via Rue Magazine

Have you seen the latest issue of Rue Magazine? It’s their Anniversary Issue and man, is it full of beautiful spaces.

My favorite is the office of Chronicle Books in San Francisco. Can you imagine having meetings on the lovely table? Underneath that gigorge light? (that means ginormously gorgeous, if you wondering.)  Oh, and that circular carpet brings the perfect pop of color. And I don’t even like red.

Forget the office – I want my kitchen to look like this!

What was your favorite part of the Rue Anniversary Issue?

If you’re as addicted to Pinterest as I am, it’s quite likely that you saw this Fake Febreze pin. If you did, have you tried it?

I did! And I love it. The “recipe” on Fake It Frugal calls for:

• 1/8 cup of Fabric Softener
• 2 Tablespoons of Baking Soda
• Water (To fill a 32 oz bottle)

Last week, when my bottle had reached its last spritz, I immediately thought of this DIY concoction.

Rather than getting out my computer for the exact measurements, I simply filled the cap of my fabric softener to about 1/3 full and dumped it into the 32 oz empty Febreze bottle. Next, I added a spoonful of baking soda and filled the bottle with warm water. After a good shake, I tested it on a pair of jeans because I was worried that maybe I had put too much fabric softener, but it was great. I recommend testing yours as well – so you don’t have soapy sofas and chairs.

Heather of Fake It Frugal had said that this is actually better than Febreze, and I have to agree! The freshness is definitely stronger and longer lasting. And definitely more affordable – those bottles of Febreze are really getting pricey. What do you think? Would you make your own Febreze or stick to the real thing?

How fun and interesting are these images found on Pinterest this week?

First of all, I would love having a cutting board over the trash can – wouldn’t you? It would make life so much easier. It also makes it easier to transfer whatever you’re chopping to a bowl or plate. The ideal situation would be just a cutting board slab that pulled out, rather that taking up the entire drawer space!

How about the stenciled ceiling? I love the bronze color of it in contrast with the dark walls – very elegant. I can’t imagine that that was a fun painting job – but the effect and elegance it brings to the bathroom is definitely worth it!

Finally, I’ve never seen an outdoor area quite this seating area in the middle of the pool. Have you? If it were mine, I’d extend the back a little and put stools for those that want to float in the pool while eating and drinking.

Which of these innovative ideas would you want for your home??

Images: Kitchen Planning – Pinterest, Powder Room Bling – Pinterest,  Seating Area within Pool – Pinterest

It’s prime apple picking season so I’m on the hunt for some different recipes to incorporate all of those apples we brought home. And since I’ve already made the standard apple pie, I thought it might be fun to mix in some savory apple recipes with the sweet ones and fly through those apples before they go bad. Thus, these recipes to keep on your radar all involve delicious apples!

Did you go apple picking already this season – or do you have plans to do so? What  recipes do you like to make with apples?

Here are the recipes shown above, from left to right:

Apple Pie Apple / No Sugar Added Apple Butter / Apple, Bacon and Onion Pizza / Baked Apples / Caramel Apple Cupcakes / Apple & Onion Chicken / Apple Brie Quesadilla

via Design Happens

Happy Friday! Here’s to spending the first weekend of October relaxing and enjoy the Autumn season. What are your plans for this weekend?

No matter what your plans, be sure to squeeze in some time to enjoy the weekly 6:

1. Instead of Google Earth-ing your home on the computer, get yourself a Google Earth rug like the one shown above.
2. Wouldn’t it be fun to serve warm soups and chilis in these funky bowls supported by feet?
3. Try a new recipe such as these seasonal pumpkin whoopie pies…
4. Or add some sparkle to a dessert with gold edible glitter.
5. Create your own statement wall art with a canvas, shoe polish and your favorite poem.
6. Dream about relaxing as a queen on a beautiful modern throne.

What links have you saved to check out this weekend?