The Stir By CafeMom: Home & Garden

Farrah Abraham Wants $3 Million L.A. Mansion -- Hey Wait, Wasn’t That Sex Tape Money Supposed to Go Toward Her Master's?

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:25:00 EDT

Post by Lindsay Mannering

Backdoor Teen Mom Farrah Abraham is shopping for a home in L.A. The 21-year-old porn star has decided to settle down in Hollywood so she can get on a reality show, or maybe make another sex tape that gets accidentally leaked, and was photographed touring a $3.3 million mansion in Justin Bieber's neighborhood, Calabasas.

If you're wondering how Farrah, who reportedly earned around $1 million for her adult film, can afford such a place, you're not alone.

But I have a theory. Farrah probably views money like those Real Housewives of New Jersey do. As long as they have enough money for the down payment, they'll worry about the mortgage later. They borrow money, buy something they can't afford, then act like victims when they're about to lose their house.

Farrah should talk to Teresa and Joe Giudice and get advice on living above your pay-grade, prioritizing appearances over financial stability, filing for bankruptcy, and selling everything you own in a yard sale to try and make ends meet.

What I think I love most about Farrah's house hunting is its contradiction. Wasn't it Farrah who said she did porn (excuse me, "sold her sex tape") because she was a lonely single mother who needed the money to open her restaurants and to get her master's degree?

Amazing.

Thanks for the laughs, Farrah. You never disappoint.

Do you think Farrah should buy this house?

Photo via F1abraham/Twitter

Don't Assume I'm a Bad 'Handyman' Just Because I'm a Woman

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:11:00 EDT

Post by Jenny Isenman

Today, my new neighbor came by looking for my hubby.

"He's sleeping," I told him.

"Oh, well. Would you mind sending him by when he wakes up? I just had a quick question," he said as he walked off.

"Do you need to know how to spell something? Because then it'd be worth waiting for him to wake up," I replied. "Otherwise, I may be able to help."

"Well, I don't know what to use to anchor the hurricane shutter panels, and I'm leaving for the season, so if you could send him over ..." he answered dismissively, barely turning around.

"You need metal clips. They look like this," I explained, walking him to the garage and giving him one. Then I told him where he could get them and how many he'd need.

"Okay," he said, looking bewildered. "Thanks. I'll return your clip tomorrow."

"Keep it as a souvenir of the time a woman answered a 'manly' question," I joked.

Okay, fine, I didn't say the last part, but it was strongly implied. And I wish I had.

Listen, I'm a girly girl through and through. I have a fresh gel mani, I've been known to wear stilettos to the playground, and I can rock a fedora on a field trip.

But I'm also the one who set up our surround sound, fixes drawers, WD40s squeaky hinges, and put together a 10-foot buffet from IKEA with nothing more than encouragement and positive reinforcement from the hubs. Oh, and a hand-delivered latte.

Do not come to my house and assume I don't know what's up with the "Mr. Fix-It" jobs simply because I'm a woman. It's not the freakin' '50s (not that women couldn't fix things back then -- I'm guessing they probably could). Men, give us the benefit of the doubt. We may surprise you.

The truth is, in my house if you want something fixed, need a tool, need advice on where to buy a pressure cleaner ... I'm your "man." If you need some grammatical advice, or have a bunch of numbers that need to be added together tout de suite (and can't find a calculator), my husband's your guy. So leave the stereotypes on our doorstep, please!

Are you good at fixing things around the house, or do you leave those "manly" jobs for your husband to do?

Image via JennyIsenman/TheSuburbanJungle

Woman’s Service Dog Dressed in Cap and Gown Is Star of Her Amazing Graduation (PHOTO)

Thu, 16 May 2013 17:45:00 EDT

Post by Lindsay Mannering

For many of us, our beloved pets are simply wonderful companions who greet us when we get home, snuggle in our beds, and entertain our guests with their adorable ballerina costume that mommy just loves putting on them. But for a disabled graduate student, her dog was that, and then some. A Redditer posted a photo of a canine companion dressed in cap and gown escorting his wheelchair-bound owner on stage as she received her Masters in Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

The student in the photo took to the social media site to introduce her dog, Hero, to the world:

Hero knows over forty commands to assist me. He loves to retrieve objects for my like envelopes, pens, my crutches, etc. He also turns off the lights, opens doors, and he pulls me in my wheelchair up ramps! I couldn't have gone to college without him!

And the caption on the student's photo reads:

This is my service dog, Hero, after we graduated with our Master's degrees at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Hero's an aptly named pup who deserves his cap and gown getup. Pets are such a part of our lives and it's so great to see Hero honored for his devoted and helpful service. Without him, a graduation ceremony for his master's Masters may never have been possible!

Do you love this?

Photo via Imgur

91-Year-Old Vet Is Getting Evicted by His Own Daughter but You Can Help

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:48:00 EDT

Post by Lindsay Mannering

John Potter turns 92 at the end of the month, and by then, he might be homeless. The World War II veteran probably never thought that the fight of his life would be against his daughter, but it's the unfortunate truth. Janice Contrill was granted power of attorney back in 2004 when her dad fell ill and has used that status to evict him from his home. Potter built the place himself more than 50 years ago and is dumb-founded that his daughter has terminated his "lease."

There is, however, one family member on Potter's side.

His granddaughter Jaclyn Fraley, 35, hasn't talked to her mother Janice in two years, and solidly sides with Potter. In fact, she started a campaign on GoFundMe.com to try and raise money for her grandfather to buy his house back.

After just a month on the site, Fraley's raised about $71,000 of her goal of $125,000.

There are two sides to every story, and all we know about Janice's side is that there was a dispute over care for her severely disabled, autistic brother (Potter's son). Perhaps Janice feels like her father wronged her, and possibly her brother, too, and is seeking retribution?

I'd wager that there's more here than meets the eye, but if you'd like to help 91-year-old WWII vet John Potter keep his house, you can donate on the GoFundMe site. Banding together to help a person in need is never a bad idea, especially a war vet. His granddaughter wants to give him the money on his birthday ... so don't delay!

Did you donate?

Photo via Jaclyn Fraley

Cop Who Climbs Tree to Save Cat Ends Up Needing to Be Saved Too

Tue, 14 May 2013 15:25:00 EDT

Post by Kiri Blakeley

This sounds like a bad situation comedy. A police officer who had been called by worried locals to rescue a cat who had gotten stuck in a tree ended up getting stuck himself -- and had to get the fire department to get him down. Can't you just hear the canned laughter? In fact, no canned laughter was needed because this poor guy got the real thing. Firemen who were called to rescue the cop who was trying to rescue the cat apparently laughed at him before getting him down. Which makes no sense because this situation isn't funny AT ALL.

Reportedly after the cop climbed into a tree to try and capture the scared kitty, the feline kept climbing higher and higher into the branches, with the cop following. Eventually he too couldn't get down. Hey, that reminds me of a joke. How many guys does it take to rescue a cat from a tree? One for the cat -- and several more for the cop. Haha!!! Okay, I just made that up.

The fire department was then called -- and they got the cop (and the cat) down, but apparently they laughed at him the whole time. And yet not one of them thought to videotape this? WTF?

While cops and firemen might routinely rescue felines from precarious positions in small towns, it's very unusual to get a cop to respond to a call like this in New York City, where the incident took place. In fact, I'm wondering if the locals who made the call even were honest about what was stuck in the tree. Maybe they said it was a baby. Or a bag of money.

Once the fire department got there -- and first ribbed the officer mercilessly -- both the kitty and the cop were rescued. Did I mention this all happened in front of a bunch of elementary school students? I think it's a nice lesson for them about cops being helpers and having compassion for animals. And they probably got a good laugh out of it too. Poor cop. Poor cat. I think these two were destined to be together.

Do you think the cop did the right thing or was wasting his time?

Image via Robert Couse-Baker/Flickr

7 Things Taking Place in the U.S This Summer That Your Family Has Got to See

Mon, 13 May 2013 10:32:00 EDT

Post by Adriana Velez

Whenever we travel I'll usually look up any fun events happening in the area -- like state fairs. But have you ever traveled just for an event? Exciting races and festivals are happening all over the country this spring and summer, and they're worth planning your next family vacation around. Love sports? Prefer pirates? Here's a few that look especially fun to me -- something for everyone, no matter what your interest.

1. Amgen Tour of California: Cycling fans who can't travel to see the Tour de France can see world-class cyclists compete in the Tour of California. It's happening THIS WEEK, but you can catch the tail end of it this weekend. The race winds up on Sunday in Santa Rosa (Northern California).

2. Indy 500: The Indianapolis 500 takes place every Memorial Day weekend in Indianapolis, Indiana. Kids under 12 can see the races for free! The events start in the morning with marching bands and demonstrations. Check out IndyKids.com for more information on doing the race with your kids.

3. Pirate Festival: Yes, this exists. The Northern California Pirate Festival runs the weekend of June 15-16 in Vallejo, California. Arg, thar be fun for the whole family, thar be! If you love dressing up and stepping back in time, there are Renaissance fairs in nearly every state throughout the summer.

4. Children's Day: Celebrate Independence Day on July 3 at the Boston Harborfest Children's Day. Free games, music, and entertainment for kids all day in this historically-rich city.

5. U.S. Open Surfing: From July 20 to 28, Huntington Beach, California, is home to the U.S. Open Surfing competition. There's lots going on, including skateboarding and free concerts.

6. U.S. Open Tennis: On the other side of the country we have the U.S. Open for tennis in Queens, New York, August 26 - September 9. Arrive a couple days early and you can check out Kids' Day on August 24, with concerts and activities for families. There's usually a family day at the Open as well, so be on the lookout for that.

7. Beaver Creek Rodeo: Starting June 27 and running through August 15, Beaver Creek's family-friendly rodeo runs every Thursday night starting at 5 p.m. in Avon, Colorado. There's mutton-busting, face-painting, pony rides, and of course the big events, all against the spectacular setting of the Rockies. But you can catch local rodeos like this all over the west.

Does your family ever travel for special events?

Image via karlnorling/Flickr

Adorable Brother and Sister Bedroom: This Is How It Should Be Done!

Fri, 10 May 2013 13:29:00 EDT

Post by Gabrielle Blair

Usually when we talk about shared spaces, they happen to be for siblings of the same gender. But what about when brother and sister bunk up together? This room for Aden and Isabel by designer and mom Emily Mughannam is all the proof you need that it can be done --and quite successfully too!

Click through to see more below.

I think the key here is having some sort of a neutral base for everything in this type of shared bedroom. The bolder details here play nicely off this gray-striped wall as an example. I can also appreciate that nothing in this room is overly masculine or feminine, but a little bit of everything instead.

There's plenty of color in the room, but the tones tend to be muted. Don't you love the shade of orange on this set of drawers?

How about those navy doors? Cool, right? I also like that the furniture isn't all matchy-matchy but different and complementary.

More grays in the crib bedding for Isabel keep things neutral with all the rug patterns and wall hangings.

Another peek into the layout of the room. That circle rug with the tribal print is super fun!

Brother-and-sister sharing can be difficult to navigate, but I think this bedroom pulls things together really well.

Have you ever done a room for a brother/sister combo? Do tell!

Beyonce Buys This Unlikely Celebrity's Mansion Because ... Oh, You Just Have to See for Yourself! (PHOTOS)

Fri, 10 May 2013 10:00:00 EDT

Post by Emily Abbate

Now this is a story you wouldn't expect to hear. Cher's beautiful Italian-Renaissance style house goes on the market. Beyonce is looking for a house. Beyonce buys Cher's house for a casual $45 million. Seriously.

