Show Us How You Reinvent the Mundane, Win a Nest Thermostat!

Anjelika Temple
Nov 11, 2013

We’ve got it bad for Nest. When their smart thermostat came out almost two years ago, we virtually lined up to get our hands on our very own. I know, it sounds kind of strange to be waxing poetic about a thermostat, but the idea that essential gadgets and devices in your home can actually learn from you is pretty darn compelling.

We’re giving

away! All you have to do is take a photo illustrating how you reinvent the mundane, enter it into our contest, and you’ll have a shot at winning your very own Nest. Scroll down for inspiration! :)

Here’s how to enter:

1. Take a photo of yourself or a friend “reinventing the mundane” – simply pose and get silly with just about any household item and send it our way!

2. Press the button below to upload your photo and enter our contest!

3. That’s it!

This contest is now closed.

Now, the quick and dirty about Nest. Created and designed by ex-iPod lead, Tony Fadell, is aiming to do for thermostats what the iPhone did for cell phones.

It’s pretty, it’s smart, and it’s eco-friendly (which in turn, makes it wallet-friendly). Once installed, the device learns your temperature preferences over the course of a week and then will auto-adjust given your habits. You can also control it through your smartphone so that you can do things like turn off the A/C while you’re on vacation. And, apparently it’s as easy to install as a light fixture. How awesome is that? Now, about that giveaway…

Just as Nest is reinventing something as mundane as a thermostat, we want to see you get silly, weird, and creative with seemingly mundane objects in your home. Snap a photo and enter it into our contest – the more wild and wacky, the better! Each of the five winners will win this clever thermostat by Nest, making each of their homes that much smarter.

Of course, we wouldn’t be us if we didn’t DIY our own series of photos reinventing the mundane. The idea behind this is taking the boring everyday items in your house and making totally silly photos with them. From cotton balls to galvanized buckets, here we go!

Jump Around: Exercise ball, meet Annie. Now, you jump!

Broom Hockey: Miss your high school field hockey days? The painter’s tape puck is clutch.

: It’s snowing cotton balls is totally the new

. By the way, did you know that song was written by Paul Schaeffer, the drummer dude on David Letterman? Weird.

American Gothic, Housewares Edition: Recreate an iconic American painting with buckets, a broom, and very serious attitudes.

This Headband is “Sew” Cool: Turn measuring tape from your sewing kit into a totally hipster headband.

DIY Rope Scarf: There are no words for the magic contained in this photo.

Take Your Iron for a Walk: Irons need their exercise too.

Mr. Clean’s Angels: And finally, a classic pose complete with weapons against a dirty house!

Win A Living Room Makeover Worth Almost $5,000 With The Summer Sofa Sweepstakes!

Your living room is sacred — a central point for deep conversations, couch-side meals, the big game, you name it. It's a happy place, and how you decorate it can make all the difference in the world. With a fantastic sofa, a cute coffee table, rugs, and some other solid home decor choices, you can liven up a room that's meant for just that — living.

The Summer Sofa Sweepstakes are here to help you give your living room a well-deserved refresh this year! By entering for a chance to win, you could add almost $5,000 worth of furniture and decorations to your space. Check out the incredible prizes from Couch.com, Brit + Co, BlendJet, Experience Life, Honeymoons.com, and James+James below!

Couch.ocm

Custom Made In The USA Sofa + Shipping

Score this $2,000 couch from Couch.com in whichever color you choose! A couch is the centerpiece of your living room, bringing your friends and family together for game night, a movie marathon, or a laugh. This is the best way to refresh your most-frequented space!

James + James

Handcrafted In The USA Floating Top Steel Base Solid Wood Coffee Table + Shipping

This James + James coffee table (valued at $1,950) is so cute and so perfect for curating the perfect living room vibes! Whether you're putting some flowers on it or eating your couch-side dinner on it, this is big enough for all your needs. Plus, the modern design is versatile enough to fit into any living room!

Experience Life Magazine

A Two-Year Subscription To Experience Life Magazine

We had to throw this in, because you'll need something fabulous to put on that new coffee table! This subscription (valued at $44.95) is perfect for a nice leisurely read in your newly refreshed room.

TheGiftCardShop.com

$500 Visa Gift Card

Honeymoons.com is here to help you get a new area rug with this $500 gift card! Rugs aren't cheap, and this is gonna help you snag something really special.

