House and Home gift guide

One great thing about growing up is getting your own space, even if you are just renting. Its fun to experiment with your style and to make a house a home. Today's guide is a few things I found around the web that make great gifts for brightening up any space. AND the best part? All under $25. Santa ain't rich after all.



1// West Elm Papier Maché Antlers $19
Growing up in Idaho I saw a lot of antlers and animals on peoples walls and I definitely was not loving it. Oh how the times have changed. Since when do I want a dead animal on my wall, really? I feel like a hypocrite to my state. But at least I have not abandoned my roots. This paper maché option is a great compromise.

2// West Elm Metallic Tea Light Holders $10
The easiest way to brighten a small or dark space is to add some reflective surfaces. The combination of candle light and these metallic holders could do wonders for your home. Metallics are in so you can find similar holders nearly everywhere.

3// Etsy Quilted Fox Print by Gingiber $20
Etsy is a great place to find original art work for your home at a great price. I love the colors and patterns of this print. It would even be fun for a girls room/nursery.

4// Amazon Design Sponge at Home $23.50
I assume most of you have heard of Design Sponge. If not, go check it out here. The moment I heard they were coming out with a book I had it pre-ordered. And then when I found out they were coming to San Francisco for the book tour I signed up for that as well (a post for another day). This book is amazing. It is filled with sneak peeks into homes around the world and tips on what they did and how to re-create it. There is a whole DIY section full of fun, new projects. And that is only the beginning.

5// IKEA Patterned Black Tray $19.99
An easy way to get started on transforming your space is to buy a tray. Put it on your coffee table and put some books a vase and a candle on it. This would be a great house warming gift as well.

6// West Elm Log Vase $19
A nice vase filled with a winter bouquet of flowers would be the perfect gift to give when going to visit the in laws for the holidays. I love this wood vase because it looks great with or without flowers and the wood tones warm up a space instantly.

Thank you for all of you who commented and entered in my first giveaway yesterday! For those of you feeling out of the loop.... check it out here and don't forget to comment!

If you want to comment on this post and tell me your favorite or if you have found anything great for the home in your shopping I'd LOVE to hear from you :)

Fred Larry

Alden and I have been searching the streets (and the web) for the perfect place we can rent (we are hoping to move out in the next few months). While perusing through craigslist the other day I found the perfect place. Three bedroom house for rent in Walnut creek (a nice neighboorhood). Was it too good to be true?!
Maybe. But I thought I would email just in case.

Last night at 11:00 pm I got a response from, Fred Larry. My first thought, "Fred Larry... really? Your name is FRED LARRY?" But I carried on. The email went on to explain about the house and how this "Fred" was currently over seas. He couldn't give us a tour of the house but he could send pictures and when it came time he would send us the key. He didn't ask for our credit card or anything he even gave us the option of paying either 1 or 2 months of rent up front. Nice guy eh?

Well we jumped in the car and drove to the house to take a look. It was a perfect little house (from what I could tell in the dark) right next to a little elementary school, cute little neighborhood. Things were looking good. BUT there was a car in the driveway. weird. We decided since he left a number that we would just call him to see if it was legit. We figured out what we were going to ask him and how we could "test" him to see if it was real or not. Right as Alden picked up the phone to dial, we decided to google the phone number.....

BAM. SCAM ARTIST. NICARAGUA.

poop. I hate you Fred Larry.

ps. this lovely home above is not Fred Larry's. It was found via here.