Green Cupboards

May 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Green Cupboards

Green Cupboards

It seems I have been slacking on my hunting down green businesses. I have been a bad beagle! I didn’t want to continue to disappoint so I have found GreenCupboards.com. I have written a few articles on items I have found at their store. GreenCupboards.com offers a wide variety of items such as toys, grocery items, outdoor, office and even electronics. I know many green retailers may sell green products but their values are lacking. GreenCupboards.comgoes out of their way to assure their customers that they are as legitimate as their products.

About GreenCupboards.com: Green Cupboards is a leading online retailer of eco-friendly products for homes and businesses. Based in Spokane, Washington, the company was the winner of a regional university business plan competition and was subsequently co-founded in 2008 by Gonzaga University graduates Josh Neblett, Sarah Wollnick and their Adjunct Professor, Tom Simpson.
Struck by the lack of one-stop shopping alternatives for eco-friendly merchandise, the co-founders set out to create a customer-centric brand and streamline the way people buy green. Greencupboards targets consumers who strive to do the right things to sustain the planet, yet are challenged to find a broad selection of eco-friendly products that work and cost about the same as a their non-green counterparts.
GreenCupboards offers the vastest array of thoroughly vetted eco-friendly products of any e-retailer in our market. We currently provide approximately 15,000 unique items from over 600 suppliers. Critical to our mission, we endeavor to provide an easy, fun and educational shopping experience, over-the-top customer service and competitive prices. To date, we have satisfied the purchasing needs of over 100,000 consumers.
GreenCupboards employs over 50 youthful, zany and eco-friendly minds. Our culture is as dynamic as the shopping experience we deliver.

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Repurposing & Home Decor

April 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Repurposing & Home Decor

Repurposing & Home Decor

I have been doing a lot of crafting around my house lately trying to see what I have to repurpose. Pinterest has been helping me with ideas as well but I wanted to see what some books have for repurposing ideas. I was almost on hoarder status saving things I knew I could get use out of but I wasn’t sure when I would find a use or for what and now I have found it.Repurposing & Home Decor has some really great ideas for me. Repurposing & Home Decor is an excellent how to for DIY repurposing projects as well as gives you advice on what not to do along with helpful tips. I am really excited to start playing around with some things I have laying around. I have a large backyard that I have been dying to fully utilize and this book is just the ticket to getting my yard where I want it to be.
What are your repurposing experiences? How tos? Do’s and don’ts?

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Rescue A Dog, Save A Life

March 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Please help these amazing animals find homes! If you don’t they will be destroyed. Do you have any idea how many dogs are destroyed a day, month year all over the United States? It is heartbreaking and horrible! Please rescue a dog and save a life!

Daniel

Daniel

DANIEL A0926583We know Daniel has a beautiful feminine features look at her face. We also know she is hurt, but we aren’t told more than that; what is hurt or how bad. She did get a green on her medical eval, so that means even though she was in pain she was polite, lady like and used her manners! Lets get her out and give her the vet assistance she needs because even though we don’t know what she’ll need from the vet.

Diamond

Diamond

DIAMOND (A0926174)Diamond came in with Queen, two scared girls now living in cages. Diamond can add pizzazz in your life~who doesn’t need that! A person visiting the shelter saw this happening and said, ” they are lovely, extremely timid, trembling dogs, both with tails tucked between their legs. Mild-mannered in every way. Both looking up into their master’s eyes for any sign of what was happening to them or what would come next. Shy, loving, fearful, trusting. He said good-bye to them and they were led into the back.

Eva

Eva

EVA (A0922743)Eva is a wonderful girl who is so well behaved and yet at risk of being put down soon if no one comes forward to foster or adopt her.  She is strikingly pretty with a well groomed coat, she appears to be house trained “going” as soon as we were on the street, she sits on command and takes treats very gently, she posed beautifully for her pictures, went into the play position when we met big dogs in the park, and ignored the small yappy ones. Eva is good on the leash, walking nicely, checking up with me to make sure everything was OK (and it certainly was!). This is a wonderfully affectionate little girl who will be happy spending time with her human no matter what activity might be happening -a long walk, a ball chase or simply curling up together watching TV. Do make a point of meeting Eva, she is ready to meet her forever family now. She is rated ‘green’ which means she will fit into any living situation. Please help her get out before it’s too late.

