Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Potato Progress
Quick update, friends: I'm not sure what it looks like inside the pot, but what's happening above the soil is super promising. These are the little sprouted potatoes I planted last month! :-D
Sunday, March 26, 2017
Poppin' Tags Celebrity Style
A few years ago, Macklemore's hit "Thrift Shop" popularized thrift shopping, with some really good lyrics about getting to have individualized style and not wearing the same overpriced t-shirt as 6 other people in the club. His imagery in the video, though, while fun, was over-the-top so-tacky-it's-cool.
I think there's quite a bit of stigma out there that thrifting is only for the poor, eco-warriers, or costume parties. To prove that you don't have to relive the 80s fringe or choose from someone's grandma's closet, there are many celebrities that commit to thrift shopping - and still look stylish!
1. Shailene Woodley: currently known for the Divergent series and her activism on #nodapl, Shailene is a 100% thrifter except for when she's representing on the red carpet (and presumably not undergarments).
2. Ryan Tedder: known as the lead singer of One Republic, has thrifted since he was 13, and owned most of his clothes since then!
3. Jada Pinkett Smith and Willow Smith, mom and daughter thrift together.
4. Julia Roberts: the smart mom who gets gently used clothes for her kids!
5. Janelle Monae: R&B singer and Hidden Figures actress prefers thrifting as a way to find unique clothing.
6. Lara Spencer: the Good Morning America anchor is also the host of HGTV's Flea Market Flip, so it's no surprise she loves hunting for a good find. She especially loves thrift stores that are tied to a charity.
7. Drew Barrymore: has even worn secondhand on the red carpet! Check out her great dress find for just $25.
8. Zac Efron, dreamboat, reportedly loves to shop at thrift stores for vintage clothing, including a vintage prom tux.
9. Daryl Hannah, while famous for numerous movies, blames the consumerism and fashion industry in Hollywood for a lot of unhappiness. She is also an environmental activist, and prefers new-to-her clothes via hand-me-downs and thrifting.
10. Lorde: indie pop singer, found one of favorite stage outfits while thrifting. This St. John blue suit was just $50; the designer's suits normally go for $1000+.
11. Zooey Deschanel: actress and singer, finds thrifting makes her be more creative when planning her outfits.
12. Eva Mendes: the actress loves bargain hunting. At her first movie premiere, she wore a $6 dress from Goodwill!
Now that we know even the big celebs, who can afford to shop where they like, love to thrift too, we know we're just smart for seeking out unique finds that are both friendly on our wallets and the environment. Next mission: find a red-carpet-worthy outfit for date night!
I think there's quite a bit of stigma out there that thrifting is only for the poor, eco-warriers, or costume parties. To prove that you don't have to relive the 80s fringe or choose from someone's grandma's closet, there are many celebrities that commit to thrift shopping - and still look stylish!
1. Shailene Woodley: currently known for the Divergent series and her activism on #nodapl, Shailene is a 100% thrifter except for when she's representing on the red carpet (and presumably not undergarments).
2. Ryan Tedder: known as the lead singer of One Republic, has thrifted since he was 13, and owned most of his clothes since then!
3. Jada Pinkett Smith and Willow Smith, mom and daughter thrift together.
4. Julia Roberts: the smart mom who gets gently used clothes for her kids!
5. Janelle Monae: R&B singer and Hidden Figures actress prefers thrifting as a way to find unique clothing.
6. Lara Spencer: the Good Morning America anchor is also the host of HGTV's Flea Market Flip, so it's no surprise she loves hunting for a good find. She especially loves thrift stores that are tied to a charity.
7. Drew Barrymore: has even worn secondhand on the red carpet! Check out her great dress find for just $25.
8. Zac Efron, dreamboat, reportedly loves to shop at thrift stores for vintage clothing, including a vintage prom tux.
9. Daryl Hannah, while famous for numerous movies, blames the consumerism and fashion industry in Hollywood for a lot of unhappiness. She is also an environmental activist, and prefers new-to-her clothes via hand-me-downs and thrifting.
10. Lorde: indie pop singer, found one of favorite stage outfits while thrifting. This St. John blue suit was just $50; the designer's suits normally go for $1000+.
11. Zooey Deschanel: actress and singer, finds thrifting makes her be more creative when planning her outfits.
12. Eva Mendes: the actress loves bargain hunting. At her first movie premiere, she wore a $6 dress from Goodwill!
Now that we know even the big celebs, who can afford to shop where they like, love to thrift too, we know we're just smart for seeking out unique finds that are both friendly on our wallets and the environment. Next mission: find a red-carpet-worthy outfit for date night!
Monday, March 13, 2017
Reuse: Outfit #9
The spring equinox is almost here, but Seattle is still rainy and gloomy. I can't wait for those May flowers, but in the meantime, some bright colors and bold prints should tide me over.
I treated myself to some thrift shopping late last week. For those in the Seattle area, the South Lake Union Goodwill has some great selection. They are a smaller store, but carry some of the trendier pieces. Being an urban store with no parking, my guess is most of their inventory comes from the 20s/30s-somethings that live and work in the neighborhood.
I treated myself to some thrift shopping late last week. For those in the Seattle area, the South Lake Union Goodwill has some great selection. They are a smaller store, but carry some of the trendier pieces. Being an urban store with no parking, my guess is most of their inventory comes from the 20s/30s-somethings that live and work in the neighborhood.
I scored 3 bright tops for under $20 - woot! I'm digging this abstract pattern. Is it tribal? A play on chevron? And it contains some of my favorite colors: red, orange, and teal.
I wasn't familiar with the brand (Daniel Rainn), but was happy to see that this gem that cost $8 at Goodwill would normally retail for $68.
