Neat DIY Recycle Project: Tic Tac Vase

I recently found the blog Paper n Stitch.  This blog is super cute!

I fell in love with this little tutorial to turn old tic tac containers into cute vases.  I imagine there are a ton of uses for this plastic containers.  I've been on a kick of recycling some of the containers I find.

Here is the final product

Check out the tutorial here.  And don't forget to check out the blog too!

PS. Don't forget to check out the link parties in the Side Bar or click here!

Fan Fridays: No Trash Lunch

When I think of being eco-friendly, I always thought in the broader sense, tracing lines of sustainability back to companies, etc.  When I see all the eco-friendly or recycled things in shops I think "Well, now how did that get there? oh yeah, it came on a diesel truck wrapped in plastic & stuffed with Styrofoam!" (Don't get me started on Styrofoam...I hate that stuff!)  And I thought who is it to tell me to be sustainable when the companies advertising these items don't seem to be themselves? Well, I've changed my thoughts now.  It's not just about every little thing it's about one little thing. There's nothing wrong with choosing to not support the sustainable efforts that are coming off wrong but there is something wrong with choosing not to be sustainable for yourself, your lifestyle, & your family.  That may sound selfish, but these efforts often improve the home first.  I rarely give into fads just because someone does it or because everyone is doing it or because it's the cool thing to do.  I love the things I love because, well, I find them interesting and it just so happens that I've begun to find the things I can do at home to reduce consumption interesting because I know they will put pennies back in my wallet.
So this school year, I want to do a few things to save myself some money & be a bit more sustainable:

1. I plan on bringing snacks or drinks in my purse that are in reusable containers.  I will not buy cookies/chips/granola individually wrapped nor will I purchase them from vending machines.  I will use my  reusable water bottle instead of purchasing bottled water.
2. I want to say that I will not buy any more coffee from coffee shops, but that may be harder to do.  I do have a coffee cup with a top that I use when I make my own (which is nearly every morning) but do you think they will refill my cup? I don't want to have to buy one of their cups, you know?
3. Thirdly, I will try  to buy only what I need at the grocer.  Usually I am just like, "Hmmmmm...this looks good." and it never gets used.  I don't have much time to prepare fresh foods either, which is horrible.
4. And, this may gross you out, I love the idea of reusable menstrual pads.  They are made of soft cotton fabric on one side, a thick yet slim layer of absorbent material, & backed with a waterproofed material.  I think these are great inventions!

I've compiled a few etsy shops featuring reusable products that are cute & logically useful: 

A big part of being sustainable/eco-friendly, to me, is buying & supporting handmade.  I encourage all you you if you are taking an eco-friendly pledge to either make your own from scraps you already have or buy from small handmade businesses.  It's just nice to support your trade & to support the handmade community.

1. First are these great dryer balls to eliminate the use of dryer sheets in the dryer.  You can find these & other colors in Clean Sypria's etsy shop.
2. Second are the reusable menstrual pads mentioned above.  This gnome one from Punkys Pads' shop is made for heavy flow or overnight.  Searching on etsy, I found ones that range from light to heavy & overnight so you are covered (get it? see what I did there?) 
3. This cute lemon-y snack buddy from Circus Peanuts is perfect for half of a sandwich or a small snack.  This bright pattern will keep you cheery all year round too!
4. This decorative bottle is a re purposed wine bottle painted with non toxic paint & then covered with hand punched (can you believe it?!?!) blue circles.  You can find this gem & a load more in Greencycle Designs shop.
5. Finally is this sandwich bag from OYCreations Too.  This bag is made from pretty fabric & (get this) fused plastic bags as the liner! How cool is that? It is sealed with a strip of velcro so crumbs don't escape.  I love this shop because each item is made by senior citizens from recycled fabrics found at estate sales & thrift stores.

I am in no way claiming that I will be perfect at all of these things but I know that change is what makes it stick so I am giving it more than the good college try...I am going to do it!

If you've taken some steps to improve your eco-friendly efforts please share them.  What have you changed to reduce your consumption?  Thanks for reading!

Fan Fridays: Thrift Store Refashion

I love fashion & I love the thrift store.  I would much rather spend a day thrifting than doing anything else. I get so bummed when I realize that I can't afford or shouldn't buy things from the thrift store.  I like to save a few bucks by shopping there first, but I like to save even more bucks by not buying anything at all (unless its a super good deal and I have 59 cents in my purse or something!)

Mainly, I like to look good on a small budget and love to have some DIY-ed pieces to my wardrobe.  There is also just something about a worn in, well loved, second hand item.

DIY ALERT: keep reading after the image to see how to make the tank & denim skirt!

Thrift Store Inspiration by crossxmyxhooks featuring Coach bags

1. Bag: to me the most important part of an outfit is the bag.  I love large bags! Large bags carry everything you need for the day.  Finding a large bag in the thrift store can be hard. A lot of the bags I've seen are super, super tiny but its possible.  Even though it isn't thrift, you can also try discount stores for nice big bags.  I have a fairly decent one I bought at Wal-Mart on sale (There is only a wal-mart in my college town) and its nice.
2. Jewelry: This bracelet set is something easily made from any old/broken necklaces/bracelets you might have laying around.  If you don't have any, thrift stores always have a section of jewelry.  See if you can find a bag of odds & ends or a necklace with beads you may love but a style that's out.  Does your thrift store have a craft section? See if you can find some left over craft supplies like embroidery floss or yarn to bead them on for an even better handmade look.
3. Shoes: These sandals are something that I am sure are a staple in a summer wardrobe.  If looking for frugal, one pair from a TJ Maxx or Marshall's will last you. Other wise, you can find a few pairs of these (if you don't have huge feet like I do) at thrift stores for a few bucks sometimes.  
4. DIY Tank: This tank is super easy to make: find a t-shirt that's a size or two bigger than your actual size & check that craft section of the thrift store for a piece of rope (or braid many strands of yarn together to create a colorful look).  Cut the shirt on the lines shown in this image.  Fold over the top of the neckline & sew together leaving the ends open, repeat on back, do not connect front & back.  Thread the rope or braided yarn through the front & around to the back.  Try the shirt on to adjust the straps, tie (double knot is best) the rope/yarn to one shoulder.  Add wooden beads if you'd like.
5. DIY Skirt: This skirt can be made from an old denim shirt: Grab an old denim shirt & some elastic that is about an inch thick long enough to fit slightly snug around your waist (you want to make sure the skirt will stay up as the elastic will be the waistband) .  Measure from underarm to underarm to make sure the length doubled will fit around your waist (see this image) & from underarm to the bottom of the skirt so it is long enough to wear. Cut along dotted line in image, fold over about an inch, pin and sew.  Make sure you leave an opening to thread the elastic through.  Thread the elastic using a safety pin as a needle to shimmy the elastic all the way through.  Make sure one end stays out of the waistband.  When the first end comes back around, sew the two ends together, tuck in the elastic, and finish sewing. (if it is too ruffly or pleated, take in the sides)
6. Long Skirt: I am a fan of these long summery skirts.  I've found a ton in fun prints all over the thrift stores.  It is the one thing I look for every time I go!

Here are Some Parts of my wardrobe that parallel this thrift refashion post:

Do you have anything in your wardrobe that is an absolute go to?  Do you find yourself wearing it everyday??

Linking to this party: