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

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!

A picture of two St. Patrick's Day mugs

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! โ˜˜๏ธ

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. ๐Ÿ˜Š 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!

A picture of a loaf of Irish soda bread

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! ๐Ÿ‘ฏโ€โ™‚๏ธ 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. ๐Ÿป 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! ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช I hope your holiday is lucky and full of gold! ๐Ÿ€

How to have a zero waste St. Patrick's Day pinterest pin
Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna โ™ฅ

โžก๏ธ Subscribe toย never miss a post!ย โฌ…๏ธ

Loading

bookmark_borderNatissy Reusable Paper Towels Review! An Easy Sustainable Swap

Hey earth muffins! I hope everyone is having a great start to the week. I am officially done with busy season at work, so I am happy to have much more time to blog again. ๐ŸŽ‰ For today’s post, I wanted to write a review of the Natissy reusable paper towels (affiliate link). If you are following me on Instagram, you would have seen that my parents bought me a few sustainable products for Christmas… Including these! I had been wanting to try out reusable paper towels, so I was excited that they gifted them to me. ๐Ÿ˜Š Swapping out your paper towels for reusable ones is such a great sustainable swap; let’s jump right into the Natissy paper towels review!

A picture of a roll of Natissy reusable paper towels sitting on the kitchen counter

What I Love About Natissy Reusable Paper Towels

First of all, it is awesome that I am preventing waste. Paper towels are single use items that seem to be in everyone’s home – such a waste! Before I had Natissy, I would use a huge stack of rags/washcloths whenever I needed to clean or wipe up a mess. This is obviously an easy thing to do, as most people have old cloth lying around too. Instead of tossing the paper towel into the trash, just wash with your clothes and reuse. Amazing and eco-friendly! Plus, so easy to start doing!

I also love that they can be rolled onto the wooden stand for convenience. They look exactly like a roll of typical paper towels! When my boyfriend and I moved in together over the summer, he refused to stop using paper towels. (Just an example of living with someone who isn’t as eco-friendly as you!) I still haven’t gotten him to budge on that (yet), so I store the Natissy stand right next to his paper towels. I am hopeful that he will realize just how easy it is to grab a Natissy towel from the stand instead of reaching for the single use item!

A picture of Natissy reusable paper towels next to typical paper towel at the kitchen sink

The fabric is 100% cotton, which makes the towels super absorbent. I was worried that they would get messed up in the washing machine, but I haven’t had any trouble so far. After washing, I hang them on a drying rack so that I don’t need to put them through the dryer. This saves energy as well. ๐Ÿ˜Š The washing machines in my apartment complex are a bit rough during the cycles, so I have found that the towels can wrinkle… Nothing an iron can’t fix! But, let’s be honest, I usually just leave them a little wrinkled because they are just paper towels after all. ๐Ÿ˜

What To Improve On

The first thing I don’t like about this product is that you can’t remove the wooden dowel from the stand. Instead of being able to roll the towels anywhere, this limits you to doing it on the edge of a surface (see video below). This isn’t a huge issue, but I’ve seen other versions of “unpaper” towels that have removable dowels. I personally think that would be the better option.

Just like any sustainable review I do on this blog, I also wanted to bring up the price. On Amazon, a set of the stand and towels costs $44 (affiliate link). I personally don’t think I would buy these if I wasn’t gifted them by my parents; my box of rags/washcloths did the trick and it cost me $0! Many products advertise themselves as “zero waste” and “sustainable”, but it is sometimes better to just use what you already have. Sure, the Natissy stand looks great in my kitchen. But, you might want to opt for the less pretty (and cheaper) version.

Lastly, if you are using these towels to pick up dark liquids, they can stain. I haven’t had too many issues with this, but one towel is slightly darker now… This is just from the fact that the towels are a light color. I personally don’t care if my rags/washcloths/paper towels are stained. It just shows that they are being put to good use around your home! However, if that does bother you, then I would pick a brand of reusables that comes in darker shades.

