My April Fools Love Story + This Week's Linkomania

Has anyone ever pulled a seriously planned-out April Fools joke on you? Sure, kids at school would say and do things to see how gullible you were (I was. Am.) then shout out, “April Fools!” But that’s not what I’m talking about. I mean big. BIG. Life-changing BIG.

Twenty-eight years ago today, a coworker played a HUGE joke on me that turned out to be quite fateful for us both.

At the time, I chaired an industry conference planning committee which the coworker served on. He was our designated computer whiz, so his task was to create a mail-sort letter to go to attendees, asking each one to make session choices, which he would then run through a program to schedule. His assistant delivered the stack of computer-printed letters to my office while I was at lunch. When I returned, I found them on my desk with a note attached saying they were ready to go out.

Good thing I looked beyond the note because all the letters were printed BACKWARDS, with my signature line at the top and the addressee at the bottom. The body of the letter was also reversed.

I rushed down to my coworker's with the stack in my arms. He wasn’t at his desk, so I waited. I was panicked!! We had to have those letters out THAT DAY. I know my face was red and my body language said UPSET because he told me so later. His assistant eyed me warily but never said a word. 

I really didn’t want to yell at him or anything—truth be told I was already a little sweet on him (okay, a LOT)—but what the hell happened?!! Why didn’t he notice this before he sent them down to me? How long would it take to fix them?

Finally he entered the work area, chatting with his boss. He saw me waiting and smiled as he and the boss parted ways. “What’s up?” he asked all-too-nonchalantly.

What's up? WHAT'S UP?! These letters are all backwards!!!

“Let me see,” he said calmly and took the stack from my arms. He studied them slowly as I wondered what was taking him so long to recognize his foul-up (okay, I was really thinking that OTHER F-word). FINALLY he looked up and said, “Gotcha.”

WHAT? I didn’t get it.

He flashed me a big smile and added, “April Fools.” Then he took down another stack of papers from the shelf above his desk and handed it to me. There were the letters, printed correctly, ready for mailing as promised.

His assistant watched from across the room, fully sure I was going to slug him before it was over. But once I started breathing again I realized he wouldn't have gone to the trouble to play a prank on me unless he really liked me. Really, REALLY liked me. 

The rest is history. Ourstory, to be exact. The coworker became my husband, Chris. He still is.

I hope you enjoy my (sometimes wacky) pick of links from this week’s blogosphere. And though all are truly on the level, may you know the joy of being punked—TRULY punked—before the day is out.

ANOTHER WACKY LOVE STORY:

10 Things You Wanted to Know About Fixer Upper on HGTV, Hooked on Houses

HGTV

Like, for instance, Joanna’s ethnic heritage. If you're thinking Native American, you're waaaay off.

BOHO STYLING: 

How to Style a Bohemian Living Room Makeover, Coco + Kelley

Meghan Klein

BOHO TOUR: 

Laurel’s Flower-Filled Country Garden Studio (With a View!), Apartment Therapy

Apartment Therapy

TRAVEL: 

You Can (and Should) Rent Elizabeth Taylor’s Palm Springs Sanctuary, Domino

Homeaway

EASY CLEAN: 

17 All-Natural Spring Cleaning Tricks for the Kitchen, Food 52

Mark Weinberg

YUMMMMMMMMM: 

8 Ways to Cook With Girl Scout Cookies, Pure Wow

Country Cleaver

Answers to 4 Questions Keeping You Awake at Night

1. What Is a Normal Sex Life? (BBC)

2. Can Quicksand Really Suck You to Your Death? (BBC)

3. 4 Reasons Why We Love Sad Songs: Unexpected Rewards of Melancholy Music (Today)

4. Does Your Cat Have an Accent? (The Telegraph) 

Alamy

5 Makes to Save You $$

1. Simple But Striking Black & White DIY Abstract Painting, Dans Le Lakehouse 

2. Hand-Drawn Bird & Branch Entryway Wall Mural, Addicted 2 Decorating 

3. Painted Eye Statement Wall DIY, A Beautiful Mess 

4. DIY Pom Pom Wall Hang, Sugar & Cloth 

5. Veneer Spheres for $3 in 15 minutes, Knock Off Décor 

IMAGE OF THE WEEK: Hat or Wig?

