CasaSugar

Holiday Entertaining Essentials

CasaSugar — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 16:00:51 -0800

Since this month's theme is Home Entertainment, I thought you might be interested in iVillage's list of items that are essential to throwing a good home-based party. I've excerpted part of the list below, and while I don't agree that disposable hand towels are a party essential (setting out several hand towels next to the sink is a more economical and environmental option), most of these tips are definite party musts. Since I have a party coming up this weekend - a traditional German Christmas party called a Feuerzangenbowle that my fiancé throws every year - I know that I'm going to take iVillage's advice and stock up on many of these supplies.

Invitations. Set the tone for your holiday gathering with an invitation that reflects your party style - casual or formal, trendy or traditional.
Fresh flowers. Flowers are a lovely and welcoming addition to a table or a guest bedroom. Buy a bunch and use them for decoration.
Party favors. Send guests home with a small favor to help them remember your gathering. Candles, photographs, and cookies are fun and festive options.
Centerpiece. Assemble a holiday-themed centerpiece. For Christmas, find pine garlands, holly, mistletoe, and pine cones. For Hanukkah, purchase dreidels and chocolate gelt.
Firewood. A roaring fire will make your guests feel cozy and warm on a cold night. An even better option is using a Duraflame log. If you don't have a fireplace, and add a soft glow with candles.
Wreaths. Create an inviting entrance to your home with a seasonal wreath. Eucalyptus or pine will evoke the spirit of the holidays.
Soap. Fancy soaps, whether molded or French milled, will make your guests feel pampered.

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DIY: Button-Backed Chair

CasaSugar — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 09:49:10 -0700

My grandmother, who's always had a great waste-not-want-not philosophy, has jars upon jars of buttons. When I was a little girl I used to spend hours going through all of the cool, decade-spanning buttons she'd collected, trying to think of a good use for them. And now, thanks to iVillage, I've found an awesome use for them. (Grandma? Are you reading? Need a project?)

I'm liking the funky vibe that the DIY element adds to this prim and proper chair. This project is from the book Simple Sewing with a French Twist: An Illustrated Guide to Sewing Clothes and Home Accessories with Style, by Celine Dupuy. As long as you can sew a button on a shirt, you can complete this project.

What You'll Need

Medallion chair
1 rectangle thick cotton fabric, 16 by 15 inches (40 by 38 cm)
1 rectangle thick iron-on interfacing, 16 by 15 inches (40 by 38 cm)
3 sheets paper, 11 by 17 inches
Scotch tape
Lots of buttons
Pencil
Dressmaking scissors
Tailor's chalk
Fine sewing needle
Tape measure or ruler
Spray textile adhesive
3 spools thread

For step-by-step instructions and a link to a slideshow, read more

First of all, if you're having any trouble following these directions, I suggest skipping directly to the slideshow on iVillage. But if you're crafting-savvy, just read on.

How to Make It

Join the sheets of paper together with Scotch tape. Position against the oval of the chair back and draw the outline to make a pattern. Cut out the oval of the pattern, draw the outline onto the iron-on interfacing, and cut out.
Press the oval of iron-on interfacing onto the thick cotton fabric using a hot iron. Let cool and then cut out the fabric, leaving a seam allowance of 1 1/4 inches (3 cm) around the iron-on oval (top illustration). Cut V-shaped notches around the edge of the fabric, press, fold down, and stick the notches to the iron-on interfacing with textile adhesive.
Cover the front of the oval with different-sized buttons, overlapping them slightly and stitching by hand with double pearlized thread . Then, stick the oval to the chair back with spray adhesive
Take a well-deserved sitdown on your lovely new chair!

10 Things You Can Quit Cleaning

CasaSugar — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 08:42:00 -0700

I had to stop when I saw this headline on iVillage: 10 things you can quit cleaning right now. After all, I love having a clean house, but I wouldn't mind being able to cut a few things out of my routine.

