timeless interior design.

I love a good coffee table book. More than a lot of things. There's nothing like having a pretty book on an end table to make you look fancy. Especially if it's Elements of Style: Designing a Home & a Life by Erin Gates. Firstly, anybody who gives me permission to decorate my home with books is a friend of mine, and Gates is all about it in this ahh-mazing interior design resource which is divided into sections, all organized and stuff.

Elements of Style begins with the entry way, then moves onto the living room, the kitchen, the dining room, family room, bedroom, bathroom, a short stint in the nursery, the office, closet, sunroom and outdoor spaces. Phew, that's a lot packed into 300+ pages, and also includes a resource guide where Gates likes to shop, so many gorgeous photos, tips on how to make the best use of your space, AND PAINT COLORS for you to copy! It is so hard to find the right paint color let me tell you. I loved this book so much, and am now keeping it on an end table in my guestroom for my guests to enjoy as well.

THE BEST BACKYARD IDEA BOOK.

First sunburn of the year today! On that note, I decided it would be a splendid idea to review the best backyard idea book I have found this year bar none. Coincidentally it is called New Backyard Idea Book, pretty easy to find people. Natalie Ermann Russell has filled this book with amazing ideas, from porches and patios to decks and pools, so that you can make your backyard as fabulous as possible.

Oh my god. I just got to the garden rooms on page 100. OH MY GOD. I am in love.

Taking one glance inside this book, you will absolutely die (figure of speech, freaks). Everything is beyond gorgeous. Russell even makes a shed look like it's set in an enchanted forest. If you are honestly looking to upgrade your backyard, you have no choice but to pick up a copy of this. It has everything you need to make your neighbors and extended family green with envy, because YOU have a backyard that doubles as an oasis.

Lets not be selfish now, I know you broads are urning for a backyard spa and most of you guys would kill for an outdoor kitchen. Chill for a second and also check out the tree house designs, your kids will FLIP.

when i grow up...

When I grow up, and actually have money and my own house, living the dream in whatever adorable neighborhood placed inside, insert cutesy small town here, I will definitely get any and all ideas on landscaping from "Home Outside" by Julie Moir Messervy. Whoa, what a lovely run on sentence.

Anyways. Everything inside this book is GEORGOUS. Extremely informative, with great pictures. I am inspired!

******FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK, SEND YOUR NAME & ADDRESS TO: jenileerose@yahoo.com