There is something about berries that screams summer to me. Where I live in England it’s the height of strawberry season right now and the berries are cheap and plentiful. They are also succulent and sweet with the summer sun -  unlike the watery tart versions you get from supermarkets out of season. For the next few months we will have a berry bonanza with raspberries, gooseberries, blueberries, red currants, white currants, black currants, and finally in the autumn, blackberries.

For my fifth birthday I begged my mother to make a …

Tags: berries , DIY , fruit , home , how to , jam , Recipe

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Are fuel costs stressing you out? Can’t spring for a new fuel-sipping ride? When you seek to improve the fuel-efficiency of a vehicle, the journey must start inside your own head. When you learn to control emotions on the road, you reduce the impulse to stomp on the pedals. Eliminate those aggressive tendencies and you’ll experience a significant improvement in your vehicle’s mile per gallon (MPG) average.

Of course, while that mantra might sound swell and dandy, does it really work when you’re stuck in traffic twice a …

Tags: car , driving , fuel efficiency , gas mileage , how to , howto , tips

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For weeks now, you’ve jimmied that wobbly drawer open, forcefully slammed it shut and convinced yourself that there’s no need to pull out that dusty old toolbox. After all, it still sorta serves its function. I’m no handywoman, so I completely empathize with your avoidance issue. But this problem is easier to fix than you might think. Slide the drawer out and let’s investigate.

Start with the drawer guide. (This is the piece on the bottom center that does exactly what its name suggests.) If it’s loose, simply tighten the screws. …

Tags: decor , furniture , guide , how to , repairs

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True, we are still living in a material world, but cotton grown with pesticides is no longer the fabric of our lives.

The green movement is making huge strides replacing toxins and waste in the marketplace with organic fibers like bamboo and hemp, as well as good old corn starch, throw-away cork and used paper.

The brave, new soldiers of eco industry believe enough is enough when it comes to creating more waste and adding to our grossly overflowing landfills and plastic islands. Bet you do, too!

Instead, the …

Tags: bamboo , cork , corn , furniture , greenest materials , guide , hemp , how to , howto , materials , organic , PET , plastic , reference , resource , textiles , upcycled

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We’re halfway through 2009 – how are your greening efforts going? By now, you’ve switched to energy efficient lighting, kicked disposable water bottles to the curb, bought a reusable shopping tote and you’re hungry for more.

Here’s some extra eco wisdom to make this year your greenest (and most bank-account-friendly) yet:

Replace your chemical-ridden cleaners with natural alternatives.

Put up a clothes line and hang your clothes out to dry. This simple …

Tags: going green , how to , howto , saving money , tips

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It’s the perfect summer gathering for the stylish greenie in all of us – the clothing swap. Most of us have more stuff in our closets than we need (or want).

A successful swap keeps our wardrobes simple, timely and up-to-date. It’s a chance to gather with friends, put those great pieces you’ll never wear to good use and pick up “new” duds for free.

Here are a few tips for throwing your very own successful clothing swap:

Send email invites and ask everyone …

Tags: clothing , fashion , how to , howto , recycled fashion , reuse , shopping , swap

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Mosquito season is here, and although I’ve found my personal zen with them it’s no fun to find yourself flailing, yelping and slapping when those little critters come buzzing around. You can preserve your personal comfort this summer by making (or growing) your own mosquito repellent.

The recipe goes like this:

2 ½ teaspoons of any mixture of the following essential oils: basil, catnip, cedarwood, citronella, juniper, lemon, lemongrass, myrrh, palmarosa, pine, rose geranium or rosemary.
½ cup of 190-proof grain alcohol (such as high …

Tags: Deet , how to , insects , itch , mosquito , nontoxic , relief , remedy , repellent , skincare

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Do you greet your place with a crabby grunt when you return from a day of work? You know what I’m talking about: the pillows are tired, the walls aren’t working, and everything is just wrong, wrong, wrong. It’s time for a makeover. But you’re trying to save cash, too (maybe you just got home from a day of job-hunting). Fortunately, there are plenty of inexpensive ways to give your home an energizing visual boost. Try these tips.

…

Tags: cheap decorating , decor , guide , how to , rearrange , room , tips

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While I’ve never met a plant I didn’t love, succulents and air plants are favorites for their extraordinary variety, stunning forms and low consumption of water. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or believe you have a “black” thumb, these unique gems reward you with their ability to thrive as they bring an environmentally-friendly touch of the outdoors inside.

Survival of the succulent

The same survival traits that allows them to prosper in dry, arid climates where nothing else will grow makes these gorgeous guys ideal …

Tags: air plants , cacti , environment , gardening , how to , landscaping , plant zones , succulents , xeriscaping

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