This post has been sponsored by Primo®. All opinions are my own. A few weeks ago, the girls and I did their back to school shopping. It's quite fun for all of us and we love perusing the aisles and I love getting new office and school supplies... for them, of course! One item that's always on their school lists is a water bottle. Now, I'll be honest, we're really struggling to find THE magical water bottle that doesn't spill, doesn’t have a ton of little parts, and is super cute, but alas, we're trying each brand until we do find THE one. But one thing I'm not trying to find is a way to fill their water bottles anymore - that's been covered with our new Primo water dispenser. The girls easily fill their water bottles up each morning and are out the door, ready for a day of learning. Did you know that adding a water … [Read more...]
DIY Daily Shower Spray for No Scrub Cleaning!
If you loathe cleaning showers as much as I do, you're going to love this DIY daily cleaning spray. Keep your shower clean with a daily spray and no scrubbing. The best part, you can make it yourself with no dangerous chemicals and just a few dollars! This post is in partnership with NOW®. All opinions are my own. Can I share a dirty secret with you? My shower. There, I said it. I know my shower isn't clean. How do I know? Well, I look at it and look at others, like at hotels, and yes, I know it's not as clean as it should be. Now, don't get me wrong. It's not filthy and gross, but there's a problem there for sure, but perhaps it isn't all my fault. It turns out we have hard water and I had no idea. But build-up is definitely there if I don't regularly clean the shower. And remember that dirty secret? It doesn't … [Read more...]
Ditch the Plastic Bottles, Live Sustainable this Summer
This post is sponsored by Brita but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. If you've been around this blog any time, you know that I'm all about easy, small steps to a better life. Why? Because when you take small steps to a more eco-friendly lifestyle, you're more likely to sustain those steps. If you try to go totally waste-free in every room of your house when you are used to having 2 cans of trash a week... you're probably not going to be successful. But if you try to go waste-free in one room at a time, with an end goal of total waste-free in one year, you're more likely to hit those goals. That's why when people ask me what's my number 1 tip for going green, they are almost always underwhelmed. But then I explain that reasoning - small steps make big changes in the future - and they get it. And one of the first tips … [Read more...]
The ULTIMATE List of DIY Natural Homemade Cleaners
One of the easiest ways to go green and save money is to make homemade cleaners for your home. Here's a great list of DIY cleaners that you can make today with supplies you already have in your home! One of the best choices you can make for your family is a more eco-friendly path and an easy way to start is by making homemade cleaners for your home. Not only will you know exactly what you're cleaning with... believe me, it's so nice to be able to pronounce all the ingredients... you'll also save money by making your own! I've compiled the Ultimate List of Homemade Cleaners posts to bring you some of the best homemade cleaners to get your home sparkling in no time. From grout cleaner to toilet bombs to laundry soap, you'll be ready to make your own DIY cleaners with supplies you already have in your home! General DIY Household … [Read more...]
Waste Free Living: 9 Ways to Go Waste Free in Your Bathroom
Waste free living can seem overwhelming at first, but if you tackle one room in your home at a time, it is possible. Check out these 9 ways to go waste free in your bathroom. When you start on the path of a green-er life for your family, you likely start with your children. That's how our journey went and what I hear so many others say as well. Then the natural progression seems to go from children's personal care products to the kitchen. You start purchasing more organic foods, healthy snacks, etc. Today I'm ready to share with you the next step you should make in your green journey... a waste free bathroom! While the idea of going waste free may seem just way too hard [I know, because I thought so myself for the last few years], it's really so easy, no pun intended. Today I'm going to share with you 9 easy ways to make your … [Read more...]
Trendy Cozy Wear from prAna
Are you ready to lounge by the fire in the coziest, softest lounge wear from prAna? I'm sharing my 2 favorite cozy pieces just in time for Winter. I received items for review from prAna. All opinions are my own. I am SO excited for the newest trend in fashion because it's all about cozy, comfort, and warmth. The temperatures are staying below 50 degrees now in East Tennessee and there's nothing I want to do more than just lounge around the house in comfortable cozy clothes. But that doesn't just mean oversized, not-so-cute sweats anymore - cozy wear is definitely trendy and I can't get enough! I was sent a couple of prAna's coziest items including this top, the Permafrost Half Zip. I chose the beautiful Khaki Rose color [although that Bone is beautiful too]. The Permafrost Half Zip women's pullover hoodie features dropped … [Read more...]
