Paola Thomas, proprietor of mirrormirror and occasional Shelterrific contributor, is a Brit living in Seattle (her description, not mine). She offered to correct my American misconception of how to make a Pimm’s. Enjoy! –Mary T.

It’s the middle of May, and summer is fast approaching (unless you live in Seattle, when summer arrives promptly on the 5th of July). If you live in the UK, this means your thoughts are turning to rainy back-garden barbecues, rained-out cricket matches, and rain-soaked picnics, all of which are greatly enhanced by a large jug of Pimms. (It’s also the perfect accompaniment at summer events such as Wimbledon, Henley, and Glyndebourne as you sit freezing in a thin sleeveless summer frock with an inadequate wrap tugged around your shoulders. Believe me — I speak from experience.)

1) The first thing to do is track down a bottle of Pimm’s. Pimm’s was invented in 1823 by a Mr. James Pimm. The exact recipe remains a closely guarded secret, though it has a very citrus-y, herbal taste. It is useful to know that it is 25% alcohol by volume. I’ve been able to find Pimm’s at liquor stores in the US, but not everywhere.

Pimm’s No.1 Cup is gin-based and is the most commonly available type. At one time, there were six different “Cups,” each based on a different liquor, but nowadays only No.1 and the vodka-based No. 6 — my personal preference as I’m not a great gin drinker — are produced, though I haven’t been able to find no. 6 in the US. There is also a winter version, Pimm’s Winter Cup, based on brandy and winter spices.

2) The next bit is easy. Fill a pitcher full of ice and add one cup of Pimm’s to two cups of lemony soda (such as Sprite) or ginger ale. Keep adding in these proportions until you are happy with the amount.

3) Then go to town on the garnish. At the very least, add some half-moon slices of orange and lemon to bring out the citrus-y flavors of the drink. A very traditional British accompaniment is slices of cucumber (there’s something very delicious about picking slices of sweet alcohol-soaked cucumber out of your drink) and some sliced strawberries to make it look pretty.

4) Finally, gently crush a handful of baby mint leaves and stir them in. By the time you’ve finished, your pitcher should look like you’ve just added a small fruit salad. You see? It’s practically a health food! –Paola T.

Photo by Rupert Hennen

Lots of us want to buy products that are more environmentally friendly, but often a higher cost gets in the way. The new Earth Essentials line from CVS/pharmacy could help with that. Priced at $3.99-8.99, Earth Essentials include bowls and plates that look and act like paper (biodegradable and microwaveable) but are made from sugarcane, a renewable resource. Earth Essentials Paper Towels and Napkins are made with 100% recycled fibers and these are actually recommended by Greenpeace — talk about a green stamp of approval! The bath tissue is also made from 100% recycled fibers — as we’ve discussed, toilet paper can be a huge environmental offender. Check out the whole Earth Essentials line at CVS. Have you seen affordable green alternatives in other stores? Let us know in comments. –Mary T.

Our new house came with a neglected lawn almost completely taken over by dandelions. We tried eating them (which was great for a few days) and mowing them down (that worked temporarily) but now they’re back. I’ve been scouring the internet for the best green way to handle them and have been overwhelmed by options. One site recommends pouring boiling water or sprinkling salt on them to kill them. Another recommends white vinegar, and yet another recommends a stronger, acetic acid solution, saying that salt is harmful to the soil. And of course, some say to just rip them out. At this point, I’m so confused — I’d really just like my lawn back! Have you had any luck with any of these methods, or can you suggest something even better? –Megan B.

When it comes to laundry detergent, I’ve always just gone with what I could find at the grocery store. That could change now that I’ve tried The Laundry’s Finest Laundry Powder. Sound new? Actually, it’s been around since the 1930s, but until very recently was only used at The Laundry at Linens Limited, a fine linens laundering service in Milwaukee.

The Laundry specializes in old-world cleaning to preserve treasured linens — hand-stretching linens so they keep their shape, air-drying heirloom pieces — so The Laundry’s Finest is obviously made with care. It’s pH-balanced, biodegradable, and contains no optical brighteners, bleach, or significant quantities of phosphorus. When I added it to my wash, it didn’t get super sudsy. But boy, did it clean — even a load including a pair of muddy sneakers came out perfectly. I put it to the test with my towels, which ended up plenty soft, but it was simple items like my T-shirts that impressed me. They felt softer and smelled better than they ever had, sincerely. That was a benefit I was not expecting.

You can purchase The Laundry’s Finest in refillable canisters (love that); a canister that will wash up 40 loads will set you back $24.95. Yes, that’s a lot more than what you’ll pay at the grocery store. But to wash items like a tablecloth my mom embroidered, or my collection of vintage concert T-shirts? I can’t think of anything finer. –Mary T.

