FreeHugLover's Profile

Display Name: FreeHugLover
Member Since: 9/26/10

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my sister in law filled my brothers home with approximately 20 different "live, laugh, love" situations in under 20 days after she moved in. He has a wallpaper border in the living room (billiards) and i'm pretty sure there is a recliner (or 3) and a disproportionately large tv for the space. And a cat, which i love but am allergic to in the absence of housekeeping. So basically they filled their home with my biggest peeves...

In mine, I have lots of stuff. I am practical, and don't really over purchase or consume, but somehow it feels like I have sooo much even though I totally preach to others to not have 'stuff'.


What Is Your Design Confession?
1/22/13 10:19 PM

@uphillbattle. you just cracked me up.

I bake them. I eat baked sweet potatoes often.

Once I put one in the oven as I prepped for work so I could eat it for dinner before I left (I was a cocktail waitress, then)............I learned that day that it takes about 7.5 hours at 450 degrees to turn a sweet potato to absolute ash.

My mother still thinks this is hilarious.


How to Bake a Potato: Three Easy Methods
12/12/12 7:25 AM

I'm glad my mom liked children; and would never have had polyester sheets.

I've been called the "grown up" of my friends: at my current 29 years I have laid to rest a parent, moved across the country, visited nearly every state (by car), been engaged and subsequently gilted, gotten my own place, moved to a larger place to accommodate a friend in need, been left by said friend when she no longer needed, and shared the open guest room often. I've hosted dinner parties, and every sales party imaginable for friends (except Tupperware - I wish they still had those parties!). The glassware, the linens, extra towels, buying major appliances (even though I don't own). Fixed a garbage disposal and broke a heart... Made cakes from scratch for birthdays and scones to bring to visiting parents of friends....none of these things quantify adulthood.

My late dad always said "Strive for the wisdom of childhood and the innocence of old age"... I think I will trust him.


What Do You Need to Live Like a Grown-Up?
10/13/12 12:18 AM

Great post. Start my first "real" job in the corporate world this week after spending half of my life and all of my adult life in the restaurant/hospitality/nightlife industry. I was just thinking how I was going to spend my mornings in a fulfilling enough way to look forward to being awake for them! It's lovely to read everyone else's mornings and get some ideas for mine!

I'm hoping I can organize enough to spend 15 minutes reading, doing yoga while waiting for coffee water/french press, eat some breakfast, pack a lunch, and still make myself up for a day at the office. Additionally, I plan to have tons of meals in my freezer by the end of the week, so I will pull something out to thaw for dinner and most likely touch base with my mom who always has a wish for a great day and a prayer for no traffic!


A Morning Ritual Challenge
10/9/12 2:15 PM

#6... oh so sexy... i want


10 Unusual Color Combos That Really Work
10/2/12 1:36 PM

first, i'm glad I am not the only solo lush who can polish off a bottle of vino.

I freeze tiny leftovers like tomato paste and broth... I make sure to not waste things by turning things like shrimp shells into broth with a bit of celery and carrot and onion that would otherwise go bad. Broth freezes beautifully and is delish in the next small batch recipe.

I also like making things that freeze easily, like soups and chili. Freezing in individual portions is simple, and they become LIFESAVERS when a sudden cold occurs and you are unable to go to the store!

Creativity makes all the little bits come together: I had bought too many plums this past week, and a few started softening so I roasted them with honey and brought them to a dinner party with soy ice cream. I was the most loved guest that night for sure! Sharing is caring!


Four Basic Challenges in Cooking for One: And Four Simple Solutions Cooking for One
9/12/12 4:15 PM

there really is no better way to say it: fuck yeah.


The Best Trick Ever For Separating Eggs Video
8/27/12 4:40 PM

ha! i literally have that bed/side table/lamp combo! time to upgrade! (in my defense, i have had the lamps for yearrrrrssss and the bed almost as long!)


Less Is More: 15 Pieces of Furniture You May Not Really Need Miss Minimalist at Huffington Post
8/16/12 11:26 AM

so sweet!!


Click "Yes" to Get Hitched: Game Lovers 'You Don't Know Jack' Marriage Proposal
7/31/12 12:13 PM

a line of cinnamon will stop ants in their tracks. To get rid of roaches, mix borax and sugar and put in small dishes in as many places as you can hide it away! worked wonders in my last place with a pest problem!


