We love lists, don't you? We love reading other's people list too, mainly because we're lazy and sometimes it's nice to have other people to do the work so we don't have to think so hard.
We recently saw a list of
100 things you should do in LA before you die by Caroline on Crack and we thought it was great. For those who live in LA, it's a really fun blog to read. For those who live outside LA, it's a great resource to find things to do in LA if you visit.
So we thought we come up with our own list. Since this blog is about the home, we'll focus on that theme. And since 100 is way too many for our brains, here is a list of 10 things you should have in the house:
1) A fantastic bed. This is where you spend of your time and this is where you should splurge and buy the best possible mattress you can find. Hotel mattress are the best! We like the ones from
Westin. They even teach you how to make up the bed at home.
2) Fantastic bed sheets. They don't have to be expensive. We find amazing ones at
Nordstrom Racks that have very high thread count and get softer after each wash.
3) Fresh scented candles, and please, none of that Glade cheap stuff. Scented candles are like perfume, the cheap ones just give you a headache. We love
Votivo and
Dyptique.4) Amazing wine. Even if you don't drink wine, have some anyway. Your guests would appreciate it.
5) A great sofa. This is another thing you should splurge on. Buy the best one that you can afford. You can always reupholster it later. We like ones from
Moroni and
Burton James.
6) Great books. Even if you don't have time to read, when you see books that you like buy them anyway; then stock them on the bookshelves to read later. Books give soul to the house, and they make you look smart, even if you are not (well, that kinda depends on what kind of books you buy...)
7) Great music. CDs are gone to the way side, and good things too, because they are messy and unattractive. Invest in an IPOD and a good sound system. If you have great wireless Internet,
Pandora is amazing for free music.
8) Gorgeous
home accessories. By home accessories we means things that add character and style to your house, like rugs, artwork, flowers, decorative pillows and such. Of course we will plug our own site,
InsideAvenue.com, but we like ZGallerie too... Again, our mantra is less is more, and quality is better than quantify.
9) Fantastic cookware. Cooking is amazing relaxing and creative. Having great cookware inspire you. We love
Sur La Table for high-end cookware.
Williams Sonoma is a great store too.
10)A dog. Yes, a dog. A cat if you are not a dog lover. We're plugging dogs because they are so sweet, so loving, so adorable. There's nothing more comforting that coming home to a dog who is so happy to see you, all the time!
What about you, do you have a list of must-haves?
Email us your list and we'll publish it.
of all the men and women
and to their families. 
Thank You for Your
I was blessed to spend this past weekend in
because my daughter and son-in-law both graduated.
Hooray for them!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But I also took some time to
Beauty
I purchased a large wooden letter from the craft store and sprayed it black. Once dry I traced around it onto scrapbook paper.
This letter is so large that it took two pieces so I matched up the two in the middle. I used spray adhesive to adhere the paper. Then I roughed up the edges and a few spots here and there with sandpaper.
I rubbed the edges and sanded spots with a coordinating oil pastel, 
and then painted and quickly wiped off diluted brown craft paint around the edges to give it the charm of age.
I sealed it with Mod Podge and then finished it off by gluing on some scrapbook brad heads where the two papers meet. 
I hope that both my daughter and her friend like it.
That evening I showed my hubby
Thrifting really doesn't get