What is your favorite way to kick back in the summer?

Last time I talked to you it was all about getting cleaned up for the fall.  Well, now that you’ve gotten your home clean, it’s time to get it organized!

First things first – organize your outdoor area and put away your summer accessories you won’t be using, especially if you live where the cold is REALLY cold.  If you haven’t already, you may want to consider purchasing some outdoor storage, especially if you don’t have room anywhere else.  Put away your outdoor pillows, umbrellas, and toys and cover your furniture and grill.

Once you’re done outside, remove all of your indoor summer decor and store it properly.  I usually use plastic containers I can keep in my garage, in closets, or under my bed and swap out accessories and decorations seasonally.  At the very least, you should consider swapping accessories and small items out twice a year in the fall and spring.

If you have a lot of “non-seasonal” pieces, consider simplifying your home by putting some of these items away as well.  The less clutter you have, the more your fall decor will stand out as you prepare to celebrate the holidays with family and friends.

If you have a lot, perhaps you should consider purchasing some indoor storage pieces at this time.  There are several options for attractive furniture that doubles as storage, allowing you to keep track of the other seasons as you prepare for the holidays.

Having a garage or yard sale is a great way to clean up and get ready to organize for fall, will help create space for redecorating and entertaining guests during the holidays, and will help you increase your budget as you shop for new furniture and accessories!  This year, I am selling some of my older items and donating half of what I make to charity.

However you choose to organize, the key to all of this is timing. If you start the project now, while the weather is still manageable and the house is clean, you can really simplify things as you prepare for company.

I will be enjoying what’s left of this  summer in different parts of the country.  I was just in New York with the executive team from Hayneedle for the 2010 Hayneedle Home Showcase, where we took over the Midtown Loft and Terrace on 5th Avenue. We created several vignettes to showcase a selection of products available at Hayneedle.com, including this modern sitting lounge set by Alphaville designs.  Notice the white pot on the table is the same one I used in my first “Hayneedle Your Home with Eduardo Xol” webisode, except the one I used was brown.

That’s a great tip – always look and see if something you love might come in another color to better match your decor. If everything about the item is perfect, except the color, it may still be possible to get an ideal match. If you’re willing to invest the small amount of time it takes to paint or refinish an accessory piece, not only will you get the complement you want, but you’ll also enjoy the satisfaction of customizing your own space.

One of the items that received a lot of attention at the Hayneedle Home Showcase was this artificial tree. Designed for the holidays, this “Cherry” tree has low voltage LED lights, and I could see a place for it year-round, indoors or outdoors. Another great tip to keep in mind – don’t limit yourself when it comes to “seasonal” decor- with a little imagination, it could look wonderful and intriguing in your home any time of year!

The Home Showcase was created as a way to celebrate the anniversary of Hayneedle.com’s launch a year ago and to introduce their huge variety of products to the media.  Here I am talking to Kate Hallett of People magazine about design for young people dealing with college and new careers.

When speaking with Kate, I placed an emphasis on modular furniture. These versatile furniture options are ideal for students, young professionals, or anyone who might move frequently, because these pieces can easily be fitted into virtually any environment. I also talk about using modular furniture outdoors in my upcoming webisode, “Creating an Outdoor Lounge.”

Kathie Lee Gifford was also on hand as a Hayneedle partner in support of one of her favorite non-profits, Childhelp.  We also had guest appearances by Bethenny Frankel of “The Real Housewives of New York City” and Kelly Rutherford of “Gossip Girl.” Here I am with Kathie Lee and Bethenny on the terrace.

As the end of summer draws closer, I’m also preparing for two projects in the fall.  The most important is the beginning of the school year for my nonprofit organization, The Alumi Media Group (www.AlumiMediaGroup.com), which launches its first-ever after school program in Los Angeles. We will be creating a series of lifestyle curriculum for students age k-8.  We’re really excited about it!

I’ve also been asked to design an outdoor lounge in Los Angeles for an event called Opportunity Green (www.OpportunityGreen.com), which is bringing together some of the brightest innovators leading the new green economy.  Always remember you can go green in nearly every room of your home. It just takes a moment to see how your items were made, and to consider that in your decision-making. Here’s one of the spaces where I was asked to create a lounge for a party.

For now, I’m off to a family wedding, and I’m using it as an excuse to take some time off.  I hope that you all continue to enjoy a beautiful summer, and continue to think of yourselves as designers. You can do it, with a little help from your friends at Hayneedle.com.

