Solving the shopping rut

For shopping, think outside the box of the usual stores. Don't you get in a store rut? Only going to the same places. I know I do! But it helps to think outside the normal stops.

For instance, Pottery Barn Teen has unique pieces! Pottery Barn does too, of course, but I love to find "statement pieces" and PBT is usually overlooked for obvious reasons. But wait, not so fast-- look at these inexpensive ironwork organizers! Interesting!!

It would be cute to use in an office or hall way where things tend to collect. They make quite a statement, and also are practical because the wire is used to put photo, cards (Come Together Cards, I might add!) and other assorted scraps of paper!

While it is adorable to spell out someone's name, I think the more grown-up way to use this would be an inital of your last name.

These are only $15 each, so they are quite affordable as well!

Cool Junk

These are some adorable crafty ideas to bring some rockstar hardware into your office space!

I think the cheese grater-turned-pencil-holder is super creative and unique! I love things made from found objects!

The {HOW-TO}

1. CRIB NOTES Turn a discarded crib spring into a hardworking office organizer.

HOW TO Cut two sides of the spring with a metal saw to desired size (we matched the proportion of the table below). Next, screw the original top and bottom of the spring to 1×2s (cut to fit.) Drill two holes in each 1×2 and screw in eye-hooks (we added a washer between the wood and hook, but it’s purely decorative). Wrap the loose wires around the hooks until tight. Clip the excess spring with a wire cutter.

2.A GRATE IDEA Keep pencils and art supplies in check with this sharp project.

HOW TO Buy two caps for outdoor railings (one peaked and one flat) at your local hardware store. Build a five-sided box with 1×6s to fit the peaked cap. Attach a lazy Susan swivel to the flat cap and screw the swivel to the bottom of the box. Create bottoms for graters/holders by snugly placing wood scraps cut to fit the inside of the bottom of each. Screw graters onto the box.

3. TABLETOP TREASURE One person’s rickety table is another’s space-saving workstation.

HOW TO A broken-down table is best for this project. Cut the table in half, or to the desired depth, then saw off the legs. Screw a 1×4 onto the wall at the height you want the table to be. Set the table on the ledge of the 1×4 and, using L-shaped brackets, attach the table to the 1×4.

Fork-less Cheesecake

Apparently, this cheesecake store--Eli's Cheesecake-- is quite known, but I am new to it. I haven't gotten to try one yet, but these cheesecake dippers look heavenly. Who needs a fork when it comes on a stick and is lathered in chocolate?! What a great idea....

The orginial cheesecake was featured in O magazine, so there's that, too. You know if Oprah endorses it, its gonna be great!

Can this hold a candle to the Dulce de Leche Cheesecake at Cheesecake Factory?

I think they need to call me to do a taste comparison!

If you were in a comic strip...

I saw this in a Real Simple magazine (June 2009) and thought it was such a great idea! Tell your favorite story by becoming characters in a comic strip-like story!! This starts at $200.

The website is called Elsewares, and it is a bit like ETSY from what I can tell, for artists. It is fascinating--so many beautiful things. I can see myself looking around the site and getting sidetracked for a while!

What a fabulous and creative idea!

Cupcakes, Computers and Cold Drinks

Fresh Fridays are back, and this fresh friday brings you the goodies from Fred Flare!

This is one of the most original sites I have ever seen. They have great gift ideas for people that are practical as well as fun. I love to look around there and see what's new!

I thought this cupcake making kit was adorable! This would be a really fun gift for that friend that loves to bake!

This is a USB port that you can connect to your computer or laptop for all your usb cords. Isn't this cute?!? The tulips add a little life to all those black cords!

Some of the items crack me up. No, this is not a cup with dentures in it. Those may be shaped like teeth, but they are ICE!!

See.....? And I love the slogan-- "Not your grandfather's ice tray!". Funny!!

This is another funny yet practical one. For those of us that looks on Mix Tapes fondly, this is a flash drive that only LOOKS like a mix tape. For those lovers of John Hughes films and the 80's...a way to hang on to the tape and still be productive!

I am sucker for a party.

