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Ordinary Made Extraordinary
by Pascal Anson'Filled with inexpensive and relatively easy do-it-yourself design projects for the home. Step-by-step photos show you how to do everything from dipping vintage cutlery in paint and reupholstering an armchair in shoelaces to covering a wall in mirrors' - Telegraph 'True original Pascal Anson urges us, with winning wit and idiot-proof step-by-steps to turn ''dad'' jeans, an ugly table, holey trainers, mismatched cutlery [...] into desirable stuff using the alchemy of imagination. His brief? Low skill levels and high concept' - World of Interiors In Ordinary Made Extraordinary designer, artist and maverick-maker Pascal Anson shows how easy it is to transform everyday items into extraordinary statement pieces. Make ordinary a thing of the past with 24 inspiring and achievable projects including: - Create a chandelier with just a few rolls of Sellotape. - Cast a stunning concrete plant pot. - Build a child’s treehouse with cling film.There are ideas for projects for everyone – from repairing and reinventing worn out trainers, to bigger projects such as the wood-clad car and the stylish hairy chair.
One Place de l’Eglise: A Year in Provence for the 21st century
by Trevor DolbyEscape to Languedoc in this poignant and transportative true account of life in a beautifully restored house in the south of France'Wonderful, exquisitely written, laugh-out-loud funny, profoundly moving. An utter joy and a treat to read from first to last' JAMES HOLLAND'Dolby writes with genuine emotion. He writes beautifully about life in a French village' DAILY MAIL___________An Englishman's home is his castle. But what if it's French?One Place de L'Eglise is a thousand-year-old Languedoc ruin. Leaky, crumbling, lacking basic amenities, it is ignored by the local villagers. But for Londoners Trevor and Kaz it is love at first sight. Over the years they turn the house into a home, navigating floods and freezing winters. Here, these two English find their place - their bar, their baker, their builder (ignore him at your peril).And gradually they learn slower joys - scents of thyme and lavender, warm sun on stone, nights hung with stars, silence in the hills, the secrets of fig jam.One Place de L'Eglise is a love letter - to a house, a village, a country - from an outsider who discovers you can never be a stranger when you're made to feel so at home.___________'Irresistible, a timeless story' MICHAEL PALIN 'Elegant, captivating, and sprinkled with self-deprecating humour. Dolby is a writer of abundant talent' PETER KERR, author of Snowball Oranges
Notes from a Small Kitchen Island: ‘I want to eat every single recipe in this book’ Nigella Lawson
by Debora RobertsonDiscover the cookbook you'll never want to live without, filled with the secrets to creating delicious home-cooked meals every single day'I want to eat every single recipe in this book' NIGELLA LAWSON'There are wonderful tales and recipes here, and lots of wisdom. It's approachable, anchored in real life and a joy to read. I want more' DIANA HENRY'A wonderful book full of inspiring, simple and time-saving recipes. This should be an everyday book for everybody' TOM KERRIDGE_________Debora Robertson, home cook and renowned food writer, tells how, from the least promising of culinary starts, she learned to love cooking and transformed her cosy kitchen into the beating heart of her home.Through her stories and recipes, she will whisk you away to hot summers in Languedoc and balmy weeknights in London, revealing the life-changing dishes that made her. Bound together with life- and dinner-saving lessons, Debora has written the essential kitchen companion for every home cook.From the tastes of Debora's childhood to the recipes she discovered on her travels, to the food she cooks every day . . .· Leek and ham hock steamed pudding· Slow roast lamb with Durham salad· Meemaw's Texan margarita pie· The best recipe for roast chicken· Delicious plum cakeDebora will take you by the hand and tell you everything you'll ever need to know about cooking food you'll love time and time again._________'Foodies will love this joyful cookbook full of must-try recipes and funny anecdotes' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
No Nettles Required: The Reassuring Truth About Wildlife Gardening
by Ken ThompsonIn 2003 a MORI poll for the Royal Horticultural Society revealed that an extraordinary number of us are interested in attracting wildlife into our gardens. It also indicated, however, that many of us have no idea how to go about it. Information is sparse, and public opinion seems to suggest that gardens that are plentiful in wildlife are unattractive, expensive to upkeep and hard work to maintain. But this couldn't be further from the truth.In this illuminating book, Ken Thompson explains that encouraging wildlife is actually entirely compatible with ordinary gardening, costs next to nothing and is almost completely effortless. Packed with helpful hints and tips, the book shows us how easy it is to fill our gardens with everything from foxes, frogs and mice to butterflies, ladybirds and literally thousands of fascinating creepy-crawlies. Why should we? Because we'll be promoting the biodiversity of the UK, we'll be reconnecting with nature, getting more from our gardens, and we'll be doing our plants a favour.
