The official color of 2012 has been announced by Pantone… and the winner is Tangerine Tango {let’s just call it orange-ish to keep it simple}.  I love orange-ish.  It goes with black or brown, it makes a big statement in a room as a paint color, and it looks better than you would think on a red-head-like-me.  But this little ROUND UP isn’t about orange-ish. 

It’s about YELLOW.  Another color that is often associated with a food category when described as ‘mustard yellow’.  I started my search for the Yellow Boots when I stumbled on No. 4 {ABOVE} from Need Supply Co.  My mind began to race through every outfit in my closet and HOW good these little yellow booo-ties would go just perfectly all winter long.  Then I thought yellow could go a long way in any style, so here you go, a YELLOW BOOT ROUND UP.  enjoy.  {and yes, I know that yellow is soooo last year, but i still like it so there.}

 SOURCES: 1. Little Wings Designs 2. Southwest Vintage  3. Sundance Catalog  4. Need Supply Co.  5. Piperlime  6. ModCloth  7. Rocketbuster Boots  8. Your Uggs Outlet  9. Chooka Rain Boots 10. Paola

p.s. what would be your favorite color BOOTS??

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Rustic * Western * Vintage FASHION

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A couple of weeks ago I posted some photos of the Cactus Creek Store after we re-freshed for fall.  In one of the photos we were showing off new art that we are carrying from Artist James Ayers.  He is incredibly talented and we are lucky enough to have a little interview with him here on CCD.com today…

CACTUS: Have you always been an artist?

JAMES: My art career started around Christmas when I was in the third grade. My class was instructed to draw pictures of Santa Claus and when the teacher held up my work for the class to see, dozens of kids insisted that I draw Santa for them, too.

By my junior year of high school, I was convinced that art was my calling. I made the assumption that I had to have a “safe” job, so after high school, I attended the Rhode Island School of Design and majored in commercial illustration.

My professional illustration career was short-lived. After illustrating a cookbook and a restaurant menu mat, I knew the nine-to-five commercial world was not for me. I taught school for a year and then threw myself into fine art full-time. I’ve not looked back since.

CACTUS: How do you describe your art?

JAMES: Respectful.  Because I portray historic Native American cultures, it is essential to me that the peoples I paint are accurate and authentic.

CACTUS: In what ways has your art evolved the most over the years?

JAMES: My biggest evolution was about 10 years ago, when I really began to master the use of color. I had always had a good sense of composition and the use of darks and lights, but once I learned how to achieve more with the color I use, it made my works stronger.

CACTUS: What inspires you?

JAMES: Everything! But mainly the smell of oil paints, a blank canvas, and the beauty of people and nature.

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Back to School means new shoes, back packs, rain coats, supplies, and of course, LUNCH BOXES.  The Lunch Box is a necessary accessory for kiddos and parents alike, especially with the trends toward eating lighter, spending less, and decreasing waste {no more paper lunch bags to fill the wasteland}.  Whether you are going for something practical, something vintage, western, or just down right cute, we have rounded up a few to choose from.

1. Vintage Industrial Metal Lunchbox, $23 
2. Cowboy Lunchbox {comes with chocolates!!}, $40 
3. Eco Friendly Linen Lunch Bag, $11.99
4. Stainless Steel Food Carrier, $24.95
5. Ride ‘em Lunch Bag, $14.95

6. Tree Reusable Snack Bag, $7.50
7. Vintage Lunch Box & Thermos, $20
8. Cowboy Personal Lunch Box, $45
9. Vintage Plaid Lunch Box, $44.50

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The trend that doesn’t end… ABC’s. They are available old & new, rusty & crusty or sparkly & shiny, no matter where you go or what you’re looking for, there is always a letter you can cart home.

Visually they look great as a collection or alone, the more graphic and colorful the better. For a baby or a bride, or the dude who has it all…
Vintage * Rustic ABC’s.

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COWHIDES… put them on the floor, on the wall, over a bannister.  Cover an ottoman, a pillow, or a light fixture… Mix them with ANY decor and it’ll add texture and personality to a space that needs some pizzazz…

{via Country Living}

They are very easy to take care of ~ Cactus Creek has been selling Cowhides for over 11 years and I’ve had everything you can imagine happen to them ~ dog’s piddle, kitty’s hair ball, kid’s milk and mama’s red wine. Take a damp rag & wipe up any little thing… good as new!! Otherwise just vaccuum them like you would any other rug, or take them out every now and then for a good shake. No, they won’t shed. Well they may over the course of twenty or thirty years… but they are a natural material so a little organic behavior can be expected.

