Most of us would think to place matching candlestick style lamps at the opposite ends of the mantle, sofa table or buffet they sit on.  But sometimes, especially in a casual or eclectic-style home, they look SO MUCH better sitting on the same side, right next to one another.

Here, two lamps were placed side by side, with one propped up a little higher on a stack of books.  I love this non-traditional and less stuffy look.  Do you?

Its always fun… waking up early, throwing on warm, comfy clothes, grabbing a handful of cash, my backpack, a steamy hot cup of coffee… and then heading off to the monthly flea market at the Great Park. Even though I wasn’t looking for anything specific this time around, I loved checking out all of the new stuff the vendors had for sale, and seeing all of the flea market regulars. This month was a good one… LOTS of temptations, but only one item had me pulling out my wallet: this basket… full of scarves in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and conditions. $20 for at least 25 scarves. Whooopppeee!!!

I admit, I’m a sucker for a cute scarf… wearing one is such an easy way to style up an outfit. But, I have a different plan for these scarves… to use them as gift wrap!

Yes…!  My 2012 resolution is to  wrap up all of the gifts I give in reusable fabrics, scarves, towels and ribbons.  No more piles of beautiful wrapping paper to tear off and trash after a quick look.  I will give a gift within a gift… a scarf that can be re-used in some way, even if it is just to rewrap another gift someday.

I have been experimenting, with ways to fold, twist, tie and wrap.

It’s fun! I especially like the way that wine bottles look when swaddled in silk.

I’d like to come up with more creative ways to wrap with fabric… does anyone have fabric folding/wrapping/tying/twisting techniques to share??

What does your mirror reflect? It’s so much more interesting when you can see the reflection of something pretty inside the frame, like here, where mirrors show off the attractive rooms they live in:

The view in the mirror can also be of the view… out of a window on the opposite or adjacent wall.  This reflection will bring ALOT more bright light into the “mirrored” corner of the room… great for dark spaces!

Be sure your mirrors are doing double duty in your rooms, looking great where they are hanging AND reflecting something attractive.  If you see a not-so-nice view, of the ceiling, a bathroom cabinet, the TV, or a messy corner of the room, maybe it’s time to move the mirror to a new location.  OR, try tilting the mirror slightly… down, with the frame away from the wall a bit, or up with the frame lined up flat up against the wall. You’ll be surprised at how differently the mirror reflects with this tiny shift!