The Many Things One Can Do With A Big Pot

Confession time. Have a seat and speak boldly through the semi opaque confessional as your Priest urges you to come to truth. The truth is; you've used your big pot for MORE than just cooking. The truth will set you free. Confess.

Your faithful old pot. It's been with you for decades. It's been through spaghetti-thin times and fat, roasty times with you. And it has a few secrets of it's own. Oh, if only pots could talk. Pot would say that it was used to save the leaky roof from ruining the rug. It was used to soak a foot when a child was stung by a bee. It was used to haul dirt, and even as a pail for scrubbing floors. It held a moldy casserole that you absentmindedly left in the oven for a few days.

It was what you used to carry the poor dead canary to it's backyard resting place. Yes, POT KNOWS things you haven't even told your best friend. Now that you've confessed and cleared the decks of your consciousness, maybe it's time for a new set. Start fresh. Create new memories. We break up with our boyfriends and husbands. You can break up with your pot. Grab a bottle of wine if you think you'll need help getting through the loss. But do it. Be bold this year. Put your old pot to rest. Bury it right next to the beloved canary. After all, it WAS a sacred ceremonial vessel at one time past, whether it was designed to be...or not.

The Bamboo Rev-O-LUTION!

Long, long ago our Western Way of thinking about bamboo was akin to the movie, 'The King and I'. Bamboo was known only to be a vaguely foreign idea hailing clear from 'the other side of the world'. As the sixties and seventies bloomed, bamboo became a sort of cult style hippie kool thing and pieces of it made their debut as carved ash trays, baskets, clucky wind chimes and swinging, groovin' doorway beads.

Fast forward 20 years and human beings have once again, topped themselves in terms of utter creativity regarding their usage of bamboo reeds. Now we've learned how to shred it into the softest, most luxurious shag rugs known to mankind.

Forget the bunny slippers, these shags are even snugglier! Yul Brenner may have made bare feet fashionable in the fifties, and Woodstock hippies may lay total claim to the au-natural eco-craze. But Anji Mountain bamboo shags take us right into the next century...cuz they're eco-friendly, ssssso ssssooothing on the feet and so very 2010 chic!

A Summer Water HEAD'S UP!

This morning we're going to take a reflective moment to focus on the importance of water. Why? Mainly because your humble blog writer stumbled upon a Yahoo article about our drinking water this morning. And it's a great reminder of how much we depend on it. After all; we bathe in it, we drink it, we cook with it, we lounge by it, we play in boats on it, we snorkel and explore within it AND it is one of the MOST VITAL items we NEED to survive. So here's a few fun water tips for the summer!

Drink smart! Do lots of water. Not soda. Not beer. Not kool aid. Do water tinted with mint leaves from the garden...or with lemon or lime...or with green tea...or with ice and a cherry. Be smart about your water.

Cook smart! Doing a lot of outdoor BBQ's this summer? Remember to have a fast access source of water nearby. Even if some just sits in a kitchen pot right next to your grill. Better safe than sorry.

Work smart! Stuck indoors too much this fine summer? Refresh yourself occasionally. Step into the bathroom, take a two minute break and splash your face! You'll be amazed at how revived you'll feel!

Play smart. If you're going to lounge and soak sun all day by the pool, make sure you take an occasional dip to cool off your body temperature.

Water is a great BIG part of our lives. Taking a moment to be grateful might just amp up greater awareness as to how and if we are efficiently using one of Mother Earth's greatest resources.

Rebuild Your Health On A Summer Tea Diet

Tea therapy has been around for centuries and everyone knows it has healing properties. But what does it really do? Recent studies declare black tea a potential heart tonic, cancer blocker, fat buster, immune stimulant, arthritis soother, virus fighter and cholesterol detoxifier. Wow! Not bad for a shrub that needs only be steeped in hot water.

The Boston University School of Medicine has had heart patients drink either plain water or four cups of black tea daily. In a month, impaired blood vessel functioning improved about 50% in the black tea drinkers. TF-2, the newly discovered anti-cancer compound in black tea, suppresses the Cox-2 gene that triggers inflammation, says research at Rutgers. And Milton Schiffenbauer of Pace University found that black and green tea deactivates viruses, including herpes.

