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!!

Valentine’s Day is around the corner and if you don’t have the time or confidence to up-cycle a gift for your lovie the least you can do is make your purchase responsible. Show how much you love your hunnie and our environment, kill two birds with one stone if you will (No actual birds should be hurt please and thank you). Here are some awesome deals from some even awesomer eco-fab places.

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Eco-Chic Events

This article was written by our fave guest blogger and one of my closest friends Danielle Mosley! She wanted to share some excellent tips for hosting eco-chic parties in 2012.
Even though the holiday’s are over there is still a full year of events left to be scheduled!
Here are some simple tips on throwing zero-waste “eco-chic” parties:

1. First things first are invitations.
The easiest way to send an eco-friendly invite is an Evite. There are so many sites doing that these days so you can find the perfect one. Try Evite.com or Stationery by Amy Adele.You can also make your own invites out of things you have from around the house or find items such as recycled card stock at your local craft store. You can be original with the writing by using cut outs from a magazines or even images and make the invite a game to figure out, left over ribbon from the holidays, buttons, you name it!  Be Creative and have fun with it! Guests appreciate when the host goes out of their way and personalizes the party.

2. No matter the size of your party you are going to notice a pile up of trash from plates and cups to straws and cutlery. Skip the plastic and try reusable flatware. Plenty of places also sell biodegradable utensils and flatware, even napkins. Like these Bamboo Plates, Biodegradable Trash Bags or these Biodegradable Paper Straws.

3. Next is décor…you can deck out the whole party with biodegradable goodies like balloons and crepe paper steamers Make your own confetti with scraps of paper from your amazing homemade DIY invites. You can make a pretty amazing centerpiece with magazine flowers . You can even create a mini version of this for a party favor for your guests. Use clean vegetable cans, decorate the outside with a solid piece of recycled paper and decorate in a similar fashion to the invites. If your event calls for real flowers please make sure to buy them locally, make sure they are organic like OrganicBouquet.com.  If you keep bottles and jars like i do you can use them as vases or votives and make cute take aways for your guests as well. If you use candles safely you can save energy and since it is winter if you cook your food and plan arrival times can keep your venue warm without having to turn on your heat.  If you have to use party lights make sure to get energy saving bulbs, no need for your bills to sky rocket just because you want to have fun!

4. Next are food and drinks obviously. I know you know to go local and organic which is easy enough now many local groceries have their won organic or natural sections. In some areas it isn’t as easy to find organic wine or liquor. One of my fave organic wine retailers is OrganicWineCompany.com or you can try Crop Vodkas or Prairie Vodka. If beer is more  your style then try Eel River`s Certified Organic I.P.A .
If you are unsure what kinds of apps and fun food to serve you can always check out our receipe section where I have plenty of fun food for the greenie in you! Also keep in mind if you use all organic foods and biodegradable flatware, cups, utensils you can throw it all to be composted.

Napa Soap Company

I love finding places that are green!! Besides having super cute and yummy smelling products a really cool thing they do is take packaging material donations which I think is pretty cool. Everybody should do this. It just makes sense especially now a days when people do so much online shopping and are swimming in boxes, peanuts or those plastic pillows. Simple ideas like these make for a greener world that is better for all of us. Another awesome bonus to Napa Soap Company is they make their soaps in the USA! To read more about Napa Soap Company and what they do Click right here!

DIY Owl Decorations

I know I just did a DIY project yesterday but I love love love this craft! I have a thing for owls lately and this craft is soo simple and cute that I just counldn’t resist. I think you will love it too! Plus with all of this cold weather why not stock up on awesomely easy crafts! However those of you that use that tubeless tissue brand may be out of luck!

Supplies:
Toilet paper tubes or paper towel tubes
Eco-Friendly Paint
Black Marker
Glue or Double Sided Tape
As usual any odds and ends around the house that you want to use to make your owls more fabulous and personal.

