If you hold the Northwest WorldPerks credit card, you will be automatically switches to a new, and travel unaffiliated, credit card.  With this card, you will not earn mileage for your credit card purchases.

American Express is the exclusive co-brand credit card partner for the “new” Delta (the merged Delta-Northwest), and if you want a SkyMiles accruing credit card, you only choice will be to apply for their Delta SkyMiles Card.  You will then continue to earn miles as before.  And, of course, American Express is offering the usual sign up goodies and bonuses upon approval.

Only you can decide if this, or any other credit card offer, is a good choice for you.  That decision should be made only after a review of all terms and conditions and a look at your financial picture.

It is important, however, that consumer know that the replacement credit card for the former Northwest World Perks card will NOT accrue Sky Miles for purchases.

Does accruing airline miles influence the decision of which credit card to obtain and/or use?  Are mileage perks still a viable way to market credit cards to travelers?

Photo credit: wikimedia

Post from: Blisstree

Northwest World Perks Credit Card Goes Away

kk mentioned historical tours, which are available pretty much nation-wide. In particular, she says to try a candle-light tour in Fort Vancouver, Washington. You can find information at the park’s website.

Since we are exploring ideas for the Northwest, the Portland Rose Gardens would be a great date destination. Take a picnic, take a walk, take a deep breath – what a lovely place to spend some time getting to know someone. For more information on the Portland Rose Gardens, click here.

If you know of some place special and inexpensive in your area, please let me know and I’ll share it with the rest of the readers. We cannot let this dismal economy keep us from finding love and happiness. Flexibility is key, in challenging times.

Image credit: All Posters.com

Post from: Blisstree

Cheap Date Ideas – Northwest US

If you’re lost read this for a quick run down: Will $100,000 Build A Good Green Home?

Post from: Blisstree

Have You Been Following the 100K House?

Around the start of the month I posted this; Blue and Green Pittsburgh Home. It was a cool home and a good post except I said this, “In the usually not-so-green nor innovative Pittsburgh…” yup, me just not thinking.

Honestly, I was thinking. I was thinking that many things I read about Pittsburgh report that much of the architecture is stuck in the past; and is not uniquely eco-friendly. However, have I been to Pittsburgh — no. Also, when speaking of the building process my experience is Northwest and Southwest based so that’s me off base as well.

So, I get a comment after I posted from a concerned Pittsburgh citizen who tells me,

“Your comment “the usually not-so-green nor innovative Pittsburgh” couldn’t be more wrong. Pittburgh is a leader in green building. There are more LEED certified buildings in Pittsburgh than most other cities in the country — it ranks #7. Additionally, a first-of-its-kind program in the country–the Green Building Products Initiative–is beginning its second year at the innovative Green Building Alliance in Pittsburgh.”

Yikes. So I email said commenter and tell her my views and the fact that I’m not so keen on LEED standards because they do make it a smidgen more complicated than need be (you know they do). She emails back and was super nice. Turns out she’s working with Green Building Alliance and the Green Building Product Initiative. She gave me some of her points about where Pittsburgh is making waves in green building and she wasn’t off base so I told her I’d adjust the post. This is my official adjustment though because I felt it deserved it’s own post.

It took me longer to do this though than I told her it would because over the last two weeks I’ve been looking up green building issues in Pittsburgh and to tell you the truth websites covering the green building movement there are few and far between. That said just because Pittsburgh doesn’t have green homes featured every which where doesn’t mean that they are not in fact making headway.

I did check out the Green Building Alliance and the Green Building Product Initiative and both were useful sites if you are interested in eco-friendly building. What I was looking for were a few more unique home examples. I did see some and will likely be showing a few soon I just didn’t see many. However, because of time constraints I haven’t had time to search for architects at places like Low Impact Living.

I was going to post this today and then low and behold but what should appear but a press release about the $100k house. I’ve been talking a while so I’ll just list the main points.

A team consisting of a developer; Postgreen, Interface Studio Architects, Level 5 Construction, Hyperion Bank are attempting to design, build and possibly sell an affordable modern and green home in Philadelphia, PA. Hmmm, speak of the devil right.

Stats from their site include:

• “new construction home on infill lot (18′ x 60′)
• 2 stories and 1,000 square feet
• 2 beds and a bath
• $100,000 or $100 per square foot construction budget
• conforms to LEED (silver?) and possibly other”green guidelines””

I have a few thoughts on this but this post isn’t about that so I’ll fill you in later. For now you can check out their blog 100k House to get the low-down and form your own opinion. I’ll absolutely be reading their blog — it should be interesting.

Anyhow, the gist of this post is that it’s a good deal that many places are trying to build in a more eco-friendly manner; Pittsburgh as well. I appreciate the original commenter who made me think and who was exceptionally nice even though I put down her city. Also, I do apologize if that comment upset anyone else — sometimes I just type while I’m thinking instead of thinking before I type.

Hopefully, we’ll see more green building coming from everywhere in the future and ideally we can dump all the standards because people will build green as normal not the exception and we won’t even need to discuss it. That to me sounds good. I don’t like how green is so “in” it should just be; you know.

Ok, as always if you have thoughts, hate me or adore me; I like all comments so go ahead and say what’s on your mind.

Post from: Blisstree

When you apologize to Pittsburgh are flowers appropriate?

Which I love, but it can be a little gray. There’s nothing better on a rainy gray day in a gray city than seeing a splash of paint.

And really, how many beige houses do we need in the world anyway?

The home painters in Valparaiso are very color savvy.

Just one idea about how to use paint. What do you think? Is the burnt orange a little weird? I kind of like it. (TIP: Click on this house to see many more cool colored homes).

Well, it gets an A+ for originality at least…

This home below is really like a little dash of sunshine!

Now for my favorite (as per usual I have one): Plus, I’m thinking of moving to wherever this is and thought you all should know.

I’m not sure if this Tom Nolle fellow is a photographer, or maybe just recording his travels but I love this picture. Not totally offbeat, but today we’re talking about color and this one to me stands out. The non average, yet earthy colors make these houses shine against the green and blue gray background. I love how it looks like it just rained. This fellow is good in my unprofessional photographer opinion.

If you’ve got a colorful home (or other offbeat home) why not send me a picture? I know some of you readers live in cool places and spaces… Although, obviously, sending me something would be much easier if there was an email address located on this blog.

Guess What! Soon there will be… Until then, you can email me information about your offbeat home at: jennifer.chait (at) b5media.com

Have a great weekend — and stay tuned for BIG news on Monday!!

Post from: Blisstree

Colorful Homes To Brighten Your Weekend