Halloween Crafts & Pinterest Challenge

Last Christmas you all got to see the crafty ornaments Brandon and I put together for our tree.  As poor students then we had nearly no money to be decorating our tree for the holidays (though I did manage to get some nice purchased ornaments from Canadian Tire also), so instead we busted out the craft supplies and used our imaginations.  Brandon got super crafty.  You can check those out here.

Because we won't be putting up our own Christmas tree this year (and instead enjoying our parents' trees), I wanted to get crafty some other way. Then I spotted this cute DIY monogrammed pumpkin from Pinterest:

Originally found here

As soon as I saw it, I knew it would be super easy for me to make and I could appeal to my Eco-Warrior self and use a fake pumpkin to reuse for future years.

Around the same time, over on Young House Love (one of my favourite blogs!), Sherry was announcing their seasonal Pinterest Challenge (completely unofficial). So why not participate in that and show others what I achieved?

My end product isn't exactly the same as the above inspiration, and we had originally thought to make 3 other little pumpkins to finish off his (and soon to be my) last name, Webb, but time got away from me. So for now we've got this:

To create this monogrammed pumpkin was quite simple. To start, I went to our local discount department store (after scouring the dollar stores for weeks) to purchase a small faux pumpkin. Originally, it looked something like this:

 

Then, using some Antique White spray paint, I coated the pumpkin. The fake pumpkin soaked up more paint than a real one would, and stayed wet for a bit longer but it worked out fine in the end. Although we did have a painting mishap...

Poor Waldo

 After the spray paint had dried, I looked for a font I liked and printed out a large W (on scrap paper of course). I cut the letter out using a craft knife and scissors and taped then traced the letter in pencil onto the pumpkin. I removed the makeshift template, and took out some black crafting paint to fill it in. After some time and a couple coats of paint, we got the final product. I'd still like to seal it with a clear spray to keep it looking the same over the years if possible. But for this year it looks great.

Check out the other Pinterest Challenge posts and Sherry's project here, as well as the other hosts', Katie, Carmel, and Sarah.

Enjoying the Long Weekend

This weekend is Victoria Day weekend in Canada, which is a holiday to celebrate Queen Victoria's birthday.  For most Canadians, it's just a long weekend that is usually celebrated with camping, drinking, fireworks and swimming.  It's the weekend most open their cottages and trailers for the season and is the unofficial start to summer for many of us.  Unfortunately, Brandon has to work this weekend- except Monday, so we haven't been able to take advantage of camping or anything away from home this year. 
However, we have managed to get outside for some walks and exploration and been able to enjoy some drinks.  Today, while Brandon was working, I had an opportunity to visit The Big Carrot, an organic food store in Toronto.  Last year, when Brandon lived in that area we found The Big Carrot while walking around the city, and frequented the store each week for our organic fruits & veggies.  Now, living back in with our parents, we aren't responsible for our own groceries.  However, after discussing it (and other green/organic eating habits) we thought it'd be nice to have some organic fruits and vegetables for ourselves.  The cost is really worth it in the end, and that's what so fantastic about The Big Carrot- the prices are reasonable and within a regular food budget.

Realizing I was traveling into the city to head to the organic food store (and how counter "green initiative" that seemed), I tried my best to travel as much as I could via public transit.  While Toronto has a decent transit system, it definitely doesn't span the geographical locations it should (which is always a political debate in the news).  So I was forced to drive a 15 minute drive to our light rail transit system, which took me to the subway.  The Big Carrot is mere minutes from Broadview subway station, so it was a beautiful walk in the lovely summer weather among the classic colonial style homes in the area, which I would love to own.  Homes that I'm sure cost more than all the members of our families' combined annual incomes!  Regardless, it's nice to have dreams, right?
Of course, Toronto and it's people never cease to surprise me.  On my walk, an older gentleman asked me if I wanted company wherever I happened to be going.  I kindly declined.  On my way back, he was still waiting outside his home and asked me where I was headed next, then asked me if my walk was as lovely as I looked.  Perhaps I should have stopped to have a conversation and seen if he'd be willing to sell me his home at 1/10th of the cost it's worth?!

