It’s May oh one, so that means it’s once again time for our monthly His + Her Favorite Things post. We’ve rounded up everything from good reads to lip gloss. Here are a few of our favorite things:

1. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins – Yep. I’ve hopped on the Hunger Games bandwagon with Ash and I’m not jumping off ’til the bitter end!  I really liked the first book and I’m about 3/4 of the way through this one. The series just keeps getting better, so I have high hopes for the third book. Hopefully, I’ll finish this one up in the next couple of days and be able to talk about all the details with Ash, who has been waiting patiently for me to finish the series for a few weeks now. I’ll ask her questions about the book while I’m reading and she won’t say a word.

2. Recycled Record Guitar Picks – When I came across these guitar picks cut from real records, I knew I had to have them. Don’t worry! According to the description, they’re not destroying music to make music. (Though some people might think that’s cool, I suppose) They’re taking unplayable records and reusing them for the good of guitarists everywhere. Just be forewarned: these picks are pretty thick (being punched from records, they’re as thick as the source material), so don’t expect them to flex much!

3. iRig – This hardware/app combo seems like a really great way to learn songs or practice quietly without having to fire up a larger, more complicated device. The iRig lets you plug your guitar into your iPhone and output the processed sounds through the headphones, mixed in with songs that you can import from the library on your phone. Just don’t be caught off-guard; the software side of this purchase is a little complicated. The hardware is $40 up-front, but there are multiple versions of the iOS app (I suggest the $10 version, which comes with some effects and such to get you started) and a bunch of in-app purchases. I’d say expect to spend about $60-$70 for the whole setup and you’ll probably get what you need. It’s still a pretty cool concept though.

4. Phineas and Ferb Card Game – As you may (or may not) know, I’m a huge, unashamed fan of the TV show Phineas and Ferb. Well, now they have a card game! I don’t know when this came out, but I’m pretty stoked about getting my hands on a pack to see how it plays out. From the description, it sounds like a sure-fire winner on game night with the rest of the family.

5. Ceramic Cargo Containers – As much as Ash loves organization, you’d think I’d have no problem staying organized, but a lot of times, my office ends up in a state of what I like to call “organized chaos”. Part of the problem is I never seem to have enough storage space for the little parts and pieces of things that I’m working on. These ceramic cargo containers are perfect for storing small items and as an added bonus, they look really cool. They’ve been scaled down from actual cargo containers from 8 feet to 8 inches.

1. Kate Spade In the Spotlight Idiom Bangle – I’m always a sucker for Kate Spade. And polka dots. And gold jewelry. Therefore, this bracelet easily made the list. I love how it has “in the spotlight” engraved on the inside. Super cute!

2. Moo - I had my first Moo experience a few days ago and I loved it! I designed some “Please Do Not Bend” stickers to use when when shipping our Etsy orders. I’ve used a lot of printing companies in the past, some really great, but not as fun as Moo. Not only is it fun and easy, but you can have up to 59 designs in one sticker order – which is ordinarily unheard of with other printing companies unless you want to pay an arm and a leg… and an ear. I ended up doing the same design in four different colors.

3. Erin Condren Address Book – Even though we’re in the age of digital information at our fingertips, there’s nothing more reliable than a pen and paper. It’s good to have a hardcopy of important addresses on hand. By the way, we’ve got an ErinCondren.com giveaway going on here! If you haven’t entered yet, be sure to click on over.

4. Mushrooms – When I was a kid, I loathed three things: mushrooms, tomatoes, and bell peppers. The jury is still out on the bell peppers, but these days, I can’t wait until our Hanover Tomato season (in July!) and I’m loving everything that involves mushrooms. Everything. For the past month or so, almost every single dinner I’ve cooked at home has involved mushrooms in some way, shape or form. Even the other night, we were out to dinner and I ordered grilled chicken… with a side of mushrooms. Good thing they are low in calories, right? Photo/recipe from here.

5. Butter Nail Polish in Pearly Queen – I love this nail polish. It’s a really cool gray, pearl, white color – making it go with anything and everything. It’s also a nice break from my tried and true classic black.

6. Persimmon Candle – I bought this candle for my office but I’m not planning on burning it until my office is “done”. I guess you could say it’s going to be my “reward”. I love the design on the jar and my great grandmother loved persimmons, so in a way, it kind of reminds me of her. I’m looking forward to enjoying the relaxing scent of Japanese persimmon, peach, and red currants. Hmmm…

7. Sephora Glossy Gloss in Creme Brule – Yet again, another favorite lip gloss. I really like this gloss because it’s what every lip gloss should be: super glossy. Yet it’s really sticky (in a good way), so it tends to stay on for a long time. You can easily gauge how much “glossiness” you want by how much you put on. And I love the color! I always gravitate towards the light nude colors. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll venture out into the realm of tango mango.

That wraps up our favorite things for the merry merry month of May. What are your current favorites? Any new tv shows or favorite new-to-you food groups? Share them with the class…

As always, we are never perk’ed, paid, or persuaded to include particular items in our Monthly Favorites posts. We simply have fun sharing our current favorite things and hope you’ll get to know us better “behind the spray paint”.

Happy April everyone! In true 7th House fashion, Ash and I are here to share our monthly favorite things…

1. The Allman Brothers Band – I have a very eclectic taste in music. From techno to classical, bluegrass to metal, and everything in between; I listen to it all. One band that I always end up going back to, though, is The Allman Brothers Band. Sure, they changed their lineup a few times over the years, but no matter which iteration I’m listening to, I’ve always felt that this is how good, southern rock is supposed to sound. The vocals are catchy, the guitars are melodic, and the whole band meshes very well. If you’re a fan of “classic” rock, you should definitely check these guys out. If you’re not a fan of classic rock, give them a chance, anyway! They might surprise you.

2. Bow-Ties Are Cool – I feel like this is pretty obvious if you’ve been reading the blog for a while. If you haven’t, I’m a huge Doctor Who fan. If you don’t get the bow-tie reference, you need to sign up for Netflix and watch every episode of Doctor Who since 2005. We’ll still be here when you get back, and you’ll be able to join in on some of our 10th vs. 11th Doctor discussions that we have from time to time!

3. Pick Punch – Have I mentioned this before? Ash says no, I say yes. Regardless, I love the idea of making picks out of all sorts of different materials–not only for the convenience, but for the differences in tone. Sure, you could just start punching picks out of old debit cards, but you could also pick up a thin sheet of acrylic and make some really nice-sounding acoustic guitar picks from that. Oh, the possibilities!

4. Peeps – For those of you at work, music warning on the website! Are they good for me? I’m pretty certain that’s a no. Peeps are my favorite Easter candy, and I couldn’t help but spread the cute, marshmallow-y joy with you. Ash can’t stand them but she tells me there are literally tons of recipes/projects online that include these little fluffy bundles of sugary goodness. I’m partial to the idea of Peep s’mores. Or as I like to call them, “S’meeps”.

5. Angry Birds Space – Okay… so I shouldn’t have to mention this one at all, since something like 10 million (million!) people downloaded it in the first several days of its release. I haven’t had a ton of time to play it, but the first several levels are an interesting take on the usual Angry Birds formula. If you’re a bit bored with the original Angry Birds, but you still like the idea of making green pigs go *poof* by hitting them with tiny birds, I’d say this is for you. The addition of gravity fields and zero-G takes the Angry Birds franchise in a new and refreshing direction, and I’m excited to see what the more difficult levels bring.

6. Command Picture-Hanging Strips – I’m a little gun-shy when it comes to putting holes in things to hang pictures and such – especially when it comes to tile and cabinetry. Unless the surface is drywall, I try my best to avoid it. We used these guys for a project yesterday (which we’ll be talking about later this week) and they are my new best friends.

