12 Movies for the 12 Days of Christmas

In light of the holiday season, I thought that I would post some of my favorite festive films. Tell me which ones are your favorites?

The Little Drummer Boy

 Home Alone

A Miracle on 34th Street

Grinch

Rudolph the Red Nose Raindeer

Elf

Scrooged

 

A Christmas Story

  Its a Wonderful Life

Babes in Toyland

 

Chevy Chase National Lampoon

The Nut Cracker

Dream Home Series 6: Snuggle Up In These Cool Reading Nooks

If reading can be transformational why shouldn't the space you read in follow suit?

Finding a good reading spot is like finding money with a metal detector. The idea of a good reading spot varies because its inherant with the reader. Some people can read in a desk and chair, some outside under a tree, and some on a crowded subway. Personally, I  find nooks to be ideal and think that there are some overarching elements that make them a great  addition to have in every home, office, or school.

The best reading nooks need to have the perfect combination of comfort, light,  and cave-like secret privacy that causes you to manifest an anti-social fervor that reads, "I'm too cool for you.  I'm reading."

In this safe space, the reader can fully escape into the throws of the story and feel no shame doing the following:

Crying
Laughing
Gasping
Throwing down your book with anticipation.

Why? Because its expected here. That is what you do.

So where can you create these spaces?

By Your Favorite Window

This is one of the easiest places to create your nook. All you really need is a body pillow or old cushion and maybe spice it up with some candles on the sill. Also, its portable so if the time of day is too harsh or you discover you want a different window to sit under than its as easy as 1,2,3.  

By The Fireplace

Snuggling up with a romance book is always pleasant. Even while your fantasy lover may break your heart, you can be comforted in your nook by the fire. While the first image illlustrates a luxurious room this can easily be recreated by throwing down a blanket, shag rug, ottoman, or bean bags.

Closet

Most of us probably are trying to capitalize on our storage space, but if you are one of the lucky few or simply have a closet thats not really working for you why not try converting it to a reading nook.

 --The homeowner here took the door off which provides for easy and accessible lighting.

-- They Installed some shelves which can be optional and fairly quick to do.

--Lastly they made a custom platform with cushion. You could supplement that feature by squeezing in an ottoman or comfy chair instead.

Loft It 

Have a weird loft space you have been using to store your vases? Kick those things off and make it a reading nook. Just attach a ladder and you'll be far from all your problems.

Under The Stairs

Transform that broom closet under the stairs into a unique little retreat for you and your best books to get away. The space already exists so no add ons other than maybe installing some shelves or placing a bean bag, pad, or bench. Take off the door for more lighting or stick up  one of these babies.

Ye Old Guest Room

Unlike your own bedroom in which you visit every night,  no one really goes in here and sometimes you even forget it exists.  Yet, by repurposing the room as a nook and guest room you come out getting a multifunctional space and a great escape. Once you secure the door you can  lock into your book.

As always I appreciate feed back on this lil posts of mine. If you find them helpful tell me about them! If you have a few tips drop me a email! In either case I hope you enjoyed.

Fortune Cookie Fun

Oh really !!?

Mirror Mirror On My Accent Wall

Mirror mirror on the wall, please help spruce up my home this fall. Sometimes putting a simple mirror on your wall can easily add that contemporary, traditional, country, or eclectic touch you've been trying to nail. Not only will they provide something cool to look at but by choosing the right frame shape and size you can reflect more light in a darker space and give the illusion that a room is larger/ higher in height.

But you don't want just any ordinary mirror. MadeGoods is one of my new favorite sites to shop for accessories. Scan below to get a glimpse at a few of my favorites: 

But a word of caution.  Mirror hangers there's a possibility that the slightly narcissistic people in your household may hog up "mirror time" which could lead to some nasty fights. Better hope that it doesn't turn out like this scene from one of my favorite shows this season Once Upon A Time. 

