UPDATE: Unfortunately, this well intentioned effort did not pan out. After review, it was decided that it wasn’t feasible. You can read more in this LA Times story supplied by a reader.

Get out those Furminators — it’s for a good cause! If you’re like us, you’re pretty sick over the Gulf oil spill. I was looking up ways to help today when I stumbled across Matter of Trust, who are encouraging you to donate pet and human hair to their Excess Access program. The reason is simple and brilliant: hair naturally collects oil, so all that excess hair, along with nylon stockings, is woven into mats that are used to help clean up oily water and shores. I am so on board with this idea! Our dogs are getting groomed pronto! Learn more right here. — Mary T.

Photo by Flickr member Maia C

This year, Mother’s Day falls at the end of an oh-so-hectic week, when I don’t have too much time to test out recipes and make something new and fabulous. So I’ve decided on this: my favorite savory tart, jam-packed with fresh, wild morel mushrooms. Oh, and there’s some pancetta and creme fraiche in there, too, for added deliciousness. It’s light enough to be served with a simple arugula salad for brunch, but satisfying enough to be a great main course as well. Using a good store-bought pie crust (one you roll into your own tin) is a great time saver, but if you’ve got the time, it’s extra nice when you make your own. Chocolate and Zucchini’s got a gorgeous olive oil tart dough that is just lovely with this recipe. Happy Mother’s Day! — Megan B. Click for the tart! (more…)

Last week I wrote about the renovation project in our new third floor attic space. You wrote in with amazing words of encouragement and some great tips. One of them: Don’t skimp on insulation! Our contractor said the same thing, and encouraged us to use this amazing foam insulation. (How amazing? Watch this YouTube video of it in action and see for yourself.) Spray foam insulation is polyurethane foam that is pumped between walls, ceilings — anywhere you need insulation. A bit more expensive than the traditional pink layers, it helps keep the heat inside during the winter and hot air out during the summer. Ours was finished up last week, and now that the dry wall is up, we can already feel how much nicer it is up there. In the top picture you can see the shape of the room. There is a staircase on the right (that leads down to a bedroom we’ll use as an office). You can also see the two grown-up-sized closets we’re making. People keep asking what we’re going to do with the room. Honestly, nothing at first — we won’t have any money left over for furniture! But someday I hope it will be a groovy hangout for our daughter and her pals. A sleep over spot. What could be better? — Angela M.

After living in Seattle for three years, we have switched to celebrating US Mother’s Day instead of the UK version. This is a copy of the list that I have casually left at strategic places throughout the house.

This ultra-cute salt and pepper set by Jonathan Adler, $48, is the sort of gift that a young child would really enjoy giving, but which will also be extremely appreciated by the recipient (and I speak from experience when I say that’s not an easy combination to achieve). And the packaging is utterly irresistible, too.

Jonathan Adler’s Mother Child pillow, $98, would also be a very appropriate gift — now available in custom colors to suit your Momma’s décor.

A small bouquet is always acceptable, and better still if presented in a lovely vase. These unusual felt vases, $68 from Rare Device, would please a fiber artist, and would be fabulous filled with knitting needles or brushes when not being used for flowers.

These vases, also from Rare Device, are only $13, so you can get her all three if you’re feeling generous.

Or else put a bunch of her favourite blooms in one of these Perch! vases from Supermarket, $40.

Of course, we moms like nothing better than to put our feet up with a nice cup of coffee, and these Moomin mugs by ittala Arabia at Finnstyle, $30.50 each, also the pass the “young kid to mother” test. You’ll want to get a Moomin Mama mug, of course, and maybe a mug to remind her of her own little Moomin Troll or Snorkmaiden. And a Moomin Love mug, as well.

Nothing (except perhaps diamonds). says you love her as much as taking the time and trouble to make something yourself. So why not craft her a beautiful dahlia corsage, courtesy of Megan Reardon from Not Martha.

Finally, If you’re looking for an alternative to the usual flowers or chocolates, try this “Year in the Country” Limited Edition Gift Set ,$70, that includes 12 differet goats’ milk soaps — one for each month of the year — from Beekman 1802.

