Friday, December 19, 2008

Let's Stay Home Today...

Southern California was drenched by violent rains these past few days, so why don't we stay in for this post?
As you know, I just moved to the Los Angeles area, so I had to buy some home basics such as kitchenware. When I found these (affordable) plates designed by Sweden's Sagaform (ah, give me Scandinavian design any time!), I couldn't resist. They come from A+R Store, a wonderful design trove in Venice, where I also picked a number of Christmas present - shhhhhh. Would you like us to visit the store together in another post some time?

Also, I recently read that computer keyboards are among the dirtiest, bacteria-laden places in the house. Ever since, I have been cleaning my darling MacBook's keyboard with a slightly damp cotton round and a few drops of tea tree oil. Do the same thing with your cell phone.
Oh dear, I never expected I would end up giving some cleaning tips on this blog! To make up for this, I promise my next post will be about super glamorous world travel - stay tuned!

22 comments:

MISS GLITZY said...

Tu sembles vraiment bien installée dans cette nouvelle vie californienne. Allez demain matin, je nettoie mon laptop!

Bonbon Oiseau said...

very good tip--i shall swab the deck with tea tree! we stayed in tonight as well- it is slushy snow on the other coast...the top pictures are a ray of light here in the grey northeast!

J Elaine said...

I have been using tee tree oil as a natural disinfectant for years. A couple of drops with your clothes in the washing machine along with unscented biodegradable detergent is what my mom taught me years ago. A drop or two in the porcelain bathroom sink or shower freshens the entire room. Also, when on public transportation, a drop of a soothing essential oil on a handkerchief kept in the pocket and occassionally held at your nose helps avoid the polluted air... lavender and ylang ylang are my favorites.

Certain Creatures said...

yes!!!! I heard that too! keyboards=dirtiest thing! :/
Happy Holidays
and
Merry Christmas!
x

Mary-Laure said...

BONBON - stay warm in the Northeast...

J ELAINE - I love that fresh smell in the bathroom too. And I sometimes use your washing machine trick, too.

muralimanohar said...

I am pretty sure my keyboard is a cesspool. I need to do this. :p

I love the lemon picture..it's amazing how your pictures are capturing California so well now. :)

Laura in Paris said...

are those lemons from your garden? Love the design of the plates! Where can I get tea tree in Paris?

Mary-Laure said...

MURALIMANOHAR - thanks, I'm glad you think I capture California well... It was some leap for me!

WORLD IN A PAN - yes, the lemons come from my backyard.
You can find tea tree oil in Paris in any "magasin bio" such as Naturalia or Bio Generation.

Gabbi said...

I quickly cleaned my handy (as my friend in Switzerland calls it) after i read your post :)

Aren't you glad it finally stopped raining!

Solange said...

oh, thanks Mary-Laure for the tip, I knew that our keyboards were full of bacteria, but you mentioning it again, made me remember to clean it. I think tea tree has this fresh, clean smell.
We haven-t had so much rain, but lots of fog and it's rather cold here. I also enjoyed your previous post, gotta see that movie, love kate winslet....
I'm scared to do the washing machine trick, don't your clothes have a tea tree scent after that??
wish you a lovey day and enjoy the sunday!

Solange

Laura Neulat said...

I visited the website of the Sagaform (Swedish design) and loved their Chromed Bucket Grill!

Mary-Laure said...

SOLANGE - you haven't left for NYC yet?
I don't find that my laundry smells like tea tree oil if I add just a couple of drops to my load...
Enjoy your weekend! I hope you do get a few rays on sunshine.

LAURA - well now I know what to get you for your birthday, he he he...

Mary-Laure said...

SOLANGE - you haven't left for NYC yet?
I don't find that my laundry smells like tea tree oil if I add just a couple of drops to my load...
Enjoy your weekend! I hope you do get a few rays on sunshine.

LAURA - well now I know what to get you for your birthday, he he he...

lune_blanc said...

Nice you moved to LA, California is so lovely!! I have many friends there, and hope to visit there someday...Gabbi has been giving me lodas of good reasons to visit and now I found yet another one lol

Anonymous said...

I'd love to visit the store with you, you can be a good coach. I come to your blog now and then (did'n know you had moved to Calidornia) to learn about good taste, and class, and savor vivre.

marie-louise said...

It's time to say - Merry Christmas!

Mary-Laure said...

MICHIKO - I would love you to visit Gabbi and me in California! We'd have lots of fun I'm sure.

NINA - your sweet words are making me blush...

Anonymous said...

Ah, yes, tea tree oil is good for so many things... I am off to clean my grey-tinged keyboard now.

Wishing you a happy Christmas and a decidedly brilliant start to '09... g

Mary-Laure said...

GRACIA and MARIE-LOUISE - Merry Christmas to you too, with plenty of surprises, good company and joy.

Anonymous said...

i love your blog. you make me want to get dressed up which takes a lot of effort up here in the snowbanks of the north. : )
but i love hats, dance and photography too.

Whitney said...

Hi Mary Laure! Thanks for the tip about cleaning my keyboard, I am sure mine is disgusting. :) Happy New Year to you and as always, I still love your blog. The photos make me happy.

Where are you taking ballet out there?

Mary-Laure said...

WHITNEY - how lovely to hear from you!!! I take class here in LA at Westside Ballet and may also try a class I was told about at the Dance Arts Academy...