
Last week Home Depot announced it would accept all CFLs (compact flourescent lightbulbs) for recycling. This is great news considering the hazardous properties of disposed CFLs which contain trace amounts of mercury. The use of CFLs continue to rise and with most people in America living near a Home Depot there is no excuse for dumping irresponsibly.
Kudos to Home Depot.

Nathaniel from Garber Hardware share's with us another challenge, "consume less oil". He says the easiest way for New Yorkers who don't drive to do this, use dimmer switches. Here's how:
I have a challenge for all of you this year, and that is for you to reduce your oil consumption. No, not the extra virgin stuff, the other oil we all consume: processed crude. I know you’re all thinking, “How can I reduce my oil consumption? I don’t drive an SUV, I live in Manhattan. I don’t drive anything!” Well, consider this true fact: One 75 watt light bulb burning for one year requires 11 gallons of oil. That’s right. One 75 watt bulb. One year. 11 gallons of oil.

We recently returned from a visit with family and friends in Hawaii and had the pleasure to meet Leighton Lam who is the designer/artist behind Paradise Lights. Leighton is a Hawaiian native but spent time in New York during the 80's honing his artistic skills and now has 30 years of experience designing Hawaiian jewelry as well as interior and exterior lighting pieces.

"The best way to light a home is God's way."
--Frank Lloyd Wright
As a pioneer in modern day architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright was also a proponent for day-lighting a home which consists of maximizing natural light through roof windows and skylights. Contemporary architects are pushing the window size into window walls that were once reserved for costly commercial projects but are now increasingly becoming popular for residential homes.

We're back after a quick trip to Seattle and found a perfect gift for your valentine. A Glassybaby. These votives are handmade on-site and a certain popular styles are associated with a charity to which a portion of the proceeds is donated to.

Here's some info for choosing the right tree, keeping it fresh, and how to dispose of it responsibly.
Christmas Tree 101 [This Old House]
Top 10 Christmas Trees [About.com]
Caring for Your Tree [PickYourOwn.org]
Recycle Your Christmas Tree [Earth 911]

Wow - these decklights from Phillips are sharp. For safety purposes alone they could serve as a nice border for a railless deck as well as assist in illuminating stairs.
Philips Aurelle LED Decklight [Uncrate]

Land+Living brings us the latest in funky outdoor lighting. As alien-looking as these boulder lights look, they might work in the right "Life Aquatic" inspired backyard.