Luis Caicedo Design has a line of striking bowls made with sustainably harvested wood and recycled metal. Eco Peel bowls are more sculptural than functional — all would make great modern serving trays. The DUO bowls are made from wood and recycled metal, while the TRIO and CUATRO are made with recycled metal and wood veneer. Every Eco Peel bowl is available in a variety of woods and finishes. Small bowls start at $30, and larger go up to $45. See the whole lineup here. –Mary T.

About a year ago or so ago, I read about a Pyrex museum in the little Kitsap County town of Bremerton, WA. Being obsessed with the vintage glassware, I made it a goal of mine to make the trip out there — a mere hourlong ferry ride from Seattle. The “museum” itself is more of a mini museum, just two small rooms attached to an art gallery. The walls are lined floor to ceiling with vibrantly patterned bowls, casseroles, and butter dishes — I felt like a kid in a candy store. Artist Amy Burnett started the museum to display her amazing collection of Pyrex, which to her represents “what America is all about.” She had a few vintage pieces for sale in the gift shop. And even though this museum is tiny, it apparently attracts visitors from all over the country — one visitor while I was there had driven all the way up from California! The Pyrex Museum at the Amy Burnett Gallery is located at 408 Pacific Ave., Bremerton, WA. –Megan B.

How cool are these cups from Up In the Air Somewhere? I love the pop of yellow against the light grey and white ceramic. My favorite part of the design is that the yellow is not just a glaze, but actually rubber! Each cup is coated in a food-safe glaze, then hand-dipped into the yellow rubber, so no two cups are the same. Pick them up for $32 each right here. –Erica P.

1) Grenade-shaped bags are just plain appealing. Mike Keliher says this about the Greenaid reusable shopping bags: “Strangely appealing? This is far cooler than the white canvas bag I have from the co-op across the street. Bombs away!”

2) Chewy amaretti cookies look gourmet, but are suitable for amateur bakers. Alison @ShelterPop asks: “Are these fairly simple to make? They look super yummy and I’m not exactly the pro baker : )” Lisa responds, “Yes, they are! I am not the best baker either, but I had no trouble at all.” She shares more tips, so be sure to check out the cookies that have us all drooling.

3) A well-set table goes beyond the table. Tasterspoon says: “The thing that makes our table look like we tried is NOT using the overhead chandelier. We have some little frosted lamps on the floor in the corners of the dining room and we turn them on so it’s not pitch dark and so the space looks bigger, but the only other light comes from lots of candles on the table. It makes any dinner seem like a dinner party.” Share your table decorating tips here.

4) There are endless possibilities for making delicious grilled cheese. The suggestions just keep on coming, the latest from Mara, who says: “Make a ‘Nutty Vegetarian’ (my ex swears it was named after me . This is a regular on the menu of a little pub in Corvallis, Oregon called ‘Old World Deli.’ Skip the lemon and add roasted & salted sunflower seeds before you cook. After it is finished, slices of avocado are a great addition also (if you can open the bread from the melted cheese goodness).” Yum! See all the grilled cheese goodness here.

5) A soapy gun has made us laugh before. Judyofthewoods says: “Reminds me of a Woody Allen film where he tried to escape from prison by carving a gun from soap. Trouble was, it rained when he attempted the break, and he ended up with a hand full of foam, and was marched back to his cell. That’s how I remember it anyway. Or was it a failed bank robbery….” (For the record, the movie she’s referring to is Take the Money and Run.) Check out the soap gun here.

Photo by Benjamin Earwicker

Here are 40 creative and informative (of course) infographics at Six Revisions, via Strategic Public Relations.

Why hug a tree when you can knit it a cozy scarf? At bloomacious.

The ReadyMade team is reassembled and blogging again — read the blog here (and be sure to check out their enviable offices).

John T. Unger (we want his modern fire pit) shares how to make bottlecap art.

Here’s some input on how to set a summer table: use a beach towel, at Casa Sugar.

Furniture for kitchens at absolutely beautiful things.

Furniture for yards at the Style Files.

Making, and painting with, milk paint at the haystack needle.

Cool tiles fit for vintage bathrooms at Retro Renovtion.

These are bound to be all over the blogs, and deservedly so. Here’s a sneak peak at new salt and pepper shakers coming soon from Jonathan Adler. Not only are both functional and super cool to view, they come in boxes designed to be gift-worthy — imagine the time you’ll save wrapping! The three above are my favorites, but keep an eye out for Penguins, Lanterns, and Garden of Eden as well. I’d be happy with any (and my birthday’s coming up). –Mary T.