Overall, I think reusuable paper towels are awesome! You don’t need to buy specific “unpaper” towels, like Natissy, if you already have other options at home. But, making the swap away from paper towels is a great way to reduce the waste in your kitchen! ๐ŸŒŽ โค๏ธ

Natissy reusable paper towel review pinterest pin
Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna โ™ฅ

โžก๏ธ Subscribe toย never miss a post!ย โฌ…๏ธ

Loading

bookmark_borderHow to Have a Zero Waste Mardi Gras (and Lent)!

Hey earth muffins, happy Fat Tuesday! ๐Ÿ˜Š I can’t believe Lent starts tomorrow… Easter and spring are just around the corner! As a practicing Catholic, I’ve always loved to challenge myself during Lent to improve my life in some way. I gave up YouTube a few years ago, stopped going on social media another time – there are so many ways to push yourself! Fat Tuesday is a time to celebrate before Lent begins, so I thought it would be fun to share ways to have a zero waste Mardi Gras. I’ve never been one to party hard on this day, but there are still so many ways to enjoy the holiday! ๐ŸŽ‰

A picture of Mardi Gras masks

~Avoid plastic party favors/beads!

Mister Corona is still (unfortunately) an issue, so most Mardi Gras parties, parades, etc. have been cancelled or moved online. But, if you find your housemates or family having a party to celebrate, avoid any type of plastic party favor. I think this goes for any party, as favors tend to get used for a few hours and then chucked in the trash. Plus, do you really need a plastic bead necklace to remember the memories you have?

~If you are drinking anything, choose glass (or metal cans).

I think it goes without saying that glass should be your first choice when it comes to purchasing beverages. Metal cans can usually be recycled curbside or returned to stores, but glass is always the best alternative. Avoid plastic containers as much as you can!

~Find a local shop to buy your Paczki

A picture of two paczki donuts and a glass of milk

Have you ever had a Paczki? These are a staple when celebrating a Polish Mardi Gras… Even if you aren’t Polish, these delicious donuts are usually only around for Fat Tuesday; make sure you get them before they are sold out. Word from the wise: pre-ordering is the way to go! ๐Ÿ˜Š I have personally found that the best paczki are made by local bakeries and donut shops. Many donut chains like Tim Hortons will make “paczki” on Mardi Gras, but they usually just taste like their typical filled donuts. A real paczki doesn’t taste exactly like a donut – plus, you can find some more unique (and traditional) filling flavors at local shops. Ask your local shop to only use a cardboard box when packaging, then compost or recycle it!

~Reduce your food waste – compost if needed!

Just as the name implies, Fat Tuesday is often about eating a lot of food; some people take the name a little too literally. I guess maybe they are preparing for the fasting on Ash Wednesday? Regardless if you decide to eat a lot or not, make sure you are consciously trying to cut back on food waste! I’ve written a post all about my top tips for reducing food waste at home, so give that a read if you haven’t already! A zero waste Mardi Gras should be one where there isn’t extra wasted food lying around. If you do find yourself with extra paczki, make sure you 1) give it to someone who will eat it or 2) compost it! I can honestly say the best decision I made in 2020 was to start composting in my apartment – I’ve saved SO much waste from going to the landfill!

~Think of an eco challenge for yourself this Lent!

Sure, Lent is a religious thing but I’ve always tried to do extra “challenges” to improve my daily life as well. If you are feeling up for it, try to think of an eco-friendly goal you would like to do from Mardi Gras to Easter. This could be decluttering, adopting a few new eco swaps, or volunteering for our planet! My boyfriend and I have decided to do a (modified) “Less is More” challenge. Every day of Lent we will be picking one new item to donate. I’ve decluttered a lot since my eco journey began. But, it will be awesome to pass on more items to someone who will use it more.

A picture of zero waste shopping with jars and loose vegetables

~Try not to eat meat the WHOLE Lenten season

Most Catholics do not eat meat on Fridays during Lent. (As a vegetarian, this is definitely not something I need to worry about this year haha.) If you still eat meat, an awesome Lent goal could be to stop eating meat the whole 30 days! The meat industry is horrible for the planet; this is a great way to reduce your impact on the earth for a month or so. Plus, if you have been thinking about becoming a vegetarian, this is the perfect opportunity to give it a try! Who knows, you might absolutely love it and make the switch completely. ๐Ÿ˜ All in all, there are so many ways to make your Mardi Gras zero waste. Here’s to the upcoming growth we shall see during this Lenten season!

