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While winter is still around, there is no better time than the present to consider a new garden style. For 2023, we are sharing some of the top garden trends to consider when it comes to your landscaping. Read on for some green-thumb inspiration. 

Consider Vertical Gardening 

Don’t be held back by limited outdoor space! 2023 is the year to explore vertical gardening. This garden trend is a great way to add some color and privacy while making use of what little yard you may have. Perfect for renters or condo owners who can’t commit – these gardens provide an eye-catching alternative with plenty of possibilities. Homeowners are not excluded either! You, too, can create climbing greenery walls as your dream work-from-home backdrop without ever leaving home!

Try Maximalism

This year, outdoor spaces are transforming into a landscape of energy and vibrancy with the emergent trend of maximalism. Rather than relying solely on kitsch elements, this style celebrates color, volume, and texture. Likewise, the results of this garden trend create an eclectic atmosphere that is both inviting and fun. In recent years, maximized landscaping has provided a much-needed breath of fresh air. The style of the garden brings together wild perennial meadows or luxuriant tropical hillsides. This can then be paired with unique hardscaping features like handmade tile accents for maximum impact!

Choose to be Eco-Conscious

Home gardeners are driving a global push towards sustainability that starts with their own yards. An increasing number of homeowners are seeking to replace water-thirsty lawns. They are instead opting for non-traditional landscaping designs like clover or native and climate-adapted species, which require significantly less maintenance, water, and fertilizer. Additionally, this year looks promising in terms of the development of hardscape structures suitable for flood areas as well as fire-safe planting options near wildland urban divides. This idea is indeed growing – research from Pinterest Predicts shows searches related to drought-tolerant landscaping rose 385% by the end of 2022!

Be-Friendly to Bees with Your Garden

As we enter 2023, it is expected that more and more yards will become havens for pollinators – particularly bees. Homeowners are beginning to understand the numerous benefits of supporting bee diversity in their gardens by planting such flowers as daisies, lavender, lilacs, and honeysuckles. Experts predict that many will shift their garden to bee-friendly landscaping in the coming years.

Say Hello to Meadowscaping

This year, we’re seeing an increased variety of planting styles for flower beds. People are embracing the “meadow style” look, which is characterized by its low-water and low-maintenance features. Likewise, this garden-style choice creates curb appeal due to natural materials such as silver grass, lomandra, and blue fescue. This aesthetic promises a relaxed yet visually interesting environment with minimal upkeep required.

A new week, a new batch of tech headlines. Stay in sync with all the major news happening in the world of technology, science, and media. Check out this week’s blog for tech news from NASA’s Webb Telescope to $99 Apple Airpods and more!

NASA’s Webb Telescope Spots First Earth-Sized Exoplanet

After only a year of operation, the groundbreaking James Webb Telescope has made its first major astronomical discovery – confirming the existence of an Earth-like exoplanet just 41 light-years away. Analysis from NASA‘s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and data collected by Webb revealed that LHS 475 b is nearly identical in diameter to our home planet and orbits around nearby red dwarf star LHS 475. This remarkable breakthrough marks one of many fascinating findings sure to come thanks to this incredible collaboration between NASA and European Space Agency! “There is no question that the planet is there. Webb’s pristine data validate it,” Jacob Lustig-Yaeger from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, who helped lead the research, said in a statement. “With this telescope, rocky exoplanets are the new frontier.”  

Airbus Tests Autonomous Flying Tech in Some of its Planes

Airbus has taken to the skies with DragonFly. The suite of automated technology is designed to improve flight safety and keep efficiency at maximum lift-off. These exciting new advancements include such items as automatic emergency detours midflight. Additional features are autopilot landing capabilities and taxi assistance. Airbus’ DragonFly technology takes its cue from nature; this system is designed to mimic the remarkable way that dragonflies navigate and recognize specific locations. Its purpose? To give aircraft a helping hand in autonomous takeoff, incident-handling, and landing – so they can operate safely with or without crew members on board.

Apple to Possibly Release $99 AirPods in 2024

Reportedly, Apple could soon have cheaper AirPods in their lineup for just $99. This is following a prediction by renowned tech analyst Ming-Chi Kuo on Wednesday. Likewise, this would be well below the suggested retail price of current-generation AirPods. In addition, it would be even lower than prices seen from third-party retailers like Amazon. The new generation AirPod Max is also expected sometime after late 2024 at around $549. This of course, is only marginally higher than what consumers currently pay for second-generation Pro versions. Apple did not respond to the request for comment. 

Gas Stoves Recommended to be Phased Out by Harvard Study 

A recent Harvard study has ignited a heated debate (literally) around the safety of gas stoves. Currently, gas stove use continues to be commonplace-appearing in up to 40% of households nationwide. The research conducted by Harvard questions the long-term effects on the health of humans using gas stove tops. Additionally, there is also the potential of replacing natural gas stoves entirely if deemed necessary from federal regulation perspectives. The 16-month Harvard study published on June 28, 2022, in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, took samples from 69 stoves in homes serviced by three different natural gas companies across the Boston area.

Winter isn’t just a time for hibernation; it’s the perfect opportunity to clear out the old and make space for something new. Give your home some midwinter tender loving care with these January home tips designed to warm up your abode and inspire exciting plans in 2023!

Quick Things to Check for and Check Off Your January Home List

Protect your home and family this winter by making sure that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in good working order. Take the time to systematically test each device, replacing batteries when necessary for optimal safety assurance during cold weather months.

