You’re on vacation or commuting to work, and realize that your book simply stinks. Instead of harping in hindsight (why didn’t you also take along that novel from your nightstand?) you can now press a button and wirelessly download a new book or your favorite blog in under two minutes. Well, next time, that is. First you’ll need to pick up a Kindle, the electronic reading device produced by Amazon.

Another electronic reading device is the Sony Reader. It can store up to 160 books, but they must be downloaded directly from your PC, so choose a few before you head out for a long weekend.

Either way, you’ll save trees from being made into paper; chemicals from being turned into ink; energy running printing presses, and will be reducing the carbon footprint that would have been used for shipping.

With a quick Internet search, I was able to spot a Sony Reader for as low as $194. And check out a video of the little guy in action. The Kindle is still holding its price at $359. though I did find one on ebay for $285. Watch the Kindle work its magic in this clip.

Eight months ago, Rob Beschizza, a writer for Wired, compared the Sony Reader and the Kindle. John Timmer of ars technica did a nice sum up of the Kindle and Nate Anderson, also from ars technica, took a look at the Sony Reader.

Kindle

The good:

– Great screen and easy controls make book reading a pleasure.
– Going shopping for books anywhere, any time on Amazon’s tab.
– Full text searches of all the books, web content, and personal documents that fit on the device.
– Having the newspaper ready to read on the subway without any action on your part.

The bad:

– Design flaws and interface inconsistencies make their presence known far too often.
– Book reading model doesn’t fit other content as well.
– Many activities are sluggish.

The ugly:

– The Kindle browser.
– The terms of service that make using it a nerve-wracking experience.

Nate Anderson’s look at the Sony Reader:

The good:

– Incredible screen with superb text reproduction.
– PDF support.
– Excellent build quality, weight, and design.
– Simple bookmarking.

The bad:

– Screen flashes when changing the display.
– Delay in moving between pages.
– Music player lacks useful options.
– Dropping $10 on an e-book.

The ugly:

– Explaining “the Flash”… again.

Image: On Money Making

The post Go Paperless While Carrying Up to 200 of Your Favorite Reads appeared first on EcoSalon.

Abundant joy doesn’t come from big spending or exhausting work. It’s a truism that many of life’s best pleasures are the simplest ones. 

Browse through your favorite photos. It could be the pictures from your 12th birthday at Disneyland, your college graduation (so happy you were done with that!) or your sister’s wedding. Indulge in a stroll down memory lane and smile along the way.

Set up iTunes to play only your 5-star songs. Spend a whole day rockin’ out to your very favorites. Including those embarrassing 80s hits. And don’t be afraid to hit repeat.

Splurge on the finest dark chocolate you can find. Even the priciest chocolate bar at the natural foods store won’t set you back too much. It’s worth spending a few extra dollars to treat yourself and besides, chocolate has mood-enhancing properties so after the first few bites, you won’t mind the price.

Give yourself an entire Saturday afternoon to read a favorite novel or try a new one. Turn off the phone and shut yourself away in a cozy corner or room of your own.

Write someone a playful secret admirer note. Or even just a note of sincere appreciation. It always feels great to know that you’ve perked up somebody elses day.

Walk barefoot in the grass. Enjoy these last days of summer. There’s nothing quite like curling your toes around nature’s own soft, green carpet.

This is really a tiny list of tiny things you can do; the possibilities are endless. Don’t worry, there are more to come! And feel free to let us know what brings you simple delight – share in the comments.

Image

The post Tiny Ways to Feel a Lot of Joy appeared first on EcoSalon.

There are the tacky collections – shot glasses, dried roses, license plates. If done right, though, collections are striking.

United by color or theme instead of design or period, collections make a confident statement without much cost (carbon or cash). Using what you already have around the house or scooping up vintage pieces is eco-friendly and guarantees your look will be original. I’ve done it with my grandmother’s cobalt blue stemware (culled from years of estate sale shopping), the vases I’ve picked up in thrift shops, and an assortment of antique silver trays.

A few of my favorites right now:

I love the swirling shape shown here. Via Lisa at Bluelines.

Clever use of Picasa – print on glossy paper and frame or pin up. Via  stryker W@SP.

I’m inspired by the bright yellow and the forest ‘n fauna themes from geishaboy500.

I used to keep a dish full of sea glass, message pebbles and large beads on the coffee table. Friends loved to absentmindedly play with them while we drank wine and watched movies. Keep your baubles out for enjoyment instead of locked away in a case. Via PetitPoulailler.

Etsy love: make decorative use of those kitchen bowls, pots and pans. We could all use a little more form in our daily functioning.

You might remember Kim’s post about her love for pretty pillows. Here’s an idea: bring that collection out of the closet and pile up your sofa or a large chair with the whole assortment. Who cares if they match? If you have at least 5, the look will be inviting and colorful. (Before my cat thoroughly destroyed the silvery sage velvet that was my sofa, forcing me to slipcover, I made it a shimmering green and blue vision by storing the store-issue back and side cushions and replacing them with large vintage pillows covered in silk fleur-de-lis and striped patterns in a range of aquas, Tiffany blue and mint green. It worked beautifully without being "matchy-matchy". I promise never to say that again.)

Assemble a free-spirited collection of flowers in a dozen or more mismatched cups, bowls, vases and mugs. Peonies and ranunculus are perfect for this type of arrangement. Display in the middle of your dining or coffee table, or pave a buffet or mantle with the collection. Bridgman Pottery image.

For another great, virtually-free design trick, check out Booksmithing.

Image (top): hottholler 

The post 10 Fresh Looks, 1 Simple Step: Collection Roundup appeared first on EcoSalon.

I love spending time with my mom’s book group, perusing Water for Elephants and other wonderful fiction I might have otherwise overlooked. We dissect the chapters over glasses of Chardonnay, sips of tea and mouthfuls of Charles Chocolate almonds, feeling  engaged and challenged.

Yet we have never bothered to discuss where the books themselves come from. I recently read about the Greenpeace Book Campaign, which has yielded some amazing forest-rescue results since 2000:

– 6 million books have been printed on recycled paper made from post-consumer waste;

– 9 ancient forest-friendly papers have been developed for the Canadian market;

– and 45 leading Canadian authors support to the campaign, including Margaret Atwood, Michael Ondaatje, Yann Martel and Alice Munro.

According to Greenpeace, heavy hitters like J.K. Rowling, Isabel Allende and Ian Rankin are teaming with the campaign to ensure their future books are printed on eco-sensitive paper, such as recycled and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper.

The book industry currently prints most books on non-recycled paper linked to ancient forest destruction in Canada and Finland. Children’s book printers are also a concern; in South East Asia in particular, rainforest destruction is an issue. While the biggest inroads have been witnessed in Canada (Random House Canada and Penguin Canada are among 72 publishers promising to use eco-friendly papers) European publishers are following suit, including Egmont in the U.K. and Random House Germany. J.K. Rowling’s pressure has moved France and Belgium to print the latest Harry Potter book on FSC certified paper. Cheers, Harry! We avid readers in the States should question whether the publishers we support are coming around, as well. It’s a great book group question!

Image: cindiann

The post Paper Chase appeared first on EcoSalon.

Fold 1,000 origami paper cranes, says an ancient Japanese legend, and the gods will grant your wish. A young girl named Sadako, suffering wounds from the bombing of Hiroshima, made the legend world-famous, and today the paper crane is a symbol of peace and goodwill everywhere.

If you’d like to try your hand at the art of origami crane folding, this tutorial is a place to start. Most art supply or paper craft stores sell special origami paper, but little of it is recycled – so why not recycle colorful magazines and catalogs instead?

Gift wrap also works well – try recycled hemp gift wrap from PapOrganics. Origami is a great craft for kids, and even standard rectangular recycled copy paper works with simple origami designs like these, found via CraftingAGreenWorld.

Image: jippolito

The post Origami for the Earth appeared first on EcoSalon.

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For the gardener who enjoys pruning and snipping for relaxation, a bonsai-sized topiary can satisfy the urge to trim when there’s no outdoor space for a grand English-style topiary or when the weather is simply raining on your green parade.

Miniature topiaries provide plenty of opportunity to snip, trim, and clip to your heart’s content. When you are focused on the simple task in front of you, the stresses of the day melt away. (I’m reminded of the Japanese art of ikebana). Racing thoughts slow down, your breathing normalizes, your shoulders and ribcage begin to loosen. This very relaxing activity is also inexpensive. All you’ll need is a pot, a topiary frame or sturdy wire, and your plant of choice.

A few excellent choices:
-Topiary or grape ivy
– Star jasmine
– Rosemary
– Tea roses
– French lavender
– Scented geranium
– Lemon eucalyptus

Image: ingorrr

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