick the notice to the equipment. Sit back and watch your colleagues shout at an inanimate object.


2. Bilingual Cellphone

Borrow someone’s cell phone and change the language setting to a foreign language.


3. Food Dye Fun

There are a few fun uses for food dye on April Fool’s Day: 1. Add it to the family’s milk carton and serve some very colorful milk 2. Pour it into your friend’s windshield wiper fluid 3.  Put it in your office’s bathroom hand soap make sure the food dye color matches the soap color and watch people try to scrub it off of their hands. The more soap they use to clean their hands the worse it's going to get…


4. Door Confusion

Put a “Please Use Other Door” sign on the entrance to a building if it only has one entrance. Sit back and enjoy.


5. Jell-O Joke

A classic gag that never gets old. Take some inspiration from “The Office” on this one:


6. Something Stinky…

Get a gang of people to help you pull this prank on your victim. Throughout April Fool's day when each person is around the victim they should pretend to smell something stinky and ask the victim if they smell it too. After several people in a row do this separately the victim will become paranoid that they’re the stinky source.


7. Hide the Cell

Another great prank for the office- hide someone’s cell phone in a tile above their desk taped underneath their chair etc. and call it throughout the day. Watch the frustration ensue.


8. Superglue Sidewalk

This is a tried and true prank idea. Watch people's reactions in a public place as they try to pick up the coins you’ve super-glued to the ground. 


9. Subtle Change

Bring multiple sets of clothes to work and change every hour but act like nothing’s different. Straight face is mandatory for this one.


10. The Fake Out

This might be the easiest one of all- drive your friends crazy by acting like you’re going to prank them all day but never actually do anything. Subtle comments like "enjoy your coffee" "have you used the water cooler yet today?" and "I wouldn't do my laundry today if I were you” will do the trick.

What's the best prank you've ever pulled? Let me know in the comments.  And I want to hear how it goes this week. Take pics and videos and upload them to the site so we can all get in on the joke.

Here are a couple success stories from last week’s spring cleaning challenge:

Prism Heart- Because the children are on spring break this week they are helping. My house is about 2000 sq ft and I need the extra hands. Plus I am sorting through and donating to the thrift stores. I am preparing to move and trying to lighten my load. And spring cleaning all at once!
   
Kathy Workman- I started spring cleaning a month ago!  Started in my kitchen...check DONE. All the extra "storage" containers i.e. the ones you never toss out! are gone as well as a set of pans and cutlery that was donated.  Wouldn't believe the extra space in my cabinets and drawers! Next on the list was dining area which I hate to admit is a disaster zone.  Being in an apartment it's very tight and now is actually used for what it was designed for! My living room is next being tackled this week.  Major overhaul there as I am finally rearranging the furniture.

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In today’s Last Look I thought I’d share some more inspiring images of painted wallpaper in case you’re looking to take on some wall painting of your own. Remember- a geometric pattern is your friend and stencils are also a cool option that will make the process simpler. 









What do you think of this look? Would you paint it yourself or stick to traditional wallpaper? 

Have a great weekend everyone- hope it’s full of good friends and good times. 

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Weekly Challenge: Tackle
Last Look: Inspired Organization
Design Dilemma: Personalized Space Without Paint   

Photo Credit: Design Sponge The Design File Cutting Edge Stencils Likainen Parketti Decor Pad Apartment Therapy AKA Design

What do you think about those wallpaper suggestions? Something you dig or something you could do without? Let me know in the comments. 

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Weekly Challenge: Get Creative
Last Look: Inspired Organization
Design Dilemma: Personalized Space Without Paint  
Ty Vision: Behind the Scenes 

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I’ve spotted something… Caption this photo below. 

UPDATE: This week's winner is in.

Harkiron Kaur — Did you say you were just birdwatching? What kinda bird wears high heels and makeup dude??

And some honorable mentions:

Justin Grant - "Man: What are we staring at?/Ty: I have no idea."

Joanne Marnick- "Ty: Yeah....that's it!!  KITE SURFING!!  Feeling a little restless here in the City.  Need to go kite surfing!!!"

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It’s the necessary evil of the changing season but the truth is spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a chore. Cleaning out can boost your mood and your health and not to mention it makes your home look a lot better. Here are some simple tips. 

