where green living, parenthood, and interiors intersect

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Practical Makes Perfect

I don't know about you, but I chuckle every time I read those lists of "12 Things I Couldn't Live Without" penned by fancy interior designers worldwide, clearly holding far different priorities than I. If I were to make such a list, you can bet that a Berkin bag and a $50 scented candle would not top the list of life's necessities. Don't get me wrong, I covet brilliant design and appreciate a few of the finer things in life, but mostly I am a simple, practical girl. I'm not even sure I could come up with 12 things but here are at least a few of the most clever and practical necessities that seem pretty vital to my existence.


An all-natural soap and sponge in one! How practical is that?!? Lori's Soap & Sponge (Goat's Milk & Olive Oil soap with natural sea sponge attached, also available with a Loofah).


My Blackberry Bold from Verizon is definitely an everyday essential. All the features of an iphone, but I can actually type my long-winded emails on it!


I take lunch and fruit on-the-go pretty much every day, but bruised many a banana in my bag until I discovered the Tupperware Limited Edition Banana Keeper (it doesn't appear to be for sale anywhere right now, thankfully I grabbed one when I did!)


I adore all my son's artwork, but this piece that he painted onto recycled cardboard and newspaper in Kindergarten is the only one that made it into a frame and onto our wall. I smile ear-to-ear every time I look at it.





My everyday, can't-live-without, footwear basics consist of vintage boots in the winter (I never pay more than $30 a pair and vintage always equals green in my book), classic navy Toms or my hemp Rainbow flip-flops in the summer, and slip-on Vans for all seasons in between.


I aspire to eat as healthfully as possible, but getting 5 servings of fruits and veggies in every day is always a struggle. I turn to my Breville Juice Fountain Plus to easily meet those requirements pretty much every day. And having just watched Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead with my son last night, I think I see a 10 day juice-only fast in my near future. Anyone want to join me?!


Concentrated all-purposes cleaners have saved me piles of money and precious storage space, marks of anything truly practical and essential. For about $18, a bottle of Basic H2 Super Organic Cleaning Concentrate and the companion spray bottles clean pretty much everything in my house for at least 6 months, without a trace of toxins.



And finally, a good night's sleep is probably the most important every day essential. My restful nights wouldn't be complete without The Company Store's Organic Cotton Jersey Bedding and my Keetsa mattress.