Work Day: 3

For Friday's work day, I think something playful is always encouraging to get you through the day- to your weekend! And of course, Friday is jean's day.

1. Ruffle Trim Shirt: Old Navy

2. Matchstick Jean: JCrew
3. Perfect-fit Scoopneck Tee: JCrew
4. Hooded Coat: Alloy
5. Babe-In-The-Woods Necklace: Anthropologie
6. Blowfish Willis Boots: Delias

Valentine's Day: Mailing Small Letters

Go check out Leafcutter Designs to have a letter written to those you love. The letter will be transcribed onto tiny papers and sealed in an itty-bitty envelope. They will send the letter along with a magnifying glass to your recipient.

Receiving a letter in this way seems so heartfelt. If you're inspired, write your own letter but be sure to mail it in a package large enough for the post office to mail! :) You can see the beautiful process Leafcutter Designs takes to get this special note in the mail and delivered to your loved one.


Hurry and order though! The sooner they can get the order the more assurance they can give that the letter will arrive by Valentine's Day!

Work Day: 2

Day two of my clothing inspirations for work include a favorite color: red.

1. Brittany Button-Up Blouse- LuLu's
2. Feather Hoop Earrings- Forever21
3. Firehouse Clutch- ModCloth
4. MM Couture Antoinette Jacket in Black Licorice- LuLu's
5. Patent Ballet Skimmers- Gap
6. Skinny Trousers- Alloy
7. Oh Van Gogh Scarf- ModCloth

Work Day: 1

I wish I had a job were I could choose my own "work" clothes. I would wear jeans most days because I like how versatile they are when you dress them up. I'm dreaming up some outfits I would love to wear to work everyday.
This would be day 1:
1) Necklush-Heather Grey
2) Jolyn Faux Leather Bag- Forever 21
3) Miss Me Spice Dark Green Classy Plump- Lulus
4) The New Low Rise Bootcut Jeans- Gap
5) Tissue Pleated Top- JCrew
6) Grey-t Expectations Coat- ModCloth

Floor cushions [cluster]

With an upcoming move, I don't want to buy any more furniture for seating so my mind has been wandering to floor cushions that can adapt to any floorplan. There are many unique floor cushions available, but I'm drawn to the thicker styles that allow the "sitter" to sit off of the floor.

1. Diamond Pattern Floor Cushion: World Market
2. Faux Leather Pouf: Target
3. Poufs: West Elm
4. Hanami Floor Cushion: Wrapables
5. Maize Floor Cushions: World Market
6. Felted Wool Stones: VivaTerra

For $179.00 from West Elm, I would rather make my own floor pouf. This couldn't be that hard- just follow a box pillow form pattern and make the sides wider, right?

Man-iac Monday: Sexy Socks

"Sexy man searching for his double to make a pair"
Basic French: Classified Socks

These socks are a great manly gift for Valentine's Day- for the one searching to make a pair. :)

Pick o' the Day: Hot Cocoa Pots

Etsy seller khphillips: Four Hot Cocoa Pots ($39)

Moroccan Accents [cluster]

1) Batik Leaf Runner and Placemats: World Market
2) Moroccan drum table: West Elm
3) Recycled Metal Globes: Viva Terra
4) Moroccan Tea Glasses: World Market
5) Moorish Tile Rug: Pottery Barn

Crafting: Clothespin Memo Rack

Martha Stewart's organizing tip of the day for Tuesday was a clothespin memo rack. I thought to myself how useful something like this might be, but I wasn't found of how boring their final craft looked.

It wasn't until I was reading through the suggested directions on Martha Stewart.com that I realized I had seen a very similar clothespin board. Cyrillus is selling this framed clothespin board and the simplistic look encourages me that this could easily be recreated.


This is what I am thinking:
1) Purchase a basic wooden picture frame.
2) Remove that back from the frame and cover in fabric, securing the fabric to the backside.
3) Staple a piece of thin rope across the front, securing to the backside.
4) Remove the glass from the frame.
5) Place the fabric covered back into the wooden frame and tighten it into place.
6) Purchase small clothespins and clip onto the rope.