1. If you’re pressed for time break the project down into smaller pieces. Think one room per weekend. This will make the task doable. 
2. Stock up on cleaning supplies- can’t do the project without the right tools. 
3. Involve the family. Making it a group effort not only cuts the cleaning time it’s also a way to hang out while you’re working. 
4. This might sound like a broken record since we’ve already talked about closets and garages but ditch the clutter before you clean. 
5. Work from top to bottom. Start with dusting the ceiling shelves light fixtures etc. and then hit the ground. This way gravity is working with you instead of against you. 
6. Make sure you cover it all: windows blinds linens floors the fridge carpets window treatments bathrooms china drawers the garage medicine cabinet kitchen appliances. 

Share any of your own tips in the comments below! 

And once again I was impressed with the results of last week’s challenge. Here is some of the awesome artwork you shared:

• Ann Albers- I always have to have some project going on.  Lately I'm in the middle of "Extreme Makeover - Website Edition!" Although it is technical the design aspects are a lot of fun.  Working with beautiful colors and patterns feeds my soul.  Other creative projects around the house include a scarf I'm knitting for a friend it is calming! and a quilt that may take years to complete. I make greeting cards jewelry natural lotions and scrubs and have a craft room that makes me happy just to sit in it!  When I'm not working or doing my own fun projects I love spending time around my friends with musical genius since I've got no talent whatsoever in that realm.  I think we all have creativity inside of us waiting to be discovered and expressed.

And here’s a glimpse at some of Ann’s art- a cool collage:

• Leah VR- I collect interesting sticks bug eating are best bring them home strip the bark off drill a few holes and spray paint them with a clear paint. Then I create a hanging decoration with beads. They look nice anywhere on the wall in front of a window hanging outside....

• Kathy Workman - I recenlty started building a wall collage of photographs that family friends and I have taken.  Most are of nature but I have a silly collection of animals sticking their tongues out as well as family pets.  Posted a photo of it here hehe  I also started crocheting again and made a wonder afgan that is so warm and huge.  Is relaxing even when I drop a stitch or have to tear out and start over again.

Kathy also shared her art- here’s a look at her wall collage:


And some cool abstract art by Claudia Stefani:

 

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Leprechaun ears: better than hearing aids.


Who knew Babe was Irish?


This pup’s owner likes to die her dog to match her outfits… in reality it was just a Tuesday. 


If you usually have the same problem please avoid wearing a kilt… 

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Canine couture. 


Green colored glasses > rose colored glasses. 


Man’s best friend no longer… 

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Pot of gold carry on?

How are you ringing in St. Patty’s Day this year? Let me know in the comments. 

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Photo Credit: guy-sports.com Funny Pictures

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Met with the Washington Home Show team for a pre-show pep talk…


Everyone needs to take some time to smell the...tulips?


It was very special to meet Caitlin Smith with the Kids Wish Network. Caitlin graduates from high school this year and told me she was a big EMHE fan which I was honored to hear.  


Also got to meet Caitlin’s family and present her with a gift from my friends at Sears. 


Hanging with team Handyman… 


Taking a little break… 


Talking shop with Todd Davis from Room Crashers at the Marketplace Events VIP event. 


Got to meet CJ Waters an awesome young fan from Canada! 


D.C. is such a beautiful town at night.

By the way I strolled by the White House to check on my butterfly houses but almost got plowed over by a gang of tourists on segways!

Did you make it out to the DC Home Show last week? What did you think? 

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I had the chance to attend the launch party for the new Disney Fantasy Cruise Liner last week and figured I’d let you guys caption my interview below… 

Hit me with your best caption. 

UPDATE: This week's winner is in.

Clare Willerton-Trory: "Seriously that guy had THE biggest ears!  What was his name?  Mickey Something!?"

And the runner up is:

Jackie Hicks: "So Do I have hat hair or something?  Why are you all looking at me?"

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The ladies had a lot to say and I had a lot to learn… 

Back in the studio I also learned that 1 in 5 relationships starts on an online dating site- seemed like a pretty big number to me. Somehow they got me to agree to fill out my own online dating profile which was… interesting. Just in case you missed it here you go: 


I tried to be pretty honest but in the end I got busted for my shirtless pic and bringing up my baggage.

Well I thought we’d bring the conversation here to the site so answer this below in the comments: what’s the dating scene like for you right now? Are you into online dating? If so do you have any success or horror stories?

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I suggest going abstract if you’re a beginner. Geometric shapes are a cool way to get started. 

Sculpt

Hey who said snow and sand don’t count? Creativity is creativity. 

