modern on long island's Profile

fairway in NY...... it's definitely better than whole foods. a larger selection and better prices. I go every week... we're very lucky and spoiled when it comes to cheese because of them.

Years ago, when I was in a small apartment with an awful kitchen, I turned a lack bookcase on its end, added 4 ikea desk legs and voila! a long narrow kitchen counter. Of course, the mealamine surface was delicate, so chopping and other heavy kitchen duties had to be done on the "real" counter top, but it served as a wonderful place to put plates and platters while prepping a meal.... and even had storage beneath!

we have a slightly different version of that rug (but area rug-size) that we bought from crate and barrel? in bright red. We got it last year at something like 40% off. A wonderful deal :-)

I always loved the I dream of jeannie house too

And I loved the brady bunch stair case!

when I was little, I liked the girls apt in too close for comfort. (remember that 80's couch? heheheheh)

#2 is pretty cute.

but to me, a christmas tree shouldn't be something designer, it should show the lives, interests, history, and experiences of the family.

you simply cannot design such an heirloom.....

I prefer e-cards. It's not nearly as wasteful as paper cards that have to be driven and flown all over the place.

I will add the caveat that I NEVER send a card, e-card or otherwise, without a heartfelt message included. I can't stand when people only sign their names or only write "Merry Christmas".

there is definitely still a market for DWR. It was a very poor decision to make DWR knock-offs, however. It's customers are generally reasonably knowledgable about designers and their products. In the end, that hurt DWR rep more than the profits could have benefited them.

In the end, I'll still shop there for select items. But it definitely is too expensive to buy more than a few items.

I'm with farmhousemoderne. I try to be eco friendly when possible.... but beyond even that, it's simply a downer to eat thanksgiving or christmas dinner with plastic utentils from a paper plate. It's supposed to be a special occassion.

I've also attended holiday dinners that were catered... equally bad letdown. I prefer a homemade turkey that may not be perfectly cooked to something mass produced in a restaurant kitchen.

If you need more plates, get a nice simple set from ikea, or crate and barrel. Even CB2 has some affordable glassware and serving dishes. Most of all, if you volunteer to host a holiday dinner, put in the expected amount of effort!

depends.... it's been in your mind for months? you won't go into debt if you purchase it? you won't instantaneously replace it in your mind with a new "must have item" to have as soon as you sign the charge slip?

I don't care what it's worth or the investment. if you truly love it, and it's not normally your nature to lust after $$ items, I say treat yourself, as long as it doesn't hurt your financially.... and you don't do that once every couple months.

I grew up in a family that always had formal dinner parties... by age 12, I knew the different types of fish knives vs the butter knife and could tell apart the salad and entree forks.

Just because of my background, I prefer dinner parties that are a smidge more formal. Red wine vs white wine glasses, a champagne toast, and cordials after dinner. As a result, We frequently use formal china and sterling silverware I inherited (that has about 10 pieces per place setting) :-D