So it doesn't matter that you pig out all summer long - as long as you drink your daily brew of tea. Boil it, fridge it, drink it and pee out all life's impurities! It doesn't take a scientific experiment to figure out that a little iced tea brew this summer can do your body a whole lot of good!

Where Will YOU Be on July 4th?

The wonderful thing about a holiday is that we are collectively FORCED to take a break, despite whatever stress is going on in our everyday lives. A 'holiday' gives us a great excuse to goof off and re-gain inner peace and tranquility - sans guilt. It doesn't matter that the Friday night turnpike to the shore is jammed to the max, or that the serene beaches are suddenly saturated with ant-like crawling creatures called 'other humans'; or even that there's an hour-line-wait at the concession stand just to get a Coca Cola.

No siree, when humans party on a holiday they go all out. And funny thing! They do it all together - all at once. Maybe the Hundredth Monkey Syndrome IS an actual scientific fact. After all, does anybody do ANYTHING different for a change during holiday time? If it's not a backyard picnic, or a jaunt to the shore cottage or an attempt to remain incognito as one snoops thru the neighbohood's garage sales - what else CAN a person do?

If you're not one of the lucky ones and you're limited to the backyard this year, that's ok! Just grab a few lounge chairs, a few friends, a few beers and swat knats all night. Lucky thing it's the fireworks holiday, cuz no matter where we may be stationed in life -we'll all be looking up on the 4th. Happy Independance Day y'all!

Watch Out Pots, There's a New Pan in Town!

It doesn't matter whether you're a bumbling boob at the kitchen countertop or if you're Top Chef's next meaty competitor! Nobody wants to cook with a cruddy old pan.

Does your collection hang proudly off a bronzed designer hanging rack or do you still stuff the mish mash of 20 yr old embarrassing, flame stained, greasy handle teflon pans into the bottom cubboard? Fess up people. We know you do!

There's a thing called Redemtion that has a mighty satisfactory ring to it. Now you can dress up your kitchen with a huge array of pots and pans in a Peterpan-like spray of rainbow of colors, sizes and types so eye catching that you'll not even flinch at throwing away the ratty buds who served you so well for so many decades. Everything is so affordable these days!

Go ahead! Retire them. Make a birdbath out of one if you're Earth conscious. Just get those nasties out of your cabinets before the next guests arrive. Because even a bumbling boob can put on a good show!

Create Your Mini Burning Man Festival!

Once a year, tens of thousands of participants gather to create Black Rock City in Nevada's Black Rock Desert; dedicated to community, art, self-expression and self-reliance. They depart one week later having left no trace whatsoever.

The celebration of Burning Man's annual fire ceremony began in 1986, created by Larry Harvey and Jerry James. For the next four years, its annual fire party was held at Baker Beach in San Francisco.

Over the decades this wee little fire burning ceremony has become a symbolic refuge for hundreds of thousands of people who trek in from all over the world each year to participate. Perhaps you just couldn't squeeze yet one more vacation in this year. Perhaps you've got visiting relatives and can't leave the homestead. What's a home owner to do?

Create your own little bit of backyard ceremony with these personal sized burning stones. After all, fire is fire whether you're burning a stone or a stick man. Dance around your little fire. Sing songs. Roast marshmallows. Tell ghost stories. Do anything you want...just so long as it's of a celebratory nature. After all...summer is flying by and you don't want to miss out on all the fun!

Summertime Booty Call!

Nobody wants to admit it but the fact is; no human 'behind' is the same. Like snowflakes, our booty factor can range from mountainous to barren; as in the flat plains of Ehtiopia. And when a human squats or sits; whatever geographical location it might resemble, it's bound to spread even more!

Chair manufacturers never address the 'booty call' head on. They'll advertise with words such as 'comfort & style', or 'softness & affordability' but the bottom line is; nobody will 'out' the fact that furniture shopping is really, just a booty call! Booty wants to rest! Booty wants to feel good! What booty wants...booty gets!