This summer has turned out to be extraordinarily busy for me!  Isn’t this when we’re all supposed to go on vacation?  Well, until I am able to really get away, I’ll practice what I preach and find the opportunities to relax any moment I can. As I say time and time again, in the words of my father, Eduardo Sr., “it’s all about balance!”

For me that balance includes taking care of my career, my family, my friends and myself, and deciding when to give each area the priority!  For others, especially those having to deal with any kind of health issue, finding balance can be daunting.

Ten years ago, my sister Monica was diagnosed with lupus.  It’s a strange condition that still remains a mystery to those who have to live with it as well as to the medical community at large.  Lucky for my sister, she has been dealing with what seems to be a somewhat “manageable” form of lupus. Similar to others afflicted with the disease, my sister’s lupus seems to be triggered by stress. People with lupus have what are called “flare ups” when the immune system seems to go on overdrive and starts to fight itself.  Sounds complicated, right?  Well, my sister was in the midst of a flare up prior to getting married. I wanted to assist her in her planning to ease the stress, so I helped with much of the coordination.  I also composed some original music for her ceremony.

Over the last decade I have become an advocate of lupus awareness and have been doing what I can to support The Lupus Foundation of America.  They have been a great resource of information for my family. This fall, I will be honored to serve as host for their annual Butterfly Gala in New York City.

Recently, I chose my sister’s backyard as the site for the webisode entitled, “Creating a Garden Oasis”.  But before we shot the webisode, I needed to do a bit of a makeover for her!  This is what the garden looked like before the makeover…

…and this is what it looked like after the makeover!

The changes were subtle and fairly inexpensive, but the difference was obvious!  It became the perfect garden oasis for our webisode and a place where my sister could relax!

My niece, Monet, makes a guest appearance in this webisode as my co-host!  Here we are walking Hazel in the park.

The whole experience made such a valuable impression on Monet, she decided to document it in a piece of art she made for me.  This is her artistic interpretation of being with me in front of the camera!

As I mentioned earlier, I composed music for my sister’s wedding.  One of the musical pieces is called “Velas”, which means candle in Spanish.  The piece of music is the background music for this webisode.  I hope you enjoy it!

List of supplies:

• Metal containers
• Stickers
• Spray sealant
• Loose rock, crushed aluminum cans, or packing peanuts
• Good potting soil (I use Miracle-Gro Moisture Control)
• Plants

Tools needed:

• Hammer
• Philips head screwdriver
• Block of wood

To start out with – I popped over to our neighborhood home improvement store and picked up a few metal containers from the paint section.  You can repurpose containers you already have or check out the Goodwill store or other stores.

This time I picked a long metal bin, a metal paint can, and a small metal bucket just like another I had at home and would use for this project.   I also dropped by the local nursery to pick up some unique plants – one is called “Dracula” – that I thought the kids would like.

I picked out some stickers from my sticker stash that we could use on the planters.  A variety of them is good – including alphabets, characters, animals, etc.  Then I sat the kids down to start designing.

I laid out some rules for where the stickers could go – some folks might not need any rules for this and that is completely fine.  Unfortunately my OCD will not allow the random placement of stickers – even on a project for the kids.  We compromised and I asked for symmetry on the fronts of the buckets and told them they could do whatever they wanted on the backs.  And yes – I have started a “counseling” fund for each of them.

Once the stickers were situated and resituated so that my eye wouldn’t twitch, my husband kindly pounded water drainage holes in the bottoms of the buckets using a wooden block inside and a hammer and screwdriver on the outside.  He would prefer I didn’t mention that he couldn’t find his cordless drill battery.  So let’s pretend I didn’t mention it.

After the holes were poked in the bottoms of the containers – I followed the directions on the can of spray sealant (you can find at your local craft store) to seal the outsides of the containers and the stickers.  Sometimes these will need to set over a 24 hour period before you finish them by adding your plants.

After the recommended waiting period – it was time to lay down some filler on the bottom of each one.  I used river rock because the wind can get pretty strong at our place (no sassy remarks here, please) and I get very annoyed when my containers tip over.  You can also use crushed aluminum cans (depending on your container size) or the non-dissolving packing peanuts.  This gives a layer at the bottom of your planter for water to drain through and out the holes without taking all of your soil with it.  It also takes up some space so you aren’t using an entire bag of potting soil on one planter.

