desk , Cactus Creek Daily

Save a Horse, Ride a School Bus

Friday, August 15th, 2008

“Back to School” marks a new beginning ~ a fresh start that signifies the beginning of new routines, new friends and new STUFF.
My oldest is starting “pre-K” this year {uh-oh, this mommy just got teary eyed and we’re not even going to kindergarten yet!!}. Anyway, even Wyatt was excited about the new STUFF and insisted on a brand new messenger bag.
{I know, I’m in trouble…}

Here are some fun ideas for your little buckaroos as you prepare for Back to School this weekend.

COWBOY BACKPACK

Let’s start with the basics, this Cowboy Backpack from Rainy Day Kids is not only DARLING, it’s also made out of heavy duty vinyl that is wipeable. Perfect for holding books & pencils, AND it’s kool-aid resistant… Perfect!! {there is also a Western Lunch Box that is too cute!!}

WESTERN MESSENGER BAG

For the bigger kiddos we have the Yucca Messenger Bag from Cry Baby Ranch. According to Wyatt all of the big kids use a messenger bag… that’s a good thing because I think I may order this one for me!!

COWBOYS & INDIANS NOTEBOOK SET

Filling up the school bags is easy to do… I can hardly believe how long the School Supply lists are!! You can make it a little more fun with this Cowboys & Indians Notebook Set from Barn Dandy’s. The set includes a 3-ring binder, essay book and tin pencil box. I may order this one for me, too…

COWBOY UMBRELLA & RAIN BOOTS

It won’t be long before the kids are waiting in the rain & snow for the bus to come. These super-cute Rain Boots and Umbrella from Western Chief are sure to keep the rainy day blues away.
{NOTE: There’s a backpack to match HERE!!}

ELEMENTARY LOVENOTE SET

These note cards are my absolute favorite find for “Back to School”!! Who couldn’t pass up the Elementary Lovenote Set available from the Curiosity Shoppe?? Each card is screen-printed by hand and is made with 100% recycled paper. I know that Valentine’s Day seems eons away but I can tell you now that I’ll be bringing these out again for Heart Day!! Love ‘em…

COWBOY TV TRAY

Fast forward through the first day of school - my favorite part of any day is SNACKS. After-school snacks are even better!! I can so vividly remember watching cartoons and eating Cheese Nips every afternoon when I got home from school. I look forward to creating after-school memories for my boys… this Retro Cowboy TV Tray and Dukes of Hazzard re-runs should do the trick!!

COWBOY DESK

After snacks it’s time for homework… Rope some creativity with this colorful Cowboy Desk. Need more furniture to create a Cowboy Bedroom or Play Room?? Children & Kids Furniture has it all… Click HERE to see the Bookcase, Toy Box, Chest of Drawers, BUNK BED, and even a Crib!! Too cute.

COWBOY LAMP

The perfect lamp for late night studying!! Available from Enchanted Lantern, this Cowboy Lamp is just one of many wonderful images available… You’re going to love this new source for decorating Western!!

BOOK

All about the adventures of young Wallace Bleff, How I Spent My Summer Vacation (Dragonfly Books) is a Wild West fantasy that makes a great back to school read for your little cowpokes!!

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Technorati Tags: Cowboy Back Pack, Cowboy Messenger Bag, Cowboy notebook, desk, Lamp, TV Tray

Adirondack furniture from Abiding Branches

Wednesday, June 11th, 2008

Wood worker/artist, Anto Parseghian, is the creative force behind the award-winning Adirondack furniture pictured BELOW. His business, Abiding Branches, was born from a shopping trip while seeking bunk beds for his children. Unimpressed with the “hokey poky” options in furniture stores, Anto decided to make the bunk bed himself. The price of lumber then led him to his own backyard, a 30 acre homestead overlooking Cayuga Lake in New York, where the trees grow tall, straight and strong.

Anto’s goal was to build a bunk bed reminiscent of where the Berenstain Bears might sleep. One bed led to another, and thirteen years later Anto was the recipient of the “BEST of SHOW” award at the 2007 Adirondack Museum Fair. {Makes me wish I was a Berenstain Bears cub – this bed would look fabulous in the Dream House!!}

Calling himself a “Natural Form Furniture Builder”, Anto Parseghian believes it’s his artistic background that sets his furniture apart in the growing market of “RUSTIC” furniture. Sighting the desire of people to have reminders of nature inside their homes, Anto commented on a transition that he is seeing in the furniture market in general. “People are leaning toward a softer, more organic look.” Perhaps it is the GREEN movement that has enveloped our country in the past few years, or possibly the need for a cozy space to return to after increasingly stressful days… whatever the cause, homeowners are attracted to organic forms, natural edges and rounded elements. This is evident in even the most modern design guides, like HERE.

Regarding the apparent surge of “RUSTIC” furniture, Anto spoke passionately about the lack of quality that is becoming more and more prevalent. According to his website, “furniture {from Abiding Branches} is built under the highest quality standards. We build assuming angelic beings observe our every step. The pieces we produce are built for daily utility and will continue to give their owners useful service for generations to come.” Anto passionately encourages consumers to be aware of what they are purchasing and the quality of construction… One doesn’t have to visit with this talented man for long to know that when designing and building furniture, he possesses both sincerity about the quality, and passion about the art, for each and every peice that leaves his shop.

With this discussion about the growing trend of “RUSTIC” furniture, I should point out that Anto hesitates to describe his furniture as “RUSTIC” at all. The furniture designs from the Abiding Branches shop are built in the ADIRONDACK style of wood working. Characterized as more decorative than RUSTIC, the ADIRONDACK style of furniture actually uses the sticks for the structure of the bed requiring ingenious uses of trees and their bark.

In addition to his website and his decorator clientele, Anto will also participate in two shows this year. The first will be the Lakeside Living Expo, taking place in July, at the Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford, New Hampshire - overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee. Anto’s Abiding Branches will also make a stop at at the 21st Annual Adirondack Museum Rustic Fair in September. I hope to be there, Anto!! {Anyone interested in a Road Trip??}