And paper.

So, when I found this adorable banners and pendants at Tops Malibu, I loved them!!

There is a sweet story about how the founder started the company after the gifts that her dad brought her from his business travels. I am a woman small business owner, and I love to support other ones rather than big companies! So, this sweet party company is great in my book!!

The kind of laughing where tears are rolling down your face

That is what I experience when I read this blog: Cake Wrecks. This is a place where the worst professional cakes are shown. The cakes are horrible, that's for sure. But the funniest part is the girl who writes it- she is downright hysterical. My son is asleep and I am trying to keep my laughter down, but I am guffawing and crying b/c I am laughing so hard at her comments. Its just so funny.



This first one makes me laugh every time I think of it. Can you imagine the conversation that followed this?


These are to be filed in the Oh, this is just so weird its sad...

She says, "Congratulations, Evan God! The mini corncobs heart U!"

Do you have to have a certain skill, like spelling or understanding, to work at a bakery? Um, nope.

I am sharing some of the best of the worst cakes here, but to see the whole scoop, check out her blog!

Ironic Tees if you please

Today's Fresh Friday is coming late in the day, just b/c family time is coming first in this busy summertime! Which is a good thing, because people are more important than blogs!! :) I mean, right?

The ironic tee never gets old to me. Some of them are so stupid, but they make me laugh and are way more creative than the youth group t-shirt or old college shirt. If you are a fan of the funny, random tee, Palmer Cash has some great ones! And the shirt descriptions are so entertaining, you will have a great time looking through the shirts.

Here are some that gave me a smile.....

Probably my favorite. Unless, this could somehow be offensive to Native Americans, then it is really not funny. But...it...is?
A throw back to the Wonder Years...the show that was a little funny, a little sad...

Computer nerds, unite!

This one really made me laugh. I don't believe it to be true- I am a voter- yet I think there is part of me deep down that identifies with this one...

These last two are for the slackers/nerds in all of us!

Fresh Fridays offers Free DONUTS!

Donuts are one of my favorite foods. That isn't a really popular statement as far as nutrition or health. But, seriously, does anyone NOT like donuts??! They are sugary fried goodness.

If you you are a donut fan, you are in luck. Today is National Donut Day! (There is a day for everything, isn't there?!)

Dunkin Donuts and Krispy Kreme are giving FREE donuts!!

At Dunkin', you need to buy a drink to get your freebie. Click here for locations.

There's no purchase necessary at Krispy Kreme. Click here to find a participating store.

Let's have a donut toast to free donuts! CHEERS! Leave a comment if you ate a free (or otherwise) donut!!

The best shopping in the area is not at the Dallas Galleria...

"It's hard to imagine how big it is until you've been. But once you go, you'll be hooked." Country Living

When people come here from out of town, they usually want to go to the Galleria or Northpark Mall. Both are swanky, high end shopping destinations, and are great-- don't get me wrong. But the BEST shopping is at Canton First Monday Trade Days, and all true Texans know this.

Canton is a flea market that grew from a little set-up in a field to now being a major event. It happens once a month in a sleepy little East Texas town, and the whole town shuts down for it. The residents probably either love it or hate it, because thousands and thousands of people flock to Canton, Texas for the weekend. (Um, like 300,000. Yikes!)

Canton has everything. Totally cute boutique house decor, sassy bling clothing, crosses, iron, furniture...it goes for miles and miles. And its a ball. You have to know where to shop, or else you might be among the painted birdhouses and the saws with murals on them, but even that is okay b/c you can get great food! (I could write my a single post JUST about the great food!!) Its not fancy- it still is in a big field, so you have some great people watching opportunities as well!

My family loves to go to Canton and we go almost every month. I feel like we have seen it all at this point, and a lot of times, I don't even buy anything. But its a ton of fun and is a great source of creative inspiration.

This find (written about in a previous post for a creative gift idea) was from a Canton booth:

And they have lots of jewelry like this:

And that's where you can find me this weekend!!! :)


Hmmm..in finding some pictures, I came across this fun little article on Canton from Country Living magazine. Who knew?!