Wordless Wednesday: Who needs trees?

Some days it's all about appreciating the little things - like a glass of wine and a beautiful urban landscape.

Wordless Wednesday: This certainly makes the condo life seem appealing

 

Are you sure you want to make that bed?

Making the bed is normally a quick, and simple, part of my morning routine. I love how that two-minute effort suddenly makes the bedroom look so much tidier. Plus, I find it a small luxury to slip into a nicely made bed at the end of a long day.

But I recently stumbled across a story extolling the virtues of that slept in look.

  (Shutterstock photo illustration)

But it's not an aesthetic thing: a U.K.-based study found that not making the bed may actually help with your health.

According to a story on BBC News, which I missed on its first run through the blogosphere, those crumpled sheets are actually unappealing to dust mites, which are believed to contribute to asthma and other allergies.

The study, from Kingston University, found the bugs couldn't survive the warm, dry conditions of an unmade bed.

So, not only could it shave a minute or two off your morning routine, but leaving the bed unmade removes the moisture that dust mites crave, leaving the mites to dehydrate and eventually die. 

There is still some question as to how much of a difference this really would make - after all, many homes have moist air and loads of other places for mites to hang out, but, if nothing else, at least you have a good excuse next time you skip the chore.

Read the full story.

'Plant' a sunflower for Ovarian Cancer

While I didn't make it to the event, I still wanted to share the news about Electrolux's Garden of Hope.

The initiative, in support of Ovarian Cancer Canada, planted a sunflower garden (the official flower of Ovarian Cancer Canada) in Mississauga last Friday. In September, the flowers will be donated to line the route of the Winner's Walk of Hope.

You can support the cause by planting a (free) virtual garden at gardenofhope.ca. The company will donate $1 to cancer research for ever flower sent.

As an added perk, you'll be entered into a draw for an Electrolux Turquoise Sky Laundry Pair!

(HANDOUT PHOTO. Ovarian cancer survivor Colleen O’Neill plants a Garden of Hope with staff from Electrolux and Ovarian Cancer Canada.)

Thermostat battles?

Do you bicker with your housemates over the temperature inside your home? According to a recent survey by Direct Energy, almost half of Canadians (49 per cent) report arguments over the thermostat. In Ontario, the rate was 46 per cent.

Mr. Speedy and I prefer much different temperatures. When he's sitting happily in a t-shirt and shorts, I'm bundled up with a blanket and sweater. If I'm comfy-cozy, he's probably too hot to move.

Our solution? We strive for a middle ground, and I always keep a blanket handy! (Which is, perhaps, on trend with the survey, which found women are more likely to add or remove layers of clothing or open a window rather than argue about the temperature). How do you handle these "therma-spats"?

And, even if you can't agree on how to set it, it never hurts to cut the costs of running your a/c unit, so check out these summer cooling tips from Direct Energy:

- Install a programmable thermostat, turning it up during the day when no one is home and at night when the outdoor temperature is cooler. Direct Energy says that by raising the thermostat's temperature by five degrees Celsius at night, you could save 10 per cent on your heating bill.
- Keep the outdoor air conditioner coil clear of dirt and other obstructions, and keep flowers and shrubs two feet away from the unit.
- If you have a central air conditioner, keep the top of the unit unobstructed.
- Top up your insulation, and caulk and weather strip around windows and doors to keep the cool air in and the warm air out.
- Keep blinds, carpets and furniture free of the vents, and close vents in less used rooms.

What does your door knob say about you?

I must admit, I never thought that my door knobs revealed anything about me.

In fact, when I first received a press release from Weiser Lock saying that the hardware on your door says a lot about your personality, I couldn't even recall what my door knobs looked like!

According to the release, consumers are looking for a door knob that looks good, suits their taste, and fits their personality.

And, apparently, our choice actually reveals a lot about the kind of people we are — from our style to our likes and dislikes. While I'm not sure if you can really glean that much from your choice of door knob, Weiser's descriptions are certainly entertaining!

Here's what your door knob says about you, according to the folks at Weiser:

Venetian Bronze: A nostalgic homeowner, this person chooses a palette of warm rose and cream colours and likely has a soft spot for classic Victorian decor. This person is conscientious, dependable, steady and conservative. They enjoy "classical music, fine dining, designer clothes and trips to Rome."

Satin Stainless Steel: This person likes clean, modern looks and their home is simple, bright and airy, likely with lots of windows and open spaces. This homeowner is innocent, pure and naive. As for their personal life, they're probably into alternative or indie rock, wear jeans with a t-shirt, vacation on the beach and chow down on sushi.

Rustic Pewter: This homeowner prefers an average home in the burbs to a modern mansion. This person "often has good business sense but tends to work too much." They like classic rock, sporting events, cheeseburgers and camping trips.

Iron Black: This homeowner likes a mysterious feel and leans toward a dignified and impressive look without being showy. In their personal life, they likely enjoy "emo music, visiting Eastern bloc countries, wearing all black wardrobes and eating at ethnic restaurants."

Bright Brass: The homeowner who chooses bright brass has a sunny personality and a great sense of humour. Their hobbies include "visiting glitzy Las Vegas, wearing bright clothing and accessories, listening to pop music and dining at chain restaurants."

As a renter, I didn't choose my satin silver knobs, but given the choice, I probably would have picked something similar. And the description is moderately apt — I have been known to chow down on sushi while wearing jeans and a t-shirt and listening to indie rock. Then again, I suspect this may describe a lot of my friends and neighbours, regardless of their choice of hardware ...

What do you think? Does your choice of door knob match your personality?