Maybe it’s because I’ve spent the last few days walking around my heatless apartment in a winter coat, scarf and leg warmers (thanks, Mom!), or simply because the seasons have officially changed, but recently I’ve been having an urge to put a sweater on everything around me, inanimate objects included. Teapots, first, and now my once-and-again obsession: Ferm Living’s knitted vases. Available in three sizes and colors, these would surely soften up a tablescape and usher in the snowy season here in New York. I might snag these now to stave off the cable knit pillow lust storm I see brewing on the horizon. –Sarah C.

I’ve mentioned before how much I LOVE Thanksgiving. It’s a holiday all about food and gratitude — how can it be anything less than awesome? As much as I adore the savory and sweet bouquet of sage-roasted turkey and pumpkin pie, this dish is what I always look forward to the most, oddly enough. It’s become a “black friday” tradition in our house to have these turkey enchiladas instead of yet another plate of reheated stuffing and mashers. This recipe is built off (mostly) turkey day leftovers and pantry staples, but mixes up the flavors and turns up the heat. I like to think of these as a “moderate enchilada”, meaning they aren’t really gooey and cheesy — and I really love how the little tangy pockets of creamy goat cheese bring out the earthiness in the turkey and mellow the spice from the enchilada sauce. You’ll end up with enough enchiladas for two pans from this recipe — I always wrap one up and pop it in the freezer for later or gift it to a friend. Now that I’ve shared my favorite Thanksgiving leftover remix, I’m dying to know what you readers love to do! –Megan B. Click for post-Thanksgiving enchiladas!

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Deposits are a big deal in our house right now. Not just because we are trying to save every penny for our imminent home purchase, but also because we are in full-on potty-training mode. For every “deposit” in her little plastic potty, my daughter gets a quarter to put in her brand-new piggy bank. I fell in love with the Chalk-it-to-me Piggy Bank from Ladies & Gentlemen, $60, and ended up buying her a similar toddler-esque version from Target. For those of us who are already well-versed at using the potty, the Drop Bank by Portuguese designer Rita Botelho, $44, and Studio Ooga’s Babushka Piggy Bank, $35, make penny-pinching look pretty darn good, don’t they? –Ginny F.

When it comes to selective memory, I’m a whiz at remembering asinine factoids, (did you know that Chevy Chase turned down the role of Forrest Gump?) but lousy at making a select few completely learnable things stick. One such thing? Measurement conversions in the kitchen. Luckily, there’s a poster for that. Created by Jenna Park, designer, and co-owner and creative director of Brooklyn, New York’s Whimsy & Spice, these kitchen conversion posters are an appealing way to get the brain out of bed and on task. Visit the SweetFineDay shop on Etsy for your choice of color and size, starting at $24. –Sarah C.

Ever have an idea for a new product that you think could change the world? Something so clever that you just have to create it…. except… how? Well, readers/dreamers, make those inventions happen with Quirky. Quirky calls itself “social product development” — which means that inventors submit their genius ideas to the site, community members vote to provide feedback, and then if feedback is good the product gets put into presale for production. Not only is quirky a product development site, but it’s also an online store filled with fantastically innovative gadgets designed to make our lives more awesome. The cool tools range from a completely modular shower caddy to a groovy USB hub designed to maximize desk space, to the click and cook modular spatula system. Check out even more genius at work over at the quirky blog, where you’ll see up to the minute details behind your favorite products. –Megan B.
via Unclutterer

Last night Sweet Paul Magazine announced the opening of an Etsy Shop dedicated to selling its set props. Intrigued, I popped by for a look and fell in love with this knitted teapot, $50, from the holiday issue. For me, a great cup of tea is cozy enough even without the pot-sweater, but the look was too endearing to leave be and further investigation turned up quite a market for adorable pot-wear. Knitting fiends and owl-lovers alike might enjoy this knitting pattern for a Morning Owl Tea Cosy, or this made to order version, $35, by shazzasknits. For a more traditional cosy, look no further than this cable number, $12.99 by Etsy seller Melsey, or inject some comic relief into afternoon tea by putting a sock monkey to work. Check Etsy for a wide array of options (and there are many)  for dressing your favorite teapot. –Sarah C.

I chuckled at this “trend alert — stop showering” at Jezebel, but the reasoning behind it (use less water) is sound. And right on schedule, Springwise posts about the Water Pebble. This little invention from Priestmangoode senses how long you shower the first time you use it. After that, it blinks just a little sooner as you shower, giving you a hint to wrap up your water usage. You can buy it in the US at Uncommon Goods and in the UK at places like Amazon, and we’re sure more locations to come. — Mary T.

Around here, it’s never too early to begin considering Christmas trees. (And we’ve considered quite a few. Tannenboing, anyone?). This year’s first find? The Filigrantrae Danish Wooden Christmas Tree. Designed by Trine and Peter Find, the Filigrantrae, meaning “filigree tree” in Danish, is a solid birch construction that sets up in a snap and comes down just as easily. Design Public has this minimalist option for $275, which is comparable to the cost of some artificial trees. What do you think readers, is this your type of tree? –Sarah C.

There are certain things you just have to deal with when you get a dog. Fur. Walking when it’s raining or cold. Tracked-in dirt (or wiping their feet at the door). But what made me crazy was the dog bed saga. We bought ‘em; Dilly just kept destroying them. For the past few months, we’ve been making do with a pile of rugs and comforters — washable and inexpensive, but looked messy. Then I found a company called K-9 Ballistics. Now that sounded tough! The company sells dog beds specifically made to resist chewers: they’re made of ballistic nylon and the closure is located on the bottom of the bed, so there’s no tempting zipper within reach. We ordered an extra-large bed for each of our extra-large dogs, and at 38″x54″ they’re HUGE. Yet they cost $129 each, which is no more than I paid for the last bed that was torn apart. The dogs already enjoy lying on them. I’ll let you know how it goes. — Mary T.

1) Real spider webs make for interesting décor all year. We couldn’t get enough of Rocky Fiore’s spider web circles, and neither could you. Deb says: “Thanks for sharing this unique art form! It’s so cool looking that it should not be relegated solely to Halloween status.”

2) The kitchen is the place for tea towels with attitude. These snarky numbers from Double Merrick suit us just fine in that regard. Kristin says: “I love these! I’m really obsessed with fancy printed tea towels. I hang them in my kitchen as art!”

3) Vaseline, WD-40, bleach spray; there are a few remedies for moldy pumpkins. Angela asked for help with her pumpkin problem and you came to the rescue. Christina S. says: “Try putting vaseline on the parts that you have carved out. It helps seal the exposed part of the pumpkin and will keep mold at bay for at least a few days.”

4) The only thing better than a warm apple crisp is a slew of recipes for apple pastries that are impossibly easy. Megan B. had fun with apples this week and her findings transfer easily to your kitchens. Kimberj says: “I can’t believe I have everything but the pastry. I’m going to go get some and make these tomorrow! Thanks for the inspiration. I’m not a great cook but I can bake like a fiend”. See the recipes for apple tart, cream cheese rolls and danish here.

5) Fruit and non-food items make great school-approved treats for Halloween. We asked for candy-free suggestions and you had ideas! Allison says: “What about fruit leather? Or a fruit bowl to be shared with the class? My son is gluten-free, and another child in his class has a peanut allergy. So on top of not sending in candy, we have to be careful of those dietary needs. The teacher has actually asked that we celebrate with something other than food, like giving all the kids in class some cool pencils or fun erasers.” What fun, approved food do you send your kids to school with?