Built Heritage in post-Disaster Scenarios: Improving Resilience and Awareness Towards Preservation, Risk Mitigation and Governance Strategies
by Marcello BalzaniIt is assumed that the impact of natural and man-made hazards on society in terms of damage cannot be avoided. To reduce potential disaster levels and to assess which policies have had a positive outcome, a careful comparison should take place on the procedures implemented in the management of crises.The experiences with the earthquakes in the Pianura Padana area and central regions of Italy in the last ten years have been incorporated in the 'After the Damages' advanced training project. This project aims to showcase recent innovations and advancements in post-disaster management, so as to take a more proactive role in post-disaster management, and to respond more effectively when disasters occur.This volume provides insights into the dynamics and negative effects of natural and man-made hazards (i.e., earthquakes, fires, floods, droughts, volcanic eruptions, etc.), including more updated approaches to deal with post-disaster phases. The book also offers tools to deal with possible international crisis scenarios and mitigate the social impact of vulnerabilities through risk reduction.Built Heritage in post-Disaster Scenarios aims at public administration managers, government agency representatives, international organizations, researchers, and professionals in architecture, engineering, and earth science.Marcello Balzani, Architect, PhD in "Representation and Survey", Full Professor of Representation at the Department of Architecture, University of Ferrara. President of Clust-ER Building and Construction. He is author of more than 200 publications on the themes of Drawing and Architectural and Urban Surveying, Project Representation, Management and Visualisation.Federica Maietti, Architect, PhD, Associate Professor in the Scientific Sector ICAR/17 at the Department of Architecture, University of Ferrara. Member of the DIAPReM Centre, since 2005 she carries out research activities in the fields of heritage documentation, survey and diagnostic investigations, in different national and international contexts, including Pompeii, Malta, Brazil, India, and Mexico. Scientific Manager of the International Academy "After the Damages", she is involved in several research activities and she is the author of more than two hundred publications in the field of Heritage Documentation, Survey and Representation.Manlio Montuori, Architect, PhD, former assistant professor non-tenured at the University of Ferrara, Department of Architecture, where he is a member of the Labo.R.A. The main field of his research is the conservation of architectural heritage and landscape, with special emphasis on preservation procedures for traditional and industrial built heritage. His research interests also address assessment and management in the context of damage and disaster risk reduction. Scientific Manager of the International Academy "After the Damages", he is involved in several research projects implementing ICT technologies in the conservation and structural health assessment of built and cultural heritage.Fabiana Raco, Architect, PhD RTDa Researcher of Drawing at the Department of Architecture, University of Ferrara. Technical coordinator of TekneHub Laboratory. Author of more than 50 publications on the topics of Drawing, Architectural and Urban Surveying, Representation, Diagnostics, Visualization and Project Management of interventions on built heritage.
The New Book of Apples
by Joan MorganThis extraordinary book contains in one unique volume, the most wide-ranging history of apples ever written and a detailed survey of over 2,000 of the world's apple varieties. Beautifully illustrated with 32 exquisite colour paintings, the last edition of this book received many accolades and was quickly recognised as a classic. Complete with a fully revised directory covering all the varieties of apple to be found in the world's largest apple collection, The New Book of Apples includes full historical, geographical and botanical details as well as tasting notes on each type of apple. Exploring the role of apples in cooking, cider making, gardening, myth and medicine, this is an indispensable reference guide.
