March 2021 - Life of an Earth Muffin

A New Addition to my Plant Family – Moss Amigos Review!

Posted on March 30, 2021July 9, 2024

Hey earth muffins! If you follow my Instagram, you have seen that I bought myself a Moss Amigo back in February. This was a Christmas gift to myself, as these marimo moss balls are so cute! During the holiday, I went home for a month or so to be with family. My boyfriend was given the responsibility to take care of my plants… And he killed 3 of them (an unfortunate incident with our radiator). 🙄 RIP Harold, Petunia, and Patricia. Because this little guy has been in my plant family for a while, it’s the perfect time for a post about him. Let’s jump right into this Moss Amigos review!

A picture of a Moss Amigos moss ball in a glass jar on a window sill

What I Love About my Moss Amigo

The first thing I like about my moss ball is that he adds a bit of “flavor” to my plant shelf. All of my other plants are in pots and planters, including the DIY planter I upcycled; he is unique in his adorable glass jar. I’ve never had a plant that grows in water before too, so it adds a new vibe to the greenery in my apartment! Plus, you can add whatever you want to the bottom of the jar. You can buy different rocks and gems on the website, but you could totally customize this with seashells you find at the beach, etc. He looks adorable sitting on my window sill! 😍

I also love that I am supporting a small business! While this brand isn’t necessarily “sustainable”, I was happy to support it after randomly finding their page on my Instagram. I believe the brand went semi-viral on TikTok a couple of months after I received mine in the mail. Glad I didn’t have to wait when they were swamped with orders!

Taking care of a Moss Amigos is also super easy. While my other plants don’t require a lot of effort, this moss ball is easier still. All you need to do is keep it in a place with indirect sun and then change the water every 2 or 3 weeks. I’ve been replacing the water every 2 weeks, but I probably could wait longer. The water hasn’t gotten cloudy or anything like that, which means my moss ball is thriving! According to the Moss Amigos website, if taken care of properly these algae can last over 200 years!!

It is also easy to tell if your moss ball isn’t doing well. If they are getting too much sun, the ball will get specs of white. If it turns slightly brown, it isn’t getting enough sun. Sometimes it is difficult to decipher what is going wrong in a plant when it starts to change color. It is really helpful (especially for someone who isn’t the best with plants) to know exactly what the discoloration means. Definitely a positive in this Moss Amigos review!

A picture of a Moss Amigos with a cowboy hat on

Other Things I Like!

I also like that you can buy hats for your moss ball! If you need to put it in direct sun for some reason, just pop its cowboy hat on to give it some shade. Or, just put on the hat for a photo shoot… Which is definitely something I have done. 😅 I think it is freaking adorable that one of my plants has a custom hat. It adds such a cute touch!

Lastly, the fact that this is a moss ball gives you a lot of creative freedom with the name. I love looking at the Moss Amigos story on Instagram because they share stories from people with the names they give their plant. While Bob Moss was a close contender, I decided to name my little guy Mosstin Ames. Yes, after the classic A Cinderella Story character. 😊

What Could Be Better with my Moss Amigos

As I mentioned above, this company isn’t really “sustainable”… But I can’t have a Moss Amigos review on this blog without mentioning packaging. This little guy came packaged in a cardboard box; but, there were plenty of plastics inside (including the pouch Mosstin was wrapped in!). I can’t knock this too much because the brand isn’t trying to be that eco-friendly, but I thought I would still bring it up.

While I think the hats are adorable, you can also argue that they are wasteful and unnecessary. I do agree that, in theory, they can be wasteful. But, if you keep your Moss Amigo for as long as it lives, then that hat will be useful that whole time as well. I personally get very attached to my plants, so I know Mosstin and his hat will be a feature in my apartment/home for many years to come!

