Product: Saeco Syntia Cappuccino Espresso Machine
Price: $1,399.95
Rating: Recommended*

If there's one thing I've gotten a little pickier about over the years, it's coffee. I wouldn't call myself a hardcore purist, but I've transitioned from a youthful ignorance beginning with the convenience of pre-ground roasts prepared with an automatic drip machine, later to stovetop and french press methods, and finally now to grinding my own beans and preparing one cup at a time using an Aeropress. The difference in taste is quite remarkable, each new technique (and other methods) revealing a wide range of tastes once untapped by the standard drip+filter machines we all grew up using... More

Waterwise Distiller W/ Electronic Monitor
• $429.00
• GAIAM

Living in an older building with pipes that could only be described as "aged", I've always wanted a reverse osmosis system installed to improve upon the usual Brita/Pur pitchers we already use. But being a renter, installing a system can be expensive and we'd have to get sign off from our landlord to alter the plumbing. This tabletop filtration solution isn't cheap, but it's a convenient option for purifying tap water by first turning it into steam, converting it back to liquid, and then filtering it one more time through a carbon filter for a 99% reduction of "inorganic and radiological contaminants". The process takes about 4 hours, and up to 6 gallons of drinking water can be made a day, so we could imagine filling up one of those larger water storage bottle for use throughout the week.

Colder temps means many of us are cranking up the heat, which in turn reduces interior humidity, causing dry skin and none too pleased nasal mucosa. Sure, you can always slather a little lotion on your skin or add some oil to your bath, but what about your nasal passages? That'd be uncomfortable to say the least. So in the name of avoiding cracked, bleeding skin we're bringing the humidity back with some home humidifiers. These beautiful devices come in all manner of size and style. More

Hate the blowing in your face from standard forced air HVAC systems? Utility bill through the roof trying to heat your home this cold winter? Find out the benefits of radiant floor heating and how installing a system in your upcoming renovation can help save on energy costs and keep you more comfortable than traditional heating methods. Just say no to cold floor tiles in the bathroom or kitchen every morning! More

The appeal of braving long andcold weather lines all for the possibility of snagging "one at this price" deals or elbowing other shoppers for once a year prices has as much appeal as visiting the dentist. Black Friday lines? No thanks...we're happy to snag deals online from the comfort of our own home, sipping some Celestial Seasonings tea, bunny slippers on, Twilight Zone marathon on the telly in the background. So if you're (smart) like us, kick back and open your browser to do a little Black Friday shopping without ever leaving your door. More

We find ourselves more and more with a need for espresso but nowhere to get it but a Starbucks, if at all. We also aspire to great espresso, but the savings account hasn't quite caught up to our caffeine fueled dreams. Enter the portable espresso maker. While pulling a shot from these machines probably won't give you the beautiful cremá you'd see from a countertop maker, they work well while camping, at the office or in a pinch. Most require another heating implement for the water, but a fire, electric kettle, microwave or stove top can help you in this department. More

While the proverbial "they" always say neccessity is the mother of invention, it's clear that laziness has inspired its share of innovations. If the idea of picking your butt of the sofa to turn the thermostat up (down?) a few degrees is too much to bear sometimes, you can now get your virtual personal assistant, Siri, to do it for you. All you need is a web-connected thermostat and some programming knowledge. More

If I had to venture a guess, I would have said that it was better to space heat one room than turn up the heat in the entire home. That is, before I calculated the cost of various heating fuels. Find out how you can decide to space heat or whole house heat this winter. More

Q: We are about to move into a new rental property and are stuck with this rather blah bathroom. I'm looking for a paint color and some fun accessories to give it a little bit of life. Please help! More

Between heating for winter, dressing for parties and cooking for family, the holiday season seems to send our appliance usage into overdrive. Turn back the wheels of time and do a little preventative maintenance to avoid putting a year's worth of wear on your heater, laundry machines and kitchen appliances the next two months.

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