Photo from CB2

I always see Lucite furniture featured in magazines, and love it, but am too afraid to put it in my own home for fear of it just looking like cheap plastic furniture.

Determined to incorporate some lovely Lucite into my apartment, I really studied photographs featuring the high-end plastic.

It seems that the key is to use it sparingly. Usually, you see no more than one large piece or a few smaller ones per room. And to keep the clear pieces from disappearing into the background, be sure to use it around bright, bold colors.  

And, yes, Lucite can be very expensive if bought new, but luckily, it was huge in the 1930s during the Hollywood Regency era, and also made an appearance in the retro 80s, so be sure to check out your local flea markets and thrift shops before putting down a lot of cash for a new one.

What is your opinion on Lucite? Love it or leave it? Do you have any Lucite furniture in your home?

Photo by Cafe Sheri

When my son Clyde started kindergarten last year, it was the perfect time to redo the little desk we had in the basement — a perfect Back to School workspace of his own for homework!

With kindergarten approaching, I wanted to show Clyde that schoolwork and a space for doing schoolwork is important. Secondly, he's a messy little son of a gun. I didn't want him anywhere near my desk or the dining room table (where his dad already spreads out!). He really needs a place of his own to spread out, do homework, and "organize" his school papers.

A friend who was moving left me this flip-top desk a few years back, and I was waiting for a good reason to redo it. Last summer, Clyde and I painted it black and added some new hardware. We added some school supplies: crayons, mechanical pencils, glue sticks, a notebook, and a homework folder. It's a perfect pre-computer workspace. It felt celebratory to set up this small desk for Clyde, as starting kindergarten should feel.

Inside Clyde's desk

Our house is small, and thankfully so is the desk. I tucked it into a small space in my office where I work from home. That way, when it's homework time, we can sit near each other for when he has questions or needs help. It worked out great.

I hung a bulletin board above the desk, where we pinned up notes from his teacher and his best spelling tests, as well as photos of our family and other things he likes.

Special notes, aced spelling tests, and photos go on the bulletin board

At the end of the school year, we had to do a super year-end clean-out, and we organized the desk again with stuff to do this summer: stickers, art supplies, easy readers, a journal, blank books, etc. Of course, it hasn't gotten as much use as I'd like this summer, but now it's all ready for Back to School and 1st grade!

Where do your kids do their homework? Do they have a special workspace?

See more kid workspaces:

• Girl's room desk: Stephanie Congdon Barnes' home tour and Elisabeth Dunker's home tour
• Boy's room desk: Martha McQuade's home tour
• Teenager's desk: Benita Larsson's home tour

Photo From Remodelista.com / Jakob Solgren

In place of the traditional bedside table, I love this elegant wall-mounted shelf I saw on Remodelista. Want to get this look for your bedroom?

Better Homes and Gardens has an easy step-by-step guide to build and install your very own bedside shelf. You will need:

Brackets (with keyhole anchors bored into the back faces)

Board (1-inch-x-12-inch-x-3-foot)

Drill

Level

Tape measure

Screws

Electronic stud finder (optional)

1. Begin by finding the location of the studs in your walls. Studs are generally placed 16 or 24 inches apart, measuring from center to center. Ideally, you will be fastening at least one bracket to a stud in the wall. 
2. Position first bracket against the shelf bottom at desired location. To attach the shelf top, drill down into the shelf top and into the bracket, recessing the screw about 1/8 inch into the wood. Do this at the front and back. Repeat for remaining bracket. 
3. Attach shelf to studs in wall. Drill brackets to wall studs using screws or wall anchors appropriate to the weight of your board, its contents, and the type of walls (plaster or drywall). Not sure which to use? Ask your hardware store for assistance.
   
4. Install second screw. Ensure a straight shelf by using a tape measure and level for accuracy.

Do you have a bedside shelf?

Old sewing machine my grandmother left me

I inherited an old, old Singer sewing machine from my grandmother. As a little girl, I would sit for hours watching her work, sewing clothes for all of us grandkids.

