Category Archives: Going Green

01.24.17

Women’s March on Washington.

Disclaimer: Some of you may comment that you don’t come here to hear about my political views. For the record, this post is not about not my views on Politics, it is about my views on Basic Human Rights.

For those of you that follow me on Instagram, you are aware that I participated in the Woman’s March on Washington. I can’t remember a day when I felt more energized and empowered by the people around me. I didn’t march because I am upset that “my candidate” didn’t win. I marched for the basic human rights of my fellow Americans, including the ones who don’t think they need it. I marched for a society free of hatred and sexism, where women are paid the same as their male counterparts and their ability to perform is not judged by their physical appearance. I marched for a world where scientific evidence and facts are used to support the right to clean air and water for my children and grandchildren. I marched for a country filled with strong men and boys who know it’s NOT okay to inappropriately touch women and girls at their disposal. I marched for an America free of racism and cruelty, where the many children of immigrants can sleep at night knowing that their families will not be separated. And I marched for our children’s education, so that every child has the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential despite their economic climate. This is why I March. I and I will continue to March.

04.28.16

A Beautiful Planet.

Last Friday, the girls and I attended the Premiere of A Beautiful Planet, at the National Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. I was so excited to take the girls to see this film not only because it was Earth Day (not to mention their first red carpet event) but also because the film is narrated by Jennifer Lawrence- this gave me major “Mom Cred.”

E’s dress is sold out. Similar found here.

Before sitting down, I wanted to make sure the girls knew that this was 100% real imagery- no special effects. The film features stunning footage of Earth — beautiful views of lighting storms, the definition of various cities at night and even what tornadoes look like from space. It also shows the effects humanity has had on Earth over time — captured by a team of astronauts aboard the International Space Station. It was breathtaking… yet terrifying.

We were able to attend a Q & A with the Film’s Director, Toni Myers and the astronauts that shot the film. As Toni mentioned “the purpose of this film is not to scare you, but to enhance the understanding of our planet.” Let me tell you people, it scared me.. a lot.

As J- Law says in the film “Once covered in forests, the island of Madagascar is now brown. Meanwhile Brazil, whose rainforests are home to nearly half of the species found on Earth, have been cut down and burned: Nearly half a million square miles have been lost over the past four decades.”

The film also shows the significant depletion of the Colorado River Basin, which has sunk 30 feet over the last 75 years and supplies water to 40 million Americans in seven different states. This is California’s main water source.

Additionally, this team is tracking the effects that Global Warming is having on Earth. We are seeing Antarctic Glaciers melting at unprecedented rates. If melted completely, sea levels would rise by 30 feet. Even at 10 feet, the earth would lose 28,800 square miles of land, home today to 12.3 million people. At 30 feet cities like New Orleans, Boston and Miami would be completely lost.

The good news is that all is not lost. We can have an effect on the planet and it all starts with green energy. Since this blog is all about items I love, I had to share these amazing Solar Chargers that we received in our swag bags. You can charge up to two iPhones at a time– and they charge SUPER fast! Great for camping, a day at the beach or even a day on the run.

If you can go see A Beautiful Planet, you should. It opens nationwide in select IMAX theaters tomorrow. I hope that when people see this film they ARE scared. This Momma wants to keep our planet beautiful for the generations to come. 🌎

02.28.11

Tantalizing Textiles: Mod Green Pod.

Last week while I was in Austin, I ate at the preppy seafood restaurant Perla’s on South Congress. Upon entering the ladies room, I fell in love… with the wallpaper. The walls were donned in a beautiful Butterfly Jubilee. (Sidebar: As many of you know I have a love for butterflies, and it demands that this wallpaper go in my powder room.) The hostess kindly put me in touch with the owners of Perla’s who told me that the wallpaper was from an Austin-based company called Mod Green Pod.

Here is a little taste of some more of their goodies:

Mod Green Pod is a member of the Organic Trade Association. All wallpapers are vinyl-free and made from water-based inks.