Here's another example I came across at Wisteria:

Every Little Counts: Love Songs Collection

Amy and Adam over at EveryLittleCounts have launched their new Valentine's t-shirt collection, "Love Songs". They state that "this collection is a wearable mixtape featuring the the songs that made us laugh, cry, and sing at the top of our lungs!" I am living in the 80's when I see these shirts and I am loving it!

Let Me Hear Your Body Talk- second version

Let Me Hear Your Body Talk- Olivia Newton-John

A Violent, Sensual, Sensitive Girl- Dr. Zhivago

Love Is Dangerous

Feel Like Making Love- Bad Company

I Love You Nature

Valentine's Giveaway: Bestow Boutique

Leigh over at Bestow Boutique has asked me to share this amazing Valentine's Giveaway they are offering. Bestow is giving away the Ultimate Valentine's Day Gift Basket, valued at over $500. To enter the drawing, sign up for their mailing list here.

The Ultimate Valentine's Day Gift Basket will include:
• The Bestow Label Novelty Love Letter Panty
• Forever Tumbler Vase by Kuhn Keramick
• Love Pillow by Home By Guru
• Keep Me Earrings by Comfort Station
• Black Tiger Deck of Cards
• Red Chemise Set

As an added bonus, Bestow will offer complimentary Valentine's gift packaging and free shipping to all customers starting this Saturday, January 17th through February 13th – just use code VDGB09 at checkout!

You can see some of my favorite Valentine's gifts from Bestow here.

Inauguration

I feel very strongly about the importance of this inauguration and I hope that you get an opportunity to watch in on some of the events from today.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

"Man"iac Monday: Collar Stays

I am going to start posting on something manly every Monday for a "Man"iac Monday post. I think mens' products are sometimes undervalued and I want to show some of the great items I run across. Today's item also ties into a great Valentine's Day gift- a great way to remind the men in your life that you love them daily.

Envelope: Hidden Message Collar Stays ($39.95)

Ruffles in Winter

Chelsea over at {frolic} has posted some beautiful polaroids from her recent farm adventures with girlfriends Marianne and Amber. Check the photos out here.

Mailbox neighbors [cluster]

I met my mailbox neighbor for work today. I have always wondered who the other people are that unlock postal boxes next to our business mailbox. What kind of mail do they get? What kind of business do they do? So many curiosities. Well, surprisingly we chatted in the elevator to the mailboxes and then had a little chuckle when we realized that our mailboxes were next door to one another. I started thinking about how fun mail can really be. I have always looked forward to getting mail ever since I was small. Do you look forward to mail?

1. What is this thing 2. Hook up Mail Holder 3. photostamps (via: zazzle) 4. French Envelope Tray (thanks to design is mine) 5. Postcard Pillow (thanks to Printer & Piemaker )

Room Inspirations: Red, Brown & Blue

I'm looking to use a similar brown, red and blue color scheme in our living room. I love how bright and relaxed this room looks.

via: House Beautiful February 2009


1. Wells Palampore Pillow 2. Block Table Lamp 3. Medium Taper 4. Bayside Swivel Glider in Cranberry Petry 5. Braided Storage 6. Abstract Warrior Sculpture 7. French Slipper Chair in Blue Daphne 8. Geometric Brown and White Pillow 9. Large Eva Zeisel Vase 10. Popcorn Loop Rug in Porcelain Blue 11. Lack Coffee Table

Creativity Series

Holly over at Decor8 has a new column she's running about getting creative, whether you're new to the world of creativity or just looking to pump in some new ideas. I think this is going to be a great new column and I look forward to keeping up to date. The first project is on mind-mapping and you can check out the post here. This is my mind-map from things I liked to do as a child.

Dresses for the Obama Girls

You can head over to WWD to view designers' sketches for visions of what Michelle, Sasha & Malia may be choose to wear for the Inauguration. Here are some of my favorites:

Diane Von Furstenberg sketch for Michelle Obama.

Reem Acra sketch for Michelle Obama.

Diane Von Furstenberg sketch for Michelle Obama.

Bonnie Young sketch for Sasha and Malia Obama.

Make Room for Living

I have spent my morning wading through Bashayer's blog, Make Room for Living. She has some wonderful interiors posted on her site.