Unfortunately, I'm not nearly as talented as my grandmother was, and have only been able to produce covers for chair cushions. I'm learning though.

My friend, who went to school for fashion and knows all about the fine craft of sewing, says that it may be easier to learn on a newer machine through a sewing class. That may be true, but I'm stubborn. I want to be like my grandma and learn on this family heirloom.

Luvmycolliesx2 has a couple of older machines, too (1946 Singer Black Featherweight and a 1954 Singer 301) and adores them both saying their very user-friendly.

xanan says, "I have a Singer from the 50s. It is the best machine ever, it's a real worhourse and takes my abuse like a pro." 

1MaddieandMommy says, " I have a Kenmore from early 1960's, one from 1976 a Singer Serger and a Pfaff Smart 500 series.  My Pfaff has given me NO trouble and has been less tempermental (once I learned it) than any of the older machines ever were.

Lots of moms have newer machines though:

missy0136: I have a Phaff Creative Vision.  It does everything, sewing, quilting and embroidery. I've had it for a year and I love it.

MissBillie: I actually bought the Singer Futura CE-350 for the embroidery machine part, but I really have only used it twice. I just enjoy sewing with it. I really love this machine, it sews like a dream. It is so smooth, and quiet, even through the thicker fabrics.

Do you like to sew? What kind of sewing machine do you have?

Photo from alice supply co

Do you need your cleaning supplies to be hip? Do you believe that your toolbox has feelings too? Or that the plunger will soon rule the world?

That's what they're pitching at alice supply co. Irresistible-looking cleaning supplies in pretty flashy colors, some with pattern, others with a beautiful range of emotions.

I'm a little smitten with the woodgrain toolbox and the camo dustpan. I can't really resist. They make me wanna cuh-leeean something. Or just set them in my presence so I can sit and stare.

Pretty, pretty, pretty...

Do you need prettier cleaning supplies in your life?

There are lots of reasons why kids might not take the bus to school. Some don't have a choice: There just isn't a bus route in their area. Other parents are simply not ready to have their young children ride the bus: They'd rather drive their kids to school.

A great way to save time and gas money is to set up a carpool with neighborhood families. Sharing the driving responsibilities can provide some relief from constantly having to cart the kids to and from school, soccer practice, dentist appointments, etc. Here's how to do it...

First, a few pros and cons to help you decide whether carpooling is the right choice for your family:

Pros

• Save money on gas and vehicle maintenance.
• Less traffic congestion.
• Lower levels of air pollution.

Cons

• Complications if a carpool member is running late.
• Lack of privacy.
• Safety concerns (Some moms worry about their kids riding in other parents' cars).

If you do decide to organize a carpool, here's how to do it:

1. Identify 2-3 families to include in your carpool. Ask your child's school or use social networks like your kids' clubs, activities, sports teams, PTAs, or volunteer groups to find neighborhood families. Keep in mind that you should include only people in your neighborhood; otherwise, you will have to go out of your way.
2. Work out a schedule. Divide The Ride is a great Web resource to help you arrange the schedule, and it also sends out e-mail and cell phone reminders to help keep parents on top of their driving responsibilities.
3. Give advance notice for cancellations. Have a back-up plan in case someone has to cancel.
4. Agree on rules and safety precautions. Everyone must wear a seat belt. No extra errands with carpool kids in the car. Only the designated driver can pick up kids. No cell phone use while driving, etc.

Do you rely on a carpool to get your kids to school and other activities? Has it been a good or bad experience?

Photo from The Container Store

I'm an organized person, but in my own, clutter-like way. I know where stuff is...and that's the important thing, right? Here are some links I love to help you get organized:

Tips for organizing your home, divided up by rooms. Wow, even the advice is organized! — HGTV

Need help getting started? Here are 21 ways to start getting organized. — Women's Day

Elfa is a modular shelving and drawer system that can be customized to fit your needs. Chic and genius! — The Container Store

14 foolproof storage solutions for giving household items a proper home. — Real Simple

Wires everywhere? Here are 5 easy ways to organize your multiple cords. — The Nest

Photo from prettyinpink2

When CafeMom prettyinpink2 saw my post the other day on the cute Ceiling Hung Play Castle from Land of Nod, she was probably like, "Been there, done that..."

