notes worth taking

I am a complete and utter list person. What does this quite mean? Weeelll, it means that without a piece of paper and pen in my purse, by my bed, in the kitchen, and every other place in my house, I am a total mess. Plus I love love buying new cute notebooks to store all my lists (lists of things to do, things to buy, things to cook, etc)

Purchasing fun notebooks, calendars, and organizers is truly an exciting activity for me (yes I am that person standing in the "day planners" isle at Staples with four planners in hand deciding if I'll get bored looking at purple everyday, or if the blue bird print will bug me after a month).

Here are some adorably sweet notebooks to get you inspired too!

Robert Le Heros Journals are exceptionally chiq and very well made. I love the elastic strap for extra durability. His patterns are bold but very clean and refreshing. Retail for about $19. www.shopwritersbloc.com

I am a big Etsy Fan. Check out this great planner from Etsy shop Clann04.



Made from a recycled food box, this planner is truly one of a kind! Retails for $7 + shipping. Worth checking out - choose from Milk Duds to DiGiorno, lots of shapes and sizes. Very cute! Prices range from $4-$20! www.etsy.com

Barnes and Noble has to have one of the greatest selections of calendars, organizers, planners, and journals I could wish for! I can easily spend lots of time peeking through all of them. Plus, if you have a membership or a sister with a membership you get a pretty percentage off and maybe you could grab a coffee and book or two on your way out!


I love this planner by Silver Lining. Retails for about $8. Great color palate and very durable! www.bn.com

Happy planner-seeking!

pillowhappy all over again

etsy's pillowhappy has got to be one of my very favorite shops! With her extremely unique, modern clean lines and lovely craftsmanship, pillowhappy has so many beautiful pieces to offer. I can't take my eyes off this gorgeous pillow :


Modern Colorworks pillow is a work of art on its own! retails for $118. Not only beautiful but comfy too as it's made of soft fleece. etsy.com

3 questions for pillowhappy shop owner, Shellie:

What was your inspiration for this pillow?
I was flipping through a magazine and saw this amazing rug that looked like a piece of modern art with lots of color and movement. I had to do my own in pillow form.

If you had to describe your work in one word, what would it be?
Happy!

Shellie, your pieces are so unique. What is your favorite piece from your shop?
I'd have to say the rose pillows because they're interesting little pieces of art, look real, are so soft for actually laying your head on, and are machine washable. I have the pink one on my couch, and I literally can't wait to lay on it! and it's pretty.



Check out the Red Rose Pillow, above. Choose from dark red, orange/red, pink, creme, or black. Retails for $58. And, true to it's description, sits perfectly in just about any style home! gorgeous! great gift idea too!

books never looked so good

I know I've expressed my love for Etsy in the past - and here's another great shop I am so excited about - Pillowhappy! Her work is fabulous and so unique. I have my eye on her "Modern Poppy Bookends."


Retails for $22 for a set of two. Would make a great gift! I love that they don't look like your average serious bookends - they really are so chic: etsy.com. Her blue pairs and purple eggplant bookends are worth taking a look at as well. At first I thought they would look fantastic on a clear acrylic shelf - and I'm sure they still would, but then I saw this:

I fully understand that not everyone will appreciate the color coordination in the same way I do, but this "Viktor/Stodis" wall shelf from Ikea (ikea.com) really does work. It retails for about $6 and is the perfect size; length - 29.5" and depth - 11". While the mere thought of going to Ikea with a 16 month old really frightens me, it's worth it for items like this (I'll have to bring lots of snacks). You'll have to bring your bookends with you to mix and match.

Quick Tip: If you go with both colorful bookends and a colorful bookshelf, keep the book-cover colors as neutral as possible - it's much more pleasant on the eye and will enhance the richness of your shelf and bookends. Go with more colorful books if you choose a more neutral shelf.

wall decals - too cool!

I've been checking out room decals for a while now - and they really are a fantastic way to give a room a fresh new makeover without breaking the bank...or your back. Here are a few of my favorite, ever-so-cool wall decals...


"Modern Elegance" from Etsy's Lana Kole is fabulous. The rich detail in the chandelier gives the decal personality, but the clean lines make it chic and modern! Retails $22.


"Circle Tree Wall Decal Modern Funky Larger Size" by Etsy shop Leen The Graphics Queen belongs in a little kids playroom! Add a little 70's with a pinch of modern and tadaa! This great tree is a children's playroom/bedroom decor must! The neutral, yet funky matte colors bring a level of sophistication to a white canvas wall! Retails $40.