The rise in popularity of marimo moss balls is also creating an issue with zebra mussels. This invasive species is attaching itself to moss balls and getting taken all over the world as companies don’t take care to get their moss balls from high quality sources. Moss Amigos discussed this on their Instagram and take extra care that their algae balls are sourced in high quality, mussel-free environments. While this is good, the trend of buying these balls is creating a new niche for cheaper, low quality balls that potentially have invasive species inside… So be careful if you buy marimo moss from other companies!

Summary of my Thoughts

All in all, I absolutely love Mosstin! He is cute, easy to take care of, and looks absolutely amazing in his hat. He adds a lot of character to the plants in my apartment, and I love supporting a small brand. The company could definitely improve their packaging to make it more eco-friendly, and I hate that an invasive species is hitching a ride on some marimo balls. If you are on the market for a moss ball, I suggest checking out Moss Amigos! 😍

Moss amigos review pinterest pin — Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna ♥

How to Have a More Sustainable Wedding

Posted on March 27, 2021June 19, 2024

Hey earth muffins! The wedding industry is one of the biggest industries in the world. But, as with any big industry or event, it can also end up not being great for the environment. In between the food waste, things such as favors being left behind, and all the people traveling from around the country (or even the world) to attend your wedding, it can have a pretty big impact on the global footprint. A study found that a single wedding can produce as many emissions as five people would in an entire year – which is an awful lot for just one single day! In order to have the best day of your life (because after all, that is what weddings are all about!) but get rid of some of the guilt, there are some things you can do to make your wedding day that bit more eco-friendly. Here are some top ways to make your wedding more sustainable.

A picure of a man and woman kissing at their wedding

1. Think carefully about your favors.

Wedding favors are something that everyone gives out but can actually be pretty wasteful. Most favors tend to be left behind at the end of the wedding or create extra plastic waste. In order to avoid this, it is a good idea to think of favors that can be consumed at the time or something that is eco-friendly. One example of eco-friendly favors includes giving out little plants or seeds that can be planted. You could also give out shots or food in glass jars which prevents over-production of plastic and can be recycled or used again. I personally have a massive mason jar collection, so I’d love the memories associated with a special person’s wedding every time I use that jar.

2. Choose a venue that is committed to being sustainable

When choosing your venue, speak to them and see if they have a commitment to sustainability. Make sure to do your research into if they care about things such as recycling, the air quality of the building (you could suggest DUCTZ air duct cleaning), and if they have a commitment to reducing food and water waste. Remember to avoid any greenwashing as much as possible and do your own research on the venue too! Some hotels suggest guests put their towels in the bath if they want them to be cleaned, otherwise, they won’t clean them. Using a towel more than once can greatly reduce water waste! Venues might also grow their own food on-site or compost food waste, which showcase their commitment to the environment too.

3. Use eco-friendly confetti

Confetti is another wedding staple that can end up being bad for the environment. Traditional confetti is usually made out of microplastics and can have metallic elements which are made of metal. These materials can wash down drains or be blown into the air and left in the countryside which can cause damage to all sorts of wildlife. Birds, sea creatures, and animals can all be harmed if they ingest this type of confetti. Because of this, one of the best types of confetti you can use is to stamp confetti from leaves or dried flower petals. Plus, just imagine the cute pictures!

4. Encourage shared transport

With a wedding, you have multiple people all traveling to the same destination which isn’t great for Mother Earth. Instead, why not look into shared transport? You could hire a minivan or a coach and then everyone can travel up together. This can end up being more cost-effective and also means there are a lot fewer cars on the road all heading to the same place. It will also be a fun way for you to all get-together and catch up and get excited about the upcoming wedding!

5. See if you can get items second hand

There are many websites where people will sell items that they have used in their wedding but don’t need anymore. After all, once your big day has happened, it is unlikely you’re going to need 12 centerpieces again in a hurry! Second-hand items prevent them from being wasted and give them a second life. It is much better for the environment and you are likely to grab a bargain with them too! Check out sites such as eBay, Facebook marketplace, or even borrowing from a friend. This doesn’t just apply to decorations; you could also use a family wedding dress as well! Getting an already made gown tailored to your liking is much cheaper than buying a new one. Plus, you will get exactly what you want and have a unique dress that no one else has.

