An easy way to make old shirts new again (or consignment and vintage purchases re-styled) is to jazz it up with an iron-on. I originally came across the wonders of iron-ons while brainstorming how to create text in a homemade fabric baby book. While my fabric baby book is still a project in the works, learning how to create a one of a kind garment for myself and my little one has given me a no-sew option to updating old clothing.

When we choose to purchase used clothing or make donations to consignment and thrift shops, we are helping to reduce the cost of waste disposal as well as the natural resources consumed in the life of a product. From the U.S. E.P.A.:

Waste is not just created when consumers throw items away. Throughout the life cycle of a product from extraction of raw materials to transportation to processing and manufacturing facilities to manufacture and use waste is generated. Reusing items or making them with less material decreases waste dramatically. Ultimately, less materials will need to be recycled or sent to landfills or waste combustion facilities.

And when you refashion used items to suit your own styles, not only will you look hip but you’ll feel good about your threads too. Iron on transfers can be used on anything from onesies and tees to fabric bags, pillows, pillow cases, and fabric covered containers.

I created the iron on tee “Barack and Roll Baby” by sprucing up a photo of my favorite candidate for U.S. President with Photoshop Elements and then adding text.

What kinds of projects have you  created (or would like to) using iron on transfers? Do you have any easy tips for refashioning old clothing and stuff? I’d love to hear, as always.

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Repurposing jars and cans is one of the simplest ways to reduce packaging waste, and the bonus is being able to create adorable containers to use around the house. Over the weekend, our family created 2 paper covered paint brush and pen containers out of an old soup can and a nut butter jar. Since this project is super easy, older children and teens can have an afternoon of fun making stylish containers for their school and art supplies. Here’s what we made:

the sky is the limit pen container (for my hubby’s desk)

a daisy paint brush holder for my crafting table

a no nonsense toothbrush holder. Plus, I like how this (practical) glass jar looks too. Who needs the Container Store?

Of course, there are many, many ways to reuse and repurpose jars and cans. Later today I’ll show you how our family made use of glass jars to preserve food for the coming winter.

What are some of your favorite ways to reuse jars and cans? Do you or your kiddos create neat crafts with them? Has your family found a way to reduce jar and can consumption? I’d love to hear your ideas!

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“I can’t think of any sorrow in the world that a hot bath wouldn’t help, just a little bit,” said Susan Glasee.

Most of the world’s problems can be solved with a long hot bath, or at least our suffering can be temporarily assuaged. With this in mind after a busy day chasing my little one, I wandered out back to our herb garden to gather some mint. I thought about what I might make with the mint and it occurred to me that I could take a bath and enjoy some homemade aromatherapy. Here’s what I did:

Ingredients

coffee filter

2 handfuls of herb leaves (whatever scent appeals to your senses)

2 tbsp. oatmeal (for soft skin)

string, yarn or thread to tie your filter together

1. Chop up 2 handfuls of herbs. Place into coffee filter.

2. Layer 2 tbspn. of oatmeal on top of herbs.

3. Twist filter to to create tea bag. Secure with string, twine, yarn, etc.

4. Run a hot bath. Steep tea bag in the water being careful not to let the force of running water push bag open (this cause the bag to open and then you’re pretty much bathing with floating bits of oatmeal and herbs).

5. Take your spa tea bath. Play a little background music like Enya, classical, or whatever it is that helps you unwind (I guess even death metal would do).

6. Make tea bath bags for your friends. Distribute. Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we could all just relax a little?

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If you’re a busy mamma or lady like I am, devoting time to personal care isn’t at the top of your list. Lately, my morning beauty routine adds up to pulling my hair into a ponytail and, if I’m lucky, sweeping bronzer onto my cheeks. For me, choosing between a happy toddler with a messy mamma versus a fussy toddler with a well groomed mamma, I tend to take the former unless there’s another set of hands around to help me out.

Since my beauty care regiment is just about nil, I sometimes feel like I a) look the neighbor’s teenage daughter (without makeup on, people think I am 16), or b) look like I haven’t slept in days (months, years, who’s counting?). And when it comes to my hands and feet, I usually ignore the idea that they’re intended to be attractive and that my hands are better suited for changing diapers and writing and that my feet are wonderful resources for getting me and my entourage from point A to point B.

