The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Something I learned about today was The Great Pacific Garbage Patch. I was saddened to learn of such a thing. Water covers more than 70 percent of the planet's surface, making our rivers, lakes and oceans the lifeblood of our planet.

Currently, scientists believe the world's largest garbage dump isn't on land…it's in the Pacific Ocean. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch stretches from the coast of California to Japan, and it's estimated to be twice the size of Texas.

In some places, the floating debris—estimated to be about 90 percent plastic—goes 90 feet deep. Elsewhere, there are six times more pieces of plastic than plankton, the main food source for many sea animals.

Marine biologists estimate that about 80 percent of the litter is from land, either dumped directly into waterways or blown into rivers and streams.

I have not done this in a long time, but I will definetly not be throwing any tiny pieces of garbage out the car window, thinking its no big deal anymore... sad but true....

Here is a few websites with some more detailed information:

Oprah.com

Wikipedia

GreatGarbagePatch.org

Please feel free to leave related Links in the comments section! Thank you!

Recycling MY fashion on Ebay

I used to have a shopping addiction :) 

Recycling some of my items through Ebay!

My Ebay Items

Recycled DIY Tire Sandles

These Amazing Sandles were created and made by Courtney Kessel. These fabulous shoes consist of laminated cardboard platforms with tire tread soles. The upper is all bicycle tire inner tubing and a washer.

Pocketflops are foldable flip flops for women that are made with 95% recycled tire rubber and come in a carrying case made of either recycled or organic fabric. Their durability and thin design make them ideal for yoga bags, purses and backpacks.

Want to make your own? Heres a website with instructions for DIY Blown Tire Sandles

Today Only Free Eco-Tote from Walgreens

In celebration of Earth Day, get a free tote bag with any purchase at Walgreens. I didn't need a coupon, but some websites say you need one, so heres the coupon just incase!

Naturally Exfoliate that Winter Dry Skin!

One of the most important steps of your skin care regime should be exfoliating your skin. Doing so gets rid of the excess oils that clog your pores while eliminating the dead cells from the surface of your skin. Immediately after exfoliating your skin looks lighter and leaves you with a refreshed feeling.

First: Start with the lips, that can get so Chapped from the Winter!

Step 1: Get a soft toothbrush and wet it with warm water, then brush your lips in a circular motion. Pucker up and get that inside lip stuff too! Add a little sugar to your brush to get ride of the extra chapped parts!

Step 2: Moisterize with a good lip balm, or vaseline, or break open a Vitamin E capsule and spread on your lips for good moisturization and protection.

Next: Lets move to our bodies using Dry Brush Exfoliation

A dry brush exfoliation involves the use of a soft, dry brush to gently brush the skin. It is recommended by holistic practitioners to remove dead skin cells, improve the circulation of blood and lymph, and enhance detoxification through skin. The gentle pressure is also thought to have a calming effect.

Dry Brush Exfoliation
The only tool needed is a soft, dry, skin brush, preferably with natural bristles.

Step 1: Stand in the shower with the water off.

Step 2: Starting at your feet, start brushing in small circles towards your heart. Apply very light pressure, avoiding broken skin, skin rashes, or areas where the skin is thin, such as the face or inner thighs.

Step 3: After you've finished both legs, move on to your arms. Brush from your fingertips, again towards your heart.

Step 4: Reach around and brush from your back towards your stomach.

Step 5: When you are finished, begin showering.

Screenprinted Eco-Friendly Grocery Totes

$6 Eco-Friendly Reusable Grocery Totes

Hand screenprinted

Shop/View AD LOVE

My Fav's for the day!

Oh just some fav picks of the day!

First: Lovely paintings by: Beeta Sasik Art Studio

2nd: Dress of ties by: Glamarita

3rd: Birds by: Star House

4th: IPhone Case by: Hine

What Did you Do with That...? Plastic and Yarn!

What do you get when you combine the words Plastic & Yarn?
You get the word Plarn.
Plarn is made by cutting strips of plastic bags that are turned into a "Yarn."

This beautiful bag was crocheted using white and blue plastic grocery bags and light blue acrylic yarn for extra strength.Tight stitches add to the strength and durability, leaving "no holes" that your change could fall through.It's lightweight and versatile enough to use for the store or as a purse, the beach, for the library, or anything else you can think of.
It has a large flap closure and I added a handy front pocket that is perfect to keep your cell phone , grocery list or coupons in.

