Join us at the 2014 Country Living Fair!

In the Northeast? Looking for a Fun activity this weekend?

The Country Living Fair is the place to be!
 

Last spring, one of the best events I attended was the Country Living Fair in Rhinebeck, NY, and I'm so excited to be able to go this year, too! It starts this Friday (June 6) and runs through the whole weekend. It's a fun, family-friendly activity where you'll find tons of shopping, how-tos, antiques, home decor... and plenty of design and decorating inspiration.

May Meatless Monday Roundup

Meatless Meals for Families: Menu from May 2014

Check Out This Month's Plant-Based, Vegetarian Picks

 

Have you joined the Meatless Monday Movement yet? It's easier than you might think and a great way to stay healthy and support our natural environment.

DIY Kids Lollipop Bouquets

Need a Quick Gift for a Recital, Play, or Graduation?

These 5-minute lollipop bouquets cost about $1 each to make!
 

My little girls have a dance recital coming up, and I wanted to get a little-something for each of the girls in their class. In search for an alternative to pricey floral bouquets, I came up with this fun {and tastier} version. It features organic lollipops and turned out to be a cute twist on the old classic.

Cleansing Vitamin C Fresh Juice Recipe

Looking to Kick Up Your Nutrient Intake?

This easy juicer recipe boosts lots of vitamin C and fiber
 

I love starting my morning with fresh vegetable and fruit juice (made in my juice extractor), and I've been having a lot of fun experimenting with different recipes. I'm calling this one the Cleansing Vitamin C Mix, and it's jam-packed with all sorts of healthy nutrients. I figured if I'm enjoying my daily fresh juice adventures, I should share the love!

Teaming Up with Green Moms and Van's Natural Foods

Celebrate Celiac Awareness Month with Van's Natural Foods

Join us for coupons, nutritional guidance, and a GIVEAWAY!

This month, I'm excited to help sponsor this AMAZING giveaway for a KitchenAid Mixer. And as a bonus for those living gluten-free, Van's has a lot of offer in terms of guidance, options, and a cool community! Read on for more info, and good luck :)

Farm Fresh Flowers Delivered to Your Door

Send Someone You Love Bold, Beautiful Blooms from The Bouqs

Sustainable, Eco-Friendly Flowers, Cut When YOU Order (and shipped for free!)

 

Have you heard of The Bouqs yet? This month I was given the opportunity to try out their floral services. Free flowers in exchange for posting a review? Sure, sign me up! Yea, I'm a bit of a sucker for fresh flowers ;)

April Meatless Monday Roundup

Check Out Our Earth Month Meatless Monday Meals

Warmer temps in April = MM on the grill a couple times!

 

In an effort to support the health of our bodies and our environment, our family participates in Meatless Mondays (check out that link if MM is new to you!).

So each Monday, I find a new plant-based, actual recipe (meatless, of course) at dinnertime for my family. And if you know me at all, you know that (a) I don't like to cook and (b) I'm not very good at it. But, I am trying!

Earth Mama Angel Baby Organics {Product Review and GIVEAWAY!}

Give Your Little Ones (or YOU!) the Deluxe, Organic Treatment

Plus, one winner will receive a Bundle of Suds!
Also, PROMO CODE for all.
 

Until recently, if you asked me about Earth Mama Angel Baby products, I would have raved about the two products I knew the most: their Earth Mama Body Butter (that I used to prevent stretch marks during my pregnancies) and their Angel Baby Shampoo and Body Wash (that I received in my birthing suite at the hospital and loved so much that I continued to use with the babies at home). Both products, with their organic ingredients and soothing scents were happy parts of my three pregnancies and subsequent newborn years.

Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps: Lotion and Hair Creme Product Review

Organic, Certified Fair Trade, All-Natural Skin Care

Plus, learn all about my new favorite hair product!

 

Earlier in the year, I reached out to Dr. Bronner's to see if they wanted to be a part of Spring Greening. Seeking out their participation was a no-brainer for me; I make daily use of their bar and liquid lavender castile soaps, and I've always admired their philosophies on Truth and Integrity.

