Warm Weather Essentials

It's already June and along with studying for the NCLEX, I'm gearing up for summer. Here are some of my warm weather essentials.

American Eagle makes the Perfect Summer Shorts, the Midi Short: the perfect length.

This lightweight, fast drying Pestamel Beach Towel can be used as a sarong, towel or blanket.

These Honey Yogurt Berry Pops, a healthy popsicle with fruit, natural sweeteners and high protein greek yogurt. Make your own with these Stainless Steel Popsicle Molds or this Push Pop Mold!

I hate doing my hair in the summer and this Twisted Updo is perfect for short hair. If I had longer hair, I'd rock the perfect messy bun everyday.

I think this Summertime in Paris Cocktail sounds sophisticated and refreshing. A bottle of  Rose wine is also great on warm evenings. You could also make some of these great alcohol free cocktails.

This Straw Tote is perfect for the beach or the farmers market, or just as a purse.

I've been eyeing these Tom's Casual Flats but they're a bit pricey. Another option are these chic Bensimon Sneakers or these classic Converse Chuck Taylor slip-ons

P.S. More summer essentials and some simple summer food

2012 Calendars

Check out these beautiful unique 2012 calendars. I especially love the mountain range one:

Bookhou

Rifle Paper

Claudia Pearson

Paper Source

Pam Lostracco

dozi

Loving

These Stainless Steel Popsicle Molds - Onyx

This popsicle recipe - Lottie and Doof

This Post - Pacing the Panic Room

This Book - Radical Homemakers

These classic tortoiseshell wayfarers

These Words

Cleaning House

Spring cleaning is in full effect around here and we have to keep up on it while the house is on the market. I figured I'd do a little round up of the (green) cleaning products we use to keep the house looking good.

White Vinegar

When cleaning the wood laminate floors, traditional cleaners can break down the finish on the wood. So an easy cheap alternative is using vinegar. Vinegar is naturally antibacterial and just a half cup in a bucket of water does the trick. The vinegar smell might be off putting, but it dissipates quickly, leaving no odor behind.

For washing the floors with vinegar we use a spin mop with bucket (above). Although a bit bulky, the dual bucket allows for dipping the mop on one side and spinning it dry on the other. Making mopping the floor faster and less messy.

Microfiber cloths

All surface cleaning, including glass, is done using a microfiber or cotton rag. It saves money on paper towels and swiffer dusters and just need to be thrown in the wash.

Method Wood for Good - Almond

For dusting, I like Method's Wood for Good. I hated the greasy aerosol dusting spray and was stoked to find this in the store. It polishes wood really well, doesn't leave an oily film, smells like almonds and is nontoxic.

Method Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaner - Lemon Verbena

The entire kitchen is cleaned with Method's Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaner. It works just as well on counters as it does on the stove, sink and small appliances. We keep the bottle under the sink with a cotton towel and spray down the counters and stove after cooking.

 Method Lil' Bowl Blue - Eucalyptus Mint

Method Antibacterial Bathroom Cleaner - Spearmint

In the bathroom we use Method's Lil Bowl Blu and Antibac bathroom cleaner. The toilet cleaner smells good and really sticks to the toilet bowl for a better clean. The antibac spray, although it smells strongly of mouthwash, works well on the counters. I haven't really figured out what works well on the shower yet. We squeegee the walls after showering which maximizes time between deep cleanings. A baking soda water paste works well on the floor, but I have a difficult time keeping the shower doors streak free.

Fresh Wave Odor-Neutralizing Spray

Lastly, we use Fresh Wave's odor neutralizing spray in place of Febreze. It's nontoxic and safe for pets and people. It does smell a bit earthy though, so it might not be for everyone.

P.S. No I'm not a paid spokesperson for method, I just like their environmental philosophy and prices. However, I'm not opposed to becoming a paid spokesperson (wink, wink).

