It’s spring cleaning time, and with most people sheltering at home due to COVID-19, I have a feeling a lot of you are digging into some deep cleaning projects!
Over the years, I have found more sustainable options to replace my conventional cleaning products. The cleaners I used to use were full of chemicals that were bad for me, my pets, and the earth. And all the paper towel waste? Not good! I have gradually transitioned to a more eco-friendly cleaning routine.
Read MoreI first met Cathy Gomes of 700 Rivers at a sustainable fashion event. To meet Cathy is to immediately love her–she is enthusiastic, kind, and incredibly passionate about her work to empower women living in poverty in Bangladesh. I am so excited to share a Q&A with her in the latest installment of my Southerner Spotlight series!
It seems fitting to publish my latest Small Joys post today on my birthday. Birthdays are always a great time for reflection, but especially this one. I am turning 30 and entering a new decade!
My 20s brought a lot of wonderful things like love, friendship, and personal and professional achievements. This was coupled with loss and illness and trauma. I acknowledge the entirety of my life experiences, good and bad, while intentionally choosing gratitude today as I catalog my latest list of little things bringing me joy!
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A guest post from Zola.
Reducing waste may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you start planning a wedding but after realizing that a single wedding can create 400 pounds of garbage, you may want to think twice. Like many parts of American culture, we go big or go home on our wedding days with fabulous decorations and tons of food and drinks. However, a lot of it goes to waste after your big day.
If you’re looking to host a more sustainable, yet beautiful celebration of your love, check out some of these tips on planning an eco-friendly wedding from Zola. From decor to your send-off, don’t skip the details either — right down to the cutlery you use.
Most couples start the planning process by picking a date and then a venue, but before you even get that far, follow our first tip:
Having your ceremony and reception at the same venue means you are saving guests on travel costs and double the decorations. When touring venues, look for things like LEED certifications, energy-saving appliances, and sustainable dining options.
Similar to the first tip, cut down on carbon emissions by renting a shuttle (or stylish trolly) to charter your guests from their hotels to your venue. This will also encourage guests to celebrate the night away without worrying about finding a safe ride back to their room.
When it comes to wedding bands, look for ethical jewelers or lab-created materials to source earth-friendly options. Bonus points if some of the proceeds got to a sustainable organization or cause!
Reuse and repurpose antiques, vintage finds, and funky decor for your reception. From lighting to table accessories, you can create a magical night with second-hand purchases. If thrifting isn’t your thing, consider renting furniture and accessories to cut down on one-use items.
Look for outdoor ceremony spots or indoor spaces lined with large windows to take advantage of natural lighting. You’ll look beautiful and your photographer would appreciate it! Once the sun goes down, switch to candlelight to help light up your venue (assuming they allow it).
Similar to renting furniture, you can minimize waste by either shopping second-hand or renting tuxes. Look for options with tailoring and dry-cleaning to save money and materials.
Set up appetizers like cheeses, fruits, veggies, and crackers for your guests to visit during cocktail hour. This hip option cuts down on serving ware too! Just don’t go overboard on the amount of food.
Depending on your caterer, ask about using real silverware and plates that can simply be washed rather than thrown away. If this isn’t an option, opt for biodegradable plates and cutlery.
Your guests probably have a million magnets and koozies, so chances are, your favor might wind up in the garbage. If you want to give out a favor, think about reusables items like honey or candles in a glass jar that can be repurposed.
Typical confetti send-offs can leave a mess behind. Instead, choose natural confetti options like leaves, flower petals, or birdseed for local animals. Double check with your venue to make sure you’re leaving behind only memories, not waste.
From the venue to the decor, there are so many chances to make eco-conscious decisions about your big day!
It probably comes as no shock to any of y’all that I LOVE dogs (probably more than people – ha!). Over the years, I have learned to make more sustainable choices when it comes to caring for my dog Rufus, as well as our revolving door of foster dogs! Here are some tips for how to go green with your dog and his/her accessories:
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Y’all know I absolutely love Rothy’s, the stylish and super comfortable shoes made from recycled plastic water bottles. They are my go-to for every day as well as traveling! I love that they are sustainably made.
To say “I love you” to my amazing followers this Valentine’s Day, I am giving away a pair of Rothy’s! Winner gets to pick their choice from any style of Rothy’s available online (excluding the Merino collection). Head over to this Facebook post to enter to win!
Not the winner? Don’t worry, I’ve still got something great for you! Just use this discount link for $20 off your first order from Rothy’s.
I love y’all! Thanks for being such fantastic, socially conscious, sustainably-minded individuals. Best of luck to you in the giveaway!
xoxo Laura
P.S. – Check out my full review of Rothy’s here.
Y’all are in for a real treat today: A Q&A with the self-described “spiritual hypewoman” who has created an inclusive yoga studio in Raleigh, NC! I can confirm that she is indeed one of the most enthusiastic people I know, and she is doing incredible social justice work in our local community by building a unique and diverse group of yoga enthusiasts. I am so excited to introduce y’all to my inspirational friend and yoga teacher, Patrice Graham!
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All the little things bringing me joy lately:
1. Our second foster dog, Nala! We received Nala on New Year’s Eve and fostered her for just 2.5 weeks until she went to her furr-ever home. She had a spunky and fun personality and gave us so much love in the short time she was with us. We are so excited that she found her person!
Read MoreDisclaimer: This post is NOT sponsored and is my unbiased, independent review. All opinions are my own. I received this pair of shoes in exchange for an Instagram post featuring the shoes. Read my full disclaimers/disclosures here.
Y’all know I’ve been a fan of shoes made from recycled water bottles for quite some time! So when I learned about DNA Footwear’s “THIS WAS A BOTTLE” collection, which features a lineup of three different styles of sneakers made from recycled plastic, I was pumped to try them! (And I scored a discount code for y’all, too! For 15% off DNA’s sustainable line, use code SOUTHERN2020 at checkout).
There are a lot of factors I consider when buying shoes. Sustainability, comfort, fit, affordability, and style are all important to me. Here is how my pair of DNA Footwear sneakers stacked up on all of these factors:
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