Tuesday, September 7, 2010

It's a Breeze-drying that is


I have always wanted to have a clothesline to dry clothes on.  It seems like such an environmental thing to do.  Sure, lots of people compost, but how many do you know that dry their clothes on a line?  How would a family of 6 accomplish this?  In the foggy bay area?  With my Extenda 4 retractable clothesline.  Breezedryer.com is where I found this nifty item.

It is retractable, but I rarely retract it.  It has 4 lines, so I can hang tons of clothes, etc on it.  I have conveniently located mine 1/2 in the direct sun and 1/2 under a covered area.  This is handy because I tend to leave my clothes hanging for a few days and they get re-damp if left in the open (fog and rain will do that).  It has a crank to make it taut and can really hold weight.  All summer long I hung out the kids' towels after swimming at the pool.  I didn't want to rewash and dry them every day for 5 days in a row of lessons.

Some keys to my success with this is that it is conveniently located near my washer dryer area.  As I said before, part of the area is covered.  It does not take up a lot of space.  Mine is mounted over and in front of some plants.  It is really a pretty area to "have" to hang laundry in.  Also, I can put sweaters on top of all 4 lines to dry them without hanging and stretching them.

My biggest issue is that the jasmine and trumpet vines that are planted on the fence behind it like to send their tendrils to the lines to grow.  Also, my original one came broken, so I had to swap it out.  Breeze was a breeze to deal with and I was up and drying in no time.

I got the wall mount system and had brackets made to extend it from my fence.  Another option is to post mount it, of which they also sell the posts.  You can get yours or eco-clothes-drying advice/items at Breezedryer.com.  Mine was $108.75 + $16.95 for shipping.  Now I want the easifold laundry trolley to shuttle my clothes out to the line.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Two-Bushel Wheeled Hamper

Canvas wheeled basket - 2 bushel

I love this item.  It was originally a stuffed animal holder.  It's next life was a skateboard/scooter holder.  It's newest reincarnation is a laundry hamper.  So much so, I am designing 2 of them into my kids' new bathroom.  Problem...I purchased mine many many years ago at The Museum of Useful Things.  They are currently out of stock in this lovely item.  Remarkably, the price of $120 hasn't changed over the years.  It has been written up in design blogs, maybe this is why it isn't available any more.

Thorough searching led me to industrialhouse.com where they have the same looking cart for $182.   I tried to sweet talk my brother into selling me his.  He promptly found it on Ebay for $100/+$20 shipping.  I am going to try calling MUT to see if they have more coming in.  I am a loyal customer and love their products.  If they fail me here, Ebay, here I come.

clyrago: MBT - the anti-shoe

Update...clyrago: MBT - the anti-shoe
Even though our local summer isn't producing much heat, my shoes are running hot. I don't wear socks in the summer and the shoes have been getting sweaty. Well, really, it's my feet getting sweaty, but it doesn't help the shoes any. My solution was to look for these in sandals. Back to my local shoe shop, I tried the sandals on. Comfy, but again $250. Back to my resource of online shopping I went. Unfortunately the "cuter" versions were not as deeply discounted as the previous style I purchased. That's what I get for shopping with a need, in season. 3 weeks of vacation was upcoming the next week. Lots of heat and walking. I had to get these. I tried to use Orthosandals as a substitute, but they rubbed my feet on top and made owies. So, footwearetc.com I went and in less than 2 days I had my sandals. $200 that I do not regret spending. I have worn them everyday since receiving them, walked miles and miles, drove miles and miles and so on. This is saying a lot because I don't have a lot of disposable income right now. They are worth every penny.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

The dry cleaning journey - SF Green Clean


Yes, I love my products.  I also love my services....  I want tell you about SF Green Clean.  I know that some of you are in an area that they service.  If you aren't, you can use their resource pages to learn more about green dry cleaning.

I am as picky about our dry cleaners as I am a dentist or doctor.  When we moved to Mill Valley, we could not find a local cleaner that pressed our shirts in a manner we liked.  We traveled back to our old haunt for a couple of years.  Lots of kids later, the time it took to drive for dry cleaning became frivolous.  We then switched to a local company that delivered for "free".  Their prices were higher, but delivery was free.  I LOVED that convenience.

Then, somewhere I read about SF Green Clean.  Yes, I know we don't live in SF anymore.  It never hurts to inquire if they'll be opening a branch near you.  It turns out, they were willing to deliver and pick-up to Southern Marin.  Woohoo.

SF Green Clean drives Prius, uses wooden hangers and fabric garment bags.  They are truly green with no PERC (see their site for technical explanations) and no home waste (no plastic bags or wire hangers).  They do not bug us for their wooden hangers we've kept in our closet.  We try to switch out to our own hangers, but don't have enough, so hang on to a few of theirs.  They have an online clothes tracker.  I think this would be helpful if you couldn't remember what you'd sent to the cleaners.  I always had to do a count to make sure the proper amount of clothes were coming back to me.  Now I can visit my clothes on-line to check on them.  Not that I ever do this... I've become lax in my personal clothes tracking.  They also e-mail to schedule delivery changes.  This is so helpful because I always forget to change my deliveries when I am out of town.  I never have my cleaners phone number with me, so e-mail works better for me.

