One of the advantages of living in the Bay Area is that I can count on blooming trees or bushes year-round. Even if it's just a humble single flower in a bud vase, I can add life to a room without spending a penny. Do you try to have fresh flowers in your house, too?
With energy costs going through the roof these days, many of us will be resorting to our fireplaces to keep us warm, in addition to offering up ambient lighting. But unfortunately, it's very likely that your fireplace hasn't been honest with you. In addition to radiating heat while it's burning, it has also been seeing someone else: generating a current that can send conditioned air out the chimney, and effectively out of your room. And, when those logs aren't burning, your fireplace's damper should block inside air from heading outside, and vice versa. Unfortunately, modern technology has not worked in favor of the damper, and it's actually quite inefficient. So, you'll need to follow a few tips to maximize your fireplace's efficiency . . . otherwise you'll be turning up that thermostat. And we all know that's not budget beautiful. To hear my fireplace efficiency tips, read more
In the recent LA Times TImes article "A Laguna Beach Shopkeeper Applies Decorating Strategies Borrowed From His Boutique," shopowner Trey Russell offers smart tips for keeping a small home organized, stylish, and beautiful. I already shared one tip, and now I'll share many of Russell's other ideas. Make sure to read all of his ideas here, or visit his store online. For now, check out Russell's smart tips in the slideshow. Source
A little bird just told me about a great opportunity to win a $1,000 CB2 Shop Card.. I'm a CB2 fan, and if you've stepped into one of their stores, and noted the quality of their goods, I bet you're one too.
To find out how to enter to win a $1,000 CB2 gift card, read more
Mail is a precious commodity these days, so I appreciate those friends of mine who make the effort to send cards, letters, and small packages of goodness to my mailbox every now and then. These faithful correspondents, who eschew email in favor of more arcane forms of communication, are responsible for brightening the days of everyone who receives one of their letters. To encourage more letter writing in your circle of friends and family, I've found some postcards, notepads, and stationery that will be sure to delight any letter writers on your wish list. I'll start you off with this Eight Silhouettes Postcard Set ($8.50), which is perfect for the home enthusiast/letter writer. There are a lot more great finds, though, so check them out when you read more
It's just starting to get chilly here in San Francisco, so it's about time to start putting my fireplace to work. I love the ambient lighting of a good ole fire, so I usually look forward to those cold Winter nights spent curled up by the fire. Have you built a fire yet this season?Source
If my Handyman Holiday Gift Guide wasn't good enough for you, perhaps you'd like to DIY a gift for your favorite hunky household helper. If your handyman has every tool in the toolbox, consider making him this Denim Wrench Case made by Cut Out + Keep member Eva G, which holds a full set of wrenches and rolls up into itself. All you'll need for this product is a few pieces of denim or other sturdy fabric (try canvas), embroidery thread, a needle, scissors, and an elastic band. Eva gave the case to her father last Christmas and embroidered his initials onto the case to personalize it. I love how the color of the red thread pops! It's also very masculine looking — what genuine handyman could argue with that? To learn how to make this wrench case, and to see it rolled up, read more
Liz Carine
La Redoute
Wallis