Directions:

1. If you choose to paint your owl, paint the tubes first and let them dry before trying to fold the top down.

2. Take your tube and fold down one end to make the ears. You can choose to glue or tape it to make sure the top says down or if you are planning on hanging the Owls anywhere. Depending on the type of paint you use the fold may remove some paint from the owl you can repaint some spots or paint after you fold.

3. Use the black marker and any other stuff you have to make your owls your own. You can cut holes in the fold to put string through for ornaments. You can make the owls your Advent Calendar instead of trees. If you use papertowel tubes you can cut them in different sizes and have a flock of owls sitting on display!

Do-It-Yourself Advent Calendar

 I am not religious but every year my mother would get me a candy Advent Calendar and give me a tiny gift every day until X-Mas Eve. To this day both traditions are extremely special to me. Not necessarily because I got gifts or candy everyday before the big day but because my mother was sooo excited everytime to give them to me. One day when I have little pups of my own I fully intend on sharing the tradition with my puppies!
I have noticed in the passing years the advent calendars I see are not up to snuff! As per usual I feel you can do it yourself and have a much better time with it. You can change up the calenders every year or keep the ones you make. This is an excellent activity to do since it is getting quite chilly outside! I found this excellent little ditty on FamilyFun.com which is an amazing resource all I did was add a little green!

Materials
Templates
Recycled Green paper in different shades (you can totes use any shapes or colors you want)
Double Sided Tape
Glue
Old Gift Bows or Ribbon
Small gifts or candy
Recycled Tissue paper
Marker
Any odd’s and ends you have around the house that can spruce up your little trees!

Directions:

1. Download the templates and trace the shapes on green paper. Use double sided tape the cones together. Make the other 23 trees of different colors and sizes.

2.Cut or punch out 24 paper circles and write the numbers 1 through 24 on them. Glue the circles to the trees. Add a star or bows to the tops of the trees or save them for the 24th tree.

3. Decorate the trees anyway you like using whatever craft stuff or odds and ends you have around the house to make them unique or leave them plain.

4.Wrap small gifts in tissue paper and place them underneath the cones. You can also use homemade coupons for special things like staying up later, a special dinner or dessert.

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Mandala Record Bowls

Hello the holidays are here! You know you need something to be a center piece or to hold decorations so why not try Mandala Record Bowls?! I know we have all seen the bowls made out of vinyl records before but these have some panache! They colors and designs are hand painted on there. Mandala offers a variety of colors and designs. I am in love with these record bowls. I am not going to lie they are a tad pricey but I completely think the record bowls are worth it for their design and craftsmanship! Click here to get your very own Mandala Record Bowl now!

About:Carnation Pink Mandala Record Bowls are created from recycled 12″ vinyl records. The “platters from the past” are upcycled with fresh acrylic paint and an original Eye Pop Art mandala design which is painted freehand with glossy highlights.

The record bowls are hand painted in original psychedelic patterns, heated, and lovingly sculpted into uniquely organic, flower-like forms. The spindle holes are filled so the bowls are water tight and functional. Semi-gloss polyurethane is used to finish to protect the paint and make the bowls food safe. The original record labels intact (and also sealed with polyurethane) on the bottom of each bowl – which record will YOU get?

Eye Pop Art bowls are fantastic for holding fruit, candy, candles, trinkets, or anything your heart desires. They are bright, colorful art objects to set on your coffee table. They are eco-friendly and make a great conversation piece! Surprise your guests when you tell them to flip the bowl over and see the very interesting recycled material that it was made from!

Most of us have fond memories of the days when all we listened to was records – let the music live forever with a Mandala Record Bowl.

Mandala Record Bowls by Christine Claringbold are hand painted with original designs using high quality acrylic paints, then heated and lovingly sculpted into unique organic, flower-like forms. The artist has sealed up the spindle hole to make the bowl water tight and functional. The entire bowl, as well as the original record label on the bottom of the bowl, has been sealed with a glossy finish.

Made from a recycled 12″ vinyl record, the finished size is about 10″ in diameter and 3″ deep (about 25.4 cm in diameter and 7.62 cm deep).

Product Notes:
- Hand wash gently with a damp cloth, air dry. Please do not put in the dishwasher, oven, or microwave!
- These are hand made items and may take up to one week to ship..

Green Turkey Day Tips

Turkey Day is almost here and every year I post plenty of do it yourself decorations, crafts and activities to green up your Thanksgiving. There are some tips I mention over and over because they are that important. Thanksgiving has become a holiday of gluttony and not thanks for anything in my opinion. Try really being thankful this year and try to give back to the earth.

1. Save the seeds from your dinner and plant them when you can. You can also include the dried and cleaned seeds in a holiday gift for people who attended your Thanksgiving. Give them something to remind them how thankful they should be. You should be thankful for those seeds, they gave you a great meal.  Maybe if properly cared for you can serve those very veggies at your next holiday meal.

2. STAY LOCAL! Get your produce from local farm stands or local grocers. This season for fall harvesting didn’t do that well for some fruits and veggies. I know by me apples took a hard hit locally. You want to keep your neighborhood from becoming a ghost town? You want to make sure you have places to spend your money near you than purchase from around you. Not at the chain places at the Mom and Pop places. Helping your community helps you.

3. Compost all of your leftovers. If you can’t give things away,eat them all or reuse them in other recipes compost them for your yard. No need to throw food into the trash. Depending on what we have I make yummy meals for our pets. I know I am thankful for them so I share to make sure they know it.

4. Use as little packaging and throw away utensils as possible. I personally don’t appreciate disposable items. Not because of their wastefulness but because I feel like you are telling your guests you don’t have the time for real utensils or that they aren’t worth it. I understand disposing is easy but you can put that much more effort into a meal you have slaved all day over and make it look that much nicer. Again, remember show your guests you are Thankful for them!

5. Conserve Energy where you can. Your house is going to obviously get hot with all of the cooking, eating and people in the near vicinity. Turn your heat down or off (depending on the temp. outside) and open some windows. Let’s not forget to not turn every light and electrical gadget on in the house the entire time. While people are cooking try to get people to go outside and be active. Don’t have multiple tv’s, video games and lights on in the house. Force your friends and family to spend time with each other. You will be thankful you saved on your bill the month before the real spending begins.

6. Potluck? I know some people take pride in cooking the whole meal but think of the time and energy everyone saves if they are in charge of bringing one or two things. Everyone gets to actually sit, relax and enjoy time with their friends and family. Try it, you might be thankful that you did!

7. NO TURKEY PLEASE!!! I can read off a ton of statistics about how horribly turkeys are treated and the processes but that isn’t going to make most of you listen. I don’t expect all of you to listen but I hope some do. There are plenty of delicious options to having turkey on your plate. The photo is Tofurkey which looks delish! You can go with other less traditional and or vegan dishes. Get creative. Just because it is called Thanksgiving aka Turkey Day doesn’t mean we can’t change it to Tofurkey Day. If they called it Horse day would we have to eat horse????

Trilogy Trio

Save $22 on Trilogy Today Just in time for the cold weather and the holiday season you get a Trilogy Trio for only $29! This trio usually goes for about $51 total and you can have it for the awesome price of $29!

The Trilogy Trio comes with:
Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil 20ml
Trilogy Face Care Cream Cleanser 20ml
Trilogy Vital Moisturising Cream 50ml

This set is perfect if you have never tried Trilogy products before or if you want to give someone a sample of Trilogy items that may have never used their products before! The trio is a perfect stocking stuffer, Secret Santa or any holiday gift for that matter. Get it while the price is still hot! What is also super cool about Trilogy is that the packaging is biodegradable!! Just thought I might throw that in there.