“I think it’s time we get iPhones this month,” Phil said, surely expecting me to jump up and down with excitement that this long awaited moment had arrived. Instead, I just shrugged my shoulders.

“I’d rather have a puppy.”

“Really? You’d rather have a dog than an iPhone?” Phil’s surprise turned to incredulity.

“Uh, yeah! Are you seriously surprised by this? Puppies are all I’ve talked about since we had to give up Archie last year! Can technology give me wet kisses when I’m lonely, force me to exercise, entertain me with ridiculous shenanigans, cuddle during long work hours at home, and tilt its head to the side when I talk to it, never daring to retort?”

I don’t think so. Puppies beat technology- hands down! But while we’re on the hunt for the perfect little doggie to rescue and love, I found this little ceramic guy at the Antique Mall and had to bring him home to keep my old Domino Magazines company while I spend my downtime browsing Petfinder.com.

There’s something about the impending arrival of Fall that makes me feel a bit more productive- especially domestically. I’m not sure whether it’s the love for all things warm, fuzzy, and holiday related, but in the Fall, I want my home to look the best it can. Even enough to clean up my office space! Our apartment has a very open floorplan, so when my office is cluttered, it makes the rest of the home feel a bit dumpy. Thankfully, I’ve been able to organize things to keep it tidy for the most part. I’ve come a long way since sharing an office space with my brother. Here’s how I keep things organized these days:

• Utilizing a pegboard wall for shelves, baskets, and hooks for my most used items.
• Keeping pretty milkglass bowls on the desktop for corralling buttons, tags, and scrap ribbons. I even have a little dome to keep the dust out of my little scraps.
• Never buy a desk without shelves. I learned that the hard way!
• Covering an ugly black shelf to hide away the not-so-pretty things I need nearby. (See how I did it at this post on Apartment Therapy.)
• Hat boxes are pretty storage solutions for larger items.

Struggling with ideas for your office or craft space? I’ve rounded up a few posts I wrote at Apartment Theraps that may help! Check them out below:

Creative Home Offices
Getting Organized: Tackling the Craft Space
Real Life at Home: Matt’s Converted Garage Design Studio
Workspaces: The Minimalist Designer vs. The Cosy Crafter

In decorating my home, I desperately try to maintain the delicate balance between vintage granny, bohemian hippie, and Scandinavian modern. The key to the granny aspect? Lots of florals, lace, and needlework. For the Scandinavian, I stick with white walls, enjoy my Saarinen knock-off side table, and lust after other designer pieces I cannot afford. To add more of a bohemian vibe, I like to display kilim rugs on the floors, ombre dye my curtains, and have lots of pillows strewn about.

But when two of my favorite decor styles meet in the middle? Perfection! I think granny pillows from around the 1960s are to die for, and if you do too, well, you’re in luck! I’ve just rounded up my favorite ones from various Etsy sellers below:

• Row One | First Pillows: Happy Go Vintage $29.50
• Row One | Second Pillow: Scout and Rescue $38
• Row One | Third Pillow: Star Gazun Designs $32
• Row Two | First Pillow: Passed By $30
• Row Two | Second Pillow: The Art Floozy $26.95
• Row Two | Third Pillows: Retro Treasure Hunters $28
• Row Three | First Pillows: Timeless Magpie $28
• Row Three | Second Pillows: 7:BC $55
• Row Three | Third Pillow: Atomic Salvage $20

Top Image: by Amanda Johnson (that’s me!)