Home & Garden Blog » 2007 » October

What would you say? Write us your caption and post them in our comments!

It’s long been suggested that you should talk to your plants, kiss em’, hug em’, whisper sweet nothings into their leaves! Doing so apparently makes them healthier, but now the plants are talking back. A company called Botanicalls have merged plant care with telecommunications, devising and constructing a way to bring container gardening to the 21st century: using their system, your plants will call you on the phone when they need to be watered, when they haven’t gotten enough, and to thank you when they’re no longer thirsty.

The system currently involves a soil moisture sensor, hardware and software to interpret that data, and a call to a lounge phone; phase to will include a bunch of new features including a light sensor, display, ambient sensors, output to the web and email, as well as calls to your personal cell phone (not just the one connected to the plant). You’ll even be able to call and check on the plants status. (Source)

Ok so here comes my two cents. Ready?

Cent One: I think this idea is genius because I am a plant serial killer. As I mentioned in a previous post about the wonders of the tilting vase, I have yet to own a plant that didn’t commit suicide in my care. So I applaud the creativity and innovation involved in this technology.

Cent Two: The only drawback I can think of regarding this idea is how annoying some of the calls or texts might become. I mean I have enough on my mind without getting badgering calls from my tulips whining about not having any water! (Hmm…now that I think about it, such feelings are probably why they commit suicide) Overall I still think this idea is very cool and could save many, many plant lives.

Watch the Botanicalls animation to learn more about the project, visit their site to get all the details. ::Botanicalls via ::Reuters

Pumpkin Votive Centerpiece - $17.95

Well gang, we are in the midst of Holiday season. Thanksgiving is next, or as I like to call it “The Attack of L-tryptophan”. Truth is I never cared for Thanksgiving too much. First of all, it reminds me that the Indians were nice enough to help the Pilgrims only to die of disease and be robbed of their lands. ( Hmmm…I wonder what American Indians do on Thanksgiving?) Secondly, all the relatives come around for a free meal, drink too much and start yapping at the mouth. This is usually the Holiday where you discover your adopted from a sauced up Uncle or Aunt!

That said, I now love Thanksgiving! Why the sudden change of heart you ask? Because I am now at the age where “I” am that sauced up Aunt that lets it slip you were not planned or why your hair and eyes are so fair compared to the rest of the family. Let me tell you folks, papas got a brand new bag and it is good times!

Now that we have opted to make the best of it, lets get to decorating and setting a festive mood. The first photo is of a pumpkin votive centerpiece from Oriental Trading Company. The reason why I chose this centerpiece to highlight over other options is because it’s metal. I have witnessed centerpieces catching flame and nothing kills a good party like high intensity shrieking and smoke!

The second photo is of cute leaf napkin rings that I figure you can use for Thanksgiving or for any dinner in fall to spice things up. They are made of extra thick felt and cost $5.95.

Lastly, I was going to present you guys with cute thanksgiving bag sets you can buy for like 6 bucks, that you can use to make gift bags filled with toys and games for the kids, or as “to go” bags of leftovers for guests to take home. Fortunately, I found these awesome thanksgiving stamps that you can use to decorate plain brown bags and custom make your own gift bags or “to go” bags. Plus it only costs, $3.95!!

Now get to eating, celebrating and saying things you will regret the next day!

For more great Thanksgiving Decorations, click here.

Trendir.com presents the luxury martini bar from Tresserra Collection. The bar opens up expansively to reveal drawers perfectly designed to fit all the essentials such as cocktail shakers, plus a tip-up surface of stainless steel that folds out to reveal more surface area….Would you like that shaken or stirred?

As California Wildfires continue to ravage the state, be sure to check out the stylish and sensible Home Hero Fire Extinguisher! Grassroots Modern says, “This fire extinguisher has all the bells and whistles that you would expect to find in a fire extinguisher plus something you wouldn’t, stylish design.”

Be sure to visit OhJoy! and her post about custom wallpaper that will surely liven up any room and is now available in the United States.

This week in Smarter Home & Garden we covered:

• Perhaps the “slinky” has inspired amazing furniture design?
• Updates on the California Wildfires, also tips by the LA Times on how to protect your home!
• Stop crying in the kitchen, buy onion proof goggles.
• Check out plants that move to the beat of solar power!! These are innovative times we live in folks…
• Save money with the Deal of the Day at Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn is having a Clearance Sale where you can save up to 50%. Check out their SALE section and hunt for great bargains today. I have gathered some of my top picks, to moisten your appetite…

PB SCULPTED BATH TOWELS - Was $26.00 - NOW $19.99
The textured Jacquard weave of 820-gram cotton terry towels makes them exceptionally luxurious. Carefully sculpted in Turkey, to achieve a subtle self-striped pattern, and edged with a mini-diamond dobby border. May be monogrammed with up to 3 initials for an additional charge.

This item has been approved by Oeko-Tex, the world’s definitive ecological certification process, which tests fibers, threads and components to ensure that each product is healthy for you, healthy for those who produce it and healthy for the environment.

White, Sandalwood and Porcelain Blue are shown (top to bottom).

