Going No Poo!

 

source.

The first step in my "going green" is going "no poo"! I've quit using store bought shampoo and conditioner for three reasons. 1. It's bad for your body. It has toxins in it that are just not good and shampoo strips your hair and makes it more oily which in turn makes you use more and waste more money. Did you know your body produces oils that naturally condition your hair? 2. It's cheaper to make your own. 3. Making your own decreases your waste of all those shampoo/conditioner bottles.  I've done a lot of research and this is what I'm trying out right now. I'm not an expert, so you should do your own research and see what will work best for you and your body. Shampoo/Cleansing product:

• 1-2 tbs of baking powder
• Glass full of water

I put this into an old shampoo bottle and just squirt it on. It's a little hard to tell where it's going because it doesn't sud but it does make your hair feel squeeky clean.  Conditioner:

• 1-2 tbs apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbs lemon juice
• 2-3 tbs honey
• glass full of water
• I haven't yet but I plan to add some vanilla to experiment with smell

I am currently using a squirt bottle that I got from Sally's beauty store and just squirt this solution in my hair. Make sure you keep this out of yours eyes because I hear that it can burn. Apple cider vinegar is supposedly less harsh and won't smell as bad as regular vinegar but I didn't smell it at all during the shower. And if you rinse properly, it shouldn't smell when it dries anyways. This makes your hair feel nice and smooth, like conditioner!   Results:  I know it's going to take a little bit for my body to get used to this but I already love how clean my hair feels. It doesn't feel like there's any residue at all, it is a little oily right now but that's expected. The best part is that my just looks awesome, it's wavy and looks so rich without looking weighed down or oily. This "no poo" process should restore balance to your hair and eventually you'll only have to wash your hair every like 10 days! Your natural oils will keep your hair nice and pretty the way it's supposed to. Plus you're going to save money and be eco-friendly!  I'll share my next "going green" step in the next post. I'll give you a hint! It involves worms... hehe. Till next time! 

Change is in the air!

Over at the Batzy Rockshop blog, I stumbled upon this video that was incredibly inspiring and may change the way I live forever! It's about a family who lives a "Zero Waste" lifestyle which means reducing, reusing, and recycling to the point where they have no waste. I've always kind of been one to worry about the earth and trying to recycle as much as I can but I think this kind of gave me the extra push! 

Second Act: Johnson Family
I hope this inspires as many people as it did me. I'll be sharing the changes I've made since seeing this in the next post! What do you think about zero waste? 

Hello, hello. Come peek into my apartment!

Phew!

Who knew moving was so exhausting! The apartment is not quite finished yet but hopefully in the next week or so it will be in picture-taking shape! But we are finally moved in and are enjoying our freedom! Here are a some pictures of a few of my favorite things.

My mom found this vintage lamp and stuck a target shade on it, perfect!

There was no overhead lighting in the living room so I had to come up with a different solution. I love the magical feel these lights give to the place. 

 I finally have a place to put my thrift store finds where they can be fully appreciated!

Coffee and sugar? And hoola guy? Yes please!

And look who I found hiding in the pots?!

Decorating Musts!

I'm sure you all have see these before but...

How cute right? Hoop wall art!



I especially love the tea cup shelving, I want!

Source.  And here's a tutorial on making hoop wall art.

Also, at my new apartment I know I will have a lack of space so I think this is not only a brilliant idea for storage but it's cute as well!

source.

And lastly, a pretty little rose wreath to put on my first front door! Now I just have to go and make it!



source.

Moving Day!

 Or week? We're taking this slowly BUT surely. Only because we don't really have much help and are waiting for my parents to bring down their hammy down furniture. Hopefully tomorrow we can get our bed over there and start actually living there! Once it's fully furnished I'll be sure to post some pics (: 

Gettin' Ready for the Big Move!

Tuesday is the big day, we are finally getting our own place! Good bye, parents! Good bye, stress! And hello, freedom!  The weather was perfect today and we spent most of it outside preparing for our new home. We pulled out an old couch my dad made like a decade ago, wiped down the wood parts, and shampoo-ed the cushions.

(the sides, which are going to need a little work)

 

(and the cushions. pretty retro, huh!)

Here's our little helper,

 I've also been doing a bit of gardening. We're going to have a little patio and I want to fill it up with plants and make it my little outside haven.


(my soon to be italian herb garden)

 

(and some flowers to give the place some life!)

I scavenged around my dad's backyard and put this together as the first addition to my private garden!



 And by doing some hard searching on Craigslist, I got an awesome deal on our first washer and dryer. Both for $130! And they actually work!

 And one more tid-bit, I found this awesome rug at a Goodwill. Not sure where I will use it but isn't it cool? We shampooed it and it kind of smells funny but I'm hoping that's just from being wet...  

Well that's that! I can't wait to get decoratin' and share it all here!

Valentine Picnic

So, good news! March 1st we are moving into an apartment which means I get to decorate! Which means I get to make a ton of stuff and post about it! I'm so very excited but in the mean time I'll probably be busy, busy, busy. Anyways, I know it's a little belated but here's a few pictures from our family Valentine's Picnic!

We went to a park near our house. 

And set up our picnic, while Eliza got in the way.

Then we chowed down on some sandwiches and chicken salad (which were delicious!)

After that we opened presents.

Then it was time to go...

to the playground!

We went down the slides,

played on the toy cars,

and swung our little hearts out!

Then someone had an explosion in their pants and we had to go home. But all in all it was a very succesful trip considering last time we tried to picnic, we didn't even get to eat!

And I'll end this with my attempt at a family portrait.

Hm, not flattering but this is as good as it gets! Hope you guys had a wonderful Valentine's day!