These are just a few simple ways that you can have a more sustainable wedding. By doing so, you will reduce the carbon footprint that weddings can bring while enjoying your “best day ever”. Do you have any tips for a more sustainable wedding?

Where To Donate Your Stuff After Decluttering

Posted on March 25, 2021June 19, 2024

Hey earth muffins! During Lent, one of the things I have been doing is participating in a “Less is More” challenge. If you haven’t seen the Netflix documentary, this challenge involves decluttering 1 item on day 1, 2 items on day 2, etc. Because I recently went through a huge decluttering, I decided to modify this challenge to 1 item per day. But I’ve noticed that I will often declutter multiple items on certain days! As the “decluttering box” in my living room gets full of more stuff, I thought I would share my tips for donating after a huge decluttering. Where to donate your stuff is a great question to ask, so I hope this post helps you make the most impact with the items you have decluttered from your life! 😊

A picture of a box of donations with hands putting in a pile of jeans

Where is the Best Place to Donate my Items?

Firstly, it is important to not just take a huge load of items to one thrift store. Secondhand stores are always overwhelmed with people doing this; this results in slow processing of the items or things being thrown in the trash. Instead of just giving everything to one place, I strongly urge you to split up the items. This will allocate the resources to whoever needs them the most! It will also ensure the items actually get used, not buried on the back shelf of a Salvation Army or Goodwill.

Can you sell it?

If you have any items that you feel are valuable (and you have the time), try to sell them. I would suggest Facebook Marketplace to help out your local area, but you could also try other selling apps or even Ebay. I’ve written a whole post about how to score the best deals on Facebook Marketplace. On the selling side, make sure your prices are fair and that you are quick to respond to interested buyers. Nothing is worse than someone who doesn’t message back when you want to buy their item! 😬

Think of family and friends first!

After a decluttering, ask around and see if any family or friends are interested in anything. Especially for decorations and artwork, some people might be interested if they liked certain pieces in your home. You could also just set aside items for people without asking first. Have a friend expecting? Make a care package of some baby items you were looking to get rid of!

Post on a “Buy Nothing” Facebook group before throwing out.

I’ve noticed that I often find some questionable items when I declutter that might need to be tossed in the trash instead of donating. Before you do that though, I suggest posting it on the Buy Nothing Facebook group in your area. I’ve actually been quite surprised what people are interested in on these groups! Some people are in need and will take anything, and others will take “messed up” items for craft projects or hobbies. You could also post on Freecycle if you don’t have a Facebook account. If you find that no one wants your item, make sure you trash it so the place you donate to doesn’t have to!

For gender or age specific items, donate to shelters in your area.

There are many women shelters that are always looking for clothing, toiletries, etc. You might even have shelters specifically for children and/or teens that would love some of your decluttered items. Do a quick Google search to see if you have any shelters near you. If so, see what items they are looking for. There is usually a list on their website, but you could also call to confirm that your donations would be accepted/used.

See if your local Ronald McDonald house will accept old toys!

I suggest calling your local Ronald McDonald house or children’s hospital with their current rules about donations, as the pandemic could have affected them. It is awesome to donate toys, games, stuffed animals, etc. to places where they are needed instead of a random thrift store in your area.

Donate to a church drive or church-wide yard sale.

My church always has some sort of drive going on whether it be hats and gloves or toiletries for the homeless. See if any drives at your church align with some items you have decluttered! I’ve also seen churches do yard sale fundraisers where donated items are sold to raise money for the church or a mission. Save some of your items for this event if your church is hosting an event like this as well!

