Giveaway Tomorrow! »

I have been a little distracted over the weekend from recent happenings at my 9-to-5 job, so no life-altering Monday posts. HOWEVER - tomorrow I’ve got a GIVEAWAY for you, sponsored by delight.com. Pop over to their website to get a heads up on what they’ve got and get ready for fun little giveaway tomorrow!

Pattern Tips from Stacy and Clinton »

As I was trying to break in the couch by going out of my way to watch a little TV {wink}, I caught an episode of ‘What Not To Wear’ on TLC. I know my mom loves watching that show, and if I indulged myself a little more to watch TV more often, I probably would too. They have really great style tips that I think are worth knowing. On one of last week’s episodes, Stacy and Clinton gave pattern advice to their ’student’. I thought it was very appropriate to how we decorate our homes. Here are their 3 rules of thumb:

• Neutrals are black, tan, gray, navy and green and can be combined together in any shade.
• Neutrals can be mixed with any color or pattern.
• Other colors and patterns can be mixed together if the same colors are present within the color palette.

This is a really good way to measure the colors and patterns in your home. Don’t get hung up on mixing blues and blacks or reds and pinks, etc… there are much fewer rules to decorating than you think. I myself am breaking a few of these rules in my home, but that’s just how I like my home to look. So, a la Stacy and Clinton, if you are going to do pattern in your home - the patterns can be different if they contain similar colors. They’re right! See if it applies in your decorating…

Facebook’s “25 Things” »

Whether it’s appropriate or not, here’s my ‘25 things’ as posted on Facebook. This way you little more about me, and when you comment, I learn a little more about you! Don’t forget to ‘friend me’ on Facebook - and Rosie - THIS GOES FOR YOU TOO!

1. I raced everyone in my grade (even raced the yard duties and custodians) to win the title of “Fastest Girl in Fourth Grade”.

2. I dated a guy with O.C.D. and it drove me crazy. We were late to everything because he had to comb his eyebrows and iron his jeans before we left.

3. I must always have chapstick on my lips. I reapply hourly.

4. I used to think that ‘workaholics’ were ridiculous. Who would EVER want to inflict more work on themselves than was necessary. This week I realized I DO.

5. If the bed is against the wall, I will not sleep on that side because of the spiders.

6. When I’m mad, I cry - and I hate it.

7. I am terrified of being lazy. For this reason I cannot enjoy: sleeping in, watching TV, taking naps, or relaxing.

8. I am the youngest of seven children. My brother is 17 years older than me.

9. I was voted ‘Most Likely to be President’ in 8th grade.

10. I met my husband at 18 and I got married at 19. I’m convinced my co-workers thought I was pregnant and was getting married to cover it up. Just happens that I found him early, and getting married was the best decision I’ve ever made. We have so much fun together.

11. I think it’s unfortunate that people think they need to get married or have kids to be happy.

12. When we were younger, I would do my sister Paige’s Art homework, and she would do my Math homework.

13. I think a true friend is someone I can eat a Starburst with: you eat all the reds and pinks, I eat all the oranges and yellows.

14. Going to a GREAT movie for the first time is my favorite thing to do - however you don’t know you’ve done it until it’s over.

15. I’m terrified of airplanes.

16. I’m the Yahtzee QUEEN.

17. I’m turning into my mother… good thing is my mother is hip, understanding, relaxed, and ready to party.

18. I miss going dancing.

19. I wish I were better at cooking, and I wish I liked running.

20. I wish I owned a letterpress.

21. Married for nearly 6 years, and I have NEVER flatulated in front of my husband.

22. I want to eat cookies everyday. Sometimes I do.

23. When I was born, my parents were expecting the boy they thought they were having. I went home in a baseball onesy, and my name was going to be Ryan.

24. I go in phases, red hair, brown hair, tongue ring, short hair, blonde hair… I get bored easily.

25. I’ve owned three homes by 24. Oh, the lessons you learn in real estate.

Some Recent Little Additons… »

Just some fun little things that have helped my little pad feel a little homier. These are the highlights:

New Dwell for Target pillows - a gift from my sister {target}

A wooden chest to house my husband’s book collection {ross}

New Dwell for Target pillow - a gift from my sister {target}

A new arrangement on the walls - a canvas I had painted years ago, my framed Love Print, and a cute little Target picture frame that’s waiting for the right picture.

Ahh… The Weekend »

After having Monday off for President’s Day, I’ve had an intense and quick 4-day work week. Boy, I could get used to that!

