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Fancy Fun School Supplies!

babysugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:00:26 -0700

Certain smells evoke memories and when it comes to a fresh eraser, a box of crayons, a freshly sharpened pencil, glue, or markers, I am immediately thrown back to my second grade classroom with Mrs. Wright, who coincidentally was rarely ever wrong.

School rules are stricter these days, prohibiting some children from bringing fancy pencils to school for fear they may show up their classmates. To that end, I get it. But at home, I see nothing wrong with providing your youngster with supplies that will make them enthused about learning. If I were back in school, I'd be begging my mom for the yummy dessert erasers, the bunny scissors, and the sushi pencil toppers. My niece may be in for a back–to–school treat!

Rabbit Scissors ($10)	Dessert Erasers ($12)
Dog Stapler ($8)	Mini Globe Pencil Sharpener ($1)
Sushi Pencil Toppers ($5)	Ice Cream Pens ($4)	Skulls and Crossbones Pencils ($3)

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Casa Shops: Alice Supply Co.

CasaSugar — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:00:39 -0700

There are two things I know to be true: I'm a sucker for good packaging (and color), and my cleaning supplies rarely see the light of day. The answer to and beguiling lovechild of these truths: Alice Supply Co. In hopes of giving mundane household items a little personality, making chores a little less laborious, and ending "the humble dustpan's days of being shoved away in a closet," former surfwear industry execs Maria Barnes and Raili Clasen founded Alice, aptly named after The Brady Bunch's witty housekeeper.

Not only have they infused sunny, citrus colors like clementine and lime into their essential household tools, as well as summery stripes, cordial camo, and fresh faux bois, but they've also used classic shapes and quality, durable materials like metal and wood. While you'll find plenty of lucky retailers peddling Alice products around the country, you can also order a sponge set, dust pan and brush, plunger, toolbox, garden hose, and bucket online - and at friendly prices. I'm convinced, and if housekeeping is anything like their hip lifestyle photos suggest, you can call me Alice.

Online Sale Alert! Discounts at Need Supply

FabSugar — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 05:50:22 -0700

The price points at Need Supply are fair to begin with, but add a sale on top and they're amazing. Fabulously funky bags, shoes, dresses, and tees are mostly under $100 right now. This Free People Braided T-Back Tank ($50, originally $88) is ideal for those days when a tank is as far as your creativity goes. But luckily the tie-dye print adds a cool hippie touch. When you're done with the sale, I recommend you veer off into non-sale territory - it's good.

For more great deals, check out SaleHabit.com!

Online Sale Alert! Need Supply's Nice Stuff

FabSugar — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 02:50:22 -0700

I just found out about NeedSupply.com approximately 30 minutes ago and had to share the love. This site stocks a wide range of high and low end brands such as Quicksilver, J Brand, Jeffrey Campbell, and Ksubi to name a few. If you're like me, and have an insatiable appetite for sales, check out the site's discount section with items marked up to 30 percent off. I've been swooning over this cool Cheap Monday Statira Skirt ($40, originally $50) for a while now - I better take the plunge before it sells out!

For more great deals, check out our site salehabit.com!

Do You Cruise Craigslist For Pet Supplies or Services?

PetSugar — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:30:26 -0700

I'm a big fan of re-purposing old, beat up items and turning them into something great. Since Craigslist is like a big 'ole virtual yard sale, I can pick up some pretty cool furniture pieces and things I never would find elsewhere to add to my home. However, I don't really go into the pet section on CL, mostly because I bought all of North's things new and I haven't really seen the need.

But, upon checking it out the other day, I saw that there were bunches of pet supplies either up for sale or for free. Additionally, there were tons of dog walker and pet sitter service listings in my area that I hadn't seen in the paper. So it got me to wondering: how many of you have used Craigslist to find pet services or supplies?

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Back to Old School: Timeless School Supplies

CasaSugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:00:56 -0700

I may be focused on household tools during Home Schooling month, but that doesn't mean I've forgotten my old-school roots. I've rounded up the ultimate in classic school supplies to get you back into study mode this month. You may have already gotten your college diploma, but I'm sure you'll appreciate the retro good looks of my scholarly finds. These items are yet another way to ensure that your home office is as stylish as you are! Check out this slideshow to learn the basics! Source

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Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me: Postpartum Supplies

LilSugar — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 09:00:06 -0700

Stocking up for baby is similar to gathering supplies for an emergency kit, you never really know what's missing until disaster strikes.

