Because even a manly home needs some soothing touches…perfect for today’s new-age man cave, garage, or NASCAR themed home – this Busted Knuckles Wind Chime II is created from recycled stainless steel wrenches, 25lb test fishing line and a large industrial washer.

The smaller brother of the original Busted Knuckles Wind Chime goes for $22 @ windchimesandmore’s etsy shop – sleeveless vest and tattoos are optional.  An obvious DIY opportunity.

This 5,000 sq. ft. Los Altos Hills residence proves that, if you’ve got the vision (and the financial resources), a big home doesn’t have to be an energy hog.  The home was designed by California-based, DSA Architects, who specialize in straw bale construction and energy efficient design.

In keeping with the owner’s desires the home is 100% energy independent.  A 17kw Photovoltaic system provides domestic electricity as well as power for the owner’s two electric cars.  The PV solar array is laminated onto the home’s standing seam metal roofing.

Other green building features:  a living roof covers the home’s barrel vaults and ground-source heat pumps and air-to-water exchangers ensure that heating, cooling, and domestic hot water loads are minimized.

What’s more important than shelter, food and love?  If you’re at that stage in life where you’ve got the first two items pretty well covered, but there are sometimes dry spells in the love department, (and I do mean literally), take heed.  I was given three different samples of Aloe Cadabra’s organic Aloe lubricant and after giving each a whirl, I must say, it certainly does the trick.  It does all that you want it to – it’s not too sticky and gooey, goes on real smoothly, and helps keep both you and your partner nicely lubricated and in the mood.  Be sure to apply generously, the more the merrier.

95% of this natural product is comprised of certified organic aloe vera.  According to the company, the remaining 5% of the ingredients “enhance the aloe effect by increasing the thickness and lubricity of the product.  At the same time, they help balance the pH so Aloe Cadabra can be as close to a body’s natural pH as possible.”  And I’d like to mention that the trace amounts of food grade preservatives potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate are there to help keep the product fresh.

It comes in Natural, Tahitian Vanilla or French Lavender; personal fave is the lavender – the scent is refreshing and not overpowering.  We like it so much, we’re selling it in our eco boutique on OpenSky.  If you want to buy it, just click on the Add to Cart link below.

Recently, something pretty major quietly occurred in the automotive marketplace.  Lincoln, touting it’s newest addition to the luxury lineup, the MKZ Hybrid, slapped on it a sticker that boasts the same price as the MKZ with a gasoline engine.  Listen closely. That’s the sound of slow and steady mass market adoption.  What was once a pricey option, the gasoline-electric engine now serves as a no-cost upgrade on this luxurious set of wheels.  AND it garners drivers a spiffy 41 miles per gallon in city driving and 36 mpg on the highway.  That’s over 700 miles on a tank of gas.  At roughly $35,000, that’s a decent deal for a ride that’s equally luxe and fuel efficient.  Let’s add to that the fact that the MKZ is easy on the eyes, too.  Naysayers will point to the fact that the MKZ Hybrid is essentially a prettied up version of the Fusion Hybrid, but I’ve got no qualms.  If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!  Just add a some new badging and creature comforts and call it a day, no?

In my humble opinion, this marks a giant step in the advancement of alternative auto technologies.  If I were strolling a Lincoln dealership, feasting my eyes on a shiny, new MKZ sedan there isn’t one reason I would opt for a gasoline engine.

Related post: The 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

• We can now expect a series of ‘Fire Tornado Chasers’ TV shows. Pictures: Fire Tornadoes Explained – natgeo
• Many Gulf Fisherman Reluctant to Try Their Luck – msnbc
• What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas…MGM Grand Defends Safety Practices After Lion Attack Caught on Tape – cnn
• Invasive mussel takes over…Lake Michigan’s Ecosystem Faces Collapse – cs monitor
• More trouble…Study: Flamboyant Male Dancing Attracts Women Best – yahoo! news
• 2 Charged in Australian Python Wrestling Demo – myway
• Is Organic Farming Good for Wildlife?  It Depends on the Alternative – sciencedaily

My husband and I recently moved into a new condo and one of the essential items we decided to buy “when we got there” was a new mattress.  Our journey to our new digs was a long and curvy one, so along the way we rented furnished apartments or stayed with welcoming family and friends.

Although there were many fun times as we traveled from pillar to post, unfortunately, we slept on a Rogue’s Gallery of pain inducing mattresses, the bedding equivalent of “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.”  After having endured the worst, we embarked on a hands-on and heine-down search for the perfect sleeping platform.