Other Places to Donate

Obviously, you can still donate to a thrift store if you have exhausted all of your other options. Clothes are usually good to donate, but make sure they are in good condition! If they aren’t, repurpose or throw them away yourself as we wouldn’t want to partake in any wishful donating! 😊 If you know a certain store has good turnover of home goods, donate those items there. The same goes for clothes. The goal is to get the items in the hands of another person who will use it! I hope this “where to donate your stuff” post was helpful… Where do you like to donate?

Where to donate your stuff after decluttering pinterest pin — Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna ♥

How to Have a Zero Waste Easter!

Posted on March 23, 2021July 30, 2024

Hey earth muffins! I can’t believe that Lent is almost over and Easter is around the corner… I am SO ready for some spring weather. Winter is tough for me in terms of work and seasonal depression; having some sunshine and warmer temperatures is going to make my life much better. 😊 With Easter just around the corner, many people are making plans on how they are going to celebrate. So, when you and your loved ones are deciding this, opt for an eco-friendly Easter this year! As I’ve done for many other holidays, here are my tips for having an amazing, zero waste Easter! 🐰

Stream the Easter Vigil or Mass online.

While many people are getting the vaccine, it is important to stay safe this holiday. Church services are central to many celebrations of Easter, so see if your church has a live stream service online. You can still dress up in your best spring fashion, but you can opt out of a mask (unless, of course, your family decides that masks should still be worn). The cathedral I attend has been live streaming their services for years even before the pandemic, so I will be tuning into their Mass with my family. ⛪

Thrift your Easter decor (including eggs!)

I’m always amazed at the cute holiday decor I can find at my local thrift stores. I’m not one to have a ton of holiday decor around the apartment, but I’ll definitely put up a bunny or two. Shopping secondhand is a great way to reduce your impact on the planet. Plus, you can find some unique treasures that no one else has! 🐇 One of my favorite local thrifts had bags of plastic Easter eggs too – perfect for any Easter egg hunt! If you can’t find secondhand eggs, opt for wooden ones instead of plastic.

Reuse your Easter basket every year – and thrift it!

Even when it isn’t springtime, baskets are everywhere in thrift, secondhand, and antique stores. Find a cute one and then reuse it every year for the Easter Bunny’s treats! If it isn’t too spring-colored, you can even use it around the house until it is needed for the holiday. I remember using the same basket every year growing up, and it was super fun to bring it out each year when we were decorating for the holiday. If you are gifted other baskets from family and friends, find a good use for them as well – don’t just toss or donate!

A picture of an Easter basket full of candy and toys

Choose bulk candy and/or avoid plastic packaging.

The bulk bins are my favorite – and you can find some delicious treats to fill up Easter baskets! Not only is bulk bin shopping easy, it reduces a ton of packaging if you bring your own bags to fill. If you don’t have a lot of candy options in bulk, you can fill Easter eggs with special notes, drawings, money, or little secondhand trinkets. Depending on your bulk bins, you might not have any candy options… If that is true, buy large bags of candy that aren’t individually packaged to save on waste. 🙌

Avoid plastic Easter grass!

Even as a kid, I hated Easter grass. It got in the way of my precious Easter candy and got EVERYWHERE. Now, I hate it because it is super wasteful and bad for the planet. Opt for paper grass or cloth stuffing materials, reuse the Easter grass you already have, or just use no grass. Your basket will be just as pretty if it is a zero waste Easter one!

Dye eggs with natural dyes.

There are a bunch of ways to dye your eggs in a natural way. If you don’t want to go through all of the trouble, see if your secondhand store has dye kits. I saw a bunch at my local thrift store – just make sure the expiration date is okay! You could also skip the dyes and use brown eggs and paint markers instead!

A picture of brown Easter eggs on a decorated table

Go meatless and skip the ham.

After being vegetarian for over a year, the meat I miss the most is my mom’s Easter ham… BUT, save the planet and go meatless for your Easter dinner! This year, my mom got me a “ham” from the brand Tofurky… So get creative and figure out how to have a delicious vegetarian feast as well! Be conscious of the amount of food too, and do your part to reduce food waste!

