Archive   |   March, 2011

snark at the office: love it or leave it?

Posted by in organizing, working

wtf stamp

For the most part, my office aesthetic can be described as classic, clean and organized. I’m in the planning stages (just dreaming, really) of an everything-in-its-place, comprehensive desk makeover, but that didn’t stop me from laughing out loud when I spotted this little sticky note in a coworker’s office. Classic and clean? Not really. But I can appreciate a well-designed detail any day. I guess this is where my minimalist style hangs a sharp left into Snarktown, but I just love accessories that coax out a smile. Another favorite is Knock Knock’s self-inking WTF stamp, $10. Surely this won’t get as much legitimate air time as my beloved Dozi paperclip holder, but it definitely provides momentary solace from those manic Monday mornings. Where do you stand, readers? Does snark have a place in your office? –Sarah C.

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old-fashioned favorites: hellebores

Posted by in gardening

hellebores

Right on schedule, my hellebores — also called Lenten roses — are blooming. It’s taken three years for them to establish themselves, but I’m finally being rewarded with dinner-plate sized clumps of semi-evergreen leaves and flowers ranging from a deep plum to a chartreuse. The blooms will last for well over a month if not trampled by kids or dog. They’re ideal for shady spots and are pretty tolerant of poor soil. If you have a little patience, now’s the perfect planting time. If you live in Zone 4 or lower, check the hardiness of individual varieties. — Sarah L.

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outdoor organizing: decluttering the yard stash

Posted by in living with kids, organizing

yard stash

After reading reviews for RubberMaid storage sheds for the kids’ bikes, I’m on the hunt for something that doesn’t leak. Enter the YardStash. At 78” long, 32” deep and 62” high, it should be able to fit two bikes and scooters easily. And at $99 (plus $19.95 shipping), it’s less than half the price of the hardware store option. While I certainly have bad memories of leaking tents from camping trips, in theory, it seems like this could work. My husband, however, is convinced it’ll end up in Kansas. Anyone tried it? Got a better idea? — Sarah L.

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message cookies: a step up in creative baking

Posted by in cooking

cookie_cutter

Since finding these Message-in-a-Cookie Cutters from Williams-Sonoma, I’ve taken my cookie decorating skills to a whole new level. These little gems come in cute shapes and complete with three cutters, common phrases, and extra letters to customize your message, the set would be just the thing for inside jokes, theme parties, showers, or holiday events. The possibilities are endless. Let’s bake! – Rebecca F.

Photo: Williams-Sonoma

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five things we learned last week

Posted by in surfing

fivethingspartylanterns

1) Our love of Star Wars goes beyond the movie. We’ll take it in the kitchen, too, in a villainous cookie jar. Daffodil says: “Is it wrong that I kind of want one for an objet d’art?”

2) The Zip-It is reader-approved for unclogging problem drains. JulieKP says: “I love the Zip-It. It was an impulse purchase only because I was tired of putting chemicals down my drain. I figured for three bucks how wrong could I go. Now my two Rapunzels in training can brush and dry their long hair over the sink without me yelling for them to put a towel in it.”

3) We love Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams and Room & Board for couch replacements. Where else should Sarah L. look?

4) Anthropologie’s done it again in the cute kitchen accessories department, this time with these Milk Bottle Measuring Cups. Claire says: “How cute! Anthropologie has the best stuff — where in the world can you find the cutest measuring utensils but here?!”

5) The recent crisis in Japan has us all thinking about preparedness. We’re updating our home emergency kits. What’s in yours?

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