SandyW's Profile

Tartan plaids and buffalo plaids. Original art, which does not need to be expensive. Casually framed art. Lighter kitchens: light colored countertops and appliances. I for one would love to have appliances in a cream color (NOT almond).

Hedgehogs are already edging in on foxes, and most of the owls I see now are discounted. Maybe monkeys will be next. I think bees are a good bet, though.

I had the same problem with trying to move pins from one board to another, or to split up a large board.

Pinterest hacks?

Love it, and always love Antonio!

Excellent post!

As a former shopgirl, I agree wholeheartedly with each point. I'd also recommend to shoppers that a little friendly chat and sympathy with the shopgirl goes a long way to a satisfactory transaction for both people.

Patience also is an essential part of the shopping process: from the shopgirl waiting for the customer to count out their change or understand their purchase, to the customer waiting for the shopgirl to find the correct wrapping or change the tape in the cash register. One extra minute isn't going to ruin anyone's day, but the bad attitude will.

Some more faves:
Professor Blastoff
The New Yorker Out Loud
A History of the World in 100 Objects
Grammar Girl
For Downton Abbey fans: Up Yours, Downstairs (tell them Cousin Sandy sent you!)
And for Game of Thrones fans, their sister podcast: Boars, Gores and Swords
I used to listen to CraftSanity, but I haven't found any recent episodes
The Rachel Maddow Show
Dylan Ratigan was good, too, but nothing new lately
The Economist

Saranewell, not sure what the prices are now, but the Hotel Elysee in midtown was like a home away from home on business trips. Factor in that they have a very nice complimentary continental breakfast, enough snacks for a light dinner at the complimentary wine hour, and coffee and tea and cookies available the rest of the time. All this is in the second floor lounge, which is like a second living room. I'd ask for a higher floor (always in NY) to get away from the street sounds. Very nice!

What great comments!

My go:

Fake plants and flowers--I worked at a Michaels one Christmas and was STUNNED by how many people bought the fake flowers and fake flower arrangements. Stunned!

Too many pillows and too much stuff on the coffee table or dining table.

Place settings on the table. Really?

More dust collectors: Kitchen cabinets that end a couple of feet below the ceiling, stuff on top of those cabinets, textury lampshades, stuff piled up underneath tables to "occupy space," chandeliers (though I do like them), collections of glass or pottery that are "displayed."

MCM--I live in Palm Springs and am SO over this.

Alternately, fussing up a mid-century house with moulding, chair rails, etc.

Faux wall painting! Murals (unless historic)!

All that mass-produced Old French stuff. Crowns. Burlap.

Laminate furniture.

Books that are not just arranged by color, but that are covered in plain kraft paper, and then possibly turned spine-in.

It's hard for me to criticize anyone's art preferences. Even if they buy it from Ross, they are at least trying to have something beautiful in their lives. If they are just decorating, that's another story. Much prefer original things that have personal meaning. And art should be hung at eye level. I'm also fond of type, and can get behind one nice piece utilizing a nice type treatment, sign or poster or painting.

Repetition does not improve an idea: if one decorative pitcher is good, a collection is better--not.

Huge closets stuffed with clothes.

Those little stools that are supposed to be extra seating--as if anyone but a small child would sit on those!

Shabby Chic.

Theme rooms. Displayed sports memorabilia (except for the odd signed baseball on a desk or shelf).

Lots and lots of framed personal photos--too much like a memorial.

Blackboard paint on EVERYTHING. Over!

Hard uncomfortable dining chairs. Don't take too long eating that dinner!

Laundry folding, and sorting through files.

I like to clean up the dishes and have the kitchen looking all ready to go again. I do like to cook, too, so I usually clean up as I go along. Mostly I like to do what I call "puttering," just tackling small projects as I move from room to room: moving things from one room to another, straightening, a little sorting and rearranging. I love how the house has a different vibe after I've finished cleaning and sorting...the air feels vibrant and clean, everything shines, I appreciate all my belongings again.