free – EcoSalon

Bored? Here Are 10 Awesome Free Things On The Internet

Mike Sowden — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 17:23:18 +0000

Feeling bored by the Internet? Want to see something fun & useful that will truly rock your socks off and might just make your day?

Let us begin.

Sustainable Energy – Without The Hot Air – David JC MacKay

Described by Boing Boing editor Cory Doctorow as “the Freakonomics of conservation, climate and energy”, this is a book you shouldn’t miss, not least because it’s available entirely for free. You can buy the book on Amazon (note the thirty-nine 5-star reviews) – but you can also read the entire contents online or download them in PDF form, free of charge.

Author MacKay is an English Physics professor, so he really knows his stuff. What is remarkable is how elegantly and breezily he conveys it. (This is no ponderous high school textbook). Want to know what it would really take to balance the energy budget? Want to know the real numbers behind renewable energy? This is the book for you.

The Brain Pickings of Maria Popova

Since 2005, Wired and The Atlantic writer Maria Popova has been reading more books than most people get through in a lifetime. If that wasn’t enough, she only reads good books – the most fascinating, quirky, inspiring and thought-filled reading material lining our shelves today. And if that wasn’t enough, she blogs about them too. Her website, Brain Pickings, now gets more traffic than the New York Review of Books, and no wonder – it’s a treasure-trove of suggested reads that may very well make you a better human being.

(Check out an interview with Maria here).

Read The Best Journalism On The Internet

Love good writing? Love reading? Love knowing what’s really going on in the world? Check out our reading list or our recent post on 10 sources of quality journalism – but if you don’t want to have to trawl for the good stuff yourself, there are websites that curate and archive the most fearless, insightful and beautifully-written journalism out there.

Try Longform (above)…

…and Longreads, and Byliner.

For a one-stop bookmarking of the good stuff, check out Conor Friedersdorf’s list of nearly 100 pieces of superb journalism. And if you have a Kindle – why not use Klip.me to send these articles to it, and do your reading offline?

Browse the Open Culture Language List

Being bilingual gives your brain a good workout – we all know this, but there’s increasing amounts of scientific evidence to back it up. So why not take 10 minutes out of your day and start a new language? Problem: those courses can be pricey. Solution: this colossal archive of free resources (ebooks, audio, video) for learning 40 languages from Arabic to Yiddish. (Thank you kindly, Open Culture).

Sloth Yourself Silly

To keep your smile topped up, watch this trailer for Animal Planet’s Meet The Sloths every day. And if that doesn’t work, scroll through these 111 adorable pictures of them at Buzzfeed. Sloths – they bring the happy. (More cuteness at Slothville).

See The World Up Close

Earlier this year the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership satellite orbited our planet six times and took a series of staggeringly detailed images that NASA stitched together and released on Flickr. The above image is one; this is the other. Incredibly beautiful, yes – but we’re not done yet. Under the “View All Sizes” buttons on each page you’ll find the original high-resolution image…and they will blow your mind: (Hi-Res Image 1) (Hi-Res Image 2)

Know At A Glance When Your Edible Garden Is In Season

As you may have guessed by now, we love infographics – but we were particularly taken with this set from the good folk at Chasing Delicious. Work out when your fruit, vegetables and herbs are in season, and plan your meals accordingly.

Listen To Neil Gaiman Talk About Doing What You Love

A few months ago author Neil Gaiman was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and was asked to give the Keynote Address to the 2012 graduating class. The speech he gave has become an internet phenomenon, and is a must-watch for anyone doing anything creative (read: everyone).

For those on a tight schedule, the transcript is here.

Explore An Idea a Day With The Change This Manifestos

Running since 2004 and born of an idea by Seth Godin, the Change This manifestos are short, succinct and above all fun downloadable books built around ideas. Their authors are some of the internet’s smartest people (the aformentioned Seth Godin is a contributor). There are hundreds of titles to choose from, they’re all easy on the eyes and stretchy on the brain – and they’re all completely free. Get started here.