Gold Leaf & Bronze Patina Mirror, 28" or 18"
by Chole
Find at MadeGoods

Tarnished Silver Mirror, 20"
by Gigi
Find at MadeGoods

Light Oxidized Mirror, 40"
by Farah
Find at MadeGoods

Light Oxidized Mirror, 40"
by Farah
Find at MadeGoods

Light Oxidized Mirror, 40"
by Farah
Find at MadeGoods

Light Oxidized Mirror, 40"
by Farah
Find at MadeGoods

Coral White Mirror, 34"
by Serrat
Find at MadeGoods

White Faux Bois Mirror, 30"
by Xabier
Find at MadeGoods

Cream Shell Mirror, 36"
by Ava
Find at MadeGoods

Grotta Baroque Shell Pattern Mirror, 30"W x 38"H
Find at MadeGoods

Tip# : Try placing a mirror on a mirror. Really do it! The dimensions it adds to the environment 

Light Oxidized Mirror, 40"
by Farah
Find at MadeGoods

Funny Stressed Induced Nightmare

Courtesy of my friends at XKCD A Webcomic of Romance, Sarcasm, Math, and Language, I found this funny little comic that is just too ironic that I had to share. It seems whenever I'm stressed this is exactly what happens! What is this about and why can't I have dreams that are conducive to my current life! I guess I was just too serious of a student. Any thoughts?

http://xkcd.com/557/ Image URL (for hotlinking/embedding): http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/students.png

Join Me and Millions- Observe Earth Hour!

For all of you who didn’t know this March 31st from from 8:30-9:30pm is Earth Hour? What is that exactly? Watch the video and participate!

Each year people and cities from around the world honor our planet by turning out their lights for one symbolic hour—-EARTH HOUR. The event, sponsored by World Wildlife Fund, began in Sydney Australia in 2007 when 2 million people switched off their lights to support environmentally sustainable action.  The hour is now observed by 135 countries and territories!

Learn more about Earth Hour here:  http://www.earthhour.org/

A Little Environmental Humor

Hey yall here's a little environmental humor to brighten your  day. Just click the link below the image.

http://FunnyOrDie.com/m/ew2

We Are All Connected: Japanese Tsunami Debris & More Thoughts

AdPhoto by___on Huffinton POstd caption

Hey everyone I just read this article on the Huffington Post "Green" section and wanted to share it with you.  What a sad reminder of a horrific time.  Immediately, I thought of how this is just another reminder to us all that everything in the world in connected (earth, water, air) in the respect that everything is transient.  We really cannot keep living with the mentality that  we are impervious from what happens in our neighbors home, yard, state, or country and that it won't hurt me. Just think of how air pollution, runoff, and waste we emit and where it goes. That is a big idea I want all my readers to think about...where do the things you see in your daily life go and eventually end up? Do you know or do you only think you know? Odds are that researching it will reveal some surprising facts that you didn't know before.With that in mind I believe that education, discussion, and collaboration are foundational in starting to become better stewards of the earth and of each other. Please read below for the article.

Japan Tsunami Debris Forecast Discussed By Scientists 

HONOLULU (AP) — Lumber, boats and other debris ripped from Japanese coastal towns by tsunamis last year have spread across some 3,000 miles to areas halfway across the North Pacific, and could wash ashore on remote islands north of Hawaii any day now. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates the first bits of tsunami debris will land at small atolls northwest of the main Hawaiian Islands this winter. 

NOAA's tsunami marine debris coordinator, Ruth Yender, told an online news conference Tuesday that agency workers looking for the debris are boarding Coast Guard flights that regularly patrol the archipelago. 

NOAA is also asking scientists stationed at Midway and other atolls to look for it.
Yender says so far no debris confirmed to be from the tsunamis has landed on U.S. shores.

Revisiting Greensburg Kansas: A Viable Guide for Communities Dealing with Storm Aftermath?

In light of the onslaught of devastating storms our country has been facing in recent weeks many communities are now facing the challenges of picking up the pieces. Yet, if we can look past the tragedy could there be a brighter side to the devastation? I think yes. These communities have been given an unfortunate but unique opportunity to rebuild parts or even their entire cities based around their most relevant needs.   Isn’t this an opportune time for community leaders, city council’s members, and citizens to consider implementing more sustainable features? Reconstruction must happen and with many areas receiving aid from FEMA and Red Cross why haven’t we been pushing this as a viable option for these communities?

