CasaSugar

Do You Ever Spy on Your Neighbors?

CasaSugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:00:46 -0800

A recent New York Times article reveals that window watching (spying on your neighbors) is a common activity in big cities, where apartment windows often face each other. One woman interviewed for the article notes, "In a large city where there’s a lot going on around you, it can feel very isolating and lonely. By having contact with these total strangers through the window, it’s a safe way of having a relationship without the hard part of a relationship."

While I don't live within window-watching proximity, I know that many of my friends have sneaked in a little window watching in the past. What about you?

Do You Have a Front Porch?

CasaSugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:00:44 -0700

When I lived in New Orleans, one of the most relaxing parts of my evening was spending some time on the front porch after the sun went down. I also think that porches create good neighbors; I was always chatting with passersby when I'd hang out on my front porch.

Source: Flickr User douggarner08

Do You Live in a Walking-Friendly Neighborhood?

CasaSugar — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:00:00 -0800

One good way to keep yourself and your family healthy is by living in a neighborhood that has services, such as grocery stores and restaurants, close by. Other good signs for a walking-friendly neighborhood include walking paths, sidewalks, and public transit stops that enable you to walk part way. Is your house located in a walking-friendly neighborhood?

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Do You Spend Time Outdoors at Thanksgiving?

CasaSugar — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:30:20 -0800

After Thanksgiving dinner, I love to take a steaming cup of coffee outside and sit in the backyard to reflect on the holiday. My family also often takes a stroll through our neighborhood to work off some of our holiday dinner. Do you spend any time in your backyard or neighborhood after Thanksgiving dinner?
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In the News: Youth Photography Builds Community in Portland

CasaSugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:00:00 -0700

When photojournalist Julie Keefe moved into her rapidly changing (and gentrifying) North Portland community, a place that was once "a village raising all the kids," she noticed that as new business grew, streets became safer, and houses were fixed up, the dialogue between community members (and children) took a sharp decline . . . that people weren't saying "Hello" anymore. She wanted to publicly address these changes, that she as a new neighbor was a part of, and spur new conversation. So, she began a yearlong youth photography project called Hello Neighbor. Kids began to approach their new neighbors, of all ages, and ask to interview and photograph them. At the same time the children were learning interviewing skills and photography techniques, they were also saying hello to their neighbors and bridging a gap that had been widening for some time. Keefe chose several of the children's images to be printed in mural size and in black and white, along with text from the interviews, and hung them throughout the community to serve as a simple reminder that "it all begins with a simple hello." Read more about the project in NPR's "A Photo Project's Message: Hello, Neighbor."

Eco Chic: Walk Score

CasaSugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:00:57 -0700

One of the best ways to stay in shape and give the planet a break from carbon emissions is by walking. In my old neighborhood, I walked and biked everywhere with my dog, since nearly everything was easily accessible, from the farmers' market to the public library to my favorite cafe. In my new neighborhood, there's a pretty major hill to contend with (actually the steepest street in the East Bay), as well as about a 3/4-mile walk each way to just get to the cafe or grocery store. I still do this walk about three or four times a week at least, but it's not really a neighborhood stroll - it's an expedition.

Curious about my new hood, I went to Walk Score, which calculates the walkability of an address, essentially measuring how easy it is to live without a car, or with minimal use of a car, in that particular neighborhood. My old neighborhood is the top map, while the new one is one the bottom. Just from looking at the map you can see that my old neighborhood has a lot more cafes, markets, libraries, gyms, etc., within walking distance.

To find out my neighborhoods' Walk Scores, as well as how this service works, read more.

If you want to see how walkable your neighborhood is, just enter your address. Walk Score will then pull up a map of your neighborhood, identifying all of the neighborhood ameneties, and scoring your neighborhood between 0 and 100. Here's the interpretation for the score:

90 - 100 = Walkers' Paradise: Most errands can be accomplished on foot and many people get by without owning a car.
70 - 90 = Very Walkable: It's possible to get by without owning a car.
50 - 70 = Some Walkable Locations: Some stores and amenities are within walking distance, but many everyday trips still require a bike, public transportation, or car.
25 - 50 = Not Walkable: Only a few destinations are within easy walking range. For most errands, driving or public transportation is a must.
0 - 25 = Driving Only: Virtually no neighborhood destinations within walking range. You can walk from your house to your car!

My old neighborhood scored a 75, while my new one scored only a 46! I'd have to agree with Walk Score's assessment; even though I walk in my neighborhood a lot, lugging a backpack of groceries back up 3/4 a mile of a steeply pitched road isn't my idea of fun. Usually when I do this walk, it's just to pick up a DVD or grab an iced coffee.