Sketch

A lot of my design ideas and fabric concepts come from doodles. I’ve also framed some of my own sketches in my home before- any art looks good when you frame it. 

Quilt 

It’s no secret that I think quilts are pretty cool. 

Collage 

If you don’t consider yourself particularly creative this is a good place to start. Make a collage of colors places and things that inspire you. 

Capture it in a picture

The best photographs make you see something in a new light. Consider a beautiful thing you see daily and try and capture it in a photo. 

Knit 

Not going to claim to have experience in this one but I’ve been told it’s a relaxing way to get creative- test out this claim. 

And I want to know how it goes so upload a photo of your art to your profile and leave a link to your profile in the comments below. 

And while you’re thinking about this week’s challenge here are two success stories from last week’s clean out and cash in challenge: 

Ann Albers-  I do the big yearly de-cluttering every January and then keep it up throughout the year. Living within ten minutes of three Goodwill stores is a big help! I donate a lot of the stuff and take the tax write-offs.  I've also had fun giving things away on craigslist. A family with a bunch of kids got an old telescope and a theater group took a lot of old paint samples off my hands. A guy with his own handyman business even took my old detergent buckets.  Its fun to pass things on to people who can use them.  I agree whole heartedly that clearing out the closets makes room for your soul to breathe.  Love it!  

Doris Sands- This project is something I have been working on for a week.  I started in the kitchen. Gave away food we would not use nor did we buy. LOL  Thats where family comes in and buys it all.. plus we must have a closet just full of canned goods... so thats the start to clean that all out. Next project is the garage.  Got some furiture out there to try and get rid of ... tried advertising but got no wheres.. The funny thing the couch is in great shape.

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Photo Credit: The Purl Bee Flickr DeviantArt Mexican Viking Apartment Therapy Tumblr The Society Inc.

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Using chalkboard paint on your garage cabinets is a good way to label things and keep organized. You can find chalkboard paint at any hardware store. 


I thought this was a creative idea- repurpose old crates by hanging them on your garage wall for storage. Paint them a fun color for extra style. 


Hanging items mean less clutter on the floor- always a good idea when you’re stumbling to take the trash out in the dark. 


When it comes to buying organizing tools- get more than you think you’ll need. There’s always something else that needs to be put away. 


If you use your garage as a workspace consider putting in a functional countertop- you definitely won’t feel like you’re in a garage anymore.

Find anything inspiring? Let me know and share your own organizational tools in the comments.  

Have a good weekend. 

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Photo Credit: Better Homes and Gardens Storage & Glee Martha Stewart Better Homes and Gardens A Life's Design

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The hallway backstage of “The Revolution” is like being in a dorm room. Well it does smell better. A lot better.


Backstage a lot goes in to preparing for a segment. As you can see we really work out together. 


Walking around the city I found one fat cat. 


Having fun with Sabrina Soto in Soho. Say that three times fast!


While in Jersey filming I found myself in a very stable environment. 

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I even made some new friends. 


But this didn’t turn out to be the best idea… 



Joyce and Donna from Westminster Fibers came by the set of “The Revolution” to show me the samples from the mill talk design and watch a taping of our show.


And I also got a visit on set from some of my favorite fans- Carla Valenti and Leslie. 

That’s a wrap for Ty Vision this week. Check back next week for more pix and let me know what you think about this Ty Vision blog series in the comments below. 

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You know the drill- caption this photo folks. 

UPDATE: This week's winner is in.

Brat: "'We secretly replaced Ty's deodorant with a large glue stick'- The cast of The Revolution"

And some honorable mentions:

Harkiron Kaur: "WHO PUT VASELINE IN MY SHOES ??!!!" 

Jackie Hicks: "Prior to my REVOLUTION with Harley and the gang I could not even fit down these stairs.  Look at me now!"

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1. Try adding a fabric window treatment like a relaxed roman shade or side panel drapes. Fabric always adds warmth to a room.  
   
   

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2. Lighting can do wonders and soft light really warms up a space. Avoid bright harsh overhead lights and get lamps.  If your lamps don’t have dimmer switches on them you can add them easily.   
   
    
3. Another idea is to add color to the wall with lots of bright colored picture frames. In my opinion choose one color like all red frames. And if you don't have artwork just do bad drawings on cardboard or paper and frame that. I promise even a used napkin looks good in a frame. 
   
    

Have any other tips for Richelle? Leave ‘em below! And if you have a design dilemma you’d like me to tackle make sure you leave it in a comment below. 

