cool product :: the minimalist watering can

The challenge with conventional watering cans? Ensuring that the water hits its target and not everywhere else.. They're also pretty unsightly, so why not make a watering can thatlooks like a work of art too? French-born Pascal Charmolu came up with the antidote: This beautifully streamlined, practical design. Made of 18-0 stainless steel, this can features a flexible silicone hose with a built-in magnet that allows it to be attached to the can’s body when not in use. When watering your plants, simply hold the metal cylinder with one hand and the hose in the other. Move the metal cylinder up or down to cease water flow. Pascal is the other half of Born in Sweden, a new design house from Europe that has just opened up in the North American market.A pretty slick looking watercan, don't ya think? Now the only problem left is which color to choose?

It's very JUST COOL!

via grassrootsmodern

plants :: feed me - amazing carnivores!

Rat-eating plant: The team of botanists, led by British experts Stewart McPherson and Alastair Robinson, found the plant on Mount Victoria in the Philippines. Photo: STEWART MCPHERSON

If the play / movie "Little Shop of Horrors" didn't spark your interest about the intriquing world of carnivorous plants, then listen up. Not only is the Venus Fly Trap a fascinating plant creature but there are literally hundreds of others that have adapted and evolved into this unique and interesting plant group that lures, traps and then devours insects. They entice their prey with scent, color, and nectar and can be found growing in most regions of the world and although most do eat small insects, the larger plants such as Nepenthes can eat small amphibians and rodents.CRAZY! It's no wonder that these unusual plants are collected and grown by hobbyists the world over! Makes me want to get my green thumb out and give this hobby a whirl. But living in the Northeastern United States (the mercury dropped to 28 degrees last night and it's only October and I live in a big old drafty Victorian house) I don't know how the little fellas would survive under my care. But take a look at these spectacular bug eating wonders. What beautiful examples of Mother Nature's creativity!

venus fly trap

Sarracenia flava

Aristolochia

Drosera peltata

Cephalotus

Huernia

So...aren't these amazing plants JUST COOL?? Find out more about them - even how to grow them at sarracenia.

cool product :: garden indoors with lightpot

Loving this "lightpot" from designers Kfir Schwalb and Orit Magia of Studio Shulab . It uses eco friendly, energy saving LED lighting to grow plants, herbs - any pot adaptable vegetation anywhere in the house. And no matter what kind of lighting conditions you have too because it provides the light. I'd like a few of these around the house filled with kitchen herbs. Let there be light... AND pleasant aromas wafting through the air!

These lightpots are JUST COOL!

via designboom

spring :: has it sprung yet?

28 days and counting 'til the first day of Spring! The frosting of snow outside doesn't keep me from browsing through the Spring garden catalogs. And heck, if Winter decides to rear it's ugly head for longer then it's designated three months, why not bring Spring indoors? I saw this wonderful vertical garden on the Smith and Hawken's site that I have to have! Yummm... fresh herbs in all my cooking, wonderful herby smells throughout the house and it will save me moulah as well since I won't have to buy those plastic containers of wilted herbs in the produce section anymore.

 All I need now is a bright spot to put it in! A fresh idea - it's JUST COOL!