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Project DIY: Making a Photo Wall on a Budget
We love a good DIY project! Not only is it fun to give new life to old things, it is a great way to keep items out of the landfill. Part of a sustainability mindset is finding ways to use what we already have and therefore purchase less. The DIY Project: How to turn a bland corner or empty wall into something amazing! Photo wall: Why I love it My photo wall was created out of a desire to do something with a very boring corner in my house, but not having a lot of money to do it. The photo corner has now become a photo wall as our…
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Project DIY: Upcycled Braided T-shirt Rug
I was converting a den into a bedroom on a budget and needed two bigger ticket items: a rug and an armoire. The armoire post will be coming at a later date! I had several criteria for a floor covering: 1) Fun and colourful2) Easy to clean3) Less than $504) No synthetic materials Did you know that synthetic carpet and rugs are made of plastic? This has implications for your health as well as the environment. According to this article in the New York Times: ‘The E.P.A. estimates that every year, about 5 billion pounds of carpeting go into landfills. That’s 1 to 2 percent of the total U.S. landfill…
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Make Your Own Deodorant
Why Make Your Own Deodorant? A little over 10 years ago I started learning more about the toxins in the products that we use in our homes, on our bodies, and in our food and it was alarming. If you’re at all curious, download the “Think Dirty” app and scan some of the products around your home to see how your favourite products rank. It was then that I realized my deodorant, among other products in my home, was ranked very poorly so I started switching to healthier options in all areas. Unfortunately some of the alternatives proved to be quite a bit more expensive than their conventional versions and…
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Ways Our Lives Became More Sustainable During the Pandemic
Pandemic Reality Check At first, I (Alison) was feeling okay through the instructions to self isolate and stay home. I had supplies and felt like I wasn’t in desperate need of anything, so I waited a couple of weeks in hopes that the panic buying would subside. When it came time to face the stores, I tried to mentally prepare myself. But I had never experienced anything quite like it to know what to expect. The experience of seeing empty shelves and people grabbing whatever they could, increased my own anxiety and caused me to feel panic. What if I really need something and I can’t get it? When I…
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Project DIY: Chalkboard Frenzy
We love a good DIY project! Not only is it fun to give new life to old things, it is a great way to keep items out of the landfill. Part of a sustainability mindset is finding ways to use what we already have and therefore purchase less. The DIY Project: Transforming old, beat up picture frames into stylish, new chalkboards Why I Love It It was a match made in heaven–chalkboard paint on clearance and a load of picture frames found on Craigslist. I loved that each of these frames had their own style and character to them–from a solid, chunky wooden frame to an intricately detailed molded one.…
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Project DIY: Glass Bottle Project
We love a good DIY project! Not only is it fun to give new life to old things, it is a great way to keep items out of the landfill. Part of a sustainability mindset is finding ways to use what we already have and therefore purchase less. The DIY Project: Transforming plain glass bottles into home decor items Why I Love It I loved the shape and colour of these bottles. I found them for free at a salvaged yard and took them to challenge myself to get creative. I didn’t have a plan when I took them, but they were such substantial, solid pieces that I was confident…
