the haystack needle

recycling plastic bottle caps

While researching a feature for DIY Life, I discovered that I've been tossing something in the recycling bin that actually can't be recycled: plastic bottle caps. I also found out that Aveda accepts these caps and takes collected caps to a recycler to be turned into new containers. So I decided to start collecting our caps (just like how I have a pot for loose change that gets cashed in when its full.) Once my pickle jar is full, I'll drop off the caps at an Aveda in the city. It's easy enough to do and feels kind of like cashing in plastic for the environment.

hambone designs

Saturday's rain inspired a productive day for me, but by yesterday, I was over the chilly, wet weather. (And I was visiting my mom, whose basement flooded and has been without power since Saturday night!) But now that daylight savings is here, I'm thinking of spring. And while I don't have a bike (and not sure if I even have the courage to bike in the city), these amazing bike bags by Hambone Designs definitely make me want to go for a ride.

 

flip & tumble produce bags

I cannot wait for all the spring fruits and vegetables to make their first appearance at the farmers market. Last Saturday, it was slim pickings at our market with pretty much just the meat, cheese, and milk stands set up in the snowy park. I never go anywhere without my purple Flip & Tumble bag stashed inside my backpack, as you never know when you'll wind up needing an extra tote bag. So I was excited to see that Flip & Tumble now carries produce bags! You can skip the plastic bags for your veggies and opt for a reusable set. I love the idea of these produce bags for grocery store runs, too. I hate to use the plastic produce bags, but I also get grossed out putting my veggies in a dirty basket (and then they still have to go through the cashier at the end.) And since these bags are see-through, it will be just as easy for the cashier to identify what you're buying.

re.knit

 

Last night I met up with my amazing friend Sara for a long overdue dinner, and as we were walking to the subway together, the topic of organizing closets came up. Sara shared that she's weeded through her closet (gold star for Sara) and is sending an old sweater (she no longer wears) to Re.knit to be turned into a scarf. Wait, there's an alternative to giving away old sweaters to Goodwill! Have you heard of this? I hadn't — and it's such a cool concept. Every month the Re.knit project changes, and this month it's a scarf. (You can vote on what you'd like them to do next month.) There are two scarf styles to choose from, and it costs $30. If you have a solid color sweater, they'll add in a complementing color for your striped scarf. I love this idea — recycling at its best. I definitely have a few sweaters that are stretched out, worn with a hole or two, or hopelessly outdated (I spotted a cropped sweater the other day circa the '90s.) What a fantastic way to get something new out of something old. I'm inspired to go hunting through my drawers for an old sweater to send off. (thanks, Sara!)

hearts for haiti

The devastation and loss of life from the earthquake in Haiti is absolutely heartbreaking. I think it's amazing that technology is being put to good use so that people can instantly give with a simple text message. Many indie artists are donating portions of their proceeds to Haiti relief efforts. I spotted this handknit cup cozy — an eco-alternative to the cardboard sleeve — from Hearts for Haiti on Etsy. This Etsy collective includes donated items from hundreds of Etsy shops, where 100% of the proceeds goes directly to Doctors Without Borders (and the items include seller-donated free shipping.) If you're on the hunt for a gift (or a treat for yourself), you can choose something that gives back.

more ways to give to Haiti:

+ a roundup of Etsy shops giving back to the cause from Apartment Therapy

+ how to help

+ Victoria of sfgirlbybay compiled a fantastic list of handmade goods, artists, and blogs contributing to the effort, including a complete list of donors on Etsy.

I'm ordering a rubber stamp from Paperfinger now (remember from the gift guide?), as Bryn is donating $15 from each custom return address stamp order to Partners in Health. And we're giving a separate donation to Partners in Health, an organization that's well set up to be of great assistance there, as they've been doing work in Haiti for years.

gift guide: give a little something green

I think a lot of us are taking a handmade, DIY approach to gift-giving this year. It's certainly the greenest (and most affordable) option. I've tagged a few sweet recipes I want to try making as food gifts (which will require the purchase of this handy kitchen tool.) But I also have my eye on a bunch of fantastic handmade gifts and lovely finds made with sustainable materials. If they don't make it on my to-buy list as Christmas gifts, I'm sure a few will make the cut as wedding gifts, shower gifts, or a special gift to myself in the new year. 

+ Make no mistake, if I received a box with this succulent kit inside, I would do a shameless dance of joy. I think a living, breathing plant is one of the greenest gifts you could give. And this low-maintenance bowl of succulents gets 5 stars for style — you're basically giving someone the coolest centerpiece to have on their table all year round. This fishbowl kit is custom made in a recycled glass vessel. Succulent Love snaps a photo of your design, carefully wraps up the elements, and sends everything in a box along with special directions on how to recreate your succulent design. ps. Kelly, the wonder designer behind this beauty, crafted together her wedding with gorgeous succulent touches — definitely check it out.

+ I have a weakness for pretty drinking glasses, and these tumblers double up on two things I love: recycled glass and Moroccan style. A giftset of these recycled tumblers would surely make someone's day.