Made by Debs Crochet

Thank you Deb for you wonderful creation!

Do you want to submit your creation to:

"What Did You DO with that...?"

Read Here!

Indie and Eco Friendly Gift Guide

Gift Ideas From Wonderful Shops!

Top Left: Bangles $10 (made from grocery bags) by Arny Designs,

Top Right: Eco-Friendly Bamboo Dish Cloth/Exfoliating Wash Cloth $6 by Sweet Memories Quilts

Middle Left: Recycled Magazine Bead Necklace $40 by Zendik Arts,

Middle Right: Chapel Windows UniqueHandmade Gourd Art Lampshade $219 by Studio Tempera

Bottom Left: Vino Zinnia recycled Collage Print $23 by artandphilanthropy,

Bottom Right: SPOTTED BIRD - TURQUOISE - Recycled Felt applique pillow $49 by Alexandra Ferguson

Hey Readers. Be INVOLVED! Read this post

Hey everyone, I want to do an article on recycled or upcycled fashion/decorations/whatever, but from YOU personally!

Article will be called:

What Did You Do With that...?

Did you take a sock and turn it into a bean bag doggie. Did you take those 70's pants from Grandma, and make them into skinny pants? Did you take that vintage fabric or yarn, and make up something fabulous for the kitchen or living room?

Send me your Items, pictures at or over 400 pixels wide. with a few sentence description about the before and after. if you have before pics, send those too! If you don't thats okay too! This will be an ongoing section, so if you make more things in the future please send them on!

Send to my EMAIL

Thanks!

Heres mine:

Guess Very Large Flare Velour Jeans into fun skinny Jeans! (These are example pics. but i really did do that!)

Reducing harmful Items in Your home...

Is that okay to eat out of? Why does that smell?

Just a few quick tips I read up on a few items that we might want to concider reading more carefully or replacing in the future. 

Microwaving in plastic

This could be harmful if the container is not marked "microwave safe". Just check the bottom, if it does not say microwave safe, it could leak toxins into your meal, and are less likely to be recyclable.

Fluorescent Bulb Safety 

An Etsy user TheBlueKraken brought to my attention some ideas she wanted to add to my blog. First about Replacing your lightbulbs with fluorescent ones. "There are huge dangers to fluorescent bulbs. they are full of mercury vapor and if you break one its very dangerous. you also cannot throw them in the trash. the mercury will go to a land fill and eventually ground water. i will only use them in fixtures that need colder bulbs and i do not throw them away if they stop working."

I looked it up and IKEA recycles fluorescent bulbs, if you dont live by an IKEA, read this article to mail it in by ecogeek.

Green Cleaning Products

Buy products labeled non-toxic, biodegradable, all-natural, and those that contain plant-based ingredients. Look for Multi-Purpose Products – Many multi-purpose cleaners are just as effective as the specialty cleaners. For instance, white vinegar can be used to clean floors, glass surfaces, coffee pots, and copper products. It is also effective at removing some kinds of stains. I just went to the grocery store last week, and was looking for toilet bowl cleaner, they had a One day promotion on their new Green Toilet bowl Cleaner, it was as cheap as the lowest priced Clorox Brand Toilet Bowl Cleaner. Check out your grocery store for local promotions.

Here are some RECIPES to make your own Green household cleaning products.

Teflon Pan alternatives

Nonstick cookware is made with a substance that’s a probable carcinogen. But the biggest threat, experts say, is all the air and water pollution caused by the factories that make the chemical. So copper or aluminum are the more eco-friendly options, but you don't have to throw away your pans if you already have them until they are scratched. 

Heres some alternatives when going shopping for new pots and pans:

• Cuisinart Greenware™ Eco-Friendly Non-Stick 10-Piece Cookware Set

• Starfrit Eco Friendly Cookware

• Green Pan Cookware

Can't live without dry cleaning?

I know I can't afford to dry clean except for special occasion dresses and things, but I know some family members who dry clean often, and would never even think of it as a harm to the environment. Although there isn't conclusive research, a large amount of dry cleaners use a chemical that has been linked to reproductive damage and cancer. Also the plastic bags are a waist, and take a lot of energy to produce. Try asking for NO plastic next time, or letting your clothes air out for about an hour after you bring them home, preferrably outside. Read this article for more info on dry cleaning alternatives.

