CoconutZinger's Profile

I always get up, do my hair and put on an outfit; I don't change into relaxing clothes until I am about ready for bed. This is partly because I work at home and I find that doing this helps me focus on doing more with my day than just hanging out! Also, I make a point of buying clothes I think are attractive AND comfortable, so it's not like I have to sacrifice one for the other.

Stupidsparkles, the page you linked to is talking about leaving out meat. No, meat definitely should not be left out that long. But oatmeal is different. I might however lean toward olive oil instead of butter for the out-all-night factor. That would be fine.

I really enjoyed season one but was pretty let down by season two. Still, I'm invested enough to want to keep watching, if for the Dowager Countess' zingers if nothing else.

If this is going to be on Apartment Therapy, how about as part of an article on doing seriously traditional rooms that are elegant without being fusty - and on Anna's budget instead of Lady Mary's?

I'm another who wears dresses pretty much every day of the summer -- and spring, and often into fall and winter, too. (They are great for multi-city travel when you will be changing climates; the same dress that works with sandals in the heat can also work with a cardigan and tights for cooler weather.) For women they are a HUGE boon toward packing light, because it's only one garment instead of two to make an outfit; if you wear dresses for an entire week, that's seven garments to pack instead of 14. So wake up, Rural & Rueful!

Other tips: (1) Consolidate shoes. This is the number one error most people make. Unless you are doing adventure travel or going to something formal like a wedding, chances are you need no more than three pairs of shoes, counting the one on your feet. (2) An e-reader is your travel friend. I still love paper books, but my Nook is a lifesaver on trips. Most are dual-voltage, so you can take them overseas with just a plug converter. (3) Laundry exists everywhere. Hotel dry-cleaning is expensive, but many hotels have machines you can use for far less. Friends you're staying with would be unlikely to object if you did one load of laundry (particularly if you work into chipping in with some other chores). I often choose vacation apartments instead of hotels specifically so I can have laundry. One week's worth of clothes + access to laundry once a week = forever's worth of clothes.

My all-time packing WIN was going to South America for a week with just a carry-on. My hiking trip next month will require a checked bag just because hiking poles and boots are super bulky, but I still plan to minimize.

Antarctica. India. The Czech Republic. Morocco. Peru. The Cappadoccia region of Turkey. Vietnam. Sri Lanka. Base Camp of Mt. Everest (no higher, thanks!) Denmark.

Seconding what SkylarkMelody said - think about whether the color creates energy or serenity. The same color that might be eye-catching and dynamic in a family room could be overwhelming in a bedroom; a more subtle tone that might bore in a main living area could be soothing in a home office.

I have one of these from about 1910 in my kitchen; it belonged to my great-grandparents, so I'm never parting with it. Fortunately it fits right into the decor, which is a mix of antique character (original wood floors, high ceilings) and modern appliances and granite.

Go light or go big -- nothing in-between. I think you could do a streamlined-valance window presentation (like in Tequila Red's link above) that would essentially turn that fabric treatment into your headboard, and that would personally be my pick.

Amicably settle the property line with your neighbor like melissapauline suggested, and then monkey grass, a hedgerow or a picket fence will do the trick nicely.

Depends on where. In the kitchen and bathrooms, where a high degree of cleanliness is important, show the dirt. In the foyer and high-traffic areas, hide it a bit.