Next, you’ll want to check the depth of the plants you’ve selected in their designated planters.  Is there enough space?  You want to have the top of the root ball covered by your potting soil.  Ideally you will also have some room between the top of the soil and the top edge of the container.

Break up the root balls of each plant with your fingertips.  Place the plant within the container and add filler potting soil around it until it reaches the top of the plant root ball.  Press soil down gently but firmly to make sure the plant is supported in its new home!

Water your plants – keeping an eye on whether or not the water drops the soil level in your container.  If it drops it significantly, you’ll want to add more soil.  Water the plant until water begins to drain out of the holes you made in the bottom.

You’re all done!

Alternatives to this activity:

Decoupage:  You can use paper cut out shapes, preferably from a thinner paper – not cardstock – and decoupage (I use Mod Podge) them onto the containers.  I used multi-colored 2.5” polka dots I had punched out of scrapbook paper and decoupaged them around the top half of an oblong metal bucket.  After the decoupage dried I followed the directions above starting with the spray sealant.  This was my favorite planter until my husband ran over it with his car.  And yes – I will bring this up until we are old and gray.

Painting:  You can use acrylic craft paints to paint a design on the containers – stripes, dots, or whatever the kids would like (unless you have issues like me – then perhaps a stencil is in order.)  Once again – you want to do that, let it dry, then begin at the “apply sealant” stage above and continue through the rest of the directions.  When I did my painted container I placed it up close to the house – where it remains in its original shape today – unmolested by heavy vehicles.

In honor of National Hammock Day and our very first store, Hammocks.com, Hayneedle is hosting a Hammocks Twitter Party.  Hayneedle will give away five amazing hammocks during the event!  All winners will be chosen at random via the RSVP list. You must attend the party and answer the questions correctly in order to win!

You’re invited to Hayneedle’s National Hammock Day Twitter Party

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When: July 22 at 8pm CST.

Where: Twitter using hashtag #Hayneedle

How can you join? Well, that’s simple!  RSVP using the link below, and start following:

Follow Hayneedle on Twitter. @Hayneedle
Follow @hayneedleyards
Follow @hayneedlegreen
 Follow @hayneedletots
Follow @hayneedlepets
“LIKE” Hayneedle on Facebook!

TWEET! @Hayneedle is having a Hammocks Day Twitter Party! Join us 7/22 at 8pm CST! To RSVP & see the prizes go to http://hayn.tl/30

RSVP HERE TO ENTER

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@hayneedle will ask the questions.

@hayneedleyards will pick the winners using Random.org via the RSVP list.

If you’re a winner, you will DM @hayneedlegreen to let her know what you won. Be sure to include your shipping information and a phone number!

Look carefully at the products and websites listed below, as answers will come directly from our sites.  Your teachers were right- studying is important!

All winners are chosen at RANDOM.  We will NOT go by 1st answer, 5th answer, etc. To give everyone a fair chance, we’re leaving it up to random.org.

If random.org picks someone who answers the question but is NOT present during the party when winners are announced, we will re-draw until we find someone who is present and participating!

These are bigger prizes, so keep in mind we may try to stump you with the questions!

We hope to see you there. Be sure to RSVP, otherwise you won’t have the chance to win these awesome hammocks:

Island Bay XL Rope Hammock with Metal Stand & Pillow

• New and improved for 2010!
• Our top-selling hammock 6 years running
• Room for 2 people; 450-lb. weight capacity
• Heavy-duty 14-gauge steel stand in choice of colors
• Newly available with our custom faux woodgrain stand!
• Choose 100% cotton or polyester
• Pillow available in several color options
• Heavy-gauge powder-coated steel stand
• Overall hammock length: 13 ft.
• Stand measures 13 – 15 ft. L x 4 ft. W x 3 ft. 9 in. H
• Retail Value $174.98

Island Bay Seagrass Quilted Hammock with Stand

• Hammock, stand, pillow, and hanging hardware
• 450-lb. weight capacity
• Heavy-duty 14-gauge steel stand in choice of colors
• Weather-resistant fabric
• Overall hammock length: 11 ft. 5 in.
• Stand: 13-15 ft. L x 4 ft. W x 3 ft. 9 in. H
• Retail Value $199.98

