Ladies' Home Journal recently featured an article on Tiny Homes , about 3 different families living in small spaces. The average American home is 2,400 square feet (223 square meters) as of 2010 ( source ), while the homes featured in this article were 128 sq ft (12 sq m), 960 sq ft (89 sq m), and 336 sq ft (31 sq m). average size of an American home through the years The families ranged in size from a married couple to a married couple with 2 kids, and for the most part, they were happy with their decision to downsize and live in smaller digs. While I think the two super small homes are a little extreme, a family of four living in a 960 square foot home sounds doable. The most important thing is that the house be well designed for that scenario. Mr. G and I lived in a house that was just under 1100 square feet and had ample space. Every room had a good size closet, the kitchen cabinets went right up to the ceiling, and there was no wasted space in the floor plan . . b...
Cool - what do you make with them? I like to buy clothes and earrings when I travel; items I wouldn't be able to find at home. But last time I was in London I bought an iPad case with the Tube map on it!
ReplyDeleteWe've just been making ice cubes for drinks. :) I like the shopping idea too!
Deletewe like to get something functional - like when we were in paris we bought a clock for our kitchen. we see it everyday and it fits into the house.
ReplyDeleteI used to buy things like vases or artwork, but then when i got home, it never really fit in the house the way i had imagined.
I like your clock idea! Shopping for art is difficult for me, no matter where I am.
DeleteI will soon post on what I did buy whilst away.
ReplyDeleteUsually, though, I plan to buy a silver charm for my (now full) charm bracelet which my parents started for me, and fostered and encouraged. I also often buy postcards to keep and add to my journals, as I often don't have the time or inclination to get photos and fit them in/leave space in my writing.
Otherwise, I'm very keen to shop whilst away, as I know I have the time and the money. Therefore I often supplement my wardrobe. This holiday was 3 tops, 6 knickers, 3 socks and a belt! A lot less than 'usual'!
When I went to Morocco 2 years ago, I bought a painted fruit bowl (didn't have one), a mirror that fit the little wall near my door in the old place (check yourself as you leave etc) and a wooden box for my earplugs and hair accessories on my bedside (again, was using a cardboard box!). So that worked REALLY well! This time (Japan) I got 5 painted bowls, but they truly don't serve a purpose, and some paper that I plan to frame :D Oh and some fabric, which I'm pretty darn surprised and pleased to have found.
All good souvenir ideas! I look forward to seeing your post about your purchases in Japan :) And I love little boxes that can corral things. I use an old coaster box for lip balm, lotion, etc. in my living room and adore how it hides everything.
DeleteI don't buy souvenirs that are souvenirs. I buy things (cause I like buying things) that I want or that attract my eye. And they act as a momento of our travels. I bought a painting that I have hanging in my lounge room. Every time I look at it, I remember the trip we made when I bought it. The painting isn't of a place, but of baby kookaburras. From my trip to NZ in January I bought a 1950s pink hat. I love it. Don't know where I will ever wear it, or if I will ever were it. It is so Doris Dayish. Just gorgeous. Such a different momento.
ReplyDeleteCute ice cube tray, by the way.
An excellent souvenir strategy :) I had to look up kookaburras - they have beautiful feathers!
DeleteI love the sound of your pink hat! I bought a straw hat on vacation in Florida and it's my favorite in the summer.
I'm like lucindasans; things rather than traditional souvenirs. My husband and I (and now the wee one, too) tend to hit up antique shops and stores we can't find in our area in our travels. Heck, on our honeymoon we bought a gorgeous Art Deco buffet for the dining room! Love remembering that trip everyday. :-)
ReplyDeleteThat sounds lovely! I love buying things at antique shops and dreaming up their backstory :)
DeleteLove these. We don't do a lot of souvenir buying because so much of what I see is stuff I don't really *love* but would just buy out of obligation.
ReplyDeleteVery true! We try to hold out for something worthwhile :)
DeleteI've never seen Legoland. Hope you guys had a lot of fun!
ReplyDeletePlease share your photos at the new home for Wordless Wednesday (on Tuesday) at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/p/other-wordless-wednesday.html. I hope to see you each week!
Yes, we had a great time at Legoland :) I'll try to pop over to your link up next week!
DeleteI love the Lego ice-tray - I would definitely buy that!
ReplyDeleteWe didn't buy any souvenirs while were away this time...often art, knick-knacks etc don't quite look 'right' in the house. We did buy gifts though - jewellery from Ireland and key-rings etc from the Harry Potter Shop at Kings Cross Station. If it was easier to transport back to Australia there would have been no stopping me, though!
I like the gifts idea! My grandma really enjoyed jewelry shopping when she visited Ireland. And limited luggage space definitely kept us from buying a few things too.
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