My favorite place for house touring: Cape May, New Jersey!

Offered by the Cape May Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts , the tour boasts numerous renovated Victorians and modern functionality to broaden your mind and options of house decorating for your own home! This year’s Designer Show House is the newly renovated Carpenter Cottage on 511 Franklin Street. Open until January 3, 2010, this is a showcase you don’t want to miss, with package deals on top restaurants and luncheons available through the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts website.

Once the home of lighthouse keepers, the Carpenter Cottage has been renovated with decor and household designs to look fresh, summery and clean, with simple lines and designs.

Tips and tricks to make your house into a Cottage oasis:

1. White accents, but not a White main course. Basically to make everything fresh, you want to pick a primary color ( a nice blue or red) and then accent it with tons of white. White chandeliers, white candlesticks, white curtains, white bed skirt, white white white. Don’t try to compliment a color with another color, even a more subdued one. Make it fresh and classic.

2. Modernize the bathroom! Make sure the appliances are nice and curious. You want clean lines and simplicity, but also some modern twists: maybe an interesting pewter faucet? A column-styled stand-alone sink? An antique mirror? Give it class.

3. Artwork on the wall is an absolute must. But don’t go for modernist paintings or your children’s artwork (though that is always a nice family touch). Think about rustic farm images or weather-beaten wood frames. You want the house to look timeless, but also aged. Think about how you can recreate that with art. The potential is limitless!

And the bitter, slightly buyer’s remorse side of me said: Yes, that does sound nice.

Lesson learned: Bikes are handy tools. They serve all sorts of functions, and any set of wheels is better than none. Little extra accessories, like a basket on the front or back, make the bike feel much better and functional for going to work or basic necessities. If you’re living in a big city and want to use the bike for serious commutes on the busy roads, you’ll need to get yourself a super thin, lightweight and sleek road bike. If you’re a suburbanite and you just need something to get you from A to B to pick up the kids from school, an old school mountain bike or beach cruiser may be just the ticket. If you’re in a very hilly or tough terrained area, go for a mountain bike. They’re much more stable and durable, and the wheels are great for handling everything from dirt roads to jumping curbs.

Some bike buying highlights:

Men’s Schwinn 700C Prelude Road Bike: $241.19

Kawasaki KDX126FS Men’s 26″ Deluxe Dual Suspension MTB Mountain Bike from Bikemania.biz: $159.99

26″ Men’s Schwinn Point Beach Cruiser Bike from Walmart.com: $159.00

Also, consider looking on websites like Craigslist or Freecycle.com, an online swapping forum of free things in your area. Green living starts with recycling.  Getting a bike used is better for the environment and your bank account than buying it straight from the dealer.

Shop through a variety of affordable bikes at Smarter.com.

First, some facts about compost heaps:

1. Compostable materials are natural materials that biodegrade substantially under specific biological conditions.  The compost doesn’t just “happen” if you put the materials in the backyard.  Bacteria and heat need to be at work, and they need a specific environment in the heap to make the compost effective.
2. 4 important elements are needed to make the materials biodegrade in the most efficient way: carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and water.  Some easy carbon materials are cereal straws, cornstalks, dry leaves, wood, cardboard, or office paper.  High nitrogen levels are found easily in green plant material, grass clippings, manure and kitchen waste, such as fruit and vegetable cooked waste, or tea and coffee grounds.
3. Compost heaps can be done at high temperatures (active or aerobic compost) and low temperatures (anaerobic).  High temperatures are necessary to compost meat, dairy, eggs, grease and cooking oil.  To create an aerobic compost heap, the compost needs to be contained within a bin so it can achieve high levels of heat inside the bin to decompose the matter inside.  Recommended size: 3 feet x 3 feet.
4. Anaerobic composting happens at around 86 degrees Fahrenheit.  It is slower than aerobic composting but still effective, and is the common technique for domestic gardening.  Usually an open (or closed) bin of wood or plastic, or even just in the yard in exposed piles, anaerobic composting works for kitchen scraps and garden clippings.  It is recommended to improve airflow and eliminate odor by adding carbon-rich “brown” materials, such as wood chips, shredded bark, twigs, etc.

Now that we have a run down on the important facts about compost heaps, let’s look at some of the products on the market to help with aerobic and anaerobic composting.

HomeDepot.com’s ECOmposter Tumbler with Base is only $249.00 and holds up to 71 gallons of waste inside.  This is a great design for the aerobic processes, and promises to have nutrient rich compost created in as little as 4-6 weeks.  The design looks kind of like a spaceship, but at least it will contain most of the smell.

CleanAirGardening.com’s Black Soilsaver Compost Bin is a double whammy:  the bin is on sale for $109.99, reduced from $139.99, AND it is made out of recycled materials itself!  This is a great bin for domestic use compost in the garden.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more compost bins.

The easy to use interface of GardenBargainsOnline.com hosts product reviews, garden articles and tips for going green as well as the latest coupons, discounts and special offers.