XXL Mayan Hammocks with Adjustable Stand

• Handmade from durable and soft cotton or nylon
• Includes XXL Mayan Hammock and Stand
• 350-lb. weight capacity
• Durable powder-coated steel frame
• Diamond weave for remarkable strength
• Choose from a variety of beautiful hammock colors
• Fabric weave surrounds metal ring for increased durability
• Overall hammock length: 14 ft. 8 in.
• Stand: 11.5 – 14.5 ft. L x 3 ft. 3 in. W x 3 ft. 10 in. – 4 ft. 6 in.
• Retail Value $168.99

Island Bay Sienna Stripe Quilted Hammock with Stand

• Large enough for 2 people; 450 lb. weight capacity
• Stand is made from heavy-duty 14-gauge steel
• Striped hammock in weather-resistant fabric
• Overall hammock length: 6 feet 5 inches
• Stand dimensions: 13-15L x 4W x 3.75H feet
• Hammock, stand, matching button-on pillow
• Quilted, weather resistant polyester fabric
• Classic stripes in various shades of orange and brown
• Room for 2 people; 450-lb. weight capacity
• 14-gauge steel stand with powder-coated finish
• Stand offered in several color options
• Hanging hardware is included
• Overall hammock length: 11 ft. 5 in.
• Stand: 13 – 15 ft. L x 4 ft. W x 3 ft. 9 in. H
• Retail Value $199.98

Island Bay Nautical Quilted Hammock with Stand

• Hammock, stand, matching button-on pillow
• Quilted, weather resistant polyester fabric
• Classic stripes in various shades of blue
• Room for 2 people; 450-lb. weight capacity
• 14-gauge steel stand with powder-coated finish
• Stand offered in several color options
• Hanging hardware is included
• Overall hammock length: 11 ft. 5 in.
• Stand: 13 – 15 ft. L x 4 ft. W x 3 ft. 9 in. H
• Retail Value $179.98

Get signed up for the Twitter Party and tell your friends. Please help us make our first Twitter Party a blast!

The Fourth of July weekend was filled with family, friends, sun and fun.  I enjoyed a nice balance celebrating each day with a different group of people.  I was also celebrating having completed my eight-webisode series for “Hayneedle Your Home with Eduardo Xol.”

I also helped to celebrate the culmination of the census for 2010.  I was asked by the mayor’s office of Los Angeles to be one of the 100 voices of the city to educate the public on getting counted.  I taped a public service announcement in both English and Spanish, and as it turns out, Los Angeles is the number one major city to turn out in terms of participation.  I’m proud to have performed my civic duty.  Here I am with the executive Director of LA Counts 2010 at the culmination party in downtown Los Angeles.

There was another reason to celebrate with my family recently.  My nephew, Rodrigo, graduated from kindergarten!  My family has definitely grown to understand the importance and value of an education, so we try to encourage my niece and nephew by celebrating their accomplishments whenever possible.  My niece, Monet, is a year ahead of my nephew. Monet, along with my sister Monica, will be making a guest appearance in an upcoming webisode.  She was wonderful to work with!

In webisode #5, “Expanding Your Home’s Square Footage Outdoors,” we shot at the home of a newlywed couple who I’m doing on outdoor makeover for. Here is a picture of their back patio space shortly after purchasing their home, but before I started putting my hands on it.

Since they already had the frame for the perfect outdoor patio, I convinced them to pour a new floor of a charcoal grey concrete while removing the planters.  Here is a view of the new newly poured patio.

As part of the master plan, I convinced the couple to add a pergola to cover the area and make it a an outdoor lounge, but the timing for shooting the webisode wouldn’t allow us to complete it in time. In the end, we broke up the project in two phases to fit the client’s schedule as well as mine.  I’ll be documenting the process in a “behind the scenes” how-to webisode later in the summer, so stay tuned for that.

For “Expanding Your Home’s Square Footage Outdoors”,  Michael Anthony Clements, who co-produced my summer web series with me, convinced me to hang sheer curtains as a way to frame the room and complement the Tahara All Weather Wicker Conversation Patio Set we used on the patio.  The results are beautiful!  Take a look!

If you’d like to follow Cayden’s transition to a greener lifestyle, follow her on Twitter @HayneedleGreen, and check back here for more blog updates on The Green Experience.

How about adding a little green variety to your life? There’s no better place to start a garden or to find eco-friendly products than at hayneedle.com.

