Changing the RUG in a room, even if you leave it otherwise the same, can transform the entire vibe of a space, lickity split. AND, there is nothing that feels better than coming home after a long day, taking off your shoes, and walking bare footed over a soft, clean rug. Here are TEN of our favorites if you’re going for a Rustic * Western * Vintage look.
Folk Art Rug from Whispering Pines Catalog
Father’s Day is upon us again… Whether you are celebrating your Daddy, your husband, or any of the other uncles, brothers, grandpa, godfathers & boyfriends who love our kiddos ~ it’s a day to celebrate the men in our life, and how they impact our children. So have the little ones make their crayola cards, cook a big ol’ dinner for your men, and choose something special to show them how much they mean to you… here a re a few ideas we’re throwing around at Cactus Creek.
Ranch Brandware from EtchOSketch
Everything from pitchers ~ to bowls ~ to shot glasses ~ to barware, custom etched with your Ranch’s brand, your Daddy’s initials, or just Papa’s nickname. Custom made for your favorite fella!!
Tabletop Chalkboard Globe
Write all over this globe with chalk ~ the journeys you dream of taking together, and the places you’ve already been…
SILVER KING Sterling Silver & Copper Bracelet from Will Wyatt’s Cowboy Couture
This is such a great bracelet for a man’s man ~ one of my favorites!!
Grand Daddy Bait Co. Walleye-Keeper from Rocky Mountain Decor The fishing story that he loves to tell… the one he got, the one that got away.
Stainless Steel Flask with Handmade Leather Cover from Leather Armorer’s ETSY Shop
Very hip, very in, very ‘he has to have it’.
Harriette Allison designed “Lightning” Guitar Strap from Lucky Star Gallery For those guitar guys{swooooon} ~ this is a gift they’ll treasure FOREVER!! Handmade by award-winning designer Harriette Allison who welcomes custom designs.
Scully Men’s Vintage Western Shirt ~ Black and White ~ from OutWest Marketing
Sooo stinkin’ sexy on a man who wears it well…
Men’s Plaid Brown Cotton Pajamas
You know what I keep thinking about?? Football season. I know it’s hot and sticky outside and the holidays seem far away, but I love football season ~ those frigid Sundays that you claim as “PJ Days” and hang out and watch football and eat nachos all day. Those are the best…
The Institute of Culinary Education
This is the 3rd Father’s Day Guide that I’ve written for this little bloggity blog blog. The past couple of years I’ve included a gift that I’d LOVE to give to my sweet hubby if money were no object… The past couple of years have been a journey for us, the destination still unknown, but there are a couple of things I know with certainty ~ I’m a damn lucky woman to know what it is to have a man’s unconditional love, and even luckier that his mere presence sends my three boys OVER THE MOON. So, for my man, I’d love to send us to New York City for a week of classes at The Institute of Culinary Education. He’s become quite a chef over the last couple of years and I know that his talents would zoooom and thrillll during a week of fun and study in the City of Dreams. Someday, babe… most,t
This will be my third Father’s Day without my Daddy. I still cry when I type that out. Still get weepy when I looked through pics to post one of him and me… I guess I’ll never stop shedding tears about my losing my Dad to colon cancer ~ an insidious disease that I despise with my whole heart.
So the last idea is not the norm but it could save your life, or your Dads. If he {or anyone else you love}hasn’t had a colonoscopy then make an appointment for them, quit talking about it & just do it. Please. There is no greater gift than the gift of being there. For more information go HERE.
Hope y’all have a special Father’s Day with all the men in your life, whether they are Dads or not they deserve your best!!! peace & love, fancy
** Click HERE for our **
Father’s Day GUIDE 2009
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Our culture has found itself in a unique situation where our history and our future are colliding, and the trends and styles that are emerging are a juxtaposition of earthy, industrial, used, worn, and shiny new.
With our society’s trend of turning abandoned urban buildings into residential lofts and commercial properties, the lines between urban and vintage are blurring, stirring, and being re-produced in a style that has been described as Urban Country. It’s the idea of original brick and stone walls, industrial venting systems, and rustic leather sofas. The lifestyle is all about visiting Saturday morning markets for local farmer’s veggies, but spending the night in the city enjoying hip bands, art and fine dining.
Urban Country is a little bit cowboy {cause that’s an intrinsic part of American History}, a little bit industrial {cause that’s how we got to where we are}, and very in tune with nature {cause that’s the only way we will get to wherever we are headed}.
Our family is enjoying the concept of a Urban Country lifestyle with our plans to transform a 1910 building into not only the location for the Cactus Creek Store, but for the apartment above the store to be a home for our family. We may live in a town of 1600 people, but we are still in the heart of downtown and we enjoy the amenities of being across the street from a hardware store, cafe and our very own recycling center. There is a farmer’s market down the street during the summer, and artists in the house every 2nd Saturday, but we can be at the farm and fishing in less than 15 minutes.