Love is in the air: [cluster]

I wanted to put up a cluster of some Valentine's items that I've been checking out.

It would be fun to slip one of these heart pillows over the top of a hanger for your sweety on Valentine's Day.

Etsy seller ratsliveonnoevilstar: Tiny Velvet Valentine Pillow Charms ($30/set of 3)

Sometimes I like to look for Valentine's decorations that don't have hearts or cupids. This little bird would be adorable to hang from the ceiling and use like mistletoe to kiss your sweety under.

EmilieFriday: A Little Birdie and Flowers ($30)

I made garland from hearts cut from used envelopes, but I think I could add this banner to my house as well.

Etsy seller perchpapiers: I Love You Banner ($32)

I want to receive this little mouse from my sweety...how adorable.

The House of Mouse: Ross the Valentine's Mouse ($35)

I love this statement.

Etsy seller DoubleSpeak: Have Kindly Thoughts of Me ($40)

This is a subtle hint at Valentine's Day.

NousSavons: Point the Way Necklace ($24)

I always like to pull out holiday towels if I have them and I would love to have these in my kitchen for Valentine's Day.

Etsy seller ChezSucreChez: Hand Embroidered Crown Tea Towel ($16.50)

Who wouldn't want to sip on some hot cocoa from this sweet mug?

Bestow Boutique: Gold Lip Print Mug ($24)

And at the end of the day, I of course would want to snuggle up in this cute blanket that says it all...

Bestow Boutique : Love Throw ($200)

The Princess and the Frog

Disney/Pixar is bringing an exhibition to New Orleans that will include images from the new musical "The Princess and the Frog" which is set in New Orleans. I can't wait to see what this movie has in store...it airs Christmas 2009.

via: Collider

"When the free-spirited, jazz-loving Prince Naveen of Maldonia comes to town a deal with a shady voodoo doctor goes bad and the once suave royal is turned into a frog. In a desperate attempt to be human again, a favor in exchange for a fateful kiss on the lips from the beautiful girl, Tiana, takes an unexpected turn and leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana to the banks of the almighty Mississippi and back in time for Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

An unforgettable tale filled with music, humor and heart where two frogs—along with the help of a 200-year-old voodoo priestess, a love-sick Cajun firefly, and a trumpet playing alligator—discover that what they want isn’t as important as what they need.

The Princess and The Frog will feature Disney’s first African American princess, Tiana, who lives in New Orleans during the Jazz Age. Other characters include Louis, a trumpet-playing alligator, and Ray, a love-sick Cajun firefly."

via: New Orleans Museum of Art

Pick o' the Day: Citi Skyline Glasses

I am going to try to start posting a "Pick o' the Day" every Friday. Here's my pick for today:

These fresh citi-scapes would be so fun to pull out of your kitchen cupboard in the morning and drink orange juice from....or whatever you want to drink from them.... I came across these glasses as I was browsing through Kitchen Critic.

Design Museum Shop: Citi Skyline Glasses (£24.00)

via: Kitchen Critic

Winter Warm for my hubby [cluster]

Being Alaskan born, I am somewhat jealous that my hubby is in Prudhoe Bay for two weeks. I am dreaming of snow and cold toes and warm fires and missing my hubby. This is what I wish I were doing:

flickr: masito76

Glacier spotting...

L.L.Bean: Winter Walker Snowshoes ($89-109)

Snowshoeing through the wilderness. Perhaps spotting some caribou off in the distance...

via: slowtwitch forums

Later, I would be craving some of this delicious Mexican hot chocolate...mmm...

Cyrillus: Arctic Fleece Throw (28,00 €)

Then, I would want to snuggle up to my hubby in this cozy arctic fleece throw.

Etsy seller Happiknits: The Man Cowl ($31)

And if I had to send my hubby back out into the cold while I warmed my tootsies, I would send him out with this handsome cowl.

Floral: Phillipa Tarrant

Check out Phillipa Tarrant's portfolio online. You will find some beautiful floral arrangements.