Let Jodi Ettenberg, Legal Nomad, Show You A World Of Food

Jodi Ettenberg is a globe-trotting food nut with a thing for spices and gluten-free cooking. An ex-lawyer, she’s been traveling the world since 2008 and garnering mentions in the New York Times and on Jason Kottke’s super-popular blog. Her site is a wealth of tips on traveling the world, but for sheer eye-candy you’d be wise to go to her food page and start clicking for some really incredible nom-shots.

Images: MSVG, orangeacid, NASA Goddard Photo & Video and David JC MacKay.

The post Bored? Here Are 10 Awesome Free Things On The Internet appeared first on EcoSalon.

This Week Only, We’ve Lost Our Minds. May We Suggest Taking Advantage

Sara Ost — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:36:11 +0000

Just look at what we are giving away this week because we love you.

“What are you, some kind of trustafarian?” your friend demands. But no. You just read EcoSalon.

This week and this week only, at least until we do this again, we’re giving away gorgeous green gear to you, Susty Spice. Five one-of-a-kind designs, one for each day, five lucky winners.

It’s easy to enter. Just sign up for our newsletter and then like us on Facebook. We’ll take care of the rest! Before the orchestra starts up, I’d better get to showing you the goods:

Exhibit A of our temporary insanity is this exclusively designed Pendleton poncho from VivaTerra. They are limited. They are stunning. You could win one. Isn’t our sister company VivaTerra nice to do this? We explained how hot this look is this fall and they completely understood. (If you want to make sure to get one instead of waiting to see if you’ve won, I recommend moving fast because these won’t last.) $395 value.

Nope, not kidding, not even a little. We’re giving this bad boy away. This gorgeous recycled leather tote is used by a number of girls on the EcoSalon team and we can’t get enough. At $279 it’s hardly a ho-hum handbag, yet I can report that it’s really rather a steal considering the superb quality. Let’s just say I wish I’d dropped for this instead of wasting $400 on a Kooba bag that spends more custody time with my tailor than with me.

Regal flash. NYC-based Bright Young Things designer and fierce girl-about-town Eliza Starbuck loves her handmade, fair trade Mirabai necklace. You could win one, too. Please note Ms. Starbuck not included. $214 value.

Now we come to the warm and fuzzy part of the story known as Hug Me. We’re giving you the blanket, the pillow, even the organic pillow insert. How hipster happily-ever-after can it get? For best results, just add a him. Or a her. Or a Pomeranian. $187 total value.

At $89 per sheet, this is possibly the most fabulous eco-friendly toweling in existence. It’s the kind of oversized, plush luxury you’d steal from a hotel if it were at a hotel. And because we are extra-extra nice, and because one is never enough, we’re giving you two of these bath sheets, along with a hand towel and wash cloth. No need to thank us. Just promise to use paraben-free shampoo on those strands. And don’t steal. That’s wrong. Total value $226.

Winners will be informed next Monday. Good luck! We love you.

The fine print: You can only sign up for the newsletter once; multiple entries will be removed. We keep your information 100% private. In the unlikely event an item is unavailable or out of stock, a comparable replacement gift option will be made available. EcoSalon staff and family are excluded from this offer. If you have already subscribed to our newsletter and are friends with us on Facebook, you are already automatically entered in our weekly giveaways. This one here is for the newbies, sug.

All goods are available exclusively at VivaTerra.

The post This Week Only, We’ve Lost Our Minds. May We Suggest Taking Advantage appeared first on EcoSalon.

Broke? 20 Fun Things to Do Without Spending a Dime

Sarah Irani — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 19:35:22 +0000

The best things in life are…actually, yes, they are free. At least, creativity is free. It’s only in recent times that recreation and entertainment has been sold to us for a very high price. But do you really want to spend $30 for a movie and popcorn with a friend? Nah, you can do better – especially if you’re trying to save money these days, like most of us. Check out these ideas and step outside of the expensive, prepackaged entertainment box.

Guerrilla Gardening

Try your hand at guerrilla gardening. You know that boring patch of grass on the corner? I’m sure no one would mind if you sneaked in some sunflowers or a bunch of marigolds. Guerrilla gardening is an underground urban movement to take back the little green spaces most people ignore. Beautify your neighborhood, on the sly.

The Outdoors

Hiking, biking or walking in a local natural area or park. Yes, this is obvious, but sometimes we forget how free and easy some of the best pleasures are!

