• The Furnished Walnut Archive

    “One arm longer than the other.” That’s what my mom used to call house guests who came to dinner empty-handed. If there was one thing she sought to teach us kids, it was to always bring something when invited into someone’s home. Next week marks the beginning of a season where we spend more time visiting with family and friends than we do all year. I always like to have a stash of ready-to-go gifts on hand to show the host and hostess how much I appreciate their hospitality, whether it’s my sister or a member of my book group. Of course, finding that universal gift can be challenging, so I usually defer to something that accents the home. And for Thanksgiving, what better place [&hellip

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    Tomorrow is my newly minted 6th grader’s middle school orientation (gasp!!). That means getting her schedule, figuring out how to get to her classes (in 2 minutes or less!) and checking out her locker. It’s all new territory for the both of us, and while it’s exciting, it’s also a bit nerve-wracking. To take the edge off, we went out shopping for school and stumbled upon the latest in must-have supplies. LockerLookz has an entire line of decor items that turn any boring old receptacle for books and backpacks, into a personalized space that’s uniquely your own. Call it a tween girl’s home away from home, if you will. We were in awe over the sheer number of ways you can outfit your space, from [&hellip

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    When my 10-year- old was a baby, she received more piggy banks than we knew what to do with. Seriously, was this some sort of hint that we start saving right away for her college education? Oddly enough, when her younger sister was born 4 years later, no one bestowed her with any means for saving her dollars. So how is that then that she is our resident saver, while her sister likes to spend her bucks right away? But that’s a story for another day…If there’s one thing I noticed, it’s that the idea of giving a a piggybank as a gift is as exciting as getting pajamas on Christmas morning. How do you go about making something practical a little more exciting? We [&hellip

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    Next weekend is Father’s Day…have you picked out a tie yet? Yes, we know it can’t be easy for to buy something for the guy who has everything…and it’s even more challenging if he’s not into golfing, grilling or playing with his big-boy tools. To add a little spice to his day, why not go a la Boardwalk Empire and pick up some hand-crafted moonshine? Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine makes 10 different flavors passed down from old family recipes, and packs them in moonshine jugs and jars that make extra-special gifts. From Original Moonshine, to Charred Moonshine, each has a distinct flavor all its own…and one that dear ol’ dad may want to keep all to himself….If your guy is trying to cut down on [&hellip

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    It’s like The Big Chill in our Frozen-obsessed house. Can you relate? My girls can’t get enough of this movie, and I know we’re not alone. Just last week, our plumber was singing “Let It Go” as he fixed our leaky sink…et tu, Brute? As this record-setting Disney franchise continues to amaze and delight fans of all ages, prepare yourselves for the continued onslaught of Frozen-themed goodies. With so many stores already sold out of Frozen toys, dolls and dress-up clothes, insiders are predicting a new wave of merchandise lasting well into the holiday season. (Really? Guess that means Olaf might make it to that summer he’s been longing for…). Naturally, we’re keeping our eyes peeled for any and all things Frozen, and so we’re [&hellip

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    Walk into any supermarket, drug store, Target or Walmart these days, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a seasonal aisle that’s not overrun by Marshmallow Peeps. This well-loved Easter basket confectionery has expanded from its color palette from traditional yellow, into a vast array of rainbow-bright chicks that have now commanded their own designated section on store shelves. (Whoever said it was bunnies that multiply?). As if the love of all things Peeps couldn’t grow much bigger, Yankee Candle has just released a Peeps Marshmallow Chicks candle just in time for Easter. One whiff of this scented springtime candle, and you’ll be ready to dive into your stash of Easter treats, long before the bunny himself arrives. This weekend, on Saturday, March 15th, Yankee Candle [&hellip

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    Because my 5-year-old is infatuated with all things bunny these days, Easter can’t come soon enough this year. And after the winter we’ve all just endured, I don’t mind adding some signs of early spring to our home decor. This season’s Pottery Barn Kids catalog is teeming with tons of Easter goodies to outfit your home in its Sunday finest. Top on our hunt for Easter finds that make a statement  is a tabletop runner, and we’ve found just the one. The Peter Rabbit Table Runner features watercolor-hued illustrations taken from the pages of the classic children’s book: the perfect complement to any dining room that prides itself on timeless style. And if you’ll be hosting the holiday this year, and want to turn your [&hellip

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    Right now, I am listening to the ocean waves as they lap at my feet. The gulls are circling overhead as I sip from a cold concoction and inhale the tropical scents of coconut and pineapple. I inhale deeply and the intoxicating scent of salt mixed with sunscreen overcomes me…and then I wake up. Yes, my reality is that it’s snowing for the sixth time this winter (but who’s really counting), and my kids are yet again home from school. And since they’ll most likely be home again tomorrow, with frigid temperatures keeping us indoors, I’ll have to rely on my active fantasy life to get me through the next 24 hours or so. If this forecast is any indication of the next couple of [&hellip

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    No matter how many times we clean it, our family room still ends up looking like a storm blew through it. “What’s the point in cleaning up if it just gets messy again?,” purports my precocious 9-year-old. Despite her “logic,” I’d still like our home to resemble a somewhat civilized place. If you subscribe to the philosophy of  ‘a place for everything, and everything in its place,’ but are looking for something a little more stylish than those acrylic bins from the dollar store, we’ve found just the source for you. Pehr Designs offers Petit Pehr upscale nursery and play room furnishings that fit into your home decor seamlessly and without pretense. The storage bins are roomy enough to stash a menagerie of stuffed animals, [&hellip

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    When my younger daughter was in diapers, my legs got quite a workout. I was forever forgetting to bring an extra pack of diapers downstairs, and so made many a mad dash up to her room to grab a fresh diaper, wipes and other necessities. When I finally got my act together, I put together a small wicker basket filled with supplies. As tasteful as it was, this basket wasn’t entirely practical. I sometimes tripped over it when it was in the middle of the floor, and it never looked right in the middle of the dining room table. Now, if the Windel had been around when I was a new mom, my home might have looked a lot less cluttered, and I might not [&hellip

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