Read the label. 

Read labels and look for signal words — DANGER, POISON, WARNING, CAUTION — that indicate the level of hazard. Products labeled DANGER or POISON are most hazardous. Pay attention to other messages on the label such as “causes burns on contact,” “vapors harmful,” or “extremely flammable.” Learn to recognize these phrases and take them seriously.

Got something to add? please email me, or add it in the comment section, I am sure our readers would surely appreciate it!

Recycled and Upcycled

Electronic Guitar Pick by The Blue Kraken

Camera Lense bracelet by Focal Length Designs

Recycled Boylan's Soda Bottle Glasses by YAVA Glass

Recycled Bottle Top Necklace by Minty Fresh Fusions

Quote from Alfred Hitchcock

"The length of a film should be directly related to the endurance of the human bladder." - Alfred Hitchcock

B.Y.O.B. - Bring Your Own Bag

Gosh I swear, when I am finished unloading groceries, I have about 100 of those plastic grocery bags, and I just keep stuffing them into the cabinet. 

Well For this weeks Grocery Shopping, I took all those bags and a very large eco-friendly bag to the Grocery Store. I was the annoying customer who asked to re-use my bags, but hey, too bad man!

I got to the doors, and realized theres a huge bin for old plastic bags, oops! ha ha, next time! But I was relieved to see this. So next time I will bring those plastic bags and dump them in the bin! I am going to try to get at least one new grocery tote whenever I go shopping. I found a huge one at Joann Fabrics for $1 buck.

Sea of Plastic Bags:

Anyway, Why should we 

Re-use, Recycle or say No to plastic bags?

• Millions of dollars are spent each year dumping plastic bags into landfills, millions are also spent annually in liter clean up, Cities and recyclers spend enormous amounts removing plastic bags from other recyclable materials at the facility; plastic bags jam machinery and add to the manual labor costs of recycling. They can kill animals, plants... etc. etc. etc.

What are Fashionable Alternatives to plastic bags?

Here are a couple shops that have some awesome eco-friendly FASHIONABLE re-usable Grocery and everyday totes!

Kim Quilts: Super Durable up-cycled plastic bags!

zJayne: Adorable Tee-shirt Bags

Fickle Faerie: Reusable Produce bags:

Also, Read this awesome blog from Etsy Labs to make your OWN Eco-Friendly Bags, by fusing together old plastic bags! It looks awesome! I am going to try it.

Etsy Labs Bag, For Article Click Here:

Can't find the right Deodorant? Go ALL Natural?

If you are like me, you have tried every deodorant at the store! From Degree, to Dove, Mitchum, Secret, Soft and Dry, Ban.

Well Ladies I have finally found one that works! Not just all day, I actually fell asleep, woke up the next morning, and I still didn't have B.O.! Now thats a miracle deodorant!

I was just about to buy one of those clinical strength deodorants, but I didn't feel like getting an antiperspirant or paying $11 bucks.

Also, I wanted to try a Laundry clean scent, since I love those smelling, candles and lotions!

So I stumbled upon an etsy shop selling Natural deodorants! The Polly Wog Patch Which must use the right blend and mix of these simple INGREDIENTS: Soybean Oil, Beeswax, Sunflower Oil, Baking Soda Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Vitamin E, and fragrance. Check out more Great scents from her Shop

While your at it, check out her Sugar scrubs and body butters, They are Amazing!

Tip for the day : Recycle Fashion!

I am selling a few items on ebay, that i barely every used or still have tags on them. I already gave 6 bags of clothes to salvation army and kept the gently used items for EBAY or RESALE.  

A friend of mine brought her clothes to "The Buffalo Exchange" and made $60 dollars from there, and used some of it, to buy herself some used jean shorts! So cute! Buffalo Exchange is unique because clothing and accessories are bought, sold and traded directly with store customers. Bring in your former favorites for trade or cash on the spot! They are a company that works to protect the environment by reusing and recycling clothing.

Photo From the Buffalo Exchange Website:

Another Shop is called: "Crossroads Trading Co."

