Every time I hear the heat click on, I start thinking about how important it is to keep my skin moisturized this time of year. I’m one of those people who can tell it’s winter just by my extra-dry skin. Since I try to stay natural, I was really pleased to find out that you can use pure coconut or olive oil instead of a bottled lotion.

Using oil tends to be a little more messy than a traditional moisturizer, but can be easily applied with a cotton ball or pad. If you decide to head to the kitchen cupboard the next time you need a lotion, here are a few things to keep in mind. First, use cold pressed oil. Cold pressed oils are made using low temperatures. That means more of the nutrients and antioxidants are preserved in the oil and will make it to your skin.

The oil will absorb better if your skin is slightly damp, so try using a couple drops after you wash your hands or get out of the shower.

There are a few downsides to using oil. One is that you don’t get the mix of oils and antioxidants you’ll find in a formulated moisturizer. That means you’re not getting a range of benefits. You can combat this by mixing a few different oils together.

The other thing to remember is that pure oil doesn’t contain SPF like many lotions, so it’s important to follow the oil with an SPF before heading outdoors.

-Tara Daudani

Photo credit: m_bartosch

It seems like an odd time of year to think about where you’ll get your fruits and vegetables come summer, but it’s actually the perfect time to consider buying a share in a CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture program. Simply put, CSA members buy a share of a farm’s product and receive regular deliveries throughout the growing season. Participants pay upfront now so farmers can plan how much they will plant and buy materials. You also want to reserve your spot while there is still room available.

The benefit to consumers is farm fresh produce usually grown close to home. It’s also common receive a greater variety of foods than you would normally buy at the grocery store. Depending on the farm you choose, you might have multiple types of apples or corn delivered or even some produce you wouldn’t normally buy. The downside is figuring out how to prepare the bounty you’ll receive.

I just relocated to Virginia and here some farmers team up with one another to offer CSA members an even greater variety of options and a longer growing season. One CSA has options for a produce, share, diary share or a mushroom share to choose from.

Many farms also offer options to harvest some of your own food to keep consumer costs low. So take a few minutes and do a little research on the CSAs in your area. It could change the way you eat this summer.

~Tara Daudani

Photo Credit: happykanppy / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

We'll keep it short for you this week, we just had to share... we just are so excited about the success of the Jennifer Adams Home Sheets Sets available for a limited time at Costco stores. Here's the schedule... we're rotating through the stores. Check for your location!

They're flying off the shelf, so get yours soon!

Read below for more details...

We've told you before how to get a great night's sleep and some great deals on our fabulous sheets. Our own Jennifer Adams is an expert on the subject (see Jennifer's video that appeared on Better TV last year), and her buttery soft luxurious sheets sets are a key to comfortable, relaxing, sleepworthy bed that you won't want to leave.

Lately Jennifer has not been taking her own advice! Instead, she's traveling the country launching her sheet sets at... Costco! Click there for lots of great buys, but the sheet sets are not on their website. They are at the stores.

Now you can see the colors and feel for yourself and how soft and well made these sheets truly are! Check out our schedule at a Costco location near you, since it's a rotating display. Look for the tall display, it's a little Jennifer Adams Home store within the big Costco store!

The sheet sets, bed skirts, extra pillow cases, blankets and shams are available in many coordinating colors including the White, Sand, Ivory and Tea Green. You can go for a peaceful monochrome look or mix and match! Check them out soon, the sheets won't be at Costco for long.

Image courtesy of Jennifer Adams Home.

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and are settling back into "normal" life... The new year always brings expectations of a fresh start and change. Resolutions anyone?

Let's resolve to reduce the energy we use lighting our homes, use the light we have sensibly, and dispose of our burned-out bulbs properly.

In 2007, our government under President George W. Bush enacted the Energy Independence and Security Act in an effort to reduce our country's dependence on foreign energy sources. The current Congress is seeking to delay the ban, citing manufacturers of light bulbs have spend millions of dollars in development of more efficient light sources, and the debate about consumer rights to choose what they want.

This year, on January 1, 2012, traditional 100 watt incandescent light bulbs were supposed to have been phased out, but because of the general confusion, stockpiling by retailers and additional Congressional moves, who knows what going on. I sure don't!

I say act responsibly. If you need a lot of light, look at fluorescent sources first to see if that will meet your need. Fluorescent light has come a long way since the buzzing, flickering greenish glow of tubes in years past. Modern CFLs, short for Compact Fluorescent Light(bulb), as well as modern fluorescent tubes, come in a variety of colors from warm yellow glows to bright white.

Fluorescents are best used when the light will stay on for a while. They'll burn out quickly if they get turned off and on frequently, and for very short periods of time. The light is not effective since most fluorescents have a dim "warm-up" period, so you're better off using a light bulb that's bright immediately. Use fluorescents in your office, work space, living rooms or kitchen but not in bathrooms, closets and stairwells.

There are even fluorescent tubes and lamps that imitate full-spectrum daylight. I have these in my garage, where I often work out, especially on rainy, snowy or icy days. I really do feel better after spending time under these lights, and, I have to turn them off in the evening or I will have a hard time sleeping!

Other downsides to fluorescents, compact or not, is that you should not dispose of them in the garbage, and don't handle broken bulbs with your bare hands. There is mercury inside fluorescent light bulbs and tubes. Many areas and retailers have recycling options, it's worth digging around to find out how to do the right thing.

Most fluorescents are also not dimmable, nor compatible with some daylight sensors. I found out the hard way when I was replacing my "long-lasting" CFL in an exterior fixture every other week! How's that for irony? Check with the manufacturer or packaging for the correct usage.

In many rooms at my house, I use CFLs for most of the light, but accent with traditional incandescent light bulbs. Some of my light fixtures need a "prettier" light bulb since it is exposed, so I usually opt for clear or candleabra-style incandescent bulbs.

I'm eagerly awaiting LEDs to come down in price and up in light amount, or "lumens." So far, I'm not finding them to be very bright. My new LED holiday lights are lovely, but it hasn't worked out so well for my desk lamp.

Until LEDs arrive for real, I'll enjoy the control, light quality and improved efficiency of halogens over incandescents.

To me quality of light is so important because it strongly affects how you feel in your home. No one wants to live in a dark and dreary house or one flooded in harsh white light. So, choose your lighting sensibly, use only what you need, and dispose of properly. If we all do that, we won't need legislation to tell us what we have to use!

Until next time!

-Elaine Bothe

Resources:

For additional information about full-spectrum lighting, talk to Kay the Light Bulb Lady at Sunlan Lighting, in Portland Oregon.

For info on phase-out dates, wattage and lumen differences between incandescents, CFLs and halogen bulbs, check out the article "Lights Out for the Incandescent Light Bulb," published online at the Washington Post website.

For more information about recycling compact fluorescents, visit Earth911.com.

Warning: Do not exceed manufacturer's recommendations for light bulb wattage. You can't always replace any light bulb with another type, some may overheat or cause other problems. Use caution, and, always check with an electrician and manufacturers for information.

"Sleep? For who?" you may say. Our culture seems to value lack of sleep, from parents of newborns to stressful work and family lives, travel and running nonstop from morning to night. All of us are doing too much. "Down time? who needs it!"

Turns out we all need sleep. A lot of it. And few of us get enough. You need more than six hours of tossing and turning, but a full 7 to 9 hours of high quality, restful and restorative sleep.

A lack of sleep affects so much of our lives, making us age ourselves by "looking tired" to feeling grumpy and unable to focus. Many of us are so accustomed to running on lack of sleep that we've forgotten how good we can feel.

Jennifer Adams, owner of Jennifer Adams Design Group and Jennifer Adams Home, outlined her suggestions for improving sleep on her recent segment on Better TV. Besides improving your overall health, mood and outlook on life, quality sleep can help people control their weight and improve family life. It's important for everyone, not just the kids!

And, besides allowing enough time for a good night's sleep, an easy way to improve the quality of the sleep you get is with comfortable bedding. If your bed is comfortable and your sheets are soft and smooth, you may be a lot more relaxed and will sleep better.

Jennifer also announced her new "Slumber" bedding line at Jennifer Adams Home, inspired by all her viewers on Better TV. Many viewers said they love how soft and comfortable the Eternal Sheet Sets are, but they are expensive! So Jennifer created the Slumber line, which is made from the same buttery soft fabric, but with simpler stitching details. Check out JAH for Baby, too!

The Slumber line is still durable and luxurious, it's just more affordable. And they come in four colors. Check them out at Jennifer Adams Home!

Also, as a special gift for Better viewers, watch Jennifer's segment for a promo code that will allow you to save 15 percent on the Slumber line! Offer is limited, and it will end soon. So hurry. See the website for all the details.

Give yourself the gift of great sleep!

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Adams Home.

Counting down! Yay! I'm all excited, I have the whole family coming over. This year I vowed to comfortably seat the 10 or 12 people who will be showing up.

Which means I need to move the tiny little table out of my dining room and opt for something bigger.

Instead of cobbling together card tables, tipsy TV trays and whatever, or eat in the living room I'll use two office-style folding tables, 30 inches wide x 72 inches long.

I'll push them together and use a HUGE table cloth -- I have a large white 300 thread count percale one, king size, should be perfect ; ) and, who will ever know. It'll be the first time I will have ever ironed a bed sheet!

Finally we'll have room forall the food AND a big centerpiece. And, wouldn't you know it, just in time to give me some great ideas, our own Jennifer Adams, owner of Jennifer AdamsDesign Group and Jennifer AdamsHome, aired yet another holiday segment on Better TV, on "Holiday Tabletop Decor!" Check it out.

Jennifer is using inexpensive garlands, sparkles, tree ornaments and snowflakes, pretty hurricane lanterns with candles inside (perfect for keeping the flames off the garlands and the wax off the table!), ribbons and pine cones.

For each setting, Jennifer is using a sparkly placemat over the table cloth and a gold charger, which is a big decorative plate that goes underneath the dinner plate. Chargers are a great way to add seasonal color and drama to your regular dishes. Then, she folds the napkins and uses a pretty seasonal napkin ring, cleverly tossing the extras onto the garlands in the center of the table to help tie everything together!

And, if that's not enough inspiration for you, Better Homes and Gardens' online newsletter just issued an article, too. Check out "Simple Christmas Centerpieces" online, along with countless other holiday topics. You may need to be a member to view it all, but the handy tips and ideas are worth the time to sign up.

