margo10025's Profile

why does good design have to be expensive?

I had this same problem. I went to a weight loss specialist, and learned I was insulin resistant. Check out Dr. Louis Aronne's book, The Skinny. It worked for me. I have lost slighly more than 20 pounds in the last 16 months, most of it -- 8 pounds -- in the first month. And you do not have to be hungry.

Re-think that "if I didn't wear it yet this winter." Often in the Northeast, the most bitter weather comes in January, February and March. I don't take my extra-heavy sweaters or fleece pants out when I take out the other winter stuff. Instead, they come out in January, when the eary fall stuff can go away. We tend to have more than 4 seasons in NYC, so I try to put clothes away/take out others about 6 times a year!

I know someone who stores files in her oven. However, she also considers jelly beans an entree.

As someone who has owned a "country house" upstate for nearly 30 years, I'd like to invite all you thoughtful guests up.

Seriously though, I have a few pet peeves about guests. One is the guest who brings everything -- coffee, fish and vegetables, cheeses, etc., -- for several meals and takes over my kitchen to prepare them. She even brings her own rubber gloves. She's a great cook and means well, but I am also a great cook and I feel she's missing the opportunity of being a guest by always having to be in control.

Another is the guest who doesn't listen. City neighbors asked about a bed and breakfast in our area for a 4th of July weekend. We said they could stay with us, but specified, many times, that they should think of us as a bed and breakfast. We had an agenda, and it didn't really include entertaining them for a 4 day weekend. They never left the house unless we dragged them out to something. On their last day, they asked if they could stay a little longer -- awkward. We said no, and have never invited them again.

I do most of these things -- we once went to Italy on the money in the jar! We also will sometimes make a donation of dollars to the jar. For instance, if we're thinking of going out to dinner but decide instead to eat leftovers at home, we'll put something of the cost of dinner into the jar.

And my favorite trick -- keep a stash of one dollar bills near the front door (mine's in my kitchen cabinet) for tipping delivery people!

I would say to be open minded when taking furniture from family and friends. My husband was shocked when I accepted a small convertible love seat from his aunt when we were first married -- it was plaid, in colors that didn't go with our planned living room. But it was a great piece! We covered it with an indian cotton bedspread for years, and I've since had it reupholstered twice -- once in a kid-proof print, and now that we're empty-nesters, in an off-white canvas. And it still works as an extra comfortable bed for the unexpected guest. So think ahead -- you might be surprised.