A Greener Lunch Box

Yesterday over at Blissfully Domestic I wrote about packing a waste-free lunch for your kids. I bet if you looked around your house you'd find all the elements needed to create a lunch with little to no waste. Just in case you don't have what you need, I wanted to show you some of my favorite finds.

Hero Lunch Bags - All Star Organic Cotton Lunch Bag

• 100% USDA-NOP Certified Organic 10oz Cotton Canvas
• Cotton is chemical and pesticide free
• Manufactured in the USA
• Machine washable, (designed to shrink a bit) line dry

Laptop Lunches/Bento-Ware

Cool modular design featuring five reusable microwave safe food containers Creative and economical system for helping parents pack wholesome, low-waste meals Designed for kids - incorporates fun colors and a puzzle piece design A fashionable, sustainable alternative to wasteful, single-use containers that saves you money

Wrap - N- Mats

Replaces wasteful plastic sandwich and snack bags Made with Fair Labor/Fair Wages Food safe, PEVA liner that wipes clean Eco-Print design printed with vegetable based dyes

Sigg Water Bottles

Smart, stylish, safe alternative to polycarbonate plastic sippy cups Tested to ensure 0% leaching of any substance - no trace of BPA, BPB or any phthalates Taste neutral, resistant to fruit juices & energy drinks with no scent transfer Lightweight, unbreakable bottle Swiss-engineered from a single piece of aluminum

Fabkins Cloth Napkins

Adds a personal touch to a waste-free lunch Makes mealtime more fun and special Helps teach good table manners Gets kids involved in saving the environment

Vanity Bench Makeover

As a teenager I sat at this vanity bench to apply my electric blue eyeliner (on both upper and lower lids, of course). I rolled my hair with hot rollers and sprayed more hairspray than I care to remember. I contemplated my teenage life and tried to figure out the girl whose reflection stared back at me daily.

Years before my mother and aunt sat on the same vanity bench in a room they shared. Oh, how I would love to know all the secrets this little bench holds. It's a little wobbly and probably not as comfortable as it once was, but the memories are comfort enough.

Our vanity bench has had a good life and served the women of my family welll, but a little girl who has a tutu dust ruffle needs a little something more.


This was my first experience with spray paint . . . . but it won't be the last. I was able to transform this piece for around $10. The fabric was on some crazy super sale at Joanne's for $1.19, I splurged on the trim and spent $5.34 and the spray paint was $3.44.

I did this after the kids went to bed. Honestly, it took me longer to gather all the materials in one place than it did to complete it. I'm going to attempt a makeover on the vanity soon, but for now I'm very happy with how this turned out. I hope my little girl will be, too.

I am reposting this before and after as a submission to Between Naps on the Porch's Metamorphis Monday.

Going Green in Preschool

Davis and Meg started preschool last week. They don't take a lunch to preschool. Instead the teacher assigns a week when the kids are responsible for bringing in a snack. A snack should consist of something to eat and drink. Believe it or not, both my kids had snack the first week of school.

I did my due diligence and read through the parent handbook because I assumed there would be "snack rules". Sure enough, there was a whole page dedicated to snacks. The second paragraph begins, "ALL SNACKS MUST BE IN UNOPENED, COMMERCIAL CONTAINERS".

I understand and respect the health department's need to keep "home-baked" goods at home. Believe me, I don't want the kids' preschool to be closed down. I also understand the dangers of bringing peanut products to school.

I'm guilty of buying commercial "non-organic" snacks on occasion. Sometimes a girl wants a handful of Goldfish, but I guess I wanted to set a good "green" example to start off the school year. I was determined to find a commercial, organic snack that didn't contain peanut butter or wasn't manufactured in the same facility as a peanut product.

It wasn't all that easy to find and it certainly wasn't cheap, but it made me feel good. I was also encouraged by the fact the teachers don't want juice boxes to be brought to school. Their reasons may be different than mine, but it's a little less waste filling up their trash cans. They also send home a canvas bag for the kid's to bring their snack in for the day.

Birthday celebrations will also be different for the kids this year. The administration has asked parents not to bring in sugary treats. Instead the birthday boy or girl can donate a copy of their favorite book in honor of their special day. I really like this idea and applaud the staff for trying something new and different.

Now I just need to work up the courage to implement a recycling program. How are you handling snacks and recycling for your kids?

This is my September submission for the Green Moms Carnival hosted this month by Surely You Nest.

Bye Bye Doll Doll

My mom is heading south today.

The love and gratitude I have for her can't be measured. Having the opportunity to watch her care for my children is a privilege. They love her and will miss her terribly. I'll miss her a lot, too (not just because she does my laundry and watches the kids for "date night"), but because I enjoy her company. I'm blessed to have her as my mother and the grandmother of my children.

She'll be back in 6 months, and we're already counting the days!

Thrify Finds for $29

Yesterday I loaded up the car for a trip to Goodwill. Did you know Goodwill doesn't except children's items? Go figure! So I ended up taking them to Lutheran Missions. While I was waiting for the nicest fellow to unload my car, I did a little shopping.

I've always wanted a soup tureen. They just seem so grown up, but they're expensive so I've admired from afar. Now I have my very own and it's making me think of Fall and all the delicious soups I need to learn how to make. I should be able to handle soup, right?

The glass jars are part of my master plan to have a beautiful pantry like the ones you see in magazines - you know the ones - pantries without opened goldfish bags, stale pasta and baby food containers.

I love my thrifty finds. I'm a happy little green decorator!

Blissfully Domestic Relaunch

Blissfully Domestic is relaunching today with a great new online magazine. It'll be your one stop shop for all things blissful and domestic!

There are 12 channels ranging from the latest buzz in Hollywood to living a healthier life. You can also find great recipes and stylish ideas for feathering your nest.

One of my favorite bloggers, Simple Mom, is the editor for Digital Bliss, a great resource for all you bloggers out there.

I'll be contributing to the Healthy Bliss channel with articles on green living. Come check out Blissfully Domestic anytime during the day for fresh and fun information.

Not Your Mother's Dust Ruffle

I am not a crafty girl.

I am not a girly girl, but my 2 year old is.

After reading posts from inspiring bloggers like Kimba and The Nester, I attempted to do something crafty for my little girl. I made a dust ruffle out of tutus, ribbons and butterflies!

Here's Meg's bed before (please ignore the peach walls, we haven't had a chance to paint yet):

I used 4 tutus I found awhile back for $1 a piece, a few little paper butterflies from Michaels, some pink ribbon and a LOT of hot glue.

Here's the finished product. I think she's pleased. It was a lot of fun, but I'm afraid I started something . . . Davis now wants a "robot skirt"!