And yes, it’s been done before. Anyone  remember Greensburg, Kansas? The little town not too far from Witchita that was  almost obliterated damaging 95% in 2009 when a EF5 tornado touched down?  Well, after the storm the city council banded together and passed a resolution stating that all city buildings would be built to LEED - platinum standards, making it the first city in the nation to do so. That meant implementing plans to have waste oil recycled for heating, sun lights in place of fluorescent lights that were to be dimmed, a pond to capture runoff water for irrigating drought resistant landscaping and a lot to contain crushed concrete from basements and sidewalks that were demolished by the storm. Not to mention:

• The city entered into a power purchase agreement with a “green” power provider that has promised “100% renewable electricity, 100% of the time” from their wind, hydro, and other renewable energy electricity generation sources.
• LEED Platinum SunChips Business Incubator: High-performance building materials provide maximum insulation and protection from high winds. Solar photovoltaic panels on the roof convert sunlight directly to electricity that meets about 10% of the building’s electricity requirements. A geothermal heating and cooling system taps into the earth’s temperature (warmer than outdoor air in winter and cooler in summer) to heat and cool the building.  Natural light provides most of the internal lighting, which minimizes the need for artificial lights. Water from sinks and showers is recycled and used to flush toilets. The recycled water (gray water) is supplemented by rainwater, which is collected and stored as it falls on the building.
• LEED Platinum John Deere Dealership: The Greensburg dealership’s green features include highly insulated wall and roof systems, a highly energy- efficient heating and cooling system, and a network of skylights and mirrored reflectors that direct natural light where it is needed and reduce electricity use for lighting. Two onsite wind turbines provide electricity that offsets nearly 10% of the building’s total electricity needs.

• To learn more about the  check out the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s case study here.

While Greensburg is just a small town of less than 5,000 residents the community leaves little doubt that green communities can “have a higher regard for human health, are easier on the natural environment, are well poised for economic growth and job creation, and through energy security, contribute to our nation’s security.”  Who wouldn’t want that?So where does this leave communities with  fleeting resources and very few investors? Like everything else that path is uncertain but will be hard just like every other.  Perhaps start by joining together, having community meetings, engaging with state leaders. Making needs and wants clear.  The fact is that for communities today, reconstruction must happen. While the entire initiative may not be viable for every community there are some things to be taken away from this case. So, if for just a moment we can de-politize going green and pull away all the red tape of politics and economics perhaps we can be able to see the benefits.

Please weigh in with comments if you’d like. This post is mainly to just get people thinking about the subject.

Celebrate Women Empowerment Month

We women rock! In light of women empowerment month I wanted share one of my favorite poems that speaks to body image acceptance. Love yourself and love your neighbor. Post your favorite quote in the comments!

        

homage to my hips

BY LUCILLE CLIFTON

these hips are big hips

they need space to

move around in.

they don't fit into little

petty places. these hips

are free hips.

they don't like to be held back.

these hips have never been enslaved,   

they go where they want to go

they do what they want to do.

these hips are mighty hips.

these hips are magic hips.

i have known them

to put a spell on a man and

spin him like a top!

homage to my hips by Lucille Clifton : The Poetry Foundation- Lucille Clifton, “homage to my hips” from Good Woman. Copyright © 1987 by Lucille Clifton. Reprinted with the permission of Curtis Brown, Ltd.

BAD GIRLS CLUB WALLPAPER

Hey everyone! This post maybe nonsense, but I just had to do it because I was really surprised.

While I can't really take credit for this particular item, I can say that I am excited to see one of the wall papers that I spotlighted in my post Style Starter Up being used by the interior design staff of the Bad Girls Las Vegas (season 8) on Oxygen!

Please click image for more information about the wall paper.

I'll admit that I'm not an avid watcher of the reality hit or reality TV in general, but  for those of you that are not aware of this show I'll lay it out for you. The premise of the show centers around a group of seven women living in a house with psychological, behavioral and attitudinal problems to boot. With all of them claiming to be the baddest "bad girl," there's never a dull moment.  Each episode almost guarantees a series of physical fights, pranks, and rivalries. So, essentially  the entertainment value is based around a of bunch of women downgrading other women, which I am NOT a proponent of,  but who am I to say what's entertainment. To each his own.

Anyway, please watch the first six seconds of this clip to catch the wallpaper. Its to the left of the screen while the girls are on the phone. And if your feeling a little bad why not watch the rest?...Until next time.

(Oh, and you usually see it more often in full episodes)

14 Ways to Rekindle You're Flame with the Earth

Who says you can't show a little love to the planet this Valentine's day? Whether your solo, or shacked up, rekindle your relationship by following these 14 lovely tips.

1. Take a wildlife watching walk in a nearby national park or visit a natural history museum.
2. Bypass the chemicals in perfume and purchase essential oils for your sweetheart.
3. Be competitive and play outdoor sports (ice skating hockey skiing for you snow bunnies and volleyball, surfing, hiking, or kayaking for us lucky people). Despite where you live, what better way for you to get your blood pumping ;) 
4. Throw a dinner party or night in using the food you clear out from that old fridge or freezer. Pretend to be a master chef and make a creative challenge out of it!
5. Pick out a tree together that symbolizes your love and if you can plant it or just spend sometime outdoors gardening.
6. Visit your local farmers’ markets and indulge in local food. 
7. Unwind by sitting outdoors in solitude or having a picnic (for you snowbound folks building a snowman instead is just as fun) with your partner.
8. Invest in some binoculars to watch birds with your other half then try making a card by drawing what you see for each other on recycled paper.
9. Send a paperless Valentine's Day card using an E-card.The Natural Resource Defense Council e-card is a great one because  when you buy you are also donating.
10. Enjoy a tasty treat while donating 10% of the sale toward protecting animals and their habitat by giving Endangered Species Chocolate. Also, check out  The Huffington Post’s chocolate list.
11. Go a romantic camping trip or just experience a spectacular sunset then layout under the stars. Take some memorable photos.
12. Take a trip to a working farm and see where your food and other products come from/are made.
13. Do some nummy activities with your hunny by baking vegan cookies together!
14. If popping the big question, consider looking into antique or pre-owned rocks with unique cuts and that also bypasses the need for additional pollution caused by mining.

HAVE A HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY READERS!

Black Beautiful and Bold: Stylish Monochrome Rooms

So it seems that in the world of interior design black rooms are no longer the black sheep of the color family but the latest trend. And why not? They are pretty seductive and with everyone liking vampires and whatnot, naturally, isn't this just the next step? No no, in all seriousness black can do a lot for a room. For one, they hold the most depth and make every other color/accent pop. And, if done properly black can bring coziness to the small room and elegance to the large. Just check out some of my favorites below if you don't believe me. But, whatever your position on the matter maybe, I for one know I am a proponent of black being the new black.

Some things to consider when opting for black:

Get it right! What feeling are you going for? Many of you may not realize that there is both a cool black and a warm black. Blacks with bluer hues and can contribute to a more cool ambiance while blacks that align with redder hues can give your room a warmer feeling. While this is not a rule, do plan ahead and see if this will alter your final vision. 

Add a little pop!  Black rooms are like a blank canvas and going as far as adding a contrasting color (white is its opposite) or any solid color as an accent in a couch, lamp, pillow, or mantle can provide a lot of visual interest. Try teal, red, white, yellow, or a pattern to start! 

Bling-a-bling-bling! Other things that can really enhance a black room is its accessories. I am a firm believer that mirrors and lighting can make or break a room. Metallics in general can be contemporary. Whether you agree with me or not such things can add functionality by work to brighten the space as well as a bit of elegance. Organic textures like pieces out of wood or basketry can spin it in an entirely different direction When in doubt rugs, artwork, and good old books  are awesome investment too! The possibilities are endless. 

HAVE FUN!