Aura Cacia Organic Yoga Mist {Product Review and GIVEAWAY!}

Sweeten Your Yoga Practice with These Uplifting Scents

Purify? Motivate? Awaken? Here's how I match my mist to my mat :)

Aura Cacia has been my go-to brand for essential oils for years now. There's a consistent purity in the fragrances of their products that I've been unable to find in any other brand.

Celestial Seasonings Product Review and GIVEAWAY!

Win a Trio of Teas Giveaway from Celestial Seasonings

Winner picks his/her top three flavors!

For most of my adult life, I've been a huge fan of Celestial Seasonings' classic Sleepytime Tea. I love a cup of it before bed while I cuddle up with a book or a show to wind down from the day.

DIY Geometric Vases {Upcycled Spaghetti Sauce Jars}

Repurposed Spaghetti Sauce Jars

A pretty and green SPRING project :)

 

If I'm throwing a party, you can be pretty sure it's going to have a casual vibe. I'm not a fan of fancy, stuffy engagements, and if people are coming to my house, my first concern is that they're comfortable (second concern: that they have fun!).

DIY Tote Bag from Upcycled Plastic Bags {Green Contributor Post}

Think Twice Before You Throw That Package in the Trash Bin!

Check out Claudia's creative possibilities before you crowd the landfill :)

Hi, I'm Claudia from Creative Upcycling. I save plastic bags, small and large. I love their bright colors and cheerful fonts. I wash them, dry them and store them in the hopes that inspiration will strike. Here I share one of those inspirations -- an upcycled tote bag.

Happy Earth Day!

Sending Earth Day Goodness Your Way Today :)

...and let's keep spreading the green EVERY DAY!

 

Organic Coupon Package Giveaway

Win a $40 Package of Organic Foods Coupons

A great giveaway to gain some green grocery savings!

 

 

What's the hardest thing about shopping for organic foods? Simple answer for me: COST. Sure, if we had all the money in the world, we'd be buy EVERYTHING organic. But that's just not reality. So until then, we'll have to keep looking for savings in any way we can.

Extending the Reach of Your Recycling

Don't Let the Greening Stop in the Kitchen

Recyclable materials are all over the house; make sure your recycling bins are, too!

 

While it would seem that we've finally developed a successful system allowing us to optimize our recycling in the kitchen, that trend doesn't always carry through to the rest of the house. After noticing a fair amount of recyclables being thrown into the bathroom trash cans, I decided that we needed to facilitate a system for the bathrooms, too.

Giving Back to Mother Earth Through CSA and CSF

Honoring the Earth With Green Mom's Network

This summer, we're EATING our way to a greener lifestyle :)

 

Grandma's Pure & Natural Product Review and Giveaway

Win a Set of Three of Grandma's Most Popular Lye Soaps

Keep you, your family, and your pets green and clean :)

As part of my partnership with Grandmas's Pure and Natural during Spring Greening Month, they sent me some of their most popular all-natural products to review. This month we tried out their best-selling Grandma's Original Lye Soap (bar soap) and their powder Laundry Soap. Read on to hear more and to get your hands on a sweet PROMO CODE!

Organic Gardening with Kids {Green Contributor Post}

Do You DIG Organic Gardening?

If you "plant the seeds" with your little ones now, they're likely to spread the green for years to come!

When Kristen asked me to be a part of the Spring Greening series, I was thrilled. I love spreading the "green love" through super easy tips and tricks. You see, I am a Greenie-in-training, if you will. I love living an eco friendly lifestyle, but will admit that it sometimes can seem overwhelming to do.

However, in reality, living green is much easier - it's about getting back to how things used to be, in a sense. Using reusable products, upcycling products and using them for more than 1 purpose, and growing foods withOUT chemicals - as food is intended to be. Today, let's talk about just that!

DIY Plarn Farmers Market Tote

Instead of Recycling those Plastic Bags, Repurpose them!

Upcycled Tote Knit from Plarn {Yarn Made from Plastic Bags}

 

 

Did you even know I was a knitter? Probably not... because I can't tell you how many YEARS it's been since I finished an actual knitting project... it was well before I even started this blog, I'm sure.

Happy Family Brands Product Review and Giveaway

Win a Happiest Toddler Package from Happy Family

Organic, Healthy, and Tasty Treats for Toddlers

As any parent knows, time is especially valuable when you're raising small children. Their needs require almost-constant attention on your part, and it's rare that you get a free minute. When it comes to snack time, the quickest choices tend to be packaged foods, but I find that I'm constantly struggling to find wholesome, convenient choices that my kids genuinely enjoy. Enter, Happy Family!

