Could you live in a 500-square-foot house? If the answer is yes, kudos! For the rest of us, it can be a struggle to consume less energy, buy less stuff, and keep the house clean and green. Fear not. This week, we'll show you how to simplify your life and maximize your space. 3 Simple Habits for a Smaller Footprint 1. Own less.
3 Types of Transformative Beds Make the most of a small space with furniture that can serve multiple functions. These transformative
beds save both money and materials. After all, you don't need to buy two
separate pieces of furniture to get two separate pieces of furniture.
1. A bunk bed that turns into a couch.
Here are a five of our favorite fall activities to add to your list: 1.) Visit a farm. Take your family to the nearest organic farm to stock up on pumpkins and apples for Halloween. (We especially like to preserve biological diversity by supporting rare-fruit orchards whenever possible.) 2.) Enjoy seasonal recipes. It's time to eat pumpkins, squashes, sweet potatoes, carrots, leeks, cranberries, apples, and pears. Start with roasted pumpkin seeds and work your way to butternut squash enchiladas and homemade cranberry sauce. 3.) Make decorations. Autumn holidays offer a chance to entertain guests and show off your eco-friendly DIY style. Opt for crafts that utilize items you already have on hand or that serve a dual purpose, such as edible table displays.
The recipe below is 100% edible and non-toxic. In fact, it's made out of food! Recipe: Natural Halloween Makeup Ingredients: Over 150 Californians participated in last year's Solar Homes pilot program. The result? It was the carbon equivalent of turning 150 1.5 average vehicle households into homes that were car-free. Here's how the program works. For every home that goes solar, Sungevity will pay the Sierra Club $750. In addition, Sierra Club members will receive a deal on their solar service plus a $750 cash gift card. Sungevity offers various options to meet every household's financial goals. If you go solar by October 31, you'll get a $1,000 cash gift card and Sungevity will give $1,000 to the Sierra Club. Festive Pumpkin Vase Supplies: Directions:
Continue reading "3 Unbelievably Awesome Uses for Pumpkins" »
Craft #4: Denim Pot holder Instead of improvising with towels to pull a hot pot or tea kettle off the stove, use this repurposed denim pot holder. Supplies: Directions: Craft #3: Denim Coaster Nobody likes water stains on the coffee table. Save that surface and repurpose those old jeans at the same time with this easy-to-make coaster. Supplies: Directions:
Craft #2: Pocket Fridge Magnet Ever find yourself struggling to find a pen in a cluttered catch-all drawer? Slap this handy magnetic pocket on your refrigerator door and slip a few pens inside. Problem solved. Supplies: Directions:
Craft #1: Reusable Cup Koozie You don't want to burn your hand on a scalding hot cup of coffee, but you also don't want to keep using and tossing away those cardboard sleeves. Solution: Make this DIY coffee koozie. Supplies:
All posts tagged "Home and Design"
October 30, 2012
Downsize Your Domain: 3 Simple Habits
October 29, 2012
Downsize Your Domain: 3 Space Savers
Could you live in a 500-square-foot house? If the answer is yes, kudos! For the rest of us, it can be a struggle to consume less energy, buy less stuff, and keep the house clean and green. Fear not. This week, we'll show you how to simplify your life and maximize your space.
October 26, 2012
How to Make the Most of Your Autumn
The leaves outside may be red and gold, but autumn is a great time to be green. To inspire you to make the most of the season, we've collected tips, recipes, and a nature slideshow on the Sierra Club's Green Your Autumn page.
October 23, 2012
Recipe: Nontoxic Halloween Face Paint
What's scarier than a cat costume without painted whiskers or a vampire without fake blood? A study by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found that many children's face paints contain toxins or heavy metals, even when labeled as "safe" or "nontoxic." So before you buy petroleum-derived, heavily packaged, possibly toxic Halloween makeup from the store, think DIY.
October 22, 2012
Save $1,000 on Solar Panels
Does your rooftop look a little bare? With the Sierra Club's Solar Homes Program, it's easy to install solar panels and join the rooftop revolution.
3 Unbelievably Awesome Uses for Pumpkins
As a kid, carving a pumpkin was one of the cornerstone traditions during Halloween. A silly face or a scary ghost became inspiration for your pumpkin masterpiece. But after years of carving, you might want to do something a little different. A pumpkin vase is a quick, easy, and fun way to decorate mindfully around the house for fall festivities. Two variations on this basic design can take your Halloween party to the next level. So don't just sit there, grab a few pumpkins and get crafty!
October 18, 2012
Jean-ius Kitchen Crafts: Pot Holder
We've all got that one pair of deteriorated jeans that we can't bear to toss. Sure, you could donate them or give yourself a clothing makeover, but since denim is such a strong fabric, why not put those pants to work? This week, we'll show you how to make four jean-ius kitchen accessories from one old outfit.
October 17, 2012
Jean-ius Kitchen Crafts: Coasters
We've all got that one pair of deteriorated jeans that we can't bear to toss. Sure, you could donate them or give yourself a clothing makeover, but since denim is such a strong fabric, why not put those pants to work? This week, we'll show you how to make four jean-ius kitchen accessories from one old outfit.
October 16, 2012
Jean-ius Kitchen Crafts: Pocket Magnet
We've all got that one pair of deteriorated jeans that we can't bear to toss. Sure, you could donate them or give yourself a clothing makeover, but since denim is such a strong fabric, why not put those pants to work? This week, we'll show you how to make four jean-ius kitchen accessories from one old outfit.
October 15, 2012
Jean-ius Kitchen Crafts: Cup Koozie
We've all got that one pair of deteriorated jeans that we can't bear to toss. Sure, you could donate them or give yourself a clothing makeover, but since denim is such a strong fabric, why not put those pants to work? This week, we'll show you how to make four jean-ius kitchen accessories from one old outfit.
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