I'll be setting everything up a couple of days before, to make sure it's all working and is as pretty as it can be and I can just concentrate on having fun and cooking that day.

Happy Holidays everyone!

--Elaine Bothe

Images are courtesy of Better TV.

The holidays are definitely here... And, your budget is shrinking as fast as your to-do list is growing. Last-minute, your family is on their way. You want to pull together some quick, charming but cheap decorations to make your house feel welcoming. But how?

Our own Jennifer Adams, owner of Jennifer Adams Design Group and Jennifer Adams Home put together a fabulous list for us!

Jennifer appears regularly on Better TV. Here she is in a new segment for "Home for the Holidays" that aired recently. Check out the video for easy holiday decorating ideas throughout your house.

Just some of her handy tips for festive holiday touches include:

--Filling decorative bowls with sparkly ornaments

--Create a welcoming entry by mixing candles, ribbon, and pine boughs

--Decorate your powder bath with ribbons and bells cleverly attached to the light fixtures and towel holders!

And, here are some additional tips to keep it all on the cheap.

--Use trimmings from your tree, so you don't need to buy any extras. Or, if you have evergreens or holly growing in your own yard, use those!

--Recycle pretty ribbon and trims from the presents and cards you receive for use next year.

--Buy red and metallic ribbons in the off season, from craft and fabric stores.

--Purchase metallic spray paint from hardware stores, not high-end crafts places! You'll also get larger containers.

--Keep your eyes out at garage and estate sales next summer, there are usually plenty of ornaments, and, in July, no one cares!

--Wait until the very last minute or after Christmas to purchase fake greenery, metallic ribbons, ornaments, lights, etc. on sale. Just put it away with the rest of your Christmas ornaments and you'll be all set... for next year!

Happy Holidays to all!

-Elaine Bothe

Images courtesy of Better TV.

My mom bought a wreath for me this year! Usually I'm not a wreath person, out of sheer laziness mostly, but I do like them. This one in particular is a very pretty one, a fresh one with real greens from Land's End. I did not know they did holiday decor, but I was impressed with its qquality.

The wreath even came with a hanger. With the weather seal, I didn't end up using it on my door but I rigged up some office supplies and attached it to my door knocker. It looks like I planned it, but I didn't really...

Looking at my front door with this very pretty wreath on it is now I'm noticing how ratty it looks. The door, not the wreath.

Funny I hadn't really seen it that way. The front door is supposed to be the welcoming first impression of your whole house. At my house we usually use the kitchen door, and so do most of our friends so rarely do we even open the front door. I find soggy phone directories and stuff attached to the door knob that's been there for who knows how long.

The finish is peeling on the door and the color is fading. The door knob is dusty and dirty and the light is full of dead bugs. OK, so what, you might ask. Did you clean it up? No I did not. I had some other stuff to do. Later that day, I read a fun article by Bob Tedeschi that appeared in The New York Times, "Sprucing Up Your Front Door," published on line on November 30, 2011.

I think I have the same kind of house blindness he describes-- what you get when you've lived someplace for a while, you may have had a lot of work done on the house, but you get on with living. The little leftover stuff becomes invisible and you just live with it... the broken hinge on the cabinet, the missed spot that you never touched up after repainting, etc.

Tedeschi also has some great tips and fun anecdotes about fixing up his front door, when that project trickles to the top of the list, I'm sure they'll come in handy. Until then, I'll just conveniently ignore it!

Until next time!

--Elaine Bothe

Photo courtesy of Land's End.

This year I made the switch. After years of digging broken glass bulbs out of the garden, finicky wiring, temperamental timers and miles of extension cords, I replaced my old incandescent C-9 Christmas lights with brand new LED ones.

C9 is the largest easily available size, traditionally shaped, perfect for outdoors on your house. C7, C5 and C3 are smaller sizes. There are also minis, round G sizes, icicle styles, chasing styles and hundreds of ornament shapes. You can easily go nuts thinking about the possibilities.

And I'm so happy I made the switch! We live near a famous holiday street in Portland. So we try to support the arts and light up our house too, though we are not tempted to outdo

Peacock Lane (shown above). But it's fun to come home to a lit house during the holidays.

Though the new LED lights, which I purchased at Home Depot this year, are individually not quite as bright as traditional incandescents, the faceted "strawberry" plastic bulbs create a pretty sparkly effect. And the bulbs are much closer together, just 6-9 inches, so I have many more lights on my house. The effect is different than the old-fashioned kind, but I think just as pretty, if not prettier.

The best benefit is that the LEDs use much less electricity. Instead of linking just three incandescent strings, cobbled together on separate extension cords, I was able to link all the lights on my house on only one extension cord, to one timer plugged into one outlet. All my lights, cords and timers are rated for outdoor use. Make sure yours are too.

So now all the lights go on and turn off at the same time! Before, I could never get the timers set up alike, so half the house would turn on, then, later, the other half would. And I don't have sloppy cords going out from under my garage door any more.

If you're thinking of replacing your old incandescent strings with new LED strings, keep in mind that the LED packaging usually label the number of bulbs, not the length of the string. I ended up needing a lot more than I thought I would. I found some handy 100-light strings on a plastic spool, which will reduce tangled messes later.

Until next time!

-Elaine Bothe

Photo of Peacock Lane is by Rob Finch, and is courtesy of OregonLive.com, the online arm of The Oregonian newspaper. See the article "LED Lights Surge in Popularity, Styles, Performance" by Kym Pokorny for additional information.

Also see the article "Everyone loves Peacock Lane during the holiday. But what about living there?" by Tom Hallman Jr., also on Oregonlive.com.

Photos of bulbs are courtesy of Home Depot.

For more information about Peacock Lane, visit their website!

Over the past few years, I’ve had to deal with occasional breakouts. During that time, I’ve tried a number of different cleansers, soaps and serums. But it wasn’t until my most recent experiment with black soap that I found results. Not only does the black soap heal my breakouts, but it illuminates my skin in a way that other cleansers do not.

Black soap is not really soap at all. It’s made from the ashes of different African plants like plantain peels and cocoa pods along with natural oils. Most of the versions including the brand that I use are made with Shea butter also. The soap is, in fact, black and smells like the ashes it’s made from. It’s so potent, that you’re only supposed to use it once a week.

Benefits of the soap range from helping with breakouts on the face, shoulders and back, to improving skin irritations like rashes and shampooing hair.

The version that I like is from Shea Terra Organics and is all organic and comes in bar and a powder form that you add water to. The ingredients are shipped directly from Africa and then packaged in the United States.

If you decide to give it a try, definitely look at the ingredients list on the black soap you're considering to make sure it the real thing that contains ashes from African plants, and not just regular soap that is dyed.

- Tara Daudani

Photo credit: SheaTerraOrganics.com

Happy holidays everyone! Parties, family, friends, coworkers, clubs… parties, parties and more parties! What a fun, wonderful time of year, catching up with everyone and celebrating.

Wow. So how can you stay ahead of those parties if you’re trying to maintain a healthy diet?

Temptations are unending, piled high on tables that go as far as the eye can see! Your hosts are refilling your glass, everyone’s offering more, more, and more.

Here are a few tricks I use to stay ahead and in control at parties, especially if I’m attending more than one or two a night. Self control isn’t always fun, but, then, neither are hangovers! And you usually feel much better about yourself the next day if you didn’t overdo the food or drink.

1. Eat a healthy meal before you go. Or, depending on the timing of the party, keep your mealtime. So, for example, if your party starts at 7:00 pm or so, eat dinner so you won’t arrive hungry. Do not, repeat, do NOT skip a meal to make up for what you might eat at a party! You’ll drink and eat way too much of the wrong things just because you’re hungry.

If the party is in the afternoon, eat a healthy snack first, unless your donation to the event is a healthy one of vegetables and a nonfat or good fat, low sugar dip. Then, eat up, because this would be your normal afternoon light snack, right? ; )

If it’s multiple parties throughout the day or evening, think of them in terms of courses. A cocktail and a veggie course at the first party. More veggies and some meats, and a soda water at the second. Coffee and fruit or a tiny dessert at the third.

2. Plan portion control. Pull a small scoop of nuts or chips (and dip!) out onto a plate or napkin, so you can see the amount that you’re eating. Don’t keep reaching into the bowl one at a time. You’ll eat far more that way, because you’ll lose track.

3. If it’s an unavoidable mealtime party, make sensible choices. Minimize the carbohydrates and fill your plate with lowfat meats such as the turkey/roast beef/ham/shrimp platter, vegetables and fruit. Keep in mind the processed meats are full of salt and who knows what… pick the stuff that you can most easily recognize. Limit the sauces, dips and cheese. Remember a serving of meat is 3-4 ounces, which is about the size of a deck of cards. That, and a bunch of veggies, is a perfectly fine dinner.

Stick to the items that you can readily see all the ingredients. Generally, the softer or gooier, the fattier.

4. Of course you need a cookie. Or a piece of cake. Don’t deny yourself the sweets, that will just make you want more. If you want to sample several, split them with friends so you all get a taste, and limit your total to the amount of, say, one small brownie. And dipping into the bowl full of green-and-red M&Ms count toward your total!

5. Food safety. Wash your hands often. Wash those lemons and limes before cutting. Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. Even in winter, a house party can be very warm. If you don’t know when the foods came out of the refrigerator or oven, don’t eat them unless they’re meant to be served at room temperature, such as chips, nuts or cookies. Use the provided tongs and spoons, and pray that everyone else did, too.

6. Drinks! How the calories stack up here. I like to have my drink or two, then I walk around with a glass of soda water and slice of lemon or lime. That way, I always have a festive-looking drink in my hand, and people don’t offer me more. If it makes sense, you can even arrange this with the bartender.

Wine is fine, perfect for the season but people have a tendency to keep filling up your glass so it’s easy for you to lose count. Stick with simple beverages, and… skip the egg nog! Oh heavens. Just a sip, if you must. It’s so high in fat and sugar and calories.

Another strategy is to order your drinks half-strength. Or, if you love beer like me, try this: order a really hoppy one, like an IPA, and mix it half-and-half with club soda. This is a nicer drink in the summer though, because it’s cold and extra bubbly.

If you have a friend who drinks a lot, have something – anything – other than what they’re having. It’s really easy to say, “No thanks, I’m having beer tonight,” when they’re downing white Russians. They won’t be inclined to top you off each time they want a refill.

6. Be safe, plan ahead, don’t overdo the food and drink. And, please don’t drive under the influence. Parties are more fun when you feel great about them the next day.

Until next time!

--Elaine Bothe

Veggie dish photo courtesy of the fabulous www.dailyspark.com.

Naughty and nice food (such as a healthier eggnog recipe) comparisons are available at (and eggnog photo courtesy of) www.webmd.com.

We've extended our 50% Off Sale in honor of Cyber Monday!

Shop through midnight tonight and save 50% Off on our ENTIRE website, including our brand new LUX Bedding Collection! Use code BF50 at checkout to save during this special One Time Only Sale!

Hurry, our supplies won't last long, so shop now at JenniferAdamsHome.com and save on 50% on luxurious designer bedding for everyone on your list!

Sale ends 11/28 at midnight. Shop online at JenniferAdamsHome.com or call 800.480.1784!

Sale excludes Slumber and Mattress collections.

We're celebrating Thanksgiving with our biggest sale ever! EVERYTHING on our website is 50% until Monday, November 28 at midnight! Enter code BF50 at checkout for huge savings!

Now's the time to finish your holiday shopping and spoil yourself or your entire gift list with luxurious designer bedding! Give the gift of a great nights sleep!

This sale is so big we may never do it again, so shop now before this sale ends! Shop online at JenniferAdamsHome.com or call 800.480.1784!

Happy Shopping and Happy Thanksgiving

Holidays! what fun! Hopefully your house is ready and you've got your shopping started. Mine isn't, I haven't started... but that's not stopping me from looking forward to spending time with family and friends.

Extra seating is always a challenge to provide. You can only have so many sofas and armchairs in your house, and folding card table chairs andspare lawn chairs justwon't cut it.

Why not add some great stools and ottomans that are fun colors, super useful and sculptural too? Pull them out when you need them, store in a corner or under a side table, or even as the side table!

Interior Design Magazine put together a wonderful photo montage of famous designers and some of their favorite stools, "Cool for Stools" in their Market Tabloid edition of the printed magazine, published October 31, 2011, pp 114-131.

Check out the article "Cool for Stools" online as well!

Photo of the "Apel"ottomans courtesy of Bernhardt Design.

Until next time!

--Elaine Bothe

Busy days and fast food happen to everyone. Choosing breakfast when you’re out can be especially tricky. For me, I usually go straight for a bagel with cream cheese. So I was equally encouraged and concerned when I read this article from Yahoo talking about better breakfast choices when you get food on the go.

The first couple of examples seemed a little redundant. Bottom line: if a restaurant offers oatmeal, it’s probably a good option. But the information is valid. It does point out that sometimes healthy sounding choices can be laden with calories.

This article reminds me of one of my favorite franchises - “Eat This Not That” from Men’s Health. The entire concept is aimed at helping consumers make better decisions when they choose foods whether at the grocery store or at a restaurant. They have a number of books out and maintain a really great Twitter stream (@ETNT). Somehow they manage to get a lot of useful information into 140 characters or less. For example, a recent tweet said, “Add Dunkin' Donuts' Blueberry Crumb Donut to your plate once a week, and you could gain 7.4 pounds a year!.”

Small decisions make a big difference, whether it’s the quality of the ingredients or the total calories. Especially this time of year when food and festivities go hand in hand.

-Tara Daudani

Photo credit: Photography by BJWOK

School's in session, the garden is put to bed, Halloween is past and it's a little too soon for the holidays... and you have a free weekend coming up. (Yeah, right, I know!) But there are some things you should probably be getting done soon, if you haven't already.

Preparing your house for the winter. Sure, it's not glamorous but it will make your life more comfortable and can reduce your winter utility bills. I try to be one step ahead of everyone else, and instead of waiting until the time change or bad weather sets in. I peg the first day of Fall as my reminder. Here in Oregon, September 21st through Oct 15th or so is still usually really nice weather. So I can be easily tackling outdoor chores in relative comfort and with lots of daylight.

But there's still time. Here are some important tips:

1. Clean out the gutters and downspouts! If you're OK with being on your roof and you've had a lot of dry weather, a cordless blower makes quick work of the leafy mess. If it's been wet, done some rubber gloves and a ladder, and manually grab the gunk. Concentrate on the areas near downspouts. I check the top section of my downspouts, in spite of filters, they still pack full of pine needles from nearby trees. If you time it right, you can hang your holiday lights at the same time!

2. Swap out or clean your furnace filters. Feeling a little stuffy? It just might be the allergens blowing around, now that your furnace is on more often. It's fun to see how much dirt and grime you're getting rid of. Since my furnace is also my air conditioner, I do this twice a year. The first day of Spring is another nice calendar date to remember!

3. Hopefully you washed your big fluffy comforter, duvets and blankets in the Spring. Because now is when to pull them out so you're nice and warm. Follow the manufacturer's instructions, you may need to take them to a cleaner. Don't try to stuff it into your own washer. Especially if you have allergies, this is a great task to do yearly. Resolve to do so when you remove them from your bed.

4. Wash and seal your windows. Install your storm windows, plastic or whatever, caulk all the cracks on non-operable windows, and make sure the hardware all works properly.

5. Check out more handy tips on how to winterize your home, including insulating water pipes, adding insulation and cleaning your fireplace and reversing the direction of your ceiling fan, at Better Homes and Gardens' web article, "15 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Winter."

Until next time!

--Elaine Bothe

Photo courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens' website.

As a Pilates mat instructor, it’s not uncommon for new students to come to my classes thinking they are going to have an experience that is really similar to a yoga class. Even my friends who are unfamiliar with the exercise program often aren’t sure about the differences between the two exercises.

Aside from the mat and working out with no shoes on, there aren’t too many similarities. Yoga was designed as a spiritual practice in India. It incorporates the mind, body and spirit. It’s not uncommon to chant or meditate and set an intention for your practice.

Pilates on the other hand was designed by Joseph Pilates as a workout method. I see it more of a mind, body exercise. Along with the mat classes, there are many different machines that Pilates invented that are part of his method. They use a combination of springs to elongate and strengthen your muscles.

The mat exercises focus on using students’ powerhouses - the section of the body from right above the knee to the breastbone. Yoga tends to be more full body and incorporate stretching and holding poses. Pilates is more repetition based.

One of my students once asked me which practice I thought was better. I honestly said that I believe both have tremendous benefits. The exercise that’s better for you is the one you’re going to do regularly and enjoy.

- Tara Daudani

Photo credit: Ambro

Tired of looking at your same old windows? Sick of your mini blinds harsh effect? Need a filter for light and privacy, but you don't want to obscure the view? Can't decide on that last finishing touch to make your rooms sing?

Sheer draperies are your answer. Use under an opaque fabric drapery to increase your light control options, or layer over blinds or shutters to soften the effect. Or, you can even layer your sheers to create fun new looks every day!

Robert Allen's latest collection release includes all the latest colors, spanning natural textures and bold graphic looks. Solids, stripes, lacy patterns, whatever, you can find it. Check out the website for comprehensive options. Silk and linens provide a rich luxurious feel and polyester fabrics or blends will give you modern looks and lasting durability.

Check out the Robert Allen website for all the latest looks and information.

Until next time!

-Elaine Bothe

Photos courtesy of The Shade Store.

During a recent talk about how to become a non-toxic New Yorker, I learned that we live among around 80,000 different chemicals and a good number mimic estrogen when they enter the body. This is potentially troublesome for women and their unborn daughters.

The talk was led by Penelope Jagessar Chaffer who is currently holding screenings for her new movie, “Toxic Baby.” The movie takes a look at toxicity and its affects on young children. Penny is lively and spirited and makes the somewhat dry topic of chemicals in our lives interesting.

Her advice for everyone is to start small and pick one area to detoxify. She said that indoor air tends to be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air, so starting at home is the easiest approach. Here are a few of her tips:

Take your shoes off when you get home. You don’t know what you’re tracking in.

Avoid products with parabens, fragrance and BPA

Limit dry cleaning. Clothes are cleaned with chemicals then wrapped in plastic. If you have an organic cleaner, ask them what they use to clean the clothes.

Avoid heating plastic in the microwave. The plastic breaks down and seeps into your food.

I admit, I tend to get bogged down with the huge list of ingredients to avoid in products and cleaners, but I think by taking it one item at a time this can become a manageable and healthy undertaking.

-Tara Daudani

Photo credit: WellandGoodNYC.com

Boo! Happy Halloween!

There’s a reason for countless tips on how to remove candle wax from tablecloths and carpets. Warnings not to leave candles unattended. But how can you get that light and flicker with out the mess and risk?

Fake candles have never looked so real. Or been so affordable. Elegant pillars made of beeswax. Tapers of realistic resin complete with irregular edges and drips. Rechargeable tea lights. Remote controls! And votives for every holiday you can think of.

The options abound for using electric candles in centerpieces and other decorative uses that real candles are just too risky. Have fun and be safe!

Until next time,

Elaine Bothe

Image courtesy of batteryoperatedcandles.net.

Additional resources include lightsforalloccasions.com and candleimpressions.net.

It's white truffle season and that means a good excuse to enjoy one of my favorite flavors - the truffle! I had the unique opportunity to do

some truffle hunting while on vacation this summer in Florence, Italy. The experience consisted of us hunting the truffles with a registered truffle hunter and his dog, then enjoying a delicious meal prepared with the day's find.

Giulio the Truffle Hunter picked us up at the train station and took us to his house called Limonaia in Bagno Rapoli, a town about 15 minutes outside of Florence. He used to run a B&B out of the house, so it is beautifully furnished. Giulio is now a registered truffle hunter and organizes truffle hunts and wine tastings with his wife, Christina.

He and his dog, Etta, comb the Tuscan forest every morning searching for earthy wonderful truffles. Black truffles were in season while we were there. So, we started off the experience learning a little about truffle hunting, then we hit the woods. Etta led, followed by Giulio with a tool used to unearth the truffles, then my husband and me. Etta would sniff the ground, then when she determined there was nothing there, would go back to Giulio for one of the treats he keeps in his pocket. Eventually, she found a spot she really liked and started frantically digging. Guilio called her off and searched in the spot she was digging and found an 80 gram truffle! Ray and I were floored. It was one of the biggest truffles we’ve ever seen. Guilio said it was about 4 days old. We continued our walk and found two other truffles for a total of about 150 grams,

or about 1/3 lb. Guilio said Etta loves eating truffles which is why he has to call her off when she starts digging. He said sometimes he’ll be digging one out of the ground, and she’ll find another one nearby and eat it before he can get to it!

Once we were done hunting we went back to Limonaia where he taught us how to clean the truffles while his wife Christina prepared a 5 course meal for us using the truffles we found just hours earlier. The food was typically Tuscan – fresh, local, simple and utterly delicious. All of the dishes had fresh truffles shaved on top. My favorite was a white bean soup with homemade croutons and fresh truffles. We took some truffle oil home with us and remember our Italian adventure every time we drizzle it.

You needed a new washer. You thought it would be a great opportunity to get a cool rebate or tax credit, save some water and electricity by purchasing a high efficiency front loading machine.

You even carefully checked out the options, Consumer Reports and all the reviews you could Google. LG, Whirlpool, Kenmore and others all have great rankings, you found out... so then you pulled the trigger and brought one home!

Wow! You said after your first load. It cleans so well! You love it… for a while. But soon it takes on a whole new aspect, it develops a strong musty odor. Yuck! And after you spent all that extra money. What gives?

Unfortunately, to keep your spiffy front loader working its best and not stinking up your whole house in the process, you do need to take some precautions.

Here are some handy tips to keep your washer as fresh as possible.

1. Be sure you are using detergents rated for high-efficiency washer use. They’ll have a logo on it, a blue oval with the letters, in lowercase, “h-e.” Do not use anything, not even bleach or fabric softeners, in your front loader without this designation. These detergents are designed to rinse cleanly and leave little residue, and it may lengthen the machine's useful life by not coating the bearings and other moving parts. In fact, save the fabric softeners for the dryer if you really must use them.

2. Don’t use as much detergent as recommended. The sellers of detergent want you to use a lot of it, but you really need a lot less, maybe even half, of what they recommend. So, save yourself a few pennies and your clothes will be just as clean. Really! And liquid detergent may leave less residue than powders.

3. Use the washer’s “tub cleaning” cycle once in a while. Read the instruction manual to find out more about this, especially if you usually use cold water for most of your laundry. And do a whites cycle occasionally with hot water. This will help rinse away residue from the inside of the machine, its gaskets and drainage lines. I plan the last load of the week to be a whites load, washed with hot water, and this seems to help a lot.

4.Wipe down the gaskets and seals around the door after each load. Mine collects hair, bits of paper (that shopping list I forgot to remove from my pocket), pieces of bark (chunky dirt from my last mountain bike ride, usually) and lint. I also pull the gasket open a little and remove any solids and hair that collects in the little drainage holes.

5. Don’t leave wet laundry inside the machine for hours or overnight. It just takes a little planning ahead to get it into the dryer. Let the laundry sit there!

6. Keep the door open when the machine is not in use. This allows air circulation, and makes it harder for mold to develop.

7. Use a product specially designed to clean washers, such as cleaning tablets like these from Affresh, Tide or Maytag.

Until next time!

-Elaine Bothe

Resources and imagery courtesy of LG Appliances and Affresh.

A great night's sleep is something I am very passionate about! After all we spend roughly one-third of our life asleep, so it's important to create a space that you are comfortable in and ensures you're getting the best sleep possible.

As we move into cooler weather, you might be pulling out your warmer bed layers, so I wanted to show you my favorite way to create a cozy bed that you just might never want to leave!

Usually I go to a clinic to receive acupuncture, but regular visits can get a little pricey. I heard about community acupuncture where more than one person is treated in a big room with dividers, but I was a little hesitant to try it. Finally I gave in and gave it a go earlier this week. And I'm so glad I did. I went to City Acupuncture on Fulton St. in NYC.

The space was welcoming and clean and the staff was friendly and helpful. I immediately felt at home. I assumed that you would be looking at other clients while getting treated, but the tables and chairs are arranged with screens, so I wasn't even sure how many other people were in the room. Before arriving, I filled out a complete intake form and after I was taken to my table, Catherine, my acupuncturist, asked some questions and examined my tongue and pulse. We decided that she would treat my back for stress - my muscles were tight and achy. The acupuncture was great. I zoned out like I rarely had before. Catherine asked if I wanted a little cupping done too. I agreed and she put plastic versions of the cups up and down my back. I left feeling relaxed and happy. The cost for this great treatment: $25-$50 depending on your ability - no questions asked. This is definitely the most sustainable acupuncture I've come across and something I'll definitely do again.

~Tara Daudani

Photo credit: www.health.howstuffworks.com

We know metallics have been the big thing lately... mirrors and metals, silvers, bronze, and gold finishes are fabulous for fabrics and furniture finishes. It seems the antithesis to another big thing, the organic trend in textures and color. Sleek with the rough? Manmade and the natural? Shiny and... not?

Guess what, they've all been combined.

Schumacher's new "Modern Glamour" wall coverings line picks up where old-school Hollywood glamour, handmade authenticity and textures from nature leave off.

The "Greek Key Sisal" pattern shown here is a hand printed on a natural sisal paper in a geometric key motif and is available in this blue called "Peacock," a silver and charcoal black. All have a subtle sheen. Other geometric prints include the pretty "Beaded Scroll."

A beautiful texture from sharkskin called "Shagreen" is embossed, given a glossy finish and is available in both handsome neutrals as well as vivid colors like this "Chinese Orange" and a red. Other animal inspired textures include Snakeskin, Crocodile and Lizard.

A wonderful raised handmade herringbone pattern characterize the "Chevron Texture" line. This "White Gold" color is available, as is a rich "Burnished Bronze," a silvery "Mineral," and neutral light brown "Sable." This is a beautiful option if you're thinking of a grasscloth but want something a little sleeker. Other simple textures include stripes, grid patterns, strie and plaid.

Schumacher has offered some of the highest quality wall coverings, fabrics, furniture and trimmings and is available through interior designers (like us at Jennifer Adams Design Group) and showrooms worldwide. Look for this trend to trickle down to affordable solutions and DIY interpretations in the months to come.

Until next time!

-Elaine Bothe

Images and information courtesy of Schumacher.

Text isn't just for paper anymore. Way beyond monograms, big prints, small scrawls, letters of all types are appearing on a font-astic chair or sofa near you.

From artisanal efforts hand printed on canvas to mass-produced musings that looks like old newspapers or signs, upholstery with words is showing up in headlines in a hot new trend. Go bold with large graphic letters that don't quite spell anything, or go tender with a pretty poem lightly inked across a cushion.

Keep things simple, though, just go for one or two focal pieces, don't do the whole room in text.

DIY it or go high style. If you're not sure a whole sofa or armchair with words is something you'll want to keep for a while, try texting on a throw pillow or two. They're cheap and easy to change.

Check out these examples. The first two images are from Anthropologie's Fall collection. The "Adscript Chair" is by the artist Draga Obradovic, who lives in Como, Italy. She screenprints the words onto a coated canvas fabric, then hand distresses it, then upholsters vintage chairs with the fabric. It's shown above, at the far left in the photo.

The "Garvey Chair," also available through Anthropologie, is upholstered in cotton fabric printed with the names of New York City subway stations. Who said you have to stand for the subway?

The last photo is a reclaimed Victorian era recamier, reupholstered in savaged burlap coffee sacks by the British company antique2chic. Relax and enjoy your coffee, lounging with your literature!

Until next time!

-Elaine Bothe

Photos courtesy of Anthropologie and antique2chic.

Hotels these days are working hard, trying to find interesting and appealing perks and strategies to attract and keep customers. Old-school or new-school, the latest trends are designed to keep you entertained, attend to all your needs and make your stay as comfortable and memorable as possible.

Accommodations for your pets, mood lighting, souvenirs available for purchasing incuding the soaps, towels, linens and even beds themselves, as well as uniquely local dining experiences are just a few amenities that are surfacing.

Following are more trends quoted from hospitality industry newsletters from Carrie Gates' firm, Absolute Procurement LLC and including information from the article "Andrew Freeman & Co. reveals 2011 Hospitality Trends" appearing on Hospitality World Network's website.

“When We Say Relax, We Mean It – Hotels are shedding the layers and going casual. It’s only a matter of time before hosts and concierges ditch the full fledged uniforms and adopt a corporate casual dress code. Expect to see people behind the front desk in jeans and unique branded shirts or blazers, and less formal and friendlier service style.

Examples: Axel Hotels (multiple locations worldwide)

DYO Design – Chalkboard walls, white boards and removable paint give guests artistic outlets and creative license to really personalize the experience. Not to mention something to talk about.

Examples: Jupiter Hotel (Portland, OR); white boards and markers at Hotel Keen (Palo Alto, CA)

For Eatsakes! – Bring home a taste of your trip as hotels provide a small taste of the experience by selling customized and special locally produced edible souvenirs. Some hotels are even creating an entire marketing hall experience (see Marketing 101 Day or Night).

Examples: Adour Macarons at St. Regis New York (New York, NY); Jeffrey Chodorow’s Food Parc at the Eventi hotel (New York, NY); The Plaza Food Hall at The Plaza (New York, NY)

Credit App – As hotels embrace and adopt modern technology, guests will be able to check in and check out with the swipe of a phone. Call for room service – and have it billed to your phone – your iphone. Hotels will work with services similar to Paypal and Bling Nation to provide direct billing to mobile devices. You'll be able to swipe your phone to enter your room too.

Flight Attendance – Hotels offer guests a smooth landing by providing remote check-in at the airport upon arrival.

Examples: The Peninsula (Beverly Hills, CA); AnaYela (Marrakesh, Morocco)

Smaller Is Better – Hotels are giving more love to groups of all sizes, especially the smaller ones. From intimate weddings to small business retreats, guests will see more ease in booking and complimentary incentives come their way as hoteliers are continuing to look for ways to fill their rooms and meeting spaces throughout the year.

Examples: Kimpton Hotels & Resorts’ Small Groups Made Simple program; River Terrace Inn’s More, More and More Meetings Package (Napa, CA)”

Photos courtesy of The Jupiter Hotel, Portland, Oregon and the Epic Hotel, Miami, Florida.