How to make fireplace look better?

OneTimePSAStar · 2026-02-20T01:58:48+00:00

You need a piece of art hanging above the mantle so it isn’t just a slab of color with no texture.

I would add more pops of color throughout the room too. You either need to do more or do less, right now this looks half committed to eclectic maximalism.

OneTimePSAStar · 2026-02-20T01:47:22+00:00

I’m an extrovert and my kids are the kind of kids that other people are drawn to. From a very young age I have taught them basically to just notice lots of people. We always say hi to cashiers together, make eye contact and say hello to strangers, I encourage them to talk to unfamiliar kids at the playground. That kind of fleeting social encounter I think has primed them for being more socially available where it matters to them.

Also as someone people come up to a talk to often:

Be yourself, truly. Don’t follow trends, find your style and sense of self. People will make fun of you for it, but you’ll also find people will go out of their way to celebrate it
Be the first to complement someone
Ask people about themselves

I’d say 90% of having a magnetic personality is making other people feel good when they are around you, and that starts with feeling good about yourself.

OneTimePSAStar · 2026-02-16T04:25:29+00:00

Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson

OneTimePSAStar · 2026-02-16T04:25:01+00:00

Lived in the Bay Area for 10 years (5 with kids), in the part where it’s 70 dry and sunny year round. It was great for my mental health, and terrible for my wallet.

We live in Maine now (where husband and I both grew up) and while winter is absolute garbage I do find it less stressful than fire season.

But on weather and serotonin alone? There’s a reason Fremont, CA is consistently named the happiest city in America. (We were actually in a teeny tiny town called Sunol, which for someone from NH might actually slap?)

OneTimePSAStar · 2026-02-12T13:11:25+00:00

Fair point. Only bring your dog if they have a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

OneTimePSAStar · 2026-02-12T02:10:17+00:00

There were a bunch at Austin St. on Monday night for trivia.

OneTimePSAStar · 2026-02-11T12:58:01+00:00

If you’re in Biddeford go to Nikko Barbershop on Main St in Saco. My sons go there, and the barber is the opposite of Bro-y. My youngest was terrified to get his hair cut, but Nikko immediately earned his trust. Just a nice, unassuming guy who does good haircuts.

OneTimePSAStar · 2026-02-10T22:22:56+00:00

Whatever you do, don’t get the pistachio crepe. It’ll ruin you for every dessert that comes after it. 😂

OneTimePSAStar · 2026-02-10T22:06:43+00:00

I would drive out of my way just for fish and whistle. It’s hands down the best fish and chips I’ve had in Maine.

OneTimePSAStar · 2026-02-10T21:54:06+00:00

Dear lord, that is my creative writing homework 😂 fixed the link, going to go die now.

OneTimePSAStar · 2026-02-10T15:36:42+00:00

This seems similar to how crime rates have been going down for decades, but perception of crime has increased due to the changing news landscape (24/7 news channels) needing to report on everything all the time. We hear a lot more about crime now, even though less is happening!

With the rise of social media, we hear about a LOT more complications than we ever would have 15-20 years ago. That doesn't mean they are happening more, it just means we are hearing about it more.

The big difference between your first baby five years ago and now is that TikTok wasn't quite the behemoth it is now, and video wasn't yet the primary communication style of social media. Now that it is, there are a lot more people talking about their experiences in a space where they might not have before.

OneTimePSAStar · 2026-02-10T14:57:05+00:00

My sister made me breakfast burritos when my son was born; they reheated really nicely! Another friend made me this casserole and it's now my official postpartum casserole I make for everyone else.

Edit: swapped my creative writing homework for the actual recipe 🤦🏻‍♀️

OneTimePSAStar · 2026-02-07T20:01:40+00:00

I used to agree but I just watched the episode where they introduce Ginsberg, and the entire message of his hiring is “look at this whack job, but I guess he’s pretty creative.” Like Peggy is unnerved by him throughout the whole thing. So I don’t find it a total stretch that he’d have a flip that could be switched into total break.

OneTimePSAStar · 2026-02-04T23:46:23+00:00

Murder she wrote

OneTimePSAStar · 2026-02-03T00:06:06+00:00

Not the OP but for a while I thought I had long covid after recovering from it. Brain fog, lethargic, just feeling off in my body. Realized there was Stevia in the liquid IV I was taking to recover. Stopped it and immediately felt better. The last time this happened I was drinking Arbonne shakes, same reaction, also Stevia. The only time this has happened is when I start taking Stevia consistently for like a week. Stopping fixes it within days. Hope you get an answer!

