Sunny, sun, sunshine!

I'm headed off to sunny San Diego for the rest of the week, well La Jolla to be exact.  I'll be working but am looking forward to some play time as well.  I've already made a list of cute home furnishing shops to check out during my down time.  I promise to do my best to keep you posted on my finds!

And I'll keep my fingers crossed for a little bit of this as well ;)

besos,

diana

*images via here & here

Think Now Jewelry

A couple of weeks ago I attended the eco-chic expo in Seattle and one of my favorite finds was Think Now jewelry.  I spent a little bit of time chatting with the designer and getting to know a little bit more about the product and philosophy of the company.  I ended up purchasing a pair of earrings to give to my mom for mothers day and wanted to make sure to share with you some great facts about the company.

arrabic array earrings

Their jewelry is made from all natural material that comes from sources such as recycled mat board (like you would use to frame a picture), and wood laminate scraps from cabinet makers sourcing from managed growth forests.  They use only water based adhesives and products are sealed with beeswax and linseed oil.  All products are also compostable, or you can return your well-loved jewelry to the company and receive credit for you next purchase.

It really is hard to choose a favorite few pieces but I'll do my best to represent each line that they carry.  I highly recommend that you spend some time browsing their website as they have so many unique, organic and beautiful options to choose from.

bubbles earrings, coral earrings

maple leaf necklace

orbit earrings, pages earrings

Have fun picking out your favorite piece!

besos,

diana

Shoppe-ing With Purpose

I'd like to share with you an inspirational, heart-warming and adorable little shop on Etsy that a friend of mine has been pouring her heart and soul into in order to raise money to adopt a child from China.  She makes beautiful hand-crafted pieces and every time I visit her shop and see her lovely work I am filled with emotion and hope for her and her family.  So, here's to following your dreams and making the world a better place, one Wild Poppy Shoppe at a time!

Below are a few of my favorites:

*chocolate brown hair flower, vintage glam on olive jade necklace, yellow jade and turquoise beaded flower necklace, exotic floral cloth napkins

Wouldn't these make wonderful gifts for your girlfriends, your mom or your sister or maybe just a special treat to brighten up your day?!  

I hope you enjoy her shop as much as I do.

besos,

diana

A Shining Throne

Ah yes, toilet bowl cleaner.  Its as simple as all the rest!

Supply list:

2 Tablespoons baking soda
1 Tablespoon olive oil
natural scent (optional)

combine baking soda with olive oil and optional scent (lemon is always a fresh idea!)  Throw it in the toilet and scrub away!

Say So Long Mold and Mildew!

Although Seattle was bright and sunny this morning, we all know what a problem mold and mildew can be during those grey, wet months (seriously, months people)  If you're like me you probably don't enjoy the idea of spraying harsh chemicals around your house to get rid of the pesky stuff so here is a safe and non-hazardous alternative (and oh so simple!)

photo

Supply list:

distilled vinegar
spray bottle
*tea trea oil
* water

Pour distilled vinegar into the spray bottle and spray on affected area.  The vinegar smell will dissipate after a few hours and should leave the area free of mold/mildew. 

*For more persistent problems, combine 2 drops of tea trea oil to 1 cup of water in your spray bottle and spray on the area.  Tea trea oil is a natural antiseptic and fungicide and will kill most types of mold as well as help prevent new growth.

 So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, GOOD BYE mold!

diana

Streak Free Shine

Glass & Shiny Surface Spray Cleaner:

Supply list:
spray bottle
2 cups water
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar or cider vinegar
1/4 cup rubbing alcohol (70% concentration)
label and pen
*optional favorite essential oil

Combine the above ingredients into the spray bottle, label and clean away!

imagine if you had to clean all these windows!!!

image via flickr

All-Purpose Scrub

All-Purpose Scrub from Body+Soul magazine

Supply list:
small bowl
1/2 cup baking soda
plant based soap such as olive (castille soap), palm or coconut
1/2 a lemon
damp rag or sponge
optional for storage:
glass jar w/ lid
vegetable glycerin

photo

Pour baking soda into a bowl. Add just enough liquid soap to make a creamy paste. Spread mixture on the flat side of lemon and scrub. The lemon acts as a sponge and leaves a natural citrus scent. Use a damp rag or sponge to wipe away any residue. The paste will stay moist for a few hours.


*To save leftover scrub, add in a few drops of vegetable glycerin (a thick, clear syrup derived from plant oils, available from http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/) and seal in a glass jar.


Happy Cleaning!

diana

Natural Air Freshener

This week I plan to feature natural home remedies, the first of which will be a simple recipe for an air freshener to be used in the home.  Throughout the week, I will include ways to make glass cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, ways to fight mold and mildew, etc.  Not only will your home be closer to chemical free but you can also re-use the bottles as you find it necessary to make more of these products so less waste!

Sweet Smells from Satsuma Designs (http://www.satsumadesigns.com/)

Supply list:
1 glass bottle
water
vodka
your favorite extract scent
bamboo reeds

Directions:

Fill a bottle 2/3 full with water.  Add 2 TBS vodka.  Add a few drops of citrus essential oil or your favorite extract.  Soak bamboo reeds for 15 minutes then turn them upside down so they can emmit the scent.  Turn the reeds over every few days or so to refresh.

Enjoy!

diana

*photos via http://www.wholeliving.com/

Home Accessories Swap

Hey there!  I know its been way too long since I've posted but I think I've finally settled into a routine with the new job and blogging and just life in general.  Thanks for your patience.  I promise to continue to bring you new and exciting eco-friendly thoughts, tips and anything else I happen to come across.

A couple of weekends ago I attended the Eco Chic Expo and met the lovely Piper Lauri Salogga of Natural Balance.  http://www.naturalbalance9.com/  Piper informed me of a fabulous upcoming event in Seattle on May 23rd that she is organizing.  Its called a home accessories swap and it is a fantastic way to recycle some of your accessories or furniture that you no longer have use for and get some great new finds to freshen up your home!  If you RSVP ahead of time you pay just $10 to participate and then everything swapped is FREE!!!  Yep, you can get a new look for your home for just $10.  As a bonus, any non-swapped items will be generously donated to the Childrens Hospital Thrift Shop.

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If you are interested in more information or want to RSVP for the event click here

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I was thinking that for those of you who are not in the local Seattle area that this would be a great event that you could organize in your own city.  Find a community center or local school gym, gather up some friends to help you with the details like creating flyers, select a charity to donate any un-swapped items and help your community do something fun and green!

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Have fun!!!

besos,

diana

Off The Grid

Well, I'm back and let me say "fabulous" does not do justice to the place we stayed for the wedding.  A quintessential Mexican town north of Los Barriles called El Cardonal.  It was quite literally off the grid 100% at times (we lost power and water over a few days but all turned out great!)  Dirt roads, washed out highways, cows wandering through the yard, and this:

So the wedding was fabulous, the bride was incredibly calm and happy and in the end everything went off without a hitch! 

I wish I could stay right here forever

But alas, its back to the grind and more importantly back to BLOGGING!

besos,

diana