Washington DC is a hub for American politics and history. Attracting as many school field trips as it does travelers the district offers a peek into the country’s democratic origin. There are plenty of free museums to take advantage of but the real draw here is the memorials and monuments dedicated to great American leaders. Spend some contemplative time at the Reflecting Pool within the National Mall, among the most patriotic places in the country. In celebration of our nations capital Loose Petals is offering $5.00 off any non-sale city organic print size 8 x 10 or larger for the month of July 2016! Use code 5OFF at check out. Here are some interesting facts about this wonderful city! 

• Washington, DC covers 68 square miles. The city is divided into four quadrants, or sections: Northwest, Southwest, Northeast and Southeast. The U.S. Capitol building marks the center of the city and is where the four quadrants meet.
• The cities Tree is a Scarlet Oak 
• Washington takes its name from our first president, George Washington. The "Columbia" in "District of Columbia" stands for Christopher Columbus
• The cities bird is a  Wood Thrush
• Washington, DC is not a city or state, nor is it part of any other state. It is a unique "federal district," created specifically to be the seat of government.
• The cities flower is an American Beauty Rose
• The motto of the city is “Justitia Omnibus,” which is Latin means “Justice for All”
• The Song of the city is  “Washington,” written by Jimmie Dodd, a former Mouseketeer, in 1951

Sources: 

http://washington.org/sites/default/files/styles/homepage_slideshow_1800x700/public/carousel/home_whitehouse_0.jpg?itok=K_0bIUJY

 “Posters reflect our culture and are like visual graphic icons of the times in which they were created.”  ~ Robin Shepherd, travel poster collector.

Throughout history travel poster have been used for a myriad of reasons. They not only advertised travel destinations, but were used by hotels, airlines, railroads and tourism companies to graphically represent themselves to the public. Many of them were considered works of art.

At first these travel posters were a jumble of images and text and crowded with information, but by the early 1900's, artist had simplified the travel poster by using fewer details added power to the message. By the 1920s, other artists transformed the travel poster from illustration to symbol. Which is what modern-day posters and pictographs are based off of. But, posters continue to evolve with new methods and ideas and will always be a major part of our world.

Travel posters are one of the most popular areas of poster collecting today. More than any other poster category, they awaken our dreams of adventure, beauty and wanderlust. Grab your favorite poster from our page and discover a new love for your favorite town! 

Sources: 

http://greenolivearts.com/history-travel-posters/

http://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/30014b5804c12555_4-0649/midcentury-prints-and-posters.jpg

 

Sources:

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/cuba/havana

http://www.roughguides.com/destinations/central-america-and-the-caribbean/cuba/havana/

When choosing the mat you use inside your framed artwork there is more to consider then what you may think, it is also more important than you might think. There are two reasons for matting art: It keeps the glass separated from your artwork so it won’t stick to the glass, and it enhances your artwork.  And a mat gives needed space so your eye can hone in on the art and it does not get cut off in the frame, especially when you use chunky frames. Here are some more tips:

1. Choose your mat color based on what will best compliment the artwork — not the space you are hanging it.

2. Seek balance between the art and the framing that surrounds it.  Avoid using the dominant colors in the art as the dominant colors in the framing.  Instead, identify secondary colors in the art that share the prevailing value and temperature of the art as a whole.

4. Darker colors in the framing help enhance the perspective of your work.  If an image has a strong element that is receding such as the river sweeping off into the distance, darker colors help to enhance it. The opposite is also true. Lighter colors help to make a piece “pop”.

Sources 

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/653859/list/the-right-mat-for-your-artwork

http://phoenixartsupplies.com/custom-picture-framing/images/multi-colored-picture-frame.jpg

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41YxDXSRo%2BL._AC_UL320_SR262,320_.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/dd/eb/7f/ddeb7f631d379bd940ea2408f8cb3643.jpg

 

Sources:

http://utah.com/salt-lake-city

http://www.visitsaltlake.com/about-salt-lake/

http://www.freedominterventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/salt-lake-city-500x333.jpg

 

It’s that time again! It’s easy to put off or dread spring-cleaning because it feels like you’re unearthing a year’s worth of grime and clutter, but take it one day at a time, and don’t be afraid to take a whole week to clean! A whole house is WAY too much to take on in one day! Use these helpful tips and tricks to take your cleaning one step at a time!

Lastly don’t let all that cleaning go to waste! Make sure youre getting rid of old junk that you don’t need anymore! Take a look at the list below to help you get started!

