Waste free living.

I recently saw this family on the Today Show that pretty much doesn't throw anything away (you can watch the video below to see the story). They buy from the farmer's market... barely buy clothes... bring jars to the store to buy bulk food... cloth bags for groceries... etc. While doing a little research for this post I read many opinions on how this family has chosen to live. There are quite a few people that seem to be almost mad at the way they've chosen to live. Well, I commend them. It's hard, but shoot if they can do it: that's awesome!

There is so much waste out there! How awesome that this family is working to live this way. I find them to be very inspiring. Even though I'm not really ready to go that deep into living waste free... I can change little things in my life to help create less garbage (the hardest part would be getting Mike to join me... he hates bringing bags to the store. :}). Some ideas I've had for how I (and maybe you) can live this way:

- Buying handmade: While not everything handmade is made of recycled items... it's not mass produced and that's a step in the right direction in my mind.
- Thrift shopping: Some of my favorite items I've found through thrift shops! I do still love Target and getting brand new clothes... but, I don't think I'd miss it too much if I didn't buy brand new clothes. Little tip: the Goodwill near me gets the leftover Target clearance items. Brand new... but, Target couldn't sell them. :)
- Reusable bags: Keep a large supply of canvas shopping bags in my car. This way I'll be sure to always have them. I also have a tiny bag that bunches up into a strawberry shape... this I keep in the diaper bag.
- Take the time to recycle: Sometimes it can be so annoying to clean out that old peanut butter before you recycle a jar... but, that's one less thing in the trash.
- Cloth diapering: As of right now (thanks to my Tiny Treehugger sponsor) I am cloth diapering half of the time. I have 5 cloth diapers. I use disposable at night and when there are no clean cloth diapers.  We've actually saved quite a bit on diapers this last month!
- Cloth napkins: We've been using cloth napkins for about 2 years now. It's no hassle at all. We barely ever use paper towels... we have them for emergencies. :)
- Buy biodegradable: If you just can't get yourself to go the cloth diaper route... I recommend Seventh Generation of Nature BabyCare diapers. They're not 100% biodegradable... but, are better than other brands. Some companies are also packaging their products in biodegradable packaging too.
- Don't use paper/plastic/foam dinnerware: Having a BBQ? How about some reusable plastic plates? Some reusable utensils? It may be more work to clean them later... but, less waste AND in the long run money would be saved. I have paper plates just in case we need them... but, I haven't bought a new pack in 2 years... :)
- Shop the bulk food: I don't mean Costco... I mean the unbagged food section. Bring those cloth bags and load them up. Bulk food is usually cheaper anyway! No packaging means less cost for the company.
- Buy local: Not only are you supporting your local economy... but, you know where the product is coming from.
- Ask yourself, "Do I REALLY need this?": I ask myself this all the time... that's when my brain has a little fight with itself between telling me I need it and I don't... I know I don't need to buy Ruari a bunch of new toys or me new furniture (or shoes... well, maybe I do need the shoes? ;D).

{Via}

So, this whole blog post is just my opinion. I just wanted to share my thoughts and any tips (possibly inspiration) to anyone that's been thinking about all the waste they put into the world. 

❤ Chelsey


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What would you do?

So, earlier today I was walking down memory lane (in my lovely head) and sort of wandered into the dirty mean alley of my memories. When I was younger I had a friend... she moved into a home 2 houses up from me when I was in 4th grade. We were the same age... so, of course we became friends.

I was a pretty shy kid. It was hard for me to put myself out there and meet/make friends. When this girl came a long and my parents introduced us... it was so easy. So... our friendship began.

With time she became very controlling... she was very jealous if I made other friends... I went into 7th grade with really only her as a friend. I was friendly with other people... but, really... she was it.

Long story short... she was very emotionally abusive. Some examples: I remember her seeing a "roll" on my belly and telling me I was fat (I was not). She talked about how her teeth were naturally straight and mine were crooked (I got braces later when I was 20). I would lie to her and tell her she looked good just so she wouldn't get mad at me... but, she would later get pissed at me because she thought I lied to her (which I did ;) ). I told her a girl at school was really mean in class... she told this girl what I said and the girl confronted me and pushed me against the locker (Yeah, this girl is still mean btw). She made me cry so many times I can't even count... she was, and probably still is, a horrible person (yes... my REAL friend worked with her for a couple of weeks this last year... and she was awful. She lied a lot.).

Eventually (when I was 16) I realized that I didn't have to be friends with her... to sit with her (and only her and her friends) at lunch... I could hang out with other people! So, one day... I just said f-this! I completely ditched her. That was THE best decision I made of my younger years. She was headed down the drain and dragging me with her.  I got out!

I began spending more time with my other friends (which... I am still completely best friends with... they are the most amazing girls ever. All 8 of them!)... and I was so happy! The old mean friend moved to another school and I haven't seen her since I was 17. Thank goodness... But, I had been a "friend" with her from 10 - 16.

So... this brings me to my questions... what would you do? How do you prepare your daughter (or son) for this? To be independent and stand up for themselves? I was so unhappy with this friendship I had... I cried so many times... but, I wasn't strong enough to say, "This is crap. I am worth more. This is abuse. I am a great person. I don't have to worry about her feelings and I don't have to be her friend." It took my amazing girlfriends to help me realize this.

How do you help your children realize their potential? Ruari is very quiet and cautious... She wont let go of me in big crowds. I make an effort to never say, "She's shy." or "She's just a little timid." But, it does pop out sometimes. I don't want to tell her this is what she is. I want her to be strong and believe in her self. I know I can't control how her future will go... but, I want her to know she is amazing and can choose her friends. She does not need to put up with that abuse.

Sorry about the downer post today... but, it was such a large part of my teenage years...

❤ Chelsey


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WANTED: Camera lens advice.

Good Monday everyone! So... with my birthday coming up on February first I'm asking my hubby and family just to give me some moolah that I can't put towards a new lens! Yes! I was hoping to get a new lens during Christmas time... but, things didn't quite work out. BUT, that's ok. I'll get that lens somehow!

NOW... here's the deal. I really don't know what kind of lens I want. Or need. I'm no photography pro. I currently have this lens right here: EF-S 18-55mm lens. It's what came with my camera. I've talked to Lindsay, Ashley, and Mandy before when my budget was a bit more limited... but, now that I have saved a bit more and the birthday is coming up... my budget has gone up! Yay!

{Ruari pointing at the doggies that escaped from their backyard.}

SOOOooo... I'm looking for advice everyone! What do you recommend or like? and why? I'd really just love to know what lens is your favorite and why that is. If you have a moment to spare. :D By the way, I have this: Canon Digital Rebel Xsi

And, Ashley lady and Jill have a new photo/photoshop challenge that's starting today. Check out this post for more info and you can join up! Looks like fun!

And, of course we'd love a vote 

if you have a moment!

Would ya could ya? Vote for me?