Posts by Josie Swindler
Josie Swindler is an editor at AOL's home and gardening sites and a contributor to ShelterPop. Right now she's on the hunt for an affordable floor mirror.
Lilly Pulitzer for Garnet Hill is Here!
Yowza! It wouldn't be hard to wake up to these bright prints. Photo: Garnet Hill
Garnet Hill has started selling a new line of bedding, bathroom accessories and more that is unmistakably Lilly.
In fact, the 50-year-old company also has partnerships in the works with MAC Cosmetics and LeSportsac and recently debuted a new green line. "In difficult times, the single best way to succeed is by being innovative," Lilly Pulitzer president James Bradbeer, Jr. recently told Women's Wear Daily (subscription required). "And in difficult times, we provide an island of happy."
The bedding collection includes the designs "Retro to Bohemian," "Happy and Bright," "Follow the Sun!" and "The Life of the Party," which was inspired by a cocktail dress, according to WWD. The bathroom collection includes towels, bath rugs and shower curtains.
Lilly Pultizer's preppy pinks, greens and blues are now on bedding. Photo: Garnet Hill
Decorating, Color, Shopping, Bedroom, Your Home, Design, etc, News & Trends
Gingerbread House Inspiration
If you're thinking of laying some foundation this weekend--on a gingerbread house, that is--remind yourself that as long as the walls stand up there's no right or wrong. Check out these amazing gingerbread houses for inspiration and go preheat that oven! Don't even think about calling in a contractor.
Party Ideas & Table Settings, Fun Stuff, Crafts & Projects, Holidays
The Inflatable "Slouchback" Is No Slouch
The Slouchback, its founders hope, is no less than a new way to sit. Presumably spurred by aching backs after leaning on cinder blocks in their dorm rooms, some recent college graduates teamed up to produce the Slouchback, a high quality inflatable backer that turns any surface into something resembling a couch. It's been on sale since August on its website, and is making its way into college bookstores across the country.
I took the Slouchback for a test drive to see whether it stood up to, well, sitting down. (I tried as best I could to simulate a college student's grueling lifestyle. Yes, I even bellyflopped onto it.)
I took the Slouchback for a test drive to see whether it stood up to, well, sitting down. (I tried as best I could to simulate a college student's grueling lifestyle. Yes, I even bellyflopped onto it.)
Self-Publish with Snapfish Photo Books
It's that time of year again when you can hardly bite into a gingerbread cookie without someone snapping a photo. But for me at least, all that digital cameras have done is let me bury my photos in computer files rather than burying my developed film in boxes in the closet. It's just hard to figure out a way to tastefully preserve and display the pictures. Photo books, real hardcover versions created online with digital photos, may be one way. I decided to "field test" Snapfish's photo book offerings. See how mine turned out after the jump!
BEFORE
BEFORE
"On the Cuff" Sponges Are All Wet
These sponge bracelets aim to keep your arms dry during wet chores. Photo: On the Cuff
To kick things off, we tested On the Cuff, the name of a new company and its product--spongey bracelets that are supposed to keep water from running down your arms when you're washing dishes, the car or your face. Here's what we decided:
They basically work (except for one petite-wristed editor), but they solve a problem you never knew you had. And for $8 a pair.
I don't have a dishwasher, but don't have much trouble with wayward water when I'm cleaning cups. As for the occasional dribble when I'm bent over the sink, a hand towel always works fine for me. So I felt like I was missing something, because apparently rude rivulets are a major annoyance for the founder of On the Cuff, and for the satisfied customers behind the testimonials on the product's website.
I was more confused (and a little itchy) than dissatisfied, but another ShelterPop tester said, "I wasn't a fan. They got in the way more than anything. I'm trying to think of a creative use for them...."
Bottom line: you'll know if you need them, but you probably don't. They're available here.
Solutions, Cleaning & Storage, Shopping, Storage & Cleaning, Cleaning
All is Calm, All is Bright: Crazy Christmas Lights
Everyone knows that one household in the neighborhood that gets a little overenthusiastic when it comes to putting up the Christmas lights (to say nothing of the fact that they don't come down til May). Whether you love 'um or hate 'um, we can all agree that the holiday season wouldn't be the same without them. Take a look at these spirited households and just be glad they're not your neighbors -- and that it's not your electric bill!
Head to UglyChristmasLights.com to see even more (and to submit your own).
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Extravagant Christmas Light Displays
Whoa--it looks like the neighbors in this Bristol, England neighborhood didn't get the memo.
Matt Cardy, Getty Images
We're pretty sure there is a house under there...somewhere. It's lit up as part of a lights festival in Mandaluyong, a suburb of Manila, Philippines.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds, Getty Images
This family in Glen Cove, New York really needs a few more figurines, don't you think?
HGTV / AP
It might be a clue that you've overdecorated when the inflatables are bigger than your house! This one's in the Bronx.
Don Emmert, Getty Images
Santa Claus gets help celebrating the holiday in Two Johns, Maryland from an unlikely source: Barney the dinosaur.
Damon Dahlen, AOL
Unfortunately, this Pasadena, California display doesn't have a chance of being covered by snow.