We knew we did not want a traditional mattress and box spring set-up — it was important to us to explore some organic mattress, (chemical free) options. But the search included just about everything — memory foam, TempurPedic, wool, inflatable, some kind of ‘Number’ thing mattress and then we found it:  the Savvy…nirvana:)

We were lucky enough to be offered to try Savvy’s Queen Serenity Mattress gratis, and we jumped on it.

After a phone consultation with Gopal, a very knowledgeable and thoughtful representative, we ordered a natural latex mattress that’s comprised of the following 3 layers:  Dunlop Firm on the bottom; Dunlop Medium (split); and Medium & Soft Talalay top split (half of each firmness).  These layers all rest on a 5-inch foundation and are wrapped in a 100 percent organic cotton & wool, zippered casement.

The split approach allows for customization of firmness, according to an individual’s personal preferences.  Hence, my husband’s side of the mattress is a bit firmer than mine.  And we don’t feel an opening in the split area of the mattress.  The material is so thick, it sort of melds together nicely.  Our bed rocks! No more tossing and turning.  No more neck or back pain.  Just sweet bliss – all night long.

By the way, the company policy is — if you’re not satisfied, you can return the layer and exchange it for another; (there’s a small fee to cover delivery).  And the mattress comes with a 20-year warranty.

Oh, and a little side note. I was a little leery when I learned that it would be “curbside” delivery, but that went surprisingly smoothly.  The delivery guy and my building’s super rang my apartment doorbell and before I knew it, we were in!  Having seen a video on their site explaining how to assemble the layers, we put it together in a flash, it literally took no more than 15 minutes or so.

Our company representative, Gopal, was expert and adept at providing us the info we needed in order to make a sound decision.  This was not your standard box spring and mattress set up so the unfamiliarity made me apprehensive.  But my advice is, don’t be fearful.  The degree of comfort and sound sleep you’ll experience are well worth the journey.  Gopal held my hand and guided me patiently through every step.  And for this we are most grateful.  Sweet dreams are made of this…

For more info, visit savvyrest.com.  Here’s a nice video about Savvy Rest’s Dunlop latex production and another brief video about the benefits of Talalay latex.

As mentioned above, Savvy Rest generously provided us with a complimentary mattress.  In turn, we agreed to provide a no-strings-attached Tried and True Review.

Summer’s gone, time to reflect, re-energize and work on one’s wardrobe and personal presentation.  Our good friends at Olive Green Dog have some great sales going on for dogs of all sizes and descriptions.  Here are a few of my favorites.

For all you designer label-chasing hounds – world-renowned eco-fashion designer Deborah Lindquist has really gone to the dogs… just kidding.  She designed these cute doggie sweaters from 100% recycled cashmere.  Depending on which way your doggie-door swings you can either go all peace + love (Peace on left above), or macho (Skull sweater).  Marked down from a pricey $90 to a very reasonable $45.  Limited supply – so hustle!

This “Bad to the Bone” doggie bowl set (above) from Chowtime Productions captures my essence completely.  Hand-painted, with every hue applied 3-4 times, these ceramic babies are Bisque-fired not once, but twice and sealed with a handmade, lead-free glaze.  You can even microwave these bowls if you’re a pooch that needs his chow ‘just so’.  $30 a set, marked down from $60.  (You can even get them custom monogrammed.)

These handsome hemp collars from Good Dog (above) will help any pooch get his green on.  Made of eco-friendly hemp – these collars are durable, naturally hypoallergenic and anti-bacterial.  On sale for $11.40 each (marked down from $19) – a small price to pay for such a large dose of eco-style.

A new bathroom aesthetic:  Australian designer Phil Rose has conceived this sustainable, more natural design for the ubiquitous bathroom sink.  Rose’s ‘Bu Basin’ features a renewable, water-resistant bamboo sink and fixtures atop a reconstituted, ceramic-coated base.

The basin’s bamboo components and the base are intended to be sealed and coated with environmentally friendly, non-toxic finishes.   Shipping costs and energy use are reduced by making all components stackable and durable for compact shipping and long product life.

Challenged for space in your teensy, urban hovel of an apartment?  Perhaps it’s time to have your home furnishings do a little multi-tasking.  The BADA table can perform very nicely as a desk, expand into a dining table or be transformed into a handsome loveseat.  Perfect for that 400 square foot shoebox of yours.

Designed and created by EcoSystems.

Wood options:  reclaimed shipping pallets or post-consumer reclaimed teak.  Features a clear, low-VOC, natural oil finish.