Rumpled Beds

If you haven't seen the "Stylishly Rumpled Bedrooms from Living Etc." posted over at Apartment Therapy, you're missing out. I love seeing the way fabrics can still look exquisitely beautiful after they have been tossed about it. Like the way a linen skirt can still look so amazing even after there are creases and wrinkles set in after wearing it all day.

This is my favorite room that was posted. It still looks lavish!

Wallpaper [cluster]

Here's some nice neutral wallpaper to spark up a spot in your home, even if its just pasting some up in the inside of your bookcases.

Design Public: Graham & Brown Hemingway Macintosh Rose Wallpaper ($60 per 11 yds)

Design Public: Graham & Brown Paintables Jazz ($30 per 11 yds)

Design Public: Cavern Home Split Leaf Wallpaper ($310 per 33 sq. ft.)

Design Your wall: Grace Taupe floral damask retro modern wallpaper ($57 per 33 ft)

Design Your wall: Stella Amethyst Geometric Floral Damask Retro Wallpaper ($57 per 33 ft)

Dominic Crinson: Gato 1 from the Faux Rococo Collection

Inspired by Nature [cluster]

It has been such a long time since I have made a cluster of items to post on! Lately, I am feeling so inspired by nature in my search for home decor (of course everything must be cat friendly, which only cuts out wicker). I have found these items very inspiring:

Uncommon Goods: Protect our Earth Glasses ($45)

CB2: Quill Rug ($299-599)

Viva Terra: Stone Cairn Lamp ($279)

WestElm: Rustic Wood Entertaining ($16-39)

via: CharlesandHudson
photo courtesy of Bleu Nature

All Things Original: Birch Print by Karin Akesson (£15)

Viva Terra: Fern Clock ($68)

Live It

"A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life."
- Charles Darwin

flickr: Sophia Schroeder

Lifetime Accomplishments

Before I call it a night, I wanted to share a list with you that I came across at PuglyFeet.com. Here are the rules: Bold the things you've done and post on your blog.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo- 2nd grade & 4th grade plays
    
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch- sewing
    
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you were not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping- at a church camp!
    
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse- I was in 3rd grade
    
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run- according to PuglyFeet, kickball counts :)
    
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangeo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies- and ate probably more than I sold...
    
62. Gone whale watching- but saw no whales...
    
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
    
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car- we just bought a new Toyota- yipes!
    
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone- not until I was a sophomore in college
    
99. Been stung by a bee- I stepped on one that was already dead.

Go ahead and give it a try. Send me a link in the comments if you'd like to share.

Bath Mats

I don't know about you, but I dislike having to step out of the shower in the morning onto a bath mat or rug that has collected all the dirt from goings in and out of the bathroom. I would love a mat like this that can absorb the water but can also be quickly brushed off to remove any dirt.

Viva Terra: White River Stone Mat ($59)

Gardener's Supply Company: Cork Bath Mat ($29.95)

Room Inspirations: House Beautiful (Feb 2009)

I love these rooms from the February issue of House Beautiful. There are so many combinations you can use with the color blue. I'm getting inspired to add some blue into our new color scheme.

I love the large lampshade used above the table as well as the free standing display in the room shown behind the table.

This would be such a great place to kick back and read a book on a weekend when the sun is piercing through the window like shown...

I've been noticing many of these bed frames lately. I like the way they created a headboard out of curtains.

I want this pendant lamp!

I would also like this entire kitchen, please.

This is where colors are introduced in such a crisp and clean look. Inspiration...

The agate lamp is beautiful!

Shop: LuLu's

I have recently rolled into LuLu's online shop and have fallen in love. I have been working on the transition from shopping at teeny-bopper stores where I can find a lot of clothes for little money into shopping at more sophisticated stores that offer a better variety of work clothes. This store says, "Hello adulthood and hello great bargains!" Did I mention I am in love...

New items are added each week and they are ordered in small quanities so check in frequently and buy quickly or you might miss out on an amazing piece!

Ladyfriend Denim Dress ($29)

Veruca Two Tone Dress in Ash ($33.50)

Pink Duchess Ruby Black Peep Toe Bootie Heel ($34)

Navid O'Nadia Bella Brown Leather T Strap Mary Jane Heel ($57)

Go Max Icon Grey Key Hole Thong Sandal ($22)

Objectified Trailer

You can watch the trailer for Objectified, a documentary by Gary Hustwit. I would really like to see this when it comes out.

