8/23/09

Weekends are a popular time to decorate around the house, so when you're shopping for the perfect accessories or furnishings, look for a material called water hyacinth. This wicker-like material is lightweight, durable and inexpensive. Water hyacinth was introduced as a decorative aquatic plant in Asia by colonists; because it's not a native species, it has reproduced dramatically, often at the expense of native plants and wildlife. To control the population, water hyacinth is collected by hand, dried and woven into furniture, baskets and other functional accessories. The more you buy, the more you help.

8/22/09

If you're thinking about investing in something new for your home, do a little online research first before buying. Practically every consumer product out there has real testimonials and reviews online. By doing your homework, you can find out if the "Amazin' Sandwich Press" is truly an innovation or a dud. Too many red-flagged reviews are a sign that you might want to pass on buying something you will likely end up regretting.

8/21/09

Take a minute to pull your refrigerator a few inches away from the kitchen wall. By allowing extra air in the back, the condenser coils will work better because of the increased air circulation. When you have time, pull the fridge out completely and vacuum the back to remove dust and debris. Doing this twice a year will improve the efficiency of your fridge, too.