PopSugar

Eddie Ross's Go-To Holiday Gift Ideas

CasaSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:00:21 -0800

As part of a fun holiday series, I've asked interior design "tastemakers," from designers and stylists to bloggers and shop-owners, to share their favorite go-to holiday gift ideas with me.

I chatted with interior stylist, expert flea marketer, Etsy seller, former Top Design contestant, and blogger Eddie Ross - a man of many talents - about his go-to gift ideas for the holidays and here's what he had to say:

"A friend of mine, Susan Schneider, makes these amazing matchboxes that I always give as gifts throughout the year. They're covered with gorgeous wallpapers and trimmed in copper, and perfect for the holidays. The Greek key pattern is my favorite!"

"Libeco Home also makes some great kitchen linen towels. They're a nice thing to give, but also not so expensive. You can take an extra special step to have them monogrammed. They're also bigger than napkins which is nice, so you can buy a whole set to use at the dinner table. I like the ones that are simple, with red and blue ticking stripes."

Stop Hating the Gym and Start Loving It

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:50:43 -0800

If you are dreading moving your workouts indoors due to falling temperatures, let me help you learn to love, or at least tolerate, the gym. Here are some common reasons people hate hitting the gym, and solutions to help you overcome the hurdles.

I hate the gym because . . .	The solution
It's too expensive.	Go price hunting. There are so many different types of gyms that offer various services, so find one that fits your budget. Instead of paying $90 a month for a gym that has cardio machines, a weight room, classes, a pool, and a yoga studio, figure out what's most important to you and just pay for that. A gym down the street from me is only $10 a month for cardio and weight machines. Not bad at all.
It's too far away from my home.	If you can't find a gym close to where you live, try to find one close to where you work. That way you can head over on your lunch break or after work.
The cardio machines are boring.	Find a way to make them more enjoyable. I like to download audio books or podcasts onto my iPod. Listening really helps pass the time. Switching to different machines in one workout also helps beat boredom. Or try competing with a stranger.

To learn more ways to start loving the gym, keep reading.

Consumer Reports: How to Make Pricey Appliances Last

SavvySugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:00:28 -0800

The cost of maintaining a home and appliances is often a major deterrent for those debating whether to rent or purchase a home. The unexpected expense of fixing leaky gutters and broken dishwashers can be budget breaking if it comes at the wrong time of month. Not to mention it's a huge pain. Consumer Reports has put together a great guide for how to extend the useful life of appliances and pricey goodies. Obviously, the key is maintenance and keeping a watchful eye on appliances so they don't break down unexpectedly and leave you in a pricey pinch. Consumer Reports suggests:

Cell phones
Don't stow in your car's glove compartment during the summer. Otherwise, batteries may overheat, possibly ruining the phone. If you've been known to drop your cell phone, treat it to a protective case.

Clothes dryers
Clean the lint filter after each use and the entire air duct yearly. If your dryer breaks, think about replacing it if repairs will cost more than half the price of a comparable new model. But don't expect much gain in performance or efficiency, since dryer technology hasn't changed much.

Clothes washers
Don't overload. If your washer breaks, think about replacing it if repairs will cost more than half the price of a comparable model. If you're replacing, consider a high-efficiency washer, which should save money over time. Also consider a front-loader, which is less punishing to clothes than a top-loader.

Dishwashers
Check the filter regularly and remove any debris.

To see additional suggestions and reminders, read more.

Hardwood floors
Dust mop or vacuum weekly. Wipe up wet spills pronto.

Kitchen knives
Keep them out of the dishwasher and store them in a wooden knife block or individual plastic shields.

Laptop computers
Set them on a hard, flat surface rather than a soft one such as a bed or carpet, which can block airflow and cause them to overheat.

LCD TVs
Clean the screen gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth, ideally a microfiber one. Avoid commercial cleaners and paper towels, which can scratch the screen.

Mattresses
Rotate periodically. Try not to sit on the edge. Buy a washable, protective cover. And pull back the sheets and blankets to let the bed air out for 20 minutes or so each morning.

Visit the Consumer Reports website for more tips on making your pricey goods last.