{Images via Apartment Therapy}
It was the images of the loft {ABOVE} that got me thinking about these trends and how they have been slowly unfolding in magazines and on blogs everywhere. What are ten things that define this Urban Country style??
{Available from Barn Light Electric Company}
{Available from Serv ce Station}
{Available from Design Within Reach}
READ THE REST after the break below…
Normally on Thursday mornings I call in to the Junk In My Trunk Radio Show to chat with the Junk Mafia… unfortunately this morning I’m not going to make it onto the show but y’all LISTEN IN right HERE at 10:00am CST, click on the lil’ Red Radio at the bottom of the page!!
I originally met the Junk Mafia a year ago when we all ended up at Round Top Antique Week together. It was a great trip and it’s been a great ride ever since getting to know these guys… with that in mind I decided to post this ROAD TRIPPIN’ Trailer GUIDE. I hope to go on the road with these guys again sometime soon ~~ maybe in a few weeks for Spring ‘10 Round Top Antique Week??
Road Trip Belt Buckle Combo from BD Leather Design’s ETSY Shop
{this girl has a killer ETSY site ~ be sure to check out the embellished BOOTS!!}
Airstream Livingby Bruce Littlefield
{Great site with clever jewelry and EVEN BETTER ~ check out the TRAILERS for rent ~ and their totally hip interiors!!}
Read more after the BREAK Below >>>>>>>
Yesterday I posted magazine pics from the mid-90’s ~ there was one series that I wanted to wait and share today, it’s this Tee Pee from a 1994 Architectural Digest Magazine that is just amazing…
The design is from Cassandra Lohr Design who has many beautiful projects in her portfolio but still features this Tee Pee as one of her greatest projects, it is easy to see why… I could play Cowboys & Indians all day long in this luxurious space!!
Cassandra Lohr also designs furniture and bedding, much of it like that seen here in the images of the Tee Pee.
For those of you who are looking for Tee Pee INSPIRED decor ~ keep looking after the BREAK BELOW >>>>
for few more sources to achieve this look…
I’m not a huge fan of pink. And Valentine’s Day has always seemed a tad hoakey to me… That said, I’m feeling the love this year so I decided to bite the bullet and pull off a Valentine’s GUIDE. It’s only a little bit cutie-patootie and there is no pink. So there.
Side Saddle Necklace: Lucky In Love
from OutWest Marketing
Cupid’s Arrow of Love Earrings
from ChristineDomanic’s Etsy Shop
Tin Hearts from Queenie Tin & Mirror Co.
These are super sweet for a baby girl gift…
Loving the West by Dave Newman
The Equestrian Prep Heart Locket
from Cosmic Girl’s Etsy Shop
Etta James – At Last – Typography Print
from Lyrics and Quote’s Etsy Shop
This one is for my hubs, ’cause he really loves this song and I really do love him most.
Kelly Buntin Johnson Winged Heart Necklace
available from Missouri Bluffs
Hand made by Kelly from leather that she paints and then beads. It is strung with glass chevron beads and other glass beads. Kelly’s necklaces are truly one of a kind and will be a very special part of any Rustic * Western * Vintage Jewelry Collection.
Cactus Dish Garden
Forget the roses, a diverse selection of succulents is all this girl needs.
{NOTE: sunflowers & tulips are also a good way to get lucky}
Fly Me Away Mosaic Buckle from Whatta Waist
*** pssst… Whatta Waist is going to be at the Cactus Creek Store for a BIG-O Trunk Show on Feb. 20th!!!!! {plus a couple more} wee-haw, be there or be square. ***
Tribute To Jack Briggs Blanket
from Pendleton
Wrapping this up with a classic blanket that will keep your Valentine wrapped in your love all year long… Happy day!! xo,fancy
** Click HERE for other Merchandise GUIDES **
** Click HERE for more Rustic * Western * Vintage GIFTS **
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There are those people that are just dang near impossible to shop for… whether it’s because they have it all, or because they have a special place in your life, these are the folks for whom you really want to think outside the box. Native American art has a significant place in our culture as it is unique to our society, but also a fading part of our history.
Three sources of Native American art follow… they’re not huge investments, that said, they are extreeeemely nice gifts. Just a thought…
Spirit Deer Painted Drum
from AAA Native Arts Gallery
James Benally Pottery
from Cedar Mesa Pottery
Fannie King Navajo Indian Basket
from Old Territorial Indian Arts
** Click HERE for more GIFTS **
** Click HERE for our Native American GUIDE **
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I recently had a request for barstools… whoa, where do I begin?? From fancy tooled leather… to saddles… to vintage metal, there is no end to the search for the perfect barstool. So belly up, folks, here’s a start…
Andy & Aaron Sanchez Furniture
“These ergonomically correct chairs can have either woven leather seats or cushioned upholstered seats. Our barstools can be made to swivel and we can customize each chair with various decoration options like, ammonite shells in handle area, animal horn arm rest, Buffalo nickel tacks, or turquoise plugs. Your new chair is sure to become your favorite as it offers comfort, durability and style.”