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Photo Credit: classy-in-the-city.tumblr.com apartmenttherapy.com

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Moving your life ahead means moving out the clutter in your life. That often starts with cleaning out the junk in your house. And if you’re looking to remodel chances are you’re junk could fund your renovations! 

So check out this video for your challenge this week:


So it’s as simple as that- clean out and cash in. And let me know how it goes in the comments below! 

And as we’re taking on a new challenge here are some successful stories from those of you that were able to lose yourself and unwind last week:

Ann Albers: After speaking & working at an Expo Saturday Sunday was an entirely "lost" day! I got lost in a great book got lost having a home spa day with a honey facial got lost again cooking balsamic glazed ravioli with pumpkin sauce and got so lost in a creative project that I stayed up till 2am without realizing where the time had gone : Once during a phase of intense work my angels said to me very clearly "Ann even God rested on the 7th day..." We need that too! One of my other favorite "Lost" activities is having what I call a "Smile Festival" with my dog. I give her a massage till she smiles and snorts. Then I get so happy I'm smiling which makes her smile bigger which makes me smile bigger... We're lucky our faces don't crack! 

Kath: I like to get "lost" listening to music. I get "lost" in a good book many times a week. And I have the best job I work in a college library and have the priviledge of ordering the books. I love getting "lost" in a book catalog. But my favorite way to get "lost" is playing with my dog in our backyard and leaving the phone in the house.

Sue Noall: What perfect timing with this week's challenge. I just got back from Fiji and yes it was a complete release from the daily grind. What have I learned from my trip? Stress management not just the relaxed vibe you get while on vacation but something I can take back with me in my life. We all have stress in our lives but what we don't realize is that sometimes we add to our stress without knowing it. We all have it in our control to simplify our lives even if we have no down time. Be respectful of others and enjoy whatever you are doing.

Sharon Peters: I slowed down last night after work.  My 11 year old son had absolutely no activities so we met his father at the diner and relaxed and watched the rain outside the window.  My son prayed before we ate and thanked God for the food and the nice time to be together.  God is good!  Thanks for the weekly challenge.  It's inspiring refreshing and inspirational at the same time! We all need time to stop and smell the roses! Thanks Ty! 

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1. Take a deep breath
2. Click here 
3. Click here
4. Keep those other windows open and contemplate the scenes below

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How are we doing now? 

Now go out and have a great weekend- get lost! 

-Ty 

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You did a double take right? The only problem now is stuff keeps disappearing from my closet… 

Here are some of my behind-the-scenes Timtervention pics:



My closet- I was ready to move in… 


Rehearsing for the show. 


Backstage prep. 


Ready to roll. 


Just some last minute touches… 


And there you have it- mission accomplished. To see more behind-the-scenes pics from my Timtervention click here.  

So let me know- do you prefer Tim before or after? 

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I only play the most prestigious venues. Write my lyric in the comments below. 

UPDATE: This week's winner is in.

Nancy Becker: "She thinks my golf cart's sexy!  It really turns her on!  To Kenny Chesney's "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy"  :D" 

And honorable mention goes to:

Linda Palma: "If I can make it there I'll make it anywhere - New York New York" 

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Who isn’t a fan of Hanks? He was looking pretty stylish Sunday night with his slim fit tux and exaggerated bow tie- very cool look. 

5. Colin Firth 


He’s got an accent so there’s an unfair advantage… but he’s also got the formal attire down. 

Which guy takes the award for your favorite? Let me know in the comments. 

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I have to admit I’m not the best at slowing down. And even though it seems like keeping up that crazy schedule and squeezing it all in is the only option the reality is sometimes we all need to slow down and take a break. 

So this week here’s your challenge: get lost. Get lost in a good book on a long walk in thought an ice cold beer whatever you’re feeling. The point is- let go unwind and take some time to wander whether it’s mentally or physically. As always let me know how it goes in the comments below. 

Here are some success stories from last week’s challenge: 

Leslie Joyce- Since I have started on my revolution I have been walking so much more - where I work we have a "campus" environment there are actually 3 buildings in different locations on the same street so everyday I try to walk to and around all the buildings and since we've been lucky this winter with so little snow so far - it's been great to get fresh air in the middle of the day.  It makes you feel so good when you have had a really tough day to be able to go take time for yourself and walk out your frustrations.  Since starting my revolution and walking I have lost 13 lbs - which inspires me to keep going.