René  Habermacher

Neither. Both? If you’re out Belgium way, find out at “Haute-à-Porter,” an exhibition that opens April 2 (tomorrow, dudes!) at the Fashion Museum Hasselt. The exhibit charts the flow of inspiration and changing boundaries between couture and ready-to-wear. Included in the show are garments and photographs by dozens of creators from the 1980s to today. See/read more at Vogue.

Do you have an April Fools story? 

Were you victim or perpetrator? Now’s your chance to come clean. Share it in the comments so we can all laugh. Don’t forget to have a GREAT weekend, and follow my blog with Bloglovin.

XO,
Susan

This week on BoHo Home...

M: 28/3/16
Bird-Themed Decor
for Spring

TU: 29/3/16
Get the task-light
look for less

W: 30/3/16
Tour Tel Aviv home
with old Europe style

TH: 31/3/16
Discovering the
OKL lookbook

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Friday READ: There be changes afoot, maties

Starting with this post, the weekly link roundup formerly published as Friday {postscript} will become, simply, Friday Read. Trend posts will appear under the heading On Fleek and on design-crush posts under the heading Yaaas! I hope to feature one or the other each week, and on a good week I might log both, but don't hold me to it.

Yes, I’m trying to tap into current slang a bit (us old boho gals need to learn new tricks). I’m also looking to include a broader selection of social media finds—Instagram, Tumblr, Imgur, etc., and maybe a peek into my own personal excesses. We’ll see about that last one.

Now onto the fun stuff!

The week's best home tours

You’re gonna make it after all:
The Mary Tyler Moore Show apartment, then and now

What single girl coming-of-age in the 1970s didn’t want this apartment, Mary Richards’ job/life and Rhoda Morgenstern for a BFF? I was clearly a fan (my bestie often called me Rhoda), though I admit to some disappointment when Mary changed apartments. Her Victorian garret was my ideal of everything there was to want in MVOA—my very own apartment—and I had a few that came close.

The actual house at 2104 Kenwood Parkway, Minneapolis, MN, used for filming show exteriors was at the time divided into apartments as in the show, but the top floor was an unfinished attic with a somewhat less grand ceiling and windows. Still, set designers captured the flavor of the real thing and the photo at right shows how the space looks since a recent renovation added a guest suite.

The entire house, built circa 1900, boasts 9,500 square feet on 0.35 acres. It includes seven bedrooms, nine baths, a killer gourmet kitchen addition, incredible woodwork, and gorgeous landscaping. In seven words: lots to like and nothing to dis.

The house last changed hands in 2007 for $2.8 million, but if you think you can brave the Minneapolis winters, it’s for sale again. Asking price: $1.995 million, recently reduced from $2.895 million. A steal!!

Must-see links:

• Take the then-and-now tour on Hooked on Houses. 
• Reminisce over scenes from the show shot in the apartment. 
• Check out the full real estate listing at Barry Berg Group of Coldwell Banker Burnet. 

Effortless, artistic style in Cape Town, South Africa, ‘burb

Lana Kenney

Pharmacist-turned-ceramist-and-painter Karen Yssel lives in this spectacular 6,500-square-foot home with her husband and two children in the Cape Town suburb of Oranjezicht (Orange Farm). That’s a clue to the bucolic atmosphere and tremendous views that sweep across the big city to its harbor and the sea beyond.

On the outside, the house honors the beautiful homes of Belgium and France, while on the inside it swings toward Manhattan industrial loft. Karen and hubby designed it themselves as a new-build and have lived here five years.

Lana Kenney

What’s even more incredible (to me, anyway) is that Karen decorated it completely herself. It has such a functional, lived-in ease to it, yet scores off the charts on artsy fun and sophistication. These two photos were my favorite, but you need to take the tour of the entire house, which goes the extra mile by listing sources for all the cool fittings, as well as paint colors and such, and a floorplan. You’ll find it on Apartment Therapy.

Karen’s must-tell decorating advice: “Don't worry about what is trendy at the moment. Rather, buy what you love. If you love everything you put into your house, it will have your signature and will make you happy.” I'm happy just looking at what makes Karen happy.

Grow up already, but let go of my LEGOS

• How to Make Your Apartment Look Like an Adult Lives There, with links to DIYs and other on-the-cheap fixes for any of the seven tips you need help with. My own daughter could use some work on the art thang and cleaning, though she’s made great strides the last few years. (Sorry to out you, Erin, but you know how I hate clutter.) 

