Big Brother, Season 10 {known as BB10 to hard-core fans} began 9 days ago and is already full of drama - but we’re not here for that…  we’re here for the house!!  This season’s “Back to Basics” house is pretty cool - full of retro decor and themed rooms - a couple even fit into the Western * Rustic * Vintage mold that we all love… 

{The aged wood, calm colors and beach-house rusticity of the living room ABOVE is so fab… I especially love the lime-green chairs and the punch they give to the gray-blue theme.}

{Check out the very clever bathroom ABOVE featuring rustic barrels fitted with copper sinks - LOVE IT!!}

OK, so let’s get to the really good stuff - this will take us back to last February when Big Brother, Season 9 came to the airwaves for it’s first winter-time show.  The theme was all LAKE HOUSE LODGE and so, so wonderful!!  Enjoy…

{How much do you love the Log Wallpaper ABOVE??}

{You can’t do LODGE without the mandatory Cowhide Rug!!}

{Perfect for a Lodge Princess ABOVE and a Boy Scout BELOW -
are you feeling inspired??}

{See the trees in the shower ABOVE - that’s TILE!!}

{More fabulous wallpaper to bring the look full circle…}

I hope you all enjoyed the pics -
what other shows sets are YOU loving??

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When visiting with my Aunt in Baltimore a couple of weeks ago, and telling her all about CactusCreekDaily.com, I mentioned several other blogs that I love to read.  She asked me to send her a list of them but I thought instead I would go ahead and make a Blogroll - something I’ve been meaning to do for a while now… 

Here is a list of the blogs I LOVE to read, along with short descriptions about each…  {I hope to update it frequently so check back every now and then.} 

Design*Sponge
Run by Grace Bonney, Design* Sponge is a daily website dedicated to home and product design.  A premier site in the blogosphere, this blog is updated multiple times every day and NEVER ceases to amaze with the fresh, new products, ideas, and guides!!

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Hill Country House
What I love so much about the Hill Country House blog is the splendid photography of homes located in the Hill Country of Texas.  Each has it’s own brand of rusticity not found very often outside of the Hill Country region, but certainly worth reviewing - especially if you plan to build your own Rustic Home someday!!

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 Jane’s Blog
Written by Country Living editor, Jane Dagmi, Jane’s Blog is a wonderful peek into the world of a super-cool job.  From Florida to Atlanta, Iowa to Canada - Jane takes readers on her adventures and introduces them to the creative energies she meets along the way!! 

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CURIOUS SOFA Diaries
This was the first blog I ever spent time on - it is updated by Debbie Dusenberry, the owner and creative force behind of the ultra-fabulous Kansas City store, Curious Sofa.  Debbie’s store, website and blog are all inspirational - especially for those of you who own, or dream of owning, your own retail store.

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DECORNO
Decorno has great visuals and a totally cool disposition - very fresh and honest…  You’ll either love it or hate it - I LOVE it!!

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{ABOVE - Cowgirl Thank You Card from the Dolce Mia Collection - they have stuff for Cowboys & Cowpokes, too!!}

{ABOVE - “Gracias” Letterpress Cards from the Etsy store of Yee Haw Letterpress}

 
{ABOVE - Cowboy Dance Couple Thank-You cards from Target.com

{ABOVE - Thank You Notes from Cowboy Graffiti Stationery}

{ABOVE - Cowboy Silo Custom Stationery from Paper + Cup}

{ABOVE - Classic Cowboy - or cowgirl - cards from Hello Lucky Letterpress}

{ABOVE - Little Cowboy Thank You Card from Tiny*Prints}

{ABOVE - Cowboy Thank You Card available through the Children’s Art Project, a part of MD Anderson Cancer Center.  Gulp - this is definitely my favorite!!} 

{ABOVE - Cowboy Thank You Card Set from Elsewares}

I hope that you all have a safe & happy weekend!!  See you next week…  Happy Trails and God Bless, Fancy

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Chris is a resident of Round Top, TX and also a partner in the Texas-based architecture firm, Sentient Architecture.  In addition he explores the world of emotional architecture through the development of his brain-child, Truehome, which is “a systematic process for developing criteria for building designs that are tailored to the exact needs of their inhabitants”.   {Great job, Chris!!}

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What is your home like?

My home is an eclectic blend of old west and contemporary western.  My philosophy with decorating is that it has to be comfortable not just beautiful.  I want visitors to feel as though they can walk in, sit down and put their feet up and be comfortable.  I use overall muted colors with one or two bright accents.  And I like to combine the ‘fine’ with the ‘ordinary’.  Window dressings mingle common rebar with velvet, burlap with silk.  And I like lights.  I am fond of the small bright white lights in certain accent plants because it lends a wonderful warm glow and reflection on walls and ceilings. 

