*THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.*

Congrats to Jenn who was a fan of the TV show Cheers {one of my dad’s personal favorites} back in the ’80’s. Jenn is this week’s winner of the EcoColor giveaway! And to those of you who were only babies/eggs in your mama’s uterus in the ’80’s…you make me feel verrrrrrrrry old.

What do you like more than pillows? What’s that? FREE pillows, you say. Well, that’s just dandy. Because this week’s giveaway hails from EcoColor, an etsy shop that specializes in colorful pillow covers made from eco-friendly fabrics.

The graphic color blocking and bright hues would be the perfect companion to a mostly neutral decor. {You may recognize the top left pillow from a mood board I created for the boys’ room and then later switched up. Although, I’m thinking my house could still use one or two of those red and white cross pillows.}

I love that some of the pillow patterns have hidden meaning.

Kim, the mastermind behind EcoColor, can customize pillow covers to represent any of the international signal codes shown above. How clever is that?! You could literally plant your “I just don’t get the pillow thing”-thinking hubby/mister/lover/friend/baby/puppy/cat in the middle of the couch surrounded by pillows spelling out S.O.S. Hehe. More realistically, you could designate children’s beds with the first letter of their name OR use a pillow signaling the first letter of your surname on your family room sofa. Pillow talk at its finest ;)

I’m calling it. Color blocked signal code pillows are the new monogram.

Want in on the color blocking pillow action? Great! See entry details below.

PRIZE: two 18″x18″ red and white cross pillows {shown above} + two inserts {!}. Yes, you read that right – two pillow covers + two pillow inserts.

RULES: You must be at least 18 years old and have a shipping address within the U.S. {no P.O. boxes please} to enter. One entry per email address.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment on this post proclaiming “COLOR BLOCK ME!”

DEADLINE: Enter before Friday, February 22nd at noon EST. One random winner will be announced later that same day.

WHILE YOU’RE AT IT: Since we’re talking color blocking…it hasn’t always been so chic. I keep thinking back to those baggy ’80’s sweaters with hideous color blocked patterns a la Punky Brewster. But I was a HUGE Punky Brewster fan. What was your favorite TV show in the ’80’s? C’mon let’s reminisce.

BUT, WAIT!, THERE’S MORE: Use the discount code “HOUSETWEAKING” to score 10% off your EcoColor purchase now through February 28th.

Thanks Kim!

images: polyvore collages by Dana Miller featuring EcoColor imagery

Last week I shared my thoughts on downsizing. Then something serendipitous happened. Layne came home from school with this library book.

It’s Hubert Horatio Bartle Bobton-Trent by Lauren Child. I didn’t realize until Layne brought the book home that the children’s cartoon “Charlie and Lola” was inspired by Child’s early books about the sweet English siblings. {Please forgive me if I’m telling you something you already know.} “Charlie and Lola” is one of the few cartoons I don’t mind my kids watching. I mean, seriously, is there anything cuter than a brother and sister who speak lightly and with an English accent? I think not.

The book tells the story of a wealthy family that, after financial troubles, decides to downsize their house and life. Child affectionately refers to it as a “riches-to-rags” story.

The illustrations are lively and distinguished – appealing to children and adults alike. It’s like Jenny Komenda jumped into the book and styled the rooms herself.

My favorite is Hubert’s bedroom. I don’t think I’ve ever seen herringbone wood floors in a children’s book before. Besides the illustrations, the story itself is pretty inspirational as well. After I read the book, I asked Layne what made him choose it.

“It’s like us. We moved from a big house to a little house and we’re happier.”

I couldn’t agree more. I can’t wait to check out more of Child’s books. Do you have a favorite children’s author?

FYI – I wasn’t compensated to mention Lauren Child or her touching book. I just love sharing great finds!

images: Dana Miller for House*Tweaking