Latte Art, Making Coffee Prettier

I am such a sucker for a swirly design gracing my coffee. Hearts, bunnies, feathers or apples make a good Colombian taste better somehow. Here's how to make your own impressive foamy creations.

You can also find detailed written instructions on steaming milk and making Latte Art here.

The best coffee in Toronto » READ MORE

January 19, 2009

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The World's Ugliest Couch!

We have a winner! The World Wide Ugly Couch Contest winner '08 has been announced, and she's a 'beauty.

Head over to check the (almost) equally delightful runners up.

At this point I should really admit that I OWN an Ugly Couch. Oh sure, the monstrosity is hidden under custom slipcovers, but a gold cabbage rose print lurks beneath. Hideous yes, but the couch's bones, classic shape and rock-solid construction were far too good to pass up.

January 17, 2009

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9 Ways To Create A Creative Space

If this time of year gives you an organisational/creative kick in the pants you could do a lot worse than start with Amy Shearn's 9 great tips for making a creative space. 



1. Choose a Space - ('choose'might be a bit of a stretch for those of us who are still apartment dwellers.) but finding a nook and designating it is a good idea.



2. consult the masters - she's talking feng shui not something creepy.



3. go on border patrol - meaning define your space with a screen or even just a ru » READ MORE

January 16, 2009

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The Audacity Of Soap...

It's not often you find commemorative memorabilia that's actually useful (unless you count those gold-plated Royal Wedding commemorative plates, and who doesn't?!)

Well, now you can commemorate the upcoming presidential inauguration AND get nice and clean. (And chuckle quietly to yourself, Lemongrass roots support - tee hee.) MyObamaBar's soap is available in 8 aroma's and made in the US of all natural materials, prices start form $5.99 f » READ MORE

January 14, 2009

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Make Cut Flowers Last Longer

Fresh flowers in the middle of winter are an undeniable luxury. In these tough economic times if you're springing for the luxuries, you want them to last. And hey, isn't there a big, pink, flower-giving holiday coming up? (I'm looking at you sweetie.)

Here are a few tips to keep the pretties pretty for longer:

1. Get rid of leaves. Vamoose any leaves that will be below the water-line as submerged foliage encourages bacteria growth. Which i » READ MORE

January 09, 2009

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Homemade Non-Toxic Mold Prevention Spray

Mold. It's BAD NEWS. As well as just being gross it can do some pretty rotten things to your lungs. Prevention is definitely the way to go, as once you've got mold it's the very devil to get rid of. Luckily, you don't need harsh chemicals to stop mold arriving and bringing 50 gazillion of it's friends. Jennifer Chait, green-mama-maven over at Inhabitots has a recipe for an all-natural mold prevention spray.

You mix two cups » READ MORE

January 08, 2009

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String Lampshades

See the lampshades behind the attractive well dressed couple? They're DIY-able! And they actually seem pretty simple. ReadyMade has instructions that are based around the kind of paper mache stuff you might have made in school.

You'll need

• a round balloon
• some string, yarn or wool
• some fabric stiffener

January 07, 2009

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Ice Hotels... Cool

Have a peek at the pretty that is the ICEHOTEL in Sweden. Different every year, it's built from ice taken from the nearby river and from snice (Snow. Ice. SNICE!) sprayed on huge metal forms. Once the basic shape is in place a BUNCH of different designers, artists and clever folks are shipped in from around the world to make each room unique. And, you know, mind-blowingly beautiful.

Here are a few of the highlights of this winter's Hotel.

Milky Way the exterior light/art installation. The lighting this year has been designed » READ MORE

January 07, 2009

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Push Pin Wall Art

A few packs of push pins, a pin board, a dash of inspiration (and possibly a little too much time on your hands at work) And Voila! Gloriously geeky wall art!

It's Mario. and push pins. and genius. Golf claps and whoop whoops to you, clever chaps at  the Student Computing Center at the University of the Fraser Valley.

Personally I just don't think I'd have the pushpin-application chops to do this freehand like these guys, but maybe some square lined paper would keep things from going wonky.

Have a peek at the close ups, they really are pretty awe-inspiringly marvelous

December 31, 2008

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Nice Color... What Does it Mean?

Grey and Brown, and occasionally white that instantly tuns to Grey-Brown. Those are the colors of winter in the city, and frankly... Blah. Which makes the idea of Color Therapy really appealing. The main idea is that the colors that you surround yourself with can change your emotional, spiritual, and even physical well-being. Which makes sense really, this time of year I am completely drawn to yellows and (eyewateringly bright) pinks, which according to Color Therapy is just what is needed to counteract the winter blahs.

So here's a breakdown of what colours mean and how they affect you:



Red is a powerful colour, it's associated with vitality and ambition and can help overcome negative thoughts. But it's also associated with anger, and too much can cause irritability and impatience.

December 30, 2008

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