Aren’t these luminaries gorgeous? They’re actually made using wax and balloon. Candletech.com has instructions including step-by-step photos on how to create your own beautiful wax luminaries.

1. Fill a water balloon with tepid water.
2. Melt your wax. Optimum working temperature for this project is 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Try to maintain this temperature for your wax while working by keeping it on a double boiler.
3. Slowly dip your balloon into the wax to just below the water level in the balloon. Warning: Do not dip the balloon into the wax past the water level. This could cause the balloon to pop.
4. Hold the balloon in the wax for a few seconds, and then slowly lift it out of the wax. Dip the balloon a few more times, allowing some time between dips to let the wax cool.
5. While it is still quite warm, carefully set the balloon down onto a piece of paper or a cookie sheet, making sure it is level. This will create a flat bottom for the luminary.
6. Dip your balloon a few more times until it is the desired thickness. A good target thickness is 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch.
7. Set the balloon on the paper or cookie sheet again and let it cool.
8. When the wax is completely cooled, hold the balloon over a sink or bucket, facing away from you. Carefully pop the balloon with a skewer or knife and let the water drain out. Throw away the balloon shards.
9. To level the top of the luminary, heat a cookie sheet on the stove and place the luminary top-down onto the hot sheet and carefully melt the edges until it is level.
10. Place a tea light or votive inside the luminary and burn on a candle holder in a dark area.

I love DIYing and I would love love to do this for my wedding.  Unfortunately, I think we’re doing a day wedding so candles are not really needed .

Casa Sugar

I bought the Underbed Shoe Chest from The Container Store to store the shoes that I don’t often wear. I thought it was a good idea to utilize the space under my bed. But do yourself a favor and buy something else.

• The Underbed Shoe Chest wasn’t “virtually indestructible.” After pulling it out under the bed just a few times, the handle came off.
• The dividers are only attached to the sides of the storage, not at the bottom. The dividers barely keep the shoes in their place and it was a mess.
• The spaces between dividers are tiny and only regular shoes fit, not booties or boots.
• For $14.99, I don’t think it is worth it.

From what I’ve experienced, I would recommend buying a hard shell storage rather than soft vinyl for under the bed. It’s easier to pull and does not get bent out of shape. Some hard shell storage also come with wheels.

Think before throwing away your stuff (or junk) that you want to get rid of. There are a lot of organizations and websites that you can go to or join to get rid of all those stuff you have.

• BookMooch – trade and receive used books
• EcoPhones – recycle cell phones, digital cameras, DVDs, laptops, MP3 players and get money back
• Freecycle.org – a network of Yahoo! groups around the world where members can donate and/or find stuff they need.
• Recycles.org – free computer and office electronics exchange network
• Rehash – swap clothes and accessories with others
• Salvation Army – global thrift shops where your donations are tax-deductible.
• Second Rotation – a online site where you can cash in your electronics and gadgets with market value or donate for proper recycling items with no market value, shipping is free.
• Donate to churches, schools, non-profit organizations.
• Resources: Earth 911, NYC Stuff Exchange, Share Technology, Used Computer

UPDATE:

08/08/13: Here are additional sites where you can get info on donating your stuff:

• Recycling for Charities – the organization donates the value of your donated electronics to the charity of your choice
• Apple iPod Recycling Program – bring your old iPod to an Apple store and receive 10% on the purchase of a new iPod

(image from Dance With Shadows)

Click on image to enlarge

I fell inlove with the Carlyle Stool Set when I saw them in a Target store. I ordered them online with the free shipping and 15% discount and they arrived in 2 days. I highly recommend them, also the table in the set (review to come). They’re very beautiful and they look so chic in my small dining room. The price is great too.  I bought a set of two for $129.99 not including the 15% discount.  It was once on sale for $99.99.

QUALITY:
They seem well constructed. I haven’t sat on them many times yet, but so far so good.

CONDITION:
They arrived in good condition with parts complete. There was one little scratch on one of the back rests, but it wasn’t very noticeable. A little dark paint or maybe with a Sharpie and you will never know there was a scratch.