Ann Albers- I get up and dance around the house 20 minutes three times a week do a little tai chi stretching and just get happy and move.  I also hike when I can. I find if I hike one day a week it gets my metabolism so revv'ed I can eat anything I want!

Jackie Young- I turned 56 yesterday and I've never felt better.  I work out I do a lot of physical activities and I laugh A LOT...life's too short to not enjoy the day.

Kathy Workman- I started walking every day at least a mile.  I am up to 10000 steps a day every day which is about 5 miles.  Don't have to remind me to go for walks I walk almost everywhere!  I also stretch during commercials when I do watch TV and with absolutley no ability at all dance when I hand wash the dishes!  Music is important part of my life so the MP3 is always plugged into one ear when I walk.  Helps the time go faster too.

Jennifer Ramos- For this challenge I decided to spring clean washing walls organizing and moving things around. Never ending job and a great work out.

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Pretty incredible right? Just watch your step… some of those look a little slick. 

Is this something you’d like in your home or just something you appreciate from afar? Let me know in the comments below. 

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Photo Credit: freshome.com smallrooms.tumblr.com design-milk.com

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We talk a lot about design and home projects here on TyPennington.com and I hope you guys find some of these posts useful. But having gone through some major revolutions and extreme makeovers I know that sometimes a project needs a little extra attention. 

So here’s what I’m thinking: leave YOUR design dilemma in the comments below and I’ll do my best to tackle it in an upcoming blog post. Maybe you need help decorating your son’s bedroom in a particular theme or tips on how to work with an unusually shaped living room- whatever the project tell me about it below. 

And if you’ve got pictures they'll allow me to really get a sense of the project so upload them to your profile and leave the link to your profile in the comment. 

Ready set go! 

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Think you know what’s on my mind? Caption this photo below.. 

UPDATE: This week's winner is in.

Anne Albers— "Dude this is not the kind of 'sting' operation I was talking about!!"

And some honorable mentions:

Linda Carter Fleming— "Ty: 'You just pollenated what??'"

Justin Grant— "This week we're being sponsored by Honey Nut Cheerios."

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Everything about by NYC looks good in black in white:


I also got the chance to catch some fashion shows at the Lincoln center:


It was really cool to go to the L.A.M.B. show- tons of cool new trends and ideas and the kabobs were delish:


I also saw the Monique Lhuillier show and wow- seriously hip bold reds against blacks and lots of details. The fashion scene was wild. Lots of flash bulbs lots of pouting lips lots of interesting looking people. 

Have any city living tips for me? Leave them in the comments below! 

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If you’ve been tuning into “The Revolution” you know that physical fitness is a big part of your wellbeing. Keeping fit affects more than your pants size it’s a huge factor in your mental health and mood as well.

While I know we’ve all got a lot on our plate and minimum time to spare here’s my challenge to you this week: get moving every day. What does that mean? Here are some ideas:

    -take the stairs
    -walk/bike to work
    -walk around the block after dinner
    -play tag with the kids
    -go dancing no rhythm? Who cares?
    -stretch while you’re watching your favorite shows

I know it’s not always possible to get to the gym every day but this week give it an extra hard go. And remember that exercise doesn’t have to mean hitting up the treadmill- get creative and do what you enjoy. If you need some inspiration here’s a success story from last week’s challenge:

Clare Willerton-Trory revamped her bedroom after last week’s challenge.


Looks great!

Let me know how this week’s challenge is going in the comments below.

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And even if these specific flat screens are out of your budget there are some takeaways here: 

1. Don’t be afraid to place your screen front and center 
2. Get creative with wall collages around your TV instead of having it stand alone 
3. Never change the channel from that artsy photo- unless you’re watching “The Revolution”! 

What do you think? Would you consider these TV’s works of art?

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Photography captures life and all of its special moments and sets your imagination free. That’s why the camera is my favorite tool. I joined forces with my friends over at Great Big Canvas to put my photography on canvas and share it with the world.

Here are some of my favorites from the collection- head over to Great Big Canvas to check them all out:






Would you hang one in your home? Let me know what you think in the comments below! 

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Caption this moment below! As always I’ll pick my favorites and post them on the site later this week. 

UPDATE: This week's winner is in.

Dale Crissey — "If you demo it they will come."

And some honorable mentions:

Jessica Kosinski - "You can tell I'm an awesome photographer.  How else would I have gotten this picture of myself while aiming the camera away?"