1. Painted Amaryllis Butter Dish – I bought this butter dish back in December and it’s now one of my favorite things in our kitchen. It’s so colorful and seems to always make the breakfast or dinner table a tad more cheery. I’m not sure if the dish is actually hand-painted, but it sure does look like it in person – but it’s dishwasher safe, so that makes it even better.

2. The Civil Wars – I think I’ve listened to The Civil Wars nonstop for almost the last two weeks – no exaggeration!  It’s great chill music and what I’d describe as “contemporary folk”. One of their songs was used on an episode of Grey’s Anatomy which in return, catapulted them into the limelight. Now they are popping up everywhere, winning Grammy’s and even on the Hunger Games soundtrack where they do a song, “Safe & Sound”, with Taylor Swift. Even if you don’t like folk music (which I typically don’t), you should check them out.

3. West Avenue Jewelry Monogram Disk Necklace – I’ve officially added this necklace to my “Christmas Wish List”. It’s really pretty and  understated, making it a perfect staple piece. I like how the chain connects on either side of the disc rather than just the top like a lot of monogrammed necklaces I’ve seen. It makes it a bit more unique.

4. The Hunger Games – Yep, I’m on the Hunger Games train. Up until a few months ago, when the buzz about the movie started, I hadn’t even heard of the books. I started reading it a few nights ago and so far, I’m loving it! I’m waiting to see the movie until I finish the book, so no spoilers please!!!

5. Textured Pillows from Target – A few weeks ago, Target (aka “The Mother Ship”) sent us a sneak peak of the Spring-Summer Look Book. And let me just say to my fellow Target-lovers, there’s a lot to look forward to this Spring and Summer! Among my Look Book favorites were these bright, textured pillows. The light mustard yellow and what I’ve been calling “Design Sponge red” (after the DS book cover) would go really well in our living room when we’re ready to get our new sofa. We’re told they’ll be available in stores until June 1st, so I need to snatch them up wile I can!

6. Thoughtful Gardener Twine – This caught my eye a while  back, and I came across it again the other day on Pinterest. I love the saying on the can: “One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides.” It used to be available at Paper-Source but the only place I can find it now online is here.

7. Hanging Garden Notepad by Rifle Paper Co. – I’ve been a fan of Rifle Paper Co. for a while and I always have a weak spot for their hand-painted illustrations. My current favorite from Rifle is this cheery notepad. It’s perfect for jotting down reminders or quick notes for Greg.

Well, that about wraps up our favorite things for this month. Do you have any current favorites? 

I totally realize I said this last month, but where has the time gone, people?! It’s March! MARCH! That means it’s already 61 days into 2012 but it feels like we were just decking the halls and fa-la-la-la-la-ing. Next thing you know it will be Thanksgiving… again. Nevertheless, it’s the first blogging day of the month which means it’s time for our monthly installment of His + Her Favorite Things! Without further ado, I’m handing it over to Greg to get it started…

1. Bobino Cord Wrap – I love working with headphones on. It blocks out noise, lets me listen to good music on my #2 favorite thing this month, and generally makes me more productive. Only problem is I always stuff them in my pocket in the morning and end up with a tangled mess by the time I get set up at my desk at work. This little gadget is perfectly inexpensive and solves that issue nicely. Just wrap your cord around it, stuff it in your pocket or bag, and it’s exactly in the same spot as you left it.

2. Spotify – Several months ago, I found out about Spotify, but when I went to sign up, I found out it was invite only. Well, last week while Ash’s brother, Abram, was in town, I mentioned not having heard John Mayer’s most recent album. He said, “Just listen to it on Spotify!” Well, it’s been quite an experience ever since. Pretty much every artist I search for is available for immediate listening, and the ads aren’t that annoying. I’m not sure it’s worth $10/mo for the “premium” version so I can listen on my phone ad-free (two features not included in the free version), but it’s definitely something I’m considering.

3. Fetch Balls by Harry Barker – Bentley loves running around the house with tennis balls. I’m pretty sure that if we gave him ten of them, he’d end up with them all arranged around him wherever he decided to lay down. At least with these, he can match some of the colors in the rest of the house, right? Also, they come in smaller sizes so he doesn’t have to open his mouth so wide to carry them around.

