A Trip to the Tulips

The weather held out and we were able to visit the Tulip Festival on Saturday. While there weren't blue skies, and it was a bit chilly... it didn't rain!

 

There are signs posted everywhere, "Do not step between rows." I'm a rebel, clearly.

I love when nice strangers offer to take our photo. :)

After the tulips, we got lunch and splurged on dessert. Look at this gigantic Cream Puff!!! Even the server didn't think we could finish it!

We proved him wrong.

Also, Happy Earth Day!!

Every day I try to make an effort to care for our planet. I always have my reusable grocery bags, I try and reduce my amount of waste, and I recycle, recycle, recyle! Did you know, the concept of Earth Day came from a Wisconsin Senator in 1970? Americans took to the streets to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive coast-to-coast rallies. You don't see much of that now.  

If you're interested, check out the video below.

In 24 hours….

We will be in VEGAS!!!


Today… I am packing.

1. Sunscreen
2. Dresses
3. Heels
4. Excedrin 
5. MY BIRTHDAY EXCITEMENT! 

Also… Happy Earth Day! 

Remember to respect our Mother Earth, not just today but everyday. 

Top 6: Products & Packaging that Piss Me Off

Sure, convenience is great, but what about the environmental impacts? 


Here are a few packaging/products that piss me off, and their more environmentally friendly alternatives: 


1) Kleenex Hand Towels - their selling point is over-exaggerating the amount of germs that can collect in the classic hand towel. Seriously, just wash your towels more; don't kill trees. 

2) Individually wrapped…carrots, apple slices…ANYTHING! It doesn't take long to cut up your own produce and conveniently place it into your perfecting portion sized containers. 


3) Yogurt with granola- Buy in bulk! See #3

4) Styrofoam. It's 2012, shouldn't this stuff be banned? Try to buy products that don't use styrofoam in their packaging. Biodegradable egg cartons, bring your own coffee cup, and give praise to restaurants that use reusable plastic containers. 


5)Unnecessary brand packaging. I'm talking about the lovely tissue paper that Sephora and Victoria's Secret uses to wrap our purchases. Though it's pretty and makes you feel special (just me?) it's a complete waste. Solution: tell them you don't want it. OR, if you like the paper… reuse it. 

6) Bottled water- this pretty much goes without saying. BYOWB. Bring your own water bottle, folks! 

Key considerations: 

Buy in bulk

Invest in great plastic containers (I like Rubbermaid) 

Say "No" to bad packaging

Think before you drink (in every context)

Corked

I have been saving all my wine corks for a few years now. I am not quite sure what I will be doing with all of them… 


But I am getting some ideas…

Maybe I'll just settle for a few cork boards…. 

Super Suck Sunday

Super

• First Farmer's Market of the Summer (though not much of a Summer). I bought a beautiful bouquet of flowers, and some delicious Rainer Cherries.
• Getting an email from a very happy client who is gracious for the work that I have done for him. Feels good to know the work I do means something. 
• Sleeping in. The boy was nice enough to let me sleep in this morning. Not seeing a clock until almost 10 AM was absolutely incredible. 
• Lintrollers. AMAZING invention. My cat loves to lay on all my black clothes. Literally… those are the only clothes he will lay on. Asshole. 
• Juicers. Ever get a whole cutting board full of fruits and vegetables into one glass? The boy purchased a juicer last week after watching Fat Sick and Nearly Dead (he's such a sucker). It's a pretty good documentary - you should watch it. See the trailer below:

Sucks 

• Cravings. I have been trying to choose the more healthy route, but Friday was a true test. The bakery next to my Practicum is amazing…muffins, brownies, scones and buns were calling my name. I was strong and chose fresh fruit. Seriously….now that's willpower. 
• Homework and school in general. Procrastination has been getting the better of me. It's effing Summer (sorta)! I do not want to be writing papers and reading articles…. nope. 
• It's July 17th. It's currently overcast, raining and 50 Degrees outside. Enough. Said. 
• I know it's my own damn fault, but it's really frustrating when I can't find my stuff in the morning. Nothing is more irritating than when I can't find my belt, or my cardigan…or my other shoe. 
• Junk mail and phone books suck!! Not only are they unwanted and completely unnecessary, but they are a waste of paper. So - here's what you can do: 

Where to recycle? Click HERE

How to opt out of receiving phone books? Click HERE

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle… you lazy butts!

You know what I don’t understand about this world? More than people who don’t bother to vote and then carp on about taxes and how all politicians are the same? More than people who think that if you’re bisexual it means you’ll screw absolutely anyone (especially them)? What I don’t understand is the fact that people STILL don’t recycle! Yes, I’m being a bit dramatic. But…

Seriously people! It’s the year 2011, and cities and states have been making it more and more convenient for you to recycle! Yet, you still choose to throw your aluminum cans, glass bottles, and plastic bags in the dumpster! What. Is. Wrong. With. You?? Take the time to rinse out your cans, bottles and glasses! Find where your town recycling plant is. Contribute to our sustainability you lazy butts!

Now…This shouldn't be news to anyone, but just incase, here are some Tips:

1. Use only the water you need, and reuse when possible.
2. Help keep water clean by using biodegradable and environmentally friendly cleaning products.
3. Dispose of solid and liquid wastes and medications safely. Many pharmacies have receptacles to drop off unused prescriptions.
4. Protect your local water source from pollutants, excess pesticides and garbage.
5. Save energy at home. Choose energy-saving appliances if they’re available. 
6. Reuse. Upcycle! Take something that is disposable and transform it into something of greater use and value. Save your corks and bottle caps to make a creative frame or coaster. Save newspapers and do the old-newspaper-as-wrapping-paper trick!
7. Recycle metals, plastics and paper – NO EXCUSES
8. E-cycle. Recycle and/or properly dispose of electronic waste such as computers and other gadgets.
9. When purchasing goods, opt for sustainable, recycled or reused resources. Choose items in less packaging. While those little convenient bags of carrots are great, just splurge for the big bag and use your reusable plastic ware. 
10. And then…. the easiest and now the trendiest of them all: BYOB! Bring your own bag to the grocery store! You could even get fancy and RECYCLE a used pillowcase, sew some handles on it, and poof, there ya go! A trendy new grocery bag! Want more ideas like this? Click this !

April 22^nd is Earth Day. While I am a firm believer that everyday is Earth Day, I am going to challenge you to celebrate this day. 

If you don’t already, establish recycling bins for your home. Look at your “trash” as a creative opportunity. Buy Energy Star Light bulbs and do the switch out (make sure to properly dispose of the old light bulbs). Check out www.earth911.com to see how.

Being lazy or uneducated is NOT an excuse! Consider yourself educated! We are sharing this planet, and we must work together to take care of her.

So, what will YOU do to celebrate Earth Day?