Restaurant Week 2011 – Try It!

How would you like to have a prix-fixe meal at one of thee best restaurant using celebrity chef recipes?

Is there any restaurant you’ve always wanted to dine, but found it too pricey?

Or you’ve been too busy; but really need to take some time and spend with that special person.

Or maybe there’s no excuse to be said, just TRY IT!

Many major cities will be giving you that chance during Restaurant Week 2011!  Starting January 21st.

This is where participating restaurants define a 3 course meal, making it affordable for about $25.00 – $35.00.   A special menu is prepared, for either lunch or dinner.   You will have to make reservations though, quickly; for there’s usually no walk-ins.   So, if you’ve thought about having a lunch date or dinner date for two, this is definitely a nice opportunity!

Before dining out, please keep in mind that in order to offer this great price, the selections will be limited.  If you are at one of the participating restaurants and decide to select something different from the menu, there’s most likely to be a fee!   Avoid this, the entrée maybe better, however the fee to upgrade is probably not!

There are many cities participating, I’ve only listed a few.  Click the city name and you will be linked to their Restaurant Week 2011 site:  Baltimore, MD , Boston, Chicago, New York City, and San Diego.  If you’re city is not listed, you can always check your local paper or contact your Chamber of Commerce.

I’m reviewing the restaurants in New York City to make my selection <Gordon Ramsay comes to mind>!  If you decide to go in your area, please let me know what city, the restaurant you chose and how was the dining experience!  I would love to hear about it!

Bon A Petit!

Letia 🙂

Area Rug… What Size?

Do you remember when you knew right off the top of your head, how many inches are in a yard, a foot?  Which usually goes out the window, when you are trying to figure out room measurements for an area rug!

Earlier today,  I was looking for an area rug.  Of course, I had all the important information, the size of the room, what type of flooring would be underneath the rug and of course a color scheme. 

The most important factor,  is the size, the right size!   

For some reason, the  salesperson could not seem to know that 12 inches = a foot, to figure out the dimensions!  “That’s when, you have 5 feet, it measures to 60 inches”; I’d really confused her; when I said that! LOL.  This left me explaining the rug which I’d wanted, the size they had….it really was going to be too small for the space I needed to cover.  “This is not my area, perhaps I can get you another salesperson?”, the sweet girl said, she must have been filling in for someone, for she kept apologizing.   

So, I had the style and the color, but the rug measurements being conveyed were all wrong.  Back and forth we went, until I left them confused and decided a break was needed.  A Dunkin Donut Cafe Latte break <with a shot a french vanilla, I might add>! 

 After a few, ” Is it me?”‘s,  I told them that I would be back and as I was heading home I’m thinking about other options, I said my readers may also have experienced some trouble too!  Perhaps you also, have had trouble in knowing how to get the right size for an area rug?   Here are a few tips, whether its for any room in your home, office, porch, etc.:

You may be familiar with the standard rug sizes: 3×5, 4×6, 5×8, 6×9, 7×9 and 9×12.  You can buy a rug in any size you want; if it is not the standard sizes, you will have to go custom, however the custom price might be high.  So it’s best to try if you can get the standard sizes.  

1. First look at the room you want to put the rug and take your measuring tape and measure.  You will want to leave a border of between 12 and 15 inches on all sides, so subtract 24 inches from the room dimensions (12 inches on each side) to find the largest size and 30 inches from the room dimensions to find the least size. <Hugh?>  Let’s say if your room is 120 inches by 168 inches, you would want an area rug sized with a width between 90 and 96 inches and a length between 138 and 144 inches.
2. For hallway area rugs, subtract 4 inches from the width and 24 inches from the length of the room. This figure is all you need, it’s the minimum size for your hallway area rug.   Let’s say your hallway is 50 inches wide and 120 inches long, you would want an area rug between 46 inches and 50 inches wide and between 96 and 120 inches long.
3. Thinking about an area under your dining table, add 4 feet to the dimensions to allow for room for people to push their chairs back without edging off the rug.  Let’s say the table’s dimensions are  4 feet wide and 6 feet long, your rug should be 8 feet wide and 10 feet long (8×10).
4. For any table, that you will not be sitting.  Measure the table, it’s dimensions can be used to buy our area rug, don’t steer to far from it! 
5. Still not sure?  For the room that you are thinking about buying the rug, remove all items and furniture from the room!  Get some blue or masking tape and some newspaper (if you have).  Using my tips above, outline the area with the tape.  Then return the furniture back to the room and see if the dimensions are correct.  Take the some newspaper sheets and place on the inner edges, to get an idea of the rug layout.  If correct, take your tape measure and measure.  The figure will give you a reference point to what size rug you’ll need.  Now depending on the inches, you can decide to go bigger, smaller or custom!