Concerts

Keep your eyes peeled for free concert and theater-in-the-park series starting in late spring and summer.

Urban Foraging

Take up urban foraging. Who doesn’t like free food? Learn about wild, regional edible plants or befriend a neighbor with an overloaded fruit tree going to waste. Augment your diet with fresh, free foods!

Sex

Have a partner? Have sex. Nature’s foremost free fun activity – get creative with it! (Getting busy is certainly one of our favorite healthy recommendations.)

Picnic

Take your honey or some friends on a good, old-fashioned picnic.

Trade Entertainment

Scour your books, CD’s and DVD’s for those items you just no longer need and trade them in for credit at a local used CD or bookstore. Spend the afternoon browsing for new reads and new tunes you’d never find otherwise. If there’s no used media store in your area, try a website like SwapTree or Title Trader.

Stargazing

Spend a night stargazing. Find star maps online or in the library, then scout out the darkest part of town and learn the constellations. Watch as they change through the seasons. Bring a romantic partner for extra motivation.

Podcasts

Explore the vast world of podcasts. I myself am a podcast addict, loving to enrich my mind with interviews and alternative news. You can find storytelling and comedy podcasts too if you prefer something a little lighter, or podcasts featuring music you’d never hear on the radio.

Volunteer

Try volunteering. I know, I know, this is not what people usually think of for fun, but my husband has shown me otherwise. He regularly volunteers for behind-the-scenes help at music festivals and expo’s, which means he meets lots of great people and attends the event for free. I’ve done it with him and I have to admit, it’s more fun than simply buying a ticket and being part of the audience.

Craigslist (and more)

Check out your local Craig’s List free section or Freecycle. This is a fun way to pick up free things you need, and maybe some fun items you can redecorate or make art with. Surprising things have been known to turn up…I’ve seen soap-making kits, antique roll-top desks and even a hot tub! It’s definitely worth a spin.

Clothing Swap

Call your friends and organize a clothing swap party. Tell them to bring all the clothing, shoes and accessories that no longer suit them (or fit them) and spend an evening hanging out and shopping for free.

Garage Sale

Have a yard sale. You know you have lots of stuff you could do well to pass along, and make a little extra cash while you’re at it. If the weather is still too cold where you live, start putting things aside now and you’ll be ready for yard sale season.

The Library

Make use of the public library. This has been one of my favorite free things since I was a kid. I mean, c’mon, books, movies, music – all for free!?! Depending on how extensive your local library system is, you will have an amazing amount of resources at your fingertips. Your taxes already paid for it, might as well take advantage.

Potluck

Host a potluck. Humans are social animals, and we all love to eat. Food is a great icebreaker.

Get Creative

Pull out a sketchbook and draw. If you’ve got colored pencils or watercolors, play around with those, too. Looking at something deeply enough to draw it can be a powerful exercise in perception – and recognizing beauty in surprising places.

Nature Knowledge

Get a regional plant identification guide (from the library, of course) and make a point of learning the names of the trees and plants in your area. It’s even more satisfying if you bring a sketchbook along and create your own personal botanical book.

Send a Note

Make homemade greeting cards for upcoming holidays and birthdays. You can use fabric scraps, magazine cut-outs and odd bits of beautiful paper. People love to receive snail mail.

Get Fit

Develop a workout routine that you can do without equipment (or minimal things you might already have, like a jump rope or dumbbells) and then do it! It’s most fun if you find a sweet spot outside, with the fresh air and shade under a tree. Need workout ideas? Here’s a place to start.

Write

Start keeping a journal. If you don’t like to write, don’t be dismayed. One of my favorite journalers simply does one small watercolor painting per day, and that’s all she needs to record the progress of her life. If you’re a crafty DIYer, you can easily make a journal yourself with simply things you have around the house.

Is that enough to get you started? What do you do for dollar-free fun?

Each week here at EcoSalon, the editors choose a post from the archives that we think you’ll love. The original post can be found here.

Images: Mr. Theklan, tanakawho, kandjstudio, orangeacid, sun dazed, davidChief, bensonkua, Phing., poplinre, Emuishere Peliculas, Dave Bezair, acloudman, mmadden, qnr, telmo32, Choctopus, kennymatic, faunng, peregrineblue, laurenatclemson’s, ghedo, peregrineblue

The post Broke? 20 Fun Things to Do Without Spending a Dime appeared first on EcoSalon.

Entertaining and Eco: 12 Free Green DIY Projects

Tina McCarthy — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 22:35:16 +0000

Stuck inside on a rainy, dreary day? Have a hankering to start a new, crafty project? Using random objects and materials from around your home, these fun and eco-friendly DIY projects will cost you little to nothing.

Scrap Paper Notebook

You have a scrap paper galore in the drawer next to your desk, but this clutter is starting to get out of control. No problem! Stack your scrap paper to make all of the edges line up neatly. Punch three holes along the length of the paper an inch from the left margin. (You may want to divide the stack to make this step a little easier.) Cut the front and back sides from a cereal box and punch three holes in each side to align with your stack of scrap paper. You can cover the box panels in anything you like – get creative. Use decorative ribbon to tie together the individual sheet and the cardboard cover.

Portable Scrap Paper Pad

Need something more portable for taking notes on the go? Remove the staple from an empty matchbook and slip out the piece of cardboard that mounted the matches. Measure the matchbook and cut pieces of scrap paper to fit neatly inside. Tuck them underneath the bottom lip and staple them down.

Magazine Envelopes

After flipping through your magazines dozens of times, what else can you do with them? Take apart an envelope to use as a template and trace this outline onto a cover or page of an outdated issue. (If you plan on sending this envelope in the mail, use pages with images instead of copy. This way, the address will stand out more clearly.) Cut along the lines and fold it along the creases that match that of the original envelope. Use non-toxic flue to seal down the flaps.

CD/DVD Coasters

When your favorite tunes or films start skipping too much to enjoy, just turn them into coasters. This one is a cinch. To cover up the images and text with something a little more decorative, trace the outline of the CD/DVD onto contact paper leftover from lining drawers and cut along the lines. Seal it to the surface with non-toxic glue.

Scented Drawer Satchels

Who wears nylons anymore? I know I don’t, but they’re still lurking in the lingerie drawer. But, just because they are no longer wearable doesn’t mean you have to toss them. Cut them up into sections and seal one end with a decorative ribbon. Fill each makeshift pouch with dried herbs, tie the other end shut and put them in your drawers for a fresh fragrance.

Magnetic Dry Erase Board

Measure the outline of a broken CD case and cut a piece of blank white paper down to the same dimensions. Slip it inside and use non-toxic glue to secure the front and back of the CD case together. Secure a magnet to the back and hang it on your refrigerator for quick notes.

Homemade Drip System

Interested in conserving water in your garden? Use a pin to punch tiny holes into a plastic bottle. Shred pieces of scrap fabric and stuff them in through the neck of the bottle. (This absorbent material will cause the water to drain gradually.) Bury the bottle in the soil up to the neck next to plants in your garden, so that it releases water almost directly to the roots. Use a funnel to fill the bottle with water.

Reusable Shopping Tote

Dig through your pajama drawer to find an old, baggy t-shirt. Flip it inside out and remove the sleeves. Cut around the neck hole, making it several inches wider. Stitch the bottom hems of the shirt together. (You may want to sew a reinforcement seam for extra strength.) Flip your new reusable shopping tote right side out and use the sleeve holes as handles.

Tea Tin Candle

Following these steps, turn empty tea tins into decorative soy candles.

Bird Feeder

Rinse out an empty milk carton. Cut out two ample-sized openings on parallel sides and, about an inch below each, poke a hole using the tip of a pencil. Insert a rod through both holes to act as a perch for your feathered friends. Run a wire or string through the top of the carton to hang from a tree branch. To make it a bit more ornamental, embellish the carton with milk paint and secure popsicle sticks on the top slopes with non-toxic glue to look like shingles.

Upcycled Picture Frames

Rinse out some glass jars and completely remove any labels. With the images on the outside, roll up pictures of your friends and family, and insert them upside-down into the openings of the jars. Flip the jars over and display them on tabletops and shelves around your home.

Drawer Dividers

Do you cringe at the thought of organizing your infamous junk drawer? With some homemade cardboard dividers, it’s easy to keep it orderly. Just measure the length, width and height of your drawers. Break down a cardboard box and, based on your measurements, cut enough strips to create as many compartments as you want. Slice a slit halfway through the width of each strip to easily interconnect these pieces.

Bonus idea: taking inspiration from the image at the top of the post, why not spend an hour at the park or in the garden collecting seeds, nuts, flower bulbs, twigs, leaves or other pretty organic items to make a seasonal still life? All you need is a favorite dish or bowl and a spot to place it.

ALSO CHECK OUT:

5 DIY Alternatives to Holiday Gift Wrap

12 DIY Wall Stencils

12 Free Green DIY Projects

12 DIY Projects for a Green Geek

Each week here at EcoSalon, the editors choose posts from the archives that we think you’ll love. This original post can be found here.

Images: Er.We, adiything, â™¥ellieâ™¥, thebittenword.com, ***FanchTheSystem!***, How can I recycle this, Mulad, Niffty.., Indie Bands With A Mission, Edgar Zuniga Jnr., sfllaw, Idle Type, Vali….

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Step Right Up to Humane, Animal Free Circuses this Summer

Beth Shea — Thu, 06 May 2010 19:02:51 +0000

You may have dreamed of running away to join the circus as a kid, but we can guarantee that there isn’t a wild animal alive who wants to be plucked from their natural habitat, forced to live in a tiny cage, ordered to learn tricks, and then instructed to perform on command in front of a strange audience by jumping through hoops of fire. This summer, as circuses start touring the globe, think twice about which acts really are “the greatest shows on earth,” and instead support circuses that don’t enslave animals, but rely on talented and willing human participants to amaze and awe an audience.

Below is a sampling of several animal free circuses that may be enjoyed all over the world.

Cirque du Soleil

The award winning and stunning Cirque du Soleil shows should be experienced by everyone with a craving for circus inspired hoopla. The performance group started with 20 street performers in 1984 and has grown to include over 4,000 employees from over 40 different countries. To get a taste of the phenomenal physical prowess and acrobatics of these performers and to see the unique, jaw-dropping choreography, check out this video montage of glimpses into the engaging variety of Cirque du Soleil shows being produced, and currently touring all over the world.

Cirque Ã‰loize

Cirque Ã‰loize has traveled around the globe 17 times, inspiring audiences by “combin[ing] circus arts with music, dance and theater in a path-breaking and original manner.” Currently, three different shows are on tour, set to visit several countries across the world. Read about the amazing Cyr Wheel, which is at the heart of many acrobatic performances, enabling audiences to have their breath taken away by human strength and agility as opposed to animal acts.

The Great All American Youth Circus

Just around the corner, May 7 – May 23, The Great All American Youth Circus will be performing their show “Circus Dreams” in Redlands, California. This circus was founded in 1929 by former Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey performer and YMCA Director Roy Coble. The oldest community circus in the world, these spectacles showcase the talents of children who have learned circus skills in YMCA classes throughout the year. Endorsed by several animal rights groups, The Great Y Circus boasts, “the only animals you’ll find here are the kids we dress up in costumes to look like them!”

Circus Oz

Set to kick off in Melbourne, Australia June 16 – July 10, Circus Oz sounds like a total blast. Touring for the last three decades with performances in twenty-six countries, this show “is a rock-n-roll, animal free circus that adults and children can enjoy together. Expect two hours of breathtaking agility, death-defying stunts, awe-inspiring acrobatic performances, irreverent comedy and a spectacular live band.” Circus Oz has also raised nearly $250,000 to support refugees and asylum seekers and regularly engages in social justice causes.

Click here to view The Humane Society’s extensive list of animal free circuses being offered all over the planet, and be the ringleader for touting animal free circus acts in your inner circle!

Image: Nathan King

The post Step Right Up to Humane, Animal Free Circuses this Summer appeared first on EcoSalon.

Last Day for Free Shipping on VivaTerra Mother’s Day Gifts

Heather Dale — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:54:22 +0000

With Mother’s Day just around the corner – Sunday, May 9 to be exact – it’s time to get your online orders squared away so your precious cargo will arrive just in time for Mom. If you’re still searching for “the perfect gift,” I’ll make it easy for you and suggest you head on over to VivaTerra – our green sister company’s website – where you’ll find oodles of decorative pieces for the home and luxurious eco apparel. Today’s the last day for free ground shipping on over 40 Mother’s Day items, so start clicking those items in your cart! For latecomers, there’s no need to panic because you’ve still got until May 2 to get your standard shipping orders in.

Oh, and about this gorgeous piece that you know your mom would love? It’s the Jewelry Tree of Life ($69), made entirely from recycled metal.

Time to get shoppin’!

The post Last Day for Free Shipping on VivaTerra Mother’s Day Gifts appeared first on EcoSalon.

Harvest the Feel of Fall in Your Home for (Practically) Free

Luanne Bradley — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:00:01 +0000

They’re already talking about their costumes, those candy-crazy girls of mine. That’s how I know fall is here, just a wink and a nod after packing them up for summer camp.

Design-wise, it’s one of the easiest seasons for stylists since it involves scavenging for leaves and twigs to tweak our vignettes for free. Ah, there’s that “F” word, again, a favorite at EcoSalon.

Want to spruce up your rooms for autumn without much of a budget? Take one of the following paths most traveled by the frugal M. Stewarts among us:

The Centerpiece: Leaf it Alone

The Toast and Tables blog gathers no moss but plenty of leaves for centerpieces (images below). The simplicity is enticing. You can also make your own wreath with bundles, or layer them along the mantle to be set aglow by beeswax candles.

The DIY Twiggy Cabinet Door from Apartment Therapy

Bring the outdoors in by assembling twigs to embellish the typical cupboard cabinet (image below).

Basket Cases for Giving Thanks to the Autumn Bounty

Most of us have a caterer’s supply of baskets stored in the house. Fill a few with aromatic apples, Indian corn, leaves, pumpkins and other colorful objects for a cornucopia of delights. Don’t forget to toast your pumpkin seeds and put them in a bowl on the coffee table for another tasty treat of fall.

Scatter Bowls of Fall Potpourri with Old Fashioned Living’s Blend of Earthy Balsam Scents

Collect dried leaves and flowers from the ground, blend with fragrant oils and make your own yummy potpourri. Follow the DIY recipe and bring the woods and celebration of the equinox into your nest.

Image: J. Charpentier

Felt Leaf Napkin Rings and Placecards for Your Fall Dinner Party

Design Sponge has the skinny on these orange and brown napkin rings and cards (images below), easy to make with felt, scissors, glue, buttons, thread and your imagination. I love the chic, homemade texture of these festive gems.

Main Image: Design Sponge

The post Harvest the Feel of Fall in Your Home for (Practically) Free appeared first on EcoSalon.

Summertime and the Livin’s Easy: 20 (More!) Fun Things to Do for Free

Sarah Irani — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:00:03 +0000

What? You want more already? If 20 Things To Do Without Spending A Dime just wasn’t enough, and you’ve worn our Economy-Conscious Dating Guide thin (nice work!), check out these tips. I’ve racked my brain for even more things you can do without money, because even in penny-pinching times, you deserve to have fun. So grab this handy guide, alone or on a date, and do something free!

Photograph your meals. Find out just how appetizing (or not) your food really is. You can do two things with this: lose weight or make art.

Whistle at the birds. Nothing chauvinistic about this. I mean whistle at real birds, when you’re at the park or taking a walk in the woods. Learn to imitate the birdcalls and see if you can get them to talk back to you. Extra points if you do this on a date. Totally cool.

Strip poker. Need I say more?

Make a time capsule. Gather a few small trinkets and mementos related to your current life and write a some lines about what you’re doing now and where you aspire to be in the near future. Put everything in a glass jar and bury it in the yard (or in the back of your closet). Now mark your calendar to dig out this treasure in a year.

Be a photographer. Even if you don’t think you have the skills, act as if! Every trip to the laundromat or the market can become a chance to scour the seemingly mundane landscape for little bits of beauty. With the ease and instant viewing of digital photography, what have you got to lose?

Visit a friend. Pretty simple. Chatting over tea in the living room costs nothing and nourishes your soul.

Write a letter. Remember snail mail? I hope you haven’t lost the art. Track down someone’s mailing address, and use colored pens on funky stationary to write the most wonderful letter you can imagine. Delight in their surprise at receiving your artistic love on paper.

Start a blog. About anything! The more specific to your life, the better. Whatever you do the most is what you can share the best with the world. Blogs are not irrelevant, as some people might have you think. Recent world events have shown that social media matters. From now on, we are the media.

Go for a full moon walk.

Write secret love notes and plant them in your honey’s medicine cabinet, underwear drawer, pillowcase, tote. If you’re single, write “secret admirer” notes and hide them around the office so everybody thinks they’re the recipient of a sweet crush. Just make sure you don’t get caught!

Pick an assignment from Learning to Love You More.

Sit on a park bench and feed the birds. This is what I call kickin’ it old school. Extra points for cloud gazing. Extra extra points if you do this on a date.

Learn exotic phrases in your favorite foreign language (the library, my favorite free place, is the best resource for language books and CDs). Tape the phrases up around your house and learn them well enough to pepper them into daily conversation. Impress your friends, and better yet, impress yourself!

Re-imagine reality with a friend. Simply pick a place you’re not too thrilled with and verbalize what you’d prefer. “If I were Queen of the World, I’d take that noisy intersection, tear up the pavement, use the chunks to build raised garden beds and plant my favorite vegetables. Let the drivers get out and walk.” Kids are great at this kind of thing; let’s take a hint. Besides, we can’t recreate our world if we can’t dream it up first.

Perform random acts of kindness around your neighborhood. Weed your neighbor’s garden on the sly, or pick up some trash. Leave an anonymous bouquet of flowers for the new mom across the street, or a small bag of groceries for the elderly lady whose husband recently died. This is a great idea for a date as it’s a good indicator of the merit and integrity of your love interest.

If you live anywhere with sand, build a sand castle.

Volunteer to walk dogs at the Humane Society. A happy dog provides instant gratification and it’s a fun thing to do with your sweetie on a beautiful day.

Swing in a hammock. Do nothing else. No reading, no texting, no tweets on the iPhone. Just swing and look up at the branches, the birds, the clouds. Continue for at least one hour. Bliss, at no cost!

Write poetry. Good poetry. You are not too cool for poetry, I promise, plus it’s not as easy as you think. Use the wild freedom of ee cummings for inspiration and do the English language (or any favorite language) proud.

And of course, finally – and it bears repeating – give someone a hug!

Images: notsogoodphotography, ginnerobot, henryvoll, Vincent Boiteau, aussiegall, Axel BÃ¼hrmann, modomatic, Linds , TomK32, L*u*z*a*, lilivanili, kirtsykat, DeaPeaJay, unojofuerte, molly darling, Ana Santos, Sister72, timsnell, Paul L. Nettles, jurvetson, kalandrakas

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The Recession-Friendly Guide to Going Out: 23 Fun & Free Date Ideas

Kim Derby — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 21:00:20 +0000

The dating scene is not an easy one. There are the usual quandaries – dinner or just drinks; sleep over or the token kiss on the cheek? Add to those basic issues the meltdown of all things economy-related, and the idea of going on a date might send even the most romantic Romeo & Juliet running for the hills, or a monastery.

Never fear, your resident cupid is here. And it isn’t my first time playing the part, I might add. I’ve encouraged you to have more sex (safely, please), taught you tips for lassoing yourself a green goddess girlfriend and researched how to eco your “toys”.

But since everyone’s handbag is hurting of late and doling out more dough for a date isn’t easy, why not try some simple serenading? Indoors or out, it’s easier than you’d expect to find fun for free. Here are a few suggestions:

Play board games. Add “strip” to the name if you’re feeling frisky.

Pick up a free weekly (i.e. LA Weekly) and peruse it for outdoor concerts. Free music is good for the soul and your solvency.

Volunteer at a pet rescue. The best filter for a good guy or gal is whether they play well with animals.

Visit a gallery and immerse yourselves in art for an afternoon.

Walk“¦without a destination. Just walk somewhere, anywhere; then turn around and walk back. Also a good excuse to hold hands.

Window shop. Tiffany & Co. is as good a place as any to get the juices flowing. Or maybe it’s just me that salivates at the sight of sparkly, shiny things.

Take a hike, but hike to the hike rather than drive, if possible. (Yes, hiking is somewhat similar to walking but give me a break, I’m making a long list here).

Skinny dip. What’s more freeing than a swim in your birthday suit?

People watch. There really isn’t an easier or more amusing activity, and it can happen anywhere at any time.

Stargaze. This one happens at night, in the dark, of course.

Go swinging. No, not that kind of swinging! I’m referring to the playground type of swing. Slides are fun too.

Read a book or magazine. Add cuddle and couch for the perfect recipe.

Play a sport. Any sport with a ball of some sort will do, like soccer, football, basketball or volleyball. A little healthy competition while working up a sweat is a good thing.

Spend Sunday morning cruising the neighborhood yard sales for free stuff.

Make a meal with what you find in the kitchen. No shopping allowed. Use your collective palettes to whip up something yummy out of nothing. Bon appetit.

Trade massages. Flip a coin to see who “gives” first because once you get rubbed it’s not as easy to summon up the strength to give.

Enjoy nature, which isn’t as easy as you might think. Whether you live in the mountains or by the beach, make a date to really experience your surroundings. Wiggle your toes in the sand or dirt. Dance with your bare feet in the water.

Take a bubble bath (note: suggested for a date other than the first).

Peruse a book store for an hour or two and make use of your hard-earned (unused) English B.A.

Go on a bike ride – short or long; rigorous or relaxing. Whatever works with your schedule and way of life.

House-hunt, even if you’re not in the market for a house. Walk through your neighborhood scoping homes and planning the design of your dream house.

Take turns telling each other stories – the imaginary kind, because creativity is a lovely way to lure you toward all sorts of fun activities.

Make out. Yes, I mean kissing. Try it in the car or living room; at the book store or while on a hike. But ignore the person who tells you to “get a room”, because…that’ll cost you.

Images: pospressure, Jacob Davies, Lee Coursey, POSITiv, wickenden, brewbooks, Sklathill, matticgn, Katie@!, joebeone, TheTruthAbout

The post The Recession-Friendly Guide to Going Out: 23 Fun & Free Date Ideas appeared first on EcoSalon.

10 Free Objects From Nature to Decorate Your Home

Tina McCarthy — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:00:10 +0000

Got the itch to redecorate but limited funds? If you’re in need of some inexpensive decor, just look outside. Plenty of options can be found in your own backyard, compliments of Mother Earth. Our friends at Apartment Therapy Re-Nest recently compiled a list of Natural Objects You Can Use In Your Home, and I came up with some more to get your scavenger hunt started.

Stones and Pebbles

Fill a bowl or small glass vase with pebbles or stack stones to create an ornamental cairn. They also make stylish paperweights for your office.

Sand

To make your own miniature Zen garden, just fill a shallow dish with sand and add some pebbles for an elegant tabletop accent infused with Eastern culture.

Rocks

Those traditional rubber doorstops may do the job but without any oomph. Instead, use a rock.

Seashells

Looking for an excuse to schedule a beach day? As you stroll along the shoreline, collect an assortment of shells to adorn your mantle or bare shelves in seaside style.

Tree Branches

Mount a sturdy branch on empty wall space to hang your coats, keys and purses in rustic beauty, or simply serve as an artistic statement.

Reeds

Fill a floor vase with reeds and garnish a lonely corner in minimalist sophistication.

Tree Stumps

Tree stump side and end tables are a popular décor trend that you can easily create at home. Visit Martha Stewart Living for step-by-step instructions.

Sea Glass

While you’re combing the coast for seashells, keep your eye out for sea glass as well. These colorful pieces of smoothed litter make fabulous accents.

Eucalyptus

Hang eucalyptus from your curtain rod to bring the outdoors in and infuse this space with a fresh scent.

Driftwood

Once you have a basket full of seashells and sea glass, look for beached driftwood. Depending on its size and shape, it can be transformed into a unique coffee table or shelf.

Images: poetichome, Kaboodle, Rustypants, hotash, allposters, annesoceanfront, veganissexy, jaliya, expressions, localism, poppytalk

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