Compost Bin

So my March goal was to set up a composting system. There is no reason not to. I have the space and the landlord's permission. However, I got so caught up in the car buying process this month (which was June's goal) that I got side tracked. So wish me luck. Tomorrow I shall wield my hammer and wire cutters and stumble my way through construction. I imagine it will be a funny sight. I will include photos. I am using a ramshackle of supplies, so I don't have to buy new. Apparently, there are great commercial composters out there (yes, I will buy one some day) but right now the better financial option is to beg and borrow from different sources. Dear Aunt Mary has some wood stakes in the barn I can have and I have some chicken wire left over from a sculpture project. Thursday, I will hit the flea market to see if I can find a pitchfork to turn the compost over.

Reusing Prom Dresses

So I have started a little project at my school. I collect use prom dresses and give them out to girls at my school who need or want them. I totally ripped the idea off of a news segment I saw on urban versions of this. I have given out four so far this year. I need to work on getting some stylish bigger girl sizes. I am hit again with the correlation between poverty and obesity. It is saddening. However, on a more positive note, I get to help make a special night for some girls. I know prom in general is not very green but it is so memorable to people and I am just trying to find ways to green it. I am happy to say last year the prom advisers invested in silverware to cut down on the waste of disposable plastic ware.

2009 Earth Hour

Here is a photo of Petunia (my cat) as we participated in last nights WWF sponsored Earth Hour. In case you missed it, Earth Hour was a campaign to raise awareness about energy consumption by encouraging folks to go without power for an hour 8:30 through 9:30. Many famous landmarks (the Sydney Opera House, the Eiffel Tower, the Vegas Strip, etc.) participated in the campaign. If you are intrigued by the idea and were unaware of it happening, you can just pick your own earth hour. I am thinking of trying it once a week for a while. It was relaxing to have everything turned off. I realized I don't spend much time in silence. This was a pleasant side effect of turning everything off. Enjoy.

Calendar

This calendar was purchased at a locally owned bookstore (an eco plus) and is eco friendly (soy inks, recycled papers, etc. It is a reminder when possible try to purchase even small items in an eco way. Remember we all have great power in where our money flows.

Also, try to support independently owned establishments. Okay, on an completely related unrelated item. I went to Target and left with only

a diet coke with lime. Yeah for me.

Rechargeable Batteries

Okay, so this post is a bit on the lame side, because rechargeable batteries are a no brainer in the eco friendly path, but as I have mentioned before baby steps are the best path for most into a greener life. So if you have not made the plunge yet consider it. I started just with my AA and AAA batteries. I purchased the small travel charger and a couple packs of each size and as batteries died I replaced them with the rechargeable ones. Soon I felt compelled to buy the mondo recharger that services a wide range of rechargeable. I have been extremely happy with both. Some battery operated items need recharging more than others. (Digital cameras for instance.) However, they are battery hogs regardless of the type of battery used. One point I need to make in earnest whatever battery you choice. Dispose of them properly!! Please do not throw them in you regular trash. The components in the batteries are nasty and we definately do not want them leaching into our soil. Call around for drop off sites, I know my school collects them so that is where I take mine.

Draft Dodger

The spring thaw is definitely happening and warmth is showing up every now and again, so I need to post this one quickly before it is completely irrelevant for many months. (Okay, so it is already past that point, but it is so darn cute.) I picked up this adorable draft dodger at my favorite fair trade store, but was in the Serrv international catalog (http://www.serrv.org/). Even if they are not carrying it this season, this is a great fair trade website. Peruse at you own risk. The jewelry is addictive. (the Divine white chocolate bars are amazing.) Be forewarned, it might be best to freeze your credit card in a block of ice first. Anyways, back to the draft dodger, I live in a very drafty apartment. There is little I can do because, well, I rent, so no structural changes. The draft dodger is a cute and handy way to prevent heat loss. Also, many websites give instructions how to make one yourself, but I have yet to become that crafty. If you are interested though, as always Google is a great way to find some. Well, this post became a bit more sporadic than I meant, oh well, spring tends to addle my mind a bit.

Cat Hair Dilemma

So I dearly love my feline friends, however, I don't like wearing their fur with me whereever I go - I was going through the lint rollar strips like a madwomen. While at Target (okay, I admit I am a bit of a Target addict, I am working on it) I saw this package on an endcap. They had the 'as seen on tv' label on the package. It came with this large model and a little travel one. I bought them on a whim (yes, something else I am working on) and have been thrilled ever since, I still have my disposible lint roller from before simply because I haven't finished using it because I use the reusable one more. It is wonderful, just keep an eye out for one. (I have no idea what the real name is, I bought this about a year ago.)

Pencil Extender

So this Kohl-I-Noor pencil extender is a great product that I use in my art world all the time. It really helps extend an art budget by allowing more use from your colored pencils, pastel pencils, watercolor pencils, drawing pencils, you get the idea. Well, one day I was applying my eyeliner, being frustrated by the small size of the left over pencil (throw back to early post about trying to use as much of the product as possible to not be wasteful) and I had a 'doit' moment - it's a pencil - use the extender! Birds sang for a moment, a light shown down, okay, maybe not that dramatic, but it was easier. Yet another handy tool and this is great because it can be used for make-up and office/art/etc. Okay, this one is a bit rambling, I'll stop.

Make-Up Brushes

Continuing with the make-up theme: these are some make-up brushes I picked up at Target called Ecotools. The handles of the set are made with bamboo handles and cruelty free bristles. The metal portion is from recycled aluminum. The brush roll is a 55% hemp/ 45% cotton blend. The packaging it came in is listed as reusable. It took me awhile to figure out what I wanted to use it for because, well, not very attractive. So I finally realized I needed something to hold my hair ties and scrunchies in my gym bag. (Yes, I know, I still have scrunchies. In my defense, I only use them when I am exercising - waste not is the theme remember!) I love the quality of the brushes. The price is reasonable - around $14.00. If you need new brushes give them a try. (Remember, if you have brushes that are doing the work for you, the most eco friendly option is to keep using them rather than buying new.)

Apology

I apologize now and forever more. This blog is rife with typos, grammar errors, and spelling miscues. Shame and woe is me. I will continue to try to do better, but alas, it seems a losing battle.

Excess Packaging

Truth be told I am not ready to give up make-up. I enjoy being a girl and looking the part. As I use up products, I am consciously trying to find more earth friendly products that have no animal testing. Peta's website has a helpful list for the animal testing part. I have been somewhat discouraged though as I try to use the rest of my current make up. There is so much extra product in tube products that I am sure many people throw away. I know that I am guilty of this in the past. I don't know how well this photo illustrates it, but this roll on foundation goes at least 3/4 of an inch beyond where it stops rolling. I am being diligent digging deeper to use all of the product, but I am disappointed in the company (which shall remain nameless at this point.) that markets this product.

Plastic bag dryer

This is a handy little invention that can be found at Lehman's Hardware. (http://www.lehmans.com/) Search plastic bag and bottle dryer. Let's face it most of the baggies we throw away can be used a few more times, but drying them properly is a pain. Prior to receiving this as a Christmas present, I would dry mine one at at time on my banana hook stand thingamabob...what is the proper name for that contraption anyways! Give it a try, I love mine.

Yeah!

Well, the laptop has finally arrived so hopefully that will equal more regular postings. One thing I would like to suggest is to sign up for a subscription to Ideal bites. It is a weekly email that gives light green ideas. It is great. I have learned so much from them. They also have a mama bites for all those moms out there. Really it is worth your time!