Great Balls of Bulbs

I've never bought a lighting fixture before. But, with closing day right around the corner, I'll soon have a house with several empty holes in the ceiling, begging for enlightenment. I've thought long and hard about it, and I think the effect I'm going for is this:


But since my budget is $100 or less, what I'll probably end up with is this:



Of course, I could always string up some of these filament bulbs to approximate the look:



Hardwiring ain't easy. I'll let you know how it goes.

Bed Bites

A good night’s sleep in our bed requires the flexibility and stillness of a Chinese acrobat. Each night I carefully fold my legs to accommodate one dog at the foot of the bed, while another dog wedges himself horizontally between me and my husband, usually giving me the butt end. Upon opening my eyes this morning I saw dog #2 sound asleep with both paws pressed into my husband’s mouth.

We are a constantly shifting, groaning, griping tangle of human and canine limbs, we are. Part of the problem is that we’re still sleeping in a full-sized bed. This is an issue I vow to resolve with the purchase of a queen-sized, sturdy iron bed. My first choice is the iron and brass bed from Anthropologie, seen below.



However, my thriftiness does not allow me to spend $1600 bones for a bed that I'm just going to throw some dogs into. Wesley Allen ones are just as good, and a fraction of the cost. My current favorite is the Hillsboro bed, which costs about $608 for a queen-size headboard, footboard and frame (if you get it from a site like HumbleAbode.com the shipping is free).

Tick Tock And You Don't Stop

Much like Cinderella, I always awake with a song on my lips, a spring in my step and a sparkle in my eye. As little blue birds help me pick out an outfit while cherubic mice brush my hair, I have to wonder what the big deal is with rising and shining.

Over on the other side of the bed it's a different story -- one that involves hissing, thrashing, threatening and sobbing.

Help is at hand in the form of these fetching, durable and cunning alarm clocks. Exhibit A, the Iron Radio Alarm Clock from ModCloth ($18.74, was $24.99) lets you plug in your iPod and wake up the way you want to, be it with Enya or Motorhead. Exhibit B, Clocky the Mobile Alarm Clock from Target ($49.99) is an impish fellow. If you reach for the snooze button, he'll jump off your bedside table and roll away, sounding his alarm in defiance. Exhibit C is the MUJI Rubber Alarm Clock from the MOMA Store ($36). Throw this guy all you like -- he'll always bounce back. And Exhibit D is the LED Wood Clock from Home Republic ($59.95). I just think it looks cool.

Foo On You

This just in: There are people out there who are willing to pay $500 for this:

When they could pay $30 for this:

Who knew Foo Dogs were such a must-have? The world is a strange and frightening place.

Forbidden Fabric Fantasies

While I was home in Virginia, I picked up an old piano bench from a second-hand shop for $10. I figured I could sand it, stain it, swap out the fabric and have myself a cute little ottoman. (Stay tuned for the results). The hardest part was choosing the fabric -- I must have called Matt over to the computer to evaluate 50 different prints. I ended up settling on some Betsey Johnson fabric I already had, but that doesn't mean I don't dream about these other designers every night. Dreams don't count as cheating!

All of these swatches range from $8-$16 a yard.

That's a Wrap!

Pip & Fig offers the mother-of-all-DIY-fabulous-table-setting-money-saving deco necessasity: the wrap vase. For $4.00, that's right $4.00 (as in 4 one dollar bills!) you can have a wrap vase to call your very own.

"What IS a wrap vase?" you ask.

"It's a 8 x 11-1/2 sheet of heavy card stock," I say before adding, "Look."




Yes. That is a 2 liter plastic Fresca bottle. Props to Pip and Fig.



Pop!



Fizz!

Ahhhhh. So refreshing. Much like a Fresca I might add.

Of course the way P&F explains it, the wrap vase is better than a citrusy soda:

Create a wild rumpus atop your table for pennies using our fun new Vase Wraps. With a little tape, you can turn a empty soft drink bottle, a juice glass or a jelly jar into a fabulous vase for your next special occasion dinner, shower or party. Set a table where modern sensibility meets wonky illustrations meets humor. Dish up affordable high design.

Simply assemble your Vase Wrap with tape and slip it over a repurposed jar or glass and fill with fresh flowers.


Well I am all about rumpusing, people.

This Just In

LOYAL FOLLOWERS (ALL TEN OF YOU) STOP UNABLE TO RESIST THE RETRO CHARM OF HOOP.DEE.DO BULLETIN BOARD STOP THEY’RE PRACTICAL STOP THEY’RE VIBRANT STOP THEY’RE ADORABLE STOP THEY’RE FREAKIN’ AFFORDABLE STOP NO GO TO THE NEAREST COMPUTER AND ORDER THEM FROM LITTLE PRETTY STUDIO STOP AVAILABLE IN 6” ($12.50) 9” ($16.50), 12” ($21.00), AND 14” ($24.00) STOP HELL, GET SOME FOR ME WHILE YOU’RE AT IT REALLY STOP.