• 10 Signs You’re a Grown-up in the Kitchen, with links to more related Apartment articles. Erin scores 9/10 on this one, but needs work on putting stuff away (surprise!), though again, she’s made enormous progress. (Love you, honey.) I should mention Erin does much better than I on caring for herself by making nutritious meals. What did this girl ask for at Christmas but a BIGGER crockpot? All to help her make all her lunches and dinners for the week on a Sunday afternoon! I GET nutritious meals, but only because her dad cooks them and calls me to the table.

• Out of the Toy Box: Lego Grows Up, with links to five Lego-inspired home products (for grownups, mind you) and five more inspirational Lego Love articles.

• This Etsy Shop Will 3D Print Your Head as a LEGO Piece. A great idea for a LEGO-themed wedding. How 'bout that keeper cake-topper, right?

• Lego Storage Bricks, for your LEGOS (uh, I mean your kids’ LEGOS) or anything else you want to keep in them.

If you loved Instagram Husband, don’t miss...

• One video tutorial on How to Make a Mini Instagram Cake Using Modeling Clay turns out a product that looks good enough to eat. Question is, what do you do with it? 

• Another video tutorial on Instagram Dessert Chocolate Mousse Cake you CAN eat, but will you want to? 

• No link, but can you tell the difference between the two by sight alone?

• 26 Paper Flower Artists to follow—A roundup extraordinaire, courtesy of Design Sponge.

• Night Liquid Retro Ltd.—Pretty much anything retro-vintage and gadgety. I’m dreaming about a gallery of colorful 1970s/80s era phones for my breakfast room wall. Seriously. 

Speaking of the 80s…

These surviving 80s Interiors so Bad They’re Good (or Maybe Just Bad), caught my eye, possibly because aspects of my condo might qualify to be featured. These were my faves on both ends of the spectrum:

I could live here...

And not so much...

Anyone who knows my experience with our 80s pink condo will understand why I say not only NO! but HELL NO!! to these two bathrooms.

Make sure you click on the link(s) and see all. Then tell me in the comments which ones make you swoon and which ones make you, well, gag.

If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em—the cats, of course

Did I do that?

An Expert Explains Why Cats are Always Knocking Over Your Stuff but not how the expert figured it out. (Did the cats give it up?) Still, ya gotta see the embedded video of cat-knocking craziness. And just look at old Orangey there, whose body language is rife with impudence.

One tidbit I picked up from this article: Deaf cats are more likely to engage in this behavior, so cut your babies some slack and remember (if your cat is NOT deaf, of course), it could be worse.

Popcorn, a movie and a little lap dance

If you live in or plan to visit the Big Apple, today marks the start of cat café Koneko’s cat film series. The 1961 classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s, starring that irrepressible Orangey (who'd ya think I'd say?), kicks off the weekly event. That's one cat who gets around!

Follow the link to make reservations and see the spring lineup of films. $30 per person includes the movie, beverage of choice (beer, coffee, tea), popcorn (natch!) and a cat in your lap (though no one can guarantee how long it will stay there). Some age restrictions apply.

File under the heading of Because It’s Good for You

Finally food comes with instructions! 

Read 7 Reasons to Give Blue Apron a Try Today on The Kitchn and click through on the provided link to receive two additional meals free when you subscribe. Don’t forget to check first to see if Blue Apron delivers in your area.

And last but not least, another cute video from retailer West Elm

You can find the warm and fuzzy one I ran here. This one is about making a meditation exercise out of making your bed. I haven’t had the energy to make mine lately (I sense my mother shifting restlessly in the grave), so maybe I’ll suck up the oxygen to try this after I get in my morning breathing treatment.

Stay well (while I continue trying to get well) and have a fun weekend!

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Friday READ: Twisted tech tales

I rolled my eyes at this Apartment Therapy article: For a More Peaceful Home: Minimize Your Tech. The article’s major recommendations were to hide or get rid of the TV, upgrade to smaller personal tech devices, and hide the wires. Really? That’s it? 

I think THIS VIDEO is more on the mark, AND it’s funny:

 

And someone at Apartment Therapy wants us to get rid of our TVs? Hell, I think I’ll ask Santa for a 72-incher just to protest. A 72-inch TV, that is. (Just thought I should clarify.)

So is it EVER okay to photograph your food?

When it’s a work of art, of course. OR when it mimics a work of art. Well.

Check out the Instagram feed of food artist Samantha Lee and see how this Malaysian mom slices and dices for her two daughters.