Justin Grant — "I guess there's just one thing left to say. Welcome home Redenbacher family. Welcome home."

Melissa Garcia — "Where is Malachai and all of the other children?"

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In December Bruno was honored as one of CNN’s heroes. Here’s a video highlighting his work:


Sometimes we might forget that there are kids going hungry here at home but Bruno thank you for reminding us… and taking matters into your own hands. 

If you’d like to donate to the cause click here or check out the website for more info. 

Do you know an everyday hero? Tell me about them below and they could be featured on the site. 

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Photo Source: TheCaterinasClub.org

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So I’ve been presenting you guys with weekly challenges that will hopefully help you feel happier and healthier. We’ve covered the closet giving back and small acts of kindness and now I’m taking it to the bedroom. 

That’s right what happens in there is a big part of your wellbeing. And if your space isn’t cutting it it’s harder to get quality rest and intimate moments. 

Check out this clip from “The Revolution” for my tips on how to up the sex appeal of your bedroom- it’s pretty simple stuff: 



Let’s recap: no family photos get rid of those piles of stuff and set the mood a little when you can. Install a dimmer for your lights and remove the stressors that prevent you from relaxing like that pile of bills.  

And what better time to upgrade your bedroom than Valentine’s Day? So this week here’s your challenge- take a little time and up the sex appeal of your bedroom using the tips above. Let me know how it goes in the comments below. 

Here are some success stories from last week’s challenge- as usual I’m impressed.  

Jennifer Oliver - I volunteer with the local library and the local public art gallery in our small town : Volunteering is an amazing thing to do and I have always loved doing it as much as I can :

Cristina Brooks - My daughter and I donated 1 hour to helping make 100 blankets for local women's shelter for kids making dog and cat toys for local shelter knit hats for homeless shelter and decorate paper bags for local Meals on Wheels. It felt great to hear my 7 year old say she wants to do that again and teach others to help.

Marta Smith - I am member of a group of 27 retired ladies who meet once a week and sew together. Last year we made quilts for local people whose homes burned down and for tornado victims. When people hear of us sometimes they donate fabric but we buy the batting thread etc. In 2011 we made 62 in variety of sizes depending on age of person who needed one.

MaryBeth Haner - Mondays I help teach ESL English as Second Language classes. I was there for over an hour! So much fun to learn about other cultures and to help them understand the English language!

Bethany Richter - I do serve on the board of education at our church and I teach release time which is a one-hour bible study each Friday morning for children in the 3rd-6th grades at the church. It can be kind of challenging at times because the kids are full of energy but it's also very rewarding. It's hard to find people who are willing to give up an hour of their time for our kids each week. I'm thankful that this is something I'm able to do.

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With his own unique technique Haroshi carves stacks of skate board decks into incredible sculptures. 





Changes the way you think of recycling- right? 

Let me know what you think of Haroshi’s work below- and if you’ve come across any cool artwork tell me about it in the comments. 

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Photo Credit: Cool Holiday Graphics 

UPDATE: This week's winner is in.

But before announcing the winner I'd like to say this was one of our most-responded-to photos ever so thanks for all the laughs! 

Margaret Fraleigh: "It's quiet now but wait till the piglets get home." 

And some honorable mentions:

Beth Melendy: "Pig's dream......'So I bought 3 bales of hay to build a house....' Ty's dream.......'So I found 3000 volunteers in blue shirts to build me a house.....'"

Clare Willerton-Trory: "How you know when you've had WAAAAYYY too much to drink the night before!!  Talk about your beer goggles! :"

Mike Lancaster: "Going to be hard explaining this to the other pigs"

Sherri Nelson: "I guess sleeping with a pig is better than sleeping with the fishes :"

Paula Olden: "Stop HOGGIN all the space..."

Kristin Kufta: "But will you still respect me in the morning?"

Lynne Galassi: "When PIGS fly" has been replaced with "When PIGS sleep with Ty!!"  :- 

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1. I'm a pretty decent cook.
2. I write better than I spell but often I spell wrong on purpose because I find humor in the wrong.
3. I play soccer and scrabble better than I play music but I play music more than I play soccer and scrabble.
   
    
4. I'm a much better artist than I am a carpenter.
5. I collect old recording equipment.
    

Did you already know any of these fun facts about me? Share five things we’d be surprised to know about you in the comments below. 

