five things we learned last week
1) That’s a yes on these floral head vases by Tania da Cruz. Ellobie says: “I looooove this! Saw it on Badder Homes and contacted Tania and they’re only 180 euros. Gulp. I’ll have to wait for a copycat…â€
2) Black bean burgers at home? Consider it done. Megan B. to the rescue again! Jen F. says: “Thanks for posting this! After having a really *really* bad veggie burger a couple of weeks ago, I decided to try to make my own but haven’t really been sure where to start. Love the idea/addition of green chiles in this one!â€
3) We’re one step closer to pulling the trigger on the diabolical lairs of our dreams. This company can help. Hypothetical Woman says: “Oh, wow, diabolical builders to help build my underground lair! I can now concentrate on taking over the world with giant plushie animals, mwahahahaaa… ahem. Sorry. I mean, that’s really cool, I love the stone finish!â€
4) Unfinished furniture stores, Craigslist and Target are all good resources for affordable picnic tables. Ginny F. is in the market, and Target is pulling ahead of the ever-aspirational Pottery Barn and Loll in the race to summer dining options.
5) Vodka is the key ingredient in these DIY diffusers. Did you blend your own scent for Mother’s Day? Megan B.’s got the recipe and some handy scent pairing suggestions!
My mom bought a new patio set on impulse last summer at Costco, but then felt guilty about her redwood picnic table set, the one from when we were kids back in the 70s. We had a lot of good times at that table. So she looked up new redwood tables, and was horrified to find out what a new redwood set costs these days (a set like hers would run about $2500). And those didn’t have anywhere near as thick boards as the old one. The old set was very, very worn, but my mom wanted to see if she could fix it up. So I told her to try to refinish one piece, and see how it went. She did, and now the set looks fantastic! (My mom has refinished quite a few pieces of furniture.) The impulse patio set went back to Costco. And now I’m jealous of my mom’s picnic table!