David McNew, Getty Images
This home, covered in 48,000 bulbs, won the title of Denmark's most beautifully decorated home. The residents' finishing touch was the 60 Santa figurines from around the world.
Privat, AFP / Getty Images
This Murray, Utah home is now a local landmark, thanks to its showstopping display.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Morning News / AP
This homeowner in Saugus, Massachusetts needed to use his trees and the waterfront to reach a grand total of 85,000 lights.
Lisa Poole, AP
This spirited resident in this Melksham, England home starts planning his lighting display in July. He pays a lot for the extra electricity, but raises more in donations for a local hospice.
Matt Cardy, Getty Images
Tree Trimming Inspiration
Companies that sell Christmas accoutrements have a difficult task: every season, they basically have to reinvent the Christmas tree. But their hard work is our gain--the new decor styles provide great inspiration for the amateur tree-trimmer.
While browsing new Christmas lines at a trade show in Las Vegas in September (it was 95 degrees and hard to get in the spirit) I spotted this genius idea: turn your Christmas tree upside down! If you used a lightweight artificial tree I don't think it would be too hard to make it work. Then decorate as usual. Same ornaments, same tinsel, totally new look. Presents make a great tree topper, er, on the bottom.
One trend became clear pretty quickly: tree toppers are out. Instead, display trees featured a creative variety. Some trees had holly branches tied to the top, like a natural extension of three, while others utilized sparkly bursts of sophisticated pipe cleaners. I especially loved this giant Santa hat on top of a Santa Claus-themed tree. Too cute!
Photos: Josie Swindler
While browsing new Christmas lines at a trade show in Las Vegas in September (it was 95 degrees and hard to get in the spirit) I spotted this genius idea: turn your Christmas tree upside down! If you used a lightweight artificial tree I don't think it would be too hard to make it work. Then decorate as usual. Same ornaments, same tinsel, totally new look. Presents make a great tree topper, er, on the bottom.
One trend became clear pretty quickly: tree toppers are out. Instead, display trees featured a creative variety. Some trees had holly branches tied to the top, like a natural extension of three, while others utilized sparkly bursts of sophisticated pipe cleaners. I especially loved this giant Santa hat on top of a Santa Claus-themed tree. Too cute!
Decorating, Party Ideas & Table Settings, Fun Stuff, Crafts & Projects, Parties & Entertaining, Holidays
The Prettiest Frost Ever
Gardening content has necessarily slowed down on ShelterPop as much of the country braces for cooler weather, mittens and hot chocolate. But it appears the flowers aren't ready to retreat quite yet! When we spotted these remarkable photos of flowers hanging on well after the first frost, we couldn't help but think that spring will be here again soon. Right? Right?
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http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/media_gallery/v1/ke_media_gallery_wrapper.swf
First Frost
These beautiful frozen flowers prove that springtime isn't the only season in bloom.
Getty Images
These beautiful frozen flowers prove that springtime isn't the only season in bloom.
Michael Urban/AFP, Getty Images
These beautiful frozen flowers prove that springtime isn't the only season in bloom.
Getty Images
These beautiful frozen flowers prove that springtime isn't the only season in bloom.
Joseph Devenney, Getty Images
These beautiful frozen flowers prove that springtime isn't the only season in bloom.
Corbis
These beautiful frozen flowers prove that springtime isn't the only season in bloom.
Chris Jackson, Getty Images
These beautiful frozen flowers prove that springtime isn't the only season in bloom.
Corbis
These beautiful frozen flowers prove that springtime isn't the only season in bloom.
AP
These beautiful frozen flowers prove that springtime isn't the only season in bloom.
Getty Images
These beautiful frozen flowers prove that springtime isn't the only season in bloom.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
Newsmakers Christmas Tree Quiz
Styled by Gina Provenzano, Written by Josie Swindler
Did Paula Say It?
Which woman is more likely to be open to a one-night stand?
- The one on the left
- The one on the right
Which man is more likely to be looking for a long-term relationship?
- The one on the left
- The one on the right
A study found that the smell of pumpkin pie mixed with ___ aroused men enough to increase penile blood flow by 40 percent.
- Cinnamon
- Lavender
- Vanilla
Men who help out more with housework and kids may be ___ likely to receive sex from their spouses.
- More
- Less
If a Hungarian study on how we choose our mates proves correct, Brad Pitt would look like partner Angelina Jolie's ____.
- Father, Jon Voight
- Brother, James Haven
- Own face
Which do women rate most attractive in a male face?
- No stubble
- Light stubble
- Full beard
Which woman did men rate more attractive in a study?
- Woman in red
- Woman in blue
Good Deal Alert: Snapfish Photo Books Now 50% Off
Spare yourself this Black Friday. Instead of hitting the malls at 4 a.m., make professional quality, homemade gifts while you're in your pajamas. And now you can do it on the cheap.
Rachael Ray featured Snapfish's photo books on her show Wednesday morning and she kicked off a great deal. From now until Dec. 2, use the code RRBOOK to get all photo books 50% off! What's more, $1 from every photo book sold will be donated to a food bank in your state. It seems like a great Thanksgiving weekend project.
Check in next week to see how mine turned out (it's in the mail as I type) and to get the full review. That's a sneak peek up above!
