We always like reading the "Ask Umbra" column over at Grist.org. Her answers are well-researched and often funny.
We were particularly charmed by her investigation of Method products last week, and we really like something she had to say about green cleaning in general.
Quote after the jump ...
We’ll fess up. We’ve been known to bike in heels.
O.K., so perhaps David Byrne isn’t advocating cycling in stilettos, but with all the talk about biking lately and Amber's post on bike racks, we were still thrilled to spot “The Ladies’ Mile” on our way to Central Park yesterday.
For those of you Chicagoans who may have recently gotten a new bike, or need to brush up on your bike safety know-how, Mayor Daley’s Bicycling Ambassadors will be providing demonstrations and tips for bicyclists on how to be safe and fun while bicycling in the city. Topics will include helmet fitting, commuting and shopping by bike, sharing the road and a CTA bus bike rack demonstration.
We know for a fact, because we read all the comments on all the posts here at Re-nest, that some of you have really fantastically creative upcycling ideas. You've always got thoughts on how to take useless things and make them functional again.
Why not make some money at it?
This Old House recently ran an article on how long things are typically supposed to last. Disappointingly, some of the largest appliances like dryers and refrigerators average only about 13 years. For some home items however, there are choices to increase longevity.
As you may recall, we really, really don't like carpet. We kind of loathe it even though we admit that sometimes it serves a purpose and is the appropriate flooring choice for certain rooms.
A while back, we brought you a quick look at an intricate bamboo treehouse at Rancho Mastatal in Costa Rica. Well, turns out...that's not the only fascinating bamboo structure around.
This solar-powered three-sided shower is made from bamboo and cob (a mixture of sand, clay, and straw), made elegant and smooth by the use of collected rocks from the nearby rivers. If you look closely, you'll see that the shower head is actually half of a coconut with holes drilled through it. And what a view. Jump below for more photos.
As far as we're concerned, the more things we can recycle the better. So, when we heard that our local drugstore (Elephant Pharmacy) will be recycling old and broken crayons throughout the month of September we were both amused and inspired.
If you're thinking about buying a new, energy-saving* LCD TV or display, it may pay off to wait for a few months...
*see qualifier after the jump
I live in a college town and I can't help but notice the recent influx of U-haul's migrating up the main drag, blocking traffic, unloading futons ... Our local Target is stocked to the ceiling with mini-refrigerators, neon pink waste baskets, and every color shower caddy you can imagine.
It's been awhile since I lived in a dorm or shopped for "back to school" supplies, but I'm amazed by the green options that are cropping up left and right.
Stopped by my screen printer's today to put in a new order of Feral for Life shirts and was reminded of Jason Chaste's rad DIY project in his Teamscreen showroom...
posted originally from: Unplggd
While doing a quick toilet-paper and paper towel run at Costco the other day we spotted these very large Method hand wash refills. We've never seen refills this big outside of Costco, so have a feeling they're exclusive to the discount chain.
posted originally from: AT:San Francisco
One thing people who love DIY projects have in common (besides the fun and thrill of making something yourself) is the money savings involved in taking on the task yourself. In a DIY project, the most expensive part is usually the materials! Unless of course you use a material that's free and in easy supply...
posted originally from: AT:LA
Garbage Lamp: made of used, compulsively collected polystyrene drinking cups.
posted originally from: AT:LA
Jamie Ward takes old, discarded, essentially broken down pieces of furniture and breathes new life into them -- saving them from the junk heap and putting them back to good use.
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