{via Animal Prints Essentials}

This LOOKS like a zebra rug but it’s actually a cowhide died to look like zebra. 
{NOTE: we can order these for you through Cactus Creek.  They actually come in other, vibrant colors, or my favorite… shades of CHOCOLATE BROWN}

{via House to Home}

{via B House}

Cowhide as a wall covering… now I like this, you may think it’s questionable.  I’m just not sure HOW to do it, what kind of adhesive to use, how to make sure it doesn’t bubble up, it is a natural material so there could be lots of waste trying to get it just right…

{via houzz}

If you find a piece with a great frame and horrid fabric {grandpa’s old chair, a flea market find, or even dumpster diving}, consider covering it with cowhide.  If your local upholsterer can’t do the job contact someone who does upholstery for cars as they have industrial~strength sewing machines.

{via Decor Pad}

Click BELOW for COWHIDES NOW IN STOCK AT CACTUS CREEK:
{more coming soon ~ always $235 online!!}
special orders available, just email fancytsmith@gmail.com}

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I know that it’s hotter than hades in most of the country right now ~ not the time to be thinking about Fireplaces or Mantles ~ but I ran across some interesting ones and thought I’d put them out there. 

{via Sara Zook Designs}

The fireplace is really the hub of the home ~ the core place for everyone to gather on a cold winter night.  While those cold winter nights seem far away right now, you may be trying to figure out a way to re-decorate the fireplace to make it fit in a little bit better when not in use… or maybe you’re planning to build a new home or do some re-modeling.  ideas, ideas, ideas… enjoy!!

 
{source unknown}

I love how the suitcases & art make this fireplace another nook to decorate ~ great idea for getting throught the summer months ~ add some bright flowers for an extra dose of color. 

{via Veranda, October 2009}

The Round Fireplace.  Love this…

{via Country Living May 2009}

What a great idea!! Oyster shells on the fireplace ~ how great would it be to do this with shells collected on a honeymoon or seashore vacation…

{source unknown}

{source unknown}

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Gah ~ BATHROOMS.  The room you love to use as a hideaway, but hate to clean.  The one room you should be able to go to for privacy, but the kids always come knockin’.  The room that few guests see but you begin and end each day in there ~ it should be perfect.

More specifically, the subject for today is BATHTUBS.  Someone sent me a note if I had any ideas.  Nope, I have no ideas ~ but then I started poking around and came up with some beauties that made me want to do a big bath-tub-redo as soon as the opportunity presents itself…

{image via Aparment Therapy ~ a whole bunch of ideas here!!}

{image viaRough Luxe ~ a hotel in London that describes itself as ‘half luxe, half rough’. I think it’s sounds completely perfect…}

{image via Salvage Source}

{image via Design Sponge ~ 20+ clawfoot tubs that make you swoon}

{image via Country Living}

{Image via Apartment Therapy}

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Ready or not, Valentine’s Day is in 10 days.  So muster up your glitter & love & find a way to tell someone you love ‘em. SO MUCH. 

Here are a few ways to do it with a
Rustic * Western * Vintage twist…

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Here at the Cactus Creek Store we are having our annual Cowhide Sale… yesterday a gal came into the store and asked me what all I had with cowhide on it. I started thinking about all of the things you can get with cowhide ~ it’s never ending and I know that these are just a few of the items out there that people are creating using hides…

1. Cowhide Frame from West Elm
2. Cowhide Bible Cover from The Black Yak
3. Cowhide Wallpaper via Trove Interiors
4. Cowhide Pillow from Smith & Western
5. Cowhide Ottoman from Rocky Mountain Cabin Decor
 

6. Cowhide Checkerboard Set
7. Cowhide Magazine/Towel Basket
8. Cowhide Wine Bag from The Marin Store
9. Cowhide Coasters from Frontier Outfitters
10. Cowhide Toilet Seat from Rods

11. Cowhide Valance from H-M Valley Ranch Store
12. Cowhide Mirror from RW Ranch Furniture
13. Modern Cowhide Rug from Exotic Leathers on ETSY
14. Hair on Hide Lucchese Boots

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Happy 2011!!! May each and every day be full of small successes, tiny blessings and a whole bunch of peace.  It’s the small steps that gather up and make a big impact on your life and the lives of those around you…

Wooden Perpetual Calendar from gSelect

Folk Calendar from Spread the Love on ETSY

 
The Wild Unknown 2011 Calendar from shopbird

Calendar Wall Sticker from ferm Living

Eco-Friendly Wooden Desk Calendar from Kate’sPaperie

Vintage Perpetual Calendar from 26 Olive Street on ETSY

Recycled Paper Kraft Calendar from MUJI

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