Do You Invest in Expensive Knives?

partysugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 06:50:27 -0700

My best kitchen knife broke last night while I was making dinner. It wasn't the nicest knife - when I moved into my apartment, over two years ago, my dad gave it to me and bought himself a new (much better) knife. Now I need to purchase a knife, and am considering splurging on a higher-quality, more expensive one. Should I? How do you feel about kitchen knives? Is it worth it to get a good one?

Before and After: Updating a Sun Porch

CasaSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:00:23 -0700

Su Casa member PrettyLittleWorld loves her new home, but she wasn't a fan of her sun porch. She writes, "When we moved into our new home over the summer, we knew the sun porch would have to get some attention so that we could use it. The previous design was just all around unattractive, and made the porch feel a little depressing. We needed to stay within a small budget because there were bigger and more expensive things that needed doing in the rest of the house."

To see how she improved the original porch, read more.

PrettyLittleWorld used paint to improve the sun porch, which, as you well know, is one of the most dramatic and inexpensive ways to update a space. Using Winter Flannel and Quail Egg paint, the entire space looks updated and refreshed. PrettyLittleWorld also added a new, comfy porch chair for a green pop of color, and moved houseplants into the space as well. "We changed the sun porch into a space that we love to use!" she reports.

Have you made any changes in your home? Share them on Su Casa.

Wednesday Check-In: You May Need a Midweek Makeover

SavvySugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:30:17 -0700

We've hit the midweek mark - and while that may not be cause for celebration for everyone, it's certainly reason enough to stop and evaluate your weekly progress. Are you on task to complete assignments in time for the weekend or have you spent all of your time prepping your Halloween costume and readying your apartment for a slew of trick-or-treaters? If this is the case, you may be in need of a midweek makeover?

Today, take a few minutes to check in with yourself - finances, office assignments, personal errands, and any obligations. Since we're headed into a busy Halloween weekend and then, the beginning of a new month, it's unlikely that you'll find the time to tie up any loose ends over the weekend. So, get going now.

Take a moment to look over expenses, and put any saving reminders and good-spending practices into place. As far as errands go, make sure you're making time for your personal tasks as well as office work, and remember to work smart - focusing your energy and time on the tasks you find most challenging first to avoid being burned out later.

To continue your midweek makeover, read more.

Since November is often a busy time with the holiday and family, try to get ahead now - get your November calendar out and mark important dates and deadlines. This way, while you're out enjoying the Halloween festivities, you can rest easy, knowing you've already planned ahead at home.

If all else fails, take the time midweek to give your attitude a makeover. If you're finding that you're stressed out by the impending holiday and your workload at the office, do just one thing for yourself - actively tune into what's going on, and disregard the tendency to tune it all out. Prioritize what must be done, and set an ultimate goal to remain positive throughout the week.

Desire/Aquire: BBDW Captain's Mirror

CasaSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:00:50 -0700

I featured the BBDW Captain's Mirror as a Crave Worthy over a year ago, as well as a Found It! in March, and I still think it's the most handsome mirror I've ever seen. Owning it would be like being married to the dapper Donald Draper - kind of. But at $1,600, it is a serious investment. Lucky for us, there's a more affordable alternative. Wondering where you can buy it? Then read more.

Tonic Home sells the Arteriors Home Expedition Mirror ($395) for a quarter of the price. Could have fooled me! I think it's a really smart-looking mirror, but still not a frivolous expense!

Casa Beta: Home Decorators Annandale Jute Area Rug

CasaSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:00:52 -0700

Jute/natural fiber rugs are a great versatile, nondescript choice for every room in the house when you're not trying to make a statement but rather just pull a space together. I'd been looking for one for a sitting area in my home, and found that the prices really ran the gamut. I've seen super-simple 5-x-8-foot sisal rugs for only $50, and thicker jute rugs like Pottery Barn's Flat-Braided Jute Rugs for $300. For such a faceless style, I really wouldn't spend more than $200. I like the thick cushioning of the more expensive jutes, but I've also found that some designs are too rough underfoot. So I'm definitely particular about them.