Amazon

$250 Amazon Gift Card

You know we live for home decor and accessories at Brit + Co, so we're here to help give your space that je ne sais quoi with this gift card! Whether you're adding new lamps or wall art, we just know you're gonna spruce up your space in style!

Blendjet

$250 BlendJet E-Gift Card

Wanna stay healthy and hydrated all summer long? Whipping up some quick frozen cocktails for friends? Whatever you're thinking, BlendJet's here to help with this gift card for all your blender needs!

Sign up for a chance to win the Summer Sofa Sweepstakes right here! Good luck!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Header image via James + James

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A Shirtless Chad Michael Murray In 'The Merry Gentlemen' Trailer Is All We Need For Christmas

Channing Tatum may have to hang up his sexy dancing skills because it looks like Chad Michael Murray is the new reigning champ in his new film, The Merry Gentlemen. You can tell it's going to be a Christmas movie, but we're not talking about Home Alone or Jingle All the Way here. This spicy film feels more like Magic Mike going on a sexy and romantic journey through a small town — which sounds like something we'd watch more than once.

We love watching Chad Michael Murray in Sullivan's Crossing, but we're excited we get to see him prance around our screens without a shirt in the new trailer for The Merry Gentlemen, TBH. Here's everything we know about the upcoming film and what we can expect to see!

What's 'The Merry Gentlemen' about?

Katrina Marcinowski/Netflix

Written by Marla Sokoloff, The Merry Gentlemen is set to follow one former dancer's (Ashley played by Britt Robertson) journey to making sure the Rhythm Room — a "performing arts venue" — doesn't go defunct. It's owned by her parents, so she has personal ties to this small-town source of entertainment, coming up with the bright idea to surprise the community with an "all-male Christmas-theme revue."

Who's starring in 'The Merry Gentlemen'?

Katrina Marcinowski/Netflix

According to Netflix, The Merry Gentlemenwill feature a host of other faces! We'll see the following:

  • Chad Michael Murray as Luke
  • Britt Robertson as Ashley
  • Michael Gross as Stan
  • Marla Sokoloff as Marie
  • Maxwell Caulfield as Danny
  • Beth Broderick as Lily
  • Marc Anthony Samuel as Roger
  • Hector Rivera, Jr. as Ricky
  • Colt Prattes as Troy

When can we watch 'The Merry Gentlemen' on Netflix?

Katrina Marcinowski/Netflix

We'll be able to see Chad Michael Murray and more sexy shirtless men give us a show on November 20. We're not sure what it is, but there's nothing like watching Christmas movies right before Thanksgiving to get us in the winter spirit.

What have Chad Michael Murray and Britt Robertson said about starring in 'The Merry Gentlemen?'

Katrina Marcinowski/Netflix

We didn't think it was possible, but Chad Michael Murray was a little nervous about playing Luke. "I'd never danced professionally or trained by any means," he said (via PEOPLE). Though he has a thing for "going out and dancing," he's never done anything "to this level."

As to why he chose this role, Chad seems to enjoy a challenge. "When I see something and it scares the crap out of me, something in me says, 'Alright, well let's see what we can do.'" He has two thoughts — "'I'm going to fall flat on my face or have a lot of fun doing.'" If you ask us, that's the right spirit to have for a fun Christmas movie.

Britt Robertson was immediately drawn to the script and her role as Ashley. "When I read the script, I was like, ‘This is my kind of Christmas movie,'" she said (via Netflix). She also teased why she can't get enough of the cowboy appeal in the movie. "...I'm Southern...the hats, the boots. There's so much you can work with."

Watch The Full Trailer For 'The Merry Gentlemen'

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

We're slightly ashamed to say how many times we've watched this funny and sexy trailer for The Merry Gentlemen. We've always thought Chad Michael Murray was everything a dream boyfriend should be, but now we have proof he's raising the bar!

In the meantime, follow us on Facebook to make sure you don't miss updates about this sexy Christmas movie!

This post has been updated.

chad michael murraychristmas moviesentertainmentnetflixnetflix moviemovies

Win Almost $4,000 Worth Of Prizes With Our Jolly All July Giveaway!

It may be summer, but we can't help missing the most wonderful time of the year right now — Christmas! The holidays are our favorite time to get together with friends and family, indulge in our favorite treats, and make our space shine for the season. While we can't speed up time, we can bring you a little holiday joy this July! We teamed up with Balsam Hill, Saint Jane Beauty, Surgarfina, Solawave, Cariloha, Kencko, Minkycouture, Better Homes and Gardens, Purewow, and Note To Self for the Jolly All July Giveaway!

