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Take care of the planet and take care of yourself

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Casa Quickie: When to Weed

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 22:00:13 +0000

Weeding is one of the greatest pleasures of Spring - not! I hate weeding with a passion, so I try to do it in the most-efficient way possible. That is, unless I can pass the duty off onto someone else! One of the keys to weeding is to do it when the soil is moist, since dry, compact soil is hard work. So, if you can get yourself out of bed, it's a good idea to tackle your weeds in the early morning when the soil is damp with dew. Another great time to do it is after a rain shower. But, of course, be smart; don't attempt this dreaded Spring task during any lightning storms or floods!
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Hungry Scientist Handbook Is the Cookbook For Geeks

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 21:00:45 +0000

If you want to get your geeky kitchen skills up there on par with the Kindle Cake baker, you might check out the Hungry Scientist Handbook ($17).

Filled with instructions on how to make stuff like dry-ice martinis and electric cakes, the guidebook will help bridge your love of tech with your love of cooking.

Bottoms up!

Guess What This Sofa Is Made of?

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 21:00:11 +0000

This crumpled, pin-tucked sofa, the Cloud sofa, looks supremely comfortable - like floating on a cloud! It's made from a surprising material, though. Can you guess what it's made of? (Hint: It would be right at home at an office.)

Casa Beta: MIO For Target Gardening Tools

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:00:55 +0000

Philadelphia-based MIO, which was founded in 2001 by brothers Isaac and Jaime Salm, produces fun, modern, eco-friendly home furnishings and accessories. I recently featured MIO's new Tyvek textiles, and the brothers are also launching a MIO for Target line this month.

I've been busily testing some of the new MIO for Target products. Since I'm in the middle of Spring gardening mayhem, I first tried out the trowel, cultivator, and weeder ($7.99 each). They're made with bamboo handles and can be hung from your garden shed wall with a jute twine loop. To hear what I thought of these gardening tools, read more.

I found the quality of these tools to be excellent - and that's saying a lot. I have two trowels whose metal scoops have been bent nearly in half at the neck. I don't employ a delicate touch with my garden tools, and I don't think I should have to. Gardening tools should be durable and ready for challenges, including rocky, hard soil.

The MIO for Target trowel held up well through hard-packed garden soil, and the cultivator and weeder were both put through their paces while I planted, weeded, and turned soil in my garden boxes. I also appreciated how sleek the tools' handles were; they ensured a good grip, as well as no chance of splinters or massive callousing due to poorly constructed handles. Interested in getting your own? The full MIO for Target line will be available at most Target Stores and on Target's website from April 12 through May 10, 2009.

Black Crystal Bluetooth Headset: Love It or Leave It?

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 23:45:09 +0000

Am I pleased that we're starting to see gadgets that double as jewelry, like the USB Crystal Bracelet? Very much so. Whether I'd wear them is what I'm uncertain about, and it's not just a style call; I'm a big quality girl, and I just don't know if something ensconced in crystals is going to give me the same sound quality as a well-known and trusted tech brand.

But that's not to say that the Black Swarovski Crystal Bluetooth Headset is not pretty to look at; it's actually kinda cool, and the black crystals are a lot less obnoxious than the white ones.

They also want you to know that you can rock this as a necklace, with the Bluetooth piece doubling as a pendant. Perhaps the double duty justifies the $260 price tag.

I'm on the fence about this; what do you think of it?

Black Crystal Bluetooth Headset: Love It or Leave It?

Love it!

Leave it!

I think it's ____________. See my comment below.

Follow geeksugar on Twitter!

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 23:00:12 +0000

Want to know what geeksugar is up to every hour of the day? Can't get enough of breaking tech news or updates about the latest and greatest gadgets? Well now you can follow geeksugar!

Just sign up or log in to your Twitter account and follow geeksugar by clicking here. If you're new to Twitter, it's the best way to know what geek is up to all day long, what we're loving and what we're excited about. It's also fun to find new friends and geeks to follow every day. We'll be updating around the clock - it's time to get your fix of tech news even faster! Come, let's be Twitter buds.