+  For all the new moms, there's a solid maple teether that's an eco-friendly alternative for baby to nibble on. I spotted this on Rosie Hippo, a site all about natural, handmade finds for kids. 

+ There's nothing like having a fantastic stand to display the homemade cupcakes you proudly made from scratch. Perfect for the aspiring baker — an Acacia wood cake stand.
 

+ Head over heels for this Indian paper pad and its 500 sheets of recycled paper with graphic images from Bollywood posters to Indian washing detergent ads. This is no average Post-It pad.

+ Molly, my amazing cousin-in-law (is that the term? can I just say cousin because I'd like to be more familial with this wonder woman) has lived everywhere from Vermont to Thailand, so she knows something about fair-trade and tipped me off to Dolma Designs. There I found this super pinwheel tablecloth that's simply modern in style, completely handmade by Indian artisans under fair-trade practices, and costs just $36. Found: one perfect gift for anyone who loves to entertain. There's a lot to love about the story behind Dolma Designs, too. The owner, Melinda Haselton, got the name for her company while visiting a Buddhist Geshe in India (Dolma is the Tibetan word for compassion.) Melinda donates 15% of profits to schools in India for poverty-stricken youth. And she's worked with a few other fair-trade businesses to get Burlington, VT, qualified as a Fair Trade City. Brilliant.

+ It's just too darn cold out there for plain old lotion to help dry skin. Moisturizing body oil is my solution. I got to sample this certified organic body oil from Ilha Organics that's infused with green tea, restorative calendula, flowers and amazing scented concoctions like lemongrass oil and ylang ylang oil. Let's just say I'm hooked. Mom, you need this.

+ Yes, finally some options in the green arena for iPhones and iPods (because the pickings at the Apple store last time I checked were quite un-innovative.) Love these felt sleeves that work as gifts for him or her.

 


+ This blank book measures high on the green ranking: letterpress recycled brown board covers in black soy ink. And, of course, using a notebook translates to being unplugged. Like Bon Jovi, I once called Jersey home, so I had a song run through my head when I saw this book's name. 

+ Hello, vintage feedsack cotton giraffe handmade by Laura of Wren Handmade. You're like the puppies on the street that I can't walk by without cooing about how adorable you are.

+ This handknit hot water bottle cover is a gift that's both green and cozy. And I'm betting this will get lots of use on those gloomy, chilly winter days when you don't want to get out of bed (like the one we're having here today.)

I also highly recommend popping over to Pia's blog (this stylist's special space in the blogosphere is one of my favorites) for her Enhance the Everyday gift guides. You'll see what I mean: one big wow of I-want-everything and oh-my-this-is-the-perfect-gift. In my opinion, her gift guides are the best I've seen anywhere — and everything is curated by her careful eye to be some combo of handmade, vintage, sustainable, and simply gorgeous. Check them out: gift ideas for him, for her, for home. Thanks for all the inspiration, Pia.

Tomorrow I'll be sharing stocking stuffer gift ideas: gifts that are $10 or under.

surprise field trip

Yesterday, I met my friend Chris in Astoria, and she took me on a surprise field trip. She wouldn't tell me where we were headed until we reached our destination. I had no clue where we were going. Can you guess?

Chris took me on a surprise adventure to Build It Green! I've heard about this non-profit resource, but I'd never been there before. I wish I had a photo of the look on my face when I walked in — my mouth dropped wide open when I saw just how enormous the warehouse is. I skipped around with my camera all afternoon, poking through rows and rows of reclaimed and low-cost salvage finds. I love how even the quiet, unmarked entrance makes it feel like a secret spot.

One of the first things that caught my eye was this massive diner sign! That gorgeous mantel is 150 years old, and it's a salvaged antique from an old Park Slope brownstone. A big piece of history.

I wish we had space for one these vintage file cabinets. I love the old cabinets with wood drawers and the metal ones with industrial style handles.

I fall in the category of weird people who don't like to take a bath (showers only, thank you.) But I do appreciate a beautiful bathtub. I could see this gray clawfoot tub looking amazing in a new bathroom.

Some of the salvage pieces made me laugh — like these mannequins.

There was an entire room of books and painting supplies (new brushes, new paint, used paint, buckets, you name it.) You could save a lot of money on supplies for a painting project.

Now this is my kind of theater seating for the home! I love these old movie seats (you can get an entire row of five connected seats for $200.) These seats would clean up so well.

 

Build It Green is the perfect place for a new homeowner. You'll find doors, windows, moldings, kitchen cabinets, and even appliances. What's more green than renovating with reclaimed building materials. 

And there is a ton of furniture at Build It Green!! Here's a peek at a truckload of furniture that had just come in. Since it's a nonprofit, the pricing is fantastic. You can really get a great deal. I found the prices to be right in line with a junk shop or a flea market. And the people that work there are so nice. Build It Green's mission is fantastic, and I love the idea of reusing found objects and materials that will work for you. Here's a list of their common inventory. And if you're planning a renovation, you can work with Build It Green to do deconstruction — so your old materials don't go to waste.

Thank you, Chris! I had the best time. What an adventure! And I sure love a good surprise.