Simple Living
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2 Great Canadian Small Businesses to Shop this Christmas
We’ve just come through the retail madness of Black Friday week and I am feeling like I need a breather. A little cleanse, perhaps, from all of the mass marketing campaigns of large corporations and a refocus on small businesses. As we’re still in the midst of holiday shopping season, I wanted to share about two Canadian small businesses that have some great sustainable products–Uncle Mike’s All Natural Products and More Than Lips. So whether you’re needing something to gift to others or something to gift yourself, these two Canadian small businesses might just be the place to look! No affiliate links in this post, just some straight up love…
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5 Eco-friendly Christmas crafts: Upcycled decorations using cardboard
Eco-friendly Christmas crafts make this season of consumption feel more less wasteful and more meaningful. By using materials like cardboard, paper bags, and paper tubes, we can create handmade decorations that are both sustainable and full of charm! Making your own decorations from discarded items around the house is an easy, affordable way to celebrate the holidays while reducing waste and adding something uniquely personal to your home. Whether you’re decorating your home, crafting with kids, or looking to reduce your holiday footprint, these projects bring creativity and sustainability together. Looking for more fun activities to do with kids? Check out past posts here! Why craft with cardboard, paper bags,…
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Project DIY: Macramé Plant Hanger
We love a good DIY project! It’s not just fun — it’s a meaningful way to create something beautiful without breaking the bank or hurting the planet. This macramé plant hanger is perfect for gifting: made from simple yarn or macramé twine and an upcycled container, it’s budget-friendly, eco-friendly, and a great gift for the plant lovers in your life! I had intended this project as a follow up to the beautiful glass container I shared about in this post, but unfortunately, the container fell and broke as I was trying to tie the bottom of the plant hanger. Lesson learned: use a less breakable item for this step in…
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Celebrate National Yoga Month: Affordable, eco-friendly, and good for you
September is recognized as National Yoga Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness of the many health and wellness benefits that yoga offers. Though we’re nearly at the end of the month, it’s never too late to consider what benefits yoga might hold for you! Whether you are stepping onto the mat for the very first time or have an established routine, National Yoga Month is a great time to pause, breathe, and reconnect with both body and mind. Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. This content is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with your doctor or a qualified…
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100 Presents to Celebrate a 100th Birthday
This month I had the honour of participating in a 100th birthday party. 100th birthday parties are such a unique and special event and because of that we wanted to give a unique and special birthday gift. We decided to put together 100 items for a 100th birthday. It was a challenge to keep everything sustainable, but we had a lot of fun putting it all together. For anyone else celebrating a milestone birthday, I’m sharing some gift ideas to build your own unique gift. Birthday Present Ideas for a 100th Birthday When someone is turning 100, it can be challenging to think up a birthday present because centenarians don’t…
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Fun and frugal activities with kids: National Play-Doh day
Most parents are familiar with play-doh – that soft, colorful dough that kids can spend hours rolling, squishing, cutting, and shaping into anything. My kids have created everything from scupltures to mushy soup with it, and of course I pretend to eat it. In honor of this simple and much-loved compound, today, September 16th is officially known as National Play-Doh Day! That means it’s time to get hands-on with some creative and budget-friendly fun – but there’s a way to do it without the plastic tubs. With just a few pantry staples, you can make your own Play-Doh at home that’s just as good (if not better!)—and eco-friendlier too. We’ve…
