In a world full of status updates, Tweets, and quick texts fired off underneath tables at boring meetings, a bona fide signed-sealed-delivered letter is downright luxurious. The Spoon Sisters are leading the fight to bring back the handwritten note with their envelope template ($16.95). Trace the simple wooden template on to some beautiful paper and you have a unique message that feels much more satisfactory than “liking” a status (I promise). Gather some pen pals, take a trip to your local stationery store, and get cracking on those handwritten love notes. — Katie D.

In our apartment, we have our share of pressing water-related issues to attend to (the ceiling crack that pours water every time the upstairs neighbors shower, the water damage in the front room, to name a couple). But in my dream world, a place where I’m not brushing my teeth in a precautionary shower cap, the only plumbing fixes I’d ever have to make would be aesthetic, and were that the case, I’d spring for a StyleDrain from California Faucets. Available in a variety of artistic styles, there’s a fixture for every design theme – even more reason to make over an otherwise forgettable part of the bathroom. Visit California Faucets to learn more or click here to find a dealer near you. — Sarah C.

Until I saw this aluminum soap case at an antique store, I hadn’t really given the question much thought. We’ve been a liquid soap household for at least 10 years. So long, in fact, that my kids would probably be as puzzled by a bar of soap as they would by a VCR. Why did we make the switch? To be honest, I can’t remember, but we’ve stuck with liquid soap because it seems to solve the soap scum problem. What’s your soap preference? — Sarah L.

It’s not often that I feel compelled to create one of MSL’s “Good Things,” but when the October issue landed at our house, I fell in love with this creepy Halloween wreath idea. The project is simple enough: Pick up a twig wreath at Michaels. Spray paint it black, and then glue some creepy crawlies onto it. (The magazine suggested using florist wire to twist them on, but a glue gun works okay, too). Martha’s was focused on snakes exclusively, but I branched out (pun intended) and added some spiders, rats, bats and bugs (all found at a Dollar Store). I am pretty pleased with the results, and plan on packing it away to use year after year. Coming soon: A spooky, cob-web covered porch. Stay tuned! — Angela M.

Last night we had the pleasure of stopping by the Marimekko store-within-a-store at Crate & Barrel Soho in New York for cocktails and a preview of the highly anticipated space, which opens to the public today. Filled with accessories, bed and bath textiles, bags and even a hint of apparel, the space pays homage to the brand’s signature hues and patterns on a grand scale. Not one to deny a pop of color, I think I’ll take mine in the form of the glassware collection that littered the table displays at every turn. Available in three jewel-tones, the pitchers and tumblers would be the perfect, punchy accent to any fall tablescape. Crate & Barrel is considering ecommerce options and expanding the store-in-store concept to other locations as well. We’ll keep our eyes peeled! — Sarah C.

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Sunday mornings in autumn were made for recipes like this! Followed by sleeping late and accompanied by a cup of black tea, a toasted (and buttered) slice of orange cranberry bread with pecans is pretty much the best morning I can imagine. Bonus: I made the whole thing in my one bowl food processor- easy clean up! Check out the recipe after the jump. –Katie D. Click for orange cranberry pecan bread!

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Here at Shelterrific we delight in sharing about our homes and we’re looking to add a few fresh faces to our list of regular contributors. If you enjoy cooking, crafting, finding neat products or raising a family in a happy home and have some ideas to share, we’d love to hear from you. Interested? Send an e-mail with writing samples to letters@shelterrific.com and tell us a little bit about yourself for an opportunity to contribute to our little community. – Sarah C.

Every fall, I start dreaming about layering brown transferware over my creamware. A mishmash of patterns, new pieces, old pieces — I’d like to treat them like impromptu dinner party guests and sit back and see how well they mingle. Sadly, hunting and gathering the perfect pieces (at the perfect prices) remains on my rather lengthy to-do list so until I get around to it, I’ll make myself happy with my recent $20 score. Circa 1887, it’s by the same maker as the set my late Grandmother inherited from her great grandmother. The pattern and color are quite similar, too, and give me a happy reminder of why I probably fell for brown transferware in the first place. Seek out your own pieces on Ruby Lane. — Sarah L.

Even zombies like a little cake now and then — that’s why the folks at Fred designed these creepy Nomskull cupcake molds. Made of oven-safe silicone, these skull-shaped cupcake molds are designed to be filled with your favorite cake batter (red velvet would be awesome), baked, and piped with brainy buttercream (recipe & technique provided). They’re of course perfect for Halloween, but I can see them working year-round as ghoulish candy dishes or tumblers for your zombified festivities. Find them at Perpetual Kid for the bargain price of $11.99 for four. –Megan B.

Thanks to all the suggestions on my cry for “Help!” back in July, I took a fresh look at my antique frame. While I’m happy to say Fred is now enjoying a quiet country life, I’ve come full circle on the frame and am leaving it as is. I did a little research and while the frame is wood, it was painted to look like “tiger wood” with an ebonized finish. It dates from the 1890s to the 1920s when faux finishes were used to mimic pricey quarter-sawn oak or maple. Unfortunately I don’t really know any more than that as any searches for “tiger wood” defaults to Tiger Woods. Grrrrr. Curiosity aside, I’m happy that the frame has a new life as a mirror. Once I get the hall bath finished, it’ll hang where the hideous builder bland mirror and light bar now reside. — Sarah L.