The Many Benefits of a Tankless Hot Water Heater

Why I Love My Green, Space-Saving, Water-Heating Device

I know I shouldn't play favorites, but as far as appliances go, this one's at the top of my list ;)

 

Win a VIP Package from Amy's Organics

Yummy Food From Amy's PLUS a Free Tote!

An organic package that's hard to beat!
 

When I think of organic food companies, Amy's Kitchen is one of the first that pops into my mind. Their delicious frozen options like Pad Thai, Cheese Lasagna, Indian Paneer, Macaroni & Cheese, Red Curry, and PIZZA (and that's only to name a few) are easy standbys to keep stocked in the freezer for a quick, healthy meal when you don't have time to make something from scratch.

Plastic Bag Storage from Upcycled Tissue Boxes

Using Tissue Boxes to Store Plastic Shopping Bags

Reducing and Reusing... all in one project!

 

I'm not normally in the habit of photographing the areas under my sinks, but I'm willing to do it if it means helping the planet :)

Using Upcycled Clothing for Stylish Bags {Green Contributor Post}

Creating New From the Old and Avoiding the Landfill

Fancy some new accessories? Reduce your footprint by upcycling!

 

Hi, I'm Vicky from Vicky Myers Creations. I don’t think my husband really appreciated what he was starting when he bought me The Perfect Handmade Bag by Claire Youngs for Christmas '12, a book all about creating bags out of upcycled materials!

5 Ways to Be a GREENER Shopper

Shop Green + Save Money = Love the Planet

Before buying "brand new," consider giving something a 2nd chance

 

 

One of the simplest ways to become a greener consumer is to simply practice the act of REUSING. By giving an item a second life, you save money, help eliminate new material going into production, and reduce the amount of waste going to the landfills every year. Here are some of my top ways to shop green:

Mad Hippie Skin Care Giveaway

Award-Winning, All-Natural Facial Serum

Vitamin C Serum known to "brighten, tighten & tone" your skin!

I'm so excited about our newest giveaway for Spring Greening Month: two winners will receive Vitamin C Serum from the natural skin care brand Mad Hippie.

DIY Kids Napkins from Torn or Stained Clothing

What Do You Do When Your Clothes Get Too Worn Out?

Repurpose them, of course! Here's one way to do it.
 

Green Round-up: Reusable Paper Towels

Save Trees and Dress Up Your Kitchen at the Same Time

Check Out These "Unpaper Towel" Tutorials 

 

Green Idea: Consider Switching to Reusable "Paper" Towels

While they are certainly one of the most convenient cleaning supplies, paper towels are also one of the most wasteful. Here are five tutorials to make your own "Unpaper Towels," and you can even "thrift" a lot of the materials!

Using Recyclable Plastic Bags for Household Recycling

Need to Upgrade Your Recycling Habits? 

Consider Making Convenience a Factor!

 

 

I have to believe that the main reason people choose not to recycle is a matter of convenience (or, inconvenience, really). Perhaps the recycling bin is outdoors, in another room, or waaaay out in the garage... well that makes recycling really inconvenient, doesn't it (especially in a winter like our last one)? And I've been there! Which is why I'm sharing this post today :)

snackTAXI snack-sacks GIVEAWAY

Win 3 Taxi goods Snack Sacks from snackTAXI!

Stop wasting those plastic baggies!

 

Image Source: snackTAXI

 

Are you still using plastic baggies to store your snacks and sandwiches? If so, why? Not only are they extremely wasteful (they're headed straight to the landfill after lunch), they're totally DRAB (have you seen how CUTE the snackTAXI bag line is?). :)

DIY Reusable Snack Bags from Laminated Cotton

Reusable Snack and Sandwich Bag Tutorial

Reduce waste, save money, and ROCK a cute pattern ;)
 

I've been planning to make these for a long time, and Spring Greening has given me the perfect opportunity to finally do it! I love using reusable products whenever I can so I can ensure we really are reducing our waste. And since these are small, they come together in no time at all!

