Alternative to Baskets: Upcycled Jeans!

For those of you who are lucky enough to know how to sew, even just a little, you've got to see this idea:

http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/04/denim_do-it-all_bins.html

Betz shows how to turn those denim jeans, with some pretty fabric, into useful storage bins! I imagine they would make great toy organizers, magazine holders, craft supply containers and even serve as 'baskets' to put shoes at the door.

What a great way to upcycle a pair of jeans!

Build a Family Photo Wall

(by re-using what you already have!)

Over the years have you boxed up old framed photos, storing them away, only to have them take up valuable storage space? Remove those precious photos from their frames, and put them in photo albums/boxes where they belong.

Now, what to do with all those frames? Sort through them, donate the "odd" ones; you know, the ones you (or someone) thought were cute, but really distract from the photo. The rest, (see photo) spray paint all in one color; black was my choice.

Then frame your current (or favorite) photos in these 'new' frames! They will look great grouped together! I had a lot of frames, more than I had current pictures, but I'm sure I will find pictures for them as the year goes on.

Hanging them close together on your wall allows room to expand, "building" a family photo wall!

Let's Hang Out!

As the weather starts to warm up, we can save on resources by hanging our clothes outside again! Ah, to have a clothesline to air dry your laundry! Easy on your clothes, and your pocketbook!

But what if you don't have a clothesline, or are limited in outdoor space? Look for unique 'opportunities', like the one shown here. It's a piece of leftover plastic piping that's just long enough to hang on two outdoor patio lamp poles that line a flagstone pathway.

By hanging the clothes on hangers, they take up less space. The wrinkles fall out, and the clothes still get this wonderful scent as they dry. It's a win/win situation!

How to Drink More Water!

Want your family to drink more water? So, we already filter our water, probably with one of those charcoal filters in a pitcher, but they take up too much room in the fridge, or on the kitchen table, or it's IN the fridge, not in the family room or at our desk where we are. So we don't drink as much water as we should because it's not convenient. And it's winter time...our furnaces are running and drying up the air. Our skin, hair and our health all would be better if we drank more water.

Here's what you do: Get some of those Italian style swing-top bottles with stoppers (see picture), fill them with filtered water (use your charcoal filtered pitcher), and place these beautiful bottles of water throughout your house. Put one on your kitchen table, another on your dresser in your master bedroom, or on your desk in the study, create some space in your family room for a tray holding a couple water bottles and even more glasses, and maybe even in the guest room on the nightstand.


You will be surprised how it will encourage drinking more water! Added bonus: the sparkle of the water and the glass reflect light, creating sparkle and beauty during these dreary months of winter. So, pick up some of those glass bottles today, fill them and do something good for your family! And don't forget to fill them as you see your family drinking to good health!

Wrapping Paper Alternative

Does it bother you buying that expensive wrapping paper, when you know it will all be thrown away into the landfill? Are you frustrated with using paper gift bags, and still have to use wasteful tissue paper to make it pretty, or to hide what's inside? Do you have to travel with gifts, and worry that the wrapping will rip, or all that added bulk will just add to its size?

Here's one great way around all of that: Wrap your gifts in re-usable linens! Shown here are all my holiday gifts wrapped in new cloth dinner napkins! They are the perfect size for small to medium gifts! You can even use adhesive tape, if you need to, but try just tying with ribbon, cording, raffia, rope, etc. You can even use 2 napkins for the larger gifts; see if you can find which gift in the picture I used 2 napkins.


Right now many stores have their linens half-priced, so for $2 you can wrap your gift within a gift! And to make your gifts even more appreciated, buy a set of napkins, and use exclusively for members of one family, and another set for another family, etc. When the presents are all opened, each family will have a beautiful set of napkins instead of all that torn, wrinkled paper!

FYI: I used white napkins from my linen drawer to wrap gifts for my husband (and myself!).

Too late? You've already wrapped your presents? Well, in January all these linens go on clearance, so buy for next year!