 

Eve

Eve

EVE (A0887616)Eve  has that look on her face that says, “what did I do wrong, tell me and I PROMISE not to do it again! With her tail WRAPPED around her ♥ She’s trying to comfort herself ♥ She was adopted for a month and then returned. Her former owners are moving~~Help a 4 year old petite girl out. Be her comfort

 

Frank

Frank

FRANK (A0925723)Frank is sleeping in his kennel. He is an older dog and I am wondering if I should disturb him. Let’s do it….I woke him up, picked him up, said a few nice words into his ears, and off we went for a walk…. Frank does not act that old… He trots around the block and when it was time to go back, insisted to stay out a little longer. Frank is a sweet little guy. He seems to have an eye infection but sees well at least with the other eye. He will need medical care upon his discharge from the Care Center. Frank likes to be on the lap and to be caressed. He is a gentle soul who deserves his place in the sun and among humans who will truly care and love him. Frank needs you now. Please start contacting rescues now.

Dutchess

Dutchess

 

DUTCHESS (A0925442) What kind of story could Dutchess tell us?? She’s already spayed, has a microchip but yet she is in a shelter and half starving? We’ll never know her story but we can can start a new one for her! Let’s start with saving her from death row! Next, take her home and feed her, give her some meds for her cough and LOVE LOVE LOVE her! ♥ She is a total sweetheart and is being overlooked tonight. Please don’t let it be the end of her story tomorrow. Rescue her before it’s too late. NO TIME LEFT!!!

ESSENCE

ESSENCE

ESSENCE (A0925137)A BEAUTIFUL girl with a heart and soul that will complete YOU! Let her Essence be a breath of fresh spring air. Let her start anew, she had a family once, for 2 months. She DESIRES another one. She has a FANTASTIC SAFER. Start your tomorrow and the rest of your tomorrows with an essential aspect for your life.

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The Only Acceptable Use I Have For A Rake

January 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment
DIY JEWELRY ORGANIZER

DIY JEWELRY ORGANIZER

 

 

I am not generally a fan of yard work. I don’t mind keeping up the garden or starting it but the hard raking and digging isn’t always my cup of tea. I especially despise rakes! We are not friends and more often than not I hurt myself or someone else when using one. I found this amazing idea for old rakes at WebEcoist.com!
I have a ton of jewelry I’ve acquired/made over the years and although I have a huge jewelry chest that is quite well organized you can always use more organization, I feel. The image above displays perfectly and simply how an old rake can be quickly transitioned into a jewelry organizer, however I would go one step further and instead of using just a string for your earrings (some earrings may not stay on well) I would say find old mesh or tulle you have around the house. Cut it to fit the area of the rake and either clue or tie it to the rake. This way you can fit more earrings and keep them attached more securely. I cannot wait to get home and take apart all of the rakes we have at home for this exact purpose….maybe it will get me out of yard work this year!!

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Make Your Old Candles New

January 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Make Old Candles New

Make Your Old Candles New

 

 

While un-Christmas-ing our house last weekend I realized we have a bunch of candles that we can’t use anymore but I didn’t want to throw them out because there was still plenty of wick, wax and perfectly good jars for some left over. I have many a glass container sitting in our basement waiting for some good use and it struck me, I can make new candles out of these. I always struggle with our tea lights as well that can’t burn anymore but there is still wax left over. I did some online research and making old candles new really isn’t that difficult.

1. Separate your colored, scented and plain candle wax from each other. In the articles I have read mixing colors generally turns the wax brown so trying to mix may not always be that good of an idea. The same goes for scented wax. The idea of mixing scents sounds fun but they may not mix as pleasantly as you might think.

2. If you have wax in glass containers you can remove the wax by boiling water in a pot. Once the water is boiling put the glass containers in the water and let sit until wax is melted enough to pour out of the container.