Stream your favorite Easter films.

My family seems to have movies to watch for each holiday. We always watch It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown (affiliate link) and Here Comes Peter Cottontail (affiliate link) for Easter! If you also have a similar tradition, stream your Easter movies as you eat some of your bulk candy or make popcorn from bulk kernels!

Get your Easter dress secondhand!

I’ve always been a fan of cute spring dresses, so it was always fun to get super dressed up for Easter. Hit up your local thrift stores and find some super cute pieces to wear. Or, rent a dress online from sites like Rent the Runway. If your family is into Easter bonnets, try DIYing yours this year! 😍

Overall, it isn’t that difficult to have a zero waste Easter – you just have to be mindful of the waste your celebration is creating. I hope everyone is planning to celebrate in a safe, eco-friendly way, and I bet the Easter Bunny (and Easter Beagle) won’t forget to stop at your house! 😊 Happy Easter!

How to have a zero waste Easter pinterest pin — Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna ♥

How to Tell if a Company is Actually Sustainable – Greenwashing Research (Part 2)

Posted on March 16, 2021July 9, 2024

Hey earth muffins! A few weeks ago I shared a post about greenwashing: what is is, examples of it, and how to avoid it. Many of you found this post helpful, so I thought I would share more detailed tips on how to avoid companies that greenwash instead of follow sustainable practices. I will be sharing some of the things that I do personally, as I try to support sustainable companies as much as possible! 😊 Let’s jump right into the post!

Why is Greenwashing an Issue?

I talked about this more in my previous post, but I get annoyed because it makes eco-friendly people have to take the extra step to ensure the company is actually sustainable. We see companies using “eco” and “green” all the time these days in their packaging, advertising, etc. Being eco conscious is “trendy” right now, which makes some companies opt for tricky packaging instead of actually being green. For me personally, I would much rather support companies that do care and take care of the enviornment. If you are like me, use some of the following tips to find out if a company is actually green! 🌎 ❤️

Do your research!

Don’t take anything a company says at face value… Make sure you agree with what they are saying first! I’ve always been a support driven person, so I have found these research methods to work:

Look to see how transparent a company is on their website.

If they are truly sustainable, they will have a whole sustainability section on their website. This section will contain details about ethical labor practices, materials they use, where they make their products, if they test on animals, etc. When a company is using greenwashing, they often have no mention (or little mention) of how their business affects the environment. Use your judgement too – some brands will have a sustainability section that is just full of fluff. The more details, the more transparent and trustworthy the company is! A great example of a good sustainability section is on the Ethique website. They have 5 different sections under “Sustainability” that outlines their plastic use, fair trade, etc.

Use apps to see if products are actually sustainable.

I included two apps in my post about the best green apps for a sustainable lifestyle that are relevant to greenwashing research. Good on You and Think Dirty are awesome resources if you are trying to figure out if a company is greenwashing or not. Good on You ranks fashion companies on how sustainable they actually are; Think Dirty rates products on how good/natural products are for you. Just like a company’s website can tell you a lot, these apps also help pierce the veil of deceptive advertising/packaging.

Take labels with a grain of salt!

There are so many labels that brands can get on their products these days: fair trade, non-GMO, B-Corp, Rainforest Alliance, Fair Trade USA, etc. Some are, unfortunately, easier to get than others. If a company has a lot of money and time, they can easily afford to get labelled as a certain thing. Labels like Fair Trade USA have been watered down because of this, as more people have the label on their packaging (when maybe certain companies shouldn’t). Along with this, smaller companies might not be able to afford to get their product labelled in a certain way – it is super expensive to do so! Instead of relying on labels, make sure you take them with a grain of salt.

A picture of a Fair Trade Certified label

Don’t listen to all influencers about what is “sustainable”.

