mminsp's Profile

Display Name: mminsp
Member Since: 10/16/10

Latest Comments...

During my home renovation, putting in a HUGE 5 x 4 ft. window in a tiny bathroom was, quite simply, insane. There's no privacy in the bathroom now and I've gone through a few sets of curtains and blinds trying to find the right balance between privacy and light so that I don't feel like the time and expense of the window was wasted. My latest attempt at privacy was to plant bamboo just outside the window, which means I now have to maintain buddha belly bamboo.


What's Your Biggest Design Regret?
9/24/12 2:09 PM

I used to forget where I parked ALL the time. After too many times wandering around parking garages or downtown streets after a night out, I always make a mental note of where I've parked.

Traveling for work is the worst, which I do about once a month, but now I just put my parking garage info into my calendar as soon as I get out of the car.
Now that I have that licked, I have to tackle being able to remember what kind of rental care I'm driving. At least once on every trip, I'll walk out of a meeting and panic because I can't remember what my rental looks like. That's where the remote key comes in handy, although I"m sure I look like an idiot swirling around in the parking lot, fingers furiously clicking on the key!


How To: Remember Where You Parked
5/5/12 10:52 PM

I keep measurements of artwork that I need to frame. That way, if I'm at IKEA or a thrift store and come across a cool frame, I can see if it fits. I take a photo of the piece, then keep the measurements in the notes section of my phone. That way, I can look to see if a mat will match too.
I also kept measurements of my window sizes for the entire year I spent looking for the perfect fabric.


10 Snapshots You Should Keep in Your Phone's Photo Album
5/5/12 10:35 PM

Here's what I did with my spices. It doesn't save a lot of space, but it keeps them organized. I drove right past the Container Store and went to my local dollar store and stocked up on a dozen rectangular plastic bins - varying in size from about 4 x 8 inches to some that are almost as big as shoeboxes. I then grouped my spices by cuisine and use.
Cayenne, cumin, coriander and various chile powders all go in the Latin cooking box. My traditional spices, such as thyme, oregano, marjoram, mustard seed, etc. go in another. I have one for indian food with fenugreek, various curries, ginger, etc.
Then I have another for baking: cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, baking powder, baking soda, arrowroot, vanilla beans and extracts, etc. This makes it so easy; I can't believe I never thought of it before! When I'm making Mexican food, I just pull out that one bin and usually everything I need is right there. The same with Indian food or Thai.

Oh, and I have another for rubs and odd spices like berbere, blackening spices, za'atar, etc.
If I run out of coriander (which happens quite often, oddly), I keep the jar and re-stock it so that I have coriander in both my Indian and Mexican bins. This has been the biggest time-saver for me and if I'm looking up a new recipe, I can just quickly pull out the appropriate container to see if I have everything I need.


Small Space Solutions: Using Cabinet & Closet Doors for Storage
4/14/12 8:23 PM

Here's a link to Viva Vegan's recipe for Mango Guava Bread Pudding that's completely dairy-free: http://sveltegourmand.com/3705_vivavegan

I made it the other night and it was really delicious. It wasn't light and fluffy; more like a dense cake, but according to the notes in the cookbook, that's how it was supposed to come out. Once I tried that, I decided to master veganizing bread pudding recipes. This will be next on my list - I'm a sucker for anything with cardamon in it.


Recipe: Coconut Milk Bread Pudding
3/27/12 10:51 PM

I've been living alone for the past six months after ending a 7 yr. relationship. I'm so happy in my house - I have to drag myself out. I've had dinner parties, slept late, decorated the way I want.... all the things that somehow never happened before. Today, I planted some bamboo in the back yard, made curtains for both the bathroom and the bedroom (with fabric that would never have passed muster before), made a backyard dog leash/towel rack from the 30 yr. old address sign on the front of the house, hung new address numbers, and painted a shelf for the living room. The best part? My kitchen now looks like Martha Stewart and Tim Allen had a drunken brawl in it (drills, bobbins, paint, fabric, step ladders, etc. all over the place) and I may go to bed without cleaning it up!


The Joys and Drawbacks of Living Solo
3/24/12 10:54 PM

I just purchased what I thought was an antique wooden baby toy at a thrift store last week. Turns out it was a sock darning tool! The elderly volunteer behind the counter kindly set me straight and seemed a little dismayed at the prospect of a baby chewing on a piece of wood.


BB Rattle by Niels Cosman
Design Showcase 2011
9/25/11 6:39 PM

Sorry - lumen should be linen.
Grrr...auto-correct.


Suggest Color Schemes To Work With Orange Sofa Set?
Good Questions
4/8/11 9:16 AM

I have a funky, orange sofa as well - and absolutely love it. I painted the walls a nice white/lumen in eggshell and repainted a 50s style credenza a muted grass-colored green. My accessories are tans and creams. I also upholstered an accent chair in a funky multi- colored pattern that picks up all the colors in the room. And don't be afraid of the orange - it's incredibly easy to decorate with such a bold color.


Suggest Color Schemes To Work With Orange Sofa Set?
Good Questions
4/8/11 9:15 AM

Beautiful room and it really conveys the design aesthetic of St. Pete perfectly!
I just moved back here after pining for sunshine, pools and garage sale treasures for too long.


Color Contest Entry Deadline: October 17
10/16/10 3:01 PM