She already got crafty and made her 2-year old daughter one of these cool play forts.

Here's how prettyinpink2 made her daughter's fort:

"I bought the hula hoop at the Dollar Store, along with three bunches of flowers for the top. I already had the curtains but needed some ribbon to hang it. My total cost was less than $10.

I twisted ribbon around the front to hide the hoop and made triangles to attached it to the ceiling. I used four curtain panels and cut the tops so that I could tie them around the hula hoop. Then I weaved single flower stems into the curtain ties.

My husband used wrapping paper ribbon to attach it to the ceiling just in case our daughter pulled it down. We figured it would break easily and wouldn't pull down the ceiling.

My daughter loves it!"

Now, that's a sweet fort fit for tiny royalty. Thanks for sharing, prettyinpink2.

Today HGTV's Anthony Gilardi provides 6 Ways to Conserve Energy This Summer.

Got a home repair or home improvement question? Then Ask Anthony RIGHT NOW in the comments below! Anthony is at our beck and call on CafeMom every other week.

Here are Anthony Gilardi's best ways to conserve energy, save money, and stay cool during the dog days of summer. HINT: Limit the use of those heat-producing, energy-sucking major appliances.

Here's what appliances I'm talking about:

1. Oven/Stove. So how do you limit oven/stove usage without starving to death? Okay, well, first of all be conscious of how often you use your oven/stove. Hey, it's summertime, spark up the barbecue! I know what you're saying, I'm not feeding my family burgers and hot dogs every night. Well, I agree, but there are many alternatives to red meat and/or mystery meat...time to get creative on the outdoor grill. I happen have amazing recipes for grilling bass, halibut, salmon, chicken, veggies, and much more that I would love to share will you (hey, I'm not just a handyman; I make some mean BBQ too! You can contact me if interested). When you must use your oven/stove, make sure you turn on your exhaust fan and that the filters are clean.
2. Air Conditioner. This is a tough one...Limiting the usage of our A/C may result to serious discomfort. I get it, believe me. So what other ways can we conserve energy and save money without sweating to death? Using a fan will circulate the cooler air faster, allowing the your thermostat to work more efficiently. Keeping doors and windows closed while the A/C is on will help tremendously as well. And if you're in the market, buying a more efficient/green A/C is a really good idea.
3. Computer. Turn your computer off when you are not using it. It's a good habit that will save energy. Anthony Tip: Back up your files!  
4. Dishwasher. Let the dishes air dry or dry them off with a hand towel. Save energy and maybe get some exercise. Or have your kids do it as one of their chores. Do kids still have chores these days?
5. Clothes Dryer. If your laundry room in located in the house, you are producing a tremendous amount of heat whenever it's in use. If you can, hang clothes on a line outside. If this is not possible, use the lowest possible heat setting. In addition to saving energy, it is better for your clothes.
6. TV. Yes, your television gets very warm when overused. Limit usage of TV by getting outdoors more often and reading more books. It's time to get creative with family activities other than video games and watching your favorite carpenter on HGTV. I will gladly take a back seat to family values. LOL.

Anthony Tip: Check That Insulation
It's important to make sure your basement, exterior walls, and your attic are insulated properly, as well as windows and doors. Weatherizing your windows and doors is not just a winter tip. Fill all gaps around exterior windows and doors. Keep the cool air inside! If it's time to replace your windows, consider more efficient/green ones. These will help save energy and money year-round.

Reward yourself and your child/children for going the extra mile and hitting the "OFF" button more often this summer. Maybe some ice cream...just a thought.

Stay cool, Moms.

—Anthony Gilardi

Have a question to Ask Anthony? Leave your question in the comments below.

Win these goodies from HGTV!

HGTV, the home and garden channel that's bringing back the competitive reality show Design Star for an electrifying fourth season this Sunday, July 19th, at 10 p.m. ET/PT, is also giving away this awesome gift basket and adorable coffee/espresso machine!