Coveted Crib: An Eclectic Georgian in London

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 23:00:00 +0000

Take a gander at FabSugar UK or a peek at Jade Jagger's London pad, and you'll see that British style is hard to beat. Pair that eclectic fashion with gorgeous architectural details and you've got an Olympian on your hands. The great bones of this large Georgian home in London are dressed with unique, luxurious furniture like an antique daybed and roll-top tub and cheeky accessories like a Mad Hatter lamp shade, a Cameroon headdress, and Fornasetti plates. The eclectic interior of this homestead is definitely top-notch in my book, but those of you with more reserved tastes will still drool over the beautiful natural light and stunning original architectural details. To see more photos, read more.

View 10 Photos �

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Carry Your Laptop and Still Be Eco-Friendly

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 22:35:28 +0000

The best part about the Levity LCD Laptop Case isn't the fact that it fits your workday essentials like your laptop, pens, files, and phone, or that it comes at a very affordable $58 dollars. I think the best part about this case is its sustainability.

Made from super-strong hemp canvas and seagrass, the LCD case is easy on the earth. Made by granola-crunchy Levity Outernational who promises that all its products are biodegradable or recyclable. So even when your style has moved on, you can still be totally on trend by being green.

Website of the Day: Camera Repair Blog

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 22:04:19 +0000

Isn't it always the case that when you really need a device to work, there's something wrong with it? During a recent trip to Mexico, my Canon PowerShot's three-inch LCD screen started flickering when I had it in picture mode. Because it doesn't have an old-school view finder, I'm heavily dependent on the LCD screen (or I can guesstimate where my mom's head would end up in the photo). After some searching on the Internet, I came across this site that gave me some helpful info about my screen's issues. The Camera Repair Blog is great because it provides you with some helpful DIY camera repair advice�so you know what to do when you need to fix your camera, instead of shelling out for a new one. BTW, looks like I have a faulty CCD image sensor - good times indeed.

Do you have a cool site like this you want to share with geeksugar readers? To learn how to post your favorite websites to our Website of the Day group, read more.

I know that this long list looks scary, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, it'll be a snap the second time around.

First of all, join the Website of the Day group.
Click the pink "Share" menu on the top left side of the page.
Choose "Blog" and "Regular Post."
Give your story a "Title."
Fill in the "Body" with a link to your favorite website and the reasons why you love it.
Click "Next."
Choose the audience for your story to "Website of the Day" in the dropdown menu.
Add keyword(s) (for example mine for this photo was "Website of the Day").
Change channel to "Technology and Gadgets."
Fill in tag field with relevant tags.
Click "I�m done" to submit content.

So join the Website of the Day group and share information about all your favorite sites! Yours just might end up on the geeksugar homepage!

5 Ways to Decorate a Non-Working Fireplace

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 20:00:00 +0000

There are a lot of fireplaces out there that have been closed up and cautious landlords who don't permit using working ones. Even for those of us who can use our fireplaces, they sit untouched at least six months of the year. Well, after you've taken my lesson on cleaning your fireplace, there are a few things you can do to spruce up your hearth and keep it looking from barren. Real Simple recommends sticking a plant inside your non-working fireplace to "brighten up that black hole." I have a few more ideas, so check out this slideshow to see them!

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In the News: Benjamin Button House Is Up For Grabs

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:00:00 +0000

The New Orleans home of Brad Pitt's character in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button can now be the setting of your own life story. The 7800-square-foot Victorian mansion in NOLA's Garden District is on the market for $2.85 million.To hear more details about the property, read more.

With six bedrooms, six bathrooms, a large yard, a library, a music room, and a reception hall along with incredible architectural details, the house is a prime example of old New Orleans architecture: built for entertaining. Unfortunately, I have no interior photos to share, but according to the real estate agent for the property, "It's much nicer than what people saw in the movie." Referring to the O'Hara cotton plantation in Gone With the Wind, she says, "It's more like Tara the than a home for old people." I actually passed by the house a few times while the movie was filming and swooned over the exterior, but then again, New Orleans is known for its coveted cribs.
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Roundup: Weekend DIYs

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 23:00:31 +0000

Believe it or not, we're already getting into crunch time for making Valentine's Day-related presents. I've found some great romantic gifts and decorations for your home, as well as some other smart DIY ideas for your weekend. These doily votives are definitely a must-do project for this Valentine season. For some other weekend suggestions, check out my slideshow.
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Nice and New: Home Decorators Summit Bench

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 21:00:44 +0000

It's funny, a bench isn't really the type of furniture that I seek out. It's really an accent piece and not particularly comfortable either. Though I rarely find myself looking at them, this Home Decorators Summit Bench ($249) immediately caught my eye. I love its elaborate leaf pattern and elegant curves. And its aged finish gives it a charming, well-loved look. Having a cushion made with a cheerful fabric like Amy Butler's Morning Glory or this Japanese Pear Tree fabric would instantly add polish and comfort. Of course, if the cottage-y look isn't for you, a quick coat of paint would bring it up to date.

New Spoon - "Well Alright"

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 21:00:00 +0000

Time for your daily dose of Dark Was The Night. "Well Alright" is credited to Spoon according to the liner notes, and to Britt From Spoon (Feat. A Drum Machine) according to your ears. Not to look a charity-comp contribution in the mouth, but the bar is high. This sketch-song races along in under three minutes with two tracks of acoustic guitars, a computer beat, and Daniel's repeated insistence of how everything is gonna be between you and me. "Well Alright." So-so, OK:

Continue reading New Spoon - "Well Alright"...

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How-To: Reuse Your Super Bowl Beer Bottle Caps

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:00:46 +0000

Once a year (at least), we all get a little carried away by the excitement of watching our favorite football teams duke it out, or by dance machine Justin Timberlake on stage, and we finish off a few too many beers (and hot wings). Not only are we left with a pounding headache but also dozens of aluminum bottle caps. Of course, you can recycle them. But there are also plenty of other ways to reuse those pesky caps. You might want to let your hangover wear off before you attempt some of these crafty projects, though. To hear them, read more.

Crochet an adorable bottle cap trivet, or use these trivet patterns.
If fishing is a hobby of yours, superglue a lollipop stick to the top of the cap, and scale fish with its spiky edge.
Turn them into fishing lures.
Stop by a local brewery and donate your caps to be reused on new bottles of beer.
Superglue small round magnets or thumbtacks and use them on your fridge or cork boards.
Glue them onto the border of a mirror or frame and turn them into folk art.
Make coasters out of them.
Drill or punch holes in them, and thread wire or string through them to make wind chimes.
If you have a large collection of bottle caps, fill an apothecary jar with them to add some color to your digs.
Or, check out these unique bottle cap ideas from Craft.

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Coveted Crib: Midcentury Neutrals in Camden

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:00:23 +0000

This lovely light-filled house in Camden, England is heavy on the midcentury furnishings, but its neutral and soft blue palette and Georgian architectural details prevent it from looking like a tear sheet from a 1950s shelter pub. Fabulous natural light, a living room and bathroom opening out to a balcony, and a roll-top tub are some of my most coveted features, but I'll take a Barcelona and a Swan chair any day. To take a tour of the pad, check out this slideshow. Source

New Amazing Baby Video - "Head Dress"

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:07:50 +0000

Judging from your comments whenever we post about this Williamsburg post-Wesleyan crew, folks are sharply divided on Amazing Baby. The Lenny Tso-directed video for Infinite Fucking Cross's "Head Dress" isn't likely to sway hardliners in either direction, but its waterside frolic, smoke machine, designer threads, and sexy girls who can dance for real (kind of) will make the MGMT comparisons easier. To be fair, it's less Amazing Baby-like than the "Pump Your Brakes" clip, so maybe it'ill soften a few hearts.

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The Cure Give Kimmel A "Freakshow"

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:26:25 +0000

The Cure's very busy year (brought to you by the number 13) essentially wound up last night with a stop by Jimmy Kimmel's music stage (brought to you by the Pontiac logo). The singles and videos and etc. are too numerous to link, so just click their tag to get caught up, but know that 4:13 Dream saw the band in revitalized form. And apparently the ensuing months on the road have helped them learn to finesse the lesser points of their studio effort. Case in point: This take on "Freakshow," which sees Robert and band tone down the hokey cowbell funk for a more propulsive, urgent, steamrolling groove.

