De-cluttering your Closet

Here is a great tip for pairing down your wardrobe to what you really wear. Turn all of your hangers in the opposite direction (hook in) and after you wear an item put it back the right way (hook out). At the end of six months all of the items still facing the opposite way need to go! Simple and very honest! You can do the same with shoes turn them all toe out on the rack and as you wear them return them heel out. This is a great way to see what you really wear and what needs to head to Goodwill or the local consignment store. 

Simple Living Manifesto

While browsing one of my favorite web sites, Zen Habits, I came across this amazing manifesto. The topic is simple living and it includes 72 ways to simplify. I have attached the link below, check it out.  Start with a few items and work your way down the list of 72 ways to make life easier. 

Simple Living Manifesto: 72 Ideas to Simplify Your Life

Books! Books! Books!

Alright, so I am as guilty as the next with my love of buying new books to read. I love the whole experience of going to the bookstore, browsing to find a great read, drinking a yummy latte, and twenty bucks later leaving with a paperback I will finish in a matter of days! What have I been thinking? With awareness comes change. So I have vowed to alter my book addiction and here is how it will go. Only purchase reference books that I will use over and over again, everything else will come from the library or local Trade-a-Book. Not only can you save tons of cash and some trees, but you can use less gas with the book mobile that practically comes to your house! It is very simple. Go online and reserve your books and the book mobile will bring them along. With a little patience you can read whatever you like. The Trade-a-Book is another great option. De-clutter and few shelves of paperbacks bring them in for trade. When it is all said and done you can sit on your porch with a nice glass of ice tea, your book, money in your pocket, and less eco-guilt! Are you up for the challenge?

Local? Below is a great place to trade in a book:

Sullivan's Trade A Book

1303 Ben Sawyer Blvd., Mt. Pleasant (843) 884-8611

Recycled Sail Bags

While browsing though Real Simple I came across these great wine bags made from recycled sail cloth. Not only are the bags made from recycled material but they are meant to be used over and over again. The next time you give a host a bottle of wine pack it in the tote and write their name on it. He or she can then pass it on writing the recipient's name and date on the bag and so on... Eco-friendly and stylish re-gifting! The bags are available at Seabags.com.

What is Your Carbon Output?

Interested in determining your carbon output? I recently came upon a great web site the gives you a score in as little as 2 minutes. The web site is Earthlab.com not only can you determine your score but they help you to lower you carbon output through a few simple steps. After answering a few simple questions about your life style they provide you with a earth conservation profile score and how many tons of carbon you generate per year. Interested? Check it out at Earthlab.com.

A Retail Fast

With the price of gas through the roof and the cost of goods rising as a result, maybe it is time for a "retail fast". After a weekend in the mountains and a much needed "technology fast" I think a "retail fast" is a good follow-up. So how do we avoid those impulse purchases that we really don't need? Here are a few tips: Ask yourself the following 3 questions before a purchase 1. Do I really need it? 2. Do I really love it? 3. Is it functional for me and my home? Another great tip is to keep a running list of items you run out of or do need to purchase and stick to it! Remember when one item comes in another must depart. Finally wait, wait, wait. Take a few days to think about a purchase before you buy, you just might change your mind. 

Good Luck!

Charleston Green Taxi

While sitting at Metto Coffee and Tea yesterday I came across an advertisement for Charleston Green Taxi in the City Paper. Charleston Green Taxi is our cities first Eco-Friendly Taxi service. From the picture in the ad it looks like the Toyota Prius is the Green Taxi. I am continually impressed by how quickly our city is catching on! The next time you are in need of a ride to the airport check them out at 843-819-0846.

Not a great picture but here is my favorite item that is made from reclaimed wire, light bulbs, nuts, and bolts. This sweet bug hangs on my front porch and makes my day! A friend of mine, Jeff Kopish, of Lime Blue, on Queen Street makes these. Imagine a garden full of these all lit up, a true wonderland. 

Check out these great mirrors we purchased at Palmetto Moon in Mount Pleasant. They are made of old Charleston Doors. Before the builder put mirrors in our bathrooms I asked him to wait. Instead of a generic mirror from Lowe's we have 4 of these great works of art in our home. All of the mirrors are original and unique. Another stylish way to recycled and reuse.

Recycled Outdoor Rugs

Over the next week I thought I would share with you some of the things in my home that are repurposed or made from recycled materials. One of my favorite items is the rug on my front porch made from recycled soda bottles. Not only is it able to be hosed off but it does not fade. After three years in the blazing sun it has retained it's color. I purchased mine locally as well at the Antique Market on Coleman Blvd. I also believe they sell them at Dwell Smart and Global Awakenings. The rugs come in many colors and can be used inside or out. What better way to use all those leftover soda bottles!

Eco-Slipcover Solutions

Having three kids places a definite strain on your furniture. Luckily most of our furnishings are wood and not fabric. But the one of the sofas we own has sure taken a beating! Our neighbors were getting rid of this sofa and offered it to us. It is a "vintage" Crate and Barrel with nice lines and a great pull out bed. We love the couch but after many smoothie spills it could sure use a face lift. Above is a great hemp fabric I found from hemptraders.com . I want something durable. non-toxic, and eco-friendly. I have also thought about going with white. Something I can throw in the wash with some oxy-clean Love to hear your thoughts....

So we decided to go with the open shelves. This is a picture of the beautiful shelf Chris Cobb, of Cobb Woodworking, built for my kitchen. The open shelf definitely makes my kitchen feel more spacious and less confined. The change in paint color from a maple cabinet to this nice gray also adds to the openness. They used a low-voc paint which means no smell and less impact on the environment. I decided to place dishes and cups that I use often on the shelf to minimize dust. Mission Accomplished!

Recycled Flip Flop Door-Mat

With most of my husband's family living in Hawaii, I have a great appreciation for the ever-comfortable flip-flop. We usually have about 10 pairs in the shoe box on my porch at all times. But like anything else what happens when they are worn out and too small. Check out the door mat above! Viva Terra carries these as well and storage bins made from flip flops. I purchased one for my brother a few years ago and it is still holding strong! I will do some research on how to donate and recycle my own families supply, I will keep you posted....

Children's School Storage

Lately I have been touring some new homes with a friend of mine. All of the homes have theses huge mud rooms with cubbies and tons of storage. I thought I would share with you my solution to storing children's excess STUFF if you are space challenged. I bought these lockers from a yoga studio I taught at when they closed and it was the best $100 I have spent. Each family member has their own locker with one to spare. Book bags, shoes, and coats all fit nicely with out all the clutter lying around the house. The children love the excitement of having their own "big kid" locker. Another great feature is that they are magnetic, the perfect place to display art work and awards. If you don't have a huge mud room these fit nicely against any wall without taking up a lot of space. Be an "earth helper" and find some used ones as I did!

Another Use for Used Coffee Grinds

Most of you already know that coffee grinds are a great way to boost the quality of your compost but how about using them as an exfoliant? Well, one of my favorite eco-experts, Danny Seo, thinks they do a great job as a body scrub. So after drinking a cup of caffeinated coffee I though I would give it a go. I decided to mix some Dr. Bronner's with the grinds to make a nice paste. I have to say I feel like I just stepped out of the spa, buffed and smooth as a baby's bottom! I have also heard that the caffeine component is great for cellulite, who knows? After stepping out of the shower try using some coconut oil to moisturize, another great all natural idea. Side note: save your shower cleaning till after you do the scrub.