Drool-worthy, on many levels

I crave cool ways to get the boring accomplished. Storing rainwater. Drying clothes. They don't need to be handled in an interesting way, but sheesh, can't a stay at home mom get a little enjoyment for herself?

My sister-in-law, who may be laughing at, not with me, most of the time, sent me a link to H365 to jazz my life up a little, and for that I'm extremely grateful.

H365 took two easy, somewhat boring essentials and coated them with style.

The RC-1 Rain Collector is a gorgeous piece of rainwater harvesting equipment. I currently have two big black recycled plastic barrels in my backyard, dutifully storing rain water. I know there are some prettier models out there -- even locally at Lurvey's -- but I don't throw away what works perfectly fine just because it ain't the prettiest thing out there.

However. I have several other downspouts looking for a harvesting mate, and once this pretty goes on sale, I am first in line. I love that it's white, mod, and high enough off the ground to make filling the accompanying watering can without too much stooping. According to the website, the RC-1 holds 45 gallons of the most chic rainwater in town.

Just for fun -- here's the DR-1 Drying Rack, which strolls flat and fashionable around your pad until you need an arm for support.

Faux Terra Cotta Composter

My husband's natural inclination, upon seeing the utilitarian black, heavy plastic items I bring home, is to turn up his aristocratic nose (can an Irish nose be aristocratic? Someone enlighten me!). I don't blame him -- my first composter was big, black and industrial-looking. My second was big and industrial, although it was green. And my current composters -- outdoors and vermi -- are, again, big and black and plastic. Ditto for my rain barrels, which he will not allow in the front of the house, or anywhere anyone but me can see them.

While this doesn't bother me a bit, I do see his point about aesthetics. It would be nice -- not necessary, but nice -- if my composters and rain barrels added to the general decor, rather than subtracting from it. This wouldn't mean I'd get rid of the big, black plastic I've got -- just that I'd be allowed to showcase somewhere other than the basement.

Enter Algreen Products. This has to be the nicest looking composter out there (aside from those delicious pots from Daily Dump in India).

I'm not sure how well this composter works -- it isn't open on the bottom (how will beneficial insects get in?), I'm not sure how big the door is for retrieving compost, and it looks pretty small.

However, on the plus side, it's got a storage area at the bottom with a spout for removing compost tea. That's really cool. Although again, how will beneficial insects help the decompostition?

Ah well, it's lovely. They've even got a matching rain barrel, with room for plants on top instead of a cover. Ahhhhhhh.