the haystack needle

ecostore nontoxic cleaners

If you've been following here for a while, you probably know I'm a fan of Ecostore's eco-friendly cleaners. These nontoxic cleaners are good for the environment, healthy for you and your home, and they work. I also love their black-and-white photo-driven labels (since cute packaging is always a nice bonus.) The tricky thing with Ecostore is their products are not available in many stores in the US, and the stores that do carry the brand (Duane Reade is one retailer here in the city who does), don't stock the full line. With baby on the way in less than 6 weeks (and since I'm going for it with cloth diapering), I recently stocked up on a bunch of cleaners. I ordered straight off the Ecostore site — you get free shipping if you spend more than $25. I think they have really fair pricing for a nontoxic cleaning line (in most cases, less than Mrs. Meyers or Method.) Here's what I've been using and loving:

I've learned from laundry experts that powder laundry detergents are actually better for getting out typical organic stains (like grass, blood, milk) than liquid laundry detergents. I paired their Front Loader Laundry Powder (super concentrated so you get a lot for your money) with their Pure Oxygen Whitener. I've been using Ecostore's Oxygen Whitener for a year, and I think it's an amazing product. It's my pick for a natural alternative to OxiClean for getting out stains. The big gamble was the Rinse Aid. I'll be honest, I've been disappointed with every eco-friendly automatic dish soap that I've tried (including Method, Seventh Generation, BioKleen, and Mrs. Meyers) because they always leave our glasses cloudy. I'm happy to report that this lemon Rinse Aid was the eco-miracle cure I was looking for. I've paired it with both Mrs. Meyers and EcoStore's automatic dishwasher soap and my glasses came out clear. Even Dan noticed the difference. It's the little things!

ps. If you're looking for some body care products that are free of parabens and chemicals, I've been loving their Coconut & Vanilla body wash and Lemongrass bar soap. I held off on their baby line, since my friends so sweetly stocked me up with baby shampoo, soaps, and balms. 

Images: Ecostore

coolest lunch box

 

This week, I'm covering the New York Gift Fair, and so far, I think the Canadian designers are a big highlight. One of my favorite discoveries from yesterday was the booth of So Young Mother. Check out these laminated linen lunch boxes and cooler bags with insulated linings — all PVC-free and there's a removable strap that lets your kids (or you, I want one!) wear the lunch box messenger-style or as a backpack. I love any bag that can be worn on your back hands-free. The designs are modern with a pop of color paired with the laminated linen. And linen is more lightweight to carry than metal or plastic lunch boxes. So smart!

water filter

We're in our new place! Even though I haven't had a chance to unpack a single box, it already feels like home. 

One thing on my to-do list has nothing to do with decorating. I need to figure out how we're going to do our drinking water. I'll fill you in on a dirty secret of mine. As much as I strive to be as eco-conscious as possible, water has been one place where I've fallen sadly short. I know the deal with bottled water: it makes me cringe how many plastic bottles are polluting our earth and I agree that the mindset of thinking bottled water is better is, in many ways, the result of good marketing. At our last place, the water came out super cloudy and it tasted funny. Then there's the coldness factor. So we've been doing the huge jugs of Poland Spring for our drinking water. I know, so bad. Figuring out a better (greener) solution is one of my resolutions for the new year. And our new apartment is a walk-up, which only adds more incentive — carrying heavy water bottles up a couple flights of stairs is not fun. 

We're living in a neighborhood of Brooklyn called Greenpoint, and I've read enough reports about all the factories in the area polluting the water and radon being found in the ground to want some kind of purification process. I don't love the Brita pitcher. But we're in a rental, so I can't add some filter straight to the pipes. I either need to find a good filtering pitcher or a water filter that somehow connects to our faucet. Do you use a water filter? I'd love to hear any feedback if you have a water filter system you love (or hate.)

I read about this Japanese water pitcher above on a few blogs and agree it sounds cool (and looks pretty.) I love the fact that the charcoal used to filter your water can get tossed in a garden since it's biodegradable — rather than the plastic filters that get tossed in the trash. But I don't know – it's hard to believe in a water pitcher coming from a shop that specializes in modern chairs. Thoughts?

Image: Design Within Reach

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!)