Pottery Barn Inspiration

Years ago I started noticing in Pottery Barn catalogues how they would have entire book cases full of backwards books.  So that the side with the pages was facing forwards.

I always liked how it looked, but I also like seeing which books I have on my shelf.  So I never knew how to incorporate this.

Here's a bedroom from the current Pottery Barn catalogue, notice the books in the background-

backwards, and the look is so soothing

 Here's another one... all of the books piled to the side of the couch and under the table are angled so that we see the pages.  again- much more calm looking that all of the different colors.

 This picture is not pottery barn (well not that I'm aware of), but it is REALLY similar to the original Pottery Barn picture that I noticed all of the backwards books in.  Don't you love all of the creams and whites?

I recently heard Genevieve Gorder on "Dear Genevieve" explain that when you are styling bookcases that seem too crazy and loud, take it down to just one color.  That becomes super calm. So then add in one more color for interest, but not too chaotic.  Or go full color for a big statement.  But basically she was saying (in much more eloquent words), that the number of different colors affects the feel of the bookcases.  Less colors = soothing and calm, more colors = expression and big statement (but maybe chaotic if I am the one laying things out)

And here... I love how the old books make a statement with their yellowed pages.

 So when I was trying to find things in the house to style and fill our bookcases... I found a bag of books that we intended to take to Half Price books and sell to them.  We clearly did not care about the books, so I thought, "Books we don't like or want?? GREAT! I can put them BACKWARDS on the shelf!" And so I did.

I also have a stack of newer books in a different spot on the shelf, but I forgot to take a picture of it. and I like this stack better.  But the idea is the coloring.  I love it.  Thanks Pottery Barn for a fun idea!

Organization Obsession

One of my favorite boards to post to on pinterest is my Organization Obsession board. 

Because I'm obsessed with being organized.

Sometimes I over-organize things so much that it becomes a burden to keep up with and thus leads to many piles around the house.

I realize this defeats the purpose.

But I love the thrill of coming up with a good "system."

Even when that system becomes hard to maintain.

And eventually I may revamp the system into a workable system.

This is success.

So enough talk... on to my current favorite organized spot in my house...

my children's books "library."

You see, as a teacher you buy a lot of books for your classroom.  And over the years, I've collected a lot of books.

But, my new classroom is shared with a 7th grade class on Monday, Wed, Friday.

So there is not room for all of my books.

Instead I take in a stack of books that are seasonally appropriate and put them on my 2 shelves.

the rest stay at home.

So last August, I organized my books by season or topic and put up dividers, now I can quickly reach in and grab the books I need.

I love this system. And seeing it every time I open the closet makes my heart happy! 
Oh to be organized!

Canton Find

We spent Saturday in Canton, TX shopping at the First Mondays Trade Show.  First Mondays is a HUGE flea market that happens the weekend of the first Monday of the month. It runs Thursday- Sunday. Nope, not open on Monday at all. Very confusing.

But anyway, we love going. You can find literally everything under the sun there. Literally.

And it's spread out over many acres, so you get a lot of walking in. Which makes you feel good about the fact that you ate fries for lunch and sampled a million different sweets along the way.

Okay, so onto my Canton find.  I was on the hunt to dress up this window above the tub in our master bathroom. (Sorry for the dark picture, the sun was streaming in and I just couldn't fix it with my point and shoot camera).

Before...

 After...

 I found these awesome iron and wood decoration things (no clue what to call them).

I loved the idea of bringing some wood onto this wall since the mirrors on the opposite wall are dark wood as well.  Feels more balanced now. Plus dresses up the window.

 The distressed paint even has some blues in it... LOVE!

A successful Canton trip.

Finally

Welcome to my new blog address! I'm hoping my old blog posts still show up. But I have no clue if they will.  I also said I would change blog spots on February 1st, but today is February 4th and the only reason I'm changing is because a dear friend emailed and said "Are you changing? I can't find your new blog." 

Yup- I set a reminder on my phone. I added it to my daily calendar. I got both reminders.  And I did nothing on February 1st. And then I just forgot.  Hadn't even crossed my mind since I ignored the reminders.  Awesome.

So thank you dear faithful friend! I need someone like you in my life!