To enter to win this special gift from HGTV, visit the Design Star website, and then come back to this post on CafeMom and tell us...

What sounds most exciting about Design Star - Season 4?

HGTV's Design Star is coming back with 11 fiercely competitive and creative finalists and more ingenious designs. In fact, two of this season's contestants, Lonni Paul and Amy Sklar, are also moms. And we love the moms around here. :)

The Design Star judging panel of acclaimed interior design luminaries includes Genevieve Gorder (Dear Genevieve), Candice Olson (Divine Design), and the series’ returning judge, Vern Yip (Deserving Design). 

Sounds like good design TV to me! I always get lots of good home decorating ideas from this show.

Plus, thanks to HGTV, you can enter right now to win a very cool gift basket. Included with the gift basket is one Krups XP2010 Coffee & Pump Espresso Machine, as well as:

• Books (Design & Landscaping)
• A gardening kit
• A grocery bag holder
• An umbrella
• A jacket
• A night light
• A visor
• A sun shade
• A travel mug
• A mug sleeve
  

Just answer the above question (in the comments below) to be entered to win this HGTV goodie basket!

Here are the giveaway rules...

Only your first comment counts as an entry.

One (1) CafeMom who replies to this post with a comment by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on Sunday, July 19, 2009, will be chosen at random to receive a Krups XP2010 Coffee & Pump Espresso Machine and HGTV gift basket (valued at $450).*

*No Purchase Necessary. Starts July 15, 2009 at 7am (EST) and ends July 19, 2009 at 11:59 pm (EST). Open to U.S. residents, 16 years and older, who are CafeMom members. Void where prohibited. Click here for the Official Rules.

"Skanky toilets and dirty dishes. Both gross me out," says diapermakinmama in the private Stay at Home Moms group. "My kitchen and bathroom are spotless if I have guests over. They are clean anyway, but I make sure they shine for guests."

Moms tell of more housecleaning horrors:

• The back of sinks if they have goo on them, or hair in the bathroom and on the floors.

• A stained run, cluttered counters, and dirty laundry visible.

• I always notice smudged windows and mirrors, like food and sticky stuff on the glass.

• The floors have to be clean. Carpet vacuumed and the kitchen swept. I've been visiting family, and the house makes me want to puke. Every time we leave I have to wash my daughter's feet because they are pitch black.

• Dishes in the sink. I can't go to bed unless they are done. The smell the next day makes me sick. I have a good friend I love, but she has a nasty house for sure. I go over there and I just want to clean it, LOL!

What dirty part of another person's house skives you out the most? Do you bathe your kids the second they get home from a house that doesn't meet your standard of tidiness? I do!

But now that I live in the country and have been looking at houses to buy, I've found out that a lot of people use their garages for everything except a place to park their car.

I saw a garage that contained a bunch of old furniture; another that had been turned into the husband's workshop; another that was a kids' playroom; one that looked like a workout room complete with gym equipment and T.V.; and another that had been converted into a guest bedroom.

Do you have a garage? What do you use it for?

Photo by workenmom

Money

According to Money, here are the Top 10 Best Cities in which to live:

1. Louisville, CO
2. Chanhassen, MN
3. Papillion, NE
4. Middleton, WI
5. Milton, MA
6. Warren, NJ
7. Keller, TX
8. Peachtree City, GA
9. Lake St. Louis, MO
10. Mukilteo, WA

CNNMoney's Best Places database includes U.S. cities with populations 8,500 to 50,000.

See the entire Top 100 Best Places to Live.

Did your town make it into the top 10 best places to live? The top 100 best places to live?

Photo from Target

My kids go nuts if you give them the hose and try to get their help watering the garden. It turns into two wet boys and gallons of water *NOT* on the plants.

Recently, we bought some Super Soakers for water play. Who knew these water toys could turn into some much-needed help for me in the garden?

The other night, while I as weeding, the kids were filling up their Super Soakers in the small kiddie pool we have and squirting each other. I asked them to take aim on some thirsty plants in our garden. And they did it! In fact, they loved having a needy target. With these air pump shooters, they could help me water from across the yard, a very cool added bonus, according to the kids.

