The art above my desk

During our recent Caribbean cruise, I snapped a few pics at Orchid World in Barbados. It was, as the name indicates, an orchid-lover's dream. Every type, every color, every shape of orchid was beautifully represented there.

When I came home and posted some pics, I was incredibly flattered when a dear friend asked if she could have one of the pics to put up in her home. Of course, I said, and then thought, why shouldn't I have some of these framed and put up in my home?

The end result was this:
they reside above my computer monitor and provide a splash of color on cold, dreary mornings.

The frames were $3.99 each on clearance at Michaels, and the prints were 99 cents each. Can't beat that :D

Red alert!

Ok, I just got a FANTASTIC deal and wanted to share with everyone. I might, in fact, go back tomorrow in between kid birthday parties and get another one because I am so stoked.

If you have a Paper Source store close to you, they have these great maps of places like Paris, Rome, etc. I got the Paris monument map.
The size is 20x28. The price?

$3.95

Really. It's actually wrapping paper but given my fetish for all things French, I've hung up the thing above my desk and it looks grand. If I wanted, I could even get some nice, thin moulding and frame it directly onto the wall, but I like it as is.

Of course you can also order it online, and make it worth the shipping by adding some more French-themed items like these
Paris file folders I have my eye on, or these super cute
glitter Paris postcard set.

Check out their fabulous website, there are loads of adorable papers, gifts, and craft-making items you won't find elsewhere.

Inspiration from YHL

I am obsessed with Young House Love - I have literally spent an entire afternoon watching all the videos, going through the FAQs, I swear the amount of ideas I have gotten from YHL (honey, can we make a headboard? I saw it on YHL!) are neverending.

But since I am nothing but practical, I figured I would put my obsessive energy into a practical endeavor and here you have it, my inspiration board for our master bedroom.
We already have the chocolate curtains and my darling husband is on board for the mirror. He is not quite sure about the bright blue accents but honestly, it's about fricking time we had some actual art in our house. Hanging my old cross-stitch all over the place is not doing it anymore!

The warm yellow background is roughly the color of our walls, although ours have a sponge finish. I have successfully decluttered this room of all extra bins, bags and boxes and today I went through my dresser and rearranged everything, while tossing out some old clothes. Tomorrow I am tacking my closet - I mean, my rod, since we share the measly closet and get a rod each. Pathetic I tell you, but much like the lovely First Lady of YHL, I am looking to have a more pared down and efficient wardrobe.

Wish me luck!

Fabulous art - for cheap!

I love to have beautiful things up on my walls. Not only photos of my boys (of course), but also pictures of faraway places, timeless works of art, etc.

How can you get gorgeous images like these without breaking the bank?

Calendars, baby!

Check these out!


The oft-maligned calendar of foreign castles - there's about 30 variations of these out on the market, but gazing at these architectural beauties can perk up your cubicle real quick, so why not your home?

The castle calendar may be a cliche, but a framed shot of a faraway chateau can be a very elegant accent.


Now this is more my speed - I can get photos of beautifully done flower arrangements up around my rather stark office area AND also get inspiration for when I actually arrange flowers.

A good thing, as The Martha would say.


Images like these will make your dinner guests' mouths start watering even before they smell your delicious concoctions.

The best part is that, since you don't actually need the calendar part of it, you can buy last year's (or this year's, since we're almost at year's end) and find very cheap calendars that will reward you with gorgeous images to brighten up your home.

I got a DaVinci calendar and transformed it into this display for the upcoming holidays - I love the quiet soberness of it and look forward to putting it up on my mantel along with some candles and other goodies.