Can anyone help with a use for paperclips?

Err...I mean clothespins (someone needs to start the day over...). These may just be too cute to pass up and I need ideas.

From etsy seller olivemanna

Definitely check out her site for other great designs. Ideas? Ideas?

A two hour workout...really?

Last month, Mr. Big and I hit up Las Vegas for a good friend's 40th birthday party. It was a huge reunion with great friends and in a location to have some f-u-n. Mr. Big is a bit tentative about Las Vegas (he's only been there once before), while I was raring for a good time. So you can only imagine his absolute shock when I voluntarily spent at least two hours working out at the gym each day. (That is not typical of me at the moment).

You see, we didn't really understand the whole concept behind Green Valley Ranch Resort before getting there. It's an off-strip resort that is designed to the nines. Rates are reasonable along with normal prices for food, goods, spa treatments, etc. (I feel so uncomfortable paying the ridiculously high prices at the fancy hotels on the strip). And bonus, the casino is fun! We certainly ventured to the strip...but ended up having just as much fun at Green Valley.


But then they throw in one of the most beautiful spas that I've ever experienced. And it's not one of those places where you have to have a treatment to enjoy the amenities. If you're staying there, it's yours to enjoy. (And I did!)


L-o-v-e-l-y. (Apparently lovely enough that I whipped out my camera!). And don't worry, I still rallied for the casino. Mr. Big's first trip to the craps table proved quite profitable.


After being really skeptical about the resort at first, we had a blast. Definitely worth a try!

Etsy hits again

How can one possibly pass up these original watercolors from etsy seller Putnam Court? We are in desperate need for some artwork in our office and these would start us off well. Simple, peaceful and colorful.

Tee towels

I've become obsessed with fun, modern tee towels. Studiopatro hit a home run with this set.

My husband wants a fire pit

I doubt that this is what he had in mind (but a girl can dream).

Photographed by David Prince and featured on Desire to Inspire

Remember drains on your back patio

When the builders were discussing our back patio, we spent a lot of time discussing gentle slopes that would allow for water to drain to the sides. In all of this discussion, I simply cannot fathom how Mr. Big or I didn't question whether we should put a drain somewhere in the patio.

Fast forward to this morning and you would find me rinsing down a few morsels of potting soil, just begging for a drain in this mammoth patio.


That would be today's little nugget...definitely think about those drains!

Reason enough

I'm speechless. The fireplace is reason enough to swoon over this room. But then they go and add gorgeous detailed mouldings and a laser cut wall hanging. Yes, it's sweet (and I'm usually not so into sweet design), but this room rocks it. I can't stop applauding the fire place. Bravo!

Image photographed by Rachel Smith

Exquisite and different lighting

These pendant lamps featured at Terrain are so unique. Wouldn't they be beautiful hanging as pendants in a bathroom? Or over a kitchen island? They might not give off the most amount of light, but boy, they are beautiful.

Finally, wine by the pool

The month after we moved into the house, I was accosted by a friend for drinking wine...gasp from a wine glass...while sitting on our pool steps. I suppose that I hadn't fully understood how difficult it would be to hunt down a single piece of broken glass in our monochrome pool (another home ownership secret revealed). Oh how quickly we learn.

Last weekend, Mr. Big and I had the delightful pleasure of visiting Old Montreal. A stroll through the streets yielded us the perfect solution, Govino wine glasses.


These puppies are shatterproof, reusable, recyclable plastic glasses that don't break the bank ($2.99). Supposedly they have properties consistent with crystal for color and aromatics, but we haven't yet tested that theory out yet.

I'm ready to give them a whirl. Poolside party anyone?

I could survive with this mirror in my house

From Elle Decor via From the Left Bank to the Right Coast