10.19.10

Gotta Love Mother Earth.

Images M.A. Belle, Designzz.com, Google Images, Google Earth

Most of you know by now that I am a bit of a Nazi about recycling. I have two children who I hope will be on this earth for a long time, and I’d like to do everything in my powers to keep it beautiful, sustainable and enjoyable for them.

Most of us recycle, but how many of us are well versed on the do’s and don’ts of recycling? If we are not doing it correctly, then why even bother? Here are some facts about what you can and can’t recycle:

What is Recyclable?

Paper Products.

(Must be dry) including junk mail, magazines, catalogs, office paper, shredded paper (should bag shredded paper), newspaper, cardboard and paper board.

Metal Cans, Glass Containers and Plastic Bottles.

This includes metal food and beverage cans, glass jars and bottles.

Types of plastics that may now be recycled include, clean plastic grocery bags, newspaper sleeves, dry cleaning bags and milk bottle tops. Containers, bottles and cans should be rinsed out, and the lids removed. As many of you know, the lids to your water bottles are not recyclable and should be thrown away. Labels do not need to be removed.
Items that CANNOT be recycled:

Foam (Try not to use.)

Light Bulbs

Window Glass

Cardboard with a waxy coating (Frozen dinner boxes, paper milk cartons, etc.)

Wire Hangers (Check with your local dry cleaners, they would be happy to accept these.)

Styrofoam (Try not to use.)

Packing Peanuts (Check with your local FedEx Kinkos of Post Office to see if they will reuse these.)

Thanks for listening to my little PSA. I am officially jumping off of my soap box now.

09.02.10

Reserve, Conserve, Enjoy.

I work very hard to try to raise my children to be socially responsible, environmentally conscious little people. I’d like to think it’s rubbing off. I guess the evidence is when E nags her father to “take care of Mother Earth” if he leaves the water running while brushing his teeth. My little tree hugger…

In all seriousness, epic disasters like the BP Oil Spill and the Great Garbage Swirl in the Pacific Ocean honestly keep me up at night. Am I a freak? Maybe so. As a mother, I want for my children and grandchildren to enjoy the beauty of this world, so I will so everything in my power to make sure that they will be able to do just that. Below are my favorite personal green initiatives that have made it onto Kiki’s List.

1. Large Recyling Bin– FREE. In most counties, you can call your waste management company and request a larger bin. Ours is 65 Gallons. I must say, we fill it each week, and in doing so, we have significantly eliminated the trash that will be put from our home into a landfill.

2. Envirosax– $8.50. I have plugged these before but they really are the best. Extra Large, super-sturdy and they roll up into little lipstick-sized bundles.

3. High Efficiency Bulbs– $16.39. Help your wallet while helping Mother Earth. You can also save up to $80 a year with these puppies.

4. Cupco Tumbler– $6.49. I just bought two more of these today because Mike and I always fight over them if one is in the dishwasher. He drinks his iced coffee and I drink my Crystal Light Arnold Palmers each morning.

5. Apple Battery Charger– $29.99. Comes with six reusable batteries that last up to 10 years.

6. Decline Junk Mail– FREE. You can also sign up here.

7. Steel Water Bottles– $3.94. Water is so much better for your kids than juice boxes. Remember to use metal bottles instead of plastic, especially if you keep them in your car.

8. Recycle or Donate Your Old Phone– FREE.

9. Decline Receipts– FREE. After reading this article, you may want to do it for your own health as well. For small purchases or gas, I always decline a receipt. Why even bother?

10. Reusable Sandwich Containers– $2.50. Eliminate the need for plastic bags whenever possible.

11. Turn Off Water– FREE. When you don’t need it. Turn it off.

12. Return Dry Cleaning Hangers– FREE. Bring them back to your neighborhood dry cleaners. More than 350 billion hangers reach landfills each year, amounting to 200 million tons of steel that could be put to new use. Since the cost of imports from China has more than doubled in the past two years, many dry cleaners may offer incentives to bring yours back.