living room: changing things up

before...


and now after I moved some things around...





With all the same furnishings, how different can it really be!! I had the couch this way for the first couple of years that we lived here. Then I moved the couch in front of the window and it stayed there for 3 years. I liked the furniture the way it was but 3 years is a long time and I was bored with it! I'm still messing around in there but this is basically the new configuration. Lottie doesn't want to sit on the couch in its new location so I can probably lose the cheap ikea throw blanket. Or get a nicer one that I could actually use. I also think I want less orange stuff in the room... the chair and the big orange painting are enough. Some things on the mantle might have to change soon too. I definitely need new fireplace tools. We've had that log holder for about 6 or 7 years and it could be time for something different. I'll be adding a Christmas tree to the mix in about a week so I might have to put my complete living room make-over on hold until after the holidays.

Lottie update... she is now napping on both the couch and the orange chair. She just needed a couple of weeks to assimilate.

problem area...


Now I'm on the hunt for a small credenza to put in the entry way. I love these...


credenza photos from Amsterdam Modern

BB|Studio exhibition at Connect (Chicago)

Book Club opening: BRIDGETTE BUCKLEY | STUDIO
Thursday, December 2
6PM - 9PM
Connect Retail Showroom
1330 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622

Head over to Connect in Wicker Park on Thursday where BB|STUDIO will be featured in this month's Book Club exhibit. Bridgette will be showing 24 light boxes, each one representing 1 hour of the day. She used a gradient of reflected light to express the potential of warmth during the limited daylight of winter. This exhibit will also include her Beehive Pendants, screenprints and recently developed furniture pieces.


this event is organized by Simpletype Studio

more info at the BB|STUDIO blog

Connect is a great store where their collections are founded on sustainability and social responsibility with fashion-forward sensibility.

about Book Club...
The term “book” in this instance refers to an artist’s portfolio and/or body of work. Every first Thursday of each month a different visual artist will share select works from their portfolio for your viewing (and sometimes purchasing) pleasure. Each artist will also select the music for their night in an attempt to share what inspires them to do what they do, and make what they make. This is a free event with free beer.

My HousePet Lottie

five for friday

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

happy thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving tips for your fur kids...
Pouring a tablespoon of drippings over your dog’s food is OK however do not let your dog lick the turkey-roasting pan clean. Overindulging your pooch in fatty foods can lead to an upset stomach, diarrhea, or a life-threatening condition called pancreatitis. Carved turkey meat is a fine dog treat... cooked turkey bones are not. For dogs already on a raw diet, the turkey neck can be a special holiday treat (yum!) but first, dip it in boiling water for 10 seconds to kill surface bacteria. Keep your hounds away from uncooked dough for bread or rolls. The dough will rise in the heat of a dog's stomach, and if the dog has eaten enough, the swollen dough can cause pain, vomiting, and bloating -- conditions that can send you to the doggy ER on Thanksgiving. Sweet potatoes are fine... just take care never to serve your dog raw skin off any potato. More tips here.

rolling huts

The new issue of Sunset was in my mailbox yesterday and the cover shot put a smile on this cabin loving lady's face immediately. I had a crushing migraine headache yesterday so I couldn't even dive into my new mag however I did take a quick peek at the Rolling Huts website. Looks amazing and totally for those who love camping in a pop up or small pull behind. This is no luxury suite but it looks exactly like something I'm interested in... in the Spring, Summer, or Fall. Snow and Winter are not my friends. I'm still investigating the Huts (or Herd as they call them) so if you like what you see, here's the link - rollinghuts.com

great gifts under $20

A few years ago I came up with the "I'd only like gifts that I can eat or drink" rule for my relatives. I just have no need for lots of extra stuff. Example... I do NOT want a pair of stuffed animal-like Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus dolls. You have these relatives too - you know what I'm talking about.

I try to be a good gift giver. Not only are these gift ideas incredibly affordable but also useful and some are even drinkable!



Tea towels.

I like these towels from Skinny laMinx pictured here (about $16 each when you include the shipping). They have a super vintage look yet are brand new and ready to get stained by that one guy you know. That's right, we actually use the tea towels at my house. They are not just for looking!
also available on-line here



Beer.

A $10 bottle of a tasty microbrew is always a good gift! Or one of those pricey $15 4-packs. I'm thinking about making a big batch of my famous cheese ale dip, splitting it up into small cute reusable containers, and giving it out with fancy beer. You can act surprised when you get my present.



Rainforest candle refil ($12) and get something unique to put it in... could be a small bowl, a vintage tea cup, there are endless possibilities! Are you a scented candle-phobe? Me too! Trust me, this one does not stink and make you feel sick. It smells natural and amazing.



The BlockDock for the iPad ($12.95). Simple, stylish, useful = awesome!




For those on your list taking showers and baths, which is basically everyone, here are two great products that can be used as a shower cleanser or bubble bath with scents that work for both ladies and mountain men...


Spa Sea Salt Body Wash
$16 (12.5 oz bottle)



Grapefruit Bath and Shower Liquid Body Cleanser
$16 (8.4 oz bottle)



GET CRAFTY and give the gift of warmth!
If you can knit and you know your friend's favorite color - the gift of a handmade scarf is a big winner. When you live in the Midwest, you really cannot have enough scarves. And knowing that someone made something just for you is priceless.



Wine. Sort of a no brainer and not all that creative yet ALWAYS a welcomed gift by most people I know. And there are so many great ones in the $10-$20 range. I think the key is to give a bottle of something you've tried and liked. If you're in Chicagoland, you'll want to hit the Wine Discount Center.



If you've got a stylish baker on your list, this is a slightly indulgent stocking stuffer but oh so nice...

teak measuring spoons ($20) from Merchant no. 4

bedroom

BEFORE

Our room was painted a light bluish grey. This before pic is from the 2008-2009 years (sort of hate this now)...


And in August 2010, it was looking like this (meh)...




AND AFTER (as of November 2010)










I think our bedroom make-over is complete. A different quilt on the bed would be nice. Maybe I'll add a plant since I've got an empty white bullet planter. An Arne Jacobsen AJ table lamp (yes - the one for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen) would be my fantasy addition. But for now, I'm pretty happy with the way it looks. Not sure if I have ever talked about the big white art piece above the bed. There is a window on that wall that is not centered and is just awkward. The only way to make the room work was to cover it up. Plus I have a phobia of sleeping with my head under a window. Mark and I made that sculpture painting pretty easily - Mark made a similar piece that is hanging in the dining room.

five for friday

1. warmth
2. form & function
3. stlye
4. utility
5. comfort

bonus link!

black and white

Damon Locks

Artist Damon Locks is a printmaker working with digital printing, silkscreen and relief printing. The Invisible City exhibit back in March was amazing and I've been thinking about his work quite a bit this week.

Prints are available for purchase here

Damon's blog: The Population

new at the ranch

Sometimes it's the little things that make us so happy. Just added this sugar bowl with a teak lid to the kitchen and I love it!

purchased from kiteless
This etsy seller was a pleasure to do business with and has so many beautiful things for your kitchen and dining room. With the holidays quickly approaching, you will certainly find something you need (or lust after) in this shop. Go!