My Secret Garden
by Alan TitchmarshAfter moving from the Barleywood garden where he hosted BBC Gardeners' World for seven years, Alan Titchmarsh set up home in an old farmhouse a few miles down the road, and went about planting his own private eden away from the public eye. In this horticultural memoir Alan finally reveals all about this secret garden, explaining with his trademark warmth the personal stories behind its design and evolution. Accompanied by beautiful photographs taken by Jonathan Buckley throughout the eight years in which the garden has been made, My Secret Garden allows us access to all of the successes and failures of this diverse and ambitious project.Comprising many different styles and spaces - from an acre of formal beds and ponds to wild flower meadows and a stunning winter garden - Alan's tales of development and cultivation will be applicable to all gardeners. With the plot encompassing fruit trees, a handsome greenhouse and wildlife-friendly plantings, gardeners of all styles and levels of expertise will find something to enjoy. Driven by Alan's infectious and informative style, My Secret Garden is a fascinating, amusing and inspiring book.
My Life on a Hillside Allotment
by Terry Walton'Every time he appears on the programme we feel that life is worth living. He has that power to lift your spirits.' ? Jeremy VineTerry Walton has kept an allotment in the Rhondda Valley in South Wales for over fifty years. He started when he was four, helping on his father's plot on the side of the mountain, cutting bracken and collecting sheep manure to feed the vegetables. He was farming his own plot at eleven and he went on to build an allotment empire, selling his vegetables and flowers to local customers. The proceeds paid for his first car, a canary yellow Ford Popular, when he was just seventeen. Then, in 2006, after half a decade of happy gardening, Terry's allotment was adopted by the Jeremy Vine Show and he became an unlikely media star. In this absorbing and entertaining memoir, Terry documents how the valley has changed over the years, his own conversion to organic gardening, and the colourful characters he meets; interspersing his anecdotes with topical tips, family recipes and quirky line drawings.My Life on a Hillside Allotment is the perfect read for gardeners, allotmenteers and anyone who loves the great outdoors.
Mum Knows Best
by Jo Hanks Mark HanksHow to you save a curdled custard?How do you keep mice out of the home?How do you stop moths eating your woollens?How do you get chewing gum out of a five-year-old's hair?Or get rid of his veruccas?And cure hiccoughs in a trice?The answers to all these every day dilemmas, and many, many more, are at hand in this nifty little encyclopaedia of essential things every mum needs to know.
Mrs Brown's Family Handbook
by Brendan O'CarrollUncover hilarious and unique insights into the Brown family, in Brendan O'Carroll's first official book on his NTA winning comic creation Mrs Brown's Boys.Millions od us have wondered: how does Agnes Brown do it? Keeping her end up while seven grown-up children tear about the fecking place like the eejits don't have a home to go to.Packed with Mammy's tips for keeping a perfect family - or at least, just a family - as well as contributions from her children, neighbours and other hangers on, Mrs Brown's Family Handbook dispenses endless advice in her fecking fantastic style.You'll learn: Why every mammy's secret weapon is the tea towel The dos and don'ts of cleaning up Granddad What Dermot doesn't know about farting (not much) What Winnie knows about seks (not enough) All about the Five-Sausages-A-Day Diet (hint: contains sausages) From Maria, all about pain relief in child birth (if it's free, fecking take it)The must-have gift for any Mrs Brown fan, Mrs Brown's Family Handbook is perfect for equally large and chaotic families, or those in small families curious about what they're missing...Brendan O'Carroll is an Irish writer, producer, comedian, actor, director and author. He is best known for playing Agnes Brown in Mrs Brown's Boys, which won the best sitcom BAFTA in 2012 and best comedy at the National Television Awards 2020. He has written four films and nine comedy shows, including The Course (1995) and The Last Wedding (1999). He has also published seven novels, including The Mammy, The Scrapper and The Young Wan - a number of which have been translated into 12 languages.
A Modern Way to Live: 5 Design Principles from The Modern House
by Matt GibberdBeautifully designed and featuring breathtaking photography, this book from the creator of The Modern House makes the perfect coffee table book and is the ultimate gift for home design enthusiasts 'A source of fascination, inspiration and fantasy' GuardianIn 2005, childhood friends Matt Gibberd and Albert Hill set out to convince people of the power of good design and its ability to influence our wellbeing. They founded The Modern House - in equal parts an estate agency, a publisher and a lifestyle brand - and went on to inspire a generation to live more thoughtfully and beautifully at home.As The Modern House grew, Matt and Albert came to realise that the most successful homes they encountered - from cleverly conceived studio flats to listed architectural masterpieces - had been designed with attention to the same timeless principles: Space, Light, Materials, Nature and Decoration.In this lavishly illustrated book, Matt tells the stories of these remarkable living spaces and their equally remarkable owners, and demonstrates how the five principles can be applied to your own space in ways both large and small. Revolutionary in its simplicity, and full of elegance, humour and joy, this book will inspire you to find happiness in the place you call home.PRAISE FOR THE MODERN HOUSE:'One of the best things in the world' GQ'The Modern House transformed our search for the perfect home' Financial Times'Nowhere has mastered the art of showing off the most desirable homes for both buyers and casual browsers alike than The Modern House' Vogue
A Modern Herbal
by Alys FowlerTHE BEST GARDENING BOOKS OF THE YEAR - GARDENS ILLUSTRATED'Informative and enthusiastic' i PaperPLANT-BASED MEDICINE FOR A CALMER, HEALTHIER LIFE It's easy to turn to the pharmacy when we're stressed, sick or feeling under the weather, but what if you turned to your garden instead?In this accessible and easy to use manual, horticultural expert, former Gardener's World presenter and Guardian columnist, Alys Fowler, shows how to take control of your health by adopting a more natural lifestyle. For thousands of years, people who had no access to clinical medicine knew how to boost their well-being by using the ingredients they found in plants. Herbs are the people's medicine; often freely available and abundant, they are ready and waiting to be plucked from around you to soothe and heal your body and mind. With guides for how to use and grow over 100 herbs - for example how to use fennel for indigestion, camomile for anxiety and nettle for hayfever - you'll soon be heading into the garden, rather than opening the medicine cabinet. Offering a fusion of botanical, practical, cultural and historical information, A Modern Herbal reveals how common herbs are the simple, cleansing way to better health and happiness.AS SEEN IN THE GUARDIAN'An important and accessible herbal for the 21st century . . . For anyone delving into herbs for the first time or those who want to broaden their herbal repertoire in the garden and home, this book is much needed' Gardens Illustrated
Minimal: How to simplify your life and live sustainably
by Madeleine OliviaLove yourself. Love the planet. We are facing an urgent climate crisis and we must all take action now. However, it can be difficult to know where to start when bombarded with overwhelming facts and statistics every day. We all want to make a difference, but what can we do? Minimal makes simple and sustainable living attainable for everyone, using practical tips for all areas of everyday life to reduce your impact on the earth. Leading environmentalist Madeleine Olivia shares her insights on how to care for yourself in a more eco-friendly way, as well as how to introduce a mindful approach to your habits. This includes how to declutter your life, reduce your waste and consumption, recipes for eating seasonally and making your own natural beauty and cleaning products. Learn how to minimise the areas that aren’t giving you anything back and discover a happier and more fulfilled life, while looking after the Earth we share.
Live, Laugh, Laundry: A calming guide to keeping your clothes clean – and you happy
by Laura MountfordIn this essential guide to all things laundry, much-loved online cleaning expert Laura Mountford shows us how we can all do our laundry better, so that we feel happier and calmer every day. With self-care tips to incorporate into your routine and beautiful line drawings throughout, in this book you'll find:- A guide to must-have products & laundry symbols- Instructions on how to wash any clothing/fabric- Troubleshooting for common mistakes- Tips for being more eco-friendly & saving money- and much more!Helping you feel less overwhelmed and full of new ideas that will make you excited to put on your next wash, Live Laugh Laundry is the soothing and useful guide we all need to the life-changing magic of laundry.'My laundry routine has helped me hugely on difficult days - I'd love for it to do the same for you.'