Here are some bargains you can’t afford to miss:

10% off all seasonal products from Arbico Organics Online. This is a great place for you to stock up on all-natural fertilizer or bug repellent for your garden, like the McGeary Organics Side Dress Fertilizer 8-1-1 - Large Jug, cut down from $19.95 to the sweet deal price of $17.80.  This product is recommended especially for corn or lawns.  Natural fertilizer helps your lawn look especially healthy, and it won’t harm your pets or children like artificial fertilizers might.

Another great product you don’t want to miss is the Mosquito Barrier- 1 Quart.  It may not be mosquito season just yet, but it’s always good to be preventative.  You will be thanking yourself later for investing in this long-lasting and affordable product.  The application lasts for up to 4 weeks, knocked down to the stellar price of $23.50.

The other great bargain you don’t want to miss is happening at Plow & Hearth.com.  Make sure you click on the red-highlighted “Outlet” tab on right side of the top banner–that’s where all the deals are, and they are unmissable!  Everything from Adirondack chairs to bird feeders to chalkboard organizers are right here, and all at bargain price!

Some highlights:

Bamboo Serveware, hand-crafted and eco-friendly, bamboo plates are available for $5.99, cut down from original $12.99 price.  Unfortunately the salad bowl and servers shown in the photo are no longer available–but if you’re a savvy shopper, I’m sure you can find a complimentary salad bowl for the bamboo plates at bargain price!

Best of luck with your bargain hunting!  Remember, for the best deals the product may not be completely in stock, (like the bamboo serveware) but if you’re a savvy shopper, finding the perfect complimentary assemblage of items is all part of the fun!

Enjoy!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more bamboo dinnerware and fertilizer.

Here’s a great little side tip before we get to the main product, which I came across while searching for a good green product to share today: buying individually wrapped and packaged items may be convenient for your on-the-go family, but buying in bulk helps eliminate waste and is cheaper, too!  Buy reusable plastic containers for your kids to pack their sandwiches and snacks for school, instead of the already individually packaged Graham Crackers or PB&J.  It’s a great way to save the planet and your pocket, and really doesn’t require any sacrifice.  Which brings me to the main product of today’s blog, something that’s received a lot of hype for the past year: Green light bulbs!

First, some facts you didn’t know about light bulbs, and how Green lighting can help you eliminate waste and save money:

1. Green lightbulbs save electricity and save the environment by using Compact Fluorescent Light, otherwise known as “CFL”.
2. A fact provided by CBS News : “If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an Energy Star qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.”
3. On average, each CFL light bulb saves you about $30 in it’s lifetime

Still need convincing? CFL light bulbs may cost a little more than the average light bulb when first purchased, but thrifty, stylish department store IKEA offers CFL lightbulbs for sale in bulk.  Check out the 2-pack SPARSAM energy-efficient light bulb: 2 for $8.99.  IKEA boasts that this light bulb has a 10x’s longer lifespan than the standard incandescent light bulb.

One downfall: Standard energy-efficient CFL light bulbs do not work with dimmers.  GE, invented a special dimming CFL that works with dimmer setups, however the company warns you that the practice of using dimmers shortens light bulbs lifespans and therefore, your savings.  This light bulb is called GE Longlife Plus Soft White Energy Saving Bulb and sells for the special discounted price at LampsPlus.com of $2.69/2-pack.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more CFL light bulbs.

Diaz’s style is enviable summer fashion:  well-made, thick linen and a leather belt, the perfect combination of chic and summer fun.  The decor in the room compliments this, with cream-colored, simply-lined chairs, a glass table and wooden dangle decorations.  Maybe your style is a little different, a little darker than Diaz’s bubbly blonde, and you would go with more of a vintage worn aesthetic.  For summer, though, simple and chic is key: here are some ways to evoke Vogue’s set:

Beige Microfiber Adjustable Sofa: $562.99

Contemporary and classy, this discounted sofa is features on Smarter.com as a great find for it’s versatility and luxury.  The sofa adjusts into a bed, and the Microfiber exterior finish is extra durable.  Marked down from $755, this is a great base piece to a new, contemporary style for your home.

Modish Glass Top End Table: $384.99.

Marked down from $731.99, Smarter.com features this fabulous save because of the table’s distinctive style and sleek look.  At the bargain price, how can you say no?

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more adjustable sofas.
Discounts on glass top end tables.

I’m going to give you next some tips to improve your rice cooking technique:

The first thing to do is reducing the amount of starch in the rice.  How do we do that?  Simply washing it over and over again until the water comes out clear.  If you don’t want to wash it, another option is frying it for a few minutes in oil or butter and then throwing it into the boiling water.

If you liked the second option better, there is another great way to cook the rice.  After it has fried in a pan for two or three minutes, pour boiling water with salt on it and stir it just once, so that the rice doesn’t get mushy. (Note: The water really needs to be boiling)

Now, how do we know how much water we should pour?  The universal rule to cook rice is that the proportion of water should be double than the proportion of rice.  If we use one cup of rice we must use two cups of water.  If we use two cups of rice we must use four cups of water.