This is the same Malibu mansion that Cher took off the market back in 2008, saying at the time she didn't want to give up the view. And heck, I can't blame her. Considering the place also has stone walls, seven bedrooms, nine baths, a tennis court, stamped copper dining room cieling, a theatre, and an adjacent guest house and pool -- I think there were loads of other benefits to the property as well.

Could Jay-Z and Beyonce be getting tired of all of this craziness here in the big city? Heck, there's clearly LOADS of room for Blue Ivy to play around in there. If I had to guess, perhaps the couple is upgrading with hopes to add another little bundle of joy to the family. Ah-hah! The "truth" comes out.

Take a look at the $45 million mansion, here:

Image via WEEN

5 Best Budget Friendly Places to Visit for Your Spring Trip

Fri, 10 May 2013 09:17:00 EDT

Post by April Daniels Hussar

Spring is here and, as happens every year about this time, I've got the travel bug! Something about the warm weather make me just want to hit the road, escape the house I'v ebeen trapped in for what feels like MONTHS, and explore the world. Alas, two things can get in the way -- time and money -- but they don't have to. Carve out some vacay time and check out these budget friendly trip ideas!

Chicago, IL
If you can find a good hotel deal, you're all set, because so many of the great places to visit in the Windy City are free, like the Lincoln Park Zoo, Millennium Park, and Navy Pier. There are more sights to see and free things to do in Chicago than you could possibly accomplish in a few days, like window shopping along Miracle Mile, people watching in Logan Square, and picnicking along Lake Michigan. All fueled by inexpensive, but delicious, Chicago-style pizza!

Calistoga, CA
I just spent a few days in Calistoga and had a blast. It's right in the heart of Napa county (aka wine country paradise), but it's a little more funky and offbeat than some of the area's other towns, and definitely more affordable. Rent bicycles to explore the area's stunning scenery, take the kids to see the geyser or to one of the town's many mineral pools, and then hop aboard the Wine Train for sightseeing + wine tasting. Win, win, win!

Yellowstone National Park
Truly a national treasure, Yellowstone offers plenty of camping sites and even cabins right in the Yellowstone park, in addition to affordable motel rentals in the vicinity. With miles of hiking and walking trails, lakes for fishing and boating, horseback rides and llama packing (yes! Llamas!), erupting geysers, bubbling mud baths, and wild animals, there's no way anyone in your family's going to get bored!

Nashville, TN
This city is known for having some of the lowest hotel prices in the South and there's really something for everyone, whether you just want to eat BBQ, visit the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame, take a showboat ride along the Cumberland, or visit some of the area's beautiful old plantations and mansions.

Atlantic City, NJ
Hurricane Sandy did her best, but the Jersey Shore remains beautiful and full of fun. Of course, since the hurricane, there are deals to be had -- search around for packages that give discounts like a hotel plus spa bundle (Dad can take the kids to a surf lesson or parasailing while you spend some me-time getting pampered!). And there are a ton of activities that don't cost any money, like walking the boardwalk, ogling the granny gamblers, lounging at the ocean, perusing the Farmer's Market, and visiting the beautiful Civil Rights Garden.

Where would you most love to visit in the US?

Image via monika_thorpe/Flickr

‘RHONY’ Star Sonja Morgan Puts Incredible Mountain Home on Market – Take a Peek Inside! (PHOTOS)

Thu, 09 May 2013 13:21:45 EDT

Post by Lindsay Mannering

Real Housewives of New York star Sonja Morgan has been upfront about her money problems. After divorcing John Morgan (whose net worth is estimated at $100 million) in 2006, Sonja's fought to keep her Manhattan townhouse, which has been seen in varying shades of disrepair, and has lamented on the show how broke she is. Now, it would seem, Sonja's ready to let go of some assets in order to get some cold, hard cash. She told Celebuzz that she put her Telluride, Colorado home on the market for $9.15 million.

She can buy a lot of underwear with that kind of money. Take a peek inside Sonja's gorgeous mountain retreat, and raise a hot toddy to a quick sale.

Tiny, Disgusting New York City Apartments Still Get Rented Easily: Could You Live in One? (PHOTOS)

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:36:00 EDT

Post by Kiri Blakeley

New York City is famous for the Statue of Liberty, Broadway, the Empire State Building -- and it's tiny apartments. Not that it doesn't have some of the largest, most amazing apartments on the planet -- but those are for the billionaires. Hands off, pleb! The rest of us usually get somewhere around 500 to 700 square feet, if we're lucky. Yeah, even if you have kids. But some people, apparently, are willing to go much, much smaller --and more disgusting -- than that. Many people in NYC are forced to rent a room in an apartment with others. And some of those rooms are, uh, not even really rooms.

A new blog called The Worst Room is tracking some of these Lilliputian rooms people are renting out -- and their usually gargantuan price tags. Examples:

For only $300 a month in NYC, you know you're going to get something awful, and this "room" below -- essentially a cot crammed into the corner of a kitchen -- doesn't disappoint.

$800 a month will get you this room below, which even the little dog knows is too small for anything. At least it has a fresh coat of yellow paint.

Here is a lovely bed and a bookshelf all ensconsed in what appears to be a basement. Hey, you can hang your wet clothes over the pipe above your head! $800 a month.

This is, um, a "kitchen". Well, there is a stove. Sorta.

I've lived in the city for a long time and it's been awhile since I've been on the "room circuit" but I do quite clearly remember the horror of it. Let's face it, for $800 a month you could probably pay the mortgage on a three-bedroom house in most towns.

