lifeabundant's Profile

Display Name: lifeabundant
Member Since: 10/20/09

Latest Comments...

Beautiful & warm! I adore that bedspread/coverlet/duvet ... please share the source.


Elaine & Adam's Cheerful & Cozy Small Cool Contest
5/24/13 8:19 PM

Malissa & Chris, your home & site are amazing. Talk about a small, carbon footprint! You truly have achieved this beautifully & together (love that!)!

It is a shame that you were attacked & accused of plugging by someone that hadn't even taken the time to read the comments. If that person had done so, they would know that you were merely responding to to requests for more photos, etc. You responded with such resolve, warmth & genuine character that I wanted to visit your site!!! Thanks for inviting us into your home & life!


Malissa's Hand-Built Home Small Cool Contest
5/24/13 2:12 AM

@Mike_in_Hawaii, Thanks for your reply. Yesss, Brasso is a messy method ... that's why I dread it. Haven't used my Dremel much at all. I'd be tempted to use it I wasn't tackling a whole cart.


The Ultimate Used Furniture Cleaning Kit
5/23/13 8:44 PM

Beautiful space with genius storage & placement, LOVE that dining set & the vintage glass storage.


Hani & Andrew's Organic Modern Small Cool Contest
5/23/13 6:59 PM

Garrett, I wish I could vote more than once! Your home is warm, wise & full of character. Mirror/Murphy bed … genius! You have beautiful, sturdy, versatile key furniture pieces that should serve you well for years to come. Clean lines of the sideboard, chest of drawers & brass chest, etc. are relevant to any décor. Love your closing comments about illusion of organization … you’ve done well.


Garrett's Everything Every Day Small Cool Contest
5/23/13 6:34 PM

Does anyone have suggestions for polishing a lightweight, brass rolling (bar?) cart that I thrifted? My first thought was to use Brasso (i.e., apply Brasso, allow to dry completely & polish). But, I'm thinking there would be serious rag-snagging since the shelves are solid brass panels perforated with cross shapes similar to these:
http://brass-grilles-shop.co.uk/perforated-polished-brass-grilles-ranges-10-c.asp
Moderate tarnish/patina is fine. I think it just needs a good, thorough polishing to pretty it up before use. I reeeeally don't want to paint it. Any suggestions?


The Ultimate Used Furniture Cleaning Kit
5/23/13 1:09 PM

Thanks for the prompt reply!


How a Bowl of Bread Dough Can Teach Us the Way to Live Weekend Meditation
5/23/13 10:32 AM

Beautiful foliage, furniture & cast iron!


Kathrine's Tucked Away Treasure Small Cool Contest
5/22/13 3:02 PM

Spray bottle filled with water or all-purpose cleanser & micro fiber cloths (to wipe down items with a damp cloth all over before bringing them in my home or garage to remove unidentified residue). Brasso.


The Ultimate Used Furniture Cleaning Kit
5/22/13 2:52 PM

Please share the source of that beautiful tea towel.


How a Bowl of Bread Dough Can Teach Us the Way to Live Weekend Meditation
5/20/13 3:47 PM

Dana, you're ever an inspiration ... thanks again!


How a Bowl of Bread Dough Can Teach Us the Way to Live Weekend Meditation
5/20/13 3:46 PM

@Chris Perez, thanks for this info.


Understanding the Differences Between HDMI, Optical, Coaxial & RCA Cables
4/28/13 11:26 PM

@okucha ... this method may not be cumbersome if the box is laid so the opening is on the side (not on top). Then, wrap & stack the plates outside the box (making sure that all edges are protected/cushioned) & slide them in. Once the plates are in, turn the box opening side up & fill empty spaces with more packing material (i.e., fabric, newsprint, etc.).


Quick Tip: The Safest Way to Pack Plates
4/15/13 4:38 PM

I second the rave for Craigslist for selling furniture. A few years ago, I sold several inherited furniture items there ... totally worth the effort (unlike garage sale).
* For efficiency, I typed my listing/item description text in a Word document template for my item description (dimensions, specifications, material, brand/type, age, price, etc.) ... cutting & pasting each finished listing from Word to Craigslist. I saved each item description in Word for future reference.
* Clear photos taken from every angle ... key!
* To avoid scam calls, I learned early-on not to include my phone number in the listing. Instead, each of my listings had a statement telling interested potential buyers to email me their phone number.

Hope this helps someone.


Selling vs. Donating:
What Do You Do with Your Old Stuff?

3/20/13 12:02 PM

I'm moving out of state as well. My approach is both selling & donating:

Furniture: multi-faceted resale approach ... (1) Apartment Therapy listing, (2) approach local resale & antique shops with photos & (3) Craigslist one-day, flash moving sale (if necessary). AT is where I discovered that my late 1970s white campaign furniture is back in demand. Since Cleveland, OH (suburbs) is not an AT core city, I hope I get a few bites. Etsy (local/pick-up only) could be another option since you can sell items that are >/= 20 years old.

General clothing & housewares: donated or given to loved ones
Specialty clothing, shoes & bags: consignment
Books & movies: sold to Half-Price Books, donated & given to loved ones


Selling vs. Donating:
What Do You Do with Your Old Stuff?

3/20/13 11:42 AM

Trust and believe ... baking soda is your friend ... especially combined with hot water & a little elbow grease. Sprinkle the inside with baking soda, fill with water & bring it to a boil. Then, let it soak/marinate a while before scouring it to remove the burnt on mess.

This worked so well with burnt-on oatmeal in the bottom of a vintage enameled cast iron Le Creuset pot ... I thought the pot was ruined. But, this method worked wonders, no vigorous scrubbing required (so no risk of ruining the enamel coating).

I keep a jar of baking soda under my kitchen sink for scrubbing pots & pans or soaking casserole bake ware to loosen baked on food. The stainless steel mesh scrubby is great to have on hand as well. I've always loved Bar Keeper's Friend & Bon Ami; but, there is no need for either since baking soda works just as well.


Can I Use Oven Cleaner on Stainless Steel Pots and Pans? Good Questions
3/19/13 5:15 PM

I may use a combination of butter & coconut oil instead of all butter. I've used coconut oil in pancake batter before & loved it. Vanilla extract & a handful of rolled oats are almost always added to my pancakes. Sometimes fruit (mashed banana or chopped apple or pear with a little lemon zest) or dark chocolate chips make their way in as well.


The Best-Ever Pancake Recipe: Lofty Buttermilk Pancakes
3/9/13 11:29 PM

I look forward to making these tomorrow. It's a good thing that letting the batter rest makes better pancakes ... otherwise, I would be tempted to make these right now since (It's late & I didn't eat dinner).


The Best-Ever Pancake Recipe: Lofty Buttermilk Pancakes
3/9/13 11:10 PM

@margue, my thoughts exactly!!


One Design, Two Budgets:
Global Chic Bedroom

3/6/13 10:23 PM

@Dabney Frake, thanks for this post ... enjoyed it & especially loved the unique pieces you chose in both price points. Keep these posts coming (despite all the potentially discouraging naysaying). Your "usual refrain" was on point. Your post & point are true, timeless & relevant to Apartment Therapy, design, style & life! The amazing instant gratification of (re)creating one's own haven/home piece-by-piece on one's own terms/style/dime is ... priceless!


One Design, Two Budgets:
Global Chic Bedroom

3/6/13 10:22 PM