I shared my list of favorite sustainable influencers recently. If these people recommend a brand, then it is most likely actually sustainable. For other YouTubers/influencers, make sure to do your research on their “green” recommendations. I get so frustrated when a “trendy” YouTuber talks about a reusable straw and then posts a fast fashion haul the next day. Mixed messages for sure! Many influencers get paid a lot of money to share products. If they are sharing something, it is most likely from a large corporation with a huge influencer budget. Many small and sustainable companies don’t have this budget!

Overall, I think it is important to figure out what companies share your values when it comes to sustainable products. Greenwashing is out there, so it is important to see through the deception and make an opinion based on research. A brand I don’t want to support might be one that you are okay supporting – that is totally fine! Every person is different, so make sure your consumption aligns with your values. Just avoid greenwashing as best as you can! 😊

How to avoid greenwashing pinterest pin — Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna ♥

Soyabella Review & My Best Recipes for Delicous Non-Dairy Milk

Posted on March 11, 2021July 9, 2024

Hey earth muffins! For Christmas this year, my parents bought me a few sustainable gifts. I recently reviewed the Natissy reusable paper towels, so I thought I would share my thoughts on another gift: the Soyabella nut milk maker (affiliate link)! Milk is one of those things that creates a large environmental impact. Because of that, I have been trying to swap out dairy milk for other alternatives. Many nut and seed milks do not come in glass; so, making your own is the better option! This Soyabella allows me to make my own nut milk, which is so awesome! Let’s get into my Soyabella nut milk maker review!

A picture of the Soyabella nut milk maker on a kitchen counter

What I Love About My Soyabella Nut Milk Maker

When I originally moved this summer, I thought I would just buy my milk in glass because that is an option at my local health food store. However, they stopped allowing you to bring back the glass bottles because of Mister Corona. 😕 Plus, I felt like there were other options that didn’t involve cows polluting up the atmosphere. Like I mentioned above, nut milks usually come in a plastic/cardboard container. I love that this machine skips the packaging altogether! I can buy the ingredients I need in the bulk bins and pour the milk into glass jars I already have in my pantry. A win-win!

I love that you can make as much milk as you need in this machine. I find that making 0.8 Liters is enough to last me a week, depending on how much cereal I have for breakfast. If your particular nut/seed milk won’t last a full week, you can make less milk. Or, you can make even more milk if your whole family will be drinking it. I love the range of production!

The Soyabella (affiliate link) is also super easy to use. There is a detachable metal container on the inside where you put your almonds, oats, seeds, etc. Pour in some water, put on the top, and press a button a few times. Ta-da! Fresh milk. The machine is specifically made for making soy milk, so there is a whole separate button for heating up the soy beans to cook them and then turning that into milk. I just use the “Mill” button for my milks, but once I can find some bulk soy beans I definitely want to try making soy milk too!

Before my parents bought this for me, I had the Almond Cow on my eco wishlist, which I shared a few months ago. The Almond Cow retails at $200, while this machine is only $100. (As you all know, this Soyabella review wouldn’t be complete without talking about price!) I love that there is this range in nut milk makers so that it is accessible to all income levels. While I don’t know if the Almond Cow works better, I haven’t found any issues with my Soyabella!

What Could Be Improved in the Soyabella Nut Milk Maker

So far, I haven’t found anything that I don’t like about this gadget! The only thing I could think of when writing this Soyabella review is the way the inside container gets locked into place… Once you fill it up with your nuts/seeds, you have to twist left to lock it into place. For some reason, this is not natural to me, as I usually have to twist things right (“righty tighty” haha). This is an extremely minor detail, so I don’t think it should deter anyone from trying out this product!

My Favorite Soyabella Milk Recipes

Almond Milk

Before sharing this recipe, it is important to note that almond milk isn’t that great for the environment either. It is much better than dairy, but compared to other options (such as oat milk and seed milk) it still has a negative impact on the environment… But, then again, most products have some negative impact. However, I have found that most people can easily make the switch from dairy to almond milk. So, it is a good recipe to try in your Soyabella.

