Ut Oh

Going to Web sites such as Macys and then doing a search for "penguins" is a bad idea.

Jonathan Adler has a penguin ornament out. $28 is a lot to spend on an ornament, but I might not be able to help myself. This little guy is adorable, and would make a perfect addition to my penguin tree.

I spy...

...new penguin ornaments at Crate & Barrel!

Wooly Winter Sport Penguin Ornaments:
Alpaca Chubby Penguin Ornaments:
These will be fabulous additions to my penguin tree. I especially love the sporty penguins. I think I might have to get all 3 of those. :)

Ikea, round 2

Brent and I are doing an Ikea roadtrip to Minneapolis this weekend, and I'm just a tad excited for it. Plus, I've never been to Minneapolis for pleasure, so it will be nice to see the city.

While our shopping list isn't as big as I was originally expecting, it will still be a productive trip.

The List
Expedit bookcase (for behind the sectional in the man cave):

Another Expedit bookcase (for behind the sectional in the man cave):

Branas Baskets for the Expedits:

SKUBB drawer organizers for the nursery:

Bastis hooks for the nursery:

Kassetts magazine files for work:

On our original list was also a crib, but Ikea sadly took all those away for more testing about 6 weeks ago. So that decision gets to remain in limbo for a bit.

I'll also be hitting up The Container Store while there, because that store is amazing. I'm still in shock that Kansas City doesn't have one. Apparently, my fellow neighbors feel differently about organization, and that makes me sad.

With visions of Ikea dancing in my head

I've never been to an Ikea.

Considering the closest Ikea to Kansas City is 7 hours away, it's just never happened.

When I told Brent that people here make Ikea-weekend runs, which consist of driving to Minneapolis, staying the night, going to Ikea in the morning, and then driving back – he looked at me like I was insane. Well, until one of his friends made the Ikea voyage. Then Brent thought the concept of the "Ikea weekend" was perfectly normal, and we've been trying to plan our own weekend getaway.

So when I found out two of my friends are getting married in Dallas, I decided this would be the perfect time to multitask. Their wedding is now two weeks away, and my Ikea journey is almost here.

While I know I'll be doing some impulse shopping, I have 3 must haves on my list:

The white Expedit shelf:
2 black Expedit drawer inserts (for the shelf in my kitchen):2 Henriksdal dining chairs:

Dear Z Gallerie...

Why can't you make this is gray?

This would be perfect for my bedroom. Sigh.

My 2010 ornament wishlist

There are some fabulous ornaments out there this year. I am in love! I'm still trying to figure out my list, but here's what I've got so far:

CB2's wire ornament:
Crate & Barrel's herringbone dogs:Crate & Barrel's menswear penguins:
Crate & Barrel's ceramic penguin:
Crate & Barrel's wood carved white Scottie:
Hallmark's Oh So Sweet:
Hallmark's Seasoning's Treatings:
Hallmark's A Fishy Wish:
Hallmark's Snow Happy to Serve:

Side tables on the cheap

How adorable are these stools/side tables from Crate & Barrel?!?!? Especially at $14.95 a pop – that's right, $14.95.


I'm tempted to get several for the man cave.

Light bulb chandeliers

I'm not a fan of the chandelier in my dining room. While I can appreciate the old-world look – it should never be mixed with modern glam, because said light fixture will stick out like a sore thumb.

I've been in love with Pottery Barn's edison chandelier for awhile now.


Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately?), I'm cheap and would never drop $399 on a light fixture. I was hoping JC Penney would catch on and make a knock-off like they do with every other Pottery Barn item, but no luck. For awhile, I even debated about making my own.

Then I flipped through CB2's catalog and saw the firefly pendant lamp:
It's even more perfect for the space and with a $199 price tag – way more doable. (Especially when factoring in that my birthday is in September). Yes!

Are there any light fixture crazes you're obsessed with right now? Anyone joining me on the light bulb obsession?

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If you're stopping by from my DIY Showoff feature, welcome and thanks for stopping in.

If you liked the man-cave theme, please check out the beer-tasting party I threw for my husband on Saturday.

Penguins in July

When I think about Hallmark, I don’t think of cards or gift wrap – I think ornaments. And I love ornaments…especially those with penguins on them.

Hallmark’s ornament premiere is this weekend, and I’m sure Brent will be thrilled to learn my penguin tree will be growing by at least 4 ornaments this year.


While I'm not planning on going to the premiere, I do plan on hitting Hallmark up before long. I waited too long last year and didn’t get several ornaments on my list – that mistake will not be made again.

If you are a penguin ornament lover like myself, you have to check out the blog My Penguin Tree. Donald puts all other penguin trees to shame, with the amount of ornaments in his stash. So how many does he have? Enough to dedicate an entire blog to them.

Major crush

I can't stop looking at this sofa from Crate & Barrel. I am loving the pinstripes. Sexy, sexy sofa. Sexy, sexy room.

Amazing!

An outlet that also lets you charge USB devices? Sign me up!

Pottery Barn Teen

Is it bad that I like PB Teen more than Pottery Barn? PB Teen is cheaper and the items lack the farmhouse-look Pottery Barn has. While I can appreciate shabby chic, this girl's style is far from that.

My PB Teen obsession started last January, when I found this makeup storage container, which I decided was a must on my desk for my office supplies. $79 for an office organizer that big – deal!

I just looked through the new PB Teen catalog (while mourning the loss of my Jayhawks) and found some more great stuff.

Here's some of my favorites:

Mirrored Wall Letters:

Display-It Rails:

Bubble-Up Lamp Base:


Bubble-Up Bedside Table:


Indy Towels:

Zebra sheet set (unfortunately no sets are available in king):

I dream of zebra

I have always loved animal print, but my passion for zebra print only seems to grow. After admiring these 3 living rooms for Rate My Space, I have decided to suck it up
and go for the plunge.


I found this fabulous zebra-print rug on eBay, and I think it has my living room's
name on it. Now I only need to figure out the size I need. I think the 6x8 might be perfect, and seriously, you can't beat an eBay price.

My latest crush

I am in love with this chair.

And where would I put this fabulous chair? In my bedroom, of course.There's an empty corner on the other side of the room that would be perfect for it.

I know this chair will most likely never happen, but I am an amazing dreamer.

After-Christmas sales

I love after-Christmas sales. If you are a lover of green (like me) or red – you are especially golden. I buy all my green candles and other green accessories once Christmas is over. There is tons of "holiday" stuff that can be used all year round – yet these items carry the fabulous after-Christmas discounts. My favorite place? Crate & Barrel.

Here's some stuff I'm already eying:

Holiday Spreaders:
Dot Merry Mugs:
Beaded Bow Napkin Rings:

Ruffle Foil Chargers:

This Year's Christmas List

The oh-so important Christmas list is done. Here are my favorite home items we are asking for.

2 more dining room chairs

Pier 1 circle wall decor:

2 Bed Bath & Beyond Anthology Tile Bath Towels:

Pillowcase from Etsy: