KatKopy's Profile

I'm from a rural area in the South, and wedding gifts are incredibly important here. I think our style is likely a little different from most areas but that some things are universal. While I haven't yet gone through the process myself, I've learned valuable lessons from friends' weddings.

1.) Register in-person. A good friend and her husband did their registry online, only to find that many of the local stores didn't carry all of the items they requested. Since many of their guests were older/unlikely to travel elsewhere, the likelihood of receiving those items had to be somewhere next to nil.

2.) Please, please, please, consider your guests' budgets when registering. When many of your friends are just finishing professional school or working in starter jobs (or you're from a lower income area, etc.), they can't afford $150+ items for you or themselves. I know from personal experience that guests will be sad when they can't pick anything from your list except a collection of random gadgets.

3.) BE GRATEFUL. Whether someone buys a gift from your registry or gives you something random, please be gracious. Manners cost nothing. Sometimes people buy items they love and hope you will enjoy, too. Sometimes they're on a tight budget or are under a great deal of stress. Occasionally, that means that you get duds. However, complaining that people got you things that weren't on your registry is inconsiderate. You might not like the gift, but no one is required to give you one at all, much less to follow specific guidelines. Also, send thank-you notes - including notes to your bridesmaids, close friends and family members. If you don't express gratitude, some people will likely be hurt. (And I know a fair number who wouldn't give you gifts in the future.)

Also, I'm aware it's a Southern thing, but here, requesting cash or gift cards is typically a major faux pas. While it may always be useful, in my area, asking for money is considered taboo unless you're raising funds for charity.

Hi! I'm looking for really good, *local* deals. While I'd love to find beautiful finished pieces or colorful, well-done artwork within my budget ($150 or less), I'm up for re-do's, too. If it has good bones, is reasonable to fix, and is less than a two-hour drive from my location, I'm interested. As far as styles go, I love Art Nouveaux, Art Deco, Hollywood Regency and French Provençal. My boyfriend, on the other hand, looks for Industrial, Mid-century, Mod, and rustic, traditional pieces.

My parents always used to keep the spare in a magnetic box hidden underneath the AC unit. Not only was it on the opposite side of the house, it was hard to find it even when you knew where it was! I think the "key" to a well-hidden spare is just inconvenience ...

Have you thought about creamy yellow/ivory stripes? I think they'd be nice and echo the patterns your books create on the shelves.

Well, there look to be a lot of nice options for your dining space, but, whatever you end up choosing, you might think about using some small mirrors/one big mirror to create the illusion of a window on the back wall. It'll bounce the light around and make the room feel bigger.

Bonus if you use the space as an office? Dry erase markers work even better on mirrors than on actual dry erase boards (the college solution to crowded study rooms). Just remember to erase your ideas/calculations after a little bit. If you leave them up too long, they're harder to remove.

Hi; thanks for putting this up! I've managed to avoid disaster with my pup, but know others who'd love this hint. Also, if the bitter apple or bitter break sprays don't work, spot check some tea tree oil and use it if it doesn't damage the surface. My boyfriend's puppy likes the bitter spray, but I'm yet to meet one who cares for tea tree oil.