That said, New York City has career opportunities that most places don't. It's got world class food, entertainment, and culture. Many people merely use their apartments as crash pads anyway.

Still ... these places are so depressing that I never could have lived in NYC for as long as I have if I had rented something like that. Call me crazy, but I need sunshine and place to put some clothes!

Could you ever live in a room like these?

Image via The Worst Room/Tumblr

Chris Brown Sparks a 'War' With His Neighbors Over What He Did to His House (PHOTO)

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:29:00 EDT

Post by Emily Abbate

Chris Brown apparently isn't good at keeping good relationships with anyone. First, things with him and Rihanna head south again. Now he's angering his neighbors, and he didn't even have to threaten them! Apparently Chris' Hollywood home is covered with graffiti. Lots of graffiti. Lots of graffiti that looks like angry monsters with massive chompers that make me worried for my well-being and I'm hundreds of miles away.

So yeah, his neighbors are mad (understandably) and they went to the police. According to TMZ, Brown was cited last week for having "unpermitted and excessive signange" outside and charged $376.32. That amount will go up if the singer doesn't pay within 30 days to $1,176.

With the amount of money he has just lying around, I don't think these fines are gonna bug him. But it's just not fair or nice for him to keep this stuff up. Yeah, it's his property -- but it's everyone's neighborhood.

All of these paintings are pure blight. If I were having a special guest over to my fancy Hollywood home and I happened to live near Chris Brown (hey, a gal can dream!), I'd be appalled and embarrassed. Whether you're an A-lister like Brown or a regular ol' Joe Shmoe like me, it's just not fair to do crazy things to your property like that. Especially when it completely changes the look of a neighborhood.

A few years back, I remember how angry a friend of mine was when her neighbor painted her house a shade of neon purple (I wish I were joking). At least that wasn't big and scary-looking with teeth. And at least that may not have looked absolutely horrendous with good landscaping and a friendly smile to greet you at the door.

So yeah, Brown -- those monsters gotta go. It ain't nice. They ain't pretty. And since you painted them yourself, we all know they weren't expensive.

Do you think Chris should paint over the graffiti?

Image via Splash News

Puppy Left Alone in Car for a Month by Heartless Owners Survives by Eating Trash (VIDEO)

Wed, 08 May 2013 14:15:00 EDT

Post by Mary Fischer

If you're unfortunate enough to have your car towed, it's a total pain to go down to the impound lot and pick it up. But if you want your vehicle back, or whatever was left inside your car at the time of towing, it's definitely worth the hassle.

And that's why whoever left a puppy alone in an impounded car for an entire MONTH is nothing short of a heartless, cruel, miserable excuse for a human being.

A worker at an impound lot in Kansas City noticed a little terrier puppy on the dashboard inside of one of the cars and alerted police that she was trapped inside. Animal control was called, and finally she was rescued.

The poor little thing, now named "Kia," had been in there since April 8, and it's an absolute miracle that she survived.

Take a look at this video clip to hear how she lived on trash -- possibly fast food leftovers and cigars (OMG!) -- during her ordeal and how she's getting a second chance thanks to the staff at KC Pet Project, who are caring for her.

See this video on The Stir by CafeMom.

I know, you want to adopt her, right? Yeah, me too. And it sounds like a whole host of other people want to take her home and give her the love and attention she deserves as well, so I'm guessing it won't be long until she has owners who will adore her.

And as for whoever abandoned her? I hope they're easily caught, based on who the car is registered to. They absolutely need to be held accountable for their actions -- because leaving an innocent puppy alone to die simply because you don't want (or can't afford) to get your car out of the impound lot is inexcusable. If nothing else, I'm sure they would've at least returned the poor pup.

But in Kia's case, maybe being left in that car was a blessing in disguise. If her first owners were horrible enough to forget about her the way they did, she's much better off going to a home with people who will truly care for her and make her part of their family.

Are you amazed that Kia survived her ordeal?

Kate Middleton Hires 'the Perfect Housekeeper' Because Princesses With Babies Don't Clean

Tue, 07 May 2013 14:13:00 EDT

Post by Mary Fischer

She only has a few months to go before her royal baby arrives, which is why it really shouldn't come as a huge surprise that Kate Middleton hired a maid to take care of things like cleaning, cooking, and tidying up around the palace. (All the stuff the Duchess has no business concerning herself with.)

And the lucky lady who landed the job comes highly recommended, too. Forty-two-year-old Antonella Fresolone has reportedly snagged the role, and she happens to be one of Queen Elizabeth's "top three housemaids."

(Gee. That sure beats putting an ad on Craigslist to find someone like the rest of us are forced to do.)

Seriously, she sounds pretty awesome, you guys. A royal insider says, "Antonella is renowned for being very hard working. She is extremely dedicated and fully intends for this job to become her whole life. The Queen will have given it her blessing. She does not like to stop people progressing through the ranks and will be happy that William and Kate have someone they can trust."

Ok, so I know Kate is a princess and all, but she's also about to become a mom. And in my opinion, every mom deserves a housekeeper, cleaning lady, or someone other than themselves to take the burden off them and keep things neat and tidy.

As soon as I had my son, I hired a cleaning crew to come in a couple times a month -- and it's a decision I've never regretted for one single second.

Yes, it costs me extra money. And yes, cleaning for the cleaning lady to get the house ready for her to come is a royal pain in the ass. And yes, I've been called "pretentious" because of the fact that I have one. (Which is so lame. Don't even get me started.)

But paying someone to mop my floors, clean my bathrooms, dust my hard surfaces, and disinfect my house from top to bottom is worth every single cent -- because it allows me more quality time to spend with my family, which is priceless.

Everyone has "their thing" when it comes to what they choose to spend extra money on, and for me -- it's worth cutting back in a few other places to keep my cleaning lady coming every other week.

