Snap a photo of a house to learn everything about it
When we were searching for a house, Zillow was a GODSEND. It makes so much relevant housing data available at your fingertips. But I’ve found something even better: HomeSnap — an iPhone app which uses GPS data, combined with the nifty hardware inside your smart phone like readings from the gyroscope and accelerometer, to give home shoppers instant access to data on a neighborhood, a home’s value, its trending value…all based on a photo you snap of the house.
Hack junkmail, take power naps, and ring doorbells: there’s an app for that
If you have a smartphone, do you use any apps for your home? I’ve loved the new Reminders feature iPhones got with the last major update — I have it set to remind me every day through April 20 to turn my grow lights on and off in my makeshift nursery.
Here are three apps you can use to make household life easier: one zaps junk mail, one programs power naps, and one is a magical doorbell.
Confessions of a kitchen gadget lover
My name is Ange and I have a serious addiction. It’s time I joined a group of like minded addicts because I could use some help — should I get the turquoise toaster or the red one that matches my kettle?…
I have an addiction to kitchen gadets.
I’m a grownup who loves kid decor
Circo? Is that a kid’s brand? It had some circus-y merchandise around it, sure, but certainly I didn’t buy something aimed at kids again, did I? Yep, that’s my burden. To search the world for elephant-shaped mugs and eyepatch-wearing bird art. Hi. I’m Superman, and I buy children’s decor but have no children (that I know about).
The objects that make my house a home
I’m about to move with my husband and toddler son from a much loved house that we own, in a city we know well, to rented accommodation in a town we’ve visited once.
We are nervous, excited, and deeply nostalgic. These are the items that make our house a home — and will make our next house a home.
The generous materialist’s confession: I give stuff away so I can get more stuff
First confession: I am a materialist. I like stuff. I like acquiring it, I like having it, and I like organizing it.
Second confession: I am a preener. I need to interact with my possessions — I need to use my things, touch my things, smell my things, and wear my things, to fully appreciate the things. This love of interacting with my stuff combined with sharing a one-bedroom home with my family of three means that I am a hoarding materialist. I need my possessions close at hand — if it’s stored, I can’t touch it and I might as well not have it. My friends with overstuffed, intimidating storage units packed tight with crap will tell you this quirk is a blessing. As much as I love something, if I’m not actively engaging with it, then it’s time to get rid of it. And if I want to get something new to preen over, then I need to get rid of something old. One in, one out.
This means I give a lot of stuff away.
I’m a grown woman and I love playing with dolls
I originally discovered Blythe dolls somewhere on the internet many years ago and lusted after them. I just LOVED everything about them: their big oversized heads, colour changing eyes, endless combinations of hair colours and styles, the amazing outfits people dress them in — and the best thing is the photography!
When those laughable kitchen tools have a purpose
The other half and I have long made a game of ridiculing silly kitchen tools we see at the shopping mall. My favorite is the thing you use to cut avocados — you still have to cut the avocado in half with a knife to use it.
So what am I supposed to do when she tells me she wants a mandoline?! I thought I knew you.