Holiday Donations

During the holidays and throughout the year there are organizations that could use your time and money to help provide food and shelter for those in need.

• Find your local Habitat for Humanity center. Our's is Habitat NYC.


• America's Second Harvest Food Bank


• Donate to a toy drive at your local Boys and Girls' Clubs, shelters, the Salvation Army.


• Coalition for the Homeless (NYC only but there are similar organizations in every city)

  December 20, 2007 | Comments ()

Al Gore Goes Green(er)

Regardless of what you think of Al Gore's environmental initiatives, he has gone to great lengths to walk the walk while talking the talk. He was widely criticized for living in a large home (mansion to us) that left a huge carbon and waste footprint. Now according to the U.S. Green Building Council his Nashville home boasts the highest residential LEED rating "short of tearing it down". Green improvements include solar panels, a rainwater-collection system and geothermal heating.

  December 14, 2007 | Comments (6)

Blueprint Magazine Closes (kinda)

Martha Stewart has shuttered Blueprint magazine which was new on the scene and provided a fresh DIY/Design perspective to young adults. Blueprint joins House and Garden as another prominent shelter magazine that has folded this year. The Blueprint website and blog, Bluelines, will continue.

  December 10, 2007 | Comments ()

Beat Tim from Tool Time

The Home Improvement Handyman Challenge is a game we can get into. Test your hammer, nailgun, and jigsaw skills like you never have before.

[via Toolmonger]

  December 7, 2007 | Comments ()

Brad Pitt Champions a New Orleans Rebuilding Plan

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie may be the most hard working celebrities alive today. Despite their prosperous film careers they each are leading the way in using their high-profiles to point the cameras on critical issues facing the world and our country. But not only are they raising awareness but they are actively promoting solutions.

Brad Pitt just announced his intentions of helping to rebuild New Orleans by commissioning 150 eco-friendly homes in the Louisiana city's Lower 9th Ward, an area devastated by Hurricane Katrina. These homes have been designed by architects from around the world who were given the challenge of keeping the costs at $150,00 or less and include designs that take into account the possibility of another flood (floating house). You can contribute by sponsoring these homes, visit Make It Right 9 for more information.

  December 5, 2007 | Comments (5)

Selecting a Christmas Tree: Fir, Spruce, or Pine

This year we went with a 10-ft. Douglas Fir basically because it was the only tree that had the tall and narrow silhouette that we required. It's very healthy and the branches are spaced for ornaments to hang perfectly. The color is rich and the needles are shiny and give off a bit of a sweet and citrus smell, not quite the "christmas tree" scene we had envisioned but pleasant. The needle retention seems great so far but we've only had it for a few days. Here's a list of the Top 10 Choices for Christmas Trees as well as more information about tree types and how to best select your tree in the lot.

There are other alternatives to cut trees such as buying a living tree that you can replant in your yard or going with an artificial tree that is easier to clean up and doesn't impact the environment. If you do decide on a cut tree make sure you recycle it.

  December 4, 2007 | Comments ()