What's Your Best Pest Control Tip?
7/14/12 9:40 PM

1. stained carpeting
2. dirty kitchen towels hanging in kitchen (it isn't hard to change for company!)
3. pet odors/air fresheners to cover them
4. ceiling borders featuring grapes, billiards, characters etc... molding isn't expensive!
5. a one bath home is fine, but organize your crap so i don't have to guess which container has handsoap among piles of product
6. inadequate places to put down a cup of coffee or a cocktail whether caused by clutter, or lack of tables in general
7. faux flowers and plants
8. bed-in-a-bag, am i the first one to say this???????
9. wall art hung too high, usually it is.
10. thanksgiving crap at easter, christmas crap for july 4th etc.
11. empty bottles on top of fridge or elsewhere
12. shot glass collections and alcohol-related clutter. have a home bar, use a home bar. those dust filled relics of how cool you thought you were in college, NO.
13. generic art with words and quotes.... seriously, they have even spilled over to FACEBOOK
14. tech wirey messes
15. beige. brown (unless it is actual wood). burgundy. gag
16. anything hung with a thumbtack. I literally broke up with a guy because he continuously complained that I didn't allow him to hang his band posters with them the week he moved in. I bought him frames. He wanted thumb tacks. it is just ThumbTacky
17. Furniture to "decorate" already tight hallway or stairway
18. taxidermy
19. fish tanks that no longer have fish in them, but stay there filled with stuff or stacked with clutter. It isn't supposed to be furniture. It is someone's home!
20. Baby crap everywhere. Sure, you have a baby. But do you need EVERY POSSIBLE TOY/SWING/BOUNCER/playmat etc.... the stuff you accumulate, even for a new addition, should FIT in your space without obstructing it's purpose.


Ew, I Can't Stand That! Design Allergies
6/27/12 11:35 PM

you can put the couch along the wall without the window (move that strange lighting) some serious art behind it, and some mood lighting to the sides of the couch and the chairs/tables. I agree that deer head is in a SUPER weird location, and would not be nearly so strange if there was ANYTHING else on the walls. It still needs to be lowered and probably placed on one of the smaller walls or among some other things. Curtains are an easy switch with a huge impact.

Your large plant should probably be on the floor and you can use a bit of the table top to add lighting. it looks like there is a strange light fixture on the wall behind the chairs.. . Maybe that could be moved/removed to a better location.Sure, the natural light looks great, but this room must be a tad sad in the evening without proper lighting.

Brighter pillows, interesting textures and accessories!!


How To Improve Furnished Rental? Good Questions
5/29/12 6:25 PM

make sure you check consumer reports before you buy, at last i looked the best performing ones were half of what you think they could cost.


Pros & Cons: Replacing Appliances in a Rental Renters Solutions
3/20/12 3:28 PM

#3 has 10 pairs of identical stunt shoes hehe

but the framed shopping bags in #6 are super cute, and cheap (ahem, besides the contents at purchase) decor.


Organization Inspiration: 10 Neat & Beautiful Closets
3/1/12 5:17 PM

my uncle made a gorgeous coffee table for my parent's wedding gift... unfortunately my little sister has called dibs on it...Maybe I can convince him to fashion me a stump table!


Not Just For Apres Ski: Rustic & Natural Wood Tables
3/1/12 4:27 AM

holy way too expensive! i would rather diy it with higher end materials for half the price and twice the work!


Dress Up a Boring Mirror: Frame It!
2/18/12 1:24 PM

the jawbone is amazing... my best friend got one from her parents (we aren't young, so her rents are crazy techsavvy!) and I have been wanting one ever since!!!


Stylish Speakers for the Mobile Music Lover On a Budget
2/16/12 11:06 PM

ugh. processed sweetener makes me gag.

and to boot, it is basically rat poison. Read THE HUNDRED YEAR LIE... it will change your thinking.

sure, excessive sugar is bad for you, but if you prepare your own food, skipping the processed ingredients, it is really simple to keep intake to a third of that without thinking about it at all.... real sugar (or honey, raw sugar, stevia, agave nectar) for me.


Sugar Substitutes: For or Against?
1/25/12 1:22 PM

eh I don't have kids yet, but i'm certain that when i have them my mom will say something similiar! She's loving and awesome, but isn't that the point of grandchildren??? All the fun, and none of the hassle! I think you peeps are being a little dramatic on the "mean" front...

As someone who just ended a live-in relationship, I can say.... It is nice to have the house to myself again!!!


When Is A Guest No Longer A Guest?
1/11/12 12:58 PM

a wet wipes container to store baby wipes!!!! brilliant!!!


25 Household Tricks to Make Your Life Easier
The Daily Buzz
12/19/11 2:44 PM