From all of us at Hayneedle, have a safe and happy 4th of July weekend!

The summer holiday season is officially underway, and the 4th is right around the corner.  To celebrate the season, I continue to host dinners in my garden on a regular basis.  While my guests are sitting in my garden,  they seem to forget that I live right in the middle of Hollywood, just a few blocks from the famous Melrose Place.  The best compliment I get is when friends say they feel like they’re “somewhere else” or “on vacation”.  That’s what a backyard should feel like!

Nothing feels more like summer than going to pool parties or parties by the beach, which is why my next webisode focuses on poolside living.  We shot the webisode at the beautiful home of a friend of mine, a successful director and producer, and the fortunate owner of a picture-perfect pool in the Hollywood Hills. Here I am with my cameraman, Nick Oberlander, scoping out a shot of the pool from the second level of the house.

It was a spectacular day to shoot webisode #4, and I was forced to get into the pool!  I say that sarcastically, of course!

We’ve recently completed the rest of the webisodes for our summer series- with a total of four more to be released, so be on the lookout.  The response from all of you via e-mail has been amazing!

Speaking of which… many of you have asked questions about the pavers used in the last webisode “Utilizing an Uncommon Space,” so I wanted to respond to some of the most common questions here:

• The space I finished is approximately 96 square feet.
• The pea gravel was already there, but had it not been, I would have purchased 4-5 bags at a cost of approximately $5 per bag.
• I used 81 pavers at approximately $1 per paver.
• Approximate total cost was $150.

Note:  Depending on the soil/surface underneath, a layer of sand may be needed before laying the pavers and gravel.

This is an easy, economical way to create a patio, and anyone can do it themselves.  It also looks great and is a steady surface for furniture and appliances.  If you haven’t already seen the webisode, check it out!

I hope you are all enjoying your summer. Stay cool!

Salud!

Eduardo

Speaking of celebrations, you’re invited to save up to 50% at Hayneedle’s July 4th Sale!

I can hardly wait to watch the fun unfold in my backyard tomorrow. American barbecue alongside the undeniably Swedish lutefisk. Bocce and ladder golf while waiting for my turn in the next game of kubb. Kids caroming in and out of the bouncehouse. What better way to work off all that pickled fish and make room for strawberries and cream? Or, if my guests prefer something more definitively American, they can always hold out for fire pit s’mores.

Whatever you’re celebrating, be it a wedding or the World Cup, a cookout or the College World Series, these June weekends are loaded with options. Heck, if you’re looking for a reason to get together tonight, just remind your friends that today is Log Cabin Day. For real. It’s Log Cabin Day.

For the fest of the season, or just the happy hour of the day, Hayneedle has all the essentials you need to entertain. From grills to canopies, from conversation sets to outdoor lighting, it’s all here. And in every one of these categories you’ll find an abundance of options, along with a powerful filtering system that lets you narrow your choices based on what you want. That’s true variety, and that’s how we know you’ll find what you love and love what you find.

We are well into Summer!  Here in California, we’re experiencing a bit of “June Gloom”, as they call it when the fog rolls inland during the morning hours.  Generally this keeps the temperature really nice once the fog burns off.  As I speak to my friends around the country though, I can tell it’s already really warming up everywhere else.

I recently completed shooting my third webisode, “Hayneedle Your Home with Eduardo Xol”.  For this webisode I focused on awkward and uncommon spaces.  I have one of these spaces- a long, narrow one right outside my dining room- so I thought it would be a perfect place to practice my philosophy.  Notice the concrete pavers I set into the gravel to create the “room”. Once I did that, I placed the Sandstone Akro Hose Pot/Planter next to the water faucet.  This would dictate where everything else would go.

Next you can see me shooting the “10 Second Tip” as we get ready to place all of the furniture.  You can’t tell by this picture , but there were a LOT of people filling that small space to shoot the webisode.  To see the video and get more information on the great products I used to transform it into a functional space, click here.

I’ve also been preparing for future webisodes, including one I will shoot in my sister’s backyard, since I’m already giving her a bit of a makeover.  Many of you might know that my sister was diagnosed with lupus several years ago.  It’s a very mysterious condition.  An important element in maintaining the symptoms at bay is relaxation.  On Extreme Makeover Home Edition, I help people in need all of the time all over the country, so when I’m home, I really do my best to help my own family out when I can.  My sister is a busy, young mom who works as a teacher, so I want to give her a space where she can relax and find personal health and balance.  Here’s a picture of the space I have to work with. Stay tuned for this webisode to see the makeover!