Lizzie Zipmouth
by Jacqueline WilsonLizzie refuses to speak. She doesn't want to talk to Rory or Jake, her new stepbrothers. Or to Sam, their dad. Or even to her mum. She's completely fed up with having to join a new family, and nothing can convince her to speak to them. Not football, not pizza, not a new bedroom. That is, until she meets Great-Gran - a member of the new family who is even more stubborn than she is . . .
Sheetrock & Shellac: A Thinking Person's Guide to the Art and Science of Home Improvement
by David OwenIn a world of extreme makeovers, this book is a thoughtful, adventure-filled, witty look at what the space we live in says about us, the pleasures of home renovation projects great and small, and how home renovation can change our lives. Few things define us as powerfully as the place where we live. The size and location of a house may reveal basic facts about our financial or social status, but it is the personal touches -- a paint color or a homemade desk -- that reflect our aspirations, our tastes, our secret desires. In Sheetrock & Shellac, David Owen recounts his renovation and home construction projects in small-town Connecticut -- from catching the home improvement bug while watching workmen replacing a leaky roof to his first tentative foray into DIY (successfully building an enclosure for a bathroom radiator that had "turned into a sort of low-tech factory for converting splattered urine into odor and dust"). As his skill grows, so does his confidence: replacing a broken light switch turns into wiring an entire room, making bookcases is followed by building an office. Some of the more overly imaginative projects -- for instance, an ambition to install sinks and hot and cold faucets in all the rooms of the house -- never come to fruition but are amusingly recounted for other intrepid home designers. Owen's two-hundred-year-old farmhouse provides numerous occasions for home improvement projects, and layers (literally) of fascination. Owen quickly learns the hard way when to tackle a project himself and when to turn for help. But soon he's so comfortable with the undertaking that he decides to take the big leap from renovation to building a completely new home from the ground up. In this case, Owen decides to build a weekend cabin a mere six miles away from his home. From a discourse on kitchen countertop materials to the complete history of concrete, to a near-disastrous mishap with a tree, a newly constructed roof, and an overzealous chainsaw, Owen's journey through home designing and building proves both enthrallingly educating and hilariously detailed. New Yorker writer Owen's engaging narrative, filled with a wealth of practical information, hands-on tips, and canny insights, explores the ways in which the human processes of construction and renovation leave all the parties transformed. More than a simple how-to, Sheetrock & Shellac is a why-to, a wellspring of savvy advice and encouragement for anyone who has ever contemplated changing their surroundings and changing their life.
Sustainable Housing in a Circular Economy
by Naomi Keena Avi FriedmanThis book relates circular economy principles to housing design and construction and highlights how those principles can result in both monetary savings, positive environmental impact, and socio-ecological change.Chapters focus on three key circular economy principles and apply them to architectural construction and design, namely rethinking of the end-of-use phase of a building and the potential of design-for-disassembly; the role of digitization and data standardization in fostering evidence-based circular economy design decision-making; and presenting space as a resource to conserve, via exploration of the sharing economy and flexibility principles. Beyond waste management and material cycles, this book provides a holistic understanding of the opportunities across the building life cycle that can allow for sustainable and affordable circular housing. With case studies from 13 different countries, including but not limited to the Hammarby Sjöstad district in Sweden, the Circle House in Denmark, Benny Farm in Canada, VMD Prefabricated House in Mexico, and the Deep Performance Dwelling in China, authors pair theoretical frameworks with real-world examples.This will be a useful resource for upper-level students and academics of architecture, construction, and planning, especially those studying and researching housing design, building technology, green project management, and environmental design.
The Everything Root Cellaring Book: Learn to Store, Cook, and Preserve Fresh Produce All Year Round! (The Everything Books)
by Catherine AbbottThere's an old-fashioned solution to the problem of fresh produce going bad. Store fruits and veggies in a root cellar or other cold storage location! This book provides you with step-by-step plans on how to build a root cellar--or utilize the one you've got. Professional farmer Catherine Abbott teaches you:How to effectively organize your root cellarWhere to store fruits and vegetables in unconventional placesWhat the best fruits and vegetables are for storingWays to preserve, dry, and freeze a variety of foods to enjoy all winter longRecipes for fresh fruits, berries, veggies, and herbs to cook all year round Featuring illustrations for building root cellars as well as a full nutritional breakdown for all 150 recipes, you will love this comprehensive guide. Before long, you'll know how to provide yourself and your family with great nutritious foods all year long!
