I'm a Lookiloo...How 'bout You?

I found this new website: http://www.lookiloos.com/ and I thought I'd share it with you. It's the opportunity to peek inside some of the best decorated homes in the Bay Area. I love open houses and getting decorating ideas that way and now I don't even have to leave the house to do it!

I especially loved the tour of "A Decorator's Daughter" in Willow Glen. From the curving walkway that welcomes you to the ivy covered front porch to the subway tile in the kitchen, this house is beautiful. My favorite feature of the kitchen was this little chalkboard. So cute! I'm trying to think of a way to work something like that into my kitchen.

Lookiloos is a great place to visit if you are looking for some decorating inspiration!

Tight Times

Husband and I had a conversation last night that is making me think...and think and think. It wasn't an argument at all, rather a "meeting of the minds". I came in with a picture of a beautiful headboard I had found online at Pottery Barn that was on sale for $299. I have been desperately wanting a headboard for awhile now and this seemed like a great opportunity. He expressed concern that there were other things that we needed (like a new, properly working car for him) on which the money would be better spent. I told him I agreed, but also wanted a bedroom that felt like I had taken some time to put the elements together (and for goodness sakes, get rid of his Rubbermaid "dresser" in the corner!).

We've been talking a lot recently about ways that we can cut back and we have decided to let those thoughts simmer until we have a "board meeting" in January. Husband gets his raise then and it will be time to revamp the current budget as well as a time to more fully implement our money saving strategies.

In the meantime, I've been looking for things that I can do right now to ease the strain. I was happy to see this post over on Money Saving Mom by guest blogger Jennifer Duenes from Life From the Roof (who is also in the Bay Area). What I took away from her post was to be content with what you have and not get new things just to "have" them.

So I have decided to try to spruce up our bedroom without buying the $300 headboard and make the best of what we've got. I'm going to make a design plan for the bedroom from start to finish so that I can add things along the way instead of making a large purchase all at once. I'll update my progress as I go and maybe you can help out with some tips of your own.

Decor for your door

I just spruced up my front porch for Fall (and because it's the girls' birthday party tomorrow). Although it's been in the high 70's in the Bay Area this past week, it is officially Fall. I headed over to Michael's to pick up some supplies...and was delighted to find that so many items were on sale...

all Fall garland 50% off...
all Fall floral stems and bushes 50% off...
all faux fruit and vegetables 40% off (lots of pumpkins!)...
hay bales for $5.99...
cute little scarecrows for $5.99...

And if there's something you love that's not on sale, here is a coupon for 40% off one regular priced item. Hurry in, because the coupon expires today.

Michael's already has lots of Christmas decorations up too. I had to force myself to look straight ahead and walk away. That's for another trip!