Instead of hanging a large chalkboard in a common area of your home, why not transform an existing item using chalkboard paint? Whether you want to display a grocery list or simply write a greeting for your guests, these tips will show you some unexpected — and useful — ways to use chalkboard paint around the home.

Chalkboard Wine Glasses [justshortofcrazy.com]
The next time you have your friends over for wine and cheese, customize their wine glasses with this creative tutorial. Simply paint the bases of an affordable set of wine glasses with basic craft store chalkboard paint, then allow each guest to write his or her name using a piece of chalk. That way, you can easily keep track of which glass belongs to each guest!

All Occasion Chalkboard Banner [deliacreates.com]
Decorate for any occasion without purchasing new decorations with this reusable chalkboard banner. Cut large triangular shapes out of chalk cloth vinyl, string it on a decorative ribbon, and then write a seasonal message or greeting to put on display.

Framed Magnetic Chalkboard Spice Rack [addicted2decorating.com]
If you love to cook, this chalkboard spice rack is a great kitchen project. By painting the inside of a frame with chalkboard paint and attaching small spice jars using magnets and sheet metal, you can label your spices, keep them organized, and switch them up whenever one runs out.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr winestyr

The Stamford Museum & Nature Center is a unique cultural landmark that combines art, pop culture, and nature in a way that's fun for visitors of all ages. This Stamford-area attraction comprises more than 80 acres of nature trails, which are ideal for exploring the area’s native wildlife and natural wonders.

The rolling meadow hosts numerous picnic spots if your nature walk works up an appetite, and kids of all ages will love to visit the animals at the center’s Heckscher Farm. Exhibits change regularly in the Bendel Mansion Museum Galleries, but you’ll always find stunning displays of modern art and science. At the top of the Stamford Museum, a fully-operating observatory contains a 22-inch research telescope that offers visitors over age 5 a chance to view the starry night sky.

Whether you come to enjoy nature, to learn about science or to immerse yourself in art — or a combination of all three — you'll likely enjoy a visit to the Stamford Museum & Nature Center!

Stamford Museum & Nature Center
39 Scofieldtown Road
Stamford, CT 06903
(203) 322-1646
www.stamfordmuseum.org

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Frank Vassen

In the Stamford area, Black Forest Pastry Shop is the resident German bakery for all of your chocolate, cake, and pastry needs. This downtown Greenwich shop bakes all of its delicious confections from scratch each day, and it even offers handcrafted lattes for those who want to pop in for a coffee and a pastry on their way to work.

Black Forest Pastry Shop specializes in hot cross buns, traditional German pastries, and colorful cakes for special occasions, as well as cookies and tortes that can be purchased by the dozen. The casual interior is filled with glass pastry cases overflowing with intricately decorated sweets and breads, and its friendly employees are always on hand to take a custom order for a wedding, birthday party, or corporate function.

The shop is open 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays.

Black Forest Pastry Shop
52 Lewis Street
Greenwich, CT 06830
(203) 629-9330
www.blackforestpastryshop.com
www.yelp.com/biz/black-forest-pastry-shop-greenwich

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/Nic McPhee