8/4/11

According to the utility company Con Edison, the recommended setting for the air-conditioning thermostat is 78 degrees. This is the ideal temperature to achieve maximum energy savings while maintaining a pleasant, cool environment at home. Another way to make rooms feel cooler is to add ceiling and table fans that circulate the air around the home. These are cool ideas to save money and stay comfortable.

8/3/11

Here's an easy and useful housewarming gift to bring to any party: an upcycled cigar box filled with herbal tea bags. Simply visit a local cigar store and inquire if they have any wooden boxes they are tossing out or willing to sell (usually rather cheaply). Then fill the box with a variety of organic herbal tea bags, a bottle of organic honey and a whole lemon. Your hosts can then offer teas after dinner from your gift. 

8/2/11

Original, beautiful photos that you can hang up in your house may seem like an expensive idea exclusively for the rich, right? Not necessarily. A good place to find great pictures is your local photography club, where nonprofit groups hold juried exhibitions and award prizes for best photos. These gallery-quality pieces can be purchased for a song and give your walls great style.