MichelleEllyn's Profile

Wow, I can't believe I never thought of this for traveling! Thanks for the tip!

These are actually really good tips. Of course it depends on your destination though. Photocopies of identification and other documents is a must. The sunscreen mentioned in the comment above is a great tip too, especially with summer travel.

Great idea in theory - Probably gets lots of compliments when people see it - But those better be some seriously strong magnets to not get knocked off of the refrigerator by kids OR adults. Also, what if there's some drink left in the cup? Kind of defeats the purpose. How about color coded cups, and a tray in the kitchen to keep them corralled?
I like the rubber band around the glass idea.
Thanks for sharing the tip though, it's nice to know I'm not the only mom going a little nutzo from all the cups in the sink ;)

Wow, I got a 71. Did anyone else get really dizzy doing this?

My yard is about the same size as those in the picture. We have two small flowering trees planted right on our side of the property line that have been here since we bought the house. There is a very clear line of where the neighbor's property ends, and if they go any further, they have these two little trees to mow around. It doesn't overwhelm our yard, and it's also not offensive to the neighbor, which is a plus. It's actually a nice little touch to our plain front yard. Hope this helps.

I love this look! A more budget conscious option is acrylic shelves. From what I hear Lowe's will cut sheets of clear acrylic pretty much any size you need. Then just get some unobtrusive shelf brackets and you're set.
You could also utilize acrylic shelves conventionally used in a retail application. I actually really like the boxes, I'm just naturally way too thrifty, lol. I'm working on this project right now so I happen to have some link for acrylic shelves for anyone who's interested:
http://jmkdisplays.homestead.com/acrylicshelves.html
http://www.plexi-craft.com/item/Single-Shelf-77

Hope this helps!

If you're absolutely set on having the couch downstairs, one idea is to put it in the corner , or against a wall, and get big pillows to pile against the wall like a headboard. Then it can be a loungey-type couch. Kinda exotic. Like this:
www.houzz.com/photos/83619/utopia-projects-contemporary-bedroom-other-metros

You could even make your own headboard type thing like this:
www.houzz.com/photos/175522/Showhouse-Bedroom-for-Teen-Girl-modern-kids-houston

Also, I'd keep a blanket on top of it during the day that you can remove at night. That way you still have clean and relatively fresh bed sheets and bedspread underneath.

Very lovely home! I like the seamless blend of styles.
I wish we could see a wider angle (more context) in the rooms :(

My "kid" is almost 17, and I still have to resist buying "nice things" for the house (because I know they probably won't last unless it's only the adults using them). I can't wait for the day that I can buy new dishes instead of the dollar store ones that are so easy to replace, and getting more stylish dining chairs that I don't have to worry about getting stained or all scratched up :-)

Babies and toddlers create predictable messes, but also keep in mind that as they get older there's still lots of wear and tear on household items from things like; getting comfy on the couch with shoes on, having pens and pencils in their pockets, dirt on their clothes from playing outside that transfers to chairs and couches, the interminable crumbs wherever they eat (and how long can you enforce "no snacking on the couch"?).... ahh the joys of parenthood!

I think the answer to your question will different for everyone depending on their and their kids' personalities. There's a delicate balance.

I second the dishes idea - If it were my space I'd put a coffee service set there with some cool mugs (upside-down to avoid dusty beverages), my french press, and other stuff I use often but not every day.
You could also utilize it for bulk foods if you find yourself lacking pantry space. Find some food grade glass jars (I use a mix old Planter's Peanut jars and spaghetti sauce jars with painted lids) and use those to store sugar, beans, rice, pasta, etc.