4. Action Method – I’m working on a side project that’s going to require some project management, and after searching for free online project management services, this was the one I liked best. The interface is slick, and the methodology is simple. Generally speaking, you’re tasked with breaking up every project into smaller “Action Steps”. Basically, it turns even medium-to-large projects into reasonably simple to-do lists. There are also places to put future to-do items, reference documents, etc. I’m a big fan so far, and Ash just started using it too for our blog projects/business matters.

5. The Big Bang Theory – I know I’m behind the curve on this one, but I’ve really been enjoying The Big Bang Theory reruns that I’ve been catching when I have some free time. Being a pretty big geek myself, I actually identify with these guys a bit. I don’t think I was ever quite as socially inept as them, but Ash might tell you otherwise. I’m hoping to catch up on some of the current episodes soon.

6. X-Wing Silicone Ice Tray- I’m a big fan of enjoying the little things in life, and this cool (pun intended) silicone ice tray is one of those little things. Hopefully my lovely wife will take the hint and grab me a set. There are plenty of others out there, as well, so if you’re a particular fan of the Millennium Falcon or R2-D2, there are options for you, as well!

1. Tory Burch Oceanic iPhone Case – I used to be the type of person that would change my iPhone cover like my socks. But for some reason, since I got my new white 4Gs, I’ve been neglecting to get a cover for it. I think it has something to do with my love of white. I don’t know. But now I think it’s time that I hunker down, bite the bullet and finally get a cover. I have at least 10 covers I’ve got my eye on at the moment, but at the top of this list is this one by Tory Burch. I’m a big Tory Burch fan and I love the combo of orange, teal, and purple.

2. Pebble Double Bulb Vase by Dwell Studio - I love the texture on these vases! They are retro-inspired and the detailing had me at hello. If you click through to their website, you can see the detail a lot better! I also love the color. Come to think of it, it’s almost the same color as our guest room and utility room.

3. OPI Nail Polish in Atomic Orange – Along with my obsession for lip gloss is one for nail polish. I’m normally one for dark colors (black, dark brown, deep purple, and charcoal gray) but now that Spring is on the horizon, I’m lightening up my nail polish collection. I’m in love with this OPI color! I call it my “Hermès nail polish”. It’s the same orange as the Hermès boxes!

4. Zig Zag Jewelry Box from ZGallerie – Yep, another favorite from ZGallerie. What can I say, I guess I’m a fan girl! This is a perfect size box to corral your nail polish collection eh hem! or to store those pesky phone chargers. The zig zag pattern is classic and the black and white motif will go with pretty much any decor.

5. Deena & Ozzy Chain Tote – Okay, okay. This seems to be the month of mentioning obsessions. iPhone cases, lip gloss, nail polish, and now big bags. Oh, and I also have an obsession with pretty door knobs. And Martha Stewart Dog toys. So I pinned this bag on Pinterest a few weeks ago and finally placed the order for it yesterday. I love how big it is (it’s 19″ x 16.5″), it’s got the whole worn leather thing going on, and it’s only $58! It’s rare to find bags that big/cool looking under $100. The reviews on the UO website are mixed but I’m hoping for the best! Stay optimistic, people!

6. L’Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes – I’ve been using Dior mascara for yearrrrrs. I really liked how it “built up” my lashes (in a good way) and stayed in place forever. The $26 price tag was a bit annoying at times (especially for Greg, haha!) but it did it’s job well. Then I found Voluminous Million Lashes. Hello! This is stuff is awesome. I realize different mascaras work well for different people (kind of like shampoo) but this mascara works really well for me. The “Millionizer” brush is really nice and separates/fans the lashes really well. It’s only $7 a tube – and that’s much more understandable in Greg’s head, haha!

How about you? Do you have any current favorites? Are you obsessed with nail polish and pretty door knobs too? Share with the class in the comment section…