Wow Home Idea

Raise your hand if the first time you baked a cake solo was in the Easy-Bake Oven (thought so). This classic toy was first introduced to the world in 1963 and has created thousands (millions?) of mini desserts and happy stomachs over the past five decades. But just like kitchen decor has changed drastically over the years, so has this mini oven. Take a spin through the different looks of one of our favorite toys: 1963 The very first design was a bright teal color with an itty bitty stovetop. It used a incandescent light bulb as a heating source that got up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and launched in November — just in time for Christmas shopping season. 1971 This clunker looked like many kitchens from the '70s with its avocado green color and faux-wood paneling. We're sure little girls loved baking in mini versions of their mom's spaces. 1973 A few years later, this deep red model came out. Notice the Betty Crocker branding? They're the company behind the cake mixes s

Step inside the infamously condemned East Hampton home of Jackie O's first cousin. BFA The Home's History First, a little backstory: In 1923, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' aunt and uncle purchased the East Hampton, New York, home, which was originally built in 1897. The 1976 documentary "Grey Gardens" exposed the squalor that its inhabitants, the reclusive Edith "Big Edie" Bouvier Beale (Jackie's aunt) and her daughter Edith "Little Edie" Bouvier Beale (Jackie's first cousin), were living in many years after the home started falling into disrepair. The fascinating film found the home infested by fleas, running wild with stray cats and raccoons, deprived of running water, and filled with garbage and mold. BFA The Home's Saviors: Sally Quinn and Ben Bradlee Following Big Edie's death in 1977, Little Eadie sold the house in 1979 for $$$,000 to Sally Quinn and her husband, former Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee. The couple rest

Getty 1. Beautiful serving ware.  "You can use prepackaged or quick service items from your high-end grocer in a pinch," says Jessica Kielblock, a senior event planner for D'Amico Catering. "But displaying them on your own platters with beautiful garnishes will make them feel special." 2. Delectable dry snacks.  "Nuts, snack mixes and even chips are good filler at any event," says Rachel Bruzek, a Senior Event Planner for D'Amico Catering. "Or you can step it up by popping popcorn and adding a little truffle oil and parmesan cheese to the melted butter."  3. A stack of blank place cards.  "If you host an impromptu dinner party, a handwritten place card is quick to execute and makes guests feel important and welcomed," according to Bryan Rafanelli, founder of Rafanelli Events. Getty 4. A few go-to cheeses.  "My favorite entertaining item is the cheese platter – it's easy to throw together at a moment's notice,&q

Getty Like many little girls, I used to enjoy playing with my mother's pretty things. "These will be mine one day!" I'd exclaim during one of our regular weekend "let's-go-through-Mommy's-closet" sessions, tottering about in four-inch red stilettos that last saw the light of day in a 1970's disco club. "I hope you enjoy waiting," she'd laugh, cross-legged on the closet floor as I fished a scarab necklace out of her ivory leather jewelry box. "Because I don't plan on going anywhere for a long, long time." We'd smile at each other. This woman was so vivacious that we couldn't imagine a time when she wouldn't be around. Unfortunately, the universe had other ideas. Shortly after my 30th birthday, my mother was killed in a car accident. She was returning home to Philadelphia from our annual Adirondack family camping vacation, a month shy of 64. One second my best friend was alive, the next she wasn't.

It may not feel like it outside, but summer is starting to wind down. And what better way to spend the few weeks of the season than by sauntering down the boardwalks and sandy beaches of the country's most pedestrian-friendly shore towns? Redfin recently compiled a list of the best beach towns to walk, after comparing the Walk Scores – a number that represents how easy eateries and attractions are to get to on foot – of numerous beaches around the country. Here's where they think you should head to next: 1 Santa Cruz, California Getty At California's oldest operating theme park, you'll find everything from miniature golf to the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Santa Cruz's Shakespeare Festival is also notable, and runs through August. 2 Fort Lauderdale, Florida Getty Lively strips of shops, bars and restaurants earn this Florida city the second spot on the list. 3 Coronado, California Getty This town was o

Flyte No magic, batteries, or wires here: Swedish designers Flyte promises to "set the lightbulb free" with its new concept — a bulb that hovers over its base thanks to magnetism and air induction. Hand-crafted in Sweden from sustainably-sourced oak, ash and walnut, Flyte turns on and off by a tap on the electro-magnetic base. If you don't need the light, the base can also transform into a wireless charging station for your phone. Yes, it's expensive, starting at around $$$, but considering the LED bulb is rated for 50,000 hours, it's a conversation piece that could last a lifetime. Flyte And don't worry about a curious cat or grabby toddler: The shatterproof glass won't break if Fluffy knocks it over. And since you don't need to plug it in, it's the ultimate kid-proof lighting solution. No tripping on unwieldy wires! Interested? Back Flyte at its Kickstarter page. Flyte Flyte More from House Beautiful: • 5 Reasons to Get Excited for Denmark&#

A perfect spring gathering starts with a well-dressed table. Embroidered Floral Table Runner No need for a floral centerpiece. Colorful flowers are embroidered on 100% natural linen for a garden fresh look. $$$, Coral & Tusk Triangles Table Runner Designed by cool-girl textile maven Caroline Z. Hurley, this block-printed runner lends a Brooklyn edge to the table. $$, Leif Shop Bloom Botanical Table Runner Woven by artisans in eastern India, this linen runner features delicate embroidered blooms in a subtle design. $$, ABC Home Raffia Runner Braided raffia brings a textural, raw edge to the dining table. The best part: it goes with everything. $$, Serena & Lily Ben Kist Linen Sunset Stripe Table Runner Sewn in Ghent, New York, this linen runner offers a pop of color in a sophisticated stripe. $$$, March SF Marianne Tablecloth This graphic tablecloth in a classic blue and white palette is hand dyed and made from pure organic cotton. $$$-$$$, Les Indiennes Gink