Small Things = Big Difference or how NOT to burn out

This is the first of a new weekly column this winter with tiny tips to save the planet by buying eco friendly items and maximizing the value of those items by making them last longer.

Dark Suckers; most commonly known as CANDLES

1. What to Buy


BEESWAX: Candles made with beeswax are naturally fragrant, nontoxic, soot-free, and non-allergenic. They’re completely renewable and require little, if any, additives. They burn longer than regular petroleum based paraffin candles.

SOY: Candles with soybean-based wax are generally vegan, soot-free, and biodegradable, and like beeswax, they’re renewable. They also burn up to 50 percent longer than paraffin candles.

PALM OIL: This wax comes from coconuts (the fruit of palm trees) so no plants die during harvesting. Palm oil candles are clean burning and long lasting. When buying soy or palm oil candles look for GMO free- certified organic ingredients are GMO-free and therefore healthier for the world's seed supplies.

2. How to Make 'Em Last

LIGHTS OUT- Although it seems counter-intuitive, the fact is that burning a pillar or jar candle for at least an hour per inch of candle diameter every time you light up will give the candle many more burning hours. This way the flame has enough time to melt the wax all the way to the outer edges so the candle burns down evenly.

VOTIVES- Burn votives in holders and they will last up to twice as long.

WINDS- Moving air makes the candle burn down unevenly and can waste alot of wax- of course it does look more dramatic casting dancing shadows on the walls

PINCUSHION- Tapered candle or votive remnants make great pincushions just chop off the wick- pins with a bit of wax on them slip through fabric easily, too.

WAX DRIPS- I kind of like wax drips- but when they get to be too much on your candle holders - pop the holder into the freezer for 1/2 an hour and the wax will shrink and pop off

MELT 'EM DOWN - It is easy to melt down your leftover candles into one large candle- melt them in a food can (not aluminum) set in 2 inches of boiling water and melt over low heat- scoop out the wicks with a stick and then pour the wax back into a candle jar, etc and add a new craft-store wick - easy, peasy

3. Final Tips

Be sure to choose 100 percent paraffin-free options (some natural candle manufacturers add a little paraffin to the mix). Paraffin wax is made from petroleum and produces carcinogens and soot when burned. Soot from a paraffin candle contains many of the same toxins produced by burning diesel fuel and even many of the so-called healthy, aromatherapy candles sold today can do more harm than good.

Opt out of lead-based wicks (very common in regular candles). Seek out animal-free products: sometimes candles (yes, even natural ones) are made with stearic acid — an animal-derived fat from meatpacking plants. Synthetic fragrances have been identified as VOC-emitters so choose candles scented with botanical oils and natural fragrances.

"Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." - Buddha

(yes I know, I am quoting Buddha now, but you know how Olive and I like to dispense great truths with this little blog)

Whining Wednesday or what your gifts are trying to tell you


I think you can tell what people really think of you by the gifts they give you or don't give you.

So, when I was unChristmas-ing my house the other day I took a look at the gifts I was given and the thought that the people who know me best had put into them.

I mean we give our kids gifts that they 'want' - within reason and price and age appropriateness (of course this is because they tell us what they want- they drag us over to watch tv commercials, give us lists to mail and are smart enough to tell people what they want- we could learn alot from these short people we live with).

But we give most people what we think they want.

Anyhoo, I got 2 pocketbooks-both Fossil cross-bodies- one red and one black. So what is the message here? I need alot of places to keep all my loot? I need alot of places to keep my broken Sephora bronzers? Maybe people are thinking of me as an abundant, organized person... yeah, I think I will go with that one.

I got alot of things that smell nice- like soaps and lotions and candles.

(hmmm... this could be saying good or not so good things about me)

We got alot of packaged meat and cheese

(I am sadly serious here)

mostly from hubby's customers and when I say to hubby "look at all this meat" he says- "well when Jerry - you know, the dog trainer guy- gave me that box- he said you would really like it."

(huh?? I would really like it)

Me "What did he mean by that?"

Hubby "Huh, I guess there is something in there he thought you would like."

Me "I wonder if he thinks I'm fat?"

Hubby "No."

Me "Well, maybe not as a human, but if I were a dog and were wearing a collar, would I have a roll of fat that is squeezed out over the collar?"

Hubby "Um…"

Me "Would my collar have to be adjusted or could I wear it off the rack?"

Then we laughed and proceeded to eat all the Hickory out of Hickory Farms.

P.S. There is a little post script to this story because today hubby remembered that the customer who told him 'your wife will like this' had given him a bottle of wine (not a case of beef sticks and monteray jack)

so was probably referring to my drinking habit the cork.


1. Awesome Ipod/Iphone case by FannyAlioli
2. Adorable My Little Bird Ring by MGMart
3. Beautiful red infinity scarf by Mojospastyle
4. Blue halter dress by the amazing Larimeloom
5. You Are So Loved framed print by the incredible Jess Gonacha Swift.
6. Stunning burgundy earrings by CoolJewelryDesign.

Get Ready Set WIN Upcycled Vintage Clutch Giveaway! CLOSED

And the winner is Lee P! Chosen by random. org Min: 1 Max:734 Result: 498

Get Ready Set GO and Get Ready Set CLUTCH are the creations of mad genius, photographer, artist and knitter Rachel Demsick.

Her work is stunningly unique and so much fun. Her bags are vintage and upcycled so when you purchase something from one of her shops you are supporting sustainable living practices.

Rachel says she loves old books, new books, skeleton keys, campfires, converse sneakers, randomness, night-time and soft sheets and about a gazillion other things!

I have one of these amazing bags and get complimented whenever I use it! Mine has an elephant on it so I will never forget any of my travels!

When I saw this beautiful white, vintage clutch that Rachel has painted with these adorable birds I knew some lucky someone out there would just love to win it!

WHAT YOU GET:

One lucky winner will receive this amazing GetReadySetCLUTCH upcycled vintage clutch!





HOW TO WIN:

Visit one (or both) of Rachel's amazing shops and take a look around and then pop back in here and let us know one of your favorite items - GetReadySetGO or GetReadySetCLUTCH

For additional entries:

(5) Twitter this post
(5) Blog about this contest; linking to this post
(5) Follow my blog

Let me know if you have done these things so I can give you additional entries. This contest is open to everyone.

DRAWING:

MIDNIGHT on Sunday, January 17th! Good luck!! CLOSED

Things You Should NOT Be Putting in Your Mouth

I saw this info on aol news and wanted to share it- knowledge is power after all.

The Endocrinologist Won't Eat Canned Tomatoes

Fredrick Vom Saal, Ph.D., is an endocrinologist at the University of Missouri who studies bisphenol-A.

The problem: The resin linings of tin cans contain bisphenol-A, a synthetic estrogen that has been linked to ailments ranging from reproductive problems to heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Unfortunately, acidity (a prominent characteristic of tomatoes) causes BPA to leach into your food. Studies show that the BPA in most people's body exceeds the amount that suppresses sperm production or causes chromosomal damage to the eggs of animals. "You can get 50 mcg of BPA per liter out of a tomato can, and that's a level that is going to impact people, particularly the young," says Vom Saal. "I won't go near canned tomatoes."

The solution: Choose tomatoes in glass bottles.

The Farmer Won't Eat Corn-Fed Beef

Joel Salatin is co-owner of Polyface Farms and author of half a dozen books on sustainable farming.

The problem: Cattle evolved to eat grass, not grains. But farmers today feed their animals corn and soybeans, which fatten up the animals faster for slaughter. But more money for cattle farmers (and lower prices at the grocery store) means a lot less nutrition for us. A recent comprehensive study conducted by the USDA and researchers from Clemson University found that compared with corn-fed beef, grass-fed beef is higher in beta-carotene, vitamin E, omega-3s, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), calcium, magnesium and potassium; lower in inflammatory omega-6s; and lower in saturated fats that have been linked to heart disease. "We need to respect the fact that cows are herbivores, and that does not mean feeding them corn and chicken manure," says Salatin.

The solution: Buy grass-fed beef, which can be found at specialty grocers, farmers' markets and nationally at Whole Foods.

The Toxicologist Won't Eat Microwave Popcorn

Olga Naidenko, Ph.D., is a senior scientist for the Environmental Working Group.

The problem: Chemicals, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), in the lining of the bag, are part of a class of compounds that may be linked to infertility in humans, according to a recent study from UCLA. In animal testing, the chemicals cause liver, testicular and pancreatic cancer. Studies show that microwaving causes the chemicals to vaporize -- and migrate into your popcorn. "They stay in your body for years and accumulate there," says Naidenko, which is why researchers worry that levels in humans could approach the amounts causing cancers in laboratory animals. DuPont and other manufacturers have promised to phase out PFOA by 2015 under a voluntary EPA plan, but millions of bags of popcorn will be sold between now and then.

The solution: Pop natural kernels the old-fashioned way: in a skillet. For flavorings, you can add real butter or dried seasonings, such as dillweed, vegetable flakes or soup mix.

The Farm Director Won't Eat Nonorganic Potatoes

Jeffrey Moyer is the chair of the National Organic Standards Board.

The problem: Root vegetables absorb herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides that wind up in soil. In the case of potatoes -- the nation's most popular vegetable -- they're treated with fungicides during the growing season, then sprayed with herbicides to kill off the fibrous vines before harvesting. After they're dug up, the potatoes are treated yet again to prevent them from sprouting. "Try this experiment: Buy a conventional potato in a store, and try to get it to sprout. It won't," says Moyer, who is also farm director of the Rodale Institute (also owned by Rodale Inc., the publisher of Prevention). "I've talked with potato growers who say point-blank they would never eat the potatoes they sell. They have separate plots where they grow potatoes for themselves without all the chemicals."

The solution: Buy organic potatoes. Washing isn't good enough if you're trying to remove chemicals that have been absorbed into the flesh.

The Fisheries Expert Won't Eat Farmed Salmon

David Carpenter, M.D., director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at the University at Albany, published a major study in the journal Science on contamination in fish.

The problem: Nature didn't intend for salmon to be crammed into pens and fed soy, poultry litter and hydrolyzed chicken feathers. As a result, farmed salmon is lower in vitamin D and higher in contaminants, including carcinogens, PCBs, brominated flame retardants and pesticides such as dioxin and DDT. According to Carpenter, the most contaminated fish come from Northern Europe, which can be found on American menus. "You could eat one of these salmon dinners every 5 months without increasing your risk of cancer," says Carpenter, whose 2004 fish contamination study got broad media attention. "It's that bad." Preliminary science has also linked DDT to diabetes and obesity, but some nutritionists believe the benefits of omega-3s outweigh the risks. There is also concern about the high level of antibiotics and pesticides used to treat these fish. When you eat farmed salmon, you get dosed with the same drugs and chemicals.

The solution: Switch to wild-caught Alaska salmon. If the package says fresh Atlantic, it's farmed.

The Cancer Researcher Won't Drink Milk Produced with Artificial Hormones

Rick North is project director of the Campaign for Safe Food at the Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility and former CEO of the Oregon division of the American Cancer Society.

The problem: Milk producers treat their dairy cattle with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH or rBST, as it is also known) to boost milk production. But rBGH also increases udder infections and even pus in the milk. It also leads to higher levels of a hormone called insulin-like growth factor in milk. In people, high levels of IGF-1 may contribute to breast, prostate and colon cancers. "When the government approved rBGH, it was thought that IGF-1 from milk would be broken down in the human digestive tract," says North. As it turns out, the casein in milk protects most of it, according to several independent studies. "There's not 100 percent proof that this is increasing cancer in humans," admits North. "However, it's banned in most industrialized countries."

The solution: Check labels for rBGH-free, rBST-free, produced without artificial hormones, or buy organic milk.

The Organic-Foods Expert Won't Eat Conventional Apples

Mark Kastel, a former executive for agribusiness, is codirector of the Cornucopia Institute, a farm-policy research group that supports organic foods.

The problem: If fall fruits held a "most doused in pesticides contest," apples would win. Why? They are individually grafted (descended from a single tree) so that each variety maintains its distinctive flavor. As such, apples don't develop resistance to pests and are sprayed frequently. The industry maintains that these residues are not harmful. But Kastel counters that it's just common sense to minimize exposure by avoiding the most doused produce, like apples. "Farm workers have higher rates of many cancers," he says. And increasing numbers of studies are starting to link a higher body burden of pesticides (from all sources) with Parkinson's disease.

The solution: Buy organic apples.

Orange you glad it's the Weekend...

Orange you glad I found all this cool stuff
Orange you glad you are here to see it
Orange you glad I am going to shut up now


I want to own everything in Anthropologie actually I just want to live there!


I got this scarf from Laine Design from Kella for Christmas and she got the same scarf from me (great minds think alike we say)!


I have a vinyl wall art obsession and want these from Elly Nelly.


Yup, I could live here, too.


Ingenious homeless shelters- wouldn't want to have to live here, but so glad someone thought of this.


Nancy Bird bags are just gorgeous!


Wildwoman says - simplify, baby- with these beautiful earrings (plus she named her shop after me...really).


Kim Tillyer's gorgeous birds have me wishing I was trapped on Witchmountain, too!


A stunning Dancing with Stars belt by Star Bags- the Star of the East ladies!


