klem's Profile

TIP: If you want help with designing an Elfa system at the Container Story while their 30% sale is on (til Feb 12), call first and make an appointment. I had one this week, and the sales associate said people where waiting 45 minutes last weekend. I go during the week, and it is not so crowded. But I always have an appointment.

We are another family that tries to do some Elfa every year during their sales. Last year, we did our big walk-in closet, and it cost $2,500. But even my miserly husband says it was worth it. The sales people will draw up a plan, and we take it home to think about for a week or so. Then we make changes, etc. Those sales people are truly talented space designers.

We also pay for the installation because we aren't handy and don't have a lot of time to mess with it. We'd love to be able to get away with RubberMaid or some less expensive brand, but those others don't have the drawers and options that Elfa does.

I think the white cabinet is really awkward but understand that you need it for storage. Could you hang it or something like it horizontally on the wall? It would have to be a little high so that anyone sitting on the end bench wouldn't hit it.

Or can you store that stuff underneath your benches? I think moving the cabinet and getting smaller, simpler chairs would help a lot.

In Chicago, Tao Ran Ju in the Chinatown Square Mall has soup dumplings. Only place I've been to that serves them and they are awesome!

I am surprised at how much this does NOT work for me. Individual elements are nice, but they don't work together. In fact, I found the use of gray and green together to be somewhat unattractive here.

The bathroom is great. But I agree with others that the couch and chair are kind of "fake" looking so it gives the living room an unreal feel to it. At first glance, I thought it was a doll or play house.

Is this an ad or editorial? Either way, it's too foo foo for me.

@jlmcnamara: My grandmother used the first knuckle method for white rice. She used her middle finger, and that does seem to work for us. Of course, my grandmother would have never made brown rice...

However, I am surprised it works for you with brown rice. I use short grain rice, but use a lot more water than for the white.

I think the question is not whether eggs are considered meat, but what foods are given up during Lent. For some people it is red meat, fish is OK. Others give up all animal products, which would include eggs and dairy.

Eggs are not considered meat because they aren't animal flesh. There isn't any debate about that.

Wow--that's some change.

Very nice.

TCS is the only place I will buy comforters, and it's been that way for years. We have purchased jersey and flannel sheets from them, as well as duvet covers, pillows and a rug. All their stuff has been fine.

More recently I have had shipping problems with them. A couple of things I have just given up on and cancelled the order. So they aren't perfect, but they are pretty darn good.