** Leather & Turquoise… a timeless combination from two premiere furniture craftsmen.
Elk Antler Bar Stool from The Peak Antler Company
“Large Elk Antler Bar Stool w/ Back 30” to the top of the seat. 2 inch thick pine wood top with elk antler legs. Deer antler foot rest and Fallow deer back rest. Very sturdy.”
** I’ll bet you twenty bucks you’re the only one on the block with a seat so suave.
Montana Barstool from Crow’s Nest Trading
“Designed for remarkable good looks, comfort, and functionality. Rustle up a few of these swivel-seat barstools and let them add their own special brand of western ambiance to your bar area, game room or kitchen. They’re as comfortable as they look. Sturdy wood frame with padded cow hair seat and nail head trim.”
** This barstool is like the perfect date… It’s soft, it swivels and it will support you all night long.
Allow guests to ‘pony up to the bar’ in style with the Saddle Bar Stool.”
** Classic Western decor… the barstool that never gets old.
“Industrial-chic seating with a vintage architectural look twists high for barstool or drafting table, low for dining or desk.”
** Whether you lean towards rustic, western or vintage ~ INDUSTRIAL is the new must~have in decorating. Start with these barstools and a simple barnwood counter. {refer to image BELOW}Very nice.
I really didn’t set out tonight to put together a Pillow GUIDE ~~ I just found a couple of cute pillows with bright RED colors {many that reminded me of Old Mexico) and before I knew it I had found too many to not share. All of these pillows would be great accents in a room that has otherwise subdued tones; or also in monochromatic spaces that need something to break up the scene {like the INSPIRATION Room from a couple of weeks ago right HERE}.
1 ~ Punta Cana Pillow from Ankasa * 2 ~ Red Hide Pillow from Pfeifer Studio * 3 ~ Brave Star Hooked Pillow from Pendleton *
4 ~ The Ann Lawrence Collection
5 ~ Guatemalan Pillow Cases * 6 ~ Mamacita Pillow from Chick with a Needle on Etsy * 7 ~ Vintage Mexican Tablecloth pillows from Rancho Romantico * 8 ~ Tablecloth Pillow from Blackberry Prairie on Etsy
Pillows are a great decorator item for a couple of reasons… First they can really make a room POP with big colors, and secondly they are relatively inexpensive {inexpensive compared to a new piece of furniture anyway}. They are also great gifts for friends who are hard to buy for, and an even better gift for yourself!!
** Click HERE for other Merchandise GUIDES **
** Click HERE for other Bedding & Pillows **
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For a decade or more I have been intrigued by the Mexican celebration of Day of the Dead. Rather than put my own spin on it, let me go straight to the definition from DayoftheDead.com…
“the Day of the Dead in Mexico is not a mournful commemoration but a happy and colorful celebration where death takes a lively, friendly expression. Indigenous people believed that souls did not die, that they continued living in Mictlan, a special place to rest. In this place, the spirits rest until the day they could return to their homes to visit their relatives.”
Day of the Dead Candles
from the Museum of New Mexico Foundation
‘Plaza Fiesta’ ~ Limited Edition Giclee on Canvas
from Los Muertos Fine Artworks
I find it really interesting that skulls are so popular these days. Wherever you look ~ in jewelry, clothing, home design ~ skulls are like the little black dress. You gotta’ have at least one cause you never know when you might need to add a little gothic twist to your STYLE.
Day of the Dead Pendant
from Richard Schmidt Jewelry Design
{Richard & his wife Janet are brilliant, generous and so kind… check out his entire website!! you’ll LOVE it…}
Skull Candle Cover
from the Sunshine Shed
{FANTASTIC Halloween decorations for outdoors ~ or indoors}
Flashy Dresser Day of the Dead Figurine
<< from La Fuente Imports
I’ve collected a BIG list of skull~
inspired merch in this Day of the Dead GUIDE. I’m not sure that all of the artists were contemplating the Mexican celebration when they were working on their designs; nonetheless it works with our GUIDE and I felt obliged to include each one in the mix.
Carnivale Scare Greeting Card
from Love Dog Card Company on Etsy
Skeletons
from Dolan Geiman
Sooo, what’s your take?? How do you feel about Halloween?? What about the trend for skulls?? I have people walk into the STORE that love the skulls that we have, others that balk at them… what do you think??
On a very personal note let me say here that I’m not a fan of Halloween. Two years ago, on Halloween Day, my daddy lost his battle with colon cancer. It was weird that he passed on Halloween Day and even more strange to now be encouraged by society to “celebrate” the day. Our three little boys are so intrigued by the ghosts and goblins they are certain they will meet this Saturday night when they go trick or treating. I can’t squash their enthusiasm so off I will go with my rock star, spider man & cowboy, looking for peace… and chocolate.
All of this though, is why I am even more drawn to the Day of the Dead celebration… I am all about celebrating my awesome Daddy and all he was to so many people!!
thanks for letting me share a little bit of me here… hope you have a great weekend!!! xo,fancy
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