Genius Idea: Color + Plus Lighting Collection

Customize a lamp to your specifications?  You can do it on line at LampsPlus.com.  Take a look at the color + plus lighting collection. 

Almost custom.  Choose a lamp base color from over 60 options.  The color selections are Pantone, Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams hues.  Your next choice is for a lamp base shape, two for table top and two floor models.  Then you can choose a crisp white shade or a one with color and pattern.  

A lamp with a basic white shade is $99.

Add a color/pattern shade and the price is $149.

Apothecary shape base and basic shade, $99.

Floor lamp/basic shade, $299.

Floor lamp, funky shade, $249, if basic shade, $149.

The look you choose can be very traditional or colorful and edgy.  The prices are very reasonable for the ability to customize a lamp to your taste.  

Check out the color + plus lighting collection by clicking here.

Meet Hue: Personal Wireless Lighting

Would you like to use your smartphone as a remote control for your lighting?  You can with hue, the smart light bulb system from Phillips.

hue by Phillips  Starter pack $199. available at Apple stores

This system is so simple to install.  Just plug the "bridge" into your router.  Then screw in a light bulb.  Download the hue app and you are all set.  It took no angst and less than  3 minutes to install and be ready to use hue.  Name each bulb (master bedroom, living room 1, living room 2 etc) and then you can control each bulb separately or individually.  You can select degree of brightness, color of light and set timers.  

So what can hue do?

How about a gradual wake up to a slowly brightening light rather than a jarring alarm clock?

Hue can do that.

Want your lights to be on when you get home from work?

No problem.

For security when you are away, have light go on in different room at various times.  You can do that with your iphone while relaxing on the beach.

Choose a setting for a task and select the degree of brightness.  

Would you like to recreate a light or hue from a photo?

Just move the numbered bulb over the color you would like to recreate and 

voilà, there it is.

A more concrete example...

a green color light.

The bridge included in the starter kit can control up to 50 hue bulbs.  Each bulb uses 80% less energy than a traditional bulb.  

I really was drawn to the hue system for the security factor of being able to vary light in different rooms in the house while I am away.  I am enjoying controlling task lighting.  It is easy to create romantic, flattering.  I've only had the system for about 24 hours but it is fun and easy and there is no end to the lighting moods to create.  

Pinch Provisions

Pinch Provisions has a kits for emergencies, when you are "in a pinch".

Pinch Provision mini emergency kit $15 J. Crew

I was strolling through J. Crew the other day and spotted these colorful, mini-emergency kits.  Just 3 1/2 x 2 x 2, these tiny kits contains 17 essentials for "a gal's tiny troubles".  

Some of the contents are earring backs, stain remover, emery board, pain reliever and sewing kit.  That means 12 more items in the kit!!  At just $15.  Who couldn't use one of these kits in their desk drawer at work, gym bag, or travel bag?  Wouldn't these make great gifts at a shower, stocking stuffer, Secret Santa, or hostess gift?  This particular kit is exclusive to J. Crew stores.  You can order kits here.  AND you can order refills of the things you've used, like the towelettes.  Check that out here.

Pinch Provisions has the guys covered too. 

Hemergency kit $25

At $25, guys get a razor and shaving cream, toothbrush and toothpaste, safety pin, shoeshine towelette and extra button along with lots of other good stuff.  Check it out here.

There are more specific kits.  This is a dorm survival kit. $25

I like the College Survival Kit complete with laundry instructions. $49

There are several wedding specific kits and two kits for moms.

Have you been in a pinch when one of these kits would have been a life saver?

Waterproof Your iPhone with a Scuba Suit

                Source: photojojo.com via Deborah on Pinterest

Chances are that you are hanging around water this summer at a pool, beach or boating.  Chances are you may drop your phone in the water.  Chances are you'd like to take underwater photos.  

                           Buy the The iPhone Scuba Suit at the Photojojo Store!

You can waterproof your iPhone and take underwater photo by encasing your iPhone in a Scuba Suit.  Check it out by clicking here.

Genius idea!

Genius Idea: Self Setting Thermostat

It's is winter and cold but we want to be warm without paying exorbitant amounts on energy bills.  Controlling your thermostat just got easier with NEST, the learning thermostat.

Nest

This hockey puck-looking thermostat is "smart" enough to program itself after a week of you setting the temperature as you go through your day.  It will figure out your schedule, when you typically go to bed and what temp you like.  It will know when you go to work and return and how cool you like the house while away and cozy when you return.  

The price is about $250 and installation takes about 20 minutes.  Oh yeah, this was developed by some former Apple engineers.  A thermostat for an iphone generation.

Tasting Room

Planning your Thanksgiving menu and stumped by the wine choice?  Here is a way to sample that wine before you purchase several bottles.  TastingRoom.com

Choose a sampler of 6 mini bottles of wine to find your favorite.  Then order full bottles if you wish.  Read the NY Times article here.

 Bryn Grappa-Cordial Glass Crate and Barrel - just the right size for two people to share a taste.

Each sampler bottle is 50 ml. 

Choose from Celebrity Samplers from the likes of Mario Batali, or Samplers grouped regionally or by varietal or from a single winery.  USE CODE THANKS10 for $10 off samplers.  Sign up and receive more discounts.  

These samplers would make a wonderful gift.  

Fishy Idea

How about this?  A fishbowl with a built in landscape!

Fishscape Fishbowl $139

Hem Gems: Genius Idea

I was sitting at the airport the other day watching a woman fidget with the hem or her pants.  Ok, I was staring.  I finally asked her what she was doing and she told me she was taking up the hem of her pants.  She showed me these little studs, called Hem Gems.

Classic rivet, $19.99 for a pack of 8

These studs with clutches can temporarily hem your pants.  You can choose a decorative stud or one that is quite plain.  There are 3 designs in several finishes.

  

• You can use Hem Gems to turn your hem under or to cuff the hem.  
• Prevent your hem from fraying
• Wear your longer pants and jeans with flats AND heels
• Keep your original hem

This is a great product for travel and eliminates the need to pack jeans of several lengths.  

How handy would this be on a rainy day to prevent your pants hem from getting soaked!!

What do you think?  Good idea?

Chick on the Go: Five Easy Pieces

Have you ever stood at baggage claim, alone, just willing your bag to come into view?  And it didn't. And you were stuck wearing the same rumpled, clothes you traveled in for a day or two until you either went home or the bag arrived?  

Chick on the Go $199

This, my friends, could be the answer.  A wardrobe in a bag with the 5 pieces you see in the photo plus 2 sashes.  These basic pieces can be coordinated together to create up to 25 different looks.  There are no buttons or zippers and the stretch fabric allows for stretch and comfort.   

Just a few of the looks from the kit.  The variety of looks can carry you through almost any situation.  Chick on the Go has been featured on the Today Show, USA Today Travel, Redbook to name a few.  For someone who travels a lot, this could be a survival kit.

Would you wear this?  Do you have your own "survival kit" you carry with you?

REAL SIMPLE: Uncommon Uses for Your Microwave

I came across some great ideas for unconventional uses of a microwave on the

REAL SIMPLE website.

Disinfect and deodorize sponges.  First, soak sponges in water spiked with white vinegar or lemon juice, then heat on high for 1 minute.  Be sure to use an oven mitt to remove the hot sponges from microwave so you don't burn yourself.

To get the most juice from citrus fruits, microwave them first for 20 seconds before squeezing.

Disinfect plastic cutting boards.  Wash well then rub with the cut side of a  lemon.  Heat in microwave for 1 minute.

Click here for more tips, like how to proof yeast and toast nuts.  

Bottle Cap Tripod

This is a brilliant camera accessory.Turn a bottle into a tripod.  

No more taking photos at arm's length or leaving someone out of the photo to be the photographer.

This inexpensive little gadget that you can carry in your pocket, slips over a bottle cap.

It has a universal camera mount and costs just $10.  

Click here to see one place where you can buy it.

Click here to watch the video of how to use the tripod.

Lighted Pots

This is one of those, "wish I thought of that", ideas.

These lighted pots from yliving make fantastic outdoor drama.

Waiting

Flight problems caused a 6 hour wait at the Detroit airport.  

So at least we had passes for the Delta Sky Club.  Not a bad way to pass the time.  Hubby and I enjoyed a birthday drink at the Vino Volo Wine Bar in the terminal.  I spent some time perusing the new online issue of Lonny Magazine. 

I saw this great idea for  illuminated planters from yliving

Loving these ideas of using a laundry cart as a bar cart and hanging plates on the wall in trailing fashion.

A "Green" Vertical Garden

Here's a great idea for a space-challenged gardener.

This garden is made from a pallet.

View the instructions from the blog, Life on the balcony

This is a fun blog for gardeners living in apartments and condo or anyone wishing to do container gardening.