Barefoot Biodynamics: How Cows, Compost, and Community Help Us Understand Rudolf Steiner’s Agriculture Course
by Jeff PoppenWith decades of knowledge and proven, common-sense methods from “The Barefoot Farmer,” this practical guide to biodynamic principles and practices will appeal to growers of every scale and experience level. In Barefoot Biodynamics, organic grower Jeff Poppen—“The Barefoot Farmer”—combines tales from his personal history in rural Tennessee with the practical applications of biodynamic principles and the deep aspects of the biodynamic methods that continue to make his farm a success today. Jeff’s friendly, direct, and humorous writing will appeal not only to the biodynamic-curious, but also to farmers and gardeners who have experimented with the biodynamic approach and are looking for a deeper understanding of the practice. Rooted in the teachings of biodynamic pioneer Rudolf Steiner, Jeff’s unique insights and deep reflections on “guiding lines” of biodynamic growing are an invaluable resource. Those “guiding lines” include: producing a farm’s fertility using cover crops, compost, and other on-farm inputs enjoying the renewing power of farm festivals augmenting scientific knowledge with the power of observation and intuition avoiding chemical fertilizers understanding that carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen make up 95 percent of the physical structure of plants and are freely available in the air around us enhancing the availability of critical minerals such as silica and lime through good farming practices building humus-rich soil teeming with microbial life using homeopathic preparations to heal and enrich the soil In addition, Jeff walks the reader through the eight lectures on farming given by Steiner in 1924, summarizing important points from each lecture and “translating” them from Steiner’s profound yet sometimes impenetrable vocabulary into plain language. In Barefoot Biodynamics, Jeff provides new insight into these enigmatic lectures, revealing an often overlooked yet cost-effective farming method rooted in common sense.
Hedgelands [US Edition]: A wild wander around Britain’s greatest habitat
by Christopher HartOn this joyous journey around the wild edges of Britain, celebrated author Christopher Hart takes us through the life, ecology and history of the humble countryside hedge and how it is inextricably woven into our language, landscape and culture. Hedges – or hedgerows – have long been an integral part of the British landscape. An ancient, human-made boundary, hedgerows have become a critically important haven for wildlife and are now being recognised as one of the greatest ‘edge’ habitats on Earth. Britain boasts 400,000 kilometres of hedgerows, but has lost 50 per cent of them since the Second World War and their slow deterioration today is becoming a huge threat to the ecosystem. In Hedgelands, Christopher Hart shares the history of the hedge, highlighting the hawthorn and hazel of ancient hedgerows, and reveals its abundance of wildlife, from the elusive dunnock to the iconic nightingale, the industrious hedgehog to the miniscule harvest mouse. He demonstrates how this true environmental hero and powerful climate ally can help rebuild species-rich, resilient havens for birds, mammals and insects. Hedges play a vital role in mature woodland, grassland and even wetland, all of which can offer us much-needed ecological diversity and carbon sequestration. Through rewilding a patch of land in southwest England, Christopher shows us how easy, joyful and rewarding it is to restore even the smallest stretch of hedge. Whether you live in the country or the city, Hedgelands shares how simple actions can make a huge difference to the future of our precious hedges – and environment. “What’s good for us is good for nature, and what’s good for nature is good for us. And nowhere is this more true than in the bustling, flourishing, flowering, fruiting and altogether glorious native British hedge.”—Christopher Hart
Organic Housekeeping: In Which the Nontoxic Avenger Shows You How to Improve Your Health and That of Your Family While You Save Time, Money, and, Perhaps, Your Sanity
