spice up your desktop with monthly wallpaper calendars

The Muses very good friend Michael is an aaaamazing web-designer and a generally creative brain who has mastered all things aesthetic. In a recent tweet, Michael pointed us to some fab desktop wallpaper calendars from Smashing Magazine. These are the perfect way to add a little punch to your desktop at work. Unique designers create the wall papers each month so you will surely find something that suits your fancy. AND you get to change your mind and get something new every month.

stylish modern fabric

The Muses have tons of crafty friends that sew clothing (for themselves and their children), baby gifts, aprons - and sometimes, when one friend in particular gets a wild hair, she reupholsters furniture.

We hear the occasional gripe that it's difficult to find fun modern fabrics that inspire. Sadly, if you hit up a fabric store in the suburbs you'll find little more than pleather, pink plaid fleece, and polyester (yes, there are heroes in the midst, but it takes some work). A brilliant friend of the Muses, Claire, once reupholstered a dining room chair with a napkin from Anthro because the fabric selection she found was lacking. Oh la la - there must be more.

Enter - Fabricworm, an eclectic collection of unique and modern designs. This online shop, run by a momma (let's hear it for smart working moms!) supplies fabrics with designs that are sure to arouse creativity. She also sells bundles of assorted fabrics that coordinate.

Take a peek at her website but beware, before you know it you'll be filled with fabric lust and won't be able to stop your mind from wandering to fantasies of new baby bedding, curtains, birb clothes, and napkins.

Here are a few Muse favorites

We know one Muse cannot tear herself away from stripes : Dena Designs Taza Stripe 

Can we see this as an adorable baby boy bib? Sarah Jane Making Paper Hats in Aqua

Ahem, do we see a certain color scheme that matches a certain blog... Tiffany Blue and Red Bundle

Endless possibilites - accent pillows! napkins! curtains! Dena Designs Taza, Tarika Yellow

Also a great curtain option - digging this color combo : Anna Maria Horner Little Folks Voile in Olive

A modern rose pattern. Love and love! Such a bold pattern would be good as a small accent like the lining of a bag or inside cuff of a shirt : Joel Dewberry Heirloom, Rose Bouquet Amber

Inexpensive (non-Ikea) Sofa

The Muses were recently asked where one could find a new, reasonably priced sofa ($300-500) that is not from Ikea.

It's true that when you want a basic piece of furniture that isn't necessarily an "investment", people usually run to Ikea. However, if you aren't a visual learner and always end up attaching the legs on your tables upside down and backward or you don't want that same Billy bookcase that everyone has, you need to go elsewhere.

Here are a few places that have decent furniture options at a sensible price.

Urban Outfitters - Anywhere Sofa ($329)

Rooms to Go - Avelar Sofa ($375)

Overstock - Provence Sofa ($395) 

World Market - Luxe Sofa ($230 couch + $169 slipcover)

You saw it here first: Anthro Farmer's Market Baskets

Check out the cute new stoneware farmer's baskets at Anthropologie. The larger version is perfect for creating an everyday centerpiece out of your citrus fruit.

Or, should you spring for the smaller option, it's effective for bringing berries home from the market or the grocery. Rather than throwing them back into their clam-shell plastic packaging after a good scrub, put them in here instead - it fits nicely in the fridge and is even cute enough to serve out of (hey, if you want to go for the truly eco option, go to the Farmer's Market and forego the packaging altogether!)

Muse Help: Office Redecorating

One FM reader writes:

Alright my favorite muses, I have a query for you. These are tough economic times, so instead of holiday bonuses, the CEO of my company is giving everyone $250 to spend on our office environment. We can buy anything we want that will make us happier in our workplace: misc computer software, a rug, a new chair, a new lamp, oversized map of California, whatevs. I know: perfect muse project, right?

I am much more practical than aesthetically minded, hence why I wouldn't mind some inspiration!

On the one hand, awesome that you get to redecorate your office! On the other hand, we would probably prefer $250 in cash...but whatev.The Muses definitely believe in being practical (except when it comes to high heels) but you can easily be practical and fill your office with beauty.

We would suggest:

• lighting
• art
• organizing items

One of the Muses' Lovers is of the firm belief that overhead industrial lighting makes people anxious (the Muses don't need any help there!). He thinks that soft lighting around a room makes a world of a difference. We agree! That said - we suggest either a tall lamp to stand beside your desk or a lamp to sit on the desk. Pottery Barn has a great tutorial on picking workspace lighting.

You could go modern with something from IKEA

Ljusås Salbo

Kulla

or go vintage and grab an amaaaazing Edison lamp (so hot right now!)

Instead of just hanging a giant map of California, try honoring your home state with some cool art.

Copper Bay Area Map

Dark City No. 7

Lastly, get organized! Check out some Muse suggestion about great filing options. BUT if you have some extra bucks to spend, buy a Franklin Covey planning systems. Oh. My. Goodness. One little Muse would just die without its amazing ability to organize the 10,003 tasks that need to be done. This is not a calendar. Say it with me, "Franklin Covey is not a calendar." It is an organizing system. See basic how-tos here.

under the sea

The Muses’ sweet friend Amanda wrote in asking for inspiration for her daughter’s nursery…a daughter who just so happens to be the most precious child on the face of our planet. Our daughters will most likely develop inferiority complexes because of this perfect little girl.

HEY BABY GAP! Do you see her? Do you see the most gorgeous baby ever? Use her in your advertisements!

Amanda posed an interesting question: how to decorate a little girl’s room without the use of pink? With market saturation of pink accessories for little girls, this task can be a bit challenging. But never fear, Mandy! The Muses are here to tell you that despite what a multimillion dollar industry may try to tell you, you don’t have to use pink to create a precious nursery for your daughter. In fact, we’ll go so far as to tell you to use BLUE!

This nursery is inspired by one of my favorite things...mermaids! Can I get a show of hands for those who wanted to grow their hair out to be like Ariel’s? Can I get another show of hands for those who put diving rings around their ankles in the pool and pretended to swim like a mermaid? Who here would still sell their voice for a pair of fins? Ooo...that one was just me...awkward.

Regardless, here we used a beautiful “under-the-sea blue” to make it more feminine, as well as adding dainty accents such as the adorable mermaid blanket and beautiful fish parasol.

Far Out Chinese Parasol from Land of Nod, Graco Sarah Dressing Table from Changing Table Store, Floating Fish Mobile by Livs Lullaby, Alphabet Mermaid Print by Pomegrante Ink, Mermaid Baby Blanket by La Lune Designs, Acqua Crib Bedding by Carousel Designs, Fish Tank from Fish Tank Warehouse, Dark Pink Round Rug from Rug Zone