CasaSugar

Do You Use Fly Tape?

CasaSugar — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 05:30:56 -0700

While absolutely unsightly, sometimes fly tape is necessary, especially in spots like porches and decks. Do you use it in your home?

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DIY: Organic Fly Trap

CasaSugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:00:13 -0700

If you don't feel like spending your endless Summer chasing flies around with a swatter, a fly trap may be more like it. I recently came across a DIY for making an organic fly trap, and since this season goes hand-in-hand with the little pests, I decided to summarize it for you. You should have most, if not all, of the supplies already in your home.

Supplies:

A two-liter soda bottle (used)
Sharp knife
A wire hanger
Match, lighter, or stove gas flame
Electric tape
Bait (like a small piece of meat or dog poo mixed with water!)

To hear the steps, read more.

Remove the bottle cap.
Cut through the bottle a third of the way down.
Place the bait in the base of the bottle (the bottom two-thirds).
Invert the top third of the bottle, and slide it into the base.
Tape the two pieces of the bottle together.
Bend some wire into a U shape (for hanging), with ends angled inwards.
Heat up the ends of the wire, and bore two holes into either side of the bottle by pressing with the hot wire.
Make sure the wire is securely hooked into the bottle.
Now, hang your fly trap and relish in fly-less, chemical-free bliss!

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How-To: Get Rid of Fruit Flies

CasaSugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:00:37 -0800

It's not even the holidays and I already have house guests. Fruit flies. They've taken over my kitchen, and as much as I clean and toss out my produce, they continue to return. They're no doubt laying eggs somewhere. Gross. But thankfully I've found a quick solution for zapping those little buggers that uses household supplies, and doesn't require any toxic pesticides. To hear the steps, read more.

Here's how, from Susie J:

Fill a narrow-necked bottle (try a Corona or Cuervo) with a bit of apple cider vinegar, banana, bread, or red wine. This will act as bait, and they will fly in.
Around the top of the bottle, and inside the neck, rub some liquid dish soap, honey, or vegetable oil. This will prevent the flies from making their way out, as it will be too slippery and sticky.
Leave the bottle for a couple hours, and you should have trapped the flies.
Microwave the bottle to kill any eggs they may have dropped. Make sure there is no metal on the bottle.
Repeat until all the flies are gone.

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Desire/Acquire: Looolo Fly Cushions

CasaSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:00:55 -0700

The Looolo Fly Cushion is super chic, and I love that it's made of organic Melton wool with no nonbioegradable closures. But still, at $140 to $180 per cushion, these are some spendy pillows! If you don't have the cash to burn on the Looolo, I've found some pennypinching pillows that are near matches. To see them, read more.

This Contemporary Felted Pillow ($24) from Etsy sellers Twinfiber (Cute! They're twin sisters!) is made from felted, repurposed 100 percent wool clothing and has a vintage button-back closure, so it's about as eco-oriented as the Looolo, for a much more affordable price. In fact, I'd ask the twins to make several of these pillows for you!

Fall Style: Marc Jacobs's Halloween Window Display

CasaSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:00:46 -0700

Leave it to Marc Jacobs to make Halloween décor chic, humorous, and pumpkin-free. Strolling through San Francisco, I stumbled upon his window display and I fell absolutely in love with his pink cow ghost. In her oversize coat and pink skin, the mannequin looks a bit tortured, too. His painted paper moon looks quite realistic, as does his flying tissue bat. I only wish I had room in my foyer to spook the trick-or-treaters with a mooing ghost.

Have you seen Halloween décor in your town's window displays? Have you decked out your own home in Halloween decorations? Be sure to add photos of them to our Lovely Little Vignettes group!

Before and After: A House, From Dated to Delightful

CasaSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:00:01 -0700

I showcase a lot of inspiring Before and Afters here on Casa, but I must say I've rarely been more impressed with one than with what you're about to see. I came across Flickr user HottHoller's home remodeling project, and I was blown away. For the most part, her house had great bones, but the décor was seriously out of date, and in places, terribly kitschy. It also suffered from dated cabinets and finishes that simply won't fly in '09. So she took great care to make sure that each room was updated and had its own sense of modern flair. In one space, you'll be blown away by blue embroidery. In another, pops of yellow will make you smile. Prepare to be won over.

Source: Flickr User HottHoller

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Ask Casa: Where Can I Find That Incredible Pendant?

CasaSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:00:57 -0700

In the comments on my recent Show Me Your Casa post, AJH asked, "Where can I find that incredible pink hanging pendant?" It's a good question! I've been in love with the light fixture ever since I first saw it as well. Wondering where you can buy it? Then read more.

It's the Kartell FL/Y Pendant ($293), designed by Ferruccio Laviani in 2002. It's available in 11 other colors, too!

10 Fall Tasks For Gardeners

CasaSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:00:49 -0700

Before snow flies or torrential rain falls, there are some chores that gardeners should tend to so that everything will be shipshape next Spring.

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Do You Fly a Flag at Your Home?

CasaSugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:30:00 -0700

For some, flying a flag in front of your home is an explicit display of your national patriotism, and for others, it's simply decorative or just a social gesture. In any case, whether you fly your country's flag, a nautical one, or that of your favorite sports team, they do add a certain je ne sais quoi to your home's curb appeal. Do you fly one?

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Flag Flying on Memorial Day?

CasaSugar — Mon, 26 May 2008 09:30:37 -0700

Memorial Day, which was originally called Decoration Day, was first used to honor Union soldiers who died in the United States Civil War. After World War I, it was expanded to commemorate all US men and women who died in military service.

Growing up, I always marched in my small town's Memorial Day parade, flute in hand. Before we left for the parade, we always put up an American flag in front of our home. My grandparents, all of whom had either served or assisted in the war effort during WWII, always did the same.

Do you fly a flag in front of your home at Memorial Day? How else do you remember those who have served the US on this holiday?
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