Ok, let's get back to Kate. Even though she's royalty, she's still about to become a mother, which means she'll have much less time on her hands to worry about the state of her home. She's going to be so happy she went ahead and got a housekeeper in place ahead of time.

Instead of fretting over things like the laundry piling up, vacuuming, or scrubbing toilets (something she's probably never done anyway, but whatever), Kate can concentrate on her new life with Prince William and their baby -- which is the way it should be.

Do you have a housekeeper or cleaning crew?

Image via Splash

Reese Witherspoon Has Found the Perfect Place to Hide From the Police

Mon, 06 May 2013 18:03:00 EDT

Post by Kiri Blakeley

In case you thought that all Reese Witherspoon was doing these days was sassing back at cops, well, you'd be wrong! She's also been beefing up her real estate portfolio. Reese recently shelled out $3 million for the house next to hers. Nothing fancy. It's a 1956 ranch house on less than one acre that was formerly owned by actor Mark Harmon's mother. I'm totally picturing the interior done up in '60s style with mirrors on the wall, gold-plated bathroom fixtures, and shag rugs. Maybe a big rainbow swirl decal over the bed. Hopefully Reese will update. So what on earth does Reese want with a 3,000-square-foot ranch house?

Reese has a history of knocking down the homes surrounding hers. Previously, she had bought a nearby 3,000-square-foot home, razed it, and incorporated it into her backyard. It must be nice to be able to buy out all your annoying neighbors and get rid of their homes. Sigh.

No word on what Reese plans to do with this latest house -- but I'm thinking drunk tank. Yeah, the next time hubby Jim Toth knocks back a few too many, Reese can be all, "Jim! Get into the drunk tank! No driving for you tonight! Sleep it off, buddy!" Right? Brilliant move, Reese!

Reese already has a $5 million manse that she bought back when she was still married to Ryan Phillippe. So she seems to be trying to buy up all of the property around her. Which totally makes sense because who wants to hear Reese and her husband having their drunken brawls? Oh, calm down, people. I know Reese and Jim are polite to each other even after they've been in their cups.

The couple just had a baby, Tennessee, and they must have wanted to expand. Maybe the baby and his various nannies will hole up in the ranch house. I don't know. Just speculating.

The ranch house sounds kind of cool though -- it's got a motor court, a swimming pool, and a separate art studio/guest house. So if Jim really gets out of control, she can banish him not to the extra house, but to the extra house's guest house! How great would that be?

Kidding, Reese. I know Jim gets the couch.

What do you think Reese will do with her new home?

Image via Splash News

Dog Bites Off Woman's Nose but Owner Gets Away With It

Fri, 03 May 2013 13:50:00 EDT

Post by Adriana Velez

You may be a responsible dog owner who does the right thing with your pet -- but there's always some irresponsible jerk who unleashes danger on everyone else, literally. Caren and Laine Henry were walking their beagle on a leash when a Labrador-retriever mix named "Buddy" came tearing out from nowhere and sunk his teeth into Caren's thigh and abdomen. Then it attacked her face, breaking her sunglasses, biting and scratching her eyes, and finally tearing her nose off.

Can you imagine how terrifying? Laine tried to fight the dog off. The dog bit his left arm, but Laine bit the dog on the nose and it finally let loose. Laine's arm became so badly infected he's had to take a leave from his job moving heavy machinery. But of course Caren has it even worse -- they're hoping a series of reconstructive surgery can restore her nose.

You would think that after an attack like that, there would be heavy penalties for the irresponsible dog owner and the dog might even be put down. But nope! Not in Dallas County, Iowa. There are no laws requiring criminal penalties for negligent dog owners -- or leading to a pet being put down.

In fact, Buddy was impounded last year for attacking another dog, so he has a history. But Dallas County isn't equipped to deal with dogs like Buddy. They don't have an animal control facility or a place to keep quarantined dogs -- which is why Buddy is being quarantined at his own home. And here's the most infuriating part -- the man who lives at the home where Buddy has been living claims he isn't even the owner. He says the real owner is a homeless man in the area. Investigators aren't sure he's telling the truth, but it's a pretty convenient story. Saves someone from a lawsuit ... for now.

But come on. Isn't there a common-sense solution for this menace? Is it really fair to everyone else that there's a dangerous dog on the loose? What if he'd attacked a child? If I lived in this community, I would be furious and demand my local officials to pass a few laws that would protect the public from careless pet owners.

I also think it's interesting that this was a mix of breeds that are usually so sweet. Usually people think of pit bulls as the meanest, most dangerous dogs. But they just get a bad rap. Clearly other breeds can be vicious, too.

What do you think should happen to the dog and its owner -- whoever that is?

Image via davharuk/Flickr

'Storage Wars' Drops 3 Cast Members From the Show -- Could This Ruin Everything?

Thu, 02 May 2013 11:37:00 EDT

Post by Emily Abbate

I'm just gonna come out with it: I have this super lame addiction to watching Storage Wars, especially late night reruns. I was a little bummed (read: very) when I heard that the show is rigged, but it still didn't make me love it any less. Heck, this cast is a riot! Which is why today's big Storage Wars news makes me bummed. Apparently A&E is cutting back on the screen time for its three main players. Yup, fans will be seeing a lot less of Darrell Sheets, Dan, and Laura Dotson next season.

According to Radar Online, Sheets was frozen out of six extra episodes of the show. Rumor has it that the gambler was pissed, and that the big motivation for cutting him out after all of the drama that happened with Dave Hester's lawsuit was money.

I mean, I get it I guess. But in my eyes this is a pretty dangerous move on A&E's part to save money. Getting rid of the main characters isn't going to make fans want to stick around. Unless, that is, the containers get REALLY interesting.

OK, so we know that's not gonna happen. Heck, it's not like A&E producers can just whip out a few historical artifacts worth millions of dollars for a simple little reality show. Sorry, Martha Washington's old linens don't just appear outta nowhere, youknowwhatI'msayin?