OK! Your head is spinning right about now and your saying to me <talking nicely to the screen> that you still don’t think you can figure out the measurements yourself, no matter what tips I give you!!!!  Or…you just don’t want to be bothered!!!!! 

This is all perfectly fine, this is when you may have to ask a friend to measure or after you’ve made a rug choice at a store; they have professionals which could measure  (like carpet buying) or hire a decorator to help you.  

We are all watching our money!  To even cut costs more, please consider going to thrift stores and flea markets for rug selections.  You will be surprised how many people have gotten rid of their rugs and just give them to a thrift store!  Ok! Ok!  Yes; it may be in someone’s house, but if your inspection sees that it is in good condition, for the money that you’ve saved, it can be steamed cleaned and deodorized. 

If you’re at a flea market, there is a chance that the seller has too many rugs on hand and you will be able to haggle a little on a comfortable price to get you to go home with a rug!

Whatever you decide to do, you will now know the basics on finding the right size. 😉

Hope this information was helpful!

Be well – Lee

15 Things Your House Needs

A Pillow Wardrobe

I had the opportunity of assisting one of my good friends, Michael Daniels in staging a townhouse for a resale.  When staging, the decorating must show the essentials, so the home buyer can perhaps see themself actually living there.  

The same strategy can be used in your home!  Here are 15 things a house needs! 

So if you are redecorating your home …doing the I want to keep some of the old, but let  in some new; this listing can definitely help!  Or it can help with your first apartment..”TOGETHER”! 

1. Do you have a pretty place to set a drink or a book? ……side table.
2. Where do you hold your media stuff (CDs, DVD player, cable box, receiver)?……console or sideboard.
3. Where’s you favorite work of art?…….favorite print with matted frame.
4. Do you have a comfortable place to watch and look at the items just mentioned? ……cozy chair.
5. Not enough seating, but you want people to feel at home?………nice folding chairs.
6. Party is going on, but I don’t want to use my grandmother’s china, is paper plates ok?……….ceramic dinnerware all one color; perhaps cream (makes the food look good).
7. Want to set some color to drabby entry way?………..get a nice runner rug with a distinct design.
8. What else can spiff up the entry way?………….a mirror.
9. The same guests last year are staying over in a couple of weeks, how do I spruce up the room?……Depending on the shape of the headboard, upholstering can change the look with a dramatic fabric!
10. Dining room needs some color?………curtain panels in a vivid color, gives depth to the room.
11. Need a place to put your feet, plus store some items?………………an ottoman which has storage, right under the lid.
12. Can’t change the sofa, it needs something?…………..get some toss pillows in an array of colors or a compliment of colors, I call it a pillow wardrobe.
13. Lighting is so important, what can I get?……………..floor lamps can be placed anywhere.
14. Show your items and books in a display……….. ….a distressed bookcase.
15. There is no greenery in the home………………..faux plants or flowers, you only need three medium to large ones throughout the home!

 

Hope I have you thinking!  A great source to get some of the items mentioned is at Target® and Ikea®; for unique items Pier 1 Imports and Pottery Barn®!  

But the best deals can be found at your local thrift shop, garage tag sales and the great steal from your Mom’s house!  

Remember someone’s else trash is your treasure!   That’s what paint, polish and a bit of tender care is for! 

Be well,  Letia 🙂 

? lee@lmlifestyleanddesign.com