tack-y

i am delighted by 

simple things, really.

today i am going to share something with you that

i have been in love with for the last few years.

and it's not a mirror.

or a piece of furniture

or even fabric.

(i know, you're *gasping!)

it's a tack.

but, a tack that will change your life.

for real. 

i don't throw around phrases like that 

very often, but i seriously think these 

tacks are the best. thing. ever.

*

ever wonder how to hang a 

grouping of pictures,

totally level, 

and equidistant from each other?

like this

(images found at elle decor)

or this?

and how much would you pay to

have those pictures stay put?

to not shift when a door is slammed,

or someone accidentally brushes by 

and knocks it off-kilter?

(is there anything more maddening?)

well, i have found the solution, my friends:

the cobra tack:

(and no, i am not getting

paid to say this, but i totally should be...)

they come in packs of 4, 6 and 8. 

and so far, i have only been 

able to find them at lowes.

for each picture, you will need two cobra tacks, 

and two of the little included screws.

they are very easy to install:

peel off the adhesive backing.

(and then look at your hands, and

realize that you are in fierce need

of a manicure...ai-yi-yi!)

 place on the corner of your frame.

pre-drill the hole for the screw

(you can skip this step. but it makes

the next step much more difficult!)

attach the small screw.

this is how it will look...

figure where you want the picture to be hung,

and press one side into the wall.

level the picture, 

and press the other side into the wall.

in my sons room, i used the level as a spacer in

between the pictures.

so easy!

these (on average) cost about $1 per

picture to install, but factor in the

amount of installation time saved, as well 

as the fact that you won't have to re-tweak

your pictures every week for the

rest of your life, and they are

worth every penny.

i always reccommend these to my clients,

and they always ask the same question:

"really?...and they 

don't fall off the wall?!"

nope. 

if they did, they 

wouldn't be the best. thing. ever.

duh. 

(ok, i don't say "duh",

but sometimes i want to.)

 happy (carefree) picture hanging!

*now, excuse me while i head out

to get a much needed manicure...