I’d been meaning to try Caulk Singles for awhile now — I got a sample last year when they first hit the market. So over the weekend I decided to give one of the 1.25 fl. oz. packages a try, caulking the line where our bathtub meets the floor. One tube would have done the job if the space had been a little more narrow — the Caulk Singles site gives you guidelines on how many packages you’ll need for a typical job. The package was easy to open, the caulk dispensed easily, and it stayed fresh when I closed it up overnight with a bit of tape. But the very nature of the Caulk Singles package is, of course, that you won’t need to go to the same lengths as you do to keep a large tube of caulk fresh, because one application and it’s all gone. The packages press flat, resulting in much less waste than the kind of caulk that requires a gun. The only thing I didn’t like was that it was a little harder to control the dispensing size — tearing off the top means you pretty much take what you get — so I did a lot of touching up in spots where the bead of caulk was much thicker than I’d have liked. Still, it’s a convenient product I will probably try again. Get them for $2 each at Lowe’s. –Mary T.

My dad was one of those men who firmly believed that everything could be fixed with duct tape (often much to the chagrin of my mother). So I must have been channeling him the other day when I busted out a couple of rolls and covered one of my fraying, cat-scratched rattan dining chairs with the stuff. It could have come out looking really bad, but I’m quite pleased with the result, especially the menswear-inspired contrasting stripe. In fact, I’m going to do the other three like this, but I may change up the colors a bit. I think my dad would have been impressed. What do you think? –Megan B.

I have a favorite mug that I use each morning. There are about eight in the cabinet, but I always go for the same one. It has the perfect handle, a comfortable rim, and a pretty golden color that looks great against the color of my morning coffee. None of which stops me from coveting this great mug at Paper Source. The simple message is presented perfectly on the plain white cup (and I just love the old school typewriter font.) Pick one up for $12. –Erica P.

I don’t have kids, so I don’t have to hand feed a fussy toddler. But if I did, I’d get some help from these genius Chew Chew Spoons. The three designs are made from beech wood with a removable spoon. Now when you go for the “Here comes the train, open up the station” routine, you can be a bit more convincing. Available for about $18 at Up To You Toronto. –Erica P.

It’s obvious we love Jonathan Adler around here, and these new additions should help show you why. Check out all the great stuff being added at Jonathan Adler this spring: Capri Bottle Pendant Lights (not too overly pricey at $195), gorgeous cotton pillows, and now these fantastic melamine dishes with perfect-for-spring designs, just $10 and $12 each. Can you blame us for our devotion?

1) You don’t always trust newfangled toilets. Sarah says: “Kids + toilet that can flush a bucket of golf balls = DISASTER! I can just imagine the household items that would disappear.” See what she’s talking about here.

2) You’re willing to give the new Readymade a chance. With a new staff and a move to Iowa, we had some doubts, but the reviews so far are mostly positive. SuzyCat says: “I have to say, I liked this issue more than the last few issues. Is it because of the change or just cuz I like the content better? I think I’ll really know after a few more issues have been put out.” While Ita-darling says, “any company that is able to innovate and streamline enough to save a mag rather than shut its doors seems pretty a-ok in my book.” What do you think?

3) You too like LEGOs with a grown-up twist. Says jamieofalltrades: “The lego ice cube tray is pretty cool… wonder what cocktail would be lego appropriate? ” Check out the LEGO home decor here.

4) Your indoor gardens are thriving, too. Rebecca says: “Yellow and orange nasturtiums are happily growing in a pot in my living room. Unfortunately I live in a badly lit apartment but fortunately the nasturtiums love it with a little CFL light supplement from a lamp. One day I’ll have a garden outside.” What’s in your garden?

5) You like herbs. Really, really like them. Renovation Therapy Says: “I have a ‘basil habit.’ I’ve considered a 12-step program. My basil habit started when I began growing my own tomatoes several years ago. You know, it was an entry drug of sorts. All those fresh, sweet tomatoes just weren’t enough after awhile. I needed more. I need a new kick. Basil. That was it. I pluck off a tomato, a handul of basil…chop chop chop. Olive oil, balsamic, salt…a little herbs de provence if I’m feeling wild and then…I just zen out…” You can start your own habit by winning a MIO mini herb garden — enter here.

Photo by Victor Zuydweg

Would you like to own a mansion? How about one for $90,000? See Sweet Juniper!

Extremely sleek rocker — and did you say it’s just $149?! At Better Living Through Design.

You like giveaways. You like cake. Head over to Cakespy for both.

We like to share helpful hints on surviving in this economy. Here’s one from Lifehacker on whittling down debt.

What else do you want to make better? Swissmiss has an interesting link.

Casa Sugar gets inspired by Chanel’s dimensional blooms. Lovely.

Learn where to grow all those gorgeous succulents at Cold Climate Gardening.

Here’s some small space opulence at Shoebox Decor.

A roundup of DIY produce bags is yours at Tiny Choices.

Get two gorgeous, hand-embroidered tea-towels for $30 (regularly $16.50-$18 each) while supplies last at chez-sucre-chez.

Save an additional 20% sitewide at Sin in Linen with the “Stimulus Package” now through April 14. Enter coupon code PACKAGE2009.

Spend $125, save 15% on select fab furniture at Target.

Get free shipping on all orders over $25 from anything in the ECO-DELIGHTFUL Shops April 1-22 at Delight.com. Use Code EcoDelightful09 at checkout.

Take 10% off your order of $75 or less at The Green Life. Use coupon code GREEN0309 at checkout now through April 15.

Save 20% on fab wine racks at greenergrassdesign.

Save 40% on selected lights — and help support future entrepreneurs — at Artemide Inc, now through April 30.

Target is going greener with MIO, and now you can green up, too. To celebrate the launch of MIO for Target, a collection of environmentally responsible outdoor living products that hits stores April 12, we’re giving away five MIO for Target mini herb gardens! To enter, leave a comment on this post between now and Tuesday, April 14, 5 p.m. EST, telling us your favorite herb and how you use it. Once comments close on Tuesday, we’ll choose five winners using a random number generator. Be sure to leave a working email address. One entry per person, please. We’re so excited to see what MIO for Target has in store — click the link for a preview! (more…)

Last fall, for the first time ever, I planted bulbs: a handful of daffodils and a few alliums. Though one of my motivations was to give our bees some early spring eats — and now, sniff, the hives are no more — I am so thrilled to have some color sprouting in our little garden. We’ve had no time to do anything in our yard recently. Old leaves are scattered about, dead branches need plucking, dormant bushes needed pruning… but yet, there’s hope! Our daffodils are in gorgeous bloom, and alliums look like they’ll be following nicely. I’m so pleased. Now, I just need to figure out what flowers to plant next. A nice mid-to-late summer bud? Any suggestions would be dandy! — Angela M.