themoderngal's Profile

I think what you're missing is that we Southerners have our choice of excellent restaurant-made fried chicken. I don't have to go to KFC. The local soul food restaurant makes far better fried chicken than I've ever made, and I don't have to clean up the kitchen when I'm done.

As much as I like the cute hangers in this post, I completely agree. Using the same kind of hangers for your entire closet can help you organize better, but I don't think I'll ever have enough free time in my life to worry about how they look.

Start very easily. Learn how to do some basic skills and cooking techniques like chopping an onion, boiling pasta, sauteeing, etc. (YouTube can be helpful here). Make very easy things like spaghetti and stirfry until you get more comfortable in the kitchen. If you go with any recipes, make sure the ingredient list is short and that you research any techniques required before you start.

The Joy of Cooking is good to have because it's like an encyclopedia of cooking. You may not want to try any of the recipes at first, but you can find explanations of techniques and ingredients that can help as a reference guide. My first cookbook was the Betty Crocker Cookbook -- lots of photos and the recipes are straightforward.

Lastly, don't be afraid of screwing something up! Like everything in life, you will screw up but you'll learn from the mistakes. Good luck!

When a long-term relationship of mine ended, I definitely found some comfort in renting a carpet cleaner and going to town on the carpets in my condo. I think I deep-scrubbed my kitchen and organized my closet as well. The control is definitely a part of it. I think the feeling of cleansing and peace helps as well. And it's nice to be distracted too!

I miss the hot sandwiches and smoothies I frequently made when I worked from home.

Great space! I absolutely love the bedroom ... and the corgis, of course!

I completely agree. Not only do boxed mix brownies seem to taste better, they're a heck of a lot easier to make.

I don't find keeping the doors clean difficult, I find keeping the creases and crevasses around it clean incredibly difficult -- and I hate having to get inside the tub to clean it.

I usually have to make some mistakes the first time, but the second time I'm golden -- if I haven't frustrated myself to the point of not trying something for a second time.

I like the art around the TV -- I think it keeps the TV from sticking out too much like a sore thumb. Maybe the art doesn't get the focus it should, but as long as you're ok with it, I think it's a great way to liven up the space.

Great pieces all around, and beautifully integrated into the home!