by Ellen SandbeckLonging for a kinder, gentler world? As the old saying goes, everything begins at home, and odds are, if you live in the all-American household, the air inside is more toxic than the air outside, even if you live in the most polluted of cities. You regularly handle the filthiest object in your home -- the kitchen sponge -- and put the same chemicals on your face that are used in brake fluid and antifreeze. The cleaning agents and personal care products commonly marketed to and used in American homes contain not only some very dangerous, toxic chemicals, but they also create an "overly clean," chemically bombed-out house that compromises immune systems. And with more than fifty million Americans suffering from allergies and other autoimmune diseases -- not to mention the developing and fragile immune systems of children and seniors -- large numbers of people are actually being made sicker and sicker by their homes. Learn to live a clean, healthy, more economical way with Ellen Sandbeck, the nontoxic avenger. In this must-have book for the twenty-first- century home, this passionate, witty advocate of all things organic will teach you how to maintain every part of the home -- from living room to septic tank, kitchen floor to bathroom sink -- using safe, simple cleansers and quick preventative measures as well as the most effective organic products on the market to get the job done. Learn time-saving, preventative housekeeping, such as taking thirty seconds to clean the shower while you shower. Take care of bathroom stains with baking soda and vinegar rather than commercial, toxic bathroom "bombs" peddled to you with such force by manufacturers. Need whiter whites? There is no bleaching power on earth stronger than the sun. Snow clean your fine rugs. Choose fruits and vegetables from the relatively pesticide residue-free list. Clean felt-tipped pen stains with vodka. Make furniture shine with olive oil and lemon. Your house will also smell as great as it looks.
The Cheap Handyman: True (and Disastrous) Tales from a Guy Who Should Know Better
by B. S. HarrisThis Old House meets #HomeImprovementFails in this collection of laugh-out-loud essays, perfect for fans of Nick Offerman, CarTalk, or The Red Green Show. &“This book is all the fix-it you need for your hurt home improvement ego.&” —Harrison Scott Key, Thurber-prize winning author of The World's Largest ManMeet Brian Harris, a (mostly) retired, self-proclaimed jack of all trades with a penchant for DIY and inventive money-saving schemes. Armed with a soldering gun, his trusty nine-foot ladder, and of course the handyman&’s secret weapon—duct tape—Brian&’s projects start out as simple chores: trim a tree branch, stain the cedar siding on his home...but all too often they end in costly disaster.Sometimes he&’s trying to do the right thing, like the time he wrecked his pool while saving some baby ducks. Often, he channels his inner MacGyver: he once taped his hockey skate back together so he could finish his rec-league game, only to get suspended for falling on the referee when it broke (again). But usually he&’s just being, well, cheap! Like the time he inadvertently destroyed a $295 car key fob because he wouldn&’t pay the (outrageous) $10 fee to have the battery professionally replaced.In The Cheap Handyman, Brian anthologizes his hard-won wisdom, teaching us how (not) to cut down a tree, what to do if a stray cat has kittens in your HVAC system, three very incorrect uses for duct tape, the manifold hazards of pool maintenance, and more.Filled with unforgettable true stories from the everyday life of an average guy just trying to save a few bucks, The Cheap Handyman is a delightful tribute to anyone who has ever thought, &“Sure! I can do that!&”
celebraTORI: Unleashing Your Inner Party Planner to Entertain Friends and Family
by Tori Spelling“I love the puzzle of throwing special, chic parties with down-to-earth budgets, and lucky you, I’m psyched to share my secrets.”Tori Spelling planned her very first party (her own roller skate–themed birthday with a hot-pink- and-turquoise color scheme) at the age of eight, and she’s been hosting friends and family in her home ever since. She knows as well as anyone that “style” and “elegance” don’t often play well with “budget.” Well, with celebraTORI, she rolls up her sleeves and turns that notion on its head—expertly showing how creativity, passion, and smart planning are the secret ingredients for throwing a truly unforgettable bash on any “real world” budget. All it takes is a little elbow grease and a lot of imagination to transport your guests to another world as soon as they walk through the door. In this delightfully entertaining, must-have party companion, Tori shares all the tips and tricks she’s learned from her most successful soirees (and a few train wrecks). It’s like having your own personal party planner for a fraction of the cost! celebraTORI is not just instructional, it’s inspirational. Hosting an event is not about ticking to-dos off a list; it’s about turning an