Sure, people suggested I prepare while pregnant and I felt secure with my stack of onesies and tower of receiving blankets, but I completely forgot about myself. For all you moms-to-be, these were my three biggest mistakes. To see what they were, read more.

Pads - Having used tampons pretty much since I got my period, I never paid attention to the terms "dry weave," "with wings" and "overnights." But, bulk packs of those products are what saved my postpartum pants. And, "ultra thins" are the way new moms can go out without feeling like they are the one wearing diapers.
Electric Breast Pump - In an instant, I was Dolly Parton and the $50 manual pump I bought on the advice of a male employee at Target didn't do the trick. After sopping the milk up with washcloths, then hand towels - neither of which helped a bit, my husband went out and threw down $300 for the best electric pump he could find. And, I waited at home on the couch wrapped in a soaked over-sized bath-towel bewildered by my body.
Food - When we brought home our daughter, all I had in the cabinet was two dozen baby bottles and a big ole bag of hard coffee candies. When a hunger pang hit, I ate a couple handfuls and then practically hallucinated for the rest of the day. An empty stomach, caffeine and sleep deprivation are a frightening mix. Later, my aunt brought over enchiladas which balanced things out. Definitely do a big shop close to your delivery date or allow friends and relatives to bring you homemade food or take-out.

Luckily, I learned from my errors. When we arrived home from the hospital with our son, things ran rather smoothly!

Do you have any items to add to this list?

Cool Idea: Lighting the Dark Garden

CasaSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:00:58 -0800

I've been pretty bummed about the time change, since it's usually dark by the time I get home from work. This means that any outdoor chores, gardening work, or frolicking with the dogs is done in near pitch black, or lit from sharp, glaring porch lights.

Kathy LaLiberte, director of gardening at my favorite gardening store, Gardeners Supply Company, has come up with a pretty solution to combat the darkness. Besides using solar lights along pathways, she's also indulged her inner artist with a cool project.

She writes:

Last Fall we came up with a combination art project/all-season, outdoor lighting solution. We made an orb with two rusted steel bands from an old whiskey barrel planter. They're held together at the top with a rusted-iron hose guide, which fits into a metal pipe that anchors the whole thing to a cedar post. Around the center of the pipe I wove a loose ball of wild grape vines. Then I stuffed the ball with a 24-foot string of small LED lights (these are the warm white ones - I don't like the cool blue lights).

How do you light your yard or garden after the clocks fall back?

Do You Worry About the Quality of Your Home's Materials?

CasaSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:00:55 -0800

A study by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission has linked Chinese drywall to not only the corrosion of metal and electrical components in US homes and a "rotten egg" odor, but to a whole slew of respiratory problems. Yikes! When I'm shopping for supplies, the last thing that I want to think about is whether materials will cause health problems, so I always try to buy eco-friendly, chemical-free products. But some materials just don't have a non-toxic replacement, and obviously, these homeowners had no clue their homes would be built with faulty materials.

Source: Flickr User retropc

Kidoodles: Thanksgiving Turkeys For the Table

babysugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:00:20 -0800

It's time to rally the troops for a day of arts and crafts that can be showcased at the holiday table. A win-win, this simple project will have everyone feeling useful, creates decor for the evening, and leaves little mess in its wake.
Supplies needed:

Small pumpkins
Peel and stick foam paper
Small marshmallows and a black pen (substitute googly eyes if you have some)
Scissors

To see how to make these colorful gourd-geous birds, read more.

Simple Steps:

Cut out pieces for the turkey's body including the wattle, beak, and feathers
Peel the sticker side off of the feather backs and arrange them in a fan-like design. Once you are pleased with the shape, stick it to the back of the pumpkin.
Peel the wattle and stick it onto the turkey's face. Do the same for the beak.
Tear the marshmallow in half and place the two sticky sides to the face and dot them with the black marker for the eyes.
Peel the back of the turkey and stick the body to the front of the pumpkin. Your bird is now complete.

Allow the youngsters to peel and place the feathers and draw on the feathered friends where they see fit!

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