MsDonnaGirl's Profile

What? Are you serious? Holding on to old relationship stuff, like you're in high school? Uh, no. But then again, I've never understood those who "keep in touch" with exes well into their new relationship and marriages (again, why?), so perhaps I'm just not a very sentimental person to begin with. I believe what's done is done. Our memories, not mementos, serve to chronicle what history we really need of past relationships. That the ex may appear in a photo with you AND a few other friends, or have written a really good poem for or about you, is one thing. There you have it: this was real, you did indeed exist at that time. But old stuffed animals, t-shirts, photo books of the two of you, his socks that he left over there, his sister's phone number, A BOX FULL OF ANYTHING- no ma'am/sir. I would certainly look at my husband side ways if I found the same in "a box in the back of his closet".

Although even I would be challenged to part with a good quality furniture item. Or diamonds. Definitely keeping any diamonds I come across...

Kudos to the author for getting her mind right- leave those ratty drawers in your old life. You're both going to put up with A LOT from one another. Don't damn him to the "F'it, I'm comfortable" attitude, and don't accept it, either. We're all worth more effort. Yes, we date and marry for reasons beyond sex appeal, and that means different things for different people. But there's not a man alive who doesn't appreciate a woman making some regular effort to look good (1) for her own sake and (2) for his enjoyment. Thus, part of the appeal of a good strip club. I'm just sayin'...

As for the panty conversation, I prefer the seamless acetate numbers from Target for $5 a pop ( they do indeed have a cotton lining). I think all of the solutions about cute, cotton underwear are good. Let me tell you, I have gotten some truly nice ones in a pack of 5 by Hanes Her Way (Comfort Waist boy shorts work every time!). That's about $11, rather than $25. Try that with even a basic nude or black bra, or switch into a tank top or supported camisole. C'mon folks- even basic white in a nice cut can be sexy. There's no reason to default to the full brief with the blousy waistband, A.K.A. "granny panties". Tighten up!

As for his underwear, I -yes, I -buy and replace them regularly. I get them from Walmart right along with the toilet paper, so its no big deal. Comfort Band Tagless boxer briefs. He loves them,and so do I. I'd rather not punish either of us with each other's "ratty" drawers.

I love it. This is very well put together, and actually puts me in the mind of my idea of a Parisian apartment, just as it aspires to. Sometimes "as seen in" designs miss the mark, but this was wonderful. Great tour!

This is a good post. I would never have considered these things to be so time consuming that I could be doing something more meaningful. But I can see how every little bit helps!

I'd suggest including the kids in the cleaning activities, so that it becomes time spent together rather than putting them on hold. My 4 year old loves to sit in the kitchen while I wash dishes, and dry (non-sharp, non glass!) items on her lap for me. Even my 2 year old has a little vacuum that he knows he can push around when we sing the "Clean Up" song. Straightening the home doesn't have to mean isolating the kiddies. Now, the dog, maybe...

The other thing is to do as much prep as possible, for any task. Bed time includes pulling out clothes for the next day, and putting the book bag by the door. Little things like that really help make the time we share in the morning more pleasant.

Congrats to the finalists, but I have to admit I don't like any of these apartments as final choices. So, I'll refrain from voting. As someone else said, there were just so many interesting and well -laid spaces. It's hard to believe this is what rose to the top. Not for nothing, but perhaps having the "Dancing with the Stars" pro's plus popular votes is the way to go. This contest could use the turn of a critical eye. It seems the masses are beginning to buy into an aesthetic and vote the "right" way, rather than bringing an eye for creativity to the system.

I also liked the bracketed system from last year a lot more. It appears people would defenitely benefit from an opportunity to rethink some of their choices...

As for rent vs. own category, that's an idea. But in the end, the house with the builder's standard brass chandelier will not be getting my vote, even if "landlord's rules" won't let you touch it. So long as we're talking about applauding someone who truly meets a challenge, and not giving a "pass" for a marginal design, then I'm all for it.
Sometimes we just have to take a harder look at our surroundings. Just because your space works for you doesn't mean it's primed for competition.

I have to fall in and say love what I can see of the home, and really love the increased shots of the family...loathing the "vignette" shots. Such a missed opportunity to show more of the great design of the rooms. I feel like we only get a tease here.

And, I don't think I should have to visit another site where a home is listed to see more of a house, when that's what I come to an A.T. house tour for. Is this suddenly an advertising vehicle for other blogs?

Our Ikea in Maryland still has them in store, as well. But I'd take up the earlier poster on her offer to sell the three she has in storage, first!

I love it. Creative, colorful, and sure to be a statement piece in your home. I especially like the pulls!

@GothamTomato- I've never particularly noticed the smell of Ikea furniture, and I'm on chest of drawers #2 from the company. That said, I'd think your clothes' fabric would absorbthe smell, so aside from the usual cedar wood and sachets to mask it, I wouldn't assume there's a way to get around it.

I second (third?) the comments that not all Ikea furniture is just waiting to fall apart. My current HEMNES 8 drawer dresser has the drawer depth and weight I'd looked for in more "serious" furniture, but couldn't find. And at a $300-$400 dollar price difference, that's saying a lot. My last dresser was a Malm, and I will say that's not furniture i'd plan a future around if you like to move your furniture frequently. But in the end I passed it on to a young co-worker in need, and it's still in good working order.

This is also great for closets, in place of those bi-fold doors. I have replaced almost all of mine with this trick and it makes the whole space a lot warmer and more contemporary, I think.

I have a peephole, and if someone I recognize is outside, I'll open the door. Otherwise- nope. And there's no guarantee I'll even answer the door if I'm not expecting anyone in the first place. I find nothing sad about being safe, rather than sorry.