Eco-Friendly & DIY Christmas Decor

Now these are super late!  But it's never too early to start thinking about holiday decorations.  (Or in my case, in advertising, we're already shooting Christmas trees and planning for the holidays in July!)  These are some of the decorations I made for Christmas 2010 when I hosted my family.  My decorations were focused on using natural materials, reusing materials, or using items that can be used year-round.

*  Spray painted branches and used them in an everyday green-tinted vase

*  green tablecloth that I use all year round

* green tinted coke bottles (already red and green!) with ribbon as candleholders

* home made swag made of spray painted branches

* pine cones collected on our dog walk and ribbons 

7 Steps to Moving Responsibly

Well, it looks like it's about that time for us to move again...in town that is...no major moves this time!

How many times has it been since I graduated college? Either way, we've got it down to a science now. Moving can be such a wasteful endeavor. So, how can we keep our move more earth friendly? Below are some of the things we're doing to keep things responsible:

1. Plan Ahead! It's a few weeks before we really have to be packed up, but we're already collecting boxes whenever we can. If you wait to the last minute, you end up having to scramble and buy boxes.

2. Check out craigslist for people getting rid of boxes from their move. (Note to self: post on craigslist about free boxes after our move!)

3. Ask stores for boxes that they normally crush. I've been hitting up the flower lady at the grocery store and a local bookstore for our boxes so far!

4. Get creative with your packing solutions: Use your suitcases, backpacks, and reusable grocery tote bags to transport stuff.

5. Recycle the cardboard boxes and paper packing supplies after the move!

6. Avoid styrofoam stuffing for fragile items. Save up packing supplies as you see them come in at work and home deliveries.

7. Use what you have to pack! Pack fragile items in tshirts and towels.

Any other tips would be appreciated! Feel free to pass them along!

Making Fresh Tracks with Responsible Living

So, now that I've taken a look at what I've already accomplished in living responsibly, I have a good idea of the things I want to work on moving forward.

1. Eating less packaged food. This also goes with our goal to eat healthier. The less packaged the food it, the more natural the food is.

2. Recycle more. Basically, we need to move out of our condo to a place where we can recycle.

3. Unplug our power cords more often. I know it's not realistic to do it every time, but if it's the majority, I'd be happy.

4. Eat out less often = less paper waste

5. Eat less non-free trade chocolate. Can I possible go all the way with this? I love chocolate so much...

6. Resist the urge to buy new. Have a sustainable perspective when I shop.

7. What resources do I have (money, food, time, care) that could benefit others?

Green Resolutions Met

It's that time of year where we start to think about resolutions for the new year - making fresh tracks if you will. Sometimes when we start thinking about looking forward, we forget to remember what we have done.

I've had a chance to think a lot recently about ways I can be more sustainable and responsible in my life, and as I explore this endeavor, I want to compile a list of what I'm already doing. Maybe some of these ideas can give you ideas.

1. Using a reusable water bottle for taking water to work each day. No disposable bottles for me!

2. Take my lunch to work regularly - less waste from fast food packaging.

3. Print household documents on the other side of paper.

4. Cut paper that's been printed on already on one side into quarters for notepad paper

5. Reuse tissue paper and decorative bags for wrapping gifts.

6. Leave curtains closed to block drafts in the winter time. Opening blinds when the sun is shining directly in for the light and the heat.

7. Cut up tshirts into rags, which we use to clean all sorts of surfaces.

8. Read books from the library! (keeps my house from cluttering up too!)

9. When I do buy books, buy them used

10. Use vinegar solutions to clean my windows and surfaces.

11. When I can, buy household items and clothes from the thrift store. (fulfills the thrill of the hunt too!)

12. We eat the venison from the many deer that the hubbs shoots each year. We hardly ever buy meat.

13. Combining trips with errands. Running errands annoys me, so when I can combine them it saves me time and gas.

14. I regularly wash our clothes in cold water; very rarely in warm water.

15. We don't use fabric softener, nor dryer sheets.

16. Of course, we use CFL's as much as possible

17. I've gotten in a good habit of using my reusable shopping bags (it took a while for me to remember them!)

18. As mentioned in an earlier post, I use grocery plastic bags that my parents have generously given me, for scooping up the poopies poop.

19. We reuse wine,whiskey, and coke bottles as taper candle holders.

20. All of my throw pillows have been recovered with old curtains, sweatshirts, or other extra fabrics.