Awesome Earth Day Promotion from ECOlunchbox

It's Time to Get Serious about Going Green

ECOlunchbox products can help you reach your eco-friendly goals
 

I've tried out my share of reusable containers, and I can safely say, I haven't gotten truly EXCITED about any one brand until I learned about ECOlunchbox. So excited, in fact, that I've partnered with them as an affiliate for their amazing eco-conscious products!

Get Your Kids (Even More!) Involved in Recycling {Green Contributor Post}

The Recyclables Board Game: DIY Tutorial & Activity

Get your family excited about recycling with this fun (and green) activity!

Thank you, Kristen for including me in your Spring Greening series! I'm Cristin Frank, an avid upcycler and frugal crafter, and I had lots of thoughts to share on going green. On my blog, Eve of Reduction I share repurposing projects, ways to reduce clutter and tips for saving money. But I have been working on a recycling game with my kids that I thought would make a perfect debut on A Thrifter in Disguise!

 

How to Create the Recyclables Board Game

Like the rest of my life, this is a DIY game - meaning you have to make it before you can play it. But trust me, making it is equally fun!  

Earth Day Checklist Ideas for Kids

DIY {We Love the Earth} Board Honoring Earth Day

Earth-loving ideas to get the kids excited about living GREEN!

 

Need an easy way to get the people around you thinking "greener?" This simple project to KICK OFF SPRING GREENING MONTH will get everyone involved!

3B Bags Giveaway {Reusable Produce Bags}

5 Winners Will Each Receive a Set of 3B Bags

Enter to win these earth-loving reusable produce bags
 

Happy April! And while today may be April Fool's Day, this GREEN GIVEAWAY is NO JOKE! Today we're kicking off Spring Greening Month, bright and early, with a giveaway for these fabulously eco-friendly 3B Bags {Reusable Produce Bags}!

I've been using these bags for years now, and I can't imagine going back. They allow you to totally skip using plastic bags for produce when you're grocery shopping. There are endless reasons why our society needs to cut down on plastic bag usage (check out 3B Bag's poignant Make a Difference Page if you need more convincing), and today's giveaway offers you the chance to get started! 

Celebrate Earth Day With Spring Greening Month

Join Us and Help "Spread the Green" this April

Spring Greening: A month-long event honoring Earth Day

April is finally here (ok, well, tomorrow it is), which means it's officially time for Spring Greening to begin! 

But before I start sharing all the fun posts planned for the month {easy tutorials, tips, tricks, contributor posts, and GIVEAWAYS!}, I want to use a post today to explain what motivated me to plan this EARTH-LOVING event on my blog.

March Meatless Monday Roundup

Meatless Meals During the Month Of March

The tastiest {and most alliterative} month of yet ;)

We had another great month of Meatless Mondays this March; here's how they played out:

Healthy Alternatives for Classroom Parties

Easy & Fun Snacks for Kids Parties

These fresh and colorful fruit cups are just as popular!

 

Last year I made a similar version of these fruit cups for my 5-year-old's class, and they were so popular (not to mention insanely easy), I decided to take some pics this time and share away!

In my experiences with little ones, I've found that presentation is often part of the appeal in getting them interested in foods. A small amount of prep work is all it took to get this "Welcome Spring Party" snack for my daughter's preschool class in VISUALLY YUMMY order.

First Day of Spring: Hanna Andersson Dress GIVEAWAY!

I'm So Happy It's Finally Spring

And to celebrate, I'm hosting a super-cute giveaway!

 

Spring is finally here! It's been a long time coming, and I want to celebrate! To honor ths first day of this long-anticipated season of growth and renewal {and warmer temperatures}, I'm hosting a giveaway!

Announcing the 2014 Spring Greening Team

We All Know Earth Day is Tuesday April 22, 2014

But did you know you can tune into the Spring Greening during the
whole month of April for fun, Earth-friendly ideas? 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet the Spring Greening Team

I'm so excited to introduce you to this year's Spring Greening Team! These four talented ladies are all earth-loving and creative, and I'm honored that they've agreed to join my in my goal of helping to "spread the green" this April.

Take-a-Trip Tuesday: What to Pack for a Family Getaway

Kids Need Lots of Stuff...

So how do you decide what to pack on your family vacation?