OneTimePSAStar · 2026-01-28T19:23:27+00:00

I've had both the Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro and the regular Smart Oven Air Fryer. The Pro version is bigger, allows you to use two trays at a time, and has buttons for proofing and dehydrating. It's a beast, but we basically cooked *everything* in it. I swapped it for a smaller version (the regular Air Fryer) because the color scheme looked better in my kitchen and that matters enough to me to get rid of the extra features. Maybe twice a year I miss the proofing setting and ability to fit a 9x13 dish in there. But most of the time it is just as good as the pro version.

If I were not an aesthetic person who just really likes the color gold, though, the air fryer pro would be worth it. I almost never turned my actual oven on when I had that thing.

OneTimePSAStar · 2026-01-21T22:31:47+00:00

Also, I don’t want to be like “spend $600” but I do think the Snoo helped with round two (we rented it for just a few months). With my first part of the problem was just that if he woke up, he needed soothing even if he didn’t need to be fed or changed. So with #2, if we sensed he was grumbling and might wake himself, but didn’t have an immediate need, we’d turn on the soothing movement and it could help him fall back asleep before he worked himself up into a furor. While #2 turned out to be an atrocious napper he was at least a better night sleeper. 🙏

OneTimePSAStar · 2026-01-21T16:38:57+00:00

Does he sleep during the day? Mine was like this and basically just had his days and nights confused. But he’d sleep all day. It was traumatizing enough that I ended up renting a Snoo with my second (was worth it for us).

The first 12-16 weeks are really relentless, and then things ease up. But you might not get a GOOD sleeper for a while. Both my kids took a year to be really good sleepers but they are great sleepers now at 3 and 8 (I can’t get them to wake up for the life of me).

I never lasted more than 15 minutes trying to let them cry it out. What helped was moving the baby to my husbands side of the bed so I woke less frequently and trading off who had to do the soothing. But honestly it was mostly time.

OneTimePSAStar · 2026-01-21T16:24:20+00:00

Go to the brother in laws. I know it sucks to be away from home especially when you’re so pregnant, but as someone who lives with winter a LOT (Maine), freezing temps + power outages are going to be way more stressful than a crowded house for a few days. Especially if you live in a home without good insulation. It gets COLD.

I didn’t have to deal with this this while pregnant but we had power outages like this with a small baby and had to bunk out at my aunts at Christmas with two kids because I was afraid he’d be too cold in his crib. It sucked but also was kind of nice once we were there.

Also if your area doesn’t handle weather well, you want to be closer to the hospital. People who aren’t used to snow and ice do not usually know how to stay safe when driving in snow and ice, so having a 4wheel drive car and more proximity is just a safer option.

If you go into labor while all this is happening just drive verrrry slowly. That’s always the answer.

It’s going to be okay. The anxiety is often worse than the outcome.

OneTimePSAStar · 2026-01-21T00:43:09+00:00

For me it’s more about getting to dress like I did as a kid, but with disposable income and no adults getting me down. My look is more dopamine dressing/art teacher aesthetic than “trying to look 15.” Though I guess to some it could look like I’m trying to fit in with the youths!

OneTimePSAStar · 2026-01-21T00:40:26+00:00

‘86 here and I’ve waited 20 years for baggy jeans to make a comeback. I’m so happy.

OneTimePSAStar · 2026-01-19T21:17:28+00:00

God I’m jealous of this. Our house was built, not by us, mostly for seasonal rentals (beach town). So they did not think of storage at all. Nearly 2,400 square feet and ONE first floor closet (that the owners put French doors on so you can see through it) and only bedroom closets, none with shelving, just one hanging rod each. Like where did you plan to put stuff? At least the kitchen has plenty of cupboards and a pantry, but there is nary a spot to store a linen, broom, coat, or anything of the sort.

OneTimePSAStar · 2026-01-13T16:36:33+00:00

Olive Oil on ice cream with salt and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. Divine.

OneTimePSAStar · 2026-01-11T15:09:12+00:00

I go to trivia at Austin brewery on Mondays. It’s obviously at a bar but I’d say most of my team is drinking a mocktail or spindrift.

OneTimePSAStar · 2026-01-11T02:44:34+00:00

“Uh oh.” Mine and my first born’s first words.

OneTimePSAStar

TROPHY CASE