So there's my tip. Let the kids use their water soaker toys to help out with the watering this summer. It's fun and it limits the water usage. If they can reuse water out of a play pool and keep replenishing themselves, even better!

Not into water guns? Try a non-gun-shaped water launcher like the Max Liquidator or a typical watering can. For some reason, the watering can just wasn't as enticing to my boys.

According to a recent Pledge Multi Surface Cleaner survey, nearly 70 percent of parents look for ways to clean faster and more conveniently than their mothers did.

So how can today's busy moms and dads get the quick clean they crave? Check out the speed cleaning tips below, guaranteed to help you clean more, faster.

• Clean with your partner or spouse: More than half of parents today clean together -- 49 percent more often than their parents do or did! So split-up domestic duties and tackle twice the chores in less time.

• Map out a cleaning plan: Clean from top to bottom for most efficient cleaning. For example, clean your counters before the kitchen floor so you don't have to back track to sweep up crumbs or other counter debris.

• Time yourself: Set aside time each day to do a quick clean-up. For true speed cleaning, set a timer for 15 minutes and see how much you can clean during this dedicated time. Use the timer as a game to get other family members involved.

• Multitask while cleaning: Throw in a load of laundry while you run the dishwasher, or let the shower soak while you clean the sink. Taking care of multiple chores at once allows you to do more housework in half the time.

• Use a single cleaning solution: Use Pledge Multi Surface to clean nearly all household surfaces, from wood to glass to electronics. You'll be able to clean room-to-room, without slowing down or switching cleaners.

Need more cleaning tips in a hurry? Check out www.HowICleanNow.com for advice from cleaning guru Trish Suhr, of The Style Network's Clean House. In addition to dishing out tidying tips, she also performed cleaning interventions on five bloggers and one lucky website guest!

Also, be sure to visit the Cleaning Made Simple Group to swap cleaning tips with other moms. 

Photo From thewheatfield/Etsy.com

I want to hang this lovely Daydream List over my desk and use it to remind myself to slow down when life gets too harried...

Here's what I'd add to the list:

Fluffy blueberry pancakes.

A vintage typewriter.

Coffee and the paper on Sunday morning.

Walking the dog at dusk.

A dinner party.

Kids swinging in the park.

Five minutes before the alarm goes off.

Fresh herbs growing in a windowsill.

Riding bikes by the lake.

A whistling teapot.

What's on your daydream list?

Photo from eBay

Don't get me wrong, I love conserving old, vintage items. But sometimes, no matter how much you love the "vintage" look, they just aren't pretty.

Take tin containers for example. They were used to hold everything from cigars to spices to chips at the turn of the century. I really like the idea of simply collecting them for the vintage advertising, but sometimes the paint is worn off so much that you can't even begin to guess what it was used for. That's why I like the idea of taking mismatched pieces and stripping the paint off of them. It creates a streamlined look while still accomplishing a vintage vibe, more so than what a coat of paint could do. Here's how:

• First, look for attractive shapes. You can easily find tin containers on eBay or Craigslist, as well as thrift shops and flea markets. And they're usually super cheap!
• Work in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors; if you work indoors, wear a protective mask.
• Cover your work surface with newspaper.
• Remove paint with nontoxic paint stripper, such as Zip Strip, following the manufacturer's instructions.
• Use a razor blade to peel remaining paint from the boxes without damaging the underlying surface.
• With medium steel wool, remove rust spots, and smooth away pits in the metal
• Using fine-grain sandpaper, sand away any scratches made by the steel wool. 
• Polish the surface with metal or tin polish for a rich shine.

I would totally do this and stack tin boxes in my kitchen to organize recipes and other various kitchen clutter.

Do you like the stripped look or would you rather keep the containers as is? Where would you put them in your home?

Photo from Alice.com

Check out Alice.com.

Set up a list of all your favorite household products (laundry, bath, baby care, etc.), and Alice finds you best online deals, including FREE shipping and coupons.