organic idea into a fun day you and your guests won’t forget—so much so that you just can’t wait to do it again . . . with a different theme, of course. Tori covers all the basics, from discovering new reasons to celebrate and choosing a concept, to decorating, creating flower arrangements, making refreshments, and building the corner-stone of any great party: the dessert table! The best part is that all of her suggestions, including her mouthwatering recipes, are 100 percent do-it-yourself. Filled with lots and lots of great advice, handy blueprints, and hilarious anecdotes, celebraTORI will be the most important guest at your next party. It’s the perfect foundation for taking life’s special occasions up a notch . . . or five. ***They say the devil’s in the details, but for me the details are heaven. Maybe an avid planner and host like me should say that in the course of the party I’m on a cloud of joy, but that would be a lie. Planning and preparing are my favorite parts of the process. Truth be told, when it comes to the actual parties, I’m a nervous wreck. But there is a moment of joy. Mine comes when I see the party come together. The guests are flowing through the space, tasting food, trying out any activities, having conversations with friends and strangers. And when I see someone take a bite of dessert, or try out a photo booth costume, or smile as they pick up a favor, well, that makes it all worth it. Creating a party. It’s my favorite thing to do, and I’m inviting you, as my guest, to join me in the festivities. I know we’re going to have fun. Come—discover your inner party planner! Love, Tori
Tiny House Cooking: 175+ Recipes Designed to Create Big Flavor in a Small Space (Tiny House Living Ser.)
by Adams MediaNo need to curb your big appetite in a tiny home—here are 175 recipes uniquely designed to be made in the micro-kitchens of tiny homes and apartments.Tiny homes are the next big thing—frequently featured in HGTV shows such as Tiny House, Big Living and in popular lifestyle publications such as Good Housekeeping, tiny homes are gaining popularity for their economic and ecological sensibility. But with tiny homes come tiny kitchens—according to the Tiny House Blog, many tiny homes have only two burner stove tops, a mini-fridge, and no microwave or oven. At first glance, this may seem like a challenge, but Tiny House Cooking proves how easy cooking in a tight space can be! Featuring 50 beautiful full-color photos of tantalizing finished recipes and a foreword by tiny house living expert Ryan Mitchell, Tiny House Cooking includes 175 recipes especially designed for the pocket-sized abode—none of the recipes require an oven, microwave, toaster oven, freezer, full-sized refrigerator, or any other extraneous device—as well as information on essential equipment, space-saving ideas, and innovative ways to reduce and recycle creative waste. Find delicious new ideas for breakfast, sandwiches, appetizers, snacks, main dishes, desserts—and more!—all only using two pots at most.
How the Queen Cleans Everything: Handy Advice for a Clean House, Cleaner Laundry, and a Year of Timely Tips
by Linda CobbA how-to manual for housekeeping amateurs and pros alike, How the Queen Cleans Everything is a collection of fast and ingenious tips from #1 New York Times bestselling author -- and housekeeping's royal lady -- Linda Cobb, the Queen of Clean®. It's all here. All of the Queen's miraculous tips and surprising shortcuts on how to solve hundreds of cleaning challenges -- inside and out. Let the Queen show you how to turn your home into a sparkling palace in no time at all. Learn how to put an end to washday drudgery with her collection of nifty and natural solutions for stress-free washing and ironing -- and enjoy a year's worth of tips, tricks, and picks for a cleaner house and a more organized life. But most of all, discover how the Queen's no-nonsense "tips and hints" method of housekeeping means less time cleaning your home, and more time enjoying it! Let the Queen show you:the best way to clean your kitchen and bathroomthe multitude of natural stain removers that are hiding in your cupboardhow to garden the natural waywhat to do for spots, stains, scorch marks, and odorswhy you shouldn't clean your windows with newspaperhow to clean your carpet and bare floorsthe right way to allergy-proof your homewhat those care labels really meanhow to treat troublesome stains and delicate fabrics...and much more! At last...all the Queen of Clean's® famous advice for a clean house, cleaner laundry, and a year of timely tips -- right at your fingertips! Don't be home without it!