August 16th, 2010
The summer months are coming to a close and students and parents alike are looking towards the start of a new school year. Typically, back to school time entails lots of shopping and preparation. The “starting on a clean slate” mentality engenders cravings for new school supplies and clothes. However, in today’s day and age, it is becoming increasingly important and fashionable to save resources, monetary and otherwise. Luckily, with the development of new and more creative ways to conserve it’s easier than ever to go green while remaining on a budget. Approximately 56 million children will attend elementary and secondary schools this year and each one will produce approximately 240 pounds of waste, so it’s important to save and reuse where we can. Here are some helpful ideas and products to help you save this school year.
The first important step to leading a greener lifestyle is to stay organized. Make a list of all the things you need (or think you will need) before doing any shopping. This will keep you from going overboard when you see all the shiny new equipment offered at Target or Staples.
Secondly, take stock of what you already have. Most times, at some point another, you’ve overbought pencils, pens, paper, notebooks and other school supplies. Using them now will not only save you money this year, but will also free up the house of a little clutter.
If you must purchase new back to school products, there are plenty of ways to go green. Everything from lunch boxes and pencils, to clothing and backpacks exist in an environmentally-friendly form and include such developments as a solar paneled backpack from Voltaic that can charge your cell phone, laptop or iPod while you walk. Big name brands have also embraced the green trend; just check the labels and avoid excessive packaging.
Avoid PVC when buying new items like binders and lunch boxes. This chemical is both harmful to the planet and to children’s health. It is an unnecessary toxic plastic that is dangerous at every point of its lifecycle so just by looking for products that are not made of plastic, you’re maintaining the environment and your child’s health. For a complete list of PVC-free products and how to further avoid products containing PVC, download the Center for Health, Environment and Justice’s Back-to-School Guide.
Leftovers from last night’s dinner make great lunches. A little over preparation the night before will guarantee a lunch that your child will not only look forward to eating the next day but will also cut down on waste. Additionally, eliminating pre-packaged foods will save a lot of landfill space and are typically a healthier decision in the long run.
Walking, biking and carpooling are simple and easy way to save gas money, time and the environment. Using a single-occupancy car to drive your child the short distance to school is an incredible waste of resources. Talk to families in the area and see about organizing a carpool system, or even a chaperoned walk to school. Biking is always a good option for longer distances too, and your children will get some exercise in the process. And last, even though buses get less than a mile per gallon of gas, they still have large capacities, making them another environmentally friendly option.
Lastly, don’t set up your new eco-friendly lifestyle to fail. Getting too ambitious can often lead to disaster, so start small and set goals that you can accomplish throughout the year. While we would all like to single-handedly save the planet, it is true that small changes can make a big difference over time.
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August 12th, 2010
American Tiki culture claims influence from Polynesian-style dress, culture and religion. However, the tiki tradition we know today is more an American perception of island spirit than anything out of the Polynesian islands. Born in the 1930s in Hollywood, tiki culture has influenced American bars, restaurants, fashion and home décor ever since.
1934 saw the birth of first American Tiki-themed bar and restaurant in Hollywood, California. Don the Beachcomber was opened by Donn Beach, who is credited with single-handedly inventing the tropical drink genre with his mixing of flavored syrups with rum. His inventions include such staples as the Scorpion, the Zombie and the Mai Tai. The huge success of Don the Beachcomber’s theme spawned numerous knockoffs and copycats in the LA area. The trend spread up the coast of California and took off in the Bay Area where Victor Berge opened his Trader Vic’s restaurant in Oakland before it became a national chain.
Later, World War II largely contributed to the spread of the tiki trend, with sailors and other veterans returning home from tours in the South Pacific. With them came stories, souvenirs and the memories of tropical tradition. Tiki bars provided them with a place reminiscent of their time spent in the islands and led to a proliferation of bars and restaurants coupling sweet cocktails and Asian-inspired food across the country. The tiki influence spread like wildfire, influencing hit movies such as Waikiki Wedding, the Polynesian/Asian/Latin-inspired jazz of Les Baxter, Arthur Lyman and Martin Denny, and the still widely-produced musical “South Pacific.”
Like all fads and trends, tiki culture experienced a brief decline in the 1970s and 80s but has had resurgences in the 90s and now again in the late 2000s with the election of a Hawaiian-born President and a culture of escapism. Today, as in the past, and especially with consequences of the worst economic downturn in history, people are decorating their homes and backyards in an effort to conserve funds while still creating a space suitable for relaxing and entertaining. Instead of vacationing to Hawaii, Americans are “staycationing” in their own tropically-themed backyards.
To add a bit of tiki flare to your home or backyard, check out our brand new line of tiki masks and signs.
Tags: tiki culture, tiki culture today, tiki mask, tiki sign, tiki tradition, tiki trend
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August 2nd, 2010
We are all aware of the country’s dire need for clean water. The summer months are especially tough for dry southern areas, including southern California and the entire southwest. A few simple changes can affect your overall water use immensely. This summer, make the most of your water consumption with the following tips on water conservation.
- Turn off the faucet – Whether you’re brushing your teeth, shaving or cooking, simply turning the water off when you’re not directly using it can save untold gallons.
- Reuse where you can – Catch the water your shower wastes while you’re waiting for the temperature to warm up. This water can be reused to water houseplants or for pets.
- Go natural – Collect rain. Water collection units are a great way to catch and store 40-80 gallons of water at a time. Additionally, these units can serve as decorative accents and are easily camouflaged so they will not ruin your outdoor aesthetic.
- Work with nature, not against it – Water the lawn early in the morning. By getting up a few minutes earlier, you cash in on the help provided by natural dew that accumulates on grass and other plants and can save up to 25 gallons of water a day.
- Wait – Only wash full loads of laundry or dishes. By just waiting for enough dirty items to accumulate you can save 15 to 50 gallons of water per load.
- Get in and get out – Shortening showers by only one minute saves up to 5 gallons a day.
- Sweep -Â Use a broom to clean off sidewalks and driveways. Hosing them down just wastes water that can be used for the lawn or washing the car. It also adds more sewage to storm drains which ultimately flow into the ocean. Sweeping helps save water and prevents water pollution.
- Fake is great – Install artificial grass. With ever expanding technology, artificial turf looks better and feels more natural than ever before. Plus, it goes without saying that it requires absolutely zero watering to maintain its color and quality.
- Take a page from Mother Nature’s playbook – Use native plants in your outdoor landscaping. Plants that are indigenous to your area typically require little care and water. Save yourself time and save the community some water while still maintaining a natural outdoor feel in your backyard or patio.
- Take up space - Decorative fountains can be a great centerpiece for a patio or lawn and can take up space where grass might normally be needed. While fountains do require some water initially, they require little refilling and provide aesthetic appeal and soothing tones while not wasting water.
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To be sure, one individual or household is not expected to take advantage of 100% of this advice. However, if everyone does a little to help conserve water, we will all be doing ourselves, our communities and our planet a big favor. Do your share this summer to ensure that our water sources are around for generations to come.
Tags: eco-friendly, environment, landscape, saving water, tips, water conservation
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July 13th, 2010
After 85 days of hemorrhaging in the Gulf of Mexico, a long term solution may finally be in sight. A new cap was put in place on July 12 that is intended to slow and then eventually stop the flow of oil. The plan is fairly simple: the cap will be placed over the broken pipe and three open valves will be slowly turned off if “integrity testing” indicates that the cap is sealed tight enough and can handle the pressure. High pressure readings will demonstrate that the cap is effectively containing the oil while a low reading would indicate that the oil is leaking somewhere else. These tests are expected to take anywhere between six and 48 hours. While this is currently the best hope for stopping the flow of oil, none of this technology has been tested a mile under water and at freezing temperatures and is therefore not a guaranteed solution. Below, remotely controlled robots are used to install the new cap.
There are three possible outcomes from this new system. The best case scenario, obviously, is that the cap will stop the flow of oil into the gulf completely. However, it is likely that the new cap will only stanch the leak and ships on the surface will still be required to siphon the escaping oil. On the bright side, the new cap will allow four oil collection ships to attach to the well instead of the three allowed by the previous cap. Experts estimate that with the new cap in place 60,000-80,000 gallons of oil could be collected daily. In the worst case, testing could indicate that there is more damage to the well than thought previously and oil could begin flowing from multiple locations.
The ultimate plan is to have two relief wells up and running by mid-August. Work is continuing on these wells but the capping system is the best method to divert the flow of oil until they are completed.
BP reports that 46,000 personnel, 6400 vessels and dozens of aircraft involved in response effort while the bill has already coming to almost $3.5 billion. BP still assures the public that more resources are at its disposal and has deployed the Helix Producer to collect oil alongside the already active Q4000. Meanwhile, untold damages are being inflicted on local economies, biospheres and wildlife.
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May 25th, 2010
With Memorial Day just around the corner, it’s time for all of us working folks to start planning just how we’re going to spend our three day weekend. While typical activities include going to the beach or barbequing in the park with family and friends, here is a list of some activities you may have overlooked or forgotten about.
Canoeing – If your local geography and weather permit, canoeing is a great way to spend a day outdoors. Paddling down a river on a sunny afternoon can be almost anything you want it to be: relaxing, adventurous, even competitive. This is the perfect day trip for either a family, a group of friends or even to do solo. Most canoe rental facilities offer day rates and group discounts and usually round out to about $20 a person. Just be sure to bring extra dry clothes, a bathing suit and towel, sneakers or river shoes and your camera. Oh yeah, don’t forget the map!!
Museums – Your city or town is sure to be home to a museum you haven’t been to yet and as most museums are open just about every day of the year, this three day weekend is your perfect opportunity. Admission prices can range from about $5 -$20 but some amazing museums (like the Smithsonian) are free and open to the public. Additionally, many museums have discounts or free admission for members of the armed forces. A museum can provide an entire day of fun and entertainment for just about anyone and who knows, you might even learn something.
Sporting Events – Many cities host sporting events and tournaments for locals to participate in. Softball and basketball tournaments are especially popular during this season. Even if you hung up your cleats in high school, this could be a fun way to engage with the community, make some friends and even exercise your competitive spirit. Oftentimes, tournaments are just as fun to watch as to participate in. Check your local listing for what’s going on in your area or organize an event of your own with friends, family and co-workers. If amateurs aren’t your thing, remember that major league baseball teams are all playing this weekend and even if your team isn’t in town, why not gather your friends around the TV and cheer on your home team? Also, the Indianapolis 500 is traditionally raced on Memorial Weekend. This year, it’s on Sunday May 30 on ABC at 1:11 PM ET.
Memorial Day Concerts – Memorial Day weekend is a huge opportunity for local artists. Festivals, parties and concerts abound. Take this opportunity to support your local art and find an exhibition or a concert to attend. Most festivals take place outside so you can still take advantage of the promising summer weather. Additionally, the traditional Memorial Day Concert will take place on the West Lawn of the U.S Capitol. It will be broadcast on PBS on Sunday May 30 from 8-9:30 pm ET.
 
Travel/Camping – While travelling may be the last thing you want to do in this budget conscious economy, there are still a variety of trips to be had on a budget. Airlines are known to drop prices tremendously in the days preceding the weekend, just to fill up seats. Virginia, Washington and Florida are all beautiful this time of year – shaking off the last remnants of winter before the summer heat and humidity set in. These destinations also have great camping features and opportunities for outdoor adventure. Campsites are generally very affordable for a group of four; just make sure you get there early to pick out that perfect spot.
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With all these options, perhaps three days won’t be enough to take advantage of all the opportunities presented by this great holiday. Though however adventurous or relaxed you plan to be, remember that this holiday was originally intended to honor our countrymen who have fallen in the name of the United States. Take some time out of your weekend to remember them and their families. Happy Memorial Day!
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May 18th, 2010
Although temperatures may be warming and it may feel like summer’s upon us, the official day of summer isn’t until June 21st, which gives you just enough time to give your backyard that new look. Outdoor Rooms is a Better Homes and Gardens special interest publication and their theme for this months magazine is “Take a Vacation in Your Own Backyard.” Throughout this issue, they are giving readers a “Passport to Style” through different types of backyards and since Backyard X-Scapes is all about helping you to “Create Your Great Escape,” they featured many of our products.
Jane Austin McKeon (Outdoor Rooms Editor) describes the essence of summer entertaining and backyard enjoyment perfectly.
““My favorite time of year to entertain is summer. A barefoot and blue jeans sort of girl, I would much rather wave the neighbors over for a spur-of-the-moment glass of wine on the front porch or serve a picnic-style supper for my family on the deck than put a lot of planning and primping into a fancy dining room affair. Backyards cater to impromptu entertaining.”
Tropical flare and that “Polynesian Pop” never goes out of style. Outdoor rooms showed that with some colorful elements, playful arrangements and various lively foliage, you can create a vibrant island getaway right in your backyard. Some of the products used included Tiki Signs, Bamboo Signs, an African Thatch umbrella kit, a stainless steel BBQ island, tiki statues, and a pool table for easy entertaining.
Some key components in creating your outdoor island paradise include:
Water: The sounds of falling water create a relaxing ambiance while also visually adding movement to your still backyard.
Structure: Umbrella kits, awnings and Tiki Bars, provide more than just shade to the elements. They are the physical focal points that instantly transform your backyard into the desired theme, while also creating a gathering location for entertaining.
Artwork: Paintings can create dimension, set a theme, and act like windows in opening or containing certain spaces. If you happen to live in a climate that cannot grow certain tropical plants, trying hanging up artwork that includes the same texture and color qualities.
Decor: One of the hardest things in re-decorating is sticking to one consistent theme. While some items can work with multiple themes, such as bamboo can be used for an Asian infused garden or a Tropical Paradise, others may not be so versatile. For the tropical look, decorate with tiki masks or tiki statues. If you have an old fence that doesn’t compliment your desired theme, bamboo fencing can be an inexpensive solution that doesn’t require that much investment or commitment.
Continuing with the tropical theme, also featured were our products that can help to “Tiki-ify” your backyard. Products shown include our 12″ Tiki Statue, African Thatch umbrella kit, Tiki Signs and a bamboo bench.
To see all of the wonderful backyard ideas and more of how our products were used, pick up the summer issue of Outdoor Rooms magazine.
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November 22nd, 2009
Summer may be long behind us and with that means cooler temperatures perhaps less time in the backyard. This doesn’t mean that you cannot enjoy a tropical getaway within your very own home.
Many of the elements in which go into creating your outdoor paradise can also be applied within your very own home.
The best way to start is to pick one room in which you can escape and relax to and create your getaway there.
Coastline Candle Photo Courtesy of MauiDeanOnline.com
Your senses have a magical way of reminding you of fond memories and affecting your status or mood. The above candle has a fresh coastline aromatic scent to fill your room and give you that beachy feeling. The best part is that it’s flameless so you don’t have to worry about letting it burn too long and it’s safe around kids and pets.
Bamboo Curtain Photo Courtesy of MauiDeanOnline.com
Next up is your visual senses, paintings or even the above bamboo curtain can help give bare walls the illusion of a tropical place, while also giving your room dimension and atmosphere. You can also use the curtain to accent open doorways.
One of the best accent materials for indoor and outdoor purposes is bamboo. Bamboo has this natural appearance and exceptional durability which makes it so versatile. In addition to these features, by purchasing bamboo products you are promoting the use of a sustainable resource.
Visit http://www.mauideanonline.com/homeandgarden.html for some beautifully crafted home and garden bamboo accents such as photo frames, serving trays, bicycles, clothing racks, jewlery boxes and more.
Summer may be gone, but island flavor can always be here to stay!
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