Speaking of personal health and balance…I’m doing my best to do the same as I manage a very busy summer schedule.  If I’m not committed to attend a public event, I tend to my plants and garden almost every day before dinner.   It really does keep me in check!

On the nights I have an event, and there seems to be many these days, I have to get myself cleaned up.

The next webisode coming up will be about poolside living.  I hope everyone continues to enjoy the summer!

Hammocks.com on my first day… like the perm I had in college- pretty bad even at the time:

Hammocks.com today… more of an oh-so-pretty Justin Bieber flop:

When I see what Hayneedle has become, and the attention we’ve received over the past few months, I allow myself to indulge in a few morsels of pride. Here’s what I’m talking about:

• Kathy Lee Gifford has partnered with us to raise funds for Childhelp, a leading national non-profit dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child abuse. When you buy a hammock from Hayneedle, a portion of your purchase goes directly to Childhelp. And the timing is nothing short of perfect- is there anything that says summer (or Happy Father’s Day) better than a hammock? That it’s for a good cause makes it even easier to relax.

• You may have seen Eduardo Xol’s outdoor design posts here on HayneedleBlog. As part of our summer campaign, Eduardo is taking timeout from ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to help Hayneedle customers create their own backyard paradise. The Backyard at Hayneedle is the place to start.

• Hayneedle was recently featured on The Ellen Show in what turned out to be a, well, let’s just say “memorable” version of Blindfolded Musical Haystacks.

• More and more people are doing the Hayneedle Hustle for their chance to win a $15,000 shopping spree. Radio and TV stations across the country are talking about how Hayneedle is bringing variety to America, one backyard at a time.

Heady stuff aside, one of the most satisfying aspects of all of all this is when I get to answer those unavoidable so-what-do-you-do questions at gatherings this summer. Instead of the “What’s that?” response I heard for 4+ years, it feels pretty good to finally hear, “Oh, yeah! Love your stuff.”

Excuse me while I grab one more taste of pride before going back to work. Gotta look good for next year’s pictures.

My Memorial Day weekend was really nice.  I guess someone told Mother Nature to help us kick the summer off right because the weather in Southern California could not have been better.  I spent Saturday in my with friends.  We cooked out, ate, drank and caught up on life.  I try to do a bigger party about two to three times per year, usually during the summer months.  Memorial Day usually marks the first one.  Around thirty people from different points in my life showed up to say hello.  Here is a picture of my friends Dinah and Rob enjoying the holiday with me:

Everyone loved my outdoor furniture, but I did run out of seating.  If you’re planning a large party, a simple solution to this problem is to have extra pillows on hand in case you run out of chairs!

I hope that by now you have all seen the webisodes I’ve been working on.  If not, you can catch up here.  Planning and production has kept my team and me very busy.  Since the webisodes are about outdoor living, we have our production meetings outside in the area where we are going to shoot.  Here I am with my executive producer, Andy McEntee and the crew discussing the second webisode we produced in my backyard:

And here is the same area staged for the shoot.  Shown is the Cabos Collection conversation set.  It’s one of my favorites and apparently my dog, Hazel, likes it as well!

Combine colors to create your custom designed outdoor area.  That’s what I did by mixing the khaki upholstery that comes with the Cabos set and the accent pillows in sienna.  I completed the look by coordinating the colors of the flowers in the vase to match the colors in the furniture.

This outdoor room inspired me to create a drink I call the Cabos Cocktail using the same color scheme! I’m pleased to say it was good enough to share the recipe:

Eduardo’s Cabos Cocktail

• 1 oz. vodka or tequila (spirits optional)
• 2 parts of your favorite Bloody Mary Mix
• 1 part fresh limejuice
• 5 drops Worcestershire sauce
• 3-5 drops habanero hot sauce
• Sprinkle salt and fresh black pepper to taste
• Serve in a martini glass with a salted rim
• Garnish with an olive, pepper and onion
• Enjoy the summer!