During my travels, I saw two signs that made me happy.  The first on the subway, encouraging passengers to share our small city free newspaper in a light and humourous way:

The second, was at the LRT station which had one garbage and two recycling bags, meaning the city is (hopefully) seeing more opportunities for actually recycling the many items consumers are throwing away.  If only, they would get rid of the plastic bags.

All this discussion prompted me to begin creating and writing my offshoot blog I've been wanting to do for a while now, Eco Econ-scious.  Instead of doing the Eco Econ segment on this blog, I'm taking it onto the new blog, but amplified.  Eco Econ-scious will have tips & tricks on being more environmentally friendly, articles of interest, other blogs and websites relating to anything environmental, organic or just living a better life, and as much as possible all this will be presented with your hard earned dollar in mind.  So, head on over to Eco Econ-scious!  It's still a work in progress, so be patient with me, but be sure to make any suggestions you think would be helpful.

Eco Econ: eos Lip Balm

I saw this product many times before I actually picked one up for myself.  It always caught my eye because of it's egg-shaped container packaging and bright colours.  It was cute and stylish.  And I wanted to know what it was.  But it was always sealed.

 

Our bookstore, Chapters, tends to sell some more organic and natural items in their "home" type sections, and the eos lip balm kept staring back at me.  Finally, I read up on it and thought that I, the self proclaimed eco-warrior I am, should give it a go.

Product: eos summer fruit lip balm
Price: $6.00 CND
Location Purchased: Chapters Bookstore
Verdict: While I enjoy the fact that it is 100% natural and 95% organic, the price was my first hangup.  I can go to the local WalMart and buy 2 lip balms in a package of regular sized tubes for around $3-$5, this little egg (which seems to have a lot of product in it, mind you) cost me $6.  I think I've mentioned before, I'm a bit on the frugal side, so this purchase was hard to swallow.  But I figured, if it was a good product I wouldn't mind paying for it, and if it wasn't, well, a good learning experience- and something to blog about.
And so far, I'd say it turned out to be a good purchase.  I've been using it just a month or so now, and I still enjoy the packaging, the smell is scrumptious and the actual lip balm is good.  I won't say great, but good.  It nicely moisturizes my lips and keeps them soft.  My only criticism would be that I would prefer it had a bit more of a gloss sheen to it.  I know it isn't marketed as a lip gloss, but I feel like for $6 having some gloss would make it a worthwhile double duty product.  Then again, I'm sure adding a gloss to it would probably alter the 100% natural, 95% organic claim.
My final comment, is that while I adore the packaging of cute egg shape I worry that if I were out and about and had no purse, side satchel or any other kind of carrying bag- the round shape would make it more difficult to place in my pocket.  Not a deal breaker though. Just checking out their website, a few of the flavours come in stick form.  Not as cute, but practical. Good compromise, if needed.
Now, I'll just wait to see how long it lasts.  I am what I would consider an average to heavier user of lip balms, especially in colder and drier months.  If it lasts for me longer than a typical lip balm I may increase the rating and purchase another.

Final Rating: 7/10

EARTH DAY!

It's April 22nd, but for me, more important than the date, is the day... Earth Day!  I love Earth Day, partially because media everywhere are bringing awareness to the environment (flyers advertising free coniferous trees when you buy an eco-friendly product from Home Depot make me want to go find something to buy!) and partially because I get to talk about it!  Yay!  Educating people on environmental awareness in such a way which does not cause them to fall over, or asleep, with boredom is my main objective.
So, what better way than to post my first post to my virgin segment? (there isn't one)

 ECO ECON

As stated before I got incredibly busy getting ready to move and start a new job (more on that later), this new blog segment is going to showcase some of the best environmentally responsible products, that don't have the ridiculously high prices that many eco products adorn themselves with.  It is possible to be green and stay within a budget.  (Sorry Kermit, but sometimes it is easy to be green!)  It will also provide you with easy, free ideas at home you can help keep this earth around as long as possible.

So, for those out there who are budget conscious AND eco-conscious, I present to you my blog segments.  I'm hoping to provide some useful information to those out there who don't know where to start, or who have the misconception that it's too expensive to be an eco warrior (my brother).  False.