I started online grocery shopping through Safeway.com when I was pregnant with my oldest son. I got sick of lugging around the cat litter, toilet paper super packs, soda and bottled water (ha! two things we don't buy anymore), bottled juices, and other heavy household purchases. Safeway delivered right into my kitchen for a small fee, which was often waived with a coupon.

Since then, Trader Joe's has moved into the neighborhood, and we shop almost exclusively there. But I do buy all my diapers and baby wipes and a few other household items in bulk online. I always get free shipping and love the front-door service.

I did a little price comparison shopping on Alice.com, and it looks pretty good for those occasional online purchases. However, even with their applied coupons, the prices need to come down for me to shop there regularly. The diapers, for one thing, don't come in bulk, so the prices aren't as good as I get buying the big box through Amazon.

I really love this idea. It's SO convenient. Alice.com lets you keep a list of all your needed household items, and they'll even send reminders when it's time to order again (you determine how often).

I like where you're going with this Alice.com!

Here's what the moms in Deals & Steals have to say about Alice.com:

• "I just checked it out, & I think some things are way too expensive." — Crystal030508
• "I went looking around on Alice.com and it seems to me that things are much more expensive than I can get them at a local storefront. — Js_Mommy131
• "I took a peek at it and some of the prices are higher, but it would be good for people who don't really like looking through coupons or going to the grocery store all the time." — LJsmom

Photo From Pet Airways

I can't decide if this is a good idea or not.

Pet Airways is a pets-only airline that flies dogs and cats to major U.S. cities including New York, Chicago, Baltimore, L.A., and Denver.

Pets on Pet Airways are flown in a carrier in the main cabin (with plenty of cool, fresh air), checked on by a pet attendant every 15 minutes, and given frequent potty breaks.

On the one hand, I've heard some sad stories of pet loss and death as a result of flying in the cargo hold area (which is where pets too large to fly in the cabin are placed). On the other, with a starting price of $149 ONE WAY—which is as much or more than a human ticket—who could afford such a thing? I might have to travel with my pet the old-fashioned way—in the car, or not at all.

I'm all for treating my dog as a member of the family, but Pet Airways might be taking it a bit too far. Do you agree?

Photo from Design*Sponge

I think I have a wallpaper obsession. I absolutely love using wallpaper for various crafts around the home, and I am loving this idea from Design*Sponge, a wallpaper wipe-off board!

Here's what you’ll need:
9” x 12” piece of cardboard
9” x 12” piece of wallpaper or other decorative paper
rubber cement
x-acto blade or scissors
clear contact paper
large bulldog clip
dry-erase pen

1. Apply rubber cement to the back of your wallpaper and to one side of your cardboard. Adhere the paper to the cardboard, smoothing out air bubbles as you go.

2. If desired, round the corners or cut your cardboard into a decorative shape using an x-acto blade or scissors.

3. Cut a piece of clear contact paper that is slightly larger than your cardboard, and apply over the wallpaper.

4. Trim excess contact paper using your x-acto blade or scissors.

5. Clip a large bulldog clip to the top of the cardboard and attach to the wall using a small nail. You can hang a piece of artwork from the clip and use dry-erase pens to write messages on the surface of your wipe-off board.

I like this idea so much better than using just a regular dry erase board!

Do you like this idea? Where do you write your reminders at?

Jean Chatzky

Financial expert Jean Chatzky is back today with an answer to one of your money questions.

One CafeMom is trying to determine which debt to pay off first. Here's what Jean had to say.

Q:

Jean,

What should be our priority to pay off? A student loan or a car loan?

My husband wants to make double payments on one, which I applaud; we already make double payments on our credit card so we can get out of debt. The problem is that he wants to make them on the student loan instead of the car. I disagree and say the car loan should be paid first because not only is the APR higher, but it's for a higher amount, and we are not planning on replacing the car any time soon.

Advice?

— LuminousMom

A:

Dear LuminousMom,

I’m with you. The cheapest, fastest road out of debt always goes directly through the highest interest rate. What that means, though, is that if the interest rate on your credit cards is higher than both the car loan and the student loan you should put all of your extra muscle toward wiping out that debt first — even if it means tripling or quadrupling the payments.

If you’re getting close to wiping the credit card debt clean and are indeed choosing between the car and student debt, here’s one more reason to put the car loan first. The interest on that student loan debt may be tax-deductible, rendering it cheaper still.

Here are the current IRS rules regarding student loans.

You can claim the student loan interest deduction if all of the following apply:

• You paid interest on a qualified student loan in tax year 2008
• Your filing status is not married filing separately
• Your modified adjusted gross income is less than $70,000 ($145,000 if filing jointly)
• You and your spouse, if filing jointly, cannot be claimed as dependents on someone else's return

— Jean Chatzky

About Jean Chatzky

Jean Chatzky is the financial editor for NBC’s Today show, a contributor to The Oprah Winfrey Show, and hosts her own daily radio program. She is also the author of numerous bestselling books, including The Difference: How Anyone Can Prosper in Even the Toughest Times. She blogs daily at JeanChatzky.com.

Photos from D*S

Oh, shiver me timbers, how I'm a sucker for a nature-themed baby room. This lovely modern nursery found over at Design Sponge — alá Barb Blair and co-designer Teresa Roche — is all owls and squirrels and black birch trees, oh my!

Sure, this finished nursery is a tad Hansel and Gretel dark, but it's pretty sleek for parents opposed to traditional pinks, pastels, and baby blue. And babies see high contrast before color anyway, right? Neat!

Wonderful and original touches — the pretty gray crib, the framed chicken wire bulletin board, and the crowned animal mobile from Royal Buffet, whose paperie artistry I always love.

Photo from The Selby

Photo from The Selby

Photo from The Selby

Never again misplace something in your kitchen — use chalkboard paint on your kitchen cupboard doors, as seen on The Selby, and you'll never forget where the Pyrex is (or in the case of my husband, where the Pyrex goes!).

When your cupboard doors are small chalkboards, you always have a place to keep a running grocery list or to-do list. You can move things around and always stay on top of the order.

I know what you're thinking though, that maybe this look, particularly in black, is too "urban hip" for your kitchen. It's still a great idea — consider painting just a couple of cupboard doors or using chalkboard paint in custom colors. It's also useful for the garage, the storage shed, or in the basement.

In a kids' space, this turns into a great way for kids to practice reading and writing and organizing their own cupboards and spaces.

My favorite sun-loving annual!

Benary Giant Zinnia from Seedman.com

My property is almost exclusively shade, so it's a real challenge to find flowers that will thrive with little sunlight and that our woodchuck family won't devour. So my yard is very heavy on the hosta, astilbe, impatiens, and hydrangea (though the deer love to snack on those).

Many of my friends have the opposite problem, and because they know I like to garden, they often ask me what types of plants and flowers are best for high heat and full sun. kristinaleann asked the same question just the other day in Advice for Moms, and she got some good advice.

It all depends on where you live, of course, but yesitsme311 gave a very thorough and long list of sun-loving annuals and perennials beyond the run-of-the-mill geranium and marigold variety. Click here to see her list of sun-tolerant annuals and perennials in Advice for Moms.

Some of my favorites on the list include:

Cosmos

Lantana

Flowering tobacco

Petunias

Verbena

Zinnia

What sun-worshipers thrive best in your garden? In which part of the country do you live?

Photo from HSN

Change your hangers! Your closet will instantly look neater and you'll actually have more space. Check out the before and after photos, below.

Photo from the Haystack Needle

BEFORE

I learned this neat trick from the Haystack Needle, one of my favorite home blogs, who tried out various hangers from the Container Store, Bed Bath & Beyond, and HSN to see which worked best.

She ultimately decided on Joy Mangano hangers because:

1. They're slim, but good for your clothes

2. They work with all kinds of clothes, including spaghetti straps

3. They came in 20 fun colors

4. They won't break your budget ($40 for 36 hangers)

5. She got these results:

Photo from the Haystack Needle

AFTER

What's your secret to keeping your closet organized?