Originally we had Ted doing our pick-up and deliveries.  I think he was the owner or something.  Now we have Christina.  They both make us feel like we're special and matter.  Shouldn't we feel this way about everywhere we spend our money?  Speaking of money, I've recapped my last 2 years' of cleaning bills and our cost looks to have gone down a bit.  How cool is that?  I get to use a green business, have happy clothes delivered and picked up and save money?  I'll take it, how about you?

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Rock and roll on - Nirve MP3 Stereo Speakers

Yes, it has been a while.  We had an appendix issue at the beginning of March and then general spring chaos took over.  We are in the throws of it, but I couldn't wait to tell you about my new bike accessory.  I saw it, searched it, ordered it and am loving it within 24 hours of first sight.

I should start by saying that since the weather is nicer, I've been trying to ride my FR8 around town more.  We're running normal "car" errands on the bike now.  A trip to the store can be 10-15 minutes each way.  Some locations are up hills that I'm not very good at.  Music is a huge motivator.  When I am by myself, I can use my headphones.  If #4 is riding along, I cannot.  This is where the item below comes in...

The NY Times did a write up.  gear test and I poked around and couldn't believe how inexpensive and resourceful MP3 speakers could be for a bike.  The Nirve MP3 stereo speakers were well reviewed at most places I searched online.

These speakers are about the size of a padded sunglass case.  They have 2 velcro attachments to go on a bike's handlebars.  The case has a zipper opening and in the bottom section a band to hold your MP3 (or an iphone in my case) in place.  There is a plug that goes into the headphone port of the MP3.  In the top, there is an on/off switch.  4 AAA batteries.  That's it.  So simple, yet functional.

Now, can speakers the size of a sunglass case be heard?  Yes they can.  I have to make sure my music is not set too loud, because these speakers can project further than my local surroundings.


I found mine at Art's Cyclery .  They were $24.99 with $5 shipping.  They arrived the next day!  Woohoo.  Their price is pretty consistent at other online retailers.  Shipping varies.  The only issue I've had is that when I hit big bumps on the road, my iPhone skips to the next song.

Rock on....

Monday, February 8, 2010

MBT - the anti-shoe


I've meant to watch a dvd that came with my MBTs before I told you about them.  When I went to play it today, it didn't work.  Oh well, on to the most asked about item I have (even more than my bike)!

I've been seeing MBTs advertised in magazines for years.  I am also out of shape and have had back problems due to lack of core strength (or 4 kids, not sure which came first).  It took MBT coming out with a non-medical looking mary-jane style of shoe in red and it being in my local athletic store to consider buying them.  "What?"  "The style that I want is discontinued?"  Well, that was my $aving grace (see below).

According to their website, and probably their DVD, MBTs help you have proper alignment when standing and walking.  They engage your core to create more strength.

MBTs are comfortable.  When my back has been tweaked, they make it easier for me to walk.  The first week I wore them, muscles hurt that I didn't even know existed.  Now, I don't notice aching.  Does this mean they aren't working?  I have no idea.  I don't feel "more in shape" since I've been wearing them.  What I do know is that they feel good when I run around doing what I do.  They're not fancy, but as decent a look as any normal tennis shoe.  Online they have some cuter styles.  I guess if people saw cute in advertisements, they'd think the MBTs wouldn't work as well?

Footwear etc recommends that you order 1/2 size bigger.  This was true for me.  I also have a wide foot, and these are comfortable, even with socks.  So, I'm not sure how you'd fare if you had a narrow foot.  They are comfortable to stand in, in a way that my Danskos have never been.  In fact, my Danskos have given me blisters and aches when worn for extended periods of time.  My MBTs get a bit stinky when not worn with socks.  It would be great if they could combine Geox's ability to breathe with these, but oh well for now.

What was $250 (yes, for a relatively non-cute pair of shoes) in my local store, was $99 on-line at footwear etc.  In looking them up today, they are up to $130, but it's better than $250.  These came so fast.  I ordered them in the afternoon one day and they came the next morning from their east-bay distribution center.  Amazing service.  No tax or shipping.  Normally they don't take returns, but do for MBTs.

Update....



Update:  Even though our local summer isn't producing much heat, my shoes are running hot.  I don't wear socks in the summer and the shoes have been getting sweaty.  Well, really, it's my feet getting sweaty, but it doesn't help the shoes any.  My solution was to look for these in sandals.  Back to my local shoe shop, I tried the sandals on.  Comfy, but again $250.   Back to my resource of online shopping I went.  Unfortunately the "cuter" versions were not as deeply discounted as the previous style I purchased.  That's what I get for shopping with a need, in season.  3 weeks of vacation was upcoming the next week.  Lots of heat and walking.  I had to get these.  I tried to use Orthosandals as a substitute, but they rubbed my feet on top and made owies.  So, footwearetc.com I went and in less than 2 days I had my sandals.   $200 that I do not regret spending.  I have worn them everyday since receiving them, walked miles and miles, drove miles and miles and so on.  This is saying a lot because I don't have a lot of disposable income right now.  They are worth every penny.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Monkeying around - Dabbawalla lunch bag


I have many items in my brain that I want to tell you about, and haven't been very diligent.  I got a link to reusablebags.com that had some new styles of lunch bags.  Then I remembered that I wanted to tell you about #4's new lunch bag that she got for the holidays.  It's by Dabbawalla and my little one picked the  Monkey See Monkey Do style.  There are 6 choices that are so adorable; ladybug, apple, chicken, watermelon and a cow.  http://www.reusablebags.com/store/dabbawalla-c-132.html

There are many things that makes this a great lunch bag for us.  It's neoprene, so insulates well.  The handle is easy for kids and parents to hold.  There is a front and back pouch that can hold many things from papers to snacks.  The style is adorable, it's easy to clean and it holds a lot.  We use a small Klean Kanteen, a sandwich in a Wrap-n-mat and 2 metal containers from Kids Konserve and there's room to spare!

If my drawers and cupboards could speak they'd tell you about the assortment of lunch bags and items that we've collected over the years.  I want function without sacrificing quality or style.  These Dabbawalla bags do the trick.  In the past I've done  Laptop Lunches (not so cute and the lunchbox broke),   Built Munchlers (super cute, but too small), Herobags (great size, and style, but not insualted.  #2 likes this one), and Kids Konserve (we love the metal containers and their customer service, but the bag doesn't hold up well to dirt or washing)

Have you found something you'd like to share?  I'm always looking for more good ideas and products.  Just ask my cupboards and kids :)

I paid $29.95 at reusablebags.com.  Amazon has them for $37.95.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

A camping we will go - Camp Caddy Portable Organizer



We are serious car campers!  We try to add a couple of "cool" very useful items per year.  We drive a big truck with packs on top and sometimes off the back.  We added the Camp Caddy in 2004 and have been getting "oohs" and "aahs" ever since.


In my opinion, the most useful thing the Camp Caddy does is hold a garbage bag.  "What" you say?  "Hold a garbage bag"?  Well, if you've ever car camped and tried to hook your trash bag to a nail or a tree or a table without it falling over or ripping, you'll appreciate how useful this is.  In addition to holding a trash bag, it holds paper towels, condiments AND a lantern.


I know of two camping friends we've camped with that have added this to their repertoire  of camping gear because they see it's value.  This handy item can clamp to most picnic benches.  If the bench happens to be too thick, it comes with a different bottom to pound into the ground.  It's height is adjustable and compactly is put away into a nylon draw string bag.


We originally purchased ours from Cabela's http://www.cabelas.com/ for $30.  I do not believe they are still selling it.  In doing a search, I came upon A Happy Camper http://www.ahappycamper.com/products/campfurniture/nebo/kamp-kadi.html who has it for $20 (not including shipping) and The Camping Station http://www.campingstation.com/nebo-sports-kamp-kadi-portable-organizer-p-3626.html where it is currently $29 (again, no shipping included).  Check it out, you won't be sorry.


One note is if you need to use the ground stake to hold your Caddy up, pound it in before you attach the other levels.  If you pound it in when it is assembled, the pieces will stick together.  Just ask my husband, he'll tell you it's a pain to separate them when this is done.


Happy Camping.



Sunday, January 3, 2010

magnetizing - Magna Tiles set

 These are by far one of the best, most versatile (age and creativity) toy I have EVER purchased.  In the day and age of purging plastic, I will NEVER get rid of these.  Our original set of Magna Tiles was purchased as a gift for my then 3, and 1 1/2 year old kids from their "new" (now 6) baby sister.  We have since added another set to enable bigger structures and more kids playing at a time.

Magna-Tiles have internal magnets that connect the shapes together.  They can stack, make 3-d shapes and so much more.  Similar to the previously blogged Kapla blocks, my kids have built buildings, aircraft carriers, ships, animal houses and more.  They are so durable that we have not broken a single piece in the 6 years we've owned and played with them (including crumbling towers).

When you set out to purchase your Magna-Tiles, you should just jump right into the 100 piece set.  It is much more cost effective and easier to build with and share than the 30 and 45 piece sets.    Our original set was purchased online from  Kaplan Toys (http://www.kaplanco.com/store/trans/productDetailForm.asp?CatID=3%7CMB1075%7C0&PID=47927) where we paid $110 and are still listed as such.  Our second set was from Edufuntoys (http://www.edufuntoys.com/2300.html) for $99.  I believe they are  now $120.

These are great for preschool age on up.  I now have a 9+ year old who still plays with them down to a 4 year old.  They were great to have around when we had a baby because they aren't too small, are easy to handle and clean and also easy to clean up.  The pictures shown are by the kids of their structures.  We don't let them keep their creations up forever, so they take pictures and then destroy them.  It's not just a normal clean-up, it's like Godzilla coming to town!