Seems like a great way to teach your kids about art or pop culture or even food waste. I would buy reprints to decorate my kitchen, though; wouldn't you?

And to mothers everywhere, this is my gift to you of just what you needed for Christmas: another reason to feel guilty.

And when are shoe pics okay?

When you're wearing these. Shiftwear. Like having a chameleon in your socks! So by all means, take a video.

Wi-Fi goes Die-Fi in Moscow

NPR reports that Moscow is bragging about expanding citizen access to free Wi-Fi. Muscovites can already access the Internet for free on the subway, on buses, and in many public parks. So starting next year, the city’s three main cemeteries will also be wired—a move that was quick to earn the sobriquet “Die-Fi.”

We can only imagine that any photos similar to this one, taken same time next year, will include mourners paying more attention to their cell phones than where they're walking: just like in the grocery store.

Officials, however, say the service will attract more visitors to historic burial grounds, where, presumably, they will then be able to look up biographical info about the deceased. I can see it now: Everyone gathered ‘round Uncle Ivan’s grave, reviewing his Facebook feed (an account which no one can close because they don’t have the password), chuckling over the fart jokes and kitten photos he posted.

This extension of free public access comes in spite of the Russian government's recent tightening of content reins by banning contents considered “extremist,” requiring bloggers to register with media organizations, and blocking of opposition websites.

So maybe you won’t get to retell Uncle Ivan’s fart jokes after all, but you WILL be able to share instantaneously the shoe pics you snap at the cemetery.

By all means, though, hide the wires at home, okay?

Man vs. dog BUNS: You choose

Take the Popsugar poll and side with either #TeamDogBun or #TeamManBun. Thirty-four photos pair man-bun hunks with their doggy counterparts, and you get to weigh in on EACH photo comparison.

My take: A #TeamDogBun sweep. The guys would be great looking IF they got haircuts and shaved.

Word of advice from someone who's been around the block: Girls, never date a guy who obsesses over his hair more than you do, and particularly not one who needs to borrow your scrunchies. It’s hard enough to find those when you need it. Besides, who wants to share the mirror?

Dogs, on the other hand, seem to look adorable no matter how we visually humiliate them. I am concerned, though, that some doggie ears might have been pinched in staging some of these photos.

Get your sweet on

All you holiday bakers out there surely won’t want to miss this useful guide on distinguishing between the 11 (?!!) different kinds of sugar. You’ll learn which is which, as well as which is used for what and why.

Did you follow that?

While sugar does sweeten baked goods, savory dishes, and drinks, it can also add flavor, texture and decoration. It even works to tenderize dough, stabilize egg whites, and give baked goods more color. Who knew?

For example, “sanding sugar” (the grainy one, second from top row, left) is used for decoration because the larger crystals are more resistant to heat and add crunch. “Turbinado” (grainy brown crystals, next to last row, right) is mainly used in beverages, like at my favorite tea shop. For meringues, cocktails, and icing you need something complete other. If you already know what, move on; otherwise, get the full “scoop” here.

Which do I prefer? Honestly? Never met a sugar yet I didn’t love.

Another thing I love: BOOKS!

You can never go wrong with a gift of books (if the giftee is me, anyway). If you’re looking for a good read or a great gift, check out the 2015 edition of NPR’s Book Concierge. Use the website or download the app to do topical searches on the best books published this year—or any other year back to 2008.

Easy holiday stuff for tired and lazy folks like me

1. How to make a paper snowflake, via Apartment Therapy

This is for those of you who either flunked kindergarten or, like me, are so old you couldn’t possibly remember what you learned there.

2. Popsicle stick snowflakes, via Sugar Bee Crafts

So Scandinavian!

3. Popsicle stick (tongue depressor?) snowmen, via Joel’s Journey

Cute ornaments or even door hangers. More fun and less mess with paint pens.

4. Yarn-bombed branches, via Fresh American Style

These have a great boho vibe and would be nifty in a vase year-round.

5. For my Jewish readers: Links to 7 menorahs you can make yourself, via Popsugar

I'm probably too late for this year, since Hanukah started Dec. 6 and ends Dec. 14, but it's something to bookmark or pin for 2016. This one was my favorite of the seven—so simple and elegant yet so easy!

A clip from Meet me in St. Louis

Not sure which I like better: hearing Judy’s song or seeing Margaret O’Brien’s tears. Aw, it's a draw!

Either way, have yourself a merry little last-FULL-week-before Christmas

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