One of the easiest ways to start being more environmentally conscious is to start with the small items that don't cost a thing.  (Right up my alley!)  There are lots of small things around your own home that will help the environment thrive with your extra helping hand.  Here's a small compiled list:

• Before you open the fridge or freezer door, decide what you want to take out of it.  Keeping the fridge door open wastes a lot of electricity & energy.  Why?  Because the cold air that fills the fridge is escaping through the gianormous opening you've just created!  Close it!  Hurry up!
  
• Unplug unused electronics.  So often we keep electronics plugged in for convenience, but don't use them.  There are some, I understand, that must always stay plugged in for clocks and memories etc. But how about that Wii that's only played once a month?  Or the phone charger that waits all day, plugged in, for you to return home with a dying, beeping phone? So unplug them while you aren't using them and leave them near the outlet to still keep some convenience. 
  
• Vehicles- so often in our Canadian winters people want to drive to work in a nice warm car, however turning on your car and letting it idle while you're still indoors getting ready, pumps a lot of pollution out into our atmosphere for no other reason except our own comfort on our way to work or school. And if comfort is of value to you, is breathing clean air not important to remain comfortable?
  In Toronto, and surrounding areas, we have "idle free" zones. This is a good rule of thumb regardless of your location or whether it is enforced by law or not. Another big offender is the idling car while waiting to pick kids up from school or waiting in someone's driveway to head out to a movie etc.. Turn the engine off and help our air to be cleaner and safer for our use.
  
  Also in regards to vehicles, try to take the highways whenever possible. Why bother when it's only 2 exits over? Less stopping for lights and stop signs means less gas used (also a benefit in today's increasing oil prices!) and less time you're pumping toxins into the air. I'm not going to say never use vehicles for personal use, in this day of age its almost a necessary evil. However, there are smarter ways to utilize these tools and still remain as Eco friendly as possible.
  
• An easy-peasy, lemon-squeezey Eco friendly initiative at home is turning off lights. I'd never suggest being unsafe, but after you've gone to sleep does your front light need to be on? When it's daytime, do you need that ceiling light on? Can you turn on a smaller lamp to provide the light you need instead of that ceiling light burning 4 light bulbs? All easy alternatives that help both your electricity bill and the environment! Win-win
• When you brush your teeth- turn off the water. And when you must turn on the water (anytime) turn it on minimally. Why do you need it on full blast just to rinse your toothbrush or to wash your hands?
  
  These are all super easy steps in your daily life to reduce your carbon footprint, save money and feel better about your actions. 

Yay Earth Day!

Why Living Alone is Bad for My Blog

This blog began, in jest, as a plight for my survival against living with men boys.  And, when I began, I had lots of material.  I had been stock piling for months, possibly years.  But now, Brandon is gone for many days of the week and my inspiration has gone with him.  He provided me with such great material, and now it isn't as plentiful.  Meaning I cling to the little things I then realize aren't quite as impactful or funny once I begin writing.  Therefore, until my boyfriend and I are, once again, living together full time, I am adding a segment to this blog called "Eco Econ".

This segment will discuss environmentally friendly ways to help the environment while not breaking the bank.  We all see those ads out there claiming to have fantastic environmentally friendly products and then when you do a bit more research and check the pricing, it's so far out of reality you feel badly about then turning around and going for your 2 hour luxury drive through the country- spewing fumes and toxins into the air.  Oh, is that just me?

I am a budget gal.  I like making them.  I like keeping to them.  I enjoy cheap inexpensive (thank you Brandon for the terminology correction) items.  The less expensive the item is, the more I feel I should buy it.  Sales and discounts are a killer for me.  But, my frugal lifestyle and my eco-warrior lifestyle don't always see eye-to-eye.  Organic toothpaste: $16.  Shannon's wallet: $5.  Do you see the problem?

So, this made me think there has to be other people out there interested in loving the environment and being more socially conscious about their purchases, who also cannot spend ridiculous amounts of money on such items.  I know it is possible to be environmentally aware and keep within budget.  Actually many of the ideas I will give you are FREE!  That's right folks- F.R.E.E.

So stay tuned to the blog for some Eco Econ...and of course the blog genesis of the mantics!