A short time ago, I would drool over certain catalogs (e.g. Pottery Barn) and wish that I could either move right in or recreate in my own home.  But somewhere during the wedding planning process I start to really think about my own personal style and less about what was being sold to me.  Wedding planning also helped me reconnect with that crafty / resourceful side, the part of me that gets an immense amount of pleasure out of creating something or …

Since we last saw my urban garden, I had herbs and veggies coming in nicely. Since then, my plants have been growing like wildfire! It tickles me to no end to see all the green out there. So much so, in fact, that I expanded the garden with the help of my mom, who I like to call “The Plant Whisperer.” My mom oversaw the planting of loads of flowers and helped put together a few new pots. As the …

I feel I’ve always been somewhatconscientious when it comes to resources…  I’d rather turn on the fan or put on a sweatshirt than fiddle with the thermostat; I’m a diligent recycler and reuser; I gripe at Evs if he turns the shower on and then starts shaving (I’m sorry but it does not take 5 minutes for the water to “heat up”).

But having recently made the switch from somewhat-corporate work environment to the non-profit sector, my awareness for wastefulness has heightened exponentially… …

I am delighted to hear that Oprah talked about Food, inc. on her show this week. I mean really, with a voice like that behind the slowfood movement… perhaps the U.S. consumers will perk up and listen? Oprah is responsible for bringing many lot’s of topics to the forefront of our minds. Who didn’t read the Kite Runner? Did anyone pay attention to Rachael Ray before Oprah endorsed her? Heck, even to some extent Oprah introduced us to Obama, didn’t …

Remember when I blogged about reusing your glass jars? Check out this simple, eco-chic, sparkly centerpiece.  Great for holidays or just dinner at home with the hubs.

{photo by me}

Fill mason jars with some soy candles and you’re done! What’s your go-to centerpiece?

Much love,

-B

As you may or may not know, my husband and I are currently living in a tiny 2-bedroom apartment (shared with our two cats, Mike and Butters).  We have no outdoor space, save for our tiny patio and lil’ windowboxes, which don’t provide us with much gardening opportunity.

As someone who grew up in a home with lots of garden space and a little “plot” of my own, it’s heartbreaking for me to not have a bit of dirt.  Thus, it’s become our …

The perfect Saturday morning in Omaha includes a visit to one of two popular Farmer’s Markets. This past weekend my parents came to visit, and I made sure to carve out time for us to check out the local produce and meat at the market in the Village Pointe parking lot. Granted, it’s not as extensive as, say, the Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market in San Francisco, but it’s a great way to support local farmers and spend some time outside …

Photo from P.J.McAdie’s Flickr

There are so many uses for a glass jar: storing leftovers, using as vases, or even lining up empty on a windowsill to show off.   Save your pasta sauce jars, jam and jelly jars, and other glass bottles.  It’s like your own home has become its own little recycling center!

It can also be a fun weekend activity to troll the antique and flea markets for old jars to add a bit of personality to your collection–I’ve found …

Sometimes, there’s nothing quite as nice as a clean, fresh house that smells bright and lovely.

{Image via ApartmentTherapy}

However, getting there isn’t always so easy.  And with all the cleaning products available today, it’s almost impossible to choose one that doesn’t smell overly strong, is effective, affordable, and not harmful for the environment.  Well get ready for this…a whole slew of all-natural cleaning possibilities with just a handful of good, old-fashioned products.

I’ve been using these “recipes” for the last few years.  …

This is one of those posts that I can’t believe I’m writing.  Cleaning products?  Really?  Cleaning products?

Yes, yes, I freakin’ pink-puffy-heart a cleaning product.  There.  I said it.

The website for Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Aromatheraputic Household Cleaners says that Mrs. Meyer’s products make cleaning your home “fresh, fun, and fragrant.”  Now, I don’t know about the “fun” part, but these wholly organic cleansers do make scrub-a-dub-dubbing a bit more enjoyable with their fabulous scents and aesthetically pleasing packaging.  Eco-friendly cleaning …