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1. Soup kitchens 
2. Animal shelters 
3. Local schools 
4. Charity-run thrift shops 
5. Nursing homes 
6. Student mentorship programs 
7. Libraries 

There are also some great websites that offer suggestions for specific charities near you. Check out Do Something; The Good Guide to Volunteering; or Volunteer Match for volunteer opportunities near you. 

And keep in mind that giving back doesn’t have to be organized- maybe you’d like to make some sandwiches to pass out to the homeless near you or write letters to the soldiers abroad- any way you can give back is a good way. 

Good luck and let me know how it goes in the comments below! 

Here are some success stories from last week’s challenge:

• Jaime Habersat - I do something like this every time I purchase a new article of clothing that goes in the closet.  If I buy 1 piece 2 has to come out 2 pieces 3 has to come out.  That way my closet does not get bogged down with tons of clothes that I don't wear and I can see better what I have and don't have need or don't need.  Buy something new donate something old.  Simple and easy!!!

• Ronda Cuff Clevenger - Ty - one step ahead of you this week after watching you clear out the garage for Sara I looked at my closets and said IT'S time.  Hubbie did not even miss anything LOL.  ALL of my closets and kitchen pantry look amazing.  Thanks for the inspiration and keep them coming!

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Image Source: HandsonBlog.org

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Here’s what Dullaway said about her artistic process on her website “When I add colour to a photo there is much more involved than simply painting the grass green. Cool shadows and warm highlights reflection and radiosity must all be considered. Is the person in the picture old or young? Human skin comes in an entire spectrum of flesh tones that vary in saturation and hue not just between people but across the surface of each person’s skin.”

It’s pretty cool to see these historical figures and moments in a new light… 

Mark Twain

 
Charles Darwin


 Operation Crossroads Baker at the Bikini Atoll

And Dullaway can also restore personal photos:

Check out her website for more information. 

What do you think of these restored images? Better to leave them in the grey or do you like seeing them in color?

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UPDATE: This week's winner is in.

Kelly Zimmer- "Um yeah pretty sure I put my underwear on backwards this morning."

And some honorable mentions:

Tonya Moore — "If only that was Tonya Moore standing in front of me I think I would propose to her...and I am quite certain she would say Yes!"

Valentina Valenti- "You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? Then who the hell else are you talkin' to? You talkin' to me? Well I'm the only one here." Robert De Niro Taxi Driver

Jamie Robinson — "Wow! That is a really good design tip. I can really use that on my new sho....... squirrel.."
 

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Pretty cool and simple right?  Leviton Renu is available in 20 popular paint colors Renu products can blend in with the walls or contrast with the trim. Renu turns the electrical device into a decorative easy to change accessory. When only the perfect color will do Renu - without an Electrician!

To honor the launch of the new website Leviton is inviting everyone to participate in a scavenger hunt for a chance to win one of three iPad2s! The contest begins today and runs through the entire month of February.  Just head on over to the Leviton Facebook page to find complete contest details.

So next time you have a small electrical installation look to Leviton instead of dialing the handyman. Maybe you can even bring up their site on your new iPad2.

Today’s post is proudly sponsored by 
 

1. Get out three trash bags and designate one for trash one for donation and one for consignment yeah you could make some money this week too!. 
2. Scan the closet and throw away anything that’s stained ripped or broken. 
3. Do a second scan and throw anything that’s outdated but still in good condition in the donation bag. 
4. Third time around look for pieces that don’t fit don’t suit you or you haven’t worn in 12 months but they’re still in style. Throw these items in the consignment bag- especially if anything’s a nice brand or designer… you can probably make a few bucks. 
5. Once you’ve got your bags sorted out go through your closet again and look for items that need to be laundered repaired or altered and then take them to the dry cleaners. 
6. Next head to a consignment store and see if they’ll take any of your nicer items. If not don’t sweat it- throw the stuff they won’t take into that donation bag. 
7. Last stop: drop off your donation bag at a local thrift store and then pat yourself on the back- that’s a wrap. 

That closet looks pretty good now right?

Just like last week I want to hear how it goes! Leave me a comment or upload pictures to your profile and leave the link below. 

And to keep you inspired here are some stories from TyPennington.com members that successfully tackled last week’s challenge: 

• Caroline Mezik about an hour ago I sent an email to my two dearest friends thanking them for being in my life. I am a young woman in college and these women are in their 50s and are my closest friends. We met working together at a doctor's office and after we all left due to differences with this doctor we have held contact for more than 5 years later. They both are going through hardships with their families and I had the urge to write them an uplifting email. 

