At 2thousand degrees, everything is illuminated.

Since 1997, 2thousand degrees has been creating quality glass light fixtures. Taking its name from the temperature at which silica turns to molten glass, the company offers a bold array of sconces, lamps, and pendulums that range from simple and contemporary to wild and unique. What's more, each piece is available in a range of colors, making the lights easy to match to the interior of your home or office. Shown at right: Noir pendant, Melrose sconce, Palma table lamp, Nest pendant. Visit the website for additional styles and to access the company's convenient showroom locator. 2thousanddegrees.com

Now that the weather has taken a plunge, warm those chilly floors with Gaiam's Potholder rug. Hand-woven by artisans in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts, this plush, chemical-free floor covering is made from recycled sweaters. Before being shredded and loomed, the wool or cotton used to create each rug is first washed and softened, resulting in a nearly inch-thick, tonal rug that is luxurious to the touch.  $169.  3 ½ x 2 1/3 feet. (877) 989-6321. www.gaiam.com


GoLoco.org is a carpooling website that allows fellow travelers to connect through the vast people-finding network offered by Facebook.com. Once users create a profile on Facebook, they can add GoLoco as an application, and from there, search for trips or create their own.  Gas and toll money is settled in advance and paid through an Internet account to avoid miscommunication or an awkward situation once in the car. Members also have peace of mind knowing that all personal information is kept private, and even rider-to-rider phone calls can be made via GoLoco's toll-free forwarding number. While there is a 10-percent fee for transactions made between carpoolers, Facebook and GoLoco are both free to join. www.goloco.org

Photos, from top: courtesy 2thousanddegrees; courtesy Gaiam; istockphoto.com/goloco.org