{Susan’s warm living room - love the dog sleeping on the rug!!}

What do you collect?

Well, I used to collect horses, but soon discovered that they get pretty expensive on a daily basis so have pared that down from seven to two and started collecting equine art instead.  I have many lovely pieces from water colors to oils, sculpture and ceramic.  I’m also a stained glass artist and art glass has always fascinated me so I have many pieces of blown glass, stained glass etc. throughout the house. 

What is your next home project?

I moved into a house about 8 months ago that subsequently had a water main break and had to be gutted down to the studs.  So the rebuild has been an ongoing project ever since.  I made some significant changes to floor plan and materials and am currently adding a fireplace to the living room.

Where and when do you feel most inspired?

This question really has many answers.  I’m inspired by creative people.  When imaginative and artistic people get together the conversation is lively and ideas seem to fly from every corner.  But I’m also inspired by nature to a very large degree.  Being on a mountainside with my horse or watching the sun rise as I have a cup of tea in the morning brings a resourceful peace that inspires many ideas.  Lately I have been finding small miracles in the common things around me as my perception of ‘successful’ has been changing.

{photoby Deborah Kunzie - featured HERE on the WOW website}

Take some time to visit the Women Out West Magazine website HERE and also be sure to SUBSCRIBE so that you can have this lovely magazine delivered straight to your mailbox {not only is it good reading, it will look fabulous on your coffee table}!!  

See y’all tomorrow…  Fancy  {Thanks for your time Susan!!}

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I’m going to post the first half of my interview with Susan this morning - the second part later today - so be sure to check back in this afternoon!!  Enjoy…

Tell us about your new magazine…

Women Out West Magazine {WOW} is an innovative new publication designed to portray the real women of the west today.  As with the women of western history, women making their way in the contemporary west must possess strong qualities, the least of which are grit and gumption.  It’s not an easy place for a woman to succeed, yet women are moving here in droves to start businesses, families, retire, work, and create.  WOW covers the contemporary western woman from artist to ranch owner and everything in between.  The magazine has a strong literary bent with a focus on fine writing and quality photography.

What events led you to developing the WOW concept?
I have been a real estate appraiser in Wyoming for several years.  As I traveled the state meeting women from all walks of life I was impressed with how diverse they seemed to be.  It fascinated me to hear each individual story of how they came to be here, what they decided to do with their lives and the changes they needed to make to survive here. 


I had turned fifty years old and was unhappy in my job.  I decided that I wanted to do what I loved rather than what just paid the bills which was to write and give other beginning writers the opportunity to be published.  Women Out West seemed to fit this concept very well and upon research discovered there was nothing of this genre out in the marketplace.  So I jumped in with both feet, decided to find out all I didn’t know about publishing a magazine and just do it.  As the second issue goes to print this week I’m still learning on a daily basis and loving every minute of it.


 


What women of the West inspire you?

I’ve been inspired by nearly every woman I’ve interviewed.  Each has such a unique story, some of luck and fortune, some of struggle and strife, heartache and joy.  The diversity of women and how they have made their own way in the West is a constant motivation.  I now face each day wondering whom I will meet and what amazing story I’ll get to include in the next issue.  I also wake each morning looking forward to my job rather than dreading every phone call.

** Check back this afternoon when I post the rest of my interview with Susan and she lets us peek into her Wyoming home!!  
Until then you can visit the Women Out West Website HERE**

Check out the art of International Sculptor, Bernie Jestrabek-Hart!!

Using Metal, Wire and even BARBED WIRE, Bernie creates beautiful sculptures.  The detail is extraordinary and they may be custom ordered - perfect for mascots or landmarks {and CIRCULAR DRIVES}!!

A pioneer in the use of barbed wire as a medium for sculpture, Bernie Jestrabek-Hart has become known for creating life-size sculptures like the one {BELOW}.

For a one-of-a-kind gift I love the small sculptures like the horse {BELOW}.

If you are interested in creating your own extraordinary sculptures Bernie offers her secrets through lessons in her workshop in IDAHO * she also offers her book, Creating Realistic Work of Art with Barbed Wire, on her website HERE.  

Bernie’s super-hip work has even been commissioned by the Kid Rock folks for use on his stage {check out the EAGLES below!!}

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Here is the perfect gift for Cowpoke Calvin’s Mama.  The diaper bag is available, along with tons of other fabulous Cowboy blankets, bedding & bag options, from 3D Ranch - check them out HERE

Congrats Eliz…  xoxo, Fancy

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{I couldn’t find many “cowgirls” in Baltimore - if you’re out there give me a Holler - I hope to visit again next summer!!} 

• Ben Madrid’s Santa Fe Trading Company in New Market, MD
• Housewerks - Architectural Salvage specialists in Bayard Station
• Red Tree - a phenom store in Hampden

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