How does your neighborhood score? Go find out!

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Give Back While You Shop With CB2's "Can Do" Drive

CasaSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0800

Last year, CB2 had tremendous success with its "can do" drive, helping to stock food banks in the neighborhoods close to its stores. This year, the "can do" drive is back. From today through Nov. 25, bring five nonperishable items into the store and receive 15 percent off your purchases for that day. All food collected will be directly contributed to a local food bank.

My local CB2 will be contributing to the Alameda County Community Food Bank. You can check here to see which charity your local CB2 will benefit during the drive. And meanwhile, make sure to head out to a store soon, with your five cans in hand. Not only will you feel good about providing food for needy families during the holiday season, but you'll also feel darn good about that discount. See below for some of my favorite CB2 items that I'll be shopping for when I bring in my nonperishables this week.

Casa Verde: America's Best Eco-Neighborhoods

CasaSugar — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 05:03:56 -0800

This month's issue of Natural Homes highlights the 10 best eco-neighborhoods in the United States. The neighborhoods are scattered geographically, but they share features such as high-tech, energy-efficient appliances, use of solar panels, native landscaping, and other water-saving techniques, and access to stores, schools, and parks.

For the list, just read more.

Mueller in Austin, Texas
Greenbridge in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Stapleton in Denver, Colorado
Prairie Crossing in Grayslake, Illinois
Issaquah Highlands in Issaquah, Washington
Navy Yard at Noisette in North Charleston, South Carolina
Helensview in Portland, Oregon
Pringle Creek Community in Salem, Oregon
High Point in Seattle, Washington
Markham Gardens in Staten Island, New York

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Home Library: Downtown Chic

CasaSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:00:47 -0700

No academic course will teach you how to give a derelict house a gut renovation and turn it into a fantastically unique, high-style home. That skill comes with experience and serious design savvy, something which Robert and Cortney Novogratz accidentally learned they had.

After renovating their first home in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood 10 years ago, which then was a neglected, not-so-fashionable area, they realized they had a knack for building and decorating, together. Since then, they've renovated and designed numerous buildings in and around NYC, including an entire block in SoHo and a house in the country, and founded their own design powerhouse, Sixx Design. As a memoir of sorts chronicling seven of the couple's projects, the Novogratz clan - did I mention they have seven children? - published Downtown Chic: Designing Your Dream Home, From Wreck to Ravishing. Hear my thoughts on the volume when you read more.

The first seven chapters of the book each cover a house the Novogratz couple have renovated, including lots of before and after shots. The duo offer advice learned from each experience, such as how to handle contractors, tips for buying a wreck, how to make your house renter-friendly, and how to mix high- and low-cost furnishings.

While the book jacket says each project proves "time and again you can bring charm to any four walls - and do so affordably," it actually just left me with a sense of envy, and with the reminder that the word "affordable" is all relative. The pair do have a knack for flea marketing and using vintage artifacts and architectural treasures in a unique way, but having the time to do so is a luxury in itself.

The book is full of tips like taming bold colors with neutral furnishings and mixing modern pieces with regional furnishings that in theory are helpful and affordable. But in reality it's the Cappellini coffee table, the luxuriously upholstered bed frame, and the couple's extensive collection of artwork that make me want to "get the Downtown Chic look."

This book is definitely a treat to read. It offers a sneak peek into one family's wonderful life as well as lots of inspiration, but in all likelihood, it won't solve the everyman's design woes. But then again, I guess you can hire Sixx to do that for you.

Open House: Least Favorite Fall Chores

CasaSugar — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 05:30:04 -0700

Once the season turns, it's time to compile, and check off, all of those necessary Fall chores. From sweeping out gutters to raking up leaves, there's no end to the tasks that need attending to. My least favorite Fall chore is actually scheduling appointments with handymen and carpenters.

I don't have a problem with doing chores myself; it's the time spent waiting for service professionals, and taking time off of work to let people in and out of the house, that's difficult for me to manage. Plenty of my friends dread the Fall cleanup though, and often hire neighborhood kids to rake their leaves or clean around their homes. What's your least favorite Fall chore?

Source: Flickr User Sugarfrizz

Jericho Stool - $129.00	Stixx Bed Linens - $19.95
Boxcar Credenza - $899.00	Clay Ox Mask Ornament - $2.95
Frost Pillow - $24.95	Rustle Napkin - $3.95
White Wash Floor Mirror - $189.00	Floral Flocked Ornament - $3.95
Sol Pendant Lamp - $99.95	Finn Lounger - $1,099.00
Ikat Pile Rug - $349.00	Champion Organic Cotton Blanket - $59.95