Decorating in the Stacks

What kind of librarian would I be if I didn't take the time to share some of the awesome ways your local library can help you create a beautiful home - on the cheap?!?! Here are three hints for ways the local library can save you some decorating dough.

1. Free magazines
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This one is sort of a, "duh," but I thought I should share it anyway. If I'm not sure if I love a magazine, I like to check it out at the library for free, then decide if it's worth buying. My library also has a free magazine bin where patrons can donate old magazine and take home new (to them) magazines for free.

2. Library discard sales

I love to find sweet old books to use in little vignettes around the house. They rarely cost more than a dollar or two and are so much fun!

I also keep an eye out for books with fun illustrations or color plates. You can scan them or cut them out for framing.

3. Unusual books

Of course the craft and decorating books are great resources, but it's totally worth scanning the rest of the non-fiction section for out of the box ideas.

I was browsing the shelves the other day and picked up this little gem. I'm feeling a trip to the hardware store is in order so I can buy some nautical-looking rope and start tying some knots.

I think this would make a really cool wreath.

I have always want a monkey's fist door stopper, so I definitely need to try this.

I'd love to stitch a few of these together to make a unique table runner.

What's the best thing you've found at your library?

<3
Hattie

Valentine's Candy for You

Happy Valentine's Day to you, my lovely readers! If I knew you in real life, I'd give you all flowers and candy. Since that isn't possible, I thought I'd share some eye candy with you instead. Here are a few things for home that I'm loving right now:

1. flowers

When beautiful buckets of tulips begin appearing in Trader Joe's, I know spring isn't too far off. For me, tulips are the flowers that announce winter won't last forever!

2. six-over-one windows

These are one of my favorite craftsman details. We definitely plan to install some of these beauties in the dream house.

3. Dash and Albert rugs

I don't know why I'm loving striped rugs so much, but something about them really appeals to me. I feel like this room is so warm and sunny, and I think the rug has a lot to do with it.

4. apronfront sinks

Ah, sink bliss! Not much else to say other than this is my idea of the perfect sink.

5. real art

I just discovered the RozArt Etsy shop, and I  love her cheerful paintings. The cows are especially friendly!

6. decorating with books

The librarian and the decor addict in me are both pleased with piles of lovely books. To add a little humor to Valentine's Day - guess how much Pottery Barn is charging for a stack of four old books with the covers removed? $39.00 Yes, you read that correctly. It would seem that there are people in this world who have not discovered that you can buy old books at Goodwill for a buck or less. Oh, silly Pottery Barn!

What things for home are you loving right now? We all love some good decor eye candy!

Happy heart day!

<3
Hattie

Home

Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.
~ Robert Frost



"Home," by my favorite band, Carbon Leaf, has been in my head today. Maybe because it been a cold, grey day and I couldn't wait to get home to a warm, cozy house.

Maybe, because the dream home seems so close and yet so far away. We are busy gathering every bit of info about ourselves, with the exception our blood types, to give to the bank in hopes that we will be preapproved for a mortgage and can start the construction loan process.

Maybe, because I've been thinking about what home means to me, and how it is such a refuge when the world gets to be crazy.

Tonight, I know I am happy to be home with my hubby, eating big bowls of spaghetti in our snug little roost.

Do any songs remind you of home?

<3
Hattie

Freaky Weekend

This morning, Brad and I woke to the sound of birds. When we looked out the windows, our yard was coveres with a sea of black birds. I ran for my camera, because I knew no one would believe just how many there were. Trust, me when I say about half of them had moved on before I was able to start filiming. This was seriously the most freaky thing I've ever seen in my yard!


Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

What's the weirdest nature experiance you've ever had?

<3
Hattie