If we cook the rice like this there will be no need to strain it, which is much better since it helps to keep all the nutrients that would go away with the water.

If you see that the rice is not cooked yet and already dry, you can add a little bit more boiling water.

I recommend cooking it at first on high fire and turning it into low fire later.  The amount cooking time the rice needs depends on what kind of rice it is.  It could take from ten to twenty minutes. (Always check the instructions on the pack and try the rice to be sure is not raw.)

There are many kinds of pans that could be used to make rice, but my favorite will always be the wok pan.   That’s why I’m showing you this great wok pan I found on Smarter.com.

I think woks are great to use when preparing rice because its shape keeps the heat uniform, guaranteeing even cooking.

Pictured: Pan Wok 14036K : $132.00 $106.40

Now, if you really don’t feel you are going to succeed in the kitchen, don’t worry!  I bring you the Electric Rice Cooker.  It is really cute, compact and easy to use.  By pressing only one button you will get your rice cooked and automatically kept warm for up to six hours.  This is definitely a very practical choice.

Pictured: Electric Rice Cooker : $41.25

Image Source: Gallina Blanca

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more wok pans and electric rice cookers.
Discounts on rice.

Roman shades are made by a square peace of plain material that folds more than once on itself, thanks to the ribs that are sewn horizontally.  These ribs help to keep the fabric stretched so that it folds properly.  The mechanism is regulated by hand through a string.  They can be fixed from the wall or from the ceiling.

This kind of window treatment is ideal when you need it to cover just the window, and no more. For example, when there is something under the window (like a heater or a piece of furniture), or just when there is not much space around the window and a regular curtain would drape over too much.

There is no problem with using this curtains for sliding windows, but I don’t recommend using them for windows that open to the inside of the room.

Pictured: Solid Roman Shades: $39.00

Here are some tips on how to choose Roman shades:

• Roman shades look much better in plain material than in patterned.  If you still want to choose a patterned material, make sure it has a small design that would look good even when the curtain is lifted up.
• The Roman shade’s design is perfect for modern and minimalist decorations.  For this reason, light colors are more popular (colors like cream, natural or ocher).  If you really want a dark color shade, it’s okay as long as it matches the decor of the room.
• The most common fabrics used are cotton, wool and brocade.  You should pick your fabric based on where you plan on placing the shades. For example, cotton it is quite informal so it would be better for the kitchen or the bathroom. Wool or brocade are definitely more formal, so they would look good in the living room or the dining room.

Something cool about decorating with Roman shades is that it allows you to regulate the lightning you want to let in, by folding it more or folding it less. The color contributes to letting more light in too.  Light colors like the ones I told you before will definitely allow a lot more light into a room, but dark colors like wine-red or purple will make a dim room, which is not bad, depending on what you want to use that room for.

From my point of view, Roman shades are very practical and versatile.  If they are made of cotton in a lively color they can be ideal for children’s room, and look really cool and casual. If they are made of another kind of fabric, in a “serious” color, they look totally elegant and sophisticated.

Pictured: Levolor Flat Custom Roman Shades: $128.56

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop through a variety of Roman shades.

Discounts on other window treatments.

To add to my post about drawer organizers….I heard this weekend from a friend that she puts empty shoe boxes in her drawers to help keep them organized.  Great idea!  Here are some other uses for your old shoe boxes that are taking up much needed room in your closet:

• Paint your shoe boxes the color of your choosing, or use wrapping paper and use them as gift boxes.  You can get creative and they will appreciate the effort!
• Store your precious photos:  This sort of seems old school considering the majority of us store our pictures on discs and memory sticks now, but its a cute idea for those old photos you want to keep available to show family members’ friends for a good laugh.
• Store your greeting cards for the year: Having a wide variety of greeting cards handy so you don’t have to run to the store for every occasion is great! Usually when you can buy them in bulk you will save money as well.
• Create a masterpiece:  You can get creative and make something yourself or have the kids use their imagination.
• Make a gift ribbon dispenser: Check out directions on how to do this here.  It’s an awesome way to keep the ribbon from tangling.

How do you re-use your shoe boxes?

Image Source

How adorable are these?

Topiary making is an art and wire forms are like sculptures. I know, just keeping my 3-tier round topiary tree is hard enough (well, it’s not round anymore). Here’s a quick rundown on how they make it.

1. Buy a form. Unless of course you are a master wire sculptor. There are several online shops, just type in “topiary forms” specialty nursery and garden stores in your town may have them, too. If you are making your own, chicken & copper wires may be suitable. Other people have even used wire hangers.
2. Choose the plant or shrub. The selection includes creeping vines such as English Ivy, Bay Laurel, Box Holly, Myrtle, etc.
3. Fill the form with sphagnum moss. Thy available at your local Lowes and Home Depot.
4. Plant the vine around the form in the pot or ground.
5. As the vine grows, train it to wrap around the form. Prune as needed so the form stands out.

Ahhh, just love topiaries, found this namecard holders I’m thinking of using at my wedding… whenever that will be.