Deck the Halls

Today I will be decorating for Christmas.

Here are some lovely images from the latest Elle Decor Cover spread.

I doubt my home will look as glamorous as this one but I'll still post pictures when I'm done.

Photo Collage Rules

What are the rules of a photo collage. I wondered the same thing when

I hung mine. I looked at lots of images before deciding there are no rules! I say if it looks good to you then it's good.

Here are some photos that show you...

...you don't have to hang them in a square or rectangle grouping....

...they can overlap...

...you can have the same color frames in different sizes...

...you don't have to do all pictures you can hang letters or other mementos...

...you can be artsy...

...pictures look good hung in a more organized manner with similar tones in the frames and photos...

...or use the exact same frames with the same color of pictures...

You don't even have to use frames!

Basically I say anything goes. It just depends on your taste. I used what I already had because it was cheaper than buying all new frames.

Nursery Sneak Peak

I'm guessing it will be another couple of weeks before it is completely finished. But this gives you an idea of what I've been working on.

Stay tuned for more to come...

And the Stockings Were Hung.....

Thanksgiving is over and it is officially Christmas Decorating Time!!!

Here are a few of my favorite stockings:

1. Anthropologie Larger-Than-Life Stocking

2. Etsy Chiang Mai Dragon Stocking

3. Ruffle Stocking from Alice Lane Home Collection

4. Pier 1 Whimsy Jester Stocking

Feature Friday: Life in the Fun Lane

If you want great tips and inspiration on transforming furniture you must check out this great blog. Every piece of furniture she touches is truly a Cinderella story. I love it. Her house looks so beautiful too.

Her daughter's nursery

One of the most beautiful paint jobs I've ever seen on a piece of furniture. I am definitely doing this one day.

You have to see the before on this dresser and hutch. She did an amazing job transforming it.

Her dining room.

After reading her blog you will want to get in your car, drive to the nearest paint store and paint all your furniture.

Happy Thanksgiving

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Pom Pom Wreath

see the how-to here.

Christmas on Alice Lane

If you want unique and amazing Christmas decorations you have to check it out. Actually if you want any kind of unique and amazing decorations, check it out.

Hot or Not?

Speaking of lamps, I bought some today. My dilemma is that I'm not sure they are right for my room. But at the same time they were such a good deal I can't pass them up. Here is the story of my new Pier 1 Blue Medallion lamps.....

I went to Pier 1 because I had a gift card. I wandered around the store but wasn't finding much. Then a giant blue lamp caught my eye. Of course it was 80 feet high up and I couldn't see the price. An employee with a ladder was summoned and after climbing up she informed me they were $85. Gulp.....too much. But I hadn't been able to find anything I liked and in reality $85 with a shade for a lamp that big isn't bad. I told her I'd take it. As she was getting it down we spotted a clearance sticker. $21!!! On sale. Wow. What a deal. So of course it seems meant to be.

Here is the dilemma. They are the wrong blue. My navy is very dark and these are very bright.

Here is the lamp in the room. (yes I realize the shade is crooked). As you can see next to my pillows it is a much brighter blue. What to do. How can I pass up a lamp that is the perfect height and the perfect price but the wrong color? This is such a predicament and I don't think I'll be able to sleep or eat till it is figured out.

Shine

We are in desperate need for some lamps in our living room. I want them to be big and bold. Ever since we started carrying Shine's products at my work I have been blown away by their lamp selection. Talk about statement pieces! Now I just need to figure out how to make myself a cheaper version of these. Maybe find a cool sculpture and buy a little lamp kit. It could happen.

For a little lesson on picking lamps check out this clip.

Horn of Plenty

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For cornicopia instructions go here.

Ebay Finds

Searching for treasures on Ebay I came across these lovelies.

1. Anthropologie Lamp Shade starting bid at $20.50

2. Jonathan Adler Vase $12.00

3. Thomas Paul set of 4 Aviary Plates $32.95

4. Anthropologie White Elephant Creamer $24.45

Feature Friday: Three Men and a Lady

I am so inspired by this blog. I love each and every one of the rooms in her home. Her blog is full of DIY ideas and tips. Here are some of my favorite rooms:

Master Bedroom

She got that dresser on Craigslist and painted it herself as well as made the art hanging above it.

Her entry way.

My favorite of them all is her boy's room.

You can see more rooms and ideas on her blog. Such a beautiful home. Wish I could see it in real life.

How to Hang a Picture Collage

After reviewing my poll of what to hang on my Kitchen Wall I decided to go with a picture collage. This was your pick but it was also the least expensive option.

I dread hanging things and always make Josh do it, since he was out of town it was all up to me. So I googled a quick tutorial and found these lovely instructions on this blog.

The First step is to lay out all the pictures the way you want them to look on your wall.

Then I cut out paper to represent each frame. I simply traced each frame onto marker paper. Most of you probably don't have giant sheets of marker paper lying around your house. Newspaper would work well too.

Then I labeled the papers and laid them on top of the frames. I poked a hole where I wanted the nails to go.

I forgot to take a picture of the next step but basically you tape the papers up on your wall where you want them to go.

Once the papers are in place you simply nail in the predetermined holes.

Then remove the papers, leave the nails, and hang your pictures. Ta Da!! This may be tedious but allows you to get it right the first time and saves your walls from thousands of tiny holes.

I like my little photo collage. It is fun to have a representation of our little family hanging by our kitchen table.

From Napkins to Pillows

I have been looking for some pillows to add some color to our bedroom. I am fairly picky about my pillows but I was also on a tight budget. Enter....Anthropologie. I was browsing the sale section (the only place I shop there) when I saw theses beautiful napkins. $3.95 each! Full of color and pattern I thought I might be able to turn them into pillows for our bedroom.

And I did!

It took me all morning to do. (I'm not the best seamstress in the world.) The how-to was pretty simple. I just sewed them together inside out. Then I stuffed the pillow in and hand-sewed the bottom. I did have to remove and then reapply the tassels.

I love that I could get a designer look, complete with tassels, for only 8 bucks a pillow. Now if I could only make a duvet cover out of napkins to match.

PB Teen Sale

Got an email this morning for PB Teen.

I was super excited because I'd been eyeing these lamps for awhile now.

I was hesitant because, well, they are for teenagers. But they are pretty much exactly what I was looking for. Here are a few other items that grown-ups might like.

Circolo Nesting Tables

Love this beautiful Tulip Toss pillow.

These wall numbers are only 9.99