Make your home perfect for indoor fun. Revamp the board game nook – ensure each beloved set has all its pieces, then store away those that are no longer played with to free up space or give them to someone else who might enjoy it! 

Get ready for the chill of winter with an inventory check and refresh of your cold-weather accessories! Cozy socks, hats, scarves, and gloves can help keep you warm during chilly months. Scout through any hiding places – to take stock of what’s available so that you’re prepared when temperatures drop. Time to get shopping if needed!

The Weekends are For Fun and Checking off Your January Home List

In winter, it’s important to take proactive steps to ensure that your pipes don’t suffer a costly freeze. Make sure any exposed outdoor plumbing is insulated, and set up a neighbor or friend with access so they can turn on your water in case of an emergency. Also, be aware of where the home shut-off valves are located for quick attention if you experience bursting pipes due to freezing temperatures. Anticipate ahead in this cold weather by protecting vulnerable piping now!

Give your potted plants some extra love in the dry winter months by introducing additional humidity to their air. Consider a humidifier or misting occasionally with plain water – particularly soothing for thirsty citrus trees and ferns!

Once the holidays are over, put away your decorations with care for next year. To keep delicate ornaments safe and string lights from becoming tangled, wrap them in tissue paper and cardboard, respectively. Consider donating the lesser used items- if something is broken beyond repair, then be sure to discard it accordingly, too! And don’t forget about cheerful holiday lighting! Keeping those winter twinkle lights well into January can bring a little comfort during these cold months!

Lastly, consider any home projects you want to plan for the year. Use the first month of 2023 to get your plans, ideas, and ducks in a row.

The first week of the year has breezed on by. From big news at CES 2023 to drone delivery and more, we have you covered. Get connected to the top tech headlines around the globe! Read on for our weekly round-up of the world wide web’s leading tech stories!

The Biggest Takeaways from CES 2023

CES 2023 has officially kicked off, bringing with it an array of the latest and greatest tech from industry giants Samsung to Sony. With numerous impressive products revealed, such as beautiful TVs, gaming rigs, and 8K projectors – plus a brand new concept device – there’s plenty to capture attention on this show floor. Further exciting CES 2023 news included confirmation that in just three years’ time, we can safely expect cars powered by beloved electronics giant Sony whizzing around our roads! The company expects its EV vehicles to be on the road by 2026. BMW’s i Vision Dee concept car combines AI and specialty lighting to create a vehicle that has the smarts of Siri and the style to match you. Over at Asus, the company wants users to experience 3D cinematic visuals on its laptops without the need for glasses. Companies like Display TV are ditching wires to bring to life a fully wirelessly TV. And lastly, with 190,000 color combinations and a built-in Bluetooth speaker, the LG MoodUp fridge is revolutionizing refrigeration. The average kitchen fridge gets a major upgrade by transforming it into an immersive atmosphere of music and light. The future has arrived!

Deliveries via Drone are Closer to a Reality Than You Think

This year, a revolutionary new way to deliver essential items is soaring through the skies. Zipline, an innovative startup, has developed drones with fixed-wing designs that pilot themselves autonomously in order to deliver needed products like Band-Aids and Advil at lightning speed. On top of a bluff south of San Francisco overlooking the Pacific Ocean stands one such drone perched atop its catapult launch ramp awaiting test flight—a remarkable testament to innovation stemming from this groundbreaking technology set for future expansion into everyday life. Drone delivery offers a paradigm shift in convenience, with the potential to radically reduce traffic and carbon emissions. Likewise, technology could revolutionize how we access essential services like medication deliveries or satisfying caffeine cravings from afar. Likewise, with many other companies having their own drone delivery in the works, we can expect a big change in how things are delivered. 

Neutrogena Seeks to Improve Skin Through 3D Print Gummies Customized to Your Skin

This week at CES, Neutrogena introduced an innovative new product – Skinstacks skin-nutrient gummies. The custom chewables are designed to nourish your skin with a personalized nutrient blend. Tailored specifically to you through facial scanning technology, the supplements were developed in partnership with the Nourished. Encompassing vegan, sugar-free formulas and plastic-free packaging, this revolutionary health optimizer promises the best version of yourself all while tasting great. Likewise, this is a major step forward in the company’s skincare initiatives.

Honda and Sony Announce New EV car brand Afeela

Sony and Honda unveiled a revolutionary electric car prototype at the premier technology event, CES. Dubbed Afeela, this joint venture combes Sony’s wealth of AI experience with an industry leader in auto-making. The venture has promised to deliver its first production model come 2026! With innovative features such as virtual reality integration, customers can expect more than just a vehicle. “Afeela represents our concept of an interactive relationship where people feel the sensation of interactive mobility and where mobility can detect and understand people and society by utilizing sensing and AI technologies,” Mizuno said.

Mercedes-Benz and ChargePoint to install thousands of EV fast chargers across the US

Mercedes-Benz and MN8 Energy are collaborating with ChargePoint to launch a revolutionary project. This endeavor will involve churning out 400 EV charging hubs across the US at an approximate cost of €1 billion. The aim is to bolster sales for electric vehicles as well as revamp America’s floundering EV charger infrastructure. The newly implemented stations are anticipated to have more than 2,500 DC fast chargers. “This is for us a strategic decision to really put our money where our mouth is,” Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius said in a briefing with reporters earlier today, “and back up the direction that we’re already taking over the last few years, pivoting towards electric and putting the company in a position by the end of this decade to be able to serve markets with an all-electric lineup.”