Sign up now for our super fun sweepstakes for the chance to win almost $4,000 in prizes, from holiday home decor to skincare favorites!

The giveaway ends on July 31, so be sure to enter for your shot to win ASAP!

Here's what you can expect to win from this $3,801 prize!

Balsam Hill

6' Nordmann Fir Tree from Balsam Hill (ARV $899)

Not all fake Christmas trees are created equally, and this option from Balsam Hill is top tier. According to the brand, the trees are modeled after Nordmann Firs in Europe, with their slight curve and darker green color. This attention to detail makes sure you get all the classic Christmas tree look without all the classic Christmas tree hassle — no watering, or needle vacuuming necessary.

Saint Jane Skincare

Saint Jane Skincare Collection (ARV $622)

No matter the time of year, skincare is incredibly important! These serums, creams, and other stunning Saint Jane products are perfect for refreshing your skin and keeping it healthy. Whether you need vitamin C for some added brightness, retinol for some smoothing, or hyaluronic acid for hydration, there's a product here to revitalize your skincare routine!

20 Piece Candy Trunk (ARV $225) + 2024 Holiday Advent Calendar (ARV $55) + $250 Gift Card from Sugarfina

Nothing says the holiday season like sweet treats, and these delicious candies from Sugarfina are perfect for ringing in that vibe this July! You can taste all the different flavors with the candy trunk, or you can double down on your favorite with the $250 gift card! Regardless, I know that sweet tooth is calling as we speak...

Solawave

$450 Gift Card to Solawave

Like I said before, skincare is essential all year long, and the Solawave 4-in-1 Skincare Wand is a great way to promote healthier skin. The four therapies included in this tiny little product — red light, microcurrent, warmth, and vibrations — combine to firm up your skin and promote collagen production! Plus, Solawave has products you can pair with the wand round out your routine!

Cariloha

$450 Gift Card to Cariloha

Comfort is absolutely key when it comes to the holiday season! Luckily, Cariloha has plenty of cushy, comfy options for you to snuggle up in! Choose from bedding, towels, robes, sleepwear, basics, and even mattresses!

kencko

$450 of kencko Online Store Credit

Okay, so if you're thinking smoothies don't scream Christmas, think again! How many times have you binged starches and cheeses and all the holiday goodies, wishing you had something fresh and fruity to break it all up? I know I have, and kencko has plenty of delish options for you!

Minky Couture

$400 Gift Card to Minky Couture

Finally, wrap yourself up in a luxurious blanket or robe from Minky Couture! Their products are incredibly soft and sumptuous, coming in plenty of different colors and patterns! I can already picture myself cozying up with a cup of tea, a good book, and a holiday playlist in one of these.

Sign up for a chance to win these amazing, high-value holiday prizes here!

Header image by Balsam Hill

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OMG Jennifer Lawrence & Her Adorable Baby Bump Just Made Their First Red Carpet Appearance

Jennifer Lawrence announced she's pregnant, and we couldn't be happier for her! Though she and her husband, Cooke Maroney, aren't known for being in the public eye too much, it seems like this is one piece of news they don't mind sharing! Sorry, but we haven't been this excited about baby news since Suki Waterhouse and Robert Pattinson became parents — excuse us while we celebrate!

Here's everything we know about baby number 2 so far.

Has Jennifer Lawrence debuted her baby bump yet?

Anna Webber/Getty Images for AFI

YES! Jennifer Lawrence's baby bump was the star of the Zurawski v Texas premiere (via PEOPLE). She wore a structured white dress with a black belt around her waist that accentuated her cute baby bump and appeared to be glowing.

According to Deadline, she's one of the executive producers of Zurawski v Texas, a documentary that sheds light on the "restrictive abortion laws" that put women's lives in danger in Texas. Alongside producers Hilary and Chelsea Clinton, Jennifer's involvement in the documentary as a pregnant woman makes a pivotal statement during a time where mothers' mortalities aren't always considered during their pregnancies.

When did Jennifer Lawrence announce her second pregnancy?

Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for BFI

Leave it to Vogue to get the exclusive scoop about Jennifer being pregnant again! According to the publication, an official "representative for the actor confirmed" the news yesterday, October 20. So exciting!

When is Jennifer Lawrence's second baby due?

Kevin Mazur

Jennifer Lawrence hasn't announced her due date yet, so we can't be quite sure! However, if she's out of her first trimester, Jennifer could have her baby around April 2025!

