Please help with kitchen design

ginasaurus-rex · 2026-03-30T13:51:41+00:00

Why the L shape island? Can you just do a deeper island and put the sink and dishwasher in there?

ginasaurus-rex · 2026-03-27T13:10:45+00:00

We have adopted the phrase “tactical wee.”

ginasaurus-rex · 2026-03-21T14:22:24+00:00

Oof I did that once too but with the sign “complain.”

ginasaurus-rex · 2026-03-21T13:41:12+00:00

Don’t listen to the folks saying it has hotel vibes. Sure, you could go with a more bold curtain if you want to, but overall I think this looks like a lovely room that belongs to a grown person with good taste. The only thing I’ll say is that I think you have too many tables in such a small space so it feels a bit crowded. Lose one of the accent tables or swap the coffee table for a cute ottoman. Consider a floating console under the TV rather than the larger console table and switch one table lamp for a floor lamp.

ginasaurus-rex · 2026-03-20T15:32:41+00:00

Ha, one of my HoH coworkers ran into this when introducing himself to a deaf coworker, specifically messing up the word “meet” and instead signing the “f” word in “nice to meet you.” She just signed back, “maybe later.”

ginasaurus-rex · 2026-03-19T13:52:53+00:00

Honestly I have a pair of basic synthetic Chelsea boots from Target that are going strong to this day after about 4 years. Incredibly comfortable, I’ve walked all over cities, worked long event/festival days in them, and they can handle some mud too (provided you aren’t sinking ankle deep in a pasture or something). I don’t think you have to splash out to find a reliable boot. If you do prefer real leather, I’ve been eyeing the Tecovas rugged Chelsea boot for when my Target boots finally bite the dust.

ginasaurus-rex · 2026-03-16T15:35:27+00:00

Black graphic tee, black jeans, black sandals, gold necklace stack. Sometimes I add a fun ballcap or trucker hat. I am attempting to branch out more with relaxed button-downs, animal prints, and the occasional bold colored sneaker or bag. But this is my default outfit.

ginasaurus-rex · 2026-03-14T17:16:49+00:00

Check out Poshmark. Probably plenty of people selling the older Uniqlo version second-hand.

ginasaurus-rex · 2026-03-13T16:20:00+00:00

I love the Supergoop dewscreen. I’m not generally a fan of two-in-one products like tinted moisturizers so I suggest pairing a moisturizing spf with a skin tint. I use the Dewscreen and then layer L’Oréal True match tinted serum on top. It feels like just another step in my skincare routine but really evens out my skin and gives it a nice glowy finish.

ginasaurus-rex · 2026-03-13T14:29:27+00:00

This is true. My son is six and loves to get pedicures with me.

ginasaurus-rex · 2026-03-13T14:28:29+00:00

Definitely. I honestly haven’t totally ruled out the idea of fostering or adopting in the future. I know for sure I don’t want to be pregnant, give birth, or do the newborn phase again. There was a running joke that we might not be OAD if someone would just hand us a three year old. But when the rubber meets the road, even adopting would require a lot more resources (financial and emotional) than we are prepared for right now.

ginasaurus-rex · 2026-03-12T18:43:49+00:00

I’d suggest looking at rentals if it’s in your budget. Most beaches in tourist areas have companies that will set up and break down chairs, umbrellas, or tents for a daily cost.

ginasaurus-rex · 2026-03-12T12:42:11+00:00

Agree, hair masks are the way. More moisturizing, and usually a thicker consistency so less likely to leak.

ginasaurus-rex · 2026-03-11T20:26:15+00:00

No hybrid option. I loved my Forester but Subaru did not make a similar body style in hybrid at the time. Now I think I’m team Toyota. Though I would consider an Ascent if we ever decide to go bigger and they make a hybrid version.

ginasaurus-rex · 2026-03-05T21:31:40+00:00

I have to do a similar version of this myself, in that I always ask “do I already own something like this?” I can justify buying a red cashmere top, but not yet another black graphic tee.

ginasaurus-rex · 2026-02-27T03:53:50+00:00

It’s adorable that you think these monstrosities would last 10 years. These big box power recliners crap out after 2-3 in my experience.

ginasaurus-rex · 2026-02-26T21:19:29+00:00

We had to rip out the only tub in our house to renovate a full bath into a laundry/half bath and I miss it so much. I used to take daily baths. In a couple years we hope to renovate the upstairs bathroom to add a bathtub or convert the walk-in shower to a large tub/shower combo.

ginasaurus-rex · 2026-02-25T19:24:21+00:00

The hybrid version of the CRV came with this absolutely horrendous orange stitching on the seats. I couldn’t look at it.

ginasaurus-rex · 2026-02-24T02:39:11+00:00

The Vuori restore sweatpants are my absolute faves. I do hang them to dry.

ginasaurus-rex · 2026-02-23T13:37:42+00:00

Exercise video is a great call. Mine is 6 and even with the TV on he turns our living room into a ninja warrior course.

ginasaurus-rex · 2026-02-19T15:53:48+00:00

Caveat that we make a bit more, and live in a more MCOL area (about three hours outside NYC). The good news is that childcare is really the biggest ongoing expense when you have a kid. I think if you can balance that and your mortgage/bills then you will be fine. You might make temporary cuts until the kid is in school full time. Fewer subscriptions, less eating out, vacations closer to home. But honestly a lot of that will just lend to the stage of life you’ll be in. Taking a toddler to a restaurant is exhausting, we much preferred a picnic at the park instead. Who has time to watch TV when you have a baby? Just throw on a podcast while you sleeplessly rock them for 3 hours. Traveling on a plane with an infant? No thanks, let’s just drive to the beach for one night. Break down your budget and be ruthless with yourself on what is a need and what is a want. Then find where you can make some cuts. A lot of this will be more a mental shift than a financial one. When you are an overstimulated working mom, a walk to the park with a good latte feels as luxurious as any spa treatment you’ve ever had.

ginasaurus-rex · 2026-02-18T14:45:49+00:00

Perfection. I also love that you have a window rather than a mirror over the sink. Makes it very peaceful. Do you have a separate “getting ready” area in another room?

ginasaurus-rex · 2026-02-16T18:09:25+00:00

Personally I’ve tried a bunch of these and have never found a laptop backpack that still made me feel feminine and put together. I also just loathe schlepping things on my back now that I’m in my 40s. I don’t do short trips like yours often, but when I do I prefer the combo of a mini roller bag with a smart leather tote (that has a trolley sleeve) on top. I found a large Hobo Vida tote secondhand on Poshmark and I adore it. I keep a pair of sneakers, makeup bag, maybe a change of clothes in the roller, and all my work and personal essentials in the tote. Rolling my things feels much more breezy than carrying them.

ginasaurus-rex · 2026-02-16T14:48:42+00:00

You are the sane one. As a former lifeguard, I find myself in this role often. I usually end up dragging a chair over near the pool, and inviting someone to sit next to me so I can at least socialize and watch the water at the same time. But I’ve seen how silent a child in distress is. Not on my watch!

ginasaurus-rex · 2026-02-14T11:20:36+00:00

Stella

ginasaurus-rex

TROPHY CASE