5 Fun Facts About Linen And How to Make A Great Linen Bag

I'm having a love affair with linen. There's a linen covered couch in my den that is understated and relaxing. Linen clothes are breathable and become even softer and more comfortable over time.

Linen bags are an eco-alternative to plastic bags. Linen is antibacterial and antimycotic, which suppresses the growth of fungi. Perfect for carrying produce and groceries.

5 Fun Facts About Linen

1. Linen textiles may be the oldest in the world. 2. Fragments of straw, seeds, fibers, yarns and various types of fabrics found in Swiss lake dwellings have been traced back to about 8000 B.C. 3. Linen was used as currency in ancient Egypt. Mummies were wrapped in linen because it was seen as a symbol of light and purity, and as a display of wealth. 4. The term "linen" refers to yarn and fabric made from flax fibers. 5. Today linen is often used as a generic term to describe a class of woven bed, bath, table and kitchen textiles because.

DIY Linen Bag

On a hot pursuit stroll through the blogosphere for a simple linen bag to make, I stumbled onto Between The Lines. This Parisian craft blog covers "anything that involves fabric, yarn, wool, paper, paint and glue." The creator, Pascal provides the perfect TUTORIAL for an aesthetically stylish linen bag.

Here's the intention behind the creation:

"I like to find out how things are made, how I can put things together in a simple, yet effective way. Sewing is a mental process to me. It's all about techniques, and seeing through whatever I try to make…I like things to be as minimal as possible. Whatever can be left out I leave out." ~ Between The Lines

Slow Love Shows Us The Purpose of Life Can Be Just That

Soon after I wrote about the “reinvention generation, treat ” I received a review copy of Slow Love: How I Lost My Job, hospital Put on My Pajamas & Found Happiness by Dominique Browning. This book totally captivated me. It was written by an author that I’ve followed ever since she took the editorial helm at the now deceased House and Garden magazine. I looked forward to Browning’s reflective editorial letters each month. I kept a file of those pages because they touched me in so many unexpected ways – the writing style was graceful and casual, the tone of the editorials had an eclectic mix of something you didn’t read about when entering a shelter magazine. The topics she chose touched a chord that glimpsed the purpose of living fully (even if you couldn’t live in one of those magnificently staged House and Garden homes). She discussed her emotional angst about her children growing up and the difficulty of adjusting to an empty nest (she didn’t like not having a choice about it), the end of a fine dinner party (peace and quiet), renovation nightmares (Why do we keep doing it?) and her environmental activism (she writes a column for the Environmental Defense Fund). Actually, now that I think about it, and reread those letters, Browning’s musings read like a blog conversation waiting to be commented on. She describes her personally tumultuous situations so eloquently, and with humor. When House and Garden folded in 2007 without warning, her purpose-driven life came to a deafening halt...CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Here is an interview with Dominique that I did for Planet Green.

Reduce, Redecorate and Reconsider What Belongs to You

Can you reconcile reducing consumption while creating a cozy and stylish home? I am a bit of a redecorating junkie. While I would like to always practice what I preach, pills on occasion I am guilty of impulse buying for my econest. I can’t kick myself too much because on close inspection, if I hold a mirror up to my consumption habit, it reflects mostly socially and environmentally conscious spending choices. Either way, moving more towards less consumption is an ongoing goal. I am working hard to get beyond my shopping urges. I came across a phase coined by artist Zoe Murphy – “Love what belongs to you.” This phrase now seeps into my...CLICK HERE FOR MORE Image: Elle Decor

Coworking: Working Solo, But Not Alone

When asked why folks come to the Beahive, the new shared creative work space in Kingston, NY, the replies were as varied as the work they do: "My day bled all over the place before I started coming here. It was hard to stay focused and motivated with all of the distractions." "I need background noise to ignore...can't work in silence." "There is a noticeable lack of interpersonal friction here." "I just come to soak up the energy of the community." "I feel a bond with the other folks here even though we are all working on our own stuff." "I've got 4 kids at home." The virtual office has blown open the possibilities of work and has single-handedly... CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Beyond Earth Day: 4 Easy Home & Garden Ideas for Maximum Impact All Year

"What's the use of a fine house if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on?" ~ Henry David Thoreau Think about what physically constitutes a home - building materials, appliances, furniture, décor, cleaning products, paint, insulation...the list seems endless. The U.S. residential housing sector is second only to China in terms of inefficient energy use. This makes our homes a major player in the depletion of precious ecological reserves. But, there is a bright green light lurking in the shadows of what seems like an environmental nightmare...CLICK HERE FOR MORE