CasaSugar

Memorial Day Poppy Quiz!

CasaSugar — Mon, 25 May 2009 13:30:42 -0700

How much do you know about red poppies? Take this quiz to find out!

Question 1 of 5

There is a custom of wearing and displaying red poppies on Memorial Day in memory of the sacrifices of war, and money collected from the sale of poppies goes to fund various veterans programs. Where did this tradition spawn from?

Are You Entertaining at Home This Memorial Day?

CasaSugar — Mon, 25 May 2009 09:30:42 -0700

Happy Memorial Day! Today is the day we commemorate US men and women who died in military service. It's often observed with parades and community events, but many of us will honor the fallen by entertaining friends and family (and good food) at home. What's your plan?
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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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Sale Alert: Ballard Designs Memorial Day Sale

CasaSugar — Sat, 24 May 2008 05:30:16 -0700

In true American spirit, Ballard Designs is getting people to shop for Memorial Day. That's right, they're running a Memorial Day sale, offering 20 percent off of all of their outdoor furniture. The sale ends on Tuesday, so shop fast! If your backyard is already chock full of furniture, or you have no outdoor space to speak of, there are still some items that would work indoors, like their garden seats. Here are a few products I wouldn't mind ~~saving~~ spending money on.

Borghese Armchairs -Set of Two - $499.95	Striped Quilted Hammock - $259.00
Brisbane Folding Table -Octagonal - $199.95	Hyacinth Garden Seat - $119.95
Barcelona Serving Cart - $299.00	Garden Seat - $139.00
Adirondack Loveseat Glider - $449.95	Set of Two Cafe Folding Chairs - $119.00
Wooden Garden Seat - $139.99

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Coveted Crib: Twilight's Cullen Family House

CasaSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:30:48 -0800

If you've ever wondered what it would be like to live like a vampire, let me tell you: it can be pretty sweet. That is, if you're a member of Twilight's Cullen Family. The 100-plus-year-old vampires don't live in a decaying lair, but a stunning contemporary house that would incite jealousy in any mere mortal. I actually showed you this house back in February, when I featured the 4,300-square-foot home's architect. The home was designed by Portland, OR-based Skylab Architecture - a name that very well suits the towering structure. Architect Jeff Kovel originally built the home as a spec house, but to no surprise, it sold after only two days on the market to Director of Footwear Design at Nike, John Hoke. If you caught the romantic fantasy, you'll remember that the interior is just as phenomenal as the exterior. I personally swooned more over Edward Cullen's "bedroom" than over brooding Robert Pattinson himself. But just to jog your memory, check out photos when you read more.

View 11 Photos ›

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Casa Verde: Slow Down, Enjoy the Ride

CasaSugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 15:00:21 -0700

Memorial Day Weekend is coming up in just a few days, and more than likely, your home may be chock full of guests, or you may be taking up residence in a friend or family member's guest bedroom. There are plenty of ways to go green over a holiday weekend (and I'll be bringing you more tips in days to come), but there's an equally important tip to follow before you even reach your destination. Before you or a loved one gets behind the wheel this coming weekend, I have an easy way for you to save big on both gas and money. Drive 55.

To find out what I mean, read more.
The Union of Concerned Scientists attests that dropping from 70 to 60 mph improves fuel efficiency by an average of 17.2 percent, and dropping from 75 to 55 improves fuel efficiency by 30.6 percent! Want me to put that in dollars and cents? For every 10 mph you drive over 60, you're basically paying the equivalent of 54 cents more per gallon of gas. Here in San Francisco, where I pay about $4.25 a gallon, that means I'd be shelling out almost $5 a gallon if I drove faster! Sorry, but that just doesn't compute. And the extra cost is even higher for gas hogs like big SUVs!

If you want to be green and save green this Memorial Day weekend, do what I did, and take the Drive 55 pledge. It may take you a little longer to get to where you're going, but then again, it's always about the journey, not the destination, so enjoy every minute of this upcoming long holiday weekend.

Casa Beta: Diptyque Pomander Candle

CasaSugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 06:15:30 -0800

When I pulled the Diptyque Pomander Candle ($60) out of its box, I was overwhelmed by a feeling of nostalgia and a strong scent of . . . Christmas! With hints of tart orange peels, spicy cloves, and fresh cinnamon, the candle jogged memories of strolling through the Christmas markets in Strasbourg with a warm cup of mulled wine in hand. You may never have found yourself at "le marché de Noël," but I'm sure Pomander's combination of spices has found its way into many a wintry recipe of yours. Unlit, the candle has an overpowering smell, but lit, the scent is quite subtle and relaxing - something Diptyque always wins a blue ribbon for. I wouldn't recommend this candle year-round, but its aroma is ideal for these chilly Fall and Winter days, or perhaps your upcoming holiday party: it'll put you in the mood for some "Oh Holy Night" and a big glass of Beaujolais.

Casa Quickie: Porcelain Por Favor

CasaSugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:00:27 -0700

Whenever possible, you should try to create a home (and office) that is "free of tree." Considering that most of you use cloth napkins and towels, you're probably well on your way. But, when it comes to giving yourself reminders, and jotting down notes, I'm going to venture to guess that many of you probably still use paper (Post-Its, notepads, journals, etc.). If it didn't scream "college dorm room," I'd suggest using a dry-erase board instead, but unfortunately the memories of freshman year run thick wherever dry-erase boards hang. So, consider cruising over to your cupboard, or stopping by your local thrift store, and picking up a porcelain plate. You can jot notes and lists down on plain ol' porcelain just as well as you can with a tree-killing notepad, using a dry-erase marker of course. And, at the end of the day, when you've checked A through Z off your laundry list, you can wipe off those letters with your handmade cloth napkin.
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