Kitty Wigs - Olive has been thinking about a new look for the new year ... when she heard they were Kitty Wigs though she decided to just get her nails done ...


Eskimo pie bench- don't you love when our childhood favorites come back bigger and better!


Love this shirt- it says what we have all been thinking lately ....


Hero rats! A customer adopted a Hero Rat for my hubby - I wonder is this one is our little gal!


The magical imagery of Michelle Perkett.


And, yes, she has a locket!

Whining Wednesday is Back - just for a split second though - so don't blink

It's nice to be thankful, but sometimes you just need to whine a bit...

Whine 1 - It is way too cold here.

(and by here I mean the entire world it seems

and in particular my bedroom which hubby likes to keep at a bone-chilling 58 degrees

although our huddling together for survival in the middle of the bed in the dead of night is probably one reason we have managed to stay married all these years)

Whine 2 - The mall during the holidays

(I could probably stop right there and you would all know what I mean)

But in particular, let's just say I spent 30 minutes of the very last hour of the very last shopping day of the season

(not Christmas Eve, I am not quite that lame)

trying to save my Bubble Tea Lady from demise at the local mall where they are out to evict her or at least I spent 30 minutes listening to her whine about it- I find listening to other people whine to be a bit draining, don't you ....

(so, anyhow- if you have a couple extra minutes email the management at the Monmouth Mall and just casually mention how much you like the Bubble Tea Lady)

And then I made the mistake of walking into Sephora for stocking stuffers

(ie gifts for myself)

which meant I spent another 30 minutes of the very last hour of the very last shopping day on a stool as their almost-perfect sales associate tried gamely to pair each of my facial imperfections with a neatly packaged product designed to make me look more like her.

She spoke in a soft voice I had to strain to hear and had the slightest hint of an accent, reflecting some sort of exotic heritage or maybe a summer as the hostess of the Olive Garden next door.

"You could benefit from what we call an eye brightener," she said, pulling a $28.00 white crayon thingie out of her pocket, "because you look like a dead fish".

OK, she didn't really say that last part, but it was kind of implied ....

When little miss almost-perfect turned to greet another customer, I bolted for the back corner of the store to erase some of her handiwork and it was there that I saw the star of my most favorite poorly written crime drama - advertising the only product in the store that I desperately needed.

Oh yes girls, I'm now proudly wearing a long-lasting shade of lipstick named for Mariska Hargitay, giving me the power to stay smudge free through the longest kisses (hubby's 58 degree nights do have some positives) and the greasiest of french fries (I might just have snuck back to Sonic again). I think it also allows me to carry a concealed weapon and arrest anyone who looks kind of rapey, but I'm not sure.
my lips sort of look like this now ------>>


Whine 3 - I don't want to get organized.

I feel like I am under alot of pressure to 'get organized' or at least to want to get organized after the holidays. I mean, I actually do want to be organized, but I don't want to get organized.

(do you see the difference?)

I am just way too lazy right now.

(I think it is the cold)

Maybe next month which is my birthday month and always feels like the new year to me anyway.

Yup, next month I will be a ball of energy and whip this place back into shape ... and oh, yes, I am thinking of legally changing my name to Mariska so I don't get into any trouble over this concealed Uzi .....

2010 Resolution GIVEAWAY - Rini and Faith Slouch Hat CLOSED

AND THE WINNER IS .... chosen by random number generator Min: 1 Max: 741 Result: 44 - Alex Keller!

Rini and Faith
is the gorgeous work of graphic designer, photographer and crafter Irene Carole.

Irene's flowered headbands and wonderful slouch hats are amazingly flattering and just stunning. Irene's photography can be viewed on her website Ica Images.

She hopes you will enjoy sharing her handmade bliss with those you love as well!

She just had her first magazine spread and yes, that is her in those amazing photos (we will try not to hate her for this).


We are so lucky to have one of her gorgeous slouch hats for our first giveaway of 2010!!

WHAT YOU GET:

One lucky winner will receive Rini and Faith's gorgeous slouch hat in grey!




HOW TO WIN:

Visit Rinni and Faith's amazing shop and take a look around and then pop back in here and let us know one of your 2010 RESOLUTIONS (we want to be inspired plus are very nosey and want to know what everyone is doing)!

For additional entries:

(5) Twitter this post
(5) Blog about this contest; linking to this post
(5) Follow my blog

Let me know if you have done these things so I can give you additional entries. This contest is open to everyone.

DRAWING:

MIDNIGHT on Sunday, January 10th! CLOSED