$60 savings? Happy almost spring. :)
Sunday, March 12, 2017
Cell phone ADDICT
I'm a middle-of-the-road cell phone addict. I don't have to have the latest greatest new model the day it's released, but I average about a phone a year anyway, never making it through my 2-year contract, because they make these devices so breakable and drown-able. I won't live without my smart phone either. It covers my phone, news, video game, music, online banking, and other needs, all in one tiny addicting package.
The problem with the phone-a-year culture? The devices are not only expensive, but also contain rare earth elements that contribute to mining-related environmental concerns and a foreign dependency on China. (Note: green technologies like electric cars use these same elements. Understanding the mining concerns makes a good case for closed-loop recycling.)
Unless regulations are changed, or cell phone providers incentivize returning phones when you are done with them, it's up to each of us to make the right choices when we get next year's phone.
Check out my sad collection: 4 phones that were sitting in my nightstand drawer after years of dropping, drowning, or otherwise killing them.
The good news is there are so many convenient options for moving your old phones on. For dead phones like mine, recycling is the answer. Your provider may offer recycling, and if not Best Buy does. Simply walk up to the customer service counter and they'll take them from you. The rare earth elements can then be reused for future devices.
While you're there, Best Buy also has recycling stations right at the front entrance. Do you have a collection of old jewel cases from back when we burned CDs instead of using flash drives? They can take them! Have a stash of old cables from older phones and devices? They can take those too! And... did you know used up gift cards can be recycled too? They typically aren't accepted in your home recycling can, so in the bin at Best Buy they go.
For working phones, keep one as a backup in case your new phone meets a horrible fate, but there's no need to hold on to more than one. Donate with your carrier or through a non-profit. Some use the actual phones, and some use the proceeds from recycling. Here are just a few:
The problem with the phone-a-year culture? The devices are not only expensive, but also contain rare earth elements that contribute to mining-related environmental concerns and a foreign dependency on China. (Note: green technologies like electric cars use these same elements. Understanding the mining concerns makes a good case for closed-loop recycling.)
Unless regulations are changed, or cell phone providers incentivize returning phones when you are done with them, it's up to each of us to make the right choices when we get next year's phone.
Check out my sad collection: 4 phones that were sitting in my nightstand drawer after years of dropping, drowning, or otherwise killing them.
The good news is there are so many convenient options for moving your old phones on. For dead phones like mine, recycling is the answer. Your provider may offer recycling, and if not Best Buy does. Simply walk up to the customer service counter and they'll take them from you. The rare earth elements can then be reused for future devices.
While you're there, Best Buy also has recycling stations right at the front entrance. Do you have a collection of old jewel cases from back when we burned CDs instead of using flash drives? They can take them! Have a stash of old cables from older phones and devices? They can take those too! And... did you know used up gift cards can be recycled too? They typically aren't accepted in your home recycling can, so in the bin at Best Buy they go.
For working phones, keep one as a backup in case your new phone meets a horrible fate, but there's no need to hold on to more than one. Donate with your carrier or through a non-profit. Some use the actual phones, and some use the proceeds from recycling. Here are just a few:
- Cell Phones for Soldiers - your phones are sold to recyclers or refurbishers and the proceeds go to the troops for calling home
- Hope Line through Verizon - both phones and grants aid domestic violence survivors
- Secure the Call - provides 911-only phones to seniors and domestic violence survivors
- Eco-cell - recommended recycler by many zoos, due to mining impact on gorilla habitat
- Phones4Charity - choose your charity of choice to benefit from your donation
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Hand-Me-Downs: Not Just for Toddlers Anymore
They say: Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. I say: Keep your stylish-aunt-who's-about-the-same-size-as-you closest!
Last month, I was visiting my Aunt T, and was gifted with this awesome hand-me-down peacoat. There's so much I love about this, particularly, the bright green color. When I shop for new clothes for myself, I often chicken out on getting fun colors, opting for neutrals and basics. When thrifting, swapping, or gifting, it opens up so many more options to explore other styles without buyer's remorse.
I was hanging out with a pre-teen who I mentor the other day, and realized that each week, she talks about the jeans she got from one friend, the shoes she got from another, and the hoodie she borrowed from yet another. As kids, we often get hand-me-downs from siblings and cousins, and as we get into middle school, high school, and college, sharing clothes with friends becomes a great way to double your wardrobe.
At some point in my adulthood, I stopped doing this - not sure if this was a natural progression of wanting to buy my own professional clothes, or that I was no longer in a class of dozens of people about my size. But, I'm now ready to bring back the hand-me-downs and swaps, both great way to reduce waste further upstream than thrift stores, and expand your fashion options.
Savings: ~$100
A peacoat that isn't black or charcoal? Priceless
Thanks, Aunt T!
Last month, I was visiting my Aunt T, and was gifted with this awesome hand-me-down peacoat. There's so much I love about this, particularly, the bright green color. When I shop for new clothes for myself, I often chicken out on getting fun colors, opting for neutrals and basics. When thrifting, swapping, or gifting, it opens up so many more options to explore other styles without buyer's remorse.
I was hanging out with a pre-teen who I mentor the other day, and realized that each week, she talks about the jeans she got from one friend, the shoes she got from another, and the hoodie she borrowed from yet another. As kids, we often get hand-me-downs from siblings and cousins, and as we get into middle school, high school, and college, sharing clothes with friends becomes a great way to double your wardrobe.
At some point in my adulthood, I stopped doing this - not sure if this was a natural progression of wanting to buy my own professional clothes, or that I was no longer in a class of dozens of people about my size. But, I'm now ready to bring back the hand-me-downs and swaps, both great way to reduce waste further upstream than thrift stores, and expand your fashion options.
Savings: ~$100
A peacoat that isn't black or charcoal? Priceless
Thanks, Aunt T!
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