Unfortunately, not everything I like is inexpensive. However, when something I find happens to be a good deal, I get the sort of high that I used to get….well, maybe we won’t get into that… Anyway, here are some great Cheap Monday staples from West Elm. Stay tuned for more Cheap Monday posts from varied sources.

Parsons Desk/Console… $349

This piece is always a go-to item on any design project. It functions great as a desk, a console, a sofa table, whatever. Find a place for one in your house. You’ll be glad you did! Find it here.

Zig Zag Rug $39 – $649

Can we say, Madeline Weinrib? A good copy and a lot of look for the price. Wishing for more colors, but oh, well…Find it here.

Windsor Accent Chair $374

I LOVE this. I would have it lacquered in a fun color and perch it casually in an office or a family room. Not necessarily to sit in, but certainly as a visual. Find it here.

It snowed last night again. Having grown up In Florida and spent a nice adult layover in LA, I got comfortably used to wearing ballet flats (and sandals) every day. I remember the first year we moved here, people would laugh at me, wearing ballet flats in the middle of January, feet cold and wet and the bottoms of my jeans with a two inch band of ice on the bottom from dragging in the snow.

I just couldn’t bring myself to do the snow boot thing, and every pair of boots I liked required a second mortgage. I am saddened and horrified to report that, still, I am in a desperate search for a pair of weather boots that feel and look great and perform….I don’t want to feel like I am wearing 4 pound weights around my legs. I can’t wear skinny jeans with snow clogs. Regular leather boots get wet. Uggs, well, we won’t discuss those on me, nor Merrells.

The biggest issue is that I am finding I need several pair, to perform different tasks, depending on what I am doing and where I am going. There are currently some contenders, but none have met all of my requirements. Below is a list of some of my strongest candidates, but none are a “winner” yet:

1. Hunter Wellies

They are cute and stay dry. However, depending on the style, they can be too tall on the shaft for some of us “height challenged” gals, and the let’s discuss the “socks”! They look cute, but are too big, and they tend to bunch up, creating an annoying feeling of having your foot encased in a hot pillowcase. If the sock could be improved, these would be a favorite.

2. LL Bean Tall-Shearling Lined Boots

They are warm, dry and not-too-tall for the petite crowd. Retro-cool vibe and appearance. However, they occasionally create the feeling and potential appearance that I am wearing some sort of hockey inspired gear on my calves; thick and fat, almost like shin guards, yikes!

3. Nike Gore-Tex Trail Running Shoes

Dry, functional, but nothing to write home about. These are my yoga and the gym go-to. They are not cool looking, like the Nike LunarGlide+2 I wore all summer but they work. Gore-tex is the key to dryness.

4. Coach Leather Flat Boots

Okay, I LOOOVVVEE these! What can I say to describe my feelings about these boots. I have 7 pair. Okay. That says it all. (I wait until Bloomingdale’s has one of those crazy coupon sale events where you feel like you are getting them for free…) In my opinion, they surpass the highest-end designer brands in style and comfort. Chloe, Dior, Prada… can’t touch these Coach boots. I get stopped on the street each time I wear one of my Whiskey colored Coach Riding Boots.

But, as far as the real tough weather boots (that look good), I am at a loss. If anyone has better suggestions for me, please comment! I need help, fast!

An Inspiration Board:

Being the mother of two girly girls, I wouldn’t pretend to know what little (or not so little) boys think about or like, in terms of design. What I can tell you, is that if I were a boy, I would want this Beatles fabric somewhere in my room.

Imagine, peanut butter colored grass cloth walls, tall black and white upholstered headboard with red and white striped “hotel bedding” dressing the bed. A Pendelton blanket folded at the foot of the bed…

A Flokati rug, casually strewn somewhere. A retro danish modern desk, (or perhaps the one below one from West Elm), complete with a vintage desk lamp, and a Herman Miller: Mirra Desk chair for utility. How about a totally beat up leather club chair with a graphic pillow sitting on it. Put the George, Paul, John, and Ringo fabric on a large pillow—just one, on the bed, and voila: you’re done!

Starting this business and all the costs associated were at times, overwhelming. However, one thing I decided I could not live without was a letter pressed business card. Truly, a work of art, it was so worth the splurge.

I was lucky to have the fine folks at Carrot & Stick Press in San Francisco print and press my new card.

The end product is a beautiful heavy card with an amazing inky look that is a treat to touch and see—with all the grooves and dips in the paper from the press.

Letter-pressing is an age old technique of printing that involves making a custom plate of an image and literally hand pressing the image into the paper, creating a result that is unparalleled in terms of looks and quality. They used an antique press called a Prouty Perfected Platen Press which dates back to the 1870′s. It has no electricity- it runs by someone using a foot pedal (operating it is like being on a 19th century Stair Master!). Amazing! Check out the process in the photos below: