Curb that car — go all easy rider and start zipping around town on an e-bike (electric bike).
At eco Wheelz some models are now 30% off, receive free shipping, too. Just in time for summer fun. (pictured above, IZIP Trekking Enlightened for Women.
via: ecobunga
Expecting a power outage or off-grid camping trip? Let’s shed some light on the situation – this Oasis rechargeable solar lantern can operate for 12 hours when fully charged and 24 hours in emergency low energy mode – also features automatic solar panel opening and an LED light source that is estimated to last for 10 years under normal use. Sturdily constructed of stainless steel, the lantern also comes with an AC power adapter and batteries. via: savvychick
$99.99 @ amazon.com
Too bad we all couldn’t experience the luxury of getting away from it all, comfortably embraced by the branches of trees. For those lucky enough to afford it, the German design firm, baumraum, creates just such habitats – futuristic treehouses that place their inhabitants in an alternative universe – high above the earth among tree branches, birds and clouds.
The King of the Frogs treehouse, (above and below), is located in a small private garden in Münster. This sleek space hovers above a flat pool, framed by high bamboo stilts.
The house’s terrace, made of Tatajuba wood, rests on four stork-like stainless-steel stilts – some steps and a small catwalk lead visitors to the cabin.
The curved cabin, perched above the middle of the pool, rests on eight asymmetrical arranged stilts. Large curved glass at the gables and slim windows at the sides lighten the interior and give a bright and transparent look to the cabin.
Comfortable, minimalistic furniture adds character to the interior.
Below - a look at a couple of other projects:
Baumraum has created their unique structures in Germany, Hungary, Italy, Austria, Brazil and the USA.
via: ifitshipitshere.blogspot
A Little Piece of Earth is a short book written by Maria Finn. As the title of this post indicates, it is a book about how to grow your own food in small spaces. No space is too small. 
As my husband and I have learned as new tillers of the land, 2.5 acres is enough land to feed 100 people and to make a living on. So there is no reason why people in urban and suburban areas cannot grow enough for 2-4 people in their backyards with a little bit of creativity. This is what Ms. Finn shares in her book, along with little stories about the people she’s helped with her gardening experience.
From roof tops and window sills to indoor gardening, Maria Finn provides the beginner and veteran gardener plenty of food for thought.
Such as this line, “Edible gardens not only provide food, but also connections – to the earth, to the past, to the culture and to one another.”
And this a funny tip: A raccoon deterrent is an Oreo cookie with a jalapeño pepper inside! Can you believe that? She also said that aphids do not like hot peppers, so grow a few extra to keep those bugs at bay.
Another idea was to grow a grapevine privacy wall between you and a nosy neighbor, which seemed not only a neighbor/privacy solution but a way to grow grapes in a small backyard, too. I also loved her section on children’s gardens, like using the Weeping Plum tree as a reading/tea party nook or the Pink Jasmine Tepee that would be more cost effective than many of the commercial tepees on the toy market and would smell a whole lot prettier too!
This book supplied me with enough intriguing information on multi-tiered worm composters, yummy recipes to try, different kinds of heirloom plants, garden design ideas, precious space saving techniques and even seed saving tips which make me want to study each of these subjects more in-depth. After all, this little book is more of a quick study/pocket reference book with only 212 pages in its 8”x 5” covers. I would definitely recommend it to those wanting to use their space more wisely.
(find @ amazon.com)
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