Can you recommend some places to buy furniture that is affordable yet stylish? I am sort of over Pottery Barn, but can’t find anything that’s as good looking and well-priced. —Molly, Washington, DC

Pottery Barn does make some good looking things, but its wares are relatively omnipresent and in my experience, their customer service is “eh” at best. If you’re experiencing PB overload but like its aesthetic, take a look at Ballard Designs (www.ballarddesigns.com), which offers a slightly more feminine version of the classic, top-quality, well-priced, great-looking furniture, accessories and art. I also recommend Ethan Allen (www.ethanallen.com), the very reasonably-priced Basset Furniture (www.bassetfurniture.com) and for sofas Club Furniture's (www.clubfurniture.com) are identical to Pottery Barn’s for a fraction of the cost.

In an attempt to live a greener life, I’ve been trying to kick my use of bottled water and instead use a refillable water bottle religiously. Problem is, I can’t find a good one. Any ideas?—Stephanie, Amarillo, TX

First of all, kudos to you, Stephanie. According to the Beverage Marketing Corporation, bottled water is the single largest growth area among all beverages (and that includes alcohol, juices and soft drinks). In America, per capita consumption has more than doubled over the last decade, yet only about 12 percent of the bottles consumed are recycled. Reducing the amount of waste is easily accomplished—as you know—by toting a reusable water bottle. I like the ones by Nalgene; they come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors and retain their temperature really well. I tote the 24 oz. N-Gen bottle in my favorite color du jour, orange ($10.25 at www.nalgene-outdoor.com). Its cap features a molded in loop, providing a convenient spot to clip or use as a finger loop for simple, comfortable carrying. Even better—it’s totally dishwasher-safe. If you prefer a smaller, more narrow-mouth bottle, check out Nalgene’s 16 oz. PC Loop-Top Bottle, which comes in a pretty, unabashedly girly pink ($8.38,www.nalgene-outdoor.com).

My garbage disposal is really smelly these days. Is there a good way to clean it?—Simona, Tarrytown, NY

Deodorizing your disposal is now a snap, thanks to the genius that is Plink Garbage Disposal Cleaner and Deodorizer. Here’s how they work: once or twice a week, drop one of these small round balls into your kitchen sink disposal, then run a stream of hot water to dissolve it slightly. Run the disposal for 10 minutes or so and presto: built-up deposits of fat and food particles dissolve away and a fragrant scent fills the kitchen. Available in either lemon or orange scents, the set of 10 balls comes neatly arranged in a compact plastic case that stores out of sight under the sink. Don’t worry, chemical-phobes —they’re biodegradable and, therefore, friendly to both the environment and plumbing (3 packages for $13.99, www.shehasit.com).