Happy Holidays!
Erin & Judy

P.S. Next year I'm going to try and use embroidered tea towels!

Green Fitness

Getting healthier with a green twist is easy! Check out these healthy eating habits and fitness ideas.

Watch the food you eat and try to avoid “edible food-like substances”, such as my favorite, cheese food. J Avoid extra processing and additives which strip out nutritional value and are more difficult for the body to break down. Feast on a diet rich with fruits, vegetables and whole grains! These fill you up with good protein, vitamins and minerals.

  

Tips:

• Stock up on whole foods and reduce or eliminate processed foods
• Avoid empty calories from things such as soft drinks, chips, and sweets
• Reduce your meat consumption
• Drink more water 

Healthy Eating:

• http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/22/weekinreview/22bittman.html
• http://bicycling.about.com/od/cyclingforabetterbody/a/whole_foods.htm
• http://www.ehow.com/how_2077061_eat-whole-foods-health.html 
• http://www.mykitchenvault.com/

When preparing an exercise routine, consider going green. There are a lot of options for exercising outdoors or using equipment that does not require electricity. Try out fitness trails at your local parks or using free weights at your home. You can also combine a quick walk or jog with running errands at a nearby store.

Tips:

• Head outside for exercising, such as a walk around the pond
• Choose workout clothes made of organic cotton, bamboo or other natural fibers. We love the clothing from Gaia Conceptions, such as the yoga pants pictured above.

Fitness Information:

• http://fitlist.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/03/11/755729.aspx 
• http://planetgreen.discovery.com/go-green/workouts/ 
• http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-frugally-green-workout-tips.html#

Sustainable, Green Fashion

Did you know that your clothing purchase has a much larger impact than just making a fashion statement? Clothes also have an impact on the environment through the materials used, production process and longevity.

The easiest way for your wardrobe to contribute to being green is by avoiding fast fashion, or cheap clothing that is cranked out to meet the latest trends. These items usually have a limited lifespan, both in quality and aesthetics. Obviously, this creates more waste in landfills and increases your carbon footprint through the production and purchase of the clothing. By avoiding throwaway fashion and focusing on wardrobe essentials and timeless classics, you can build a lasting and eco-friendly wardrobe. Add a splash of fun then with a few select trendy pieces.

When you do buy new clothing, look for sustainable, or eco, fashion like the organic wool sweater by Pretty Birdie, http://www.etsy.com/shop/stephanieteague, pictured above. This growing trend of sustainable fashion focuses on creating and producing clothing in environmentally and socially responsible methods. This usually involves reducing chemicals through the production process, using natural materials, creating higher quality clothing that will last longer and following fair trade guidelines.

When looking for sustainable clothing, things you can do are

• Buy clothes made from organic and natural fabrics (such as cotton, bamboo and hemp) or upcycled materials (materials that are reused or repurposed to make something new)
• Shop at vintage or second-hand shops
• Avoid clothing that requires dry cleaning

If you want to read more, check out these online articles:

• Throwaway Fashion Ends Up in Landfill, Green-Pepper.org
  http://green-pepper.org.uk/fashion/throwaway-fashion-ends-up-in-landfill/
• “Green Fashion: 7 Reasons Why You Should Care About Sustainable Fashion” , TreeHugger.com
  http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/09/7-reasons-why-you-should-care-about-sustainable-fashion.php
• “Sustainable Fashion”, Green.Wikia.com
  http://green.wikia.com/wiki/Sustainable_fashion
• “Blood, Sweat and T-Shirts Premiers on Planet Green”, TreeHugger.com
  http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/02/blood-sweat-and-t-shirts-premiers-on-planet-green.php  
• “Spring Fashions: Top 5 Eco-Friendly Clothing Lines That Won't Break the Bank”, TakePart.com
  http://www.takepart.com/news/2008/03/27/spring-fashion-top-5-eco-friendly-clothing-lines-that-wont-break-the-bank

And, as always, Etsy is a great place to shop and support small, independent business.

•  http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=category&search_query=eco&category=clothing