I am really determined to make most of my Christmas gifts this year, which is quite a lofty goal since I am not that crafty. However, I love the idea of giving something to your loved ones that you worked on yourself – not taking part in the consumer frenzy. I am excited about the personalization that a homemade gift can bring. Here is a list of resources that have been helping me towards my goal.
I have become simply obsessed with Little Sapling Toys. Their products are aesthetically gorgeous, handmade, earth-friendly and both imaginative and cognitively stimulating. Oh, and totally reasonably priced. Did I mention that they plant a tree for every toy sold? They do. Some of my favorites:
So beautiful! I love the barn, the purple shoes, the hair piece, and the exquisitely beautiful setting that wasn't marred by too much busyness. "As far as the wedding decorations go- we made all of them! To start with, we made streamers made of cream and white tissue paper. We also made fabric streamers. We used both vintage frabrics, and bought some bed sheets at Target to make those. I had hay stacks for people to sit on during the ceremony, and my mom made the covers to go over them. I also got yellow fans for guests, and little sachets that we filled with lavender for people to throw after we were married and walking back down the aisle together. For table decorations we also made the table runners. I collected vintage bottles, and was borrowed some old jelly jars and mason jars. We made the drift wood and bark centerpieces that had soft wood (balsa wood i think), moss and votive candles on them. I ordered the lavender online and I worked with florist Judy Greg Hacker. We bought the fresh flowers by the buckets instead of having arrangements and then she made my bouquet. Then a friend made all the boutonnieres out of left over crafts we had from making decorations, and some of the flowers."
This article in New York Magazine is all about the current trend towards fine-dining restaurants focusing on vegetables as the main event instead of just being side dishes. As a vegetarian, I love mainstream media stories that promote limiting the amount of meat to eat. Here is the accompanying list of NYC restaurants serving up veggie-based meals. Yum.
We have been on a bit of a budget since the move back to the big city, so I have started making my own cleaning supplies. I know, I know, why haven’t I been making my own supplies all along? I have no good answer for you, there are so many simple recipes using products from your pantry that make incredibly effective household cleaning solutions. These natural products are often more environmentally friendly than even green commercial alternatives. Supplies you’ll need:
White Vinegar, which dissolves dirt, soap scum, and hard water deposits from smooth surfaces, yet is gentle enough to use to clean hardwood floors. White vinegar is a natural deodorizer, absorbing odors instead of covering them up.
Baking Soda's mild abrasive action and natural deodorizing properties make it a powerful replacement for harsh commercial scouring powders. It will eliminate odors and can also be used as an air freshener or a carpet deodorizer.
Tea Tree Oil is a natural antibacterial and antifungal essential oil. Although tea tree oil has a strong smell, it is an effective substitute for harsher, mainstream chemicals. You don't have to worry about children and pets being harmed by a tea tree oil solution, unlike many chemical cleaners.
Grapefruit Seed Extract is also effective for cleaning and disinfecting the home. The extract offers natural protection against Staph, Strep, Salmonella, and many other common bacteria, viruses and parasites found in the household. Grapefruit seed extract is a bit expensive, but has no smell and can be used similarly to tea tree oil.
Unscented Soap in liquid form, flakes, or bars is biodegradable and will clean just about anything. Avoid using soaps that contain petroleum distillates.
Lemons are one of the strongest food-acids, making it effective against most household bacteria.
My Favorite Recipes
All Purpose Grapefruit Cleaner (this is my go-to for cleaning children’s toys when I teach parent/child classes) Add 2 teaspoons of grapefruit seed extract to 2 cups water in a spray bottle. Use on all surfaces around the home. No need to rinse.
All Purpose Tea Tree Cleaner (what I am using currently in my home) Same recipe as above, only replacing the grapefruit extract with tea tree oil. Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on areas to be cleaned. Do not rinse. These are both very economical to use in comparison to other cleaners.
Soft Scrub pour ½ cup of baking soda into a bowl and add enough liquid soap to make a texture like frosting. Scoop mixture onto a sponge or towel, and wash the surface. I love to clean the sinks and bathtub with this because it rinses out so easily and doesn’t leave grit. This doesn’t store well, so only make as much as you need at one time.
Window and Glass Cleaner mix together ¼ teaspoon liquid soap, 3 tablespoons vinegar and 2 cups water in a spray bottle. Remember to use a towel (microfiber works great) instead of paper towels for wiping.
Furniture Polish Combine ½ teaspoon olive oil and ¼ cup vinegar or fresh lemon juice. Mix the ingredients in a glass jar. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces. Cover the glass jar and store indefinitely.
Pure Vinegar Spray Straight vinegar kills about 85 percent of mold. Pour some white distilled vinegar straight into a spray bottle, spray on the moldy area, and let set without rinsing. It will make your house smell like vinegar for a bit, but don’t worry; the smell will dissipate in a few hours.
Happy Cleaning,
xoxo
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