Morphs

Rafael Esquer's "Fantastic Animals" poster
via: AIGA

Hybrid Collection Wallpaper by NICE

via: Today and Tomorrow

Graphic Rugs

I love the way these graphic rugs are displayed in more rustic settings. Adding new and old is a favorite of mine. I don't like uber modern but I also enjoy the simplicity of modern items, so I like to combine them with things from the past.

via: c+j. bond. ny.

Loafers AND Peep-toes

Oooh...I love these peep-toe shoes that show off with a loafer style of their very own. I could easily invest in the graphite or mink version.

MetroStyle: Peep-toe Ballerinas ($34.99)

Flowers to: Me

Yes, I realize that it is past midnight...but I needed to send myself some beautiful flowers as a "pick me up" from my current state of sick ickiness. I was hoping to rid myself of a cold in a day, but as it turns out that must be impossible. I think this bouquet is just the right arrangement to keep me going. Jane Packer always knows how to pull some flowers together...

Petticoat Lilac by Jane Packer

Happy Birthday!

Today is my daddie-O's birthday and I am dreaming of being in Idaho with him. I will be dreaming of mountains and Sunday afternoon drives to anywhere and keeping my eyes on the look for wildlife so I can win the quarter sitting on the dash of the van....aren't childhood memories amazing sometimes? I love you, Dad.

via Flickr: cordellia

Heart Garland: Peek

I've have been saving used envelopes we get at my office (typically envelopes from bills or payments). I have been waiting for Valentine's Day to get near to make this project with them. Here's a sneak peek:

Morris & Essex's hand-printed cards

My fellow blogger at Stickers and Stuff recently posted these amazing cards from Morris & Essex on her blog. I must say that I am enamored with these card designs as well...each hand-printed on fabriano elle erre paper.

Morris & Essex: $18/pack of 5

Pick o' the Day: Piperoids

I'm really digging these awesome Piperoids designed by Takashi Tsunoda. Piperoids are robots made out of paper tubing pieces. The robot parts can be swapped around to create your own robot designs. I love the "gentle beast" look these robots have. You can read more about the robots and designer here.

Magnote: Penk & Goriborg ($14.95)

Magnote: Muscle Joe (Jaw) ($13.95)

Cereal for thought.

Back in the day (like I am really that old) I used to work at a kid's camp and we had these amazing cereal dispensers that gave you just enough cereal to fill a bowl up. These nifty devices were a miracle when it came to kids and pouring too much cereal in a bowl.

Organize.com: Wall Mount Triple Dispenser by Zevro ($31.83)

I would love to have my own cereal dispenser and this one is not only sleek enough to hang in your kitchen but it is also very affordable! If I had kids, I would be all over this... You can also find this dispenser in a single mount.

Start your year off with a Font.

via: upscale typography


Typodarium 2009 (€ 16.80)

Buy here.

Polaroids to Poladroids

Thanks to Rubyellen and her beautiful family (including daughters Brave & True) for tipping me off to Poladroid! I can't wait to start making some fun poladroids from digital images I have stored up.

via: cakies

I miss the old Polaroid...

Martha Stewart: Craft of the Day

Ok. So if you don't already know about Martha Stewart's "Craft of the Day" on her website, you've been missing out. Each day the Martha Stewart team features a simple craft to make and includes instructions on how to make the craft. Lovely, especially around holidays when you're looking for something fun to get your crafty little hands on.

But be sure to check them out early, or else you'll be skimming through craft after craft after craft and will be too mesmerized by all the amazing projects you want to complete (this is me staring at the screen once a month).

No-Knit Scarf

Shimmering New Year's Streamers

Textured String Bracelets

Slurping sodas

I wish I could think of something clever to make out of these Japanese soda bottles. I had the hubby prying and pulling to get the blue plastic lid off so I could at least keep the little ball inside the drops down when the soda is opened. No use. I believe the lid is perma-froze to the bottle top.

World Market: Ramune Soda ($1.79)

Happy New Year!

Welcome to the first day of the New Year!

photo via: smosch.com