Contemporary Comfort

I'm loving the colors in this simple yet comfortable living room. Very contemporary, yet comfortable with a down filled sofa, pillows and blankets, I could just wrap myself up in this living room.

The Art of Arranging Shelves

Shelves are essential in nearly every space. What is the key to getting your shelves to look clean and polished while creating interest? I have listed below some important tips and ideas to remember when arranging your bookshelf. You will notice the photos I have used, follow many of these basic rules.

-Key items to use: vases, bowls, plates or platters, frames, boxes, objects of interest, and candle holders. You can easily find these items at garage sales, thrift stores, the dollar store, or even around the house

-use items of varying heights, widths and depths

-cluster items in groups of odd numbers, threes and fives; you don't want everything to be perfectly symmetric, but for the shelf to look symmetric as a whole. 

-Use decorative boxes, baskets or containers of different sizes and colors to hide away all your goods. If it is something interesting why not display it in a clear jar or container?

-use antiques or other fun figurines to add interest. Find something that inspires you, check flea markets, local thrift stores, Saturday Market, finds from afar, your parents or grandparents attic, etc.

-arrange books in groups vertically and horizontally. I prefer to stack the largest book first and then continue using smaller and smaller books. Place a small object on top of the horizontally placed books.

-Its great to create a geometric and symmetrical bookshelf, but remember to bring in a few items that are organic shapes so the shelf doesn't look stale.

-Layer items, put frames or art in the back and a smaller item in the front

-pick a few colors to tie everything together, repeat the colors throughout to give the shelf unity

-paint or wallpaper the back wall of the shelf a contrasting color to create visual interest and depth

-why not organize your books by color? This gives a very fun and playful effect.

-When you decide to rearrange your shelf, take everything off and begin apply the items in layers, rearranging until it looks good to your eye. Often, you have to do lots of rearranging before you get it just right.

Check out this great post showing other strategies on arranging your bookshelves! 

Any other tips/tricks you have heard for arranging shelves? I would love to hear them!

Is it spring yet?

I think the weather is a bit confused... Yesterday was the first day of spring, yet today many woke with snow on the ground. Now tonight it is snowing again! What is going on? At the moment the snow is just melting on the ground, but I thought I would share some photos of me and Brian at the mountain snowboarding. We have gone to the mountain many times this year. Brian even got me three time learn to snowboard lessons. I just finished my third lesson and am finally doing much better! I lucked out and received private lessons every single time! So lucky! As much as Brian tried to teach and help me with snowboarding, the instructor was a lot better at assisting me (and me dealing with him). We also were able to go to Bend to celebrate our four year anniversary. We went to Winterfest and saw the rail jam, spent time with my cousin and her family and hit up Bachelor. Oh my Bachelor, you are so much more amazing than Meadows. We had blue skies, tons of fresh powder and beautiful scenery! 

What have you been doing to enjoy the winter weather or spring weather? I have to admit I very much am ready for spring and the beautiful sunshine! 

Thrift Finds

I have always wanted to get into thrifting and restoring items. Occasionally I will pop in places and look around. The other day I stopped in the Salvation Army and found these great frames! How wonderful would these look spray painted in a glossy white? or glossy black? or any other color really?  Obviously the actual picture would have to go, just pop in a mirror and you would have a beautiful statement piece. These babies were $6.95 each!

I didn't end up purchasing them because they just weren't the style of my home. Although I loved them, my home is more modern and I didn't feel they would go. But I thought I would share a great idea that you could easily find at your own thrift store!

Bringing the Outdoors in

I am in love with the natural look of branches and blossoms being displayed in the home. Although they have flowers on them, they are much different than your traditional lilies or roses from the store. These beauties look perfect in fun translucent vases and containers. Nature is constantly a source of inspiration for me and I want to bring that look indoors. Now time for the lovely photos.

Photos from Pinterest.

Now that I am inspired, I need to locate some cherry blossoms or other branches to display in my home. Where can I get these though? Is it okay to take them from your neighbors yard or nearby park? Just kidding I know I can't do that... On a side note, 2012 marks the 100 year anniversary of Japan's gift to Washington DC of 3,000 cherry trees!