But you know that expression "If it's not broke, don't fix it"? The show's been awesome as it is. Yeah, there's a whole lot of storage drama going on. Yeah, lawsuits kind of complicate things. But really, I think all need to focus on what's important here: the amazingess that is old forgotten items.

Are you surprised A&E is cutting out these three cast members?

Image via A&E

Mom Who Lost Kids in Christmas Day Fire Believes Evidence Was Destroyed When Her Home Was Torn Down

Wed, 01 May 2013 17:29:00 EDT

Post by Mary Fischer

Even though it happened well over a year ago, none of us will ever forget the Christmas Day house fire that took the lives of three beautiful children and their grandparents in Stamford, Connecticut. It was one of those stories that hit way too close to home for most of us, and we couldn't help but share in the grief of a woman who lost everyone dear to her in the blink of an eye.

And because she believes her mansion was torn down too quickly after the fire, Madonna Badger is suing the town. She believes evidence may have been destroyed and that the town may have been trying to cover up building mistakes and permit violations, which is why they were in such a rush to demolish it.

And the claims of the lawsuit don't stop there. It also states that officials knew there were "numerous types of salvageable scrap metal such as wiring, copper, steel beams, and the family's personal silver and jewelry" in the home -- meaning they wanted to profit from it.

Madonna is seeking "unspecified damages" in addition to a jury trial with the suit.

And even though the cause of the fire was ruled as accidental, due to ashes from the fireplace that were placed in a bag inside a garbage bin in the home, it's hard not to wonder if there were more factors involved that made the house unsafe.

It doesn't matter where we live or how much we think we know about our homes -- unless we build them with our own two hands, it's hard to know exactly what kind of building materials are used during construction. As someone who has lived in two brand new homes in the past seven years, it's tough not to wonder how sturdy and safe they've been.

It's no secret that builders throw up new homes a heck of a lot faster than they did 40 or 50 years ago, and it just seems like speeding things up is a recipe for disaster. The house I live in now was done by a private builder who takes a lot of pride in his work, but the home I lived in before my son was born was done by a mass builder, in one of those cookie-cutter developments where most of the homes look the same. And even though I've never really worried about their safety up until this point, accidents do happen, as is evident from what happened to Madonna Badger.

If nothing else, every time I think about her, I'm reminded to take the proper precautions to ensure a fire doesn't happen in my own home. But I guess you never really can know for sure if you're doing enough.

Do you ever worry about how well-built your home is?

Image via Splash

6 Ways to Make Spring Cleaning Fun For the Whole Family

Wed, 01 May 2013 10:30:00 EDT

Post by Ericka Sóuter

Every spring, I look forward to giving my home a fresh start. That means cleaning it from top to bottom, shredding stacks of papers that have piled up, and getting rid of all that old, unused stuff taking up much needed space. I love the result. It feels great have a sparkling, neat place to come home to. There is just one problem: I hate the actual cleaning part. But there are ways the chore can actually be more enjoyable -- and not just for you. Here are 6 ways to make spring cleaning fun for the whole family.

Some moms may call this a bribe. I like to call it a necessary incentive. To get my son to part with old toys, I tell him that if he fills up a box to donate, we can go on an adventure, like visiting a firehouse or a police station where he can meet his heroes in the flesh. Getting rid of the old makes room for the new. If everyone is reluctant to weed through their clothes closet, tell the that if they each fill two grocery bags to donate, they can buy one new item for their closet. Have a dusting race. Assign each person a different room. The first to finish -- and pass the white glove test -- gets a prize. Have your husband and kids gather up old items like toys, sporting equipment, and anything else they don't use to sell at a garage sale. Tell everyone you will use the profits to do something the entire family will enjoy, like bowling or a trip to an amusement park. The bathroom is often the most dreaded room to clean. Make it fun by screwing a black light into the socket, which will reveal every single speck of dirt. Keep cleaning until the room is spotless. The garage is often the messiest part of the whole house. Getting rid of that broken down lawn mower and boxes filled with God knows what can make room for something really cool -- like a stage for the kids to put on plays or a workshop for a handy spouse.

What other ways can families make Spring Cleaning fun?

Image via {just jennifer}/Flickr

7 Things Every Mom Should Do to Keep Her Car Safe

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:51:00 EDT

Post by Mary Fischer

As a mom (and a human being in general), it's so important to take every necessary precaution to make sure we're staying safe on the road while driving our kids to and from a gazillion different activities on any given day of the week. But like most of us, I'm sure when you think of "car safety," things like following the speed limit, paying attention to the road, and being aware of your surroundings are what immediately comes to mind.

But believe it or not, all of those things are much less effective if you don't take care of one key area of your vehicle -- your tires.

And yes, I know what you're thinking, "Tires? What the hell do the tires on my car matter? As long as they get me from point A to point B, they're fine."

WRONG. (So wrong.)

Up until last week, I (like most moms I know) had no idea just how important our tires are to the overall safety of our cars. I mean, I'm no car person. Like at all. Whenever anyone asks me if I know how to change a tire, I respond with, "Of course I know how. I hit the OnStar button on my rear view mirror and a magical little man shows up and does it for me."

But after attending the SuperMom Ride N' Drive event at the Cooper Tire Vehicle Test Center near San Antonio, Texas -- I'm full of all sorts of tire wisdom, which will hopefully avoid me ever actually having to press that OnStar button. And it will make me feel a whole lot better about driving around town with my son in tow too.

Here are seven things every mom should know about how to stay safe on the road -- starting with her tires. (Seriously, take these tips to heart, girls. If nothing else, you'll impress your husband with how much smarter you are about cars than he is.)

Check your tread -- The last thing you want is to hit your brakes suddenly and go into a skid because there's absolutely no tread left on your tires. And simply eye-balling the wear and tear isn't effective. An easy way to check is by using a penny. Place the edge of the penny into the tread. If the top of Lincoln's head is visible at any point on the tire -- um, duh. You need new tires. Check your pressure -- If your tires aren't inflated properly, they could fail -- and it also messes with your gas mileage (which sucks). Make sure to check your tire inflation pressure regularly, either by using a pressure gauge or having it checked at a local automotive shop. Your vehicle owner's manual will tell you the recommended pressure for your car. Rotate regularly -- Ok, I'm calling a huge fail on this one, because I'm awful about rotating my tires. It needs to be done approximately every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. (My car is at 13,000 and I've never done it. Oops.) Replace correctly -- Huh? What do you mean correctly? Ideally, if you are replacing your tires, you should do all four at once. But if you can only do two at a time, always make sure the new tires are placed on the rear of your vehicle, not the front. Believe me. I test drove two different vehicles with new tires on the front vs. the back. And yes, I had WAY more control of the car with the new rear tires. Know your sh*& -- Sigh. As sad as it may be, the minute you walk into a tire store and the salesman sees you, he assumes you have no idea what in the hell you're doing. And that's why you want to go in there ready to fire off things like, "I drive my car for xyz miles per year," and you want to be able to immediately tell him what you are interested in, based on the kind of tire that is right for your vehicle (again, consult your owner's manual). Choose wisely -- Believe it or not, all tires are not created equal. You want to select the right tire based on the conditions you'll be driving in. After test driving a car with Cooper Tires versus another well-known brand, I was amazed at the difference in how much more in control I felt of the vehicle outfitted with the Cooper Tires. And the best quality tire isn't necessarily the most expensive. (You get a lotta bang for your buck with Cooper.) Trust your senses -- This one sounds like a no brainer, but I know I'm guilty of ignoring it. You drive your car every day, and you know when something "just doesn't feel right" as far as the way it grips the road, etc. If anything feels off balance, out-of-whack, or strange -- take the time to stop and check out your tires before assuming everything is "probably fine."

Are you good about taking care of your tires?

*Disclosure: Cooper Tire sponsored this event and paid for my accommodations. Regardless of that, all my opinions, statements, and comments are my own.

Image via Cooper Tire

5 Free and Easy Ways to Get Help Decorating Your Home

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:51:00 EDT

Post by Julie Ryan Evans

Last year I wrote about how after five years in our home, I still hadn't decorated it. I was simply paralyzed by options, and choices, and just did nothing instead. I'm happy to report that now, six months later, I've finally taken some small steps that have made my house at least start looking like we own it.

Oh, there's still much more to be done, but I at least got my office started, and found bedding for my daughter's "big girl" bedroom, and found a mirror to hang in our dining room wall. Even more, that mirror is actually hung!

I found that while I didn't have the budget to hire a decorator who would just do the whole thing for me, there were plenty of other free or less-expensive options out there to help people like me. Here are five to consider if you're also home-decorating challenged ... or just want a fresh perspective.

1. In-Store Services

I had no idea how many stores will come to your home -- at no cost -- and do consultations. Now, personally, I always feel obligated to buy something if someone comes all the way to my home, but I also found that if I took in pictures on my iPad to the store, they were more than happy to give me plenty of ideas on everything from floor plans to paint colors to accessories.

2. Friends

I sat down and thought about which of my friends had homes that I love, then I sent them photos, told them what my goals for the room were, and asked them for any advice. It came flooding in with links, pictures, and suggestions.

3. Online Consultation

Much like in-store services, there are plenty of mail-order sites that will offer a consultation over the web. I worked with the folks at Serena & Lily to find the perfect duvet cover for my daughter's specialty bed, and they were incredibly helpful.

4. Houzz

If you haven't discovered this site, make sure you have some serious time to explore it before you click on it. It's addicting, but full of so many room-specific photos. It's instant inspiration at your fingertips.

5. Pinterest

Okay, sometimes this site makes us all feel inadequate, but when it comes to ideas for do-it-yourself projects and inspiration galore, this site is fantastic.

What sources do you use to help decorate your home?

Image via Julie Ryan Evans

Taylor Swift Pays for Luxurious New House in Cash and Now Harry Styles Is the One Crying

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:00:00 EDT

Post by Kiri Blakeley

This is the house that Harry Styles built. And Conor Kennedy. And Joe Jonas. And John Mayer. And, well, all of Taylor Swift's exes! You have to hand it to Taylor, she picks guys who dump her quick, but who leave her with more money than she had before. In fact, Tays has SO much money that she was able to pay $17 million for her fancy new Rhode Island digs. Cash. One payment. Taylor totally gives herself the nicest break-up presents!

The new pad is 11,000 square feet, sits on 5 acres with 700 feet of beachfront property, and has 8 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms. That's more than enough for Taylor, her parents, and her brother, all of whom will reportedly stay in the house for the summer. Finger wag to the real estate blog reader who asked if the home came with a "dungeon," which Taylor could use to keep all of her men from getting away. Tee hee.

The historic home, named "High Watch," was built in the 1930s by a prominent Philadelphia architect. Tays has classy taste -- in real estate, at least!

Taylor likes to buy houses. She notoriously bought a Hyannis Port mansion close to then-boyfriend's Conor Kennedy's place, but split up with him shortly thereafter. This time, there doesn't seem to be a paramour just over the bluff from her pad -- at least, not that we know of.

Taylor might be annoying, but she certainly is no dummy. Though local wags say this property is overpriced, sounds like she got them to drop $7 million from the asking price, and just when real estate is on the rise. Ka-ching!

