Let me know how old you look!  Tweet me! Or tag me in your Facebook post.

Anyway, like I said, it's a 5-minute distraction. Now get back to work.

This app has greatly improved the way my husband and I communicate.

This was recommended to us and now we use it every day.  It allows you to make lists and share them with people. You can also assign tasks to each other. I dig it! My husband actually likes it more than I do because he's built that way to make lists and cross them off.  Whatever works! 

I thought I'd share it with you because we probably use it every day now. 

We use it for a running grocery list, movies to see, things to do with the house, blog ideas, etc. Jim never has to ask me what we need at the store because he can see it himself. I never ask him what he's working on because I already know. Give it a shot!  

I can't tell you how many times someone asks me about my Blingsting pepper spray. 

Not only is it super cute, it is actually functional. I have never had to use it but the picture makes it look like the spray goes outward -- I like that more than just having a little stream. More coverage!

In complete transparency, it was shipped to me to test. I hope I never have to try it out but I do like to feature gadgets on our news from time-to-time. In fact, I just did one! Mark and Susan like to call me "Gadget Girl" on Live at 5 and I giggle every time.

Anyway - I have an extra Blingsting that I'd like to give away. Just follow and tweet me at @MichelleLiTV and tell me why you'd like it and if it's for you or someone else! I'll do a drawing by the end of the week. Be safe out there!

I recently had the chance to spend some time with Chris Swenson, the brilliant chef at Steenbock's on Orchard. There's so much to say about Chris, but as usual, I only had a few hundred words for the latest Sip and Savor in Madison Magazine. I could have written several pages on him! Instead, here are some insanely delicious photos of his food.

Honestly, you need to give yourself some time for parking because it is a tiny bit intimidating if you're not used to parking right up to a restaurant. But I promise you, it's worth every step. I am not lying when I say I've had dreams about the sauteed calamari. DREAMS!!  Anywyay, read about it in this month's Madison Magazine... drool in the meantime.

I recently visited a friend in Atlanta and she mentioned re-doing one of her tables with chalk paint. At the time she was considering taking a class on how to apply it ... and I remember thinking, "Why? it's just chalkboard paint!" But that's where I was wrong.

Chalk paint, I discovered, is something I've admired for quite some time but had no idea that it was the actual chalk paint I was admiring. And now, I have found a beautiful studio where I can be inspired to upcycle many of my older pieces.

Stoughton's Studio 184 occupies a light and airy space in downtown. Its owners, Cindy and Barry Gazso, will likely greet you as you walk in and even show you a few Annie Sloan painting techniques right on the spot. Annie Sloan is the leader in chalk paint and if you catch her videos, you'll probably be moved to paint that old dresser you've been wanting to change for years. If you're like me, you'll start down a bunny hole of video tutorials and wonder how you've missed out on the trend for so long.

RELATED: Watch an Annie Sloan tutorial

By the way, chalk paint remains so appealing because it's beautiful but it is also very easy to apply - there's no sanding or priming involved. Different techniques help produce different results, so it may be worth looking into a class. Since it's likely different from the way you've been painting all these years, a class is a good investment.

Owners Barry and Cindy have a background in professional design and live as true artists. They appear friendly and lovely and leave you wanting to come back for another lesson. Their mantra is upcycling and they're all about old school professional service. When I shopped there, I felt at ease. I will be back to take one of their workshops!

AND GET THIS - They have an event coming up in Madison this weekend for a GREAT cause. They will be at the grand opening of the Habitat for Humanity Restore shop in Monona! It's Saturday from 9 to 5 on Monona Drive. There will be Chalk Paint seminars at 11 and 3:30 plus lots of entertainment, food and music. I can't wait to stop by... maybe I'll see you!

I love what so many schools are doing these days -- the kids at Edgerton Community School have built an outdoor garden as well as flower and butterfly gardens. They submitted this video to win a Time For Kids Earth Day contest!

Two other schools also won - Badger Ridge Middle School in Verona and Pineview Elementary in Reedsburg. Eric and Susan had the pleasure of planting a tree with those students this week as well!

Special thanks to The Bruce Company and Dean Clinic. They are incredible for putting it all together and working with us on these special projects!  

I ended up buying two dresses, a scarf, hair ties, a headband, one small makeup bag, two totes, two blankets, wine charms and three pillows. However, when I got home, I realized I could do without a tote bag and possibly the pillows. I loved all the pink I bought because it will work really well when we Race For the Cure for Susan G. Komen this May. However, I filled up a bag with returns and my husband appreciated my practicality.

However, one of my friends had a brilliant idea -- she suggested I sell it for profit.  I thought about it and decided... well, it would be interesting to see what would happen! I have only sold one thing on ebay before and that was more than two years ago. I didn't want to be too greedy, so I posted the $30 bag for $40 on ebay. The "buy it now price" was set at $70. Shipping estimated to be roughly $10.

Ironically, someone from North Carolina paid the $70. I was ecstatic. In fact, I shared the story with all my work friends because I felt shocked at how many people were willing to spend more than double its value. I wrapped up the straw tote ever so lovingly -- I didn't want to bend it because I thought it might ruin the bag. I even covered it in bubble wrap and a plastic bag and left a note that read, "I hope this goes to a good home!" 

My excitement quickly changed when I went to the post office on my dinner break.

Shipping charges were $45!!  WHY?!  The answer was simple - in order to avoid ruining the straw tote, I had to send it in a big box.

I could save $15 if I shipped it at a slower speed. And the box itself was $5.99. Paypal and ebay charge their own fees... so if you're doing the math, it's too much work and not enough money. We're talking around $10.

If I bent the hell out of that bag, then I could've stuffed it into an envelope for less than $10 in shipping but I would have felt awful about it.  I guess it's not about the money (like I had originally said) but I certainly don't think it was worth the hassle.

Attention future journalists!  Join me in Chicago this weekend for an opportunity to learn about the business and meet people who are already working in news. I'm honored to be part of the panel and the job fair. We'll be at WLS in downtown and I can't wait to meet you!

This #WeWinTheyEat contest just got crazy. Thanks to our friends at WRAL for sending the most disgusting NC food ever. Duke may have won the basketball game but Wisconsin wins in food.

For goodwill, we sent our friends at WRAL some nice Wisconsin treats... you pick, who wins THE FOOD BATTLE?  

I'm a little surprised we had such overwhelming positive feedback on this story. I am grateful and hoped for as much but in reality, I thought someone might complain about the idea of hunting your next meal.

WATCH: Could you kill what you eat?

I also loved how we were able to share some of your favorite places to buy local, organic or ethical foods. We felt strongly that we needed to create a list and a map for people because not everyone was going to go out and hunt after watching our story (though my husband said, "This story makes me want to take the class!")

READ: Where WISC viewers go to buy local foods, meats

Here are some web extras -- I learned how to shoot a 20 gauge. The kick did not feel as bad as I thought it would - I am actually afraid of opening a can of biscuits. That is not an exaggeration.

Special thanks to Hilary and the DNR for letting us tag along. We really learned a lot and there are a lot more free classes available!