ASSEMBLY & INSRUCTIONS:
Very easy. The instructions are mostly diagrams/images. What I love about the assembly was that the hardware (i.e. screws) are grouped with each step. Not like most assembly where the hardware are mixed together and you end up wasting time looking for the right hardware for each step. The only complaint I have was that the cushions don’t have holes or guides to where you have to screw them in.

TIPS:
1. When screwing the “square” part to the back rest (Step 1), make sure that the three holes are facing upwards. I didn’t realize they were for the cushions at that early stage of the assembly. I made a mistake once and the chair ended up not being level.
2. Do not screw the parts in tight yet so you can easily adjust them to make the chair more level.  You can tighten them up in the end.
3. Find the middle of the cushion and draw a light line at the bottom from front to back to guide you where to screw the middle screw.

The family room is very tiny and I want it to be cozy and toasty.

1. Of course you need a couch or something to sit on.  The convenience of changing slipcovers with the Ikea Ektorp sofa is what I like.  In addition, the sofa is not only cheap, but Ikea just had a 20% promotion on their sofas .
   Price: $649

2. The basement floor is all tiles so to make the family room more cozy and warm, I would need a rug that is really soft.  I’m still on the lookout for nice shaggy rugs.  The Aladdin shag rag at JCPenney looks pretty nice.
   Price: $249

3. I have one empty wall and since the baseboard heater is on that wall, I thought these leaning bookshelves would be perfect!
   Price: $99 x 2

4. Of course, don’t forget the TV.  I would need a TV stand that is tiny enough so my sofa bed, when open, will fit.
   Price: $69.99

I’ve decided on a dark brown and white/cream color scheme for the bedroom.  Since the bedroom has only 2 small windows, I’m looking to use light paint (shade of white probably) for the walls.

1. I am still not sure whether to put frames on top of the headboard or this beautiful shadowbox mirrors.  How romantic will it be to have the lights off and only the candles lit?
   Price: $39.95 ea

2. The dresser will be used as a TV stand for the bedroom and more storage for clothes.
   Price: $279

3. I think this upholstered headboard is so adorable and fit my color scheme well.  I am not really fond of visible bed frames, so I decided to just use those metal frames where you put a 2-piece mattress, so a headboard is definitely a must for me.
   Price: $299

4. The Hemnes mirror chest is perfect complete with mirror, little drawers for little vanity items, and three regular drawers for more storage.  Even though I seldom wear make-up, what girl doesn’t need a vanity chest?
   Price: $249

5. I fell in love with all the pull-out shelves, pull-out drawers, pull-out pants hanger and frosted glass doors from the Pax/Komplement series at Ikea, so I decided to go with it and customize it to my needs.  I know it’s not very cheap, but I want it!
   Price: $720 combination

Our house is tiny, but I’ve always loved this place because of its location.  It is very accessible and convenient, but still a little remote.  Our street is only one block long.  The subway station is two blocks away.  It takes about 15 minutes to get to Manhattan via the subway.  There’s a shopping center a block away and another three blocks away.

I found this site called Walk Score which assigns a score to a property based on nearby stores, restaurants, schools, parks, etc.  It practically answers how walkable your property or neighborhood is.  This is very helpful if you’re looking to buy a property.  My house scored 85 out of a hundred.

Some of you might prefer to drive, but as a New Yorker, I prefer to walk.  I need the exercise anyway.

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As I start shopping for items for the basement, I got a little obsessed with oil and vinegar cruets.  My dining table is of an espresso color and I figured that white accents would look great.  Below are some white oil and vinegar cruets I found online:

Click images to shop

CB2 oil and vinegar bottles

Sagaform® Tapas Oil and Vinegar Set

Mint Salad Song Cruet Set

Apollo Drizzlers

Read on…

I’ve been trying to look for this bottle or container (circled in green).  I don’t even know what it’s called.  But I haven’t been successful.  If anyone has seen it or anything similar or just know what it’s called, I would greatly appreciate it if you could share the info.  I really would like to buy a couple of these.  I’m a little obsessed lol.

Click image to enlarge

I got the photo from the current Ikea Kitchen catalog if that helps.  Thanks!