How to Recycle Cartons
This post was sponsored by the Carton Council as part of an Ambassador Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own. Did you know that we're just days away from America Recycles Day? It's officially celebrated on November 15th every year, but anyone who recycles regularly celebrates every day they put out the recycling bin. While recycling is an expected and accepted practice in almost every area of the country, there are still some towns that don't offer recycling pick-up or services. I wrote a post a few months ago with tips on how to recycle even when you're city doesn't offer recycling services. Today I'm sharing a bit more about just how to recycle items that you might not normally recycle... like cartons! Most who recycle do plastic, glass, and paper, but some items like cartons can … [Read more...]
DIY Bug Bracelets [made with Essential Oils]
While summer has us spending more time outside because of beautiful weather, it brings with it bugs that sometimes cause us to run back inside. Not anymore - make these DIY Bug Bracelets with essential oils to enjoy your time outside bug bite free! This post is in partnership with NOW® Foods. All opinions are my own. While my family definitely finds ourselves spending more time outside during summer - in the backyard, camping, at the beach, in the park - we definitely find ourselves swatting away mosquitoes and other biting bugs. I always find it so weird that my oldest daughter and I seem to get bitten more than anyone else. I TRY to remember to use bug spray, but sometimes we're in such a hurry that we just forget. But when those pesky bugs start biting, I am sure to remember then! We've had great success with wearable bug … [Read more...]
How to Wash Cloth Diapers + My Cloth Diaper Wash Routine
This post is brought to you by P&G and Tide. All opinions expressed are my own. One of the biggest concerns when you start researching alternatives to disposable diapers is how to wash cloth diapers. It's way easier than you think, especially when you follow these tips and develop your own cloth diaper wash routine! After using cloth diapers for a total of 4 years, I've had plenty of experience in washing them. I've tried different cloth diaper wash routines, different types of cloth diaper detergents, different diapers - you name it, I've probably tried it! I always tried to have enough cloth diapers in my stash to only have to wash them every 2-3 days. The number of diapers you'll need varies depending on the age of your child [and how frequent you'll be changing their diaper], but a good amount for daily use is 10-12 … [Read more...]
No Recycling Services in Your City? Here’s What You Can Do!
This post was sponsored by Carton Council as part of an Ambassador Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own. When I started on the journey to going green, recycling was one of the last things I incorporated into my family's routine. That might surprise you, but because I live in a city without curbside recycling services, it can be a bit more difficult to recycle. But that doesn't mean we don't recycle at all and it should be the same for you also if you live in a community without curbside recycling. Today I'm sharing some ideas of how you can make a difference in your home, as well as make a bigger impact on the Earth too! Request recycling services in your city. While you may just feel like one person, you can make a big difference especially if you go straight to the source of … [Read more...]
5 Reasons You Should Always Wash Clothes in Cold Water
This post is sponsored by Tide. All opinions are my own. Did you know that by washing clothes on a quick cycle in cold water, you can reduce energy use by 80% vs. the normal cycle? That's one of the reasons you should always wash clothes in cold water and here's 4 more reasons too! Do you have a favorite laundry setting? I use the same type cycle for almost every single load of clothes that I wash and it might just surprise you! Even with 2 kids, stained play clothes, soccer jerseys, and my husband's work uniforms, I always have my settings on quick, cold water cycles. Washing clothes in cold water gets them clean. One reason that might surprise you is the myth that washing in hot water results in cleaner clothes. I have to admit, I had always believed the myth myself up until a few years ago when I finally challenged myself … [Read more...]
Eco Friendly Straws: It’s Time to Ditch the Plastic Straws
If you love to drink from a straw, but hate the waste that using disposable straws produces, there are eco friendly straws available for you! Check out the 4 different options that you can start using today and can take with you anywhere you go! I love drinking out of a straw. Give me a cup with a straw and I'll drink twice as much water in a day. I have no idea why, but it's just something I've always preferred. But one thing I don't prefer is the amount of waste that using disposable straws causes. I'm not alone there either. Did you know that some cities have outlawed plastic straws? In fact, there's a bill in the works to outlaw plastic straws in the entire state of California right now. The biggest issue with plastic straws is the fact that they aren't even recyclable. Add to that fact that the average American uses at least … [Read more...]