Using a pre-made soap base Prickly Pear soap is as simple as melting the base and adding 1 part prickly pear juice to 4 parts melted soap base. Watch for thorns when peeling!

It´s been a few years since I´ve traveled to Coronado Island in San Diego. It seems like everyone in California the beaches on Coronado Island the best. It´s linked to downtown San Diego by the Island Bay Bridge so it´s easy to get over to the "island".

Certain colors come to mind when thinking of the Southwestern Style Decorating. These brilliant hues are used all around a Southwestern style home. From turquoise to terra cotta, no Southwestern home is ever seen without them.

Once only seen in that particular region of the country, Southwestern homes are springing up all over. The design is cool, comforting, and meaningful. But what Southwest Decor Colors should you use?

I was out shopping at the local used bookstore and found this great old book. "1001 More Paint Questions Answered" has loads of painting guides including some on faux wood painting.

Living in the Southwest United States does not make a home Southwest RanchStyle... I can attest to that. Our ranch home was a boring ho-hum run of the mill track house... But we have transformed most of our home to reflect a hacienda style on the inside.