How to have a zero waste Mardi Gras pinterest pin
Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna โ™ฅ

โžก๏ธ Subscribe toย never miss a post!ย โฌ…๏ธ

Loading

bookmark_borderReview: Native Deodorant in Cucumber Mint, with a PLASTIC FREE Tube!

Hey earth muffins! It’s your girl coming at you with another review today! ๐Ÿ˜ I personally have had a love-hate relationship with natural deodorants since I started my eco journey. If you have been following me for some time, you have seen me review deodorants from Pretty Frank before. In the world of natural deodorants, there are so many different kinds to choose from. Baking soda, zinc, why are there so many options? I’ve never found the “perfect” one yet, so when I saw that Native came out with a plastic free natural deodorant, I scooped it up right away. Let’s jump into my Native deodorant review! ๐ŸŽ‰

A picture of plastic free Native deodorant in Cucumber melon

What I’m Loving About Native Deodorant

Obviously the first thing I need to mention is that this deodorant is plastic free – amazing! Some natural deodorants (like Tom’s of Maine) still come in plastic containers, so it is difficult to buy them because I feel bad about the plastic. I think it is extremely innovative (and awesome!) that Native was able to create a deodorant container that very closely resembles a “typical” one… But avoid all plastic in the process! I love to support sustainable companies, so I am super happy about the plastic free line that Native carries. However, not all Native deodorants are plastic-free so make sure you carefully look at what you are buying!

One thing that usually turns people off to natural deodorant is that it isn’t an antiperspirant… Which means you will still sweat. In addition, if you are making the switch from aluminum deodorant to natural, you might experience an armpit detox… Never fear, I have a list of tips to make this process nice and easy! I’ve found that, out of all the natural kinds I have tried, this brand keeps me from sweating the most. While I will obviously experience some dampness if I am hot or working out, I don’t notice this happening much. Plus, the deodorant works amazing! I purchased the Cucumber Melon scent after hearing one of my favorite sustainable influencers talk about how it is her favorite; and it smells so good! The Native plastic free line has 5 different scents, but I might just have to stick to this one when I’m repurchasing. ๐Ÿ˜Š

A picture of the top of plastic free Native deodorant

With this natural deodorant coming in its own tube, I LOVE that I don’t have to stick my fingers in a jar to apply it every morning. Instead of a plastic roller at the bottom to push up the product as you use it, this innovative design has a cardboard piece that can be pushed up. It reminds me of those push up pops I used to eat as a kid! ๐Ÿ˜‚ Not having to get my fingers dirty to apply my deodorant in the morning is super helpful in making my morning routine quicker and easier. Perfect for busy work days!

The last positive I will mention about this product is that the plastic free Native deodorants are basically the SAME price as the plastic Native ones. ๐ŸŽ‰ In a world where we often see upcharges for sustainable products, I love that I can opt for the eco-friendly verison without spending more money. At Target and on their online store, the difference is only $1. I hope this gets other people to try the plastic free version too!

What Could Be Improved On

This Native deodorant review wouldn’t be complete without a few negatives… I think the first thing to mention is that the paper “push up pop” can sometimes be finicky. I’ve found that you sometimes need to hold it in place as you apply your deodorant. This isn’t a huge issue for me, but it is different than applying your “typical” deodorant.

A picture of the push up part of plastic free Native deodorant

Again, I always like to briefly mention the price. It is $12.99 at Target or $11 if you subscribe on the Native website for a new stick every 3 months… Seems pretty pricey to some. But, I think it is so important to stop using aluminum deodorants – it is so bad for you! If you stop using the cheap, aluminum filled brands, then why not spend that extra dollar to get a plastic free version? I’ve personally seen more expensive natural ones, so I think the price is worth it. ๐Ÿ˜Š

Last but not least, I don’t like that they don’t sell the plastic free version on Amazon. While I try to limit my Amazon purchasing (because shop small and local as much as you can y’all!), I know that many people rely on it for a lot of their shopping. So, by not having the plastic free version on there, you are limiting access to people who might want to give it a try. As someone who loves this product, I highly suggest trying it out! Thanks for reading my Native deodorant review! ๐Ÿ˜ What deodorant are you currently using?

Plastic free Native deodorant review pinterest pin
Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna โ™ฅ

โžก๏ธ Subscribe toย never miss a post!ย โฌ…๏ธ

Loading

bookmark_borderHow to Celebrate a Zero Waste Valentine’s Day

Hey earth muffins! It is crazy to think that Valentine’s Day is almost here! ๐Ÿ˜ I love spoiling my friends and family with candy and cards, and it is the first year my boyfriend and I have been together on actual Valentine’s Day (thanks a lot long distance). Plus, February 15th marks the end of my busy season at work… So, I’ve been counting down the days to this holiday! ๐Ÿ˜Š In the spirit of sustainability, I thought now would be the perfect time to share some ways you can celebrate while still being kind to the planet. Here is my list on how you can celebrate a zero waste Valentine’s Day. Let’s get started!

Bake some zero waste goodies!

A picture of two hands holding a heart cookie

You need some kind of tasty treat for Valentine’s Day. It’s basically a proven fact of life. How can you celebrate a day of love without treating your stomach to something sugary? There are plenty of options to do some zero waste baking. Make your favorite cookie recipe. I personally love to make heart sugar cookies with adorable sprinkles. ๐Ÿช Attempt making homemade truffles or chocolate bars. I tried this over Christmas and it wasn’t too difficult (but it does take some time). Or treat yourself (and your loved ones) to candy from the bulk bins! While you are baking, make sure to think about how you can reduce any food waste. I personally like to compost any leftovers!

Have a romantic movie marathon

It seems like during this pandemic my boyfriend and I have been watching a lot of TV/movies… But, Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to put on your favorite rom coms! If I would have to pick, I think my favorites would be:

10 Things I Hate About You
The Princess Bride
A Cinderella Story
(affiliate links)

I personally would throw a few Disney movies in a romantic movie marathon as well. ๐Ÿ˜‰ I suggust:

Tangled (the lantern scene will forever be my favorite scene of any movie!)
The Princess and the Frog (watch this for the romance of Ray and Evangeline… This is the only Disney movie that has ever made me cry)

Once you have indulged yourself in some romantic movies, you can totally get a little freaky. ๐Ÿ˜š (It is Valentine’s Day after all.)

Make homemade Valentines!

A picture of a bunch of homemade valentines cards

Who doesn’t love getting a card in the mail? In the spirit of spreading kindness and cheer on this day, I suggest making a bunch of valentines. Use whatever craft supplies you have around the house – get creative! You can give these to your partner, friends, family, neighbors, even yourself! I personally think this is a great time to support Cards for Hospitalized Kids too. This organization accepts cards for any holiday and distributes them to kids in the hospital. If you follow me on Instagram, you saw that I made a batch of valentines this year…. I urge you to do the same! ๐Ÿ˜ Give a little love to those who truly need it most!

Have a stay at home date night

Most couples head out for Valentine’s Day, but, due to Mister Corona, that is not going to be the case this year. I say embrace it – recreate what you would have done! Put on your fanciest dress, do your hair, throw on some makeup. Order food from your favorite local establishment (support small business!), pour some wine, turn on some smooth jazz, and have a great dinner in. You don’t need a date for this either; treat yourself to an amazing meal because you deserve it!

Celebrate your love by having some deep conversations

Valentine’s Day is a great day to reflect on your relationship with your partner. Deep conversations can sometimes be difficult to start, but they are so worth it! You should always be growing as a couple, so take time to talk about what could improve in your relationship. I’ve always found setting goals to be super helpful, so I encourage you all to do the same. ๐Ÿ™‚ If you aren’t in a relationship, you can still have deep conversations with yourself. Think about where you want to be in life and make a plan on how to get there! A zero waste Valentine’s Day is not complete without a little self love. โค๏ธ How will you be celebrating this year?

How to have a zero waste valentine's day pinterest pin
Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna โ™ฅ

โžก๏ธ Subscribe toย never miss a post!ย โฌ…๏ธ

Loading

bookmark_borderHow to Volunteer to Save the Planet (Even During a Pandemic!)

Hey earth muffins! Do you volunteer?? I think any sort of volunteering is a great way to “walk the talk” when it comes to a green, low-waste lifestyle. It is one thing to share eco tips on a blog or Instagram account; but, it is even better to get out there and do the work yourself! ๐Ÿ˜Š Not only does it help Mother Earth, but, after volunteering, I promise you will feel amazing about yourself and your hard work. Even in the midst of a pandemic where some opportunities have been shut down, there is always something you can do. Here are my top suggestions on how to volunteer in 2021 – get excited to help the earth! ๐ŸŒŽโค๏ธ

A picture of a man volunteering at a beach clean up

Check out your local river clean up options!

The city I live in does a massive river clean up each year. Due to Mister Corona, this year it took shape as a “come when you can” event that lasted multiple weeks. Instead of one day of hard work, the work was split up by volunteers who could come when they had time. I think this is an amazing option, as it still helps the river but allows volunteers to avoid spreading germs. If you live near any large rivers, lakes, or waterways, see if there are any local events coming up near you! While it is February (and many places are just ice right now), most organizations will set the date for clean ups many months in advance. This is the perfect opportunity to get it on your calendar now so that there is no way you will miss it! ๐Ÿ˜Š

Volunteer for your own clean up!

Who said you need to volunteer with another organization? Especially if you are scared to catch any germs being around others, this might be the better option. Pick something rewarding:

~ Carry a trash bag with you on a walk and pick up litter in your neighborhood. Some people enjoy “plogging“, which is picking up trash as you do your daily jog. ๐Ÿ˜
~ Gear up and clean out a pond or river or beach or park. Pick a place you love to spend time at and make it better for its other patrons!

I personally love this option because it is totally up to you on what to clean up.

Do some gardening at a community garden.

While this might be unrealistic for those of us with freezing cold weather right now, your community might still have gardens in greenhouses! Or, check out local composting services and see if you can be any help to them. Gardening is such a great way to be one with the earth, and it feels great to dig around in some dirt every once in awhile. ๐Ÿ› If you can’t find any community gardens near you, try making some plans for growing your own garden when the weather is warm again! This will allow you to 1) grow your own food and 2) share the excess with those around you.

A picture of two hands planting a plant in a garden

Go out and take some photos for your local parks!

Did you know that many nature organizations are always looking for photos to include in their advertising? I would do some research of local orgs and email/call to see if this is something they would be interested in. Then, take some cool shots in your favorite places and send them over! Not only is it awesome if your photo is used, but it helps save nonprofits money that they would have spent otherwise. Now they can use that money towards something good for the planet!

Volunteer by planting some trees ๐ŸŒณ

Look up tree planting in your community – you might find some awesome groups that do this often! If you don’t want to actually plant the tree yourself, consider saving some money aside or starting a fundraiser for an organization that does the actual planting. For those who really don’t want to put in any effort, switch your search engine to Ecosia! The ad revenue from using this browser goes to planting trees all over the world – already 117 million trees have been planted just by people doing what they usually do on Google. ๐Ÿ˜ Such an easy way to make a difference!

Spread the word about sustainable living!

The last “how to volunteer” suggestion I can give is to share and preach sustainable living everywhere you go! As I mentioned in my post about why you should go green in 2021, one person CAN make an impact… So just imagine if that one person turns into two and then four, etc. Just talking to people about simple sustainable swaps can go a long way; or you could make an eco-Insta page or start a blog like Life of an Earth Muffin. ๐Ÿ˜Š Your voice is powerful – make it heard!

Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna โ™ฅ

โžก๏ธ Subscribe toย never miss a post!ย โฌ…๏ธ

Loading

bookmark_borderHow to Shave with a Safety Razor

Hey earth muffins! When I started my journey towards low waste in 2018, one of the first sustainable swaps I made was to buy a safety razor. These are an awesome purchase, as you can avoid those cheap disposable razors. In 2018, I wrote a whole post on “shaving with a safety razor 101”. It has been quite some time since then, so I thought it would be fun to write an updated version. I have even more great tips now that I have been using one for a few years. ๐Ÿ˜Š Let’s get right into how you can shave with a safety razor!

A picture of a safety razor on a bathroom counter

What To Do Before Shaving

The first step is to obviously acquire a safety razor if you haven’t already. The razor I bought in 2018 is a Weishi razor; it can be purchased on Amazon for only $17 (affiliate link). The reason I picked this particular razor was that is has a lot of reviews. It also came with 5 blades, which have lasted me quite a long time! If you want to stock up on more razor blades, I suggest the Astra pack of 100 (affiliate link).

Once you have the safety razor, it is time to prep it before shaving. When you open the package, I would give the razor a quick rinse just to ensure there is no dust or dirt stuck on. The blades will all come individually wrapped, so you will need to unwrap one and secure it on your razor. Be careful – the long sides are extremely sharp! I suggest grabbing the blade on its short ends to ensure you don’t cut yourself. For my razor, all you need to do is plop the blade on the head and twist the handle to close the sides. This might differ from razor to razor, so take time to read the instructions. Once the blade is secure, it is time to start shaving! ๐Ÿ˜

A picture of a hand holding the blade of a safety razor, using the short edges to prevent accidental cutting
An example of how to hold the blade for safety!

How to Shave With a Safety Razor

If you don’t already, I suggest NOT shaving in the shower. When you shave with the water running you are 1) wasting water and 2) making it harder to shave as the soap runs off your body! I personally like to shave at a random time in the afternoon, but you could do it right before you take a shower if you like.

To prep for shaving, I suggest getting a bowl full of water to place in your tub. I use this to dip my razor as I shave, which gets rid of the hair on the blade. It is a great way to conserve water as well! (Once I am done shaving, I just dump the bowl down the drain.) The rest of the shaving experience is extremely easy:

1. Wet your leg (or whatever part you are shaving). Lather up with your favorite bar soap.

2. Tilt the safety razor at a 45 degree angle. This is the perfect alignment to get the most hairs off; but, you can use any angle from 30-45 degrees and it should work just fine!

A picture of a safety razor at 45 degrees

3. Shave! Make sure you do NOT apply too much pressure, as this will cut your skin. Especially with a new blade, you will barely need any pressure to get the hair off. ๐Ÿ˜Š As the blade gets older, you will need to apply more pressure until you change the blade again. Now, you might be asking what direction you should shave in… And the answer is any direction you want! The safety razor is awesome because you can shave up, down, and side to side without causing razor burn or bumps. This is awesome for shaving even the most delicate of places!

4. Dip your razor into the bowl of water to unclog hair when necessary. Once you are finished shaving, rinse and towel off. Ta-da! You are now silky smooth.

What To Do Post Shave

When you are finished shaving, there are a few steps I recommend to ensure your safety razor lasts a long time. First, take out the blade (holding by the short sides again!) and clean it off. You might notice that some hairs get stuck to the blade so this fixes that problem. Next, rinse off the razor when the blade is still out, as this also gets rid of any stragglers. Dry both the blade and razor with a towel; store it in a nice dry place so that it doesn’t rust. I personally don’t store mine in the shower as it can be too moist in there. I am hopeful that my safety razor will last me many years, so taking good care of it is important! ๐ŸŒŽ โค๏ธ

There you have it – an essential guide to shaving with a safety razor! This has honestly been one of my absolute favorite swaps, so I would highly recommend buying one for yourself (affiliate link). While it might seem scary at first to shave with one, I am here to tell you that it is extremely easy. I have only cut myself once in over two years! I believe in you – you can totally handle it! Have you made the switch yet?

How to shave with a safety razor pinterest pin
Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna โ™ฅ

โžก๏ธ Subscribe toย never miss a post!ย โฌ…๏ธ

Loading

bookmark_borderThe Best Online Thrift Stores!

Hey earth muffins! I absolutely love thrifting. If you have been following this blog for awhile, you will know that thrift stores are my favorite way to shop secondhand. Mister Corona has prevented me from going thrifting for the past few months… While many of the stores in my area are open, I just don’t see the point in exposing myself to possible germs for no reason. Good thing there are great thrift stores online! ๐Ÿ™‚ I personally haven’t been shopping much just because I don’t need anything right now; but, I definitely recommend checking out these sites if you need to spice up your closet. Here are the best online thrift stores to shop at today!

~ThredUP

A picture of ThredUP search results
My search for Tommy Hilfiger sweater filtered for women’s clothes

I know, I know. It seems like every YouTuber who thrifts is advertising for ThredUP… But it is for good reason! They have some great finds on their site, including some nice sales too. Usually, if I am at a store, I always check out all of the sections (this is a tried and true tip for any new thrifter!). However, because you are searching a HUGE amount of clothes on ThredUP, I recommend knowing what you are looking for. Even just knowing the brand you want is helpful! Because the site is so popular, you will need to shop relatively quickly. You wouldn’t want something in your cart ordered by someone else! I also love that you can set your sizes as you search the site. This will filter out any clothes that you wouldn’t purchase anyway. ๐Ÿ˜Š Lastly, they mark “Rare Find” pieces which can also help you find some awesome deals!

~Depop

A picture of Depop search results

Depop is another great option for online thrifting. While they do have a website, the app is much better in terms of filtering out your searches. I love that people can open their own Depop shop for you to browse – it is a great way to support your favorite sustainable influencers when they do a closet cleanout or shop the style of your favorite reseller on Instagram. This app can be a bit pricier than ThredUP just because each shop owner can set the prices… But you might be able to find some extremely unique pieces if you look hard enough! ๐Ÿ˜

~eBay

A picture of eBay search results

I always forget about eBay when I am shopping online, but it actually has some amazing thrift finds! You can filter your clothing searches using the “Pre-Owned” option, which ensures that you are still shopping secondhand. I personally love that eBay has auctions, because you can score some great pieces for extremely love prices. On top of that, use Typo Hound to find any listings that have spelling errors in the title. This will allow you to get even better deals! ๐Ÿค‘ eBay definitely deserves a spot on this best online thrift stores list.

~Poshmark

Poshmark, like Depop, is another great way to thrift on your phone. Their app is easy to use, including great ways to filter your searches. It seems like I can find “trendier” pieces on Poshmark from brands that are currently popular. However, I definitely believe that anything thrifted can be trendy and with the times… You just have to style it the right way! Plus, buying more classic pieces is better for the environment, as you will be able to wear them for years to come. ๐Ÿ˜Š

~Swap.com

A picture of Swap.com search results

Swap.com is another great thrift store to shop online. While it might not have as many options as ThredUP, there are still good pieces to find! Plus, because it isn’t as well known as ThredUP there will be less people trying to find those hidden gems. ๐Ÿ‘ I love that this site also has a huge selection of maternity and baby clothes. It is so expensive to buy maternity clothes new because you won’t be able to wear them for a long time; offering secondhand maternity clothes is a great way to give those garments a new life!

~Other Best Online Thrift Stores

There are a bunch of other online thrift stores to check out as well. Etsy, while it is known for its handmade items, actually has some secondhand clothes. If you are looking to buy expensive brand name items, check out The RealReal. Vintage items are a whole different ballgame, as there are tons of vintage websites to browse through. It is pretty crazy that there are so many awesome options to thrift online! ๐Ÿ˜ Have you found anything cool at any of these sites recently?

The best online thrift stores pinterest pin
Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna โ™ฅ

โžก๏ธ Subscribe toย never miss a post!ย โฌ…๏ธ

Loading