Or send her a bouquet of chocolate-dipped strawberries, pineapple, grapes, and canteloupes that looks beautiful, can be enjoyed by the whole family, and will not adversely impact the maternal waistline. From Edible Arrangements; prices from around $40. — Paola T.

Still looking for a Mother’s Day gift? You might want to check out mirrormirror, Paola’s own fabulous shop! (She was too shy to link to it herself.)

Last week, I visited the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show to peruse the latest and greatest home innovations. Walking among the booths, I was treated to more futuristic products than a NASA storage closet. I came face to face with a product that seems straight out of the Jetsons: the BreezeDry. It’s a big closet where your washed delicates are hung to be, you guessed it, breeze-dried. It may sound slightly silly, but it does use 90% less energy than traditional gas or electric dryers, can freshen up clothes in between dry cleaning, and won’t fade fabrics like line drying in the sun can do. — Katie D.

I love Skip Hop’s kid products — the Zoo Packs backpacks are cute, reasonably priced, and sized just for toddlers. It looks like their new picnic line is just as smartly designed. Not only is the Central Park Blanket & Cooler Bag, $45, BPA-, PVC- and phthalate-free, it’s completely water resistant. You can pack your picnic blanket and snacks all in one place and not worry too much about clean-up afterward, and you can even use the bag by itself when you’re on the go. — Sarah L.

Boy do we love our readers! Last year, Angela lamented about how the wiring in her Kulla lamp went haywire — and MANY of you chimed in to let her know she was not alone. Well, now reader Marc may have solved the problem, if you have basic DIY skills. He comments:

“I was able to dismantle and repair a dead Kulla floor lamp. The actual repair is fairly easy, but getting into the electrical housing takes some work. This was my first time doing any wiring work, so if I can do this, you can too.”

Ready to give it a try? He provided very detailed instructions! See them after the jump, and let us know how it goes for you. And, Marc: thanks! (more…)

I never knew I could love a kitchen tool the way I love this Straining Ladle from the Spoon Sisters, it’s a hybrid strainer and a ladle, and I can think of a thousand instances where I could have used one of these babies. It can scoop, pour, and filter all in the same moment. Bonus: it’s only $20! — Katie D.

1) You like beets. Wren says: ‘”i’m with ya on the Brussel Sprouts… but my new food that i learned to like is beets. lately i can’t get enough of them… beet salad with cheese and spicy greens… yummy. i used to think they tasted like dirt, what do kids know anyway?” What food do you like that you used to hate? (Mary T. confesses: she still doesn’t like beets!)

2) Paint-by-numbers: the bane of mid-70s childhoods everywhere. Ric says: “OMG! My family totally had the set partially finished in a box under my bed the whole time I was growing up!” Ric, we had our own unfinished sets, trust! See the paint-by-number race horses.

3) Simple math for hanging art is a hit. Jennifer says: “Perfect timing, my husband is trying to figure out if he should put two prints or one in out office. Thanks!” See the math of hanging art.

4) Leah H.’s attic re-do continues to inspire. Angela shared her new(ly gutted) attic, and you shared links to the enviable attic of Leah Hennen (you’ve seen her posts here before) at her now defunct blog More Ways to Waste Time. Martha asays: “I am curious to see what you do–I also have an attic similar to your “after” photo. And I agree that the ‘before’ photo is of a space with a lot of history — but not your history, so sadly it is right to start over. So far in my attic I’ve added two skylights which was a HUGE improvement , added insulation in the floor, and new windows. Next project will be to add electrical–there’s only one bulb over the steps. Here’s a link to an attic makeover that I’ve filed away as inspiration.” We agree — Leah’s attic is a stunner!

5) You agree: Google envelopes are awesome! Juli says: “I think the next time I send my friend a letter, which should be by the end of this week, I’ll send it in a envelop like that! It’s really cool. And really easy to make yourself: I just made one in a few minutes at work. A little bit of effort and a colour printer, and tada! Finally a cool project even an artistically challenged person like me can do!” See the Google envelopes.