bonnie van v's Profile

I remember having painting lessons with my Papa as a child, and using his expensive brushes and paints. It made the experience so much more rewarding because I felt like a "real artist" to be trusted with his materials. They may cost more, but I think it's always worth it to help teach children the joy of creating!

It doesn't sound like the kids are actually involved in the mold-making process- just receiving them as party favors. I think it's a fun idea; would Legos be too small to really use as soap though? Maybe Duplo blocks (made by Lego but much bigger) would be better?

It has taken my husband and I nearly 4 years to get to the partly-finished point we are at, because we had nothing of our own (that was worth keeping) when we got married, and have jointly decided on every. single. thing. in our house. I love it, because our home is a blend of us both; I hate it, because it just takes SO long.

I completely agree with stevie about the bed base- my husband and I just switched our boxspring (which is broken) for our guest bed's, and it made a huge difference.

Good mattress buying guidance, all!

Um... unfolded clean laundry, a hamper, and a cat.

Shelves above my head always make my allergies so much worse. Too many places for dust!

I like the look, but the table runner (#2) is listed on Wisteria's website as costing $399. Seems a little... much.

@sub-culture: That is so cool! Great job.

When we do spend money on new pieces, we always choose things that are durable and can take a beating, but are also beautiful and appeal to us aesthetically. With weekly gatherings of friends, including babies, toddlers, and children, at our house, every piece of furniture we own is multi-purpose and constantly used.

For example, we won't replace our ancient, rock-solid, nuclear-blast-proof coffee table until we find something else that can be also be sat on, stood on, used as a dining table, hit with blocks, spilled on, and have drinks left on sans coaster. And with no sharp corners for little heads to be bumped on.

We may have that table forever.

Macrame owls! There was one in our laundry room when we moved into our house, and it made me jump every single time I opened the door.