1. Old magazines - chances are, you wont read them again. Find places where you can donate your magazines to. If there's an article that really speaks to you, scan a digital image or keep a folder of magazine clippings if you like saving magazine articles.
2. Receipts, bills, and documents - Throw away receipts for items that you aren't planning on returning, and ones that you won't need to use come tax time. If you're wary of throwing away receipts, you can make a digital copy.
3. Clothes - Use the two-year-rule for clothes — get rid of apparel that you haven't worn in two years.
4. Books - Go through your bookshelf and gather together books you haven't touched in months and ones that you aren't planning on rereading. Be realistic and make sure you're ruthless.
5. Medicine and vitamins - Take a look at your medicine closet and clear out drugs that have expired, medicine that has sat on your shelf for too long, or ones that you no longer use.
6. Makeup and perfume - Go through your beauty cabinet and get rid of makeup that's too old or that you don't use.
7. Jewelry - Go through your jewelry and dispose of the broken costume jewelry and make plans to sell ones that you don't wear.
8. Some memorabilia - Many organizing experts advise to be ruthless and throw away memorabilia like cards and gifts you don't use. But designating a small shoebox for memorabilia is much easier and only throw away anything that can't fit into the box.
9. Old or unused electronics - Sell your old electronics to different online relators and toss out the old ones you don’t use anymore. With the growing age of technology if you haven’t used something in 6 months you probably wont use it again.

_Sources:

_{http://www.cleanmama.net/2015/03/gather-your-tools-the-best-tools-for-spring-cleaning.html}

_{http://www.wrappedinrust.com/}

_{http://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/Things-Throw-Away-21653157}

_{https://d18uw7g0wxki11.cloudfront.net/ckeditor_assets/pictures/1709/content_ultimate_spring_cleaning_checklist2_01.jpg}

_{Portland is the largest city in Oregon hosting a unique and eccentric group of citizens and visitors. Incorporated in 1851, Portland may seem like a young city compared to many other parts of the country and world, but you can still find plenty of history everywhere you look. Over all Portland is an innovative and expressive community that allows for a wide range of things to do in the city. Visitors eager for an in-depth exploration of all things Portland will find a wealth of guided outings around town. Whether you’re looking to sight see by bike, bus, boat or your own two feet, there’s likely a tour for you. In a city as green as Portland, its only fitting that some of the top attractions are outdoor spots that appeal to home gardens and hikers alike. Home to both a sprawling urban wilderness and the world’s smallest park, Portland offers visitors a breath of fresh air. You don't have to venture far from town to find yourself paddling on a secluded bay, hiking a forested trail or observing native wildlife. Oregon’s great outdoors offers excellent adventures all year-round. Portland, is also home to more breweries than any other city on earth, it has pioneered the craft beer movement since the early 1980's. Plenty of pubs don’t just tolerate youngsters; they welcome them with open arms as well as any four-legged visitors, providing pooch-friendly patios and bowls of water for thirsty pups. In honor of the city Loose Petals is offering $5.00 off any non-sale city print size organic 8 x 10 or larger for the month of April, 2016! Use code 5OFF at check out.}

_Sources:

_{https://www.travelportland.com/}

Everyone's home has those pesky nooks and crannies that are hard to decorate. Often times awkward spaces are just left hanging about distracting the flow from the rest of the room. Here are some tips to make use of  those floundering spaces.

• Place some plants there: buying some cute pots and planting some greenery to a corner will help to fill it up and add an interesting nature element to your space.
• Angle your TV: Angling your TV to block a corner will help unify the space by eliminating the corner and instead making the TV the focal point of the room.
• Create a reading nook: Add a cozy chair and small table to create a little corner perfect to curl up to with a book and a cup of coffee.
• Find a corner cabinet or table: This is the perfect solution to a confusing corner. These tables are perfectly angled for a corner that doesn't quite fit with the rest of a room.
• Lean a mirror or reclaimed signage against the corner: This will add a unique flair to the room and can really compliment other design elements as well.
• Freestanding shelves or a display cabinet: Shelves always work well in a corner and they are a great way to store extra containers or items in an alluring way.
• Corner play area: If you have children you can set up a fun play area in the space and make it feel like it is their own little world dedicated to all their toys and fun.
• A tall or over sized lamp: A lamp can be both charming and beneficial to a room by adding a design element and extra light.
• Wall art: Perfect for any lingering corner you can hang a series of photos or art pieces that you enjoy that will bring positive attention to a corner that you would usually ignore.