The list offers some great ideas, but I have mixed feelings about it. Many of the solutions are devoted to disposing of items - like shower-curtain liners - instead of cleaning them. I used to be a big fan of tossing versus washing, and I'm still very tempted by the idea. But then I feel guilty about creating more waste. Take a look at the list and tell me what you think when you read more

Sneakers. Just buy dark-colored ones and wear them until they fall apart.
Grill grate. When you're done grilling, leave the grill going. Close the cover over the grate and let any residue cook off for 15 minutes. Throw that wire brush away.
Soccer balls. Everybody expects them to be marred and mud splotched. Think of it as a badge of honor.
Shower curtain liner. They're cheap. Throw your mildewed liner out and buy a new one every six months.
Pillow. A washed pillow takes hours to dry. Throw it out and buy a new one every six to eight months.
Stove drip pans. Use your grungy ones for everyday cooking, and keep a shiny new set to use when guests come.
Ventilation ducts. Despite the advertising, regular professional duct cleaning is unnecessary.
Fireplace walls. Everybody expects a fireplace to have blackened walls. And you'll breathe even easier if you give up fires altogether.
Waxing the car. The newer finishes are so tough that cars don't need it anymore.
Making the bed. Give it up - doctor's orders.

Liquid Soap For Home Entertaining

CasaSugar — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 16:32:53 -0800

Last week, I shared with you iVillage's list of items that are essential to throwing a good home-based party. One of them was soaps: According to iVillage, "fancy soaps, whether molded or French milled, will make your guests feel pampered." At my recent Feuerzangenbowle extravaganza party, my fancy bar soaps, I have to admit, were pretty icky by the end of the night. This leads me to the conclusion that the best solution is liquid soap. There are plenty of fancy liquid soaps out there now to choose from. Crabtree & Evelyn has a great selection, and I love love love their Gardeners Hand Therapy Caddy Set ($32). The set comes with liquid hand wash and shea butter hand cream in a charming rust-proof sink caddy. The green clover, lavender, sage rosemary and thyme scents keep all of your guests smelling fresh, and more importantly, clean. You can always go back to the bar soaps when your party is over. But in the interest of keeping things looking nice, entertain with non-icky liquid soaps.

Planting Perennials For Your Fall Garden

CasaSugar — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 06:00:23 -0700

I named autumn perennials one of my must-haves for September. After all, just because summer is fading fast doesn't mean you can't enjoy gazing at a colorful flower garden for a few more months.

In fact, late summer / early fall is the ideal time to plant flowers that will bloom into the cold season. For ideas on what to grow, iVillage has a great list of seven star fall perennials; here are a few for you to try.

Seven of the Best Fall Perennials, via iVillage

Ceratostigma: This fall beauty has brilliant clusters of blooms. It makes great ground cover with shiny dark green leaves that turn red during late fall. Does well in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun.
Cimicifuga: This species does well in a moist, shady to partial shady location with fertile, humus-rich soil. Certain species (ramose Atropurpurea) has very divided leaves that are mahogany and purple stemmed with very slender, candle-like creamy white flowers.

For five more Fall perennials to try, read more

Coreopsis: This is a perennial that never stops giving. It is best known for its petite yellow flowers on wiry stems that keep on blooming throughout the summer and into the fall. But with the addition of a deep burgundy red species Limerock Beauty and Sweet Dreams (it's white with raspberry eyes), this sturdy little perennial that thrives in full sun or partial shade in well drained soil can now be utilized in a variety of fall gardens.
Perovskia (Russian Sage): This fantastic woody-based plant is classified as an herb, but its striking gray foliage and lavender blue to gray-blue flowers make it a gorgeous summer and fall perennial. Will thrive in poor to moderately fertile soil in full sun. Beautiful planted en masse in a mixed border.
Sedum (Stonecrop): This is one of the all-time great fall perennials. This is a genus of about 400 species of succulents and does well in full sun in moderately fertile, neutral soil. Several of the sedums are used as ground cover and have fleshy, light green leaves with star shaped, five-petaled flowers that come in white, yellow and pinkish to burgundy tone. Sedum Autumn Joy looks stupendous when combined with a purple-toned aster.
Japanese Anemone: These bloom from late summer through mid-fall and are chosen for their delicate-petaled faces ranging in color from white to soft pink, and from deep pink to dark rose. They thrive in moist but well drained, humus-rich soil in sun to partial shade.
Aster (Michaelmas Daisy, New England Aster): A large group of perennials that can be grown in a variety of sites. The fall blooming asters are utilized as a border for the mass of color they offer. Whether you choose white, lavender blue, bright pink, purple with a yellow eye, or a medium blue, when purchased in large quantities and planted in sweeps, asters are synonymous with the autumn garden.