Here is what’s on the docket for the weekend, along with posts to come:
1. Spend the West Elm gift card that has been burning a hole in my pocket for weeks {post to come}
2. Updates and hopefully completion of two websites: a great female dentist in Pleasanton, and a private elementary school in San Francisco. These have been fun projects, and I’m excited for the completion. {post to come}
3. A trip to Ikea - hoping to get a white shelf to add some height and personality to the living room {post to come}
4. Selling our 4-month-old couch in preparation for the new couch {long story, and post to come}

Have a great weekend! I’m having a fun time getting to know my readers, and have made some new fun friends who also have great blogs to read. I’ll be sure to share more next week!

Could I Design Fabric? »

I know, I do too much already, but can’t I design my own fabric too? I always love to find new fabric designers, and sometimes wish I could make my own. I took an hour at the computer today to see what I could come up with… Do you think I have what it takes?

Happy Valentines Day! »

Here are the Valentines that I made for my friends this year based on a couple of my favorite TV shows… feel free to pass them on to your friends! enjoy!

Tips For Decorating Your Nursery »

Because 2 of my close friends (that I know of) are pregnant, and my sister-in-law and another friend each had a baby this week, and because I get asked nearly every day when I’m having kids  (and because EVERY time I’m sick, and I’m talking stuffy nose and sore throat, symptoms that clearly point to ‘cold’, someone *still* says, “Maybe you’re pregnant!” ) - I thought this article would come in handy.

Okay, sorry for that little rant. I have been sick for a few weeks with a sore throat and ear ache, and I can’t tell you how many times someone said that. Yeesh. Anyhow - back to what I came here for. I stumbled on a great article about important things to consider when putting together your baby room. I can’t find the original article from Better Homes and Gardens, but I found one from Move.com who sited the source.

Here is a quick run-down of the tips from Better Homes and Gardens:

1. Plan for the room to last through childhood. Avoid giving it too much of a baby feel — once your child hits preschool, light blue or pink might seem like it’s “for babies.” Choose wall treatments and furniture that are appropriate for any age and use accessories to give the room a baby feel. Also make sure there’s a place for a bed once your baby grows out of the crib.

2. Take note of the light in the room. Check out the angles that the sun comes in at different times of day. Don’t put the crib in a spot that gets direct sunlight in the morning, or in a spot that a streetlight shines on all night.

3. Consider double-duty furniture. You might find a changing table that can convert to a dresser once your baby grows out of diapers. The longer you can use the furniture, the better the value.

4. Avoid wall-to-wall carpeting. Use area rugs on a wood or cork floor, if possible. Hard floors are easier to clean up and they don’t harbor allergy-aggravating dust. Area rugs can be replaced much more easily than carpeting as they get dirty or your child’s tastes change.

5. Give yourself lots of storage space. You’ll probably need more room than you think. Once the clothes get bigger and are joined by shoes and other accessories, you’ll need every inch of closet space you can get. Not to mention a place to put all those toys!

6. Don’t forget a place for you to sit in the nursery. Pick a comfortable chair. You’ll be spending many nights there with your baby, reading her stories or rocking her to sleep.

Do you have tips you think you could add? I’d love to hear them.
One tip I think might be helpful is to consider the tasks you’ll be doing in the room. I.E. - You may want the changing table close to the crib for quick diaper changes without waking the baby… But then again, what do I know… I just have a cold!

image source: bhg.com

Free Advertising on ohbrooke »

It’s time. My blog is now advertiser-ready and I would love to get things moving. If you are interested in free adspace for a month, please email me at ohbrooke{at}gmail.com or via the advertise button in the top right, and attach your banner in any of the three ad sizes shown. {If you need help creating a banner - let me know that also.}

You may also notice that I am now featured on delightful blogs in the Design : Decor : Style section. You can check it out here.

Love Print Giveaway Winners! »

Yes, winnerS! I decided to pick two numbers to up everyone’s odds. Plus, for Valentine’s Day - everything comes in twos, right?

I loved everyone’s comments, and got some great ideas for Valentine’s Day. Amanda’s possible “Seduction & Passion” unveiling at the Art museum sounds adventurous, Claudia’s movie and chinese food sounds just my style, and Allie’s girls weekend at the amusement parks sounds like so much fun. I love girl days.  But, now it’s time for the winners:

Congratulations to Morgan and Amanda! And thanks everyone else for playing. I couldn’t sleep last night so I came up with some ideas for some new prints.