Zero-Waste on Etsy: Part I

I've been joining a lot of Zero Waste and Buy Nothing groups online to get more ideas on how I can save money and reduce my footprint. One of the biggest areas that I feel I can cut back is on single-use plastics.

Working in a city, downtown, it's too easy to get take-out for lunch, or even if I bring my lunch, silverware from the office kitchen. Having identified an area for improvement, I just need a non-disposable replacement.

I've also been lucky enough to get some Etsy gift cards recently! Thanks, Mom, Dad, and Aunt T. :)

Shopping on Etsy, there are quite a few artisans making bamboo cutlery sets. They vary in design and pieces included. I enjoyed this pear-print set from Bagitconscious for $17. Shop owner Lizzie also makes reusable sandwich bags and more. This set included the cute printed carrying case and bamboo fork, spoon, and knife. I added the reusable straw and straw cleaner brush.

The case rolls up and is closed with a contrast tie.

I enjoy that the bamboo cutlery is super lightweight, so it won't add to my already hefty purse, and I don't need to be weighed down by or worry about losing my "real" silverware from home.

I can also feel good shopping on Etsy, knowing that I'm supporting a small business. More to come in the next several days - I already have two more purchases on their way!

Visiting Costa Rica

Hi friends! I've been busy the last couple weeks preparing for and then visiting Costa Rica for a work trip. While I was down there, I noted a couple things.

Downtown San Jose has a fair amount of trash accumulation, like any city, but there are signs (sometimes literally!) that there are people trying to make a difference.

This stamp reads "A beach without victims begins with a city without trash."

Sadly/ironically, the storm drain right next to the stamp is filled with trash. Baby steps, I guess, just getting the message out there?

The other experience I had was in the break rooms at the office. I'm not sure if this was due to environmental awareness so much as frugality, but they don't even have paper coffee cups in the break area. Each employee has their reusable mug to refill. Not having the option to use a disposable cup is definitely a way to get you in the right habits!

I'm happy to be back home, and will get back into regular posts. :)

Happy Earth Day, everyone!

Brand: Trust Fund Beauty

You don't need to be a trust fund beauty to enjoy this brand of nail polish. With flirty high-end names like a neutral metallic called "Boozy Brunch" and a hot pink "Non-Disclosure Agreement", this polish is fun for the high-powered city woman, but the price is quite average at $10-15 a bottle. I'm currently wearing the "$12 Latte" shown below. (I'd show you, but guys, my cuticles!)

Here's why I'm enjoying this polish: It's vegan and cruelty free (no animal testing), and they are "10 free", meaning they avoid harsh or questionable ingredients.

This polish is quality; you get great coverage with 1-2 coats. You don't even miss all the extra chemicals! :) 

It also has a sweet back story: founder Samara Granofsky was inspired by her mother, whose chemotherapy treatments made her nails brittle. Her polishes are an homage, both through a safe non-toxic product line with fun colors, and as a nod to their shared sassy sense of humor.

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

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!

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 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. :)

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:

• 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

So, come on folks, this is your first spring cleaning task of the year: dig out your old phones that are just sitting in your desk drawer or closet, and drop 'em off at your local electronics store, cell phone carrier, women's shelter, or charity.