DIY: Slipcovered Crate Ottoman

CasaSugar — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 06:00:55 -0700

I love ottomans for their many functions: They serve as footrests, extra seats, and, in some cases, hidden storage. But pretty, plush ottomans aren't exactly cheap, so I love this idea for making your own slipcovered crate ottoman from iVillage.

Though this DIY project has a lot of steps, don't let that deter you. It's actually really easy, and you don't even need to know how to sew. Plus, by making an ottoman instead of buying one, you can choose the utterly ideal fabric for your house. For everything you'll need and step-by-step instructions, read more

Slipcovered Crate Ottoman
via iVillage

What you'll need

At least 8 square feet of 1-inch-thick foam
Long ruler
Marker
Scissors
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
14 x 7 x 10 1/2-inch plastic crate
Cake of 4-inch-thick foam at least 16 x 19 inches
Long serrated knife
1 1/2 yards upholstery-weight fabric
Pencil
4 yards coordinating piping
Straight pins
Office-type stapler and staples

How to make it

Draw the following dimensions on the 1-inch foam using the ruler and marker: two rectangles at 10 1/2 x 16 inches and two at 10 1/2 x 17. Cut out the foam with scissors.
Hot glue the 17-inch-long foam pieces to the crate sides of that length. Glue the 16-inch-long pieces to the 14-inch-long sides (they will overlap the foam on the adjacent side). If your crate has protrusions for stacking, apply the glue to these.
Draw a 16-x-19-inch rectangle on the 4-inch foam and cut it out with the serrated knife. Hot glue the foam to the crate bottom (which henceforth will be called the top, since it's the ottoman's seat).
On the wrong side of the fabric, use the pencil to mark the dimensions of the slipcover. For the ottoman's sides, two panels at 17 1/2 x 17 inches and two at 17 1/2 x 20 inches. For the top, 17 x 20 inches. Cut out the fabric panels and separate them by size.
Cut four 17 1/2-inch lengths of piping and set aside the remainder.
Join the side panels like this: Lay down a 17 1/2 x 17-inch panel, pattern side up, with the 17 1/2-inch edge near you. Lay a piece of cut piping, with its flat part facing you, 1/2 inch in from the fabric's near edge. Pin it in place. Lay down a 17 1/2 x 20-inch panel, pattern side down, with its 17 1/2-inch edge in line with the near edge of the bottom fabric and pin it in place. With the stapler in one hand, feel for the round part of the piping with your free hand and apply staples through the three layers, about 1/2 inch apart, as close as possible to the round part of the piping. Remove the pins. Continue to attach the remaining side panels by alternating the sizes and lining up the 17 1/2-inch edges.
Lay down the top fabric panel, pattern side up, and pin the remaining piping along all four edges, beginning and ending at the same corner. The flat part of the piping should be 1/2 inch from the edge and facing outward. Cut off any excess piping.
To join the top panel to the side panels, slip the sides onto the ottoman inside out. Center the top panel over the top of the ottoman, pattern side down, and pin its edges to the side panels' edges. All around the perimeter, staple through the two fabrics and the flat part of the piping as in step 6. Remove the pins.
Turn the slipcover right side out and put it back on the ottoman. Pull down the fabric firmly. Flip over the ottoman, turn under the loose edges and hot glue them to the inside of the crate.

Casa Quickie: Mirrored Furniture That Doesn't Shatter the Bank

CasaSugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:15:57 -0700

If you love mirrored furniture as much as I do, but don't have the dolla dolla bills to make it happen in your living room, there is hope. Find a piece of furniture you already own, or thrift one, and have a local glass cutter custom cut you a mirror (or several pieces of mirror) to the measurements of your table, dresser, etc. Sand the surface of your table lightly and adhere the mirror to your table with mirror adhesive like Liquid Nails. Presto! Your very own art deco-style furnishing. For detailed instructions, check out iVillage.
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Five Easy Herbs to Start Your Garden

CasaSugar — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 08:23:48 -0700

I know that many of you wish you had an herb garden, and luckily, they are very easy to get going. For real beginners, iVillage has rounded up five very easy herbs to grow in your garden.

Not only will these durable plants require very little maintenance, but they're also herbs that show up commonly in recipes. Now, rather than buying big bunches of herbs and watching them go bad, you can just snip off your own supply. For the five good beginner herbs, read more

Basil differs from many popular herbs in its preference for moist, rich soil conditions. It's a summer-growing annual and is frost-sensitive.
Cilantro, or coriander, a pungent herb of tropical Asian origin, is related to parsley. It requires warmth and plenty of water in the summer growing season. The plant tends to run to seed, so make sure you buy a nonbolting variety.
Mint is a flavoring herb with many varieties, tastes, and aromas. Popular varieties include apple, spearmint, and peppermint. Mint spreads profusely, so keep the plants contained.
Oregano and marjoram are very similar and are often confused: Marjoram is the milder tasting of the two. Use either one in stuffings or in dishes with a Mediterranean flavor. Golden and variegated forms are useful ground covers.
Sage, particularly common sage, is a major culinary herb, but most other members of the Salvia family have cosmetic uses.

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Casa Verde: Guilt-Free Doggie Doo Bags

CasaSugar — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 07:30:53 -0700

There are many ways to deal with the problem of plastic grocery bags. You can carry your groceries in cloth totes instead, recycle the bags, or get crafty with them. But one of the main ways that people reuse plastic bags is as dog-poo scoopers.

While I can understand the desire to put some plastic between you and your dog's droppings, you're still adding more plastic bags to the landfills every time your dog has to go. Thankfully, I've found an alternative. These Business Bags ($5.95 for 40) are made from corn-based plastic, so they will biodegrade in just 45 days. With these, you'll get the protection of plastic without harming the Earth. That sure beats regular plastic bags, which can take years, sometimes hundreds of years, to decompose.

via iVillage

Get Your Home Ready for Fall

CasaSugar — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 10:45:28 -0700

While we're plotting our smooth transition from Summer into Fall, I wanted to share a few tips from iVillage on how to prep your home for the changing seasons. Some of the back-to-school pointers don't really apply in my case, since I don't have any kids to worry about yet, but as a gardener and advanced planner, I found a lot of this stuff spot-on. Here are some important things to keep in mind.

Prepare the lawn or garden for falling temperatures. Remove weeds, seed and fertilize the lawn, and plant any spring-blooming bulbs. In areas where the ground freezes, consider mulching flower beds. The mulch will protect plants when the weather gets cold.

Four more handy hints, so read more

Clean outdoor furniture and equipment with a mild soap solution and water. If possible, bring it indoors for the winter. No room to store all that gear in the house or garage? Wrap it tightly with a tarp or other cover that will protect it from strong weather and the rays of the sun.
Cooler temperatures mean warmer jackets and heavier shoes. Don't let these items clutter up the entryway. Carve out a space near the doorway to store them. If you don't have a coat closet, consider hanging coat hooks at and setting out baskets for shoes.
Give the living room a quick and affordable makeover for fall with just a few simple touches. Pillows, throws and slipcovers in a rich fall fabric or color are easy ways to give the room a new look, while an arrangement of autumn flowers brings the seasonal changes indoors.
Falling temperatures also mean cool autumn nights. It's time to pull out the blankets that you stored away in the spring. Give your bed a new look with a throw in an autumnal color or rich fabric.

What do you do to get your house ready for cooler weather? Tell me in the comments section below.
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