Still, I am a woman, and every now and again, I pray for pretty feet. With a toddler in tow, getting to the nail salon for a pedicure isn’t as easy as it used to be. And beyond any logistic issues I have in finding the time and money for a pedicure, popular nail care products are not among the healthiest of personal care items; in fact, pre-natal care professionals usually recommend that pregnant and breastfeeding mothers avoid receiving manicures and pedicures because of the alarming chemical ingredients in nail care products. According to Christey Hadley, a staff writer for Babyfit.com, pregnant mothers should take precautions when selecting nail care products and salons. She writes:

Many nail products contain formaldehyde and toluene, which in small doses can cause moms to feel dizzy or nauseous, but in large repeated exposures have been linked to birth defects. There are many polishes and products available which are both formaldehyde and toluene free. Ensure that either your salon or room where you paint your nails is well-ventilated or that you wear a mask to defuse the fumes.

Nail equipment that is not properly sterilized is another cause for concern for anyone thinking about prettying their feet with a salon pedicure. Since unclean nail equipment can lead to infection, ladies (and gents too) may think twice about walking into a salon to pamper their feet. The International Pedicure Association provides the following suggestions to ensure pedicure safety:

• The pedicure area, whirpools, and salon/spa looks clean
• Your feet are examined and health questions asked before the pedicure
• Instruments look clean and are disinfected
• Items that cannot be disinfected are disposed of after the pedicure
• Proper tools are used (most states do not allow a credo blade)
• Drill bits (if used) are disinfected (cleaned)
• Salon/spa has proper ventilation
• A laundered towel or new disposable towel is used on each client

A healthy and green alternative to salon nailcare is to do your own manicure and pedicure at home. Not only can a home pedicure be accomplished while your child is in the bathtub, but you can ensure that you are receiving a clean, green, and healthy pedicure that rivals any salon. Here’s how to pretty your feet at home.

1. Research healthy, cruelty free, and eco-friendly nail care products. While I do have my favorites, the best route for selecting personal care products is to learn what ingredients are in products you like to use or are willing to purchase. Awesome databases for researching personal care products and that provide information about ingredient concerns, whether or not ingredients are linked to cancer or other diseases, toxicity, sensitivity, and whether or not the company uses animal testing include the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database and SafeMama.com. Once you feel comfortable that a product is healthy for you, your child, the environment, and your budget, bring it home and get ready for your home pedicure.

Recommended Materials:

foot bathing tub (a deep dish tub will do)

t.p. or cotton balls

2 towels

polish remover

nail file and clippers

forest friendly nail brush

environmentally friendly: polish remover, foot scrub, foot moisturizer, and nail polish

2. Get ready. Set up your pedicure space. Make sure that all supplies and materials are on hand. I referenced Marie Claire’s perfect pedicure guide to help me prepare for my good karma home pedi, but feel free to adjust their recipe to your tastes. To begin my pedicure, I filled a 5” deep dish bucket with warm water and placed a hand towel at the bottom of the bucket. While Marie Claire suggests that you add epsom salt to the water, I chose to soak with water only.

3. Clean up your feet. Before soaking my tootsies, I removed the old nail polish with one of those green nail polish removers (remember, you researched yours) and some t.p., and then I clipped and filed my toenails.

4. Soak your tootsies. I soaked my feet for between 5 and 10 minutes. Meanwhile, I invited my 19 month old into the foot bath and let her soak her tootsies too. A shared foot bath with your kiddo can add up to a lot of fun and a few inches of water on your floor. Soak wisely.

5. Smooth ‘em and dry ‘em. If possible, select an earth friendly foot file to sand the soles of your feet. Since I am a daily runner, callouses build up on the balls and heels of my feet, as well as on my big toes. After you sand your feet, dry them. If you are interested in cuticle control, you may want to use the edge of a nail file to gently push the cuticles back. Exfoliate with an eco-friendly scrub and use a nail brush to clean the bases of your nails. I love the feel of exfoliating scrubs on my skin so I opted to scrub my rough ankles as well as my lower calves. Once you’re done exfoliating, rinse, rinse, rinse.

6. Moisturize. Remember that you did your research to find green and healthy nail care products? Now, pull out your clean, green, and healthy foot moisturizer and take a few minutes to rub it into your feet and calves. Let your skin soak up the moisturizer. Then, rinse away the lotion and dry your feet.

7. Polish it off. I am not a personal fan of polished nails because, as I said before, I really really dislike having to maintain pretty hands and feet. I consider the au natural look to be prettiest. That said, I know that after having done all that work, you’ll probably want to complete your pedicure with some color. Lucky for you, Marie Claire has a few wonderful tips on how to put polish on with ease and no mess. Read on!

Now that you have given yourself a home pedicure that is full of good karma, pat yourself on the back and brag to your husband and anyone else who will listen about your clean, green and healthy pedicure and all the money you saved yourself by staying out of the salon. Go ahead, you deserve it!

If you have clean, green, and healthy beauty tips, please share. You know I love to hear your thoughts.

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