madampince's Profile

About the gift registries & showers: I never remarried after divorcing the chap I wed 33 yrs ago, but thought about it seriously when dating my last bf. Had we done so, I'd have communicated to everyone that we were middle-aged people who each owned fully furnished homes and needed no gifts. I've seen invites that stated "the honor of your presence is the only gift we need" and consider that classy.

I find trying to be organized EXTREMELY difficult. I've done it for short periods of time, like the 18 months I was in grad school, and it wreaked havoc on my mental & physical health. More than 20 yrs later, I struggle to maintain a system in my home, but between fibromyalgia, feeling overwhelmed, and living in a home that's an active, ongoing construction zone, it's not happening.

Guys, please don't compare yourselves to Ina Garten. You're much more talented and creative than that.

When my bf racked up 12 hospital visits in two years before his death, I became an expert on making them comfortable for both of us. I loaded up on library books until he lost most of his vision in an adverse reaction to blood thinners; I brought in permitted food and drink from a local supermarket known for its prepared foods; I bought a portable DVD player and he watched hours of movies and TV shows, as well as listening to CDs on his laptop. I washed our clothes at a nearby laundromat (he wore t-shirts most of the time, rather than the hospital gowns). Just did everything possible to make our time in care bearable. (I stayed with him most of the time -- that's how we handle hospital stays in my tribe, and it became even more important as he declined.) From 2007 to 2009, I kept a list of his meds in my purse and a packed bag in my truck so that whenever he had an emergency, I was ready to follow the ambulance.

I'm with miranar -- AT finally features someone over 30, a woman of substance and style. You rock, Mary!

Han, I LOVE your room. The only thing I'd change is the the wall with the picture groupings, but that's a recent personal change -- in the past, I've done just that in my bedroom, and still do it in other rooms. It's just that, now that I'm getting old (51), I need more open wall space in my bedroom. But it looks SO GOOD in yours! Wishing you all the luck in winning!

Lori, your home is beautiful. Also, I'm sure you've heard this before, but you're a dead ringer for Lisa Loeb.

I love this kitchen -- especially the backsplash and the shelves of cookbooks in the dining room! Both ideas I plan to borrow when my kitchen is finally renovated. Did you use glass or plexi, Maggie? I also agree with everyone else who loved the cabinets.

Buzzk, I'm sick of the word "curated" as well. Precious and twee ...

Ben Affleck is the best part of the Argo set.

I need to do something, because my lovely old desk has a seriously damaged top and I wasn't looking forward to sanding & painting. I like roberto's solution of rubber flooring.