What have Jennifer Lawrence and Cooke Maroney said about their family?

John Phillips/Getty Images for Sony Pictures

It seems Jennifer Lawrence and Cooke Maroney were open to the idea of having another baby as recently as this summer! An unknown source told Entertainment Tonight, "Jennifer and Cooke are doing very well and are super in love. They make each other laugh and have the best time parenting together. They would love to have another kid and expand their family."

When was Jennifer Lawrence's first baby born?

Sebastian Reuter/Getty Images for Sony Pictures

Jennifer and Cooke's firstborn son, Cy, was born February 2022, which means he's almost three years old!

The actress later explored her feeling about becoming a mom in another Vogueinterview. "It’s so scary to talk about motherhood. Only because it’s so different for everybody. If I say, It was amazing from the start, some people will think, 'It wasn’t amazing for me at first,' and feel bad. Fortunately I have so many girlfriends who were honest. Who were like, It’s scary," she said.

What has Jennifer Lawrence said about being a mom?

Amy Sussman/Getty Images

It seems like Jennifer found her stride because she's apparently embraced being a mom. She hasn't said anything recently, but she did speak with Entertainment Tonight last year during the promotion of No Hard Feelings about her parenting habits. "Of course, the urge to stop anything from ever hurting or negatively affecting your baby..." she said.

However, co-star Andrew Barth Feldman had nothing but positive words to share about Jennifer as a mom. "Jen is an amazing mother, for real. That was kind of one of the incredible things about doing this with you is seeing just how much of a priority being a mother is for you and how deeply you care about that over everything," he said.

We can't wait to see how Jennifer's second pregnancy develops and hope she's willing to give us a little sneak peek of how she's prepping to have two young kids!

Follow us on Facebook to stay tuned for updates!

celebritiescelebrity couplesentertainmentjennifer lawrencecelebrity news

Stephanie Hsu's 'Laid' Is The Spooky Rom-Com I Didn't Know I Needed

Reliving your dating history with your best friends and a glass of wine is, if you ask me, the definition of the ultimate girls' night. Trading dating horror stories usually ends with me laughing so hard I can't breathe. But in Stephanie Hsu's new romantic comedyLaid, going through her list of exes is anything but funny for one simple reason: they're all dying, and she needs to figure out why. Here's everything you need to know about the new show before it hits Peacock this December!

  • In Laid, Stephanie Hsu's Ruby learns all of her exes are dying.
  • She teams up with BFF AJ to get to the bottom of the mystery.
  • All eight episodes of the series will hit Peacock this December.

What is Laid about?

Laid Plot

"Would you wanna know if you were gonna die?" Stephanie Hsu asks at the beginning of the Laid trailer. When Ruby (Stephanie) finds out her exes are all dying in strange ways, she has to go back through her relationship timelines in order to embrace the future. According to the official Peacock site, this crazy rom-com answers the age-old question of "Is there something wrong with me?" with “Yes. There is. The problem is definitely you.”

“When we started to develop Laid, we were intrigued by the idea of bringing back the old-school, traditional romantic comedy (swelling music! kisses in the rain! Anne Hathaway or someone who is also appealing!), but because we were living in such a dark time (pandemic! industry strikes!), we felt it needed to have some kind of twist,” co-showrunners & executive producers Nahnatchka Khan and Sally Bradford McKenna said in a joint statement. “Sure, it could be optimistic and heartwarming and make you believe in love again, but it should probably also have suspense, death, and blood."

I'm obsessed with the title of this show because of its double meaning, too. Not only does "laid" connect to all of Ruby's sexual encounters but it's also a nod to the fact her exes are being laid to rest. So clever!

Where can I watch Laid with Stephanie Hsu?

James Dittiger/Peacock

Laid Release Date

You can watch all eight 30-minute episodes of Laid on Peacock starting Thursday, December 19.

Who's in the show?

James Dittiger/Peacock

Laid Cast

The cast of Laid includes Stephanie Hsu, Zosia Mamet, Michael Angarano, Tommy Martinez, Andre Hyland, Olivia Holt, David Denman, Finneas O’Connell, Chloe Fineman, Ettore “Big E” Ewen, and John Early.

Where is Laid filmed?

James Dittiger/Peacock

According to theFilm & Television Industry Alliance's Production List, Laid was filmed in British Columbia, Canada.

What would you do if all your exes started meeting untimely ends?

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