GoStanford's Profile

We have a very similar one from Crate and Barrel manufactured by Mitchell & Gold; the feet look different and the leather is less slouchy, but similar effect.

Re: Allie_P's comment...I am interested in doing this project, and I don't have much time. I'd like to minimize my purchase of mass-market, made-overseas junk that comes from the party supply store. I recently went to a birthday party that had a truly mind-boggling amount of dollar-store/party-store junk. I shudder to think of the landfills we are clogging. Not that DYI blowers aren't full of plastic, but maybe I can control the ingredients, like making a cake instead of buying one at the grocery store.

Interesting - my family is Indian and we have never used star anise for cooking or chai, nor have our friends from other states in India - I will have to check this out. For those of you looking for a basic blend, you can also try masala chai spice mixes or powders from South Asian groceries. Warning, these tend to be very peppery. I agree that a good basic start is black tea, sugar, and cardamom.

Strongly recommend the newly published Hoarders book by Robin Zasio, host of the TV show (which I've only seen once). This book, which received an excellent review in the NY Times, categorizes hoarding behaviors along a spectrum, and offers excellent advice for those seeking to shift themselves to a more benign point on the spectrum.

I was so shocked after reading it that I immediately cleaned out our coat closet.

Srsly - I found an original Viewmaster at an estate sale. That's the best thing I've ever found. This DYI kit sounds good, but even better would be sending the images to somebody who would do it...sigh.

It's interesting to me that nobody has commented on provenance of the sheets. I like to purchase sheets made in India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh, all countries with excellent cotton and economies I don't mind supporting.

In my experience, organic sheets can be very wrinkly, but hopefully their other benefits to the environment outweigh this cosmetic aspect. I like organic sheets from Unison (Made in Portugal, Oeko-tek certified) and Garnet Hill (company will give you info on where the sheets are manufactured).

This truly is a useful article. I would suggest posting one from a man's perspective and one from a woman's perspective. By the time you factor in the gym bag, lunch, kids' gear, work bag...whew, that's a lotta stuff.

I usually don't post when there are more than 20 comments. It's all been said already. But, I couldn't resist.

First, I applaud your concern for the source of your animal products.

Second, take the situation into consideration - how well do you know the host, how much do they like to accommodate their guests, is it a potluck, etc.

Third, the easiest solution, as I see it, is to offer to bring a vegetarian option. This might start a conversation, and you can decide how much to tell the host, but I would keep emphasizing that the host doesn't have to go out of their way.

I come from a family of many vegetarians (I am not one) and I am sympathetic to those with special diets, including personal preferences and true allergies.

I thought Omnivore's Dilemma was a bestseller, but judging from some of these comments, I guess not.

Agreed - these soaps are gorgeous whenever I see them in the store. I just have sad visions of them melting into green lumps, so I haven't plunked down the $ for a purchase.

In this instance, I doubt there is a right answer. If you're going to Target anyway, pick it up there. Sadly, simply by living our American lives, we impact the world per capita more than most nations (this is a generalized statement, not applicable to any particular individual's habits).

We've had an electric kettle for years - a wonderful appliance that we use multiple times daily. Enjoy.