Painted Islands

It's dreary here in the Midwest today.  Felt lik a little colorful pick-me-up.  Here's some kitchen island inspiration.  It seems like a project that wouldn't be too risky, but carries some serious punch.

Sunset

Pulliam Morris

Tiffany Ruda

Sunset

Coastal Living

Lynn Morgan

I'm too much of a chicken...I'd probably just go for the painted stools...

Just some post Christmas color inspiration...from the girls of in your back pocket.

Grinch Cookies: Mint Chocolate Chip

MMM chocolate mint.  Here's a fun recipe to try.  All you need , other than regular chocolate chip cookie ingredients, is some mint extract, some minty chips and some green food coloring!  Fun for the holidays. Recipe found HERE, From Betty Crocker.

Give 'em a try...

Have your kids help...keep them from bouncing off the walls!

Leave one for Santa...

Happy Christmas Eve from in your back pocket.

So What Thursday: Congratulations Kevin

So what if Kris' son Kevin was on the 4x100 relay team representing the United States that won a gold medal at the World Short Course Championships in Istanbul, Turkey last weekend. He also won a bronze medal in the 100 Breast so he came home with two medals!

that is him on the left, standing next to Olympic Gold Medalist Matt Grevers, Tom Shields and

Eleven Time Olympic Medalist Ryan Lochte

 

 

 

 

and here he is  preparing to sing the national anthem...

he was scared he was gonna pull a Christina and forget the words...

From two sisters that can barely swim across the pool without passing out this is more than impressive. We are so proud of his accomplishment. Just awesome.

Put some Team USA in your back pocket...

Put A Ring In It

I save my Christmas cards.  All of them.  Many people have come up with the idea of "ringing" them after the holidays, and because I only display them in a red/white striped bowel, I'm going to put them on a ring as they come in. (Not to mention, they'll be easier to "keep" after the holidays.)

Just keep a hole-punch  on hand...

And hang 'em somewhere for everyone to see, like Mary Ann, of classic casual home did. 

Images via classic casual home blog.

Just a thought, from in your back pocket .

Shirt-Cuff Pouches

We love us some pouches.  Any kind.  Here's a cute little "upcycled" craft from Camilla at Family Chic.   Perfect for sunglasses, sunscreen, jewelry, etc. See full tutorial HERE.

Super cute and easy.  

Then, Julie at  at "Less Than Perfect Life of Bliss" took it a step farther and appliqued them!

A tooth holder to put under your pillow...

perfect to bring to restaurants, etc.  

even to keep tissues in...

This craft is about our speed.  In fact, many of you have asked us if we really have a sewing machine.  Yes. people, we certainly do.  We both have this one.  It's a perfect gift to ask for for xmas...and your gift-giver has to go no farther then good ol Target.

The Singer "Promise".  Find Here. 

  feeling crafty her at in your back pocket.

Weekly Find: Warner Shelf at World Market

World Market has a great shelving piece on super-sale right now.  The Warner Shelf unit is only $179.99 (reg. $329 -save $150!) That's a lot of shelf for that price. It's substantial in weight and it can be used in so many places.  When I ran into it, I began to go room-by-room in my head.
Now,  the color is a liitttllle darker than this photo, but still a good shade.

inspiration...

Below is the $1600 version from Wisteria.

Styling ideas from Jones design co.

A mid-week tip from the girls of in your back pocket.

Peppermint Bark Shortbread Cookies

Here's a great recipe to make for your cookie exchange parties.  These peppermint bark-shortbread cookies are a fun because not only to they taste like Christmas, but you can choose to either break them apart or cut them.  Easy to follow recipe, HERE, on Epicurious.

Indulgy/landolakes.com

There's also a step-by-step tutorial of this same recipe (with beloved photos) on Here, by Dara of CookinCanuk.

CookinCanuk

Put a new holiday cookie recipe in your back pocket. 

Gifts: Desktop Calendar

There are so many great calendars out there.  Here's one that we think would make a great gift. Well, at least WE'D like to receive one...

It's from the darling website, The Beloved Shop.  It's $30 with the stand (choice of silver or gold) and yearly calendar refills are only $18.00.  Hey Jen, cute tradition to start...hint-hint.

Put a 2013 desk top calendar from The Beloved Shop in your back pocket.

The Perfect Bow

Here's a little tip...

THE PERFECT BOW

conlasmanitas.blogspot

...To put in your back pocket.

Happy Sunday .

Caravan Digital Prints

Jen is really good with PDF stuff.  me?  not so much.  She orders a lot of cute things this way, and we have just heard about little on-line shop called Caravan Shoppe.  For the holidays they have great "chalkboard" prints, that you can get instantly. The file ranges from only $5.00 for one to a bundle pack for  $12.00.  You Can have it blown up at any Staples store -up to a 36x48 for about $10.00!

How cute is Kirsten's  from 6th Street Design School below. Love her advent calendar too.

6th Street Design School

Here's how it works...Once you place and pay for your order, you will quickly receive an e-mail with a secure download link (and TOTAL instructions, for people like me.)

Click HERE.
You can also print more than one!  Great gifts...
Put a chalkboard print in your back pocket.

Photo Gift Tags

Love this idea" Photo gift tags.  Make copies of favorite old photos...maybe an old x-mas card, family outing, etc.  There you have it.  An extra-special personalized tag.

Here's a cute tutorial from Annie at  Lovely Things. Check it out.

Images from Lovely Things. 

Here's a little more inspiration.

images via McIntyre Parties, BHG

Happy Wrapping!  Some inspiration to put in your back pocket.