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What Is Your Favorite Geeky DIY Project of 2008?

Sat, 06 Dec 2008 21:00:33 +0000

On we go with the Best of 2008 series! Being a geek and being crafty seem to go hand in hand; both take ingenuity. Even if you're a big-time techie but can't sew, glue, or cook to save your life, everyone still appreciates a rad geeky DIY project.

I've narrowed it down to my fave projects: the Mario Star Nano Case, my Halloween Rick-Roll costume, the papercraft phenomena of Cubeecrafts, frosted Tetris brownies, the embroidered motherboard dish towel, and lastly, the embroidered text message.

Which one was your fave?

What Is Your Favorite Geeky DIY Project of 2008?

Mario Star Nano Case

Rick-Roll Costume

Cubeecrafts

Tetris Brownies

Motherboard Embroidery Dish Towel

Embroidered Text Message

Ikea's Gustav Laptop Table Is Good For Small Spaces, Wallets

Sat, 06 Dec 2008 18:00:43 +0000

Surely you can't frown on Ikea in a time such as this, when a recession is at hand? (Not that I ever frown on Ikea, for shame!)

The $150 Gustav Laptop Table isn't merely a petite table that could accommodate your laptop � though it does that with an extendable panel, so you can type or rest it on the leaf or the main surface.

What's great about the Gustav is that the drawer is the perfect size for laptop storage, and inside you'll also find a cable outlet so you can organize or hide the laptop's cords and cables. Plus, it's simple and sturdy and looks fabulous. But you already noticed that.

Do You Take Family Portraits?

Sat, 06 Dec 2008 16:30:33 +0000

I just came across these adorable and wacky family portraits by photographer Akihiro Furuta, and couldn't help but share one. Since it's the holidays, I'm sure family portraits are on a lot of your minds, and you may have already sent out a holiday card with one.My family only successfully mailed three holiday portrait cards, and they were the clich� kind: matching smock dresses and little red mary janes one year, in full ski gear the next, and turtlenecks and "seasonal" sweaters on an ice skating rink another year. I wish we'd gotten a bit more inventive with our portraits like Furuta has done. This photo celebrates his dog's birthday, and I think that the cheekiness of this family's costume attire is much more festive. Source

Do You Take Family Portraits?

Yes, for the holidays and other special occasions!

Just for the holidays.

Sometimes, but not regularly.

No, that's not really our thing.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

Casa Quickie: Dual Doormats

Sat, 06 Dec 2008 13:30:35 +0000

With all the mud, snow, and slush that enter our homes during the Winter, a doormat is a must. But when holiday party season is in full swing (along with the drinks!), you can't count on your guests to be mindful of the mud. So, you can give them a little nudge by putting a second door mat inside the door, in addition to the exterior welcome mat. If they miss both mats, they must have reeeally long legs. Just make sure to use a thinner doormat inside, or even a low pile rug remnant, and test it to be sure that the door will open smoothly!
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President Bush Buys a Post-White House House

Sat, 06 Dec 2008 00:00:53 +0000

As President-elect Barack Obama prepares to move into the White House, President Bush has picked up some new property for his life post-1600 Penn, when he leaves office in January. George and Laura have ponied up for a 8,501-square-foot, four-bedroom, ranch-style home in Preston Hollow, a wealthy North Dallas neighborhood where they lived before he became governor of Texas in 1995. I guess George is saying goodbye to the Georgian style.Preston Hollow counts some other prominent residents, including Dallas mayor Tom Leppert, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, former Dallas Cowboys Roger Staubach and Chuck Howley, and billionaire investors Harold Simmons and T. Boone Pickens, among others, so the Bush family should feel right at home, and perhaps their new neighbors won't be starstruck. The word on the sale price is that the property sold for "considerably more" than its $2.1 million appraisal price. There's also rumor that the couple is under contract to purchase an adjacent home, which they may tear down, use for an office, or for secret service. To see photos of that property,

Star Wars Stack 'Ems: Totally Geeky or Geek Chic?

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 23:45:17 +0000

What do I need these for? I have no idea. But the Star Wars Stack 'Ems have an irresistible pull on me either way. They're $10 each and blind-boxed, so you don't know which character you'll get, and they're not totally useless � you can use them as key chains or just get really bored and stack them up as intended.

What do you think? Pointless or pretty awesome?

Star Wars Stack 'Ems: Totally Geeky or Geek Chic?

Totally geeky!

Geek chic!

I think they're ____________. See my comment below.

Su Casa Challenge: Holiday Decorating

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 23:00:36 +0000

Holidays are on my mind lately, and I love seeing all the creative ways others decorate their homes at this time of year. I'm always looking for inspiration to try new things in my own home. We each have our own traditions for the holidays and the seasons, and personalizing our homes is often a large part of those rituals. For example, TeamSugar member Peggasus decided to add some holiday cheer to this Marlin (which she caught herself � it took her two hours to reel it in) by topping its fin with a Santa hat. So, for this Su Casa challenge, I'd like you to share photos of your own holiday decorating with the rest of us in the Su Casa Group. You have all month to get your photos in, and feel free to add a caption, talking about how you achieved your festive look, where your accents are from, or what your holiday traditions are when it comes to decking the halls! Two lucky participants will win the CasaSugar swag of their choice, so it's definitely worth taking a snapshot or two of your home! I'm looking forward to seeing all of your inspired decor!
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New Fujiya & Miyagi Video - "Sore Thumb"

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 22:35:26 +0000

Tellingly, when Fujiya & Mijagi remixed Mercury Rev, they made the dramatic flourishes less fiery, more leveled. The Brighton boys like to keep it steady. That in mind, "Sore Thumb"'s F&M formula didn't come as a surprise when we first posted it. A couple months later, it's still funky, full of synths, and as Amrit mentioned, vaguely sexy and nonsensical. The video doesn't really help matters one way or the other as far as meaning goes, but it does make it a tad less sexy. Well, unless you fancy Dieter and the Tron revival.

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Progress Report: Giant Drag

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 22:02:02 +0000

NAME: Giant Drag
PROGRESS REPORT: Completing work on the Swan Song EP, recorded at Sunset Lodge Recording in Los Angeles; beginning work on untitled full-length album.

Nothing bums out Giant Drag mainwoman Annie Hardy. She hunts out the upsides everywhere--"You Fuck Like My Dad" excluded, maybe. Hardy's applying that same dark humor from her albums to her current condition. Right now the formidable frontwoman is stuck at home a lot with a lot of pain and "overall bummerness" that makes it hard to move. Hardy thought the aches were tour injuries, caused by loading and unloading equipment, but it didn't go away even after Giant Drag wrapped up their tour. She was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a chronic condition that can make you feel sore and aching all over. "Basically I'm in dull to gnarly pain all the time, and I'm supposed to be doing physical therapy three times a week but can't afford it," Hardy says. "But it's not terminal cancer so I try not to bitch about it too much."

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Vivian Girls Apologize For Dissing Normal People

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:26:30 +0000

In response to what one of you dubbed Blooming Onion-Gate, Vivian Girls Girls issued an apology at their blog and this blog. Reminding us the trio's young and shouldn't be chastened too harshly for one interview, ex-VG/current Crystal Stilt Frankie Rose recently spoke with the Boston Phoenix about the reasons for her "ugly" break with the band saying, in part, it "came down to ... who can I be in a car with for a month at a time? Two 21-year-old girls, or three 32-year-old guys?" Score one for the old men.

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New Eminem - "Number One"

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:11:08 +0000

You guys all have watched the TRL finale on your DVR so many times by now so I don't need to tell you that when Marshall Mathers made his appearance at the MTV studios, he said you could expect his Relapse LP in early '09. TRL & Marshall Mathers? I just published this post from 2004. Which, actually, is the year of the reclusive rap guy's last album. In the time since, reports have trickled out suggesting this next record will feature production from Focus, DJ Premier, and Swizz Beat, although all signs point to Dr. Dre cooking the bulk of the Relapse beats. Some weeks ago we heard what might be the first leak from the record, the Dre-helmed "I'm Having A Relapse." It's another Dre cut here, this "Number One," which Eminem-as-ring-announcer introduces as a blast from Slim Shady. Guess who's back (again) with rhymes about cracked bottles, sloppy models, condoms and Tahoes.

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