I like Burt's Bees shampoo & conditioner, especially the new one "Super Shiny" because it tames my dry hair. However, there was a BB's product I tried years ago that was so awful it actually caused me pain. I'm referring to the Theraputic Bath Crystals. When I put it in the bath water my skin felt like it was been burnt alive. I couldn't jump out of the water fast enough. I've read reviews where others have had the same reaction but most people don't seem to experience a problem so I guess it depends on how sensitive your skin it. Mikasa...years ago I bought a couple of their white soup bowls open stock and loved how durable they were. So was I surprised a few years later to see how much the quality had changed when I bought an extra one. Utensils left ugly marks on the bowl that didn't wash out, even a spoon was removing the finish. I thought surely this is a fluke so I got another one and the same thing happened. Don't know what Mikasa changed but that product has gone downhill since I first bought it.

Oh, Kate if this is your first swap you are gonna have a lot of fun! I've been doing them forever and am always thrilled and surprised with what I receive! I have gotten some pretty amazing items in all my years of doing the CF swaps. Once I received a fabulous package from Coranado, California that had 5 different heirloom tomato seeds along with homemade zest of many diferent citrus, dried peppers, and a beautiful homemade card! Then I got a FABULOUS plate from Oklahoma that was thrown in a kiln and horsehair was then put on top of the plate. Absoulutly beautiful and I think of my friend everytime I look at it displayed on my bookcase. I got a great box from California with lots of wine and spices. The box also contained many other wonderful things like, plates that reminded me of my partner everytime I use them. Colorado sent me a beautiful glass platter that hangs in a special place in my home along with some serving spoons. I use the spoons almost daily! Especially with my Grandson! He loves to have his food served to him with these special spoons. Another beautiful package was from California that contained some beautiful old (carnival glass) bowls. They just happen to match my dining walls perfectly. I use them all the time for candy when we have a party. I happen to love OLD decorative items to display in my home from all over the world! I don't want anyone that has been my partner think I've forgotten them...never! There are just to many to list ;-) I guess in short words, ;-), I absoulutly love everything I have ever received in a swap. Just have fun with this swap and enjoy what will come to you in the mail! I can hardly contain myself when my box arrives! So fun!

Val, I cannot get over the price of that house-- and it's a 6 bedroom? Gorgeous!!! Go get it! I love the orange homes you posted, too, esp. the lighter one. Zip, the more I look at yours vs. theirs-- and I'm not just trying to be nice-- the more I think there is just no comparison. The other house may be the same color, but yours has that WOW factor. I understand your neighbors (not that I condone what they did) . . .when I look at rooms I love and try to copy them, there are some elements there that are the same, but since I am not gifted in decorating, there isn't the same "Ohmygosh!" reaction. It's almost like the color isn't even important (can I say that on this board?) because your overall look is pulled together amazingly.

I am glad that I was able to contribute something. You all have given a lot to me! There was very little cutting. I told the tile guys to order 2/3 of the area for squares and 1/3 for the subway tiles. The square and the rectangle tiles were the cheapest Datile white tiles that they make. the only cutting was at the edges. The grout lines were a little tight because 2 2" rectangles plus grout is wider than 4" of the squares. My paper copy shows more cutting because I was sloppy. The tiles show few cuts - at the edges of each wall and where rectangle runs cross eachother. Other design element - when runs crossed eachother I "wove" them so that they alternated with the horizontal runs going over or under the vertical runs. this allowed me to save money that I then spent in the master bath and the guest bath, but that is a topic for the bath forum.