Two months ago I went to a thrift shop. I noticed a white fur jacket which I thought was rabbit. I dont know my furs. I tried it on and it fit which is surprising because I am a big girl. The lady said it looks nice on you. At the same time she was putting another fur coat on the rack - long brown. I asked how much for the jacket and she said $5 so I said what about the coat. She said $5. I took both of them. I tried the long one on when I got home. It fit even better. I took them to a local furrier. The long coat had originally come from there. They examined them and told me the jacket is tourmaline mink paw worth $1000 today. The long brown one is pastel mink worth $5000 today. The coat was in perfect condition. The jacket had a small tear at the pocket. They repaired that, cleaned them both, insured them for a year and will store them for me when I finish wearing them - all for $346. I am thrilled. I have never had a fur coat before and even if they aren't the rage anymore I wear both of mine all the time. I am in Canada and it was cold enough last night to wear the jacket out to dinner.

frankginakay, I also ordered my Bon Gouts from eBay. I'm normally between a 7 & 7 1/2 and went with 7's. Though mine fit, they initially seemed like they might be too snug if my feet were to swell - like during plane travel - and if I were to order another pair I would go 7 1/2. I wonder if you just need a larger size or if the style is just not a good fit. So hard ordering shoes without trying on... We've had some cool weather & drizzle and I keep reaching for my BGs. Love 'em.

Diane, looks like Houzz let Joey post a pic, but I'll try, too. These are for testing purposes only because you've seen them. We may lose the red maple. It's a mere shadow of itself this year. The arborist said he doesn't think it's pests or diseased, and we should wait a year before having it removed. I would miss it as it's the better of the two, but, on the other hand, removal would make it possible to grow something in the front. I love it in the winter the most. Joey, that's not just a dusting! That's a good snowfall. Do you do anything to protect your roses? Geeze, April seems so far away. I'm adding the Queen to my spring list. I'd never given it a thought until I saw yours and read your recommendation. Can't pass up on a rose that beautiful and that hardy. Kristine, I've had roses do that because of snow, never rain. I'm so sorry. Beverly was one of your most gorgeous, but Marc C will be a beautiful replacement.

I agree that art is not decor. Yes, someone might indeed put a black and red abstract over a pastel sofa, although black and red sounds like something from the expressionist era and if someone loved that, they might not be the person to choose a pastel sofa. ;-). I have a painting with lots of orange in it. There is no orange anywhere in my house. It still looks absolutely marvelous. My husband and I have very different tastes in art. Well, no, actually I love a lot of what he likes, but I also adore abstract art and have bought a lot of it. We have many traditional still lifes and landscapes, but my abstracts are scattered near them as well. I have run out of wall space since I don't hang groups of paintings (most of my things are fairly large canvases) since the ones I have stand better alone. All my art has come from local galleries or galleries and individuals on our travels. However, I do have to say that my favorite piece is a small watercolor that I bought when I was 20 or so at an art show in the King of Prussia plaza when only part of it was enclosed (early 70s). Yes, I am a dinosaur. I bought it for $25 from the artist who was in his 50s-60s. I wish I could let him know how much I still love it. Another source for art is high school and college art shows, although you probably can't get anything now since they won't be hosting such shows. There are some terrifically talented young artists to be found. Totally agree that you should provide a large piece of paper to your family artist and then frame that. I love her opus magnum! Maybe offer her a higher bid for it! Haha.