sighants's Profile

I received Bittman's Mini Minimalist and my husband received Pure Beef. I think we are more excited to try the recipes in Pure Beef since we are looking at getting 1/8th of a cow for our deep freeze.

My husband and I bought a house a year ago where both of the kids' bedrooms had murals on the wall. The owners said they'd paint over them with the color already on the walls if we wanted and we did. Seeing the rooms with the murals didn't distract us from the rooms or make the house any less inviting!

My little one is 5 weeks old as of today! Ironically, my husband and I were talking about our baby "lifesavers" just last night. Our top must haves are: a package of cloth diapers to use as burp rags and a swaddler (we have the Summer brand).

We've also used the following on a regular basis and they've made our lives easier: car seat cover (the Summer brand, shower curtain one; although if you're some place warm you won't need this!); the itzbeen timer; the boppy pillow; baby nail clippers and lap/burp pads.

As for the whole registry thing and staying on it/off it, do what you think is right. Just make sure you provide a gift receipt. I loved it when people went off our registry and got our family something that was truly "us" and I loved it when people stayed on our registry and got exactly what we asked for. I only hated it when people didn't provide a gift receipt - even if it was on our registry!

Good luck!

I just made one of these two weeks ago! I bought two small boxes of Kotte plastic ornaments (one red and one silver) from IKEA, wire from the hardware store (didn't want to deal with a wire hanger) and silver ribbon from Target. The whole thing came in at under $20. I bought the supplies because as newlyweds, my husband and I don't have extra ornaments. Now we've got a super cute wreath for our door!

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions! :D

-Liz (sighants)