Lovely print-them-yourself wedding favor boxes by Vale Design at The Bedlam of Beefy.

Yum, yum, yum — pumpkin pie ice cream at Craftzine, via ReadyMade Tweets.

The year without a Santa letter? Post Office limits Santa program, at NPR.

Also at NPR — would you believe an Eggo shortage?

The complete National Geographic online. Seriously. Every single magazine. At sub-studio design blog (via Velocity’s Twitter).

Want to be a calm and collected hostess? Casa Sugar can help.

These sound delicious: gourmet adobo nachos in just seven minutes, at Danielle Cooks.

Check out the home winterizing projects at DoItYourself.com.

A photo gallery of Christmas decorating ideas at Canadian House & Home. (And no, it’s not too early…)

A couple weeks old, but no less interesting — Desire to Inspire writes about Dos Family, with photos of a home that is equal parts stylish and lived in. Enjoy.

There are those of you who will think less of me for this confession, I’m sure. Those of you who are judgmental and naive to the appeal will roll your eyes and suck your teeth. I’m not afraid. Go ahead, look down your noses at me if you must, but I am obsessed with the Twilight series. I attended a Twilight viewing party with my fellow Twi-hards to prepare for today’s New Moon premiere (Squeal!) and I brought these delicious, cherry-filled cupcakes with me! The recipe is after the jump. (Just for the record, I’m Team Edward.) — Katie D. Click for vampire cupcakes! Read the rest of this entry »

In a recent poll, 47% of Americans voted “whatever” as the most annoying word. Sorry, but if the pollsters had called me, I would have cast my vote for “man cave.” It’s technically a phrase, but that just makes it twice as annoying. I was hoping “man cave” lived only in HGTV-land, where happy but deluded first-time house hunters always seem to place a “man cave” on their must-have list. (Isn’t that what the garage is???) But, no. In the past few weeks, I’ve seen it used twice in, of all places, The New York Times. Once by Maureen Dowd in the Op-Ed section, questioning if the Oval Office is becoming the “Oval Man Cave,” and then a few days later in the Home and Garden section. Seriously? What do you think — is a house not a home unless it has a cave? — Sarah L.

Photo of Douglas Wright at Mantiques Modern (yes, seriously) via The New York Times

West Elm, up to 60% off. We love: this Sheepskin Pouf. Was $350, now $300.

Get free shipping on orders of $100 or more at Always Mod now through November 22. Shop now to get the Marimekko tins we liked so much last year — they go fast.

Horchow is having a $9.99 bath towel event, including selected towels by Ralph Lauren.

Save 15% on Herman Miller furniture at allmodern.com, November 27 through December 13.

Save 5% on Progress Lighting at CSNLighting.com.

Save 10% on all :USE bathroom and lighting products at EveryFaucet.com. Enter code USE10.

Shop ABC Carpet and Home and receive 10% off your next online purchase of any rug, custom rug, or carpet. Enter code SALE10.

With woodpeckers looking for a warm place to spend the winter, now is when they’re most likely to damage homes — the yearly cost is in the millions. Our neighborhood is heavily wooded, so most of the houses have had some damage. Luckily, our trim remains intact, despite the fact that we do hear the occasional tapping. Although there are plenty of suggestions to ward off woodpeckers, from hanging pie plates or windchimes to “Scare Eye” balloons, we’re either lucky or George, the red-headed woodpecker figurine we hung up years ago, is working. (George was a gift made by a local crafter. I haven’t been able to find another, but there are many deterrents available, including a fake “attack spider.”) I also always stock a wire-mesh feeder with C&S Peanut Flavored Nuggets. Since woodpeckers are territorial (one theory behind why placing fake woodpeckers around your house might work), you won’t attract additional birds to your yard. Hopefully, you’ll just attract them away from your house and enjoy watching them, too! — Sarah L.

It’s that time of year when I start planning my holiday gifts. I often bake goodies to give away instead of buying presents. When I give a decadent batch of brownies or a tasty almond cake, I always deal with the issue of how to package the present. I’ve learned to buy discount serving pieces at Marshall’s or TJ Maxx to give as part of the gift, but sometimes that takes a little bit too much planning. I saw these paper pans at King Arthur Flour and I think I might give them a try. It will certainly give my treats a professional look, but can you really bake in paper?! Has anyone used a paper pan before? — Erica P.

Perfect for everyone with a bad reputation on your holiday list, the illicit absinthe is reborn as an invigorating soap. The spirit was a favorite of bohemians Oscar Wilde, Vincent van Gogh, and Toulouse Lautrec, all of whom enjoyed the occasional visit with the “Green Fairy.” From Perpetual Kid, the hand and bath soap retails for $6 and would be a great stocking stuffer or part of a hostess gift. — Katie D.

All the pumpkin bread recipes I’ve tried over the years turned out moist but too dense. When I found a recipe for pumpkin pie pancakes in a magazine last year, I decided to give it a try. Of course, I discovered after I started that I didn’t have all the ingredients, so I used pancake mix instead. The result is a pancake that’s quick, moist, fragrant, and best of all, unbelievably light. So light, in fact, that after the flip I usually press down gently on the pancake with the spatula to flatten them a little. The recipe can easily be halved — all my impromptu recipes have a way of expanding on me. It’s a great way to use up some leftover pumpkin. And more good news? The leftovers reheat wonderfully! — Sarah L. Click for the easy pumpkin pie pancakes recipe! Read the rest of this entry »

Remember when I wrote about a well-edited kitchen? I shared my plight of way too many pots, pans, gadgets, and dishes that I’m just not ready to give up. Well, it looks like I’ve finally exhausted all my current organizing options. While I intend to do a massive cleaning out over the next few weeks, I’d really like to put up a shelf and a bar for hanging pots in my kitchen. The walls in my pre-war apartment have the ability to elude the most accurate of stud-finders, so the only space sturdy enough for a shelf would be the window frame. I’m hoping to replicate this shelf, adding a sturdy bar underneath for pots. Does anyone have any idea how to do this? Should I get a tension bar? Should I put up hooks and a curtain rod? What hooks should I use to hang the pots? Help! — Erica P.

While having dinner over at a friend’s house the other day, I fell in love. HARD. For her potato masher. Yes, really. The object of my affection was one of these fabulous Simply Mash devices from Chef’s Planet. It’s designed for you to mash by rotating your palm rather than using an up and down smashing motion, which is supposed to save 50% of your mashing time and result in lighter, fluffier spuds. I loved the way it felt in hand, it’s cephalopod-esque looks, and best of all, its ease of cleaning. And since potato mashing season is in full swing, I just may have to upgrade. — Megan B.