Archive for January, 2010

Kitty tested, mommy approved

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

ModCatLitterBox

Most client’s who have cats always ask me the same thing… where should I put the litter box? Most often I try to come up with an ingenious place to hide them, like inside a cabinet somewhere – out of sight but still accessible for your furry friend. However what if your place is too small and there are no places to hide? Look no further I say. With the new ModKat Litter Box, it’s so cool looking you won’t want to hide it – unless you’re the type that doesn’t scoop everyday, then please by all means, hide away.

With it’s rooftop access, the ModKat saves on floor space, provides privacy for your cat, and cleanliness for your home. When the cat climbs out of the top entrance, litter granules fall back inside via the perforated top. The locking lid keeps dogs and kids out, while non-skid feet curb unwanted movement. A rounded ergonomic scoop with sweeping brush stores neatly on the side. The commercial-strength tarpaulin liner is easy to clean and reusable, with handles for effortless removal and emptying. No more ugly protruding liner because it fits neatly inside. An unparalleled experience for your cat–and you.

  • Size: 15″ t x 16″ d x 16″ w (Box size was designed and tested for cat comfort, including easily turning around inside to dig.)
  • Available colors: black, red, blue, green, yellow, and white

Can we say it’s about time? Just because a system or a product isn’t broke doesn’t mean it can’t occasionally be updated, right? Like shoe racks, can someone please design a new, attractive, yet well functioning shoe rack? … I digress. Back to the cat poop issue. With a willing client, we bought and tested one of these bad boys. And to our surprise, the cat used it! So not only is the ModKat fashionable and functional, but those furball makers like it. Success!

Brooke

PS. To be an honest blogger, I stole the informative second paragraph from the A+R website, one of my faaaavorite stores on Abbot Kinney in Venice. (Hi Rafael!) Sorry, it’s Saturday, I had a long work week.

Rain, rain, don’t go away!

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

When I think of the perfect rainy day, I imagine sitting by a fire, doing a puzzle, while drinking hot cocoa with those little marshmallows that dissolve way too quickly. However the thought of burning what used to be a perfectly good oxygen producing tree, is a bit of a buzz kill for me. Until I discovered the eco-conscious Java Log that is.

The Java Log, which is made from your small decaf mocha latte with nonfat milk’s waste, diverts  around 12 million pounds of coffee grounds from landfills per year. And amazingly emits up to 78% less carbon monoxide than it’s common wood counterpart. Meaning less strain on mother earth and more reason to support your 4 dollar a day coffee habit.

Ah, now if only I could find mini organic marshmallows and recycled cardboard puzzles. Hmm.

Brooke

Sugar Booger!

Monday, January 18th, 2010

SugBoogRecently while shopping at the Container Store (Heather and I’s home away from home) I came across an expecting couple buying organizational items for a nursery. Upon seeing the soon-to-be mother rub her bulging belly, I experienced the typical cooing response, thinking to myself  “aww isn’t that cute.” However when I glanced down towards her hands, I was quickly snapped into organizer mode and went straight to work. Without hesitation I walked up to the both of them and said…

“Hi, I don’t mean to bother you, but if you’re looking to double your new baby’s closet space and wish your clothes to stay on their hangers, I highly suggest forgoing the not so attractive tubular hangers and instead try the children’s size Huggable Hangers. Not only are they half the width of the plastic hangers, but the velvet flocking holds up even the most slippery of materials. AND, since you will most likely receive different size clothing from friends and family, I’d also grab a pack of Sugar Boogers; dividers which categorizes your baby’s clothing by age and size. (from newborn, 3-6 mos, 6-12 mos, 12-18 mos, 18-24 mos, Toddler +) Trust me, when you have a squiggly baby with a half hanging on diaper, you’ll appreciate being able to grab the right size item the first time.”

God I’m nosey! But at least I’m helpful.

Brooke

PS. Sugar Boogers may be purchased at stores such as Babies R Us, The Container Store, and for the internet savvy, Amazon.com. Huggable Hangers may be purchased at The Container Store with limited color selection, while the entire collection may be purchased on the Home Shopping Network.

How to recycle your tree

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

If you weren’t fortunate enough to have your Living Christmas Tree picked up by friendly little elves this year, but you happen to live in Los Angeles county, here’s a tip from ol’ St. Nick, on how to discard your tree…

If your tree is small enough for the green bins:
1. REMOVE all ornaments, decorations, tinsels, and stand from the tree
2. CUT tree in pieces to fit into the green bin
3. PLACE the tree pieces inside the green bin for regular pick-up on collection day, where it will then be recycled into compost and mulch

If your Christmas tree is too big to cut and place inside the green bins:
1. REMOVE all ornaments, decorations, tinsels, and stand from the tree
2. PLACE the tree next to your green waste bin on collection day, for the city’s curbside recycling program

* don’t procrastinate – the program only goes until January 16th, at which point you might have to make alternative arrangements, and nobody likes a sappy backseat.

Happy New Year!

Brooke

Green web hosting?

Friday, January 1st, 2010

socalweb_logoIt seems like everything has gone green these days. Green clothes, (organic cotton) green water bottles, (stainless steel) even green grass – who woulda thought. But did you know that web hosting can be green? It’s true! Just like a washer and dryer can be Energy Star approved for efficiency, so can the servers we use to host our precious little websites.

We discovered this little fact when we became unhappy with our current web hosting provider and began looking for new. In the process we stumbled upon LA based Socalweb, who to our surprise was green! Not knowing anything about the technical side of website hosting, we were walked through all the in’s and out’s of their technology and how their servers are like Energy Star ones, in that they consume less electricity to operate and therefore aren’t as power sucking as most large web hosting company’s servers. After all, those things stay on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Not only that, but whenever we had a question regarding our account or needed support, Socalweb was easy to reach, knowledgable, and very nice. Compared to our first provider (who shall remain nameless) it was the difference between shopping at Costco vs your local farmers market. So if you like quality over quantity and buy organic over pesticide, try applying the same concepts for everything you buy and every service you use. From your paraben free body lotion to your business’ web hosting provider. After all, green isn’t just a color anymore, it’s a way of life!