Closet Organization

Recently, I have been seeing commercials for a new show called The Amandas on the Style Channel. I finally caught an episode of it and loved it! I am really enjoying learning more about organizing and that is her specialty! Check out these tips on organizing your closet! I have tried to embed the video but for some reason there are tecnhical issues. Click here and it will take you right to it! 

    Photo from The Style Channel.

Do you know of any great organizing books, blogs, etc?

In Honor of Valentines Day

Hello there! Yes, I realize today is the day after Valentines Day, but you have to trust me that I meant to post this yesterday, I really did. Last night I enjoyed a nice steak dinner at home and a relaxing evening with my babe. Thats what kept me from posting this!

Real Simple magazine asks readers what is the most important trait in a spouse?

Readers answer with some inspiring words, making me remember what I want my husband to be.

"As a child, I never witnessed my parents having a nasty argument or saying cruel things to or about each other. Their mutual respect must have stuck with me, because in our 20 years of being together, my spouse and I have never insulted each other. We always heed my mom's sage advice: "once said, never unsaid." -Jonathan Tunis

"My husband thanks me for emptying the dishwasher and putting away his laundry, and every time I cook dinner, no matter what I have served, he says, "Thanks for dinner, honey. It was delicious." His gratitute reminds me why i'm happy to do things for him in the first place." -Erica Talbert

"I can always count on my husband to put our family first. When someone asks for his time, his first response is "Let me check with Anne." Sometimes his friends give him grief about the fact that he can't make plans on his own, but he doesn't care. His top priority is being present for our son's ball game or our daugheters concert-whatever is on our family's agenda." -Anne Stone

"Kindness has to be he most undervalued trait in our culture. My husband expresses it through countless small gestures, such as filling my car with gas on a cold day or watching the kids so I can go out with my girlfriends. He is good to me, gentle with our children, and generous with my extended family. He has helped give me a very happy life." -Alison Olsen

The last is my favorite <3
I thought it was inspiring to read about true relationships and the men in the world that do treat women wonderfully even after being married for years. I hope everyone strives to have husbands/boyfriends who treat their women this well.

Good finds!

Most the time I try and avoid stores as I love to shop and think I need everything! Occasionally, I let myself venture out. I wanted to share these inexpensive pieces I found! Don't worry I didn't actually buy them, my credit card thanks me!

The acacia wood bowls and plates are from crate and barrel. The cute boxes are from home goods and a super steal!

Handmade Coasters

Awhile ago I came across this cute and simple gift idea. Handmade coasters! I decided it was such a good idea I would make them for christmas gifts! They turned out super cute and everyone loved them!

At the hardware store: First buy 4 x 4 white tiles at Lowes or Home Depot, the cheapest kind available will work fine. I purchased mine for 16 cents each! Also you can buy felt feet here like those you would put on furniture, only smaller. You will stick these onto the bottom of the tiles so it doesn't scratch your table tops. The last thing you will need there is a clear spraypaint sealant.

At the craft store: purchase modge podge, scrapbook paper in whatever print you would like ( I choose paper/colors that reminded me of the person), a foam paint brush, a paper cutter if you don't have one, and ribbon or rafia to tie around the tiles.

At home: gather a pencil, ruler and newspaper.

1. Measure the exact size of the tile, then measure it out on the backside of your scrapbook paper. Cut the scrapbook paper to the exact size of the tile. Line up the paper on the tile to make sure if fits precisely. Repeat this as many times as necessary.

2. Lay out newspaper to protect your workspace. Apply modge podge with the foam paint brush onto the tile, then carefully lay down the paper making sure there are no wrinkles, then apply another layer of modge podge ontop of the paper. Set aside to dry. Continue doing this to all of the tiles. Do not set them on top of each other while they are drying as they will stick and pull off some of the paper, I learned this the hard way.

3. Go outside and lay all the tiles out on newspaper. Follow the directions on the spray paint and apply a few clear coats to seal the paper. Let dry.

4. When the tiles are dry you can stick on the felt feet, one in each corner. Then I stacked together the four tiles that went with one another and tied them together with rafia.

See I told you it was simple! The best part is this is an inexpensive and thoughtful gift.

Clever holiday wreaths

I love these cute and clever wreaths I found in woman's day!