Nebraska National Forest

At Hayneedle, we’re trying to rekindle some of that pioneer spirit with something we’re calling “The Green Experience.” Think of it as a little slice of reality Internet where anyone can follow one of Hayneedle’s own, Cayden, as she chronicles her transition to a greener lifetstyle on Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook. Her endeavor began a  few weeks ago with a compost bin and 2,500 worms in her formerly worm-free living space. Follow the “HayneedleGreen” handle on Twitter and check back here for her blog posts.  It’s bound to be messy for her, but ultimately a planet that’s a little cleaner for the rest of us.

Check out what Hayneedle employees are doing to tread a little more lightly.

Since 2010 marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, we at Hayneedle have decided to extend the celebration even further. Welcome to Earth Month! For 40 days, we’ll be posting tips for on how to tread a little more lightly.

We’re not talking about running out and buying a hybrid or installing windmills and solar panels to get off the grid. Nope, just simple things that anyone can do, things that in the long run will conserve our resources and save you money. Like- here comes a shameless plug for one of our less sexy sites- remembering to change your furnace filter! (Plan to change it on the first day of each season, but check it every month just in case.)

Maybe you’ve seen a few of these tips on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Become a fan or follow us if you haven’t already. Besides staying save-the-planet savvy, fans and followers are usually the first to know about exclusive deals and discounts. So go ahead, hop on the social networking wagon. Just remember to  set your computer to sleep or hibernate when you’re done socializing.

Our Random Act of Kindness Sale lasts through April 15. It features 12 of our top stores, all offering 14% off.  Who says consumerism can’t be laced with a little kindness?

Maybe today you’ll be inspired to commit your own senseless act of beauty, whether it’s paying for the latte next in line at the coffee shop, or picking up that piece of litter on the sidewalk instead of walking by, or taping a page of poetry to the wall inside the elevator of your building (our personal favorite).

However it manifests itself, a little kindness goes a long way.

But here’s the thing: the calendars around our office are suggesting that the rumors are true.

A little Internetting adds final proof: spring is scheduled to spring on March 20, 2010, at precisely 1:32 P.M. EDT (though perhaps in many places without its usual torque). That’s tomorrow, folks!

With no fear of stating the obvious, we love spring. Colors come forth, and the world resumes its beckoning inhabitability. There’s no better time to emerge from our four-walled winter fortresses and spend a little time in the room with the highest ceilings.

Yep, we’re talking about your deck or patio. Remember that little slice of outdoor paradise?

It’s time to take it back.

With specialty stores like PatioFurnitureUSA.com, Hammocks.com, PatioUmbrellas.com, and dozens of other outdoor living specialty sites, Hayneedle is the world’s premier seller of patio furniture and outdoor decor products.

Everything you need to furnish your ultimate room with a view is at Hayneedle.com. Come see what we have in store, and get ready to get out more. Spring is in the air!

You can save on your order from hammocks.com, patiofurnitureusa.com, porchswings.com, benches.com, Adirondackchairs.com, esoccergoals.com, croquet.com, patioheaterstore.com, and more. There aren’t many days left for the Seize the Day Sale, so get all Eckhart Tolle and use the power of now, yo. After all, yesterday’s history, tomorrow’s a mystery, you’ve only got today. So carpe diem, and you’ll carpe dime! Ok, ok, enough. You get it. Go on with your present self.

While temperatures across most of the continent have settled stubbornly below normal, one undeniable sign of spring shines through. The light at the end of this icy tunnel is daylight itself, and we’re getting more of it by the day. And though it’s still plenty cold out there, we’ll gladly take an accumulation of sunshine over snowfall every day from here till the next solstice.

Winter will recede. The gray landscape will grow green and pop with color. After one of the coldest, snowiest winters on record, it’s fixing to be one epic spring. And since spring really is just a few weeks away, it’s time to start thinking outside those four confining walls.

Your deck or patio may look pretty uninviting at the moment, but we’ve got a simple three-step plan to help you reclaim it:

1. Reserve your seats.

Finding the patio furniture you’d like to sink into won’t be difficult at Hayneedle. With exclusive patio sets, custom fabrics and finishes, and new collections for 2010 already available, now’s the time to order so you don’t miss a day of spring.

2. Keep ‘em warm.

Get out earlier and stay out longer with patio heaters, fire pits, chimineas, and more. Adding heat to your deck or patio is a surefire way to extend the outdoor season.

3. Make it yours.

Choose from an endless variety of outdoor decor and accessories to make the outdoors yours. From planters to wind chimes and bird baths to outdoor rugs, you’ll find everything you need to put a personal touch on your little slice of paradise.