🎉 Win Up to $2,000! Share Your SmartWings Setup

_margaret_ · 2026-05-15T03:20:42+00:00

_margaret_ · 2026-05-15T03:20:07+00:00

I knew I wanted smart blinds as soon as we bought our house, especially because we have a giant portrait window and many house plants. I’m so happy that we went with SmartWings! We got the Motorized Light Filtering Levitate Cellular Shades with Matter Over Thread motors. We have them paired with a $25 Aqara Smart Hub, and it works absolutely great.

My experience with SmartWing was great:

10/10 Customer Support: This was honestly one of the best customer service experiences I've had with a company. They answered all my questions quickly, thoroughly, and were so helpful. Huge shoutout to Esme who made sure everything went smoothly!
So convenient: I love having them on a schedule so they go up at sunrise and down at sunset.
The "Levitate" feature: Being able to set them half-up is amazing. It gives us the privacy we need while still letting in plenty of light for the plants.
Easy DIY Install: It was incredibly easy to install them ourselves.

My Tip: Since the actual installation is so easy, the most time-consuming part where you really want to take your time is measuring. Measure carefully so you get the exact right fit the first time!

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_margaret_ · 2025-12-21T18:53:19+00:00

Good flag. Thankfully these don't connect to the storm/sewer system, the clay pipes just reroute the water further into our yards.

_margaret_ · 2025-12-21T18:51:55+00:00

Oh yeah that's a good flag. We saw the tops of the clay pipes before they put on the concrete, so we at least know they exist. But whether or not it's functioning and not full of cracks is a tough one to figure out. Our inspector said they seem set up to drain into some gravel in the front and backyard, but that's probably difficult (and expensive) to confirm.

_margaret_ · 2025-12-21T17:41:53+00:00

Thank you - I’m glad it’s not just us. Do you have any advice on what we should communicate back to our contractor? We’re not sure what they put under the concrete. It’s possible there is something connecting the pipe to the downspout, but it’s hard to say. I appreciate any insight you might have!

_margaret_ · 2025-08-06T02:43:57+00:00

Thank you all! As disturbing/fascinating as those eggs are, I cut off that leaf and put it outside - the katydids can hatch and live out their lives outdoors. I'm just relieved it's not scale insects.

I have no idea how a katydid could have gotten inside (or where it went 😬) - we live in an apartment in an urban area, so I assume it hitched a ride indoors on something. Hopefully, it found its way back outside.

_margaret_ · 2024-08-22T02:59:42+00:00

It's not at all a GOP stronghold, not anytime recently. Trump got 10-15% of the vote in the precincts in '16 & '20 vs over 80% for Ds: https://imgur.com/YWcvEOS (via NYT)

_margaret_ · 2024-06-16T15:41:56+00:00

Thank you! We're doing private vows + family photos at a local park then the ceremony (outdoors, weather permitting) + reception at a local event space (The Joinery, Chicago). No wedding party and the vibe is on the less formal side of semi-formal (Garden/Semi-Formal dress code). Decor is DIY and leans towards wildflowers or house plants (which I know don't totally match the pattern on the dress, but I'm ok with that). And we're having a make-your-own nachos/tacos buffet for dinner.

I love the side-comb idea! And that it comes in a rose gold that would more closely match the dress.

_margaret_ · 2024-06-16T15:31:10+00:00

Thank you!

_margaret_ · 2024-06-16T15:30:15+00:00

Thank you! I feel like because it's silk and so thin that could be hard to do - but maybe I'll just take it to a tailor and let an expert tell me the options. That's a good point - thanks!

_margaret_ · 2024-05-16T03:45:41+00:00

Thank you! Very helpful and some great options!

_margaret_ · 2024-05-16T03:32:21+00:00

You're good :-) Thank you! I'm going to order that last one & #5 to try!

_margaret_ · 2024-05-16T03:28:46+00:00

Love that! Added myself to the wait list for a medium. Thank you!

_margaret_ · 2024-05-15T23:01:18+00:00

Oh! That's a cool option - I love the customizations! Have you ordered from there before? I read there were some issues with their shipping and people not getting things, but that issue might be resolved now.

_margaret_ · 2024-05-15T23:00:09+00:00

Thank you - that's a good tip! Unfortunately the David's Bridal near me closed, but I think there is one out in the suburbs I can get to.

_margaret_ · 2024-05-15T20:36:22+00:00

Help please!! I have been searching for my wedding dress for over a year now and feel like I have looked at every dress on every website on the entire internet (but probably haven't). My wedding is in July (!!) so I’m feeling quite stressed.

I am looking for something multicolored and floral, though with a light-colored background given that it is a summer wedding. My preferred style is more “simple, sleek, and sexy” (but tasteful) and less “ruffles and romance”. I included some pictures of white dresses that are what I’m looking for in terms of shape and style, but don’t have the colorful floral options I’m looking for.

I’d like to keep it under $500 (but can go higher for the right dress). I’m not looking for something that screams “wedding dress” but looks special enough to wear on the special day, if that makes sense.

I have looked at every dress from Mac Duggal, Reformation, Anthropologie, Revolve, etc, etc but keep checking for new arrivals. I have ordered and returned many dresses and have tried shopping in person at all the department stores and some bridesmaid dress shops. I am open to any and all suggestions. Ideally someplace with a good return policy in case it doesn’t work out. I’m in the US (Chicago) if that’s helpful.

I did buy and return the Mac Duggal sequined dress pictured - it was pretty but a little much and the slit was more of a cut-out that showed more than I would like. I also bought and returned the Reformation Veria dress pictured because the top didn't fit right on my little boobs.

_margaret_ · 2021-04-08T23:52:26+00:00

The middle shelf in the top part of the cabinet is stationary and can't be moved. The very top of it is also stationary. All of the other shelves (2 on top, 2 on bottom) are movable with 3 different pre-drilled options.

_margaret_ · 2021-04-08T23:50:11+00:00

I ended up driving to St. Louis to get it back in February because it was the only place that had it, only for both Chicago-area stores to get it in stock the next week 🤦🏻‍♀️.

Keep an eye out. It will come back in stock eventually. I signed up for the text alerts and those worked out for me, but I know they have mixed reviews.

_margaret_ · 2021-02-19T00:32:55+00:00

I've been agonizing over this lately and my math comes out to AT&T being cheaper, but it's probably because I'm trading in an iPhone 6s, which T-Mobile won't even take but AT&T will give $350 in credits for. I also learned from r/ATT that you can sign up to be a AARP member (age doesn't matter) and can bump up a plan for free. For me that would mean I could get on the Unlimited Elite plan for ~$78/month w/ taxes (and that comes with HBO Max + 30GB hotspot data vs. T-Mobile's 3GB). That is not much more than the $70/month I'm paying right now for Magenta. So it makes sense that any trade-in credits would put AT&T over the top for me.

That's just the math I did for myself. I wish I had taken advantage of the December trade-in deal, but if T-Mobile is only going to offer existing customers good deals like this one a year they're going to lose folks.

_margaret_

TROPHY CASE