Home Decorators Collection recently sent me the 5'6-"x8'6" Annandale Jute Rug ($159, reduced $199) in Natural to review. Wondering what I think of it? Then read more.

I've found the Annandale to be a really high-quality rug. It's thick and durable, like anything you'd find at Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel - always my comparison. But this one in particular is woven with both jute and chenille, making it softer than a 100 percent jute rug. This is definitely a plus.

I've given myself some time with the rug, and found that it stays in good form with foot traffic and vacuuming, both things that can cause many rugs to lose their luster. It also has a latex backing which keeps it from slipping and stabilizes the weave, so you don't have the added expense of a rug pad.

The rug also gives the space the casual look I was looking for, and instantly pulled the seating area together. So I would definitely recommend the rug to any of you on the hunt for that same effect.

My beef with the rug, though, is that it really doesn't resemble the product image on Home Decorators site - at all. The natural color is much, much lighter online than in person. Luckily, it seems to work in the room. But also the rug's weave looks only vaguely like the product image. Home Decorator's site does disclaim, "The digital images on our website are as accurate as possible. However, different monitors may cause colors to vary slightly." But really I think that's no excuse. Capturing candid photographs is no mystery anymore, and plenty of retailers seem to have it down.

Home Library: Style and Substance

CasaSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:00:59 -0700

For 20 years, Elle Decor's chic issues have offered readers ideas and inspiration for their homes. I've been collecting a giant stack of dog-eared Elle Decor issues for the last 10 years, so I'm excited to announce that the best of the magazine can now be found in Style and Substance ($45) by Margaret Russell and the editors of Elle Decor. I was thrilled to receive a (personally autographed!) copy of Style and Substance in my mailbox, and couldn't wait to review the book.
To hear what I think, and to get a sneak peek at some of the chic interiors featured in the book, read more.

The book's 240 pages are an embarrassment of interior decorating riches. Featuring inside peeks of the homes of everyone from Miles Redd and Sarah Jessica Parker to Yves Saint Laurent and Monique Lhuillier, there's plenty of inspiration to be found. Hundreds of spaces are featured, and each chapter is relegated to a different room, including living rooms; libraries and home offices; dining rooms; kitchens; bedrooms and boudoirs; bathrooms; children’s rooms; and terraces, gardens, and pools. Besides gorgeous images, the book also offers smart decorating tips as well as a source book that features Elle Decor editors' favorite shopping websites and stores. Style and Substance is a wonderful resource for armchair decorators of any style. With homes that range in style from bohemian to classic, there's something for everyone here. Margaret Russell writes in the introduction that

[Elle Decor's] most beloved design characteristics? Personality, passion, joie de vivre, and flair. It's true, our most dazzling stories feature people with fearless style who don't care what others think - and those who are curious, confident, and cosmopolitan will always find a place in our pages. We believe that luxury needn’t be expensive, and there’s no reason affordable furnishings shouldn’t be chic. And when offered a choice, we’ll take a bit of patina and wear and tear over brand-spanking-new decor every time.

I think that this is a timely decorating philosophy, and while we may not all be able to afford a marble-clad master bath or a custom-designed bejeweled chandelier, we can all aspire to create a more beautiful, confident, and chic home, and with Russell's tips, now it's a lot easier to do just that.

View 5 Photos ›

Oh, Go Put a Sock in It

PetSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:20:50 -0700

Just like that old saying goes, you should "put a sock in it" . . . but I'm not talking about your mouth. Seems those stockings can find another stuffing place - pet toys.

Community member drea nicole offered up this crafty solution for lil ol' socks:

I make toys from left over fabric and stuff it with clean, old socks. Now I don't have to worry about Viva destroying an expensive toy or swallowing stuffing. My stitches tend to last longer, too.

Even if you're not into creating your own toys, sock pieces would make a handy replacement to ripped-out stuffing. Still squishy but not leaving icky white bits all over your home, considering nestling a squeaker inside this footwear before performing that stuffy surgery next time. If you'd love to sing your praises for another pet project, join the Street Team and share your idea with us!