TresSugar

Spring Cleaning May Give You More Than a Pristine House

Heather Dale — Tue, 17 May 2011 02:27:54 PDT

You're well on your way to giving your life a healthy Spring cleaning, but what about your house? Have you dusted everything thoroughly, cleaned your window treatments, and taken that pile of items in the basement to Goodwill? Don't worry, I haven't either. But it's never too late to start chipping away at your Spring cleaning chores.

Once you do take out the rags and rubber gloves, make sure to exercise extra caution and safety, because according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2010 alone, more than 35,500 people injured themselves on a stepladder, and more than 41,000 suffered injuries while gardening or using gardening equipment. Wow - those are some serious Spring-cleaning injury stats!

Here are some reasons we tend to hurt ourselves around this time of the year.

Pixelate Your Life: Design Ideas For the Home

Kristy Korcz — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 04:21:42 PDT

Pixelated furniture and accessories aren't just for the geek at heart anymore. These days, pixel-inspired home goods are chic, cool, and totally sophisticated. Just look at the examples from Cristian Zuzunaga - not only did he craft that beautiful couch (that I'm still lusting over), but the pixel bag and scarf could jazz up any ole outfit. Now that I mention it, that rug is his, too. He must be the king of pixels, no? Though The Pixel cabinet would look quite chic in my living room, the $23,000 price tag would not. Want something you can buy now to start your pixel trend? The CB2 Pixel Pillow is just $50. Happy shopping!

Simple Solutions From The Healthy Home

Heather Dale — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 00:48:54 PDT

A new book called The Healthy Home ($14) by father-son duo Dr. Myron Wentz and Dave Wentz is an insightful read that takes you on a tour of the standard home while exposing the health risks prevalent in most homes and in typical family behavior. This book doesn't preach eco-living, but it does advise you with the knowledge and tools you need to lessen the health risks posed by common living conditions. I feel that The Healthy Home is an invaluable reference book that every homeowner should read for their own health and for their family's well-being.

For more information on reducing your exposure to chemicals in the home, check out Everyday Exposures, an interactive website that helps you discover potential hazards room by room.

DIY Kitty Ramp

Tara Block — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 04:00:00 PST

We spotted this amazing cat ramp on Lydiat's OnSugar blog and just had to share it with you! Lydiat's husband constructed this impressive kitty ramp from this design that's simple, attractive, and unobtrusive enough to blend in nicely with the room while providing a way for their feline to get upstairs. Check out my slideshow to see more pics of the finished project!

Dangerous Liaisons Rug: Funny or Frightening?

Tara Block — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:00:00 PST

When I saw CB2's Dangerous Liaisons Rug ($229) - a reproduction of the Canberra Repertory Society's 2009 theater poster for Les Liaisons Dangereuses - I thought the fat-cat floor covering could be a funny and interesting conversation-starter. However, when I showed it to a co-worker (and cat lover), she deemed it "frightening." What's your verdict? Would you sport it in your home?

DIY Cleansers to Keep Germs Off Hands, Produce, and Yoga Mats

FitSugar — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 03:05:37 PST

Confession: I'm a bit of a germaphobe. Working in an office, commuting by bus, and frequenting the gym puts me in the line of fire when it comes to viruses. Now that it's Winter, there's a lot of extra sniffling going on. Since I can't hibernate, I wash my hands a lot. I'm also fond of DIY cleansers for keeping the germs away. Here's what I mix up to keep myself, my food, and my yoga mat germ-free. All easy to make, and you probably already own most of the ingredients.

Hand sanitizer - For times I can't get to a sink, hand sanitizer is my best friend. Make your own to save on money and to cut down on waste. All it takes is some aloe vera gel and rubbing alcohol. You can also add tea tree oil to the mix, or, if you prefer something less antiseptic smelling, try lavender oil.
Yoga/Pilates mat cleaner - Exercise mats can get pretty gross, so make a habit of cleaning them often. Keep a spray bottle of homemade disinfectant in your gym bag to sanitize your mat immediately after every use.
Produce wash - Unfortunately, water is not enough to thoroughly clean produce. To really get the germs off, mix your own produce wash at home. All you need is some water, vinegar, baking soda, and lemon.

Have a cleansing formula of your own? Share it in the comments section below.

Source: Flickr user lululemon athletica

Creating a Low-Budget Haunted House à la Modern Family

Emily Co — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 14:10:05 PDT

On last night's Modern Family, Phil and Claire went above and beyond the call of Halloween and transformed their home into a spooktacular haunted house. All the better to lure children in, of course! If you're planning on throwing a Halloween party, here are some low-budget items you can use to create a Modern Family-inspired haunted residence.

Clockwise from top left: Zombie-Hand Toilet Topper ($4), Black Candelabra ($3), Ghost Window Cling ($4), Skeleton Model ($13), Black Sheer Curtains ($4), Cobweb With Spiders ($2).

Say Hello: 5 Geeky Doormats

GeekSugar — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 05:47:34 PDT

One of the most exciting things about going away for college, or moving into a new apartment is being able to decorate a space on your own terms. Resist the urge to one-stop shop at Ikea; instead fill it with little touches of who you really are. Since first impressions matter, start outside with these geeky doormats. Nerd, gamer, or coder; there's a little something here for all of you.

Su Casa: A Welcoming and Wonderful New Home

Casa Community — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 07:00:56 PDT

Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member brechtiejj from the Su Casa group:

Me and my partner just moved to our first home. We did some painting (most white) and decorating. Here are the pics.

Check out the gallery for the complete house tour. I love brechtiejj's new casa, and his color palette and furnishings are absolutely fantastic!

Have you moved into a home recently or redecorated? Be sure to share your decorating adventures in the Su Casa group!

View 18 Photos ›

OnSugar Blog: City of Illustration

OnSugar Blog — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 05:00:13 PDT

Here's a post from OnSugar blog Think Magazine:

These happy whimsical illustrations are by Janice Jong, who seems to have a fascination with cities. Illustrations are hand drawn, scanned, then colored in digitally. I love collecting art, especially illustrations so this is right up my alley.

For a second illustration,

She seems to concentrate on cityscapes, but below is an illustration of just chairs of all proportions. The artist takes inspiration from architecture, city life, mixed with a splash of fantasy, hence the whimsy. They seem to draw you to look deeper. I get a sense that someone will appear all of a sudden.

Pricewise you're looking at a very reasonable purchase. There isn't a huge selection but what is there is satisfying. Contact the artist to see if she'll do a particular city in a particular color, I'm sure she's open to suggestions.

Want to see more? Start following Think Magazine or start your own OnSugar blog!