Lampshade cover for the new year

Happy new year everyone! Although we don't get snow, the thermometer dropped to 26C and we didn't have to turn on the fan or aircon at night.  For those who have never visited Southeast Asia, temps at night can be around 30C, so a 4C difference does wonders! :-)

I was looking at my miserable lamp that sits on my dresser the other day.  Here it is.  It's been with me for 6 years and it has faded from a topaz blue to a dull greyish blue. I got it at IKEA for around SG$16.  It's still working, but I don't want to splurge on another lamp or go to IKEA to replace the lampshade.

Miserable lamp :-(

Lamp with a "new" lampshade at zero cost! When it's dusty, just take it off and throw it in the wash - no need for your duster! Woo hoo - makes the housework simpler :-)

I actually made a cover out of a top that doesn't fit me around the waist (getting old!).  It's very easy.  All you need is your needle & thread (or sewing machine), scissors, elastic and fabric. The fabric used was a jersey type material. You can use cotton, but then you would have to iron it after each wash :-(

Merry Christmas!

Here's wishing everyone a Merry Christmas! :-)  Stay safe and, to my friends in cold countries, keep warm!

Creative houses from reclaimed stuff

We need a Dan Phillips in Singapore. We're always pulling down buildings and building new ones in Singapore.

The dolphins are still coming :-(

Resorts World Sentosa is not bringing in the whale sharks, but they are still going to bring in the dolphins that were captured in the wild to be brought here!

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer!

Now you know what to do with all those toilet rolls! Cute idea for Christmas!

Photo via Guardian

Reporting?

Are companies telling what needs to be told on their Corporate Social Responsibility Reports? These reports cover a company's social, economic and environmental impacts, and are published on an annual basis. Sometimes, most of the time ( I really don't know), we have to take their word for it.  The vast majority of organisations will follow the Global Reporting Initiative  reporting framework, and will be graded depending on the range of indicators covered and whether GRI or an independent body has verified the report. 


CSR reports such those by BP, Shell and Pfizer, may raise a few eyebrows especially when they are graded B and above. In fact, BP and Shell are graded A+ for their reports.   A report may show us an organisation is transparent and sustainable, but in practice I believe more needs to be done (take how BP reacted when the Gulf of Mexico spill happened). I was particularly disturbed by these articles published in The Guardian (from the recent wikileaks cables):


a) Pfizer 'used dirty tricks to avoid clinical trial payout'; and
b) Shell's grip on Nigerian state revealed


These actions certainly don't reflect what they claim to stand up for in their CSR reports. It's all bollocks, and total dishonesty! 

Gingerbread house & DIY snowflake

My son's school taught them to make snowflakes using popsicle sticks and buttons. I think they're great for the Christmas tree.  I thought the teachers' idea of using a paper bag to make a gingerbread house was great too.  When Christmas is over, just fold it flat to store it away.

Hectic wkend at GSIF 2010

I volunteered on Saturday. It was really tiring but it felt good to volunteer for a good cause. Then today, I participated in the plenaries and workshops. The take back message I got is to make society inclusive and sustainable. 

GSIF 2010

I'm volunteering at the Global Social Innovators Forum 2010 tomorrow.... interesting programme too..

Topics tomorrow include
Collaborative Innovation: Can Knowledge Rework the World?
Inside A Gamechanger’s Mind!
Branding for change - How Coca Cola & Apple Conquers The World?
Poetic Imageries and Reality!
Imagine the world in 2030!

Naturally Better

Discovered a new store at Orchard Central called The Naturally Better Company.

They sell the ecostore products from New Zealand.  Ecotech Solutions, which manufactures the products is certified the environmental management system ISO 14001, and there products use natural ingredients.  Haven't bought any myself, but would love to hear from anyone who has!