 

One of the biggest mistakes parents can make when they travel with kids is that they bring TOO MUCH STUFF! While it certainly becomes much more challenging to "travel light" when you've got kids in tow, there are a few easy things you can do to make traveling and vacationing more efficient (and help stick to your budget, too)!

You Don't Want to Miss Janie and Jack's Spring Collection

Spring is Only a Few Weeks Away!

Get Ready for Warmer Weather with Janie and Jack

By now you're fully aware that I love Janie and Jack kid's clothes, and as an affiliate I'm so excited to work with them to share some of my favorite styles. The main reasons I love Janie and Jack's kids clothing are the beautiful details and the high quality of the materials. The clothes are well made and unique, I know they'll last me a long time, and my kids look utterly adorable in their fashions :)

Since I'm a planner, I'm already getting my kids' Easter outfits squared away. The new Spring Collection offers plenty of options for my three little ones, and I was able to create some cute ensembles that coordinate without looking too "matchy." It was so fun to play around with all the new styles (can you tell?). Here are a few of my favorites:

Easter Outfit #1: Perfect For My Kindergartener!
This is probably my favorite dress in the whole Spring Collection. It's the Bow Eyelet Dress, and it would look adorable with these coordinating accessories: Eyelet Bow Oxford Hat, Eyelet Bow Headband (because I know she won't keep her hat on throughout church!), and Bow Patent Leather Shoes. I absolutely love the drop-waist look of the dress, and eyelet dresses always look so precious on little ones!

Meatless Mondays: February Roundup

Meatless Mondays in February

with some unusual meals making the cut :)

 

St. Patty's Day Giveaway

Show Me The Green: Check Out This Amazing Giveaway

Enter to win a $400 Visa Gift Card!

Happy March! We're inching closer and closer to Spring :) I'm so excited to be a part of this fun giveaway that's going on until St. Patrick's Day. Details are below. Good luck!!

Welcome to the $400 'Show Me The Green' VISA Gift Card Giveaway!!!!

I've teamed up with a host of other bloggers to bring you this great giveaway.

French Lifestyle Sale at One Kings Lane

Spring Sale at One Kings Lane!

Warning: These gorgeous savings will be hard to resist!

How to Occupy and Entertain Kids During Flights

How to Survive an Airplane Flight with Little Ones

Part 2: The In-Flight Experience {with Kids!}

Two weeks ago we covered Part 1 of Surviving the Flight with Kids (Negotiating the Airport), and today's post should be a bit more straightforward, because when you're on the flight, there's no worrying about parking, luggage, or security: it's just you and your kids (and the other passengers and staff, of course).

Once you're on the plane, there's a lot that's out of your control (which can be especially unnerving for the Type-A's out there). So here's my advice to you (and I have my own Type-A tendencies, so I can say this): just LET GO. You've done all you can to prepare until this point, so whatever happens is going to happen. Try to relax, breathe, and enjoy the ride!

Super Sweet Pom Pom Necklaces

Gingham and Pom Pom Strands

Because every girl needs some pearls... er... Pom Poms!

   

Yes, yes, I know: yet another post related to the Jewelry and Art Birthday Party. But rest assured--this is the final one! And, in fact, my favorite! Because every time I look at these sweet little necklaces, they make me smile.

The whole time I was planning this party, I knew I wanted to make a pom pom necklace, but I just wasn't exactly sure how. At first I planned to use a bunch of little pom poms strung together by a gingham ribbon... but I soon realized that wasn't possible... we're talking pom poms, not beads. So I was sorta stuck. And so I popped onto Google Images, looked around, and was totally inspired by Michelle of Neon Rattail's tutorial for her Pom-Pom Necklace. You can see I altered it a little, really just the chain, but the genius all comes from her!

Another reason I was so glad to find her tutorial was because I didn't even know this Pom-Pom Garland from Michael's even existed (sorry that was the best link I could find), and using it made my life SOOOO much easier (since I was making about 15 of these necklaces as favors for the party).

Big Savings at Janie and Jack

Additional Savings at Janie and Jack!

Plus, Enjoy Free Shipping!

There's a big sale going on RIGHT NOW at Janie and Jack, but only for a limited time, and while supplies last (some sizes are already sold out)! Take advantage now to save up to 60% off original prices! This is a great way to get some high-end kids clothes at a great discount!