3. While you are waiting for the water to boil/wax to melt get your new containers or molds ready.  Make sure to clean the containers first and that they are dry before pouring wax in.  Also make sure the glass is at room temperature before pouring the wax in.  You don’t want them to crack.

4. If you want to add color or scents to plain candles while the wax is melted add some food coloring, or your favorite scented oils. You can also add dried fruit or herbs if you want to get fancy. Make sure to stir thoroughly.

5. Once the was is ready you can pour into the container, mold or cookie sheet. If you are pouring directly into a container make sure to put a straw in the center of the candle while the wax is still hot so you can put the wick in it. Once you have the wick where you want it slowly remove the straw from the middle. I wouldn’t pull the straw completely out so you can make sure the wick doesn’t fall into the hot wax and melt back into the candle. If you are using a cookie sheet/mold and intend to cut out shapes let the wax harden a little before cutting the shapes follow the same instructions for adding the wick as in the container except you may have to hold the straw up if the mold isn’t tall enough to keep the straw from falling over while the wax is still hot.

6. Once the wax has dried a little and is ready to cut, do so carefully with a cookie cutter or knife. Remove the mold or cookie cutter quickly so the wax doesn’t stick to it but also make sure the shape holds. If it doesn’t the wax is too soft.

7. Once the wax is set and hard you have brand new candles without spending any money! You can give them away as gifts or keep them for yourself.

8. If you want to layer colors or scents you can use a oj or milk carton as a mold.  Pour the first layer in the mold and wait for it to set, then the next and so on until you have the layers you want.  You can follow the same directions with the straw as above for adding the wick.

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Interesting Uses For Dryer Sheets

January 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Interesting Uses for Dryer Sheets

Interesting Uses for Dryer Sheets

 

 

If you still use dryer sheets at home here are some interesting uses I read about that will give you more bang for you dryer sheet buck!
Now I will also preface this list by saying that if you do still use them read this list very carefully and think about if the dryer sheet can do the things below maybe you should rethink if they are really necessary to your laundry regime…just sayin.

1. Dish Scrubber – If you have a pesky burnt or baked on something stuck to your dishes and you have no Brillo or anything to scrub it off with, put the dryer sheet on the dirty dish with some soap and warm water over night and apparently the gook will be gone. What is in those suckers?

2. Gnat Repeller – Apparently Kansas State had the funds and interest to find out what repels insects besides repellent and dryer sheets were a winner. Apparently the chemicals used in dryer sheets prevent gnat larvae from surviving. Are you sure you want to continue using those things.

3. Pet Hair Remover – Forget the convenient rollers! Dryer sheets do the work for you. Not only do they do it in the dryer but if you simply rub them on to your dry clothes while you are wearing them they fulfil the same purpose. Good to know!

4.Hard Water Stain Remover – Hullo! Do you have a water stain a sponge and cleaner can’t remove! Then just whip out your handy dandy dryer sheet and it will buff that right out for you! Good to know…or is it?

5. Instant Sachets – I will admit that a few times in the past when we were still using dryer sheets and a sheet got stuck in a pocket or something it def does freshen up your drawer but apparently it works even better when you put an unused one in there too! You can stop using those silly potpourri stuffed bags and just use them from the laundry basket!

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Pumpkins Gone Batty

September 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Pumpkins Gone Batty

Pumpkins Gone Batty

 

 Materials:
Eco Green Acrylic Paint Black
Mini pumpkins (you could also try gourds for fun to make vampires, witches, spiders) from a local farm if you haven’t grown your own.
Black and white craft foam
Wings,ears & eyes template (just google it)
Hole punch
Glitter
Hot Glue

 

 

Directions:
1. Paint the pumpkins.
2. Sprinkle your bat with glitter (if you want)
3. Allow the pumpkin to dry completely. You can paint them any color you want. No one says bats can’t be green or pink right?
4. For each bat, choose a type of wings and eyes from your templates you like best.
5. Trace and cut out eyes from the white craft foam. Use the hole punch to make pupils.
6. Use the glue gun to stick the eyes to the pumpkin.
7. Cut the ears and wings from the black craft foam.
8. Attach the ears using a thin strip of hot glue.
9. Attach the wings using another thin strip of hot glue.
10. Let all attached pieces set. If the wings and ears look floppy you can use toothpicks (colored black) to stick to the backs to make sure the wings and ears hold their shape.

