Considering how plugged in and geeked out our homes are these days, sometimes it baffles me that the simplest, often most crucial things aren't well-lit. Personally, I'm a big fan of motion-sensor lighting, so when you're walking toward your front (or back) door you won't trip and wind up falling flat on your back. But motion-sensor lighting doesn't help passersby who are trying to locate your crib.
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One of the main reasons that green power hasn't taken off is its high price tag, but Australian PhD candidate Nicole Kuepper may be changing that. This green-thinking student has discovered a way to produce solar cells using a pizza oven, nail polish, and ink jet printers.
According to the The Sydney Morning Herald:
Ms Kuepper realised a new approach would be needed if affordable cells were to be made on site in poorer countries: "What started off as a brainstorming session has resulted in the iJET cell concept that uses low-cost and low-temperature processes, such as ink-jet printing and pizza ovens, to manufacture solar cells."
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If you read my reclaimed wood bench Before and After, you'll remember that the Oakland-based design-building studio, Because We Can, was hired by SunPower to create furniture for their new office in an old Ford manufacturing building. The reclaimed wood benches that they designed are beautiful, but their job didn't stop there. SunPower, a solar power company, also asked Because We Can to design them special table for their executive office, with a different feel than their other furnishings.
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If you're looking for inspiration on ways to go eco chic look no further than Kristin Davis. Perhaps better known as Charlotte from Sex and the City, this celeb is surprisingly green in her lifestyle choices. While it's true that she did drive a Beemer to the Sex and the City movie premiere, her BMW was actually hydrogen powered.
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Wow, well this is unexpected. While I'd expect to find a solar charger for your gadgets at a more eco-oriented store, I never thought I'd see one at Urban Outfitters. However, it makes sense that this company is selling chargers, since so many of their customers have a glut of gadgets that need recharging.
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According to New York magazine, actor and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio has just bought a unit at Riverhouse, an eco-friendly high rise in New York City. Although the price for Leo's unit is unknown, these units usually sell for between $800,000 to $4 million, depending on the size.
Riverhouse is truly an eco-friendly high rise (and I wouldn't expect anything less in a home purchase from the eco-friendly actor).
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Solara, a new apartment community in San Diego County, California, is the first apartment complex in the country that is completely powered by solar energy. But that's not all—these homes are also affordable, and are built for families that make only moderate incomes.
This project was made possible through a collaboration with the city of Poway, California, Community Housing Works, and Global Green USA. 
I am all about mood lighting. Even when it's just a cozy movie night, I set the mood with candles and dim lighting. So, I am always looking out for new lighting tricks and this SunJar, $55, is the coolest. 
