What a lovely idea! Living Etc. recommends collecting teacups and saucers at thrift stores and garage sales (which you can often get for a $1.00 or less) then labeling them with transfer lettering or metallic marker pens — or skip the labeling if you don't want to deface the cup. The end result: three-dimensional gift tags that'll make beautiful tea-light holders for your guests.
Name: Vaska Herbatergent
Price: $17.88 (150 oz.)
Rating: Recommend*
There are a lot of greenish laundry detergents out there these days. But we were particularly interested in Vaska Herbatergent because it comes from a company basically located in our backyard—Berkeley. Also because it's biodegradable, graywater-safe, and allergen free.
This year we're giving simple gifts so that we have more time to actually spend with people. And the gifts we're DIYing? They're all easy, simple and practical.
We saw lots of trees on cars this weekend – and while most people are starting to think about what type of tree they’re going to get and how to decorate it, don’t forget about how to dispose of it once the holidays are over. Trust us - it’ll be a lot easier to figure this out now rather than when you’re spent from holiday activities.
(Last week, I kicked off a series of posts in which I’ll document the transformation of an old barn into my future workshop.)
After spending my week tidying up a filthy barn, I understand why Mr. Clean pulled his hair out. As if the mildew and spider-monsters weren’t irksome enough, I stumbled upon a cache of leaky chemicals and rotten construction materials. And while stepping in masonry sealant is a nuisance, disposing of it in an eco-friendly way is actually a cinch.
Being an environmentalist and enjoying the outdoors go hand-in-hand. Whether the person on your gift list enjoys walking their dog in the park, gardening or mountain biking, new materials including plastics and fabrics have made finding outdoorsy green gifts easier than ever. See our picks, after the jump.
'Tis the season for dinner parties! Last night, we had friends over for a mini-potluck. We took care of the main dish and appetizers, but friends brought sides, drinks, and dessert. With all that food, we had plenty left over--and everyone wanted another chance at something. Since we're phasing out plastic to-go containers at home, we didn't have enough to go around. So we were forced to use an even better option.
Sure, we might outwardly roll our eyes at the neighbors up the street who create a huge holiday fantasy land in their front yard, but secretly, we're big fans of holiday cheer displayed outside. We wouldn't go so far as to call that wasted energy, on account of the joy it brings, but we do applaud the idea of an energy alternative. Enter Solar Santa.
Q: My hubby and I both work for a very eco-friendly company and would like to decorate our work spaces for the holidays using "green" ideas. I love the magazine Christmas tree... does anyone else have other ideas to help make it festive, yet green?
Sent by Joanna
Although we love real trees, this year we're going non-traditional. We're loving these trees made from scraps of wood courtesy of Ingrid of Wood and Wool. If you're thinking of going alternative, we've rounded up some ideas for you.
Buy second hand and keep stuff alive longer! Lots of great furniture finds New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, and Washington DC in today's PM Scavenger.
Name: Clean Water Countertop Filtration System
Store: Cuisinart
Value: $149
Description: The Cuisinart CleanWater Countertop Filtration System is available in a 2-gallon capacity unit that comes with two spigots for dispensing hot or cold filtered water, as well as an Energy Saver mode that cuts energy use by 50 percent when the function is engaged.
When we saw this, we knew we had to try it: "bows" made from succulents, that can be replanted in dirt or sand after the gift is opened.
It's an adorable idea and has the potential to eliminate some of that holiday wrapping waste.
Luckily, the SF Chronicle interviewed the duo behind Studio Choo and got the instructions.
A family in Orleans, Massachusetts hired Boston-based architects ZeroEnergy Design to design a new energy-efficient house to replace their existing lake home. The new 2,300 square foot space includes green design elements like radiant floors, a living green roof and solar electric panels which provides about 30% of the home’s electricity.
A sure sign of the season: Christmas tree vendors have popped up along the sidewalks. We've purchased evergreen boughs from them in the past for something like $5 per bundle. Just the other night, as we came out of the grocery store, we stopped to ask how much the trimmings were at the stand right outside.
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