McTatty's Top 10 Things She Cannot Live Without

1. Burt's Bees lip balm

2. Diet Mountain Dew

3. The "Chunky" Sweater from Banana Republic. A reprisal is needed every spring in Minnesota of my biege, black, brown, white and gray chunky sweaters.

4. Seventh Generation Trash Bags - I actually do bulk orders from Gaiam.com.

5. Method hand soap - Sea Minerals. It seriously smells like the spa. How can you NOT deny something that's biodegradable and good for you? Plus it's only $4.00 online. At Target it's usually $2.99 OR $3.99. Get it, you'll never turn back!

6. The Young & The Restless (my soap opera). I read this religiously.

7. Aveda Replenishing body Moisturizer. No need to elaborate anymore on Aveda. I'm from Minnesota and have been addicted ever since my first smell at the Southdale Mall.

8. My 2 year old Nikon D70s. I got it when it was brand new. Now people have the D80 and don't know what ISO even is...

9. The GoogleReader. How the heck would I keep up with blogs like The Pioneer Woman Cooks or Apartment Therapy?

10. The song "Otherside" by Red Hot Chili Peppers. Or anything by Tom Petty. Or Dave Matthews.

PSH

Indoor Greenery... For Non-GreenThumbers

Peace lilies are supposedly the best plant to have indoors. My mother never had one. My father never had one, and personally I think that it looks like the hostas the neighbor had growing up.

I digress.

They have large leaves - which means it cleans the air in your home better and to be quite honest, after reading some care instructions, they're pretty easy to take care of!

Bamboo is another possible alternative to those like me. No green thumb. I can kill absolutely anything, trust me. We only kept a rosemary bush alive for two weeks, thank you!

Smith & Hawken, is of course, a home and garden store not just that expensive outdoor living store you find at places like The Galleria in Edina, MN.

The lucky bamboo above is found here, $49.00 for nice thick pieces of lucky bamboo. Since it is a tropical plant, they do need humidity and water every two to three days (But then, I also live in South Central Indiana and I'm looking at bamboo plants out my window right now and they're doing ok).

Smith & Hawken also has tons more foliage plants that are great for cleaning the air in your home as well as helping to brighten up your day and bring spring closer one day at a time.

Plus, save 20% more on their sale stuff!

PSH

Inside Out

I grew up in Minnesota - I'm huge fan of outdoor living. When I nannied in the summertime, I don't think we spent more than 1 hour inside. Whether it was so hot we'd be sitting on the front steps drinking pink lemonade or running around at the park, being outside was so incredibly freeing - it was as if we didn't have any constraints. Lovely, just lovely one of my co workers would say!

Pottery Barn has always had some of my favorite outdoor furniture, yet it's still way out of my price range for almost anything! Above has been a favorite look, but it's just not personal enough for my tastes - it looks like it should be in one of those HGTV home selling shows. Blech.

Smith & Hawken has sets under $1500 - talk about a deal (if you find one that you like)!

S&H also has a great BBQ grill - shown above - that's not too seriously expensive. Since they do sell things at Target - they can't be too bad, right??? (ha ha, I love s&h!)


Light up your outside world with some copper oil lamps (but don't forget the oil).

Outdoor spaces need to be decorated just like indoor spaces. Don't forget the details, otherwise you'll end up with something that just seems unfinished. Get an outdoor rug, candles, bring your bar outside in the summer and voila! An outdoor space that you'll never want to leave!

PSH

B-Town Happenings...

Artistic events for your decorating inspiration.

These events take place in Bloomington, Indiana. If you have any events in your area - feel free to submit a comment and I will post the inspirational event!


First Friday Artists’ Reception - Wandering Turtle Gallery February 1, 2008
Times: 5:30 – 7:30 PM
http://www.wanderingturtle.com/
Location: Wandering Turtle Art Gallery, 224 N. College AvenuePhone: 812-330-1990
Admission: Free
“Spirit and Image” Photographs by Darryl Jones & Wood Carvings by James Alexander Thom With Special Music by Curtis Cantwell Jackson

Bloomington Photography Club Member Exhibition February 1, 2008
Times: Monday-Friday 11-5 and Saturdays 11-3
http://www.artlives.org/
Location: John Waldron Arts Center, South Walnut StreetPhone: 812-334-3100 x 111
Admission: Free
Photography takes over the walls as the Bloomington Photography Club holds a Member Exhibition at the John Waldron Arts Center in the Rosemary P. Miller Gallery. It runs from February 1st - 29th with an opening on Friday, February 1st from 5-8pm. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 11-5pm and Saturdays 11-3pm or by appointment. For more information visit http://www.artlives.org/ or contact the gallery director at (812) 334-3100 x. 111.


The Irish Lion - Bourbon Tasting EventJanuary 31, 2008
Times: 7 pm
http://www.irishlion.com/
Location: The Irish Lion Restaurant & Pub, 212 W. Kirkwood
Phone: 812-336-9076
Admission: $25 ADVANCE RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
The Irish Lion and Big Red Liquors present a Bourbon tasting event. Seating is limited. Tickets are $25 per person + tax, includes tasting and complimentary appetizers.


SoFA Gallery: MFA Metals, Sculpture + Textiles Area ExhibitionJanuary 22, 2008 - February 2, 2008
Times: 12:00 - 4:00pm, Tuesday - Saturday
http://sofa.fa.indiana.edu/
Location: Indiana University, Fine Arts SoFA Gallery, 1201 E. 7th St., Bloomington IN, 47405
Phone: 812.855.8490
Admission: FREE!!
These exhibitions will highlight artworks created by graduate Metals students in the Master of Fine Arts Program, and Sculpture and Textiles students in the Masters and Bachelor of Fine Arts program at the Henry Radford Hope School of Fine Arts, Indiana University. Events are free and open to the public.


The Kinsey Institute Gallery - "Women of Pleasure" exhibition
January 18, 2008 - April 4, 2008
Times: 2:00 to 4:00 M-Fhttp://www.kinseyinstitute.org/
Location: The Kinsey Institute Gallery, Morrison Hall, Indiana UniversityPhone: 812-855-7686
Admission: FREE
The Kinsey Institute Gallery presents an exhibition titled “Women of Pleasure,” which explores the depiction of women in 18th and 19th century European erotic art. The exhibit contains paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, books, and other materials from the Institute’s extensive collections. Highlights of the exhibit include a pair of engravings by British satirist William Hogarth and several rare editions of "Fanny Hill; or Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure," John Cleland’s 1749 erotic novel.


Ok everyone, I'm sure by the LARGER font you can tell that I might be seen at the bourbon tasting... haha... Actually, I'm more prone to end up at the Sahara Mart's Wine Tasting events that take place in a tent in their parking lot with plastic cups...

Enjoy and be inspired!!!

PSH

Save Energy! Save on your bills!

Try using these insulated curtains from Gaiam. There's several different colors to choose from - they're also currently 20% off! I personally like the sage or sienna, but most everyone's style is a little different. We also have the big green dream machine (read: big green leather couch that DH has had since he was living in his fraternity) and I think that greens are calming, which I use quite often to decorate for my crazy life!

Also, for something soft on your feet, try this recycled sweater rug. It may be $169, but that's totally worth using recycled products in my opinion. One of my friends back in Minnesota has a recycled pop tab purse. Her's is silver. I like that too!

I tend to go to Gaiam for the earth saving power of their checkout, buy a tree for only $2. I usually buy 2. It's worth it.

PSH