You can also wait until the end to sprinkle glitter on your entire finished pumpkin and spray it with adhesive. It is up to you. You can add pipe cleaners and make your creation zany! Use your imagination that is the most important part.

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New Look For Old Plates

August 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment
New Look For Old Plates

New Look For Old Plates

 

 

If you have old plates at home or mismatched sets instead of throwing them out why not spruce them up! I have seen these in a few different places and thought this is an amazing idea if you are a crafter or even if you want to get some new home decor.

 

 

 

Supplies:
Recycled Sticker Paper
Spray Paint
Glue Gun
Craft odds & ends you have from around the house

Instructions:

1. Find the silhouette images you like on line and print them out on the recycled sticker paper.
2. Place the sticker on the plate in the desired area.
3. Spray the plates any color or combination of colors you want.
4. Let the plates dry for 5 to 10 minutes depending on colors and coats
5. Add any odds and ends you can find from around the house to spruce up your plates. (ie ribbons, sequins, broken jewelry)

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Reclaimed Wood Organizer

August 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Reclaimed Vintage House Wood Organizer with drawer

Reclaimed Wood Organizer

I keep telling you how school is here and getting ready is a must. Whether you are going away to school or just need to get better organized Chaba has designed a unique way of getting it done. Chaba’s Reclaimed Wood Organizer can help you keep your school work or project junk in one organized area with no mess and nothing getting lost.

About:

The word Chaba represents the beautiful Hibiscus flower that grows widely throughout Thailand and other parts of the Pacific. We take pride in our RECYCLED WOOD products. Why cut down trees when we can re use old ones. We retrieve the old wood from torn down buildings, schools, boats, and homes in Thailand.
We’ve turned something old, and turned it into a new unique form of art and home or office decor. Our handmade recycled wood products is reclaimed and refinished to perfection.
Each frame and accent item is one of a kind and in effect, an artifact due to the process of its creation. We are proud that these frames and other decor pieces are used to capture the memories, art, and the essence of life whilst being entirely eco-friendly. Chaba Decor promotes sustainability and fair trade by purchasing wood pieces from local woodworkers who set out to collect wood from torn down building sites including some old Tsunami wreckages. We then employ local artisans to make our items using their original craft and manufacturing methods.

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Are Your Pots Safe?

June 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I know most of us greenies are all about organic and local food for our bodies but what about the tools we use to cook and prepare our food? How safe are all of the items we use? Who knows, I have no idea what my pots are made of or where they really came from. I have some expensive ones that were gifts and cheap ones I bought for last minute reasons. I have never really considered what I am cooking in may not be safe at all.

Did you know:
When heated, Teflon emits toxic particles and gasses, linked to countless human health illnesses. Aluminum cookware has raised health concerns due to its effect on the human nervous system and is linked to Alzheimer’s Disease. Stainless steel contains both chromium and nickel, (the 18/8 stainless referring to the percentage of each element contained). Both of these substances in the form they are used to make stainless steel are considered toxic to humans, causing a wide range of adverse health effects.
“Green Cooking Pots are made of enameled cast iron and are free of any chemicals, making them a great alternative to potentially toxic cookware. Green Cooking Pots and skillets make healthy cooking affordable and simple. Enameled cast iron absorbs heat and distributes it evenly, creating an efficient cooking experience, whether it is the slow roasting of vegetables or the simmering of soups. They can be used on any heat source including the oven for casseroles or baking bread.”

I have never actually thought of my pots and pans of cute but an added bonus to purchasing Green Cooking Potsare super cute and colorful! That may not mean much to you but I absolutely love color where ever I can get it so these pots have me way excited. I will say that the pots are moderately priced so to buy a bunch at once may not be a reasonable option for everyone but once your old pots are ready to be recycled you can purchase piece by piece or if you are soon to be married think about putting Green Cooking Pots on your registry.

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