Best Wine Bottle Stoppers

Not too long ago I was at a party where the take-away gift was a beautiful set of chrome wine bottle stoppers. I said to my handy dandy boyfriend, Rhett - "What a great Christmas gift idea!" - to which he said - "I think I can make those."


And that he did.

Rhett is not particularly fond of turning wood and these stoppers are his first stab at it. Not too shabby, huh?

Cool fireplace idea.

I've got a non-working fireplace in my living room that was originally behind drywall and bricked over. Of course I dug it out because even if I can't use it it's nice to have. I plan to put a candle menagerie in it and hang a grouping of pictures above it, so it will be a nice focal point. Maybe someday when I strike it rich I'll have a wood stove put in, but for now that is very low on the priority list. Anyway! I've been wondering what exactly to do about a mantel and I came across this today from dominomag.com:

They call it a wood-block mantel and I think it is VERY cool. The instructions are simple enough as well, which is a bonus. Check it out: http://www.dominomag.com/howtos/diy/2008/12/make_wood_block_mantel

Where are we headed?

I just got word via Apartment Therapy that one of my favorite magazines, Cottage Living , has folded. boooo!

Each day there is more bad news and everyone is affected if not directly, indirectly. It's scary. I don't really know what else to say.

Burlap Craze

Last month I attended the fall show at the Merchandise Mart in Atlanta. Honestly it wasn't the most inspiring day, most showrooms were either closed or trying to push off last year's crap on greedy designers and shop owners at sample sales. However, in one showroom I was really struck with all of their burlap decor. Pillows, bags, lamp shades, pendants - all very cool and curiously very expensive, even at wholesale.

So - I am happy to report that my first burlap creation -- a pendant chandelier to go over my kitchen table -- so far has only cost me $12.

Next up? Tote bags.

Who doesn't love pumpkins?

On my way to work this morning I was very excited to see a mountain of orange as I passed by the local market proudly displaying a large variety of local pumpkins. Here in South Carolina I know summer is not over. Even though the temperatures have dropped, the pumpkins and the candy are out, and all of our favorite TV shows are premiering - there will be more hot days to come. But I have to say, the one great thing about the fall is that you don't start seeing the decor 4 months early. You can't put out the pumpkins in June. Last month, in one of those big box stores I saw Christmas decorations! So hooray for the never too early pumpkins - you made my morning happier this morning.

Less is More (or is it?)

Just back from an amazing trip to Colorado - and refreshed - I've been pondering the age-old philosophy that less is more. I think by default we are programmed to be impressed by all things bigger and that bigger = better. It makes sense...bigger salary, better stuff - bigger meal, better satisfaction - bigger school, better education...you get the picture. But these days when there is less to go around and our awareness of the damages our lifestyles have imposed on Mother Earth, many of us are starting to ask ourselves "Can I really do without that?" more often. I've had several conversations with friends and co-workers about minimizing how often we get in our cars to go somewhere, about really prioritizing where and how we spend our money, about supporting the local economy and doing what we can to be "green". Instead of being reserved for Earth Day worshiping tree huggers, having an environmental outlook on everyday life is being forced into everyone's consciousness. Even Walmart is making efforts to go green with reusable shopping bags and promoting local farmers. So now it's not just that girl at the market with hairy armpits using her own organic bag made from recycled materials, it's your boss, your mother, your snobby next door neighbor with the expensive maid, and it's you (well...it should be anyway).

Out in Colorado, I was introduced to an architect whose houses had a real impact on me. He is creating a neighborhood in Creede, CO called Creede America. The homes in Creede America are unique, impressive, and not 5,000 square feet plus. These houses command attention yet blend into their environment. The materials used to build these houses, like corrugated steel, brick, and slate, aren't completely out of the ordinary, but are used in captivating ways that create interest and give each house character and a uniqueness not found in new construction today. Home owners in Creede American also have the option of investing in a geothermal heating and cooling system which actually uses the earth's energy to heat and cool the home.

But beyond all that, the principle of the homes in Creede America is effective use of space and well proportioned rooms. In other words, it's not about being the biggest house on the block, it's about living in a house that makes sense with the way life is really lived. Why have the stairway command all the attention when the best memories are made around the kitchen table? Why have big unnecessary rooms? Why does every bedroom have to have its own bathroom? Why not just have a separate room for the toilet, the shower, and the vanity?

So yes, big may be impressive and certainly has its place...but I believe that bigger being better is really a thing of the past.

To learn more about Creede America and geothermal heating and cooling, visit www.creedeamerica.com.

Vinegar Tips

So this kind of ties into the "Product Review" post. Instead of buying branded non-toxic cleaner, save some coin and make your own!

Vinegar Tips