• Paula Watters - I've decided to write a thank you card to my SON CJ. He is only 9 but he has enriched my life more than he will ever know- everyone hugs their kids and tells them they are loved or we ALL should! but not often do we sit down and tell them in writing "thanks"

• Kelly Meighan - I am going to send out a thank you letter to a couple of my friends who have helped me realize that I need to believe in myself and follow my dream of owning my own photography business and now I am going to college and have almost everything ready to open my own studio. 

• K Lewis - After thinking about this challenge and how short life is I wrote a Thank You to my niece......we have not communicated in nearly a year.  I told her not only was I grateful that she was my niece but also how proud I was of who she was and whom she had become.  Acceptance is part of the aging process allowing and recognizing a person for who they are not who you think they should have been...Thanks Ty  

• Kellie Allen You know Ty it's sometimes so easy to be truly grateful for something.  My son was KIA almost 5 yrs ago and it wasn't until then that I realized that there are so many wonderful and caring people in this world!  I got sympathy/thank you cards from all around the U.S. for the service of my son and his sacrifice for our Nation.  It still hurts but to this day I still say thank you to the men and women who sacrifice their time and sometimes their lives in defense of our country.  I will write my thank you letter to a service member that is deployed to Afghanistan. His name is Thomas.  My husband and I adopted him and his 9 men last October.  

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Image Source: Flickr

Source: Design Milk

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UPDATE: This week's winner is in.

Linda Carter Fleming- "Who's ready to unpack the 238 boxes that just arrived at my New York apartment."

And some honorable mentions:

Julieann Chassey — "Um...dude you do know Xzibit doesn't like the Red Sox right? Run!"

Sue Noall- "Who's ready for some butterscotch chicken!!"

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Have any unpacking tips for me? Right now I’m looking at a lot of boxes… 

Image source: Flickr

Granted it’s hard to make real estate like that look bad but Behun really has a unique and interesting style. I think the takeaways here are bold uses of color against a modern slate monochromatic white rooms always look pretty awesome just don’t spill and an eclectic mix of modern and vintage pieces is a surefire way to make a room seem personal and cool.

Which image is your favorite?

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If you’ve come across an interesting design-related find lately tell me below so I can check it out.

I hope you guys have been tuning into The Revolution this week. The great thing about working with such smart cohosts is I’m learning a lot on the job and I hope you’re picking up some tips too. In addition to the advice the team offers on the show The Revolution also has a great website with tons of tips and information. 

I recently shared my list of five things I’m glad I tried once on the site and thought you might like to read them here too. 

5 Things I’m Glad I Tried Once 

1.  Living alone in a foreign country.  I lived in Japan--it was the first place I'd ever lived besides Atlanta--and it was at first a major culture shock but then my eyes focused and suddenly I realized I was surrounded by art tradition customs people places and food I'd never experienced. 

2.  Road Trip Coast-to-Coast.  I took my time and camped a lot of the way across the nation.  I think winding my way through mountains and canyons and meadows watching sunrises and sunsets was really what inspired my love of nature--which is something I still incorporate in about everything I design.

3.  Falling in Love…and Losing that Love.  The euphoria of falling so hard that you actually feel like you're living for someone else and then losing that and having to snap back into relying on yourself is a tough but important experience.

4.  Sky Diving.  Predictable answer but the truth is it was life-changing.  The rush of adrenaline the wind in my face the ground rising up to meet me the fear…really makes you appreciate life's fleeting moments more.

5.  Jumping Trains.  Don't report me to the police on this one.  After a week in Europe with friends whose schedule was so planned that it became no fun I said enough is enough and just jumped on a random train set out with no destination and experienced the unknown journey.

Alright it’s your turn. Leave me a comment with the five things you’re glad you’ve tried once.  

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UPDATE: The winner is in folks.

Winner: Becky Blue: "You know if you move just two boards to the right they say the ball will hook right into the pocket!"

And honorable mentions go to:

Lenore Crowder: "Ty how did you manage to glue your fingers to the board?"

Laura Giuffrida: Ty: Ok listen to me it was a spectacular goal the striker was there and the stopper here...

Tracey: thinking oh no! I have to finish decorating my room!

Kathy Sullivan: Awesome beer pong table!

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I’ve got a question for you guys today: does your pet match your decor?

If so I want to see pictures. Upload them to your profile here on TyPennington.com and paste the link to your profile in the comments below. 

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Image source: InteriorDesignHound.com