-1 cup almonds. Soak them in water for at least 4 hours or overnight.
-0.8 Liter of water. There is a 0.8 fill line in the Soyabella
-Dash of maple syrup to sweeten, optional

1. Place the almonds and maple syrup into the metal Soyabella container. Lock into place.
2. Press the “Mill” button which will run the blade for about 10 seconds. Repeat 3-5 times, depending on how thick you want the milk.
3. Pour into a mason jar and store in the fridge – it will last about 6-7 days! Before each use, make sure to shake the container!

Pumpkin Seed Milk

Just as a disclaimer, this milk should be a green/gray color. 😄 Perfect for celebrating a zero waste St. Patrick’s Day! Use the same directions as above, using pumpkin seeds in place of almonds:

-1 cup raw pumpkin seed. You can soak them overnight if you want!
-3 cups water
-Dash of maple syrup (or agave nectar) to sweeten, optional
-Dash of salt

There you have it, my Soyabella nut milk maker review (affiliate link)! I use this machine every weekend to make new milk for the upcoming week – I absolutely love it! If you drink almond milk or any dairy alternative, I highly suggest trying to make it yourself with this machine. Nothing is more better for you than what you make at home! 🌎 ❤️

Soyabella nut milk maker review Pinterest pin — Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna ♥

Easy DIY Upcycled Project: A Planter from an Old Stool!

Posted on March 9, 2021March 9, 2021

Hey earth muffins! I shared on my Instagram a couple of weeks ago that I recently worked on a DIY upcycled craft project. I haven’t done a craft project in SO long! During middle and high school, I used to craft all the time. I loved to sculpt charms out of polymer clay and make my own jewelry. But, I eventually stopped doing that and would occasionally do some painting projects. In college I was really into following along with Bob Ross videos! It has been quite a while since I’ve done some crafting, but I just couldn’t pass up this opportunity for a fun DIY upcycled project. Let’s jump right into it!

A picture of a DIY upcycled stool planter with a plant on top

From Trash to DIY

As many of you know, I currently live in an apartment complex. There are two main staircases in this building – one near the elevator and another tucked away for access to the basement/laundry room. When I was going down to do laundry one day, I noticed that someone had placed a stool and some towels in the back staircase. I figured someone had moved out and left them there. While I wanted to take the stool for this upcycled project, I didn’t want to steal something from someone who still wanted it. But, a month later, they were still there. So, I brought the stool upstairs to start my project!

A picture of a black stool with chips and cracks — Before the DIY

There is one corner of my living room that had nothing in it. Our apartment doesn’t have AC, so we had a floor AC unit there during the warmer months. As it is obviously winter now, the unit is in storage which left behind empty space. I have been thinking about what I should put there for quite some time… The corner is by an east facing window too, so I thought it would be perfect for a plant!

What You Need for This Upcycle DIY

-An old stool: this one was in pretty rough shape, but I won’t actually be sitting in it anytime soon
-Paint: I used black and white
-Paintbrush 🖌️: I realized that I didn’t actually have a large enough paint brush… I didn’t want to buy a new one, so I used an old piece of foam as a sponge brush! It worked surprisingly well!
-Newspaper/cardboard to protect the floor: I used some from my recycle bin!
-A cute design idea: I was aiming for space themed, but there are so many cute options to try!

How to Upcycle a Stool

Lay out your newspaper to protect your floor. This step is important, especially if you tend to be a messy painter/DIYer
Mix the paint and start painting! Like I said above, I didn’t actually have a paintbrush, so I had to use a “dab” method to cover the stool. This was totally fine for me because I was aiming for a space, imperfect look.
For areas with old paint or cracks, let the first layer dry and then paint it again.

4. Once the base is on, let dry. Add any finishing details with other colors! I went in with white paint to create lots of stars, as well as two larger stars in the front of the stool.

