They're Baaacckkk....

Our favorite "trinket bowls" are back at Anthropologie.  This time they're smaller and even cuter in awesome colors.  $8.00 each for the mini ikat bowls. What a perfect little gift...

Jen bought this one...

and Kelly from Fabulous K ( who designed our blog) has it in her entry nook...

we still say put some cute trinket bowls in your back pocket...

Say it isn't so...

The last time I wore stirrup pants I was, like, in 6th grade.  Today I was browsing Gap's website (had a 30% off coupon) and there they were...again.  Hmmmm.  I don't think I can go there...Although they do make sense if you want to keep your pants tucked into your boots nice and snuggly-in order to avoid the swashbuckler "pirate look" as they begin to creep out every time you sit and stand. What do you think??

If they catch on  we could end up looking like this...

Actually, this kind of looks like us.....What's next...banana clips?
Send your thoughts on stirrup pants to in your back pocket...

Gallery Wall

We love how photos truly personalize your space.  They tell people where you have been, who you are and what is important to you. One easy way to display photos is to create a gallery wall...

You can keep the photos all black and white or all color, choose similar frames or an eclectic mix...there are no rules! If you need help where to start there is this tutorial from Roost Home and another great post on this subject from Simply Seleta.
When we remodeled I added a wall to enclose the playroom which created a hallway. I think everyone was a little leary of this plan but I knew right away it would become a gallery wall and a way for guests to get to know us right when they walk in the door. I organized mine chronologically (Jen & Steve getting married, before kids, baby number 1, which of course has the most pictures, baby number 2 and 3 hasn't really made it up there yet...he is 2!:) and made all the photos black and white and bought black frames from JoAnn, Target or Michaels.
I layed them all out on the floor to organize first...

and then lots of measuring and lots of nail holes later...

As I mentioned before it needs to be updated and added to but I love walking by it every day.

Put a gallery wall in your back pocket...

Island Views

Hmmm...  Interesting islands always catch our eye.  Although you an clearly see our T.V. in the family room from our kitchens, this is a great option if you couldn't...

images from deorpad, southern living, coastal living,

put an island view in your back pocket...

Grab a Book...

As the weather changes (it is finally fall in Phoenix today, Hallelujah!) sometimes you just feel like snuggling up and reading a good book...with all your free time, that is...(we are kidding here as we have been crazy busy which means we've neglected the blog, but don't give up on us...we have great things in store!)

Put a little reading nook in your back pocket...

Ideal Bookshelf

Another amazing Etsy seller (there are really the most talented people on this planet), Jane Mount makes these prints called "The Ideal Bookshelf" and we think they are adorable.

One of these would be perfect in the kitchen...

or how about one of these in a child's bedroom...

or these would make perfect gifts...

Here are some of Jane's prints framed...

these prints are $25 for an unframed 8 x 10 and

you can even get a custom ideal bookshelf for $180!

Put an ideal bookshelf in your back pocket...

Rug Burned

I am giving a little advice today and that is when they suggest you use a rug pad underneath your rug, DO IT! Because if you don't (and your rug is cheap from Ikea) you might end up with this...

Didn't know that the latex like backing of this rug, that I thought was to keep it from slipping, was actually biodegradable! It was sticky and gummy and had to be scraped off first, but carefully to avoid scratching...

then thankfully the internet told me that Mineral Spirits would take off the sticky mess and not jack up the finish on the floor and they were right! After many hours of scraping and scrubbing (mostly by my hubby) the floor looks as good as new.
Now about a new rug...

This one is from Calypso

 from William Sonoma Home and suprisingly affordable

from West Elm

from Dash and Albert

Can you tell I'm thinking stripes or diamonds:)

Or maybe I'll go back to the natural texture of jute, sisal, or seagrass...

But you can't bet I won't do it without one of these babies...

A RUG PAD!

from Pottery Barn

Help find me a new rug and make sure you put a rug pad in your back pocket...