Archive for the year 2006

Non-lame “seasonal” decorating?

Christmas mantle? or winter mantle?
Ok, for example, Christmas is over but I have a lot of icy looking lights and greenery up in the living room. That stuff feels wintery to me, not just Christmasy. I’m tempted to leave it up for awhile. I don’t want to look like the domestic version of those freaky [...]

My crafty advent calendar

advent calendar
If I didn’t have to stupid work to stupid feed, clothe, and house my stupid self, I could spend all my time doing crafty type stuff. It’s the dream really. I’ve been wanting to do this particular project for years but Christmas always seems to have come and gone before I have any time. [...]

Make them come to you: Five ways to jolly up a visit

guestroom articles at bhg
I hate travelling at the holidays. This is the first year we’ve spent Christmas in our own home because everyone is coming to us. It’s the best Christmas present EVER.
If you’d prefer to stay home for the holidays yourself, subscribe to the idea (you see it all kinds of magazines these days) [...]

Vintage Homes for Renters

vintage rentals around Sacramento
As a teenager I totally remember watching movies where the players had these cool, character-filled apartments with wood floors, built-in bookcases and unusual fireplaces (Kenneth Brannagh’s 30s Spanish place in Dead Again? Drool.). I dreamed of living in an old place like one of those when I moved out and started my [...]

When store-bought is better than handmade

Santa cookie tray by Rosanna
As part of my holiday craftiness I was considering going to one of those DIY ceramics places that gives you all the supplies you need to paint up custom pieces. But then I stumbled, as I always do, across this ay-dorable cookie tray by Rosanna ceramics. I’ve been a Rosanna fan for [...]