Wow. I did not expect to be writing my next Small Joys post to y’all in the midst of a pandemic! This has been a challenging season in a lot of ways, but one of the silver linings for me has been a renewed sense of gratitude. With all of the busy-ness and stress stripped away, I have had a chance to breathe and look around and notice all of the truly good things around me. Here are all of the little things bringing me joy lately:
Read MoreThis post is not sponsored. I received a Dropps Citrus Clean Household Bundle in exchange for my personal review of the products.
Today, I’m very excited to introduce you to Dropps, a brand of eco-friendly laundry detergent and dishwasher pods that I have absolutely fallen in love with! And I’ve got a discount code (fairly15) so you can try them out yourself for 15% off!
Dropps is an eco-responsible brand offering laundry detergent and dishwasher pods that are delivered right to your front door with free, carbon neutral shipping!
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Soon, those of us in the United States who qualify will receive a stimulus check from the federal government. If you are signed up for direct deposit, deposits will be initiated on April 9; paper checks should mail out in May. As we eagerly wait for our money to arrive, I have some ideas on ways we can really use this stimulus money for GOOD.
If you have lost your job or taken a really hard hit financially during this trying economic time, you may need to use your stimulus check for essentials like rent, bills, and food. I don’t want you to feel ignored by this blog post. I see you and hear you! The absolute best thing you can do with your stimulus money if you’re in a tight spot financially is to take care of your needs. That is making a positive difference in your life!
The ideas in this blog post can be utilized by those of us who are still able to financially meet essential needs right now, even if our bottom lines have taken a little bit of a hit. For us, the stimulus check provides extra money beyond what we truly need. It would be really easy to cash that check and blow it quickly on electronics or clothes or expensive food or random Amazon purchases that we don’t really need and that may not really help those who are most in need right now. I want to challenge us to be a bit more purposeful in how we spend our stimulus money so that we can really make a positive difference. Here are some ideas!
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Whew, y’all. With the current worldwide outbreak of COVID-19, life has been hectic and rapidly changing lately! For those of you in less impacted areas or who work in “essential” job functions, your day-to-day lives may look about the same as they always do. For those of us in more impacted areas with stay-at-home orders that impact our normal daily routines, life has changed significantly. And for those who have lost jobs, are working to care for COVID-19 patients, or have become ill with the novel coronavirus, life has been altered dramatically and drastically.
My own daily routine has been disrupted pretty significantly under a mandatory stay-at-home order, though I am quite grateful to still have a job that I am now (mostly) able to do from home.
Being at home more has given me free time, including more time to just think and be. One thing I’ve been thinking about a lot is sustainability as it relates to the current coronavirus pandemic. It’s something that has given me some feelings of guilt, and I want to share what’s been on my heart as a way to process and also connect with others who may be feeling the same way!
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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:
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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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