Fabric Gift Wrap

Although for Christmas this year, we went all out with kraft paper wrapping and homemade tissue paper flowers, I recently found, and love the beauty, simplicity, functionality and all around eco friendlyness of furoshiki. According to furoshiki.com,

"Furoshiki is a type of traditional Japanese wrapping cloth that was frequently used to transport clothes, gifts, or other goods. Although possibly dating back as far as the Nara period, the name, meaning "bath spread", derives from the Edo period practice of using them to bundle clothes while at the sento (public baths). Before becoming associated with public baths, furoshiki was known as hiradzutsumi, or flat folded bundle. Eventually, the furoshiki's usage extended to serve as a means for merchants to transport their wares or to protect and decorate a gift."

Images via Chewing the Cud

Persimmon & Pine via Poppytalk

Image via Gyroglyph

 I love this how to which shows you how to wrap anything from wine bottles to books. Although I love the beautiful designer fabrics, I'm thinking I'd like to buy some cotton fabric and make my own furoshiki.

Eco Friendly Luggage

With our pending trip to San Francisco, and some busted up luggage from our last trip to Mexico, it was time to invest in a nice new set of luggage. And, since you know I'll crazy about all things earth friendly, I searched the web from some eco luggage choices.

Heys Usa Renovo 5 Piece Set - Made from 100% recycled polyester and is biodegradable - $390

Patagonia MLC Wheelie - Fabric made form recycled plastic soda bottles - $229

Ella Vickers Sailcloth Duffle - made from recycled sailcloth from yachts around the world- $178

 

Heys Usa Eco Leaves 3 Piece Set - the shell is made form 100% recycled plastic - $450

Matt & Nat Faithless Bag - Vegan leather and recycled suede lining - $147

You might be put off by those hefty price tags, but rest assured places like amazon and overstock are selling these things at a nice discount. We picked up the Heys Usa Renovo in Charcoal for $250. Still seem like a lot for luggage? We weighed the options and it seemed comparable to other luggage sets plus it had some of the features we were looking for. Not only was it made of recycled and compostable fabric but it's frameless (our other luggage tore right along the frame on our flight to Mexico) and it's lightweight so we don't have to worry as much about weight limits.

Christmas Wishlist

This one's for me (wink, wink)

Bamboo Tea Box



Reusable Produce Bags

Converse All Star in Charcoal

Silver Falling Twig Necklace

Stainless Steel Crock Pot

Nail Polish Pretty

I'm not really too into nail polish, but now that I am not allowed to wear it during labs and clinicals, I've suddenly developed an interest in them. These are some of the beautiful colors on my wish list.

OPI in Ski Teal We Drop



Zoya in Envy


American Apparel Nail Lacquer in Mount Royal




Priti Polish in Rabbit Tracks

Bonus! All of these polishes are nontoxic which means they are free of formaldehyde, toluene and phalates (find out exactly what that means here)

Happy Friday

Hi Friends. It's Friday, and that means class tonight, followed by a Health Fair on Saturday and Nursing Lab on Sunday. It's a little bit of a bummer because Mike is off all weekend, so he'll stay busy working on/winterizing the house. For a little respite from the busyness we're heading to a friends on Saturday night for pizza and drinks with her and her husband. What is everyone else up to this weekend?

Here's some things I'm loving this week:

New to me online boutique Ruche

I loved when my grandma used to make these

This necklace

The sweet deals in the Anthropologie sale section

Etsy Love - Pure Michigan

Home is Where the Heart is Print

Petoskey Stone Pendant

Wool and Felt Michigan Pillow

Bamboo Cutting Board

Camping Must Haves

I'm about to embark on my first real camping trip so I've asked my brother A.J. an avid camper, hiker, and backpacker for some advice on what camping essentials we will need.

Here's the breakdown:

Propane Lantern



PVC free Solar camp shower



Dr. Bronner's organic biodegradable soap

Sea to Summit Kitchen Sink

Sea to Summit Clothesline



Biodegradable Toilet Paper

Of course, there are many more things needed for camping; a tent, tarp, sleeping bag, air mattress, towels, crockery, toiletries, ax, dutch oven, etc.

Some fun and interesting camping related links:

A Fun Camping Engagement Session

Green Camping Packing List

Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics