Ten on Tuesday - 10 Eco-Chic finds at Big Lots! Who knew?!

Being eco-chic does not mean unloading your wallet for organic, natural products or giving up your style for bland clothes. Eco-chicness encompasses reducing resources - all resources - while still living a creative, fun, fabulous life.

One of the ways that I do this is by saving $$$ - all the time. I buy all of my natural, organic products at a discount - or use the savings from those products to stock up at the farmers market ($15 worth of delicious cheese anyone?) I apply the same concept to my wardrobe. Some of my work staples come from Goodwill or Village Thrift. And then there are my Hunter Boots...my first splurge of 2011 but I'm so in love with them that I wear them when the sky even *thinks* about rain.

So I was in shock when I discovered the wide range of eco-chic products carried at Big Lots. There really are some hidden wonders (like the über-fancy vanilla!) on these shelves if you know what you are looking for...and keep your eyes wide open! Big Lots has definitely become my go-to shop when the eco-chic deals are spare at other stores...go and see for yourself!

BTW, I was just exploring the Big Lots website and they have created a shopping card called Buzz Club Rewards. I'm not 100% but it seems that you can earn up to 20% off your order after spending $20 in the store 10 times in a year? Sounds like an opportunity for making an even sweeter deal!

On to the deals!!

I found 4 or 5 different types of Tom's of Maine toothpaste for $2.50 (Could it really be easier to cross something off your Ten on Tuesday - Eco-chic your Bathroom List?)

Method baby products...The first baby is making an appearance in our family sometime in October...I will definitely be adding these cuties to my gift at the shower!

$1.50 for lotion is great - and even better for USDA Organic lotion!! (that means it is the real, organic deal)

I've never heard of this brand but the list of ingredients passes a few of the checklists for a good hair product. $2.50 for a product that doubles as a shampoo and body wash. The stylish bottles will also look great in the care packages I send my brothers!

The largest container of glass cleaner ever. It would take me years to make my way through this bottle - and it's only $4! Hmm...I'm pretty sure that no one will want to visit me with all the hints about my dirty home!

If you have to kill some bugs, do it in the best way possible! These are $6-8 at Home Depot and Wal-mart but only $3 at Big Lots!

Seventh Generation Spot and Carpet Clean for $2.50. This is a good price for Seventh Generation...I've gotten cleaning products for less at Target but never carpet cleaner. I didn't pick this up then but now we do have a few spots that could use some 7Gen love. I will probably go back this week...

Biodegradable food storage containers anymore for $2.50?

Or maybe some kitchen utensils created from recycled plastics? Love the measuring cups.

Method candles and oil warmers...$3. These are $6-8 at Target. Soy-based candles are better for you in so many ways and I would love to put one on a candle warmer in my office!

Canned green beans anyone? I actually love canned green beans...they bring me back to my youth!

All the Kashi crackers you can dream of! Several of these crackers were only $1.60. I always buy Kashi products when I can get them for $1.50 or less with sales or coupons. Who knew I could just cross the street to Big Lots and get them without the hassle? Yay!

You will never have an excuse to eat non-organic or natural cereal again...

I'm not joking...one of the easiest switches you can make! They even had organic kids cereal too! I wonder if I could score some organic Cocoa Puffs or Count Chocula? That might be the best day of my life.

No (non-organic) soup for you!!

Indulge your juicy side with some Cranberry or Grape juice! I love to mix some juice in with my Soda Stream water to make an Italian Soda - delicious and refreshing!

Some iced tea for picnic on a hot day? Honest Tea ($1) actually says that it uses plastic instead of glass bottles (widely deemed as the better container) because it uses fewer resources to transport the bottles...very thoughtful. I still try avoid individual bottles as much as I can (some days are better than others...) but I do enjoy a nice peach Honest Tea with lunch every once in a while.

These are delicious! And only a $1. Enough said.

I'm planning on devoting just a smidge more of the blog to deals of all sorts...so be ready to save green! Is there a product that you would like to try? Let me know and I will be sure to keep an eye out for deals!

Ten on Tuesday - 10 Tips to Eco-Chic your Bathroom

Everyone needs to start their eco-chic journey somewhere...The kitchen is the most obvious because of the food, paper products, grocery bags, etc that are used BUT why not the bathroom? As I was thinking about today's Ten on Tuesday, I wanted to make it some easy steps to up the green factor in your life. Quick, easy choices that you can make at Target, your grocery store, etc. And the bathroom seemed like a fun place to focus!

This week's Ten on Tuesday is 10 Tips to Eco-Chic your Bathroom...Enjoy!

1. Switch toothpaste. I adore Tom's of Maine. And it's usually at Big Lots for a couple bucks a tube. The spearmint taste is so pure that my mouth feels refreshed all day...or until I drink my standard 4 cups of coffee!

2. Use "green" cleaning products. I couldn't be more pleased with Seventh Generation Bathroom Cleaner and Window Cleaner. While other green products have been less impressive, Seventh Generation offers all of the germ and scum fighting that I need...without hurting the earth. A true favorite of mine.

3. Air dry your towels. If that is not an option, use dryer balls instead of dryer sheets. Dryers have a huge impact on resources...it's one of the most draining items in your home - So the less you use it the better. If you do use the dryer, use dryer balls instead of dryer sheets. You can find these balls at all major stores (I've even gotten mine at Aldi) and they just stay in your dryer for months. You lose the Snuggle soft scent but otherwise you are golden. Oh, and they are only $4-$5 and last for at least 6 months. Much more wallet-chic too!

4. Recycle your toilet paper tubes! You can create art with the tubes or just toss them in the recycling bin...but please just don't throw them away! I also recycle the boxes that my toothpaste comes in as soon as I come home from the store. That way it's done and I'm not being lazy and tossing it in the trash while I'm late for work and searching for the tube...

5. Use recycled toilet paper and/or avoid those wipes...even if they are biodegradable. If you never buy them, then they never exist. And then no resources are used to create them. Marcal has a great product!

6. A better toothbrush...Preserve makes a toothbrush out of recycled #5 plastic. It's the same cost as most other toothbrushes so it's any easy switch! A bit hard to find but check out a health food store or buy online.

7. Treat your ears to a new swab...the cotton used in q-tips needs tons of pesticides to grow. Organic cotton q-tips are easy to find on Amazon.com and probably at your local health food store. If you don't go organic, please please please don't use the swabs with the plastic stick! That stick does not biodegrade. Please and thank you.

8. Wash up with a puff made out of recycled plastic. Eco-tools makes a bath puff out of recycled plastic bags. It's $1.99 at Giant Eagle. I LOVE it when the green choice is just as accessible and affordable as the "other" choice. Just check out Eco-tools no matter what! They have great make-up brushes too. These brushes get great reviews online and are green - double yay!

9. Reuse your towels. And/or try towels made mostly out of viscose, a fiber from bamboo. This is based on your own personal ick factor...I can use a towel for a day or two and then move it in to rotation to dry my hair. The more I use the towel, the less loads of laundry, which means less resources used. Oh, and less laundry folded.

10. Ditch those throwaway cups. Put a pretty vintage juice glass next to the sink to rinse out your toothpaste or get a latenight drink of water instead of those flimsy little cups. These are om Ebay...

I'm looking forward to putting together the 10 Tips to Eco-Chic your Beauty...This post will be very educational for me. My bathroom is eco-chic, but most of my make-up, haircare products, etc are not...And doesn't my face deserve to be just as eco-chic as my toilet? Yeah, I thought so too!

Ten on Tuesday - Crafty Inspirations & To-Dos!

My to-do list is a constantly changing, never shrinking part of my life. Always there...Always waiting for my attention. I have a to-do list for work but also a personal to-do list that ranges from pay the cell phone bill to items I want (Tom's Shoes anyone?) to crafty projects that I want to create.

So my Ten on Tuesday will focus on the fun part of my To-Do List - the craft projects and deliciousness! I know you are dying to see my work to-do list but that will just have to wait for another Ten on Tuesday...Thanks to It's a Crafty Life!

1. DIY Flower Easter Eggs @ Pizzazzerie

[caption id="attachment_411" align="aligncenter" width="267" caption="A perfect excuse to use the new flower punch I splurged on over the weekend..."][/caption]

2. Dragonfly Headband @ Eisy Morgan

3. Paper Flower Wreath @ Did someone say party?

4. Chocolate Layer Cake @ Cupcakes and Cashmere

5. TP Roll Art @ Bon Temps Beignet

6. Handmade Peppermint Lip Balm @ Eye Spy DIY!

7.  No-sew T-shirt Scarf @ Iron Violet Designs

8. Flower Headband @ Snugars

 

[caption id="attachment_425" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="I want to modify this into something cute I can wear to the gym! My Couch to 5K workouts would be even better! "][/caption]

9. Asparagus, Goat Cheese, and Lemon Pasta @ Smitten Kitchen

10. Ruffled Cardigan @ Dear Lizzy

And here is a recipe to add to YOUR to-do list! I've made two batches of blondies in the past two days - I promise that they are THAT good. 5 minutes with a mixer and you are GTG. Enjoy and you're welcome!

Blondies @ Smitten Kitchen

 

Ten on Tuesday - Cookbooks I swoon over!

It's time for Ten on Tuesday! I missed last week but we are back on track!

Cookbooks are so inspiring to me...I love reading the stories of how recipes are created, the steps on how to make something extra delicious (deglazing the pan is one of my favorite tips!), and being inspired to actually COOK my food and not heat up a packaged something or other.

My favorite cookbooks have lots of photos, little vignettes on the recipe's creation, easy step by step directions, and substitutions for hard to find or expensive ingredients...

Without further ado...here are my favorite cookbooks (or soon to be favorite in some cases...)

1. Baked: Explorations and Baked: New Frontiers in Baking - I recently checked out Baked: Explorations from the library and I already love it simply because it has a monkey bread recipe. And it looks delicious.Can't wait to pick up New Frontiers!

2. Pioneer Woman Cooks - No explanation needed. Much love to Ree Drummond.

3. Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day/Healthy Bred in 5 Minutes a Day - I talk about these books all the time. Love it. Life changing. The end.

[caption id="attachment_329" align="aligncenter" width="177" caption="Healthy Bread in 5 Minutes a Day "][/caption]

And now a few that I love from afar...They are lingering on my wish list and I adore the blogs that inspired them.

4. Urban Pantry - I've heard great things about this cookbook and love its focus on "tips and recipes for a thrifty, sustainable, and seasonal kitchen."

5. Steamy Kitchen Cookbook - Jaden's blog is inspiring and I just discovered that she has a cookbook! I adore Asian food and this looks amazing. Her recipes take all the intimidation out of Asian food and the photos are good enough to eat!

6. Canning & Preserving with Ashley English: All you need to know to make jams, jellies, pickles, chutneys & more - I've already made pickles. Easy and delicious. I'm ready for more! (She also has a whole series of fantastic books!)

7. Jeni's Ice Cream at Home - I swoon and squeal over this ice cream every time I'm in Columbus. And now I will be able to make it at home with my KitchenAid stand mixer ice cream attachment. I can't wait. seriously.

8. Smitten Kitchen Cookbook - Read this blog. Cook her food. You will love it. And then you will be itching for Spring 2012 when the cookbook actually comes out.

9. The Kind Diet - Alicia Silverstone (who I will always love from Clueless) wrote a vegan cookbook. And has done all sorts of other eco-chic stuff. I just picked this up from the library and can't wait to start reading it. Yes, I read cookbooks. Paul thinks it's weird. I know it is.

10. Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution - Jamie Oliver is passionate about teaching people how to eat and cook easy, delicious, healthy food all from scratch.  Our reliance on processed and fast food has made us unhealthy as can be but his passion is inspiring change. A man after my own heart.