It's not that easy to find a gal who can drop $17 million on a house in one fell swoop. I wonder what Harry was thinking dumping Tays only to hook up with Kimberly Stewart? Was he thinking at all?! Taylor could have been his Sugar Momma for all time!

I wonder if there are any young rich WASPY types languishing nearby whom Taylor can start up a romance with? I thinks he needs to stay away from the teen idols.

Do you like this house?

Image via 1035 WEZL/Flickr

Pinterest Vs. Reality: 18 Hilariously Bad Mom FAILS

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EDT

Post by Emily Abbate

Pinterest is awesome -- even if it is depressing as hell sometimes. So many images and projects and dreams beyond the scope of most moms, sigh. C'mon, do you know anyone in real life who actually attempted a pink, 10-turret birthday castle cake that didn't come out like looking like a pile of Play-Doh with icing? Or whose living room doesn't look like a small plastic parts manufacturing factory?

We didn't think so. The perfect lives moms imagine on Pinterest oftentimes doesn't reflect the sad reality that actually goes down, which is why we put together these 18 hilarious instances of Pinterest vs. Reality that all moms can surely relate to.

Then, embrace this hilarious truth on the CafeMom Pinterest page for a chance to win a $500 gift card to Lowe’s to make your Pinterest a reality. Visit here (http://www.cafemom.com/about/pinterestvsreality.php) and follow the instructions on the page to enter. Happy pinning and good luck!

6 Great Ways to Cut All the Kid Clutter!

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 13:04:00 EDT

Post by Gabrielle Blair

I think there are parts of minimalism that really appeal to me. Less stuff equals less clutter, right? But unless you're super dedicated to that sort of endeavor, the reality of living with kids sets in fast, and before you know it you're tripping on Tonka trucks and finding broken crayons on the bottom of your purse. With that in mind, I've put together a few good inspirations to help you kick the kid clutter to the curb (or storage basket) where it belongs.

The first? Use painter or washi tape to hang some of your child's best artwork rather than letting it sit out on the counter or clog up a drawer. It's a great non-permanent way to display their creativity at the cost of a few rolls of tape and zero damage to your walls.

See more ideas like this below:

I feel like the tiny objects -- crayons, beads, pencils, and other small items -- are my nemesis when it comes to clutter. That's why I really dig the idea of storing them in jars. You could up the charm factor and Superglue some spray painted animals on the lids, or just leave them be. Either way, a place for everything and everything in its place means no more random colored pencils rolling around on the table.

Add some casters to a plain bookshelf unit, drill some big holes for buckets, and you've got a catch-all for just about everything. Buckets for the little stuff and shelves for books and toys.

Old lockers make for superb storage if you're lucky enough to find some (I once asked at my favorite antique store, and they scouted some for me on their next buying trip. I'm sure you could do the same!) Plus, I love the industrial feel they have. Don't forget about filing cabinets, either -- they're good for more than holding folders!

Take advantage of that space under the bed and turn it into storage. Track down crates, bins, and baskets with a low profile. I've even seen people put casters on old drawers so they can easily roll under a bed. It's wasted space otherwise, so you might as well put it to use and get all that stuff off the floor!

Take your storage vertical by adding hanging shelves for books or other treasures. Storing books and toys this way opens up more floor space, and less stuff on the floor means less stuff to trip over. Total win!

So there you have it -- I hope that's enough ideas to get your gears turning. I want to hear if you have any other great ideas for cutting the clutter in your kids' rooms. Tell me in the comments below!

Images via Johnny Valiant, Craft Gossip via Brit.co, Home Portfolio, Welke, Apartment Therapy, Simplified Bee

5 Reasons Kanye West Should Never, Ever, Ever Move In With Kim Kardashian's Mom

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:49:00 EDT

Post by Adriana Velez

It looks like Kim Kardashian and Kanye West will be facing homelessness when the baby arrives. Oh ma gaaa! What will they do?!? Momager to the rescue! Apparently Kris Jenner has invited Kimye to move into her Calabasas home. How cozy -- Kontrolling Kris, Kim, Kanye, and baby makes four. What could possibly go wrong ...

So much. So very, very much could go wrong. Let's imagine what it would look like for Kanye to live with his mother-in-law.

1. Not enough closet space. Let's be real. I'm sure Kris' home is humongous, but there is no way there's enough room in it for all of Kim's clothes AND Kanye's clothes. Plus the baby's luxe layette? Oh no.

2. In our house we use coasters. I'm sure Kanye is very civilized, but you know Kris must have a thousand home rules and no way is anyone getting away with breaking them. "KANYE! I don't care how clean your Gucci loafers are, we all change out of our shoes and into slippers the MOMENT we enter my home."

3. Hidden cameras. Oh, Kanye won't be on Keeping Up? We'll just see about that. Little does he know, Kris has cameras hidden all over that damn house just waiting for the perfect candid camera moment.

4. Eavesdropping is inevitable. How can Kris possibly share a home with Kanye and not want to have a hand in his career? How? She's going to overhear phone conversations and it's going to drive her batty. "Kanye, about that line of socks you're designing ..." "WOMAN! Are you listening in on my calls again? Man, I thought I was safe in the bathroom."

5. Taste. No doubt Kanye has com-puh-leetly different tastes in home decor than his MIL does. And you know how strongly Kanye feels about matters of style. Five minutes of immersion in a design he doesn't approve of, and he breaks out into hives. "F*** this Greek key motif where like it's 2007 ..."

Well fans, we're not the only ones who saw disaster on the horizon. A friend of Kanye's told Hollywood Life, "It’s a nice gesture for them to open up their home to Kanye and Kim and their baby, but that’s not going down." Seems Kanye just hates to impose on anyone. But don't you worry about the Kimye family -- I'm sure they'll find some pretty swell digs while they wait for their new house to be ready.

How long do you think Kanye would last living with his mother-in-law?

Image via Pacific Coast News