The plain truth of it is, we're all so differently made that the only thing one can do when shopping, is to be sure there is a WIDE VARIETY of styles to choose from. Because when booty gets tired and wants to relax - that cute little chair better not ONLY provide adequate acomodations, it should also create a womb-like embrace that cradles us in the place it counts most - back there!

Summertime is the time to sit back and relax. For family members who don't share the same genetic features; at Elite Homestyle, there's a little 'booty soothing' for everyone!

Bare Foot, Bare Wood OR Bamboo Shag!

Yes, yessssss......the Eco craze is upon us but that doesn’t mean we need to relinquish ALL creature comforts in the name of going green.

Hard wood floors, teak cutting boards, stone sinks and zero clutter living are all fine but what about the softer side of life? Perhaps once in awhile your world weary feet might just enjoy the snuggly, embracing touch of an unusually plush bamboo shag rug. We at Elite Homestyle have good news for you! You can still have your eco-carrot cake AND eat it too!

Sink your feet into a bamboo shag and call up your warm, fuzzy baby blanket memories!

Chop, Chop, Chop In Style!

Has anyone ever noticed how much TV actually influences just where we spend our money? About a decade ago, Reality TV started headlining one or two DYI on a Dime home re-design shows. When they took off, swarms of human beings began zinging thru Home Depot’s across America. The frenzy then spread world-wide.

Next came Martha Stewart before-she-went-to-jail, the talent shows, Martha Stewart after-jail and then the cook-off contests began. And ever since, kitchen appliance centers have become a Mecca for the human tribe…or should we say Mantra?

If you consider yourself a part of the two-legged alliance, chances are, you’ve been spending a lot more time in the kitchen lately. These days, from coffee pots to chopping blocks – there is some design, color or style to match anyone’s mood. And since the stuff is so affordable – now people are beginning to collect ‘Seasonal Appliances’... which is just a fancy word for the typically human, neurotic need to have one in every color!

Who Says Wall Art MUST Be A Painting?

Feeling a need to make a change but don’t have a lot in the budget for a full room redo? Has the recession got you climbing the wall for entertainment these days? If your 10 yr old hanging art collection has collected so much dust that it resembles the windblown Sahara, then why not forgo the chemical toxins in pledge and banish the entire collection to the dumpster? Or better yet...have a tidy little yard sale and cull the resources for your BRAND NEW Wall Art. Only this time, do something different and let your wall color actually shine thru! Pop on over to our wall art department and pick out a few new dandies. Then seqwey on over to our furniture department and select yourself a nice juicy, comfy new chair. When everything's delivered & set in place; sit down, lean back and clap, clap, clap! YOU JUST commend yourself on the GREAT, economical redecorating job you've just done...and let the worries of the world slip away.

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall….

…who’s the glammest, MOST BEAUTIFUL GODDESS of ALL?

If you've looked into the soul zone lately and yet, seen NOT your best reflection; perhaps it’s time for a brand new mirror. We can’t help you with the creeping crow’s feet or the flat-head hair style you unconsciously invented whilst asleep, but we CAN help you to face the world in a bright chipper way by providing you a fine array of personal reflectors. Need a little boost on a dreaded, rainy Monday morning? Place this little splash of sunshine on your wall and smile, smile smile!

Save Your Spine But Keep The Cool Breeze

Dreading spring because of all the pre-season chores you have to do? Might one of those dreaded nasties be 'The Hoisting of the Air Conditioner Units?' Perhaps we should declare it a formal holiday, for how many millions of us feel like we need the next day off just to recuperate from the gargantuan task? Luckily, and to our utter delight, some humans got smart and decided to create some really cool looking fans, no pun intended. So now you can still catch a refreshing breeze with only half the effort. Just order from our online catalog, pull it out of the box, plug it in and flip the switch...and AHHHHHH. Some of us might even break into song again...the answers my friend...are blowing in the wind...the answers....are blowin'...in the wind!

One Need Not Go To Tibet To Become Zen-Like

Just bring LIGHT & ZEN into your home and feel the sense of utter peace automatically arise within! The colors aqua and brown are natural healers that blend the life properties of Earth and water together. Have kitty cats and can’t have a motored fountain? Here’s yet another way to cull two of nature’s greatest treasures.

Have the grown children finally flown the coop? Maybe, JUST maybe it’s time to redecorate and reclaim your ME space. Go barefoot on the new bamboo shag, place a symbol of brightness on an accent table and banish that old clackity-clak thing-a-ma-gig that your kids played with for 18 years. Ahhhh - can you feel the whoosh of peace settling in? Namaste!

Quench Your Penchant For The Animal Kingdom…

…without having to actually buy the Zebra! We civilized humans are a funny breed. We build houses to separate ourselves from nature and then go make animal fabrics so we can be reminded of them. Feeling itchy to get to Africa but can’t quite fit a vacation into the budget this year? Soothe your adventurous side and add a little wildlife to the rooms you live in. Then you can sit back, kick your feet up and dream on.

Homeclick DIED But WE’RE ALIVE!

Boy oh BOY! What’s a homeowner to do when their fav e-store evaporates into the ethers? By now, everyone knows that Homeclick - a large e-commerce home furnishings store just quietly, suddenly disappeared. Hear ye, hear ye Friends, Romans and Country home people! There’s a new e-store in town! We invite all inquiring avatars to come float through our Garden Center or remote view our art gallery style Carpet Dept. And all you hearty bathroom remodelers can mesmerize yourselves with our Bath Dept fixtures and stone sinkware. One’s home need not perish along with the nation’s economic debacles! Now's the time to bunker down and have good old fashioned home-based FUN! One simply needs to google Elite Homestyle and rally to the brighter side of life!

Now that Your Home Is Exactly How You Want It….

Remember - your home is not only your sweet private sanctuary; it is also your shelter, your safety zone and your personal resource center. You bought the refrigerator for your fine food. You’ve installed the commercial grade stove so you can cook to your heart’s content. Are you going actually craft your gourmet dishes with tap water now? We think not! Draw forth the new & elegant aspect of water safety for your beloveds! With a bottleless water cooler, these days safety need not be a barrier to your sense of aesthetics.

Who Says Great Art Should Hang On A Wall?

Feeling lately like the rug's been pulled out from underneath you? With the economy on a downswing, you can STILL sense the high vibration of art through your feet! How? See if you don’t feel slightly enlightened as you walk through your warm, cozy haven. Your home is where all your creature comforts should be. Don’t neglect your feet just because they’re at the opposite end of your brain. Remember Aladdin and his magic carpet? Perhaps there’s more to the fable than we thought! Now, you can either go out and sit on the grass, or whisk yourself away on one of these.

Spring - Can You Feel It Already?

Spring is just weeks away! Has your body begun to already loosen up and feel revived? There is something intrinsically wonderful about the organic blossoming that occurs within one’s self, as the winter cold drifts away. Why not get out into the yard one month early – so that you can stretch your summer season out and enjoy the fruits of your yard work that much longer? And if you truly do need warmth on a cool early spring night, guess what? You can have it! Chim - CHIMENEA, Chim - CHIMENEA...Chim, Chim....cheroo!

Simplicity Can Be SO Refreshing!

Back in the stone ages, man didn’t know acrylic or plastic. He utilized Earth’s natural gifts and evolved in simpatico with her. Now that we’ve made havoc of our environment and filled her lands and seas with non-degradable toxins & chemicals, we are now called to return to our natural heritage. The good thing about our turn-around is that we can still keep our creative instincts intact. Stone sink vessels remind us of the beautiful artistry created by our beloved planet each and every morning. Turns out, the greatest pleasures in life are INDEED the simplest things after all.

Who Says Elegance Shouldn’t Have Spirit?

Wine Lovers – the next time you invite your cherished friends over for an intimate dinner; delight them with a little whimsical creativity.

These days wine storage does not need to be a mere drop in the bucket. What with all the world worries we now face, it’s nice to kick back on a Friday night with a few close friends and remember the wonderful feeling of ‘free spirited play’.