The Finished DIY Upcyle

I absolutely love how this turned out! 😍 I think the subtle space theme is awesome, because it isn’t obvious until you really look at the planter. For Valentine’s Day, my boyfriend bought me a gorgeous Golden Pothos… I am excited to see how big it gets! Part of me wants to paint the terracotta pot too, but I am not sure if it will look good. Any thoughts if I should paint that as well? Overall, I am really happy with this DIY upcycled project. I love that I saved this stool from the landfill (and/or sitting in that dingy staircase), and I will definitely be keeping it for years to come!

DIY upcycled stool planter pinterest pin — Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna ♥

How to Celebrate a Zero Waste St. Patrick’s Day!

Posted on March 4, 2021July 10, 2024

Hey earth muffins! Believe it or not, St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner… And then Easter is not far behind! I have never really done much to celebrate St. Patty’s Day; but, as it is a major holiday, I just couldn’t skip over writing another sustainable holiday post. Today, I wanted to share my list of how you can celebrate a zero waste St Patrick’s Day this year! Holidays tend to create more waste than a typical day, so it is important to be mindful of how sustainable your celebrations are. Let’s jump right in!

Wear green!

Wearing some sort of green is a tradition for St. Patrick’s Day. This is the one thing I try to do every year! Looking through my current closet, I actually don’t have any green to wear… Instead of going out and buying something to wear for just one day, borrow from a friend or family member. My boyfriend has a couple green sweatshirts, so I can just steal one of those! If none of your friends have green, then you can check to see if there are any cute items at the thrift store. Make sure you will wear it on a “normal” day too – buying a St. Patty’s themed shirt is silly because it sits in your closet for 364 days of the year.

Play some tricks.

Similar to the Tooth Fairy or Santa Claus, my parents tricked my siblings and I into believing that the Leprechaun was real. He would cause chaos in our house each St. Patty’s by messing up our orderly toys and dyeing the milk green. While playing some tricks on your roomates is clearly zero waste, I would steer clear of the food dyes that come in plastic. I have been making my own seed/nut milks recently; pumpkin seed milk (from raw pumpkin seeds) is already a light shade of green. Maybe opt for this instead! ☘️

Do some zero waste cooking!

There are tons of amazing Irish meals you can cook for this holiday. Try to source all of your ingredients from bulk bins, glass containers, or loose items. 😊 If cooking a whole Irish meal seems like too much, try making one thing. I personally would recommend some delicous soda bread! For those who aren’t into cooking, support a local Irish pub or restaurant. Try to eat in if there aren’t COVID restrictions; takeout always creates more waste than necessary!

Learn to Irish jig or listen to some Irish music.

While learning the jig might sound stupid, it is always fun to try something new! 👯‍♂️ Plus, having a few random dance moves in your back pocket is always a good idea. I taught myself how to moonwalk in middle school, and there have been numerous times where I’ve shocked people because they didn’t believe I could actually do it. If dancing isn’t your thing, listen to some classic Irish music. Or, listen to Spotify’s top songs in Ireland – I love that you can listen to what is popular in other countries!

Skip those gold coin chocolates.

For one, they don’t even taste good haha. And they create a lot of extra waste. Instead of those candies, look for some other sweet treat in the bulk bins. If you can’t find any good options, you could always make your own chocolates or candy!

Attend a virtual St. Patrick’s Day parade!

Every holiday I am always amazed at the number of virtual events you can stream. I bet if you go on YouTube you will be able to stream a bunch of different celebrations from Ireland! If you can’t find any, there are sure to be ones from prior years that you can watch. 🍻 I personally will probably watch a St. Patrick themed movie, such as Luck of the Irish.

There you have it – some awesome ways to have a zero waste St Patrick’s Day! 🇮🇪 I hope your holiday is lucky and full of gold! 🍀

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Love,
Jenna ♥