Looking Forward...

Here is to a wonderful new year!

Images fro Martha Stewart.com and Country Living.com

We are thankful for many, many things. One thing is for the readers of this blog.
Our resolution is to try our best to keep you somewhat entertained in 2011...
and we hope you continue to follow (and tell your friends to follow:) as we truly enjoy creating it.

Happy New Year!

Put a HAPPY and HEALTHY 2011 in your back pocket...

Label It!

This is not a pretty post but more of a neccessity...say hello to my little friend...

 After a 30 minute struggle putting up the tree this year and trying to figure out where the lights are connected we decided to label the lights this time and help prevent at least one mommy meltdown next year!

I use a label maker all the time...

We "snuck in" this $30 label maker on a trip to Target but you can buy them at any office supply store and you can go as simple as this...

or as fancy as this one that can connect to your computer and costs around $70 on sale

They are so easy to use and always come in handy...

Let's face it we always feel super organized when something has a label...

put a little label maker friend in your back pocket...

Relax

It's almost here.  Just reminding you to take a minute and try to enjoy this week...

Happily and calmly wrap the rest of the gifts...

because before you know it,

everything will look like this....

and you'll feel like this...

Have a great day and try to remember what the holidays are all about....

Put a little relaxation in your back pocket... 

DIY Ribbon Art/Card Holder

I was inspired by this photo from Country Living

 (find the tutorial on how to make it here)

to corral all the holiday artwork that my kids have been bringing home the last few weeks...

so I took some ribbon and used removable, double sided poster tape

(you can just use a flat thumbtack too) 

to hang it on the door

I hot glued a bow at the top and then

 took these gingerbread clothespins and glued them to the ribbon about 12 inches apart

I bought these like this from World Market

 but you can easily make your own with foam stickers and clothespins

this is how it turned out...

This could work with Christmas cards too! It took just a few minutes and was easy peasy!

This was the door to the laundry room, now off to do the office...

Put a DIY ribbon art/card  holder in your back pocket...

Warmth of Wood

Nothing seems cozier than stacks of wood in the home. It gives instant warmth...

images from Elle Decor, Decorpad, Domino

Kris needs some wood for a warm fire right about now in chilly Illinois...
and Jen would settle for needing a sweater in Phoenix! The grass is always greener...
Put some winter wood warmth in your back pocket...

Bike Chic

My daughter is getting a cruiser  for Christmas and I would love to get here one of these...

b

but she is getting a little more "dressed down" version (i.e. less expensive:)

She is also getting a basket like this..

but look how cute this one is...

well the basket got me looking for cute basket liners where I found Betty Basket Liners

They even turn into a tote bag!!!

Love um. Must buy one. I think I want the bike for me instead!!

Put a little bike chic in your back pocket...

So Simple

Anthropologie is one of our favorite stores and it is always full of inspiration. While shopping there the other day I noticed this plaid knot tied around their glasses, so cute, festive and SIMPLE!

I hosted book club last night and copied them...

and Country Living this month had some adorable ideas  for simple holiday decor,

like a galvinized tub to hide your tree stand and add a rustic feel,

Use Scrabble tiles to spell holiday greetings...

Instead of Styrofoam peanuts use peppermints in your mailings...

put some SIMPLE holiday ideas in your back pocket...