The purpose of Crossroads' stores is to offer a unique retail experience where shoppers can buy top-quality recycled and new fashion as well as receive cash or trade credit for items they sell to the store. Unlike at a consignment shop, there is no waiting to get paid at Crossroads. You receive your cash or trade immediately, before you leave the store. When you trade you get 50% of the price they sell the item for in the store. They give you a trade certificate that you can use to purchase any item at any of our Crossroads locations.

Photos from Crossroads Website:



here are My Ebay Items:

My Ebay Link

If you know of other good resources, stores, and places to recycle fashion, please make a comment, so you can share them with everyone reading!

A Couple Simple Ways To Go Green – and budget friendly too!

1. Instead of buying cases of water bottles, Try getting a filter for your faucet! It cuts the cost of buying cases of water bottles, and the annoying heavy lifting, It lasts for 2-3 months, for me it lasts up to 6 months because there is only 2 of us. That’s $30 bucks for the filter for 6 months costs $1.25 per week for your water! Instead of buying a case for $5-10 bucks a week. 

Also Try buying a re-usable water bottle. I bought one at Walgreens for $1.99. It helps reduce landfill waste by not throwing away water bottles. You can drink your daily amount of water by filing it up twice (or read label on bottle depending on size). It also is made from a high-grade material that does not retain odor and does not leach, This is when the plastic from cheap water bottles breaks down over time and you start tasting plastic . yuck.

Tips from: www.wateruonline.com, www.purwater.com



2. Sign up for online banking. It saves you time, and it saves trees. If every American did this, 2.3 million tons of wood could be spared annually, and 3.9 billion pounds of greenhouse gases (directly to blame for heating up the planet) would be eliminated. When you visit an ATM, skip the receipt--those scraps of paper are a top source of litter.

3. Buy Local Produce and products. This saves the cost of transportation from far off places and drastically reduces pollution and fuel use. And also supports your local farmers too!

4. While your at it, Pick up some Vintage wears and household items! Cute, Trendy, ONE of a kinds. Clothes, dishes, glasses and more!

Not only will you look fabulous, your house or apt. will have unique vintage touches, and you and your pocket book can feel good about it too!



Dress from: Lolita Vintage

House ware Items from: Finding Fabulous

5. Adjust your Thermostat. The average American home emits about 13 tons of air-clogging carbon dioxide annually via boilers, furnaces and water heaters. Put a dent in that by lowering your thermostat 2°F in winter (to 68°F, ideally) and raising the AC temp by the same amount in summer (to 76°F). Plus it saves Tons of $Cash! I have tried it!

6. Also, Use your Window Curtains and Shades to your advantage. Reducing the amount of fuel used for heating and electricity used for air-conditioning are two key things you can do. Raise shades in winter to let in sunlight and lower them in summer to block out rays.

7. By the way, how about getting a power strip. Saves your electric bill, and even if you turn “off” your appliances you are still wasting stand by power. Plug stuff into a power strip with a circuit breaker so that when you turn it off, It shuts down Everything.

8. Use your dishwasher if you have one. Or if you don’t, Fill up the sink with water and wash the dishes, don’t leave it running.

9. Buy Dvds and cds, through online stores, and downloading from netflix, and itunes, to save plastic, paper, and transportation costs.

10. Try some Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) they use about 65 percent less energy than regular ones.

Hope this helps a little, of course we can’t always do everything perfect and green, but doing a couple simple things can really help keep the world a great place to live for our generation and generations to come. And wow. Really cuts down on your expenses too!

Tips from Glamour Magazine

• By the way, keep your favorite magazine subscriptions, but opt out for catalogs, like victoria secrets past down from the last 5 residents of your apartment :) try www.catalogchoice.org

Color of the Day: Teal

I love the color teal, it is always in my wardrobe.

I picked out some fun Teal clothing and accessories!

1. Halter Top by: Evil Needles

2. Poppy Pins by: Modest Maven

3. Bubble Dress by: AD LOVE

4. Felt Berry Necklace by: The Littlest Bean

Add a Dash of COLOR!

I love colors!

ADD a dash of color to your outfit as the weather is warming up!

All shops featured from Etsy

Zipper and Wool Necklace by: Londi creations

Awesome Shirt by: Isotope

Graffiti Shoes by Max Allbee

WHOLE outfit :