Wooden Photo Display -Was $49.00 SALE $39.99
Pottery Barn has retrofitted the design of a vintage drying rack to create an artful place to display everything from photos to memos. Made of six sturdy espresso-finished wooden pieces that are held together with two chains in an antique-bronze finish. Twelve metal clips attached.

Outdoor Grommet Drape - Was $49.00 SALE $29.99

Transform a corner of the porch or patio into a shady retreat with this beautiful outdoor drape. It’s woven from natural-colored spun polyester, a weather-resistant fabric that easily washes clean. Opens smoothly on weather-resistant pewter grommets. Tie-backs included.

If you are interested in purchasing these items click on the image and it will take you directly to that item!

Otherwise click here to check out Pottery Barn’s Clearance Sale in all it’s glory!

Do your plants not get enough sun during the day? Plant ‘O’ Matic is the solution! A flowerpot on wheels equipped with solar panels allows the plants to roll themselves into the sun. We found this object at Stereonoise, the inventor’s studio run by Pep Torres in Barcelona, Spain. Unfortunately there’s not much information available but this idea definitely has potential- not just for letting plants find the sun.

I think they should invent something that monitors dogs and cats hunger and thirst levels, when they need water or food a collar on their neck should shout out, “Feed me Woman!” or “I’m thirsty!” ….

Do they have that yet?

These Onion Action Goggles ($20) are a must-have in the kitchen. While you may look like a science nerd, the goggles are anti-fog and have a foam seal to keep out those strong vapors. They’re a fun gift to give any serious foodie and chef.

If the pink version is way to ultra feminista for you it also comes in black and white. These would be my choice, I am almost positive that I am deathly allergic to pink.

I happen to think these goggles are a brilliant idea. I for one tear like a madman when I chop onions. But it struck me that wouldn’t protective eyewear goggles be just as effective and perhaps a tad cheaper?

So I did a quick search and I think these Gogglewear Protective Goggles ($12.65) might be just as effective and cheaper. Here is what they have listed as it’s details:
“Soft foam backing seals out particulates and is comfortable against your face. Head strap keeps GoggleGear in place even when bending over. Vent channels on top and bottom of GoggleGear bathes the inside of the lens with cooler air to minimize fogging. Polycarbonate lens is anti-fog and anti-scratch.” (Source)

Hmmm…so let’s analyze shall we:

Perks

• cheaper (save +$7.95)
• head strap
• anti- fog, anti- scratch lens

Vices

• “Vent channels on top and bottom of GoggleGear bathes the inside of the lens with cooler air to minimize fogging” (does this mean that onion vapors will creep in?)
• “minimize” fogging - marketing translation = it probably fogs up!

Well I leave the final decision up to you, I am just trying to give you options. Personally, if your really interested I am leaning towards the original twenty dollar version, but if your not quite sure you will really use them for there intended purpose I would give the protective goggles a shot. Worse case scenario you save a few bucks and you can use them in the garage and yard too!

To purchase Onion Action Goggles, click here.

To purchase Gogglewear- Protective Eyewear, click here.

Hundreds of thousands of people fled as out-of-control wind-whipped wildfires raged across California on Monday, threatening homes and stretching emergency services to breaking point.

At least 13 fires were blazing throughout southern California with thousands of firefighters struggling to contain flames that have ripped through tinder-dry hillsides and parklands following months of record-low rainfalls.

One person has been killed, more than 20 people injured and 90,000 acres (36,500 hectares) destroyed in the fires, which forced the evacuation of an estimated 250,000 people in the San Diego County alone. (Source)

The causes of the different fires raging throughout the state varied, with a fallen power line believed to be the cause of the blaze in Malibu while arson was blamed for a fire in Orange County that torched 7,500 acres.

This pair of images, depicting the area around Los Angeles on October 21, 2007, shows just how quickly the fires grew.

The left image, captured by NASA’s Terra satellite at 11:35 a.m. local time, shows several fires giving off small plumes of smoke. Just over 3 hours later, at 2:50 p.m. when NASA’s Aqua satellite passed overhead, large amounts of smoke were pouring from blazes northwest of Los Angeles. Actively burning fires are outlined in red.

In the right image plumes of smoke can be seen blowing off the coast, indicating the intensity of the winds and the presence of additional fires farther south. (Source)

Our sincerest sympathy and prayers go out to those who have lost homes and loved ones. Please take a moment to review the following chart provided by the LA Times :

YouTube - Watch Amazing Furniture Design

Well I can’t distinguish all the languages that are being spoken in this video, but I hear fragments of french, and someone repeatedly says “wooooww” in the background as the demonstration continues, which cracks me up.

But the design of this chair, sofa…couch (all of the above) is quite interesting. It reminds me of that childhood toy, “the Slinky”. I think it would definitely be a great conversational piece and a smart option for children. Not to mention a great item for apartment slash city living.

Check it out for yourself and let me know what you think? By the way, I love how all Asians throw up the peace sign with their fingers whenever they get on camera, its like a natural reflex or something? Hahaha…

What would you say? Write us your caption and post them in our comments!