It’s almost better than reading books and much more instantly gratifying:  Pinterest.  I love this site.  It’s the new method of flipping through magazines for ideas and putting them all in one place:  quotes, decor, motivation, design ideas, garden ideas, etc.  Now if I could only get OFF pinterest and start working on my own abode…I’m still planning, okay?! This is everything I love all mixed in one.

If you’re looking for inspiration in 2009 - just look at these homes from last year, from Cookie Magazine’s blog. The winner, Stephanie Nielson (of NieNieDialogue fame) seems to be recovering well from her infamous airplane crash (details here if you’ve never heard about it). Just thought a refresher course in these gorgeous pictures from the Cookie nesting blog would be inspiring!

Who’d have thunk it? A cute advent house from Gardener’s Supply. Adorable! I’m curious, though, as what to put in the small little boxes without encouraging MORE candy at Christmas? Maybe quotes? Maybe scripture? Love notes? Jokes? Your thoughts on advent surprises?

Spotted online and saved for future purchase and/or to spark new ideas when I’m doing my own crafting. Great colors and design! The jumbo stocking was sent to me by my sister, LeAnne, and is now hanging beautifully on our shiny black front door (really, black. really pretty!). It’s from Pottery Barn Kids. The cable stocking and stuffed, plump fabric candy canes are both from Country Home. The tree skirt is from Company Kids. I can’t remember where the mittens are from…anyone seen these? I hate to post it without credit. That’s what you get for saving inspirational pictures at 3 a.m.

I am having a thing for Christmas stockings. There are some innovative ones on etsy and of course they’re all over magazines right now. I have been ripping pages out of magazines like crazy because I am in love with them. The pics above are from this month’s edition of Country Home magazine.

Well, my anti-consumerism streak lasted about 10 minutes, that is, until I received this email from L.L. Bean. I’m still not whipping out the debit card just yet but this greenery does have me drooling. I know there’s nothing like the real thing but I’m thinkin’ it’s a good thing that I have some pretty faux greenery with white lights packed away that might quell the craving just a bit. I guess we’ll be putting up Christmas decor early this year… Plus, I’m thinking it might be the year for gingerbread creations. This igloo is adorable! All pics are from L.L. Bean so be sure to check out their site here.

Found on etsy here. Beautiful jars - handmade and oven, microwave, freezer safe. Gotta love’ em. I like all of the sizes. There’s just something cute about acorns, isn’t there?

The woman behind this design blog is incredibly, well, inspiring. It’s called The Inspired Room. Love at first site…I mean sight.

These white pumpkins are creepy - and kinda pretty. I found the pic and ideas at homemadesimple.

Love most things Dwell. Dwell for Target, Dwell at Design Public. I love the dots. I love the animals. I love, love, love this cowboy collection…and even more because they have a pink version. Not that I’ll be buying that one for any of my boys, but… Check it out at Design Public.

I’m not sure why I like it so much - it reminds me of the decades-old-default-calendars in Corel Draw (way back to versions 4 & 5!) that I used to make for meal calendars back when I was newly married but even those had room for writing in a meal plan! Everything you always wanted to know (or not) about the famous Stendig Calendar. Classic design. Reasonably priced, too, for a classic. Although, you can’t really write the family schedule on this now, can you? If you can, I’d like to see it! Much more appropriate for display purposes.

I like pumpkins on my porch but this is even cuter. Found it here. They have other vegetables with other styles (some on clearance for $4.88 - check out the zucchini dog). Love it. I probably won’t buy any until we’re moved but still wanted to share.

I couldn’t get rid of these black frames (new in package) at my garage sale. I had to do something with them and we got a new black bed for our bedroom to help “stage” the home so I pulled them out and in an hour I forced each kid to stand sideways against the wall and take a digital picture, blacked it in and printed them with a great quote. Cheap, easy (two of my favorite words)…and I love it!